#special agent x 2 zero

[rhymeswithfart]

Assorted doodles (the guy in the last pic is X2-Zero from the 1964 Stingray series disguised as a groupie from the episode Titan Goes Pop. I found about him from The Animated Peter Lorre, he's a Peter Parody)

Please look at this, too:

This is from Operation Olive Branch. Low on funds: $5,404 / $58,098 ≈ 9% . Latest update under the cut

From December 4th,

"Dear Supporters,

From the depths of my heart, I want to express my endless gratitude to each and every one of you who has generously supported my family and me during these incredibly challenging times in Gaza. Your kindness has been a beacon of hope amidst the darkness we face daily.

As winter sets in, the harsh cold amplifies our struggles. We are in urgent need of essential supplies to endure these difficult months, especially with the added hardships of my father's injury, my mother's illness, and the needs of my little sister, Sarah.

Sarah, with her pure and hopeful heart, has a special message for you all:

"I love you so much, even though I’ve never met you. Your kindness gives me hope that one day I’ll overcome this pain. I dream of the day I can thank you face-to-face. You’ve given me strength to hold on, and I wish you all the luck and happiness in the world."

Your generosity has already brought us so far, and if it’s within your capacity to help again, it would mean the world to us. Every contribution, no matter how small, makes a tangible difference in our lives and helps us move one step closer to warmth, safety, and hope for a better tomorrow.

Thank you for standing with us, for believing in us, and for giving us a reason to keep fighting. May you always be blessed for your compassion.

With deepest gratitude and hope,

Adham"

[ssa-dado]

what if fleabag reader has to get a new vibrator 'cause her old one died on her or she's just getting one for her friend as a gag gift, and she runs into hotch in the process ? also i didn't know you could get them at pharmacies, but i guess that's a more realistic place for hotch to be (old back and everything).

For a Friend

triathlon!Aaron Hotchner x fleabag!reader Genre: 21st-century-feminist-meltdown-over-an-old-man and pre-relationship mutual pining Summary: You just wanted a new vibrator. Instead, you bump into Aaron Hotchner at 2 a.m., holding six modes of clitoral suction technology and a G-spot stimulator in a paper bag. Now he’s offering you a ride, a jacket, and possibly his number. You’re doing great. Warnings: Sexual themes & imagery (non-explicit but VERY suggestive), age gap, cuss words, hint of the vile act of female masturbation *pearl clutch* with *pearl clutch pt.2* sex toys, objectification of the Hotchner body, reader calls Hotch out for not having an ass, grief (your last vibrator died) Word Count: 4.7k Dado's Corner: Thanks for the request, dearest!! Sorry it took me forever, I hope you enjoy itttt!!! Special thanks to @hotchology for the free psychological counseling

masterlist(s)

Experts say it’s healthy to walk at least seven minutes a day, so here you are - taking your medically-recommended stroll at 2:06 a.m., in the direction of a 24-hour pharmacy, because you care about your health.

Deeply.

You really care about your health especially now that your vibrator has officially died in your hand right in the middle of what was shaping up to be a perfectly respectable late-night fantasy involving you, a locked door, and the tall, emotionally unavailable federal agent with zero small talk skills you’ve been mentally undressing since the first time you saw him do a butterfly stroke at the Y.

…It’s not like you always picture Aaron Hotchner.

You’re not that far gone.

You do have range.

You’ve gotten off to strangers.

To that chief of trauma doctor from Chicago Hope.

To the hot background guy from the Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas who had two lines and really great hair.

You are complex. You contain multitudes.

It’s just that Aaron Hotchner is… convenient. Reliable.

He’s easy.

Not easy-easy.

Cognitively easy. Low effort. High reward.

You don’t have to invent a man from scratch. Don’t have to mentally composite three mediocre exes and C-list celebrity actors into a half-decent fuck-doll when he already exists fully formed and fully clothed (barely.)

You don’t even have to think.

He’s basically a mental shortcut to climax, muscle memory with forearms, a comfort fantasy - like soup for the soul, if soup were six feet tall and weekly served wet at your local pool.

…And also dripping, practically naked.

All yours, at least visually.

You’ve memorized the way his thighs flex when he pushes off the wall, that split second of coiled power, the twitch of his calves, the ripple up to his glutes as he launches forward.

Perfect form. Perfect technique. Perfect… well.

Not a lot of meat back there.

Not exactly the kind of ass you’d grab with both hands and sink your teeth into.

No jiggle. No fluff.

Just… deeply respectable glutes.

Taut. Efficient. Compact.

An ass with more function than fat.

An ass that clocks in at the crack of dawn, files a huge pile of case reports, tackles a serial killer or two, then goes home and makes dinner for his kid.

An ass that probably says “thank you” when it finishes and then folds the towel neatly afterward.

Toned, athletic. Not juicy.

You wouldn’t bite it. (Lie.) You wouldn’t slap it.  (Another lie.)

(Because you’d absolutely slap it. If he walked past you up a flight of stairs in those tight trousers he insists on wearing - pleated, no less - you’d black out and wake up with a stinging palm, your handprint on him and a federal restraining order in the mail.)

You wouldn’t grope it. You’d shake its hand. A gentleman’s ass. Very in-character kind of ass.

…You’d still let it rail you against a doorframe, obviously.

You’re not an idiot. You have eyes.

And that’s how you know the way his back arches (yes, arches) when he does a lazy freestyle turn. That smooth, arrogant curve of his spine as he rotates, like the water exists solely to show him off.

You’d say he looks graceful, but that feels too innocent.

He’s obscene.

You know everything about his body. Everything except for one crucial part.

The only piece he hasn’t offered up for public consumption.

The mystery.

And yet… is it really?

Because thanks to the tight speedos he wears you’ve done more visual math in that pool cafeteria than you ever did in school.

Circumference. Vein definition. Drop. Girth. Angle. Hinge theory. Left or right lean.

You’ve factored in mass, blood flow, gravitational pull, and fabric stretch.

At this point, it’s not even fantasy, it’s field research. All you have to do is mentally rotate, enlarge by 37%, adjust for arousal, and boom - there it is.

You’ve seen that dick. You know that dick.

If it ever revealed itself in real life, you’d probably just nod.

Like, yes. Correct. That’s the dick I’ve been using. Thank you for confirming.

Your brain barely breaks a sweat.

Which is more than can be said for you, as you’re currently trying to act normal in front of a just-graduated baby pharmacist who definitely still gets ID’d at bars, while heading for the forbidden shelf.

The one that doesn’t technically exist, but everyone knows does.

You make the turn casually.

Like you’re browsing.

Like you’re not here to buy a vibrator at 2 a.m. on a Tuesday only because for some reason, buying it here - in a pharmacy - makes it feel... medical.

Like a wellness thing. Like vitamins, floss, or calcium chews.

Like a very modern, battery-operated form of hormone regulation.

Not pleasure. No, no, no, God forbid.

This is for health, for stress relief. This is for preventing female rage and preserving the social fabric of your household.

Also, it’s very, very late - which is strategic.

No lines. No witnesses.

No grandmas behind you buying Werther’s Originals and silently judging your rotating G-spot stimulator with ergonomic grip.

You tell yourself that’s why you’re here at this hour.

Not because, despite all the feminist essays and body-positive podcasts, you still get flustered at the thought of being seen in public holding a brightly colored orgasm machine.

No. Absolutely not.

You’re here because you swore - never again.

Never again would you endure the trauma of your vibrator dying mid-session and having to switch to manual mode like it was the Middle Ages just to finish.

(And worst of all, it didn’t even work. You dried up. Mood ruined. You just laid there, staring at the ceiling for fifteen full minutes before sighing, getting dressed, and deciding - once again, ironically - to take matters into your own hands.)

You’re a modern woman.

Sexually free modern woman living in a free country that still accounts for death penalty for some of their states. Nothing is more free than this freedom.

You can vote.

You can buy a dual-stimulation, six-mode, energy-efficient G-spot massager - (at least according to the box, which proudly claims it uses fewer batteries than your last one. And you believe it. You trust boxes. You’re loyal like that.)

Right next to the hemorrhoid cream. In the middle of the night.

And you can replace a fallen comrade - RIP to the last one. Gone, but not forgotten - and now, here you are, holding its shiny successor the way you’ve seen people hold babies in movie posters. (Tender. Hopeful. A little overwhelmed.)

Nothing says freedom like that.

Stars. Stripes. Clitoral suction technology.

God bless America.

…Maybe not.

Because just as you take a step back, you collide – directly -with someone you didn’t even hear approach.

“I’m so sorry,” you blurt, right as a much deeper, much more male voice says the exact same thing.

A voice your brain knows very well.

Because not even an hour ago it was busy fabricating that same voice whispering “You’re taking me so well,” and - though you'd never admit this part - also: “Sweetheart.”

(Ew.)

Aaron Hotchner is now standing right there in front of you - real, breathing, and terrifyingly three-dimensional in a full three-piece suit – and is trying so hard not to look at the aggressively pink vibrator box clenched in your hand.

But he saw it. Oh, he saw it.

He’s a profiler. He’s trained to notice things.

(Or at least that’s what your late-night Google search said back when you first typed: “aaron hotchner fbi real???”)

(Which quickly devolved into a behavioral analysis rabbit hole run by people with usernames like @wifeofunitchief69 and @peter-rhea. All of them openly thirsting after him.)

(Especially this Peter guy - who you’re 85% sure is real, 15% convinced was a hallucination - kept posting photos a few years ago that looked… suspiciously intimate. Like “taken through the blinds” intimate. You don’t know how he got them. You don’t want to know. He hasn’t posted since.)

(Guess it was just a phase.)

Aaron’s locking eyes with you. Terrifying. Unfairly hazel, thanks to the pharmacy’s aggressive overhead lighting.

He’s focused on your face. Just your face.

(You are maybe a little flustered by this.)

(You bet all the serial killers he interrogates fall in love with him, too. You bet they get weird about it. Understandable, this man definitely knows how to hold eye contact.)

But you don’t buy it.

There is no way he didn’t read the full headline: “CLITORAL SUCTION + G-SPOT STIMULATION - NOW QUIETER!” (Ironically printed in all caps. For maximum discretion. Obviously.)

You are so incredibly fucked.

Unfortunately, only metaphorically.

Also, the silence is not helping. Not even a little.

…This feels like a crime.

(It’s not. Not technically. You can’t terminate a pregnancy in half the country, but you can buy a dual-motor vibrator next to the Tylenol. It’s somewhere in the Declaration of Independence - just after “life, liberty,” and right before “All men are created equal,” [*except slaves and women].”)

Still.

You are now committing an obscene act of self-service capitalism directly in front of a federal agent.

And some small, awful corner of your brain - the one with leftover shame and badly wired internalized misogyny, inherited from a cocktail of bad parenting and several seasons of Law & Order – fully believes this is the part where he arrests you.

Pushes you against the KY shelf.

Pins you with his full body weight.

Snaps cold real handcuffs around your wrists and whispers, “You have the right to remain silent…”

Which you clearly don’t.

Because your mouth opens before your brain can file an objection.

“…It’s for a gift.” WHY. WHY DID YOU SAY THAT. “…For my friend,” you add… as if that helps. (It doesn’t.)

He nods. Polite. Awkward.

…Too bad his ears are starting to match the exact pink of the vibrator.

Goddammit, he’s a prude.

One of those soft-spoken, morally burdened types who probably says “intercourse” and excuses himself when a condom commercial comes on.

Oh no.

What if this is his first time seeing one up close?

What if you just popped his sex toy cherry?

What if he goes home, locks the door, and has a slow, shameful jerk thinking about you in CVS with a 6-mode clitoral suction wand?

(…You wish.)

No. Worse. Because now he’s staring at you like he wants to ask, “What kind of friend buys a vibrator at 2 a.m. on a Tuesday?”

But won’t.

And since you are a mature, well-educated, emotionally intelligent woman - and not, say, a liar desperately trying to salvage a crumbling cover story – you say:

“Her birthday’s tomorrow.”

(It’s not. It’s in three days. But the product needs testing. Obviously. You’re not going to spend that much money again unless you know it delivers. That’s not selfishness. That’s friendship. That’s quality control.)

“Well… technically today. Midnight and all,” you add, even smiling. So bright. So natural. So deeply suspicious.

“It’s alr-” he starts, finally working up the courage to glance down-

…Only to be slapped – hard - right between the shoulder blades by very enthusiastic, very just-graduated-and-finally-making-big-boy-money night-shift pharmacist who materializes out of nowhere behind him.

Ouch.

Now - to be fair - the pharmacist doesn’t see it. (You do. Unfortunately. In high-definition, too.)

Because Aaron Hotchner is currently holding a box of ThermaCare HeatWraps and naproxen sodium - both of which are for his back.

He jolts forward on impact, barely, and then freezes.

Just enough to make you worry that’s it, that’s the final blow. That he’s going to stay like that forever, just slightly curved, permanently bent.

Italic Hotchner.

“My man,” the pharmacist beams. “Everything alright?”

By the look on Aaron’s face, you can tell he has never seen this person before in his life. Never. Not once.

But Aaron nods - tight, polite, already calculating the minimum number of words required to exit the conversation without triggering a background check or losing his license to carry a firearm.

“Just wanted to say, I really admire you.” The pharmacist grins, still holding Aaron’s shoulder, “Not every guy’s open-minded enough to use toys in the bedroom with their girl.”

…Oh. Oh, fuck.

You should say something. Anything. Correct him. Laugh, even.

But you’re too distracted by the fact that Aaron isn’t saying a word either.

He’s just… frowning. Not full frown, just pulling his eyebrows closer together.

Which, in Hotchner language, could mean anything from “I’m flattered” or “You could’ve handled it differently” to “I’m about to shoot you.”

It’s impossible to tell. You’re not fluent yet. (You need more fieldwork. Preferably hands-on.)

“Damn, look at that,” the pharmacist chuckles, nodding at Aaron’s little arthritis starter pack.

Then turns. To you.

“Is this your fault?”

Ha.

Ha ha.

How adorable.

You wish. God, you wish.

You’d rail him into a herniated disc so bad he’d have to wear a brace for three months and think of you every time he reached for the cereal shelf.

But no.

“Um…” you manage, shaking your head. “We’re not-”

Fucking. Sexually intimate.

Connected in any capacity beyond weekly pool glances and intrusive masturbation thoughts.

(And it’s not like he seems like the type to just have a casual “friend.” No, he seems like the kind of man who'd call a hookup a regrettable lapse in judgment and then spend six months punishing himself for it.)

And so, in doubt? You flee.

A timeless tactic.

You did the same thing when your therapist asked, “Why do you think you’re so attracted to older men?” and you suddenly remembered - oh no! You didn’t lock the café.

“I think I’m just gonna…” you gesture - vague, noncommittal, something in the direction of the register - and after a short, awkwardly graceful round of people-pleasing Olympics with the vibrator-pink-faced pharmacist-

(something between “Sorry if I misunderstood, I’ve been here since 6 p.m. and I’m on my third energy drink,” and “It’s okay, no really, it’s my fault” [for what? unclear])-

You’re outside.

Alive.

Vibrator in a paper bag and…

…It’s pouring.

Not only do you not have a significant other to kiss in the rain like a scene from one of those movies you only watch when you’re actively trying to remember how alone you truly are, but your car is enjoying an extended, all-inclusive, paid-for-by-you vacation at the mechanic.

Great.

“Miss.”

You physically jolt. Because:

1. That voice.

And

2. Miss?! Hello???

Aaron is standing just behind you, yet again.

“Are you alright?” he asks.

“Oh, yes.” You are soaked. And flustered. And holding a fucking vibrator in a paper bag while the hottest man in federal law enforcement addresses you like a schoolgirl who dropped her books in a rainstorm. “Yes. Alright.”

He looks at you with that stupidly concerned face - the one where his brows pull just slightly together.

It lasts a second.

Feels like a week.

“You’ve been standing here for a few minutes…”

…Apparently, the old man’s been watching you contemplate your entire existence under the sad little pharmacy awning while he casually stocked up on meds for his fucked-up joints.

How romantic.

“Oh… I was-” Nope. Nope, you were not anything. You have no explanation.

“Do you need a ride?” he asks.

Oh. Fuck. “Don’t worry,” you blurt. “I live close by.”

Feminism is a beautiful thing.

Except right now.

Right now, feminism is cockblocking you.

Aaron hums - hums?! - already pulling his phone from the inside pocket of his suit jacket and it’s… it’s the smallest iPhone you’ve ever seen.

Probably an iPhone 4, but in his hand - his massive hand - it looks like he’s stolen it from a dollhouse.

He swipes the screen (with his very thick thumb), squints just enough to tell you he’s absolutely in denial about needing reading glasses, then turns the phone toward you:

“99% chance of hard rain until 7 a.m.”

…Unfortunately, you’re far too distracted by his hands to verify the evidence. Especially that thumb, still hovering near the screen like it’s not the most erotic thing you’ve seen all week.

(And speaking of data - there is a study. Something about men with very large hands also having very large-)

Without hesitation, Aaron just shrugs off his suit jacket. “Put it over your head,” then he hands it to you. “Don’t want you to get wet...”

Too late.

Not only because you're touching his very warm, very expensive, very tailored, very smells-so-much-like-him jacket, but because he didn’t even flinch.

Not at the acid rain.

Not at the dry-cleaning bill.

Not at the fact that he doesn’t have an umbrella for himself.

Not even at the fact that he’s now just standing there in a white shirt.

A white shirt. In the rain.

(You pray that he’s not wearing an undershirt.)

(You pray this turns into an unofficial Aaron Hotchner Wet T-Shirt Contest…Wet shirt. Wet dress shirt.)

“…You’re the one holding the electronics,” he adds, tilting his head toward the bag.

Ah. There it is. Thank you, Aaron, for making it weird. Again.

He sort of redeems himself by opening the door of his very shiny, very hot-dad black car like it’s the 1950s. (You hate how much you love it.)

…He even closes the door for you.

There are a few immediate observations that need to be made about Aaron Hotchner’s car:

•           It smells divine. Like clean leather, big paycheck, small emotional availability and a touch of lavender, too.

•           It’s spotless. Not a crumb. Not a fingerprint. There’s not a speck of dust anywhere.

•           There are superhero comics tucked into the seat pocket. Jack’s, obviously. Unless… they’re his. Which would be - God. A brooding man with a soft spot for two-dimensional justice and emotionally stunted men in capes. Fatherhood and projection, hand in hand. Amazing.

But what really grabs your attention is the seating.

Full black leather.

Sleek. Cold enough to sting if your thighs were bare. Soft enough to leave marks if you were sitting on his lap instead.

Easy to wipe down. Easy to grip.

A car designed to be fucked in.

The hottest thing inside it, though? Probably the fact that it takes a few soft Are you alrights and Do you need anythings before Aaron finally starts the engine.

And it’s… quiet. Disturbingly quiet. No coughing. No sputtering. No “please God start” noises.

Just… starts.

“It’s such a cool car,” you blurt.

Fifty percent because you mean it.

Fifty percent because the silence is killing you and that’s literally the first thing your brain offered up as a conversation starter. You’re not even sure what you’re complimenting. Just that it has… technology.

You’re genuinely impressed. There’s literally a screen. A touchscreen. With sensors. A built-in navigator.

Meanwhile, your car still has a cassette slot, three loose aux cables, a suspicious stain that doesn’t want to come off, and a radio that only plays static unless you hit it twice.

“It’s a good car,” he replies, completely unbothered. Literally just a man stating a fact. About his vehicle. And yet, your brain shuts off.

You’re hot under the collar because Aaron Hotchner said something true… in a nice voice.

That’s it. That’s the bar.

And to make it worse, he doesn’t follow it up. No “Do you drive much?” No “What year is yours?”

Nothing. Just those three words and then silence.

He's the worst small talker you've ever met and now you have no idea how to keep this going.

You consider asking him about… tires. Or gas mileage. Or how long it took him to sell his soul to become this repressed.

Pathetic.

You’re even more pathetic when he does that thing. The hot thing. The driving thing.

Where he turns around to check behind him - one hand on the back of your seat, other on the wheel - torso twisting, shirt clinging, full neck exposure.

Basically porn.

You try so hard not to spontaneously combust.

Not just because you’re pressed into his personal space, or because his white dress shirt is completely see-through now after all that rain and you can see where his spine ends, or because he’s absolutely not wearing an undershirt and is one unexpected pothole away from full nipple contact.

No. It’s the tongue.

The tiny flick. Just a flash. Quick. Absent. Almost innocent.

His tongue darts out - just a little - as he focuses, like it helps him steer straighter. Nothing but a reflex. He probably doesn’t even know he’s doing it.

You, however, are acutely aware-

Just as aware as you are of the fact that the two of you are sitting in near silence. Almost comfortable.

If not for the small detail that you’re horny and holding a vibrator in a paper bag. The only sound is the rain-

And the soft, awkward half-comment he lets slip when you tell him your address:

“Oh. You were right. It is really… close.”

No shit, Sherlock.

If you had even an ounce of courage, this would be the most satisfying “told you so” of your life - because not even four minutes in, he’s already pulling into the cracked little square that overlooks your apartment complex.

“Where’s the entrance?” he asks, squinting at the very charming, definitely-not-a-fire-hazard 1970s architecture. “It’s barely lit here.”

He’s right, though.

There’s a little pedestrian alley that leads to your stairwell, and it’s lit by what is essentially half a lightbulb and probably one moth if you’re lucky.

“I can’t leave you here,” he says, already switching off the engine.

“It’s fine, don’t worry, I’ve done it alone a thousand times.”

You get The Look™.

The full Dad Look™.

Eyebrows lowered. Mouth set. Silent moral judgment loading. Which, naturally, makes you blurt out something helpful:

“I swear. Even at 3 a.m. When I was blackout drunk.”

He looks horrified.

Which is… great. Exactly the vibe you were going for on this totally unromantic, emotionally neutral, post-pharmacy ride home.

“Well, you’re not walking alone all the way there today,” then he proceeds to open the driver’s door before you can even object.

“Wait- really, you don’t have to-”

“Stay here,” he cuts in, already halfway out before you can finish.

Then suddenly, he’s at your door. Umbrella overhead.

Like some man from a black-and-white movie who has no idea you’re holding a vibrator in your bag and have a sink full of crusted risotto waiting at home.

Chivalry.

That’s what it should be called. But that word feels too… medieval. Too knight-in-shining-armor. Too “written by robed men who thought ankles were sinful and menstruation was the devil’s piss.”

No.

From him, this isn’t chivalry. It’s something else.

Not performance. Not politeness.

Just… kindness.

Offensively tender, nonverbal, soak-himself-in-the-rain kind of kindness.

And so the two of you walk under the same umbrella together, arms brushing every other step.

You try to create distance. He scoots closer.

Adjusts the umbrella to keep you dry.

Prioritizes your dry head over his own sopping suit.

Kind of romantic.

You could kiss him here.

Right now.

Under this umbrella. In the rain. In front of your depressing 70s concrete box of an apartment.

You could just… do it.

Lean in. Shut him up. See what that mouth actually feels like.

If it weren’t for the very inconvenient fact that you are juuuuuust a bit terrified of rejection.

Terrified in the “ha-ha I’ll never date again if someone even slightly hesitates when I flirt” way.

In the “I’ll replay the rejection in the shower for the next ten years, write five alternate endings, and mentally workshop comebacks well into menopause” kind of way.

In the “what if he says no and then I have to move to Vermont” way.

Also, you are currently holding a vibrator in a paper bag. So. There’s that.

Still, Temptation is real.

Even because Aaron is still mid-monologue about street lighting standards. Turning his head every few steps. Gesturing with one hand like a man who has read far too many municipal codes for someone this hot.

The idea of shutting him up for good with a kiss is honestly starting to sound like a public service.

“It’s barely visible here,” he mutters, scanning the alley. “No signage. No reflective paint. Anyone could-”

“Trip?” you offer.

“Worse.” He deadpans, then turns toward you, “Are you humoring me?”

“A little,” you shrug (he’s pathetic.)

He stops. Looks at you. “I’m being serious.”

…Ah, the dad voice. Firm. Slightly patronizing. Delicious.

“I know,” you smile. “That’s what makes it so fun.”

By the time he’s done glaring, you’re already at your building entrance, heart stupidly tight.

Saved. Almost.

“Well… this is me.” You pull out your keys to prove to him you’ve got your shit together. “Um… thanks for the ride. And the walk, of course.” (What is this, Pride & Prejudice?) “I think I’m good from here.”

You say it lightly, casual, because if you don’t end it now, you’re 100% sure he’ll keep going.

He’ll follow you to your door.

To your kitchen. To your hallway. Maybe even your bedroom.

Not for sex. God, no.

Just to make sure you’re safely tucked in.

That your bedroom window locks properly.

That the shadow outside was just a tree and not a threat (more likely, the stray cat you and two old ladies keep over-feeding.)

He’d stand there - in the doorway, quiet, stiff, arms crossed - and wait until you hit REM sleep before silently excusing himself.

The worst part? He’d make it feel horribly sweet.

And the much, much worse part? To do that, he’d have to walk through the disaster zone you call home.

The crusty risotto bowls still soaking in the sink. Three wine glasses, none of which match. A fork in a mug.

He’d pass your roommate mid-makeout with a “friend” who’s definitely not wearing pants and is probably sitting on your throw blanket.

He’d see the takeout containers on the counter.

The mystery stain on the wall you keep forgetting to Google.

The chair you keep meaning to fix but now just refer to as “decorative.”

He’d see you. As you are.

And you can’t be the reason this man actively re-dyes his greys by Wednesday. You’d love to be. You really would.

But not like this.

Also, you’re just really tired and you’ve got… things to test.

And, if you’re honest, some things are better when they stay in your head. Untouched. Untried. Safely fantasized.

So you smile.

“I’ll be fine.”

He nods. Doesn’t argue.

But doesn’t leave, either.

Instead, he pulls something from his coat pocket.

His business card.

“Text me when you’re inside,” he says, dead serious.

You blink at it.

The paper is thick. Embossed.

Feels like you’re holding a warrant.

“Oh wow,” you murmur, trying not to smile. “This is the smoothest way I’ve ever gotten someone’s number.”

He straightens slightly. “It’s my work phone.” Still serious, but fumbling.

(He’s so bad at this. It’s almost adorable.)

You nod, suppressing the second smile in a row. “Of course.”

He looks at you for a moment - too long, maybe, or maybe it’s just your perception that’s a bit fucked up - and says, “Goodnight, miss.”

You pause.

“It’s-” You tell him your name.

He nods. Revises. And repeats it. A little too careful. A little too gentle.

You might actually pass out.

Not just from the emotional whiplash, but also because your apartment has too many goddamn stairs and your legs were not built for this level of cardio or romantic tension.

You stumble inside, safe. Unmurdered. Emotionally unstable. Immediately grab your phone and text the number printed in the most intimidating Arial you’ve ever seen.

made it still alive didn’t get murdered not even a little bit

He replies almost instantly.

(Almost, because he’s an old man with disproportionately large thumbs and the texting accuracy of someone whose phone autocorrects “fine” to “filing.”)

aaron hotchner (work, no nudes): This is a work number. Please be mindful. – A.H.

…He signs his own texts. Oh fucking hell.

aaron hotchner (work, no nudes): But I’m glad to hear it. Goodnight, miss. – A.H.

You type back:

goodnight... agent??

Three dots appear. Pause. Then-

aaron hotchner (work, no nudes): 👍 – A.H.

taglist: @beata1108 ; @c-losur3 ; @fangirlunknown ; @hayleym1234 ; @justyourusualash ; @khxna ; @kyrathekiller ; @littlemisskavities ; @lostinwonderland314 ; @mmmunson ; @mxblobby ; @oxforce ; @percysley ; @person-005 ; @prettybaby-reid ; @reidfile ; @royalestrellas ; @ssa-callahan ; @softestqueeen ; @theseerbetweenus ; @todorokishoe24 ; @who-needs-to-sleep

[mrs-kmikaelson]

icarus

Pairing: Aaron Hotchner x sunshine!reader Summary: Aaron thinks you're just about the most radiant person he's ever met. But then you fly too close to the sun, and all your light disappears. Warnings: grumpy x sunshine turned not sunshine, some references to the greek myth of icarus, religious imagery, graphic descriptions of violence, murder, brief allusion to suicide, heartbreak, complicated relationship, unhealthy coping mechanisms, cm timeline not canon, takes place in s6ish, extreme angst and no happy ending (yet) Words: 4.1K

Masterlist | helios (part 2)

a/n: part 2?

You'd been in Hotch's office too many times to count, typically sitting on his couch. Oftentimes, you'd come in after hours, waiting for him to finish his work before you walked to the parking lot together. He'd scribble away at his desk while you rested your eyes, and then he'd walk over to you when he was done.

Now, you sat on the couch, the same as before. But this time, Hotch sat in front of you. You weren't resting your eyes and he wasn't working on any case. A file laid on his lap, nonetheless.

Your file.

You wanted to question that. Was it performative? What would he find in that file that he didn't already know about you? Did he want to make you sweat, make you tense up?

He didn't need a file for that.

Your eyes zeroed in on the tan folder, labelled with the FBI seal, and they stayed there until he spoke your name. "Y/N."

You looked up. Aaron's face betrayed no emotion. His expression wasn't warm, nor was it cold. It was just blank.

But, see, you could read Aaron Hotchner better than any file. And in his eyes, you saw traces of concern, hope, frustration, desperation, and all those other things he was hiding behind his unit chief persona. You wondered if he could see anything in your eyes right now.

You weren't really there. Not in that moment.

Your mind went back to your first time in that office.

"SSA Aaron Hotchner, it's a pleasure to meet you."

You gave him a remarkable smile. "Please, the pleasure's all mine. Agent Y/N Y/L/N."  You had a firm handshake, he'd give you that. "It's— it's an honour to be here, sir."

David Rossi was your connection. He served with your father during the Vietnam War. Hotch thought that made him biased, but Rossi told him otherwise. She's the sun, he'd said. I guarantee, you'll never meet anyone as radiant as her.

Upon meeting you, Hotch could see that. He could see the beam in your smile and the light in your eyes. Maybe that should've deterred him from letting you on his team, but you were convincing.

Sitting opposite to you at his desk, he read from your file. "It says here you come from Crimes Against Children?"

"Yes, sir."

"You've held the highest number of cases solved within the unit for the past 2 years." He finally looked up at you, his lips twitching ever so slightly. "That's quite the accomplishment, agent."

He didn't seem like a man who gave out compliments very often, and so you had to fight the urge to smile like a lunatic. "Thank you, sir."

He didn't seem like a man who smiled much, either. And so, before he even said another word, you knew that you made it.

When the interview ended, you shook hands a second time, and he told you to pack a go-bag and be ready to come in for Monday. This time, you couldn't hide the smile.

"Welcome to the BAU."

Aaron's voice broke you from your reverie. "Please state your name and rank for the record."

Your eyes darted to the voice recorder on the coffee table before looking back up at him. You cleared your throat. "Supervisory Special Agent Y/N Y/L/N."

Aaron didn't waste any time. "Agent Y/L/N, in your time with CAC, you had the most cases solved within the unit," he stated. That was once a compliment to you.

It didn't feel that way anymore.

"Yes," you affirmed.

"You were there for 2 years."

"Yes."

Hotch paused. His next words weren't a statement. "How did that affect your mental wellbeing?"

Low blow. Very low blow. But you kept your composure, answering, "I was evaluated frequently as a member of the CAC. I was deemed fit to be in the field on each occasion." You bit your tongue to keep you from saying anything else. This is being recorded, you reminded yourself.

Hotch narrowed his eyes, almost imperceptibly.

Almost. 

"And once you got to the BAU, there was no residual guilt?" He made eye contact with you, and perhaps now your eyes were communicating something.

That was lower.

But you supposed that Aaron knew exactly where to hit.

"It's okay if you have to take a break, you know."

You jumped at the sudden voice, putting a hand on your heart. You didn't hear anyone enter the stairwell.

An apologetic look crossed his face, but you were the one with an apology on your lips. "Sorry, I— I'll get back right now."

You attemped to walk past him, but his hand caught your shoulder. Your breath hitched. You didn't know why.

His eyes softened. They were normally hard, inpenetrable, but you were starting to realize that he looked at you differently. The team teased you for favouritism, and you denied it every time, but you could only lie to yourself so much.

"Y/N," he started, "if you think you have something to prove, you don't. You've already proven yourself." His voice was tender, not as though he was treating you like you were delicate, but like he wanted to be gentle. "You're allowed to take a minute."

You sighed. "But I shouldn't have to, Hotch." You looked away from him, trying to find the words to verbalize your thoughts. "I— I dealt with tougher cases than this in CAC. I should be able to handle it. It's not fair for me to break down when that boy is out there, all on his own."

A lump grew in the back of your throat. It wasn't fair. Nothing about this job was fair.

You weren't normally so quick to cry, but you'd been holding this in. Aaron could tell. 

After cases, you were everyone's shoulder to cry on. Even he had confided in you multiple times when he probably shouldn't have. You were always there.

He wondered who was there for you.

"What you feel is valid. This is a hard case; it's normal to be a bit overwhelmed. You don't have to carry guilt over that."

A little laugh left you. "Hotch, how can you say that when everyone else is handling it just fine?"

His reply came quick. "They're not." You wanted to interject, but he continued, "Prentiss may seem fine, but beneath the surface, she's disgusted. Morgan is no different; he's angry, and that's manifesting into aggression. Reid is quieter today. Rossi is going to get a drink later. JJ has called Will 3 times since we got here, checking on Henry. And every time I see that boy's picture, I think of Jack, and I'm barely holding it together."

You swallowed at the admission, realizing his hand was still on your shoulder when he took it away. You missed the warmth.

"You're not alone, Y/N."

You believed him.

Your jaw tensed. "Guilt is inevitable. But I didn't have any more of it than the average agent."

Aaron didn't believe you. He wouldn't. He knew better.

But he was Hotch right now, and technically, Hotch wasn't meant to know anything about you. Hotch was conducting this interview, and his subordinate, Agent Y/L/N, sat across from him. Not his teammate or friend.

Certainly not the girl who fell in love with him.

You and Emily stood in the break room. She poured you a coffee as you talked about your weekends. She was just in the middle of telling you about her weekend to Atlantic City. Your laugh echoed throughout the room.

"Prentiss, next time you go gambling, take me with you! I promise I'm good."

"Somehow, I don't doubt that."

Your head turned to the new voice, seeing Hotch standing at the doorway. His lips quirked upward slightly, almost a smile. It was the most you'd get from him—you knew that.

A part of you was grateful for anything he was willing to give you.

You matched his smile with much more vigour. "You should try me sometime. I'd give you a run for your money, Hotchner," you teased. 

If you didn't know any better, you might've thought his eyes softened right then and there. "Somehow, I don't doubt that, either," he said.

You nearly forgot Emily was even in the room, missing the look she sent you. You wouldn't have known how to respond to it, anyway. Sometimes, you almost thought Hotch was flirting with you—and maybe he was. But that was the furthest it'd ever go, the most he'd ever give you.

That part of you, the biggest part, was grateful for it.

And another part of you didn't see the problem with that.

As if he was coming to his senses, he cleared his throat, crossing his arms over his chest and informing you, "Round table in 5." Then he was walking away like nothing ever happened. 

Maybe it didn't. Maybe you imagined it. Sometimes, you felt like pinching yourself.

But then from behind you, Emily chirped, "You know... he could've sent JJ to come tell us that."

You hummed, refusing to look at her.

Amusement flooded her voice. "It's... it's almost like... something just pulled him here."

"Okay, Emily."

You ignored her cackling, making an early trip to the round table as heat licked the tips of your ears.

Hotch's gaze didn't let up. You felt your face burn.

You knew he had a Rolodex of thoeries in his mind, a mental profile of who he thought you were. He once told you that he was a collector in his youth, and so you knew he had a collection of questions in his head.

He was striking out with this one. He moved on to the next.

"Would you say you've built close relationships with the members of this team?"

Your eyes travelled to the photo behind his desk, barely making out the image of you at a bar with the rest of the team, Aaron included. He stood next to you in that one. You were all smiling, even him.

You re-directed your attention back to him. "Yes, I have."

"You should smile more."

Aaron looked down at you, his expression a mix of confusion and amusement. "What?"

Blinking, you repeated, "I said, you should smile more." A dopey grin arose on your face. "It suits you."

Aaron resisted the urge to laugh at your drunken antics. He was perfectly sober, having already anticipated that he'd have to someone's ride. "Okay, I think it's time we get you home." You didn't protest, nor did the smile on your face move. Sometimes, Hotch thought it was there permanently, like it was a fixed part of your character.

He grew to really like that smile.

Maybe more than like.

He said his goodbyes for the both of you, receiving teasing glances from the rest of the team and wiggly eyebrows from Morgan. You barely took notice of any of it, now enthralled by the laces on your shoes.

When he guided you up and you realized you were leaving, you waved haphazardly. "Bye guys!"

A chorus of goodbyes and laughter followed you out the door of the bar. Before you could even shiver, a coat was being draped over your shoulders. It took you a few seconds to figure out it was Aaron's.

Butterflies swarmed through your stomach.

Hotch was silent for a few seconds. It was like he was hesitating. But not for long.

"And would you say that those relationships are still the same now?"

You swallowed. Butterflies were in your stomach—and not the good kind. These butterflies ate away at your insides, making you want to vomit what little breakfast you'd eaten that morning. You felt sick.

Moths, you realized. Not butterflies at all.

You were a moth, too. Drawn to the flames of something bigger than you. Was that what Hotch was getting at? Was that why he was asking you all these pointless questions? 

He knew the answers already. Why was he asking you?

You responded, anyway. "No." Even if he wasn't a profiler, it would've been impossible not to notice the way your voice tightened up.

He was getting somewhere now. He dug deeper. "Is that because of what happened in Glendale?"

No. No. No. No.

Yes.

He knew that. God, he knew that better than anyone. But still, you could question him and his credibility. That was an awful question, not because he already knew the answer but because it was so unspecified.

"A lot happened in Glendale," you said. A lot.

Everything.

"You look tired."

You rolled your eyes. "Thanks, Hotchner. That's just what a girl wants to hear." You flashed him a smile, anyway, like you were showing him that your annoyance was nothing more than playful.

You were still smiling, even in the midst of all this. Sometimes, Hotch thought you could smile enough for the two of you.

His hotel room was right beside yours. You were still getting your key out. Truthfully, he didn't know why he was just standing there, watching you.

In a way, it was like you were waiting for him, too. Despite having fished your room key out of your purse, you turned your body to fully face him. Something soft twinkled in your irises.

He wanted to say he saw stars in your eyes, but it was really just you. 

You were the star.

If he took another step closer, you'd be able to feel his breath against your skin. But you knew he wouldn't. You wanted him to, but he wouldn't, not even if you asked him to. And you wouldn't ask him.

He was the unit chief; he valued that. He valued rules, and order, and protocol. You couldn't ask him to turn on that. 

But you could do it yourself.

You took one step forward. He didn't step back.

"Y/N," he pleaded. It was meant to be a warning, but his voice was as light as a feather. 

You didn't know what you were doing. Ever since you joined the BAU, you were sure of yourself, absolute. Hotch made you rethink things. He made you feel like you were a champion, on top of the world and so close to the sun.

Aaron was warm. That's all you ever wanted.

You closed your eyes, feeling the warmth of his hand on your face. "Please," you whispered. "Please."

You weren't asking—you were begging. Begging him to see you. God, Hotch had been engulfed in darkness for so long. You were begging him to bask in the sunlight with you.

But he wouldn't.

Within seconds, the warmth was gone. "Goodnight, Y/N."

When you opened your eyes, he was already walking away, leaving you standing there with a key in your hand and your heart on your sleeve.

Hotch sighed, his forefinger going to his thumb. Tired. "I'm talking about that night, Y/N."

Your heart dropped.

You remembered that night. You remembered it well. But he wasn't talking about the part where he left you standing in an empty hallway.

He was talking about what came after.

Knocking sounded at your door, incessant and loud. You suppressed a groan, getting up and throwing the door open without checking the peep hole. Maybe that was stupid, considering you were working a serial killer case and all the victims looked like you, but you honestly would've preferred anything other than seeing Hotch standing on the other side of the threshold.

When you opened the door, his hand fell. Soon after, so did his face. You'd been crying. You suddenly wished you'd gotten the chance to splash water on your face before carelessly opening your door.

But Hotch collected himself in an instant, returning the stony exterior you were used to. "There's been an update in the case. We have the unsub's location," he told you.

Just like that, you stood straighter, composing yourself in record speed that could put your boss to shame. "Just let me put on my shoes." You hadn't even changed.

You put on your shoes, and then you and Hotch left without another word to each other.

In the elevator, you wiped away the last of your tears as he stared straight ahead.

You were glad he didn't mention it.

Tears built in your eyes, no matter how hard you tried to hold them back. Still, you held your resolve. "I don't want to talk about that night."

For the first time since this conversation started, Hotch's voice softened. "You have to, Y/N." He sounded like he pitied you.

You didn't want his pity. You didn't want his or anyone's anything. You just didn't want to talk about it.

"Alright, JJ, Prentiss, you take the side. Rossi and I will take the front. Morgan and Y/L/N take the back."

You saw a few confused eyes dart your way at his assignment, but you brushed them off. It wasn't the time to question why Hotch didn't pair you together, even though he always did, or why he'd address you with your last name when that name was practically foreign to his tongue.

Now wasn't the time.

Instead, you nodded, following his orders. That much hadn't changed.

At the back entrance, Morgan kicked down the door and then you made your way in, holding your flashlight above your gun.

Beyond the back lounging area, there were two hallways extending on both sides. Derek nodded to the right direction, and you nodded back at him, taking the left.

The rickety floorboards creaked under your weight. You shined your light on the walls. There was framed artwork, but no family pictures, just as you profiled. Everything was as you profiled. This was clean cut.

It was supposed to be simple.

But it wasn't.

Right as you turned the corner, you were slammed into the wall. Both your gun and your flashlight fell out of your hands, dropping to the floor. 

You didn't get the chance to retaliate. The unsub grabbed you by your vest, throwing you against the other wall. Your back hit glass, shattering everywhere. You gasped, and then he was striking you to the ground.

Your arms flailed at the sides, trying to reach your gun, but it was no use. He climbed on top of you, knocking the wind out of your lungs.

It was so dark. But you could see his face so clearly. His teeth glinted in the light as he grinned at you. "You... are... beautiful."

You cried, mustering all your strength to get up. It wasn't enough. Not enough, not enough, not enough.

With a knife you hadn't seen before, he caressed your face. Cold, cold, cold. It was so cold. 

Then the blade was off your face, and relief flooded through your veins. Until it was replaced by something worse. So much worse.

You didn't feel it right away, but when you did, your head shot up like this was all a bad dream you could just wake up from. 

Except it wasn't. The feeling of his knife being plunged into your abdomen proved that. 

It was gone, and then it just came right back. Again. And again.

You tried to scream, but no sound would come out. Your mouth warped around nothing.

The pain took you whole, wrapping its arms around your body and enveloping you in ice. You had never felt so much pain. God, was this what Hotch felt when the Reaper attacked him? Did he feel so heavy and so light at the same time?

More tears raced down your cheeks at the thought. It hurt so bad. You knew it would hurt, but you never thought it'd hurt this bad.

The unsub pulled the knife out of you yet again, dripping your own blood onto your face. You could see his eyes. They were lifeless. He smiled maniacally, raising his arms above his head. This was it, you thought. His face would be the last thing you saw.

He was gonna end it. Finally.

You nearly prayed for it.

You screwed your eyes shut, awaiting the blade to meet your skin one last time.

It never did.

A gunshot rang through the hallway. A heavy mass fell on top of you before it was shoved off. Somebody was calling your name. You couldn't decipher who it was.

They were shaking your shoulders. Something wet hit your face. Your eyes didn't open.

The pain was so strong. You were so tired. So, so tired.

You let yourself fall asleep.

"Y/N!"

"Y/N."

Hotch's concerned eyes were too much for you. You couldn't do this. You couldn't pretend to be here when you were still there. 

You shot out of your chair, fervently shaking your head. "Turn the recorder off."

Hotch matched your stance, knitting his brows together. "Y/N—"

"Damnit, Hotch, turn it off!"

At your outburst, he narrowed his eyes, but he ultimately did as you said, pressing pause.

You ran your a hand through your hair. The room was spinning. Your head was spinning. Your vision got blurry.

He tried to reason, "We have to talk about this—"

"No!" you cut him off, pointing your finger at him. It wouldn't stop shaking. "No, we don't. We could leave it alone like I am asking you to— like I am begging you to."

His face softened, looking less like Hotch and more like Aaron. But you didn't want to see Aaron. Not now. "No, we can't—"

"Yes, we can!" you shouted. You were lucky the office was empty at this hour. You were lucky Hotch gave you the couresy of emptiness. Your eyes were wild as you stepped closer to him. "When Elle spiralled, nobody talked about it. When everyone found out about what happened to Derek, nobody talked about it. When Spencer was kidnapped and got hooked on drugs, nobody fucking talked about it. And you!" You pointed your finger back at him, now in his face. "When you were stabbed and Foyet murdered Haley in cold. blood. you came back here and you never talked about it!" Tears ran down your face in a waterfall, your lips quivering. "Why can't I do the same?"

Hurt was all over Aaron's face, but he didn't step back like you were expecting him to. Instead, he stepped forward. If this were before, he would've grasped onto your shoulders. His fingers could only flex at his sides.

"You're not the same, Y/N." Just like that night in the hallway, he was pleading with you. He was pleading to just let him help you.

A humourless laugh left you. "Of course, I'm not the same, Aaron. No one is."

How could he expect you to be the same? How could he expect you to come back and be the same person you were when that person was still lying in a house in Glendale? How could he expect you to be the same person when you could still feel that man's body on top of you? When you could still feel his knife cutting into your flesh?

"I'm trying to help you—"

"Well, you can't." You took your finger and pointed it at your chest. "It hurts here. Everything about me is shattered and broken into a thousand little pieces and you can't do anything to fix it."

He shook his head. "Don't say that."

"God, and you only make it worse." Maybe this was unfair of you, but it hurt so bad you couldn't see clearly.

He looked pained. "Please don't say that."

"But you do." You stepped forward, nearly closing the gap between you. "You hurt me, Aaron. Having this conversation is hurting me. Please— please just stop. "

"Y/N." He whispered your name like it was his last Hail Mary. Tears responded to his call.

You couldn't do this. 

You pursed your lips together, stepping away from him altogether. "I can't be here anymore. I— I have to go."

He tried to reach after you, but he couldn't stop you from walking out the door. And as soon as you weren't in his sight, you were running. Running away from the same room you'd fallen asleep in time and time again. Running away from the man that occupied it. The same man who held your heart in his hands.

Hotch stood alone in his office, staring at the open door where you'd left. You took all the light with you.

You were a constant beacon in the darkness that surrounded your lives, brightening up the BAU day by day. That light was always there, even if it dimmed a bit. You chased it like a moth drawn to a flame. But now it'd been snuffed out.

You had flown too close to the sun.

And now your light was gone.

[icrypop]

Hey this is a request for yandere SBG x reader!

Yknow the chapter were they get captured by yknow the agents while getting catpurted the agents then noticed reader with the group bundled up like a protecting shield for reader so the agent try to take reader but that's when ALL of them start to go farel because reader is literally CLAIMED by them as THEIR soulmate forever so yeah! Um ok so that's all 😁and can it be a poly to!

Thank you if you do it 🤭🤭🤭😁😁😁

I understand if you don't have time or don't wanna❗️

Yandere SBG x Reader

They belong to US.

The gang

⚠️Warning: Yandere tendencies, violence, descriptive harm, aggression, heavy possessiveness.

I MADE THIS A FIC IM SORRY ITS SHORT- Guys its almost 2 am where im at, this is the last request- I love you guyyssss :’)

-Writer Icy<3

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Id let the world burn"

The moment the agents close in on the group, their eyes zero in on you, the one person nestled tightly in the middle of the chaos. Your expression is guarded, aware of the danger, but you’re surrounded by the gang—Ashlynn, Tyler, Taylor, Aiden, Ben, and Logan—each of them tense and protective, creating a human shield around you.

The agents, clearly after the entire group, seem particularly interested in you. You can feel their calculating stares, their movements slow but deliberate, as if recognizing your importance to the others. One of the agents gestures toward you, signaling to his colleagues. "Take that one. They seem... special."

That’s when everything shifts. The second those words leave the agent’s mouth, the energy around the group darkens. There’s an almost primal growl from Tyler, his body taut like a spring ready to snap. Ashlynn’s eyes flash with something wild, while Taylor’s usually calm demeanor cracks, her fists clenching so hard her knuckles turn white. Logan’s entire body tenses, his jaw set, and Aiden’s usual smile turns to something more sinister. Ben, normally the most calm, looks downright terrifying, a dangerous gleam in his eyes.

You know what’s coming, and yet, even you’re taken aback by how quickly it happens.

The moment the agents reach out, trying to grab you, the gang snaps. It’s as if a feral switch has been flipped. Tyler is the first to move, throwing himself at the nearest agent with a glare and harsh yell, his strength sending the man sprawling. Ashlynn’s fingers dig into the arm of another, twisting with such force that you hear the sickening pop of a dislocated shoulder.

“They’re OURS!” Tyler roars, his voice filled with unbridled fury. “You don’t touch them!”

Taylor isn’t far behind, darting in with surprising speed, striking down two agents before they can even react. Her movements are precise, calculated, like a predator toying with its prey. "They belong to us," she hisses, her voice a deadly whisper. "You think you can take what’s ours?"

Ben, usually the calm one, is an entirely different person. There’s no trace of tranquility in his expression as he slams an agent against the wall, eyes gleaming with possessive rage. His silence speaks waves of danger as the agent against the wall stares in horror.

Aiden’s normally happy demeanor fractures. His expression is crazed, almost psychotic as he effortlessly takes down one of the larger agents. "Hands off what doesn’t belong to you."

But it’s Logan who’s the most different. He’s dangerous as he fights,every movement calculated with such intensity in his eyes is enough to send shivers down your spine. When he pins an agent to the floor, he leans down, his voice low and menacing. “They’re our soulmate. Forever. You’ll never take them from us.”

The agents, who thought they were in control, quickly realized how wrong they were. Despite their numbers and training, they’re no match for the gang’s raw, feral determination. This isn’t just about protecting you—it’s about keeping you, solidifying in their minds and the world that you belong to them. You’re theirs. Their soulmate. Their reason for existing.

As the chaos swirls around you, the gang continues to fight with a terrifying intensity, each move fueled by a possessive rage that makes it clear to anyone watching: there’s no escaping them. You’re at the center of their world, and they’ll tear apart anyone who dares to threaten that bond.

By the time the last agent is incapacitated, each member in the group turns back to you, breathing heavily but victorious. Their eyes are wild, their possessiveness still palpable in the air. Slowly, they gather around you again, forming that protective shield, but now there’s something even more dangerous in their demeanor. You belong to them, and they’ll fight the whole world to keep it that way.

Tyler is the first to speak, wiping the blood from his lip as he pulls you into his arms. “You okay? Don't worry they wont hurt you”

Ashlynn nods, her fingers brushing your cheek as she leans in, eyes still gleaming with that wild protectiveness. “You're safe with us, it's okay now.”

There’s no denying it anymore. In their eyes, you’ve always been theirs—claimed, cherished, and now, undeniably protected for life.

[theguywithaplan]

List of Video Games Turning 20 Years Old in 2024

Alien Hominid (started off life as a Flash game and graduated to a real game.)

Army Men: Sarge's War (the sequel to the Sarge’s Heroes games, but this one was rated T for Teen and used realistic guns instead of plastic ones)

Astro Boy: Omega Factor (seriously, if you have a chance to play this, take it. This game is AMAZING)

Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance II

The Bard's Tale (the 2004 version with the guy who played Wesley in The Princess Bride)

Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings & the Lost Ocean (hey! That collection with this game and it's follow-up is out on the Switch now! Go get it!)

Blinx 2: Masters of Time and Space

Blood Will Tell: Tezuka Osamu's Dororo

BloodRayne 2

Boktai 2: Solar Boy Django (this GBA game had a special cartridge that required you to go outside into the sunlight to power up your character in game)

Breakdown

Bujingai: The Forsaken City (the game where you play as Gackt)

Burnout 3: Takedown

Call of Duty: United Offensive

Call of Duty: Finest Hour (a side story to the original Call of Duty, which came out the year before)

Capcom Fighting Evolution (the darkest of the dark age of fighting games)

Carmen Sandiego: The Secret of the Stolen Drums (a full-on adventure game where you play as the mascot of a series of edutainment games)

Champions of Norrath: Realms of EverQuest

The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay (the rare movie-in game that's not only really good, but is actually better than the movie it's based on)

Crash Bandicoot Purple: Ripto's Rampage + Spyro Orange: The Cortex Conspiracy

Crash Twinsanity (a childhood favorite)

Crimson Tears

Crusader Kings

Custom Robo (the first one in the series to release in North America)

Cy Girls

Dead Man's Hand

Dead or Alive Ultimate (remakes of Dead or Alive 1 and Dead or Alive 2)

Def Jam: Fight for NY (the vastly superior sequel to Vendetta)

Dog's Life

Doom 3 (the original version. Hope you've got a flashlight on you...)

Dragon Ball Z: Supersonic Warriors

Dragon Ball Z: Buu's Fury (the final game in the Legacy of Goku series)

Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 3

Drakengard (Yoko Taro's debut as a game director)

Driver 3

Evil Genius

Fable (another childhood favorite)

Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel (the last Fallout game made by Interplay before Bethesda acquired the IP.)

Far Cry (the very first one.)

Feel the Magic: XY/XX (a launch title for the Nintendo DS)

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles (the only Final Fantasy game to release for the GameCube)

Final Fantasy I & II: Dawn of Souls (remakes of the first two mainline Final Fantasy games)

Forgotten Realms: Demon Stone

Front Mission 4

F-Zero: GP Legend (the last F-Zero game to release for almost 2 decades, until F-Zero 99 released in 2023.)

Galleon

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex (the PS2 one. There was another version of SAC that released for the PSP a year later that is completely different.)

Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon 2

Ghosthunter

Godzilla: Save the World

GoldenEye: Rogue Agent

Gradius V (the last mainline Gradius game)

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

Grand Theft Auto Advance (yes, there was a GTA game on the GBA.)

Growlanser Generations

Guilty Gear Isuka

.hack//Quarantine

Half-Life 2

Halo 2

Hitman: Contracts (the third one)

Hot Shots Golf Fore! (yet another childhood favorite)

It's Mr. Pants (Rareware made this for the GBA after being acquired by Microsoft)

Jak 3

James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing

Katamari Damacy (the very first Katamari game)

Killzone (PlayStation's supposed "Halo killer".)

KOF: Maximum Impact

Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories

Kirby & the Amazing Mirror

The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures

Lifeline (a microphone-based survival horror game for the PS2 by Konami.)

The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age (a turn-based RPG that uses the exact same battle system as Final Fantasy X.)

The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-Earth

Mario Golf: Advance Tour

Mario Party 6

Mario Pinball Land

Mario Power Tennis (not to be confused with "Mario Golf: Power Tour" for the GBA.)

Mario vs. Donkey Kong (the first one, which is getting a remake for the Switch in February!)

Maximo vs. Army of Zin

MechAssault 2: Lone Wolf

Medal of Honor: Pacific Assault

Mega Man: Battle Chip Challenge

Mega Man Battle Network 4: Red Sun/Blue Moon

Mega Man X: Command Mission

Mega Man Zero 3

Mega Man X8 (yeah, there was a lot of Mega Man stuff in 2004.)

Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes (a remake of the original Metal Gear Solid for the GameCube)

Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (SNAAAAAKE EATERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR)

Metal Wolf Chaos (LET'S PARTYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY)

Metroid: Zero Mission (a remake of the original Metroid for the GBA.)

Metroid Prime 2: Echoes

Monster Hunter (the very first one)

Mortal Kombat: Deception

Mushihimesama ((a bullet hell that you’ve probably seen a lot of if you search for “HARDEST GAME OF ALL TIME?????” on YouTube)

Myst IV: Revelation

Need for Speed: Underground 2

Ninja Gaiden (the reboot from the Dead or Alive devs)

The Nintendo DS

Onimusha 3: Demon Siege

Otogi 2: Immortal Warriors (an action-adventure hack & slash made by FromSoftware)

Painkiller

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (can you believe this is getting a remake this year??)

Phantom Brave

Pikmin 2

Pitfall: The Lost Expedition (the last game in an series that started all the back in 1982 on the Atari 2600)

Pokemon Colosseum

Pokemon FireRed/LeafGreen

Prince of Persia: Warrior Within

Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy

Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal (the 3rd one)

Red Dead Revolver (the predecessor to Red Dead Redemption.)

Resident Evil Outbreak

R-Type Final

Sacred

Samurai Warriors

Scaler

American McGee Presents: Scrapland

Second Sight

Serious Sam: Next Encounter

Shadow Hearts: Covenant

Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne (you know that “Featuring Dante from the Devil May Cry series” meme you guys love so much? This is where that came from.)

Silent Hill 4: The Room

Siren (a spirital successor to Silent Hill from the same creative director)

Sly 2: Band of Thieves

Sonic Heroes

Sonic Battle (an arena fighter for the GBA.)

Sonic Advance 3

Spider-Man 2 ((based on the movie of the same name. The one with the really good web-slinging)

Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow (the 2nd one)

Spyro: A Hero's Tail (the 5th one)

Star Ocean: Till the End of Time (the 3rd one)

Star Wars: Battlefront (the one that everyone liked)

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II - The Sith Lords

Steel Battalion: Line of Contact ((this, and the original Steel Battalion two years prior, used a special controller called the Mega-Jockey 9000, which had 44 buttons, two joysticks, a throttle handle, a radio channel dial, five switches, an eject button, and three foot pedals.)

Sudeki

The Suffering

Super Mario 64 DS

Syphon Filter: The Omega Strain (the 4th one)

Tales of Symphonia

Thief: Deadly Shadows (the 3rd one)

Tony Hawk's Underground 2

Total War: Rome

Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines

Viewtiful Joe 2

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War

X-Men Legends

[downwithpeople]

x-files roundup

anasazi: GOOD. it's just EXCITING. mulder's going apeshit. krychek is back. we get to see cancer man visibly stressed out and acting out of pocket. we get to see how far the conspiracy goes. i don't think this episode stands up quite as well on a rewatch because the conspiracy's plan to discredit mulder by pumping lsd through his apartment's water supply is ridiculous. mulder's such a paranoid weirdo that anything unusual happening in the building would attract his attention and to be honest, mulder is kind of self-discrediting. i would discredit mulder by allowing him to speak at length about what exactly he thinks i'm doing.

blessing way: BAD. this episode actually has a lot of good stuff in it. i'm forced to file it under bad because most of this episode is devoted to mulder undergoing a lengthy sweat lodge ritual. you can criticise this for being weird about the navajo - and you should! - but this is also just hack writing, because it gives us a series of visions that let these entirely deceased characters give long monologues to mulder about what a special boy he is. speaking of which, one of the worst things about season 2 was that it introduced multiple characters in the agents families for no other reason but to kill them off.

paper clip: GOOD. despite the lull in the second episode of the trilogy, they manage to stick the landing. the underground vault is a really cool setpiece and we get a return to the status quo that still doesn't feel like a full reset. can't wait to see more of my beautiful baby boy krychek later in this season.

dpo: GOOD. first MOTW episode in s3 is a banger. giovanni ribisi plays a sociopath high school dropout mechanic with lightning powers. he absolutely nails the portrayal of someone with zero compassion or capacity for self-reflection who by freak odds has power over life, death and everything around him. karen witter also does fantastic work as his hapless stalking victim and she manages to look like she's being covered in live earwigs every time she talks to him. we also get a young jack black doing great in a dramatic role. the one bad thing in this episode is the sheriff, who is weirdly combative and defensive over the town's observatory. he's a stock character, the small-town sheriff who thinks these big city cops are gonna shut down the industry that brings money to the town, but it doesn't make sense to me. it's an observatory, mulder and scully can't arrest lightning. the other great thing about this episode is that mulder's wacko suggestion for how DPO can zap people is just wrong. he just can and there's nothing they can do about it.

[its-moopoint]

While shippers keep track of CT's and S's lives everything they distort is factual correct. No games played as they want followers to believe.

- Spotting C/T & baby is normal and usually people respect her privacy - - C didn't hint anything, she posted a thank you for SOC invite - - Lauren Lyle interviewer mentioned his connection to OL through his good friend T who is married to CB - - Not the first time cast members acknowledge SC aren't together - - CT not doing an IFTA pap walk but attending together as a married couple - - C was happy to be out attending The Fratellis - - CB cut hair for a new movie just like she did for FvF - - CB only mentions T if asked - - CB attending play in NY could also have had another professional reason - - CB can be tagged by friends as normal people do.

SH is doing his own thing completely separate from CB.

ES #realfairy wrote:

Droughlander isn't over …

Droughlander isn't over …

Since February, when the wrap was announced, we've been thinking about some possible mischief that could happen until this season of Droughlander is over.

It was a joke between friends, but looking at the number of hits, I think these 'hunches' could be written about here.

-----------

1 - A discreet fan spots C 'with her family' but doesn't publish photos in the name of privacy ✔️

2 - Sam is seen in the background of random photo/video that suspiciously gets posted to tumblr ✔️

3 - Pap walks with a blonde

4 - Cait hints she's in city X, Sam hints he's on the other side of the world ✔️

5 - Sam does another super expensive meeting for fan ✔️

6 - New Russian video

7 - Interview with random cast member who mentions Caitriona Balfe's husband ✔️

8 - Totally out of the blue random cast member reveals that Sam and Cait ARE NOT a couple ✔️

9 - Cait does pap walk with T at IFTA - in case of a win, there will be a special thank you ✔️

10 - Deux Moi releases note of Sam's sighting with 'a blonde' ✔️

11 - Cait publishes some innuendo about The Fratellis ✔️

12 - Sam appears in a fan photo in a completely unexpected location ✔️

13 - Cait cuts her hair again ✔️

14 - New change in Sam, Priyanka and Celine Dion's film ✔️

15 - Cait gives an interview and the article mentions her husband

16 - PapWalk for Just Jared ✔️

17 - Cait dedicates the new batch of gin to her husband

18 - Monika Askmit does another podcast badmouthing Sam

19 - Cait attends a fashion/cinema/arts event and T appears in the background of the post-event photos

20 - A fight breaks out in the fandon and shippers are thrown into the fire ✔️

21 - Sam appears like an old bloke in the background of a party photo/video

22 - ONE MORE of Sam's 'exes' gets married ✔️

23 - Sam and Cait do ZERO OL promo events together

24 - Sam turns up at a stadium with Sophie or Alex N, OR Marina, or Nico, or Cirdan ✔️

25 - Sam posts a shirtless photo ✔️

26 - Sam appears on a talk show and claims to be single once again ✔️

27 - The Nic couple do something completely over-the-top, drawing the attention of the entire fandon to themselves ✔️

28 - Several models/influencers are pointed out as the new flavor of summer, with the expected insinuations on social media ✔️

29 - BONUS: Cody Kennedy follows Sam and he follows her back (Cody deactivates his IG) ✔️

30 - BONUS: Victoria L (ex Heughan) posts selfie on a beach in Fife, with friends and family - including Sam and Chrissie Heughan, sparking a HUGE row in the fandon ✔️

31 - BONUS: Cait (after a sighting of the happy family in Glasgow) is spotted at a theatre in NY, while Sam, also in the US, was missing ✔️

32 - BONUS Damage containment: Cait appears in a random place with T ✔️

33 - BONUS: Cleveden appears on estate agent's website, put up for sale ✔️

34 - BONUS: Cait and Sam's recordings end at almost the same time and both disappear for a week, then appear out of nowhere in different places around the world ✔️

35 - BONUS: weekly rounds of "Look here, don't look there" ✔️

36 - BONUS: Anna Modler, as well as getting married, is pregnant ✔️

37 - BONUS: Cait is tagged by a friend, watching an Irish football match while Sam is obviously in another part of the world ✔️

38 - BONUS: Graham and Garance launch a drinks company and a big row breaks out in the fandon ✔️

Some things didn't happen, other things happened more than once, overlapping or combining with each other … but some really unexpected things have happened …

It's been fun and it doesn't have to be much more than that.

Anyway, Droughlander isn't over. We'll see how many more items are ticked off this list, or what else might happen …

Sep 1st, 2023

To sum her piece of bullshit up, they are celebrating not knowing where C has been and pretending in their delusion that she was with S but never seen either while he's broadcast his every move.

[zzz-updates]

Version 1.4 "A Storm of Falling Stars" Update Details

Dear Proxies,

Below is the updated content and compensation for Version 1.4 "A Storm of Falling Stars."

>> Official Hoyolab post <<

[Update Start Time]

2024/12/18 06:00:00 (UTC+8)

It will take about five hours to complete.

[Compensation Details]

● Server Update Compensation

Compensation: Polychrome ×300

Requirements: Reach Inter-Knot Lv. 4 before 2024/12/18 06:00 (UTC+8).

Valid to claim until the end of Version 1.4.

※ Please note that Version 1.4 will run for 5 weeks, ending on 2025/01/22 at 06:00 (UTC+8).

● Issue Fix Compensation

Compensation: Polychrome ×300

Requirements: Reach Inter-Knot Lv. 4 before 2024/12/18 06:00 (UTC+8).

Please log in to the game and claim the compensation before 2025/01/17 23:59 (UTC+8).

The dev team will issue the compensation via in-game mail after the update has been completed. The mail will expire after 30 days, so don't forget to claim the attachments.

[How to Update]

● PC

Exit the game, restart, then select update.

● Android

After entering the game, follow the in-game pop-up instructions to complete the update.

● iOS

Go to App Store and select update.

● PS5™

Open the PS5 home screen > Highlight Zenless Zone Zero > Hold down the Options button on your controller > Check for updates.

Starting from Version 1.4, Zenless Zone Zero is compatible with Apple Vision Pro. Proxies can play the game on this device by connecting to a controller. For more information, please refer to the upcoming FAQ guide on the official website.

*For the Apple Vision Pro control guide, please refer to the official Apple manual.

*Due to Apple's restrictions, this service is currently only available in certain regions. Please refer to the official Apple manual or the Zenless Zone Zero website FAQ guide. Thank you for your understanding.

[New Content]

1. New Characters

● S-Rank Agent: Hoshimi Miyabi (Anomaly - Frost)

Hoshimi Miyabi has a unique Frost attribute and an independent Attribute Anomaly Buildup gauge. She can increase all squad members' Anomaly Buildup Rate to quickly apply Attribute Anomalies on enemies. By triggering Disorder with the other squad members, she obtains Fallen Frost points. She then draws her blade and unleashes a powerful slash ahead, dealing massive DMG.

● S-Rank Agent: Asaba Harumasa (Attack - Electric)

Asaba Harumasa is a ranged DPS character with a strong burst potential. In combat, when using certain skills, Harumasa can activate Electro Quivers to fire Ha-Oto no Ya that will tag the enemies with X-Marked. He then enters the Awakened state, rushing forward to the enemy and executing a powerful slash that deals Electric DMG.

2. New W-Engines

● S-Rank W-Engine: Hailstorm Shrine (Anomaly)

*The limited S-Rank W-Engine Hailstorm Shrine (Anomaly) can be unlocked by Signal Searching on the Dissonant Sonata channel.

● S-Rank W-Engine: Zanshin Herb Case (Attack)

*The limited S-Rank W-Engine Zanshin Herb Case (Attack) can be unlocked by Signal Searching on the Dazzling Choir channel.

● A-Rank W-Engine: Marcato Desire (Attack)

*Can be obtained via the limited-time event "Into That Pale Wasteland" in Version 1.4.

3. New Bangboo

● S-Rank Bangboo: Agent Gulliver

Can be obtained via An Outstanding Partner channel.

● A-Rank Bangboo: Brawlerboo

Can be obtained by increasing License Level in Hollow Zero: Lost Void.

4. New Story

● Main Story Chapter 5: A Storm of Falling Stars

Strike down the schemes threatening New Eridu like a bolt of lightning.

Availability: Permanently available after Version 1.4 goes live.

Requirements: Complete Main Story Chapter 4 "Tour de Inferno" and Special Episode "Virtual Revenge."

● Asaba Harumasa's Agent Story: A Name Written in Water

"That is the scar left by his healed wound."

Availability: Permanently available after 2024/12/30 12:00:00 (server time)

Requirements: Complete Main Story "Leisurely Lull: Goldfinch's Escape" (available after completing Main Story Chapter 5).

※ You can experience this content in advance via the "Advance Screening" function.

● Agent Trust Events

New Trust Events for Hoshimi Miyabi, Soukaku, and Asaba Harumasa.

Availability: Permanently available after Version 1.4 goes live.

How to Unlock: Obtain the corresponding Agents and complete the required Stories (Please see Workbench > Partner Archive)

※ Starting from Version 1.4, the Invitation Events for newly added Agents will be upgraded to Quality Time Invites. Invitation Events for existing Agents will be upgraded in future versions.

● The Agent Story "A Name Written in Water" is partially included in Agent Asaba Harumasa's Trust Events, and Proxies can choose whether to experience it.

● Adds Quality Time Events

After Version 1.4 goes live, the Quality Time Events for Agents will be available:

Wish Events: Completing a Wish Event for the first time increases the Agent's Trust and grants Polychromes and other rewards.

Fun Events: Experience and collect the Agent's Fun Events during Quality Time to earn rewards.

Quality Time Spots: Enjoy arcade games with your Agents at the Arcade. More stores will be available for Quality Time activities in future updates.

Invite your Agents to stroll through New Eridu — take selfies, visit popular shops, and create unique memories together!

Availability: Permanently available after Version 1.4 goes live.

Requirements: Obtain the corresponding Agent and raise their Trust level to "Friendly."

*Agent Soldier 11's Quality Time Events will be added in future versions along with her Trust Events.

5. New Areas

● Port Elpis: Available in Main Story Chapter 5 "A Storm of Falling Stars" after Version 1.4 goes live.

A once-bustling port, now largely consumed by the Hollow.

Torchlit Lighthouse stands in the darkness, yet it guides the upper layers. The port walkway meanders through, with lost souls wandering in the labyrinth of containers, searching for the rescue number that's long been torn off.

● Reverb Arena: Available after Version 1.4 goes live. Reach Main Story Chapter 1 - Intermission and complete Agent Story "Mole in the Hole (I)" to unlock.

Renovated from an old tunnel, Reverb Arena serves as a hub for gatherings of all sorts.

It's a hotspot for music lovers, idol group fans, Ethereal researchers, Intelligent Construct enthusiasts, and, of course, Bangboo.

● H.S.O.S. 6 Office: Available after completing Main Story Chapter 5 "A Storm of Falling Stars" and acquiring Miyabi's token.

HAND Headquarters' accessible zones have been adjusted following Miyabi's authorization.

H.S.O.S. 6 Office is located in HAND Headquarters and is the main office area of Hollow Special Operations Section 6.

6. New Events

● Special Visitor

Invite Asaba Harumasa to your squad now and claim upgrade supplies to level up your Agent from Lv. 1 to Lv. 40!

"I don't need to clock in if I'm on field duty... How about I become your personal liaison?"

Event Duration: After Version 1.4 goes live – 2025/03/12 05:59 (UTC+8)

Requirements: Reach Inter-Knot Lv. 8 and unlock the Event feature in the Main Story Prologue - Intermission.

● All-New Program

Log in for a total of 7 days to earn Encrypted Master Tape ×10!

Event Duration: After Version 1.4 goes live – 2025/01/21 03:59 (server time)

Requirements: Reach Inter-Knot Lv. 8 and unlock the Event feature in the Main Story Prologue - Intermission.

● Into That Pale Wasteland

The dangers of cursed lands

shall fall before this blade.

Event Duration: Available throughout Version 1.4 (for the exact start time, please stay tuned for the upcoming event announcements).

Requirements: Reach Inter-Knot Lv. 23 and Main Story Chapter 2 - Intermission.

※ For the best experience, it is recommended to complete Main Story Chapter 5 "A Storm of Falling Stars" before participating in this event.

※ Once time is up, the "Into That Pale Wasteland" event will be documented in Ridu Chronicles. Proxies can continue playing event content in Ridu Chronicles.

● Where the Stars Shine Bright

Curious about the youngest Void Hunter in New Eridu and her unstoppable team?

The HIA & Section 6 special promo starts today — stay tuned!

Event Duration: 2024/12/23 10:00 (server time) – 2025/01/06 03:59 (server time)

Requirements: Reach Inter-Knot Lv. 15 and complete Agent Story "Mole in the Hole (I)."

● Data Bounty: Combat Simulation

During the event, Combat Simulation rewards will be doubled.

"There are many things that require your assistance, but you'll be well compensated~"

Event Duration: 2024/12/25 04:00 (server time) – 2024/12/30 03:59 (server time)

Requirements: Unlock Combat Simulation in Main Story Chapter 1 "Cat's Lost & Found."

● Windchaser Harumasa

The long night lingers, yet hope glimmers with golden light.

Event Duration: 2024/12/30 10:00 (server time) – 2025/01/20 03:59 (server time)

Requirements: Reach Inter-Knot Lv. 15 and complete Agent Story "Mole in the Hole (I)."

※ For the best experience, it is recommended to complete Main Story Chapter 5 "A Storm of Falling Stars" before participating in this event.

※ The Exchange Store will close at 2025/01/21 03:59 (server time).

● Bangboo vs Ethereal

An important assessment for Bangboo agents, Bangboo investigators, and Public Security Bangboo.

Only those who pass are awarded the prestigious Hollow Operations Certificate!

Event Duration: 2024/12/20 10:00 (server time) – 2025/01/20 03:59 (server time).

Requirements: Reach Inter-Knot Lv. 15 and complete Agent Story "Mole in the Hole (I)."

● "En-Nah" Into Your Lap

Log in for a total of 7 days to obtain Boopon ×10!

Event Duration: 2025/01/01 10:00 (server time) – 2025/01/21 03:59 (server time)

Requirements: Reach Inter-Knot Lv. 8 and unlock the Event feature in the Main Story Prologue - Intermission.

● Combat Footage Review

Once captured with a click of the shutter, precious moments can be revisited anytime.

So... who exactly triggered the detonator before the agreed time last time?!

Event Duration: 2025/01/03 10:00 (server time) – 2025/01/13 03:59 (server time)

Requirements: Reach Inter-Knot Lv. 15 and complete Agent Story "Mole in the Hole (I)."

● Collab Designer

Each meticulously designed level is like a conversation between the designer and the player.

But a conversation seems a bit... slow? Sybil decides to send out questionnaires instead.

Event Duration: 2025/01/09 04:00 (server time) – 2025/01/20 03:59 (server time).

Requirements: Reach Inter-Knot Lv. 23 and Main Story Chapter 2 - Intermission.

● Before the Curtain Rises

Log in for 7 days to obtain Polychrome ×480!

"The show is about to begin. Please turn off your lights... and get ready for Astra."

Event Duration: 2025/01/13 10:00 (server time) – 2025/01/29 03:59 (server time)

Requirements: Reach Inter-Knot Lv. 8 and unlock the Event feature in the Main Story Prologue - Intermission.

● Advanced Bounty: Routine Cleanup

During the event, Routine Cleanup rewards will be doubled.

"Battle is almost upon us! Rest assured, the Defense Force will show you who we truly are."

Event Duration: 2025/01/15 04:00 (server time) – 2025/01/20 03:59 (server time)

Requirements: Begin Main Story Chapter 2 - Intermission and unlock Routine Cleanup.

7. New Gameplay

● Hollow Zero: Lost Void

Explore the Lost Void to experience diverse Gear and Resonia effects, enhance Agent combat abilities, and experiment with different playstyles to defeat enemies and earn rare rewards.

Availability: Permanently available after Version 1.4 goes live

Requirements: Complete the Agent Story "Mole in the Hole (I)" to unlock the "Lost Void" series of commissions.

※ After Version 1.4 update, the Investigation Points obtainable each week from Hollow Zero: Withered Domain will no longer be limited.

※ From 2024/12/16 04:00 (server time) to 2024/12/23 04:00 (server time), Investigation Points and Shadow Crystal Data obtained from Hollow Zero will count towards the week's Bounty Commissions. Starting from 2024/12/23 04:00, Hollow Zero: Withered Domain Bounty Commissions will no longer be updated, and only Shadow Crystal Data will be counted towards Hollow Zero: Lost Void Bounty Commissions.

● Deadly Assault

The new permanent gameplay mode "Deadly Assault" will soon be available.

Challenge powerful enemies to earn Polychrome, Investigation Merits, Dennies, and more rewards!

Event Duration: Permanently available after 2024/12/20 04:00 (server time). The first refresh is set for 2025/01/10 04:00 (server time), with subsequent refreshes occurring every two weeks on Fridays at 04:00 (server time).

Requirements: Reach Inter-Knot Lv. 40 and unlock Shiyu Defense.

● Adds Challenging Mode to The Mystery of Arpeggio Fault

After the Version 1.4 update, Proxies can choose between Normal Mode and Challenging Mode when entering The Mystery of Arpeggio Fault stages. In Challenging Mode, Crimson Silk acquisition increases by 50%, Agents cannot be recruited, Tech Tree effect trigger rates are halved, and enemy stats are slightly enhanced.

Proxies can select their preferred difficulty level for the challenge.

8. New Systems

● Adds "Special Training Plan" system for Agents Proxies can access it via the Agent interface to:

1. View detailed upgrade plans for Agents, calculate upgrade materials, and quickly navigate to the Agent upgrade or material acquisition screens.

2. Set upgrade plans individually for Agents, skills, and Drive Discs. The set targets will be displayed in their respective modules.

3. Batch set upgrade plans.

4. Designate an Agent as the "Training Target," after which the required materials in the HIA Club, Routine Cleanup, Notorious Hunt, music store, and Compendium screens will be marked for easier identification.

● Adds an Agent Combat Readiness system, allowing Proxies to view recommended upgrade paths for Agents and quickly navigate to their upgrade screens.

● The Inter-Knot now includes a "Journey" system, enabling Proxies to review their progress in Main Story chapters, unlocking functions, and commissions. Reach specific nodes to claim the corresponding chapter rewards.

9. Other New Content

1. New Content

● Adds new enemies: Tyrfing (Infested), Alpeca (Infested), Special Sacrifice Entity, Shatterbug, Autonomous Assault Unit - Typhon Destroyer, and Notorious - Marionette.

● Adds a "Monster Duet" challenge to Routine Cleanup, where the new series of Drive Discs, "Branch & Blade Song" and "Astral Voice" can be obtained.

● Adds "Special Sacrifice Entity" challenge to Notorious Hunt.

● Adds new challenge "Thracian" to Expert Challenge.

● "Hamster Cage Pass" is available for exchange at the NPC Casper's Association Supplies store in Scott Outpost.

● Adds new TV shows: Coffee Mate, Nihility, and Lumina Square Ad.

● Adds a "Manage Resources" function to the mobile version that allows Proxies to delete or download story-related resources via Options > Other.

● Adds new Inter-Knot style avatars.

● Adds new dynamic wallpapers for Agents Hoshimi Miyabi, Soukaku, and Asaba Harumasa. Unlock these dynamic wallpapers by obtaining the respective Agents and increasing their Trust to certain levels.

● Adds new achievements, including some hidden ones, for: A Ridu Journey, Phaethon's Story, Agent Story, Agent Trust, When Opportunities Converge, Hollow Zero, Combat Techniques, Enemy Target, Combat Achievements, Hollow Exploration Guide, and Zero Key.

● Adds two new achievements, "I'm Shiyu" to Shiyu Defense and "Sweep the Battlefield" to Deadly Assault. Unlocking them grants custom achievement avatars.

● Adds a new trophy set to the PS5™ and PS5™ Pro platforms: "ZZZ: A Storm of Falling Stars" and "ZZZ: Special Challenge Group"

● Adds new selectable Agents for the "Character Selection" feature. Proxies can now switch between all the Agents obtained to freely move around the city.

● Adds a new item, Victoria Housekeeping Coupon, which can be obtained by raising the License Level in Hollow Zero: Lost Void and completing Bounty Commissions. After completing Routine Cleanup stages, Proxies can use Victoria Housekeeping Coupons to directly claim Drive Disc rewards for the corresponding difficulty level.

● Adds street corner random encounters to HAND Headquarters.

● Adds new battle stages and event maps.

● Adds a new themed map, "Melinoe," available in the "Into That Pale Wasteland" event.

● Adds new missions to "Ridu Weekly" (the total number of weekly missions remains unchanged). Proxies can view the week's missions after Ridu Weekly is refreshed every Monday at 04:00 (server time).

● After progressing the main plot in Chapter 5: A Storm of Falling Stars, Officer Mewmew will arrive at Port Elpis. Chat with Officer Mewmew to get Mewmew's Port Elpis Notes, and complete Mewmew challenges to earn each corresponding medal. Challenges consist of City side missions, Bangboo repairs, finding mini cargo trucks, and earning commemorative coins.

● A "Very Low" option for FX Quality has been added to the PC client Options.

● If Proxies manually adjusted the FX Quality setting on the PC client before the Version 1.4 update, the setting will be reset to its default after the update.

● The PC, PS5™, and PS5™ Pro versions now feature scratch effects when Agents attack enemies. For the PC version, enable this effect by selecting "High" for "FX Quality" in Options.

2. Shiyu Defense

Critical Node

▶ Rules Adjustments

● Starting with the Version 1.4 update, Critical Node will refresh biweekly on Fridays at 04:00 (server time). The next refresh is scheduled for January 3, 2025, at 04:00 (server time).

● Adds a Quick Sweep function to Critical Node: Achieving an S rating on the Fourth Frontier or higher in Critical Node will automatically grant an S rating and all rewards for the first three Frontiers in the next season. If you achieve an S rating on the Third Frontier this time, you can skip the first two Frontiers in the next season and start directly from the Third Frontier.

※ The Quick Sweep function will only unlock the corresponding Frontiers in the current season of Critical Node based on the Proxy's most recent Frontier Challenge record.

※ Currently, this function only applies to the first three frontiers.

▶ After the Version 1.4 update, the current Critical Node buff details are listed below:

Phase 1:

Increases Agents' Electric and Ice Anomaly Buildup Rate by 25%.

When enemies enter an Attribute Anomaly state, all squad members' CRIT DMG is increased by 20%, and Attribute Anomaly DMG is increased by 20%, stacking up to 3 stacks, lasting 30s. The duration of each stack is calculated separately.

Phase 2:

Agents' Electric and Ice DMG dealt is increased by 20%.

When attacking enemies in an Attribute Anomaly state, the Agent's CRIT Rate is increased by 20%, and CRIT DMG is increased by 40%.

Phase 3:

Increases Agents' Anomaly Buildup Rate by 25%.

When a Support Agent uses EX Special Attack, Chain Attack, or Ultimate, all squad members' ATK is increased by 15%, and Anomaly Proficiency is increased by 20, lasting for 20s, stacking up to 2 stacks. The duration of each stack is calculated separately.

*Due to recording schedule arrangements, some of the new content in Version 1.4 currently lacks English voiceovers. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused.

[Adjustments and Optimizations]

1. Agents

● Adjusts the Agents' display for certain angles: When viewed from specific angles, the Agent will appear faded.

● Optimizes the 3D model and special effects for Agent Hoshimi Miyabi.

● Optimizes the video animations in the Agent Story UI menu.

● Optimizes the model precision for Tsukishiro Yanagi, Hoshimi Miyabi, Asaba Harumasa, Soukaku, Caesar, Lighter, Burnice, Belle, and Wise in the PC version of the game. When the "High-Precision Character Animation" option is enabled in Options > Graphics, more detailed Agent models will be displayed in the Agent screen, during free city exploration when switching Agents through the "Character Selection" feature, and during story playback.

● Optimizes the model precision for Tsukishiro Yanagi, Hoshimi Miyabi, Asaba Harumasa, Soukaku, Caesar, Lighter, Burnice, Belle, and Wise on the PS5™ and PS5™ Pro versions of the game. More detailed Agent models will be displayed in the Agent screen, during free city exploration when switching Agents via the "Character Selection" feature, during story playback, and in combat.

2. Enemies

● Optimizes the lighting effects for certain enemies.

3. Systems

● Optimizes the Decibels mechanics. After the Version 1.4 update, the Decibels Agents obtained will be calculated individually with the following adjustments:

1) Increases the Decibels gained from hitting enemies or other actions, while reducing the Decibels obtained from applying Attribute Anomaly and Disorder effects to normal and elite enemies. A portion of the Decibels obtained from hitting enemies will be transferred to other squad members.

2) The Assist Points restored when an Agent uses an Ultimate have been reduced from 3 to 1 point.

3) When an Agent uses an Ultimate, besides enemy actions, buff timers, and stage timers, the actions of other Agents and allied units will be paused until the Ultimate animation ends.

4) Adjusts the order of the "Skill Upgrade Suggestions" for certain Agents.

5) The effect range of some Decibels-related Resonia will now only apply to a single Agent. Detailed adjustments can be checked in-game.

6) The W-Engine Slice of Time's "restores energy" effect will remain only effective for the equipper, while the "gains additional Decibels" effect will only apply to the Agent who activates the skill.

● Optimizes the Trust system:

1) Adds a quick jump to the Partner Archive on the DM interface.

2) Adds a quick jump button, "Go Invite," to the Agent screen of the Partner Archive.

3) Optimizes the requirements for Trust level increase events. Once the conditions are met, Proxies can trigger the event directly on Inter-Knot when sending a DM invitation to the Agent, without waiting until the next day.

4) Adds a new daily mission, "Complete an Agent Invite event," to the Compendium - Daily. Completing it will grant 200 Engagement points.

● Optimizes the interaction logic for W-Engine enhancement and Drive Disc upgrade. "Enhance" and "Overclocking" features for W-Engines are now integrated into the "Enhance" button in the lower-right corner. Tap "Enhance" to directly upgrade Drive Discs.

● Adjusts Main Commission content from Prologue to Chapter 3 for a better experience.

● Optimizes the W-Engine Channel interface by adding demonstration videos for W-Engine effects.

● Optimizes the "Character Details" viewing feature in some storyline and trial character interfaces.

● Casper's Association Supplies store at Scott Outpost now offers a new item, "Hidden Treasure," for exchange and Reserved Relic is removed. If you have unused Reserved Relics, you can choose the new selectable reward "Sycophant's Refinement." When exchanging Hidden Treasure using Z-Merits, Proxies can directly select and exchange the desired Precious Relic (Core Skill enhancement materials).

● Optimizes the travel and teleporter functions. Some store teleport points now have a selectable option, "Open the Function interface directly (first time each day)." When enabled, the corresponding store interface will automatically open upon the Proxy’s first teleport to the store each day.

● Ray Tracing is now supported on PS5™ and PS5™ Pro. The feature is enabled by default on PS5™ Pro and can be manually toggled in Options > Graphics for PS5™ (default: off).

● Optimizes the display order of rewards in challenges with double drops.

● Optimizes the display of stage details in Compendium - Tactics.

● Optimizes the layout of Compendium: Combat - Hollow Zero.

● Adds a quick jump to "Deadly Assault" in Compendium - Combat.

● Optimizes the red dot display logic for the Title system.

● Optimizes the Badge system with the new badge "Deadly Assault: Line Breaker," which can be displayed upon unlocking "Deadly Assault."

● Adds a lineup-saving feature to Critical Node. After deploying characters on the Select Squad screen, Proxies will have the option to save the current lineup before returning to the stage screen.

● Optimizes the combat experience in Combat Simulation by granting Agents a fixed amount of Energy at the start of each challenge.

● Optimizes the camera function. When the Proxy takes photos in the city, some NPCs within a certain angle will now look at the camera.

● The coffee shop content has been streamlined, reducing the variety of available coffees. After the Version 1.4 update, Novice Proxies can order Espresso, while Certified Proxies can order both Espresso and Tin Master Specials.

Espresso Effect: Restores 60 Battery Charge and grants the buff: Combat Simulation drops increased by 100% for 1 Enemy Card.

Tin Master Specials Effect: Restores 80 Battery Charge.

● Due to adjustments in the main storyline, after the Version 1.4 update, the achievement "Effective Utilization" can no longer be unlocked using the previous method. The requirements for this achievement have been adjusted.

Before: Push the box to the trigger switch in The Ultimate Collectibles.

After: Find the W-Engine in "The Ultimate Collectibles."

4. Gameplay

● Adds an auto-save function to the arcade game "Bizarre Brigade." If Proxies haven't completed the previous round, you can choose to either "Load Save File" or "Abandon Save File" from the shop at the most recent rest point when re-entering the arcade game.

5. Others

● Optimizes certain in-game art assets across all platform clients, reducing the storage space required. On the PC client, the quality of some scene textures may slightly decrease.

● Optimizes the issue where vehicle license plates in the traffic flow on Lumina Square streets would repeat.

● Optimizes visuals of some scenes in the Simulated Battle Trial.

● Optimizes the projection effects for Wise, Belle, and Agents' models.

● Optimizes the 3D models and art design for some NPCs.

● Adjusts the unlock requirements for Simulated Battle Trial:

Before: Reach Inter-Knot Lv. 36 and complete Main Story Chapter 3 "The Midnight Pursuit."

After: Complete Main Story Chapter 3 "The Midnight Pursuit".

[Issue Fixes]

1. Agents

● Fixes an issue where, under certain circumstances, Agent Tsukishiro Yanagi's Mindscape Cinema "Know Thy Self, Know Thy Enemy" would incorrectly consume the "Clarity" effect.

● Fixes an issue where, when Agent Lighter performs a Shuffle Dodge after a Dodge Counter or Quick Assist, the hit count of his follow-up Basic Attack is abnormal.

● Fixes an issue where, when Agent Lighter dodges, if Basic Attack is not pressed during the Dodge or Dash, pressing it after the Dodge ends skips the 1st hit and directly performs the 2nd hit.

● Fixes an issue where when Agent Lighter has applied Collapse to a target, if Freeze is triggered on the same target, it does not pause the Collapse effect timer.

● Fixes an issue where Agent Rina does not correctly gain Decibels when attacking enemies with EX Special Attack, Ultimate, and other skills that interrupt enemy attacks through summoned creatures.

● Fixes an issue where the visual effects of Agent Ellen's tail do not display correctly when she exits the Roaming state.

● Fixes an issue where Agent Lycaon's skin tone does not display correctly under certain circumstances.

● Fixes an issue where when an Agent's Anomaly Proficiency reaches 600, further increases to the stat are less effective than intended.

2. Bangboo

● Fixes an issue where the eyes of Exploreboo are abnormal.

● Fixes an issue where the eyes of Luckyboo sometimes do not display correctly.

● Fixes an issue where Bangboo cannot properly follow in front of the stairs in certain scenes.

3. Systems

● Fixes an issue where, in Controller Mode, button prompts on certain interfaces are abnormal.

● Fixes an issue where, in Controller Mode, switching screens in "Special Episode" does not function correctly.

● Fixes an issue where, in Controller Mode, the selection window does not function correctly when entering Partner Archive.

4. Gameplay

● Fixes an issue in the arcade game "Bizarre Brigade" where the relic "Despair" has unusual effects.

● Fixes an issue where Bangboo sound effects may be abnormal during the preparation phase of the Simulated Battle Trial.

5. Environments

● Fixes an issue where abnormal models may appear in the air in certain scenes.

● Fixes an issue where the walls in some scenes are abnormal on certain devices.

6. Others

● Fixes an issue where the rendering of Agents, scenes, and other content may appear abnormal on some Android devices.

● Fixes typos found in some in-game text.

● Adjusts, improves, and fixes the in-game text for some languages. These changes will not affect gameplay or functions.

[trumpnewsinternational]

FBI investigates Texas imam accused of making explicit videos with minors

Imam Wisam Sharieff faces serious charges in an FBI investigation into a child exploitation case.

Texas-based Imam Wisam Sharieff, known for his affiliation with AlMaghrib Institute and as the founder of Advocating Qur’anic Literacy (AQL), is facing serious accusations in a case involving the production of explicit videos with minors.

According to an FBI affidavit filed by Special Agent Eric Salvador in Birmingham, Alabama, Sharieff allegedly groomed a mother and her young daughter for sexual exploitation, with disturbing details about how he manipulated them under the pretense of religious guidance.

The affidavit states that Sharieff, while conducting online religious instruction with the mother, allegedly convinced her that reaching an orgasm would bring her closer to Allah. “During her training, SHARIEFF told SUSPECT 2 (the mother) that achieving an orgasm would help her spiritually and allow her to communicate with Allah better,” wrote Agent Salvador. Following this, the mother reportedly became interested in involving her daughter, a minor, to similarly “become closer to Allah.”

The affidavit further reveals that Sharieff and the mother exchanged explicit videos over the messaging app Telegram, where the mother allegedly filmed her daughter in compromising situations. Court documents state that she forced the child to watch pornographic content, introduced adult devices to her, and filmed the incidents before sending the videos to Sharieff. In return, Sharieff reportedly sent explicit videos of himself to her. The FBI was alerted to the ongoing crimes after Sharieff’s wife allegedly discovered the videos on his phone and contacted authorities.

people need to stop infantilising the mother who produced cp of her daughter for wisam sharieff i’m not buying the excuse of ignorance or spiritual abuse she peddled to the courts they’re both pedos - she knew exactly what she was doing and was complicit in her child’s abuse pic.twitter.com/APwbDSicLk— 🦋 (@happyngorgeous) November 5, 2024

The case also involves Blake Miller Barakat, a Shelby County, Alabama resident, who is alleged to be the mother involved. Barakat, 50, was arrested on October 21 and faces 23 charges, including the production and distribution of explicit material involving a minor and child sexual abuse. She remains in custody with a bond set at nearly $2 million. Court records reveal that Barakat is accused of producing over a dozen explicit videos involving her young daughter and sharing them with Sharieff.

This is the woman accused of making videos at the direction of Wisam Sharieff of her child performing sex acts. The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office called it “one of the most egregious crimes our agency has investigated in some time.” Al Maghrib calls it a policy violation. pic.twitter.com/m7WkdSkdru— Ismail Royer (@IsmailRoyer) November 5, 2024

Federal charges have since been brought against Sharieff under 18 U.S.C. Section 2251(a) and (e) for conspiracy to produce child pornography. AlMaghrib Institute, where Sharieff was an instructor for the Quran Revolution program, quickly responded to the allegations, terminating his employment and issuing a statement on social media. “AlMaghrib Institute is horrified at the news of the criminal allegation against Wisam Sharieff,” the institute posted on X, formerly Twitter. “The safety and protection of AlMaghrib Institute’s students and community continues to be our top priority. This criminal allegation is a jarring and sickening experience for his students and our staff.”

In its statement, AlMaghrib clarified that no minors associated with its programs were involved, and that the alleged misconduct did not occur on its educational platform. AlMaghrib also affirmed its strict “zero-tolerance policy” for misconduct, emphasizing that no prior communication from law enforcement regarding Sharieff’s activities had been made to the institute. “We encourage any students who have further concerns due to this news to reach out to us,” the statement added. The institute assured its students and community that the Quran Revolution program would continue without Sharieff, underscoring that “the religion of Allah is not reliant on any one individual.”

MuslimMatters, a widely-read online Muslim publication, also condemned the allegations, announcing an immediate termination of all associations with Sharieff. “These alleged actions are an unspeakable betrayal of trust and an abhorrent abuse of power,” MuslimMatters said. Acknowledging the shock felt by the community, the platform added, “To now confront the possibility that he may have manipulated his position to cause such harm is revolting and distressing.” MuslimMatters urged other organizations to take steps to ensure the safety and well-being of their communities, even suggesting dedicated hotlines for potential victims.

As the investigation continues, both AlMaghrib Institute and MuslimMatters have reaffirmed their commitment to the safety of their communities. AlMaghrib has offered support services to students and encouraged anyone affected by the case to reach out. Meanwhile, MuslimMatters praised the courage of individuals who come forward in such cases, calling their actions vital in exposing and preventing abuses.

FBI investigates Texas imam accused of making explicit videos with minors copyright.

[dadgamerhq]

The Most Challenging Titles for the Nintendo 64!

Is the Nintendo 64 the greatest game console of all time? We reckon it’s certainly up there. With its 64-bit graphics and quirky controller, it was a real game changer. But, like all things in life, it wasn’t without its flaws. Some of the games were rather tough—occasionally downright infuriating. A few of them were difficult for all the wrong reasons, where shoddy production values made them harder than they should have been. Here are the 20 most challenging N64 games that probably had you pulling your hair out. 1 of 20 Superman 64 - Developer: Titus Interactive

We don’t usually kick things off with a “hard because it’s rubbish” game, but “Superman 64” is something of a legend in the world of bad games. Sure, it had the name recognition, and the chance to don the cape of the Man of Steel sounded exciting. But this game is a glitchy mess with controls that are more confusing than a Rubik’s Cube in the dark. Many players couldn’t even manage the first objective without wanting to hurl the controller out the window. 2 of 20 Perfect Dark - Developer: Rare

Let’s pivot from one of the worst to perhaps one of the best. “Perfect Dark” took everything people loved about “GoldenEye” and cranked it up a notch. One of those notches was the difficulty, but “Perfect Dark” was such a thrill that most didn’t mind. Special mention goes to the “Perfect Agent” difficulty level, which might as well be renamed “Mission: Impossible.” 3 of 20 Donkey Kong 64 - Developer: Rare

“Donkey Kong” games have always had a sneaky way of being surprisingly difficult. They’re so fun that you almost forget how tough they are. “Donkey Kong 64” may not reach the heights of “Donkey Kong Country,” but it’s still a cracking game. The real challenge here is the relentless item collecting—miss something, and you’ll find yourself backtracking more than a forgetful postman. It’s time-consuming and a touch frustrating. 4 of 20 Conker’s Bad Fur Day - Developer: Rare

Here’s an oddity for you. Conker, the cheeky squirrel, started life in “Diddy Kong Racing” before taking a sharp left turn into adult-rated territory with “Conker’s Bad Fur Day.” This game is a bit of a mess, with a story so bizarre it’s almost easy to overlook how tough the gameplay is. But don’t be fooled by the swearing and crude jokes—it’s not an easy ride. 5 of 20 Turok 2: Seeds of Evil - Developer: Acclaim

“Turok: Dinosaur Hunter” was one of the N64’s early hits, and the sequel upped the ante in every way. This one’s more of a horror game, with boss fights that are notoriously difficult. The levels are massive, and it’s easy to get lost—which might be part of the horror, to be honest. This game also pushed the N64 to its limits, which means it’s as tricky to navigate as it is to survive. 6 of 20 Blast Corps - Developer: Rare

A puzzle game that’s one of the N64’s best-kept secrets, “Blast Corps” challenges you with increasingly difficult levels—57 in total, no less. The medal challenges towards the end are the stuff of legend, with even the game’s developers admitting they’re “technically possible” to beat. Good luck with that one. 7 of 20 F-Zero X - Developer: Nintendo

Racing games are often seen as lighthearted fun, but “F-Zero X” is having none of that. The follow-up to the SNES’s “F-Zero” is blisteringly fast, and the tiniest mistake can send you flying off the track. It’s a game that demands perfection, which is easier said than done. 8 of 20 Body Harvest - Developer: Midway

“Body Harvest” was delayed because Nintendo thought it was too violent. When it finally came out, the violence was all anyone could talk about, but it’s also an incredibly tough game. The save points are few and far between, and the gameplay is about as intuitive as a physics textbook written in Klingon. Prepare to die. A lot. 9 of 20 Doom 64 - Developer: Midway

We’ve always felt “Doom” belongs on a PC, but that didn’t stop the series from making its way to consoles. “Doom 64” has the honour of being the hardest of the bunch, with enemies that are tougher than a two-dollar steak. It’s a real challenge, even for seasoned “Doom” veterans. 10 of 20 Mischief Maker - Developer: Nintendo

A 2D side-scrolling puzzle game on the Nintendo 64? “Mischief Makers” is a bit of a cult classic, known for its fast pace and steep learning curve. Combine those two, and you’ve got a game that feels like being thrown into the deep end of a swimming pool—without your armbands. 11 of 20 Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire - Developer: Nintendo

There’s always one tough “Star Wars” game on every Nintendo platform, and for the N64, it’s “Shadows of the Empire.” The recreation of the Battle of Hoth might be a blast, but this game is no walk in the park. Even on the easiest setting, it’s a challenge, and the hardest level is enough to turn you to the Dark Side. 12 of 20 StarCraft 64 - Developer: Blizzard

Much like “Doom,” “StarCraft” got an N64 port, but this one didn’t go over quite as well. Turning a first-person shooter into a console game is one thing, but adapting a real-time strategy game like “StarCraft” was another beast entirely. It’s tough—tougher than it needed to be—and the controls didn’t help matters. 13 of 20 Indiana Jones and the Infernal Machine - Developer: LucasArts

An original Indiana Jones adventure on the N64? That’s a bit of a novelty. Unfortunately, “Infernal Machine” proved a tough nut to crack, with levels that are confusing at best and enemies that’ll make you wish for the simplicity of dodging boulders. Still, it’s better than “Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.” 14 of 20 Diddy Kong Racing - Developer: Rare

Rare’s answer to “Mario Kart,” “Diddy Kong Racing” was hugely popular. But don’t be fooled by the cute characters—this game was tough, especially in single-player mode. It’s packed with objectives and challenges that’ll make you wish you were just cruising around in “Mario Kart” instead. 15 of 20 Glover - Developer: Nintendo

In “Glover,” you play as, well, a glove. Your job is to move a ball from the start of the level to the end. Sounds simple, right? Wrong. The controls are as tricky as they come, and getting that ball to do what you want is a real test of patience. Some people relish the challenge; others find it a slog. 16 of 20 Buck Bumble - Developer: UbiSoft

“Buck Bumble” is a sci-fi game set in the distant future of… 2010. It wasn’t the prettiest game, and the gameplay was equally clunky. Most people finished the game and still felt like they hadn’t quite figured out how to play it. Add in some dodgy graphics and thick “game fog,” and you’ve got a game that’s frustrating in more ways than one. 17 of 20 Rayman 2: The Great Escape - Developer: UbiSoft

The “Rayman” series is notorious for its difficulty, and when it made the leap to 3D, things didn’t get any easier. “The Great Escape” was a hit, but if you ever had to ride a rocket in this game, you probably experienced a few flashes of frustration (and maybe some broken controllers). 18 of 20 Ogre Battle 64: Person of Lordly Caliber - Developer: Atlus

“Ogre Battle 64” is a proper RPG, which is rare on the N64. Like many RPGs, it involves a lot of grinding—hours and hours of it. Some people love that sort of thing, but there’s no denying that it makes the game a tough nut to crack. You can enjoy a difficult game and still find it a bit of a slog. 19 of 20 Jet Force Gemini - Developer: Rare

“Jet Force Gemini” is one of the two games most often cited as the hardest on the N64. Prepare to backtrack—constantly. You’ll find yourself missing crucial items, searching for them high and low, and then needing to save every “Tribal” just to face the final boss. Oh, and that boss isn’t a pushover either. 20 of 20 The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask - Developer: Nintendo

If “Jet Force Gemini” isn’t the toughest game on the N64, it’s got to be “Majora’s Mask.” After the massive success of “Ocarina of Time,” this sequel was more divisive. It’s significantly harder, largely due to the time loop mechanic that puts you on the clock to complete puzzles and objectives. It’s a race against time, which is quite unlike your typical “Zelda” experience. Fans are divided: some love it, some hate it, but everyone agrees it’s a real challenge.

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[dzthenerd490]

File: X-Files S1 E8 Ice

SCP#: AAQ

Code Name: Murder Parasites

Object Class: Safe

Special Containment Procedures: The four samples of SCP-AAQ are kept in separate biohazard canisters and stored within a small biohazard box. The box is kept in a freezer at Site-AC within the Level 2 area of the Biohazard Labs. Any testing with SCP-AAQ must be approved by at least one Level 3 Foundation staff member. 

In the event of a containment breach SCP-AAQ is not to be moved from its location. Instead, the motion detection explosive on the freezer containing SCP-AAQ and other dangerous pathogens stored in there, will be activated. the explosive will only be turned off AFTER it’s confirmed the containment breach has been completely delt with. 

Description: SCP-AAQ is a parasitic worm like organism capable of infecting the host and filling them with hyper aggression, paranoia, increased survival instincts, and random murderous impulses. SCP-AAQ attaches itself to the posterior cervical area of the spine. Attaching to the spine allows the worm to feed on the numerous chemicals of the brain including acetylcholine, which regulates aggression and improves memory. 

SCP-AAQ is anomalous in behavior, in that it has no desire for infection and reproduction like a normal parasite, only self-preservation. Should two SCP-AAQ instances exist in the same body they will kill one another so that the survivor gets the host. Though more often than not this just leads to the complete annihilation of both instances. Ironically, this shows that the best cure to SCP-AAQ infection is to simply become infected with another and have the two kill each other. However, none of this is to say that SCP-AAQ is not infectious, the blood of the host is typically filled with thousands of SCP-AAQ eggs, naturally leading to exposed wound and blood infection.

Any vertebrate can be infected by SCP-AAQ, but humans have proven the most dangerous hosts as they are excellent at hiding their infection due to still retaining human intelligence along with the heightened aggression and paranoia. Surprisingly SCP-AAQ can survive and even thrive in sub-zero temperatures being able to breed and infect faster in such a state, how this is possible is unknown. Testing has shown that unfortunately hot temperatures do nothing to weaken the parasite, though like all living things it hates fire. Its anomalous properties as well as DNA testing has led to the theory that SCP-AAQ is of extraterrestrial origin and thus is why its biology and behavior doesn't match any parasite found on earth.

SCP-AAQ was discovered in 1993, when a research outpost at [data expunged], Alaska went radio silent after strange reports of violence. Due to the environment and high possibility of danger Mobile Task Force Delta-14 “Winter Wonderland” was deployed. However, upon infiltration they encountered Persons of Interest: Fox Mulder and Dana Scully. Please see Addendum X-14 for details.

***

Addendum X-14

The following is a recording of the four MTF Deta-14 units as they enter the outpost after being transported by a MFWF-13 "Mammoth". All Delta 14 units are armed with temperature nullification suits, bullet-proof armor over it, and Foundation assault rifles, with sample containment cases.

Recording Begins

D1: Alright! Entering the outpost now! Move! Move! Move!

Delta-14 units storm the interior finding all the lights out and no one in sight. D1 through D4 spread out to check the area faster, upon doing so D3 stumbles upon Person of Interest: Fox Mulder standing over a corpse. there is also Person of Interest: Dana Scully and two other civilians.

D3: Shit! All of you, hands up right now!

Dr. Hodge: its him! Shoot him! He's infected!

Agent Mulder: No, I'm not infected! It was one of them that killed him!

D3: All of you shut the fuck up! D1 this is D3, come in! I got multiple civilians here and a dead body. Possibly caused by the anomaly!

D1: Copy that D3, heading your way now.

All four Delta-14 units enter the room and order Dana Scully, Fox Mulder, and the two other civilians to go to the other side of the room. D2 the medic goes over to the body to examine him.

D2: This was a murder, not an anomaly.

Dr. Hodge: Yes, it was Mulder that killed him, shoot him before he kills us.

D4: shut up idiot!

D3: He's not wrong thought it was definitely one of them. Though we have no idea which it was.

D1: We don't have time for a murder mystery, we need to find the anomaly.

Dr. Hodge: I'm telling you Mulder's infected! Kill him!

Agent Mulder: It was one of you! you must have killed him!

D1: All of you shut up! I don't want to hear another word... wait, did you say Mulder?

Fox Mulder and Dana Scully look at one another before Fox Mulder addresses the Delta-14 units.

Agent Mulder: Yeah, that's me, Fox Mulder.

D1: Shit, keep these idiots here, I need to make a call.

D2 and D4 raise their rifles at the four to keep them still while D1 exist the room.

D1: Command this is D1, we got Person of Interest: Fox Mulder here, please advise.

Command: Copy that D1, Fox Mulder is not to be harmed in any way due to his possible connections to Group of Interest: The Syndicate. Additionally, if he has a red-haired woman with him that is Person of Interest: Dana Scully. Ensure that Fox Mulder and Dana Scully do not encounter the anomaly in any way.

D1: Copy that command, D1 out.

D1 then returns to the room.

D1: Alright, Fox Mulder and Dana Scully, I need you both to come with me.

Dr. Hodge: Wait no listen to me he's infected!

D4: How many times do we have to tell you to shut the fuck up?!

Dr. Hodge: God man it you damn FBI agents knew about this didn't you! These military guys are your buddies and they're here to get you out while you cover it all up! Damn all of you!

D4: I said shut up!

D4 hits the Dr. Hodge in the stomach with the butt of his rifle, however upon doing so Dr. Da Silva starts screaming erratically and lunges on him. She attempts to steal his gun, but he easily pushes her off. She tries to get back up but D4 shoots her in the head killing her instantly.

D4: Ugh, what the fuck was wrong with that bitch!

D3: Ugh, what the hell is that?

SCP-AAQ can be seen wiggling out of Dr. Da Silva's forehead where D4 shot her, it thrashes around. Until D2 grabs it with some tweezers, then places it in a containment capsule and into his containment case.

D2: I'm guessing this was the anomaly.

D3: A worm that makes people go berserk? That's new.

Dr. Hodge: you killed her... you killed her without hesitation you fucking monster...

D4: Oh my god shut up! She was trying to kill me, and in case you didn't notice she had a fucking worm in her head!

D2: Uh guys, how do we know they aren't infected?

Agent Scully: We're not, if we were then we would be showing signs of aggression and paranoia by now.

Dr. Hodge: You fucking murders... the government covers up everything with murder...

D4: ... This guy is definingly acting pretty weird.

Agent Mulder: No he's not infected it was only one person who was infected, he couldn't be infected.

Dr. Hodge: Your infected! I know your infected, you have to be!

D4: Better safe than sorry.

D4 then shoots Dr. Hodges in the head, killing him instantly. Dana Scully is horrified by the sight while Fox Mulder remains silent.

D1: Alright that's enough killing. Look around for any other samples and let's get the hell out of here.

Recording Ends

After a few blunders, the Delta-14 units contained samples from the corpses and an infected dog found later. Afterwards Fox Mulder and Dana Scully were escorted out of the outpost and to the nearest airport. After being dropped off, Fox Mulder tried to get answers out of the Delta-14 units, but they ignored his every question and left the area in as fast as they could. Foundation agents disguised as flight attendants boarded the same plane as Fox Mulder and Dana Scully to drug them with Class G Amnestics. The drugs worked on Dana Scully but were of minimal effect on Fox Mulder. This has raised his Watch List level from 2 to 3. 

.

SCP: Horror Movie Files Hub

[pianogirlxf]

15 Questions 15 Answers

Thanks @randomfoggytiger

1. Are you named after anyone?

My Dad said yes, my Mom said no. So, maybe? It’s a very unusual name and in my entire life I’ve only met a handful of other people with it.

2. When was the last time you cried?

Yesterday when talking about my deceased father.

3. Do you have kids?

Three. Girl, boy, girl.

4. Do you use sarcasm a lot?

I sure did when I was younger. It was my default. Now almost never.

5. What sports do you play/have played?

Zero. I don’t even really like to watch them much. Baseball is OK.

6. What’s the first thing you notice about other people?

Their height.

7. What’s your eye color?

A warm brown, almost amber.

8. Scary movies or happy endings?

Happy endings, if I have to chose. But I actually prefer gritty realism.

9. Any special talents?

Special? I have talents, but I think they are pretty run of the mill, such as playing the piano.

10. Where were you born?

California, US. But I have lived many, many places.

11. What are your hobbies?

Sewing. I love to make my own clothes. Anything X-Files. Learning Finnish.

12. Do you have any pets?

Two cats, Mochi and Clementine.

13. How tall are you?

5’11”, which is probably why I always notice people’s height.

14. Favorite subject in school?

Music, English, and History

15. Dream job?

Other than Agent Mulder’s personal assistant, you mean? Composer. Which I am, so lucky me, I guess. Although I would like to be a world-famous Pulitzer Prize winning composer, which I am not. So there’s that.

Let’s see your answers

[love-me-a-lotta-whump]

Crime / Cop - Whump Lists

Whump lists that fall under the crime and/or cop genre. (Will include courtroom dramas and on-the-run dramas)

DRAMAS

🇰🇷Korea

Duel >> {x}

He Is Psychometric >> {x}

Confession >>> {x}

I Hear Your Voice/I Can Hear Your Voice >>> {x}

Memorist >>> {x}

Kill It >>> {x}

Two Weeks >>> {x}

Healer >>> {x}

Doctor Detective >>> {x}

Lawless Lawyer >>> {x}

Flower of Evil >>> {x}

Royal Secret Agent >>> {x}

The Game: Towards Zero >>> {x}

Item >>> {x}

Beyond Evil >>> {x}

Happiness >>> {x}

One Ordinary Day >>> {x}

Bulgasal: Immortal Souls >>> {x}

Come And Hug Me >>> {x}

The Smile Has Left Your Eyes >>> {x}

Children of Nobody >>> {x}

Time >>> {x}

Through the Darkness >>> {x}

Snowdrop >>> {x}

Money Heist Korea: Joint Economic Area >>> {x}

Why Her? >>> {x}

Alice, The Final Weapon >>> {x}

Bad Guys >>> {x}

Big Mouth >>> {x}

Blind >>> {x}

Tracer Season 1 >>> {x}

Connect >>> {x}

Revenge of Others >>> {x}

The Good Detective 2 >>> {x}

The Lies Within >>> {x}

Iljimae >>> {x}

Doubtful Victory >>> {x}

Bloodhounds >>> {x}

The Good Bad Mother >>> {x}

A Time Called You >>> {x}

Vigilante >>> {x}

Escape of the Seven: Resurrection >>> {x}

🇨🇳China

Love Me If You Dare >>> {x}

Crime Crackdown >>> {x}

Reset >>> {x}

Under The Skin >>> {x}

Truth >>> {x}

🇯🇵Japan

Bloody Monday Season 1 >> {x}

Bloody Monday Season 2 >>> {x}

Siren >>> {x}

Bitter Blood >>> {x}

Ouroboros >>> {x}

Virtual Detective Tabito Higurashi >>> {x}

Final Life >>> {x}

Hiru (Season 1) >>> {x}

Border >>> {x}

Smoking >>> {x}

Avalanche >>> {x}

Hiru 2 >>> {x}

Why Didn’t I Tell You a Million Times? >>> {x}

The Killer Inside >>> {x}

Diver: Special Investigation Team >>> {x}

Hakubo No Chronicle >>> {x}

Destiny >>> {x}

Final Cut >>> {x}

🇹🇭Thailand

Not Me >>> {x}

===+===

MOVIES

🇰🇷Korea

Psychometry >>> {x}

Secretly, Greatly >>> {x}

V.I.P. >>> {x}

Blind >>> {x}

Pipeline >>> {x}

Yaksha: Ruthless Operations >>> {x}

Fabricated City >>> {x}

Time to Hunt >>> {x}

Project Wolf Hunting >>> {x}

Remember >>> {x}

Shark: The Beginning >>> {x}

🇨🇳China

The Witness >>> {x}

🇯🇵Japan

Joker Game >>> {x}

Impossibility Defense >>> {x}

Blind Witness >>> {x}

The Night Beyond The Tricolored Window >>> {x}

In the Wake >>> {x}

🇺🇸USA

A Mother’s Nightmare >>> {x}

[lizamango]

Finding You (Bucky Barnes x Reader) 3/?

 A/N: Hey everyone, sorry this took so long!! This chapter was kinda hard to write, I felt like there wasn’t much that I could add but I did my best! I wanna get to Bucky as much as you all do! 😭😩

Summary: You’ve been one of SHIELD’s top spies for years but what happens when the organisation you’ve put your trust in crumbles and Captain America gives you a mission to help him find his best friend? The last thing you expected to happen was to fall in love with your assignment and become best friends with a witch.

Taglist ~ just comment if you wanna be added

@buckylokisimp​​, @white-wolf-buckaroo​​, @austynparksandpizza, @markandlexies​

Word Count: 2098

​Masterlist

Chapter 1 ~ Chapter 2 ~

Warnings: none

Chapter Summary: You and Steve run from HYDRA

Chapter 3: TOMORROW ISN’T PROMISED TO ANYBODY

I enter a shopping mall where I buy a hoodie for myself and a jacket, glasses and a hat for Rogers using cash. I pass by JD sports and see some Supra Vaders I know the Captain will just love so I go in and grab a pair, and get a pair of Nike Dunk Sky His for myself. I leave and meet him where he waits, away from any crowds and we put on our simple yet effective disguises.

“First rule of going on the run, is don’t run. Walk,” I say, recalling my operations training.

“If I run in these shoes they’re gonna fall off.”

I smirk. “Sorry, thought you’d be bigger.”

Ignoring my innuendo, Steve huffs. “They’re ridiculous, why can’t I lace them up?”

“It’s a fashion statement.” I glance at a map as we pass by. “Apple store���s upstairs.” We ride the escalator and enter the store.

Finding an empty laptop, I get to work. “The drive has a Level 6 homing program so as soon as we boot up, SHIELD will know exactly where we are.”

“How much time will we have?” he asks, surveying the area not so subtly.

“About 9 minutes from…” I insert the drive. “now.” I enter the coding commands to unlock the intel but something inverts each one… now comes in my training from the Academy of Science and Technology. “Fury was right about that ship. Somebody’s trying to hide something.” As I look through the coding script my inputs are rewritten to counter the commands. “This drive is protected by some sort of AI.”

“Like Stark’s robot voice? Can you override it?”

I raise a brow as I type away. “The person who developed this is slightly smarter than me. Slightly. I’m gonna try running a tracer. This is a program that SHIELD developed to track hostile malware, so if we can’t read the file, maybe we can find out its origin.” The map tracks a location and pinpoints it as we are approached by a store employee.

“Can I help you guys with anything?”

I react quickly and give him my best charming smile. “Oh, no. My fiancé was just helping me with some honeymoon destinations,” I giggle, placing my hands on Rogers’ shoulders.

“Right,” he adds awkwardly. “We’re gettin’ married.”

“Congratulations! Where are you guys thinkin’ about goin’?”

I go back to the laptop and the state has been pinpointed.

“New Jersey,” the Captain reads aloud.

“Huh,” the employee lets out, surprised. “I have the exact same glasses,” he says after a pause.

“Wow, you two are practically twins,” I remark as I type away.

“Yeah, I wish!” he chuckles. “Specimen. Uh, if you guys need anything… I’ve been Aaron.”

“Thank you,” Rogers rushes out. “You said 9 minutes,” he checks his watch. “Come on.”

I shush him. “Relax… I’m working.” The screen reads Wheaton, New Jersey. “Done.” I look up at him and he has a frown on his face. “You know it?”

“I used to. Let’s go.” He pulls the hard drive out of the laptop and we walk out of the store. “Standard tac team. Two behind, two across,” he turns to face forward. “two comin’ straight at us. If they make us, I’ll engage, you hit the south escalator to the metro.”

As he speaks I roll my eyes, this guy was definitely not meant for the spy world. “Put your arm around me and laugh at something I said,” I say.

“What?” he sounds utterly confused.

“Do it.” I feel his arm rest on my shoulder and he gives the most awkward laugh I have ever heard come from a person. “See, Captain? No need to make such a scene.” We work our way to the escalator and I spot Rumlow on the escalator coming up. I turn to look up at Rogers. “Kiss me.”

“What?” he says again, flustered.

“Public displays of affection make people very uncomfortable.”

“Yes they do!” he whispers.

I put my hand to the back of his neck and push him towards me so our lips meet and I feel his hand fall on my waist. I open my eyes and pull away slowly after enough time has passed.

“You still uncomfortable?” I ask turning and walking down the escalator.

“That’s not exactly a word I would use,” he murmurs and quiets down as we get to the parking lot.

“We could get bus tickets to New Jersey, think I’ve got enough cash for the trip,” I suggest.

“Keep a look out,” he says approaching a truck as I frown but do as he says. In no time I hear the start of an engine and whirl to look at him. “Come on, we don’t have all day,” he says smugly.

I get into the passenger’s side and he starts to drive to the Garden State.

“Can’t believe Captain America can steal cars…” I say striking up a conversation.

He chuckles. “Kind of a necessary skill when you’re fighting a World War and you’re in enemy territory.”

I hum and he glances at me. “And it’s not stealing if we give it back so get your feet off the dash.”

“Bossy,” I remark but do as he says. “I like that,”

There’s a pink tint to his cheeks and his jaw clenches but he doesn’t say anything.

“So I have a question for you…” I start with a raised brow. “But you don’t have to answer if you don’t want to, although no answer is an answer in itself so-“

“Get to it, L/N,” he interrupts authoritatively.

“Was that your first kiss since 1945?” I smirk.

“That bad, huh?”

“I didn’t say that!” I laugh.

“Well it kinda sounds like that’s what you’re saying.”

“I was just… wondering if you’ve had practice… since going… into the ice,” for a super secret agent, that answer lacked finesse. “It’s just, I don’t know how you did it in 1945 but guys normally move their mouths for a long kiss like that,” I shrug.

“I don’t need practice.”

“Everyone needs practice.”

“It was not my first kiss since 1945. I’m 95, not dead.”

“Oh?” I say, curiosity piqued. “Who’s been kissing Captain America then?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know?”

“Someone special?”

He chuckles. “It might come as a surprise to you but it’s hard to find someone with shared life experience,” he says sarcastically.

“That’s okay, you just make stuff up.”

“What, like you?” I know he doesn’t intend for it to sound mean so I shrug it off.

“Not everyone can handle the truth, can they? I wouldn’t mind a few white lies to keep something good going… and you don’t need shared life experience, right? Not really… there’s that whole opposites attract notion, after all.”

“But it’s good to have someone who understands what you’re going through, right?”

I shrug… sometimes not knowing is better. Safer. “Maybe. But in this occupation…” I sigh. “Well I wouldn’t know. I’ve never been in love.”

“You’ve – you never had someone?” Looks like I threw him for a loop.

Shaking my head I turn to look out my window at the trees we pass by. “I don’t hate love or anything… it’s just dangerous to love someone like… us. Isn’t it? They’d either get hurt by people we go after or… ya know, if we don’t come back… it hurts them too.”

“But tomorrow isn’t promised to anybody,” he reasons. “So why deprive yourself of something as great as love on the off chance you die?”

“Because it’s easier.”

“For who?”

“Why the interest Rogers? You wanna fill that spot? Play a little house? Imagine we don’t have to save the world from domestic terrorists?”

He hums at my decision to not answer the question. “No, that’s not what I need right now.”

“And what do you need?”

“Just…” he sighs. “a friend.”

Of course. “Well, there’s a chance you might be in the wrong business, Rogers…”

“Maybe we could start with not calling each other our last names?” he offers.

I smile. “Maybe.”

We arrive at the location the tracer indicated as the sun is setting.

Camp Lehigh is on a sign but it seems to be long abandoned.

“The file came from these coordinates,” I say as I pick the lock on the chained fence.

“So did I…” Steve says looking up at the sign in nostalgia. “This camp is where I was trained.”

“Change much?”

“A little…”

I wonder around, scanning the area for any thing to indicate a power source. “This is a dead end. Zero heat signatures, zero waves. Not even radio. Whoever created the file must have used a router to throw people off.” I tuck the scanner in my back pocket and the Captain looks up at me then shifts his gaze to behind me, frowning. “What is it?”

He starts walking and I follow. “Army regulations forbid storing munitions within 500 yards of the barracks. This building’s in the wrong place.” He breaks the lock with his shield and we enter as it leads us underground.

I turn on the lights and it reveals the insignia painted on the wall. “This was SHIELD. The early days, after it evolved from the Strategic Scientific Reserve,” I say, recognizing the outdated logo.

We wander around, finding a wall of three portraits. “The three founders.” He looks at me. “What? The history is one of the things they teach at the academies. Colonel Philips, Howard Stark and Margaret Carter.”

“There are academies?”

“Three. Very tough admission.”

Rogers spots something and looks closer. “If you’re already working in a secret office…” he pushes the shelves apart. “Why do you need to hide the elevator?”

Using my SHIELD issued code breaking device I type in the code for the elevator which takes us down even further to a room of computers, monitors and servers.

“This can’t be right… this equipment is ancient how could it be used to make the files?”

There was one place that looked like it came from this century and I decide to take a risk and plug in the usb drive. The servers whir and more lights come on.

“Initiate system?” a computerized voice says.

Yes, I type. “Creepy.” As we wait for the system to boot up I smirk. “Shall we play a game?” I laugh at myself. “It’s from a movie that was really pop-“

“I know,” he interrupts. “I saw it.”

A camera moves to Rogers and a voice recites his name and year of birth. Then it turns to me and does the same.

“Is this the AI that was blocking my commands back at the mall?” I say looking closer.

“I may not be the man I was back when the Captain took me in 1945 but I am.” A photo appears on one of the other screens.

“You know this… thing?”

“Arnim Zola was a German Scientist who worked for the Red Skull.”

“He’s been dead for years,” I add, remember something of the history lessons.

“First correction, I am Swiss. Second, look around you. I have never been more alive.” The robot voice recounts his end of life story and how he uploaded his consciousness into databanks.

“How did you get here?”

“By invitation.”

“It was Operation Paperclip after World War II. SHIELD recruited German scientists with strategic value. Always thought they shoulda just locked them all up… we probably wouldn’t be in this mess if they did.”

“HYDRA would have died with the Red Skull.”

“Cut off one head… two more shall take its place,” I recite their mantra aloud.

“When history did not cooperate… history was changed.” A flurry of photos of the Winter Soldier in the back ground of significant political events appear on the screens.

“That’s impossible, SHIELD would have stopped you,” I say, moving closer.

“Accidents would happen.” News of Howard and Maria Stark’s car accident shows up next.

Rogers punches the screen as Zola provokes him.

Does that mean…? I don’t finish the thought as the mad scientist explains what the drive contains.

“What kind of algorithm? What does it do?” I ask.

The doors begin to close as Steve is too late to throw his shield. A beeping comes from my communicator, detecting something. “Steve, we got a bogey. Short range ballistic 30 seconds tops.”

“Who fired it?”

“SHIELD.” I pull out the drive and Steve pulls a grate from the floor. I jump in and he follows, putting the shield up above us as rubble rains down on us. He strains against the weight of it all and the debris settles.

💖💖

Thank you for reading!

I'll be gone until Monday again but I'll try to write on my phone!! I have literally never been so busy throughout this summer until now!

Chapter 4

[genshin-impact-updates]

"Midsummer Island Adventure" Version 1.6 Update Details: Part 2

V1.6 Update Details

Dear Travelers,

Below are the details of the Version 1.6 update "Midsummer Island Adventure" Part 2.

X. Adjustments & Optimizations

● System

Increases the load limit of the Serenitea Pot.

Optimizes the dialogue experience with the teapot spirit. After closing the secondary level dialogue option of the teapot spirit, it will return to the previous level dialogue options.

The Traveler will no longer appear in the Expedition Dispatch character selection list.

4-star artifacts can be destroyed in return for Mora.

Some indestructible level-up materials are now destroyable.

Optimizes the Weapon Enhancement Materials placement slots: increased from 6 slots to 20 slots.

Crafting or forging can be performed in Co-Op Mode, and Travelers returning to their own world can obtain the forging rewards performed while in Co-Op Mode. Crafting recipes and forging recipes are unlocked based on the Traveler's own progress.

Optimizes the sorting rules of the crafting/forging list, so that Travelers can craft the same type of material more easily.

Optimizes some controller operations: the slider in crafting, forging, production of dyes, and the Settings interface can now be controlled by holding the respective operation.

After teleporting out of domains, "Challenge Failed" will no longer be displayed.

Optimizes the classification of camera-related settings: the settings for Combat Camera Settings, Camera Y-Axis Resets Automatically, and Default Camera Distance have been moved from Settings > Other to Settings > Controls.

Optimizes the touch feedback of multiple UI buttons.

Optimizes the sticker display and Fast Chat button in the chat box.

Optimizes the aiming experience: in Aiming Mode, the tracking effect of the crosshair is more accurate when adjusting the position of the crosshair in small increments.

Increases the stack limit of some Furnishings of the same type in the Inventory from 999 to 9,999.

The Adventurer Handbook has a function to automatically track and navigate to enemies.

If players have Condensed Resin and less than 20 Original Resin, selecting "Continue Challenge" after challenging the Domain will not bring up the pop-up window.

● Co-Op Mode

Adds status markers when teammates are switching characters in the Party Preparation screen.

When a teammate is not within range of the currently displayed map area, a teammate marker will be displayed at the edge of the map. Travelers can click on that marker to quickly locate their teammates.

>Optimizes the text displayed after players are removed from Co-Op Mode.

● Audio

Adjusts the Chinese, Japanese, and Korean voice-over for certain characters, and fixes some issues with certain voice-over abnormalities and errors.

Optimizes and fixes the sound effects for certain character skills, environments, and items.

● Other

Adjusts the description of the food item "Stormcrest Pie."

Increases the damage caused by major reactions (i.e. Electro-Charged, Superconduct, Overloaded, Swirl, and Shatter), when a character reaches Level 60 or above.

Increases the Base Shield DMG Absorption for shields generated by Crystallize reactions.

Increases the DMG Bonus provided by Elemental Mastery for major reactions. (Refer to the attributes panel in-game for the exact DMG Bonus amount.)

〓Bug Fixes〓

● Quests

Fixes an issue with the Daily Commission "Big Pudgy Problem!" whereby some Electro Slimes may incorrectly appear underground.

Fixes an issue whereby NPCs in some quests would still disappear to hide from the rain.

● Domains

Fixes an issue when challenging the Domains "Lost Treasure of Arcadia" and "Deserted Ruins of Thermadon" whereby characters may skip certain parts of the process under specific circumstances.

● Monsters

Fixes an issue with the Cryo Hypostasis whereby when it is in a state of revival, characters may get stuck when performing Plunging Attacks above it.

Fixes an issue whereby the Fatui - Pyro Agent may incorrectly remain in place during combat.

● Co-Op

Fixes an issue in Co-Op Mode whereby, under certain circumstances, when Travelers enter the Serenitea Pot or return to the open world, they will receive the erroneous message that another Traveler "has left their world" or "has left the Serenitea Pot." (There is no issue with actual game functions.)

Fixes an issue in Co-Op Mode whereby when the Holding Mode of Lisa's Elemental Skill hits opponents, an incorrect quantity of Elemental Particles may be generated.

Fixes an issue in Co-Op Mode whereby players may not be able to collect wood in the open world.

Fixes an issue in Co-Op Mode whereby some special effects remained in the original position after teleportation.

● Characters

Fixes an issue with Tartaglia whereby the maximum duration of Melee Stance is shortened if Tartaglia immediately uses his Elemental Burst after entering Melee Stance.

Fixes an issue whereby Diluc's eagle may incorrectly remain when switching from his Attributes page to his Constellation page.

Fixes an issue with Venti, Chongyun, Razor, Xiao, Fischl, Yanfei, Noelle, Xinyan, Ningguang, Eula, and Diona whereby when they use an Elemental Burst, there is a small chance that the character will be launched if hit by an attack.

Fixes an issue with Razor whereby his Lv. 2 Constellation "Suppression" fails to take effect on Plunging Attacks.

Fixes an issue whereby the icons for Eula's Lv. 1 and 2 Constellations are displayed incorrectly.

Fixes an issue with Xingqiu whereby after his Elemental Skill is cast, if the game reconnects, there may be an error in the duration of the Rain Swords.

Fixes an issue with Xiangling's idle animation whereby there may be an error with her expression.

Fixes an issue whereby when switching characters while protected by a shield, there is a small chance that the character who takes the field will be launched if hit by an attack with a stronger interrupt effect at the moment of switching.

Fixes an issue whereby when characters enter a conversation when their HP is about to go to zero due to Burning, the character will freeze after the conversation ends.

Fixes an issue whereby the duration of meteorites summoned by the Geo Traveler's Elemental Skill and stone walls from the Elemental Burst may be abnormal in certain situations.

Fixes an issue with Yanfei whereby the color of her eyes in the character icon and the character model are inconsistent.

● Weapons

Fixes an issue with the weapon "Lithic Spear" whereby the color of some parts of it in the icon and the weapon model are inconsistent.

● System

Fixes an issue with the Serenitea Pot whereby the door Furnishing may unexpectedly disappear when swapping it.

Fixes an issue with the Serenitea Pot whereby the Furnishing "Fragrant Cedar Vegetable Rack" of the Furnishing Set "Busy Kitchen" cannot be placed indoors.

Fixes an issue with the Serenitea Pot whereby the names and descriptions of some Furnishings are incorrect.

Fixes an issue with the Serenitea Pot whereby four characters are unable to sit around the Furnishings "Wooden Outdoor Tea Table" and "Bamboo Outdoor Tea Table."

Fixes an issue with the Serenitea Pot whereby the door Furnishings, walls, and ceilings may unexpectedly disappear when swapping decorations.

Fixes an issue for players on PlayStation®4 whereby during the World Quest "A Teapot to Call Home: Part II," if the game reconnects during the quest objective "Talk to Tubby," the camera angle will be locked.

Fixes an issue for players on PlayStation®4, whereby there may be an error with the camera angle when Tartaglia uses his Elemental Burst after entering Melee Stance.

Fixes an issue whereby after clicking and holding the scroll wheel to use Elemental Sight, the camera angle may re-center when releasing the scroll wheel.

● Audio

Fixes an issue with Zhongli's Story Quest "Historia Antiqua: Act II - No Mere Stone," whereby there is an error with the English voice-over for the line "My life is nigh on eternal. I will go on with the infinite flow of time. And you, Morax... You too will live for many a day to come." such that it does not match the subtitle.

Fixes an issue whereby the character voice-over line "When Thunder Strikes" is incorrectly triggered repeatedly when there is thunder in the open world.

Fixes an issue in the open world whereby the character voice-over line triggered by an increase in Friendship Level is not interrupted normally or it overlaps with other audio after switching to other interfaces.

Fixes an issue with some weather conditions at Stormterror's Lair in Mondstadt whereby the character voice-over line "When It Rains" is incorrectly triggered.

Fixes an issue whereby the Korean, Japanese, and English voice-over lines in certain quests are incorrect or are missing.

● Other

Fixes an issue whereby when multiple elemental reactions take place simultaneously, some elemental-reaction-related DMG Bonuses may be incorrect (for example, DMG Bonuses triggered by the 4-Piece Set effects of the Crimson Witch of Flames and Thundering Fury artifact sets).

Fixes an issue whereby the Parametric Transformer gadget incorrectly triggers pressure mechanisms.

Fixes an issue whereby casting characters' skills while using the Windsong Lyre gadget may cause errors with the skills' effects.

Fixes an issue with Jean and Eula whereby their gliding animations are displayed incorrectly.

Fixes an issue in the open world whereby Guoba created by Xiangling's Elemental Skill, the bursts of flame created by Pyro Abyss Mages when they are dancing and regenerating their shields, and the wind current within the Eye of the Storm's Hurricane Sphere are sometimes cast in the incorrect position.

Fixes textual errors and display issues in English, Spanish, French, Indonesian, Japanese, Portuguese, and Thai and optimizes the localization of text. (Note: Related in-game functions have not changed. Travelers can view the changes in different languages by going to the Paimon Menu > Settings > Language and changing the Game Language.) Text-related fixes and optimizations in English include:

◆ Corrects the description of the event rules for Overflowing Wealth. Where the original description reads "Blossoms of Revelation" or "Overflowing Revelation," the revised description reads "Blossoms of Wealth" and "Overflowing Wealth" respectively.

[disneyschedules]

Coming to Disney+ in May 2021.

Here’s a look at what’s coming to Disney+ in May. Source: decider.com

May 4

Star Wars: The Bad Batch: Episode 101 (Series Premiere)

May 7

Wander Over Yonder (S1-2)

Everyone’s Hero (2006)

Flicka 2 (2010)

Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken (1991)

Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007)

Big Shot: Episode 104

The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers: Episode 107

Star Wars: The Bad Batch: Episode 102

May 14

Special Agent Oso (S1-2)

Special Agent Oso: Three Healthy Steps (S1)

X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)

Life Below Zero (S15)

Race to the Center of the Earth (S1)

High School Musical: The Musical: The Series: Episode 201 (Season Premiere)

Big Shot: Episode 105

The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers: Episode 108

Star Wars: The Bad Batch: Episode 103

May 21

Big City Greens (S2)

Mickey Mouse Mixed-Up Adventures (S3 of Mickey Mouse Roadster Racers)

Tinker Bell and the Legend of the Neverbeast (2013)

Fury Files (Interstitials)

Ice Road Rescue (S5)

Running Wild with Bear Grylls (S6)

Inside Pixar: Unpacked

High School Musical: The Musical: The Series: Episode 202

Big Shot: Episode 106

The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers: Episode 109

Star Wars: The Bad Batch: Episode 104

May 28

Bluey (S2)

Sydney to the Max (S3 – Episodes 1-8)

Kingdom of the Polar Bears (S1)

Wicked Tuna (S10 – Episode 1-7)

Cruella (2021) (Disney+ Premier Access)

Launchpad

High School Musical: The Musical: The Series: Episode 203

Big Shot: Episode 107

The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers: Episode 110

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