#something about what was said in his audio drama stuck with me

[travesty-majesty]

Kazui you have raised more questions than you have answered

[absurdumsid]

hi i have more thoughts and i finished watching kotoko's audio drama (absolutely devastated there is not a single mention of her past *slamming the floor with my fist*) BUT OH MY GOD. i am very insane *looks at you with big wide eyes*

ok but one thing i wanna mention i saw someone comment under kotoko's mv that at the very end, she uses the scale (which is something often used in judgement) as the "murder weapon" for all of the chess pieces, aka her vision of justice is using justice itself as her reason for attacking. the neon blood is splattered everywhere, including the scale.

ANYWAY VOICE DRAMAAAAAA~~ the irony of kotoko pointing out "oh are you voting based on preference and bias and not their crimes?" is so funny because Jackalope literally said you can vote based on any basis.

"when the killer is met with violence, that's called karmic retribution" i feel like this line is important because she believes that all of the prisoners in MILGRAM are here for a reason, and that they have all killed someone, hence they deserve karma. she would have gone for all of them, but from what i recall Jackalope had specifically stated that prisoners with innocent verdicts could do what they wanted, hence they could protect themselves from Kotoko, but also the guilty verdicts meant that she had a "proper" reason to go and attack them.

me when i see kotoko manipulating es like oooooh you wanna give me power so baaaaaad i'll be your fangs i'll do everything i'll do the dirty work i will attack them and none of them are forgiven. but also her entire speech about being a bystander and watching all of these "crimes" being laid out in front of es, in front of us the audience is soooo silly funny i love you kotoko. "why won't you do anything if you think that it's evil"

last note: Es' headache when kotoko mentions "i'll be your fangs," and personally i've interpreted it as: Es the warden who is supposed to be the judgement dealer, has passed the responsibility to kotoko, who intends to attack everyone. But also this headache is not caused by Es' own confusion and confidence in her ability as warden. I think this is MILGRAM's doing and her status as prisoner 00. as for why, i don't have concrete evidence but from what i remember it has happened a few times? (i think it was yuno's 2nd voice drama?)

anyway *clicks guilty* my work here is cleaned up :] (i'm definitely wrong about things i'm just spitballing the 1st thing that came to mind) (also she views things as very black and white. you killed someone, so you deserve to pay. life isn't that simple honey :sob:)

I LOVEE READING MILGRAM THEORIES SM

+ heres my addition !!!! (somebody else acually pointed it out but i cant FIND THEM IF U SEE THIS HI !! I SAW UR NOVELGRAM POST AND IT STUCK SO HARD,,,,,,,)

screenshots from 1:27 of the MV, the unofficial novelgram translation (chapter 5), and chapter 5 page 6 of the unofficial novelgram manga translation.

it kinda shows that while she wants the other prisoners not to be forgiven so that she'll have a justifiable reason to deliver her justice onto them, she is also judging herself for her own sins and knows she's unforgivable (or not, maybe she thinks her justice is correct and therefore she is forgivable, idk)

also, the table and chairs are very similar to kotoko's round table where she sits in the taller chair assigned to the warden !

[arguablysomaya]

This is a bit niche but Babs and Tim interacting with each other fic recs if you have any? Or if not just young justice being insane lol

i actually don't think i've seen too much of babs & tim... i do have some insane yj tho

by @charleswaterloo

There is an enormous container ship called the Ever Given stuck in the Suez Canal. Young Justice is on the case. During their short adventure, they also: make a massive sand sculpture, enjoy some fanfiction, and unblock the Suez Canal. Not in that order. * ‘I am thinking,’ Tim said, with extreme calm, ‘that you have made something that looks like a very large penis when viewed from above.’

‘It’s a dick and balls, yeah,’ Bart said without embarrassment. ‘It’s poetic! I’m ending the journey like it started.’ * ‘Did you-’ Dick began, laughing so hard he couldn’t breathe, ‘did you really tell him to: "at least make the shaft bigger”? Bart told Wally, and he told me but I have to know if it’s true, Tim. My life depends on it.’

i've probably recc'd this before but this crackfic should be given a plaque

by UntoldDepths

Tim's got a board zoom meeting in 15 minutes at Way Too Early and nothing ready to wear. His friends are absolutely no help and probably half the reason.

young justice are thirstyyyy

by @withthekeyisking-writer

When an alien invasion falls upon the Earth, Dick loses everything he holds dear.

Until he wakes up again.

Actually a crime this fic doesn't have more recognition

by Jonaira, Kimi_f

Conner was sure of only three things. One, Tim was a vampire. Two, he maybe really liked the guy. And three, Tim unconditionally and irrevocably hated him.

Conner has never really fit in. Pulled between a life of luxury, high expectations, and neglect with Lex or anonymity, living paycheck to paycheck, and awkward distance with Clark, Conner chooses the latter. He abandons his life in sunny Hawaii, leaving him miserable and biding his time until he can move out. That is, until he meets the dazzling Wayne family, and decides to unravel their supernatural mystery. Whether the Waynes like it or not.

Twilight AU. Kind of.

I have no excuse.

by Killthespare

The League has fallen. The team is dead. All that’s left is for Dick Grayson to pick up the pieces and move forward.

Easier said than done.

AU where dick grayson has to rebuild superhero society after failsafe kills a bunch of people. CRIMINALLY UNDERRATED!!!!!!! I'M NOT JOKING, PEOPLE SHOULD BE PROSECUTED

by wearealltalesintheend

Instead of dropping out of college to join Bludhaven Police Department, Dick Grayson takes a job at Gotham's Parks and Recreation Department.

In different ways, everyone follows.

Or, Parks and Rec AU

how much drama could one park even have?

by JadedJewels

Kyle lives in New York. Well, when he’s not living on Oa. He’s also kinda sorta dating Jason Todd and the batkids want to see what he’s all about. Kyle just thinks he’s lucky Batman himself hasn’t climbed through his window.

technically not about young justice but idc I wanted to rec it so here it is

by @leaping--lizards

Teen Titans Rebirth: Damian doesn't have any friends Me: okay but how about no

or, Damian Wayne's thirteenth birthday, done right.

An entire fic of damian being like that one tt audio "you asked me to make friends, I made friends. it was a task. i complete tasks."

[autisticempathydaemon]

I'd love to get a match if you're still doing them!!

I'm currently listening to American Teenagers by Ethel Cain. There's something about the lyrics that remind me of my angsty teen years. I'm really stuck on the lyrics "crying in the bleachers and I said it was fun", super relatable lol. I'm also stuck in Hummingbird by The Haunting. My favorite lyrics are "I wish you'd walk in and I miss you pillow talk"

My ennagram type is INFP

I love video essays, the longer the better, but I especially like the ones about videogames I'll never play. I just finished one about no more heroes that was fun.

My go to way to fall asleep is my fan on full blast, covered in a large blanket, and kicking my foot back and forth until I fall asleep, which is pretty fast since the motion soothes me for whatever reason.

I love the Guy confession audio. I love Guy's energy and how he goes from light hearted to fairly serious. He seems so chill and funny and his confession was so sweet.

I'm not a big fan of David. He's cool, but I like guys who are more gentle and emotionally open I guess?

I'd love to be best friends with Gavin because he's so supportive and fun. I think he'd be tons of fun to hangout with. Or Huxley, he's so sweet.

I've researched criminal minds more times than I can count. I love crime shows and such, but I'm not a fan of the personal character drama. I just want to see people solve crime. I know the endings to them all but still like them.

When I'm tired I love to ramble about human behavior. I'm really shy and bad at social interactions so it's usually me hyper analyzing an interaction and pointing out all the ways society's social standards are weird, at least to me lol.

Other stuff- I'm a fairly artistic person, I love paint and drawing, I also enjoy cooking. I'm shy and soft spoken in public but loud when I'm around people I like. I also love sleeping and naps. I'm a bit of a pushover and need people to like me but do like helping people. I also love listening to music, picking just 1 song to write about was hard so I picked two because I like so many, sorry!

Thanks!!

Okay, so hear me out. He gets a little bit of a bad rap because of the whole Sadism’s Hold thing, but you and Ivan, specifically FlyBoi!Ivan, would be so cute together, give him a CHANCE-

I get the irony of pairing you with someone who could have once been on Criminal Minds, I swear, but I feel like Ivan is a wonderfully gentle soul when not being otherwise manipulated. His normal voicemails are proof of that, that he’s thoughtful and communicative and not afraid of being vulnerable and putting his heart out there, you know? This would wonderfully complement the sensitivity that INFPs are known for.

Overall, I think you’d have a lovely, sweet, domestic sort of life together. Ivan also strikes me as a people pleaser which is great because when you pair people pleasers together, you get a couple who consistently looks out for one another’s needs. He travels for work and never forgets to call home or ask what new creative project you’re working on, never lets you forget he’s thinking about and missing you.

Song:

You could be dancing on tabletops/ Wearing high-heels/ Drinking until the world/ Spins like a wheel/ But tonight your apartment/ Had so much appeal/ Who needs stars?/ We've got a roof/ But there's nothing/ Like doing nothing/ With you

I don’t have a firm grasp of what genre Ivan would like, but I do like the slower, swaying vibes of this song for you. It’s sweet, relaxing, the soundtrack to when he finally comes home from a work trip and is grateful to see you napping on the couch in the dimming, sunsetting light of your living room.

Runner-Ups:

Morgan is a runner-up because he has a lot of similar vibes to Flyboi!Ivan, though I don’t know him well enough to match him confidently and he doesn’t strike me as forthcoming with his love and emotions. Cam was a closer candidate if I had not really liked the domestic vibes of you with a human or unempowered person.

note: if you don’t like Ivan and I took too big of a risk I am SO SORRY but he’s a darling and I love him he’s so lovable

Read this post and send me an ask if you’d like a match-up of your own! 💌

[tobyblogger]

My entry, please post it for me as I really can't log into my account on the wiki for some reason, story entry is based around that unreleased beta of FNaPF 1, I hope it is good:

“I will spare you a pointless introduction and jump straight into it.

It all started in 2021 when it was just beginning. On the Five Nights at Freddy’s Amino community, Joseph and his friend, Saturn3034, were publicly planning to make a fangame based on the series. This game eventually became Five Nights at Prototype Fredbear’s (often abbreviated as FNaPF).

You see, there’s a reason why the first game wasn’t made until January 27, 2022. Joseph and Saturn were essentially stuck in development hell. It was a complete nightmare, and I can confirm that because I was on Amino at the time.

Many people were there. The only progress Joseph made was an official preview posted on January 20, 2021���the same day the series was planned. Now, I want you to think about something real quick: why do you think an official demo for the first game was never released? I know many of you might point to the “click-roam” version of the classic game, but that’s not what we’re talking about.

In the preview, it stated: “Five Nights at Prototype Fredbear’s 1 Demo.” Interesting, isn’t it? What made it even more interesting was the presence of the number “1,” as if the series had been planned from the very beginning. As it turns out, that was the case. Older members of the JTS server, who were there before the original server got deleted due to drama involving an old friend of Joseph, revealed that both Joseph and Saturn were very ambitious about the series.

Now, this may sound promising, as it showed they had a strong desire to succeed with the series. But notice how the game kept getting delayed—this happened with every release. It happened with Five Nights at Prototype Fredbear’s 1 and 2, and it’s likely going to happen again with the recently announced third game (which is still being worked on as I’m writing this). Many believe the two were simply overwhelmed by the series and their real-life responsibilities.

This is understandable, right? However, some people started to form rather depressing conclusions. They speculated that Joseph kept hyping up the series while failing to release it. This caused many people, including some of his friends—you know who you are—to lose interest in the game.

This might explain why Joseph stopped working on the series, and many people noticed strange things happening behind the scenes. One notable rumor involves the existence of a supposed lost episode from one of his projects, specifically Joseph’s World. This episode, known as “Joseph’s Schoolday,” interestingly uses some audio from the game. Now, I know this may seem off-topic, but it could be a clue.

With that said, there were plenty of rumors. One anonymous user claimed that Joseph and Saturn were having strange dreams and visions of Prototype Fredbear taunting them, begging them to finish the series. Others claimed that an urban legend had formed around the game, suggesting that Prototype Fredbear could break into players’ homes and kill their pets, most often cats.

Regardless of these rumors, here’s the real reason you’ll never see the demo online again, and why Joseph never made it playable. A user on the internet found a link to Google Drive and accessed the MFA file for the demo. They leaked it onto the internet, and eventually, someone with access to Clickteam got hold of the code.

The game was then submitted to Game Jolt, where it became playable for everyone. This made it one of the most underrated, yet disturbing, events in Game Jolt’s history.

I was able to play the game before it was ultimately deleted. Here’s my story: the game started immediately with the title screen, without the warning screen present in the final version. It displayed the title of the game with a PNG image resembling Prototype Fredbear in the background, completely pitch black with static in the foreground. There were no options besides “New Game,” so I pressed it to start.

It played the museum theme from Final Nights 4 on a loop in the background. I ignored it and clicked “New Game.” It took me to a loading screen that read, “Loading… Night One.” The next thing I knew, I was in the office. Unlike the final version, which had a door and vent, this one only had doors on either side, but no buttons to close them. There were also no buttons to turn on the lights unless they were mapped to the keyboard. From what I remember, the preview didn’t show how the office functioned, likely because Joseph hadn’t finished coding the game.

I clicked the button on my right, which took me to the camera. The only available camera was the stage, showing a single animatronic—Prototype Fredbear. From the looks of it, this was the same PNG used in the main menu.

The game didn’t display a timer, battery level, or night counter, so I had to guess if Prototype Fredbear would come to my office. It wasn’t long before I heard faint moans that sounded like they were recorded by a person, similar to the ambient noises in the final game.

I watched as Prototype Fredbear appeared at the door. I say “watched” because there was nothing I could do—just like many game betas, this one wasn’t as fun or complete as the final version.

As the screen faded to black, I saw a close-up of Prototype Fredbear staring directly at me. His pupils were small, his jaw was open, and his teeth had been edited to look sharp. The audio was even worse—it was so loud that it broke my computer’s speakers. I’m not exaggerating; as I write this, I’ve tested my speakers with music, and they’re no longer working.

After this, the game crashed, giving me an error screen before my computer blue-screened. Now, you might be wondering how I’m writing this if my computer is fried. I’m using a different device. There’s nothing more to explain.

I don’t have much else to say, except for those still curious about playing this beta, I urge you to respect Joseph’s wishes and refrain from playing it. Just be careful with what you decide to play in general.”

Happy Halloween folks!

I will be hosting a creepypasta writing contest, here are the rules.

1. Content has to be related to JTS media, this means Five Nights at Prototype Fredbears, Joseph’s World, etc.

2. Regarding Lost Episodes and Theories - Do NOT make coma theories and/or stories about the characters committing suicide or harming themselves. (For example: the cast in Joseph’s World is based on real people, these types of stories can make us uncomfortable.)

2.1. Refrain from including rape, that is a serious subject. Trust me, it won’t make your story scary, it will make you seem like a creep.

3. All stories must be posted to Spiral Nightmares.

3.1. if you can't post on the wiki, add your story via google doc or pastebin in your reblog so I can add it for you.

4. Spin-offs and retellings are allowed. If you wish to make a fan-made sequel or something about Sammy the Cat, for example, you can.

5. You may not copy existing lost media and stories (e.g. Joseph’s Schoolday and the Five Nights at Prototype Fredbears creepypasta by TobyBlogger.)

6. All content will be under the license - NC-By-SA.

Deadline - December 1st, 2024.

For further questions and suggestions, ask me in comments

If you are entering the contest, reblog this.

[sadistic-sakamaki]

Anonymous has said:

Where does Ayato speak french?!?!? WE NEED THAT 🙏

Ooc; All right, so for some context: this started out as me writing in french with some french roleplayers as a joke, but the more I thought about it, the more of a canon possibility I figured it was? This was back in 2014, and even then this headcanon was supported by the idea that Laito speaks french fluently, and that he once said in a drama cd that the macaroons he bought in Paris were the best of the best. 

So, at the time, I hypothesized that, given how long they have lived in the Human World, it was possible that they had traveled a bit, especially since we all know they somewhat have roots or at least a connection to Europe, more specifically Romania or a location similar to it (my canon is fuzzy here, but I do think it’s mentioned). Plus, their outfits and flashbacks from childhood indicate a more European inspiration from the 1800′s than that of an Asian one (in this case, Japan, where they live currently). They just happened to later move to Japan because of KarlHeinz and the sacrificial bride (Yui) plot. Therefore, traveling in Europe is a high possibility. There is no way they just landed in Japan and were stuck there for eternity. So, yes, the Sakamaki are all HEAVILY inspired/related to Europe in some way, and they were probably curious about their surroundings in this new, human world. Also, Yui’s “ adoptive father” also mentioned that he did some missions in Europe, and he was aware of the Sakamaki schemes, so there’s that to support it too.

Okay, now that the rant is over, the audio you’re looking for is here, at minute 6.20, more or less. He just says ‘Poisson d’Avril’ but he sounds super? Fluent? Saying it? And we know he sometimes messes up his speech, so I was surprised by his level of pronunciation (if he did not know french, he could have just said something like ‘what the hell is this strange store’s name?! and probably mispronounce it).

I’m not saying he is fluent in it? But I’m highly sure that he knows at least something about the language.

[grewlikefancyflowers]

I think the reckless wwx came from the donghua. When S1 aired, some of the comments I read is they find dh!wwx "too jumpy" or "shonen-y" even his voice was more highpitched than in audio drama like when he said "hgj is my type". He was reckless in noncanon scenes w/ resentful energy in S1, & he was hotheaded due to effect of modao when he was killing the wens in ep15 &when he was being ambushed in S2. In the donghua he has a more hyper, youthful reckless vibe that is very typical of a shonen mc.

i haven't watched all of the donghua so i don't have a clear idea of how wwx differs to novel canon there, but i do think his character came across very differently during his yllz era in the parts i've watched, at least. he seems a bit angrier...? he does seem to have that angsty teenager-esque energy of a typical shounen protag. i guess it makes sense that they went down that route, since the donghua is very much action-based. the yllz in the flashbacks in the novel always felt very melancholic to me.

i know novel mains such as myself tend to blame cql for just about everything wrong with this fandom, but i think that plays a large part in wwx being thought of as reckless. in cql he comes across as someone who rarely gives a lot of thought to anything, probably because the writers didn't give a lot of thought to how they were portraying him. i've ranted about this so many times but the wen indoctrination camp in cql is just a whole mess. wwx repeatedly provokes wen chao for.. no particular reason, and just ends up getting himself in completely unnecessary trouble. i really have no idea what the writers were thinking (oh yeah they weren't thinking) i couldn't make wwx act more ooc if i tried. but those scenes really seem to have stuck out for a lot of people and have unfortunately marred his true characterisation. actually i've seen those scenes referenced twice (that's two times too many) in meta wherein the writer has claimed they're basing their analysis on the novel 😐 anyway daily rant abt cql, over. fuck that adaption & i wish it just didn't exist.

probably not everything can be blamed on subpar adaptions. since unfortunately mxtx seemingly had too much faith in her readers' ability to, well, read, people have interpreted some of wwx's calculated & deliberate actions to be impulsivity or recklessness. for example, getting himself thrown out of class, letting himself be struck by zidian on dafan mt, his actions against wen chao in xuanwu cave, the gc transfer to name just a few.

and then there's the unfortunate tendency to assume that just because wwx does things that bear potential negative consequences for him, that he must not have thought through what those consequences might be. there's nothing at all in the novel to support this interpretation of his character. i think people just feel like a wholly good character such as wwx is less deep or something... so they try to box him into some sort of reckless antihero trope instead 🙄

[tiallussims]

Marshall Harcourt for Lilith’s Bachelorette Challenge

[Audio playing, first promo shot shown]

"People know Marshall Harcourt's name by now, but even more knew his voice before. After being a radio show host for years, he became a sought-after voice actor. Over the last years, Harcourt's voice starred in several trailers, games, animated series, and dubs. Lately, Harcourt has stepped in front of the camera after being cast as Reaper's leading role Elian Grim. Harcourt's love life, on the other hand, isn't as successful as his blossoming acting career. Maybe he can win Lilith Vatore's heart in the upcoming BC."

[Pause, transition to second promo shot]

"Marshall Harcourt revealed he didn't sign up for Lilith Vatore's BC himself. His friends, whose names he didn't disclose, knew about his long-time crush on Lilith Vatore and signed up Harcourt for the show. Harcourt told Simlebrity Gossip when he received the news about making it through the preselection and now has to submit an in-depth application tape; he still thought it was a prank. …"

[Audio Ends, cut to Marshall talking to the camera]

"There you have it: the story on how I got to make this video. [laughs] It’s true I have a growing affection for you, but I was too reluctant to make the first move. Honestly, when it comes to making friends or finding love, I’m ... guarded. Unfortunately, I am also selective about the people I spend my time with. After my friends signed me up for the Bachelorette, I had to choose. I could either resign or commit. Now that I’ve overcome that first awkwardness, I’d love to get to know you and see where it takes us. [smiles] We already have something important in common. We are family people. Our family is the most important to each of us. No matter if it’s by blood or chosen. What else can I tell that the gossip reporters didn’t drag to the light of day already? [blows raspberries] I’m not a born and bred San My denizen. I was born and raised in Britechester. Exactly. That city whose denizens are said to be more stuck-up than Windenburgians. [chuckles] But living in DSV while shooting Reaper made me realize I am not made to live in this city. I will always return to San My."

Here he is: Marshall Harcourt, my entry to @hauntedplasma​‘s BC.

Basic Info

Name: Marshall Harcourt Gender: Male Pronouns: he/him D.o.B.: May 28, 1989 Age: 33 Zodiac Sign: Gemini Height: 1,79m | 5′10″ Sexual Orientation: Heteroromantic, Demisexual

Occupation: Radio Host, Voice Actor, Actor Basic Traits: Active | Snob | Art Lover Occult: Master Vampire (Unknown to public)

Random Facts

Reaper is based loosely on Lucifer. But since EA didn't adapt the devil to the Simmiverse, I had to improvise. In Reaper, Elian Grim, a.k.a. the Grim Reaper, has seen too many killers getting away with murder. The Grim Reaper doesn't kill; they're a guide and guardian for the souls of the deceased. So the Grim Reaper takes on the role of Elian Grim, a historian and true-crime podcaster who investigates cold cases. By doing this, the Grim Reaper hopes to gather enough evidence to prove what they saw when they came to guide the soul to the afterlife. Soon the police's interest is piqued, and Elian joins forces with detective Omar Hamilton.

Marshall's voice claim is German actor Manou Lubowski. Lubowski is Tom Ellis's German voice actor on Lucifer.

After Marshall finished his Drama degree at Britechester, he moved to San Myshuno to work for a local radio station.

Although he loves playing Elian Grim, Marshall hopes he can return to voice acting or radio show hosting after Reaper finishes.

Marshall loves art and donates to Casbah Gallery regularly to help fund their art programs.

Marshall spends his alone time at art galleries, running, or excercising at the gym.

Marshall loves to joke how his distinct canine teeth landed him the role of Elian Grim thanks to the uncanny aura they give him.

[beelspillowpet]

A Lesson in Love - A “Character Analysis” on Asmodeus

I had to come for the tracks, wigs, and weaves of bitches when Pomade dropped because I saw people talking shit about my boy. This was a milestone “project” or “reward” I guess?

I hit 400 followers today while I was out running errands!!! Thank you guys SO SO MUCH for the love and support! I can’t WAIT to produce more content for everyone!!!

Below the cut there WILL BE talk of season 3, as well as some talk of chapter 16. There’s a healthy amount of theorizing on his personality as well, I hope you don’t mind! This came out more like a plea to get people to change their minds about how Asmo really is, rather than a comprehensive essay of sorts. So here we go!

There’s something we apparently still need to talk about in this fanbase. The unrealistic idea of Asmodeus being a sex freak, and an unreliable person in general despite there being little proof of it. We need to set a few things straight about Asmo moving forward.

December 25th rolled around and Asmo’s audio drama and song were released. I take it everyone enjoyed both parts, as well as I did. My timeline both on twitter and tumblr were filled with Asmodeus content, as well as the other brothers and such. But I mostly got Asmo content. However, in peeks and cracks, if I looked hard enough, I still saw people who absolutely loathed Asmo or who were indifferent to him. Keep in mind; I think it’s okay. You don’t have to like everyone.

I’ve only joined the fanbase in September, but even I could tell some of these takes were old fashioned. I downloaded the game on October 17th, a very important anniversary for me, while I 

was still in bed in the morning. I blazed through the entire story of season 1 and now I am stuck in season 2, specifically in Chapter 24. I obviously don’t have every card of Asmodeus with his Devilgrams, but I have been analyzing his character over the past few days for this.

So needless to say, I have a considerable amount of information on him, as well as personal thoughts that may help some learn to love him. Or at the very least, from spreading a negative idea of him around as if it were true. Enough that should help clear his name, so to speak.

Let’s look at his title; Avatar of Lust. Now naturally the thoughts that come to your head are sex and other sexual bits. So I can understand how some people would come to the conclusion that he’s just a sex freak. But if you look under the surface of his title, like I’m sure you’ve had to for your own personal favorites (*cough* Lucifer, Belphie, and Satan ESPECIALLY) you would discover that Asmodeus is more than just about sex. In fact, sex takes up very little of his pass time, if you were to believe it!

In recent chapters, as I’ve been told, Asmodeus doesn’t really get around much anyways:

Granted, this was said while in Celestia, but I imagine not much has changed for him since his fall, as well as his brothers.

Not really comfortable being with just anyone, huh…? Sounds like someone who doesn’t have sex so warily often as you’d think!

Being lustful can come in many shapes and forms. It can be merely in appearance, which Asmo is not afraid of doing. He’s very comfortable about skinship and it’s very apparent in how he dresses and acts that he wants you to adore his body. To worship it! Maybe not sexually, but aesthetically! Being lustful can mean just thinking about sex or sexual scenarios often, which if you take a peek at Asmo’s chat’s either with you or his brothers, is very apparent too.

Personally, I believe that people would assume he is not good in a relationship because he would have a “cheating problem”. I don’t think Asmo is a monster, just like I don’t think any of the brothers are monsters. They may be demons (technically fallen angels) now but they used to be angels too. Their falling out with their Father doesn’t mean they’ve completely abandoned morality, it was a rebellion for Lilith’s right to live. Not for them to sin as they pleased. For all we know they might have been fine in Heaven otherwise! (with the exception of Lucifer.)

A monster knows right from wrong and chooses evil anyways. An ignorant person doesn’t know right from wrong. Asmodeus is not a monster, nor is he ignorant.

When Asmo genuinely loves you, I think he would take steps to calm down that side of him, if it were to exist. Lust is fairly limited, but it is a part of love to some extent. LOVE is vastly different. Love has many languages, and they aren’t all spoken either. For me, personally, I found that Lucifer’s love language can be either very direct, or roundabout so as to not let it go to your head, for an example. Asmo is just far more direct about his care for you.

I feel as though Asmo gets a lot of crap constantly for his presumed nature and because we don’t get to see much else of him at first, especially in season 1, his impression on us sort of stays. With most of the fanbase either somewhat new to the game or somewhere lost in the sea of the difficulty curve that is season 2, we can only assume based on what we’ve seen, and what others have headcanoned about him.

Let’s break and talk about Satan for a moment; this is going somewhere.

I’m led to believe that Satan can control his sin fairly well. He’s easy to get irritated, sure, but he isn’t as much of a walking ball of rage as I suspected. I would argue that, aside from Leviathan, Satan can handle his sin the best out of the brothers. But again, we’re forgetting about Asmo. The Avatar of “Lust”. Like I’ve shown before, he doesn’t really sleep around a lot, according to anon.

At worst, Asmo being flirty is through text and he’s not actively trying to sleep with you. It can be interpreted that way, but for me personally, it comes down to having a friend that is very up close and in your personal space.

(I myself am one of these types of people. Having ADHD, my social cues are always sort of off, and I’ve struggled with coping with it for years. With my best friend, we have seen each other naked countless times and have slept in the same bed as well. We were never romantic with each other. We were just very comfortable being close and personal with each other.)

I’d like to point out also that Asmo isn’t even there for most of season 1 too. Which can give you the idea that maybe he just was out sleeping around a lot, but to me he probably just went out partying a lot. You don’t get known that fast for sleeping around. Maybe in 5,000 years, sure, but I’d imagine being a party boy, as his Devilgram “Guided by Desire” suggests.

So the idea that Asmo isn’t in the house a lot because he’s out having sex all the time isn’t true is it? He’s probably just out partying, which can LEAD to sex with someone sure, but again, Asmo doesn’t feel comfortable doing that, now does he?

I feel like of all the boys, Asmo is the one who radiates with everyone else the most. Most people will never realize how surreal it is that Asmo is faking it until he makes it. He doesn’t always think he’s beautiful, or that he’s worth all the love he’s striving and straining to get. Something that is extremely relatable for a lot of people with self-worth issues. Asmo is just like that, but instead being sarcastic and self-deprecating, he simply works to make himself look as beautiful as possible, so that in his eyes, his beauty matches the affection he gets.

Which is why, when he falls in love with you, it’s strange. You are constantly telling him he’s nice and pretty, but you aren’t lusting after him. You’re just being nice. It may just be me, but when people are overly nice just for the sake of being nice, I’m very attracted to that. That is Asmo, to some extent. The fact that he reflects the insecurities and habits of others so clearly may make others uncomfortable, but that brutal honesty veiled behind insecurity is what a lot of people with self-image issues deal with.

Now for me to share my favorite personal idea for Asmo that completely changed how I saw him in season 1 onwards; Asmodeus is an empath. Now let me explain:

First, what is an Empath?

The term empath comes from empathy, which is the ability to understand the experiences and feelings of others outside of your own perspective. Seems simple, right? Everyone can do this to some extent. However, what makes you an empath is the fact that empaths genuinely feel the same pain as you do. So much so your experience becomes a very personal part of their own. They are capable of being able to feel other people’s emotions without them speaking, or even showing signs of it through their body language.

This would explain, for me personally, why there’s so little of him in season 1. The intensity of what goes on in the house, his sensitive soft-spoken mannerisms, the only time he truly gets mad is when he’s childishly arguing with Mammon? Asmo is afraid of true conflict, he’s afraid of violence and negative emotions. Let’s face it; everyone is indifferent or hates you at the start of the game.

While this changes fairly quickly, all the intense feelings come to a head in chapter 16. All those negative emotions swirling around, of course Asmo isn’t going to want to be in the house when it’s that intense. The attic didn’t just disappear completely, too. Belphie was still in the attic hating humans. That negative emotion could be affecting Asmo and he didn’t know why, so he could have been out of the house more.

Where Asmo can feel the emotions of others, it may mostly be the negative ones because they fill him with anxiety and panic if it persists. Which can be helpful in making him so urgent to want to make others smile and feel better, right?

Imagine being intimate with Asmodeus, and suddenly you aren’t in the mood for it anymore but don’t want to make things awkward. He could pick up on it in an instant and wouldn’t get mad because he understands how you feel completely.

Now to close this out about something that genuinely hurts me; Asmodeus is a narcissist.

I mean, the wiki says that he is, but personally? No, no he isn’t. Since when is loving yourself a bad thing? Sure he may go a bit far sometimes, but people with self-image issues need to go a little harder than the rest to make sure they're getting the love they need.

(Talking about myself AGAIN, but I do this a lot. At random, I will look up in my own mirror in front of my desk that I sit in front of all day and tell myself I am a cute bitch. I am VERY VERY cute and anyone would be lucky to have someone as drop dead gorgeous as myself. I say that a few times a day. In reality, I am very insecure about my looks. I do believe I’m cute, but sometimes it’s hard to say it. Which is why I force myself. Why wouldn’t Asmo do the same?)

Talking yourself up to be as beautiful as a sex god is no easy task, but Asmo isn’t the Avatar of “Lust” for no reason. When an insecure girl talks up her beauty, it’s her being strong and independent. When Asmo does it, its narcissism… it doesn’t really seem fair, now does it? Maybe he’s just an insecure person who needs to tell himself ALL THE TIME that he’s beautiful. That if he stares at his reflection long enough, he may see it too.

(Also, Simeon literally calls him out on being insecure. Insecure people tend to try and overcompensate where they feel they’re lacking.)

”Asmodeus is hinted to be insecure and seeking for love and attention. When Simeon was asked about what he thought of Asmodeus, he says that Asmodeus is still trying to fulfill the role of the angel he used to be; an angel that was adored and loved by many. Asmodeus laughs at Simeon's remark and brushes it off by saying that he is only jealous.” - A section from said Asmodeus Wiki.

People can choose to love or hate Asmo, obviously. Making things up about his character without having anything but speculation and having that dictate how he acts is plain silly. This entire “essay” if you can call it that, comes from the heart. I love Asmo as a character, and in the beginning he did make me uncomfortable, I didn’t like him that much. But I learned to look past that and figure out why he acts the way he does. Something didn’t sit right with me about him for a while, and it was that air of insecurity that I didn’t see at first.

All I can really ask for, is giving Asmo another chance as a character. He’s not as wild and wacky as Mammon, or as cool and sexy as Lucifer, or as edgy and precious as Belphie, but he matters in this story too. He fell from grace with his brothers for Lilith. Give him another chance, and let him show you that he is the Avatar of Love.

[thelaithlyworm]

DMBJ Rare Pair Exchange Reveals (2)

(“Slice of Life”, “A Bucket of Water, Well Chilled”, “Tongues”)

I was interested in the mare’s nest implied by the Hei Xiazi and Wu Xie’s training relationship when I was making prompts, and so were some other people, and a lot of folk did fic or art on that. Nice!

When I was considering writing Treats I had a few ideas for those two, most of which got sorted into Slice of Life and Bucket. Then, while writing the middle scene of Bucket, it ducked its head bashfully, touched its forefingers together and asked, “But what if… sexy?” and the resulting bunny wouldn’t leave me alone until I finished writing Tongues.

(I want it known that, however dark things might get in these fics, I could totally have made them worse and I chose not to. I saw the path of Sin and I turned away. I turned away!)

Note: All of these fics take place a little before Sand Sea, and deal extensively with spoiler information therein.

“Slice of Life”

Something about Hei Xiazi is that, for all his pragmatism, he’s a compassionate guy. Which gives him an interesting perspective on Wu Xie’s extremely self-destructive arc. If Hei Xiazi trains him, he’s helping him get further into dangerous situations. If he doesn’t, the kid’ll probably dive in bitter waters anyway, with less ability to swim.

And. So. There are a few hints that Grandad Wu was a lot deeper into the snake thing and the conspiracy thing and the everything thing than he let on, and I wanted to explore that. What better perspective than a tired immortal who’s in deeper than he wants to be? And after all, didn’t Hei Xiazi bring Wu Xie the message-snake that got him started on the venom thing? If he just… hadn’t quite done his job, if, in that long trek through the desert, the snake just… died, things would have been a lot different for Wu Xie. I wonder if Hei Xiazi ever thinks about that.)

Anyway, it’s called Slice of Life, and there are fairly mundane scenes of gathering and eating snails (as a snack) because, well, life just happens around the weird shit. And it made a nice soft ground for when the violence erupted.

I did not mean for Slice of Life to be so symmetrical, it just sort of happened, and when I realised that I helped it along a little bit. I’m still fond of two lines from the start and end:

“You still think,” Hei Xiazi said levelly, “that I won’t really hurt you.”

“What I know,” [Wu Xie] breathed, intimate as a lover, “is you won’t ever stop me.”

Mirrored statements, metrically identical. I’m very proud!

I think I might have gotten the headcanon from ilgaksu, but I kind of think Hei Xiazi was studying medicine in Berlin at the height of the Weimar Republic, and that somehow morphed into the dream he has in the centre scene - Weimar Republic music in a fancy-house in Old Changsha. (And “Die solistiche Orchester” was both quite hard to track down an audio recording of, and an insane ear-worm once I had. I put it in the podfic I did of this fic: you’re welcome.) Blue-and-White Porcelain was mentioned very briefly in one of the main-arc novels and the name hella stuck with me. (One day I’m going to write a fic consisting of Blue-and-White Porcelain, Phoenix from the New Years Fantasy Extra, and oh, maybe Mo Ce from the M9 drama for good leavening. It may make the tag wranglers twitch.)

I really enjoyed putting in mundane details, like the colour of the bucket of snails, or the old-fashioned wooden crutch - they really help bring a scene to life, for me, anyway.

“A Bucket of Water, Well Chilled”

I’m not sure how much I have to say about this one, really. It’s loosely based on one of the side-stories, wherein Hei Xiazi dares Wu Xie to throw ice water on Xiaoge, soon after he comes down from Mt Changbai, with similar results to the fic.

It was certainly interesting to show a progression of their relationship. From, “I can’t fix your problem I can only curb the most maladaptive part of it” through “everything is awful and nothing is okay” to… “everybody is with their sweetie(s) and there’s room to make a joke”. I’m not sure Hei Xiazi really needed to lick the water-pistol in the first sc-  Wait, he just tapped me on the shoulder and handed me a note: he totally did need to lick the water-pistol and if I were more aware of tropes and thematic expression this would be obvious to me. Okay, okay, I’m not going to argue.

Oh! So why does Wu Xie quote part of the Heart Sutra in the middle? The “no eyes, no ears, no mind” part? Another of the sides describes Xiaoge’s perception of behind the Gate as very dark and very quiet. It seemed close enough to that particular sutra that Wu Xie might jump to it if he let his mind wander.

… I’ve got a theory that all the snake mines Wu Xie devoured contained, as well as some ancient ancient history, a collection of sutras and religious-and-philosophical texts that people tending the mine, say, a monastery up in Motuo, might want remembered as well as simply writing things down. There’s a line in one of the post-Reboot novels that he knows a *lot* of sutras and I suppose he might have memorised them the old-fashioned way but, y’know, when there’s a bizarre mechanism for transmitting information around, why not go hard?

My other theory, and I’m not sure it’s so much a theory as just saying things out loud, is that with all the extra information sitting in his brain, plus the emotional bleed the novels say happens with snake pheromones, Wu Xie is essentially playing with the kind of three-or-four-deck card stack that casinos use - difficult to predict by outsiders because there’s so much extra information, but also so many cards that it’s unwieldy for the owner. And that he keeps himself functioning on the day to day by just… taking a smaller handful to use and trying to forget the rest of the pile exists until he needs it. (Wu Xie’s emotional affect can be, ah, fluid.)

“Tongues”

And this is where we take the snake venom mind-wandering up to 11.

(Incidentally, about a month after writing these, the Travelling Notes arc popped up some chapters that involved a lot of snail-cookery, and Wu Xie saying something that Pangzi tells him sounds *weird* which Wu Xie just brushes off with an off-hand explanation and… was probably not, from context, the mundane bilingual slip-up that he thinks it is - it was close enough to what I’d written that I was a little shook.)

I loved the mad swings in this - coupons to pinning someone against the wall, to sweaty sex, to giggling at the prospect that the landlady might hear, to tender, bittersweet cuddling - I always do enjoy a fic that binds extremes. 

For what it’s worth, I borrowed the little room papered with newspaper and a board bed running down one wall from the Lost Tomb 1 drama. (It had some really vivid mundane scenery, that show.) Hei Xiazi wearing a sarong in Reboot was, it was memorable okay? He looked good. So I extrapolated a little for the fic.

And… so I was reading a meta about the descriptive language used in sex scenes, and it got me thinking about this one, which is a whole lot more E-rated than I usually do, and the choices I’d made in how things got described. And partly that’s because I’m just not a ‘weeping cock-slit’ kind of a girl, and partly… I was really tight in Hei Xiazi’s POV and it turns out he - the version that exists in my head - just wasn’t interested in that kind of detail. He was interested in the mechanics, and what needed to be done (and coupons) and how his partner was reacting, but he’s lived a long time and some things just don’t need a lot of describing in his internal narrative. Anatomy is an open book to him; orgasms are nice but easy; you don’t get to kiss someone’s fluttering eyelid every day!

... Perhaps that has something to do with his Romance vs ‘Real’ distinction. Hmm.

This also got podded, with the theme music “Adam a Eva”, similar era to “Das solistiche Orchester”, and if I knew how the lyrics went I would tell you.

[not-me-simping-for-blasty]

Wrong Number, Asshole - A Bakugou Katsuki Soulmate AU

All Parts 

Part 14:

It was getting a little exhausting at this point.

You were once again searching through hero rankings, staring and staring and hoping that it would make a difference- but it didn’t. Of course it didn’t. You just couldn’t think of any prototype that felt like it was good enough. 

Your eyes burned as you closed out of one website, opened another, and rinsed and repeated several times over. Nothing was new or exciting. It was all the same recycled clips and drama about the same few top heroes you’d already been used to seeing. It also didn’t help either that nearly every community board, almost every comment, was currently serving as a means to bash some pro-hero named Dynamite nd nothing else.

Apparently the attack he stopped a few days ago had a few more casualties than the public would’ve liked. On one hand, you sort of understood. His quirk, while effective, did seem objectively dangerous- but, you also couldn’t help feeling bad for the poor guy. Often the most effective means of stopping violence was through more violence, and that wasn’t his fault. And he definitely didn’t deserve to be blamed for a situation that was already bad in the first place- especially at the non-stop rate he was being vilified.

It was everywhere you looked. Thread after thread of people pulling old clips and resurfacing audio and digging into his apparently very messy past. You couldn’t imagine how that would feel- didn’t even want to try. You didn’t know who Dynamite was as a civilian- you didn’t really care enough to look- but some part of you still hoped he was okay. 

You suppose that your hope matter in the end though, because even from your sympathetic angle, lives lost were still lives lost- and he was at the center of all of it.

You rubbed at your eyes, groaning loudly as you realize how much time you wasted looking at yet another news reel of nothing but Dynamite criticism. This wasn’t helping. This wasn’t productive, but you didn’t know where else to look.

You closed your laptop’s lid, nearly cheering as you realized what time it was. 

Woah. 

Remember that excitement earlier? All gone now.

Bakugou didn’t call you any names, didn’t make any jokes. You wouldn’t necessarily say he was a conversationalist, but over the last few days he had at least been indulgent of your antics. This didn’t feel that way. His response was cold, succinct, dismissive. He seemed angry- well, angrier than usual. 

You tried to think of a response but nothing felt right. You deleted the words almost as soon as you began typing them out.

You winced.

That, uh- you thought you were past this part of the relationship. A week ago, sure, you would’ve just barreled on without a second thought, but that didn’t feel right anymore. 

This was the first genuinely mean thing Bakugou had said to you quite some time now. It hurt, and the ironic thing was, you actually thought it would’ve hurt less if he called you a name at the end of it- at least then you’d know he was joking.

But you didn’t think he was joking this time, and it didn’t feel good.

His response only made you feel worse, but you didn’t want to push. You were sure Bakugou would see your genuine concern as nothing more than picking a fight- and you didn’t want that.

God, what a shitty day. You thought, shoulders slumping as you abandoned your phone on the bed. Might as well just start getting ready for bed. 

You hopped in the shower, turning the water practically scalding, but it didn’t make you feel any warmer than before. 

Jesus, when did I get so pathetic? He’s just another guy.

Except even you shook your head at that. You didn’t want him to be just another guy. Bakugou was your soulmate, and, as you were quickly finding out, that made everything hurt a lot more. 

When you left the shower, changing into clothes that didn’t feel as comfortable as you remembered, you realized just how tired and defeated you felt. So tired and defeated, that you almost didn’t hear your phone buzz. 

It buzzed four times, in quick, rapid succession, and even you were embarrassed by how you sprinted over to grab it. 

You glance up at his earlier message- the one that made you feel so miserable. 

Bakugou was still essentially saying the same thing, but now it felt different. You wanted to smack yourself. Why was this so dramatic? Why did it feel like your mood depended entirely on whether he was nice to you or not?

When did you allow yourself to get so attached? 

The thought made your head spin, and you very easily decided it wasn’t something that you wanted to get into. It definitely was not a thought process that would help you right now, or in any way be productive. 

So you tabled it completely. Because you were a responsible adult who did very responsible adult things like bottling up feelings that made you scared. 

Instead, you decided to tell him about a safe feeling you were having; a normal person feeling. A feeling that wasn’t something completely ridiculous like being overly attached to someone who’s only once, sort of, confirmed that he even likes you. A feeling definitely that wasn’t panic over someone who could very easily mean the names he calls you, someone who you’ve latched onto for no other reason than your own naïve dream of a fairytale love- oh god? Were you wrong? Were you reading into something that wasn’t there? Did he even care that you were his soulmate? He probably didn’t, right? He never said otherwise but he never confirmed it either which basically meant that Bakugou told you that it didn’t matter to him- that you didn’t matter to hi-

You closed your eyes, taking a deep breath. That wouldn’t help. Your cyclical anxiety wouldn’t help anything, especially if you were once putting words and thoughts into Bakugou’s mouth even after he explicitly told you not to. 

This is what you tried to avoid earlier. This exact thing. 

God, you wished you could compartmentalize better; but you couldn’t, so you settled for the next best thing.

You tried to focus on comforting the him on the other side of the phone instead of questioning the him inside your head, because the real Bakugou obviously needed it; and if your rambling was what it took for him to feel a little better than you’d make it happen. 

For him. 

Okay, you could do this. This conversation was normal, zero risk, expertly functional, nice- sort of comfortable, even?

That earlier thought? That poor, poor, ill-fitting word you used? Comfortable? 

Yeah, it’s gone now. Should’ve never been there in the first place.

Oh well, nothing left to do but go back to another familiar game, right? This one’s called pretending you’re fine.

It doesn’t bother you? 

What kind of loaded question was that? Even worse- what was your response to it? 

Bakugou started typing something and quickly deleted it. You watched as he didn’t start typing again, and that only solidified it for you.

The way you answered him was wrong. You were supposed to be reassuring him, not letting your own stupid worries slip through. Talking about your anxiety? To a person who was already having his own emotionally exhausting day?

Jesus christ, you didn’t think you could come up with a stupider move if somebody paid you. 

You felt that sickly feeling from earlier coming back again. You shouldn’t have said that. It was revealing too much and it was an insensitive response during a conversation that should’ve been about him. And maybe you just offended him and made him think you were selfish and not someone he could rely on and he’d never want to talk to you again because you just admitted you were unhinged and why would he want to put up with that when he-

You wanted to smash your head into a wall. God, why couldn’t your brain just shut up? 

Bakugou didn’t say that to you. Any of that. You were once again putting words in his mouth, and it’d been all of 3 minutes and he hadn’t even responded yet.

He wasn’t a bad guy, and he wasn’t just suddenly going to drop you. You knew that. He’d already proven several times that he actually cared about you, and would seek you out if you didn’t find him first. You also knew that the blunt things he said weren’t always meant to be rude, and the names he called you, while crude, were still just odd forms of endearment. 

You were just overthinking things. Bakugou was a nicer guy than he seemed- you knew that more than anything. 

With that in mind, you tried to re-focus on only saying words that would make him feel better from now on.

Your phone buzzed.

When you typed it out- you realized again just how stupid you were being.

This entire time, this entire conversation, you had been stuck in your own head and rendered essentially blind to what Bakugou was actually saying. 

He wasn’t asking you these questions to cause you doubt, he was asking for reassurance.

You wanted to scream. You were so consumed with your own worries that you couldn’t see his responses for the insecurities that they were.

When he asked ‘It doesn’t bother you?’- That was him really asking “Do you like me? Do you think I’m actually a good person?”

And the answer was yes. Easily yes. You might not have known concrete facts about him, or even really anything past his name, but you knew his personality. And you think that maybe that made things clearer than any first name could’ve.

 God, why were you so worried about how he’d react to your anxiety earlier? Why did you ever think Bakugou wasn’t just as emotionally stilted as you? 

You were both the same brand of socially inept- that’s the only way this relationship would have ever worked.

With that in mind, you cast away your worry. It didn’t matter right now. You had to be the strong one because Bakugou couldn’t be. He deserved that much.

Your heart broke. 

You wanted to hug him and tell him nice things and stop every person who said he wasn’t good from ever speaking again.

You watched him read the text, but it didn’t seem like he was going to respond.

You hoped he was okay- that what you said was enough to reassure him, because you meant it. All of it. 

But even so you couldn’t stop worrying, so after 10 minutes or so, you sent him another text before you could stop yourself.

Bakugou said he wasn’t a liar, so you’d trust him. If he said he felt better than you did your job, and you’d allow yourself to relax. 

At least this once.

[cricketrocker]

That Moment of Silence Between

Okay. I have decided to cancel my "True Confessions" series. That's my decision and there's not a rulebook by which anyone can call a penalty on that. I will tell you, however, that I still read the newspaper every morning. Yep, the real newspaper. Based on your age, world perspective, feelings about 5AM technology, etc.--you may be asking "What's a newspaper?" or "They still do that?" Yes, they do! I cannot even wake up early enough to see the paper-boy on his bicycle toss it over the Hell Bitch (that is still not quite fitting in the garage) and onto my sidewalk. But between 5:35 and 5:40AM every morning, I creep out my front door, pick up the paper, and scamper back into the house before joggers see me and my morning-hair.

I read all the paper. By "read" I mean that I generally parse headlines until I get to the comics. Then in the comics, there's this weird one I've started to read this year: "Judge Parker." In case you don't know--this is one of those "boring comics" that I'd never read until one day I did and never stopped. Judge Parker was a widower and a judget with two children, Randy and Ann. Later, Judge Parker married a younger woman, Kate. Initially he was a dashing figure who solved crimes and chased criminals, he kind of turned into a dull and serious judge who rarely strayed from his courtroom--and the strip began to transition away from the Judge and over to Sam Driver, a young attorney. I mean. I don't even know how Sam relates to Judge Parker. I couldn't tell you who Judge Parker was anymore. But anyway, there's a lot of drama. And today, Sam and Abbey are split up, their world is torn asunder and Abby says the above:

"...exist in that moment of silence between what was and what will be."

Silly Judge Parker. But not so silly today. What Abby said stuck with me as she described that place. That place between what was and what will be.

THAT PLACE BETWEEN WHAT IS AND WHAT WILL BE.

Okay--now I'm switching over to Top Gun: Maverick for a few minutes. Too close for missles, so I'm switching to guns. Ha ha. Mayday, mayday, Mav's in trouble, he's in a flat spin, he's headed out to sea. That's what Iceman said into the radio when Mav's F-14 flew right through Ice's jetwash. And the thing is, it was just a freak accident. But Mav's RIO (radar intercept officer) Goose hit his head on the canopy when ejecting, and the rest, as they say, is history.

So. Top Gun. Yeah. Remember how I'm sure I said something about how my parents never let me see any movies growing up? Top Gun was different. I was 12. My little brother was 8. My dad had been in the Navy. Not sure of all the backstory, but my dad took my brother and I to the Los Alatos movie theatre in Albuquerque to see Top Gun. I mean. Wow. WOW. That open scene and where the Top Gun anthem and all the jets and the fog and how it explodes into Kenny Loggins' DANGER ZONE. WOW. I'd gone to 12-year old heaven. But then when the profanity started flying and the TAKE MY BREATH AWAY SO MUCH TONGUE--I was suer that I was going to full time hell, and kept glancing over at my dad to notice him totally geeking out over the NAVY JETS, and then checked over at my brother to make sure his head was on fire, I settled in and Top Gun became my thing. I eventually bought it on VHS and made an audio recording of it on cassette for my Walkman. While other kids were playing real music, I was jamming out to just listening to the audio of Top Gun. I had the whole thing memorized. I was going to be a Naval Aviator. I don't know. Then when I was 13 we moved from Albuquerque to Texas.

Anyway. When I heard that Top Gun: Maverick was coming out way back in 2019 for summer 2020--I made plans with my dad (and brother) to go and see the sequel. How amazing and lucky it was/is to get that chance. But then COVID delay 1. Then COVID delay 2. Then FINALLY in May 2022, it happened. We saw it together, all the families were there. The genius innovation of reserved seats made the same row possible. Left work early. Met everyone there. Finally. And it was truly as good and actually much better than I'd thought possible. I sat until the very last second of the credits. No one else was left in that place. Went out to the lobby, hugged my brother and dad. It was a moment, truly. Sometimes you win, 36 years later. Lucky, blessed, charmed, whatever--it was a moment.

I'd see it as many more times as I can without being too weird and I guess soon it'll be streaming. But that's not why I bring it up. I bring it up because a cool thing happened--in July, I had to do something called The Predictive Index thing with HR. The Predictive Index is one of those new tools that help give you insight into yourself as a HUMAN, as an EMPLOYEE, and as a MANAGER or TEAM MEMBER. I'm in the process of doing this myself--but then also asking my team to do it so I can just be better. Hey, any insight is good insight? I guess? But when insight isn't good, maybe it can just be GREAT! I took this tool--which you fill out to measure your cognitive abilities, personality traits, and behavioral tendancies--and it said that I am a:

Right? Maybe this is the perfect tool. Or maybe I am. Whatever.

I'm not quite sure yet whether or not this is just kind of like a horoscope yet, because I haven't looked at what other people might be. But LOOK--the tool said I AM MAVERICK, and kind of hit the nail on the head with a few things. Even a jet, the F14 original Top Gun style and not the new F18 style--so maybe that is because I am an OLD Maverick. We'll see.

Maybe you probably won't be lucky enough to ever manage me, or manage anything for that matter, maybe you're a full-manager, maybe you're a freaking manager of managers, all you do is manage until you're blue in the face, but you should totaly take your PI and see if it somehow relates to your favorite movie or life or when you were 12.

Right now my favorite part of Top Gun: Maverick has to do with the character of Phoenix (pictured below). She is a badass and in one scene she has my favorite line of the whole movie. SPOILER ALERT--it happens when essentially Maverick has to STEAL A JET because he's just been fired so that he can prove to his mean John Hamm Admiral Boss that he is the best of the best and it really can be done--well he STEALS A JET and proves that miracles can happen--while he is doing it, right before he does it, they cut to Phoenix who says in the coolest voice ever, "Nice."

That's my point.

There's what happens in that moment between what has happened and what will happen. Sometimes I feel like I'm stuck right there where anything is possible. Like the Lottery. Like when the missle that's going to blow your jet smithereens is fired and when it hits. Like the space between jump and gravity and impact--or flight. Like that little blink between laughter and tears. There's that moment.

"Nice."

Worth the price of admission, even 36 years later.

[novellenight]

Hii I have couple of questions for you so hope you don't mind! ( ´ ▽ ` )ﾉ♡

1) What gojohime moment made you think "lol hello a new ship"?

2) Is Gojo aware of how his behavior affects others?

3) How do you think Utahime's cursed technique works? It's related to singing but still, how do you think it works?

4) When they go out together (Shoko, Utahime, Mei Mei, Yuki, Gojo, Nanami, Kusakabe and Kiyotaka) what are they likely to do at karaoke night?

5) Gojo sees Utahime grumpy most of the time so when he saw her happy and enthusiastic ab baseball game what was his reaction?

6) There's audio drama where Gojo goes to maid cafe which is probably 18+ rated bc Yuji got embarrassed when he read the sign. Now imagine Utahime finding him leaving at the doors. Her reaction?

7) Do you think Utahime ever helped 'babysitting' Megumi and Tsumiki but the kids don't remember? This day gojohime parenting dynamic evolved. How are they functioning as a 'family'?

8) Geto, Shoko, Gojo and Utahime play party games. Of course Geto is the one who knows Gojo the most since they're best friends but how is Utahime doing when it comes to knowing him and vice versa? Bc if they notice things about each other that no one else does they'd probably get teased for it. 😂

9) Was Gojo ever jealous of Kusakabe and Utahime being friendly?

10) Your opinion- does Gojo sleep around or is he secretly a virgin? 🙈

11) If there's a reason for both of them getting angry at each other (yea even Gojo which is hard to imagine) what would it be?

12) Gojo thought beforehand "We never know what might be listening around Utahime, after all. I don't want to think about one of the students being the traitor. This is such a pain." and Utahime cares a lot ab her students, she sounded like such a mom in ep21 haha "For now, let's be glad our students are safe." 🥰 But yea, turns out Mechamaru was the traitor. She must have felt rly bad yk. So what do you think? Did Gojo comfort her in a way?

13) Your theory- how did Utahime get her scar?

14) Do Shoko and Utahime talk ab boys at sleepovers? 👀

15) Yk, it would be rly hypocritical if Gojo slept around while Utahime became let's say 'closer' to Kusakabe for instance and Gojo became jealous bc he doesn't have any right to meddle in other people's business. What would he do to prove that he's better? Would he give up on something? Would he be able to change for her?

1) When I saw a manga panel of them and an artist’s drawing of Gojo touching Uta’s scar. I still remember it vividly until today, and now look where I am. :) 

2.) According to Gege, no. But according to me, he knows but does not awknowledged it. Gojo afterall grew up for himself as the strongest, so it might be hard for him to empathize in some stuff like Yuji does. 3.) I imagine she can summon contracted shaman spirits when she preforms miko ceremonies with her singing. There’s a lot of theory in this, but I would like to think she’s good in sealing techniques. She uses performs ceremonies to trap curses and finish them off with her voice. It’s a mixture of Toge’s CT and shaman ceremonies for exorcism.  4.) The ones who drinks tries to get themselve drunk because of Gojo. Gojo would probably do that with a parfait in hand. Lucky paintbrush.  5.) He’s in love and tries to keep that goofy smile of his but fails. 6.) Utahime would probably pretend that she doesn’t know him. She’s mature, so maybe she’ll not judge him, its his life. But it doesn’t stop fanfictions of her getting slightly hurt and jealous, heheheh.  7.) Utahime is mom, Gojo is brat 1, and the kids are angels. As much as Gojo tries to become a ‘father’ he ends up as the real baby. Tsumiki is close to both of them and finds Gojo funny, while Megumi favors Utahime more. I love this family trope.  8.) Utahime would wing everything about Gojo being annoying. However, she’ll also be suprised from time to time with new information of Gojo. It shows that he’s also still human despite his ‘god-like facade’ and she appreciates that. He’s still a jerk tho.  9.) Why do you think Kusakabe was in the Tokyo School in the first place? It’s because Gojo refuses to let him come near Utahime. So Gojo is stuck with the swordsman and annoys him daily to keep an eye on him. XD 10.) According to some Gege said he’s a manwhore. But there are also diferrent ways how to interpret the translations. For me, he can be both either way. BUT I KNOW UTAHIME WILL BE HIS LAST AND INFINTY.  11.) Gojo not being able to protect Utahime. While Utahime believes she doesn’t need his help.  12.) Maybe he did. It’s normal in their line of work to be betrayed, and I think Utahime already steeled her heart and Gojo’s aware of it. She’s a sorcerer for a long time now, and  it means, she’s also crazy in some way. Her menatlity is just that strong. Cue the Train Scene of her being professional.  13.) When she was going to be promoted as a grade one sorcerer.  14.) Interesting... They’d talk about men but ends up complaining about Gojo (just Uta while Shoko half-listens and remembers Geto). 15.) Is this going to  be a fic? Lol, Gojo in some way is hyprocital. Everyone is. He can change if he wants to, starting by make amends and trying to act as just “Satoru Gojo”, not with all those strongest speech of his. Once Utahime would notice this (she does already) and the rest, you can say he’s changed for the better. BUT IMAGINE THE DRAMA IN A FIC ABOUT THIS. HAHAHAHAH  Thank you for asking, I loved answering this hehehe. I hope you got the answers you want to hear. <3

[my-hyperfixations]

Hi this is my Fundywastaken Wedding rant

So I’m a relatively new fan. I’ve only been a fan of these streamers/the smp for a couple of weeks, but I knew what it was because my friend would rant about it to me.

Now as a person on tumblr, pinterest, AO3, and many other fandom sites, I got sucked into the shipping, relatively Dreamnotfound. I heard about some of the things Dream did on the SMP and I was like “Man he sounds like a jerk why do people like him” and my friend said “Oh yea he did all that stuff ‘cause Tommy burned down George’s house” I legit looked at her and went “... wait he literally tortured people and got put into prison because a child burned down his friend’s house?” “Yep” “Man, talk about a simp.”

I’ve also seen different streams and compilations of DNF and such. 

I would say I’m a relatively peaceful shipper, but sometimes I can get a bit intense. Not really with this ship though. (okay maybe a little bit)

Now, I had known that Fundy and Dream were going to get married in minecraft, but I didn’t really know the outcome. 

I like Fundy. He’s a really talented streamer. But there were some things that I heard about that kinda made me question his relationship with Dream.

First off, and I know y’all have probably heard this millions of times, but Fundy proposes after one date? Guaranteed, he did an AMAZING job setting it up.....but still? One date?  

Second off, I’m not really clear about the whole ‘honeymoon’ thing, but there’s something about how Dream hates iron doors?? and that’s what Fundy made their honeymoon suite out of?? I don’t know about y’all but that’s a big red flag for me. 

Then there’s the wedding. 

So first off, I loved this video, I actually just watched it for the first time a couple of hours ago. 

The outfits? Amazing.

Fundy’s skills? Perfection.

The map? Absolutely stunning. 

Tommy and Ranboo as the flowers girls while humming the Avengers theme? Glorious.

Wilbur being the priest? Fabulous. 

Sapnap being Dream’s Dad and giving him away? Wholesome. 

I genuinely liked the wedding and relatively enjoyed it, since Fundy seemed so excited to marry Dream and all that. Dream was also really impressed with Fundy and for this moment, everything seemed like it would be fine. 

But there were a couple of red flags I noticed, along with a couple other things. 

So first off, again y’all have heard this before, but the hesitation from Dream? He is silent for waaaaaay to long after Wilbur does the whole “Do you accept Fundy as a partner” thing. Silent way too long he couldn’t have used an excuse such as “sorry I zoned out” or something. Also, how throughout the majority of the wedding, Dream just kept looking around while meanwhile Fundy’s camera stays fixated on Dream for practically the entire time of the wedding. This was kinda normal but it just stuck out to me. 

There was also the silence. Now as a DreamNotFound shipper, I wanted to know what George thought of it as I had not really heard what he thought of it beforehand. George was silent through practically the entire time, (except the end but hang on I’ll get there in a sec) the only time he really ‘says’ anything is when he puts the “:’)” emoji in the chat. This made me think he might not be connected to audio, so I was like “oh okay he can’t really say anything alright.”

Also the vows? I ranted about this to my sister. Fundy’s seemed so personalized and dedicated to Dream, describing their relationship and Fundy’s devotion to him. But Dream’s? It practically sounds like he made them up on the spot. Almost like he wasn’t prepared. And it wasn’t necessarily all that special to Fundy, it’s the typical ‘You make me happy’ speech. 

And then there’s the objection.

When I tell you my jaw dropped, I mean my sister looked over at me and she just goes “What happened? What happened did someone do something tell me now!” (My sister is a minor fan after she listens to me rant about it, she’s also a dnf shipper) 

I was so shocked, like I was kinda expecting it but I thought that was just the fangirl side of me being like “oh it’s gonna be canon” as in “the fans are gonna ignore canon and pretend this happened” type thing but no?? George actually did it?? AND AT THE WEDDING?? 

(I’m sorry but George not knowing how to get on stage tho lol)

George pushing Dream off the stage and hitting Fundy and Wilbur?? The part of me that was liking the wedding was like “wHAT” while the dnf shipper side of me was like “oH MY GOD IT’S HAPPENING IT’S ACTUALLY HAPPENING”

And the kiss? 

I’ve literally thought about this for hours. 

George straight up kisses Dream?? I screamed? Like both in fangirl and in both wedding disaster horror? George actually kisses Dream. Then there’s the whole “I did what I had to do.” “What, kiss me?!” thing. Dream appears to be verbally and outwardly mad about George ‘interrupting’ the wedding,  but like ..... idk man i don’t know what to think anymore.

The drama that ensures when Sapnap drags George away from Dream and everyone huddles around Dream and Fundy. Holy crap I got anxiety just watching it. 

Then Tommy asks “Dream, did you pull away when George kissed you?” 

And George says “No he didn’t, no he did’t!”

Fundy’s heartbroken “Why?” 

AND DREAM STRAIGHT UP LEAVES?! 

Now first off, this is minecraft. It’s a flipping video game. All Dream could’ve done was press a button/move his mouse whatever and he would’ve moved away from George. But he didn’t? 

Now I know this is all acting but DANG WHY AM I SO ADDICTED TO ANGST?!

Dream leaves? Now I can understand why, he was getting pressurized by everyone and probably felt overwhelmed, but .................. i have no words for it. Why did he leave? Was it just simply because he felt pressurized like everyone is saying on this site? Or was it for some other reason? 

Dream did hesitate to say “I do.” 

This is all acting, but holy crap. This is so much drama right now and even the fandom is torn over it.

It’s been four months.

I’m going to need a part two explaining on whether Dream and Fundy are going to make up, if they’re going to split peacefully, if it’s true that Dream secretly was in love with George? I NEED ANSWERS IM SO TORN ABOUT THIS I CANT EVEN THINK OH MY GOD AAAAAAAAAAASDLKFALSDKGHAL 

[fireemblemtcg]

“The Cipher Frontier!” Issue 58: “Cipher Will Never Die!”

"The Cipher Frontier! With Emma, Shade, Yuzu, Randal, Alice, Val, Niamh & Poe" was a regular column on the Fire Emblem Cipher website which summarized upcoming news concerning Cipher and other Fire Emblem materials. It was presented by the eight mascot characters. The following is a full translation of the 58th and final issue of the column, which was originally published on 31 March 2021.

More Fire Emblem Cipher translations!

Hello, everybody!!!!!!!!

It's been over five years since Cipher launched - and, for that matter, The Cipher Frontier! itself...

And today... we bring you the last one!

Sniff... So this is really it...

Aye, it certainly is a bitter occasion.

With the moment upon us, I find myself overcome with emotion. Yet at the same time, I cannot help but sorely wish that this day had never come at all.

Well, it... It doesn't bother m-m-me... Not... one...

BWAAAAAAAAAAAH! I C-C-CAN'T TAKE THIS!

E-easy, milady! You swore before we began that you would not cry!

I, too, owe very, very much to all of you, so... I am very sad.

Where there is a beginning, so too shall there be an end... It is an inevitability.

Still, one might argue that as long as there are still decks to play with and opponents to challenge... Cipher may be played for eternity. So think not on this as the end, for this is but a milestone of life.

Sniff... So this isn't farewell?

Not in the least! All of our players can still continue to get together to play Cipher. So as sad as you might be now to see the game end, the feeling won't last! And I, for one, would like to close out our final day with a smile.

To that end, I propose that we all share some parting words. You first, Emma!

Alrighty! Well, I've been here since the beginning, but... Back then, I was an absolute noob, wasn't I? I didn't have the faintest idea what a "Tea See Gee" even was!

But then I learned so much from Shade, and I presented news, participated in Tryout and Gathering events, and watched Live Broadcasts - and all of that gave me the chance to grow so much.

And then as the days went by, we got to meet Yuzu and Randal, Alice and Valjean, and Niamh and Poe, and we all always had a riot of a time playing Cipher together... It's all been like something out of a dream!

Lastly, I just want to say thank you...

To all of you who've been reading our column to date, thank you tho thuch!

Ha! Is that a slip of the tongue I hear?

Why, I do believe it was... And of all the words to flub, at that.

H-heh heh heh! I guess I am still just a kid after all... But mark my words, I'll be working even harder to become a mature, full-fledged knight! Okay, let's try this again... Thank you all!

Well, I'm next! I was primarily tasked with hosting this column and presenting news.

But the work introduced me to more and more friends, and to a constant stream of announcements that were news to me myself... To lose it is like I've also lost my reason to exist, but at least I am left with fond memories of it all.

My desire to convey the appeal of Cipher to others hasn't wavered in the slightest, but... this is the last time it will ever happen here. Alas. Still, I will always be rooting for all of you, even if we don't see each other.

There will always be a bond between us - always. Remember that whenever you play Cipher and see our cards. On this, you have my word! This has been Shade, shepherd of wayward lambs, saying farewell!

Alright, then. You're next, Yuzu!

...

Huh? Yuzu! What's gotten into you? Would you just get out here?

Er, forgive me. When everybody's gaze turned upon me, I could not help but immediately seek shelter...

Oh, yeah. You never did like public speaking, did you, Yuzu?

Of course! We had a devil of a time convincing you to come out at all for your very first column.

E-enough! That was many years ago: a d-d-difficulty that I have long since moved past!

Hrr-hrr-hrr... heh-HEM! L-l-let us, er, begin anew.

I am Yuzu. My contribution to this column was to introduce cards that afforded new styles of play... only to let a haze of utter passion promptly consume me and hence spend my every waking hour crafting decks from them and trialling them in matches.

You always were one to cry, "I must test these cards at once!" and throw yourself into obsessive research.

As such, I have acquired an eye for strategy, forged in the fires of Cipher, to incorporate into my prior mastery of the martial arts - and with that, at long last, I have come to an understanding of the very heart of warcraft.

Further, as a consequence I may declare with confidence that, should I ever find my brother, I shall be able to hold my head high for all that I have grown in his absence. For that, you have my most heartfelt gratitude. So end my parting words!

Thank you, Yuzu. Right, it's your turn, Randal!

Huh? Oh, right then!

I've got a motto: always take your games deathly serious, and always make your own fun on the job… And, well, this has been my chance to prove those words true.

I mean yeah, I'm a wanderer at heart; I might've stuck around a bit too long... but that's just because this was all a hell of a lot of fun.

Oh, I agree... It was a HELL of a lot of fun!

GAH! It's... It's you!

Well, well. We have a stranger among us!

Pah! "Stranger," indeed. This hair, this face, this ribbon... None of this ring a bell?

Eh? Do you... do you mean Randal?

Indeed! I am...

...His son, no? It is nice to meet you!

OI!

What are you on about?! I AM Randal, just from the past - younger than the one you know!

It's happening again! The exact same argument!

This really must be the end, if HE'S here...

This is how you treat me? I have to hear that the last column is happening at the eleventh hour and make a mad dash to make it in time?! Bloody hell...

What is this? A being under the thrall of the Boundless Chaos? How intriguing. I must conduct a thorough examination at once...

H-hey! What are you doing, Niamh?! You look deathly serious... Oi, that's enough! Stay back! I... I've got a sword!

Well, er, I'm just about all out of time, but I just want to say it was a hoot being on the Frontier. Hope I see you all again someday. Adios!

He vanished?! Still more intriguing...

Sigh... What a pain in the arse, if I do say so myself. Although... I must admit, we do agree on one thing: I'd also be glad to see you all again.

This might be one farewell, but here's hoping we cross paths once more! And if we do, hey, why not play a match with this old fart? And that's all she wrote from ol' Randal!

Thank you. Next, let's hear from Alice and Valjean!

Heh heh! At last! Shall we, Val?

Yes, milady.

The two of us made our debut circa Series 10, and ever since that day, the Frontier never failed to be a most thrilling time. Would you agree, Val?

Yes, milady.

My objective in making this journey was simple: to experience much in my travels, such that I might someday return home and become a great ruler indeed. But instead, I first became a most superior, most brilliant Cipher player! Utterly invincible! Favored by fortune! And whatnot. Didn't I, Val?

Yes, milady.

I remember... that every time a Cipher release day came, I would be up all night from their eve, crafting decks and playing matches with the others. Oh, it was such fun! Wasn't it, Val?

...Yes, mi... mi... milady! Sniff...

V-Val?! What is the matter with you?

I am most moved. That my most capricious liegelady could at last find in Cipher such an engaging hobby, such good company, and such a source of training - and that she could grow so greatly as a woman.

Val...

We have been truly blessed to have had all of this: all of you, who welcomed us so warmly into the Frontier fold, and all of the Cipher players out in the world. I wish to offer you my gratitude for everything.

To be honest... I have something to say on that matter myself. Thank you, truly, for everything. I will never, ever, ever, EVER forget even a single day that we spent here together!

Nor shall I!

...Having said that, milady, I fear that you are still yet unready for the throne! From today onward, we must redouble your original leadership training efforts! I fully intend to prepare for you an intensive study regimen.

I-I-I beg your pardon?! You will not speak to me so! If I see even a single incorrect mark, you would do well to prepare yourself, for I will work you to the very bone for the rest of your days!

By all means, do it. But be prepared, for I have a lifetime's worth of admonishments at the ready.

Heh... Best of luck to the two of you!

Your turn, Niamh!

I was present from the 37th column onward... To be precise, it was in the "Love and Bonds Special Talk CD" audio drama that came as a set with an artbook, sold at Comiket 93.

My inquiry and research into the miscellaneous phenomena of this world, and the Boundless Chaos in particular, shall continue, but...

...

Well?! Don't tell me that's all you have to say!

...No. To me, my inquiry into Cipher represented the introducton of a new, major challenge into my life. Cipher decks... Gameplay... Which solution is correct, and which is optimal... As yet, I still have found no answers. As such, it is vital that going forward, I collaborate with a broad sample of Cipher players and find an answer...

So what you're saying is, you enjoyed playing Cipher with everyone, and you're gonna keep playing forever!

That, er... Ahem! That's pretty much it.

Cryptic remarks if I ever heard them, but certainly Niamh-ish.

Right, let's keep this going with Poe!

Only a year and a half has passed since I was welcomed to this column, and sadly, in the end our association has been brief. But I was able to have a very fulfilling time with you.

Attending that Winter Comiket thing with all of you, playing the "Recite and Play: Heroes Iroha" card game being sold there... They were very happy days.

And in all of that, I have always been monitoring Niamh...

...

Hee hee... You have been a good girl here, have you not? I do nothing to good girls.

If one of you becomes wicked, at that time I shall... Heh... Heh heh heh heh heh...

So, I pray that we never have an unpleasant reunion, and end my speech. Thank you. This has been Poe!

Heh... Let's keep that warning in mind.

...With that, have all of us spoken?

Tsk tsk... We aren't actually finished just yet! Since this is our last column, allow me to call upon a special guest!

...A guest? Wait, you don't mean...

Ta-daaaaa! Here he is!

Hello, everyone! I am Kawade, the producer of Fire Emblem Cipher.

K-K-KawadeP!

My, what a surprise!

The publication of the final Frontier coincides with, at last, the end-of-March termination of event support for Cipher. So I thought I would share a message for all of our readers and Cipher players.

If you count from when Cipher was first announced, roughly six years have passed. That's a long time, yet it's just flown by... These have been very busy years, but also wonderful ones, absolutely full of memories and events.

In that time we've constantly taken on new challenges - not just the production of Cipher itself, but Twitter content, live broadcasts, and staging events all around Japan.

And through all of that, we've had the chance to meet so many fans of Fire Emblem and Cipher... That was not only the most fun part of all, but a part that made us happy.

Although, we were unfortunately unable to hold any of our planned events for our final year, and for that I am truly sorry to all of you.

Still, we staff stuck with it to the very end, and as a result were able to complete Cipher as a fantastic game that can be played for years and years to come. For that, we are proud of ourselves.

It was thanks to all of you, who kept on supporting us, that we could continue our work to this standard all the way to the final series. I am overcome with gratitude to you all!

Production might have come to an end, but Fire Emblem Cipher will never die! It would make me happy if, every now and then, you might bring your cards out and play with them. Thank you all, truly, for everything!

And that concludes KawadeP's remarks!

Whew!

That, I believe, is everything that we wished to share.

Aye, I've got nothing to add.

So I suppose this is it: the end of the Cipher Frontier's long run.

Er... Shade? Can I say one last thing?

Hm? What is it, Emma?

Thank you for taking the lead in hosting this last one... And thank you so much for all the things you've taught me!

(Emma...)

H-hey! That's enough of that! You're about to make me cry, and that wouldn't be ending this day with a smile, would it?

Heh. I guess not!

So hey, let's give them one last, enthusiastic That Thing before Shade bursts into tears!

Very well, then. That Thing it is! This has been The Cipher Frontier!

With Emma...

Shade...

Yuzu...

Randal...

Alice...

Val...

Niamh...

...and Poe.

Now, then...

Let's do it, everyone!

One...

Two...

CIPHER!!!!!!!!

THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING, EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!

...

...

...

...

FIRE EMBLEM CIPHER The Cipher Frontier! With Emma, Shade, Yuzu, Randal, Alice, Val, Niamh & Poe

Emma Emma continues to train in order to become a full-fledged pegasus knight. Her tireless Cipher training also continues, but she has yet to show much improvement at the game.

Shade Veteran mage that she is, Shade continues to teach the next generation. Many seeking to become almighty Cipher players have come to her, only to struggle bitterly under her tutelage - yet at the same time, to Emma and the others, she remains a nurturing guiding hand.

Yuzu Yuzu embarked on a journey of martial training, all the while following whispers of her brother's whereabouts... although evidently, she does return from her travels from time to time, bearing souvenirs, to partake in Cipher matches with all of her friends.

Randal Randal made a truly once-in-a-lifetime wager, only to go into hiding thereafter. Some rumors attest that he won, and that with that windfall he secured for himself a carefree life of quiet leisure in some southern land - others, that he met with a catastrophic loss, and was hence forced into labor in someplace.

Alice Alice's travels continue, as she seeks all the experience that she needs to become a true leader. Although at first she struggled, she grew to thoroughly enjoy it, and so she will persist in her journey without ever taking a break to return home... Or so she tells herself, at least.

Valjean Valjean continues to travel all across the land with his liegelady. Witnessing Alice grow ever stronger and wiser by the day, he cannot help but feel conflicting feelings of joy and loneliness beneath the privacy of his helm.

Niamh Even as she continues in her pursuit of wisdom, Niamh silently carries out research into Cipher. Her seminal monograph, "A Compendium of Cipher Decks," is over 100 volumes in length, and by all accounts is still in print to this day.

Poe Poe vanished in her hunt for evil, and her whereabouts remain unknown. However, according to the afterword of "A Compendium of Cipher Decks," she and Niamh have since fought to the death on many an occasion.

The End...???

[astrovian]

Richard Armitage interview on BBC Radio London for Uncle Vanya (25/10/20)

Full transcript under cut

Just a couple of days ago I was lucky enough to chat to Richard Armitage. He’s best known of course for roles in The Hobbit, Ocean’s 8, Hannibal, and of course, I was obsessed, absolutely obsessed on Netflix with The Stranger. Well, he’s about to star in the multi- Olivier-nominated play - in fact that’s tonight! We’ll find out if they win. Uncle Vanya – it’s filmed at the Harold Pinter Theatre during the pandemic, and uh, it’s incredible, it’s an incredible piece of theatre, and we’re all going to be able to watch it, which is a joy. And this is what we chatted about.

—

What a pleasure to speak to you for a number of reasons, because we can actually talk about how to bring theatre back to people’s lives, ‘cause I’m missing it desperately, but also talk about The Stranger. Let’s talk about Uncle Vanya first-

Yes.

-if we may.

Yes, of course.

Wow. What an incredible thing to do. Thank you for doing this, actually.

Yeah, I mean it was uh, kind of heart-breaking when we had to y’know, end our run six weeks early, and uh, the play was taking on so many kind of resonances of what we were living through, unexpectedly really. I, we thought the play was about, y’know, a man losing his livelihood, and then y’know, as, as the virus started to come into our lives and uh, the play started to change course really. So, and then, to sort of live through lockdown as well did and then come back to the play realising that’s exactly what these people have been doing, they’ve been stuck in a house together from summer through to the winter and going out of their heads. It again, it took on a whole other sort of energy, so a real privilege to be able to do that.

I mean, it is extraordinary when these old stories feel so relevant, and something a lot of people know, for people who don’t know something about it, we should explain a little bit about the story, but it feels like you’re talking about a story from today.

Well, it does. I mean, the fact is that Uncle Vanya, he’s the caretaker of this old estate and uh, he’s worked his entire life, um, supporting a property that’s not his, and then y’know, the owner who’s raised his daughter, Vanya’s raised his daughter for him, comes and says “right, I’m selling the estate for my retirement, um, and you’re all, you’re all out”. And it’s this devastating realisation that everything that he’s worked for is being snatched away from him. At the same time, y’know, my character is a doctor who is living through, trying to save patients during an epidemic, and uh, not handling it very well and turning to drink. And he’s also trying to save his little corner of the world that, y’know, is being deforested, so he’s planting trees and realising that the environment has such an impact on our health, um, *laugh* so it literally could’ve been written yesterday, um, and this was over a hundred and twenty years ago, so y’know, they knew. There was a huge movement in Russia at that time about, um y’know, how to, how to survive, and how to deal with the environment, and we seem not to have heeded any, any advice, really.

We, we never do though, do we? We seem never to.

Not really.

Well, many people don’t seem to. As you said, it just feels so relevant today. So when you, it must have been heart-breaking being in the show, the buzz was extraordinary, it was impossible to get tickets for. This way, I have to say, all the people who couldn’t get tickets, now we can all see it. I’m one of those people who couldn’t get tickets, as you can gather from what I’ve just said. Um, friends of mine went and said, “You’ve GOT to go!” but this is an incredible way to bring theatre to people who, like me are missing it desperately, and many other people who might not have gone to the theatre, who don’t live in London, who couldn’t have seen a show like this, so there is a plus side. I’m always looking for the plus side, I think. *Laugh*

Me too. I mean, I’ve always said that when a play is coming to the end of its run, putting together a film of it, and even a, a sort of audio recording of the play, I think is like an exit package. It’s worth doing for-

Yes.

-like you say, people that can’t go to the theatre, or maybe wouldn’t go the theatre because it’s like, y’know, it might be too expensive for them, and a cinema ticket’s a bit cheaper, they might be able to watch it on telly at some point. But y’know, hopefully they might watch it and think, ‘Oh God, that, that looked really good in the room, maybe I’ll go the theatre when it’s back’. But uh, either way, it’s still just great story-telling, and y’know right now I think everybody sort of wants to disappear into a, into a tale, and uh, hopefully, hopefully they’ll feel brave enough to go and see it in the cinema.

What does it feel like? I mean you’ve, obviously you’ve been in so many award-winning shows, what does it feel like when you’re, you’re waiting to hear? I mean they’ve all, there’s a number of Olivier awards that it’s up for, everyone was talking about this. Once again you were in something that everyone was talking about. Do you, do you feel slightly one step removed? I mean, The Hobbit, and obviously The Stranger, as you can tell I’ve got to go there because I LOVED it, I devoured it.

*Laugh*

Um, what does it feel like being on the outside of everybody talking about something that’s so - that’s such a part of you?

Um, to be honest, with – at the time that it’s happening, I, I sort of close my ears to all of that-

Oh, I love that. *Laugh*

-and try to live in it, rather than outside of it. That, that’s none of my business. But I do, I do pay attention after it’s over, and I love – y’know, I prefer hearing other people’s opinion of it, rather than reading about it myself, so, so I do enjoy the feedback. But when you’re in it, you’re in it. And to be honest with, with Uncle Vanya, we could tell that we were doing okay because the audience would let us know, and y’know that, the very, very first preview was such a kind of electric performance, and the audience were, were kind of laughing all the way through, which we hadn’t had in a rehearsal room. So that feeling is, is very, very precious, and uh, it continued like that through the run. But uh yeah, I tend not to sort of uh, pay too much attention while it’s happening, if you know what I mean.

Yeah, don’t read – everybody was saying-

No, I don’t read the reviews. *Laugh*

Do you REALLY not?! I bet you do sneakily sometimes.

I really don’t. I, I did it once, and it was – I y’know, I read one tiny miniscule negative thing about myself, and it was the only thing I remembered. And so I thought, ‘that’s a good lesson’. Don’t read the good stuff, don’t read the bad stuff. Read it at a later date, but at the time it does not help me.

Okay, alright. Well, I’ll tell you, they were all fabulous. Congratulations. All the reviews, absolutely incredible.

*Laugh* Thanks.

*Laugh* I cannot wait to see this. Now let’s talk about, if we may, The Stranger. I might have mentioned it a few times already in the past few minutes-

*Laugh*

-but it was one of those things I actually, I couldn’t stop. I loved it, I devoured it. And I sort of became slightly obsessed with it, it was BRILLIANT. Did you feel that when you were making it?

Yeah, and you know, again I, I was sort of in the middle of it, so I’m sort of focusing on the character’s journey, but Harlan Coben’s writing is very much in that vein – if you’ve ever read one of his books-

Yes, I have.

-you, you literally can’t put it down, and you can’t wait for, for bedtime so that you can pick it up again, and sometimes you, you get to the last chapter and you sort of, you think, ‘I’ve gotta space this out, ‘cause I’m just gonna devour the whole thing’-

Yes!

-so his writing matches that kind of uh, television format brilliantly. But I love it, and I, I loved what uh, Danny Brocklehurst did with that script. Y’know, he, he sort of elevated the book, and made it a kind of, much more kind of woven drama. So yeah, I love working on that kind of thing. And that is the type of TV that I will, I will watch on a personal taste level.

You’re happy to watch yourself?

No, I- *laugh*, I never watch myself, but I-

I like that, no please say that-

No, I- *laugh*, I never watch myself-

-I know that’s not what you meant, but that, it just sounded lovely that you’re happy to watch yourself in that one.

It, ugh, I haven’t yet, but I-

*laugh*

-I will eventually, *laugh*, um but it’s the kind of TV that I do, I do love watching. But no, again I’m, I’m not a good judge of myself, and ageing on screen is a REALLY hard thing to do.

You can watch that one, I promise you. Um-

Can I?

-may we go back to a part of your past that is, I’m fascinated by, that you – it was about music and musical theatre.

Mmm, yes.

And then you suddenly thought that that wasn’t enough for you, was that right?

Yeah, I mean I – it was at a time when there were, y’know, all of the big musicals were happening in the West End, and I, I saw kind of peers that would kind of move between Les Misérables, and then they’d go into Miss Saigon, and then they’d go into Phantom of the Opera, and I felt like I didn’t really want to, to follow that path. And I just felt that I wasn’t good enough, a good enough practitioner of either dance or song to, to feel that it was gonna be a sort of, that it was gonna have longevity for me, so I was already studying at the actor’s centre, and then I thought, y’know, I’ve gotta just y’know, go back to drama school and start again and do a classical training. ‘Cause that was the thing that was really exciting me. Um, and I’m glad I did it, but y’know, I still feel like in the future I might y’know, pick up that old hat again.

YES!

Yup.

That’s what I was going to ask! ‘Cause I’m a – I love theatre, hugely, as the way you can probably gather from the way I was talking at the beginning, um, but musical theatre is, I think, a very magical thing. And I think it’s possibly something that we all need as well, right now.

I agree.

So if you could – imagine – I’ve got a magic wand, okay?

Yeah? *Laugh*

And I am a magical music theatre fairy.

Yeah.

I could actually sing this bit, ‘cause I love musicals – *singing* “now you can do a theatre show”-

*Laugh*

No, I won’t sing it. Um, so you can do any theatre show on the planet-

Yup.

-any musical theatre. Which one is it, Richard?

Okay, so when we were doing our little warm-up before Uncle Vanya, Aimee Lou Wood and I used to sort of joke and fantasize about maybe doing Cabaret.

*gasp* Oh, yes!

Shall we, shall we send that out to the gods of the universe of theatre, to Aimee Lou Wood as Sally Bowles-

Oh, you can practice, practice, do a little bit-

-she’s got a GREAT voice.

Go on, just do us a little bit.

*Laugh* I can’t.

Oh, he’s not gonna do it, are you?

*Laugh*

I’ve made you – I can tell you’re blushing, which is great because I’m at one end of the computer and you’re at the other end of a computer-

You could do it, you sound great!

No, no, no, no.

Do you sing?

No, I’ve done it. Yeah, no, no. But musical theatre is a magical, magical thing, and I just – I, I love the fact that you’re open to all of that.

Definitely.

Now, let’s go to New Zealand on our next bit of travels. Um, what an incredible place to be for such an extraordinary film. I mean, The Hobbit, and everything that entailed, changing – I mean, for other people I’ve spoken to who were in any of The Hobbits, they all say that they felt it was such a MASSIVE part of their life, and they learnt so much doing it.

Yeah, I mean I never dreamed in a million years that I, I would get an opportunity to work on a project like that. And to work, y’know – I was a huge Tolkien fan for a start, and then when I saw Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings, I was just, I was obsessed with it. And it’s not one of the reasons I pursued it, it kind of came to me, and I felt like ‘Gosh, why does he want me to play a dwarf?’ but um, getting the chance to go that country for so long, and work with that cast and him, and be completely kind of, sort of disappear into a, into a sort of a world and a character. And to be taken in a helicopter to the top of a mountain and, and y’know, shoot in places where human feet haven’t trodden – you know, it was, it was life-changing, it really was. And apart from the success of the films, which was a whole other thing, the actual experience of doing it was, it was unbelievable.

Aw, well, listen Richard, thank you. It’s such a pleasure to talk to you, I could talk to you for ages. And I can’t wait to come and see you in Cabaret. And congratulations-

*Laugh*

-on Uncle Vanya. Pleasure to speak to you.

Thank you very much.