#gathering notes to structure into a script

[le-scenariste]

Y'all this mentally ill thing kinda sucks ass I won't lie

[blood-smiles]

𝐌𝐎𝐎𝐍’𝐒 𝐁𝐋𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒 𐀪𐀪

𝐘𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐄! 𝐌𝐎𝐃𝐄𝐋 𝐗 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐄𝐑 - MDNI TW!! suggestive thoughts and actions coming from yandere . yandere character . defo unprofessional behavior from reader . very gory towards end . This is Yandere, do you need more warnings??? Lmao . I NEED HELP MAKING CONVERSATION FLOW, HELP IS NEEDED (；´д｀)ゞ

╰┈➤ Kicking your shoes on, you made haste of getting ready, you had dolled yourself up, applying your beauty knowledge and professional techniques in and out of your studio.

Grabbing a furry white coat and wringing your keys in the pockets, you kicked the door open and sprinted all the way to your car, getting in the driver’s seat and revving up the engine of your vehicle.

Your eyes wandered towards the moon, the orb in the sky glittered brighter than any other night, a soft blue shimmering off the surface, the centerpiece in the sky amongst the twinkling stars.

You smiled, you had high expectations for this night, was it unprofessional on your part? Oh, yes, definitely. But you honestly couldn’t care less!

You arrived to a beautiful manor, the moon cast a bright light over the white walls of the almost castle like structure.

The door opened softly, revealing the one you were waiting for, your eyes widened, he looked more dazzling than ever.

That.. Hair, his hair was curled, a stark contrast to the straight hair you were used to.. And you felt a strange sense of Deja Vu.

His heterochromatic eyes met with yours, shyly waving at you, he stopped for a moment, as if allowing your eyes to skim over his body.

A sky blue satin slip dress stuck to his body, tailored to fit his body shape in a flattering manner, specifically bringing attention to his slim waist.

A soft white boa hung off his gloved forearms, making him look like a nymph out of a fairytale book.

After snapping out of it you adjusted your clothes, now feeling a little self conscious about your fashion choices.

The car door opened softly, a sweet vanilla smell wafted into the vehicle as Mikhail proceeded inside the car.

Leaning down to not bump his head you couldn’t help but get a view of his chest, soft skin gleaming with fine glitter dust.

Out of respect, you immediately looked away, saving yourself and him an awkward moment.

“You look beautiful.” He breathed out softly, his face slightly colored in a soft pink, deep eyes filled with an indescribable adoration.

Sweat gathered on the back of your neck, taken by the sudden compliment, god. You probably looked so gross right now.

“I-Well, thank you. Y-You look even more beautiful than I do.” You shyly smiled, leaning in for a quick hug.

Mikhail pounced at the opportunity and hugged you back, a little too long and close however. Gently kissing your cheek before sitting back in his seat.

Thank the lord, you didn’t notice how his inner legs were drying off from a sticky substance. Hopefully that pheromone thing people were talking about on social media was true.

You didn’t know he had masturbated to your pictures right before he left the house.

The drive was pleasant as the both of you spoke and joked about the things of life, you didn’t know that Mikhail had such a sharp tongue. He had his own way of saying things, mostly with sarcastic remarks but without losing his air of elegance.

The both of you walked into the restaurant, your arm looped into his and gently holding his bicep. It surprised you he would allow you to be this touchy so far but, a win is a win..?

Moonlight shadowed Mikhail’s face in the most delicate of ways, looking as if it was scripted and was inside a photo studio. If you were oblivious, you would think that there was a light reflector propped up somewhere.

You found yourself really liking this type of lighting and making a mental note of implementing such angle into future shoot.

His face was so familiar.. It tickled a spot of your brain so annoyingly, it felt as if it was being poked and prodded every time you looked at his face and body. There was something just so—

“(Y/N)? Sweetie? Are you alright?..” the silver haired man tilted his head at you, waving at you a little.

You blinked a few times, your mask slipping for a second, only to immediately tilt it back on your face. Offering a small smile to diffuse the situation.

“A-Ah, sorry. It’s just.. Am I crazy or have we met before?” The question came out lightly, almost as if it was a subtle joke.

To your surprise, he scoffed. An attractive chuckle spilling from his glossed lips

“Did it really take you that long to notice? Hm?” He teased, his voice filtered with a slight tone of condescension, putting a hand to cover his mouth.

“..Y-Yes???” You swallowed thickly, playing with the corner of the table cloth “You were that person under the moon.. What was it.. uhm— 3 years ago? I remember you vaguely—“ you toyed with a napkin, folding it and unfolding it various times, making patterns on the once smooth paper.

“You ran away from me when I was going to give you my phone number.. haha?” He paused at that, biting his bottom lip softly as he considered his next words carefully..

“I got nervous, I remember looking at your face and seeing that beautiful look in your eyes and.. I suppose I couldn’t take it and fled like I was used to.” He explained softly, rubbing his arm.

“—That leads me to the next thing, it was thanks to you I am here now. You are the reason I have even pursued this career!” He stopped to breath, his cheeks progressively turning a deeper color as he clutched a hand to his chest, a crazed look taking over his usually serene expression, “I now live in luxury thanks to you, I would be lost without you. You are my savior—My reason to live— My soulma—“

“Are you both ready to order?” The voice of a waiter swiftly cut his lovesick ramble off.

You stared at the model for a moment, still processing the strange and sudden confession from the beauty.

You blinked hard, you blinked once, twice. Hell even thrice.

“U-Uhm. I will have some (food) with some w..wine.” Your voice came out bewildered, your tone sounding off and as if you had been just woken up with an electric shock.

The man across from you glared at the waiter, hate filling his unusually colored eyes. His gaze sharp as a newly sharpened dagger. if you were in the receiving end of his glare, you might have pissed your pants.

“..I’ll have some grilled fish with a salad, don’t forget to get me the finest wine you have.” Mikhail ordered politely, feigning goodwill but keeping his tone as clipped and short as possible.

He was pissed, oh and you could tell. A small vein sprawled across his cheek, the jugular in his neck bulging as he looked at the innocent waiter.

The waiter smiled before turning and leaving.

The mood was.. tense, you suppose. But, this would be a good time to gauge some information from him.

“So.. What was your childhood like?” You asked, clearing your throat and drumming your fingers along the beautiful wooden table.

“..It was alright, I struggled a little in my earliest years though. My parents and I aren’t natives to this country, so we never had any solid footing. I guess I grew up with little.”

He softly related, his fingers picking out lint from his dress.

He continued shortly, “When you found me, I was not doing too well. My mom had passed and I was unemployed, basically homeless.” Mikhail  shrugged as if it was no biggie.

His eyes zipped up to yours, establishing eye contact with a fiery look in his eyes.

“Then you found me. No kidding but.. You improved my life in ways that aren’t even describable, and I am seriously thankful and indebted to you for my whole life.” The man bowed his head, his hand grasping at your own and interlocking his fingers in between yours.

“..I wish to learn more about you, talk with you— Share with you. I feel a connection, as if we were bound by invisible threads of fate. Every moment away from you feels like a thousand years of torture.” he took a moment to breathe deeply, mustering his confidence.

“Will you give me the chance to prove that I am worthy of your time and love?”

Wow.. You didn’t even know how to react, your jaw had dropped a little at that whole confession. 

“Hahaha.. Wow, i.. I don’t know what to say. I’m flattered..” the nervousness in your tone was clear, you really had been taken off guard by such a thought out message

He stared at you expectantly, waiting for the answer like a kitten waiting for a warm bowl of milk.

“I think we can give it a shot.” You nodded, gently squeezing his hand in a comforting manner.

He shot up from his seat, opening his arms and trapping you in a bone crushing hug while kissing your face everywhere once and over again.

Lip gloss coated kisses stained your visage, on your nose, your cheeks and your forehead. Leaving the main platter for last.

“Oh! Thank you, thank you, (Y/N)!” He cried out, hugging you against his chest when he finished assaulting your face with his lipgloss.

You weren’t able to bounce back after that, your soul leaving your body through your mouth in a small puff.

You merely nodded your head, cheeks going up in flames, the blood vessels in your face working overtime.

He giggled slyly, looking over at the stains he left on your face, the product glistening with the light casted from the candlelight.

It wasn’t very long until the meal arrived, it was painfully awkward for you. Not for Mikhail however, he somehow kept the conversation going for much longer than you thought. 

Now the tables turned, instead of you asking the questions, he took the lead and began prodding about you and your life..

“What’s your full name?”

“Can I have your address?”

“Do you prefer lace or silk?”

Strangely, the questions got more personal each time he asked, you tried to answer his questions to the best of your ability while eating your meal.

You turned to the moon, as if searching for guidance on this date. Huh, interesting, the moon was a light pink, teetering into the red color spectrum. 

Was there going to be a blood moon tonight? 

Damn, that sticky ass lipgloss was getting on your nerves.. You gotta go wipe it off now.

“I’ll be right back!” You dismissed yourself, getting up and taking your bag with you.

“What?..” his smile faltered, eyes sharpening for a moment.

“W-Where? Without me?” His voice turned desperate, his hand tightening over the sharp steak knife.

“I’m not leaving, don’t worry— I just need to go to the bathroom really quick.” You assured him, not noticing how he released the hold on the knife in his hand. His shoulders relaxing noticeably and eyes turning back to its normal shape.

“Alright. B-But don’t be long, darling.”

You turned around, facing the way where the bathroom was. Unfortunately, you failed to notice the server with various drinks in one hand and a many dishes on the other. She shifted her weight on her feet, obviously seeming out of her element and nervous.

When you least expected it, you felt a cold sensation on your clothes and face, dark wine splashing over the freshly washed cotton clothes over your body and hair.

Then came the harsh impact of another body on you, the female server landing on top of you with a loud thud.

The talking around you had came to a complete halt, as if pausing time itself. The woman slowly lifted her head, looking at you with wide eyes as she got off of you.

And you? You were so fucking embarrassed, this girl had just dumped all the god damn staining wine all over you. And—And What made matters worse is that your date was watching you!

“I-I’m so sorry Mr/Mrs/Mx!!!! I-I didn’t.. I don’t—“ she gasped out, hands shooting out to press over your clothes with a handkerchief in hand, only making the situation worse as the wine spilled further on you.

“I..I.. Please get off.” You quietly mumbled out, the smile on your face turning into a frown in a moments notice. 

She scattered away, apologizing profusely as she picked up all the ruined plates of food and spilled wine glasses.

You got up as quickly as you could, sipped walking to the bathroom while biting back tears, this was the worst feeling ever.

You had been publicly humiliated, in front of the highest class of people and a potential partner. God, you were an embarrassment.

You stood in front of the mirror, looking at your dirtied face and soiled outfit. You sniffled softly, tears brimming your lash line.

Your mouth opened in a silent scream, tears rolling down your cheeks in frustration. This was a mistake, if you had known the night would turn out like this- You wouldn’t have called Mikhail.

This was a waste of both you and his time. Simply because of your pride.

◉

Your date watched with wide eyes as you toppled over with a different server. His fingers ghosting over the knife under his palm, about to shoot yo from his seat and get that harlot off you.

He was too late. Blood red wine spilled over your head, dripping down onto your clothes and staining your whole dress/suit.

His eyes widened, his jaw gaping at the scene. Covering his mouth with one hand to hide his shock.

He saw how that bitch tried to dab the wine away, crawling all on top of you as if you were up for grabs. Did she not see?! You were his! HIS ONLY!

His face contorted into an ugly grimace, something unfit of his beautiful features. Looking 

Then he looked at your face, his porcelain heart cracked in two. He saw the vacant look in your eyes, the slight tremble of your bottom lip as you bit back a sob. 

Oh. how he was going to make this disgusting server pay the price.

He shifted his focus onto the worker, silently stalking behind her. His footing was light and quiet, being her shadow as she staggered off into the restaurant’s garden.

Alike to an arctic fox, he waited patiently for the moment to strike. This dumb, mindless little chicken being the next on the chopping block.

The red moon cast a sinister lighting over the two of them. The waiter tripping over a stone and doubling over and into the grass.

That’s when Mikhail struck. He threw his weight on top of the helpless woman, raising his arm over his head and plunging his knife into her head.

He laughed melodically, the sound seeming out of place in the gory scenario.

He couldn’t stop. He was going avenge you, Mikhail White was going to fight for your honor and love. And it all was going to start with this small sacrifice.

Stab. Stab. stab.

That’s all that went through his head, his hands gripping around the knife and twisting into the woman’s forehead.

His curls covered his face, the wavy hair shielding the crazed expression of his face.

He dragged the blade across her eyes, watching the blood bubble up as he slashed the almost gelatinous material of her eyeballs.

“This is for looking at my (Y/N).” He seethed out, plunging the knife into her eye further and gauging them out her face.

He retracted the weapon from her face with a wet sound, only to dig it back into her throat and drawing a deep, jagged line over her cheeks and mouth.

his free fist pounded against her teeth, knocking most of them out, blood gushing out of the empty gums.

“This for even speaking to them!”

He let out a shaky breath, a smile lifting the corners of his mouth.

The assault weapon ripped into her arms, severing them from her body completely. His own hands grabbing at the bodyless limbs and twisting them until they dislocated, bones peeking out from under her skin.

“And this is for even having the gall to touch (Y/N).” He grabbed her head, whispering into here ear cruelly.

He shoved the steak knife into the inside of his dress, mustering crocodile tears as he staggered back into the establishment bathed in crimson.

“H-HELP!! A-A KILLER IS ON THE LOOSE AND—AND THEY ATTACKED A WAITER IN FRONT OF MY OWN EYES!!” 

The model cried out desperately, faking a panic attack as he looked for you, frantically clutching his chest as he whipped around frantically.

Soon he found you, looking for him. He immediately crashed into your arms, trapping you in his toned arms.

He kissed your head “T-Thank god you are okay.. I-I don���t know what I would do if I had lost you!!” He sobbed, eyeliner and mascara running down his cheeks in a dramatic showcase.

You hugged him back, apologizing for leaving and not going back for him. He assured you it was alright! It was just so great to see you alive and breathing in his arms..

The blood moon reseeded into a pale white, sirens lighting the scene up.

The both of you were ruled out as suspects, just as planned, he played the role of the victim and you were his concerned partner.

The police felt pity and offered their condolences, letting the both of you go home.

The both of you arrived at his castle like home, he insisted that he was scared for you and wanted for you to stay with him. He couldn’t bear losing you too.

So you did.. 

He and you stepped under a post light, the soft pitter patter of the rain falling from the sky and over you.

He brought one arm over your shoulder, his other free hand holding your cheek tenderly as he leaned in for a passionate kiss under the moon light.

He led your hands on top of his waist, gently gripping at the stained satin dress.

He closed his eyes, so did you. He indulged completely in the heated kiss, devouring your lips and tongue as best as he could.

He smiled into the kiss, you were his now, he had you right where he wanted. Now all he had to do was offer a diamond ring to you.

“It doesn’t matter how many heads will roll, it’s nothing but a small price for maintaining our beautiful love.”

[yassbishimvintage]

Center Stage

Shoutout to @fairylighttale for the idea

The dim glow of the marquee outside the Old Vic Theatre cast long shadows on the rain-slicked streets of London. Inside, the warm hum of conversation mixed with the rustle of programs as patrons settled into their seats. Among them sat Ariel, her heart pounding with excitement. She wasn’t here just for the love of theatre—though that was her world as a secondary school drama teacher—but for the man headlining tonight’s play: Othello, starring Aaron Pierre.

Ariel had been following Aaron’s career for years, drawn not just to his magnetic performances but to the quiet strength he radiated off-screen. Tonight was different, though. Tonight, she’d treated herself to front-row seats, a decision fueled by a recent surge of courage inspired by her own dreams—to write for film one day. She figured if she was going to chase bold aspirations, she might as well start by sitting boldly, too.

The lights dimmed, and as Aaron stepped onto the stage, Ariel felt the world narrow to just his voice—a rich, resonant baritone that seemed to echo in her chest. His presence was undeniable, commanding yet vulnerable, a masterclass in layered emotion. She found herself leaning forward, utterly captivated.

When the curtain fell to thunderous applause, Ariel remained seated for a moment, letting the performance linger. Gathering her things, she made her way outside, the crisp night air greeting her like an old friend. She didn’t expect to see him—not really—but fate had other plans.

Aaron emerged from the stage door, dressed casually in a dark coat, his beanie pulled low. He was mid-conversation with someone from the crew when his gaze flicked to Ariel. Something about her—perhaps the way she stood, clutching her program like it was a treasure, or the spark of admiration in her eyes—made him pause.

“Did you enjoy the show?” he asked, his voice even more disarming up close.

Ariel blinked, caught off guard but determined not to squander the moment. “It was brilliant. The way you navigated Othello’s descent… it was like watching someone drown in plain sight.”

Aaron chuckled softly, clearly appreciating the insight. “That’s exactly what it felt like to play him.” He shifted slightly, as if making space for her in his orbit. “I’m Aaron.”

“Ariel,” she replied, her name sounding different somehow, wrapped in his accent.

They talked for a while, the conversation flowing effortlessly from Shakespeare to storytelling. When Ariel mentioned she was a drama teacher with dreams of writing for film, Aaron’s interest piqued.

“That’s not a small dream,” he said. “But the best ones rarely are.”

Before they parted, he handed her a slip of paper with an email scribbled on it. “If you ever want to talk scripts—or theatre—I’d love to hear more.”

-

Weeks turned into months. Their emails evolved from polite exchanges to deep discussions about character arcs, narrative structure, and the emotional truths hidden within stories. Aaron found Ariel’s perspective refreshing—raw and unapologetically honest. She didn’t speak from a place of industry jargon but from the heart, and it showed in the script she eventually sent him.

It was called Center Stage, a poignant tale about an overlooked theatre teacher finding her voice through writing. The story was layered, much like Ariel herself, filled with humor, heartbreak, and hope. Aaron was captivated—not just by the words but by the woman behind them.

When they finally met again, it was in a small café tucked away from the bustle of London. Ariel felt a familiar flutter as Aaron greeted her with that warm smile. He’d read her script. Twice.

“It’s beautiful,” he said simply, sliding it back across the table, now filled with his notes and suggestions. But more than that, his eyes held something unspoken—a quiet admiration that went beyond the pages.

They spent the afternoon dissecting scenes, laughing over plot twists, and sharing stories from their lives. Ariel found herself opening up about her insecurities, about feeling like she didn’t fit the mold of what people expected from aspiring screenwriters. She’d always been “too much”—too loud, too big, too passionate.

Aaron listened, his expression softening. “The world doesn’t need you to fit into a mold, Ariel. It needs your voice, exactly as it is.”

Those words stayed with her, echoing louder than her doubts.

-

As their friendship deepened, so did the undercurrent of something more. It wasn’t just creative chemistry; it was late-night calls, spontaneous coffee runs, and stolen glances that lingered a beat too long. Aaron admired Ariel’s wit, the way she lit up when talking about her students, and the unapologetic way she claimed space in any room.

One evening, after a particularly emotional rehearsal for a new play, Aaron found himself outside her flat, a bottle of wine in hand and no real plan beyond wanting to see her.

They sat on her tiny balcony, the city sprawling below, sharing stories under the stars. When their hands brushed, neither pulled away.

“You make me feel seen,” Ariel whispered, her voice barely audible over the hum of traffic.

Aaron turned to her, his gaze steady. “That’s because you are.”

The kiss was inevitable—soft, hesitant at first, then deepening with the certainty of two people who’d been dancing around the truth for far too long.

-

Center Stage eventually found its way to production, with Aaron as an executive producer. The film wasn’t just a story on screen; it was a testament to their journey—two people from different worlds brought together by a shared love for storytelling.

Ariel often joked that her life had turned into the very script she’d written, except the ending was still unfolding, with every page better than the last.

And Aaron? He’d found more than just a great story. He’d found his muse.

-

The city of London hummed softly below, its lights flickering like distant stars as Ariel stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows of Aaron’s apartment. The warmth from the evening’s success still lingered in the air, mingling with the faint scent of aged whiskey and cedarwood that seemed to live in his space. They’d just left the after-party for Center Stage, where her film had been met with enthusiastic applause and heartfelt praise. But the noise, the clinking glasses, the congratulatory smiles—all of it felt distant now.

Here, it was just the two of them.

Aaron moved effortlessly around the open-plan kitchen, his sleeves rolled up, revealing strong forearms as he poured them both a drink. The soft lighting traced the lines of his face, casting shadows that made him look even more like a portrait—real yet unreal.

Ariel shifted, suddenly hyper-aware of the way her dress hugged her curves, the silky fabric brushing against her skin with every breath. She’d always carried herself with confidence, even on days when doubt whispered in her ear. But with Aaron, it wasn’t just about how she looked; it was about how she felt—seen, desired, not despite who she was but because of it.

“Whiskey okay?” he asked, his voice low, almost intimate in the quiet.

“Perfect,” she replied, her voice steady though her heart raced.

He handed her the glass, their fingers grazing—a brief, electric touch. For a moment, they simply stood there, the city sprawling beneath them, the tension between them thick enough to taste.

Aaron broke the silence first. “You were brilliant tonight.”

Ariel let out a soft laugh, sipping her drink to steady herself. “You’ve said that already.”

“And I’ll keep saying it until it sinks in.”

She turned to face him fully, the warmth in his gaze pulling her in like gravity. “It’s still surreal, you know? Hearing people talk about my work like it matters.”

Aaron stepped closer, his glass forgotten on the countertop. “It does matter. Because you matter.”

The words settled over her like a soft blanket, comforting yet thrilling. She could feel the shift—the unspoken acknowledgment of what had been simmering between them for months.

Without thinking, or maybe thinking too much, she closed the space between them. Their lips met with a tentative softness, like the first line of a poem spoken aloud. But the hesitation quickly dissolved, replaced by something deeper, hungrier. His hands found her waist, anchoring her, while hers tangled in the fabric of his shirt, pulling him closer.

The kiss was slow, deliberate—a conversation in itself, filled with all the words they hadn’t dared to say. When they finally parted, both breathless, Aaron rested his forehead against hers.

“I’ve been waiting to do that,” he confessed, his voice a husky whisper.

Ariel smiled, her fingers tracing the line of his jaw. “Me too.”

They found their way to the couch, the city lights casting soft patterns across their intertwined bodies. There was no rush, no need to fill the silence with words. They simply existed together, exploring the quiet intimacy that comes from being truly seen.

Later, as she lay with her head on his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat, Ariel realized something. This wasn’t the end of their story—it was just another chapter. And for once, she didn’t feel like she needed to write the ending.

She was living it.

Tags 🏷️

@nahimjustfeelingit-writes @avoidthings @nayesworld @haechvn @writingsbytee @grlsbstshot @ovohanna24 @skvrpion @megamindsecretlair @kimuzostar @kenshisluvrgirl @planetblaque @pocketsizedpanther @bimbosnbutterflies2026 @chewingmy3xtragum @easybrezzy @blowmymbackout @melaninpov @todorokishoe24 @chaoticcoffeequeen @gopaperless @jenlovey

[talonabraxas]

“We all have spiritual DNA; wisdom and truth are part of our genetic structure even if we don’t always access it.” — Surya Das

Anunnaki 𒀭𒀀𒉣𒈾 Talon Abraxas

Mainstream historians and archaeologists regard the ‘fertile crescent’ between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in what is now Iraq as the “cradle of civilization.” Between 4000 and 1900 BC, this area was the home of the Sumerian people of Mesopotamia. Virtually nothing was known about Sumer until its archeological discovery 180 years ago.

The Sumerians were extraordinary people. They supposedly created an advanced civilization when most of the world still lived in the Stone Age. Yet, despite all their accomplishments, and according to conventional history, Sumer grew out of a collection of hunter-gatherer clans who banded together to form the first human civilization within the Tigris-Euphrates Valley around 4000 BC.

So, what and who enabled the sudden initial spurt of civilization in Sumer six thousand years ago?

The Sumerians invented the first known writing system using a cuneiform script on clay tablets. These tablets were kept in large libraries. About 500,000 of these clay tablets have now been found.

Through these clay tablets, as well as cylinder seals, and stele, the Sumerians provided a richly detailed version of humankind’s early history — including the creation story of both Earth and humans. There are startling and numerous similarities between the Sumerian creation stories, later Babylonian myths, and the subsequent Judeo-Christian Bible verses. Virtually every story in Genesis originates in ancient Sumer.

Deciphering the Cuneiform Texts

In 1976 — after studying Sumerian cuneiform tablets and carvings for 30 years — noted scholar, academic, researcher, and author Zecharia Sitchin published his translations of the ancient Sumerian texts in a series of books called “The Earth Chronicles.”

As deciphered by Sitchin — and confirmed by many other credible researchers — the Sumerian cuneiform texts describe an alien race known as the ‘Anunnaki’ who came to Earth thousands of years ago from their home planet, Nibiru (the legendary so-called 12th planet in our solar system).

The Sumerians texts describe the Anunnaki as coming to Earth on a special mission — to bring wisdom and to mine certain minerals. They had tremendous knowledge and power over the entire world.

And so, for your consideration — and according to the deciphered interpretations of the Sumerian clay tablets — what follows is a condensed version of the fascinating story of the Anunnaki.

The Anunnaki — Part 1

About 450,000 years ago, before the Great Flood and during Earth’s Pleistocene ice age, the Anunnaki arrived on Earth. These ancient astronauts established their initial base camp in Mesopotamia in the Fertile Crescent between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.

Here they set up a mission control center, a spaceport, and mining operations. The supreme Anunnaki ruler, Anu, supervised the effort from the home planet of Nibiru as the Anunnaki began a systematic colonization of Earth under the leadership of Anu’s two sons, Enlil and Enki.

The Anunnaki gold mining operations

Over thousands of years (Earth time), the Anunnaki established a thriving colony. During this time, their focus was on their primary objective — gold. The Anunnaki sought gold for highly technological procedures to repair the degraded condition of the atmosphere on their home planet.

The extraction process on Earth proved inefficient and time-consuming when the Anunnaki attempted to retrieve gold only from the Persian Gulf. So, to ease the increasing rivalry between the half-brothers Enlil and Enki, their father, Anu, placed Enlil in charge of the Mesopotamian colony E-din (perhaps the basis for the biblical Eden).

Meanwhile, Enki led a foray to Abzu, or Africa, the “land of the mines,” — and eventually to South America — where he set up gold-mining operations. The mined ore was then transported from the far-flung mines by cargo craft back to Mesopotamia for smelting and processing into hourglass-shaped ingots called zag, or “purified precious.” Some of the actual ingots have been found in archaeological excavations.

The Anunnaki mined gold on Earth for more than 100,000 years until the rank-and-file Anunnaki — who were doing the backbreaking work in the mines — mutinied about 300,000 years ago. On top of the unrelenting toil of the mining operations, climate change presented many difficulties for these extraterrestrial colonists.

Enlil wondered aloud if there was not another way to mine for gold. At this point, Enki suggested that a primitive worker, called an Adamu, could be created to take over the difficult mining work. Enki pointed out that a primitive humanoid — hominin — was prevalent in Abzu (Africa), where he maintained a laboratory.

Human Genetic manipulation

Realizing the toll on the Anunnaki to mine the gold, King Anu and the Council on Nibiru was desperate for a different solution. They debated the morality of tinkering with a species. Enki argued that producing a hybrid — half Anunnaki and half primitive humanoid — would not be an act of creation but merely improving the existing species.

And so, Anu decreed that their eminent geneticist, Enki, would employ advanced genetic engineering to fashion an upgraded version of the primitive hominin by manipulating its DNA to become the new worker slave (the Adamu).

The genetic process

The Anunnaki medical officer on Earth was a female named Ninhursag. The Sumerian tablets describe how Enki and Ninhursag produced the first so-called ‘test-tube’ infant by combining DNA and creating a hybrid humanoid in the laboratory.

It is written that Enki and Ninhursag took the reproductive cell or egg from a primitive African female hominin and fertilized it with the sperm of a young Anunnaki male. The fertilized ovum was placed inside an Anunnaki woman who carried the child to term. And so began the creation of a new race of human workers (the Adamu).

The first hybrid human could not procreate. The Anunnaki had to constantly create new batches of human workers (the Adamu), which was time-consuming considering the timespan between in vitro fertilization and birth.

So, Enki and Ninhursag set about to create an Adamu that could reproduce itself. The result of their efforts was finally a male Adama with the ability to reproduce through sex with an Adama female. This was the final solution to the first modern human beings — the perfect slave race. An intelligent and subservient prototype was ultimately created that we now call Homo sapiens.

The new and improved hominin — the Adamu — Human 1.0

When the Anunnaki infused their DNA and genetic material, they effectively bestowed upon the new hominin many physiological features, strengths, and abilities not previously occurring in then-existing hominins.

The early Adamu that bred among themselves lived for hundreds of earth years. The Nephilim (half human and half Anunnaki) lived for thousands of years. All this longevity was thanks to Anunnaki genes. And in the opinion of ancient humans, the extreme life spans of the pure-blooded Anunnaki made them appear immortal.

One of the concerns of the Anunnaki, including Enlil, was that the new humans would want to live for as long as their pure-blooded Anunnaki overlords. As a result of this concern, the Anunnaki set about manipulating the DNA of humans to reduce their life span drastically and limit the total capacity of their brains.

The final genetic version of Human 1.0 incorporated these modifications. The Anunnaki denied Homo sapiens the intelligence and extreme longevity that the Anunnaki possessed because it did not suit their purposes. Homo sapiens were invented to be slave workers, nothing more.

What is often misunderstood about Human 1.0

The process described in the Sumerian tablets was a breeding program like what has been done and is being done today with various animals and humans by humans to improve the stock.

The skeptics of the Sumerian story about the origin of Homo sapiens should not lose sight of today’s knowledge concerning cloning, in vitro fertilization, genome mapping, gene splicing, gene sequencing, and gene modifications.

Only 30 years ago, the concept of gene manipulation would have been incomprehensible — even to the most learned scholar trying to interpret the Sumerian tablets. But today, the Sumerian account of modern human creation becomes more plausible.

Stories of the Anunnaki — Myth, Religion, or History?

As expected, it is highly controversial that the Sumerian cuneiform texts (as deciphered and translated by credible scholars) say that the Anunnaki were ancient astronauts that came to Earth to mine gold, impart great knowledge, and created Homo sapiens to function as slaves.

Mainstream scholars assume that the ancient Sumerians were talking about mythical, imaginary beings in their reference to the Anunnaki. But we should question why ancient scribes would have taken the time and effort to write down fables painstakingly. Is it not more reasonable to assume that they wrote down their stories to recount history instead of fanciful myths?

Many non-mainstream researchers have opened our eyes to a much more detailed and credible understanding of the human creation story — first recorded by the Sumerians long before it was plagiarized and transcribed as the Bible.

It is essential to understand that early on, the Sumerians never referred to the Anunnaki as “gods.” The reference to sky beings as “gods” was shaped by western and near eastern civilizations and religions that followed Sumer — including the Babylonians, Egyptians, Romans, Greeks, Judaism, and Christianity.

A better explanation of what transpired in the ancient past is that the original writings from Sumer were recordings of actual events. This history was later rewritten to form a distorted base for new religious cults — including Judaism and Christianity. The corrupted religious dogma was so different from the original writings that the early accounts in Sumer became viewed by today’s mainstream scholars as “mythology.”

The writings inscribed into ancient Sumerian clay tablets have much greater merit than the fantasies presented in the Bible. Also, the non-mainstream and credible interpretations of the Sumerian texts help to counter the highly questionable explanations which mainstream science offers as fact regarding the evolution of Homo sapiens and

[moutheyes]

Us, Perfect 10 Liners, and other scattered QL thoughts

Although I've been pretty good about tracking and keeping my MDL notes organized this year, I haven't done one of these posts in a while, but the finale episodes of Us and Perfect 10 Liners have converged in a single weekend so now's a good opportunity to sort out some thoughts about recently watched QL and do a first quarter-ish summary:

The year so far:

Total series completed: 18 (11 current year, 7 backlist)

Country breakdown: Thailand (14), Japan (4) oops lol dw I'm starting a Korean show this week

Highest rated of 2025: Gelboys, and it won't be surpassed

Lowest rated of 2025: Petrichor

Highest rated backlist: Be My Favorite

Lowest rated backlist: My Personal Weatherman

Original script counter: 5

OK onto the meat. Spoilers for recently ended shows under the cut!

Us

This series was not just a love story, but a love letter to the pain of grief, the torment of abandonment, the grace of healing, the transcendence of mutual love, the warmth of a true community, and the fulfillment of finding or forging one's own family. While some of the saccharine parts in the middle episodes did feel a little overwrought to me, I loved the buildup to the final act, the resolution made sense, and any growth in these characters was hard-earned. In a story with less conviction behind it, dokrak's independence might have been muted due to external conflicts, or the romantic overtones might have clashed with the family drama, but here it was well-balanced; everything naturally dovetailed with each other in service of the larger themes of the show.

I could spend paragraphs alone on how solid the surrounding cast was. Grandma Bua's even-keeled outlook on life and death was one of the most poignant parts of the show, and Kawi was just absolutely marinated in eldest-sibling melancholy (Sing did the role so much justice). Under the sure-handed direction of p'Fon, this show tackled difficult themes in a wonderfully measured way, not shying away from trauma and dysfunction and suffering but never plunging the audience into true despair either. Loneliness was always countered by companionship, doubt soothed by affirmations, and the central romance between Pam and Dokrak underpinned all of that. I really think EmiBonnie is my favorite GL pairing to date—they delivered magnetic natural chemistry and some of the best sapphic intimacy we've seen in Thai QL, even when they weren't touching. (Also some really nice OST tracks!) I'm so excited to see what they do next.

Initial rating: 9.25

Perfect 10 Liners

This is one of those shows that I find myself having to evaluate based purely on the story and characters alone, because p'New's many, ah, idiosyncrasies as a director are a feature rather than a bug at this point, and I find it tiresome to rehash. But unlike the frictionlessness of We Are (his last project for GMMTV—I've only experienced Fourever You through fmvs and gifsets which I gather is for the best), the omnibus structure of Perfect 10 Liners had built-in vibe shifts, which worked to its favor. I must admit that the ArmArc story left absolutely no impression on me, but YothaGun and FaifaWine got progressively stronger and more compelling, thanks to the ability to develop these sets of characters across longer periods of time as well as more entangled familial relationships.

What the last two sections of the show did so well was balance its farcical + comedic elements with heavier storytelling, in the form of Yotha and Faifa's family hangups. This gave their characters more depth, reinforced by tremendous acting from Perth and Junior in those roles, which in turn enhanced the romantic dynamics and complementary healing for these two pairs in particular. The last half of FaifaWine's arc was especially satisfying, as the larger group dynamics came into play, and the final episode was honestly a riot. Completely corny and unserious, but still managed to tie a tidy bow around everyone's stories. (Except you, Pipo. GMMTV I am begging—nay, demanding—that the twins get their own comedy series in 2026. I don't care if it's QL or the most heterosexual thing ever, I think it could fix me.)

Initial rating: 7.25

And to close out, a few thoughts about some recent backlist watches (ratings in parentheses):

I finished Reverse 4 You yesterday; it was one of my list of series to catch up on (two down!), and luckily the sequel just finished airing so I can move immediately to that one. So I think I'll do a bigger write-up after finishing Reverse with Me aha sorry for the fakeout.

Fine, a real review: Be My Favorite blew me away. It is so rare to get a genre mashup BL that doesn't skimp on any of its components. BMF is a speculative coming-of-age romcom, and it delivers on all fronts thanks to a truly excellent script. I was surprised by how much I genuinely enjoyed the character work; Kawi and Pisaeng's storylines were already incredibly rendered, but the show made me care deeply about Pear, Max, Kwan, all the way down to the parental figures. It took a compassionate approach to the thesis that everyone makes mistakes in life, and everyone is bound to experience disappointment, but kindness and honesty can be a powerful salve. The optimism wasn't cloying, either, because they were lessons learned organically from each character's journey. Finally, the subverted time skip trope made me happy, the title track is one of my favorites across all GMMTV shows, and the acting was top-to-bottom stellar. (9.5)

So, I had friends telling me how good BMF was even while it was airing (thanks @merryfuture ilu), and I think part of me knew that I was keeping it on the shelf for a time when I'd truly be ready to appreciate it. And that time was after finally watching the entirety of SOTUS from start to finish and thus gaining appreciation for Krist's specific niche of BL blorbo—a project that was spurred on by some thoughtful, thorough posts from @maybe-boys-do-love and @thebroccolination (among others? sorry if I've forgotten). I have a ton of notes for these series, but to try and keep this post from spiraling totally out of control, I'll just say that SOTUS should be required viewing for anyone who wants to understand how the uni campus functions as not only a backdrop but a site of possibility in Thai BL; it also had an underrated and excellent slow burn—if a show is going to maintain a low simmer for that long, heat is still required, and between Singto's searing gaze and Krist's clenched jaw, the tension was electric. However, it's SOTUS S—and specifically Arthit's growth in this new phase of his life, that I hold dearest to me. Removing him from the campus setting, where he had seniority and power and—most importantly—a considerable level of comfort, meant he had to start from square one when it came to social interactions and finding his footing, and his relationship with Kongpob intertwined with those conflicts nicely. Character of all time, maybe. (8.0, 8.25)

Thank you for reading!

[tobiasdrake]

Digimon Adventure 02x18 - Pursuing the Kaiser's Base / Run Yolei Run

Previously on Digimon Adventure: The veteran Chosen Children sat the new kids down and finally convinced them to binge the first series on Crunchyroll. Meanwhile, Wizarmon returned from the grave to deliver a dire message to Tailmon and also terrorize Yamato's dad for funsies.

Narrator: After hearing Wizarmon's warning, the children began scouting the Digital World.

As we join the Chosen Children, we find they've split up to cover more ground. Daisuke's gone with Taichi and Hikari, naturally. Miyako's with Yamato and Takeru. And Iori's making terrible mistakes.

Iori: AHHHHHHHH!!!

While mountain-climbing, Iori loses his footing and slides on his front down the mountainside. Koushiro suddenly grabs his arm, stopping his descent. Armadimon comes up behind him, grabbing his hips and slowly walking Iori up to a stable position.

Koushiro: Are you okay, Iori-kun? Iori: Y-Yes, I'm okay. Koushiro: We're almost to the top. Let's get it done.

Suddenly, Tentomon appears at the top, having gone ahead to scout the area.

Tentomon: KOUSHIRO-HAN!!! COME QUICK!!! Koushiro: What is it, Tentomon?

Tentomon does not answer him. He makes the boys climb the rest of the mountain to find out like an asshole.

In the dub, I don't usually comment on the recaps but I do want to note that Kari opens her recap of the previous episode with:

Kari: We had a really cool reunion to celebrate the anniversary of our first trip to the Digital World.

Which is correct but noteworthy in that the previous episode was insistent that it's the anniversary of Myotismon's defeat. After spending all last episode getting it wrong, Kari suddenly gets it right in the new episode script. Consistency!

In any case, on to the actual episode. To replace the narrator, the kids in the scenes set the stage diegetically.

Tai: We have to find the Digimon Emperor! I hope the others are having more luck than us. (Cut to Team Matt) T.K.: I don't see anything! Matt: I wonder how Cody's doing. (Smash cut to Cody falling) Cody: AHHHHHH!!! (Izzy catches him) Izzy: You okay, Cody? Cody: Oh... Yes, thanks to you. Izzy: You can make it. We're almost at the top. Just don't look down. Tentomon: You two get up here right away! You won't believe it! Izzy: We'll be right there, Tentomon! (They climb the mountain) Cody: I don't believe it! Tentomon: I told you.

I'm always a fan of diegetic dialogue over flat narration. Though we do lose the direct connection between this manhunt for the Kaiser and Wizarmon's warning last episode. This is Part 2 of a multi-parter, but the dub opens clean like this is just another day in the Digital World adventures.

Iori is the first to make it to the top. Peering over the mountain of haphazardly buried trolleys, he spies what Tentomon was talking about.

Iori: Koushiro-san, over there!

As Koushiro makes it to the top, a sudden gust of wind hits them. Iori and Koushiro ride out the gust and then Koushiro sees it for himself: A field of Dark Towers as far as the eye can see, surrounding an odd-looking structure.

Koushiro: There's.... Iori: ...so many Dark Towers!

Not only that, but a small army of Tuskmon are gathered below as well.

Inside the base, a huge doorway opens and releases various Kuwagamon and DarkTyranomon. They attack the Tuskmon, turning the Dark Tower field into a sea of carnage.

Iori: How cruel.... Armadimon: They came out of that weird place-dagyaa. Koushiro: It's just a theory, but that may be the Digimon Kaiser's base.

Seems likely, yeah.

In the dub:

Cody: I'm seeing things! I think.... (Wind gust) Armadillomon: Dig this! Izzy: Wow, look at all those. Cody: There's hundreds of Control Spires! (The door opens and releases the Kuwagamon and DarkTyrannomon) Izzy: And hundreds of evil Digimon slaves too. (The Kuwagamon and DarkTyrannomon attack the Tuskmon) Cody: Those poor Digimon! Armadillomon: It seems to me the DarkTyrannomon are coming out of that strange dome. Izzy: I'll bet you that's where the Digimon Emperor's headquarters are.

Fuck the Kuwagamon, I guess.

Suddenly, with jaws firmly around the neck of a Tuskmon, one DarkTyranomon looks up and sees Koushiro and Iori on the mountain.

Koushiro: Oh no! They saw us!

Koushiro checks his Digivice, but it's giving off an error message in red DigiCode lettering.

Koushiro: No good. Evolution isn't possible here.

Suddenly, a Kuwagamon flies up the hill, hovering menacingly above them.

Group: Nyaaagh! Armadimon: I'll handle this while you run for it! Iori: Please do. DIGIMENTAL UP!!!

One evolution sequence later, Koushiro and Iori are sledding down the hill on a broken off metal slab. Did Digmon peel that off one of the trolleys? Tentomon follows behind while Digmon stays back to hold off Kuwagamon.

Kuwagamon slams straight into Digmon. Digmon catches the attack, hold them back and grappling with drills at full spin.

Digmon: Nnnngh-DAGYAA!!!

Less than two minutes in and we already have our first Armor Evolution. This is gonna be a busy episode.

In the dub:

Izzy: Uh-oh! We'd better take cover. (Izzy checks Digivice) Izzy: I hope we don't need your help, Tentomon. There's no way you can Digivolve with all these Control Spires. Maybe they haven't spotted us yet. (Kuwagamon appears) Armadillomon: I knew I should have brought my giant flyswatter! Cody: Get him, Digmon! DIGI-ARMOR ENERGIZE!!! (Digmon Armor Digivolves) (Izzy and Cody escape on a sled while Kuwagamon grapples with Digmon) Digmon: May I have this dance?

Lots of quipping in this opening sequence.

Despite reacting to DarkTyrannomon spotting them, Izzy seems unaware that they've been made until Kuwagamon appears.

Once they're far enough away, Koushiro pulls out his Digivice again.

Koushiro: This should be far enough--

A great shadow suddenly passes over them. The Digimon Kaiser is here, riding on the back of a Devidramon.

Kaiser: Huhuhuhuhu, long time no see.... Iori: Digimon Kaiser! Kaiser: What are you doing here? Iori: I have no intention of answering that question! Tentomon: Koushiro-han! Koushiro: Right! Tentomon: TENTOMON SHINKAAAAAA!!! Kabuterimon: KABUTE--

The Kaiser holds out the Dark Digivice. A pulse from it suppresses Tentomon's evolution.

Tentomon: I can't evolve! Kaiser: Ahahahahahahaha! Did you forget that you can't evolve when under the Dark Digivice's power?

Probably, yeah. You've been coasting on using the Dark Towers to suppress evolution for so long that it's easy to forget that they're just relays for the true source of the suppression.

Suddenly, the hillside beneath them gives out. The sled, occupants and all, fall into a cavern dug out by Digmon.

Iori: Digmon! Digmon: Looks like I made it in time.

Digmon tunnels them a great distance away from the mountain, the Dark Towers, and the Kaiser before surfacing in a nearby forest.

Iori: You saved us. Thank you. Tentomon: Koushiro-han!

Digmon reverts back to Armadimon from there. This time, Tentomon's able to go through his evolution unimpeded. Kabuterimon breaches the canopy. With Koushiro and Iori on his back, Kabuterimon retreats into the distance.

Kaiser: So that's Kabuterimon. I've got some useful data now. Huhuhuhu... HAHAHAHAHA!!!

All according to plan. Apparently.

They don't really explain what he means by this. But if his systems work like Koushiro's Digimon Analyzer then he needs to personally encounter a Digimon before he can upload their data from his Digivice. So by coming in and having this brief encounter with Kabuterimon, he'd now have access to Kabuterimon's data as a Digimon species.

In the dub:

Izzy: My D-3's going wild--WHOA!!! (Devidramon appears) Emperor: Hahahahahahahaha! Going somewhere? Cody: The Digimon Emperor! Emperor: So nice of you to drop in on my headquarters. It saves me the trouble of hunting you down. Tentomon: I've got to at least try to Digivolve! Izzy: Go! Tentomon: TENTOMON DIGIVOLVE TO... oh, forget it. (Emperor suppresses the Digivolution) Tentomon: I can't Digivolve! Emperor: Hahahahahahaha! How many times do I have to tell you people, you're sitting in the No Digivolving Section! (Suddenly the ground gives way) Cody: Thanks, Digmon. Digmon: Do I know how to dig a hole or what? (Digmon takes them far away) Digmon: Okay, we're in the clear. Cody: There are no Control Spires here! Izzy: Tentomon! Tentomon: I'll give it another shot! (Kabuterimon Digivolves and escapes with Izzy and Cody) Emperor: So that's Kabuterimon. I think I'll add him to my collection! Ngahahahahahaha!

The dub takes its first commercial break here.

(sigh) Izzy. Does not. Have a D-3.

The dub seems confused about why Tentomon couldn't Digivolve. In the original, Koushiro notes that they're out of the Dark Towers' radius. Then Tentomon tries and even gets as far as Kabuterimon delivering the closing line of the evolution sequence before the Kaiser abruptly shuts him down.

In the dub, there is no mention of being out-of-range from the Control Spires; They replaced it with that D-3 line. Tentomon insists on trying to Digivolve anyway even though he admits that it's fruitless, then gives up before we see the pulse from the Dark Digivice. Only after they reach the forest with Digmon is it said that we're out-of-range now.

So was it the Control Spires that suppressed his Digivolution, and the pulse from the Dark Digivice was superfluous?

Also, the Kaiser/Emperor's plan is not to capture Kabuterimon. He has something else in mind. He just needed data on Kabuterimon, which connects to the data gathering he was doing on Monochromon and Airdramon earlier.

Returning through the Digital Gate, Iori and Koushiro join the other two groups in Koushiro's bedroom.

Taichi: Good work. Koushiro: And my mom? Taichi: We're fine. Doesn't look like she's home yet. Koushiro: (relieved) We made it in time.

Koushiro and Yamato turn to the computer. Koushiro types feverishly throughout the background of the scene.

Taichi: So, how'd it go? Iori: There were a ton of Dark Towers all over the place! Miyako: I knew it!

Due to an error in either animation or editing, despite asking the question, Taichi abruptly stops caring between shots. We go to closeup on Miyako for her exclamation and when we return to the wider angle, he's scooted his chair over to see what Koushiro and Yamato are doing. The junior team continue to discuss things amongst themselves.

Daisuke: They were all over our area too. Takeru: They were like telephone poles. Iori: On top of that, we found it: The Kaiser's base!

Here, Taichi teleports back to his original position between shots. He's suddenly in front of and listening intently to Iori again. Then, as Iori turns to set Upamon down with the rest of the Digimon, Taichi slides his chair forward so he can see what Yamato and Koushiro are doing.

Hikari: His base? Iori: Yes!

Well, they'd found his base once before during the whole MetalGreymon ordeal. But it seems to be in a different location now. Wonder why that might be.

It occurs to me that Koushiro and Iori were the last ones out of the Digital World. It's a really good thing we made it in time. As awkward as it would be for Kae to come home and Koushiro's not here, it would be even harder to explain if she came home to everyone but Koushiro here.

In the dub:

Tai: That's everyone. Izzy: Is my mom here? Tai: No. We were lucky. We all made it back before she got home. Izzy: That was close. Tai: So what did you guys find in your area? Cody: The whole place was covered with a bunch of Control Spires. Yolei: I knew it! Davis: There must have been a Control Spire convention in town. T.K.: Tell me about it; There were hundreds of them! Cody: We found something else too: The Digimon Emperor's base! Kari: His base? Cody: Yeah!

Solid. Davis's quip is the best thus far in the episode.

Turning our attention to what the veterans are doing at the computer, Tentomon on the other side says a quick goodbye.

Tentomon: In that case, I'll keep scouting the enemy. Koushiro: If you would, please.

The Digital Gate closes and Koushiro tabs over, then rotates the monitor to show the junior team.

Koushiro: Would everyone please take a look at this? Group: Huh? Koushiro: First off, this is the area Daisuke-kun's group went to.

On the computer, he has the map of the Digital World. Previously, the squares would be a scattering of white, gray, and black cells. The Kaiser was expanding his territory in every direction.

Here, however, there's a line of black cells in an otherwise white field.

Koushiro: This is where Takeru-kun's group went.

It's another mostly white field with lines of black across it.

Koushiro: And this is where my group went.

A third white field with a black line through it.

Koushiro: And when you connect them together....

The completed picture shows... something. Some sort of sigil or drawing being made by the string of Dark Towers that the Kaiser is erecting.

Takeru: That's.... Miyako: It's like a huge slug passed through! Poromon: These areas are being taken over systematically! Patamon: Our Digital World! Chibimon: (fuming) That scumbag Kaiser! Upamon: He's finally getting serious with his conquest-dagyaa! Tailmon: "Time is running out." Hikari: "All of you must hurry." Could this be what Wizarmon was talking about? Takeru: It must be.

I wouldn't really call what's on those screens a systematic conquest. Looks more like he's trying to draw the transmutation circle that will make the whole Digital World into a Philosopher's Stone or something.

As an aside, the teams were Team Daisuke and Team Takeru? XD Wow, fuck Taichi, Hikari, and Yamato, I guess.

In the dub:

Tentomon: I'll keep my eyes on things here and report back if there's any trouble. Izzy: Right. (Tentomon logs off and Izzy pulls up the map) Izzy: Alright, everybody should take a look at this. Group: Huh!? Izzy: First, look at the area that Davis and his group explored. (Map) Izzy: Next is the area that T.K.'s group was in. (Map) Izzy: Finally, here's where my group was. (Map) Izzy: If we connect them together-- Davis: It's a circus clown! I love this game! Izzy: (annoyed) No, Davis. It's a path. Poromon: He's taking over all the areas! Talk about nesting! Patamon: There'll be nothing left of our world! DemiVeemon: Not to mention our friends! Upamon: That's it! Now I'm really starting to get upset! Gatomon: If we could only destroy that base.... Kari: Wait a minute. That's it! If we destroy the Emperor's headquarters then the Control Spires will be useless. T.K.: That makes a lot of sense.

Izzy still disrespects Tai, Kari, and Matt in this version and the Digimon still interpret the map poorly.

Miyako comparing it to a slug trail gets swapped out for another opportunity to dunk on Davis. This, however, still conveys the point that it is, for reasons unknown, a line.

For the second time, they erase a connection to the preceding episode with Wizardmon.

Daisuke: If that's the case, why are we wasting time here? We found the Kaiser's base! Let's go smash it right now! Right, Chibimon? Chibimon: YEAH!!! Takeru: Wait just a second. If we're going to attack the Kaiser's base, we need to make a plan. Daisuke: Sorry, you're right. I was just expressing how I felt about it. Miyako: This isn't going to be like the other times, is it? Takeru: That's right. We probably won't be able to make a day trip out of it like before. Miyako: (surprised) Ah? Yeah, you're right. We won't be able to attack the base if we're having to worry about making it home on time. Hikari: That's right. We don't come home until the Kaiser is defeated. We have to prepare ourselves for that. Miyako: Prepare ourselves....

The camera closes in on Miyako's nervous face. While she struggles with her feelings, the conversation continues around her.

Iori: I'm prepared, but if I don't make it home for dinner, my mother will worry. Daisuke: Eh, just make up a lie to tell her. Say you're staying at a friend's house or something. Hikari: (disappointed) Would you do that, Daisuke-kun? Daisuke: (backpedaling) I-It was just an example....

Hikari is not going to like what the plan ends up being. It's basically the same as what Daisuke suggested.

In the dub:

Davis: So, why are we sitting around here like a bunch of yahoos? I say we go to the Digital World, find his base, and rip it up like a bad check! Right, DemiVeemon? DemiVeemon: Right! T.K.: What do you want to do? Walk up there and say, "Excuse me, do you mind if we take a couple of minutes to tear down this building?" Davis: Well... Alright, I suppose we have to come up with some sort of plan. Yolei: He's right, but it's going to take a lot of thinking. T.K.: I agree. And I also think it's going to take longer than one day to accomplish. Yolei: Huh? I suppose if we all had to be back by a certain time, we wouldn't be able to concentrate on destroying the base. Kari: Right. Then we all have to agree on one thing: We don't return until the base is destroyed. Yolei: Huh!? You mean.... Cody: I don't know. If I'm not there for my mom's tuna casserole, she'll know something's wrong. I haven't missed one in two years! Davis: Just make up some excuse to tell her. Something like that you got picked by the army for a secret mission to Mars. Kari: If you told your parents that, they'd actually believe you? Davis: Of course not. They don't believe anything I say.

We don't need to "find his base", Davis. We've found it. We're talking about the attack now. Pay attention.

We lose some subtle details in the dub here. Miyako stumbles over the word 覚悟 kakugo that Hikari just used, which means determination, resolve, preparedness. It means having the will to do a thing even though you don't want to or are afraid to do it.

We're going into the deep and that's terrifying. The idea of throwing down with Ken in one epic final battle where everything is on the line and no one gets to retreat again is terrifying, but that's the moment we've arrived at. And Miyako's not sure she's ready.

Yolei is feeling that same nervousness, but it's just a throwaway line.

Similarly, when Daisuke suggests that Iori make up a lie, Hikari gets offended by the proposal. She is... probably the most goody two-shoes of the entire cast of both series. The dub replaces that with a joke; The punchline is that Davis lies often and badly to his family with predictable results.

Koushiro: Our Digimon won't be able to evolve with all these Dark Towers around. Yamato: Even if we went to the Digital World, would we be able to help? Taichi: Nah, but we can help by not going with them. So...

Taichi kicks away from Koushiro's desk and rolls his chair across the room.

Taichi: Camping! We're all going camping. Hikari: Camping? Takeru: So we pretend we're going camping and then go to the Digital World? Taichi: Exactly. But it might cause problems if your parents tried to call you at the campsite, so the rest of us will actually go camping. Yamato: So we're going to provide their alibi? Taichi: What do you think? A great idea, huh?

Yes, but also not appreciably different from what Daisuke said; Just more thought out. So I don't know why Hikari isn't giving Taichi the stink-eye too. Nepotism, I guess.

In the dub:

Izzy: With all these Control Spires in the Digital World, there's no way our Digimon will ever be able to Digivolve. Matt: That means that us older kids would be useless if we go to the Digital World with you guys. Tai: That's true, Matt. But there are other ways we can help out without actually going with them. (Tai rolls across the room) Tai: Like camping! While you guys go to the Digital World, the rest of us will go on a camping trip. Kari: Huh? T.K.: How does it help us if we're fighting the Digimon Emperor while you're roasting marshmallows!? Tai: It's simple. We'll tell all our parents that we're going camping but if they call the campgrounds and no one's there, we'll get in trouble. So the older kids will go camping for real and cover you. Matt: Great idea, Tai. Plus, we get to go camping! Tai: (amused) Tough job, but someone's got to do it!

The dub explains Tai's plan perfectly. My one beef is that T.K. is a lot slower on the uptake than Takeru and gets really snippy about it too.

Suddenly, Izumi Kae knocks on the door in the middle of the team meeting, reinforcing the point made last episode about the perils of doing this shit at home. The team scrambles to look natural.

It does not go well.

Koushiro: Uh... Come in! Kae: (entering) Welcome, everyone.

She enters to a hell of a sight. Hikari and Daisuke are swing dancing or some shit, Miyako is arm-wrestling Takeru while Iori referees, Koushiro scooped all of the "stuffed animals" off his bed for reasons unknown, and Taichi and Yamato are molesting a globe. They are definitely up to something and possibly on drugs.

Koushiro: Welcome home. Group: (customary) OJAMASHIMASU!!! Kae: What were you guys talking about? Group: Uhhhhh....

Everyone slowly looks at Koushiro to bullshit them out of this.

Koushiro: You see... We were all talking about going camping! Kae: Aw, that's great! But who's going to chaperone you?

Fuck. We didn't have time to plan for reasonable questions. Just straight-up forgot that when children disappear for extended periods of time, they are expected to bring an adult with them.

Pulling the globe away from Taichi, Yamato jumps in the middle and lies like a dog.

Yamato: My dad's taking us. Taichi: (whispers) Is that okay with him, Yamato? Yamato: (whispers) Maybe?

Boy, it's a good thing we already had the episode where we taught Iori it's okay to lie or else he would be a problem right now.

In the dub:

Izzy: Uh... come in...? (Kae enters to the weirdest sight) Kae: Oh, you're home! Hello. Izzy: H-hi there, Mom. Group: Hello, Mrs. Izumi! Kae: Hi, kids! What are you doing inside on such a nice day? Group: Uhhhhhh.... Izzy: Well... We were discussing going on a camping trip for our next vacation. Kae: Oh! That sounds like fun, but you're going to need a chaperone. Who's the adult that's going with you? Izzy: Uhhhhh.... Matt: Oh, don't worry! My dad will go with us! He loves traveling the world. Tai: (whispers) Are you sure? Matt: (whispers) No, but it sounded good.

What does traveling the world have to do with going camping? Izzy and Matt are overcomplicating this lie.

That night, Yamato and Takeru visit the Fuji station to break the news to Hiroaki. We arrive with an establishing shot that I honestly think is a photo of the real-life FCG Building at night.

Hiroaki: I'm the camp chaperone!? Yamato: Please? I already promised everyone... And didn't you say you had a lot of paid vacation time saved up?

Hiroaki pulls at his tie and grumbles noncommittally. He doesn't have a rebuttal but he's not happy about it. While Hiroaki's stumbling over that, Takeru keeps pushing.

Takeru: Hey, I bet you got a nice bonus, huh?

Cut back to the exterior shot of the FCG Building to comically emphasize the volume of Hiroaki's shouting.

Hiroaki: YOU WANT ME TO BUY A COMPUTER TOO!?!?

Never have children, folks. XD

In the dub:

Hiroaki: What!? You want me to go camping with you? Matt: Please, Dad! I already promised the others you would do it! Just think of it! Being out in the wilderness among all the snakes and the wolves and the grizzly bears; It'll be fun! (Hiroaki tugs his collar and makes nervous noises) T.K.: Hey, Dad? Tell us again about the time you were chased by a grizzly bear. (Exterior shot of FCG Building) Hiroaki: Don't you kids have homework?

Matt does a terrible job of pitching the camping trip to Hiroaki and they drop Takeru's computer request for a lower-key punchline.

In his room, Daisuke's packing for the camping trip. Jun brings him a tray with food and an orange drink on it. Setting it down on the floor and standing up, Jun has question.

Jun: Hey, so.... Daisuke: Why do I have a bad feeling about this? Jun: So you're going camping? Daisuke: Yeah. Jun: (excited) With Takeru-kun and the others? Daisuke: (reluctantly) Yeah...? Jun: (ecstatic) So that means Yamato-kun is going with you!? Daisuke: (annoyed) Yes! Jun: Ahhh... then in that case-- Daisuke: (realizing) Agh, that's so rude! Can't you leave me alone? Jun: Oh, come on!

Out in the living room, the door to Daisuke's room opens and he shoves Jun out of it. The tray of snacks and drink she was bringing him goes unexplained, but I think she was trying to butter him up. Implicitly, Jun was circling the topic of coming with Daisuke on his camping trip so she could hang out with Yamato.

Out in the living room, their mom is watching a news report.

Reporter: We go now to an interview with the parents of Ichijouji Ken, the child prodigy whose whereabouts remain unknown.

Inside the Ichijouji apartment, Ken's mother cries while his father speaks to the reporters.

Father: Our boy will come back. I believe he's alive somewhere out there.

Upon realizing what was on the TV, Daisuke has stopped pushing Jun and now watches the interview with rapt attention.

Jun: What's with you all of a sudden? Ken's Mother: (crying) Our boy, Ken-chan, is such a kind person....

The interview footage transitions us to Takeru's apartment. He shuts off the TV, then slumps in his chair and sighs.

In the dub, Davis is a lot more hostile to Jun's questioning.

Jun: What are you doing? Davis: None of your business! Jun: Looks like you're packing for a camping trip. Davis: It's your imagination! Jun: Are T.K. and the others going? Davis: I can't remember! Jun: So then... Is Matt going camping too? Davis: Matt moved to another country. Jun: Well, if you're going and everyone else is going and... Matt's going... Can I go too? Davis: Sure, you can go! (Davis shoves Jun out of the room) Davis: Go away!

Daisuke grew increasingly irate over the course of the questioning and then snapped when he realized what the purpose was. Davis is already at "Oh my god, fuck off" from the start.

Reporter: Police still have no clue as to the whereabouts of Boy Genius Ken Ichijouji who mysteriously disappeared some time ago. Ken's Father: If anyone's seen my son, please contact the police right away. Jun: That kid's still lost? Ken's Mother: I hope he's not alone somewhere, cold and hungry. Oh, he's helpless without me! (T.K. turns off the TV) T.K.: Boy, if they only knew!

Jun here has a throwaway line in place of the original, which was calling attention to Daisuke's change of demeanor.

They also changed Ken's mother's line. Wizarmon told us last episode that "Kindness will release a golden radiance." There is important foreshadowing then in Ken's mother now describing him as kind. There is a bitter irony in the DIgimon Kaiser being described as kind, but also an important element of "Wait... did she just say the word...?"

The dub just plays up the irony while erasing, for the third time, a connection to Wizarmon's monologue.

Late at night in her room, Miyako can't sleep. Poromon's sleeping soundly in a basket but Miyako sits up, struggling to quiet her mind. She's haunted by the discussion from earlier today.

Takeru (V.O.): That's right. We probably won't be able to make a day trip out of it like before. Hikari (V.O.): That's right. We don't come home until the Kaiser is defeated. We have to prepare ourselves for that. Miyako: That's right... This adventure won't be like the ones we've been on up until now.

Steeling herself, she raises her first into the air.

Miyako: You're prepared for this, Miyako!

Linguistic note: A pretty straightforward translation of "覚悟はいい Kakugo wa ii" would be "I'm ready/You're ready/Are you ready?" This is because 覚悟 kakugo is the word for emotional readiness or preparedness to face something you don't want to face.

In this context, it's important to note that Miyako again uses that same word Hikari said earlier, which she's been stuck on.

Poromon: (rouses) Hmm? Are you still awake? If you don't get to sleep soon, you're going to have a rough time tomorrow. (rolls over and goes back to sleep) Miyako: Yeah... Good night.

Miyako lays back down, resting her head on her pillow and muttering to herself.

Miyako: I have to work hard... I have to work hard... I have to work hard....

Here we get into the nuance of 頑張る ganbaru again. Using effort to persevere through adversity. Despite insisting to herself that she has 覚悟 kakugo, she is now effectively reprimanding herself to pull her weight in the task ahead.

Miyako has committed herself, pushed aside her trepidation and is taking this super seriously... to the point that she is probably overcompensating.

In the dub, the flashbacks actually quote their respective lines correctly. A rarity for the dub.

T.K. (V.O.): I also think it's going to take longer than one day to accomplish. Kari (V.O.): Right. Then we all have to agree on one thing: We don't return until the base is destroyed. Yolei: Alright. Even though I'm gonna be gone a long time and I'll miss my soap operas.... (Yolei raises fist) Yolei: I AM TOTALLY UP FOR THIS!!! Poromon: (rouses) You're not supposed to be up at all. We went to bed hours ago! Some of us are trying to sleep! GOOD NIGHT!!! HMPH!!! Yolei: Yeah... good night.... (Yolei lays down) Yolei: Go Yolei, Go Yolei, Go! Go Yolei, Go Yolei, Go!

Yolei isn't so conflicted in the dub.

Poromon snaps at Yolei for waking him instead of expressing concern for Miyako for still being awake. It's a pretty funny moment, though.

The next day, the junior team meets up in Yamato's room. Koushiro has unpacked the computer they made Hiroaki buy and is busy setting it up. Taichi reads what seems to be a notebook over in the corner, where he won't touch any of the sensitive electronics.

Miyako frantically paces the room, shaking and shouting with frenetic energy.

Miyako: (English) DIGITAL WORLD GO GO!!! DIGIMON KAISER, WE'RE COMING FOR YOU!!! Patamon: What's with her? Poromon: She's been like that since she got up.

Coming to the middle of the room, Miyako starts throwing punches followed by a high kick at thin air. Then she turns around and punches her way back across the room. Everybody ignores her.

Koushiro: The computer's all set up. Miyako: (English) BINGO!!! Go go let's go!

She is absolutely overcompensating.

While the entire junior team who were I guess chilling offscreen gather around the PC, Yamato pops into the room to check on everyone.

Takeru: Well, looks like we're off. Yamato: Alright. We'll take care of this side. Taichi: Be careful out there. Hikari: Okay. Miyako: Then let's get going! DIGITAL GATE, OPEN!!! CHOSEN CHILDREN, LET'S ROLL!!!

Miyako opens the Digital Gate and the junior team passes through to the other side.

In the dub:

Yolei: DIGIMON EMPEROR, PREPARE TO GO DOWN!!! WE'RE GONNA TEACH THAT EVIL GENIUS A LESSON HE'LL NEVER FORGET!!! Patamon: She's excited to go.... Poromon: I know! She's been like this all night! (Yolei starts throwing punches at thin air) Yolei: HI-YAAAA!!! YAYAYAYAYA!!! Izzy: Hey, Yolei, save some for the Digimon Emperor! (Junior team marches to the computer while Matt enters) Yolei: LEFT, RIGHT, LEFT, RIGHT, AND HALT!!! T.K.: SIR, YES SIR!!! Matt: You got a lot to learn about women, T.K. Tai: Be safe. Kari: Right. Yolei: ALRIGHT!!! TIME TO GO!!! LET THE BATTLE BEGIN!!! DIGI-PORT OPEN!!! YEEHAW!!!

They capture the vibe of Yolei's frenetic energy perfectly. I'm not sure what Matt's crack at T.K. was supposed to be about, though. Just because it's a Stock Punchline, that doesn't mean you don't need to make it make sense in context.

They remove a bit of expository dialogue - That Koushiro's finished setting up the computer and that the team's splitting up - for the sake of having some fun with Yolei's hyperactivity. But Koushiro's bit can be gleaned from context while Takeru and Yamato just restate what we already know the plan to be. This isn't critical exposition.

This one's just a simple case of Dramatic Dialogue vs Jokey Dialogue. Though Tai and Kari's little moment makes it in unaltered.

Once the younger kids are deployed, Taichi, Yamato, and Koushiro leave the apartment to meet Hiroaki in his van out front. The boys climb in.

Hiroaki: Are we heading out? Yamato: Yep. Taichi: Thanks for taking us! Koushiro: Thank you! Hiroaki: Well, let's get going, then.

Yamato gets in the car last, with the camera shot low so the car door obscures the sidewalk. As Yamato closes the door, Jun is revealed behind it like a slasher movie monster. She has a packed backpack and everything.

Jun: YAMATO-KUUUUUUN!!! GOOD MORNIIIIIING!!! Group: Huh? Taichi: (angrily whispers) What's going on here? No one told me about this. Yamato: (whispers) Me neither. Taichi: (whispers) Whatever, just go do something about it!

Yamato gets out of the car and approaches Jun on the sidewalk.

Yamato: H-Hey.... Jun: I heard you were going camping so I came too! Yamato: (fake laughing) Oh, I-I see.... Koushiro: (whispering) Yamato-san's going to be furious with Daisuke-kun again, huh? Taichi: (whispering) It's not easy being a hunk.

There's a tricky one. モテる Moteru means someone who is romantically popular with the opposite sex, regardless of whether they are trying to be or not. It doesn't assert any values as to whether they're actively seducing the opposite sex or are just super-attractive; All that matters to the term is that the opposite sex fawns over them for one reason or another.

What's important is that Taichi admitted that Yamato's a snack for the high school-age ladies, and Sora will remember this.

In the dub:

Hiroaki: You rugged camping men all set to go? Hehehehe.... Tai: Yep! Thanks for taking us. Izzy: Yeah! Hiroaki: Well, I guess we should get going! Matt: Right! (Matt closes his door, revealing Jun) Jun: HI THERE MAAAAAATT!!! I'M READYYYYYY!!! Group: Huh!? Tai: Isn't that Davis's sister? What's she doing here? Matt: (whispers) I have no idea. Tai: (whispers) Well, see what you can do to get rid of her, okay? Matt: (whispers) Right. (Matt exits the vehicle) Matt: H-Hey, Jun, what's going on? Jun: I thought this camping trip would be a perfect romantic getaway for us. Matt: O-Oh, I see.... Izzy: (whispers) Lucky Matt. Girls must chase him allllll day! Tai: (whispers) I know exactly how he feels!

Tai does not. Joe will have a girlfriend before he does.

Dub Jun says the quiet part out loud.

While Yamato's trying to figure out what the hell he can say to make this situation stop happening, Jun notices something they really would have liked if she didn't notice.

Jun: Huh? Where are Daisuke and the others? Yamato: Oh... Th-They already left in a different car!

Taichi and Koushiro try to keep straight faces but lose the struggle and break down in a gigging fit.

Yamato: The car belongs to one of my dad's coworkers. Jun: Awww... okay, then. Yamato: So, um... I need to ask for a favor. Jun: (ecstatic, swooning) Eh!? What is it!? Yamato: Could you turn around and count to ten? Ah, and I would like for you to close your eyes too. Jun: (swooning) Hehe... Okay! (turns around, covers eyes) One... Two....

Yamato races back to the car and throws himself into the passenger seat.

Yamato: Dad! Floor it! Hiroaki: Are you sure? That girl-- Yamato: Yes! Jun: Six... Seven... Eight... Nine... Ten!

Jun uncovers her eyes just in time to see Hiroaki's van speed away into the distance.

Jun: Huh!? HEY, YAMATO-KUUUUUUN!!!

Abandoning Jun here with her (honestly self-inflicted) broken heart, this seems like a good spot to take a commercial break. Sorry, Jun, but you're coming off a little bit stalkerish. Especially since I know you didn't get Yamato's address from Daisuke.

In the dub:

Jun: By the way, where's Davis and the others? Matt: O-Oh, those guys... They went ahead of us in another car. (Tai and Izzy start giggling) Matt: A friend of my dad's has a really big minivan. Jun: Hmm... Where do I sit? Matt: Uhhhhhh... First, I have a present to give you. Jun: HUH!?!? ME!?!? Matt: Yeah, but it's in the car and I didn't get a chance to wrap it. So close your eyes and count to ten and I'll be right back with your present, okay? Jun: (giggling fit) Okay, Matt! One... Two.... (Matt jumps in the car) Matt: O-Okay, Dad, step on it. Jun: Three! Hiroaki: You want to... leave her here...? Jun: Four! Matt: Yep. Jun: Five! Hiroaki: You have a lot to learn about women, Matt. Jun: Six! Seven! Matt: Hmm, where did I hear that before? Jun: Eight! Nine! Ten! (Car drives away) Jun: Huh? Matt!? Where's my present!?

The dub also takes their second commercial break here.

Here is the answer for that awkward "You have a lot to learn about women". It was the setup for this follow-up gag. This utterance makes more sense but it's still a weak punchline.

I like that they have Jun's countdown continue through the entire scene. In the original, we can't hear her after Yamato gets in the car. This can make sense since they're in a vehicle, but Hiroaki's window is down; He rolls it up once they start driving. So it also makes sense that her voice would carry.

Returning from commercial, we join the team climbing the mountain of random trolleys, retracing Koushiro and Iori's footsteps.

Iori: It's up there! Everyone, please be careful.

While Iori gives the team a clear warning from his own personal experience, Miyako recklessly scrambles up the mountain at a feverish pace behind him. Hawkmon chases after her.

Hawkmon: Miyako-san! What did he just say, Miyako-san!?

Tentomon comes over the hill with bad news.

Tentomon: This is bad, guys! The Kaiser's base is gone! Takeru: What...?

Miyako is already at the top, but the other four children and their Digimon complete the climb at a reasonable, steady pace. Once they're at the top, they look out across the field of Dark Towers. Not only are all the Digimon gone, but sure enough, the entire structure of the Kaiser's base has vanished and left behind a gigantic hole. Armadimon confirms.

Armadimon: That weird building used to be where that hole is-dagyaa.

We came for a siege and found a mystery instead.

In the dub:

Cody: The Digimon Emperor's base is up here! Follow me! (Yolei recklessly scales the mountain behind Cody while he talks) Hawkmon: Yolei! This isn't a track meet! Tentomon: I hate to be a fly in your soup, but the Emperor's base is gone! T.K.: Huh? It can't be! Kari: Let's have a look! (The others climb the mountain) Cody: His base was right here! Davis: Maybe it was a mobile home. Armadillomon: Since he was leaving, he could have done the polite thing and taken those Control Spires with him.

It's always weird to me when the Jokey Ha Ha version removes jokes. The comical juxtaposition of Miyako frantically scrambling up the cliff in the same shot that Iori's telling everyone to be careful is swapped out for a Hawkmon making a quip.

But on the plus side, Davis's quip isn't exactly wrong and Armadillomon makes a valid point about the Emperor's rudeness. XD

It's at this moment that Tailmon notices that something else has disappeared too.

Tailmon: Huh? Where's Miyako? Hikari: THERE!!!

Hikari points down the hill, where Miyako is recklessly skidding down the mountainside to reach the bottom dangerously fast.

Miyako: YAHOOOOOO!!! Hawkmon: WAIT!!! PLEASE WAIT FOR US!!!

No deal, Buzzkillmon! Miyako's on a mission! She has something to prove! Mostly to herself!

The other children can't help but watch, be wildered, as Miyako hurls herself down a cliff. But eventually they all make it down and inspect the hole.

Daisuke: You're sure it was here? Iori: No question about it. But why is this big hole here now? Takeru: The whole base just up and vanished? Hikari: Vanished? But that... Patamon: What do we do? Takeru: Whatever we do, it's too late to turn back now. Daisuke: We search! I'm confident that we can find the Kaiser's base and destroy it.

It's a curve ball to be sure, but Takeru and Daisuke are still intent on forging ahead somehow.

In the dub:

Gatomon: Has anyone seen Yolei? Kari: Look down there. (Yolei's skidding down the mountain) Yolei: WHEEEEEE!!! Hawkmon: Yolei, can we take the scenic route!? (Reaction shot then everyone descends) Davis: Are you sure you saw it? Maybe it was a garage. Cody: (annoyed) You mean a mirage? Davis: No, I meant a place where the Digimon Emperor keeps his car. T.K.: How can a whole building simply disappear into thin air? Kari: Maybe Ken's friends with a really good magician. Patamon: What do we do? T.K.: We keep on looking. We promised not to leave until the base is destroyed! Davis: Leave it to me! I'll find his headquarters. All we have to do is follow the building tracks in the dirt!

Kari spotting Yolei lacks the sense of alarm and urgency that it should have. Similarly, Hawkmon's heart is in the right place with his quip but it's a little too casual. Both of them fail to really spotlight the complete absurdity of Yolei's method of descent, which should be perfect fodder for comical over-the-top reactions.

The scene then devolves into just... straight-up Davis slander. His two lines become two consecutive gags about what a dumb, useless clown he is.

At least throw the quips Yolei's direction. The centerpiece of this entire "big hole" scene is her ludicrous behavior. Why aren't we dunking on her?

Speaking of, Miyako has an idea.

Miyako: THE SKY!!!

Realizing they have left Miyako unsupervised, the team turns around to see her fucking scrambling up the side of a Dark Tower.

Group: Wha--!? Hawkmon: M-Miyako-san.... Miyako: YESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYES

Miyako reaches the top, perches on the Tower's point, and points dramatically into the sky.

Miyako: KAZOOM!!! It flew off into the sky! Hawkmon: That's enough, Miyako-san! Please come down from there! It's dangerous! Miyako: Wait a second....

Sharp cut to Tentomon cowering from Miyako's fierce interrogation.

Tentomon: Eeeeeegh.... Miyako: The jig is up! Time to come clean and CONFESS!!! WHERE IS THE KAISER'S BASE!?!? Hawkmon: ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND, MIYAKO-SAN!?!?

Yep, she's lost it. She is now fucking accusing Tentomon of treachery. Miyako dramatically spins around and thrusts her pointer finger out while declaring:

Miyako: The culprit... IS YOU!!!

I don't know if "犯人はお前か Han'nin wa... OMAE KA!!!" is, like, a stock phrase for detective stories. But it wouldn't surprise me if it is. It feels like she's referencing something. Though it could also be Ace Attorney; The first game came out a year prior.

Either way, smash cut to Hawkmon repeatedly bowing and apologizing profusely for Miyako's behavior.

Hawkmon: I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Miyako-san is just trying to contribute in her own way.... Tentomon: I'm not too upset about it... But she's doing something else now. Hawkmon: Eh?

What new shit is Miyako about to get on? We'll get to that in a moment. For now, the dub.

Yolei: UP HERE!!! Davis: Huh? (Yolei is climbing a Control Spire!?) Group: HUH!?!? Hawkmon: Yolei seems to be losing it!

Yolei does not say anything while she climbs; She just breathes heavily.

Yolei: I know what happened! The entire building just flew right up into the SKYYYYYY!!! Hawkmon: Ridiculous! If that happened, someone would have seen it. Yolei: That's right! (Cut to Tentomon interrogation) Yolei: It was you! Tentomon: ME!?!? Yolei: You were guarding this area the entire time we were gone! Now tell us what you saw OR ELSE!!! Hawkmon: Stop yelling at Tentomon, Yolei! He tried! (Dramatic point) Yolei: Well he should have TRIED HARDERRRRRR!!! (Cut to Hawkmon apologizing) Hawkmon: I'm terribly sorry, Tentomon. Yolei really doesn't mean any of this. She's been under a lot of strain lately. Tentomon: Well, must she yell at me!? Can't she take a yoga class or something? ...what's she doing now? Hawkmon: I'm not going to ask her as long as she has that hammer in her hand.

The manic energy is present but a lot weaker here. Rather than being at his wit's end and just begging Miyako to stop, Hawkmon earnestly engages with Yolei's bullshit. Yolei, in turn, listens to and engages with what Hawkmon is saying where Miyako is fully on her shit and beyond all reason.

Even her accusation of Tentomon is dialed back. Yolei accuses Tentomon of being negligent in his scouting duties, whereas Miyako goes whole hog and accuses him of betraying them to the Digimon Kaiser. She outright says that he did it. Tentomon made the base disappear. Somehow.

You get a much stronger sense that she has lost her goddamn mind with Miyako than with Yolei.

So... what's she doing now?

Miyako has somehow managed to locate a hammer, a piton, and a rope. She nails the rope into the ground at the edge of the hole, then turns back and salutes the team. Then, as if she were a soldier in an army, she declares:

Miyako: This is Inoue Miyako! I am descending to begin my investigation of the Digimon Kaiser's underground empire! Await my report! Hawkmon: M-Miyako-san! Group: (collective exasperated sigh)

So I guess that's a thing now. Allegedly.

When Miyako starts climbing down the rope, Hawkmon flies into the hole to try one last time to stop... all of this.

Hawkmon: Would you please stop this already? Let's just go back to the others and-- Miyako: Shut up! This adventure is nothing like the usual adventures we go on! Hawkmon: You're not even listening to me! Miyako/Hawkmon: I'M PREPARED FOR THIS!!! / WOULD YOU PLEASE LISTEN TO ME!?!?

All this screaming at each other in the hole awakens something down below. A lone Dokugumon tunnels up from the earth at the bottom of the hole, spotting Miyako and Hawkmon.

Dokugumon is an Adult-stage Virus-attribute Insect Digimon. We had a nasty run-in with one of them in Vamdemon's castle in the first series. After Vamdemon's forces departed for Japan, they were left behind to guard the Gate.

Narrator: Dokugumon! An Insect Digimon whose entire body has been parasitized by computer viruses. Their special attack is a fearsome poison attack called Stinger Poration!

That's still an awkward attack name, especially since it involves neither stingers nor poration.

In the dub:

Yolei: Troops, I'm off to scout the Digimon Emperor's underground empire! I'll report back soon with good news! Hawkmon: Yolei, wait for me! Group: (collective exasperated sigh) (Yolei descends into the hole; Hawkmon follows) Hawkmon: Yolei, what are you doing!? Are you losing your mind!? What has gotten into you lately!? Hawkmon/Yolei: Not to mention that this rock climbing escapade of yours is extremely dangerous! You'll (unintelligible) in more ways than one! / Leave me alone, Hawkmon! This adventure is different! I'm a highly motivated woman and I can achieve any goal I set my sights on! (Dokugumon emerges) Hawkmon: (rundown) Oh no! It's the dreaded Dokugumon! He's an Insect-type Digimon whose special attack is Poison Thread. You don't want to get caught up in his web!

Here, they capture the vibe of Hawkmon and Yolei screaming at each other, with the pair talking over each other so hard that I honestly can't make out part of Hawkmon's rant.

Hawkmon, at least, finally does sound like he's at his wit's end with all this. There is a tonal difference; He's accusatory and condescending where the original Hawkmon is desperate and pleading.

But Yolei just devolves into hurling generic feminism at Hawkmon where Miyako expressly connects her behavior to the insecurity that was haunting her earlier. She is drunk on 覚悟 kakugo and overcompensating. Yolei basically just yells "I'm a go-getter and you gotta deal with it!" at him.

The sight of Dokugumon suddenly breaks Miyako of her false bravado. Hanging from the rope, she quivers with fear, then screams at the top of her lungs.

Miyako: AHHHHHH!!!

Correct response. She is a fish in a barrel right now, so of course Dokugumon takes their shot. They open their mouth and fire their Stinger Poration, a spray of toxic purple gunk from their mouth.

Hawkmon: LOOK OUT!!!

Hawkmon shoves Miyako aside, getting hit full force by the poison instead.

Miyako: HAWKMOOOOOON!!!

Hawkmon goes limp in the air. Miyako swings back the other way before he can fall and catches him. The physics of that don't really work but it's fine. He had a Wile E. Coyote moment.

In the dub, Dokugumon calls their attack.

Yolei: AHHHHHH!!! Dokugumon: POISON THREAD!!! Hawkmon: YOLEI!!! (Hawkmon shoves Yolei out of the way and gets hit himself) Yolei: HAWKMOOOOOON!!!

It's not a thread either. It's a spray. But it is poison, so the dub is 1 for 2 against the original's 0.

Miyako's scream brings the rest of the team running to the cliff's edge.

Daisuke: What's going on, Miyako? Iori: Miyako-san!

Reaching the edge, they see Dokugumon surging forward down at the bottom of the hole.

V-mon: Daisuke! Daisuke: Yeah! DIGIMENTAL UP!!!

Armoring up, Fladramon throws himself into the hole with a furious battle roar.

Fladramon: HROOOOOOARGH!!!

Dokugumon reaches the cliffside and scurries up it, gunning for Miyako and Hawkmon. At the top, four children and three Digimon pull the rope to get Miyako back to safety. Miyako hangs from the rope by one hand while cradling her unconscious Digimon in the other.

Miyako: Hawkmon! Hawkmon! Hawkmon! Hawkmon! Hawkmon! HANG IN THERE!!!

In the dub:

T.K.: Hawkmon, Yolei, get out of there! (The children arrive at the cliff's edge) Veemon: Davis! Davis: Right! DIGI-ARMOR ENERGIZE!!! (Flamedramon Armor Digivolves) (Flamedramon silently rockets into the hole) Yolei: Hawkmon! Speak to me! Tentomon: Pull, everyone! Pull! Yolei: Hawkmon, hang on!

Daisuke's "What's going on?" makes a bit more sense than T.K.'s "Get out of there" as a thing to say before they've reached the edge of the cliff and seen what's happening. Though you could say that T.K., knowing the Digital World as he does, made some accurate inferences from the bloodcurdling scream that just emerged from the hole. He might not need context for that.

The biggest difference between versions is that Fladramon roaring like a Super Saiyan when he rockets towards Dokugumon is missing from the dub.

While the children pull Miyako up, Fladramon closes distance and unloads on Dokugumon.

Fladramon: KNUCKLE FIRE!!!

An unrelenting volley of fireblasts strike Dokugumon's face and body, driving them off the wall. They fall back into the hole, landing hard on their back.

Fladramon: FIRE ROCKET!!!

Wreathing himself in fire, Fladramon rockets straight down into Dokugumon's gut at the bottom and detonates.

At the top, the kids pull Miyako and Hawkmon over the side. Miyako jostles Hawkmon, trying to rouse him.

Miyako: Hawkmon! Hawkmon!

The blast wave erupts from the hole in a towering column of fire. With her back to the flames, Miyako lifts up Hawkmon and dramatically cries out:

Miyako: HAWKMOOOOOON!!!

Down at the bottom of the hole, Dokugumon's Evil Spiral comes off from the overwhelming force and disintegrates. A freed Dokugumon scurries away. Fladramon looks up at the cliff's edge, turning his attention topside.

Fladramon: ...Hawkmon....

Hawkmon. T_T

In the dub:

Flamedramon: FIRE ROCKET!!! (Flamedramon pummels Dokugumon and forces them off the wall) Flamedramon: FIRE ROCKET!!! (Flamedramon shoots down and explodes) Kari: We got you, Yolei. (The kids pull Yolei and Hawkmon over the side) Yolei: Hawkmon! Hawkmon! Hawkmon! (Blast wave column of fire) Yolei: HAWKMOOOOOON!!! Flamedramon: You're busted! (Dark Spiral disintegrates) Flamedramon: ...hmm....

Also Hawkmon. T_T

Despite having Flaming Fist as an alternate English attack to call, the dub calls both Knuckle Fire and Fire Rocket as Fire Rocket.

Also, in this version, Flamedramon gloats and only offers a nonverbal murmur of concern for Hawkmon.

V-mon returns to the top, where the others have laid out a large leaf for a bed that Hawkmon can rest on. They're all gathered around Hawkmon, except Miyako who's nowhere to be seen.

V-mon: Is Hawkmon okay? Daisuke: Yeah, he's managing.... Tailmon: We've treated his wounds for now, but.... Hikari: He'll need to rest here until he comes to.

Deeper in the forest, Miyako is on her knees and facing away from the rest of the group so they can't see her face. But her body is shaking and she can be heard sobbing.

Miyako: (crying) Hawkmon.... Hikari: (concerned) Miyako-san....

Hikari stands up and clutches the strings of her camera as if she's about to say something, but the words won't come. She falls silent. Then, after a few seconds, Miyako breaks the silence.

Miyako: Guys... Hikari: Ah? Miyako: I'm going to stay here and take care of Hawkmon.

She turns around to face everyone and speaks earnestly.

Miyako: So the rest of you should go track down the Kaiser's base! Daisuke: But-- Miyako: Please... I don't want to cause you anymore trouble....

Miyako stands there, letting them see the tears pouring down her face.

In the dub:

Veemon: How's Hawkmon doing? Davis: I think he'll be alright. We wrapped him up in bandages. Now we just have to keep him safe until he heals. He sure was brave saving Yolei like that!

You didn't see that happen, Davis.

Yolei: (crying) Hawkmon! Kari: Yolei...? (Kari can't find the words. A couple seconds pass.) Kari: Huh?

In the original, Hikari looks up suddenly when Miyako says "Guys...." The dub doesn't have that line, so Kari instead reacts to a psychic premonition that Yolei's about to say something.

Yolei: I'll stay here and take care of Hawkmon, okay? You guys... go out and find the Emperor's headquarters. Davis: But-- Yolei: I don't want to cause trouble for anyone else! Please just go!

This part's perfect.

The kids stare at Miyako in uncertain silence. Takeru speaks up, gently accepting Miyako's words.

Takeru: I understand. We'll do that.

At Takeru's agreement, Miyako stops crying.

Daisuke: You're right. We'll go. Iori: Yes. Hikari: I'm... staying here. Miyako: Hikari-chan.... Hikari: Another Digimon might show up, right? So we'll be bodyguards. Right, Tailmon? Tailmon: You can count on me.

Pleased with this arrangement, Miyako smiles and nods while Takeru lays down the plan.

Takeru: Got it. Then, if anything happens, we can keep in contact by email. Our locations are in the D-3. If we can't find the base by sunset, we'll come right back here. Iori: Well, we're leaving then. Daisuke: Be careful out here. Hikari: You too, Daisuke-kun! V-mon: Alright, let's get this done! Group: YEAH!!!

Hikari waves goodbye as the boys depart, leaving her alone with Miyako.

In the dub:

T.K.: Alright, then. We'll see you later. Yolei: Huh!? (Yolei stops crying) Davis: He's right. Let's go. Cody: Right! Kari: (sigh) I'll stay here. Yolei: You will? Kari: More of the Digimon Emperor's slaves might attack so we'd better have Gatomon around as a bodyguard. Gatomon: Good point. (Yolei smiles and nods) T.K.: Alright, if anything happens, we can always email each other. And you'll always know where we are through the D-3s. If we haven't found the base by nightfall, we'll come back here, okay? Kari: Okay. Cody: See you later! Davis: Be careful. Kari: Yeah, you too! Veemon: Oh, don't worry about us. We've got Davis! What could possibly go wrong? Kari: Ahahahaha!

They follow the script almost to the letter until the very end, then slot in an opportunity to shit on Davis. He had nothing to do with that catastrophe! He helped!

Once the others are gone, it's time for Hikari's true motive for hanging back: A heart-to-heart with Miyako.

Hikari: Miyako-san.... Miyako: Yes? Hikari: If this is about what I said yesterday... I'm sorry. Miyako: Huh? Hikari: When I said we need to prepare ourselves. Miyako: (smiling) No, it wasn't your fault. Don't worry about it. Hikari: (smiling) Yeah? Well, I'm sorry anyway.

It was kind of Hikari's fault because she provided the spark that lit Miyako's fire here. But there's more to it than just that, which Miyako will get to in subsequent scenes with Hawkmon. She doesn't blame Hikari for putting 覚悟 kakugo in her head. She has her finger pointed squarely at someone else.

It's Davis. This is Davis's fault. We can't go anywhere with that guy.

While Miyako and Hikari share this moment, Tailmon suddenly excuses herself so Hikari and Miyako can be alone.

Tailmon: Uh... Since this is a forest, there's probably some herbs that can help with the poison. I'll go look for some!

...I guess Tailmon ships it? IDK what that was about. I dunno, she probably means this sincerely and I'm just reading too much into her awkward "Uh..." at the start.

In the dub:

Kari: Hey, Yolei? Yolei: What? Kari: Well, I know you're trying to do what's right and win this battle and everything but you're going about it the wrong way. Yolei: Huh? Kari: I tried the same thing one time but I was wrong too. Yolei: (smiling) We have to work together as a team. Right, Kari? Kari: (smiling) Mhm! Now you get it. Gatomon: Well, I'm glad we got that straightened out. Now I'm gonna see if I can find some herbs to help Hawkmon.

Gatomon does not ship it. She's a diehard Takari much more sincere-sounding in her reason for leaving in the dub.

I'm gonna have to call "Citation Needed" on a time when Kari has ever gone in half-cocked full of piss and vinegar and then started throwing her weight around and making everything worse.

She... might mean when she surrendered herself to Phantomon but that was... very different. She wasn't just making reckless bad choices out of false bravado, and also Matt and Sora would have died if she hadn't. Matt was actively being killed at the time. She wasn't wrong; She was out of better options.

And that is the closest thing I can think of for what she could possibly be talking about here. She's always been a team player.

In any case, this is where the dub decided to go with this instead of the 覚悟 kakugo thing. Kari scolds Yolei for being bad at teamwork. Their takeaway from all that hyperactive madness a moment ago is that Yolei should have been more cooperative.

That hasn't really been a problem for her before. But it is now, and she's learned a valuable lesson from it.

Elsewhere, the rest of the team follow the trail of Dark Towers through the forest.

Iori: There's Dark Towers here too. Tentomon: Like we thought, these were built recently. Takeru: In any case, let's keep going. We might find the Kaiser's base this way.

A large oblong shadow creeps out over a vast cliffside far behind them, along with some sort of low mechanical rumbling sound. Iori hears that and turns around, spotting the shadow.

Iori: Huh? Armadimon: Iori? What's wrong-dagyaa? Iori: Eh... You see.... Armadimon, just now over there....

Armadimon briefly distracts him, pulling his eyes off the shadow. When he turns around to look and points at it, it's gone. Shadow's playing peekaboo.

Iori: Huh...? Daisuke: Hey, Iori! Hurry up! You almost got left behind! Iori: Ah, right, I'm on my way!

Leaving the mystery of the shadow behind, Iori jogs to catch up to the others.

In the dub:

Cody: There's a lot of Control Spires around here.... Tentomon: I know! I'm getting tired of all this construction in my beautiful forest! T.K.: Don't worry. When we're through here, this place will be good as new!

The dub gets the sound effect right! The low rumbling sound is there in both versions, giving Cody his proper impetus to react to. In fact, it's even louder in the dub; It's easy to miss it in the original.

Cody: Huh? Armadillomon: Hey, Cody? What's wrong? Cody: I'm not sure. I saw something. I don't know what it was but it came from over there. Some kind of a shadow. Davis: Hey! Cody! This isn't a tour! Come on! Cody: Oh, sorry. I'm coming!

A couple changes here. The dub trades the exposition on the forest Towers for a NIMBY quip.

Iori is startled when he turns back around to show Armadimon and the shadow isn't there anymore, but Cody seems to have anticipated that it'd have vanished. Which is a fair thing to anticipate as it was already halfway across the cliffside when he took his eyes off it.

Inside the Kaiser's Control Room, he's left Wormmon to work on the secret project.

This is an odd choice since, last time we saw them, the Kaiser told Wormmon that this project is none of his business. I... guess he changed his mind?

In any case, Wormmon sifts through data of various Digimon on the screen. First Snimon then Ebidramon and then Gokimon. Arriving at Garurumon, he isolates the legs and removes the rest of the body.

The Kaiser enters the control room.

Kaiser: I've located the Dark Whirlpool. Wormmon: We're almost finished.

The Kaiser takes over at the keyboard, bringing up the freshly acquired data from Kabuterimon. From this Digimon, he takes the head.

Kaiser: Just a little more... Huhuhu.... Wormmon: (worried) ...Ken-chan....

Wormmon fears where this is going.

In the dub, Wormmon talks to himself while working.

(Snimon) Wormmon: Next. (Ebidramon) Wormmon: Next. (Roachmon) Wormmon: Next. (Garurumon) Wormmon: Aha! (Wormmon isolates the legs) Emperor: I told you to be finished with that part an hour ago! Wormmon: Sorry, Master. I had to finish the dishes. (Emperor takes over and isolates Kabuterimon's head) Emperor: Heads, I win! Ehehehehehehe.... Wormmon: ...we lose.

The dub takes its third commercial break here. No mention is made of the Dark Whirlpool, which we will be visiting next episode.

Back in the forest, Miyako and Hikari tend to Hawkmon. They've swapped out the leaf bed for Miyako's lap and wait for him to recover. Slowly, he finally opens his eyes.

Hawkmon: M...Miyako-san? Miyako: Hawkmon! You're awake! Hikari: What a relief. Miyako: I'm sorry, Hawkmon..... Hawkmon: (weakly) Please... don't trouble yourself....

Hikari excuses herself to go find Tailmon and let them be alone. In the woods, she runs into Tailmon, who has indeed collected the herbs she promised.

Hikari: Ah! Tailmon: I found it! Here's the antidote. Hikari: Great! But... Let's hold off for a moment.

See, that one makes sense. Letting Miyako and Hawkmon have a quiet moment together while Hawkmon slowly dies of poison makes a lot more sense than the awkward moment Tailmon seemed to have a moment ago.

In the dub:

Hawkmon: ...where am I? Yolei: You're safe now. I'll take care of you. Kari: Just relax! Yolei: Hawkmon, what can I do to apologize? Hawkmon: Just... get off my tail.... (Kari excuses herself) Kari: Oh! Gatomon: I found catnip. It cures it all! Kari: Ehehe, okay. But let's give them a minute.

Jokier but basically the same.

Alone with Hawkmon, Miyako comes clean about her behavior.

Miyako: When I realized this was going to be the decisive battle with the Digimon Kaiser, I was so nervous that I just couldn't take it anymore. I guess I was trying too hard to be like the others. Hawkmon: Ahahaha.... Miyako: It was my fault that you got hurt. Once my switch is turned on, I can't really seem to stop myself. I'm sorry I'm not fit to be your Partner. Hawkmon: There's nothing to worry about. This is just the way you are, Miyako-san.

Hawkmon sits up from Miyako's lap so he can say what he needs to say in no uncertain terms. Upright, with his eyes closed and not looking at her, with a certain sense of dignity and samurai nobility.

Hawkmon: I like the way you are, Miyako-san. Miyako: (smiling, but voice cracking) Thank you! I know I'm clumsy and scatterbrained and prone to panic, but I'm glad we met! Hawkmon: As am I.

And then dignity goes right out the window when Miyako wraps him up in her arms and hugs him so tight we can hear his bones pop.

Hawkmon: Ack!

Hawkmon grunts and flails his wings more out of pain than protest. Then we wrap their talk up with a silent shot of Hikari and Tailmon quietly eavesdropping on the sweet scene.

In the dub:

Yolei: You see, I thought this was my chance to prove to myself that I was as strong as everyone else. I didn't realize that taking matters into my own hands could wind up hurting someone, especially you. I was too stubborn! Hawkmon: Ahahahahahahahaha! Yolei: Hawkmon, what happened to you today is all my fault. It's like, when my mind gets set on something, I just can't stop until I'm finished! I'll understand if you want to find someone else to be your Partner from now on. Hawkmon: You're missing the point, Yolei. Those qualities you describe are what makes you who you are. Yolei: Huh!? (Hawkmon sits up) Hawkmon: Yolei, I like you exactly the way you are. Yolei: Thank you! I promise to stubbornly attack my problem with being stubborn and I'll never do anything to hurt you again! Hawkmon: That's a relief. (painful hug) Hawkmon: (strained) You can start now!

The dub hits the overcompensating point and the "Yolei is just like this" point, while also sliding in the teamwork bit too.

I think they just wanted her to have a tangible lesson that she learns and changes from since the resolution between her and Hawkmon is "¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Miyako should keep right on Miyako-ing." So they wrote that scolding from Kari earlier to be the episode's actual "Moral of the Story" moment. Then, here, they riff on the emotional resolution from the original script; Though they still give the dramatic reconciliation its moment all the same.

Nightfall. The sun went down a long time ago and the woods are dark, though the boys haven't returned yet.

Hawkmon has made a full recovery. With Miyako watching him, he stretches his body and sings to test his vocal cords.

Hawkmon: (singing) Lalalalala Laaaaaa~! (speaking) Those herbs worked great! I feel perfectly fine now. (to Tailmon) Thank you. Tailmon: You're welcome.

Suddenly, that low rumbling sound that Iori heard earlier fills the woods.

Hikari: What's that sound?

The girls climb the mountain of random trolleys and climb out onto one of the cars so they can get a better look. In the distance, they see some sort of structure moving slowly through the air, all lit up with lights.

Miyako: What is that!? Tailmon: That's... It can only be the Digimon Kaiser's base! Hikari: You were right! It did fly off into the sky!

Hawkmon joins them on the car, unwrapping his bandages as he walks so the wind will carry them off dramatically like the samurai dork that he is.

Hawkmon: Miyako-san... Bingo, am I right? Miyako: (nods) Mhm.

The Kaiser's base has finally been located.

Inside, the Kaiser enters his control room once more.

Kaiser: Huhuhuhu... It's about to be born. My Original Digimon....

On the screen, an ominous silhouette appears. We close here on the image of the monster that the Kaiser is about to create.

For clarity, he calls this creature an "Original Digimon" in English. The phrase is オリジナルデジモン Orijinaru Dejimon. It probably doesn't need to be said but he means "original" as in this is a brand new creation that he is making, and not that this is somehow the Digimon Partner he had when he first became a Chosen Child.

It is an original creation he is making and not... his original Digimon. English! Also what he's calling "original" is clearly derivative. He's cutting and pasting pieces of already existing Digimon together. That's a fanfic. You made a fanfic Digimon, Ken.

In the dub, Hawkmon gives himself encouragement in place of singing.

Hawkmon: And one and two and one and two, flap those wings! (to Yolei) It's amazing. I haven't felt this good in years! And all because of catnip! Who knew!? (To Gatomon) Thanks, Gatomon. Gatomon: Go on... No, really, go on. I want to hear more. (Rumbling sound) Kari: Do you guys hear that noise? (Cut to mountaintop) Yolei: Let's climb out here where we can get a better look. Kari: What is that? Gatomon: It can only be one thing. It has to be the Digimon Emperor's base! Hawkmon: Yolei, I'm sorry we doubted you earlier. You were right. It is flying. Yolei: (nods) Mmm....

Solid. My one nitpick is that Yolei says "Let's climb out here" but she climbs out third. Kari and Gatomon are ahead of her, and that's a line that should be delivered by whoever's in front.

Emperor: Huhuhuhuhu... He's almost completed. My ultimate program.... Narrator: What sort of evil Digimon is the Emperor going to unleash on the DigiDestined? Find out on the next Digimon: Digital Monsters!

The Emperor sidesteps the confusion of "My original Digimon" by instead calling it his "ultimate program". Which is honestly perfect phrasing because his creation is a Perfect Digimon, or Ultimate in the dub. So I don't know if they did that on purpose but either way, nicely punned.

I'm honestly not sure if the Kaiser/Emperor even knows that the Ultimate/Mega stage exists. It would make sense if he doesn't. Those Digimon are ultra-rare and mythical.

Assessment: Not a lot happened this episode on the Digital World side of things. We found the base, unfound the base, and spent the rest of the episode trying to find it again. Lot of wheel-spinning as the plot takes a backseat to Miyako expressing herself and her emotional journey.

In a sense, this episode feels a little like Miyako overcompensating for the SkullGreymon incident, when she lost her nerve. Last time the situation ramped up, she was too scared to come back for a while. Here, she tries to get into gear and goes too hard. She needs to find a happy medium for when things get serious.

But regardless of where she falls, the one thing that's certain is that Hawkmon is with her no matter what.

And also Yamato has a stalker now. So that's fun. Celebrity life, amirite?

I think next episode is going to have the scene. One of my all-time favorite moments in the entire series. Looking forward to that.

[dr-spencer-reids-queen]

Reflection of Desire: Part Two

Pairing: Spencer Reid x Female!Reader

Word Count: ~2k

Warnings: canon violence, canon language, canon talk of death, methods of kill

Summary: Women are being kidnapped and are being posed as Hollywood Starlets after the unsub kills them. Washington DC police have called in your team for help.

Season Six Masterlist

Author’s Note: I do not own anything from Criminal Minds. All credit goes to their respective owners. If there are any warnings that exceed the normal death/kills from the show, I will list them.

x

You let the police handle the crime scene and the homeless man, and you head back to the police station with Derek and the detective. You walk in on Hotch talking to Penelope over speakerphone.

"I can't match the words, sir, but if they're from a film, it's got to be the 1950s."

"Are you sure?"

"Well, I looked at the picture that he sent of Kelly to the Monitor. Her foundation is like a pearl color and over it is this green powder. That powder gives it a whiter look. Her eyebrows are plucked and her cheeks are that flushed rose hue that is totally that era. What really seals it is the dark eyeliner. She has bedroom eyes. That was Marilyn Monroe's trademark."

"If Kelly's supposed to represent Monroe, then the text we found may be from one of Monroe's movies."

"Yeah, I know it's not much but--"

"No, no, no. It helps the profile." He pauses. "Garcia, I'm sorry if I embarrassed you when I asked about your play. I certainly didn't mean to."

A play? You didn't know Penelope was in a play. You decide not to interrupt their conversation and get some coffee from the break room instead of listening in. The detective leaves and heads to his office.

"Oh, I know. I just, um... I gotta ask you that you don't share that with anyone, please."

"Of course."

"Thank you. One other thing, I was thinking that since Kelly was missing for three days, and most stories--plays and films--have a three-act structure."

"That helps. Thank you."

He hangs up just as the detective leaves his office in a panic.

"Another woman has been abducted."

"We need to give the profile now."

Detective Croft gathers his men and women so that your team can deliver the profile.

"Penny Hanley, nineteen, lives in Arlington and works in an art gallery. Yesterday she didn't make it to work or back home. She caught the Metro to Union Station. Her father dropped her off. Her purse was found a few blocks away on a side street. It's most likely where she was abducted."

"Kelly was taken for three days. If he's holding to pattern, Penny's already on day two," Hotch says. "Today, the Georgetown Monitor will receive a photo. Whatever happens, we cannot allow another photograph like Kelly's to be published. We need to get ahead of the media. They've already named him 'The Hill Ripper'."

"I want undercover units to lock that building down," Detective Croft says. "If you see him, let him walk in. Do not apprehend him before."

"We're looking for a white male in his mid to late forties, approximately six feet tall and slim build. We think he's a local and a loner, and he's most likely unemployed. He's moving his victims around the city unseen, so we know he has a vehicle. It's probably an older model, but well maintained."

"What does he think this is?" an officer asks about the scripts that were found.

"A page from what we believe is a script was found inserted in Kelly's throat. Somehow in the unsub's mind, Kelly seems to have failed expectations. Although there were no sexual interactions ante or postmortem, the removal of the lips is in itself a sexual act. It's a behavior that tells us we're dealing with a borderline personality."

"Based on the obvious theatricality of the case, we think he worked in or around the arts. Three days may represent a three-act play, of which Kelly was the star. She was killed three days after she was abducted. That means Penny may only have a day left."

Since she took the metro, it's likely that the unsub saw her there. You, Spencer, Hotch, and Emily head to the metro station to scout it out. There are a ton of people walking around but you're trying to separate Penny and the unsub's energy. Spencer watches you walk around the place like you've lost something in admiration.

"This building has three exits--north, south, and west. He's here to target a woman, but he doesn't want to attract attention," Spencer mutters.

"Well, standing in the middle gawking at passing women, would certainly attract attention." Spencer watches you when you pass by him and smiles softly. "Like you're doing now."

"What's that?" Spencer asks, looking at Hotch.

"Just like that, an IQ of 187 is slashed to 60."

"Can you blame me? That's my future wife," Spencer grins.

"But sitting and reading the paper would give him an excuse to watch without being noticed," Hotch says, getting back on track. "Far enough away not to attract attention but close enough to make sure she's the right one. She works fifteen blocks east of here. Her father said she walked through this train station every day. If he were sitting here, he's on camera."

Hotch got with the station manager and was allowed camera access.

"How many cameras cover the area?" Hotch asks.

"Three, but only two are operable. It's cameras eight and seven."

"Can you go back to yesterday around four?"

"Sure."

The man chooses camera seven and goes back to the moment when Penny walks through the station. There is a man sitting on one of the benches when noticing Penny, gets up to follow her. However, a little girl was walking in front of Penny and stopped to talk to the man.

"Can you bring up camera eight?" The man does. "Can you enlarge it and keep it rolling, please?" He does, and you can see the same young girl who stops the unsub. "See the girl walking in front of the man?"

"He's seen Penny."

"Can you go back to the exact moment that he sat down?" Spencer asks. "Freeze it right there." He does, and you look at the time that he sat down. "Okay, calculating the timecode from the moment that he left the station, he sat there for over three hours."

"We profiled he has his own vehicle. It was the only way he could abduct Penny off the street. Three hours exceeds any parking meter. Get all this footage to Garcia."

The place where the unsub grabbed Penny was at a high-risk area but possible. He used chloroform which is outdated but efficient. Luckily, you got footage of the unsub stalking Penny and following her even though his back is turned to the camera the entire time. Since the limit for the parking meters is two hours, then hotch seems to think he must have some kind of permit that would allow him to park there for long hours, and Penelope is doing her research on people with special permits.

It's unlikely he can hold down a job so you don't think he'll have a work permit. The only kind of permit that would work is a residential permit since it would give him all the time he needs. However, the permits are separated by zones which means he lives in this area, and Detective Croft is going to shut down the area until you find him.

"We closed off the entire area. Cops are all over it," Derek informs when you get back to the station. "They're going door to door where it's a five-block-radius with over two thousand homes."

"Unless they get lucky, that could take days," Emily sighs.

"Undercover units have staked out the Georgetown Monitor building. Garcia, anything on the footage?" Hotch asks Pen over speakerphone.

"The lab is analyzing it frame by frame, but it was pretty clear he doesn't know those cameras are on him."

"Permits?"

"I cross-checked with the profile and have come up with six hundred potentials."

"Garcia, what zone covers Rykers Alley, M Street, and Charlotte Street?"

"Two zones."

"That doesn't help," Derek sighs.

"Come on, I'm the high priestess of all things digital, but I'm not a God."

"What permits covers all zones?" you ask.

"Only one. Disabled."

"This guy isn't disabled."

"Maybe he knows someone who is," you say.

Detective Croft comes in carrying a black-and-white picture of Penny.

"A kid on a BMX dropped this off at the Monitor a half hour ago. He said a bum gave him twenty bucks."

"At least he didn't make the news. It buys us some time, right?"

"Until he finds another way to contact the media," Spencer points out.

"We'll do it for him. Garcia, I need you here as soon as possible."

"Sure, what for?"

"We need him to break cover and get out in the open. Call a press conference with every major media outlet present."

"Oh, I am not the one you want in front of that camera," she panics.

"Yes, you are. Detective, we need every available unit."

The meeting is disbanded but the call is still connected to Penelope. She is freaking out at being put in front of cameras, but how can she be shy when she is doing a play?"

"Hey. You're gonna be fine," Derek says.

"No, I will not be fine. I will suck. I will suck. What happens then?"

"Penelope, stop it. We just gotta buy some time to get ahead of this guy."

"He'll be watching, won't he?"

"I'm gonna be right by your side. Now get your butt over here."

While Penelope is on her way over here, Hotch gets the press conference set up in the same metro station where the unsub saw Penny. Penelope shows up and is nervous as hell to be doing this. She's so nervous that it's rubbing off you, so you keep your distance from her while still being close enough to hear what she's saying to Hotch.

"Sir, I've thought about this and I've decided it's a bad idea."

"All you have to do is stay calm. Don't let the room control you."

"How am I supposed to do that?"

"Keep your answers short and to the point. Don't comment on the Kelly Landis case. Keep the focus on Penny."

"No, sir, I don't think you understand. I have a phobia about having a video camera even pointed at me. I get all nervous and I start to panic and I forget what I'm gonna say and my hands get all sweaty and then my hands start to shake. My hands are shaking right now. I cannot do things I am not good at, and I am not good at being in a room full of strange people. That's why I stay in a room six by nine feet. I feel safe there."

"Garcia, what about the Tolgate Theater?"

"Tolgate Theater?" Emily asks, butting in.

You feel shame and embarrassment coming from Penelope. It's like she doesn't want anyone to know that she's in a play. You walk over to her and she sighs in frustration.

"What's that?" Rossi asks.

"It's a small repertory theater on Dean Street where they do a lot of--"

"Reid, we know what it is," Derek cuts him off.

"That is not the same thing," Penelope hisses at Hotch.

"Garcia--"

"I--I can't even look at you right now. I am mad. I asked you not to say anything!"

"We need him to see a face and a look that he recognizes."

"Well, he likes blondes and I have red hair now."

"We can change that. Toward the end, Morgan's gonna hand you a note. Take a moment, let the group settle, and when you have everyone's attention, read it out. You're gonna be fine. This isn't about the unsub. It's about the girls. For him, it's all about making Penny famous."

"Then aren't we helping him realize his dream?" Penelope asks.

"Come on. If we get this right, we end that dream. The press is calling him the Hill Ripper. They're gonna want to sensationalize this story even further. Now, they're gonna ask you how long he kept Kelly. They're gonna ask you how she died. Did he stab her? Did he torture her? Did he rape her? How many others has he killed? Garcia, you have to make it about Penny. You let whoever has her know that the entire world is watching, and then you make Penny the star. All we gotta do is get this guy to move." Penelope doesn't look sure. "Hey. You can do this, baby girl. Give me your bag."

"Okay," she whispers and hands him her bag.

"Pen." She looks at you. "If you can go on stage and perform in front of hundreds of people, you can do this. Pretend you're not doing this for someone's life. Pretend it's lines you're preparing for a scene."

"Thanks," she nods.

"You got it, babe," you wink.

x

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[marysdonuts]

I've been thinking for some days about nerd hoshi who is always at the library studying and t/n who relieves his stress in the public bathrooms of the library.

old fashioned nerd!hoshi x bold!reader

What exactly happened to men along these years? Didn't they use to go to war, discover new lands, conquer continents? They built awe-inspiring structures, sculpted impossible shapes into slaps of marble, wrote letters that to this day make people's hearts ache. All this for what? To throw it away the moment women didn't need to be courted anymore.

Kwon Soonyoung was sitting in less than occupied library, surrounded by books, studious as ever. Working on his history project he suddenly wondered what brought mankind to it's current self destructive pattern. Was it the greed? The pride? Laziness perhaps. We became too comfortable to fight for what we love.

Browsing yellowish pages of thick textbook in front of him, couldn't help but shake head in disgust. Chivalry was not dead. He was committed to bring upon its renaissance.

So when you, not so subtly, slipped a note "meet me in the bathroom"... Swallowing hard, it provoked moral conflict between righteousness and basic instinct.

Hoshi's been sitting in that spot for hours, one eye on you, one on the scripts. Gentleman side of him planned to invite you for dinner long time ago, wine and dine you, sweep you off your feet, dance in the rain.. All romantic clichés he loved so dearly. However the coward side didn't allow him to make even tiny move on person so beautiful and pure like you.

Now, you can imagine just how dumbfounded your bold initiative left him. Heart sprinting 350 beats per minute, forehead covered with dew but most importantly - blistering sensation rising from below abdomen.

Feet shuffling faster than high principles. Before he knew it, Soonyoung was pulling you closer in restroom stall. Confined space making both hearts race. Hot lips exchanging secrets of feelings unsaid. He was melting under your touch as much as did you.

"W-wait a second! Why are we doing this? Not that I mind or anything.. You are just so beautiful, is it really okay?" Hoshi's rational mind finally catching up

"Well, saw you fighting your inner demons over there for about.. three hours? Though you might appreciate little boost of morale." mischievous look in your eyes, hands caressing each chubby cheek, squishing them together

Embarrassed by how easily you managed to read him, Soonyoung tried to cover his burning red face. To no avail.

"Ugh, I had lot on my mind...but by the look of it, I will have to fight the outer demons now" Doing his best not to meet your thrilled gaze, pointing at the growing situation in his pants

"Easy fix" the self assured tone of your voice, hands already working on his cock. You loved to please but what you loved more was making cute, nerdy boys whine. Pressing against him, hot lips silencing defenceless cries, those adorable whimpers only fuelling your determination, grip getting tighter.. Seeing him so vulnerable, completely at your mercy would be enough to take you over the edge.

Hoshi found himself in situation from his wildest dreams. Public setting, rhythmic touch working its magic, your tongue torturing his.. Seeing you so hot and bothered, getting off at the sight of him, absolutely refusing to yield until he was taken care of... It was too much for baby hamster. Getting caught up in the mood, leaving all his morals behind, he fully gave himself to the sensation.

Vision fading to black Soonyoung experienced his first out of body experience.

//

"Next time allow me to take you out for dinner?" Utterly ashamed by his inappropriate actions Soonyoung finally gathered up the courage to ask you out.

"I would like that"

[tatumrileyslover]

Beneath Still Waters

A Stain On Summer [1]

Summer at Mason's Creek Summer Camp: where ghost stories come to life and campers vanish without a trace. As bloody clues surface and dark secrets emerge, a counselor finds herself at the center of a terrifying mystery. In these woods, trust is a luxury she can't afford - because the next victim could be her.

🏕 jungkook x reader x jimin

🏕 word count: 6.0k

🏕 warnings: not a lot of major warning for these first few chapters. Some blood mentioned. A little bit of jealousy. the horror element aren’t present in these first few chapters but be aware if it’s not a genre you like reading that the story contains murder and gore in later chapters <3

🏕 notes: I came up with this idea while replaying the quarry, which really inspired me to write this because I don’t think I’ve seen anyone write anything like this yet so please enjoy <3 also please comment to lmk if you guys actually liked this or not :P

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The bright rays of sunlight filtered through the dense canopy of pine trees, casting long shadows across the well-worn path to the amphitheater. (Y/n) who struggled to wrangle a stray group children, her arms full of scripts and prop lists, paused for a moment to breathe in the crisp morning air. Four weeks into her stint as a counselor at Mason's Creek Summer Camp, and she still found herself in awe of the natural beauty surrounding her. Sure, it was still almost impossible to hear the birds chirping over the constant chattering of the children, but being out in nature had a calming effect like no other.

The amphitheater, a rustic wooden structure nestled in a small clearing, not too far from the camp itself, came into view as (Y/n) rounded the final bend. Weather-beaten benches arranged in a semicircle faced a makeshift stage, where a group of eager campers were already gathering. Their excited chatter filled the air, a stark contrast to the serene forest backdrop.

(Y/n) smiled, adjusting her load as she approached. "Alright, thespians," she called out, her voice carrying across the clearing. "Who's ready to bring some Shakespeare to life?"

A chorus of enthusiastic responses greeted her, and (Y/n) felt a familiar thrill of excitement. This was why she loved being the Arts and Performance counselor. The energy, the creativity, the sheer joy of watching these kids discover their talents – it never got old.

Some of the bright faces talked happily among themselves, prepping for the morning activities, while others scoffed down the remaining remnants of breakfast - which (Y/n) had missed out on. She had been holed up in the Camp Director's Office since the sun began to rise, stuck to the ancient printer that wheezed and groaned with each page it reluctantly produced. Getting all the scripts in order had taken longer than she'd anticipated, but she was determined to have everything ready for the day's drama workshop.

As she began distributing scripts, her eyes scanning the excited faces of her campers, (Y/n) caught sight of a familiar figure jogging towards them. Jimin, his silver hair catching the morning light, waved as he approached. A small group of young girls near the edge of the group erupted into giggles, nudging each other and stealing glances at him.

"Sorry I'm late," he said, slightly out of breath. "Hoseok needed help with a last-minute change to the afternoon activities."

(Y/n) felt a wave of relief wash over her. "Jimin, I almost thought you weren't going to come. I was starting to think I'd have to manage this bunch alone."

He grinned, slapping her shoulder playfully. "And leave you to fend for yourself? Not a chance. Is that what you think of me?"

"Can you help some of those girls with their lines? They're still struggling with Act Two." She slapped a script to his chest with a smile.

As Jimin moved to assist a group of eager campers, who giggled as he approached, (Y/n) couldn't help but smile. There was an ease to their partnership, a natural rhythm they'd fallen into over the weeks. She couldn't have been more relieved that they had promised to help each other out before camp had started, not wanting to think of how she would deal with the hyperactive children by herself. She watched as he patiently guided the kids through their lines, his enthusiasm infectious.

After setting the older campers to work on their scenes, (Y/n) made her way back to where Jimin was sitting. She plopped down next to him, their shoulders brushing.

"How's it going over here?" she asked, nodding towards the group of kids now animatedly acting out their parts.

Jimin chuckled. "I think we might have a few future Broadway stars on our hands. Did you see the dramatics earlier?"

(Y/n) laughed, the tension from her hectic morning melting away. "Oh, it was Oscar-worthy for sure."

They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, watching the campers' enthusiastic, if slightly chaotic, performances. Without thinking, (Y/n) leaned her head on Jimin's shoulder, a gesture born from years of familiarity.

"Thanks again for coming to help," she said softly. "I don't know what I'd do without you here."

Jimin's reply was warm. "Always, (Y/n)."

As they watched the impromptu performances unfold, trading quiet jokes and observations, (Y/n) felt grateful for this moment of peace amidst the usual camp chaos. She caught sight of Jimin's little fan club stealing glances their way and suppressed a smirk. However, their quiet companionship was soon interrupted as one of the younger campers approached, tugging on (Y/n)'s sleeve needing assistance with some props. 

The sound of laughter drew (Y/n)'s attention back to the stage, where two campers were attempting an overly dramatic interpretation of a scene from "Romeo and Juliet." She stifled a chuckle, moving closer to offer guidance.

As the rehearsal progressed, the forest around them grew darker, the shadows deepening between the trees. (Y/n) found herself glancing at the tree line more frequently, an uneasy feeling settling in her stomach. Maybe it was the ghost stories Taehyung had been telling at the campfire the night before, or maybe it was something else entirely, but she couldn't shake the sensation of being watched.

The forest seemed to press in closer, the spaces between the trees now pitch black. She shook her head, trying to dispel the creeping sense of unease. It was just her imagination, she told herself. Just the power of suggestion after too many campfire tales.

But as the rehearsal continued, (Y/n) couldn't quite convince herself that everything was as it should be. Something had changed at Camp Mason's Creek, a subtle shift in the atmosphere that she couldn't quite put her finger on. 

The Arts and Crafts cabin stood as a haven of creativity amidst the bustling camp grounds. As (Y/n) pushed open the heavy wooden door, she was greeted by the familiar earthy scent of wet clay that permeated the air. The midday sun streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows at the front of the room, casting long shadows across the worn wooden floorboards and illuminating specks of dust dancing in the air.

(Y/n) paused for a moment, taking in the scene before her. The large, open space was filled with tables of various sizes, each covered with plastic sheets to protect them from the inevitable mess. Shelves lined the walls, laden with an assortment of finished and half-finished projects – a testament to the campers' creativity over the weeks.

"Alright, everyone," (Y/n) called out, clapping her hands to get the attention of the excited campers filing in behind her. "Find a spot and we'll get started on our pottery project."

The room quickly filled with the sound of chatter and scraping chairs as the children settled into their places. (Y/n) moved between the tables, distributing lumps of clay and making sure everyone had the tools they needed.

"Remember," she said, raising her voice to be heard over the excited murmurs, "we're focusing on hand-building today. For those of you who want to try the wheel, we'll have time for that later in the week."

As the campers began to work, (Y/n) circulated the room, offering guidance and encouragement. She paused at one table where a young girl named Mia was frowning at her lump of clay.

"Everything okay, Mia?" (Y/n) asked, crouching down beside her.

Mia looked up, her brow furrowed in concentration. "I can't get it to look right," she said, gesturing at her misshapen attempt at a bowl.

(Y/n) smiled reassuringly. "That's okay. Remember, pottery isn't about perfection. It's about expressing yourself." She reached over, gently guiding Mia's hands. "Try pressing here, and smoothing it out like this."

As Mia's face lit up with renewed determination, (Y/n) felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned to find Max, one of the older campers, holding up a blob of clay that vaguely resembled a face.

"Miss (Y/n), is this good enough for a self-portrait?" he asked, a mischievous glint in his eye.

(Y/n) bit back a laugh. "Well, Max, I think you've captured your essence perfectly. Maybe try adding some more hair, it looks like you're balding."

The room was soon filled with the sounds of laughter, concentration, and the occasional frustrated sigh. The whir of some of the pottery wheels added a rhythmic backdrop to the creative chaos. (Y/n) found herself lost in the joy of it all, moving from table to table, offering a word of advice here, a helping hand there.

She was in the middle of demonstrating how to attach a handle to a mug when a knock at the door caught her attention. Looking up, she saw Jungkook leaning against the doorframe, a mischievous grin on his face.

"Archery finished early," he said, stepping into the room. "Thought I'd come see if you needed any help."

(Y/n) raised an eyebrow, fighting back a smile. "Help, or make a mess?"

Jungkook clutched his chest in mock offense. "I'll have you know I'm an excellent potter. A modern day Michelangelo with clay."

The younger campers perked up at his arrival, excited whispers rippling through the room. (Y/n) couldn't help but notice the way some of the older girls suddenly became very interested in their work, stealing glances at Jungkook when they thought no one was looking.

"Alright, Michelangelo," (Y/n) challenged, gesturing to an empty wheel. "Show us what you've got."

Jungkook rolled up his sleeves, confidence radiating from every pore as he sat down at the wheel. "Watch and learn, kids. This is how you make a vase."

What followed was possibly the most disastrous attempt at pottery (Y/n) had ever witnessed. Clay flew in all directions as Jungkook struggled to control the wheel, his "vase" looking more like a formless lump with each passing second.

"Oops," he said, grinning sheepishly as a glob of clay landed on his cheek. "I meant to do that. It's abstract art."

The campers giggled, thoroughly entertained by the spectacle. (Y/n) shook her head, unable to keep the amusement off her face as she moved behind him.

"Here, let me help," she said, reaching around to guide his hands. "You need to center the clay first."

The moment her hands touched his, (Y/n) felt a jolt of electricity run through her. She was suddenly very aware of how close they were, of the warmth of his back against her chest. Jungkook turned his head slightly, their faces inches apart, and for a moment, the rest of the room seemed to fade away.

"Like this?" he asked softly, his voice sending a shiver down her spine.

(Y/n) swallowed hard, forcing herself to focus on the clay. "Y-yeah, just... gentle pressure. Let the clay guide your hands."

As they worked together, (Y/n) became aware of the hushed whispers and giggles from the campers around them. She caught snippets of their conversations - "They're so cute!" "Do you think they like each other?" - but she was too distracted by Jungkook's presence to pay much attention.

Finally, they managed to shape something vaguely resembling a vase. (Y/n) stepped back, her cheeks flushed. "See? Not so hard."

Jungkook grinned up at her. "I had a great teacher. Maybe next time you can show me how to make a bowl?"

(Y/n) rolled her eyes, but couldn't hide her smile. "Maybe next time you should stick to archery."

As Jungkook stood up from the pottery wheel, (Y/n) noticed the smear of clay still on his cheek. Without thinking, she reached out, her hand cupping his face gently.

"Hold still," she said softly, using her thumb to wipe away the clay. "You've got a little..."

Their eyes met, and (Y/n) suddenly realized how intimate the gesture was. Jungkook's skin was warm under her touch, his gaze intense. For a moment, they both seemed to forget where they were.

"There," (Y/n) said, her voice barely above a whisper as she lowered her hand. "All clean."

Jungkook's lips curved into a slow smile. "Thanks," he murmured, his eyes never leaving hers.

The spell was broken by a giggle from nearby, reminding them both that they were surrounded by campers. (Y/n) stepped back, her cheeks flushing as she turned to address the class, acutely aware of Jungkook's gaze still on her.

The rest of the session passed in a blur, with Jungkook moving around the room, charming the campers and occasionally catching (Y/n)'s eye with a wink or a smile that made her heart skip a beat. He proved to be surprisingly good at helping the younger kids, patiently guiding their small hands and offering enthusiastic praise for even the most misshapen creations.

As the session wound down and the campers began cleaning up, (Y/n) found herself both relieved and disappointed that it was over. She watched as Jungkook helped some of the younger kids wash their hands, marveling at how good he was with them.

"Thanks for your help," she said as he approached her, wiping his hands on a towel. "Even if you did turn the place into a war zone."

Jungkook laughed, running a hand through his hair and leaving a streak of clay behind. "What can I say? I'm a man of many talents. Some of them are even useful."

Before (Y/n) could respond, they were interrupted by the sound of shouting outside. Looking out the window, they saw a group of campers arguing over a football.

Jungkook sighed. "Duty calls. Can't let them have all the fun without me. See you at dinner?"

(Y/n) nodded, watching as he jogged out to break up the fight. As she turned back to oversee the final cleanup, she couldn't shake the lingering warmth of his touch, or the way her heart raced when he smiled at her.

As the last of the campers filed out, clay-covered masterpieces being shoved in a windowsill to let dry out. (Y/n) began the task of cleaning up. She moved around the room, wiping down tables and organizing supplies, her mind replaying the afternoon's events. She thought about the way Jungkook's eyes had crinkled when he laughed, the gentle pressure of his hands under hers as she guided him on the wheel.

(Y/n) sighed, tossing a clay-covered rag into the sink. It was just a harmless flirtation, she told herself. Nothing more. But as she locked up the craft cabin and headed towards the dining hall, she couldn't quite convince herself that was true.

The smell of dinner wafted across the camp, mingling with the earthy scent of the forest and the lingering aroma of clay on her clothes. Eden took a deep breath, pushing thoughts of Jungkook to the back of her mind. There were still hours left in the day, more activities to oversee, more campers to look after.

But as she walked, she couldn't help but look forward to dinner, the smell of food made her stomach rumble as she realised she hadn't eaten anything since last night's dinner. Quickly, she locked up the cabin and made her way to the mess hall that ushered in hoard of ravenous children.

The mess hall buzzed with excitement, a cacophony of laughter, clattering utensils, and animated chatter filling the air. Long wooden tables stretched from end to end, their surfaces scarred with years of summer memories carved by eager campers. Overhead, strings of fairy lights twinkled softly, complementing the warm glow of the setting sun that streamed through the large windows.

The aroma of tonight's special dinner - barbecue ribs, corn on the cob, and s'more brownies for dessert - wafted from the kitchen, eliciting eager anticipation from campers and counselors alike. It was a feast to mark the halfway point of the summer, and the excitement was palpable.

(Y/n) sat at the counselors' table, Jimin on one side and an empty seat on the other. She couldn't help but notice Jungkook's absence, probably still being held up by the children fighting over the football. Her gaze drifted across the room, taking in the scene.

At the far end of the table, Yoongi sat slightly apart, picking at his food and occasionally glancing up at the chaos around him with a mix of amusement and mild exasperation. Jin and Namjoon had their heads together at a small table near the kitchen, deep in discussion about what (Y/n) assumed were camp logistics.

"So," Jimin said, his voice snapping her out of her trance, a hint of something in his voice, "I heard Jungkook paid you a visit during arts and crafts."

(Y/n) felt heat rise to her cheeks. "News travels fast around here, doesn't it?"

Taehyung leaned in, eyes sparkling with interest. "Oh? Do tell!"

"There's nothing to tell," (Y/n) insisted, perhaps a bit too quickly. "He just stopped by and made a mess with the pottery wheel."

"Uh-huh," Jimin said, his tone teasing but with an undercurrent (Y/n) couldn't quite place. 

"So," Taehyung cut in, leaning across the table with a mischievous glint in his eye, "who's ready for some ghost stories tonight?"

Hoseok groaned dramatically, dropping his fork. "Come on, Tae. You know those stories give me nightmares."

"Aww, is our Hobi scared of the big bad ghosts?" Taehyung teased, reaching over to pinch Hoseok's cheek.

Hoseok swatted his hand away, pouting. "I'm not scared! I just... appreciate a good night's sleep, that's all."

Jimin chuckled, nudging (Y/n). "Maybe we should pair Hoseok with some of the older kids tonight, yeah? For protection."

(Y/n) smiled, about to respond when Jungkook finally arrived, sliding into the empty seat beside her. His hair was slightly damp, and he smelled faintly of grass and sweat.

"Sorry I'm late," he said, flashing a grin that made (Y/n)'s heart skip a beat. "Had to settle a dispute over the last soccer ball. Looks like I missed the ribs, though." He eyed (Y/n)'s plate hopefully.

"Don't even think about it, Jeon," (Y/n) warned, but she was already pushing her plate towards him.

As Jungkook settled in, his arm brushing against (Y/n)'s, she noticed Jimin tense beside her. The silver-haired counselor's knuckles whitened around his fork.

"Well," Jimin said, standing abruptly, his chair scraping loudly against the floor. "I should go clean up some of the swimming equipment. Make sure they're all ready for tomorrow."

(Y/n) frowned, watching him leave. "Is everything okay with Jimin?" she asked, turning to the others.

Taehyung waggled his eyebrows suggestively. "Oh, I think our Jiminie is just feeling a little... left out." He called after Jimin's retreating form, "Don't forget to bring your teddy bear to the campfire, Jimin-ah!"

Jimin's only response was a half-hearted wave without turning back.

As the meal progressed, the excitement among the campers grew. Younger kids bounced in their seats, their voices rising in pitch and volume. The older campers gave an air of cool nonchalance, but (Y/n) could see the anticipation in their eyes for the afternoon's festivities.

(Y/n)'s gaze drifted across the mess hall, taking in the scenes of summer joy. But in a far corner, she noticed two older campers with their heads close together, whispering intently. The girl – Rose, one of (Y/n)'s drama students – glanced furtively around before leaning in even closer to the boy, Jason.

Frowning slightly, (Y/n) stood up, intending to check on them. But before she could take a step, Jin's voice cut through the chatter.

"Attention, everyone!" he called out, standing at the front of the hall. The room gradually quieted, all eyes turning to the camp director. "As you all know, tonight marks the halfway point of our summer together at Mason's Creek Summer Camp."

A cheer went up from the campers, and Jin smiled, waiting for quiet to return. "Tonight's campfire is special. For the first time this summer, all of our campers, from the youngest to the oldest, will gather together around the fire. It's a chance for us to come together as one camp family, to share stories, songs, and maybe," he glanced at Taehyung with a wry smile, "a scare or two."

More cheers and a few nervous giggles rippled through the crowd.

"So," Jin continued, "in fifteen minutes, we'll all meet at the big fire pit. Counselors, make sure your groups are accounted for and bring extra blankets. It's going to be a chilly night!"

As Jin finished speaking, a flurry of activity erupted in the mess hall. Campers began clearing their plates, chattering excitedly about the night ahead. Counselors moved between tables, organizing their groups and answering a barrage of questions.

(Y/n) felt a hand on her arm and turned to find Jungkook looking at her, his eyes sparkling with anticipation. "Ready for all these scary stories?" he asked, his voice low and playful.

She felt a flutter in her stomach but managed to roll her eyes, as she pushed her finger against his chest. "Just try not to scream too loud when Taehyung starts his ghost stories, okay?"

Jungkook clutched his chest in mock offense. "Me? Scream? Never! I'll have you know I'm very brave."

"Uh-huh," (Y/n) teased, "Is that why you slept with your flashlight on after last week's zombie story?"

Their laughter mingled with the excited voices around them as they began to herd their group towards the door. As they left the warmth of the mess hall, the cool evening air nipped at their skin, carrying with it the promise of a night filled with mystery.

As the campers began to file out, (Y/n) noticed Rose and Jason lingering behind, still deep in conversation. She made a mental note to keep an eye on them during the campfire.

The path to the fire pit was alive with excitement. Younger campers skipped ahead, their voices carrying through the darkening woods, while the older ones walked with an air of cool nonchalance that didn't quite hide their anticipation.

The sun had begun its descent, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink as (Y/n) and Jungkook led their group of campers down the winding path to the campfire. The excited chatter of the kids filled the air, punctuated by the occasional hoot of an owl or rustle in the underbrush.

As they approached the clearing, the smell of woodsmoke mingled with the earthy scent of the forest. The campfire came into view, a beacon of warmth and light in the gathering dusk. Campers were already spreading blankets on the ground and arranging themselves in a wide circle around the flames.

(Y/n) did a quick headcount of her group, frowning slightly when she realized Rose and Jason were missing. She was about to mention it to Jungkook when Taehyung's group burst into the clearing, their counselor wearing an elaborate headdress made of leaves and twigs.

"Make way for the forest spirits!" Taehyung announced dramatically, earning giggles from the younger campers and eye-rolls from the older ones.

"Tae, you look ridiculous," (Y/n) laughed, momentarily distracted from her concerns.

Taehyung struck a pose. "Ridiculous? I'll have you know this is the height of woodland fashion."

As they helped their campers settle, spreading blankets and passing out s'mores supplies, (Y/n) found herself swept up in the excitement. The sun sank lower, the sky deepening to a rich purple. Soon, the only light came from the roaring campfire, casting flickering shadows that danced at the edge of the woods.

(Y/n) couldn't shake a feeling of unease as she glanced at the dark line of trees surrounding them. In the daylight, the forest was a place of adventure and discovery. But now, with the flames throwing strange shadows and the darkness pressing in, it felt almost menacing. She shivered, pulling her jacket closer.

"Cold?" Jungkook's voice came from beside her, startling her out of her thoughts.

"No, just... the woods seem different at night, don't they?"

Jungkook nodded, his eyes scanning the treeline. "Yeah, it's like they're hiding secrets."

Before (Y/n) could respond, Taehyung cleared his throat loudly. "Gather 'round, campers and counselors alike! It's time for a tale of terror!"

The campers hushed, leaning in eagerly as Taehyung began his story. His voice dropped to a dramatic whisper as he spun a tale of a killer who stalked the woods, preying on unsuspecting campers.

As the story progressed, (Y/n) found her attention wandering. Her eyes drifted over the circle, taking in the reactions of the other counselors. Hoseok was visibly uncomfortable, jumping at every dramatic pause. Yoongi seemed unimpressed, occasionally rolling his eyes at the more outlandish parts of the tale.

Her gaze settled on Jungkook, and she found herself admiring the way the firelight played across his features, highlighting the sharp line of his jaw and the intensity in his eyes as he listened to the story. She quickly looked away when he glanced in her direction, feeling a warmth in her cheeks that had nothing to do with the fire.

It was then that (Y/n) noticed Jimin's absence. She frowned, wondering if he was still upset from dinner. Knowing Jimin, he had probably thrown himself into work, losing track of time. She made a mental note to check on him after the campfire.

As her eyes scanned the group again, she realized Jin was missing too. It seemed odd that the camp director would leave without saying anything, but she reasoned he might have quietly informed Namjoon and slipped away to avoid disrupting the story.

(Y/n)'s gaze drifted back to the woods, the vastness of the darkness beyond the fire's glow drawing her in. As she stared into the gloom, a movement caught her eye. For a moment, she thought she saw a figure among the trees.

Suddenly, Taehyung's voice rose to a shout as he reached the climax of his story. He threw something into the fire, causing it to roar up with a burst of sparks. (Y/n) jumped to her feet, her heart pounding.

Jungkook looked up at her, startled. "Whoa, (Y/n)! Don't tell me Tae's story actually scared you," he teased, but there was a note of concern in his voice.

(Y/n) barely heard him. Her eyes were fixed on the edge of the clearing where a figure had emerged from the woods. "Rose," she whispered, before breaking into a run.

Rose stumbled into the firelight, soaking wet and shivering. (Y/n) reached her just as the girl's legs seemed to give out, catching her and wrapping her in the blanket she'd grabbed from the ground.

"Rose! What happened? Where's Jason?" (Y/n) asked, her voice tight with worry.

Through chattering teeth, Rose explained how Jason had pushed her into the lake as a prank. She'd gotten lost trying to find her way back, wandering the trails in the dark. "J-Jason's still down there," she said, a mix of anger and worry in her voice. "I didn't want to see him after what he did, but... what if something happened to him?"

As (Y/n) comforted Rose, she overheard Namjoon instructing Taehyung and Yoongi to do a quick sweep around the lake. The other counselors began ushering the confused and worried campers back to their cabins.

In the midst of the chaos, Jimin appeared, looking slightly disheveled and... wet? Eden noticed but couldn't dwell on it, focused on getting Rose warm and dry.

"Come on," she said to Rose, guiding her towards the cabins. "Let's get you into some dry clothes."

In (Y/n)'s cabin, she turned up the small heater and helped Rose change into warm, dry clothes. As she helped the girl towel dry her hair, Rose spoke softly.

"I really liked him, you know? Jason. I thought... I thought maybe he liked me too. But then he just pushed me in and laughed." She looked up at (Y/n), her eyes shining with unshed tears. "Is that what love is supposed to be like?"

(Y/n)'s heart ached for the girl. "No, sweetie. That's not love. Someone who cares about you would never purposely put you in danger or make you feel bad."

After making sure Rose was okay, (Y/n) walked her back to her own cabin, her mind whirling with worry about Jason and confusion over the events of the night.

(Y/n)'s mind was still reeling from the events of the night as she made her way back to her cabin. The path, usually so familiar, felt alien in the darkness, every shadow seeming to hide potential dangers. As she approached, she saw a figure sitting on the porch steps, hunched over with elbows resting on knees. Her heart skipped a beat before she recognized Jungkook's silhouette.

"Jungkook?" she called softly, quickening her pace.

He looked up, relief washing over his features as he stood. "(Y/n), thank god. I was getting worried."

As she climbed the steps, (Y/n) could see the tension in his jaw, the worry etched in the lines of his face. "Any news?" she asked, though she could already guess the answer from his expression.

Jungkook shook his head, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "Nothing. We can't find Jason anywhere. We've done a preliminary search of the lake shore and the nearby trails, but there's no sign of him."

(Y/n) felt her stomach drop. "What about the other counselors? Jin?"

"Jin's still missing too. Namjoon's trying to keep it quiet to avoid panicking the campers, but..." Jungkook trailed off, his eyes meeting (Y/n)'s. The unspoken worry hung heavy between them.

(Y/n) sank down onto the porch step, suddenly feeling exhausted. Jungkook sat beside her, their shoulders touching. The contact was comforting in the face of the night's uncertainties.

"What happens now?" (Y/n) asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Jungkook sighed. "Namjoon's organizing a more thorough search. We're going out in pairs to cover more ground. He thinks it's best we stay with our usual partner"

"Pairs?" (Y/n) echoed, a mix of relief and anxiety coursing through her. The thought of searching the dark woods alone was terrifying, but with a partner...

"Yeah," Jungkook nodded. "Safety in numbers, you know? Plus, it's easy to get turned around in the woods at night."

They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of the situation settling over them. In the distance, they could hear muffled voices - other counselors organizing search parties, no doubt.

"I can't believe this is happening," (Y/n) said, shaking her head. "Just a few hours ago, we were all laughing and telling ghost stories. And now..."

"Hey," Jungkook said softly, bumping his shoulder against hers. "We'll find him. Jason's a smart kid. He probably just got lost and is too embarrassed to call out for help, you know how he is."

(Y/n) wanted to believe him, but the nagging worry in the pit of her stomach wouldn't subside. "But what if it's something worse? What if-"

"Let's not jump to conclusions," Jungkook interrupted gently. "We don't know anything for sure yet."

(Y/n) nodded, trying to take comfort in his words. She looked at Jungkook, really looked at him, and saw the determination in his eyes despite the worry creasing his brow. It made her feel a little braver.

A ghost of a smile flickered across Jungkook's face. "Ready to head out?"

(Y/n) took a deep breath, steeling herself. "As ready as I'll ever be. Where are we searching?"

"Namjoon wants us to take the trail by the creek," Jungkook explained as they set off, flashlights in hand. "The one that leads down to the lake.The other are covering different areas."

They walked in silence for a moment, the sounds of the camp fading behind them. The beam of their flashlights cut through the darkness, creating eerie, shifting shadows among the trees. (Y/n) found herself drawing closer to Jungkook, the warmth of his presence a comfort against the chill of the night.

"It's so different out here," (Y/n) murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. She couldn't shake the feeling that speaking too loudly might disturb something better left undisturbed.

Jungkook nodded, his eyes constantly scanning their surroundings. "Yeah, it's like the whole forest changes after dark. Everything familiar becomes... strange."

They continued down the path, the crunch of leaves and twigs under their feet seeming unnaturally loud in the quiet of the night. The distant gurgle of the creek grew louder as they approached, the water a ribbon of silver in the moonlight.

"You okay?" Jungkook asked softly, noticing (Y/n)'s unease.

(Y/n) hesitated before answering. "Just... a little scared, I guess. I keep thinking about Jason out here alone. And Jin... where could he have gone?"

Jungkook's arm slipped around her shoulders, a comforting weight. "Hey, it's okay to be scared. I am too. But we're together, and we've got this, alright? We'll find them."

His warmth and steady presence helped ease some of (Y/n)'s fear, but she couldn't shake the nagging worry in the pit of her stomach. "Do you think..." she started, then paused, unsure if she wanted to voice her fears.

"What?" Jungkook prompted gently.

"Do you think something bad might have happened to Jason?" she finally asked, the words hanging heavily in the air between them. "I mean, Rose was so upset, and for Jin to disappear too..."

Jungkook was quiet for a moment before responding. "I don't know," he admitted. "But let's not assume the worst just yet. Jason could just be lost and scared, like Rose was. And Jin... well, he's probably out looking too, he probably realised the two of them were gone and went to find them."

(Y/n) nodded, trying to take comfort in his words. "You're right. I'm probably just letting Taehyung's ghost stories get to me."

Jungkook chuckled softly. "Those stories would make anyone jumpy. Remember the first week when he told that one about the vengeful spirit in the lake? I swear, half the campers refused to go near the lake for a week."

The memory brought a smile to (Y/n)'s face, easing some of the tension. They continued their search, calling out Jason's name every few minutes, their voices echoing strangely in the still night air.

As they neared the lake, the trees thinned out, revealing a stretch of a sandyshore. The water was a black mirror, reflecting the starry sky above. In daylight, this was a place of laughter and splashing. Now, it seemed vast and unknowable.

"Should we head back?" Jungkook asked, his voice low. "We've covered a lot of ground."

(Y/n) was about to agree when something caught her eye. A flash of white against the dark rocks at the water's edge. "Wait," she said, pointing. "What's that?"

They moved closer, their flashlights focused on the spot. As they approached, (Y/n)'s breath caught in her throat. Snagged on a jagged rock, fluttering slightly in the night breeze, was a piece of fabric. Even in the dim light, she could see the dark stains marring its surface.

"Is that..." Jungkook started, his voice trailing off.

(Y/n) nodded, a chill running down her spine. "It's a torn shirt. And that's... that's blood."

They stood frozen, the implications of their discovery sinking in. The peaceful night sounds of the forest seemed to fade away, leaving only the pounding of (Y/n)'s heart in her ears.

Jungkook's arm tightened around her. "We need to tell Namjoon. Now."

Taglist: @jungkooknippleanddicksucker

[the-himawari]

A3! Outing Event Translation - You're my first and last love. (4/11)

*Please read disclaimer on blog

---

Sakuya: And so, gathering together all our ideas from today… A sweets making class, a flyer and costume exhibit, a hands-on makeup experience, and selling merch. We have a lot to work with here!

Azami: Maybe we can pull off somethin’ decent if we combine them with the other teams’ ideas.

Sakyo: Hold it. There’s still one more guy who hasn’t contributed an idea yet. Oi, Usui. Don’t you have anythin’?

Masumi: …

Misumi: Anything’s fine, Masumi~.

Masumi: …What about a letter writing corner?

Sakuya: That sounds great!

Sakyo: Huh? You just wanna write one for Director, don’tcha?

Masumi: So what? What about your idea? You just want to make sweets for Director, don’t you?

Sakyo: Don’t lump us together. It’s not about Director. Sweets are a classic for White Day, aren’t they?

Masumi: In that case, letters are a classic way to express your gratitude.

Sakuya: P-Please calm down, you two!

Misumi: Nooo fighting!

Masumi: We aren’t fighting.

Sakyo: I’m not even touching him.

Hisoka: …They’re like kids.

Azami: For real. By the way, we could’ve just used our troupes for the teams this time. Why’d we go outta our way to choose through a lottery?

Sakyo: This is an event for MANKAI Company’s fans. Seeing as all the members are participatin’, it’s meaningful if we do something that transcends the borders of our troupes. Well, we also thought that stayin' in our troupes could lead to biased opinions. That’s why Director suggested we do a lottery with all of us mixed together this time.

Sakuya: If we all work together, then I’m sure it’ll be a wonderful event!

Azami: I mean, I guess so. But it’s pointless if our efficiency also drops because of that.

Hisoka: Zzz…

Sakyo: —Tch. We’ll disband for today. All of you, give some more thought into what you wanna do, got it?

-pause-

Masumi: … (What I want to do for a White Day event…) (Director is the first person I want to express my gratitude to. That’s why I want to do something that makes her happy.) (But I’m sure Director will like anything I do. She complimented me and gave me the okay for the letter writing idea I came up with earlier.) (But that’s not what I want. I want something that will make her happy from the bottom of her heart—) …The only thing I can think of is a play. *Sigh*…

-pause-

Sakuya: —And so, we’ve come up with even more plans…

Azami: Just like our first meeting, none of ‘em feel quite right.

Hisoka: …Nothing sticks out.

Misumi: Hmm… is the triangle shop no good after all?

Sakyo: We never said it’s no good. But that alone ain’t gonna fill up the whole day.

Masumi: … (Maybe a play is our only option…)

Azami: I’ve been thinkin’. Is doin’ a play like usual off the table? I mean, we’re a theatre troupe ‘n all.

Sakyo: I understand what you mean, but we’ve got 24 members… We were fortunate enough to line up everyone’s schedules. It’ll be hard to prepare the script and costumes for all 24 of us if we start now.

Sakuya: That’s very true. Our invitation to the event also came on such short notice…

Sakyo: Right. And even though it’s called a hall, I don’t think there’s any area that’s like a stage.

Hisoka: Is there not much space?

Sakyo: The layout is kinda complicated. Given the structure of the building, the organizers probably wanna use this event to see how it can be used.

Azami: Once again, I’m amazed at how flippant they are about this…

Sakuya: In any case, I’ll make a note of the play. If there aren’t any more ideas, then let’s close today’s meeting.

Hisoka: …Sure.

Masumi: …

---

previous | next

[avaantares]

📓

Oooh, so now comes the hard part: Deciding which story to share!

The truth is, I have a huge folder of story ideas and WIPs, some of which are just a document with a line or two of notes reminding me of the story's premise. A finite amount of writing time guarantees that most of these stories -- while fully developed in my head -- will never see the light of day. This means I have at least a dozen fics that could fall into the category of "haven't written but you've daydreamed about."

(Of course, this also means that if multiple people send me 📓, at least I won't run out of material... 😅)

Okay -- I've picked one on the basis of @iamtheshriekingguineapig bringing it up AGAIN a day or two ago. (That will teach me to tell her I have story ideas for fandoms she likes, LOL. Maybe if I post the treatment, she'll be happy with that?)

The fandom is Devil May Cry, and this is one of those stories that has the potential to be so big and sprawling that I haven't even bothered making notes for it, because unless we get hit with another pandemic (please no), I will never, ever have time to write it. (See also: Children of the Future Age, my 330K behemoth that was only, like, 60 or 80K until I was stuck in lockdown for a year and a half.) But despite the lack of written outline, this is one of those things that just lived in the back of my head long enough that I mentally scripted entire scenes and blocks of dialogue for it while doing the dishes or whatever.

Here goes:

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

Lucia (who makes an appearance because I got SO MANY COMMENTS on CotFA asking me why she wasn't in the story >.<) gathers the DMC team and informs them that a new -- or possibly ancient, but recently awakened -- evil threatens the safety of the human realm. Lucia remains in the human realm to coordinate teams of devil hunters and deal with the rogue demons who have grown agitated due to the rising malice. Nico stays behind with her, outfitting the hunter teams and engineering defensive systems and weapons to protect human cities from the encroaching demons. The rest of Team DMC (a.k.a. our main cast, inclusive of Vergil) head for the underworld to deal with the malevolent energy at its source.

During their search, the hunters discover a massive star-shaped array stretching across miles of the underworld. The array is generating an impenetrable shield around something at its center, which is likely the source of the demonic energy. In order to gain access, they need to disable the seals at each corner of the array, which are the shield's anchor points. Only when all five are disabled will the shield fall, allowing them to confront the evil creature staging a comeback.

The team splits up for efficiency (and because I mentally structured this story in true video game format, with each area a "level" that characters proceed through, culminating in a boss fight). Dante, Vergil, Nero, Trish, and Lady each head for a different seal. Dante suggests making it a contest to see who can disable their seal the fastest. Never one to let a challenge go unescalated, Vergil makes a parting crack about finishing the final fight himself before the others have even returned to the center of the array.

Combat and stuff happens (I'm condensing for space!) as they make their way through their respective regions. Ultimately, as each hunter finishes off the area boss, they discover that at the center of each seal is another layer of shielding containing a power source. The objects generating the power for the greater array are arcane artifacts. Weapons. Amulets. Old, but not necessarily ancient, though they have clearly seen extensive use. And... oddly familiar, for some of the hunters.

Nero is the only one who doesn't find an artifact at the core of his seal. Instead, when he breaks through the inner shield, he finds an old man imprisoned in the array -- a human, possibly a former hunter by the looks of him. Like Dante and Vergil, his hair is white, though Nero isn't sure if that's because of his age or because he shares their unique heritage. The man's athletic build hints at his former strength, but he's been weakened and aged by the constant power drain. His memory, too, seems to have suffered -- that, or he's being deliberately cagey with his answers. It's hard to say. At any rate, he doesn't give Nero a name by which to call him. He thinks he's been trapped in the array for several years, but time moves strangely in the underworld, and he had no real frame of reference for its passage. What he wants now is to find his way back to the human realm, though he's not sure where the access points linking the two worlds have migrated to in the time he's been imprisoned.

Nero knows there's a major battle ahead and doesn't want to be slowed down, but his conscience won't allow him to leave a weak, helpless old man to fend for himself in the underworld, so he helps him stand and offers to escort him to some place that, if not entirely safe, is at least moderately deserted and well away from the energy-draining apparatus. His plan is to stash the old man somewhere and then pick him up on the way out of the underworld after they take out the Big Bad at the center.

The stranger keeps up with Nero fairly well for someone in his condition, and the longer he's out of the array, the healthier he looks. Nero decides the man is not quite as old as he originally guessed, though he doesn't stop calling him things like "gramps" in place of his missing name. For his part, the man seems very interested in Nero himself, asking questions about the devil hunting business, and then about Fortuna and Red Grave City when he learns Nero is familiar with both. Nero is cautious with his answers, but he can't fault the other man for feeling him out -- or for wanting to speak to another person after being imprisoned for so long -- so he makes polite conversation. It's not like there's anything else to do while they're slogging through the underworld.

Upon learning that Red Grave was nearly destroyed, the stranger falls silent for a while. It's not until they meet up with Lady, returning from her own seal-breaking mission, that he rouses. Lady has retrieved a Devil Arm from her seal, a pair of gauntlets that, while undeniably powerful, is of little use to herself (a dex-based ranger human) or Nero (who already has his own devil power-augmented arm). The stranger asks if he might use them, since he currently has no weapons. This confirms to Nero that the man isn't entirely human -- Devil Arms won't allow just anyone to utilize them -- but he can't think of any reason not to let the guy have some means of protecting himself. At minimum, it will make him feel less guilty about ditching the man while the rest of them go off to fight the Evil Thing.

The stranger expresses the same kind of polite curiosity about Lady that he did with Nero, though he seems more particularly interested in her heritage than her present circumstances. Lady gets a little tetchy when he prods her about her lineage one too many times. In an effort to keep the peace, Nero interrupts to suggest they pick up the pace, or Vergil really will take on the final boss before they've caught up.

The stranger definitely reacts to that name. When he recovers, he feigns polite curiosity and asks who this Vergil is. "My old man," Nero replies, with a hint of vinegar because their relationship is still (understandably) fraught. "He's a hunter, too. He and his brother are down here with us."

The stranger controls his outward reaction to this statement a little better, but he's obviously very interested. Before he can ask more, Lady, still agitated from the probing about her parents, adds a sarcastic remark about Vergil only being a hunter when it suits him -- in between laying waste to entire cities.

The man stops dead and asks her to explain that, which she does: "Vergil's the one who destroyed Red Grave City. Again. Though to be fair, Dante and I managed to stop him, the first time around. He only wiped out one borough back then. But let me tell you, the wholesale district was never the same after Temen-ni-gru punched a hole in Market Square." She sobers. "But even that was nothing compared to what the Qliphoth did. He killed thousands of innocent people when he released that thing."

The man's reaction to this information is difficult to read, but decidedly not happy. He insists that they take him to meet Vergil. Nero balks and suggests that it would be better for him to wait someplace out of harm's way; there will be time for him to meet everyone after they've dealt with the main event. The man says no, he will see Vergil now, and for the first time Nero gets the sense that he may have really, really underestimated this "helpless old man." Because this is clearly somebody who is used to being obeyed, and he does not like repeating himself -- and probably has more than enough power to back it up, when he hasn't been used as a human (or not) battery for who knows how many years.

Lady clearly gets the same vibe, and Nero sees her shift into a defensive stance. But before things can escalate further, they're hailed by Trish, who has finished her own seal mission and detoured to join them when she saw the group coming across the demonic wasteland.

The stranger sees Trish.

And that's when things get... interesting.

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

So, yeah, that's my fic about where Sparda has been for all these years and why there's been no trace of him, and the whole setup is just a petri dish for more angst (Sparda learning of Eva's death and having to deal with Trish's presence, which is probably even more jarring to him than it would have been to Dante; Vergil having to face his father after he Done Messed Up Big Time), comedy (Nero having a cognitive meltdown after realizing he's been calling the OG Savior "gramps," and then having another one when he realizes the OG Savior actually is his grandfather), and family feels (Sparda finding out he has a grandson! Who is the goodest boi! Even if he is the son of Elder Son Who Done Messed Up Big Time). Which is why it promises to be another CotFA if I let it, and why I really, really, really don't have time to write it. 😅

(I am also fully aware that with the right treatment, this could potentially work as a sequel to CotFA, which I fielded a question about last week... but it all comes back to time and energy. Sigh.)

[bluemooniegif]

if you have the structure, how you writing structure works? how did you organize your writing? I need some tips for organising, my writing are chaotic ( tags or keys don't work for me)

it depends on what I'm writing! for fics, I usually get one or two ideas that I write scenes for (these tend to end up as the climactic scenes), then fill in the missing pieces. there are a million reasons why this is a terrible process, but it works well enough for me at the moment ;-;

for analyses and video scripts, I start by noting down the points I want to make. then I gather my evidence, arrange it so it all makes sense, and add any additional thoughts I have as I go.

I... don't think this is helpful? so I'll open the floor to everyone, what are your favourite writing tips for anon?

[symphonyofmalice]

Reflections on the show

So it's been a week since I finished Season 1, and I've had some time to reflect on it, read/watch other people's reactions, and gather my thoughts.

Actors great, characters inconsistent I want to say that all the actors were well-cast for the show. They did excellent work bringing the scripts to life. The trouble was, the writing sometimes had them playing wildly different characters. Sam Reid makes an excellent Lestat, when the script let's him play Lestat. Louis is sometimes philosophical, detached, and refined. Sometimes he's coarse, direct and irreverent. Yes, characters can change and no one is just one thing. But there was no clear arc, they seemed to flip-flop episode to episode. Lestat is sometimes recognizable as his impulsive, needy, theater-kid self, and sometimes he's a cold, calculating chessmaster. I want to be clear I do not expect the characters to be good people. These are vampires, and I expect them to act monstrously. But with book Louis, I have a basic idea how he might react to different situations- when he might be passive, when he might snap and act out, what might upset him and what he doesn't care about. This Louis? No idea. He's fine with eating humans until he isn't six years later, he'll delight without any hesitation in murdering people who made racist remarks, but is too squeamish to enact his own plan (because it's his now) to kill evildoers, in the modern day he no longer kills but gives the 'alpha predators' speech.

What did y'all do to the family dynamic In my initial reviews, I noted the 4th episode was the first that really felt like the Louis-Lestat-Claudia dynamic I expected. And I think it's because it's the only episode that didn't decide that Lestat just hates Claudia from the very beginning. All the other episodes lean hard into the idea that Lestat never wanted to make Claudia at all, is constantly happy when she leaves/trying to drive her away, wouldn't want her back if not for Louis, and is barely tolerating her very existence for Louis, and would hurt/kill her if he could. Now, in the books, their relationship obviously sours- she kills him, after all. But they do have a genuine love and respect, and it is in the hope of repairing the decaying relationship and 'making peace' that Lestat accepts her gift of poisoned blood.

Pick a lane/Easter eggs are not adaptation points I think a big reason the characters flip-flop around so much is that the show is trying to tell two stories. One is the story of a Jazz-age queer Black man discovering vampirism as a possible escape from the restraints of society. One is Anne Rice's Interview with the Vampire, with it's plot beats of Louis, Lestat and Caludia. And since the first is pretty different from the second, anytime the show has to switch tracks, it introduces sharp turns and inconsistencies. The crew promised easter eggs for book fans and sometimes it seems like easter eggs are all there is. "Look, Lestat said Savage Garden! He mentioned his mastiff! Nicolas name drop!" which ended up feeling almost distracting. A metaphor for adaptations:

The original books: A black forest cake. Rich and dark and bittersweet. A classic that is iconic and famous, though definitely not for everyone.

The 1994 movie: A black forest cupcake. A little condensed, a little different. Smaller in size, so it's not the full experience. But in flavor and structure, it's a pretty close match for the original.

The musical: A black forest cocktail. Structurally, this is a very different experience. If you don't like cocktails/alcohol in general, than you probably don't want your cake in cocktail form. But if you do, then it's pretty decent! There's a clear attempt to get the essence of the taste across, and for some people (like me) it can be a wonderful way to immerse oneself in the same flavors in a different way.

QOTD movie: Cherry cheesecake that's gone bad/old. First of all this isn't even close to the original, and second of all you cared about it so little that it's gone sour and even people who might like cheesecake probably don't want this.

The show: Black forest (brand) gummy bears. This is clearly just a different thing. It can be really good as it's own thing! No having the brand-name black forest does not make it the same. No, it doesn't particularly help that some of the gummy bears are cherry flavored and black forest cake also has cherries. No it would not help to dip the gummy bears in dark chocolate.

Let's not "secret good fourth Sherlock episode" ourselves I've seen some theories that the discrepancies in Season 1 are deliberate, due to unreliable narrators, or Armand's mental influence. The trailers for season 2 so far certainly seem to lean into that, with the repeated memory theming. It's possible they'll pull something off with this. But I'm also hesitant to accept it as a blanket excuse. Even if they do retcon some of these details later...why? How is that any better than an "it was all a dream" excuse? Why should I, as a viewer, remain emotionally invested in the show if, at any moment, I could be told none of that happened? Twists and reveals can be good, but they can't be everything. 'Don't worry, season 2 will explain season 1' is not very promising for season 1 as a story.

Concerns about Season 2 I'm going to watch season 2. I have to, the same way I watched the QOTD movie knowing I'd dislike it. I'm curious to see what they do, and if nothing else, I might get some Nicolas images out of it. From what I've seen of Joseph Potter, I believe he can act Nicolas very well...if the script lets him. I'm also concerned about escalation. Everything in blood and violence was dialed up to 11. In the books, Lestat hits Louis (when Louis interrupts his feeding on Freniere) in the show, it's an extended beating. He punches through the priest's brains, and drops Louis out of the sky. In discussion with someone, I described this as "Lestat acting like Armand" since that kind of roof-dropping is literally a thing Armand does. And if they keep Armand's role as the 'villain' of IWTV/TVL, I'm concerned to what levels of extremity they'll have to push him in comparison.

[upgradewater]

daima trailer 2 impressions

except i barely talk about the trailer, more the panel (it's nothing but complaining, i am a negative person)

the animation looks great, and the fighting choreo style looks fun, but that was such crumbs. i guess i should be grateful, but... come on, if animation is being completed, they have way more to show at this stage. they just don't want to. they had this much to show at comic con. they showed more at comic con. what is this??? this is all you have to offer after months of waiting, and announcing it right at comic con? the "discussion" took up most of the time, as usual, and they bumbled through that. they really flew iyoku out to LA to show a minute long trailer, a couple settei pieces of toriyama (that were nice btw), and almost forgot to translate some of his notes. it was so unrehearsed that their nerves got the better of them and ended up stilted and awkward. it probably should have been scripted for everyone's sake.

matthew (eng host) kept asking questions that were either untranslated or completely ignored, not even an acknowledgement like"we'll have to see!" or "wait for more info!". they could have structured it so much better if they wanted to put emphasis on things. why the hell are the american hosts just as confused about these events ;w; hell, even ian sinclair at comic con was like "is whis in this?????" and admitted he was as clueless as the fans were.

i really hope if they do this again, especially overseas, that they get better at making the panels interesting instead of it feeling like a 3rd grade powerpoint presentation.

kageyama was fantastic though. and the nozawa thing at the end was cute.

even though it was a free event, if i went in person, i would probably be pretty disappointed walking out of there at the end. they just hyped it up so much. 2 day event! daima panel! argh. felt like the principal giving an assembly before he gives the students everything they want: to leave.

very excited about daima, just disappointed in how the series is handled and the lack of basic information. would it hurt to give a bit more info on something that leads to the events? even saying why they were all gathered at (presumably) bulma's? instead of talking about 4 pictures for 15+ mins including "look at krillins shirt. it has kame on it. haha. look at it. kame. maybe roshi started a clothing brand."

[elliott-igb-120]

Assignment 3 Playtesting

During the IGB120 Playtesting Party on May 26th, 2025, we had four students from the course playtest our game, Shadow Friend. In addition to this session, we also conducted a separate playtest with an external participant who is not enrolled in the unit. In this post, I’ll discuss the feedback we received, highlight some key insights, and present data we gathered from these playtesting sessions.

Preparations and Roles

In order to make sure that each playtest is done without bias, we created a script that would be read to the tester before each playtest to ensure each tester had the same knowledge going into the testing.

During the playtest we had 3 roles

Playtest Condcutor - They were responsible for reading the script to the playtester and answering any question they might have without affecting the testing environment

Playtest note taker (comments) - They were responsible for writing down what the tester was saying/thinking during the testing

Playtest note taker (events) - They were responsible for writing down what the player did in the game at approximately what time.

Our testers

Following the advice of Tracey Fullerton's book Game Design Workshop Chapter 9 on playtesting, we made sure that we tested the game with people that we did not know. This allowed us to recieved advice that was unaffluenced by personal relationships.

The Types of Questions Asked

To help identify specific areas that may need improvement, our playtesting survey was divided into three distinct categories. This structure allowed us to better isolate feedback across different aspects of the game. The categories were:

Art / Visuals / Sound Effects / Story

Gameplay / Controls

Level and Puzzle Design

The charts presented below show the average scores given by the five playtesters across each survey category, helping to highlight overall strengths and potential areas for improvement.

Art / Visual / SFX / Story

As shown in the chart, players responded positively to the simple yet visually appealing art style used in our project. However, it’s also clear that the sound effects and music were seen as weaker aspects, with lower scores reflecting their limited impact on the overall gameplay experience.

Gameplay / Controls

In this category, the main issues identified were related to control clarity and game difficulty. Several playtesters found the controls occasionally confusing, which impacted the overall gameplay flow. Many play testers stated the game was too easy, some even described it as bordering on boring. A key reason for this is that enemies are currently too easy to avoid, as they only follow basic patrol paths and do not actively pursue the player.

To address these issues in future versions, we plan to introduce more complex enemy behaviors and add new enemy types to increase challenge and variety.

Level / Puzzle Design

Overal the general concesus of the level / puzzle design was that it was good but too easy. In the future we hope to make the puzzles more engaging by incorporating new mechanics, such as pressure plates that require both the player and the shadow to stand on them simultaneously to activate doors or events. These changes are intended to encourage more thoughtful gameplay and better highlight the cooperative element between the player and their shadow.

Closing Remarks

Overall the playtesting of our game allowed us to identify some key flaws to our game that we ourselves were unable to see. With this information we would then be able to go on and many changes to the game to create an overall better final product.

Sources

Fullerton, T. (2024). Game Design Workshop: A Playcentric Approach to Creating Innovation Games. ProQuest Ebook. Retrieved https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/qut/detail.action?docID=31137874&pq-origsite=primo

Student Contact Info

Student Name: Elliott Horne

Student Number: n12114545

Student Email: n12114545@qut.edu.au

[oracle-fusion-financials-1]

A Day in the Life of an Oracle Fusion Financials Adviser.

Oracle Fusion Financials is an important pall- grounded fiscal operation result that supports global companies in streamlining operations, adding delicacy, and icing compliance. But behind the scenes of every successful perpetration or smooth- running finance module is a devoted Oracle Fusion Financials Adviser. Curious what their day looks like. 

8:00 AM – Morning Planning and Review 

The adviser checks emails for customer updates, internal dispatches, and system cautions. They log into their design operation tools( like Jira or Asana) to review pending tasks and prioritize conditioning for the day.However, those come top precedents, If there are any late batch job crimes or fiscal report issues. 

9:00 AM – diurnal Stand- Up with the Project Team 

Next comes the diurnal stage- up meeting. Whether working in an perpetration, support, or upgrade part, advisers generally join a 15- to 30- nanosecond call with platoon members including business judges, specialized advisers , and design directors. The discussion revolves around what was completed history, moment's pretensions, and any blockers that need resolution. 

10:00 AM – customer conversations and demand Gathering 

One of the most pivotal corridors of the adviser 's part is interacting with guests. During this time, the adviser may join virtual meetings to 

Understand new business conditions 

Explain module capabilities(like Accounts Payable, General Ledger, or Cash Management) 

Demonstrate functionality 

Document gaps or needed customizations 

Clear communication is crucial then, as the adviser must align Oracle Fusion capabilities with the customer’s unique business processes. 

11:30 AM – Configuration and Solution Design 

In this phase, they 

Configure checks, map of accounts, and fiscal reporting structures 

Set up workflows and blessing scales 

Customize reports or dashboards using OTBI or BI Publisher 

Coordinate with specialized brigades for integrations or custom results 

Each change is generally tested in a sandbox or test terrain to validate its effectiveness before promoting to product. 

1:00 PM – Lunch Break and a Bit of Breathing Room 

Indeed a busy adviser needs to recharge! After a quick lunch, it’s time to get ready for the alternate half of the day — frequently filled with troubleshooting and testing. 

2:00 PM – UAT Support and Issue Resolution 

still, the adviser works nearly with end druggies to 

If the design is in a stoner Acceptance Testing( UAT) phase. 

Guide them through test scripts 

Capture and resolve blights 

Document results and update test scripts 

For ongoing support places, this time may be spent handling tickets through a helpdesk system, assaying root causes of fiscal disagreement, or aiding with month- end conditioning. 

4:00 PM – Attestation and Reporting 

Before belting up, the adviser updates attestation. This includes 

Functional design documents( FDDs) 

Configuration workbooks 

Status reports for design stakeholders 

Knowledge transfer documents for support brigades 

Maintaining clean, up- to- date attestation ensures long- term maintainability and design success. 

5:30 PM – Wind Down and Look Ahead 

As the day closes, the adviser reviews accomplishments, checks hereafter’s timetable for meetings or deadlines, and makes notes for the coming day’s precedences. occasionally, they’ll spend time reading Oracle Cloud release notes or attending webinars to stay current with the rearmost features and updates. 

Final studies 

Being an Oracle Fusion Financials Adviser is a dynamic and satisfying part. It blends fiscal wit, specialized know- style, and strong communication chops. Whether helping a global enterprise close its books briskly or supporting original businesses in espousing pall financials, the adviser plays a vital part in digital finance metamorphosis. Still, anticipate every day to offer new challenges and the satisfaction of working them, If you are considering a career in this field. To Your bright future join Oracle Fusion Financials.