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perseidlion · 2 months

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Through a Mirror, Darkly (Dead Boy Detectives)

Through a Mirror, Darkly (4645 words) by perseid_lion Chapters: 2/? Fandom: Dead Boy Detectives (TV) Rating: Mature Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Cat King/Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne, Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne & Charles Rowland, Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne & Niko Sasaki, Cat King & Monty (Dead Boy Detectives) Characters: Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne, Charles Rowland (DCU), Cat King (Dead Boy Detectives), Crystal Palace (DCU), Night Nurse (DCU), Niko Sasaki, Monty (Dead Boy Detectives) Additional Tags: Mystery, Afterlife, Case Fic, Cat King Loves Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne, Touch-Starved Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne, Protective Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne, Protective Charles Rowland (DCU), Niko Sasaki Lives, Post-Canon, Sequel, Developing Relationship, Canon-Typical Violence, Canon-Typical Behavior, Other Additional Tags to Be Added, Mutual Pining, Touch-Starved Charles Rowland (DCU), Magic, Jealous Charles Rowland (DCU) Series: Part 3 of The Ballad of Edwin and Cat - Catwin Continity, Part 4 of Perseid_Lion's Dead Boy Detectives Summary: It's been a few months since Edwin, Charles and Crystal left Port Townsend after the death of their friend Niko. They've done their best to move on. In the meantime, they've matched wits with Desire of the Endless, and Edwin has started dating the Cat King. Cat's gift of a spirit mirror offers the boys a chance to speak to Niko again - if she is indeed on the other side. --- This is a sequel to my fic, Cat and Ghost though you don't have to read that one to follow this story! I do my best to catch you up in chapter 1. Continuity note: the short fic, The Human Bargain takes place between Cat and Ghost and this fic. But again, it's not strictly necessary to read it.

Updating regularly, roughly every 2-3 days.

Chapter 1

Being in a relationship was a new experience for Edwin Payne. His situation was made more complex by the fact that he was dating a man - or rather, a cat spirit in the shape of a man. The circumstances that had led Edwin and the Cat King to get together were an adventure worthy of any of the great cases in the files of the Dead Boy Detectives. It involved a cursed sorcerer and matching wits with the personification of Desire of the Endless.

The latter had wielded a prize even if it had also made them a very powerful energy. Edwin wore a piece of Desire’s heart in a signet ring with a red-inlaid letter ‘E’ on his pinky finger, while Cat wore his inlaid over a red jewel on an ostentatious ring that suited his eccentric and bold sense of style. As a ghost, Edwin experienced the mortal world with dulled sensation. The rings, as they contained a piece of the realm of Desire, allowed them to feel each other.

Edwin and Charles had their own small rooms within the offices of the Dead Boy Detectives. They were currently in Edwin’s space - which featured a desk cluttered with alchemical and potion making tools and shelves lined with overflow books from the main space. It also featured a Victorian fainting couch and an overstuffed armchair.

Decades of being touch-starved and only ever feeling pain while in Hell had made Edwin absolutely ravenous for touch and smell and taste. It wasn’t even the sex - though he’d quite enjoyed that - but just the pure joy of sensation. And Cat always wore such interesting textures.

Edwin was currently on top of Cat on the fainting couch, straddling his hips and stroking the mottled faux fur coat he was wearing while kissing him and tasting him in a way that he found deeply pleasurable but was agonizing for a creature of Cat’s libido.

Fortunately, Cat enjoyed a bit of agony.

Cat slid his hands up Edwin’s side, grabbed his cheeks in both hands, squeezed, then slid up to cup the narrowest part of his waist. He nipped at Edwin’s lips as he pulled away, catching the lower one gently and pulling until it released with a clack of his jaw. He looked up at Edwin with hooded, slitted eyes and gave him a crooked smile. “Y’know, I didn’t come here to have you…ahhh…”

Cat’s words got cut off as Edwin bent his knee and pressed it gently between his legs.

“...didn’t just come here to make out.”

“Are you seriously complaining?” asked Edwin as he pulled back and lifted his expressive eyebrows. He braced his arms on either side of Cat’s head.

Cat was a smug, arrogant, slippery, and deeply horny person. Nothing about them made sense, at least on the surface. But his relentless and oddly romantic pursuit of Edwin - and a series of actions that proved his good intentions - had brought him around. The literal and figurative animal attraction between them certainly helped. The longer Edwin knew Cat, the sexier he found him. Now that he had the ability to feel, he’d discovered his own buried libido beneath decades of repression and lack of sensation.

“Does it look like I’m complaining?” drawled Cat as he nodded towards the tent in his trousers.

Edwin settled himself to drape atop Cat and threaded his fingers through his snow white hair. The hair had changed from black to white after Desire had enacted their revenge. He feared for a few moments that he’d lost him - but he’d merely lost another of his nine lives - and had a new haircolour and a new scar across his throat to show for it.

That scar - gained because Cat had defied Desire and helped them, received some attention from Edwin. He kissed the line starting at the side of his neck, then he hummed a note against the most sensitive part of his throat. “Then what’s the issue?” Then he paused and blinked, suddenly self-conscious. “Am I doing something wrong? If I’m doing something wrong, you have to tell me so I can fix it. I am rather new at all of this, you know.”

Edwin felt his cheeks flush in embarrassment. He tensed up.

“Whoah, whoah, whoah. Calm down, overachiever. You’re still…” Cat sat up a little and found Edwin’s hand. He kissed the back of his knuckles, “...getting an A+ in Gay Sex 101.”

Edwin felt the flush fade from his cheeks. Cat looked at him with such open and naked adoration that it pushed down all of his defenses. He’d gone about their initial meeting far too aggressively, but Edwin had come to realize that was in part because he wasn’t human. He didn’t operate the way that humans do. He was a stray cat given the ability to take human form and magic to protect his kin. He couldn’t expect that he’d act like a human man.

“Well,” began Edwin, still feeling quite unsure, “...if I ever do something wrong, you’ve got to tell me. Or even if I could do something better. I know I…” he reached out and straightened the collar of his faux fur jacket and patted Cat’s chest and the silver mesh shirt he was wearing, “...get hung up on the small sensations when you’d probably rather move on to bigger things. But it just feels so lovely to, well, feel.”

Cat bent his knees and squeezed Edwin’s hips in a sexy version of a hug. Then he cupped his cheeks and looked him in the eye. “If all you want to do is sit here and trace your pinky finger over every inch of my skin, I will sit here and take it and say thank you for the privilege. You’re lucky I’m very good at delaying gratification and I enjoy a bit of discomfort.” He added a rumble to his words. “Plus,” he lolled his head to the side, then grinned in a way that revealed pointed canines, “...luckily for you, I have more stamina than any human man. It’ll take a lot for you to make me pop before I want to.”

The red flush returned to Edwin’s cheeks. He buried his head against Cat’s shoulder and wriggled his long limbs until he was completely enveloping him. “So what is it, then?”

“Hmm?”

“If you didn’t come for this, then why did you come?”

“Well, I came to give you a present,” said Cat. There was mischief in his voice and in his yellow eyes. Well, there almost always was - but this time more than normal.

“A present?” Edwin echoed.

“Mhmm hmm. But,” Cat sighed dramatically. He lifted a hand and let it slap against Edwin’s lower back, “...if you want it, you’re going to have to get off me.”

“Well, I suppose,” said Edwin as he shifted. He folded both his arms over Cat’s chest and rested his chin on top of them, “...that depends. It would have to be a very good present indeed. Because I’m quite comfortable.”

The cheekiness pleased Cat greatly. His face broke into a broad smile. Then he caught the edge of Edwin’s chin and guided him in for a soft, lingering kiss. “I think…” he said as he drew back. Then he leaned in for another kiss, “...you’ll be…” he kissed again, “...pleased.”

The soft little kisses made Edwin melt. His newfound libido wanted to make Cat forget about presents for a moment. But he was a naturally curious person. His mind was the sort that would not let him stop thinking about what the gift might be. So, with great reluctance, he wriggled off Cat and stood up. He gave his waistcoat a short, sharp tug, then held his hand down to help Cat up.

Cat got to his feet and lingered within Edwin’s personal bubble. He smiled in that smug, trickster god way of his, winked, then grabbed his hand. “Come with me.”

Edwin let Cat tug him out into the office proper. “I don’t see anything,” he said as he looked around the office in all its functional clutter.

Cat took a few steps away from Edwin, then made a dramatic flourish in the middle of the room. Then, he snapped his fingers. In a spark of purple energy, something appeared on a bare bit of wall draped in a silver piece of cloth.

Edwin rolled his eyes and folded his arms over his chest. “Do you always have to be so bloody dramatic, Cat?”

“Yes,” said Cat plainly. Then he grabbed hold of the corner of the cloth and pulled it away with a flourish.

Edwin gasped at what he saw. It was a mirror - but he knew immediately it was no ordinary mirror. Not just because it was beautiful, rimmed as it was in ornate filigree around an oval mirrored surface that was slightly convex and mottled. No, he knew it was unusual because he could see his own reflection staring back at him.

Ordinary mirrors didn’t reflect ghosts.

Edwin stepped up to the mirror, startled to see his own face staring back at him. There had been moments in Hell when he’d been able to see himself, but never in the mortal world. He reached out to touch the surface, which was warm to the touch and vibrated gently. “Is this…a spirit mirror?”

“Mhmm hmm,” said Cat. He stepped up behind Edwin and slid his arms around his waist. He rested his chin on his shoulder. “I thought it would help you with your investigations. Plus, I thought maybe being able to see how handsome you are would help your self-esteem a little. Aren’t we pretty together?” he drawled, then pressed a kiss to the side of Edwin’s jaw.

Edwin stared into his own eyes. His own face was almost foreign to him, and now he saw himself fully, and in Cat’s tight embrace. “I em, I’m not sure what to say.”

“Say you love it,” said Cat.

“I do. I love it.” Edwin forced his gaze away from his own reflection to look Cat in the eye. “This…is an incredibly thoughtful gift, Cat.”

Cat looked incredibly pleased and smug. “Well, it’ll be the first of many. I intend to spoil you.” Then he returned his attention to kissing Edwin’s neck.

—

Edwin made a point to let Cat know just how much he appreciated the gift. The academic in him wanted to get right to work in exploring the spirit mirror and all it could do. Spirit mirrors - real ones - were incredibly rare. He’d been on the trail of one for decades but could never get his hands on one. But academic curiosity had to wait. He knew that Cat needed attention and praise after the proverbial bird left on his doorstep.

Edwin did his best to shower Cat with praise and affection as they returned to his room and became tangled up in each other and lost to the wash of pleasure. He skipped as much foreplay as he could stand and got right to the main event to just to drive home how pleased he was by the gift.

Normally they would have basked in the afterglow for an indulgently long time, but Cat knew he should leave before Charles was due to return. Not that they were hiding anything. Charles was fully aware of their entanglement - but in order to respect their tight quarters and the bit of tension that remained between Charles and Cat.

Edwin had just kissed Cat goodbye and disappeared in a burst of purple energy when Charles phased through the door. He hefted his backpack off his shoulder and started offloading things. “They didn’t have everything we needed at the shop. Might need a quick trip to Mick’s in Port Townsend for some of the rarer bits.”

“Charles…”

“...and no,” Charles pointed at Edwin, “I still haven’t found that alchemical book you’ve been asking for. Rosie said it’s backordered. Crystal said she’d keep an eye out while she’s in Edinburgh too. What was the name of that bookshop again?”

“Charles!” said Edwin more insistently. “Look!” He pointed at the mirror.

Charles turned and nearly jumped out of his skin when he saw his own reflection in the spirit mirror. “What the bloody hell?” He approached it slowly and poked at the surface just as Edwin had. “How is this possible?” He looked from his reflection to Edwin’s, then back at him.

“It’s a spirit mirror. Cat gave it to us. Well. To me,” Edwin corrected, then cleared his throat. “That’s why we can see our own reflections.”

“Wow! This is brills,” said Charles. He moved around, jumped up and down and flashed his own reflection one of his brilliant smiles.

The smile still made Edwin’s stomach flip even though he very much had feelings for Cat. Nothing would ever change how he felt about Charles - not entanglement with anyone else, nor Charles’ lack of reciprocation. “This mirror,” he said, regaining his composure, “...can do much more than show us our own reflections.”

“It can?” asked Charles. “Yes. Much more. But chiefly, it should allow us to converse with the dead on the other side.”

“Which means…” Charles looked over his shoulder at a small shrine tucked into the corner with anime figurines and a calla lily perpetually in bloom next to a photo of a cheerful young woman with white hair.

“...we can talk to Niko,” finished Edwin.

#dead boy detectives fanfic #dead boy detectives #dbd fanfic #dbd fic #cat king x edwin #catwin #edwin payne #charles rowland #niko sasaki #ao3 writer #ao3feed #ao3 link #archive of our own #ao3 #ao3 fanfic #fanfic

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first-impressions-gaming · 1 year

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The Sinking City

Developed & Published by Frogwares

Release Date 2019 (depending on platform)

Tested on Xbox Series X

MSRP 39,99 USD

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Journeying into the unknown, leaving everything you know and you are familiar with behind, a strange and stranger land sucks you in, and you’re there to solve the ongoing mystery and everything stemmed from it. Good luck, private investigator.

The Sinking City opens as you come ashore on Oakmont, the town that is sinking with each passing day and experience unusual flooding coupled with unbelievable mysteries where people experience hysteria and visions. That’s hell of a (un)welcoming to you, as the player. Right there, you know you’re stepping into a town where you are always called as “newcomer”, and you cannot not feel like an outcast. We receive a letter from J. van der Berg, just going through what we should expect from Oakmont and such. The main reason our protagonist, Charles Reed, decides to visit Oakmont is that like many people in Oakmont he is afflicted with hysteria as well and maybe he can find a remedy for his illness.

We land on Oakmont, we are barely on the shore and we see that the police aren't allowing anybody going in or out from the port. Shortly we learn that the most-influential person’s, Mr. Throgmorton, son is missing and he is standing in front of the building with police where the son was last seen before missing. We explain ourselves why we came to Oakmont and he says he could help us if we solve this case of his missing son. So, right off the bat, this’s our first case to show off our excellent private investigator skills and get to learn case-related abilities like a tutorial.

As a detective, from your deductions and the evidence you find, you are to make the final decision about a case, such as the first one concerning Albert Throgmorton’s murder. Upon collecting all the evidence and matching clues, you arrive to your verdict, did Lewis murder Albert on purpose with full awareness and knowledge or was he afflicted and mentally incapacitated?

As for this case, you can watch step-by-step how you progress and make your decision:

First, you arrive the location where the incident took place, you collect evidence in the vicinity and the game will signal you that you should switch to Mind Palace so you can go back in time and watch the event unfold:

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Second, after checking every step, you are to decide which event happened in what order, by clicking on them you give them a number as 1, 2 or 3, then you can progress further:

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Third, then we follow the path that leads us to the suspect, Lewis in this case, and we interact and talk with him about what happened and where Albert Throgmorton is. He gives us ambiguous answers, stating that he does not remember that well and even if he’s dead he did not do anything knowingly. We locate Albert Throgmorton’s corpse nearby, hanged and killed. What’s our verdict then?

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You don’t interact with NPCs you come across on streets even though the streets are filled with them. The only interaction you have with them, or I should put it as the only reaction you receive from them is, “what you doing?, “watch where you going” sort of generic feedback when you bump into them. You cannot even interact with the NPC who is selling papers, it’d be a nice touch if the character gives you a summary of what has taken place or something similar, for example a short of summary of the town, flood. The town we’re in may seem massive at first but once you get the hang of it, each district and street will appear almost identical to you except few key locations. There isn’t any landmarks and NPCs don’t add any value to locations. For example, each time I walk by one particular street I witness two characters arguing and one of them shoots the other one on exactly same location. This breaks the believability aspect for me, this action isn’t something to happen over and over again on the same location with same scenario. You can find the clip below:

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Since a quarter of the town is flooded, you are to travel with boats in some districts:

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For some reason, in mid-dialogue camera angle or zoom changes and this causes characters’ faces not fitting in the screen, this’s a weird issue and I encountered it frequently:

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At the end of my 3-hour gametime, there was an climactic cutscene which is followed by totally empty reaction from the protagonist, after the scene, Charles Reed wakes up in his room as he does every morning and he does not react to what happened, how can he not say anything to himself after these revelations and intrigue?:

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Despite the shortcomings and some “meh” moments, The Sinking City is still a worthy detective game, the game makes up for what is missing in other aspects and presents an enjoyable walkthrough to the player.

#games #gaming #game review #the sinking city #xbox #nintendo #playstation #game #Youtube

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whatsonmedia · 2 years

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The 7 best new and returning TV Shows in 2023

We already have a list of 7 new and returning TV shows that should be put right on your must-watch list, so we can assure you that 2023 will be a fantastic year for TV shows. With new programs like the BBC's touching drama Best Interests and HBO's epic and horrifying The Last of Us in January, there is something for everyone. Along with returning favorites like You and Sex Education from Netflix, Clarkson's Farm is back on Prime Video. 1. Sex Education season 4 For more crazy antics and coming-of-age drama in 2023, Asa Butterfield, Gillian Anderson, Ncuti Gatwa, Aimee-Lou Wood, Emma Mackey, Connor Swindells, Kedar Williams-Stirling, and Mimi Keene will all be back. The critically acclaimed teen drama's final season is anticipated (*sobs*), but it will also feature Schitt's Creek actor Dan Levy as Maeve's new Ivy League tutor Thomas Molloy. https://youtu.be/goke5cXZ3Ro 2. You season 4 As Joe, played by Penn Badgley, reluctantly turns into a detective in London after learning that he might not be the only murderer in town, he is accompanied by Ed Speelers (Downton Abbey), Charlotte Ritchie (Fresh Meat, Feel Good), Adam James (Vigil), and Charlotte Scott (Fresh Meat, Feel Good). Netflix will start streaming You season 4 part 1 on February 10. https://youtu.be/Xp30pyRW23U 3. Velma Release on January 12, HBO US broadcaster Max; UK broadcaster TBD Featuring: Constance Wu, Sam Richardson, and Mindy Kaling The most intelligent member of Scooby-team, Doo's Velma Dinkley (Mindy Kaling), has her origin tale in this animated series for adults. There is no news yet on whether Velma, a longtime LGBTQ+ icon and recently confirmed queer character, will be portrayed as such in Kaling's project, despite the fact that we know the show will contain a "love triangle". So let's hope. https://youtu.be/lHdtsWn7sgE 4. Daisy Jones & The Six Release: March 3, 2023, Prime Video Riley Keough, Sam Claflin, and Suki Waterhouse appear in the series. This miniseries, which was produced in the form of a mock-doc episode of MTV's Behind The Music, follows a fake rock band as they erupt and ultimately implode in 1970s Los Angeles. Expect plenty of sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll since it is based on Taylor Jenkins Reid's best-selling book, which was partially inspired by the real-life highs and lows of Fleetwood Mac. https://youtu.be/s9kwIlRJNy0 5. Secret Invasion Availability: early in 2023, Disney+ Ben Mendelsohn, Kingsley, and Samuel L. Jackson are the stars. Ben-Adir Do you recall Captain Marvel's shape-shifting aliens, the Skrulls? They will be the main subject of this new superhero program, which will depict a more nuanced and subdued side of Samuel L. Jackson's Nick Fury. As a "crossover event series," there is a good chance that other beloved Marvel characters will make a surprise appearance. https://youtu.be/qZVTkn2NjS0 6. Masters of the Air Release: Apple TV+ in 2023 Featuring: Barry Keogh, Callum Turner, and Austin Butler This miniseries about World War II has a solid resume. Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg serve as executive producers, and Cary Fukunaga of No Time to Die The director Joji Fukunaga is one of them. A talented ensemble of up-and-coming performers, led by Elvis actor Austin Butler, portrays the valiant "bomber boys" who fought the war in the air. https://youtu.be/aDyDg04x1W0 7. Poker Face Starring: Natasha Lyonne, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Adrien Brody; release date: January 26, Peacock (US); broadcaster in the UK TBC This detective drama was conceptualized by Glass Onion director Rian Johnson and offers a fascinating idea. The lead role of Charlie Cale, a sleuth with an uncanny ability to detect deception, belongs to Natasha Lyonne (Russian Doll). The 10-episode season has a "case-of-the-week" structure, making it a potential Murder, She Wrote replacement for the streaming era. https://youtu.be/UH5uGZ9SW7A Read the full article

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govindhtech · 3 months

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Apple Watch Ultra 3 News: Minor Upgrade Expected for Release

Apple Watch Ultra 3 News

The Apple Watch Ultra series’ tough design and superior functions appeal to adventurers and sports. Let’s look at the Apple Watch Ultra 3’s probable enhancements and advancements as the September 2024 release date approaches.

Apple Watch Ultra 3 2024

At its September 2023 release, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 has numerous major improvements:

50% Brighter Display: The display becomes easier to see in bright sunlight.

S9 Chip: For demanding applications, the speedier S9 chip’s integration guaranteed improved responsiveness and smoother performance.

Double-Tap Gesture: An innovative double-tap gesture let users interact with the watch without touching the screen, which was a useful feature for cycling or jogging in gloves.

More Storage: The default storage capacity has quadrupled, providing greater room for apps, maps, and music.

The Apple Watch Ultra 2’s standing as a high-end wristwatch for individuals who challenge convention was cemented by these enhancements. Rumour has it, though, that Apple may not be done improving the Ultra experience.

Apple Watch Ultra 3 rumor

Although the Apple Watch Ultra 3’s official specifications are yet unknown, rumours and well-informed guesswork suggest the following:

A Display That Uses Less Energy:

Apple’s OLED display technology may be replaced by MicroLED or LTPO. Both provide important advantages:

MicroLED: When it comes to brightness and contrast ratios, MicroLED displays outperform OLED ones and may even require less electricity. A brighter display with a longer battery life could result from this.

LTPO: Depending on the information being shown, LTPO displays can have a variable refresh rate that changes dynamically. When it comes to low-refresh-rate operations like showing the time or displaying simple notifications, this can greatly extend battery life.

Improved Health Monitoring Features:

Sleep Apnea Detection: This serious condition affects sleep and might cause health issues. Apple Watch Ultra 3 sensors and algorithms may monitor blood oxygen levels and sleep patterns to identify sleep apnea. For sleep-quality and disorder-conscious consumers, this might change everything.

High blood pressure must be detected early to manage cardiovascular health. An Apple Watch Ultra 3 with blood pressure sensors and software could provide early warnings and insights for hypertensive people.

Enhancing the Tough Architecture:

Enhanced Durability: The Apple Watch Ultra series boasts a robust build, but there’s always potential for enhancement. To ensure that the Ultra 3 can survive even the worst circumstances, Apple may have used even more impact- and scratch-resistant materials.

Enhanced Water Resistance: The Apple Watch Ultra is now rated for 100 metres of water resistance. With the Ultra 3, Apple may go even farther in pushing this boundary, making it appropriate for even more intense water sports or deeper dives.

Integration of Software with Ecosystems:

WatchOS 11 and Up: The Apple Watch Ultra 3 will definitely run the most recent version of watchOS. It might also come with additional features designed just for the Ultra series, bettering its overall user experience, fitness tracking capabilities, and health monitoring features.

Increased App Integration: As the Apple Watch Ultra series gains popularity, third-party app developers may create a greater number of apps tailored for the Ultra’s sophisticated capabilities and durable construction. Certain sports, outdoor pursuits, or professional use cases may be catered to by these apps.

Beyond Just Hardware: The Ultra 3

More than simply a hardware update is probably in store for the Apple Watch Ultra 3. Here are some other areas Apple may choose to concentrate on:

Subscription Services: Apple may combine new features or functions with its current offerings, such as iCloud+ and Apple Fitness+. Users may be encouraged to opt-in and further immerse themselves into the Apple ecosystem as a result of this.

The Ultra 3 could benefit from further customisation options from Apple, which could let customers to customise the watch face, straps, and capabilities to better meet their individual needs and tastes.

Improvements to Emergency SOS: The Ultra 3 may see improvements to emergency functions, such as satellite connectivity or enhanced location tracking in cases where cellular network service is not available.

Apple Watch Ultra 3 release date

Watch Ultra 3 and iPhone 16 are scheduled in September 2024. Based on Apple’s regular release timeline for new Watches. Apple has not confirmed a September release, although respectable sources like analyst Ming-Chi Kuo have predicted it.

Read more on Govindhtech.com

#govindhtech #technologynews #technology #technologytrends #technews #applewatch #applewatchultra #applewatchultra2 #applewatchultra3

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sumiyarezasuchana · 1 year

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Style and Savings: How to Score Discounts on the New PUMA Essentials Men's Logo Tee

Unveiling Comfort and Style - Your Go-To Tee for Every Occasion

Hey there, fashion enthusiasts! Let's talk about a wardrobe staple that's making waves in the world of style and comfort. You guessed it right – the all-new PUMA Essentials Men's Logo Tee is here to redefine the way you look and feel. From its soft-to-touch fabric to its iconic logo, this tee is more than just an item of clothing; it's a statement of your unique style. So, grab a seat and get ready to discover why the PUMA Essentials Men's Logo Tee deserves a prime spot in your wardrobe.

Comfort Beyond Measure

When it comes to clothing, comfort reigns supreme. And guess what? The PUMA Essentials Men's Logo Tee doesn't disappoint. Crafted from a premium blend of cotton and polyester, this tee is like a warm hug for your skin. Imagine wrapping yourself in a cloud of coziness – that's exactly how you'll feel when you slip into this tee.

Breathable and lightweight, this tee is your ideal companion for any adventure. Whether you're hitting the gym, strolling through the city streets, or just lounging at home, the PUMA Essentials Men's Logo Tee keeps you feeling cool and collected, even on scorching summer days. No more sweaty discomfort – just pure, unadulterated comfort.

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Hunt for Discounts, Fashion Detective!

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Conclusion: Style, Savings, and You

In a world where fashion meets function, the PUMA Essentials Men's Logo Tee shines as a beacon of style, comfort, and versatility. With its soft fabric and iconic logo, it's the ultimate canvas for your individuality. By weaving these savvy shopping strategies into your routine, you can snag this must-have tee without putting a dent in your wallet. Keep the connection strong with PUMA through newsletters, social media, and exciting sales events – you'll be the first to know about discounts that are practically begging to be claimed.

So, there you have it – the lowdown on the PUMA Essentials Men's Logo Tee, your key to embodying active style with a dash of uniqueness. Slip into it, strut your stuff, and let your fashion flag fly high! After all, life is too short for boring tees and missed discounts. Get out there and rock that PUMA style like the trendsetter you are! 🚀👕

#MensFashion #DiscountDeals #PUMATee #FashionFinds #WardrobeEssentials #CasualStyle

0 notes

daveg65 · 2 years

Text

242 - ChatGPT and Your iPhone - With Guest Brittany Smith and Jeff Gamet.

In the most recent episode of In Touch With iOS, Dave is joined by guests Brittany Smith and Jeff Gamet to delve into a fascinating conversation about ChatGPT, which piques the interest of Bing and Microsoft. They also explore the compatibility of ChatGPT with the iPhone and Apple Watch. In addition, they discuss the release of iOS 16.4 Beta 1, and whether the HomePod is still relevant, given that it has been five years since its launch and a new 2nd gen model has been released. The possibility of Apple introducing hardware subscriptions is also considered, along with other interesting topics.

The show notes are at InTouchwithiOS.com

 Direct Link to Audio

Links to our Show

Click this link Buy me a Coffee to support the show we would really appreciate it. intouchwithios.com/coffee

Another way to support the show is to become a Patreon member patreon.com/intouchwithios

Website: In Touch With iOS

YouTube Channel

In Touch with iOS Magazine on Flipboard

Facebook Page

Twitter

Instagram

News

Ted Lasso season 3 premieres March 15th! Apple announces release date for Ted Lasso season three

Big 1Password update for iOS and Mac brings over 100 improvements and changes

Apple Reportedly Planning to Limit iPhone 15's USB-C Port in the Same Way as Lightning

Plex launches new feature for skipping TV show and movie credits, available on Apple TV and iOS

Goldman Sachs drops consumer credit expansion, casting shadow over Apple Savings accounts

https://cordcuttersnews.com/paramount-is-lowering-the-price-of-its-showtime-bundle/

T-Mobile Customers Can Get Free MLS Season Pass in Apple TV App

Apple reveals iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 usage stats for the first time

Topics

Very important to update to iOS 16.3.1 with security updates.

PSA: Make Sure to Update Soon, macOS Ventura 13.2.1 and iOS 16.3.1 Address Actively Exploited Vulnerability

Apple Releases watchOS 9.3.1 With Bug Fixes and Security Updates

Apple Releases HomePod 16.3.2 Software With Fix for Siri Request Failures

Apple Releases iOS 16.3.1 With iCloud Fix, Crash Detection Optimizations and More

Beta this week. iOS 16.4 was released today to developers and public beta..

Everything New in iOS 16.4: Emoji Characters, Web Push Notifications, Beta Installation Simplification, and More

Roundup: Here's every new feature and change in iOS 16.4 beta 1

Improved way to register device with beta profile. Apple starts killing off developer beta profiles in iOS 16.4

iOS 16.4 and iPadOS 16.4 Betas Add Support for Web Push Notifications

Apple Seeds First Beta of watchOS 9.4 to Developers

iOS 16.4 Beta Adds New Emoji Like Donkey, Jellyfish, Pink Heart, Hyacinth, Ginger, Goose, Shaking Face and More

iOS 16.4 and iPadOS 16.4 Let Developers and Public Beta Testers Opt in to Betas Directly From Software Update Settings

iOS 16.4 Adds New Podcasts App Features Across iPhone, iPad, and CarPlay

iOS 16.4 Beta Re-Adds HomeKit Architecture Upgrade

iOS 16.4 Lays Groundwork for Apple Cash High-Yield Savings Account

HomePod was launched 5 years ago. We discussed history and the future. HomePod Launched Five Years Ago Today, Faced Several Setbacks Along the Way

iFixit Tears Down Second-Generation HomePod

Updated actions and new features in the Shortcuts app on iOS 16.3

ChatGPT made news this week with Microsoft announcing Ai interaction with Bing. Microsoft's New AI-Powered Bing Uses ChatGPT Tech. Here's How to Try It

How To Use ChatGPT on iPhone and Apple Watch

Apple hardware subscription would be a big step – raising big questions

Our Host

Dave Ginsburg is an IT professional supporting Mac, iOS and Windows users and shares his wealth of knowledge of iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV and related technologies. Visit the YouTube channel https://youtube.com/intouchwithios follow him on Mastadon @daveg65,

Twitter @daveg65.and the show @intouchwithios

Our Regular Contributor

Jeff Gamet is a podcaster, technology blogger, artist, and author. Previously, he was The Mac Observer’s managing editor, and Smile’s TextExpander Evangelist. You can find him on Mastadon @jgamet as well as Twitter and Instagram as @jgamet His YouTube channel https://youtube.com/jgamet

About our Guest

Brittany Smith is a cognitive neuroscientist who provides a variety of consulting services through her business, Devise and Conquer that includes ADD/ADHD coaching, technology coaching, productivity consulting, and more. She is a self-designated “well-rounded geek”, and holds a M.S. degree in Cognitive Neuroscience. She can be found on Twitter as @addliberator. Find her on her YouTube channel of tech tips.

Here is our latest Episode!

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usediphone13pro · 2 years

Text

The top Second Hand Mobiles To find Today

used iPhone 13 pro

Mobile phones nowadays are not just effortless mobile phones anymore. Present day mobile phones are mobile phones that are packed entire with the latest in addition to greatest in technical features. This usually includes the ability to go to the internet with Wi-Fi and 3G. Online world tethering and employing your mobile as a modem is all potential in today's latest smartphones on the market on the market.

used iPhone 13 pro

Unfortunately a majority of these mobile phones are not economical to buy when in a very brand new condition. Perhaps the lower spec touch screen phones on the market can amount to around £300 or even more. The Apple iPhone 4 by using Wi-Fi and 3G retails for around £500 so they are not within just everyone's budget. Still as time goes on these smartphones come to be cheaper to buy. The fact is these types of smartphones along with second hand mobiles tend to be much cheaper to invest in today.

So how to find a cheap used old mobile today? Many of us buy new cell phones as soon as they are published but mobile phones turn out to be updated quickly thus today's latest together with smartest mobile phone is normally soon replaced by having a better version. It is really when this happens that people improvement their mobiles with the newer versions consequently they are left with what about the older, useless model. One thing consumers do is to offer for sale their second hand cellular telephone online some way. One of many ways is to use online shop this auction giant fo you to list for provide any item such as a phone to find a buyer as it. This has proved favored amongst sellers and additionally buyers who are buying cheap used resale mobile phone or touch screen phone to buy.

Iphone Fundamental principles

If you had been basically another world so far you would have concept that, going from the name, the Apple iphone was just a cellular. Those who are familiar with your ever updating society of technology recognize that it is so much more. By having a touch screen, users will surf the net on the sophisticated web browser on a convenient device as well as multitask, allowing the user to be able to send an email and browse the internet despite the fact that making a call.

Clients of the Iphone will be able to play music, viewpoint video clips through the online world or the phone, dispatch and find street and also satellite maps with Google Maps. Modern day users will like one another features such as a area sensor that turns the display from when the Iphone is close to your hearing, as well as an accelerometer, detecting when the Iphone's orientation is rotated and balanced and with that sensors will change the indicate of the images, video lessons and other display objects. Handy, eh?

A buildup to the discharge of the Apple Iphone in the states on June up to 29, 2007 was gigantic, and so when the put out date came, outlets were filled with famished buyers needing to obtain their hands on one. It was subsequently named the New technology of the Year by way of Times Magazine, in addition to later it was introduced in other countries in The fall of 2007.

Storage to the Iphone can be chose, with a choice relating to a 4gb or even 8gb flash reminiscence Iphone. These Iphone's have a 8. 9cm screen set on a resolution at 320×480 pixels. Other criteria include:

Camera: 3 megapixel

Size: 115×61×11. 6 mm

Bodyweight: 135 g (4. 8 oz)

The other generation Iphone, a 3G Iphone, occurs with better functions at a better expense for the amount of attributes, as the Iphone always lacks some elements, such as no Sign or Java online, and there are many glitches.

If you haven't still purchased an Itouch new generation ipod, I advise you to grasp off until the following generation Iphone can be released. As well as getting many new along with improved features that your first Iphone didn't have, it will come with a lower price, due to the level of competition from other mobile phone companies and the cheaper of the components. Getting one now will be a mistake, as you is likely to find yourself forking out and about another $500 for ones same products while using odd new or simply updated feature inside of a couple of months time, $500 that you probably simply cannot afford to you have to be throwing away.

The Iphone 4 is a great product as well as the features make it a good joy to use, nevertheless it really just lacks a little bit of.

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companiespiner · 2 years

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Moto x moto g3

Moto x moto g3 series#

Moto G52 has been launched which was earlier launched in the European market.

Moto x moto g3 series#

Motorola has launched its next in the G Series in India. Up to 128 GB internal storage microSD slot for up to 1 TB card Connectivity.

Motorola Moto G52 goes official in India: Read on to know more.

A teaser has been launched which claims a 200MP camera as the new benchmark for ima… Motorola Moto G Stylus Smartphone, 128GB Storage, Unlocked Cellular - Black (Renewed) 100. Tech giant Motorola China has confirmed that the company is all set to launch a smartphone that will feature a 200MP camera. touch Display size For Motorola Moto Z Play XT1635 Moto G3 screen. Motorola Moto G52 review summary: Editor rating: 3.5/5 Design Display Performance Battery Camera Pros Large battery life Fast charging Clean UI IP52 Rating Decent 50MP camera Cons Poor gaming performance slip… Motorola backed out of the smart watch market way back in 2016, after releasing two.

Motorola Moto G52 Review: Budget-Friendly smartphone to meet all your needs?.

Nothing Phone 1 review summary: Editor’s rating: 3.5/5 Design Display Performance Battery Camera Pros Excellent design Brilliant display Good day-to-day performance Clean UI and good user experience Cons Not …

Nothing Phone 1 Review: Is the Glyph Interface enough to captivate audience?.

Corning Gorilla Glass 3, Dual Touch Capacitive Touchscreen Technology, Date and Time Visualization, Automatic Image RotationĬorning Gorilla Glass 3 Screen Protectionįace detection, Geo tagging, Panorama, Touch to focus

#Moto x moto g3

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johnsamericano · 4 years

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✽ Disclaimer: Some of this fics might be turned into full length fics. If you’d like to be added to the taglist, send me an ask or a message. ✽

✽ Warning: I suck at writing summaries. I swear the stories are not that bad. ✽

[release date: April 1st]

taglist: @whathamelon @unknown5tar @curieouscapt @notbeforelong @silent-potato @ajhdr @mrcarbonatedmilk @gjheaaa

✤ ↝ Fluff

® ↝ Smut

☾ ↝ Angst

𝓓𝓪𝔂 1:

ℓєє тαєуσиg

3:00 a.m. Your husband hadn’t arrived yet, he was supposed to be on an important mission, a dangerous one too, for what you’d heard. Worried about him, you decide to leave the house to look for him.

mafia!au ✤ ☾

𝓓𝓪𝔂 2:

мσσи тαєιℓ

Mr. Moon is an extremely busy man, but he’s more than willing to give up some of his valuable time for a little someone.

dilf!taeil ® ✤

𝓓𝓪𝔂 3:

ѕυн נσнииу

Your childhood friend, Johnny, had become your husband. But he couldn’t be more different from the little boy you used to adore.

arranged marriage!au ® ☾ ✤

𝓓𝓪𝔂 4:

иαкαмσтσ уυтα

Your boyfriend wasn't who you thought he was, nevertheless, a curse -which turns out to be a blessing, after all- might be just what you needed to regain your freedom.

Yandere!au ☾

𝓓𝓪𝔂 5:

qιαи кυи

You’re stuck in your office with your boss for the rest of the night, he proposes an innocent chess game to pass time.

ceo!au ® ✤

𝓓𝓪𝔂 6:

кιм ∂σуσυиg.

What happens when the prince, next in line for the throne, finds out his lover is engaged to someone else?

Royalty!au ® ☾

𝓓𝓪𝔂 7:

тєи ℓєє

Your mother hires the most wanted tailor in town to design a new dress for the ball, who turns out to be completely different from what you’d expected. But you couldn’t allow yourself to catch feelings for him, not when you were finally so close to marrying your childhood crush.

19th century! au ® ☾ ✤

𝓓𝓪𝔂 8:

‎נυиg נαєнуυи

Jaehyun had been your sugar daddy for about a year now, and you were not oblivious to the special treatment he’d give you. But you didn’t expect him to confirm your suspicions on a very special night.

Sugar daddy!au ✤ ☾

𝓓𝓪𝔂 9:

∂σиg ѕι¢нєиg

He’s always had a hard time expressing his feelings, and you completely understand that. However, everyone has their breaking point, and he can't do anything but try and fix things before it's too late.

idol!au ☾ ✤

𝓓𝓪𝔂 10:

кιм נυиgωσσ

You had to paint a human portrait for your final project, but no one seemed to be available to help you. That is until you find the most perfect human being sitting in the cafeteria. He had to be your model at all costs.

college!au ☾ ✤ ®

𝓓𝓪𝔂 11:

ωσиg уυкнєι

Rumor has it that the school player, Lucas, was finally ready for a formal relationship. Everyone was wondering why, but the moment they saw him chasing you with a flower bouquet, they realized the correct question was who.

fuckboy!au ☾ ✤

𝓓𝓪𝔂 12:

ℓєє мαяк

After three years of not seeing each other, you meet your ex boyfriend again, only that you’re not alone. You have a child by your side, who looks oddly similar to Mark.

baby daddy!mark ☾ ✤

𝓓𝓪𝔂 13:

χιασ ∂єנυи

A handsome stranger had been visiting your dreams for a while now, delivering an immense amount of pleasure that had your legs trembling the next morning. You thought he was a mere product of your imagination until you decided to pull an all nighter, coming face to face with the man of your dreams.

incubus!au ®

𝓓𝓪𝔂 14:

ωσиg кυинαиg

There’s a hitman in town, and it’s Hendery’s job as a detective to catch them before more people die, but what if the person he’d been looking for all that time turned out to be the one he loved the most?

reader hitman (kind of mafia-ish)!au ☾ ✤

𝓓𝓪𝔂 15:

нυαиg яєиנυи

After your date was canceled, your roommate decides to make your favorite dinner to cheer you up, but letting you drink a whole bottle of wine to accompany your food might not have been his smartest idea.

roomate!au ☾ ✤

𝓓𝓪𝔂 16:

ℓєє נєиσ

You were supposed to be his rival, but then why would his heart flutter every time you looked at him, why would his heart fill with anger every time your partner touched you?

figure skating!au ® ☾ ✤

𝓓𝓪𝔂 17:

ℓєє ∂σиgнуυ¢к

Maybe asking Donghyuck, the least patient person you knew, to tutor you for anatomy wasn’t the greatest idea you’d had.

𝓓𝓪𝔂 18:

иα נαємιи

Na Jaemin, your guardian angel, made the terrible mistake of falling for you.

angel!au ☾ ✤

𝓓𝓪𝔂 19:

ℓιυ уαиgуαиg

A very peculiar boy visits your shop, asking to get a tattoo on the back. It’s a rather big one for someone’s first time, but you don’t object. The tattoo had to be done in different sessions, in which you got to know the boy better and found out he was nothing like you'd thought he'd be.

tattoo artist!au ✤

𝓓𝓪𝔂 20:

σѕαкι ѕнσтαяσ

Your new intern is without a doubt, a bit of a handful. But every time you try to fire him, he flashes you that adorable eye smile, erasing all of your previous thoughts.

reader ceo!au ✤

𝓓𝓪𝔂 21:

‎נυиg ѕυиg¢нαи

After watching his relay cam, you decide to make your own custom shoes, which turns out messier than expected.

✤

𝓓𝓪𝔂 22:

zнσиg ¢нєиℓє

Chenle has finally found the love of his life. The problem? She’s a busy hospital resident. But he doesn’t mind faking an injury every once in a while so you can heal him.

hospital (kind of)!au ☾ ✤

𝓓𝓪𝔂 23:

ραяк נιѕυиg

Your classmate, the shy boy, decides to finally confess his feelings towards you. But nothing goes as planned.

college!au ✤ ☾

#nct smut #nct fluff #nct angst #nct au #nct imagines #nct ot21 #nct x reader #nct #nct 127 #nct scenarios #wayv #wayv smut

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gb-patch · 3 years

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Ask Answers: April 13th, 2021

And we’re back again with more replies so soon, haha. Thank you for the asks!

Your game literally saved me this hell ass year. Thank you so much for the most perfect piece of art I've ever laid eyes on 😫 ... Do you guys have a rough idea when step 3 DLC will be released? I hope I'm not coming off as rude. I just really really love your game.

I’m sorry for the late reply on this! You might’ve already seen the answer by now, but the Step 3 DLC is coming out on the 16th. We’re almost there :D

This may be a silly question but did Jeremy's parents ever find out that Pran had lied about his age and if so, when/how? :3

Pran came clean to them after a couple of years, when he felt secure enough that it wouldn’t ruin the relationship. The Kings were a little embarrassed, the dad more than the mom, but they’re quite good at brushing past those kind of mistakes so it was all water under the bridge pretty fast.

hi! i know you’ve answered a question about alterations in the our life moments by playing them in different orders, but i was wondering if there was a canon order that the moments for each step happen in? i figure with such a customizable game the “canon” timeline for the moments is whatever order the player completes them in, for example in step 1, i like playing the runaway moment pretty early, since cove trying to run away early in summer makes more sense to me personally. thanks!

Yeah, there’s no canon order we’d insist on. Whatever you like can be the official route for you! And that’s a neat way to look at that event.

What if your character isn’t that into physical contact but still wants to be in a relationship with Cove? Would he be offended if you shy away or something along those lines?

He wouldn’t be. Cove knows how hard that can be and is very understanding. If you set his initiative to low, the game always checks to make sure if you want to be touched or not rather than assuming that you do. And if you do choose that you don’t want to, there’s no stress or drama about it. Cove will just say that’s okay!

Hellu! First off, I want to thank you all for such a wonderful game, it's been the best feel-good game I've ever stumbled upon and I can't express enough how much it has meant to me. Second, I've seen lots of people having trouble with making Cove confess before MC which makes me wonder if people will have the same problem in the dlc when you can propose to him. Is it possible to post a guide for that as well when it no longer could count as a spoiler? Again, thanks for such a beautiful game <3

I’m really happy you had such a nice time with it c:. We’ll answer questions about it on tumblr/in the discord if they come up and, if need be, we’ll find somewhere to upload a guide.

Do we get steam key from buying dlc on itch io?

I’m afraid not. That’d be unfair to those who get it on Steam. Plus, Steam isn’t super cool with giving out thousands of keys to be handed out for free on other sites anymore. They can refuse to give us the keys if they feel we’re trying to take advantage of their system.

hi! so if we reject cove's confession in step 3, can we still have MC and cove get together in step 4?

You can confess to him, yeah. But Cove won’t ever try confessing again if the MC turns him down in Step 3.

What if MC acts like someone Cove doesn't like, like Lizzie or Baxter lol

You can’t do what Lizzie or Baxter does to make Cove dislike them. You can play the game and try, but it doesn’t work out. The MC is just too compatible with Cove if you’re fond/crush/love, haha.

Hi! I absolutely love your game, I love the characters they’re all so amazing, thank you for the game haha

I was wondering if you would get the NSFW DLC no matter what Patreon level you were at, or if you would could get it at any level? :)

What pateron tier do we need to get the 18+ content for Our Life? It's my new favourite game, keep up the good work!

It will eventually be available at the $5 tier and anything above that! Glad you both like OL ^^

On a scale from 1 (being the worst) to 10, how well do the XOXO jerk squad including JB handle horror?

JB: 8

Everett: 5

Nate: 4

Shiloh: 10

Bae: 10

Jeremy: 8 for non-gore horror, 2 for gory horror

Pran: 9

hello!! i was wondering if any of the boys from the Jerksquad would ever wear a skirt/dress?

None of them wear skirts/dresses out of personal preference. But if there was some kind of reason where they had to do it, none would be that bothered.

How does the jerk squad feel about Christmas?

Everett: He fucking loves it. That’s the best time of year.

Nate: Commercialized nonsense.

Shiloh: It’s wonderful! So he claims.

Bae: He likes it quite a bit, but only for the joy it brings children/family. He thinks that’s sweet but is too mature to be whipped up into a festive fervor himself.

Jeremy: It’s awful.

Pran: He hates it.

does cove have any pet allergies? yes I know this is a little weirdly specific

He doesn’t! The lucky boy isn’t allergic to any animal.

Very important question: Would Lee and a musical-theatre loving MC run around belting Into The Unknown from Frozen 2? Because I feel that they would

Probably, haha.

This might seem like a dumb question, so I’m sorry, but with the Derek DLC are we gonna get to hang out with him in person instead of just calling him in step 3?

The Derek DLC adds events in Step 2 and Step 4. It’s part of his story that you don’t really get to be around him in Step 3. But you don’t need to apologize for wondering!

hello! i'd like to ask if it's possible to play the android version of the game with the dlcs after buying the dlcs from steam. i wasn't expecting my android version to have my dlcs since i bought them from steam, but it had my step 2 dlc for some reason. is this a glitch or does the apk actually detect what dlcs you already have on your pc? if so, how come i don't have the step 1 dlc appearing on android? thanks!

That is some kind of glitch. It isn’t possible for the Android DLCs to be unlocked by having them on PC. Maybe in one of the old builds we accidentally didn’t lock the Step 2 DLC properly. Sorry for the confusion!

Does Derek and Baxter have canon sexualities? Will Derek still flirts with the MC regardless of their gender?

They’re both pansexual and can like the MC regardless of what gender they have.

I was wondering if Miranda had a crush on Cove in Step 3? I'm not sure why, but I got those vibes from her?

She thinks of him only as a friend. Cove isn’t her type, haha.

This is probably a dumb hope, but I hope Cliff find someone he loves after Cove is grown up and everything. Or at the very least he has someone he's very close with after Cove leaves.

That’s a really sweet thought to have. Cliff stays single, but he’s graysexual and not-particularly romantically inclined. He only dated when he was really young ‘cause that’s what everyone did. Family and friend relationships are more important to him, and he has plenty of that in his life ^^.

Heya! I was curious if there might be a nickname system in N&F? I kind of pull an Elizabeth when I play and choose a different variation of a name like having Rosie in step one and changing it to Rose in step two, then maybe Rosetta in step three for example, but it also feels a little bit odd being scolded using my nickname hehe. That's all I was wondering about, thank you for your time and the wonderful games!

We are hoping to include the option to go by a nickname in Our Life: Now & Forever. But nothing has been programmed yet, so we can’t 100% guarantee it, haha.

Just curious, what would Liz's and Cove's relationship be if MC wasn't around? I feel like they wouldn't get along as well as they do now, especially during the first and second step

They’d definitely have a lot of friction growing up and they’d likely avoid each other as much as possible. Once they were both older, I imagine they’d be decent neighbor acquaintances. But they still wouldn’t be nearly as close as they are with the MC bringing Cove into things.

What do the customizable eyes look like in the game? Do they look as they are in the creating avatar section? Or do they look different when actually playing the game?

That’s up to you! The doll is just meant to be a general idea. You can apply it to your imagined MC as much or as little as you prefer.

Did Cove go through a "phase" during his adolescence? I don't really wanna headcanon it so I wonder if there's anything (cringy) canon since we missed out on the ages of 14-17 hahaha

Not really, aha. 14-17 Cove is pretty recognizable to his 13 and 18 year old self.

Hello! I'm sorry to bother you, especially with all the messages you get. I was just wondering if the religious wedding venue was exclusive to a church or if there will be different religions of weddings? Also, I love this VN so much, it's so well written and every character is so amazing, thank you for making such a beautiful game.

The church is treated as a historic building rather than anything actively religious, but it’s not the only option like that. There’s a historic synagogue and stuff too! And that’s really nice of you to say <3.

How differently would it play out If MC told their moms about the 20$ deal back when it happened?

They wouldn’t have been happy and would’ve been far more skeptical of Cliff, aha. But they wouldn’t want to keep Cove away from the MC, so it wouldn’t have been too different in the long run.

Hello may I ask what Cove's favorite fudge/ice cream flavor would be? Its alright if its not answered

He appreciates them all, but his top favorites would be the fruit flavored ones and the ones with nuts.

Hi! I really wanted to make mc's house in a game and tried really hard to figure out the floor plan, but I wondered if you have the floor plan of the mc's house so that i can try again with more accuracy?

Thank you a lot for this game, i loved it a lot! (my first play took me 8 hours lol)

I’m really sorry, we don’t have anything like that. But at least you can headcanon that what you did is correct and nothing can prove it wrong, haha.

Hello,I recently started playing lake of voices (I put it off for a long while since I’m usually not very good with horror) and I’m really happy I did!I’m a big fan of your games in general and lake of voices was absolutely great as well.I loved the characters and the dark setting of it,I adored the beautiful art and music and the story was great too,sometimes unsettling and sometimes very sweet.My favorite Route in the game was definitely Lu,I liked his character and was really shocked and distraught by his Route at least two times.I didn’t see the plot twist(s) coming at all!

Besides these ramblings I’ve also wanted to ask if you still remember how to get the lower two CGs on page 5?I seem to always miss them and would appreciate any help.Anyways I hope I wasn’t too much of a bother and I wish the devs a great day!:)

Thank you for all the kind words <3. You get those DLCs by going through the end of the Guide’s character path. You can use the guides on Steam to help you find it/reach the end!

—– —– —– —–

Thank you again for all of these questions :D

We released a new FAQ! It answers common questions and we’ll keep adding more to it. Please check there before sending an ask. FAQ Also, if you prefer to just see the main posts without all the asks/reblogs, feel free to follow our side account instead: GB Patch Updates Blog

#our life #xoxo droplets #lake of voices #ask #Our Life Beginnings & Always #ourlifeba #gb patch #gb patch games

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kanmom51 · 4 years

Text

JM JK timeline.- my observations how they grew over the years - 2017

Disclaimer: these are my own opinions and conclusions. Feel free to disagree, but hate or aggression will be unacceptable.

2017 - part 2

12 Feb 2017 – “You never walk alone” preview show. Who’s JM’s little cutie?

14 Feb 2017 – JM Twitter post – the boys with matching jackets. I know. I said not Twitter, but sometimes rules are made to be broken.

17 Feb 2017 – Hobi’s birthday. JM to JK: “stop coming to our room at night.” There’s something about JM throwing JK under the bus time after time. It’s like he enjoys to see JK squirm.

22 Feb 2017 – Gaon Chart K-pop chart – JK ushering Hobi to another seat, so that JK can sit behind JM. JM turning around see this, rolls his eyes and smirks.

24 Feb 2017 – KBS Music Bank comeback - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4_ASZuLeVk&t=156s

Another one of my favourites. A perfect example for both boys hesitance, wanting to touch, but just not getting there.

JM putting arm behind JK, but holding on to wall behind, and then matter of factually laying it on JK’s shoulder.

JM micro touching, or brushing JK’s hand with his thumb.

Prior to JM brushing JK’s hand with his thumb, JK’s hand is heart signing to JM.

The minute JM moves his hand away, you see how the expression on JK’s face changes, then he rubs his hand where JM touched him.

24 Feb 2017 fan meet – are they in actual F… sending flying kisses to each other?

25 Feb 2017 MBC music core comeback – JK moving Hobi aside, so that JK can stand behind JM. JK being JM’s number 1 fanboy.

26 Feb 2017 – Wings – you never walk alone fan sign. Really JM? What was that neck grab and what exactly were you doing there???? No, I don’t believe he kissed JK’s neck, but it sure was ‘out there’, so much so that Jin was in total shock when it happened. JK was surprised by it, and I think that even JM was shocked by his own actions waling aimlessly in what seems like the wrong direction .

28 Feb 2017 Run BTS episode 12. This one for me was cringe worthy, at some points I felt like an actual intruder. JK the detective and JM the prisoner. JK whacking JM on the behind (remember JK is the younger – how bold). JM’s private dance for JK. I know the episode was mostly scripted, but I seriously think JM was surprised by that smack to his behind. Also, the way JK was looking at JM when he was dancing all heart hands for him.

12 March 2017 - Wings tour Santiago Chile

Santiago day 2 – JK suffers from exhaustion. As he is taken back stage to a treatment room, JM is the one to race after the team into the room.

JM is in the treatment room when the cameras come in. He is standing there, and later, as the other members are walking in, JM is by JK’s side, helping the medical team lift up one of his legs.

The rest of the members come in together to see how JK is doing, and when the medical team suggest to take off JK’s pants, all the members leave the room. All except for JM, who stays there with JK the whole time.

JM leaves the room only together with JK, after he feels better and is able to walk out of the room on his own two feet.

Wouldn’t you expect RM, being the leader and all, to be the one by JK’s side? Or J-Hope maybe? Wouldn’t that have made more sense under the circumstances? Why JM?

Because, clearly JM is the one JK feels closest to, the one he can be himself with freely, the one he doesn’t feel embarrassed or needs privacy from.

JM may not have been a family member, but he was the closest thing to it. JM to JK is and was his home, his safe place, and most certainly the one to be by his side when he was in distress.

March 2017 BTS Live trilogy episode the Wings tour in Santiago Chile & Brazil.

March 2017 BTS Live trilogy episode the Wings tour in Chicago.

April 2017 3rd Muster dvd – the muster was at end of 2016, but dvd was released in 2017. During photo shoots they are being posed by the photographers. Yes, there will be authentic moments between them, but sometimes it’s hard to tell what’s real and what’s being directed. That’s why I don’t always like to add these to my timeline. Even so, they were so cute, so I couldn’t leave this one out.

3rd April 2017 – BTS Front row live entertainment interview – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UotjcB_X4ag . What happened there?

This one intrigues me. I watched and re-watched the full interview several times, and for the life of me I can’t see what happened there between JM and Hobi that triggered JK’s reaction? JM’s placating look at JK, like telling him nothing happened… this one is used a lot to create the JK jealous narrative, and to be honest, I really don’t know what happened there. When JK turns back, JM looks into the camera with an uneasy gaze.

After that, most of the time, JM looks lost in his thoughts, not happy. Towards the end they are asked what artist they would want to collaborate with, and Suga’s answer makes them all burst out in laughter, all accept for JM. When he is asked and answers, you also see he is unhappy. You can easily see something is bothering him. JM just wasn’t his happy own self. He looked pensive. BTS did several interviews and had a concert that day, so maybe he was just tired or wound up, but he just wasn’t acting like himself.

April 2017 - Bon Voyage 2 Hawaii

Highlights of the highlights: The but checking and identifying (are we taking skinship to another level, are we??).

JK getting drenched at the beach, JK getting drenched period. Lol.

JK gobbling down piping hot Pizza so JM can eat.

JM playing footsies under the table with JK, all while sitting opposite V.

JK edging JM to come along calling him “Aegyo” = “Baby”. J

M making sure JK doesn’t go hungry, buying him food with his own money. JM taking care of JK.

JK and JM on same team – the joy… Spending the day together and just being happy.

Did JK really lose the game on purpose so he can be in the room with JM?

The amount of times we hear Jimin-ssi in every kind of cute and flirty way JK can say it…

Bonus:

22 April 2017 JK Vlive – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5n8y3D0Z9pM .

JK doing everything to get JM back to his room while playing loud music.

JK’s face lighting up when JM returns to his room.

JK telling JM he looks handsome without makeup.

JK pissed off when V comes in too, saying “why is everyone coming?”.

When V touches JK’s ear, JK pushes him away.

JM moving off camera to fix his robe, and JK not taking his eyes off him.

V putting his foot on JK’s back (this is something I have seen V do a few times, it’s not a gentle touch, to me it feels more like asserting dominance), and JM pushes him off.

And what exactly did JM mean when he said he has no talent for games but “I was quite good at it a year ago”? Only to be followed by the stare, OMG, the stare. Why, oh why did V have to ruin the moment, eh?

22-23 April 2017 Bangkok concert. Flirting on stage, attention to each other.

24 April 2017 Eat Jin Vlive with JM and JK - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqxX_UGXSlY .

Jin complaining why JM doesn’t hit him like he did JK, so JM hits him too. Lol. JM stealing the steak JK cuts for himself, while JK lets him, smiling. The way JK just lets JM get away with anything, even interfering with the ultimate ‘ship’ - Jungfood.

3 June 2017 – J-14 magazine interview - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7rXl8uuUTY&t=306s . from 3.33min. to 4.37min especially.

Wtf was JM up to there????? It looks pretty dubious, especially when you look at the faces on the two of them when it was going on. Up to your interpretation.

2 June 2017 – Ceremonial first pitch at baseball match – Hanshin Koshien stadium - JK and JM’s jersey numbers – coincidence or not?

12 June Festa 2017 BTS BangtanTv – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWA6f7g7NUQ&t=2s.

JK’s intense stare at JM, when JM joined the others in with the others when they were laughing at JK eating everyone’s food but not ordering any for himself, which causes JM to immediately stop laughing.

Poor JK being blindsided when it was pointed out that the only one he bought a birthday present for last year was JM. Oops. (why oh why JM did you throw him under the bus like that??? You were curious? Really???? JM keeps doing this) Poor boy was so embarrassed. Hobi was the one to actually save him, stating how generous JK has become lately giving away his things that he didn’t need. JK never answered the question.

27 June 2017 BV2 special commentary live – JK getting all flustered when asked to explain the difference between BV1 and BV2. JM looking at him, enjoying every second.

4 August 2017 - KBS Music Bank Singapore. JK not loving on Taemin. The way he turns around the minute JM and Taemin interact, and the discontent look on his face…cold. He’s not a happy camper. He glancing in the direction a couple of times, but he is mostly turned away from them. And when JM runs up to slap Taemin in the butt, JK sees this, averts his head, and just keeps walking off the stage. He is clearly upset. Besides the obvious faces he makes, not waiting for Jimin when walking off stage is not something he usually does. Was it jealousy? Was it just a disliking of Taemin specifically? And if he dislikes Taemin, why is that? We can’t know.

OK now, I know I said that I won’t be doing Twitter, but this one I felt I had to (again, oops):

On the 6th of August 2017 JM posted a photo he took during their Hawaii trip (BV2). Why take this photo, and why post it? Do I really have to ask this question?

29th August 2017 the famous, or infamous People Now “arrest me” interview - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgGxcMndEk8 .

I couldn’t find the actual date of this interview, but it was uploaded end of August 2017. I really enjoyed this one. Everyone talks about JK’s “arrest me” JM mishap during this interview. The members reactions are to die for.

Can someone tell me please what Suga told JK in Korean before they moved on?????

Also, JK’s reaction when JM said he wanted to collab with Suga (watch from 7:58min), was like:

W H A T in T H E actual F U C K???. LMAO.

Summer package 2017 – released August 2017.

JK and JM being all playful by the pool. JK letting us know how adorable JM is to him when he is swimming doggy style in the pool.

The one that stands out to me, though, is the ‘dream catcher necklace saga’. Felt a little uneasy to see that one, like I was witness to a lover’s tiff.

The boys were given a budget each to purchase themselves a gift. They are taken together to a gift shop, where they check the merchandise out and each buy themselves a little souvenir. When they all sit down to show each other their gifts, that’s when this moment happens.

JK takes out his gift. I once again want to emphasize, this is a gift he bought with his budget for himself. He explains it’s a dream catcher and says he will put it in his room.

JM, sitting next to him, takes it from JK and says: “this is a necklace Jungkook-ssi”.

JK blurts out adamantly that he won’t hang it around his neck.

This is when things get awkward, because you can see JM is clearly upset, throws the necklace back at JK and says: “OK, then”.

JM has a dream catcher necklace around his neck too, and when it’s his turn to tell what gift he bought himself he takes the necklace off and gives it to V, saying he bought the gift for V, who had a nightmare last night.

After JM’s mini tantrum JK, who previously adamantly professed he will not put it around his neck, does everything he can to put the necklace on, finally turning to JM to help him put the it on, which he does.

Later on, while sitting for the personal interview, with the necklace around his neck, he tells us how from now on he won’t have nightmares.

What did I get from all that?

Clearly JM was pissed at JK’s reaction. Why? JK clearly bought this by himself for himself.

But did he? Was it something he chose for himself, or was it something JM suggested to him?

JM also bought a dream catcher. Was that a coincidence? For some reason, I don’t think so.

My theory is that the dream catcher is something JM suggested or wanted JK to buy for himself, and JK reluctance to wear it offended him. JM clearly bought the other dream catcher for V. Perhaps he wanted both his boys to have one, and to him, JK’s comment felt as a rejection.

The way JK reacted to JM, his immediate change of attitude towards the necklace, trying to put it on, when only a second earlier he said he won’t put this around his neck, shows how attuned he was to JM, how he immediately realised he did something wrong, something to upset JM, and how he tried, in his own way, to atone for it, by wearing the same thing he but seconds ago rejected.

This brings me back to the point I made about the boys relationship, and them finding the balance. A perfect example to how there will still be conflict, but how JK realises, immediately, that he had done wrong and what he has done wrong, and immediately sets to right the wrong, hence to restore that balance.

JM throwing the necklace at JK. Also, notice the editor’s remark. JM’s anger is obvious not only to me.

To be continued...

#jungkook #jimin #jk #jm #jikook #jikook are real #jikook timeline #kookmin #bts #BV2 #jikook 2017

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grigori77 · 3 years

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2021 in Movies - My Top 30 Fave Movies (Part 3)

10. NO TIME TO DIE – another BIG movie that got knocked about A LOT looking for a release date due to COVID over the past two years was this long-awaited (SERIOUSLY) latest entry in the “reboot” universe James Bond, 007 spy film franchise, which got rescheduled so much we were beginning to fear we might NEVER get to see it. This was especially frustrating since it was intended to be Daniel Craig’s FINAL tour of duty as Bond, James Bond, the greatest spy to ever kiss-kiss-bang-bang, making it the biggest event in the franchise since it was first retconned for a new generation with the masterful Casino Royale. Since then the series has had highs and lows, but by and large it’s been REALLY STRONG, I’ll admit that, despite being a big fan of the old school Bonds I’ve really come to prefer this new version, and it is dominated by what many (myself included) consider to be the greatest Bond picture of all time, the incomparable Skyfall. So how does this one stack up? Well right away I must admit it DOESN’T reach the dizzying heights of awesomeness that Skyfall managed, but it’s very close to Casino Royale quality, and it’s definitely a strong improvement on the comparatively meh SPECTRE … most importantly, though, it certainly is a worthy and simply SPECTACULAR send-off for one of the best Bond actors of them all, to such an extent that it genuinely feels like the end of an era. It’s certainly as lush, lavish and well-appointed as we’ve come to expect from one of the most opulent big screen properties out there, and once again the Broccolis have drawn in all the best talent to execute it, particularly in the director’s chair, enlisting the heavyweight talent of True Detective, Sin Nombre and Beast of No Nation writer-director Cary Joji Fukunaga, who here also delivers a corker of a screenplay alongside franchise regulars Neil Purvis and Robert Wade, with extra spice added by Fleabag and Killing Eve creator Phoebe Waller Bridge, and the result is a globe-hopping, labyrinthine thrill-ride that’s every bit as exciting, intriguing, amusing and emotional as any of its predecessors. It’s also definitely the LONGEST, clocking in at an unprecedented (for the franchise) two-and-three-quarter hours, but then it’s got A LOT of story to cram into its running time, and the best part about this film is that everything’s done so well and is so thoroughly absorbing that you never feel it’s dragging its feet or that it’s too overlong. I won’t give away too much of the plot because it’s too much fun just letting the story unravel by itself, suffice to say that at the start there’s trouble in paradise after Bond drove off into the sunset with Madeleine (Lea Seydoux), as SPECTRE-based complications drive a wedge between them and forces Bond to go to ground, only for them to be reunited after five years when a new threat surfaces in the form of Safin (Mr Robot and Bohemian Rhapsody’s Rami Malek), a devious global terrorist from Madeleine’s past who’s gotten his hands on something capable of threatening the entire world. The problem is, now Bond’s on his own and MI6 have got a new 007, Nomi (Captain Marvel’s Lashana Lynch), who’s on the case herself and isn’t about to let an out-of-touch has-been get in her way. Craig’s magnificent as ever in what’s now officially become the greatest role he’s ever played, thoroughly badass but still maintaining that underlying element of vulnerability and self-deprecating humanity that’s always made this incarnation of Bond so effortlessly compelling, while Lynch shows a hell of a lot of promise for the future if the franchise does decided to go in the intriguing direction of following a new 007 in the future like the rumours say, investing Nomi with a cool confidence that hides hidden depths and complexities that I for one would very much look forward to exploring in the future; Seydoux, meanwhile, once again brings brittle beauty and grace to her role, but there’s steel beneath the surface, and it’s great fun seeing so many returning faces from the previous films, from Ralph Fiennes’ M, Naomie Harris’ Moneypenny and, of course, Ben Wishaw’s deserved fan-favourite Q to the welcome return of a far-too-long-absent Jeffrey Wright as Bond’s friend and CIA opposite-number Felix Leiter. Meanwhile there are two particularly notable turns from franchise newcomers, with Malek delivering one of the most intriguing, chilling and evocative villains the franchise has fielded in some time (even going so far as overshadowing Christoph Waltz’ returning mastermind Blofeld), while Blade Runner 2049’s Ana de Armas is clearly having a ball getting to kick arse and take names while reuniting with her Knives Outco-star as precocious rookie CIA field operative Paloma (another character I’d love to see again, especially if we could see her teaming up with Nomi). This is the Bond films doing what they do best, delivering maximum escapism while whipping several big budget, breakneck set-pieces past us with very little CGI in the mix at all (the unshakeable commitment to doing ALL the action physically has always been one of the things I most respect about these movies), but there’s a particularly strong emotional undertone this time round that makes it an especially powerful watch, which is perfectly suited to the gravity of this event picture, especially in the charged climax. Like it says in the song, “nobody does it better,” and when it comes to Bond that’s damned right.

9. GUNPOWDER MILKSHAKE – Netflix’ best offering of the summer was this surprise hit from Israeli writer-director Navot Papushado (Rabies, Big Bad Wolves), a heavily stylised black comedy action thriller that passes the Bechdel Test with FLYING COLOURS. Playing like a female-centric John Wick, it follows ice-cold, on-top-of-her-game assassin Sam (Karen Gillan) as her latest assignment has some unfortunate blowback, leading her to take on a reparation job retrieving missing cash for the local branch of the Irish Mob. The only catch is that a group of thugs have kidnapped the thief’s little girl, 12 year-old Emily (My Spy’s Chloe Coleman), and Sam, in an uncharacteristic moment of sympathy, decides to intervene, only for the money to be accidentally destroyed in the process. Now she’s got the Mob and her own employers coming after her, and she not only has to save her own skin but also Emily’s, leading her to seek help from the one person she thought she might never see again – her mother, Scarlet (Lena Headey), a master assassin in her own right who’s been hiding from the Mob herself for years. The plot may be simple but at times also a little over-the-top, but the film is never anything less than a pure, unadulterated pleasure, populated with fascinating, living and breathing characters of real complexity and nuance, while the script (co-written by relative newcomer Ehud Lavski) is tightly reined-in and bursting with zingers. Most importantly, though, Papushado really delivers on the action front – these are some of the best set-pieces I saw in 2021, Gillan, her co-stars and the various stunt-performers acquitting themselves admirably in a series of spectacular fights, gun battles and a particularly imaginative car chase that would be the envy of many larger, more expensive productions. Gillan and Coleman have a sweet, awkward chemistry, the MCU star particularly impressing in a subtly nuanced performance that also plays beautifully against Headey’s own tightly controlled turn, while there is awesome support from Angela Bassett, Michelle Yeoh and Carla Gugino as Sam’s adoptive aunts Anna May, Florence and Madeleine, a trio of “librarians” who run a fine side-line in illicit weaponry and are capable of unleashing some spectacular violence of their own; the film’s antagonists, on the other hand, are exclusively masculine – the mighty Ralph Inneson is quietly ruthless as Irish boss Jim McAlester, while The Terror’s Adam Nagaitis is considerably more mercurial as his mad dog nephew Virgil, and Paul Giamatti is the stately calm at the centre of the storm as Sam’s employer Nathan, the closest thing she has to a father. There’s so much to enjoy in this movie, not just the wonderful characters and amazing action but also the singularly engrossing and idiosyncratic style, deeply affecting themes of the bonds of family (both blood and found) and the healing power of forgiveness, and a rewarding through-line of strong women triumphing over the brutalities of toxic masculinity. I love this film, and I invite you to try it out, cuz I’m sure you will too.

8. JUDAS & THE BLACK MESSIAH – I’m a little fascinated by the Black Panther Party, I find them to be one of the most intriguing elements of Black History in America, but outside of documentaries I’ve never really seen a feature film that’s truly done the movement justice, at least until now. It became a major talking point of the Awards Season, and it’s easy to see why – director Shaka King is a protégé of Spike Lee, and together with up-and-coming co-screenwriter Wil Berson he’s captured the fire and fervour of the Party and their firebrand struggle for racial liberation through force of arms, as well as a compelling portrait of one of their most important figures, Fred Hampton, the Chairman of the Illinois Chapter of the BPP and a powerful political activist who could have become the next Martin Luther King or Malcolm X. Get Out’s Daniel Kaluuya is magnificent in the role, effortlessly holding your attention in every scene with his laconic ease and deceptively friendly manner, barely hinting at the zealous fire blazing beneath the surface, but the film’s true focus is the man who brought him down, William O’Neal, a fellow Panther and FBI informant placed in the Chapter to infiltrate the movement and find a way for the Federal Government to bring down what they believed to be one of the country’s greatest internal threats. Lakeith Stanfield (Sorry to Bother You, Knives Out) delivers a suitably complex performance as O’Neal, perfectly embodying a very clever but also very desperate man walking a constant tightrope to maintain his cover in some decidedly wary company, but there’s never any real sense that he’s playing the villain, largely garnering sympathy from the viewer as we’re shamelessly made to root for him, especially once he starts falling for the very ideals he’s trying to subvert – it’s a true star-making performance, and he even holds his own playing opposite Kaluuya himself. The rest of the cast are equally impressive, Dominique Fishback (Project Power, The Deuce) particularly holding our attention as Hampton’s fiancée and fellow Panther Akua Njeri, as does Jesse Plemmons as O’Neal’s idealistic but sympathetic FBI handler Roy Mitchell, while Martin Sheen is the film’s nominal villain in a chillingly potent turn as J. Edgar Hoover. This is an intense and thrilling film, powered by a tense atmosphere of pregnant urgency and righteous fury, but while there are a few grittily realistic set pieces, the majority of the fireworks on display are performance based, the cast giving their all and King crafting a potent and emotionally resonant, inescapably timely history lesson that informs without ever slipping into preachy exposition, leaving an unshakable impression long after the credits have rolled. This doesn’t just earn all the award-winning kudos it gained, it deserved A LOT MORE recognition that it got, and if this were a purely critical rundown list I’d have to put it in the top spot. As it is I’m monumentally enamoured of this film, and I can’t sing its praises enough …

7. RUN, HIDE, FIGHT – the biggest surprise hit for me this year was this wicked little indie suspense thriller from writer-director Kyle Rankin (Night of the Living Deb), which snuck in under the radar but has nonetheless garnered an impressive reputation fit for future cult success. Critics have been less kind, but the subject matter IS a pretty thorny issue, and handled the wrong way it could have been in very poor taste indeed. Thankfully Rankin has crafted a corker here, initially taking time to set the scene and welcome the players before throwing us headfirst into an unbelievably tense but also unsettlingly believable situation – a small town American high school becomes the setting for a fraught siege when a quartet of disturbed students take several of their classmates hostage at gunpoint, creating a social media storm in the process as they encourage the capture of the crisis on phone cameras. While the local police gather outside, the shooters discover another threat from within the school throwing spanners in the works – Zoe Hull (Alexa & Katie’s Isabel May), a seemingly nondescript girl who happens to be the daughter of former marine scout sniper Todd (Thomas Jane). She’s wound pretty tight after the harrowing death of her mother to cancer, fuelled by grief and conditioned by her father’s training, so she’s determined to get her friends and classmates out of this nightmare, no matter what. Okay, so the premise reads like Die Hardin a school, but this is a very different beast, played for gritty realism and shot with unshowy cinema-verité simplicity, Rankin cranking up the tension beautifully but refusing to play to his audience any more than strictly necessary, drip-feeding the thrills to maximum effect but delivering some harrowing action nonetheless. The cast are top-notch too, Jane delivering a typically subtle, nuanced turn while Treat Williams is likeably stoic as world-weary but dependable local Sherriff Tarsey, Rhada Mitchell intrigues as the matter-of-fact phantom of Zoe’s mum, Jennifer, concocted to help her through her mourning, Olly Sholotan is sweet and geeky as her best friend Lewis, and Eli Brown raises genuine goosebumps as an all-too-real teen psychopath in the role of terrorist ringleader Tristan Voy. The real beating heart and driving force of the film, though, is May, intense, barely restrained and all but vibrating with wounded fury, perfectly believable as the diminutive high school John McClane who defies expectations to become a genuine force to be reckoned with. Altogether this is a cracking little thriller, a precision-crafted little action gem that nonetheless raises some troubling questions and treats its subject matter with utmost care and respect, a film that’s destined for major cult classic status, and I can’t recommend it enough.

6. COPSHOP – thanks to COVID (wow, that really has become something of a mantra here this time, hasn’t it?), writer-director Joe Carnahan (Narc, Smokin’ Aces, The A-Team, The Grey, Stretch) delivered a double-threat in 2021 – first up was the under-the-radar, long-delayed release of his delirious time-loop sci-fi action comedy Boss Level¸ which JUST missed out on making my lists for the year but I would happily recommend it all the same. Thankfully when it came time for what is, if I’m entirely honest, probably THE BEST FILM HE’S EVER MADE (seriously, I don’t think he’s EVER done anything better than this, and you’re talking to someone who ADORES Smokin’ Acesand The Grey), the cinemas were finally open again and the studios were willing to take a chance again, so we got to see this how it was MEANT to be seen. I’m so glad, because this movie was QUITE the experience, and one I thoroughly appreciated getting to enjoy amongst a proper audience – from its intriguing slowburn start to its deliriously over-the-top bonkers ending, this is an absolute GEM of a thriller, but also, as befits your typical Carnahan film, one with a strong and very, VERY dark sense of humour shot right through it. It starts simply enough, with wounded conman Teddy Murretto (Carnahan regular Frank Grillo) punching out small-town Nevada rookie cop Valerie Young (Watchmen and The Good Lord Bird’s Alexis Louder) in order to get himself arrested and gain a little temporary shelter from the various killers who are tailing him, only for one of them to track him down and pull the same trick to get himself into one of the neighbouring holding cells, deservedly notorious professional hitman Bob Viddick (Gerard Butler). Things get more complicated when the precinct house is besieged by decidedly unhinged psychopath Anthony Lamb (Carnivale and Halt & Catch Fire’s Toby Huss) and corrupt local cop Huber (Queen of the South’s Ryan O’Nan), forcing Valerie to hole up in the lock-up with Teddy and Viddick, both of whom start working hard to convince her that the only way she’s gonna make it out of here alive tonight is if she cuts one of them loose. This is a darkly comic delight, taking its time so it can build a strong rapport with us while establishing its incredibly strong characters and establish the threat before finally unleashing some proper chaos, and then in the second half we reap the magnificent rewards as we get to indulge in some explosive anarchy with characters we’ve duly become most invested in. Grillo and Butler are both absolutely on fire throughout, both getting once-in-a-career level roles to really sink their teeth into, and it’s a privilege getting to watch these two heavyweights go toe-to-toe in scene after scene of perfectly-written brilliance, while Huss is a genuine (ahem) killer antagonist, investing Lamb with a streak of thoroughly unrestrained (but also occasionally surprisingly reasonable) lunacy that means he steals every scene he’s in, but the film TRULY belongs to Louder, an up-and-comer who is doubtless set to break into the big time SPECTACULARLY thanks to this – Valerie is a seemingly sweet youngster who progressively reveals that she’s actually a secret badass, and she holds her own magnificently when playing against all the incredible top-tier talent on offer, so that in the end Valerie’s easily one of my top female protagonists of 2021. This film is, without a doubt, an undeniable masterpiece, a work of rare genius and superb quality that, if I was brutally honest, is almost TOO GOOD for the lowbrow genre it occupies – seriously, I think the script alone is worthy of some genuine award considerations, and for once Carnahan could even be looking at some actual consideration for his direction too. Not that I’d bet on it – this really isn’t the kind of movie that the Academy and their ilk ever considers, which is a downright shame. Gods know it’d have my vote. Honestly, if this was a purely critical list of THE BEST movies of 2021, I would still have to place this very high indeed …

5. KATE – boy oh boy, Netflix has had QUITE THE YEAR, success after success even AFTER the cinemas reopened, and their very best “cinematic” offering of 2021 (only coming second in their overall output for me due to the sheer fucking AWESOMENESS of Arcane) has a really good chance of going down as one of the all-time great action movies of this new decade. It’s another magnificently simple concept turned into a brilliantly complex piece of work that only this genre can really pull off, The Huntsman: Winter’s Wardirector Cedric Nicolas-Troyan finally delivering on the promise that was only really hinted at in his (largely unwanted sequel) feature debut as he weaves a thrilling and thoroughly engrossing action thriller that quickly builds up to a frantic, breakneck pace and then rarely lets its foot off the accelerator for the remainder of its impressively tight running time. In the end it looks like Birds of Prey & the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn was simply practice for Mary Elizabeth Winstead, who exceeds all expectations here as the titular Tokyo-based hitwoman, who’s looking to retire from a business she’s grown disillusioned with, only to find herself poisoned with Polonium, leaving her with just one night to eliminate those responsible before she dies of acute radiation sickness. To this end, Kate kidnaps wayward teenager Ani (newcomer Miku Martineau), the only person who can gain her access to her uncle, Yakuza boss Kijima (The Wailing’s Jun Kunimura), but as chaos ensues through the night, the pair bond and Kate has to face up to the cold, hard truth of what she’s done before it’s too late. From these deceptively simply seeds a mighty action thriller is born, a flawless, all-but-peerless rollercoaster that quite comfortably rivals the likes of the John Wick films (clearly one of its main influences), Nicolas-Troyan using his dazzling visual flair to exquisite effect to give the consistently spectacular fight sequences, shootouts and car chases a particularly eye-popping edge, while also coaxing some excellent performances from his talented cast – Winstead is phenomenal in one of the very best roles I’ve ever seen her play, a stone-cold badass who owns every fight but also breaks our hearts pretty much every time she has to get serious, while Martineau makes a truly awesome debut in fine style, investing Ani with a cocky swagger that’s just a brittle mask hiding deep reserves of inner pain and trauma, while Kunimura and his fellow Japanese cinema heavyweight Tadanobu Asano (as scheming, ambitious Yakuza underboss Renji) both bring effortless class and gravitas to proceedings, and Woody Harrelson once again reminds us what an impressive dramatic actor he can be as Kate’s mentor and handler, Varrick. Knuckle-whitening, gripping, provocative and powerful in equal measure, this is action cinema at its most concise and effective, another winner for Netflix and the genre as a whole. I just wish I could have seen it on the big screen …

4. NOBODY – do you love the John Wickmovies but you just wish they took themselves a bit less seriously? Well fear not, because Derek Kolstad has delivered fantastically on that score, the JW screenwriter mashing his original idea up with the basic premise of the Taken movies (former government spook/assassin turned unassuming family man is forced out of retirement and shit gets proper trashed as a result) and injecting a big dollop of gallows humour. This time he’s teamed up with Ilya Naishuller, the lunatic genius who directed the deliriously insane but also thoroughly brilliant Hardcore Henry, and the results are absolutely unbeatable, a jet black action comedy bursting with neat ideas, wonderfully offbeat characters and ingenious plot twists. Better Call Saul’s Bob Odenkirk is perfect casting as Hutch Mansell, the aforementioned ex-“Auditor”, a CIA hitman who grew weary of the life and quit to find some semblance of normality with his wife Becca (Connie Nielsen), with whom he’s had two kids. Ultimately, he seems to have “overcompensated”, and his life has stagnated, Hutch following an autopiloted daily routine that’s left him increasingly unfulfilled … then fate intervenes and a series of impulsive choices end up with him falling back on old ways while defending a young woman from drunken thugs on a late night bus ride. Problem is, said lowlifes work for the Russian Mob, specifically Yulian Kuznetsov (Leviathan’s Aleksei Serebryakov), a Bratva boss charged with guarding the Obshak, who must exact brutal vengeance in order to save face. Cue much bloody violence and entertaining chaos … Kolstad’s razor sharp writing married with Naishuller’s singularly BONKERS vision means that the anarchy is dialled right up to eleven, while the gleefully dark sense of humour shot through makes the occasionally surreal and bitingly satirical observations on offer all the more exquisite. Odenkirk is a low-key joy throughout, initially emasculated and pathetic but becoming more comfortable in his skin as he reconnects with his old self, while Serebryakov hams things up spectacularly, chewing the scenery with aplomb; Nielsen, meanwhile, brings her characteristic restrained classiness to proceedings, Christopher Lloyd and the RZA are clearly having the time of their lives as, respectively, Hutch’s retired FBI agent father David and fellow ex-spook half-brother Harry, and there’s a wonderfully game cameo from the incomparable Colin Salmon as Hutch’s former handler, the Barber. Altogether then, this is the perfect marriage of two fantastic worlds – an action-packed thrill ride as explosively impressive as John Wick, but also a wickedly subversive laugh riot every bit as blissfully inventive as Hardcore Henry – not to mention the strong possibilities of another hit action cinema franchise for Kolstad to pen …

3. THE SUICIDE SQUAD – the absolute most fun I had at the cinema in 2021 was this long-awaited (thanks a bunch, COVID) redress of another frustrating imbalance from the hit and miss DCEU superhero franchise, in which Guardians of the Galaxy writer-director James Gunn finally delivered a PROPER Suicide Squad movie after David Ayer’s painfully compromised first stab at the property back in 2016. That movie was enjoyable enough and had some great moments, but ultimately it was a clunky mess, and while some of the characters were done (quite) well, others were painfully botched, even ruined entirely. Thankfully Warner Bros. clearly learned their lesson, giving Gunn free reign to do whatever he wanted, and the end result is about as close to perfect as the DCEU has come to date. Once again the peerless Viola Davis plays US government official Amanda Waller, head of ARGUS and the undisputable most evil bitch in all the DC Universe, who presides over the metahuman prisoners of the notorious supermax Belle Reve Prison, cherry-picking inmates for her pet project Taskforce X, the titular Suicide Squad sent out to handle the kinds of jobs nobody else wants, in exchange for years off their sentences but controlled by explosive implants injected into the base of their skulls. Their latest mission sees another motley crew of D-bags dispatched to the fictional South African island nation of Corto Maltese to infiltrate Jotunheim, a former Nazi facility in which a dangerous extra-terrestrial entity is being developed into a fearful bioweapon, with orders to destroy the project in order to keep it out of the hands of a hostile anti-American regime which has taken control of the island through a violent coup. Where the first Squad felt like a clumsily-arranged selection of stereotypes with a few genuinely promising characters unsuccessfully moulded into a decidedly forced found family, this new batch are convincingly organic – they may be dysfunctional and they’re almost all definitely BAD GUYS, but they WORK, the relationship dynamics that form between them feeling genuinely earned. Gunn has already proven a master of putting a bunch of A-holes together and forging them into band of “heroes”, and he’s definitely pulled the job off again here, dredging the bottom of the DC Rogues Gallery’s barrel for its most ridiculous D-listers and somehow managing to make them compelling. Sure, returning Squad-member Harley Quinn (the incomparable Margot Robbie, magnificent as ever) has already become a fully-realised character thanks to Birds of Prey, so there wasn’t much heavy-lifting to be done here, but Gunn genuinely seems to GET the character, so our favourite pixie-esque Agent of Chaos is an unbridled and unpredictable joy here, while fellow veteran Colonel Rick Flagg (a particularly muscular and game Joel Kinnaman) has this time received a much needed makeover, Gunn promoting him from being the first film’s sketchily-drawn “Captain Exposition” and turning him into a fully-ledged, well-thought-out human being with all the requisite baggage, including a newfound sense of humour; the newcomers, meanwhile, are a fascinating bunch – reluctant “leader” Bloodsport/Robert DuBois (a typically robust and playful Idris Elba), unapologetic douchebag Peacemaker/Christopher Smith (probably the best performance I’ve EVER seen John Cena deliver), and socially awkward and seriously hard-done-by nerd (and by far the most ridiculous DC villain of all time) the Polka-Dot Man/Abner Krill (a genuinely heart-breaking hangdog performance from Ant-Man’s David Dastmalchian); meanwhile there’s a fine trio of villainous turns from the film’s resident Big Bads, with Juan Diego Botta (Good Behaviour) and Joaquin Cosio (Quantum of Solace, Narcos: Mexico) making strong impressions as newly-installed dictator Silvio Luna and his corrupt right hand-man General Suarez, although both are EASILY eclipsed by the typically brilliant Peter Capaldi as louche and quietly deranged supervillain The Thinker/Gaius Greives (although the film’s ULTIMATE threat turns out to be something a whole lot bigger and more exotic). The film is ROUNDLY STOLEN, however, by a truly adorable double act (or TRIPLE act, if you want to get technical) – Daniella Melchior makes her breakthrough here in fine style as sweet, principled and kind-hearted narcoleptic second-generation supervillain Ratcatcher II/Cleo Cazo, who has the weird ability to control rats (and who has a pet rat named Sebastian who frequently steals scenes all on his own), while a particular fan-favourite B-lister makes his big screen debut here in the form of King Shark/Nanaue, a barely sentient anthropomorphic Great White “shark god” with an insatiable appetite for flesh and a naturally quizzical nature who was brilliantly mo-capped by Steve Agee (The Sarah Silverman Project, who also plays Waller’s hyperactive assistant John Economos) but then artfully completed with an ingenious vocal turn from Sylvester Stallone. James Gunn has crafted an absolute MASTERPIECE here, EASILY the best film he’s made to date, a riotous cavalcade of exquisitely observed and perfectly delivered dark humour and expertly wrangled chaos that has great fun playing with the narrative flow, injects countless spot-on in-jokes and irreverent but utterly essential throwaway sight-gags, and totally endears us to this glorious gang of utter morons right from the start (in which Gunn delivers one of the most skilful deep-fakes in cinematic history). Sure, there’s also plenty of action, and it’s executed with the kind of consummate skill we’ve now come to expect from Gunn (the absolute highlight is a wonderfully bonkers sequence in which Harley expertly rescues herself from captivity), but like everything else it’s predominantly played for laughs, and there’s no getting away from the fact that this film is an absolute RIOT. By far the funniest thing I saw all year, and if I’m honest the best of the DCEU offerings to date, too (only the exceptional Birds of Prey can compare) – if Warner Bros. have any sense they’ll give Gunn more to do VERY SOON …

2. A QUIET PLACE, PART II – while UK cinemas finally reopened in early May, I was determined that my first trip back to the Big Screen for 2021 was gonna be something SPECIAL, and indeed I already knew what that was going to be. Thankfully I was not disappointed by my choice – 2018’s A Quiet Placewas MY VERY FAVOURITE horror movie of the 2010s, an undeniable masterclass in suspense and sustained screen terror wrapped around a refreshingly original killer concept, and I was among the many fans hoping we’d see more in the future, especially after the film’s teasingly open ending. Against the odds (or perhaps not), writer-director/co-star John Krasinski has pulled off the seemingly impossible task of not only following up that high-wire act, but genuinely EQUALLING it in levels of quality – picking up RIGHT where the first film left off (at least after an AMAZING scene-setting opening in which we’re treated to the events of Day 1 of the downfall of humanity), rejoining the remnants of the Abbott family as they’re forced by circumstances to up-sticks from their idyllic farmhouse home and strike out into the outside world once more, painfully aware at all times that they must maintain perfect silence to avoid the ravenous attentions of the lethal blind alien beasties that now sit at the top of the food chain. Circumstances quickly become dire, however, and embattled mother Evelyn (Emily Blunt) is forced to ally herself with estranged family friend Emmett (Cillian Murphy), now a haunted, desperate vagrant eking out a perilous existence in an abandoned factory, in order to safeguard the future of her children Regan (Millicent Simmonds), Marcus (Noah Jupe) and their newborn baby brother. Regan, however, discovers evidence of more survivors, and with her newfound weapon against the aliens she recklessly decides to set off on her own in the hopes of aiding them before it’s too late … it may only be his second major blockbuster as a director, but Krasinski has once again proven he’s a heavyweight talent, effortlessly carving out fresh ground in this already well-realised dystopian universe while also playing magnificently to the established strengths of what came before, delivering another peerless thrill-ride of unbearable tension and knuckle-whitening terror. The central principle of utilising sound at a very strict premium is once again strictly adhered to here, available sources of dialogue once again exploited with consummate skill while sound design and score (another moody triumph from Marco Beltrami) again become THE MOST IMPORTANT aspects of the whole production. The ruined world is once again realised beautifully throughout, most notably in the nightmarish environment of a wrecked commuter train, and Krasinski cranks up the tension before unleashing it in merciless explosions in a selection of harrowing encounters which are guaranteed to leave viewers in a puddle of sweat. The director mostly stays behind the camera this time round, but he does (obviously) put in an appearance in the opening flashback as the late Lee Abbott, making a potent impression which leaves a haunting absence that’s keenly felt throughout the remainder of the film, while Blunt continues to display mother lion ferocity as she fights to keep her children safe and Jupe plays crippling fear magnificently but is now starting to show a new spine of steel as Marcus finally starts to find his courage; the film once again belongs, however, to Simmonds, the young deaf actress once and for all proving she’s a genuine star in the making as she invests Regan with fierce wilfulness and stubborn determination that remains unshakeable even in the face of unspeakable horrors, and the relationship she develops with Emmett, reluctant as it may be, provides a strong new emotional focus for the story, Murphy bringing an attractive wounded humanity to his role as a man who’s lost anything and is being forced to learn to care for something again. This is another triumph of the genre AND the artform in general, a masterpiece of atmosphere, performance and storytelling which builds on the skilful foundations laid by the first film as well as setting things up perfectly for a third instalment which is all but certain to follow. I definitely can’t wait.

1. DUNE, PART ONE – throughout all of 2021 (and 2020, to be honest), there was one film I was looking forward to more than ANY OTHER, which made the frequent COVID-caused delays in its release all the more gut-wrenchingly frustrating. Frank Herbert’s original novel, one of the true, definitive space operas which pretty much wrote the rules on how this particular sub-genre is handled today, is basically my favourite book OF ALL TIME, and while I am somewhat a fan (albeit as something of a flawed guilty pleasure) of the clunky and decidedly mismanaged David Lynch film and the far more faithful but ultimately somewhat rote, cold and heartless early-Noughties miniseries, I can agree with pretty much everyone that it had never before really been done the proper justice it deserved in its adaptations. Like other superfans I was rightly worried that this latest attempt could fuck it up just as bad, or even worse, but I started to grow confident when I heard that Denis Villeneuve, the masterful auteur behind Sicario, Arrival and the simply PHENOMENAL Blade Runner 2049 would be taking up the reins, a fellow superfan who simply adores this book and its overarching universe and wanted to do right by it. This confidence grew as we heard and saw more, so by the time the trailers started to emerge I was getting SO EXCITED … and then the pandemic shat all over it and the delays began, as did our agony. Thankfully, almost a year later than it was due, we FINALLY got to see it and it was EVERY BIT worth the wait, AND THEN SOME. There was never ANY DOUBT that this would top out my list for the year, it was simply impossible anything else could compete with this masterpiece. Villeneuve has exceeded expectations just as surely as he did with his Blade Runner sequel, bringing the far-flung future galactic empire of the Padishah Emperor Shaddam Corrino IV to vivid life through stunning cinematography, incredible production and costume design and visual effects so effortlessly seamless they are INDISTINGUISHABLE from reality (in a way, I guess that extra year for them to tinker away actually paid off here), beautifully capturing the moody, austere grandeur of House Atreides’ homeworld Caladan, the grimy industrial horror of House Harkonnen’s homeworld Geidi Prime, and the bleak, windswept majesty of Arrakis, the titular planet which is the only home of the Spice Melange, a substance of such immense worth and power whole worlds will go to war for its control. He’s also once again assembled a truly magnificent ensemble cast of top-notch talent, each and every role perfectly cast to realise some of the most interesting and intricately-crafted characters I’ve ever come across, so many I could be here all day if praised them all, but the real standouts include Timothee Chalamet as Paul Atreides, artfully treading a very fine line in his portrayal of a character who’s essentially a deconstruction and deep critique of the classic Chosen One literary trope, Oscar Isaac and Rebecca Ferguson as doomed lovers Duke Leito Atreides and the Lady Jessica, Josh Brolin as gruff yet earthily sarcastic Atreides warmaster Gurney Halleck, Stellan Skarsgård as the monstrously twisted Baron Vladimir Harkonnen and Charlotte Rampling as coolly superior Bene Gesserit Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohiam, while Zendaya and Javier Bardem do a lot with very small roles as Fremen warriors Chani and Stilgar, who I look forward to seeing fleshed out far more when Part Two finally arrives, but my biggest delight here, without a doubt, is my absolute favourite character in the books (and one of my top-five all time fave literary characters PERIOD), Paul’s best friend, the legendary swordmaster Duncan Idaho – I’ll admit when I first heard the casting I was a little dubious, as much as I love Jason Momoa he’s not at all how I’ve always pictured Duncan in my head (for me he’s always been relatively small and lean and, for some reason, very Scottish), but now I can’t imagine him any other way because he just OWNS this role, an unstoppable force of personality, skill and well-restrained rage who completely dominates every scene he’s in. Altogether I could not have asked for a better adaptation – everything here is precision-crafted and pulled off to perfection, a hand-made labour of love that pays full respects to the source material while making it incredibly relevant to today, from Villeneuve’s artful screenplay, co-written with Jon Spaihts (Prometheus, Doctor Strange) and Eric Roth (Forrest Gump, The Insider, Munich), and peerless, evocative direction to the weighty and evocative action, while this could almost stand as a textbook example of how to consistently deliver a large amount of exposition in the most economical, fluid and entertaining manner possible, informing the viewer without ever talking down to us or getting bogged down in dogshit-dull infodumps. The icing on the cake definitely comes in the form of Hans Zimmer’s intriguingly offbeat and challenging score, definitely one of his most original works to date, which perfectly complements the visuals and emotions it accompanies, but then Zimmer’s another Dune superfan who turned down Christopher Nolan’s offer to score Tenet for the opportunity to compose music for his dream gig. Thankfully Warner Bros. have seen sense and greenlit Villeneuve’s intended Part Two so we can see this story completed on the big screen, and I’m thoroughly confident it’ll be just as stylish, evocative, intense, grand, well-appointed, rewarding, epic and emotional as this very long-awaited Part One …

#no time to die #gunpowder milkshake #judas and the black messiah #run hide fight #copshop #kate #kate 2021 #netflix kate #the suicide squad #a quiet place part 2 #dune part one #dune movie #dune 2021 #2021 in movies

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cheesy09 · 3 years

Text

[CN] Kiro's Phantom Date

🌸 Warning: This post contains detailed spoilers for a date that hasn't been released on the EN server yet! 🌸

[Note: This date was translated with the help of google translate :>]

[PROLOGUE]

[Part 1 - Video Call]

I put the washed up dinner plate back on the shelf, cleaned up the water stains on the dining table, and glanced at the phone.

MC: Ten minutes have passed since the agreed time... Should I make a phone call?

MC: But if he’s filming right now, It wouldn't be good to disturb him...

Just as I was thinking that, the phone rang a familiar ringtone.

I immediately grabbed the phone, plopped down on the sofa, and picked up the video call.

Kiro: Miss Chips~

MC: Kiro~

The moment our faces appeared on the screen, we greeted each other at the same time, and at the same time, laughed out loud together.

Since Kiro set off for the filming, the video calls after he returned to the hotel every night was our happiest moment.

He appeared to have just come out of the bathroom. His bright eyelashes were still stained with a few drops of water, and the warm light of the hotel fell on his half-dried blond hair, looking neat and refreshing.

MC: Did today's shooting go well?

Kiro: Everything's going well. I'll be back in about a week!

Kiro: How about you? How is the interview column doing?

Unfortunately, when he mentioned the ongoing child star interview column, I couldn't help sighing and puffed up my cheeks.

MC: It's still not going well.

[Part 2: Difficult Interview]

The subject of my recent interview was a child star named Tong Le who has been very popular in the past two years and has made many children's commercials and TV series.

MC: Tong Le, that kid... He isn't quite like a ten-year-old child star.

MC: He would only answer for topics that could be seen in the public bulletin...

MC: As soon as I want to ask more questions, his face would immediately become cold and he would say--

MC: "For this matter, please communicate with my agent first and then come back."

I imitated Tong Le's old-fashioned tone and made Kiro on the other side laugh.

MC: Taking out such a superficial interview program would definitely destroy my "Gold Medal Producer" sign!

MC: I've been fighting with their team for these past few days, and I've lost 30 more hairs than usual, you know!

I furiously picked up a strand of hair on the sofa and showed it to Kiro, so he laughed louder while holding a pillow.

When the eyebrows on my face deepened, the corner of his mouth also lifted with a touch of sly interest.

Kiro: Then...In order to save the hair of the "Gold Medal Producer", I have a suggestion.

MC: What suggestion?

Kiro: How about going to the shooting of Tong Le and becoming a surprise detective on the set?

MC: You mean the set of "Star Explorer"?

[Part 3: Set Visit Invitation]

When Kiro said that, I was a little moved, but also a little hesitant.

"Star Explorer" wad a popular children's literature around the world. Since the first novel was released twenty years ago, it had become a must-read book for teenagers.

Derivative products such as toys, games, animations, etc. were also being released endlessly. When I was young, I was also a big fan of this series.

Tong Le would play the protagonist of this series of Lunar New Year movies this year— Explorer A Xing.

MC: But I heard that the director has a bad temper and was very strict when filming. Would he allow me to visit the set?

Kiro: Did you forget? I was the protagonist of the prequel movie of the previous generation "Star Explorer"!

MC: Yeah, I almost forgot! You played A Xing in the prequel after you finished filming the young Sun Ce...

This is a reference made to his R&S: Stunning Young Idol. Kiro played the role of Sun Ce in a movie that was shot in Japan.

Kiro: With this old favor of mine and the signature of producer MC, I think the director would definitely agree!

MC: But...

Kiro: No buts. The opportunity to explore the New Year film is not always available.

Kiro: Come on, come on~

Kiro dragged his words in order to persuade me to agree to his plan. I couldn’t help but become suspicious.

MC: Kiro, why do you care so much about me going to visit Tong Le's set?

Kiro's throat became constricted, and he immediately blinked innocently.

Kiro: Because... well, because I also debuted as a child star, so I do feel a little empathetic.

Kiro: I think you'll be able to see not only the child actors in working condition, but also the real condition of the child actors in the studio.

Kiro: If you want to make the most comprehensive and detailed report, close observation is essential.

Kiro: What do you think?

MC: Hm... You're right. Then, please do the needful!

Kiro: No problem, Miss Chips. Just wait for my good news!

[END OF PROLOGUE]

[PART 1]

With Kiro's help, we quickly got the permission to visit the set and came to the shooting location of "Star Explorer."

Because today was the Mid-Autumn Festival, in addition to the bouquets, I also brought homemade moon cakes which I planned to distribute to everyone on the set.

As it was a children's New Year movie, apart from the staff, the studio was basically filled with many child actors.

It was break time, and the children were playing around on the set, making them a lot more lively and rambunctious than the average crew.

MC: Why don’t I see Tong Le..? Don't the children play together?

I looked around, but I didn't find Tong Le.

Instead, my attention was quickly attracted by the huge green screen in front of me. The green screen was several stories high, with scaffolding scattered in front of it.

MC: What scene are they going to shoot with such a huge green screen?

Staff member: Sorry, please do me a favor!

Staff member: Move carefully. Amplifiers are expensive instruments and can't stand up to bumps!

I quickly stepped away, and the staff member hurried past me and moved a white instrument to the other end of the studio.

Looking at this chaotic scene, I couldn't help but sigh.

MC: As expected of a big production. There are so many places to do special effects...

MC: By then, there would probably be several teams in the later stages, right?

??: You're wrong. Only one person is required.

A familiar voice rang from behind and I turned my head to face that familiar smiling face.

MC: Kiro!

Kiro, wearing the iconic costume of the "Star Explorer", blinked at me. I looked at the makeup on his face that hadn't been removed, and was stunned and taken aback.

No wonder Kiro was so confident that he could convince the director to let me visit the set...

MC: It turns out... your filming set is also here?

Kiro: Bingo! Surprised?

He spread his hands towards me triumphantly, and I threw myself into his arms happily.

MC: What a pleasant surprise!

Kiro: Originally, I planned to hide it until it was released, and wanted to surprise you when we watched the New Year film together...

His bright blue eyes stared at me, filled with longing.

Kiro: Today was supposed to be the day we were to be reunited. And I really missed you so much...

Kiro: When I thought of the editing, publishing, and arranging of the film after the shooting was completed... There was still so much time left, and I couldn't wait that long.

Kiro: I wanted to see your face right now.

MC: My face now? What is it like?

Kiro: Mm.... like the face of a star explorer who suddenly saw their favorite treasure!

MC: [smiling softly] Mhm...

I circled him excitedly by myself, and curiously pointed at his equipment.

MC: But isn't the protagonist of this movie Tong Le? Why are you wearing the clothes of "A Xing"?

Kiro: Because I'm a special appearance in this movie!

Kiro: In the movie, as an explorer of the previous generation of stars, I left many traces of adventure, and the protagonist followed those traces to the gorge where the treasure was hidden.

He pointed to the tall steel scaffolding in front of the green screen.

Kiro: When they were trapped in the cave between the cliffs by the monster, my phantom appeared in front of them, giving the little explorers the courage to continue climbing!

As he said that, he also showed me the signature pose of the star explorer.

MC: Wow... then I have to look forward to your "special appearance"!

While we were chatting, the staff on the side came and said that there was a scene that Kiro needed to make up for.

After hearing the demand, Kiro nodded, smiled and took my hand.

Kiro: Come on, Miss Chips. I invite you to enjoy the first stop on the set exploration - "The Previous Star Explorers vs. The Rock Monsters"!

[PART 2]

Kiro took me to the shooting location on the other side of the set.

There was also a large green screen spread over here. The white instrument I saw before was also moved here. I leaned over and looked at the text on it.

MC: Visual imaging amplifier... what is it used for?

Kiro: This is the second surprise you will get when you come to visit the set. You will find out soon.

He winked at me, pretending to be mysterious and walked to the camera.

At the same time, a gentle-looking young man also came to the instrument and put on the glasses connected to the instrument.

The moment the instrument's lights turned on, I suddenly felt the atmosphere of the studio change.

Everything in front of me began to be distorted and became blurred, like a curtain of water.

MC: What is...

I saw the surrounding environment within five meters turn into a cave. The strange rocks in the cave were rugged, and I could even feel the cool breeze blowing from the cave.

The director, camera, lighting... including myself, all seemed to be "traversing" into a fantasy world. It was very abrupt.

At some point in front of Kiro, a rock also appeared and shook twice. Five senses and limbs suddenly emerged from it, and they rushed towards him with a roar!

Director: Action!

The boulder monster roared, and even the ground trembled.

The heavy fist of the rock monster was thrown out, and the rock fell from the cave. A few pieces of rubble even rolled to my feet, making a light click.

MC: This is too real...

Kiro in front of the camera had already twisted his waist and flashed past the monster's attack, moving around flexibly in the narrow space.

He strode forward. With a turn of his ankle, he leapt up and stepped on top of the rock monster at an incredible speed.

The jewel on the glove burst into bright light, enveloping his right fist.

Kiro: I will defeat the power contaminated by evil!

With a bang, the light penetrated the stone monster!

Director: Okay, cut!

The machine made a light hum, and as it stopped running, the surrounding scenes slowly changed back to that of the original studio.

The director signaled everyone to take a break and was busy discussing the effects of the shooting. Kiro took the opportunity to come to my side.

His hair had become a little messy because of the movement. His breathing was still slightly heavy, but his entire being was jumping for joy like a big dog.

Kiro: How was it? I, the star explorer, didn't let MC down, right?

MC: Not at all. Just like the star explorer in my mind!

MC: For several on-set visits I hadn't been able to see your heroic appearance in the play. This time, I finally feasted my eyes!

I looked around and found that Savin and the assistants who often followed Kiro around were absent today.

MC: Speaking of which, why don't I see Savin and the others?

Kiro: Today's the festival and the set was far away, so I gave them half a day off. And you came to visit the set, so Savin gave one hundred and twenty hearts!

MC: Hahaha! So I have to work part-time as Mr. Kiro's agent and assistant today?

Kiro: Well, with MC as my agent and assistant, I will also give one hundred and twenty hearts!

MC: Then I ask Mr. Kiro to sit down, have a drink and take a break.

I smiled and passed the mineral water in my hand to him, and decently helped Kiro by massaging his shoulders.

I touched his tight muscles through the layer of clothing, and the slight warmth was transferred to my palm.

Seeing Kiro's eyes half-lidded due to relaxation, a warm feeling came from the bottom of my heart, and I enjoyed the leisure time on set with him.

MC: By the way, the instrument just now... is it a new technology product?

Kiro: Huh? Do you mean the booster?

Kiro: That's right, but the person is more important than the instrument.

Kiro motioned to me to come closer, and he lowered his voice.

Kiro: The staff member who manipulates the instrument is called Alin, and he is an Evolver.

MC: Eh?!

Kiro: Alin owns the "Phantom Imaging" Evol. After he wears the visual imaging amplifier, he can make the projected pictures more concrete.

Kiro: The director has been helping Evolvers secretly over the years, and when he had the opportunity, he wanted to use the combination of the two to try and incorporate this into the Lunar New Year film.

Kiro: You must keep this a secret!

MC: Mm! I got it.

When I was about to say a few more words to Kiro, there was a sudden commotion from a corner of the set.

??: Why are you messing around? If you hit our Lele, what will you pay for it?!

[PART 3]

Hearing the angry shout, Kiro and I looked at each other and rushed to the source of the sound very tacitly.

When we arrived, we saw a middle-aged man glaring at the child actors.

I recognized him. He was Tong Le's father and manager, and he was also the person who had been obstructing my interviews with Tong Le.

My interviewee Tong Le was guarded by his father. The boy's delicate face was expressionless, as if everything had nothing to do with him.

Child Actor A: We didn't hit him!

Child Actor B: He stood there himself!

Tong Fu: Nonsense, I clearly watched you guys deliberately throw the ball to Lele's side!

Child Actor A: We didn't!

The little actors were all teenagers, and when the adult accused them of this, their little faces flushed, and they almost cried out of anger.

Seeing that the situation was not good, I was about to step forward to persuade him, but Kiro had already walked over a step faster than me and guarded the child actors behind him.

When the children saw Kiro, it was like seeing a savior, and they quickly explained by pulling the corners of his clothes.

Child Actor A: Brother Kiro, we really didn't mean it!

Child Actor B: He obviously wasn't standing there when we played ball!

Kiro: Mm. I understand.

Kiro: Dad Tong, I don't think they are the kind of kids who deliberately bully people.

Kiro: And the place where they play ball is also monitored. If you are not at ease, I can accompany you to watch the surveillance video, how about it?

When the father saw Kiro coming, his face had already turned very embarrassed. After listening to his words, a smile stretched across the man's cheeks.

Tong Fu: Hahaha monitoring is unnecessary. Since there is Mr. Kiro as the testimony, I am willing to believe it! Haha...

I looked at Tong Fu flattering with narrowed eyes, and I couldn't help but frown.

Tong Fu: By the way, Mr. Kiro, our Lele has just entered the circle, and we still need your guidance and support!

Kiro: No problem. It’s just that, while I can teach the children acting skills, there are some things that require parents to be role models.

Kiro's indifferent tone made Tong Fu's expression stiff. He tugged at the corners of his mouth a little, and pulled Tong Le away quickly.

Kiro turned around and squatted down, holding the hands of the child actors.

Kiro: Are you alright?

The children shook their heads with their mouths pursed. One of the children wiped away the tears in a grieved manner and spoke angrily.

Child Actor A: I hate Tong Le! He is not worthy of being a star explorer!

Tong Le: .....

Tong Le, who was not far away, seemed to have heard those words. His footsteps paused, and then he was forcibly dragged away by his father.

There was still a highlight today, which was the part where Kiro's Phantom appeared when the Star Expedition was trapped on a cliff.

The child actors were already standing on the high platform on the top of the scaffold, which would become a small cave in the cliff after the instrument was activated.

Looking at their calm expressions, I think they were already very accustomed to the new technology.

Kiro was on the high platform on the other side, dangling by a rope, on standby at any time.

When Alin put on his glasses and simulated the scene of the towering cliff abyss, the director gave an order and the camera started to film.

Director: Ka, the mood is not good enough, start over again.

Director: The interaction is not natural enough, start over.

Director: There's no feeling, start over.

Even after repeating it seven times in a row, the director's brows kept frowning. Finally, a ten-minute break was announced, and the actors continued to stand by.

Tong Fu took the opportunity to get in front of the director and asked with a smile.

Tong Fu: Director, why are you dissatisfied? I thought our Lele's performance was very good!

The director turned around and looked at Tong Fu with a serious expression.

Director: This scene is the sublimation point of the whole movie. Only the feeling of bondage between the performance partners can move the audience.

Director: But now, when Tong Le said "trust me", the other children were not moved at all.

Tong Fu: But...but it's not my son's problem. It's because they didn't perform well! If it really doesn't work, stop shooting supporting roles and give my son more close-ups!

Other Parents: What do you mean? Do you want to rob the show?

Tong Fu: How is this called a robbery? Isn't it right for someone who plays well to get a lot of shots?!

When the other parents heard this, they became more and more angry, and they stepped forward to argue with Tong Fu. One of them hit the amplifier in the room and made a loud noise.

The sound interrupted the dispute, and the staff hurriedly pulled the group of parents outside the set to mediate.

The director looked at the group of parents and sighed. He shook his head and ordered the camera to re-point at the scaffolding above.

Director: Turn on the instrument and let's do another one.

Two minutes before the shooting started, I suddenly heard two beeps in my ears, as if the machine issued a harsh warning.

In the next second, my feet were suddenly weightless—

The original flat land suddenly became a bottomless abyss!

The instrument seemed to be out of control!

[PART 4]

The world was overturned, the equipment swayed and tipped, and the image that was originally fixed in that small area rapidly expanded, and everyone fell down together--

Distorted hallucinations invaded everyone's brain and interfered with our cognitive nerves. Even if we closed our eyes, it wouldn't help.

Screams from all directions hit me along with a sense of weightlessness.

While waving my hands wildly, I accidentally grabbed a rock wall, and at the same time, a familiar voice came from above me.

Kiro: MC!

I raised my head and saw a golden light flash across my eyes.

Kiro, who had been on standby at the highest point, jumped down, and when he was about to get close to me, he pulled out his dagger and stuck it into the crevice of the mountain.

Kiro: Hold on to me!

Amidst the cluster of cracked rocks, he stretched out his hand to me. I gritted my teeth and tried to get closer to him.

The moment our fingertips touched, his hand yanked up forcefully and he hugged me in his arms.

MC: Kiro...

Kiro: MC, don't look at anything besides me. Look into my eyes.

Kiro: Trust me. I'm real.

Kiro's hand was tightly clasped around my waist, and his hot breath was on the tip of my nose.

His embrace had the opposite temperature to that of the abyss, holding me firmly. There was a trace of anxiety in his bright blue eyes, but more of it was his trust in me.

All that was reflected in his clear pupils was me, and behind me... was the green curtain.

There was a buzz in my head and a solid sensation under my feet. The effect of hallucinations on me receded like a tide.

The booster also reached the energy threshold by then. It made a long screeching sound and then went out.

Although it was just a runaway illusion of just tens of seconds, everyone was thrilled, as if they have actually experienced a crisis.

The surrounding shooting equipment was lying upside down, and everyone fell to the ground one after another, staring at each other.

Staff Member: What happened just now was that the amplifier crashed, right?

Staff Member: My goodness, that was so much more exciting than VR...

Child Actor: Help!

A scream cut through the air. The horrified group looked up, and suddenly took in a breath.

In the turmoil just now, a child actor unexpectedly fell out of the high platform unsteadily!

And the person who caught her and kept her from falling was Tong Le!

Parents of Child Actors: Little girl!!

Tong Fu: Lele!

Staff Member: Go and lay the inflatable cushion!!

Everyone rushed to the rescue. Kiro's expression also changed.

He nodded at me knowingly, turned around and sprinted in long strides. He ran towards the scaffold faster than anyone else.

At this time, the other children on the high platform were frightened and frozen in place, and the girl who was in danger was crying.

Girl: I...I'm afraid...Help...

Tong Le gritted his teeth and desperately clenched his partner's hand.

Tong Le: You are my partner. I will save you!

Tong Le: You have to trust me!

Thin blue veins stretched out on Tong Le's forehead, and his hands were so tight that his knuckles turned white.

Despite his efforts to pull up, the strength of a child was still too little after all.

Seeing Tong Le being dragged down more and more, suddenly, a strong hand supported the suspended girl.

Kiro hugged the girl, pushed her onto the platform, and then turned up.

Child Actor: It's Brother Kiro!

The child actors' eyes widened in surprise, but Kiro put on an inexplicable expression.

Kiro: Who is Brother Kiro?

Kiro: I am the explorer of the previous generation of stars, A Xing!

Kiro: I felt the call of the star badge. Now, I'll give you the strength and courage of the explorer team!

While talking, Kiro showed Tong Le a badge.

Tong Le: .....

Tong Le bit his lower lip, staring blankly at the blond young man in front of him, as if he had really seen the guiding light.

The boy hesitated, finally took out his badge and touched Kiro's.

After Kiro rescued the girl, the filming was announced to be suspended.

Because of this accident, the crew was busy rechecking security and discussing follow-up measures. The people who accompanied Tong Le turned out to be me and Kiro.

The boy curled up on the seat in a blanket, looking fragile and tired.

MC: Little Tong Le, do you remember me? I'm MC. We met for an interview last week.

Tong Le: ...Mm.

MC: You did a good job just now. It was the bravest behavior.

Tong Le: ....But I was scolded by my dad, and he told me not to be nosy...

Kiro: So he is not a star explorer, but you are.

Tong Le raised his head suddenly when he heard these words.

Kiro looked at him directly, his eyes kept true. The way the two wore almost the same costumes, it was as if they were having a conversation across time and space.

Kiro: I think the director will choose you to be the star of this generation, not only because of your appearance or your acting skills.

Kiro: But because someone sees your heart and knows that you have the potential of a "star explorer".

Kiro: That is a free and brave heart.

Kiro held Tong Le's hand and asked him softly.

Kiro: Do you want to open that heart?

After a long silence, Tong Le nodded and then shook his head again.

Tong Le: But my father...

Kiro: Since you are a star explorer, focus on adventure.

Kiro: Those obstructing people and things will be handled by adults like Sister MC and I, don't worry!

Kiro finished off with A Xing's signature move, and Tong Le finally laughed.

He nodded vigorously to Kiro and me, then dropped the blanket and ran towards the group of child actors not far away.

When the children saw him coming, their little faces were a little embarrassed. Everyone looked at each other for a while, and finally pushed a boy out.

Child Actor A: Tong, Tong Le, that...

Child Actor A: I'm sorry that I said I hated you before! I'm sorry that I said you weren't worthy of being a star explorer!

Tong Le: It's okay. Even if you hate me, it doesn't matter if I don't deserve it. I will prove it to you!

Tong Le straightened his chest when he said this, and was no longer as timid as before.

The children blushed and looked at each other again.

Child Actor A: Then... our game team is still one person short, do you want to come?

Tong Le: Okay!

Looking at the children who were not far away, Kiro and I looked at each other with relief.

I took Kiro's hand and rubbed the red marks that were left from when he had just climbed, feeling a little distressed.

MC: When you were a child star, were you as stressed as Tong Le?

Kiro: Yes, but it wasn't the same as Tong Le’s pressure.

Kiro held my hand instead, and his knuckles were tightly closed with mine.

Kiro: Although I was under pressure, I had been protected by love and courage from the little flame in my heart since I was little.

Kiro: KEY, Mrs. Seidel... and you, MC.

Kiro: When I feel the pressure of darkness come, I will think of you and everyone.

Kiro: Then rekindle a flame for myself.

Kiro: So I also want to protect the flames of other people, and don't want them to go out.

He blinked at me. There was a look of triumph in his eyes.

Kiro: After all, this is what the Star Explorer should do!

MC: It is also what a superhero should do!

I took his words and we once again laughed with each other tacitly.

Accompanying moments and texts: here

#mlqc #mlqc cn #mlqc spoilers #mlqc kiro

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popurikat · 4 years

Text

Trying to make sense of parts of Future (Mystery Skulls)

Since my last analysis went so well I thought I’d make this post as well, especially because Future really did confuse me and I know others might be lost as well; so lets discuss this together! It will be lengthy as I am basically spewing my thoughts out right on the videos immediate release date (there will be a read more option after my first thought to avoid long positng). Well first things first, I wanna address that I've been curious about what kind of spirit Arthur's arm could be (since I am not too well acquainted with any canon on its background part at least) and I think I have concluded that the closest thing to it could be is a Tenome; which is a Yochai that possesses a man's body and moves the eyes to the palms. "found lurking in cemeteries, hands outstretched, as if he has only recently lost his vision and is searching for something. Get close enough, and you’ll find out in quick succession that a) he’s not blind, but looking with eyes embedded in his hands, and b) what he’s looking for is a snack." (fyi, most of my mythos information is coming from Wiki just as a heads up)

And sure enough he found a great source for his hunger. Something he has been EYEING since the start. Which now leads me to my next points on the video...

At first watch I was convinced that each strand found on Mystery’s heart represented a singular soul bond, I thought that blue was for Vivi, Green was for the hand, pink for Lewis, purple for Shiro, Yellow for Lance, Orange for Arthur, and black and white were unknown. Which, didn’t settle right for me. SO I went in and re-watched the clip a couple more times and saw this:

Vivi’s (blue created after she got hurt) and Shiro’s (white created after she died) strands were connected to the strands located next to them. A start and an end. Mystery’s promise to Vivi to stay at her side for generations as he was spared upon prior defeat of Mushi. And then of course we have the promise of power and sustenance for Shrio as they held a symbiotic relationship for most of their lives that was only severed due to an interference. These double strands of fate are especially clearer in the scene with Shiro in Future. As the black strand gets clearer the more she gets injured or emotionally hurt, it eventually leads to the leak of the white strand on her death. Meaning; Black/white=Shiro; Purple/Pink=Lewis; Blue/Green: Vivi; and Orange/Yellow: Arthur. And why am I inclined to believe Lewis and Arthur are apart of Mystery’s heart? Well that's because those two were the only ones fully streaming before Vivi’s and Shiro’s appeared. We know that Arthur lost an arm to Mystery and discovered his identity (ergo losing most of his trust in him) insinuating both strands to arise early on of his color scheme, as well as with Lewis’ death occurring under the protection of Mystery when they were grouped and having his soul go restless/ in pain. It wouldn’t make sense to add family members or side characters not included in the mainline story to this grouping unless they would play an important role in the finale, which isn’t likely since we have only one more video left as Ben stated it was going to be a 5 video series. I am also inclined to believe each person has two strands because of Kitsune lore: “ Kitsune keep their promises and strive to repay any favor. Occasionally a kitsune attaches itself to a person or household. They follow their word of honor. They become self-destructive if they break a promise, and when someone else breaks a promise, they become deadly enemies.” Plus, It would make sense as to why in this short battle Mystery sprouted his last 3 tails when it came to Vivi and Shiro and how their connections affect his power. (more on this in a bit) But, furthermore; if anyone else notices, the Band-Aids on the heart are also remotely located on the sections of Vivi’s and Shiro’s strands specifically because for both, Mystery has vowed to protect them and has failed.

Now then lets talk about a few things on Mystery’s ultimate form shall we? The final form of a Kitsune, its celestial form as shown here is called a Tenko. (yes I am aware of the Kumiho, but that is a fully evil, flesh eating, 9 tailed fox that specialize in illusions and well Mystery has never been portrayed as human). The Tenko makes even more sense when taken into consideration that Mystery’s third eye (typically a form of wisdom connected to overpowering the mortality of ones self) opens. So how was this done in such a short amount of time? “Kitsune do not accept aid from those who are not willing. they do not ask for help, and as such, most aid must come from another's initiative. Kitsune are emotional and very vengeful. Kitsune will lose their temper at the slightest provocation. Once someone has earned a kitsune's enmity, the kitsune will begin enacting revenge that can become quite extreme. On the other hand, those who have earned a kitsune's trust and loyalty will see a friendship that can last through many trials. Freedom is very important to the kitsune. They do not accept being forced into something they do not wish, and do not like being bound or trapped. Doing so weakens the kitsune.” Mystery as we know is very much controlled by his emotions, going head first into things constantly based on reaction and his inability to control his power under distress. His tails arose in the fight sequence every time he fulfilled his oath AND used 100% of his form/power. Therefore, his tails grew because he wasn’t holding back anymore, not his grievances, not his appearance, nor his hesitance in his evident distress of being bound to two entities that both required his aid. My last note on these images comes from a tumblr user’s reverse audio clipping (https://nebulous-rain.tumblr.com/post/633555549749952512/ok-so-yknow-that-one-reversed-part-of-future). The rewind of the clip of Mystery’s transformation plays “When I’m With You”, which yes, cool a possible Easter egg to the next song! BUT what is this song about? Let me just bring up the first line of the song: “You got me hanging by a THREAD...I wish I could turn back time...I wish I could rewind life...” and before the chorus “I’m gonna make it right”. We know that this can refer to rectifying the wrongs of Lewis’ death, but more accurately to do so we need to defeat the evil inside this mutt that is pulling the strings of this whole fiasco. And this might just be the intro portion of the next mystery skulls mind you as we’ve also gotten many false starts with the previous two videos where hellbent used “every note” and future used “enemies” alongside the main song. BUT WE HAVE TWO YEARS ANYWAY, WHY BABBLE ON ABOUT THIS. LETS MOVE ON!

Hearts in this series have not been just for identifying the dead or for aesthetic purposes, they are the life force of each powerful legend. I am actually surprised to see Shiro have a heart as she started off as a creation from Mystery and therefore her lifeforce is just his blood and without it she is nothing. I am curious about her color pallet though, her heart is purple and pink. Lewis’ is gold/yellow with touches of orange. And Mystery’s is just red, but it has a mix of everyone’s essence within it to keep it tied and whole. Shiro’s could be colored this way in reference to Lewis’ aid to help find her creator; which would explain why Mystery surrounds himself by color as he required outside help and how Lewis’ heart is yellow in reference to how recently Arthur helped him remember his friends/hidden memories. One thing we have learned about hearts is that they can be broken repeatedly and can be ripped apart from the body, but they can be repaired too through resolution/hope. Lewis restored his heart in hellbent by using Vivi’s flower petals and finding hope that he will get revenge, only for his heart to be repaired again through Arthur’s touch. Shiro may have withered away, but her heart is essentially not broken, she’d need Mystery to restore it as it was flung into space (and that again relies on Mystery finding his sanity and finding it in himself to even bring her back). And as for Mystery himself, he’s gonna need the whole gang to reach out to him to extract the parasite within and restore balance. I really want to know more about the heart properties and how they give their users their powers as well Vivi is able to summon her strength through a material connection (bat) that function in its own way as the vessel a heart does since its connecting her to her ancestry.

NOW to finalize, I offer you two queries:

WHO IS ARTHURS HAND REACHING FOR!? I know it seems like Mystery, but that would be counter productive for the hand demon if he has Arthur interfering with his control. Is it still after Lewis as we’ve seen previous times where his arm acts up only in Lewis’ presence and when specifically other “magic” is at play? If so, is the goal to ward off Lewis and Vivi from defeating Mystery? Is Arthur gonna use the arm to find his own power as we’ve seen when he is able to momentarily cease control of it he kinda ruins anything electrical he touches and well, electricity is currently running rampant in there.

and lastly, I am really curious how touch sensitive hearts are, We know that even the smallest of brushes can detect memory/links to the person holding it (as seen with how Shiro managed to get soul flowers in hellbent), but the fact that Lewis was so in touch with the feeling of Arthur EVEN THOUGH ARTHUR GRABBED HIS HEART THROUGH HIS METAL HAND MIND YOU!, that he still managed to feel the disturbance instantly. So my question is, is the touch sensitivity reliant on how close someone is to someone? I would like to say yes cause when Shiro touched his heart he didn’t react instantly, he felt her rummaging his memories and was awoken, but he didn’t kick her butt by fully reforming until after she had long since stepped on his heart and then forced the memory of Mystery to arise. But yeah, its a nice little detail.

Either way, thanks for reading! Feel free to add on, comment, or even dm me about more Mystery Skulls information and theories! Love to hear them!

#Mystery Skulls #MSA #mystery skulls animated #future #MSA future #Mystery skulls animated future #Lewis #Lewis Pepper #arthur #arthur kingsmen #Vivi #vivi yukino #Shiro #Shiromori #???#Arthur's arm #Mystery #theories #theory

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