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absolutebl · 9 months

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This Week in BL - Top 3 Are HEATING UP

Organized, in each category, by ones I'm enjoying most at the top.

Dec 2023 Wk 2

Ongoing Series - Thai

Honestly, 3 are neck & necking for top position! They are all so good in different ways. But The Sign had me hooting with laughter this week, so it scooped #1.

The Sign (Sat YT) ep 4 of 10 - This show is literally everything (except straight) all at once. It's BL, queer, band of brothers, romcom, erotica, paranormal, fated mates, mystery, suspense, slasher, and horror. It’s the king of genre mash-up chaos. I have no idea what I’m watching but I’m ON this ride. Is it a roller coaster? Is it a haunted house? Is it a twirl & hurl? Is there candy floss? Am I even tall enough? Who tf cares. All through the second scene, I was laughing. It was legit funny. Billy has great comedic timing. Guess he’s not just a pretty face.

Everyone should be watching this. Sure, it's madness but there is genius in it.

Last Twilight (Fri YT) ep 6 of 12 - Yech. August may be one of GMMTV’s least likable characters ever (and that is saying something). Meanwhile, MOAR language play! They spoiling me!

Mhok letting Day go then walking away at the party hurt so bad.

Argh this show is great!

Ep 6 so that kiss was right on schedule. I’m looking forward to the boyfriend eps before doom & pain in the new year. Carry on GMMTV.

Speaking of...

Cherry Magic (Sat YouTube) ep 2 of 12 - Oh they’re great. It’s great. It’s paced oddly, moving quickly through most of the key scenes of the original JBL in these first 2 eps. I think it’s intending to encompass more of the manga series than that one did. Which is good, cause that will get us all the way to The Library Kiss (TM). It's the best kiss in the manga. I also like the sides in this show (better than the JBL version).

My Dear Gangster Oppa (Thurs iQIYI) ep 8fin - What a lovely slightly unhinged little show. Tew, can we talk? Un-ironic suspenders, that takes courage. Also, the revolver was a crazy gun choice.

Final thoughts:

This show is just as ridiculous as its title. About a gaymer who falls in love with one of his in-game teammates, who just happens to be a IRL gangster. A real gangster, the kind that actually kills people regularly. The lead pair is doing their best with a ridiculous story and shoddy script, but I enjoyed it. Although I was grateful it wasn’t very long, what we got was oddly satisfying if, frankly, a little bit silly. Recommended. 8/10

That said, what's important about this BL is not the show, but the production and style. Let me explain... no, too much, let me sum up.

This is a chimera BL. Regarding characters: it has Japan's style otaku + Korea's style gangster + Thailand's style friendship group. It used Thai talent + Korean money (Kakao) & IP (adapted from a manwha) but aired on a Chinese channel globally (iQIYI). I'm delighted by the eclectic insanity of this production and truly doubt that any other genre but BL could ever produce like this. It's like diplomat's BL and it's the great wonder of our age that it happened at all. This BL deserves its place in the history books on production alone, even if that place is only in the footnotes. A remarkable little monster.

For Him (Thurs iQIYI) ep 3 of 10 - The sides are… messy. Using the same actor for the old bf is… odd. But in the end, this show leaves me smiling. Which means, I like it despite myself.

Bake Me Please (Mon Gaga) ep 4 of 6 - It's decent. It’s basically what I wanted Antique Bakery to be when I first watched that way back when (not to mention Bite Me). But there’s been so much BL since then that, for some reason, this is falling flat. I think it’s moving too fast for a Thai series. Although, say what you like, Ohm has to be one of the best soft kissers in the industry. He's just good at mouth tenderness.

Ugh, that doesn't sound right. But you know what I mean.

Twins the series (Fri GaGa) ep 7 of 10 - I love how First is so upset when Sprite starts chatting and being nice to Koh. Sprite is just a sweet easy-going likable boy. I enjoy Sprite as a main character, he’s a bubbly little communicator. And they had a cute kiss.

Pit Babe (Fri iQIYI) ep 5 of 14 - Because there was more Alan and Jeff and they were more key to the plot I was more into this ep. I do compare it to green smoothie down the pants in the Trash Watch.

Cooking Crush (Sun YT) ep 3 of 12 - Look OffGun are truly great. But I’m just not sure we need them in BL anymore. That said, it’s nice to see Off as "the one with the crush" for a change. Also, this show is only good when OffGun are on screen together, otherwise it kinda, well, sucks.

Night Dream (Sat YT) ep 1 of 6 - Cafe setting featuring a cook and a writer. *Seems awfully familiar.* Except these two are exes and this is a reunion romance. It’s stiff and very pulp but not bad (no crap sound effects) and I am a sucker for a reunion romance. That said, Rookie Thailand is not to be trusted, proceed with caution.

Absolute Zero (Weds iQIYI) ep 12fin - I'm grateful this is over. It was tense but for the wrong reasons - sadness and confusion. This final episode was fine, but that’s because it was mostly them being together + flashbacks. Plus all the familiar actor faces of the grown-up friends (hi, Karn my lovely, still stunning I see). But 2 of 12 episodes is not enough for the 10 of suffering and confusion that came before.

In conclusion:

A man is killed on his 10th anniversary resulting in a time paradox, for which the only solution is him never meeting his childhood sweetheart until later in life. Both lovers cycle back to the past at different ages, so that they each become their own 1st & 2nd great loves, but every time it ends in pain, until each also endures 10 years of separation. Finally it gets fixed, but leaves them with multiple memories of time's failures like temporal PTSD, and everyone around them has chronic deja vu. Me? I got both. This is one of those BLs that is high-quality with great acting but poor story. If you like your BL dwelling, maudlin, and tense due to angst and suffering, then you might enjoy this. But I just regret it, 6/10. Recommended only if you like confusing time travel emo pain.

In which case, just watch Tokyo in April is... instead. Give over Thailand, Japan does it better.

Middleman’s Love (Fri YT & iQIYI ep 6 of 8 - While our main couple isn’t working for me... the side couple isn’t working for me either. I really wanted to give LeoTai a chance, this is the 3rd show I’ve seen them in, and still nope. I like Jade a lot more when he’s sad. He’s a much more pleasant screen experience depressed. I would like him to stay hurt for a couple of eps, just so I can enjoy this show a tiny bit more. But then he just goes unhinged again. Argh. I just don’t like it.

My Universe (Sun iQIYI) Pisces of Me ep 17 of 24 - Codependent boyfriends in middle school planning for high school dealing with stuff. Including other boys being into them.

Playboyy (Thurs Gaga) 5 of 14 eps - Dear Playboyy, it's not you, it’s me… I hate you. You’re about as deep (and as palatable) as a shot glass of cum. While I'm sure you’re someone’s kink, you're my weakest link. Goodbye. DNF

Ongoing Series - Not Thai

VIP Only (Taiwan Fri Gaga) ep 5 of 10 - It’s cute but I don’t think BL in this short format is Taiwan’s strength these days. And this is quite slow and dull. Perhaps they should have whacked it down to 6 eps, not 10.

Sahara-sensei to Toki-kun (Japan Fri Gaga) ep 3 of 8 - This is one of those JBLs that I should like on paper but is failing me. The drag bit was ridiculous but handled gently. The kiss was… well… something wasn’t it? It’s all very odd. I like the photographer cutie character.

It's Airing But...

The Whisperer (Sun ????) 10 eps - Thai horror BL that ALSO involves cheating (what joy is mine). I don't think even the perfect single dimple can motivate me to watch. Word is... it's terrible.

7 Days Before Valentine (Weds WeTV) 10 eps - Giving me Luminous Solution vibes. I'm waiting to binge if it's safe.

Beyond The Star (Weds iQIYI) 8 eps - House of Stars meets Boyband. I was NOT impressed with ep 1. Been told I shouldn't bother.

What Did You Eat Yesterday Season 2 AKA Kinou Nani Tabeta? Season 2 (Japan Gaga) 10 eps - I find this series more fun to binge, so I'm waiting until after it completes its run next week.

Dear Kitakyushu (Thai/Japan movie) in theaters in country only, I know nothing about distribution.

Behind the Shadows (Korea movie) this is a historical I was interested in, but I've been told they kill the gay so I'm OUT.

Next Week Looks Like This

Still coming:

12/23 Dead Friend Forever (Thai horror) iQIYI

Original 2023 forthcoming BL master post (see comments, some are inaccurate, NOT KEPT UPDATED). With the end of the year upon us I'll do an "announced for 2023 but never happened list" soon.

THIS WEEK’S BEST MOMENTS

He so pretty.

I forgot how likable TayNew are, and frankly I think New is a better version of this role for me, personally. I like him a lot. He's a conscientious sweetheart. And a good egg. (Cherry Magic)

Ah the rooftop my old friend. (Last Twilight)

I would like to point out that it's no accident the naga's sex dream happened in the shower, he's a water creature after all. (The Sign)

(Last week)

#the sign the series #was very hot this week #this week in bl #bl updates #Last Twilight #Thai BL #cherry magic #my dear gangster oppa #my dear gangster oppa review #for him the series #Bake Me Please #antique bakery #twins the series #cooking crush #offgun #Absolute Zero review #bl reviewed #bl reviews

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chiiyuuvv · 1 year

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hi hi, me again :D can I request how xikers would react to / be with kids? (maybe reader has little siblings or works with kids?)

XIKERS AND THEIR SIBLINGS °

~~~~~~~~♡

Minjae ☆

Minjaes little brothers birthday was coming up so minjae was going to the toy store

Until he realized his brother was picky with his toys

So he dragged his brother along with him👍

The brother immediately pointed at this super expensive toy car

Of course, they bickered, until they came up with an agreement: if minjae buys that car then the brother has to do 3 months worth of chores

Junmin ☆

You and junmin were talking when suddenly you hear screams coming from the other room

His sister were making her barbie dolls fight, and accidentally broke off one of their arms

As you picked her up and patted her back to soothe her, junmin was hurriedly trying to fix up

After a couple minutes, junmin waves around the barbie with a big smile on his face

But when she gets the barbie the leg falls off ♡

Sumin ☆

Sumin was getting ready to go on a date with you

Although this wasn't your first date, he wanted to look perfect for you; thus the reason why he was sitting on his bed, staring at some clothes

His little sister peeped through the door, before busting it open and sitting beside sumin

"I dont know what to wear.." sumin would whisper before his sister jumps up and dives through his pile of clothes

Pulls out a surprisingly good outfit, along with a flower necklace and a few rings ♡

Jinsik ☆

Jinsiks brother wanted to painting a picture to hang up in his room and jinsik wanted to paint a picture for you

Cue dramatic working music XD

So uh.. while they were working jinsiks brother drew a picture of poop and said it was jinsik..

Cue arguement scene..

Their mom walks in to find to colorful yet dirty boys arguing ♡

Hyunwoo ☆

Hyunwoos little sister dragged hyunwoo to the park </3

With a sigh, hyunwoo tried playing with her but she just called him boring </33

Until she met this boy

Hyunwoo was shocked at the amount of pickup lines the little boy gave her, mad that he didnt have those skills

Almost throws up when the boy picked up a flower and tucked it behind her ear ♡

Junghoon ☆

Junghoons mom was sick, and so junghoon was making some soup

Junghoons little brother heard the news, and decided to help him

Normally they would be bickering but this time they were quiet and in sync

As junghoon chopped the celery junghoons brother was dropping the little noodles into the pot

Their mom had came into the kitchen, and almost cried her head out when she saw what was happening ♡

Seeun ��

Seeuns mom had just texted him that she was coming home soon.

Everything looked clean when seeun let's out a loud scream, finding the living room dirtied by his little brother

Arguement on who should clean the mess <3

Seeun was frantic about cleaning the mess up, so he came up with a game of who could clean the fastest

Seeuns brother won, while seeuns feet was kicked up, not doing anything ♡

Yujun ☆

Yujun was beating you with a pillow when his little sister came knocking on the door

She gasped when she say his actions, immediately defending you

Yujun got annoyed, crossing his arms "why are you in here anyway?"

She was waving around a rubber band, asking for him to tie her hair up

In which yujun does, giving her a soft kiss on the forehead before slapping her with a pillow ♡

Hunter ☆

You and hunter were cuddling in bed when his little sister knocked on the door

It looked like she was crying and her voice was croaking as she rubs her eyes

Hunter immediately dropped you and ran to his baby sis, letting her small hands grab his finger and drag him to her room

You decided to check up on them, watching hunter read her a story, tickling her to make her laugh

Soon after she falls asleep. Hunter tucks her in and gives her a kiss on her forehead ♡

Yechan ☆

Yechan was getting ready to go to the agency when his little brother asked him to come

Yechan was about to decline, when he thought "why not?"

And so, yechan and his brother walk hand and hand into the agency *cue dramatic music again*

Yechan was showing the brother around the place, and taking him to the dancing room (idk what its called) where all the members were

The members were shocked that yechan brought his brother, but even more shocked when yechan was being responsible AND he was being quiet???? ♡

A/n: thank you for request!! And sorry for the long wait 😭

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siderealscribblings · 2 months

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Goin back to back this weekend; have some early access Games of Divinity

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By the time Makoto touched down in the merchant district, he was reasonably sure he had shaken Furina’s gardes and any nosy Tri-Commission officers that were looking for him. He didn’t care to be fussed over by would-be babysitters and he didn’t want to involve Miko unless he absolutely had to. Makoto held grudges like misers held money, and the one against Miko he held close to his heart.

Touching down in an alleyway, Makoto vaulted a row of boxes and slipped into the bustling crowd. The streets were packed with vendors selling everything from hand-cut cor lapis jewelry to fried dough balls from Mondstadt. Dialects from all corners of the world floated above music playing from cafes and street performers drew small crowds that made navigating the streets difficult. It was easy to get lost in the crowd by tugging his hat down and following a pack of mercenaries from Sumeru. Makoto’s contact didn’t give him an address but he didn’t need one; he just strained his ears listening for a familiar melody. Every bard worth their salt would be performing this weekend; he just needed to listen until found the one he was looking for.

“A foreign prince wandering alone in a mysterious country…that sounds like the start of a good story.”

A warm wind jostled Makoto’s earrings and he turned to meet a slender young man dressed in dandelion green and sipping on a frozen drink through a straw.

“Or a bad light novel,” Makoto said, watching Venti lick some of the blue syrup off his hand. “What the hell is that and where did you get it?”

“It’s a firewine slush; snagged it from one of the merchants down the road,” Venti replied, taking a long drag through the straw with a wince. “Ahh, coldcoldcold!”

“Every day I wake up and regret accepting your patronage,” Makoto sighed, accepting an arm around his shoulder with only mild squirming.

People touching him was new and unusual, but Barbatos had no concept of personal space and hadn’t since Makoto had first made the god’s acquaintance behind a stack of wine barrels in Ritou. Living his life in a golden cage made it hard to make actual friends and he had to take companionship where he could get it. At least Venti didn’t kiss his ass like his courtiers did; it was actually refreshing to have someone unafraid to call Makoto an idiot to his face.

“Come on, we all know I’m the best thing that happened to you, chickadee,” Venti said, flicking the Anemo Vision dangling from Makoto’s necklace. “You get here okay?”

“Well enough; I landed on Focalors’ palace and got an earful from her,” Makoto snickered.

“Oh, you met Her Royal Sogginess already?” Venti said, swinging in front of Makoto and walking backwards so they could talk. “How did you find her?”

“...short.”

“You’re one to talk.”

“You’re one to talk about me talking,” Makoto sniffed. “What are you doing out here; you told me to find you playing in a tavern.”

“I was…andthentheythrewmeout,” Venti muttered, busying his mouth with more alcohol.

“For what?”

“Upstaging the other talent, I imagine,” Venti sighed airily. “The music of gods is not easily appreciated by mortals who only want hurdy-gurdy dance music about women with fat bottoms-”

“You need to stop drinking,” Makoto said, snatching the nearly empty mug away from Venti and taking a sniff. “Yech, this smells like a blueberry pissed in a jar of rubbing alcohol.”

“Tastes like it too,” Venti burped. “Still the only thing in this city with any punch to it…where’s Miko?”

“Fraternizing with Focalors I guess,” Makoto shrugged. “How the hell should I know?”

“I said bring her,” Venti sighed.

“I’m not her bloody babysitter,” Makoto sneered. “After two weeks on a boat, I need a break from Guuji Yae’s wit…or what passes for it.”

“I thought I told you this was serious?” Venti said, as seriously as someone with blue slushee lips could.

“If it’s so serious, why are you drunk?”

“Because it’s serious!” Venti hissed, grabbing Makoto’s elbow and dragging him down a side-street away from the bustling crowds. “Look, in all likelihood, everything is going to be sunshine and kittens; cold wars are cold because nobody wants them to get hot. We just need to make a few sparks, swing our metaphorical spears around—literal spears in Morax’s case—and hope everything stabilizes before the party ends!”

“...and if it doesn’t?” Makoto asked.

“To be honest…I haven’t thought that far ahead; I got to the call-Morax part of the plan and hopefully he will help me out with the next part,” Venti said brightly. “Relax; all you need to do is look pretty and try not to make too many enemies at the punch table.”

“I can promise to do neither,” Makoto grumbled. “When is that old snake supposed to get here?”

“Who are you referring to as a snake?” Makoto looked up, spying a slender figure with green hair perched on the ledge of a rooftop.

“None of your concern,” Makoto sighed, shooing the stranger away and receiving a cold glare in return. “We’re in the middle of something; kindly find some other rooftop to haunt before I-”

“Hang on, I know that voice!” Venti cried, snatching Makoto’s hat and using it to shield his eyes from the sun. “...hey, it is Xiao! What’s it been, twenty-five years since I last saw you?”

“Twenty seven,” Xiao replied, hopping off the roof and landing light as a feather next to Venti. “Morax made no mention of your invitation to this gala…what are you doing here?”

“Getting drunk,” Venti and Makoto replied at the same time.

“That was a given,” Xiao sighed, looking Makoto up and down. “Who is this?”

“Someone you should speak to with a little more respect,” Makoto said.

“Should I?” Xiao replied icily.

“Heyyyyy let me introduce you guys!” Venti said, stepping between them before they could violently introduce themselves. “Makoto, Xiao; Xiao, Makoto. There, we’re all friends now.

“Are we?” Makoto asked.

“You guys are both beloved and cherished Chosen of Anemo, so that practically makes us family!” Venti said, throwing his arms around both of their necks. “Where’s your man, Xiao?”

“My…oh.” Xiao rolled his eyes. “Morax elected not to attend this gala to avoid ruffling the Hydro Sovereign's feathers…which I find remarkably considerate given that the last time he was here he was rudely assaulted by Neuvillette for no reason.”

“The Hydro Sovereign?” Makoto echoed. “You told me he was a dragon, you didn’t tell me he was a Sovereign. Don’t tell me that fairy tale from Enkonomiya has any legitimate weight.”

“It’s got more than weight; it has a big, scary dragon like all good fairy tales do,” Venti chuckled. “Speaking of dragons, I figured since Xiao was here, Morax would be as well but I haven’t seen scale or tail of that old sidewinder since I got here.”

“Maybe he’s not coming; Miko said she spoke to someone from the Qixing before getting back on the boat, but for all I know she just moped around the bars until it was time to leave again,” Makoto shrugged.

“Wait, wait, are you telling me Morax might not have gotten my message?!” Venti hissed, grabbing Makoto’s lapels.

“If you were that worried, you should have crawled out from a wine bottle and asked him yourself!” Makoto said, slapping Venti’s hands away.

“Well why did you leave it up to Miko?! You should have gone yourself!” Venti snapped, poking Makoto in the chest.

“Hi Qixing, it’s me, the son of the Raiden Shogun who nobody has heard about; please believe me and take me to your god!” Makoto sneered. “Miko is the only one of us with any goddamn clout!”

“So you made her do your dirty work?!”

“You’re making me do your dirty work; how is that any different?!”

“Because you are my strongest-” Venti glanced at Xiao. “Second strongest soldier!”

“Second strongest?!”

“You’ve only had your Vision for ten years!”

“I’ll show you second strongest you little-”

“Oof, let go!” Xiao had witnessed many battles in his life, but the feeble struggle between two skinny little dandies was far and away the most pathetic fight he had ever seen.

Lo and behold the Anemo Archon, Xiao thought, watching Venti fail to escape Makoto’s headlock. Thank Celestia Morax behaves with a little more dignity…I can’t imagine pledging myself to someone like-

“Psst, what’s going on?”

“Barbatos and his new pet project are in the middle of-” Xiao flinched as he suddenly recognized the voice, whipping around to come face-to-face with a pair of glowing red eyes. “Wh-What are you doing here?”

“Aiya, you ghost us for six months and that’s the first thing out of your mouth when you see me again?” Hu Tao sighed. “You might want to brush up on your manners before you meet Lady Furina; they’re touchy about manners in this country.”

“Hey, is that Unbound Flame?” Venti’s voice was muffled by the cape Makoto had pulled over his head but a quick elbow to his gut freed him long enough to right his outfit.

“It’s Hu Tao these days,” Hu Tao said.

“Since when?” Venti asked.

“Since the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor’s last director died and his ‘granddaughter’ took over the family business,” Hu Tao said cheerfully. “It pays to have mortals who will give you a cover story every once and a while. You still go by Venti?”

“Why mess with a classic?” Venti chuckled. “On the subject of names, the oaf in the straw hat is-”

“Makoto,” Makoto said, adjusting his hat with as much dignity as he could. “Let me guess, this lady is another random spirit from Liyue?”

“Mmhmm!” Hu Tao said, eyes flickering as she leaned uncomfortably close and cocked her head. “And what does that make you? Not a god…not a person…not a spirit…and not an animal, unless you’re hiding a tail under that coat-”

“A-Animal?”

“Nothing to be ashamed of; I was a butterfly before I learned to grow a body,” Hu Tao remarked, rubbing her chin thoughtfully. “You with Miko’s crew?”

“She is with my crew, not the other way around!” Makoto insisted. “I have higher rank than she does; she’s just along to-”

“Uh-huh, you’re very special,” Venti said, patting Makoto on the cheek absentmindedly. “Where’s your man, butterfly?”

“Looking for you, songbird,” Hu Tao sighed, flicking a ring on her thumb inlaid with glowing golden stone. The ring pulsed, a wave of golden light rippling out and pinging off a heavy gold stone hanging off Xiao’s waist before spreading out and into the crowd. “You are the biggest pain in the butt to get a hold of.”

“You came here with Morax?” Xiao interjected. “He made me swear on his name to not start trouble in Fontaine; his presence here makes it very difficult to keep that promise.”

“We’re not the ones starting trouble,” Hu Tao sighed. “Look, we have reason to believe that-”

“Shhhh!” Venti hissed, pulling Hu Tao deeper into the alleyway and nervously glancing around the street. “Don’t blow our cover…look, I would have told Morax about this last month so he could change his travel plans. But I got caught and had to lie low for a while. The fact that I made it here without my braids getting torn off is a small miracle, but-”

Venti grabbed Xiao’s lapel, dragging him in and hissing something in his ear before he could be pushed off.

“...what?” Xiao said flatly. “You’re sure?”

“Nope…but I hope to be very soon,” Venti said. “And if I am sure, I hope to have someone taller and much stronger than me by my side to help prevent it. I would have liked the Shogun to be here as well, but-”

“=you will have to make due with me.” Makoto glanced behind him, craning his neck up at a tall, immaculately dressed young man who somehow felt older than the stones beneath his feet. Venti was an Archon; Makoto had been birthed from an Archon’s power. Yet this man was different from both of them; even the air that Makoto had become attuned to seemed heavier in his presence and he carried himself like someone who had seen and slain worse things than Makoto could even imagine.

The magnitude of Morax in the flesh was somehow diminished by the tower of doughnuts he carried around on a large wooden stick.

“You’re here?” Xiao said, stumbling forward and moving to bow until Zhongli caught him under one arm. “I-I thought you were staying home.”

“Apologies for the sudden change of plans but someone said this was urgent,” Zhongli said, eyes turning to Venti. “Barbatos.”

“Morax,” Venti said, glancing at the tower of doughnuts Zhongli carried with him.“Have you been looking for doughnuts this whole time?”

“I was looking for you; I look less suspicious if I pretend to be a partygoer,” Zhongli said, turning to Makoto with a curious cock of his head. “...Makoto, I presume?”

“Rex…Lapis…Morax, or whatever you’re called,” Makoto said, attempting to maintain some of his dignity in the presence of someone older than even his mother.

“Rex Lapis Morax…that’s a bit much, even for me,” Zhongli said with a thoughtful nod, offering his rod of donuts to Hu Tao. “You look like your mother.”

“Not as much as I used to, thanks to your friend,” Makoto laughed bitterly, nodding in Venti’s direction. “Please tell me you don’t plan on fighting with a donut stick.”

“Course not; I plan on fighting with a doughnut stick,” Hu Tao said, dumping the doughnuts on the ground and spinning the stick between her fingers. “Ooh, cherrywood; you know what I like!”

“And here I was concerned that you didn’t bring any weapons,” Makoto sighed. “While we’re at it, does anyone want to get a sausage on a stick or a pretzel as a backup-ow!”

Makoto winced as Hu Tao clocked him in the nose with the tip of her stick.

“You’re trying to be funny, but I was burying angry ghosts with toothpicks while your mama was still learning to swing a spear,” Hu Tao said, tucking the stick into her belt.

“I can vouch for that; it was…interesting to watch,” Zhongli mused, lost in a violent memory before realizing where he was. “All that to say, we ought to speak somewhere more private…”

Snapping his fingers, a large brown and gold teapot materialized in front of him, hovering in the air suspended by small clouds.

“...do you have teacups to go with that?” Makoto asked as Zhongli took the lid off the pot. “Or do we have to take turns sipping from the-hey!”

Venti pushed him forward, watching as a cloud of mist swirled around him and sucked him into the teapot.

“...Anemo exalts the strangest people,” Zhongli said.

“Hey, being an absolute weirdo is a prerequisite for receiving any Vision, including Geo Visions,” Venti huffed, watching as Zhongli replaced the lid on the teapot and banished it again with a snap of his fingers. “Are we not going in with him?”

“...eventually,” Zhongli said, a mischievous twinkle in his eye. “Before we do…tell me how you suspect someone is planning to kill the Hydro Archon.”

#the games of divinity #writeblogging #these shits account for like 25% of this story #I did as Cloudy said and made way for the Adeptus but damn #Still trying to find Hu Tao since I do not have her (yet)#oh Makoto is the Wanderer #it's a family name

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burnwater13 · 2 months

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Din Djarin showing the Klatooinian mob boss the bounty fob with his image, in the Ring world butcher shop. Image from The Book of Boba Fett, Season 1, Episode 5, Return of the Mandalorian. Calendar by DateWorks.

NOTE: This is a lightly edited excerpt from another Grogu story. It fits this photo better than anything I could write fresh. Please enjoy.

Grogu’s Diary

Time for Meditation Practice with Master Luke…

Location: Meadow

Grogu understood that Master Luke wanted him to meditate. But Grogu couldn’t help but worry about the Mandalorian. Din Djarin had only sent Grogu with Luke because he realized that it was pretty easy for a person using a lightsaber to cut up a bunch of battle droids. Grogu wished that the Mandalorian had simply asked Luke for one. It would have made everything easier.

First, without Grogu to look after him, what would Din Djarin do if he got hurt? Or lost? Or lonely? He’d probably go back to bounty hunting. Yech. Bounty hunting had been a noble profession when the people they were collecting were actual bad actors and criminals. But it was hard to say that was the case. After all, look at how they met! Grogu hadn’t done anything wrong. Why would you kidnap someone and think it was a good thing?

Anyway, Grogu could just imagine the Mandalorian taking a bounty puck to help him earn the credits to replace the Razor Crest. He’d probably have to go someplace dangerous. And he’d end up meeting a bunch of bad people who would want to hurt him. People like a Klatooinian syndicate boss.

Din Djarin would walk into wherever that guy was and try to not freak out the other people there. That would be hard to do because Mandalorians had a reputation for being dangerous and very hard to kill. That whole hunter and prey thing.

Eventually he’d find the person. That guy would probably be sitting around and counting his credits. Grogu was pretty sure that’s what the bad guys did that got them into all that trouble to begin with. They stole, or skimmed, or otherwise obtained credits that didn’t actually belong to them. If you are going to do that, you are going to count those credits.

He could just see the Mandalorian politely explaining that the person could decide if they wanted to come in cold or warm. They never really picked warm, even if they thought they did. The bad people usually did something or said something that made it impossible for the Mandalorian to bring them in warm.

Without Grogu by his side to guide him, the Mandalorian would bring this person in very cold. Like ‘head in a bag’ cold. Ooooh. That gave Grogu a bad case of the shivers. He’d seen worse but he still didn’t like to think about it. He couldn’t imagine how hard doing that must be to the Mandalorian. He was a pretty gentle person, all things considered. Taking someone’s life was never his preferred way of solving a problem, even if it had been pretty frequent for a while.

The people who know the deceased would likely be pretty sad about it, right? But knowing the Mandalorian, Grogu was certain that he would treat them fairly. He had no doubt that Din Djarin would offer them the credits because he didn’t need them. He’d have the head to give to people who put out the bounty. He’d get paid.

Any way, a person bad enough for Din Djarin to go after them probably wasn’t treating the people they knew very well. It seemed likely to Grogu that those folks had probably been cheated too and it would only be fair for them to get their credits back. His friend, the Mandalorian, would be doing them a favor.

But could he do all that without getting hurt? Grogu didn’t think so. Even if he used the Darksaber, it was pretty likely that Din Djarin would still have something bad happen. Grogu wondered if he could heal the Mandalorian from so far away… he’d have to ask Master Luke when they were done with meditation time.

Time for Skills Practice with Master Luke…

Location: Pathways

Grogu was sad. Master Luke didn’t really give him a straight answer about being able to heal a person (the Mandalorian) from a vast distance. Master Luke said, “Grogu, focus on the now. You are here with me now. We do not know where the Mandalorian is or what he is doing.”

Grogu didn’t really believe that. He could feel Din Djarin in his heart and he knew the Mandalorian was lonely. He’d probably brought the head in a bag to the person who set up the bounty. Grogu bet he told that person to put the head on ice, like that was going to make it less gross. That’s a Mandalorian for you.

And while he would at least have the credits he needed to build or buy a ship, he still wouldn’t have Grogu with him. Credits didn’t really cure loneliness.

For loneliness you need to have people you care about or at least tolerate in your life. Grogu bet that Din Djarin was looking for the other Mandalorians. He always wanted to see them when things were getting rough. Grogu had no doubt that they were somewhere nearby. Hidden in plain sight. They were good at that. Probably why the Covert was called a covert.

Grogu had taken to calling Luke’s Jedi Training School, a sleep away Jedi camp, because they spent all of their time outside. Once the mech ants finished building the buildings he’d think about calling it a school. But it wasn’t a covert. Not like how the Mandalorians did things.

Grogu looked up as he heard Master Luke call his name. He gave him a quizzical look because that one always worked out the best. If he gave Luke his ‘I’m sad and I don’t really like being here’ look, he be on the receiving end of a fresh edition of the ‘Jedi don’t do attachments’ lecture. Grogu preferred to only hear that lecture once a day.

“Grogu, Jedi have to practice way finding. To do that you will need…” Master Luke was droning on. Grogu wondered if Din Djarin was being droned at by the other Mandalorians. He was pretty sure that the Armorer was great at delivering lectures. He wondered if the bounty hunter was being lectured about taking his helmet off so Grogu could see his face? It seemed likely.

Grogu knew that the Creed, or the Way, prohibited Mandalorians from removing their helmets in front of other people. But honestly that was a bit silly to him. Din Djarin had to partially remove the helmet just to eat. Up a little, take a bite or a sip, then right back down. Over and over and over. Grogu appreciated that he would never see how messy or neat an eater the Mandalorian really was, but wearing the helmet seemed pretty odd to him.

But then maybe because Din Djarin had the Darksaber now the Armorer would honor him as their new Mand’alor and he could change the rules and let everyone take their helmet off when they needed to or at least with their family. That would be nice, right?

But if the other Mandalorians saw that Din Djarin had the Darksaber would they be happy for him or mad? What if they wanted the silly thing? What if he had to fight them? What if he got hurt? How could he be so far away from Grogu, getting hurt and being scolded without the help of his favorite pal? That just didn’t seem right. Grogu had so much and the Mandalorian had so little.

“Grogu? Grogu, are you listening to me or do I need to review the ten points of way finding again for you?” Master Luke sounded a bit out of sorts.

Grogu smiled at him and pointed to the path. The first rule of way finding is know where you are. Grogu knew right where he was and that it wasn’t where he wanted to be.

This was not the Way.

Check the link here for the complete story:

#calendar prompt a day #the mandalorian #grogu #din djarin #the book of boba fett #luke skywalker

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barrenclan · 2 years

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WHAT.

when it was said to expect more tiny pinepaws tomorrow i just assumed that was a joke. i had no idea that there were gonna be more tiny pinepaws tomorrow, or i guess today. also i totally thought the skull on the cover was just cool symbolism, but when pinepaw found the bones the realization hit me like a truck

knowing that these were the other clans, did the dark army have enough humanity to bury them, or did time bury them itself? something tells me it’s the first, as i doubt there was enough time for sand and dirt to move to cover all of that when the clans first returned, unless they just.. denied it’s existence, much like pinepaw, which would make sense considering they’ve already been through so much, coming home to a horde of bones must be too much, if that was the case.

i just wanna give pinepaw a big hug, he’s just a little guy. he had no idea his desires to uncover the truth would lead him down a rabbit hole. finding skeletons must be awful for anyone, but with the added context he knows? geez. little guy deserves a break. maybe a bf.

speaking of potential bfs… CORMORANTPAW!!! OFFERED!! A MOUSE!! he wants pinepaw’s company!!! he’s worried for pinepaw!! he wants to make sure pinepaw eats!!!! oh my god i’m so excited about this. cormorantpaw cares for pinepaw!!! cormorantpaw seems to be opening up more, breaking down his walls and letting someone in, someone that makes him feel comfortable!! ughhh i love his development so much he’s just trying his best,,

saying that rainhaze’s effort saved the clan from more deaths than harebreeze makes me think. harebreeze was the father of him and slugpelt? i think? so i wonder if the death of his father caused a drive to make sure nobody else did. or it could be something like wanting to make sure his new nieces and nephews stay alive!! i want to know if rainhaze is okay i love him :( he’s just a silly guy. wet cat

of course u explained what shining town meant, it was a reference, but while reading i actually took it in a different way, so i’ll just throw this here too. barrenclan has a sense of this is how life is. it’s hard, but they’re safe. as long as things keep going the way they’re going, they’re be the shining town, they’ll continue being safe. however, as pinepaw finds, their territory is laced with the dead, saying how the shining town they chase for can’t be that possible if their illusion of safety lives untop of countless graves.

also daffodilpaw and redpelt were both on the same panel. 10/10 issue will issue again

EHEH I'm loving people's reactions that are just like WHAT?? WAS THAT??

When I promised tiny Pinepaws, I meant it! I just didn't share the context around them. :)

It's sort of a combination of the two that led to the bones being buried! Not to get too gruesome, but they were all basically... slaughtered en masse, which led to their bodies piling together and forming a... rotting, scavenged silt-like layer? Yech. When early BarrenClan found that and faced it? Yeah, NO one was processing that. I imagine that some cats made an attempt to bury what was left of the bodies, and dirt and wind did the rest of the work.

Pinepaw needs a freaking VACATION. I wish I could pick him up and take him to the Bahamas. Meanwhile Cormorantpaw is slowly going through his own little character development in the background. We'll learn some more about him next week!

Harebreeze was Rainhaze and Slugpelt's father yes! It was mentioned he died in Issue 4, the first issue with Rainhaze in it. The death of Harebreeze, plus the threat to his own family, definitely drove Rainhaze to prevent the famine however he could.

I LOVE your alternate interpretation of "the shining towns". :D What a great angle on it!!

I'm glad you enjoyed the issue <3

#ask #pinepaw #rainhaze #cormorantpaw #harebreeze #issue 12

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skaruresonic · 10 months

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Skaruręʔkyéha·ʔ with Rarerúhaʔ

"Čwé·ʔn, Utiʔθrę́hsteh!" (JWE.n, Oo-dee.-THRIH-sdeh!) [Still], [Shadow]! "Hi, Shadow!"

"θutérhękwahst." (Thoo-DESS-hih-gwahst) [Morning-good]. "Good morning."

"Ahskè·nęʔ hęʔ?" (Ahs-gehh-nih. hih.?) [Might you be at peace] [question particle]? "Are you at peace?"

"Kihskè·nęʔ." (Geehs-gehh-nih.) "I am at peace." ---

"Čwé·ʔn, nyaʔnę̀·ruʔ!" (JWE.n, nya.-nihh-roo.!) [Still], [my friend; you and I are friends]! "Hi, friend!"

"Teʔ tikayerhá·ʔnyeʔ?" (Deh. dee-guy-yes-HAA.-nyeh.?) [How] [it-happens-going-along]? "How's it going?"

"Wakwahsnęhá·ʔnyeʔ, nyà·węʔ! Ter héʔi·θ?" (Wak-wahs-nih-HAA.-nyeh., nyaa-wih.! Dess HEH.-eeth?) [Good-going along], [thank you]! [How (about)] [you]? "Things are going good, thanks! How about you?"

---

"Yečihkwahà·wiʔ, tawę́·te á·θe·ʔ?" (Yeh-jeeh. gwa-haa-wee., dah-WIHH-deh AHH-thaa.?) ["She carries a hammer"], [what] [new]? "Amy, what's new?"

"Čwé·ʔn, Rarerúhaʔ! Nęh tiwakaʔčhęnę́·tih akę́·kęʔ!" (JWE.n, Ra-reh-ROO-ha.! Nih dee-wah-gah.-chih-NIHH-deeh ah-GIHH-gih.!) [Still], ["he is a runner"]! [So] [I am happy] [for me to see you]! "Hi, Sonic! I'm so happy so see you!" ---

"Káʔnę útkęʔ! Teʔ tiθaʔnyeręhá·ʔnyeʔ, Uʔnhę́hseh Raʔníha·?" (GA.-nih OO-tgih.! Deh. dee-tha.-nye-rih-HAA.-nyeh., Oo.-NHIH-seh Ra.-NEE-haaa?) [Exclamation of surprise]! [What have you been doing-going along], ["Egg Man"]? "Good grief! What are you doing, Eggman?"

"Íhskah! Kwęhs ahsačʔtéhriht!" (EEH-skah! Gwiss ah-sach. DEH-hreeht!) [Absolutely nothing]! [Negation] [for you to be involved; for it to concern you/"butt out"]! "Nothing! None of your business!" ---

"Ahčiʔáh neyuhskané·kę̀·t tiθaʔnyehsayeręhá·ʔnyeʔ haʔ kyè·węʔ tyurhę́ʔθre·, Yečtęhranę́hskwahs." (ah-chee.-AH neigh-yooh-ska-NEHH-gihh-d dee-tha.-nyeh-sigh-yeh-rih-HAA.-nyeh ha. gyehh-wih. dyoos-HIH.-threh, Yech-dih-hra-NIH-skwahs.) [A little] [it is strange] [you behave-have been going along; "your behavior"] [these days], ["she thieves stones"]. "You've been acting a little strange lately, Rouge."

"Wehreʔę̀·wę hęʔ? Tawę́·tę uríhwawęh hà·neʔ sè·rih? Wákwahst tiwakaʔnyéhsaye·r." (Weh-hre. ihh-wih hih.? Da-WIHH-deh oo-REE-hwa-wih haa-nah. sehh-reeh? Wak-wahst dee-wak-ah.-NYEH-sigh-yehhs.) [Real] [question particle]? [What] [reason] [that] [you think]? [Good] [I habitually act]. "Really? Why do you think that? I behave."

#skaru:re #save

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fitness-junk · 2 years

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Hi, welcome new folks!

Ok, I’m gonna bitch about cutting for a second, because I need somewhere to do that. So, don’t read on if you’re not cool with diet talk.

I’m doing a structured cut that I’ve done before that basically works on the principle that you should eat a good amount of healthy food until you’re not losing weight and then cut it back a little bit and then a little bit until you hit your goal or you hit a time that you need to stop dieting (i.e. you can not diet forever it is not safe or healthy). But that means for the first week or two you’re eating a pretty decent amount of food. Which is nice because it’s gonna dwindle.

EXCEPT, this year I ate so crappy over Christmas that my GI tract is unhappy (and I usually have a cast iron gut that puts up with all kinds of indignities) so now that I’m eating plenty of lean meat, yogurt, fruit, whole grain bread etc… my stomach is like WHAT THE FUCK ma’am, we’re still digesting those greasy Thai noodles, beer and pizza from 2 weeks ago.

So… basically. I am cutting and it feels like WAY TOO much food! I’m supposed to have a protein shake* about an hour or two before bed and I just had an edible because that the only way I can get it down. I know that in a few short weeks I will be hungry but right now? Yech!

* I don’t actually have to have a protein shake in the late evening, I could eat food, but I hate eating before bed, like after dinner I’m usually done eating. So I take a shake because it’s the only way I can consistently have protein after 8pm without hating life.

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lunarsilkscreen · 2 months

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Now here me out about Mana burn;

Consider this; a type of land that adds multiple different Mana values to your Mana pool. Two, or three manas. Like Lilliana's new Ult "swamps add 3 mana"

Now consider that all of the legacy magic cards are basically worthless with these new land types. *Plus* Mana burn is a thing you need to worry about because you're consistently adding more Mana than you need to play a single spell.

We get the real best cards of legacy power leveled out, Eldrazi powers evened out, and create a new type of Mana curve that relies on 2 cost turn one, and 5 cost turn two.

Now decks > 60 mean something, weenie decks are incredibly nasty, and a lot of the complexity currently bogging down magic:gathering gets ironed out.

"but what about my flavorful dredge combos?" Yes, that one flavor. Yech.

It allows for rethinking all the mechanics ever introduced with the ability to tweak power in micro increments. Instead of whole block increments that is the current standard.

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feverfed · 4 months

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SHARE AT LEAST FIVE SONGS THAT REMIND YOU OF YOUR MUSE, OR THAT YOU ASSOCIATE WITH YOUR MUSE’S CHARACTER ARC. Including lyrics is optional.

TAGGED BY: ;) TAGGING: ;)

I Need a Freak by Sexual Harassment

In these times of hate and pain / We need a remedy to take us from the reign / Jealousy, a little greed / I've been thinking of what I need / I need a freak to hold me tight / I need a freak, every day and every night / I need a freak to kiss me wet / I need a freak to be my home computer set / I need a freak with curly hair / When I need this freak, I need her to be there / I need a freak with flaying curves / I need a superfreak to calm my nerves

I'm Looking Forward to Joining You, Finally by Nine Inch Nails

As black as the night can get, everything is safer now / There's always a way to forget once you learn to find a way how / In the blur of serenity, where did everything get lost? / The flowers of naivety buried in a layer of frost / The smell of sunshine, I remember sometimes Thought he had it all before they called his bluff / Found out that his skin just wasn't thick enough / Wanted to go back to how it was before / Thought he lost everything, then he lost a whole lot more / A fool's devotion swallowed up in empty space / The tears of regret frozen to the side of his face / The smell of sunshine, I remember sometimes I've done all I can do, could I please come with you? / Sweet smell of sunshine, I remember sometimes

Merchant of the Void by 3TEETH

I swallow all your data / I'm the ghost in the machine / You give me all you're made of / For a hit of dopamine / You know I see right through you / Another vacant cup / You lust to be so empty / In your eyes there's never enough / I'm the merchant of the void / I'm the illusion of your choice / I'm the god that gave you the voice

BRAND NEW BITCH by COBRAH

Do my nails, cut my hair, I'm a brand new bitch / Got my face in Mugler and my new look sick / On a place we can share, put you on the A-list / Do my nails, cut my hair, I'm a brand new bitch / I'm so new, I'm so shiny, so polished and so slimy / Got a heavenly body and I'm a devil in the sheets / Got a hellish lust for greed, eating everything you see / And, mm, I got the needs, baby, if you ask me

The Masochism Tango by Tom Lehrer

Let our love be a flame, not an ember / Say it's me you want to dismember / Blacken my eye / Set fire to my tie / As we dance to the masochism tango / At your command / Before you here I stand / My heart is in my hand — yech! / It's here that I must be / [ ... ] / Your heart is cold as mahogany / That's why I'm in such exquisite agony / My soul is on fire / It's aflame with desire / Which is why I perspire when we tango

Kiss Of Death by Tinsley Ellis

If I can't have you, baby / Might as well drink gasoline / Haven't slept, can't carry on / Lovin' you is the kiss of death for me / Take my hand / Lead me from this pain and misery / I know you won't have me / Lovin' you is the kiss of death for me

#DASHBOARD GAMES.#i like holland's playlist bc it's got some sultry blues and some grinding industrial and then occasionally just a twangy sad country song

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sajaffery · 1 year

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..3....

there has to be a better title availible then that? I have to continue the series I suppose but i’m not officially blocked anymore. i dont think i am. i’m writing everyday, its shit, but its still writing. so im not a blocked writer anymore I’m just a shit writer now. its still progress if you ask me, eventually i’ll progress to being a mediocre writer and then i’ll die. because everyone dies and because the next step up is a good writer and to predict myself becoming a great writer would be immodest and i’m nothing if not modest. i broke another rule didnt i. i promised to write one of these everyday and i havent. this is my first...post (yech) in a week nearly. maybe two weeks. I cant remember now, i would have to go back to the old posts and then i would have broken two rules. technically the first one isnt a rule. it was a promise I guess. a mission statement if you think i’m a ponce, which you probably do, but if you do then you wont have reached this part yet, you would have clicked onto something else by now, in which case fuck you (dont worry its only there for dramatic effect), even though i dont blame you i can still hate you. i dont really, i just wanted to get rid of you and if you havent clicked off by now you will definietely will now. if you havent then youre just a glutton for punishment in which case welcome brother! have seat, let me get you a drink because we are gonna get along just fine. I’m adding hastags onto this so we’ll be able to find more people just like us, S&M seems to be a popular tag but i wont be adding that, i have enough weirdos following me who only seem to be intrested in half naked man. sorry new message from tumblr. i have no followers. awsome! i am so glad, freedom at last! i can finally be myself. i can finally let go and speak my mind. its so easy to say that but if i really think about it it can be exteremely confusing because it will essentially depend on where my mind is at that particular moment becuase there will be times i will just feel like screaming and shouting at and everything and everyone (which will be no one since it is the only time i wll truly let this happen) and other times there will essentially be no noticable change in me at all. except my clothes will come off ofcourse. of course! who in their right mind would possibly choose to remain clothed if they didnt have to. i totally understand people who move to naked communes and choose to spend the rest of their lives with all their bits hanging out. clothes are just another form of prison arnt they? a confinement designed to make you self concious of yourr real self. to hold you in and keep you hidden from the real word. why havent i moved to a naked commune uet? its fair questuon there are plenty of them around arnt there? atleast i think there are, thats certainly the impression television gives you. everyother person seems to be oving to a naked comune in bad movies and rubbish television shows. i dont wwatch bad movies and rubbish tv mind you, i just like keeping up with whats happening. sort ofna of like a cautionary....oh shit shit fuck fuck fuckity mutherfucker! my fucking laptopn just froze so i had to hold on kickeing and screaming to my train of thought in the fear that i might losee it have nothing to talk to you about, like that i bit i just wrote a little while ago about the state of your mind and when youll see a difference while letting go. that was so boring, i apologise for that, i wish i could delete it, but i cant ofcourse, see previous posts for details as to why, i wish there was a way to just put up a cautionary sign when you come onto this......webpage...(it is not a blog mutherfucker!) oh comon! my fucking laptop keeps freezing.

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absolutebl · 1 year

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This Week in BL - Cameos & Familiar Faces

Entirely subjective yadda yadda. Organized by favs in each category. No numbered lists anymore, tumblr be buggn'.

End of Aug Start Sept 2023

Ongoing Series - Thai

Laws of Attraction (Sat iQIYI) 8fin - Oh the DRAMA. Why does the insane ex (my true love) remind me of the cartel leader from Romancing the Stone? Even the sides got HEA! It was fucking great!!!!! Charn remains a bonkers spoiled evil murderous brat with a cruel smile beloved by his one true paladin. Also: post it love note trope! Been a long while my old friend. NO SINGING!!!!! I do love that wedding jacket frock coat cape thing Charn wore.

In conclusion: This is a great gay suspense thriller with several solid couples, fun plot, killer characters, queer rep, and a happy ending. Charn may be my favorite lead character of 2023. However, this show is not entirely BL, more on the fringe, like Manner of Death. Add that to several "singing incidents" and pairs being a little weak in the chemistry arena, and this lands safely in 9/10 territory. It’s tons of fun tho: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

I Feel You Linger in the Air (Sat grey) ep 3 of 12 - This show is getting more and more lakorn each ep. Apparently the straights are having a class divide arranged marriage crisis. Who cares? Our boy is ALWAYS in trouble. Crazy that he has to save the people who betrayed him in a previous life - but I guess he chose revenge! That's unexpected.

Had to switch to grey and couldn’t find a working rip. It was frustrating and I wouldn’t have bothered except I like this show so much. Still, it means no screen caps because the rez is naff.

Dangerous Romance (Fri YT) ep 3 of 12 - Uh oh. Kang wants to save Sailom and be his hero. The fact that K’s Pa puts no pressure on him whatsoever, makes me wonder if K's Ma committed suicide or something? It’s definitely the opposite parental dynamic we normally see in BL. I have to say, the pacing is great in the show. And the acting is on point. It’s really great.

Hidden Agenda (Sun YT) ep 8 of 12 - these two just kiss well. I mean not "rip your clothes off Taiwan-style," but sweet young boyfriends-esk. Joke wants to be claimed so bad. It’s great. I enjoyed this ep, unfortunately it looks like we have a manufactured angst drama drop in the next episode. Is this a 10 episode arc? I thought it was 12. It’s odd to have doom happening next episode already.

Only Friends (Sat YT) ep 4 of 10 - Back story time! Ray and Mew are HARD to watch. Incestuous friend group gay is the worst. Omg I got such QAF vibes from this ep. Nick Boston Sand chats = very throw back 90s gay soaps.

Location game moment: Top's hotel room is also Chan’s apartment in Laws Of Attraction.

Naughty Babe (Sat YT) ep 1 of 8 - Ooo. Est is back! Hi handsome. Head of security suits you. Please lead out the new Waterboyy remake? You’re perfect for the role. (If it must happen.) Yi’s Pa is GREAT. Please give daddy a nice boy? Could that be our secondary couple for this series?

Meanwhile, with the leads (sorry I was distracted by daddy) we got us an arranged marriage, run away bride, and an amnesia trope. Put in a secret baby and it's squarely 1980's Harlequin. Will there be Vikings? Sex herbs? Pirates? Dub con?

Be Mine Super Star (Mon Viki) ep 9 of 12 - Again with lovely sex scenes, it’s just the plot stringing them together is frayed. Also don’t fuck in an onsen. Both yech and ouch.

That goes for all y’all.

Wedding Plan (Wed YT & iQIYI) ep 7fin - Trash watch here! Honestly this was an okay ending, I’m not mad at it. If you can tolerate Mame and liars (kinda the same thing) you’ll be fine with this show.

Summation: An innocent wedding planner falls haplessly and hopelessly in love with a groom who relentlessly pursued him, even though he’s about to marry someone else. A somewhat lackluster mame offering with less of the usual stellar chemistry, but all of the usual lies and manipulation. 7/10

Love in Translation (Sat iQIYI) ep 3 of 10 - I skip everything to do with Tammy and it’s fine. There’s only about 20 minutes of fine but that’s more than enough. On the bright side. So far. No singing.

My Universe (Sun iQIYI) ep 2 of 24 eps - Cassanova Begins Part 2. Aw. It was sad. Another variation on the “my ghost boyfriend” trope (usually sad). 2/10 I don't do sad BL.

Next up is Merry Go Round featuring the pair from Destiny Seeker (we likey) who want to marry each other, but end up fake engaged to the same woman. Beard squared? Looks silly.

Crazy Handsome Rich (Sun Gaga) ep 1 of 10 - There are 2 things I like about this. I bet you can guess what they are.

Lee Long Shi

The whipping boy trope

There wasn’t enough of either in this first ep. ALSO the captions, sound effects, and voice over are truly next level bad. Utterly atrocious.

The 2 leads fucking around in the end credits was the funniest part of the whole show.

Ongoing Series - Not Thai

Jun & Jun (Korea Thur Viki) ep 7 of 8 - I am confused and frustrated about what the communication delay is between the two Juns. It feels artificial and narratively manufactured. But since this is a short form KBL and I know it will be resolved quickly, I’m not as annoyed as I would be if this were Thai BL. Still it feels audience manipulative. I also feel sorry for Simon. BUT it looks like it’ll be a sweet boyfriends final episode.

Stay By My Side (Taiwan Fri Gaga) ep 10fin - Omg they’re so cute!!! Taiwan the purveyors of ultimate sappy gay domesticity. I am going to miss having these to nonsencing all over my dash.

This show was an interesting take on the "ghost boyfriend" trope. About a boy who is tormented by hearing the dead, except when he is around one other boy - desperation+proximity = love. Unfortunately, the story was erratic and waffled about. While the leads turned in solid performances and the sappy domesticity was off the charts, it never really had the strength of the narrative convictions such a strong concept should have supplied. Highly rewatchable and enjoyable for that sappy domesticity but not a whole lot more. Still I always give extra credit for the diabetes-inducing sugar content and rewatch capacity. 8/10

Kisseki: Dear to Me (Taiwan Tues Viki & iQIYI) eps 3 of 13(?) - I love the punching thing - there is a lot of violent flirting in this show. I’m not mad about it. Ugh, poor thing has real abandonment issues. And now trust issues. I see why we’re getting 12-14 eps. This gonna be MESSY.

Meanwhile, does EVERYONE have a guest cameo? Not that I’m complaining. Hi BLIHID boys! Now I need to rewatch that show.

Love Class Season 2 (Korea Fri Viki) eps 7-8 of 10 - Oh my God the next morning w/ couple 2 was so darn cute. They are all such terrible flirts with each other. Honestly, this show makes me laugh more than any other BL currently airing. I’m not sure it is meant to be as funny as I find it. While couple 3 (the mature characters) is by far my favorite, I actually think they don’t work with the other two pairs, they feel superfluous to the show. I like the show better because they’re in it, but it feels like two different BL‘s stuck together. KBL certainly can’t handle more than two couple threads at the same time.

Why R U? (Korea Wed iQIYI) eps 3-4 of 8 - Ugh. I am such a sucker for the FighterTutor dynamic. Why so good? Uh oh. Real kiss! KBL you're spoiling us. But, isn’t sad-seme-hyung dating some chick? Argh. Poor Sunwoo. This show is even worse at repping Fighter's character sympathetically. Who knew that was possible?

My Personal Weatherman AKA Taikan Yoho (Japan Sat Gaga) ep 3 of 8 - The date episode! Even Japan is doing it now. And these two who have been living/fucking together for ages still dance around each other like junior high kids. I gotta say, I watch this one twice because Vicki has different subs from Gaga. I feel like it’s easier to understand if I watch two different translations of the same script. But it’s still quite a taciturn piece.

Minato's Laundromat Season 2 AKA Minato Shouji Coin Laundry Season 2 (Japan Thu Gaga) ep 8 of 12 - Sides are great. It was mostly a cute ep with tiny bits of Progress and a proper Confession. I miss Shin’s siblings. And then… the much loathed amnesia trope. Really?

Everyone say it with me: Must you, Japan?

Stay Still (Hong Kong Tues YouTube) ep 5fin - It ended happier than I was expecting. Optimistic for one couple, and most likely optimistic for the other.

Summation: What to say about this offering from Hong Kong? It’s different, a mix of early CBL, Taiwanese shorts, and Pinoy visuals. It felt like the story was 2 independent shorts that had been lengthen and then stuck together, and I wish they'd been approached as separate and tighter entities. Nevertheless, this was a complex little piece, interesting in a sweaty grungy way, with a certain aura of queer authenticity that made it simultaneously tense, unpredictable, and refreshing. I’m not sure I would necessarily call it BL, but any county’s early foray into the genre usually starts out this way, so perhaps nascent BL? Worth watching, especially if you enjoy stuff from the Philippines and Taiwan. 7/10