#Rad+Refined

[myqualities]

Source: http://blackshoeblog.tumblr.com

[guiltyandashamed]

headcannons: study sessions with each of the brothers

Classes at RAD were rigorous, grueling to the average demon. It was quite the load for a regular human like you. Sometimes there's concepts your human brain can't quite understand, or you get behind on assignments–but not to worry! The 7 brothers are at your service, this is how they come to your aide (successfully or unsuccessfully).

Lucifer – The Relentless Tutor

You don’t ask Lucifer for help. He offers—no, insists—once he catches wind that you’re struggling in a class he deems “foundational.” The study session takes place in his private study, the door locked, the lighting dim and austere. He sits across from you like an immovable force, arms crossed if you're not focused, voice sharp but patient. He makes no concessions for mental fatigue, no “you tried your best”—you will understand summoning theory by the time he’s done. Not because he's being brash, but because he knows you're fully capable.

But when he sees your eyes glaze over, or your shoulders sag in frustration, he pauses. Then, quietly, he pours you a cup of tea–a blend rivaling Barbatos’ refined taste– and asks you to walk him through where you got lost. His tone softens a little. Only a little. “I’m not letting you fail,” he murmurs. “You have more potential than that.” And then the drill begins again, only now he'll occasionally rest his hand over yours to get attention, but he'll hold on to it a little longer as he talks you through it.

Mammon – Chaotic Cramming

Mammon hears you're stressed and shows up to your room with snacks and zero study materials. "C'mon, let’s take a break first, ya look like you’re gonna explode!" One cliche action flick later and you still haven't picked up a book. When you finally remind him he was here to help, he tries to bluff his way through your assignments, confident that he totally remembers this from class. He does not.

But Mammon’s surprisingly useful in one area: staying up with you. If you're pulling an all-nighter, he stays on the bean bag nearby, doodling on your notes or pestering you every ten minutes to eat or drink something. He doesn't understand the material half the time, but he listens when you vent, and he’s always the first to cheer when you finish an assignment. “See? Knew ya could do it,” he says with a grin, ruffling your hair. “And if ya fail, just tell Lucifer I helped ya. That way he’ll blame me instead.”

Leviathan – Shy Helper

You were in Levi's room, studying for an upcoming exam while he lounged in his tub on one of many electriconic devices. Levi pretends not to notice you're struggling at first, but eventually he shuffles over with his tablet, blushing and mumbling, “I, uh, made a quiz game. It’s stupid, but it might help…” He’s turned your study guide into a colorful, anime-themed trivia game, complete with sound effects and Ruri-chan cards as prizes for every streak of correct answers. “Don’t think this means I care or anything,” he says quickly, even as he leans in a little too close to explain the rules. You catch him sneaking glances at you, clearly excited every time you get one right. Soon, he’s explaining concepts through references to obscure anime arcs, slowly warming up as you get more into it.

Later that week, he texts to ask how the exam went—trying to act casual but triple-texting when you don’t answer right away. Whether you passed or not, he shows up at your door with an anime-themed treat box and mutters, “Well, I mean… effort counts too, y’know?” before retreating in a hurry.

Satan - The Professor

And you can't help but admire him, moments like these where he's in his natural element. He’s the one who breaks down complex theories into digestible bits, finds analogies rooted in human literature, and builds personalized study plans tailored to your weaknesses. When you get something right after struggling for hours, he flashes the rarest of smiles—proud, almost smug. “I knew you’d get it.”

Satan treats study sessions like a duel: it’s you against the material, and he’s there to guide you through..It's the perfect stage for him to put his intellect on full display, it's an ego boost the more you improve. He doesn't let you slack—if you try to skip reading something, he gives you that look over the rim of his glasses. He marks your essays with red ink and pointed critiques like he’s your professor. “You can do better,” he says, eyes narrowing. “This conclusion is shallow.”

Asmodeus – Glamorous Distraction

Studying with Asmo is… not studying. He lays out scented candles for “ambience,” dresses in silk loungewear, and insists on doing your skincare routine before you even crack open a textbook. “You can’t focus if you’re tense, darling.” You get through about ten minutes of note-taking before he’s asking you about your crushes or showing you a new mirror selfie.

But when he does help, it’s usually in areas like Demon Rhetoric or Communication. He teaches you how to present, how to charm a teacher into an extension, and how to ace essays with flair. He reads your writing aloud in his dramatic voice, striking poses and gasping at your metaphors. “MC, this is poetry. You’re a genius!" And though it's a little theatrical, you leave his room smiling, a bit more confident in your ability to persuade both demons and professors.

Beelzebub – The Steady Anchor

Beel doesn’t talk much, but he’s the best person to study next to. He sits beside you at the dining table, chewing slowly on a sandwich the size of a textbook while you write. Occasionally he asks what you're working on, and when you explain, he just nods—doesn’t pretend to know, doesn’t interrupt. Just listens.

Sometimes he’ll quiz you in his soft, deep voice, his fingers tapping a rhythm on the table to keep your focus steady. If you get overwhelmed, he gently sets his hand on your back, grounding you. “You’re doing fine,” he says, offering a bite of his snack. You don’t think he understands your magical theory textbook, but it doesn’t matter. Beel’s presence keeps your panic at bay. He's the reason you make it through long nights, comfortable and well fed.

Belphegor - Study Sleeper Agent

You find Belphie asleep on top of the textbook you were looking for. When you ask him to help, he groans and rolls over, muttering something like, “Just skip the class. What are they gonna do? Kill you?” But eventually, he sits up, tousled hair falling into his eyes, and begins explaining the entire Celestial History unit from memory.

Memory consolidation. During sleep, the brain reviews memories, which enhances recall. It sounds effortless, half-asleep and sarcastic, but you realize he’s got the best memory out of all of them. He'll remember specific details from lessons he's slept through, like he kept a filing system in his mind, one which he often neglects due to his sloth. You stare in disbelief and he grins. “Told you I was smart.” Afterward, he lets you curl up beside him, promising to quiz you once he wakes up from his nap. He never does. But the nap makes you remember the lesson, somehow.

[indieyuugure]

Hi Indie!

So, I've been wondering, how did you plan out your TMNT Iteration? I'm asking because I actually have an idea for one I'm hoping to eventually write, but don't know how to start.

Hm, I feel like “planned” is a strong word, I think it’s more like “haphazardly ‘what-if’-ed some plots into existence in the shower and whilst trying to fall asleep.” But I think there has been more concrete planning more recently in the project

I think my advice would be to come up with some really rad turtle designs. They don’t have to be forever, in fact plan on changing them later, but just come up with a design for each of the boys that makes you excited.

Once you have some turtles to imagine, you can start thinking up plots and imagining the world and characters in it. Is there a Foot clan? What are they like? Is Shredder the boss? What’s he like? Are there Krang/Kraang/utroms? Are they good or evil? What’s their agenda? Do the turtles have friends? What are April and Casey like? Etc.

If you’re stuck, try out imagining your versions of the turtles in different situations from other series. What would happen if your turtles went to space? Or went back in time? Or fought in a battle nexus arena, or had a showdown with Shredder? Don’t be afraid to pull ideas from non-TMNT universes either, it may make for something crazy and cool!

Just start going down the rabbit hole and go crazy, even if you have two ideas for something, write them both down, you can flesh out both and choose later, just make your ideas exist. I recommend doing a mix of writing and drawing to help you get firm ideas of your characters and stuff, but if drawing isn’t really your thing, you need to at the very least write it down.

Perhaps not every thought that flits through your brain, but definitely some important stuff. I guarantee you do not have a good enough memory to remember every cool idea you have. If you don’t write at least some stuff down, you risk forgetting it and you’ll be super mad if you forget an awesome idea.

Once you feel satisfied with the quantity of stuff you have—maybe you’ll invent more stuff later, maybe cut some stuff—just keep refining and re-writing the ideas until your satisfied with every aspect of the plot, characters, relationship dynamics, everything.

It helps you work out plot holes and add foreshadowing and stuff which is very important for making a cohesive story. Maybe it takes a weekend to refine it, maybe it takes a year. Go at your own pace making these decisions and ask people for help when you need it. But most importantly, do what makes you happy.

So uh, TLDR: Make your turtles first, imagine them going on adventures and meeting people, please oh please for the love of everything good in this world write your ideas down, and please refine them so you don’t end up with weird plot holes and characters that canonically got the same scar twice in two different ways at two different times.

I hope that helps! I wish you luck on your writing adventure! ^v^

Good question! :]

[white-sinner]

the curtain opens on the side characters

Barbatos x male dancer reader

Smut

A/N:Hi everyone, I'm back! sorry for the absence but school kept me really busy but now the hard period is over so I can go back to posting💜

💚🍰💚🍰💚🍰💚🍰💚🍰💚🍰💚🍰💚

ok you two would be one of the nicest and most responsible couples in the Devil dom (and anyway you would practically become Diavolo's second dad)🍰

at the beginning of the exchange program of the exchange program, Barbatos felt neutral towards you, no feelings in particular, which will change later on

the fact that you were in hell as an exchange student did not stop you from continuing your sport i.e. dance is one evening while you were training in the RAD gym when you heard someone clapping at the end of your performance, it was Barbatos who was left behind school to search for some documents of some students

Barbatos: you were really good I saw some nobles who are not even close to your level of dancing

M/N:thanks but what are you doing here at this time?

Barbatos: I came to get some documents

M/N: do you want a hand?

Barbatos: If it's not a bother, a little company would be nice

Barbatos doesn't talk much about his feelings, the only one who knew was Diavolo and since Barbatos had taken care of him since he was little it didn't take a genius to get Diavolo to understand that his trusted butler had a crush on him for the male human dancer of the exchange program

obviously Lord Diavolo couldn't ignore the situation so not only did he get involved but he also involved Lucifer to help you and Barbatos in your love poem

obviously after a while your relationship evolved (and thanks to the help of Lord Devil) Barbatos confesses in a very refined way, inviting you to drink tea with him after a delicious tea made by him, he gave you a bouquet of roses and he gave you a beautiful romantic speech

once you were an official couple no one at RAD had the courage to do anything bad to you knowing Barbatos' power

obviously Lucifer put the brothers in line by saying that they couldn't try to flirt or try to steal from Barbatos since Barbatos was Lord Devil's faithful butler and friend anyway

it wasn't uncommon to see you helping Barbatos in his work at the palace but you weren't bothered since you were with Barbatos anyway

your dates with Barbatos were having tea with him, walking the streets of the Devil dom, dancing with him or him admiring you practicing your dance choreographies

You can swear that Barbatos is at every one of your performances or dance competitions. This man is super supportive when it comes to your passion

SMUT

Barbatos' favorite thing is how your body is flexible and since you were a dancer your body was perfect to be put in a thousand different positions

in your sex sessions Barbatos is always gentle and makes sure you are comfortable as his cock slowly enters your little hole while you moan

obviously before starting he lubricates your hole with his sperm which was practically equivalent to a lubricant from the human world being that the sperm of demons was very sense and slippery

his movements inside you were slow but satisfying the shape of his cock could be seen in your belly

obviously if you ask him to be faster and more aggressive he will satisfy you...but let's say that the next day you might end up like this ⬇️

obviously after each round he stops to check if everything is in order before continuing

Barbatos: you are doing so well my beautiful and poseable little dancer~

as for aftercare, they are literally a paradise descended into hell, he prepares a hot bath for you, delicately dressing you in his clothes, then he puts you in bed and feeds you some food prepared by him while he cuddled you

💚🍰💚🍰💚🍰💚🍰💚🍰💚🍰💚🍰💚

[sketch-guardian]

I'm late, but at this point, it was to be expected, since I'm slow as hell🙈

Anyhow, here's the Valentine's Day special💖: headcanons+fanarts!

"RAD CLASSMATES+NEW EXCHANGE STUDENTS+DEVILDOM OUTSIDERS×MC"

DEMYA

Demya would plan a date consisting of a food tour around various restaurants, especially those with Valentine's Day specials. Demya would also stoop so low as to pretend it's either MC's birthday or that they just proposed in order to get free desserts as a couple (she would opt for other alternatives if MC doesn't have a sweet tooth). The main course would basically consist of MC's favourite dishes, while Demya would eat a heart-shaped steak (better not to think too much about what kind of meat it is-). Once home, lots of kisses and snuggles in Demya's nest would be in order

DOMNRA/MOBIM

Domnra would pretend not to care about Valentine's Day just to plan a romantic surprise for once in his life, an intimate quiet evening at home, with a nice candlelit dinner and roses for present. Later on, Mobim would join Domnra and MC on the couch to watch a movie all together, offering MC some messy heart-shaped pillows the little curse stuffed with wool itself (Mobim tried its bets without proper fingers-). In general, Domnra would behave in a more heartfelt and loving way for Valentine's Day

AZUL

Azul would have many ideas running through his head to experiment with, therefore every Valentine's Day would be something different, exciting, boredom wouldn't be a problem. In general though, if Azul was in the mood to really impress MC, he would take them to an abandoned mansion, inviting them for a dance in its grand ballroom, making the experience fairytale like thanks to his magic, almost as if they were in "Beauty and the beast" (a darker version of sort, considering the ghosts playing music-). On some occasions, when he feels less lively, Azul would prefer something more intimate, such as a domestic cuddle session at home

ZURI

Zuri would give the most refined and expensive gifts, it depends on MC's taste in the end, however in general she would buy high quality stuff to satisfy them, only the best is acceptable for MC, in Zuri's opinion. Moreover, Zuri would leave MC's favourite flower and an elegant outfit on their bed, with a letter attached to it, instructing MC to wear those clothes for their date in a starred restaurant, booked for the two of them only, in order to spend some quality time together. The rest of the date would continue at home, where Zuri would let MC choose whatever activity they prefer

ODON

Odon has never celebrated Valentine's Day, so it would be an honor for them to share such delightful event with MC, especially since, as an eldritch horror, they aren't used to receiving invitations. To prevent Odon's presence from wreaking havoc or rising panic among Devildom inhabitants due to their infamous reputation, the date would take place at Odon's cabin, a quiet and cozy place. After doing some research on human customs on Valentine's Day, Odon would show up with some magic tampered flowers (so they won't wilt) and a crocheted blanket, knitted with their own hands as presents. Even the eye-like creatures, Bob and Rob, would act more affectionate than usual towards MC, by floating near them in a cheerful manner. Then, later that evening, Odon and MC would slow dance to some soft music played by a vintage turntable

REMIEL

Remiel has no knowledge about how Valentine's Day is supposed to function, however she would be willing to learn such human custom, being rather interested in MC's culture (to be fair, Earth in general is fascinating for the archangel of hope and she enjoys discovering new things). During her research through books however, Remiel would misinterpret some info, in fact while she would still bring a beautiful bouquet of fresh flowers, each with heartful meanings behind them (Remiel learned flower language too-), she would also bring an uprooted bush full of flowers, cut in a neat manner with her holy light scythe, because the angel wouldn't know if just one bouquet is enough to convey her feelings

NATHANIEL

Nathaniel had never celebrated Valentine's Day before, it has always been a day like any other for the archangel of patience due to his celestial duty, therefore it felt pretty meaningless until MC's arrival in his life. Nathaniel's deadpan attitude would likely give the impression that the event doesn't concern him in the slightest, however in reality the angel would quietly ponder over the best course of actions, in order to plan a proper romantic date. In the end Nathaniel would come up with the idea of running a surprise warm bath with soap bubbles, scented candles, cute themed rubber duckies and petals, in a tub large enough to accomodate them both. After the bath, Nathaniel would give MC a slow massage (he has skilled hands-) and then relax on the bed with them, holding MC close between his arms

URIEL

Uriel thinks Valentine's Day makes no sense, because in her humble opinion everyone should cherish their significant other every single day, showing loyalty and devotion, however Uriel would still indulge MC by celebrating Valentine's Day if it matters so much to them, trying to do things she believes are traditional for humans, such as gifting stuffed animals, even if Uriel would buy way too huge ones. Moreover, due to Uriel's celestial duty as a warrior angel, her own courtship methods would be a bit...intense, in the sense that she would offer MC to bring them the head of their enemies as a token of her affection

SOFIA

Sofia has never given much thought to holidays in general, since she no longer has a family to celebrate with, much less Valentine's Day, having no experience with relationships due to a lack of time and interest, the Raven witch simply considered her studies in the magic field more important, although once Sofia actually tried to brew a love potion out of pure scientific interest, for magic training purposes only. Given MC's current presence in her life as a significant other, Sofia would plan a modest date to please them. Sofia would grow thanks to a spell the perfect flower for MC, with their favorite scent, color, shape, all they would need to do is to just ask and the Raven witch would likely be able to create something that would meet their standards. Then, Sofia would prepare a small rustic picnic in the courtyard of her shophouse for MC, with her animals as guests too, which are: a raven called Onix (Sofia's familiar), a Vipera Aspis called Ambar (Sofia's deceased grandmother's familiar), and a Turkish Angora cat named Perla (a refugee)

AZARATH

Azarath, as often happens, is pretty confused about how they are supposed to behave in such situation, however they got the right spirit and that's what matters the most. They have several ideas in their head and each soul inside their body would argue over which one is the best (by the way, it's 6000 souls in total and they don't always work as a hive mind-), so in the end Azarath would end up hoarding a bit of everything for MC, such as candies, flowers, chocolate-covered fruits, shiny jewels, showing them off like a treasure from a dragon's lair, to prove they can provide for MC and that they are worthy of being their companion. Unfortunately, those gifts would be all stolen stuff, because Azarath was literally created to be evil and they try their hardest to play the role of the villain, even if most of the time they fail miserably. Azarath would also secretly like to take a stroll on a beach and watch the sunset with MC, the calm atmosphere would in fact silence their voices

JAMES

James has modernized over time, after all he had to in order to keep up, however he experiences a few moments where he misses the good old 50s, his flourishing business period basically, plus James is the only one among the RAD Classmates, New exchange students and Devildom outsiders who has ever actually got into a serious long-term relationship, so he would try to revive those moments, changing things a bit for MC on Valentine's Day, while maintaining some 50' vibes (James had a wife and a young daughter in the past, they were murdered by people who were looking for him due to his cryptid nature. He would need a long time before opening up to MC about it). For once, James would make the effort to actually spend money and buy MC a huge bouquet of their favourite flowers, adding a hand written letter as a surprise, with his true and raw feelings on it

[alipeeps]

A Moment But Forever - Episode 5

Poor Yuanzhou... from his point of view his brand spanking new maid (and he's not had a maid in decades... possibly ever?) has suddenly declared her intention to stay by his side for the rest of his life and never leave him and is now repeatedly staring at his chest/pulling his collars open and sneaking into his bedroom while he is asleep to do the same! 😂😂

Ooooh so he IS pretending to still be brainwashed by the Elders and his days-long research and reading is mostly for show to convince them he is diligently learning and cultivating...

Ayyy there's some perks at least to being High Priest, even a captured, tortured one... that fancy faux-natural rockpool bath for a start!

Also loving Yuanzhong's commitment to wearing his hair loose whenever possible!

Ji Tanyin, sweetie, if your excuse for spying on him in the bath is to get a better look at the golden collar, you need to be looking a tad higher up... 😁

Oh dang not only does the golden collar suppress his powers from the Divine Hand and his immortality, it is also super heavy - 1" of immortal gold weighs 500kg so he is literally walking around with a huge weight around his neck. That must be exhausting and painful!

Ugh him asking her to comb his hair... and then inviting her to examine the collar.

Yeah girl you just lean right in there and smell him. Go for it! 😁

I fucking love them!! 😂😂 He's so deadpan and calm stating stuff like this and she just has no fucking filter! 😂

100% the fox spirit follower she is looking for is going to turn out to be him" isn't it?

"Perhaps your plain looks were not to his liking?" Yes Yuan Zhong, get your own back for her calling you ugly. 😂

I want a blue glowy crystal tree. It looks rad as fuck.

Oh the fox was definitely fucking Yuan Zhou. Talking about Pinghzhou and Fangwei mountain and wanting to grow up and protect his family.... 😭

Fucking CALLED IT!!!

Ah and he and Tanghua were friends when they were younger (why do they both look so scuffed and scraped up though?)

Oh wait, has she already worked out that it was him?

Never mind how you get a living soul to the divine realm, how tf would you melt the gold hoop in the furnace without taking it off first? Or putting his head and neck in the furnace with it?!

Glad to see she also has a brain! 😁

Ooooh Yuan Zhong forcing the issue by rocking up for "spiritual refinement" even though he hasn't been called for it. Dang it takes some fortitude to keep willingly going to be tortured, in order to maintain his facade, taking a wheelchair with him each time as he knows he will not be able to walk afterwards. Ooft.

Oooh change of plans and he's going "for a walk" instead, knowing that the collar will warn Dingxu that he's gone down off the mountain...

Why do they need to rally the War Troops? What is Dingxu worried is going to happen because Yuan Zhong has left the mountain?

I love the genderswapping of the usual tropes in this show. He is a damsel in distress, imprisoned and sickly and swooning and suffering injury, and she is the brave hero trying to protect and save him.

Oooh and the elders have sent a full fucking warrior force to bring him back...

Oh fuck Tanghua is now being possessed?!! (But I'd thought he was the one behind the "possessions"? Is this a double bluff?)

Oooh so Elder Dingxu managed to save Tanghua from dying from the "possession". He didn't bother trying that with any of the others who were affected...

Ooooh I am wondering... I am wondering if the apparent animosity between Yuan Zhong and Tanghua isn't also a facade? What if... what if Tanghua is secretly helping Yuan Zhong? What if he is behind the apparent "possessions"... cos if he can convince the Elders that the War Demons are back, they will feel threatened and feel they need to use their main weapon.... the Divine Hand. And to do that they have to take the collar off Yuan Zhong!!!

Oooh from Tanghua's little smile I think i might be right!!

Uhoh, I hope her plan to freeze time and give him divine energy to remove the collar doesn't fuck up he and Tanghua's plan to have the Elders remove the collar...

Ooooh she realised on that night she aimed to kill him and take the Divine Hand that he was her little fox spirit follower? Is that why she's been so ride or die that he is a good person and deserves protecting?

Oh damn, she owes him a wish. And it's snowing....

[vampirtulpe]

(That's the first comic I ever made with this concept, so the design wasn't refined yet ^^)

Since Punchout and MandjTV are my current hyperfixations right now, I turned Magic Mike into a Punchout OC, I could see him boxing, it'd be rad, trust me-

He's very chaotic and a bit of a diva, but he gets along with quite a bit of the other boxers, especially Aran, much to everyone'ss dismay, they set the entire League on fire-

Bonus Relationship chart I made with all the characters for funsies

[astrangetorpedo]

Julien Baker on learning to articulate joy

by t. cole rachel 2/3/17

“I’m always afraid that the public will scorn songs about happiness out of a disbelief that it is genuine.”

Are you working on a record now? What’s happening?

I am, but I’m always working on songs no matter what. You can’t not be working on a project if writing is how you go about compartmentalizing your life. Everything that happens, every feeling that you have, becomes work. Since the end of 2015—and keeping in mind all the life changes that year occasioned—I was writing quite a bit. I saw a latent theme start to develop, and then I was like, “Oh, well let’s pursue this.” I now have a really good idea of what I want the next record to be conceptually. I think I can be more intentional with it in presentation, if not necessarily in construction. It’ll probably be sonically similar, because that’s the style in which I write.

The stillness of songwriting—knowing when to stop and just be still—is often the most difficult part of songwriting for me. Knowing when it’s enough. Sometimes I think, “Wow, wouldn’t it be cool if we had, like, a full string quartet and a horn section here, making this into an opera?” but then that doesn’t serve the song. You know? Lyrically, I think, it’s better to be thoughtful instead of just vomiting it out.

I’m about to do something dorky, so I apologize. One of my favorite quotes about creativity is from Wordsworth who says something like, “Poetry is the spontaneous overflow of emotions reflected upon in tranquility.” I think that really accurately represents the dichotomy of writing songs for me, especially with my particular writing style. It’s like, “All right, I have an emotion.” I’ll then go out to my garage and vomit out a song that’s essentially just me singing my feelings out loud. This time around I’m doing a lot more refining. Sprained Ankle was really, really raw. Which isn’t to say that’s always a bad thing—it suited that record and those songs—but this time around I’m happy to have more time with it.

That record seemed to come out of the blue and catch people by surprise. How does it feel to be making music with the knowledge that there is an audience now that is anticipating it? Does that change things?

I’ve heard myself say something in the past that isn’t totally precise, suggesting that I made Sprained Ankle only for me. Admittedly, it’s a very self-involved record that’s specific to my own experiences that I wrote as a tool, as a coping mechanism primarily, for what was happening in my life at that point. That’s how I’ve always used music. I grew up writing songs in punk bands and we would have the same conversation regularly, “Oh, this is going to be rad when we play it at a show!” You would imagine people singing along and yelling out the chorus. So you have something that you’re not only trying to say for yourself because you need to say it, but also that you’re saying to the world, even if the world in your schema is this small community... even if your audience is just a basement.

Now that I know the audience is a bit broader, I can’t help but think about that sometimes. Still, the best songs are the ones I just let happen. What is that Rilke quote? That he’s not a creator of art, he’s just a midwife to it? That’s how I like to feel. How I approach making songs isn’t totally different. Often it’s just when something difficult happens to me or I’m stressed out, I’ll just sit down and say whatever my fears are. I’ve been perpetually trying to come to terms with doing Sprained Ankle live for a year, because I’ve moved on from those specific experiences. The emotions, maybe, are evergreen in a sense because you’re always going to have fresh heartbreak at some point in your life. You’re going to have self-doubt, but it feels weird to still be singing about them years after the fact. One of the challenges about playing live has been finding new ways to apply old sentiments.

I always talk about the song “Good News.” I started to get really bothered that I was having conversations with people who listen to my music who said, “That song made me feel better!” but then I’m sitting up there screaming, “I ruin everything I do.” That’s not the kind of self-deprecating rhetoric or mentality that I want to promote. However, it’s also false to pretend like no one ever has these feelings, because people have those feelings all the time and that’s a very real thing. There’s a balance of not having an artifice of hope, but still writing songs that are honest about how I feel inside, which isn’t always great. I finally made a sort of concession with myself about it, so now before I play that song I’ll say, “This song is about when I thought I ruined everything, and now I’m trying to learn that that’s not true.”

It is cheesy and nine times out of ten I wince at myself on stage when I do it, but it’s like I have to do it in order to prove that it’s true, that I mean it. So, with these new songs—particularly the ones that were written about a relationship ending a year ago and I wrote over a year ago—I had to think about what it will mean to play them live and how that might feel. They are thematically appropriate for the record, which will be released in 2017, and obviously I’ve moved on and that’s an amicable situation right now, but it’s still a funny thing. I think I’ve been exploring the stigmatization around mental health and being open and honest about feelings, because that’s basically been my job. Everybody in this music scene is a little bit, I don’t want say “messed up” because that implies there’s something wrong with you, but we all feel a little messed up and maybe that’s why we do art.

I recently read this Alain de Botton book and it changed my life. He said that “Art is there for you when love stops being there for you.” I was like, “Oh my gosh, true.” Yeah, so being honest about those really dark things, like saying, “I feel disappointing, I feel like I’m nothing,” is important. I think about that when I start to censor myself. That was why I ended up leaving “Rejoice” on my previous record. Sometimes you need to inhabit an idea or a feeling in order to transcend it. The thing that you’re most afraid is the very thing you have to be bravest about divulging.

It seems like a more more popular human compulsion, particularly among songwriters, to document our own darkness than it is to articulate happiness. As someone who is known for writing beautifully sad songs, what do you make of that?

I remember a comment someone made about Ben Gibbard from Death Cab for Cutie: “Oh, he got happier and stopped writing good songs.” I was like, “What a grotesque thing to say.” How awful is it that our culture is geared in such a way. I think there’s inherent worth in all art and I never criticize the formal quality of art as long as there is genuine emotion there, but we’ll tolerate all kinds of cheesy heartbreak-related art just because of the subject matter. It’s much more difficult to pull off a joyful song. I’m always afraid that the public will scorn songs about happiness out of a disbelief that it is genuine. I’m interested in talking about joy, but it’s difficult and you don’t want to be clumsy with it. I think of it more as, “I have joy.” That’s a really complex thing to unpack. But I think articulating joy is important. I’m thinking of songs by people like the B-52s. There is this Australian artist called Alex Lahey who was a song where the chorus is just, “Let’s go out and have fun tonight.” It’s almost like you can hear the tongue-in-cheek irony of there’s mundanity in the grind of life and then this person is writing a song that’s just parodying a go-out-party song. It’s really cool.

It’s like it’s somehow less embarrassing to have an emotional meltdown in public than it is to be really honest about your happiness in a non-ironic way.

I think what’s so crazy is that for so many people I know—myself included—it’s this thing of when you’re acutely aware of the suffering of everything around you, it seems like happiness is a lack of decorum. Does that make sense?

For me, 2016 was a lot about learning, both good things and bad. I’m learning a lot about joy—joy as something different from happiness. Because happiness is a temporary space, an emotion, but joy, I think, is something different. It’s like a disposition that you choose to adopt. It’s all right to allow yourself that. I read a lot of philosophy, so I’m always thinking things like, “I want to be the platonic ideal of a human and do what is ethically asked of me by my existence.” Maybe that means not only writing sad songs. Maybe that means expressing joy. I’m still learning how to do that.

We went on a tour and I was reading Ethics by Bonhoeffer because I am a huge nerd and I was just like, “I’ll never be a good person.” Then one of my good friends was like, “Do you think God hates joy?” I was like, “No I don’t, I don’t think God hates joy.” She said, “So, if you have everything to be happy about, why won’t you display that as an image of hope instead of a depiction of suffering, because you can’t get on stage and talk about hope if you have no hope. You can’t go on stage and talk about joy as a destination—not just an unachievable goal—if you have no joy, so let yourself have joy.” You know how sometimes people say a simple explanation to you for something and you feel like a total idiot? I was just like, “I guess you’re right.”

I still struggle with anxiety. For the longest time on tour I would have panic attacks before almost every show. Performing is scary, and there’s a lot going on in there—”in there” being my brain. So while we were on tour in Australia it felt like I was always waiting for another shoe to drop, and when it didn’t I felt like I could just cherish the fact that I’m legitimately enjoying what is happening in my life and I’m excited to talk to people.

I can be a positive force. I can interact with people and I don’t look like a brooding crazy person. I’m smiling, I’m happy, and I’m getting to hug them. There was one show in particular where I was starting a song that there was a girl in the front of the stage who yelled out, “This is my song!” I thought it was funny because I’d only ever heard someone say that when they were at a bar and a song came on the jukebox, but I loved that she said that. I had this really cheesy thought like, “You know what? It is.” It’s not mine anymore. I was like, “It is your song, girl. This is for you. I hope you enjoy it.” She was stoked. Instead of feeling guilty that people like my music or feeling like I don’t deserve it or I haven’t earned it, I’m just happy that my job is that I stand on a stage and I look out on a whole bunch of eyeballs and we get to share this thing.

After the whirlwind success of Sprained Ankle, was it weird to finally be home again and working on music? My biggest fear is that anyone thinks that I’m anything other than amazed and grateful that I get to be a musician. Like, every day I wake up astonished by that. I think generally the amount of reward you get in your occupation mirrors the amount of sacrifice it requires. I needed to take some time to not be a ghost in my real life, to see my family and visit my partner, and just be radio silent for a while.

I write a lot on tour, which is weird because I used to think I couldn’t get into the right head space on tour to write songs, but then eventually touring just becomes your norm and I really have to be writing, so you just adapt. I’ll make little voice memos in the car and listen to them and write lyrics while I’m walking around. Once I got back home I rented this studio space and did a whole bunch of demos. We spent almost 12 hours in the studio every day. Hearing the demos outside of my head was really good for me. I’d been worrying myself by thinking, what if the new songs are too different? What if they are too much the same? What if everyone is disappointed? I felt the weight of expectation start to make me afraid that I couldn’t do it. I was, “It’s all going to be crap, everyone’s going to hate it.” Then once I got into the recording process things changed.

I was recording with my friend Calvin Lauber, who is in a band from Memphis called Pillow Talk. He’s in the scene and I’ve known him since I was 13 years old, and he happens to do recording and engineering as well as just play around in bands. It felt just so comfortable that I lost track of the hours and it was kind of like one of those moments, “Oh yeah, I love just the process of making art and I could stay here for another 12 hours just experimenting and, like, shaping this thing.” It brought me back to the reason why I ever did this in the first place. You have to be able to reconnect to the joy of making the thing that you make. It’s easy to get distracted from that.

I was so grateful that I felt comfortable enough to come back and make my music in Memphis. I moved back here at the beginning of the year to be closer to my family. I love my city. I have, like, Drake levels of love for my city. It felt good to be here. Once the demos were done and I was listening back to some of it, I had this weird feeling. I’m hyper-critical of my own work, which most artists probably are, but I had the strange sensation of thinking,“This is how it feels to be proud of something that I made.” I realized that as long as I am proud and I feel like I say what I want to with the narrative of this record, I am able to separate myself from being so concerned with, “What if people hate it?” Even if they hate it, I’ll still know that I’ve done my best. It’s all such a fifth grade classroom poster—Just Do Your Best!—but that’s truly the best and most profound advice.

Given the nature of your music, do people project a kind of “tortured artist” thing onto you? And how do you circumvent that?

When I’m on stage I try to think about things before I just rush in and say something silly... but I’m also quite silly. That being said, I’m not a Lorde or a Taylor Swift. I’m not someone who is playing stadiums and who has all these eyeballs on them. I don’t think I’m expected to be a role model. I’m not at that level. Still, people often take the slices of life represented in the songs and expand that to represent my total personhood. I think another task of mine is unifying Julien of life with Julien of the record, which often entails saying dorky, cheesy, positive things and making bad jokes on stage. Sometimes it goes over well, sometimes it’s like crickets in the audience and people are like, “What’s going on? This is too much of an emotional pendulum!” and they look freaked out. Then I just play my songs instead of making more lame jokes. I think merely by existing and refusing to give in to the persona of brooding tortured artist, you prove the point of you do not have to be sad all the time. You do not have to be defined by your sadness. I think about these things when I write songs and when I play live shows. I am trying to break the spell, in some way, that when you see someone up on stage singing sad songs that there is more to them than that. Sometimes you can’t help but be perceived as a kind of persona, but why not be a persona that’s actually realistic? I’d rather do that, instead of just posing over here in the window sill with my copy of Rilke and looking really bummed out. That isn’t me.

Recommended by Julien Baker:

Things that are inspiring to me right now...

The novel Gilead by Marilynne Robinson (a recommendation from the ever-wise Lucy Dacus)

The poetry of Beyza Ozer, a poet recommended by Morgan Martinez, editor of Hooligan Mag (an inspiring person in her own right)

The art of Kazuo Shiraga

The bands PWR BTTM and Camp Cope; their music, their social commentary, their unapologetic commitment to change through art, honestly just them as people, all of it

The paintings and zines of Ariel Baldwin, great pal/Memphis-native/Chicago-resident, makes some really provocative and powerful art about healing.

(x)

[terraterrafunki]

Apart from Gray and Simon, any other Sprunki character who don't have a template yet?

-Jevin has a concept but no template, Rad still needs to settle on his look

-Raddy doesn't use the template but has a design made by Shag

-OWACKX, Durple, Clukr, Garnold, and Sky need a ref or a refined ref

-Mr. Sun and Mr. Tree are roughly the same but Jes wanted to give them some unique looks

-I still need to design one for Vineria

-Terra

[terramythos]

FFXIV JOB GLAM CHALLENGE - 2 OF 21: BARD

POV: you're about to get an arrow straight to the face

and a more neutral pic!

i've been using a variation of this glam for a couple weeks now, but i added some refinements for the challenge. i am so happy i got the eureka relic weapon because it looks so fucking badass. i think it's a really cool harp/bow mashup and the color effect is rad AF (but kind of hard to capture in a static image).

glamour recipe from https://mirapri.ff14eden.work under the cut:

[bloomingdayswithyou]

hey!! I loved your obey me fic, could you do the same for simeon solomon barbatos and diavolo?? ik the limit is 3 but still🥺🥺

How would they flirt with MC (pt. 2)

Author’s note: thanks for the request! I will do the 4 of them.

You can check pt. 1 here

1. Simeon:

Simeon’s interactions with mc would be all about kindness, compassion and a gentle demeanor.

Since he’s from the Celestial Realm, his flirting style is refined and respectful. He would often offer words of encouragement and support, acknowledging her efforts and accomplishments in the demon realm.

His affectionate gestures would reflect his caring nature, as he seeks to protect and guide her during her time at RAD.

He might offer to accompany her on excursions or help her with her studies, aiming to make her feel comfortable and at ease in unfamiliar surroundings.

His compliments would be sincere and heartfelt, focusing on her pure heart and inner strength. Simeon would be drawn to her ability to see the good in others, admiring her compassionate nature and genuine desire to help those around her.

He might write poetry or compose songs dedicated to her, expressing his admiration and appreciation to her presence in his life.

His gentle yet unwavering affection would serve as a guiding light, bringing comfort and solace during challenging times.

2. Solomon:

In Solomon’s case, his interactions would be intriguing and enigmatic.

His flirting style would involve a blend of charm, mystery and wit. He enjoys teasing and testing mc, all the while displaying a captivating charm that draws her in.

He would engage her in playful banter, demonstrating his vast knowledge and understanding of magic. He might share tales of his adventures or challenges, aiming to impress her with his skills and accomplishments.

In his company, mc would be drawn to the thrill of the unknown, finding excitement in the unpredictability of her interactions.

His compliments would be clever and eloquent, praising her intellect, adaptability and bravery. He would also value her ability to face challenges head-on and admire her curiosity for the unknown.

He might offer her magical trinkets or artifacts, personalized to suit her interests and strengths, as a way of expressing his appreciation for her presence in his life.

As their relationship progresses, Solomon’s guarded exterior will soften, revealing glimpses of vulnerability and sincerity.

He would gradually share more about his past and emotions, allowing mc to see the depths of his true self.

In this moments of intimacy, mc would witness a side of Solomon that few others have experienced, creating a unique and profound connection between them.

3. Barbatos:

Barbatos’ interactions would be marked by a sense of elegance. He would be attentive to her needs and preferences, often anticipating her desires before she even expresses them.

His filtration would involve thoughtful gestures, such as arranging her schedule or organizing special events tailored to her ability to inspire and lead others to her interests. He might prepare tea or snacks for her, ensuring that every detail is perfect.

His compliments would be subtle yet sincere, focusing on her grace, charm and unique qualities.

Barbatos would admire her ability to inspire and lead others, acknowledging her natural charisma and the positive impact she has on those around her.

He would hold her in high stem, viewing her as an important and valued presence in the Royal House of Devildom.

Beyond his professionalism, he might offer glimpses of his caring caring nature and concern for her well-being. He would be discreet and respectful, creating a sense of trust that allows mc to confide in him.

His calming presence would provide a sense of stability and security, creating a strong bond between them as she navigates the challenges of her role in the demon realm.

4. Diavolo:

His interactions would be marked by a sense of warmth, charm and royalty. He takes an active interest in her progress and well-being, seeing her as a potential ally and friend.

Diavolo’s filtration would be a delicate dance of compliments and playful banter. He would engage her in lively conversations, showcasing his vibrant personality and genuine interest in getting to know her.

He might invite her to various events and activities, ensuring that she experiences the grandeur and splendor of the Devildom.

His compliments would be grand and genuine, focusing on her potential and unique abilities.

Diavolo would see her as a beacon of hope and potential for unity between Celestial Realm and the Devildom, acknowledging her role as a crucial figure in the story of the realms.

While his royal duties might sometimes keep him busy, he would always make time for mc, expressing his care and appreciation for her companionship.

He might seek her counsel on important matters, valuing her insights and opinions.

As their relationship deepens, Diavolo’s affections would become evident, creating a sense of camaraderie and trust that spans beyond the realms they inhabit.

.

.

.

[pharaohbean]

thank you everyone for the mafutoya food, much obliged, def cheered me up (my ask box is still open to more…..)

in return, my own mafutoya hcs/fic ideas/just general spouting:

composer buddies. i will die on this hill. theyre an online duo like 25ji and they make music together and their groups have NO idea (bonus points if someone(s) from their group also follow them). i will die on this hill. its hilarious.

on that note, mafuyu taught toya a bit of how to compose— i would imagine she helped him refine how to put emotions into song (since she did that quite well as we know)

^ also, they’re study buddies. def both practice their english on one another, but since madus an honors kids and toyas just Smart they work well together. mafu also helps come up with ways to help toya tutor akian bc she already does that with rando classmates

more canon divergencey, but their parents know each other (not in the same fashion as the aoyagi-tenma friendship…. asahinas more just keeping up terms to look good bc. aoyagis.) so the kids knew each other. they weren’t super close but they’d recognize one another

mafuyu running away at the end of mafu4 definitely gave toya food for thought on his own running away (that he would come back to tackle in toya4 sorry bud)

toyas the extroverted of the two technically. sure, mafu’s mask is even more extroverted, but generally toyas the upbeat one between them.

they like to just take the train around tokyo for the sights. they did it less as toya prepared for rad blast, but mafuyu def took him on a celebratory train ride at some point in congrats

mafuyu does not like most of vbs’ music (since akian wrote the music until roughly toya3, and even then i think they still did the brunt). mafuyu does like toya’s songs, tho

^ followup, toya follows 25ji. hes 50/50 most of the time (partially tastes partially instruments sometimes) but he supports them by leaving ridiculously long comments breaking everything down. hes become a well-known member of the 25ji fandom, accidentally.

more serious hc: toya does not, in any shape or form, “save” mafu. if they knew each other earlier, however, he definitely kept her from going over the edge. i can talk a LOT about this but thats a whole other rabbit trail.

mafuyu gets plushies from toya from the arcade. its usually rabbits, although the occasional cat or bird makes its way into the pile. there is an ever-growing pile of fluff in the corner of mafu’s room at kana’s. honami does Not Know what to do with it.

if they had a sekai together, it would be mafuyu’s fragment sekai but with like. the equivalent of a starbucks stuck in it. like the starbucks at a target or barnes&noble or whatever. mikuluka are their only vs, although they might get a len or kaito later on.

toya goes to miya to pick up kohane when an cant, but honestly goes to talk to mafu mostly. i mean hes there for kohane but sometimes koha has committee and so toya will just,,, talk with mafuyu. the rest of the school is VERY confused as to why this random kamikou guy is talking with asahina mafuyu, and then saki barrels him over one day screaming “OTOUTO!!!” at the top of her lungs and theyre like “oh hes a tenma okay”

this goes without saying but mafu doesnt mask around toya. she did for a bit, but toya saw through it bc it was annoyingly similar to akito’s own. toya Does Not like the mask. in any situation. he willingly chooses to extrovert most of the time than let mafu mask. its partially for his own sanity.

mafu teaches him to cook, and toya reteaches her tastes (partially stolen from that one akitoyamafu fic on ao3 love you)

mizuki constantly tells stories about them to the other, and they always listen with rapt attention. mizu thinks its cute in a way, and is also happy to have their full attention for once (not like toya wouldnt but)

toyamafu have no fashion sense. they just kinda throw something together thats vaguely coherent. akito was forced to band with mizuki to get them to actually match their clothes right.

mafuyu is more athletic than toya (not a high bar tbh) but toyas much more limber and flexible

[vintagerpg]

This week, GURPS! This is the second edition GURPS box set (1987, though aside of an errata sheet, some updated skills and blue ink on the booklet covers, there is no real distinction between the second and first editions). I’ve played third edition GURPS off and on since the early 90s and some part of me truly believed that there never was a first or second edition of the game. I never saw one in the wild! No one I knew ever had either. Even after I started seriously collecting, I never saw one come onto the market. The first time I laid eyes on one, this one, was in 2021, a bit of amazing luck that ensured I got a photo of it in the book. I have no idea if these are low print-run products or if this is just a weird quirk of my existence, but whatever the case, it primed me to love this box once I got my grubby hands on it.

It is a pretty stacked box! You get some rad chits, two rulebooks, a solo adventure, a group adventure, character sheets and a reference booklet. In light of Steve Jackson’s history with boxes (Metagaming decided, somewhat foolishly, to not issue the fully realized Fantasy Trip RPG in a box), seeing all this stuff in a box feels like a sort of cosmic justice.

It also feels, perhaps obviously, like GURPS! There are lots of updates that broaden and refine the game in the third and fourth editions, but the core is all right here, often with art that was reused in the later books. It feels slightly more ‘80s in substance, thanks to some typesetting choices, but other than that, it feels just as homey as, say, a favorite flannel shirt.

[aois-amaterasu-painting]

Gekirock interview (July 2017)

Through "Dainippon Itan Geisha" and into the summer outdoor live, "BURST INTO A BLAZE 3": Featuring a fan-voted setlist showcasing "The Best of the Best" of the current GazettE!

After completing the additional performance of their 15th-anniversary commemorative show Dainippon Itan Geisha ‘Bou Dou Ku Gudon no Sakura’ and wrapping up the HERESY LIMITED TOUR17, the GazettE is set to host their first large-scale outdoor concert in nine years, "BURST INTO A BLAZE 3" on August 19. They’ve also announced their participation in ROCK IN JAPAN FESTIVAL 2017.

In this interview, we explore the plans for "BURST INTO A BLAZE 3," dive into the much-talked-about RAD MARKET merchandise—praised for its outstanding style amid increasingly fashion-forward band merch—and hear advice from the members, who continue to command tremendous support 15 years into their career. We also discuss their thoughts on the media and advice for the next generation.

Interviewer: You’ve just wrapped up the live house tour, HERESY LIMITED TOUR17. How was it? Do you feel like your performances have become more refined?

RUKI: Hmm… Honestly, it was a while ago, so I don’t remember much (laughs).

Uruha: It’s only been two months (laughs).

Interviewer: When I watched your performance at the Yoyogi National Gymnasium First Arena (March 10), I noticed some attendees seemed a bit unsure of how to vibe with the show. Did you feel like the fans got more used to it over time?

RUKI: By the time they were getting used to it, the tour was already over.

Interviewer: The songs from your early "Itan" era have a different approach compared to your louder, more rock-driven tracks. When performing those older songs, what do you consciously focus on? I imagine the challenges are on a different vector as well. With louder tracks, I feel like the vertical axis (the beat and rhythm) is dynamically emphasized. In contrast, the songs from the "Itan" era have a sharper, more edgy atmosphere and seem to require more meticulous expression. What are your thoughts on this, Kai?

Kai: For us, it doesn’t feel like the two are polar opposites, but the older tracks have their own charm. I focused on how to interpret and express those older songs in a way that fits who we are now. I’ve never really thought of it as "this is how we are now, and that’s how we were then."

Interviewer: So, would you say you were able to play them naturally?

Kai: Yes, I think so. Surprisingly, it came together quite smoothly.

Interviewer: What about you, Aoi?

Aoi: With our recent loud songs, there’s often a balance to maintain with sequences, and they’re primarily built around riffs and power chords. But with the older tracks, the phrases had a much wider range. That’s completely different from what we do now, so it felt nostalgic in a way—like, "Oh, it’s been a while since I’ve played these kinds of phrases." Still, since those phrases came from me originally, it felt like I was able to enjoy them together with the audience.

Interviewer: The anguished guitar on "Sugar Pain" (from the 2005 mini-album Gama) left a strong impression. It was amazing.

Aoi: Thank you very much.

Interviewer: What about you, Uruha?

Uruha: The loud tracks we’ve been playing up until recently involved a playing style that focused on locking in with the rhythm. The guitar parts were largely written with an emphasis on how to make the rhythm sound powerful. But with the older songs, there were more floating, cutting-style riffs. Personally, I found the groove much harder to grasp with those.

Interviewer: The rhythms are quite unique and unconventional, aren’t they?

Uruha: Yes, that’s true. The guitar parts often feel detached from the drums, with many floating, upper-layer melodies. In our recent songs, we tend to focus on syncing with the drums, which makes the live performance experience feel significantly different.

Interviewer: It really highlighted the unique pleasure of a visual kei-style twin guitar setup, something distinct from the typical loud rock twin guitar arrangement.

Uruha & Aoi: Thank you very much.

Interviewer: What about you, REITA?

REITA: During the DOGMA era (from their 8th album released in 2015), we were mostly tuning to A or B. We hadn’t played in standard tuning or even a whole step down for a long time, so it was quite challenging to adjust. When you’re in A or B tuning, the looseness of the strings creates this specific low-end resonance. But with standard tuning, you lose that effect. Since the bass drum’s tuning and tone remain the same, I had to figure out how to compensate for that low-end depth, which was tricky. Plus, these older songs aren’t as focused on tight, vertical synchronization as the louder tracks, so while playing them, it sometimes felt like the performances weren’t locking in perfectly (laughs). That kind of frustration lingered a bit.

Interviewer: I see. Unlike loud tracks where the synchronized vertical rhythm stands out, it might have been a bit harder for the audience to catch the rhythm and fully vibe with it.

REITA: Yeah, that could be it. We even adjusted a few songs to make them easier to follow.

Interviewer: Personally, I found that elusive quality fresh and very cool. What about you, RUKI?

RUKI: Comparing now to back then, it’s like two completely different things. The way we perceive and create sound is completely different. Nowadays, we make music by changing the key to suit the situation. Back then, we had songs where the lyrics would be like this, but the music would be like that... Performing them now, I felt it highlighted what we do well today. It also brought flashbacks of our old selves, so I'm glad we went for it.

Interviewer: Let’s talk about the upcoming outdoor live show, LIVE IN SUMMER 17 "BURST INTO A BLAZE 3", scheduled for August 19 at Fuji-Q Highland’s Conifer Forest. It’s your first large-scale outdoor concert in nine years and the third one overall. The trailer mentions the theme of "liberation from darkness." Does that symbolize a desire to simply enjoy being outdoors?

Aoi: Yes, we want to enjoy the outdoor setting. That said, I’m a bit worried about the weather because last time, it rained.

Interviewer: Was it a heavy downpour?

Aoi: No, just light rain...

RUKI, Uruha, REITA, & Kai: (laughs)

Aoi: If it’s going to rain, it should just pour already. A light drizzle doesn’t even make for a good story (laughs).

Interviewer: I see. Light rain isn’t quite legendary material (laughs).

Aoi: If it had been a torrential downpour, we could’ve said, "That day was insane!" or something (laughs). I hope we can make it a memorable live this time.

Interviewer: I’ve never been to Conifer Forest before. What’s the atmosphere like?

Aoi: It’s really in the mountains. It’s located beside or behind Fuji-Q Highland, and from the stage, I remember there was nothing but mountains beyond the embankment.

Kai: It’s basically a forest.

Interviewer: A forest—does that mean it has an outdoorsy atmosphere?

RUKI: Not really. It’s closer to feeling like a sea of trees (laughs). There’s no outdoorsy or lighthearted feel to it.

REITA: Yeah, it’s not exactly "pop" in atmosphere (laughs).

Interviewer: Oh, I see. Since it’s a venue where many artists perform, I thought it might have a more cheerful ambiance.

RUKI: I think when the crowd is there, it might feel that way.

Interviewer: In the second-floor clubhouse, there will be an archive gallery titled "EXUVIA", displaying past costumes, ESP guitars and basses, YAMAHA drums, and more. It sounds like an impressive and extensive exhibit.

Aoi: Yeah, since the space is limited, we’re aiming to show as much as we possibly can.

Interviewer: How big is the space?

RUKI: It’s reasonably large. It’s comparable to a venue where you might hold a big wedding reception.

Interviewer: I recently attended David Bowie’s major retrospective, and even just seeing the costumes was captivating. Given the GazettE’s dedication to costumes, this exhibit feels like something special and invaluable for fans.

RUKI: Putting together this archive exhibit made me realize we need to take better care of the items that represent our history as a band. We should preserve them properly (laughs).

Interviewer: I imagine it will get very crowded. Are there plans in place to manage that?

Aoi: Yes, visitors will have a set time to view the exhibit. I think the staff will handle that part efficiently.

Interviewer: Like your Yoyogi National Gymnasium performance Dainippon Itan Geisha, the setlist for this concert will also be decided by fan voting. The initial rankings had "INSIDE BEAST" at number one, followed by "Filth in the beauty," "TOMORROW NEVER DIES," "Cassis," and "Hyena." Have there been any changes in the rankings since then?

REITA: There have been some slight changes. One or two songs shifted, and I think "VORTEX" climbed higher. Ultimately, singles and more well-known tracks—if I can put it that way—tend to rise to the top.

Interviewer: Did you vote this time as well?

RUKI: Yes, I did. But the song I voted for ranked pretty low. It’s a bit pathetic, isn’t it? (laughs)

Interviewer: Aoi, did you vote?

Aoi: What?! No! Why would I vote? (laughs)

RUKI, Uruha, REITA, Kai: (burst into laughter)

REITA: Because you want to (laughs).

Aoi: But it’s us who decide the setlist! That’s like tipping the scales, isn’t it? (laughs)

REITA: I know, but still... I just kind of wanted to see what would happen if I voted (laughs).

Aoi: Ah, I see. In that case, I might try voting next time (laughs).

Interviewer: How did you feel when you saw the rankings?

Kai: Lately, the songs we’ve been performing in live shows before Dainippon Itan Geisha tend to rank higher, and that makes me happy. Having tracks like "INSIDE BEAST" and "TOMORROW NEVER DIES" near the top is a good sign since they’ve become live staples.

RUKI: Yeah, it’s definitely a good trend.

Interviewer: The details for the merchandise to be sold at the concert haven’t been announced yet, but RUKI, the designs you create for RAD MARKET’s goods are always incredibly cool. I was blown away by the T-shirts from the Dainippon Itan Geisha concert, especially the use of the word "ANTITHESIS."

RUKI: ANTITHESIS means "the opposite". The new designs are going for a more sporty vibe.

Interviewer: One standout feature of your designs is that they aren’t just for live shows—you’d want to wear them casually, too. They don’t just scream the band logo across the front. Is there anything in particular you focus on when designing?

RUKI: I try to incorporate whatever trends are popular at that time. It’s something we won't be able to do next year.

Interviewer: Honestly, they look cooler than T-shirts from some high-end brands that cost ¥30,000.

RUKI: (laughs) Well, men’s clothing can get really expensive.

Interviewer: If you were to wear your own band’s merchandise, like a T-shirt, what kind of design would you want?

RUKI: It depends. The challenge is how to make a typically “uncool” band T-shirt look stylish (laughs). Even with foreign bands’ merchandise, there are some shirts that are hard to wear out, you know?

Interviewer: Like what, for example?

RUKI: Like those of recent bands. I can wear Sex Pistols, but… (laughs).

Interviewer: I think I kind of understand what you mean (laughs).

RUKI: It’s the kind of thing that becomes cool again over time. Stuff like vintage 1980s L.A. metal shirts—METALLICA or MÖTLEY CRÜE—those are wearable. It’s about wearing something that’s a bit ironically uncool.

Interviewer: Ah, that makes sense!

RUKI: Like IRON MAIDEN shirts. Those are kind of unfashionable, aren't they (laughs).

Interviewer: Yeah, they’ve got that subtle pop charm. I’ve even seen black rappers like Tyler, The Creator rocking MAIDEN shirts, and it looks surprisingly fresh. It’s become a thing for rappers to wear metal T-shirts, hasn’t it?

RUKI: Yeah, it’s definitely a trend. Apparently, there’s this whole market where vintage band T-shirts sell really well because American rappers and celebrities wear them. Some people are making a fortune selling super vintage stuff to them—it’s become this huge trend (laughs).

Interviewer: The shirt you’re wearing today is a Kendrick Lamar T-shirt, right? It’s super cool. I don’t think you can find that in Japan yet. Where did you get it?

RUKI: Yep, it is. But where I got it is a secret (laughs).

REITA: "DAMN."!

Aoi: What’s that? A band?

RUKI: He’s a rapper.

Aoi: I don’t have that kind of taste like RUKI does, so I don’t really wear band shirts much, except maybe the GazettE ones. But when I wear them to work, I end up matching with the other members (laughs). So I stopped wearing them, but now they’re the ones matching, and I’m like, “Come on!” (laughs). Privately, though, I still wear them. Oh, that reminds me—ages ago, I went to see EXTREME live and bought a T-shirt as a souvenir for RUKI. But I’ve never seen him wear it (laughs).

RUKI: It’s safely tucked away in my collection (laughs).

Aoi: In the unfashionable section (laughs).

RUKI: No, no, it’s great (laughs).

Kai: I’ve never bought a band T-shirt myself, so I wouldn’t know. But if I did, I’d probably focus more on the design than the logo.

REITA: A while ago, I was looking for a MÖTLEY CRÜE shirt. But the ones I wanted were crazy expensive—like *¥30,000 because they’re vintage. And the ¥3,000 ones just didn’t appeal to me.

*¥30,000 ≈ €184

Interviewer: I kind of get what you mean.

REITA: Still, spending ¥30,000 on a T-shirt feels ridiculous, so I didn’t buy it in the end.

Interviewer: Do you think 30,000 yen is too much for a T-shirt?

REITA: Of course! It’s expensive, isn’t it? (laughs)

Aoi: Wait, we’re talking secondhand, right? It's called vintage (laughs).

REITA: Ah, yeah, I guess so.

Aoi: Still, ¥30,000 is too much.

REITA: Right? I’d even hesitate if it were brand new.

Interviewer: I’m looking forward to the new RAD MARKET merchandise announcements. Are the member-produced food items still in development?

RUKI: Yeah, we’re planning to do a taste-testing session soon.

Interviewer: The Fuji-Q live sounds like it’s packed with festival vibes and exciting ideas—I’m really looking forward to it. Also, you recently announced your appearance at ROCK IN JAPAN FESTIVAL. That was a surprise, considering that visual kei bands have only recently started performing at these kinds of events. (the GazettE will perform on August 11th.)

Uruha: Yeah, it’s a completely unknown experience for us. I imagine it’ll have a very different vibe from something like "LOUD PARK" or "KNOTFEST," which makes it exciting. I’m picturing it being somewhat similar to Hokkaido’s RISING SUN ROCK FESTIVAL.

Interviewer: I feel like the so-called “Japanese rock kids” will probably enjoy it pretty openly. Plus, the atmosphere is great—peaceful and relaxed.

Aoi: That makes me feel a little less nervous (laughs).

Interviewer: Going back a bit, how did you feel about your performance at last year’s "KNOTFEST"?

RUKI: Well, we did our best (laughs).

Uruha: I think the audience reaction was better than how I personally felt about it.

Interviewer: In your previous interview (from the March 2017 issue), RUKI mentioned that modern visual kei, with its core in loud rock, seems to have "hit a ceiling." I found that insight to be very sharp. I interviewed a band that has openly expressed their admiration for the GazettE, and they incorporate elements like 7-string guitars, Djent, and progressive styles, with a high level of skill. It made me wonder if that’s the natural direction loud rock evolves toward. I've also spoken with other visual kei bands and even some fans, and I often sense a feeling of insecurity or complex about being associated with visual kei. After celebrating your 15th anniversary, as a leading figure in visual kei and someone who guides future bands, could you offer any advice to those who might feel unable to proudly say they love visual kei or don't feel confident about it?

Aoi: Hmm, honestly, we don’t really care about what others think, so I don’t have any words to offer (laughs). But I think it's good for each person to do their own thing in this scene. In the loud scene, for example, when a certain style becomes popular, like Djent, it just becomes saturated, right? That "follow-the-leader" mentality isn’t necessary, you should just do things your own way and let them fade or evolve however they will.

Interviewer: Loud rock is also starting to settle into certain formulas, but it still manages to endure over time, doesn’t it?

Aoi: But that's not so easy for visual kei. There are people doing their own thing in their own way, and if those people can survive, I think that’s all that really matters.

Interviewer: How about you, Kai?

Kai: Well, I’m not really in a position to say much... but what I think is that there’s something cool about sticking to one style. That’s why I like bands that stick to their style.

Interviewer: Do you mean in terms of their musical style?

Kai: Both, actually. Including their attitude. I don’t really get deeply involved with other bands, so I can only comment from a superficial perspective (laughs).

Interviewer: How about you, REITA?

REITA: If we're talking about the kids who can't feel proud of being part of visual kei, I don’t understand why they can't say it with pride, but I guess that’s just how they feel. That can be a good thing, though. "Visual kei" is a name everyone knows, but not many people are fully immersed in it, and maybe that’s what's good about it. Also, when people say things like, "Visual kei shouldn't be at this kind of festival," that actually makes me more motivated. I think it becomes a driving force.

Interviewer: So, you’re saying that complex feelings can be turned into motivation.

REITA: Exactly.

Interviewer: What do you think, Uruha?

Uruha: I can’t really offer advice, but I think if someone can't proudly say they’re part of visual kei, it's actually proof that they're self-aware, and I think that's pretty smart. We’re doing the core of visual kei, but when we were younger, we were very edgy. In that sense, I think the younger generation is a lot smarter. It doesn't matter what others think—this is a world where no one will guarantee anything for you, so it’s best to just do things the way you like.

Interviewer: What about you, RUKI?

RUKI: Not being able to take pride in visual kei… Well, I guess I don’t really care about anyone else outside of us.

Interviewer: During the live performance at the National Yoyogi venue, you made a declaration to "proudly continue in visual kei," which sounded like a statement of commitment to the visual kei scene.

RUKI: I’m not really interested in visual kei as a "scene." To me, "visual kei" is more like being an inventor—something that encompasses makeup, costumes, packaging, and everything related to visual presentation. So, it really depends on what you mean when you say "visual kei."

Interviewer: I think it’s also about the fact that your background is rooted in the visual kei scene.

RUKI: Visual kei itself has become so subdivided, so we’re just us, and others are just others. That's why I don’t have any advice to offer. Of course, we’re grateful when people say they like our music.

Interviewer: I don't know if it's just coincidence, but almost all the bands I interview or meet in venues say that they've been influenced by the GazettE.

RUKI: What do they say they like about the GazettE? Like the era?

Interviewer: It varies by era, but a lot of them talk about the spirit of the band, and they speak passionately about it. For example, many people thought that visual kei was synonymous with bad musicianship and lack of technical skill. But after attending a live performance, like the "Shikkoku", they realized how good you actually are! They were surprised by not only the skill but also the high level of sound and production. If you actually saw the live show, you wouldn't have any bad feelings, right?

RUKI: I’m grinning, actually (laughs). It really depends on what part of us they like. When people become fans of a band, some of them fall in love after reading an interview, and some after watching a documentary.

Interviewer: You mentioned that some people become fans of a band by reading an interview, but I feel like lately, there are fewer people who develop a liking for a band from reading an interview. Over time, media has changed, and now there are more outlets, especially with the rise of the internet, but the content often feels the same, like the same types of questions being asked. I say this with some self-reflection, and I realize this question might sound strange, but since you’ve given many interviews, do you have any thoughts about the types of questions that get asked?

RUKI: It feels like media has shifted from magazines to the internet, but the questions haven’t really changed since the magazine era. I hate to say it, but the questions I hear from the inner circle, the ones that are specialized in visual kei, aren't very interesting to read. In the past, I was often asked about personal things. But then again, not all fans necessarily want to hear about the music side of things. What people are most interested in is the mindset or the emotional side—what we’re thinking or feeling. Personally, I pay attention to those aspects. For example, interviews with bands that are disbanding are often very awkward, and I find the way that tension comes through quite interesting (laughs). Things like that—a glimpse into the true nature of a band—is what I find interesting.

Interviewer: Do you all read media interviews? What kind of articles are you interested in?

Aoi: When I read band interviews, it's rare for me to get a bad impression of someone.

Interviewer: So, it's usually non-offensive, right?

Aoi: Oh, I see what you're saying (laughs). Well, I don’t really end up disliking anyone after reading their interview, but I’m not particularly drawn to them either. But I think non-offensive, neutral responses are the best.

Interviewer: What about you, Kai?

Kai: Hmm, if it feels like they're just saying ordinary things, I’ll just pass it by (laughs). It’s more common with people who are older, but there are some who say very nasty things, right?

Interviewer: That's certainly true (laughs).

Kai: Whether it's for better or worse, I tend to pay attention to people like that. I end up getting more and more immersed, thinking, "Why did they say that?" "What’s the reason behind that statement?" I find that interesting.

Interviewer: So, you want to know why they said it. How about you, REITA?

REITA: I’m going to say something that might not be the best... but I don’t really read interviews in print. I do like video interviews, though. I enjoy paying attention to how they say things, their tone of voice, the pauses, their phrasing—those are the things I find cool. But when it’s in writing, I find it hard to know how seriously to take it. It’s a bit difficult for me to tell how much of it is genuine.

Interviewer: Hmm... That hits a bit close to home...

Aoi: But sometimes, when (the interviewer) transcribes it, they make the artist sound like they're using a really formal tone, right? (laughs). It makes it sound like they are being really condescending. I'm a bit taken aback by that. Like, "Whoa! I'm not saying that at all!" (laughs).

Interviewer: I see (laughs). How about you, Uruha?

Uruha: Personally, I don’t really read band interviews in magazines. Instead, I read interviews that come with scores. I’m more interested in comments about their performance, the playing itself. I’ve never been that interested in the mental or emotional side of artists.

Interviewer: So, you were originally more interested in the craftsmanship side of things. How about you, RUKI?

RUKI: I don’t really read other people's interviews, but sometimes I do read interviews that show up on my Twitter timeline. They’re often from different genres, and when I read those, I think, "Wow, that's impressive." There are statements where people say things like, "I’ve got nothing left to lose." The lack of responsibility in their statements is so clear, and I really like that.

Interviewer: Yeah, interviews with idols can sometimes be really surprising.

RUKI: That feels like it’s closer to their true nature. Also, I find articles about foreign artists interesting.

Interviewer: For example, Corey Taylor of SLIPKNOT criticizing Donald Trump, although not many media outlets report on that.

RUKI: I really like stuff like that. Trent Reznor from NINE INCH NAILS is really critical of the music industry. He’s a huge name, and even though he’s making his own music with a lot of passion, he says things like the music industry is dead, it’s rotten, and there are no inventors left in the industry. I think it would be amazing if people in Japan were as bold as that. Like, "Sorry, but it’s over!" (laughs). It’s hard to find that kind of honesty in Japan... When it comes to artists, it's about whether they’re going commercial or staying true to their art. Watching how that unfolds is really interesting.

Interviewer: I’ll take that to heart. I've always felt that things that are inoffensive are less likely to catch on to people other than fans.

RUKI: Yeah, album interviews are usually the least interesting (laughs). Part of it is the times we’re in. Back in our day, there was a certain thrill in digging deeper into things like spirituality—or the deeper mindset behind what they were saying—or not saying.

Interviewer: These days, you can usually look everything up online right away. I also feel that the GazettE is really good at using social media, but at the same time, it must be difficult. Are there things you’re careful about when it comes to social media?

RUKI: I try not to say things as if I’m always right, though it’s not like I actively remind myself to do that. I just try to avoid saying unnecessary things, since there are so many different people out there.

Interviewer: It’s a tough situation, right? Especially for famous people, who are under so much pressure regarding compliance these days. I’ve noticed, although this doesn’t involve the GazettE specifically, that on social media, there’s a never-ending debate among live kids about live manners. I often think it's pointless.

RUKI: I used to be the type to speak up about live manners. I don’t do it much anymore, though. Back in the day, if something came up, I would write long posts about it.

Interviewer: Do you have any thoughts when you see debates about live manners?

RUKI: Since I’ve been the one to bring it up in the past, I kind of feel like, "Can’t people just enjoy things normally?" I do think people should be more mindful. Sometimes, you have to say things strongly for them to be understood.

Interviewer: I sometimes think that maybe these things can only be solved by not engaging in debates at all.

RUKI: Hm... I wonder if it’s because of the way society has shifted that things have turned out this way.

Interviewer: From a fan’s perspective, what the members say is absolute, right? So, maybe instead of vague statements about manners, it would be better if the band clearly set some rules.

RUKI: That's right, it’s the same for every band. If you don’t want to cause trouble, then don’t say anything. But if you’re okay with causing trouble, then go ahead and say it. I think it’s tough for bands playing in live houses, though. The places where we always have trouble are live houses, too.

REITA: I think it’s because we also play in halls.

RUKI: Right. So this problem will probably continue forever.

Interviewer: But it’s a bit contradictory, isn’t it? Going to a live show is a positive experience, and you’re basking in the afterglow, but then you open social media, you might see something like, "There were people with bad manners!"

REITA: That's really unpleasant, isn't it? I don’t understand the idea of trying to make everyone know about someone. If it’s about a specific person, just tell them directly.

RUKI: REITA has spoken (laughs)!

[sketch-guardian]

Mc making matching keychains/good luck charms for the RAD classmates that are of their familiars and matching keychains/good luck charms for the Angel exchange students (like sappy little hearts that magnetize together)

It seems like an adorable idea☺so I'm going to hopefully write some good headcanons and look for some references to add✨:

"RAD CLASSMATES+NEW EXCHANGE STUDENTS WITH A MC MAKING MATCHING KEYCHAINS/LUCKY CHARMS (OF THEIR FAMILIARS FOR THE DEMONS AND THEMED ONES FOR THE ANGELS)"

DEMYA

Demya wouldn't know exactly the occasion for which MC would have decided to buy her a lucky charm keychain and for a few moments, she would even think that she had forgotten some of their anniversaries and would feel like a awful mate, before being reassured by MC that it was just a gift to show their affection. Demya would grin enthusiastically at the sight of the soft lucky charm keychain representing her familiar, a wolverine, squeezing it and giggling with joy as soon as she noticed MC having a an identical one, so they would match. Demya would really appreciate the present, the plush consistency and material of the keychain would be also quite stimulating for her, being able to hold onto it in stressful times to calm down, just like a lucky charm. Demya would tell many about MC's gift for a long time, nuzzling against them as she shows they match

DOMNRA/MOBIM

Domnra would not believe much in lucky charms, therefore he wouldn't consider it necessary to own one, however he would certainly not be the type of demon to refuse a considerable gift from MC, it would be ungrateful of him towards his partner. At the sight of a soft lucky charm keychain representing his familiar, a porcupine, even if fluffier in such circumstances, Domnra would shake his head at MC having a matching keychain, letting out a huff and a few amused chuckles, maybe even a snort, at least Domnra would appreciate the gesture, even if he wouldn't know how safe it would be to carry the kychain around, it might get ruined and he would want to keep it safe (MC was tempted to buy Domnra a Shadow the hedgehog's keychain as a joke, but then decided against it-). For Mobim, MC would buy a small lucky charm keychain that would remind them of the cute little curse's appearance

AZUL

Azul would love small trinkets such as keychains or lucky charms, in fact he would probably have some sort of collection among the sea of ​stuff in his room, including some jewels, like the ones he often wears, accessories such as earrings and necklaces. Azul would squeal at the sight of the matching lucky charm keychains in the shape of his familiar, a blue morpho butterfly, crafted by MC to share as a couple. Azul would them hold them tight in a hug, showering MC with thanks and kisses while praising their artwork. Azul would always carry the lucky charm keychain with him, showing it to everyone with a smug smirk, especially to those who would get jealous (the demon brothers-)

ZURI

MC would know that Zuri has quite refined tastes or that she appreciates simple but elegant things, therefore they would try to create something that compliments Zuri's figure and that is worthy of the demon who would bring the keychain with her, efforts that Zuri would appreciate intensely, because they would be a sign that MC cares about her and knows her well enough. Zuri, at the sight of a lucky charm keychain with the appearance of her familiar, a swan, covered in gems, would smile subtly and kiss MC on their lips, thanking them for the considerable gesture, she wouldn't even mind the ulterior motive of matching, because Zuri would know that both would look very good aesthetically, it would also be a nice memory and it's likely that in the following days Zuri will return the gift with something that MC has wanted for a long time

ODON

To Odon, MC could give a old and half frayed friendship bracelet, that the eldritch being would cherish it anyway and would keep it as safe as a treasure, for them in the end it would be one, because it was a present from MC. However, MC would think of something more elaborate and give Odon a lucky charm keychain similar to their familiars, i.e. the eye-like creatures, almost with a vintage touch to it. Odon would grin and while the eye-like creatures would be busy staring at the keychain like they were having a staring contest, the eldritch being would thank MC from the bottom of their "heart" for the gesture, pointing out that it almost resembles the pendant they sometimes wear, chuckling at the sight of MC with a identical keychain. Odon would always carry the lucky charm with them and would get quite sad if something were to happen to it

REMIEL

Remiel, apart from her robes and some ancient tomes, never received many presents, perhaps because it isn't a celestial custom to receive material gifts that could increase the risk of developing greed, so MC would be even more determined to give something to the angel of death. Remiel would tilt her head at the sight of matching lucky charm keychains representing two little spirits in love, understanding thanks to a gentle nudge from MC that it refers to her celestial duty and their relationship. Remiel would flutter her wings and her silver halo would shine slightly brighter, signs of her contentment and she would thank MC, with a soft faint smile. Remiel would take the lucky charm with her, believing that it corresponds to the human version of a blessing and would like to return MC's gesture by learning a human tradition. Mortals appreciate flowers, right? (Remiel would bring a beautiful bouquet, significant because she would even learn flower language just for that, however she would also uproot a bush, not sure a bouquet would be enough-)

NATHANIEL

Nathaniel wouldn't be used to receiving presents, so it would be a pleasant surprise to discover that MC was kind enough to think not only of him, but of a gift that would be useful for both parts of their relationship. Nathaniel, noticing the lucky charm keychain, would roll his eyes as a gentle tease at the sight of the shape of wings, recognizing it as a reference to his ones, precisely six in total. Nathaniel would pat MC's head and after thanking them with a peace sign, he would promise them that he would always carry the lucky charm keychain with him, not breaking it. In fact, Nathaniel could be often seen in class with the keychain and to anyone who would ask him questions about it, Nathaniel would simply point at MC with one finger and then make the heart sign with his hands

URIEL

The most gifts Uriel has ever received, if they can even be called presents, are modifications to her armor or personalized lessons from some general angels, so she wouldn't be used to receiving anything more sentimental. At first Uriel would be suspicious of the gift, as if she expected MC to tell her that they had messed up something or that they needed a favor, however once she was sure that it wasn't one of those cases, Uriel's eyes would widen and her wings ruffle at seeing the lucky charm keychain in the shape of a golden sword with wings. Uriel would fangirl over the keychain for a bit, before recovering, clearing her throat and thanking MC for the present, even if a warrior angel like her doesn't need luck, only skills. In any case, Uriel would always carry the lucky charm with her, smiling fleetingly when she would notice MC with a matching keychain. Uriel would kinda feel indebted to MC

[inasbdtblogrealnoscam]

🖤

"The easiest way to describe her would be... "a good person", made by someone who hasn't ever interacted with a good person, much less knows how to be one. That, and it's not like she has much to work off. A servant overseeing all the other servants is still a servant, after all."

First redesign reveal of this page - meet Jina!

Designed to halt Exetior's murderous tendencies and protect those under her care, she is the beacon of morality that shines over the darkness. Her creation was a commision after the Inner incident, which made the demon realize he could use someone to put him back on the right path when he strays away from his goal for the sake of pointless cruelty. Oh, yeah, and she has a Core. Pretty rad.

For more information about her, read below the line!

Background:

After the unexpected and unintended creation of Inner Tails and the accidental perma-murder of Vanilla that figment of Tails’s soul caused, it became apparent to Exetior that sometimes he can go too far and not think about the possible consequences of some of his endeavours. To prevent another scenario like this from occurring ever again, he decided he needed an advisor, as well as someone who could hold him back if needed. Unfortunately, all of his “co-workers”, to put it bluntly, fucking suck. And, instead of doing the reasonable thing and just… asking the very Mobians in question, he somehow decided that creating a brand new synthetic lifeform would be a better option. (What can I say, considering the lifeforms he's fighting in the name of was never his strong suit.) So he commissioned Pervision to make one, only giving him two limitations: the creation must have enough power to temporarily stop him, just in case, and, more importantly, they must be “a good person”. (Although that was still somehow enough to piss the one-eyed entity off.) Project Embrella, as the experiment was called, turned out to be a huge success. The artificial lifeform was successfully created.

After accidentally mishearing her name, Exetior gladly welcomed “Jina” into his army. Out of shyness, she didn’t correct him, and so the moniker stuck. Over the next few months, the two have grown closer, as she held back his wrath, and he grew to appreciate her advice. They’ve also developed mutual romantic feelings for eachother. However, things didn't last. One fateful day, Exetior and Jina found themselves ambushed by a Highest. Driven by love and her directive, she stayed behind to stall for time and allow Exetior to escape. And unfortunately, that led to her death.

Distraught by the loss of his love, Exetior spiralled into a depression, his wrath becoming even more of a problem than usual. (Since you can’t lead a war against the forces of the Highests while like that, it was an issue that needed to be addressed urgently.) As the previous iteration of Embrella proved successful, it was decided a new replica would be created for him. However, due to time constraints, lack of resources, wartime-related pressure and just an overall disdain of the idea of “wasting effort and resources for something that useless”, only her personality got refined. The appearance was made haphazardly (and it really shows). While, indeed, the idea worked and Exetior got along well with the new Jina, it wasn’t the same. The real Jina was dead, and she could never replace the original. Both sides are aware of this but, well, what can they do? They both just keep pretending that neither of them realized it yet.

Personality:

Jina’s personality varies slightly each time, an unintentional side effect of using various different sources to gather the material used to make her. As such, she can display traits opposite of each other at different times such as braveness and cowardice or calmness and overexcitement. However, she still has quite a few consistent traits. Jina is kind and empathetic (well, as empathetic as a creation of someone almost entirely morally evil can get), being quite literally made to be “a good person”. An altruist since her creation, she aims to aid the unadvised and protect the weak. Jina is also incredibly charismatic and outspoken, knowing how to appeal to people with ease. She boasts a lot and is very self-confident. Also, another intentional feature, she has an incredibly sharp wit and strong sense of humour, which she uses mostly to make puns, unfortunately frequently at other people’s expense.

My personal design and lore thoughts:

When I decided to include Jina in BDT, my first thought was "how do I fit her in? the simulations aren't anything more than just an anger management system/strategy planner here". Then I suddenly got a flash of inspiration, and things just kinda went from there. I wanted to make her more of a fusion of beings - but this time, not just three girls. Let's add more - that was my thought when sketching her design. I took some inspo from AI-generated Sonic content, as well as the Amalgamates from Undertale. I wanted her to look like a mishmash of different, but not identical, colors. Also gave her a different outfit just because.

I don't remember how I figured out her lore, to be honest. I think it started with the C ending of FN. I liked the vibe and how Jina was just trying to get Cream to accept the inevitable. I decided I want that in my AU and the Inner thing was probably something I came up with after.

If I had to describe her in one word (like I will with other characters later), it would be "kindhearted". Or, technically, "kindcored", but that sounds worse.

This is an entirely different character than canon Jina at this point, but I still love her :)