#this camera angle means it's an arena fighting game right?

[apricusnights]

Olympus Tournament: Leader's Choice Battle Royale!

"Well howdy world! For those of ya'll that might not know me, I'm Morely The Taco! Mascot of Tacos 'N More, and one of the stars of Morely & Friends! I hope everyone has been having a grand old time watching the Olympus Tournament! We're about to have a super special event that I know you've been waiting for!"

"This is the Leader's Choice Battle Royale! Faction leaders, and World leaders have all picked a representative, everyone is gonna battle it out against everyone! We've got a Tacorific arena ready to go! You lose if you get knocked out of bounds! Last one standing is declared the winner!"

"First we'll take a look at who all is competing, and who they represent!"

Kei Kawakami - Apricus Navy Typhon - Cherry Hills Roland Marigold - PWSB Jacqueline Edana - Ciar Industries Ajax - Potentialism Castor Lucan - Consecration Lionel Myte - Resource Workers United Janus - Paradise Entertainment Hari Lackey - Bounty Hunters Guild Charlotte Montague - Cheshire Financial Kara - Crepusculum Skuld Kraka - Völsung Khepri - Calere Dmitri Morozov - Nivis Tendo Sato - Kwailai Henri Duquesne - Rèunion Mousse Tarseed - Fae

"Now your old pal Morely more than likely isn't gonna be able to keep up with the pure chaos that is about to unfold but you can bet your bottom credit that I'm gonna give it my all! I'll try to call out some of the Tacorific action, and let you know when an elimination happens! Is everybody ready? Here we go!"

"Just like I thought, everyone is fighting everyone! I haven't seen this big of a rumble since we had those limited edition Morely & Friends Taco Buckets! I think I see Kawakami battling it out against Typhon, over there is Duquesne against Tarseed, Sato is sword fighting with Ajax, Kraka is trying her best to defend against Kara...this action is hard to describe!"

"I sure am glad those trees are fake or we'd have splinters flying everywhere! We got buildings crumbling left and right as folks get thrown through em, it's like a kaiju movie down there. The audience seems to be just cheering on the action in general but there might be a few clear favorites!"

"We got Marigold against Morozov in the battle of the biggest men on the field, we got Khepri, Lackey, and Edana fighting through a building, there is Lucan and Janus fighting but they get interrupted by Montague who throws Janus and starts fighting Lucan, Myte is showing some explosive moves as he makes his way through the crowd to fight Janus!"

"Not gonna lie folks I am having a hard time keeping up even with all the different camera angles we got goin on. Ya'll can see for yourselves! We got folks flying through the air, we got fireballs, we got projectiles, we got more blades than the Steaks 'N More chophouse! First time I think I've ever seen a bladed fan....wait no..second time..I forgot that one time with the Taco Felon..he does come prepared for everything ya know."

"I'm pretty sure Marigold just ripped a tree out of the ground and swung it around knocking anyone over who didn't slide under it! That is one impressive game of limbo! Meanwhile with everything going on, Kawakami and Typhon are STILL fighting and haven't taken eyes off each other!"

"We've had a few close calls but nobody has been eliminated yet! Welp there goes the arena alarm which means the boundaries are shrinking a little. Kinda like that one video game that the fine folks at Ciar Industries put out! Anyway everyone is moving closer so they don't fall victim to the shrinking arena size!"

"Looks like we got out first two eliminations as Kawakami and Typhon completely ignore everything going on and are eliminated by being out of bounds..and the two are not stopping even outside the arena! Security is rushing over to pull them apart, Typhon seems to be having the time of his life down there!"

"Janus is almost eliminated by Khepri but Khepri gets kicks out of bounds from behind by Montague! Ajax and Edana team up briefly to catapult Lucan out but then start fighting each other! Marigold and Morozov are grappling once again but both are clotheslined out by Kara in an incredibly show of power! Holy moly!"

"The alarm sounds again as the arena gets even smaller! No more obstacles, no more trees, no more buildings, just chaos! The defensive fighters are starting to have a harder time as they can be attacked from all sides thanks to the smaller arena! Kraka is almost pushed out by Edana but Lackey gives her a hand by distracted Edana and allowing Kraka to lift her up with her shield and toss her out!"

"Janus and Montague are fighting, Janus looks to be on the verge of throwing her out but both are kicked by Henri! Henri goes to attack Janus which causes Montague to shift her attention to Henri but Henri pulls a fast one, changing his target and catching Montague off guard! Henri lands a huge uppercut that sends Montague out of bounds!"

"Just as Janus looks to take advantage he's suddenly blasted by Lackey who boots the masked man our of bounds! Tarseed narrowly avoids being knocked out ad uses her agility to trip up Sato but Sato manages to escape elimination as well! Tarseed finds herself face to face with Myte who gets the better of her and nearly tosses her but she survives again!"

"Lackey is locked up with Kara, Kraka attempts to strike Kara from behind but Kara avoids it, spins and sends Kraka into Lackey, the force of it knocks Lackey out of bounds, Kraka uses her spear to stop herself but is dangerously close to the edge!"

"Sato finds himself once again battling Ajax! Both clash blades but both are almost struck by a sneak attack from Tarseed, unfortunately for her both warriors sense it coming and turn, both landing a strong punch to Tarseed which sends her flying out of bounds!"

"Kara clashes against Kraka's shield, the blows look to be weakening it and it might be any second now before Kraka loses her defense! In a lucky break Myte runs over, springs off of Kraka's shield, flies through the air and lands a huge punch that nearly sends Kara out of bounds!"

"Just as she goes to recover she finds herself stuck in a brawl between Sato and Ajax! She barely manages to escape and out of frustration grabs Ajax's spear, lifting him up and using HIM as a weapon as she slams him into Sato, Sato is send out of bounds and Kara tosses Ajax to the side. Ajax shakes it off and heads right back into things!"

"Ajax catches up with Kara and spins her around to face him. He barely dodges a hit and strikes her in the gut! Ajax lands a series of strong attacks before Kara catches his fist! Kara goes to attack but she's hit from behind by Myte! Myte and Ajax land alternating attacks, finally eliminating Kara with a double dropkick!"

"We got four left folks! It's Kraka, Ajax, Myte, and Duquesne! The arena has shrank once more and is now at the smallest size it can achieve! Our final four are squaring off with each other, everyone looks exhausted..I'm exhausted just from watching this thing. Kraka goes on the offense against Ajax while Myte rushes to attack Duquesne!"

"Myte attempting to use his unpredictability against Henri but Henri still seems calm and collected even as he attempts to avoid Myte's unique style! Kraka braces herself against Ajax, Ajax repeatedly hits her shield which is now showing even more cracks but her sheer willpower seems to be making up for it!"

"Myte gets stuck several times by precision hits that seem to throw him off balance. Henri grabs his arm and throws him, sending him crashing into Ajax who falls into Kraka! The entire pile nearly rolls out of bounds but barely hangs on. Just as they go to recover, Henri lands a kick to Ajax which causes him to lose his remaining balance but just before he falls out he manages to dive to the side, barely saving himself."

"Kraka just barely rolls away as Henri turns and tries to land a knee drop on her. As he recovers he's attacked by Myte! This time it's Myte with a series of boxing style punches, knocking Henri for a loop! Just as he's staggered he's hit by Kraka's shield! She uses it to push him back towards the boundaries! Henri manages to gain enough composure to drop, slam a dagger into the ground, hold on to it and use it to spin around behind Kraka, using his momentum to kick Myte! Myte stumbles back and catches his balance to avoid being eliminated!"

"Myte is wobbly as Ajax is finally back up and running toward Myte! They grapple and Ajax is slowly pushing Myte towards the edge! Kraka is trying to fend off Henri's precise strikes but is forced to put her shield away rather than allow it to break! She defends with her own arms and takes a beating but powers through it and starts landing some brutal strikes against Henri! She headbutts him and sends him falling into Ajax and Myte!"

"Kraka grabs her spear and gets a running start, lodging it into the ground and using it to fling herself through the air! She hopes to land a flying kick to Henri but he just barely shifts out of the way! Kraka flies into Ajax and Myte, all three almost falling out! Henri tries to take advantage and picks up one of Ajax's discard weapons, swinging it at his three opponents! Ajax grabs it and pulls it in, bringing Henri to him!"

"Myte breaks off for a moment but turns and runs full speed, flying through the air like a spinning rocket! ne of his Hecaball techniques! He slams into everyone! Kraka, Ajax, and Henri stumble towards the edge but at the last second Henri manages to grab Myte's leg! All four of them fall out of bounds and the buzzer goes off!"

"Well the officials are discussing what to do...please wait a few moments."

Tacos 'N More advertising plays.

"Ok folks! It seems we have a four way tie! However all four remaining fighters have agreed to face each other in a special four way challenge brawl later in the event! For now though, give it up for the winners!"

Ajax Lionel Myte Skuld Kraka Henri Duquesne

"Thanks for joinin your best pal Morely for this tacorific fight! I hope ya'll enjoy the rest of the Olympus Tournament! Make sure to get yourself some delicious Taocs 'N More during downtimes! Have a great night!"

[theartofdreaming1]

As usual, my thoughts regarding this week’s prompts and random thoughts on chapters 25-27 are below the cut.

heart

The imagery that really caught my attention this time was Peeta pointing out the changes in the moon to Katniss: The only indication of the passage of time lies in the heavens, the subtle shift of the moon. So Peeta begins pointing it out to me, insisting I acknowledge its progress and sometimes, for just a moment I feel a flicker of hope before the agony of the night engulfs me again. - So for one, we see another example of Peeta focusing on the small details in life (which I’ve previously hypothesized to being an important element in his recovery from his hijacking) as well as Peeta being the one to give Katniss hope, even if it’s just for a brief moment. Also, it’s a nice parallel to Katniss looking at the moon and desperately wishing for it to be “her moon” back in chapter 23. As a nocturnal person, I also love watching the moon from my living room window🌙

mind

Hmmh, I don’t think that Katniss and Peeta’s win was predetermined - although I do believe that by introducing the romantic angle, they significantly improved their odds. A Career winning the Games is not really that special and exciting, since it happens so often (although Careers generally satisfy that excitement for violence/blood/gore, that plenty of Capitol people seem to share). As a volunteer from District 12, who achieved an extremely good training score and proved herself to be very capable in the arena already, Katniss definitely had an edge by playing into the classic underdog story, which offered another exciting “narrative” for the Capitolites to follow - that, coupled (heh) with the romance angle Peeta introduced? Katniss (and Peeta) definitely had the entertainment (and excitement through novelty) factor on their side. Ironically, Cato’s chances of winning were not as good as he expected, precisely because he was playing it by the book.

soul

Poor Peeta (and Katniss), it hurts that their relationship was in such a rocky place by the end of the book. Especially those weeks right after the end of Book 1, when there were still cameras around District 12 and they had to pretend while hurting must have sucked big time🥺

Chapter 25

Ugh, the muttations are just so unsettling... *shudder*

Honestly, I’m just so impressed by Peeta’s presence of mind to draw that X on Cato’s hand, after he had just most of his calf ripped off, only to be grabbed and put in a headlock by Cato! He and Katniss work insanely well under pressure

God, Cato’s death is just so gruesome and awful... In the end, his “gift” from the Feast doesn’t help him win at all, but instead ends up prolonging his suffering a cruel amount... I wonder if in general these “gifts” come with a string attached (aside from the expected danger of trying to get them, I mean) - because the Gamemakers also intend for Katniss’s “gift” (medicine for Peeta) to force an even more cruel outcome on her - saving him from blood poisoning only to be forced into killing him herself... 🤔

I’m not sure if this is exactly medical protocol, but I’m terrified that if he drifts off he’ll never wake again. “Are you cold?” he asks. He unzips his jacket and I press against him as he fastens it around me. - Katniss is terrified of the idea of Peeta dying; at the same time, Peeta worries about her freezing - I can’t with these two 😩

Peeta begins to doze off now, and each time he does, I find myself yelling his name louder and louder because if he goes and dies on me now, I know I’ll go completely insane. He’s fighting it, probably more for me than for him - Katniss can’t lose any more people she cares about 😢; on a different note, Peeta fighting his unconsciousness “probably more for [Katniss] than for him” points out one of the crucial elements Katniss brings into Peeta’s life - she is that someone for whom he will fight - including for his own life and well-being - even when it feels easier to give up... Having that person in your life that keeps you going can make all the difference - if Katniss hadn’t had Prim and promised her “to really, really try” to win (and later also made Rue the same promise), I’m not sure she would have made it this far; it’s the thought of Prim anxiously watching her after Rue’s death, that forces Katniss to keep going, to not give in to despair after that particular traumatic event - Peeta, on the other hand, didn’t really have that kind of person in his life, as he will point out on the beach in CF (and Katniss acknowledges herself that the only person who will be devasted if Peeta dies is her)... that is not to say that neither Katniss nor Peeta aren’t fighters on their own - but it helps to have someone that inspires you to not give up

the adrenaline pumping through my body would never allow me to follow him, so I can’t let him go. I just can’t. - We’ll see the mirrored version of this by the end of Mockinjay 

Pity, not vengeance, sends my arrow flying into [Cato’s] skull. - Another act of rebellion, technically (sure, this can be spun as Katniss killing Cato so she and Peeta may win - before Peeta dies from blood loss - but we know better - Katniss’s motivation was compassion for her supposed enemy)

We inch down to the tail of the horn and fall to the ground. If the stiffness in my limbs is this bad, how can Peeta even move? - Peeta is tough as nails, yo!

Before I am even aware of my actions, my bow is loaded with the arrow pointed straight at his heart [...] I drop my weapons and take a step back, my face burning in what can only be shame. “No,” he says. “Do it.” [...] “I can’t,” I say, “I won’t.” - In spite of her initial reflex, Katniss chooses Peeta/ chooses not to kill him; it’s a recurring theme in their relationship (despite her wariness of others, she chooses to open up to Peeta eventually; although she vowed to never marry and have children, she’ll choose to have a family with Peeta); also, my psychology-brain just noticed how this moment illustrates how harmful thoughts/impulses don’t have to determine your actions and are not an indicator of who you are - it’s about what you choose to do

“You’re not leaving me here alone,” I say. Because if he dies, I’ll never go home, not really. I’ll spend the rest of my life in this areny trying to think my way out. - Again, makes me think of MJ; also, I think that from this point onwards, Katniss and Peeta are officially linked together forever; the bond they forged during this traumatic experience will connect them to each other until the day they die

“On the count of three?” Peeta leans down and kisses me once, very gently. “The count of three,” he says. - My heart😭

Chapter 26

... while our muscles are immobile, nothing is preventing the blood from draining out of Peeta’s leg. Sure enough, the minute the door closes behind us and the current stops, he slumps to the floor unconscious  [...] Through the glass, I see the doctors working feverishly on Peeta, their brows creased in concentration [...] I’m not sure, but I think his heart stops twice. - Peeta was in such a bad shape by the end of the Games; I’m still kinda salty that the movie really glossed over this fact :/

... they’re taking Peeta but leaving me behind the door. I start hurling myself against the glass, shrieking and I think I just catch a glimpse of pink hair - it must be Effie, it has to be Effie coming to my rescue - when the needle jabs me from behind. - Oh geez, in Catching Fire Katniss will also get sedated in a hovercraft because she’s upset about being separated from Peeta 😢 (also, Katniss thinking that Effie is coming to her rescue 😭)

While she [Lavinia, the avox] adjusts my pillows, I risk one question. I say it out loud, as clearly as my rusty voice will allow, so nothing will seem secretive. “Did Peeta make it?” She gives me a nod, and as she slips a spoon into my hand, I feel the pressure of friendship. - Katniss is so considerate of Lavinia’s situation, and Lavinia’s giving her a gesture of comfort and support; they’ve never been able to have a proper conversation (Katniss doesn’t even know Lavinia’s name), but still they managed to build up such a bond - compassion certainly is a strong thing to behold 😭 (and this whole scene is just through and through about compassion, with Katniss asking how Peeta is doing!)

Home! Prim and my mother! Gale! Even the thought of Prim’s scruffy old cat makes me smile. Soon I will be home! - Katniss is so excited to see her home and her loved ones again

I want to get out of this bed. To see Peeta and Cinna - Aww, the two people she grew closest to over the course of the past weeks (Haymitch will be added to that list in just a smidge)

Or do I hear a man’s voice yelling? Not in the Capitol accent, but in the rougher cadences of home. And I can’t help having a vague, comforting feeling that someone is looking out for me. - Thank God for Haymitch! 

And behind one of them [doors] must be Peeta. Now that I’m conscious and moving, I’m growing more and more anxious about him [...] “Peeta!” I call out, since there’s no one to ask - Katniss is sick with worry over Peeta; romantic feelings or not, she cares so fricking much for him by now!

I run for them [Effie, Haymitch, and Cinna] and surprise even myself when I launch into Haymitch’s arms first. When he whispers in my ear, “Nice job, sweetheart,” it doesn’t sound sarcastic. - These reunion scenes are so intense and heartwarming! And then Katniss asks about Portia and Peeta because their presence would make this scene complete 

when I asks for seconds, I’m refused. “No, no, no. They don’t want it all coming back up on the stage,” says Octavia, but she secretly slips me an extra roll under the table to let me know she’s on my side - It’s moments like these that help humanize Katniss’s prep team - they might be shallow, they might be completely oblivious and ignorant, but they aren’t that bad [of course, the prep team chattering about their mundane lives while talking about the event that ended with the deaths of 22 children shortly after, leaves a bad taste in our mouths]

I immediately notice the padding over my breasts, adding curves that hunger has stolen from my body. My hands go to my chest and I frown. “I know,” says Cinna before I can object. “But the Gamemakers wanted to alter you surgically. Haymitch had a huge fight with them over it. This was the compromise.” - God, the idea that the Gamemakers wanted to give a boob job to an unconscious, malnourished 16-year-old girl makes me sick 🤢 (Also, what’s the flipping deal about boobs?! As a pretty flat-chested gal, I’ve always been annoyed that there are barely any bras my cup size that are not push-up ones; I’m not self-conscious about it, so stop making me pretend that I’m bustier than I actually am!)

“I thought it’d be something more... sophisticated-looking,” I say. “I thought Peeta would like this better,” he [Cinna] answers carefully. Peeta? No, it’s not about Peeta. It’s about the Capitol and the Gamemakers and the audience. Although I do not yet understand Cinna’s design, it’s a reminder the Games are not quite finished. - Ugh, that sinking feeling when Katniss and the reader realize that the Games are still not over... Sidenote: Peeta flirted up a storm with grimy, bloodied Katniss and complimented her when she wore Cinna’s first, absolutely badass costume (”You should wear flames more often”)... Katniss’s girlish outfit  has nothing to do with Peeta and she knows it... Cinna could have dressed Katniss up in a trash bag and Peeta would have been smitten - although a trash bag by Cinna would probably still look pretty good ;)

“How about a hug for luck?” Okay, that’s an odd request from Haymitch but, after all we are victors. Maybe a hug for luck is in order. - Aww, Katniss actually wouldn’t have minded giving Haymitch a hug just because - sadly, this is about survival tips instead :/

But what was it Haymitch said when I asked it he had told Peeta the situation? That he had to pretend to be desperately in love? “Don’t have to. He’s already there.” Already thinking ahead of me in the Games again and well aware of the danger we’re in? Or... already desperately in love? I don’t know. I haven’t even begun to separate out my feelings about Peeta. It’s too complicated. - Poor Katniss... she didn’t have the time and peace of mind to sort out her feelings regarding Peeta before they all got tied up and muddled with her need for survival. Now she’ll be having an even harder time trying to untangle that mess :(

Chapter 27

Then there’s Peeta just a few yards away. He looks so clean and healthy and beautiful, I can hardly recognize him. But his smile is the same whether in mud or in the Capitol and when I see it, I take about three steps and fling myself into his arms [...] He rights himself and we just cling to each other while the audience goes insane. He’s kissing me and all the time I’m thinking, Do you know? Do you know how much danger we’re in? After about ten minutes of this, Caesar Flickerman taps on his choulder to continue the show, and Peeta just pushes him aside without even glancing at him. - Man, their reunion here always gets me - it would be so fricking good if Katniss didn’t have to worry about their potential doom 😒😔 - she barely has time to just be happy to see Peeta alive and well before slipping back into survival mode while Peeta is just genuinely thrilled to have her in his arms, completely unaware of the pressure and immediate danger Katniss experiences in this moment... It hurts so bad

I’m with Katniss - How did the previous victors endure rewatching those horrible moments from the Games?! I guess because they had to, but oof... I think I’d just completely shut down, blocking out the footage shown, ugh

But I do notice they omit the part where I covered her [Rue] in flowers. Right. Because even that smacks of rebellion. - In such a callous and cruel place as Panem, any act of compassion can be regarded as rebellion, it’s crazy. In a place filled with apathy, hedonism, greed, and cruelty, the most radical things you can exhibit are love, kindness, and respect!

A wave of gratitude to the filmmakers sweeps over me when they end not with the announcement of our victory, but with me pounding on the glass door of the hovercraft, screaming Peeta’s name as they try to revive him. In terms of survival, it’s my best moment all night. - Again, another instance where Katniss’s genuine feelings/reactions to Peeta are get muddled with her need for survival

The one thing I never do is let go of Peeta’s hand. - irrevocably linked with each other

Despite Haymitch’s running interference, I’m determined to see Peeta privately. - Katniss just wants to have an honest and open talk with Peeta 😢 (I get where Haymitch is coming from, and maybe in this instance it’s the right call, but we’ll see a similar situation in the beginning of CF when Haymitch advises Katniss not to tell Peeta about President Snow’s visit and that time, it doesn’t go so well...)

Then Peeta’s there looking handsome in red and white - for someone who isn’t sure whether she’s into him or not, Katniss sure mentions how good Peeta’s looking a lot 😏

“Well, there’s just this and we go home. Then he can’t watch us all the time,” says Peeta. - 👀👀 Peeta is so thirsty here; reminds me of when he pulled Katniss close to him in the cave before they set out to hunt... He clearly believes she’s also “already there” regarding their relationship; he’s never this “suggestive” (can’t think of a better word right now) with her once she lets him know that she doesn’t really know how she feels about him - I feel a sort of shiver run through me and there’s no time to analyze why - Katniss totally isn’t averse to what Peeta’s suggesting here, either (though there’s probably also a healthy amount of fear mixed in with the thrill of being wanted - letting people in can be terrifying)

I can feel Peeta press his forehead into my temple and he asks, “So now that you’ve got me, what are you going to do with me?” I turn in to him. “Put you somewhere you can’t get hurt.” And when he kisses me, people in the room actually sigh. - It’s me; I’m people 🙋🏼‍♀️ (also, the “turn in to him”?!?!! it just suggests such a closeness, I can’t-)

Katniss burying her face in Peeta’s shirt when she’s afraid she might cry learning that he lost his leg 🥺 (how awful it must be to be constantly on display while you’re dealing with your private feelings, ugh)

“... The moment when you pulled out those berries. What was going on in your mind... hm?” [...] It seems to call for a big, dramatic speech, but all I get out is one almost inaudible sentences. “I don’t know, I just... couldn’t bear the thought of... being without him.” - It might not be a super eloquent way to put what she was supposed to say, but this way, Katniss is being perfectly honest (and frankly, if she’d had the chance to properly process her feelings, she would have been able to voice this sentiment with less hesitation)

I go back to my room to collect a few things and find there’s nothing to take but the mockingjay pin Madge gave me. Someone returned it to my room after the Games. - For one, Katniss didn’t think of that pin (again), but also - was the pin returned to her simply because it’s standard procedure or did someone (like Plutarch, for example) arrange for Katniss to get the pin back, to keep her connection to this symbol going?

I stare in the mirror as I try to remember who I am and who I am not. - Poor Katniss! She’s been through so much, experienced so many traumatic events in short succession recently (aside from the trauma she already had), already had problems defining her identity beyond sheer survival, and now the Capitol also keeps pushing an identity onto her and a romantic relationship, when she hadn’t even had the chance to figure out how she felt about that yet

“... Haymitch has been coaching me through the last few days. So I didn’t make it worse,” I say. “Coaching you? But not me,” says Peeta. “He knew you were smart enough to get it right,” I say. “I didn’t know there was anything to get right,” says Peeta. - Oh boy. It’s always so painful to see Peeta realize that he’s been completely out of the loop; again, we’ll see how Katniss and Haymitch adopt a similar strategy in the beginning of CF: banking on Peeta’s good social skills and eloquence and keeping him in the dark. In a way, it’s a sort of compliment they pay to Peeta for being good with people, but, by not telling him, they are also using him for their purpose (which is motivated by caring for and wanting to protect Peeta, but still). Peeta is right to be upset about it - he has always been very clear about not wanting to be used as a piece in anyone’s games, really. And, as we will see later in CF, they are way more effective as a team when they are open and honest with each other.

“It was all for the Games,” Peeta says. “How you acted.” “Not all of it,” I say, tightly holding on to my flowers. “Then how much? No, forget that. I guess the real question is what’s going to be left when we get home?” he says. “I don’t know. The closer we get to District Twelve, the more confused I get,” I say. He waits, for further explanation, but none’s forthcoming. “Well, let me know when you work it out,” he says, and the pain in his voice is palpable. - It’s just so goddamn painful😢 They’ve both been done so dirty by that forced star-crossed lovers of Distrct 12 routine. (Sidenote: I appreciate that Peeta actually gives Katniss the chance to explain herself here - still, it’s too much to deal with on the spot so I can understand why Katniss ended up dropping the ball, even though it’s frustrating to read.)

That it’s not good loving me because I’m never going to get married anyway and he’d just end up hating me later instead of sooner. That if I do have feelings for him, it doesn’t matter because I’ll never be able to afford the kind of love that leads to a family, to children. And how can he? How can he after what we’ve just been through? - Oh Katniss, you certainly are skipping a couple of steps here; I’m pretty sure there are some options in between dating and being married with kids you could look into. Also, she’s just assuming that this is what Peeta wants, but she doesn’t know that at all - As someone who also has this stupid habit of imagining how whole conversations could possibly transpire and then resigning myself to the hypothetical outcome of said imagined conversation instead of actually having them: Don’t do that. ‘Never assume - it makes an ASS out of U and ME.’ 

I see Peeta extend his hand. I look at him, unsure. “One more time? For the audience?” he says. His voice isn’ t angry. It’s hollow, which is worse. Already the boy with the bread is slipping away from me. I take his hand, holding it tightly, preparing for the cameras, and dreading the moment when I will finally have to let go. - Ma babies! They are both so hurt and both just want to be with each other 😭 But they’ll need some time apart, to figure things out before they can do that.

[unholyplumpprincess]

Speak Up

A commission for @mintocchi ! Thank you so very much for your patience while I moved everything around :D

Summary: You and Crypto have been in a relationship for awhile now, and he's still got issues when trying to speak up for things that he wants. You always try to get him to voice his opinions and concerns, and somehow this leads to training him how via the bedroom. Or! In which Crypto needs to learn to stop being an actions over words guy or else you'll make him beg over and over again for what he wants.

Reblogs > Likes. Please Reblog if you hit Like :D

!!!Minors and ageless blogs dni or you will be blocked!!!

Fandom: Apex Legends

Relationship: Crypto/Reader

Warnings: R18+/NSFT, Reader is gender neutral and written with a vulva, they were originally supposed to be a cis gal but there’s no real language depicting them as strictly a gal!, Denial and forcing Crypto to beg and use his big boy words, P tame kink wise!

Words: 5k

___________________

Starstruck. 

That’s how you had first felt when you had met Crypto. 

You were a new camera operator on the set of the Apex games, someone who got all the good angles and made sure the drone cameras could really catch all the action. You’d met him the same season he’d been introduced, noting how he’d been cold and disregarding, yet appeared confident in himself. But his eyes, they’d been so...paranoid. Especially when you approached to introduce yourself as one of the camera operators. 

He’d regarded you with a short, quick nod. Odd, you’d thought. But that had quickly vanished when Elliott had taken you aside and chatted you up, an arm slung around your shoulder and a grin on his face. “Hey, don’t mind the kid, probably still jet lagged, dropships, bein’ legends and all- anyway sooooo I hear you operate those cameras now, huh? Make sure you get all my good angles- not that any of them are bad, just, you know, keep that attention on the money maker you feel me? The money maker being me, of course-” 

~Rest under the cut~

“Mirage.” Crypto’s voice had cut in between you two, watching as you both had turned and you could note his irritated look at Elliott before a much more apologetic one was glanced your way. “Apologies. He does not understand personal boundaries-” 

Elliott feigns a dramatic gasp, cutting Crypto off with his free hand against his own chest as if wounded. 

You stifle your laugh when Elliott keeps up the act, sputtering before pointing at Crypto accusingly. “Woah, woah, woah, I’ll have you know that I know this lovely thing. Used to be the tech head up iiiiiiin- audio, right?” He turns towards you after that, squeezing his arm around your shoulders in a friendly way as you beam at being remembered. 

“That’s right! I was actually hoping to speak to you, Crypto,” You gesture at him, noting Crypto’s light surprise of raised eyebrows before confusion and worry passes his features. Quick to overthink, huh? 

You’re quick to follow up to ease his possible fears. “N-not! Not as an employee, I mean, I just- your, uh, your drone. They kinda remind me of an old camera used back in the day and I was wondering if you had any tips or tricks I might be able to pick up on?” 

That’s what started the relationship in the first place. Crypto, that day, had offered merely a one shouldered shrug, but after Mirage giving him a look and whining to him like a puppy, he’d agreed. Resulting in you having your own private session with him as he helped you learn a few tips. You were already trained in operating the newer models, but having a few pointers never hurt. 

The entire time he’d asked questions about you, it almost felt like he was interrogating you rather than trying to start up curious small talk. But, to ease any fears he might have had about you having ulterior motives, you answered as honestly as possible to each one. Judging by his more paranoid nature, you didn’t ask any in turn for fear of him shying away. 

The least you wanted to do was make Crypto feel as though you were untrustworthy. 

As you two grew closer, the more relaxed he became around you. No more tips were to be given, so that excuse flew out the window, so you’d offered hang outs. It took a few tries until he finally mumbled he’d feel more comfortable in his room, which is where you two ended up being and you learned he had a sweet little cat named Isabella-Marie. 

You had smiled at her name, asking where he got the idea from, and he’d smiled softly- almost sadly when he’d said she was his sister’s cat he took in, but no more information. Said cat took to you nicely, and just as she had, Crypto started warming up to you as well. 

It was a slow, slow process. You took your time with him and learned that the personality he put on was nothing but a front. Something to keep more hidden. In private, he’s so soft, almost shy in his approach to you. He’s still got his sarcastic tongue, but he’s more playful when in private with you. Much like a cat. You see him opening up the slightest bit to people he’s starting to enjoy too- Elliott and Natalie both seem to have won some sort of favor with him. 

That friendship slowly worked its way into romantic. 

The first time you kissed him is with your hand cupping his cheek and his cheeks flushed red as his dark eyes flickered to your lips multiple times until you took initiative. It took a bit of coaxing to even get him to rest his hands on your waist, but once that had happened, it’s like he’d been so touch starved all his life. Clinging to you and sighing into your mouth as if he’d just sunken into bed after a long day. 

His need for touch didn’t surprise you considering when you offered hugs and snuggles that he’d melt into you and cling to you so tightly. Your height difference, with you being much shorter, made that kind of funny when he’d lean down to bury his face in your neck and you’d stand on your tiptoes to make it easier. All within a private setting- outside of these rooms, you were both strictly professional. 

Crypto’s name had been revealed to you not long after. Tae Joon Park. You both agreed that if you used it frequently that you might yell it in public, so it was reserved for more intimate moments or serious when you two were alone. You were mindful about switching his name, so you kept to using ‘Crypto’ in your head to ensure you wouldn’t fuck it up. 

Though, it never failed to delight you in hearing him sigh fondly when you’d mumble his name by his ear after a sweet kiss. 

Dates were more reserved for the bedrooms as well. You never minded that either, but sometimes on rare occasions, he’d don a mask and a hood so you two could go out. You could only imagine the type of anxiety those outings brought, but it always warmed your heart that he was willing to take a breath and push himself out to do these things for you. In turn, you would spend the nights with him, with his head on your chest and his arms squeezing around your middle. 

Crypto, you quickly find however, is really bad at vocalizing his desires. 

He’s a man of action, hardly using his words and if he did it was one worded or quick. You’ve been trying to help him on communication skills for both your sakes, but it’s more difficult on him. It doesn’t help that he’s quiet either, so sneaking up behind you to snake his arms around you normally results in you jumping and making a squeak sound. 

But it also meant that for more...bedroom activities, that he would use actions. You always knew when he wanted something, you weren’t blind to it, you just wanted to make 100% sure of what he wanted. Normally resulting in you straddling his lap, a hand around his neck and speaking low for him to tell you what he wanted. 

Crypto always got the cutest face anytime you took the reins and control. A healthy flush over his cheeks, his breathing heavier and his eyes pleading, but his mouth refusing. 

 Stubborn was a good way to put it. How his eyebrows would furrow and he’d whimper and buck his hips up, but not tell you what he wanted. It took a lot of trial and error to even get him to utter ‘please’ at times. Your poor baby. 

You especially found you liked teasing him. Learning quick that he liked nicknames like ‘Good boy’ and ‘Baby boy’. You enjoyed edging him, tying him up or even just making him cling to the sheets or his own hair as his hips humped the air and he sobbed without begging for you. Always trying so hard to convey in his body language what he wanted you to do. 

You found yourself mesmerized by his desperation at a lot of times. Where Crypto’s kiss flushed lips would part, his eyebrows knitted and his eyes frantic on you. His own hands gripping his hair to follow instructions on not to touch you as his hips thrust into the air and made his thick cock bob. 

Sometimes you wondered if he could cum just by humping the air alone. 

Another time, you’d always tell yourself, always so eager to hear that final sobbed out word of ‘Please’ before you would swing your legs over him and ride him hard and fast. Normally fit with cruel croons about what a sweet, pathetic little thing he looked like. Your very good boy. 

That’s what you were thinking of now as you sat on the couch in his quarters, waiting for him to return from his match in the arena. 

Isabella-Marie is happily purring in your lap as your hand strokes through her soft, strawberry blonde fur. You’ve set up there with a blanket over your lap that she’s kneading happily, the match Crypto had been in having ended about an hour ago. You could tell he was struggling, too much talking around him that was reflecting in his steps. 

He’d been in a team with Mirage and Wattson, both people you knew he liked being around, but unfortunately, they kept striking up conversation. Leading to Crypto being off his rhythm. But it was nice to hear him breathe out in amusement at their antics sometimes, caught on the audio feed with the announcers crooning about how it looked like he made some friends finally. 

They at least made it to the top three. Fighting valiantly to maintain their location on World’s Edge in the city. Mirage had gotten cocky when they’d knocked two of the opposite team, going up to finish them off and ending up with a shotgun in the back and a cracking snarl in the sky of Bloodhound. 

The rest is history. But, at least you knew Bloodhound wouldn’t be the type to gloat and act cocky if they caught Crypto- at least out loud. You’re glad it was them rather than Caustic. Bad blood ran deep between them, not to mention Natalie struggling herself with it all. You were glad her and Crypto could solve whatever issue it was that ran between them- one that not even you were aware of. 

Security and secrecy, Crypto had told you with apology in his eyes. You understood, some things were best kept secret. Especially in case you accidentally got caught up in a mess, you could genuinely say you had no idea what was happening in all the legends’ lives. 

The beep of the door being unlocked makes Isabella-Marie awaken, doing a stretch across your lap before she chirps and hurries to the door to greet Crypto. She curls around his feet as he removes his shoes at the door before entering any further into the room in the rest of his gear. 

“Hello, sweetheart,” You hear him tiredly coo downwards, hearing Isabella-Marie's delighted chirp as she’s scooped up, quickly followed by her loud motor engine of a purr. 

You slide off the couch, dressed in your lounging outfit of soft black sweatpants covered with cliché little green alien heads and a loose gray sweater with a green Apex symbol over the right breast, the collar falling off your shoulders. Crypto looks worse for wear, his eyes are tired and he’s got dirt smudged on his cheek and smells heavy of sweat. Not that Isabella-Marie minds. Nor you. 

“Hey,” You greet him, a smile on your face as his eyes rest on you whilst his cat presses her cheek in insistent strokes against his chin, cradled in his arms. 

“Hey,” He murmurs back to you, adjusting Isabella-Marie in his arms when you reach for him. Despite his tired expression, his cheeks flush when he leans down and to the side for you to cup his cheeks and peck a kiss on his lips in greeting. 

“You need a shower. You go wash up and I’ll order dinner.” You tell him, offering your arms out for Isabella-Marie to be transferred to your arms in all her purring glory. “What were you thinking tonight?” 

“Mmh.” Is his only reply, leaning down to rest his cheek on the top of your head in a small nuzzle. Affectionate boy. You laugh a bit, gently nudging him with your hip as Isabella-Marie jumps out of your arms. Giving you time to hook your arms around his waist and shove your hands into his back pockets under his jacket to draw him close and make him blush. 

“Tae Jooooon,” You tease his name, enjoying how he hums low in his throat in response and turning his head to press his lips against the top of your head in a kiss. “We’ve talked about this. You can’t go your whole life being a one worded man.” 

“Mmh.” He responds again, this time with a smile that you feel. 

You shove at him playfully to shoo him off for the shower, calling out after his back when he goes dutifully towards the bathroom. “Fine! But if you don’t like what I picked because you didn’t give any options, I don’t wanna hear you complain!” 

Not that he ever did complain. If he was picky this would be a bigger concern. But thankfully you two seemed to be on the same page a lot of times, especially when it came to food. 

The food you order is Chinese takeout, getting here just in time for when Crypto emerges from his long shower looking a lot more awake and less grouchy. He’s dressed in his thick framed glasses, his normally slicked back hair nice and slick, some black sweatpants and a loose white crop-top, something you appreciate very greatly to be able to see his fit frame. 

Like a nerdy jock. 

You show your enjoyment when you wrap your arms around him from behind when he goes to look at what you got for dinner. Running your nails up his exposed beauty-marked, warm skin on his abdomen to feel him squirm and lean back against you with this flustered huff falling from his lips. 

Eventually you two make it to the couch where you have dinner and watch one of the K-dramas he liked to indulge in. Sometimes Crypto will pause it to explain a verbal pun that wasn’t caught via the subtitles for you, something that always makes you smile and appreciate when he takes the time to pause and explain for you. 

Though you’re sure he doesn’t appreciate when you wait for his most distracted point in time to steal a piece of his food and shove it in your mouth too quickly for him to stop you. Resulting in him poking at you until you squeal from being tickled and he can take a piece off your food in retaliation as you whine at him after. 

Domestic. That’s the best way you could describe yours and Crypto’s relationship. 

Home. 

After dinner is put away and teeth are brushed, you two settle back onto the couch. You curl up on the corner, Crypto following you to cuddle up to your side. His cheek rests against your shoulder, kind of tilting his body into you as you rest your arm behind him, your hand resting on his nape to slide up to pet at the shaved portion of his head. Another hum from him of appreciation, but not verbalizing his like of it. 

Crypto softly adjusts, but you take it as nothing more than him getting closer to you with the soft sound of the TV in front of you. You’ve got your phone in your lap to play a puzzle game while he watches his show, very much like a cat as he rubs his cheek against your shoulder affectionately. 

Another squirm, another adjustment is felt after a moment of him pressing his thigh to yours. You take it as him wanting to be closer, only sliding your fingers higher along his scalp to the coarse hair atop his head to lightly scratch at the root like he likes. 

You don’t notice his mouth starting to part, quickly cut off with the ringing of your phone and you groaning aloud. “Really? Right now?” Before you’re answering it with a polite ‘Hello?’ that makes Crypto snort at your tone change. 

He watches as you chat, watching your lips move and hearing you discuss footage and what your boss must have wanted you to edit or someone else. He’s not really paying attention when you’re still petting his hair. He tries to nudge closer to you, near flush with your side as his hand now rests on your thigh, hoping to catch your attention. You only offer him a quick smile before returning back to your conversation. 

After five minutes, it’s clear this isn’t going to be a short call either. 

A sigh is heard from Crypto before he’s leaning up to start pecking soft, brushing kisses on your neck. Your head tilts for him, only a light flutter of your lashes as you go ‘Mmhm yeah’ to whoever you are on the phone with. Your nails press lightly at his scalp, letting him know you feel him as his teeth lightly nip at your neck like you like. 

You’re damned good at keeping your composure verbally, and now Crypto’s beginning to wonder if you’ve ever done anything on the phone with him without his knowledge. Even the mental image of you spread out and touching yourself while on the phone near making him whine, something he swallows down. 

You clearly can feel him and see him. You offer a little smile when he peeks up at you, catching your gaze. Emboldened by you sparing even a little attention to him, his hand slides down to your wrist in hopes you’ll catch up to what he’s saying. Gently drawing it to his thigh and towards his inner thigh. And yet, you still chat on the phone, but now you’re squeezing and massaging his thigh, your pinkie lightly skimming over his crotch and making Crypto’s breath hitch against your shoulder. 

His brows are furrowed, looking ever so frustrated as you now purposefully lengthen the conversation out by bringing back a point from the last game played. Crypto’s head tips lightly up to you, his eyes pleading with you when your knuckles brush over the bulge in his sweatpants. 

Your eyes meet his and you quirk a brow with a light smirk on your face. Your eyes say enough for him, you’re sure, judging by how his face flushes and his brows furrow once again. You can see and feel how he squirms, realizing he’s not going to get anything until he uses his words. 

He’s stubborn. He’s always so stubborn. Squirming in his place and getting more frustrated as you keep chatting. Only after three minutes does he finally give in when he realizes this isn’t going to work and you’re only going to keep teasing him through his pants. 

“Please?” He all but whispers, his mouth felt quivering on your bare shoulder and his hot breath felt in a shaky exhale. “Please touch me, please?” 

You smirk. 

“Oh! Hey, boss, looks like I’ll have to chat with you tomorrow morning about that- uhuh, yeah, yeah, getting,” -You pause there to let out a feigned yawn- “Oof, yeah, getting real tired....uhuh, yeah, sounds good! Buh-bye.” Before you’re ending the call and practically pouncing on him. 

You end up in his lap, straddling him and cupping his cheeks, brushing some of his hair from his face before you lean in to kiss him. Crypto’s hands find your waist, hovering at first before gripping you when you lick into his mouth after biting his lip to make him gasp. 

You sit up higher to press him back into the couch, letting your hands slide into his hair for him to tip his head back when you pull at it. His moan is low and vibrates his chest when your tongue licks over his own, feeling his hips jerk lightly up and against your ass needily. 

“I like when you beg,” You breathe as you part from the kiss, moving the kisses down his jawline and towards his ear where you lightly nip. “Do it again for me?” 

“Nnh-” Is the only response he manages at first, his fingers shaking as they slide down to grip your hips when you start grinding across his lap. Back and forth to your own rhythm and feeling just how hard he is. Bless whoever made sweatpants. 

Crypto’s so cute when you pull back to look at him. Where his head is tipped back and to the side, his lips parted and letting out ragged breaths with each drag of your hips across his lap. How his brows knit together when you grind low and slow downwards to catch his attention and his mouth falls closed to hiss. 

But. He still wasn’t speaking. 

“Be a good boy and tell me what you want, hm?” You try to encourage him, letting your hands fall down to his exposed abdomen to slide your hands up and under his crop top. Slipping your hands over his chest to thumb at his sensitive nipples, gently pinching and rolling them. Crypto whimpers sharply, his head rolling to the opposite side and looking more stubborn by the second as he strains to come up with words. 

“I-I-” His voice comes out in a whine, framed by how his lips quiver and his blunt nails cling to your hips when you stop grinding to encourage him further. “I...I want your mouth. On- o-on my cock. Please?”  

“Awww, baby, when you look that cute? I’d do just about anything for you.” 

You move down his body, kissing your way down until you can slink in between his knees onto the floor. You waste no time in hooking your fingers under his sweatpants, your mouth watering as you follow his happy trail downwards as it gets more exposed. You tug them completely off with his underwear, watching his thick cock bounce with a satisfying bob and a drool of pre-cum from the flushed head peaking from foreskin. 

Crypto covers his face with his hands to hide his burning red flush that edges down to his chest when you hum at him approvingly. But, judging by how his cock throbs, you already know that as he likes being watched and praised without words. 

You take your sweet time kissing up his length and down his balls, letting your tongue run over the sensitive skin. Your hand holds the base, stroking downwards to pull back his foreskin, mouthing at the flushed head and letting your tongue slide against the slit in teasing dips until a whimper falls from his lips. 

You tease him like this for a good enough amount of time before you even take him into your mouth fully. Suckling and bobbing your head, your free hand holding his hip to squeeze to remind him to keep his hips down when he starts trying to hump upwards into your mouth. 

Anytime you feel how his cock jerks and you hear his breathing quicken; You stop. Pulling your mouth off to kiss at his hips and thighs instead. Squeezing on his legs soothingly and rubbing at his skin when Crypto whines and rolls his hips up with not a single word peeping from his lips. Even if now his arm is thrown over his forehead, able to see how he peeks open one eye to look down at you pleadingly. 

You smile up at him each time before you take him in again. Suckling, licking, your nails sliding down his thigh until your hand can cup his balls and lightly squeeze. And each time you feel him get close, you pull back. The same bite of pain of your nails on his skin, same edging, the same denial even as pre-cum spills from his cock and it mixes with your drool to connect you with a sliver that makes him near sob when he sees you. 

You know he liked it messy. Liked seeing the mess you could make. 

The mess you could make of him. 

You’re about to remind him that he needs to use his big boy words if he wants to get anywhere tonight. But, seems Crypto gets the memo when he starts pleading. 

“Let me cum inside you, please, please, please- please let me cum i-inside you, please, I’ll be good-”  His voice is breathy, a high whimper as his hips try to fuck up into the loose grip you have on his shaft. He just looks so pathetic for you right now. Just a teary, drooly, humpy mess. 

You like how desperate looks on him. 

“Mmmhhh, I dunno, baby,” You let your voice elongate your words, your breath fanning across his sensitive skin and causing his dick to jerk, lightly tapping your lower lip and making you smile. “You look awfully cute. Can’t you hold it a bit longer? C’mon, you can be my good boy and hold it, can’t you?” 

Each end of your questions is punctuated with a drag of your lips across his cock, letting him feel how you murmur across his reddened skin. 

Crypto sobs out again, his body jerking in sensitivity as both his hands come back up to hide his red face and teary eyes. His nod allows you to continue, continuing your teasing kisses and licks. Making sure to bite pain into his thighs to cause his mind to either associate the pain with pleasure or to back off his pleasure. Judging by the way he sobs out and twitches each time you scratch or bite him, you’re guessing it’s your prior guess. 

“Please, please, please-” Crypto starts to sob when you deny him again, his cock jerking heavily and spilling pre-cum on his lower abdomen. His hands have fallen to grip the couch as best as he can, his teary gaze looking down at you and his lips quivering with his shaky breaths. So cute. “Please, I-I cannot take it anymore, please, please let me cum in you, I want to cum in you-” 

You’ll give him credit. This is the most he’s ever spoken during sex, let alone been so clear in his needs and desires. Something you’ll praise him for later. For now, you smile up at him, wiping your mouth off on the back of your hand before standing to wriggle out of your lounge clothing.  

Crypto’s quick to help you, hooking fingers in your sweater to help you out of it. It’s fit with your laughter as you nearly fall on him, lots of giggling when his mouth presses a kiss to your abdomen when you get halfway stuck through your sweater and pants. “Tae Joon-” You laugh out his name when you feel him smile against your abdomen, “C’mon, lil help here?” 

Eventually you escape your clothing prison, able to set the mood again when your straddle his lap. You’re plenty wet enough, but you still take the time to tease him a bit more by reaching down to stretch yourself while hovering over his cock. You feel flustered as he watches you, sitting under you and looking up at you with such love in his eyes while you make soft sounds yourself. 

It takes a few tries to line up correctly, but soon you’re bouncing your hips on him with your fingers in his hair and your mouth on his neck. He always sounds so pretty the way he cries out, clinging to your hips at first before his arms wind around you to hug you to his trembling frame. You pepper kisses all over his face, cupping his cheeks adoringly as you rest your foreheads together. 

He cums rather quickly, clinging so hard to you as his hips frantically hump up against you. He ends up accidentally holding you still so he can thrust up into you, resulting in you clinging to him in turn with your lips parted and murmuring praise as he fucks you through his orgasm. He’s swearing in his mother tongue, something you can only catch bits and pieces of. 

When Crypto’s done cumming, one of his hands quickly goes down to between both your bodies to rub at your clit as you hump against his cock still lodged inside you. He finds your lips to capture when you whimper out his name when you begin to cum, your nails biting into his shoulders as he rubs you through it. 

By the time you’re both satisfied, you slump against his frame, burying your face into his neck as your sweaty bodies press together on the couch, still connected. 

When both of your breathing settles, he presses a kiss to the top of your head, nuzzling himself there as his hands slide up and down your sides. You smile softly, adjusting your hips a bit and laughing a bit when he grunts in this little oversensitive way. 

When you lift your head to meet his gaze, you smile a bit brighter, gently bumping your noses together. “Hey,” 

“Hey,” He murmurs back just as fondly. 

“You need a shower.”  

He smiles when he realizes you’re replaying your interaction from earlier that day, reaching up to brush your frazzled hair from your face. “Mmh.” 

“You need a shower with me?” 

“Mmh.” He repeats, moving to rest his cheek atop your head as you laugh at him when you feel his chest shake with a quiet laugh in turn. 

“Alright fine. Guess I’ll be getting a shower first and you’ll be left out here with your dick out and cold-” 

That gets him. Pushing you off him and to the couch with a yelp from you as you fall gracelessly on your side and gasp as he takes off towards the shower and you quickly following after him with a playful swat to his ass when you catch up. 

Yeah. You would say your guys’ relationship was domestic. 

[daleisgreat]

Shawn Michaels: The Showstopper Unreleased

WWE has release a few Shawn Michaels DVDs over the years, but continuing on the theme of my last few wrestling-centered entries, WWE Home Video stuck with their “unreleased” brand of DVDs in 2018 with the three-disc release of Shawn Michaels: The Showstopper Unreleased (intro - I could not locate a trailer for this anywhere!). In that clip Shawn quips that the producers deserve an award for finding previously unreleased matches. I believe the criteria for this release is still similar to previous “Unreleased” collections where they may have aired on television (and thus likely in the WWE Network archives) or long discontinued VHS tapes, but this DVD will mark the first time the matches are available on disc. Also included is a new interview with Michaels that they broke up in several parts and sporadically inserted throughout the collection. The first disc is something special as it essentially is a “Best of Rockers” DVD. The first two matches are from Shawn’s rookie year in 1985 for Mid-South in quick enhancement matches for Hector & Chavo Guerrero and Jake “The Snake” Roberts. Matches serve their purpose, but it is nonetheless fascinating to see how Shawn had that already apparent potential in him way back in 1985. The remaining 11 matches on the first disc are all Rockers matches, with the first three tag matches being from their Midnight Rockers AWA days with two bouts against Doug Summers & Buddy Rose and one more with Brian Knobbs & Dennis “I’m not booked” Stamp. The two Summers & Rose matches are show-stealers that had exhilarating beginning/middle/end structures, and was fun to watch the 1980s crowd go nuts for.

The first disc is almost all AWA & WWF Rockers matches!! For the eight WWF Rockers matches, they consist of almost an all-star lineup of a golden age for WWF tag teams where they square off against the likes of Demolition, Brain Busters, Hart Foundation, Natural Disasters and Legion of Doom. The sad thing about The Rockers back then is that as charismatic and agile as they were back then, they mostly made other teams look good in their WWF run and that is the case here as they lose six of those eight WWF matches. Even worse is the two matches they win is a DQ win against the Rougeaus after Jimmy Hart’s megaphone is used, and a countout win against the Orient Express. That said, a lot of the other matches are pretty damn good, with high honors going to the Brain Busters bout, two Demolition matches and surprisingly working in a lot of good stuff against Legion of Doom. Worth pointing out is another good match against the Hart Foundation where it seems noticeable the teams missed their cue to go home because the match starts to feel there is no end in sight when out of nowhere during an abdominal stretch a bunch of wrestlers run in and an awkward impromptu brawl ensues and the match is declared a draw.

Disc two has 12 matches from Shawn’s first singles WWF run from 1992-1998. Some highlights from this are an unsurprising technical showcase with Mr. Perfect, oddly having a positive dynamic with Bret Hart to team up against the Blu Brothers in 1995 and predictable-yet-high quality formula matches during his first WWF Title run against 1-2-3 Kid and Steve Austin. Disc two has a disappointing triple tag elimination match with Shawn, Diesel and Undertaker against Psycho Sid, Tatanka and Kama filled with lots of stalling and headscratching booking for the eliminations. There is also a questionable match against Vader a month after their controversial-yet-excellent Summerslam match, where in this match Shawn takes 95% of the offense and quickly squashes Vader in three minutes. There is also a fascinating bout against Yokozuna from the summer of 1996 in Kuwait, when Yoko is nearing the end of his WWF run due to him putting on excess weight, and the match kind of expectedly plods along, until something must have clicked for Shawn to motivate Yoko into a pretty watchable match in the back half, and the two show respect afterwards which was awesome to see….until Yoko suddenly darts off to the back like he really has to go to the bathroom. The third disc consists of 10 matches from Shawn’s return run to WWE from 2002-2010. All the matches here are from RAW, so that means they follow the formula that still holds true for WWE TV main events today where it is either a cobbled together tag match, or a really good one-on-one match with interference or a hokey finish. There are a couple exceptions with worthwhile clean matches against Ric Flair during a Japan 2005 tour and against Christian in 2004 when he was building momentum with Tyson Tomko by his side. HBK’s matches against Rob Van Dam, Kurt Angle and Chris Jericho are the highlights on disc three, but all three contests have varying degrees of interference to effect the finishes, and in some cases it actually benefits the match as is the case with Angle with the story they were telling. I was delighted to see a post-RAW dark match included with Shawn teaming with Batista against Triple H and Edge. WWE is notorious for usually doing a fun untelevised promo or bonus match for the fans after the cameras go off the air with some quirky moments that would never fly in a televised match. That is the case here with Triple H doing lots of exaggerated selling and fun jawing with the crowd that absolutely ate it all up for a fun time.

Shawn didn't disappoint in his 21st century run, with matches included here that don't disappoint against Ric Flair and Kurt Angle. A couple of promos are uncovered like Shawn doing an open Q&A with the fans when Sensational Sherri was managing Michaels early in his singles run. Another amusing bonus promo is Shawn and Diesel doing a Times Square workout session to hype up their upcoming WrestleMania 11 match with the one-and-only Todd Pentigill hosting. The several interview clips inserted throughout the DVDs has Shawn hitting on certain parts on where he was at that stage in his career and reflecting on the infamous Barber Shop break-up with Marty, his 2002 return, rebooting a less edgy, more goofball version of DX in 2006 and retiring in 2010 (this was filmed before his ill-fated Saudi Arabia return match). From these series of introspections, it was fascinating to hear Shawn think back on why he was not all-in for teaming with Jose Lathario in his WWE Title run, and hearing him settling on being a family man in retirement and turning down multiple

WrestleMania return matches. There are also a few sets of interviews with NXT talent commenting on how lucky they are to have Shawn as a teacher at the WWE Performance Center. Shawn comments a few times here too on being proud of passing on his knowledge, and it is obvious he is genuine on his passion for his new role building talent in NXT. WWE has once again amassed another recommended collection of un-vaulted matches. I am digging this format following the Piper and Macho Man sets where they break up the action every few matches with a set of interviews. Wort mentioning is about a quarter of the 35 matches here have no commentary because they were either dark matches, or from arena shows WWE use to film at regionally in the 80s and 90s and never recorded commentary for and/or lost the rights for the commentary. While there are some skippable matches, the good-to-bad ratio is largely in the positive here, and the not-so-good bouts usually at least have an entertaining backstory or era they emanate from. This all adds up for Shawn Michaels: The Showstopper Unreleased being another must-have installment of the Unreleased branding. Past Wrestling Blogs Best of WCW Clash of Champions Best of WCW Monday Nitro Volume 2 Best of WCW Monday Nitro Volume 3 Biggest Knuckleheads Bobby The Brain Heenan Daniel Bryan: Just Say Yes Yes Yes DDP: Positively Living Dusty Rhodes WWE Network Specials ECW Unreleased: Vol 1 ECW Unreleased: Vol 2 ECW Unreleased: Vol 3 Eric Bishoff: Wrestlings Most Controversial Figure Fight Owens Fight: The Kevin Owens Story For All Mankind Getting Rowdy: The Unreleased Matches of Roddy Piper Goldberg: The Ultimate Collection Hulk Hogans Unreleased Collectors Series Impact Wresting Presents: Best of Hulk Hogan Its Good to Be the King: The Jerry Lawler Story The Kliq Rules Ladies and Gentlemen My Name is Paul Heyman Legends of Mid South Wrestling Macho Man: The Randy Savage Story Memphis Heat NXT: From Secret to Sensation NXT Greatest Matches Vol 1 OMG Vol 2: Top 50 Incidents in WCW History OMG Vol 3: Top 50 Incidents in ECW History Owen: Hart of Gold Randy Savage Unreleased: The Unseen Matches of the Macho Man RoH Supercard of Honor 2010-Present ScoobyDoo Wrestlemania Mystery Scott Hall: Living on a Razors Edge Shawn Michaels: My Journey Sting: Into the Light Straight Outta Dudley-ville: Legacy of the Dudley Boyz Straight to the Top: Money in the Bank Anthology Superstar Collection: Zach Ryder Then Now Forever – The Evolution of WWEs Womens Division TLC 2017 TNA Lockdown 2005-2016 Top 50 Superstars of All Time Tough Enough: Million Dollar Season True Giants Ultimate Fan Pack: Roman Reigns Ultimate Warrior: Always Believe War Games: WCWs Most Notorious Matches Warrior Week on WWE Network Wrestlemania III: Championship Edition Wrestlemania 28-Present The Wrestler (2008) Wrestling Road Diaries Too Wrestling Road Diaries Three: Funny Equals Money Wrestlings Greatest Factions WWE Network Original Specials First Half 2015 WWE Network Original Specials Second Half 2015 WWE Network Original Specials First Half 2016 WWE Network Original Specials Second Half 2016 WWE Network Original Specials First Half 2017

[izzyhunterscar]

Not Your Barbie Girl (pt.1)

OP! Villianous! Murderous! Reader X Tomura Shigaraki

WARNING! Before reading this, you are not in good terms with any UA people so if you happen to like some heroes, spoiler you don’t got a good relationship with them.

        (Y/n) (L/n) was a girl who could be feared, yet she wasn't. Why? Simple. The (h/c) haired girl was the kindest most generous student in class 1-A, or Yuuei for that matter. She was the "Extra Student", entering at the same time as the rest, but only put in the class recently as there was a mix up at the beginning.

         You needed something? She got you covered. Words of encouragement? She poured them out on you. Need free time and have stuff to do? Just dump your work on (Y/n) and she would do it with a smile while you left to train, party, or whatever you chose.

        Now to answer the question, why should she be feared? Her quirk was powerful if used correctly. She could control both animate and inanimate objects, bringing an inanimate object to life or simply shutting down your organs with just a glance. (Y/n) was taught to always put others before herself, as a hero should, however she took her parents words too seriously and put others before her own well being at the cost of her sanity.

        The others? They thought she was a very kind girl, she was a huge pushover though. It led to bullying from people she never knew and pity from onlookers who watched her get pushed around but did nothing to help her.

        Now to her present state. She couldn't take it anymore. The Sports festival was coming up and all anyone wanted to do was train, so they simply asked her to do everything they had. And adding up every student who dumped the work on her, she had no time to herself.          She sat crying, students papers laying around her. "I-I don't want to do this anymore!" She wiped her eyes repeatedly. "Mom...Dad....why do they just shove me around like a toy? I smile and I take it. Don't talk back. Don't talk back. Don't talk back. Just take it. Just take it. Be nice. Be nice. Nice is good. Nice. Help. Nice is good. Don't be mean. Don't be mean. I don't. I don't. I don't want this. Is this what hell feels like? Mom, Dad. I'm sorry." She sobbed out, her eyes closing. (Y/n)'s body slumped down. Her breathing slow, tears drying on her face. The Sports festival was only a day away. (Y/n) still slept, unknown to the world. The students who gave her their work continued their training with no feelings toward the work they put on the poor girl. Unaware of her sanity deteriorating in her hibernation. Finally it was time. Sunlight shined in her room, running over her sleeping face. No sounds were made as (Y/n)'s eyes opened. The (h/c) haired girl stood up, her head tilting at all the papers around her. She raised her hand and snapped. The papers turned to dust and floated away. She smiled, showing the growing fangs. Her hair was longer, almost reaching the floor. She hummed and skipped out of her small house, fanged smile still present. She reached the school and entered her class waiting room. She sat down on a bench, hands folded into her lap. Eyes smiling with her ever present fangs. Soon enough the freshmen are called out and she follows her class out to the middle of the stadium. A familiar ash blonde goes on stage and speaks, causing an uproar. Her ears are deaf to his words and the screams, she stands tall and makes no acknowledgement of the loudness around her. The first event comes, an obstacle race. It begins and everyone leaves her in the dust.  "What is this? (L/n) is just standing at the beginning...uhh...smiling." Present Mic announces to the audience. They all watch her with curious and some furious eyes. "(L/n)?" (Y/n) turns her head slowly towards the announcing box, she raises her hand and snaps. In an instant she's at the end, still smiling.  The teachers stare blankly in shock. She's never done that before, at least not to their knowledge. The audience is loving her. Cheering her last name.  "(L/n)! (L/n)!"  However, they fall on deaf ears as she waits at the end, watching furious and surprised eyes of everyone who comes to the end. Katsuki rages at her, yelling as to how she got there. She didn't even look his way. Next event, the cavalry battle. (Y/n) had received the ten million point headband and let it dangle from her neck. She kicked at the ground, creating her own team, frozen in a position holding  her up. She crossed her legs and leaned back on the "frozen people" she created. It was bending the rules a little, but she was allowed her "team" because it really just gave everyone else an advantage and it was her choice. Monoma glared at her, despising her cockiness. "Stupid, 1-A, think they are so cool."  Everyone got in their teams and it began. Everyone came at (L/n) first, but could never reach her, it was like an invisible wall or more like a box surrounded her. They pounded and used their quirks coming at all angles, her feet never hit the ground and they couldn't reach her. Every angle was covered by this invisible boundary. It frustrated everyone, wanting nothing more to steal the points that dangled right in front of their face. (Y/n) was only using a fraction of her powers to keep them out. And smiled at each angry face. It reminded her of when they all asked for her to do their work and she once said no. She lifted her arm up and waved it around like she was conducting an orchestra. The ground rumbled, stone soldiers rose from the ground, constricting every student on the field. Another stone soldier moved faster than the other and stole every headband from the teams, returning into her box and kneeling presenting her with all the headbands. She took the headbands and jumped down, the soldiers using their hands as steps so she never touched the ground. She held the headbands up and dropped them at the edge of the boundary. The soldiers sank back into the ground and everyone charged at the headbands, (Y/n) standing right behind them. They all smacked into the invisible wall. Shoto froze everyone and tried to freeze through her "walls". The ice couldn't even touch the barrier.

She tilted her head, watching the struggles of all the other students. 

Tomura watched intently, fascinated by the evil dominance in a hero in training. He wanted her for himself. She proved herself a force to be reckoned with and he wanted her on his side. He saw her distaste for the students around her, her smile didn't hide anything. 

Soon the battle ended. The timer hitting zero, everyone but (Y/n) with no points. She sat patiently in the stands as they tried to decide who would continue. 

Of course, the favored class, 1-A, a lot of their students were set to be in the individual fights. Oh (Y/n) couldn't wait!

The hero's moved some people around, unsure of who would be a good battle to watch now that she changed the game. They had a plan set, she wasn't even on their radar, but she showed two cards and they had to shuffle.

It would be a lie to say a few heroes were worried she was too powerful. Most doubted her, talking shit like she was just a master at tricks.

They decided to have her as the final champion. Letting all the other students who continued on have a fair chance to reach the podium. She made no expression of caring whether she fought now or later, just standing there with her creepy fanged smile. The battles seemed to go by quickly, time holding no power over her as she waited for her turn.  Shoto and Katuski stood ready in the arena, about to fight each other. She just glanced down and found herself in the middle of the arena. And for the first time she spoke. "Well done, heroes. You almost made it to me. Sadly, I have a schedule to keep. He watches but I know who you are, I know where you are." She looked at the camera. The live television zooming in on her face. Tomura cackled, wanting nothing more to show her his power, to show her she's nothing to him. He sat back and scratched the back of his neck, the skin peeling much like the rest of him. "What the fuck are you saying, you dipshit?" Katsuki asked in his regular angry tone. "You're interrupting our battle. I'm going to win and fight you. And then I'll be in first." Shoto rolled his eyes but glared at her. "You may have an interesting power, but you are nothing to me."

She scoffed. "I don't think I ever asked what either of you thought. I'll end this now." With a smile she snapped. Both boys fell down in pain, coughing up blood. She glanced towards the hero Eraserhead and swiped her hand in the air.  "Shit." Aiziawa held onto a nearby wall. "I can't see anything. I can't stop her." The crowd went into a panic, trying to make a beeline for the exits. A barrier stopped them and like puppets they all were forced back into their seats and faces turned to the arena. "You wanted a battle. I'll give you a slaughter." Both boys gasped and continued bleeding out. "You have no chance, (Y/n). This place is full of heroes." They tried to scare her with their words. "Did you really think, I didn't know that? I did say this was a slaughter did I not?" She spun around happily waving her hands in a graceful way. Every hero that showed up to the sports festival was plucked from their spot and teleported in a line in the center of the arena. "My my, the great heroes! It's so nice of you to come! Who wants to die first? It seems we are missing the number one hero, but you all shall do!" She then released them. "Let's fight!" They all had their quirks at the ready and charged at her, much like the Cavalry battle. They all ended up running through her. The image flickered and disappeared. "I'm over here you idiots!" Giggling she waved from the other side of the arena. The moment they turned, she snapped. All the heroes gasped and choked, clawing at their chest.  "Help..." They all managed, in a blink of an eye, their hearts burst from their chests. Blood splattered on Bakugo and Todoroki, the look of horror painted on their faces.  She left Endeavor the only hero in the arena alive. "And this is why you'll always be number two. Can't even save your fellow heroes. Such a shame. Not." She circled him. "How do you want to die?" He only glared at her. "I guess I'll decide. You can die like the rest did! Because you are nothing, not even worthy of being called the second hero." She snapped and disappeared. Endeavor's heart lay where she once stood. After she left, chaos ensued. Heroes’ bodies littered the battlefield and the people ran in horror. The students and heroes that were left were in shock. No one knew what to do. They just lost two-thirds of the pro heroes and later discovered twenty students dead, a few from class 1-A and more from general studies and 1-B. After that fiasco, it was with no doubt she would be branded as a villain. She told the media she wanted to be called Smile, leaving with her never ending smile. She knocked on a run down door.  A blonde girl answered. "O! Fang gang! TOMURA! The girl you mentioned before is here!!! She still smells like death!" She walked in and found Tomura, he glared at you. "Who said you could just walk in?"  (Y/n) just smiled and said. "I did. You uncultured swine. Learn manners and invite your guests in." Tomura growled and grabbed her wrist with all five fingers.  Everyone waited. And waited. And waited. And waited. She patted him on the head with your free hand. "Was something supposed to happen....Tenko?" She whispered in his ears. She then removed his hand from her wrist. "Aw, did you just want to touch me? I know no one would want to touch your dry flaky dumbass but you shouldn't force yourself on me. Bad first impression, my dude." Dabi let out a chuckle and Tomura went red faced. "How dare-" She cut him off with a wave of her hand. "Anyways, my name is (Y/n)! Please take care of me. Or die." She smiled.

[the-omni-princess]

Hunted

Author: @the-omni-princess

Summary: Being hunted down sucks, especially when you rather not be shot.

Word Count: 1.2K

Prompt:

“I think I like you.”

“Couldn’t you say this before you shot me?”

Pairing: Bucky x Fem!Avenger!Reader

Warnings: Injuries, Language (like one curse word I think)

A/N:

This is for Selene’s 1k Challenge and is technically my first piece I’m tossing onto this blog so be nice please I beg of you.

Prompt is bolded.

Rereading? Whose she?

#Selene’1Kchallenge

@wintersoldierswhore

~~~~~~~

It was dark, to say the least, and musty. The shadows seemed to crawl up the walls, its tendrils appeared to surround you, choking the light and your breath. It was quiet, your racing heartbeat the only sound, the steady, yet fast, thrumming as adrenaline coursed through your veins. You were crouched in a corner, the current worst place to be, but luckily your hunter hadn’t found you yet. Or so you thought. In reality, he was right around the corner, slinking closer to his prey like the huntsman he was.

You raised your gun, and your mind raced, glancing at every spot in the surrounding area, begging for a means of escape. The smallest reflecting of silver caught your attention. There!A small opening in the wood panels, just big enough for you to be able to slip away. You jumped at the opportunity, squeezing through the opening as quietly as possible, unaware your own heartbeat, your lifeline, gave you away to the hunter.

Bolting through the hallway, you desperately tried to find a way out. A tiny speck of red in the distance seized your attention. The EXIT! A scruff of boots against the concrete floor behind you reprimanded your short-lived joy. Sprinting through the hallway, your cover blown, your only chance was the exit in the distance.

A shot ran out, echoing in your ears as your knees buckled, sending you to the cold, hard floor. A small groan escaped your lips, as pain coiled up your legs. It wasn’t a kill shot, but it wasn’t a pleasant feeling either. Not one to lay down and die, you sprang into action. Another shot ran out, barely missing your right shoulder as you spun, jumping back onto your feet.

A third shot echoed, then a fourth, then a fifth as you returned fire, still balancing on your knees. Unstable as you shot back, most of your shots missed entirely, except one which hit metal with a small thud. Rising to your feet, hoping your hunter was at least somewhat distracted by the return fire, you rushed towards the exit again. Wrong. You thought as another shot ran out, this time hitting your knee cap to send you to the ground again. He’s doing this on purpose! That asshole!

This time you kept quiet, waiting for a moment to strike. The hunter, although suspicious, assumed you hit the ground harder than last time, which is why you did not attempt to run again. Stepping closer, now you could hear your hunter’s boots as he strolled closer to your body crouched on the floor. Like a cobra ready to strike, you held your breath, waiting for your opening. Now.

Spinning on your back, using the contoured body angle you were at to your advantage, you shot. It was a blind shot, your last Hail Mary, but it zipped in the air, hitting its target perfectly in the chest, right above his heart. Dark color seeped through his tac gear, surprise etched onto his face. You had caught the hunter unaware. Standing now, a smug look on your face as you approached him. He had toyed with you, making sure none of his shots were lethal as to draw this game of cat and mouse, and you had turned the game against him, the mouse suddenly becoming a lion.

Light flooded the hallway which enclosed you, your comms springing to life with Sam’s voice, “Holy shit Y/N! You took down Tinman, nice shot!” His praise made you smile, a shit-eating smile which made the soldier in front of you pretty upset.

“I think I like you,” you informed the man in front of you, grinning like an idiot at how you had tricked him.

“Couldn’t you say this before you shot me?”He sounded irritated, flustered that you managed to catch him off guard when he had been messing with you this entire time.

“Bucky, it’s paintball, not like you are actually dying right now,” you deadpanned, surveying the damaged on his tac vest. Bright pink had exploded on his arm, your first shot you hit him with, and dark purple soaked right above his heart, your kill shot, winning you this game.

“But we had a bet, and I really wanted to win,” Bucky pouted as the team flooded the arena you two were in.

Rolling your eyes, you unzipped your tac vest, too hot to keep the layer on as sweat rolled down your back. “I know, I know Buck. Sparring in the form of paintball. You win, you can take me out on a date, I win, you have to do my chores at the compound for a month.” You tossed the vest and your paintball gun over your shoulder, securing both with the gun’s latch. “I mean, if it’s any consolation, I didn’t come out of this unscathed,” you pointed out, your hand hovering over the multiple splashes of color on your legs and lower stomach. He had shot you more but didn’t go for a kill shot, a shot in the chest or back, losing him the game. He had thought he had toyed with you the entire game, all the while, you had allowed it to happen.

Sam seemingly came out of nowhere, laughing as he hit Bucky in the shoulder, “Man, she really played you didn’t she Tinman?”

Bucky groaned, triply annoyed. He had lost a chance to take the girl he had been crushing on for the past few months out on a date, lost a fight to her because he was an idiot, and now Sam was already making fun of him for it. No doubt the rest of the team, who all were watching from the camera and the double-sided mirror on the other wall, were already brainstorming jokes to tease him endlessly about this. Sam and Natasha were already teasing him about his crush, Steve trying to encourage him to go for it. With your competitive streak, and your insistent nagging to spar with him, this bet had been the compromise, and he utterly ruined it.

Your smile faltered when you saw how upset Bucky actually was. Biting your lip and mentally hyping yourself before coming closer to him, you caught his attention. “Don’t be a spoiled sport Buck, clean yourself up and meet me at the front door at 7 tonight.” His eyes lit up, though confusion also was evident on his face. Standing on your tip toes and kissing his cheek, you grinned as Bucky’s cheeks turned a deep shade of crimson. You turned quickly, not wanting to distract yourself in his deep blue-grey eyes, the eyes that have been invading every waking moment for months now. “You’re still doing my chores, but don’t be late for our date soldier,” you called over your shoulder as you strolled out of the training floor to get cleaned up for your date.

“Yes, Ma’am!” Bucky called out to you as you turned in the elevator. Your eyes locked for a brief second, wearing matching grins as the elevator door closed, taking you to your room.

Maybe losing wasn’t such a bad thing. Bucky thought as he saw you smile back at him as the doors closed.

[ayeateez]

The Hunger Games AU - Part 3 - Finale: The Final Fight

GENRE: Angst

PAIRING: None

WARNINGS: Major character death, sexual harassment, mentions of murder, weapons, and just harmful things in general

WORD COUNT: 3182

It had been days since Seonghwa died. It was miserable. I was too familiar with this feeling, I wanted it to stop, I wanted it to end.

Knowing the same man who killed Seonghwa was coming to my district today made me sick. I wanted to throw up, I wanted to kill him. He deserves it.

I’ve learned how to live with the blood on my hands. It doesn’t mean I still don’t get nightmares, or that I don’t feel bad, it means I can deal with it. Hongjoong had been so cocky on his tour, meanwhile I couldn’t even speak properly.

•

I was on the far right of the stage, where the only victors of 12 stood. I watched as Seonghwa’s family struggled onto the podium in front of the screen that had Seonghwa’s face on it. They were as broken as me. I couldn’t imagine how his brother or his parents felt. I looked away before I could catch myself crying, now wasn’t the best place or time.

Minutes passed as people got all settled in. I saw the face I never wanted to see. I wanted him to die. He deserves it. As we sit down finally, I zoned out, not wanting to hear his cocky ass speech about how good he is for killing Seonghwa. Then something caught me off guard. Something caught all of us off guard.

“I did it for y/n. I want her to be mine. If she accepts, of course” He smiles and looks towards 12’s victors, towards me. His smile was full off all the cruel things he has said about the other tributes, and the nasty words he said to Seonghwa came from the same mouth. He waved me over, on live tv as victory tours were aired, and I had no other option but to walk towards him.

“What do you say, Y/n? Will you be mine now?” He asked, oh so innocently. The smile was wiped off his face the moment I had slapped him, hands closing in on his neck. Peacekeepers immediately came to separate us as Hongjoong collapsed, half conscious as he tried to regain his breath and steady his breathing.

The peacekeepers dragged me off the stage, away from Hongjoong, and I let them. Anything to be away from him. I kept a straight face the entire time I watched him try to get back up.

•

“Please, I’d do anything BUT go out with him. I don’t fucking care about publicity, he killed my boyfriend then asks me to go out with him. Who in their right mind does that?” I yelled at my younger sister as she tried to help me come to an understanding. It was a bitchy move, but still.

“Y/n, what if they put you in that arena again? Hm? What would you do?” She asked.

“Why the hell would they put me in that arena? They aren’t allowed to! That isn’t legal!”

“It is when President Snow says it is” She shrugged.

“But why? They have no reason?”

“You slapped him and tried to fight him. They’re probably going to take that as a sign that you want to fight. Fight to the death. A special type of games”

•

I stared blankly at the holographic tv in my room, as it suddenly turned on due to it being ‘urgent’.

“Due to recent events while Kim Hongjoong was touring in District 12, we’ve decided to hold a - special games. There will only be 2 tributes, who shall not have a choice whether they participate or not and volunteers are not welcomed. The tributes are:

Kim Hongjoong, District 2

Y/n L/n, District 12

the games will take place October 31st at exactly 12:00 and shall only continue until November 2nd at 12:00. Dear tributes, may the odds be ever in your favor”

I dropped the remote as my breath shortened. No... no they couldn’t have. But the games just ended - this has to be a joke.

I’m going to fight to the death with him, Kim Hongjoong.

•

It’s didn’t take long for peacekeepers to

come break into my house to collect me and bring me to the capital. I really had no choice but to cooperate with them. I was back, back on the train for what seemed like the hundredth time. The first time I took this train to the capital, I was with Jongho. The second, I was with Seonghwa. Now, I’m here. By myself. Trying to mentally prepare to fight Hongjoong.

•

The 26 hours went by quickly as no one spoke to me. It was like they understood what was happening. He murdered my boyfriend, now I’m going to murder him.

The clapping and cheering and all the bright and fancy colorful things went by in a blur as I tuned out all the loud noises.

They took me to the place where I would be stayed for the next 3 days. They’ve given us less training as we’re both victors, I’m assuming. Last time we had 2 weeks. There’s no way I’ll even be close to in shape or prepared within 3 days.

I knew I should’ve head down to the training area, but I just wasn’t in the mood. I was about to go into a whole ass fight with the same person who killed Seonghwa. I wonder how they feel in heaven, San, Jongho, and Seonghwa? Are they okay? Is it alright up there? Whatever it is - they’re definitely doing better up there than down here.

“Y/n, I know you aren’t in the mood, but you have to train if you want to stay alive”

“I don’t want to be alive. I want to see Jongho, Seonghwa, and San up there” I sighed, noting even sparing a glance. Who ever it was, they gave up easily and left.

I eventually got up on my own, getting dressed and heading down to the small, enclosed, dark, training room. Deciding to test a new skill, I picked up a sword. It wasn’t too heavy, it felt just right. I swung my arm a few times, not that bad.

Walking up to a dummy, I worked on a stance, that would probably be useless, and well, kind of cut up the dummy. I don’t know how mad they would be to see their dummy all cut up, cotton spilling from all angles so I stuck to knives and throwing them.

•

It was the same. It was the exact same every time. I did the same thing for the past 2 days, while eating and drinking as much as I can. There were no parades, there were no festivals, nothing. Just announcing the games, that’s it. Of course though, my stylist still made sure I played and killed while looking good, so he came up with ways to make me seem less dead, more appealing to the camera, claiming that the prettier I look, the more sponsors I get, and I don’t doubt that. I mean, it’s the capital.

20 minutes.

Realization started to set in. I’m going back. I’m going back into the games, except this time? I’m targeted and targeting. There’s a 50/50 chance I’ll die and that he’ll die. What happens if I die? What happens if he dies? What will happen? I mean, either one of us will win but... what will happen?

“You’ll be fine in there, calm down. You’ve won one of these games before, haven’t you?” My stylist sighed, making an attempt to calm me down. I looked at him.

“What if I don’t make it out alive? I’m rusty, he just won the recent games-“

“Yeah, he’s still scarred and injured-“

“How many victors do you think have nightmares about the games? How many do you think can’t figure out a way to live with innocent people’s blood on their hands? Think about it. It’s not a lot” I snapped. Our silence last for minutes until the countdown from 30 started.

The arena was set up where our cornucopia’s were set up on opposite sides of the arena, and every day the arena shrinks until we fight to the death. But it’s not easy to get to the cornucopia. I think I heard them saying we have to get past landmines and some weird type of hyena that happened into the 67th games.

After putting the final touches onto me, I stepped into the tube as it shut around me. The remaining 5 seconds were counted out then it started to move up again. My heart raced as panic surged through my veins. This is it. I’m really getting my revenge now.

I was hit by the wind of the arena, the fake sun shining oh so bright, fake birds chirping. If I didn’t know what was going to happen, I just might’ve called this paradise.

The countdown remained only 10 seconds left. I unintentionally tuned out the counting, listening to my heart and the wind race.

“3”

“2”

“1”

The cannon went off as I avoided all dirt piles. Hopping over everything, I made it to the center, grabbing everything I needed and could hold. Grabbing the first backpack, it was empty but for a blanket and some matches. I grabbed 3 sets of 24 knives, just a guess. Stuffing more weapons into a backpack, I chose to carry a sword by hand. 3 weapons I could use, I had a choose from 3.

Realizing what was going to happen, I jumped down from the top, grabbing another bag as I sprinted my way to the forest, away from the growling.

Heavy. Weight. That’s all I could feel in my hands and on my back. I grabbed too

many things. I was going to have to abandon something soon.

I stopped at a tall tree, quickly grabbing any branches I could to pull me up, only hoping that there were no tracker jackers in this thing. I have 2 days to kill him. I need to get to him first.

•

Night came quickly, as I stayed in a tree all day. Far in the distance, I could see smoke. He started a fire. He must know I wasn’t going to come after him this early. The capital wanted a show? I’ll give them a mother fucking show.

I groaned as I leaned back against the uncomfortable bark again. I wanted to get up and walk around. I wish I was in my bed, maybe eating something and reading. But no, here I am, stuck in the middle of the games.

A sleepless, restless night passed and I hopped down from the tree in hopes of being able to walk around freely. It’s already the 1st, I have until tomorrow to kill him.

I saw the edge. The edge of the barrier, and I ran. I ran like my life depended on it, which it really did. Only god and the gamemakers know what happens when you touch the edge of the barrier, and I don’t want to find out. I realized that they were driving me straight towards the smoke, where Hongjoong was. At least that’s where I thought he was.

He wasn’t there. It was a trap. As soon as I realized the trap, I looked around, and ran, climbing up another tree. Another day in another tree? Thought so. This was boring people had to be losing interest or something. Maybe if people don’t watch, they’ll stop the games? No, they don’t care if people watch or not. They’ll kill both of us and erase this game from existence if they have to.

I heard a twig snap and my hand instantly flew to my belt, grabbing a knife as I sat there, eyes looking around sharply. I spotted something with crazy colored hair sprinting, and I could even hear him cursing. Hongjoong. As much as I wanted to throw, I didn’t. After I heard my name, at least. I couldn’t hear any more words come from his mouth. Audible ones, at least.

I sat back in my tree and waited. My stomach growled loudly. I just had to wait. But if I had thrown the knife, there was a high chance it would’ve hit him and at least would’ve slowed him down enough for me to kill him, but curiosity took over.

After having enough of my tree time, I slowly and carefully climbed down the tree. I made my way through the forest, occasionally leaning down to feel the dirt. It was damp, meaning water was nearby, but so was the barrier.

Deciding to continue on, I found the smallest patch of water. It was as clean as water in the games could be. I instantly dropped to my knees as I splashed water all over my face, a relief to have all the dried sweat off my face and having something to drink. Now? I just need something to eat, but I could actually survive without food. Food isn’t my bigger concern now, it’s Hongjoong. Hell, he could even be behind me right now, about ready to stab me. Becoming paranoid, I turned around only to see trees and the forest.

I watched the branches and leaves sway with the light breeze. I had to move. Something felt off. I took one last drink before getting up and moving quickly, killing a rabbit on the way.

It was hard without allies. No one to help you, no one to help, it was weird. I’ve only known playing in the games with others on my side.

•

It was boring. I’ve said this plenty of times before, but it was so boring. Watching me, at least. I did nothing but wander around the arena, secretly hoping to be able to stab Hongjoong in the back or something like that. Who knows what Hongjoong is doing? I could only guess.

A large noise scared me as I almost fell from my - you guessed it, tree and I was temporarily blinded by the flashing light. I was at the edge of the barrier, and I could see the other end. We were that close. I looked up at the sky to see a timer counting down. 59:37. It’s already 11 on the 2nd.

I climbed down, leaving everything but my weapons. I decided it’s time to end this man.

I walked through the woods, making as much noise as I possibly could to try and draw him out. I looked up, I looked down, but I couldn’t find him. Did they take him out of the arena and just leave me in here to kill or embarrass me? I heard a twig snap behind me and I quickly turned around, throwing my knife that pinning Hongjoong’s sleeve to the tree.

“Hey gorgeous”

I hadn’t ever thrown so quickly. He dodged my knife, throwing one back at me but his aim was way off. How did he win this again?

“Come back here!” I yelled, chasing after him. I spared a glance at the clock. 28:39. I still had time. He turned and threw another knife at me, and it grazed my arm, cutting my sleeve and leaving a painful cut. I cursed under my breath as he tripped in front of me and fell. I wanted to kill him with my own hands.

I held him down as my hands tightened around his neck, but he quickly flipped over so he was on top as he held my wrists down. I used every strength in every muscle in my body to get out, but I couldn’t. It was useless. I was going to die.

“What have we got here, hm? You see, princess, if you had just agreed we wouldn’t have been here-“

“If you had died in the 73rd games we wouldn’t be here” I growled back at him, cutting his words and he raised an eyebrow and chuckled.

“Feisty, are we now? Hmm, that Seonghwa guy was so lucky to have you. Look, you’re a gem” His smirk grew as he touched me places I never gave consent for.

“Fuck, let me kill you already!” I shouted, squirming under his grasp.

“I bet I could make a deal. If you date me, we won’t ever have to be in these arena’s again. Snow would probably agree, yeah?” Hongjoong looked away, as to show he was supposedly thinking. I wanted to slap that stupid smirk off his face.

“What time do we have left?” He asked, looking up at the sky.

“20:19, yeah? What could I do with you in 20 minutes. Angel, there’s so many things we could have done together. We would’ve been so so powerful, but here we are, fighting to the death - are you crazy?” His words bled into my brain.

“And look, you’re bleeding. How did that happen?” His finger traced the cut, spreading the blood across my skin.

“Stop it”

“But why? You look so nice under me like this... imagine-“

I suddenly jerked my knee up into his crotch, cursing at myself on why I hadn’t thought of that earlier. He fell into the dirt, groaning in pain as I took the chance to hit his elbow and making him release my wrists, giving me the chance to get up.

I smirked down at him, just kicking him repeatedly. No knives or sharp things, just my foot in his fucked up face. Satisfaction occurred when I spotted blood dribbling out of his mouth, nose, and other places. I pulled a knife from my waistband, flipping it a few times.

“Y-You don’t want to do this princess... you won’t be able to live with it...” Hongjoong’s words were slurred from the thick, red liquid filling his mouth.

“Are you sure about that?” I asked, raising an eyebrow in amusement. He opened his mouth to speak, but only screams of pain came out as my knife flew into his chest. Shrugging, I threw another into his stomach for extra measure.

The sound of the cannon I knew all too well sounded in the arena as the clock stopped.

Hongjoong was right. I couldn’t live with the blood on my hands. I couldn’t live knowing I had killed numerous people. The bitter feeling overcame the victorious one. I became nauseous at the sight of Hongjoong’s dead body right in front of me.

Slowly slipping my last knife from my waistband, I chuckled crazily.

“This one’s for you... San”

The pain burned in your chest as I fell to the ground with a crazy look plastered on my face. I looked down at the blood dripping down my body. I felt my heart stop and my brain stopped registering. My vision went in and out of focus, spots dancing around my vision. The urge to shut my eyes became so strong, so I shut them. Then I stopped. I just stopped.

[zutaralesbian]

So i've seen from a few viral posts on here that it's becoming a new thing to hate on the Peeta/Katniss relationship in The Hunger Games. (I've also seen some criticism towards the Gale/Katniss relationship that isn't entirely fair, but since that wasn't something I shipped, I won't be going into that). But here's me defending one of my oldest het ships from some of the points people bring up that I don't believe are true.

"Peeta feels entitled to Katniss"

The only time I can think of where this could appear to be true is the ending of the first book and the very beginning of Catching Fire. Katniss spent the last few chapters or so of the first book pretending to be in love with Peeta in order to sell their fake romance to the Capitol and recieve sponsors to help them survive. And when she reveals to Peeta that she doesn't truly feel anything romantic for him, he's hurt and ends up lashing out at her by giving her the cold shoulder.

Now, Peeta was completely wrong in this scenario. He's human and humans don't always react or handle things in the right way, especially in highly emotional situations. Still, it doesn't excuse him for lashing out at Katniss when she was just doing what she had to do in order to get them both out of the arena alive. I agree with that.

But the thing that people leave out or forget is that Peeta eventually realizes and acknowledges that he was wrong. And he apologizes to Katniss.

He takes a deep breath. "Look, Katniss, I've been wanting to talk to you about the way I acted on the train. I mean, the last train. The one that brought us home. I knew you had something with Gale. I was jealous of him before I even officially met you. And it wasn't fair to hold you to anything that happened in the Games. I'm sorry."

His apology takes me by surprise. It's true that Peeta froze me out after I confessed that my love for him during the Games was something of an act. But I don't hold that against him. In the arena, I'd played that romance angle for all it was worth. There had been times when I didn't honestly know how I felt about him. I still don't, really.

"I'm sorry, too," I say. I'm not sure for what exactly. Maybe because there's a real chance I'm about to destroy him.

"There's nothing for you to be sorry about. You were just keeping us alive. But I don't want us to go on like this, ignoring each other in real life and falling into the snow every time there's a camera around. So I thought if I stopped being so, you know, wounded, we could take a shot at just being friends," he says.

- Catching Fire, Chapter 4

After this, there's no resentment on Peeta's part towards Katniss for not returning his feelings. Sure it's pretty clear that what he feels for her isn't platonic and he comes off as sad about it at times, but he's completely willing to be her friend and support her anyway. And when Snow makes plans to force them to get married in order to keep up the farce, Peeta is just as upset about it as Katniss is, because he doesn't want her to be forced into something she doesn't want.

"Katniss never wanted Peeta that way and/or has no interest in romance"

It always astounds me that people look at a teenager living in an apocalyptic universe that involves her family possibly starving to death and children being reaped into an event to fight to the death each year and not realize that probably plays a big part in why romance isn't at the top of her priority list lol.

Before the Games, Katniss was the main breadwinner of her family that was living in severe poverty. She was too focused on making sure her little sister and mother didn't starve to death to focus on much else. After she's reaped, her main priority is keeping both herself and Peeta alive. Again, it completely makes sense why romance isn't at the top of her mind.

But there is more than one scene in the books that point out that Katniss DOES grow to desire Peeta romantically.

"No one really need me", he says, and there's no self-pity in his voice. It's true his family doesen't need him. They will mourn him, as will a handful of friends. But they will get on. Even Haymitch, with the help of a lot of white liquor, will get on. I realize only one person will be damaged beyond repair if Peeta dies. Me.

"I do", I say. "I need you." He looks upset, takes a deep breath as if to begin a long argument, and that's no good, no good at all, because he'll start going on about Prim and my mother and everything and I'll just get confused. So before he can talk, I stop his lips with a kiss.

I feel that thing again. The thing I only felt once before. In the cave last year, when I was trying to get Haymitch to send us food. I kissed Peeta about a thousand times during those Games and after. But there was only one kiss that made me feel something stir deep inside. Only one that made me want more. But my head wound started bleeding and he made me lie down.

This time, there is nothing but us to interrupt us. And after a few attempts, Peeta gives up on talking. The sensation inside me grows warmer and spreads out from my chest, down through my body, out along my arms and legs, to the tips of my being. Instead of satisfying me, the kisses have the opposite effect, of making my need greater. I thought I was something of an expert on hunger, but this is an entirely new kind.

- Catching Fire, Chapter 24

This might be the first time Peeta and Katniss kiss without any intention of trying to make a show for the Capitol. And KATNISS initiates it. She kisses Peeta because she wants to. And, on quote, desires more. But sure, she has no interest or attraction to him.

Peeta.

Alive and well - maybe not well but alive and here. Away from Snow. Safe. Here. With me. In a minute I can touch him. See his smile. Hear his laugh.

Haymitch's grinning at me. "Come on, then," he says.

I'm light-headed with giddiness. What will I say? Oh, who cares what I say? Peeta will be ecstatic no matter what I do. He'll probably be kissing me anyway. I wonder if it will feel like those last kisses on the beach in the arena, the ones I haven't dared let myself consider until this moment.

- Mockingjay, Chapter 12

Now other than the fact that this quote absolutely breaks my heart because it happens right before Katniss finds out Peeta was hijacked, it's such a cute one. And a very typical 'teenage girl thinks about the boy she likes' kind of quote. Katniss is literally fantasizing about a romantic reunion between her and Peeta that involves touching him, seeing his smile, hearing his laugh, and kissing him. And after she finds out about his hijacking, the possibility that he might not love her anymore devastates her.

I've always been of the opinion that Katniss fell in love with Peeta during Catching Fire. She cared about him a lot by the end of the first book, but Catching Fire is when the lines between fake love and real love began to really blur for her. And the fandom darling Finnick seems to think that too.

"It's just that I didn't understand when I met you. After your first Games, I thought the whole romance was an act on your part. We all expected you'd continue that strategy. But it wasn't until Peeta hit the force field and nearly died that I - " Finnick hesitates.

I think back to the arena. How I sobbed when Finnick revived Peeta. The quizzical look on Finnick's face. The way he excused my behavior, blaming it on my pretend pregnancy. "That you what?"

"That I knew I'd misjudged you. That you do love him. I'm not saying in what way. Maybe you don't know yourself. But anyone paying attention could see how much you care about him," he says gently.

- Mockingjay, Chapter 11

It's canon that Katniss fell in love with Peeta. However well done it was is up to a person's own opinion but they've been set up as the main romantic subplot since the moment Peeta was revealed as "the boy with the bread". Suzanne Collins had probably been planning on making them endgame since the first book. (I will never understand how people read these books and were shocked that they ended up together).

"Peeta forced Katniss to have children"

Now, i'll be the first to admit that this quote is by far not the best to come out of Katniss and Peeta's relationship.

They play in the Meadow. The dancing girl with the dark hair and blue eyes. The boy with blond curls and gray eyes, struggling to keep up with her on his chubby toddler legs. It took five, ten, fifteen years for me to agree. But Peeta wanted them so badly.

- Mockingjay, Epilogue

I understand why people take issue with this. I really do. But I think immediately jumping to the conclusion that Peeta forced her to have kids is pretty extreme, with how vague the entire epilogue is. Katniss doesn't say that. She only says that it took her a long time to agree. This could mean that he brought up the idea of having children a few times in the beginning only to be rejected, and Katniss changed her mind years later. Or it could also mean that he never said anything about it but Katniss could just tell from other ways how badly he wanted them. With how vague it is, it's up to interpretation. And considering how much Peeta hated the whole thing with Katniss having to pretend to be in love with him, I can't see him trying to force her to have kids that she didn't want. And there IS evidence to point to Katniss getting some joy out of their children as well.

When I first felt her stirring inside of me, I was consumed with a terror that felt as old as life itself. Only the joy of holding her in my arms could tame it.

- Mockingjay, Epilogue

No one has to ship Peeta/Katniss. I was a hardcore shipper back in the day and I still love them, but even I can admit that there are unhealthy aspects in their relationship. The extreme co-dependency and the fact that they both constantly put the other on a pedestal. But man, I wish people would quit bringing up arguments that hold no weight just for the sake of hating on them.

[switchbladegoddess]

Chapter 8 of naito’s autobiography which is about his time in mexico

USA TNA participation In S where will you base your base? Although it was a TNA expedition of gthr month, it was mainly three months and a half to America but during that time I stayed at the hotel in Orlando in Florida for a long time .. TNA is a venue within Orlando's "Universal Studios Florida" So I was recording games for TV taping. I think that it is probably about 1000 people not to enter probably because it is only the side from the main camera that the audience seats are made by making the audience seats and entrance gates in the place like the exhibition hall and placing the ring. Take a game of about two days and four weeks a month at a stretch here. We feel like one game a day. After that there was a PPV shooting with regular broadcast at about 1 a month, otherwise it was somewhat live show at other venues. That's why T does not exist. I was surprised that the number of games was quite small compared to New Japan, but in the NA era of Team 3D that was close to the hotel, I went through a total of 10 games and practiced a bit.D dojo is Brother Ray & Brother, Di ↓ "Youm 3D Academy" which was then the 1 WGP Tahugu champion then! Because there was a ring there, I played a game with young players at week 3, and Ray and Deepon were not about that content, but I could hardly understand almost (lol) I was instructing that my father seems to be a hot blooded foster, and have a rumbling dumbbell. He seems not to be a former wrestler, though. Well, the number of games is small, but I did not feel uneasy especially at that time. 11 TNA also learned Okada athletes and learned to be aware of the position of the camera during the match at the site, how about that? That is the same for me. Often it is said that millions of people are watching over the main camera r that TNA's erotic person ". It may be hard for Japanese customers to understand, but since TNA is mainly televised, it was playing while thinking about the camera's ancestry somehow. It is part that thinks attractive game, and this experience is living even after coming back to Japan. Even though I am watching Okada's game, I do not think she is conscious of the camera NO LIMIT won the MCMG with a non-title title in the first game of TNA, made a good start, I think that the reaction of customers was also good, is not it different from Japan? I bet he probably did not know who we were, but I think he was surprised at the movement of Koch. However, the ring of hexagonal system of TN A characteristic was hard to do anyway. Running at right angles to the opponent, basically it is necessary to run in the oblique direction of the opponent without having a corner, so, that is why, that was not used to the end at that time +2 «u was big names such as Sting, Cart, Angle, Kevin Nash etc in the American matte world, but what about doing research by watching the game? Or, I have not seen much of it (laugh). I think that I am interested in observing it now, but I was a wrestler over there and I had a bit of contact with Tama Tonga before coming to New Japan ... I saw it in the 3D dojo several times . When Tiger Hattori came to Orlando, we all went to eat rice, including Tama's father Mr. Ki Gaku, and Mr. Haku had seen the game left in fan days , "When you first met," Are you the one who was up to Arai Japan? "I thought after. It was Scott Steiner that I met a bit with the TNA and after all I was amazing at Steiner Brothers in New Japan in the 1990's, so I hit it with Patru Royal only once, so I got him over over the top rope I was dropped. At that time TNA had a lot of athletes, but I thought that the quality of the game was high is MCMG and AJ. I only watched their games. TNA is getting into the venue early in the day, it has been time to leave and slept in the waiting room. Because it is at 18 o'clock but the competition must be at 10 o'clock. Well, I guess I have only to go to bed. (Laugh) "11 As a result, from the surroundings I took a GOOD NIGHT and Nightwear," GOOD NAITO. It seems to have been called (laugh). r, what is this Japanese? (Laugh) "TNA had luxurious catering so much in the day and night, but basically I slept except to eat meals, but I occasionally play cards I had it mixed with AJ. It is rare for me to take that kind of behavior from myself, but it was 1 ton by crushing the ruins while playing cards with AJ and the opponent of the staff. I did not know the game, but I got taught somehow, I, sap and ase as "I am playing with uu, me, A J -." (1 夭) "When traveling abroad, are you also concerned about the trend of New Japan Matt? Will you be forgotten?" I was checking the news that I did not have when leaving Japan on the net. I was particularly concerned about the location of the 1 wGP junior tag. MC challenged in the United States and lost, MCMG did a defensive game with Ap o 11 o 55 in Japan, but even then you absolutely win! Because I was thinking. If it is not, there is no meaning that we got into America. 11 Especially what hard work did you have in the field? Because I thought, it is a barrier of words after all the words. We need English to appeal something before, during and after the game, we can not do that at all. Even when taking a promo, the TNA side did not have to speak r so much "It was like a feeling (bitter smile). No matter how good the game is in the United States, I understand it painfully that I can not succeed unless I can appeal in my business. Come to think of it, I also made Mike practice at the 3D dojo. Yujiro was doing his best in English in katakoto, but I can not speak at all, so what am I going to do. If you do that, you can do it for Japanese"I was ordered, Tetsuya Naito, my favorite food is a monster! I remember saying something like "(r)" It is delicious when you add mentaiko! It is great to eat while drinking a cola! "While saying" While I can say only this, there is a meaning to practice microphone I thought, 'Wonderful?' However, perhaps the outcome of the exercise at that time may be demonstrating now (laugh) In this TNA expedition it was the biggest match for NO LIMIT that was done on April 19> At MCMG 1 wGP Junior Tag with wire mesh 3 WAY Th e L atin A me ri can 2 change (It was a game that fulfilled the challenge with Homicide & Sean Hernande. In this house show about 2 days ago, Alex Sherry and Tag When I got involved, I got dislocated from his throwing technique and dislocated his knees.I was so swollen that I could not move at all.When on the day I hit a pain stop and tightened to tighten in the taping, the throne Although I tried to force it out because I could not shake the opportunity of war, it was not that sweet, TNA has also learned a lot, but I get back the belt Vivid debut with Mexican stews NO LIMIT went through the TNA expedition for three and a half months and wrestled Mexico CMLL from the end of May 2009 wwar What is this background? Originally, I planned to return to Japan in about two months after I regained IWGP junior tag from MCMG. It is just bad even if I go back to Japan as a result of a series match in the title match 4 It is feeling that I changed the ring to fight in the sense of breaking the state that er 勐 H was. If you are successful in CMLL, you can raise the value of NO LIMIT. - ICM LL is a naive group with the oldest history in the world. However, there are images that anyone who experienced a noise experience players who traveled to Mexico, but did not resist? I was worried about what kind of country in advance, but it is a dangerous place to investigate anywhere. To honesty I wanted to change the fighting environment, I honestly thought "I do not want to go for a while" (laugh). K, Funi, I watched the CMLL relay on Samurai TV in the era. At that time Mistico was a big There was no ater in Rucha as it was happening at , and the packing of Arena Mexico continued. Because I liked faster game development rather. However, there was prepared that I can not do it because I went to Mexico and I could not return home live (lol) "Yujiro leaked complain about Mexico entry, r ah, I never ever I had never been to go back to Japan and both of them would have enlarged the belly without any souvenirs.It will be impossible to return to Japan and the first round of CMLL will be on May 29th at the Arena Mexico Tournament Semi.Le Junior & La Sombra with a trio with El · Ifjo de Dos · Crows (Dos · Kaktor · Garza & Vorado · Ar-ú del Rio which becomes 33-ancu-ame to ena-se) Three people also participated in the New Japan later, and it seems that about 10,000 people were in the venue when I thought that it was awesome cards Japan and the United States It is totally different, the most way is to support, Mexico does not have a habit of flying calls to players together.If you like to blow a rumble that is like Vuvuzela, I mean, we were Ruud, but the response of the venue was not clear at the time It was a big boat. According to what I heard later. The guys who were near-tag champions come! It seems they had pretty much promoted it, like the advertisement like - u6 ga ga garasa down by ca at Stardust Press Garza decided to make a relentless debut with Canceled CMLL side I feel that syuji and this one became a big branch point for NO LIMIT. I decided Stardust Press at first, and KO the top players. Without this impact, the name could also be sold with a single shot, and the future of NOLIM ︼T after it seems to have changed a lot. I think that it was also connected to Ross Ingo Perna Breath after that. Did you recognize the players of R>? No, not at all in this first battle. However, as for Dos · crow, r has a little rim. He has been to the general competition in Japan several times, is not it? At that time, I got a ticket to a group of Hamaguchi gym and went to see the convention of the Yokohama Cultural Gymnasium (01-8: 18 = .DEEP 2001 In YOKOHAMA). At this time, Dos Crows threw the over mask to the audience seats before the game, but I caught it (laugh). I also wanted to tell him this episode But at that time, Spanish was also clear, so it was regrettable that I was not able to tell it, but when I was z ^ it seemed that I was staying at Eji Hotel all the time, but what is the life base in Mexico? I entered Mexico and 2 ^ 3 = was staying at a hotel next to Arena Mexico, but later I moved to a Japanese-owned pension found by Yujiro. After that I heard that Tanahashi Rider and middle 3P. It seems that he stayed there even when it was expedition to Mexico. Because it is for Japanese people, it seems that 4-point safety was guaranteed (laugh). But I also had dangerous eyes. I did not get stabbed, but I was scolded by a knife. Something, when I got on a taxi, the signal was stopped by a man who took a hand with a knife from the pick and r knife while swinging! What? Talk to me (laugh) "Because it was a strange eye, it may be that I was using an obscene medicine, then at that time the taxi driver got angry," Take that dirty hand back. It scolded and scolded away like me, but it was also!) "It is also nice (laugh). Speaking of a taxi, did not you do it? It is a routine event in Mexico. However, because it is not a big bait for the Japanese yen, it is said that it seems stupid SAZws fun is stupid "After two months or more - diarrhea continued and Kana In the stage immediately after entering the locality, I thought that "Tacos is Mexico is speaking" and I ate the guy who was selling at a stall in front of Paku, but that is a lucky stick "strong straw As it stops for a moment, I will be back soon again so when I go to Mexico it was over 100 kilometers over the 10 kilometers in that two months I did not want to go out much It was a mistake that I made it easily in front of the pension (laugh ).Area · Mexico's Luca classroom _ BUSH - This pension is the reunion in the selection? BUSH belonging to all Japan then - NO LIM 08 I went to Mexico since November but when I went to the preview of the pension it happened that I met Battari earlier than BUSH au T. I feel like each other? Since Hamaguchi Jim, I have not contacted Mexico all the time since that - it's BUSH when I first met! It is a fat image, but when I saw him in Mexico I was fluffy. With Mexico doppli and feel familiar. At that time impressive CAP who was accompanied by us] teaching Mr. Hattori, BUSHI takes care of you well · I will introduce sightseeing sites, teach the main shop, maybe the tie is , Boston's strength is the strength of BUSHI later (laugh) "It may be related to this transfer in 0, BUSH! The player has gone up to a different organization instead of CMLL at mexi n"? I went to a very far place. When I go to the venue with this taxi, it is a nightmare of CMLL! I guess it's gonna be like that. That's why it was 80% of what I would like to be harvested. (Laugh) - That was all that CMLL was broadcasting in a good time of terrestrial broadcasting, and I gained a sense of recognition at a stroke with a single shot that sent Gulfa to tanka. For me, Mexico is more indie group like iw RG than in the US It was a place like about 1 o'clock, but I was also enjoying having a lot of excitement going to see the game so far . - BUSH - It seems that it was a relationship held in the field. Certainly BUSH 1 took care of me, I am BUSH! I guess you'd feel like trying to give the ogle to you, BUSH! I came from Guy Guy (laugh) "I was not interested in organizations other than New Japan, and at that time he was a member of all Japan, so I did not feel like getting along well. One medicine. But, BUSH! Before I go anywhere I take the initiative I know something nice: with. It seems that half of the returning week seems to have taken me to a barbecue shop. Do not say the presence or absence when the slip comes in! "Offering to the cotch (laugh). Well, BUSH! I got a consultation when I made costumes and ring shoes in the field and he was selling it making original shirts and goods, but also support "Naito san also should do it" doing for me. Collectibles are irrespective of the permission of the group, it is feeling that each player is doing it without permission. Rather, if you do not do it yourself, it will be made without permission and sold at the shop (bitter smile). 111 Rights relationship is in an uncontrollable state (laugh). I was also Ogow, but CMLL was fight money so much! . Basically anything is ants, so that country. If you look at selling merchandises of Japanese maskmen around the venue still, you absolutely do not have permission, do you? I think (laugh). Also, BUSH! He gave me a variety of ingredients from Japan, so make curry and make rice balls for your lunch. I was able to rice well in the morning "and came to wake me up. Right now, his role in J. ru CA, in fact, it was exactly like a wife..What kind of pace was the CMLL? TNA has a small number of games, but CMLL has some permanent venues, and when I was there, Monday was around 3-4 per week from the beginning Arena Puebla 9. We are holding a tournament every week here, Tuesday is Arena · Mexico 冫: name - 1 and Arena ·, Coliseo · Guadalajara (C squirrel NE) 2 places. I wonder if it was Arena Mexico or Terrahara on Sunday. Clerical IT of CMLL It was too early to become familiar with IT Ruta. CMLL is closed on Wednesday and Thursday, Friday is on Arena Mexico on Saturday and is closed on Nácoliseo - + - a na ,, - 1, Arena · Coriceo · Guada once a week, I'm going to check out, but the games were organized on the main semi semi - NO LIM. That's why Yujiro has taken over the Japanese style battle. Whether Mexico did not suit, Rucha classroom which I am presiding also came only about the first time. _ cMLL holds a course to teach Lucha, from young people aiming for Lucha doll to active players. There are many classes, and what to do by the teacher is different. I was not forced to attend at Arena Mexico, but I was taught to the former athlete who took a break. There was not srer from the staff y; +0 so it is tires and 41 people. Q-. 'ther, r ___ ___ ___ ___ 0 ___ ___ 0 ___ ___ 0 ___ ___ ___ 0 It is practice of e to say that there were a lot of basic 6. So when you sleep after the 2 hour practice is over and go to the gym train to the gym from the evening when there is no match → + 6, honest Where in Luchi + 4 the room is quite quite quiet on the CMLL 's top, but the first places I sold originally did not come, but in my case I will stay there Because it was great that I became acquainted with other Ruchador because I was in trouble Temple helps you - What kind of lechado did you learn together? If you are familiar with Japanese fans, mascara, Dorada, or a race that is over 20 years old Probably it was before and after the CMLL debut.What is the same physique as me R "I became a partner well in the practice of becoming a pair of two people. Other than that, Sombra 6 gave a voice to me, but Jimbra was a different class. If you meet in the venue or in the street, feel free to talk about the original members of Ingo Berna Press, you tas. La I feel that the connection of has been used later. Everything is "Tranquilo" Is it also in Mexico? zo ー ー MIT was basically a separate action except on the ring, but I met only with the huge 1alar hand at the venue almost .. At the time of TNA was still in the same room at the hotel but in Mexico Because it was a separate room at Pensin, so much else. Well, I did not mention much about the pension itself, though. Unlike in the United States for some reason, I personally got hooked on Mexico. I made friends of Rucha d'Or and local colleagues, and I was imprisoned in the Mexican house unexpectedly. Back to the pension is when you are going to pick up your luggage, at that timing you feel like going out to eat rice with BUSH-. So, say "Ok then" I will return to my friend's house (laugh). 11 At that time, Naito was particularly good friends Ruchadoru? Angel de Oro 12 years rSUPER! Will you join? And then that older brother, Angel De I also know Soprano · Junior who came to 193 Plata (4th? DC) - "CMLL FANTASTICA MANIA" aw ru, war) since he was young. Because I lived behind the house of a good friend of mine. Is not the best reason why Mexico fitted was nonbillion. Everything is called "trunk-t" or CMLL officials said, "Because there is a TV coverage, we are gathering at Arena Mexico at 10 am", no one came by on time Yes. So when it comes around eleven o'clock or around twelve o'clock, it will come without worrying (a bitter smile). At the beginning I was with Ira, but the feeling that one can not be bound by that time has become fit for me. It was very free air. So, I did a lot of things that I do not do in Japan. Unlike Japan, there are no acquaintances in the venue, and even if we get in line, I do not understand it in Spanish, so it was said that it was an easy environment to do such things. For example, regular people sitting in the front row of the audience seats every time, but I was pretty much pleased. So, Mexico is tired easily because Mexico is thin, so I went to those people during the game, got a bee ,, aru or popcorn and played a game while nutritioning tu IICMLL requests and restrictions on games Did you have it? CA (laugh). It was said quite strongly that the weapon was not good. After that the pile driver is banned 194 It is cheerful, because it will be suspended when you use it, it seems that there is a license of Ruchador certified by the Mexican Federal District Commission beyond, so it seems that we can not do it together We are a special border from abroad , I got a license not to take a test, I always had one. "It was vulnerable. 6 · There was never been checked at the venue, well, well, basically if you pay for money it is what makes it the country. If there is no license for the car, the trial and Rucha · Libre competitor association (laugh). (Laugh), because it seems to buy with gold Na Nao is 8 patterns, Naito is posing positively with his index finger and thumb with his left eye Abre el ojo (AN - H Leo 4) J (REP Open your eye) It was born on an expedition this time, is not it? That's right. At first, after being afraid of being an oriental person, it is pretentious, but (uzuEre Japanese Ruchadoru) "What are you saying?" OKUMURA ​​player "Orient people are making a fool of opening their eyes. Because it is thin ". Certainly there were audiences who pulled out the edge of the eyes to narrow down the field, so on the contrary, "I see, you can open the cotch?" I started doing that gesture. After that, the reaction was big from the beginning, and it quickly penetrated as a trademark of self-sufficiency. As I walked through the city, I heard that I opened my eyes saying "Nait It is cheerful, because it will be suspended when you use it, it seems that there is a license of Ruchador certified by the Mexican Federal District Commission beyond, so it seems that we can not do it together We are a special border from abroad , I got a license not to take a test, I always had one. "It was vulnerable. 6 · There was never been checked at the venue, well, well, basically if you pay for money it is what makes it the country. If there is no license for the car, the trial and Rucha · Libre competitor association (laugh). (Laugh), because it seems to buy with gold Na Nao is 8 patterns, Naito is posing positively with his index finger and thumb with his left eye Abre el ojo (AN - H Leo 4) J (REP Open your eye) It was born on an expedition this time, is not it? That's right. At first, after being afraid of being an oriental person, it is pretentious, but (uzuEre Japanese Ruchadoru) "What are you saying?" OKUMURA ​​player "Orient people are making a fool of opening their eyes. Because it is thin ". Certainly there were audiences who pulled out the edge of the eyes to narrow down the field, so on the contrary, "I see, you can open the cotch?" I started doing that gesture. After that, the reaction was big from the beginning, and it quickly penetrated as a trademark of self-sufficiency. As I walked through the city, I heard that I opened my eyes saying "Naito!" Because there were many people who showed Bose, but in fact, it was not like ifa strings Gttee, Yujiro player ab, were you outraged? (Well, that poise came in, there are also many farming associations receiving interviews from various media on the site and it is said that in the talk show like r konko in Japan " I had been out, but because Spanish was the main thing so basically I just did a pose that opened my eyes all the time (laugh) "Were you playing with iR! 110 at that time? I was cheerful but I did not come to the scene on the day (bitter smile). Even though I take it one, I think that Mexico did not suit me. "OKUMURA ​​Even though the players are careful, Even if you are looking at by side whether you are watching by side, the feeling that you are having fun in the United States has been communicated, so Hirouji Shiro is nothing more about what will happen in Mexico, how it will be formed after coming back to Japan Thinking about it 41 On the contrary, I was thinking about Japan about returning to Japan n 40 and thinking that it was not the top in C MLL. "Did there be any difference in the popularity of NO LIMIT at the site? I think that it was so, like the cheers in the game, the venue 0, the rate I can call out when I get out Since I was watching the sun at Arenamakebi m and being playing well, it was Shokufuku, and in Rude ai - u the loss of Ross, Guerrero slug Nero 's missing! Timo Greero who did it was that boss and it was more noticeable as it was characterized by an aggressive attack. For Technico "r»: a 5, "The popularity of Stiko and Polador is terrible, and it is as the continuing after that, Sombra, about twenty years old, gathered attention and supported it, and to Japanese fans I suppose it will not be familiar, but I remember well the season like Tuscano and it is not a player with big features, but because I was the opponent who won the hair cut match. 111 Hair trimmer match, the Arena mehi nva hosted the big match r Infinno on July 31, 2009. It is a battle against 15 crowded wire gauze Cabella in A-L-Ring. It is er. As a fighting game, the man who escaped from the wire mesh is overwhelming, and at the end it became a single fight with Toscan EN, and I was dangerous whether it was late running away and being a booby penalty (K) 7-11 Last Naito fought at the Dragon Soup Rex and Toscano became a full-bodied figure! This and the first Tiger Mask Sayama on January 16, the Japanese won the match against Caberajer at Arena Mexico 79 A year ago, Alphon? Danthes. Since I made it a tea ceremony, it was the first time in 30 years that I gathered aw and collected It would not have been transmitted to Japan, but the locality was blown up by mecha kuchiya. In the first place u himself was winning Mexicans at the main of Arena Mexico, it was almost impossible almost impossible, so at the moment I won, the fireworks came up in the hall and confetti snowed. In that victory, I thought that the fire was more popular, listening to the name of the chief - Tiger is also legendary in the field, but rather I was called Raigel You're a Ryger player. When we were in Mexico, big linger players also joined in short-term expedition due to the appearance of Hisabisa in Mexico, but it was a hot topic. Ryger has participated in CMLL for about two weeks from September 11, 2009. I'm going to pick up Ryger at the airport, but not a local specialty magazine or a sports newspaper but a great number of media gathered from general magazines to television. Even when NOLIMI T entered Mexico, the number of TVs was one or two, but it did not compare with that one. -NO LIMIT is a quartet with Riger player and 0 KUMURA ​​players and Guelero & Atlantis & Garza & Black Warrior at the annual maximum event of CML on September 18 r Anniversary Salio " I won pairs and left the impact. At that time Arena Mexico was buried gissiri from end to end and it was awesome excitement, so its impression is stronger than the game. Mexico is strongly patriotic, so booing was focused on nch as expected, but when I came up with the Riger player at CMLL, I realized again that "Riger 's awesome popularity is reality. In my CMLL my popularity is higher "I thought. However, I was confident through this expedition as much as "I am not a device for Liger." The feeling was really strong. In the middle of November, during the expedition of Mexico in the war against Cabella, Mr. Sugiba president (currently · 0 and Tiger Hattori visited the site, having a meeting with the representative Francisco Alonso, the work of both groups The partnership was officially announced.CMLL It was thought that because NO LIMIT played an active part in Mexico that it became a solid relationship to that. Prior to that, Tanahashi player, Nakayashi Cho, Taguchi player and Goto players. Many Japanese Rises to CMLL. I only have and only months we have continued to rise to E main or semi because we are the only ones we had business collaboration announced during our expedition and it will be the success of NO LIMIT . I went up to the ring of Denipur Saorio and felt the rousing enthusiasm of Luca with skin, so I thought, "Japanese fans do not know this fever but I want to tell you by our active activities." So it was a pleasure when I heard the alliance. And at this time, President Suginbayashi gave NO LIMIT a 1.4 Tokyo Dome plan for the next 10 years. However, because NO LIMIT is an important time to dig into the CMLL 's top front line, "I want you to prepare conditions, positions and guarantee that we are convinced if returning home," then -2. This is totally real intention. It is a waste to let go of the position built with our power. In the place that it is set as the summit of Mexico a little more, I am lost about what I have to go back to Japan. That was the kind of feeling that I do not want to get out of New Japan before I go out on a trip abroad, but even though I felt the possibilities and responsiveness as my wrestler in Mexico. About TN when I was concerned about Japan, but after going to Mexico that CA It is not even. So, rather than returning to Japan, I was thinking how to deliver the situation that is active in this CMLL to Japan more. , At that time, NO L-MIT is CMLL and El Terrible & Tejano Jr.'s Tag Team · Iho de Apelo. And had developed conflict. Tejano is trying to challenge the 1 w GP junior heavyweight championship held by Mr. Minoru in 2007 and · Terrible later collaborated with BULLET CLUB, both of which are related to New Japan, but what kind of Do you have an impression? CMLL is a lot of lightweight players who are good at airborne killing, but terrier and Tehano obviously have a body deck .. There is not much flying skill and ordinary Japanese heavyweight players Feeling close to us, we were mutually mutual, but CMLL was losing as soon as we inflated a foul, so it was unexpectedly batting in a straight game. And, both teams will play Capelli 2 races at the main of December 4, CMLL's Last Big Match Jin Sarida '. At this time, it was done with three games, the third one greeted one on one, Naito ate after eating a 1 and Teribre visited the diving body press and was defeated and fought. sat, zo, MIT is becoming a shudder "to the key point (bitter smile)" The shopkeeper of Life = 3 degrees That was a humiliation 4 "It was as small as memorable vs, t2% It was yelled at the Makabe player and turned down by Mr. Masaru, Mr. Hirasawa (bitter smile)" It was the third time in my life But, in the first place the game you played in Mexico is the final settlement, or the title match is like a battle. So during this expedition period I and Yujiro also rounded Luchador. That is how I left the track record and fought at the front line of CMLL, but when they lost and became a shudder r ah, it ended up "I became a feeling. That 's why the things we built are close to the feeling of collapse. It is only a few minutes to cut it, but I thought about various things. Although it is Ruud vs Rude, as it is a graphic expression of Mehi ng Ha Pon や, it is exciting when the other side won over us no matter what kind of hands, because we used to make the Mexican shoulder until then Basically think that "Zamami kan Raw" was air - At the end of this game NO LIMIT will return to the country, but is the game still unforgettable? In many ways it seems ... ... Actually, I was in physical condition with a shock when I was invited to Mr. Sugabayashi to talk about my return home in November. Something, r, ever Mexi

[kindabraveandlittlestupid]

Gamer Girls are kind of amazing. I mean am not saying all girl NEED to be gamers and it's far from a deal breaker for a relationship but having a Player 2 in the household is kind of amazing. I want to come home from work and find a pizza on the table and cutie with a booty sitting on the sofa in PJ’s waiting for me to join her in a game for a bit. Of course, the option of making it Netflix Night or something else is also welcome but I have been (for my whole life) a gamer since the original Sega system up to my custom built PC I use now. And I want to share that with her.

So for all you Game Girls and Wonderful Girlfriends who are willing to try new things to make your lover happy (or reverse relationships where your a Gamer Girl trying to get your Boyfriend or Girlfriend into games). I present you my Co-Op Date Night Video Game List.

Enjoy.

A Way Out

I admit I have not yet played this game but it looks damn good and reminds me a fair amount of Splinter Cell which appeals to me. From what I have seen the voice acting and graphics are on par with Grand Theft Auto and the gameplay seems very clean. Nothing like working together to break out of prison to bring us closer.

Learning Curb for Significant Other ? ? ? ? ? (No idea how hard this will be)

Diablo 1, 2, & 3

The Diablo series has always been a pretty basic point and click approach with spells on the hotkeys and some minor inventory management. As the games went on more playable characters unlocked with each new game. This game would be a fun side by side experience with two PC’s playing as a male and female character out to kill the Devil himself. 

Learning Curb for Significant Other ★★★☆☆ (Gotta teach the hotkey basics)

Don’t Starve Together

The second game on the list I have yet to play. The animation reminds me of something from Tim Burton meeting Invader Zim. Despite the strangely clever art style, I like the concept of the game of running around resourcing to stay alive. This kind of co-op experience is about carrying your weight and working together.

Learning Curb for Significant Other ? ? ? ? ? (I won't ever let you go hungry before me)

Fortnite

I was playing Save the World setting of the game long before most players were hearing about the soon to be released PUBG. I don't know if that makes me cool or incredibly nerdy but probably both. This game is full of action and I prefer the build mode of the other Save the World Game mode which is where I would want to take you. Gathing supplies building a base, fighting a horde of zombies and winning.

Learning Curb for Significant Other ★★★☆☆ (I’m not always ahead of the trends but when I do it was Fortnite)

Guitar Hero and Rock Band

An oldy but a goody! Guitar Hero and Rock Band both brought the concert into the family room. I loved those first games but really lost interest fast once the microtransactions pretty much dominated the last couple of games. Nothing like ruining a game by demanding another dollar for a song you like. Regardless of those failings, I would love to find another guitar and mic for us to play together. Don’t worry if you can't sing I can play bass and you can take lead. Slapping the bass man!

Learning Curb for Significant Other ★★★☆☆ (P.S. Don’t let me drum)

Heroes of the Storm

Heroes of the Storm is kind of a Blizzard grab bag exploring the DOTA setting. I can't imagine us playing this long term unless we REALLY get into the game and spend some pay to play cash to unlock some characters for her early on. I met a few girls in my life who played games like this and all of them have been amazing people, I hope to do this with my S.O. in the future.

Learning Curb for Significant Other ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ (A bit more skill based but still very much friendly to new players)

Keep Talking Nobody Explodes

The only VR game on the list but a fun one that requires for two people to work together to defuse a bomb. The first person gets a binder full of paper to read off of and the other has the VR goggles on with the remotes waiting to defuse the bomb. I imagine if you’re really shit communicator this might be a hard game to play but then again it can help you work on that, can’t it?

Learning Curb for Significant Other ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ (I hope we have good communication skills)

Left 4 Dead 1 & 2

Simple enough to learn and control, the hard part is knowing when to save my ass from a smoker drag or engaging the zombies in an effective way that we don't get punched to death. There is always one female character to play as so you won’t ever be without a lady to play as unless you’re one of those weird girls who likes Ellis. I don’t get it.

Learning Curb for Significant Other ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ (Get to the Chopper!)

Lego Games

Far from challenging collection, Lego Games are known to be kid-friendly. Kid-friendly also means new gamer girlfriend friendly. I don’t mind getting silly with lego games to get you into gaming in general. Thus it sits on this list!

NOTE: Got tons of options like Jurassic Park, Batman, Harry Potter, Star Wars, Marvel, Pirates of Caribbean, and more...

Learning Curb for Significant Other ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ (Silly rabbit Legos are for kids!)

Life is Strange

Apparently, this game is amazing and it operates like Telltale Games where choices matter. From my understanding, if you like Riverdale then this sort of plot is right up your alley, which is great for young women who love that show. I am more of a Sabrina fan myself but you do you.

Learning Curb for Significant Other ? ? ? ? ? (As seen on Tumblr!)

Mariokart

Mariokart is a game that can ruin relationships. I imagine I might sleep on the sofa if you blue turtle shell me at the end of the tace and your butt is something far lower then second place. I personally prefer the arena battles with the balloons but I am simply old school like that when I still had a third arm from my chest for the N64 console. 

Learning Curb for Significant Other ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ (I hope we have good communication skills)

Minecraft

Minecraft and the Sims are the only two games you can play without the other person being there and that being perfectly ok. I mean Sims you have to with it being single player but if you had an afternoon on Minecraft without me I wouldn't be angry with the progress you made. It really is a relaxing game unless you’re out at night and hear a sudden his sound that blows out the wall of your house.

Learning Curb for Significant Other ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ (Thop Thop Thop Thop Pop)

Overcooked 1 & 2

Overcooked is an insanely fun game about cooking. It requires people to follow instructions and get into a flow of handling jobs in the kitchen. If done right it can be a really rewarding experience. If done wrong... well people start getting loud with one another.

Learning Curb for Significant Other ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ (Why didn’t anyone wash the dishes?!)

Overwatch

This would be interesting, I know the female gamer community is growing and certain games have a draw. I pleasantly surprised that there seems to be a large number of gamer girls who enjoy Overwatch or maybe I am projecting the cosplay community. Either way, I want to be your Solider 76 and have you be my healer keeping me upright and fighting. Maybe I will dress up as your favorite male character later. *wink*

Learning Curb for Significant Other ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ (Tracer has a nice butt, there I said it)

Payday 1 & 2

Payday is a pretty forgiving game in the sense that the bank robbers are pretty much bullet sponges who are kind of hard to kill. The real fun is taking a bank without anyone knowing that we are doing it. With some fun female characters to play as I think we can have a good old time taking hostages and emptying vaults out together.

Learning Curb for Significant Other ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ (Gonna steal you some diamonds)

Portal 2

Portal is 1 part first-person shooter, 1 part logic puzzles and 1 part rewiring your brain to think in Portals. The game isn't very high stress but does require some skill for the later levels and some experience with first-person controls. I would save this game last for this list to make sure we are on par for our skillset to handle the struggle that is Portal 2.

Learning Curb for Significant Other ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (Teamwork makes the dream work)

Resident Evil 5 and Later

This game isn't really hard as it is the controls are kind of crap. The stand and shoot principal of Resident Evil really brought down the quality of the early games like the camera angles. That said it was an early co-op with the kinda cute interracial duo that makes you think (they be a hot couple). I kinda want to revisit this game along with some of the other later games and play with my lover once she is comfy enough playing video games with me.

Learning Curb for Significant Other ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (I got your back honey)

Stardew Valley

Stardew Valley is a really simple looking game that is surprisingly good by keeping you busy with well... busy work. One improvement to the game was the Multiplayer Update/Beta that allowed 2 people to work on a farm together. I really love the idea of building a home with my SO and playing side by side for an hour or so every day making our lives a little better, well in a digital sense.

Learning Curb for Significant Other ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ (Lets farm together boo)

State of Decay 2

We need to be ready for the inevitable zombie apocalypse. This game allows us to build our own survivor and explore a town, house by house raiding for supplies like ammunition, medicine, food, and so on. I think a little teamwork goes a long way in making us grow closer don’t you think?

Learning Curb for Significant Other ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ (All about survival)

Super Smash Bros.

Anyone who knows me I have issues with Mario despite the fact he made this list twice. Super Smash Bros. gets a seat on this list mostly because of how user-friendly the game is and how fun 4 player co-op can be. I mean... if we were swingers on Date Night that fills the other two spots but since it's you and me we can smash all night long just the two of us.

Learning Curb for Significant Other ★ ★ ☆ ☆☆ (Great ‘Party Game’ and fun for ‘Button Smashers’)

Telltale Games

Pretty much story time for couples where we sit down with some popcorn and take turns doing some minor walk around with characters and making quick story-altering choices together. Imagine the excited screams as we aren't sure which option to pick while playing the Walking Dead! There are so many Telltale Titles to consider playing from Game of Thrones, TWD, Batman, Guardians of The Galaxy, Fables, and Back to the Future so we wont be bored anytime soon.

Learning Curb for Significant Other ★ ☆ ☆ ☆☆ (Stress might spike for tough story choices)

The Sims

The Sims have been around since the late 90′s and captured the imagination of boys and girls across the country alike. While the game is not a ‘co-op’ per say managing a family together on one PC is doable and can be kind of rewarding. I just hope she doesn't remove the ladder by the pool and down my virtual avatar.

Learning Curb for Significant Other ★ ☆ ☆ ☆☆ (Real Simple Stuff Here)

Honorable Mentions

Far Cry 5 - Not the best game but still gives us an open world to discover. Advanced players only.

Ghost Recon: Wildlands - Another open world game to fight the drug cartels. You can create a pretty cute female on this game too.

The Division - Do I have something against open world games? No just Ubisoft games that may be too hard for a new gamer to play.

Splinter Cell: Blacklist - Fuck I miss these games. Splinter Cell was the perfect Co-op Stealth game. We will revisit this one if we burn through the list.

Fable 3 - Chicken Chaser? Do you chase chickens? Fable was a memorable game but way to limited for the years it was being produced. I want to revisit this series soon.

Fallout 76 - Still pretty fresh but still Co-Op able. I have mixed feelings on the game but the character customization might be good for making ourselves in game.

Starcraft 2 - This game has a co-op hero mod perfect for building bases and completing missions. The learning curve is higher for strategy games but it makes the list for fun co-op.

Wrap Up

I scribbled most of these games down myself but when I decided to see what other games couples played, I was pleasantly surprised to find most of the games I wrote were also on their lists. I did cannibalize a few other online lists (such as Resident Evil 5, A Way Out and Don’t Starve Together) but most of my content was original thoughts on my end that other people also saw the potential in (honest to god it was the Overcooked game that inspired me to write this). I like to keep this post as a reminder to myself of what I want to do with my girlfriend or maybe one day my kids (assuming they want to be my player 2 and kill some zombies with their old man). Either way I can't wait to do either and I missed anything that you think should be on this list let me know.

As always thanks for reading.

Regards, Michael California

[everlarkstories]

Captured

This story has been in my head ever since I heard the song - Write You A Song by the Plain White T’s - for the first time. I hope you enjoy it! x

It has been 42 days since the Capitol captured me. The last thing of the Games I can remember is her, shooting that arrow up in the sky and flying backwards, only seconds before I hit the ground too. I was laying on my back, unable to do something from this distance. There was an explosion. The ceiling started to collapse. I wanted to run to her but I was too late. Her body got taken by a hovercraft and I thought she was dead. Why didn’t I stay with her? Why did we have to split up? And why isn’t there anyone coming for us?

No, I’m not the only one here. Sometimes I hear them scream when they’re being tortured, Johanna and another girl, I think she’s called Annie. But then again, they also hear me. The Capitol is trying to get information out of us. They’re asking questions about some sort of rebellion, but I’ve no clue what they’re talking about. And after the questions, the torturing begins.

It’s awful. They’re showing me recordings of the arena. I’ve no idea why they’re doing this, probably to please me and get answers, but afterwards the hallucinations follow. Tracker jackers venom. I know how it feels because I’ve felt it before. I’m glad they only use the venom and not the animal with his angle. When the hallucinations begin they’re showing me pictures and again some recordings from the arena. It’s weird, since I can’t remember them exactly like that. On the other hand, it’s so real. Did it really happen? I’m questioning myself that after every session.

The more sessions I get, the more I can remember. Maybe I just forgot. The arena is traumatizing. Sometimes you try to get rid of the bad memories, try to turn them into something nice or just try to forget about it, but they will always be stuck in the back of your head. It’s painful to watch these recordings. I don’t know what’s real anymore. I can’t imagine I was chasing Katniss, wanting to kill her. We’re allies, right? But then again, did she really tried to kill me with that tracker jacker nest? Did she really aim that arrow at me when she found me, hiding between the rocks? Was she really refusing to get that medicine I badly needed after my fever got worse the first time in the arena?

They showed me how we were arguing if she was going for the package or not. I was saying that the blood poisoning was getting worse and I didn’t make it if she wouldn’t go, but she refused. ‘’I’m dead the second I get there! If you want to have it, go get it yourself!’’ I got mad. With all the strength I had left I threw a knife at her. I’m not that good at throwing knifes, so I hit her head, leaving a deep cut. Did I really try to kill her that moment? No, I didn’t. I care about her, but does she feel the same about me?

I hear someone scream. I can’t really make out who it is, but I guess the sessions are starting again. It all begun a week after they brought us here. Johanna and Annie are lucky. I’m not sure if they’re doing the same to them but they only have one session a day, I have three. They think I’m the most valuable one they have. I start to panic. I’m doing this since the fifth session, when I knew they were going to do this daily. To calm myself a little bit I’m thinking about home, District 12. It comforts me to think about the bakery. The smell of freshly baked bread in the morning. The compliments I got from my father after decorating the cakes. The compliment Katniss gave me…

The screaming stops. All I hear is a door slam shut. I’m scared. The sessions are getting worse. I’m trying to remember everything from the arenas, but it’s hard. I knew Katniss got that medicine after all the yelling and screaming. I knew I got hit by the electric fence. Her face when I opened my eyes again, as if she thought I was dead for a second. She was so happy. I’m glad they didn’t let me see that scene. It’s the only thing that makes me think she cares about me and she’s coming, even though I’m not sure if she’s still alive. But she has to. If they show me that scene, I’m not sure what will happen. I need to think about good memories. Good memories about her, but it’s hard. I just want to be with her now. I want to know if this is all true, if she’s still alive.

Suddenly, I remember something. The Capitol can’t show me that memory since it wasn’t in the arena. After the first Games Katniss broke her foot after slipping on ice. I dragged her upstairs to her bedroom and tucked her into bed. When I turned to walk back to the door, she called my name. “Peeta.” I turned back. “Will you stay with me?’’ Before I had even answered I was walking towards her. I laid down next to her, my arms wrapped around her. ‘’Always,’’ I said. When she was asleep for a while, I stood up, kissed her forehead and left.

I walked to the front steps of my house. Sitting there, watching over the ugly place. My head was empty. I didn’t know what to think. When I was watching the dead flowers, a song popped up in my head. Or well, not really a song. More some kind of melody. I had it before, when I saw Katniss standing in front of the bakery a few years ago. I went inside the house, picked up a pencil and some paper and I sat down behind the desk. I started to add words to the melody. After a couple of minutes I had some sentences on the paper which sounded really good. I never told someone I did this, but it didn’t matter. I’m not the singing type.

I hear another scream. After her, they’re coming for me. I start to rock back and forth, back and forth. Nothing can comfort me now. I know what’s coming and I’m not prepared. I’m never prepared. In a sudden, I remember the song from that day. I add some lines which come straight to my mind on a scrap paper, since I didn’t finish the song, and I start singing.

I don't know how to make lots of money I got debts that I'm trying to pay I can't buy you nice things, like big diamond rings But that don't mean much anyway I can't give you the house you've been dreaming If I could I would build it alone I'd be out there all day, just hammering away Make us a place of our own

I will write you a song That's how you'll know that my love is still strong I will write you a song And you'll know from this song that I just can't go on without you

I don't know that I'd make a good soldier I don't believe in being violent and cruel I don't know how to fight, but I'll draw blood tonight If somebody tries hurting you

I will write you a song That's how you'll know that my love is still strong I will write you a song And you'll know from this song that I just can't go on without you

Now that it's out on the table Both of us knew all along I've got your loving and you've got my song

I don't know how to make lots of money I don't know all the right things to do I can't say where we'll go, but the one thing I know Is how to be a good man to you Until I die that's what I'll do

I will write you a song That's how you'll know that my love is still strong I will write you a song And you'll know from this song that I just can't go on without I will write you a song That's how you'll know that my love is still strong I will write you a song And you know from this song that I just can't go on without you

A couple of seconds after I’m finished, the door opens. Two men walk in and grab me by my arms. Like always I start struggling, hoping they’d let go of me. That I can hit them in the head or something, run out of the door and escape from this nightmare. But if that was even possible, there are cameras everywhere in this building which means other guards would come after me and grab me. I don’t want to know what happens after that, so I stop resisting. Before my session started, I could only think of one thing:

I wished I had sung the song to her when I still had the chance.

[zachsgamejournal]

PLAYING: Final Fantasy VII Remake

I put in some work.

I successfully performed Dance-Dance Honey Bee Inn, escaped the sewers by playing a mini-game that made me want to play Titanic: Adventure Out of Time, experienced a less-than-rewarding ghost story that made me want to play Metro, and saved a pillar from its all-important job to keep things from falling.

This was a pretty fun session. I didn't want to stop playing, but it was bed time. The "ghost story" didn't fully connect with me. If anything, it asked more questions--and it was hard to consider those questions when the Turks were trying to crush the slums a hundred yards away. I then did the sequence of defending the pillars--and my god, they made it stretch. The words I keep using to describe this game: Pacing and Stretch. Wall Market Wrap-Up

I was a little disappointed with the Wall Market section. I thought I wasn't going to get to cross-dress. Instead, they surprised me with a left hook and had the cross dressing derive from a sexually ambiguous Andrea. This is probably the best change in the game. Firstly, you discover the orphanage's school teacher works here at night: sex-work positivity! And then you got Andrea. This almost makes the lame ass battle arena worth it--since that's what inspires Andrea. I don't hate the intro of Madam M--but Sam is worthless, and his flirting with M is annoying. I would much rather have the Gym Owner have been one of the trio--bring back some of the original's vibe. In a sense, I still prefer the original's sequence.

I think they could have worked in the trio by challenging the player to appease them. Each member laid out expectations and through a series of mini-games (like in the original), the player earns outfits, accessories, and skills to please the trio.

The dance with Andrea, while entertaining, was more challenging than necessary. The frantic camera angles with swooping button prompts made it hard to play the mini game or enjoy the dance off. Too much style and not enough playability. Meeting the Don

Anyway--we make it in and meet Tifa. Why did they gas us? Like--we came here to meet the Don?? The line “She came here to be bothered” from Magic Mike kept popping into mind. Anyway, I assume the game has the Don always pick Cloud. The whole sequence...well, it was almost too overplayed. Kinda of my problem with the whole game. The original had exaggerated performances cause the characters were made of 17 polygons and had no facial expressions. With the power of the PS4, subtlety was both obtainable and an imperative. This Dungeon Stinks (pun)

Down to the sewers. I've switched to easy mode (well, whatever the mode is where the game plays itself). I still control my character most the time, but the fighting is getting to me. The dungeons are long with minimal story or character development to keep it interesting. And cause I'm me, I have to explore every corner.

The Sewers could have been a good bonding chance for Aerith and Tifa: what brought you to Midgar? Tifa: to fight Shinra. Aerith: mysteriously avoids the question. Tifa could discuss her passion to rise in the ranks of Avalanche, her concern for the people of the slums, and how she took initiative with the Don. Aerith could have mentioned how she has to avoid Turks. Lots of opportunity to fill in with good character development. A Grave Mistake (more puns)

Coming into the train graveyard the game's pacing got way off. Tifa whined for nearly the entire sewer dungeon about whether Corneo was telling the truth about Turks attacking the pillar. First problem, this is a one note gimmick that showed how little story they had to fill an entire sewer dungeon with. Second, we know he was telling the truth.

So now we're at the haunted graveyard. At this point, I'm pretty sure, it's revealed that the Turks have begun their assault. But hold your horses gang, we've got a mystery to solve first. The game time between Don revealing the assault and getting through the sewers/train grave yard in the original game is less than hour. The sense of urgency is there, and you're rushing to help. But in the remake, the Sewer and Train Graveyard are each 45+ minutes. It just doesn't feel urgent. And when we get to the train graveyard and the urgency is established, we're encouraged to care about a bunch of kid ghosts and brief glimpse into Aerith's past.

Not the time, friends.

Instead, when we get to the train graveyard, they should show the pillar intact. Show that it's not under immediately danger. The urgency isn't "It could fall at any minute", the urgency is, "We have to warn the others". That would have kept the ghost story from being overshadowed by the obviously more important event happening next door. THEN, when we finally hopped the fence to the train station, a chopper flies overhead and the battle begins! So Many Stairs! The tower sequence...man. Once again, a short moment in the original game. This was stretched by several unnecessary and poorly paced cut scenes. We’re there with Biggs and Jessie when they die. I think this is probably significant, but I was so bored with the sequence as a whole, I couldn’t get into it. It was interesting to follow Aerith on her mission to get Marlene, but it was hampered by unnecessary obstacles and cut scenes. What was the point of Aerith saving an extra little girl? All this after being delayed by the entire train graveyard--I just wasn’t having it. And then Aerith and Marlene talk FOR-EV-ER--like come on, this is life or death. I think preferably, no cut scenes. Aerith runs through the slums being cut off by debris as people rush around her. Have a brief cut scene with Marlene. “I’ve come to take you somewhere safe.” “You smell like my flower.” Intuitive trust is born. THEN have Aerith slowly carry Marlene through the slums, All the while, they have a conversation about Barret not coming home and the meaning of family. But right as they reach the exit, Tseng is waiting for them. The deal is struck. Are the Turks evil in this game? They were bad in the original. It was confusing that we all became friends in Advent Children. I feel like what they’ve done in this game is add dialog without adding character. I really wanted this game to take a deeper look at Midgar and the characters within. So far it’s just been taking a longer look.

[teamoliv-archive]

Cheshire Charity Tournament: Bracket 1, Round 7

“I know you’re all enjoying that tournament out there! So let’s get to the next match! Here we have two competitors who arrived on Ty’s own say so.”

“First up is Lapis Hamelin from the far-off little village of Pineyard. His whole team is competing so stay tuned to see how the rest do.”

“His opponent is Auburn Huldre. She’s a bit young for the huntress gig yet, but she’s got herself a sweet little apprenticeship with Cheshire Financial.”

Auburn sneered at Lapis the blades slowly flaring out of the discs at her wrists. “You know, you and your sister didn’t put up much of a fight when I saw you last time. Want to see what happens when you don’t run away?”

“Yeah, too bad I missed what Cheshire did to your face,” Lapis replies darkly, “Don’t think I’ve forgiven you for a second for what you put Lazuli through. Count yourself lucky there’s rules- because this is personal.”

Lapis held out his weapon to his side while he let it unfold and spin into its melee form. He grips it tighter when the blades spring out from either side. He held out his other arm in front of him, his barrier semblance forming in front of him- then he rushes forward.

Auburn rushed forward and jumped up on top of Lapis’s shield, letting him fling her in whatever direction he chose upon landing and taking to the sky in that direction. She turned and flicked her wrists out, sending the six blades attached to her wrist mounts to fly off in circles. Her shadow beneath her started to writhe and spread out beneath her, roaring to life when she landed and spreading out a mass of eyes and grins throughout the arena and obscuring both their forms. 

“Then I won’t waste time with a warm up.”

Lapis carefully tried to follow the motion of his opponent’s blades. He knew they could fly around for a lot longer than they looked so a miss didn’t mean they were out of the game. He had to stop their movement. He spun and ducked, bringing his barrier up around to intercept as many of the flying projectiles as possible. He brought it around one more time in front of him just in time to see Auburn slamming a kick right into it.

“Don’t forget me.” She twirled backward in a cartwheel, catching some of her blades as they spun past, flipping past a quick jab from Lapis’s unarmed hand and swiping. She saw him deflect that and then two more oncoming blades as they clatter to away. With another jump backward, Auburn’s discs glowed and the blades flew back to her, locking back in place.

Lapis brought his weapon up to shift back into its rifle mode and began firing. He kept a rigid stance as he gave a cautious advance. He need to keep his eye on her at all times. The churning scenery and unearthly screams that echoed around it made it hard to concentrate, but he was aware of Huldre’s tricks. Once he saw her ready to fling her blades out again, he fired a shot at her shoulder.

Auburn jerked backward from the shot but ran with the momentum and flung her other arm out, releasing the set of three blades from that side. The disorienting shadows started to cover her silhouette. She ducked down to avoid another shot and released the other three before racing around Lapis.

Lapis twirled his weapon as deftly as he could to deflect oncoming blows and make it more dangerous to approach him. He felt an impact on the weapon when he spotted his opponent renew an offense, both catching whirling blades as well as kicking and swiping to keep him on the defense. “I can do this all day you know...”

“Defense, won’t win you the fight, you can’t just block your way to victory here.” Auburn taunts, flinging an arm around Lapis’s weapon to send a set of blades out into the air again while she kept him busy.

“I know.” He moves his weapon out of the way of a blow he could have blocked and moved to punch with the side of his barrier instead. An unlucky blade skid across it as he pushed forward and dismissed it. The shimmering blue aura in front of his arm dissipated and he grabbed Auburn by the collar, yanking her forward and slamming her in the face with a headbutt and then hurling her over his shoulder to the ground. Pressing his weight into the equation, he shifts his weapon back and points the barrel of his rifle down at her fires a burst.

Auburn brings her discs up to try and block the shots. The churning shadows around them shrunk and ran up Lapis’s gun, releasing a horrible shriek and twisting of motion in front of him. She rolled and swept a leg as his knee but her much larger opponent held firm. She kicked herself away and recalled her blades back, taking steps backward to avoid the oncoming swings and slices from her opponent who had already shifted his gun back to its melee form. She snarled and brought her arm around with intent to stab with the flared blades on her wrist.

Lapis blocked the oncoming blow with the side of his weapon and pressed his weight into the block. Then the disc on Auburn’s arm glowed again and the blades shot out at an angle that wrenched his wrist and pulled his weapon free. She was still at close range though. He reached out to grab her shoulders and pull his knee to her gut.

Auburn lost her wind for a moment and felt a crack of aura with the blow. She couldn’t take too many more of those. An attempt to twist herself free resulted in Lapis tightening his grip and she felt his momentum move to lock her arm in place. 

Lapis hoisted his opponent up and slammed her back into the ground. Then he picked her back up and hurled her into the wall, keeping her pressed there.

“Don’t... think I’m done.” One of Auburn’s disks started glowing and the set of blades that send Lapis’s weapon free came flying back toward them. She felt herself get released, but her opponent was still standing behind her.

Lapis held his arm up and his barrier ready, using it to block the oncoming blades. “That’s not that threatening when I know exactly where they’re coming from. Now where were we?” He planted a boot into her chest and she bounced against the arena wall again. He sent out a few more solid punches before Auburn crumpled to the ground, her aura and semblance both dissolving around her.

“Now you’re done. And if you ever put my sister or anyone else in danger again, I won’t go easy on you next time.”

“So... we just got camera footage back now that the creepy mist thing is gone, everybody. Well at least we have a winner. Too bad we couldn’t see the damn match.”

[postgamecontent]

Landstalker: SEGA Genesis RPG Spotlight #3

Original Release Date: October 30, 1992

Original Hardware: SEGA Mega Drive

Developer/Publisher: Climax Entertainment/SEGA

I've already gone into the history of Climax Entertainment and SEGA's ultimately fruitless search for their own Zelda-killer, but both topics are quite relevant as we discuss Landstalker, the 1992 Genesis action-RPG most well-known for its isometric perspective. The game's developer, Climax Entertainment, was founded in 1990 by a former programmer on the Dragon Quest series named Kan Naito. Its first two projects were jointly developed with Sonic! Software Planning and should be familiar to anyone who has found their way to this article. Shining in the Darkness is a first-person dungeon crawler that kicked off SEGA's long-running Shining series. Shining Force, a turn-based tactical RPG, is perhaps the most celebrated entry in that series. Climax's contributions to those games included vital elements such as art and programming, but the series was ultimately the child of Sonic! and would proceed solely in their care after the first two installments.

Having worked on a dungeon crawl RPG and a tactical RPG, Climax had already started making a name for themselves with fans of the role-playing genre. It made sense that their first wholly-developed title would also be an RPG. While Climax was independent of SEGA, they had a good relationship with the publisher at this point. Perhaps out of a desire to get away from turn-based games and try something new, or perhaps to help SEGA try to find its Zelda, Climax decided their new game would be an action-RPG. Someone on staff must have been a fan of British computer games, because they also opted for an isometric viewpoint for their game, a relatively unusual choice among Japanese-developed games of the time.

Back before hardware could easily handle a lot of polygons, you basically had a few choices if you wanted to make a 3D game. To start with, no matter which route you took, your camera would almost certainly have to be fixed. Many developers opted to use an overhead view, which allowed players to move easily in any direction and see the world around them without any issues. This worked well for many genres and was quite popular as a result. The only catch is that the player is usually so far above the action that it hardly feels like a real 3D space. In fact, most of these games simply swapped one dimension for another, as the ability to move in all directions often took the place of any real verticality.

Another option was to go with a first-person view. Again, the camera was essentially fixed in most of the early games that went in this direction. The hardware simply couldn't handle a player moving about and looking as they liked. As such, games played from this point of view usually had the player move in fixed chunks of distance. This kind of stop-and-go gameplay was best suited for games with a more leisurely pace, such as RPGs or adventure games. Some clever programming and design was being applied to bring this perspective to PC action games around the time of Landstalker's development, but it would still be a while before consoles would enjoy the fruits of that. The benefits here are obvious. Having the player look through the character's eyes makes the game feel more lifelike and the world more three-dimensional. The main drawback is that it gave players a very limited view of the area around them.

Then there was the isometric perspective. Skewing things at that angle allowed the world to express depth without giving up the player's ability to see all around them at a glance. With this method, it was easier to create games that afforded players the ability to move in all directions while still being able to jump and climb. It could also be quite cinematic if things were set up the right way. This viewpoint was popularized by Ultimate Play the Game's Knightlore, which spawned a cottage industry of clones in the British computer gaming scene in the 1980s. While this seems like the ideal choice for an action-adventure, there's a serious drawback that becomes almost immediately obvious to anyone after playing one of these games for a little while.

Simply put, the depth is an illusion. Our ability to perceive how far or close objects are to us depends greatly on methods that could not be easily replicated by a 2D television at the time. Polygonal games could alleviate this issue by allowing the player to move the camera, giving them the chance to compare objects and figure out where they were, relative to one another. Sprite-based games had no such luxury for the player, who was at the mercy of the developer's ability and/or desire to lay things out in a manner that wasn't confusing. This is not an easy task by any means, and many developers simply couldn't resist using depth perception issues to hide secrets and trick the player. It's that specific respect that makes the isometric viewpoint somewhat controversial among players.

On top of that, most controllers since Nintendo's 8-bit hardware launched use a directional pad for movement. Such pads typically emphasize the cardinal directions, and that left the developer with a difficult choice. What happens when the player pushes up on the pad? Will they go to the upper-left, or will they go to the upper-right? Do you force them to use diagonals so that things match up properly? I think there's a good reason why the most popular isometric games tended to be slower-paced affairs. But there's always someone who tries to ice skate uphill, and over the course of their first decade of existence Climax would keep on taking a run at just that.

Landstalker in a lot of ways is asking more of this perspective than any of Climax's other isometric games. Battles are often crowded and take place right on the map, requiring you to quickly turn directions to stave off enemies coming at you from all around. There's a fair bit of complex platforming, much of it involving moving platforms whose relationships to each other aren't always obvious. Missteps will send you hurtling back to the start of whatever you were trying to climb. Secrets are hidden behind pieces of the scenery that the camera can't see, and some of them require you to jump onto ledges and objects that aren't visible to you. Should you happen to run out of life hearts and have no healing items left, you'll be unceremoniously dumped back to the title screen, forced to replay from your last save point. Said save point is likely in a nearby town, so you pretty much have to complete dungeons in one go. Naturally, you can't move the camera an inch.

What this all comes down to is that while Landstalker has a lot of qualities that almost everyone can agree on, it's an incredibly divisive game. Its gorgeous visuals, strong soundtrack, and interesting puzzle designs make it hard to outright hate, but the line between mediocre and masterpiece appears to lay in how well the individual can get along with the necessary outcomes of its isometric perspective. I've noticed that those well-versed in those Knightlore-inspired UK computer games have less of a problem getting over that hurdle than those who were raised on a diet of Japanese console games or American arcade games. That makes a lot of sense, given that learning to cope with the quirks of the viewpoint weren't part of the education of a lot of players outside of that particular group. Arcade players had Marble Madness, but that controlled with a trackball. Console players only had the odd PC port from Electronic Arts or the occasional release from Ultimate Play the Game themselves under their new name of Rare.

I feel like I grew up on a relatively mixed diet of computers, arcades, and consoles. The first games I played were in arcade cabinets. The first machine I had in my home capable of playing games was a Commodore 64. But though I was late to the console party, once I got my Nintendo Entertainment System I was in, all the way. Yet for all the British classics I played on that C64, I never did get into isometric games all that much. In turn, it's something I feel like I'm fighting with every step of the way when I play Landstalker. I have a good time with literally every aspect of the game except the basic controls. Curiously, it's a far greater issue for me here than it is with Dark Savior, one of the game's follow-ups. But then again, that game allows me to move the camera a little, isn't as punishing when I fail, and moves its combat to a far simpler arena.

Outside of that admittedly major issue, I have nothing but praise for Landstalker. The environments are varied, the overworld feels big, and the dungeons are cleverly designed with puzzles a-plenty. I love the art style, and the designs fit the Genesis's capabilities perfectly. The story isn't nearly as simple as it initially appears, though like Dark Savior its ending sort of fizzles to nothing. You get a surprisingly good sense of the characters in spite of relatively little dialogue for some of them, and the more developed characters really come out well. It's about on the level of a silly Saturday morning cartoon in most respects, but it's at least a good one. I love that wherever it feels like there should be a secret, there is one. I also genuinely appreciate that this is a game where effort is typically rewarded with something of appropriate value. The game aggravates the heck out of me, but after I get through one of those wall-punching situations, I usually feel pretty good about it.

In some ways, I find Landstalker more enjoyable on a replay. You know what to expect, you've seen your way through the worst of it once before, and you know what you can look forward to. But the controls and perspective, so annoying at the time, feel worse every time I come back. I also find myself less tolerant of the many moments where the developer knew exactly what kind of unfair trickery they were relying on and did it anyway. It's a bizarre habit of Climax. Instead of designing their games around obscuring the weak points, they tend to shine a bright flashlight directly upon them. This isn't a problem, Landstalker says. It's so very much not a problem that we're going to force you to deal with it as much as possible. I'd love to chalk that up to their relative newcomer status at the time of Landstalker's release, but it's a behavior that persists in their work. The most recent Climax game I played, the dreadful Kingdom of Paradise for the PSP, was similarly proud of its shortcomings.

Looking at Landstalker from a design standpoint, it's clear that Climax could have made a high quality action-RPG that might have pleased a wider crowd had they only stuck closer to the conventions of the genre. That said, it's hard to be too down on a developer for trying something different. There are a lot of people who have no problems with Landstalker's controls and platforming, and for them, it's a game that gives a Zelda-like feeling without directly copying Zelda. That's something precious, particularly in Landstalker's era. I think it says a lot for Landstalker that in spite of my borderline hatred of its fundamental mechanics, I still think it's a really great game. It just has a really big asterisk next to it, is all.

Interestingly, if you want to play Landstalker today, your options are quite limited. It's available on the Wii Virtual Console, the PC SEGA Genesis & Mega Drive Classics Collection, and in its original cartridge form. None of the console SEGA Genesis collections include the game, and although it would have benefited better than most from a SEGA 3D Classic treatment on the 3DS, there's no such luck there either. Wherever you choose to play it, make sure you've got a good directional pad to work with. The game isn't terribly long, so if you can deal with its flaws, it's certainly worth the time for a playthrough.

Previous: Beyond Oasis

Next: Sword of Vermillion

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[echelonfiction]

Sky Of A Million Stars: Chapter 2

I write to cope, so I am writing this,

I don't mean any disrespect to anybody,

Story warnings: sex, manipulation, substance abuse, mental unwellness, suicide (may add more)

Chapter 2 -

Chapter warnings: none

Tagging: @fyeahproudglambert

It wasn't long lasting, maybe six minutes before we were interrupted by a stagehand. I was to my feet in an instant getting my camera putting the spare memory card and battery in my pocket. Shoving some gum in my mouth so I had something to concentrate on if I got nervous. I walked to the door hoping to slip out before them.

“Oi, Hel!” Brad called. “You’re not walking out with the rest of the band?”

“I was going to get an opening shot,” I told with a smile.

“I told you, Brad, my sister’s a professional!” Chester said with a grin.

“Well yeah, I never doubted it,” Brad laughed, suddenly the whole band was heading out the door making fun of each other in some way.

“Yo, Leni,” Mike called as I turned to the size of the stage, I looked back. “You got this baby girl,” he smiled.

“Damn right she does,” Chester agreed, “We believe in you,” he called.

“Holla,” Mike laughed pointing at my brother.

 I smiled at them both before descending the stairs going in front of the center stage so I everywhere else was easy access, should I need to get there quickly. I spent most of the show in between the stage and the crowd getting some amazing shots of the crowd, some amazing shots of Chester with the crowd, Mike working hard, Brad and Dave but it was hard to get decent shots of Joe and Rob from down here so I made my way back stage, quickly swapping my lens and going side stage, switching side of the stage every now and then, eventually happy that I’d gotten enough shots of. I think I took way too many photos, it was easy to do. There were probably a lot I would delete or just keep on a hard drive though, I was after a specific type of photo where the boys were just lost in their music, it was hardest to get Mike in that situation, he was always about seven steps a head of himself all the fucking time, but when he was in those moments, it made for a great memory, a great picture, I just hoped it had portrayed into the camera the way I saw it.

I never realized how hard it would be to not be distracted by the music, especially songs like somewhere I belong and in the end, songs I had a feeling I would still love if they weren't directly tied to some of the people I cared about most in the world. Songs that I knew I would like even if they weren't connected to me. I was jamming along to Faint singing along and taking pictures. Mike finished one of his verses and looked over at me with a huge smirk that I snapped it as he looked away focusing on his guitar wondering what he was smiling about. He was such a dork, I really needed to stop thinking about him, like seriously.

They finished off faint and the arena went black, I couldn't see anything but I felt every one file around.

Instinct told me a body was right in front of mine.

“Leni?” Mike called, chills went over my skin.

“Yeah?” I said softly a moment later a hand went either side of my face lips pressing against mine as he pulled me in, I was stupid considering pulling back, I was even stupider for kissing him back. His guitar pressed up against me, my camera in one hand pressing against his chest as the other hand trailed up his back to his shoulder.

“Why would you do that,” I whined after a full minute of losing my head giving in.

“You’re doing such a great job,” he smiled, I shook my head at him, words were kind of hard, hate filled with lust filled with a knowledge of how the next 14 or so hours were going to play out but words were hard as he backed slowly to the stage for the encore.

Mike and I had been playing this game for years, We met not long after the band formed, it took a while for him to be brave enough to make a move on me, He kinda called the shots on the band but I don't think he wanted to lose Chester as a singer, not that I would ever have let that happen, we’d sneak around in the beginning, then Chester found out and reacted like I knew he would. He laughed. Then threatened Mike, I think Mike took his threat a little too seriously. Over the years we went from just having fun to Mike getting feelings for me, that I didn't share, but then when I grew the feelings to match, he decided it was a bad idea! Only a bad idea that was a good idea sometimes. I was waiting patiently for the day he realized that we were okay, I’d wait as long as it too, his weak days, like today was what made it worthwhile.

I came to my senses about three songs later, they were finishing up with ‘What I’ve done’ I looked down at the setlist that was side stage for the stage hands.

Bleed it out was next, and it was the last song. The crowds went insane for this song, as did the band.

I looked around for the best angle.

“You might want to be in the crowd for this one,” Chester called.

“I know,” I nodded and grinned at him, he grinned back as I looked up and down the stage again walking out in front of Mike. Taking a couple of pictures of the crowd that was starting a circle pit, then jumping on to the ground just as Mike started rapping, Chester was bouncing around the stage, I just kept snapping, it was a test for my camera to keep up more than anything else.

Before I knew it the song was over, and so was the show.

I made my way back stage while they threw everything they had out to the crowd. I wanted to take more pictures but my memory card was full and it wasn't worth opening a third. I could get the same thing tomorrow night if it bugged me that much.

It was so much colder back stage, I was straight at my bag putting my hoodie on.

“Yo, that was a great show!” I heard some one call as the band and a bunch of other people filed in filling the room with noises and stage smells. For me, it was time to face my memory cards and see if I earned a meal or two.

“Helena!” I heard looking up just in time to see my brother crash into me. “Fucking amazing night, right?” he asked hugging me tight then pulling back a hand on either shoulder.

“Yeah, you guys did so well, the crowd was pumped.”

“did you get some good shots?”

“I’m pretty sure,” I grinned. “I have to go through them,” I told. “But there were a few good ones of you and the crowd.”

“You’re a genius!” he said happily.

“Yo,” Mike called. “Smile” he called to us holding up his phone. “For the bands Instagram,” Chester pulled me in lazing his arm around my neck kissing my cheek I couldn't help but roll my eyes. “Perfect,” Mike called.

“I didn't even smile,” I laughed.

“You know that emotion?” Chester teased as we looked at the photo. It was kind of cute. “You did well tonight Hel,” Chester said I looked at him. “I’m Proud of you,”

“Thanks,” I smiled fighting tears. “That means a lot,”

“I know,” he smiled, scruffing my hair before walking away.

Smiling at myself for a few moments before sitting on the back of the couch clicking through the memory card, I couldn’t wait to get some of these on my computer. I looked over to where my back pack was, maybe I could import some now?

Arms went tight around my waist.

“Any good ones?” he asked.

“A couple,” I came across the one when he was laughing at me. “What were you laughing at?”

“You know my verses word for word,” he grinned.

“Faint’s one of my favorite songs, you know that,”

“Yeah,” he laughed. “But I could hear you singing it,” I looked at him. “Over the entire crowd,”  

A smile crept across my face, “It’s a good song,” I smiled.

“That’s a good one of Chester,” Mike admitted.

“These types of pictures were kind of my goal,”

“They were?” Mike asked.

“Yeah, to get you guys in that moment where it was just you and the music,” I said.

“Did you get many?”

“I don't know I’ve barely gone through them,” I laughed. “Chester’s easy to get cause he’s so emotionally driven,”

“What about me?”

“I haven't looked through,”

“But I’m not easy to get those Photos of?”

“No,” I said honestly. “You’re always thinking seven steps ahead of what you’re doing,”

“What about that one?” he asked as I came across a photo of him.

“Almost,” I smiled.

he buried his face into the back of my neck his arms tighter around me. As I leaned into him I let my senses be overwhelmed by him.

He felt so great.

He smelt so great.

“Being near you at times is a bad idea,” I grumbled.

“I know,” he said lowly. “But I can’t help it.”

Ignoring him, I had no choice. . . I kept clicking through the photos.

“I think I got one on the other memory card,” I said reaching for my pocket, trying to put a couple of centimeters between us only to feel the pocket was empty. So was the other one. I shot off the couch feeling the pockets in the back of my jeans, all that was there was my cell phone. “Shit,” I felt down my bra, I sometimes I shoved things in there in a hurry.

“What?” Mike asked, concerned.

“the memory card!” I snapped. I pulled the cushions of the chair, nothing, I walked over to my jacket bag searching it.

“Leni, stop,” Mike snapped.

“Don't fucking try to calm me right now!” I yelled. “Chester is going to kill me,”

“We’ll find it,”

“We have too!” I snapped. “It’s the one from the shoot today,”

“You didn't back it up?”

“ I didn't have time,”

“Hmm, alright, where was the last place you had it,” I thought back to where I changed it over,

“Uh, I came in and changed my lens, and changed the memory card, which I slid in my pocket,” I said “Fuck,” I snapped kicking the chair, everyone looked over at me.

“Come on!” Mike grabbed my wrist and dragged me out the door. “It’ll be somewhere,” he said as we walked to ward the stage. “I’ll look around the stage,” he said pushing me toward the stairs down to the floor.

I opened the camera on the phone looking all over the stairs. And on every piece of ground between there and the other steps looking in every corner of the stage walking across the stage checking everywhere Mike just checked I even walked over to where I was standing when the encore happened, maybe I dropped it when he kissed me. Nope!

I walked to the front of the stage and looked over the ground, it was hopeless. I dropped on the step with my face in my hands.

“I can't find it either,” Mike sighed.

“This can not be happening,” I whined.

“Hey, It’s okay,”

“It’s fucking frustrating,” I snapped hitting my leg.

“Yeah, it is, but we’ll do the shoot again, and there’s plenty of time to get the concert pictures,”

“Mike,” I sighed.

“What you got some great ones on the second card,”

“It’s not the point,” I told. There was silence for a moment, before Mike slid his hand down my arm, wrapping his fingers around my causing goose bumps on my skin.

“It’s kind of the point,” I looked at our hands. He kept talking. “I mean you’ll be more careful with your cards from now on,” he told. “And the photo shoot wasn't a major one,” he pointed out.

“Chester is going to be pissed,”

“Well, you’ve gone from ‘Chester is going to kill me’ to ‘Chester is going to be pissed,’” Mike said, I looked at his face just to see the grin I knew he’d grown. I smiled and looked away. “Oh and a smile, My work here is done,” he cheered standing bowing as I let out a soft laugh. “Come on, let's go face the music,”

“Ugh,”

Mike held his hand out. “Come on, you know I’ve got your back,” I grabbed hold of his hand to be pulled in to a hug.

“Yo!” I said pulling back hitting his arm. “You know if you kiss me in the dark, it's still fucking happens.”

“Yeah,” he laughed. “I know,”

“Mike it’s your ru-” Lips were pressed against mine, I closed my eyes and went with it because I was way too into him to pull back or walk away. I would have thought this would have gotten easier over the years, but nope

Eventually, he pulled back, this sucked, why was he giving in, I hated it, I mean not actually but geez.

We walked back in the dressing room getting cat called from everyone.

“I knew you guys couldn't make it past day one,”

“Yeah, every time Mike tells me he’s going to keep his hands off my sister, I try to catch the breath his wasting,” people laughed. “You know you’ll never get that air back right?”

“I don't want it back,” Mike said grabbing my waist hugging me as tight as he could.

“Dude,” I laughed “What happened to facing the music?” I grumbled. It brought his mood down. I looked at Chester.

“You’re pregnant?”

“Oh god no!” I laughed, I felt shudders all over my skin. “No!”

“Wow!” Mike laughed.

“You’re not pregnant, and I know you’re not going to tell the whole band you have an STD,”

“Chester,” I whined.

“It’s not that serious,” Mike told.

“It’s kind of pretty serious though,”

“Just tell us,” Rob laughed.

“I sort of kind of um” I looked at Mike, then back to Chester. “Misplaced a memory card,”

“A memory card?” 

“That’s it?” Chester laughed. 

“It’s the one from the start of the show,” I told.

“And the shoot,” Mike said for me.

“Hel!” Chester whined.

“I know,” I agreed. “I’m having the worst anxiety,”

“This is what I mean about you being a professional,”

“Chester,” Mike warned. “She’s still got great shots from tonight's gig, we’ll just need to fit in another shoot,” he told. “It’s not earth altering.”

“If this was any other band,” Chester pointed out.

“It’s not,” Mike told. “We’re her family, and it’s just a memory card.”

“Just so we’re clear, I would legit give who ever found it a blow job, except Chester,”

“Because that’s professional,” Mike spat bitterly

“Yo,” a voice called from the door, I looked over to see Jared from Thirty Seconds To Mars standing there in his beautiful man hunk glory  “I’m all good for that type of payment, but at least let me take you out for dinner first” I noticed he was turning something small in between his fingers. . . it was. . .

“You found it?” I squeaked he held up a memory card.

“If you know who H. Bennington is,”

“H. ... that's me, oh my god,” I squealed running over hugging him as tight as I could before snatching it off him. “Thank you so much,” I hugged him again.

[realstarfarts]

2008′s Rise of the Argonauts is a perfect example of failed game direction. The asset design, music, “atmosphere,” and sound effects are all incredible: the whole interactive aspect (ie, the game) is abominable. And I mean outrageously bad. Across the board.

The Idea™ is solid: an action-adventure with light RPG elements set in mythological Greece and featuring all the big names such as Achilles, Hercules, Pan, Medusa, Daedalus, Atalanta, and obviously Jason. From there, the created world included is great. Iolcus is a sunny palace with a cheery outlying village; Mycenae is a city built on a hill with classic period architecture and a huge gladiatorial arena; Saria is a jungle with centaurs and a jawdroppingly-comfy temple of Hermes; Kythra is a run-down religious complex dedicated to Athena that seriously made me fantasize about what it looked like before it was destroyed; Delphi is a misty island with the Oracle and her phoenix; and Tartarus is a spooky green-tinted home for imprisoned titans and flowers that fart out poison.

From what I can tell, however, there were two camps inside Liquid Entertainment (or perhaps Codemasters): the first wanted an open-ended action-RPG hack-n-slash akin to God of War, and the second wanted an adventure game with a deep narrative focus and heaps of storytelling. Instead of reconciling these with tactful compromise or choosing one direction from the outset, they decided to smash both ideas together and hope for the best.

It did not work. The most obvious issue is the camera, which makes sure to always be at the wrong angle, position objects in front of important things, or be subject to an awful FOV setting. Then, the game will begin to crash to desktop during conversations. And it will keep crashing. The CTDs will not stop, ever. There are plenty of “fixes” available but nothing did the trick for me--the only option short of uninstalling was to skip every single conversation. In an RPG/adventure. Yep. Beyond that, the pacing is atrocious. There is very, very little combat to experience and most time is spent talking to NPCs or backtracking. And more backtracking. Endless backtracking with a slow speed that seems intentional so as to make up for small areas.

When there is combat, it’s great. Jason starts out weak and boring, but by the end of the game--and depending on which god’s powers have been chosen--fights will be an orgasmic explosion of lightning bolts, fire, heads and torsos flying everywhere with blood trails, and glorious chaos. Sadly, in a 15-ish hour game, only an hour is spent fighting at best. I can fondly imagine what this would have been like with a better balance. Even more sad is that the combat is deep, with combos, moves, blocking, dodging, three weapons and a shield to work with that all behave differently, and loads of god powers. But there’s barely any time to use this fun shit.

Rise of the Argonauts is a terrible game lifted up only by the comfy feeling it displays. Like a super-detailed chalk drawing put down right before a thunderstorm, this game’s charms are fleeting: there’s just too much wrong for it to be enjoyable. And I must give a shoutout to how this whole experience is built on Unreal 3, which is the most-used and just about the most-stable engine in existence...and Liquid still managed to produce this buggy, crash-prone mess.

Here’s a link to an album of screenshots I took while playing

Here’s the video I made