#Spoilers up to 5.5

[bluuscreen]

i really like the communication pixies, they’re cute :] and hey, maybe they could be used to stay in touch when everyone goes their separate ways at the end of the series? idk, i don’t think senshi would be too into it

[skrunksthatwunk]

thinking about how eiji's a pole vaulter and how ash talks about eiji "flying" and how eiji's associated with bird imagery and how eiji's free (unlike ash) and how eiji comes in on a plane and leaves on a plane and how ash cannot fly, ash cannot be free, how nyc is ash's prison, and how ash is the leopard who dies climbing the mountain, unable to live at such elevation, how he was trying to reach the sky and be free but was always stuck to the earth, how he chose to die instead of climbing back down, how he chose to die where he could see the sky and hope and freedom almost like a bird with eiji's letter right in front of him rather than letting everything go wrong and ruin it once again, how eiji's a failed pole vaulter anyway, how a bad fall ruined his career and grounded him (physically and emotionally), how it took flying to america and meeting ash and needing to save him and skip for him to try flying again, how he landed hard and harsh and still the thought of that escape compelled ash to protect eiji at all costs because if he could fly that means something to him, even if he doesn't think he can fly, how eiji is the manifestation of his hope and how when he breaks and asks eiji to stay with him a while he folds himself over his legs and weighs him down and traps him and grounds him, how ash fights like hell to keep eiji alive not because he thinks he can be like him (hopeful, flying, innocent), but because he makes him forget the gravity of his situation, and so he can see eiji fly again. how he wants to see him escape. how eiji is a bird and ash is a wildcat and how ash never once saw eiji as prey. how eiji never saw ash as a predator. how it is eiji's naivete that first endears ash to him, how it is his freedom and flight and removal from darkness and his ability to leave that darkness that really roots eiji in ash's blood as something essential to him keeping on living in this hell of nyc. how it is that distance from the violence and that hope for the future that ash chooses to surround himself in as he dies. how ash dies in a dream because he feels more than anything that he can't fly like eiji, that he can never leave. how his violence is a part of him and will be forever, how it weighs him down. how he wants to enjoy the view from the mountainside rather than looking up from the ground below. as if they can both fly. as if he is with him up there and not grounded. eye-to-eye with what he can't have, seeing eiji's homeland: the sky. how he dies trying to reach the top because he couldn't take retreating and trying again. how ash, tired and tired and tired and convinced it will go on forever if he crawls back down the mountain, chooses to close his life deluged in eiji, in eiji's insistence that they can fly together, in eiji's hope for him and for them, in eiji's beautiful dream. how ash dies without trying to realize that dream. how ash, in dying, destroys it.

[cogito-dreams]

so like.

so like. hey. are we gonna talk about the fact that this discussion of 'rich folks with screwed-up perversions' involving human sacrifice is the first time we've ever seen hong lu, known rich boy from fucked up rich family, say "uh" or otherwise show this kind of hesitation and then immediately change the subject. or like are we gonna let this one slip by-

[shikan0in-heizou]

i mean... kinda doing it right now granny

[plsleafmelon]

OK WHO THE HOLY FUCK IS JUN AND WHY IS HE DECIMATING MY TEAM SO FUCKING HARD IN MDH

all my sinners do is breathe in his direction and he goes so trigger happy like jfc the moment i see someone boutta clash w him i go full defense mode like u just see that whole bar full of evades yeah thats me fighting him

[rake-rake]

Yo what the fuck was this shit

[yumenosakiacademy]

what if i cried orz

[newfan96]

Today’s thoughts on Nick (Ep 9 spoilers)

1. Love the interview in Elle. Max Minghella is gracious and positive and grateful for this role. When he says that Nick got on the plane “like he was trying on a suit” and “it doesn’t really fit” and that he doesn’t know if that’s the path he would have continued on but “we’ll never fucking know.” Oops, let that slip and I love it. He just seems like a class act and I guess I need to watch 3 seasons of Industry to be ready to support him there.

2. I think what pisses me off most (and there are lots of choices ffs) is that the relationship that was cultivated and promoted between June and Nick for 5.5 seasons was not given an ending, no closure.

How do we have their last conversation be accusatory and desperate when they loved each other so much for so long?

He felt her presence at the wedding, she wanted to make herself known to him. Her actions put Rose in the hospital, she almost gets hung. All this since they last spoke.

And they don’t get even a moment of eye contact to connect or assure one another that their history matters, that they both love Holly, that they helped each other survive up until now. This is just sloppy lazy writing.

I could have accepted his death better if they had some moment of understanding or closure. Instead, he says two of the most bizarre things Nick has ever said, and then dies thinking she hates him.

Absolutely tragic.

#max minghella is a class act #nick blaine was a great character

[sexiestpodcastcharacter]

Sexiest Podcast Character 2024 — Unscripted Redemption Bracket — Round 5.5−1

Propaganda

Sammy Sinclair, the Scat King of Ganymede (Tidal Wave Games Podcast: SEE YOU, SPACE COWBOY...) (Boba Count: 3):

Listen: we have fun here but there are two things Sammy Sinclair does and does well, and that's play the saxophone and fuck like a freight train. There's a reason he's left a trail of ex-lovers across the entire solar system, and while it's true the majority of them want him dead, that shouldn't be taken as any indication of his abilities. It's just because he's an asshole

In character audio propaganda against Muldan Foxskull.

Spanks Sinatra (Tidal Wave Games Podcast: SEE YOU, SPACE COWBOY...) (Boba Count: 1):

When not performing, is drinking. When not drinking, is beating people up for money. When not beating people up for money, is performing. Life is purposefully structured to avoid encountering a thought for as long as possible

Vote for Spanks, he doesn't need a psychic ghost to turn you to rubber

Art of Sammy Sinclair by @areyoshi.

Art of Spanks Sinatra by @violetfoxsketches.

Additional propaganda below the cut:

Sammy Sinclair, the Scat King of Ganymede (Tidal Wave Games Podcast: SEE YOU, SPACE COWBOY...):

Don't be crass, it's scat as in jazz. Formerly known as the Sax King of Ganymede, before the loss of his prized saxophone in a debt to the Space Mafia necessitated a rebrand

Pansexual, pangalactic, personal pan pizza

4'10"; but it's not the size that matters, it's what you do with it

As a saxophonist, is good with mouth and fingers and can hold breath for a VERY long time

Say hi to your mom/dad/aunt for me

In-character audio propaganda from when he was against Lup.

you know what's sexier than being an umbrella? Making da fuckin corpos so mad they cancel you.

I heard that swearing is sexy, or something

sexiestpodcastcharacter lore

PLEASE VOTE FOR SAMMY SINCLAIR, SCAT KING OF GANYMEDE!!!!!

In-character audio propaganda with Spanks Sinatra from a previous round.

Husky: Vote for Sammy or else... well let's just say that you will not like what happens.

Alright here's my final appeal to vote for Sammy: a spoiler-free clip from after a very pivotal moment where shit has gotten real and he has to make a decision with far-reaching repercussions. It's not all goofs and gags in SEE YOU, SPACE COWBOY…, Sammy can lock in too!

In-character cover of The Slur Song.

Spanks Sinatra (Tidal Wave Games Podcast: SEE YOU, SPACE COWBOY...)

He/him lesbian drag king Frank Sinatra impersonator

Is too old for this shit (is 30)

Loves to use his fists

Is so tired

This is propaganda for all the female characters. Voters please remember how pretty all women are and factor that into every single vote you make. Thank you.

Don't forget that Spanks' name is Spanks Sinatra ok, this is very important. Appreciate my jokes.

Don't you want to reach over and give him a better reason to turn his brain off for a while?

Spanks self-describes as a "himbo", but he's really not; he's highly intelligent and analytical, with a lot of shit in his past, and at the time you meet him the most effective way he's found to keep his own brain from overwhelming him is by beating it into submission with a life of hard drinking and violence

Important note: Spanks is a woman, he just uses he/him pronouns for various reasons, most of which are that he's a butch drag king.

Also vote for him.

Vote for Spanks Sinatra!!!

Who are you going to vote for: the he/him lesbian who can bench press you, or the tangled bundle of Christmas lights in your attic?

Come ON, you're going to let the he/him lesbian drag king Frank Sinatra who is also a bounty hunter get beat by a pile of cold, unflavored spaghetti??? Seriously?

Audio propaganda with Sammy Sinclair.

Art propaganda of Spanks Sinatra being crushed by Husky, as mentioned in the above audio propaganda.

Vote for my sad messed up drag king

Spanks is a he/him lesbian. come on. look at him

Anyway if it's rope/cable play you're into, Spanks has a move for that

[thevoidstaredback]

Spoiler took her cue about five minutes after Batman left for the Watchtower to ride into the Cave. The heroes were with Robin by the display of their costumes, paying special respect to Jason's memorial. She made sure to rev the engine of her bike further down the tunnel to announce her arrival.

"Spoiler," Robin greeted her after she'd parked and pulled off her helmet. "These are some of the heroes in the Justice League. They were invited by Batman and Nightwing to come see the Cave."

Spoiler grinned widely at the group, "Hey! Nice to meet you all, I'm Spoiler." She'd never met the group during her few months as Robin, but her suit sta proudly between Tim's and Damian's.

"We weren't aware that there was another hero working in Gotham," Martian Manhunter nodded to her in greeting.

She gasped, her right hand moving do sit directly on the purple bat on her chest. "There are heroes operating in Gotham?" At the confused looks from the group, she cackled and dropped her hand to sit on her hip, leaning her weight more onto her left foot. "We're vigilantes in Gotham. We work outside the law, not alongside it."

"But, Batman-"

"-works with the law when working with the Justice League," Robin cut Cyborg off, successfully pulling everyone's attention to him.

As soon as their eyes were off of her, Cass switched out with her. It was seamless. SpoilerBat (Cass as Spoiler) emerged from her place in the darkest shadows of the Batplane, tapping Spoiler on the shoulder and pointing to the training room. She caught Robin's eye as Spoiler left, nodding and using the LoA signs to tell him the switch was done.

Robin nodded and continued his explanation of the displays, not naming anyone. "Batman's suits are all lined up on the upper tier. He improves them based on his needs and the changes of technology he has at his disposal, resulting in the nine suits you see, as well as the tenth that he's currently wearing. Robin's and Batgirl's suits are lined upon the middle tier. From left to right we have Robin 1, Batgirl 1, Robin 2," He didn't mention that this one was obviously a memorial. "Batgirl 2, Robin 3, Robin 4, Batgirl 3, Batgirl 4, Robin 5.1, Robin 5.2, Robin 5.3, Robin 5.4, and Robin 5.5." He adjusted his stance as SpoilerBat came to stand next to him.

"The lower tier are suits for others in Gotham," she explained, expertly ignoring the whispers about her being a different person a few minutes ago, "Same order: Discowing, Nightwing 1, Nightwing 2, Nightwing 3, Nightwing 4, Redwing, and Nightwing 5." she pointed as she named them, skipping over all five of Jason's suits, as well as the sixth empty one for his current costume, "Red Robin 0, Red Robin 1, Red Robin 2, Red Robin 3, Red Robin, 4, Drake, Red Robin 5, Spoiler, Black Bat, Orphan, Signal." Of the named suits, four suits were missing; Nightwing 5, Red Robin 5, Robin 5.5, and Spoiler.

Because the stealth suits were made specifically to be stealthy, they were never displayed in the open. Instead, they were kept in the locker rooms. No one who didn't know they had them knew any of them were even missing.

"Why are there so many?" Superman wondered.

"We all operate out of the Batcave." Robin stated as though it were obvious, "Our costumes change as we need them to."

"So," Flash began, getting close to the displays but no touching them, "Who all shares costumes? Or do they all belong to different people?"

Robin and SpoilerBat shared a quick look, neither wanting to explain. Let them think what they want. Skewing the numbers via omission will only help their plans along, as well as work to keep their identities.

Moving on, Robin told of how the penny and the dinosaur had come to be in the Cave. He warned to keep away from the edges because of the chasm.

"Chasm?" Aquaman had a smirk on his face, "Why do you need a chasm?"

"To keep the dragons." Robin said. he and SpoilerBat led the way to the garage. "The platform the Batplane rises and lowers as needed. The area above it is a door that can only be opened via remote in the plane itself or via command on the Batcomputer. Over there is the garage. The Batmobile, the Batcycle, the Wingcycle, Ricochet, the Redbird, the Batpod, the Spoilermobile, and Spoiler's motorcycle. Honestly, he turned to SpoilerBat, speaking to Spoiler, "You still haven't named your motorcycle?"

SpoilerBat shrugged.

Green Arrow took his time to look over every present vehicle. "Impressive. None of these are mainstream."

"That's because they're all custom made." Robin preened.

"Really?" Flash asked, bouncing like an excited puppy, "Which one's yours, little man?"

Robin scowled, but didn't address the name. "The Batcycle is the one I am permitted to use. Although, Batman has given his consent for me to drive the Batmobile in case of emergencies."

Cyborg was looking over Ricochet, Red Hood's bike, closely. "This doesn't look like any of the others."

"How do you mean?" SpoilerBat tilted her head slightly to the right.

"It's got the obvious base of a Harley Davidson," he pointed out, "It's also a lot less tech focused than the others."

"The second Robin build that bike from scratch," Robin said shortly, "Do not touch it."

"Right, sorry."

SpoilerBat decided to lead the way to the training area. Robin followed behind the group.

The training area was a clump of four offshoots from the main area of the lower level of the Batcave. The widest area was full of standard gym equipment. In the offshoot to the left was a taller cavern full of gymnastics equipment. The offshoot to the right was weapons training. The offshoot directly across from the main area was for sparring matches on mats or in the ring.

Wonder Woman regarded the gymnastics set up with a keen eye. "You all are trained, yes?" SpoilerBat nodded. "Can we see a routine?"

"Sure," SpoilerBat said. She stepped up to the starting point of the obstical course they had yet to take down from last week. Taking a deep breath, she began. About halfway through, she was out of the heroes' sight long enough to land in the rafters that Duke, Tim, and Steph and occupied temporarily. When she landed, Steph jumped down to continue the routine as Spoiler.

Having finished the routine, Spoiler landed, breathed again, and then jogged to rejoin Robin and the Justice League. A minute nod from the littlest bat let her know that the visiting heroes didn't see the switch. "So, what'dya think?"

Green Lantern did a double take. After a few false starts, he finally managed, "Are-are you a different person?"

Spoiler tilted her head to the right in a perfect imitation of Cass. "What're ya talking about? I'm the same me you met!"

Green Lantern didn't say anything more, choosing instead to follow the others as they explored the sparring mats and the weapons room.

Green Arrow and Martian Manhunter were the ones to take the most interest in this room. The wall on either side of the opening was dedicated to storing all kinds of weapons. The left side of the wall directly opposite the opening was a shooting range for all kinds of ranged weapons. The rest of the room housed training dummies.

"Let me guess," Aquaman admired the shorter ranged weapons, "You all forged these on your own, as well?"

Robin scoffed and crossed his arms. "Of course not. The swords were gifted to me by the finest of swordsmiths. The daggers as well."

"Yeah," Spoiler nodded along, "The only ones we actually produced are the Bird and Batarangs."

"Where do you get the materials?" Martian Manhunter inquired, holding one of the Batarangs to the light.

"There wasn't always a chasm." Red Robin said from where Robin had been standing. The Justice League heroes all whipped to look at him, dropping into ready stances. Red Robin held his hands up but didn't flinch or move back otherwise. "Whoa there, calm down. What spooked ya."

"Where's Robin?" Superman demanded.

Red Robin and Spoiler looked at each other. "What'd ya mean?" she asked, "He's right here."

"No," Flash looked between the two, around the room, and then back to Red Robin, "Robin is a child. You, decidedly, are not."

Red Robin huffed. "Are you okay? 'Cause I've been here the whole time?"

"Really?" Superman asked.

"Yeah," Red Robin crossed his arms. "Spoiler can vouch for me."

"Ah, but she can't!" Green Lantern pointed as though he'd caught them in a trap. "She's been switched out with someone else!"

Again, the two Gothamites shared a look behind their masks. "Alright," Red Robin shrugged, "This is an enclosed space with exactly one accessible exit-" if you don't know your way around, that is, "-if we were being switched out, where would they hide and why wouldn't Superman have been able to hear them?"

The answer is the sheer number of bats. The rafters are high and hidden enough in the ceilings that they blend in with the natural formations. The bats hang from the rafters. Because there are so many of the animals, and because of their training and spite, the Batfam have been able to hide their heartbeats within the throws of bats'. Superman's hearing would be able to pick up any sound that doesn't match with the nocturnal animals. The flutter of a cape could easily be the flutter of a bat's wings. The heartbeats that are slightly too slow are easily taken to be an older, sleeping bat. Movement is just a bat that's been disturbed.

The heroes were all quiet as Superman listened intently. Then, after a few minutes, he sighed and shook his head. "I can't hear anything out of the ordinary."

"But-!" Flash tried.

Red Robin shook his head. "If you guys are too paranoid about being here, we can take you back to the Zeta Tubes. I don't think we'd be able to convince B to let you come back here, though."

"No," Wonder Woman composed herself, "We apologise. Please, continue."

Hesitant, RR turned to take them to the large med bay. "Alright, if you're sure."

Part 5 Part 7

[blackknight-kai]

Sun Wukong Height:

Here’s my PERSONAL take on Monkey King Height for some universes. I was going to wait for the figures for BMW to be released but they take FOREVER. And we were talking about it in my server so here goes!

****GAME SPOILERS BELOW****

(IN FEET.INCHES)

BMW is decently tall - 5.8-5.11 - genuinely appears about average human height in the game.

JTTW Shorter depending 3-4ft ish give or take (I think pretty short though)

Monkey King Reborn - Shortish 5-5.5 he is almost average person height I think here as Master is fairly tall (almost as tall as Wujing) & Comparing Wujing next to a village human then Wujing next to Wukong, Wukong give or take is the same height as a human. Also, Pigsy is just shy of Masters height and Wukong is almost the same height as Pigsy but a liiiittle but shorter. (This was annoying because both Wukong and Pigsy slouch almost the entire movie and there are a LOT of angles and visual trickery with background and foreground stuff. I even tried comparing to doors but it’s inconsistent.)

Nezha Reborn - Tall 5.8-5.11

I think PERSONALLY, he’d be tall in BMW specially. I know in JTTW he’s fairly small - they saw him more as a monkey at the time right? So somewhere between an actual monkey and probably short adult human 3-4ft something? Where as modern times we see him as “anthropomorphic” but human leaning. So it makes sense for us to scale him up and change some features. He is a “demon” after all as well. *Plus I’m bias on the idea that I want him at least human sized - idc if he’s a short king or a tall king necessarily.*

ANYWAY! *see under the cut*

In BMW we see at the beginning Wukong is shorter than Erlang (not as big of a difference during cut scenes though) during the first fight of the game, but in some clips I was watching recently (modded game lol) the Broken Shell of Wukong stands at the same height ish as Erlang. So while I was already fairly certain this was a “design” choice by the devs to make it easier to see the broken shell when you fight him, this confirms it for me too. Broken shell is MUCH taller than DO during the battle.

When in cut scenes during that fight they are the same height, build, etc:

Basically what I was getting at is this, it’s clear bosses are scaled up in the game to make them easier to see as well as make them more intimidating to the player (which I think is pretty universally understood). So in a way, it’s deceptive of actual height. Untrustworthy.

So, let’s factor this instead: Wukong is an anthropomorphic monkey. Let’s say he’s between 5’ and 5’11 give or take to give him some wiggle room.

Erlang, isn’t a regular “human” by any means so him being taller than average makes sense. The other demons? Same thing. Especially creatures that are actually bigger than a monkey - like a tiger. Some other creatures we see SHOULDNT be that big though. For example insect demons. Yet they are when they should be smaller than Wukong if you’re going by “scale up based on a specific average”.

So again, deception. Height doesn’t follow natural normal rules for everyone (magic). Yes sizes can change based on certain lore & magic things and Wukong can adjust his size as to be bigger or smaller.

I don’t think Wukong is super tall or anything by any means though, that’s why I said give or take in the “head canon” estimate earlier. He’s basically a compact power house - think like how ants can lift 10-50 times their body weight. He’s agile and lithe with muscles designed to be swift and quick, he’s a monkey so he’s all energetic. Hes not meant to be a body builder (like some *Tiger 👀*……YES he is strong as fuck - this isn’t about his abilities. *Also I’m not saying any of you dudes that aren’t 6ft aren’t ‘tall’ but I’m 5.5 and “tall” to me is 6ft and up.*

Anyway, I’m getting at that Destined One is a near carbon copy of Wukong and no matter how you SEE the ending of BMW be it DO just gains Wukongs memory or Wukong is made whole again and absorbs DO and takes his memories of his short life/journey for the artifacts - the two Monkeys are the same height.

So Monkey is fairly tall also based on in game things like surroundings etc. Hes not tiny. The game devs have deceived us throughout the game regarding height in several ways since it’s not consistent.

(Funny side note, if you add an inch or two to DO and feel they are separate beings - Wukong being offended by that would kill me with laughter and be hilarious - or if they are the same and Wukong realizes it after he “awakens”)

So basically, imagine him as tall as you want 🤣 I HC as mentioned above give or take for a specific AU I make. No joke depending on what AU I have I make him as tall or short as I need. So no one is wrong, okay?

Last note: this is before figures come out (yes there was the one but idk its actual metrics and while it can help to figure out size it won’t necessarily be an end game as everything surrounding bmw and height is genuinely inconsistent as hell.

[radaedan]

I guess one of the reasons why the 5.5 Saurian World Quest shatters me so much is its far-reaching implications of its alternate ending. Not just to the lore, but the playable cast.

*Spoiler for 5.5 Saurian World Quest "An Omen of Annihilation and the Final Entreaty". SCROLL PASS IF YOU DON'T WANT SPOILER!!!

I know that it isn't the canon ending, by the virtue of the game forcing us to repeat it until we say "no" to the Huitzilopochtli. But there's a moment, even if for a few seconds, that the ending where everything is dissolved by Huitzilopochtli was what's happening in the game. In those moments of few white pages with black text, it's truly is the canon ending.

Somehow, when I was going through it, I was reminded of Mualani. I don't even have her, and she isn't in my top-wanted chars to pull, but she flashed in my mind first, nonetheless. I recalled her smile in the Natlan teaser, full of charm and bright, jumping away as she welcomes us to Natlan. And along with her, I was reminded of her friends, Kachina, Kinich, and even Ajaw. Their differences and their hilarious dynamics.

In that alternate ending, Mualani doesn't exist anymore.

Her smile doesn't exist, her story doesn't exist, her appearance and form don't exist. Her friends too, Kachina, Kinich, and Ajaw, don't exist.

No, to be accurate, they do exist. Together. There's no difference between Mualani's playful smile, Kachina's nervous yet determined personality, Kinich's stoic appearence and Ajaw's irritatting demeanour. For a moment, they are the same. No barriers of individuality that differentiate hem. Not languange, not personalites, not even forms.

The name "Mualani" has no meaning anymore. For she doesn't exist as one, as "Mualani". So do everybody's names. The name "Kachina", "Kinich", "Ajaw", they don't have meaning. The owner of their respective names don't exist as one, they are together. They're so together, in fact, in practice they don't exist.

(In a roundabout way, Ajaw manages to take Kinich's form. Except both of them don't have forms anymore. Nothing for Ajaw to steal from. Nothing for Ajaw to exist as a thief of. He and Kinich are one of the many. If he were to steal his form, he will steal from himself, he will steal from themselves.)

My mind then drifted to Fontaine, the nation of Hydro, and also where the most recent stuff similar to Phlogiston/this quest exists. Primordial Water.

Imagine being Furina. Imagine masquerading for 500 years as a God, never-ending and never faltering, just to avert a disaster where your people dissolve their forms into the sea of collective consciousness... only to get washed up in another wave of collective consciousness. Only to be rewarded as the same state of the prophesied flood.

Imagine being Neuvillette. A Sovereign, whose power is able to convert the Fontainians into true humans, who spent 500 years into forgiving them, becomes one with them, literally. To lose his human form because a weapon of his fellow Sovereign, whose fate you don't know with much clarity yet. Whom the Traveller said having to be dead by in a 'fair' duel, without mentioning that he made a weapon that annihilated all forms in this world into one.

If you haven't play the Narzissenkreus quest... heh, Rene and Jacob finally achieved their dream... just not in the way they intended. I wonder how would they feel if they knew that a Dragon Sovereign shared their vision...

Now let's go to another nations. Nahida, who worked so hard to reclaim her position as the Dendro Archon, now is of the same existence as fucking Azar and his cronies. They're the one and the same. Collei now is the same as Dottore, as the same as his cronies and also his other victims. She shared his sins, his evils, and his past, and him with hers also. Same with Scaramouche. Yes, Scaramouche, who went through all shenanigans like erasing his past via Irminsul alterations to atone for his sins, whom had a complicated relationship with his origin, is now the same as Raiden Ei, his mother. He's her and she's him, and they are one, they are together, they don't exist. Their names have no meaning.

We could go on and on. If you haven't play the Tsurumi Island? Ruu's existence is now the same of those islanders who sacrificed him, again and again, to appease a God who loves him, and destroyed those villagers for his sake. Their endless loops now find an end through collective consciousness, where the sacrificial boy, the butcherers, and the unwilling God, are one and the same, not existing.

Your favourite characters with your most hated ones? They're the same now. Your favourite NPCs, whom you think should be playable characters, and your most detested, boring NPCs? They're the same now. Your ships and your NOTPs? They're the same now. There's no barrier, no difference between them, in all sense of the word. They're all the same, one existence.

Diluc and Kaeya? They're not brothers anymore, they're the same, they don't exist. Alhaitham and Kaveh? Whether gay or just roommates, they've surpassed that, they're the same, they don't exist. Albedo has spent his entire life to unravel the mystery his mother, Rhinedottir, had left him with. But now, he doesn't have to. Why, he and his mother are one and the same. Why unravel the mystery you already know the answer of? A mystery that doesn't even exist anymore?

Now fill this with your own favourite characters, dynamics, ships, friendships, whatever relationships or entities you can think of. Heck, now humans are the same as Celestia that oversee them. The entire Fatui and Tsaritsa are now one with the Heavenly Principles they are rebelling against. Whatever, whoever, they're one and the same. They don't exist.

They're the same as our Little Buddy. No, only our Little Buddy remains.

But in the end... all of those consciousness... thousands, millions of them, condensed into one existence... it, thought to itself... "Is this... what I truly want? What we want?"

"If we could go back... could I choose again?"

Remember, they were made up by thousands and thousands of souls. Millions creatures, swayed by one wish. Our little buddy's wish.

These million voices, together, they choose us. Your favourite characters choose us. Your hated characters choose us. Your ships choose us. Your NOTPs choose us. Your favourite NPCs choose us. Your hated NPCs choose us. Heck, maybe Kukulkan, among those million voices, in the end, also choose us.

Our Little Buddy choose us...

[socoolinmypajamas]

[Reverse: 1999 spoilers under the cut].

BOI THERE'S JUST SO MUCH SHIT GOING ON IN HERE.

2.7 is pretty much going to be about the experiment made during the third storm, in 1987.

Which means, this is after Vila, Avgust and the rest of the kids from Rayashki lost their home (For those who don't remember: they were visiting The Foundation when the 2nd storm, the one that reversed time from 1999 to 1996 took place. This is from Vila's character story). Assuming Kiperina (clearly russian) is also from Rayashki, it would explain why her and Name Day are in here: Kiperina lost her home and Name Day was the one who delivered the news to Vila. Maybe the two of them are in Hissabeth's project because of their bittersweet feelings about the reversing of Rayashki.

Now, this is the third storm. Also known as, the one at the end of chapter 3 AND the one that took the lives of 77, Hugh, and the former 6. The same one that, according to Hofmann in 5.5, turned time from 1987 to 1977.

And here's the interesting thing: The Voyager-1 was launched into space on September 5th, -1977-.

This is the part where I stop making sense btw.

Another thing I want to point out is how convoluted yet held with strings Regulus' lore is. Remember all those "Regulus is Paulina" theories going around? The scarf, similar looks, the peace sign logo in Regulus' clothes that ALSO appears next to a photo of Paulina and J?

Well, the same storm that erased Rayashki was the same one that erased Paulina. If we assume this was the event that triggered all the "send shit to space" plan in 2.7 and add up the fact that Regulus has a conection to that project because she recovered the little thing from the crash site in 1966... i mean, shit man. Things keep getting piled up. There HAS to be something there.

[auraisereigh]

"Heavy is the past"

chapter seventeen

Brennan Sorrengail x Riorson reader Blurb: After the meeting ends Star gets a piece of information that troubles her. wc: 5.5 ☆ SPOILERS FOR THE EMPYREAN SERIES. Uses pronouns: she/her. i use Star as a nickname as y/n sounds weird, and i'm awful with names.

Masterlist ☆ Dragon guide ☆ Star's story ☆ Empyrean guide ☆ Support me

"So you wish to ensure an alliance? May i ask, an alliance for what exactly?" Viscount Tecarus asks once we are all seated. I'm in the middle, in between Felix and Brennan. Tecarus sits at the end of the table, his supervisors sit opposite of us.

"You and my father had a strong alliance. I had hoped we could continue said alliance. I am planning on continuing what my father started." I explain smoothly. I had practiced this part over and over again for the last few days. I had to ensure he would stay and be an ally to Aretia. Doing this meeting was a risk, if Tecarus didn't support what we stood for he could sell the information to the highest bidder but something in me told me he would not. He was my father's first ally, he wouldn't give up on the cause now, would he?

He looks at me, seemingly deep in thought. "You wish to continue the work of your father." He states. "Although admirable, it might not be the best idea or the best moment." He drawls.

"Allow me to clarify." Felix speaks up. "We wish to help innocent civilians. To warn and protect them against the threat we both know to be true. We do not, unlike Fen, want to attack Navarre. We wish to stay hidden for the moment, to work right under their noses." Felix explains and Tecarus moves his gaze between me and Felix. I keep my composure, not wanting to show weakness, the doubt that lingers.

"And what exactly do you want from us?" Tecarus asks, his tone curious as if he's already planning on staying by our side. "Our forge is up and running again, at a slow pace, sure but running. I'm aware that your drifts patrol along the border and we wish to support those drifts with weapons once we're fully running. In exchange, we expect full loyalty and support. See it as a collaboration, we help you, you help us." I explain smoothly, it's almost the exact same deal as Tecarus had with my father. The small difference, were willing to exchange weapons.

Tecarus nods his head slowly. "Interesting proposal." His gaze shifts to the other side of the room where Drake leans against the wall.

"What kind of weapons?" He speaks up.

"Daggers mainly." I reply. "Perhaps arrows over time but then you should train your soldiers first how to shoot." The smile that makes it up my face is in full challenge. When it comes to fliers they usually depend on daggers, sword or runes but never arrows, no matter how handy it actually is.

Drake nods at Tecarus. "Well, it seems like you've impressed me yet again miss Riorson. It's a deal. One thing though, as this is a renewed alliance, what about my niece Catriona and your brother Xaden?" I bit the inside of my cheek, I hadn't thought about it nor did I want to. He knows how much I loathe the wretched cat, if anything he was present when I almost shoved an knife down her throat.

"For the moment we leave Xaden be but we will alert him to your curiousty so he can contact you personally." Felix responds easily.

Tecarus gives Felix a curious look but keeps his mouth shut. "Very well then. Anything else?" All three of us stay silent for a moment. "No." I respond at last.

"Let's call this an end then." He declares as we all rise. His supervisors leave first. "Miss Riorson, may I borrow you for a minute?" I give Felix and Brennan a sign that they can leave. I can feel Brennan's gaze lingering on me but he turns at last, leaving me alone with Tecarus and Drake.

"Your letters felt desperate." He states as he walks over to the balcony. "They were." I quietly respond simply, staying by the table.

"Were you afraid I'd cut the alliance?" His voice comes out authoritive, like he is higher than me. It's almost hilarious how that is not true. "For a moment there was no alliance, my father was executed." I argue, the headache that has been coming and going for a while returns.

"I was aware he had two heirs who with no doubt would inherit his legacy and continue what he started." He says as he walks back to the table and pours some wine out, offering it to me. I shake my head

"Not completely." I respond. "I've learned from his mistakes."

"Of course, otherwise you would have been executed alongside your father. News spread that General Melgren has been looking for you." He hands me a scroll. The Navarrian seal already broken.

"Word spread even to me," He drawls "he put a bounty on your head, the great betrayers daughter. To be found and delivered to Calldyr to be executed. Reason being, traitor." He reads the scroll out of his head, as if he's read it a million times.

I undo the scroll and read it myself. The headache intensifies and I let my head hang. "Can I borrow this?" I ask quiet. "Sure, by all means. It's your name on it." I don't respond as I roll the scroll up and walk out of the room.

☆

By the time I reach my room the headache is a unbearable, my hand is clutched around the scroll as I throw my door open and shut.

"Are you okay? You look troubled." Brennan's voice makes it way up in my head and it soothes some of the pain.

I look up at him as he rises from a chair a walks over to me. I meet him halfway, scroll long forgotten on a table, as I wrap my arms around his torso, hoping his warmth will sooth my head. He instantly wraps his arms around me and holds me tight, his head leaning on top of mine. My arms tighten.

He whispers soothing words against my head as he continues to hold me. "Do you want me to get you something? He inquers gently as he keeps me close. I shake my head against his chest.

"Do you want to tell me what happened?" He offers but doesn't push when I shake my head again. If I were to tell him that general Melgren is after me I would have to explain why and right now, right here, that's something I can't do.

He slowly pulls away to see my face but my grip doesn't falter as I avoid eye contact. "How about this, we get you out of this dress, get you into your travel clothes and get going, alright?" He tilts my chin so I look at him and i nod softly.

He doesn't say anything as he grabs my travel clothes and lays them out for me. By the time I get back from switching my clothes, our bags are packed and he waits patiently by the door.

"Ready?" He asks as he holds my bag out. I take it and nod. He opens the door and Felix is already waiting for us.

"I've already notified Tecarus that we are leaving." Felix States simply. "Okay." I say reply.

Felix starts walking, finding his way easily to where our dragons wait.

Once we arrive I look at Brennan who fastens his pack on his dragon. Once finished he makes his way over to me.

"Still flying with Felix?" He asks with a knowing smile. He knows I will but he still asks. "I'm not flying with your orange. Those are unpredictable." I say amused. I should be dead before I mount an orange.

He holds his hands up in surrender with a smile and I smile back. My eyes land on his palm, where a small scar seems to be in the middle of his palm. I frown and grab a hold of his hand, pulling it to me. I inspect the scar but he suddenly pulls away. "It's nothing, really. Just sometimes stupid I did in my room. It'll heal." He assures but before I can respond he turns around and leaves.

That was not just a scar. It was a rune.

☆

tag list for star chapters

Taglist: @honethatty12 @smashee0789 @awkardnerd @randomperson1234sblog@bangtanxberm@hyperactive-bookworm-0@littowl@thebreadisthetruevillian@bwormie @freakishfandomfiend @pookalicious-hq

[astro-vision-au]

Welcome to Astro-Vision!

This blog was created to house nothing but Smg4 related stuff, including my Au! You can find my main blog @the-masked-astro

You are welcome to ask any questions to the characters above or any other Astro-vision version of the Smg4 crew! [At this time the smg4 crew are getting redesigns, so asking questions to some of them may be delayed]

Please be mindful this account is ment for those 15-16 and up. Please no spam liking!

Join the Astro-Vision Discord Server!

Current events!

What Is Astro-Vision?

Before asking a question, it's highly recommended you take a look at the wonderful Astro-vision outline!

Here, you will learn more about the stories and characters! [At this time, this outline is still a work in progress, so some information may be missing]

Why is Astro-Vision so big? I'm so lost...

Ahah, yeah that's to be expected unfortunately! To put it simply, Astro-vision was made to be a mental gymnasium for my brain. Ever since I was a wee babs, I've always come up with stories and tales to keep myself entertained, an overactive imagination would be putting it lightly. Astro-vision, and all my other stories are basically a place I can throw all of my silly headcannons and stories.

Astro-vision is so big because not only does it house my smg4 au, it's also a massive crossover with smg4 and all of my other stories, the ultimate play pen for my silly little brain. Because of that, 90% of the story is still in my head, and I tend to pick random bits from random points in the timeline to show to you, and often forget you can't just read my mind [trust me, you wouldn't want to anyways] but that's where asks comes in! Please don't be afraid to ask, because if you can't find something it's probably because a deadass forgot to say or mention it lol.

What can you ask?

You are welcome to ask any of the characters any type of question! Or you can ask me directly about the story! If you have any non Astro-vision questions for me please send those asks to my main blog! Almost any and every question is welcome, but here are some things you may want to avoid!

Any nsfw or inappropriate questions, please keep it pg 16!

Complex or specific rolplay asks. Things like "gives charecter item" are fine, but things like "gives character hug or high five" or any other interactions that require me to draw you or your character, are only reserved for close friends. It's nothing personal, it's only to keep the ask train flowing smoothly!

If you are unsure if an ask breaks these rules or not, you are still allowed to send it. You won't be blocked or anything, it just won't get answered!

Where do asks fall in the timeline?

For those who don't know, Astro vision has 7 planned parts! Possibly more to come! While the events that happen on the blog are not cannon to the story, the story, of course, influences how characters respond or answer asks! As of right now, the blog timeline is at the very beginning of Pt 5, with a few sprinkles of future parts and characters to be featured here soon! Basically this means characters will only be able to answer questions with information from pt 1-4, anything that pertains to a future event either can't be answered directly or cannot be answered at all.

For example, if I give spoilers about what happens in a future part and you ask a character involved to elaborate, they won't know what you're talking about. There will be exceptions, but this is the general rule!

Where can I find refs for characters?

All references have the #reference on them, so just look up that # and you should find them!

It's been a while since I've asked, was it missed/ignored?

I work full time! And my job required me to often stay late and come in early, so asks can take days to a week or two depending on the que. Unfortunately I can not give an exact date when an ask is discarded, but I would say about 3 weeks! Unless it's something I can answer in text formate, it most likely won't get answered till Wednesday or Thursday [my days off] which means if you want you ask answered sooner I would recommend asking on Monday or Tuesday, or possibly Wednesday. If you ask on Wednesday and it doesn't get answered by Friday there's a good chance it unfortunately won't get answered till the next Wednesday.

Do you take requests?

Normally no, but I am currently taking requests for my Mr. Puzzles! You can request him interacting with other puzzles in the Sexyman contest that's coming up or in specific outfits. My commissions are unfortunately closed at the moment!

Can I make self inserts/my own stories in the au?

Well yes, but also no [let me explain]

You CAN make stories, self inserts etc! However as of right now they will be NON CANNON. Astro-vision is ment to be an open story, but since there's a lot of info and things about the story I haven't released yet, it's not really possible for people to make stories and characters that are 100% cannon. I am working on a big project that should not only allow people to make their stories and characters cannon to the au, but make it easier, more interactive, and rewards people for contributing to the story!

The hope is it have this done in April when my smg4 1 year anniversary hits but unfortunately since this project is so big and I have a lot of other things going on it may take longer. All I ask of for your patience! 🙏

-

Overall, just enjoy your time here and enjoy the silly little characters!

[magnanimously-dull]

Lore Analysis and Brainstorming

Genshin Spoilers up to 5.5 (I know some of y’all ain’t done Natlan AQs :< )

Y’know, I keep thinking about the Dragon Sovereigns (what’s new, right?), and a topic that keeps sticking with me is the idea of Neuvillette. Primarily his “rebirth”.

TLDR: When we talk about Neuvillette’s rebirth, it feels like a shallow thought to believe that he was literally reincarnated 500 years ago. It aligns more with Genshin’s motifs for it to be metaphorical. Either when he was brought to Fontaine to “live as a human” like the Enkanomiya prophecy, or when he gains his powers after Focalors death, or perhaps both.

I do not believe that when talking about his rebirth, they are talking about reincarnation. It just seems too literal in my mind.

I believe Neuvillette goes through two separate rebirths. Once when brought to Fontaine, and again when Focalors dies.

What do we know?

(Slight speculation)

Neuvi was not born to be the Iudex, that he had “spent his days swimming aimlessly”

Was found by Focalors during/after the Cataclysm.

Enkanomiyan texts say that it was prophesied that the Hydro Sovereign would be reborn human all the way back under the rule of Phanes the First Descender.

He knows he is a Sovereign, and knows that he was missing parts of his Sovereignty, meaning that he must know what full Sovereignty feels like.

Apep, the only confirmed full Sovereign in game, has mentioned Neuvillette, meaning they have to know of him despite their isolation under Damavand. (Only Egeria went to Sumeru, so even if Apep knew because of Egeria in their lands, it would still mean Neuvillette was alive pre-Cataclysm)

Now, the common (and most likely) reason for all of this is he was simply born in the same way that all humans were.

But that begs the question; if he was born as a human, how did he have his draconic powers? What about his mother, father? We have no mention of a biological family for Neuvillette.

Of course, he could have been in an egg and hatched in a human form, but that would be a bit strange, no?

While the notion that he was reborn in the literal sense is most likely canon and is perfectly valid, I think the idea of a metaphorical rebirth is more satisfying and fits in line with Genshin’s themes.

What do I mean?

I like to believe that Neuvillette is much older than we are led to believe. While I do not believe him to be the first Hydro Dragon Sovereign, I don’t believe him to be so young either.

I think it fits more with Genshin’s themes of questioning authority and rejecting the status quo in favor of the truth that Neuvillette was born way in the past and was “reborn” when Focalors brought him to Fontaine and asked him to help rule.

I believe Focalors was told about Neuvillette from Egeria (homie was literally (probably) created from dragon material), having been made to rule the heart of the Primordial Sea after the removal of the Hydro Sovereign (removal, not death). That Focalors saw an opportunity to use the Sovereign in her plot against Celestia.

Why would Focalors do that?

Focalors did not agree with Celestia and how they ruled. I mean, homegirl planned her own suicide 500 years in the making just to say “fuck you” to Celestia.

And what bigger “fuck you” is there than giving up your power and reinstating the Hydro Dragon to power after millennia of Celestial rule? To throw away your sovereignty that was given to you?

Focalors always intended for Neuvillette to rule Fontaine. She knew that her death would release his full powers to him, and Furina would be mortal and out of office after her death. She brought Neuvillette into her execution to witness the end of Celestia’s rule over Hydro.

She knew her death would mean Neuvillette’s ascension.

Why does it matter?

In every region, we get a taste of the next at the end. And how did Fontaine end? With the reinstatement of Dragon rule after a 500 year long plot to trick Celestia.

After Fontaine we go to Natlan. And what happens in Natlan? A shit ton of examples of dragon rule, and a few good moments of “fuck Celestia”.

We bend the rules of the Night Kingdom, with the Lord of the Night (a fucking Angel) to forge an ancient name despite not being part of Irminsul.

We see that Natlan does not hold the title of Archon as a deity, per se. With the Pyro Archon being a human that has proven themself a powerful warrior, they are more like a General/War Chief. Arguably one of the largest weaknesses of Celestia’s rule, having humans be able to ascend to Archonhood.

Thrain literally says fuck you to a SHADE and forces their hand.

Now, could all this have been true with Neuvillette being literally reborn? Yes.

But, I pose this counterpoint. We have seen dragons that have not died, yet been reborn.

Dvalin slept for 500 years and awoke, covered in Abyssal gunk. Once cleared, he is given his title of East Wind by Venti

Azhdaha sealed after eroding during mining in the Chasm. Only to wake around the same time as Dvalin to seek out Morax. The two have a deep conversation, mending their relationship.

Apep, resting under Mt. Damavand, slowly corrupting with the consumption of forbidden knowledge, only to be cured by us and Nahida.

All of these Dragons went through a “rebirth” at the hands of the Archons. None of them died, or were literally born again. But each one has a metaphorical and spiritual rebirth.

Genshin loves metaphorical rebirths. Scara, Wriothesley (don’t get me started on the similarities between Wrio’s rebirth in Meropide to what’s above), Xiao, Ei. I could go on and on.

Then we meet Neuvillette and Focalors. Why would the pattern stop?