#there's probably more to this but as I said my experience with this game is limited
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writingbuckets ¡ 2 days ago
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The Hot Take: Part 3
paige bueckers x influencer!reader
wc: 2.8k
a/n: the only i have to say is that i shocked myself with my flirting... enjoy!
**********
After your night at the game, it feels like the internet has exploded. Your mentions are on fire with fans on both sides—some praising your brutal honesty about Paige, others calling you out for downplaying her talent. It’s only natural that you decide to dedicate an entire podcast episode to the experience.
You settle into your recording setup, feeling a mix of anticipation and nerves—after all, tonight is a first. Across the table sits Paige Bueckers, cool and composed, though you catch a hint of mischief in her eyes as she adjusts her mic. You take a deep breath and lean in, grinning at your co-host before addressing the audience.
“Welcome back to The Hot Take! And tonight, we’re in for a treat. As you’ve probably guessed, we’ve got a special guest in the studio… the one, the only, Paige Bueckers!” You gesture toward her dramatically, and your co-host plays a quick soundbite of applause and crowd cheers, adding to the show’s theatrics.
Paige laughs, crossing her arms as she glances at you. “The crowd goes wild. I didn’t think you’d actually let me come on here, considering all the things you’ve said about me.”
You shoot her a mock-offended look. “What things? I’m nothing if not fair and unbiased.”
She raises an eyebrow, a playful glint in her eye. “Oh, totally. Because your comment was so fair and unbiased.”
Your co-host snickers. “Well, Paige, you’re in the right place if you want to get your revenge. Y/N here is known for her ‘brutal honesty.’ But hey, tonight might be a chance for you to change her mind.”
“Is that a challenge?” Paige asks, leaning forward, her gaze never leaving yours.
“Depends. You think you’re up for it?” you reply, meeting her eyes head-on, enjoying the charge of the challenge between you two.
“Oh, I’m always up for a challenge,” she responds smoothly, flashing a grin that has you momentarily caught off guard.
Your co-host breaks the tension with a laugh. “Alright, alright, let’s jump right in. Y/N, you’ve had plenty to say about Paige in the past. Care to share some of those hot takes now that she’s here to defend herself?”
You clear your throat, trying to hide your smirk. “Alright, let’s get one thing straight,” you say, addressing both the mic and Paige. “As much as it pains me to admit this…” You pause dramatically, shooting a look her way. “Bueckers actually impressed me the other night.”
Paige raises an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. “Really? I didn’t think you’d ever admit that.”
“I know, it’s shocking, but credit where credit’s due,” you continue. “I mean, you’re quick on the court, you know your angles, and—dare I say it—you know how to work a crowd.”
Paige laughs, eyes dancing with mischief. “Oh, so you were paying attention. Here I was, thinking you came just to judge.”
“Oh, I absolutely came to judge,” you reply, grinning. “But I also got to see you actually back it up with skill. It was… not as overrated as I’d assumed.” You shoot her a wink, and she laughs, shaking her head.
“High praise,” she replies, feigning a look of being overwhelmed. “I didn’t realize tonight was all about showering me with compliments.”
Your co-host jumps in, clearly amused by the dynamic. “Wait, Y/N, are you actually going soft? Compliments? Feeling a little flustered, maybe?”
You shake your head, grinning. “Don’t get it twisted. I’m just saying, maybe I underestimated you.” You turn to Paige. “Don’t let it go to your head, though. I’m not here to just hype you up.”
Paige leans back in her chair, looking entirely at ease. “Don’t worry. I can handle a little constructive criticism. Hit me with your best shot.”
You take the opportunity, leaning forward with a smirk. “Alright, if you insist. Here’s my take: For all that talent, you could be a bit more creative with your moves. Sometimes it feels like you rely on what’s tried and true instead of taking risks.”
She smirks back. “And sometimes critics don’t realize the importance of consistency,” she counters smoothly. “Winning isn’t about impressing people—it’s about doing what works.”
“Touché,” you reply, though you’re secretly impressed by her response. You decide to press a little further. “Alright, so if it’s all about winning, how do you handle the pressure that comes with it? Isn’t there a part of you that wants to switch things up now and then?”
Paige leans forward, crossing her arms on the table. “I get that all the time. But you know, winning takes priority. Switching things up? That’s for off the court.” Her gaze holds yours, and for a second, you wonder if she’s talking about more than just basketball.
Your co-host notices the silent exchange and interrupts with a grin. “Okay, okay, I feel like there’s a whole vibe happening here that I did not sign up for!”
The comment pulls you back, and you laugh, brushing it off. “Nothing happening here,” you insist, stealing a quick glance at Paige.
Paige holds back a smirk, shrugging. “Sure, whatever you say.” But the gleam in her eye says otherwise.
Trying to keep things on track, you steer the conversation back to basketball, although the flirtatious edge remains. “Alright, Bueckers, one more thing. I’ll admit, you’ve got talent. But do you ever worry about being put in a box? People see you a certain way, and that’s how they’ll always see you.”
Paige pauses, and for a moment, the playful banter takes on a serious note. “Yeah, I get that. People think they know you, based on what they see online or on the court. But the truth is, they’re only seeing one side.”
It’s unexpectedly candid, and you nod, finding a bit of yourself in her answer. “Yeah. I get that. People always think they know everything from what they see online, but there’s always more, right?”
Paige’s gaze softens just slightly, and she nods. “Exactly. Sometimes I think it would be nice if people saw more than the ‘player’ version of me.”
You raise an eyebrow, catching the hint in her tone. “So… what would that look like, Bueckers?”
She gives you a playful smirk, leaning back in her chair. “Maybe you’ll find out if you’re lucky.”
Your co-host interjects, clearly amused. “Did I miss something here, or is this turning into a date?”
Both you and Paige laugh, shaking your heads in sync. “Not quite,” you say quickly, though your heart skips a beat.
Before wrapping up, you give Paige the last word. “Alright, Bueckers, we’ve had our fun. Any final words for our listeners?”
She leans toward the mic, glancing at you with a grin. “Only that this isn’t the last time you’ll hear from me, Y/N. I’m sticking around to make sure you don’t underestimate me again.”
You laugh, shaking your head. “Well, bring your best game, then. I’ll be ready.”
The episode wraps up with lingering tension and the audience buzzing with intrigue, speculating wildly in the comments and social media. As you both step away from the mics, Paige meets your gaze with a small smile.
“Nice job,” she says, extending a hand.
You shake it, feeling the warmth of her grip, the playful energy still sparking between you. “Likewise, Bueckers. Just don’t expect me to go easy on you next time.”
She gives you a wink. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
**********
Not even an hour after the episode goes live, the reactions flood in. Your notifications blow up with fire emojis, heart-eyes, and endless comments as fans dissect every word, every sly look you exchanged with Paige, and every playful jab you threw her way. People seem to be either thrilled by your shift in tone or mourning the sharper edge of your usual critique. But there’s one thing they all seem to agree on—your chemistry with Paige was undeniable, and they’re dying to see where this dynamic goes next.
Then come the memes: screenshots of you glancing at Paige with a mix of disbelief and amusement, clips from older episodes where you roasted her, and side-by-sides comparing your expressions with Paige’s iconic moments on the court. One of your favorites is a split image of you with an exaggerated, eye-rolling expression, paired with Paige’s confident smirk from one of her highlight games. People are clearly having a field day, and you find yourself chuckling at the creativity as you scroll through the tag.
But just as you’re considering logging off for the night, a notification grabs your attention. It’s a comment from none other than Paige herself.
@PaigeBueckers: “Glad to see you’re finally catching on, Y/N. Game recognizes game, right? 😏”
You smirk, typing back a quick reply.
@notY/N: “Don’t get too comfortable, Bueckers. I’m just warming up. 😏”
Paige responds almost instantly, and suddenly, it’s a back-and-forth on full display for everyone to see.
@PaigeBueckers: “Comfortable? Nah. Just giving you something to talk about on that next episode of yours.”
@notY/N: “Who says you’re interesting enough for a second episode?”
@PaigeBueckers: “Guess I’ll just have to prove you wrong, then. Challenge accepted?”
The thread quickly spirals as fans jump in, hyping up every comment exchange, adding their own captions, and stirring up theories about your “rivalry.” By the time you close the app, #YNPBChallenge is trending, with people eagerly waiting for your next move. And though you won’t admit it, you’re already curious about hers.
Within hours, sports outlets start covering the “feud.” Clips of your episode circulate, paired with screenshots of Paige’s comments. Twitter is filled with fans trying to decode every little interaction, with hashtags like #PaigeAndY/N and #RivalryGoals popping up as the top trends. Some fans eagerly ship you and Paige, while others are taking sides, wanting to see if your critique holds up in future episodes.
Some of Paige’s teammates even get in on the fun, teasing her about the exchanges. Azzi Fudd, in particular, tweets, “So… when’s the first date, @paigebueckers? 👀”
You laugh when you see it, because of course Paige’s friends would be watching the whole thing unfold. You decide to add your own little stir to the pot.
Replying to Azzi’s tweet, you type, “First date? I think she’d need to step up her game a bit first.”
Not even a minute later, Paige replies to you directly: “Challenge accepted.”
The thread is flooded with reactions, and for a moment, it’s as if the entire internet is watching you two flirt in real time. You know it’s all in good fun, but there’s an undeniable thrill to it.
After the whirlwind of social media reactions, you finally step away from your phone, still replaying the day’s events. There’s an undeniable energy to this back-and-forth with Paige. Even through playful jabs and witty comebacks, there’s something deeper simmering—something that leaves you more curious than you’d like to admit.
Just as you’re about to call it a night, a new notification lights up your screen: a direct message from Paige herself. You hesitate for a moment, feeling an odd mix of excitement and nerves, and then finally open it.
Paige: “So… I’m dying to know—did you expect all of this to blow up the way it did?”
Her message catches you off guard. You’d expected something more competitive, maybe another cheeky comment. But this question feels more open, almost as if she’s genuinely curious about your perspective on all this unexpected attention.
Y/N: “Honestly? Not at all. I mean, I’m used to a little backlash, but this? Everyone’s treating it like it’s the story of the year.”
Paige: “Right? It’s kind of insane, but I have to say, you seem to handle it like a pro.”
A smile tugs at your lips. The words are simple enough, but there’s a warmth there, a hint of respect that takes you by surprise. You hadn’t expected Paige to be this down-to-earth.
Y/N: “I guess that’s part of the job, right? You get used to it, even when it’s… unexpected.”
Paige: “Guess we both know what that’s like. I mean, people see us a certain way, but they don’t really get the whole picture.”
Her message resonates with you in a way you hadn’t anticipated. It’s something you’ve thought about often—the assumptions people make, the way fans and critics alike paint you in broad strokes, not really seeing the person underneath. The more you think about it, the more you realize that Paige might understand that better than most.
Y/N: “True. Everyone thinks they know us based on what they see online, but there’s a lot that doesn’t make the highlight reel, right?”
Paige: “Exactly. It’s easy to play a role, keep it simple. But sometimes, it’s nice to just be real with someone who gets it.”
There’s a pause, a subtle weight to her words that makes you wonder if this is just harmless banter, or something more.
Y/N: “So, you’re saying I’m good enough to get the ‘real’ Paige Bueckers?”
Paige: “I’m saying maybe you’re not as overrated as you think you are, Y/N.”
You can’t help but laugh, the slight warmth of her compliment balanced by her usual dose of teasing. But even as the conversation winds down, a part of you can’t shake the feeling that this might be the start of something… different. The back-and-forth, the playful ribbing—it’s beginning to feel like more than just banter.
You let out a soft laugh, staring at the screen a little longer than you meant to, absorbing Paige’s last message. You’d expected a snarky retort, maybe a playful jab, but this? This is something else, something that has you wondering if she’s just as curious as you are. Before you can overthink it, you decide to keep the conversation going.
Y/N: “Alright, I’ll take that as a compliment—coming from someone who’s probably had a lifetime supply of them.”
Paige: “You’d think so, but it’s funny how most of them don’t mean much. I think I’ve just gotten good at smiling and nodding.”
Her honesty catches you off guard. It’s a rare moment of vulnerability, one that’s different from the playful façade you’d seen at the game and in her comments. You find yourself softening, recognizing a piece of yourself in her words.
Y/N: “I get it. People are quick to build you up, but they don’t always see the work behind it. Or the stuff you keep off-camera.”
Paige: “Exactly. Sometimes it feels like it’s just about meeting everyone’s expectations.”
You feel a pang of understanding. Despite the banter, the jabs, you realize there’s a part of her that just wants to be seen for more than the hype, more than the image fans have painted of her. And, you realize, maybe that’s why this little rivalry-turned-conversation feels different than anything you’ve experienced before.
Y/N: “Well, for what it’s worth, I’m here for the real version of you—whatever that looks like.”
She doesn’t respond immediately, and you wonder if you’d gone too far. But just as you’re about to backpedal, her response pops up.
Paige: “Same goes for you, Y/N. Guess that means we’ll have to see what that actually looks like, right?”
Her words make your stomach do an unexpected flip. It’s an invitation, subtle but clear, to get to know her beyond the rivalry, beyond the image. And suddenly, it feels like this whole thing—the online banter, the “feud,” the unexpected DM—has been leading up to this moment.
Y/N: “Guess so. So, next time we bump into each other… coffee? Or are you more of a smoothie person?”
She replies almost instantly.
Paige: "Coffee works, as long as you promise not to trash-talk me in front of the barista."
You laugh, feeling a warmth that has nothing to do with the banter and everything to do with her openness.
Y/N: “Fine, I’ll tone it down. But don’t get too comfortable—I’m not going easy on you.”
Paige: “Wouldn’t expect anything less.”
There’s a pause after that, a comfortable silence that feels like both a beginning and a challenge. As you put your phone down, a smile still on your face, you realize you’re genuinely excited to see where this goes.
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archiveikemen ¡ 2 days ago
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"Dark If" Story Event: Chapter 1
Ellis Twilight
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This is a fan-made translation solely for entertainment purposes with no guaranteed perfection; expect mistakes, grammatical errors, and some creative liberties. All original content and media used belongs to Cybird. Please support the game by buying their stories and playing their games. Reblogs appreciated.
Read this before interacting
Victor: Miss Kate. The ability to create the ultimate happy ending lies in your hands. — Now, off into the twisted fairytale world you go. 
…
When I woke up, I found myself in a room inside a lavish castle. 
(Uhh… right, I’m the “princess” of this country.)
(... Huh? Why do I have memories of that?) 
Memories of being raised as the princess of this kingdom slowly came back to me. 
(It feels as though I have two sets of memories. One from living in this world, and one from another world.) 
Yet, strangely, both felt like they were indeed “mine”. 
King: … Are you awake, Kate?
Kate: Good morning, Father. 
After a knock, my father entered the room looking concerned. 
King: With only a few months left until that wicked fairy’s prophecy is set to come true… I can’t be at peace without personally ascertaining your safety every morning. 
I was born as the princess of this country and spent my life living a sheltered life within the castle’s walls.
The reason for that was— a curse. 
The fairy who placed the curse on me said, “in 10 years time, the curse will take effect when she pricks her finger on the spindle of a spinning wheel”. 
— Without any explanation, he returned to his castle hidden deep in the mountains. 
In response, my parents gathered every last spinning wheel in the country and destroyed them. They relocated those working in the textile industry to state-run factories, and I wasn't allowed anywhere near them. 
Kate: If the curse takes effect, I’ll fall into a deep slumber for 100 years… right?
I muttered based on my memories, and my father nodded with tears welling up in his eyes once more. 
(A cursed spinning wheel… the world I strayed into must be the story of “The Thorn Princess¹”.)
¹ “The Thorn Princess” is also commonly known as “Sleeping Beauty”. 
(If I go along with the original plot, it’d probably be better to fall into a deep sleep because of the curse, but…)
The man who introduced himself as Victor said that there was “something missing” in this twisted fairytale world.
If I fall asleep before I find it— I won’t be able to look for it for the next 100 years.
(First things first, I need to break this curse to give myself more time to find it!)
Kate: I’m going to ask that fairy to break the curse. 
King: W-what!? Absolutely not!! 
Kate: You can assign a few guards to escort me. 
King: Even the royal guards fear him! I’ve sent people to assassinate him several times, and all of them returned in a dreadful state…! 
Kate: Then I’ll go alone. Don’t worry, I can sniff out dangerous places from my experience as a mail carrier. 
King: Mail carrier? H-hey, hold on—! 
…
(While I did say I’d go alone… it’s still better to be as well-prepared as possible.)
After dodging my panicking father and the royal guards, I made my way to a mercenary recruitment place in the castle town. 
Kate: I’d like to hire a bodyguard for my journey… 
Since there was a real chance of encountering wild beasts or bandits on my way to the fairy’s castle, I decided to use part of my allowance I had been secretly saving and hire someone to protect me. 
However—
Long-Faced Mercenary: Go to the fairy’s castle!? You’d need more than one life to make it there alive! 
One-Eyed Mercenary: No way, not doing it! I’ll never go anywhere near that terrifying guy ever again! 
— The last person I spoke to fainted the moment the word “fairy” left my mouth, his eyes rolling back in fear. 
(It’s just as Father said, the fairy is greatly feared…)
(Looks like it can’t be helped… I’ll just go alone.)
???: Is it true that you want to go to the fairy’s castle? 
???: If that’s what you wish for… I’ll be your bodyguard. 
I looked up when I heard the voice making the timely offer and saw a young man standing there. 
Receptionist: You’re in luck, miss. That guy’s a skilled assassin. 
Receptionist: Once he’s targeted someone, he latches onto them like thorny vines, that's why he’s called “Ellis the Briar”. 
The receptionist, a young man with mint-coloured eyes, politely introduced him. 
The fee he quoted in a low voice was an amount I could afford with my savings. 
Ellis the Briar: I only take on jobs from here every now and then, so I didn't know I had a nickname. 
Kate: Umm, mister… Ellis the Briar?
Ellis the Briar: Just “Ellis” will do. 
After being rejected by many people, Ellis’ offer to be my bodyguard made him look like a knight in shining armour. 
Kate: Thank you so much for accepting my request. 
Kate: But… are you not afraid of the fairy, Ellis?
Unlike the other mercenaries who fled at the mention of the fairy, this relaxed young man seemed unfazed. 
I was a little worried that he might not understand the weight of the situation he volunteered to be involved in. 
Ellis: I’ve been burned, frozen, stabbed, and slashed countless times by that fairy.
Ellis: If there’s anyone here who knows exactly how dangerous he is, that’d be me. 
Kate: What!? You were burnt— are you alright?
Ellis: Yeah. I can't die, and I’m not afraid, so I’m okay. 
(In a strange world where even fairies exist, not dying might be possible too… I guess?) 
Ellis: If the journey will lead to your happiness, I’ll go with you.
Kate: A-alright. I’ll be counting on you, Ellis! 
Ellis: Fufu… you don’t need to be formal with me.
Ellis: You can relax and speak casually. We’re friends, after all.
(Friends!? Since when…?)
I was a little confused, but the young man’s smile carried not a single hint of malice. 
(He’s probably just the kind of person to want to close up the distance between himself and others quickly…) 
Kate: Okay… got it. 
…
— And so, I embarked on my journey with Ellis, who had a mysterious presence. 
There were two paths leading to the fairy’s ancient castle.
One was a horrible half-day route, while the other was a three-day walk on flat ground. 
Ellis suggested the easier route, taking into consideration my limited stamina as someone who lived a sheltered life. 
— On the second night. 
Our journey was progressing smoothly, but I found myself having trouble sleeping. 
Ellis: Can’t sleep?
Kate: Yeah… I know I should rest, especially since we’ll arrive at the castle tomorrow. But…
Ellis: Kate, can you come over here? 
Kate: …?
I had come to trust Ellis after all the countless times he had helped me during this short journey, and so I unhesitatingly moved closer. 
Suddenly, he pulled me by my arm and I fell on top of him. 
Ellis: It’s hard to fall asleep on the hard ground, isn't it? You can rest on me instead. 
Kate: B-but, then you wouldn't be able to sleep with me weighing down on you… 
Ellis: You’re light as a feather, so it’s okay. Go on, you can sleep. 
I tried moving away, but Ellis held me close and wouldn't let go. 
Kate: You’re being so kind to me because I hired you… 
Ellis: Am I? Maybe I’m being this kind only because it's you, Kate. 
Kate: …
Thump. Thump. My heart was pounding loudly, but…
As I leaned my head against Ellis’ chest, I realised that I didn’t hear his heart pounding. 
(... Am I the only one who feels this way?) 
A strange unease crept up to me, but I started feeling drowsy as Ellis gently rubbed my back in a soothing manner.
Ellis: … Why do you want to meet the fairy? 
Kate: I want him… to break my curse…
Ellis: I see… 
Hearing Ellis’ tender voice, my eyelids slowly grew heavy. 
(Ellis took care of everything for me throughout this journey…) 
(I must give him a big reward and properly thank him once this is over…)
(Oh. But… I feel lonely thinking we’ll be parting ways.)  
While such thoughts crossed my mind, making me doze off… I drifted off to sleep on Ellis.
And because I was asleep, I didn’t hear the words Ellis spoke as he watched me. 
Ellis: So you want the fairy to break the curse…
Ellis: That means your feelings haven't changed since “back then”. … I’m so glad. 
Even as Ellis slowly wrapped his hand around my neck, I didn't wake. 
Ellis: … I want to kill you as soon as possible. 
…
I was able to get a good night’s rest thanks to Ellis, and we finally arrived in front of the fairy’s castle. 
However, the path leading up to its doors was overgrown with briar, as though rejecting all visitors coming from the outside. 
Ellis: We can’t pass here, let’s go around. 
Kate: Yeah… oh, can you wait for a quick moment? 
Ellis: What’s the matter? 
Kate: There’s a little bird trapped in the briar and can’t get out… 
I crouched down next to the briar and while being careful not to get pricked, created an opening for the little bird. 
It then quickly escaped and flew away. 
Kate: Had it stayed trapped in there, it might've died. I’m glad I could save it…
Ellis: … Indeed. 
Ellis: Giving even a little bird the choice of where and when it wants to die must make it feel happier, doesn't it? 
Ellis: You’re very kind for allowing it to choose how to die, Kate. 
(That wasn’t why I saved the bird, but…)
(... Ellis certainly has a strange way of thinking about things.) 
I felt a little uncomfortable, but decided not to dwell on it and continue our detour towards the fairy’s castle. 
…
Kate: E-excuse me… I’m here to seek help with breaking a curse.
Kate: Is the fairy home…? 
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???: I am, but I ain't breakin' the curse.
The man who appeared was much younger than I had expected. 
Ellis: Jude, I’m back. 
Ellis: Let me introduce you, Kate. This is Jude, the fairy.
Kate: …? Hang on a second…
Kate: Why did you say that you're “back”? What's the relationship between you two…? 
Ellis: I’ve been working as Jude’s assistant for many years now. 
Ellis: When Jude isn’t busy, I sometimes find work at the mercenary recruitment place to keep my skills sharp. 
Kate: What… did you say…
Kate: Ellis. You offered to protect me on this journey, helped me so much throughout, and I trusted you… 
Kate: Now you’re telling me that you’re an underling of the fairy who cursed me…!? 
Ellis: Rather than an “underling”, I’d say we have more of a contractual relationship. 
Ellis confirmed it like it was no big deal.
(Ellis had ties with the fairy way before I did…) 
(We travelled together and I thought of him as a reliable companion… were those all one-sided on my part?) 
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Ellis: What’s wrong, Kate? You don’t look so good…
Ellis extended a hand towards me in concern, which I reflexively brushed away. 
Kate: … I-I’m sorry. 
Kate: I… need to go outside to cool my head. 
Overwhelmed by all that just happened within moments, my heart felt like it was on the verge of shattering. 
I excused myself and wanted to leave the castle, but the fairy didn’t allow me to. 
Jude the Fairy: Ya had a reason for comin' here, didn't ya? Guests oughta stay in the guest room.
Kate: What.
— Jude grabbed my arm and roughly shoved me into the guest without further discussion.
Now that Kate was locked away, the hall went silent once more.
By now, Kate was most likely being served warm tea and snacks in the magical guest room. 
Jude: … Ellis. Ya don’t understand human feelings at all, do ya? 
Jude: If she finds out that her bodyguard, whom she saw as a friend, actually has a contract with the exact fairy who cursed her, she’ll feel betrayed. 
Ellis: Is that so…
Ellis: It’s been five years since I became human, and yet there’s still so much I don’t know. 
Jude: It’s “only” been five years.
Ellis: For us, it’s “already” been five years.
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Ellis: All I want is to make Kate happy… human emotions are so hard to understand. 
Jude: … 
Jude clicked his tongue in annoyance, not bothering to hide his irritation with Ellis’ non-human mindset. 
He then picked up a sword and slashed at Ellis without hesitation.
— However, Ellis didn't even flinch. Despite being cut, he didn't bleed and was perfectly calm. 
Ellis: … It’s pointless no matter how many times you try, Jude. 
The wound Jude inflicted on Ellis healed on its own, returning his body to how it was before. 
Ellis: As long as Kate doesn't find happiness, I won’t die.
Ellis: Regardless of whether I’m burned, frozen, stabbed, or slashed…
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yamisnuffles ¡ 13 hours ago
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DATV Spoiler Free Review
I beat Veilguard a couple days ago and have had some time to let it settle in my brain. So, without getting into the nitty gritty and more spoilery things, here are my overall feelings on the game.
The Great:
The world itself. The scenery. It was really gorgeous and felt fully alive in a way that none of the previous games have quite managed. Since it wasn't as open world as DAI nor as narrow in scope as DA2 (nor as old as DAO lol), it felt more vital. Definitely a place where the advances in graphics helped, I'm sure.
The Good:
The companions. I wouldn't say any of them blew me away but they all at least ranged from enjoyable to very good. I definitely had my quibbles here and there but I think they were all pretty solid. As such, though I've only done one romance, I'll suppose they're all good. A bit... sparse in my experience and from what I've been hearing, but nice enough.
Overall, I also think the story was pretty good. Like much in this game, nothing that blew me away, but solidly compelling.
Also, mechanically, the gameplay and the glamour system. It still doesn't feel like DA to me but it was enjoyable once I got used to it. It works well with how I play games. And it was nice to just set looks for myself and my companions and not worry about stats vs appearance.
Rook. I have some definite Complaints, and so this point is probably closer to the good to mid range, but they did a pretty good job with letting you pull in your faction stuff. I'm prevented from saying great because it feels like, even with what are supposed to be rougher dialogue choices, you're limited to being mildly pleasant.
The Mid:
The music. This is tragic to me because every previous game had some really standout songs and DAI especially was such a solid soundtrack. I love soundtrack music. Also because Hans Zimmer! I love Hans Zimmer. But the entire thing felt very generic epic fantasy to me. It wasn't bad but it didn't feel good. The only times I ended up moved by the music was when they lifted DAI songs.
The lack of imports. It wasn't the end of the world but did make some cameos feel really off. And for all the talk of making what few things were imported matter, that really didn't feel like the case at all (unless you were in a specific subset of players). I didn't care too much, but it was just enough to make things feel weird, especially with characters like Harding who are so attached to previous stuff.
The Bad:
The world felt so sanitized. I have no issue getting rid of real life bigotry that makes so sense in the context of the world. For example, the sexism in DAO especially made no sense. That said, there was a lot of in world nastiness that is just... gone. The game does a lot of telling us the elves have it bad but doesn't show it. No one bats an eye at a Tevinter mage running about outside of Tevinter. No one cares about a Qunari in occupied Treviso. I suppose it's not the worst thing in the world but it feels weird, especially when it's so central to Solas' motivations.
This sanitization carried on through pretty much everything. All of the factions are presented as good and heroic, even the ones that are historically pretty shady. Your companions are all pleasant and palatable. They have the occasional minor squabble but even when they almost have actual beef, it's solved super easily. You might get some disapproval for decisions but companions never seem to much care or hold it against you, even on really big things. I don't need DA2 levels of interparty drama but, boy did I want a bit more tooth sometimes.
The Awful:
I can't get into it without spoilers but it did a Thing that Bioware sometimes likes to do that I absolutely loathe. This is definitely personal but it ruined some of my desire to replay.
Overall:
I'd give the game a 7/10 or maybe 6/10, depending on how I'm feeling. It was enjoyable for the most part but it had so many things that felt like splinters. Lots of little things that stuck under my skin and bothered me. Would I recommend it? Genuinely depends on the person.
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needforspeed161 ¡ 10 hours ago
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Hey Admiral
My friend and I were talking about a scenario like this and I decided to write a little something for it. Since Cyclone looks up to Ice so much this would be hilarious to see play out 😂
CYCLONE DOESNT REALIZE ICE AND MAV ARE MARRIED.
Cyclone had it up to HERE with Maverick, constantly correcting him and becoming quite irritable with his “teaching methods” as he called them.
Why on earth a man as revered as the legendary Iceman would request a man as reckless and untamed as Maverick to teach the top pilots in the world at TOP GUN OF ALL PLACES! For what he is sure would be one of the most dangerous, high enemy contact level mission any of these pilots would ever experience in their lives was beyond him.
“Admiral” Ice spoke, taking a seat across from him, Beau stood at attention as the COMPACFLT seated himself before him.
“Evening sir” he spoke, militant as ever.
“So to what do I owe the pleasure” Ice waved a waitress over, grabbing a glass of his classic vodka on the rocks as Cyclone opted for a brandy.
“About Maverick…”
The warm chuckle that spread throughout the blonde, now graying, Admirals chest stopped the three star in his tracks.
“My apologies sir, I wasn’t intending to be comical”
“No Beau it’s not that” Ice took a gentle sip from his drink, tongue darting out to wet his lips. “It’s just that if I had a dollar for everytime one of these dinners or meetings began with ‘so about Maverick’ I could have retired 10 years ago and have two Mercedes in my driveway”
Beau looked at his hands momentarily, unsure of what to say. Soon Tom continued.
“Anyways, I digress, what did he do this time”
Ices softer stare met his colleagues as he took another drink, before looking down at the menu on the soft white table cloth.
“His training methods for the Dagger squadron are….interesting to say the least, unorthodox is the better term.”
“Oh? Do tell”
“For instance, they were supposed to be practicing formations for the bombing run yesterday and I found them playing on the beach like children”
“Hm” Ice grunted softly, paying attention as the waitress came by again, interrupting them.
“Good evening sir” she spoke with a small smile at Tom. “Your usual sir?” Tom nodded
“Thank you Katherine, Beau? Care to order?”
Cyclone didn’t think to hard as to why Ice knew this woman, and frequented this place often enough to have established a ‘usual’. Ice was the COMPACFLT, he probably enjoyed some nicer expensive dining from time to time.
“No green eyes tonight?” She asked, and Tom shook his head. “No my dear, all buisness tonight”
She frowned slightly and put her hands on her hips. “Well darn, please tell him I said hello, I’ll go put your order in gentlemen.”
“I definitely will, Thank you my dear” Ice waved as she disappeared, rounding the corner.
Cyclone decided not to comment, first of all he and Ice were close but not so close as to ask questions about his love life. Let alone the fact that it was apparently another gentleman he often frequented this place with. Who was he to judge, since the DADT repeal and Ice becoming one of the most powerful men in the military, no one could say shit even if they had a mouthful.
“Apologies for the interruption, as you were saying?”
Beau cleared his throat. “Yes, sir, he completely ignored my hard deck perameters and is running these pilots through ridiculous exercises, we have less than a week to have them mission ready…”
Their conversation went on for a couple more hours as they ate, and as they both stood to leave Ices hand found Cyclones shoulder.
“I know Captain Mitchell can be a hard pill to swallow sometimes, but he’s a brilliant pilot, best the Navy has to offer, I’ve flown with him for many years, and he’s done many things I may not have understood, but he was always reliable, always had his head in the game and always made sure everyone, including me, made it back home safe. Be patient with him Admiral, give him a shot”
Cyclone huffed out in annoyance slightly, but let his shoulders fall. “Yes sir, I’ll do my best”
“Thanks Beau” Tom spoke, dropping the formalities. “And thank you for the company, but I’m a little past curfew and need to get home” Ice winked, Bidding him goodbye and getting in his car to head home.
—————————————————————————
The next day seemed even worse, Admiral Simpson was being driven up a wall, two seconds away from punching the brunette square in the face. If not for Ices encouragement he probably would have by now.
That evening he returned to the ready room to see, SHOCKER! EVERYONE WAS GONE!
Anger rose in his throat, he knew exactly where he was going.
Throwing his truck in park in perhaps the most aggressive way he could, the man, still clad in his khakis and medals, stormed in through the swinging saloon doors of the Hard deck, seeing all of his pilots and one infuriating Pete Mitchell drinking beers and playing rounds of pool.
Laughing, smiling and joking together, if he weren’t so angry he would have liked to admit that it even looked….fun.
“CAPTAIN MITCHELL!” He shouted. As if on cue the music came to a winding stop and all heads turned to look at him.
Pete not looking worried in the slightest.
“FRONT AND CENTER! NOW!”
Handing off his beer to Bradley with a nod, sharing a quiet word with him that couldn’t be made out clearly. He walked towards the angry, taller brunette. As the rest of the gang tentatively went back to playing pool, quietly, as if walking on eggshells.
“Admiral Simpson, sir” Maverick spoke. Smug grin on his face long gone and replaced with a tight line drawn between his lips.
“What in the hell is this?! We have a mission less
Than TWO WEEKS out that requires absolute focus! And before you try and brush this off as one of your bullshit ‘team building exercises’ just know I’m going to look forward to reporting this directly to admiral Kazansky! And-“
“Reporting what exactly to Admiral Kazansky?” A voice spoke, interrupting his statement, as the taller, angrier man turned to see the familiar face returning with two drinks in his hand.
Immediately straightening his posture and clearing his throat. He took in a very casually dressed Tom Kazansky.
“A-Admiral sir!”
“At ease Admiral, so what did Maverick do this time”
His eyes followed the movements of the slightly taller man, coming up to stand beside Pete, handing him a beer.
As Cyclone began to go into what he saw.
“Is that so Mitchell? Little old you did all that?” Ice threw his arm around Mavericks shoulder. Seeing the smug smile return to his lips.
“I can neither confirm or deny that statement” Maverick chuckled.
“My apologies on behalf of my husband Admiral, it seems he wasn’t aware of todays training layout”
Cyclones jaw may as well have been on the floor, throat tightening at a loss of words.
“H-husband sir?”
“Ah!” Ice almost looked surprised.
“How rude of me Admiral, I’d like to formally introduce you to my husband, Pete Mitchell-Kazansky, though for work purposes everyone still knows him by Mitchell.”
Just at this time Bradley walked up behind them.
“Hey dad, pops” he squeezed both of their shoulders and looked at Admiral Simpson. “Admiral”
“Lieutenant” he scoffed in return. Still attempting to process all of this new information.
“Wait so, at the restaurant, the waitress, green eyes is-“
“The one and only” maverick smirked, leaning up to give his husband a kiss on the cheek.
“Now Admiral, if you don’t mind we’d like to get back to our game, you’re welcome to join us if you’d like.” Ice invited, gesturing his head towards the rest of the squad.
Cyclones mouth open and closed again. Unsure of what to do next.
“Cmon Sir, first rounds on me, loosen up a little” Bradley smiled, eyes bright and hopeful. As Cyclone turned to the rest of the team, smiling at him as well.
“I guess one drink couldn’t hurt….but I’m kicking your ass at a game of pool first Bradshaw”
As the two men walked back towards the pool tables, newly acquired beers in hand and jokes being flung back and fourth. Maverick pulled ice against his side by his waist. Smiling up at him with big green eyes, clinking his beer against the taller man’s glass.
“This is going to be fun” he smiled.
“Couldn’t agree more darling”
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bokutosbabe ¡ 4 hours ago
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Did You See Me On TV?
( bllk boys and being in a long distance relationship )
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a/n — thought about this and just HAD to write. no long distance relationship experience, but def some long distance friendship experience. rather short, but i had to get it out.
content — fem! reader, set in the ' Neo Egoist ' era, some characters repeated, all characters 18+, angst, fluff, maybe some ooc for some people??, nicknames 'love' , 'babe' , 'baby' , ' my girl ' , and 'sweetheart' used
synopsis — yes, he's a world famous soccer player, but he's also your boyfriend. how does this effect your relationship?
⋆.˚✮🎧✮˚.⋆ ' you tell yourself it's fine, ' ⋆.˚✮🎧✮˚.⋆
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✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ the... ' radio silence '
it's been a month since your boyfriend had left to go play for the soccer team he'd been assigned to, and what had you heard from him?
...complete and utter silence.
you understood he was busy now, you really did, but he hadn't even called while he'd been gone. any text he sent was no more than 3 words.
you were still in love with him, but was he in love with you anymore? had he forgotten all about you? was there another girl that was better than you?
the promise the two of you had made before he left sat on your tongue like lead now.
" you'll come back whenever you can, right? " you'd asked him. " for you? always. i couldn't imagine a life without you. i promise i'll call every chance i get. "
you stared at your phone, the text you'd sent him before his game started staring back at you...mocking you.
you: good luck, love!! i'm rooting for you from home! i love you, have fun, don't get hurt. call me when you can <3
it was almost pitiful. three almost exact texts sat above that one, and he hadn't even bothered to read them until after the game, simply replying with a...
him <3 : thanks
and no, if you were wondering, he hadn't ever called you.
and here you were, like a fool, curled up in your bed watching his game on live TV, watching as he made his second goal of the day.
maybe, just maybe, he'd call you after this one.
✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ SAE ITOSHI, isagi yoichi, RIN ITOSHI, oliver aiku, OTOYA EITA, rensuke kunigami
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✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ the... ' a complete mess '
he'd been gone a month, and you can't count a single day he hasn't called you three times at minimum. you'd been together for a while, but you never realized how much he relied on you to do basic everyday tasks for him.
"babe? do you know where i usually keep my long socks?" you heard come from your phone speaker as you were trying to do your own homework, mind you.
" usually in the middle of your top drawer next to your underwear. unless you've changed it. " you stated, he'd asked you this question every single time he had a game since he had left, but you wouldn't dare expect him to remember that.
" you're the best, baby. what would i do without you? " your boyfriend asked as he pulled socks out of his drawer, propping his phone up on the bedside lamp as he slid the socks onto his feet.
" lose your head, probably. " you joked, looking up from your work to admire him.
yes, everyone got to see him as the big, bad soccer player on TV, but with you? he seemed like a completely different person, not someone who could get a hat trick and also simultaneously asking where their phone is while it's in their hand.
" your games soon, love. you gotta get going. " you helpfully reminded him, as if you were his personal alarm ( you were but that's besides the point )
" ah crap, thank you baby. i'll call you after i win," he said cheekily. " i'll score a goal just for you, so make sure you watch!"
" you know i will. call you later, i love you. " you reflected his smile through the phone. " i love you too! " he repeated. and just as you were about to press the 'end call' button...
"oh, baby? do you remember where i put my jersey?"
yeah, without you he'd be a train wreck.
✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ NAGI SEISHIRO, bachira meguru, HIORI YO, gin gagamaru, ZANTETSU TSURUGI, ranze kurona
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✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ the... ' basically married '
it'd been a month since your boyfriend had left to go play professional soccer, and out of the four games he had played, you'd been flown out for three of them.
" do you like it? " he asked giddily, as if he was a child on christmas morning waiting to open presents. but instead of a gift, it was him showing you the hotel room he'd gotten you so you could watch his game this week too.
" you're too sweet to me, love. i would've been happy just sitting at home and cheering you on from there. " you told him. " nope! you're no longer allowed to watch the games from home," he said as if it was a fact.
oh, soccer players and their superstitions.
" even the whole team agrees! my girl is our lucky charm! "
the one game you missed, because you had a big test may i add, they lost. it wasn't a horrible loss, no, they went into additional time and lost 5-4.
your shock and confusion must have been written all of your face, because he just laughed. " c'mon sweetheart, why don't you just come live with me here ? "
many reasons, actually. you still had school, it was across the world (not really but it felt like it ), your family, your friends.
he knew all of this, of course. there usually wasn't a day that you seriously considered it. considered being here, with him, instead of having to facetime and miss him.
one day, you would, but not now...you think.
"oh, hush. you gotta get going, you have a game to win." you huffed, pushing at his shoulder to hopefully get him going out the door.
"alright, alright. i'll come back with you after the game, sweetheart. i love you, see you after my win! "
and win he would, because he swore to himself that if he won this game the velvet box that was hiding in his dresser would finally be able to come out.
but, hey, even if he didn't win, would you say no to the ring he had custom made for you?
✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ REO MIKAGE, isagi yoichi, YUKIMIYA KENYU, chigiri hyoma, nijiro nanase, BARO SHOEI
⋆.˚✮🎧✮˚.⋆ ' you're just in love ' ⋆.˚✮🎧✮˚.⋆
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this was really written on a whim, but i hope yall liked it!
likes, comments, and reblogs appreciated!
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moregraceful ¡ 2 days ago
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Mostly still talking about this to help normalize and de-stigmatize using accommodations like this as an adult bc I think sometimes we think oh I'm a grown ass adult that's not for me...but truthfully there's never a reason not to at least ask. I was talking to some friends and they were like, oh we did not know that was available for everyone!
We were at the Lehigh Valley Phantoms game at PPL Arena and they mentioned they have a sensory quiet space, which got me curious if the Wells Fargo also had sensory accommodations. I am not autistic and will not be discussing the various things going horribly wrong in my brain at all times but I have a tendency to try to pack too many games into one week and ends up completely hitting a wall by the end of the set of games and either vacate planet earth for several hours if not days or just like am so miserable the entire time that I'm unable to enjoy what's going on. And I'm not what one might call situationally aware but at this point in my life I'm usually able to be like, okay so if I got to three hockey games in three days and two of those games involve very long drives at night, including one on the NJ tollpike, I will probably be feeling a little wacked out by Monday. But I didn't want to miss any of the game if I didn't have to because tickets were expensive and I miss my Sharkies violently, so I went digging for more info.
The Farg's website said they had a whole sensory room for people who are feeling overwhelmed and said it was for everyone! So I went to check it out during first intermission because I was very much about to start experiencing full body horrors. I figure at worst they say it's for kids and I have to go find a quieter spot to dissociate in and just hope I get back on my feet before the second period (which I have done before and it was not. fun lol.) I found guest services and they just gave me a wrist band and directions. Everyone I had to interact with was very respectful and kind, if treating me a little bit like a ticking time bomb, but I think when you're in your 30s looking harrowed while advocating politely for yourself, it's really like oh this guy Needs it. There was a guest services person set up in front of the room and I'm guessing it's bc the room is on the suite level and they need to make sure it's like people who need to use the room for its intended purposes and not drunk adults goofing off. But it was very quiet and calm inside, I think they did some sound dampening and with a white noise machine + that deeply hilarious sensory wall and a bunch of fidget/stim-type stuff on the walls to play with as well as other toys on shelves. I was there bc I needed quiet space so I spent all of the time I was there sitting on the floor staring at an orange water feature on the wall, but I imagine for kids or adults who need fidget toys it's probably a dream.
Very calming in there and I did NOT miss the rest of the game or have to experience the horrors so it was a success overall! I missed three minutes of the second period just trying to get back to our seats but I'll take three minutes over 45 minutes, which has happened before lmao. I will almost certainly end up there again bc I will absolutely end up trying to pack 3 games in 5 days again at some point lol.
I don't really have a concluding thought, I think it's basically like...Just Ask...what's the worst they can do. I think most people following me are adults and porn bots so it's like, yes we can handle our shit but also if there are accommodations available that explicitly say they're open to everyone, just ask yk. At worst they say no and probably we have all ways of dealing with whatever we're going through or we just grit our teeth and white knuckle it through shrockey. But I feel like people pretty often do want to help you if they can so it never hurts to at least find out what's available.
And then I got this sick ass wristband giving me VIP access to a water feature lmao
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I would do anything for the Sharks, including driving close to 4 hours round trip to tell Eetu Mäkiniemi, an ex-prospect, we love him and driving close to 3.5 hours round trip to Newark the next day to see the Sharks but I do think today is the day I end up seeing if they let adults who are not autistic into the sensory room to meditate at the Farg lmao
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velvetjune ¡ 4 months ago
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remedy games are very good and people should play them
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archersartcorner ¡ 8 months ago
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Back in Far Harbor gang… I get they probably didn’t want to extend a cutscene where the player had no control out too long, but I do wish in the Acadia meeting that you can eavesdrop on they brought up Nick 😭 but they do Not so here’s me making up scenarios. The Usual. 😏
#my art#described#fallout 4#dima#fallout 4 dima#nick valentine#also like the idea that Nick & Dima have internal fans and when they get Super Emotional u just hear WRRRRRRRRRRRRRR WHDBDJ#also playing with the idea that po is a psyker/has a ‘sight’ equivalent that’s. essentially just in-game save-scumming LMAO#rly hoping that’s not an idea I’m accidentally stealing from someone. PLS lemme know if someone else has used that and I just Forgot 😭#but ye essentially when faced with the more decisive moments. Po might just pass out and ‘experience’ all of the options -#- (akin to garnets future vision in SU I’d say!) and that helps him determine the best path forward#thought sometimes when it’s a smaller decision he doesn’t pass out. just experiences some light fatigue and then -#- ‘oh ya btw that trunk is trapped. yea you’ll get blowed up if you just open it.�� ‘…. well thanks for relaying that .0001 seconds before-#-I opened it PO.’#but anyway. all that to say that’s what Nick’s referring to when he said po probably ‘saw’ it and then encouraged the path#po meanwhile is upstairs looking through faraday’s diary - I mean uhhhhhhhhhh the other secret stuff. def not his diary#anyway. DiMA’s not biological but there is an importance to him to him and Nick’s relationship. he’s stupid protective of Nick -#- who probably doesn’t appreciate being the ‘little’ brother all that much. but that’s just how DiMA’s rationalized their ‘roles’#I just like em hehe
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loregoddess ¡ 4 months ago
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*slaps the roof of Unicorn Overlord* This game can fit so many self-loathing characters, tragic siblings, siblings with complicated relationships, children with complicated feelings towards their parents and/or parental figures, parents mourning their dead children, and characters who are generally a little bit fucked up but doing their best in it.
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xerith-42 ¡ 2 months ago
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There's a version of Minecraft story mode in my brain... Okay hear me out on this and know that all, and I mean ALL of my familiarity with this game is playing it's early chapters when I was a kid, followed by watching some pig guy play it and complain the entire time.
But in Chapter 2 there's two different paths you can go down, and I find the difference between them and how that would hypothetically effect Jesse fascinating. Because Redstonia (god that's a dumb name) is a relatively chill place. Everyone there is weird, but you went to the nerd town, you met the nerds, you do some nerd stuff, it gets dangerous for a bit, and then you leave.
Meanwhile in Boomtown Jesse and Axel are literally fighting for their lives from second one and are constantly in the trenches the entire time they're there.
So we take two different designs of Jesse and just make them twins. One of them is named Jesse and the other is named Jessie and they refuse to change their names. They're basically inseparable, but then that can be part of the emotional climax that happens in chapter 1 when they realize that they have to separate from each other during a serious situation.
Jesse goes with Axel and comes back with hearing damage, new scars, a hatred of loud noises, and a lot of weird hand cramps. Jessie meanwhile gets to go on a nice little vacay with Olivia where they do a bunch of redstone and nerd out the entire time. Gives them a different outlook on things going forward that's bound to change when they reunite and other Horrors of the story happen.
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void-and-virtue ¡ 1 year ago
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OP I LOVED UR ANDREIL POST GOING CRAZY THINKING ABOUT IT if you have anything else in that amazing brain of yours on this take please do share because i absolutely LOVED how you articulated this aspect about andreil. its something i particularily appreciate about their dynamic and relationship with anger and Their Issues TM. your post will cross my mind whenever ill think about it from now on.
I don’t think I have ever gotten an ask and this is kind of making me go insane??? I hope you know that you made my day and also, I’m so glad people share in my endless brainrot bc when it comes to this series and these characters I simply cannot stop
It really isn’t nearly talked about enough that the thing that got Andrew to actually look at Neil and become interested was (as cited by Neil himself at some point tho I can’t remember in which book that scene is from the top of my head) Neil’s bone-deep jealousy of Kevin. It’s—it ties into that whole epiphany that Neil has at some point, when he looks at Andrew and realizes that while he is hurtling towards his own breaking point and about to burn out and shatter into something he’s not sure he’d recognize if he survived the encounter, Andrew hit that point and broke from it years ago. And that’s an understanding that goes both ways between them—in a fucked up way, it feels like Andrew might be the future that Neil has waiting for him if he doesn’t end the year six feet under: hollow and drifting, passionless after everything he had to rip away from himself to be able to survive. At the same time, Neil probably reminds Andrew of how he used to be, back when he had hope for things only to have that hope rip him apart—which is exactly where Neil seems to be headed for the majority of the story.
I think that a lot of Andrew’s understanding of Neil comes from the fact that he knows intimately what it feels like to be caught between a rock and a hard place and cut his own lifeline, only to then fail to die on impact. Neil hasn’t had to resort to that yet, but he is hanging by a thread. You’d think that watching him struggle would only serve to drive it home for Andrew that he made the right choice in closing himself off, except… well. His expectations of life and the people in it are so bleak, it’s no wonder he finds himself drawn to Neil’s messy emotions and every unexpected show of spine like a moth to a flame.
Neil, for all of his issues and scars, can still feel things—can still want something so badly it defies all logic. Can want something with such visceral, fucked-up intensity that it resonates where it shouldn’t. It’s an ability that Andrew thinks he’s either lost or cut out of himself to stay somewhat safe, sane and alive a long time ago, but that remains as the most fundamental crack in the foundation of his being. It’s a fascination that seems to come out every time he’s sober and eventually ties into him wanting Neil—wanting something worth wanting and putting a name to it once he finds it. They look at each other and don’t want a watered-down version of the person in front of them. It creates a relationship that embraces issues big and small and accepts (even values!) the messy parts of being human. It means that any space shared between them immediately becomes safe once they settle into something comfortable together. The way they handle the uglier sides of each other’s personality honestly makes me feral because it’s always done with understanding and acceptance and they even find positives or comforts there that the other can’t see and that’s probably a reason for why 1) their chemistry is so off the charts and 2) their relationship is so damn healthy (in addition to their communication being stupidly good when it comes to each other).
Andrew wants something real and Neil wants to be real. And then they get to have exactly that.
#I hope this is even somewhat coherent#this went way out of hand but it’s an aspect of them that’s so hard to put into words#something something Andrew’s almost detached fascination with intense emotions and fervor#he shows that same tendency when it comes to Kevin vs exy as well#in the sense that I’m convinced Kevin’s passion both fucks him up and mystifies him#Neil is just much more up close and personal bc yeah his original devotion that caught Andrew’s eye was to the sport#but then Andrew got to experience that devotion turned around on himself full force#you cannot tell me he was ready for that#but also also#this and the og posts were meant to be about Neil and Neil’s emotions being ugly and messy and human#and how that resonates with Andrew because even terrible feelings can be better than an emotionless void#between numbness and twisted-up falsities#Neil’s raw emotions were probably the most honest thing about him early series and he had a lot that he was never allowed to express before#and not only is Andrew safe to let go of those inhibitions around#Neil also wants for Andrew to relearn how to enjoy that same privilege with him#losing control and all that#there’s a lot that can be said about all of this and I’m really not fully finding the words but. THEM. That’s all and thank you.#also ty for the ask I was really !!! when I saw that in my inbox :)))(#aftg#all for the game#neil josten#andrew minyard#andreil#aftg meta#answered asks
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st4rstudent ¡ 10 months ago
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I AGREE its so crazy how zap gags weren't a thing.... like TTCC really popped off with that one! i understand TTR is moreso sticking closer to the way TTO was but WOW zap just feels so natural with a REALLY good mechanic that uses strategy in using squirt and its just so good.... also my favorite track
YEEEPP!! That's how I feel about it. Squirt and zap just mix well together. I also think the addition of an 8th gag track was also a good move, allowing for a nice rotation of combinations (like how lure-trap and throw-drop are together as a combo). And also its a nice even number. I also think it helps utilize squirt, idk just feels good to do in general. Of course, I don't really have anything to compare this to and it's just me speaking as a player of (currently) one server, so take what I say with a grain of salt.
It's my favorite too, zap warriors UNITE!!
#clemask#clemramble#this is also not me hating on tt r either#actually i probably dont have to space that out because this is going to appear in word search anyways but still#i know sometimes there's a little bit of competition (is that what youd call it)? between the two servers. i want it to be stated that#i do not care about server comp. play what you want. who cares. i think both servers have their pros and cons and finding value in what YOU#like is more important than which one is the “”best“”. I think TR does an amazing job of taking TTO and transforming it into something more#while also staying true to the original game. i love the fact it brings some of the old concepts that were originally scrapped or lost#i also like the toon events that they have. like there was the halloween one and if i believe correctly it had a parade in it?#SUPPPERR COOL. i shouldve atleast played a little during that time just to experience it. but to be fair during the school year my#playing in general is toned down a lot. im sure everyone reading this knows how it is#and obviously i like ttcc. it has mac and winn. i mean what who said that.theres a ghost in here....#and i can understand why people like or dont like each server. they all have pros and cons. but to me its like the two cakes image#sorry i felt the need to clarify bc i know im kindof exclusively a ttcc guy and me going 'ummmm well tt r doesnt have zap' might sound#like im hashtag hating but im not. tt r is awesome ok. i need to try it out one day.#i just really like zap as a gag. like anon stated i think it just really feels natural to the game#that water electric combo does wonders
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arolesbianism ¡ 3 months ago
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I may be failing my plan to not make any isat aus. So there's this guy her name is Euphrasie right. What if I took her and combined what could be 3 separate au concepts into one. And in the process forced myself to go back and reread a bunch of shit to make sure I know how to maximally fuck over this sad wet puppy of a woman
#rat rambles#did I ever actually make a proper isat talking tag? I don't remember but erm#stars posting#anyways dont count on me committing to this au too hard since Im mostly eternal gales brained rn but I am rotating ideas in my head#shes always interested me deeply as what am I if not a sucker for women who are mostly silhouettes of a character#I was mostly just thinking abt other ppls aus where she is also looping and was thinking abt how fucked it be for her in general but also#how much more fucked it would be for her if it was Only her looping#because as far as she would know theres straight up nothing that can be done to fix this and shed be stuck in a hell of what shed be sure#is her own creation#and then I thought to myself. what if she then accidentally did a loop while trying to fix it#and then my brain also said but what if loop was also there#so I did some mental gymnastics to ignore the possible problems and decided to take an extra spin on it and just sorta add her to the main#party by having her have basically wished to be able to help them defeat the king to make things right and her getting dropped earlier#on in the adventure so I can fuck around with potential character dymamics more (cough cough siffrin)#and for the actual loops I think it'd be funny if she could remember just like loop but was fully convinced that she was looping alone#so itd be siffrin and her acting at eachother trying to hide their seperate breakdowns while meamwhile loop is just staring at her with a#whole heap of mixed emotions but mostly the confusion of who the fuck is this guy???????#and sif is just like yeah thats secret. shes a powerful craft user who's craft experiments backfired and fucked up her body. duh.#and loop just Knows that thats not true but they have no real way to bring it up properly without drawing too much suspicious#oh yeah and Im calling her secret for now. in my minds eye shes like constantly putting on different fronts in hopes that one of them will#stick but shes been able to get away with it by playing up her belief in change to a cartoonish degree#shes really trying to be strong and not raise suspicion since she does want mirabelle to be able to learn and grow from this just the same#as her own mirabelle before and just wants to be able to fix the broken wish by being there to defeat the king herself#which she had already convinced herself was the reason the wish broke since she was the one stuck remembering#I should reword it to that probably because saying shes the one looping isnt Wrong but asside from sif not remembering it still entirely#revolved around him she was just the one forced to deal with it without any real way of learning how to fix it#and while she never figured out the entirety of the sif stuff it was always him taking to her that reset the loop#so she has. complicated feelings on him. she doesn't want to be avoidant or distant or to dislike him! and as time goes on she does grow to#like him a lot! but its just. hard to look him in the eye sometimes.#and then theres the horrors of the actual main game starting and the slow but horrifying realization of how badly she fucked up
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the-acid-pear ¡ 7 months ago
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I never tried the option myself bc it'd probably mean skipping the Reason You Suck speech at the end (fire for speedrunners though) but I Love that you can frame your Phoneys in 3, especially so if you've already killed the previous two. Like yeah couldn't send you off to die so i'll let the goverment do it for me 🧸 like its just Peak evil imo.
#luly talks#i do relinquish in the pain and the agony but dont get me wrong the thought of any of them 3 getting jailed makes me SO sad#rog esp since he's the one im writing about and the biggest nerve wreck#gingi voice they'll be the last one to pick the board game for prison-game-night..........#actually yknow i wonder if rog would end up almost believing it after all when you try to gaslight him for the shits and giggles#(as in: telling HE was victim of the bite of 87 and the like) he tells you to not do that bc his brain is already scrambled or something#so there's a chance perhaps he'd believe it if he had everyone constantly accussing him of it?#not like it'd matter much i have no hopes for the dsaf justice system i know its been 35 years since jack got framed but still#i just remembered when the option popped up i said ''god im really becoming steven 😭''#first time i made the joke too was when i said ''imagine your boss sucks so bad you turn suicidal'' no clue what the context was#OH YEAH JAKE SAYING HE'D RATHER FUCKING DIE THAN KEEP WORKING HERE yeah. poor guy.#anyway im derailing my own post again uhhh. yeah. yeah i dont trust any phoney is avoiding the death sentence#dsaf#roger jones#dsaf roger#btw just for the sake of yapping longer i truly cant decide whether harry or jake would survive better in the enviroment#probably jake to be honest. I mean Harry has a lot of experience inside freddy's but he didnt really live outside it muhc#jake is so confrontational though#hey did you guys watch the hit movie felon? sure that guy wasn't framed but. i feel like jake would end up w that attitude#except for. you know. everything else that happens in the hit movie felon.#hey actually forget about this game go watch the 10/10 movie Felon from 2008 starring Val Kilmer and Stephen Dorff#because its one of my all time fave movies and probably the saddest i've seen#not bc there arent movies that are more tragic but bc no movie was able to break thru my walls of idgaf and make me cry anyway#yeah you thought i couldnt bring up my movie fixations on my different fandom posts well you were WRONG in fact#im gonna go tag my other post i left untagged yesterday bc my ass was Cooking
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xaymak ¡ 1 year ago
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i think about asian link all the time. theyre asian to me like... "oh its not realistic theyre pale and blue eyed and blond" do u wanna know whats unrealistic. in the legend of zelda series thats fantasy/adventure. the way no ones just moved out of hyrule already just make a bridge and leave!!!! place keeps getting overrun!!! leave!!!!!!!!
#loz#once someone said i draw my links weird. they have such soft jaws. wide noses. angled eyes. what could it possibly be i wonder#things that drive me insane. balls to the walls apeshit#i still have a screenshot of that convo bc it was so nuts to me. its like i didnt periodically talk about it in the lu server w them#and my hcs kept getting hijacked by ppl talking about scottish westerner link hcs like thats nice! love u have ur hcs!! but cmon.#every single time. every? single time?#even in the lu au server when i was detailing out like hey this au is based on an explicitly set in japan game so like. theyre japanese#oh nooo theyre white and irish and scottish and welsh to you. congrats but now isnt the time to say that??#i think a lot of my lu experiences wouldve gone better if ppl were more. socialized#not in the neurotypical way of whatever that nonsense is but in the. yes showing engagement by relating ur own hcs is fine#but also express interest in what im saying instead of just taking over the convo to talk about ur own take only without acknowledging me#god. once i was like trans link! and someone came up and said thats an hc i dont like bc when canon not trans are trans my brain goes brr#the way they said it was so . ??. u come into My Channel in My Category for My AU and say#god bless their heart they were Trying i think. bc they did say they wanted to keep an open mind. but Really??????????#i dont always communicate the best either so i try not to be harsh or bitchy abt it. but man. man.#i got off topic again. theyre asian to me. theres no norway or germany in hyrule and probably not japan either so its a moot point but#theyre asian!! thanks.
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slowlyfoggydestiny ¡ 17 days ago
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Soo it happen again huh
#horrendous behavior and nobody wants to take responsibility#because is so much easier to keep this papá caliente game going on went some ‘side’ does something awful but is not their fault because#the other side has done something awful as well#and we just keep going and going and nobody ever does nothing to you know try and make this place of supposly fun less of a hell for everyo#seriously I want to smack so many people a tv show is not worth losing the sense of humanity#and you don’t have to be directly involved in whatever happens to be like mmm maybe this kind of behavior is not fucking normal#doing stuff as simply as cultivating your little corner without attacking anyone#oh they said an spec you don’t like oh they ship a ship don’t like well move on and let it be#(there the exception of when the discourse has stuff like racism misogyny or with doxing attacks that’s absolutely has to be called out )#yes you don’t send hate anon yes you don’t run a blog attacking people or participate in directly attack behavior#but maybe getting comfortable casually hating on fans of a ship maybe can normalize that behavior and maybe the people that need#to log off and learn how to be humans again will see that and get use to indirectly hating other fans creating mock names for them and mayb#when they stumble a blog of someone that is not ‘on their side’ they will feel more comfortable sending death threats and so out of touch#accusations#I overall stay away from drama I curate my experience but I have seen mentions this behavior from absolutely both sides both buddie mutual#bucktommy mutuals and multishippers being attacked#and nobody wants to take responsability they just throw the rock and said well the other side does it as well why should be the ones doing#we so easily call other behaviors but god fordib we take a moment to take a look into ours#what others do is not our responsability but the kind of enviorment we cultivates and endorse it is#I don’t think people who don’t do any of this attacking should take responsibility for it (like apologizing is what I saw was the apparent#Expectation) what I think is important is the overall recognition from both sides of hey under#no circumstance this behavior is okey and doing small simply stuff in our corner can help everyone have a better environment#And wells there’s still idiot people who are way to online and don’t understand nobody owns them to like the same ship or character#And that if you don’t agree with opinions you are not obligated to interact with that content simply as that I honestly don’t understand#What people sending death threats over characters genuinely hope to achieve#But maybe a little bit of excile of people perpetuating this can send the message hey this is not okey and I think is stronger if the call#Comes from inside the house#but if we go well is the other side fault every single time we are never getting out of this circle of toxicity#My two cents that probably nobody will read because of the lenght#911 discourse
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