#Project xii

[lonestarflight]

Astronaut Edwin Eugene Aldrin Jr on an EVA during the Gemini XII Mission.

Date: November 12, 1966.

NARA: 5807071, 5807147, 5807065, 5807019, 5806996, 5806978

[kazbob]

FFXII Week - Day 6: Favourite Antagonist

Judge Ghis

Big fan of peepaw. Mark Wing-Davey voicing him was such a pleasant discovery! I love evil old guys full of hubris

[knitmylove]

i'm so proud of myself 🩷

[gamesandglassroses]

D A L M A S C A E S T E R S A N D - Final Fantasy XII

[pei-na]

@strxngertogether said ; x

you let it keep hurting because you think hurting is who you are. Connor's absolutely projecting lol

// hurting is what kayn was born as. every blood cell that flows through his veins is infused with this very pain, as if he was made up of hurting and despair - as any noxian would be.

this is a reality he faced a while ago, but has yet to ever find it in himself to accept. hurting is who he is : every fiber of his body was born hurting, every fiber of his body screams in a way that wants to keep hurting.

his blood keeps him hungry, never satiated, always craving more, more, more, more, and when he frowns and crosses his arms as a response to the other's words, he hears rhaast's mocking laughter, and it only solidifies into even more of a headache.

' read you like a book ' , he'd comment, making the noxian ionian roll his eyes, wish that the darkin had a physical form that he could grab and strangle. holding the scythe isn't exactly the same.

after enough silence and studying the boy in front of him like he could read his entire history just by the pores on his skin. " it doesn't hurt. " , are the disorientating words he ends up settles on. then, he refocuses the attention onto the aforementioned scythe. " this thing's not even worth half the respect it keeps on yapping about. "

[sunseed-fandump]

The Tarot from the new trailer has me FLIPPING OUT (Sorry for the shitty screenshot) I was already making an analysis on the previous cards we got, but THIS has really got me doing backflips in my head because of the implications.

Let me explain.

First off, have you noticed that one of these cards is not like the others?

The first card, Strawberry Cookie, is in reverse. She is on the major arcana card XII - The Hanged Man. When the Hanged Man is in Reverse, it represents Delays, resistance, stalling, indecision, stagnation.

"The upright Hanged Man encourages you to pause for a moment and see things from a different perspective. Reversed, this card can show that you know you need to hit the pause button, but you are resisting it. Instead, you fill your days with tasks and projects, keeping busy and distracting yourself from the actual issue that needs your attention. Your spirit and body are asking you to slow down, but your mind keeps racing. Stop and rest before it’s too late. The Universe will only dial up the volume if you ignore it, and as a result, you may end up crashing. So, as soon as you hear the call, clear your schedule and make the space so you can tune in and listen."

Next we move on to Gingerbrave's card: 0 - The Fool.

In the Upright Position, the Fool represents new beginnings, innocence, spontaneity, a free spirit, and adventure.

"To see the The Fool generally means a beginning of a new journey, one where you will be filled with optimism and freedom from the usual constraints in life. When we meet him, he approaches each day as an adventure, in an almost childish way. He believes that anything can happen in life and there are many opportunities that are lying out there, in the world, waiting to be explored and developed. He leads a simple life, having no worries, and does not seem troubled by the fact that he cannot tell what he will encounter ahead."

Finally we have Wizard Cookie's card: I - The Magician.

In the Upright position, the Magician symbolizes logic, desire, resourcefulness, willpower, intelligence, skill, and manifestation.

"When you get the Magician in your reading, it might mean that it's time to tap into your full potential without hesitation. As a master manifestor, The Magician brings you the tools, resources and energy you need to make your dreams come true. Now is the perfect time to move forward on an idea that you recently conceived. The seed of potential has sprouted, and you are being called to take action and bring your intention to fruition. The skills, knowledge and capabilities you have gathered along your life path have led you to where you are now, and whether or not you know it, you are ready to turn your ideas into reality."

So what do these 3 cards mean together? Well, we have someone who is stagnating, who is stuck and unable to move forward. But they go through a rebirth - an epiphany - and start on the path of a new journey. And on that new path they unlock their full potential.

This is Pure Vanilla Cookie's story in the next update in a nutshell!

Sorry for the sorta long post, i just wanted to geek out about this since I love love love it when Tarot is used as a narrative device :)

[lupinqs]

SERIES MASTERLIST (my main masterlist)

summary:

in which paige and dani have been best friends since they were six years old. however, when senior year begins, everything changes as dani seems to slip from paige’s grasp, leaving paige struggling to hold onto the friendship—and more—that they once shared.

content/themes:

best friends to lovers, homophobia (internalized and outright), sexuality discovery + religious guilt, angst, fluff, smut, cursing, underage alcohol consumption, hopkins paige!!!!

playlist:

character list:

here

�� ━━━━━ CHAPTER GUIDE:

o. Prologue ━━ Beginning of the End

before paige leaves for the summer, she and dani share one last night together.

i. Chapter One ━━ Fractured Bonds

dani’s become distant, and paige wants to know why.

ii. Chapter Two ━━ Silence and Static

paige learns what it’s like to be without dani.

iii. Chapter Three ━━ Falling out of Focus

a party is all paige needs to get her mind off of dani. right?

iv. Chapter Four ━━ Caged Bird

dani’s sent away for the summer, and when she comes home, everything is different.

v. Chapter Five ━━ Happy Halloween

paige is getting more and more worried about dani.

vi. Chapter Six ━━ Shattered Glass

dani finally breaks.

vii. Chapter Seven ━━ Break In, Break Up, Break Out

paige and dani are paired up for a project.

viii. Chapter Eight ━━ Old Times, New Times

paige and dani hang out, just like old times.

ix. Chapter Nine ━━ Mending

paige, dani, jalen, and thaliah attempt to mend their friendship.

x. Chapter Ten ━━ Love Was The Law, Religion Was Taught

dani tries to get past the idea of sin.

xi. Chapter Eleven ━━ Home, For Christmas

dani sneaks out to spend christmas with paige’s family.

xii. Chapter Twelve ━━ State Championship

hopkins wins the state championship and paige throws a party in celebration.

xiii. Chapter Thirteen ━━ Swimming in Sin

dani feels lost, with nowhere to go and nothing ahead of her.

xiv. Chapter Fourteeen ━━ Know It’s For The Better

paige finds out about what happened with dani’s father.

xv. Chapter Fifteen ━━ Future In Our Hands

paige and dani graduate high school.

[darlingsblackbook]

Alhaitham x Academic Rival!Reader | Part Two

Why is apologizing so hard!

Genshin Masterlist

I | Alhaitham doesn’t apologize right away - not because he doesn’t regret it, but because he has no idea how to approach you without making it worse.

II | Alhaitham tries to be logical about it at first: If I gave offense, I should simply clarify. Done.

III | When Alhaitham sees you again - sitting a little farther away in the lecture hall, eyes a little dimmer - his carefully constructed plan crumbles.

IV | Alhaitham approaches you with a book in hand, pretending it’s business. “I thought this might support your argument from last week. You were close, but your conclusion lacked support.”

You stare at him blankly. “Thanks.”

No sarcastic smile. No flustered stammer.

He walks away feeling worse.

V | Kaveh catches Alhaitham pacing at home.

“What’s wrong with you?”

“Nothing.”

“You’re rereading the same page for 20 minutes. She finally ignore you back, huh?”

VI | The next time you see Alhaitham, he’s weirdly lingering. Hovering near your desk like a ghost with a PhD.

“You didn’t submit your paper this week.”

“Wasn’t feeling up to it.”

“It’s not like you to fall behind.”

“…Maybe I’m not on your level.”

That hits. Alhaitham stands frozen, unsure what to say.

You pack up and leave without waiting.

VII | The guilt builds until it spills over into Alhaitham's writing. Your name shows up in the margins of his notes.

She would’ve argued this… Her stance would be this…

He realizes he misses you. Not just your intellect — you.

VIII | So… Alhaitham buys sweets. They’re not even your favorite. He doesn’t know what your favorite is. He just remembers you once picked a pastry over lunch and mumbled something about it being “comforting.”

IX | Alhaitham leaves it on your desk with a sticky note:

“For research recovery.”

You stare at it for a long time.

X | The next day, you leave your corrected paper on Alhaitham's desk.

He reads it three times.

He circles a line of your argument and writes in the margins,“Impressive.”

XI | That afternoon, Alhaitham finds you in the library.

“I was unfair to you.”

You blink.

He's standing there like he's about to defend a thesis, but his voice does not have that edge to it at all. No, it's soft - gentle.

“You were right to walk away. I… didn’t mean to hurt you.”

XII | Your heart stirs — not because of the apology, but because it’s Alhaitham. Stiff posture, untrained words, but sincere eyes.

XIII | "Why do you even argue with me if you think I’m beneath you?”

“I don’t.”

“…Then why say it?”

“Because when I talk to you, it doesn’t feel like I’m wasting my breath. You’re the only one who pushes back. And—”

He hesitates. “—I value your mind. Even if I don’t always… speak kindly.”

XIV | You soften a little. “You don’t have to be cruel to show respect, you know.”

“I’m learning that.” Alhaitham looks away. “But… I’d like to keep hearing your voice. Debating with you. Even if you win.”

XV | “You’d let me win?”

“No,” Alhaitham says, deadpan. “But I’d tolerate it.”

You laugh. It’s the first time he’s heard it in a while. He hides his relief badly.

XVI | From then on, Alhaitham starts catching himself before speaking. He still throws jabs, but they’re lighter, more teasing. You start teasing back.

XVII | One day, Alhaitham catches you staring at him.

“What?”

“Just wondering when you turned into someone kind of… sweet.”

He blushes and immediately hides behind a book. “Must be projection.”

XVIII | When you pass Alhaitham your next paper, there’s a note at the end,“Try to be nicer, or I’ll start winning on purpose.”

He smiles. Actually smiles.

XIX | The rivalry never ends — but now it’s charged with something electric. And when Alhaitham finally kisses you (a long time later), he still prefaces it with,

“This doesn’t mean you were right about your theory.”

You grin. “Sure, Haitham. Whatever helps you sleep.”

All Rights Reserved �� 2025 Darlingsblackbook

[kerryshifts]

THE DISCOGRAPHY,

baby-doll, you need some rock n' roll. !!!!!!

for everyone who likes to scream in the void. no judgment is allowed. no fear will take control. music has always been a way to connect with the deepest part of you; and this is why they are always praised for. ladies and gentlemen… THE INKSTAINS.

with their raw, energetic and distorted sound THE INKSTAINS are meeting contemporary tastes and bringing back rock’n’roll at the top of international charts. they are a mania. founded in 2018 initially as a way for the group to disobey to their parents wishes, the four of them say to have found a part of themselves they have never seen before with their music. kerry colt (lead singer & face of the group), james potter (bass), remus lupin (guitar) and sirius black (drums), all in their teenagehood, are rebooting rock ‘n’ roll for a new generation of listener.

🎸 ✶ release date: september 20, 2019. DETENTION DIARIES.

alternative rock / desert rock / grunge. length: 54:20.

[ GEFFEN RECORDS ] & dan nigro, jack endino, butch vig.

TRACKLIST . .

i. pure games.

ii. true love knows no misery.

iii. frenzy.

iv. the time has come again 4 cocktails.

v. sweetheart inside destruction.

vi. my killer.

vii. someone new!!!!!

viii. hold me down with your games.

ix. social scars.

x. mess of a soul.

xi. stuck in my head….

xii. no sleep for dreamers.

xiii. lost signal.

xiv. over and out.

the debut album DETENTION DIARIES has received a lot of positive criticism. both the critics and the public admired the sound and the details put in each of the songs, such as special effects (ex: fireworks in social scars) in some of them, and how the sound and the lyrics matches each other while, when needed, can cause a sensation of discomfort and comfort. the album can both be raw and eccentric, capturing the essence of each member of the band. everyone can clearly hear how much all the people who worked on this project cared about the result. DETENTION DIARIES became one of the best selling albums of 2019, positioning at the first place on the globally billboards, along with nine of the songs placing on the top 30 songs globally. it became a global success, causing THE INKSTAINS to be 13th on the list of all artists.

THE AWARDS,

v mas 2019.

VIDEO OF THE YEAR: my killer.

BEST NEW ARTIST: THE INKSTAINS.

BEST ROCK: THE INKSTAINS / DETENTION DIARIES.

THE INKSTAINS performed my killer at the VMAS, causing not only a pop culture moment, but also controversy. the performance was raw to demonstrate the meaning of the song (the singer directly talks to anxiety, who is represented as a person, a femme fatale version of her, and who talks back to her). the two have two very different type of voices; with thehe anxiety having a very high-pitched voice). because of the sound & the lyrics & the outfit the band was wearing, they got ‘demonic’ accusations. the only response by the band was ‘you know you made it when they think you are demonic’.

grammy awards 2020.

BEST NEW ARTIST: THE INKSTAINS.

BEST ROCK SONG: my killer.

NOMINATED (best rock album).

DETENTION DIARIES TOUR.

from 5st january 2020 to 31th august 2020.

🎸 ✶ release date: march 4th, 2021. RUST&RUIN.

alternative rock / desert rock / grunge. length: 54:20.

[ GEFFEN RECORDS ] & dan nigro, jack endino, butch vig.

TRACKLIST,

i. the time has come again 4 introductions.

ii. serious teenager.

iii. unlikely magnets.

iv. mooore drugs.

v. it’s thought to make explosions.

vi. me n u and hellfire.

vii. in yesterday.

viii. out of anthems.

ix. please, no.

x. closer memory.

their sophomore album RUST&RUIN became a global success, easily beating their debut. the marketing for the album anticipation was, according to the critics, so in-style with the band that it almost felt surreal to assist in real time. all of the vinyls went out stock in less than ten minutes, and RUST&RUIN became the best selling album of 2021, making THE INKSTAINS the 6th artist most streamed on spotify. this is a more mature album, and everything seems to be even better than the debut one: from the melody, the voice, lyrics and production. the bandsurpassed all the expectations that everyone had. it wasn’t so different from DETENTION DIARIES, but it wasn’t neither the same. people loved it because it came with feelings, not only a good music.

THE AWARDS,

v mas.

SONG OF THE YEAR: me n u and hellfire.

BEST ROCK: RUST&RUIN.

( NOMINATED ) album of the year. best music video.

grammys.

BEST ROCK SONG: in yesterday.

SONG OF THE YEAR: me n u and hellfire.

BEST ROCK ALBUM: RUST&RUIN.

( NOMINATED ) album of the year. best music video.

RUST&RUIN TOUR.

from september 20, 2021 to august 5, 2022.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[loveberrie]

༘˚｡⋆𖦹.✧˚ SUGAR, INK, AND SPARKS!

business major tattoo artist!scaramouche x baker art major gn!reader

sypnosis: Scaramouche, a sharp-tongued business major and tattoo artist, clashes with you, a baker and a passionate art major. When both of you were forced to collaborate on a university project, their rivalry sparks deep tension—but beneath the chaos, something deeper begins to bloom something else. What could it be?

content warnings: vulgar words, use of w33d, parental issues, alc0hol, kys/kms jokes, dark humor (?)

genre: enemies to lovers, hate at first sight, slowburn (?), crack, angst if you look closely

🌺 STATUS : on going

STARTED : 2/04/25

ships: K. Shinobu x Heizou, Chilumi, Keqing x Mona

playlist

Y/N'S CIRCLE! SCARA AND FRIENDS!

PROLOGUE

I. start of a new sem ?!?!

II. new project.. sigh.

III. i hate him already

IV. unlucky day

V. um he's good.. ig...

VI. tbe

VII. tbe

VIII. tbe

VIIII. tbe

X. tbe

chapter two !

XI. tbe

XII. tbe

XIII. tbe

XIV. tbe

XV. tbe

XVI. tbe

XVII. tbe

taglist (open) 11/50

[lonestarflight]

"The Gemini spaceflight program concludes as the Gemini-12 spacecraft, with astronaut James A. Lovell Jr., command pilot, and Edwin E. Aldrin Jr., pilot, aboard, nears touchdown in the Atlantic Ocean 2.5 nautical miles from the prime recovery ship, USS WASP. Gemini-12 splashed down at 2:21 p.m. (EST), Nov. 11, 1966, to conclude the four-day mission in space."

Date: November 15, 1966

NASA ID: S66-59986, KSC-66C-9516, S66-59936

[knitmylove]

im so excited 🌸💖

[theveil-and-thepath]

Mini PAC n° 3: Three things that will be solved before the end of mercury retrograde

Pile 1 (red) - Pile 2 (orange) - Pile 3 (green) - Pile 4 (blue)

You can pick more than one! Just follow your heart!

The current mercury retrograde period ends on december 15th 2024, so this may also be read as 3 things that will soon happen to you.

*This is a source of entertainment, your destiny is in your hands.*

Pile 1

1 - Three of Wands , Four of Swords, XVI Thunderbolt (The Tower). Ring , Lily , Sun. Jupiter in Virgo – Patience

2 - The Lovers , Ace of Swords. Seven of Water (cups) - Projections. Fish , Clover , Ship. Moon in Virgo – Order

3 - The Chariot , Seven of Pentacles, Ace of Clouds (swords) - Consciousness. Fox , Stars , Whip. Venus in Virgo – Discrimination

🌸 You will hear news of someone who has been far away or hasn't been in touch for a while. Good for people in long distance relationships or who are waiting for your partner to return from a trip. The waiting time will be over.

🌸 Arrangements for a long awaited trip will be successful. The money for a trip will appear. A friend or partner may help you in these. You may receive good news from abroad. Some of you will receive a package or be able to ship something that may have been stuck (if you have a business and a customer had issues with their order, it will be resolved).

🌸 You will call out on someone, or pass judgement on them, vocally make a criticism towards them, after you have been observing their behaviour for a while. You may remove things or paperwork from your room/ or your life after you see it no longer aligns with your values. You can declutter your house and your life. You may be very black and white or extreme when it comes to deciding the objects that stay or leave.

🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸

Pile 2

1 - King of Wands , Four of Pentacles, Queen of Clouds (swords) - Morality. Ship , Coffin , Anchor. Mars in Libra – Choice

2 - Five of Swords , Nine of Cups, XII New vision (The Hanged Man). Tree , Man , Book. Jupiter in Scorpio – Manipulation

3 - Page of Swords , The High Priestess, Queen of Clouds (swords) - Morality.Stork , Dog , Tower. Sun in Aquarius – Idealism

🌸 I think you may change jobs, or decide you want a different boss, or go solo in business. You will decide to invest money in yourself and your future. You learn that clinging to your present self will not give you stability. You let go of your resistance to change.

🌸 You will undergo deep learning of some sort. It can be an argument you have, or a man in your life may bring something up that you hadn't noticed before. This can be self realization of your own patterns or about their behavior or someone else's behavior. It is a moment to be awakened and see which relationships are toxic in your life, or the bad habits you have, you will decide to be smarter from now on.

🌸 Sorry about the repetitive message, but you will decide to change your life in order to live according to your standards. You will raise your standards or realize that what you once dreamed and seemed far is, in fact, an achievable goal. After a period of introspection, as soon as mercury turns direct you may witness yourself changing your own life. This makes perfect sense for mercury retrograde in sagittarius, you will use all your intellect and intuition to enact change and give birth to a new life for yourself. Coming from the page to the queen of swords, you mature a lot and decide to bring a stable foundation.

🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸

Pile 3

1 - Three of Cups , Five of Swords, Ten of Clouds (swords) - Rebirth. Ring , Child , Moon. Venus in Cancer – Birth

2 - Seven of Cups , Eight of Cups, Knight of Fire (wands) - Intensity, Stork , Crossroad , Fish, Mars in Virgo – Criticism

3 - The Emperor , Six of Cups, Three of Rainbows (pentacles) - Guidance, Heart , Lily , Sun, Venus in Scorpio – Secrets

🌸 You will solve a problem with your mother or family. You either get the reconciliation you thought impossible, with them bringing a peace offer to you; or you break up and end a relationship to start anew. A new life or a new relationship may start after the old is gone.

🌸 If someone is rude to you or overly proud, you may turn your back to them temporarily. You will assess some of your life choices and chase only what makes you feel good.

🌸 The third thing that will be solved is that you will no longer feel lonely because you may discover someone at work has feelings for you. Or someone at work will be very gentle and nurturing and teach you or assist you with something. A man also has sexual intentions towards you, but you will see this as something to bring you great joy. I'd say a situation with a crush may be resolved or progress.

🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸

Pile 4

1 - Six of Wands , Queen of Wands, XXI Completion (The World), Rider , Key , Lily, Venus in Capricorn – Convention

2 - King of Pentacles , Eight of Wands, Four of Water (cups) - Turning in, Child , Fox , Clover, Venus in Cancer – Birth

3 - Nine of Cups , Ten of Wands, XXI Completion (The World), Heart , Sun , Crossroad, Mercury in Taurus – Resistance

🌸 You will successfully complete something that was difficult or that you depended upon someone else's input to conclude. The other person does their part, or you manage it yourself, but it is solved brilliantly. Something you do during this period will bear a LOT of fruit, and i think people will even compliment you, say you are perfect at something, they will look up to you, and all eyes and attention will be on you. You can be seen as beautiful as well, or a suitable and attractive person for marriage.

🌸 You will receive a surprise opportunity. I think you will spot, very cleverly, an opportunity. For some, you will set your eyes on a new romantic prospect. For others, you will find a way to speed up something that may have been slow.

🌸 You may second guess or start to question your relationship. Alternatively, you will ask yourself "Am i truly happy with all of these accomplishments? Was it all worth the effort?". You will take time to think if what you seem to love truly brings you joy.

[felassan]

Hayes Madsen for Inverse - Game Changers: 'Corinne Busche Is the Ruler of RPGs, Conqueror of Haters'

The director of Dragon Age brings her personal journey to life in her games with a rich, messy tapestry of love, life, and romance.

[source]

"If there’s a single Dragon Age character that ever made their way to Super Smash Bros, it should be the lovable dwarf Varric Tethras – at least that’s what Dragon Age: The Veilguard director Corinne Busche thinks. “Can you imagine, in a game like Smash Bros, seeing him whip around the battlefield,” Busche tells Inverse, “You could smash someone back off the ledge by giving Bianca a good old toss, and don’t worry, it’ll ricochet, he’ll catch it. It writes itself.” Varric, always with his beloved crossbow Bianca, has been something of a poster dwarf for the franchise — a constant in a series that drastically changes between each entry. But Varric himself is also a perfect representation of Dragon Age at large. An emotionally complex character, Varric openly deals with deep trauma, but can still manage to be whimsical and uplifting. That holistic sense of character is a big part of what’s made Dragon Age so successful, and lasting. Its influence is clear to see, especially in the 2023 Game of the Year, Baldur’s Gate 3 – which heavily borrows from the world and party member design of Dragon Age games. It’s a connection that’s been pointed out by countless fans and critics — but what’s fascinating is how Baldur’s Gate 3 and Veilguard feel like they’re advancing different aspects of Dragon Age’s identity. “It’s not lost on me, and it’s not lost on the team, how important these games are in people’s lives,” Busche says, “Coming into this game, that’s a tremendous feeling of accountability and of needing to be true and authentic to what these games mean to people.” When it comes to authenticity in games, plenty of directors and developers talk the talk, but Busche is the rare game maker who delivers. From her time with The Sims to Dragon Age, Busche has always brought a deep sense of humanity to the game, putting characters first and never shying away from nuance or complexity in identity, relationships, and existential crises. It’s what makes Busche a leader in the industry, and why BioWare tried so hard to carry on the Dragon Age series’ legacy with Veilguard. But Busche isn’t finished yet. She’s come a long way in the industry and has wisdom to impart — and more projects to come."

"Varric himself is also a perfect representation of Dragon Age at large. An emotionally complex character, Varric openly deals with deep trauma, but can still manage to be whimsical and uplifting"

"The Days Before Fantasy Like many developers, Busche got her start from humble beginnings, working on a series that’s a far cry from a fantasy epic — Tiger Woods PGA Tour. In fact, Busche hadn’t planned on working video games at all, but using her digital animation degree she landed work on Tiger Woods as an environmental artist, and the desire to keep making games stuck like glue. But her love of RPGs started long before that, with some deep-cut classics like Heroes of Might and Magic 3 and Final Fantasy XII – which she argues is the best one in the series. An even bigger influence on her personal philosophy as a developer, however, was the Square Enix cult classic Xenogears. “That was the first RPG that really touched my heart, that made me cry, where I feel in love with the characters, and realize these games have something to say,” says Busche “They touch on deep socially relevant narratives through these fantasy setting and the complexity of characters.”"

"Xenogears was an incredibly influential game to developers like Busche. Its creator, Tetsuya Takahashi, went on to make the wildly popular Xenoblade franchise."

"Those specific RPGs have a lot to say about identity and personality, and that’s a topic that Busche has constantly wanted to explore in her work – how games can explore autonomy and choice. Busche has been open in the past about transitioning while at BioWare, and how much the studio helped her feel seen and supported. But there’s another vital piece of her career that directly played into Busche’s expertise with Dragon Age, and it might not be what you think. Before leading the charge on Veilguard, Busche honed her skills working on an even bigger mega-hit franchise, The Sims. For over five years she worked in designer and creative director roles. “Working at Maxis and on a game like The Sims, is an incredibly fortunate environment for a designer to really hone their craft, and the reason I say that is they’re deeply complex games,” says Busche, “You’re really exploring underlying systems that drive character behaviors, skill progression, game economies, all allowing for emergent gameplay.”"

"Busche cut her teeth on the Sims 3: Into the Future expansion."

"To Busche, games like The Sims, or even Animal Crossing, continue to flourish because of human nature, the inherent need we have to be social creatures and form connections. They’re deeply relatable games that reflect our real lives, but in a way, that same idea can apply to a complex RPG like Dragon Age — and Busche’s time with The Sims gave her a unique advantage going into Veilguard. “I love that marriage of simulation and these fantasy worlds full of rich, deep characters that feel lived in. I believe that as RPGs continue to evolve, what you’ll see is an increasing focus on that marriage between simulation and a fantasy storytelling layer,” says Busche “After all, it’s about immersion, it’s about autonomy and relatedness. These are deep common aspects between these two seemingly different styles of games.”"

"An Origins Story Dragon Age has been a lot of things over the years, an open world game, a mobile hero-collecting title, dozens of comics and books, and even a Netflix series. Fan-created works have flourished for nearly two decades – the fan fiction archive website Archive of Our Own even has over 13,000 entries for Dragon Age: Origins alone. That idea of player agency and identity is the very bedrock of what Dragon Age is built on. As such, Dragon Age has always been incredibly progressive. Origins liberally featured queer romances, and Inquisition, the third game in the series, has a whole plotline about a major side character being transgender. This allows the series to explore themes of identity and belonging in ways other RPGs can’t, and Veilguard certainly sticks to that idea. “I’m an openly queer, trans woman,” Busche says. “It shaped everything about who I am, and it’s been the source of a lot of joy, a lot of difficulty, and perspective. For me personally, one of the greatest gifts about being trans is the amount of introspection it forces upon you. You spend a lot of time deeply examining who you are, and why that matters.”"

"Zevran from Dragon Age: Origins was an accomplished assassin, but, more notably in 2009, a bisexual character."

"For Busche, great games offer a mirror that allows you to reflect on your own identity, preferences, and choices. When developing a game, Busche says she is “thinking about the role introspection plays on people in general, and how each of us go through our lives having these moments of crises, epiphanies, and those quiet moments when you’re alone. These are questions that are ripe for personalized experiences like RPGs, especially when you consider our biggest creative pillar: Be who you want to be.” To Busche and the team it “felt like the right time” to really take Dragon Age’s exploration of identity further, especially with a character like Rook that’s so molded by the player’s personal feelings and thoughts. But one of the more interesting strides Veilguard makes is allowing you to share experiences, including romances, with a compelling cast of party members — easily some of the most memorable characters BioWare has ever created."

"The Fight For Progress And Fate For Dragon Age Questions about BioWare’s future abound, especially with the team now pivoting to focus work on Mass Effect 5 — a similarly long-awaited comeback for a beloved franchise. But in the immediate future the studio has faced a different problem, a hate campaign that’s put Veilguard at the center of a kind of culture war on social media, along with plenty of hateful comments toward developers and review bombing on sites like Metacritic. “I think we should talk about it,” Busche says. “It’s hard. I grew up in a time when it really felt like we’re there to celebrate the games and to have these shared experiences, and that drive is still there. I think the discourse we see is the result of highly polarized times, and perhaps it’s a little naive. I know it’s hard when you have to ask the question, is this game for me? Do I belong here? And games are better for it when we can say yes, you do belong here.” Dragon Age is far from the only game that’s come under fire recently, particularly for inclusions of diversity, or diverse storytelling. For most of this year, Assassin’s Creed Shadows has been the constant target of a hate campaign, with Ubisoft’s art director recently condemning the backlash and harassment the studio and team has faced. The creator of the indie game Tales of Kenzera: ZAU, Abubakar Salim, has also been vocal about the “fever pitch” of racism the game and its team have received. These kinds of events seem to be happening more and more, but for BioWare and Busche, the focus is on celebrating what the team has created. “I know, and something that’s very important to me, is that games are inherently diverse when you think about the size of these teams and the specializations you have within them. When you have diverse, complex, large groups of people coming together to make something, of course, the game is going to be a reflection of those teams,” says Busche “I think we need to consider that we can make the most authentic, best experiences when we’re tying into what makes us as the developers, and you as the fans, when we can tie into those elements that make us distinctly human, and that means differences.” In Busche’s mind, not embracing the lived experiences of the development team would result in stories and worlds that feel less relatable, less alive. Game developers also need to feel safe in what they do, which ultimately means being able to see themselves reflected in their work. “We have an incredibly diverse player base, and what I mean by that is their motivations and expectations,” Busche says. “This becomes the biggest opportunity to continue that tradition of reinvention.” At the end of the day, gamers Busche believes gamers have so much in common, starting with a love for the game. “What I long for is just that opportunity for us as gamers to step back and get in touch with why we fell in love with games in the first place, and recognize how difficult and complicated and messy it is to make games,” says Busche, “To share these vulnerable experience and just approach it with a little greater sense of kindness and curiosity.”"

[source]

[sapphoherselz]

howdy!! two literal people have asked for some andreil rec so here they are!! my most favest fics EVER in the first 60 ao3 pages (I'll keep updating tho as I read!)

Not yours to bleed:

The Pros were never in the cards. Not for an ex-medicated alleged psychotic with a dysfunctional family and an Exy career he’d rather not have. But even if it wasn't his first choice, no matter what happens, it can’t possibly be worse than that one fucked up sophomore year when he stood toe to toe with the Yakuza-and won.

At least, that’s what Andrew thinks until a familiar face shows up.

Another Raven!Neil AU. Or, the one where the boys don’t meet until the Pros.

 

**Updates every other Wednesday, whatever hell may come.**

The Sun Still Rises:

Somewhere on the road, Mary Hatford gets pregnant with her second child. When she passes, she leaves behind not only Neil, but his toddler brother. Survival is difficult without also raising a kid. Worn out and desperate, Neil still somehow ends up at Palmetto, only this time, he brings his four-year-old brother with him.

TALE OF A MARTYR IN XII PARTS:

Neil closes his eyes and counts the things that he knows:

One: Death has a name.

Two: He has met Death before. Several times, in fact.

Three: Someone is trying to kill him. Permanently. But it's only kind of working.

Or, the one in which Andrew is the Grim Reaper, Neil is very, very good at dying, over and over and over again. They teach each other a few things over the centuries.

Hearthlines:

The Fae king and queens have gone away, closing the knowes behind them and abandoning their offspring to the mortal world. As the Fae have spread far and wide, their bloodlines thinning if not vanishing forever as they flee from mortal persecution... two Fae have found a way to reopen the knowes - Kayleigh Day and Tetsuji Moriyama. The Fae regroup once more, the balance of power shifted amongst them, and 'changelings' appear now and then in the mortal population.

Andrew Doe is one of those changelings, a young child suffering in the foster system, shunned by his peers for some reason and hearing voices in his head.

Alex - the latest name gifted to him by a charm - is on the run along with his mother from his father, using their talents as shadow walkers to slide between worlds and stay one step ahead of the powerful Fae. Except even that is not enough anymore. Except that's not Alex's only talent.

*******

An urban fantasy where I throw Fae, necromancy and magic at TFC characters, pretty much!

Scared to Live (But I'm Scared to Die):

Neil Josten goes to the Nest for Andrew, but he stays for a lot more.

~

"I'm sorry Coach," he muttered.

"For what kid?" Wymack shifted. "You've got to give me something to work with here."

Wymack watched the thin traces of sorrow as paper exchanged hands and he was looking down at a contract with the Edgar Allan Raven's.

"I signed them Coach, I'm sorry."

~

The one where Neil doesn't come back from Winter Break.

Amor Vincit Omnia:

“I said it already,” the man said, “Your cluster.”

“But what does that mean?” Neil asked.

“It means that you are no longer just you,” the man said tersely, “Congratulations.”

It didn’t feel like anything worth celebrating.

A Sense8 AU where the foxes all share one subconscious and kick a lot of ass

The Real Thing:

Andrew was more than willing to turn down the Ravens' offer to be their newest goalie, unwilling to play five more years of Exy - let alone for someone with a too-sharp smile and a manic gleam in their eyes.

That was, until he realized that a member of their Perfect Court was his soulmate. (That was, until Riko Moriyama realized that Nathaniel Wesninski, the Ravens' #3 in waiting, was Andrew's soulmate.)

Andrew always knew that Fate loved tormenting him, he didn't need a reminder yet again via a too-attractive soulmate who appeared to loathe him. Yet things aren't always what they seem, especially in the Nest.

mad girl says she's wolf-proof:

Keeping her grip light on Nina’s throat, Andrea drops her gaze to her plump lips. She smiles—coldly, slowly. Fangs on fangs. Salt tombstones. It is not a nice smile, none of Andrea’s smiles are, but Nina’s eyes are stuck in it regardless. “And I will answer, all the better to eat you with.”

 

(Andrea Dobson vs girlhood and lycanthropy.)

lessons in caretaking:

Neil was acting shifty, and Andrew knew why; that motherfucker was leaving. Despite the promise between them, Neil was prepping to run. Andrew wasn't upset about that, not at all. After all, if notorious Neil "No-Swing" Josten needed to leave after Andrew admitted his desires regarding his proximity to Neil's shorts, who was Andrew to stop him. But that doesn't explain why Neil was stealing socks, or why he wanted Andrew's clothes.

Whatever. That was probably unrelated.

Sauntering Vaguely Downwards:

They’ve known each other since the Beginning. Not the Beginning Beginning—they didn’t meet until after the War in Heaven, where they kept to their own sides, or until after the subsequent Fall. It wasn’t even until after the Exodus from Eden, but only by a couple minutes. They’ve witnessed the rise and fall of empires, sampled all the cuisines the world has to offer, and weathered several very silly fashion trends.

Andrew doesn’t think they’re friends, exactly, but it is natural to become accustomed to the presence of the only other being who has been around more or less consistently for six millennia. It wasn’t anything more meaningful than that.

A Good Omens AU where Andrew is a grumpy angel, Neil is a sharp-tongued serpent, and it takes them literally six thousand years to figure out they belong together.

[mins-fins]

ENDLESS, NAMELESS

❝ bright and clear, it's what i am, i have died.. ❞

in which. you always say that you don't write your songs about anybody, a statement you continue to repeat no matter how much people try to speculate about your dumb little song lyrics. it's a well know fan theory that the person you refer to in your songs is none other than your very own ex, the gorgeous lead guitarist of band aestas, mark lee, someone who you very much dislike talking about. are you over your ex? absolutely not, but you aren't going to tell anyone that. not your friends, not your fans, and definitely not the man himself.

𖥻 pairing guitarist!mark lee x drummer!male reader

𖥻 genre band au, social media au, fluff, angst, comedy, exes to not-so-friends to lovers, mutual pining, sort of slow burn, stubborn lovestruck fool x even more stubborn lovestruck fool

𖥻 warnings swearing, kys/kms jokes, explicit language, sexual jokes, an implication of sexual content, mentions of violence, smoking & alcohol consumption, stubborn bitches deny their feelings for about 20 chapters

𖥻 status complete!!

❝ silence, here i am, here i am, silent.. ❞

──── ⭒ PROFILES the divorcees 𖦹 a TOTALLY zen band 𖦹 hot girl summer

──── ⭒ TABLE OF CONTENTS !

i. twitter moots no longer 💔

ii. mark's pretty drummer ex

iii. FUCK MARK LEE (projecting)

iv. lying dead on the bathroom floor

v. the xiaoyn beef (or gay love story i guess)

vi. ITS ALL OVER 💔💔

vii. shakespeare but make it gay

viii. platonically sleeping together

ix. baby can we fix it?

x. is this a drug psa?

xi. idk who that is!!

xii. yn and mark, mark and yn

xiii. johnny suh is a real one 🙏

xiv. HE WANTS YOU!!

xv. froyo works every time

xvi. so ivy coded

xvii. 1000 song lyrics later

xviii. chat we lost

xix. cissy strut

xx. $50 in the bank account

xxi. cookies for the conscious

xxii. kiss my shades

xxiii. surprise surprise

xxiv. wedding invitations