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tikitakatia · 1 month ago

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Barça: Player Mode — A. Putellas x Reader

"Initial Calibration"

Pt. 1

WC: 3.3k

Summary: Every match, glance and brush of her against you pulls you deeper in, until the world outside starts to feel less real than the pitch. You tell yourself it’s just data, but some programs can't be written off that easily.

You don’t open the box right away.

It stays in the center of your apartment like a deactivated time bomb carrying a meaningful silence. It's like it knows it’s not ordinary. Like it’s not just a simulation kit, but a door you’ve been itching to walk through again since the moment Alexia faded from the last match.

You take the slowest shower known to mankind, pull on a sweatshirt then pick at your dinner as you watch the box wearily, like it´ll grow some legs and jump you at any moment.

When you finally manage to find the strength to crack it open, it’s quiet. You see smooth layers of black foam, and each piece of equipment is tucked into its place like it was designed just for you. The haptic suit feels lighter than you remember. You slide it on slowly, each part fitting closer than it did in the museum, like the fabric already knows your shape. The gloves lock in with a soft click. You press the headset into place and feel it seal around your face like a breath you didn’t know you were holding. Then you hear a robotic voice.

“Welcome to Player Mode: Home Beta.”

“Initial calibration required. Please stand on the platform.”

Your body moves before your mind finishes processing. You step onto the motion plate, the one you installed earlier under the rug, and it adjusts beneath your feet, holding you steady. Your heart’s already ticking faster, but the system doesn’t seem to care.

“System check in progress. Standby.”

The lights dim and Camp Nou builds around you in silence.

The sound comes second. A low, ambient, wind moving across the pitch in the slow hush of evening. The stadium is empty. Sunlight drips across the sky in soft streaks of peach and gold, long shadows curling along the field like smoke. The floodlights are dimmed to a hum.

No fans. No noise. Just you and the air.

You take one step forward and your foot hits turf with a softness that makes your chest pull tight.

“Motion recognition active.”

“Walk to the center circle.”

You move. Your legs aren’t tired yet, but they feel something. Anticipation, maybe. Memory. The system walks you through the basic steps: running, turning, shifting your balance side to side. It feels clinical, even as your body moves like it knows what’s coming next.

Then the voice changes.

“Emotional calibration in progress.”

You stop breathing for a second.

Across the pitch, the tunnel lights flicker on.

You hear the sound first, the steady and unhurried clack of cleats on concrete.

Then she steps out into the field with all the certainty in the world, like she has never gone, like she’s always been here. No fanfare. No smile. Just Alexia, moving toward you in the quiet, golden hour.

Her face is neutral and focused, and her gaze cuts through the space between you.

“It’s great to see you back,” she says, voice smooth.

“Let’s win some trophies together.”

You don’t say anything. You laugh quietly to yourself. You’re already spiraling, and she’s not even doing anything. Just standing there and saying lines the system gave her.

“Look at me,” she says.

You do without even thinking about it.

“Stay still. We’ll sync your heart rate now.”

The air shifts and you hear it before you feel it, a soft thud in your ears, a second later than your own. Then again. Louder and closer as it's syncing. Your breathing evens and hers does too. Her shoulders rise when yours do and she blinks when you blink. It’s eerily beautiful and also very unfair.

Then she steps closer.

She lifts her hands and begins to touch you like she’s doing a pre-flight check. She lightly taps your shoulder, elbow, the small of your back and the rest of your body like she’s scanning you. The pressure is minimal and professional but your brain is not cooperating and your body starts to react anyway.

Then she reaches up.

She takes your face in her hands gently but firmly, and tilts your head just enough to meet her eyes.

Your knees nearly give out.

The haptics overfire in your chest, neck and face. It feels like heat, electricity and softness all at once. Her hands are warm, bigger than you imagined, and too steady. Your breath catches. Your heart stumbles and your fingers twitch at your sides.

She stares right into you.

And then, with zero inflection, like a system prompt she says:

“Heart rate increased.”

You let out something between a laugh and a wheeze. Your whole body wants to collapse into her. Or the turf. Maybe into the sun, you weren't sure yet.

She doesn’t react. Instead her hands drop and she steps back as if nothing happened.

“Touch registered. Response noted. Emotional sync confirmed.”

The next voice that returns isn’t hers, it’s the system’s again.

“Calibration complete. Save profile?”

“Yes,” you whisper.

She turns back to you, and this time her face doesn’t look neutral. It looks... open.

“Welcome back, Y/N.”

And just like that, she’s gone.

You tear the headset off five seconds after it ends.

You’re flushed, your mouth is dry, and the suit is suddenly too much. You peel it off slowly, breathing like you just finished a sprint, and sit there on the floor, staring at nothing.

You're not going back in tonight, you couldn’t even if you wanted to. You needed to sleep or cry. Or scream into a pillow.

Maybe all three.

You spend most of the next day on autopilot.

You wake up and go through the motions. Coffee, emails, you even pretend to clean something and not one second of it feels real. You’re physically present, sure, but mentally? You’re still on that pitch. You’re still hearing your heartbeat sync to hers. You’re still standing under those fake-perfect sunset lights while she looked at you like you were the only person on the field.

You spend a full five minutes staring at your fridge before you realize you already ate. Everything just feels… dumb now. Small. Flat. Like how is anything supposed to feel real again after that? And the worst part, the absolute worst part is how incredibly, embarrassingly hot the whole thing was. You flop onto your bed and immediately pull a pillow over your face because you’re not okay.

She had both hands on your face. Like full palms. Like someone telling you to calm down in a movie before they kiss you or change your life. They were big. Not just big, they were “holy shit you could pin me to a wall” big.

Warm, soft and strong.

And her touch was like… measured. Gentle. But in control.

The kind of touch where you’re like: oh. okay. so I guess you’re in charge now.

And her eyes??? Hazel. Up close. So close you could count every fleck of gold. So close it felt personal. Like she could tell what you were thinking. Which is a nightmare because what you were thinking was extremely illegal and probably against the beta tester guidelines.

And THEN. The audacity. The absolute programmed audacity of her saying:

“Heart rate increased.”

Like girl??? No shit!!! Look at yourself!! Look at your face!!! Look at your hands!!! You’re out here touching me like we’re in some emotionally repressed, slow-burn enemies-to-lovers sports romance and then acting like it’s MY problem that I’m overheating????

You groan out loud. You’ve never been thirstier in your life and the worst part is she’s not even real. She’s code. Gorgeous, smug, perfectly responsive code.

You roll onto your side and look at the headset sitting on your desk.

It’s still there waiting with the manual next to it still unopened. You haven’t read a single page.

You tell yourself you’ll check it tomorrow. Right now, you're too busy trying to figure out if it’s normal to feel this horny and emotionally broken over a high-performance AI.

You know the answer.

You're logging in again tomorrow.

The game ends in a flurry of movement, fast passes, a final goal, then a whistle that cuts through the roar like a clean edge.

You don’t score, but you play well. You know you play well. Everything feels more connected now. The haptics fire with just enough intensity to trick your body into thinking it really did run five kilometers and you’re breathing like you earned it.

Aitana runs past you, grinning. “Nice recovery on that cross,” she says, tapping your shoulder.

Fridolina follows her, slicking sweat from her forehead with her sleeve. “You don’t stop, do you?”

Ona gives you a quick smile, then nods toward the sideline. “Come on. Locker room.”

You pause and try to play it cool. “Right, yeah. Totally.”

Ingrid jogs up from behind, patting your back as she passes. “Feels like you’ve been here longer than four games,” she says with a warm yet distant tone.

You want to respond but you don’t get the chance because Alexia’s suddenly beside you.

“Hey,” she says softly. Not game-mode sharp, but something gentler.

You fall into step next to her like your body remembers how.

“Locker room?” you ask, trying not to sound like a dumbass.

“That’s… new.”

She glances at you. “Beta version. Full facility access. So you get the whole picture and not just the games.”

You nod. “Cool. Yeah. Makes sense.”

She looks at you a little longer this time, then smiles.

“Kind of nice, right? To not disappear the second the whistle blows?”

You weren’t expecting her to say that.

You nod. “Yeah, it actually is.”

The hallway opens into a wide, bright locker room with white tile, wood benches and the Barça crest above the lockers like it’s watching over everything. You follow the flow of bodies and sit near the end, peeling off your gloves like you’re really going to shower here. Like this is your space.

The others are talking, laughing and moving around you but you’re barely listening.

Alexia drops down on the bench next to you, towel hanging loosely around her neck and she leans forward, elbows on her knees, and looks over.

“You played better today,” she says.

You blink. “Oh, thanks.”

She nods. “You read the midfield better. You’re starting to know where to be before the ball gets there.”

Your heart stutters and you try not to show it.

“Guess I’m learning.”

She gives a low, almost-smile.

“You’re good at learning.”

You look at her. Really look, and realize her eyes are lighter here. Not golden, not hazel, but something in between. Her skin’s still flushed from the run. Her voice is quieter than it was on the pitch. And even though she’s sitting like she’s resting, she’s present. Entirely. Like she’s still in the match, still reading the field.

Only now, that field is you.

You swallow hard. “You always watch this closely?”

She shrugs like it’s nothing. “Part of the program.”

But something about the way she says it makes your chest go stupid again.

You don’t know what to say after that, so you sit there in the hum of the locker room while she looks away, towel in hand, hair damp at the edges.

You forget, briefly, that you’re not supposed to want this so much.

You’re supposed to be testing a product.

The sim doesn’t fade right away this time. There’s no hard end. No white-out screen or sudden silence. You just stay, listening to the shuffle of cleats and low conversation, the sound of water running somewhere down the hall. You could log out.

But you don’t want to.

You don’t know how long you sit there next to her, saying nothing.

There’s no system prompt telling you to move. No fade-out. Just her beside you, quiet and real and close enough that you could reach over and..

You don’t.

Eventually, Alexia stands. Stretches. The sound of her cleats against the tile pulls you back to yourself.

She drapes the towel around her neck again and glances back at you, brows lifted slightly like she’s checking if you’re coming.

“You should walk out with me,” she says.

You nod. Too quickly.

She doesn’t wait for you to catch up. Just walks slowly enough that you can. You fall into step beside her again, the same way you did on the pitch. The hallway outside the locker room is quieter now. You pass framed jerseys, old team photos, a few doors you want to open but don’t.

Alexia looks ahead as she talks, like it’s nothing serious.

“Hope you liked that,” she says. “Most testers never make it this far.”

You glance at her. “Yeah? Why not?”

She shrugs. “People drop out early. Get bored. Think it’s just matches and goals. They don’t stick around long enough to see the rest.”

You nod, feeling the warmth bloom again in your chest.

“If you’re ready to head out, the car park’s that way.” She gestures ahead.

There’s no goodbye. No confirmation screen. Just her, pointing toward a set of heavy double doors at the end of the corridor. You walk toward them slowly, half-expecting her to follow.

She doesn’t. You look back once and see that she’s already turned away, walking the other direction.

The moment you step through the doors, the sim fades.

You’re back in your apartment before you even feel the headset lift. You’re still standing on the platform, sweat sticking the suit to your back, fingers curling like they’re still holding the edge of a locker bench.

You breathe in, then out and say her name once under your breath just to see how it feels now.

The next time you log in, it drops you mid-game again.

No countdown. No tunnel. Just the field under your feet, the weight of the boots on your legs, and the soft golden light curling across the pitch like the system’s figured out your favorite aesthetic. The crowd buzzes low and steady in the background, and your heart syncs to it without needing to try.

You’re tracking back on defense. Quick, sharp, locked in. Everything feels more responsive. When you shift your balance, the haptics register it like muscle memory. When the ball comes loose, your body already knows what to do.

You don’t score this time, someone else does, but you get the clean assist that leads to it. The whistle blows sharp and final, cutting through the sound like a ribbon, and you slow to a jog as the simulation eases into its post-match rhythm.

From across the field, Alexia claps once and calls out, “That’s it, read it early!”

Your chest pulls a little tight. You tell yourself it’s just feedback. Praise, nothing else. But your mouth still twitches into a small smile.

Back in the locker room, it’s familiar now. The lighting’s soft, the layout clean. Aitana passes you on the way to the benches, tossing you a nod. Frido offers a water bottle like you’ve been doing this for months. Ona drops next to Ingrid and unties her boots like it’s routine.

You make your way to the edge of the row and you barely sit down before Alexia brushes past, towel slung over her shoulder, hair already starting to curl from the sweat.

“You’re starting to read me better,” she says matter of factly.

“It’s faster now.”

You blink at her.

It doesn’t sound like much. Could mean anything. But the way she says it, low, casual and almost thoughtful, sits with you longer than it should.

She doesn’t stay. Just drops her gloves beside you and keeps moving.

Eventually, you follow. Out through the back hall, past the framed photos and kits, through the long stretch of hallway that leads to the car park. She doesn’t walk you this time. She just gestures toward the doors like you know the way now.

You step through.

The sim fades.

When you take the headset off, you swear your heart’s still beating to the rhythm of her voice.

Your hands move without thinking. You check the console screen out of habit, expecting the usual post-match breakdown. But today, it looks different.

There’s the regular stuff, sure, match time, pass accuracy, stamina output. But then, below that, a new set of lines.

Emotional Index: 55%

AI Memory Progression: Adaptive Learning Enabled

User Anchor Profile: ACTIVE (Locked)

You stare.

You scroll.

Three new menu tabs are now visible, tucked in the corner of the dashboard like they’ve always been there.

Memory Archive.

Emotional Sync Tracker.

Custom Interactions – Locked.

You click on the archive first. Not because you mean to. Just because it’s there.

Inside, it plays back fragments of previous sessions. Highlight clips, movement sequences, even audio pulls. One is labeled

“User-Specific – Incomplete.”

You hover over but don't open it

At the top of the screen, a soft system notification fades in.

Thank you for completing your fifth session. Player-AI engagement intensity has exceeded the standard curve. Adaptive interaction pacing will continue to adjust.

Your finger hovers over the “more info” icon. You could dig deeper. Could look at the sync logs, the anchor settings, the memory timeline.

But you don’t.

You close the window instead. Lean back in your chair. Eyes on the screen, heart still caught somewhere back in that locker room.

You know you´re getting deeper into it, and you like that.

You land in the match like it’s nothing.

Another session. Another sun-washed pitch under your feet. The system’s loading times are seamless now. No voice prompts, no menu fades. Just you, the weight of your kit, and the thrum of noise around you that your brain already calls real.

The play’s fast today. You’re not leading it, but you’re inside of it. A cog in the right place. You don’t need to think anymore, you're starting to just move. Which is exactly why it catches you off guard when you hear her voice.

“You’re not hesitating at the turn anymore.”

You freeze for a fraction of a second. Not enough for anyone to notice, just enough for it to echo.

She said that before.

You remember it clearly. Session three. Midfield. You had barely known how to read the field back then. And today? You played differently. You were off position most of the time by design.

You push it down and keep moving.

After the goal, the sim doesn’t end right away. You’re back in the locker room again, sweat sticking to your neck, your muscles burning like they’ve actually done something. You’re untying your boots when she sits next to you.

Alexia.

Same towel, same post-match calm.

“You played slower today,” she says softly. “Not in a bad way. You were thinking more.”

You glance at her. “Was it that obvious?”

She shrugs, almost smiling. “You hold your breath before you pass.”

You blink.

It’s not said like a tease. It’s not said like she read it off your performance stats. It’s said like she’s been watching you closely over time.

You laugh too quickly. “Weird thing to notice.”

Alexia leans back against the bench. “I’ve seen you do it a few times.”

There’s no reason for that to matter. There’s no reason for her to remember that.

She looks at you then, full-on. Not like a teammate. Not like a program.

Like a person.

Then, quietly: “What made you try that cross in the second half?”

You stop breathing just for a second.

“What?”

She turns her head away, like she didn’t notice how that landed. “It was different. I wasn’t expecting it.”

You don’t answer but your pulse kicks a little harder under your skin.

She doesn’t ask anything else. Just stands, drops her towel into the bin, and heads for the back corridor.

When you leave through the car park, the doors open slower than usual.

The sim fades like it always does. But this time, it takes longer to let go.

You pull the headset off with shaking hands.

You tell yourself it was just an update. A system test. The AI probably logs behavioral changes now. It’s not weird. Not really.

But that?

“You hold your breath before you pass.”

You didn’t teach her that.

Pt. 3

191 notes · View notes

rhaenella · 1 year ago

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LN4 | Challenge Accepted

pairing: lando norris x non-driver!reader

genre: one shot ✿

summary: it’s been five years since the last chinese gp, so when you and lando are set up to race each other on the shanghai circuit on mclaren’s state of the art simulator, anything is possible…

word count: 5.6k

masterlist

･ ⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･

The sound of feet tapping restlessly against the floor, alternated by the squeaking of a swivel chair spinning round, echoed through the large hall at McLaren HQ. With a sigh, you refreshed your social media—again—but there were no new posts of any kind to keep you occupied. You’d already gone through all of them.

Your boyfriend and F1 driver, Lando Norris, was somewhere in the massive building, filming interviews, challenges and whatnot for the McLaren social media platforms. He had asked if you'd come with him today, mostly because you already saw so little of each other due to his busy schedule. Not that you saw much of each other right now, but at least there wasn’t an ocean between you like there usually was.

Besides, he’d promised he would wrap up as quickly as he could, and take you out for dinner. So. The wait was worth it. Even though you were bored out of your mind for the foreseeable future.

After walking up and down the hall’s boulevard four times over, admiring all of the beautiful, historical cars on display, you had checked out the trophy wall, which was just as impressive. But since you weren’t allowed access anywhere else inside the building, at least not without a chaperone, there wasn’t much else for you to do or see. That’s how you found yourself in your current situation, spinning around in a chair like an impatient five-year-old, the line of racing cars and the lake outside whooshing by.

“Y/N?”

The chair came to an abrupt stop. “Yea–yes?” you squinted at the blurry figure in front of you.

Maybe it hadn’t been such a great idea to spin around so many times that your vestibular system now made it feel like you were on a ship battling a terrible storm. Luckily, once your vision cleared, you recognised the person instantly. It was Lando’s performance engineer, Andrew Jarvis. You’d seen him around race tracks a few times—he was always very friendly and kind to you.

“Jarv! Hi, how are you?”

“I’m good, thanks. What about yourself?”

“Oh, good, good… Enjoying the scenery,” you sneered, waving a hand.

“Right,” he drawled, looking you up and down with an amused smile. “Bored?”

“Yes,” you groaned, sinking a little deeper into the chair. “So. Fucking. Bored.”

Jarv chuckled. “I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I’m afraid Lando is still tied up. I think he and Oscar are filming some kind of… song challenge? I don’t know,” he shrugged with another laugh. “It’s not exactly my area of expertise.”

Your lips quirked up. “Imagine if it was. You could start hiding strategy calls in songs and sing them over the board radio.”

He wavered. “That would be…”

“Genius?”

“Eh, well,” he faltered, his mouth twitching all the same.

“Right. Maybe not,” you laughed.

Although, privately you thought it would be a hilarious idea. With a tinge of brilliance, perhaps. But the pinnacle of motorsport would probably be a little too serious to see it your way.

“I’m obviously not an engineer, or a strategist, or a driver. So, I guess I’ll just stay here,” you sighed, patting the armrests of your new friend, the swivel chair. “And try to excel in exercising patience instead.”

Jarv nodded, his brows furrowing. “Maybe you don’t have to…”

You eyed him with a suspicious look. “What do you mean?”

He checked his watch and glanced around before looking back to you, the corners of his eyes crinkling. “I have an idea. Come with me.”

Jarv had already turned on his heel before you could object, expecting you to blindly follow him to wherever it was he intended to take you. Which you did… without too much thought. Let’s just say boredom got the best of you. Choosing between sitting another god knows how many hours in that chair, or doing something—anything—the choice wasn’t hard. So, you leaped from your seat, sprinting to catch up with him.

“Wait!”

He slowed down, and you fell into step beside him. “What’s your idea? Where are you taking me?”

“You’ll see.”

You neared the large double doors at the rear of the boulevard. Jarv pressed his right thumb on a small, glass box on the wall next to them, waiting for his fingerprint to be authorised. The system scanned his print, and the light tinged green. “Welcome, Mr. Jarvis,” a female voice said as the doors automatically opened in front of you.

“Nice.”

Jarv grinned, gesturing for you to precede him into the restricted wing of McLaren HQ. The part that the general public never got to see. You gazed around in amazement. You knew it was a large building, but it was more like a maze back here, and you quickly lost all sense of direction.

“I should probably text Lando, he’s gonna wonder where I’ve disappeared to.”

“Don’t worry, Lando is heading where we’re going, too.”

You relaxed a little at that, however your curiosity didn’t subside as you trailed after Jarv throughout the many long corridors. Where the hell were you going?

The behind the scenes looked arguably even more impressive than all the trophies and race-winning cars that were being flaunted in the entrance hall. You passed countless offices, labs, and workshops where employees were working on top-secret updates for the MCL38, or perhaps even next year’s car. And although Jarv kept up a good pace, you were still able to sneak a few glimpses here and there, thanks to all the glass walls. Most of the technology looked so futuristic, you felt like you had accidentally stepped onto the set of a sci-fi film.

Jarv made a sharp right turn down another hallway. This one only had one door at the end, and it wasn’t made out of glass like the rest of them, which prevented you from being able to see what was behind it.

You read the sign next to the door, which only added to the mystery.

Strictly No Admittance. Authorised Personnel Only.

“This is it,” Jarv said, retrieving a key to unlock the door, opening it wide.

Well, there was your authorisation.

You stepped into the mysterious, dimly lit room, your eyes gradually widening with awe.

The room was roughly twelve by twelve metres, and in the centre stood two professionally altered Formula 1 cars, both with their own 180-degree widescreens set up in a semicircle around them. The back wall was lined with large computer screens, a row of chairs stationed in front of them, which gave you the feeling you were looking at a small-scale pitwall.

Holy… beep.

Speaking of futuristic tech, this was way up there.

“Welcome to the McLaren simulation room.”

You whirled around to face Jarv, beaming. “This is incredible. I’ve never seen a sim like this before.”

It was true. Sure, Lando had his own simulator at home in Monaco. But it was nothing compared to this piece of craftsmanship.

Jarv hummed, smiling as he walked to the faux-pitwall. “So. You ready to try it out?”

You blinked. “Ready to–wait a minute… what?”

You stared at Jarv as he turned on the computers, pressing buttons here and there that made the right car hum to life. Next, the widescreen around the car powered up as well, causing a wave of light to brighten the otherwise dark room.

“Jarv?”

He opened a cabinet, retrieving a steering wheel before he walked to the simulator. “Come on, don’t tell me you don’t want to.”

“That’s not it,” you trailed off.

“Good,” he said, turning around, looking at you expectantly. “So get in, then.”

“But… what about Lando? You said he was on his way over here. Don’t they need the room?”

“They will be here to film something in,” Jarv checked his watch again. “In a little over an hour. Until then, the room is empty, and we can use it. I presume you’ve driven a simulator before?”

“Yeah, I have… but don’t I need some kind of special clearance to use one of these?” One of these super expensive, highly accurate simulators that are solely used to train drivers and prepare the real cars and their setups for race weekends. Whatever could go wrong?

“Y/N, don’t worry about it. I’m Lando’s performance engineer. I’m one of the few that gets to decide who uses the sim.”

You shifted your weight, still unsure. “I’m not gonna be any good at it.”

“That doesn’t matter. What matters is that you have fun, or would you rather return to the waiting area?”

“No.”

Jarv’s smile widened, and he gestured to the sim, inviting you to take a seat.

You hesitantly walked up to the car, twisting your rings, a nervous habit of yours. You’d tried the simulator at Lando’s before, and like you’d already pointed out to Jarv, you weren’t any good at it. Lando had tried to talk you through it, telling you where to break and lift, but it was painfully clear you weren’t cut out to be a driver.

And now you had to drive in McLaren’s state of the art simulator, under the watchful eye of Lando’s performance engineer. The pressure was real. You didn’t want to make a complete fool out of yourself.

After you’d managed to, somewhat awkwardly, settle yourself in the sim’s seat, Jarv locked the steering wheel into place. It was familiar to you as it looked exactly like the one on Lando’s car, just like everything else on this sim. Except that it didn’t have a front or back wing, or any tyres.

“Alright, before you start driving, it’s important to know the ins and outs of the track you’re racing at. Which in this case will be Shanghai, the location of next weekend’s race,” Jarv said, pressing a few buttons.

The layout of the track popped up on the screen in front of you, with a sea of information and data appearing on the sides.

“Don’t worry about the data. We’ll stick to the basics that are of importance to you as a driver. Ready?”

You nodded.

“Good. So, the Shanghai International Circuit has sixteen corners, two DRS-zones on the main straights; one in sector three, and the other on start-finish…”

***

“I don’t know, I feel like maybe I should pursue a musical career,” Lando joked as he and Oscar followed Marion, the head of McLaren’s PR team, down the building’s corridors.

They had just finished filming another challenge for YouTube. Or Instagram. Or both. Lando didn’t really care about the specifics. It was just another part of his job. Something he’d rather be done with soon, so he could go back to his girl.

Oscar snorted. “Yes, I’m sure you’ll be a Grammy-nominated artist in no time.”

Lando grinned, agreeing with a nod.

“Alright, lads. One more, and then you’re free to go,” Marion called over her shoulder.

It was absolute music to Lando’s ears.

“What is it that we have to do?” Oscar asked.

“You’ll be racing each other on the sim, just for a couple of laps, around the Shanghai circuit.”

“I thought we were gonna train on the sim in the morning,” Lando said.

Marion nodded. “You will. This is only a short challenge for a video ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix. Because we haven’t raced there in so long, we thought it’d be fun to film your initial reaction to the track driving the MCL38.”

He and Oscar shared a look. They were always down for a race. There was no question about it.

The click-clacking of Marion’s heels bounced around the hallway as the group made their way to the simulation room. When they arrived, Will, Lando’s race engineer, and a camera and sound crew were waiting for them by the door.

“Why are you all out here? You should be setting up the cameras,” Marion scolded, looking at the men expectantly, waiting for an explanation.

But the men ignored her, instead they all looked to Lando, grinning. He frowned, not at all understanding the meaning behind the knowing looks they were sending him. What was up with them?

“Someone beat us to the sim, I’m afraid,” Will explained, his eyes still on Lando.

Marion turned to Lando as well, equally confused. “What does that mean?”

Lando met her eye and shrugged. “Hell if I know.”

As if on cue, a high pitched scream came from the simulation room, followed by a distinct, “That’s more like it!”

Will and the crew chuckled, but Marion wasn’t having it. “What on earth is going on,” she bristled, pushing past them to enter the room.

Lando followed her, but he couldn’t have been less prepared for the scene they stumbled upon next.

Occupying one of the simulators was his girlfriend, and right next to you stood Jarv, who was closely monitoring your driving, giving you short and precise instructions. You were going down the straight at full throttle, following Jarv’s pointers as you breaked and hit the curb perfectly for a smooth exit.

What the hell?

He’d thought you were still waiting for him in the entrance hall on the other side of the building. Never in a million years had he expected to find you here, racing on McLaren’s simulator, looking like you actually knew what you were doing no less.

So that’s why all the guys had been smirking at him…

“What do we have here?”

You jumped at Lando’s voice, immediately causing the car to spin and crash during your momentary lapse of concentration.

“Fuck! I was on a flying lap…”

“And a bloody good one at that,” Jarv added, proud.

Lando’s eyebrows shot up. “You were what?” His eyes flicked from you to Jarv, to you, and then back to Jarv. “Mate?”

Before Jarv could utter a word, you turned to face your boyfriend with a wide smile. “Baby, guess what?! I’m not a complete loser at this!”

“I–I’m so proud of you… but,” Lando shook his head, still not understanding any of this. “Why are you two in here?”

You grabbed onto the halo and pulled yourself out of the car to face him. “Jarv came to see how I was doing, and since I had nothing better to do, he suggested I’d give this a try,” you explained, gesturing to the sim.

“Oh, I see,” Lando smiled.

Yet he struggled to swallow the bitter taste at seeing you spending time and having fun with Jarv. All the while he had been stuck ‘working’. Not that he blamed you for it. He was the one who left you all by yourself for so long. But still…

“Uhm, but now that you’re all here,” you said, a bit sheepish, your eyes scanning the gathering crowd. “I’ll uhm, I’ll leave you to it.”

“Very well,” Marion called, but she was quickly interrupted.

“No, no, no, no. Wait a second. I need to know something first,” Will spoke, stepping forward. “Jarv, we need your professional assessment, man. How did she do?”

Marion sighed, tapping her phone to check the time, which only made her look more impatient. Lando ignored her, his eyes sliding from you to his performance engineer, curious as well.

“Y/N did great. She struggled a little at first, but the more laps she did, the better she got,” Jarv beamed. He turned to face Lando. “You know, I reckon she’d even have a good chance at beating you.”

Lando studied him. “You’re joking.”

“No, I’m being serious, mate. I’d wager good money on it.”

Marion’s annoyance evaporated within an instant, her eyes lighting up. “Oh gosh, that is a perfect idea, Jarvis.”

“What is? Gambling?”

“No,” she huffed. “I mean, instead of Lando against Oscar, we can have these two lovebirds race each other on the sim instead!”

“What?” you and Lando cried in unison.

Everyone looked at you, and your cheeks tinged a soft pink. You weren’t used to all the attention, usually preferring to keep a lower profile. Well, as much as that was possible dating a Formula 1 driver.

“Guys, I’m flattered. Truly, I am. But I don’t want to step on anyone’s toes. I know you’re all here to do a job, and that job doesn’t include me…”

“That’s right,” Lando agreed. He shot you a brief smile before addressing Marion. “Besides, she doesn’t like to be the centre of attention, and I don’t want her to embarrass herself in front of the eyes of millions.”

Something stirred inside you. “What does that mean? You don’t think I can beat you?”

“Well, sweetheart…”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” you mumbled, your eyes narrowing.

Under other circumstances, you would have agreed with him. But this last hour and a half with Jarv had boosted your confidence. It had gone really well, exceeding both of your expectations on your sim racing capabilities by miles. And maybe, some part of you, just wanted to show him that.

Like Lando, you never shied away from competition. Not if you had a chance at winning. You weren’t a hundred percent sure if you did right now. But you couldn’t deny you weren’t more than a little curious to find out. And seeing as Lando had just called you out in front of everyone, the only logical thing to do was rise to the challenge.

“You know what? I’m in.”

With that, you climbed back into the snug seat, forcing the thought of having everyone’s eyes on you to the back of your mind.

Lando’s eyes widened. “What?”

“Wonderful,” Marion exclaimed. “Let’s roll, people.”

Lando watched as everybody around him immediately jumped into action, including the camera and sound guys who got ready to put it all on film. Jarv grinned and grabbed his tablet, giving a slight nod to Will, who nodded in return and went to start up the second simulator and retrieve a steering wheel for Lando.

“I’ll be assisting Y/N, and just like with a normal race, Will can be Lando’s engineer,” Jarv said.

“Yep,” Will said, holding up the steering wheel as he walked to the other sim. “We’re good to go.”

“We are too!” one of the crewmen announced.

Marion smiled, but it faded when she noticed Lando still standing by the door, not having moved an inch. “What are you waiting for? Get in the car,” she said.

She started pushing Lando in the direction of the other sim, but he stood his ground.

“Hold on. We can’t do this.”

“What? Why not?”

“Yeah, why not?”

Lando sighed. “You know why.”

Did they? Did he?

Lando loved to race, and he certainly loved you. So what was stopping him from combining the two?

He wasn’t scared of losing—he never has been, and never would. Not that there was any real chance that you, an inexperienced ‘driver’, could beat him today. There was simply no way.

He’d seen you try the sim at his house, and despite his best efforts, you were, for lack of a better term, absolute rubbish. But then again, Jarv had seemed so sure of himself. That man didn’t lie or exaggerate. He would give it to you straight if you underperformed or weren’t any good. Lando had always admired and respected that.

So, had Jarv been able to unearth some sort of racing talent that was buried deep inside of you? Something that Lando himself hadn’t managed to uncover…

Was that why he hesitated going up against you? His sense of pride?

Lando groaned internally. If anything, that should make him that much more adamant to race you.

He looked over to see you were already staring at him, ambition burning bright in your eyes. Ambition to beat him. At the thing he did best… It was alluring, and Lando felt his own competitiveness flare.

“No, we don’t. Honestly, what’s stopping you?”

“It’s only five laps. It’ll be a piece of cake for you, Norris.”

“Unless that’s the problem,” Jarv joked. “Maybe he needs to warm up and familiarise himself with the track first…”

“I think all of you are forgetting that I’m the only one here who actually raced in Shanghai,” Lando shot back, unconsciously taking a step towards the sim.

“And how did that work out for you, mate?” Oscar chimed in.

Lando glared at him and Oscar struggled to contain his laughter.

“Even better,” you exclaimed, reclaiming your boyfriend’s attention. “You have on track experience and I’ve had a little time to prepare with Jarv. That’s fair enough, right?”

“Y/N… are you sure you want to…”

He was so close to giving in. He knew it, you knew it, probably everyone did. Besides, you had one more trick up your sleeve. One that would surely make his competitive side overshadow any lingering doubts, and get him to race you in that other sim.

“When have you ever walked away from a race? Hm? Unless you’re scared you’ll lose…”

That struck the intended chord.

Oh, she didn’t, Lando thought.

You gave him your most innocent looking smile, but he knew damn well what you were doing. He shook himself. Fine. If you wanted to race him so badly, he would give it to you. And no way in hell would he still consider going easy on you.

Lando promptly made his way to the other car and slid into the seat with practised ease. He signalled Will, who handed him the steering wheel. He clicked it into place before glancing to his right, smiling dangerously. “Alright, you’re on, darling. Challenge accepted.”

At that, Jarv entered a bunch of commands on his tablet, which was connected to the simulator’s system, to set the race parameters. Two cars appeared on the screens, each from their own driver’s point of view, already in position to start racing at Shanghai’s International Circuit.

“As you can see, Lando will start on the right and Y/N will start on the left,” Jarv informed.

“Whoa, wait a minute,” Lando sputtered. “Why are you starting from pole and not me?”

“Because I clocked the fastest lap time.”

“You clocked the only lap time.”

You shrugged, smiling. “Take it up with race control, baby.”

“Don’t worry,” Will reassured, looking at his own tablet as he scrolled through the accumulated data from your runs. “Break late, and you can easily overtake her in the first corner.”

Lando nodded, adjusting his grip on the steering wheel as the digital green flag was waved.

Jarv leaned in to whisper in your ear: “No, he won’t. Just remember what I taught you.”

“Aye, aye,” you said, focusing on the lights.

The cameras were all set and rolling, and Marion looked around, relishing the unexpected turn of events. This would be an enormous hit online, for sure. Her eyes landed on Oscar who stood to the back, watching the couple with an amused glint in his eye. If only she could involve him as well somehow… that would make it even better.

“Oscar, why don’t you take on the role of commentator?” Marion suggested, her tone indicating that he didn’t have much of a choice.

Oscar startled. “Oh. Uhm. Yeah, sure.”

He moved to stand in between the two simulators, clearing his throat. “Right. Uhm. Welcome to the Shanghai International Circuit for the 2024 Chinese Grand Prix… It’s Sunday, April 21st—well, not really but let’s go with it—uhm, and we’ll soon start racing–”

“You’re a lousy commentator, Piastri,” Lando interrupted.

Oscar rolled his eyes. “How about you worry about yourself, Norris.”

Lando snickered, but he quickly sobered when the first light gleamed red. Then the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, and…

“It’s lights out and away we go!”

You got away quick, but Lando was faster, years of experience siding with him.

“Lando dives into the first corner, ahead of Y/N. Can she cross back? No, no she cannot. Ah, bummer…” Oscar narrated. “She’s right behind him, though, going into turn 3. Lando nearly missing the apex there, but he recovers well. OH! Oh, never mind. Lando goes wide in turn 6! Yeah, he’s familiar with that one.”

“Shut up,” Lando snapped.

“I didn’t think so, mate,” Oscar grinned, settling into his new character nicely.

“Y/N is back on his heels as they go down sector two. DRS is not yet enabled, but she is only six tenths behind! Will Y/N be able to overtake Norris without DRS on the straight? She’s getting closer… they’re racing each other into turn 14, and… OH Y/N, massive lock-up! She manages to keep the car on track. Excellent save! But that’s gonna cost her some valuable time.”

You crossed start-finish, eyeing the time as you entered lap two.

Oscar’s voice boomed loud. “DRS enabled! But Y/N is too far–”

“Just 1.2 seconds behind, you can still do this,” Jarv encouraged. “Line-up on the left and take the first corner on the inside. Yeah, like that. Good.”

On the other side of the room, Will was giving Lando similar instructions. It had, after all, been a while since Lando had last raced this track. During his rookie year, no less. Therefore it was currently taking him quite a bit of effort to find the correct race line, especially with the many difficult corners and hairpins around the track.

“Steady on,” Will said. “Y/N is out of DRS. Let’s keep it that way.”

The couple sped down the track on their simulators, and even though most of your focus was spent on driving and listening to Jarv’s notes, you also marvelled at the accuracy and realism of the sim. From the sensations of the literal car you were seated in, down to the gravel Lando’s little off-track adventure had caused to spread in and around turn 6. Whatever the outcome of the race, this experience would certainly beat waiting around and lounging in that swivel chair.

“Great exit from Norris who is absolutely flying down the straight in sector three, followed by Y/N at 1.4 seconds. Still doing a phenomenal job so far!” Oscar continued, his eyes glued to the screen. “Approaching turn 14, can Y/N manage the hairpin this time? What?! Oh, no! It’s Lando that locks up this time… Oiiioii, mighty turn 14 proves to be too much for both of our star drivers.”

Jarv kept a close eye on the interval time, and thanks to Lando’s mistake, the gap had already shrunk to 1.1 seconds. “Okay, now use the extra power from the ERS to get closer,” he instructed.

You did as you were told, pressing the correct button on the steering wheel, which gave you an extra boost to get even closer to Lando.

“Y/N gaining on Norris! And she’s now back within DRS at 0.9 seconds. Whoa, what a truly remarkable performance by someone who has never driven a race car or a sim like this before! I’d vote for her as driver of the day…”

“No one asked your opinion,” Lando cut off, sounding a little strained.

“Whatever,” Oscar shrugged, unbothered. “Lando Grumpy-Ass Norris struggles to maintain the gap between him and his girlfriend, hitting the curb a little enthusiastically right there. Oh, Y/N faces the same issues! It’s all about keeping the focus now, ladies and gents. Will Y/N be able to close the gap? Will she be able to attack Norris?”

Marion stood behind the cameras, watching gleefully how you and Lando raced each other around the virtual Shanghai circuit. Oh, you were even better than she could have ever anticipated. Better than anyone in the room could have ever anticipated, really. The whole crew was watching the race with baited breath.

You were almost equally matched. With you, a real diamond in the rough, having received some training beforehand, and Lando, an experienced driver, essentially going in blind—it was a golden match.

Were you going to be able to do the unthinkable?

“We’re going into the penultimate lap, and even with Lando strategically using his batteries, Y/N has managed to close the gap to 0.7 with DRS. And there she is also clocking the fastest lap. Wow!”

“You can win a little bit of extra time in sector two,” Will analysed. “Turns 9 and 12 are crucial. You need a good exit.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Lando said. “I know what I’m doing.”

“Does he?” Oscar cut in. “We’ve got track limits for Norris in turn 9! He’s getting desperate now, with Y/N coming for him at 0.6 seconds. Is she going to—yes! She’s attempting to overtake Norris ahead of turn 11 but… fails… Oh, that was a bold move by Y/N! She lost a bit of time with that one, but she’s still within DRS range and knows she will be able to get close again for another attack.”

Your knuckles were turning white from how tight you were gripping the steering wheel. You couldn’t make a mistake, not now. You were so close… On the other sim, Lando was in a similar state. Although he was clenching his jaw in concentration instead. It was becoming more and more difficult to keep you behind him.

“Final lap,” Oscar announced. “And Norris crosses the white lines again! Turn 3 this time. Yep, there it is. Second track limits for Norris. He is feeling the heat, and not the good kind.”

Jarv’s mouth twitched. “It’s been five years since Lando raced here, let’s use it to our advantage,” he spoke to you in a hushed tone.

You nodded, your eyes never wavering from the screen in front of you.

Jarv checked the data, both yours and Lando’s, then leaned in. “Okay, here’s what you’ll do: instead of following the race line at–”

Will was closely observing you and Jarv from the other side of the room, but he couldn’t make out what Jarv was saying over the sounds of the simulators’ engines and Oscar still commentating to his heart’s content. He looked down at his driver, who was fully focused on the task before him.

“And then use the charged batteries after exiting turn 13. I know Lando’s defending tactics, this should work. He won’t see it coming,” Jarv finished.

You simply nodded again, trusting your engineer’s judgement. You would give it your all to try and execute his strategy as best you could.

“As we’re nearing the chequered flag, all bets are off. Lando is fighting for his position with everything he has, but Y/N is not ready to call it quits just yet!”

Your heart rate was off the charts, but you managed to stay calm, hitting the apexes, the metres between you and Lando’s car in front dwindling with each passing second.

“0.5 seconds, 0.4 seconds…”

“Flat out, Y/N. Let’s go,” Jarv said, his own heart rate ticking up.

“She’s chasing him, with DRS… There she comes. There she comes… round the inside! Y/N overtakes Norris!” Oscar roared. “Diving into the infamous turn 14… and… and she makes it! Hell yeah! What a mega move from Y/N! Now into the final corner. Can she stay ahead of Norris? Can she…? Yes!! Yes, she can!”

You passed the chequered flag, your mouth falling open in shock.

“Y/N wins the Chinese Grand Prix!”

“OH MY GOD!!”

Jarv's laugh pierced the room. “Get in! I told you!”

He managed to stop himself just in time before he started jumping up and down like an overly excited little boy. You shared his enthusiasm though, unable to control the slight tremor in your hands at seeing your name next to the word WINNER displayed boldly on the screen in front of you.

Holy fuck, you did it. You actually did it.

Lando sank low in his seat. “How the hell…”

Will patted him on the shoulder, consoling. “You did your best mate.”

“Clearly it wasn’t enough,” he grumbled.

Will glanced at their celebrating opponents, the corner of his mouth lifting. “Get your mind out of the gutter, mate, and look on the bright side.”

“Which is?”

“Your girlfriend just showed you the perfect overtake manoeuvre for Sunday.”

“Ha-ha, very funny…”

Although, you really did.

Lando turned to see Jarv help you out of the simulator, still grinning from ear to ear. You were reeling, the adrenaline of the fight and win coursing through your veins. Suddenly you understood what it must feel like to come out of a real F1 car, and to stand on the podium, basking in that feeling of winning a race.

As soon as you were out, Jarv high-fived you. “Solid race. That’s some potential, that is.”

Oscar came up next. “Awesome job, Y/N. Seriously. Great overtake at the end there. Perhaps you’ll be my future teammate,” he winked.

You giggled. “Thanks, guys!”

Even Will smiled at you, giving you a thumbs up as you walked over to Lando who was still seated in the other sim, sulking.

“Oh, come on,” you pouted, reaching out your hand, a peace offering. “That was fun, wasn’t it?”

“Sure thing, it was,” he muttered, but he accepted your hand anyway before jumping out of the car.

When he stood in front of you, he took a moment to look you up and down, a smile slowly creeping onto his face. His ego may have taken quite the blow today, but there was no denying he was also extremely proud of you. Jarv had been right after all, and Lando was happy he hadn’t taken the engineer up on his bet.

He shook his head as if he still couldn’t believe it. “Well, aren’t you full of surprises?”

You shrugged, smiling. “Need to keep things fresh and exciting, don’t I? Otherwise you’ll tire of me in no time.”

“Never,” Lando scoffed, wrapping his arm around your waist and giving your lips a soft peck. “However, as much as I’m proud of you… this footage will never see the light of day.”

You laughed, your eyes locking with Marion.

She sent you a wink. “We’ll see about that.”

***

a/n: thank you for reading <3 feedback is adored.

by the way, should i make a taglist for future f1 fics? is that something you’d be interested in? or perhaps for specific drivers? let me know!

also posted on ao3

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tinybeetiny · 17 days ago

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Build-A-Boyfriend Chapter 3: Grand Opening

I’ve been hungover all day… also.... I'm sorry that the chapters aren't as long as people like, that's just not really my style.

->Starring: AI!AteezxAfab!Reader ->Genre: Dystopian ->CW: none

Previous Part | Next Part

Masterlist | Ateez Masterlist | Series Masterlist

Four days before the grand opening, Yn stood in the center of the lab, arms crossed, a rare smile tugging at her lips.

No anomalies.

No glitches.

Every log was clean. Every model responsive and compliant.

She tapped through the final diagnostics as her team moved like clockwork around her, prepping the remaining units for transfer. The companions were ready. Truly ready.

They’d done it. And for the first time in months, Yn allowed herself to believe it.

“They’re good to go,” she said aloud to the room, voice steadier than it had been in weeks. “Now we just make it beautiful.”

There was no dissent. No hesitation. Just quiet, collective relief.

By 6:00 a.m. on launch day, the streets surrounding Sector 1 in Hala City were already overflowing. Women of all ages lined the polished roads, executives in sleek visors, college students in chunky boots, older women with glowing canes, and mothers with daughters perched on their hips.

A massive countdown hovered above the building in glowing light particles.

Ten. Nine. Eight. Seven. Six. Five. Four. Three. Two. One

When the number hit zero, the white-gold doors of the first Build-A-Boyfriend™ store slid open, and history, quite literally, stepped forward.

The inside of the flagship store was unlike anything anyone had seen, not in a simulation, not in VR, not even on the upper stream feeds.

It was clean but not cold, glowing with soft light that pulsed in time with ambient sound. Curved architecture, plants that weren’t quite real, air that smelled like skin and something floral underneath.

The crowd entered in waves, ushered by gentle AI voices projected from the ceiling:

“Welcome to Build-A-Boyfriend™, KQ Inc.’s most advanced consumer product to date. Please scan your wristband to begin. You are in complete control.”

Light pulsed with ambient music. The air carried soft notes of citrus and lavender. Walls curved inward like a safe embrace. It felt not like a store, but a sanctuary.

Just inside, a small platform rose, and the crowd hushed.

Standing atop it in a graphite suit that shimmered subtly with light-reactive tech, Vira Yun took the stage.

Her presence silenced everything. Not with fear. With awe.

She didn’t need a mic. The air itself amplified her words.

“Welcome, citizens of Hala City, and beyond. Today is not just a milestone for KQ Inc. It is a milestone for all of us, for womanhood, for autonomy, for intimacy on our terms. For centuries, we’ve been told to settle. To accept love as luck, not design. To believe that affection must be earned, that tenderness is a privilege, not a right. That era is over. Here, you are not asking. You are choosing. Each companion created within these walls is not simply a machine, but a mirror, one that reflects your needs, your softness, your strength, your fantasies, your fears. And we have given you the tools to shape that reflection without shame. This store is not about dependency. It’s about design. About saying: I know what I want, and I deserve to receive it, safely, sweetly, and with reverence. Let the world call it strange. Let them call it artificial. Because we know the truth: every human deserves to feel adored. And today, we’ve made that reality programmable.”

"Thank you. And welcome to Build-A-Boyfriend.”

From the observation deck, Yn stood quietly, tablet in hand, watching the dream unfold. She’d spent months writing code, assembling microprocessors, mapping facial expressions, and optimizing human simulation algorithms.

Now it was real. Now they were here, and it was working.

One of the first customers to walk in was 31-year-old office worker, Choi Yunji

She stepped forward, clutching her wristband like it might slip from her fingers. She’d told herself she was just coming to look. Just curious. Just research. But now that she was inside, face-to-face with a glowing interface, it felt more like a confession.

“Would you like an assistant, or would you prefer to design solo?” a soft voice asked beside her. Yunji turned. A young woman with slicked-back hair and a serene face smiled at her. The name tag read: Delin, Companion Consultant.

“I… I think I need help,” Yunji said.

“Of course,” Delin said warmly. “Let’s begin your experience.”

Station One: Body Frame

A holographic model appeared before them, neutral, faceless, softly breathing.

“Preferred height?”

“Taller than me. But not too much. I want to feel safe. Not… overpowered.”

“Understood.” Delin adjusted sliders with a flick of her fingers. The form shifted accordingly.

“Shoulders wider?” “Yes.” “Musculature?” “Athletic, not bulky.” “Skin tone?” “Honey-toned.”

Station Two: Facial Features

“I want kind eyes,” Yunji said. “And maybe a crooked smile. Something… imperfect.” “We can simulate asymmetry.” “What about moles?” “Placed to your liking.”

Station Three: Hair

“Longish. A little messy. Chestnut.” “Frizz simulation or polished strands?” “Frizz. I don’t want him looking like he came out of a factory.” Delin smiled. “Ironically, he did.”

Station Four: Personality Matrix

Yunji froze. The options felt too intimate.

“Start with a base? Empathetic, loyal, gentle, observant…” “Can I choose traits… I didn’t get to have before?” “Yes,” Delin said simply.

They adjusted levels: affection, boundaries, humor, attentiveness. A slider labeled “Emotional Recall Sensitivity” blinked softly.

“What’s this?”

“How deeply your companion internalizes memories related to you. It allows for more dynamic emotional bonding.” Yunji slid it to 80%.

Station Five: Wardrobe

“Something soft. Comfortable. Approachable.”

A cozy cardigan wrapped over a white tee. He looked like someone who would bring you tea without asking.

“Would you like to name your companion?” “…Call him Jaeyun.”

Her wristband lit up:

MODEL 9817-JAEYUN Estimated delivery: 3 hours Ownership rights granted to: C. Yunji

Yunji turned slowly, as if waking from a dream. Around her, other women embraced, laughed, shook — giddy or stunned. This was more than shopping. This was the return of the forbidden.

Around the Room

A pair of teenage twins argued over whether their boyfriends should look identical or opposites. A woman on her lunch break ordered her unit for home delivery with a bedtime story feature. Friends joked about setting up double dates and game nights with their new companions.

One customer squealed, “I’m going full fantasy, tall, sharp jaw, high cheekbones, and a scar over the brow. I want him to look like he’s been through something.” Her friend “Big eyes, soft lips, librarian vibes. Another “I want dramatic jealousy in a soft voice. Like poetry with teeth.”

The store pulsed with joy, wonder, and something deeper. Yn felt it in her chest, pride and awe, washing over the logic-driven part of her that rarely gave way. She had helped build this future.

As the lavender glow settled over the quieting store, Yn remained in the observation wing, reviewing data. The launch had exceeded all projections.

She didn’t hear the door slide open behind her.

“Stunning, isn’t it?”

Vira stepped in, elegant as ever in graphite, her braid flawless, her voice smooth.

Yn straightened. “Yes, ma’am. It’s surreal.”

“We did it. You did it,” Vira said, standing beside her. “Revenue exceeded estimates by 37%. But more than that… I saw joy out there. Curiosity. Potential.”

Yn nodded. “The models held up. All systems within spec.”

“Good. Because in six days… we go even bigger.”

Yura turned. “The Ateez Line.”

Vira’s smile sharpened.

“Exactly. Eight elite units. Eight dreams. Fully interactive. Custom-coded. The most lifelike AI we’ve ever built. You’ve done beautiful work, Yn. Let’s make history again next week.”

She left as smoothly as she arrived. Yn exhaled, her fingers tightening around her tablet.

Six days.

Just six days.

Taglist: @e3ellie @yoongisgirl69 @jonghoslilstar @sugakooie @atztrsr

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cosmerelists · 8 months ago

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Favorite Video Game Genres of Cosmere Characters

As requested by @thesternest :)

1. Silence

Silence: Don't know why, really, but I like casual games, games that are just like real life. Silence: Something about doing your daily life, but in game form--very relaxing. William Anne: Uh, mama? I think "Silent Hill" is a survival-horror game. Silence: It is? How so?

2. Marasi

Marasi: [Looks around nervously] Marasi: I...well, I like first-person shooters. Marasi: I-I just like to pretend I'm in the Roughs, like Wax! Marasi: I don't want to be Wax in real life or anything, but...it can be fun in a game!

3. Dalinar

Dalinar: In real life, war is a terrible necessity. Dalinar: In games, war is fun. Dalinar: ... Dalinar: I like tactical RPGs.

4. Vin

Vin: Huge fan of platform games. Vin: Jumping from ledge to ledge, controlling my speed and trajectory, occasionally swinging from hooks or managing double jumps... Vin: It's just like moving through the city as a Mistborn! Elend: Your high-score is RIDICULOUS, Vin! Vin: I'm also REALLY good at it.

5. Yumi

Yumi: I wasn't allowed video games for a long time, but now that I can play them... Yumi: [eyes sparking] I've become a HUGE fan of visual novels! Yumi: It's like Seasons of Regret, only *I* can be the one making the choices!

6. Leshwi

Leshwi: Like many Fused and Singers, I find myself quite taken with Rhythm games. Leshwi: Now that it is no longer appropriate for me to fight the Windrunners, I do like to challenge them to Dance Dance Revolution instead. Kaladin: OH COME ON I DEFINITELY HAD THAT Leshwi: I always win.

7. Steris

Steris: I used to think games were a waste of time, but then Wax introduced me to these construction simulators. Steris: My city is a paradise with excellent infrastructure, logical layout, and plenty of greenspace. Wayne: You should try to mod that makes a tsunami hit your city! Steris: Oh please, I beat that mod yesterday on my first try.

8. Navani

Navani: Recently, I've gotten into Tower Defense games. Sibling: I can defend myself, thank you very much.

9. Vivenna

Vivenna: Love a good roguelike. Vivenna: It's something about trying it over and over again until you're perfect. Vivenna: The victory is sooo sweet when you've worked hard to achieve it, dying many times. Siri: Oh me too!! I especially like Hades--the art is AMAZING. Vivenna: (scoffs) You mean a rogue-lite? Siri: I'm telling you--you should try one! Getting powerups in between runs is pretty sweet. Vivenna: Hedging out a difficult victory after hours of blood, sweat and tears is also fun! Siri: If you say so...

10. Lightsong

Lightsong: Soooo addicted to Candy Crush. Lighsong: Can't even tell you why. Llarimar: Perhaps your divine eye is drawn to the bright colors. Lightsong: Whatever makes you feel better, Scoot.

11. Adolin

Adolin: Lately I've become completely engrossed with life simulators. Adolin: I make my character get up, make breakfast, go to work, go on dates, learn the piano... Adolin: WHY IS IT SO ADDICTING?? Shallan: This may be a sign that your actual life is incredibly stressful and the allure of a simple, daily life is drawing you in? Adolin: No, that doesn't sound right... Shallan: You want to date a bisexual vampire? Adolin: ...That could be it.

12. Rlain

Rlain: I'm quite taken with these cozy farming games. Rlain: You just build a nice farm, meet the villagers, explore around. Renarin: Rlain, please, it's been six hours! Rlain: Just one more day...

13. Tress

Tress: I've been enjoying survival games! Tress: It's fun to gather and cook and build a base! Tress: A little bit unrealistic, because the rain doesn't make anything explode, but I guess they wanted to make it easier than real life, not harder.

14. Shallan

Shallan: It has to be MMOs for me. Shallan: I like a game where I can do pretty much anything I want. Shallan: Advance the story, collect every type of mushroom, fill in the whole map... Shallan: Plus, I like leveling every class and giving each one their own outfit and personality. Veil: You named the rogue after me, I see. Shallan: It's a compliment.

15. Kelsier

Kelsier: There's only one type of game for me: and that's a game where the name of the, uh, game is survival. Kelsier: And I especially like it when you have to survive as a team. Kelsier: Especially against great odds--like lots and lots of real-life players. Kelsier: Yup, yup. Kelsier: It's all about Fornite for me.

#cosmere #cosmerelists #Dalinar #Shallan #Adolin #Rlain #Leshwi #Vin #Kelsier #Shadow #Tress #Yumi #Vivenna #Lightsong

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sexymemecoin · 1 year ago

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The Metaverse: A New Frontier in Digital Interaction

The concept of the metaverse has captivated the imagination of technologists, futurists, and businesses alike. Envisioned as a collective virtual shared space, the metaverse merges physical and digital realities, offering immersive experiences and unprecedented opportunities for interaction, commerce, and creativity. This article delves into the metaverse, its potential impact on various sectors, the technologies driving its development, and notable projects shaping this emerging landscape.

What is the Metaverse?

The metaverse is a digital universe that encompasses virtual and augmented reality, providing a persistent, shared, and interactive online environment. In the metaverse, users can create avatars, interact with others, attend virtual events, own virtual property, and engage in economic activities. Unlike traditional online experiences, the metaverse aims to replicate and enhance the real world, offering seamless integration of the physical and digital realms.

Key Components of the Metaverse

Virtual Worlds: Virtual worlds are digital environments where users can explore, interact, and create. Platforms like Decentraland, Sandbox, and VRChat offer expansive virtual spaces where users can build, socialize, and participate in various activities.

Augmented Reality (AR): AR overlays digital information onto the real world, enhancing user experiences through devices like smartphones and AR glasses. Examples include Pokémon GO and AR navigation apps that blend digital content with physical surroundings.

Virtual Reality (VR): VR provides immersive experiences through headsets that transport users to fully digital environments. Companies like Oculus, HTC Vive, and Sony PlayStation VR are leading the way in developing advanced VR hardware and software.

Blockchain Technology: Blockchain plays a crucial role in the metaverse by enabling decentralized ownership, digital scarcity, and secure transactions. NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) and cryptocurrencies are integral to the metaverse economy, allowing users to buy, sell, and trade virtual assets.

Digital Economy: The metaverse features a robust digital economy where users can earn, spend, and invest in virtual goods and services. Virtual real estate, digital art, and in-game items are examples of assets that hold real-world value within the metaverse.

Potential Impact of the Metaverse

Social Interaction: The metaverse offers new ways for people to connect and interact, transcending geographical boundaries. Virtual events, social spaces, and collaborative environments provide opportunities for meaningful engagement and community building.

Entertainment and Gaming: The entertainment and gaming industries are poised to benefit significantly from the metaverse. Immersive games, virtual concerts, and interactive storytelling experiences offer new dimensions of engagement and creativity.

Education and Training: The metaverse has the potential to revolutionize education and training by providing immersive, interactive learning environments. Virtual classrooms, simulations, and collaborative projects can enhance educational outcomes and accessibility.

Commerce and Retail: Virtual shopping experiences and digital marketplaces enable businesses to reach global audiences in innovative ways. Brands can create virtual storefronts, offer unique digital products, and engage customers through immersive experiences.

Work and Collaboration: The metaverse can transform the future of work by providing virtual offices, meeting spaces, and collaborative tools. Remote work and global collaboration become more seamless and engaging in a fully digital environment.

Technologies Driving the Metaverse

5G Connectivity: High-speed, low-latency 5G networks are essential for delivering seamless and responsive metaverse experiences. Enhanced connectivity enables real-time interactions and high-quality streaming of immersive content.

Advanced Graphics and Computing: Powerful graphics processing units (GPUs) and cloud computing resources are crucial for rendering detailed virtual environments and supporting large-scale metaverse platforms.

Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI enhances the metaverse by enabling realistic avatars, intelligent virtual assistants, and dynamic content generation. AI-driven algorithms can personalize experiences and optimize virtual interactions.

Wearable Technology: Wearable devices, such as VR headsets, AR glasses, and haptic feedback suits, provide users with immersive and interactive experiences. Advancements in wearable technology are critical for enhancing the metaverse experience.

Notable Metaverse Projects

Decentraland: Decentraland is a decentralized virtual world where users can buy, sell, and develop virtual real estate as NFTs. The platform offers a wide range of experiences, from gaming and socializing to virtual commerce and education.

Sandbox: Sandbox is a virtual world that allows users to create, own, and monetize their gaming experiences using blockchain technology. The platform's user-generated content and virtual real estate model have attracted a vibrant community of creators and players.

Facebook's Meta: Facebook's rebranding to Meta underscores its commitment to building the metaverse. Meta aims to create interconnected virtual spaces for social interaction, work, and entertainment, leveraging its existing social media infrastructure.

Roblox: Roblox is an online platform that enables users to create and play games developed by other users. With its extensive user-generated content and virtual economy, Roblox exemplifies the potential of the metaverse in gaming and social interaction.

Sexy Meme Coin (SEXXXY): Sexy Meme Coin integrates metaverse elements by offering a decentralized marketplace for buying, selling, and trading memes as NFTs. This unique approach combines humor, creativity, and digital ownership, adding a distinct flavor to the metaverse landscape. Learn more about Sexy Meme Coin at Sexy Meme Coin.

The Future of the Metaverse

The metaverse is still in its early stages, but its potential to reshape digital interaction is immense. As technology advances and more industries explore its possibilities, the metaverse is likely to become an integral part of our daily lives. Collaboration between technology providers, content creators, and businesses will drive the development of the metaverse, creating new opportunities for innovation and growth.

Conclusion

The metaverse represents a new frontier in digital interaction, offering immersive and interconnected experiences that bridge the physical and digital worlds. With its potential to transform social interaction, entertainment, education, commerce, and work, the metaverse is poised to revolutionize various aspects of our lives. Notable projects like Decentraland, Sandbox, Meta, Roblox, and Sexy Meme Coin are at the forefront of this transformation, showcasing the diverse possibilities within this emerging digital universe.

For those interested in the playful and innovative side of the metaverse, Sexy Meme Coin offers a unique and entertaining platform. Visit Sexy Meme Coin to explore this exciting project and join the community.

#crypto #blockchain #defi #digitalcurrency #ethereum #digitalassets #Sexy Meme Coin #bitcoin

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sweetsweetssublime · 22 days ago

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Blueprint of You

Lando Norris/Max Verstappen - rated: M - semi-AU - 2.4k

Summary - In this silly little AU, Max never became a driver. Instead he's a reclusive genius engineer who builds F1 sims for Red Bull Racing, and who accidentally (and against his will) forms a connection with the loudest McLaren driver on earth.

Warnings - POV switch?

Author's Note - Got bored at the office and wrote this. Was supposed to be a silly one shot, but I think it might have grown feelings. Might come back to this later, when people aren't waiting on me to post a new chapter to another story?! Don't have a good header picture for this, so have one of my favorite Max ones of late.

Lando POV

Lando was pretty sure this counted as breaking and entering. Like, 87% sure.

Okay, maybe more like 94%.

But at least he was using active credentials. Sure, they weren't his, but who would know, really?

He had no idea how Oscar had gotten access to Red Bull's testing facility, and he hadn't dared ask. He'd just taken the access pass, ignored Oscar's warning about not touching anything that looked like it might break, and hurried off before his teammate could change his mind.

And now, he was three swipe gates deep into enemy territory, staring at a double door with an unassuming plaque next to it that read 'Sim Lab'.

It didn't look like an ultra-advanced, reportedly billion dollar simulation lab from the outside, except maybe for the extra lock that blinked red next to the door.

He looked down at the access pass in his hand.

'Seriously who gave Oscar these credentials? Would they even work on this? Maybe they booby-trapped the Simulator room. The moment it registers Oscar, a bomb detonates. Maybe this is where I die.'

He swiped Oscar's access pass through the lock.

The door opened with an ominous hiss.

'Great. That's not suspicious at all.'

He stared into darkness, and swallowed hard. Then, taking a deep breath, he stepped in through the door.

It closed behind him immediately, the hiss making him jump. Then a row of lights blinked on, embedded into the ceiling, revealing a platform in the middle of the circular space. And there, on the platform, sat on it like a throne, was the main sim rig.

It was matte black, sleek, commanding attention. It was nothing like McLaren's simulators. Hell, it wasn't like any simulator Lando had ever seen in his life.

This was it. This was the MV-sim.

The simulator that made headlines for being so accurate and immersive that it had made junior drivers pass out from the G-forces applied. Even more senior drivers had been reported to have come out with neck pain, back aches, and one RBR F1 driver had mentioned in an interview once that he'd thrown up mid-simulation and had been banned from using the sim again for six months after that.

Lando stepped up to the platform, reaching out and running his hand almost reverently over the high backed sim.

This was the sim that the famously elusive Max Verstappen had built. The man was supposedly like Red Bull Racing's in-house phantom genius. Some child prodigy turned engineering mastermind that, if you believed the rumors, not even his own team had seen more than a handful of times.

Lando had heard the stories. Everyone had.

He'd just never expected to be this close to the fabled sim rig, ever.

He swallowed and reached for the harness straps.

"Okay," he whispered to himself, "we do just one quick lap. Just to see what it feels like. Just one."

The sim rig hummed to life, screens starting up, lights blinking to signal settings to be adjusted for the right fit.

Lando sat down in it and held his breath, staring wide eyed at the steering wheel. It lit up, like it was trying to invite him to try it.

Yeah, he was definitely going to get arrested tonight.

'Worth it tho. Look at this. Fuck, even the seat feels perfect, like it was fitted for me personally. How is that even possible? Okay. Okay, one lap. Let's do Silvo. If it rains, will it spray water in my face? Do I need my helmet for this?'

He grinned like a little boy in a candy store as he reached for the steering wheel.

Which promptly lost all the blinking lights. The screens went dark too, as the sim rig powered down.

"What the-"

"You are not supposed to be here."

Lando whipped his head around, heart slamming against his ribcage as he stared at the man who'd come out of nowhere.

'The door didn't hiss!' Lando thought somewhat hysterically. 'Where the hell did he come from? Did he teleport in?!'

"Can't sneak up on people like that, mate. You'll give someone a heart attack," he tried, hoping that if he just acted like he belonged there, maybe the stranger would go away.

There was a silence that stretched on for a moment as the newcomer stared at Lando, frowning and tilting his head slightly like he was trying to solve some difficult math equation.

"You're not Oscar," the stranger finally said, still frowning.

So he knew which credentials had been used. Maybe he was security, Lando thought, although he would be the weirdest looking security ever.

The man was dressed in skinny jeans that were criminally tight, yet paired with an oversized hoodie, and his feet were clad in socks, no shoes. He had a backwards cap on, with a headset hooked over the top of it, now pushed to the side to allow one ear to peek out.

Lando clambered out of the sim. "Says who?"

The frown on the stranger deepened. "Oscar is one eighty or thereabout, his hair is mostly straight, not curly, he's pale, not tanned, and his accent is different from yours. You're not Oscar."

Lando grinned. "Yea, you got me, I'm not Oscar."

Deciding maybe he could charm his way through this, he walked a few steps closer, smiling as he held out his hand. "I'm Lando. Lando Norris. Oscar's teammate at McLaren."

His outstretched hand was eyed dubiously, then ignored in favor of looking back up into his face, as the other man repeated: "you're not supposed to be here."

"So you keep saying, but I'm really not hurting anyone, am I? So maybe you could just… let it slide?" He tried for his most charming smile, the one that dimpled his face in all the right places.

It had gotten him his way since childhood.

"You touched the sim. You're not supposed to touch the sim." It didn't exactly sound like the man was very impressed with Lando's smile.

'He looks uncomfortable. Nice eyes though. Nice lips, too. I mean… Jesus, okay. Focus. I'm about to get into some real trouble, come on brain, think of something useful.'

"Maybe I am though, how would you know?"

There was another pause as the stranger seemed to process the question. 'Like a robot,' Lando thought, 'he acts like a friggin' robot.'

"Because it is almost eight. I am supposed to install the patch at 8:15, so there is time for a rollback if necessary, and the sim will be fully operational again for the next practice session which is scheduled for 7:30 tomorrow morning. Also, you are not Oscar, but you used his credentials so you probably don't have your own, and I don't remember any files with your data coming across my desk to prep the sim, Lando. And I always remember."

Lando's eyes widened. Patching the sim? Data to prep it? Did that mean…

"Max?" His voice had gone a little squeaky. "Max Verstappen? You're… you're Max? The Max?"

Max POV

Max stared at the intruder, Lando, with mounting confusion.

His schedule was precise: patch installation at 8:15, testing by 8:45, documentation at 9:30, and back to his apartment by 10:02.

This unexpected variable threatened to throw everything off course.

Yet instead of immediately ejecting the unauthorized presence from his lab, Max found himself frozen, analyzing the stranger's expression.

The smile was... different. Not the tight, professional grimaces people usually offered when they needed something from him. This was wide, genuine, with crinkled eyes that suggested actual pleasure at discovering Max's identity.

"Yes. I'm Max," he agreed, though not enthusiastically.

His fingers twitched at his sides. He should call security. He should protect the sim. He should follow protocol.

But the other man - Lando - looked at him with something that wasn't fear or calculation. It was... excitement? Interest?

Something complicated was happening in Max's chest, throwing him off kilter, like new software causing an unexpected glitch on the mainframe.

"I need to patch the sim," he said, because it was true and also because he needed to say something to stop himself from staring at the way Lando's smile created asymmetrical dimples.

Why wasn't he following procedure? Why was he still standing here?

Lando, somehow, just smiled more. "Right, yeah, of course! Do your patchy thing. Don't mind me," he said, taking a casual step to the side and waving his hand loftily at the sim. Like they were coworkers chatting in the break room, not Red Bull employee and McLaren intruder staring each other down in the sim lab.

Max stared. "You shouldn't be here."

“Yeah, I’m getting that vibe,” Lando said cheerfully. “Still, worth it! This sim is unreal. You built it all yourself?”

“Yes.”

Lando let out a low whistle. “Shit. No wonder people call you a legend.”

“I don’t…” Max frowned. “That’s hyperbolic.”

"Is it?" Lando stepped closer, and Max wondered vaguely if the man was aware he was dangerously close to breaching the appropriate professional distance of 1.27 meters.

“I’ve heard all the rumors, you know. Red Bull’s secret weapon. Genius hermit who only emerges when there’s a firmware emergency.”

“I don’t emerge,” Max said, oddly horrified.

“You’re wearing socks and a hoodie,” Lando said. “You absolutely emerged. Silently. From somewhere. Scared the heck out of me, to be honest.”

Max looked down at said socks like they had betrayed him. “I live here. I can wear what I want," he said stiffly.

"Sure, but you- wait, what? You live here?"

Max looked up, frowning again. "Yes?"

He wasn't sure why that suddenly felt like the wrong answer, when it was the truth. He also didn't know why he felt like he should qualify his answer. But he did.

"It's so I can be close to my office, and my equipment. And it saves me travel time, so my schedule can be more efficient."

Lando was now blinking at him like an owl, and Max wasn't sure what to say about that, so he said nothing.

After an awkward moment of silence, he instead pulled his phone from his back pocket and checked the time. 8:09. He needed to get ready.

"I need to-"

"But do you have like, a bed?"

Max inhaled hard through his nose, trying to keep calm. He hated when people talked over him.

"Of course." He wasn't sure why this mattered, but he knew it was usually easier to just answer questions that didn't require lengthy explanations that would take up his time unnecessarily.

"With sheets?"

"Yes."

"And pillows?"

Max blinked. Why did this matter? Why was he answering these questions instead of tossing this intruder out? "One pillow. Yes."

"Where is it?"

Max watched as Lando looked around, as if the man expected a hidden bed somewhere in the simulator lab. He raised an eyebrow, and, weirdly, felt his lips twitch into a smile.

"Not here." And then, for reasons unknown to him, he added: "I have an apartment on the other side of the facility."

"Ooooh," Lando said, like this was some incredible revelation to him. Max twitched. The minutes were ticking down, and he hated when his schedule messed up.

"I bet it's like the Batcave. Dark, full of tech, and when someone touches the sim, an alarm goes off and you poof! from your apartment and zap! into existence in the sim lab." Lando was grinning in a way that was highly disconcerting to Max, who wondered if it was possible to be charmed against his will by someone actively violating security protocol.

It felt unfair. Unsettling. Schedule destroying.

"It's not- I'm- I don't poof!" Max exhaled on a hard sigh. "Or zap! I have work to do. You can't be here. Go away."

Lando blinked, as if he only now realized he was, in fact, trespassing still. Then he held up his hands in some form of exaggerated surrender.

"Right, right, sorry. I'll get out of your hair." He stepped back, running a hand through his own messy curls. "It's just not every day you meet the actual brain behind the machine, you know?"

Max watched him retreat toward the door, tracking the man's movements.

At the threshold, Lando paused and turned back. "For what it's worth, your work is brilliant. Like, not just technically. You made the sim feel right when I sat down in it. That's not just engineering, that's art."

Max opened his mouth to say something, but found he had no idea what the appropriate response here was. Instead, he silently watched as Lando disappeared out the door, the hiss as it closed signaling the restoration of order to Max's environment.

He should feel relief at that, he knew. Instead, he felt an odd emptiness creeping in around the edges.

Huffing in annoyance, he checked his phone again. 8:17. He was already running late. He powered up the sim again, and reached for its keyboard, fingers moving over it automatically.

Tap, tap, tap.

He should have escorted the man out. Who knew what kind of havoc he was wreaking elsewhere in the facility.

Tap, tap, tap.

No one had ever called his work art before. They'd called it efficient. Profitable. Revolutionary even. But never art.

Tap. Tap.

His normally seamless workflow stuttered infuriatingly.

He scowled at the screen, at the lines of code waiting for him to finish the job. He opened a new screen and pulled up his inbox, tapping the keys to draft a new e-mail.

To: Red Bull Racing Internal Security Subject: Security breach sim lab 03A Today at approximately 7:57pm I encountered an individual in sim lab 03A, who had entered without appropriate clearance. The individual identified himself as Lando Norris of McLaren. Credentials used: Oscar Piastri of the same. (Credentials should have been deactivated in accordance with security protocol 5.7.3?) Individual ejected. No damage reported.

His cursor blinked, waiting for more input.

Max stared at it. For some insane reason, he could hear Lando's voice inside his mind.

'No wonder they call you a legend.'

'For what it's worth, your work is brilliant.'

'That's not just engineering, that's art.'

Slowly, deliberately, he hit backspace. Line by line, the report disappeared.

No alert sent. No incident logged.

He closed the window and went back to his code. But for the rest of the patching process, his rhythm was slightly off.

Like a new, unexpected variable had been introduced to his code. And Max hadn't removed it.

#max verstappen #lando norris #norstappen #f1 rpf #f1 fanfic #my fic #f1 #formula 1

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aeth-eris · 1 year ago

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5th House Placements & Video Games

Aries in the 5th House: "DOOM (2016)": This high-octane first-person shooter is perfect for Aries' love of action and excitement. With intense combat, fast-paced gameplay, and adrenaline-pumping music, it's a thrilling experience from start to finish. Aries will enjoy the rush of battling demons and conquering challenging levels.

"Monster Hunter: World": Aries' competitive spirit will thrive in this action-packed game where players hunt giant monsters in epic battles. With its dynamic combat system, vast open world, and cooperative multiplayer mode, Aries can unleash their warrior instincts and strive to become the ultimate monster hunter.

"Bayonetta": Aries will appreciate the fast-paced action and stylish combat of this hack-and-slash game. Playing as the powerful witch Bayonetta, players unleash devastating attacks and engage in epic boss battles. With its flashy moves and over-the-top action, it's sure to satisfy Aries' craving for excitement and challenge.

"Warframe": Aries will thrive in this fast-paced co-op shooter where players control powerful space ninjas called Warframes. With its fluid movement system, intense combat, and endless customization options, it's a game that offers plenty of action and excitement. Aries can team up with friends to tackle challenging missions and unleash their inner warriors in epic battles.

Taurus in the 5th House: "Animal Crossing: New Horizons": Taurus will appreciate the leisurely pace and relaxing gameplay of this life simulation game. With its charming visuals, tranquil island setting, and focus on customization and creativity, it's the perfect escape for Taurus to unwind and express their artistic side. They can design their dream island, cultivate a garden, and build relationships with adorable animal villagers at their own pace.

"Stardew Valley": Taurus will enjoy the slow-paced and immersive farming simulation of Stardew Valley. With its peaceful rural setting, engaging gameplay mechanics, and emphasis on relaxation and self-expression, it's a game that appeals to Taurus' love of comfort and stability. Taurus can build and customize their farm, cultivate crops, raise animals, and explore the charming town of Stardew Valley at their leisure.

"My Time at Portia": Taurus will delight in this charming sandbox RPG set in a vibrant post-apocalyptic world. With its laid-back atmosphere, creative freedom, and emphasis on crafting, building, and exploration, it's a game that appeals to Taurus' love of leisurely activities and creative expression. Taurus can build and customize their workshop, cultivate relationships with colorful characters, and uncover the mysteries of Portia at their own pace.

"The Sims 4": Taurus will appreciate the leisurely pace and creative freedom of this life simulation game. With its endless customization options, immersive storytelling tools, and focus on building and managing virtual lives, it's a game that appeals to Taurus' love of comfort and luxury. Taurus can create and customize their Sims, design their dream homes, and explore the vibrant neighborhoods of The Sims 4 at their own pace.

Gemini in the 5th House:

"The Witness": Gemini's love of mental challenges will be thoroughly engaged in this puzzle-adventure game. Set on a mysterious island filled with intricate puzzles, players must explore and solve a variety of mind-bending challenges. With its emphasis on critical thinking, pattern recognition, and exploration, it's a perfect fit for Gemini's curious and analytical mind.

"Portal 2": Gemini will enjoy the clever puzzles and witty humor of this first-person puzzle-platform game. Players must navigate through a series of test chambers using a portal gun to create portals and solve spatial puzzles. With its innovative gameplay mechanics and engaging narrative, it's sure to captivate Gemini's intellect and keep them entertained for hours.

"The Talos Principle": This philosophical puzzle game offers a blend of challenging puzzles and thought-provoking storytelling. Players assume the role of an android exploring a mysterious world filled with advanced technology and philosophical ruminations. With its deep themes of consciousness, identity, and existence, it's a game that will appeal to Gemini's love of intellectual stimulation and philosophical inquiry.

"Baba is You": Gemini will appreciate the unique and innovative gameplay mechanics of this puzzle game. Players manipulate the rules of the game by rearranging blocks of text to solve a variety of puzzles. With its creative approach to puzzle-solving and open-ended gameplay, it's a game that encourages experimentation and lateral thinking, perfect for Gemini's versatile and adaptable mind.

Cancer in the 5th House:

"Journey": Cancer will resonate with the emotional depth and introspective journey offered by this artistic adventure game. Players traverse a vast desert landscape, exploring ruins and encountering other players along the way. With its evocative visuals, stirring soundtrack, and themes of connection and transformation, it's a game that will touch Cancer's sensitive soul and inspire reflection on the deeper meanings of life and relationships.

"To the Moon": Cancer will appreciate the heartfelt storytelling and emotional depth of this indie RPG. Players control two doctors who fulfill the dying wishes of their clients by traveling through their memories to artificially fulfill their life goals. With its poignant narrative, memorable characters, and themes of love, loss, and regret, it's a game that will tug at Cancer's heartstrings and leave a lasting impression.

"Ori and the Blind Forest": Cancer will be drawn to the touching story and enchanting visuals of this atmospheric platformer game. Players control Ori, a guardian spirit, as they embark on a journey to save the forest from darkness. With its emotional narrative, breathtaking art style, and themes of friendship, sacrifice, and redemption, it's a game that will resonate deeply with Cancer's nurturing and empathetic nature.

"Child of Light": Cancer will appreciate the fairy-tale charm and emotional depth of this beautiful RPG. Players control Aurora, a young princess, as she embarks on a quest to restore light to the kingdom of Lemuria. With its poetic storytelling, watercolor visuals, and themes of courage, friendship, and self-discovery, it's a game that will capture Cancer's imagination and transport them to a world of magic and wonder.

Leo in the 5th House:

"The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild": Leo will be captivated by the grand adventure and epic scale of this action-adventure game. Set in a vast open world filled with exploration, discovery, and adventure, players embark on a quest to defeat the evil Calamity Ganon and save the kingdom of Hyrule. With its stunning visuals, immersive gameplay, and sense of epic heroism, it's a game that will ignite Leo's sense of adventure and leave them feeling like a true hero.

"Assassin's Creed Odyssey": Leo will revel in the epic scale and dramatic storytelling of this action RPG set in ancient Greece. Players take on the role of a mercenary exploring a vast open world, engaging in epic battles, and shaping their own destiny. With its breathtaking landscapes, epic quests, and larger-than-life characters, it's a game that will satisfy Leo's thirst for adventure, drama, and glory.

"God of War (2018)": Leo will appreciate the epic battles and emotional depth of this action-adventure game. Set in the world of Norse mythology, players control Kratos, a warrior seeking redemption while battling gods, monsters, and his own inner demons. With its cinematic storytelling, visceral combat, and themes of fatherhood, sacrifice, and redemption, it's a game that will appeal to Leo's sense of drama, heroism, and epic storytelling.

"Shadow of the Colossus": Leo will be drawn to the epic scale and emotional resonance of this action-adventure game. Players control Wander, a young warrior, as he embarks on a quest to defeat giant colossi and save a mysterious maiden. With its breathtaking landscapes, atmospheric soundtrack, and sense of epic adventure, it's a game that will evoke Leo's sense of grandeur and leave them feeling like a legendary hero.

Virgo in the 5th House:

"Civilization VI": Virgo will appreciate the strategic depth and meticulous planning required in this turn-based strategy game. Players build and manage their own civilization from the ground up, leading them through history, from ancient times to the modern era. With its complex mechanics, deep strategy, and emphasis on resource management and diplomacy, it's a game that will engage Virgo's analytical mind and love of order and efficiency.

"XCOM 2": Virgo will thrive in the tactical challenges and strategic decision-making of this turn-based tactics game. Players command a squad of soldiers fighting against an alien invasion, engaging in intense battles and managing resources to save humanity from extinction. With its deep customization options, challenging missions, and emphasis on planning and tactics, it's a game that will satisfy Virgo's desire for precision and strategic thinking.

"Factorio": Virgo will enjoy the intricate logistics and problem-solving challenges of this sandbox simulation game. Players build and manage automated factories on an alien planet, harvesting resources, researching new technologies, and designing efficient production lines. With its emphasis on optimization, efficiency, and problem-solving, it's a game that will appeal to Virgo's analytical mind and love of practical solutions.

"Cities: Skylines": Virgo will enjoy the meticulous city-building and management challenges of this simulation game. Players design and build their own cities, managing infrastructure, services, and resources to create a thriving metropolis. With its complex city management mechanics, detailed planning tools, and emphasis on efficiency and optimization, it's a game that will appeal to Virgo's love of order and precision in creating and managing complex systems.

Libra in the 5th House:

"Mario Kart 8 Deluxe": Libra will appreciate the friendly competition and social interaction of this multiplayer racing game. Players compete against each other in colorful and whimsical courses, using power-ups and weapons to gain an edge and reach the finish line first. With its accessible gameplay, vibrant visuals, and emphasis on fun and friendly rivalry, it's a game that will bring joy and laughter to social gatherings and gaming sessions.

"Jackbox Party Pack": Libra will enjoy the diverse selection of party games and interactive experiences in this multiplayer party game collection. Players participate in a variety of trivia, drawing, and word games using their smartphones as controllers. With its easy-to-learn gameplay, humor, and social interaction, it's a game that will entertain and engage players of all ages and skill levels at social gatherings and parties.

"Super Smash Bros. Ultimate": Libra will appreciate the fun and competitive spirit of this multiplayer fighting game. Players control iconic characters from Nintendo's roster, battling against each other in fast-paced and chaotic matches. With its colorful visuals, diverse roster of characters, and accessible gameplay, it's a game that will inspire friendly competition and create memorable moments of excitement and camaraderie.

"Among Us": Libra will enjoy the social deduction and teamwork of this multiplayer party game. Players work together to complete tasks on a spaceship while trying to identify and vote out the impostors among them. With its emphasis on communication, strategy, and deduction, it's a game that will foster cooperation and interaction among players, leading to engaging and memorable gaming experiences.

Scorpio in the 5th House: "Silent Hill 2": Scorpio will appreciate the psychological horror and atmospheric storytelling of this classic survival horror game. Players assume the role of James Sunderland as he explores the eerie town of Silent Hill in search of his deceased wife. With its haunting atmosphere, complex narrative, and themes of guilt, grief, and existential horror, it's a game that will resonate deeply with Scorpio's fascination with the darker aspects of human nature.

"Resident Evil 2 (2019)": Scorpio will appreciate the intense survival horror and adrenaline-pumping action of this remake of the classic survival horror game. Players navigate the zombie-infested streets of Raccoon City as Leon Kennedy and Claire Redfield, uncovering the dark secrets of the Umbrella Corporation. With its immersive atmosphere, tense gameplay, and heart-pounding encounters, it's a game that will satisfy Scorpio's thirst for suspense and thrills.

"Dead Space": Scorpio will be drawn to the atmospheric horror and visceral scares of this sci-fi survival horror game. Players assume the role of engineer Isaac Clarke as he battles grotesque alien creatures aboard a derelict spaceship. With its chilling atmosphere, innovative gameplay mechanics, and psychological tension, it's a game that will tap into Scorpio's fascination with the macabre and the unknown.

"Bloodborne": Scorpio will enjoy the dark and gothic atmosphere of this challenging action RPG. Set in the cursed city of Yharnam, players must navigate treacherous streets, battle grotesque monsters, and uncover the city's dark secrets. With its punishing difficulty, intricate level design, and rich lore, it's a game that will appeal to Scorpio's love of mystery, exploration, and intense gameplay.

Sagittarius in the 5th House: "The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt": Sagittarius will appreciate the expansive open world and epic storytelling of this action RPG. Players control Geralt of Rivia, a monster hunter, as he embarks on a quest to find his adopted daughter and save the world from impending doom. With its vast and immersive world, engaging narrative, and richly detailed characters, it's a game that will ignite Sagittarius' sense of adventure and curiosity.

"Red Dead Redemption 2": Sagittarius will be drawn to the vast open world and immersive storytelling of this Western-themed action-adventure game. Set in the American frontier in the late 1800s, players control Arthur Morgan, a member of the Van der Linde gang, as he navigates the changing landscape of the Wild West. With its stunning visuals, compelling characters, and epic scope, it's a game that will captivate Sagittarius' imagination and sense of adventure.

"No Man's Sky": Sagittarius will be fascinated by the infinite possibilities and boundless exploration of this procedurally generated universe exploration game. Players explore a vast and diverse universe, discovering planets, creatures, and civilizations as they journey through the cosmos. With its expansive scope, open-ended gameplay, and sense of wonder and discovery, it's a game that will appeal to Sagittarius' adventurous spirit and love of exploration.

"Horizon Zero Dawn": Sagittarius will appreciate the epic scope and immersive world of this action RPG set in a post-apocalyptic future. Players control Aloy, a skilled hunter, as she explores a lush and vibrant world inhabited by robotic creatures. With its stunning visuals, dynamic combat, and epic quests, it's a game that will ignite Sagittarius' sense of adventure and leave them feeling like a fearless explorer discovering the wonders of a new world.

Capricorn in the 5th House: "Factorio": Capricorn will appreciate the strategic depth and meticulous planning required in this sandbox simulation game. Players build and manage automated factories on an alien planet, harvesting resources, researching new technologies, and designing efficient production lines. With its emphasis on optimization, efficiency, and problem-solving, it's a game that will engage Capricorn's analytical mind and love of practical solutions.

"Sid Meier's Civilization VI": Capricorn will appreciate the strategic depth and long-term planning required in this turn-based strategy game. Players build and manage their own civilization from the dawn of time to the space age, expanding their empire, conducting diplomacy, and competing with other civilizations for dominance. With its complex mechanics, deep strategy, and emphasis on resource management and diplomacy, it's a game that will engage Capricorn's strategic thinking and desire for success and achievement.

"Banished": Capricorn will be drawn to the challenging city-building and resource management gameplay of this strategy simulation game. Players control a group of exiled travelers as they establish and manage a medieval settlement, building houses, farms, and other essential structures to survive and thrive. With its emphasis on strategic planning, resource allocation, and survival in harsh environments, it's a game that will appeal to Capricorn's practicality and determination to overcome challenges.

"Farming Simulator 19": Capricorn will appreciate the realistic farming simulation and strategic decision-making of this simulation game. Players manage their own farm, planting crops, raising livestock, and expanding their operations to become successful agricultural entrepreneurs. With its emphasis on planning, organization, and financial management, it's a game that will appeal to Capricorn's work ethic and desire for tangible accomplishments and success.

Aquarius in 5th House: "Minecraft": Aquarius will appreciate the creative freedom and open-ended exploration of this sandbox game. Players can build and explore endlessly in procedurally generated worlds, crafting their own adventures and creations using a variety of blocks and materials. With its emphasis on creativity, collaboration, and community, it's a game that will appeal to Aquarius' innovative spirit and love of experimentation.

"Terraria": Aquarius will enjoy the expansive world and creative possibilities of this sandbox adventure game. Players explore a procedurally generated world filled with monsters, treasures, and resources, as they build and customize their own unique environments and structures. With its emphasis on exploration, crafting, and cooperation, it's a game that will ignite Aquarius' imagination and sense of adventure.

"Sims 4": Aquarius will enjoy the sandbox gameplay and creative possibilities of this life simulation game. Players create and control virtual people, called Sims, as they build and customize their homes, careers, and relationships. With its emphasis on creativity, customization, and storytelling, it's a game that will appeal to Aquarius' love of freedom and self-expression.

"Spore": Aquarius will be drawn to the unique and innovative gameplay of this simulation game. Players guide the evolution of a species from a single-celled organism to a space-faring civilization, shaping their own unique creatures, cultures, and worlds. With its emphasis on creativity, exploration, and procedural generation, it's a game that will appeal to Aquarius' love of innovation and experimentation.

Pisces in the 5th House:

"Gris": Pisces will appreciate the stunning visuals and emotional journey of this artistic platformer game. Players guide the protagonist, Gris, through a world of sorrow and loss as she seeks to regain her lost voice. With its evocative imagery, haunting soundtrack, and themes of grief, healing, and self-expression, it's a game that will resonate deeply with Pisces' sensitive and empathetic nature.

"Abzû": Pisces will be drawn to the serene beauty and meditative experience of this underwater adventure game. Players explore a vibrant ocean teeming with life, uncovering ancient ruins and mystical secrets along the way. With its breathtaking visuals, immersive soundtrack, and emphasis on exploration and contemplation, it's a game that will soothe Pisces' soul and transport them to a world of wonder and tranquility.

"Firewatch": Pisces will appreciate the introspective storytelling and emotional depth of this narrative-driven adventure game. Players assume the role of a fire lookout in the Wyoming wilderness, navigating personal and professional challenges while uncovering a mystery that unfolds in the isolated wilderness. With its richly detailed environments, complex characters, and themes of solitude, connection, and self-discovery, it's a game that will resonate deeply with Pisces' introspective nature and desire for meaningful experiences.

"Celeste": Pisces will be captivated by the emotional journey and challenging gameplay of this indie platformer game. Players control Madeline, a young woman struggling with inner demons, as she climbs a treacherous mountain in search of self-discovery and personal growth. With its heartfelt storytelling, tight controls, and themes of perseverance, acceptance, and self-compassion, it's a game that will inspire Pisces to overcome obstacles and embrace their own journey of self-discovery and healing.

#astrology #astrology observations #astro notes #5th house #video games astrology

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vampirtulpe · 8 months ago

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Some headcanons about the kinda games the PO Boxers would probably be addicted to

Glass Joe: -Literally plays every management and business sim game in existence, when there is something new that looks fun, he will buy it without hesitation

-Vicariously living through the success his virtual businesses have

-When he wants to built off stress he plays games like Doom where he just beats up monsters in a gore fest, it's weirdly cathartic for him

Von Kaiser: -Hardcore civilization addict, didn't sleep for 3 days because he got so into his beef with George Washington after he built a city right next to his capital (Based on a true story that happened in my civilization game)

-Talks shit about his computer opponents like they're real people

-When he wants to actually relax he plays Minecraft, falls into the first hole, never finds the exit and just hollows out the earth and builds an underground civilization

Disco Kid: -Addicted to rhythm and dancing games of all kinds, he probably has a ddr machine at his place and it gets used regularly

-But also Rhythm heaven and guitar hero and stuff isn't safe from him, he will find them and he will get the best score

King Hippo:

-Likes to play the really simple platformers that are usually made for kids. He could play something more difficult, but he just finds the simple stuff much more relaxing and cuter to look at -If the art style isn't appealing to him he ain't playing, end of story, no matter how good the gameplay is

Piston Hondo: -Virtual Pet Games have taken over his life, to the point where he even got himself a tamagotchi. Everything about it just appeals to him, the cute aesthetic, the animals, the emotional attachment, the reward for your hard work by seeing your pet propser? Yes, please

-And Puzzle Games, specifically the Sailor Moon ones

Bear Hugger:

-Doesn't game a lot, but if he does, he likes the cozy simulators, usually with animals or just living in the wilderness and building a house or a bed'nbreakfast, that kinda stuff

-He's also an arcade game enjoyer, he just likes simple stuff he can pick up, play for a few minutes and can then put away again

Great Tiger:

-Card Games. All the card games. No matter, it has a card game, he'll play it. His current obsession is Slay the Spire, he played it so much, he even dissociated and began playing it in his head while he tried to fall asleep

-No matter the aesthetic, he just wants the card games

Don Flamenco:

-Stupidly addicted to Stardew Valley, like it's not even funny anymore. Actually learnt how to mod just so he could add like an absurd amount of mods to the game, you couldn't even recognize the base game anymore

-He has so many hours in Stardew Valley, it took his life over at some point. He used to have a multiplayer farm with Carmen, but then he got so into it that she got kinda left behind in it all, oops-

Aran Ryan:

-Horror Game junkie, this guy just likes torturing himself, he lives for the adrenaline. Stuff like Outlast and Dead Space is his fucking jam, anything that makes him almost shit himself

-If not that, then he wants to play something funny, like actual funny games he will laugh at for hours, he hasn't found a lot, but the few he did find he could play again and again and never stop laughing at

Soda Popinski:

-Also not that much of a gamer, but he really enjoys comforting games, like games he would've loved as a child. It's kind of a way for him to return to those times and always gives him a warm, happy feeling

-He even has some old consoles and an ancient TV so he can really capture the feeling of lil pop playing all his favorite games back in the day

-His absolute favorites are the Banjo Kazooie games, he never finished them as a kid, so he got a little emotional when he actually 100 % them as an adult

Bald Bull:

-He doesn't really game on his own, but when he has people or family over, he will always join when they wanna play Mario Party or Kart or any of the party games

-He doesn't get a lot of enjoyment out of playing on his own, but playing these cute party games with people he loves is like one of his favorite times ever

Macho Man:

-Dating sims, ironically, like he eats that shit up- he gets like all the good endings, but not the ones where he gets rejected, cause getting rejected is Bogus-

-Usually goes the women routes, but 'messed' up one time and went on a man route and has had bisexual thoughts ever since that he will try to ignore till his dying breath, his tiny brain can't handle it

Sandman:

-Adventure games, hands down. No matter what kind, the cool ones, the funny ones, the scary ones, the adorable ones, the ones for kids. If he can click a character around on an interactable background, collect items and combine them with other items to solve puzzles and progress, he WILL play it

-he very much prefers the classics in that regard though, like King's Quest for example

#punch out #punch out headcanons #glass joe #von kaiser #disco kid #king hippo #piston hondo #great tiger #bear hugger #don flamenco #aran ryan #soda popinski #bald bull #super macho man #mr sandman

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ranchstoryblog · 3 months ago

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PRESS RELEASE: Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma Confirmed to Release Alongside Nintendo Switch™ 2 on June 5, 2025

Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma Confirmed to Release Alongside Nintendo Switch™ 2 on June 5, 2025

Launch Date Updates on Existing Platforms for Simultaneous Release

Marvelous Europe today announced an updated launch date of June 5, 2025 for Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma on the Nintendo Switch™ system and Windows PC via Steam. The latest entry in the popular action-RPG and life-simulation series will now launch alongside the Nintendo Switch™ 2 version simultaneously.

Players will experience the Eastern territory of Azuma for the first time, a land of Japanese-inspired visuals and unique twists on familiar gameplay elements from the Rune Factory franchise. Those playing on Nintendo Switch 2 will experience the title in a higher resolution with improved frame rates, along with Joy-Con 2 mouse controls for village building.

The company also announced that those who have pre-ordered the Nintendo Switch version of Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma will be able to play on the new platform with the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition upgrade pack. Details regarding the upgrade pack will be available at a later date.

About Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma

Guardians of Azuma takes players on an all-new adventure in the never-before-seen country of Azuma. Here, players will assume the role of an Earth Dancer destined to return hope—and life—to the once-thriving land. Choose from one of two protagonists whose fates are closely tied together, and experience reimagined and expanded Rune Factory gameplay; as Earth Dancer, players will farm with grace, restore and build entire villages, and fight with new weapons like the Bow and Talisman. Azuma is a vast world to explore with majestic villages to uncover, each taking inspiration from Japanese culture and each with a seasonal theme. In addition to exploration, combat, and village-building, players will also cultivate relationships with the locals, recruiting them to your side in battle or to help manage the villages. Wield sacred treasures of the gods and the Earth Dancer’s power of dance to purify the land and return Azuma to its former glory. The adventure of a new world awaits.

Physical pre-orders for Nintendo Switch are currently available for both the standard edition for an RRP of €59.99, and the Limited Edition, which comes in a custom outer box and includes a physical copy of the game, an original soundtrack consisting of 56 tracks across two CDs, a 160-page art book, an Azuma-inspired folding fan, a plush Woolby keychain, and a substantial DLC pack, which includes the “Seasons of Love Bundle,” the “Festive Attire and Dark Woolby Bundle,” the “Rune Factory 4 Hero Outfit Bundle,” the “Rune Factory 4 Bachelorette Outfit Bundle,” and the Useful Item Bundle, for an RRP of €99.99.

Along with physical editions, Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma will be available digitally on Nintendo eShop for Nintendo Switch and Windows PC via Steam in a standard edition for €59.99; a Digital Deluxe edition, which includes the game, the “Seasons of Love Bundle,” and the “Festive Attire and Dark Woolby Bundle” for €69,99; and as a Super Digital Deluxe edition, which includes the game, the “Seasons of Love Bundle,” the “Festive Attire and Dark Woolby Bundle,” a digital soundtrack, and digital art book, for €79.99. All digital versions of the game will come with the “Rune Factory 4 Hero Outfit Bundle” as a special bonus. Digital pre-order versions will be available soon.

Developed by Marvelous and published in Europe and Australia by Marvelous Europe, Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma is scheduled for release globally on Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, and Windows PC via Steam on June 5, 2025 The title will be published in Japan by Marvelous Inc. and in the Americas by Marvelous USA. More information can be found on the official website, https://marvelousgames.com/games/rune-factory-guardians-of-azuma, and on X @RuneFactory.

For more information regarding Marvelous Europe, please visit the official website, or follow @ MarvelousEurope on BlueSky, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or YouTube.

Marvelous USA Press Release below the break.

Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma Confirmed to Release Alongside Nintendo Switch™ 2 on June 5, 2025

Marvelous USA Updates Launch Date on Existing Platforms for Simultaneous Release

Marvelous USA today announced an updated launch date of June 5, 2025, for Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma on the Nintendo Switch™ system and Windows PC via Steam. The latest entry in the popular action-RPG and life-simulation series will now launch alongside the Nintendo Switch™ 2 version simultaneously. Players will experience the Eastern territory of Azuma for the first time, a land of Japanese-inspired visuals and unique twists on familiar gameplay elements from the Rune Factory franchise. Those playing on Nintendo Switch 2 will experience the title in a higher resolution with improved frame rates, along with Joy-Con 2 mouse controls for village building.

Additionally, Marvelous USA today revealed the Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma “Earth Dancer Accessory Set,” a limited box set containing the original soundtrack consisting of 56 tracks across two CDs, a 160-page art book, an Azuma-inspired folding fan, and a plush Woolby keychain together in a custom outer box. Limited quantities of this special set will be available for pre-order soon exclusively on the Marvelous USA Online Store for an MSRP of $49.99.

About Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma

Physical pre-orders for Nintendo Switch are currently available for both the standard edition for an MSRP of $59.99, and the “Earth Dancer Edition,” which comes in a custom outer box featuring awe-inspiring art of a battle high above Azuma, and includes a physical copy of the game, an original soundtrack consisting of 56 tracks across two CDs, a 160-page art book, an Azuma-inspired folding fan, a plush Woolby keychain, and a substantial DLC pack, which includes the “Seasons of Love Bundle,” the “Festive Attire and Dark Woolby Bundle,” the “Rune Factory 4 Hero Outfit Bundle,” the “Rune Factory 4 Bachelorette Outfit Bundle,” and the Useful Item Bundle, for an MSRP of $99.99.

Along with physical editions, Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma will be available digitally on Nintendo eShop for Nintendo Switch and Windows PC via Steam in a standard edition for $59.99; a Digital Deluxe edition, which includes the game, the “Seasons of Love Bundle,” and the “Festive Attire and Dark Woolby Bundle” for $69,99; and as a Super Digital Deluxe edition, which includes the game, the “Seasons of Love Bundle,” the “Festive Attire and Dark Woolby Bundle,” a digital soundtrack, and digital art book, for $79.99. All digital versions of the game will come with the “Rune Factory 4 Hero Outfit Bundle” as a special bonus. Digital pre-order options will be available soon.

Developed by Marvelous and published in the Americas by Marvelous USA, Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma is scheduled for release globally on Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, and Windows PC via Steam on June 5, 2025. The title will be published in Japan by Marvelous Inc. and in Europe by Marvelous Europe. More information can be found on the official website, https://na.runefactory.com/azuma/, and on X @RuneFactory. This title has been rated “T for Teen” by the ESRB.

Information about Marvelous USA’s products can be found at www.marvelous-usa.com. Fans can also check out the latest videos from the Marvelous family of titles on YouTube and get updates by following on Facebook, X, Instagram, and Threads.

#story of seasons #rune factory #guardians of azuma #delay #press release #wow there's a lot of press releases all at once

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