#ps1 warm up

[z2z-gaming-and-random-art-ai]

Formula One PS1 Games Part 2 (1999-2000) 

Second Formula One games on the PlayStation 1 edition this time focussing on the Formula One themed games that missed out from the previous short from Monaco Grand Prix Racing Simulation 2 in 1999 and Warm Up! in 2000 #playstation #f1 #formula1 #motorsport #videogames

What was your favourite Formula One game of the PS1 era,?

For the first edition of Formula One games on PlayStation 1 check out the following video https://youtube.com/shorts/W8IyHvDSWjo?si=rYOhwXe8_qTwawfe

For other gaming shorts check out this playlist https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFJOZYl1h1CF5oVPNNxPlLJPambfM5BIj

[otherone12]

plss just anything Frank iero x fem (or gn) mcr drummer reader 😭😭

Fuck It, I Love You!

Bullets!Frank Iero x Drummer!Reader

-> Masterlist

A/N: Heyy! Guys, idk why, but my criativity just said bye and never came back, so yeah, it is taking so much time for me to post, sorry... Happy pride month for the whole MCR fandom!!! Thanks for the new followers this last week... like five people in a week wtf?! Also, just so you know, my birthday is in three weeks, and i wanna post some imagines about it...

Summary: You and Frank are bandmates, but for some reason he keep being annoying.

- Word Count: 2.175

- Warnings: None, just cliche af

- Ps: I'll not use y/n…

- Ps1: I'm brazilian, so english is not my first language... sorry if i wrote something wrong.

___________________________________________

Reader's 1st Person POV

They say time heals all wounds, but apparently “two months of Frank Iero” only deepens them.

I was already setting up my drum kit in the corner of the cramped, godforsaken excuse of a rehearsal space when I heard the door creak open — and there he was. Late. Again.

Frank Iero, in all his smug, five-foot-nothing glory, walked in like he owned the place. Ratty Misfits hoodie, guitar slung over his shoulder, and a Red Bull in one hand like it was the elixir of talent.

- Morning, sunshine, - Frank smirks, all teeth and faux charm, strumming his guitar like he owns the place.

I don’t even blink.

- Don’t talk to me before I finish this coffee. Or ever.

- Aw, c’mon,- he says, leaning forward like he’s about to share some grand secret. - Admit it. You missed me.

I flip him off casually and head to my kit. The cymbals are slightly off again, probably because someone messed with them yesterday during his ‘exploration of sound,’ aka his “I’m bored so I’m gonna mess with the drummer” phase.

- You know, - he adds, following me like an untrained puppy, - you’d be a lot more fun if you smiled once in a while.

I slam the hi-hat down with a metallic clack.

- And you’d be a lot more tolerable if you shut the hell up. 

Frank just rolled his eyes and started to tune his guitar. The rest of the guys were already used to our “dynamic.” It’s not like they found it funny, but as long as it didn’t affect the music, they didn’t care.

“You can keep fighting or flirting or whatever,” Ray had said once, deadpan, while untangling cables. “Just don’t miss the downbeat.”

Flirting. As if.

I adjusted the snare, trying to ignore the way Frank was plucking out something messy-but-cool on his guitar. It was always like that — annoying as hell one second, then suddenly he'd hit a riff that made you look up like wait, was that… actually sick?

Infuriating.

Gerard wandered in a few minutes later, mumbling something about his voice being trashed and the mic smelling like beer. He looked like he’d just woken up in a dumpster, but that wasn’t really out of the ordinary.

- Ready to run through ‘Skylines’ again? - Ray asked, already plugging in. - Maybe this time without the passive-aggressive murder energy?

- No promises, - I muttered, twirling a stick between my fingers.

- I’ll behave if she does. - Frank winked.

I shot him a look sharp enough to draw blood, but didn’t answer. Instead, I counted us in, and we launched into it.

The first few bars were rough, always were, this early in the day. But by the time we hit the chorus, something clicked. My sticks moved on instinct, the rhythm settling into that sweet spot between chaotic and tight. And then Frank… goddamn Frank… slipped in this little melodic lick between chords that made the whole thing sound bigger, fuller.

I hated how good it was. Worse. I hated that he caught me noticing.

When the song ended, I pulled off my headphones and went for my coffee, pretending I hadn’t heard him say under his breath, just loud enough for me to catch:

- Knew you’d like that.

- Shut up.

- Didn’t say anything.

- You breathed smugly.

He laughed, all raspy and irritating and kind of warm. I hated that too.

- Okay - Ray clapped his hands once. - that was the first time that didn’t sound like we were actively trying to fall apart. 

Gerard tossed his mic onto the couch with a lazy grin. - Dare I say… that kinda ruled?

- Don’t jinx it, -I said, trying not to smile. My arms buzzed from the momentum, heart still thudding from the final crash.

Frank let out a breathy little “hell yeah,” clearly proud of himself, and I refused to look directly at him in case he was already wearing that smug-ass expression again.

Ray was nodding, already unplugging cables. 

- Alright, let’s not ruin it by running it ten more times. Take the win.

- Victory coffee? - Gerard asked hopefully.

- Gerard, - I deadpanned, - you’ve had three.

- Fourth time’s the charm.

The rest of practice wrapped up with a rare sort of high, the kind that comes from finally not sounding like total garbage. Someone said something about meeting up later to go over lyrics, but we were already half-packing, half-talking over each other by then. I checked my phone and saw the band group chat light up.

[Ray]: tonight at your place? you said we could use the garage?

[Me]: yeah sure, after 8 [Gerard]: bring snacks or I riot [Frank]: what if i just bring ✨myself✨ [Me]: then I’m locking the door

[Frank]: kinky [Ray]: blocked [Mikey]: guys. snacks. focus.

I rolled my eyes and tossed my phone onto the passenger seat as I slid behind the wheel of my piece-of-crap car. The good mood lingered, though I’d never admit it out loud. Especially not to him.

Frank’s 1st Person POV

I wasn’t even sure why I left so early. Okay, that’s a lie.

I knew exactly why.

I wanted to see her. Alone. Before the others showed up. Not that I’d ever admit that. Especially not to her. Especially not when her response would probably involve a drumstick aimed at my forehead.

Still, I found myself standing outside her garage at 7:46 PM, pretending I didn’t time it that way, and knocked once before just pushing the door open like I belonged.

She was inside, dragging some ancient-looking amp toward the wall, sleeves pushed up, hair tied back, totally in her own world. For a second I forgot how to act normal. (Not that “normal” had ever really been my thing.)

- Hey, - I said, stepping in casually, like this wasn’t some dumb little mission I’d hyped myself up for.

She turned to look at me, and there it was. That look. The one that said Why are you like this?I lived for it.

- Guess I’m early, - I added, setting my guitar case down with a thud.

She crossed her arms. - You guess, huh? 

I grinned, tried not to let it show too much that I liked seeing her like this, focused, messy, still a little flushed from earlier. - Had too much energy after that rehearsal.

What I didn’t say: You looked happy when we finished that song. I made you laugh, sort of. You didn’t roll your eyes every time I spoke today. And yeah, maybe I wanna ride that high a little longer. Maybe I wanna see if I can get under your skin just enough to make you smile again.

Instead, I wandered around her garage like I wasn’t being obvious. It smelled like sawdust and speakers. There were stickers on the walls, a half-empty coffee cup on the amp, and the faintest hint of her perfume in the air, something sharp and sweet, like citrus and trouble.

- You really letting us trash your place tonight? - I asked, flopping onto the beat-up couch like I owned it. - Brave. 

- Don’t get comfortable, - she muttered, crouching by a power strip. - You’re not special.

Ouch. Also… hot.

- Whatever helps you sleep at night, Sunshine, - I said, drawing out the nickname just to watch her jaw twitch.

She didn’t respond, just shook her head and muttered something under her breath. I didn’t catch it. Didn’t have to. I was already smiling.

She was messing with some cables, too busy pretending I didn’t exist to realize I was watching her. Not in a creepy way,  just... in that way where everything she did looked cool without even trying. Like… she is so pretty… And when she is rolling her eyes, groaning or even telling me to shut up, I can’t help but feel like I'm falling. Hard. Like, she could punch me in the face and I’d say thanks.

I was about to make another sarcastic comment, something stupid, when her phone buzzed on the amp.

She glanced at the screen, frowned, then groaned.

- What? - I asked, leaning over like I had any right to know.

She sighed and turned the screen toward me.

[Ray]: dude my car’s fucked. starter’s dead. i’m stuck [Gerard]: my ride bailed. it’s pouring. Mikey and I we’re not walking in this. [Ray]: lol guess our night is off [Gerard]: frank's probably already there tho 😂

[Ray]: rip

I blinked, then turned to look at her. She was already staring at me like I was a mosquito she couldn’t squash. I looked outside. Yeah… pouring. 

- Well, - I said, making myself more comfortable on her couch, - looks like it’s just you and me, roomie.

- Don’t call me that.

- What? - I smirked. - Scared you’ll start liking it? 

- Scared I’ll commit a felony.

I chuckled, leaning back and tossing my Red Bull onto the floor by my feet. 

- C’mon. We’re already here. Got the space, the gear... we could work on something. Or watch movies…

She looked at the window, then back at me, like she was calculating just how much she hated me versus how much she hated rain.

- I hate this, - she muttered, grabbing her drumsticks and sitting at her kit anyway.

- Sure,- I said, picking up my guitar. - But not as much as you say you do.

She didn’t reply. But she didn’t kick me out either.

Which, as far as I was concerned, meant I was winning.

She sat beside me on the couch like I’d infected the other half of it with some kind of disease, arms crossed, jaw tight, like being near me was physically painful. Which, fine. Cute, actually.

- Gonna turn on the TV or…? - I asked, nudging her knee with mine.

She didn’t say anything, just shoved the remote at me like I’d asked her to hand over her soul.

- Your hospitality is overwhelming, - I muttered, flipping through static and late-night cartoons until I landed on something semi-watchable, grainy horror reruns. Perfect.

We sat in silence for a while, the kind that buzzed louder than the TV. Her knee brushed mine again, just barely, and I didn’t move. Neither did she.

I could feel her next to me. The heat of her skin, the way she drummed her fingers absently on her thigh. She was still pretending I didn’t exist, but she hadn’t moved away either.

- Y’know, - I said eventually, - this might be the longest you’ve gone without insulting me.

- Shut up, Iero.

I laughed, heart beating way too fast for how dumb this was, and leaned back as she scrolled through options.

When she finally picked something I didn't even care about, I glanced at her. She had the same nonchalant look on her face, and I couldn't stop myself.

- You know I won't shut up, right? 

- Frank. - She groaned - I’m trying to watch the fucking move. Shut up.

- Make me. - I smirked, raising an eyebrow.

I thought she would just roll her eyes and ignore me, like she always does… but she leaned in… and before I could notice, her lips touched mine. 

Reader’s 1st Person POV

I don’t know why I did that.

One second, he was being his usual annoying self… smirking, taunting, too close for comfort. And the next, I was kissing him.

It wasn’t some soft, romantic thing. It was quick. Barely there. Just a brush of lips. Like my brain short-circuited and my body went “sure, let’s ruin everything tonight.”

The second it happened, I pulled back like I’d touched fire.

Frank blinked, frozen. Then…  Oh god. That stupid, shit-eating grin spread across his face.

- What,- I said, half a whisper, - the fuck did I just do?

His eyes sparkled like he’d just won the lottery.

- I think, - he said, leaning back like he was the coolest person alive, - you kissed me.

- No, I didn’t. - I stood up fast. - That didn’t happen.

- You absolutely did. - He followed me with his eyes, still sitting smug as hell on the couch.  - And hey, not complaining.

I paced. Because I had just kissed Frank fucking Iero and now the world was definitely ending.

- I don’t even like you, - I said, more to myself than to him.

- Sure. - He stood too, a little slower, like he was enjoying watching me fall apart. - That’s why you kissed me.

- I didn’t- It was a mistake! My brain was just… It shorted out, okay? You’re so irritating.

- I’m irresistible.

- I hate you.

- You kissed me.

- I’m going to kill you.

And then…

he kissed me.

Not a quick, confused one like mine. This was different.

His hand caught the side of my face, gentle but steady, and his mouth pressed to mine with this maddening, frustrating confidence like he knew I wouldn’t pull away. He tasted like the Red Bull he was drinking, but somehow sweeter. 

I didn’t. I should’ve. But I didn’t.

When he pulled back, he was still smiling.

- Yeah… you definitely hate me. 

I swallowed. My whole body felt like static.

- I do, - I said, breathless.

- Good, - he murmured, his forehead nearly resting against mine. - That makes this way more fun.

___________________________________________

So... That's it! hope u like it! feedbacks are always welcome!

- Tag List: @bossiestbitch @mimilovesnumetal @tw1nk4emoboys @f4wnfangz @g0ddnessshad0ws

Comment or ask to joint the taglist (:

[on-a-lucky-tide]

Sergeant Riley can't settle so he goes for a walk. He follows the warm sound of a guitar right to Price's room. Inspired by that one loading screen and how it might have come to be.

CW: Simon Riley's life., Scousier Price than usual (because I fancied it, headcanon that he trained himself out of his accent as he got promoted, and, as a friend hypothesised, Price wouldn't codeswitch when it's just him and Simon).

Simon wasn't sure where he was going when he left his bunk and started walking. There were only so many times he could type out and delete the same fucking message, blue light illuminating his face in the darkness - are you using again? is he still out the house? are you eating? is she out of hospital yet? are you alive? - before he chewed his way out of his own fucking skin.

He didn't press send because he knew being left on read was worse than not sending the message at all. And yet, he still couldn't stop typing out those words.

As he prowled through the dark corridors, Simon remembered the words of some English teacher way back when; the definition of madness was doing the same shit over and over and expecting the same outcome. She'd said it in a clipped southern accent (and used a different word to 'shit') while handing him a referral note for internal exclusion, but her words had stuck more than the five hours staring at the wall.

Maybe he was mad. Any trooper or officer that found him lingering in the hallways, a hulking shadow with even darker circles beneath his eyes, would definitely fucking think so.

He wondered what that pretty young English teacher would say if she knew he punched people for queen and country rather than because they'd slagged off his mum now. She'd probably give him that same look they all had at the time. Pity.

Simon tapped each of his fingers to his thumb as he rounded the corner and stormed down the next corridor. It was 0300. A strange halfway point in the night when no one was awake, not the late workers who still had reports to finish or the early risers that liked to get a few fasted sets in at the gym before breakfast. It was just Simon, alone with the clutter banging around his skull and the itch beneath his skin.

By the time he reached the officer's corridor, he was worrying away at the already sore cuticles of his left hand, if only to stop grinding his teeth into a dull ache. Simon stopped at the far end and slumped against the wall, grey slab concrete cool through his sweat-soaked shirt. Then he heard it through the thrum of blood in his ears and the clutching tightness of his own shaking breaths: Johnny Cash.

At least he thought it was. Pretty certain. He followed the sound like a wrecking ship followed the beam of a lighthouse. Something to latch onto so he didn't drown in the winter sea of his own fucking head. He stopped outside the door, his shoulder against it, and closed his eyes.

It reminded him of peace and home. In the few moments of stability, his da always played Johnny Cash. Tommy was clean, no arguments, no alcohol, no violence. Just the summer sun beaming through the net curtains and the smell of cheap sausages on the BBQ in the garden as Simon thrashed Tommy on the PS1. As that husky voice played through their battered living room stereo, the Rileys could almost pass as normal.

"Are y'gonna stand out there all night, la?"

The music had stopped and Simon's eyes snapped open. He hesitated in the darkness, weighing up whether he could get away with sneaking off, but Price was the kind of man to follow up on weird shit. He was thorough like that. So Simon squared his shoulders and nudged the door open. "Lieutenant," he murmured, dipping his chin.

Price was sitting by his open window, the guitar slung across his lap. He examined Simon for a beat, his head tilted, shrewd blue eyes squinting. Once he'd seen what he was looking for, he looked away and moved the capo up the fretboard. "Struggling to get ya head down?"

"Yeah." Simon glanced around the room. If you looked closely, there were a few indications of character visible in the cracks in military perfection: the Liverpool FC scarf across the back of the desk chair, the football shoved under the bed, the fishing magazines sticking out the bin, and the ash tray on the windowsill. The bed was unmade, suggesting Price had made an effort to sleep and given up. "Could say the same for you, that."

Price hummed noncommittally. "Tomorrow's chocka, so I sacked it off for some time to meself." He glanced up and then followed Simon's eyeline down to the guitar again. "You play?"

"Naw," Simon shook his head. "Just recognised Johnny Cash. Me old man likes 'im." He glanced at the bed and the desk.

Price snorted and jutted his chin towards the bed. "Sit down, ya muppet."

Simon's arse hit the mattress like it was magnetised. Price had that effect on him. The moment Simon had learned Price was the best by every metric the SAS had, he'd got it in his head that he wanted to impress, to emulate. Every order and every shred of praise was eagerly consumed because it got Simon one step closer to filling the void of purpose in his chest.

"Yours too, huh?" Price strummed his fingertips over the strings, the note barely registering. "Strange, that."

"He teach ya?" The most his own da had taught him was to roll a decent spliff.

"Not a bloody chance," Price said, "Learned while I was at camp as a kid, like. It got me outta washin' my own dishes. Bit of Wonderwall... y'know."

"Not a lot's changed then."

"Watch it. Still got to approve the details for next week."

There was no heat to the threat. Price was shifting his fingers through the motions of what Simon assumed were chords without strumming. Something had flashed across Price's face at the mention of his da and the camp. Simon has got good at reading faces; if something was gonna turn violent, it was your first warning sign. He'd seen the flicker at the corner of Price's mouth, the flinch at the corner of his eye, and...

"Sommat on my face?"

"Just that bum fluff you're tryin' to grow inta beard, sir."

"Ahh, ya fuckin' git, s'not that bad." Price ran a hand over his jaw with a smirk. "Like to see you get close ta all this."

Despite himself, Simon grinned back. It was a small one; no flashing of teeth, more a flicker compared to a normal person. But it was there. Something dark, heavy and cold slithered out of his chest and he breathed a deep sigh.

"So, not a Cash fan, what're'ya inta? Moody bastard like you, mid-twenties, sommat like--" Simon recognised the tune after the first few chords from the playlists of one of Tommy's girlfriends. She'd been into that emo scene shit, with the side fringe and the mouth full of metal. "With bloodshot eyes, I watch you sleeping, the warmth I feel beside me is slowly fadi-- ah, nah?" Price grinned at the perplexed look on Simon's face.

"Dunno, never really had favourite music." He'd never really considered it. In the house, they listened to whatever his da wanted, and it wasn't like he could ever afford to own an iPod. "What did ya play at the camps?"

Price snorted. "Kumbaya."

"Bullshit."

"Nah. Camp coordinator were an arlarse. Nothin' too risque."

"But Wonderwall were fine."

"Eh, don't look at me, fella. They're one've yours."

Simon grimaced. Not one of Manchester's finest exports, but he wasn't gonna let that fly. "Hot shit comin' from a Scouser who ain't had a hit band since the Beatles."

"Oer, I'll give ya tha'." Price leaned back and strummed out a few chords of 'Hey Jude', and then changed. They sat in companionable silence as Price strummed through a mash up of familiar tunes. Simon watched his hands, the agile twitch of his fingers over the strings, and grew so focused he stopped covering the damage of his own.

"Ya know, if that gets infected on ops, could become a problem," Price said, indicating Simon's hands with a jut of his chin.

Simon clamped his fingers into his palms. "I'll get it looked at."

Price sat back, one arm folded across the top of the guitar, a finger tapping lightly against the wood. Simon would have given anything to know what he was thinking, if only to banish the Maelstrom of condemnation his own mind was conjuring to fill the gap. "Here, take this."

"What?" Before Simon could protest, the guitar had been thrust into his lap.

"It'll keep ya hands occupied, stop yet pickin' 'em to pieces."

"But I can't fuckin' play."

"Yet." Price shuffled his chair forward and took Simon's hand. "Loosen ya wrist, ya meff. There'yar. Right, gotta press a bit harder. Gonna teach you Smoke on Water. Be playin' Oasis' back catalogue before ya know."

So Simon sat there as Price patiently positioned his fingers and helped him strum through his first song. Every time he nailed a transition or struck a clear chord, he got praise and it made the itch beneath his skin turn into a buzz. He wasn't stupid. He knew this warm reaction wasn't love, or even a crush; it was the reaction of a kicked shelter dog being shown the tiniest morsel of kindness. It should make him feel sick, but he was too enraptured by the fact his hands were making fucking music. Not violence, not pain or death. Music.

They must have been sat there for over an hour, because there was light peaking over the windowsill when Price leaned back to grab his baccy and roll ups from under the desk. As he prepped his ciggy, Simon's eyes rolled up to the ceiling to the smoke detector, and he smirked when he noted the wires hanging out.

"Sommat ta say, sergeant?" Price asked as he set the roll up between his teeth and struck his lighter.

"Naw, sir. Just thinkin' how I wanna be like you when I grow up."

Price snorted. "You wanna be better than me, Simon." He chucked his lighter onto the desk. "And you will be. Just gotta get your head straight."

Simon placed the guitar on Price's bed. "How'd you do it? Get your head straight..."

"Practice," Price nodded towards the guitar as he tapped ash out his window, "and distractions."

Some things would always be there. Some things... never healed. That flicker in Price's face when he'd spoke about home didn't come from nought; it was like looking in a fucking mirror. "I can do that."

"I know ya can."

They watched the smoke of Price's cigarette curl out the window together, and Simon felt the cold, icy talons of last night recede, and then...

"Price, if Riley's done sucking your dick, get to the mess! And if you're fucking smoking, I'm gonna rip your balls off."

"Yessir, right away, sir." Price pinched the end of his ciggy and lobbed it out the window, flapping a hand to dispense the last of the smoke. The other dismissed Simon out the door with a jabbing thumb, removing him from the scene should their good captain decide to perform a snap inspection.

The guitar thing... yeah, Simon took that and ran. It wasn't long before he bought his own out of a Cancer Research charity shop and downloaded sheet music over the base WiFi. Every time shit became too loud, his head too full of clutter, he sat somewhere quiet and strummed until his fingers were sore.

Years later, after Roba, after Price wrenched Simon from a hurricane of self destruction, held him under the torrent of a cold shower as Simon had wailed into his chest, only to find Ghost glaring back when the dust had settled, Simon would return to the guitar again.

This time the songs were a little different, a little softer, because his motivation - the thing that drove him crazy, that filled his head - had a shitty fucking mohawk and blue eyes that bore right through him. Johnny loved it when he played. And if Johnny asked, Simon would play til the gates of hell opened up.

[pallisia]

the climax is so so so so good i replayed the whole game 4 times already just to see it (and i'll do it again. i can't be stopped) also the music slaps so hard i can't wait for an official release. i'm curious which tracks were yours and what kind of directions you gave for the ones toby did.

anyway, congrats for soulsov real, it may be only a couple hours long but it's already so impactful and i can't wait to see what's next !!

thanks so much! i'm excited to release the soundtrack eventually. for now, here's a proper songlist and more detailed credits (warning for vague spoilers):

title - "Prelude" (GGDG) whisper - "Whisper" (GGDG) loic - "Words in Lavender" (Toby Fox, GGDG) sadgirl - "Small Theme for a Sad Girl" (GGDG, Toby Fox) snowfall - "Snowfall" (GGDG, Toby Fox) loic_magic - "Fayim's Gift" (Toby Fox) hollow - "Hollow Temple" (Toby Fox) ysme_slow - "Master of Illusion" (Toby Fox) creepy - "Unease" (Toby Fox) sage_tension, sage_tension2 - "Frenzied Rite" (Toby Fox) loiclia - "Sunflowers" (Toby Fox) ysme_normal - "Normal Theme for a Normal Woman" (Toby Fox) lamp_7 - "Lamplight" (GGDG) sage_2, sage_pre - "Sage Invocation" (GGDG, Toby Fox) ysme_god - "Light and Hunger" (Toby Fox) end_2 - "Soul Tether" (GGDG, Toby Fox) whis2 - "Prayer to the Builder" (GGDG)

if my name is listed first, that means i composed an early version, then toby took it from there.

the general direction we went in with was "ps1 rpg," but i ended up taking a lot of influence from ffxi in my own compositions ("snowfall" in particular.)

for loic's theme, toby originally made "sunflowers" (the version that plays in the flashback) but i thought it sounded too warm and positive for general use, so i composed the minor-key version that you hear at the start.

"sage invocation" is my favorite of the tracks i composed. there was a weak, filler-y piano part in my original version, but toby replaced it with something much nicer.

"light and hunger" was the main track i wanted toby to take the reins on from start to finish. basically the only direction i gave was "kefka + sleazy casino music" and he knocked it out of the park.

those are the biggest points i can think of! it was such a joy working together on this soundtrack and i'm looking forward to more.

[embaci]

KNOCK U DOWN live @ MoMA PS1 Warm Up <333

posted here first duh

💋

[theboywithburninghands]

Greetings. I got Funnybunny and Buttonblossom. So this is a direct sequel to my last story. If you know anything about shipping, you can probably see the direction these tidbits are taking. But hopefully it’s a welcome direction! Anyway, enjoy, it was a while in the works I know… sorry!

Friends Who Kiss: Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Doll

Pomni never thought she’d get stir-crazy in her bedroom. Her one safe haven in this rainbow-colored madness was starting to bore her. She supposed it was inevitable, people tended to get bored of doing nothing, even if doing nothing was what they wanted with all their heart. Jax, Kinger and Zooble got carted off to enjoy their “reward” of a day at the amusement park after that day’s adventure, so she couldn’t go talk to her boyf-

…

Her friend that she kissed. So, instead of letting time slow to a crawl as she laid in bed, probably getting her depressed in the process, she decided to get up and go for a walk.

The circus grounds were pretty, but in the same way that N64 or PS1 games were pretty. Vibrant, phony green grass, hills that were smooth enough up close but jagged and blurred at a distance, a lake of royal blue water that flickered on the surface if you stood too far away. It at least felt real enough, the sunlight was warm and she could hear birds… although she didn’t see any birds. Probably just a looping .wav file.

Sun: HIYA POMNI!

Pomni: GH- Oh. Uh. Hey… *waves awkwardly at the Sun*

Sun: Don’t look at me too long! I cause irreparable solar retinopathy!

Pomni: …Uh huh. I don’t want to talk to you anymore.

Sun: Okaaay~!

Pomni went down to the Digital Lake. Caine had dunked her in the water on her first day here, and her sensory overload from that experience basically blocked out what the water felt like. She sat at the edge of the deep blue simulated water, listening to the sound (or was it sound file?) of the waves lapping against the shore. Pomni stopped to remove her shoes, found that she couldn’t, and simply waded into the water. The water felt… nice. Cool, a little too chilly to jump right into. She would have cringed at the thought of her socks getting wet, but she couldn’t tell if the yellow things on the ankles of her shoes were socks or not. So whatever.

She thought about going out into the water. Her outfit was anything but swimwear, but it didn’t stop her from sleeping in it, so what did she care if it got wet? This world was like a cartoon, she’d probably dry off in like five seconds… still, it would have been nicer to go swimming with a friend. She sat on the beach.

Pomni: Hm… I wonder if he likes swimming?

Pomni heard footfalls behind her and flicked her head around. Ragatha was making her way towards the beach, but she paused mid-step upon seeing Pomni turn to look at her.

Ragatha: Sorry, can I join you? Or did you want to be alone?

Pomni: Uh… n-no, I don’t mind. I- just… I’ve never seen this part of the circus up close.

Ragatha smiled and moved to sit down beside Pomni, smoothing out her dress as she sat cross-legged on the sand beside her.

Ragatha: It’s kinda peaceful when things aren’t insane, right? I like coming down here too. It’s like a safe area in a video game… Did you ever play Legend of Zelda?

Pomni: Uh… I might’ve. It’s hard to remember a lot about the outside.

Ragatha: Yeah. Some things I forget, but there are some memories I can’t even if I tried. I remember when I was a little girl and I saw Ocarina of Time for the first time… it was like magic. The lake here reminds me of Lake Hylia.

Pomni: Uh huh… I don’t think I ever properly thanked you for saving me from that snake.

Ragatha: Oh, Pomni, I was just looking out for you! No worries!

Pomni: N-No. I abandoned you when you needed help on my first day here. I can’t believe I was so selfish…

Ragatha: Pomni. It was your first day. I know you were desperate and scared, because all of us were on our first days. I forgive you. *smiles warmly*

Pomni: …..Okay. *her cheeks redden* I uh… had another question. And it’s a little more, uh… personal?

Ragatha: Alright?

Pomni: …Do you… Do you like girls?

Ragatha: …Romantically?

Pomni: Uh… yes?

Ragatha: Honestly? I’m not sure. It’s been forever since I’ve thought about stuff like that. Why, do you?

Pomni: *blushes again* I like… both. Men and women.

Ragatha: I’m glad you have so many options! Well I guess… had so many options. Again though, why? *gives a curious smile*

Pomni: Uh nothing… I mean, no reason. Just curiosity I guess.

Ragatha: Can I ask you a personal question?

Pomni: *gulp* Sure?

Ragatha: What’s going on with you and Jax?

Pomni: What? Nothing! Uh… n-nothing? Nothing.

Ragatha: *Ragatha rests her chin on her closed fist, smiling* Jax never apologized for anything before you came along. I won’t tell anybody if you guys are fooling around, I promise.

Pomni: We’re not in a relationship or anything…

Ragatha: So a situationship?

Pomni: No-? What- What is that?

Ragatha: I dunno. I heard Zooble say it once and I thought it sounded neat. Plus it seems like the only thing Jax would get into…

Pomni: Well we’re not…

Ragatha: Alright. …So, maybe sometime, you want to go to the amusement park together?

Pomni: WHAT-

Ragatha giggled with a hand over her mouth, then gently shushed Pomni.

Ragatha: Hey, hey, no need to shout! Just a question.

Pomni: Wh-Wh- uh… why…?

Ragatha: Because you’re my friend and I like you?

Pomni: I mean… I-You… I-We-The…

Ragatha: Heyyy, easy, New Stuff. You need to breathe with me again?

Pomni: N-No-I just… I really wasn’t expecting that… I mean… *sighs* Yeah, I’d like to, but Jax would ge-

Pomni gasped sharply and clapped her hands over her mouth. Ragatha raised her eyebrows a bit before her usual pleasant smile turned into a smirk.

Ragatha: I thought sooo.~ You really shouldn’t lie, Pomni. I know you’re shy about things like that, but I mean it when I say I’ll keep your secrets. We have to trust each other.

Pomni: WE’RE- IT’S- NO, You-You-You- got it all wrong! We’re not in a relationship, honest! We’re just friends that kiss sometimes..? *she palms herself in the face for admitting too much yet again*

Ragatha: Ooo la la! You guys have kissed, huh?

Pomni: S#!%!

Ragatha: It’s ok-ay Pomni, I promise I won’t tell. I’m happy for you, really.

Pomni: Y-You’re… happy?

Ragatha: Yeah! I’m always worried when someone new shows up. What if they… you know, abstract? Especially if I really like them. But you’ve got a reason to keep on going now, you know? And oh my god, it must be amazing for Jax. I know he’s unhappy like the rest of us, it’s why he pulls all those… “jokes.” At least I imagine that’s why he does. Having a little joy in his life must be so rejuvenating. It’s hard to come by these days… Joy. You know?

Pomni: …You promise you won’t tell anyone..?

Ragatha: Needle in my eye. *she taps her button and smiles*

Pomni: Okay. …Well. Thanks. Uh, wait… were you serious about the whole going to the amusement park thing?

Ragatha: If you want to, sure! I’ve been on all the rides like a dozen times.

Pomni: Wait, as… friends? Right?

Ragatha: As friends. I wouldn’t want to get in the way of what you and Jax have.

Pomni: We’re just friends! That kiss!

Ragatha: Right, well, I don’t want to get in the way of your “friends-that-kiss-ship.” But I hope you’ll be my friend. That doesn’t kiss.

Pomni: It’s not like I would mind kissing you, but-

Ragatha: What?

The silence that followed dropped like a lead weight. Pomni felt her core freeze solid from adrenaline. She got to her feet robotically and turned back to the tent.

Pomni: Gottagosorry.

Pomni dashed across the field to the tent and ducked into the tent, panting with her hands on her knees.

Pomni: “I wouldn’t mind kissing you-“ UGH I’m such a dum@$$! Stupid, stupid, stupid! *she thumps her fist on her forehead*

The jester sat down on one of the many oversized cubes scattered around the tent and groaned. What was she thinking? Why couldn’t she just be attracted to one person?! It wasn’t that hard! Anyone that showed her a little bit of kindness earned her affection now? Well… no. Jax had been nothing but a troll to her, and she still ended up finding him attractive… Despite his irritating tendencies, the rabbit was one of her only sources of real joy in this place, she couldn’t mess things up with him… That was selfish. Jax’s feelings mattered just as much as hers. It would be beyond selfish to leave him because someone else caught her eye. Selfish and dangerous. What if he was heartbroken, and that heartbreak led to hopelessness, and the hopelessness inevitably led to…

Pomni: F#$%... F#$%!

Pomni covered her mouth with both hands and screamed as loud as she could. She had no fingernails to bite or loose hairs to pick out, so she had to relieve her anxiety somehow. She panted, covered up and screamed again. It wasn’t enough, not even close, but it was something. Like scratching a bug bite, it felt good in the moment but it would only itch again. She knew there was only one real way to cool down the white hot ball of anxiety in her belly, and it was going to suck. She wanted to projectile vomit.

The only real thing to do was rehearse. She got up and began to pace around the tent. Pacing helped her think. Helped with a lot of things, really… It didn’t cure anxiety but it helped temper it somewhat. What was she going to say..?

—-----

Jax, Zooble and Kinger arrived back at the tent around the late afternoon.

Jax: Well that was a waste of time.

Zooble: No s#!%. I think I rode the ferris wheel seven times in a row. ‘Least that way I won’t be nauseous for dinner.

Jax: Time flies when you’re having fun. *gives a huge, fake smile before immediately scowling again*

Zooble: Ugh. Whatever.

Kinger: Hey! W-Who’s that?!

Kinger pointed into the tent. Pomni was in the main room, pacing in a tight square.

Zooble: Oh for… That’s Pomni, Kinger. Are you gonna forget every time she leaves your line of sight like a toddler? Seriously-

Kinger: She’s coming right for us!

Zooble: What?

Pomni was indeed making a mad dash for them. Kinger braced for impact and Zooble took a few steps backwards before Pomni collided with Jax, throwing her arms around him in a hug.

Jax: OOF! Hey what-?!

Pomni only squeezed him tighter, burying her face in his overalls. Jax felt his cheeks warm up despite himself.

Zooble: …Ew.

Jax: Uh… *in a nervous, sing-song whisper* What are you doiiing~...?

Pomni didn’t reply with words, instead grabbing Jax by the wrist and tugging him off to their bedrooms. Zooble and Kinger watched the two of them leave, then swapped confused looks.

Zooble: That was… interesting.

Kinger: Something is amiss. No one has ever hugged Jax before.

Zooble: I’m amazed you remember that and not who Pomni is…

—---

Pomni dragged Jax into her room before slamming the door shut hard enough to rattle a few smaller toys scattered about.

Jax: …Oh, hi Pomni. Yeah, I’m really tired and hungry, thank you for asking. Why, that’s right, I do have a few questions-

Pomni: I can’t calm down. I need to get this all out. Listen for a second…

Jax: …Okay.

Pomni: I don’t want to lose you. I know you said we’re just friends that kiss but you’re really f@#$ing important to me. So just know that you didn’t do anything wrong. But- I have a crush on Ragatha. We didn’t do anything together, but I can’t stop thinking about her and I don’t know why! You-You-You make me really happy and you make me feel like I can survive here and that hasn’t changed but I just feel the… the same thing when I look at her the same way I do when I look at you, and… and… I just feel horrible! I don’t want to replace you because you… you… I… Without you I would have gone crazy by now, and you’re an insufferable clod but you’re so charming and funny and-and-and handsome even if you’re just a cartoon like me, and… oh God I wish I knew how to stop what I’m feeling but I can’t, and I felt like exploding all afternoon because I thought of you hearing all this and then abstracting, and it would have been my fault because I just couldn’t keep my stupid hormones in check and then I wouldn’t have you anymore and I would basically be a murderer and I’d cry myself to sleep every night and-and it… and… and-and-and-and…

Pomni stammered for a while longer before panting heavily, staring down at the floor. She couldn’t bring herself to look at Jax.

Pomni: I’m sorry… I’m sorry, I-I-I-I… I’m sorry…

Jax: …You think I’m handsome, huh?

Pomni: WRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH! *claps her hands to the sides of her head and falls to her knees*

Jax: Jeez, okay! Not the answer you were looking for, got it! Just trying to lighten the mood..!

Pomni: And I so appreciate it! I mean that! But I feel like the world’s gonna end right now! And I’d appreciate a real reaction pleeeease! *yanks on the bells of her coxcomb hat*

Jax: If this is about yesterday, I told you I forgive you. I thought you were cheating, but you weren’t.

Pomni: B-But isn’t this cheating? Liking someone else?

Jax: No? I told you, you can be “friends that kiss” with Ragatha too, if you tell me first. If that’s what you want, go ahead and go. Honestly, I’m not surprised. You said she was pretty.

Pomni: She is pretty.

Jax: If you like kissing Raggedy Ann. *short chuckle* Look, Pompom. We’re already in technohell. Whatever keeps you from abstracting is okay with me. As long as I get my time with you.

Pomni: Don’t call me Pompom. But… of course… I’m not replacing you. I just… I like Ragatha too.

Jax: Gay.

Pomni: Shut up. I… I guess I was worried you’d be really upset.

Jax: Nah. I think you were more upset than me, honestly. I get it, it’s kinda weird to just have a bunch of people you kiss. But honestly? Who cares? …I gotta wonder though, what made you want to ask? Was it the snake?

Pomni: Sort of the snake. But… she asked me to go to the amusement park with her today.

Jax: And you said you would? Spoilers, it sucks.

Pomni: *small laugh* It’s not like we have other options.

Jax: There’s the lake.

Pomni: …I think I want to take you to the lake.

Jax: You- Oh. ….Eheh. *he blushes* Yeah. I think that’d be fun.

Pomni: Fun? In this place? That’ll be the day!

The two of them laughed together, before Pomni gave him a hug. He hugged her back.

Pomni: …We’re just going to the amusement park. It’s not like we’re going to make out or anything yet.

Jax: Pompom. I’m not jealous.

Pomni: I know, but you said this was your first relationship, and… and I didn’t want to ruin it. And I don’t want you to abstract…

Jax: I’m not gonna. I’ve got you.

Pomni: Yeah. You do have me… until this whole place comes crashing down. I lov-

Jax’s ears shot up, and Pomni froze, looking up at him with wide, roulette eyes.

Jax: …Yeah. Same. *he winks* But we both know that already, so don’t say it, okay?

Pomni: Okay… do… you want to stay here tonight?

Jax: I’d really like that, yeah.

The two “friends that kissed” hugged each other for a long while longer, until Jax broke the silence.

Jax: Uh… why are your shoes so wet..?

[feeling-pushy]

The Day The World Ended

(a fanfic of ocs that I post about on my BlueSky account. fallow me there if yall want all the pictures and other details that I share on there.)

This is prelude to the story of one of my ocs Montanha and what leads him to making the choices he dose and winds up being a pregnant trans man in an apocalypse UwU.

Also please forgive any grammar/spelling mistakes, I comb over these things multiple times and yet I always miss a couple of things :p

He couldn’t help but let out a yawn as he walked threw the small parking lot, stretching out his back and arms to shake off the fatigue. He may have stayed up too late again, he couldn’t help it, once he got into bed he always tells himself he’d watch one or two of those restoration videos.

But always he’d end up not just watching a guy restore an old gumball machine, but a ps1 as well, then the suggestion feed will suggest his favorite craftier restoring squishes and well, those are usually short. Next thing he knows it’s almost one in the morning and he’s got five hours till he gotta wake up for work. So, he had no one to blame but himself. And the YouTube algorithm.

           Well, whatever, that was what the coffee was for, he thought as he chugged the warm cup as he stepped inside and headed for the backroom to hang up his jacket. Now his obnoxious red work shirt stands front and center, though it did compliment the orangish brown of his skin which was nice at least. The stores logo sat over the left breast side, while his name ‘Montanha’ on the right. Clocking in on the digital timecard he heads for the loading zone to see what needs to be moved.

                There were already two other employees back there and the three of them quickly coordinated and started moving stuff around. First thing Montanha moved was some big bags of feed, loading about twelve onto one of the platform dolly’s before heading inside to the store to taking them to the right aisle, two more than the regulation ten, but he was strong enough to handle the extra weight. Helps him get his work done faster.

As he was moving stuff he did get stopped by a costumer, some old lady who smiled at him sweetly, “excuse me hon, would you help me reach something off the top shelf?”

“Yes ma’am I sure can.” He says fallowing her to the shelf in question. Naturally, the thing she wanted was at the top, but Montanha grabbed it with ease, barely having to stretch to get at it.

“Oh thank you’ the lady said as Montanha handed her the item, ‘you really are quite an impressive height young man. How tall are you?”

“Six eight ma’am.”

“Oh! That’s quite tall!”

“Yep, makes finding jeans a hassle, but I manage.” He jokes.

“Well, you have yourself a good day hon.”

Montanha smiled and told her to have herself a good afternoon before she puttered off and he went back to loading heavy containers on a shelf. He did honestly enjoy taking a minute to help people and talk to the older folks that come into the store. Lot of old farmers and their wives, or gardeners. They were always impressed by his height and were always kind, even the grumpier ones, though that may have been because they were slightly intimidated despite his best efforts to come off as friendly.

Still, that was always why he tried to get the loading and unloading done quickly. Because if he did he could just walk around the store and help folks or go to the front and chat it up with his co-worker manning the registers. So, he doubled his pace to get that all done.

By noon he had gotten all the shelves stocked and deliveries loaded on the trucks so he was currently talking with the two people in the front. The one he was more familiar with was Steven who was around his age, and though they never hung out outside of work they kept saying they would, eventually. The other was a girl named Rosie, she was pretty new to the job and was still in high school if he remembered correctly.

“Hey so what’s your plans for the week?” Steven asks, since there was no one around he was fucking around with the conveyor belt and moving a packet of mint gum down the thing, before placing it back at the beginning and doing it again.

“Hmm I donno, I got Wednesday off this week so I might go out? Or I might veg.” Montanha replied just watching Steven continued to fuck around with the gum. He glanced over at Rosie, “what about you?”

“I got school…” she sighed, she rubbed at her freckled face trying to wipe away the fatigue.

“Fuckin rip man, school’s always a bummer.’ Steven says, ‘glad I don’t gotta do that shit anymore.”

“I’ll second that.” Montanha says as they both high five.

“Well at least I still got summer vacations.” Both men both physically recoil at her harsh but true words. Both felt the ache of longing for those bygone summer vacations.

They all interrupted when they hear someone clear their throat, making the three turn their heads to see their manager Pam. She was just a picture-perfect example what happens when a Karen became a manager, an absolute pain.

“I don’t believe I pay you three to chit chat.’ She looks at Steven and Rosie, ‘if you’re not checking out customers. Then you should be cleaning your stations.” Rosie was quick to start cleaning, which did appease the dragon, but she still gave a fiery look to Montanha, “And what should you be doing right now?”

“Well, I already did all the moving, and theirs currently three customers in the store and I’ve already helped them. So, you tell me.” He said his tone challenging.

 He knew he shouldn’t be poking the bear, but he just really didn’t like her, so was always more willing, if not happy to, butt heads with her. Consequences be damned. Besides any task she gives him he can get it done in a flash and be back to shoot the shit before she could blink.

“Well if you’re looking for something to do, why don’t you go mop the floors?” she smirked.

“Course ma’am.”

“And if you are done in less than two hours I’m making you do it all over again because you obviously didn’t do it correctly.” She snips, Montanha just rolled his eyes headed for the supply closet. As he passed the front of the store he stopped for a moment.

There were quite a few cars heading out today, so much so that there was a bit of a line forming, not yet bumper to bumper traffic but enough for it to be obvious that a lot of people were making a quick exit from the city. With the store being on the outskirts this was not a regular occurrence and made Montanha give pause. Montanha furrowed his brows as he felt some form of ominous tenson.

“Get going Montanha! You wanted something to do now go do it!” Pam yelled at him from across the store, knocking him out of his trance. Refocusing him back onto the task at hand.

As the next two hours passed, the steady stream of cars leaving the city dwindled. Returning to more normal but still pretty frequent trickle of cars speeding by. But still the air was charged with an odd tension, a palpable sense of unease that Montanha couldn't quite pinpoint.

As Montanha continued to clean the floor, he saw that one of the few customers that were in the store received a phone call. Their words starting off bright, but quickly becoming hushed as the customer's expression shifted to one of sudden alarm. In a swift, almost instinctive motion, they dropped everything they were holding—tools, supplies, even their phone—and headed for the door without uttering a single word.

The abruptness of the scene left Montanha and two other customers who were close by to witness it to look at each other in confusion. Turning to the two customers, an older couple that regularly came around named Jon and June and gave them smile to help shake off his unease. "That was kind of weird, don't you think? What got his trousers?" he joked halfheartedly.

“Yes certainly odd… And what a rude young man, leaving his stuff on the floor. I swear young kids these days think the working class are their personal butlers!” The Jon grunts, bending over to pick some stuff up. “Here, let me get that. Didn’t you recently throw out your back? You shouldn’t be picking nothing up!” Montanha says quickly coming over to take the stuff from the old man.

As he engaged in conversation with Jon about his back and fussed with him about lifting heavy things at his age, June's phone rang as well. The elderly woman picked it up and began to chat about something, and though he didn’t hear the specifics, but he did see as her face turned pale, a stark contrast to the usual color of her charmingly overly rouged features. She urgently interrupted the conversation.

"Montanha," she said in a hushed tone, "you need to tell people to get out of the store. Something's not right." The urgency in her words sent a chill down Montanha's spine, he looked at her with concern, "What's wrong, June?"

June, her eyes filled with concern, replied, "I'm not sure, but something's happening in the city. People are evacuating." Montanha furrowed his brow, puzzled. "That doesn't make any sense. There hasn't been any sort of emergency announcement on the radio in the store or on our phones or anything…"

Still, something just didn’t sit right with him, all those cars earlier in the afternoon, the urgency in June’s voice, the person who earlier exited the store in a rush, it just felt all wrong to him. So, despite the lack of official confirmation, Montanha decided to trust his instincts. With little hesitation he headed for the store's PA system. Taking a deep breath, he spoke into the microphone, "Attention, everyone. We've been advised to evacuate the store. Please make your way to the exits calmly and quickly." he says, keeping his voice calm and even, trying to sound official.

Hearing this the few people here began to leave the store, including Jon and June, who gave him a look that wished him good luck. Pam emerged and approached him with a pissed expression, "What the hell are you doing, Montanha?" she demanded. Steven and Rosie joined the scene, curious to see what was happening.

"I heard the city is evacuating. Jon and June got a call saying we should leave."

“Who the hell is- oh, never mind that! Of all the stupid stunts you’ve pulled this one takes the cake! You better give me a good reason why I don’t fire you right now.”

“Look, I don’t know what happening either. But I heard there’s an evacuation happening, so I think it’s better to be safe than sorry.”

Pam crossed her arms, skepticism written all over her face. "I didn't hear any official emergency announcement. We can't just shut down the store without proper confirmation."

“Are you serious??”

The tension escalated as Montanha and Pam started to argue about the legitimacy of the emergency. As they bickered at each other Rosie began to grow increasingly anxious. Suddenly she pipes up interrupting their argument, "I-I think I need to go. I have to get to my parents."

Pam, maintaining her position, asserted, "No, you can't leave. You're still on the clock." Montanha, seeing how distressed Rosie looked, interjected, "Pam, come on! If something serious is happening, she should be with her family. We can't just ignore that."

Pam shot back, "Montanha, we can't shut down the store based on hearsay. We need official confirmation. For all I know this is just some little prank you’re pulling just to piss me off!"

Rosie, near tears, looks at Pam, "I don't care if it's a prank! I-I just want to go home!"

Pam, unmoved, insisted, "Rules are rules. You’re staying, unless you want to get fired. Besides you’re parents dropped you off here, so you can’t even go anywhere." She points out.

Rosie big brown eyes were full of tears and she was shaking, on the verge of crying. It broke Montanha’s heart to see her like that. He looked at Pam, “Then let me take her home Pam. I’ll work double shift; I’ll work on Wednesday this week and I’ll scrub this store top to bottom. Just let me make sure she gets home safe with her parents.” Montanha’s voice become soft as he asked her earnestly.

They locked eyes for a moment, Pam’s seeming to look for some sort of alternative motive in his, but finding nothing, Pam stoney disposition wavers and she gives in with a sigh. “Fine. Take her home… But I expect you back at this store to finish your shift and you’ll bet I’ll have an extensive list of things for you to do when you do.”

Montanha gives her a appreciative smile, she wasn’t as much of a jerk as he thought, “Thank you.” Pam just waves him off, “Just get going, before I change my mind.” Montanha nods and looks at Rosie, “Let’s go grab our coats.”

Heading out of the store, Montanha opens takes out his phone, “hopefully the buses hasn’t been shut down yet, our it’s gonna be one hell of a walk.” Rosie puts her hands in her hoodie pockets, the green of it complimenting her long red hair, and gives him a small smile, “thank you, for doing this for me…” Montanha smiles back at her, “hey it’s no problem, you’re still pretty much a kid, so you shouldn’t have to put up with bullshit during a potential emergency.”

“Hey, I’m no kid! I’m sixteen!”

“Ha, yeah, no. You’re a fuckin baby kid, sorry. Talk to me again when you’re twenty-one.”

Rosie looked like she swallowed a warhead as she pouted at him, “yeah like I’d still want to hang with your old ass at twenty-one. If you’re not in the grave by then grandpa.” She snips back after a moment. Some sharp words for sure, though they didn’t really affect him, as Montanha just chuckled in amusement, “Hey, just cause it’s true. Don’t mean it don’t hurt.” He jokes.

“Whatever. Can we go now?”

“Sure thing.”

Heading for the nearest bus station the two of them walked down the road, seemed like nobody was around, no cars or people or anything. Still the two of them walked by the side of the road. Rosie fiddling with a rose shaped necklace she was wearing, bored, fifteen minutes into the walk Montanha got a thought and looked to Rosie, “hey, why haven’t you called your parents yet? Maybe you should tell them you’re coming? Maybe they can meet us halfway and come pick you up?”

“Don’t gotta phone.” Rosie simply says. Montanha blinks in surprise, “seriously?”

Rosie quickly became defensive at that as her face flushed in embarrassment, “Yeah? and you don’t got a car, or else we’d be riding in it right now.” She points out. Once again Montanha physically recoils at her harsh but true words, “touché.”

“Yeah, I’m literally the only teenager in this damn city who doesn’t have a phone, it’s such a buzz kill, they said I couldn’t get one till I was eighteen!” Rosie complains, Montanha just lets out a long, annoyed sigh, but he then thinks for a moment and perks back up, “Oh, well then how about you use my phone? You can call them on this right?”

“Oh, yeah I can do that.” Montanha hands Rosie his phone and she punches in some numbers before holding it up to her ear. She stands there for a moment before frowning, “went to voicemail. Hold on let me call my mom then…” she repeats her actions, but again, after a long pause she frowns, “still nothing…”

“Maybe leave them a voice message then? They might be busy cause of whatever’s going on. I’m sure they’ll call back if they know it’s from you.” Montanha suggests.

Rosie nods and calls back one of the numbers again, after a moment she speaks, “Hello? Dad? It’s me Rosie. I’m calling you from a friends phone, I heard there was something going on in the city? I’m trying to head back home now. When you get this message please call be back at this number ok? I’ll be with my friend until then. Love you, bye.” She then ends the message and hands her phone over to Montanha, “thanks again…”

“Like I said, it’s no problem.’ As he says that they finally arrive at the bus station, but it already looked abandoned, ‘… Whelp. Looks like we’re going to have to walk to your place.”

Rosie lets out a loud groan.

Having no choice, the two begin their trek threw the streets, Montanha periodically checked his phone to ensure they were still on the right path. After a while, Montanha mused aloud, "You know, I can't read a real map to save my life. Always had to rely on GPS." Rosie, glancing at him, playful shrugged, "Does anyone even know how to read a map these days?" Montanha chuckled, "Probably just the old folks."

Their steps echoed softly against the pavement as they continued through the city streets, absorbed in small idle chit chat. The usual hum of activity that filled the air seemed oddly absent, and they tried to pay little heed to it at first. But with each empty street they passed, the sense of isolation deepened as their voices carry farther out in the stillness, echoing off the silent buildings.

It shouldn’t have been a surprise to them that the city would be empty during an evacuation, but the two of them never truly expected to realize just how empty, empty would be. As they rounded a corner, the city stretched out before them, a ghostly expanse devoid of life. Rosie hugs her arms as she walked just a bit closer to Montanha, “Man, feels weird to see the city like this…”

“Yeah… But it’s kinda neat too. Makes me think we’re in “I Am Legend” in New York city.’ Rosie gives him a puzzled look, ‘you know? The one with Will Smith?”

“… You mean the guy that slapped that one comedian at the Oscars?”

“Oh my god…”

“What?? I’ve never seen that guy before! Was he in movies??”

“Yes he was in movies! A lot of them! He even was on a tv show, called “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” Guy is literally a staple!” Montanha exclaims throwing his hands up.

“Well has he been in anything recently?” Rosie asks, Montanha opens his mouth for a moment, but then quickly shuts it as he starts to think. His brows furrowed and he runs his finger threw his messy, short, messy, brown locks, “uhhh… The live action Aladdin..?”

“Oh ew. The live action Aladdin sucked.” Rosie says scrunching her face. Montanha cringes slightly, “yeah I’m starting to realize it’s been a while since I’ve seen him in anything good…”

The conversation continued on like this, thankfully distracting them from the eeriness of the once familiar, but now empty streets as it cast it’s long shadows over them.

About halfway to their destination Montanha and Rosie decided to take a breather. They had been walking for quite a while and Rosie appeared visibly exhausted.

Montanha on the other hand, thanks to his more active lifestyle, had a considerable amount of stamina and showed little signs of exhaustion. So he was more concerned for Rosie as she sat on the curb of the streets and rubbed her legs a little, noticing she was still fatigue even after then minutes of catching her breath, “hey you doing alright?”

“Yeah… this is just, a lot, I mean I’ve hiked with my parents and stuff but we’ve been walking like what? Almost two hours nonstop? It’s making my legs a bit sore…” She says as she starts to gently stretch out her legs. "Hey, how about I carry you for a bit? I'm tall, and you're on the smaller side. It would give you a chance to rest a bit longer."

Initially reluctant, Rosie eventually agreed, and Montanha squatted down for her to get on his back for a piggyback ride. Once she was situated Montanha stood back up with extreme ease and started to walk. Rosie, taken aback by his strength as well as high up she now was, couldn't help but comment, "Whoa, you're freakishly strong and tall. How did you get to be this way?"

Montanha stopped for a beat, but then continued on as he chuckled, "Lotta strength and stamina training. Plus, genetics I guess. I’m just… Lucky, I suppose." He says trying to keep his tone casual despite a small strain in it, something that Rosie didn’t seem to pick on as she seemed satisfied with that answer.

With Rosie on his shoulders, Montanha continued to walk and listen to her as she started to talk about nothing in particular. But even as he listened, his mind couldn’t help but linger on her question, a dark look Rosie couldn’t see crossing his features as memories started to surface. But he didn’t let that effect his stride as he continued their trek forward.

Montanha carried her for about a half hour before Rosie told him she was good to walk again, so he let her down and once again they both continued on foot. Once again they chatted about nothing in particular, as the city landscape slowly turned into a more suburban area, with nice houses and a park or two. Rosie shared some things about herself, favorite classes, what she thought about certain classmates. Montanha was content to listen, cracking occasional jokes.

Looking at his GPS again he made a sigh of relief, “looks like were only about half an hour till we get to your place.” Rosie also felt relieved, "Oh thank god! I'm so freakin' hungry and thirsty from all this walking." Montanha couldn't help but agree.

Just then a ringing cuts threw the air and the two of them almost jump out of their skin, instinctually Montanha reaches into his jacket pocket and pulls out his phone. The screen was alight and the message “Unknown Number” flashed across it. “Oh! That might be my parents!!” Rosie says her face lighting up with joy, Montanha was quick to hand her the phone and Rosie was quicker to answer it.

“Hello? Mom? Dad??”

                . . .

“Dad! Oh, thank God-ness! Thank goodness it’s you! Where are you right now? Did you and mom evacuate the city??”

                . . .

“I’m actually kinda close to the high school, I’m about a half an hour from home.”

                . . .

“Ok, where do you want me to meet you?”

                . . .

“The crossroad between Skyway Drive and Alkali Creek Road? ok hold on.’ She pulls the phone away from her ear so she could put in the address, she smiled as she placed the phone to her ear again, ‘ok I got it put in the GPS, it says it’s also about a half an hour away. Will you wait for me there?”

                . . .

“Yeah, ok… I love you dad.” Listening to the other end she furrows her brows for a moment, but then smiles as she hangs up. She then hands the phone back to Montanha. “So what’s the plan then?”

“They said their just outside town. Says their not allowed to come back in yet, so we gotta meet them there, I got the address put in though so we should be fine.” Montanha scrunched his nose, “Their not allowed in? Did they say why..?”

“Uh… I didn’t ask.” She sheepishly replies, he just let out a hum. For some reason he was getting another bad feeling about the situation. But he might just be paranoid, besides , she knew her parents better than anyone else.

“Anyways! I’ll totally ask my parents to treat you to some dinner or something when we get there, you’ve been a really big help so I bet they will!” Montanha chuckled, “Well I’m gonna hold you too that, cause I am craving a burger right about now…”

“Ugh me too! Lets go!” Rosie says there was a renewed skip in her step as he practically led the way. Montanha smiled at this, he was glad he could help her reunite with her parents.

Had this been a practical journey? Probably not. In hindsight Montanha may have gotten swept up in the moment when he decided to leave with Rosie. They should’ve just stayed at work and called her parents there. But something had just told him they needed to get out of that store. A feeling that he once again had to push down, wanting to trust the kid. So only with slight hesitation he fallowed her down the road.

Rosie's excitement radiated throughout the rest of the walk as she eagerly went forward, anticipating their arrival. Montanha couldn't help but find her enthusiasm contagious, and he chuckled, likening her to a child eagerly awaiting Christmas day or walking through Disneyland.

To pass the time Montanha asked a few more questions about Rosie. It was then he learned she liked to sing. “oh that’s cool, what kind of music do you like?”

“Oh, all kinds, though I like acoustic covers of songs. Cause then I can try to learn them on my guitar.” Rosie says nonchalantly.

“Shit you play guitar too?”

“Yeah, a little bit.”

“Could I hear a bit of what yah got? No pressure if you don’t.” Rosie grins, “Yeah! I’m always down to sing, honestly I’d sing all the time if people didn’t find it obnoxious.”

“Well I love some good music, so let’s hear it.”

She grinned again before taking a minute to think of a suitable song, she eventually she settled on something as she began to preform her little piece. Her voice was soft and high, it was actually quite beautiful. “You look like an angel. Walk like an angel. Talk like an angel. But I got wise. You're the devil in disguise. Oh, yes, you are, devil in disguise. Oooo.”

Montanha was surprised by the choice of song but it made him grin as she continued. She, seemed to get more into it as her steps became a bit floaty and carefree. Her eyes closed. “I thought that I was in heaven. But I was sure surprised. Heaven help me, I didn't see. The devil in your eyes.”

She turned to him, eyes bright and her smile so big it even carried in her words, “You're the devil in disguise. Oh, yes, you are, devil in disguise. Mmhmm hmmm, devil in disguise. Oh, yes, you are! Devil in disguise, mmhmm hmmm. Devil in disguise.”

Montanha couldn’t help but give her a small round of applause as she finished, “wow, that was quite impressive.” A shy look crossed her face, “Yeah? You think so?”

“Hell yeah kid. Though I am surprised you know Elvis.”

“Uh, who doesn’t know Elvis?”

“Says the girl who didn’t know who Will Smith was.” Rosie rolls her eyes at that, “is it a crime for me to not be as into movies as you seem to be?”

“ Yes. It’s possibly one of the worse offences on earth.” Rose puts a hand on her hip, “Oh yeah? Worse than murder?”

“Oh, for sure.” Montanha states, but he couldn’t even look serious as he gave her a goofy grin. Rosie lets out a sudden laugh and upon seeing that Montanha can’t help but laugh too. Both of them tittering and snickering at the silliness of it all.

 The moment soon shifted as they noticed they were close to their destination. About ten feet or so they could see two figures in the distance. Rosie face lights up at the sight and she starts to bounce on her feet "It's them!" She cheers as she goes running for them. Montanha quickly fallows her, not wanting her to go over there alone, suddenly afraid to leave her alone.

Throwing her arms up she barreled into the arms of her parents who embraced her as tears started to form in her eyes. “Mom! Dad! I missed you!” Montanha stood nearby as he witnessed the reunion. Still something gnawed at him, this was supposed to be a happy moment, so then… why did it feel wrong…?

 After a moment, Rosie turned to Montanha, her eyes sparkling with gratitude. "Mom, Dad, this is my friend from my job. He walked me all the way over here." she says introducing him to her parents. Rosie’s father looked at him, “thank you for bringing her here.”

Montanha nodded politely before offering his hand to him, “I’m Montanha, it’s nice to meet you sir, Rosie is a sweet kid and a good co-worker.” The father just looked at Montanha's hand as he held it out, but he did not attempt to grab it. After a moment Montanha dropped it with a furrowed brow. Rosie’s mother looked to Rosie with a pleasant smile, “Lets go home now dear.”

“Oh, actually. Since Montanha went through the trouble of walking me here, do you think we could treat him to dinner or-”

“There is no time for that. We must head home immediately.” Her father says cutting her off. Rosie gave him a confused look, “But I thought the city was closed..?”

“Don’t worry about that. Just come with us.” Her father states with a bit of force behind it. Her mother wraps her arms around Rosie’s and begins to lead her away. Rosie glanced at Montanha as she did so, her eyes now holding some uncertainty and even a bit of fear.

The hairs on the back of his neck stood up. This did not feel right. But these were her parents, right? Suddenly he was unsure. So, without thinking he places his hand on the father shoulder, “hey hold on-”

His words died in his throat.

He could only stand here slack jawed as without warning; the father twisted his neck fully around like an owl to stare at him, the skin of his neck twisting as if it were a wrung-out towel. The eyes once a brown like Rosies were like two literal pinpricks as he stared at him. Montanha’s face paled at the sight as he and everyone froze for a moment.

Then, like the braking of a seal, several things happened in quick succession. The first thing being the father mouth unhinging like a snake as he went for Montanha’s face. Instinctively Montanha pushed him back and the father- no, that Creature – stumbled back. Not wasting the chance, he ran up and immediately punched it in the head, using his full weight and force to send it to the hard asphalt ground.

Rosie then screamed and he saw as the thing masquerading as her mother was trying to make a run for it with Rosie, but it was not able to get anywhere fast, as Rosie fight against her kicking and squirming to break out of its grasp. Montanha sprinted over and gave the thing a hard shove, sending this one to the ground as well.

With both creature on the ground now, Montanha didn’t want to wait and see if they would get back up. Swiftly grabbing Rosie's hand and running. His instincts were screaming at him to get away, and this time he did not ignore it, as they both sprinted off the road and down to the creek nearby, making a beeline for the nearest tree line. Rosie, her eyes wide with terror, turned to Montanha, "What the hell was that?" she cried.

Montanha, his mind racing, could only manage, "Not your parents, that's for sure." The gravity of the situation was sinking in, and the urgency to escape the unfolding horror fueled their frantic movements.

Montanha did not stop running. Even as they reached the nearby trees. Even when Rosie tripped and skinned her knee. Even as Montanha in one smooth motion, scoped her up and threw her over his shoulder to carry fire man style. He just kept running. Away from those Creature. Away from the city. And away from the life they knew.

[spoopieere]

Jesse Pinkman appeared in my dream again (Dream count #6) (I know i have sleep problems where I have excessive amount of dreams, but it's getting ridiculous how many times Jesse shows up in them) This time I play as Jesse in a PS1-styled, low-poly, 3rd person videogame. His house is a mess, there's trash bags and boxes everywhere. The cops are trying to get in. Jesse stands in the kitchen, infront of a microwave and tries to make hot cocoa with two bottles of instant chocolate milk. He puts the bottles in the microwave to warm the milk. There are some machinery hooked up nearby but I can't remember what they were. On the side of the kitchen, behind the fridge was a secret hallway leading to an underground party. No one's there. Just music blaring and lights flashing. I "walked" Jesse to the nearby speakers, and apparently that made the cops "Go Away" because Jesse's not "nearby" anymore. And then Jesse's character model did a little boogie bc he stood at the speakers for long enough.

Oh yeah Jesse was wearing his iconic pumpkin shirt and some jeans.

[ordinaryschmuck]

Just a hundred percented Spider-Man 2

Here are my thoughts on the side-missions and little quests.

The Flame story was pretty great as it was nice seeing Yuri again and her Wraith costume was sick as SHIT. I question how she's able to fight so well since that...never seemed to be established in the first game, but oh well. Also, the Carnage set-up felt nice and I'm excited to see what comes of that.

Finding Sandman's memories was worth the feeling that I was helping Flint Marco. It's the most Spider-Man thing to do by helping a villain with their insanity and the ending to the mission is pretty warm, I won't lie.

The drones were a pain to follow, mainly because I'm not the best with the Web Wings. I'm fine when I'm swinging on my own and just want a light glide, I'm good. When I have to follow a strict line, I'm all over the place. But the reveal that Kraven was hunting down the Chameleon was pretty cool and I'm excited to see what comes of that in the future.

The Brooklyn Visions requests SHOULD have been more cute, but they felt tedious if anything else. I WANT to like helping a gay student ask his boyfriend out to Prom or something, but, like...it didn't feel fun. Nor was it fun to do that scavenger hunt around the school, looking for places that I have NO IDEA where they were. Maybe if the school was more relevant in the game, it'd be no sweat to find stuff, but as is it's...rough.

Finding the instruments for that Harlem museum was nice, I can see Spider-Man doing that, but the "big twist" was pretty predictable and it didn't need to be a big side quest.

I couldn't hunt down those Spider-Bots without looking up guides. I'm sorry. I don't have the patience to swing around the city looking for them, especially with those crime alerts popping up every five seconds, distracting my search. Yeah, I could ignore the alerts, but...would Spider-Man? I'm also really curious what that last cutscene with that PS1 woman was about. Oh, well, that's for a future game to decide.

The Mysterium's were fun, quick challenges. I didn't even know I was beating them with the top score because of how easy it was to get through them. And the final "Mysterio" boss fight was a pretty great way to end it.

Howard's final request got to me :'(...

I liked Hailey's little adventure, especially when the game tries to simulate being deaf by cutting out the volume to near silence and how you could feel sound through the vibrations of your controller. It's pretty cool.

The Heal the World quests felt tedious too. I felt like I was doing great work, but it was not fun to do some of those things. Especially when the game tries to force how some big crimes were going down around them and it just...doesn't work.

The Prowler hideouts were a bit tedious too, but it was sweet to hear stories between Aaron and Jefferson, making it feel like I was getting a bit more of a reward for doing it all. Plus the ending is pretty warm too, and I'm into warm endings.

I liked getting photos for Robbie, especially for the stories he gave with them, offering a real New York experience (I assume). Could be a little tedious at times, but Robbie's one of my favorite Spider-Man side characters, so I don't mind.

I feel like the Hunter bases would have been more fun...if the stealth in the game was fun. I liked the stealth in Spider-Man 1, it created an extra challenge. But with how overpowered Miles and Peter are, you can blow through each base no sweat as long as you remember to shut off the reinforcements computer. It actually creates a funny visual that in the middle of this giant fight, Peter/Miles goes "Hold on a sec" before shutting off the computer. And I guess the fight is fun and exciting, but in this game, stealth is pretty much worthless.

And the Symbiote Nests were the best kind of intense. It got frustrating when I died with ten seconds left on the clock, but rewarding when it finally ended. For me, it's better to go as Peter because it actually feels like his Anti-Venom powers do more damage than Miles' abilities. Also, don't waste all your abilities on the brutes. You'll need them all fully charged for real emergencies and with the brutes it's better to just use one at a time if you could.

And that's it. That's my thoughts on every thing in Spider-Man 2. I'll admit that the game didn't feel as ADDICTING to play as the first one was. When doing all these little missions and side quests in the first game, I was down because each one was so fun to play. Here, there's a lot of...tediousness in these quests and the rewards aren't always as strong. I do like the story beats that come with them, primarily the Mysteriums and the Flame stuff. But for the quests themselves, there could have been more polish to them.

[sarcasmisthesecondbestasm]

I did a video game list! Some I've listed because they're my favorite, and some I listed just because I wanted to talk about them, list is in no particular order.

1. Elora, Spyro: Ripto's Rage

Probably my first video game crush, Spyro was the game my mom bought to go with my PS1 and I was obsessed with Elora immediately, I started using her name as a goto name for my own characters in things for years.

2. Odessa Silverberg, Suikoden

With 108 recruitable characters per Suikoden entry plus the non recruitable NPCs, I could probably talk at length about many characters, but Odessa has always stuck with me. Her dedication is something I see in a lot of characters I also admire, but she feels formative to me.

3. Elisabet Sobeck, Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West

I cried through the whole ending of Zero Dawn, what a beautiful, tragic person they had made, and I was not ready for how much more complicated and interesting they would make her in Forbidden West. She is probably one of my favorite characters in media that we never truly meet. Like my favorite in-media legend?

4. Cora Harper, Mass Effect: Andromeda

I played MEA from launch and completed it before the 10 patches were done and I actually adored it at the time and thought a lot of the criticism was very unfair, not about the sad state the game launched in, but about the companions. One person I thought was always treated especially unfairly was Cora. Sometimes you'd see some in fandom insisting that "you should read the book, you'll understand her better!" but honestly, I thought she was perfectly understandable in game. Her character growth was quiet and bittersweet, wrestling with jealousy and disappointment and trying to not take it out on others, but sometimes failing in it, but still trying to make amends? I wonder if how many early reviews actually talked to Cora and explored her feelings. I liked her a lot even before making it to her loyalty mission.

5. Zelda, Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

I already enjoyed Breath of the Wilds' itteration of Zelda, I felt like they really did a lot with very little as far as flashbacks go, but oh man, collecting the dragon tears in Tears of the Kingdom, especially watching them in order, I cried so much, I loved her so much, just wow. I don't have any intelligent words for my feelings.

6. Alisae, Final Fantasy XIV

I missed the first time narratively you're supposed to get to really know Alisae because when I started, I was very focused on MSQ and skipped the Coils raids altogether, so I spent an embarrassingly long time thinking of her as "moody Alphinaud". I am very ashamed of my earlier dismissal of her (and Alphinaud as well, honestly) and have grown very fond of her. She really embraces her emotions, positive and negative, in a way not a lot of other characters do, I think, and it makes me really appreciate her when she's in a particular plot.

7. Karlach, Baldurs Gate 3

When I forst started BG3, I didn't know much about it other than it was a D&D game, and watching my spouse be frustrated with the choices their friends were making and failing to make it online at the agreed upon time, much like regular D&D, so as I started meeting the characters, I really enjoyed them, even when they frustrated me. I didn't know Karlach was recruitable and in fact almost missed her, I was backtracking because I realized I had passed Wyll's quest (I had been mostly meandering through the map and not really following the quests closely yet) and when I met her, I was totally taken off guard by her openness, warmness, kindness- she completely subverted my expectations and I thought she was Best Girl right then and there, and then continued to fall in love with her the more time went on.

8. Misty Olszewski, Cyberpunk 2077

I really, really hate Misty's hair, and I'm only bringing it up because it's the only thing I dislike about her, I love her quiet, steady, but very realistic depicted grief, her refusal to be a doormat while maintaining her softness and care. I love her so much, she doesn't need to be a hardass or cruel like so many others in Cyberpunk and does not let that world change her.

9. Adeline, Fields of Mistria

Hard pick for Fields of Mistria, I like nearly every character, but I definitely wanted to bring up one of the ladies from the game I'm playing right now. I have, from you can see from the rest of my list, a special love for women who want to make their community better, and it's so nice to have her optimism and love for her town and people.

10. Lace Harding, Dragon Age: Inquisition (and??)

I saved Harding for last because I am so excited she's going to be a companion in Veilguard! I looked forward to talking to her every new location and getting to know her and was sad we didn't get more of her, and now we are!

Name ten female characters you like, you get zapped if it's jsut a male character you call a babygirl or other feminine nicknames because I can't see people calling Lestat coquette again

[longformeditions]

LE151 Sarah Hennies Standing Water 12.06.2024

Sarah Hennies (b. 1979, Louisville, KY) is a composer based in Upstate NY whose work is concerned with a variety of musical, sociopolitical, and psychological issues including including queer and trans identity, psychoacoustics, and the social and neurological conditions underlying creative thought. She is primarily a composer of acoustic ensemble music, but is also active in improvisation, film, and performance art. She presents her work internationally as both a composer and percussionist with notable performances at MoMA PS1 (NYC), Monday Evening Concerts (Los Angeles), Warsaw Autumn, Ruhrtriennale (Essen), Archipel Festival (Geneva), Darmstädter Ferienkurse, Time:Spans (NYC), and the Edition Festival (Stockholm). As a composer, she has received commissions across a wide array of performers and ensembles including Bearthoven, Bent Duo, Ensemble Dedalus, The Living Earth Show, Mivos String Quartet, Talea Ensemble, Nate Wooley, and Yarn/Wire.

Katie Porter plays clarinet, bass clarinet, sings, writes songs and curates performances. She exists mainly in the experimental realm, but can sometimes be found elsewhere.

Madison Greenstone is a New York based clarinetist whose ‘beautiful and haunting’ playing ‘creeps noisily away from the void’ (Foxy Digitalis). They perform across a wide range of experimental music contexts as a soloist, improvisor, and chamber musician. Madison’s solo performance practice, exstatic resonances, pushes the limits of innate instrumental expressivities by treating the meeting of instrument and embodied technique as creative of a site of indeterminacy and generative instability. Their approach to the clarinet embraces and instigates chaotic timbral actions, difficult-to-reign sonorities, and the harmonically rich and noisy resonances that have a vivid inner life and movement. Their practice embraces responsive listening as a mediator between embodied technique and latent instrumental agency.

Artist notes: Standing Water is a musical response to a large pond of frogs behind my house in Red Hook, NY (the small rural village in the Hudson Valley, not the neighborhood in Brooklyn). Every spring the peepers start their sparse chirping at night (similar to those that inspired Pauline Oliveros’s electronic work ��Alien Bog”) but as the weather warms up the frogs erupt into a dense chorus of mating noises that plays on a loop for hours at a time outside my living room window. Similar to my older vibraphone piece Gather & Release” the guided improvisation in Standing Water is a way of interacting and existing with the frogs that makes no attempt to “blend” or integrate with their world and rather, perform music that is evocative of how alien it feels to be alone with a loud, noisy, promiscuous group of another species. The trio with Madison and Katie was formed for the purposes of playing Michael Ranta’s “Continuum II” but we wanted something else to play together and since we’re unaware of another piece for this instrumentation, we had to make it ourselves.

Madison Greenstone and Katie Porter: bass clarinet Sarah Hennies: percussion and field recording Recorded live on February 9, 2024 at Anderson Auditorium, SMFA at Tufts University, Boston, MA. Presented by Non-Event Engineered and mixed by Matthew Azevedo Field recording by Sarah Hennies in spring 2024, Red Hook, NY

[otherone12]

Happy BDay, Gee!!

Gerard Way x Reader

-> Masterlist

A/N: HEYYYY, guys  do you miss me? 'Cause I miss you (Action Cat lol)... So, i cant promisse to post to much, not now, cause i have a whole book to read in a week, a short film to record, and a few assigments to do... an rn im sick (literally have to stop writting to puke lol). Hope u all well, and hope u like this one, it's a bit too short but after a month without posting... yeah.

It's not midnight in Brazil yet, so im still on April 9th <3

Summary: A cute fic to celebrate Gee's birthday.

- Word Count: 825

- Warnings: Age Gap! (reader 20-ish and Gerard 48yo)

- Ps: I'll not use y/n…

- Ps1: I'm brazilian, so english is not my first language... sorry if i wrote something wrong.

___________________________________________

Reader’s 1st Person POV

I woke up earlier than usual, Gerard’s arms wrapped around my waist, I felt his warm breath against my neck. I wanted to stay a little longer, but I had a few plans for today too, so carefully I got up, getting out of the warmth of his arms. 

I walked to the kitchen, trying not to make any noise, as I started to prepare breakfast for him. Just a simple black coffee, pancakes, fruits… in about half an hour it was all sattle in a tray, and I was on the stairs on my way to our room. But then, there he was, up, ready to start the day.

- You are no fun… - I said, still trying to not spill anything - Go back to bed so I can surprise you! 

- What? - He chuckled - Let me help you, babe.

- No! - I pouted - It's for you…

He gave me a small smile, his sleepy hazel eyes with an almost apologetic look.

- I know, sugar, but I can help you and-

- No, get back to the bed, Gee… - I keep walking, focusing on the tray.

- Okay, okay… - He smiled, walking back to our room.

When I finally got in, he was there, sitting on the bed. That wasn't exactly the way I wanted this day to begin, but yeah… that’s how it’s going.

I looked at him, smiling, placing the table on his side.

- Here! - I said proudly, and he smiled at me. Damn how much I love his smile…- Happy birthday, Birthday Boy!

His hand reached for my face, rubbing his thumb on my cheek. 

- Thanks, babe… - Gerard kissed my forehead, sweetly - But I’m not much of a boy anymore, I guess…

- Nah… - I tilted my head, and moved forward to kiss him on the lips, quick, but tender.- I don’t really care about that… Still my man.

- I love you so much… - He murmured, his lips brushing mine. 

- Yeah? - I smirked.

- Yeah. - He bit his lip a bit.

- Good, cause I love you too - I pressed a kiss on his lips again, he tasted so sweet… - And I planned to make this day all about you…

I reached for the fork on the tray, and picked a bit of pancakes.

- Open up, babe… - I held the fork on his lips, and he opened his mouth. Gerard hummed, that hum that said “really good”.

Before I could react, Gerard put me on his lap, I gasped surprised, and giggled when I saw him all cute holding me. 

- Way better… - He whispered as he buried his nose on my neck. - There is no way you can make this day better…

- Gee, it’s only 8am… - - We have a full day ahead... and you haven't seen your gift yet!

- Oh my god, there’s more? - He groaned playfully.

- Yep - I giggled as he kissed my shoulder.

The morning went well with these cute vibes. It’s not like we never do this kind of thing, but today was just… different. Maybe because it was his day, yeah… totally because of that. He is a bit shy of being the center of attention, but he deserved it. I made his favorite dish for lunch, and all the time I spent on that was worth it the second I saw the spark in his eyes.

Then in between a lot of kisses, I walked to him with a not too small package. Gerard raised one eyebrow.

- what do you have there? - He smirked.

- Dunno… - I made a face - something special for my man I guess…

- Oh, is that so? - He chuckled- He must be a lucky guy…

- He is 

I handed him the package, and he opened… there it was, the one batman issues he wanted for so fucking long, but neve found… well, i did.

His eyes were wide, pure schock.

- Babe… - He froze - How…? Where do you… ? 

- I have my ways - - And you deserve the best.

Instantly he put his arms around me, pulling me into a hug. 

- Thank you so much, sugar… - He kissed the top of my head - I don't even know how to thank you.

- No need to… - My head still pressed on his chest - It’s your birthday, Gee…

He held me for a while, swinging me a bit. He is so perfect…

At the end of the day, Ray, Frank and Mikey arrived at our house, we had some pizza, even put a 48 candle on the top of that. We talked, laughed and I can tell Gerard was loving that… and so was I.

At night, before we slept, he was with his arms around my waist again, all cozy, and he kissed the back of my neck.

- Thanks for today… - He murmured 

- Gee, you don’t need to thank me! 

- I know, I know… but I want to…  - He smiled against my skin - And I love you, so much…

- Love you too, babe…

And just like that, I knew I did right…

___________________________________________

- So... That's it! hope u like it! feedbacks are always welcome!

-Tag list: @bossiestbitch @mimilovesnumetal @tw1nk4emoboys @f4wnfangz

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[citylifeorg]

Warm Up 2025 to Feature MikeQ, John Glacier, Sarz, Ok Williams, Special Request, DJ Stingray 313, and Many More

Warm Up. 2024. Photo: Ryan Muir Six Fridays in July and August Warm Up, MoMA PS1’s signature music series, returns for its 27th season this summer with DJ sets and live performances from 4 to 10 p.m. on six Friday evenings in July and August. This season’s lineup charts origin points for innovations in electronic music, celebrating new sounds from scenes in New York City and around the world,…

[sihleblogs]

NYC in the Fall: A Season of Color, Culture & Cozy Vibes

There’s something magical about fall in New York City. The summer heat fades, the leaves start turning, and suddenly everything feels a little more cinematic. If you’re wondering what to do in NYC this fall, the answer is simple: explore. From leaf-filled walks and rooftop sunsets to spooky October events, the city becomes a fall-lover’s dream.

Here’s your short and sweet guide to making the most of autumn in the Big Apple.

Wander Through Central Park’s Fall Foliage

Start with the obvious but essential. Central Park in the fall is straight out of a movie. Stroll through The Mall, visit Bow Bridge, or wander into the Ramble. Bring a hot drink, your favorite playlist, and take it all in. Whether you’re a tourist or a local, this is one of the most peaceful things to do in NYC during fall.

Explore Seasonal NYC Events

Want something special that only happens this time of year?

Open House New York lets you peek inside hidden rooftops, historic buildings, and creative spaces all across the city.

Brooklyn Book Festival is a haven for book lovers and indie publishers.

Queens Night Market (Fall Edition) offers a mix of street food, handmade goods, and live performances.

If you’re wondering what to do in NYC this fall, these events are local, vibrant, and full of surprises.

Watch a Rooftop Sunset

Fall sunsets in New York are warmer and softer, perfect for one last rooftop moment before winter arrives. Try spots like Harriet’s in DUMBO or Westlight in Brooklyn for beautiful skyline views. Grab a warm drink and enjoy the glow.

Celebrate Halloween NYC Style

The city takes Halloween seriously. The Village Halloween Parade is an over-the-top celebration filled with wild costumes, music, and community energy. If you want more of a scare, haunted houses like Blood Manor bring the chills. Even just walking around decorated neighborhoods like the West Village can feel like stepping into a Halloween movie set.

Take a Quick Fall Getaway

For those looking for a break from city streets, there are plenty of easy fall day trips. Queens County Farm brings the full fall experience to the city with hayrides, pumpkin patches, and fresh cider. If you're willing to travel just a bit further, apple orchards in upstate New York are ideal for a peaceful autumn escape.

Enjoy a Rainy Day Museum Moment

There’s something about spending a chilly fall afternoon in a museum that just feels right. Visit The Met for classic art, MoMA PS1 for something more experimental, or the Museum of the City of New York for local history. It’s the perfect mix of warmth, culture, and inspiration.

Just Walk and Let the City Surprise You

Still not sure what to do in NYC this fall? Try this—walk. No plans, no pressure. Wander through SoHo, the East Village, or Williamsburg. Discover a new coffee shop, stumble on a flea market, or find your next favorite bookstore. Fall is about slowing down and soaking up the little moments, and New York has a way of delivering them when you least expect it.

Consider This

Autumn in NYC is all about balance—between the fast pace of the city and the calming rhythm of the season. Whether you're filling your weekends with events or enjoying slow solo walks under orange trees, you don’t have to look far to figure out what to do in NYC this fall. The city has already set the scene. All you have to do is step into it.

[8bitsupervillain]

End of the Year 2024! The Games I liked Pre-2024!

The more time passes, the larger I feel the Games I Liked Pre-202X list will grow. There just aren’t enough hours in the day to play every game that comes out in a year to its conclusion. But that’s the beautiful thing about games isn’t it? Despite the years passing by the games you haven’t played will still be there to be played eventually. So what if they don’t have the snazziest and newest graphics the Triple A industry can buy? Graphical improvements aren’t getting much better. Besides with a lot of indie games they do seem to be chasing the trend of older retro graphics anyway, I do like how the retro graphics scene has progressed all the way to fake PS1.

Snatcher

This is a graphical adventure game for the MSX console. You play as an officer for a branch of the police that’s tasked with tracking down Snatchers, robots who kill and replace humans in the city of Neo-Kobe. When the game begins you’re tasked with locating your missing partner another robot hunter named Jean-Jacques Gibson who disappeared when he was investigating potential Snatcher activity. During the course of your investigation you get embroiled in the schemes of the Snatchers and sometimes have to shoot your way out of your current predicament. There aren’t very many of these shooting segments, so when they do come up it threw me for a loop because suddenly you have to use the number keys on your keyboard to shoot a segment of the screen. You’d think since it’s sectioned off in a three by three area you could use your keyboards number pad, but the MSX was an 80s computer console so you have to use the ones above the letters. Apparently the MSX version of Snatcher is not the full experience they wanted to make, they wanted the game to be a trilogy of sorts. The Sega Saturn is apparently closer to the full experience, but despite some mechanical foibles I enjoyed my time with Snatcher.

Quake 2

Originally I had no intention of playing Quake 2, but very shortly into Space Marine 2 I decided to install it and played it instead of Space Marine 2. I’ve played Quake 2 before, but it had been so long since I originally played it I forgot basically everything about it. Except for the stuff in the demo the game was more or less a very hazy recollection of things I think happened in it. Somewhere along the way from when I bought Quake 2 however many decades ago to today they decided to do a remaster of it that includes the console versions of the game as well as a whole pile of expansion packs. I don’t know if the expansions are any good, because I only played the base game which is still a pretty fun game. It doesn’t have a lot of the stuff modern shooters came packed with these days, but I don’t think that’s necessarily a bad thing. It was very interesting playing what felt like the formative steps of what first person shooters became for the longest time. I also like how the game has battle damage on the guys you fight in this game. It’s neat seeing huge chunks of flesh and muscle get blown off as you lay into them with your weapons. It’s got a good soundtrack too.

Persona 5 Tactica

I enjoyed the turn-based strategy this game brought to the table. It’s not the most robust of strategy games, but I enjoyed its variation on the press turn mechanic seen in the mainline Persona and Shin Megami Tensei games. Initially I wasn’t in love with the graphical style of the game, but I warmed up to it quite a bit during my time with the game. I liked the fact the game avoided the spin-off problem a lot of spin-off games have where they’ll introduce the main character and everyone from the base game just falls head over heels in love with them. The P5 cast does take a shine to the new girl Erina, but it stops short of them just gushing over her every action.

Shin Megami Tensei I

I have been trying to play Shin Megami Tensei for nearly two decades. I always start the game, get roughly four hours or so into the game, and for various reasons just stop playing it. Couldn’t tell you why I kept dropping it, I never thought the game was bad, just for whatever reason I would stop and try again a year or two later. This year however I resolved to actually finish the game, and this time I did! The only real difference in my attempt this year compared to other years is that this time around I played the PS1 version, and not the Super Famicom version. I like going back to the first entries in major franchises just to get a feel for how the series started (I am aware this isn’t the first Megami Tensei game). There’s something about this games vaguely horror aesthetic that I enjoy a lot, the atmosphere of the game before the destruction of Tokyo is great to experience. It has a distinct feeling to it that, while present in the rest of the games post-apocalypse, feel more pronounced and sinister. Although I do love the notion of exploring bombed out and destroyed office buildings as demons just scurry around. My only major complaint with the game is the fact that if you choose the auto-battle option in combat you’re locked in to it until the fight resolves one way or the other.

Hero’s Hour

I’ll occasionally get the itch to play a strategy game, turn-based, real-time, doesn’t matter. I’m not very good at these games, and I couldn’t tell you which ones are actually good or not. Hero’s Hour is a delightful strategy game that despite being utterly terrible at I keep coming back to. I enjoy marching my little army of creatures around the overworld just getting into scraps wherever we can. Despite never sticking with it for very long, and not fully understanding how the game actually works I found myself coming back to it a lot in 2024.

Resident Evil

It made me so very very happy when Capcom decided to re-release the original versions of the first three Resident Evil games. The remakes are great and all, but I have the desire to go back and play the original versions of these gems, plus they made it so you could actually play the PC original of Resident Evil 1 without having to perform digital necromancy. I sort of expected them to just toss it out there without any real consideration for making the game more playable on modern machines, so it pleased me to no end to find they made it so you can play it with any controller you can think of. Just being able to replay the original Resident Evil on my computer with a PS5 controller and not have any issues was just such an utter delight. It’s also good to see that despite not having played it very often since the remake came out I can still finish this game in around an hour just going off of memory. It is an utter delight to be able to play the entire series on one machine without any issue. Well except for Operation Raccoon City, and the Chronicles games I guess.

Higurashi When They Cry Hou Chapter 7: Minagoroshi

Minagoroshi is the best of the original eight chapters in the Higurashi series. It drags a little bit, but the overall package is such a densely packed and superbly written chapter that it more than makes up for the section that drags this entry down. I do somewhat wonder if my enjoyment of the chapter is colored by the fact that it follows the absolute worst chapter of the series. It also introduces one of the best villain characters I had seen in a good long while.

Higurashi When They Cry Hou Rei: Saikoroshi

Technically the ninth chapter in the Higurashi series, it also serves as a wonderful finale for the entire Higurashi series. It very easily could have been the worst, but it’s such a nicely condensed chapter for the series that it knocks it out of the park. It does the impossible and more or less course corrects what I feel was some particularly awful character damage that the eighth chapter did to some major characters.

Tactical Nexus

This was going to be a controversial inclusion, at the time when I played the game what I played was marked as a demo. But somewhere along the line the game went free to play, so the dozens of hours I sunk into the two chapters available for free become a more justifiable use of my time. Tactical Nexus is a puzzle RPG where you have to gather experience and power to fight through monsters in a seemingly endless tower. It’s a fun little time waster where the combat is basically you walk into enemies and if you’re stronger than them their health just craters and then they die. If you’re on more equal footing with them they take longer to die and drain your health until either one of you die, or you hit the reverse time button and try to gain more experience elsewhere until you can fight them. I like this game quite a lot, just a very good game to zone out to.

Etrian Odyssey HD

My only real complaint with this HD version of the game is that it’s the vanilla Etrian Odyssey experience, and doesn’t have the Untold storyline from the 3DS remake. A very enjoyable dungeon RPG that can feel absolutely ruthless at times.

[kassiahastus]

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