#trailer tracking system

[friendtechbd]

Enhance Fleet Security with a Trailer GPS Tracker

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[jtownraindancer]

had a momentary obsession that i shall ramble about in the tags

[gpscanadatrack01]

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[felassan]

Dragon Age: The Veilguard info compilation Post 4

[Part 1] [Part 2] [Part 3] [another post]

Post is under a cut due to length.

There is a lot of information coming out right now about DA:TV from many different sources. This post is just an effort to compile as much as I can in one place, in case that helps anyone. Sources for where the information came from have been included. Where I am linking to a social media user’s post, the person is either a dev, a Dragon Age community council member or other person who has had a sneak peek at and played the game. nb, this post is more of a ‘info that came out in snippets from articles and social media posts’ collection rather than a ‘regurgitating the information on the official website or writing out what happened in the trailer/gameplay reveal’ post. The post is broken down into headings on various topics. A few points are repeated under multiple headings where relevant. Where I am speculating without a source, I have clearly demarcated this. if you notice any mistakes in this post, please tell me.

Character Creation

BioWare confirmed that even if you make your Rook a short king, the team has done work to ensure animations fit any character build [source]

"Dragon Age's character creator has seen a massive glow-up" [source]. "The volume of choices you get here are frankly insane. As Epler noted, “you could spend forever here,” and he’s not kidding." [source] The art and graphics teams spent a lot of time trying to make hair look amazing [source: the Discord]

In CC we can customise our "bulge size" [source]

Some more detail on the new lighting options to see how Rook looks like in CC when you make them: you can view them in "blazing forest sunshine versus the glare of an underground temple" [source]

"newly mobile, extra-hairy hair" [source]

Faction choice has statistical boons. For example, Shadow Dragon Rook deals extra damage to Venatori blood cultists [source]

Faction choice basically determines why Rook has been called to help in the fight against Solas [source]

All pre-determined character models in CC can be adjusted [source]

You can make a really tall dwarf if you want [source]

"Setting your previous world state is fully integrated into the character creator for Veilguard" [source: the Discord]

Inquisitor appearance will be re-created, there is no way to carry their appearance from DA:I into the game [source: the Discord]

Classes for Rook are not restricted in the sense that you can play any almost class, lineage and faction combination that you want. For example, a mage Rook can be a Crow [source: the Discord] (Fel note: it sounded like Rook cannot be a magic-wielding dwarf, even though the exception of Harding now exists) (Fel note: there is a mage Crow in one of the books)

Story and lore

Here is another article which refers to Rook as "the Rook" [source]

The story is set "9-10 years from DA:I and about 8 years from Trespasser" [source: the Discord]

They have been tracking Solas for "a while. Something else you’re gonna learn about…" [source]

The game does not use the Keep [source]

Shadow Dragon is the faction background with the most in-game reactivity (e.g. from other characters' dialogue) during the prologue section of the game, due to the fact that the prologue is in Minrathous and the Shadow Dragons are a Tevinter-based faction [source]

"I also saw a big moment after the gameplay trailer ends that I can't talk about" [source]

During the more narrative-heavy dialogue choices, "the game will also give a bit of context on what you're about to choose, but doesn't go as far as explaining the exact consequences or precisely what will happen thereafter" [source] "the game shows you how you’ll go about the choice, but it doesn’t tell you the consequence of that choice". [source]

"The game is bringing back Dragon Age 2s dialogue system, which was tone-based and resulted in its protagonist Hawke falling into one of three different personality states. You have three general tones in a conversation: kind, humorous, or aggressive, with slight variations depending on the situation" [source]

"Venatori blood cultists" [source]

"The whole game has the makings of another Suicide Mission [ME2], given that you are up against a god with the ability to collapse dimensions" [source]

"Choices and consequences". "Now, it seems you can see the effects of your choices like never before, and this time, they marry that choice with incredible visuals" [source]

In the bar when you're trying to get information in the opening, if you choose to fight it out and the barbrawl ensues, you then have to run from the pursuers in the bar [source]

A key concern of the developers when creating the environments was to make “a world worth saving" [source]

The prologue is quite linear but there are additional paths you can follow to find additional loot [source]

In the opening section of the game there is a dock which has been attacked and the soldiers that were there have been killed, "but rather than seeing this passively, we walked through the aftermath and had to interact with the scene to piece it all together" [source]

The tone of the gameplay video is a good indicator of the tone of the rest of the game [source]. On the tone: "dark fantasy" [source]. horror & gore is back along with DA's classic dark elements [source]

Tevinter Nights is a better tone indicator for the game than the original reveal/character trailer. Ghil Dirthalen: "Tevinter Nights has felt the most 'DAV' to me" [source]. The gameplay reveal video is the best indicator for the tone of the game (vs the character one) [source]. there is still messy dark shit in the game [source]

Tonally the game is closest to Tevinter Nights and DA:O [source]

Ghil Dirthalen: "[as] one of those unfortunate souls who has latched onto a media world so hard: This game is for me. For the hardcore DA lore nerds, I've been secretly screaming about things I saw for MONTHS now" [source]

The game is true to the DA stories we know and love [source]

Characters, companions, romance

You can choose to engage in companions' own storylines as you progress or ignore them entirely [source]

You will often have to make dialogue choices that will affect how your various companions treat you [source]

Neve is quick-witted [source], measured and elegant [source]

In the opening, you interact with the companions as you move through Minrathous. "your choices during these interactions will determine who goes on portions of the mission with you, along with how “pleased” they are with the answers." [source]

On Varric and Harding: "Instantly the two felt like they’d never been away and avoided the trap of being parodies or fanfiction versions of themselves" [source]

Solas' eyes were always purple hh [source] (yes!)

Gameplay, presentation, performance etc

Some enemies have additional shields that are weak to ranged attacks [source]

When asked about if the war table from DA:I returned, John Epler said "There is a table. Now, whether it works the same way as the table in the previous game..." [source]

Once you get passed a certain point in the game, it opens up dramatically, however it is not an openworld game and they wanted to make sure that all the content mattered and was a more structured, sculpted experience for the player. There is some exploration, some opportunities to get off the beaten path, and some spaces that are fairly wide [source]

The button to press to bring up the skill wheel is RB or R1 (depending on what controller you're using) [source]

"You'll also have access to two skills or spells for each of your two companions that you can command. For a more seamless, uninterrupted combat experience, you can also assign these skills to shortcuts (such as holding the left trigger and hitting the X button) to quickly use them" [source]

"The game is bringing back Dragon Age 2s dialogue system, which was tone-based and resulted in its protagonist Hawke falling into one of three different personality states. You have three general tones in a conversation: kind, humorous, or aggressive, with slight variations depending on the situation" [source]

"booting Fade demons into pits" [source]

"BioWare have revised Dragon Age's art direction to make character models a little more consistent with the series' lovely Tarot-inspired menu art. Flesh is ruddy to the point of painterly; facial features and bodily proportions are thicker and more striking, as though the characters had been cut from clay" [source]

The 3 specs for Warrior are Reaper (has lifesteal/stealing health from enemies, and other freaky powers, does big damage), Slayer (can wield the biggest blade, big swords, big damage) or Champion, which is tanky, shield-using and Paladin like [source] [source]

There are quick-recover prompts [source]

You can roll through puddles of incoming AOE [source]

There are ziplines between some levels levels [source] (Fel note: just like in As We Fly... )

There are also slidey hills to slide down between some sections [source]

There are still some Hinterland-type areas designed for exploration [source]

We can do some home base management to our home base [source] (Fel note: this refers to The Lighthouse, detail in a previous post)

Camera placement is quite zoomed out [source]

Where Rogues have 'momentum', Warriors have 'rage' and Mages 'mana'. When a warrior spends rage in the ability wheel it triggers more powerful attacks. this has been referred to as a build-and-spend mechanic. this system resource gates your use of more powerful skills and is built by getting stuck in [source]. Momentum for Rogues is built by landing hits without taking any [source]

There are big glowing environmental cues for picking up loot or replenishing health potions [source]

"Epler noted that The Veilguard will not be an open-world experience like Inquisition, and instead will have large spaces to explore with quests littered throughout. This allayed my early concerns that they would course correct too hard from the oft-maligned open areas of Inquisition" [source]

Melee and ranged attacks can be charged up [source]

It sounds like there is an option to have greater guidance on when enemies are attacking [source]

The community council gave a lot of notes on the game's art direction to BioWare (gave feedback to the devs) that they were told and shown were changed from the first reveal/character trailer, these made it into the gameplay trailer [source]

The community council asked about having an arachnophobia mode, though they can't guarantee this was implemented [source]

"You’re encouraged to explore and grind for stronger weapons and gear, so your stats and cosmetics improve the further you get into the game" (in the sense that you’ll be rewarded for hard work) [source, two]

Follower information such as cooldowns and health will be visible on the HUD [source: the Discord]

There is a "quick cast" option if you prefer not to use the wheel, should be a chorded action using a controller [source: the Discord]

On PC you can play with keyboard and mouse or controller [source: the Discord]

An accessibility option is the ability to make auto-targeting stronger or weaker depending on your preference [source: the Discord]

The game will have DLSS support at launch [source: the Discord]

Re: hard drives, the game can be played using an HDD, they would recommend an SSD though for the optimal experience [source: the Discord]

There are lots of different interface options you can play with, e.g. combat text size, opacity, when to display health bars [source: the Discord]

Other

The leak from last year or whenever it was (the one that leaked screenshots and a gif from the game) was mainly a lot of outdated stuff and didn't really represent even the early version some community council members had played [source, two]. It was not leaked by a member of the community council, but by a member of another focus group [source]

The community council were given the chance to play the game twice, once in Fall 2022 and a year later in 2023 [source]

There is no information as yet regarding when pre-orders will be open [source: the Discord]

BioWare are hoping to at the very least have the very "best of" the Discord dev Q&A featured on social media and potentially in a blog [source: the Discord]

[☕ found this post or blog interesting or useful? my ko-fi is here if you feel inclined. thank you 🙏]

[steddieasitgoes]

he can't sit with us (or maybe he can?)

written for @steddie-week Day 4 prompt: Trade Rating: T | wc: 2651 | no cw thank you to @stevethehairington and @thefreakandthehair for beta-ing this one for me!! Read on ao3

Eddie is amped up. 

Lunch has always been his favorite part of the school day, but today is going to be an especially good one. Not because of his lunch — he forgot to grab the sandwich he made last night so he wouldn’t forget, and he’s been out of lunch credit for weeks now, so he’s shit out of luck on that front — but because today’s the day he unleashes his latest rant on the hivemind that is the Hawkins High student body. 

It’s taken him weeks to work out everything he wants to say about the giant mall they’re building a few blocks from Main Street that everyone and their workaholic fathers are excited about. The one that led to the demolishment of Hawkins' second-best trailer park — Forest Hills being the best, obviously. He even asked Wayne’s advice on what he should say since his uncle has way more experience going against The Man™ and The Man’s™ People. 

He’s pretty proud of what he’s come up with. Sure, it’s a typical Munson rant that goes on a personal tangent in the middle about how Sam Goody and Tape World are probably going to put Jet’s Jams out of music. And okay, yeah, Jet’s Jams is the fucking worst most of the time and only ever has the top 40s bullshit in stock, but at least Eddie has some pull with good ole’ Jet and can bargain with the dude to order a metal record or two every once in a while. You think Sam Goody is going to take his advice? Not a chance in hell!

But then he’ll get back on track and get into the educational stuff that Wayne talked to him about. At least, that’s the plan; all he has to do is stick to the bullet point list he scribbled out in Ms. O’Donnell’s class thirty minutes ago, ignoring whatever the fuck she was going on about at the front of the room. 

It’s going to be great. Definitely one of his best lunchtime soapbox speeches. Hell, maybe this will be the one to actually wake some of his peers up. Capitalism is the real devil here. Not him. 

He’s bouncing with adrenaline and nerves as he saunters into the crowded cafeteria, ready for his moment, ready for—

What the hell? 

Eddie stops midstride when he spots Gareth and Jeff waving at him from a table in the middle of the room. Again, what the hell? That’s not their table. Not even fucking close. 

Eddie doesn’t believe in the social hierarchy of high school cliques, but he does respect the lunch table distribution system Hawkins’ operates under. And he knows, without a shadow of a doubt, that tables in the middle are destined for the so-called elite. Not his Dungeons & Dragons club and the other lost sheep stragglers he’s accumulated over his extended high school career.  

They’re supposed to be sitting at a table on the outskirts of the room. The one by the windows, with the art kids to his right and the drama kids to his left. The weirdo, outcast corner. 

And yet, there they are in the middle of the room at a table usually occupied by the so-called elites and anyone else they’ve deemed worthy of their company. 

“This isn’t our table,” Eddie says, slamming his hands down with enough force to knock Gareth’s brown paper bag over, taking his unopened Dr. Pepper can with it. 

Gareth scowls, righting the can. “Now I see why you’re a super senior. Of course, it’s not our fucking table!” 

Eddie intertwines his fingers before pillowing his chin against them. “Okay then, Gareth the Great, tell me why we are sitting here.” 

“Our table is occupied,” Jeff supplies. 

“Occupied? Everyone knows that’s our table! Is this person new? Have they recently had a lobotomy?” 

This time, it’s Freak who speaks up. “No. He knows. He probably just doesn’t give a shit. A table’s a table or whatever.” 

Or whatever? Fat chance. A table hasn’t ever been just a table in the hellscape that is Hawkins High. Still, Eddie can’t help but be curious. There aren’t many people who would willingly sit at a new table this late into the school year. It’s a ballsy move.

He figures it’s a scorned drama kid or drumline member — there’s always drama in those groups; someone is always fucking someone they shouldn’t be, horny assholes. But when he turns to get a glance at this intruder, it’s not a butthurt outcast taking up court at the table, but rather Hawkins' very own Fallen King, Steve Harrington. 

For the third time, what the hell? 

“Did you tell him it’s our table?” 

“No! He’s Steve Harrington! I don’t think he’ll appreciate a couple of nerds telling him to move.” 

“And we value our lives too much to mess with upperclassmen,” Gareth says, mumbling something about learning his lesson the last time he tried something stupid like that. 

Eddie rolls his eyes before scoffing loud enough to startle the nearby table of cheerleaders. He wiggles his fingers in an innocent wave before focusing his attention back on his friends. 

“Please, Steve is all bark and no bite. And he hasn’t been Steve Harrington in a while.” Eddie raises his voice several octaves, batting his eyelashes as he says Steve’s name. “Now he’s just Steve Harrington,” he says, shrugging his shoulders with a nonchalance he never would have expected to use for someone of Steve’s former status. “He’s just some guy whose girlfriend dumped him for an artsy loner.” 

“It doesn’t matter, man! You don’t mess with people like Harrington,” Jeff says, shaking his head. “I’m sure it’s just like a one-time thing or something. It’s not like any of his friends are sitting with him. Maybe he’s just fighting with them.” 

Jeff has a point. Steve is alone. Sitting at the table all be himself, poking disinterestedly at an apple sauce cup. He’s not cowering or trying to make himself smaller like most people would do if they were stuck eating lunch alone, but he’s not making a show of it either. He’s just there. Minding his own business, staring out the windows Eddie has spent all five years of his high school career looking out off. 

“Those sounds like quitting words, Jefferson,” Eddie taunts, turning his attention back to the group. He makes a show of looking each and every Hellfire member in the eyes when he speaks again. “Are we quitters?” 

The entire table groans, a few shake their heads. Gareth, always the brave one, throws a chip at Eddie’s head that he manages to catch in his mouth. And people say he’s not athletic! 

“Since we’re not quitters, what should we do about this unlawful infiltration?” 

“I don’t know if it's an infiltration,” Freak says. “We just like traded tables without a verbal agreement.” 

“That’s worse than a seize!” 

“I don’t know, man. You’re the one that’s all fired up about it. Why don’t you go over there and ask Harrington to give it back to us.” 

“You know what,” Eddie says, pushing off the table until he’s standing. “I will.” 

With the same gravitas he entered the cafeteria with, Eddie saunters over to Steve. The sooner he gets this table thing handled, the sooner he can get on with his lunchtime diatribe — see Mr. Vance, I do listen in English class, old bat.

Eddie’s not a quiet walker by any means — he’s had enough pillows thrown at his head from Wayne for the way he stomps around the trailer in the mornings — but he manages to sneak up on Steve. Maybe it’s because his eyes are trained on a squirrel running up a tree in the distance, mumbling encouragements as the poor thing struggles to make it up. 

Huh, Harrington’s a squirrel fan? Who knew? 

Eddie’s watch chirps, a reminder that there are only ten minutes left of lunch. Jesus H. Christ! He’ll have to do an abridged version of his speech now, but it should still be enough to get his point across. That is if he manages to get Steve to trade tables with them without a fight. 

“Fancy seeing you here, Steve,” Eddie says, loud enough to startle Steve out of the squirrel watching. “What brings you to my humble abode?” 

Steve glances up at him with a look of disinterest he seems to have perfected in his fall from grace. And honestly, as much as Eddie hates to admit it and would never say it out loud unless he was being waterboarded or some shit, this new version of Steve really works for him. 

“Your humble what?” Steve asks, dropping his disinterest to look up confused instead. 

His brows pull together, scrunching up his forehead in a way that should be unflattering but is honestly sort of endearing. And his head is tilted to the side like a confused animal — something Eddie has a lot of experience with, given his unofficial status as a trailer park animal rescuer. Eddie’s so lost in studying Steve’s confusion that he forgets to actually respond, which like, is new territory for Eddie. He’s never one not to talk. 

“Look, man, I don’t know what you want, but could you just spit it out so I can go back to enjoying my lunch?”

Eddie’s personality returns to his body in an instant. “Enjoying your lunch, you say?” He takes a second to glance at Steve’s lunch tray. A measly bite has been taken out of the cardboard the school passes off as pizza. The side of congealed mac and cheese sits untouch and his apple sauce cup is open but still perfectly intact. “Doesn’t look like you ate at all, Steve.” 

“Seriously, Munson, what do you want?” 

Eddie tsks and yanks the seat next to Steve away from the table before not-so-gracefully falling into it. He kicks his feet up on the table a moment later, the toe of his boot knocking against the carton of milk he’s willing to bet Steve also hasn’t touched. Though he can’t really blame him for that one. Milk is not a lunchtime beverage, and no amount of dairy propaganda is ever going to change that. 

“As I’m sure you’re aware, Harrington, this is my table.” 

“I didn’t know the cafeteria had assigned seats.” 

“Bullshit, you didn’t,” Eddie growls, throwing his hands up in the air. The move forces him to lose his balance, chair wobbling on two legs under him, threatening to give out and dump him on his ass. Definitely not the lunchtime show he was hoping to give today. But before he meets his demise, Steve extends his hand, steadying the chair long enough for Eddie to drop his feet and reclaim his balance. “Thanks.” 

Steve grunts in response and goes back to staring out the window. 

Fucking squirrel. 

“Look, Steve,” Eddie says, getting straight to the point this time. “I don’t know why you decided to switch tables today or why you decided my table was the one you suddenly wanted, but can we please just switch back?” 

“I’m good here.” 

He tears his eyes away from the window for long enough to glance at his former table, where Gareth and Jeff are using straws as lightsabers without a care in the world. Steve snorts, and Eddie stiffens; he really, really doesn’t want to have to fight anyone today, but if Steve’s willing to be a dick about his friends in front of his face, well, fight, he will. But then Steve’s face softens, and he shakes his head in amusement. 

“Looks like your friends are good where they’re at, too. Though the lightsaber skills could use some work,” Steve teases. “Are we good then?”

“No, we’re not good!” Eddie shouts, trying his best to keep his brain on task. We’re here to get our table back, not ponder why Steve Harrington suddenly has a soft spot for nerds because what? “That’s your table, man, and this is ours. You’re going to upset the fragile balance of this place.” 

“Shouldn’t you be thanking me or something? I thought upsetting the balance was your life goal.” 

How dare Steve Harrington read him like that.

Since his dramatics haven’t worked, Eddie opts for the truth this time. “I have no interest in sitting in the middle of the damn cafeteria where everyone can see me and my friends just to cause a little societal unrest.” 

“And I have no interest in being forced to sit in the middle so everyone can stare at me while judging me and my mistakes.” 

Oh. 

The truth shouldn’t be all that shocking. Anyone who has eyes has witnessed Steve’s fall from King too well; Eddie’s not sure there is a word for what Steve is now. He’s not a pariah or an outcast, not smart enough to be a nerd, and the rumor is he quit basketball, so he’s not a jock. He’s just… lost? 

Steve groans, running a hand over his face for a second before his fingers pinch the bridge of his nose. “Can we pretend I didn’t say that?” 

“Uh, sure?” 

“Look, Eddie, I’m not going to trade tables with you, but if this one means that much to you, I don’t mind sharing.” 

“I thought you said you don’t want people staring at you?” 

“I don’t.” 

“Okay, well, sitting with the Freaks of Hawkins is definitely going to get people staring and talking, and honestly, you might even have to dodge a punch or two just for being in our vicinity.” 

“I’ll survive.” 

For the first time in his life, Eddie has no idea what to say. On one hand the idea of sharing a table is so preposterous he’s convinced he might be dreaming right now. But after a quick pinch to confirm that he is awake, he goes back to weighing his options. Sharing a table with Steve isn’t ideal, but sitting in the middle of the fucking cafeteria is a death sentence. He might be able to hold his own with the upper echelon of Hawkins High, but his ragtag group of friends isn’t so scrappy. 

And then there’s the lost sheep of it all. 

Eddie’s spent most of his high school career looking after lonely high schoolers. Whisking them under his wing, giving them a safe space to eat lunch or a club to hang out at after school to avoid having to walk back home alone. He thought he’d become somewhat of an expert at it, but it seems Steve Harrington has managed to slip through his cracks. 

Eddie would be the world’s biggest hypocrite if he didn’t at least try with Steve. It’s not like he has to join Hellfire or anything. All he’s really asking for his a spot at their lunch table. 

“I have one condition.” 

“Of course you do,” Steve says, rolling his eyes. 

“Actually, I have two.” Steve chuckles and motions for Eddie to get on with it already. “One, you can’t make fun of anything that happens at the table. We’re weird. You know it, we know it. We’re allowed to tease each other about it. You are not.” 

“I wouldn’t do that. Not anymore.” 

Eddie nods. “And two, you have to give me your dessert every day.” 

“Every day?” Steve balks. “You can have my applesauce and pudding cups, but I’m not giving you Friday’s chocolate cake.” 

“Guess you’re going to have to go back to sitting at the fishbowl table then.” 

Eddie watches as Steve considers this for a moment before his shoulders heave the world’s biggest sigh. “Fine.” 

Without warning, Eddie pushes away from the table, the legs of the chair screeching against the linoleum. His lips twitch at the corners, pulling into a genuine smile as he stands and offers Steve his hand. “Welcome to the Freak table, Steve.” 

[mayuslob]

Leander character analysis but i am 100% wrong

Okay so disclaimer this is most probably a huge stretch and me going insane over every detail BUT i need to get it out my system

Yapping below the cut be ready 🦭

Starting off with what made me start this, the Bloodhounds’ motto. When i was playing the demo for the first time, i was very caught off guard when they mentioned the sentence “as above so below” due to its religious context and meaning. This sentence is mostly linked with the character Baphomet, a satanic figure written by the author Éliphas Lévi on the book “Dogme et Rituel de la Haute Magie” translated to english “Dogma and Ritual of High Magic", written between 1854 and 1856. It can be portrayed in a lot of different ways, but the most embraced is that there cannot be heaven without hell (thus Baphomet pointing up and down), good without evil and viceversa. Now here it gets more interesting.

At first i thought they just chose this sentence for other motives, but then i started to dig a little deeper and realised that every single detail in Leander’s character is very much on purpose, specially his color palette and abilities. Let’s start with the colors which are directly linked to his powers:

Leander’s distinctive color is green, a dark desaturated emerald green to be exact. Emerald portrays good luck and balance in common symbolism, but it also can be tracked to this. See the thing is, the sentence “as above so below” doesn’t come originally from Baphomet, rather Lévi quoted it from a — not known to really exist— text called “The Emerald Tablet”, a story with different theories around its origin; the story revolving around a fictional character named Hermes Trismegistus (this is important for later). So here we have that the color emerald is directly connected not only to Leander’s palette but to the Bloodhounds’ motto. But wait!

there’s more

See this is where you ask, okay but what does The Emerald Tablet tell? well around the years it was most referenced, it was used by the islam and european alchemists and considered fundamental. Of course as time went by, the text was implemented in other practices such as occultism and magic. This is where the figure of Hermes is pretty interesting regarding Leander, due to his character being described as a “physician, a magician and a spiritual person”. That’s right guys, a fucking magician much like our beloved Leander.

Going further into Hermes’ character, he is a syncretic combination of the Greek god Hermes and of the Egyptian god Thoth, the god of the night, wisdom, magic, and the final judgement (plus others but these are the ones we’re gonna focus on). With this we have some things that could describe Leander, specially wisdom and magic due to his vast knowledge surpassing the Senobium (as mentioned by MC if you choose The Alchemist path) but we still have two things left, the night and the final judgement.

We know from the game devs that Leander is not a good person to say the least, just showing a façade of his true self. So i think that the fact that his fatal flaw is crossed out and this fundamental detail could be related to those two attributes Thoth has. PLUS if you see Leander’s outfit he is wearing a belt decorated by two moons, linking him to the night.

Leander is mysterious but strangely sweet to the MC, even after being aware of their power and danger, even to a point of growing overly interested in them. He promises us balance, a normal tranquil life, the answer to all of your problems. From what he has shown us so far he is very protective and even a bit obsessive, always insisting on Mc coming to him for help, giving us an impression that maybe he is more than meets the eye.

In conclusion, i think Leander will be a wayyyy darker character than we expect, greedy for knowledge — fact shown in his trailer silhouette quotting “mages lust for power, it’s always their downfall” — which is why maybe he’s so obsessed with MC. He wants wisdom he’s thirsty for it to insane extents we might see in his route. Also not forgetting Bloodhounds’ motto and its meaning, i believe we’ll see his version of what justice is and how if he is so good with us in the beginning, how dangerous is he in reality?? specially if both Vere and Ais have tried to kill him. I’m super excited for this game.

Im a 100% sure there’s things i’ve missed, so if anyone wants to add any info or theory they have PLEAASE do id love to hear.

Little detail i left out because i think it would be too much but Leander wearing a key on his outfit is so made on purpose i can’t elaborate.

[cinnamonest]

I assume this is because I criticized Kamala Harris in my last post.

I want to address this because it's important to me and frustrations currently consuming my life, and I'm very emotionally unwell right now. I want to share my experiences and make a point I feel is important at this time.

Once again, this is very unfitting of the smut fanfiction blog and will be deleted later, even though I'm sure this is a huge follower-losing post, but whatever.

Forgive me for rambling so much, but I encourage you and people who think like this to read in entirety.

I realize things are tense right now in the US.

Part of the reason for my inactivity the past while (besides multiple hospitalizations) is that I'm glued to my screen every night now because I'm very scared. I've been spending all my time researching, watching videos from economists, etc.

(Preemptively, sources for everything I'm about to say: the FEMA Privacy Act Statement itself, the official CPB database, Helene People Finder, United States Council of Foreign Relations, Samaritan's Purse, NYC.gov, Starlink, Politico, ABC, CNBC, georgia.gov, nc.gov, tn.gov, my own life)

The US is an extremely high-tension, polarized political climate, largely due to the bipartisan system.

However, no one should be immune from criticism.

All politicians should be criticized when they do harm. I am allowed to criticize her, and I will.

Criticizing one candidate is not the same thing as endorsing/supporting their opposition.

3,000+ Appalachians are missing. The current death toll makes this the deadliest single event in the US since 1862. A higher death toll than Hurricane Katrina, a higher death toll than the events of 9/11/2001, a higher death toll than any mass shooting.

However, it is largely going completely ignored, and mainstream news media has barely acknowledged it, in part due to elections, but largely because the people who live in Appalachia are poor, rural people. And the harsh reality is that poor people's lives are not treated with the same value as people of higher classes.

FEMA continues to do nothing, and the feds are now threatening to take children away from homeless parents... yet they blocked donations of trailers and campers from nearby areas that would help those people to, you know, not be homeless. A kind group of Amish have come down from Pennsylvania to build shelters, and FEMA may tear them down too since they don't have "permits."

Harris had the opportunity to do something, and has the authority to order FEMA agents to act differently, but she chose to exploit the situation for publicity, then leave and otherwise ignore them. She then went on to pay Beyonce $10,000,000 to speak for 5 minutes.

That deserves to be criticized.

Her campaign continues to claim a good economy and job market, when inflation and cost of living has peaked, and just this month, their policies actually have officially led to one of the worst employment outcomes the United States has seen since the Great Depression, disproportionately affecting low-income workers.

That deserves to be criticized.

She has a bad track record during her time in the judicial system for the way her actions harshly affected underprivileged people, especially Jamal Trulove, who was terribly wronged.

That deserves to be criticized.

Furthermore, the reason FEMA/the government does not have money for Appalachia is for a few reasons, all of which were ordered, facilitated or allowed by the current administration:

1) we've sent over $100 BILLION to the IDF so they can keep blowing up hospitals and kindergartens,

2) we sent $175 BILLION to Zelensky so he can keep sending young men into violent deaths even if its against their will,

3) we just sent $100+ million to Lebanon even after the hurricane crisis, meaning the federal government explicitly chose to prioritize foreign aid over its own people,

4) money was taken directly from FEMA reserves for crises like ours, and used as part of a whopping $150,000,000,000 spent on mass migration — including free flights, a $20 million welcome center with a free-use "game room" with dozens of Xboxes plus free food/lodging, and in NY, an average of $1400 prepaid debit card per individual each month.

Meanwhile, Appalachians get a one-time $750 per family, and if you have insurance to cover anything, it's a LOAN you have to pay back (many "fact-checkers" are claiming this is false when its literally in the FEMA eligibility statement). Many of the independent line workers FEMA hired for repairs are reporting they have not been paid AT ALL since starting.

In other words, the money that was specifically reserved for saving lives in times of crisis was spent on video games and free money handouts.

That, holy hell, deserves to be criticized.

Secondly, I want to address the message itself.

I realize that a lot of the american tumblr userbase is 1) people young enough that they're still partially financially dependent on parents and/or 2) are, like most of the US statistically, earning middle-class incomes, and live in fairly population-dense environments.

Most people outside the US, on the other hand, are getting their perceptions of life, politics, etc in the US from the posts/narratives of people within the aforementioned groups, popular culture, and their own local media, so their perspective is often quite limited, to no fault of their own. I'm sure my perspective of life in other countries is also very limited.

Most of you live in places other than where I live, and live very different lives from mine. As humans, we are naturally prone to subconsciously assuming the lives of others are not too different from our own, and do not naturally stop to consider how various factors might affect people's lives and decisions.

We are social beings, prone to adopting the beliefs of others who have the same experiences and thereby the same limited perspectives as us, especially in ideologically homogenous environments.

However, I have just as much of a voice as anyone else.

My hope is that I can use my words and experience to foster empathy for one another between different people in a very polarized climate at a very tense time.

I'm originally from a fairly rural community of about 8,000 people, largely low-income, low-education, evangelical blue-collar workers and farmers, in the Bible Belt.

It is well-known that this demographic overwhelmingly voted for Trump. I don't deny that. I visit home a lot, I see the yard signs everywhere, flags hanging from pickup trucks and farm fenceposts, lots of red hats.

There is a reason for that.

The administration of the past four years has utterly destroyed many rural, low-income communities.

It caused a huge spike in job layoffs, leading to homelessness, drug abuse, hunger and poverty for many already low-income people, and for select communities, violent crime.

I'm fortunate enough to have had parents better off than most of the community, but I'm self-sufficient now, and I am in the bottom 20% of incomes in the US, even with a degree. I could write endless paragraphs on how hard it is to get by, but to summarize for the sake of shortening — it's very, very rough.

Everything has become drastically more expensive, very rapidly over the course of a few years. Groceries are 3x their 2021 prices. I had to get a guarantor for a one-bedroom apartment.

Many rural families resort to drastic measures to get by. Small farmers are being financially strangled out of their way of life.

The actions of the Biden-Harris administration is the reason a huge portion of my extended family was laid off and now face total destitution, as there are simply no jobs left available.

The Biden-Harris border and crime policies are responsible for the brutal rape of a significant number of women and girls in this geographic region. Statistically, these rapes have quadrupled compared to the previous administration.

A woman was raped and stabbed to death about a mile from where I live.

Our nearby neighbor, a cow farmer back home, was attacked on his own property.

I have personally faced multiple instances of sexual harassment and aggression, some of which were very frightening. I know other girls nearby experienced the same or worse.

Alcoholism and hard drugs due to the spike in unemployment and poverty has ruined many lives, and help is often hard to access in rural regions.

A woman my mom was acquainted with ended her own life in 2023 because her children were taken from her due to her drug addiction and poverty. People I played with on the church playground as kids are now unemployed heroin addicts.

I've watched my mom driven to tears after realizing how drastically her income tax increased, and how little she has left after them despite working around the clock.

All of these can be traced back to the policies and actions of the current administration, and the current Harris-Walz platform's proposals will drastically increase it all — largely voted for by people who live in economic situations and locations as such that they are fairly unaffected by these consequences, so they may not understand how it affects these people.

I could write endless paragraphs of all the people I know who have been at best negatively affected, at worst utterly ruined, by the current administration.

Since I have the unique background of understanding these people whilst having more liberal values as an individual, with a broad range of people I interact with now, I have tried to have discussions on this over the last year or so, in real life and virtually. I believed that raising awareness would make people on the left-leaning side empathize with them, and inspire dialogue to work to implement ways to account for the concerns and needs of the rural poor, and incorporate that into their existing proposals.

I was incorrect. I've been very polite and respectful in how I address others in these discussions. In the vast majority of interactions, I was not given the same in return.

A few were receptive, which I appreciate, but in most of my experiences, the same group that is known for encouraging empathy, apparently doesn't apply that philosophy to people they dislike — no matter how I presented it, they immediately rushed to demonize, censor, humiliate, shame and gaslight me, and expressed callous apathy at best, if not active contempt, for my people.

They say "that doesn't happen," and I think they genuinely believe that due to limited perspective — but the reality is that they're simply in a position of privilege as such that it isn't happening to them.

Similarly, what you have to understand is that from the perspective of many rural people in red areas, their experience is that more privileged people inflicted this suffering on them by voting for it, then silence and shame them for speaking out about it.

Likewise, they also have a limited perspective — for them, the issue I see is that they adamantly believe the "other side" is already well-aware of the effects their choices have on others. I don't think this is true, I think many on the other end are unaware of these issues.

This dual lack of understanding creates mutual resentment and bitterness, which fuels tension.

I will say that trying to explain how girls in my community were assaulted or my own harassment, only to have it spammed with replies along the lines of "don't care" or "deserved" or calling me a liar, seeing posts mocking or wishing harm on people like my family accumulate tens of thousands of likes, having people I care about referred to as "trailer trash," passive-aggressive statements implying I'm too unattractive for a man to harass — this, along with other distasteful actions I've seen, has pushed me away from the left as a community, and I don't think that's unreasonable.

Similarly, labeling people you know nothing about as bad people, without making any effort to understand their circumstances or what they actually believe and why, will drive people away and make them resentful.

My community is multiracial, women are highly valued in southern culture for various reasons, and they themselves are marginalized and underprivileged. They're kind people who have been good to me.

I haven't really met any people who are hateful, nor is hate the reason for their votes — they're all voting as they do because they are scared, exhausted, grieving and desperate. A lot of people in the area never voted before, but are now registering to vote in droves because they feel their backs are against the wall, so to speak.

Moreover, Orange Man himself redirected $14 million dollars to Appalachia, continues to raise awareness for them in speeches, and Musk, who is associated with him, has a team working to help Appalachians. He's also the only noteworthy figure that has acknowledged certain issues affecting them.

They realize that the situation in Appalachia could just as easily be them in the future, that they'd be given the same treatment.

This has resulted in a lot of rural poor people feeling that he cares more for their lives, compared to Biden/Harris who more or less neglected them. Which, considering that, is a fairly reasonable conclusion on their end.

Finally, it is true that blue voters tend to be in favor of abolishing or ruining crucial aspects of our way of life that, I say this politely, they do not fully understand, while the people here want to preserve their way of life.

So, while I have more liberal values that differ from most people back home, I don't believe they are bad people. They are reacting very reasonably to the circumstances they're in.

All I ask of others is to consider, no matter where you are or what beliefs you align with, and no matter what happens tomorrow, that the "other side" to your own may not be the evil people you have been led to believe they are, but are humans whose lives are simply different from yours, and they are acting in accordance to their experiences, circumstances, and fears.

The growing trend of demonizing political opposition with no attempt at empathy, only creates more pain in the world. I hope this has helped to foster better understanding, and that people can be kind to one another.

That is all I wanted to say.

[weirdmarioenemies]

Name: Rocky Wrench

Debut: Super Mario Bros. 3

Get a load of this guy! A recurring enemy, debuting in one of the most beloved games, and major enough to even get a LEGO version... and he's over here as if he's Weird. Well he is! Weird is relative! You might think a goat is a normal animal, but if you do, you have clearly forgotten that they effortlessly climb trees and steep slopes, with hooves. Weird is all around us, and if you find yourself growing jaded to it, remember a Fun Fact to mentally slap some sense back into yourself.

Rocky Wrench is not rocky, and he is not a wrench, either! He is manholey and throws wrenches. On first glance, he looks like a turtley mole, but we are commonly assured that he is ACTUALLY a moley turtle. Strange! This is not a mere mole with a shell, this is a turtle with a cartilaginous nose and teeth and presumably fur. Even if he is truly a turtle, the design is pleasantly mole-like, with the claws, snout, and teeth! This is a guy who would love to bite an earthworm, and who would be very good at it. He would NOT eat a vegetable.

Huhwhuh! What's going on! They turned Rocky Wrench into a guy who would eat a vegetable, and relish every nibble! One of the most egregious parts of New Super Mario Bros. Wii's new standardized art direction is that Rocky Wrench's original design was just entirely lost. This is, obviously, just Monty Mole wearing goggles! And I like Monty Mole, but when I am in the mood for Monty Mole, I can look at Monty Mole. This is not even a turtle by ANY measure now. It's almost a cruel joke now, having a rodent enemy with "mole" in its name, and redesigning the actually mole-looking enemy to be an identical rodent. Gophers and moles can coexist! We all dig for our own reasons. Isn't that something to celebrate? We would, at least, get a true talpid later in Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker.

But some never gave up hope. Remember this? Have you seen this? It's good. It's Super Mario Odyssey concept art for the Broodals, if they were to use existing enemy species for the characters! Even in the middle of the Rocky Rodent Era, there were people at Nintendo who thought, "let's use the old Rocky Wrench design again". Here, Rango would have been a tall Rench (Rocky + Wrench. I know it doesn't really work. Sorry) wearing a spiky squash for a hat! Not very fashionable, but bold. And certainly easier to wear than a whole manhole cover! Rocky Wrench would continue to be portrayed as a rodent for years, including in Mario Kart Tour, where he even got a Mii costume! Was this all a ploy to become marketable?

But then, something happened.

Last year, we received the trailer for the final wave of the The Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Game For Nintendo Switch Systems' Booster Course Pass DLC Content. And we all noticed something strange. Something different.

Holy moley! The guy in that hole looks moley! Suddenly, to the surprise of everyone, Rocky Wrench was re-redesigned, now resembling the one that I assume people in 1988 fell in love with. I don't know. I wasn't there. But wow! We don't know why they decided to do this, but we're all happy they did! More visual variety in enemies is always better than less! It's especially weird considering the very same track in Tour had the Monty-like design, but I'm not complaining, I'm celebrating!

Looking at Super Mario Party Jamboree, it's clear that, at least for now, Mole-Like Rocky Wrench is here to stay. And hooray for that. Cheers, even. He completely changed his presentation for mass appeal, and now he's going back to being himself, unashamed! Be like Rocky Wrench! Express yourself while simultaneously hiding in a hole.

[jmdbjk]

Make assumptions and get the wrong idea. Please. That's what he said.

My brain listening to Who:

(on the beat of course)

Sorry for the brain porn but that's how my brain feels when I hear Jimin's vocals. The runs, the ad libs, the highs, lows, and in-betweens, the breathing, especially the breathing. Especially in the 4K version of the Tonight Show performance posted on BangtanTV.

For many years now I've been wanting to hear Jimin let 'er rip on a big song and FINALLY! FINALLY!

FINALLY!

I started to jot down my interpretations of Who but you know what? no one needs yet another analyzation of the song, the lyrics, the MV, the belt sharing, the ... but one thing I need to point out... Ryan's Vintage Clothes is definitely a nod to Ryan Gosling don't you think? (just kidding sorta)

A ton of people have given their dissertations on what they think it all means. All I know is Jimin has that MAGIC and he is FLEXING big time.

This is my favorite shot from the most recent promo image drop on Weverse. I have always dissented when Jimin would say his left side is his best side. No sir. It's your right side.

The entire Muse album is a complete mind-bender for me. He came up with the ideas and themes and what he couldn't do on his own, he explained to all the people helping him in order to create his vision...

PDogg said this in an interview: "I also believe the experience of collaborating with various producers and songwriters in LA and NY gave Jimin the opportunity to further explore his limitless potential."

Minseong Kim (Performance Director): "When we were working together, I saw Jimin putting a lot of thought into delivering the song's choreography as a visual art form. He uses his detailed expressions to convey various artistic elements in the performance beyond simply presenting stylish, energetic choreography. He is always devoted to emphasizing the artistic elements of the performance by forming a visceral connection to it. I believe that his commitment and passion has shaped Jimin's unique style and allows him to deliver one of the most exciting performances in pop music."

and:

"We had countless discussions about how to visually articulate the story and message of the song through the performance on a larger scale, in a manner that's true to the song's title Who. When the choreography was completed Jimin was utterly pleased with the performance having all the elements he had wished to incorporate."

You can read the entire VMAGAZINE article here.

Regarding the other songs on the album, in MiniMoniMusic Exchange, Jimin mentioned that Rebirth was his favorite track. I do love it too, Jimin. The heartbeat, the poignancy. Perfection.

And I have to compare Be Mine to Seven. In Jungkook's Seven, the explicit version was so very literal and so in your face it was funny, even the MV added to the unserious vibe of it all.

But in Jimin's, Be Mine, he has probably the most erotic lyric I've ever heard coming out of the mouth of a Tannie: "... a hot island, a party with just the two of us; I know what you want and baby I want the same; love ‘til the morning; we just keep fallin’... baby come, baby come; show me what, show me what love is, yeah yeah; melt me hot, hot, hot quickly"

I am streaming all the versions of all the songs and album. I absolutely love it.

Now that I got that out of my system...

It's been about a year (??!?!?) since Jungkook's Only Fans debut live stream. Time is flying.

We are anticipating gaining more context soon surrounding exactly what went down between them the prior two weeks to this live and what did Jimin mean when he said he "can handle it? (Are you sure you wanna know?)

There is a high possibility we might get some jikook carpool karaoke.

The main trailer drops Monday. Hold on to your ... whatever it is you hold on to when you get shook because I'm sure it'll be another earthquake on the timeline.

All lyrics translations credit: © 2024 by Learn Korean With Sel www.learnkoreanwithsel.com/

[corrodedbisexual]

Helping hands (& nails)

Steddie | T | ~5.3k | AO3 link

Written for @steddie-week Day 2: hands

Featuring: Fluff and Humor, Hurt/Comfort, Homoerotic Wound Care, Flirting, First Kiss, Inexperienced Eddie Munson, Gay Eddie Munson, Confident Bisexual Steve Harrington, Eddie Munson is a Sweetheart, Eddie Munson Takes Care of Steve Harrington, Post-Stranger Things 4 Vol. 2, Alternate Universe - Everyone Lives/Nobody Dies, POV Steve Harrington

“You literally want me to scratch your back.” Steve groans. “Yes. Definitely, do that. Please.” “Hmm, I love it when they beg.” Steve freezes, speechless for a second. His face suddenly feels several degrees warmer. “Oh my god, shit, sorry, that was—” Eddie begins mumbling awkwardly, moving away, and Steve won’t have it. “Dude, you mind not flirting with me while I’m suffering here?”

It’s a little over a week since Vecna got defeated, and Steve’s got an uninvited guest at his house.

Uninvited is not the same as unwelcome, obviously. Frankly, Steve’s glad to have some company. Really glad. Although technically, Eddie Munson is still supposed to be on bed rest.

Doctor’s orders were two weeks; the demobats got the guy pretty roughed up, taking several juicy bites out of his torso before they all went down along with their master. He got patched up pretty quickly, but his overall weakened state from massive blood loss, the doctors’ concerns of infection and possible Upside Down creature-related consequences, and that annoying little matter of clearing him of the ridiculous murder charges all kept Eddie on a government-sealed floor of the hospital for a whole week, with no visitors allowed.

It’s no wonder that when he was finally discharged to go home, he lasted three whole days before showing up on Steve’s doorstep, unceremoniously inviting himself in and complaining about being so bored he was about to start clawing at the walls of his bedroom.

And, well… It’s Steve’s day off anyway, and his entire planned entertainment for the day was a potential lunch phone call from Robin to gossip and complain about how impossible Kieth is to survive a shift with.

Plus, at least it’s better if Eddie hangs out at his place instead of going out somewhere and doing something stupid that would get him to pop his stitches. Like climbing a tree. Steve hasn’t known Eddie for long, but in a way, he’s known enough to suspect something like that might happen.

But the best part is, Eddie Munson turns out to be really good company. For the first few minutes after the guy arrived, Steve’s a bit worried it would be quiet and awkward; after all, what did they have in common besides the whole Upside Down trauma (definitely not a fun conversation topic)? But the idea that it could be quiet with Eddie around turns out to be absolutely laughable. The guy keeps chatting about anything and everything, from how annoying it is to keep track of all the meds he’s supposed to take to random gossip from the trailer park. He’s vibrant and chaotic, and has a dry deadpan sense of humor that Steve finds himself genuinely laughing at; and pretty soon, he starts wondering if him and Eddie could actually be friends back in high school if the whole ridiculous system of social circles didn’t exist.

Halfway through some other half-finished thought, Eddie suddenly asks, “You hungry? I’m kinda starving, Wayne’s getting groceries tonight and the only option I had for breakfast was, I shit you not, a fucking box of Honeycombs, and honestly? I’d rather eat a demobat. Well, if it was cooked, maybe. Hey, d’you think roasted demobats could be a thing?”

He keeps rambling as he walks, with Steve trailing behind him, grinning and shaking his head because… well, damn. This guy sure is something else. Maybe exactly the kinda something Steve didn’t even know he needed in his life. Honestly, he’d probably say the same thing about Robin last year. Is this some profound universal balance thing? Out of something horrible must come something really good?

Read on AO3 | Divider credit

[sp0o0kylights]

Eddie Munson was having the kind of high where your hands were as floaty as your thoughts.

World tinged with a droopy-eyed vignette, he watched smoke loop lazily towards his window, twirling opaque in beams of light.

A knock sounded on his door, and Eddie simply stared at, unwilling to move.

His thick thoughts had him almost convinced he'd imagined it when it came again, a little louder and a touch more frantic.

'I should get up,' Eddie thought, with zero intention of following through.

The bed was too comfortable, his limbs velcroed in.

Someone started cursing, just barely heard through the thin trailer walls.

Eddie tracked it as it moved, circling around, a thread of concern wormed its way through the soft, engulfing fog.

It sharpened to a needle point when his window was thrust up with a bang. Seconds later a puff of hair climbed through, followed by broad shoulders and a build that could only belong to a grizzly--or Steve Harrington.

Grizzly Steve struggled trying to dodge all the shit flung around the room-unfamiliar with the path Eddie had taught himself and his bandmates.

He’d long found that a room covered in items made a pretty combination alarm system and booby trap, a fact he told Wayne repeatedly.

"Jesus I thought you were a bear." Eddie said jolting back in delayed action as Steve stood with a huff, hands on his hips.

"If you could answer your damn,--a bear?" Steve narrowed his eyes huffing dramatically. "You thought I was a bear!?"

Eddie managed to sit up on his elbows. "Sorry man. You were just kinda." He tilted his head. "Beary."

"Whaa-- tha' hell" Gareth announced his presence with a mutter, sitting up besides Eddie with his hair looking like an entire birds nest. It obscured his view, and he sleepily lifted a hand to comb through it.

It did absolutely nothing, as his curls immediately flopped back down into his eyes.

Steve froze.

"Ah." He said, looking between Eddie and the lump of blankets making up Gareth.

Steve's voice abruptly pitched itself adorably high. "Ahhh--"

The blush that spread across his face was an equal delight and Eddie knew it was a bad idea to drink it in, aim a dopey little grin Steve's way, but figured he could blame any backlash on the weed.

At least that's what said weed told him would work, and he was happy to comply.

"Harrington?" Blanket-Gareth asked, like he wasn't sure he was awake.

Which collected Eddie's wandering consciousness enough for a couple of cohesive thoughts. "Hey, mon cher," he hummed, rolling a hand out to Steve. "Bad night?"

"I--yeah, uh, no, I mean--shit. Sorry." He cast a panicked look towards the door. "I'll get out of your hair."

Eddie made a tutting noise. "After all the effort you just went through to get in here? Stick around, man. Take a load off."

He tossed him what he hoped was a confident, dazzling gleam and not something half psychotic.

It was always a 50/50 chance when you were that high.

"What is happening right now? Do you guys do this often?" Gareth was waking up at speeds entirely too fast for Eddie so he flapped his free hand at him, in what he hoped conveyed 'stop it you shit before Steve bolts like a deer.'

The younger man's eyes were certainly wide enough, his whole body tense. "I don't wanna disturb you guys. I um," Steve rubbed the back of his neck with his hand. "--didn't know you had company, sorry Eddie."

Then, in a painfully awkward voice that made him want to take Steve and tuck him against his chest, added "Sorry Gareth."

"What are you apologizing to me for--oh my God do you think I'm boning this moron?" Gareth had finally shed the blankets, face shifting so quickly through emotions that Eddie couldn't help the giggle that escaped him.

"Be nice, Gary, god." He chided, through snickers, as if Gareth was teasing them and not asking a legitimate question. "Stevie, go grab that blunt I have on my dresser and come lay down."

"You are literally holding a lit blunt right now." Steve pointed out, cheeks fully inflamed with embarrassment and eyes stubbornly not looking at Gareth.

Who groaned and flopped face-first back down on the bed, apparently over this entire situation.

Eddie look down at his hand in mild surprise. "So I am!"

He put the blunt he found in-between his fingers to his lips, inhaling a lung full of smoke.

Held the blunt out, wiggling it at Steve when he just stood staring until Eddie exhaled.

Something in Steve's eyes changed, a glimpse of that painful, living wound of a secret he was hiding inside himself surfacing and Eddie automatically knew what caused it

"Gareth doesn't care that you're here, he's just not a morning person." Eddie explained gently, still holding out the joint.

Smiled encouragingly when Steve still looked unsure.

"Promise. You can chill here if you need too, Pop Culture. Neither of us will bite" Eddie made a come here gesture and was happy to watch as Steve hesitantly approached. "Well, at least we won't until you ask really nicely."

Then he winked because apparently shooting himself in the foot continued to be his default reaction to Steve Harrington.

Gareth said into his pillow; "No we fucking won't, you muppet."

It was muffled, so Eddie ignored it.

"If you're sure--" Steve muttered lowly, and they both ignored how clearly relieved he was.

Took the blunt with fingers that trembled ever so slightly.

Slowly, they passed the blunt back and forth a few times, Steve standing over Eddie.

Who enjoyed the way the younger man relaxed, inch by inch. Like the anxiety and stress was being exorcised out of him.

Couldn't see anything physically wrong for once, but knowing Steve Eddie wasn't at all positive he wasn't hiding some random, ridiculous wound on his torso somewhere.

Graciously, he gave Steve the last puff of the joint, waiting until Steve had stubbed it out and down in his ashtray before carefully touching his arm (above the wrist, with his hand clasping comically slow around his skin.)

Started tugging just as slowly when Steve figured out what he was doing.

Eddie grinned at the snort he got, as Steve gave in and reluctantly got into the bed, Eddie shoving Gareth practically into the wall to make room.

A loud, incomprehensible grumble erupted, but Gareth otherwise made no complaints as Steve tucked in.

The bed wasn't built for two people let alone three, meaning they all ended up practically on top of each other, but Eddie didn't mind.

Steve clearly didn't either, with how fast he dropped off to sleep, his body curling even further into Eddie's than it had before.

Best friend cuddling his back and Steve tucked against his front, Eddie happily nodded off, warm and content.

[iamthekaijuking]

Gigabash character overview: Skorak

One kaiju archetype that could be used when Passion Republic Games was developing Gigabash was that of a gross and/or ominous evil overlord. So they took advantage of that and created Skorak!

The rest of the characters have reveal trailers so I’ll be using them instead of renders.

Skorak is a character that demands strategy and skill in order to play well. He has a gimmick revolving around his shell (which is actually the skull of another kaiju he’s killed but we’ll get to that). He can send out his shell out to track down opponents, throw it as a projectile, use it as a bomb, use it to pull off two pronged attacks, and just generally use it as a sort of “chess piece” on the battlefield. Not having his shell equipped lightens him and lets him move faster and makes some of his attacks last longer, but it comes at a cost. Without his shell he can’t block attacks or use a defensive move, so in order to play Skorak well you’ll have to remain aware of where your shell is, it’s position relative to you and your opponent, and when it’s advantageous to have it equipped or unequipped. When Skorak was revealed it also caught the attention of a little someone called @bogleech.

Design

Given that Ultraman was a huge source of inspiration for Gigabash, it was probably inevitable that we’d get a Gastropod monster since the ultra franchise has produced a handful. Namegon from Ultra Q in particular was a massive source of inspiration for Skorak’s design.

However, Skorak is also described as an evil overlord, so it’s possible that he’s got some Gatanothor in him as well. Gatanothor would later appear in the game with the Ultraman character pack as Camearra’s ultimate.

Skorak has quite a bit of concept art as well! And for awhile PRG was debating giving him up to 4 heads.

Side note: Skorak’s talons erupt from his pupils.

I personally find Skorak really cute and he reminds me of the “Live slug reaction” meme.

Lore

Skoraks home turf is Tarabak island (the name itself a reference to the snail kaiju Taraban from Ultraman Tiga), which is Gigabash’s stand in for Skull Island; an island overflowing with monsters and kaiju much to the dismay of the native humans. Much like Skull Island, Tarabak has an in universe book written in the early 1900’s called The Lost World of Tarabak detailing the adventures of a man named Petyr Faust in his crew. However, the content was so radical and unbelievable that it was labeled as a fictional story, and this wouldn’t be corrected until the 70’s during the first kaiju crisis.

The natives of Tarabak Island lived in fear for centuries as no place was safe from the rampaging monsters. Eventually though, one day a kaiju came along that curb stomped any other monster and quickly became the “king”. The natives worshipped this kaiju for protection, and under his watch they developed quite an advanced civilization. Entire cities of stone and gold were constructed, and a dam was built to control water flow for agriculture. They even had a legislative and court system! For nearly a century things went well and the people prospered, but this protection came at a cost, which I’ll cover two entries from now when we take a look at this “dragon king”. For some people this cost was too great a price to be tolerated, and so one day these displeased people performed a dark ritual where they spilled their own blood and the offerings meant for their king. Their prayers were answered in the form of a poisonous sludge. These rebels filled their offerings with this sludge and when they fed these offerings to their king he fell sick as Skorak devoured him from the inside before bursting out and taking his skull as a trophy.

That sludge was actually eggs, and this means that Skorak is a parasitoid kaiju slug that wears the remains of its first meal as protection, which is metal as hell. Also, I know Gigabash is a doofy kaiju party game, but the anatomist in me is very unhappy with the skull Skorak wears.

The resulting civil war would destroy the once great civilization of Tarabak and the population would splinter into three factions that constantly vie for control over the island, with Skorak’s followers becoming a cult known as the Eyes Of Skorak.

While the cult’s activities are mostly on the Island of Tarabak, the religion is known amongst occultist circles. In order to be initiated into the Eyes of Skorak you have to be injected with his venom. Those who survive, IF they survive, gain a telepathic connection to the kaiju and other cult members. Hence the name “Eyes of Skorak”.

Sadly Skorak and the rest of the game’s roster don’t have story modes as any more beyond the initial four were too resource taxing on the small indi studio of Passion Republic Games. Skorak does appear in all the other story modes sans Pipijuras’s as an opponent though. In Woolley’s in particular the native Yeti herd of Tarabak are seen celebrating his defeat, and given that Skorak lives for the hunt and consumption of other kaiju, it’s likely that he was routinely eating the poor Yetis.

In summary: Skorak is the coolest gastropod kaiju I know and any who disagree are unworthy of his blessings!

[felassan]

New BioWare Blog post:

"Journal #6 Lethality and Levelling An inside look into Rook’s Warrior combat Hello everyone, Since our summer reveal in June, we’ve been reading all the great excitement for the game and listening closely to what you’d like to see next. Our reveal trailer showed off the prologue and very beginning of the game, and now we want to shift our focus to higher level combat. Today, we’re going to cover our game’s combat system, looking at how Rook and Companions can be built up to meet the perils facing Thedas, using deep RPG systems. This starts with choosing a desired class as there are three main classes to select from when creating Rook: stalwart Warrior, deft Rogue, or spell-slinging Mage. This blog and accompanying videos will focus on the Warrior class, and we’ll have more to share on the other classes before launch."

"PREPARE FOR BATTLE By choosing Warrior, the fighting style revolves around close range combat and defense. Skills, Traits, Runes, and Abilities are customizable to best suit that type of playstyle. The loadout will have slots for Abilities, accessed from the Ability Wheel. Picking which Abilities from the many in the arsenal to bring into battle is a strategic choice made for each encounter, and they can be swapped out anytime, except during combat. For some added depth, there are up to three equipable Runes. Runes provide a variety of control, utility, or additional damage to synergize with your build. While in combat, all three Runes can be cycled through and activated. There are a wide range of potential Abilities that are unique to each Class and can be customized by spending Skill Points. For example, the Warrior class will have certain abilities that deal fire damage. Players can plan their build around this, and each skill point spent could be in pursuit of this build. Each step taken is designed to augment Rook and/or Abilities. Eventually, Rook will gain access to Specializations, which grant powerful Abilities, unique to each Specialization. These Specializations will also provide a unique Ultimate Ability (more on that later below) tuned to the theme of that Specialization, so a Warrior specializing as a Grey Warden Champion will gain access to the devastating incendiary Warden’s Fire that launches a flurry of searing strikes that ignite foes like tinder. This is the best Specialization Area for defeating darkspawn, an enemy that many Dragon Age fans know well. Check out all the Specialization Areas below (minor gameplay spoilers) and we’ll have a separate spotlight on progression later as well."

"Warrior Rook Specialization Areas: Reaper - Become night's blade. Steal life and risk death to gain incredible, unnatural abilities Slayer - Leap into the fray. Wield massive, punishing weapons while rushing enemies to deal devastating blows. Champion - Be the shield. Shrug off damage while summoning righteous fire down on enemies. Rogue Rook Specialization Areas: Duelist - Draw your steel. Parry and dodge past enemies to gain strength with every strike. Saboteur - Set the stage. Deploy explosives and turrets that devastate enemies, then pick them off with arrows. Veil Ranger - Hunt the enemy. Snipe enemies from afar using artifacts that charge arrows with dangerous, powerful magic. Mage Rook Specialization Areas: Death Caller - Embrace the dark. Drain life from enemies and cast spells that writhe with the essence of death itself Evoker - Call the void. Freeze enemies in their tracks, then summon the deepest cold to tear them apart. Spellblade - Be the storm. Channel potent spells for close-quarters combat infused with lightning's wrath."

COMBAT BASICS Now let’s talk about the foundations of the combat system. The four core moves that all three classes share include jump, dodge, light attack, and heavy attack, which can all be chained together. Rook can dodge at any time, even mid-attack, which adds fluidity to the combat. Is taking damage or dealing it better at that moment? Light attacks do quick damage and build small amounts of stagger; heavier attacks are slower and build more stagger to your opponent. Once enough stagger is built, the enemy will be rendered more vulnerable to all incoming damage and allows Rook to perform a takedown.  Each of these attacks (light and heavy) can be charged by holding down the button to deliver a more potent version of the strike. For example, a heavy attack can be charged while using a staff to unleash a magical wave of destructive energy. Attacks can also be triggered while sprinting and/or jumping to add depth and fluidity to combat. In addition, each class has ranged attacks, blocks (or parries, if timed properly with the right weapon set), and the ability to control Companions’ combat strategy. Each Class also has two distinct weapon sets, which can be swapped seamlessly in the heat of battle. This drastically changes the available move-sets and strategies. Heavy attacks remove Armor Barrier (denoted by a yellow bar) faster, and ranged attacks remove Shield Barrier (denoted by a blue bar) faster. There is also the Stagger meter (denoted by a lavender bar) which builds as hits are landed against an enemy. Stagger creates opportunities for bonus damage and special Takedowns.  The Ability Wheel pauses the fight for more precise control over Rook’s own abilities and those of their Companions, and where those tactical RPG elements come into play. Players can use the Ability Wheel to assign Companions to attack specific enemies, individually or together. Abilities can also be bound shortcut keys to keep the action flow going, instead of always bringing up the Ability Wheel. Vulnerabilities and resistances of enemies can also be seen while targeting enemies in the Ability Wheel. For example, Darkspawn are weak to fire damage."

"BUFFS, DEBUFFS & CROWD CONTROL Some Abilities apply buffs or debuffs to help you in the fight. For example, Davrin has the Heroic Strike Ability which applies the Overwhelmed debuff to enemies. This will increase the enemies’ Stagger and make it easier for Rook to perform a Takedown. There are also Area of Effect Abilities to help the party defeat large groups of enemies. Controlling the field of battle is a key consideration in Dragon Age: The Veilguard. Players will need to consider which buffs/debuffs or crowd control Abilities will work best for each situation.   Abilities require Class Resources (Mana, Momentum & Rage) to be able to use. Each class primarily builds up their Class Resource by dealing damage with basic attacks. In addition, each class has a secondary way to build their Class Resource - Warriors build Rage by taking and dealing damage, Rogues build Momentum by dodging attacks and parrying successfully, and Mages regain Mana passively over time.   Warriors who go into battle with a sword-and-shield build, will have access to the Shield Throw Volley. By landing a Heavy Attack on a Shield Throw return, the shield will ricochet, taking out multiple enemies. This sequence can repeat up to three times, causing a devastating ring of damage around Rook. This attack works well against swarms as well as distant adversaries. Other ways to manage distant enemies lean into Companion abilities, such as Davrin’s Death from Above to send Assan, his griffon, to attack enemies. Warriors also have the Grappling Spear Ability to pull enemies close for an easier victory. With these tools, attacks can be chosen based on the type of enemy and the situation to dispatch foes in the most optimal way, especially on higher difficulties."

"PRIMERS, DETONATORS & ULTIMATES Many Abilities include some type of coordinating effect and serve as either a Primer or a Detonator that can result in devastating combo attacks when properly executed with the Companions. These Ability combos can be set up in the Ability Wheel.  Finally, you have your most powerful attack: Rook’s Class Ultimate Ability. Doing damage to enemies increases your Ultimate Meter. The Ultimate Meter won’t fully fill during smaller skirmishes, because they are designed to decimate a significant swath of the battlefield or the toughest bosses.  All of these options combine together to create a rich combat experience that is highly customizable. The entire Skill Tree is also fully refundable, and Skill Points can be redistributed. We encourage you to try out multiple builds, use different Abilities for each mission, and change up the Companions you bring into battle. These videos have highlighted several of the ways that players can achieve strategic combat in Dragon Age: The Veilguard. We’ve put them all together in case you wanted to see them back-to-back. Check out the full video below! there’s a lot to explore in the game and a lot more to talk about. We’ll have more to share on the Rogue and Mage before launch, as well. Next week, we look forward to companions week, along with another Discord Q&A planned for August 30th where we can answer more of your questions about the game. Chat soon!             — The Dragon Age Community Team"

[source] <- video links at link

[gabgabwrites]

LOLITA | Patrick Zweig

3 -> RECKLESS

summary ⇝ it turns out you aren’t the only one slowly unraveling because of this growing tension, and like a moth to a flame you always manage to seek out what’s wrong for you— Patrick, and this doesn’t go unnoticed.

warnings ⇝ language, sexual innuendo, semi-sexual content, jerking off, creepy Patrick again coz he’s a schlut, an almost kiss! and a wee bit of thumb sucking.

You thought you were the only one affected by your interactions. For you, it was somewhat fine feeling things for an older man, but for Patrick? Having debauched and inappropriate thoughts on a woman who was almost half his age? It was downright sinful.

Patrick felt like a pervert. He was disgusted himself, and it was embarrassing, but he almost didn't care.

Patrick stood by his window, his hand moving rhythmically around his achy cock as he watched you read under the sun's gentle glow. The sight of you, seemingly unaware of the effect you were having on him, was beyond irresistible.

You weren't even doing anything provocative, just sitting on your porch, flipping pages of your book.

Maybe that was what wrecked Patrick, your innocence in nature (albeit the number of inappropriate thoughts you'd had yourself)

Patrick grunted as he increased the speed of his hand, the sight of you engrossed in your book only fueling his fantasy. He had no intention of leaving the privacy of his room. He knew if he were to go out there, he might be tempted to do something he shouldn't.

Something he would likely regret.

With an audible sigh, Patrick let go of himself and grabbed his boxers, tugging them on under his sweats. His mind was a mixture of arousal and shame. He felt disgusted with himself for lusting after you, for giving into fantasies that were clearly not appropriate, and he couldn't shake the feeling. He grabbed his keys and stepped out his trailer. He needed a walk.

A long, fucking walk.

Patrick stomped down the gravel path, his fists clenching and unclenching at his sides. He tried to focus on the crunch of his feet against the ground, but his mind kept wandering back to you.

He knew he had to find a way to get you out of his head, to purge these thoughts he was having. But as he walked, he realised something. Each step he took only brought him closer to your home.

You heard the sound of footsteps approaching and looked up. "Oh, hey Patrick." You gave him a small wave, this was the first time you'd seen him after that moment by the river and it was the first time you said his name.

Patrick froze in his tracks when he heard your voice. The sound of his name coming from your lips had an unexpected effect on him. It was like a jolt of electricity to his system.

"Oh, uh, hey," he managed to say, his usual smooth demeanor slightly shaky. He ran a hand through his hair, trying to act casually. "Didn't expect to see you here."

You raised an eyebrow. "Outside my home?"

Patrick felt foolish, realizing the absurdity of his statement. He cleared his throat, trying to cover up his embarrassment.

"Right, right," he said, forcing a chuckle. "I guess that was a bit of a silly thing to say." He shifted his weight from one foot to the other, feeling uncharacteristically awkward in your presence.

You sucked your teeth. “Where you heading off to? Seemed like you were going somewhere."

Patrick shrugged, trying to regain his composure. "Nah, just taking a walk, needed some air," he said, his tone back to its usual casual lilt. He glanced around, as if looking for an escape route. "You, uh, reading something interesting?"

You looked at your book. "Just Sylvia Plath," you shrugged. "What'd you need air for? It's a bit cooler today."

Patrick nodded, noticing that the late-afternoon sun was no longer as brutal as it had been. "Yeah, guess it's not so bad now," he grumbled. "I was just feeling a bit cooped up in my trailer, needed to stretch my legs."

He shoved his hands into his pockets, trying to appear nonchalant. After a moment of silence, he glanced at you again, his gaze lingering on your face.

The words tumbled out of his mouth before he could stop them. "You... uh, want to walk around together? Just for a bit," he quickly added, "No pressure, of course."

Your eyebrows jumped up. "You wouldn't mind?"

Patrick shrugged, trying to play it cool. "Nah, don't mind at all. Like I said, just didn't wanna be cooped up any longer,” he started walking again, gesturing for you to join him. "C'mon, girl, let's go."

You gently shut the book and placed it off ok the top stair before standing up and following after Patrick. Patrick's stride slowed a bit to match your pace as you walked alongside him.

He could feel your presence next to him, and it made his heart beat a little faster. Trying to keep up conversation, he cleared his throat and asked, "So, what do you do with yourself around here when you're not reading?" His tone was casual, but there was a hint of curiosity in his eyes as he glanced at you briefly.

"Garden," you shrug. "Sometimes I walk to the river, if it's hot out, I swim."

Patrick nodded, impressed by your list of activities. "That's nice. You enjoy nature, huh?" He asked, a faint smile playing on his lips. His eyes darted to your figure, and he tried to keep his gaze from lingering too much. You happily nod.

As the two of you continued walking, Patrick felt his tension loosen a bit. There was something about being next to you that made him feel more at ease. He took in the sights and sounds of the late afternoon - the sun casting long shadows among the trees, birds singing their evening songs, and the smell of fresh earth mixed with the scent of your skin.

"You ever think about leaving this place?" Patrick asked suddenly, surprising even himself with the question. "I mean, it's pretty secluded here. Don't you get bored?" He snuck another glance at you, eager to hear your answer.

"Yeah, sometimes. I'd want to go visit big cities where's there's fancy things, or go to some tropical country to see beaches and forests and more animals than cats and chickens."

Patrick nodded in agreement. "Oh, yeah, I get what you mean. Sometimes I dream of getting out of here too, see the world," he said, his voice a bit wistful. "Big cities, beaches, forests - all that sounds nice. Maybe someday,” he paused for a moment, considering you. "When you do leave," he asked, his eyes holding yours, "What'll you miss most?"

"Well, my Pa if he ain't coming with, but I think I'll miss the closeness. I know some people hate living in small towns but I like it."

Patrick nodded again, understanding your perspective. "Your ‘Pa’, of course," he mumbled, more so to himself. "How about your dad, is he the only family you got?"

Your steps seem to falter. "No." You told him quietly.

Patrick noticed your hesitation and the change in your voice. Realizing he'd touched a sensitive subject, he backpedaled quickly.

"Shit sorry, sweetheart, didn't mean to pry," he said, shoving his hands into his pockets. "None of my business, really. You don't have to tell me anything."

You shook your head. "How about I tell you my family and you tell me yours? Deal?"

Patrick raised an eyebrow but nodded, intrigued by the proposal. "Alright, deal." He agreed, his curiosity piqued. "You go first."

You took in a breath. "My Pa is the only family that lives with me. I have a brother who stays out in the north, he lives in the city and sometimes comes down every July and sometimes December. He comes down for Christmas. He'll be down here in two weeks for the Fourth of July— we have a community dinner, here at the park. I have a few family overseas but we only get Christmas cards. That's about it."

Patrick listened intently, he noticed a hint of sadness in your eyes when you mentioned your brother and distant family members, but he didn't press the issue, respecting your privacy.

After a moment of silence, he cleared his throat and shifted his weight. "Alright," he said, meeting your gaze. "I suppose I have to uphold my end of the bargain now, huh?"

You nod, waiting for him to continue.

Patrick took a deep breath, his usual cool and aloof demeanor taking a backseat for a moment. "Well," he began, "my family's a bit more complicated. Got a mom and a dad. My mom left when I was about seven, and my dad, well, he was... not the greatest," he paused, his eyes drifting away from yours as he recalled difficult memories. "I guess you could say me and my family don't really get along much," he finished with a shrug, feigning nonchalance. "So it's just me."

You looked over at him. "I'm sorry about that, but see, you've turned out to be a strong man. Character development."

Patrick snorted softly at your attempt to make light of the situation. "Character development?" He raised an eyebrow, a small smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. "I guess that's one way to look at it,” his expression turning slightly more serious. "To be honest, it was tough growing up like that, always feeling like I was on my own. But I think it helped me become who I am today, in a way."

You nod. "If need be, you have me. I know we have our differences and we can... argue, but I'll always be here." Patrick was caught off guard by your words. He hadn't expected such a heartfelt offer of support from you. The sincerity in your eyes touched him, and he found himself momentarily speechless. He simply nodded, letting the weight of your words sink in.

After a beat, he replied, "Thanks, I... appreciate that,” his tone was softer than usual, his tough facade momentarily melted. "It's not easy to find people who really have your back these days." He looked at you, his gaze holding yours for a moment longer.

You could see the almost green flecks in his eyes, and the discoloured hairs in his beard, and his strong nose. He was attractive, but he was almost intangible.

You shouldn't want him, but you did. You just bit your lip and turned your face away. "You down for a swim?"

Patrick noticed the way you averted your gaze, the subtle flush on your cheeks. But he didn't comment on it, instead seizing upon the offer of a swim. "A swim? Yeah, I'm down," he said, his usual grin returning to his face. "Sounds like a great way to cool off on this day." So, for the rest of the walk, you stayed silent. You walked back to the river, where it was quiet and almost still, no movement.

As Patrick and you reached the river's edge, the stillness of the water matched the mood of the moment. Neither of you spoke, the silence hanging in the air like a delicate balance.

Patrick stole a glance at you as he took off his shoes and socks. He couldn't help but admire your figure as you slipped off your own sandals and rolled up the cuffs of your dress. The warmth of the evening sunlight made your skin glow.

You walked to the rivers edge and took a step in, the water seeping into the bottom of your dress. You looked down, seeing the mud lifted, staining your dress as well. You chewed on your bottom lip, you didn't want to get your dress dirty any further.

Patrick couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of you hesitating at the water's edge, worried about your dress getting muddy.

"Oh, come on," he called out to you, his voice light and teasing. "It's just a little bit of mud. And besides, that dress doesn't scream 'river-friendly' anyway." He smirked, trying to goad you into getting fully in.

You shot him a look, before grabbing your dress and marching into the water, the light fabric flowing in the water.

"There you go," he said as you reached deeper into the river. "Was that so hard?" He moved a few steps closer, the cool water caressing his skin, feeling refreshing under the hot sun.

"Shut up." You grumbled, walking deeper into the water.

Patrick grinned at your grumbled response, clearly enjoying being able to tease you. As you ventured further into the river, the hem of your dress billowing around your legs, he couldn't help but notice the way it clung to your curves.

"You know, if you're that bothered about your dress, there's always the option of taking it off.” He suggested, his tone casual, but his eyes gleaming with devilish intent.

You shot him a scowl, though the blush on your cheeks slightly gave away your embarrassment.

"Ha, very funny," you retorted, but there was a hint of playfulness in your voice. "I think I'll stick to keeping my dress on, thank you very much." Despite your dismissive tone, the suggestion lingered in your mind, a thought you tried to push away as quickly as it had come.

He moved even closer, the water now reaching his chest. "Suit yourself," he said with a shrug, his eyes gleaming with mischief. He let the words hang in the air before grinning widely. "I'm kidding, by the way. Mostly."

You shook your head before taking in deep breath and dropping yourself, submerging yourself into the cool water. Patrick waited a few seconds before following suit, submerging himself as well.

The cool water felt refreshing against his skin and he relished in the feeling for a moment before resurfacing, a wide grin on his face. He rubbed his wet hair back with his hand and glanced over at you.

"Feeling better now?" He asked, his tone light and playful.

You emerged from the water, your wet hair plastered to your face, looking more like you'd just gotten out of a shower rather than gone swimming. "Much better," you answered, laughing a little. Then you narrowed your gaze as you saw him smirking, before splashing him in retaliation. "You think you're really funny, huh?"

Patrick mocked an outrage as the water hit him, his expression turning to one of feigned offense. "Well, that's just rude," he said, wiping his face with his hand. But the corners of his mouth turned up in a smirk, and his eyes sparkled with mischief. "You started this, you know. I think I'm gonna have to splash you back now." He started to slowly move toward you, cupping water in his hands with each step.

"Hey, hey, old man. You're gonna pop out a bone." You shrieked when water hit you on the cheek.

Patrick grinned, enjoying your reaction. "Oh, don't you 'old man' me," he retorted, stepping even closer, cupping as much water as he could in his hands. "I'll show you what an old man can do." With that, he flung the water at you, aiming for your face again.

You giggled, hitting the water's surface and sending droplets spraying his way. Patrick was surprised by your quick counterattack, but he couldn't help but laugh.

"Oh, so you wanna play it like that, huh?" he challenged, scooping up more water and launching it at you. A water fight began, with laughs and splashes filling the air as the two of you tried to soak each other.

"It's no fair, you have big hands so you can splash more water." You frown, trying to splash him back.

"Life's not fair, sweetheart," he taunted with a smirk. "Big hands, more water, it's basic science."

"I’ll show you basic science." You grumbled before you cut through the water, stopping right in front of him before scooping up water and drenching him.

Patrick was caught off guard by your sudden move, his eyes widening as you drenched him with a massive splash of water. He sputtered a bit, his wet hair plastered to his face, but a grin quickly spread across his lips. He shook his head, sending water flying every which way, before retaliating with another well-aimed splash at you. "Well played," he said, his voice husky with a mixture of amusement and admiration. "You're full of surprises today."

You laughed, feeling proud of yourself for managing to soak him as much as you had. You continued to splash each other, the water fight escalating as you both tried to outdo each other with bigger and more strategic splashes. It was childish, but immensely fun, and you couldn't remember the last time you'd laughed like this.

The sun started to set, casting a warm glow over the river and the surrounding nature. It was a beautiful backdrop for this playful chaos.

As your arms lifted to splash him, Patrick suddenly grabbed your wrist, pulling you closer to him. Your breath hitched for a moment as you were suddenly so close to him, the water gently lapping around your legs.

You both stood there, water droplets glistening on your skin, the playful atmosphere replaced with something more... charged. Patrick gazed at you, his eyes taking in your features, the fading sunlight adding a warm glow to your face. He didn't say anything, the only sound between you being the gentle flow of the river.

Your hands landed on his chest, feeling the soft skin and hair, and strong muscle under your touch, your fingers unconsciously flexing against it all.

Patrick felt the sensation of your hands, the touch sending a jolt of energy through him. He swallowed, the air between you two now thick with tension.

His eyes locked onto yours, his gaze intense and searching. The silence was heavy, broken only by the distant chirping of birds and the sound of the water lapping around your legs.

Patrick's hand still held your wrist, his thumb absently moving along your pulse point.

Your eyes watched a water droplet dribble from his nose and run down his pink lips, they were so close you could see the wrinkles.

Patrick could feel the heat between you both, the air practically crackling with electricity.

Slowly, his hand moved from your wrist to your hand, his fingers gently lacing with yours. All the while, his eyes remained locked on yours, his expression softening. There was something so raw and intimate about this moment, with the sun setting behind you and the water softly flowing around your bodies.

You don't know when you two moved closer, breathing in the same air. The tip of his nose brushing yours. This was wrong, entirely wrong, this man was only a few years younger than your dad but it just felt right.

You blinked, unmoving but murmured."This is wrong."

Patrick's eyes remained locked on yours, his heart beating wildly in his chest. This was a crossing over a line, he knew it, you knew it. But there was something magnetizing about you, something that made him feel more alive than he had in years.

He whispered back, his voice barely audible over the sounds of nature. "I know... but it feels... right." His hand tightened slightly around yours, his heart hammering against his ribcage.

Your eyes fluttered shut when he softly caressed your cheek with his rough, calloused hand, the warmth of the touch in stark contrast to the cool evening air. His thumb gently traced the line of your bottom lip, the touch sending a shiver down your spine.

His other hand moved to the small of your back, drawing you closer to him, closing the last bit of distance between you. Your bodies were pressed together, the only thing separating you being the thin, damp fabric of your dress.

He swore under his breath when he felt a warmth's against his thump as you sucked the digit between your lips. Patrick couldn't suppress a soft curse as he felt your lips close around his thumb.

The gesture was both innocent and sinful at the same time. He inhaled sharply, the sight and sensation sending a jolt through him.

He watched your face, his heart pounding in his chest, eyes dark and hooded with desire. The moment hung heavy between you, filled with unsaid words and stolen breaths.

Your tongue swirled around the pad of his thumb, this action far more ambitious than what you'd do, ever.

Patrick's eyes darkened. The sight of you, so innocently but so brazenly touching him, was almost too much to bear.

He let out a ragged breath, his free hand gripping onto your hip, his fingers digging into the delicate fabric of your dress. His eyes were locked onto your mouth, his gaze filled with a mixture of surprise and pure, primal desire.

You let out a whimper at his touch, in pain and pleasure. Patrick felt the whimper against his thumb, his grip on your hip tightening instinctively in response. He leaned in closer, his lips almost but not quite touching yours. His breath was hot against your face as he whispered, his voice thick with lust, "You have no idea what you're doing to me, do you?"

Your eyes blinked open.Patrick looked into your eyes, the darkness of your dilated pupils reflecting his own desire. He took a moment to memorize your face, the flush on your cheeks, the slight parted lips around his thumb.

And then, almost painstakingly slowly, he pulled his thumb from your lips, the action making a small, wet popping sound. He didn't break eye contact, his gaze filled with an intense hunger that was now impossible to ignore.

"Patrick, I—." You began, voice laced with want, when a loud, roaring voice called your name.

It was enough to have you snap back to reality, heart plummeting and hands tremble. Your head whipped to the side and there stood your dad, angry and heaving, staring you two down.

Patrick seemed to break out of a trance too, his eyes widening slightly as he followed your gaze to where your dad stood. The air suddenly felt cold around them, the moment broken by the harsh sound of your father's voice.

Patrick didn't move, his hand still on your hip, eyes locked on your dad. He knew how this looked, how very damning this situation seemed. But he couldn't bring himself to move away yet, still feeling the remnants of that heated moment between you.

"Get here. Now!" Your dad barked. He must've come back from work a few minutes ago and went looking for you.

You swallowed, and jumped back from Patrick. Patrick let his hand fall from your hip reluctantly as you pulled away. His expression hardened as he turned to face your dad, the tension palpable in the air. He was acutely aware of how this must look, a man his age caught in an intimate moment with a girl in her twenties.

He didn't say anything, just met your dad's angry glare with a steady gaze of his own, shoulders squared and hands by his sides.

You stayed quiet, feeling guilt and worry gnaw at you like wild fire. Hurriedly you began to wade through the water, shivering at the coldness as you approached your dad. "Pa..." you mumbled.

You could feel your dad's anger radiating off of him in waves. The scowl on his face deepened as you approached, his eyes filled with a mix of disappointment and frustration. You shivered slightly, whether from the chill of the water clinging to your dress or the tension in the air, you couldn't be sure.

You opened your mouth to speak, unsure of what to say. But before you could utter a word, your dad cut you off.

"Don't even start. Get in the car." He snapped, his voice gruff and leaving no room for negotiation. The tone was one you knew all too well, a signal that he wouldn't tolerate any excuses or pleas for forgiveness right now.

Your mouth snapped shut, you looked over your shoulder, at Patrick, before sulking to your dad's truck.

Patrick watched as you stepped out of the river, your soaked dress clinging to your body, and then walked slowly towards your dad's truck, the tension palpable in the air. His heart ached for you, knowing the storm you were walking into. But there was nothing he could do to soften the blow, to change the reality of the situation.

He stayed by the river, the cold water lapping at his legs, as he watched you get into the truck with your dad, the rumble of the engine starting up breaking through the silence.

In the car, you just fidgeted with your fingers, your dad didn't care if his truck got wet, that wasn't a priority. "Pa." You called out softly.

Your dad said nothing as he drove, his jaw clenched and eyes fixed on the road. The silence was tense, the air between you heavy with unspoken words. As you fidgeted with your fingers, the wet fabric of your dress sticking to your skin, you took a deep breath before whispering your dad's name.

He didn't look at you, but you could see him tense up even more, if that was even possible. The only sound was the hum of the engine and the occasional chirping of crickets outside. He seemed to be holding his tongue, maybe waiting for what you had to say, or just mustering up the right words for the scolding you were about to get.

"Pa, please? I-I know how it looked..."

Your dad let out a deep sigh as you spoke. He was silent for a moment, his grip on the steering wheel tightening.

Finally, he spoke, his voice a little softer than before, but still laced with frustration and sternness.

"You know how it looked? This isn't just about how it looked. It's about what it was. What were you thinking?" His eyes flickered to you for a brief moment before returning to the road. "You know better."

"I know, I know. And I'm sorry."

Your dad took another deep breath, his anger dissipating slightly. He glanced at you again, his gaze softer now. "Look," he said, his voice gentler. "I appreciate your apology. But this isn't just about apologies. It's about making smart choices, about being responsible.You need to think before you act, especially when you're around...older men."

He paused, his jaw tightening as if he were struggling with the right words.

"I know you're an adult now, and you have rights and freedoms. But you're also my daughter, and my job, my duty, is to protect you. I only want what's best for you. And this..." He gestured vaguely, making it clear what he meant. "... this is not it."

"He-Patrick didn't do anything wrong. It was me, I was the one that tried to kiss him." You saw your dad cringe at your words.

Your dad made a face at your confession, his knuckles turning white as he gripped the steering wheel. He exhaled deeply, shaking his head as he spoke.

"You think that's any better? I don't give a damn who initiated what. This man is too old, and you're too young. End of discussion,” his words were firm, leaving no room for argument. He stammered briefly, his expression softening a bit."Just want you to be careful, kid. You're too sweet, too trusting. Not everyone has your best interests at heart."

The rest of the drive was mostly silent, the tension between you and your dad still palpable. You could feel the weight of hi concern, his desire to protect you at war with your growing independence.

As the truck rolled to a stop in front of your house, he turned to you, his voice a bit gentler than before.

"We'll talk more inside. But for now, promise me you'll be more careful." His eyes held yours, searching for a sign that you understood.

"He's our neighbour, I can't avoid him." You scoffed. Your response was met with a stern look from your dad. He was resolute on this matter, his protective instincts kicking into full gear.

His words were firm, leaving no room for negotiation. "You will avoid him. You have to. It's for your own good."

There was a finality in his tone that you knew all too well. When your dad spoke like that, it was pointless to argue.

Your mouth fell open, you had never really fought with your dad, not until today. "He won't hurt me. Patrick can be sweet. He can be nice." Can be.

Your dad's eyes flashed as you defended Patrick. He couldn't believe you were trying to justify your actions. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down before speaking.

"Patrick is a grown man. He should know better than to... to engage with someone your age. This isn't about him being nice or sweet. It's about what's right, and what's appropriate,” he shook his head, a mix of disappointment and anger on his face. "You don't get it now, but you will. Just trust me, kid. Stay away from him."

You just sighed, fighting with your dad was futile, knowing your dad wouldn't budge on this decision. It was exhausting to argue with him when he was like this, the tension thick between you.

Suddenly, he reached out, his hand on your shoulder. "Look, I'm just trying to protect you. I don't want you to get hurt. You trust me, right?" His eyes searched yours, hoping for a flicker of understanding in them.

You give him a nod. Your nod seemed to reassure him, if only slightly. He squeezed your shoulder and leaned back in his seat, the anger in his eyes softening, replaced by a mix of concern and tiredness.

"Alright. Good. Just... let's get inside, okay? We'll talk things through, get everything settled. You'll see, this is for the best." He gave you a small, albeit weary, smile before opening the door and stepping out.

You sighed, before following suit. You'd known Patrick about two whole weeks and already couldn't see him, it was all so strange yet it upset you.

As you stepped out of the truck and followed your dad into the house, you couldn't shake off the feeling of disappointment.

Two weeks.

That's all you had known Patrick, and now you were to stay away from him. It was frustrating, and yet, you understood your dad's concern. But still, it didn't ease the disappointment you felt.

As the two of you entered the house, the tension subsided a bit. Your dad sat down on the couch, rubbing his forehead with a heavy sigh. He gestured for you to sit down too, a clear signal that the talk was about to start. "You know why it's bad, right?" He asked.

You looked at your dad as he posed the question, the weight of it evident in his tone. You knew where this conversation was headed and nodded, your voice barely above a whisper. "Yes, Pa. I know why... why it's bad."

Your dad nodded back. "Okay, good. I just don't want you to get caught up in bad things. Grown men want certain things a young woman like you can't give."

Your dad's words were heavy with meaning, and you felt your cheeks heat up slightly at his straightforwardness. You nodded again, quickly. You knew what he meant. The thought of it made you feel naive, young and inexperienced.

"Grown men want a family. They want a wife and kids. Patrick may not be any different, and all these things may not suit you. Look, I don't know how long you two've been..." he took a breath. "But I know it won't turn out well." You swallowed hard as your dad spoke, his words hitting you like a ton of bricks.

He was right; what could Patrick and you ever have? The age gap, the different stages of life, it was too vast to just ignore. Still, it stung to hear it out loud.

"I... I understand, Pa.” You managed to mumble, your voice small. You felt foolish, for even considering that anything could work out.

Your dad seemed to sense your disappointment, the slump in your shoulders. He gave you a small, almost sympathetic smile, before continuing.

"It's not that I don't want you to date, or even marry someday. I do. But I just don't want you to get hurt, emotionally or otherwise, by being swept up in something that isn't right. You have your entire life ahead of you, kid. There are plenty of other fish in the sea, as they say, who are more... appropriate."

You listened to your dad's words, feeling a mix of gratitude for his concern and disappointment for yourself. You knew he was right; it wouldn't be wise to pursue something with such a huge age gap and with someone you barely knew. Still, a small part of you couldn't help hoping for what if. But that was foolish, too.

You mumbled, "I know, Pa. I just... I was intrigued, that's all. But you're right. I'll stay away from him." Your eyes flickered up to meet his, hoping to convey your sincerity.

Your dad gave you a small nod, his stern expression softening slightly. He could see the disappointment in your eyes, but he was pleased that you were being understanding, which was what mattered most.

"Good. I'm glad we're on the same page.This is for your own good, understand?" He waited for your agreement, his tone gentle but firm.

You nodded again, a bit more enthusiastically this time. "I do, Pa. I promise, I won't go near him anymore." You meant it; you wouldn't risk disappointing your dad and possibly getting hurt. It wasn't worth it. Still, you couldn't shake off the feeling of... loss.

That was the only way you could describe it. It felt like you were letting go of a dream that was never yours to begin with.

[ NEXT ]

[clevergirlsrpg]

Fall Progress Report!

Hey all!

Here's an update on development: Some changes in our release timeline, and the first of a series of "Gameplay Spotlights". And, as always, some concept doodles to close us out.

DEMO RELEASE TIMELINE UPDATE

In our previous news post and showcase debut trailer, we announced that our "Dress Rehearsal" demo would release Fall 2024. However, we're now changing that date, and are planning to release the demo to the public within the first quarter of 2025. The reason behind this delay is to improve the demo's stability, performance, and mechanical depth as much as possible.

While we're very excited to let everyone play, we also want to make sure the experience is free of crashes, softlocks, performance problems, and any other jank that might get in the way of your dinosaur-based adventures. That kind of quality assurance takes effort and time, which is why we've decided to move things back a bit.

So with that in mind, keep an eye out for our announcement of the actual day. We know it will be sometime early next year! As soon as we're sure we can fully commit to a specific date, we'll announce it here and everywhere else.

GAMEPLAY SPOTLIGHT

We want to talk to you about dinosaurs!

More specifically, we want to shed some light on the gameplay mechanics of the Clever Girls. Here's the first in an ongoing series of spotlights.

Consider these minor environmental and mechanical spoilers: If you want to experience the demo 100% spoiler-free, consider skipping the section below.

***

Clever Girls is a story and character-driven game. While the demo story doesn't branch like the full game will, it still has a lot of character personality to share. We're very excited to see the reactions players have to our main cast.

The other half of the game is the tactical battles! Combat in Clever Girls (including the demo) is turn-based and has an in-depth stealth and enemy knowledge system. Battles take place on a loose grid, but it's designed to be subtle so that it doesn't cover up the environment too much.

You can use a cursor to look around the environment and plan your route …

… and then walk around while directly controlling your character, within a maximum distance per turn. Your movement path is indicated with a trail. It's possible to undo your movement if you want to find a better route (or if you were spotted by an enemy!)

That leads us to stealth and enemy knowledge. Enemies will need to find your characters before they can attack them. In order to do this, your opponents will search the environment, share information with their allies, and try to track your dinos down using their last known locations.

While the dinos are formidable, the enemies they fight haven't come unprepared. Oftentimes ambush tactics and misdirection are key: taking advantage of the knowledge system is the basis of advanced gameplay. (At least until the tide has turned and enemies are isolated or outnumbered-- at that point, rampage away!)

Here you can see some tactical maneuvering from Sawyer, using her "Leap" ability. Leaping into or out of cover is an important way of moving without being seen, and it also opens up the level's verticality.

If the enemies think you're still hiding in the tall grass, they won't see you approach from elsewhere. Attacking an enemy that's unaware is always beneficial. Sawyer's focus is coordination and leading-from-the-front, which her abilities demonstrate by providing buffs for initiating actions, or marking targets.

Prati can also leap around! What she lacks in Sawyer's offensive capability, she makes up for with trickery and misdirection-- even when she's hidden, she wants to be the center of attention! Here you can see her using the "Ventriloquism" ability:

Can you guess what it does?

Since each of the characters are different species, we wanted to make sure they play in a way that fits their talents and personality. Prati may not be incredibly effective on her own, but with teamwork her abilities shine.

That's all for the first of our gameplay spotlights! The next one will give some details on what Daisy and Shade bring to the table during battle.

ART FOR YOU TO LOOK AT

During our story planning, we often end up with concept art, doodles and more. Here's one we can share:

Why are these two chilling with some modern-day chickens? Perhaps they consider the chickens honorary dinosaurs, via inheritance... To find out you'll have to wait until the full game, as the demo, sadly, is chicken-free. (Unless you count Prati, but that'd be rude.)

We'll show off even more gameplay stuff in upcoming spotlights. If you want to see more of this kind of thing, let us know! We're also planning on character spotlights too, so stay tuned if you want to learn more about the cast's personalities, backstories, etc.

As always, thank you for following the project. We're constantly surprised and delighted at the enthusiasm everyone's directed our way, and it makes us want to double down and ensure we can deliver something that you all will enjoy.

We'll be back with more info as we have it. Thanks for following! - Ossifrage Games

[infinitestarsdev]

Devlog 2024-02-09 (Episode 4 - Part 1 is out NOW!)

It's Friday! And this is a special Friday because it's a RELEASE Friday!

That's right! Episode 4 - Part 1 is now live!

Update Edit: It's also a sad day for my family. I lost someone dear to me this morning, someone even dearer to my loved ones, and my heart is aching with them for our loss. I wish things weren't the way they are. I wish I could do more to ease their suffering.

Project Details:

167,666 words in total. (That's roughly the same length as the first two Harry Potter novels combined)

825 possible choices.

Patrons can get their version over here (win|mac|lin) or here (android), and everyone else can get the full game on Steam or Itchio!

Episode 4 - Part 1 continues the story after the dramatic conclusion from Episode 3.

It introduces several new characters, several new and redrawn backgrounds, several new portraits, several new music tracks, an overhauled story controller, a new free-roam mechanic, a new star system navigation interface, a lore gallery with unlockable entries, a system for players to load custom-made stories written by other players into the game, a seasonal event (Spooktober Heist), and nearly 40K additional words of content (some being intimate content for Kiaria, Lochem and Khalil).

It also includes two very special player portraits! Thanks to the amazing ladies from Wanderlust Games, you can now play your Mah'Abeu as a younger version of Damon or Ayame from Andromeda Six! (Seriously, if you're hearing about Andromeda Six for the first time– You're about to fall in love. Go check them out and support them if your wallet allows!)

We've been working extremely hard to bring this release to you, and while we've added a ton of new things, we would have loved to add more. Sadly, we had to draw a line in the sand and release what was available.

Some of the things that we could add before the deadline that were requested by our beta testers:

MC is more knowledgeable about the Cephilusk.

Added a location hint during free-roam sequences.

Made Kiaria more Kiaria when dealing with current events.

Your Mah'Abue now crafts the notice being sent to the crew.

Several more personality options (with more on their way)

Most free-roam scenes now have the crew members touching on or hinting at the current situation.

Fixed some logic bugs with Sonia's scene.

Adjusted Andreas' scene with an additional choice if he becomes too much.

Added some additional logic and checks to the response you can give when the crew/your LI asks about how you are coping. (Might still expand on this.)

Your Mah'Abue now has more control over how they handle Nikau.

Added Lindi's music track.

An additional intimate scene for Khalil

Some of the things that we couldn't add before the deadline that will be added very soon. (over the next week or three):

Implementing some more of the Beta Tester feedback requests.

The start of Tabitha's character arc.

A free-roam scene for Lebeny, along with an additional intimate scene.

Adding a semi-intimate, more risque scene with Matthias.

Adding additional character expressions to some of the free-roam content.

Additional music tracks where there is only silence.

Missing Lore Descriptions, replacing the WiP notice with actual content.

The new trailer for Episode 4.

Some of the things that we couldn't add before the deadline that will be added down the line. (more than a month from now)

Additional backgrounds and characters.

Continuing Episode 4, including the much-anticipated Matthias Elevator scene.

Additional Lore items to unlock.

More free-roam content, more character content (Reyna and more), more intimate scenes.

Character relationship arcs (and intimate scenes) for Raymond, Matthias, Veera and Tabitha as a prioity.

Character relationship arcs (and intimate scenes) for Cephilusk, Andreas and TBD a little further down the road.

As always, despite the hours and hours and heaps of financial resources poured into the project, Infinite Stars is still entirely free! If you like what we are doing and can afford to show your support, please consider joining one of our paid Patreon tiers!

Infinite Stars wouldn't be nearly as cool as it is without the support of our amazing Patrons who believe in us!

If you can't afford to support us, that's cool. We still love you, and having you enjoy our game fills our hearts with joy! If you like the game, share it with your friends or give us a positive review to help with the visibility algorithms.

Have a peaceful weekend, enjoy the release, and go hug one of your loved ones!