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cyberaxolotl · 6 months ago

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Hinata’s Confession

SoS:3oT Romance/Fluff

Warnings: None

AO3 Description: With enough love in his heart to push him into action, Hinata gets ready to take the first step, wanting a relationship with Yuzuki, with just a little bit of help.

Words: 3.9k

Illustrations: 0 in fic, 1 cover art

See AO3 version for more specific tagging

Fic and cover art below the cut

It had been a quiet Thursday in the boarding house. Hinata was taking his day off in a slow way, cooped in the kitchen by a cookbook, studying several recipes.

The nearby door slid open, grabbing his attention. “Sumomo! How was school?” He greeted his young housemate, watching her drop an overflowing backpack onto the floor nearby.

“School was really good today! Miss Kasumi said that it seems like handwriting has “clicked” for me!” The young girl pulled out a few papers, held together by a paper clip. “She said that if I can do this test really well, I can move on to the next subject!”

“Hey, that’s what I like to hear! Good job.” He smiled at her as she came up to the counter.

“Are you getting ready for dinner? Ooh, can we have oden sometime soon?”

“Hm… If you pass this test, I’ll be right on it! But not tonight, I’m figuring out the recipe for yomogi dumplings.” He turned back to the book, making mental note of the ingredients he’d need to pick up.

“Then I’m definitely gonna pass this test, and I’m gonna pass it good!” She cheered, then paused. “I didn’t know you liked yomogi dumplings.”

“I don’t. Or, no, I don’t dislike ‘em, they’re just not my favorite.” He put the book down, pulling a notepad from his belt to actually write the ingredients down. “But they ARE Yuzuki’s favorite!”

“Ooh, is Yuzuki coming over sometime?” Sumomo looked excited at the notion of having someone over.

Suddenly, Hinata closed the book. “I needa talk to you about that, actually.” He turned around and walked up to talk to her. “Y’know when a couple of people really love each other, they start dating? Being boyfriends, girlfriends, or boyfriend and girlfriend?” He got a confirming nod. “Well, I’m gonna ask Yuzuki to… be MY boyfriend.” He struggled for a moment, realizing it was his first time saying it out loud.

The young girl gasped. “You are!? Oh, my gosh, yay!”

He reached into his pocket, pulling out a confession pendant. “I wanna ask him on my next day off, but asking someone to be your boyfriend is something that’s gotta be done in private, just the two of us. Would you be able to hang around in the store or with Tatsumi and Yaichi until we’re done?”

“I can! I’ll ask Tatsumi and Yaichi if I can spend Monday after school with them!” She nodded excitedly, beaming. “You and Yuzuki are gonna make the perfect boyfriends!”

He reached forward and petted her head. “I’m glad you think so. Now get to that test, I’ve got an actual dinner to make us!”

Sumomo happily turned and walked off, letting Hinata prepare to actually start cooking. He could feel her excitement bouncing on him, and felt a bout of confidence for what he’d do in a few days. And he was really going to need it- the anxiety was worse than any show he’d ever done before.

~~~~~~

Monday, approaching 5PM. Having yesterday asked Yuzuki to come by, and knowing that he would be there soon, Hinata nervously set up two bowls of chirashi sushi. There were fresh yomogi dumplings beside him as well, sitting out from their new creation, but it was time that he turned his attention to them.

Setting aside the chirashi sushi bowls on the counter, he pulled over a small box, and felt like he had to act fast. Pulling out the confession pendant, he placed it at the bottom, then covered it with a thin sheet. Tying a string around the stick of one of the dumplings, he poked a hole in the sheet, tying it through. Finally, he laid the dumplings down with the tied one on the right, and the stage was set for a surprise confession.

Just in time, too. A knock at the door made his heart start to pound, and he walked over to open it.

“Yuzuki!” He greeted happily, succeeding at acting nonchalant.

“Hinata, hello. Thank you very much for inviting me over for dinner tonight.” Carefully pushing his rollator aside, Yuzuki accepted a gentle hug, stepping into the boarding house. “It smells delightful here. What’s the occasion?”

“Eh, no occasion.” He lied, “Just wanted to have a good dinner with my best friend!”

He smiled softly. “I see. Will Sumomo be with us tonight?” Bringing his rollator in and slinging a bag over it, he followed Hinata inside, watching him grab the bowls of sushi.

“She’s having dinner with Shizu’s family tonight, so we’ve got this to ourselves. Have a seat and relax- you look kinda tired.” Bringing the bowls over, he placed them on the table, inviting him to sit down.

“Do I? I’m sorry, it’s not because of you or anything. I’ve just been a bit slow today.” Yuzuki brought a bowl closer to himself. “But, this looks delicious. There's nothing quite like a filling meal to make me feel better.”

“I made yomogi dumplings too.” Hinata blurted out with a smile. When he realized how specific it sounded, he cleared his throat. “‘Cause I thought it’d be nice to make something thatcha really liked when I’m inviting ya over.”

The other’s eyes had lit up. “You made- Hinata, are you sure there’s no occasion?” He chuckled, “Yomogi dumplings are my favorite dish in the world, I’m overjoyed that you’d think to make them for us!”

The joyful smile on his face made Hinata’s heart pound. “It was no problem.” He said, finding that it came out more blunt than kind. “If I can get you to feel better, that’s more than enough!” He quickly added.

“Ah- heh.” It was Yuzuki’s turn to blush. “You’re always so very kind, Hinata. How has work been?”

“Work’s good! There’s gonna be a shipment of goods from waaaay up north soon, Moriya wants me to make sure they’re all sold by the end of fall. The theater started preparing for a new play this weekend too.” The two started to eat at that note. “How’s everythin’ with you?”

“It sounds like you’ve been busy recently, though I can’t say the same.” He hummed softly at the taste of the sushi bowl. “I’ve been feeling as though my designs are all very similar as of late. I want to stop that, but I can’t fix it until I find what I’ve been doing the same.” He sighed, sounding a bit defeated.

“Hm… Want some help?” Hinata asked through chewing. “A pair of fresh eyes?”

“I couldn’t ask that of you when you’re so busy. Though, my grandparents haven’t been able to help…” Yuzuki thought aloud, then saw the other’s determined expression. “…Hah, okay. If I haven’t figured it out by the next time you’re off, I’ll come find you.”

“Great! How are your grandparents, anyway?”

“Grandfather is working to make this month’s harvest extra large, which I’m very excited about, and grandmother has been feeling better than usual. Apparently she’s been spared some supplements by Megan, and they’re helping quite well. It’s soothing to see her so upbeat.” He relished a deep breath, “Aside from the artistic struggle, and a few rough flare-ups, everything has been very smooth. How is Sumomo?”

“Sorry to hear about the flare-ups, ‘n glad Omiyo is healthy! Sumomo’s doing great,” Hinata nodded, “Her handwriting got a lot better recently, so she’s doin’ better in school, and I’ll be makin’ her oden tomorrow if she passes a test today.” He glanced away, “Well, that’s what I told her, anyway. I’m actually gonna make oden either way. She deserves it.”

Yuzuki made no attempt to hide a warmed smile. “Sumomo is truly lucky to have someone like you looking after her. I can confidently say that, if you have one, you’d be a wonderful father to a child of your own.”

“Heey, I’m just givin’ her what I woulda wanted when I was still training here! Moriya can be rough, and Shizu and Ittetsu didn’t have much time to help me when I was young, so I want Sumomo to know she has an adult she can lean on. It’s the least I can do when I live with her.” He fidgeted with the sushi bowl, “And, wow- the thought of bein’ a dad? Hm… Hah! I haven’t even thought about being a husband, much less a dad!”

“I wonder if I’d be a big part of a child of yours’ life… Would I be like a fun, artsy uncle? Except, no-“ The jeweler winced at the notion, “That would imply that I think of you as a brother. I don’t think of you like that at all.”

“I hope you'll be a big part of my future kid’s life. I can’t picture my own life without you, so I can only hope that my family would like you too!”

“I’d like that. I’d want only the same from my family.” Yuzuki placed his hand further out on the table, “I couldn’t picture my life without you either- truly, you are one of my most valued people.”

“…” Hinata looked at his hand, a temptation pulling at him. Acting smoothly, he put his hand over the other’s, able to feel how cold he was. “Same here.” He couldn’t tell if it was obvious that he was blushing or not, but he smiled boldly anyway.

Yuzuki’s blush was obvious on his dull complexion, his eyes softening in the moment. It was impossible to tell whether he caught the gesture or not, but even if he didn’t, it still made his face flush. “…Ah. It looks like we’ve both finished our sushi.” Carefully, he pulled his hand out from under the other’s, bringing it to his chest.

“We did? We did!” Anxiously getting up, Hinata took his empty bowl, reaching out for the other’s as well. “Do y’wanna bring out the dumplings now, or wait a bit?” He tried to brush off how fast his heart was racing.

“Mm… I know I shouldn’t, but I can’t resist yomogi dumplings.” He handed up his bowl, “Would you mind getting me a glass of water? I’d like to take my nausea medication before eating more.”

“Got it!” He winked nonchalantly as he took the bowl, turning around. Putting the bowls by the sink, he could see his hand shaking as he reached for a cup. That was it, it was time.

Coming back with the box of dumplings and a glass of water, he could see two red pills in Yuzuki’s hand. His face lit up as the glass was handed to him, watching the box be placed on the table. “These dumplings look wonderful. I’m sure they’ll be all the tastier when they’re made by you.” He smiled, then popped his medication into his mouth.

“It’s my first time makin’ it, so tell me if it needs improving. Gotta make sure it’s perfect when a real occasion comes around!” Hinata sat back down, his voice coming out a bit tightly.

“I’m no harsh judge of sweets, Hinata.” He smiled softly, taking the first stick of yomogi dumplings with his left hand. “Please, take one as well. I couldn’t stand to have all three myself.”

Smiling nervously, the actor took the middle stick. He knew Yuzuki well enough to know his dominant hand, and that was part of the plan. He couldn’t bring himself to say anything as he watched the other rip the first piece off of the stick.

“…Mmh~!” He hummed sweetly, cupping his cheek with his free hand. “It tastes just as good as what’s served at the teahouse, and I thought I didn’t see any syrup on these. Did you bake the syrup into them?”

“…Y’know, I thought it was weird that the cookbook listed syrup as an ingredient but didn’t say what to do with it. I really should’ve put two and two together.” Hinata managed to snap out of his anxious daze just to be flustered, putting his hand on his forehead. “Thaaaat was an accident. Uh, whoops!”

“Hah- hahaha!” Yuzuki laughed, “You accidentally made a less messy way for me to enjoy my favorite food. It’s a little tougher than it would’ve been otherwise, but it’s nothing that I mind, hee.” Tucking away his laughter, he ripped another piece off, immediately distracted by the taste again.

His heart did a flutter at his laughter. Glancing between him and the box, love was mixed with anxiety, much worse than stage fright. He knew for certain that the confession, a relationship, was something he wanted, and he was too far to back down now.

“Hinata?”

“Whuh?”

“You’re staring.” Yuzuki said, “And you haven’t eaten at all, is something wrong?”

“Ah, sorry. You got me thinkin’ about the future.” He played into daydreaming, leaning onto his cheek. “I’m ready to date someone, but it’s hard to take a step, y’know?”

“I see. It seems like both of us are waiting for the right person.” The jeweler nodded, “Although, I am nervous at the idea of a relationship with someone new.”

“Yeah?” Hinata prompted to continue.

“It’s just… I feel as though entering a relationship would be putting the burden of taking care of me onto somebody else. I love my grandparents, and I hate being dependent, but I know I could never be fully self-sufficient.” He held his arm, “I have no idea how much I’d be able to give to a relationship.”

“I think if someone loves you, they aren’t gonna mind.” The actor blurted out, “Everything else about you makes up for it, and you should be able to be happy like anyone else. A lot of us love you anyway, Yuzuki, so why should romance be any different?”

“…Thank you. That makes me feel much better.” Yuzuki pulled the last dumpling off of the stick, “You really would be a good boyfriend.” With that, he popped it into his mouth.

Hinata gulped nervously, smiling. “So would you.” He said softly, finally eating a dumpling. “Hrk-“ He winced. It was harder to eat than what he’d had in the past, in a way that was less enjoyable to him. “I think the syrup made these too tough for me. Are you sure you like ‘em?”

The other put an empty stick down. “A little mishap couldn’t make me dislike yomogi dumplings. And, now you know for next time, so I’ll consider it good either way.”

“Well, I’m happy that you do. Last one is for you, though.” He motioned, crossing his arms with his stick in his hand. “I’ll see if Sumomo wants the rest of this one.”

There was a lump in Hinata’s throat as Yuzuki smiled at him, reaching for the last stick. “I hope- hm?” He noticed the string as he picked it up. “…Ah-!” He gasped as he pulled it away, smooth paper coming off to reveal the confession pendant, glimmering in the light.

Looking away, Hinata flushed red. “That’s for you. It- ugh-“ He cleared his throat, “Some of what we talked about today occurred to me a while back, about wantin’ to make sure we’d be friends for a long time. But then I realized, I didn’t just wanna make sure my future wouldn’t be without you- I wanted it to be WITH you.” Covering the side of his face with his hand, “We’ve been with each other since we were teens. I’ve seen your best and worst days, you’ve seen mine, and I wouldn’t want it any other way. Now, I want those days to be ones we go through together.” He made a glance of eye contact, trying to gauge the other’s expression. He was surprised and blushing red. “I’m goin’ to care about ya a lot no matter what happens. But now, I want to care about you as your best friend, and your boyfriend.”

“…” Yuzuki was bright red, his eyes wide and his hand over his mouth. Seeing the other’s expression start to turn to worry, he held a finger up, suddenly taking his bag off of his rollator. Digging through it for a second, there was a jingle of metal, and then he pulled something out.

“-!”

A second confession pendant.

“I would’ve asked you weeks ago, but I was worried that you were too busy with work or life to want a relationship with me.” His face turned into a heartfelt smile, “Every moment I spend with you feels like a dream. You make me happier than I thought anyone would be able to when I was little, and after what you’ve said tonight, I trust you with all my heart. You confessing first has eased my worries- I love you, and I would LOVE to be your boyfriend, if you would honor me by being mine.”

“Yes-!” There was a gleam in Hinata’s eyes, putting the stick down and standing up. Stepping around the table, he got down to Yuzuki’s side, wrapping his arms around him. “Tonight was scarier for me than any play. Findin’ the recipes, cooking, setting it all up, and now I know I had nothin’ to worry about. I love you.” Arms wrapped around him as well, locked in a gentle embrace.

With a short giggle, the jeweler kissed the bridge of the other’s nose. “You did a lot to make sure tonight would be good for me. I am beyond lucky to now have a lover like you.”

The actor couldn’t stop himself from smiling, looking lovingly into each other's eyes. “…Hey, where’d ya get your pendant from, anyway? I don’t remember you ever gettin’ one at the store.”

Yuzuki bashfully looked away. “I knew you’d suspect something if I got the pendant from you, and I didn’t want you thinking I was about to confess to somebody else- it was Komari that helped me, actually. She supported me while we went to Westown and got it.”

“Komari?” Hinata’s eyes widened. “She’s the one I asked a couple a’ weeks ago what she thought you’d find romantic. I was wonderin’ why she was so confident in tellin’ me that it’d go well!”

“Oh, really? Aha~!” He laughed, “It seems like she knew we’d get together before either of us did. We’re… bound to get teased a little.”

“Hm…” The actor thought about something for a moment. “…Let’s make sure nobody tells her. See how long it takes for her to figure it out!”

Yuzuki was laughing with amusement, the two relishing each other’s presence, when there was a knock by the door. “Is that..?”

“I think I know. Come in!” Hinata called out.

The door slid open, and a little girl peeked in. “Hello? I’m not interrupting, right?” Sumomo asked, then her eyes landed on the pair. “Oh-! Oh, I am, I’m sorry-!”

“Don’t worry about it, Sumomo, come in! How was dinner with your friends?” Letting go of each other, Hinata watched the doorway.

She hesitantly stepped in, putting her backpack down. “Dinner was yummy, Mrs. Shizu made oshinko rolls and castella!” She glanced at the table, seeing the two confession pendants out. “Did it… happen?” She whispered loudly at him, a sparkle in her eyes.

He smiled at her. “It happened!”

“Yaaaaaay!” Her nerves washing away, she walked around the table, getting to Yuzuki’s side. To his surprise, she hugged him. “I’m so happy for you two, you’re perfect for each other!”

“Hah, thank you, Sumomo. I promise to make Hinata very happy.” Warmed by her blessing, he accepted her little hug. “I’ve got a bit more time before I need to go, if you’d like to help us finish these dumplings.”

“Really?” She stepped back. “I already had dessert with Tatsumi and Yaichi, I can have a second one?” She looked past him at Hinata.

“Hm… That depends. What'd you get on that test today?” He said, planning on giving it to her either way.

“Oh!” Sumomo’s face lit up, turning and skipping over to her backpack. She pulled out the binded papers with a smile, then showed it to them. “A minus, I passed!”

“I knew you’d be able to do it! Alright, get over here.” Hinata stood up, but not before Yuzuki got his attention for another moment.

“Psst-“ He called up, “Watching you and Sumomo like this makes me feel like I’ve become part of a new family.” He said, smiling warmly.

The actor smiled back, blushing. Picking up the stick of dumplings that he hadn’t finished, “Try this, see if ya like it.” He offered it to her.

Taking it, she looked at Yuzuki first. “Will I get to see you more now that you’re dating? Hinata’s my elder, so now that you’re dating, is it gonna be like you’re my elder too?”

“I can see about it, and I’d hope that now, if Hinata needs someone to look after you, I’d be his first choice.” He looked over at him, getting a nod of confirmation.

“You’d be willing to do that?” The actor asked.

“I think that it’s something I could bring to the relationship, yes.”

“Yaaaay!” Sumomo cheered softly, then ripped a dumpling off of the stick, excited. “…Mmhf! It’s chewy!” Her expression downed.

“Oh, yeah, I think I made it wrong. Is it too bad to eat?”

“Mmmh… Nn-nn!” She shook her head, continuing to eat it. “They’re not my favorite, but sweets are sweets!”

“I see that we have that in common.” Yuzuki happily agreed, taking off a piece of his own. Hinata stepped past Sumomo and sat back across from them, the little girl sitting down to join. “Oh, and, congratulations on your test today. Writing was not easy on me when I was a child either.”

“Thank you! Miss Kasumi was so proud of me, and we’re gonna have oden tomorrow to celebrate! Oh!” She gasped as she realized something, turning to her elder, “Can I help with the cooking? Please? Tatsumi has a friend that’s really good at cooking, so I gotta get good like him!”

“So long as you eat whatcha make, you can help.” He reached out and patted her head.

“Hehe~!” She squealed, her face bright.

Yuzuki couldn’t help but visualize the two as a father and child, watching how lovingly they interacted. Part of him was very excited to be part of their little family as well. Looking past them as he finished his stick of dumplings, his face dampened. “Oh, my apologies. It’s getting late, and I need to get home before it gets dark.” Putting the stick down and picking up the confession pendant, he held it tightly to his chest. “Thank you for the wonderful evening.”

Hinata stood up, walking around the table. “You’ll come by the shop tomorrow, yeah? I'll seeya then.” With a smooth motion, he leaned forward to kiss his boyfriend on the cheek.

The jeweler giggled and kissed him on the nose, grabbing his rollator. “I’ll come by, most definitely. I’ll see you as well.” He gave Sumomo a quick goodbye as he walked up to the door.

“Goodnight, Yuzuki!” She sang, sharing a smile with him as he left.

Turning around, Hinata picked up the second confession pendant. There were intricate differences between it and the one he’d given, the gem made with a ruby rather than an emerald, and carved into a different pattern.

“…The pendants are super pretty. I wonder if I’ll get one from someone someday.” The young girl said quietly, a smile still on her face.

“Heh, I’m sure you will, Sumomo.” He smiled at her, then stretched his back. “I’m gonna wash the dishes and then get ready for bed, we’ve got work tomorrow.” With that, he picked up the gift box, gently placing the pendant into it. His chest felt very warm, and the redness and smile wouldn’t leave his face.

A confession that made him more nervous than any play ever could, gone so dreamily right.

#tori’s writing tag #tori’s art tag #trio of towns #story of seasons #3ot hinata #3ot sumomo #3ot yuzuki #hinazuki #this fic turned out a bit lackluster for my usual standards but hey. i wrote <3

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aeoneris · 1 year ago

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Setsuna's 30-Day Hunter OC Meme!

Glad to see people enjoying the meme I made, and I just finished mine up yesterday (30 days really goes by quick!). I decided to document my thread on Twitter here.

Presenting, Setsuna!

Day 1: Introduction

This is Setsuna Yukino. Age 25~30+, Nonbinary (They/She), Human. Born and raised in Kamura Village.

Day 2: Weapons

Setsuna specializes mostly in Insect Glaives and uses the Fox Halberd. On rare occasions though, they'll use the Mail Soulpiercer bow made from slaying Magnamalo.

Day 3: Armor

Setsuna's main armor set for hunting. There's a bit of the influence of the Wyverian twins, and even Master Utsushi- the fox mask is a gift from him, and Setsu habitually wears it on many hunts.

This is what Setsu normally wears on off-days. Or if it isn't this yukata, then a baggy jinbei/common workclothes similar to what the other villagers wear.

While there's the main outfit, there were 3 different sets worn throughout the Risebreak story.

Day 4: Buddies

Setsuna's buddies are Fuu the Shikigami Palamute and Kogitsune, the... nine-tailed fox who acts like a Palico for some reason?

Fuu was passed down to Setsuna when they were a child. In fact, he is older than his owner! He's a familiar face in the village, and everyone knows who this magnificent beast belongs to. A fiercely loyal guy.

Kogitsune's been acting as Setsuna's support ever since they saved him from a rogue pitfall trap years ago. He's their housekeeper, but occasionally helps with hunts. Setsuna decided not to question his existence, or why he acts like a Felyne. What matters is that he's a friend.

Day 5: Monsters

Setsuna is best associated with Mizutsune, being fox-like and lithe in battle. (But, if you asked, they actually enjoy hunting Rakna-Kadaki the most. Probably because it's like a big bug... And Setsu loves bugs.)

Day 6: Hobbies

Setsuna's favorite hobby is raising kinsects in their spare time. They've been doing this for many years, since childhood. They also love exploring and finding where rare endemic lifeforms live.

As for side jobs, Setsu often helps other villagers with tasks like physical labor. If they never became a hunter, they'd basically be living day in and out like this. Lowkey would be a workaholic, but they do take breaks often. (This art is a younger version of Setsu.)

Day 7: Family

Setsuna considers most of Kamura family, and they regard her the same. The Wyverian Twins are like Setsu's older sisters, and Yomogi, Iori, and Komitsu little siblings. Setsu also has a mother and father who are traveling merchants that sell Kamura's wares.

Day 8: Comrades

Setsuna has a small network of friends she likes to hunt with most, but doesn't mind helping strangers if they'll have her. She especially enjoys hunting with a certain instructor. When it comes to gathering requests though, Setsu prefers to be alone.

Day 9: Bond

Kamura prides itself on the fact that their greatest hunter and the village instructor are locally known as a legendary power couple. You might catch them running across the rooftops on the way to their next mission. Setsuna and Utsushi are professionals, but rest assured... They are very much in love. Painfully so. There is not a bond that is stronger than the one between master-and-disciple-turned-lovers.

Here's a link to the first fanfic I wrote about Setsuna and Utsushi, if you're interested in their story. The thread also has the rest of my fanfics about them, in order.

Day 10: Food

Setsuna tries to have a balanced diet, and will eat almost anything they're offered. Lately, they've grown a sweet tooth because of Yomogi and Komitsu. However, if you asked, sashimi is their "favorite" food because it's the only thing they know how to prepare.

To be clear, Setsuna... cannot cook. Not even if their life depended on it. But they're oblivious to the fact. Everyone goes out of their way to stop them from trying to cook. The instructor is even stumped on how to teach Setsu...

Day 11: Inventory

Setsuna likes to travel light and only brings what's needed for every mission and hunt, like a few potions and rations. They're pretty handy at finding materials to make useful things on the spot when it gets tough.

Day 12: Symbolism

Setsuna is often represented by "the snow of winter melting to give way to spring", a chrysalis, or a snow-faced fox.

Day 13: Music

Here is Setsuna's playlist, all songs that remind me of them or their relationship with Utsushi.

Day 14: Habits

Setsuna tends to look a certain way when they're pensive or lost in thought. It's something like concern or even at times a "resting bitch face", and makes them intimidating to people who don't know about it. Also has a habit of being sleepy after eating.

Day 15: Half-way Free Space!

Setsu is a surprisingly good singer, but the quickest way to make them stop is to point it out... So if you'd like to keep hearing it, don't say anything at all and just enjoy it.

Day 16: Motives

Setsuna never actually wanted to be a hunter while growing up. They were content with being an everyman of the village and living day to day with no real aspirations. But around the age of 19, they were stirred to act...

After witnessing the aftermath of a monster attack that took away a friend's life. Wanting to know how to protect others, Setsuna finally reached out to the only person they knew that could help...

Utsushi knew of their potential for a while, but only took them up as a disciple when they were ready and serious about being a hunter. Setsuna studied under him for about 5-6+ years before the start of Rise.

Here's a link to "Cocoon", a fanfic about Setsuna's backstory, if you're interested in the details.

Day 17: Temperament

Setsuna was used to being ostracized at a young age, and though it doesn't really happen anymore, they got used to it and don't really care about what people think about them. So if anyone had an issue with them, they would just calmly assess the situation.

They'd rather avoid confrontation as much as they can. But that being said, if someone really came at them... Well, there always comes a point where Setsu gives off a weirdly intimidating aura, so sooner or later, someone will back down.

Day 18: Happiness

Seeing a smile on a client's face after a job well done, watching their kinsects grow up well, spending time with the instructor... These things make Setsuna happy. The fact that tomorrow could bring these things makes life worth living.

... Also, on rare occasions, a really good smoke.

Day 19: Aversion

Setsuna doesn't feel comfortable with people who are too abrasive, who look down on others, or aren't very humble. And of all the things they really hate, it's the idea of not being able to fulfill a promise.

Day 20: Trauma

When Setsuna was a child, their grandfather left on a journey and never returned. The void that he left behind slowly changed them into a person who couldn't take risks and had no aim in life. At least, for a time...

Things are much different now. Eventually, Setsuna learned to embrace life's whats and ifs by their own hands. Their body is covered with scars from their time as a hunter, but they learned to accept every single one as proof of surviving risks taken.

Day 21: Fear

I mentioned that Setsuna hates "the idea of not being able to fulfill a promise." But actually, that hate is an irrational fear. They can't handle the possibility of leaving behind unfinished business.

Day 22: Spirituality

Setsuna seems lax, but there is something fervent about the way they deeply respect the balance of nature and their part in the cycle of mortality that surrounds hunting. They always offer a tiny prayer of thanks for the life that they take.

Day 23: First Impressions

When people first meet Setsuna, they tend to get bewitched and intimidated by her presence. Is she royalty or something? There's just something about her. But as soon as she opens her mouth, people are taken aback by how oddly friendly she is. It often leads to awkward first conversations, where even Setsuna is confused about what's going on. As people get to spend more time with her, they'll find that she's just an offbeat, but benevolent fellow. It's strange that this is the type of person who became Kamura's savior, and there would probably be conflicting tales about the Fierce Flame if it weren't for Master Utsushi regaling everyone in fine detail about her efforts.

Day 24: Facade

Setsuna is genuinely an open and amiable person, but when it comes to certain situations... Well, Setsu can try to hide their feelings, but it's noticable when something is bothering them. There are certain complicated emotions that Setsu has trouble conveying in a straight-forward manner. Not because they want to hide them, but because they physically/mentally have trouble with it. Only their closest friends and partner know to give them time and space to speak.

I think it's also worth bringing back the "degrees of feeling jealousy" meme that was going around in certain fan circles. Setsuna is really funny when trying to keep a straight face.

Day 25: Change

I mentioned it before on Day 16, but Setsuna originally didn't want to be a hunter. At that time, they were a lot more lonesome and estranged, yet paradoxically having a doormat habit of doing things for others just to feel important.

Nowadays, Setsu is much more vibrant and friendly, with every action full of intent. Even if they are still a bit odd in some ways, they're someone you can rely on and trust.

Appearance-wise, Setsu used to have short hair around the time they first started training under Utsushi.

Day 26: Criticism

Those old habits of being a doormat die hard, and Setsuna does have issues with taking on a little too much at once. While they do follow through with everything, due to that fear of ever leaving anything unfinished or not fulfilling a promise...

They can really have a habit of draining themselves after everything's over. They are working on taking things one step at a time, and sharing any burdens with others they trust.

Day 27: Atmosphere

Setsuna knows the Shrine Ruins like the back of their hands, since they've been exploring it since they were younger. But after being deployed to Elgado, they've really come to be fond of the Jungle area. They do well with any kind of weather, but they love the gentle sun after a light rain. Or even a sun-rain, itself.

Day 28: Rest

Setsuna seems to have the ability to be awake at any time they're needed. They usually wake up at sunrise, but they also enjoy staying up under moonlight and sleeping in when they're free to do so. They also tend to take quick naps usually after a meal.

Day 29: Dreams

Setsuna hopes they'll always be able to help others through the art of the hunt, even if it means traveling the world. But if it comes to that, they hope they'll always be able to come home to Kamura, and be by Utsushi's side. It's more a promise, than a dream.

Well... There's a chance that Utsushi will make sure he's always by Setsuna's side, whether they like it or not, so the dream of helping others can happen without any worry. For better or worse.

Day 30: Ending Free Space!

Setsuna's favorite kinsect is a Pseudocath named Hasu. Thank you for reading about my hunter, and sharing the 30-Day meme!

#hunter setsuna #master utsushi #monster hunter #monster hunter rise #30 day challenge #long post #i am unsure if i should tag utsushi but he is like really important to setsu's backstory so he gets included. also my mushy art is in here

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matsukawamatt · 1 year ago

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Back into this loop of thinking of the matsukawa apartment. So many sleepless nights listening to lofi and left alone to my thoughts. So much beautiful, natural light coming into the apartment in the daytime. By night, the glow of the city and the alternating of the stop light that shown in my window. The rainy nights, where I would keep my balcony door open, and let the sound of it all drown me away. It was my own little space and I made it all mine. I miss the smell; the distinctive combination of the hardwood floors and concrete & brick walls. The small little bedroom that I barely used, just resting on my couch in the main room most of the time. The shine of the stainless steel in the kitchen that I never used. I had Mira right down stairs to take on a ride to wherever I desired. Or a metro just a few blocks away if it didn’t make sense to drive, and it usually didn’t make sense. I had Paul in Fukuoka to go out and drink with. I had the multiple clubs I would go to and just lose myself, mindlessly dancing into the early (and sometimes late) morning hours. I’d grab some ramen, and I’d hang out for a bit to recover. Later in the day i’d go to that one Starbucks, the reserve one at hakata, and i’d always see Yomogi there. Her smile was so amazing. She was always so excited to see me and, she’d tell me to come sit at the bar, as she hand-poured piping hot coffee in concentric circled into a flask with a filter — it was an art. I’d stop by half-penny and make some friends at the bar. Or the Red Fox. Or.. and oh my god… the sun empire. That fucking bar. I wish I could explain the feeling that place gives me to think about. It brings tears to my eyes. THAT was my place. So many memories. Even if I were to go back, it would not be there. Which brings to mind… what remains? I’m sure theres many places. I need to get back to Fukuoka… and although this is a post about matsukawa, fukuoka is as comforting to me as matsukawa was.

Everything about Matsukawa was so amazing to me. It was the place where I felt safe. A place for me to escape and be my self and on my own.

I will never have a place like that again. But, I do have lofi, and I do have the memories.

These tears are good tears; these bring me warmth and happiness. They bring me back to a time that was, a time that no longer exists. A time where I had friends that I loved and I had a reason to keep going.

Whenever I’m asked about my time in the Navy, I describe it as two extremes. One extreme is a scenario where I absolutely hated my life and was unhappier than I’ve ever been. This was the patriot. The next extreme: i absolutely loved everything in my life and every moment spent with the people that loved me, and with the amazing people of japan. Two extremes. Two polar opposites. Its no wonder im as fucked up as i am now

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himehikoshrine · 10 months ago

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Ririya did all the hard work of translating here - thank you for listening to my long tangents. Here are some of our translation notes - they make some mention of details of Sissia of the Central nation as well, but contain no plot or character spoilers for Jack Jeanne beyond references to shared common route things in the plays.

1) Artemisia is the botanical family mugwort is in. Artemisia princeps is the name of the species.

2) Mugwort in Mugwort castle is written like the English mugwort (マグワート), where as when it’s referring to the crop it uses the Japanese ヨモギ (yomogi) as it does in the play.

3) The Japanese here is specifically Vena not Wena - perhaps the name changed slightly over the generations, or it’s just a stylistic transliteration choice.

4) The word “servant” here is the same one used for the “servant citizens” of Quatra in Sissia of the Central Nation.

5) The line “step ashore, and you will never be able to return to the other side” is word for word what the priest says to Chicchi in the play’s first scene. The words for fame and money here are also the same.

6) Raham likely comes from the biblical/litergical Hebrew “רחם “ racham - meaning pity or compassion, often of god to man, but sometimes of people to each other.

It seems like over time, the phrase morphed into the Oh Rama Havenna we know, with a syllable moving. (interestingly, the grammatically more correct version would have been O Raham HaVena, with Ha being the word for “the” and being attached to the word following it)

7) “O Lord, bring punishment upon those corrupted by greed.” is written in a very specifically religious phrasing and uses words and writing that are difficult to parse and translate. This was the most time consuming part of the whole poem to try to translate. It’s a very “Neji mixing idiosyncratic writing quirks with very specific references” line.

8) the term for base in “the rebel army made their base on the island in the lake.” is 根城 whose kanji directly translates as ‘root castle’ and read as “Nejiro” - the first kanji is the "Ne" of Neji’s last name, too.

9) “those with hidden wounds of guilt” is an attempt to translate a Japanese idiom. The line in the original poem is written “すねに傷をもつ” and means “wounds on their shins”, an idiom used to mean ‘a guilty conscience’.

It is an interesting inclusion because a mark on the shin is exactly what is used in Neji’s next play as a means of marking the servant citizens of Quatra. Perhaps this idiom is partially what is at play with the mark being located where it is.

10) As with Rukiora vs Luxiola, it appears the localization team didn’t get clear instructions on transliterating the names, as Gilley read as something like “Ji-ley” and Jire would be written the same.

Jire

Ishida posted another Jack Jeanne winter play backstory to Twitter for Suzu's birthday, January 19th. It includes a new drawing and a music link. No play spoilers in this one as it's more a history of Havenna itself. Thanks to @himehikoshrine for working with me on this. Please read their summary of our translation notes as well since some nuances were impossible to fully capture in English.

Under the rule of the feudal lord, Mugwort Castle floated upon Lake Artemisia, Home to the Vena family.

Farms spread out across the lakeshore. There they grew the Vena specialty: exceptional quality mugwort.

The Vena family bought a large number of servants in the lands to the south and set them to work on the farms.

One day, a rebellion broke out among the servants. An army of about 180 gathered along the shore.

"Step ashore, and you will never be able to return to the other side. Our goal is neither money nor fame. We seek only freedom.

Oh Raham Vena (Pity the Vena). O Lord, strike down those corrupted by greed."

The rebel army besieged Mugwort Castle, setting the family and their fortress ablaze.

After winning their freedom through force, the rebel army made their base on the island in the lake. To sustain themselves, they repeatedly pillaged nearby farming villages.

When those villages ran out of things to steal, they set out further and further.

After rumours began to spread, criminals, deserters, and those with hidden wounds of guilt came to join their ranks.

They continued all along the shore, until there was soon nothing left in sight.

Those who had once freed their lives from oppression had turned to seeking pleasure. The island in the lake came to be known as the city of Havenna.

Of the former rulers, some of the Vena family fled as the servants set the castle ablaze. They continued to live in secret.

The Vena family line eventually ended with only a single father and son living as beggars.

The son, Jire, was captured by a human trafficker and sold into Havenna. His father was killed for resisting.

"Jire probably didn't know about the circumstances of his heritage. Aside from his connection to Chicchi, I don't think there's much to him." (Excerpt from Kokuto Neji's writing notebook "Gilley de Wena")

Ishida's note: This is fan fiction by one of the original creators. What is written in the game itself is canon.

#translation #jack jeanne #oh rama havenna #jire #suzu #thank you again ririya for doing this!#the “Racham” jumped out at me IMMEDIATELY thank you niche knowledge #why do YOU know that Neji

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sscarchiyo · 3 years ago

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dating them

parings: Ikari x gn!reader

type: headcanons

warnings: none

genre: fluff

🖇a/n: once again after reading the new chap 60 yesterday, i had to finish this. very proud of my boy 💕hope you enjoy and feedback is always appreciated, have a good day <3

Ikari as a bf? definitely adventurous 😈

since he's know to be impulsive dates are spontaneous, never knowing when their gonna happen. About to go to class? he wants to ditch and go somewhere, You're sleeping? he's knocking on your door as loud as he can, asking if you wanna sneak out

personal hype man 2.0, definitely the type to say "wear whatever you want, i can fight". I also see him as the type of guy to like matching outfits? yk, but the funny couple ones.

very stubborn and aggressive, you always have to try and stop him from fighting people. It'll be for little reasons too; someone butted in the line? he's throwing hands, someone bumped into you guys? he's throwing hands, someone dared to breath the same air as you? throwing hands (jkjk he's not that crazy)

Ikari likes to show off, any time and anywhere. So best believe, he's going to take you anywhere that allows him to show case his skills.

he likes physical affection although he hesitant to show it. Not that he doesn't like it, but it's been said he gets ally blushy when seeing exposed bodies ( like when he told yomogi to cover up) he prefers acts of service

you're walking and your shoes untied?, he'll tie em up but act like it's a big deal. "you see this? im trying your laces for you, i'm the best boyfriend ever" "but they're just shoe lac-" " YEA ONES THAT IF YOU TRIP AND FALL YOU'LL DIE, SO I JUST SAVED YOUR LIFE"

by no means is ikari yaoroshi a homework person, but if you're struggling he'll either a) offer to help, his term of "help" would just be sitting next you or he'll read the content out loud for you) b) tell you to forget about it or c) drag you to Jin for help, since clearly Jin's the smartest?

it's been stated that he's not the type of person who can read the room, so if there's something bothering you or he said something he shouldn't have at the time; just tell him or he wont get it

loves when you complement or praise him for something, wither it be his hair, brow piercing, his technique or anything really. He get's rlly happy ofc he won't tell you, but damn does it make him feel good. ah but do it too much and you'll burst his ego 😑

we know he's lost friends close to him as well, expect he hasn't openly stated it. So he might not bring up it, just because he doesn't want to make you uncomfortable but again if you suggest going to thier graves he'll be shocked but happy none the less

#second form: scribbles #tougen anki headcanons #tougen anki imagines #tougen anki fluff #tougen anki x reader #tougen anki #ikari x reader #ikari fluff #yaoroshi ikari #ikari yaoroshi #ikari headcanons #yaoroshi ikari headcanons

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gaijinhunter · 4 years ago

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Monster Hunter Rise: 2nd Trailer and news blowout

Hey guys this is Gaijinhunter. I am uploading this as a text post since I caught a cold and have been unable to edit a video.

There was a huge second wave of news for Monster Hunter Rise with the reveal of the 2nd trailer the other day during the Game Awards 2020 show. Keep in mind the actual full length trailer is much longer and better than the shorter edit they showed during the show so makes sure you watch it. It showcased a second map, 2 new monsters, several returning monsters, and more. They also updated their official website with a ton of information so instead of doing a trailer reaction or breakdown, I am going to give you all the info they shared but split up by category, trying to focus only on the new stuff.

New Map

Director Ichinose hinted in an interview that one of the new maps would be nostalgic and boy he wasn't kidding. The Flooded Forest from Third Generation has been massively remade and is back in MH rise. Of course given this game’s focus is verticality, there is no underwater combat sections but they really nailed it from what I can see. One of the most iconic parts of the forest was the ruins in the backgrounds, and now you can scale up it using the wirebug. How cool is that.

With the new map we also got the reveal of 2 new monsters.

First up is the mermaid wyvern, the Somnacanth. This marks the much hyped return of the leviathan class of monsters which were missing in world and iceborne. This Monster looks so wild. It has a special breath that will put you to sleep, is super aggressive, and has this crazy taiko drum like chest in which it will grab oysters and other things and bust them against it to break them open and buff itself. The Japanese name is quite a mouthful and is called Isonemikuni. This is the monster that Ichinose teased with his cute drawing on twitter.

Next up is the tengu beast, Bishaten. This monster is really unique, it looks like a mix of a monkey, bat, and bird. It has a huge and powerful tail it uses for massive mobility and it will chuck various fruits at you as well. One of the most iconic fruits it throws are persimmons, which are very Japanese and if you haven’t had them before, they are kind of an acquired taste. It’s Japanese name is Bishutendo.

For returning monsters we have a few. First is our favorite sponge, the Royal Ludroth. This is a fan favorite and a great early to mid game monster. It has one of the best move sets in my opinion, very telegraphed but it can still catch you off guard even if you are super used to it. Strategically figuring gout where to stand in order to cut off its tail or break the sponge has always been really fun and intersting so I’m delighted to see this monster return, also look at that texture of the sponge!

Then we got the return of the Great Wroggi, the anti-poison skill tutorial monster. This thing really messed me up back in MH3G until I spent the time to get the materials to craft anti-posion decorations and even then, like the Great Izuchi, it fights really well with its sidekick small wroggis and I cant wait to see the improved cooperative AI that they are making for the Great Izuchi applied to this monster as well. It’s armor also spots a really cool Crocodile Dundee hat and look in the trailer and you can see the palico armor as well. So cool.

Finally, we got a small scene that appears to show a snow map and a group of baggi getting hit by a Khezu lightening shot. Does this mean the Great Baggi will return? Not sure. But that scream 100% is a Khezu, and I cannot wait to see how it looks with higher resolution texturing, I bet it will be creepy as heck. So while not technically confirmed, I’d say it’s safe to say Khezu is returning in some form. The balance of all these monsters is so great, I love the selection so far.

As far as other returning monsters that might return, I think we all expect nargacuga and zinogre. These are flagship monsters from games directed by Ichinose and he even tweeted his palamute and palico both named after these two monsters. Especially given the Japanese aesthetic, I think it’s pretty much guaranteed they are returning. Then I think mizutsune is also highly likely given its Japanese design, the fox theme, the kimono armor. Plus the model for it doesn't look that far off from the new Somnacanth. Anyway I have super hyped.

Interaction with animals and endemic life

One of the huge features of Monster Hunter Rise is the focus on wild life and animals to buff your hunter or be used as tools during a hunt.

There are 4 major types of Endemic Life: Temp Buffer, Permabuffer, Hunting Helper, and environmental.

For Permabuffer, we got a new render of the Spiribirds, which will buff your hunter if you move near one, and the effects depend on the color of the pollen it is carrying. Green increases your max Health, Orange increases your defense, red increases your attack power, and yellow increases your max stamina. There is even a special rainbow colored one, which I assume will buff all 4.

Via their website, Capcom announced a new item called the Petalace, a bracelet made of a plant called a Sending Sprig that each hunter has equipped. This is what collects the pollen from the birds and buffs your hunter. There is a variety of Petalaces in the game and some may increase the amount in which an attack boost is applied from a single Spiribird, raise the max value that health can be boosted, and more. Here in the screen shot we can see the caps for each and the amount gained for each buff. Just a quick note but this is not going to be replacing charms as we know that they are giving away a talisman for pre-order.

For Temp Buffer creatures, they revealed the name of the Clothfly, a butterfly that will temporarily increase your defense once you interact with it and cause it to generate a cloud of dust. In previous videos we have seen Peepers that reduce stamina usage, birds that raise your base stats, and a dragonfly that boosts your affinity and I had calculated it out to being applied for 90 seconds but we’ll have to wait for hte final game to see if that depends on the effect or if they change it, but it sounds about right.

For Hunting Helper creatures, we got an adorable new render of the Stinkmink. You can carry up to 5 Hunting Helpers and use them like items. The Stinkmink can be used to cover yourself in a special pheromone that will attract large monsters to you, even allowing you to lure one monster toward another to cause a turf war. I personally can think of other applications like luring a monster toward a trap and stuff like that.

And for environmental endemic life, they didn't show it in the trailer but there are also wildlife that can be used like environmental traps. For example, use raw meat and the giganha fish will go crazy, damaging anything nearby be it a hunter or monster. I can’t wait to see someone hunt a Great Wroggi using only raw meat. I love that we finally will have more use for this item.

NPCs

In the new trailer we got to hear several of the NPC villagers talking and on the website they go into a lot more details. They have quite the star-studded cast in Japanese and the English voice actors are also very interesting picks. This really marks the first time in Monster Hunter that the main cast of villagers will all be called by name and speak, which I think adds a lot of personality to the game.

First we have Fugen the village elder of Kamura and skilled long sword user.

Then we have Hinoa the Quest Maiden, a cheerful and optimistic girl who serves as the quest giver in the village while her twin sister runs the gathering hub. While not announced in any other language, the French and Italian language sites for the game list her sister’s name as Minoto. Hinoa’s name is Hinoe in Japnaese and for the rest of the cast their names are identical between the two languages.

One thing I am excited for is that they said that one of the ways they will help communicate the uniqueness of Kamura is through songs and they shared a sample of one of them in the full trailer. This one is sung by Izumi Kato. If you remember back in Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate they featured songs by the wyverian Diva, and I am so happy they decided to do songs again, they add so much richness to the world and are just lovely to listen to.

Next up is Yomogi, our village chef. In this game you will eat meals at her Tea Shop, where her speciality is the Bunny Dango she makes along with the help of some palicoes. I love that we’ve seen her in past videos with a heavy bowgun, so the idea that all the villagers are active participants in the story is great.

Then we have Hamon the blacksmith. He used to hunt alongside Fugen back in the day but now creates weapons for the hunters of the village. His grandson also appears in the game and is a kind-hearted youth that loves your hunting companions.

Next is Kagero the merchant. Despite his mysterious appearance he is actually very warm and kind. If there is a sale going on, not only can you buy most items for half off, but you can also participate in a lottery where you spin a wheel and it dispenses a colored ball. Get a rare color ball to win a rare prize. You can do it once per sale, but you can also scan an amiibo to spin two more times, but only once per day per amiibo you own.

Finally we have Komitsu the sweet-tooth, she sells candy apples in town. What these do is still not yet revealed.

Companions

We got an adorable render for the Cohoot, the pet owl that shows the positions of monsters on your map. You can interact with it in the town and even dress them up in fancy outfits.

Kamura Village

We got gameplay showing that the entire village is open to the 4 person multiplayer session and you can even ride around on your palamute and use your wirebug while in the village to zip around and have fun. There is still a gathering hall but the ability to see each other in the village as well as jump around and really explore it is a lovely change they are making.

Story wise we got more info about the Rampage, both a story mechanic and new quest type. For some reason the monsters will sometimes gang up and attack the village all at once and no one knows why. They call this a Rampage. There was a really bad rampage 50 years ago that nearly destroyed the village and in response the town has created a Stronghold to stop further invasions. This looks like a new quest type with multiple monsters all at once, and a slew of different artillery options at your disposal. I could see this as being a really fun type of quest to do online with other players.

And of course the most exciting news was that there will be a demo in January with more details to come later. That is far earlier than I expected and I now have to finish up my back catalogue of games in like the next month.

And that about wraps it up. Cpacom said that they will be sharing weapon preview videos for all 14 types very soon and if they do the way they used to do it, we’ll get one new video a day for 2 weeks. I hope you enjoyed this recap of the news and please let me know down in comments what you thought about the second trailer. And until next time, happy hunting.

#MHRise

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casual-video-transcripts · 2 years ago

Video

youtube

“Homemade Japanese Dumplings (Dango)” by Jun’s Kitchen

Transcript by CCKN is under the cut

[0:05] [On Screen: Jun’s Kitchen Logo]

[0:19] [Text on screen: Sakura/Cherry Petals]

[0:35] Jun to Haku: You found yomogi?

[0:36] [Text on screen: Japanese Mugwort/Yomogi]

[0:37] [Text on screen: (For sanitary reasons, I’ll use the one I’m growing at home.)]

[0:42] Jun (after a muffled chuckle): Good job.

[1:00] Jun: Oh!

[1:32] Okay.

[1:33] Let's go get more ingredients, buddy.

[1:38] [Text on screen: Rice flour]

[1:52] [Text on screen: Japanese Mugwort/Yomogi]

[2:01] Jun: Hey guys.

[2:02] I'm sorry for the long wait,

[2:04] but my house and kitchen are finally done.

[2:06] I named this channel like this 10 years ago

[2:08] and now I can cook in my own kitchen.

[2:11] Thank you so much.

[2:13] Yomogi?

[2:14] Want a sniff too, Nagi?

[2:17] (chuckles)

[2:21] Yomogi.

[2:22] Smells good?

[2:25] This time I'm making traditional Japanese sweets

[2:29] called Sanshoku-Dango

[2:31] and Mitarashi-Dango.

[2:33] Sanshoku-Dango is three different colored dumplings and

[2:35] Mitarashi-Dango is grilled dumplings with

[2:38] sweet soy sauce syrup.

[2:40] The three colors are usually pink, white, and green.

[2:44] One of the theories suggests that

[2:45] the color pink stands for sakura and spring,

[2:48] white for snow and winter,

[2:51] and green for grass and summer.

[2:57] Oh! My back!

[3:00] Oh!

[3:16] I'm using sakura and yomogi for sanshoku-dango,

[3:18] but you don't have to use them.

[3:21] You can just use food coloring.

[3:49] First I'm going to make yomogi paste.

[3:51] This will be used in green dango.

[4:04] [Text on screen: Matcha / Green Tea Powder]

[4:04] You can use matcha green tea powder

[4:05] instead of green food coloring if you like.

[4:08] [Text on screen: Dried Sakura Petals]

[4:17] This is his third of fourth break.

[4:22] (snickers)

[4:26] Nagi!

[4:28] Such healthy boy.

[4:31] (humming chuckles)

[4:44] Okay.

[4:46] Next, I'm going to make dango dough.

[4:57] Mix rice flour, sugar, and hot water in a bowl

[5:00] until it becomes as soft as cat beans.

[5:08] Hi Haku.

[5:10] Can I touch your beans?

[5:12] Soft as cat beans.

[5:15] Ohohohohohohoho!

[5:19] It's soft- Oh!

[5:21] but somewhat like bounces back.

[5:24] It’s a very pleasant feeling, I would say.

[5:27] Hehehe.

[5:29] Ohohoho.

[5:30] Thank you!

[5:31] Thank you!

[5:38] [Text on screen: Yomogi & Green Tea Powder]

[5:41] [Text on screen: Sakura & Food Coloring (red)]

[6:32] This one is for mitarashi-dango.

[6:41] Boil them for about five minutes until

[6:43] they all float,

[6:46] and then continue boiling for one more minute.

[6:51] Put them in cold water.

[7:03] Skewer them on a bamboo stick, and done.

[7:13] [Text on Screen: Done!]

[7:13] Sanshoku-dango.

[7:16] Oish!

[7:18] You can make them any color or size you like.

[7:20] I made some pastel blue and yellow

[7:22] for my wife since it's her favorite colors.

[7:26] Next I'm going to make the syrup for mitarashi-dango.

[7:28] Mix potato starch, sugar,

[7:32] and soy sauce in a pot on a medium low heat

[7:34] for about a minute until it becomes thick.

[7:40] Next I'm going to charcoal grill the dango.

[7:42] You can use a toaster oven or frying pan instead.

[8:43] Tada!

[8:44] Smells good, sounds good!

[8:48] Yosh. (translation note: similar to “All right/Yes.)”

[8:50] Ja ikimasu ka. (translation note: similar to “Here goes.” when trying something out.)

[9:16] Mitarashi-dango, looks so good!

[9:19] [Text on Screen: Done!]

[9:24] Smells good?

[9:28] Itadakimasu.

[9:32] Mmm! It's a taste of Japanese festival. Hehehehe.

[9:35] I'm gonna add more syrup.

[9:42] Yeah?

[9:46] Mmm!

[9:49] Hmmhmm.

[9:52] Mm!

[9:53] Sanshoku-dango, mo oishi. [translation note: Sanshoku-dango, very delicious.]

[9:56] Okay.

[10:00] Right, I'm gonna take my time to eat more dango.

[10:03] Okay.

[10:05] Oh Nagi’s - his-

[10:08] I don't even know how many times -

[10:12] His fifth or sixth or seventh cat wheel break exercise time.

[10:18] Such healthy boy!

[10:22] Hehe. Okay.

[10:24] Ow!

[10:27] Hi Haku.

[10:28] Smells good?

[10:29] Mm.

[10:31] Poki, there's no sauce on my finger anymore.

[10:33] Why are you still licking?

[10:36] Thank you guys so much for watching.

[10:38] See you guys later.

[10:39] Bye!

[10:42] [Text on screen: DIY on my VLOG channel]

YouTube Channel: Jun’s Kitchen

Video Description: Thank you so much for watching! It's been 10 years since I made this channel. I wanted to cook in my own kitchen in the future and finally it's happening! It's all thanks to you guys!

This time I'm making traditional Japanese dumplings called sanshoku-dango & mitarashi-dango. They're pretty easy to make and tasty. If you get a chance, please give it a try!

►My cooking vlog channel: https://www.youtube.com/junyoshizuki

►Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/JunsKitchen

►Channel with my wife: https://www.youtube.com/RachelandJun

►EQUIPMENT I use on my channel that you can buy online (Amazon affiliates links)

―Knife― Chef Knife: Sekimagoroku Gyuto (http://amzn.to/1OkxnYt) Chef & Utility Knife: Zwilling twin fin (http://amzn.to/1OkzyLF)

―Sharpening Stone― KING Japanese Sharpening Stone 1000/6000 (http://amzn.to/2uokk32)

―Camera― Panasonic GH5 (http://amzn.to/2uomMqi) Lens: LUMIX G LEICA (http://amzn.to/2eEYzbk)

【Ingredients / serves 2】 Please follow the instructions of your rice flour bag to make dumplings if it has them. Often times it has instructions on the back. Here's the ingredients I used bellow. You can adjust the ratio to your taste.

-Mitarashi-dango-

250g rice flour 200ml hot water

100ml soy sauce 100g sugar 200ml water 30g potato starch

-Sanshoku-dango-

250g rice flour 150ml hot water 30g sugar

sakura yomogi food colouring (red) matcha powder

►Instagram (インスタ): https://www.instagram.com/junskitchen/ ►Music by Epidemic Sound: http://share.epidemicsound.com/rDvsz

📌 Pinned Comment from JunsKitchen:

Thank you so much for watching! It's been 10 years since I made this channel. I wanted to cook & craft in my own kitchen in the future and finally it's happening! It's all thanks to you guys! This time I'm making traditional Japanese dumplings called sanshoku-sando & mitarashi-dango. They're pretty easy to make and tasty. If you get a chance, please give it a try! このチャンネルを開設してから10年が経ちました。いつか自分のキッチンで料理（やクラフト）がしたいと思っていましたが、やっと実現できました。ひとえに皆様のおかげです。ご視聴、ありがとうございます！今回は三色団子とみたらし団子です。比較的、簡単に作れますので、機会がありましたら試してみてください。^ ^

Disclaimer and preface: None of the videos I transcribe belong to me. They belong to the content creators and the crew behind the videos.

My transcripts may not be 100% as I am not a professional. I'm just someone who wants to provide video transcripts for people to understand and enjoy these videos.

For this video, I focused on the speaker, in this case, Jun, and the text on screen which will be in brackets. If there are any corrections you would like me to make, let me know in the comment section of the post.

Personal Notes: This was more of a treat to myself as this is a bit shorter than the last video I posted. Plus this one has less dialogue and I had a lot of motivation to do this one.

If you like this video or any other video from Jun’s Kitchen, please support them by watching their videos on the YouTube platform and through other means from them.

The next video I’ll be transcribing is a longer one so keep an eye out for that.

Until next time, bye! May your day be as soft as cat beans. 🥰

P.S. This video has Japanese closed captioning which I used as a rough guide for the timestamps.

P.P.S.- I added a few translation notes. Again, if there are any corrections you would like me to make, let me know in the comment section of the post.

#jun's kitchen #dango #mitarashi-dango #sanshoku-dango #recipe #cooking video #CCKN transcripts

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miumiins · 3 years ago

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Mary Jane gives me many feelings 😔👊 Fumi and Kai’s dynamic, Kisa and Sou-chan going unhinged, SOU-CHAN’S DEVELOPMENT IN GENERAL I CRY—And I know he gives the first-year crew a hard time offstage, but Ootori is such an underrated and versatile actor, especially as Bukuro! So many feelings…

Slight spoilers, but if you understand it, can you explain the story of the Winter Performance for me? It was hard to follow, which is a shame because the voice acting was wonderful! (That, and I have a Shirota-senpai bias) Thanks for your consideration 😊

HONESTLY otori talks Like That but he wants to put on a good performance just like anyone else, he just. needed to learn how to work together with his classmates

and gosh i'll try SLDKFJG i'll put it under the cut bc it's long (+ spoilers) but excuse the romanization/translations of certain things bc i don't really know how it's intended to be written in english LOL

oh rama havenna takes place in a city called havenna, the city of desire and pleasure, where people don't have to be ashamed of, well, their desires and pleasures.

chicchi (kisa) is an outsider of havenna, who came to the city to become a mugwort seller ("yomogi uri" in the game) under the alias "chikachiina", and what that job entails is, someone who will burn some mugwort as a sort of incense(?) and put men who are unable to sleep, to sleep. this job is sort of seen as like.. one of the most vulgar jobs within the city; so in a sense it's like a brothel minus the sex part i guess?

rukiola (shirota) is a girl who, despite being born in havenna, absolutely despises the city and dreams of leaving it one day, even more so if it's together with fugio (souchan), the most popular man in the city. rukiola HATES mugwort sellers bc later in the story, it's revealed that her father, fakio (otori), was taken by his current lover domina (neji), a well known mugwort seller, leading him to leave rukiola's mother, who is also later revealed to be dead.

the story follows chicchi and rukiola who are best friends, but chicchi is hiding one big secret, that she's a mugwort seller, and refuses to tell rukiola bc she's afraid of being hated by her one and only friend in the city. the only reason rukiola hasn't found out yet, despite chicchi being dyed in the scent of mugwort, is bc rukiola's nose is clogged and is unable to smell things well.

pretty much everyone except rukiola knows that chicchi is a mugwort seller and there are a bunch of instances where chicchi almost gets found out (fugio calling her by her work name in front of rukiola, rukiola noticing the smell of mugwort bc she's undergoing a therapy thing to improve her sense of smell again, etc). there's also this big love square like miguel (fumi) → rukiola → fugio → chicchi (maybe pentagon??? if u include jire's (suzu) feelings towards chicchi too)

in the beginning of the story, fugio is being chased by a bunch of fans, and is helped by chicchi and rukiola, and as thanks he prepares vip seats for his next show. at the show, he throws a flower into the audience, meant to be for chicchi, but rukiola catches it instead. because of that, rukiola has a huge misunderstanding, and her dream of leaving havenna together with fugio only grows stronger.

since then rukiola is always carrying around said flower, and sniffing it, bc she likes the scent, thus the reason why she's undergoing therapy to improve her sense of smell. one day she's walking in town with the flower in hand and bumps into domina, the last person she wants to see. domina, who is now stepping on the flower, is saying a bunch of stuff to provoke rukiola, and even goes as far as to ask "i wonder how that woman who was thrown away by fakio is doing" leading rukiola to say that she had already died. rukiola then says she wants to leave havenna as soon as possible, together with her beloved fugio. after hearing that, domina tells her that her "beloved fugio" is always going to pontalchia (the name of the shop chicchi works at) buying said mugwort, and that he's enchanted by a girl named chikachiina. domina tries to say more but is interrupted by miguel, saying that everything she's saying is complete nonsense.

with doubt in her heart, rukiola heads over to pontalchia anyways, and second guesses herself, saying that she shouldn't doubt people bc of what domina said, but she sees fugio head into the shop. there, she catches both fugio in the shop as well as chicchi in the middle of working at the shop. rukiola is absolutely shocked at finding her dear friend doing the one thing she despises the most, and chicchi is horrified that her secret was found out. rukiola demands chicchi to explain herself, and when she does, rukiola is still upset about the whole thing and leaves the shop.

rukiola heads over to the church to confess because she wants to forgive chicchi, she tried to, but her mind's a mess that she can't even think straight. she then says that maybe it was all rukiola's own fault, and that if she had been better, her parents wouldn't have separated in the first place, she would have been able to forgive chicchi for being a mugwort seller and hiding it from her. there, she continues to ask god for forgiveness.

against her wishes, fugio tries to take chicchi to leave the city with him, and there jire appears with a knife in hand telling chicchi to choose between leaving havenna together with fugio or going back to pontalchia with jire and punish fugio for using the shop's funds for personal reasons(?). chicchi refuses both choices, stating that she came to havenna of her own volition, therefore she will leave of her own volition, not because someone else wants her to become pure like when she first came to the city. it's also revealed here that jire was the one who got domina to reveal chicchi's secret to rukiola, because he didn't want her to be dyed with the scent of mugwort anymore, because he loved her.

chicchi is walking along the streets, on the verge of tears bc she lost her dear friend, and kisa who greatly empathizes with chicchi's feelings because of her own situation (lying about her real gender to her friends so she could follow her dreams of performing at univeil) cries together with chicchi. she runs into rukiola and apologizes. she didn't want to be hated by her bc she liked her, because she was her friend. rukiola, with a smile on her face, asks chicchi for forgiveness. chicchi says rukiola didn't do anything wrong but forgives her, and rukiola forgives chicchi as well. kisa thinks to herself that it's chicchi who was forgiven, not kisa, but shirota whispers into her ear saying that he forgives her as well, no matter who or what she is, he forgives and accepts all of her and she's important to him no matter what, leading to the big crying scene.

in the end, rukiola asks chicchi why she came to havenna, and chicchi just says that she simply just wanted to try being a mugwort seller. the story then ends with the father of the church (kai) walking along the streets of havenna, who runs into chicchi, telling her that he's unable to sleep. there she offers to burn some mugwort, and it ends with him saying "oh rama havenna"

#ask box #honeyapplered #sorry i don't know how to summarize so just tells u the whole story more or less #it takes everything in me to not write fakio's name as fuckio bc that's literally what it sounds like to me #some stuff was left out but i think this is most of the major stuff #can you tell i've read the story like 10 whole times SLDFKGH

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demonfox38 · 4 years ago

Text

Competed(ish) - Monster Hunter Rise

In life, there are times Where you must slay other beasts To protect your own.

Haiku time, bitches.

So, "Monster Hunter" games. I've heard good things about them, but I've personally struggled to cut into them. I first experimented with the series back in the early 2010s with a copy of "Monster Hunter Tri" through my GameFly subscription. (It seems like they're still operational, which is quite surprising to me!) Long story short, I didn't have the time or patience to get into it through my rental period, so I bounced out of the series. Given a scratched track record, what helped me stick through "Monster Hunter Rise"? Was it just having the time to explore the games, or did this game latch onto some inner weeaboo hook?

Hey. Sometimes, it's just about making sure I make the most out of $65.00 USD.

"Monster Hunter Rise" is Capcom's 2021 release of its "Monster Hunter" series in which you…well. Hunt monsters. Pretty obvious, right? This game takes place in Kamura Village, an idyllic Japanese town known for its weapon forging and sweet shops. You, the newest village hunter/idiot, are charged with helping to defend the village from being overrun by monsters. That's it. Nothing deep. Just you, your yokels, and your various animals driving other animals away.

Look. I'm gonna be honest. This isn't a game you play for plot or deep characters. You're here to do the "Shadow of the Colossus" thing, but without the artsy veneer. And good luck doing that!

To say this game is abstruse is an understatement. I mean, it tries to teach you about your game loop and your weapon usage, but damned if I didn't have to spend an hour or two on YouTube just to get my bearings. There's a lot you have to manage. Your equipment. Your buddies. Their equipment. The needs of the people. Your stamina. Your health. Your maps. What monster's going where. What's it doing? Why's it doing that? How should I kill it? And that's just going solo! (No, I didn't do multiplayer. I was feeling cheap. Also, my modem and router were dying a slow death. That's been fun to fix over a holiday weekend…)

I did enjoy the game's attempt at making the game feel like a multiplayer title, even when I was playing alone. The inclusion of Palicoes (cats with human-equivalent intelligence) and Palamutes (knife-wielding dog mounts) is particularly helpful. Palamutes, while not as technical as Palicoes, did give me a break while traversing the terrain and provided some additional speed with item usage in battle. The right kind of Palico can save your ass. Personally, I was fondest of those with Healing and Gathering personality sets. I think Fighting types also have their uses, but I struggled to see the help that Assist or Bombing types provided. But, I'm sure every player has their favored type.

Outside of "Shadow of the Colossus," the other game I kept thinking of while playing was "Devil May Cry." Why? Well, they're produced by the same company, for one. But, for another? I expected a game with such a pedigree like "Monster Hunter" to feel a little more elegant and polished when I started it. Instead, I was lucky to understand battle pacing, never-the-less combos. "Devil May Cry" is a game series where I start feeling like a pro and end feeling like a pro, but with a few more tools under my belt. With "Monster Hunter Rise", I started feeling like a clod and ended without a drop of sweat on my brow. Such development can be frustrating, especially if you don't have the time or any real reason to commit to the game. But, there can be fun in figuring out, "Hey, I can do this!" or "Well, I can abuse this terrain/endemic life to gain an advantage."

Really, really could have used a better targeting system, though. Sometimes, it felt better not to use it at all.

While it did take me some time to feel like I was competent at anything in game, I think my first turning point was fighting Aknosom, a fire-spitting crane. I finally slowed down enough to learn its movements, guard against its attacks, then smack it around when it was done acting up. Additionally, it helped teach me about the importance of stopping to heal status effects, as well as how to kite around it to recover the most health possible while keeping engaged in battle. Groan it up, but it's certainly analogous to a "Dark Souls" experience. Easier, but similar.

Additionally, of the pre-credit matches, I enjoyed fighting Barioth, Khezu (who is still a songless fight, by the way!), Somnacanth, Bishaten, and Magnamalo (the pre-credit final boss.) While they all had their own status effects, I found it easy enough to avoid their more irksome attacks by being aggressive with rolling and keeping close and to their backs/sides. Also, I enjoyed using wirebugs to zip in and smack them on the face when they had finished their attacks. Those little goobers are great! Takes a hot minute to use them smoothly, but man, when you can, it makes punishing so much quicker.

The hunts I tended to avoid the most were those that had creatures with poisoning capabilities. Seriously, poison sucks in this game. Keep antidotes stapled to your ass at all times. I also had some difficulties with heavily plated dragons, but I suspect using a hammer would have mitigated that. Something to test another time, I suppose.

Also, I can't say I got too much into the Rampage side of this game. I mean, it's okay? It's a Tower Defense mode. Nothing too taxing. However, I didn't feel the need to grind for a different reward set. What I saw was just improvement stickers to slap on pre-existing equipment. It seems like the kind of thing that would have unique rewards associated with it, but I didn't see anything that compelled me to stick with it outside of a couple of experimental battles. I'm sure it will eventually offer something unique. Just didn't need it.

I think the best I can do with this evaluation is help you get a step into the game, should you want to play it. And really, it's mostly about the play. If you're looking for a novel story, unique characters, decent voice acting, or the next video game soundtrack to get stuck in your head, this isn't really the game for you. (Although, "Cold Blues and Flaming Reds" is a banger!) It's really just about fighting cool monsters and attempting to be cool while doing it.

So, here! First, take my hunting prep loop:

Gather items earned from quests/subquests from the previous hunt.

The quest maiden in the town (Hinoa; shrine maiden sitting around and eating dango) gives you single player quests. Her sister in the hub (Minoto) gives group assignments.

Manufacture new weapons and/or armor for your character.

You'll be looking for an old, grumpy dude who's hunched over (Hamon).

Most of the stuff you can get for weapon creation will get dropped for you somewhere between 1-5 kills of that monster's set. At least, that was what it felt like for me. Khezu equipment took the longest to get, but I think I just had some bad luck there.

Try to use the tree page as much as possible to determine what you'd like and what you need to make. This helped me visualize when I needed to recreate a weapon to get something new through a unique branch. Icons with arrows over them can be reversed to a previous state. Icons with a treasure box on them indicates that you've got this particular weapon in storage.

You can make upgrades to armor and weapons as well, if you'd like! I didn't find it necessary, but some people may want to beef up their stats.

Manufacture Palico/Palamute weapons and armor from scrap and/or unneeded materials.

This'll be the kitty to Hamon's right (your left, if you're facing Hamon.)

You can trade for scraps in the event that you have some piece of a monster that you don't anticipate on using. But really, really make sure you don't need an item before you scrap it. I learned that the hard way regarding Electro Sac scrapping.

Hire at least 1 new Palico or Palamute until a total of 15 is reached. (It'll help you with a subquest later on.)

You'll do this from the Buddy Plaza, which is in the exit opposite of the hub area. Find the kid in the forest playing with a puppy (Iori).

I personally had 2 of each Palico personality type, but you can pick whatever you'd like. Really, really get some healers, though!

Check Palico/Palamute training progress.

It'll be another Palico by Iori (without a hood).

Check Meowcenary progress.

I can't say I really needed the items from this, but it did help me make some unique pet armor!

This will be the Palico in the blue robes and hood by Iori. You won't see him for a bit, though.

If possible, reassign lowest-leveled companions to training duty, then highest to Meowcenary tasks.

Don't interrupt the Meowcenary tasks, at the very least.

If it's been 5+ hunts since you last checked, climb up a tree in the Buddy Plaza to check the Cahoot's nest. If there's two golden eggs, take them.

Create, purchase, and restock items.

Honestly, I only bought trap-making materials from the shop (umbrella dude with a seal taped to his face by the name of Kagero.)

Pet/feed the Cahoot.

Okay, this is optional, and the rewards it triggers can be a pain in the ass to bag. But, pet the owl anyway, idiot.

You can call your owl by dicking around with your D pad.

Accept your quest of choice and subquests from one of the quest maidens.

Cook Motley Mix.

You can do this in the multiplayer hub or in Kamura proper, but I just go to the Kamura proper location. You're looking for a green-clothed gal (Yomogi.) Sit at her counter to her left.

You can cook on the battlefield, but you might as well have the dango lady/Palicoes make your food for you. You can get bonus tickets to improve your Bunny Dango's stats this way!

Eat Bunny Dango.

There are multiple pages of dango you can buy, so don't feel like you need to stick on the first page.

If you see a dango about training your buddies, get that! Might as well help your dudes out, right?

Also—I know the dango lady rants about my character just eating meat and fish, but really. Dango's not healthy. There really should have been some sort of alternative customizable foodstuff for this. Like, I dunno. Sushi?

Depart.

As for control tips:

Don't rush your inputs. Flailing around will leave you open to getting batted across a field.

Try a lance as soon as the game will let you. I recommend this weapon for newbies because its combo system is simple. It's X X X for low attacks, A A A for upper attacks, and R to guard. Learn to target certain body parts using this, and you can handle pretty much any other weapon afterwards. I wouldn't stick to it forever, but it's good for grounding yourself.

Cut off tails; bash in heads. I can especially recommend using great swords for the tail chopping. It'll give you something additional to harvest!

Use items on your Palamute to gain mobility while vulnerable. This is particularly helpful with sharpening your sword or healing up! Press A when you're near your dog to get on it. Press B to dismount.

Rations/steaks heal stamina. Stamina helps you move and attack quickly. It's the yellow bar. Under the green bar. Which is your health. I hope you saw that one, at the very least.

You can auto-craft some items. Absolutely set this up for potions and antidotes. You want that shit ready to go as soon as you touch its base items.

Sheathing your weapon is Y. Using your selected item is also Y. Make sure you know what state you're in when you hit Y (i.e., weapon in or out.)

To select your items: Hold L, then tap Y or A to scroll left or right through the item wheel. Release L on the item you want. Tap Y to use it. This seriously was a pain in the ass for me to learn, so I'm putting it down here. (You can use the L + a control stick to use an item, but I always ended up using stuff accidentally that way.)

Use wirebugs to zip in and hit monsters. It's a bit putzy to do (ZL + ZR while your weapon is sheathed, then X to hit the monster.) But, nailing this will help you lower their defenses against being ridden and get in a good combo starter.

Hold the minus button to warp. There's no penalty for doing this, so get yourself back to your base and restock. You can't do this while you're in active combat, however.

Your time remaining is the clock in the upper-left corner. Try to keep your monster kills in under 15 minutes. You can usually bag three monsters in a go, but it's up to you whether or not the fight is worth it.

Put some time in the Training Arena. It's past the Buddy Plaza, which is the exit past the armor shop. It's a free place to practice comboing, so take your time here to figure out how you'd like to move going forward.

Honestly, you may want to wait a few months for this game's price to drop down and for updates to settle. It's a hot property as of writing this very second (Memorial Day weekend of 2021), but with that heat comes a financial cost. If you've got a buddy who's really biting to play, then go for it. If you're a people person, you might really like the multiplayer! Otherwise, it may be difficult to feel like you're getting the most out of this game.

However, the value of this game really can't be captured in video or audio, as much as I relied on videos to get into it. It's not an Hour One enjoyment, either. It's more about hitting Hour Twenty and finding out that you've become this brutal, beautiful acrobat, despite everything standing in your way. But, "Devil May Cry" takes less work, and "Shadow of the Colossus" scratches that arty itch more, so take the pride I have in my progress with a grain of salt.

Also, I very much hurt myself playing "Devil May Cry 3" and "Shadow of the Colossus." (Don't force yourself to fight bosses for and hour and a half straight, kids.) At least I didn't hurt myself playing "Monster Hunter Rise!" Just battered my dignity for a bit.

#post game evaluation #monster hunter rise

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tear-stained-blankie · 4 years ago

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(I am sick and tired of seeing no Gaumagi fanfics or fanfics at all from the SSSS.DYNAZENON fandom, so may I present...)

Pointless Immortality, Chapter 1.

It was a hot September night, the sun was setting and it made the sky a light shade of pink and purple. Although the sky resembled a painting, it wasn't like that to Gauma. This was just another night to him, another night of the five thousand years he'd already been alive. He thought he could achieve something, anything in five thousand years, but no, he hadn't. Instead, he sat under whatever makeshift shelter would inhabit him, rather it be a bridge, a landfill, or a public park, Gauma had no place in the world to call his own.

There he sat, as he did most nights, doing anything that could entertain him for long enough to pass the time. He dragged a stick in the sand, trying to make some sort of coherent picture. He couldn't seem to make anything that didn't resemble a pre-schooler's chicken scratch. Gauma sighed, he was growing tired of doing the same things.

"Hey, whoever's out there," Gauma began. "If you can hear me, I need something from you. I need something to change." At first, Gauma thought of what a change could mean. Food, maybe? A place to live? No, maybe something even better.

"Just please," he begged. "I need a change, a good one."

The sun rose the next day, just as it had five thousand years before that. It was a new day, and from the looks of it, nothing had happened.

Gauma sighed, he was not a patient man, and he had no faith in the universe because it had screwed him over so many times before. "Great," Gauma muttered, sarcastically.

Meanwhile, not too far from the bridge, a group of high schoolers were walking by.

"How did you do on that trig test last week?" One asked.

"Failed again," the boy responded shaking his head, sadly.

"What about you, Yomogi?"

Yomogi wasn't paying much attention to the conversation in general, he was thinking about his new job and how he was going to balance it all with school on top of everything.

"Earth to Yomogi," the boy teased, waving his hands in front of him. "Did you hear me? Are you even listening."

"Oh," Yomogi spoke up. "I'm not sure."

"Bullshit," The boy laughed. "The teacher gave it back to us yesterday!"

"I was absent the day she gave the test!" Yomogi argued, turning his head to face the boy. When he did, he saw something out of the corner of his eye. A man was sitting under the bridge, he looked hungry, and even a bit sad.

"Hold on guys," Yomogi told them, running towards the man without any further explanation to the group he was just with.

Gauma saw the boy run over, instead of acting casual, the man shielded himself.

What a wimp I am- Gauma thought to himself, as he prepared for the boy in front of him to do God only knows what.

But instead of hitting him or taking what little Gauma had, Yomogi simply offered him his lunch.

Gauma's eyes widened. Was he really receiving food? He didn't really know what to say, he was just so happy. He yanked it quickly out of the boy's hands and thanked him before beginning to eat. Of course, Gauma couldn't starve to death, he could only feel the pain from the hunger. It was the worst of all pains in his opinion, having nothing to eat. When he finished the meal, he bowed deeply, thanking Yomogi once again.

"Oh uh, you're welcome." Yomogi told him, "You don't have to do all of that, just the thanks is enough."

"I'll repay you," Gauma promised.

Yomogi simply gave an intrigued glance and looked over at him. He didn't say anything, but for some reason, he blushed heavily at Gauma's promise as he walked to class.

He somewhat wished he could hang out with him again, that was until he remembered that he had a date with Yume. She was a quiet, soft spoken girl that sat above the bridge every day. She interested Yomogi with her secretive nature, and he wanted to get to know her better because of it.

What was now an inconvenience was something that he'd wanted for months before today. For some reason, now he found himself wanting to spend more time with the man he'd met today. It made him wonder why that was the case.

After school, Yomogi went to his usual job, finished all his work, and then, like the gentleman he was, he waited for Yume in the pouring rain. She was supposed to be there at nine in the evening, it was now forty minutes after that.

Yomogi shivered, it was freezing out that night, and he'd rather be doing just about anything rather than standing there, asking to catch pneumonia. Suddenly, however, he felt warm as a strong pair of arms wrapped around him and held him close.

At first, he was scared and got ready to defend himself, but as Yomogi looked up, he saw... the man from the bridge.

"I told you I'd repay you." Gauma told him, nuzzling Yomogi closer and holding him protectively.

Yomogi blushed again, not being able to help but lean into Gauma's touch. "H-how did you find me?" He shivered.

"I kinda live under this bridge, you know." Gauma informed to him. "Did that girl stand you up?"

Yomogi was too ashamed to tell Gauma that she did, so he just nodded.

"I see," Gauma told him, a glint of anger present in his eyes from what Yume had done to him. "Do you want me to talk to her?"

"I'd prefer you didn't," Yomogi admitted.

"I understand," Gauma replied. "How about I warm you up a bit? You must be cold."

Yomogi gave a small gasp, even being homeless and sodden with rainwater himself, Gauma cared about him. He leaned further into his touch, wrapping his arms around the taller male, completely forgetting what he had even asked in the first place.

Gauma gave a soft smile, he picked Yomogi up and carried him to a gas station not too far by, he figured the roof over the station and the lights would be enough to warm him up, at least a little.

"This is where I come when I'm cold," Gauma told him. "It may seem like a regular old gas station to you, but sometimes, I get expired food from here, and when I can't warm up, I come here. This is like my home, the closest thing to one, at least."

That made Yomogi kind of sad, he edged closer to Gauma and nuzzled him, at this point becoming halfway asleep in his arms.

Gauma sat down on the dry ground below the shelter of the gas station. He rocked his body back and forth to try and soothe Yomogi into falling asleep.

"Hey..." Yomogi muttered, tiredly. "I never asked you, what's your name...?"

The immortal male smiled and held Yomogi tighter, as if he was about to tell him a huge secret. "It's Gauma," he whispered.

(Listening to that during reading recommended, I love that song and it goes with them so much.)

#ssss.dynazenon #ssss dynazenon #gauma x yomogi #Yomogi #gauma #gaumagi #yume #first fanfiction of this fandom #that i know of #Spotify

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slade-neko · 4 years ago

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Monster Hunter Rise ~ My Thoughts

Oh, man, Monster Hunter Rise, where to begin?! I guess I’ll start with the game itself in a nutshell is a BLAST! It’s not without a few issues I have with it personally, but I’ve been having a lot of fun playing it nonetheless. I want to take the time to mention I am a second generation hunter myself. Started playing Monster Hunter in 2008 with Freedom 2 on PSP at the tender age of 13. So its safe to say I’ve got a lot to say about this game! If you want to read the full thing then here it is.

This review is MOSTLY spoiler-free! There isn’t a lot you can spoil in this game... I mention some endgame stuff and there is a screenshot that contains the final boss’s armor but not focused on it. Just a friendly warning if you are a die-hard spoiler avoider.

The Weapon Types

I’ll start with the fact that the weapon types in MH Rise are all really fun to play and have very well polished movesets. I haven’t extensively played with all the weapon types, but I’d like to say a few things about the ones I have been using. Long Sword feels the best it has ever been in the entire series in my opinion, ironically this game starts you off with a Long Sword equipped too.

I went ham with Long Sword throughout the main story, but now have swapped over to maining Light Bowgun. I was a big Heavy Bowgun main in MH World, but shield spreadshot builds don't feel the same for me as they did in World, but the Light Bowgun in this game shreds. Narga Piercing LBG for distance shooting and then Magnamalo Spread LBG for getting up close and personal. Evade Extender 3 makes zipping around the battlefield a breeze and next to impossible to get hit making it a very fun and rewarding playstyle.

My brother on the other hand has been hitting hard with Long Sword and the new Hunting Horn. He misses the original note playing at times, but the damage on HH is insane and healing constantly with the Rampage Horn is a big plus too for a game with no health regen factors. He’s been building sets for nearly every weapon type, but LS and HH are his two mains. Both weapon types were introduced in 2nd Gen, where we started, so maining those two for him is a bit symbolic. Also the fact that LS has been heralded as the most used weapon-type and HH the least used as of recent games is a neat contrast to use both.

The Characters, Setting, and Story

I know Monster Hunter isn’t exactly known for it’s characters or story, heck most games hardly had a story until World came out. Typically Monster Hunter games follow the simple formula of big bad flagship monster causing problems with local village and ecosystem, hunt it, happy ending?, turns out bigger badder scarier secret boss monster was actually causing the problems, hunt it, true happy ending. Nothing wrong with that, I can roll with whatever story they make, majority of players are here for the gameplay. That said, I still enjoy and appreciate what story the devs put together no matter how it turns out. I liked what Rise offered, nothing too grand like World, more of a simple story following the old games formula.

Surprisingly I haven’t seen many people talk about the characters in this game and the little fact that this is the first time in the ENTIRE SERIES (outside of MH Stories) characters have REAL names! Hinoa, Minoto, Fugen, Yomogi, Iori, Hamon, Rondine, Hojo, Utsushi, like honest to goodness actual NAMES, not “Blacksmith,” “Village Elder,” or “Fish Mongress.” The characters are fun though, nice and memorable, not really annoying. Also following World’s fully voice-acted characters is a nice touch. I sometimes miss the days of old when characters had simple grunts and you read everything, but I doubt that will ever come back now, just something lost to the classic MH games.

Then there’s the super Asian-inspired ninja-like theme to the entire game. You’ll either love it, hate it, or maybe you don’t care about how the village is at all. I like the whole ninja aesthetic while it does work for this game in particular, but I will admit its a little bit weird in the entirety of Monster Hunter as a series.

The Hunts, Gameplay, and Everything Else

Ah yes, the gameplay, the heart of the Monster Hunter games... while yes I do think this game is a lot of fun overall, I do have a few complaints with it... I’m going to break this down into mini-sections because there is a lot to cover here.

Quest Preparations Maybe I’m just old school, but I feel like they took away a lot of the prep work for going on hunts. No cold/ hot drinks, access full inventory on quests, refill items, no longer eat for attack/ def buffs, monsters always visible on maps, no random spawning on High Rank quests, little things like that. In the old games you had to prepare for each hunt, it was part of the game. You go after a big monster, you make sure you got everything you need to win BEFORE you depart on the quest. It feels like they are double-downing more so on just the fighting itself.

Tracking Monsters Monsters aren’t even tracked anymore, they’re always visible on your map. No having to run around and look for them like classic MH games... Though to be fair maybe that’s better off in the old games with the paintball tracking system and individual loaded areas than in a game with a fully open-world setting because I got headaches tracking monsters in MH World’s open-world especially the Ancient Forest.

The Monsters The new monsters in this game a welcome addition. I don’t really have any problems with their designs or fights. Have to say Goss Horag has a very fun fight, but my favorite new monster is probably Rakna-Kadaki. A pelican spider is a dang neat idea for a monster and there aren’t a lot of Temnocerans. Would love to see the return of the Carapaceons though! This is literally the perfect game for Shen-Gaoren to come back with the new rampage system! Bring back my giant enemy crab, Capcom please!

Monster Behavior/ Minion Monsters/ Herbivores Added this subsection to talk specifically about the monsters’ behaviors in this game along with the minion monsters cause while not very important overall there are still some things to be said.

Same thing in MH World, but the monsters act more like animals now. While yes, that is more realistic and is mostly a good thing, but it honestly gives me second thoughts about hunting them. In World most boss monsters wouldn’t attack you unless you attacked them first. That made me feel terrible walking up to a calm Teostra just chilling in the dunes and then I start smacking the heck outta it with a weapon... Old games the monsters saw you, the “something’s gonna getcha music starts playing” and then it charges you and your in the fight! Now its like you’re the monster killing a bunch of animals (exaggerating a bit, but still!)

What’s not exaggerated is the minions in this game. The old games had minions that were incredibly annoying and I wanted to kill them. This game however has the sweet little bullfangos, jagras, and other minions just lazing around sleeping. My brother and I were in need of Rhenoplos scalps for some gear, set out on a quest to slay some, find them peacefully sleeping by some rocks and I ask my brother, “Okay, so you gonna bash its skull in with your hammer and pop its eyes out or am I gonna fill it full of lead with my bowgun?” Needlessly violent example, I know, but it still makes the point that it feels more like animal cruelty when they aren’t bothering anyone. I’d rather the minions just start charging me and piss me off as a player, so I wouldn’t feel bad defending myself to take them out.

Lastly, there’s the herbivores. Not a lot to say on the matter, but I feel like they could’ve given a few more herbivore types. Like no Aptonoth in this game? I thought they were kinda a staple of the series for herbivores. I also feel like the maps could feel a bit more lively with more herbivores placed around. Maybe Mosswines in the Shrine Ruins, especially when scaling the central mountain shrine with the mushroom colonies everywhere. Great spots for mushroom piggies!

The Maps/ Locales I love them! Well for the most part. They are good and I don’t dislike any in particular. My only problems is that they sometimes feel too big, too open, and too empty. I know they have a lot of stuff in them, gathering points, spiribirds, relics, and many other things, but there is an odd sense of emptiness there. Like I mentioned earlier, I think perhaps adding in more scattered monsters might’ve helped that a bit. Only other thing to mention is that the new locales rely too heavily on the Palamutes to get around effectively. I personally like bringing my kitties with me on multiplayer quests, so I am at the mercy of wirebug zipping to get around and often left behind.

Oh, last thing I will mention on maps is while its not in the base game, I pray they add back the Tower as a map. Preferably the 2nd Gen version where you start at base camp and scale the tower. A game that’s all about rising and verticality, the Tower is literally the PERFECT map to have in this game!

Spiribirds Love em or hate them, there’s the Spiribirds. Cool concept, but I don’t think it works very well in my opinion. I don’t care about roaming the map to collect my bird buffs, I just want to eat for Attack Up large like old games and be done. I definitely try to grab them when I can, but I can’t be bothered to chase down all the birds each and every hunt just to get my full Attack up buff.

Wirebugs On with the title of the game being Rise giving meaning to the new wirebugs feature. Wirebugs are fun to use, zip around the map, super attacks, and what-not, but I can’t help but feel its a little out of place in a Monster Hunter game. Feels like I’m Spider-Man or something. I know I praised this when I played the demo and I’m not dissing it now, I still enjoy using them, but I am also admitting that they do feel very outlandish for a Monster Hunter game. Still better than the slinger/ clutch claw though! Let’s never talk about those accursed items again.

Silkbinds The Silkbind attacks though are fully great! I love having access to super attacks like Hunting Arts and things like that for my weapons, so I sincerely hope they keep some kind of super attack format in future games.

Mounting The mounting system in this game is weird, but pretty cool! Its a great way to let you control a monster for a change and beat the snot out of other monsters as a monster. I saw someone describe it is as “going full on Ratatouille with the monsters” and honestly there isn’t a better way to explain it than that.

Palicoes/ Palamutes The Buddy System in this game is great! Palicoes still feel about the same as they did in World, maybe a little less powerful now since you can have two of them at once, still love them though and prefer to bring a Palico with me on my quests.

Then there is the new doggies, the Palamutes! Super cute and cuddly, but also quite powerful! I love the doggos, but I wish the maps weren’t designed around them. I like to bring my cat with me on multiplayer quests, so I don’t get a dog to ride and the maps are HUGE, very wide-opened, lots of running... Wirebugs help, but still not quite as fast as the puppies.

Oh and two little pet peeve of mine is you can’t see other players buddy names and you can’t change buddy comments! I want people to be able to see my buddies’ names and I need my Garfield cat’s comment to say “I hate Mondays.” and my Sonic dog to say “Gotta go fast!” and my Courage the Cowardly Dog dog to have “The things I do for love.” Unless there is a hidden menu somewhere where you can edit these, but alas I have yet to find it...

Voiced Hunters Hunters have always been the silent protagonists of the games with attack grunts, hurt sounds, and little to nothing more. Now they are full voiced for gestures and full hunting dialogue. I really like this, its funny to hear them shout things and stuff and having some familiar voice actors in the game is really cool to have them voice my characters. My brother rocking the Xander Mobus voice-type on his hunter is freakin’ cool and hilarious at the same time. I am tempted to make a Zentisu hunter, name him Zenitsu, give him the Zentisu voice-type, and go full Thunderclap maining a Thunder-type Long Sword just for the heck of it. Oh and also there’s the fact that CRISTINA VEE IS OFFICIALLY IN A MONSTER HUNTER GAME NOW AS A FEMALE VOICE OPTION! Still feels weird comparing it to previous games, but I’m okay with it because the fun factor in it outweighs the weird for me personally. Besides if you for some reason decided you hate fun you can just mute them in the options.

Layered Armor (or lack-of) I love Layered Armor... and there is only two sets in this game. The Deluxe Edition’s “Kamurai” samurai looking layered armor and the Magnamalo amiibo “Sinister” layered set with a few head only layered pieces as DLC in the eShop. I was honestly expecting all armor to be layered and unlockable in the base game after the huge demand for layered armor in MH World and Transmog being a thing in the side team’s last game, MHXX/ MHGU.

I think a mixed system of both Transmog and Layered Armor would be ideal. Transmog system for in-game armors and then additional bonus themed armor sets made as Layered Armors like the Kamurai set. That way players can be rewarded for crafting all the armors with use of a Transmog system even giving an incentive to make multiple sets twice to Transmog differently. While the devs could still make money off cool unique Layered sets as DLC in the eShop. Literally fixes both issues right there. Feel free to use that idea, Capcom, and you’re welcome.

Multiplayer/ Lobbies/ Scaling Four people lobbies are back! Not necessarily a good thing. I mean hey its not bad either, but I honestly preferred the larger lobbies like World had. Having more people doesn’t make it less social. All they need is to force people to do multiplayer quests in the Gathering Hub. I prefer large lobbies and have people do whatever they want and meet up in the Hub for socials. Mainly what I dislike about 4 player lobbies is everyone will be expected to help each other on their quests within the lobby. I just want to chill and do my own thing, but see and interact with other players in the village between quests. Oh, but the ability to join quests late is seriously great! Dropping into a lobby and seeing people already on a quest and being able to jump in with them is a godsend!

Difficulty scaling is a very weird thing. It’s basically a double-edged sword. Its good to have because you can beat everything on your own, but that also defeats the purpose of multiplayer. In the past games, Hub quests were scaled higher for multiplayer, so getting more people to help only made it easier. Now, why bother with players when you could just do it yourself scaled to an easier single-player difficulty? I can usually get faster times when I solo things now. Multiplayer is there just for the social aspect to goof around with friends or if you just wanna do chill hunting with people. It’s no longer a requirement or an aid for beating the game. Like I said, its a weird thing, not bad, but not good either? I dunno, I just compare a lot of things to the classic MH games. In the past getting a second player to help makes it twice as easy compared to beating a Hub quest by yourself, while getting four players makes it where you’re effectively doing 4x more damage. Now its like you get 4-players and the monster gets 4x the health too. That might not be the exact scaling, but you get my point.

One last thing I want to touch on which a lot of people have already mentioned is the fact multiplayer can get pretty chaotic. Especially when you have 4 players with 4 palamutes all smacking away at a monster. Hit effects are EVERYWHERE! Creates quite the mess and can be hard to tell what’s happening.

Quest Difficulty/ Harder Monsters I don’t care too much about how hard the game is and I know this is a touchy subject, but I do like challenging monsters, without relying on gimmicky crap to fight them. MH World was filled with gimmicky fights like Behemoth, Leshen, even Alatreon and Fatalis to some degree. I still have Extreme Behemoth PTSD. I just want good clean fights, no damage checks, unavoidable one-hit kill moves, crap like that is not cool. I want to cart because I screwed up and made a wrong move and got punished by some wicked strong attack from a big bad boss monster. Not a stupid damage check telling me, “Oh, you not do enough damage, you die now.” To be fair, old Monster Hunter games had some gimmicky fights too though. MH4U with Apex Monsters and Wystones, MHGU with HP tank Hyper Monsters, heck even Freedom 2 was unintentionally gimmicky with outrageous hitboxes haha. Oh, that game was brutal! Deviants in MHGU were amazing though! Some really tough fights there, but incredibly rewarding to beat, that’s what I love!

The Endgame/ Secret Bosses (or lack-of) There is no Endgame, we are stuck in the Infinity War for now (or Affinity War as my brother calls it since the meta is all about those crits!) Okay, so that’s a bit harsh, all jokes aside there is an endgame, but its not exactly what I was expecting and leaves me wanting more. One of my favorite aspects of Monster Hunter games is the endgames and the secrets they hold, which this game had very few! They revealed nearly EVERY monster before this game launched. I get it, they want to sell their game, but leave some secrets please. Only monster that was secret was just the final boss. I love getting to the end of the game and unlocking new quests to fight the big scary endgame bosses. I guess World kinda suffered from that too a little bit. Mostly hanging on to old games like Freedom Unite unlocking Fatalis, MH3U getting Abyssal Lagiacrus, and Molten Tigrex in MH4U was very cool! Could just be the state of games these days like Smash Ultimate where they reveal everything before the game is out since data miners will just leak them anyways... kinda makes me sad.

Updates and Future Content

I know this game has planned updates that will add a lot of content, but I can’t help but feel those “updates” were part of the game that’s been withheld to make the updates feel like so much more. Its like they ripped out the ending of the game and are passing it of as a big huge update to be released after launch.

The real kick to this is the fact there is no Hunter Rank in the current game... I’ve done approximately 300 quests so far in my game, its going to hurt me very badly when I see the HR update come out and I don’t get any HR for the hunts I’ve done so far. I know some people could care less about HR and just see it as a number, but for me that number is a nice thing to see. I love seeing it go up as I do more quests and play more of the game. Going hard at launch has been a lot of fun, but less rewarding knowing I am quite possibly not getting any HR points for all my gameplay.

Only reason I can see they would not want to allow a buildup of HR before this update is because this update will add a bunch of new endgame monsters most likely unlocked through getting high Hunter Rank. I pray for my boy Akantor to finally shine again, I know the side team loves him, so let’s please get him into Rise! AND Please don’t show them off in videos, Capcom! Just stealth drop a bunch of Elder Dragons and Endgame bosses into the game!

Final Thoughts

I’m probably just stuck in the old days some, I guess this is just how the games will be going forward, but a bit of that makes me sad. Feels like the game series I loved so much is losing some character and personality of what made is special and unique. This review might’ve got a bit ranty, but I like to critique a game series I am very passionate about. World was very similar to this. From everything I’ve said, by no means do I hate this game. I still love MH Rise and the entire series and I’ll keep playing it having a lot of fun along the way. Best way I can describe Monster Hunter Rise is it’s the Side Team’s Monster Hunter World. Its fresh, new, and very experimental!

All in all this game is still great and I stand by what I said at the beginning of this entire post, its a blast to play! I hope everyone can enjoy it and remember, Happy Hunting!

#Monster Hunter Rise #Monster Hunter #MHRise

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recentanimenews · 3 years ago

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SSSS.Dynazenon – 12 (Fin) – E Pluribus Gundum

Gauma is in a bad way and Second can only ease his pain, but with Gridknight and Goldburn losing ground to Shizumu, Yume and Yomogi know what to do. Juuga, Mujina and Onija notice the new Shizumu Kaiju, realize they can’t control it, and instead allow him to swallow them up. This makes things even more difficult for Knight-kun.

Koyomi’s Dyna-car just happens to land near enough to him that he can simply hop in and join the battle; ditto Yomogi, who gets to make a dramatic leap over a cliff of debris into his Soldier. Yume trips and falls, but Yomogi soon tracks her down and offers to take her to her Wing. Gauma even manages to pilot his Dyna-thingy with Second, so all six pieces of the puzzle are there to fight the Eugenicists.

It’s here where we get a lot of those trademark super-intense Trigger Faces, as Juuga curses (and confesses?) to Gauma (who tells him to “shaddap!”), Mujina curses Koyomi (who loudly apologizes), and Yume and Yomogi get the silent treatment from their former classmate Shizumu. But once Yomogi realizes he can Instance Dominate the enemy with his Kaiju user power, the battle is pretty much over.

There’s a number of different Dyna-combinations, all of which are great fun to watch as the pilots shout in unison. The coup-de-grace comes from the old standby Super Dragon Dyna Rex (carrying a combo of Gridknight and Goldburn on its back) firing off the most verbose attack yet: Blazing Hot Inferno Burning Grid Rex Roar.

The Eugenicists glimpse their impending deaths and accept their fate (again), but so does Gauma, who passes away shortly after claiming victory. None of them are particularly upset about this; Mujina even thinks it might be “better this way”, while Juuga is certain the time of Kaiju will still come someday. As for Gauma, he finally understands why the Princess didn’t revive with him: because she entrusted Dynazenon to him. And he did good.

Three months later, as the silent credits roll (no OP or ED in this finale, but the opening theme did make an appearance during the battle, as is its wont), we get a very wide shot of Yume and Yomogi walking slowly across a bridge, Yume stopping Yomogi going back for her, and the two continuing on. I don’t know about you, but to me this feels like Yume wordlessly giving Yomogi her answer.

The two join Chise and Koyomi to take one last look at Gauma’s home under the bridge and bid farewell to Knight and Second, who are taking the now-inert Dynazenon and Gridknight with them. It must be tough, but Chise accepts that the best and coolest friend she ever had doesn’t belong in the world of logic and reason.

Speaking of which, Chise is back in her slick street clothes, since her school was one of the casualties of the climactic battle. That’s a pretty cool touch. As for Koyomi, he looks so different three months later with his haircut and well-fitting suit, I assumed at first he was a last-minute cameo from the Gridmanverse. Chise has also ditched her sleeve, revealing a Goldburn tattoo that was there all along. Looks like her friend will always be with her after all.

That leaves the inevitable cultural festival scene. Yomogi and Yume’s class is doing a horror café, and their shift is about to start but Yume is trying to shirk her duty. After pointing his mom and new stepdad—whom he seems to have accepted and even get along with— to the tickets, he is selected by his friends to track Yume down.

After seeing Mai’s photo exhibition (she decided to use photos of Yume after all which…why would you not), Yume finds the highest place in the school and sings a song in tribute to Kano. Then, as she was probably expecting, Yomogi finds her. She reaches out her hand and, after he recalls a final convo with Shizumu about how he was rejecting a future as a fellow kaiju user, but he was okay with that, he takes her hand and helps her onto her feet.

You can really feel the weight of he characters and the touch of their hands thanks to the animation and sound. She then scolds Yomogi for using her last name Minami, Yomogi relents and calls her Yume while blushing all the way, and Yume lets out a cheekily mirthful laugh.

Once they’re done their shift (as a bloody corpse and mummy, respectively), Yume and Yomogi pose for a photo with the others, and notice they still have their scars. Yume hopes they’ll never lose them, since they’re precious reminders of how they found themselves, found other, and learned to find happiness in their lives. These crazy kids are going to be alright.

The final scene is of Knight and Second arriving back in what I’ll call Akane’s illusory world. I’ll go ahead and assume Yomogi & Co.’s world was pretty much our world. While this is pretty cool to see, it’s not as huge or goosebump-inducing as Gridman’s live action mic drop. IN fact, you could probably make a case that Yomogi’s world is also a fake, simply because everyone looks like they’re in an anime.

That’s further food for thought, but in the end, my cerebral stomach is feeling pretty satisfied already. SSSS Dynazenon was one hell of an eclectic, sumptuous meal, a brilliant and epic melding of the absurd and mundane, both impossibly fantastical and piercingly real. I’m really going to miss this gang of misfits, but assuming Trigger isn’t done with robots, kaiju, and alienated, flawed, and immensely charming characters, I look forward to the next entry in the Gridman Universe.

By: braverade

#Anime #News #RABUJOI – An Anime Blog

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dancing-with-dichotomies · 4 years ago

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ALSO I APPARENTLY???

Started writing a WLW AU fic for SOSTOT?? Yuzuki/Kasumi, with Yuzuki being female here? AND TOTALLY FORGOT ABOUT IT? XD;; IDK it’s half decent so far, anyone want me to continue it...? ^^;

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO

After a day of teaching a classroom of children, dear though they were to her, Kasumi was ready for a much-needed soak at the spa. She had just partaken of a light supper at Ginjiro's, some healthy spinach soup, and now she was on her way to see which of the deluxe spa treatments were available that night. It had been a few days since she'd checked, or did anything fun with anyone, she'd been rather busy with planning, grading and training and such...

She knew which one she was hoping for... The wine bath that the kind farmer at the crossroads, Sandy, had acquired especially for her earlier this year. How Kasumi lamented that she'd recently married, of all men, -Wayne-. Just... Why -Wayne-? Nothing could be more perplexing. Ludus, perhaps, might have made sense, he had such nice flowing hair at least -- But the crazy cowboy that used to flirt with almost everyone and gave really bad gifts...? Ugh. There was no accounting for the tastes of heterosexual women, and Kasumi was infinitely glad she was not one of them...

Then again though... Sometimes it could get a little frustrating too, which was why she often took her baths at the very end of the night, when there was usually few or no others left around. It was a little extra frustrating to be reminded of her former and now bygone crush on Farmer Sandy, now that she was in the arms of Crazy Wayne, as Kasumi called him only in her head... But she loved the smell of the sweet, tangy wine bath she had created just for her too much to stay away from it, even if it bore painful reminders for her now, it still soothed her muscles, if not her broken heart...

And ah, how fortunate. Tonight was Deluxe Wine Bath night~

Farmer Sandy had in fact since then also donated a few extra types of wine to the spa owner, apparently, to get people to try her new wine blends. Instead of the usual grape wine bath, tonight it was going to be a cherry wine bath, and the next week there was to be a strawberry wine bath. How delightful! Sandy, though your taste in men might be horrible, one could at least say nothing ill of your taste in wine...

There was a small handful of women in attendance that night. Shizu and Omiyo were there chatting together in one corner, Beni from Crimson Farm was also having a soak, and in one corner by herself, sipping from a cup of tea that Kasumi knew without even asking had a more than generous amount of honey stirred into it, was Yuzuki...

She was a strange but sweet girl, that Yuzuki... Kasumi had known her ever since she was a little girl. Often a very sick little girl... Kasumi felt so sorry for her. Abandoned by her own parents to live with her grandparents just because she was sick... They then went on to have another child and raised them, without any care for the first. Without care for how she'd nearly given up hope at their betrayal and wasted away in the hospital until her new friends and family managed to nurse her back to health.

Chiefly her grandparents, of course, but Kasumi hadn't been able to stay away either. The second she first saw the frail little girl, temporary trapped in a wheelchair as her poor old grandparents pushed her to her doctor's appointments and in and out of hospital stays... Kasumi knew her parents were only keen on the idea of her helping the other child because they knew it would make them look good to the community, but Kasumi was grateful for their help anyways. They allowed her to take flowers to the girl, some reading and schooling materials, and some healthy soup.

Yuzuki had been just as happy to see Kasumi as she was to see her gifts. They talked for hours. Kasumi would help Yuzuki with the schoolwork and read to her until she fell asleep. When they were close enough, Yuzuki confessed that although she was grateful for the soup, she had been madly craving some sweets, and begged Kasumi to get some for her. Of course it was a childish request and Kasumi knew she shouldn't let a sick person eat anything unhealthy, but she compromised by at least bringing her a bowl of peaches, cherries and strawberies the next time she visited.

Yuzuki eventually got better, and was allowed to go home. Kasumi still said hello to her and made light conversation whenever she saw her, but it wasnt nearly as often as before. For the first thing, they lived on completely different sides of town, with Yuzuki down low in South Tsuyukusa and Kasumi living much further up North, and working even further away than that at the school in the next town over. No one ever really stressed it, but there was also the issue of their much different social status. Many men and women in Tsuyukusa, not just Yuzuki, tended to treat Kasumi much more stiffly and politely than other people. She in turn adopted the same mannerism towards them.

She wished she could be more like Komari or Yuzuki. Though Yuzuki was quite respectful like Kasumi, she also had an air of casual, nonchalant familiarity with most people. Not quite as brash and obvious and in-your-face about it like Komari, who by the nature of her being unashamed in her approachability made it much easier for her to crowd Kasumi first whenever she saw her. Yuzuki would easily say hello and make small talk when she saw her alone, but if she was busy with something or someone else she'd keep a respectful distance instead...

Kasumi really missed the old days, their long conversations at the hospital... But of course it was better than Yuzuki didn't have to stay there anymore.

A little over half an hour passed. Omiyo started getting a little lightheaded and Shizu offered to take her home, saying she needed to get back to her family and make supper anyways. Yuzuki said goodnight to them both and then they redressed and left. About fifteen minutes later Beni also wordlessly excused herself.

They were both hyper aware of the other's isolated presence after that. Kasumi was frozen silent, wanting to say something, but unsure if a bath was the sort of place to strike up casual conversation when you haven't spoken too much in a while...

Yuzuki seemed to wonder the same thing, waited a few minutes to see if Kasumi would also excuse herself... But when she didn't, and figuring it would be more awkward to stay silent, Yuzuki finally spoke up, mentioning, "This cherry wine bath is really nice, isn't it? I don't really like wine, but I've always kind of wanted to try Sandy's cherry and strawberry wines. They look so good, even though I know I wouldn't like the taste, the bottles are just so pretty! But I like it better in a bath like this, I think -- I get to smell it without having to taste it! It was so kind of Sandy to make the extra donations. I mentioned the same to her and she immediately offered to let me try the wines in bath form! In a couple of weeks Iluka and Siluka are going to come for a special Tropical Mango Bath night too! Ooh I do look forward to it! Aaah, a cacao bath sounds really good too..."

"Yuzuki..." Kasumi lightly chided her, hiding a smile behind her hand. "Be careful now... So many baths in a row might make you lightheaded..." She was starting to feel a little extra steamy herself, since Yuzuki mentioned that Iluka and Siluka would be coming another night.

Kasumi didn't have the courage to outright flirt with others, but when she did look upon others with romantic thoughts in her head, it was often girls from out of town. Iluka and Siluka, or Lisette. They were dream-girls. As in, literally only to exist as such in her dreams and in her head. It was safer with them, at least. How could she look upon Komari or anyone else in Tsuyukusa that she had to see regularly if she allowed such thoughts about them? At least with the other girls... If something ever did happen to ruin their friendship, she could just avoid ever going to Westown or Lulukoko again. Being banished/ostracised in your own home would be a much more complicated and inconvenient state...

So it caught her a little off-guard and confused when Yuzuki suddenly giggled, a strange kind of way... "Admittedly, this wine bath might be making me a little giddy... But I swear I didn't drink any, I just had a few sweets earlier..."

Kasumi cast a doubtful look at her. "A few?"

"Ahh... Just some yomogi and mitarashi dango..."

"...And."

Yuzuki knew she wasn't hiding anything at that point, bashfully coughing up the truth after a short pause, "...A-And monaka..."

"..." Kasumi didn't even prod verbally this time, just gave her old friend a knowing look.

"...Okay, okay, and a strawberry shaved ice! I'm completely sugar-high, I admit it!"

"Yuzuki..." Kasumi rolled her eyes then, wondering how the other girl managed to stay so abnormally stick-skinny despite how much sweets she consumed. Kasumi was skinny too, but she did have at least a few womanly lumps, even though she hardly ever ate sweets...

Looking for a change of subject quickly to take some of the shame off of her, Yuzuki then mentioned, "Y-Yes, it sure was nice of Sandy to make those donations! She's really a great woman... But, just... Ugh, can you believe she actually married WAYNE?!"

Kasumi's mouth fell open just a little in shock, and she involuntarily leaned a little closer in without realizing it... "I thought I was the only one who thought that..." Obviously you keep such thoughts to yourself normally... But it was just the two of them here, and Yuzuki was thinking it too...?

The girl with the sea-green hair scooted a few seats closer to Kasumi too, now leaving just a respectful distance between them. "No way, I thought so too! He's seriously crazy! Like he's a good guy, he's not dangerous, he's just crazy! Nothing he does makes sense except for organizing the mail! I guess Sandy must like the wild type, but that cowboy is too wild for me... And he DID try to flirt with me once, before Sandy came along. He wonders why he got a reputation as a playboy but he WAS an awful flirt before he met her! It's one thing to flirt with someone you really like, but when you flirt with every pretty girl you see, and then wonder why you suddenly have so many ardent admirers? Truly, only an insane person would do that and not realized what caused it, I think..."

That was just what Kasumi had been thinking! "I'm glad at least that he seems to be properly devoted to Sandy now... She's an absolute godsend to all of our communities, so she deserves only happiness..."

Yuzuki nodded sagely. "I think so too. But then, we deserve happiness too! We work hard too, right Kasumi? This is really nice. Soaking your muscles after bending over a work-table for hours is nice by yourself, but it's even better when you have a good friend to spend the time with~"

Kasumi smiled appreciatively back at her. "I agree... It's been too long since we talked like this, hasn't it... It was rather hard to see each other for a while there, but... It would be..." Oh dear, that wine was making her blush now too... Yes, the wine... "It would be... V-Very nice, if we could see more of each other!"

Yuzuki blushed deeply at that too. "I'd like that... And..." Kasumi thought she was about to say something deeper and more meaningful, but then... "I'd also like some more sweets..."

Kasumi felt an eye twitch. The girl was insatiable... "Yuzuki, honestly..."

But then the green-eyed girl fixed a stare at her, an extra-open and honest gaze that made Kasumi feel like her own black orbs were magnetically attracted to them... "Honestly, Kasumi..." She repeated back to her coyly. "I want more... But... The sweetest thing I see here is you~"

...WHAT...?

Kasumi was struck with dumbfounded silence for a moment... Then just as suddenly, she erupted into mad giggles. "W-WHAT, Y-YUZUKI, THAT--Y-YOU...! AHAHA... You sounded just like WAYNE there...!" SURELY, since they were just talking about him, Yuzuki was just doing a funny impression of him as a joke... Right...?

Yuzuki blushed and looked down at the water bashfully at that comparison. "Hehe, I guess so... Flirting is harder than it looks, I suppose... I wonder how Wayne manages to get all the girls he says it to take him so seriously..."

Wait... She sounded... Genuinely a little forlorn by that...? "Y-Yuzuki...?"

Their eyes met again. Yuzuki scooted just a fraction of an inch closer, and Kasumi didn't scoot back when she toed into her personal space. "Kasumi... We've always been rather a lot alike, wouldn't you say? I've been wondering for a while... How much more like me you might be...?"

She was leaning ever closer... Kasumi felt no inclination to move away or stop her, the exact opposite in fact... It almost felt like her beauty was drawing her in, like a magnet to metal, until their lips were finally pulled together...

Heaven. Nirvana. Honey-sweetness still clinging to her lips and breath. Such a sticky-sweet breath, like a candy factory in one person's mouth. Normally Kasumi would never seek so much sweetness for herself, but the feelings it was stirring in her belly despite it being just a simple meeting of mouths was leaving her quickly craving more...

Her lips were so soft, moisturized by cherry lip balm... Sweetness on top of sweetness, softness she would now forever be tempted to touch again... She clung to the top of Yuzuki's shoulders, as if she might drown in water half her height if she didn't hold on... And Yuzuki, her hand slid around her waist, to her lower back and then...

Kasumi suddenly gasped and pulled back, looking around. No one was watching for that split moment she'd lost herself, thank goodness, but...

She looked back at Yuzuki... Knowing in an instant, there was no way she was giving this up... But all the same... "W-We can't, at least, not here..."

Yuzuki nodded right away, just as reasonable as her, but also just as eager to proceed. "No, of course not... And, we couldn't go back to my place either, since my grandparents live there too, but... We -could- tell them we decided to have a sleepover at your place, and we could be alone there... What do you say, Kasumi...?"

Say? Was she even capable of speech anymore...? Almost mute, her mouth began to move, but very little sound was coming from her shocked self. "Ah, I-I...?"

Yuzuki quickly let go of her, and looked away. "Unless I was mistaken... I-In which case, I'm sorry, and I'll leave you alone--"

Reflexes quick as lightning and her grip much stronger than Yuzuki's, Kasumi quickly reached in and grabbed her wrist, pulling her back close to her again. Yuzuki's eyes went wide and her heart skipped a beat as the feminine lady suddenly displayed her strength, holding her tight, their torso's aligned. "...Get what you need, and meet me back at my home in half an hour... Okay?"

Shaking a little, feeling a bit weak in her hold but in a rather delicious way, Yuzuki nodded. She then kissed her once more on the cheek, and got out of the bath to collect her clothes and go home.

Feeling extra naked and exposed even though she was now alone, Kasumi quickly followed suit, putting her kimono back on while shaking like one of the early autumn leaves falling outside...

Was this real...? Was this really real, was this really really about to happen...? Did she perhaps drift off into an extra-realistic dream...?

Well, if she was dreaming, then she was hallucinating... Because it was an hour later than she ever accepted guests, and someone was now knocking at her door...

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO

#sos tot #sos 3ot #story of seasons #trio of towns #story of seasons trio of towns #3ot kasumi #3ot yuzuki #also I kinda wanna make Hinata girl and have Komari gf's w her too XD;;#UGH WHY ARE MY WLW PAIRINGS USUALLY FROM DEAD/ENDANGERED FANDOMS... XD;;#And even then I could be doing the usual #Kasumi/Komari and Hinata/Yuzuki BUT NO I gotta switch it up even then XD;;#LIKE I KNOW OPPOSITES ATTRACT BUT ALSO ITS CUTE WHEN LIKE-MINDED TYPES GET TOGETHER SOMETIMES TOO...#YuzuKasu and KomaHina make sense like that #both the het and genderbent wlw version works good with their similar personalities I think T_T

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yuri-cocaine · 7 years ago

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daughter.

BOOTING SYSTEM…LOADING

SYSTEM DOWNLOAD: COMPLETE VITALS CHECK: COMPLETE NETWORK CONNECTIVITY CHECK: COMPLETE INTERNAL RESONATOR TEMPERATURE: NORMAL ACTIVATING HYPERTUNE RESONATOR BETA V1.0 LAUNCHING LSU SETUP REMAINING HP: 100% REMAINING MP: 100% INITIALIZING UNIT CONNECTION ALL SYSTEMS CHECK: COMPLETE

“Anko?” said the girl. “Is this one of your jokes? What is all this?”

She reached out at the flickering words. Something gripped her lungs; something whispered in her ears.

She breathed in and caught the tang of ceruleum on the roof of her mouth. She couldn’t see. She couldn’t feel. Watercolor world, a familiar voice laughing with malicious glee, magitek burn.

PLEASE ENTER YOUR USER ID AND PASSWORD

Who was that talking to her? Who was that dancing in fiery haze, who was singing at her, who—

-------------------------------------

Kinako awoke with a start in the morning dark. The slash wound in her chest burned with pain, but she sucked in a breath through gritted teeth and staggered to the sliding door. Her daughter was in trouble. She had to go to her.

“Aisling?” Kinako called into the dark house. “Aisling, is that you? Have you finally awoken?”

Kinako remembered Aisling and her magicks rending the earth apart, and she remembered Aisling abed with terrible aether sickness. For a moon her daughter slept, her red hair fading, the color draining from her cheeks. Shiodai tipped porridge down her throat and wove healing spells, but nothing woke her.

Now, Kinako beheld her daughter standing in the doorway, her eyes clouded but slightly shining red. A gust of wind whipped Kinako’s robe about her and cast Aisling’s pale disheveled hair around her head like a halo.

“Aisling, what are you doing?” said Kinako. “You had us all worried sick. Come inside, before you catch cold next.”

Kinako held out a hand and looked into Aisling’s face, but there was something strange about Aisling’s wry smile, the way she stood with her head somewhat tilted and with her hands clasped in front of her. There was something achingly familiar.

“Anko,” said the mother. “Anko, is that you?”

And Anko’s shade, born of the Echo, surviving through the Echo, bid farewell to her mother with her cloned sister’s hand and began to sing.

Shiodai found Kinako asleep in the doorway later that morning and chastised her for leaving her bed. Yomogi joked about it, and Yukimi fixed breakfast for all of them. Mochizou clung to Yomogi and told her about hearing a strange song earlier, and Yomogi told him it was a dream.

Kinako wondered why she chose to bring an extra bag of ill-fitting clothes with her all the way from Eorzea. She picked up Aisling’s katana, and wondered whom this sword belonged too.

-------------------------------------

That night, every sky pirate aboard the Balfonheim mothership docked over Kugane heard a long, echoing scream that changed to beautiful song. Thya Inwa jammed earmuffs on, but the song resonated in her head.

“Breach in the special hold!” she shouted into the linkpearl. The song rose in volume until it drowned out everything else. Her mind blank, Thya froze.

“That’s it! Keep going!” said Anko.

She had gone blind. The moment she left the Naeuri house someone knocked her out and grabbed her. Now she was shut inside another aetherochemical magitek pod, and the incessant robotic voice demanding a user ID and password as well as Anko’s voice in the waking world was driving her insane. The only thing still clear to her was burning points of light she recognized as people’s aether. And now she sang, and the light shone and shivered in response.

Magic flared from her song. It warped and shimmered in the corners of her vision.

“Keep singing!” Anko commanded. One of the technicians lifting the door to Aisling’s magitek pod, now in thrall to the song, blindly obeyed as Anko pointed to the dagger at his hip and then at his throat. He shoved the dagger through his jugular and collapsed, gurgling.

Thya saw the technician fall, and shook herself out of her reverie. Everyone nearest to Aisling were stabbing themselves with knives, pens, whatever they could get their hands on. Thya sprinted from the room and raced down the vestibule.

“Cilia!” Thya banged on a locked door to the only guest cabin on board. “Cilia, what the hells is going on? You didn’t tell me 08 could do…whatever this is!”

A haggard Garlean woman with half her face bandaged opened the door. Cilia, Aisling’s old caretaker and fugitive from Castrum Abania, considered Thya’s thunderous face with a dejected look.

“I suppose this is her Echo manifesting at last,” said Cilia tiredly. “I’ll go to her. Send your men away, Mistress Thya.”

Thya roared orders through her linkpearl, cursing herself at the same time for not knowing this could happen. She bought information of where Aisling was from Yun Khatayin, but Yun never said anything about the Echo, and neither did Cilia. There was at least one man dead and another four injured, and Aisling was still singing.

“Listen up!” said Thya. “If another crewmate dies, we’re calling this off! Evacuate the ship, now!”

“Oh, I think one of the higher ups is still alive,” said Anko’s shade. She stepped over a twitching body. “I think they’re sky pirates. Should we go after them? Ai?”

Cilia strode into the hold, and though Aisling couldn’t see her face, she recognized the presence of her aether at once. The song stopped, and Anko’s shade vanished with it.

“You!” Aisling fumbled for something to use as a weapon. “How are you still alive? Didn’t Sizha’a kill you? The Garleans are behind this after all!”

“03 tried, but it would seem some common sky pirate saved me in hopes of publishing my research and reaping the money earned,” said Cilia. “Put the clipboard down, 08. The imperials have no idea we’re here.”

“I can still kill you with my bare hands,” said Aisling as steadily as she could. Cilia was back. Cilia was here in front of her! The bright-voiced researcher who combed her hair and dressed her up and crooned and cooed over her. The woman who answered her questions about Ala Mhigo and Yanxia with a bored tone an adult might use to answer a child asking stupid questions. Cilia, who left her in the Shroud all alone.

“Please don’t do that just yet,” said Cilia. “The hypertuned prototype augmentation attached to your spine finally activated, I see. Were you in life-threatening danger?”

“Stop pretending to be concerned.”

“But I am concerned,” said Cilia. “Please, be calm and let me help you. I promised to let the Balfonheim pirates take however much my work could earn them in exchange that they find you and let me disconnect your prototype from the main network in Castrum Abania. Now they can’t track you, even if you start using your prototype to continue living.”

08 let her fists fall to her sides. “You mean you freed me?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

Cilia smiled, and walked over to stroke 08’s hair. 08 slapped Cilia’s hand away and backed against the magitek pod, stumbling over a body on the floor as she did so.

“I guess it’s not appropriate to feel this way, but I’ve always thought of you like a daughter,” said Cilia. “I’m so glad to see you again, 08, and I’m so sorry for leaving you in that savage land alone and without help like that. How can I ever make it up to you?”

She couldn’t believe her ears. She had no words. 08 stood there, trembling, biting down a scream.

“I have a real mother,” she said at last. “And she’s safe from you, and all the Garleans forever when Doma wins her freedom.

“And I’m going to leave now. These sky pirates here have held up their end of the bargain for you. I have nothing to do with you anymore, and I don’t want to see you ever again. I don’t want you anywhere near me.”

PLEASE ENTER YOUR USER ID AND PASSWORD

“Oh, for fuck’s sake.” 08 thought for a moment. “How about…Aidea? Aidea. I’ll think of a password later.”

“Idea? Like a big idea?” said Cilia. “Why not just say Aisling as your user ID?”

“No, not idea. Aidea. Aidea Lee.”

“Oh, I see. Ideally.” Cilia smiled. “You’re��very clever, 08.”

“Don’t say that,” Aidea snapped. “And don’t call me 08 ever again.”

She shoved past Cilia and stormed away, leaving her old caretaker to regard the dead on the floor and the hiss of ceruleum alone.

-------------------------------------

Thya removed three earmuffs and tapped her linkpearl. “Yun.”

The answer came at once. “What.”

“I’m going to kill you.”

“That is fair.”

#1 gil dreadfuls

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