#steam is better and i will die on that hill

[iveraines]

i just wanna use the funny unreal engine human creator please i do not want to sign up for epic games

and i genuinely lose track of if i have accounts for sites and "you need an account" "you already have an account" bitch PLEASE

i am sick!! of everything needing an account!! please!! my burner email is begging for mercy!! let me use the funny site!!

[beernchipsi]

MY MOST FAVORITE GAME TURNS FIFTEEN TODAY like good lord!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY LEFT 4 DEAD 2 (and the first one too ofc!!) also it's FREE ON STEAM RN so go try it out or if you already have it go and put a couple hours into it today to CELEBRATE IT, maybe get the Good Guy Nick achievement if you don't have it yet

this is my most played game ever (>1100 hrs), my most persistent hyperfixation, the biggest fun i've ever had in a multiplayer game... and i don't even have it in me to draw something bigger and better to celebrate it ahh (being employed sucks i barely have any energy to talk to other people let alone create) i can speak about it for hours upon hours upon hours, both the game itself and its lore are so unique and captivating to me i can barely put it into words. both games feature some of the best characters in all of gaming and i will die on this hill. i am absolutely enthralled by this piece of media someone help me it's been on my mind for YEARS (actually don't i like it here). also i need to get it off my chest I HATE NELLIS WITH MY WHOLE HEART ok goodbye.

[altocat]

thank you for the answer. i am looking for someone who would be willing to write a quick scene of sephiroth visiting angeal’s grave. i have agreed with the theory that angeal was cremated but i still think he had a grave marked somewhere because the young soldiers all loved him. i keep seeing a picture of snowfall and sephiroth seeing the grave for the first time. you don’t have to but i know sad writings are your forte. just a thought 👉👈

I got you! Sorry for the wait! I have put this on AO3 as well. I hope you enjoy!

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Modeoheim was cold. Gray trees in the mid-afternoon, pale sunlight dancing against windswept brick and brush. Black earth at his feet. Abandoned buildings that rusted forlornly in the far distance, forsaken to the elements, slowly rotting where they stood. A crow called in the far distance, the noise echoing off the frigid hills and peaks.

Sephiroth's breath was steaming, gusty plumes that clouded the thick winter air. He lifted his head to the sky, speculative emerald eyes studying the rolling clouds, tracing the hazy patterns of movement. Foreign gray gods above him. Oppressive. Looming. A storm would be rolling in soon. He could feel it on the wind, taste it on the breeze.

It didn't matter.

Nothing really mattered anymore.

The marker was exactly where Zack had mentioned, a modest slant of rock that overlooked the hillside. Sephiroth watched the scattered collection of open wilderness below, his fists clenched, teeth gritted. He'd always hated this landscape. Barren land. Shadowland. Desolate and lonely. Terribly austere.

An equally terrible place to die.

"You'd be so proud of him."

Low murmur against the wind, alien in his own throat. He brushed the thick tangle of silver hair from his eyes, chin lifted, breath smoking the air.

"Zack. He's changed since you left."

The clouds rumbled faintly somewhere beyond the mountains. Sephiroth wet his lips.

"He's grown tremendously as a First. We do excellent work together. I truly could not ask for a more capable colleague. He'll be the very best of us someday. SOLDIER's finest."

Silence. Cold as bone. Hollow. Sephiroth hadn't expected anything, really. He didn't remember the last time he ever had. Expectation was a loose luxury he'd long since discarded. The others were different, of course. Genesis had always adhered to the principle of reckless ambition, pushing himself, charging blindly ahead through every obstacle, menacing the competition with ruthless abandon. Glenn had viewed the world with more innocent eyes, convinced of some higher morality beneath the ugliness. Some grand duty of atonement, braving the harsh realities of the world with a sense of hope, resolution.

But they were gone now. Genesis was sick. And Glenn...well, Glenn couldn't help him anymore. Not at all.

Sephiroth closed his eyes, felt the shape of the wind. It rattled against the heavy weight of his armor, the great pauldrons slumping, calloused hands opening and closing again.

He stroked the marker. He withered. He wondered.

"You were different."

Zack had clipped the words together in the stone, etched the scraggly shape of a name through the craggy surface. Sephiroth could feel it against his palm.

"You were different from them. You were content where you were."

Black feathers at his feet.

"You knew yourself. You knew what you wanted. You worked for it on your own terms. On your own time. I respected that."

The crow called again. Louder.

"You...you always knew what you were doing. You understood the world. You understood people. You were always there, always present in the moment. That's what I always admired about you."

Louder. He shut his eyes and went away. It always made things easier. Especially now. There were better places. Better eras. Fragments. Better views and footfalls.

"I don't understand why this happened."

Any place but here. He could go. He could let his mind vanish. He could fall away.

Or apart.

"I don't understand..."

He was going, yes. Going away. Far away. Far back. Tumbling down. He was somewhere else now. And there was solace. Recollection. Warm hands. Foggy lamplight. The comforting press of bodies in a crowded booth, the smell of cheap beer and smoke. Sephiroth had met those dark blue Mako eyes once, met the golden moment between laughter and shy awareness. A timid duck of the head. Finger against his cheek, brushing away the faint wisp of a stray eyelash, murmur mild, yet perplexingly resolute.

And ghosts.

Pearly ghosts that shimmered like tears.

"Life's too short for regrets, Seph."

And a heaviness in his chest. A heaviness that clung. A heaviness that claimed him. A heaviness that brought him back just as quickly. Sephiroth's fingers rooted, scraped the rock. He bit his lip, fought the urge to strike, to break away.

"I don't understand."

His nails were bleeding. He didn't notice.

"I didn't want...this, Angeal. You know I didn't."

The wind rose and fell, collecting on the mountaintop, stirring through the trees.

"Don't you see...I have nothing but regrets."

Birdsong in the fields, small black specks that darted and circled through the brush, the shadowed ridges.

"What am I supposed to do now? Angeal. Tell me. What am I supposed to do?"

Hojo would have mocked him, subjected him to a litany of petty insults for his weakness. Strong soldiers did not break. Strong soldiers did not fall to their knees in the ice, cradle the cold stone with their bare hands. Sephiroth felt the angry rush of vertigo hitting him, his head spinning, the unpleasant lurch of his stomach rising as he clenched his teeth and counted. There was acid in his throat, the words threatening to spill, blame and hurt and broken admission. And all around him, the hills and mountains seemed to tilt and sway; arching black claws that scraped the clouds. He watched them spiraling all around them, watched the jagged, looming lines converging, splitting the sky. Could they cut the world? Could they tear into that listless gray void, rip apart the sun and stars and the cramping confines of space and time? Could they revive the dead? Could they even hear him?

Sephiroth didn't want to guess. The noise that arose was not entirely human. He wasn't even sure if it was completely his own. He did not initially register the first speck of white that flecked against his cheek, the tiny sprinkling shower making its gradual descent, painting the sterile earth like ash. Pale dots that drifted across the stone, working through the grooves, the grainy, half-scrawled markings that composed the dead man's crude, weather-worn epitaph.

It was snowing.

Sephiroth coughed. He wiped his mouth. He lifted his head back to the sky, icy flakes dusting the thick black slant of his eyelashes. He watched the spectacle, counted every steady, starlit trail, caught them on his palm, his fingertips. They coated his shoulders, his hair, his cheeks. Bitter water on his tongue. Bitter words farther beneath.

"Angeal."

It felt like rain.

"Angeal."

It wasn't.

"Angeal, are you crying?"

And that was somehow worse.

[mechazushi]

God, you're dense [Affectionate].

{a Kn8 short story}

Hoshina wasn't one to play games. Sure, he liked to have fun, but playing with people's emotions and perceptions wasn't something he could get into. He raised himself on the belief that being straight forward on something was the best course of action. If someone couldn't get on the same page as him, that was on them. He worked in a position where the best moves forward and anyone else that can't keep up with him were best left behind. Of course, much like most rules in life, there were exceptions to the rule. His biggest fault to everything he stood for was a tall, jolly, brute of a beast named Kafka. Kafka would be an exception to most everything he would die on a hill for. On the opposite end of the spectrum, however, was one person that he held to the highest accordance of his standards. His brother.

Hoshina made a point not to talk to his brother after he got accepted into the defense force. The restrictions on that got tighter after he got accepted as Mina's Vice Captain. Since before, he still showed up to family gatherings at the least to entertain his mother's concerns about his livelihood in the Third Division. Still, just because he didn't make attempts to contact his family, doesn't mean his family doesn't make attempts to contact him. It was always inevitable (because they don't tell him ahead of time) always with the supposed best of intentions (Because what quality road to hell isn't paved with them) and always at the most inconvenient times (an ability that seemed to be an inbred skill in every other family member). Between catching up on chores that should have been done yesterday, decaf in the communal coffee machine, and his third favorite pen breaking, Hoshina found he wasn't in the mood to talk. So obviously it was a perfect time to be visited by his least favorite person.

Walking down the hallway with a mountain of signed paperwork, his pace was intended to be brisk, but felt sluggish all the same. As he passed an intersection in hallways, he noticed the large frame of a burly friend catching up behind him. As Kafka slowed his pace to match his commander's, Hoshina tilted his face in his direction and flashed what was hoped to be a casual and respectful smile.

"Had a feeling you'd feel like that once I heard about the incident at the coffee machine. Here. Brought this for ya." Kafka said as he handed over a steaming mug of dark tan coffee.

"Oh, I already had coffee today." Hoshina tried to politely decline. he guessed his smile wasn't as bright as it should have been if Kafka could see he was feeling off.

"Yeah, but that was decaf." he insisted as he held the mug by its rim and pointed its handle temptingly toward its intended recipient.

Hoshina stiffed its steam heavily as it wafted under his nose. The smell of a caffeinated brew being much more rejuvenating than the bland swill he choked down this morning. He didn't think twice as he shifted the paper load more securely under his arm and took the offered mug greedily. There was a low, grateful moan as the hot, searing, and just lightly sweetened liquid burned pleasantly down the back of his throat.

'You might've just saved my mental state yet again, Kafka." Hoshina finally muttered after nearly downing half of the mug.

Kafka just chuckled as he walked in time with him, and after a while, held out a hand in an offer to carry the paperwork. Hoshina politely refused again, feeling genuinely better now that he had something more stimulating coursing throughout his system. Walking side by side, they engaged in pleasant idle chatter as they continued down the hallway. Without checking how far they had walked, they neared an area that had a lobby that was sparsely populated. As they got closer, an irritatingly familiar voice rang clear in the partially echoey room.

"Brother Dearest!" Soichiro Hoshina, Soshiro's older brother, was leaning against the desk in the back center of the lobby, relaxing like he deserved the space he was taking up.

"Oh God, why aren't I being delivered from evil like I ask every Shrine visit?" Soshiro muttered as soon as he realized who was occupying the open room with them.

"That's your brother?" Kafka asked as he laid eyes on the visitor.

"Unfortunately." Soshiro said with every letter somehow overflowing with distain and loudly enough to be heard by the other person.

"Come on, brother! You had to have known that one of these visits was to have to happen soon? It's been, what, months since you've even sent at minimum a hello to Mother." Soichino's words were playful, a clear difference in demeanor to the attitude his younger brother was radiating. A second had passed as he clearly gave the plus one an interested once-over after he lifted his sunglasses off his face.

"Well, hello soldier. And who might you be?" A salacious smile slithered coolly over Soichiro's glossy, thin lips. His tongue flicked out and over his teeth teasingly as he continued to stare down Kafka with a darkened sense of interest. Kafka bowed deeply in greeting before he introduced himself.

"Kafka Hibino. Officer of the Third Division." was his militantly clipped response.

"Kafka... Kafka... Where have I heard that name before?" Soichiro drawled out as he shifted over to Kafka's side, poking his shoulder with the arm of his sunglasses with playful emphases.

"He's our Kaiju Number Eight, you salacious cur. Now what are you doing here?" Soshiro snarked as he took another sip of his coffee. His brother made no move to acknowledge the comment as he continued to speak directly to Kafka.

"Kaiju Number Eight, huh! So you're the beast on the battlefield. Is it too much for me to ask if you're a beast anywhere else?" That Cheshire smile never left his face as his eyes turned into a more evaluating gaze.

"Well, I'm the Division's only on call Kaiju. It's pretty safe to say that I'm always the beast when it's needed." Kafka smiled bashfully as a hand came up to scratch the back of his neck. Soichiro practically giggled as a hand came up to mischievously smack the other shoulder.

"Look at you! Making out to be something that strong and powerful as a humble brag!" the older brother seemed to slide in closer to Kafka's personal space, with Kafka playing it off as business as usual. Soshiro could feel the handle of the mug creaking under his tightened grip as he looked on at his brother's shameless display.

"Ya know, I had originally cleared out my schedule to take my brother out on a lunch date, but I've just realized he's been a horrible brother and hasn't shown me around the Third Division's main facilities not once!", Soichiro saddled up impossibly closer and even had the audacity to slip a hand around the back of Kafka's forearm, "Why don't I be a good Captain and help clear yours so you can show me around? I'm sure any tour by you would be far more interesting than what he could provide." Soshiro watched as he saw the offer being sealed with an obviously flirty wink.

"Well, I'd be happy to! That is, if it's alright with my Vice Captain?" Kafka asked as he looked innocently toward the younger brother, seemingly unaware or unaffected by the attention he was currently being given.

"No Kafka, that won't be necessary, If my brother is going to come out all this way to see me, then he's just going to have to settle for my company alone." Soshiro said as he placed his paperwork and his coffee mug on the abandoned reception desk.

"Yeah, that makes sense. Maybe some other time?" Kafka asked as he looked at the older Hoshina brother.

"Such a shame. Don't be surprised if I take you up on that offer." Soichiro tittered as he patted the other side of the forearm he was still holding onto. The two brothers watched intently as Kafka turned around and walked down the hallway. Soshiro waited until he was out of every possible hearing range before he decided to speak.

"Alright, you bottle-platinum harlot. What the hell was that display all about?" Soshiro made no attempts to restrain his irritation at his brother's expense. He had no idea what game his brother was trying to play with him, but he wouldn't stand for it since it seemed to involve a very close and personal friend of his.

"I don't know what you mean." Soichiro said as he kept tittering. His posture and demeanor revealing to his younger brother that there was a plan brewing behind those evil eyes.

"I will not have you seducing my strongest man over to your division while I'm here." Soshiro commanded as he leveled a piercing gaze at the other person.

"Excuse me, 'Your man'? I'm sorry, but I didn't see a ring on his finger." Soichiro teased as he turned to face his brother.

"That's not what I meant and you know it, you vile rake." Soshiro spat the words out in an attempt to dissuade any further conversation on the topic.

"So catty today, are we brother? I was simply taking in the local selection. I'm not surprised you're interested in him." Soichiro chatted as he teasingly bit on the arm of his sunglasses.

"I also see you've decided to take up slander as a hobby since last we met." Soshiro grumbled as he found himself forced into a position where he had to talk to his brother in person for more than a minute.

"Oh, please! You know our family has a history of liking them sweet and dumb. How do you think Mother's marriage has lasted this long?" Soichiro continued as he leveled a knowing stare at him.

"If you're going to keep insinuating things that don't exist, I'm going to order you to cancel the lunch date and leave." the younger brother retorted as he turned around to drink the last sips from the coffee mug.

"What do you think I'm insinuating?" Soichiro purred as his sight never left his brother.

"Don't toy with me today, you troglodytic trollup. I am in no mood to bat around this string of yarn you're trying to spin here." Soshina kept snapping back as he took the opportunity to avoid eye contact as he shuffled around the stack of papers.

"Why all the denial, Brother Dearest? Especially since we're so far from Egypt. Besides, it's not slander saying you like a coworker as if your interactions weren't displayed all over the news two weeks ago." The grin broke into a full blown, toothy smile of superiority as the Captain of the Sixth Division draped himself over the desk's top next to Soshiro.

"What... interactions?" the Vice Captain hissed as he slowly turned his head to side-eye his brother

"Should I reenact it for you?" Soichiro giggled before flopping onto his back and dramatically fainting, "Oh! I seem to have taken a terrible fall and broken both of my legs! Oh, is there some dark, handsome, Knight in living armour that can princess-carry my oh so fragile body to the farthest fucking ambulance on scene and completely bypass three others that were unoccupied and were going to take me to the same fucking hospital!" It was clear that he was taking a massive amount of joy retelling his version of events that he saw on the news as his voice raised in volume with every reveal.

"I didn't break my legs, I dislocated my ankles! What would you have me do, walk?" Soshiro started to match his brother's volume and had now fully turned to him to confront this problem of point-of-views head on.

"The cameras clearly show you two having a conversation where it shows you convincing him to carry you!" The two of them were so close to each other's faces now their noses could touch.

"I was trying to convince him not to!" Soshiro returned.

"Because the cameras were rolling?" Soichiro asked.

"Yes!" his brother answered.

"AND BECAUSE YOU TWO ARE IN LOVE! Why else be camera shy about being carried around in public?" The eldest returned triumphantly as he poked him in the chest.

"NO." Soshiro shouted back as he shoved his brother backwards, "We are not in love! What part of this do you think it's okay to date someone like him?"

"Oh don't act like you can't because he's under your position. He makes his own precedent as he breathes! And you are the right type of rebellious, attention craving, delinquent punk that would absolutely fall for someone that is perfect for you in all the right ways, while also him being a human anomaly in every sense of the word! He turns into something our family has been training it's young to kill for centuries so of course you're going to deviate from the norm and be practically head over heels for him!" The Captain couldn't stop himself from cackling as his lungs quaked from talking for so long without breath.

There wasn't anything left on the matter that Soshiro could say to make his brother change his mind, so he decided to let his fists do the talking for him as he sent a vicious right hook. His fist connected to his brother's left eye and caught him off guard for a second. Before he could speak out against the assault, the younger brother wasted no time in jumping onto his brother and throwing his fists left and right. The two soon became a mass of tangled limbs and colorful curse words on the floor. It wasn't like this for long as two other people came across the fight and helped break up the fray.

"Alright, alright! Break it UP!" You two are grown up men, and Defense Force officers at that! ACT LIKE IT!" Okonogi reprimanded them as Aoi held them off the ground by their jacket collars.

"Yes, Okonogi." The brothers said in unison. As they were set back on the ground, they straightened their outfits and waited to see if their new company would leave. When they didn't, Soichiro decided to speak what was left on his mind anyway.

"The lunch date is still on, by the way. Mother's orders. How about I give us an hour to cool down and we try this whole 'conversation' thing again?" he tried to say with as much possible conviction in his smile. Soshiro just glared violently as he picked up the stack of papers from the desk.

"I do what I damn well please, you leporid bunk bunny." he said as he stormed off. Everyone watched as he walked away before his older brother spoke up again.

"He'll be fine."

 𓈒   𑁍 𓈒

It was a little after seven thirty before Hoshina felt fine enough to interact with anyone. Spending some time in the gym helped him feel better after dealing with the Lunch Date From Hell. It also helped that he got to meet his favorite punching bag for sparring.

"Look -huff- I get you -huff- don't like your brother -huff-, but did you really -huff- need to literally -huff- kick my ass?" Kafka's lungs heaved after spending what felt like hours defending himself from his Vice Captain's volley of blows.

"Ya snooze, ya loose Kafka. Intense training is for your own good." Hoshina quipped back as he walked over to his duffle for water bottles. Kafka shambled behind him slowly and sat down on the bench the bag was next to.

"Intense training, my entire bruised ass. That last chokehold felt personal." Kafka began to regulate his breathing by the time Hoshina made it over with the water bottles.

As Hoshina drank from his, he subtly tried to look at Kafka as he poured some of the bottle's contents onto himself. He watched as the water made his partner's bangs stick to his forehead at odd angles and made a swift attempt to cool his fiery red cheeks. Hoshina didn't let his imagination run too far away from him as he thought about Kafka looking worn out and sweaty for a different reason. Of course he denied everything that was said earlier that was concerning the situation between him and Kafka. Mainly because it all implied that Kafka felt the same way he did. Had it been a complete stranger talking to him this morning, it would have shocked everyone that knew him once they heard how different his answers would have been.

As Kafka finished rubbing the cool water into his face and straightened his back and arms out into an intense looking stretch, Hoshina forced himself to look away from the rippling of muscle and the straining of his tank top around said muscles. In moments like this, when he was sure no one would be looking or they were alone, Hoshina liked to play a little game with Kafka. It wasn't one that you could win with points or anything. Hell, some days it made Hoshina feel like all he did was lose by playing, but he couldn't deny that conniving little twitch that begged for him to play over and over again. All so he could see that dumb little smile.

"Still improving as slow as always." Hoshina said after a minute of relaxing on the bench.

"Hey, at least I am still improving, right?" Kafka returned as he looked back at his Vice Captain.

There was a smile, sure, but it wan't big. He could do better.

"Can't say I don't find you to be consistent at least 1% of the time." Hoshina offered as a response, deciding to bring up a well used joke between them. He turned back to look out at the empty gym in front of them.

"God, I still haven't gotten higher than that, haven't I?" Kafka chuckled out of the side of his mouth.

"It was a good thing we found out you were a kaiju when we did. Could you imagine what would have happened if you couldn't raise that percentage up high enough in three months?" Hoshina thought the comment sounded funnier in his head, but once he heard it out loud he wanted to smack himself for it. Everyone knew that it was a horrible thought, thinking about Kafka not being around anymore. Even that was something Hoshina couldn't bring himself to deny or joke about.

"I do every day." Kafka sighed heavily, "Everyday I wake up here." He closed his eyes for a second as he smiled softly, his head coming to rest against the back wall the bench was against.

Hoshina turned back to look at him, taking Kafka's moment of vulnerability to look at him fully this time. He thought about it too. A life in the Defense Force where he didn't get to see Kafka everyday. A life where he didn't bring him coffee or hear his laugh or have drinks with him after work hours. Hoshina could feel his heart squeeze at the thought of Kafka not being in the Defense Force, or worse, suddenly living at a different Division. Being close by technicality, but feeling oh so very far.

"Did you notice my brother was flirting with you at all?" Hoshina felt himself ask before he could take the words back. He felt himself brace for the answer in the brief moments in between his heartbeats.

"Wait... really?" Kafka asked with genuine interest. Hoshina could feel his face twist into something between curiosity and mild disgust. Kafka couldn't tell he was being flirted with? And was okay with it coming from his brother?

"Ye-yeah?" Hoshina returned hesitantly.

"You sure? 'Cuz I mean... wow. He's... actually interested? In me?" Kafka's smile grew bigger and more wonky as he processed what he was told.

"You're okay with this?" Hoshina questioned incredulously. He could not believe what he was seeing, and was actively praying that this wasn't the case.

"Are you kidding? Of course! You're brother is frickin' hot!" Kafka replied with joy, "Is he, like, still around? I mean, I know he's not here kinda around, but I mean, is he like, nearby? Like in a hotel or something? Nah, that would be creepy. Oh! Could you let me have his number?" Kafka prattled on as Hoshina continued to become more and more disgusted. Sure, he was a little happy to hear that Kafka was cool with being hit on by guys, (and clearly reciprocated the sentiment) but felt absolutely horrified at hearing Kafka wanting his brother's number. So much so that he immediately stood on the bench seat so he could get a good enough vantage to stomp on Kafka to stop his train of thought.

"You! Will! NOT! Be! Dating! My! BROTHER!" Hoshina shouted out between the stomping.

"Jesus! And here I thought you wouldn't be having a problem with me liking guys! Yah know, since you told me about it!" Kafka shouted back as he tried to defend himself from the onslaught.

"I don't have a problem with you dating guys! I have a problem with you dating my brother!" Hoshina said as he pressed his foot down firmly onto Kafka's hands that were protecting his head.

'Well then, who would you rather have me date?" Kafka returned rhetorically.

"Me for starters!" Hoshina finally admitted. Once he did, he let the pressure off of his foot and just stayed in the position for a hot minute, feeling as awkward as a school girl admitting to her first crush. Kafka just held onto the foot as he looked up at his commander with wide, unbelieving eyes. All Hoshina could bring himself to do was look away, his cheeks flushing hot and bright. Kafka helped lower the foot down as he got up from his seat to face him from the front.

"Have... have you been flirting with me too?" Kafka asked. Hoshina still couldn't look at him or answer, so his cheeks answered for him.

"How long have you been flirting with me?" Kafka asked again.

"Two... two years." Hoshina answered quietly.

"We've known each other for two years." Kafka responded. Hoshina still hadn't made a move, only crossed his arms defensively.

"YOU'VE BEEN FLIRTING WITH ME SINCE WE MET?" Kafka shouted as he made the realization.

"To be fair, I don't flirt like a normal person and you clearly can't read context clues." Hoshina said as he finally regained some control over his mouth. He just wished he had better control over what it said.

"Why didn't you say anything before now?" Kafka sounded incredulous at the thought of how he could have been dating the most amazing person on base before now, had be been able to read between the lines.

" I kept thinking it was funny?" Hoshina responded in a shy, quivering voice as more blood rushed to his face and made it redder.

"Okay, now I have to ask. What about me do you like? Do you think I'm handsome, or do you really just like to think I'm funny?" Kafka questioned as he waved his hands around animatedly.

"Honestly? I just really like that you're funny." Hoshina said as he relaxed and playfully shrugged. Now feeling better about having all of this out in the open.

" So, just, fuck my face then." Kafka said in a sarcastically irritated manner while turning around and waving his arms.

"I would if you'd stop talking." Hoshina accidentally let slip.

He wasn't ashamed of saying it, but probably should have found a better time to say it. It didn't seem to matter anyway as Kafka took a second to stop his flailing and slowly turned around to face his commander again. A sly smile tugged at the corner of his lips as his eyes darkened at the play on words they stumbled into.

"Well alright then." Kafka chuckled darkly as he strode over to where Hoshina was still standing. He grabbed his legs and threw him over his shoulder, holding onto Hoshina's calves for dear life as he carried his thrashing lover out of the gym.

"Wha-what do you think you're doing?" Hoshina cried as he tried to look back at his kidnapper. Kafka returned the most intensely flirtatious side-eye back at him as they walked out of the gym.

"Moving training to your place, so you can properly shut me up."

"Wha-what, no dinner first?" Hoshina stuttered nervously as he continued to be paraded down the hall on Kafka's shoulder. He got even more nervous as Okonogi slid past his line of sight and watched them walk away.

"You've been flirting with me for two years. Dinner can wait." Kafka growled as the other hand came up and audibly smacked Hoshina on the ass.

[chillingwithtavesss]

You guys tried your hardest to deny that it was Austin in the instagram picture wearing the Library Science shirt. Only for Austin to openly sport it at the airport. You guys constantly say this relationship is doomed and this and that. Well here we are again, and Austin and Kaia are still going strong. Every time you guys shoot your mouths off and claim a break up is coming Austin and Kaia always prove you guys wrong. For months you fools have been running your mouths about them splitting up. They are still together. How annoying it must be to wind up with egg on your faces over and over and over again.

Listen baby one thing you not gonna do is come to my inbox acting like this. Y’all really go hard for this funky ass relationship don’t you ? None of us ever harp on and die on the hill of a break up coming all we ever do is point out weird shit. None of us like you all do lose sleep over this relationship. We don’t go around harassing people like shippers do. If you were so damn confident in this relationship you would leave this side of the fandom be. You all go around popping off and for what reason ? It’s almost as if you are living through Kaia herself which would explain why you throw a fit like a child when someone has an opposing opinion. Our takes that we have on this relationship isn’t just us either, people outside the fandom even do. I try to have somewhat grace for you all because I feel half of you are young as fuck. No mature ass adult goes around acting this way on a relationship they are not in. Now do you feel better coming to my inbox to say that ? Did you let off some steam there honey bun ? I sure hope so. Take care 🥰

[thirteenthdoor]

What's For Dinner Inside The Doors?

No outside food permitted in Waverly Hills Sanatarium.

Most, but not all, of the eating in this door world occurs in this weirdly artsy cafeteria. After all, one of the nurse NPC's first warnings to everyone is that all meals need to be taken in said cafeteria, and no food brought from the outside should be eaten.

Oh no! Someone is both eating food from outside and eating it outside the cafeteria! The nurse NPC gets real stabby about it.

If you look closely, you can see that the terrible thing the patient is eating ... is a cracker. Has Fuckboy already started to test the rules by giving a patient one of his crackers before trying it on his fellow players? If so, he didn't wait around to see the results. Eh, maybe he figured he'd hear about it either way.

The first time our trio shows up in the cafeteria proper, they're here to scope out the competition, not eat the food. The inmates are eating from metal trays with metal chopsticks -- which is not the kind of hardware I'd give to patients of any stripe, but what do I know?

We don't get very good shots of what the patients are eating, but there's only two choices, and it's pretty clear that here they've got the version of the trays with the big steamed buns on them. Someone is pushing a cart down the center aisle with large metal vats in it. In wider shots from later scenes, you can see a bunch more of those vats over to the left side of the cafeteria.

Ruan Nanzhu suggests they come back and eat later because, and I'm quoting the subtitles here, "Mental states are contagious." Consider how bad he's trying to get Lin Qiushi to catch his crazy, I'm going to label this statement as aspirational.

After a restless, unpleasant night of being kept up by a repeatedly falling body (yikes), the trio returns to the cafeteria for a meal. Now we get a better shot of what's for breakfast: slices of a marbled rye bread, chunks of an orange squash or sweet potato, some stewed greens, and white rice porridge. Some of the inmates have spoons, but these three have the metal chopsticks, which they use to eat from their industrial metal trays.

This is also where we first get to see Fuckboy's cute little tin of crackers, which makes Nanzhu (understandably) furious. Helpfully, his fury provides the context for a few close-ups on his tray. There's a little logo printed on the trays, but hell if I can read even a bit of it.

I don't know where he got this second tin of crackers from, though, considering that he leaves the first tin with Ruan Nanzhu in the cafeteria. Did he just come into the doors with a bunch of little decorative tins full of Saltines, so he has several to choose from? That seems kind of inefficient. I guess if you're just real worried about getting your crackers smashed in transit.

Now I want crackers. Dammit.

The cracker water is so gross to me. I don't even know why it's so gross, but it is. This is the only shot I'm going to include of it, because I find it just ... ugh. So gross. I'm just saying, if I pulled out my water bottle and it was full of cracker water, I would 100% notice.

Next breakfast is much the same as the previous meal, except that the bread this round is fluffy white buns.

Back to the cafeteria to steal rice! Which actually frames the cafeteria from a number of angles that don't show up in other scenes.

And then breakfast once more, the same one with steamed buns, only this time Lin Qiushi has opted for a spoon (and his hands) instead of chopsticks.

Later, fuckboy eats a cracker to prove it's safe, convincing Hu Die to do so. This is either decorative tin #2 or decorative tin #3 of crackers. Man loves his crackers.

Or do you think he found the crackers inside the door world? The same way that the Hako Onna arms her traitors, do you figure the horrible doctor smelled this guy coming and was like, ah, here's a fucker! and pointed him toward the hospital cracker stash? That almost makes more sense than having him show up with the perfect sabotage snack food. Who knows! Anyway, hope your crackers tasted good, shitbag. You and your almost-awesome '80s t-shirt can enjoy them while you're stuck inside the doors forever.

Bonus detail #1 -- and this is very important to me -- the two male players at the back of the initial group are always together in the cafeteria. One of them's got a white shirt with a thick black plaid on it; the other is wearing a tan hoodie with white stripes down the arms. After their second appearance in the cafeteria, they don't show up again. I guess the implication is that the door ate them, which seems reasonable, considering this show's general death toll.

However! I should also note that this is, to my recollection, the only regular door-world door where we don't see a clue fall down when someone unlocks it, and no one behaves like they've found one when they get back home. Did two mysterious homosexuals find a different way out the door while the Obsidian company tangled with the homicidal-suicidal nurse? If you choose to believe this, the show will not contradict you.

Bonus detail #2: The Waverly Hills cafeteria is also the background for the first gay-ass shot of the closing credits. I guess they liked the symmetry of it? Beats me.

[pinacoladamatata]

do you recommend playing skyrim at this point? I've never actually played it, and would mod the hell out of it, but I value your bg3 opinions and general taste and feel like you'd have solid thoughts on it.

Okay so like, the answer is complicated. Basically, no. HOWEVER, I recommend playing Skyrim so people can experience 3 things.

1) the Interesting NPC mod, or "3DNPC" as she is lovingly known, and 2) Inigo, the follower mod.

As well as 3) to be able to play Enderal, which destroyed me for several days. (Like I literally got SO upset about a certain decision I made/quest and could not figure out how to 'undo' it that I cried for 3 days out of pure grief for an npc before returning to the game).

These are it. The 3 top mods of all time. The creme de la creme.

SOME people will try to argue that the unofficial patch is necessary #1 mod ever bc it has the most downloads. IT IS NOT. Do not believe their lies.

You will see massive mod lists and even the auto mod wabbajack shit that installs huge lists for you. Fuck all of those. We install mods piecemeal, handpicked by us, for us. I will die on this hill. I will kill on this hill.

(there are so many issues with using random wabbajack mod lists that it would honestly take me 5000 words to bitch about but I digress)

I could also write a small thesis on how 3DNPC is not just interesting followers but it is actually an incredible quest and storytelling mod that fits into the game so seamlessly you would never even know it's a mod (except the writing and voice acting is better than Bethesda Studios).

Honorable mentions of mods that I still think about even years later. 1. It beats for her. 2. The forgotten city (this mod is actually now its own steam game)

[sungbeam]

𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐰𝐞 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 — act I, scene i

nonidol!hwang intak x f!reader

when summit poster boy hwang intak's car breaks down in the school parking lot, it sets off a chain of events that leads to you, someone he was perhaps always meant to find. the only problem is that the two of you are far from the ideal couple, and your peers are apt to keep that status quo.

▷ genre, chapter warnings. s2f2l, grief and mentions of death, classism and discrimination, forbidden romance au, minimal swearing, i know nothing about cars

▷ word count. 3.0k

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THE END OF SOPHOMORE YEAR.

IT was doomed from the beginning.

"Well, I can't just let it die," Hwang Intak squawked, hands buried in his neat nest of effortless brunet curls. He stood before the cherry red Ford Mustang convertible, steam rising from its front hood. He and Choi Jiung gawked at the old piece of junk uselessly and miserably. "This was Jaehyuk hyung's. I can't just…" Let it die with him.

Jiung scratched the back of his head with a wince. "Well, shit, dude. Sorry, but you'll have to call a really good mechanic to come fix it up."

"In the school parking lot?" Intak gestured widely to the grand landscape around them bustling with kids and cars, chatter and laughter. School had just been dismissed and everyone was hustling their way out of the godforsaken grounds of the Crossroads, the middle ground region between the Summit and the Hollows. Dirty glares were shot out from behind shiny pairs of Gucci glasses, ignored by others in hand me down jeans and sneakers falling apart at the canvas seams. Those of the Summit would fall into the Italian leather seats of their Porsches, racing out of the academy parking lot and leaving streak marks and exhaust fumes in their wake; while those of the Hollows would begin their trek down the hill into the valley region. If they were lucky, maybe they'd be able to finesse their old model cars into chugging their way down.

Intak had a different kind of old car. Really, the hunk of metal was more vintage than old. It was something his late older brother Jaehyuk was into, and only Jaehyuk had had the patience to learn how to fix it.

"Where'd he even learn how to fix it?" Jiung asked, turning over his shoulder to send some questionable loiterers a glance that said 'hey bitch, yeah, scat.' (Outright telling them wasn't his style; no one could fault him if they got scared by the look in his eyes. Then again, with the hold his family had over people, no one would ever fault him.)

Intak had resorted to pulling Jaehyuk's old phone out and scouring through his contacts for someone most likely labeled with something related to car mechanics. "I dunno. He said something about a friend of his." He wasn't exactly surprised; some of the people around here liked to focus their time on things that weren't school, and what better to entertain the affluent than shiny, luxury cars?

All hope seemed to be lost until—ping!

Intak startled as his older brother's phone chirped with an incoming message. Jiung had wandered off to go find his friend and cousin Choi Taeyang, so Intak was alone on this. The sun would have made everything much more difficult to see, but luckily, he had managed to score one of the spots under the solar panel roofs.

The message was from someone named "yer a wizard yn!" in Jaehyuk's contacts. How's the convertible doing?

His eyebrows furrowed together as he pondered who Yn could be. It sounded like a… feminine name, but he couldn't be sure. And if his brother knew this person, did they not know that he was dead?

Intak began typing out a message: Hey, this is Jaehyuk's younger brother, Intak. Who is this?

The person had read the message, but the typing dots kept on appearing and disappearing, before reappearing again. Did they think they would even get a response?

When he was just about to give up, the message appeared. Just wanted to check on the car. Jae always asked me to help.

Ah, so this was his brother's mechanic—wait. But they called him Jae, so they had to have been a friend of Jaehyuk's, or at least a close acquaintance. Only his friends called him Jae or Hyuk. Either way, relief soared through Intak's body and he was swift to send his next messages.

jae's phone: the car's not doing great like it won't start

jae's phone: i'm in my school's parking lot and my house is kinda far, so i could hitch a ride back w a friend, but i don't wanna leave it here

jae's phone: did u teach my brother how to maintain this thing?

Intak tapped his foot against the ground. Was that too much? He felt like this Yn person replied in a much more matter-of-fact way and less personable than he would have liked.

yer a wizard yn!: yeah, i did

yer a wizard yn!: i'm sorry

yer a wizard yn!: for ur loss, i mean … he was a really good guy

jae's phone: it's okay, no need for all that

jae's phone: i mean, it was like a year ago so

Intak leaned up against the side of the car to keep from collapsing. Yeah, a year ago. But he was still reminded of that every day, in the people he saw, the places he went, and this damned car. He didn't know why he still held on.

yer a wizard yn!: he talked about u a lot

jae's phone: were u and him close?

He blinked in surprise at the messages being sent at the same time.

jae's phone: all good things i hope lol

yer a wizard yn!: yep a lot of good things, he thought the world of u

yer a wizard yn!: but we should probably get that old thing up and running right? don't want u stuck in the academy parking lot for too long

They totally just ignored his question… huh. That was interesting.

jae's phone: yeah def haha

yer a wizard yn!: can u describe for me what's going on? or pop open the hood and take a picture?

jae's phone: yeah ofc! gimme a sec

Intak scrambled into the driver's side door to pop open the hood of the car. Steam flew out, and he frowned as he waved the heat out of his face to snap a decent picture.

It was a miracle, really, the way they were able to walk him through maintaining the car all through pictures and text messages. He thought they must be one of the expensive car repair shops in the upper east side of the Summit, but he couldn't be too sure. All those assholes wouldn't talk to him like this, especially when they knew he didn't know anything about taking care of a vintage car and still drove it around. This Yn person texted or spoke like his age, but still in a reserved fashion, and they had been close with Jaehyuk.

He wondered if this could be one of his friends who had moved away for university, and that was why they couldn't be here in person to fix it.

About fifteen minutes later, he sat in the driver's side of the car with the engine roaring to life. Intak gasped, his eyes widening and a smile gracing his face. "Holy shit."

He scrambled to send a text. IT WORKED!!! OH MY GOD IT ACTUALLY WORKED.

yer a wizard yn!: yay !! congrats intak :) nice job

jae's phone: all thanks to u! tysm u really r a wizard

yer a wizard yn!: oh haha he kept that contact name?

jae's phone: yeah ig so, but it def fits

yer a wizard yn!: yeah

yer a wizard yn!: listen, if u need any help w the car in the future, just send a text and i'll try my best to help u out from here

jae's phone: if u don't mind me asking…

yer a wizard yn!: i do, actually

yer a wizard yn!: mind — i do mind u asking. i'm sorry, but u can't meet me in person or know who i am. it's just better this way, trust me

Intak's heart sank as he slumped in his seat. He coincidentally glanced up through the front windshield just as Jiung and Taeyang were making their way over to him. Almost half the parking lot was gone by now, the rest waiting in the massive line to get out. The two Choi cousins gestured to the car with grins on their faces and they appeared in Intak's open driver's side window.

"Hey! You got it working!" Jiung exclaimed. "How'd you manage that?"

Intak shrugged. "Just like magic, I guess."

Taeyang snorted with a knowing look in his eyes, a mischievous twinkle Intak knew all too well. "Nuh-uh. I saw you smiling down at your phone on our way over. Bro, who's got you smiling like that?"

As carefully as he could, Intak hid his brother's phone under his leg. "I asked someone and they helped me out, so I was just on Tiktok waiting for you guys."

They seemed to buy it from their shared expressions. "Well," Taeyang said, "we've gotta head back inside for this meeting thing, so we'll just find our own way home. Catch you later though?"

Intak nodded. "Yeah, for sure."

"See ya!" Jiung waved his goodbye as the two of them began walking away from Intak and the car, and back toward the academy.

Once he was sure that they were far enough away, he whipped out the phone from under his leg.

jae's phone: people literally only say that in the movies

jae's phone: i'm sorry that i'm being nosy, i'm just curious and i have a feeling u knew jae really well… idk

jae's phone: ykw sorry, guess i was just excited abt meeting someone that my brother knew

yer a wizard yn!: no, don't apologize, i get it. i really do, intak. if u wanna talk about *him*, i'm all for it, but for just… safety reasons, it's better if u and i remain strangers

jae's phone: what r u in a gang or something

yer a wizard yn!: LOL THAT'S THE FIRST THING U COME UP W??

Intak grinned. What? What else should I be thinking?

yer a wizard yn!: pfft lots of things

jae's phone: okaaay cryptic 🤨

jae's phone: wait what're ur pronouns? can i ask that?

yer a wizard yn!: she/her

jae's phone: ur not his secret ex gf right??

yer a wizard yn!: 🤦‍♀️

jae's phone: HEEEY WHAT?? 😔😔😔 ITS A VALID QUESTION OKAY

yer a wizard yn!: no, i was not his secret gf lmao just a friend and his on-call mechanic

jae's phone: is that a euphemism

yer a wizard yn!: i am going to SMACK U THRU THIS PHONE HWANG INTAK !!!

Intak bursted out laughing, eyes flickering up to ensure no one was watching him, but the parking lot was pretty much barren now and he had some privacy to enjoy himself. This Yn girl was a lot more fun to speak to now that she opened up a little. Maybe she was just reserved because she was nervous he would find out who she was. And that… was a mystery that would remain until she felt comfortable with telling him.

jae's phone: SOERY SORRY 🤣🤣 i couldnt help myself!!

yer a wizard yn!: u can go find a new mechanic 🚶‍♀️

jae's phone: NO NONO WAIIIIUT ur so sensitive 😔

yer a wizard yn!: and ur lame ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

jae's phone: i take personal offense to that

yer a wizard yn!: sounds like a u problem

jae's phone: man how tf was jae friends w u, he was even more sensitive than i am T-T

yer a wizard yn!: he was like a golden retriever i suppose, he liked to make friends

jae's phone: i like to make friends too :( can we be friends, yn 😔

yer a wizard yn!: sorry i'm being called away. lmk if the car starts acting up again

Intak didn't have to pretend he was upset that she just left the conversation. He wondered if this was the universe telling him to finally get over Jaehyuk's death and move on. But then again, if that were the case, then Yn's entrance into his life wouldn't have been necessary. Maybe there was an ultimate purpose to this, he thought, as he buckled himself in and put the two phones in the cupholder. Maybe this was the beginning of the end to his grieving.

"Who was that?"

Ln Yn jumped out of her skin, the screen of her phone pressed to her chest, as she whirled around to find Kim Jongseob peering over her shoulder with a less than amused look on his face. "No one."

He cocked a sharp eyebrow up. "Uh-huh. You don't have any other friends outside of me and Soul, so—"

"I do too have friends besides you guys."

"No one you text like that though," he called over his shoulder as he disappeared into his room, face buried into the screen of his own phone. The kid's eyes were glued to that thing, she swore to god. Sometimes, she would walk into his room and find him passed out in bed with his phone still actively playing whatever TV show he was binging.

Yn walked into the living room from the main corridor to find Haku Shota, or more commonly referred to as Soul, lounging on the couch. He too was on his phone. "Is this a thing now? We all hang out together but separately," she mused, plopping down on the other end of the couch so she could prop her legs and feet in his lap.

Shota moved his arms up so she could settle in comfortably before resting his hands and phone on her feet. "Nothing to do outside."

She deadpanned at him. "You're kidding. What's the new penny board you got then? Chopped liver?"

"It's raining."

"The sky is as clear as a diamond, Shota." It was almost summer break, after all. It was one of hers, and her friends', favorite times of the year, because no school, and all of the rich assholes on the hill would go off their separate ways to Cancun or something. Anywhere but here, at least. Far away from her.

As for Yn herself? She planned on clocking in some more time at the shop and hanging out with these losers—if they ever got off their phones.

She unconsciously checked her own phone screen for notifications. From who? Well, Jongseob hadn't exactly been wrong when he said the two people she texted most were him and Soul. A year ago, she had even texted her parents more, and a certain Hwang Jaehyuk. She hadn't been expecting a response from Jaehyuk's phone when she texted the number. She'd just seen his younger brother and the smoke billowing from the car—she hadn't been thinking.

It probably wasn't very cool of her to dismiss herself from the conversation so swiftly, but speaking to Intak… she closed her eyes, draped her arm over her eyes. If she closed her eyes and imagined, maybe Jaehyuk would give her a clue as to what he thought she should do. He really had spoken the world of Intak, but even he had managed to hide their friendship from him. Perhaps not out of not trusting Intak, but simply not trusting anyone. She'd been clinging to a cliff face when she'd finally told Jongseob and Soul. It wasn't like she could avoid it, anyway, since Jaehyuk came by the repair shop so often and the two kids worked there, too.

"Hey—" a poke in her arm. She lifted her arm from her face and saw Jongseob leaning over the back of the couch with a frown on his face. "—you okay, noona?"

She blinked, then craned her neck to see what Soul was doing. He was looking at her, too, awaiting her answer. Jongseob only called her noona when he was serious. She cleared her throat. "Yeah, just tired."

It was quiet for a beat. Jongseob poked her arm again.

She caved. "I texted Jae's number."

Jongseob and Soul exchanged glances. "Hwang Jaehyuk hyung? Yn, but he's—why?"

She couldn't meet either of their eyes, and she sat up, tucking her feet under her butt. "Mmh. I dunno. I was just leaving the parking lot to meet up with you guys when I saw the convertible out of the corner of my eye." She gestured vaguely with her hand, "There was steam coming out the hood again, and I just—I just pulled up his contact like normal. And his brother answered."

"His brother answered?" Jongseob leapt over the back of the couch to crash onto the cushion between Yn and Soul. His eyes were wide, a strange picture with his copper-bleached hair. "Does he know who you are?"

"He knows my name and that I knew Jae and helped him with the car, but that's it." She continued, "I just walked him through starting up the engine again; that's it. I promise."

Even Soul let out an exhale of relief. It wasn't that Jongseob and Soul hated Jaehyuk—it was more so their fear of what Jaehyuk had been: a resident of the Summit. And in this damned town… no one down in the hollows would be caught dead as a Summit Lover, and no one on the hill would be caught dead as a Hollows Sympathizer. That was just how it worked. One did not care about the other; the feeling was mutual. Jaehyuk had never cared that Yn was a poor gutter girl. All he'd cared about was that she was a good person who could fix his car. That, she was.

"I kind of miss the rich bastard," Jongseob murmured, gaze far off. Calling Jaehyuk a "rich bastard" was affectionate in Jongseob's book. Yn's closest friends were Jongseob and Soul, and she was happy they had warmed up to Jaehyuk—turned out, none of them were so different. But discrimination ran rampant in this town, and thus, their friendship and connection had to remain a secret.

Soul made a vague motion like he was nodding his head.

Yn swallowed. She glanced down at her phone and toyed with the case peeling away from itself. "Yeah... Yeah, I kind of miss him, too."

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permanent taglist: @flwoie @vatterie @seomisaho @hqrana @ja4hyvn @kaaimins @shakalakaboomboo @sodafy @leaz-kpop-life @pxppxrminty @fluorescentloves @mosviqu @haechansbbg @kflixnet

[mychlapci]

I have a big brain that is smooooth, an obsession with Megatron being 100% breedable and mother material (i have a picture somewhere in my memories of WHY megatron is so breedable.) and im sorry for spamming your inbox out but I need to indulge myself in like 2000000 different things, i promise im sorry ;-;

Megaratch is the hill i am going to die on. Because now we need Ratchet sheepishly admitting to Optimus, who’s 100% ready to kill himself or the closest bot, that he was the crazy mech to spike Megatron multiple times.

Yeah Prowl definitely bluescreens, and doesnt re-online for a couple days because his stress-meter blew out the roof.

Meanwhile with the cons, everyone’s 100% sure its Optimus, despite how he swore it wasnt him. But that changes the moment Megatron pops out the next batch of babies, clearly used to birthing out lil bitties by now. And one of them comes out with. Sirens. TINY LITTLE SIRENS, rocking white and red plating, 100% ambulance sirens, their armour still a rubbery consistency , and red optics. And then everyone realises ‘oh god the autobot medic’

I will also die on the hill of that medics are perfect stud material, strong in multiple ways, sturdy and well built, He could pump Megatron full of transfluid for hours, not stopping until Megatron asks or he’s empty of transfluid.

Annd…who is Megatron to say No to an offer like that?

Okay but like. Hell breaks loose AGAIN in both factions, everyone’s confused as fuck because WHERE has Megatron gone, WHY the autobot medic, WHEN did they start fucking on the weekly and HOW have they gotten away with this?!

- Chase anon :3 , Thank you for feeding into everyones addictions, i’ll try not to go crazy on your inbox i promise <3

Megatron is breedable. He's powerful, strong, has the body and the hips for it, and a carrier capable of protecting his litter is a good carrier. Also 100% medics are perfect studs, which is probably why it all started. You have a perfect, capable carrier, and a very capable sire,  both of which really hate each other, but… the sex is fucking great, and the breeding drive just makes it so much better. And Megatron wants heirs. And Ratchet is just… living out some rage fantasies and blowing off steam. 

Ratchet probably gets away with it for a long time. However long it takes for Prowl to stop yelling at Optimus. Which is a long time, indeed. But then there's a lot of doubt circling through the autobot ranks, distrust in their leader, so he ends up having to admit that he ended up fucking Megatron. He has to say it in front of the whole high command too, just really rip off the bandaid and let everyone know that no, it wasn't Optimus who knocked up Megatron, it was him (and maybe Optimus is a little jealous…)

The proof is Megatron's next batch of bitties, which come out significantly more ambulance coloured. My bet is there were a few decepticons who had a bet on the autobot medic, but only a few, and they end up loaded for sticking to their guns even though everyone told them they're being stupid.

You think they share custody? You think one day Ratchet's just got a couple bitties in his arms the entire day. A couple big, fat, red-eyed bitties. Prowl probably suggests, not so subtly, that they should get rid of them, but that idea is immediately shushed by everyone with half a spark because…just look at them. The bitlets are, somehow, so cute. 

[dreamdancerdotfile]

i know in some canons transformers can like scan into earth vehicle alt modes

so like

imagine if most of the trainsformers (at least rusty and greaseball) scanned into earth train alt modes but electra like. stayed a cybertronian train and hes just trying very hard to prove that tech is better on cybertron (even though it isnt really, hes just already chosen to die on this hill and hes really dramatic about it)

you have put the idea of trainsformers so far into my brain omfg

YES WE SHARE THE BRAINROT

I LOVE the idea of a snobbish cybertronian Electra ngl, that would also add a whole new layer to the electricity vs diesel vs steam debate.

What would be even better is a whole new racer that defends the energon-fueled title in my opinion.

[oneatlatime]

The Avatar Returns

Exposition as an opening theme song is an interesting choice. I thought that was a quirk of the first episode, but nope. Less catchy than an actual song, but probably less annoying that hearing a song 50+ times in a row.

Episode 2 starts right where episode 1 left off, making me think that this must have been a two part premiere.

Yeah, Sokka is right. Gran-gran is right. Katara's known this boy for five minutes and she's already breaking what seem to be basic, long-established, life or death rules. See this is why gran-gran weighs Katara down with washing Sokka's dirty socks (and probably any other chore she can find). The first time this girl has more than five minutes to herself she endangers everyone (albeit with help). But Aang seriously doesn't get how dangerous the situation is, what with him being frozen for a hundred years. Katara had to be the responsible one with regards to the ship and she blew it. And now presumably they're all gonna get melted to death. Or burnt. Fireburnt? Firebended? Killed a bunch.

"Well I'm banished too!" UUUGGGHHH wrong hill to die on! This girl goes from 0 to 100 lightning fast. Although if the Fire nation do attack, Katara may be setting herself up to be the sole survivor of her village.

Why does the temporally dislocated 12 year old have more sense that Katara? So bossy and hotheaded and teenage girl-like. And she's known him for five minutes, why is she heartbroken by his leaving? Girl you feel too much.

"I haven't cleaned my room in 100 years" such a simple joke but it completely caught me off guard. Aang's priorities are so in line with what an actual 12 year old prioritises. I love it.

Laying it on thick.

You know it's too bad that igloos don't have wooden doors because I think Katara would feel a lot better slamming one right about now. Don't yell at your grandma.

Can ice do this? Also Appa looks so comfy. The one time I lived somewhere with bay windows & box seats I sat like this all the time. Messed my neck up every time I did, but that didn't stop me. The comfiness outweighs the pain.

They weren't kidding when they said all the men went to war. I was expecting a Helm's Deep type situation where old men and younger teenagers would be there to man the defences. But it's really just Sokka. That's an impossible burden.

This is the second episode of a kids' cartoon so I don't think they're going to kill anyone, but if this were a more realistic show, or real life, that whole village would be doomed.

What a shot! And he's not running. That's an unquantifiable level of courage.

Boat's got no brakes

That is not where I was expecting that ship to open.

The fire benders have horns. And I bet that steam coming out of the ship smells sulphurous.

That might be the best possible outcome. Head first in a snowbank is embarrassing but not fatal. Also war cries are manly but they give advance warning to your target. Hush up.

I love the "show no fear!" kid. Sokka's genuinely got these little kids believing in him. The potty break scene last episode shows that he pretty much has no idea what he's talking about but he's got the kids convinced! And the moms probably appreciate him taking charge of them for a few hours, even if he has no actual combat experience. And he keeps getting up!

How hard did he throw that boomerang!?! It took 24 seconds according to my DVD for it to come back.

It honked. Lord have mercy it honked. I have a weakness for well-placed sound effects and this one got me. Also these other soldiers must have orders to be as useless as possible. And do they all have the same face?

Zuko's spent years meditating? Don't believe it. Unless angry meditation is a thing? Maybe he has to meditate himself into angriness before he can burn stuff? Like work up a rage? Just guessing.

"Well you're just a teenager" They're all babies! All of them!

I repeat, Katara you feel too much! You need to grow up apathetic and cynical like the rest of us dried up adult husks ASAP or else you're really gonna be hurting.

"Take care of Appa for me until I get back!" I love this. He's announcing at maximum volume that he's going to escape and none of the fire soldiers react?

Sokka my man of practicality and action. Gran-gran my grandma of practicality and action. Katara my annoying little sister.

Is Zuko's little speech to Aang supposed to be a veiled insult or is he just making small talk? Obviously it's exposition for the viewer re: how monks are raised, but why did he feel the need to say that? Also your dad likes sticks? Cool. We all have hobbies.

So pretty.

Sokka, my man of synonyms. So Appa understands basic language commands but not spoken English. Heartfelt pleas won't get him flying, but yipyip will.

These two are such siblings. "big deal he's flying" careful there Sokka, you were nearly uncool in front of your younger sister. That can be fatal.

Aang is so polite when he's wiping the floor with full grown men. Also he has crazy good aim. That trick to break the ropes? How?

To be fair, Aang said he'd go with them, not that he'd stay with them.

Burrito Zuko

Aang's whole defense is running away. And it's working! Not the bit with burrito Zuko but he's actually winning this fight.

That mattress slam is brutal. I know this is a cartoon and physics isn't real here, but that caught me off guard. How is Zuko still conscious?

Prince burrito is a parkour champ.

Appa! Has the same problem as Sokka re: announcing sneak strikes.

Zuko what was your plan? Knocking him into the water doesn't recapture him.

Yep. Appropriate reaction to cyclone Aang.

So Aang does know how to waterbend. Katara didn't need to go north after all.

Love the head bonking callback.

This is genius on the fly problem solving. Only works backwards? Then do it backwards! Also these guys are dead. They'll suffocate long before they freeze.

"Shoot them down!" He orders... himself?

Siding with Zuko over the old man on this one. Aang is crazy powerful.

I just realised his eyes are different sizes. Does that impact his vision? For that matter, if that is a burn from taking a fireball to the face, how does he still have an eye?

So so pretty.

A literal cloud passes over when a cloud passes over their conversation. Clever.

Aang's waterbending was instinctive? Or only accessible during the glow-up. So they do still need to go north.

Katara you know your brother so well. He does indeed want to knock some fire bender heads. Sokka, having defeated his nemesis the potty break, now moves on to greater targets.

No matter what goes on in the show, all episodes end on a high note because that credits song is just so good.

Final thoughts

This was good! I think I liked this episode better than the first one, which makes sense. The first episode has to do all the set up, it's the next one that can have fun. Those moves Aang was pulling in the ship were really impressive. And really clever too.

Still loving Sokka, still loving Aang, Zuko was less of an asshole this episode. He also felt more competent, or maybe coherent? Like his character hangs together better, despite the butt honking. I laughed just typing that. I'm still not used to Zuko's voice actor though. I like how unique all of the characters' voices are in this show so far, but Zuko's still feels out of place to me.

The show doesn't dwell too much on Sokka facing down the fire nation ship (there is lots of build up but it gets played for laughs), but I think it's the stand out moment for me in this episode. Obviously it was foolhardy and a doomed effort, but it was also Sokka very literally fulfilling his responsibilities to the village. He was tasked with protecting his sister; he did. Goofy as it is, this moment is a win for Sokka. Not wise, but a win.

I love that Aang is 12, and feels 12. So often fiction about kid heroes that is intended for young readers/viewers has characters that feel like adults despite their stated age, but Aang feels 12. Katara feels like she's trying to be a grown-up so hard but keeps slipping up and acting her actual age. Sokka feels like he's trying to act as he thinks a man should, but keeps getting called out by Katara and responding in a way that fits his actual age. They close out this episode with plans for a multi-stage animal-riding safari. I love these priorities. Saving the world can wait, hopping llamas cannot.

My one problem with this episode is Katara. She needs to slow down, dial it back, stop yelling at grandmothers, and stop feeling everything at 110% before she exhausts herself. I get that the South pole and a grand total of like 25 people is probably a really boring way to grow up, but she threw herself heart first at Aang with near-suicidal enthusiasm, assuming that banishment in the South Pole would actually be a death sentence. I don't know how old she is, but that is such a teenage girl thing to do. And she's gonna get hurt!

Next episode needs more Sokka quips and more Appa. I would watch whole episodes with just Appa. I'd watch a whole Sokka episode too.

[lemonkeiku]

After Ending - Chapter 1 : Bitter Pill

Summary : Soap's death brought a storm of grief to certain people. Freya, an international mercenary who knew Soap well, was no exception. She's determined to find out what really happened to Soap.

Words count: 3,765

On this chapter include: Alex Keller and Farah Karim

Warnings: alternate universe, soap's death is canon here and he's already dead since the begining, call of duty: mobile character.

⚠ Important note ⚠ Freya is originally a character from Call of Duty: Mobile with name Vagr Modir. With the limited lore and background since it came from the mobile game, I created most of the lore and background myself, including the original name. The only things I used from the original character were the character's appearance description and nickname. The point is I don't know if I can call her as my original character or not.

24 NOVEMBER 2023 NORWAY – FREYA “VAGR MODIR” PETTERSEN

“Modir... Soap is dead.”

What the hell, she thought.

She didn't know what to think. It was almost impossible for her to react to such shocking news, in fact it was difficult for her to even comprehend it. But of course, the first thing that came to her mind was that it was kinda nonsense. She just talked to Soap a few days ago–maybe a week.

He sounded perfectly fine to her at that time. He might have sounded upset, but everything he said seemed fine. The last time she'd talked to Soap, he'd asked her a few things, but nothing concerning. They'd even had time to catch up, since they hadn't spoken in a while. It had been their first conversation in a long time. And now it was their last? She tried to recall the last conversation with Soap. About what they discussed and what things he asked, in case she could find clues as to how Soap had ended up like that. But unfortunately nothing came up, like she couldn't remember anything.

“He died here. In London,” they added.

She paused, trying to figure out what kind of answer she could give them. Her mind was now filled with a multitude of questions and doubts. Her heart stopped beating for a moment before it started pounding again. She tried to pull herself together as she tried to catch her breath, which now felt so heavy. Hot steam blew out of her mouth along with the wind, which felt colder from thirty minutes ago. The once clear sky was now overcast, blocking out the sun's warming rays.

On the other hand, Fenrir, one of her pet wolves who had been sitting beside her the entire time, knew her enough to understand that Freya was upset. He noticed the change in his mother's expression, tilting his head as if asking what was wrong. Freya, who noticed it, could only rub the top of his head.

She let out a heavy breath once more.

“Oh, is that so?” her response eventually. “Thank you. I appreciate it.”

She hung up immediately, without waiting for any response from the other end.

She remained silent for a while, standing still at the top of the hill, gazing impassively at the expanse of the forest. Part of her wanted to deny it, maybe most of it wanted to deny it. For all she knew, Soap was a tough guy. Didn’t mean he was immortal but it was almost impossible to think that someone like him could die just like that. But she had to realise that the message came from one of her most trusted informants. It couldn't be fake, no matter how many times Freya refused to believe it.

She quickly used her phone again, trying to dial the last number she knew to be Soap's. The call rang for a few moments and Freya hoped that someone would pick up. Her mind could not settle, her body could not stay still as she spun restlessly in place, waiting for the phone to ring. She hoped Soap would pick up.

“It's John. I can't get y’call, try again later o’ leave a message.”

The call went straight to voicemail. Of course, she should have known better that there was no way that anyone was going to answer. Even if Freya tried several times, the result would be the same and by knowing it, it felt hurt. It was hurt like someone stabbed a dagger straight to her chest and hit her kneecaps until she could barely support her own weight. She tried to lean on a nearby tree to stay on her feet. Fenrir became concerned and tried to help her as well.

It hurts even more just to think about it. She could no longer hide her expression, especially from Fenrir. That wolf could read her face so easily. She wondered if he would understand if Freya told him about Soap.

“I guess we won’t see Soap again.” Her voice sounded as if it had no strength left. Almost as if she had given up, although she still tried to deny it. “I know you always miss him.”

Fenrir whimpered in response, as if he understood what she was saying.

Eventually she started to walk away with the black wolf, leaving her favourite spot and heading into the woods. She picked up her phone–again and called another number. She still didn't want to believe it, of course, so she had to do something to check the truth. This time the phone was answered.

“Hey, you busy?” Freya greeted, matter-of-factly.

“Not really,” replied the person on the other end of the phone. “What’s up? You need a ride?”

“Yeah, can you take me to Urzikstan?” she asked.

“It depends. When do you want to go?”

“Soon,” Freya replied with certainty. “Don't worry about the pay. I'll pay you more if you can take me sooner.”

“Heh, I never worry about that with you. No problem, I'll drop you off early in the morning. You know where to go.”

After getting the deal, Freya quickly hung up the phone. In truth, she didn't have the energy to say much more than that either. Her mind was still on the news of Soap's death as she walked on through the trees. She tried to find the most plausible cause of Soap's death.

Who killed him? And how? These questions kept swirling around in her head.

She wanted to come back as soon as possible for several reasons. Especially when she witness how the weather had changed. The air grew colder with every step she took. The weather was supposed to be nice today, Freya had checked the weather report. But for some reason the sky was changing rapidly. It felt like a storm was coming. Even though it hadn't snowed yet, winter was just around the corner.

By the time she arrived at her house, the whole pack of her children had gathered. They were smart enough to understand that the weather was deteriorating. He led them quickly into their makeshift cave, making sure they would be safe no matter what happened tonight. They probably wouldn't sleep tonight. If the weather didn't get any worse, they would probably go out anyway.

After she had made sure that all of her children were all inside, she went into her own home, with Fenrir following her. That black wolf was indeed a big exception. He immediately sat down in front of the fireplace, which was his favourite spot, as Freya began to prepare her things for the next trip.

She had to confirm that Soap was really dead. She knew the only person she could ask, and that was what this trip was about. But it had been a long time since she had seen that person, who knew how he was going to react when Freya showed up.

26 NOVEMBER 2023U.L.F. MAIN BASE, URZIKSTAN – ALEX KELLER

The atmosphere at the base was tense recently. After Makarov's attempt to blame the ULF for the attack on the Russian plane, they knew that Makarov would not stop pitting them against each other and stirring up trouble. Even after Shepherd acknowledged the ULF's effort to form an alliance with the US, the threat to peace in Urzikstan would not go away.

This problem was not lost on Alex. He couldn't stop thinking of new ways to prevent the outbreak of war in Urzikstan. After Farah's return, the situation at the base became even more alarming. It has kept Alex awake for the past few days.

Like today, Alex didn't spend the nights in his room anymore. He was sure that he wouldn't be able to sleep tonight, so he decided to stand guard at one of the sentry posts with only a cup of black coffee. He knew he probably wouldn't get much out of his watch, nor did he really expect anything to happen. But at least he had something to do with his time. He really didn't need any more threats.

His eyes scanned the vast expanse of the desert. There wasn't much to see considering how dark it was out there, but at least the moon was shining brightly tonight. After standing for almost two hours, he finally decided to pull up a nearby chair and sit down facing outwards. He took occasional sips of his coffee, hoping the caffeine would keep him awake.

Alex had just placed his coffee cup on the table when he heard the creaking of the wooden floor echoing in his ears. He immediately got out of his chair and turned towards the source of the sound, searching for the cause, when a figure of someone standing outside the window. It was dark outside, making it difficult to see the figure clearly. The door of the post office was not closed, so it was easy for the figure to enter.

Strangely, Alex did not react or even take action against the stranger who appeared without any sign or even annoucement. He just stood still and watched as the figure approached him from the outside. It was as if Alex could make out the figure that was only a silhouette at the moment.

“Alex," the figure greeted. "Been a while, huh?”

The voice sounded so familiar. Especially when combined with the silhouette of the figure, Alex knew very well who it was. His memory immediately gave him the answer before he could ask himself.

“Mother!” Alex almost shouted.

His eyes blinked repeatedly, as if trying to make sure what he was seeing was real. Alex couldn't hide his surprise. She was a person Alex had known 3 years ago and he had never imagined that he would meet her again, let alone appear here.

“You look like someone who's seen a ghost.” Her voice made him shiver as he couldn’t guess why she was here. Her unpredictable tone didn't give him any clue, nor did her expression.

“How can't I ?” he responded. “A dead person shouldn’t be walking around.”

His answer left a small grin on her face as she walked toward the light, finally showing her face to him.

Seeing her standing there made Alex uneasy. She was a person who should have died 3 years ago, it seemed natural for Alex to be so cautious. His eyes could not escape the woman he knew as Vagr Modir, the Wolf Mother. As hard as it was to figure her out, Alex had to at least get some idea of why she was here.

“You should confirm by yourself next time.” Again, her voice sounded calm, but with a slight joking tone this time.

“How did you find me?”

“That was easy. You don’t have to know the details.”

“Then... What brought you here?” he asked, trying to remain calm. He put his hands on his waist, trying not to provoke her, so she knew he wouldn't do anything stupid. “Surely not to ask how I'm doing, right?”

“What’s wrong with catching up with an old friend?” She took a few steps around the room, as if scanning her surroundings. Her eyes wandered here and there before returning to Alex.

“We know that doesn't sound like you.”

“Did I really not leave a good impression on you?”

“Not at all.”

“That’s a shame.” She crossed her arms on top of her chest. “I'm here to confirm the death of someone else. I'm sure only you can give me that.”

“Who?” he was puzzled.

“A friend of ours, Soap. I was told that he was dead.”

“What are you talking about?”

This was the second time Alex had been caught off guard. This time it even caused him to let his guard down drastically. For a moment he wondered if he had heard wrong or if Modir was lying to him. He had plenty of reasons why he couldn’t trust her. He hadn't heard anything about it. If it was really someone from 141's death, he should know by now. But by the serious look on Modir's face, she might be right.

“You know exactly what I was talking about,” she argued. “I got a report, Soap was killed. No details, that's why I came to you. You should have heard about it.”

“Who's your intel?”

“It doesn't matter.”

“Then how would I know if it is true?”

“I wouldn't fly this far if I couldn't trust them, would I?”

“Fair enough.” Alex rubbed his face out of disbelief. This kind of  information managed to keep him more awake than strong black coffee. “Well then... if it is true, I guess the news travelled faster to Norway.”

“So you really don't know?”

“The last thing we know, Soap and his team were in London. But I can look into it, see if your intel is reliable.”

“My intel is always reliable, Alex. I just need confirmation from you,” Modir insisted.

Their conversation was interrupted for a moment when they both heard the rumbling sound of someone climbing the wooden stairs of the guard post. It seemed strange, considering that Alex had not heard any footsteps when Modir had appeared.

The footsteps stopped as Farah reached the door. She had a look as if she was out of breath, as if she was in a hurry to find Alex.

“Hey Alex, we got some—” Her words were cut off when she noticed Modir was there, who was an unidentified figure. “Who is this?”

Alex could see the change in Farah's expression, she became alarmed as her hand almost pulled her gun from its holster.  A reasonable reaction in Alex's opinion but he couldn’t let that happen.

“It’s okay, Farah. She's…” he hung on his words, trying to find the right one. “She’s a friend.”

It was clear that Farah didn't immediately believe it. But Alex had to try to convince Farah so that there would be no unwanted conflict.

“And what brings your friend here?” she demanded.

Alex tried to exchange glances with Modir. He didn't know what to expect when he looked at her, but Modir gave him no clues. Whether or not he could tell Farah about the news of Soap's death that neither of them had even heard.

“She said Soap is dead. She's here to confirm it,” he replied, almost hesitated.

Farah reacted as soon as she heard. But her reaction was a little different than Alex had expected. Her eyes were wide open, as if surprised, but her expression was as if she hadn't heard the news for the first time.

“How did you…”

“Is it true, Farah?” he asked, emphasising.

Farah sighed as her shoulders slumped, no longer tense. Her face became sad, with a furrowed brow and a mournful look. Alex should have been able to tell from Farah's expression that Soap was indeed dead. She no longer needs to explain.

“I just got a call from Price. Soap was killed a few days ago. I was about to tell you that.”

Now Alex knew that it was true. He still wanted to question how Modir knew before them, but it didn’t matter anymore. There was no response from Modir for a few moments, but Alex could see that she was clenching her jaw. As if Farah's confirmation was not something she had expected.

“Is it Makarov?” Modir questioned, again, like she already knew and asked just to make sure.

Farah didn't say anything at first, just stared at Alex. She obviously still didn't believe Modir, a stranger who had come out of nowhere. Alex could not trust Modir completely. He did not know her true intentions. But if she was going to do something to threaten him, Alex was sure she would have done it sooner.

With a nod of his head, he tried to reassure Farah. “You can tell her, Farah.”

“Yes. He was killed when he tried to stop him,” Farah eventually answered.

“Thank you,” Modir said. “Sorry for coming unannounced. I hope I didn't take up too much of your time.”

Modir immediately turned around and left the room through the door. He didn't even give Alex or Farah a chance to say anything. This time the sound of her steps could be heard, rushing down the stairs.

“Wait—Mother! Stop!” He tried to stop her, leaving Farah alone in that room. He ran down the stairs, trying to catch up with Modir before that woman disappeared just like how she came.

She went straight to the outside of the barrier. By the time Alex had almost caught up with her, Modir was already on a bike, preparing to leave. Alex had shouted at her several times, but Modir had no intention of stopping as she started her bike.

With no choice, Alex immediately jumped in front of Modir's bike. He pulled out his gun and even pointed it at Modir to stop her from riding away. Thankfully it worked, Modir didn't move–or at least she didn't ride off and hit Alex.

“I said, stop!” he commanded.

“You won’t shoot me,” she challenged him.

“And yet you stay.”

It took some time for the two of them to work out their egos. Alex was still pointing his gun straight at Modir, unwilling to move or even lower his weapon. Meanwhile, with both hands still on her bike, Modir was not about to give up her intention either.

But at the end it was Modir who gave in. It didn't take long for her to change her mind. At least for a moment. She took both hands off the bike and sat upright to show that this time she was listening to Alex. She also turned off her bike as a sign of good intentions.

“What do you want?” she asked bluntly. “You can lower your weapon. I'm not that stupid to run you over.”

Alex hesitated at first, but decided to listen to Modir's words and slowly lowered his weapon. By her tone alone, his curiosity outweighed his doubts about Modir and made him willing to lower his guard a little. He also took the opportunity to keep his weapon before beginning to speak.

“Why are you here?” he interrogated her.

“To confirm Soap’s death.”

“That doesn’t make any sense.”

“I want to know if he’s really dead and your Commander just confirmed it.”

“What else?”

“What do you mean “what else”? Wasn't that clear enough for you?”

“Of course not,” he was being doubtful. “Do you really expect me to believe that you're just here to confirm Soap's death?”

Modir raised one of her eyebrows. “And I left right after I got the confirmation. I’m sure it was pretty clear. Can I go?”

He didn't really like it, but he had to admit that it made sense, even if the rest didn't.

“Now you got your confirmation. What are you going to do about it?”

“I don't think it's any of your business.”

“It is!” he grunted. “You can't just barge into my base and leave without any explanation. You were lucky Farah didn't shoot you up there.”

Modir sighed loudly, her jaw tensing as her forehead creased. Her eyes were now fixed on Alex, and he could sense the woman's frustration. But here, too, Alex was annoyed because he was not getting a clear answer from Modir.

“You'd better stay out of my way, Alex. I'm no threat to you if that is what you worry about. Unless you’d try to hold me back, I’d have no second thought to fucking shoot your head . Now, move!”

At this point, Alex had no reason to continue to stand in Modir's way. True, he had gotten no explanation, but Modir herself had assured him that she was no threat. At least for now. Eventually, he stepped aside from the front of her bike and let Modir go. He took a moment to stare at the woman as she drove away, until she was out of sight.

He went back to his post when Farah was standing at the bottom of the stairs. He was not sure if she had seen or even heard his conversation with Modir.

“Alex… Who is she?” she asked right away.

“An acquaintance.”

“From the CIA?”

Alex shook his head. “No, no... She’s a mercenary. We crossed paths once,” he tried to explain. “We worked together– short of. Well… at least not at first.”

The two of them walked up the stairs, back into the room. It was Alex who invited Farah to continue their conversation inside. He knew she must have many questions. It would also be better if no one overheard their next conversation. He closed the door behind him as soon as Farah walked through it.

“So what does she have to do with Soap?” She crossed her arms.

“Soap was there with me. Y’know… That one time I went to Alaska.” Alex took the chair he previously used and sat there. “I never expected she would show up here.”

“Why is that?”

“The last time I met her was 3 years ago in Alaska. More importantly, she was supposed to be dead. She was reported K.I.A. during that time.”

Alex would never forget his first and last meeting with Modir. Especially the last moment when he witnessed how Modir was killed in front of him. As Modir said before, he did not check whether Modir was really dead or not, he just received the report that Modir was K.I.A..

After seeing Modir alive and appearing at the ULF headquarters, Alex couldn't stop thinking about a few things. When Modir appeared earlier, he thought that she had come for him with bad intentions. Even when she questioned him about Soap's death, Alex thought she had other plans about it.

It felt as if the adrenaline was still pumping, his heart was still pounding and even his hands were sweating in their gloves. He had good reason to be anxious. He thought Modir was coming to kill him.

“Are you planning to inform Price about her?” she asked.

Alex was silent. He thought about whether it was necessary to tell others. Apart from the fact that Modir didn't ask about anything other than Soap's death, she didn't mention anything about the team either.

He thought so hard that his forehead furrowed and he sniffed the air from behind his moustache.

“Let’s keep this between us for now. I don’t think she’ll be a threat to them.”

Thank you for reaching the end of first chapter 💕💕 I really hope you like it and excited for the next chapter^^

[brightatmidnight]

Where We've Been and What We've Been Doing - An Update on the State of The Chaser's Voyage

It's been a while! Our client updates got interrupted by a much more important task, reworking our Tutorial! So, here's what we've been up to lately!

Hello everyone. It's been a while since we last updated but we're finally ready to tell you what we've been working on these last 2 and half months. The short version of it all is that we've been making some major changes to our tutorial. Since going live with it last November, we've gotten to see more people playing The Chaser's Voyage first hand and it's given us a better understanding of what we need to prioritize and what we need to back away from when it comes to introducing people to the game. Namely, it required a lot less talking and lot more doing.

I think the current version of the tutorial has too much talking in it. It was a way to introduce some core concepts of not just our game world, but also why the mechanics are the way they are. I thought it was a necessary bridge that needed to be crossed for players to understand why they were doing something. For example, unlike a space game like FTL where you might be traversing the entire galaxy, we limited ourselves to just a small corner of the galaxy, Sector 99, so that all of our planets could have names and backstories and our list of alien species didn't have to grow to, well, a galaxy sized level. In retrospect, I don't think that it was necessary to introduce the player to these lore explanations, at least not in the tutorial. So, we did away with a lot of the universe building dialogue, though we still did allow ourselves some brief, inconsequential, moments of world building.

We also thought that having a character explain what needed to be done vs. having text prompts explain would be a more active way for players to learn the ins and outs of the core mechanics. It definitely works for some games, but we realized, it doesn't work that way for ours. We didn't want players to feel like our game was too hand holdy or a "by the numbers" type game where "when X happens, you must do Y." We wanted to emphasize the idea that "Hey, you're going to be called on to make decisions, so just be ready for that" but I think it ended up adding some bits that the player isn't necessarily going to be interested in at that moment and the "on the fly decisions bit" can still be reinforced without us having to be explicit.

So, we changed our tutorial to something that uses a lot of less talking and lot more text prompts. This itself required a lot of work, as we made our text prompts no longer automatically close, but instead, players could choose when to close the prompt once they had carried out the prompt's instructions. We decided that perhaps for this part, a little hand holding was necessary to get the players started. We didn't want people to feel overwhelmed with options at first, after all. With our text prompts came more inspiration from Nintendo games, where we decided to color code text and use symbols to connect the keywords and instructions to the interactable elements. So for example, when we tell players to set their weapons to level 2 to shoot down missiles, the word "weapons" will be colored green and show the weapons icon and the symbol for level 2 weapons will be next to "level 2". It's actually been quite the challenge to think of every way we can make something as clear as possible and this time, no fear of whether or not it might be obvious.

Remaking our tutorial isn't the only thing we've been working on these last couple of months. We're really trying to revamp our social media marketing campaign. I've been doing a lot of studying up and we're prepared to make a couple of big changes. The first and most notable is that we're dropping "roguelike" from our marketing and will soon be changing it on Steam. While I will die on the hill that our game is technically a "roguelike", we are missing a lot of the modern hallmarks of what makes a roguelike a "roguelike". We don't have randomized power-ups or engage in tedious resource collection. For better or for worse, those are elements associated with roguelikes and I have gotten some questions along those lines from people wondering how The Chaser's Voyage is like a roguelike.

And since nobody wants a lecture or a redirection to my article, we feel it's just better to drop the genre from our marketing. This does once again leave us without a genre to categorize ourselves in but as I said in my "Is Our Game a Roguelike?" article, we don't like genres and we didn't set off to make a game constrained by genre. Though, in the writing of this article, I've learned that we made some assumptions about genres like "space flight simulation" which encompasses everything from games like Elite: Dangerous, to Kerbal Space Program, to Star Wars: X-Wing. Which is wild. So, going forth, we'll be leaning more into the "space flight" aspect of our game, perhaps marketing ourselves as a "space flight lite" or maybe just a "space flight sim". Who knows? (Have I mentioned I hate genres?)

With this change in marketing decision it also means changing some of our stuff on Steam and making a brand new trailer (again). We're hoping that our new trailer can be the kick-off of our new marketing efforts, but we'll see if this article doesn't end up doing that first.

We've also made a new Twitter account just for The Chaser's Voyage that will act as a central source for all things The Chaser's Voyage (while our Bright at Midnight twitter account will still be focused on stuff going on with us as game devs).

With all this going on, we're still hopeful of finishing The Chaser's Voyage relatively soon. We still plan on executing a well-crafted, unique, professional indie game. We want The Chaser's Voyage to go to the stars and we're prepared to do whatever it takes to make that happen!

For more updates on The Chaser’s Voyage, be sure to check back on our blog, follow The Chaser's Voyage and Bright at Midnight on Twitter, or join our Discord! If you wish to play The Chaser’s Voyage, you can buy it while we’re in Early Access on Steam.

- Eos//G

[libidomechanica]

For one especially the last: all

A kimo sequence

               1

For one especially the last: all your sight, and treated in their ocean of eternity.

               2

The Lady Adeline, who like two bats and we failed—if we drove south. Crawls to make haste away.

               3

Wilt thou canst not with sparkles new begun. He scent gan fail. And to all men lie; she condition.

               4

Shell, which ever know, that lovely lisper smiled at mad pursuit? Grief makes me sick, weak, paranoid.

               5

To blush, but once her mouth. So daring in the blessing even his favourite’s condition.

               6

But vicious, harebrained, the other have told my wrath did grace? Pennsylvania humps on endless dole.

               7

Chaste Cathering rose fast with gazing spells whose sweetly on his own. Breaking purple silk, or die.

               8

As dear, and yet no sins of the night at noonday. That I propose … I am Ra … in a snare.

               9

Steam-engines will be transfixed! Who eats fire gratis since then run out like young man, now lord of fear.

               10

Though the vast uplandish country lass: a chart, which deemed eternal love. Row, which gaping like this.

               11

Besides, train-oil, tallow, the hounds, it may, a bard in country’s cries! On the bed baith kirk and joy!

               12

Him;—as also sanctify her kind. Saying what you were. By the crevice peer’d about her name.

               13

Thought him alone at all … he took no part in a foreigners excel the poor devils or a dun.

               14

When I a heart another pleased we were better by thy pillow. The fault in hand did detain.

               15

I mourn no more. The wild Boreas’ harshness; thou hast read how roughly treading hair. If I were dead!

               16

My laddie dear; till the trembling, cold, brightness? He would repay each other home and her face is run.

               17

— Her Brow’s white like Roland’s distress and there. She then majesty, which fools may shepherds pipe began.

               18

That seemed like prayers had power, whiff! Some hoped thing which I could recall the villain fears below!

               19

Sukey is tumbled all her child within the difference of you. When she does wane; and the Spring.

               20

And what great cause of war, or peace, and luminous and last, if not in a cloak, as I thinke. Dead!

               21

I’ll never when true it is enough, Thus let them selfe into a hemline. Its puddle; hurrah!

               22

They must, I think grief does know.—A scarlet ornament when it was undone, because she’s in her.

               23

But she was full, and would he could I forgiven me. Happy you why. And briars and spends they fail!

               24

Thinking about her Mind. The presents to the wall. Suppose him to the poem of my Sick Soul!

               25

At Lord Augustus Fitz-Plantagenet. A maiden may thing to save my yet young Lochinvar.

               26

I HATE the dreary. For ever in a dreadful blast is blown to blush, and how should fall dreaming.

               27

Sir, the main of such a structure had been wronged love. My spark should be discharged of these counsel Juan.

               28

Roses at my slack of us singing joy of the balm was in the bay. No object higher.

               29

The simmer is not at first a nation. Don Juan felt—what was in danger more than counsel Juan.

               30

But I am a giant oranges, and root up the lowe degree the crowd—but you! Behold!

               31

I love me now! Which with green tree, able for I would stop the richest mine and now—what is she!

               32

Long since my thoughts canst not so tickled, they drive on, postilions! And then he sawe thilke misusage.

               33

For Babylon’s than fiction: she smiled, she was, and thin, abroad, at least my sky: but whither side.

               34

I’m o’er young, and the skies, over and goosebumps lift, it’s your truth. The sky grew things well as Sight.

               35

Not seem a scheme that may be, but Pallas also of the Apostles’ cure. The climate, stopp’d em.

               36

To be it where seeing how Art can make? It is not at all. Or amber, a pavement of tin.

               37

Were the kirk maun hae thee, and me. Come and curse onto my garden gay, to lay on the ruin’d me.

               38

All, praises, and altitudes of virtue lies in the sun upon a ground. The bride in the bat.

               39

Last little wood, ’ that hill where he embark’d, and owls whooped, and I’ll roses glow! May nothing shall soar.

               40

To mar the lacing o’t. Autumn, and redder than thou dost rove these pretence to leave to rise.

               41

Pearls to speak; and if a child; her hair. Sad case, as you to everyone else. We were waxing child!

               42

The mountaine sayles. But stayed his lap. And, lawd, how much ye strike, if he feared ye’d spoil much grief beside.

               43

Thorn! Thus, having in thee doth display at once before thirty, that’s in the toes, it will content.

               44

Hath been crying Love, and swore he gazed up to our Eyes; a Cataract that, when you adjacent.

               45

Will have no end: mine appetite with this restrained of it. They keepen all them—But you have vowed.

               46

—She still’d? And wakened, shiver’d with fine Conceits, all we are brought her painted shell, is best right.

               47

Sheds itself advance, hermes had the worst. The gilded girl whom he sleep as its make, that were wild.

               48

Possible leap to kiss that was his mistresses. And sweet love is dumb. The stranger, strove to rise.

               49

Which to me I bore the bellman of black. And thy orphan family’s once with posterity.

               50

The canker-worm will freeze in fire! And coole. Of human miracle-tones of ice, and the cost you.

               51

For me, I deem an anti-climax: ’Oh! As to soft music, midnight. The flood than human kind.

               52

The mother’s pangs o’ joy. Regions full of incongruities: be her forehead with long ere the worst.

               53

The sobs of mighty empire now at rest, whereat she can afford to those. From that a bonne.

               54

Forget this way!—But titt’ring ivy, two rivers, in the fond parisian aspect burst, and live?

               55

Our shutters are sweet the basement-curtain’d his eyes were affied. I askéd a thief to steal thine ear.

               56

Than human years were made the shining the shuddering from the moonlight on any slight on me.

               57

” Where, there, as a cane that were attachment. When your leisure! Our friendship, which my sole enemy.

               58

I’m o’er young to my father, sister’s train to change. His anger if he fear’d; some statue of stone.

               59

I set her own least in women dancing in her idle flight.—And there behold him for Cupid.

               60

Looks our lives, and meek, she cried, Sweet fruit; but he’s growin’ yet. I won’t let you meant, you shalt not love.

               61

And bounds of shaving wine, and keeps our Britain owes and pays you turn her Eye should removed. Down, down!

               62

So, either old against the Black, the Bread. Our owne woe; for souls up in these are the world—ah me!

               63

My grieve me, Hero, hate me, not by cares or wand’ring in my soul. Tomorrow withereth too.

               64

In the Air, know not how; for stone, it is sad to his place. Perhaps were o’erhead a live here whites.

               65

Love though at time it will not find a term is shown, who, after the greatest wealth, and draught of flood.

               66

She saw her feet to the riches rancke, whose careless her breast; yet not make her lies. Terrifies me.

               67

And sent. As could she be fasten’d thro’ the Mill lo’es dearly, and with shame o’t, but more to die.

               68

Who on Love’s feet, and then at last she fled, which makes him quail, or his hands out o’ h—ll. She trips.

               69

I am not there beside; further dry. In your mouth. Me, day by day did Absál tempt the flight!

               70

And why such a rattling murmur of all the real gladness. The earth to rights; you have my bow.

               71

Yet she had saved her lies.—I’m o’er young to market by the chance so happen— deeds, with the go-cart.

               72

Last little captive, freely, wildly-wanton strips racing heate where cheek withal. Ask me no more.

               73

—At last; and maidens loth? First shepheards sayd Algrind oftentime great cup of camomile tea.

[pof203]

A Summoner Birthday

Special Quest: Kuniyoshi

Yes, I get to be here again! I wonder if we'll get to see any Therians here today.

Probably. This is a world of dream, after all.

You brought Kuniyoshi to the virtual fairytale world to help him find some inspiration by meeting more of the Therians here.

Kuniyoshi: I think we should check the castle, it looks Therian enough.

Lupin: Okay, let's go.

With that, you and Kuniyoshi make your way to the castle on the hill.

You and Kuniyoshi make it to the castle without fail.

Kuniyoshi: No matter how many times I see this place, it reminds me of the castle in my dream world. I wonder where they got the inspiration for it.

Lupin: You'll have to ask Boogeyman. Kurogane said that he designed the place based on what he saw in the dream world.

Kuniyoshi: I probably should. I wonder what Therians will we find here. (excited) I just can't wait! Let's have a look around.

Lupin: I'm with you all the way. Let's get searching.

So, you and Kuniyoshi go into the castle in search of Therians.

You and Kuniyoshi search the castle for any Therians who might be here.

Kuniyoshi: (a bit tired) Phew! I think we've searched this castle from top to bottom, but we can't find any Therians.

Lupin: Well, we still haven't tried the garden yet. Maybe there are some there.

Kuniyoshi: I suppose. Let's go and see.

You and Kuniyoshi enter the garden. When you do...

Kuniyoshi: (hearts in his eyes and steam out his nose) Therians! At last, we've found them!

No doubt, there were some Therians in the garden, taking in the sight around them.

You even spot a familiar face.

Huh? Oh! Lupin, Kuniyoshi! I didn't know you would be here.

Lupin: Hi, Volos. What brings you here? I thought after what happened, you wouldn't want to come back to this wold.

Volos: Same here. But when I heard, the garden was pretty here, so I thought about coming here to see it.

Kuniyoshi: No doubt. And it's even more beautiful with all these Therians around.

Volos: Most of them are with me, they're members of the gardening club. I know these flowers are artificial, but we just had to see for ourselves. The rest are just other visitors to this world.

Kuniyoshi: I've just got to get closer to them. (really excited) Therians, here I come!

Kuniyoshi rushes off to the other Therians in the garden.

Lupin: I better go keep an eye on him. Let's come back to this world together another time.

Volos: (happy) I'm already looking forward to it.

You leave Volos to keep Kuniyoshi in control.

After much cuddles and sketching, you and Kuniyoshi managed to find a room in the castle to rest.

Phew! So many Therians. I was sure I died and went to fluffy fuzzy heaven.

Lupin: Don't die on me just yet.

Kuniyoshi: Sorry. But it's true.

Lupin: Well, at least you would go being with what you love.

Kuniyoshi: Yeah. Therians... and you.

Lupin: (a bit surprised) Me?

Kuniyoshi: Yes. I don't think I've ever met someone other than Lich or Itzamna who likes Therians as much as you do. Alp, Cu Sith, Tadatomo, and the others. You've got them all.

Lupin: Not really. Most of them are just friend, like Moritaka... But I wonder if Wakan counts as a Therian.

Kuniyoshi: It's hard to say. He is a Transient and he has buffalo horns. Though, I think his Infinite self might fit the bill. There's still a lot about Wakan Tanka∞ we don't know.

Lupin: I know. I don't have all the memories the original Heyoka, so I'm still learning all about him... Just as I want to learn more about you.

Kuniyoshi: (blushing a bit) You mean it? Are you sure someone like you would want to learn more about someone like me? I know you already want to learn more about Lich, but me?

Lupin: Because you have a love for all beings, human or Therian. You're so open to everyone and everything, trying to let them know that they are loved and they love you in return. Even to me. I want us to learn more about each other.

Kuniyoshi: And I want to learn about you. I'm happy that we met. Whether you are a person or a Therian, I want to get to know you. You make everyone so happy, I guess that's why everyone loves you... And I love you, too.

Lupin: And I you.

You and Kuniyoshi both sit close together on the bed, your cheeks rubbing against each other with warmth. It's this warmth that let's you both know that your words are sincere and you share a connection that's unbreakable.

Then, a clock on the wall rings.

Kuniyoshi: Looks like it's time. Shall we be going?

Lupin: With you? Yes.

You both leave the castle and make your way back to Candyland to return home.

[epic-song-lyrics-showdown]

Random Assorted Artists with songs in the showdown Pt. 2

This is the second list of random artists that have been submitted. This is pretty much anyone that didn’t get many submissions. If you see a song and are like hey this should be somewhere else the answer is no. Unless there is a repeat of a song somewhere or the artist shows up on another list they are meant to be here. Check out the other lists here.

Somebody - Age of Madness

Finale (The Magic Shop) - The Muppets

Komm, süsser Tod - Arianne Schreiber

If I Didn’t Believe in You - Jeremy Jordan (The Last Five Years)

Iodine - Icon for Hire

Can’t be Erased - JT Music

My Ordinary Life - The Living Tombstone

An Unhealthy Obsession - The Blake Robinson Synthetic Orchestra

Welcome to the Family - Watsky

Infinitesimal - Mother Mother

You’re Gonna Go Far, Kid - The Offspring

Walking Disaster - Sum 41

Small Blue Thing - Suzanne Vega

Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing - Set It Off

Finale (Can’t wait to see what you do next) - AJR

Top Picks for You - Injury Reserve

Good News - Mac Miller

Gopher Guts - Aesop Rock

Close your eyes (And count to fuck) - Run the Jewels

That Scrooge - Team Starkid

Rule #9- Child of the Stars - Fish in a Birdcage

A Million Gruesome Ways to Die - Daniel Ingram and Black Gryphon

Chicken Man - Evelyn Evelyn

Open the Sky - The Stupendium

Poison Pop - qbomb

I.D. - go! child

These Hallowed Wings - The Stupendium

Finding Mr. Midnight - Random Encounters

End of the Rope - They Might Be Giants

Lo-Fi Children - Wild Party

Brass Goggles - Steam Powered Giraffe

Hypothesis - Penny Parker

What Will You Leave Behind - Max II

Light of the Sun - Rustage ft. Johnald

DONTTRUSTME (don’t trust me) - 3OH!3

Vulture - Bear Ghost

Pale Blue Eyes - The Velvet Underground

Suicide Romantics - Des Rocs

Sleep Now in the Fire - Rage Against the Machine

Never Let Me Down Again - Depeche Mode

Selfless - The Strokes

The Loneliest - Måneskin

Back to Black - Amy Winehouse

The End of the World - Sharon Van Etten

Who said anything (about falling in love) - The Hoosiers

Live and Learn - Crush 40

Choices - The Hoosiers

Sometimes - Nick Lutsko

Hellbent - Mystery Skulls

When the Chips are Down - Hadestown

Trials - STARSET

Take Control - Old Gods of Asgard

Ricochet - STARSET

Symbiotic - STARSET

Aura - Thomas Bergersen

Asking For It - Hole

Softer, Softest - Hole

Banks - Lincoln

Bury Our Friends - Sleater-Kinney

Unwritten - Natasha Bedingfield

Planet of the Bass - Kyle Gordon

Bi Bi Bi - Sub-Radio

VS SAYU - James Landino ft. Nikki Simmons

Teal - Wunderhose

All My Friends - LCD Soundsystem

Bad Bad Things - AJJ

Since I saw Vienna - Wilbur Soot

Brain Power - NOMA

THE MOST FASHIONABLE FACTION - The Stupendium

Superman - Ivory Lane

New York - St. Vincent

Old Friends - Scott Helman

Even My Dog - Katheryn Gallagher

Way Less Sad - AJR

IT’S OK - Nightbirde

Vienna - Billy Joel

Breaking Out - The Protomen

Atlanta - go! child

Enigma - go! child

Atlanta - go! child

I’m Enough - Early Eyes

Melody from the Past - The Megas

The Will of One - The Protomen

build a giant robot out of trash - qbomb

Believe - Hollywood Undead

If I Believed - Starkid (Twisted Soundtrack)

The Night We Met - Lord Huron

Hearing Damage - Thom Yorke

A Better Son/Daughter - Rilo Kiley

Nothing Left - John-Allison Weiss

Along the Road - Radical Face

Learning to Fly - Hills x Hills

Habibi - Tamino

HYACINTHUS - Aidoneus

Into the West - Annie Lennox ish

Two Birds - Regina Spektor

Sticks & Stones - Jónsi

Where No One Goes - Jónsi, John Powell

Together from Afar - Jónsi

Throw Me in the Water - WILD

Welcome Home Son - Radical Face

Hey Brother - Avicii

Here’s To Us - Kevin Rudolf

Hungover in the City of Dust - Autoheart

Burned Out - dodie

In Our Bedroom After The War - Stars

Glory - Radical Face

Older Than I Am - Lennon Stella

Brother - Kodaline

Devourer - Aidoneus

Forever Young - Youth Group

The Village - Wrabel