#cv: Time flies

[backspacingmyself]

07/02/2024, 07:49am

Even 8 years later and I still arrive early to Uni lol

[technovillain]

I see that a lot of ppl agree after the events of RoR that Clairvoyance must be Raz's specialty, right? Like what he pulled off there was kind of crazy. Especially considering he's 10 years old and he was also DEEP UNDERWATER, HIS DEEPEST DARKEST FEAR. Also just mentally completely separated from his body for a long time? Which is terrifying.

I haven't seen a lot of people talk about him using it heavily outside of the RoR mentions however. Can you imagine how cool doing that would be for an agent? Doing what he was doing with the fish in RoR but using it to being able to essentially astral project his consciousness anywhere. If a fly goes past him, and he uses CV on it, he stays that way until there's a deer in the woods, follows a deer to a crow, crow flies off way off into the sky, he hops from bird to bird in the sky, to a person in the window of an airplane, crosses an ocean, goes into a city, suddenly his mind can be in an entire different country.

I know a lot of people picture him as a really active field agent like Milla or Sasha but imagine the crazy remote reconnaissance work he could be doing. Meditating for long periods of time, getting a precise sequence of CV transfers to get into a top secret classified area and obtain valuable info. Especially cool considering we know he can still use his telepathy and speak to other psychics dozens of CVs deep. He could be the perfect scout and lookout at the same time and never even have to leave headquarters.

[speedycoffeedelight]

I don't know if how readers going to get everyone jobs once their all humans, I know you've only just touched on it and will be exploring it more later, but I could imagine there being sooooo many shenanigans around it.

~

Reader: Okay Charlie, it says here to fill in all your details. I got your full name, address, blah blah blah... Hey, whats your age? Forgot to fill that one in.

Charlie: Oh! I'm 271. Hehe, time sure flies by you know.

Reader: ... Okay. *types 27*

~

Reader: Okay, so there isn't any available host positions at the local station but they are looking for some intern with pay. It says here that there is an option to rise the ranks if you take them, is that alright?

Alastor: I suppose it will have too do, at least its better to work in radio than in any other pointless media. Besides, I'm sure they'll see I'm quite the suitable candidate if the current host needs to be... Replace.

Reader: Please don't kill our local host Al.

~

Reader: Age?

Angel: 36.

Reader: Date of birth?

Angel: 1911, just after the turn of the century.

Reader: *Do mental maths to figure when Angel should have been born if he's currently 36*

~

Reader: Any useful skills relevant for the job in question?

Lucifer: I have been the King of Hell since its creation, that should count for something.

Reader: ...

Lucifer: ... Um, I am a hobbyist toy maker? Would that help?

~

Reader: So it says that there are plenty of bars, restaurants, clubs and café in the area looking for waiting staff. Do you want me to send your CV to all of them right now or do you want to look them over first?

Husk: I don't see why I can't just walk in and ask for a job, that's what we used to do. You even printed a CV out for me, that's alot more than I had when I first got employed.

Reader: ... You do not understand how much I currently wish ya'll could do that.

Okay I absolutely love all these little scenarios you've made and I can definitely see them happening 🤣🤣

Readers gonna have one helluva rough time getting them in jobs and with this cast, woooo boy!!

I feel like we both have the same brain rot for this au (⁠~⁠‾⁠▿⁠‾⁠)⁠~

[mirikitakato]

[Translation] Cross interview with Shinnosuke Tachibana (Shylock's CV) and Mizuki Nakamura (Murr's CV)

(Gosh look at this poster, I'm dying)

This is the full cross interview of Shinnosuke Tachibana (Shylock's CV) and Mizuki Nakamura (Murr's CV), published in Animage, February 2025 issue to celebrate the broadcast of anime.

"No matter what happens, Shylock would still love him. Even if Murr goes astray, he won't abandon him."

Interviewer: The highly anticipated anime adaptation of "Mahoutsukai no Yakusoku" is finally starting! Nakamura-san, how do you feel about that? 

Nakamura: I'm really excited! I always thought this was a visually stunning work, so I've eagerly anticipated how the anime would turn out.

Tachibana: It feels like we've finally reached this long-awaited goal. I'm sure everyone has been waiting for this for a long time. In the original game, Master Sage is portrayed from the player's perspective, so he/she doesn’t have voice. I was curious to see how he/she would sound in the anime.

Interviewer: The anime story seems to follow the original work closely.

Nakamura: That's right. When I first received the script, I was surprised by how faithful it was to the game. I could feel the staff's desire to deliver the "Mahoutsukai no Yakusoku" story as it is, so I wanted to approach my performance with care.

Tachibana: Initially, I was told that Shylock would only be in some parts. But when I read the script, he appeared in almost every episode, which was a bit surprising. It turned out that while he had limited dialogue, he would be present in most scenes. And indeed, Shylock is like a guardian figure, which means he was probably around in those scenes in the game as well.

Nakamura: In the game, we usually only see the visuals of the wizards who are talking, right? 

Tachibana: Exactly. Thanks to the anime, we can now better understand characters’ positions and behaviors during many scenes.

Nakamura: By the way, Murr is always bouncing around and is on screen a lot, too (laughs). Also, the magic effects are beautifully done. I think they're much clearer in the anime.

Tachibana: There's going to be a lot of magic in the future. I feel like I've been inhaling and exhaling a lot during the voice recording (laughs).

Nakamura: Shylock's smoke has gotten some people into trouble (laughs).

Tachibana: I know. I hope everyone looks forward to other wizards using their magic as well.

Interviewer: How do you perceive Shylock and Murr as characters?

Nakamura: I feel like Shylock is someone who loves people for who they are. Even though he argues with Murr, he always listens to what Murr has to say and doesn't deny him.

Tachibana: That's right. As Nakamura-san said, he basically takes an affirming stance and is very mature. Of course, Shylock has his likes and dislikes, but he can easily express them to others. That's why he has such a deep understanding and accepts people as they are. However, there are times when Shylock shows his emotions. When Shylock shows disgust, it means he really dislikes those things (laughs).

Nakamura: That's true (laughs). 

Tachibana: And we rarely see him like that. I think of him as a motherly figure in the Magic Manor, watching over everyone's growth and changes.

Interviewer: What do you focus on when you're voicing them?

Tachibana: Shylock explains the situation calmly, so I try to be conscious of that calmness. Also, because there's movement in the anime, he seems more mature than in the game. So, I'm trying to perform in a more mature and sexy way.

Nakamura: He's very sexy. From the moment he first appeared in the first episode, I was grinning and thinking, "Wow, a sexy guy has arrived." The way he flies on his broomstick through the sky and his alluring gaze are wonderful.

Tachibana: The way the characters stand and move really shows their personalities. Also, while Shylock is usually calm and observes everyone from a distance, he only shows his emotions towards Murr and makes some sarcastic comments. Since his relationship with Murr is different from his relationship with the other wizards, I made sure to add contrast when performing their interactions.

Interviewer: What about Murr?

Nakamura: He's so carefree, like a child seeing the world for the first time. Everything that catches his eye is shiny and new and beautiful. All of that excites his curiosity. But even though he acts like a child, there’s something missing in him to fully be a child. That's something I'm conscious of when voicing him.

Tachibana: From Shylock's perspective, Murr is like a mad scientist, and Shylock might feel regret for not being able to stop Murr. At the same time, there's a part of Shylock that still respects Murr, making his feelings towards Murr quite complicated. It’s because he trusts Murr that he is able to show his emotions towards Murr… it's a bit transcendent, I think. No matter what happens, Shylock would still love him. Even if Murr goes astray, he won't abandon him. Of course, he gets angry, but you can feel that there’s a deep love behind his anger.  That kind of love is different from romantic love, in that he doesn't ask for anything in return.

Nakamura: I completely agree!

Interviewer: What are you conscious of when you're performing Murr?

Nakamura: To show that incomplete part of him, I try not to delve too deeply into my own emotions, like kindness or consideration. It changes depending on the situation. By taking away a little bit of the essence of my own heart, I hope I can better connect with Murr. Sometimes I'm told, "Nakamura-san, you're going overboard, let’s do it differently" (laughs).

Interviewer: Murr jumps and bounces around a lot, so there must be a lot of ad-libs.

Nakamura: There were a lot. It was really fun to V-check (watch the animation before dubbing). If there was a scene where I was upside down, I would try to experience that feeling by actually turning upside down myself or hanging from a bar with my feet. I would try various experiments like that before going to the recording studio and try to reflect what I learned in my performance.

Interviewer: Upside down, you said...?

Nakamura: I would do handstands at home or hang from a bar with my feet (laughs). I can't actually fly or jump in the air, but I tried to experience as much as I could the things he was experiencing and the sensations he was feeling, and I tried to incorporate that into my acting.

Interviewer: The words spoken by the wizards in this work are also very beautiful. The last line of Murr in the first episode was particularly great. 

Nakamura: “Life is a journey! You’ll meet countless, wonderful, once-in-a-lifetime experiences.” I think it's a line that perfectly captures Murr's character. There are many painful and unpleasant things in the world, but it's also full of beautiful and lovely things. Of course, he's not blind to the negative things, but if you change your perspective, you can see that there are so many wonderful things. I think it's a really strong and beautiful line.

Interviewer: Let's try to figure out how to get along with Murr and Shylock.

Nakamura: If I had someone like Murr around, I'm sure I would be completely overwhelmed. Shylock seems to give me the freedom to do as I please, but Murr is always coming up with new things he wants to do or is curious about and is always moving around freely. It's wonderful, and I want to follow him, but I think I would be confused every now and then.

Tachibana: I think I'd rather have Shylock around. It would be great to have someone who supports me and accepts me for who I am. For example, Murr is a king. And Shylock is like a trusted confidant who serves him. Murr is free-spirited and has a unique way of thinking. That's very attractive, and I'm also curious about many things, so I want to try doing various things. But there are also things I can't do alone, so it would be very helpful and nice to have someone like Shylock to stay by my side. As for Murr... I might not want him to stay near me.

Interviewer: You have similar feelings to Murr, but it's a different story when it comes to having him by your side?

Tachibana: That's right. I think it would be best to keep an eye on Murr from about 100 meters away with binoculars.

Nakamura: I understand that feeling (laughs).

Tachibana: And I might feel a sense of rivalry towards Murr, thinking, "I was going to do that first" (laughs).

Interviewer: Even if Shylock were by your side, it would be difficult to gain his trust enough to have him as your confidant.

Tachibana: Shylock is an adult, so he often maintains superficial relationships to avoid unnecessary troubles. That's why I think it's important to be honest and sincere with someone like him. Shylock can probably see through lies right away, so any superficiality on our part would be easily detected. So, it would be better to reveal our true selves and honestly say that he’s the only person we can be open with. I think Murr is probably the same type, even if unintentionally. Murr seems to be very open with everyone, but there are aspects of himself that he only shows to Shylock. 

Nakamura: So, to get along with Shylock, it's important to be honest and sincere.

Tachibana: I think so. If you're trying to figure out the other person, they'll try to figure you out as well. 

Nakamura: That's true... Being sincere is important in any relationship. 

Interviewer: It's eye-opening to hear about being sincere and honest with each other. Now, as the story progresses, what are you both looking forward to in the anime?

Tachibana: I think there might be people who aren't familiar with the original app, "Mahoutsukai no Yakusoku". For those people, I hope they'll watch this anime and then check out the original work.

Nakamura: It would be great if it could be a gateway.

Tachibana: Thanks to streaming services, Japanese animation is reaching more people overseas. I'd be happy if people from other countries could experience Japanese anime culture and the world of magic created by Japanese people.

Nakamura: Like Tachibana-san said, this work is full of what's great about Japan. "Mahoutsukai no Yakusoku" is very delicate, whether it's the writing or the characters' behaviors. Western films are very dynamic, which is wonderful and moving in its own way, but "Mahoutsukai no Yakusoku" delves deeper into the nuances of human emotions. I hope people will find it charming and want to learn more about "Mahoutsukai no Yakusoku".

[captainderyn]

Playing swtor again, specifically Emeldir, has me in my feels about him and tweaking some random things about his backstory and Rielay’s as well. In no particular order:

- Rielay was pulled out of her dead end ‘job’ in the Coronet City Shipyards as a teenager by her old smuggling captain because she was a damn good mechanic and small enough that she could fit in all the tight spaces the rest of the crew complained about. Her captain was horrible, but it was Rielay’s ticket off Corellia and introduced her to her love of flying.

-Her crew got stuck in orbit around Coruscant during the Sacking of Coruscant. Her captain was killed while on a transport to the planet’s surface and Rielay held the ship and crew together and out of imperial fire until they were recovered by Republic forces. Despite her best attempts, the crew disbanded and went their seperate ways and Rielay was forced to sell the ship for scrap due to damages from running on fumes.

-With no way off planet and no options or connections due to her captain’s ah…loner approach to business, Rielay enlists in the Republic military and does a few year stint there to pay off the debts pinned on her by her old captain’s death. There she flies jets older than her, and it’s why she can fly her clunky old ship like a cracked out raccoon and still survive.

-Rielay is now ~31 at the start of the smuggler storyline instead of in her mid 20s. Emeldir is 23 at the start instead of 20.

-At the end of her contract she buys another ship, her current ship the Promise, in all its rust bucket gory from Emeldir’s father—a ship salesman on Coruscant. Who’s she had previously sold her captain’s ship to. It’s here that she meets Emeldir, now 18 and restless within the cityscape of Coruscant. He begs to join her “crew” for “life experience” (as he justifies to his unimpressed parents and Rielay). She tries to deny him, because it’s a tough life, but he’s there the next day with his bags packed and a CVS receipt long list of reasons this is Good Actually. They agree he’ll fly with her for a year or two then come home to Coruscant like the Good Senator’s Son he’s suppose to be.

- Just over a year into his time on her ship they’re working a contract on Hoth. A flash storm rolls through, separating Rielay and Emeldir’s speeders. He ends up wrecking his trying to get out of the storm, and in trying to shelter in place meets with a pissed off undecided creature that are the source of his facial scars and scars that extend over his shoulder/chest. His injuries were severe, and being stuck in the cold for hours nearly did him in. Rielay feels horrifically guilty about it still, years later.

-This event is the reason Emeldir has a perpetual tremor in his hands, specifically his right (the side with all his scarring too) (thanks Aimed Shot animation with its perpetual shake that gave me this character quirk).

-This event is also the reason Emeldir pursued becoming a captain in his own right. Rielay, without his knowing, paid his extensive medical costs from saving his life and pretty intensive fixing of his face and right upper body. He’s become a light sided smuggler in an attempt to ‘pay her back’ even if she staunchly refuses every credit he tries to give her.

[wholemantou]

三嫁咸鱼 San Jia Xian Yu (Thrice Married To A Salted Fish) Audio Drama S1 Theme Song: Relentless Longing Pervades My Dreams 《相思续续入梦来》 Xiāngsī Xùxù Rùmènglái (English Translation)

English translation of Relentless Longing Pervades My Dreams 《相思续续入梦来》 Xiāngsī Xùxù Rùmènglái, the lyrics of the theme song from the audio drama for 三嫁咸鱼 San Jia Xian Yu (Thrice Married To A Salted Fish) by Bi Ka Bi.

Chinese/Pinyin/English lyrics available under the cut.

P.S. The above link is the CV version, which I have translated (demarcated according to character). The below is the original:

All credits to the song can be found in the above two links. I own nothing but the translation in italics text.

Relentless Longing Pervades My Dreams

《相思续续入梦来》

[陆晚丞Lu Wancheng (马正阳 Ma Zhengyang)]

他乡异梦里 tā xiāng yì mèng lǐ           In a strange dream in a foreign land,

兜转恰逢知己 dōu zhuǎn qià féng zhī jǐ I had a chance encounter with a bosom friend.

飞光苦昼短 fēi guāng kǔ zhòu duǎn Time flies at lightspeed, each day feeling painfully short,

举杯邀春风共饮 jǔ bēi yāo chūn fēng gòng yǐn Yet I raise a toast, inviting the spring breeze for a drink.

不求浮华名 bù qiú fú huá míng Never seeking transient objects like fame,

凌云意气 líng yún yì qì Lofty as the clouds my spirit became.

长愿一生清闲凡庸 cháng yuàn yī shēng qīng xián fán yōng I’ve only ever wished to lead an unbounded and unassuming life;

平安顺意 píng ān shùn yì To be safe and sound, and for everything to go well.

[林清羽 Lin Qingyu (陈张太康Chenzhang Taikang)]

朔风不解意 shuò fēng bù jiě yì The northern winds fail to interpret the meaning

旌旗掩埋归期 jīng qí yǎn mái guī qī Of the banner-buried date of your returning. [1]

故里锦书来 gù lǐ jǐn shū lái A letter has come from my hometown—

谁落笔山有木兮 shuí luò bǐ shān yǒu mù xī Who is this, who conceals his affections behind descriptions of mountains and trees?

观江山风雨 guān jiāng shān fēng yǔ Gazing at the windstorms brewing on the mountain and the lake, [2]

为他入局 wéi tā rù jú I enter the arena for his sake.

一朝结发 yī zhāo jié fā Thus came the day we tied the knot with one another;

生生世世两不疑 shēng shēng shì shì liǎng bù yí In every life and in every world, we shall never doubt the other.

[Chorus, together]

明月可知 míng yuè kě zhī Does the radiant moon understand

此间情人相思 又几许 cǐ jiān qíng rén xiāng sī yòu jī xǔ The extent of lovers’ longing in the mortal realm here?

寄我缱绻心绪 jì wǒ qiǎn quǎn xīn xù I make my affectionate thoughts to him clear:

不远千里 随君去 bù yuǎn qiān lǐ suí jūn qù “If it’s to follow you, even a journey of a thousand Li would be near.”

去年此时此景 qù nián cǐ shí cǐ jǐng It had also been this scenery that year—

万籁俱寂 白雪红嫁衣 wàn lài jù jì bái xuě hóng jià yī Clad in red wedding robes, I stood there in the snow, utterly quiet and unmoving.

怎抵一眼 生死别离 zěn dǐ yī yǎn shēng sǐ bié lí How quickly death takes lovers to the moment of their parting.

[林清羽 Lin Qingyu (陈张太康Chenzhang Taikang)]

重返旧梦里 zhòng fǎn jiù mèng lǐ Returning to an old dream in my slumber,

恍然初见相遇 huǎng rán chū jiàn xiāng yù We meet again, once more a first encounter.

再执子之手仍如赤子般执迷  zài zhí zǐ zhī shǒu réng rú chì zǐ bān zhí mí I hold your hand again, still obsessed with you like those subjects are with the nation.

[陆晚丞Lu Wancheng (马正阳 Ma Zhengyang)]

若爱人安于世间一隅 ruò ài rén ān yú shì jiān yī yú If my love lives on in a corner of the world, safe and sound,

为一人 为苍生 wéi yī rén wéi cāng sheng It no longer matters

又何需分清 yòu hé xū fēn qīng Whether it’s for one man or for the masses that my efforts count.

[Chorus, together]

明月可知 míng yuè kě zhī Does the radiant moon understand

此间情人相思 又几许 cǐ jiān qíng rén xiāng sī yòu jī xǔ The extent of lovers’ longing in the mortal realm here?

寄我缱绻心绪 jì wǒ qiǎn quǎn xīn xù I make my affectionate thoughts to him clear:

不远千里 随君去 bù yuǎn qiān lǐ suí jūn qù “If it’s to follow you, even a journey of a thousand Li would be near.”

去年此时此景 qù nián cǐ shí cǐ jǐng It had also been this scenery that year—

万籁俱寂 白雪红嫁衣 wàn lài jù jì bái xuě hóng jià yī Clad in red wedding robes, I stood there in the snow, utterly quiet and unmoving.

怎抵一眼 生死别离 zěn dǐ yī yǎn shēng sǐ bié lí How quickly death takes lovers to the moment of their parting.

[林清羽 Lin Qingyu (陈张太康Chenzhang Taikang)]

山海可知 shān hǎi kě zhī Do the mountains and the seas understand

此间情人别离 又几许 cǐ jiān qíng rén bié lí yòu jī xǔ The extent of lovers’ parting in the mortal realm here?

[陆晚丞Lu Wancheng (马正阳 Ma Zhengyang)]

遥望西北天际 yáo wàng xī běi tiān jì I gaze up at the sky’s northwestern end

烛火燃尽 到天明 zhú huǒ rán jìn   dào tiān míng While the candle burns on till the morning sky is clear.

[Together]

来年旧地重游 lái nián jiù dì zhòng yóu Next year, we shall wander these weathered lands once again.

灯火如昼 凤箫声动里dēnghuǒrúzhòu fèngxiāo shēngdòng lǐ Lanterns light the night up into day while the sounds of the phoenix flute reverberate 祝酒陈愿 此生不离 zhù jiǔ chén yuàn cǐ sh��ng bù lí As we raise a toast to celebrate a lifelong continuance for our string of fate.

-----------

Translation notes:

[1] This refers to war banners/flags. I chose the less precise term ‘banner’ for alliterative effect. [2]  ‘The windstorms brewing (i.e., raining) on the mountains and lakes’ -- a metaphor for changes happening in a society. ‘Lake’ was unpluralized for rhyming. [3] Many liberties were taken in the translation of this song, especially to make the lyrics rhyme. (I really wanted to do so because the song itself is really lyrical and rhythmic. But I am 0% trained in poetry, so forgive the cringe ^_^") Please let me know if you have any comments, criticism or alternative readings. Thank you! ^^

[kuliak]

Time flies. Looking back can be melancholic.

It's been another year. Life was so, so busy - I tried to find time for music when I could, but recorded less than the year before. I certainly think the average quality was much higher, though. I don't have any hard and fast goals for my art this year, just to do my best and have fun :) I always say I'd like to have a formal release (unless you count my noise piece from last year, which I do take pride in) - maybe this will be the year an EP or debut finally comes about. There are plenty of WIPs which could grow into it.

But for the present, this patch is a surprisingly melodic one from the texture case. I use 0-ctrl as an all-in-one sequencer, with passive mults bridging gates for Floom channels and CV lanes modulating time (for the nice odd-rhythm) and parameters of Chordv2 and QPAS. As strength is brought up, it further modulates the filter for additional rhythm. Both voices are routed via the matrix through Bib and Rainmaker to create all sorts of nice shimmers and hums. If I had time to "finish" this as a song, within this case, I'd probably program some lo-fi drums with Pam's and o_C and bring them up in the latter third of the piece, nice and slow; and maybe add some kind of Spectravox vocal texture via Stardust or Nebulae.

Speaking of Nebulae, I've been encountering a boot loop issue with it, so it's unplugged for now. I hope to troubleshoot this weekend - I don't think it'll be too hard to diagnose.

That's all for today! Hoping/expecting to be back for another jam on the 3rd, and as often I can for this month and for the year.

[ask-a-w]

Watched Nick Apostolides play Separate Ways and wrote down stuff that caught my attention.

Guests on the stream: Craig (Wesker’s VA) & Andre (Luis’ VA). Andre joins for a short while mid-way through the stream.

- Nick was there when he watched Andre film the cutscene of Luis doing the flamenco. Apparently Andre nailed it in one take.

- Nick says Andre spent months researching the Spanish culture. (Andre talks a little bit more about it later.)

- Craig went to Vancouver three times in 2022 to film RE4R & SW. The main game & DLC were shot together. He couldn’t say he went to Vancouver more than once or else he would give away that there were extra content like SW & Mercenaries.

- Nick was not aware how Ada got infected.

- Craig played RE5 co-op years ago and is trying to play it solo but acknowledged it’s not that fun to play solo.

- Craig’s download for SW took 7 minutes and he was very amused by that.

- Craig can only talk about games that have come out so don’t ask him if there’s gonna be a remake for CV or RE5.

- Craig was not aware who or what he was auditioning for and only knew he was playing Wesker when he was flown to the studio. He asked them if he should play Wesker like previous incarnations or like what he did in his audition. They told him to play Wesker like his audition.

- Craig said when he filmed for RE: Outbreak 20 years ago, the actors only saw stick figures on the screen but now, as you stand in front of the mocap cameras, you can see your entire character model on the screen rightaway and he’s quite impressed how far technology has advanced.

- Craig said he did mocap for Outbreak for 6 months. He did not book a part in Outbreak initially but Alyson Court (Claire’s original VA) actually brought him to work on the game.

- Craig filmed all his scenes together with Lily and only saw Nick 3 times during filming since Wesker & Leon don’t have any scenes together.

- Craig has been a fan of RE for a long time. He played RE1 with his acting classmates and they were happy for him when he booked a part in Outbreak.

- Craig says he has never gotten a copy of any game he has worked on as the people he works with don’t work in game distribution. He only managed to get a copy of the RE4R deluxe edition thanks to an ex-girlfriend who works in game distribution.

- Craig & Nick know both Wesker & Leon are very beloved characters in the franchise and have given it their all for their portrayals.

- Both of them squeed when Wesker says “complete local saturation” and Craig has been waiting for a whole year wondering how fans would react to that line.

- Nick had no idea what would happen in SW since he didn’t get the script for it.

- Craig also had no idea Wesker would be in Mercenaries but put two and two together when he recorded lines for Merc.

- Scenes are filmed out of order. Craig didn’t know if he was filming for the main game or SW. He had to wait till the main game came out to see what scenes were shown in RE4R. Nick also has no idea if he filmed anything for SW.

- While the VAs have their own general idea on how to play their character as they walk into the studio, how they express their lines are based on a combination of what’s requested by Capcom’s Japanese team, how the translator translates Capcom’s requests, and Steve Kniebihly’s (cinematics director) direction.

- Someone asked Craig if he thought when Wesker was a child, would he shine a magnifying glass on ants. Craig said probably yeah and maybe pulling the wings of flies too. (Side note: The Ashford twins did that in Code Veronica)

- Craig was a musician first before he got into acting. In high school, everyone was into music and he made some music with his friends. His then-girlfriend asked him to audition in a school musical and he loved the acting expect of it. He then auditioned in plays before he went to acting school for college.

- Craig applied to both music & acting programmes for college. He always wanted to be a performer.

- Andre joins halfway through the stream. He enjoyed filming the opening flamenco scene even though it took a while to get the steps right. He doesn’t think he can do the dance any more since it’s been a while.

- Andre mimed the reaction to being pulled by a rope in chapter 1. He didn’t have confidence to pull it off and the team also agreed. He doesn’t have stunt training anyway.

- Craig on the other hand, recounted when he was filming being grabbed by a monster for RE Outbreak. He had a rope on his head while filming for that and he didn’t get stunt pay. But things were different years ago.

- Andre said the team took safety really seriously and even for simple things like pretending to fall over, Steve Kniebihly would tell the VAs not to do it and let the stunt team do it instead.

- When Craig auditioned for Wesker, the description was “Villain in a video game”. That was it. All the audition scripts were fake so actors who don’t book the part won’t leak that the game is being made.

- Andre lived & breathed Castellan Spanish culture for months while he filmed RE4R and it drove his family a little crazy. He even spoke with a Castellan Spanish accent for a while too. His family is of Mexican descent and Mexican Spanish pronunciation is different from European/Castellan Spanish.

- Nick was friends with Paul Haddad (OG RE2 Leon VA) before he passed away. He also took some voice lessons from Paul Mercier (OG RE4 Leon VA).

- Craig has not spoken to any previous Wesker VAs. He is long time friends with Alyson and she was his director on one project he worked in before. He has met OG Brad Vicker’s VA before.

- Andre has only met Neil Newbon (RE8 Heisenberg & RE3R Nikolai) in person.

- Craig enjoys playing bad guys since it’s fun to do something he can’t do in real life.

- Nick had to lower his voice for RE4R Leon since Leon in 2004 is a bit “sick of the same shit happening repeatedly” instead of being a newbie cop surprised at everything.

- Craig’s favourite scene to film was the Wesker & Ada confrontation at the beginning of the Island. He had to do the Wesker smirk at the end a few times as the team had to ensure it looked right on the Wesker model.

- Craig has a Guinness World Record for playing in the longest concert which lasted for 19 days, around 437 hours. He was in the planning committee for it and he played 5 times during the concert. To qualify for the record, there were a lot of rules. For example: at least 10 people in the audience had to be awake at all times, each song had to last at least 2 mins, and there can only be a maximum 30 seconds pause between each song.

- Nick got electrocuted in science class when he touched a capacitor with his bare hands. He mentioned that it really freaking hurt and it was almost impossible to let go. He had to force himself to open his hands.

- During the recording of the injury effort sounds for when Leon got electrocuted, Nick clenched his fists and shook them while grunting through gritted teeth.

- For Wesker’s injury effort sounds during Mercenaries mode, the team had to tell Craig to dial back as Wesker responds to injuries in a calmer manner.

- Nick had a lot of fun filming the part where Saddler transforms into his final form.

- Nick mocapped the pilot flying Ada’s chopper.

- Nick was completely mind blown by the stinger at the end.

[pbandjesse]

I am tired. It wasn't the worst night but Sylvia was clearly uncomfortable and I hate that I couldn't fix it. She would sleep until midnight but then she wouldn't sleep if I wasn't holding her sitting up. So I could not rest. And today doesn't seem a whole lot better. She slept for a lot of the day but whenever we weren't holding her she was so upset and seemed very uncomfortable. Poor baby.

James would take over at 3 and I went to go to sleep. But it wasn't amazing sleep. And I had to snooze my alarm twice. Which I did not like. Made me feel off changing my current schedule. Like yes I want to sleep until 930. But I am trying to keep the 830-845 schedule.

I got up at 9 though. Split the difference. I felt s little better. I got cleaned up and dressed and felt pretty good.

Things would go sideways pretty fast though. I was still tired. I went downstairs and would feed Sylvia while James made me potatoes for breakfast.

But then the potatoes were cold. And James took them back to heat further. And during that time Sweetp atr my breakfast. He ate all the toppings. The sour cream and cheese. And James didn't realize and gave me potato and I was like what happened. And they realized and I melted down. I was already fragile when the food came cold. But when it came back wrong I absolutely melted down crying.

I was so overwhelmed, so over tired, and so over stimulated we decided they would take Sylvia to the CVS to get a few things and give me a few minutes alone. I really appreciated them doing that. And the half hour of eating a snack and vacuuming helped. I fixed my eyeliner and went to sit on the couch.

James brought me a juice home. And I had my snack andy juice and felt a little better.

My parents were coming. And around 1130 they arrived! I was very happy to see them.

James was wearing Sylvia in their kaftan carrier. It was the only thing that as calming her down.

But she would get fed and then passed to my dad who seemed thrilled to hold the baby. And it would just be a lot of that. Someone holding the baby. Taking. Mom brought clothes for baby. Food for us. A pretty pewter heart pin for me. Love my mom for thinking of us. But also not forgetting about me.

It would be a nice afternoon. I had the backdoor open for air. James says I have to commit to the screen door though and not leave the whole thing open because a fly got in. And last year the flies were terrible. Can't have it yet like that again.

I enjoyed sitting and talking to my parents. I didn't want to talk about how I cried. Or anything particularly deep that's might make me cry again. But I still enjoyed talking. A lot about me as a baby. Or Sylvia as a baby. We also looked at James's baby book and my mom was shocked how much Sylvia looks like baby James. It's really uncanny.

Mom and James made me and dad sandwiches. James made me a very garlicky egg salad. I didn't realize they did something extra to my egg salad in the past. I've always just done egg, mayo, mustard. Sometimes spicy mustard. But they added spices and such! It was still very good. Just surprising.

We enjoyed lunch. And I showed dad our plants on the backyard. Mom would give Silvia her bottle. It was a good day.

After making everyone take a group picture (and Dad making me come to the car to get a back saw)mom and dad were on the road.

I didn't want to waste the beautiful day. So we would get the stroller and a few things and head to the park to walk around. And it was a nice walk. It was great to see the park so full of people.

We tried to take pictures of Sylvia with the flowers but she looks miserable in basically every picture which was hilarious but also I felt bad she wasn't comfy!! Well get better flower pictures I'm sure.

When we got home I would sit out back with Sylvia. I felt bad that she was in the sun so eventually I got her rocking chair and tried to sit her in there but she was just so upset and wouldn't have it.

James had gone for a short bike ride. But when they got back I took something for my pain. And Sylvia got a bottle and that helped a little. Discovering her rocking chair has a vibration feature (???) helped settle baby. James heated up leftover pizza which was great. We all hung out in the backyard for a long time.

Around 7 we came inside. And James was cooking, making some pesto to have on hand. And I went and took a shower. I would end up sitting on the ground again. I was in there for a pretty long time. But it helped me feel a little better.

I have been hanging in bed since then. James brought Sylvia up and she sleeping right now. I am really hoping we can keep her settled so we can get some sleep.

Tomorrow Jess is coming over and we are going to a free swap event in the next neighborhood over. I hope we find something cool but mostly I'm looking forward to getting rid of some stuff. It will feel nice to get the stuff out of the house.

Send us good thoughts and well wishes for getting some sleep. I love you all goodnight!!!

[fruit-of-infidelity]

⚰︎ DIABOLIK LOVERS Pre-Order Tokuten Drama CD: “Vampire★Juice ~A Suspicious Syrup from the Underworld~” ⚰︎

Japanese Title: ヴァンパイア★ジュース 〜魔界から変なシロップ〜

CV: Takehiro Kou, Konno Jun

Audio Available: N/A

Author Note: Hehe, finally the goofy vampire juice CD is here for Ryuuto and Richter~! I had sooo much fun writing this because I speed-typed it in three(ish) days. Ryuuto (hopefully) comes across as very silly with how he just speaks before thinking and follows in Kanato's footsteps by starting to strip-off xD (and i think this is the first time he actually cusses on record?? So, big boy steps for him lol). Richter also gets to have some silly moments in this, being babied by his son and proving himself to be a lightweight lolol.

― Ryuuto is painting in his studio. ―

Ryuuto: Hmm…

No, this won’t do at all.

There needs to be movement. Soft, flowy movement… Of those satin curtains over there, and perhaps even your hair in the wind.

Pet, do me a favour and open that window, there.

― You do as he asks. ―

Now, take a seat back down… Yes, that is much better.

I’ll be able to capture so much more upon the canvas. Don’t shoot me such a hurt expression, Pet. You breathe plenty of life into my art…

This time, however, you alone are simply not enough, fufu.

― Squeak, squeak. ―

…Hm? What on earth?

― Flap, flap, flap. ―

That sound… My, it seems we have a visitor.

― A bat crashes through the curtains, landing on Ryuuto’s paint palette, and then the floor. ―

Oh, good lord���! Tut, what a mess!!

― It leaves little wet and paint covered bat tracks as it stumbles over to him. ―

Bat tracks… and paint. Sigh.

― You stress your concern. ―

It is totally fine, they are tougher than they look... Although, this one clearly this isn’t a Familiar of mine with this level of clumsiness…

― Squeak, squeak! ―

…Aah, and now I see why.

You’re a Familiar from the Demon World, you say? Bearing a package from… Say that name again? Surely not…

From Karlheinz? My Uncle?

Really? Whatever for?

― Squeak! ―

“In gratitude”? Hmph.

…Well, even I am a little curious about this.

Yes, I suppose you can be on your way, and the sender can rest assured that it has been received. Even if reluctantly… 

― It flies off now. ―

…This is certainly something. For Karlheinz to be in any sort of communication with us is unheard of, especially for him to send a package.

This has “suspicious” painted all over it; Who is to say it is even from Karlheinz?

I wouldn’t be surprised if a clumsy Familiar like that doesn’t belong to someone mindless like Ayato, hoping to prank us with an “ominous package”.

After all, what could someone like Karlheinz possibly be sending all the way over here? Furthermore…

Aah, it seems it’s addressed to Richter?

― You wonder what’s inside. ―

Whether from Karlheinz or not, it’s not our place to wonder. We’ll find out once we hand it over to Father, I suppose. Come along…

― You make your way to the living room. ―

One thing is for certain… It is surprisingly heavy.

Richter: What is?

Ryuuto: Ah, Father. Just the person I was looking for.

Richter: Well, now you have found me, do fill me in… Oh, could it be something troubling? Just what is with those grim expressions?

Ryuuto: This package… It is addressed to you.

Richter: Is that all? Give it here, then.

Ryuuto: The thing is, the familiar that dropped it off informed me that it was sent as a “thank you”…. from Karlheinz himself.

Richter: …How interesting. Whatever could he be thinking?

Ryuuto: That’s what I was wondering. Have you been in contact with him lately?

Richter: Not enough to warrant a… gift.

I suppose the only thing to do from here is to open it? There is that saying of “curiosity killed the cat”, and yet I cannot help get ahead of myself…

You, hold the box for me, won’t you?

― You hold the package. ―

Ryuuto: …!! Wait a moment, is this really a good idea?

Richter: Why wouldn’t it be? It’s a package addressed to me, from my brother, in thanks for… Well, who can say?

Nevertheless, I have every intention on opening it.

Ryuuto: Father! Aren’t you worried about it being not all it seems…? 

After all, this sort of stuff… It’s been sent directly from the Makai…!

Richter: Come now. Paranoia doesn’t suit you, Ryuuto.

What about you? What do you make of all this?

― You are curious... ―

Ryuuto: What do you mean “take a peek”? Did you not listen to a word I was saying before, about it being a potential for disaster?

Richter: Usually you are the one telling me to lighten up, fufufu.

― “What’s the worst that could happen?” ―

Ryuuto: The worst that could happen? Well…

― You point out something on the package. ―

Richter: Aah, good eye.

If you’re worried that it’s anything less than what it seems, Ryuuto, I think this person has just the thing to alleviate those concerns. Look…

Ryuuto: …Karlheinz’ seal? The ribbon of the box has been held shut with a wax imprint of it?

Richter: Now that matter has been settled… You, hold it still.

― Richter pries open the box. ―

Ryuuto: ...I really think you ought to be more careful.

Richter: Whatever you say, “Father”. Fufu…

Ryuuto: Hmph.

― Richter takes out the contents of the box. ―

…Oh? Of all things that could have been, it is a bottle?

Richter: With some sort of liquid inside it, yes.

― Richter uncaps the bottle. Pop! ―

Hmm, no smell… and totally clear.

Did you say if there was any letter that came with the package? Any sort of hint of what liquid this might be?

― You explain that there wasn’t. ―

…I wonder if it is meant to be drunk?

Ryuuto: That’s… You can’t be serious!?

Sending some strange, unidentifiable liquid is a little suspicious, don’t you think?

Richter: This is my final warning, Ryuuto… Lest you want to volunteer to be the guinea pig, after all, cut it out.

Ryuuto: Fine… Go ahead and poison yourself, for all I care.

Richter: … …Hmph.

…Perhaps there is something to be had with taking a little bit of caution.

Poison isn’t something I considered… I wonder if even Karlheinz would stoop to such levels, despite the show-off that he is?

― Richter decides to pour a glass. ―

In that case, there is one way we can rule out any ill-intentions. You there, won’t you come a little closer for just a moment?

― You question him. ―

Don’t act so surprised. There is one else here to test it for us, is there?

Ryuuto: You mean to say… Our Pet is taking the first sip?

You truly have lost your mind. If something were to happen to her whilst tasting it…

Richter: Then she has the two of us here to rely on. After all, her life always has been completely and utterly in our hands… Isn’t that right?

Ryuuto: When you put it that way…

Richter: Go ahead, give it a try.

― You refuse! ―

Ryuuto: …I agree with him. Drink it, Pet.

Even if we can’t be sure of what it is…

You’re a human, so – come to think of it – I highly doubt you’ll be in any immediate danger. Especially if this was sent by another Vampire.

And, at the very least… Fufu, I’ve actually become a little curious…

Richter: We give you our word that you’re in capable hands.

― You give in... Gulp!! ―

Ryuuto: Well?

Richter: You aren’t green in the face, nor have you collapsed to the ground thus far…

It appears safe, after all.

Ryuuto: Does it even have a taste, Pet? I don’t quite know if my Uncle has a sense of humour, but if it turns out to be nothing more than water…

― You reassure him. ―

Tut, pour me a glass. Let me taste it for myself.

― Ryuuto takes a sip. ―

…Mm, this is quite good. Not what I expected, after all.

Richter: You mean to say, I was right all along? It is harmless, isn’t it? I told you as much. Even you haven’t reacted to it, Ryuuto.

Now, it seems I’ve been left in the dust, fufu.

― Richter pours a glass, and drinks. ―

…This taste…

As sweet as it is… It is awfully familiar.

There’s no obvious labelling, but I could swear I’ve sampled something similar before. I just can’t quite put my finger on it.

Ryuuto: Whatever it is, if you happen to remember the name of it, it might be worth a daytrip to the Makai to purchase some more.

I have a feeling this bottle will be gone soon enough.

― You finish your cup. ―

It seems someone else here is also a big fan of it? Fufu.

Richter: This taste is definitely bringing back some memories…

To send it all the way from the Makai… Could it have been something Karlheinz and I used to drink as children, I wonder?

― Ryuuto uncaps it again. ―

Ryuuto: Shall I top us all up?

― You warn him. ―

…Fufu, look at you, telling me not to drink so much. There isn’t any harm in one more glass, is there? Are you worried I might upset my stomach?

So, who is for one more?

― You deny. ―

Richter: More for us, then. Please, if you would be so kind.

Ryuuto: And another for myself, I think~.

Richter: Mm… You know, it really is bugging me, that I can’t figure out where I have tasted this before. It’s so distinctly delicious, it should be obvious.

― You try to help him out. ―

 “Is it juice”? No, that would have a distinctly fruity taste. Instead, if I were to try and place it somehow, it has a pungent tang to it.

It tastes more like… …!! Wait…

Father’s cabinet… Yes, that’s just it!

Ryuuto: What, have you figured out just what it is, finally?

Richter: Fufu… Ahahaha. Karlheinz, you shifty little thief…

You there. Are you sure you aren’t to have any more?

― You insist. ―

“No?” In that case… Cheers, Ryuuto. Fufufu!

― They clink their glasses together. ―

― TIMESKIP. ―

Ryuuto: One―hic―more glass couldn’t hurt~

― You interject. ―

We drank the whole bottle, already?

Fufu, talk about getting ahead of ourselves. Although―hic―I suppose it isn’t a celebration without going overboard just a smidge.

Although, if I were to properly overindulge―hic―this evening… I think I would need to fix my sights on you, Pet… Imagine it, won’t you?

Stripped down naked, and sat nicely in my lap~

― You get flustered. ―

Richter: Good grief, Ryuu…to… Have you no… shame?

I’d ask what has gotten into you, but I… think that much is obvious. In the end, you went through… even more of that drink than me.

― You ask if Richter’s okay. ―

Me? I’m perfectly… fine, just a little tired after all that drinking. I suppose I’ve always… been a lightweight drunk, fu…fufu.

Ryuuto: Just a moment! You mean to say, what was in that bottle was…

Richter: Liqueur from… the Makai. Surprisingly thoughtful of Karlheinz, wouldn’t you say?

After wracking my brain, it conjured up memories of… of when he and I happened to break into our Father’s cabinet…

Full to the… yawn… brim with refined Makai liqueur. Fufu.

Ryuuto: Well, well… Who knew the two of you were such miscreants when you were younger~? Colour me surprised.

Not to mention… you didn’t even react to―hic―it, Pet. You hold your drink well… Maybe we should have laced yours with a little something extra~?

Richter: What was in the bottle was not quite like... yawn… like that which humans drink, nor does it seem to affect… …affect them… as much.

Yaa~wn…

Ryuuto: I suppose that might be a blessing in dis―hic―guise. Who is to say you wouldn’t be all over me, if you had gotten a little tipsy~?

One thing is for certain, though… That stuff really warms you up; I think I’m beginning to get hot flushes! Goodness me…~

― He begins to strip. ―

Haa… There~

…Fufu, what is with those wide eyes? It’s just my shirt coming off, don’t get too excited~ You can’t blame me for wanting to cool off?

― You look to Richter for help. ―

Richter: Zz… zz…

Ryuuto: Oh dear, don’t look over there… It seems, after―hic―all that Father has fallen asleep. So, bring your focus back to me, won’t you?

Fawn over your Master some more…

― Ryuuto creeps closer to you. ―

Unless… you want to take the reins this time? What a delectable little thing you are~

Maybe that’s it… Shall I be the “Pet” in this―hic―new arrangement? Go ahead, then… Praise me. Please? Pretty please~?

― You try to wake Richter. ―

Richter: P…Pardon? Did I… drift off, for a moment?

…R-Ryuuto. What happened to your… shirt?

― You offer to get water for them both. ―

Ryuuto: Never-mind that… Water, to sober us up? That’s just an old wives’ tale.

Richter: I suggest we should… Mmh… Just sleep these effects off…

― Richter rests his head in your lap. ―

I’ll just… rest my head here, alright? Your lap makes for… a decent pillow, after all. Don’t… Don’t wake me.

Zzz… Zz…

Ryuuto: Father, what are you doing…!? If anything,we should―hic―or, I should, be the “pillow” in this situation…!!

After all, I’m beginning to take my role as “Pet” very―hic―seriously.

― THUD. ―

― Richter rolls right off your lap onto the floor. ―

Fufufu… Don’t look so worried, he’s completely fine… He is tougher than he looks, even whilst asleep―hic!

Say… A-Are you sure there isn’t any more left in the bottle….?

― You express your concerns. ―

Pfft…~ Ahaha, you’re really cute when you become all concerned like―hic―that. It’s really a shame that you haven’t even been the slightest bit affected by the stuff, though… You haven’t been, right?

― You try to think. ―

Richter: Y…You’re feeling hot?

Ryuuto: Wh-What a pervert you are, old man…

Trust that you would have picked up on that, even whilst nearly out cold~

Richter: That’s not the case, this time... My head is spinning, and beginning to throb…! Even with the liquor working against me, it’s painful...

…A-Am I on the floor?

Ryuuto: You’re awfully heavy, it’s no wonder you―hic―totally rolled off on your own. Next time, snooze on someone your own size.

Richter: …Right, then. Shift over, Ryuuto.

Ryuuto: H-Huh…!? I didn’t mean…――

― Richter collapses onto Ryuuto. ―

Richter: Rub my head whilst you’re… ouch, at it.

Ryuuto: You want me to take care of you? A-Are you serious, right now? A-Aren’t you the one that’s―hic―the dad here?

Richter: Less complaining, more massaging.

Ryuuto: You’re one to talk about complaining…

Richter: You there… What were you saying about… Zz…

― You nudge him awake again. ―

A-Ah? Oh, yes… Water, fetch me some water. It couldn’t hurt…

― You go to do just that. ―

― TIMESKIP. ―

Ryuuto: Fu…Fufufu… Come, have a look…!

― You place down the water. ―

Richter: Zz….

Ryuuto: I used the―hic―wrapping tissue from the package the bottle came in, to fashion him something a little more fitting for his sleepy state.

How do you think he looks, in his new baby-bonnet~?

― You laugh. ―

And, with him out of the picture like this… I suppose that makes me the one in charge; I’m the new father around here.

So, how about―hic―it? If me being the “Pet” doesn’t quite suit… What do you say to being taken care of, and calling me your “daddy”, instead?

― You fluster! ―

Your face is completely red… From your nose to your ears, fufu. Have I struck gold? Have I discovered you have “father issues”, I wonder~?

Have you been holding out on me this whole time~?

Go on and say it… Call me “daddy”~

― There is a rustling… ―

Huh? Did I speak too loud and wake him up, after all?

― Richter tears off the make-shift bonnet! ―

W-Waah!?

― And then grabs Ryuuto by his collar. ―

Richter: What do you think you’re doing!?

Ryuuto: Just a moment, now…!

I-It was a joke! A―hic―joke…!

Richter: Attempting to humiliate your own Father with some B-grade arts-and-craft is your idea of a joke, is it!?

Ryuuto: Hey… S-Since when did you get so strong, anyway?

― You plead them to stop. ―

Richter: Whether it’s that liquor getting to his head, or whether he has finally shown his true colours, I will not back down from punishment…!

Ryuuto: “Sleepy drunk”, my ass!

You, h-help me out here!

Richter: And look at you, losing all composure the moment I lay a hand on you.

Tonight is full of surprises for us both, it seems…!!

― You pick up the cups... ―

And, another thing―

― SPLASH! You throw water at them both. ―

Gah…!!

Ryuuto: Woah… I’m soaked…!!

Richter: Y-You…

What on earth was that for!?

At the very least… that took the edge of my tiredness off…

 ― You call them childish. ―

…Me? Childish!? You saw for yourself, he started it.

Ryuuto: Pointing fingers. Real mature, Father.

Richter: Do not push your luck with me.

Ryuuto: Hmph.

― You ask them to calm down. ―

We are perfectly calm… At the very least, we were until someone insisted on opening that bottle, that is.

Richter: …Perhaps all this emotion is from that gift, after all. I do suppose we overindulged a little back there, come to think of it.

Ryuuto: And by we, you mean “you”?

Richter: Tut. It is like arguing with a child… Oh. Wait~

― You urge them to reach an agreement. ―

…You are quite right. Surprisingly.

― Richter now pinches Ryuuto by his ear. ―

Ryuuto: O-Ow…! What do you think you’re…!?

Richter: You will come to sorely regret making the pair of us look like idiots if you continue to sit on your drunken high horse.

I’ll unhand your ear once we come to an agreement; Might we never overdrink on suspicious liquids sent to us by Karlheinz again.

I would much prefer to no longer stand here and try and compromise with you, weighed down by this water-soaked coat…

What do you say to shaking on it, Ryuuto?

Ryuuto: …Hmph…

― You plead with him. ―

…Don’t look at me with those eyes, you’re practically backing me into a corner, looking so cute… Sigh. For her sake, I’ll agree.

― Richter lets him go now. ―

Richter: Now, before the second-wave, or the headache, hits me… I need to get myself dried out. If you’ll excuse me…

You, you will be fine to clean this mess up, won’t you?

― You nod. ―

Very good. Afterwards, do come and join me in my study, won’t you? Nothing warms these old bones quite like a hot-blooded woman... Fufu.

Ryuuto: …Ow. You know? I think you made my ear bleed…!

Richter: Good grief…

ーー THE END ーー

[goat-shoe]

Touch

Dugout-focused CapOut drabble, 860 words.

Dugout wasn't popular when he was young.

He went to high school in a small town. He had his handful of friends who he would sit with, share sillybandz with and trade Pokemon cards with. Friends who he weathered middle school dances with, who made eye contact with him when group projects raptured the classroom four kids at a time, who carefully misspelled his name in his yearbook in the spring.

But by the turn of the fourth spring, he and those friends of his were at a mutual understanding. This is where they find a fork in their road: where they part, but without the sweetness of sorrow, and, instead, the weight of the facade of an empty "goodbye".

And Dugout was alone... Without a lasting friendship, and without ever having felt the warmth of another hand in his.

...

Nearly five years later, he finds himself in New York. He finds himself woven into an everyday rhythm, one that harmonizes with the city.

By day, he runds errands for Mrs. Quail. He walks through the streets, hands tucked in the pockets of his long, brown coat, arms looped through the loops of bulky, plastic, grocery bags, which's wrinkled edges sway and sing in the mild breeze of the city streets.

It's not unusual for someone to bump him, nudge him, even trip him, their larger bodies always enough to make him stumble, whether they mean it or not- he's stopped wondering. He'll huff, regain his footing, and continue on his way, not bothering to shout at anyone if he still stands upright, if his groceries are still intact, still wrapped in the plastic safety of the grocery bags, the butter still in one piece, bread un-crunched...

By night, he transforms. He dons his necklace of miracles, and finds himself on the rooftops of New York City, donned in white baseball gear, a baseball cap on his head, adorned with floppy ears, face concealed under a dark mask to protect his anonymity.

And at night, he isn't alone. Bobunny assigns patrol partners, and more often than not, he finds himself at Capricorn's side. It's just how their schedules line up, strings of fate tangling with coincidence, it's just how their cookie crumbles.

Dugout finds more and more that he spends most his time in the graces and warmth of Capricorn's company. Under the ray of their blazing smile, beside the wonder of their paintbrush, and the kindness of their gaze. And in the everything, everything, that is Capricorn, he finds comfort, safety, a home.

And he realizes, by day, that he wishes they were there at his side. There to make a quiet quip about the absolute Karen at the CVS counter, there to buy a donut for, to walk beside, to join he and Mariquita- all as citizens, like the friends he sees sitting in the coffee shop, giggling at the absolute Karen at the counter.

...

It's an accident, the first time he does it. Central park is under the terror and attack of a giraffe-themed akuma. And as a rock flies, soars, shoots, whizzes, over the deep emerald fuzz of the park's grasss, he realizes it's heading right for himself and Capricorn.

 Without thinking- acting fully on heroic instinct and fear- fear of losing them. Dugout leaps, practically tackles Capricorn into the soft grass. The chunk of Earth lands, kicking up dirt and dust. 

And just behind it, Dugout lays atop Capricorn, body hovering over theirs. 

They both gasp, pant, realize that they're still bound to their mortal coils, both still in our realm, intact, and breathing. 

Dugout blinks, eyes locked with Capricorn's. His heart leaps in his throat, chest seizing with an anxiety separate from the adrenaline rush of the battle.

His hand is on their cheek. Tenderly, delicately, brushing aside a stray strand of their blue locks.

The moment then fades into the chaos of the battle, lost to the stress and raging adrenaline.

...

Some number of times later, it's no longer a mistake.

Capricorn and Dugout stop by a bakery in the early morning hours. And as they sit atop the small building's roof, they chatter. About things that don't dare approach the risk of revealing their identities to one another: topics that maintain the safety of anonymity. New shows, movies, music. 

Capricorn giggles around a bite of donut. And mumbles something through the crumbs. Dugout leans closer to hear her. Only, it makes her stutter, and Dugout feels the warmth of unfettered affection flaring in his chest, as he realizes that he's intentionally teasing her. He chuckles with her as she stumbles. And then, they both find themselves laughing. Dugout leans away, just to see her laugh. 

And when they're done, and both flushed from their laughter and joy, Capricorn is left with her wild hair flittering in the breeze. 

Dugout reaches, delicately, and tucks Capricorn's hair back into place. Neither of them say anything of it, instead just enjoying the sweetness of donut frosting on their lips, the quiet of the night, the chill of the night air, and the warmth of one another- close enough to touch.. but neither yet reaching out. 

[darkx-the-dragon-kn1ght]

Pokémon Reborn Screenshot Let's Play: Chapter 37

Hello again, readers! I’ve been having many thoughts about many pieces of media, including Pokémon- not Reborn specifically, other stuff. Specifically, I’ve been on a bit of a Fakemon kick as of late, but that’s a conversation for an entirely different day. On the bright side, all the Pokémon thoughts in my brain have made me all the more motivated to play more Reborn, so I’m raring to go for this chapter!

But before we get into that, I think it’s important to go over what happened last time, because there were some fascinating developments in the story. To whit:

Xera, Cain, and the kids find an old train stationed deep in the Railnet. With Noel’s knowledge, Xera is able to use the rail switches to arrange the tracks in a way to allow the train to successfully break through the rubble blocking the way to Chrysolia, with Charlotte acting as the conductor. At the same time, Anna mentions feeling cold and/or sore ever since her Amethyst Pendant was stolen, but insists nothing is wrong.

The tracks come to a sudden stop, and so does the train. The group exits into the Chrysolia region for the first time; immediately upon doing so, Heather sends out her Salamence and flies away, still without a word to anyone. Cain decides to go look for her while Charlotte leads the others to her family’s home. 

Xera, Charlotte, and the rest of the group travel through Tanzan Mountain, where Charlotte notices some unfamiliar metal structures inside. Additionally, the group feels several small earthquakes as they travel, the source of which is unknown.

At Tanzan Cove, the group finds the Belrose Manse. Inside, they meet one of Charlotte’s older sisters, Laura, who recently left the Orphanage upon turning 18 years old. Charlotte explains the situation with the breakout and being on the run, and Laura agrees to allow the group to stay for as long as they need.

Anna is taken upstairs to rest, her condition steadily worsening; as soon as she is given a bed, she falls into a deep sleep and develops a fever. The house does not have medicine, but Laura explains the PokéMart in the nearby Spinel Town sells a natural cure-all called Herbal Extract. At Charlotte’s prompting, Xera is told to go there and obtain this medicine.

Xera travels through Chrysolia Forest on her way to Spinel Town, where trees and other items are inexplicably teleported away, not to mention the tremors are still present.

When she arrives at Spinel Town, Xera finds these strange happenings are not isolated to the forest- objects around the town are also being randomly teleported, and the earthquakes are as prominent as ever.

Wow, that recap was shorter than I was expecting- maybe I'm finally getting better at being concise about this sorta thing.

So yeah! Even though we’re technically not in the Reborn region anymore, places like Spinel Town are still in shambles and nothing can be as simple as a trip to CVS! I still think Team Meteor’s behind the teleporting and/or the earthquakes, simply because…it’s always Team Meteor (except for that one time, the Wasteland). But in truth, there’s no hint as of now to what the actual cause could be, not to mention I can’t figure out what Team Meteor’s motive for targeting Spinel Town would be anyways, sooooo- take my paranoia with a grain of salt.

But with luck, we’ll find out more information about any of that- the teleporting, the quakes, the Herbal Extract- as we explore Spinel Town more. It doesn’t look like a huge place, so I don’t think it’ll take me too long to look around, but as for what could happen as we go about our business…that remains to be seen.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

Part 7

Part 8

Part 9

Part 10

Part 11

Part 12

Part 13

Part 14

Part 15

Part 16

[spaceumbredoggos]

So much for stardust Chapter Thirteen

Kenz’s POV:

The sound of Dipper’s coughing woke me up. I noticed that Ford wasn’t in the room. I looked at the couch and saw a brand new phone right beside me. It wasn’t an android or IPhone, but a new phone that’s Ford’s unique invention. I immediately started setting it up with my old contacts, as well as the new contacts.

I went upstairs and noticed Mabel and Wendy chatting. “So if Pokémon are technically the animals of their universe, does that mean it’s considered bestiality and zoophilic to fuck one? Is the vaporeon copypasta bestiality?”

I choked on my water at Mabel’s abrupt sentence and breathed a sigh of relief that there were no kids in the room. “I’m not a hundred percent sure, I mean, in the Japanese version of the Sinnoh games, a library book said that people used to marry Pokemon.”

Why the fuck are they having this conversation? I immediately left the room, walking into the living room. Dipper was loudly blowing his nose. “Dipper. Can you believe what your sister is talking about?”

“They’ve been having this discussion all morning.” Dipper’s voice was nasally and scratchy. I had to stifle my laugh because it kept cracking like a kindergartener’s. “What brought this up?”

“Someone asked if SpongeBob was a furry, so it escalated from there. It was an interesting morning. Also, we found your stash of—”

“Have you guys been going through my stuff?” I grumbled, suddenly aware that I have been out of commission the entire week and haven’t got a chance to move in. “We may have had to in order to set up your room. We didn’t find anything gross, but we found a lot of cringy OC’s in your art, which were well drawn.”

“Why would I keep anything sus within reach of you hooligans?” Dipper burst out laughing so hard that he started to cough again. “I’m going to make my fucking breakfast. If I hear a single one of you fuckers shout the vaporeon copypasta, I’ll scalp you and hang those scalps to scare the coyotes.”

I went into the kitchen, opening the cupboards to get some cereal, only for a bunch of ping pong balls to fall out. “What the fuck?”

“Oops. That was supposed to be for Soos.” Stan was laughing his ass off. “You know he’s sick with the flu? This is the last thing he needs!!!” I grabbed the cereal and poured it, then the milk, into the bowl. I started eating when Wendy walked in. “Hey.”

“Hey.” I finished my food and washed my bowl in the sink, then sat back down. I sat down on the couch, then noticed Dipper was passed out on the couch. He was hardly breathing and his breaths were raspy and distressed. “Shit.” I put my phone down and felt Dipper’s forehead. “He’s burning up. Someone has to get him some medicine. Where’s Ford when you need him?”

I heard him cough in his room. “Out sick.” Wendy coughed, wiping her nose. “They’re dropping like flies.” I paced back and forth. “Someone should go and get some medicine from CVS.”

“I’ll do it.” Wendy volunteered, but I shook my head. “You look pale. You should head home.”

“But—“

“I’ll cover your shift. Mabel is the only one who hasn’t caught this besides me. I’ll send her to get the medicine. Go home and rest.”

“Are you sure?”

“It’s time I start beating my weight around here.” I put my foot down, heading to the cash register. “Have you even worked retail before?”

“It doesn’t matter. You can’t work sick. You look like you walked out of your own open casket funeral. This is a bad flu, as in, it sucks more than anything. If it can knock out Dipper cold, it’s gonna get you. I’m not letting you take this chance.”

Wendy paused as she realized that I wasn’t backing down. “Fine.” She packed up her things and went home as I put on a name tag and sat at the register. I watched a pair of toddlers sticking their fingers in the gnome cage. I walked up to the toddlers, but before I can react, one of them got bitten and started bawling. I bolted over to the ice chest and grabbed some ice and disinfectant, as well as a first aid kit. I rubbed the toddler’s back and gave him a hug. “It’s okay. That gnome was scary, wasn’t it? Probably not a good idea to stick your hand in there.” I bandaged the toddler’s hand before a woman bolted up to me and swatted me away. “Ouch.”

“What the fuck are you doing to my kid, you pervert!!!!” The woman had a typical Karen haircut and she picked up her child, who started bawling again. “Please refrain from using that type of language in front of your kids, ma’am. He simply stuck his hand in the gnome cage and got bitten. I treated the injury with ice, an antiseptic and anti-gnome serum, then wrapped it with the bandage. But I had to calm him down first.”

“Kenz was really nice. They even gave me a lolly!!!”

“UNACCEPTABLE!!! YOU QUEER FOLK MAKE ME SICK!!! LET ME SPEAK TO YOUR MANAGER TO GET A REFUND OR I WILL SUE YOU FOR GROOMING, YOU PREDATOR!!!”

Suddenly, I could see my father’s ice blue eyes staring back at me. Tears welled up in my face as the woman got out her phone and started filming. Rage bubbled beneath the surface, but I kept my cool and turned around. “Look at me when I’m talking to you, Ma’am!!!”

“I am not a ma’am. I have no gender.”

“You are a Ma’am. God made you a woman, so be one!!!” The Karen slapped me across my face, knocking me down as I stared at her. Does she even know where she is? Gravity Falls has the highest queer population in the entire United States. Possibly the world. It’s the only US town that bans anyone remotely homophobic. How did she get in?

I tried to stand up, but I was smacked down again. “Come on, Timmy and Carter. We’re leaving this freak town. Let me call my lawyer.”

“But mommy, Kenz was—“

“A failure to society who only works retail in this town of freaks. Look at their TikTok and instagram. They’re a furry. I bet they use the litterbox and identify as a cat.”

I couldn’t hold back my rant any longer. “Y’know if you kids did half the research I did, you’d know that most the furry stereotypes are false, and furries with fursuits have enough money to be considered members of congress. A furry is just a fandom, like Star Trek and Pokemon. It’s basically people who like anthro animals, which have been a thing in human society since the dawn of time. I’m sure that as long as humanity has existed, furries have also existed, just in a different form. Now for individuals that NONPHYSICALLY, I repeat, NONPHYSICALLY, identify as animals or other species, that’s therians and other kin, which also has existed as long as there have been humans. People who physically identify as animals and actually use litter boxes actually have clinical zooanthropy and need to seek psychiatric help.”

“That’s something a furry would say—“

“And the whole litterbox thing. That’s a hoax spread by transphobic Tucker Carlsons who advocate for the legal genocide of innocent people who don’t fit the cishetero norm. I can’t believe that as a society we allow rich white geriatric pigs to stay in charge whilst our youth is struggling on the streets. Those pigs brand it as a substance abuse issue when it’s so much fucking more. It’s so fucking easy for anyone who doesn’t have an established wealth in this country to end up homeless, it’s sickening. Especially if you’re a minority.” I stood my ground, but the Karen wasn’t budging at all. “How dare you use Tucker Carlson’s name in that light!!! Shame on you!!! You’ll burn in hell for spreading your queer agenda.”

I kept my cool until the Karen smacked me in the face with her purse so hard that my ears rang and my nose bled. I laid on the floor as the Karen ran away towards the door. Feeling every sense of rationality fade from me, I rushed at the Karen and bit her on the forearm. She swiped me off and pepper sprayed me in the eyes, blinding me as I laid on the floor in a daze. I didn’t even realize that I was on all fours. I also failed to notice that I was a slate grey almost black wolf like creature with electric blue umbreon-like rings on my ears, forehead, tail, and legs, with black draconic like wings with electric blue rings. My wrists and ankles had barbs as well as my tail and wings. The thing that hinted me of the transformation was the Karen’s scream of terror. “FUR FREAK!!!” She immediately started calling 911 as I stood up, seeing my reflection in the mirror. No no no no no.

Everything was going wrong as I bolted outside, fleeing into the woods. I climbed up a tree all the way to the top, trying to force myself to transform back. “No. This is just a dream! A fever dream!! Yeah. I got sick with the flu too! I’m just passed out on the couch and having a fever dream!!!” I bit at my foreleg, and the pain was real. “Pain doesn’t prove anything.” I bit myself again, and this time, I had realized that this was indeed happening.

“No no no. The prophecy can’t be true. I have to turn back!!!” I fell out of the tree and realized that I didn’t break anything. “Fuck!!!” I then realized that a one armed lady with grey hair and one amber and one grey eye wearing a red shirt and black patchy pants holding a staff had broken my fall.

“Hey!!! Watch where you’re going!!” I bolted off before realizing that I had caught my neck in a snare. No no no!!!

[darrys-laundry]

Hi!! Just wanted to say again how much i loved the fic i see you’re referring to as “the boat fic” hehe!

Re: our convo in the comments section about this lol, you make a good point about lafd air ops being stationed elsewhere!! Im pretty sure harbor station itself is near san pedro, so that’s what my mind has been going to, but considering tommy’s a pilot, maybe he flies there while on shift?? Not like the show cares about timelines or commutes anyway, so we may never know haha.

Also— i forgot to mention in my comment, i love larchmont village!! It’s so cute and one of my fave stationery shops (shorthand) just opened a location there, so i was really happy to see you mention bricks and scones. 💖 confession: ive walked past that place so many times, but im a creature of habit and I usually get coffee at GGET whenever im in the area. But i will visit soon!!

ahh!! thank you!! yes, the boat fic was the unofficial google docs name lol — it started as one file named ‘something ‘bout a boat’ after a trip to margaritaville, and then a second file named ‘[insert jimmy buffett lyric here]’ and then a third ‘boat fic’ and finally i got frustrated and created file four ‘boat x4’ where everything finally came together 😭😭😭

i was truly going through it with this one, we were beefing for a while until i finally found my momentum.

also! i did just look it up ‘cause i was like maybe i did miss something. and…there definitely are helicopters there? but it’s also 3AM where i am on vacation rn and i am confused about exactly what it is they have going on down there, lol.

when tommy was explaining his work to buck, it sounded a lot like the fleet they have at the van nyus station, but i could be misremembering, or perhaps that’s standard.

(tim if you need someone to work script continuity call me, i’m anal about research and timelines and i have a degree in tv writing 🙏)

and ughh, i miss LA so much (i also miss burger lounge 😢) but it’s sosososo expensive, so, it’s gonna take me a hot minute to get back. i love catching glimpses of the places i do know in the show, last season i was like HEY! THAT’S AN AERIAL SHOT OF MY CVS! 😂

(i also fear i have to say, i never went to bricks and scones, but the reviews said the caramel lattes were really good! so, for that i am a fraud, but larchmont village is very cute and felt midwestern-y enough to feel like home.)

thanks again for reading!! <3

[matchatentenart]

Yesterday was day 5. I managed to do a quick doodle in bed but I was too tired to get out my iPad and actually upload it last night so I’m doing it now while munching on my sandwich. It’s lunchtime on Friday, the only day of the week I work at the moment, but I won’t be working here for much longer. Maybe 4 more weeks, maybe more maybe less. I was supposed to start a new job next tuesday - which is also part time, only 1.5 days a week (Tuesdays and 2 Saturdays a month) but I just found out that I can’t start next Tuesday because my dbs check hasn’t been completed on time. So I’m just stuck in limbo at the moment.

I had my interview yesterday. The interview went really well,… as well as it could have really. I really really want to work there. But it’s a very competitive position and they told me they have 6 other applicants so I don’t know if I’ll get the job. It all depends on if the other applicants are more qualified and have a better CV than me or not.

I then went back home and got on the phone to apple cos I’m having problems with my new iPhone, and that ended up taking me a long time. Then I went to the gym. By the time I came back home it was 9pm. Eating, showering, getting my steps up to 10k… that took me to 11.30pm. It’s crazy how quickly the time flies. (I am embarrassed to admit I also spent several hours yesterday arguing in a WhatsApp group I’m in. That wasted so much time of my day).

So by the time I was ready to draw, it really was quite late and I was so tired. I spent maybe 10 minutes on each doodle? Maybe a bit longer. It took me max 30 minutes to get both done. I purposely made them quite small thinking that the smaller they are, the quicker. But that’s not true! I think smaller drawings are more unforgiving. If you’re off by even a millimetre, it throws the whole thing off much more than it would in a bigger drawing. In the top drawing, I kept on drawing, erasing and re-drawing the left eye.and the mouth - for some reason the lips kept looking like a moustache/beard.

I think I have regressed from yesterday, it definitely looks worse than yesterday. But it’s fine, I’m giving myself some grace cos I was so tired (I should also mention I had had trouble sleeping the night before cos of nerves for the interview). I had been planning on doing something different today - either learning to draw the hair or the face from different angles - but I just didn’t have the time and energy and the ability to focus yesterday. I also didn’t do anything for the draw a box challenge. It was either spend my final half hour of the day doing these doodles or the draw a box exercise and I chose these doodles. I think I will only be doing the draw a box exercises on the days when I have plenty of free time - so the days I’m off work basically. Because otherwise I’m not going to have time/energy to do both. If I have to choose, I will always prioritise these doodles over the drawabox exercises because they’re more enjoyable. I think it might be the same tonight.

[csqpalso]

February 1, 2025

Alrightie. Let’s start typing. Like the good old days. Dear diary, it’s been a while again. I feel like I’ve written that sentence far too many times in the last 2-3 years. The reason? It’s because I was consistent with writing and creating and doodling and all those beautiful things in my younger years; up until university. Soon as I started working, and letting life take its course, I gave up one of the most unnoticed de-stressors of mine, writing. Another underlying reason I may not want to admit is fear of imperfection. You see, English is not my first language, neither was I good at it during my school years. I hated composing essays of given topics I was not interested in yet little did I know, all of those were exercises to unleash or strengthen one’s ability to craft something out of indifference. Alas, here I am today, sipping on a nice chai latte at 10pm in the world’s largest mall, alone and content, amazed not only by the size of this grand atrium and humans from all over the world, but also by this freedom and quiet power to choose my drink while comfortably typing on my laptop without having to worry about theft or calamities. Not long ago, I was seated in this same café, a high school student, worrying about what will be like after graduation. Next thing I knew came university applications and before I could even savour hall lectures and research papers, came CVs and interviews. And just like that, I’m now a working adult, with a full-time job and full-time responsibility of making decisions from schedules to purchases. I’m no longer bound by what an institute requires of me rather, and unfortunately, bound by what I think others require of me. The pressures an adult faces no longer comes from school grades rather unclear societal expectations. Thank God there is family. And though I must recognize that not all can agree with this statement, the circumstances I’m placed in prompts me to be grateful for my family’s unconditional love and unwavering support. My parents and brothers are still here with me in the same country, fully well, healthy and capable of working. And so it’s both empowering and humbling to witness all of this here and now. Time flies, they say, and I can resonate with that. Nevertheless, I can also resonate with savouring every second like it’s the last. On the grand scheme of things, life’s been a finger snap. On the day-by-day, it feels like being stuck in rush hour traffic. All in all, good is God all the time, and all the time, God is good. May we always keep the faith. May we always find joy and hope. And may we always be secured in His Love. At least for me, this has been the only way to be where I am now, at peace and with joy. Though I’m unhappy about abandoning my passion for writing, there’s always a place to start again. It’s February 1st and coincidentally, I felt the need to embark on this journey again. It’s freeing, satisfying and brings simply joys to the soul. January was a good start to initiate plans like joining ballet class and signing up for Arabic tutors. Now is the month to put more effort into these areas and unlocking other avenues such as pursuing professional certifications and being financially literate. Let’s go February!