#alas i was tired and also it was raining it just didnt work out

[rassicas]

The first Splatoon artbook annoyingly refers to the road above Urchin Underpass as Urchin Underpass itself ("The Urchin Underpass is a major artery that spans the city. Beneath it is a spot where the Inklings come to hang out."; "This is a high-rise parking garage that is about twenty minutes away from Inkopolis on the Urchin Underpass.") Does this also happen in the japanese text?

Just as I thought, knowing the japanese name, it was a mistranslation! The JP name is Decaline Underpass, with decaline sounding more like the name of a street than just "urchin" "The major artery that connects the city, the Decaline. It's underpass has come to be a place where Inklings hang out."

the same thing happens on the moray towers page, where its just called the "Decaline" and not the literal (and incorrect) "Decaline Underpass." I also see another mistranslation, where in english it says "20 minutes away from Inkopolis" when moray towers is IN inkopolis. in JP it says 20 minutes from central inkopolis.

an interesting bit about the name "Decaline" while I'm at it. you can get a squid related connection out of the name when thinking that deca=10 and squids have 10 limbs. but the real origins is that urchin underpass is based on an underpass on Kyoto's 十条 Juujou, or 10th street, which is near the Nintendo building!

(This was mentioned in an old famitsu dev interview that was released only in the magazine...maybe one day ill translate it in full, but here's a summary)

[lady-tortilla-chip]

Petrichor + Soukoku

I don’t know what this is anon. I really don’t and I triple checked what Petrichor meant (because I didnt previously know when I got this) so, I hope this fic (not a ficlet because it’s 1600 words long!!) is what you had in mind!

—

The first time Dazai saw Chuuya again was during the first storm of the winter season. The rain was relentless over the city. Falling in sheets full of wrath pounding against windows and pavement.

Dazai had gotten himself caught in it. Still a few blocks from his own dingy apartment building and finding refuge within a small cafe that still happened to be open.

The smell in the air was distinct and wet. The kind of smell one looked forward to when it finally rained after a long dry season. Like everything was cleansed of its dirt and grime. (Though Dazai would never properly be cleansed of his own.)

However, Dazai would’ve preferred to enjoy the smell inside his apartment. Where it was dry. Currently he was soaked to the bone and while it wasn’t particularly chilly out, it didn’t make his wet clothing any less uncomfortable. He sat himself at a table close to the door.

Peering outside the window he watched as passerby’s -smartly equipped with umbrellas- went about the rest of their day. Either heading home or back to work. It was methodical, the way each person walked passed another. The way they called out to cabs and slipped inside without breaking the nearly endless cycle of moving cars and people.

It was boring.

A waitress came by his table only once to offer a warm drink, her smile plastic, given out to everyone as per her job’s description. She seemed tired, older than a woman working this kind of job should be. Dazai accepted her offer of the daily special.

It was a simple coffee that didn’t taste all that great, but then, nearly everything tasted bland to Dazai. At least she’d been right in that it did warm him to the core.

As he continued to people watch, only half focused as several different trains of thought battled for his primary focus, the distinct sound of a bell ringing pushed them all to the back of his mind.

Looking up Dazai was greeted with the sight of a very wet and angry Nakahara Chuuya.

He hadn’t seen the man in well over two years.

Not since he’d left.

He didn’t think he’d ever see the man again.

He’d grown, not so much in height as everything else. His stance was more assured despite his hunched shoulders which shook with irritation at the weather. His face was more defined, the lines between his masculine and feminine features more clearly drawn to make him seem less androgynous than he used to. His eyes were still full of light, however they were sharper.

Though that could’ve just been the glare he was currently sending Dazai’s way.

He hadn’t even realized the redhead noticed him.

At the realization he also realized that the man was moving towards him.

Seating himself in the chair across from Dazai with an exasperated huff like the decision to sit there hadn’t been entirely his own.

Dazai didn’t say anything and he doubted the man wanted him to. He looked like a cat, an angry, wet, and feral cat. Blue eyes narrowed and the twitch of his brow like that of a cat’s tail.

“So either, you are very dead and hung yourself in this cafe and are currently a ghost. Or actually fucking stuck around in Yokohama. Please tell me you’re fucking dead.” Chuuya said.

“Would you like the truth or something to continue believing I have successfully killed myself?” Dazai responded.

Chuuya leaned back, his arms crossed over his chest, “You pick.”

Dazai nodded his head once and said in a self pitying tone, “Alas, I cannot say I have died but instead am still trapped among the living.”

Chuuya rolled his eyes, huffing a breath through his teeth as his gaze flicked elsewhere, “Fuck me.”

Dazai’s brow raised, the first thing that came to mind to say would surely get him violently thrown back into the rain. Through the window.

So instead he stayed silent.

Chuuya’s eyes came back to meet his, eyebrow cocking high on his forehead as he spat, “What? No stupid remark to make about how you already have? Or happily would again? Or maybe that you’d never dream of it? Nothing?”

Dazai shrugged, “Seems you’ve come up with enough comebacks on your own.”

Chuuya sneered, “Shut up.”

Dazai shrugged again then sat back in his own seat. Once again glancing outside only to see his reflection staring back at him. Deciding he didn’t care for that particular view he moved his gaze over to Chuuya’s reflection. Allowed himself a moment to dwell on everything that seemed to have changed about him.

His presence seemed to have broadened, become twice the size since Dazai had last seen him. It was a still familiar presence though, known.

“You know I’m still feeling the heat of your oh-so-sudden departure?” Chuuya eventually said, breaking the thin layer of silence that had settled over them.

Dazai didn’t turn his head away from the window to indicate he acknowledged the statement. Simply waited for Chuuya to continue speaking.

“I’m still in the process of cleaning up your mess.”

Dazai made a sound under his breath, “Surely the blood has been truly and thoroughly cleaned up.”

“Not really.” Chuuya bit out.

“Did you-?”

“No.”

The new mafia boss still hadn’t publicly been made clear yet.

If not Chuuya, then it was Kouyou.

Dazai snorted.

“She’s great at it, better than even he was. Has had to call my loyalty into question one too many times though.” Chuuya said with a pointed look at Dazai before averting his gaze again.

Dazai didn’t have a response for that. It made sense that Chuuya would be a suspect to aiding Dazai in his escape. His loyalty coming into question would’ve been laughable with literally anything else. But Dazai abandoning ship the way he had and how easily he seemed to slip away, there was absolutely no way Chuuya wouldn’t receive suspicion.

Chuuya frowned, head turning to look at Dazai back through the window, “You have nothing to say?”

“Were you hoping I would when you came to sit there?”

Chuuya’s eyes narrowed, “No,” he answered and it seemed honest, “No, actually I was hoping I’d slipped on a puddle and passed out a few blocks back and that you weren’t actually here and I was just suffering through a concussion induced nightmare.”

“You could be.” Dazai said and that got him a grunt.

“Maybe I am. And that’s why you’re so quiet.”

“I’m not quiet. Just observant.”

Chuuya rolled his eyes, “What are you observing?”

The entirely honest answer was, everything, though that’s not what he said, though, he regretted what he actually said all the same, “You.”

Chuuya smirked and leaned forward, “I haven’t changed. But you clearly have.” He said with a clear nod to Dazai’s change of wardrobe and unbandaged eye.

Fighting the urge to reach up and touch the skin around his eye, Dazai watched as Chuuya clenched his jaw. Expression shifting as he debated something.

Eventually he asked, “Was it worth it?”

It was a loaded question, one that wasn’t enough to encompass the emotions Chuuya had felt at Dazai’s betrayal. Wasn’t accusatory either. Sounded curious, like he needed the answer to be the right one. The one that could rationalize why Dazai would leave him. Why Dazai didn’t choose him.

Just four simple words that Dazai couldn’t decipher the purpose of answering, because he didn’t know what the right answer was. Not knowing something, especially about what Chuuya wanted from him was foreign. Odd. Had him wondering if perhaps Chuuya had changed more than just physically and far more in maturity.

So, he responded honestly, “I don’t know yet.”

At that Chuuya smiled though it didn’t touch his eyes and stood.

Dazai, curious now, asked, “Was that why you came over here?”

Chuuya didn’t pause, didn’t miss a step, just continued out as though Dazai’s voice hadn’t reached him.

The brunet, watched as Chuuya exited the building, re-entering the rain and moving quickly away.

The first time he’d seen Chuuya after defecting from the mafia, killing Mori, and leaving behind one of the only good things he’d had in life, was also the last.

It wasn’t until, a few years later, tucked in bed with Chuuya laying next to him, curled against his side, breaths light and gentle as he slept, that Dazai stopped have firsts and lasts with the man.

That they began and the end, the end was distant. A promise that would eventually be fulfilled, like the promise of rain after the end of a dry season, the promise of petrichor drifting in the air when it did, the promise of a final page to every book.

The book Dazai had, guaranteed their end would come later. That Dazai need not trouble himself with worry over what may occur tomorrow because tomorrow they’d return to their bed. As they always did. As they always would.

[modharlow]

Today was one of those days again. The sky looked stormy yet shed no rain, the sun barely peeking out for a second before sheltering itself away. People were bustling about to do their everyday work, all seeming to enjoy themselves. Oh, how you wish that were you, but alas it was not. No, you were out here, passing through Valentine, because some sorry excuse of a father left the camp again. “Probably drunk off his ass again.” You lowly hissed out.

When Charles came up to Dutch and reported the missing man, the leaders eyes happened to fall on you to retrieve him. Fortunately he also sent Arthur with you. “I trust you kid,” Dutch started off as he lead you to your horse, “but not enough to believe you won’t kick Mr. Swanson’s ass.”

Well… at least he was cautious because he was right. If it had been just you, you would’ve beat the man black and blue—mostly out of anger but if you happen to fix whatever the hell was going on in that mans brain then that’d work fine too.

It wouldn’t be the first time you’ve lied hands on him, though you never want “too far”. Given everything he’d done, or hasn’t done for better words, you going easy on him was a mercy.

”Aw, now now, little birdy,” Arthur’s voice cut through your thoughts, “I know that face. Don’t tell me you plannin’ on killin’ him this time?” His tone was joking but you couldn’t help the silent “and if I do?” that came out.

Letting out a whistle, the outlaw adjusted his hat. “You ever gonna tell me what’s the bad blood between you two?”

”On my deathbed, maybe.”

”Don’t be like that.” He replied, his tone growing soft. “He’s still your father. Doesn’t help that he’s always drunk, I know, but he’s tryin’.”

You swore you’ve never felt such hot rage boil deep inside your veins. Your knuckles turned white from your grip in the horses’ reins and your teeth clenched down to prevent you from shouting at your friend. “Arthur,” your voice was tense, just like your body, “don’t be defendin’ that man when you’ve no reason.”

The ride was silent now, save for the goodhearted people that said hello to either of you as you passed, until you both made it out of town.

Arthur let out a long sigh before taking lead and changing the direction you both were going. “C’mon, we’re gonna talk this out, you ‘nd me.”

”Arthur-”

”We’ll find him, trust me. We always do. Right now you just need to explain to me why the hell you hate his guts so much when neither of you even look at each other.”

You took note at the new destination. It was somewhere away from the roads, perfect for a private talk.

Now it was your turn to let out a long sigh. You didn’t say anything until you both ended up by some trees. From there Arthur got off his horse and motioned for you to do the same. When you did he sat both you down at the foot of a tree, perfectly protected from prying ears and the possible rain if it were to happen.

Leaning his head against the tree, Arthur spoke. “When you joined our camp you were so happy, so giddy. You didn’t have a care in the world. It was… nice. A nice change of pace.”

”I was young then. I didn’t understand anythin’.”

”What makes you think you understand now?”

Scoffing, you turned away from him brought your knees to your chest. Silently, you said, “I understand enough to know he’s a dead-beat dad.”

”Feel like elaboratin’?”

It became silent again. The horses were eating grass as the tree swayed itself side-to-side, birds flying overhead in a mixture of dull colors. All were unaware of the grief and burning hatred you held inside.

Taking in a deep breath, in through your nose and out through your mouth, you started to pick at the dirt and rocks in the ground. “I was four when mama died.” You breathed out. “I didn’t know that’s what it was. Just thought she was nappin’, y’know? She’d always seemed so… tired.” You faintly turned to face Arthur. “Was like she lost her light.” A soft chuckle filled the moment. “Guess in the end… she did, huh?”

”I’m… Listen, I-”

”You wanna know how she died, Arthur?” You were facing him now, your face calm yet the grip you had on a spare rock from the ground said otherwise. “She used the exact mechanisms my father’s usin’ right now.” You turned your attention to the rock in your hands, fingers nimbly toying with it. “Turns out, you know, that she didn’t want a child. She wanted to be free… but was tied down because of me—and dad? Oh, well, he had his teachings to do. No, he could never come home on time or spend some moments with his only kid.” You tossed the rock away from you, your eyes narrowing to keep yourself at bay. “Don’t think he wanted a child either.”

”Now that ain’t true.” Arthur interjected before flinching slightly at your glare yet not faltering. “I dunno about your mama but Reverend loves you.”

”If he loved me then why the hell are we out here having to look for his sorry ass?!” You yelled, getting up from your spot and walking away a few steps. “If he loved me then why was he never there for me? When men would be lookin’ at me weirdly, or when kids would hurt me ‘cause I only had one parent? What about when I was almost kidnapped ‘cause his dumbass had a damn “meeting” to go too, huh?”

Arthur got up too with his hands held up in surrender as he took careful steps towards you. “Easy now. It’s okay. You’re okay.” But his words fell on deaf ears as you let your pent up emotions explode inside you.

”I was six when I learned what death was. I tried killin’ myself, then tried again a few months later. I was eight when I tried to talk to him only for him to push me away. I was nine when I ran away before comin’ back. It’s funny, you know, ‘cause it was like he didn’t notice I was gone.” You swallowed down the sob that desparely wanted to come out, instead letting whimpers leave your mouth. “I was fourteen when I realized he didn’t care for me. He never did, he only worries about himself—if you can even call whatever he’s doin’, “worrying”.”

You furiously wiped at your eyes, teeth eating away at your bottom lip to stop yourself from crying more. “Arthur. Arthur, I’m bein’ honest when I say this,” you took in a shaky breath, “I’ve dreamt of killin’ him. I’ve always felt free when I did it, too. It felt so refreshin’ to me. Was like chains were melted off and I could finally run again. It’s a feelin’ I chase after every time we have to look for him.”

When you looked up at Arthur with those vulnerable eyes, he was at a loss for words. He thinks back to his own memories of you being that happy-go-lucky kid he grew up with and felt his chest tighten. So was that all a facade so you could hide away your pain? How had he not noticed to sooner? Did anyone else know? Dutch? Hosea? You were close to those two but… did you ever really let them in?

”I’m… I’m sorry, I…” Those were not the words he wanted to say. Truly, he didn’t know what to say. He knew Swanson was not an ideal father but this—this is how you were treated? How you lived your life? “I don’t… know what to say.”

”No one ever does.”

After a short pause, Arthur felt his own anger begin to form when your died down. “Why the hell do we still keep him ‘round then? If he’s like this to you, then why don’t we just get rid of him? You’re the only one we really need. You hunt, fish, and you can even haggle someone almost as well as Hosea! He doesn’t do shit-”

”Arthur, I thank you for feelin’ my anger for me but it’s… I hate him, I do, but it’s more complex than that.” Now you felt bad for pulling your friend along with your emotions. You should’ve kept your mouth shut like you always had, only showing anger when it was just you and your dad alone.

Huffing, Arthur let his hands hold onto his belt as he leaned on his foot. “Well… we got all the time in the world for you to talk.”

While you dried off your wet face with your sleeve, you tried to formulate the correct words. “It’s… hard to explain. If he’s gone then… I’ll have no more blood-family. ‘Nd despite everythin’, well, he still let me go with him to join Dutch when he could’ve left me.” You voice trailed off, your eyes straying from the looks Arthur was giving you. “I-I know, okay? It’s idiotic for me to feel like this even after all that’s happened but I just—I can’t leave him to fend for himself. He lost his wife, ‘nd now I’m all that he has. Even if we don’t talk…”

”I don’t think I’ll ever understand you.” Arthur muttered as he took steps towards you. “I ain’t ever been in your boots so I guess I can’t say much but,” cautiously, he put his arms around you, “if you ever want his ass gone, just say so. Or if you… if you wanna leave ‘nd let him stay with the gang then… that’s alright. Just tell me beforehand, okay? I’d be mighty down if you up and left without a goodbye.”

You nodded your head while you returned the hug. Your eyelids stung and your body felt heavy from your outbursts of emotions, though you couldn’t deny how safe you felt right at this moment.

Closing your eyes, you let yourself get lost in the feeling of being openly loved by someone you held dear to you.

Arthur had been your first since you were first welcomed to the gang and a side of you berated yourself for keeping silent from him for so long. Still, within these moments, you felt alright. You felt… free. “I won’t leave. Not when I have someone like you lookin’ out for me.” You tried to bury yourself deep into his chest, wanting to stay with this comfort for much longer. Softly, you whispered out, “Thank you.”

[sognaaradventures]

Well my friend and I decided after our failed BDR debacle it was time we redeem ourselves. We set out from Riverside popped on to Hwy 38 after slabbin it on the freeway for a bit...Im buzzin along on my wee lil 450 well my buddy is cruising along on his 701 We make our way up hwy 38 for a bit and then turn off the slab to make our way through the unknown conditions of the jeep trail.. We start meandering our way up the trail through deep puddles and wet trail conditions.

We come across a group of offroaders in their brand new RAM trucks powered by the Almighty cummins engine. I have the same truck but I wouldn't be drivin it like they did offroad unless it was a dedicated expo rig. Their efforts were stopped when they reached a boulder almost in the middle of the trail so let us pass. We pass them and pull over to see if we all as a group can move the boulder over. Boulder 1 Guys 0... who knew boulders were so heavy  but it worked out they were able to squeeze through

We make our way up the trail and all is well until we hit the snow..... But who are we to let some snow stop us... I mean we are adventure riders after all aren't we?

My bike doesn't have a nice easy throttle you can feather, its either nothing or a whole lot of something  The snow starts to get more and more deep and Im constantly spinning my way through it sliding all over the place trying to crab walk the bike through 20 miles of this stuff I keep spinning out and getting stuck my buddy and I are constantly trying to get the bike out of the hole I keep digging myself.

When you've dropped your bike 1 too many times throughout the day just take a seat and enjoy the views

Just shortly after we got the bike up and got going again I loose traction and drop the bike it was starting to get a bit ridiculous

Well at least the bikes look cool in the snow you can see my friend in the  background lowering his tire psi as did I. It did help with traction but it still was very icy. 

After 8 hours of riding in the snow falling down and having the bike land on me several times. I got the point where I needed a break and couldn't ride in the snow anymore. After all the times the bike had fallen the last time was the kicker. I was beat , the battery was dead (from the trailtech fan running when the bike was off) and the carb was flooded. I couldnt continue to kick start the bike so we were towing it with the other bike well I walked next to it. After a minutes of this trudging through the snow two trucks pull up behind us.... Alas a miracle... the guy asked if we needed help and offered to throw the bike in the back of his truck. I immediately starting removing all the bags off the bike. I didnt want him to grow impatient and leave us lol. with 5 people made easy work of loading the bike up in the truck. I hoped inside and was immediately relieved I didn't have to fall another time on the icy trail... who knew Ice hurts so much   ..... It was also getting dark and much colder. We make our way down the trail descending towards Angelus Oaks we come around a sharp bend and meet 2 tacomas working their way up. My new friend tries to move over but the snow is too deep off to the side and on the other side is a cliff so thats not gonna work out too well for us Since the tacomas were better equipped then us they back down the hill a little bit to a turn out and we proceed to pass them.

We talked to them for a few mins it was the same guys I saw earlier in the day. They thought we were brave for riding bikes in the snow. That was a nice way of putting it lol...jk I wouldn't have anything less then adventure on my rides. We keep working our way down to Angelus Oaks finally made it to some pavement. Alas what do I see............its a general store I hadn't had the chance to eat all day and hadn't had enough water. I pop in there and buy $20 worth of snacks and start refueling myself. The guys unload the bike while I try to warm up a bit inside the truck. I had been sitting all day in freezing temps... Not a good combination.. The guy who had the truck that the bike was loaded in got the bike fired up immediately and did a little rip in the parking lot. He grew up riding and hadn't been a few years. So rippin around in the parking put a big grin on his face. He joked that was his payment for hauling the bike downt he mountain... We talked for a few minutes and thanked him many times as I would not have not been able to get down that mountain if it wasn't for him. I offered to buy him dinner but he refused saying he was just happy to help plus they had plans to go to the casino and do the buffet. How can I argue with that... It was great meeting Tom and his wife they were very nice people. We exchanged contact info so we could ride in the future. 

We parted ways heading down hwy 38 towards Yucaipa to hit interstate 10... Oh great this again on my lil 450 lol... We cruise for a bit its been a long day Im sore and my muscles are cramping. We ride for a a bit and pull off into a starbucks to get something warm and unwind for a few minutes.... Don had been helping me all day get my bike through the snow so the least I could do was buy him a coffee.... We look at our GPS and we still have a 1.5 hour ahead of us to get to our hotel in 29 palms...  It has been a long day

We depart the warmth of starbucks and head east on I10 its coooold and its windy but wait once we pop on Hwy 62 to head to 29 palms it gets colder and windier lol Its about 10 pm and we finally pull into the hotel... It seems like the last 10 miles took hours to ride. A hot meal and a warm bed sound so nice but when you ride its not that quick to go to bed. We had to pull our saddle and tank bags off....finally all our gear is inside and I can kick my boots off and eat some pizza. Don and I remissness about our adventures we went through to get here.

I slept very well and woke up the next day semi refreshed but very sore lol.... We head out to Joshua Tree to a little breakfast place I have been to several times... Crossroads Cafe....they have really high quality food with big portions. I ordered "Mike's Mess" a scrambled egg dish with bacon potatoes topped with Cheddar cheese and sour cream... That was a great way to start the day

I pulled up my Caltopo map for the National Parks and it showed a dirt trail that goes through the park and hits I10... After charging up our electronics, body and soul we head out to Joshua Tree NP... Once we get there park ranger had some sad news for us..... The dirt road is closed due to all the rain..... So we just rode through the main road on the Park. We enjoyed the sights and make our way towards interstate 10... Once we hit the 10 I told down Don there is a road we can take that heads towards Mecca but looks like there is a dirt trail off of that road. So we start making our way to the trail head... shortly after we start Don honks his horn at me so I pull over and pulls up next to me. I wondered what happen and he says that he lost the bolt that holds his clutch perch in.... luckily he carries some spare bolts while he getting his tools and bolts out.... Don says watch your 6 and so I subtly turn around and a man appeared out of nowhere. This guy is just standing there with his arms crossed maybe 100-200 ft away from us.... The guy stands in 1 spot for several minutes and my hair is raising up on my arms I dont really like this situation... the guy starts working his way towards us slowly very slowly in a roundabout way.... finally hes very close to his and says we were like ninjas and just rolled up on him... I had a weird feeling about this guy we got geared up and go the hell outta there lol... The sad news was the road to Mecca was closed most likely it got washed out with all the rain they have been having..

Since we hadn't had an opportunity to hit any dirt today we planned to go ride on the bradshaw trail. ... We get going again on I10 and the winds are just relentless blowing up to 65+ mph and I am getting blown all over the place and have to heavily compensate with my riding posture to stay in a straight line.. We pull off the freeway to hop in the 111 to get down to the sultan see where the bradshaw trail starts...... We pull up to the light and I hear squeaking, the light turns green and I try to get going and the bike stalls.... thats weird.... we pull up to another light I hear squeaking again... I yell to Don I think my brake is locked up.... we pull off the road and guess what...my brake is locked up... we cant seem to get a break.... So its time to do some Macgyvering we try to free up the brake but no such luck... So we end up removing the brake pad and tie up the caliper against the swingarm so it doesn't hit the disc Its getting late and Don and I have responsibilities to attend to so we hit the freeway again.... The wind had gotten even worse. I rode for maybe 30 miles but I was getting blown around more and more and it was starting rain ice cold rain. So I deiced to pullover at a rest stop and that I would get the bike towed and ride with the driver because at the end of the day its not worth dying over to ride home in bad conditions. I had a great time and wanted to thank Don for helping me with getting the bike back vertical all day playing in the snow. I cant wait for the next trip. Also they are not on here but I wanted to thank Tom and the other strangers for helping us and loading the bike in his truck there was no way i could have made it off the mountain that night without them.