#source: Uncharted 4

[team-iceflower]

Qrow: How is Weiss cool with all this?

Ruby: ...

Qrow: Oh Jesus, kid.

Ruby: Look, it's just not that simple.

Qrow: *Scoffs* With all that you two have been through together-

Ruby: She wouldn't understand this.

Qrow: You are not giving her enough credit.

Ruby: I... I can't take that chance, I can't lose her.

[taylorshope]

Jamie: Hey, Smokey, I need your lighter over here.

Charlie: You know, that hurts my feelings.

Jamie: Not as much as it hurts your lungs.

Charlie: Thank you, Sister Jamie.

[felassan]

Mark Darrah video: 'Dragon Age: The Veilguard Has Shipped. Now What?? #/masseffect'

Video description:

"Dragon Age: The Veilguard has shipped. What happens at BioWare now? BioWare structurally finds itself in uncharted territory as it only has a single Project (Mass Effect) active. Chapters: 0:00 Veilguard is out, now what? 0:22 BioWare Structure and History 1:57 Growth 4:45 Consumption 6:28 Sustain 7:27 Contraction 11:14 Leadership Discontinuity 1 12:48 Leadership Discontinuity 2 14:14 One Project At A Time 16:33 Mass Effect 18:50 Will The People Be There? 22:18 FOCUS"

[source]

Key notes from the vid and the comments underneath:

"Up front I should say that I have every confidence that Mass Effect [5] is in fact being worked on and that that project is going to receive all of the support from EA that it might need."

Slowly and painfully BioWare is figuring out that it simply can't do more than one project at a time anymore. It's now a single-project studio. Mark Darrah expects that both Edmonton and Austin will be working on ME5 together

ME5 effectively paused production for 15 months in order to help DA:TV ship

Right now other than some DA:TV clean up/final patches, everyone at BW is working on ME5

However ME5 isn't yet ready to suddenly have a team of 250-300 people working on it, so while some DA:TV devs moved onto it, some DA:TV devs were moved to/are moving to other parts of EA instead. The ME5 team started, but there is a long way between "start" and "ready to scale" up

The ME5 team is figuring out what ME5 is going to be & its structure, then will get ready to ramp up to a much bigger team size

"BW, for the first time really ever, is able to singularly focus on a single project, is able to put everything it has towards a single goal, which is making the best ME it possibly can."

But it remains to be seen whether BW will be able to get its people back when it needs them and is ready for them. There are a few reasons why this might prove difficult. Alternatively, on the flipside, this degree of focus might be exactly what BW needs to move it into the next phase of its life. "Maybe EA is going to prove to be incredibly effective at moving people around and when ME5 looks to start to grow maybe there will be no troubles".

We will probably have hints of what's going on [with ME5] within the next two years. "I have high hopes for ME. I think that once they figure out staffing, BW being focused on one game at a time is probably great for the studio" (though there may be growing pains to get there)

Does Mark Darrah foresee similar issues in the ME5 dev cycle to what DA:TV had? No, because ME5 hasn't had the same two big directional shifts, and it has had no leadership discontinuity (ME5 paused when they went to help DA:TV i.e. it didn't continue without a leader). But we should only really start counting ME5's dev cycle from today. "It really hasn't been that long with a significant team"

The ME5 teases in recent N7 Days were made by a "very small team"

There are still lots of veterans at BW

Mark Darrah doesn't expect to be involved in what BW makes next

More under cut due to length.

BW has existed in different ways/structures through its history. We're currently entering into an "unprecedented time" for BW

The purchase of BW by Elevation Partners, the purchase of BW by EA, when Ray Muzyka & Greg Zeschuk left BW, and the year 2017 in general are the 4 most important events (not including shipping games) that Mark Darrah feels have affected BW the most in its history

BW's strategy over time could be seen as having had 4 different phases: grow, consume, sustain, contract. In the contract phase, though BW maybe didn't realize it yet, the number of projects it was capable of running simultaneously was decreasing slowly/gradually. Why? Projects were getting more expensive, requiring more people/resources/time, and by this point BW had essentially burned off all its 'reserves' from the growth phase i.e. there was no longer any fat left to burn off

After DA:I shipped, Mark Darrah experienced that it was very difficult to find resources if your project wasn't the next project that was due out the door

DLC is a safety valve for processes and staff; a place for devs to work when other projects aren't quite ready for them yet; a place for the next gen of leaders to be grown. These things disappear as DLC does. Mark Darrah is pretty sure that the move away from DLC is coming from EA

In the contract phase, in 2013-14 Anthem was starved out by DA & ME:A. ME:A was also somewhat starved out by DA. Then when ME:A was in the driver's seat, it consumed most of the resources

In late 2016/early 2017 during the push to ship ME:A, as part of that BW began to experience leadership discontinuity. As the DA leader, Mark Darrah led a team of DA people onto ME:A to help it ship (the Dragon Age Finaling Team) for a few months. this sort of thing had happened at BW before but this was the first time when senior leadership moved off the projects they led to do this. this caused a change in philosophy in terms of the way that projects were run

When ME:A shipped and Casey Hudson came back to lead BW, there was then a much much larger leadership discontinuity with Anthem. The Montreal studio was supposed to move over onto Joplin to help kickstart it but it ended up getting taken away and given to the leadership in Montreal. but even if this had happened as it was supposed to, BW may not have been able to be in a place where it was going to be able to ship Anthem and Joplin simultaneously

Three quarters of the senior leadership on Joplin moved to Anthem or left BW. DA continued and became Morrison. The discontinuity had massive consequences for DA4

In 2021/22, this happened again in the opposite direction. The leadership team moved onto DA to help it ship, though rather than leaving some of the team in place, everyone moved. The other project (next Mass Effect) effectively ceased to exist for 15 months in order to help DA4 ship. In 2023 for the first time since 1995 BW was only working on 1 project (DA:TV) & there was nobody working on ME5 or remasters or side projects at that time. Now that DA:TV has shipped, apart from some people on cleanup and final patches, there is no plans for DA:TV DLC and "there is only Mass Effect". "Everyone at BW will be working on Mass Effect."

DA:TV being a 'direct sequel' would have been an unlikely path

With BW now focusing on a single project, Mark Darrah does worry that EA will get "itchy"

It'll be a [long] while to DA5 [hypothetically speaking, if it gets made]

MELE involved a lot of external devs

Shadow Realms was BioWare Austin and was due to: "partially places for people, partially a desire for Austin to get something new."

Mark Darrah expects that the devs are hearing everything being said about DA:TV

BW focuses more on consoles because of sales numbers

Unreal Engine 5 (which ME5 is on) is moving onto other EA projects as well, which may help

There are reasons why DA:TV is the way it is

BW has had external consultants on leadership and structure over the years

Mark Darrah expects that the next Dragon Age will once again be pretty different to the last iteration

BW Austin were brought in to help make Anthem. "What didn't happen (that should have) is that they should have had more directional control over the live service direction."

BW has had difficulty learning from previous games because at least one title was too far along TO learn. but a single game leads to staffing issues

Mark Darrah pitched a dev structure back in 2016/17 which would have had "3 fast follow games then a period of retooling"

EA doesn't really sell IPs

Chance of DA:TV DLC? "That's an EA question. And I expect EA's answer to be no". "I don't think we will see DLC. A new DA would be in the future."

"DA has been looking for larger audiences in every iteration. EA has never understood the franchise"

Remake DA:O or ME1? "While I think it would do well, I don't expect it to happen at any time soon. Also the skillsets required don't really over lap"

"The 3 previous games DAVe was are leaking through in places"

Diagram from the video which shows the flow of people throughout BW's history, made by a member of Mark Darrah's community.

[source]

[awwkie]

Here is a quick list of lore stuff that Zeurel confirmed in the last QnA:

The area LAW polices is roughly 105'000 light-years wide. This matches up with our galaxy, the Milky Way. Taking into account the map in Oberon station (episode 1), LAW polices the whole galaxy except a small portion of it, called the "Uncharted Rim".

The species Ricket and Jawbone belong to are called "Osteons", as shown on a screen in episode 4. He also confirmed that the fire on their heads is actual hot fire and that it can burn.

Next episode we are going to get more information on the LAW divisions. Specifically about Enforcement (red/triangle) and the blue/circle division, which I assume has to do with communications and logistics from what we've seen so far.

Next episode will also give more insight into Terrans and the cataclysm. I wonder if we are going to see the speech by Primary Red mentioned in the news segment from episode 1. We might also get a speech from commander Tezoree, as we see her giving a speech in episode 4, and Zeu mentioned she is going to appear in episode 5. At the moment, I don't believe Tezoree to be Primary Red, for a couple of reasons I'll probably explain in a separate post. But I might be wrong.

We got a sneak peak on Dolion and OH MY GOD I'm so making a separate post for that because I have too many thoughts to fit them in this silly list.

Shrike and Beebs might have more traits from the animals they are inspired by than they are currently aware of.

The mercenaries at the top of the leaderboard might appear in the background of the next episode.

Ricket's eye wasn't injured, but it didn't form properly and that's why he keeps it covered. :(

There are some protections for endling species, and we'll see more info about that next episode.

Confirmed (a second time I think?) that Kara and the cats are totally unrelated species.

DH dislikes being watched while eating.

Some details might be missing becuase I haven't had the time yet to fully analyze episode 4. Sources below the cut (they are just screenshots from the asks for future reference LOL).

[bcacstuff]

Exploring the Hunku - By Jake Norton (part 1)

I guess part of me has always been an explorer.

No, not that kind of capital "E" Explorer - I haven’t discovered new lands, walked off the map, completed bold first ascents or any of that headline-grabbing stuff. But, I’ve been fortunate enough in my travels and adventures to wander off the beaten path somewhat, to explore terrain that, if not new to the world, is new to me, unfamiliar in all ways, be it on Everest’s North Face, the slopes of Gurla Mandhata, my own back yard, or elsewhere.

Our venture up the Hunku Khola from Chheskam to Kongme Dingma was just such an exploration. Sam and I and our team were not in uncharted waters; if we’re being honest, there is little in Nepal outside the extreme alpine realm that has not seen the feet of a herder or the staff of wandering ascetic over the ages. No, the Hunku is well known to the Kulung Rai and other locals, but not so to the outside world. I know of only a handful of people who have been up there before, one being Tim Macartney-snape, and if you know him and his history he’s not one for following the known path. So on December 6, we headed off into the somewhat unknown.

Sunset at camp 1 on the Mahakulung Muddhi-Kongmedingma Trail at the Mangan Khola.

Sam hikes up through lush forests of the Hunku Valley.

Our amazing team taking a breather.

New ways to traverse cliffside trails.

Steep and slick but full of beauty.

The new trail - dubbed by the excited community of Mahakulung as the Mahakulung Muddhi-Kongmedingma Trail - follows the Hunku Khola as it roars through a narrow canyon of its own creation. Unlike many treks in the Nepal Himalaya - and quite different than its nearby neighbor, Khumbu - this trail ambles through dense jungle, towering forests of East Himalayan Fir (Abies spectabilis), Musure Katus (Himalayan beech, Castanopsis tribuloides), Bull oak (Quercus lamellosa), Himalayan birch (Betula utilis), and rhododendron (both falconeri and arboreum). It’s a misty place as well, with afternoon cloud wafting up the valley, enshrouding the landscape in mystical ether turning to ethereal ice during the night.

While the Hunku finds its source up high in the melting ice of the Hunku Glacier on Baruntse and the alpine lakes of Seto Pokhari and Paanch Pokhari, its power is fed downstream by countless tributaries large and small, azure cascades coming down from numerous unnamed 5,000 meter peaks and larger, named ones like Naulekh and Mera. Thankfully, the municipalities of Mahakulung (Gudel, Bung, and Chheskam) built bridges across most, ranging from simple trusses to deluxe covered bridges and simple sticks-on-rocks for yet others still.

Sam shows his excitement at finding scat of a large leopard on the trail.

Bamboo tickets and high peaks.

A new bridge on day 3 crossing a tributary to the Hunku Khola. Bridges were built by locals from Mahakulung.

A new suspension bridge crosses the Hunku Khola on day 4.

Chilly mornings.

The boys on a break. Left to right: Sam Heughan, Tshering Dorje Sherpa, Gopal Magar, Karka Kulung Rai, and Jhanak Karki.

Sam crosses a less-modern - and fully iced - bridge on the upper Hunku Khola.

Porters crossing an old wooden bridge on the Hunku Khola.

Our trail - choked at times with bamboo or slick with mud, glazed with ice - meandered along the Hunku’s path. Folded as they are, the Himalaya do not lend themselves to easy trails, however, and the Muddhi-Kongmedingma is no exception: a straight line from Point A to Point B is rarely possible, with Ridge C and Valley D more often standing in the way. While most days the trail had a net gain of about 1500 vertical feet, we’d easily double that with ups and downs along the way.

But, that’s not to say days were hard; they were, taken all together, about perfect. Much of that is thanks to our team, and wonderfully motley crew of folks helping schlep our gear and prepare meals and keep us company along the way. And, this being the first real commercial trip up the valley, we never knew with certainty where the next flat ground would be found and if it would have water nearby. So, some days were cut short, some were stretched longer. Vagaries of the valley forced the abandonment of one acclimatization day at Watelma Chaur, but to little consquence: we were nimble, Sam was strong, our team able.

Six days of fairly magical, mystical trekking took us through climatic zones from forest to alpine, through sun and snow and ice, mornings of frost to afternoons of heat and frigid nights tempered by a blazing fire. We found scat from jungle cats (Asiatic wildcat? Maybe, but quite doubtful.) and leopards (common or snow, we do not know), enjoyed unspoiled nature at its best, and barely a trace of humanity - not a lodge, not a house, not a helicopter or plane. The only person outside our team we encountered until Khumbu was a resourceful Sherpa named Gelu from near Bung who heard of our affinity for both jhway kathe (raksi heated and adorned with sauteed fenugreek) and tongba (fermented millet prepared as a delicious hot drink) and decided we were a good business proposition, hauling several liters of both in his doko up valley. (Note, his instincts proved remarkably correct.)

Jhanak Karki, skull shaman.

Keeping warm by the fire at camp on day 4.

Misty morning majesty.

Fresh snow helped make day 5 on the Mahakulung Muddhi-Kongmedingma Trail even more stunning.

Steep and slippery demands creativity.

Sam enjoys a cold head shower along the trail.

Sun, shadow, and cloud play on the shoulders of Naulekh.

Sunset at our tiny cliff camp on the Hunku Khola.

Eventually, we emerged from the forest some 2500 feet below Kongme Dingma and entered the subalpine zone. Here, along with incresingly majestic views of Naulekh and Peak 41 and Chamlang and more, we bushwhacked for an hour through sprawling hillsides of sunpati (dwarf rhododendron, or Rhododendron anthopogon), which is used in most incense from South Asia. So strong and fresh, every step released a burst of aroma making the whole valley akin to walking around Bodhanath during times of prayer. Amazing.

And then, the pain began.

Not bad pain, but certainly some, the hurt of altitude and the cold that comes along with it, the toll extracted physiologically, penance for the privilege of the high country. And, like a first marathon or a first drunk, it hits the uninitiated hardest. We made it to Kongme Dingma, a small, vacant settlement at 15,750 feet, windswept and austere beneath the towering giants of Peak 41, Naulekh, and Chamlang. For Sam and Jhanak, each step of the last 3000+ feet was an altitude record, and inevitably the night brought with it headache and lassitude, the hallmarks up here. But, they fired back with their own hallmarks - grit and positivity.

We spent the night sheltering from demonic, 60 mph wind gusts under Gelu’s tarp-roofed hut. Dung-seasoned dust whipped about as we ate dal bhat, played cards with the team, laughed and talked and smiled and knew that this too would pass, tomorrow would dawn another day.

Altitude is a fickle thing, each person’s specific physiology responding differently to it. Until you’ve been up high, it’s generally a mystery as to how you’ll do, how your body will adapt - or not - to the dearth of oxygen. Some do well, some less so, but most will get it sorted out if given time and tools. Time is the keystone, as the body is working overtime to produce red blood cells and increase hypoxic efficiency; thus, a day off, an active rest day, at Kongme Dingma was essential to let the body do its thing.

Sam taking it all in as we leave the forest and enter the alpine.

Chamlang - the sentinel of the Hunku - was hidden for days but finally shows itself in the upper valley.

Gelu, our friend and beverage purveyor, stops for a tea and dal bhat break on the trail.

Sam Heughan taking it all in high on the Mahakulung Muddhi-Kongmedingma Trail.

Enjoying the views high on the Muddhi-Kongmedingma Trail.

(more in part 2 of this article)

[otherworldseekers]

Rarepair Week Day 4: Safe Harbor | Uncharted Waters

For today I have a written a follow up scene to my Amnesia AU fic, They Can't Take You Away From Me. Providing a little segue from Amnesia AU to Scion Nero AU (which mostly exists only in my brain).

If you're not familiar with Amnesia AU, the gist is that Nero has an "accident" while Severia is on the First and loses all his memories, including of her. It takes a little while, but they end up reuniting and giving their relationship another try.

I enjoyed writing this and I hope you enjoy reading it!

In a corner of the Rising Stones, as far as they could get from Tataru’s prying eyes, Severia and Nero enjoyed a simple lunch together. It had become part of their everyday routine since that fateful date when they finally reunited. Severia smiled to herself every time she thought about that day. It wasn’t as if everything had gone back to the way it was before Nero’s accident. That was impossible and she had come to accept it because there was much to be said for the way things were now. 

Instead of leaping headlong into a serious relationship, the way they had in the past, this time they were taking things a bit slower. Having lunch together and going on dates after work and learning about each other all over again and facing each new day as a gift. Which wasn’t to say that they didn’t end up spending most of their nights together in Severia’s rooms. (Nero’s rooms were not to be thought of.) The nights when Nero warmed her bed vastly outnumbered the nights when he didn’t. But he generally left early in the morning. (A departure from the past, when he was more likely to sleep in half the day.) They were, for now, maintaining their personal spaces. Severia was finding the arrangement surprisingly comfortable. 

But it couldn’t last forever. The peaceful lull since she had solved the crisis on the First was beginning to crack under the unaddressed pressures of the Source. As much as she had learned during her time on the other shard, it didn’t make the ongoing conflicts disappear. It was just a matter of time before she had to say goodbye to Nero again. The thought sent a shiver of panic through her. 

“Something on your mind, darling?” Nero asked before taking a bite of his sandwich. 

Severia pasted a smile back onto her face. “Nothing much.”

Nero put his sandwich down and took a sip of his coffee. Then he reached over and covered one her hands with his. “None of that now. I very clearly saw you smiling happily before some dark thought seemed to cloud your beautiful brow. Tell me about it. It might help.”

Severia sighed. She should have known better than to try hiding her feelings from his keen observation skills. That much hadn’t changed at all. “I was just thinking about the reports the Scions have been receiving lately. Something is happening. I can feel it. It won’t be long before…”

“Before you need to go off on some dangerous mission to save the star?”

“Yes.”

Nero nodded and speared a vegetable on his plate, gesturing with it on the end of his fork. “And naturally you dread being taken from my side. I might have a solution for you.”

Severia found that she had become too worried to take another bite so she rested her chin in her hands on the table. “Is that so?” 

“Indeed. I can go with you,” he said, as if it were patently obvious, and popped the vegetable into his mouth with satisfaction. 

Severia sat up in surprise. “You can… What?”

“I can accompany you and your Scions.” For a moment he looked somewhat embarrassed and ran a hand through his hair. “I’ve been assured that I used to be a career military officer. Garlond got out my old armor and that ridiculously massive hammer that he says I made myself. And I’ve… Well, I’ve been practicing a bit, here and there. It seems like my old instincts aren’t completely gone. And I thought… I thought perhaps I could be of more use to you on the battlefield than I am here.”

Severia put a hand on his arm. “You don’t need to be of use to me, Nero. I love-”

“I know.” This time he looked at her with a fierce determination she hadn’t seen in his eyes in a long time. “And I know that before I didn’t have a choice. You went somewhere I couldn’t follow and we both suffered for it. This time I have a choice. I’ve been paying attention. I know the Scions are stirring. Something big is going to happen. When I think that this time it might be me who loses you… I can’t bear it.”

Severia went to him and wrapped her arms around him. “Nero.”

He pulled her onto his lap and squeezed her tight, meeting her eyes with his. “You’re my safe harbor, Severia. Everything else is uncharted waters. I don’t want to go back to floundering without you. Let me fight at your side.”

“Yes.” Severia felt tears filling her eyes. Tears of relief and gratitude. “Oh please, Nero. I don’t want us to be parted again. I’ve been so afraid.”

He wiped away the tears that had begun to spilled down her cheeks and kissed her trembling lips. “I won’t leave you again.”

“You promise?”

“I swear it.” 

She kissed him back eagerly, almost desperately. Nero felt his desire for her, never far from the surface, awakening and knew by the way she shifted on his lap that she felt the same. A cleared throat and a clink of glasses behind the bar reminded them of the presence of others in the room. Severia tried to slip off his lap, but Nero held her in place. “Want to go upstairs?”

His tone told her exactly what he was thinking about and Severia blushed. But she didn’t say no. “Is there time?”

Nero grinned and kissed the scale on her nose. “We’ll make time.” No matter what happened next, no matter what other goals he might have, he would always, always have time for her. 

[rainydetectiveglitter]

Your Human Design Profiles

Human design charts have gained popularity as a unique approach to understanding oneself. Rooted in astrology, the I Ching, Kabbalah, and other systems, these charts offer insights into personality traits, strengths, and potential life paths. While some find them enlightening and resonant, others may view them skeptically due to their complex and multifaceted nature. Ultimately, opinions on human design charts vary, and individuals should explore them with an open mind and consider them as one of many tools for self-discovery.

Find out your profile here:

🚀 1/3: Investigator/Martyr With the essence of exploration, the Investigator/Martyr profile seeks to understand life through a lens of experimentation and courage. Balanced between introspection and action, this profile dances with the mysteries of existence, uncovering truths that propel growth.

🌟 1/4: Investigator/Opportunist A harmonious blend of curiosity and adaptability, the Investigator/Opportunist profile embraces the dance of life's opportunities. Curving between reflection and spontaneity, it navigates the world with an open heart, collecting experiences that shape its unique path.

🎭 2/4: Hermit/Opportunist A cosmic fusion of introspection and spontaneity, the Hermit/Opportunist profile thrives in the delicate balance between solitude and connection. Embracing the depths of inner wisdom while engaging with the external world, it weaves a tapestry of profound insights.

🌌 2/5: Hermit/Heretic Guided by the realms of knowledge and transformation, the Hermit/Heretic profile embarks on a journey of understanding and change. It moves between solitude and rebellion, unveiling wisdom that challenges the norms and beckons growth.

🌀 3/5: Martyr/Heretic A dance between transformation and rebellion, the Martyr/Heretic profile ventures into uncharted territories of change and authenticity. Balanced between sacrifice and assertion, it ignites a revolution within, challenging the status quo.

🌄 3/6: Martyr/Role Model The Martyr/Role Model profile navigates the terrain of sacrifice and guidance, embodying the essence of a transformative leader. It finds purpose in inspiring others while embracing the challenges that pave the way for collective growth.

🔥 4/6: Opportunist/Role Model With the fire of spontaneity and leadership, the Opportunist/Role Model profile blazes a trail of inspiration and action. Balancing between flexibility and guidance, it weaves connections that empower both self and others.

🌟 4/1: Opportunist/Investigator The Opportunist/Investigator profile dances between adaptability and exploration, driven by the desire to learn and experience. It embodies the art of seizing opportunities while delving into the depths of understanding.

🌀 5/1: Heretic/Investigator Rooted in transformation and exploration, the Heretic/Investigator profile journeys through the realms of rebellion and understanding. It challenges conventions and seeks knowledge, igniting change with a quest for truth.

🌌 5/2: Heretic/Hermit Guided by the fusion of transformation and introspection, the Heretic/Hermit profile explores the depths of wisdom and authenticity. It unearths truths that challenge norms and embraces solitude as a source of growth.

🌄 6/2: Role Model/Hermit The Role Model/Hermit profile radiates a blend of guidance and introspection, embracing the role of a transformative teacher. Balancing between leadership and solitude, it imparts wisdom while delving into the mysteries of the self.

🔥 6/3: Role Model/Martyr With the fire of leadership and courage, the Role Model/Martyr profile paves the way for transformation and growth. It combines guidance and sacrifice, embodying the essence of a visionary leader.

Disclaimer: Human design profiles offer insights but are not predictive. They are tools for self-awareness and personal growth.

[rallentando1011]

Somnambulant Soulmates (rise Donnie x gn reader)

Prologue, Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6

Word Count: 2833

“Where in the actual heck did you lead me?”

“Trying to figure that out right now. How many turns have you taken?”

“You mean to the left or right?” you inquired cautiously, steps splashing in the shallow water of the sewer tunnel you currently found yourself in. You thought that since you had taken this exact same path literally yesterday you might remember the way. Well, you thought wrong, which was why you called up the man you were on your way to meet for assistance.

Donnie huffed over the phone. “Both, preferably. Why would you go traversing through a complex labyrinth of a sewer system, not knowing where you’re going, and not keeping track of where you’ve gone?”

“Uhh, misguided faith in myself?”

“Eh. Fair enough. I’ll send auxiliary support your way.”

“‘Auxiliary support?’ What is that supposed to-”

Before you could even finish your thought, not to mention get a response, the call ended.

You gaped. Either the signal cut out, which was feasible in the sewers, or he ended the call. For Donnie’s sake, he’d better have hoped it was the former.

You froze in the eerie silence and dark, breathing tersely. Your hands hung uncomfortably off your sides, shoulders drawn tight.

What were you supposed to do now?

Well, retracing your steps seemed better than continuing further into uncharted territory. Following that logic, you pivoted and meandered cautiously back from where you came.

The tunnel came upon an especially dark section, so you turned on your phone’s flashlight. Your field of vision was small, but at least you could directly in front of you. Better than nothingness..

Suddenly, a strange noise entered your ears. Some sort of mechanical whirring. It sounded vaguely in front of you, though the reverberation from the tunnels made it hard to discern.

You tensed up again.

What if it was from those goons from last night? Or, even worse, what if it was-

As the source of the odd whirring sound came into view, you paused.

“Ohhhh my goodness…” Your startled reflexes swiftly softened as you registered the little purple drone levitating before you.

A very boop-able beak was on what you assumed to be its face, with petite propellers acting as limbs. Bottom line, it was adorable.

“Woah, how’s it hanging, dude?” the drone greeted. “D told me you got a bit turned around down here, but we’ll get you to the lair real quick.”

“Woah.” You admired the tech, tilting your head at it. “So, am I talking to Donnie or an algorithm right now?”

“Neither! The name’s S.H.E.L.L.D.O.N. broski!” it- he introduced himself.

“Huh. Nice to meet you, S.H.E.L.L.D.O.N.,” you responded and gave your name in return. “Would you mind please showing me to Donnie?”

“No problem!” the drone floated higher excitedly before whipping around. “Follow me. We’ll be back to the lab in a jiff.”

“Thanks!”

You trailed along the polite drone in silence, weaving and wandering through dim channels until he spoke up.

“So, you and D are cool?”

“Yeah, you could say that.” You tipped your head down inquisitively. 

“I don’t know what you see in him.”

You barked out a laugh at how abrupt his sass was. “Oh?”

“Yeah! He can be super overbearing sometimes- like, won’t-even-let-me-out-of-the-lair overbearing, you know? He’s gotten better about it, but he can still be way protective.”

“Surely it can’t be that bad,” you offered. The drone did not seem to agree.

“Oh, it can, bro! One time, he padlocked my propellers and I ended up in, like, a gang almost-”

As your conversation trailed off and you two moved, the area around you grew lighter and you found yourself in the empty atrium of the lair. S.H.E.L.L.D.O.N. guided you up to the second floor, down a dim hallway, and to a stop in front of large, metallic doors as his rant about Donnie came to a close.

“Thanks, little guy. I appreciate the help.” You smiled, and the drone tilted his head and returned the gesture.

“Of course, bro! Just let me know if you get too bored with Donnie. Us cool people can hang out and do something less bogus.”

You chuckled. “I’ll let you know.”

With a small salute, you sent him whirring off.

You turned to face the sturdy-looking doors before you. Just as you moved to rap on them, the doors opened with a heavy sound of air. You took a confused glance to the right, left, before stepping into the lab.

The room consisted mostly of metallic silver hues with tables and shelves stacked up with a plethora of technological treasures. Purple mood lights illuminated the room softly, though it was still a lot more effective than your flashlight was.

Sounds of clinging and clanging proliferated from somewhere behind a shelf. You followed them, expecting to find your companion tinkering on something - perhaps the invention he was researching at the library?

Instead, you turned the corner to see him using the titanium arms that extended from his battle shell to swipe what was probably a literal ton of empty energy drinks off of his desk and into a trash can beside it.

You interrupted his tidying up with a cough to announce your presence.

Startled, he snapped his head back to look at you, his technology not ceasing to clear the irrelevant items from his desk.

“Oh. You made it. Congratulations,” he said, though his monotonous tone did not invoke any sentiment of felicitations.

“Yeah, I made it, little thanks to you.”

“I take it S.H.E.L.L.D.O.N. behaved himself?”

“He was an angel.” You put a hand over your heart and walked up to him just as a thought struck you. “By the way, how did you know where to send S.H.E.L.L.D.O.N.?”

“That is unimportant right now. What matters iiiis-” he paused to gesture to his desk, “-science! Engineering, to be more specific, but we can delve into that more later.”

“Hm.” You leaned over the desk, viewing a highly detailed blueprint and sheet of notes. The thought that he probably  definitely tracked your call faded as you immersed yourself in his work. “You mentioned a prototype of this yesterday?”

“I admire your tenacity, but would you not prefer to discuss the workings of the machine before seeing the results?” he queried.

“Is it not helpful to vary in learning techniques? I’m game for some visual learning.”

“Sigh, if you insist.”

Donnie turned around, delicately grabbed an object from a shelf beside him, set it down on the desk.

The metal object was spherical, for the most part, with some geometric patterns on the bottom to prop it up. It was sizable, though wieldy enough to be portable. On the side of it was an ingrained insignia you’d seen on his other tech, and beside that was an odd yet intentional divot in the side.

“About this prototype for the generator-” Donnie glanced to the side, “it’s been built, but I don’t have the juice for it yet.”

“So you don’t have the energy source for your energy source?”

He deadpanned at your teasing. “It’s a prototype for a reason.” 

“Is that dent where the mystic crystal or whatever is supposed to go?”

“Yes, it is intended to be for a crystal, though I’ll take any viable source I can get. Now, shall we discuss the behind the scenes?”

You nodded.

Before crashing into his own chair, he pulled up a stool for you. Oddly considerate, but you wouldn’t complain.

From talk of sinusoidal waves, frequencies, output and input responses from certain mystic crystals, the conversation went into a plenitude of tangentially related topics, the minutiae of which he had to explain to you, but you got the majority of it. However, such conversation came at a price, for one cannot blab and/or yap for an hour consecutively without obtaining a splitting headache and requiring sustenance.

Eventually, you cleared your throat to get his attention off of the blueprints for the energy source. The turtle met your gaze curiously.

“All this ‘being a genius’ stuff has left me positively parched,” you spoke up, popping the p’s. “You have anything to drink in here? Or is the lair’s kitchen better?”

It felt kind of weird to refer to his residence as a lair, but you were trying.

“This is a laboratory; it would be reprehensible to bring food or beverage in here.”

The two of you glanced down at the miniature trash can adjacent to his desk and the cans overflowing from it.

“Your trash begs to differ.”

He clicked his tongue. “Those cans are empty now, and I don’t have more. We probably have water in the fridge.”

“How about we go somewhere instead? Go for a walk, head to a cafe, get some fresh air. I would prefer not getting lost here again.”

Donnie hummed, tapped his chin.“Not a bad idea. You’re buying, though.”

“Sure!”

He blinked. “I was joking. Of course I’m going to buy my own beverage.”

“We’ll see,” you smiled, hopping up from your seat. “Do you want to grab a coat or something? The wind chill’s bad today.”

“Forcing me out of my lab for food, insisting I prepare for the weather, if I didn’t know better I might say you care about me.” Donnie raised a playful eyebrow.

“Don’t flatter yourself. And I haven’t forced you anywhere. For legal purposes.”

“You can wait here. I’ll be back in a moment.” Donnie hopped up and exited the lab, presumably to get some warmer clothes.

As he slipped out of the room, you traced a finger over the blueprints he had gushed over so adamantly. So much time and effort and knowledge had been poured into every aspect of this project, and that, not to mention the complexity of it, was enough to gain your respect. You pulled out your phone, snapped a quick picture of the paper, not the prototype for now, and slipped it back into your pocket.

You waited for an uncomfortable moment, literally twiddling your thumbs, trying to seem casual. There was a literal trove of things to check out or explore in the room, but you did not know how much time you had. 

And you couldn’t risk getting caught.

So you waited. And waited.

Okay, either Donnie ditched you or he just took forever to get ready.

Thinking back to how late he was to April’s party heavily implied the latter.

After another moment of just standing next to his desk, the sound of footsteps padding closer drew your attention up.

Lo and behold, in the doorway stood Donnie with crossed arms.

His mask and goggles remained the same, steadfast on his head, but he did put on some clothes. A snug black turtleneck and flowy lavender cargo pants had joined the ensemble, though there was still a severe lack of shoes.

“Okay, Steve Jobs.” The comment slipped out of your mouth before you could process it. It came across lightheartedly enough, though, based on Donnie’s grin.

“Don’t say that if you don’t mean it, because that’s going straight up here.” He tapped his index to his temple and started walking out of the lab. You followed after.

“I guess with all that square footage something’s bound to go up there.”

He wrinkled his nose in distaste.

You elbowed

“I’m kidding. Your brain capacity is bound to be maxed out already with all that knowledge.”

“Thanks? That- wasn’t derogatory, right?”

“What do you think?”

“That you’re patronizing me?”

“Sort of. I was mostly calling you smart, in a roundabout way.”

“Huh. So, thanks?”

“Welcome.”

You two quickly made your way out of the lair and onto the surface’s streets.

You realized just as quickly that you had no idea where you were headed to.

“Uhh, D?”

“I know. Unless you have other suggestions, I know a place nearby.”

“Oh, yeah, please lead the way. I genuinely had no idea where to go.”

“Ha,” he grinned, taking the lead down a few streets and corridors and bringing you two to a quaint coffee shop. String lights, beige bricks, sleek tables and booths, the store was modern and comely.

Of course, with it being New York City, the line was huge, but this place was concealed well enough that it at least wasn’t down the road.

While waiting in line, you didn’t talk much, instead opting to either scroll on your phones or try to figure out which kind of coffee or tea you wanted.

As you neared the register, still having no idea what you wanted, you passed the small refrigerated shelf of items.

“Oh, I’ve seen these before!” Your attention caught on some bottles of Yakult, so you selected one of the original flavors. “Never tried it though. Want to try it together?”

“Why not?” he grinned uncertainly and flashed a couple of thumbs up.

“That’s the spirit!”

You two made it to the register and ended up buying the probiotic drinks along with a couple of baked goods. Before he could make a move to pay for at least his items, you swooped in and bought them all with an innocent grin.

His glare saw through your unassuming demeanor.

You got your confections and drinks before making your way to an available booth. You took up a seat across from him and tried the new drink.

“I like it.” You nodded. It was citrusy, smooth, overall pleasant to indulge in.

“Oh. Mmmm…” he shuddered, forcing it down with a queasy smile on his face.

“Huh. You hate it,” you observed bemusedly. You relished the panic that washed over him at your comment.

“What? Nooo. This- this is very… not bad,” he faltered under your smug stare.

“It’s fine!” you reassured as you slid his Yakult toward yourself. “You don’t have to drink it if you don’t like it.”

“But-” he interjected, glancing down at the accursed drink, then back up to you. “But you bought it for me. I hardly consider it amiable to discard something that someone else purchased.”

“Well, luckily for us both, it’s not going to waste.”

Before he had the opportunity to ask you to elaborate, you took a long sip of the probiotic beverage. You smiled while doing so, coming face to face with a floored turtle when you set it back down on the table.

He stared numbly at you before stammering out, “I- you- do you have any idea how many germs we just shared?” 

“Oh well,” you shrugged. “Despite the atrocious things that come out of it, I think you have a fairly clean mouth. Now, how about we get you something else to drink? Something that you don’t find atrocious.”

“Fine, but I’ll be paying for it this time.”

You smiled knowingly, hand already fastened on your wallet. “We’ll see.”

The grin stayed smugly planted on your face as you made it to the front counter and slapped your payment down before he could.

“You’re just gonna have to settle with buying next time,” was your response to his scowl.

“Next time?” Donnie seemed taken aback.

You shrugged playfully. “Unless you don’t want to do this again. I’m good either way.”

“Um, no, n-next time’s on me,” he said hesitantly.

“Alright then. Do you want to tell the barista what you want?” you urged, indicating toward a visibly disinterested worker behind the counter.

“Right!” Donnie finally made it back onto this plane of reality and sprung into action, making his selection from the refrigerated section beside the counter.

“Flavorless juice?” Your jaw dropped as he slid it to the worker.

“Uh, yeah? They’ve got the good kind here. 50% less flavor…”

“Okay then…” you opted to judge him silently and let the man enjoy his juice, albeit an atrocious variety of juice.

You started walking back to the booth before a notification on your phone made you pause. Taking it out, your eyes widened.

“Oh, uh, I spent a lot longer with you than I thought I did. Um, I’ve got to go now, but I’ll catch you later?”

“Y-Yeah! Later!”

You left him standing there with a smile and a couple of finger guns before bounding off toward the exit and out of his view.

Once you left his field of vision, he looked back down at his drink. The drink you bought for him. The drink you spent additional time and money on to get for him just because he couldn’t texturally handle the other one you’d bought him.

What you mentioned earlier about doing this again sounded quite nice.

Perhaps, instead of waiting for fate or probability or whatever was at play to cause you to run into each other again, it could be a more active endeavor, something conscious.

That didn’t sound half bad to him.

(chapter artwork HERE)

Taglist~ @rottmntsimp

@envyjmoney

[metamagic-adept]

idris, holding on too tight

[ID: 11 screenshots of quotes or text. They read:

I did not like to be touched, but it was a strange dislike. I did not like to be touched because I craved it too much. I wanted to be held very tight so I would not break.

Sometimes being offered tenderness feels like the very proof that you’ve been ruined.

I’m hypnotized by this anomaly / Such strange uncharted territory / A white flag waves in the dark between my head and my heart / My armor falls apart / As if I could let myself be seen, even deeply known / Like I was already brave enough to let go

To have spent my life holding my hands in tightly hidden fists. To try to understand what it would mean, now, to hold them open. [highlighted] I have always felt ashamed at being witnessed in the act of wanting something I could not have.

“I don’t know what’s going to come out of me,” I told her. “It has to be perfect. It has to be irreproachable in every way.” // “Why?” she said. // “To make up for it,” I said. “To make up for the fact that it’s me.”

Everything I've ever let go of has claw marks on it.

time loop where i keep dying to save you but clearly the loop just wants me to accept your death. im not going to but i can tell that's what it wants

[unchecked box] remember that you can't save everyone // [checked box] Remember that you have to try.

I can do this, I thought. Then: And even if I can't, I have to.

Time solves most things. And what time can't solve, you have to solve yourself.

Ring the bells that can still ring / Forget your perfect offering / There is a crack, a crack in everything / That's how the light gets in.

End ID.]

quote sources: 1. Marya Hornbacher, Wasted 2. Ocean Vuong, On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous 3. "Five," Sleeping at Last 4. Jennifer S. Chang, So We Must Meet Apart; “August 24, 2018” 5. Suzanne Rivecca, ugly, bitter, and true 6. David Foster Wallace 7. tumblr user @ ayotofu 8. unknown 9. David Levithan, How They Met and Other Stories 10. Haruki Murakami, Dance Dance Dance 11. Leonard Cohen, "Anthem."

[semper-legens]

131. Lord of the Flies, by William Golding and Aimée de Jongh

Owned: No, library Page count: 334 My summary: A plane crashes on an uncharted island. A gaggle of boys pulls themselves up from the wreckage. No adults, no food, no protection from the elements, and nothing to do but wait for someone to find them. But in this group of lost children, leaders begin to emerge. The moderate Ralph, the nerdy Piggy, the wild Jack; all fighting over what little remains. Will they survive long enough to be rescued? And what is the monster that lurks at the heart of the island? My rating: 4/5

Ah, Lord of the Flies. A classic. A book that many read in school - though I'm not one of that number, we did To Kill A Mockingbird instead if I recall correctly. Regardless, it's a book I have read before, and a really good one, though I do have some issues with it. (The Indigenous-coding of the kids 'descending into savagery', for example.) And I'm always on the lookout for a new graphic novel to dig my teeth into. Wouldn't you know it, a lot of the graphic novels that have popped up on the shelves of late have been adaptations of classic novels - 1984, To Kill A Mockingbird, Brave New World, and the like. I don't know what drew me to this one in particular, but now that I've read it, I'm glad that I was so drawn. It was an interesting read, and I'm glad I took the time to sit with it!

I'm not going to talk about the Lord of the Flies base story, just how this graphic novel adapts it, so no criticism of the narrative in general. This story flies in a visual medium. The reader gets such a solid sense of how their time on the island is affecting the kids - hair grows long, clothes grow dirty and ragged, and the kids start losing parts of their wardrobe. Piggy, for example, is the only character who keeps his red school jumper after a couple of days - everyone else is down to t-shirts or polo shirts or vests and shorts, and that's obviously hinting to Piggy's role in the narrative as the representation of order over chaos. That said, I know it's in the book, but the choice to have Jack and his gang portrayed with warpaint and wild hair really brings to mind negative stereotypes of Indigenous people, which was the one thing I had issue with in the character design. Otherwise, everyone looks great - plausibly kids and teens, but distinct enough that they can be easily told apart, or at least the main characters are. This is a very straight adaptation of the original book; some things are excised to fit the new medium, but it follows the narrative beat-for-beat and uses the original language for narration and dialogue, which is a nice touch. Overall, a great adaptation of the source material, and one I'm glad I picked up.

Next, pirates and silliness in a magical, serpent-ridden sea.

[science-lover33]

Genetic engineering: CRISPR and beyond

In genetic engineering, we find ourselves amidst a scientific revolution with the advent of revolutionary technologies like CRISPR-Cas9. However, our journey into the intricate landscape of genetic manipulation is far from complete. This post delves into the nuanced world of genetic engineering, exploring cutting-edge technologies and their remarkable potential in shaping the future of medicine and biotechnology.

CRISPR-Cas9: Precision at the Molecular Level

CRISPR-Cas9, a revolutionary genome editing tool, stands for Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats and CRISPR-associated protein 9. It utilizes a guide RNA (gRNA) to target specific DNA sequences, and the Cas9 protein acts as molecular scissors to cut the DNA at precisely defined locations. This break in the DNA prompts the cell's natural repair machinery to make changes, either through non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) or homology-directed repair (HDR). CRISPR-Cas9's precision allows for gene knockout, modification, or insertion with remarkable accuracy.

Beyond CRISPR: Emerging Technologies

While CRISPR-Cas9 has dominated the field of genetic engineering, numerous promising technologies have emerged on the horizon. These include CRISPR-Cas variants like CRISPR-Cas12 and CRISPR-Cas13, which offer unique advantages such as smaller size, increased specificity, and targeting of RNA. Additionally, base editing techniques, such as adenine base editors (ABEs) and cytosine base editors (CBEs), enable the direct conversion of one DNA base into another without causing double-strand breaks, expanding the range of genetic modifications possible.

Applications in Medicine

The implications of these advancements are profound, particularly in medicine. Genetic engineering can potentially treat various genetic disorders, from cystic fibrosis to sickle cell anemia, by correcting disease-causing mutations at their source. Precision medicine, tailored to an individual's genetic makeup, is becoming increasingly feasible, allowing for personalized therapies with minimal side effects.

Ethical Considerations and Regulation

As we venture further into the genetic frontier, we must acknowledge the ethical considerations surrounding genetic engineering. The ability to modify the human germline, with implications for future generations, raises ethical dilemmas that necessitate rigorous oversight and regulation. The international community is developing guidelines to ensure responsible use of these powerful tools.

Future Directions and Challenges

While genetic engineering offers immense promise, it is not without its challenges. Off-target effects, unintended consequences, and the potential for creating designer babies are among the issues that demand careful consideration. Researchers and ethicists must work in tandem to navigate this uncharted territory.

References

Doudna, J. A., & Charpentier, E. (2014). The new frontier of genome engineering with CRISPR-Cas9. Science, 346(6213), 1258096.

Anzalone, A. V., Randolph, P. B., Davis, J. R., Sousa, A. A., Koblan, L. W., Levy, J. M., … & Liu, D. R. (2019). Search-and-replace genome editing without double-strand breaks or donor DNA. Nature, 576(7785), 149-157.

Kime, E. (2021). CRISPR and the ethics of gene editing. Nature Reviews Genetics, 22(1), 3-4.

This post only scratches the surface of the profound transformations occurring in genetic engineering. The relentless pursuit of knowledge and ethical exploration will shape the future of this field as we continue to unlock the intricate secrets of our genetic code.

[frank-olivier]

In the Beginning: A Scientific Exploration of Life’s Hypothetical Origins

In the most profound of inquiries, humanity seeks to comprehend the genesis of its own existence, prompting a meticulous examination of the Earth’s primordial landscape. This quest to unravel the mysteries of life’s origins has captivated scientists and scholars for centuries, leading to a nuanced understanding of the intricate interplay between chemical, biological, and environmental factors that potentially gave rise to the first living organisms.

Approximately 4 billion years ago, the Earth’s canvas was vastly different from the one we know today, with minimalistic cells emerging amidst this alien landscape. Characterized by carboxylic acid membranes and RNA-driven heredity, these primitive entities laid the foundational blueprint for the astounding complexity that would eventually follow. The evolution of ribozymes, capable of catalyzing metabolic reactions, was a seminal moment, bridging the gap between a lifeless chemistry and the nascent biochemistry of early organisms. This development not only enhanced cellular capabilities but also underscored the symbiotic relationship between genetic innovation and environmental pressures.

The pursuit of energy, a fundamental drive in the evolution of life, led early organisms to harness the planet’s primordial power sources. Mineral catalysis and reactive phosphorus species might have played crucial roles in the synthesis of ATP, with the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway exemplifying the resourcefulness of these early life forms in exploiting available energy sources.

Our exploration of the Earth’s history leads us to Luca, the Last Universal Common Ancestor, whose characteristics offer a fascinating glimpse into the life of our most ancient shared forebear. The proposed environment of Luca, akin to the chemistry-rich settings of volcanic vents, underscores the profound connection between life’s emergence and the planet’s geochemical landscape. Furthermore, the concept of the Origin of Life Domain (OLD) invites us to contemplate the possibility of alternative life forms, unconnected to Luca’s lineage, and the uncharted scientific territories that await discovery.

From the First Organism to LUCA - The Evolution of Life's Core Processes (Wolfpack Astrobiology, March 2024)

Life Began Much Faster Than We Thought (Sabine Hossenfelder, December 2024)

Saturday, December 7, 2024

[sarohy]

<Wall of text: Character analysis>

(Disclaimer: Messy and random analysis for myself. This is purely from my own perspective and brainstorming so it mighttt not be correct or perfect, if you disagree please don't start a fight!!!! I will take your opinion into account if yours is better!) Only do a small part of the analysis since it is hard for my brain to write like a whole ass essay or something,,, Okay so, I always wondered about Olimar and Louie parallel. They're obviously the opposite of each other, but do have certain similarity. For example: - Ability to adapted to the environment + For Olimar, he is never favored by luck (even directly said from his official description) so it is hard for someone like him to survive on a completely uncharted planet. But probably because of his unfortune strike, he developed crucial skills early on to combat against the odds: Highly observant, hardworking and have the habit to write records on his way (which actually saves his life on Pikmin 3(?I think, if he didn't write anything the Koppai couldn't really find him to progress, but in general it's a great way for people to know you and have any clue about your whereabout). So even though PNF-404 is a highly dangerous planet for Olimar, he could still adapted to the nature and still manage to go back home (not really let the man sees his family actually) + For Louie, he actually pretty lucky himself. I don't really know how this guy survived falling off the cockpit when the ship was probably hundred metres away from the ground (Supported by the snow? Low gravity for Hocotians maybe cause they're very small). Better example would be how did the guy survived when got left behind (no way to know how much time is needed when travel from Hoco planet to PNF-404, but space travel is never fast). Although we never know much about his past except for he currently living with his Nana and his Nana forcing him to eat bugs, Louie is also a hunter and maybe carnivore by nature, probably originate from his childhood. This is easy to know cause bro have recipes of every possible enemy in game, making him the perfect match for PNF-404. As much as the game repesented him as boy failure whenever he's out doing expendition (source from Pikmin 3 Olimar's video logs), if the guy could tame Pikmin 4 final boss then we will have to be certain about his ability (also there are scatter hints about Louie being capable of fending for himself better than when he is with pikmins unlike Olimar, and his dandoori skill is imaculate). If it weren't for the oxygen then Louie might just stay there forever (he could've just stay without oxygen tbh that might not be his top concern). => Their adaption ability differs from other so much but it works well for each. They are unstoppable if actually team up. - Final boss have a soft spot for this two, somehow + 3/4 Pikmin main franchise having Olimar/Louie corelated to the final boss. From the boss obsessive behavior for them both, to Louie fucking tame the Hound (haha wouldn't it funny if Pikmin 5 final boss will be against Olimar taming Cthulu or something.... don't jinx it don't jinx it don't-). + Reason unknown, but I have a theory (crack) that it is like a "rewards" for those who surpass everything - to be on the top of all. Much like Louie being the kind of bugs in Pikmin 2, Olimar could be call something like that (what, like the king of treasures????) during Pikmin 3. Despite being the "king", they can't afford freedom, very ironic. + Well, not only just the final boss, mini boss also fond of Louie in Mission Mode. I think it could be the same for Olimar if it eventually much more powerfull than him... but it is strange that those enemy never attack or try to hurt them right away (Charlie for example, getting eaten by a Phosbat and not getting kiddnaped instead, could've died if the Koppai is late...uh...)

[monfivela]

Fivelaweek24 // monfivela's masterlist

This week’s writing challenge has been a blast! Thank you @fivelaappreciationblog for organizing it 💜

I feel so spirited I could find a plot for each prompt, and wrote pieces that I love and want to share with all my fellow shippers of FiveLila ❤ Your comments have been wonderful, and a great source of motivation and inspiration. Here's a recap of the entries:

🍓 Day 1) firsts and pre-canon (alt) | Childplay | The cutest 🍓 Day 2) changes (alt) | Hold My Hand | The most poetic 🍓 Day 3) siblings | Like Clockwork | The fluffiest 🍓 Day 4) angst | The World You Built | The craziest 🍓 Day 5) past relationships | Off Key (ch 1 of Your Song) | The most uncharted 🍓 Day 6) I love you | Fugue (ch 2 of Your Song) | The one that got away 🍓 Day 7) Nancy and Jerome | The Matchmaker | The funniest

Many of them got out of hand, [Your Song] managed to evolve from a oneshot to a WIP multi-chaptered story.

Not that the others have given hope for a follow up, so I'm holding a poll until next week for potential December’s gifts :

I'll take comments and asks into consideration if you want to read more of these stories, or for ideas for my future writings after a break 😊

[liminal-zone]

fanfic round up 2023

(2021, 2022)

LIST OF FANWORKS

Posted

Crave (LOTR | haladriel | tentacles and rings of power | rated E)

somewhere in the haze (LOTR | Celeborn/Sauron | mutual stockholm syndrome | rated M)

taking me with your song (The Little Mermaid (2023) | Ariel/Eric, Ariel/Ursula | tentacles and possession and mindfuckery | rated E)

can't escape the ghost of you (The 100 | clexa, clarke/the judge | being fucked by the divine wearing the face of your dead lover is better than therapy | rated M)

Eating fire (SPN | Claire Novak | the girl who was castiel grieves for her fathers | rated T)

Bound (SPN | megstiel | a demon and her angel | rated NR)

uncharted territory (Supergirl | supercorp | the dangers of being hated by a luthor | rated M) (technically, just chapter 4 counts for 2023)

nothing can go wrong when you're in love (Nimona (2023) | Nimona/Gloreth | when your boss’ boyfriend looks like your ex, ugh! | rated Gen)

through a father’s eyes (Narnia | King Lune | dads gotta dad | rated Gen)

atomic blonde (Narnia, LOTR | Susan/Eowyn | it’s not the first time a power beyond understanding ripped Susan away from her home to fight in another world’s war | rated M)

Beware how you give your heart (LOTR | haladriel | a fourth age haunting | rated M) (a wip!!)

a little touch in the night (LOTR | haladriel | a love letter in tiny bites | rated T)

+three yuletide offerings to be revealed in January!

WIPS

MCU: the king and queen of Asgard wrt Valkyrie/Carol Danvers

MCU: the final conclusion of my winterbaron sugar daddy fic

LOTR: Doriath trash party wrt Melian/Galadriel

LOTR: “Sauron becomes a tree”

LOTR: dark Galadriel/Samwise and their garden of the world

LOTR: healing generational trauma with fourth age Arwen and her peepaw

The Matrix: Trinity and Smith as mirrors

Good Omens: Crowley haunted by his angel

Star Wars: A really scandalous dinluke sex pollen

Total number of completed works/fandoms written in: fifteen completed works in 2023 for a total of just over 32k words; six LOTR, two SPN, two Narnia, the rest sundry & various.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: ::taps the top of this car:: you can put so much monsterfucking in this bad boy, jfc.

PERSONAL FAVORITE: Getting unblocked by the most unlikeliest of sources and FINISHING MY SUPERCORP HATESEX. uncharted territory finished FIVE YEARS LATER. This has been a weight on my shoulders for years; I always knew it ended with a sadistic Lex Luthor torturing Kara (oop), but it was time passing and The Flash (2023) that got me where I needed to be to get that banged out. I’m really really pleased how that ended, and that I actually can finish a WIP.

MOST UNDERAPPRECIATED: Bound is really exceptional. It was part of my WIP amnesty week, and a revisitation and remix of a meg masters fic I wrote in 2013 after I had a terrible life-altering accident. My favorite 2023 additions are how she can only speak in the language of Sodom at the end. It’s not a GREAT fic, but I really love Meg and I love Meg & Castiel.

MOST POPULAR: Definitely Nimona (nothing can go wrong when you're in love) with 1,200+ kudos. Y’all, the teen/gen fic in younger fandoms hits hard. OOPS. re: my deeply funny stats for the little mermaid tentacles fic with over 3k hits and 86 kudos. AHAHHAHAH. welp.

STORY WITH THE SEXIEST MOMENT: OKAY, so this is sexy specific to me: in Crave, Galadriel taunts Sauron about how he has to fuck Ar-Pharazôn (a mini love letter to my beloved 5ummit!) and this, to me, is everything: “And you’ll never enjoy Ar-Pharazôn’s little prick again,” she says, drinking in the horror of his recent memories, a soured scheme. “Your play at feigned pleasure in service to a base creature will be ash in your mouth now. You will only think of the taste of my cunt with his cock shoved in your whore mouth.” The crass words burn on her lips but she can sense how he trembles, even in this form. “You’ll hunger for the taste of me. And when he’s dead, when you’ve sucked the miserable mortal life out of him, you’ll never take a lover again for the rest of your unnatural life,” she says. “You know where your dick should be sheathed. In me and no where else.”

MOST FUN STORY TO WRITE: Okay, I traveled for work a LOT this year and one night I was feeling down and angry about the world and asked on twitter that for every like, I’d write a soft haladriel headcanon and by the end of the night, i had the bulk of a little touch in the night and I was such a happy delighted lil soul. Such a highlight of the year.

HARDEST: A tie between Crave, which was writing on hard mode since I’m violently anti dominant Sauron (oop), and uncharted territory since I had been blocked for years.

BIGGEST SURPRISE: The delicious lush connection of Celeborn/Sauron in somewhere in the haze that STARTED AS A JOKE and now I’m full rarepair conspiracy theory into it.

DID YOU TAKE ANY RISKS IN WRITING THIS YEAR? Posting SPN in 2023, lol what was that. And neither of them explicitly destiel. Girl. Both tanked but I love those two fics.

MOST UNINTENTIONALLY TELLING STORY: Okay, one of my yuletides this year is really too close to something I’m working through in therapy. Oop.

FAVORITE LINES/SCENES: Okay literally everything in atomic blonde, that fic is nonstop bangers imho. I love this especially:

“Ah, there it is,” he replies. Stops, and turns to look into her eyes. To drink in her fury. “This isn’t your world, Daughter of Eve. Take your cursed horn and your beautiful face and take the little shieldmaiden too for all I care and leave Middle Earth to me. Grow old and find joy in women’s work.” He blinks, nonsense words emerging out of him: “In Christian Dior dresses and Chanel lipstick, in Italian leather handbags and silk nylons, in handsome British officers and those American boys who offer more than kisses, in the rumble of a Jaguar and the cries of healthy babies who do not fear war. Live and die on an island far, far away.” He blinks again. “I do not want you here.”

MY FAVE PART OF FANDOM IN 2023: Repeatedly saying “you hear me, baby? hold together” at the haladriel fandom like Han Solo does to the Millennium Falcon and we did! We made it another year!!! Let’s go, 2024!!!! (YOU HEAR ME, BABY. HOLD TOGETHER.)

2024 WRITING AMBITIONS: same as last year’s: Write more steadily and consistently. Get back into the drabble mode. Make time, take time, just do it. It doesn’t have to be groundbreaking, it just has to be creating something. The joy of creation is like nothing else. Chase that high.

2024 FICS ON THE IMMEDIATE HORIZON: Jan 1 - htp trash fic exchange Feb 3 - rffa exchange March - haladriel exchange!

[rulettebitch]

Uncharted Territory

Georgia Clark was changing bandages, gulping at the look of the rushed stitches between his chest. He was asleep, his face was twitching before waking up. His breath hitched, his cold blue eyes searched for something, or someone. One look was enough to tell how harsh war had treated him. (This is an AU where Robbie lives but Cecilia has died, the OC is quite plane, you could self-insert if that's what you like)

Chap 1 │ Chap 2 │ Chap 3 │ Chap 4 │ Chap 5 │ Chap 6

Chapter 04

A year had passed since Robbie had moved into Georgia’s small flat, and in that time, their lives had settled into a comfortable, steady rhythm. What had begun as a temporary arrangement had quietly transformed into something more permanent, though neither of them had explicitly acknowledged it. Robbie had tried, more than once, to find a place of his own, but the high cost of rent and his modest salary had always made it impossible. Georgia, for her part, had never pressed him to leave. In truth, she had grown accustomed to having him around—his quiet presence, his steady routines, the way he filled the empty spaces of the flat with a warmth she hadn’t realized was missing.

Their days followed a familiar pattern. In the mornings, Robbie would walk Georgia to the bus stop, his hands tucked into the pockets of his coat, his breath visible in the crisp morning air. They didn’t always talk much during these walks, but the silence between them was comfortable, companionable. He would wait with her until the bus arrived, nodding as she boarded, and then he would head off to his own job, his steps measured and deliberate.

In the evenings, he would meet her at the hospital, standing just outside the entrance with his shoulders hunched against the cold. Georgia always felt a small rush of relief when she saw him there, his familiar figure a reassuring constant in the chaos of her day. They would walk home together, their conversation light and easy, the stresses of the day slowly melting away as they made their way through the quiet streets.

Georgia had grown used to his ways—the way he always left his shoes neatly by the door, the way he hummed softly to himself while making tea, the way he would sometimes sit by the window, staring out at the city with a faraway look in his eyes. She had learned to read his moods, to know when he needed space and when he needed company. And in turn, Robbie had become attuned to her rhythms, knowing when to offer a listening ear or a quiet word of encouragement.

Having him at home had brought a sense of security she hadn’t realized she was missing. The flat, once so quiet and empty, now felt alive with his presence. She no longer jumped at every creak of the floorboards or the sound of footsteps in the hallway outside. Robbie’s steady, grounding presence had become a source of comfort, a reminder that she wasn’t alone.

For Robbie, the arrangement had been a lifeline. Georgia’s kindness, her patience, her unwavering support had given him the stability he needed to begin rebuilding his life. He had found a job, made a few acquaintances, and slowly, tentatively, started to piece together a sense of normalcy. But it was Georgia who had anchored him, who had given him a place to call home when he had nowhere else to go.

Their relationship was an unspoken one, built on mutual respect and a quiet understanding. They were companions, confidants, and in many ways, each other’s greatest source of strength. But there was also something deeper, something neither of them had yet put into words—a bond that had grown steadily over the months, rooted in shared grief and the quiet hope of healing.

The soft clatter of the teacup hitting the floor shattered the quiet morning, and Georgia let out a small gasp, her hand flying to her chest. 

“God, Robbie, I told you not to do that,” she said, her voice a mix of exasperation and relief. 

He had a habit of appearing silently in doorways, a lingering effect of the war, she supposed—moving quietly, always alert. But it startled her every time, a reminder of how deeply his experiences had marked him.

Robbie stood in the doorway, his hair disheveled and his eyes still heavy with sleep. The nightmares had come again last night; she had heard his muffled cries, the restless shifting in his room. He looked tired, his face drawn, but there was a softness in his expression as he stepped forward, crouching to help her clean up the broken pieces of the cup.

She knelt as well, her fingers reaching for a shard of porcelain, but Robbie’s hand shot out, gently stopping her. 

“Careful,” he said, his voice low and rough from sleep. “Let me do it.”

His fingers brushed against hers as he took the piece from her hand, and for a moment, their touch lingered. A spark seemed to travel through her, warm and electric, and she froze, her breath catching in her throat. Their eyes met, and the world seemed to pause. Robbie’s gaze was intense, his blue eyes searching hers with an unspoken question. Georgia felt her cheeks flush, her heart pounding in her chest. She quickly looked away, busying herself with gathering the rest of the broken pieces, though her hands trembled slightly.

“I’m sorry,” Robbie murmured after a moment, his voice breaking the silence. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”

Georgia shook her head, forcing a small smile. “It’s alright,” she said, her voice softer than she intended. “I’m just… jumpy sometimes. Old habits, I guess.”

Robbie nodded, though his expression remained thoughtful. He finished gathering the shards, standing to dispose of them in the bin while Georgia wiped up the spilled tea with a cloth. The kitchen was quiet again, the only sound the soft clinking of dishes as she set about preparing breakfast.

Georgia’s pulse had fluttered as she had pulled her hand away from his, her cheeks still warm from the intensity of the moment. She busied herself with the breakfast she had prepared, hoping to distract herself from the way her heart seemed to race whenever Robbie looked at her like that. 

She had made a calming infusion for him, something to ease the lingering tension from his nightmares. The scent of chamomile filled the air, mingling with the rich aroma of scrambled eggs and toast. She set a plate in front of him, along with a fresh cup of tea, and took her seat across the table.

“I made you breakfast,” she said, her voice steady despite the storm of emotions swirling inside her.

Robbie hesitated, his fork hovering over the plate of scrambled eggs. “You know I can’t eat when I—” he began, his voice trailing off as his gaze locked onto hers. His words faltered, his attention caught by the faint blush that still colored her cheeks. For a moment, he simply stared at her, his expression softening.

“I know,” Georgia interrupted gently, her tone firm but kind. “But you need to eat anyway. You can’t keep skipping meals.”

He sighed, but there was a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Always looking out for me, aren’t you?” he said, his voice tinged with affection.

She shrugged, trying to play it off as nothing, but the warmth in his tone made her heart skip a beat. 

“That was my favorite cup,” she said, her tone mock-accusatory as she glanced at the remnants in the bin.

Robbie chuckled, a low, warm sound that sent a shiver down her spine. “Not anymore, it isn’t,” he replied, his tone playful as continued to eat, his movements slow but steady.

Georgia watched him for a moment, a small smile tugging at her lips. There was something comforting about the way he sat there, so close to her, eating the breakfast she had made. It felt… domestic, in a way she hadn’t expected. 

“You’re staring,” Robbie said suddenly, his voice teasing as he glanced at her from the corner of his eye.

She blinked, her cheeks flushing again as she quickly looked away. “I was not,” she protested, though her voice lacked conviction.

He laughed softly, the sound warm and rich. “You were,” he said, his tone light. “But I don’t mind.”

Georgia rolled her eyes, though she couldn’t suppress the smile that spread across her face. “Just eat your eggs,” she said, her tone mock-stern.

Robbie obliged, though his smile remained, his eyes occasionally flicking to hers as they ate in comfortable silence. The tension from earlier had eased, replaced by a quiet, easy companionship that felt as natural as breathing.

“I’ll be sleeping at the hospital tonight.” She said, “New troops have arrived from Asia, apparently they didn't have enough nurses to care for them at York. Deadly fever apparently, not very contagious but still as nasty.”

Georgia’s words hung in the air, and Robbie’s expression shifted immediately. The playful ease that had been between them moments ago vanished, replaced by a look of deep concern. His gaze fixed on her, his blue eyes searching hers as if trying to gauge the seriousness of what she had just said.

“A deadly fever?” he repeated, his voice tight with worry. “And you’re staying overnight? Georgia, that’s—”

“It’s my job,” she interrupted gently, though her tone was firm. “I’ll be careful, Robbie. I always am.”

He frowned, his hands gripping the edge of the table as if to steady himself. “But if it’s as dangerous as you say, shouldn’t someone be there to make sure you’re alright? Should I… should I pick you up in the morning?”

Georgia’s heart softened at his concern, at the way his voice wavered ever so slightly. She reached across the table, her hand resting lightly on his. “You don’t need to worry,” she said, her voice warm but resolute. “I’ll be fine. The hospital has protocols for this kind of thing. I’ll be well-protected.”

Robbie’s gaze dropped to their hands, his fingers tightening around hers for a brief moment before he let go. “I know you’re capable,” he said quietly. “But that doesn’t mean I won’t worry.”

Georgia smiled, a small, grateful smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I know,” she said softly. “And I appreciate it. But really, I’ll be alright. You don’t need to come for me.”

He nodded reluctantly, though the worry didn’t leave his face. “Just… promise me you’ll be careful,” he said, his voice low and earnest. “Promise me you’ll take every precaution.”

“I promise,” she replied, her tone serious now. “I’ll be careful. And I’ll see you tomorrow evening, alright?”

Robbie hesitated, then nodded again, though his expression remained troubled. “Alright,” he said finally. “But if you need anything—anything at all—you’ll let me know, won’t you?”

Georgia’s smile widened, her heart swelling with affection for him. “I will,” she said. “Now, finish your breakfast. You’ll need your strength if you’re going to spend the day worrying about me.”

Robbie chuckled softly, though the sound was tinged with unease. He picked up his fork and resumed eating, though his gaze kept flicking to hers, as if to reassure himself that she was still there, still safe.

As they finished their breakfast, Georgia couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt. She hated worrying him, hated the way his face had darkened at the mention of the fever. But she also knew that this was part of her life, part of the job she had chosen. And as much as she cared for Robbie, as much as his concern touched her, she couldn’t let it stop her from doing what needed to be done.

When they were done, she stood and began clearing the table, her movements brisk and efficient. Robbie watched her for a moment before standing as well, his hand brushing against hers as he reached for a plate. Their eyes met, and for a moment, the air between them felt charged, as if there were so much more they wanted to say but couldn’t.

Finally, Georgia broke the silence. “I should get going,” she said, her voice soft. “I’ll see you tomorrow, alright?”

Robbie nodded, though his expression was still troubled. “Take care of yourself,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

“I will,” she promised, her smile warm and reassuring. “And you take care of yourself too. No more lurking in doorways, alright?”

He chuckled, the sound easing some of the tension in the room. “No promises,” he said, his tone light but his eyes still serious.

Georgia laughed softly, shaking her head as she grabbed her bag and headed for the door. As she stepped out into the morning sunlight, she couldn’t help but glance back at him, standing in the doorway, his figure silhouetted against the light. Her heart ached with something she couldn’t quite name, something that felt both tender and bittersweet.

But Robbie stood in the doorway long after Georgia had disappeared from view, the morning sunlight casting a warm glow over the quiet street. His mind, however, was anything but quiet. A strange, unfamiliar feeling had taken root in his chest, one he couldn’t quite name at first. It wasn’t until he replayed her words in his mind—I’ll be sleeping at the hospital—that it clicked. Jealousy. It was jealousy, sharp and unexpected, twisting in his gut like a knife.

The last time she had stayed overnight at the hospital was when he had arrived, broken and feverish, his body and spirit shattered by the war. She had been there for him then, her hands steady and her voice calm as she tended to his wounds. He had been too lost in his own pain to fully appreciate it at the time, but now, the memory of her care, her tenderness, felt like a lifeline he hadn’t realized he was clinging to.

And now, she would be doing the same for someone else.

Holding their hand, soothing their fears, offering them the same comfort she had given him. The thought made his chest tighten, a pang of something he couldn’t quite place—longing, perhaps, or regret—settling heavily in his heart.

He closed the door and leaned against it, his mind racing. It felt strange, knowing this would be the first night he would spend alone in the flat since he had moved in. The space felt emptier already, the silence louder, as if her absence had shifted something fundamental in the air. He wandered into the kitchen, his fingers brushing against the edge of the table where they had shared breakfast just moments ago. The remnants of their meal were still there, a quiet reminder of the easy companionship they had built over the past year.

As he cleared the table, his thoughts kept circling back to Georgia. To the way she had smiled at him, the way her hand had felt in his, the way her presence filled the flat with a warmth he hadn’t known he was missing. And then it hit him, like a sudden burst of clarity: he was fond of her. More than fond, if he was being honest with himself. Her kindness, her strength, her unwavering care—it had all seeped into him, slowly but surely, until he couldn’t imagine his life without her.

The realization left him breathless, his hands stilling as he stared out the window. He had spent so long grieving Cecilia, so long carrying the weight of what he had lost, that he hadn’t allowed himself to consider the possibility of feeling something like this again. But now, it was impossible to ignore. Georgia had become a part of his life, a part of him, in ways he hadn’t anticipated.

He thought about the way she had teased him that morning, the way her laughter had filled the room, the way her touch had sent a spark through him. He thought about the nights she had stayed up with him after his nightmares, her voice a steady anchor in the storm. He thought about the way she had offered him a home, not out of obligation, but out of genuine care.

Chap 1 │ Chap 2 │ Chap 3 │ Chap 4 │ Chap 5 │ Chap 6