#this is like god-tier BGM

[perhaps-in-anotherdream]

[CN] Victor’s Luolan Date (Eng Translation)

“It appears I’ve already found the rose from the legend, one that will never wither.”

⌚Warning⌚ This post contains detailed spoilers for a date, 楼兰之约, that is yet to be released on the global server! ♡

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【Subbed Video】    

[Anika's Notes]: tbh ig the VAs were told to soften their voice 10x than usual for this event LOL. The amount of nonverbal sounds—— 😩 also, since Tumblr wants to reduce my workload LOL and won’t allow more than 30 pics, PLS DO WATCH the video for the god-tier voice acting, new bgs, the bgms and sprite alterations too~💕

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【Transcript Version】

【Chapter 1】

Victor: If you keep crying for any longer, your eyes might become swollen.

MC: [sobbing]  The ending was simply too unfair. Who can resist crying…

Through the hazy veil of tears, I see the lights in the living room flicker on.

The time-traveling drama I’ve been following all summer aired its series finale tonight. Victor even joined me in watching the web series together after getting off work.

We were chatting about the storyline just fine, until the final scene when my tears began streaming down uncontrollably––

Upon returning to the present day, the heroine enters Luolan once again, only to discover that the once prosperous city has eroded into the long river of time.

But the rose that the Prince of Luolan had carved outside the palace walls still blossoms on the crumbling ruins, quietly awaiting her for a thousand years.

Victor places a towel, radiating warm steam, over my eyes, gradually soothing my emotions.

MC: Don’t you find it beautiful?

Victor: Carving a rose into a stone is quite romantic. I can understand why you like it.

MC: I see absolutely no hint of being moved on your face…

He slightly furrows his brows in response to what sounded like an odd statement to him.

Victor: You’re not expecting us both to cuddle up and cry our eyes off, are you?

A rather peculiar image flashes through my mind, and I can’t help but burst into laughter.

Victor: Crying one moment and laughing the next. Your emotions are truly fickle.

MC: Precisely. Compared with my vivid and overt emotional display, this audience member’s emotions are too composed.

Victor: The selling point of all time-travel dramas mostly revolves around the theme that love can transcend time and space, with endings that can either be joyful or sorrowful.

Victor: This ending was predictable.

MC: But this series is adapted from the legend of the last prince of Loulan!

MC: Additionally, in the last century, a foreign explorer claimed to have seen flower-shaped carved patterns on the stone tiles at the Luolan ruins.

Victor listens quietly, then turns his gaze to me after a brief pause.

Victor: So, is this why you want to visit the Loulan ruins?

MC: Well, it’s not the sole reason. The legend of Luolan’s overnight disappearance has been widely known as a mystical tale. I was originally–– hang on, how did you know I wanted to go there?

The answer to my question is a document he hands to me. Upon closer look, I realize it’s actually the official permit granting access to enter the Luolan ruins.

MC: Why do you have this document too?

Victor: …dummy, it’s yours. Could they have sent it to the wrong person?

I flip through a few pages, and sure enough, find my full name written in the applicant’s box.

MC: I had just woken up when I filled in the address… I guess I subconsciously thought it would be safer to have it sent to you?

Victor: Sweet talker.

He raps my head.

Victor: But I heard that it’s no longer open for public visits.

MC: Yes, indeed~ Currently, only teams on scientific expeditions or those with permits are allowed in.

MC: The conditions for obtaining the permit are so incredibly stringent. I even tried leveraging all my connections, but still couldn’t succeed!

Hearing my words, he gives me a sidelong glance but doesn’t interrupt my unceasing torrent of complacent monologue.

MC: Luckily, I was able to negotiate a documentary collaboration with the local government and received an invitation for sightseeing~ I even signed multiple agreements to protect cultural relics.

Victor: No wonder a certain dummy’s tail is raised high into the sky; it indeed was no easy feat. However––

Victor: [sulking] You just said you had leveraged all your connections. How come I don’t remember myself being among those connections you leveraged?

MC: Because this was meant to be my Qixi Festival surprise for you…

—

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—

【Chapter 2】

Victor: Is this abrupt emergency break also a part of the surprise?

He pinches up the coffee-spattered shirt clinging to his body and stares at me sitting in the driver’s seat, lost for words.

MC: That pit just now was really too tricky…!

Just a few short hours ago, we landed at Luolan Airport. However, upon arrival, we were informed by the airline that our checked luggage had been delayed in the transit city and wouldn’t be delivered until two days later.

To avoid delaying our itinerary, we agreed to deal with the matter of collecting them on our way back. With that settled, I confidently got into the driver’s seat of the RV, and alongside Victor, embarked on a self-driven journey into the desert.

Yet, as expected, things aren’t as uncomplicated as I initially thought.

Looking at his shirt– practically soaked through and with coffee still dripping from it– I promptly grab some tissues and wipe it off for him.

The next second, my gaze suddenly falls upon the carry-on suitcase on the luggage rack. My eyes light up, leading me to pause in my actions.

MC: Why not take it off and wash it immediately? Although, while waiting for the clothes to dry, it seems like you’ll have to either be completely naked––

Unsurprisingly, as I deliberately prolong the final note, his reaction of furrowing his brows is true to my expectations.

MC: Or you could wear the couple’s outfit I packed inside the carry-on luggage for taking photos~

Victor: It seems like occasionally; one can still count on––

However, as soon as I take out two sets of lavish Western Region attire, his voice ceases to be heard.

The gold-plated ornaments chime with a delicate tinkling sound, aggravating the crease between his brows.

Victor: What are these?

MC: Compared to my dancer’s attire, yours is actually a collaboration with the museum, an exact 1:1 replica of the half-sleeved garment worn by the Prince of Loulan back in the day~

Victor: So?

Seeing that he is unmoved, I extend my hand and point to the sign denoting the “uninhabited area” by the roadside.

MC: There’s no place to purchase clothes around here. If you don’t change soon, that coffee stain won’t come off. And then, regardless of what outfit you wear on the return trip, it’ll end up on the news––

MC: 《The CEO of LFG’s Grand Cosplay Elevates Airport Fashion》 or 《The CEO of LFG Spotted in Stained Shirt - Speculations of Bankruptcy》. Your choice?

After quite a while, he compromises with a sigh, taking the clothes from me and walking towards the bathroom at the back of the RV.

Not long after, the sound of water seems to quiet down. In anticipation, I turn my head––

The soft crimson robe barely conceals the glimpses of sculpted and muscular contours underneath, complemented by intricate gold ornaments that adorn him with an air of regal nobility and grace.

Faced with my unblinking gaze fixated on him, he displays a somewhat unnatural expression, which is rarely seen on his face.

Victor: Why aren’t you changing?

MC: [still busy gaping]  What?

Victor: Why am I the only one wearing the couple’s outfit?

MC: Okay, okay, I’ll “accompany” you.

Watching the awkward expression on his face, I can’t contain my laughter and let out a chuckle. Just before his gaze can shoot my way, I hurriedly grab my attire and head to the bathroom.

The desert weather is always fluctuating and unpredictable. Right after I finish changing my clothes, I notice a sudden sandstorm brewing outside the window.

Seemingly catching a sound, his gaze lingers on me for a brief moment, and an almost imperceptible tenderness crests on the arches of his brows.

With the scope visibility diminished, Victor assumes control of the steering wheel, deftly maintaining a steady distance from the swirling sand and wind.

After who knows how long, we finally spot a single-story house coming into view at the end of the yellow sand. Brimming with excitement, I tap the navigation icon to zoom in and get a closer look.

MC: It’s the cultural relics preservation station!

—

Initially, our intention was only to charge the RV. But with the yellow sand swirling around, we find ourselves invited by the stationed personnel, Maizi, to come inside and rest for a bit.

Just as we step inside, a dense mass of sand and stones outside the window surges forward, closing in rapidly.

The sandstorm has begun.

Thoughts of how an entire kingdom was once buried under this very sand spring to mind, and an instinctive fear begins to loom large within me.

The delicate brick house trembles subtly amidst the raging wind, and at this moment, a crisp sound resounds in my ears.

Several pairs of shimmering gold-plated earrings illuminate my dusky field of view. Taking note of my reaction, Maizi places them in front of me.

Maizi: Don’t be scared. Here, we’ve been wearing these kinds of earrings since childhood. They’re like protective charms for children in the desert.

As Maizi speaks, she turns slightly and shows me her earrings. The luster has dimmed a touch, suggesting she’s been wearing them for a long time.

Maizi: These are the ones I made for my kids. If you don’t mind, would you guys like to choose two pairs?

MC: Thank you, but it’s alright.

With a hint of bashfulness, I gesture with my hand and point at Victor’s ears.

MC: Besides, my boyfriend doesn’t have ear piercings.

Maizi: It’s no problem. My eldest son doesn’t have ear piercings either.

With a smile, Maizi offers me a pair of clip-on earrings.

Maizi: Consider them as a wish for your safety and well-being. Take them.

—

As the sandstorm eases up, not wanting to impose any longer, we say our goodbyes and ultimately accept the two pairs of earrings before returning to the RV.

Perhaps due to how terrifyingly unnerving the sandstorm was, Victor doesn’t refuse when I offer to help him wear the clip-on earrings after he’s put the earrings on me.

I take up the clip-on earring and carefully trace my finger over his earlobe to figure out its placement. However, after spending a good amount of time, I still don’t find the ideal position I’m entirely satisfied with.

Victor: Still not done?

MC: Have a little patience. I don’t seem to recall rushing you when you gifted me earrings for the first time~

–

[Tidbits]: AHHH YESSS the call back to their first “kiss” kiss date– “Dazzling Date” 🥺

–

At long last, I find the right spot and fasten the clip. Following this, I can’t help myself and imitate the past actions in my memories, gently cradling his face and leaning in to take a closer look.

The glistening golden pieces dance softly. However, in the next second, a subtle blush at the corner of his eyes captures my attention.

Seeing this, I mischievously continue leaning closer and closer to him. As I catch a momentary hitch in his steady breathing, I deliberately reach out to stroke his earlobe.

MC: Oh gosh, could you be allergic to metal? The corners of your eyes have turned red. Maybe I should take them off…

Before the words fully leave my mouth, I find myself abruptly pulled into his arms.

Victor: They’re on just fine, don’t mess with them.

His arms tighten around me a little more, and I obediently nestle into his embrace, letting the cocoon of safety enfold me.

The swirling underlying tension caused by the dreadful weather finally dissipates, akin to feathers drifting in the air. As drowsiness slowly sweeps over me, I register the sound of my last question being put into words.

MC: Victor, what if we can’t find the remains? What should we do then?

Victor: If we don’t find them this time, we will come back next time.

—

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【Chapter 3】

[Anika’s Notes]: While I’ll talk about this later, just wanted to say— that the way we get a mere glimpse into how extreme level of PTSD this man has given MC from the main story like— I’m counting fingers for the number of times she got nightmares when he isn’t next to her— (⁠〒⁠﹏⁠〒⁠)

—

A man sits in solitude beneath the palace walls, gazing towards the east for a long, long time.

He has probably repeated the act of carving a million times before. It seems as if the carving knife in his hand has a soul of its own now, each stroke finding its mark with precision, etching deep scars.

Fresh blood trickles down along the blade’s edge, staining the rose with a blood-red hue. Yet, he appears unresponsive to the pain, persistently carving stroke after stroke.

Only when the red headscarf is lifted by the wind does a familiar face emerge before my eyes.

MC: Victor!

I reach out in a panic to touch him, but a sudden onslaught of sand and wind surges forth, engulfing him in the blink of an eye.

–

Startled awake from the nightmare, I instinctively reach my hand to my side, only to find nothing but an empty space.

Victor is not in the car.

Amidst the boundless silence, a distant chime of camel bells suddenly reaches me. Compelled by the sound, I push open the car door––

The sandstorm has ceased at some point, revealing a sky that’s now crystal clear and brilliantly bright.

The curtain of dusk hangs low, but the luminous moon has already ascended in the vault of the heavens, radiating its brilliance alongside the sun.

Among the endless sand dunes, Victor, attired in exquisite garments, guides a pure white camel through the terrain, advancing his way through the light.

Stretching behind him, across the infinite expanse of Lop Desert, stands several silent, solitary, and enigmatic remnants of ancient civilizations.

The breeze dances by, causing his knuckles to gently clasp the upper garment brushing against his grave and stern visage, setting the accessories on his splendid attire to chime with delicate, tinkling sounds.

Perhaps dazzled by the light, he squints his slender eyes and immediately spots my presence. He appears slightly taken aback, but then quickens his stride as he approaches my direction.

In the boundless landscape, with each step he takes toward me, I feel as if he is crossing through a thousand years to reach me.

The scene from the dream resurfaces in my mind once again, and before I can even fully comprehend it, I’m already sprinting toward him with large strides.

I practically crash into his arms.

Victor: [breathes sharply]  Running so fast––

Seeing that I’m breathless and staring fixedly at him without even blinking my eyes, he freezes for a moment. Then, as if realizing something, he envelops me in his arms.

Victor: The Luolan ruins we are heading to are in that direction. We can’t drive there, so I borrowed a camel from Maizi for transportation. 

Victor: It was released to wander in the desert, and I needed to go and guide it back myself. You seemed to be sleeping so soundly, so I didn’t wake you up.

His words are extremely slowed, spoken one at a time. Listening to him, rather than an explanation, it sounds more like he is comforting me.

MC: You weren’t here just now and… I had this strange dream.

With his questioning eyes upon me, I feel compelled to respond honestly.

MC: I dreamt that you turned into the Prince of Loulan and were swept away by the sand...

Victor: [sighs with infinite indulgence and helplessness]  …

MC: You find this amusing?

Hearing my grumbling, he finally can’t hold back a muffled chuckle, drawing his arms around me a little tighter.

Victor: Have you confirmed it now?  – that I haven’t been swept away by the sand?

MC: Who knows, maybe you had gotten swept away! And it was this camel that rescued you and brought you back.

I huff angrily and bicker with him, effectively dispelling the uneasiness that the nightmare had triggered.

However, the camel seems to have caught on something, suddenly swaying its head and coming closer to me.

Momentarily taken aback, I then laugh in spite of myself and reach out to pat it. This gesture seems to act as a signal of some sort, prompting it to obediently lower itself to the ground.

MC: Huh, could it be that I have a natural talent for taming camels?

Victor: It’s more likely a stroke of luck.

As he speaks, he nimbly mounts the camel’s saddle and reaches out to hug me, lifting me up onto it alongside him.

The camel stands up in due course and suddenly leaps into the air, prompting me to let out a subconscious cry of exclamation.

MC: Whoa!

Victor: Hold onto me firmly and sit tight.

After he tugs on the reins, the camel pivots to change its direction and heads toward the ruins.

Probably due to Victor’s presence, I swiftly adapt to the bumpy ride. I even begin swaying my ornaments to create a pleasant sound, echoing in harmony with the camel’s bells.

MC: I feel like I’m a dancer being offered to the Prince of Luolan~

Victor: How come I’m not aware of any dynasty where a prince would rush out of the palace to welcome a dancer?

His teasing leaves me momentarily dumbfounded. It takes me quite a while before I open my mouth to speak, unwilling to resign myself.

MC: I never said the Prince of Luolan is you.

For an instant, Victor seems to stiffen up. When he speaks again, his tone takes on a slight rigidity.

Victor: [sulking] Who is he, then?

MC: …that’s not the important point!

MC: The important point is that you’re the Mr. Husband of my dreams– whom I’ve long set my heart on, and now you’re stealing me away to elope.

Victor: Childish.

A gentle tap lands on my head, and as I tilt my head up, I find myself ensnared by the light of his tender eyes.

MC: You clearly look really happy~

He doesn’t banter any further and only gives a tug on the reins, prompting the camel’s steps to become a bit brisker.

Receding into the distance amid the boundless expanse swept by the northern breeze, the glory and decline, the prosperity and withering of ancient Luolan have long frozen into eternal slumber.

MC: How wonderful!

Victor: What’s got you so moved again?

MC: The weather has cleared, which is wonderful. We’re heading to the ruins without any hiccups, which is also wonderful. But the most wonderful thing is having you by my side, chatting about all sorts of nonsense.

MC: No matter what, everything is wonderful as long as Victor is around.

The jingling tinkle of camel bells accompanies his gentle laughter close to my ears.

Victor: It’s only possible with a certain dummy around.

As the outlines of the ruins become distinct, I turn my head back in exhilaration.

MC: Even if I have to turn this place upside down, I’ll find that stone-carved rose!

His gaze lingers briefly on my arms waving around in excitement, and then he arches an eyebrow.

Victor: It appears crucial for me to remind you that you signed agreements for the preservation of cultural relics. If you do turn this place upside down––

Victor: I won’t be able to save you, even if I were to sell LFG.

—

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【Chapter 4】

MC: …it’s all completely weathered away.

As I look at the historical ruins of the ancient kingdom before my eyes, which have gradually been devoured into nothingness by the endless expanse of yellow sand, I can’t resist pouting my lips.

MC: Locating the ruins of the imperial palace itself is akin to a far-fetched tale, let alone finding the stone-carved rose.

Victor: Why are you so hung up on that legend?

MC: Just a bit of anticipation, you know. After all, you see, If I were in that position, I’d surely leave behind some traces for you.

MC: The speculation is that the woman in the tales possessed an Evol similar to yours, which led her to go there. But, due to certain factors, she had no choice but to leave.

Victor: It won’t be the same.

He softly counters my statement, his gaze filled with seriousness.

MC: Hm?

Victor: With me, those factors you mentioned won’t come into existence.

A warm and fuzzy feeling suddenly envelopes my heart. I grin, drawing closer to him.

MC: Guess there’s no way around it. It seems I have no choice but to concede that the legend is, indeed, bogus.

He pauses for a moment, and his lips twitch. But in the end, he doesn’t say anything. Soon, a glimmer of a smile sparkles in his eyes, and immediately after, he tightly clasps my hand.

—

While I’m still in the midst of my puzzlement, a sudden glaring sunlight makes me reflexively squint my eyes. And then, a hot and humid breeze, carrying an exotic fragrance, hits me in the next moment.

After struggling to open my eyes, I curiously peer in the direction of the light, only to find myself frozen right where I’m standing––

Before my eyes lay a quaint-style courtyard adorned with fragrant blossoms. A flowing river winds its way through, its glistening waves reflecting in the sunlight with water that is clear and pristine, hosting schools of fish swimming within.

Compared to me who is filled with utter incredulity, Victor’s expression remains unchanged as if the current sight before us holds no element of astonishment for him.

Could this be a mirage? Puzzled, I gingerly brush the river’s water with the tips of my toes. The cool sensation of the flowing stream leaves me bewildered, prompting me to lift my gaze to the person next to me.

MC: Victor, am I dreaming again?

Victor: Just earlier, didn’t a certain someone say that she wanted me to take her away to elope?

He smiles as he looks at me, and in his eyes, the magnificent beauty and grand scenery of an ancient landscape are reflected.

The lofty dome of the circular palace hall is embellished with ceramic glazed tiles on its overhanging eaves, each detail unmistakably declaring the opulent and prestigious nature of this place.

Atop the roof stands a wooden pagoda reminiscent of those unique to ancient Luolan, and a lush canopy of greenery veils the gray-red palace walls I’ve seen in the drama.

A somewhat daring conjecture surfaces in my mind.

MC: This wouldn’t be the Imperial Palace of Luolan, is it?

Seeing the originator of all this noncommittally raise an eyebrow, I feel my heart tighten and rush to examine him thoroughly, circling around him.

MC: [anxiously, PTSD x2]  A-are you feeling any discomfort?

Victor: [?? laughs helplessly. *screams* DO YOU SEE HOW BADLY YOU GAVE HER AND US MAIN STORY PTSD––] Dummy. I’m not that fragile.

Victor: As long as we manage to sidestep the butterfly effect and avoid impacting the course of history––

Probably noticing that I’m tensely staring into his eyes again, he slips my restless hand into his palm and gives it a gentle squeeze.

Victor: Don’t be so anxious. There won’t be anyone else here for the time being.

Hearing him say this, I poke my head out and gaze at the rare and magnificent view that lay before me.

MC: So, can we take photos?

Victor: Ask your phone.

But I soon realize that my phone is entirely frozen on the lock screen interface and is refusing to respond whatsoever, leaving me with no choice but to resentfully lower my hand.

MC: The phone says it’s not possible…

Victor: That being the case, simply keep your eyes wide open and commit it to your memory.

I let him lead me toward the depths of the courtyard, and along the way, we see the flowers bloom all the more luxuriantly. Unwittingly, I find myself mesmerized by the vista.

It’s not until a glazed table adorned with delicacies and fine wines appears amidst the blossoms that I stop in my tracks in astonishment.

–– Everything unfolding before my eyes is gradually starting to align with the scenes from the time-travel drama in my memories.

MC: It turns out that the drama is actually so detailed. It seems that I, who diligently watched every episode without exception, am about to become a walking encyclopedia of Luolan––

From the garden on the other side of the wall, there suddenly comes voices of conversation. I hastily hush and excitedly prick up my ears to listen to their dispute.

However, all that reaches my ears are unfamiliar and garbled sounds, and soon I start feeling my head beginning to spin a little. Once the women have walked farther away, I find I’m already frowning without even realizing it.

Victor: Looks like a certain encyclopedia trained through time-travel dramas is really just a half-filled bucket of water sloshing around.

MC: Says who!

–

[Anika’s tidbits]: HAHA as you guys know, I’ve long stopped explaining the thousands of idioms and intricate phrases Li Zeyan writers use unless they’re absolutely necessary/ crucial– or else my translation notes would be bigger than the content itself LOL– and this is one of those and it’s one of my favs 😂 the full idiom phrase is “一桶水不响， 半桶水晃荡” – it literally means while a full bucket of water doesn’t make noise as it is heavy and stable, a half-filled bucket sloshes around– i.e. those wisest among us prefer being quiet and are self-confident, while those who are in the less wise/ smarter group often try to compensate their lack of knowledge/ understanding by asserting that they do~ 💀

–

Displeased with his jest, I swiftly focus my gaze on a copper utensil.

MC: Believe it or not, this was designed for storing spices, and it’s a very rare and expensive item.

I open the lid as I speak, and sure enough, a strong and fragrant aroma assails my nostrils. I can’t help but lift my chin complacently.

Victor: [laughs indulgently]  Alright, I underestimated a certain dummy.

I vaguely feel that the aroma is somewhat familiar, so I lean in to take a whiff, and a powerful fragrance of mugwort instantly invades the tip of my nose.

MC: [sneezes]  Ah-choo!

I rub my nose and look up, only to find that I have blown most of the scented powder onto Victor’s body, causing his figure to be coated with a drizzle of white.

The next second, he narrows his eyes and swiftly scoops me behind him. The smell of bone-chilling danger subtly spreads through the air.

MC: You’re not angry––?

Victor: Hush.

Looking in the direction of his gaze, I instantly become dumbstruck where I’m standing.

A massive leopard is peering at us from beneath the poplar tree, its face obscured by the shade of the tree, its pupils gleaming with an eerie and chilly light.

MC: L-Leopard…

Victor: [smiling]  I’m familiar with it.

Despite being faced with a ferocious beast, this man actually still has the mood to crack jokes!

MC: But according to historical accounts, this should be one of those leopards raised in captivity by the royals and aristocrats. It’s probably quite docile… it wouldn’t eat us, right?

Victor: [still smiling]  Being raised in captivity doesn’t mean it has lost its ability to hunt.

Seeing the leopard arch its back, fear grips me so hard that I cling tightly to his arm.

MC: Do we still have a chance to slip away secretly?

Victor: [still smiling]  We’ve already made direct eye contact within its territory. Stay calm for now.

Pressing my hand against my wildly thudding heart, I raise my gaze to see it take a whiff of the air and then proceed to saunter leisurely in our direction.

After a while, it approaches Victor and sniffs gently. My heart leaps to my throat, but leaving me stupefied, it actually lays down, its shape reminiscent of a fluffy cushion. It even nuzzles him affectionately with its head.

What follows is a fuzzy ticklish sensation, and I stare in startled shock as the leopard’s tail merrily swishes against my lower leg.

MC: …didn’t we just make eye contact with it? Yet you’ve actually managed to tame it?

I cast an incredulous glance at Victor, while he is staring at the incense burner with furrowed brows.

Victor: This scented powder probably isn’t intended for human application.

The enormous creature rolls over, laying bare its soft belly, exceedingly similar to the way Pudding behaves coquettishly after sucking on catnip.

Victor: It might not necessarily be us who drew it here. This fragrance is not just on me.

It’s only now that I realize a subtle aroma of mugwort is also lingering in the air. Following the fragrance, my eyes land on one side of the path lined with densely grown nepeta herbs. I immediately heave a sigh of relief.

At this moment, the leopard flexes its limbs in an inviting gesture, signaling for Victor to pet it. As I watch his rare expression of being at a loss for what to do, I can’t help but break into laughter.

Victor: [laughs helplessly]  …look at what good deed you’ve done!

MC: Being approached by an imperial leopard is a rare blessing that can never be obtained even if one beseeched it.

–

[Anika’s tidbits]: ANOTHER ONE OF MY MOST FAV PHRASES EVER! The term MC uses here is 求都求不来 (qiu dui qui bu lai), which is a play on this phrase: 可遇不可求 (ke yu bu ke qui), which means “can only be obtained (serendipitously) but not be sought after” – which paints the perfect imagery for “destiny, sth/sb being destined for someone”~ and a very important thing to note, which I’ll come back to later. 🥺 

–

Likely attributed to my overly bright gloating, Victor curls his fingers as he pinches up a small amount of the scented powder, which he then dabs on my face.

Sure enough, the leopard turns around and nuzzles against me. Seeing that I’m not putting up any resistance, it then straightens itself up and buries me completely in its soft fur.

MC: …ngh, Victor! Save me!

Victor: Nope. This “rare blessing that can never be obtained even if one beseeched it” is now being given to you.

Nudged by the leopard, I’m prompted to draw a few steps back, and as I let out a startled cry and tumble backward, I find myself landing in a soft embrace.

Amused, Victor pats the leopard on the head, and it obediently sits back down on the ground, reminiscent of a docile house kitten.

–

Even as he enfolds me in his arms and sits us both down on the grassy lawn, I remain a bit indignant.

MC: Why does it only listen to you! We both clearly have the same scent.

At this moment, I happen to glimpse at the golden silk embroidery on his clothes shimmering in the sunlight. I then contemplatively look at my own dress, which is somewhat plain.

Victor: You don’t think it’s because of the clothes, do you?

MC: …who can say, perhaps its owner has clothes identical to yours.

Victor: Well, a certain someone must be thinking to herself, “Had I known earlier, I would’ve chosen a fancy princess gown for myself.”

Seeing me choked silly by his spot-on guess of my thoughts, he studies me with even more and more interest.

Victor: [IN THE MOST DOTING AND ADORABLE VOICE EVER]  But however you slice it, a certain dummy still looks like a certain dummy.

Disgruntled, I lean closer to the water’s surface to check my reflection. A pouty face suddenly jumps out at me, which indeed is in disharmony with the dancer’s attire.

However, when I turn around and notice the wine cups on the table, an idea immediately strikes me.

I pick up a cup and lean in to bring it to his lips, working hard to make my voice sound soft and enticing as I speak.

MC: Your Highness~

He pauses for a brief moment, almost imperceptibly, before swiftly locking eyes with me.

Victor: There’s no wine in the cup.

MC: …you spoilsport!

Huffing, I sit up straight from his arms and shoot him a glare.

MC: Isn’t it because I’m afraid that if I spill the wine just like I sneezed earlier, it could result in altering the details of the history!

Victor, however, lightly quirks the corners of his lips, pours the glass to the brim with wine, and once again draws me closer to his side.

Victor: What did you want to do to me? Go on.

MC: You…

Before I can fully comprehend why he is being so cooperative at this moment, I feel a gentle force gripping my chin up.

I find myself falling into those serenely deep and unceasingly approaching pupils, and my breathing becomes rapid, beyond my control.

Victor: Weren’t you quite bold just a moment ago?

Victor: Seeing how you’re being so tentative like this, do you want me to teach you how one should drink this wine?

My slightly trembling hand is gently lifted by him with an irresistible force, and the small wine cup is soon raised to the level of my eyebrows and then even higher.

His fingers trace a slow path from my wrist to the palm of my hand, making the wine in the cup ripple, mirroring the swaying of my heart in tandem.

Just as his waywardly mischievous fingers are about to enter between the crevices of mine, he applies a slight pressure. The teetering fine liquid finally spills out, and the cool sensation quietly trickles down my forearm.

Along with the soft sensation, a rush of warmth suddenly washes over me. I stare wide-eyed, completely unguarded, and am rooted to the spot.

That pair of deep eyes, which has been fixed on me all along, makes it clear that he has no intention whatsoever of letting me go.

The scorching tip of his tongue gently licks and sucks on the continuously dripping nectar-like fine liquid, sending a wave of tingling shivers coursing throughout my entire body. 

The incessantly rising, delicate sensation of itchiness makes me a bit restless. I have the urge to escape, yet simultaneously, I can’t help myself from pandering to it.

He looks at me with slightly half-lidded eyes, his lips curling up into a triumphant arc of someone getting their way.

Victor: Have you learned it now, dummy?

MC: !

I suddenly snap back to my senses and hastily pull my hand back, tossing the ceramic glazed cup back onto the table as if I were holding a hot potato.

MC: W-What am I learning this for…

Victor: Clearly, it was a certain someone who started it first––

Before the words even leave his mouth, I notice a skylark swooping down. Seeing this, he swiftly pulls me to the side to dodge.

While I’m still amidst my puzzlement, a black shadow suddenly flashes before my eyes. Much to my astonishment, the leopard has scampered into the air to catch the bird.

“Clang” –– the table is abruptly turned upside down by it, sending fruits and vegetables tumbling and leaving the cups and dishes in a complete disarray.

When I see him calmly looking at the spilled wine, as if he’d already foreseen it, I realize where his confidence in pouring the wine earlier came from.

And also, the uniqueness of this “trip.”

Looking up at this world that doesn’t belong to me, I can’t bear to tear my eyes away from the courtyard blooming with vibrant and luxuriant flowers––

The abounding blossoms of crimson pomegranate adorn the trees, while the light purple clovers form dense clusters, and the red lotus stretches wantonly by the riverbank…

MC: I’m still finding it hard to believe that I’m able to see the ancient Luolan with my own eyes…

Victor: So, have you found what you were searching for?

At his reminder, I belatedly recall the original purpose that I had cast to the back of my mind.

After casting a surveying glance all around, I don’t find that rosy color I was expecting to see and can only gaze at him with a sense of bitterness.

Victor: During this period, roses hadn’t been cultivated yet.

As if he can sense what I’m thinking, he explains in a calm tone.

MC: So that means, the stone-carved rose doesn’t exist either… Since you knew this all along, why did you go through such great pains to bring me here?

Victor: Compared to simply answering you whether the legend is true or false, bringing you here to see for yourself is more just.

Victor: In this boundless universe, there will always be a kind of beauty worthy of a certain dummy’s pure yearning.

Only at this moment do I realize that this voyage across time and space is precisely his answer.

MC: You… don’t you think it was quite naïve of me?

Victor: I do. But it’s also a precious trait of a certain dummy, and I think I can help you maintain it in moderation.

My heart suddenly turns into a mush. I settle my gaze on the edge of his lips before lifting my head and kissing him.

The aroma of wine and fragrance of flowers gradually fade away, and I find myself drenched only in his pleasant scent. Amidst our closely interwoven breaths, time seems to slow to a crawl, stretching ever so slowly.

It’s not until the familiar dryness lingers around the tip of my nose that I slowly open my eyes, slightly gasping for breath. What greets my eyes is the view of the endless sand dunes.

Apt to the occasion, my phone starts vibrating and powers up automatically. Only ten minutes have passed.

I feel as if I have just woken up from a dream. I gaze at Victor in a trance, and the rose-colored kiss mark on his lips enters my field of view, making me unable to help the smile spreading across my face.

MC: It appears I’ve already found the rose from the legend, one that will never wither.

In those eyes, brimming with unending tenderness, I see him lowering himself——

Victor: Then, allow it to bloom for a little while longer.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

[Anika’s Analysis & Ramblings]

twitter thread link: ♡

—

[noirsvault]

YES TELL HIM ME- GRAN- ME- FUCK- YOU CAN'T!!!!

I WON'T LET YOU HURT YOURSFEL FJSJSK

??? Don't think if you laugh very cutesy I will let it pass??? ALSO THIS IS NOT YOUR LAUGH IT'S DAIKI'S LAUGH DON'T BE OOC WHEN I'M TRYING TO BE SERIOUS?!?!?!?

I've replayed this shit 10x times oh my god

And the sudden background noise is making everything 1000x better jfjdgjfgj I feel like I'm actually having a personal talk with him?? (ಥ"ಥ) Even though I don't have a Y/N dream??? What is this god tier fan service shdjfj?!?!?

Oh no I- GRAN is too weak, Izuku only talked two sentences softly and he's already swayed.

I am calm I am calm I am calm

*deep inhale*

*full exhale*

Okay, so, at this time, Izuku had been announced that if his right arm ever got shattered from the inside out again, it would be, like, ultimately fucked up and rendered useless.

Although his body would eventually become sturdier LATER through his training, and using OFA at 100% wouldn't affect him as gravely anymore, we never know exactly WHEN had it got to that point, IZUKU Never Knew there would be such a case. That's why he switched from punching to kicking in the first place.

Yeah, so, Izuku, don't you think Gran should know about those little titbits too, hmm? Just so he can take it into account when consider your plan, eh?

????? DON'T DRAG OTHER PEOPLE INTO THIS??? ARE YOU LITERALLY USING THOSE KID'S DREAMS AS HOSTAGES ON ME RIGHT NOW YOU LITTLE SHIT DJFJFKS???

AND DON'T START THE BGM OUT OF A SUDDEN TF IT'S GIVING ME FEELS

I shouldn't be the one who's dealing with him right now Gran shouldn't be the one who's dealing with him right now KACCHANN CAN YOU GET DOWN HERE FOR JUST A HOT MINUTE?!?!?

(*bury face in hands*)

THIS IS ALL GRAN'S FAUUUULT

[milliondollarhoe]

*contains spoiler*

Shiki might be one of the most terribly underrated anime out there and i have only truly seen people talk about the art style but nothing really more.

I watched shiki way back as a 15 year old and watching it again now it still somehow manages to make my chest tighten up, the only difference is, i seem to understand and look deeper into the anime and the concept of potential "good" and "evil" but how at the end it's just grey. This is something i personally feel AOT tried to achieve but majority of the people couldn't grasp and i also understand why they couldn't. It's because one side is shown/presented more to the audience because of which the audience is more comfortable with the characters portraying that particular side. Introducing the other side of the story later really doesn't come to the favor of the story later. And I don't blame the audience but i don't blame isayama either, the story is complex afterall.

But Shiki on the other hand manages to deliver it so brilliantly within the span of 22 episodes. I feel like for me the breaking point really comes in episode 13 when Dr.Ozaki outright tortures his dead wife now turned shiki, Kyoko only to know the solution about the situation. That's the dividing point of the series. Was ozaki cruel? Definitely. But did he do it to save people? Yes. It's this crucial point where you really don't know if you can justify his actions and the same goes for Muroi especially because he is a saint.

Another thing that i genuinely like about Shiki is that there is no particular "main character" in the series. Everyone is important, somewhere or the other. Take Nao for an example, one of the most insignificant characters initially but god her scenes later on where just— i don't have the words to explain.

I feel like Shiki is an anime everyone should watch at least once in their life. The art, the story, the characters, the setting and the bgm is just amazing in my opinion. The only drawback i particularly feel is the abrupt editing/cutting between the scenes.

Also Dr Ozaki will truly remain one of my all time favourite characters out there. His sense of humanity leaving to actually save humanity in just one episode will always make him an S tier character for me.

[ultra-violet-heart]

Since it’s release month for Trails of Cold Steel 3, lemme just give a bit of spoilers for this song:

CURB STOMP.

That’s all and have a fun time playing!

[leejungchans]

hi carat anon <333 sorry this took so long whejjws but here’s the playlist i made for some of my recent and all-time favourites :3 apologies in advance if you’ve already heard almost of them 🤧 i feel like my music taste is super basic ;;;;;;

recent favourites !!

dreamers (ateez; super fun summer song!!)

rose (d.o; honestly his whole album is chef’s kiss but boy is rose making me wanna write a fic based on it ;-;)

dive into you (nct dream; it’s so cute omg 🤧)

hello (joy; her vocals >>> this never fails to put me in a good mood)

mixtape : oh (stray kids; the song is so soft pls ;;)

anti-romantic (txt; god tier song)

favorite crime (olivia rodrigo; the harmonies towards the end are just so angelic)

brutal (olivia rodrigo; to me this gets better with each listen and i related to the lyrics a lot!!)

drink it (the boyz; this song makes me feel powerful ahsjjws 12/10 would recommend when powerwalking down the street)

lose (niki; the lyrics and vocals are so pretty and almost poetic imo ;;;)

play with fire (sam tinnesz; ever since hyunjin’s dance video i’ve been listening to this on loop)

get loud (twice; i think i was living under a rock bc i just started listening to this and i love it 🤧)

hollywood’s bleeding (post malone; don’t look at me look at chan 👉🧍🏻)

step on up (ariana grande; started listening to this after seeing an edit of chan on twt with this as the bgm, in conclusion every decision i make is bc of him 🧍🏻‍♀️ also highly recommend watching the edit bc 👁👁 i’ll see if i can find it and link it!!)

special shout-out: anyone (svt; no i will not shut up about anyone chan bark bark bark)

all-time favourites !!

eight (iu; this song oh my gosh 🥺 it just makes me so happy and hopeful ;;;;)

blue moon (btob; so good!!!! i’m so glad they performed this on kingdom bc otherwise i wouldn’t have known this song ;-;)

you were beautiful & congratulations (day 6; the vocals in these >>>)

we lost the summer (txt; such a calming song ;;;; and the meaning of the lyrics make me soft and somewhat bittersweet)

doremi (svt; gosh i just love how all three of their voices go so well together 🥺 lee chan main vocal so true)

black mirror (oneus; the vibes in this are so ✨ ahsjhas sorry i don’t know much about music terminology so my descriptions are very lacklustre </3)

wave (ateez; HAKUNA MATATA YAH)

un village (baekhyun; iconic, his vocals are just unbeatable)

hello (chen; i usually listen to this when i write bittersweet fluff/angst ;;;; i cried the first time listening to this)

gold rush & champagne problems (taylor swift; i just love these songs so much ;;;)

exile (taylor swift; the harmonies are beautiful)

finally // beautiful stranger (halsey; i don’t think i’ve ever been in love before but this makes me wanna be ahjshwjs)

afterglow (taylor swift; i related a lot to some of the lyrics and the vocals are so pretty in this!!)

24h (svt; one of my favourite songs from them!!)

fallin’ flower (svt; another favourite!! the lyrics are just 🥺🥺)

blueprint (stray kids; such a cute and positive song ;;;)

oohhhh also i don’t think i’ve asked this but aside from svt, what other groups/soloists do you like anon? :33

and if you’re comfy with answering these, here are some questions just to get to know you more and to exchange funny stories (if any 🤪) 1) have you ever gotten lost in a foreign country? // 2) what is one embarrassing/awkward memory that’s stuck with you? // 3) what’s your favourite subject at school? // 4) do you have any pets? // 5) any random talents?

for me 1) i have 😵‍💫 i was in dublin for a study tour and i stayed with a local family and got lost multiple times when trying to get home 😭 // 2) i have so many bc i’m a strugglebus but the kids i was teaching last week joked about bringing me to a deserted island so i could work for them 🧍🏻‍♀️ that was pretty embarrassing ahsjhwjs // 3) mine’s probably english!! // 4) i used to have a few fishes and turtles but they are sadly not here with us anymore ;;; // 5) i was bored one day so i taught myself to recite the alphabet backwards 🧍🏻‍♀️

[artificialqueens]

Like They Do in Vegas, 1/5 (Vanique) - Mac

AN: This fic came about from a series of prompts I did on my blog and is entirely Ortega’s fault. I blame her, and this is also dedicated to her because Vanique is a god tier ship and I needed to contribute in some way.

As always, Meggie is a lovely person and I thank her endlessly for betaing this.

And to you at home I hope you enjoy!

BGM Challenge Notes: Vanessa and Monique’s friends show up in Chapter 4! And I’m working on a playlist for this AU that I’ll link next chapter!

Summary: Vanessa is a Casino Girl just trying to get by. Monique is a mysterious rich stranger. They meet in the city of sin. What could possibly go wrong?

Chapter 1: Go Big or Go Home

Vanessa arrived exactly twenty minutes before she was scheduled to clock in.

She threw her purse into the row of lockers and headed for the back of the small employee lounge. She passed the clock-in computer, the whiteboard on the wall, the flyers for various shows around town, and walked all the way to the last dressing room, after noticing the other two were already occupied. Vanessa smiled instinctively at the sound of Vixen’s voice raised above the sound of someone else playing music. She was yelling to whoever was in the adjacent dressing room, recounting a story of the night’s events.

Vanessa got dressed quickly, slipping out of her plain black jeans and sweater combination and into her sparkly silver dress that caught and reflected beams of light in a way that she had been told was mesmerizing. Vanessa never really noticed before she started working here, the dress most likely having been picked off a sales rack back home. It didn’t matter where it came from now.

What mattered now was that Vanessa’s hair was a mess.

Aquaria told her so and tried to sound exasperated when she did. It only ended up coming out fondly. Vanessa gave her a winning smile and batted her lashes too for good measure before the younger girl rolled her eyes and motioned to the chair beside her. Aquaria went to town on curling the particularly unruly strands, but there wasn’t time for much else; they both knew another round of patrons was due to hit any minute now.

Everyone that worked in Vegas knew the waves.

11 p.m. brought the moms and the bachelorette parties.

11:30 p.m. brought older couples and divorcees.

12 a.m. brought the guys with girlfriends.

12:30 a.m. brought the guys without girlfriends.

1 a.m. brought the wealthy singles, and the wealthy not-so-singles.

1:30 a.m. brought in the drunk people.

2 a.m. was what girls like Vanessa liked to call ‘closing time.’ Seal the deal or your ass was out on the curb for the night.

Luckily, Vanessa had an apartment, unlike some of the other casino girls. And the 300 square feet could be roomy—if she closed her eyes.

Vanessa made do.

Aquaria shooed her away from the chair at 12:55, giving Vanessa ample time to squeeze every last detail from Vixen, who was more than happy to recount yet another story about a creepy man trying to get her to join his brothel.

Offers like that were strangely common in this line of work. Well, maybe they weren’t so strange.

Most people thought they were sex workers anyway. Prostitutes or strippers, whores hired to seduce the male patrons and run them dry. Some of the other girls saw it that way. But as far as Vanessa was concerned, she was a glorified waitress. Her job was to facilitate the purchase of alcohol. The more people drank, the prettier she looked; the more they bet, the more they lost or won, the more money the casinos made.

In a lot of ways, it was a dream job. Vanessa got paid to look pretty and talk. Two things she was naturally gifted at.

Out on the main floor of the casino, Vanessa began her usual route around the space. She spent a good few minutes just drawing eyes, pulling focus from the card games, slot machines, and general greed. She walked slowly, careful to tilt her head down, flutter her eyelashes when patrons were close enough to see the eye makeup she had hurriedly done on the bus.

Vanessa was good at her job. She found a mark within five minutes.

Older guy. Late fifties. Nicely dressed. Seemingly ordinary. But what Vanessa instantly noticed was his watch. Rolex, one of the older ones. That’s ultimately how Vanessa picked all her marks. Her daddy used to say ‘what a man wears on his wrist he wears with pride.’ There was something more about shoes and hiding, but Vanessa never remembered that part.

She was fine with the Rolex, but she had really been hoping to find a Patek tonight.

Rolexes only started at $5,000.

But Vanessa made do.

She waltzed over to the roulette wheel, making sure to smile warmly at the employee behind the table. She gracefully rested her hands on the edge of the table as the casino employee gave a nearly imperceptible nod toward Mr. Rolex. Vanessa winked at him in thanks.

“You know I always go for 32,” Vanessa said to the group of men who had just started to take notice of her presence. She honed her sights on Mr. Rolex to see his reaction.

He practically preened under the attention. Vanessa rolled her eyes internally.

This was getting too easy.

Mr. Rolex eventually pulled up another seat and sent Vanessa to the bar three times before turning to ask her name.

If she were anywhere else, doing any other job, Vanessa might have been offended.

She only batted her eyes and giggled animatedly. “Vanjie,” she lied.

Mr. Rolex took that as his cue to lean in closer and press a whiskery kiss to Vanessa’s neck. She did her best not to freeze up under the attention and to just go with it.

It was then while pretending she was anywhere else, that Vanessa noticed a woman at the opposite end of the casino. She was sitting alone in one of the plush chairs that made up the lounge. It was noticeable because she was alone and fucking gorgeous. Long flowing dark hair and the tightest red dress Vanessa had ever seen that fell off her curves like water.

Vanessa was intrigued instantly. No woman that looked like that was alone in Vegas for no reason.

She convinced Mr. Rolex and his new buddies that they needed more gin and made her way quickly over to the bar, allowing herself the immense pleasure of ogling the strange woman from afar.

For all her smooth grace and easy confidence, Vanessa was rendered nearly incoherent when it came to women. Men were easy. You leaned over the table and their monkey brains took over. Women on the other hand… Women were a different species.

Vanessa tried to squeeze information from the bartender. He knew nothing, only that she ordered a martini and had been sitting alone all night.

Vanessa couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something more to her. So she did something stupid. Something stupid and silly that she would beat herself up over later: she ordered the mystery woman a martini. Vanessa went back over to Mr. Rolex and his friends, placed the drinks in front of them, and then made up an excuse about ‘being right back’ and having to ‘take care of something.’

Mr. Rolex and his friends were too engrossed in their game to care and Vanessa slipped away without any fuss.

As she headed back over to the bar, Vanessa noticed the woman was gone from her spot in the lounge. Vanessa’s heart sank in her chest and she was tempted to throw the whole night out as a waste when she noticed the woman perched at the bar looking directly at her.

“So you’re the cute thing that ordered me a drink,” the woman said by way of a greeting. “This one,” she nodded her head at the bartender, “was tellin’ me you don’t do that for many people. Should I be honored?”

“You tell me,” Vanessa shot back, surprising even herself with her quick wit.

The woman chuckled in response, throwing her head back and causing a commotion with her joy. Something inside Vanessa ached to be that free.

The woman motioned to the barstool next to her and Vanessa took it without another thought.

“You play much?” Vanessa asked, motioning to the various gambling methods.

“Betting?” the woman asked. “Not usually. I get sucked in, and you know what they say.”

“Hmm?”

“Greed is a sin.”

Vanessa laughed. “Oh baby, you in the city of sin.”

“Monique,” the woman corrected.

“What?”

“Not ‘baby.’ Monique.”

Vanessa smiled, and the woman, Monique, smiled back.

She raised up her hand to take a sip of her drink and Vanessa nearly choked at the sight of a Mille RM 51-02 draped elegantly over Monique’s wrist.

She had never seen a Mille in person before, having only ever heard stories of the watches that started at $30,000 and could go up to two million.

The vortex of gold and silver embedded in the watch face drew Vanessa’s eyes and she couldn’t help the smile overtaking her face. “Well, you know what they say, Monique?”

The corner of Monique’s mouth quirked up and she shook her head no.

Vanessa smirked. “Go big or go home.”

…

Vanessa smiled into her drink as Monique threw her head back in a laugh.

The sound reverberated off the glass in her hand, and Vanessa was sure that the joy in Monique’s voice had more to do with the warmth in her stomach than the alcohol.

“So what is it that you do, Vanjie?” Monique asked, her voice alight with humor and warmth.

“You ain’t never met a casino girl before?”

Monique shook her head no.

“I look pretty and get drinks,” Vanessa chuckled. “Speakin’ of,” Vanessa trailed off, looking to the side door where she could clearly make out her boss, Ms. Visage, glaring at her. “I’d love to keep talkin’ but—”

“How ‘bout I play some games?” Monique offered. “That should get her off your back, yeah?”

And now Vanessa was sure the alcohol couldn’t be the cause of the warmth because her whole body lit up under the knowledge that Monique wanted to spend more time with her.

“Thought you didn’t gamble,” Vanessa teased. “Somethin’ about it bein’ a sin…”

“I think if the Lord were in my place, he’d understand.”

They made the rounds: slot machines, poker, and Vanessa’s favorite, Blackjack.

The Blackjack tables were set apart from the rest of the casino, some architect really letting loose with the layout of the section. The ceiling was arched, and the tables were long surrounded by plush seating rather than the stiff angled chairs that lined the other tables.

Vanessa assumed her favorite position, perching herself on the arm of the chair while leaning into Monique’s presence, allowing her easy access to duck down and huskily whisper words of encouragement. All the while keeping their skin from touching.  

It was an old move. One she had learned her first week working here. The girls called it the Blackjack Bag. You made it so you were constantly leaning down to whisper directly in your target’s ear; this gave you the excuse to flaunt your cleavage while also getting a target riled up by the sound of your voice.

The Blackjack tables are where you bagged targets, hence, the title.

Monique seemed to be no different in that respect. No matter how hard she tried to hide her flush, each time Vanessa leaned down to compliment her, her hands tightened on her cards.

She was doing well. She had gotten a face card nearly every hand, and she knew when to fold and when to go for it. Vanessa was impressed. She told her as much.

“Beginner’s luck really does exist,” Vanessa teased.

Monique pulled her head back to look Vanessa up and down, taking her time to really take the younger woman in. “I’ll show you luck,” she said as she moved her massive pile of chips to the middle.

“All in.”

The men at the table squawked in a mixture of shock and protest. Monique just made a vague hand motion to keep playing.

Vanessa’s jaw was on the floor.

Monique only had a three and a queen. Statistically, at least one of the other players had to have higher cards than that.

The house went around, the men to her left and right got another card, but Monique stayed calm, and denied it.

It was then that Vanessa realized what Monique was doing.

She was using Vanessa as a lie detector almost, signaling to the other players what cards she had. Vanessa kept her expression neutral, and did a damn good job of it too because the other players all looked at her surprised.

As expected, they all folded, and Monique took back her mound of chips and the additional bets.

She looked up at Vanessa with a self-satisfied smirk, never breaking eye contact as she flipped her cards over.

The table erupted.

Two can play your games, she had said without opening her mouth.

Vanessa just smirked.

At one point, after Monique bested some business suit out of his measly twenty grand, the man approached Vanessa and attempted to make a move, running his hands harshly up and down her sides. Vanessa rejected him but pointed him in the direction of one of her fellow employees.

He didn’t seem to get the hint until Monique looked up from her cards and wrapped an arm possessively around Vanessa’s middle.

“I think,” she practically spit, “my girl told you to get lost.”

The suit looked at them with a raised eyebrow but didn’t dare say anything more. Vanessa felt white heat in her gut at the feeling of Monique’s arm around her, and she had to take a second to compose herself.

Vanessa turned back to the game and was surprised to find Monique’s eyes searching her own. “Does that happen a lot?” she asked, genuinely concerned.

“Yeah,” Vanessa tried to brush it off, “but you know, it’s Vegas.”

“And that makes it okay?”

Vanessa shook her head lightly. “Nah, but what can ya do?”

Monique looked at her hard, calculating. She didn’t say anything, but turned back to her game, placing her cards on the table before attempting to stand up

“I fold.”

Vanessa looked at her shocked. “You were winning, wha—”

Monique stood in front of her, eyes wide, asking permission, seeing if this was real. The vulnerability in her expression nearly made Vanessa take a step back.

“You wanna get out of here?” Monique asked, expression unassuming and open. “You can say no. I—”

Vanessa stopped Monique with a hand to her face. The first skin to skin contact. “Do I look like I wanna say no?”

[crazyyfilmyfreak]

WHAT DID JUST HAPPEN ? 

Women Kicking the ass of bad guys is forever one of my all time fav genre . Honestly i thought this filmz gonna fail big time and i was never really interested into it maybe bcoz of the poor marketing or not so impressive trailers and promos but my god what did i just witness ?!?!?!!

Birds of Prey suprised me and it stands as one of the most refreshingly unique , cheerful , colorful CBM which is filled with full of Life , passion and a lot of effort ... gotta tell y'all i was literally spellbound by the magic and charm of the film after watching it , had an amazing experience watching it ... IT IS SO FUCKING GOOD AND SET ITS OWN TIER IN CBMS ( atleast imo ) 

and congo to DCEU ,Everything after Justice league was nothing but pure gold in their universe in terms of Quality or BO 

i really liked margot's performance in the film y'all know how great actress she is so im not gonna waste my time speaking about her but i really love Harley Quinn more in this film compared to SS ... Cathy Yan has added more depth , meaning and life to Harley's character , really loved seeing all those shades of Harley in the film and yeah she totally carried the whole film from start to end . 

everyone else also did the fine job but Mary Elizabeth Winstead AS HUNTRESS IS SEXY AF , SHE IS JUST SEXY AF ... i can repeat the same sentence another 1000 times because she was terrific, amazing , charming and very pleasing to the eyes ... i have some problems with the black canary but i think a little bit of grooming of the character would be fine in the sequal or her upcoming appearances 

Also The tone , Bgm and atmosphere of the film really worked well on me and Guys i see some of you calling it a fake woke feminist film ? i mean wtf is wrong with you guys ? i see none of it 

Cathy yan just made one of the most ravishingly brilliant & uniquely maginificient CBM of all time and she put a lot of effort and life into it i mean i could clearly see that onscreen and CBMS which are so cool & unique like this should be appreciated more and Cathy Yan deserves all the respect and appreciation for making one of the best CBM of all time idk man i just loved it a lot i cant stop expressing my love towards the film

[abundantchewtoys]

Hiveswap - Monster Melee + Attic

So, the final(?) stretch of this Episode - the trek into the attic!

But first, let's combine the attic key with everything ever. :P

ATTIC KEY + GRANDFATHER CLOCK > Yyyeah, I suppose clocks were on Joey's mind because of the subtle influence of the other KEY? Cherubs and clocks, Lord English, you know.

ATTIC KEY + DEER > Yes, it *would* be great for Joey to meet an alive deer. :P (*coughDammeksLususcough*

ATTIC KEY + HORUS STATUE > ... Pffff, yeah, I forgot that's what that Egyptian god is called! So, the A1 trolls have two members named after ancient leaders of god assemblies (Horrus and Cronus), that's no coincidence at all!

...

Huh, it appears no other combination is possible with the attic key outside of the trophy room. Huh, guess Joey is REALLY hurried to get up there, huh?

...

D'aah,, we couldn't even walk to the kitchen door, we HAD to go to the living room, and now, BAM!!

Suddenly there are FOUR monsters to fight! Joey got squeezed between them in the battle opening animation.

Jeez, that big one seems like it could even have an EYE??? Closed now, but... Unless it's a second mouth.

So I tried to minimize the toolbar, but it appeared to count as an action, and Joey got knocked out. Let's see if I can do something different after resetting the game.

... Nope! The only thing we can do now is choose to switch to Jude's perspective! He's going to have to give her a hand, remotely. ... Wait, does this mean that, currently, no monsters are outside of the treehouse?

Probably not. I think Jude is going to have to use his flares. Then again, the monsters appear to be blind. Can they be burned from the flares?

Jude saw what happened from the tree house, as I thought he would have, but now, I wonder what he can do from all the way here. Is he REALLY that good an aim?

Okay, the monsters can sense the flare, huh. Three are distracted, does that mean Joey's going to be able to beat the big one one-on-one???

BYERS + TURNED MONSTERS > ... N'aww. Hey, and Byers exited our inventory and re-entered it, he's now first again. TREATS + TURNED MONSTERS > ... WELP!! Definitely a second mouth!!

FLASH LIGHT + TURNED MONSTERS > ...!!! We turned them back, and now one of the monsters is KO! Our cursor changed, like we're charging up, but we can also switch back to Jude???

... Pffffff, none of the other items really did something except funny prompts. But after turning the remaining two monsters around, Joey made the bigger one knock the bat-winged one out. Hah, what a doofus.

Welp, Jude dropped the flare gun. It DID distract the remaining two monsters, but it also lit the pile of leaves beneath his treehouse on fire. So Joey might not know how things turned out for him, when she's swapped!

WELP, if we now wait too long, Joey actually gets eaten by the monsters and it's game ovER8!!!!!

... So we make it to the attic, and Joey drops the key through the floorboard. That... I thought we had this weird prompt when we previously played the game, about the floorboard, huh.

Jude is planning to call his friends for help, and has shown actual tactical prowess, huh, hidden depths!

And... When the walkie connection breaks up, Jude pleads Joey not to investigate the portal. "I CAN'T LOSE YOU TOO" "DON'T GO NEAR THE PORTAL" ... Does that mean Joey and Jude's mom disappeared while investigating the attic/portal??? ... What does Jude know that Joey doesn't?

CHERUB KEY + BROKEN GLOBE > ... Huh. So, what, does the cherub key fit on some sort of globe? OR is it because it's used to activate a portal between worlds? Maybe Joey will assume she got transported to a fantasy land based on one of Grandpa's inaccurate globes?

BYERS + MONKEY PAW > ... PFffffffff. "Joey, you don't have to use me on everything in this house" "Nice try, Byers. Let's see what else is in here." Perfection.

BROKEN WOOD > Huh, so Joey owns a crowbar. Seems like that could come in handy once he has to assist Dammek? BATTERIES + BROKEN WOOD ... Huh, so??? Ooooh! I didn't see it with the inventory active! This is actually the remains of a CRATE! Did the portal come through the mail?? ... If Jude was strong enough to open the crate, it couldn't have been around when his Mom disappeared.

CHERUB KEY + CRATE > Yep, the portal definitely came in the mail. Was it sent to Grandpa by the Condesce, before she herself died/disappeared???

CHERUB KEY + INVOICE > "The KEY! Where is that dadblasted gadzooks KEY?!" ... Wow. So Grandpa was trying to activate the portal, but why??? And yeah, he was so out of touch with his kids, he didn't know his wife had left the key to Joey? ... Unless it ended up with Joey some other way.

Hmm, so I think maybe Condy used a portal like this to travel from Alternia to B1 Earth, and then through to B2 Earth after having given Grandpa his inheritance. But why did Grandpa want to use it? Did he want to find the woman who raised him? Or did he want to find other planets to explore, after having seen so much of Earth?

POGS + SHOTGUN > ... Waaaait, what? Your PA's SISTER gave him this shotgun????? ... Nanna? Did she give it to Grandpa sometime before he left the family home??? Or did Grandpa take it from a storage space belonging to Nanna after her death?? Wait, no, Nanna's still alive in 1995, never mind.

The most normal thing in this attic must be that Christmas tree. And yet, just in front of it, it appears Grandpa stashed a sleigh. Does he picture himself Santa?

MUMMY > ... Yeah, Grandpa indeed had some morbid fascination with death. He came into this world killing his foster dad, so yeah, what you gonna do? SPICE + MUMMY > ... Welp, it leads into a breakdown by Joey about how her Sitter actually doesn't always remember to provide good food. :(

CHERUB KEY + MASKS > The KEY ... likes... masks? What? Masks aren't skulls, though, otherwise I could've seen it as a cherub thing. What does this refer to?

BATTERIES + GLOBES > Heheh, yeah that would be appropriately stupid, that the attic is stuffed with the broken prototypes of the globe-based puzzle used to stock the attic key.

BALLET SHOES + GLOBES > Most of the globes don't have Russia or France or other ballet-leading countries on them. So they are probably of Alternia, but what if Grandpa collected globes from alternate dimensions? Alternate Earths, or alternate Sburb-spawning planets?

All that remains is the portal now.

Oooh boy. I do wonder how the game will end, what the last scene might allude to even. Also, is Dammek going to be shown yet, or just in silhouette?

Would be cool to have a callback to Roxy jumping through the portal and seeing Dream Roxy float out there.

Ooooh, a broken God Tier clock and a broken mirror? How's that for symbolism. The music stopped too, and now all that remains is the flapping of the wind through the portal.

BATTERIES + PORTAL > Confirmed that the wind is coming THROUGH the portal. Guess there's not a lot of air pressure inside the portal? Or at least, there's a pressure difference between the portal and Earth/Alternia.

PET TREATS + PORTAL > The void... It beckons.

TAP SHOES + PORTAL > It's a "the note desolation plays" shoutout. :D

BALLET SHOES + PORTAL > Curtains. Stage. "You have a feeling it's going to be a hell of a show" Hah! Reference double secured.

Then there's nothing left to do now, but to uncover the portal.

Jeez, it's been a long time coming.

...

Wow. Okay, so there's actually a pedestal for Joey to stand on, huh!

Is... Is the portal going to behave like a mirror? That she seems Dammek standing on the other side, and when she touches the surface, they are swapped?

How long did Dammek possess the portal? Was it also stashed out of sight, and what caused him to check on it?

LOOK > ... CREEEEEEPY. Seems like either the portal is calling out to Joey... Or some other presence. Can't be Caliborn, right?

POGS + PORTAL > Yeah, the portal is definitely somehow influencing whoever possesses the keys. To what end? What could swapping them possibly accomplish?

TREATS + PORTAL > Actually, less than snakes, the statues kind of look like seahorses to me, with how they're curled. :P

BALLET SHOES + PORTAL > Wait, what, it'll make music, like an organ? ??? Grandpa did have some broken organs on te attic, was he trying to open the portal by playing the right tune?

Okay, NOW it's time.

CHERUB KEY + PORTAL, here we go, come on!

...

WOooooooww!

THIS WASN'T EVEN THE END!!!! Oh my god. Are we REALLY going to have the train station scene here too??? Or will it end when we exit Dammek's hive???

Wow. The interface layout changed, everything became more Trollish. Cooool. And we left the walkie on Earth, for Dammek to find, while Dammek's communication device is there on the ground.

The timer on the portal is set to 11:11:11:11. Does that mean that Joey has eleven days and a half-ish to return home? There's a forcefield around the portal now, I don't think she can just jump back in.

There's a robot lying on the floor, so Dammek might dabble in robotics. A door is being banged on, perhaps by his lusus? It all depends on what caused Dammek to be here, at the portal, at that time.

The fact that everything we picked up on Earth (even Byers!) came through for the rest... Will the pogs and treats have another use? :D

And so yeah, the music during the cutscene was a remix of English. Fitting that the portal would make that sort of tune. As for music, the BGM is now set to what I presume is the Hauntswitch tune, at least the version for Dammek’s hive.

This seems like a good place to end our playthrough for the day! :D

[dybgr]

just listened to the new extra and that bgm is god tier, but like all of s3 so far...  all the candies are full of glass shards

[hanjisungz-archive]

binsung rlly are the cutest ur right :") and wow yeah 1st mixtape was absolutely god tier,, the fact that you like those songs, that's the epitome of Taste (TM)? personally.. i like.. wow? lmao no my fave is probably broken compass? although i have a Huge soft spot for start line n for you! but broken compass is just That song for me, the bgm just creates such a brilliant vibe... its why i didnt like mixtape 4 as much (i did like it tho!), broken compass will always be the og for me - cloud anon

yess they are friendship goals tbh 🙇🏻‍♀️

HKFDSKFJH lmao wow is,,,,, a Song,,,,,, and yea 1st mixtape is my absolute fave like cloud 9, runners high, nxt 2 u ???? like there isnt a song on 1st mixtape that i dont like 🤧 and yesss broken compass is Amazing !!!! and yea start line is amazing too tbh i dont Love start line’s beat but the lyrics make up for it (its like my pace i dislike the song so much but the lyrics make up for it) and yea the beat for broken compass is just like Different idk how to explain it but i totally agree !!! ive only listened to mixtape 4 a few times but i definitely agree i like the og more (i like the og 3racha song just a lil bit more than all mixtapes tbh)

also 쉿 will have a special place in my heart bc it was the first ever 3racha song i heard and jisung opening his verse with ‘ill be the one’ just Sealed him as my bias lmao so i have a soft spot for 쉿 🥰🥺

[momestuck]

Let’s read Hiveswap Friendsim, volume 13

I think I’ve got time for another one of these. There’s so much of this game!

This time, “Of Fate, Fortune and Fashion”. Usually there’s some intro narration. This time we just get...

Yeah. I know how it goes.

This time: olive and teal. It’s been a while since we had olive. Boldir looks like a detective or spy perhaps, while Stelsa must be the ‘fashion’ mentioned in the title.

We’re wearing a hoodie!

Boldir

Our protag seems to be feeling the fatigue.

Surely not, protag. Obsessively looking for friends is like your entire character trait! (The set here is the abandoned watchtower we’ve taken as our hive.)

So we get some coffee.

It seems that the narrator has been spending time with the trolls they’ve befriended, albeit offscreen. The narrator lists other gifts they’ve received from friends.

I know that feel T_T

We get a message from someone who declares the line is not secure, but it’s worth the risk to contact us. I quite like the music, ‘Old Secret’ by James Roach, which has a nice solo violin. I really need to start referring to the BGM by title. One of them is just an ascii image of Bowsette, and I can’t wait to see who it corresponds to.

Anyway, our mysterious interlocutor says...

Well, that’s worth getting out of bed for, I think.

They invite us to meet in... the good old lesbian coffee shop down the road. How convenient for the background artists!

Ardata makes a reappearance. The narration suggests we haven’t exactly been keeping in touch with this friend.

Friendly as ever. She hasn’t been thinking much of us either. At that point, before we can spend more time with Ardata, we find a note reverse-pickpocketed into our pocket saying ‘out back’. And here’s our first, obvious choice.

I’m kind of curious to see what happens if we stay in and talk to Ardata. I’m sure it’s going to end abruptly, so let’s do that before we continue this route.

Indeed, we get mind controlled (I presume? or maybe just ordinary social pressure) into carrying Ardata’s luggage home.

OK, now let’s continue with the route.

Anime club really is a step beyond.

Behind the coffee shop is... a nice garden.

At the centre of the spiral is... Boldir. Not dressed up in her spy getup this time.

She has a really good poker face.

Apparently the reason she sat in this circle was to see if we’d ‘follow the path or trample through it’, but we did neither...

It’s a metaphor!

We ask about the information she promised. She says something else cryptic...

Before the end. Does that mean she’s aware of the impending SGrub apocalypse?

She knows about paradox space, huh. (you know the frequently shitty webcomic)

“Paradoxes aren’t relevant, by their very nature.” she tells us. Apparently the “essence of this nature” that makes them “so integral to this story”.

So this troll is basically talking to the players directly at this point, huh.

The narration briefly mentions that the protagonist is an orphan.

We ask Boldir about the whole long range pickpocketing thing. She says it’s actually quite simple, while showing that she can apparently float about at high speed. Is she a god tier or something?

Anyway, we get a chance to learn.

Always crime, all the time.

The actual pickpocketing lesson is mostly skimmed over in a few narration boxes. An interesting note comes up...

So whatever supernatural shit is afflicting our protag, Boldir is able to ward it off. She offers us coffee.

We’ll sleep when we’re dead, we joke. “If only.” says Boldir. Yeah... about that... there’s kind of a whole thing there.

When we go back into the coffee shop, Ardata is still there. She sneers at our low-caste friend.

There’s an interesting contrast now they’re side by side between the two art styles. Ardata has thick, black lines and solid blocks of colour, while, Boldir is drawn more like a contemporary anime, with  precise cel-shading, gradients in her pupils, and very thin lines.

Boldir gets under Ardata’s skin almost immediately with a dig about her subscriber count...

Ardata declares she has a new gimmick: poisoning a guest and hiding the antidote somewhere. Boldir grins and gives us a hint with her eyes...

Unfortunately, we fuck up and steal the antidote, not the poison. Boldir takes it in stride.

Then someone stabs her! Perhaps!

The troll who stabbed her books it out the door, and none of the strangers care to intervene. Worse, Boldir’s been poisoned.

And by sheer coincidence, we just nicked an antidote. The narrator wonders whether it will be the appropriate antidote for the poison...

Some treatments, such as activated charcoal, work in a way that’s relevant in a lot of poisonings (if administered quickly enough etc. etc. - I Am Not A Medic.) A large reactive surface area is a large reactive surface area, after all. To be honest, while it’s obviously important to know what someone’s taken, I get the impression that the whole like... fiction conception of a perfectly matched, very specific, instantly acting antidote probably doesn’t have a lot to do with real poisoning cases.

Anyway we administer the antidote and this happens...

Whatever that is, it cures her somehow. We hug her, which gets the lesbians’ attention.

In the commotion, the protagonist took note of the seeming ‘inevitability’ of a lot of what happened, and Boldir comments on our ‘inherent significance to this particular microcosm of causation’. Which kind of comes by virtue of being a videogame protagonist, but I guess that’s in the fiction too...

OK, now what if we don’t do crimes?

Instead, we go for a walk...

Come to think of it, the white robe she has does kind of resemble a god-tier outfit... but not of any of the god-tier colours we’ve seen in canon, to be honest. Particularly not any sneaky ones.

We start talking about like... metaphysics and specifically causality. Whether randomness is real, whether our choices matter. Fate, she says, would mean...

But she says that she doubts the universe is that simple. Having read Homestuck... it’s complicated! It turns out, at least some of our decisions create doomed timelines, whereas only one timeline - possibly carefully pruned by the agents of Lord English - is the ‘alpha’, ‘canon’ timeline.

Which Boldir calls attention to. The forces, huh.

We talk a bit about how the protagonist got here. Apparently the whole episode of vehicle theft - notably a rocket, possibly others - involved about 48 hours of drifting in space before reaching the Alternia system. If not for the fact we, the readers, know that we went to another universe, that would have to be some serious thrust and delta-v. But I guess the protag doesn’t know that.

As we walk about, taking care to avoid tails, Boldir receives a message by way of a large black bird. She asks us if there is anything we do like about Alternia...

Aww.

We end up rushing to a deserted lot filled with rubbish. Boldir waits for one of her contacts. And then... the assassin from the other branch gets her.

This time we have no antidote to help her with. The protagonist gets upset - so many of their friends have died because...

Then reality starts to break down.

So this is what being in a doomed timeline is like!

“There’s honestly too many of them.” Huh.

I guess being with Boldir in a doomed timeline lets us - briefly - perceive the other doomed timelines, all the little offshoots of possibility. That’s cool. It’s working the whole visual-novel-branching-path thing into the narrative.

But anyway. That’s it for this timeline.

And that means... our protagonist is some kind of temporally displaced agent. They, or at least some kind of mysterious ‘forces’, are within the narrative probing all the various timelines to see what happens in each one. Which goes some way to explaining why we remember stuff from non-canon offshoot branches.

And this time, the death screen is not the final screen of this branch.

Dun dun dun.

Unfortunately, I have made the mistake of scrolling down the list of chapters and seeing the preview of the final chapter, which wasn’t initially in the game. So I have some idea what this is hinting towards already. I guess like... if you were gonna play this yourself, you probably wouldn’t be reading a liveread first.

So... it’s Doc Scratch, right? The last chapter is called ‘Of Hosts, Excellent’, and he’s in there. Doc Scratch is, for some reason, manipulating the timeline to make us befriend all of these trolls. No doubt he’s the one who made sure we could get into this universe at all. Why? Well, that’s the question...

Stelsa

On that ominous note, it’s time for fashion.

This episode opens with a lovely rain backdrop. The BGM sounds like something that would go in a mall area in a pokémon game. Our protagonist has decided to walk rather than drive, and it’s happened to rain.

In keeping with this whole, like, ‘every branch is true’ thing...

We have mention of Tirona’s umbrella, which wasn’t given to us in the ‘true’ friendship route.

We get a first choice...

Break and enter or get back in our car? Guessing if we get back in our car we’ll just like, leave and that will be that.

No, much worse. We straight up die.

So, we’re set on breaking and entering... but then Stelsa turns up before we can try.

She’s talking on what the protagonist calls a Bluetooth headset. My guess is it’ll have some kind of ridiculous troll name.

She’s back from a jog, evidently immune to acid, so we take the chance to try to sneak into her house.

Apparently all-caps is just her quirk, not just when she’s on the phone.

For once, our reputation does not precede us..? No, it does, ‘the alien everyone is talking about’ indeed.

She introduces herself as an ‘auditerrorizer in training’. So another non-legal teal role. And immediately offers to help with our business (as well as asking about our stylist, even though we’re in a borrowed hoodie).

Apparently she knows ‘zizi’ - Tyzias? Huh. Wouldn’t have figured her for a revolutionary, but maybe she doesn’t know.

...oh huh. The protagonist recalls that this is Tyzias’s matesprit! This game has lots of lesbeans :>

We enter her office. There is a whole lot of Alternian text. Oh joy.

The motivational posters: ‘TENACITY: -ive up already, lowbloods’ and ‘SUNRISE’ but I can’t make out the caption on that one. A sampling of filing cabinet drawers: ‘A-Ab’, ‘Ab-Ac’, etc. The book spines are just squiggles.

Stelsa heads off to take a shower.

I always screenshot troll idioms.

The protagonist takes in the very organised office - except for one desk, which is probably Tyzias’s.

Tyzias emerges from the shower and immediately moves to end our meeting, to-do-list item done...

Apparently she urgently needs to replace a cancelled beautician appointment.  We get a choice...

I’m very tempted to see what happens if our protagonist tries their hand at being a beautician... let’s do that.

Oh, we’re already off to a fantastic start.

We head to her respiteblock to help her clean up.

So we have to CYOA through this sequence. We get to choose whether to start by...

Let’s go with hair styling. We pick up a hair drier that may in fact have teeth, and get to work. We’re probably doing this right, since she starts thinking of her gf.

As the protagonist acknowledges, Tyzias isn’t one for elaborate beauty regimes.

We see that she’s reading a book about history of revolts, and try to talk about that. Stelsa is startled that we’d be so casual with infosec...

‘DEFINITELY NOT TO ANY MAN’

‘She sounds way too earnest for this to be a cover up’. Oh shit. We’ve done it now.

Thankfully she doesn’t press the issue. We get to work on her nails. She starts asking about an ‘acquaintance’...

An acquaintance, huh.

The protagonist fumbles around for a suggestion, and points to open communication. Stelsa says, wouldn’t that just cause unnecessary friction for her ‘friend’ and her matesprit, since she doesn’t share those views? The narrator reassures her that she - her friend - doesn’t have to agree with her matesprit on every particular.

We’re rather relieved. In game and out.

THEY SURE DO... which is why we’re playing this game, of course.

But anyway... more by luck than judgement, we’ve made our way onto the friendship route!

Which means it’s all downhill from here.

First of all, what if we polished her horns instead of styling her hair?

I’m guessing the whole ‘horns as erogenous zones’ thing is being confirmed here.

Yeah.

So now that leaves one more substantial branch... not pretending to be a beautician, and suggesting getting ready for the meeting.

Her client turns out to be...

Remele! Our artist friend. It’s getting hard to keep track of all these names, honestly.

She’s excited to learn that we’re friends, and asks what we can tell her about Remele as we drive our stolen scuttlebuggy. Not sure yet how this can go horrendously wrong.

Apparently, though, she’s a fan! We get a callback to Vriska’s famous irons in the fire...

Unfortunately, as we travel... we reach some road works. Turns out our scuttlebuggy’s map is out of date.

And we can’t drive. Stelsa puts the car into manual and we go careening off the road. Which messes up Stelsa’s hairstyle. Friendship: over.

One more dead timeline. Doc Scratch has his work cut out for him.

And that’s that! More tomorrow, or maybe later this evening, depending on how like... real work goes.

[seigyokus]

Producer Letter #14

Same old 80% translation, 20% paraphrase mix as usual. Hit the jump to read more!

To everyone supporting Idolish Seven,

This marks the first producer letter of 2018! We have just finished releasing Part 3 in the game, and episode 15 marks the end of our regular airing schedule for the TV anime. (TL Note: no fear, the anime's not over yet! more on this later)

The Idolish Seven Exhibit has been open for about half a year following our second anniversary, and the exhibit closed yesterday. We are very happy that we were able to tour various cities with everyone's help, and we thank everyone for your support!

There is currently an event going on at VR ZONE called "PRISM NIGHT", hi-resolution versions of our music* are available at SONY, and our idols will be acting as the advertising representatives for JR Tokai Tours's "OFF/Journey Campaign!" 

We are happy that our talents are getting so much work, and we truly feel as if we've taken a step towards the future we envision for our project.

PRISM NIGHT　 SONY Hi-res Audio  JR Tokai Tours　

*TL Note: not sure if this encompasses the entire i7 discography but a side note, "hi-res audio" refers to .flac files aka God Tier Lossless A+++ Sound Quality, whereas most tracks available for digital download are in mp3 or m4a format, which are great but not fully lossless! I actually can't watch the video rn because I'm a fool and forgot my earbuds but I believe that is what's going on!

Today, we'd like to talk about the following topics...

【The Project as a Whole】

◆ Part 3

Thank you for walking alongside our idols all the way from April 27th, 2017 through Chapter 20! 

We've received continuous support ever since we started releasing Part 3, and we are truly happy we were able to deliver all of Part 3 to everyone without fail.

Part 3 is a turning point within the work, as we've stated in previous producer letters, and the characters have undergone various changes as they confronted hardships and advanced forward within the story.

It took a long time to deliver all of Part 3, and we'd like to thank you for your patience from the bottom of our hearts. Although it took a long time, we've gleaned equal amounts of confidence and were able to present a lot of stories and carefully craft the songs as a result.

We hope to continue crafting this project with the utmost care, and we thank you for your continued support.

◆ The Anime

Looking back, we spent about a year working on the anime script with TROYCA. As for the anime series composition, the last episode of the anime’s regular broadcast aired yesterday with episode 15. 

The image of Director Bessho declaring, "Let's do a good job on episode 15*, and make episodes 16 and 17 one episode!" still firmly remains in my memory. While I cannot go into great detail as some of you may not have watched episode 15 yet, we firmly believe that viewers will be able to enjoy episodes 16+17 precisely because of everything that has happened thus far and because of everything that we have built up through episode 15.

We hope you keep watching until the end!

Episode 16・17 will be broadcast during the following dates and times (JST):

TOKYO MX　2018/5/19 Saturday, 19:30～ KBS Kyoto　2018/5/22 Tuesday, 23:00～ Sun TV　2018/5/22 Tuesday, late night 1:30～ TV Aichi　2018/5/20 Sunday, scheduled for late night broadcast TV Hokkaido　2018/5/19 Saturday, scheduled for late night broadcast TVQ Kyushu Broadcast　2018/5/20 Sunday, late night 3:35～ BS11　2018/5/24 Thursday, late night 1:30～

※ In the case that any changes are made to the broadcasting schedule, please check the TV anime's official site or the official Twitter for the anime.

Volumes 1 and 2 of the Blu-ray/DVD are currently on sale as well!

◆ 1st LIVE 『Road To Infinity」

We announced this concert back in January of this year, and holding this concert is one of our many dreams regarding this project.

It has been in planning for two years now, and it is thanks to the anime production committee that we are able to have our idols take such a grand stage. Not just that, we are truly overjoyed that we have the opportunity to have all three groups (IDOLiSH7, TRIGGER, Re:vale) perform live together.

We have one more important announcement to make regarding the concert!

People who have cleared a certain requiremnet in-game will be given the opportunity to enter the lottery for concert tickets. We will be revealing more details on this soon.

The campaign start time, requirements, and specific website for this campaign can be found via "In-game Announcements" and we plan on releasing this soon. Please remember to log into your game, and we hope you look forward to it!

◆ Fan Thanksgiiving Event* *TL Note: kanshasai for anyone used to the romaji form

We started holding these events back in 2017, and this time we'll be holding Volume 3 of "Kimi to Motto ×2 Ai wo Kataranai to!"

Additionally, we will be holding live viewing sessions for Vol. 3, and we hope to have tons of fans enjoying the event in real-time!

Live Viewing Ticket Reservation Time Period April 7th, Saturday, 12：00 (JST) - April 22nd, Sunday, 23：59 (JST)

More details can be found here at the official site!

◆ Music

How is everyone enjoying the songs from the anime?

We've included tons of surprises so all fans, both new and old, can enjoy the anime!

We would be delighted if people became more interested in the world of Idolish Seven because of the songs that adorn the franchise!

Additionally, the BGM for each scene from the TV anime will be included in the OST, "SOUND OF RAiNBOW" (on sale April 25th, 2018)!  

There are two comprehensive CDs filled with songs, so we hope you purchase it!

Furthermore, "Nanatsuiro REALiZE" by IDOLiSH7, the last unlockable song from Part 3 of the game story, will be on sale on June 20th, 2018.

We have also started on the "12 SONGS GIFT" series of birthday songs for each idol, and we thank everyone for the high praise it has received. 

We hope everyone continues to enjoy this series as we show more sides to each idol, and we will be doing our best to ensure this.

◆ Music Videos

The full version of the music video MAPPA produced for us has been released, and we hope everyone watches it!

Additionally, TRIGGER's newest music video, "DIAMOND FUSION," will also be released soon.

We hope to continue to create more videos for everyone's enjoyment, so please look forward to it.

"Nanatsuiro REALiZE" marks the 7th installment in the Idolish Seven Music Video Animation Project. We hope to deliver more to everyone and try a different format from YouTube, so we hope everyone looks forward to it!

◆ Comicalization & Novelization

We will soon be finishing up the comicalization of "Banri Ikkuu!" 

"Senko Fuma" and "Hyakusai Mukyuu" will also be released for a limited time only on Hakusensha Novels, and we also intend on comicalizing these parts as well.

We thank you for your continued support!

【About the Game】

We hope everyone is enjoying the game alongside the anime!

We have tons of new songs, events, and scouts prepared. The anime's finale will be airing soon, and we hope everyone will enjoy it!

【Future Game Adjustments & Additions】

◆ Events

As we mentioned in the previous Producer Letter, we are focusing up on making the game easier to understand. For example, clearing up which items are necessary for helping your idols grow and where to get them, what the requirements are for moving an idol to the Waiting Room, etc. 

As we approach the two and a half year mark, we hope to make game functions and each type of event easier to understand, and improve upon each.

With regards to this topic, we will be giving more details through each subsequent update, in-game announcements, and the official twitter rather than here in this letter.

◆ Questions, Comments, or Concerns about the Game In the case that you would like to express your opinion to the staff, please contact us through the official site.

Thank you for reading all the way through this letter! 

I'm sure some of you may be thinking, "You didn't answer my question!!" 

But in response to that, there's one thing we'd like to promise you: 

We guarantee that we will deliver only the best to you!

Last but not least, we would like to thank all of our hardworking staff, and we hope to continue working with everyone.

Let's all watch the anime! And let's all play Ainana!

TL Notes/comments:

I, too, would like to thank everyone for reading this far too! I am a day later than I would’ve liked for putting this out, so thank you for guys your patience.

As for other translation stuff, 9.5 will be posted later today and Chapter 10 is currently in the works! Now that Part 3 is over, I can finally catch up without fear of the next part dropping! Woohoo!!!!

As always, if you see any mistakes/mistranslations/etc, do not hesitate to drop me an ask! I don’t check tumblr chat messages as often, so if you’d like to bring something to my immediate attention, the best avenue to do that is via askbox!

Once more, thank you for reading!

[teikokusuffering]

Inazuma Rewatch  Episodes 1-11

This begins my adventure in canon reviewing for Genda to roleplay him on dreamwidth. The thoughts are shotgunned and mostly written as they came to me with no coherent fashion. Also most of these are live reactions that I did in plurk hence the format of them. Also fair warning I do curse so that’s in there too.

Canon reviewing just makes me look up at the sky within the first seven seconds because how did I forget how Try Hard they were in making Teikoku out to be the villain of the show

I will also never be over this fucking tank 

ah Kidou you had dignity for like half an episode After this begins your slow descent into never being dignified ever again oh no I forgot how cute the bitty soccer team Endou plays/practices/coaches is why didn't we get like an arc with them growing up and joining Raimon or such that would have been adorable jesus christ I forgot Gouenji has a sick ass guitar solo bgm when he shows up also I like how none of the teachers in this school are at all phased by endou like how long did it take them to get used to this child being who he is there it is the exact moment Kageyama fucked up he challenged Raimon to a game that was like poking the sleeping dragon you know better then to do that Kageyama you have a history with this school dramatic shadow effect over Teikoku up to like three now where the fuck do all of these tires come from? Endou do you have a dimension to pull those from? I still am in love with the fact the only reason Endou's grandfather's techniques have remained a secret is because of horrible handwritting not due to super fancy code or hidden messages nah bruh he just sucked at writing and explaining himself is all and Someoka with the first "Soccer isn't a game" one liner what weather wizard did Teikoku pay to cause that storm cloud effect as they roll on in with their fucking tank bus part of me is not even shocked anymore over the honor guard, only with soccer balls and not rifles, and red carpet dramatic moment of Teikoku arriving but a part of me is still just Fucks sake Teikoku chill kids you are fooling no one with your "practice" that is straight up showing off on the highest tier there it is the moment Kidou's fate was sealed Endou being Endou despite the fact that shot was a deliberate attempt to hurt Genda's first line in the entire show and it's basically code for "Here Kidou kick their asses I'll hold your earrings" I'm pretty certain there is a mercy rule in soccer like there is in baseball so I know this score is just ridic really oh wait that's right this game will not end until Gouenji shows himself my mistake Oh Max I have missed your blunt destroying of self confidence that you accidentally do trying to be helpful also this entire scene is so disconcerting because it shows that Endou really is knowledgeable about this sport and how to be a captain which flies out the window when he does a Stupid in the name of soccer and I'm just like Endou please god Someoka and his anger issues over Gouenji all this anger in this episode and then the awkward that is Endou and Gouenji before Gouenji just gave in and joined this soccer team meanwhile back on the ranch: Kidou gossips plots and shares intel with Hemni regarding Raimon and what this is causing regarding schools taking notice and basically rents a fifty foot neon covered billboard to tell us that Domon is going to arrive soon how did I ever take these kids seriously they try so hard to be edgy it's ridic 

I have finally reached the episode in this slow as hell canon review to meet the character that deserved so much more then he got 

Domon deserved a better soccer husband then what he settled for he put up with so much both as a double agent and as someone having to suffer constant exposure to a Raimon still learning how to stand on its own ah yes the moment we first really learn just how much of a douche the teacher/coach for Raimon really is Endou's father is still the purest of the adults in this series ...the fucking secret fort is still horrible no matter how I look at it children please that is not how we share secret information /wheezes at how everyone but Gouenji and Domon are shocked at Endou reading the secret notes those two just look so proud I also forgot how up in the personal bubble Kazemaru is regarding Endou in the early season like Kazemaru pls fuck Kidou and his hiding behind lampposts I keep forgetting he does this so much child child please ah the start of the Gouenji Endou friendship is so awkward as Gouenji is still realizing what he has signed himself up to follow Kabeyama tries so hard for this team technique with Gouenji I also keep forgetting Gouenji and his socks that are such a different color from anyone else like who let you do that? Are you one of those types of sports people that have lucky items they have to wear while playing a sport? Kabeyama's fear of heights is so real excuse me as I sit here and laugh brokenly as I remember how naive I was thinking that these episodes right here was the gist of the show despite all of the giant hints they keep doing with Kageyama I want to know how many of those kids collecting data on Raimon were being paid by a different school then they one they actually attended for that data like you can't tell me with how sophisticated that equipment was that they weren't being paid by several schools for that data meanwhile Kidou and Sakuma are just like 'amateurs' considering they legit stalk and have an inside man on the team instead of just filming and observing the practices good christ I forgotten how much Kidou just dunks on the cyborg team over them thinking a computer simulation is good enough to figure out Raimon like bitch please he can't figure them out what makes you think you can? I keep forgetting episode 8 is the start of Endou's leaving the fucking goal open 

episode ten is just full on, no stops at all drama 

when they decided to start the pain train for Kidou they just shot it out like a bullet also goddamn Kageyama just spell it out in fine detail you see these kids as mindless puppets for you to control why don't you god how many horrible backstories can we cram into one episode Inazuma Eleven: Teikoku kids must suffer Don't be related to a Teikoku kid and def don't be a friend of one that way leads to being part of a painful backstory also I repeat Domon deserves so much more look an episode with the one I'm actually canon reviewing for! I best savor this as I won't see him for like ten more episodes after this 

Genda: /standing next to Kidou and has no idea wtf to say that isn't soccer related, praises the rest of the team instead of actually saying anything else. Kidou: /stands silent while intensely gazing into the distance this is it this like forty second conversation is 90% of this social link how they have achieved the "Will die for you" level on the s-link rank is a mystery well okay Genda pretty much had that as level one/two for Kidou because it's Kidou all of Teikoku would die for Kidou because this disaster apparently has a +50 modifier when it comes to Teikoku wait no NOPE NOPENOPENOPE this is the episode where Kageyama basically destroys an already emotionally compromised Kidou even more no #ProtectKidou2018 Kageyama even calls Kidou a "perfect being" not a perfect human being just a being also who the fuck picked this particular piece of music for this scene this is not a nostalgic happy moment anime this is a man brutally destroying a kid's sense of self and self worth in order to keep him in line fuck god the magazine scene is still horrifying to watch as you see that dawning realization that Kidou Made A Mistake when he reacted to Kageyama going for that magazine jesus christ it just hit me how fucking insanely watched and scrutinized Teikoku is just it only now hit me that during the entire talk between Kageyama and that minion Kageyama has multiple screens from various angles all watching the practice fields in real time as the team practices and we know that the team knows this is a thing considering in episode 11 when Kidou decides to create his rebellion with the team he makes sure to plan it in a random hallway and not on the field where someone could watch and listen in on this whole thing

[sage-nebula]

4, 9 and 12 (of course!!!)

4.) If you were a trainer, would you go on an adventure?

YES!!! Hard yes. This isn’t even a question.

Like, look, listen: In real life, I don’t go outside very often. I don’t do a whole lot. I mostly just keep to myself, for a lot of reasons. Whenever anyone asks me if I had plans, or if I did anything over the weekend, the answer is almost always “no.” And the trip I’m taking to Japan in August is going to be the first time I’ve been out of my hometown / state, much less country, in seven years (eight by the time I go, actually). 

But if I lived in the PokéWorld? There wouldn’t even be a question. THE JOURNEY IS THE ENTIRE POINT!! 

I mean, that’s the reason why you get your first pokémon! It’s the reason why you get your License! Or, well—you don’t have to go on a journey, I suppose, but the journey in Pokémon is both literal and metaphorical. You go on the literal journey so that you can go on the metaphorical one, growing as a person and as a trainer. And note, I use the term “trainer” loosely here; so many people in this fandom think that you have to battle in order to have a viable career, and that’s just not true. So many people in that world choose occupations that don’t have anything to do with Badge collecting or battling. Those in the medicinal field aside, you also have scientists, researchers, Rangers, breeders, Coordinators (though that has a bit of battling to go with it), and so on and so forth. There are sailors! Firefighters! The list goes on and on. You don’t have to go on a badge quest, that’s not necessary. The important thing is that you get out there, you see new places, you let yourself and your pokémon encounter new people and experience new things. You put yourself and your team in a place where you can grow and mature in whatever way you need to, so that you can discover what it is you’re all meant to be doing for the rest of your life.

So if I lived in that world? If I received my first pokémon (two—a growlithe puppy when I was nine, and my official starter of charmander when I turned ten), earned my License, and had the chance to go on a journey? You bet your ass I would! I wouldn’t even be scared, because what’s there to be afraid of? Sure, there are a lot of dangers—but I have pokémon with me. I have two fire-breathing pokémon with me from the get-go, and I’m not afraid to let them protect me. What do I have to be afraid of? If anyone messes with me, I can just sic my pokémon on them. I used to get in fistfights all the time as a child in real life; this would be no different. I wouldn’t even hesitate. 

But that aside? Oh man, I’d travel everywhere, I’d go everywhere. I’d probably get the badges because, well, why not, they’re there, I might as well go pick them up while I’m doing other, more important things. But mostly I’d want to just explore; I’d want to see everything the world has to offer, I’d want to experience the majesty and the magic of that world. I’d want to experience and master mega evolution for myself, I’d want to go spelunking in literally every single ruin to ever exist. I’d want to explore the abandoned ships, and the phenomena off the coast of Cinnabar. I’d want to do it all.

So hell yes I’d go on the journey. No question, no hesitation. And since it’d get me away from the parents who mistreated me far earlier in that life than I managed it in this one … well. All the better.

9.) A pokemon you think is overrated

Umm … okay, I think I’m going to actually decline answering this one. I did take a shot at the vulpix line last night for being overrated because I was feeling salty about so many people favoring the vulpix line over the growlithe line all the time, but I feel a bit bad about doing that, and I’m not going to do it again with other ‘mon, even though there are some I could think of to name here, because … well, even if I think those ‘mon are overrated, people like them, you know? They bring people happiness. Maybe I don’t think they’re the greatest, or maybe I even dislike them, but just because they’re massively popular when I personally don’t get the appeal doesn’t mean that I need to insult them here. All that’s going to do is make someone upset, and I don’t want to do that, particularly since I know exactly how that feels due to how much I love charizard.

So I’m going to decline this one, at least for the time being. Maybe the super, massively popular pokémon are massively popular because they deserve it, even if I don’t necessarily get the appeal all the time. It’s incredibly possible, and I shouldn’t try to rain on that parade.

(That said, if anyone likes kricketune, sorry, we’re going to have to disagree for the rest of our lives, because there is not a single pokémon I despise more. I’d take literally anything over goddamn fucking kricketune. Kricketune is the sole reason I’m dreading Sinnoh remakes. No lies, no exaggerations.)

12.) The game with the best soundtrack

asdfkdsjfdslfjlksdjfsdfsd THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE TO ANSWER, THIS SERIES HAS SUCH GOOD MUSIC!!! Like, honestly, Pokémon OSTs are often near the top tier of video game OSTs. It’s true that I can’t think of one that I would deem the best video game soundtrack ever created (that honor probably goes to Mystic Messenger and I’m still just … Mystic Messenger has no right, it’s a mobile phone otome game, why does it have a soundtrack this excellent?!), but even so, it’s hard for me to pick just one game from the Pokémon series that surpasses all the others musically because they’re all so excellent. 

Aarrrgghghhhhhh …

If I had to pick one, then it would probably be the Gen V games, Black/White in particular. As a sampling (and don’t read the comments on these videos if you want to avoid spoilers):

The Day I Became King

Encounter! N

Battle! N

Battle! Gym Leader!

Unwavering Emotions

Pokémon League

Battle! Elite Four!

Carrying Out a Mission

N’s Castle

N’s Farewell

ENDING - To Each Future!

In the game itself, “N’s Farewell” immediately precedes “ENDING - To Each Future!” and let me tell you … the effect there is immense. I was already near tears because of the ending, but god, that mood whiplash … it really affected me, haha.

But yeah, like—that’s a sampling! The music in the Gen V games is so good, particularly since the route music changes depending on the season, and there are also some musical differences between the versions (like, Opelucid City is a lot different between Black Version and White Version; it’s more technologically advanced in Black Version, so the theme for the city in Black Version reflects that, whereas it has more emphasis on nature in White Version, so the theme for Opelucid in White Version reflects that as well). Also, as you make your way to Victory Road in order to get to the Pokémon League, you have to pass by Badge checkpoints as usual. But this time, more instruments are added to the bgm with every checkpoint you pass, so the music swells to a crescendo as you make your way through the Badge checkpoints in order to get to Victory Road, and therefore the Pokémon League. You can take a listen like so:

Victory Road - Trio Badge

Victory Road - Basic Badge

Victory Road - Insect Badge

Victory Road - Bolt Badge

Victory Road - Quake Badge

Victory Road - Jet Badge

Victory Road - Freeze Badge

Victory Road - Legend Badge

And eventually what you’re left with is the full Victory Road music. You add the instruments to the bgm to make the track as you go through each Badge checkpoint, which really just adds to the whole experience—it really makes what you’re doing feel epic and majestic. 

God … honestly, I’m not sure Pokémon will ever accomplish something as incredible as it did when it made the Gen V games, but it can try. But that said, there are plenty of other tracks in the series I love as well! Like, honestly, the Gen III games have some amazing tracks, particularly when it comes to the remakes they received in Gen VI. Like, I have to take special mention of all of Zinnia’s themes, not just because she’s my favorite gameverse character, but because her music is fucking amazing:

Encounter! Zinnia

Battle! Lorekeeper Zinnia

The Hoenn games have a lot of fantastic tracks, but those definitely stand out in the remakes. Then again, Zinnia herself stands out in the remakes … she’s so perfect.

BUT ANYWAY, THAT’S ENOUGH RAMBLING FROM ME, HAHA … I just … really love Pokémon, and also music, so …

[chiveburger]

honestly, their august release is about to drop soon but hi hello is still in my heart so iconic n unbelievable. especially when I hear it RANDOMLY as the bgm for some random interview I’m always like ☠☠☠ because its so good !!!! like not just good, but god-tier blessed by the heavens good. their whole harmony during the chorus was so uncalled for every time I hear it again I realize that they actually sung that song into reality n heaven exists. I mean even if I’m not watching the music video, their last part of the song where young.k runs to the truck I SEE THAT in my fucking mind !!!! every single time I listen !!! its like seared into the back of my mind because that scene alone fits so well into THAT specific part does that make sense ????????? its just always gonna be present like who does that !!!!!!! ah !!!!!

[shinneth]

The Gem Ascension Reference Tour 2-1: Word of God’s OST (Opening Theme Songs)

So, even though I’ve been writing for, at a minimum, 20 years, there were plenty of traits I didn’t share with fellow authors. One of which was music. Mostly I’d say it was my ADHD nature, but I could never concentrate on writing if I had any music going on in the background. It would always distract me - especially anything that had vocals in it.  

For some reason, Gem Ascension didn’t follow that protocol and I was heavily reliant on BGM to properly visualize shit. It really helped keeping me going! 

Special shout-out goes to  BrawlBRSTMs3 X - most of the music I listened to was in fact video game music. With a few exceptions, vocal tracks did still shake me up a bit, so I needed to stick mostly with BGMs. But having it in 30-minute chunks helped loads, otherwise I never would have made any progress having to consciously change the tracks in case Youtube auto-picked something unfitting after just a few minutes. 

But right now let’s focus on the OP Themes I picked. ED Theme picks are here.

OP Songs 

Now, one tradition I’ve held on to since Trifecta and fully intend to carry over to GA is using exclusively WWE RAW or SmackDown themes to use for the themes I headcanon for these things. Of course, I feel awkward just repeating the picks I had for Trifecta (To Be Loved and Enemies for Arc II) and those were top-tier picks, so... I had to look to the leftovers. Sadly couldn’t find any justification to use Across the Nation anywhere, unless I could say it’s the theme of the side-story... still makes no sense. :| 

Although... in the side-story, during the Lapis chapter, I had Peridot basically recite a chunk of lyrics from To Be Loved and masqueraded it as advice to Lapis.

Scan the “message to Lapis” portion of the 7th chapter and you’ll find out really quick where I sneaked this in. If you thought that was really clunky and weird... well, you know why! 

To be super stupid, I decided to make individual OPs and EDs for each chapter of GA. So, I had to do my best to choose from my leftovers...

GA1 (Center of Gravity) - Tonight is the Night (2014 Remix)

(that one starts around 0:37 on the cut version video)

Much as I loathe to associate anything or anyone with Roman Reigns, I love picturing an ending shot where Peridot’s basically doing this:

Also, really love the visual of seeing, say... Lapis, do something like this:

GA2 (A Solid B+) - Burn It To The Ground

This one says it best.

Well, they are storming Homeworld to get all their friends back. If they have to head out tonight, kick down every light, take anything they want, or take everything in sight, they’ll go till Homeworld stops turning while they burn it to the ground tonight - if that’s what it takes to get Steven and the others back!

GA3 (The Final Experiment + The Diamond in the Rough) - Black and Blue

And since GA2 ended on a sad note, plus the heightened stakes of the new mission and the inevitability that SOMETHING is going to get fucked up however this story ends, it only seemed right to have more of a downer song for GA3′s theme. Especially when the lyrics are very on-the-nose for stuff that happens in this part.

I always picture the “on and on and on and on” parts of the song to be like, close-ups of Peridot and/or Steven where it shifts from them to their growth-spurt forms (plus Peridot with the diamond fused into her gemstone) / to Chartreuse Diamond + Semi-Awakened Pink 2.0 / to Celadon Diamond + Pink Diamond 2.0 / to Iridescent Diamond. 

I’d add the ED songs, but there’s a video limit on these posts, so I have to separate that, sadly. That’s forthcoming.