#t: attack of the killer queen

[vgtrackbracket]

Video Game Track Bracket Round 5

Attack of the Killer Queen from Deltarune

vs.

Resurrections from Celeste

Propaganda under the cut. If you want your propaganda reblogged and added to future polls, please tag it as propaganda or otherwise indicate this!

Attack of the Killer Queen:

somehow despite being on one of the best OSTs ever to release it's the best song on there. incredible.

Taking a lot of restraint not to submit everything from undertale and deltarune so I’m sticking to one of each and this is absolutely my favorite dr song. It suits Queen so perfectly and it’s catchy as hell.

Resurrections:

it's really long (about 9-10 minutes) since it covers all the variations that play within its level but it's so good i recommend listening all the way through anyways. the overall transition from "peaceful and dreamlike, but not necessarily safe" to something more sinister throughout the runtime is really good. the final variation heavily uses repeating phrases (which even pan from left to right) which is SO COOL with the context that it plays while the level gimmick is being chased by "shadow mario" clones of yourself. also kinda off-topic but i started associating the piano chords that start at 1:20 with the despicable me song. and i can't stop hearing it, probably in part because the lyrics unironically fit badeline kinda well. "i'm having a bad, bad day / if you take it personal, that's okay / steamrolling whatever i see / oh, despicable me" i haven't seen a mashup of this anywhere but one of these days i might just make it myself if i have to

[murfpersonalblog]

The Babygirlification of the Modern Vampire - marinashutup

The first half is mostly just her love of Baldur’s Gate 3′s Astarion, and Twilight’s Edward Cullen; but she actually starts cooking in the last ~15 minutes, about major themes about vampires & vampirism in general; and why audiences relate to monsters so much:

Toxic cycles of abuse & vampire guilt (30:58 - 32:56)

Considering the vampire cycle of abuse, is it really any wonder that so many vampires are angsty brooding and hate themselves? 

“This is the skin of a killer, Bella!” (Edward Cullen)

The overwhelming desire to drain innocent victims -like Elon Musk drains Diet Coke cans and Twitter's net worth aside--vampires are basically groomed into believing they need to be sadistic, unempathetic, tyrannical monsters. Sure, monsters don't have a lot of say in their nature, but the culture of  enslaving, torturing, and brainwashing certainly doesn't help.

This is also making me think a lot about the way that artificial family dynamics are replicated within vampire lore.

Cazador is described as the patriarch of his coven, and he repeatedly calls his Spawn his children. He uses infantilizing language, referring to Astarion--a 239 year-old man--as “boy” and “child.” The Zar family is also a literal family lineage of vampires, and there's a whole side story where you learn that Cazador turned his own niece at the age of 13 without her consent. Incidentally, she was kind of a bada** because she rejected the whole creepy family cult thing, changed her name, and refused to ever leave her room. Honestly, Queen Sh*t. 

In real life toxic family dynamics, abusive parental figures often think of their abuse as serving a greater good. In the minds of many abusers, corporal punishment functions as a way to correct perceived mistakes and reinforce desired behavior in victims. The schemas passed down from vampire Masters to their spawn are inherently rooted in a cycle of abuse. 

In vampire mythology, including Dracula, Interview with the Vampire, and Buffy, vampire lineage often requires that all vampires are both victim and predator. The original trauma of being preyed upon by a monster who has power over them, viciously attacked and turned against their will, is part of a cycle of violence that gets repeated every time a vampire feeds or creates another vampire. In many of these narratives, the dichotomy of vampire-versus-prey / Master-versus-Spawn mirrors the abuser-victim dynamic.

The Role of Choice (35:43 - 38:17)

The role of choice is the primary theme running throughout Baldurs Gate 3, but it's also a major recurring concept within vampire narratives. 

In Twilight, Bella spends three and a half long-winded books begging Edward to turn her, to allow her to exercise her choice, and become a vampire--and he just keeps edging her. There's a lot to be said about Bella's motivations for this, and whether or not her desire is valid or rooted in a teen girl's struggle with identity. The books don't really grapple with the weight of that choice in a satisfying or intellectually curious way, but it's undeniably a substantial part of the text. 

In Interview with the Vampire [the 1994 movie], after mortally wounding Louis, Lestat presents him with the choice he never had--

“I'm going to give you the choice...I never had.” (Lestat, IWTV 1994)

But the so-called “choice” that Lestat offers his targets isn't really a choice at all. Mortally wounding someone, and then offering them the option to become a vampire or die is a false dichotomy of choice, that Lestat manufactured to suit his own needs: 

"If I leave you here...you die.” (Lestat, IWTV 1994)

Like, sir!? Have you ever considered the third option of NOT bringing your targets right up to the point of death, and instead simply letting them go?! 

He targets Louis because he knows he's emotionally vulnerable. Louis’ grieving the loss of his wife and daughter, behaves recklessly because he actively wants to unalive himself. He begs for death, but when the moment comes, he hesitates.

"Have you tasted it enough?” (Lestat, IWTV 1994)

Lestat promises that the gift of Darkness will rid him of pain and grief, and Louis agrees, but only reluctantly.

When Astarion first meets Cazador, his experience mirrors Louis. He's similarly bleeding to death when he's given the option to die or become a vampire; a choice he references with a degree of sarcasm:

"Eternal life, or bleed to death on the street!” (Astarion, BG3)

Cazador also leaves out some pretty major details about the consequences of being a vampire spawn, and it's doubtful Astarion would have actually consented to being turned had he been informed of them. I think it's also pretty clear in the way that Astarion talks about his experience that the process of being turned was a major source of trauma for him, and not something that he would choose a second time.

"I don't want to turn into anything else.” (Astarion, BG3)

I think it's also clear in the language he uses to describe his experience that he does not enjoy being a vampire. He pathologizes vampirism with medical euphemisms, describing it as a “condition,” “complication,” and “affliction.” 

Even Cazador himself seems to struggle with the monster he eventually became. If you use Detect Thoughts while Cazador is asleep in his coffin, his thoughts betray an eerie internal monologue.

Abuse Survivors vs Abuse Perpetuators (42:19 - end)

Some survivors of parental abuse unconsciously replicate the same behaviors and ideals from their own abusers. That's why you sometimes see generational trauma pass down within families, from abusive parents to their children, to their children's children.

Astarion's romantic relationship with the player also morphs into this weird power dynamic thing--and, like, I get it, I get it! You can actually have him turn Tav into a vampire spawn. But it's pretty clear that he will then start thinking of you [Tav] as a subordinate.... 

But mirroring his transformation from human to spawn, Astarion's Ascension fundamentally changes who he is as a person--

"Something tells me he's not the same person we knew.” (Karlach, BG3) 

And what I think is so interesting about Baldur’s Gate 3 is that it presents players with the complicated choice between persuading Astarion from making a decision that would clearly damage his progress healing from abuse, and letting him make his own quote unquote choice to Ascend. 

To me, persuading Astarion NOT to go through with the ritual and save the imprisoned Spawn is an essential step in the character's healing journey. Instead of rooting his aspirations in the twisted ideals that Cazador and the vampires before him glorified, this decision shifts how Astarion views himself, and who he identifies with. Truly seeing and valuing the Spawn’s humanity is Astarion choosing to identify with Cazador's other victims and honor the humanity within himself by aligning himself with the Spawn. It means he too is a survivor worth saving. It means choosing to be better than Cazador-- choosing to form his own identity, and choosing to break the centuries-long vampire cycle of abuse. And that's really powerful. 

But of course, you can also choose to let your pansexual elf boyfriend double down on becoming a toxic Alpha Vampire Who Wants to Rule the World. Some players actually prefer letting Astarion Ascend, and live out his fantasy as a kinky vampire Top, creating a polycule of Spawn Submissives.

In Baldur’s Gate 3, you can make whatever choice you want. That's kind of the whole point.

“There are a lot of thirsty people around here.” (Halsin, BG3)

[freddiemercurylegendabovelegends]

Today, on November 2nd, 1974 - Freddie Mercury interview

NEW MUSICAL EXPRESS

by Julie Webb relentlessly probes the cut and contour of Queen's Lead Trouser

The contents of Freddie Mercury`s pants are his alone. They belong to him and to no-one else.

Funny how times change. Seems like only yesterday that people were taking the mickey out of Queen. Of course, there were some who reckoned they had a genuine talent which would come to the fore, but for many they were merely a flash in the pan.

Two hit albums and two hit singles later, the band can afford a smirk at the expense of their journalistic detractors. This week Queen began their second major tour of Britain. Last time round they were just breaking “Seven Seas Of Rhye” – this time the new album “Sheer Heart Attack” will be featured, but strangely enough not their new single “Killer Queen,” since lead singer Freddie Mercury deems it “not necessary to add to what we are going to do on stage.”

It was Mercury, you may remember, who was so sublimey confident about the band`s chances of success – and he hasn`t changed. “Queen II” may have gone silver, but he reckons “it`ll go platinum” before long. Four months ago, you might have sneered – now it`s about time you listened.

The turning point for the band is really the new single. “A double A side, though no one seems to realise it because they keep playing `Killer Queen`,” interjects Mercury. It`s a turning point in that it sounds nothing like the noisy heavy metal sound to which we are accustomed from Queen, thus justifying their earlier claim of `versatility.` It`s more of a mixture of Beach Boys, early Beatles and 1920`s music-hall. Quaite naice, actually.

Says Mercury: “People are used to hard rock, energy music from Queen, yet with this single you almost expect Noel Coward to sing it. It`s one of those bowler hat, black suspender belt numbers – not that Noel Coward would wear that.”

And you?

“Oh no dear, just a nice little black number.”

It is apparent that success (in any shape or form) has not altered Mercury, who still insists on using the suffix “dear” at the end of many of his sentences. He is also still very much hung up on maintaining the `star` image.

For a start he never carries much money round with him. It`s not that he`s poverty-stricken or even mean – just that it`s difficult to keep cash in your shoes. A star to the last, he wears pocketless trousers and keeps his finances close to his feet.

“I hate pockets in trousers,” he stresses. “By the way, I do not wear a hose. My hose is my own. No coke bottle, nothing stuffed down there.”

Of course, Freddie.

However, sticking rigidly to the star image has its drawbacks. Satin trousers aren`t that durable (“I split a pair last week”) and velvet and sequins have a nasty habit of dulling in the rain. Still, they create the desired effect of getting people to stare. Mercury still adores the stares, of course – he`s insisted all along he`s a star and thinks he should dress accordingly. But for all the high camp, he`s got some grey matter in that head of his.

It was, after all, Mercury who wrote six of the thirteen cuts on the new album and being artistically inclined it was he who provided the idea for the album sleeve.

“God, the agony we went through to have the pictures taken, dear. Can you imagine trying to convince the others to cover themselves in Vaseline and then have a hose of water turned on them?”

Sheer agony, Freddie. The end result is four members of the band looking decidely unregal, tanned and healthy, and as drenched as if they`ve been sweating for a week.

“Everyone was expecting some sort of cover. A Queen III cover really, but this is completely new. It`s not that we`re changing altogether – it`s just a phase we are going through.”

But won`t Queen devotees be a trifle worried by this new image?

“They will love it. We`re still as poncy as ever. We`re still the dandies we started out to be. We`re just showing people we`re not merely a load of poofs, that we are capable of other things.”

The album, as detailed above, boasts 13 tracks – most of them a mere three minutes in length.

“Not a collection of singles, dear – although we might draw another one off later for a single. I`m not absolutely sure about that, though. No, not all the numbers last for ages. There were just so many songs we wanted to do. And it makes a change to have short numbers. It`s so varied that we were able to go to extremes. I only had about two weeks to write my songs so we`ve been working (expletive deleted) hard.”

(➡️ Read on https://geirmykl.wordpress.com/2015/01/10/article-about-queen-from-new-musical-express-november-2-1974/)

[historicalfightingguide]

Some very fun choreography "Performers / Choreography:

Adam Lytle

Ben Aycrigg

Camera: Joe Roark

Edit: Adam Lytle

Song: "What the Peephole Say" - Queens of the Stone Age"

For anyone who hasn’t yet seen the following links:

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Some advice on how to start studying the sources generally can be found in these older posts

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Remember to check out  A Guide to Starting a Liberation Martial Arts Gym as it may help with your own club/gym/dojo/school culture and approach.Check out their curriculum too.

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Fear is the Mind Killer: How to Build a Training Culture that Fosters Strength and Resilience by   Kajetan Sadowski   may be relevant as well.

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“How We Learn to Move: A Revolution in the Way We Coach & Practice Sports Skills”  by Rob Gray  as well as this post that goes over the basics of his constraints lead, ecological approach.

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Another useful book to check out is  The Theory and Practice of Historical European Martial Arts (while about HEMA, a lot of it is applicable to other historical martial arts clubs dealing with research and recreation of old fighting systems).

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Trauma informed coaching and why it matters

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Look at the previous posts in relation to running and cardio to learn how that relates to historical fencing.

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Why having a systematic approach to training can be beneficial

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Why we may not want one attack 10 000 times, nor 10 000 attacks done once, but a third option.

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How consent and opting in function and why it matters.

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More on tactics in fencing

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Types of fencers

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Open vs closed skills

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The three primary factors to safety within historical fencing

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Worth checking out are this blogs tags on pedagogy and teaching for other related useful posts.

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And if you train any weapon based form of historical fencing check out the ‘HEMA game archive’ where you can find a plethora of different drills, focused sparring and game options to use for effective, useful and fun training.

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Check out the cool hemabookshelf facsimile project.

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For more on how to use youtube content for learning historical fencing I suggest checking out these older posts on the concept of video study of sparring and tournament footage.

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The provoker-taker-hitter tactical concept and its uses

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Approaches to goals and methodology in historical fencing

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A short article on why learning about other sports and activities can benefit folks in combat sports

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Consider getting some patches of this sort or these cool rashguards to show support for good causes or a t-shirt like to send a good message while at training.

[thealmightyemprex]

List of thoughts on defunct Universal Attractions I experienced

So I am going to Universal Studios Florida for the first time since 2010 or2009 .I went a few times as a kid .While I look forward to revisiting some rides some attractions are sadly gone .So here is just a list of attractions I experienced and my thoughts on them

Shrek 4D

The attraction we went to a lot initially cause Shrek ruled the world of kid entertainment in the early 2000's ,but I think we visited it other times cause it had seats and air conditioning .THis attraction was legit just a 3D movie ,some effeects here and there,but you legit were just watching a 3D movie . The plot was decent,Farquaad had come back as a ghost to make Fiona his queen of the underworld during Shrek and Fionas honeymoon.The attraction was fine but kind of redundant when the movie was released on DVD .I will say in hindsight now that Death is a canon character in the Shrek universe,I just wanna fanfic of how the hell Farquaad escaped him

Beetlejuice Rock and Roll Revue

Beetlejuice and the Universal monsters do a rock show....Dont have much to say I dont remember this one well

Earthquake the Big One

So this is a ride based on a Charlton Heston movie I never saw.It was more of an explination of how special effects work .I remember being kind of disappointed in the actual Earthquake part

Twister Ride it Out

Based on the hit disaster film,I remember the Twister effects being impressive though the late Bill Paxtons delivery in the pre show was weird and stilted .We went to this one a few times

The Wild Wild WEst Stunt Show

I love cowboys,this was fun ,Im sad this is gone

Jaws the Ride

One of my favorite rides ,you rode on a boat as you ar attacked by a killer Shark .I was scared of this ride in a good way .I have recently become very fond of the orignal film it is based on so am melancholly it is gone

T2-3D Battle Across Time

Part 3D movie part stunt show ,this was spectacular .Linda Hammilton ,Edward Furlong,Robert PAtrick and even Arnold Schwarzenegger himself return for this epic show which climaxes with a battle with the T One Million .SO sad this ones gone this was a fave and sadly the best Terminator sequel after 2

@ariel-seagull-wings @filmcityworld1 @the-blue-fairie @scarletblumburtonofeastlondon @princesssarisa @themousefromfantasyland @marquisedemasque @theancientvaleofsoulmaking @amalthea9 @autistic-prince-cinderella @angelixgutz

[forest-picinc]

Forestella Offical Music Video - Kool

She's a beauty queen Such a masterpiece And my heart just skipped a beat She so classical So magical Like an old school melody That body got me stammering So pretty got me suffering Lift me out my seat You're the fire to my gasoline I'm burning up, I feel the heat (Oh ,oh, oh) Yeah nothing can beat the view You're hot like July Raise the temp 200 degrees Tell me what am I gonna do? You giving me fever every single time You walk into the room Somebody call the doctor

Every time you walk by Every time you say hi Every time you put on a smile I can't keep my cool Think I need a dip in the swimming pool 'Cause you look so hot in your skintight denim Ooh, sayin' stupid things that I shouldn't do But I can't help myself So pretty goin “yes m'am!” White T, killer ray bans So c-c-cool-cool You're so kool Oh yeah got my heart goin' (Dum di di dum) Oh yeah got my heart goin' (Uh, uh) Oh yeah got my heart goin' (Dum di di dum) Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah

You look so sick better call the doctor My head keep spinning like a helicopter Going round and round, going front to back You're giving me a heart attack That body got me stammering So pretty got me suffering Lift me out my seat You're the fire to my gasoline I'm burning up, I feel the heat (Oh, oh, oh, oh) Tell me what am I gonna do? You giving me fever every single time You walk into the room Somebody call 911

Every time you walk by Every time you say hi Every time you put on a smile

I can't keep my cool Think I need a dip in the swimming pool 'Cause you look so hot in your skintight denim Ooh, sayin' stupid things that I shouldn't do But I can't help myself So pretty goin' “yes m'am!” White T, killer ray bans So c-c-cool-cool You’re so kool

You got me going all crazy You got me losing my mind I wanna call you my baby So say is that alright Knock me out like a boxer Good god you're a fancy talker But I just can get enough Gimme that chilly, chilly, chilly Baby you're so illy

Every time you walk by Every time you say hi Every time you put on a smile

I can't keep my cool Think I need a dip in the swimming pool 'Cause you look so hot in your skintight denim Ooh, sayin' stupid things that I shouldn't do But I can't help myself So pretty goin' “yes m'am!” White T, killer ray bans So c-c-cool-cool You're so kool

[syre-stane16]

Pirate AU [Diamond is Unbreakable]

I can’t remember the order of events.

Suzy Q, Holly, Sadao, Jotaro and Cassiopeia are not mad, but very disappointed in Joseph when they find out about his illimitamate child.

Jotaro is paranoid because DIO has a lot of followers making attempts on his life. He still volunteered to meet Josuke.

Platinum stars~the world: two artefacts fused together, one grants the user enhanced strength, speed and precision, the other stops time but causes strain on the user.

He meets with Josuke, asserts dominance by spewing facts about him and by being a pirate. Josuke thinks the dude insulted his hair and attempts to punch him.

Diamond craze: a hammer that can fix/ heal whatever it hits, cannot be used on the user.

Things are the same, they meet Okuyasu.

The Hand: a gauntlet that, when activated, erases whatever it touches

Kiochi Lays an egg

EGG: EGG

Keicho gets killed by Akira. Koichi has to fight Gaslight, Gatekeep, Garbage-man.

Echos: a chocker that reverbs what is said by the user, can be directed at opponents.

Yukako is Yandere and thinks that kidnapping someone is romantic[ it’s not,].

Love deluxe: a brooch that allows the user to control their hair.

Koichi thinks that this relationship would be toxic and Rejecting and friend-zoning Yukako.

Echos2: bells that are attached to the echoes choker. Can inflict the meaning of words on whatever they are Thrown at.

They find out that Joseph is on his way to the island to meet josuke and find Akira.

The purple hermit: a wreath that gives the user information, in roundabout ways…

They fight Akira one last time .

Red Hot Chilli Pepper: a guitar that can manipulate electricity.

Joseph comes with Jolyne Extreme Confusion when they found out Jotaro has a Daughter and is Married. They find an invisible baby.

Achtung: a pendant that allows the user to become invisible.

They meet Rohan, I guess he can be a cartoonist.

Heaven’s Door: a pen can rewrite/ alter memories or aspects of an individual, for the target to be affected, they must first see something drawn/ written with the pen. Can be used on air.

Okuyasu and Josuke goes to Tonio’s to try the food.

Pearl Jam: some strange seasoning that when added to a dish, can heal the consumer.

Rohan finds Reimi. Remembers trauma. Joins Jotaro to in the PTSD table. The Morioh gang decides to help find her killer.

They meet Shigechi and win the lottery.

Harvest: a beetle pin that sends beetles to scout for small objects for the user.

In another desperate attempt to get Koichi to like her, Yukako gets plastic surgery I guess…

Cinderella: a makeup brush that can alter someone’s appearance

My name is Yoshikage Kira. I'm 33 years old. My house is in the northeast section of Morioh, where all the villas are, and I am not married. I work as an employee for the Kame Yu department stores, and I get home every day by 8 PM at the latest. I don't smoke, but I occasionally drink. I'm in bed by 11 PM, and make sure I get eight hours of sleep, no matter what. After having a glass of warm milk and doing about twenty minutes of stretches before going to bed, I usually have no problems sleeping until morning. Just like a baby, I wake up without any fatigue or stress in the morning. I was told there were no issues at my last check-up. I'm trying to explain that I'm a person who wishes to live a very quiet life. I take care not to trouble myself with any enemies, like winning and losing, that would cause me to lose sleep at night. That is how I deal with society, and I know that is what brings me happiness. Although, if I were to fight I wouldn't lose to anyone.

Killer queen: a ring with a skull shaped gem that allows the user to blow people up.

Yoshikage kills Shigechi.

They use the button to find the man’s tailor, the tailor gets blown up.

Killer Queen~Sheer Heart Attack: the skull gem, an automated weapon, tracks via heat. Blows whatever it touches, extremely durable.

Jotaro’s down, Koichi is terrified. I think it’s time for… E C H O E S A C T I I I

Echos3: y’know those bells on cat collars? That on the chocker. Can increase the weight on the target. Can only affect one target at a time.

Japanese kid that wears green currently has a hole in the torso? Check

Blond dude mocking both his opponents? Check

PTSD? Triggered

Adventures? Bizarre

Hotel? Trivago

Jotaro Ora-Ora’s Yosikage before the adrenaline tappers out and the fatigue kicks in.

Josuke and Okuyasu arrive on the scene and heals their allies. They figure out Yosikage is the Morioh serial killer and the group chase after the man.

Yosikage enters Cinderella and swaps faces with Koshaku Kawajiri. He blows up the fairy godmother lady. The groups trail runs cold.

Jotaro now wants at least one stand user in fighting shape to keep an eye on Jolyne while he conducts his investigations. The group know tries to figure out where Yosikage went.

Josuke and Okuyasu meets Mikitaka ( best boi) .

Earth, Air,Wind, Fire: a piercing that lets the user transform into water they want.

Josuke burns Rohan’s house down. Rohan gets his soul sucked by Yuya.

Thursday comes, Jolyne gets kidnapped by enigma, the teens decide not to tell the protective father after saving her.

Things go about the same here. Honestly, since the story only takes place in one town there’s little space for pirating….

I just added Jolyne because I wanted her to have a nicer relationship with her father before he cuts contact with his family. Imagine the angst potential… Jolyne thinking that she did something wrong and drove Jotaro away.

>=}

[petervc88]

Cappelle Calling - 18 november 2024

50 jaar geleden verscheen het derde album van Queen: 'Sheer Heart Attack'. Dat album stond vanavond centraal als LP van de Week. Ook de cover in de DisCovered was een nummer van dat album dat ik draaide in een live versie die in 1992 werd gespeeld op het Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert.

Terugluisteren kan hier.

Dit was de playlist:

Uur 1:

U2 - Vertigo Sam Fender - People Watching Elvis Presley - Guitar Man Queen - Brighton Rock (LP van de Week) George Harrison - Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth) Ringo Starr feat. Alison Krauss - Thankful Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings - People Don't Get What They Deserve Metallica - Stone Cold Crazy (live) (DisCovered) The Kinks - Dedicaded Follower Of Fashion Elton John feat. Brandi Carlile - Never Too Late (Filmplaat - uit 'Elton John: Never Too Late') Kim Wilde - Cambodia Michael Kiwanuka - Rebel Soul Queen - Killer Queen (LP van de Week)

Uur 2:

World Party - Ship of Fools The Black Keys - Sin City Queen - Now I'm Here (LP van de Week) Marble Sounds - If You Would Prove Me Wrong Now Queen - Stone Cold Crazy (DisCovered) Olivia Dean - Touching Toes Paul Simon - You Can Call Me Al Fontaines DC - In A Modern World Joe Walsh - Rocky MountainWay The Human League - The Lebanon Queen - Dear Friends (LP van de Week) Queen - Misfire (LP van de Week) Kayak - Chance For A Lifetime Queen - In The Lap Of The Gods... Revisited (LP van de Week)

Cappelle Calling is iedere maandagavond van 20:00 t/m 22:00 te horen op Radio 90FM. Iedere woensdagmiddag wordt de uitzending herhaald van 18:00 tot 20:00. Ook wordt de uitzending op vrijdagavond tussen 20:00 en 22:00 uitgezonden op Slotstad Radio, en op zondagavond tussen 22:00 en 0:00 herhaald. Suggesties voor DisCovered of De Filmplaat zijn welkom via de Facebookpagina van het programma of via cappellecalling@gmail.com.

[jmd-story-pit]

Chapter 1: A New Challenger!

“Well-Come Every Being! The Time Is Here! The Time Of The Galactica Race!” Clarissa Said In Excitement And Continues, “Can You Believe This Is The 100th Anniversary Of The Games? I Know I Can’t, It Felt Like Yesterday When It Started!”

Clarissa Jumped Out Of Her Seat. She Is Like A Ticking Bomb That’s About To Go Off During The Beginning Of Each Race. Alix, In His Gray Clothing And Black Hair Down, Pulls Her Back To Her Seat By Her Iconic Light Purple Shirt.

“Let’s Introduce Our Challengers!” Chelron Said, In The Half The Energy Of What Clarissa Was Showing, Wearing His Iconic Light Blue Hat Correctly For Once.

“First Up, We Have Our Last Year's Champion, The Galaxy Queen Herself... Aria Sat Soone!” Alix Stated Everything We Knew About Her.

Aria Wears Her Dark Blue T-Shirt And Black Skirt She Wears During Every Game. She Is Not Known As A Person, She Is The Heir To The Throne And Does Everything Expected Of Her. I Kinda Feel Bad, But She Seems To Not Care About How She Is Seen As, Unlike Me.

“I’m Honestly Surprised She’s Not a Spoiled Brat By Now." Chelron Whispered, With A Small Smirk.

“Next Up…! The Flower Crown Master, Blossom!” Chelron Yelled In Excitement, Well, Almost Yelled.

Blossom Is A Glitch Being, She’s A Pro At Controlling It, Too. She Reminds Me Of Autumn Back At Home, With Her Outfit And Hair. She And Chelron Know Each Other.

“Next Up Is The Book Worm That Managed To Beat The Winner Of The 60th Anniversary In The Blink Of An Eye, Asi Unjan!” All Three Hosts Said That.

“Asi!” I Whispered In Excitement, Almost Jumping Up And Out Of My Seat, My Pink And White Flower Crown Almost Falling Off Of My Head.

Asi Is My Childhood Best Friend. They Are A Dream Being, With Light Blue Skin, They Have A Scar On Their Right Cheek That Will Show In All Of Their Forms, That’s How You Know It’s Them. They Gave Me A Rose Crystal Necklace That I Wear Along With My Flower Crown.

“Last, But Not Least, Skye Siree Iza, The Lady Killer!” Said Alix.

"He Was Half Joking When He Said That,” Added Chelron.

Alix Glared At Him, Annoyed, Clearly Wanting To Hit Him.

Skye Had To Fight Some People For Survival, He Was Attacked Two Years Ago During The Last Mission Of The Games. He Is A Common Player In The Games And Prefers To Be Alone In Most Situations.

“Wait, What? What Do You Mean?” Clarissa Asked Quietly.

Alix Whispers Into Her Ear.

“Oh, I See,” She Says, Understanding, And Continues, “You See Folks, The Fifth Challenger Had To Forfeit At The Last Minute...”

"Well, Sad For Them." Chelron Quickly Adds, Getting Stared Down By The Other Two, Like He’s Prey. 

“If Any One Wants To Join Before Crews Are All Set, Please Go To The Loading Area,” Alix Said.

"I Could Get In The Game!" I Said In Excitement, I Stood Up And Started To Run Out.

I Ran To The Loading Area As Fast My Body Would Let Me, I’m Not Putting Away This Chance. I Almost Fell On My Face A Couple Of Times, But I Don’t Care, I Have One Goal, And That’s Getting To The Door To The Loading Area. Once I See The Door, I See Someone Get In Front Of Me, And I Don’t Have Time To React.

SLAM! I Crash Into Them, Falling Backwards Onto The Ground.

“Oww…”

“You Okay There Kid?” Someone Said, I Can’t See Who, My Flower Crown Fell Over My Eyes.

         “I’m Not A Kid, I’m 19 Years Old.” I Said, Annoyed And A Little Embarrass.  

“I Know, I Know, I Was Just Joking,” The Voice Said In A Familiar Way.

“Let Me Fix My Flower Crown Real Quick, I Can’t See,” I Then Push My Flower Crown Back On To My Head.

“What’s The Difference?” The Voice Said, Laughing, Which The First Thing I See Is Asi.

“Oh, Ha Ha, You’re Sooo Funny,” I Said Annoyed.

“Soo, Why Were You Running At Full Speed?”

“I Didn’t Want To Risk Losing My Chance To Get In,”

 “Wait, You Really Want To Do This?” Asi Said In A Concern Voice, “It’s A Dangerous Game An-"

“Shhh... “ I Put My Finger On Asi’s Mouth To Shush Them Up, “I Don’t Care About The Risks, Plus I’m Going To-” Asi Takes My Finger Off Theirs And Stares At Me, Not Letting Go Of My Hand.

“You Know, I Wish You Didn’t Talk About It Like It’s A Normal Thing,” They Then Squeezed My Hand And Let It Go, “I Know I Can’t Change Your Mind, But Just Be Careful, Please?”

They Gave Me A Sadden, But Disappointed Look. I Smiled And Gave Asi A Hug. I Then Walked To The Door Of The Loading Area. I Looked Through The Window, And By The Looks Of It I’m The Only One Who Came, At Least I Hope So. I Open The Door.

“Hello, Is There Still A Spot Open?” I Asked.

“Huh? Oh! Yes! Yes! Yes! There Is A Spot Open!” Clarissa Happily Said.

“Are You Sure You Want To Take The Spot?” Asked Alix, Who Was Standing Just By the Desk, His Ocean Blue Eyes Glowing A Little, Showing He’s Using His ‘Skill’, As He Calls It.

 I Can Tell He Sense Something Was Off About Me… I Just Ignored It And Continued With My Goal.

“Yes I Do! I Wanted To Join Ever Since I Turned 15!” I Said That So Confidently I Didn’t Feel So Confident Afterwards, "Is That Possible?" I Asked As Nervous As I Was During My Flying Final.

"Well Now It Is If It Wasn’t!" Clarissa Said Enthusiastically, Struggling To Speak Properly.

“Okay, Sign Here…Uh… Name?” Asked Chelron.

“I’m Torra,” I Answered .

“Age?” Chelron Questioned.

“19,” I Replied, I’m Was Asked A Few More Questions About My Skills And Talents.

I Moved Over To Clarissa As The Papers Were Handed To Her By Chelron. Before Clarissa Could Look At Me, Alix Whispered Something To Clarissa, Which She Then Nods Her Head

“Any Health Issues?” Asked Clarissa, In A Serious Tone.

Alix Might Have Saw Something Hidden In Me, But I’m Not Going To Tell Anyone I Don’t Know, It’s Too Dangerous.

“Does Major Anger Issues Count? They Have Gotten Better Over The Past Few Years,” I Told A Mainly Truth, It’s Related To It, But Not Really.

“Alright,” Clarissa Calmly Said, She Was Hoping For What Alix Said To Her, Whatever It Was.

I Then Moved Over Towards Alix To Answer Some More Questions Over By Him As The Papers Were Then Passed To Him.

“Last Question, What Is Your Species?” As Alix Asked, Everything Seemed To Slow Down Like I Was In An Action Movie. I Hope They Don't Say No, Because Of Alix Using His 'Skill'.

“ I’m A.... Roslinn…”

I Answered Fearing That They Will Take My Chance At Entering The Competition.

“Alright, You’re All Set To Go, I Wish You The Best Of Luck!” Chelron Said.

“You’ll Need It,” Alix Said As He Walked Away. 

“Thank You! I Can’t Wait To Start My Adventure!” I Said Pridefully.

And Now My Journey Can Begin…

______________________________________________________________

Next Chapter

[vgtrackbracket]

Video Game Track Bracket Round 4

Attack of the Killer Queen from Deltarune

vs.

Rocket Jump Waltz from Team Fortress 2

Propaganda under the cut. If you want your propaganda reblogged and added to future polls, please tag it as propaganda or otherwise indicate this!

Attack of the Killer Queen:

somehow despite being on one of the best OSTs ever to release it's the best song on there. incredible.

Taking a lot of restraint not to submit everything from undertale and deltarune so I’m sticking to one of each and this is absolutely my favorite dr song. It suits Queen so perfectly and it’s catchy as hell.

Rocket Jump Waltz:

It's most likely the theme song of the Soldier, and it really fits the theme

[mondoradiowmse]

01/17/24 Mondo Radio Playlist

Here's the playlist for this week's edition of Mondo Radio, which you can download or stream here. This episode: "Have a Ball", featuring classic glam rock and more. If you enjoy it, don't forget to also follow the show on Facebook and Twitter!

Artist - Song - Album

David Bowie - Moonage Daydream - The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars

David Bowie - Suffragette City - The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars

Sweet - Ballroom Blitz - The Best Of Sweet

Sweet - Action (U.S. Single Version) - The Best Of Sweet

Slade - Get Down And Get With It - Get Yer Boots On: The Best Of Slade

Slade - Cum On Feel The Noize - Get Yer Boots On: The Best Of Slade

Wizzard - You Can Dance The Rock 'N' Roll - Wizzard Brew

Wizzard - Wear A Fast Gun - Wizzard Brew

Cockney Rebel - Hideaway - The Human Menagerie

Cockney Rebel - What Ruthy Said - The Human Menagerie

T. Rex - Mambo Sun - Electric Warrior

T. Rex - Life's A Gas - Electric Warrior

Phil Barry - Hello I Love You (Inst.) - Hello I Love You (Single)

Mick Ronson - Growing Up And I'm Fine - Slaughter On 10th Avenue

Mott The Hoople - All The Young Dudes - All The Young Dudes

Mott - Broadside Outcasts - Shouting & Pointing

Mud - Rocket - Mud Rock

Bay City Rollers - Saturday Night - The Definitive Collection

The Glitter Band - Let's Get Together Again - Rock 'N Roll Dudes

Elton John - Open-End Interview With Elton John: Soundtrack - 'Friends' (III) - An Open-End Interview With Elton John: "Friends" Soundtrack

Suzi Quatro - Shine My Machine - Suzi Quatro

The Runaways - Rock And Roll - The Runaways

New York Dolls - Looking For A Kiss - New York Dolls

New York Dolls - Trash - New York Dolls

Jobriath - Good Time - Creatures Of The Street

Jobriath - Ooh La La - Creatures Of The Street

Lou Reed - Vicious - Transformer

Lou Reed - Hangin' 'Round - Transformer

Roxy Music - Virginia Plain - Roxy Music

Roxy Music - If There Is Something - Roxy Music

Eno - Baby's On Fire - Here Come The Warm Jets

Eno - Cindy Tells Me - Here Come The Warm Jets

Queen - Killer Queen - Sheer Heart Attack

Richard O'Brien - Science Fiction/Double Feature: Reprise - The Rocky Horror Picture Show (Original Soundtrack)

The Sensational Alex Harvey Band - Delilah (Live, The Old Grey Whistle Test 30/05/1975) - Live At The BBC

Sparks - Bon Voyage - Propaganda

[dxrknessembr8ced]

12:30 A.M.

Awaken from the constant screaming right outside of their hotel room, the oldest sister Mei-Ling peaked through the window only to witnessed a horde of zombies marching around killing and cannibalizing residents of the hotel. Setting her in a state of panic she had to get dressed and leave immediately with her sister still sleeping inside of her coffin. Even through all this chaos her sister sleeps through it all so well but regardless she can't leave the coffin. Using her strength after getting dress, placed the coffin behind her back she burst through the door and try her best to avoid the undead, no doubt still infected with the new strain of the T-virus Hsien-Ko had unintentionally spread, and began fighting her way through it all with her bare hands and magic, utilizing them into the journey to hell she placed them both in.

As she continued fighting her way down the stairs she witnessed a police officer getting eaten alive by the zombies, tackling him on the ground where he drops his sidearm now in front of her. Noticing the sidearm on the ground that is a glock 19 she grabbed it off the ground, aiming at a few zombies now all swarming at her. Despite being experienced in weapons she never had experienced with modern firearms, until now.

" There's no end to this, this is all my fault, I made my bed and now? "

Beginning to feel shaky from the horrible suffering of her guilt to not kill her sister to not only end her suffering but to spare the lives of others but now? No longer shaking she regains her composer and finally the woman accepted her dark fate.

" I will forever lie in it in and protect my sister, no matter the cost! "

With that Mei-Ling fired a few shots, killing a few zombies going near her by destroying the brain, killing them immediately as she continues pushing through the now zombie infested area to get to her motorcycle she came across the B.O.W.s to attack her being the new evolved hunters, the Vurdalak have arrived from all corners to tear apart and kill including killing Mei-Ling. The Vurdalak are not under Hsien-Ko's control due to sleeping in the coffin. Being hyper violent killers the vurdalak swarmed against the woman with fury she manage to hold them off killing a few of them with both sidearm and martial arts. However she know that she could not hold all of them off, not wanting to waste all her ammo she quickly avoided both zombie and vurdalak all together running towards her bike.

Her heart beats with adrenalin and sweating in fear and desperation as the now evolved hunters give chase. When she finally arrive towards her bike she hopped on, starting up the engine and immediately drive away and narrowly escaping the area and those large sharp claws of the Vurdalak driving into the night panting heavily that she almost have died. The good news is she escaped from harm, the bad news is that now they have to find a place to live again so soon. She knew that she had to leave sooner, but not to this extent. Let alone being kicked out by both the undead and the B.O.W.s. after she just witnessed innocent people behind her just die like rats and converted into one of the undead. It sickened her, but it's either her or them and they won't hesitate to slaughter her piece by piece. Just like the raccoon city incident all those years ago.

[pomegranateteeth]

Second Wind | Link

Do you want to continue? EDM house and techno with an epic video game protag vibe mostly | Track list under cut

Kill Or Be Killed - Freshman + Tiley Remix - Muse // Waterfall - Toby Fox // Prince Sidon’s Theme - The Greatest Bits // Right This Second - deadmou5 // The Blade Chose Me - Rainbowdragoneyes // Hang’em All - Carpenter Brute // Drop Gems - ensnare // Singularity - Dunderpatrullen // MariannE - Yooh // Advanced Cells Colonization - Fixions // You’reMine - Carpenter Brut // Enter the Gungeon - Doseone // Bfg Division - Mick Gordon // Veil Walled Garden - The Luna Sequence // Tristram Village - FamilyJules // Mania - Alon Mor // Ftp - MASTER BOOT RECORD // Murder Music - Raydar // Unification - Arighoul + Priest // Scherzo No. 5 in Death Minor - Hollywood Burns // Spear of Justice - Toby Fox // End Is Near - Pegboard Nerds // Giant - Skan // Find You Now - Technikore // Rare - Going Quantum // Warrior of the Night - Aero Chord // Head Splitter - Getter // Encore - Wildstylez // Call me it. - t+pazolite // Are You Serious - Axel Boy Remix - Pink Guy aka Joji // Your Best Nightmare - Toby Fox // Isolation - Inova // Hero - Pegboard Nerds // No Glory - Skan // Tokyo - Jinco // Intense - Armin Van Buuren // Electra Heart - MARINA // Time Bomb - Feint // Attack of the Killer Queen - Toby Fox // A Sene of Something - Canape Lee Remix - Waveshaper // Crypteque - Chipzel // Moonlight Sonata - cYsmix // ResuReaction - Palate Perfectio Knights // Milosh - Infected Mushroom // Spooky Tune - PrototypeRaptor // Client - Magic Sword Remix - Waveshaper // Spiraling Down - harvo // Rubedo - Lena Rain // New Jersey Transit - Hot Sugar

[grimm-rider]

Entry 10

Once Edeya was healed up, we made our way past the final set of doors and forward into the Eon Pit.

What we expected was one final test from Jadrenka. Maybe one final upset. Maybe her cheating or throwing something virtually impossible at us because she was bitter and losing her mind. Maybe even having to fight the Warden herself.

What we didn’t expect was to enter the Eon Pit in the middle of a ritual. Jadrenka was floating over the pit as she always was. Before her, on the other side of the pit, was Xanthadon, casting something ritually. Chained beside her was Ratabor, held by a Mirror Man.

As if we needed any more proof that time was completely fucked.

Jadrenka was surprised to see us, saying she hadn’t expected us to arrive so early. What had she expected the Croning Ritual and her pet birds to keep us THAT busy? She underestimated us.

Then that centaur we’d been seeing in illusions and visions, and his giant many legged fiendish friend came charging in, declaring ‘death to witches’, before faltering in confusion at the sight before them. Apparently we weren’t the only ones caught off guard by all of this.

The Mirror Man began playing something on its face, forcing Ratabor to look at it. I couldn’t make out the details at the time—although I got an unfortunately closer look later, so I know most of what was playing on it. An image of Queen Elvana, sitting by a cold fireplace, with a journal in her hands. She was flipping through the pages, until she came to one particular page. Then she turned the book around, to show the contents of the book. I never saw what was in the book, and I don’t ever want to. Whatever it was, it caused some really screwed up things to happen next.

When Ratabor saw whatever was in the book, yellow ichor began to run down his face from his eyes. There was a flash and the room had rearranged itself. We were on a platform over the Eon Pit. Below were the three statues of Artrosa—somehow smaller, beneath one of three platforms that formed a triangle around us. Three versions of Jadrenka surrounded us—Maiden, Mother, and Crone: one for each statue.

On another platform, Xanthadon still stood casting next to Ratabor, who was on the ground dazed, with what almost looked like yellow tears running down his cheeks. The Mirror Man was still there, looming over him, although the image was no longer playing on its face.

And all around us, a very ominous yellow fog was roiling in from below, joining the winds of the Eon Pit, becoming a wall of yellow and…something else. Just beyond the fog was something that writhed and gnashed and blinked with more tendrils and teeth and eyes than I could comprehend. I knew, deep down, that falling into that was a death sentence. Maybe worse than a death sentence. Whatever was in there…I hope I never meet it. I hope I never have to know what it really was.

Before us were the centaur and his fiendish companion. They had apparently decided that even though their mission was ‘death to witches’, they were going to start with us and not the three very witchy-witches surrounding us.

The fiendish many legged…centaur thing…whatever it was…charged Aenland. Its lance pierced the elven archer despite him being in the protection of his cauldron.

The regular centaur followed up alongside him and tried to take a swing at Greta with his warhammer—but she dodged out of the way with practiced ease, and now the idiot was right in range for her to counter attack.

I love watching her fight.

Too bad I needed to focus on things for myself. Namely, the Crone Jadrenka decided she was going to make things personal and threw a Phantasmal Killer at me. I managed to pull myself from the brink…with, admittedly, a little talk from Aenland snapping me out of it right before it took hold.

Okay, I decided, if she was going to go after me—let’s see how she likes it. I aimed a full force Boneshatter at her. I could hear the bones splinter from where I stood. It was…very satisfying after what she tried to pull.

Unfortunately, one of her younger selves used a contingency on herself to go off when she was hit with Boneshatter—causing her future self to be hit with a cure spell. Cheating bitch.

Aenland shot a number of those demon bane arrows I gave him into that fiendish creature—easily taking him down, and then turning the rest of his arrows on the centaur. I knew demon bane would come in handy eventually.

Greta finished the job against the centaur. Like I said, it was stupid of him to run up to her. She’s damn good at what she does.

It looked like things were going well.

And then things got worse.

The Mirror Man vanished from its spot on the opposite side of the arena, and reappeared next to Edeya. Reflected on the Mirror Man’s face…was Edeya. Another Edeya, not just Edeya’s reflection, but a second Edeya. She spoke in Edeya’s voice, saying ‘die traitor’, before the Mirror Man took a swing with its electric charged blade—right at Snezhinka.

Nestian stepped in the way, throwing Snezhinka away from the blow and taking it instead. Definitely saving the little familiar’s life.

Mirror Edeya, or whatever we should call this fake Edeya copycat in the Mirror Man, said that we shouldn’t underestimate Edeya Karanasi and that she’d be back, and “see you again, sister”.

If I didn’t know better, I’d think twin sisters, but Edeya would have mentioned before now if she had a twin. And besides, the one in the mirror called herself Edeya Karanasi, too. I don’t think it’s some future Edeya. Edeya wouldn’t betray us. That wasn’t Edeya. She didn’t act anything like the Edeya we know. And Edeya wouldn’t have attacked us or Snezhinka. There’s nothing that I can imagine short of mind control that could change her that much. No, there has to be some other explanation. Like that shapeshifter doppelganger creature we saw back in the Ivory Tower pretending to be Lady Argentina.

The Mirror Man seemed to go limp on the opposite end of the arena, back by Ratabor and Xanthadon. I could no longer make out a face on its mirror. It seemed that, whatever Mirror Edeya had been here to do, she was done.

But the fight wasn’t done.

Xanthadon finished the spell she’d been casting. She seemed to see something beyond the fog, and suddenly doubled over clutching her face.

But that didn’t really matter because what really mattered was that a big rift had just opened up, and out of it was stepping the biggest gods-damned frost giant I’d ever seen.

Mostly because he wasn’t just any frost giant.

He was Kostchtchie. The Demon Lord Kostchtchie.

And he was eyeing us up like he wanted to smash us under his misshapen heel.

Ratabor’s torq was glowing like the real deal now—before the trinket he’d been wearing had looked dull and broken. But Ratabor still looked dazed and seemed to be unable to fight off whatever had been done to him.

Aenland began firing off arrows at the Crone to put her down. The four of us had slowly been unravelling how this ritual worked, and so far we understood that we needed to take down one aspect of Jadrenka to cause the field protecting another to fall. Aenland’s arrows easily shot down the Crone—even when the Mother tried her contingency trick again with a Breath of Life, it didn’t do nearly enough to bring her back.

Unfortunately, then the Eon Pit’s second line of defense activated. Shadows appeared around the battlefield, headed up by a Greater Shadow.

About this time, three others appeared on a platform far beyond the one where Xanthadon, Kostchtchie, and the Mirror Man were.

First Master Keisuke appeared—fully in his Kitsune form this time, not in his human guise. I couldn’t quite hear over the roar of the Eon Pit, but he seemed taken aback by what he’d stumbled in on.

Next, Xanthadon appeared—not the Xanthadon currently on the ground clutching her face, but instead a Xanthadon I assume Aenland would recognize from our own time period. She seemed to exchange words with Keisuke.

Finally, Jairess appeared. She looked…really freaked out, for lack of a better term. Like, seriously, she did not look like she wanted to be there.

The three seemed to greet each other…then each flung a Destruction spell at one of the others.

What. The fuck.

Okay so those three don’t get along. And they are all powerful enough to just throw out a destruction spell on a whim. Even Jairess, who we have *killed* before.

I reiterate: what the fuck?

I mean I knew Master Keisuke knew Xanthadon and didn’t like her, and I knew he knows something about Nestian, which I suppose implied he might know Jairess, but it’s still a little weird that they all know each other…and apparently hate each other so much that while the world might be ending they decided to have their own personal spat in the background.

Master Keisuke and Xanthadon were both eyeing the Torq. I don’t know anything about Xanthadon’s motivations, but from what I know about the Torq I’m not too surprised that Master Keisuke would be interested in it. He’s shown an interest in Mythic Power before. It only makes sense that he’d be interested in it.

Anyways, I didn’t really have much time to muse on any of this at the time, beyond the most basic of thoughts. At the time, I was busy dealing with a shadow clawing at me and sapping my strength from my body—and worse, seeing that Greater Shadow manage to do the same to Greta. I can afford to lose some of my strength, I have spells that don’t rely on that. Greta is a front line fighter. She can’t afford to have shadows sapping her physical strength.

Also I just don’t like seeing it happen.

So I stepped away from the shadow that was after me and turned my attention on the Greater Shadow. I forced my will onto it, casting Command Undead. My will overrode its own, and it became docile—and prepared to attack whatever I pointed it in the direction of. I heard Master Keisuke’s voice over the roar of the Eon Pit, calling over to tell me how proud he was of my abilities.

There’s never been someone in my life I’ve gone out of my way to try to impress or to try to make proud. I know my own worth. I don’t usually need the acknowledgement of others to feel good about myself. But…it did feel good to be acknowledged by Master Keisuke. Probably because he’s such a powerful spellcaster, and he started me on the path to being a spellcaster myself, and there was no reason he should have taken an interest in me to begin with but he did. So it felt good when I could impress him with what I can do.

Nestian swung his axe over me and under Aenland, taking out the shadow that was harassing me.

With things clear, Aenland began laying into Jadrenka the Mother.

Kostchtchie made to begin moving towards us, heaving his huge warhammer out. However when he did, Ratabor snapped out of his stupor. He attacked Kostchtchie, and bound him in place with the chain of light that connected them through the Torq. Kostchtchie turned his fury upon his mortal self, and began wailing on him instead—but Ratabor took the Demon Lord’s blows with an inhuman endurance.

Mythic Power is…absolutely phenomenal.

The Mirror Man activated again, and began moving towards us. It was playing that video on its mirror face again. We knew that meant soon it was going to flash whatever sign had caused the horrible reaction Ratabor had gone through—and unlike him, we didn’t have Mythic Power to push through it.

As we prepared to rush it to try to take it down before it could reach that part in its recording, the Eon Pit’s third line of defense was summoned. A veritable horde of fast moving hoarpanther zombies, as well as a stubby porquipine looking creature that kept yelling at us in draconic (which I don’t speak and I didn’t have tongues up so I have no idea what the little creature had to say), and a whirling air elemental looking thing with horrible tendrils coming out of it.

We were severely outnumbers, and there was no chance we were breaking through in the mere seconds it was going to take before the Mirror Man’s image showed whatever had kicked all this off with Ratabor.

Still, we had little choice but to try.

I directed Levi to go after the closest panther zombie. At the same time, I drew out the pocket watch and empowered a Sands of Time spell. I grabbed the panther zombie closest to me, and the winds of time around us began to break it down into specks of sand.

Through the red haze I see when using that watch to manipulate magic, I could still see Master Keisuke clearly. He looked pleased.

I didn’t have time to give it much thought, because the big elemental thing was creeping up behind me. Thankfully, Edeya took care of it with a Phantasmal Killer, making it drop dead instantly. Aenland took out the Mother, then tried to take out the Mirror Man—but it remained standing.

The Mirror Man approached. It caught me in its sights. I saw Queen Elvana beginning to turn the book around. I averted my gaze. I could hear the flipping of paper from the Mirror Man’s reflective face. I didn’t look up until after it had fallen silent for long enough that I felt comfortable believing the image was gone.

A moment later Greta rushed past, and smashed the Mirror Man’s face in with her axe—laughing. It wasn’t going to get another chance to try that again.

I didn’t get time to celebrate—again, too much was happening. This time it was the little quilled fucker, who hit me with a Ray of Enfeeblement. My entire body felt heavy suddenly. It was hard to even muster up the strength to move under the usually negligible weight of my bone armor.

I sent my new Shadow after that little quilled fucker, and let him have a taste of his own medicine, having the Shadow begin draining the strength from his body.

Aenland shot a flurry of arrows into Jadrenka—the last remaining Jadrenka, the Maiden, the first version of her we’d met, then he flew for the platform where the Crone had been. He was going to begin the counter ritual.

At the same time, Edeya ran for the Mother platform.

With Jadrenka the Maiden unconscious, that gave me an opening to go for the Maiden platform. I activated the speed boosting ability of the Blessings of Fervor Edeya had given us, and strode towards the platform.

A boulder sailed over my head as Kostchtchie tossed a rock over his shoulder in an attempt to smash Edeya—but she ducked out of the way.

I stepped onto the platform. And as I did, the final line of defense of the Eon Pit activated. An enormous spider—Snezhinka identified it as a Bebilith—appeared, towering over me. I was in a *very* bad position.

I quickly backed off while the spider was getting its bearings, regrouping by my Greater Shadow.

Unfortunately, it got its bearings quickly, and it immediately followed after me. It lashed out, sinking fangs full of Abyssal rot into my flesh. I could feel the rot trying to take hold within my body. Rot and decay trying to tear me apart from the inside…

I refused. I was not going to fall before decay—to Urgathoa’s domain. I am meant to master such things. I drew on the Black Rider’s power and forced it from my body.

A moment later Nestian was at my side, bringing his axe down upon the grotesque arachnid. Greta followed suit a moment later. I dodged around and put Nestian between myself and the spider—I couldn’t afford to risk another bite, I didn’t have any more power to spend if that rot got into my blood again. I needed Nestian’s protection—and he tends to be happy to provide it.

My Greater Shadow joined the fray, abandoning the fight with the pesky little hedgehog to instead begin draining the strength of the bloated arachnid.

The spider struck Nestian, but missed with its gnashing rotting fangs, and only managed to dig its claws into him. Nestian retaliated—and sliced straight through the Abyssal spider.

I darted around our bear friend and stepped onto the final platform. I began the final part of the counter ritual, the bring the ritual down slowly and not blow up the entire world as we knew it.

Oh yeah, did I not mention that part? Jadrenka was in way over her head. She was going to inevitably fuck up this ritual, and when she did the ritual was going to collapse and have a huge shockwave effecting distant reaching corners of the universe. It would have been bad, even if we weren’t right in the epicenter of the whole thing.

I finished the counter ritual—just in time to see Aenland do something completely out of his mind reckless. He dashed across the battlefield and went to scoop up Xanthadon from practically beneath Kostchtchie’s feet. He got hit head-on by the Demon Lord’s warhammer—but kept going. He managed to grab her, and crash landed on the platform where a moment earlier Master Keisuke, present day Xanthadon, and Jairess had been. They seemed to have all taken their leave for some reason while we were finishing the ritual.

Kostchtchie grabbed Ratabor, deciding that if he was going to keep them chained together, then he’d just take his personal ball-and-chain with him instead of letting him hold him back.

The Demon Lord turned towards us, and leapt across the gap separating our platform and his.

Suddenly he was right there, on the same platform as me, towering over me with his warhammer in hand.

Then an armored figure appeared, ripping back open the portal to the Abyss.

Jadrenka the Maiden woke again, and she grabbed the Demon Lord’s head, casting what appeared to be Modify Memories on him.

Ratabor flung himself into the portal to the Abyss—dragging Kostchtchie and Jadrenka with him.

The portal closed.

Everything went silent.

The yellow fog cleared as some winged tiefling who looked like he was playing at being a psychopomp flew down from killing the last of whatever had been lurking up there. He and the armored figure took their leave.

The only one of the mysterious group who stayed behind was a being made of wood and plant life. Once Aenland joined back up with us, after whatever he talked to Xanthadon about, the person spoke to us. They called themself A’opala, and they made us an offer. They said that their group had once told Baba Yaga to destroy the Torq, and had predicted that terrible things would come of it if she didn’t. I told him that we’d heard something of his group before—he shot back that he was surprised we hadn’t heard more, and directed a comment to Snezhinka. Calling her ‘Mrs. Karanasi’. But he was definitely referring to Snezhinka, not Edeya, in that moment. Snezhinka had been trying to tell Edeya in the battle that someone was coming who would help us—and clearly these people were who she’d been talking about.

The Torq was lying on the ground now, the only sign that Ratabor had ever been there.

A’opala’s offer was that their group take the Torq, so they could find a way to properly destroy it. And in return, they would give us a decoy Torq. One with just enough power in it to make a being think they had undergone mythic ascension for a short time. He knowingly added—long enough for, say, one fight with four adventurers.

It was an ideal solution. Aenland didn’t have to throw a fit about time being changed—because nothing was really changing. Our past selves wouldn’t know that it was just a decoy—and neither would Queen Elvana or Queen Jadwiga. We would all play our parts exactly the same as we had with the real Torq. Assuming it had been the real Torq then and we hadn’t already made this deal and that was already the decoy…

Gods how does Master Keisuke keep up with time travel? This is too much to think about.

Regardless, we were all in agreement that this sounded like an ideal solution we’d be fools to pass up. So A’opala took the Torq, and passed me the fake Torq.

As he left, he said something ominous about how he hoped we didn’t like any of the people who had been here, because they were going to be dealt with.

It seems Master Keisuke might have some powerful enemies, if I’m reading the room right.

Anyways, there was nothing more we could do in the Eon Pit. No one was going to risk going into it after what just happened. Too bad. I was between either manifesting something I really want to get for Greta or taking the ability for the Pit to slow your aging since it went and stole five years from me last time. But I guess I’ll just have to find some other means of getting longevity.

Well, preferably immortality.

Regardless, the important thing is: we had nothing left to do there, so we left. Jadrenka was dead or being tortured in the Abyss. Ratabor was dead or being tortured in the Abyss. We had the key we’d come for—dropped by the Crone when she fell.

I think it left a sour taste in all our mouths. No one was particularly chatty initially on the way back.

Then Nestian mentioned the possibility of saving Jadrenka. He felt going back in time and saving her was the right thing to do.

She had said something in her final moments about regretting ever becoming Warden. He felt going back and keeping her from becoming Warden—convincing her she was being manipulated before Queen Elvana really had her claws in deep—could change everything for the better.

Aenland exploded.

He went off, about how Nestian was still going on about wanting to change time, about how he never listened to Aenland, about how no one was taking the dangers of changing the past seriously enough. Nestian pointed out that we might already be in an altered timeline—right from the start—and who’s to say which time is right? Aenland said that doesn’t give us the right to go mucking it up worse. Nestian asked if Aenland could really choose not to change time when someone needed help, when they had a regret they could fix for the better. Aenland said that our regrets make us who we are, and if you change them then you kill the person who they were. Nestian asked—what if changing time could save a life? Aenland countered that this would change the lives of all the people affected by the loss of that person. Anything inspired by the loss would be gone.

Edeya pointed out that we were talking about this like we had a way to go back and change things. I agreed with her, pointing out that the clock didn’t take us where we wanted to go—it took us where the Hut felt we needed to go. So there was no guarantee we had any way of going back to ever see Jadrenka as she was again.

Nestian conceded that it was impossible, and tried to disengage with Aenland—but Aenland refused to let it go. He said it didn’t matter if it was impossible. The fact that if they arrived at the Hut and Zorka told us that we suddenly had the means to time travel freely, Nestian would use it to go back and change things, meant that Aenland couldn’t trust him.

Nestian told Aenland that just because they disagreed on one thing didn’t mean they couldn’t still be friends and allies. They didn’t have to agree on everything. Aenland was acting like they had to agree on everything. Aenland disagreed, saying this wasn’t just some little difference of opinion—this was life or death, not something they could just brush off.

Nestian tried to disengage again, and Aenland got pissed, snapping and saying something about how he was sick of Nestian and my attitude, always treating him like a child.

That’s rich, coming from him. Mr ‘oh look at the cute younger races aren’t they so adorable and ignorant’.

If he’d dragged me into it again, I was going to tell him that, too. I have a lot of thoughts about why he doesn’t deserve the respect he seems to think he does. But this was Nestian and Aenland’s argument. I didn’t feel terribly inclined to insert myself into it.

I do feel like something needs to be said at some point, however. I’m tired of coddling him.

Anyways, long story short, Nestian and Aenland came to some sort of understanding. I don’t really get where they came to see eye-to-eye in the middle of all the arguing, but in the end they hugged it out. And I think Aenland was crying.

Not long after we made it to the Hut.

Zorka greeted us immediately.

She asked were Ratabor was. If we’d found him.

So we had to break the new to her that her one long time friend had been dragged into the Abyss with his Demon Lord other half and was probably being tortured for all eternity now.

Aenland and Nestian tried to find a way around it. Futilely. We didn’t have keys to reach the Abyss. We didn’t have a way to control the time travel.

Worse, from what we began to piece together, we began to believe that Jadrenka really hadn’t been meant to be Warden of Artrosa at all. She had been manipulated by Queen Elvana to protect her from her mother—she’d been put into the position to receive the honor of Warden and banish her mother.

So that meant we were leaving time all wrong, which irritated Aenland, and we were leaving people dead who we otherwise could have saved, which upset Nestian.

Still…there was nothing we could do about it. All we could do was follow Baba Yaga’s trail and keep pushing forward.

We decided to rest for the night. I read a bit, then got some rest. As much as I could after the day’s events.

When we woke, we reconvened in the cauldron room. Zorka threw in the dragon scale and the golden nugget—but she couldn’t find the clock.

Aenland spotted it. He told Nestian to throw it in. At first it seemed like he was still in a mood—until he punted it out of Nestian’s hands in his usual fashion.

So it seems we have Aenland back. For better or worse.

Zorka stirred the pot for a time—until the liquid stuck in place and she couldn’t stir anymore. The room hadn’t changed, which was weird since last time when we’d gone from Irrisen to Ioberia the room had changed. Still, Zorka said we must have arrived at our destination.

So we exited the Hut.

Nothing could have prepared us for what we saw next.

Literally nothing.

We stepped outside and were back in Ioberia. Standing not far from the Hut’s front doorstep were two figures.

One was Jadrenka.

The other was Baba Yaga herself.

The moment we stepped from the Hut, Baba Yaga cast a Mythic Timestop—stopping time for everthing but herself and us. She turned to us, and noted that it was very interesting that three riders were coming out of her Hut—one a rider twice over.

She told us to elect someone amongst us who was the most eloquent to speak on our behalf and explain to her why we were here.

Aenland and Nestian immediately pointed to me.

I would have been flattered if I weren’t busy being somewhere between awe and terror of the woman before us. Obviously I could handle it, but talking to Baba Yaga was walking a very dangerous tightrope.

Baba Yaga noted that Ioberia was a very interesting place, temporally. She said she trusted I wouldn’t say anything I shouldn’t. So warning her about Queen Elvana’s plans were right out the window.

Instead, I agreed with her that Ioberia is an interesting place when it comes to time. I told her that as such we had come to inform her that it would be in her best interest to not make Jadrenka the new Warden of Artrosa. She was going to make some unfortunate decisions due to a poor choice in friends, and it would have dire consequences.

Baba Yaga asked me what I would have her do instead. I told her that I felt it would be most prudent to simply keep the current Warden in her present position.

Baba Yaga thanked me for the advisement—and for being so polite. Then she said it was no wonder she had made me a rider twice over—she never did that.

So that’s a thing. Apparently I was one of Baba Yaga’s other riders in the past year.

Shit, if I hadn’t lost my memories would I have been one of those bodies hung up on display in the market in Whitethrone…?

How did I do so much in just one year? I was an agent of the Winter Witches, I was Baba Yaga’s rider, I learned magic from Master Keisuke after dying…I had one really busy year.

How does one of Baba Yaga’s riders end up in Taldor with amnesia?

My life makes no damn sense.

Baba Yaga dismissed us, telling us to return to the Hut and be on our way.

So obviously we did as we were told.

When we got back into the Hut, Zorka told us that the soup was able to be stirred again. She stirred it, and this time the room changed as we really did change locations.

Suddenly we were in a large courtyard, with paths snaking off in each direction.

Also the area around the cauldron was a bit more crowded than it had been a few moments before. Seated at his usual spot by the fire was Ratabor, as if he’d never left.

And standing by him was Jadrenka.

We asked Zorka if she remembered what had happened. Zorka told us she remembered two sets of events. The timeline we’d been through—and another one. One in which Jadrenka had been brought to the hut many years ago, not long before Ratabor. Ratabor ended up in the Hut in the exact same way he had before.

Honestly even though she was trapped in the Hut instead of in a Statue now, she seemed a lot happier and more stable. At least now she had companions to share her time with—and she seemed close to Ratabor.

It was around this time that we noticed that Edeya hadn’t been with us this entire time. We figured she must still be in her room—wherever that was in this new layout. We decided to explore and see if we could find her.

We decided to go clockwise, starting with the northern-most path. I felt the Geass tug at me—seemingly informing me that this path through the woods was leading to my room.

Aenland darted ahead in his cauldron when he saw a strange tree—which turned out to be a Treant named Dawnbark. She was…not all there. She wouldn’t divulge what was wrong to Aenland, so I cast Tongues on myself and went to talk to her.

I managed to convince Dawnbark to open up. The sentient tree had some kind of mental ailment that made her violent and want to do harm to others. I surmised that a Heal spell would be the easiest magic to get ahold of that might heal her—although that wasn’t necessarily the only spell possible. Certainly not my forte. More something Edeya might be able to do at some point.

She also expressed a desire to leave this place, with the use of a plane shift spell. That might be…complex. But not impossible.

We’ll save thinking about that for later.

As we made for the next room, Aenland flew around wildly, apparently deciding that now that he wasn’t moping he was going to play with his cauldron. He contacted me with the Stone of Farspeech, and began giving each of us code names through it.

Honestly they weren’t terrible, I think his one himself was probably the most nonsensical. He was ‘Wooden Duckie’, I was ‘Ivory’, Nestian was ‘Pappa Bear’, Edeya we decided would be ‘Summer’ for the irony, Greta is ‘Mean Queen’, Nadya is ‘Firebrand’, and Jadrenka is ‘Trinity’.

Around the time he finished thinking up codenames, we arrived to his room. We found a bunch of killer plants around it and cleared them out, then moved on. Nestian’s room was much the same—two giant flytraps were planted outside his room, and we took care of them as well.

None of us felt a Geass tug up the next path—so we figured this one likely lead to Edeya’s room.

On the way up the path, we saw what appeared to be a cat sitting upon a stump. The cat spoke to us, introducing herself as Syvet and calling us over, as she had something to tell us.

Aenland warned me that the cat had ‘Gentle Repose’ cast on it. So it was an undead of some kind. Also the log under it was moving slightly.

However, I sensed that the cat genuinely had something it wanted to tell us.

I decided it made the most sense for me and Levi to approach the strange log first, since I was most adept with undead. Nestian insisted he come along to watch my back—a sentiment I did not disagree with.

I approached Syvet, along with Nestian and Levi. The cat asked if we knew who she was. Nestian and Aenland had identified her as the familiar of Queen Yelizaveta, the 13th queen of Irrisen, so I confirmed we did.

Syvet told us that her master had been trapped for some time, but that she had felt her master’s soul move on peacefully some time back. She paused, her eyes widening. She told us that she had much she’d like to tell us, but that for now all she could tell us was that if we killed her we would kill the thing beneath her.

Then the thing beneath her lunged at us with a flurry of tentacles, no longer an innocent log.

And behind us two Red Caps made their presence known as well.

Despite our suspicions we’d walked right into their trap.

Nestian, Levi, and I took a bit of a beating from the creature. But then we gave back as good as we took, and the others joined in as well. It didn’t take long for us to cut down the Red Caps and the creature masquerading as a log and puppeteering the familiar’s corpse.

When all was said and done, Nestian and Aenland insisted that we use our only Raise Dead scroll on that cat, since Gentle Repose would keep the body fresh for resurrection.

I tried to reason with them, that we might need that scroll for someone in our group, but they really wanted to bring back the cat. So I relented, and cast the spell.

Never thought if I was going to genuinely bring someone back to life it was going to be a cat.

Anyways, Syvet was grateful. She even offered us some magic, no strings attached, should we introduce her to Snezhinka. So even though she wasn’t here Edeya was really the one who got the most out of this.

And we got a cat out of it, I guess.

Don’t get me wrong, she’s a cute cat. I’m just still not totally convinced it was worth a Raise Dead scroll.

Anyways, we knocked on Edeya’s door and entered in time to see Edeya staring down that Mirror Edeya in her reflection in the mirror. Mirror Edeya was talking about how much they could accomplish together…and then Edeya reeled back and punched the mirror, shattering it.

Afterwards she flinched and noted how badly glass shards in her fist hurt. But she had it handled—she dropped a healing spell to cure herself.

Something was different about her. It was subtle—the markings on her arms were a different color. They had been a pale color before, similar to Greta’s eyes, now they were brighter.

I didn’t focus on that for long, though, because a moment later she said she had someone to introduce us to. She called in a little fairy dragon.

The dragon stood with her hands clasped behind her back, as if she wasn’t a tiny cute little dragon, and spoke to us. She introduced herself as Illivor Karanasi—Edeya’s aunt and the head of the Winter Witches.

She was also Snezhinka up until today.

So that explains a lot.

[docorpheus]

Tune in 000

TUNING IN: 000

Killer Queen blasts from outside. Orpheus stands, stepping over to his bedroom's window. A brick smashes through the window and hits him in the fucking face. Red mist begins to fill the room as familiar laughter is heard, seemingly emanating from multiple places. Oh, christ. Ow. That must hurt like a bitch. He falls back, slamming his head onto the floor. He clasps a paw over his now-fractured skull face and growls. He knows that laughter for sure. How could he forget? Orpheus stands, looking around.

CATHERINE: Boo.

Right behind him is Catherine, in all her glory. She wears a ripped t shirt and shorts with fishnets as well as plenty of jewelry. She grins at Orpheus, holding a bat and swinging for his knees.

CATHERINE: So, you have a plan to get rid of me and the boss?

He can't avoid that one. Orpheus falls back onto the floor, landing on his stomach. Instead of responding, he scrambles away, getting up quick with his desk as support.

CAN I GET SOME FUCKING HELP HERE?!?

COMBAT START. > ATTACK > FIRE BREATH > INSPECT > ITEMS > CUSTOM INPUT

[ntclaire]

N : Never - Mag.Lo, O Super

T : Teeth - brakence

C : cbd - brakence (again)

L : Locals - underscores

A : Attack of the Killer Queen- Toby Fox

I : IRIS - blackwinterwells

R : RUNNING OUT OF TIME - Lil Kaktus, SSGKobe

E : everything ab u - she loves boon

Tag game by @genxrocker! Pick a song for each letter of your URL, and then tag that many people!

tag game! hell yeah! Thanks @schlauhonk

A- A pizza the action by The Stupendium

X- Exorcism by Creep-P

S- Shocking Plot Twist by Bug Hunter

O- Once and for All from Newsies

L- Lady Like by KIRA

O- One Step Ahead from Spies are Forever

T- The Faulty Feline Philosophy by Ferry

L- Like the Zombies do from Z-O-M-B-I-E-S 2

E- Everybody Loves Me by OneRepublic

@lamarckianenterprises @ghost-takes-the-scene  @nervousflowerwombat @gigigiaru uhhhhhh idk