#this is what I've got until i decide to refine it

[lastlancaster]

Monster hunting journal, day ???:

The latest mayoral election is underway. Voting doesn't start until day after tomorrow, but already there have been attempts at some of the candidates' lives. All except for the Joker, but what did anyone expect? Who let this man run for mayor

In other news, the monsters near the Narrows have been getting restless. Some have been going straight for Red Hood, another mayoral candidate. I've been able to keep up, but I'll have to keep a closer eye on things if I want to keep what I'm doing under wraps. Which I do.

My theory is that monsters can somehow sense how 'important' someone is, and they can decide who to eat based on that. Theory needs refinement, but that's what I got. I'd ask Constantine to swap theories, but he seems a little... depressed lately. Probably related to his recent stint in Hell - can't exactly blame the guy. Either way, it doesn't seem like he's going to be much help until he's in a better state of mind.

I'm sitting on top of Wayne Tower as I write this. I can see Grant Park from here, and Little Italy behind it. I can almost smell the lasagna from the Bella Italia, that little diner Sal Maroni opened a few years ago. Say what you will about it being a mob front, they got good pasta. Overpriced maybe, but never overcooked. Maybe I'll visit after tonight's patrol. I've been in a pasta mood lately.

Mentioned blogs - open to interact if you would like, no pressure ofc :)

@jokerwithcrowbar @jason-t0dd @gothamcity-mayorelections kinda?? @gutter-mage69

I'm not aware of any Don Maroni blogs, but I'd be delighted if there was one

[1birdsofafeather]

Extremely quick tim drake gun batman sketch

[brawberryz]

⎯⎯ Blind Love

⎯⎯ Jason Todd × Blind! Reader

Note: English is not my first language/ inspired by the manga Veil / M.list

TW / None,i just a little drabble

Snow fell in torrents through the city streets.

The snow painted the streets a white color, giving life to this dead city.

Your footsteps echoed through the cold city streets like a small tinkling sound.

You stood out among all the citizens, having such a charming yet simple style.

Your cane tapped the ground as you walked slowly down the street.

You were supposed to get to your new apartment, but you were lost, and being blind wasn't much help either.

Maybe you should have asked for a guide, but you wanted to be independent.

You grew up your whole life in a very overprotective family because of your disability, which bothered you.

They treated you like you were made of glass, as if you were going to break at some point.

You were tired of so much overprotection, so you decided to move to a new place.

But apparently you overreacted and ended up moving not only to another city but also to another country.

You were so confident in yourself. You didn't even notice you were lost, and someone like you on the streets of Gotham wasn't the best idea.

You were so distracted by your thoughts that your cane collided with someone's foot, causing you to stop dead in your tracks when you heard a small sound of pain as your cane hit the stranger.

"Ah! Excuse me..."

You said embarrassedly, apparently you ended up colliding with a stranger who was sitting on a bench.

It was only your first day here and you'd already messed up. You apologized several times without letting the stranger speak.

"I'm really sorry, I didn't hurt you, right?"

A small, awkward silence formed between the two of you until the stranger deigned to speak first.

"Don't worry, I've taken worse hits."

He said ironically. You just nodded, still embarrassed, but you could feel the man getting up and you could feel his imposing figure in front of you.

It's not that he's shorter, it's just that he was too tall.

"Wow, you're really tall!" You said without thinking about your words. You were someone who tended to say things without thinking, and that sometimes got you into trouble. "Sorry, I didn't mean it like that."

"No, calm down, it's okay."

Jason noticed from your nod. You weren't from this place. It was easy to spot someone new when they'd spent their entire life in this city.

"Hey, do you know this place?"

You asked suddenly, handing her a small piece of paper with all the information she needed written down, but they seemed to have forgotten that you were blind.

"Oh yeah, sure."

Jason took the paper as he read it, but all he could think about was how a person could stay with their eyes closed for so long.

Those doubts, though, were answered after seeing the cane and how you couldn't read something as simple as this paper.

Noticing that so late made him feel like an idiot.

"You should go straight and then turn left. On your right, you'll find your destination."

He said, trying to be as clear as possible. You just nodded happily and then took out your cane again.

"Thank you so much for the help!"

You said before returning with your slow steps. Something in him told him he should follow you and keep you safe.

You were new to Gotham, and your blindness made you easy prey for criminals.

Besides, he was a hero, or a good antihero, but he still had a desire for justice and to protect others, and he couldn't let someone like you walk the streets of Gotham.

"Careful, there's a staircase there!"

He yelled at you from afar when he saw you about to step on a step wrong. You just turned your head and nodded with a small laugh.

"I know, you shouldn't worry."

Your steps were slow but refined as you climbed the stairs. Something in Jason's chest burned every time he sensed something dangerous for you.

He had only met you a few minutes, but he already felt strange.

What the hell was happening to him?

"Are you sure? Is there no one to accompany you, or are you alone?"

He asked curiously, and you just nodded, not paying much attention.

You didn't need anyone's protection. You'd spent your whole life being overprotected, and you didn't need anyone else to worry about you.

"You shouldn't worry. Besides, let me warn you, following me won't get you to Wonderland."

Jason just arched at your sudden comment.

"Do I look like Alice to you?"

You could only let out a small laugh at the man's question.

"Well, maybe a little, but don't be offended, it's my favorite story!"

'She laughed...' That was the only thing Jason could think when he heard your laugh.

"Well, maybe you're right," he said as he approached you. "I almost fell into a hole today. It was an open sewer, and I almost fell in because I was too distracted."

"Ah..." You nodded, surprised but a little curious about the man's story. "Oh! Right, I haven't introduced myself. I'm (Name)!"

You felt like an idiot now. You'd spent a few minutes talking to the man, but you weren't even able to ask his name or introduce yourself properly, where were your manners!

"(Name)..." He said, repeating your name as if he were tasting it in his mouth. "You can call me Jason, Jason Todd."

"Nice name," you said, about to say something, but you were hesitant. You didn't know if you should ask him for help or not. But this was your only chance. "Sorry for asking, but do you know any places where we could get tea?"

After walking all over the city, your thirst and appetite had grown, and you thought a good cup of tea would solve everything.

"Uh, well, I know a place. But it's a bit far from here-"

"Really!"

You interrupted him before he could finish his sentence. He just nodded.

"I don't want to sound annoying, but..." You swallowed before continuing. "Could you take me to that place? I'm new around here, and you know...um."

Jason quickly understood the point. He knew you didn't want to seem useless, but he knew you needed help now.

"Yeah, sure. I hope you don't get bored with my company, though. I'm not one for words."

You shook your head in amusement.

"I don't think so. Your company can't be worse than walking down the street alone."

An inaudible laugh escaped Jason's lips. You were a very direct person.

But now that he had you closer, he noticed something. He felt like he'd seen your face somewhere.

And apparently he was right. You looked like one of those models. He saw your face for the first time when he was patrolling as usual.

Your presence was plastered all over that huge billboard that could easily light up an entire street.

Apparently, you were famous, since he'd seen your face on many posters and magazines, but he decided not to ask and kept his curiosity to himself.

"Could you give me your arm?"

"Uh-"

Before he could say anything, you answered.

"I wouldn't want to hit someone with my cane again, so you could be my guide and my eyes?"

"Oh, of course,"

He said, embarrassed, finally understanding what you meant.

You wrapped your hand around his arm and pressed against him. A small blush appeared on Jason's cheeks.

It was just the cold, right?

The blush didn't mean anything. He was just cold, or was that what he wanted to think?

Anyone who saw the two of you would think you were some kind of married couple.

"Now you'll check for any holes, right?"

You said with a small chuckle, reminding him of that incident he'd told you about.

"Of course, I'll try not to be so distracted this time."

You nodded at his comment.

Jason guided you through the snowy streets, slow steps following you as you could feel the cold breeze hitting your face.

You felt happy because after a long time, you had met someone; besides, he seemed like a nice person.

Maybe leaving home and being independent wasn't so bad.

Because if you hadn't, you would never have met him.

And he would never have met someone like you.

Maybe the two of you meeting was a coincidence or a piece of fate.

Or maybe the two of you were meant to be.

I think you should stop overthinking things. If you keep doing this, you'll most likely get some kind of headache.

The important thing is to live in the future.

And stop looking at the past

Jason is so Aleksander Code

Maybe I'll do a part 2 if I'm not too lazy

[onlycosmere]

Brandon Sanderson on the length of Wind and Truth

PumkinFunk:  I appreciate Brandon being self-aware about the fact that he will struggle immensely to keep the word counts down for this series.

KiwiKajitsu: If only he had a better editor

PumkinFunk:  I know this has become a common criticism since Rhythm of War after Moshe Feder retired, but I don't think it's true. One of his editors for his books is Devi Pillai, the head of Tor Publishing Group. The Secret Projects were edited in-house and generally were good. He has a lot of people giving him feedback, both in-house and outside.

jmcgit:  If Brandon wanted to work on revisions for an extra 6 months to refine and streamline the book, he could do it. This is a Brandon thing, not an editor thing. What was Brandon working on up until the last minute before he had to turn the book in? He was working on making the book bigger, squeezing in more content that he wanted to add. Brandon will tell anyone who asks that he likes to write, and dislikes revising.

When an author gets big enough, the publishers and editors lose their ability to rein in the author or make certain demands. Brandon will do what he wants, and if Tor doesn't like it, they can cancel his contract and Brandon can self-publish.

Brandon Sanderson: I realize it's difficult to see behind the veil of publishing, and much is opaque, but this isn't what I was doing during the last few months--I was cutting the book significantly. However, rough draft didn't include Interludes or Epigraphs, which is why it got longer after I cut it down. This draft lost over 60k words, but then I added in the interludes and epigraphs (along with a few key scenes I decided were needed.)

So, let's be clear about a few things. No editor has ever--in my life--cut my books down. It's not what they do. They largely haven't suggested it. Every editor, Moshe included, has always suggested things to change or add--they don't do much trimming. That's all my job, and always has been. Yes, there is a line edit, which does help trim--but I haven't stopped taking those suggestions, and usually go much, much further on a page-by-page case than they suggest.

I dislike revision, which is important for me to explain because I want people to understand that even for someone who loves their job, there are parts I don't like. But I DO it. I do A LOT of it. It's the part I have to force myself to do, but I am very good at it--and if you follow my stories about learning revision, you'll find that I very clearly explain that I didn't get published until I mastered the thing that was hardest for me. I consider my it, perhaps, my greatest strength as a writer--my ability to look at feed back and apply it to improve books.

If they get long, it's not because I've lost an editor. Moshe's strong suit was always diction, not trimming--and Gillian (who does that job now) is quite accomplished at both. She's Joe Abercrombie's editor.

I realize it's odd, because "to edit" means to trim, but an editor doesn't usually trim books--they offer suggestions for changes on the larger scope, and sometimes do a line edit pass to clarify.

Stormlight books are not big because I can't stop writing. You can pick any number of my shorter novels and see I'm quite capable of doing something at a normal book length. Stormlight books are big because that's the art I want to make--and they are not, and never have been, out of control. I am perfectly willing to accept that the story I want to tell has not appealed to some in the last installments! But don't blame my editors. This is an artistic choice of mine, and their job has never been to change the art. I get the same amount of editing now as I ever have--and I take largely the same amount of their feedback.

Note: don't take this as a direct condemnation of you or some of the things /u/KiwiKajitsu said above. It's more that I want to be very clear about my goals, and the process. My stance is one of explaining, not arguing against your opinions, as those are valid and perfectly reasonable ones to hold.

I realize that a long comment reply isn't the best way to prove I can be brief, but I sincerely think the trope of "He got big so he lost the ability to be edited" is not one that I fall into--I am, if anything, the most edited person at the industry, and see more criticism and feedback of my books prepublication than any other author. Editors and beta readers collectively wrote some 800k words of feedback for me over the last two years, which I incorporate. Not just the, "Add this" but also the "this sequence feels slow or unengaging." I am extremely passionate about listening to, and incorporating, editorial feedback.

It's fine to not like what I do. But don't blindly make the argument that I write it, kick it out the door, and don't pay attention to the revision process while ignoring editors.

jmcgit: Hey Brandon, I appreciate the insight! I regret that my post may have come off as if you carelessly "write and kick it out the door", as I know how hard you and your team have been working on the book over the past months and years, and how passionate you are about getting it right.

Brandon Sanderson: No problem and no offense taken! I just see a lot of confusion about these things.

I am edited far, far more now than when I was when I started and nobody cared. Though, admittedly, I think the most editorial scrutiny I ever got was on A Memory of Light a decade ago. I probably get less now, but I also have way more extensive beta reads.

It's just a complex process. And, you also ARE right in your initial post that I could go over it again and again, and some authors do. I'm middle of the road on the number of revisions I do, by my experience. Not as many as someone like Pat R. does. More than a lot of authors. I do not subscribe to the Heinline philosophy of only editing when required by contract that is very popular these days. (This philosophy believes that your initial artistic instinct will be right, and you shouldn't undermine it later on. I am not a fan, even if some people I respect follow this philosophy.)

Anyway, your initial post wasn't far off; I just wanted to offer some more context for this thread.

[yumeka-sxf]

I would have included this scan with my recent miscellaneous collab scans post, but I decided it deserves its own post, not just because it's one of the loveliest official Twiyor illustrations I've seen, but also because the story of how I got it is...interesting 😅

This image is from the chara fine graph (which is basically a framed picture) that was included as a preorder bonus for buying the complete season 2 blu-ray set from a shop called Rakuten Books (together with badge pins of the same designs). I briefly mentioned it back in October of last year when season 2 was airing, along with preoder bonuses from other shops like Animate and Amazon. I only wanted to get this one though, so as per my usual process of trying to secure rare SxF goods, I made a note to myself to keep an eye out for when it released. Rakuten, which I believe is the main company for Rakuten Books, has their own proxy buying service, and as the season 2 blu-rays were released, I saw them appearing there. But as noted on their main site, the condition for them to send you the chara fine graph is that you must preorder all of the three season 2 blu-ray discs from them. Once you buy the third one, if they know that you've already bought the others, then they'll send you the preorder bonuses along with it.

I was concerned that if I bought the discs via proxy, they wouldn't know that I bought all three and would cancel my order at the end! I would be devastated if that happened after waiting months and spending all that money on the complete set. I knew people would sell the chara fine graph second-hand as soon as it released, so I decided to wait until then and try to find it on Mercari.

So the months went by and eventually I found out that the final blu-ray volume of season 2 would release on April 17th, 2024. I made a mental note to check Mercari for it then, but unfortunately something else released around that same time...CODE: White in the US, which had its first screening on April 18th. Admittingly, I got distracted by the CODE: White release and had seen it twice by the following weekend. I did do some preliminary searching for the chara fine graph, but not with my usual refined search terms. It wasn't until the 21st that I finally sat down and really started searching for it. And while I did find a few listings, they had already been sold.

I was hopeful that more people would sell it, since it had only been less than a week since release. But I guess I underestimated how popular this chara fine graph was because, after the initial five listings I saw that were sold within the span of a few days, none appeared after. I had, like, ten Mercari tabs open on my browser with different search terms that I refreshed many times a day, but nothing was showing up. I would groan whenever I'd see the preorder bonuses for the other shops like Animate and Amazon pop up, but not Rakuten Books. I did finally see one new listing of someone selling just the badge pins, but that was sold within a few minutes, which made me even more nervous. I would also be nervous getting up in the morning since I didn't want to see that a new listing was posted and sold while I was sleeping! Thankfully I work from home so it wasn't too much of an inconvenience for me to refresh the Mercari tabs on my personal computer whenever I had a minute. But as the days went by and I didn't see any new listings, I started getting mad at myself that if I had only started seriously searching for it right on release day, I would have had at least five chances to get it and could have saved myself this hassle. I even sent a message to Rakuten Books via their online form, asking (in Japanese) if they could somehow sell it to me and ship internationally, etc. But their response was pretty much what I expected...a polite "no."

But then, on the evening of May 4th, I found a new listing and immediately bought it! What should have been a red flag though is that the person was selling it for $30 (with the badge pins included), while everyone else had been selling it from around $80-$100. The title they gave to the item was weird too; they simply called it "Spy Family" instead of "Spy Family Chara Fine Graph" or "Spy Family Rakuten Books Bonus" or something descriptive like that. But the seller had a decent rating so I didn't think there was a problem. After I got the email from Buyee (my proxy service) that they successfully bought the item, I thought I was all set. I closed out all my search tabs and went to bed feeling satisfied.

However, when I got up the next morning, my heart sank when I saw that about an hour after I had gone to bed, Buyee sent me another email saying that they refunded and cancelled my order! The reason they gave was "due to the convenience of the seller" 😫

But what was most frustrating about this is that, when I checked the searches again, I saw that the same seller had relisted the item, with a higher price and more descriptive title, and it had been sold already. What probably happened is that the seller realized they made a mistake with the title and price of the listing and wanted to change it, which Mercari apparently allows them to do even after it had already been sold and paid for!

I was furious with Mercari for allowing this. The least they could do in a situation like this is give the original buyer, like, one day to buy the item again with the increased price before the seller is allowed to relist it again. I wanted to write to the seller and/or Mercari, but I wasn't able to make a Mercari account since it's restricted to Japan. I was also internally yelling at myself that if I had just started searching for it within a day or two of release instead of procrastinating, I could have avoided all this. So it was back to square one, but I wasn't going to give up! I opened up more search tabs with even more refined search terms. I also expanded to other proxy-supported shops like Surugaya and Yahoo Japan Auction. I even got my mom to help me, since she's often up in the middle of the night and can check in case anything is listed during that time while I'm asleep. I downloaded the Buyee app too so I could check listings even if I was away from my computer. With all this, I was hopeful I'd be able to buy it again, though it was more of a question of "when" than "if." With second-hand collectibles, you never know when they could pop up...I could find a new listing the next day, or not for a year or two. But I just kept up the searching, and finally, after another month went by, on June 3rd (June 4th in Japan, so technically Twiyor day 😁) I finally found it again...on Yahoo Japan Auction of all places!

I had never bought via auction before so I was a bit nervous I'd get outbid or something. But I immediately clicked the "pay buyout price option" (which was only a few dollars more than the original price) and, thankfully, a short while later Buyee informed me that I successfully won the auction! But after what happened before, I was still paranoid that it could get canceled for whatever reason. But that didn't happen, and after waiting for shipping, it finally came~

I always like to add a "lessons learned" in these situations, so I'd say the lesson here is don't be blasé or procrastinate when it comes to something you really want. And of course, being persistent pays off more than not!

[miniimapp]

Robaire - Underneath the Tree

Gen ;; Fluff - Drabble/Short Story

Warnings ;; None

Proofread + Edited ;; Briefly run through grammarly because it's Christmas and I wanted to treat you all <3

Auth. Note ;; WELCOME TO DAY 2 OF THE CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN, ALSO KNOWN AS DAY 21 OF ADVENT !!

can you tell that this one had to be written real quick because i've been at work all day ?? either way, enjoy <3

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Wrapping gifts is an art form. There's a delicacy, a grace, to the way you fold the paper. A practised confidence that comes from years of refining your wrapping skills. And while you don't expect everyone to have the same level of skill you’ve managed to cultivate, you had liked to imagine that everyone had at least the basics down: fold, tape, no present peeking through.

Until you met Robaire, that is.

Despite his outstanding prowess in seemingly every other field, your partner has never quite managed to pin down the art of present wrapping, and it somehow leads you to the same absurd scene every year: Robaire knelt on the floor, wrapped up to his elbows in tape and trying desperately to fling it off, as he pulls at the paper, creasing it in some places and irreparably tearing it in others.

And that’s what you stumble upon today as you walk through the door, welcomed in by a cacophony of colourful curses that could make a sailor blush.

You last maybe a second before the first peel of laughter is ripped from you as Robaire flings one of his arms around, growing evermore frustrated as he tries to loosen the clingy tape. Fond amusement warms your chest as you watch him wrestle with a particularly difficult strip of tape; you’re beyond trying to figure out how he gets himself into these messes, and instead focus on getting him out.

Eventually, you’ll have to step in before he gets around to begging invisible forces to strike him down, and as you hear him begin code-switching into French curses you decide now is the time.

Pushing off from the doorway, you saunter into the room with laughter already bubbling up again in the back of your throat. “I think it might be time for an intervention, don’t you?”

Robaire turns to you, expression indignant. “Oh, do you think so?” he asks dryly, his voice drenched in sarcasm and eyes rolling, “And what exactly does this ‘intervention’ entail, mon amour?”

“How about teaching how to wrap presents properly?” you offer as you saunter closer

“Or maybe I could just stuff the presents in gift bags for the rest of forever, maybe get some tissue paper and make it look all pretty to hide the fact that I’m a failure,” Robaire grumbles, his tone petulant.

“Lose the attitude, babe,” you chastise softly, “And sit tight because I’m about to turn you into a wrapping extraordinaire.”

You kneel next to Robaire, setting out the wrapping paper and placing the paper on top of it. “Alright, you ready?” you ask, turning to face him.

The moment you receive a nod from Robaire, you gently take his hands in yours, fingers ghosting over his as you demonstrate the proper way to wrap the presents. “It’s all about the way you fold the paper; if you’ve got that down, you can wrap anything.”

“And the tape, by the way, is your friend here, not your enemy. You just gotta get on its good side,” you add, “Go slowly and carefully, that way you can fix any mistakes while they’re still manageable.”

As you continue wrapping together, Robaire’s frustration slowly melts away into curiosity and then awe as following your instructions quickly develops into understanding. You pull your hands away after a while, watching over him as he continues. Robaire’s still a bit clumsy, his finger fumbling over the folds and awkwardly placing the tape, but he’s trying and he’s succeeding. You can’t help but feel proud.

“See, you’re not a failure, you just needed a bit of instruction, and who doesn’t every now and then?” you say, voice filled with encouragement. “You’re getting the hang of it so quickly now.”

With a small but proud smile, Robaire nods. “Thanks.” He pauses slightly, dropping his head sheepishly, “I guess might have been making it more complicated than it needed to be.”

You playfully raise an eyebrow at him, “Oh, you think so?” 

Robaire rolls his eyes in return, “Yeah, yeah, okay, I’m dramatic, sue me.”

“Hey, you said it, not me,” you defend, raising your hands in surrender. “But, we all have our weaknesses, right? It’s what makes us human, you know.” you continue, your tone altering to become more reassuring and sincere.

As you continue to wrap gifts together, the room begins to fill with laughter, gentle corrections, and the quiet rustle of wrapping paper. A shared affection that drowns out the previous frustration of the evening, setting you up for a peaceful and loving Christmas.

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[lucybronzey]

dream big, big dreams - lucy bronze

pairing: lucy bronze x fem!reader warnings: none? no proof reading done. author's note: please note that i'm dyslexic & non-native english speaker - i make mistakes! feedback is very welcomed! enjoy! NO MINORS! 18+ READERS ONLY!

(Y/N) had always dreamed of making it big in the film industry. From a young age, the allure of the silver screen had captivated her and she spent countless hours honing her acting skills, taking on small roles in indie films and theatre productions. Her dedication and talent were undeniable, but the breakthrough role that would catapult her into the limelight seemed elusive. That was until she received a call from her agent that would change everything.

"Y/N, you might want to sit down for this," her agent said, voice trembling with excitement. "You've been shortlisted for the lead role in a major biopic."

Y/N's heart raced. "What biopic?" she asked, barely able to contain her anticipation.

"It's the story of Lucy Bronze," her agent revealed. "Her journey from grassroots football to the World Cup final in 2023."

Y/N was stunned. Lucy Bronze was a living legend in women's football, known for her tenacity, skill and inspiring journey. Playing her on screen would be a dream come true, but also a tremendous challenge. She knew she had to give it her all to honour Lucy's legacy.

The audition process was gruelling. Y/N immersed herself in studying Lucy's life, watching countless matches, interviews and documentaries. She worked tirelessly to replicate Lucy's mannerisms, her way of moving on the pitch and even her accent although she had no issue with maintaining it as Y/N already had a northern accent. When the day of the final audition arrived, Y/N felt a mix of nerves and excitement. She stepped into the room, ready to give the performance of her life.

The casting directors watched intently as Y/N delivered her scenes with raw emotion and precision. She portrayed Lucy's early struggles with poise, her triumphs with genuine joy and her moments of doubt with vulnerability. When she finished, the room was silent for a moment before the casting director spoke.

"Thank you for coming, we will give your agency a call when we have decided the outcome!"

A few days later, Y/N received the call she had been waiting for: she had been cast as Lucy Bronze.

Filming began in earnest and Y/N was thrown into a whirlwind of training and rehearsals. She worked closely with a professional football coach and team to ensure her skills on the pitch were up to par, striving to embody Lucy's athletic prowess. The transformation was intense, but Y/N embraced every moment, knowing this role was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

As part of the preparation, Y/N was scheduled to meet Lucy Bronze herself. The production team had arranged for Lucy to visit the set, providing Y/N with the chance to get firsthand insights into her life and personality. Y/N felt a mixture of excitement and nerves as she waited for Lucy to arrive.

When Lucy walked onto the set, Y/N was struck by her presence. She was even more impressive in person, radiating confidence and warmth. Lucy approached Y/N with a smile, extending her hand.

"Hi, Y/N, you alright? It's a pleasure to meet you," Lucy said, her voice friendly and genuine.

"The pleasure is all mine," Y/N replied, shaking her hand firmly. "I've been looking forward to this."

They spent the day together, with Lucy sharing stories from her career, her training routines and her experiences on and off the pitch. Y/N was captivated by Lucy's dedication and passion for the game, and she found herself deeply inspired. As they practiced football drills together, Lucy offered tips and encouragement, helping Y/N refine her technique.

"You've got a great footwork, but obviously needs some clearing and smoothen," Lucy remarked, watching Y/N manoeuvre the ball. "Just remember to stay light on your feet and always keep your eye on the ball and your team members."

Y/N nodded, absorbing every piece of advice. "Thank you, Lucy. I will take down the note from you."

As filming progressed, Y/N and Lucy developed a strong bond. They often found themselves laughing and chatting between takes, sharing stories and insights. Lucy's presence on set was a constant source of motivation for Y/N, pushing her to give her best performance.

"You've done an amazing job, Y/N. I can't wait to see the final product."

Y/N could see a mix of emotions in Lucy's eyes. "Thank you, Lucy. It have been a massive honour to portray your story."

Lucy smiled, though it was tinged with a hint of introspection. "You know, some days it's a bit weird to think there's a biopic made about me. It's surreal to watch someone else live out my life on screen."

Y/N nodded understandingly. "I can imagine. But at the same time, your story is so inspiring. It is a proper privilege to bring it to the world."

Lucy sighed softly, then grinned. "Yeah, it is exciting and I am grateful for the opportunity to share my journey. It's just a lot to take in."

With the film completed, the next phase was the press tour. Y/N and Lucy were both excited and nervous about the media frenzy that awaited them. They spent hours preparing for interviews, discussing how to present the film and share Lucy's journey with the world.

One evening, after a particularly long day of interviews, Lucy suggested she and Y/N grab dinner together.

"Let's some well-deserved take a break from all the madness and just relax," she said with a smile.

Y/N readily agreed and they found a cozy, dimly lit restaurant nestled in a quiet corner of the city of Manchester. It was the perfect escape from the flashing cameras and relentless questions. They were led to a secluded booth by the window, where the soft glow of candlelight cast a warm, intimate ambiance.

As they settled in, the waiter brought a menu filled with an array of delicious options. They decided to share a few dishes, opting for a mix of comforting favorites and adventurous new flavors. As they waited for their food, the conversation began to flow naturally.

"So, tell me, Y/N," Lucy said, leaning forward with genuine curiosity, "what inspired you to become an actress?"

Y/N smiled, appreciating Lucy's interest. "I've always loved storytelling. From a young age, I was captivated by how films could transport you to different worlds and make you feel so deeply. Acting allows me to be a part of that magic, to bring stories to life and connect with people on a profound level."

Lucy nodded thoughtfully. "I can see that passion in your performance. It's incredible to watch."

The waiter arrived with their first course, a beautifully presented array of appetizers. As they dug in, their conversation shifted to the film and its impact.

"Playing you has been such a transformative experience for me," Y/N said between bites. "It's not just about football - it is about perseverance, resilience and the power of dreams. It is about making the world of football or sports in general for the girls and women better and more accessible. Your story is so inspiring and I hope the film does its justice."

Lucy smiled warmly. "Thank you, Y/N. That means a lot - sometimes I still cannot believe it is all real. Watching you bring my journey to life on screen has been surreal, but also incredibly moving. You have managed to capture so much of who I am or was."

As the main course arrived, they continued to delve into deeper topics. Y/N was struck by Lucy's humility and openness. Despite her fame and achievements, Lucy remained grounded and genuinely interested in those around her.

"What is next for you then?" Y/N asked, curious about her future plans.

"Well," Lucy began, her eyes sparkling with excitement, "I'm looking forward to continuing my career in football until my knee says no more, but I also want to use my platform to advocate for women's sports and inspire the next generation. There's so much more to achieve, both on and off the pitch."

Y/N admired Lucy's vision and commitment. "That's amazing! You are already making such a difference for others."

As they finished their meal and ordered dessert, the atmosphere grew even more relaxed and intimate. They shared stories about their families, their favourite books and films and their dreams for the future. Y/N found herself drawn to Lucy's genuine warmth, feeling a comforting sense of safety and acceptance in her presence. The way Lucy listened intently, her eyes reflecting sincere interest and understanding, made Y/N feel truly seen and appreciated. The ease with which they connected was almost magical - conversations flowed naturally, punctuated with shared laughter and moments of mutual introspection. It was as if they had known each other for years, their bond forming effortlessly amidst the backdrop of shared stories and common passions. Y/N was captivated by Lucy’s authenticity, her ability to be both a global athletic star and a down-to-earth, empathetic individual who cared deeply about those around her.

"You know, Y/N," Lucy said softly as the evening drew to a close, the soft glow of the restaurant's ambient lighting casting a warm halo around her, "I've really enjoyed getting to know you. It's rare to find someone who understands and appreciates this journey so deeply, even though met like only a few months ago."

She paused, her gaze locking onto Y/N's with an intensity that was both tender and sincere. "Throughout my career, I've met countless people, but very few have taken the time to truly understand the nuances, the highs and lows, the sacrifices and triumphs that come with this path. You’ve not only portrayed my story with incredible accuracy and respect, but you've also delved into the heart of it, grasping the emotions and the essence behind every moment."

Lucy leaned in slightly, her voice filled with gratitude and a hint of awe. "It’s almost like you’ve lived it with me, feeling every victory and setback as if they were your own. That kind of empathy and dedication is rare and it's made this entire experience profoundly meaningful for me. It may sound way too selfish of me, but you've shown me parts of my own journey that I hadn’t fully appreciated until I saw them through your eyes."

Y/N felt a warmth spread through her at Lucy’s words, a deep sense of connection and mutual respect. "I've enjoyed getting to know you too, Lucy - more than I ever expected. Portraying you has been an honour and getting to know the person behind the legend has been an incredible privilege."

Their hands brushed against each other on the table, a silent acknowledgment of the bond they had forged, one that transcended the roles they had played and touched something deeper within both of them.

They lingered a while longer, savouring the some of the last moments of their evening together, but never knowing what future was holding for them. When they finally left the restaurant, the city lights twinkling around them, Y/N felt a deep sense of connection and possibility. She knew that their bond had only just begun to form into some sort of notion and electric sense and she was excited to see where it would lead, but never expecting anything serious to happen.

As they walked side by side through the city streets, Y/N's thoughts drifted to her own personal journey, a path marked by self-discovery and inner turmoil. For years, she had grappled with her sexuality, wrestling with the fear of rejection and the burden of societal expectations.

Growing up, Y/N had always sensed she was different, but it was not until her late teens that she began to understand her internal feelings and sense of herself. She realised she was bisexual, a revelation that was both liberating and terrifying. In the years that followed, she had slowly come to terms with her identity, but the fear of not being accepted by her family and the world at large loomed even bigger now than ever.

Now, thrust into the spotlight with the success of the biopic, Y/N felt the pressure more than ever. The media attention, the upcoming public appearances and the constant scrutiny made her anxious. She did not want to be labeled or pigeonholed, fearing it would overshadow her talent and the hard work she had put into her career. Yet, she also yearned to live authentically, without hiding a crucial part of who she was.

The bright city lights blurred into streaks as they continued their walk, Y/N’s mind swirling with thoughts. She remembered the nights spent in quiet contemplation, the moments of doubt and fear and the gradual acceptance that came with understanding herself. She had grown to know herself intimately over the years, recognising her bisexuality as a natural part of who she was. However, the fear of the world’s reaction lingered.

Her family, though loving, had traditional and rather conservative views, and Y/N worried about their acceptance. The idea of disappointing them or facing rejection was a constant shadow. Despite this, Y/N knew she couldn't keep hiding. The authenticity she craved in her professional life mirrored the honesty she sought personally.

As the evening wore on, Y/N felt a mix of vulnerability and determination. The journey ahead would not be easy, but with each step and breath she took, she felt a bit more courageous. The connection she felt with Lucy gave her hope, a reminder that she didn't have to face her struggles alone. The bond they were forming was more than just a professional connection - it was a source of strength and support, illuminating the path ahead with newfound clarity.

Their bond only deepened as they continued to work together on the press tour. The long days of interviews and appearances brought them closer, each shared experience reinforcing their connection. They laughed together, supported each other through the nerves and stress and celebrated their successes. Their chemistry became palpable, not just to them but to everyone around them.

One day, they received an invitation for a high-profile interview with Vanity Fair, a prestigious opportunity to showcase the film and their unique friendship. The preparation for the interview was meticulous, involving multiple meetings with their publicists, stylists and the Vanity Fair team. The excitement was mixed with a touch of anxiety as they both wanted to make a lasting impression.

As the day of the interview approached, Lucy's playful nature resurfaced, a welcome relief from the intensity of their schedule. They were in the dressing room, surrounded by a flurry of activity—hair and makeup artists, wardrobe assistants and photographers capturing candid moments.

"Everything okay? Ready to charm the world, Y/N?" Lucy teased, giving Y/N a wink as she adjusted her outfit in front of the mirror.

Y/N laughed, feeling a rush of warmth at Lucy's playful confidence. "Yeah, a bit anxious and only if you are by my side,"

Lucy grinned, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Always! We make a great team, don’t we?"

Y/N nodded, their eyes meeting in the mirror. There was a moment of shared understanding, an unspoken agreement that they would support each other no matter what. The camaraderie between them was evident and it was this bond that they hoped to convey during the interview.

The Vanity Fair team arrived shortly, setting up the scene with an elegant backdrop and perfect lighting. Y/N and Lucy were seated side by side on a plush sofa, the atmosphere both professional and relaxed. The producer, a seasoned journalist known for their insightful and engaging style, greeted them warmly.

As the cameras started rolling, Y/N felt a surge of nerves, but Lucy's presence was a calming force. The producer began with questions about the film, their roles and the process of bringing Lucy's story to life. Y/N spoke about the intensive preparation, the challenges and the honour of portraying such an inspiring figure.

Throughout the interview, Lucy’s playful nature shone through. She recounted anecdotes from the set, shared behind-the-scenes moments, and teased Y/N good-naturedly. "There was this one scene where Y/N had to do a particularly tricky defending on the pitch," Lucy said, laughing. "She nailed it, but not before a few hilarious attempts!"

Y/N blushed, joining in the laughter. "It is true, yeah, I had a quite few epic fails before getting it right. But Lucy was there, cheering me on and giving me tips."

The interviewer smiled, clearly charmed by their dynamic. "Your friendship is pretty evident and quite heartwarming. How has working together on this film influenced your relationship?"

Lucy glanced at Y/N, her expression softening. "It has brought us incredibly close. Y/N has not only portrayed my story with remarkable authenticity but has also become a dear friend. We have shared so much, both professionally and personally, and getting to know each other each day."

Y/N nodded, feeling a swell of affection for Lucy. "This journey has been transformative for me. Lucy’s support and friendship have been invaluable. I believe we have formed a some sort of incredible strong hold that goes beyond the film."

As the interview continued, they delved into deeper topics, discussing the impact of Lucy's career on women's football, the challenges they both faced in their respective fields, and the importance of representation and authenticity in storytelling. The conversation flowed naturally, punctuated with moments of laughter and introspection.

When the interview finally wrapped, the interviewer remarked on their palpable connection. "You two seem to have a special kind of relationship going on I see. What's next for both of you?"

Lucy looked at Y/N, her expression filled with a mix of excitement and determination. "Well, I think we have a lot more to explore, it depends obviously in what certain areas but we shall see about it."

Y/N smiled, feeling a sense of anticipation and happiness. "I couldn’t agree more."

As they left the interview and had another sort of video shoots to do (game-like), the studio lights and the buzz of the bustling Vanity Fair office faded behind them. Lucy and Y/N stepped into the cool evening air in MediaCityUK, the soft glow of the city lights in Salford casting a gentle radiance on their faces. The excitement from the interview still lingered between them, a palpable energy that made the moment feel almost electric.

Lucy turned to Y/N, her eyes sparkling with a mischievous glint. She reached out, her fingers brushing lightly against Y/N's hand before clasping it firmly. Her touch was warm and reassuring, a physical reminder of their connection. As they walked side by side, Lucy’s grip on Y/N’s hand tightened just enough to convey her affection.

They strolled down the sidewalk, the city hum creating a soothing backdrop to their conversation. Lucy's playful demeanour took on a more intimate tone. She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a soft, flirtatious whisper.

“You know,” she murmured, her breath tickling Y/N’s ear, “you looked absolutely stunning in there. But I have to admit, it’s hard to focus on anything other than how good you look right now.”

Y/N felt a shiver of excitement at Lucy's proximity, the warmth of her breath mingling with the cool evening air. She turned slightly towards Lucy, catching the glint of her eyes and the teasing smile that played on her lips. The affectionate gesture and the whisper sent a rush of warmth through Y/N, mingling with the lingering adrenaline from the interview.

In that moment, Y/N's heart raced uncontrollably, a flurry of butterflies erupting in her stomach as if they were fluttering wildly in an unrestrained dance. Her breaths became shallow and the adrenaline from the interview seemed to intertwine with the new, heady sensations stirring within her. It was as though her emotions and hormones were performing an exhilarating ballet, twisting and swirling in a whirlwind of delight and anticipation.

Every touch and whisper from Lucy felt like a jolt of electric current, igniting a cascade of warm, tingling sensations that coursed through her veins. The gentle squeeze of Lucy’s hand was both comforting and thrilling, creating a potent mix of affection and attraction. Y/N’s senses were heightened - her pulse raced and her skin felt hypersensitive to Lucy’s closeness.

The butterflies in her stomach were not just fluttering but performing somersaults, sending waves of exhilaration through her body. It was as if every nerve ending was on high alert, responding to Lucy’s playful and flirtatious demeanor with an unspeakable rush of emotions. This heady cocktail of feelings left Y/N breathless and dazed, swept up in the intoxicating blend of connection and attraction that made her heart skip and her mind reel.

In Lucy’s presence, Y/N felt a thrilling uncertainty, a thrilling mix of vulnerability and excitement that was both exhilarating and disorienting. It was a moment charged with possibility, where the boundaries between professional respect and personal desire blurred, leaving Y/N with a deep, almost overwhelming sense of wonder and anticipation for what lay ahead.

As the evening drew to a close, Y/N and Lucy decided it was time to head back to their hotel. They ordered a cab, the cool night air brushing against their faces as they waited for it to pull up. The city lights sparkled around them, creating a magical backdrop for the end of their enchanting evening.

When the cab arrived, Lucy opened the door for Y/N with a playful bow. "After you, my lady," she said with a charming grin. Y/N laughed, feeling the warmth of Lucy's humour and the closeness they had shared throughout the night.

Once inside the cab, they settled into the backseat, their knees brushing together in the confined space. Lucy’s hand found Y/N’s once more, their fingers interlocking in a way that felt both natural and intimate. The soft hum of the cab’s engine and the gentle sway of the ride created a cocoon of comfort around them.

Lucy leaned in, her voice low and inviting. "I have to say, you looked absolutely radiant tonight. It’s not just the lights—there’s something about you that just... shines."

Y/N felt a delightful flutter in her stomach at Lucy’s words, the butterflies she’d been feeling earlier now a more insistent dance. The close proximity and Lucy’s soft, flirtatious tone made her pulse quicken, each moment heightening the sense of excitement and attraction between them.

Their conversation continued, punctuated by soft laughter and meaningful glances. They spoke about their favorite moments from the evening, the highlights of the interview, and their mutual admiration for each other’s efforts. Every touch and glance was charged with an unspoken connection, making the ride feel like a continuation of their earlier, more intimate exchange.

As the cab neared their hotel, Lucy’s gaze lingered on Y/N with a look of genuine affection and playful mischief. She gently squeezed Y/N’s hand, her thumb brushing lightly against Y/N’s skin.

“It is going to sound a bit silly, but,” she said softly, her breath warm against Y/N’s ear, “I am truly glad we got to share this evening together again. It has been one of those magical evenings that I will remember for a long time.”

Y/N’s heart raced, a rush of emotions and hormones swirling within her. The blend of Lucy’s touch and her words created a thrilling mix of vulnerability and excitement. “I am glad too,” Y/N replied, her voice barely above a whisper. “Tonight has been insane and incredible.”

The taxi pulled up to their hotel, the building’s lights casting a welcoming glow. As they stepped out, Lucy took Y/N’s hand once more, guiding her towards the entrance with a gentle yet purposeful touch. The night was far from over and the sense of anticipation for what lay ahead was palpable.

As they entered the hotel, Y/N and Lucy walked towards the elevator, their steps in sync but their thoughts racing with the anticipation of the evening’s end. The soft hum of the elevator echoed in the quiet lobby as the doors slid open. They stepped inside, the confined space amplifying the sense of intimacy that had been building between them all night.

Lucy pressed the button for their floor and as the lift doors closed, they were left in the small, intimate enclosure, alone with their thoughts and feelings. The tension between them was available being cut with a sharp knife, the air thick with unspoken words and emotions. Y/N could feel the electricity crackling between them, each heartbeat seeming louder than the last.

Lucy turned to Y/N, her eyes meeting Y/N’s with an intensity that made Y/N’s breath catch. There was a moment of stillness, a charged silence that seemed to stretch out as they stood so close together. Lucy’s gaze softened, her lips curving into a mischievous yet tender smile.

Before Y/N could fully process the shifting energy, Lucy closed the distance between them. Her hand gently cupped Y/N’s cheek, her touch warm and reassuring. Y/N’s heart raced in a very fast pace, almost like having a heart attack, her senses heightened by Lucy’s closeness. Then, without warning, Lucy leaned in and pressed her lips against Y/N’s in a quick, surprising kiss.

The contact was brief but electric, a jolt of sensation that left Y/N's head spinning. The softness of Lucy’s lips and the suddenness of the kiss were both thrilling and overwhelming. When Lucy pulled back slightly, their faces remained inches apart, their breath mingling in the confined space of the lift.

Y/N’s pulse was skyrocketing, her emotions in a tumultuous whirl of excitement and longing. Her lips parted in a breathless whisper, her voice trembling with desire.

“Don’t stop,” she whispered, her eyes locked onto Lucy’s with a mixture of hope and need.

Lucy’s eyes sparkled with a blend of surprise and warmth at Y/N’s words. Without hesitation, she leaned in again, her lips meeting Y/N’s with a deeper, more lingering kiss. The world outside the lift seemed to disappear as they lost themselves in the kiss, the gentle pressure and tender exploration of their lips creating a sense of connection that was both exhilarating and profound.

The lift continued its slow ascent, but inside the small space, time seemed to stand still. The kiss deepened, becoming a dance of intimacy and passion, each touch and caress conveying the emotions they had both been feeling throughout the evening. When they finally pulled apart, their breaths were quick and uneven, their faces flushed with the intensity of the moment.

Lucy looked at Y/N with a smile that was both affectionate and full of promise.

“I’m glad you said that,” she murmured, her voice low and sincere. “I have been waiting for this moment to happen.”

Y/N smiled back, feeling a rush of happiness and excitement. “Same words, likewise.”

As the lift reached their floor and the doors slid open, they stepped out into the hallway, their hands intertwined within a mere second. The shared kiss had only heightened the sense of anticipation for the rest of the evening or future. As they walked towards their rooms, Y/N could not shake the feeling that this was the beginning of something truly special, a night that would mark the start of a deeper connection between them.

[lucky303]

my completely indecipherable scribbling of my limbus company OC

good luck trying to understand what any of this means because i've been writing epiphanies i got at 3 am and wrote it down in a carl-bot dm. i'll probably refine this later but for now i gotta write it down because i'll forget

Sun Wukong Son of Wukong

重生 (Rebirth)

Arrogant, nitpicking hellion

scathingly sarcastic satire

Weird inferiority-superiority complex where he thinks he's literal garbage but also everyone else is worse than him except anyone is better than him because you know he thinks he's garbage. other people still suck ass though

At some point his comments are so specific people start wondering if he's projecting (yes he is)

actually fairly chill once he warms up to you

ok now that we've moved past the overexaggerated personality traits every LC sinner has we can actually get to the writing

canto theme: individualism & consciousness

Imitation of a long-dead, Colour Fixer: The Yellow Immortal. no matter what he just wouldn't ever die. is he literally nothing but paste on the ground? you'll see him walking into a hamhampangpang a few hours later

It's constantly hinted that Wukong is a dormant/amnesiac form of the Yellow Immortal, as nobody actually knew HOW the colour fixer kept coming back to life and just assumed it was another fuckass singularity or smth

however in his canto it's revealed he's just a copy, in an endless loop of death and "rebirth"

every time a clone died, the original would make another one and terminate it before seven days, then make another in order to not violate the head's laws. As they were clones, they were forced to obey his every order. however, the current sinner Sun Wukong broke free of his mental programming and led an uprising

"You don't remember, do you? That's fine. None of us did at first. We were born from the same "stone" that the original created. He would make a vessel, take over its body with his mind, and do whatever he saw fit- as long as it died within seven days.

But you- or I guess some personality part of the original Wukong evolved until you grew sick of living and dying. It was this specific you that decided he wanted to end the cycle. He stopped killing his clones, and instead amassed a small army to overthrow the original."

born in a lab like how wukong was BORN FROM THE STONE OHHHH DUDE I'M A FUCKING GENIUS

To bypass this, sinner Wukong made it so each and every version of him would have some noticeable difference, creating a loophole, and technically making every clone immortal for good since the head only accounts for one-to-one clones. The only difference is visual, and a very slight tweak to personality

He killed his creator, but overcome with guilt and remorse over basically murdering his kind-of dad, chose to make a deal with Limbus Company. They would erase the more traumatic memories and give himself new ones- just a not-so-ordinary fixer, worked security for an ambitious, private facility

however he does have trace memories that hint he was part of something bigger. His ignorance would be bliss, like Heaven, a brief respite from his agonizing memories. However, he would join their Bus Department, seemingly important but actually quite menial (like the stable boy), and when the time comes, remember everything to attain a Golden Bough that would appear later on

Meanwhile, all the clones await their liberator's return from "Heaven". His second-in-command took over, unknowing that their king didn't wish to play god. They try to forcibly retake Wukong from the Company, put him back in the machine to "fix" him, turn him exactly like how they are: power-hungry, ruthless, ambitious.

What makes you different from us? What makes you important? What does it mean to be unique? Nobody will notice if you're replaced by someone else, right? You're the son, not the original.

Everytime you wake up, it's a new you, new consciousness only with the memories of yesterday. You're a little bit like that. The only difference is visual. Other than that, we're the same, aren't we?

it's like some SOMA shit where he isn't one consciousness between bodies, it's multiple versions of him

unlike heathcliff where erlking just wants to fucking kill him, these wukongs want their brother back and rule over the city. no intention of fixing it, only taking the head's place and continuing the cycle.

"I'm just a clone, Dante. I'm not real, Wukong is dead. I'm meant to be expendable."

"Not to me."

"why am i back here? why do i know this place? where am i going? faust... why the hell do i know any of this?"

what have you done to me? wukong also held a little bit of evil in his heart by rebelling against his masterbut his other clones want to do the world harm by using the golden boughs, undisputed kings of the city

wukong just wants to live an ordinary life

goes from insisting people call him his full name, Sun Wukong, as though they're addressing someone of higher rank than them, to simply going by Wukong or Sun.

"you know, dante... even if this is the strangest, most questionable life... it's refreshingly normal. it's chaotic and mundane and peaceful and torture with this team. this is the only way for me to live. i'll keep escorting you, because honestly? why the hell not? life is short, i might as well have some fun during it."

writing is so hard why can't i take my worldbuilding and have it automatically generate the most famous PM fanfic on ao3

aughhh i still gotta include some motif for wukong's 500 years in prison and his journey to the west (although i guess that's already him travelling with limbus company to atone???)

[a-student-out-of-time]

5 Years Later

So...I admit I didn't really have anything big planned for today ^^;

But today- September 12th, 2024- is the 5th Anniversary of when A Student Out Of Time began. I started this blog based on a simple whim, after I'd completed playing 999 with a friend and read H.P. Lovecraft's The Shadow Out Of Time. I asked myself "Hey, what if Hajime went back in time and tried to prevent the Tragedy?"

Now, this wasn't the first story blog I'd ever written. I had a couple early ones that I'm a little too embarrassed to share or discuss, but my biggest one was The Starship Hope, which also began on a whim all the way back in 2018. I was on a walk through the second neighborhood I lived in back in California, and I asked myself "What if the V3 Cast were actually in space?"

While I still have some fondness for that one, I don't believe I really found my footing as a writer until we got deep into this one. I had a tendency to just write whatever sounded cool or I got a little too shippy about some things. Then I really sat down and started planning out arcs, and we built things up from there...

...And now here we are, five years later, and I'm still doing this. Not only that, it's become so much bigger than I ever thought it would. Early on, I had one anon tell me that they weren't convinced that this blog would never last, because story blogs like this never do. I still think about that person now, and I really have to thank them because that was when I decided I'd commit to it.

Thanks to that, I've met so many new friends, been introduced to great things, inspired others to pursue their own stories and creative ambitions, and we even have a whole set of pages on TV Tropes. Almost 1,200 have decided to follow me, and that's not even counting how many have read this story and simply not made their presence known. In short, it really has helped change my life.

It hasn't been easy, and there have been times where I've thought about quitting or deleting the whole thing. There have been some dark moments, some bad arcs, some ideas that didn't pan out as I'd hoped. But even so, I always took them as learning experiences and chose not to quit.

More importantly, I've helped inspire people to check out one of my favorite series of all time, I've given them a work they can enjoy, and all this has in turn helped me refine my own writing skills and figure out the sort of writer I hope to become one day. Seeing people enjoy what I do or just curious to hear what my thoughts are, it really does inspire me to keep going.

It's also so wild to see how much Danganronpa has evolved as a series in time since I started all this. I got involved in the DR Tumblr fandom back in early 2016, before Danganronpa 3 was even out yet. I remember how much we were clamoring for it and V3, how controversial their story decisions were, and how many people didn't want it to end. They wanted to tell their own stories and do their own spins on the concept, and that's how we got so many different fangans in so many mediums- other games, videos, instagram, fanfics, and some here on Tumblr.

Danganronpa Another, SDRA2, DR: Rebirth, Despair Time, Blowback, TheAfter, Rocky Restarts, DR Mauve, DR Lapse, Brave DR: Coward's Paradise, Eternal Endings, Shattered Hope, Heartless Deceit, Eden's Garden, Antebellum, and so many others.

I got into both Zero Escape and AI: The Somnium Files, both great series in their own right. And now we have another SC game on the way, The Hundred Line- Last Defense Academy, which looks pretty interesting too.

In short, it's been a long 5 years.

Do I plan to keep going? Uh, yeah. We're nearing the conclusion of Season 2, and I have many ideas for Season 3. I intend to keep doing this as long as I'm able and as long as people want me to, and I don't see that changing anytime soon.

More than anything, I'm just happy people enjoy the work I do. The support I've received over this last half a decade have been nothing short of inspiring, and I'm glad that people are always happy to see me update no matter how long it's been.

My life has had many ups and downs in the time I've been doing this, but being able to look at all this and say that I helped create a community and inspired people to pursue their own ambitions? It makes it all worth it ^^

What happens when it does all eventually conclude? I wouldn't worry about it. I do have an ending idea in mind, but we're nowhere near that yet. Season 2 has had some of our best arcs so far, and I think Season 3 could even turn out to be even better, but I won't get too ahead of myself.

I'm glad I'm still doing this, and I'm glad for every single person who decided that this silly little Danganronpa fanfiction blog was worth their time to get invested in. When I get things together a bit more and I start publishing my own original stories, I hope you'll follow me on my journey there as well.

Thank you guys for everything!

Here's to another 5 years ^^

[nxposure]

I'm someone who makes things. They're not all good, but a make a lot of things. I write songs, I design artwork, I make a monthly radio show - I make a lot of things.

And I've noticed that some people don't make things, but are very quick to say "you should do that, with your thing." Sometimes, I get annoyed with it, and I wondered if I was being arrogant or something else.

Sometimes, people have good suggestions, but mostly, they're not. That's because, if you've birthed an idea, worked it out for months and months, refined it, decided what should go where, finessed it, let the end slowly reveal itself, and then work toward it, someone strolling up a week after you've finished it, who has done zero work, none of the working out, no trial or error, no creative input in any way, just to say "you should put a cherry on the top of that", is so frustrating.

Why does it get to people who make things, so frequently? It's because it speaks to people who don't ingest art with an open heart.

Like a sports commentator saying "they should have scored that goal", they missed the entire move that got the ball in an unlikely position to score, and completely missed the idea that the player was in fact trying their best to score, and ignoring the factors of why they didn't, despite their best efforts.

Criticism can be fun, being a stinker has comedic value etc, but until someone has gone through the lengthy process of making a thing, there's something that arises in my stomach (occasionally) where I think "WELL DON'T YOU THINK I'D THOUGHT OF THAT 8 MONTHS AGO WHEN THIS STARTED AND DECIDED TO GO IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION?"

Imagine letting someone make you a meal for 4 hours, and then just before they plate up, you say "you should have made a soup, instead"

Of course, I've been a critic for some very well known publications (and I've been an ass too, in a bid to be funny or edgy), but now when I write, I try to be constructive, or focus on the things I do like, rather than wallow in what I don't.

Criticism can be confused with helpful advice. Helpful advice is usually sought, rather than delivered unsolicited.

[gorgonstaringcontest]

Dog has been getting fussy and picky about the food I was giving her. Nothing's wrong, it's just a natural consequence of her life up until now.

The first night she was with me and for the first couple of weeks, I cooked her food myself to get her eating comfortably and up to a healthy weight. Then tried introducing actual pet foods because I was worried she wasn't getting exactly the right nutrients.

The brands swapped around because of availability and finding better options and did my best to smoothly transition between them. In the meantime, I'd give her things just for the joy of seeing her try things for the first time - chicken, roast lamb, blueberries, egg. She loved them all.

Then, she really started eating a lot. So I did what I thought was logical - bought in bulk of the food she liked. She'd tried a lot different things by this point so the newness was dying down, but about 3/4ths the way through the bulk food I bought, she just... Stopped being interested.

She went off the wet food first, and seemed to only want dry and to drink more water. Seemed fine. But then, she got sick of the dry food - only eating it begrudgingly after I'd eaten like "well, if this is all there is". So I bought different dry food, and it was okay for like a week and a bit and then, meh. Tried mixing the wet and dry together (actually mixing not just in the same bowl) and that was apparently the worst of both worlds.

So... Dog is apparently a gourmand now. She has a refined palate, and seeks new experiences.

According to advice I could find on the matter, the suggestion was to mix new things into the existing food to spice things up a bit.

I bought things to do this today, and she just... Didn't eat her lunch. Not interested, but kept doing the "feed me" things. So I decided that if it was a flavour sensation she wanted, she'd get it. And this way I could see if she didn't like any of it and could cull it from being mixed in in future.

Now we all understand dogs don't taste things the way we do, which is good, because although each individual thing is something I eat, the resulting mix was a bit more adventurous than most people would be. I made a plain rice congee, roasted off some sweet potato, pumpkin, and carrot, steamed some peas and corn, and sauteed some beef strips and - the real star of the show - liver. Topped it off with a few blueberries and some diced dried apricot as well and decided to really spoil her with a drizzle of peanut butter.

Dog was ecstatic. Ate her whole dinner. Licked the bowl clean. And then came and gave me lots of attention, very clearly pleased with the evening's offering, before going back to lick the bowl again in case a single molecule of flavour was left behind. She licked my hands, because I can only assume they smell a bit like the food from cooking it.

Every time I go NEAR the kitchen, she goes and sits by the fridge, because she saw that I cooked multiple meals worth of food and put the rest in there - the mana from heaven is trapped in the food prison, as far as she's concerned.

So I'm heading to bed now and, and she's curled up in her bed with a full tummy, which makes me glad. Aside from the extremely deadly liver-tinged dogfart that she perpetrated that is going to lead me to sleep with the windows open even though it's like 13°, I feel like I've achieved responsible dog parent status.

And for those wondering - liver is something I've eaten since I was a kid, no it's not because of rewatching Hannibal, yes I was tempted to see if dogs can have fava beans but no didn't actually check.

[indigos-stardust]

Fs pony art and lore

@shadylink I'm never really gonna refine and post these as their own thing but I figured u might be interested, most of these are just really bad finger doodles, cuz I hadn't drawn ponies in such a long time-

Btw in this au I decided to rework mlp's magic system, so basically each type of pony has their own type of magic ofc

Pegasi get flight , unicorns get spell magic, and earth ponies get strength that's the norm

But basically I'm deciding to see this as like, percentages.

Basically unicorns can do things like transformation and warp spells, pegasi can fly at high speeds skillfully and create gusts of winds, earth ponies can lift like 9x their weight and be more resistant to natural poisons/have less chance of injury because of a really dense coat and stronger bones -

but this is after specialized training in their areas and requires like years of practice. This is like 100% of the potential of those specific things, like Olympic athletes

most ponies just use like 50% of their capabilities so for unicorns that's just like refridgerating spells, light spells, levitation - pegasi is just flying over distances and being able to walk on clouds- earth ponies lifting like idk 4.5x their weight

so just normal skills that aid them in day to day life

i was thinking what if ponies could be half of two types?

so instead of just 100% magical capacity for a specific quality, 50% of their magic will be from one type and 50% of the other.

So if an earth pony and a unicorn had a kid, then MAYBE, (the phenomenon is a bit more rare but not unusual) they'd have the basic earth pony strength and the basic unicorn magic. HOWEVER, if that kid wanted to say, learn a warp spell, they wouldn't be able to do so.

Full unicorns would have longer horns and earth ponies would have stronger more vibrantly colored hooves that an earth-unicorn would.

Full pegasi would have fuller, stronger, sharper wings, while a half pegasus would have softer and smaller ones.

Alicorns would have the full magical extent of all three, essentially giving them 3x the magic of others. That mix could probably create even more magical potential.

For obvious reasons, there aren't any pegasi-unicorns because they'd look too much like alicorns design wise. I'm gonna say that their magical energies just oppose too much, while earth ponies, being so tied to the natural world is more able to mix with both.

Link was originally an earth-pegasi with a bit of extra strength and the ability to fly in general. His battle style is mostly sharp fast cuts with quick brief escapes to the air and then back into battle

also I've decided to give them clothes

when Link split into four, the types of ponies they were depended on their parents genetics

So green's a full pegasi, blue's a full earth pony, red is a earth-unicorn (this is why he uses a fire rod, he wouldn't be able to do a fire spell that strong on his own, but a fire rod would enhance his natural magic) and vio is a full unicorn

Anyways shadow is kinda like stealing king sombras vibes, he looks earth pegasi like link was but his wings are hooves are all shadowy lol

also links cutie mark was a sword in front of the triforce

after the split, each of their cutie marks turned into the four sword in front of their respective element

enjoy lol, u can do whatever u want with this info, hope you like it

EDit: also I fixed their swords so they can actually hold them with their mouths properly enough to correctly aim

oh I also forgot!

basically a little tidbit from my brainrot is that red actually got the hang of his unicorn magic really well, but vio just struggled even being able to start it up to levitate a pebble

he ended up being able to use his magic only after they almost got crushed by a rock slide and vio was able to raise a crystal sheild

he got bad magical exhaustion from that tho and still struggled to control his magic until shadow helped him later

green originally thought he was link because he was the only one who had wings, but because he wasn't earth pony and their cutie marks were just the elements they realized there wasn't an "original" but rather a split four ways

it takes them some time to realize that the type of pony they are isn't connected to the elements, but rather genetic probability

also when they first split vio had no idea he was a unicorn and while he was trying to figure it out the others were just like

listening to him ramble about how their types don't make sense!

how does earth relate to the water element? and if its a genetic thing, then why is red the only unico-

and then he's like why are u staring at me like that???is there something on my face?? and then he just has a whole freaking 100% unicorn horn and he's like well f*ck

anyways I also forgot to mention-

basically if a pony were to engage in battle stuff, some little tricks as a last ditch attempt to creat espace between themself and the enemy include:

Earth: stomping the ground so hard that your opponent loses balance

Pegasi: Creating a guest of wind to blow your opponent away

Unicorn: stab with the horn <3

[wings-of-ink]

Hi! I just wanted to say I love your writing so much!! I found God Cursed the other day and I’ve been obsessed. I love all the characters and the world building omg, the world building is absolutely amazing. Once I caught up I realized the world codex was filled with so much background and interesting info. Thank you for all the effort you put into this game. Do you have a patreon or a kofi? Id love to support it if you do. Also can I ask where you came up with all the design for the cursed symbols? Theyre really beautiful. I hope that you have an amazing day because someone who brings so much creativity to the world deserves it!!

Welcome, my new friend!

I am thrilled that you're enjoying God Cursed so much! Thank you for appreciating the codex too. It's still a work in progress, but I'm hoping to get more of the lore in there as things develop.

I currently do not have a Patreon or Kofi, but I have been thinking about it a lot lately. I've had some encouragement to to make them, and I have several ideas cooking on how I could make it fun. I've got ideas for extra content, future projects (other than the 2nd IF I'm going to plan soonish), and I would love to be able to add character art and such to the game as well. If and when anything is decided, I will post about it here and maybe run some polls to see what sorts of things people want out of those types of subs.

The curse symbols were a combo of my noggin and Canva. Some of the marks I had firm visions for, some were more vague. So, I played around in Canva until I could match the vision in my mind for them. I have no talent for drawing of my own, so that was my best bet for getting decent images. That's another thing I would love to hire an artist for to remake and refine those (thinking a tattoo artist would be super cool to use).

Thank you for the kind message, my dear! And I've had a pretty good day over all as a matter of fact. ^_^

[cranjournals]

#002: AtsuHina Exchange - Baseball

Date of completion: March 16, 2024

Program: Clip Studio Paint (iPad)

My piece for the 2025 AtsuHina Spring Exchange! I was feeling so warm and grateful for the community that I wanted to pour everything I had into this. Check it out on AO3 along with the rest of the amazing collection! Everyone here is so nice and talented, I can only hope this gives back a little bit!

Notes:

So... I know nothing about baseball! I started out trying to plan a whole thing in my head, like what positions they would all play, what scene I could draw that was more atshn than just MSBY/team dynamics but still more baseball than just slapping them in a different uniform (even if that is a little bit what ended up happening), etc., but I could tell I was going to think myself to death if I didn't just pick an idea and stick with it, so I went with a post-game celebration!

And when I say I know nothing, I really mean it qvq Pinterest ended up being my bestie for finding inspiration and references, and then I saw a pic of a gatorade shower and hubris said "I can paint that!!" and the rest is kind of history.

Composed everything using a collage of reference pics first, just going off of vibes until things felt right proportion- and perspective-wise

Loosely planned out background elements and adjusted poses to create implied or real lines that would point to atsuhina's faces as the focal point

A little layer management goes a long way, so almost every layer was named or sorted into a folder

Every character got a base fill, skin, hair, black, white, and gold layer. The brush I use blends color a lot, so I decided not to use separate shadow and light layers in this workflow

The group of uniform colors is marked with red so they'd be easy to see while scrolling through the panel, and lineart layers are marked in blue for the same reason

Once established, palette colors were added to my color mixer for easy access

Usually am more of a sketcher/one sketch straight to lineart person, but this time I put a lot of attention into refining details over multiple sketches

Eliminated a lot of guesswork before going into lineart this way, and realized important details like the exact pose and angle of Meian's hand and atsuhina's lips were lost in the mess

Most anatomy is drawn from reference, but adjusted according to the character's body type or modified for a more appealing silhouette (Shoyo in particular had to be thickened up a lot. And caked up lol.)

Sakusa wasn't drawn from reference and maybe it shows... I also had to change his pose because I realized he was looking a little... homophobic.....

Meian also got changed because, for some reason, he just didn't feel like Meian?? I think I also didn't want him to look too surprised at the kiss, more like an "Oh! Finally!" reaction

Focused on lineart to strengthn one of my weaker skills. I have a difficult relationship with lineart because I love sketching and most of the time don't color what I make, but I also don't have a good workflow without it... Plus for something polished like this, I didn't want to leave my lines rough like I had been

Atsuhina are drawn with the default Real G-Pen brush so they're a bit more crisp while still having texture. Everyone else is drawn with the HB Pencil brush I use for refining sketches, so they look softer

I've heard that thicker lines = closer to camera, and thinning lines where two objects contact each other show that they are touching better, so tried to apply this in my lines

I have a naturally light hand, so tried playing to my strengths with very thin detailing

A lot of inspiration from this player and uniform when designing the Jackals baseball uniform!

It's impractical because black would get too hot to wear in the sun, but I wanted to keep the Jackal primary shirt color black, white pants, and gold accents

Only knew I wanted the end of their sleeves with gold trim, otherwise gold accents were added wherever it felt like I needed to break up the black. Putting gold into their socks was a little random, but I really liked it!

Inunaki's hat is colored differently because I originally thought the back should be gold with black in front... Then decided it looked better flipped, but Inunaki should stay black in front so it wouldn't be too distracting to have a lot of light colors there

Graphic design is not my passion :( But I try, for atsuhina

Entire Jackals lettering was based off of the two letters we see with the official logo

Tried to analyze where straight vs curved lines were used, the asymmetrical shapes, and the sharp points

Designed the logo on its own much bigger than I needed so that I could shrink and mesh it around without losing quality

Mesh transformation to get it to approximately the right shape, then finished using liquefy

Adjusted lineart where it curves around the body to make it look 3D like a sewn on patch

Decided on background details using reference pictures, designed the ads based on vibes/whatever I wanted at the moment! Even the "refined" sketch was loose and more for placing elements than anything

Fun facts: the sign under the screen originally had katakana for "rope bunny" because I didn't know what to put... then I got embarrassed realizing people can in fact read that and that it would be the only fully visible ad, so it got modified to "cope bunny" lol. If I had thought it out more, the "strongest dog"/"gleaming cat" signs would've been a fox and crow... Bouncing Ball and Pocari felt like they had to be included, but the easter egg I like most (and that ended up completely covered) was "Unmei Thread", just romaji for "destiny" + thread. That's Their Thing!!!

Starting furthest back in space to the front (in order: the sky and blocking in overall color transitions, the screen and ads in the back of the stadium, seating areas and crowd, grass, fence and ads, tufts of grass detail over the fence)

Struggle with freehanding architecture, so using the poly lasso tool until I have more practice. It gives it a unique sort of look, right? I think it's good for keeping things simple and "low poly"

Focus on shapes and selecting areas then adding color variation with the airbrush, or other brush as needed. Everything is done on basically one layer, so it's good to have brush variants like a Multiply/Highlight airbrush to make more interesting colors

This background technique is something I've been working on since I experimented with landscapes for a printmaking class. I was surprised to find people were actually drawn to the geometric style?? Been getting surprises lately that people are drawn to things in my art that I don't think are noteworthy at all

Tried out a different workflow! Where I usually focus on one character at a time, this time I tried painting everyone's skin first, then hair, then uniforms. I catch myself wondering how I got a certain look before when I work on a piece over a long time, so with so much going on it just made sense. I think I'll stick with this going forward!

After everyone was colored, used adjustment layers and a very light warm overlay to harmonize them more

Color saturation and luminosity: Areas of high saturation and contrast naturally draw the eye more, so I reserved these for atsuhina's faces and kept lighting/shading relatively subtle elsewhere

Sakusa and Inunaki in particularly were desaturated and painted over with blue from the background more to push them further back in space

In my sketches I favor hatching/contour lines a lot, and the delicate nature seemed appealing, so I tried bringing that in for rendering

Areas where its harder to blend colors smoothly or where things needed to be sharper, I used a very small size of my rendering brush to add hatching for texture. It's also good for darkening shadows or brightening highlights without being overbearing

If anyone wants to be an art nerd about it, that technique is probably classified as "optical mixing" where the viewer's eyes blend colors instead of blending them explicitly

Looked alright in the sketch then when it came time to render it turned out to be very hard...

Eventually approached with the idea of following "flowing lines" and staying mostly loose with it, just defining a couple spots where water would be splashing up

Followed this idea of "momentum" to block in shapes and large droplets with the Oil Brush

For the impression of a spray of tiny droplets behind Atsumu's head, I used the Dry Gouache brush, lightly brushed in the area with a large size, then erased out chunks or went back in with a smaller size of the brush to define the shape further

Oil Brush for more little details, especially highlights, until it looked alright

Airbrush set to "soft light" mode to give the effect of water "catching" in the droplets, then Droplet airbrush for larger drops into the Spray airbrush for very small but sharply defined particles

For the few rendered drops and happy tears, they were blocked in with white using the Oil Brush, erased in the middle, soft airbrush for the shadow of the highlight, highlight drawn in, then the "soft light" airbrush again in white lightly over the highlight

Raw image on the left, final on the right (Not blurry Sakusa exists!)

Spent much more time and effort than usual in compositing for this piece

Bounce lighting airbrushed over the characters from the grass, skin, orange keg, and pants. Light/bright colors will reflect more light while darker colors absorb more light. The airbrush can be large and loose too since bounce light scatters a lot.

Atmospheric perspective added to the background to push it further back

Nondestructive process: Creating flattened/merged copies of the background and characters to blur/use for other effects, and using masks to decide where effects would be applied without permanently erasing anything

Blurring areas aside from the focal point makes the focus very clear, and very light motion blur was added on Meian and Bokuto's legs

Blurred copies of the characters set to "soft light" mode at a low opacity gives a dreamy/soft look

Additionally, I had done a confidence building piece a little before I started this, just to remind myself that I'm most capable when I just go for things without fear, and to test drive some techniques before employing them for the first time on a work I considered much more important. I practiced some rendering techniques, giving the impression of lights, the dreamy glow effect, and reminded myself of things I often forget while making backgrounds, like working back to front and how messy my freehand gets haha.

Honestly, the process here looks long but it was a lot of fun! A lot of my weaknesses came from me just not having stamina to keep focused for a long time and lacking experience in certain things. if it takes a long time, it's because I haven't practiced enough. I want to study anatomy again and practice painting muscles more since my knowledge on the subject is fading and I'm scared of settling into what's comfortable instead of what's good.

In the end I'm not sure how to feel about this piece? I think it's good, definitely one of my better works, but after sitting with it for a while I can't help but think about what I wanted to do better. I think it shows some of my general weaknesses as an artist where I get absorbed in details and forget the bigger picture. I failed to plan properly and didn't take time researching different compositions, so I think in that respect it looks flat. I have resources for studying composition but feel intimidated by it, but it's one of the largest foundations of art so I have to try...!

I don't criticize my work to trash on it, but I do need to acknowledge where I could do better to set goals for the future!

[nugatorysheep]

Damn this is a good one

Depending on how long you've followed you've already seen the biggest retcon, Leo went through like a million versions before getting where he is now. Up until very recently he wasnt even black! (and unfortunately there's still whitewashed versions of him floating around lol I couldn't snipe 'em all). The oldest version of him is identical to Prime Steven down to the clothes but he's half furry.

It took some work but eventually i decided what I wanted to say with his story, what kind of topic i wanted to tackle, and I hope that someone else out there can relate to him

All of my characters have had SOME changes over the years though.

Sonny also used to look like Steven but with different clothes, and he was more like an older S1 Steven who was very spoiled and bratty VS. the secretly depressed rich playboy with internalized homophobia that he is now. Fun fact: his super speed came about from a single joke about him speedrunning getting Flower (his Connie) pregnant... prior to that his only power was auditory/visual illusions

HB's story is basically the same but he's had some visual changes. He's MUCH bulkier now. The scar was also not there at first, it got added because of the first DTIYS I did for the OG WTL and got incorporated to the plot. Funny that it wasnt there at first, cause it's a major plot point now, like a huge facet of HB and Druid's character development

Sven has had things added to him but not much has been retconned per se... He's grown. Part of that is the massive amount of projection on my part but some of it is also my old friends group building up parts of his worldbuilding

Really a lot of the characters have been added to by people who were/are passionate about them besides me. Whether I like it or not there's a bit of SU's community in each of them

But besides all that... I'd make Sven a little lighter in skin tone and give his gem the subtlest hints of blue

I'd give Druid some scars, maybe tweak his colors a bit. His story though is where I want it to be. I effectively did his retcon already by rebooting wtl and doing his chapter again lmao. I mostly refined his story over outright changing it, because i had a very strong vision for what i needed to say with him. the core is unchanged

The main boys are fine otherwise, not much else i'd mess with. They don't really need fixing now that I've already went and rebooted the whole project XD

[tippistrick]

Media Thread Part 1: Every Kingdom Hearts Game on Steam

I have literally never done anything like this on tumblr and I dunno how much of this works but yknow what! That's fine! I'll figure it out

So late last year, I decided on a whim to get the Kingdom Hearts Integrum Masterpiece bundle on Steam. My experience with this series beforehand was basically nothing but what I had learned through osmosis on the internet, and even though I was kinda turned off by the heavy Disney association, I decided to say screw it and check em out anyway.

The next like. Two-to-three months give or take were completely dominated by this series as I kinda got hooked. I ended up finding (almost) all of them super engaging to play and all around just really fun! It was something I wasn't expecting to be so engaged with, but I kinda get it now.

I don't wanna go over every little thing here because this is almost like two decades worth of games and I wanna keep it to just this post, but I wanna do a brief lightning round of thoughts before talking about some overall thoughts.

Kingdom Hearts the First

This one gave me an astonishingly good first impression. The combat hooked me in hard and I enjoyed the focus on platforming this one had. The general system in place for abilities and AP also really resonated with me. One of my favorites in the series even after experiencing everything.

Kingdom Hearts 2: Chain of Memories

This is where the original plot stuff really gains its legs I feel. The main setting and concept was interesting and the new original characters from The Organization are fun to watch and get to know. I quite liked Riku's story in particular and how he grapples with what happened in the first game. The card system was very fun, but I gotta admit I was just bad at it. I sucked hard and it took me a long time to really get the hang of it. I don't feel like that's the game's fault; that's on me. Vexen is funny

Kingdom Hearts 3: Kingdom Hearts 2

Ooughh this one's real good. Although there's a drop off in terms of level design, the plot and combat are pushed wayyyy farther and it works for me. The form changes can be hit-or-miss for me with how the drive gauge works, but overall the experience felt much more refined and in-depth. It gets real hard too!! KH1 did as well but there's a specific lingering elephant in the room that decimated me. I get why people were so obsessed with the organization and its members, I like a good group of bad guys! Xigbar is funny

Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days (Movie)

Okay I'm stopping with the numbers bit I feel like I'd get confused and get something wrong. Anyways more good stuff!! I kinda wish I played the actual game but there's always a change to in the future. Roxas and Xion have such tragic existences and they really Go Through It. Axel and Saïx being bitter exes is awesome. By this point they definitely knew the original characters can just carry whatever it is they're doing, it's fun.

Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep

It's messed up but I've actually got some grievances with this one. The story is fine and all, but the way the game handles multiple characters got really REALLY draining for me. This concept can work in a game like sonic adventure I feel that's snappier and shorter, but for an action rpg, it wore me down especially with the worlds and their designs.. It was the only one of these games where I was exhausted by the end and just wanted it to be over. Braig is funny at least so hey it's obviously not all bad

Kingdom Hearts Re:Coded (Movie)

This one also kinda wore me down, even just for being a cutscene compilation. It retreads so much we've already seen and just wasn't that engaging until like the very very end. But hey... they DID put bugs in him.

Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance

Yknow it's funny. From what I've seen, this one's actually kind of disliked, and while I get why people do, I couldn't help but actually really enjoy my time with it. Yes the drop system isn't well thought out and can be annoying, yes I can see the dream eaters and how they work turning people off, yes the story jumps some big sharks in this one, but.... I dunno I just think it's neat!! I can like a mid game sometimes as a treat. Xigbar continues to be funny.

Kingdom Hearts χ Back Cover

This one ruled imo. It's basically just characters talking and it's so so engaging... the Master of Masters is one of my favorite characters in this whole series his voice acting goes crazy. Maybe the real imposter was the friends we lost along the way

Kingdom Hearts 0.2: Birth by Sleep - A Fragmentary Passage

First up this is the funniest name for one of these games it's insane. Outside of that, it's a neat little tech demo and bridge into Kingdom Hearts 3 and it sure issss neat. I quite like Aqua and she sure goes through it. A lot.

Kingdom Hearts 3 + Re Mind

Okay I know folks were disappointed with this one at the time of release, but as someone who didn't grow up with the series and has access to this game in its most complete state, it's my favorite one. It takes the best elements from 1 and 2 and whatever else and brings it together into something even greater. I'm satisfied with how the story ended up (mostly) and it made me feel excited for wherever we're going next!

Overall Thoughts

..okay so I still took my sweet time talking about everything. I think it's very easy to rag on this series from an outside perspective- hell even from an inside perspective, but I can't say I didn't really enjoy myself here. It's melodramatic and earnest and convoluted at times but dangit I needed something like this. I'm probably leaving out some things here and there, but I wanna emphasize that I'm glad that I gave this series a chance. Definitely understand not liking it, but it was absolutely worth my time by the end of it.

Tippi Ranking: Thundaga/10