#but i hope you like my more lackluster designs nevertheless

[battlefordreamdiner]

15. Coiny

[lyracasstuff]

!!!! could i please get hcs for naib and demi (separately) with a princess s/o (fem)? like her role is a princess and all that jazz :D (i recently made a main which is this one, im an idv blog myself i just like requesting things for other blogs :D)

I really really like this request..（・∀・）

Although, please excuse me if these headcannons are shorter for your taste,, I had been busy for quite a while,, and so my brain juices are a little drained...(⌒_⌒;)

Also,, hello fellow idv blogger!!（〜^∇^)〜

Naib and Demi x Fem! Princess! S/o👑✨

Naib Subedar🌛🌌

He would really be shocked and confused as to 1) HOW you got here? And 2) WHY are you here?

You, a ROYAL? Someone who's been sheltered and pampered ALL her LIFE, would PARTICIPATE in a gruesome game like THIS???

He really couldn't understand it..

Although he was very curious about you,, he *did* hold himself back from walking up to you and just bombard you with ALL sorts of questions..

So, it took the both of you some time to be acquainted with each other.. Naib started out small,, like greeting you with a rather stiff and rusty bow in an attempt to "match" with your own elegant courtesy whenever you two crossed paths..( ´ ▽ ` )

Or pulling your seat for you whenever you would sit down and prepare for a match..

To even lending you a hand in carrying your stuff when they were too heavy such as books, clothes, personal hygeine items, hair care, skin care, etc...

(Naib really wonders if you REALLY needed all of your 50 ballgowns and dresses...)

He just really wants you to feel at home despite being trapped in a manor..

On the topic of making you feel at home...

There's another thing aside from doing acts of service: protectiveness

He understands that you were most likely protected and guarded by knights before you went into the manor,, so you *probably* didn't know much about self defense...

So if anyone EVER tries to touch you, be it your hair, your face, your arm..

You can *BET* that Naib is going to be slapping said person's hand away while ushering you to get behind him..

He WILL do this to BOTH survivor OR hunter by the way...(｡･ω･｡)

You were very much pleased by Naib's protection and support,, he was just like your own personal butler and knight back home!!

Over time,, Naib's gestures had gotten bolder and bolder...

He went from doing acts of service, to teaching you how to kite, how to heal, how to rescue, how to vault windows, etc...

However,, you may or may not have teared up from the fact that you accidentally snagged a piece of your favorite dress from trying to put down a pallet...(^_^;)

Naib really panicked at that time.. He knows how to sew open wounds, not dresses and ballgowns!! (◎_◎;)

Nevertheless,, the both of you would still have fun by the end of the day..

Naib really couldn't help but be in love with you... How could he not though?? You were so sweet and elegant in everything that you do..

Even during the moments where you weren't the most elegant,, he still cherished it all the same..( ´ ▽ ` )ﾉ

Which is why he REALLY couldn't deny his jealousy and saltiness towards Wu chang, Joseph, heck,, even Mary sometimes.. Joseph and Mary are both nobles so OF COURSE you would relate to the aristocratic life,, and Wu chang were GUARDS before they got into the manor,, so OF COURSE they would serve as better protectors than he is..

Then, look at him,, he's nothing more than a man whose ENTIRE job revolves around killing targets that his clients propose.. Well,, at least that's what he thinks anyways..

Be that as it may,, Naib's mind would still be plagued by this thought.. So much so that He doesn't even notice that he's been distancing himself from you...

You aren't the same however... You KNOW that something's been disturbing him, you KNOW that something's upsetting him.. You can literally FEEL it..

And so,, in these times, you would decide to come visit him in his designated room,, all the while comforting him and telling him that while he may not be a noble or a guard,, you still love him regardless of his status and that you are grateful for everything that he's done for you..❤

Naib says nothing,, however, his body language and look of pure love and adoration on his face tells you everything you need to know..❤❤❤

That day has now marked an important event of your lives: the start of a new, blooming relationship..（⌒▽⌒）

First of all,, remember how I talked about his jealousy and protectiveness?? Well,, those just got amplified when you two are confirmed to be in a relationship now..

He sometimes does this thing where if someone wants to speak with you,, Naib would do either of these 2 things: either he asks you if you want to speak to them OR if he's feeling a little selfish with your time,, he just tells them to go "set up an appointment" with you...

He is really astonished at all the different kinds of spoons and forks, all the different etiquettes you follow, the amount of tiaras that you have...

And *especially* at how many relatives that you have.. Which was MUCH larger than the average family size...

((Fun fact: During the Victorian Era, the average family size was actually 6 children.. It had gone down by half by the end of said Era..))

I can't tell why,, but I have this headcannon in my mind that Naib actually prefers more simpler clothing on you.. He just doesn't like too much "eye clutter" per say...

That,, and there's just something so mesmerizing about your regal beauty meshing into the very simple clothing that Naib just finds so.. Heavenly..

All in all,, Naib is just dumbfounded and amazed as to how you had fallen in love with him and just how lucky he is at being with someone like you..

🌛💚🌛💚🌛💚🌛💚🌛💚🌛💚🌛💚🌛💚

Demi Bourbon🍺🍷

Much like Naib,, Demi over here is confused as to what a royal is doing here...

Unlike Naib, however, Demi is more upfront and straightforward and would just walk up to you and ask you directly..

"Woah!! Hey there!! What's a cute lil blueblood doin here??"

You get this question a LOT.. It stuck around for so long that it became an inside joke whenever Demi sees you in the same room as her...╮(─▽─)╭

Now,, she may be a girl,, but don't be fooled... She's surprisingly strong for her physique... So she'll DEFINITELY help you carry your stuff...

Just be prepared to be bombarded with ALL SORTS OF QUESTIONS about your stuff..

"Daaammnnn~ You royals really love your fancy schmancy stuff,, do you??"

"Ooooohhhh~~ A diamond encrusted necklace?? Hey, you wouldn't mind me borrowing it right??"

"This ball gown matches well with one of my costumes! Hey, how about we both dress up? We would REALLY look great together~❤"

You're going to have to get used to these questions someday...（・∀・）

She DOES teach you the basics,, but in all honesty, she never really lets you apply the things that you learned when you're actually in matches...

A hunter is right behind you?? You can bet that Demi will chug down her D.U.P.H.R.I.N, run as fast as she could and sweep you off your feet in a bridal carry..（＾ｖ＾）

"It is I, Your Knight in shining armor!!"

This happens all the time in matches

A hunter is preparing to take a swing on you?? Well,, not on Demi's watch!! Before the hunter can swing their weapon at you, Demi takes one of her bottles and smashes it onto their head...

She DID lose some morality points for that though....

Eventually,, you had to tell Demi that as much as you appreciate her "support", you still have to stand on your own,, ESPECIALLY when Demi is not in the same match as you are..

Demi would *reluctantly* agree and say that she just can't stand the thought of you being hurt, she doesn't want you to be in harm's way because she knows that some survivors *probably* just see you as dead weight,, considering you've been pampered your whole entire life..

Demi would then go on and tell you that she had been taking a liking towards you, and is interested in being in a relationship with you..

"Listen, your highness, I may not be an ACTUAL knight in shining armor, or a prince from some far away land.. But, I'd still want to take a chance at persuing you.. So, what do you say? Will you allow me to take a chance at wooing your heart??"

You of course say yes,, besides, you don't really care if she is of noble blood or not.. Her bold and daring personality is what made you like her..

And thus,, your relationship has started!!

Demi gets a *little* protective over you,, ESPECIALLY when someone's trying to flirt with you..

"Ah, ah, ah, she's mine~~"

"Oi, she's already taken, you idiot! How about go flirtin with someone who's NOT TAKEN???"

Demi over here doesn't really have any problem regarding jealousy,, if anything,, YOU might be the one having some jealousy problems here and there..

Because Demi practically flirts with anything and everything..

Never fear!! Demi would ALWAYS be there to give you reassurance that you're her one and only..( ´ ▽ ` )ﾉ

After that,, she'll tone down her flirty nature by a couple of notches so as to not worry you too much...

Demi would also serve you drinks!! For FREE!!(ノ^o^)ノ

The best part about this is that,, not only are you getting it for free, but you're also getting the FINEST quality...

And she serves your drink in the most dramatic way possible,, all accompanied by a cheeky wink at the end..😉

"Only the FINEST for your highness~❤"

Overall,, your relationship with Demi is surely an exciting and playful one! But don't let that make you think that Demi doesn't take you seriously..

Because she does!! And she will ALWAYS take your relationship seriously!!❤❤❤

🍺🍷🍺🍷🍺🍷🍺🍷🍺🍷🍺🍷🍺🍷🍺🍷

Author's note: I apologize if these headcannons are shorter and a bit "lackluster" for everyone's taste.. As stated before,, I had been busy as of late, so I wasn't able to regain much of my brain juices to write properly like usual..

Nevertheless,, I still hope that you enjoyed reading these headcannons!! (⌒_⌒;)(*´∀`*)

Until next time!! See you all in my next post!!ヾ(＠^∇^＠)ノ💚

[regrettablewritings]

Maybe the gift rule, the bringing lunch, and the taking care on sick days for Poe?

Captain Dreamsicle it is!

Takes care of on sick days: Both of you, though Poe gets a bit more in by comparison . . . Poe is a man of many traits: He is sweet, hard-working, a little gung-ho but altogether just plain passionate. He’s also a bit of a hypocrite when it comes to his own health. The moment you so much as hint that you might be coming down with something, this man is on your case. You can’t even sniffle around him before he’s right in front of you, those big, brown eyes of his filled with almost puppyish worry. “Are you okay?” he asks, voice gentle yet heavy with concern. He places a hand to your forehead, searching for any excessive heat. “You don’t think you picked anything up, do you? I know your bunk mate just came back from a recon mission --” And so begins the Resistance pilot’s transformation into a mother hen, however annoying as it may be. He can’t force you to stay in bed, especially if the infirmary insists that it’s just a slight head cold (at most), but he’s definitely going to keep an eye on you whenever he can: He has subordinates working close by you report back to him, sending him messages on his tablets as to whether or not you seem particularly light-headed or drowsy. He requests the droids’ assistance in making sure you stay in bed just so long enough that you get a confirmed eight hours. He makes sure your plate has only ever so slightly the bittest more of rations when it’s time for you to eat. (If you make any comment on this, he eagerly ushers you along, commenting on oh look at that lucky you! You don’t see the nod of thanks he gives to the person on ration duty, but you know they’re in cahoots.) And once he gets promoted to general, you can just forget about it! . . . But the moment Poe sniffles, it’s like he’s done a 180 on the matter: To him, Poe Dameron can’t get sick. And if he does, well, he can work it off. So many people depend on him now more than ever, and he can’t let them down by taking some down time just to fight off a common cold. Besides . . . doctors are a little scary. It may take some convincing (and fussing), but eventually, he does give in -- to a degree. Really, if you can convince him to lie in bed with you while he reads over plans and maps, it’s a win. Because you’ll inevitably massage his curls until he drifts off into a much needed sleep. He pretends to be frustrated that you let him sleep in the next day, but the truth is he greatly appreciates it in the long run.

Brings the other lunch at work: You swear that ever since he got promoted to general, Poe’s self-care has taken a hit: He’s up at all hours, he’s running around like crazy, and he keeps skipping out on meals, insisting that he’ll eat later! At first, you were very understanding of it: He did, after all, just jump ahead into way more responsibilities than he’d previously had as just a captain. Sure, he’d been trained for it, but that didn’t make the reality of what it was that much easier. You did your part where you could: Delivering messages, sitting in with him on meetings to take notes on anything that might be of use to him later, making sure BB-8 kept out of trouble . . . But really! Did the man seriously think he could get away with his third straight day of skipping lunch!? You had never been a particularly intimidating person but as you stormed across the base, expression stern as you carried a small tin case in your hands, everyone knew to stay out of your way. You sure wish you’d kept that same amount of confidence when you stormed into his designated workspace. Thankfully, he wasn’t in the middle of talking with somebody, but he was definitely in the middle of something. But you tried not to care about that: Instead, you found yourself focusing on how your beloved looked. He didn’t look sickly, and you’d certainly seen him in a worse state. But there were clear, tiny traces of him lacking proper or consistent nutrition. And rest. Nevertheless, he wore that boyishly cute grin when he looked up from his tablets and saw you. “Oh, hey!” he said, as though there weren’t threats of shadows developing beneath his eyes. He leaned back in his seat ever so slightly. “What brings you to this neck of my woods?” You bit your lip. Remain stern, you told yourself. Be gentle and loving, but make it clear you’re not going to mess around. “Castion told me he didn’t see you in the mess hall earlier. Or for lunch for that matter. So I’m here to deliver your rations,” you lifted up the tin container just a bit higher for him to take note. He nodded. “Thank you, hon. You can put it right there--” he nodded at a corner of his tech-cluttered desk-- “and I’ll get to it in a bit.” He then returned his attention back to the holo-map in front of him. You fought to release an exasperated sigh. “No,” you decided upon instead. You watched as the general blinked before looking back up at you. “Huh?” “I said no,” you informed, a bit more assertive than before. “You always say you’ll ‘get to it’ but according to BB, you ever really do. You take maybe, like, three or four bites and then you’re done. And that’s if you can be bothered to eat it even four hours after receiving it!” You could see Poe gently scowl. How rude: Ratted out by his own droid. He tried again, “Honey, I promise to you: I’ll eat it within the hour. All of it. Heart crossed and hope to --” He paused. “Get Force-blasted by Rey. Again. This time, on purpose.” You hummed. That was a fair proposition to make. But neh, you weren’t buying it. “Oh, I know you will,” you responded, walking towards the desk. And then around it, until you stood next to Poe. You didn’t set the container down. “Because I’m going to stay and make sure you do.” You threw in a cloyingly sweet smile. Poe returned with a smile of his own, albeit one much less composed and far more wobbly. Oh, boy. “Uh . . . Don’t you have something else to get a handle on, sweetie?” “Nope!” said, popping your ‘p’. A beat of silence. Poe eyed the tin. “But . . . I’ve got a lot of stuff to focus on, babe . . . I can’t exactly take the time out to just --” “For the Maker’s sake, Poe! I know you have a lot to do, but that’s no reason to keep skipping out on food. That’s frankly even more of a reason to eat when you can -- you’re not going to be of any help if you’re just a pile of bones, you know!” This time, it was Poe’s turn to do the lip-biting. You had a point . . . You continued, “Look, I know the rations aren’t that great, but you gotta eat something. In fact . . .” You popped the lid off. “How about a feed you?” “I’m not a baby, (Y/N) --” “No, but you’re being reluctant like a toddler. And in any case, if I feed you then at least you can keep your hands busy doing whatever it is you insist you need to do instead of actually putting nourishment in your body. Capiche?” Did he have any real say? No, not really. By this point, after all the ones he’d grown up around and encountered in the Resistance, Poe had learned when to fold in the face of a woman on a mission. Besides, underneath the resigned demeanor, he rather appreciated the gesture. You didn’t have to do this; you were just as important as he was to the Resistance as far as he was concerned. Yet, you were spending your time, making sure he was operating better than he thought he already was. And doing that? It made the disgustingly bland protein glob you spoon-fed him ever so slightly more palatable. Well, almost.

Breaks the expensive gift rule during Christmas: (Since Christmas apparently doesn’t exactly exist in the Star Wars universe as we know it, I’m keeping a more modern setting in mind.) Every year, you would make Poe look you in the eye and promise that he wouldn’t go overboard with the gift-giving. You two weren’t exactly hurting for money, it just didn’t seem to make much sense to go and splurge on something that the two of you both couldn’t benefit from equally (a pool, a tv, a roomba, and so on). At least, to you it didn’t. Which was why every year, you reminded your significant other of this and hoped he would keep a lid on it. And every year, Poe would find some sort of loophole to squeeze himself through, or just plain break the rule, offering only the most sheepish of smiles when the reveal inevitably arrived. Though, if you were “lucky”, you’d be regaled the story of how he found whatever that year’s big splurge was and how he knew from the moment he saw it that it “had to be yours”. Which was how you wound up with a limited edition makeup set. And a gorgeous cocktail dress. And a diamond-and-pearl earrings and necklace set. And tickets to the touring version of that musical you’d always dreamed of seeing. And so much more. And every year, you’d be somewhat upset about it, but only a little bit: You’d learned long ago that none of this was done out of malice or to humiliate you by making whatever you gave him appear lackluster or bought on the cheap. This was simply how Poe was: He was a go big or go home type of fella and it only made sense that this type of mindset would carry over into how he showed you his love for you. To Poe, you deserved to be showered in gifts, and he made it his goal every year to shower you with the best of the best. There just wasn’t a price that could be put on surprising you or making you smile (well, on the inside, because on the outside you were weakly chiding about how he once again broke the rule). And you couldn’t fault him for being your loving, passionate Poe. Besides it wasn’t as though every year, he didn’t also gift you with a painfully ugly Christmas sweater to match his. 

Thank you for asking!! Hope I did okay . . .

[notquitecanon]

hello! i hope you’re doing well and staying safe!! i was wondering if you could do a imagine/fic where y/n is also in the bau and gets hurt on the job, and spencer is super worried, protective and sweet when they finally find her? thank you so much!! i adore your work and honestly can’t wait to read loads more!! 🥺👉🏻👈🏻🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

This is way longer than I anticipated. Sorry I got a little carried away.

TW: uh, blood, guns, basically if you can’t watch criminal minds, don’t read this??

_____

Everything hurt as you started to come to, confused and out of it. Slowly, you remembered what happened, raising a shaky hand to find warm, sticky blood on your temple where you had been hit. It was hard to keep your eyes open, even the dim lighting of the basement was too much for your throbbing head. Nevertheless, you pried them open and looked around for anything you could use against your attacker- who, at this point, was undoubtedly the unsub. 

“I knew filling in for JJ while she was on maternity leave might be a little more dangerous than teaching at the FBI academy, but I didn’t expect to get hit in the head just for showing my badge-  I know I retired from the field early, but I used to get a lot farther before someone tried to hit me.”  You thought, wincing as you tried to sit up- everything from the neck down was hurting, “What did he push me down the stairs too?” 

Finally, you were able to push your self so you sat against the wall- which you tried to ignore the dark red smeared and splattered stains on- as you heard the unsub stomping around upstairs. If you strained you could barely hear him talking to himself, definitely delusional, those are the most dangerous types. Delusional or not, he knew you were FBI (and judging by the sun flitting in through the one, tiny window you’d only been out a couple hours) so it wouldn’t be long before people came looking for you. 

Peeling off the blazer you had worn that day, you took a deep breath. You just had to stay alive until they found you.

_______

Meanwhile at the local police station:

Spencer tiredly popped his neck before taking a sip of his coffee (the station hadn’t had Tea and he needed the caffeine), relishing the short mental break before he went back to the board. Morgan was with Lewis going over the latest autopsy results while Rossi interviewed a couple of parents in one of the station’s waiting areas- so the conference room they had taken over was unusually quiet. Not that the genius minded. Those meticulous eyes raked over the map where he’d originally designed the geographic profile, but they’d exhausted every possibility in the area. He glanced over his shoulder at the fresh map where he had been trying to come up with another one, but something didn’t feel right. He knew the original geographic profile was right, they just had to be missing something. 

In his peripheral, he saw Hotch slip into the room with a folder in his hand- like Reid, his mind was stuck on something too- a missing person's case. The only person in the whole town who fit their profile went missing five years ago at fifteen. They’d already interviewed the man’s parents, who just explained that he was a troubled individual and slipped away in the night. That didn’t sit well with Hotch, so he sent you back to their house to ask some follow-up questions since they hadn’t been answering their phone- he just forgot to tell Spencer. 

Spencer hummed in acknowledgment of his arrival, and Hotch gave him a nod, not even looking up. The doctor tapped a finger on the map of the suburban town they were in, sighing “I feel like we’re missing the one piece of information we need to solve this case.”

“Isn’t that how it always goes, though?” Rossi teased lightly as he sauntered in, the three agents could hear the latest victim’s mother sobbing as she left the precinct. They all grimaced but carried on. 

“Yes, but I agree. We’re definitely missing something.” Hotch agreed as Morgan and Lewis rushed into the conference room. 

“You’ll never guess what we just found.” Lewis announced as she pulled two evidance bags out of her coat pocket, tossing one to Hotch who shared with Rossi and one to Spencer. The clear bags both contained a stained scrap of paper, but the writing was clear. 

“I’m Still Here.” Reid read aloud, throwing Morgan a questioning look. 

“These were hidden in the last two victims throats, the ME is reexamining the other victims as we speak.” Morgan clarified, “We only found this because a different ME examined the lastest body.”

Hotch frowned, remember the lackluster medical examiner they first encountered. As the team threw around ideas about this new find, Spencer looked around the room realizing a voice was missing. 

“Hey, has anyone seen (Y/N)? I haven’t seen her since she left to revisit the dumpsites.” He asked, not paying attention to Morgan’s teasing. (You and Spencer had been dating for months before you got asked to temporarily join the team, and the team had only found out about it recently. Hotch agreed to let you stay, since your work with them was only temporary and JJ would be back in two weeks anyway.)  

Hotch glanced at him, furrowing his eyebrows, “After she did that, I asked her to follow up with the Greys since she was already on that side of town.”

Spencer turned his head to gaze out of the large window at the setting sun, Hotch seemed to follow his line of thought, “That was hours ago, has anyone heard from her?” 

The air in the room turned tense as everyone drew up blank, everyone in the room could see the lines of worry and stress tension rapidly appearing in the youngest team member as he left the room. Minutes later, he came back looking even worse, “Guys, her phone is going straight to ‘caller unavailable’”

Hotch pressed a button on the conference rooms phone, near immediately Spencer’s claims were confirmed with a monotonous, “I’m sorry the number you're attempting to reach is unavailable please try again at a later date.” 

Morgan was quick to do something similar, switching to speaker as the line connected this time to a bright, cheery voice as Spencer began nervously picking at his fingernails, foot-tapping as she greeted them, “Hello, crime fighters, what can I do for you!” 

“Baby girl, we need a location on (Y/N)’s cell phone.” Morgan was quick to cut to the chase, negating their usual banter. Even over the phone, Spencer could feel the hacker’s mood change only confirmed by the immediate clicking of keys followed by muttering. 

“Oh, ok, oh no, that’s never good.” She whispered as she worked, “Oh! oh...”

“What is it?” Spencer pressed immediately, almost tripping over a chair leg as if getting closer to the phone would give him answers faster. Rossi tried to comfort him with a reassuring hand on his shoulder, but Reid didn’t even notice it. 

“That last transmitted location was 5 hours ago.” She informed them,  “Address is on your phones.” 

Spencer did the mental math in a fraction of a second, five hours ago was around noon. You’d been missing since noon and he’d just found out? A flash of frustration went through the doctor before melting into an even greater sense of worry- a lot could happen in five hours. 

His genius brain was working so fast in a downward spiral of all the terrible possibilities that could happen that he almost didn’t hear Hotch announce, “That’s Mason Grey’s parent’s house, she was there to ask some follow-up questions.”

“The kid that went missing?” Rossi asked as the missing piece clicked in Spencer’s brain. 

“I’m still here! What if Mason Grey didn’t go missing, but his parents just hid him. He was showing early symptoms of mental problems, and we’ve seen it before.” Spencer almost shouted. Garcia was still on the line, and announced, “And, the house is in the middle of the kill zone” 

“Neither one of the Grey’s showed up to their jobs today or yesterday. That’s not a good sign is it.” 

“That kind of isolation could drive someone crazy, especially if they were already mentally ill,” Lewis added. Spencer had already made up his mind, and every minute that they weren’t on their way to you was slowly driving him crazy.

Hotch only thought about it for another minute, “Vests on, we’re leaving in five minutes.”

Spencer was in the car in two.

__________

You could barely see the sun setting through the tiny basement window, but it didn’t bode well as it was your only source of light. Your attempts to explore hadn’t been very fruitful, as once you finally managed to stand up you were made painfully aware that your knee was dislocated. Nevertheless, with a huff you resigned yourself to limp around. 

Fruitful or not, you made some discoveries. First, you found the remained peices of your destroyed phone- considering it was in four large pieces you didn’t even attempt to turn it on. Next, you discovered the tiny window was sealed shut so you couldn’t even attempt an escape. Lastly, you found a locked room in corner of the room with an all too familiar rotting smell seeping from under the door. That must be the Grey’s you decided solemnly. The door itself was old and rickety-splintering in some places, even with bad leg you figured you could probably get it open. I could probably use my shoulder and ram it down, bodies or not, there might be a window in there that isn’t sealed. 

“Get away from there!” 

A shout startled you, and instinctively you ripped your hand off the doorknob you were jiggling. You didn’t have to turn around to know he had a gun, you heard the safety click off. Holding your hands up, you were quiet. With these types of unsubs, it was best to let him call the shots. 

“T-turn around.” He demanded so you did, slowly. Greeted with the face you’d only briefly seen earlier before he’d hit you over the head with a bottle. The same face from the missing posters Hotch had shown you. This had to be Mason Grey, the missing teenager from five years ago- he’d be something like 20 years old now. He was using both hands to point a gun-your gun- at you, hands shaking as he glared at you. 

Softly speaking, you rose your eyebrows, “Are you Mason?”

He didn’t answer, using the gun to motion you to kneel down. You were already at a disadvantage, and you didn’t like the added weakness of being on the ground. 

“You’re FBI.” It was a statement not a question, but you nodded anyway. 

“Yes, I am, and my team knows I’m here. If they get here and you’re pointing a gun at me, I promise you, it won’t end well for you.” You informed him, voice stern but not malicious. It was a fact, not a threat. 

“What if you’re dead when you get here?” That wasn’t a threat either, a genuine question. Somehow, that was scarier.

“Well, since your parents are behind that door and they’ll connect you to at least five victims? It still won’t end well for you.” You calmly informed him as he moved one of his hands to nibble on his dirty fingernails. His forehead was sweating, eyes darting around, and hair greasy. He was scared.

“You were never missing were you?” You asked quietly, voice soft and sympathetic. His head shook.

“Did your parents make you stay down here?” 

This time he nodded, lip wobbling as he took a sharp, deep breath, “I was different and they didn’t want people to know, so they made me stay down here. If I tried to leave, they’d lock me in there. Once they figured out I was leaving at night to go see my girlfriend, they tried to lock me up again. So I locked them in there, to see how bad it was.”

His girlfriend? Mason Grey’s real girlfriend died shortly after he went missing, maybe he saw all his victims as her? But you couldn’t worry about that, towards the end of his explanation his voice turned angry, erratic. 

“If the FBI comes here. They’ll lock me up too. You’re gonna lock me up! I DON’T WANT TO BE LOCKED UP AGAIN.” He was yelling, inching closer to you and jabbing the gun towards you. He was distracted, so he didn’t hear the sirens approaching. But you did. 

I just have to hold on a little longer. 

“Mason, I don’t want to lock you up. If you put the gun down, I can help you. I’ll tell my friends what happened to you and that you cooperated and didn’t hurt me-” You tried promising him, but you were cut off by the sound of squealing breaks in front of the house. Your eyes flicked to the tiny window, it was dusk which allowed you to see red and blue flashing lights. 

“Shut up, shut up, SHUT UP!” He bellowed, for a moment he clawed both hands into his short greasy hair. Nervously, you strained to hear stomping feet above you. Then you heard the basement door open, and at the top of the stairs, you could see those unmistakeable converse paired with Morgan shouting behind him. 

“Mason Grey, FBI.”

Spencer was here. You thought, sighing in relief, but it didn’t last long. You could see their feet, but not them so they definitely couldn’t see you- couldn’t see the gun. A moment too late, you saw Mason erratically wave the gun towards them, towards Spence. 

“NO!” You shrieked, jumping up and grabbing his arm as you tackled him. The noise and pain came at the exact moment you hit the ground with him, almost immediately rolling off of him and grasping at the warm, wet, extremely painful wound on your stomach as your eyes screwed shut. 

“(Y/N)!” You heard distantly as you tried to bring yourself back to reality, “We need an ambulance!”

You cracked your eyes open to Spencer crouched over you, eyes filled with worry as you brushed the hair off your forehead, behind him Morgan was shoving Mason up the basement stairs, probably rougher than he had to. 

Breathing heavily, one of your hands pawed at the source of pain but Spencer instead took it in his, “You’re gonna be ok, you’re going to be just fine.”

You barely nodded, trying to slow your breathing as the genius grabbed the blazer you had discarded earlier. Balling it up, he pressed against the wound to stop the bleeding. You cried out in pain at the sudden pressure reflexively squeezing his hand, Spencer winced, “I know, I know, I’m so sorry, (Y/N).” 

Everything was hazy after that, you honestly didn’t remember much, just flashes of his face, the EMT’s, him kissing your forehead begging you to stay awake, until finally you were allowed to slip off into a dreamless sleep.

_________

Spencer was sitting in the waiting room, hands still bloody as they clasped tightly. To the untrained eye, it would look like he was praying, but really he was mentally recounting everything he could have done different. I could of asked where she was earlier, I could have snuck behind him instead of letting Morgan announce us, I could of gone with her to the dumpsites so I would have been with her when Hotch asked her to go to the Grey’s home. I could of asked her not to take the job with the BAU. Derek was sitting across from him, watching him carefully and sympathetically. He was the one who had to physically hold him back from following the doctors into the surgery area, besides a whispered apology the younger agent hadn’t said anything to him since the doors closed. 

Spencer had ridden in the ambulance with you, while Derek and Hotch took an SUV behind. Rossi and Tara stuck around the Grey house to finish up the case and were still there. 

Derek watched as Spencer’s knee bounced faster than he thought was possible, the kid’s fingernails were nubs from being bitten, and Spencer had bitten his lip so much that it had started to bleed. The older agent wanted to comfort him, but didn’t know how. “Kid-”

He started, but was quickly cut off by Hotch striding back into the waiting room- he had left earlier to demand information, “She’s out of surgery. The doctor said that even though it hit an artery, the bullet missed all her organs. She’s going to be fine.” 

Derek had never seen Spencer look so relieved, he practically melted back into his chair before bowing his head. Hotch continued, “They’re getting her settled into a room, but I asked them to come get you when she’s allowed, visitors.”

Spencer just nodded allowing his eyes to close as Hotch turned to Morgan, “I’ll call Lewis and Rossi if you’ll tell Garcia.”

Morgan chuckled before agreeing, but all Spencer could think about was that you were going to be ok. 

______

Two hours later, Spencer was sitting beside your bed while you dozed- he’d been informed that you would wake up soon and decided that he wouldn’t move until you did. After the team had all come and checked on you (Spencer might be in love with you, but they were all worried as well), Derek had driven Lewis to your hotel to gather your belongings. Rossi and Hotch periodically checked on him but gave him some privacy by waiting in a lounge down the hall. 

Absentmindedly thumbing through a well-loved copy of War and Peace (the Russian Translation mind you), in two hours he could have read the book four times over if was actually focussed on it, but he was still struggling through the first half of the book. Every time you so much as sniffed in your sleep, the book was discarded not to mention that he was so caught in thought he wasn’t reading anywhere near his usual 20,000 words per minute. Sighing, he moved his eyes back to the top of the page, forcing his eyes to read the lines he’d long since memorized and mentally translate them to English. 

“You look like shit, honey.”

War and Peace clattered to the floor as his head snapped up to meet your eyes.  You hadn’t moved much, but he was the first thing you saw when you opened your eyes. Still a little fuzzy from the anesthesia, you just watched him read trying to ignore how tired and anxious he looked. 

Without thinking you trying to sit up, but both the pain and the man next to were quick to convince you to lay back again. Spencer’s touch was gentle (it always was, but more so than usual), like you’d break if he used to much force. That was going to get annoying quickly, but you’d enjoy the doting for the moment. 

“H-How long have you been awake?” He asked as he sat back down, scooting the chair so close to the bed that his long legs had his knees pressed to the underside of the bed. You smiled softly.

“Not long, I just opened my eyes and you were muttering Russian under your breath. You only read aloud like that when you're worried.” You answered, smile turning sassy as you played with his fingers- something that always calmed him down. He managed the slightest chuckle. 

“Well, when my girlfriend has a GSW, a concussion, and bruised ribs, I get a little anxious.” He nodded, watching your hand in his. 

“Don’t forget the dislocated knee,” Hotch announced from the door, getting yours and his attention. Hotch, Tara, Rossi, and Derek (who was holding Garcia up on facetime) were waiting in the hall. You nodded in stride. 

“Oh, can’t forget about that. Is that all? Nothing much to worry about then.” You halfway shrugged, but threw a glance to Spencer and squeezed his hand as if to silently promise him, I’m ok. 

He just smiled, raising your hand to his lips to press a sweet kiss to your knuckle. Your cheeks reddened, Spencer had never been one for PDA especially in front of the team, so he must have been really worried.  

“Derek Morgan, if you don’t hand me to (Y/N) right now, I’m going to scream!” Garcia demanded, bringing your attention back to the team waiting in the door. You sent Spencer another smile before receiving the phone and tuckering in for a long, classic, Garcia ‘i was so worried’ speech. 

_______

After an hour of visiting with the team, Hotch decided it was time to let you get your rest. Derek ruffled your hair and teased you on his way out, while Tara only told you to feel better soon (you weren’t offended, Tara seemed lovely, you just weren’t near as close to her yet). As they filed out, Hotch poked his head back in the room. 

“We’re needed back at Quantico, but you won’t be cleared for air travel for some time. I contacted JJ, and she’s ready to come in. Once you’re discharged from the hospital, you’ll have to drive back. Reid, if you want it, you’ve already been approved some days off if you’d like to stay here as well.” He paused to smile, “Thanks again for everything you’ve done for the BAU. It’s been a pleasure working with you, but I’m sure I’ll be seeing you around.” 

This time, Spencer’s cheeks turned red as he nodded, only blushing more when Rossi winked as he left, throwing a last remark over his shoulder, “Feel free to take the scenic route, lovebirds.”

With the rest of the team gone, it was quiet, but you didn’t mind. The two of you sat in comfortable silence for a bit until Spencer spoke back up, “As much as I loved having you at the BAU, it’ll be nice to not be so worried about you all the time.”

“Yeah, there’s only room for one person getting shot at in this relationship, besides I miss my students.” You giggled, leaning back against the criminally uncomfortable pillows, “Just keep in mind that I feel that worried about you all the time.”

You hummed as he pressed another sweet kiss to your forehead before spouting off a long winded mathematical statistic about getting shot. You half-listened, but the complex math was going over your head, so instead, you just thought about having to go back to your old job. You’d miss the BAU, but you had plenty of stories to tell your students. 

Scooting over as far as you could, you patted the newly empty space beside you. Spencer looked skeptical, afraid to hurt you, so you used a tiny bit of guilt-tripping with puppy dog eyes and a quiet, “I’ve been shot and I just want to be near you.”

Reluctantly, he climbed into the tiny bed beside you after slipping out of his shoes. You giggled at the sight of his mismatched socks as he gingerly settled in beside you. He tensed as you moved to lay in the crook of his shoulder but having you so close, he couldn’t help just relax. His long arms reached over and picked his book back up, and as he started to read again he absentmindedly played with the ends of your hair. 

“So, what do you think, wanna take the scenic route with me? We just might get lost.” You smiled up at him after his arm finally, tentatively wrapped around you.  First, he glanced at your hand, which had reached up to mess with his fingers and then to meet your eyes. 

“Is that a promise?”  He asked, taking your hand in his, “Because I kind of like the sound of that.”

“Spencer, I’ll always get lost with you.” You promised, deciding against your better judgment to stretch up to kiss him. You didn’t make it all the way to his lips, so you settled on his jaw before he fussed over you to lay back down. 

“Well, now that that’s settled.” You whispered voice strained at the light pain in your abdomen after you settled back into a comfortable position beside him and closing your eyes. “Read to me?” 

“Always.”

[tapatapreview]

November 04, 2020 at 06:32AM https://ift.tt/2I7pdbM Gaming

The Dark Pictures Anthology: Little Hope provides me somewhat hope for the way forward for Supermassive Games’ horror collection. Some sensible gameplay tweaks make sure that Little Hope nonetheless highlights Supermassive’s important function within the trendy journey house, but it surely additionally highlights why the studio’s future video games have to be higher than this for these sensible adjustments to actually shine.

Little Hope, like its instant predecessor Man of Medan, is a mashup of horror tropes and subgenres. It borrows iconography from The Blair Witch Project. It borrows its Puritan-era paranoia from The Witch (and Arthur Miller’s non-horror play The Crucible). And its conceit, which finds a gaggle of faculty college students and their professor stranded within the woods after their bus crashes, hangs on a premise that will probably be acquainted for followers of Stephen King’s The Mist or John Carpenter’s The Fog. As the sport progressed, I grew to become more and more skeptical that these threads would come collectively in a satisfying approach. In the top, they do not, however I nonetheless had fun on the journey to that disappointing conclusion.

Little Hope begins with a flashback to the Nineteen Seventies and a quick introduction to a troubled household of six. Dad is a heavy drinker. The older sister feels remoted and depressed. And, in a touch on the religious warfare that may dominate a lot of Little Hope’s second half, the youthful sister has been held again repeatedly after church to talk with the reverend. These glowing embers of drama quickly blaze up right into a literal raging hearth when the youthful sister leaves her doll on the stovetop. In the following blaze, each member of the household meets their grisly demise, save Will Poulter’s Anthony, who helplessly watches on.

Gallery

Our focus quickly shifts to a different group–a professor, John, and 4 college students, Andrew, Angela, Taylor, and Daniel–who try to regain their bearings after a bus crash leaves them stranded within the woods. The bus driver liable for the crash is lacking, and the field-tripping group finds themselves surrounded by a mysterious fog that sends anybody who ventures into it again within the course they got here. Each member of this group is a useless ringer for a member of the household from the sport’s opening. And, because the group ventures into the deserted city of Little Hope, they start to have visions of earlier doppelgangers, former inhabitants of the city caught up within the deadly paranoia of Seventeenth-century witch trials.

Despite the sprawling solid, you solely management the present-day variations of the characters. As you do, you make dialogue selections by pointing the needle of a compass at considered one of two spoken choices or the ever-present possibility to only be silent. Your decisions have an effect on the dynamics of character relationships and in addition trigger adjustments to their character traits.

As this story unfolds, it turns into more and more clear that Little Hope’s time-hopping ambitions impede its capacity to do a lot profitable character work within the right here and now. I’ve solely obscure concepts of who John, Angela, Taylor, Daniel, and Andrew are. In earlier video games, Supermassive has introduced characters as well-acted archetypes, then allowed gamers to additional outline their personalities inside these boundaries–playing to or towards sort. Here, the kinds are so ill-defined that it turns into tough to even have an opinion on what every character would or would not do. In a bonus unlockable interview with Will Poulter, the actor described his character as socially awkward. “I guess he was socially awkward,” I believed. But, as I believed again via the sport, I spotted that impression got here from a line the place his character, in impact, informed one other character that he was socially awkward. There is not practically sufficient within the moment-to-moment character interactions to floor these particulars. As a consequence, Little Hope’s central solid do not feel like three-dimensional characters. Some of them aren’t even profitable archetypes.

As you discover, you management your character’s motion and flashlight beam because the digital camera frames them in old-school Resident Evil-style angles. This is considered one of my favourite quirks of Supermassive design; it is one of many few studios in trendy mainstream video games carrying the torch for fastened digital camera horror. But the truth that a lot of Little Hope takes place on a lonely street signifies that Supermassive would not have as a lot room to mess around with viewpoint. Most of the time, Little Hope employs what quantities to a barely zoomed out third-person perspective, which looks like a missed alternative given Supermassive’s expertise for shot composition.

There are some optimistic adjustments, although. Little Hope appears much more technically sound than Man of Medan, and the story handles Supermassive’s trademark branching paths extra easily than ever because of this. While Man of Medan noticeably hitched at occasions because it tried to convey every little thing collectively and, presumably, cycle between totally different variations of cutscenes relying on which members of your get together had been nonetheless alive, Little Hope feels prefer it’s telling one seamless story. Little Hope genuinely nails the sensation that every little thing that’s occurring is authored. For instance, in a single scene that might play out with burgeoning couple Taylor and Daniel alone or with the pair accompanied by older nontraditional scholar Angela, Daniel says one thing to the impact of, “We’ll both get out of this, you’ll see.” It works as is when it is Daniel and Taylor alone. But it turns into a character-building second when Angela is current and, excluded from Daniel’s “both,” pointedly clears her throat. In this fashion, Little Hope manages to make use of the constraints inherent to its versatile narrative to do some good character work, even when that work is squandered of their total growth.

Additionally, the QTEs that outline Supermassive’s adrenaline-pumping method to life-or-death motion are at their greatest right here. Instead of simply popping up randomly, the timed button presses now seem first as a warning–smartly positioned on-screen to reflect the position of the button on the controller–before you might be required to press them. This would not take away the strain, but it surely does offer you a greater likelihood of succeeding with out first spending a number of playthroughs studying the timing.

The Traits system, nevertheless, pushes the opposite course. As you make selections, the character traits, like “Fearful” or “Reckless,” are accentuated. If you make sufficient selections leaning in a single course, a padlock image will seem subsequent to that trait in your character profile, indicating that that trait is now an unchangeable a part of your character. I can clarify it now, but it surely took me two full playthroughs to grasp how this method works as a result of none of that is defined upfront. This system, which is opaque and never tutorialized, has main penalties late within the sport. But as you play, no context is given for the lock showing subsequent to the trait, and it is immensely irritating to see a personality’s destiny tied to a system the sport did not clarify. Tying character traits to a personality’s destiny could make narrative sense, but it surely’s introduced in such a murky approach that it ends in sure late-game character deaths that really feel fully out of your palms. While the UI has been improved to its greatest iteration in Little Hope, the Traits system ensures that shepherding your characters via the sport remains to be a irritating five-hour-long train in trial-and-error.

Still, regardless of its faults, Little Hope can not help however remind me of the explanations I really like Supermassive’s tackle the trendy narrative journey sport. The studio is masterful at producing pressure via gameplay so simple as a well-timed button press, and Little Hope is a high-water mark for the studio’s technical proficiency. While the story and character work are uncharacteristically lackluster, Little Hope nonetheless manages to supply a strong basis for Supermassive’s future.

PhoenixLoader.gdprConsentCallback("facebookPixel", function () { !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s) {if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)}; if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0'; n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window,document,'script', 'https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js'); fbq('init', '1664416907029093'); fbq('track', 'PageView'); }, 'social'); Source link

The post The Dark Pictures Anthology: Little Hope Review appeared first on TapaTap Review.

[postgamecontent]

Panzer Dragoon Saga: SEGA Saturn Spotlight #4

Original Release Date: January 29, 1998

Original Hardware: SEGA Saturn

Developer/Publisher: Team Andromeda/SEGA

At least as far as North American gamers went, Panzer Dragoon Saga never really got a chance to be assessed just on its own merits. SEGA of America's baffling decision to limit the game's print run meant that the game was considered rare immediately upon release. As the years passed without a reprint or re-release, the game's legend only grew. Some consider it not just the best SEGA Saturn game but one of the best RPGs of all-time, and I can't help but wonder how much its scarcity plays into that. It's a solid game with a lot of unconventional ideas that probably came about as a necessary result of tying it in with its rail-shooter predecessors, but I'm not sure I'm as over the moon with it as some appear to be. That being said, I would include it on any short list of the top Saturn RPGs, and the notoriety its rarity caused may well have made it the most famous Saturn-exclusive game.

That's a fitting title for a Panzer Dragoon game, I think. While the series did manage to spill out onto other hardware platforms, I personally feel that Panzer Dragoon is iconic of the SEGA Saturn in a way that no other brand is. The first game in the series was a highlight of an otherwise lackluster launch period for the console. Its sequel, Panzer Dragoon Zwei, remains one of the finest showcases of the Saturn's 3D capabilities. Then there's Panzer Dragoon Saga, a game that helped the Saturn blow off the doors on its way out. While many members of the developer Team Andromeda stuck around at SEGA to work on Panzer Dragoon Orta and assorted other projects, the team as a unit disbanded after Panzer Dragoon Saga. Team Andromeda was born on the Saturn, lived on the Saturn, and ultimately died with it.

Panzer Dragoon Saga began development not long after Panzer Dragoon Zwei. Having just come off the fairly successful first game, Team Andromeda split into two teams. One of the two teams, comprised of around 30 members, set about the task of making a direct follow-up to the first game's rail-shooting action. The remaining staff began work on Panzer Dragoon Saga. They would be joined by the bulk of of Panzer Dragoon Zwei's staff once that game was finished and released in early 1996. Most of the first year was spent simply figuring out the design challenges of adapting the shooting action into a role-playing game format. Fortunately, they had the rather capable Panzer Dragoon Zwei engine to use as a base for their game, so some of the programming obstacles were already addressed from the start.

Nevertheless, the development of Panzer Dragoon Saga was a serious challenge. Team Andromeda had virtually no prior experience developing RPGs, which proved to be a double-edged sword. They had to figure out a lot along the way, but their inexperience is likely what led to Panzer Dragoon Saga's many innovative ideas. They were not only embarking on their first RPG, but also a fully 3D RPG. More capable systems than the Saturn were largely relying on pre-rendered backgrounds to free up polygons for the characters, but Panzer Dragoon Saga rendered as much as it could in real-time polygonal graphics, allowing the camera more freedom. This was no mean feat for the Saturn, but Team Andromeda had a knack with the system that was nearly unmatched. If anyone was going to be able to get good results out of the Saturn on this particular front, it would be them.

The game spent nearly four years in development and, for their part, SEGA threw a lot of resources behind it. The game featured an all-star Japanese voice cast, a vocal theme from the artist who performed the Japanese dub of Belle in Disney's Beauty and the Beast, and even made use of motion capture, a relative rarity at the time. The game also uses an extensive amount of pre-rendered CG video, the main cause behind it shipping on four discs. SEGA clearly had high hopes for the game, which likely put even more pressure on what was already the most ambitious project Team Andromeda had ever attempted. Tempers flared, relationships were damaged, and the game's director Yukio Futatsugi found himself having to take on a stricter role than he was used to. Two staff members died during the game's production, and Futatsugi believes it was due to the stress involved in the game's creation. Now, SEGA may have been restructuring their internal teams at the time anyway, but I doubt that was the only reason many members of Team Andromeda went their separate ways following Panzer Dragoon Saga's release.

By the time the game released worldwide in the first half of 1998, the writing was on the wall for the SEGA Saturn. The system still had a healthy following in Japan, but SEGA's subsidiaries in other countries were already preparing to clear the deck for their next (and final) console, the Dreamcast. SEGA of America was particularly strident about putting the ailing 32-bit console to rest. The person who oversaw the Genesis era where SEGA of America had found the company's greatest success, Tom Kalinske, had parted ways with the company a couple of years earlier after the Saturn failed to catch on. His replacement, Bernie Stolar, was brought in for a very specific purpose: to do for the Dreamcast what he had done for the PlayStation when he was the Vice President of Sony Computer Entertainment of America. Keeping the loyal Saturn owners happy wasn't one of his priorities.

So it was that Panzer Dragoon Saga launched in America with a rumored shipment of 20,000 copies available for the system's 1.8 million North American owners. SEGA of America shorted just about every shipment of their last several Saturn releases, but Panzer Dragoon Saga was easily their biggest miscalculation in this regard. Stolar apparently had something of a disdain for RPGs, which may have had some business justification during his early years at Sony but looked positively absurd in a post-Final Fantasy 7 world. Panzer Dragoon Saga had a lot of buzz, and reviews of the game seemed to confirm that said buzz wasn’t just fluff, making it the highest-rated Saturn game ever released. Now, I'm not a fool. I know the reality of the Saturn's position in the world in 1998. But I also know that SEGA could have sold a lot more copies of that game than they did. They could probably more than double their sales of the game if they reprinted the Saturn version today, even.

Indeed, a reprint of the Saturn version of the game is probably the best we can hope for with regards to seeing Panzer Dragoon Saga re-released. Through some means or another, the source code for the game was lost almost immediately. No one has publicly gone on the record about what happened, but it was confirmed that it wasn't simply lost through carelessness. Given the volatile condition of Team Andromeda after the game was completed, I wouldn't be surprised if something happened to the code in the chaos. Thus, hopes for a re-release of the game are pinned on one of two possibilities: a from-scratch remake, or an emulated release. SEGA has always been shy about the former with regards to Saturn games, and while the latter is certainly possible on today's hardware, it's hard to say if there's a sufficiently large market for Saturn games to merit investing in a proper emulator.

Fortunately for me, the Japanese version isn't terribly hard to come by. The game sold nearly 100,000 copies in Japan and doesn't have nearly the buzz around its collectibility that it has in other regions. You can therefore get your hands on good used copy of the game for under $30, an average price for a game released late in the Saturn's life. Since I sold off my only copy of the English version a while back, this was my only way to replay the game. Still, it was fun to play through the game in its original language. SEGA did a decent job on its localization, but games of this era often read better in Japanese than they do in English.

For such a big production, Panzer Dragoon Saga's story feels smaller in scope than the RPG trend at the time would dictate. The plot deliberately focuses on a small handful of people and while the stakes are high in one sense, you're not exactly trying to save the world, either. You play as Edge, a member of a mercenary group hired by the Empire to guard their latest excavation site. A monster attack leads to you discovering a mysterious girl buried in the wall of the site. No sooner do Edge and his companions make their way out of the site than another attack comes, this time from the rebel Black Fleet. They kill Edge's friends, grab the girl, and leave Edge for dead. After inputting your name, you'll watch a white light descend back into the site, where we find Edge miraculously alive, floating in some water.

Edge soon joins up with the dragon and decides he'd like a hot dish of revenge for his fallen companions. He meets up with a scavenger named Gash who gives him some information in exchange for a ride. Edge eventually catches up with the Black Fleet and its leader, Craymen, but quickly comes to blows with the Fleet's newest ally: the mysterious girl Azel and her dragon Atolm. Craymen has made his way to one of the ancient towers, said to hold great power to those who can make use of them. Edge ends up clashing with Azel again, this time ending with both of them separated from their dragons and stranded together.

It's here that we learn Azel's story. She is a bio-engineered drone from an ancient era. She was designed for the purpose of interfacing with the towers, which is why Craymen was searching for her. The two eventually find their dragons again and go their own ways, with Azel warning Edge that she'll kill him if he crosses Craymen again. I don't want to spoil the whole game, but suffice it to say that a lot of parties get involved in this pursuit for power, and it's hard to know who you can trust. Craymen in particular has a lot of nuance to his character and even after all is said and done, it's hard to say whether he was wrong or right. There's certainly a lot of hubris to go around among just about every member of the main cast, at least.

Alright, I'd like to do two paragraphs of spoilers now. If you ever plan on playing the game, skip this paragraph and the next. Panzer Dragoon Saga makes use of a clever trick you might have seen before and may have seen since. The white light at the beginning of the game was you, the player, inhabiting the body of Edge, presumably bringing him back to life. You are the Divine Visitor destined to bring an end to the merciless rule of Sestren, an AI network that controls the towers and, through them, the world. The dragon that you've been riding for the past three games is actually a rogue AI program that Sestren purged, which is why it's able to change its form so easily. In each of the games, the dragon makes an attempt to cause damage to Sestren. In this game, it finally succeeds. Sestren falls, and humanity is for better or worse on its own from now on.

It's a future that Edge won't see. It's hard to say if he would have survived your essence leaving his body, but he ends up sacrificing himself anyway to put a stop to Sestren. Azel, having fallen in love with Edge and believing he is still out there somewhere, begins a search whose outcome we won't get to see in this game. Panzer Dragoon Orta, the final game in the series, sheds some light on what happens with her. It's a real downer of an ending, as we get to see how Edge's friends wait for him to return as he promised. We as the players and the agents of his demise know the truth, but they don't. This ending was another interesting way that the narrative subverted RPG norms.

Okay, it's safe from here. I want to talk about the gameplay mechanics of Panzer Dragoon Saga, because it's here where the game really gets weird. For starters, your battle party will only ever consist of you and your mount. While many exploration sections have Edge walking around on foot, you'll mostly be getting around on the back of your dragon. To examine things in the environment, you have to lock-on to them the same way you would with your lasers in the previous games. This works for opening chests, manipulating switches, and even talking to people. The game uses an overworld map with points of interest on it. You simply direct your character to the area you want to go to and you'll enter it. This areas can be quite large and made up of multiple maps, so it's not like the game is hurting for size, either.

While there are some fixed battles here and there, most of the fights are random encounters. Once you're in a battle, the game's roots become clear. Your character has an action gauge that fills up over time. You'll need at least one bar to take any actions save moving around. Speaking of which, you can switch your positioning relative to the enemy at any time. Your action bar will freeze while you do this, however, so it's best to try to stick to one side as long as you can. Enemies will be weak from certain angles and use stronger attacks from others. One of the main strategies in the battles in Panzer Dragoon Saga is in using positioning to minimize damage taken and maximize damage dealt. Once you have your meter charged, you can fire off Edge's bowgun with precision aiming, fire a scattered shot of homing lasers courtesy of the dragon, or make use of one of the dragon's special abilities. These function sort of like magic does in other RPGs, dealing some heavy damage, buffing your character, or even healing.

I'll grant that it's not the deepest system around, but it's awfully fun. You have to learn each enemy's quirks, figure out which ones you want to prioritize in mixed groups, and act quickly to avoid taking more damage than necessary. You'll probably find yourself pounding on the buttons waiting for the meters to fill up, but it's still quite action packed thanks to the need to constantly shift your position. The developers really did capture the feeling of a Panzer Dragoon rail shooter while bringing it firmly into RPG territory. Lest you get too bored doing the same thing all the time, the game also features a system that allows you to change your dragon into a number of different types, each with their own stats and special abilities. This is done via a cool slider that morphs your dragon's appearance in real-time. So if you want to go in hard on direct combat, you can switch to the attack-focused form, for example. You have granular control over just how far your dragon leans into each stat, too. I don't think I've played any other RPG with a system similar to this, so it still feels fresh today.

The game hasn't aged spectacularly well from a visual standpoint, though. The CG videos look pretty good even now, but they are certainly of their era. The 3D graphics look alright when you're cruising around on your dragon's back, but less so when you're on foot or in towns. The battles are probably where it shines the most, which makes a lot of sense. Most of the battles opt for some truly cinematic camera angles from certain positions on the field. The developer largely controls what you can or can't see from any given angle, which probably gave them the freedom to cut loose in those fights. For a 3D Saturn game it looks great overall, even in its weaker portions, but I'm not sure how high of praise that is in the current year. 

Naturally, the audio holds up just fine. The voice cast really was packed with talent, most of whom are still doing quite a bit of work in games and anime today. Composers Saori Kobayashi and Mariko Nanba turned in an outstanding soundtrack that matched the tone established in previous installments and taking things out a bit further to match the increase in scope. SEGA at one time sold an official soundtrack for the game that I would heartily recommend were it not, like the game, out of print. Hopefully one of the fine music companies releasing retro game soundtracks will eventually get to this one, because it deserves to be heard. I suppose with the game's 20th anniversary coming up next year, anything is possible, right?

Replaying Panzer Dragoon Saga was an interesting experience. Its legend has lost some of its shine for me over the years, so I think I was more able to understand its true nature this time around versus playing it in an ecstatic state brought on by actually finding the blasted thing. The lock-on interface is kind of cumbersome and screaming for a second stick. The graphics don't look all that great when you get close to things, but the camera choreography is still excellent. Along with the somewhat action-based system, it makes battles feel much more exciting than those found in most RPGs. I've played a few more games that used a similar narrative twist now, so that doesn't come off quite as impressively as it once did.

My biggest take-away from the game is that there's still nothing out there quite like it. Perhaps it's owing to its complexity, or maybe even its scarcity and resultant obscurity, but I can't think of any other RPG I've played that takes a similar approach to its battle system. I also appreciate the game's quick pace more than I used to. I find as I get older, I like it when a game doesn't waste too much of my time on filler. That's a big contrast from when I was younger, when time was apparently endless and new games came infrequently.

Above all, Panzer Dragoon Saga deserves to be far more widely-played. It's baffling that SEGA has yet to take a gamble on the game's notoriety with a re-release, even knowing what that would entail. Its ambiguous themes, innovative gameplay systems, and unusual plot would likely play quite well with modern RPG fans, and if that meant the game had to be rebuilt from scratch, well, the graphics could probably use that anyway. I won't go as far as to say this is one of the best RPGs of all-time, but it's really enjoyable to play and more than a little bizarre in its execution. I can't help but appreciate games like that.

Previous: Shining the Holy Ark

If you enjoyed reading this article and can't wait to get more, consider subscribing to the Post Game Content Patreon. Just $1/month gets you early access to articles like this one, exclusive extra posts, and my undying thanks.

[seriouslyhooked]

Wedded Bliss and Asterisks (A Modern CS AU) Part 3/?

Emma Swan is an enemy of love who just happens to be an up and coming wedding dress designer. She’s convinced that a fairytale kind of romance is nowhere in her future but when she meets Killian Jones, whose magazine is covering the opening of her new boutique, things change. Suddenly Emma finds herself drawing up new plans for her life, ones that seem to all be leading towards her own form of wedded bliss. Rated M.

Part One Here, Part Two Here.  Also on FF Here.

A/N: Alright all, good news on two fronts. Number one we have both POVs this week. I know, crazy! But more than that this is the chapter where circumstances align and Emma and Killian finally introduce themselves so take that, slow-burn! Just kidding the slow-burn is still real, nevertheless, expect cute awkwardness and my usual overwhelming fluff. Thank you all for reading and let me know what you think!

While Emma would never wish for less success in her work, she had to admit after a few days of off-hours that she was beginning to feel the strain of launching a new business. The past few days had been so busy that she’d not only had to stay late every evening, but go in early as well. It was exhausting for obvious reasons, but Emma knew she might have been able to bear the work load better if she didn’t have a sense of missing out.

Three days away from her normal routine meant three days of not seeing the man on the train, and as sad as it was to admit, that lack of his presence actually affected her mood. Emma would never confess that out loud (because it was embarrassing to say the least), but her largest grievance wasn’t the constant things needing her attention or the inability to walk away from the store at a decent hour, it was that she was being denied her chance to see him.

Today, however, Emma successfully managed to fend off early meetings and she was riding her usual train. All morning she’d been bubbling with excitement despite how foolish that was, but it couldn’t be helped. It felt like this big wonderful thing and Emma decided to let herself have this. If hot guy was going to relieve some of the tension she’d found at work, so be it. Everyone had their vices, right?

There was only one problem: the train this morning was absolutely packed with very little standing room. Worst of all, Emma was surrounded by abnormally tall people. This made it impossible to see much of anything and made the already existent stuffiness of the car that much worse. Emma barely breathed the entire length of her trip (thanks to the stale odor of must, cologne, and cigarette smoke that hung about), but her real moment of ‘are you freaking kidding me right now?’ came when her stop for work finally arrived and the callous businessman beside her knocked her portfolio to the ground, sending her sketches flying everywhere.

Emma cursed as she hustled to grab everything, barely evading the other entering and exiting passengers, but she grabbed all her sketches just in time to get out before the doors closed. As she did she caught sight of someone out of the corner of her eye. Her heart picked up in that moment, but she wasn’t entirely certain it was him, and before she could see one way or the other the doors closed and the train moved on leaving a flustered and now disappointed Emma staring after it.

But unfortunately New York waited for no one, and Emma was forced thanks to the less than stellar ambiance that clung to the subway platform and the other people who were now staring at her to ascend the steps and head to work. She wove through the bustling crowds of people a little slower than usual, feeling that lingering bit of regret for having missed him, but eventually Emma resolved to get over it. She had too much going for her and too much on the line to be in this kind of funk. Besides, there was always tonight, at least if she could use this emotion for good and be productive enough to leave on time.

“There you are, and at such a more reasonable hour. How did it feel not to wake up before the sun today?” Ruby’s words were pitched Emma’s way before the door had even closed behind her but Emma couldn’t fend off her smile.

“Let’s just say I can enjoy my coffee the old fashioned way instead of injecting it like I have all week.”

Ruby grinned and waved Emma with her towards Elsa’s bakery citing the need for a team meeting, but Emma knew ‘team meeting’ was likely code for gossip and breakfast. Not that Emma minded. Both sounded like pretty good remedies to the lackluster start of her morning, and as soon as she caught sight of Elsa’s famous chocolate chip muffins Emma knew at the very least she’d get a necessary chocolate fix.  

“Okay, so as you all know we have had a fantastic first week -,” Ruby’s words were quickly interrupted by Mary Margaret.

“But we’re not jinxing anything!” Ruby smirked and clarified.

“Right. For the superstitious ones among us we are happy for this turn of events but still working hard. There’s a lot to do, but I think I’ve found a way to keep the momentum going for a bit.”

“Oh let me guess! Skywriting?” Emma asked as Elsa giggled from behind the bakery counter and posed a ridiculous idea of her own.

“A blimp?” Ruby shook her head and countered with her own lunacy.

“No, I actually found a dozen people to get the store logo tattooed on their chests and then do an interpretive dance through Times Square.” A beat past before all four friends laughed at the excessive silliness. This was typical for them; trying to out-weird the other with crazy situations that would never come to pass.

“But on the off chance those dancers fall through…” Mary Margaret prompted and Ruby regained her composure.

“In that marginal slice of possibility, my friend Belle who works at Citizen NY reached out. She’s thinking of doing a feature piece on us.”

“Citizen NY?” Emma asked, more excited than she probably should be and all her friends looked her way.

“Yeah. Is that a problem?” Ruby asked.

Emma schooled her features even though she was actually really excited. Who knew? Maybe her stranger on the train would see the article and recognize her. The idea was intriguing and too exciting given the situation. She should not be subjecting herself to interviews for the sake of a man she’d never even spoken to. No, any decisions like this needed to be about the business. Hot guy couldn’t factor in.

“No problem. I just read it.”

“You – Emma Swan – read a non-fashion oriented magazine?” Ruby posed the question as if this were the single most unbelievable thing she had ever heard, but Emma merely rolled her eyes making Ruby laugh. “Anyway, yes, Belle works for them and I guess some stories didn’t pan out last minute so they’re hoping to get us in for the issue on stands the week after next.”

“Wow, that quickly?” Mary Margaret asked and Ruby nodded as Elsa jumped in with her thoughts.

“Sounds great! Any idea what kind of cake she likes? We probably want to butter up the reporters right? I made the most to die for hazelnut cream at home last night when I couldn’t sleep. I mean seriously no one could turn it down. Unless she’s allergic. Is she allergic?” Ruby and Elsa had some animated back and forth about menu planning as Emma let her more cynical tendencies rise to the surface.

“So what is she going to write about? I mean what’s the angle, other than the boutique?”

Emma knew there had to be an angle. There was no way Citizen NY was going to just come here and do a fluff piece. Everything that they wrote and published told a story, and as much as Emma loved the shop and was proud of what they were doing, outlining the basics of their vision wasn’t as captivating as the other pieces she’d read in that magazine. There needed to be something more enticing and more applicable to more people.

“We are.”

“Us?” Emma, Elsa, and Mary Margaret all parroted back.

“Yup. Picture this -,” Ruby used her hands as if she was framing the shot of a movie and let her dramatic flair take over. “We pan in on Columbia University freshman orientation. Four girls from four corners of the country, all scared and feigning otherwise, meet on the first day of move-in and realize they have three soul-sisters they never even knew about.”

Everyone laughed at that and Emma waved away the continued narrative. They all knew the story of how they’d found each other after all. It had been one of the best days of her life. She arrived at school on a scholarship she’d worked her ass off for completely ready for four more years of people not actually caring about her one way or another. Instead she found lifelong friends on the very first day and now ten years later they were all of them closer than ever. This was truly Emma’s family and she knew all of her friends felt the same way.

“So how intimate are we talking here?” Elsa asked and Emma knew that she had reasons to be somewhat wary in spite of her earlier enthusiasm.

Elsa had a high profile family, all of whom were fantastically lovely and supportive (despite the fact that Elsa, who was essentially an heiress) decided to bake cakes for a living. Even with their support, however, Elsa never wanted to reflect badly and if this was the kind of piece that would get too personal Elsa would never feel comfortable and neither would Emma though for very different reasons. Emma didn’t have a family home (okay, more like palace) in Newport to visit on holidays. She wanted nothing to do with any of the foster families she’d ever been a part of or even any of the group homes, but she also had no desire to dredge up past pains for the sake of a story.

“Belle’s cool guys. She won’t push. We have a lot of control here, control we wouldn’t have in another situation.”

Ruby looked to Emma and silently promised that this would be okay, and there was no one Emma trusted more to give her the truth than Ruby and no one who would fight harder to keep their good names protected than her friend. Emma nodded her agreement, knowing the others would follow as soon as she did. When they were all on the same page Ruby clapped excitedly and told them that interviews would happen early next week before getting called away on some store business. Mary Margaret followed close behind, but Emma lingered, wanting to savor the last of her coffee and her final five minutes of freedom before her day got hectic.

“So…?” Emma glanced up at an expectant Elsa and furrowed her brow.

“So what?”

“Did you see him this morning?” Emma willed herself not to blush and since Elsa’s smile didn’t get any wider she had to believe she was successful.

“No I didn’t.” It was impossible to miss the remorse in her voice and Elsa frowned, her hand finding her hip and a look that said she was trying to solve this problem appearing on her face.

“Well I’m sure he was just busy. There’s always tonight right?”

Emma sighed. Was there always tonight, though? Or was she coasting through her life assuming this guy would always be there? He wasn’t a sure thing, and the thought that he wasn’t permanent left this subtle ache in Emma’s chest even if it was totally mental. But for right now, Emma needed to vent her bit of regret without facing any judgment and Elsa always knew exactly how to handle those moments.

“I should have invited him to Graham’s.” Elsa looked surprised and Emma continued on. “Ruby suggested it on Monday night. She was joking, but all week I’ve been wishing that I did or that I at least said something.”

“So why haven’t you?” Emma waved her hand around in an anxious gesture.

“I don’t know, I guess I’m just…” She trailed off, hating how weak it made her sound to admit that she was terrified of putting herself out there.

“Scared?” Emma nodded.

“What if I’ve built this all up in my head, Els? What if to him I’m just some crazy woman riding the same train as him who let her imagination run away with her?”

Elsa considered that for a moment and Emma appreciated the genuine thought Elsa put into this little conference. There was no instinctive reaction. If she asked Mary Margaret, her friend would cite the need for hope and belief in love. It was a reflex for their pixie-haired friend, just like how Ruby’s reflex was to be assertive and go for it all the time. Emma didn’t work that way though. Having walls around herself purposely installed to keep people away made the idea of putting herself out there so much worse. She’d been rejected her whole childhood. The last thing she wanted was to face that again. But she couldn’t stop the little voice in her head saying she was wrong to keep away. This guy was important – this guy mattered.

“You know what I think? I think you’re never going to know unless you try, and I think life only waits so long for us to make our move. If you let fear guide you, if you hide away because the risk is too great, you could miss out on everything.”

“You’re right. Besides, it’s New York and if he ends up being terrible I never have to see him again.” Elsa laughed and agreed. Sure, Emma would have to change her train habits, but that was so doable and the past few days were the proof.

“He won’t be terrible, though.” Emma tilted her head curiously.

“How do you know that?” Elsa shrugged.

“Because I trust your gut and your gut has been talking up a storm about this guy.”

That comment helped more than Emma could say because she too had long believed in the power of her instincts. She thanked Elsa and managed to get out of there with only three muffins in hand (which when it came to Elsa and her constant need to feed people, was a rousing success). As she moved back to her showroom and into her office though, Emma realized that something was missing. Her sketch – the one of the fairytale dress. It was gone.

“Ah, crap!” Tiana looked up at Emma with concern. “Sorry I just think I lost one of my sketches on the train. You know the one I made our first day?”

“The one that would bring the coldest heart to tears?” Tiana asked and Emma gave a half smile and then nodded, prompting a sigh from Tiana. “Was it a douchebag banker or an angsty teen?”

Emma’s attempt at a smile grew to an all out grin. She loved that despite the unfortunate nature of the situation, Tiana knew the struggles of train commutes well enough to guess what had happened. She also appreciated how her friend was always able to rein things back in when other people might consider the situation a crisis.

“Banker. Definitely banker.” Tiana sighed and linked their arms.

“Well boss there’s only one thing to do.”

“Cry?” Emma offered sarcastically.

“Nope. Keep on hustling until you make another dress just as magical.” Emma laughed, knowing it would never be that easy but that Tiana was right. There were so many more things on their plate left to do. She didn’t have time to be sad, just keep moving and hoping that somehow that dress would come back to her in some form or other.

…………….

E. Swan.

Killian traced the same signature scrawled in the corner of her sketch for what was likely the hundredth time today. It was all of five letters written in script that spoke to the same artistry of the dress above it, but these ones in particular had yet to leave his mind in the span of his whole day. Hours past and it felt like every minute was filled with musings on what the E could stand for, or if a woman as graceful and beautiful as her could truly bear a last name as fitting and as perfect.

This was of course unfortunate from a strictly professional standpoint. There were a million things to do, deadlines to be met for next week’s issue to go to print, but more and more the woman on the train moved back to the forefront of his mind. Killian should have been focused on the hiring process for his necessary new writers or the upcoming party to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the magazine in a month, but just as he would make headway in any area thoughts of her returned and he found himself opening his drawer to pull out the sketch once more.

This morning had been rough, the commute was less than optimal, and it wasn’t until the very last second when his stranger was about to move off the car that he caught a glimpse of her. It was a bittersweet situation, for one second she’d been looking lovely if a little disappointed as she glanced around the train, and the next she was jostled by a careless passerby, sending her sketches into disarray. She gathered them all quickly, too soon for him to make his way across the car to help as he’d attempted to do, but as she slipped out he noticed one last drawing left behind.

Before any less-enthusiastically invested riders could trample or pick up the sketch for themselves, Killian retrieved it, finding himself amazed by the sheer volume of talent that jumped off the page. The lines were delicate but decided and Killian wasn’t exceptionally well versed in fashion, but he knew the way these sketches looked was out of the ordinary. It wasn’t dramatized like a bit of animation, but detailed. The figure and the dress itself were more true-to-life and it spoke not only to an amazing mind for dress creation, but for art as well.

So she’s beautiful and brilliant, Killian had thought to himself on first inspection and the sentiment remained all through the day anytime he let himself indulge in looking at her work.

Clearly the lady was entirely out of his league, but this circumstance of fate made Killian feel like the stars were aligning. Finally he had his in, a way to interact with her without seeming like an insane person, and he’d been anxiously awaiting the moment when the work day ended and he could rush back to the train and see her. It wouldn’t be long now but Killian was a mess to say the least. He was a bundle of nerves parading as a functioning human being, but Killian couldn’t recall ever feeling more alive than he did with this newfound hope.

After their last encounter Killian had been ready to make his move and introduce himself. Thanks to the insistence of that couple on the train and the continued outcry from his heart, he was truly determined to push past his reservations and go for it. But then she’d been missing. Three days past and Killian didn’t catch a glimpse of her. It felt like the cruelest trick of fate. Finally he was man enough to say something but the chance had slipped away. Never again. The Universe had made itself clear enough to him – there were only so many moments that could possibly be seized and he was claiming one and claiming it soon.

“Oi, Boss Man!” Killian glanced up to his doorway and found Will leaning against the door jam with his arms crossed, an amused look on his face.

“What do you want, Scarlet?” Will’s grin widened as he sauntered into the room, coming in to take a seat.

“Well aren’t you just a ray of bloody sunshine?” Killian mumbled something about his friend being a smug bastard as Will chuckled. “I’ve just come to see if you’re all right.”

“I’m fine,” Killian replied too quickly. He almost groaned aloud at the mistake. His lack of cool was going to elongate this conversation, which was the last thing he needed.

“Really? Because you’ve been – and remember as your best mate I can say this to you – a bit of a downer all week. Then this morning you’re up in the clouds. Is it a plane? A blimp? No, it’s Killian Jones, walking into interns and forgetting basic rules of shipping things to print!”

“I didn’t run into any…”

The words died on his lips as Killian recalled that he actually had. When he was walking in this morning elated from finding the picture from his mystery woman, he’d nearly trampled one of the young lads here through school. He apologized of course but as a man who prided himself on always being aware and alert, it was a dead giveaway that something was up. If that weren’t bad enough he’d also gotten mixed up on the most basic of scheduling items for the printers and Will and Tink had born witness to it. Killian’s jaw ticked as he tried to brainstorm a way to get himself out of this situation but nothing came to him.

“So are you going to tell me what’s happening or am I going to be left to assume?  You know I love a good story. Here let’s think of one right now -,”

“All right, all right. Mercy.” Killian looked up to the doorway confirming that the door was closed and then looked back to Will.

“I met someone.” Well technically that wasn’t true. He’d seen someone rather a lot and tonight he was going to meet her, or at least he hoped.

“One of Liam’s girls?” Killian immediately glanced up at his friend who seemed truly curious.

“No! And how did you know about that?” Will shrugged. “Liam told you. Of course he did. He’s bloody insane.”

“He’s uh… involved.”

Killian looked at Will and the two of them both chuckled after a moment at the understatement. Since they were boys Liam had been asserting his role as elder brother firmly, and when they lost their mother too soon that inclination only grew. He moved from brother almost to father in many ways, and that meant meddling, an awful lot of meddling.

“Well no. Despite Liam’s original wishes I’ve no need for matchmaking.”

“Because you’ve met someone,” Will countered easily.

“Aye.” Will considered for a second in silence and then understanding seemed to dawn on him.

“Is this why you’ve been riding the bloody train all the time? For a woman?!” Killian kept his face as neutral as he could though his instinct was to wince.

“I told you it’s about -,”

“Your carbon footprint. Yeah, yeah I heard you. I just didn’t believe you, mate. But a woman… well that makes so much more sense, doesn’t it?”

“You would know.” Instead of trying to deny Will sighed.

“That I would, mate.” Killian felt sorry for his friend in that moment. There was a level of defeat in his usually happy appearance that made Killian uneasy. He wished he had a way to fix this for Will.

“You realize we don’t have a rule against fraternizing, right? Technically you could see Belle and there wouldn’t be any repercussions.” Will barked out a pained laugh.

“Right, until the moment I ask and she’s mortified because I’m her boss and she’s not interested.”

“What makes you think she’s not interested?” Killian couldn’t claim that Belle was helplessly and irrevocably in love with Will, but there was certainly something there, a bond of some sort that he wouldn’t be surprised if it turned out to be more than mere friendship.

“What makes you think she is?”

“Tink would know. Tink knows everything. All I have to do is -,” Killian was raising his hand to press the intercom button as Will jumped from his chair.

“No!” Killian grinned. “I mean not now. There’s a lot going on. Too much to be starting something.”

Killian might have agreed with Will on that before. He’d often felt the same way, but recently it had been made clear to him that waiting wasn’t the answer. Sometimes a man just had to bite the bullet and go for it, even if the prospect of rejection was a bloody nightmare.

“We only have so many tomorrows, Will. Remember that.” Will stood up and nodded, clearly ready to take his leave.

“Thanks for that, mate. You’re a regular fortune cookie. Oh and you better hurry or you’ll miss the girl.”

Killian looked up and realized Will was right. He was later than expected thanks to this little visit and he had to get a move on. He didn’t delay anymore, wishing the people he saw on his way out a goodnight, but not tarrying any longer to discuss weekend plans or last minute details for the printers. Instead he made record time to the station and hopped on the train, his hands shaking from the adrenaline.

This is it. This is the moment. Killian thought to himself as her stop arrived but when she boarded the train he was struck a little speechless. He’d been denied the chance to truly see her in all her glory this morning, congested as the commute had been, but now he was left mesmerized, caught in the rapture of his own thoughts when he could be actually talking to her. When he realized that, Killian’s feet took a step closer and then another until he was just beside her.

“Excuse me, miss?”

The woman jumped at his words and her hand immediately flew to her chest. He could see the strain in her neck that came from being surprised, her heart rate jumping as he’d made himself known. Killian hated to think he scared her, but when her eyes caught his and he was able to see the real intricacy in those jade-colored pools those thoughts flew from his mind. All that was left was this feeling like he’d seen light for the first time in forever.

“Oh sorry. You just – I mean – uh, hi.”

The stammering from anyone else might have caused Killian to wonder what was wrong, but he could see the mirrored emotions playing across her face that he felt in his chest. Perhaps it was merely wishful thinking, but Killian swore he saw the faintest trance of a blush on her cheeks and a look like she was just as frazzled with sensation as he was. When he realized he’d been staring at her full lips and the way she got those words out for a beat too long, Killian cleared his throat and glanced back up at her eyes once more. Their impact hadn’t lessened, and it felt like a miracle he was able to get any words out at all.

“I believe you dropped this earlier.”

Killian handed her the drawing but it took her a second to tear her gaze away from him. In that moment he knew for a fact that this connection wasn’t simply one sided and his chest filled with pride. This woman saw something in him, something attractive, something worthwhile. She was guarded, a bit cool on the surface when he’d seen her from afar, but he could feel the tension between them. It promised something too delicious to describe and he was remiss when her eyes looked away until he caught on to how happy his returning the sketch would make her. Never in his life had something felt as powerful as her smile. He was consumed by it and wanted nothing more than to see her always just as joyous.

“You found it! Oh my god you are my hero, you don’t even know.”

Her fingers grazed against his as she took the picture and it was lightening to the touch. But as the car swayed a little harsher than normal around a bend, she moved forward, her hand resting on his arm to steady herself and he was done for. She blushed again and after a moment of holding onto him she apologized. Why she would ever do that, though, he couldn’t be sure. Unless of course he wasn’t as transparent as he felt and she couldn’t tell that this was the highlight of… well very possibly his entire life.

Killian knew without a doubt that the world lacked words to describe this feeling. He knew it was merely a turn of phrase, her calling him her hero, but the look of sheer relief and the happy smile on her face that lingered even after her slight embarrassment about falling into him sealed something inside of Killian. He’d long known that she was different, that there was something out of the ordinary about this beautiful stranger, but it went so far past everything he’d thought it could ever be. He was lost already, and they’d hardly said a word.

“Forgive me, love. A real hero wouldn’t solicit a favor after a good deed but I was hoping you might repay me with your name.”

The woman blinked up at him, clearly a little dazed until a humorous smirk played at her full lips. He’d never felt the urge to kiss somebody so profoundly in his life, but she was temptation in its most elevated form. Still he held back, needing her reply more than the chance to steal the press of her lips on his. No, when a kiss came, Killian decided, she would be the one to instigate it. Then, and only then, would he let his heart move as it pleased.

“Anyone ever tell you that you might be just a touch too charming?” Killian laughed at that and noticed the way her features softened when he did. She extended her hand as a means of greeting. “I’m Emma.”

“Emma Swan?” Emma looked surprised and then Killian countered. “I may have glanced at the signature there once or twice.”

“Oh, right.”  She smiled again and Killian stood there like a fool, falling into the way it illuminated her whole person. She was already arguably too gorgeous for him to handle, but like this, and with her attentions aimed at him, Emma was a force of nature.

“So are you going to tell me your name or…”

“Oh shit – right, yeah – it’s Killian. Killian Jones.”

“So not Chad?” Killian felt his brow rise at the peculiar question.

“Not to my knowledge, no. I’m relatively certain this has always been my name.” Emma laughed and the sound filled the whole car and his whole world in the process.

“Sorry. That was a weird thing to ask. It’s kind of a long story.”

Killian couldn’t help himself from raising his hand in that moment and tucking back a strand of blonde hair that had fallen from her hair tie. He watched as her eyes widened as he did it, but she never pulled away. Actually Emma inched a bit closer when his hand eventually moved away back to his side. It made retreating that much harder, but he had to be a gentleman. The last thing he wanted was to come on too strong and scare her away.

“I’ve a feeling any story of yours is worth the wait, Emma.”

Her eyes filled with something in that moment, something Killian couldn’t exactly read but there was a force behind it. Whatever Emma was feeling, it was intense, maybe even as strong as the pull that he felt to her right now. Killian wanted nothing more than to ask her what she was thinking or even to lay out all of his thoughts for her, to show her that whatever was on her mind was safe with him, but at that moment he caught the tail end of the automated voice announcing the next station.

“Maybe another time. This is kind of my stop, which means…”

“That I missed mine. Bloody hell!”

Emma laughed again as she stepped out of the train and Killian followed her. He wasn’t actually frustrated though, and he couldn’t regret that he’d messed up his usual commute, not when he’d had this chance to get to know Emma, to get to finally see her and talk to her, and to confirm what he already knew – that she was someone worth knowing and worth letting in.

“Well, thank you again for finding this,” Emma offered as she slipped the sketch inside her portfolio and Killian assumed it was her way of putting distance between them. She was ready to say goodbye even if he never would be.

“My pleasure, Swan.”

Her eyes sparkled at his use of her last name and she smiled before waving and turning away. He watched her go, wondering what a woman as intriguing as Emma might be doing for the weekend, when she turned around and offered him a final question.

“See you Monday?” Killian felt his heart skip at the prospect and the idea that Emma would be looking forward to seeing him again.

“Aye, love. I’ll be here.”

“Good.”

With that Emma turned up the steps and headed out into the world, leaving Killian standing there with a grin on his face he didn’t bother trying to conceal. The truth was he couldn’t pinpoint a happier moment in the whole of his life (even if he hadn’t asked her to dinner as he originally intended), and though it might feel like an eternity between now and Monday he was hopeful, knowing that in just a few days time he’d get the chance at seeing more of Emma and maybe getting to convince her that they might be more than strangers on a train.

That thought alone was enough to fill him with a boundless sort of energy, and Killian decided not to wait for another train but to walk the three blocks back to his apartment. And all the while his world was filled with Emma Swan and the belief that he’d finally found the person he’d been unknowingly searching for for years, a person who made his heart feel whole and the whole world seem new.

Post-Note: So there we have it. The scene has been set, the first words have been spoken, and I am surrounded by feels. It’s becoming clear to me that I needed a new story because this early phase of sketching out where to go from here and reaching all the first milestones is fantastic. I really hope that you guys enjoyed and that you can all bear with me on this slow-burn. Let me know what you think, and as always thanks so much for reading!

[lifeonashelf]

CLAPTON, ERIC

Before we get started, I should probably mention that it might be helpful to regard this piece as sort of a “to be continued…” affair. A handful of entries from now, the subject on my docket will be Cream, whose work is such a vital part of Eric Clapton’s canon than any appraisal of them will unavoidably qualify as a supplemental appraisal of him. I’m sure I will have some nice things to say about Cream since I think they were a pretty excellent band (although time will tell… as you’ve surely gleaned by now, these essays often encompass topics that have absolutely nothing to do with the artists I profess to be evaluating; I can’t predict where my mind will be when I get around to writing about Cream, so it’s entirely possible I’ll end up writing about Mork & Mindy or something instead). However, for our purposes here, I think it will serve us better if I focus exclusively on Clapton’s work as a solo artist. Which is likely to engender a far different climate than the forthcoming Cream-slash-Mork-slash-Mindy piece since I think 85% of the music Eric Clapton made after Cream disbanded is dreadfully fucking lackluster.

When I was learning to play guitar as a teenager, there were several monthly magazines devoted to that pursuit, all of which I perused religiously. (For the benefit of any millennials reading this: “magazines” were similar to books, except they were shorter and usually had more pictures in them—and “books” were similar to the missives your hyper-dramatic friends constantly post on Facebook, except they took a little bit longer to read, were written with proper grammar, and the stories in them weren’t all a bunch of histrionic bullshit—also, “grammar” refers to the coherent presentation of words that aren’t abbreviated or misspelled).

Much like any periodical dedicated to a singular subject, magazines like Guitar World regularly featured articles which graded the luminaries in their particular field—in GW’s case, these usually took the form of arbitrary ranking reports on “The 100 Greatest Guitarists Of All Time!”. I assume modern publications still rely on similarly banal and undemanding space-fillers: “The 10 Most Lethal Armor-Piercing Shells!” in Guns & Ammo, perhaps, or “The 4 Hottest Members Of  5 Seconds Of Summer!” in NAMBLA Monthly (for the benefit of any tweens reading this: if you ever encounter anyone who subscribes to this magazine, get out of their van immediately).

Of course, discerning readers must surely recognize the flaws inherent in any classification system which surveys qualifications that are subject to myriad personal tastes and biases—in other words, lists like those are completely goddamn meaningless (after all, designating any member of 5SOS as the hottest is utter lunacy; who could possibly make a firm decision between such dreamy candidates with any degree of certainty?). In the post-internet world, such items would qualify as your basic gratuitous clickbait. Yet at the time, I scrutinized those rankings with great interest, and I even took an undue amount of pride in finding some of my favorite guitarists logged at prominent positions on the docket—whenever Soundgarden’s Kim Thayil cracked the Top-20, I figured maybe the editors who put that particular list together actually knew their shit.

The cast of musicians who regularly occupied the apex slots in these polls never changed all that much—it seems to be universally agreed among everyone who reads magazines like Guitar World that the greatest player of all time is either Eddie Van Halen or Jimi Hendrix, which is a verdict I don’t have a strong argument against. Jimmy Page was usually ranked around #3 or so, and I never had any problem with that either because he’s Jimmy fucking Page. The rest of the Top-10 was a bit more fluid, with different architects wandering in and out of contention based on what was happening in their contemporary careers when the list was published. A few guitarists were ubiquitous placeholders who merely shifted numbers from year to year, like Steve Vai and Joe Satriani, who seemed to always be classed in the Top-10 despite neither of them ever recording a single piece of music I would listen to on purpose.

Another omnipresent figure on these rosters was Eric Clapton, who was perpetually enumerated in the uppermost echelons of the guitar-god hierarchy, sometimes even slotted way up in the Top-5. A recent poll on ranker.com with 500-thousand tallied voters escalated the matter by rating Clapton as the THIRD greatest axe-wielder of all time, just below Jimi and Jimmy. And despite my cognizance that these standings are fundamentally inconsequential, the net result of Slowhand’s recurrent designation as one the most prodigious craftsmen in the history of his art-form is that for my entire life I have been systematically instructed to distinguish Eric Clapton as one of the greatest musicians of all time. Which is an assertion that rings as patently incorrect when you actually listen to his music.

There’s nothing incendiary about Clapton’s guitar playing, nothing particularly inimitable about his style. He didn’t develop a new musical language for his instrument to sing with—Jimi Hendrix, Eddie Van Halen, and Jimmy Page all did that, but not Slowhand. The two main things Eric Clapton did exceptionally well were splicing a strain of safe white-boy blues into a strain of nonthreatening AOR rock and building the bulk of his career on serviceable renditions of songs written by other people. Whether this particular musical aesthetic appeals to you is irrelevant; no matter how much you like his version of “I Shot the Sheriff”, a modest benchmark like that is not indicative of genius, it is merely indicative of a seasoned session musician plying his trade. Make no mistake, Clapton is a very good guitar player, and I get the sense he’s a nice enough dude. Nevertheless, while the ability to knock out solid cover tunes might curry plenty of favor on Tequila Tuesday at the local dive bar, that skillset alone does not signify any form of virtuosity.

Timepieces—the 7x Platinum-selling 1982 greatest hits album most likely to represent Eric Clapton in the collections of casual fans—features ten songs culled from his 1970’s harvest, the most acclaimed era of his solo career. Of those ten tracks, Clapton is only credited as a songwriter on three cuts, and only one amidst that trio names him as the sole songwriter. This seems to reveal that out of all the most enduring tunes he released during his most enduring era, this musician alleged to be among the greatest of all time was only able to piece together one outstanding song when left to his own devices. Sure, “Cocaine” and “Layla” are fairly strong by any standards (although, Clapton didn’t write the former and merely co-wrote the latter), but the rest of Timepieces is notably unremarkable as far as best-of showcases go—unless the one major thing your life has been missing is the opportunity to hear Eric Clapton tackle the novelty number “Willie and the Hand Jive” like he was submitting it for the opening credits of a sitcom.

Then there’s the knotty matter of “Wonderful Tonight”, the only song on Timepieces credited singularly to Clapton—and, arguably, the only one of his solo period creations that has prevailed in a comprehensive cultural sense. You won’t meet too many wedding DJ’s who don’t have “Wonderful Tonight” in their arsenal, and I’m positive plenty of couples have selected the track to accompany their first dance at the reception. The tune has been widely appropriated as a naked avowal of love and devotion—and, hey, why not? Is there any woman in the world who doesn’t appreciate being told she’s wonderful?

However, sometimes songs get borrowed for things that don’t necessarily match up with their essence. Consider Green Day’s “Time of Your Life”, which will probably be played over every high school graduation slideshow in the civilized world for the next several decades because of its lyrics about turning points and forks stuck in the road—this, despite the fact that the proper title of the song is “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” and the refrain “I hope you had the time of your life” was actually penned as a derisive fuck-you aimed at an ex-girlfriend who jilted Billie Joe Armstrong. In some cases, the intended meaning of a tune doesn’t really matter; once it becomes transcendently popular, it means whatever the people who made it transcendently popular want it to mean. And before you know it, teenagers are dancing to a song about a bitter break-up at their senior proms without any apperception of irony.

This is why I’ve always been fascinated by the quixotic ideals that have been ascribed to “Wonderful Tonight”. Though the swooning masses have evidently chosen to accept that song as a chronicle of the profound romance nurtured by two lovers throughout a night on the town, to me the lyrics tell a far different story.

My sad tale is about a woman fretting woefully as she dolls herself up to attend a party with her carping husband, nervously asking him, “do I look alright?” She’s well aware that to this imperious man, her physical attractiveness is her primary asset; he regards her as a prop, an arm-candy accessory that buttresses his inflated sense of prestige. When the couple arrives at the gala, the caddish groom basks in the attention of the numerous leering men who crane their necks to look at his trophy (“everyone turns to see this beautiful lady that’s walking around with me”). Each swiveling head substantiates his ego, confirms that he is a superior alpha-male because he has managed to ensnare such a stunning female specimen—“I feel wonderful tonight,” he tells her, and this declaration might as well be a cackle of triumph.

His supremacy established, he then proceeds to get absolutely shit-faced. The song doesn’t specify whether his recreation of choice is alcoholic or narcotic or both, only that by the time he’s finished indulging in his spree of hedonistic rapture he’s “got an aching head.” The brevity of the account doesn’t allow a verse which elaborates on his conduct at the festivity, but we can reasonably assume this sort of character becomes a boorish lout when he’s intoxicated—just imagine the undignified behaviors a man like that adopts under the influence while his unfortunate wife helplessly watches on, mortified; perhaps Clapton is being kind by sparing us that part of the saga.

When the bender is over, he is too wasted to drive, so the onus of shuttling him home falls upon his submissive mate. And she is further demeaned when she has to then assist him as he staggers to bed. There, just before slipping into black-out unconsciousness, he slurs to her, “you were wonderful tonight.” A backhanded compliment, surely, reminding her of her place, letting her know that shutting up and looking pretty while he has all the fun is precisely what’s expected of her. “You were wonderful tonight,” he gabbles again, twisting the knife, reiterating that the evening is now over and she will once again curl up on her side of the mattress neglected and unsatisfied and cry herself to sleep while his insensate carcass snores and farts beside her.

[Okay, I made all that shit up. But now that I read the lyrics again, they don’t necessarily contradict my facetious analysis, so the above interpretation might actually be right on the money. Besides, if twelfth graders can slow-dance with their sweethearts to the soundtrack of a disintegrated relationship, then I can make “Wonderful Tonight” be about a doomed and loveless marriage if I want to.]

The other most obvious benchmark in Clapton’s solo catalog is his MTV Unplugged release, which shifted over 26-million copies and still holds the distinction of being the best-selling live album of all time. (For the benefit of any millennials reading this: “Unplugged” was a program that MTV produced during the prehistoric age of their existence, back when they had to lower themselves to airing rubbish like music videos and concerts because there weren’t enough quality reality shows being made about teenagers who have babies and get plastic surgery to fill their broadcast schedule). The network’s marketing strategy for the Unplugged series was actually quite ingenious: in addition to airing hour-long presentations of sets like Clapton’s in prime time, select songs from these shows were earmarked as “singles” and those individual performances were slotted into heavy rotation among the other hit videos of the era, a model which allowed MTV to essentially promote their own albums as frequently as they wanted. Since the channel’s driving ethos at the time was to pummel their audience with constant spins of even the most mediocre clips until viewers decided those songs must be cool because MTV played them all the time, plenty of latently unexceptional offerings like Clapton’s Unplugged were given a ready platform to become smash hits (lest we forget: this approach was so insidiously effective that even Mr. Big and Wilson Phillips achieved Platinum sales figures in 1992).

Hell, even I bought the fucking CD (I never bought those Mr. Big or Wilson Phillips records, though). I’ve listened to Unplugged a couple times while shaping this write-up, and I still have yet to locate a shred (pun possibly intended) of persuasive evidence that Eric Clapton is one of the greatest guitar players of all time anywhere on this disc. The revue has a couple of high-points—the version of “Tears in Heaven” here is indubitably definitive and “Layla” fares surprisingly well in a slower, stripped down form—but as a whole the album is an unadulterated slog, laden with an abundance of instantly-forgettable renditions of unessential blues tunes that are reduced to benign dentist-office white noise by the neutered arrangements which were integral to the Unplugged format. What these moments actually demonstrate—rather than Clapton’s mastery—is that a style of song-craft which was initially channeled straight from wounded souls into ragtag instruments doesn’t translate very convincingly to a fleet of $5,000 guitars; in a fundamental sense, Unplugged’s glossy and pristine studio-audience presentation, every chord perfectly EQ’d and in-tune, strips away whatever raw immediacy cuts like Son House’s “Walkin’ Blues” may have possessed in their primal form. I’m not earnestly criticizing Eric Clapton for his professionalism, but since the thrilling quintessence of live music is the anything-can-happen spontaneity of the stage, it’s difficult to get overly invested in the meticulously premediated and pokerfaced routine captured for this specific document.

The album does indeed embody Clapton’s mien—capable musicianship and a batch of songs unlikely to offend anyone’s sensibilities—but the guitarists who truly belong in the realm of the immortals are those whose work sounds like an existential search for deeper sonic truths. The notes they strike broadcast more than chords, they transmit fever and fire, each one eddying uncontainable passion from their hearts to their fingertips. This is why procedural players like Joe Satriani and Steve Vai have never been engaging: their main artistic drive has always seemed to be showcasing how many arpeggios they can execute, and the soulless military precision of that execution doesn’t convey any sincere affection for their craft—listening to Satch and Vai et al do their thing is kind of like watching a squad of soldiers marching in lock-step; you get the sense the last thing on those lads’ minds is how pleasant it is to be getting some fresh air. And my reaction to Unplugged is similar: Slowhand’s rigid delivery of tried-and-true fret phrases he can undoubtedly strum in his sleep by now doesn’t rouse much in the way of excitement; since Clapton doesn’t sound like he’s overly interested in challenging himself, he doesn’t challenge me either.    

Ironically, at this very moment, my heart is seized by the precise melancholy sensations that are metaphorically denoted as “the blues.” I won’t go into a whole thing about it, but I assure you I am sad as fuck right now. Yet, even though I always seek out music I can relate to in times of pathos, somehow hearing Eric Clapton chirrup about drinking “Malted Milk” isn’t doing a whole lot to make me feel better—hearing Greg Puciato shriek his way through The Dillinger Escape Plan’s tempestuous masterpiece “Farewell, Mona Lisa” might do the trick, but not this shiny and innocuous enactment that would sound equally at home on a Jack Johnson record as it does on Unplugged. And this is usefully underscoring why Clapton’s work is so profoundly dull to me: despite being an artist who has devoted most of his catalog to the blues, a genre whose lyrical dominion deals exclusively in heart-borne emotions, his music doesn’t make me feel a goddamn thing. When I get low like this, I know from experience that I can release some of those negative energies by weeping, or wailing, or screaming my fucking head off. But try as I might, I can’t think of a single occasion when the balm my soul cried out for was twelve tasteful bars in the key of E with some gentle, susurrated crooning on top.

So you 26-million consumers can keep your guitar-hero, and his bubbly acoustic blues, and his songs about rakish men who disgrace their wives at parties. I don’t give a shit if Slowhand is ranked 16 spots higher in Guitar World—fucking give me Kim Thayil any day.

 August 4, 2018

[volpesfilmandgames]

REVIEW: Marvel’s Spider-Man (2018)

So here is my comprehensive review of the best superhero game i’ve played. I have been waiting so long to post this ugh, with all the schoolworks and errands done, and after spending time and completing 100% of this game, and earning the platinum trophy, I can finally say what I feel about this game.

This review will be broken down into gameplay,story, and overall look and feel of the game. THIS IS NO WAY SPONSORED BY MARVEL OR INSOMNIAC. THIS IS JUST MY THOUGHTS ABOUT THE GAME.

Okay so first, the gameplay. My gosh web slinging has never felt this good. Like damn, it really is the strong suit of this game. The smooth animations and I know this is a meme but you really “feel like spider-man”. It is really suprising that insomniac was able to pull this off so smoothly. I didn’t even use the fast travel once during my playthrough. It was a nice feeling, but the only downside of this is the animations were pretty repetitive. At first, I was really excited and amazed of how spidey just flipped and parkoured all over new york, but when the game progressed it was getting repetitive. That’s just me nitpicking stuff about this game. The combat felt so good as well. In contrast to the arkham games, this felt more acrobatic and it was more focused on aerial combat which how spidey should fight. Zipping through enemies and webbing them up was really satisfying and the combat wasn’t one dimensional, it had a lot of options. You can play aggresively or use stealth to your advantage. The gadgets were also a fun way to spice up gameplay, it didn’t feel like you were dragging upgrades. The skill tree was adequate for the game. I didn’t have to pay much attention to what I had to upgrade first or last, it didn’t matter since you adjust the way you would like to play, there was no “best formula” to play through the game which was a strong suit for me. The missions weren’t tedious to do which was a good thing. It was quick to accomplish and it had purpose which was to earn resources for your upgrades and suits, which was a nice way to progress through the game. The variety of missions was a nice way in incorporating spider-man’s mythos that we all know and love. Mary Jane’s and Miles’ sections of the game was a nice twist on the gameplay. Eventhough it was a spider-man game, you got to play as different characters and it was well incorporated in utilizing the gameplay elements. Insomniac did a great job in introducing character’s through these sections. I also felt like the game wasn’t stale and repetitive because I got to play as different characters with different abilities and objectives.

Second is the story. Insomniac did a great job of telling a spider-man story that was very original but it stayed true to the comics. It seems confusing when I say it but they didn’t just slam another origin story for spider-man. Gosh there have been 3 movie remakes before the release of this game, so why would they tell another version of it? Instead what they did was introducing a more mature and experienced peter parker and spider-man that was very refreshing. It felt natural for the game, and the story didn’t feel lackluster. Every character from the comics was incorporated nicely. It was a very refreshing take on what the comics and movies have already told a million times. Having a twist of oscorp being built by octavius and osborne was a pretty good twist on the spider-man mythos. Every character had a purpose in this game, they weren’t just slammed together like the spider-man 3 film. Every villain was a integral part in telling the story, because it affected spider-man and peter parker as a whole. The game did a great job of representing the hero and the villains in a more compelling way. They got peter and spidey so right to the point it eas so natural. They didn’t push anything, and I couldn’t imagine it any other way. Adding miles to the storyline was a nice take on incorporating the next spider-man. I’m glad that miles gets welcomed in all spider-man material especially the upcoming movieeee!! So yeah, the story was very compelling and it didn’t feel stale.

Lastly the overall look of the game. THE PHOTO MODE WAS AMAZING. My photo skills on the game is not that amazing as you can see from the pics, but nevertheless it was a welcome addition to the game. Honestly I didn’t expect it to look that good!! The animations were smooth, the environment was dynamic, props to insomniac for creating a breathing new york city that felt alive for the game, and it didn’t feel lacking cause the dialogue throughout the playthrough was a demonstration of the attention to detail of insomniac, and THE SUITS WERE AMAZEBALLS! Although not all the suits that I hope for were there, all the available suits were just right for the game. I just hope they add more suits in the future, but the original suits that insomniac added for the game was really really good! Especially the advanced suit and anti-ock suit. I didn’t really expect the anti-ock suit but when I saw it I couldn’t believe they would hit me with another amazing design. The attention to detail of the developers really hit the home run. From incorporating the mcu to just incorporating things from the comics, insomniac never lacked in any area, it shows that they really took time with the game and results were shown.

In conclusion, for me, this game is a contender for game of the year. I really enjoyed it, and even if I finished the game totally, I’m still playing it even when there is nothing to do. I’m just waiting for the new game plus mode and the DLCs! I just hope the sequel or additional content that we’ll see in the future will be as amazing as the base game.

[ttawoabw]

Legion of Collectors – January 2018 ‘Teen Titans’ Box

So this is very late, at least for the rest of the world.  In fact the Legion of Collectors box (as well as all other Funko POP! subscription boxes) have been discontinued as subscriptions.  But the thing is these boxes weren’t available for subscription to Australia anyway – so how did I end up with a box?  There’s this awesome Australian based store/website that gets sent some of these boxes to sell, it’s called PopCultcha and I pretty much have the website up in my tabs 24/7.  There is so much cool stuff on there, but most importantly they have some of these Funko POP! subscription boxes! I honestly wanted so many of them but the second I started seeing the unboxings for the Teen Titans I was desperate to get it!  When it showed up on PopCultcha for pre-order I jumped (literally) and ordered it immediately!  I’ll get into why I was so desperate for this box a bit later but let me tell you a little bit about the Legion of Collectors box.  So it’s a subscription box made by Funko and is DC licensed. The cool thing about these boxes was you could get lesser known and exclusive Funko POP!s, they come with some other stuff and back when they started the items they included were a lot cooler but over the past few years the quality of the boxes has gone down (but the POP!s have remained amazing!).  Funko recently announced they would be discontinuing the subscription service for all their subscription boxes, which included the MARVEL ‘Collector Corps’, Star Wars ‘Smugglers Bounty’ and Disney Treasures.  The idea is without it being a regular subscription (even bi-monthly which I believe it was) and instead being special boxes released at specific retailers over time, the quality of the boxes will be better and there will be less dissatisfaction with buyers (at least that was how I interpreted it).  I don’t know if that will work, I’m almost 100% none of these retailers will include Australian stores, but I’m hoping PopCultcha will continue to receive stock of them.  So now that I’ve given a little background lets get into the unboxing/review.

I love the box design, it’s remained consistent throughout the boxes run, with the/a feature character’s blue silhouette on the front.  I especially love this boxes design because it’s Disco!Nightwing.  And Nightwing is hands down my favourite ‘super’hero! I’ve proudly displaying this box with all my other pretty boxes.  It’s also really strong and stable so I’m sure for normal subscribers the box would show up in good nick.

The first thing in the box is the spoiler card and the next months (March, bi-monthly I beleive) theme which was Green Lantern and I’ve seen what they included and the Funko POP!s were awesome!

The first actual item is this Beast Boy shirt with him going from a tiger to his normal form.  There was two shirt options you could have gotten, I personally would have preferred the other design as it shows his transformation a bit better.  But nevertheless I do really like this shirt and I think Beast Boy is a pretty cool character (even though most of my experience with him comes from Teen Titans and Young Justice).  Fun fact, his original name was Changeling.

Next up we have two mini action figures/vinyl figures.  There were four possible characters to get, two in each box.  Cyborg and Starfire, which were the ones I received, and Nightwing and Raven.  I would have really liked to have received the Nightwing one, but again I missed out – apparently we’ll be able to get them somehow in the future?  But I don’t think I’d bother, I don’t really know what to do with these as it is.  I have them in my ‘stuff’ box but I wouldn’t take them out of the packaging so they’re kind of pointless in the grand scheme of things.  Still, I’m sure for younger subscribers they could be played with or for older subscribers, displayed?  Oh also they’re the OG outfits character and outfits. So Cyborg looks like a disco raver and Starfire looks naked.

Then we have this Cyborg patch.  I beleive every box in Funko’s subscription series came with a monthly patch and in the beginning a pin.  I’m not sure where I’ll put this yet but I’m sure it’ll look pretty cool wherever it ends up.

Okay so the second last item is pretty cool.  It’s the original New Teen Titans issue #1, but reissued with an updated cover.  I love the new cover-art but I have to say the story itself is so… cringy… And the original art doesn’t pull me in as much as modern comic art does.  But since this was published originally in 1980 it’s understandable that the outfits and story wouldn’t be… High class.  In saying all that, I’m not keeping it to read it, I’m keeping it because it’s a piece of history and I’m happy to have it!

Now for the most important item in this box, the reason I wanted it so bad, the only reason I actually wanted this box.

DISCO NIGHTWING!  I already own the modern Nightwing in all his Funko POP! glory but Nightwing is my favourite character, and despite what it sounds like from what I said about the comic, I was first introduced to Nightwing during his Disco period.  I love him, he looks like a freaking peacock!  It’s now, officially, the most important vinyl figure I own.  Hands down.  He’s amazing.  I love the paint job on him as well.  I just think this is such a special POP to add to my growing collection!

I mean look at him!  I LOVE IT!

Final Thoughts:

The quality of the items in this box is good, the quantity for the price is a bit lackluster.  I can see why the boxes lost steam and why sales went down over time – but I’m glad they did this box and that PopCulture stocked them.  While I don’t care that much for the Cyborg and Starfire figures or the Cyborg patch,  I know I’ll wear the shirt a lot, the comic will hold a special place in my collection and the Nightwing POP will be cherished for eternity.  I guess that makes the box sound more better than not, and I suppose it was.  Overall I guess I did like this box, but I’m just mostly happy about having the POP.  I bought the box for that reason and that’s the thing I’m still mostly excited about.

If you want to get any of the Funko boxes you can check out PopCultcha, or eBay, I’m not sure where else you could find them but that would be your best bet.  Prices will odviously vary, especially with eBay.

  My Links:

Goodreads : Becca Winter

Instagram : bookie_becca

Twitter : @Becca_Bookworm

Facebook : The Troubles And Woes Of A Bookworm

Affiliate: Book Depository

Referral: OwlCrate

Referral: The Bookish Box

Referral: Romance Reveal

Referral: Cratejoy

Becca

xxx

The opinions expressed in this review are mine and mine alone.  This post is not sponsored, I paid for the box myself.

Subscription Box Review: Legion of Collectors Thanks to PopCultcha who made it possible for me to get this box and the very special POP! that I wanted more than any other POP! in existence. Legion of Collectors - January 2018 'Teen Titans' Box So this is very late, at least for the rest of the world. 

[jaimebraswell-blog]

Does Beauty Lie within the Eyes of the Beholder?

People frequently surprise what the name of the game to beauty is. And why is it a mystery that intrigues the beholder?

Why a few are fortunate even as others aren't?

Is there any reality within the quote that beauty 2018 Mehndi designs lies in the eyes of beholder?

Or does splendor exists, and everybody sees stuff the equal way.

One may want to truly never find out, due to the fact some people are favored through a few whilst others are desired by using others.

And what works properly for an individual may not paintings properly for a person else.

Now how are we able to generalize the whole story?

It is frequently believed that someone who relates extra with the loads is stunning, in very typical terms.

Then, one ought to take pains to look proper. Some fundamentals have by no means modified.

Nice and sparkling pores and skin withholds within itself the name of the game of beauty, and so does shining hair.

This works each, for men and women.

When the pores and skin is healthful, one seems young.

A pores and skin care recurring would do the trick. So one comes throughout as someone clean to come across, smooth to speak to and make a verbal exchange.

That's certainly because with a sparkling pores and latest mehndi designs  skin, one comes throughout as a happier person. This promotes vibes of happiness inside the entire surroundings.

If a easy face wash does the trick, it is truly worth the funding.

And if one calls for a more unique pores and skin care routine, it's miles virtually really worth the investment as nicely, because over the years, as one's skin improves in an normal manner, one could understand that what a first-rate funding it was!

Similarly, if one has shiny hair, it makes one appearance all of the extra better.

Hair can be magical, they have to continually be easy, and nevertheless, some humans withhold magic only through the virtue in their hair while others don't.

But, there are secrets and techniques to be shared!

A everyday recurring for maintaining your hair healthy is surely gonna take you far, and further, one would possibly recollect the usage of cosmetics which restore the unique sheen on your hair.

This becomes very critical as hair might be subjected to pollution in everyday existence, so a wholesome eating regimen might also bridal mehndi designs  work wonders for more healthy hair, similar to it really works for a more fit skin.

And what's more, if one's hair and skin are more healthy, one is constantly in a role to address something like an pimples outbreak or dry pores and skin or hair more easily.

Why now not recall going for a moisturizer for pores and skin, or a conditioner for hair.

Life isn't always about locating your self, but growing your self.

TESOL certificate workshop in TKO: Day2 Day2:

Dr. R D from Keimyung, Korean become certainly one of our academics for TESOL certification workshops in TKO. Before he started his lecture, he changed into searching out someone who's the youngest one inside the room. He appeared round and discovered me.

He asked me " I count on you are the youngest one on this room. Don't you observed so? " And I said: "you by no means recognize. I might be no longer." This trainer right now requested me that " would you please make me a coffee ? Because I did no longer recognise a way to make it."   And I said, "WHAT?"

There are many stuff wrong with many exceptional ranges. 1)  I payed to come right here with a purpose to discover ways to train however no longer make a espresso for him. 2) The youngest female within the community's process is creating a coffee for a professor.... Is it??? 3) How come he ought to turn out to be a prof even though he can't make a coffee. Four) If he were a older Japanese prof who asked me to make a espresso I felt it become okay however he is THE American who treats ladies as ???? Women.... I nevertheless experience so uneasy on his price. 5) It changed into my first time to talk to this prof and he requested me to make a espresso for him. I felt it was very rude. 6) This incident is the gender discrimination, educational harassment and sexual harassment.

90% of the ladies participants within the TESOL certification workshop accused him;

They yelled at him " do you believe you studied does it related a way to make a espresso and the youngest women ??" "How come you can't make a coffee"

In conclusion, I thought that social norm in terms of ladies' making tea/coffee force women to make them inferior than guys, which  takes place no longer only in Asian nations however additionally a few American men.

Perfect Tips To Bust Your Bad Hair Days

We all want gorgeous hair, but few of us know what to do to make it happen. The article below discusses some of the things you can do to whip your hair into fabulous shape. Start implementing these beneficial anime girl hairstyles techniques to turn your hair from lackluster to gorgeous.

If you are a frequent ponytail wearer, don't place the ponytail on the same spot every time. They do make soft scrunchies that minimize damage, but if you use the same hair to form the ponytail each time, it will break even with this precaution. If work requires you to tie your hairstyle back, make sure you let it down when you aren't working.

In order to maintain healthy hair and avoid damage, don't brush your hair unless it is dry. It's much more likely to break if you brush it when it's wet. To keep damage to a minimum, either run a brush through your hair before showering, or wait until afterwards when its had the time to properly dry.

Conditioning treatments are not necessary for thin or fine hair. They will only wear down your hair making it look finer and thinner. Light conditioners work better to add volume, without making the hair greasy or heavy.

To get your hair in better condition and make it stronger, try not to use too many hand-held drying devices. Items such as curling irons and blow dryers can really damage hair, making it harder to maintain. Lay off the blow dryer and curling iron from time to time, and let your hair have a break from the heat.

Stay away from using a blow dryer when drying hair. Styling your hair with heat can often damage your hair and cause it to become frizzy. Wrap your hair with a towel instead. This will help your hair to naturally dry without creating unmanageable frizz.

To help protect your hair from the damaging effects caused by the sun, use hair products which contain sunscreen. Too much sun can damage your hair and make it harder to care for. By protecting your hair, it will be healthier and will not lighten.

Check the labels of your haircare products and get rid of any that contain alcohol. Alcohol strips the moisture from your hair and is very damaging to your hair's health. Read the labels, and make sure the products that you purchase are good for the health of your hair.

When you are using conditioner, make sure you are spreading it evenly throughout your hair. Also, be sure to keep the conditioner in for a couple of minutes prior to washing it out.

During the winter and fall, be certain to not prolong time spent in the cold. mens long hairstyles  Cold weather dries out your hair and reduces essential oils and nutrients. If you need to stay outdoors for a long time, make sure to wear a hat.

Though most people want great hair, many do not know how to achieve it. We hope this article has provided helpful advice to aid you is achieving the Hollywood hair you desire. One downside of implementing these tips is that your friends won't shut up until you reveal the secret to your great hair!

Exercises and Workouts - Make The Most Of A Rest Break From Your Strength Training Program

Every so regularly, it's far important you are taking a spoil out of your power education software. Doing so...

Will permit your bones, tendons, and ligaments a few extra time to recover, will help to resume your mental south beach personal trainer enthusiasm for hitting the gymnasium, and will assist to ensure your muscles are absolutely recovered. One week off is suggested after every 12 to 16 weeks of schooling, so consider this a few well deserved day off. Taking day without work out of your power training software does no longer necessarily mean you have to sit at home and do not anything. Here are some exercises you can do at some stage in your week off to make the most of a while...

1. Perform Some Light Cardio Training. Light cardio schooling can be beneficial for taking your restoration to the subsequent degree. While you would not need to carry out any severe workout as this would just be some other form of stress on your frame, moderately paced cardio schooling may be quite useful. Think 20 to 30 minutes of regular aerobic education...

A brisk walk out of doors, going for a experience on a motorbike or taking in some swimming are all splendid alternatives. 2. Perfect Your Nutrition. Next, consider perfecting your nutrients. Nutrition goes to play a essential position in determining how well you recover from all the schooling you've got been doing. Now isn't the time to cut your carbohydrate consumption. Many people suppose they need to do this to prevent fats gain even as taking break day.

First, realise you in all likelihood will no longer advantage an awful lot fats in any respect in a one-week time frame. Second, don't forget carbohydrates are had to fill up muscle glycogen levels, a good way to, in flip, help you carry out better whilst you do get lower back into your schooling. You may reduce returned in your carbs barely, but not to a vast degree.

Three. Foam Roll. Next, foam rolling is a fantastic idea to do in your week off. Foam rolling will help to break up any scar tissue that can be forming that can, later on, result in an damage.

Likewise, it'll additionally assist to lessen muscle pain and ache, assisting to improve movement for your muscle tissues.

Four. Get A Deep Tissue Massage. Finally, do not forget getting a deep tissue massage. These are perfect for enjoyable your body and preparing you to your subsequent difficult cycle of education. A deep tissue rubdown may be accomplished some instances every week, and at the same time as you may experience slightly sore later on, it'll leave you feeling a long way better in the long run.

There you have got many of the clever belongings you have to be doing to assist make sure you make the maximum of your break day among training cycles. Don't pass this day without work. It may also appear to be you are taking a step backward but surely, having relaxation breaks out of your strength schooling program goes that will help you move ahead.

Although managing Type 2 diabetes can be very challenging, it is not a situation you must simply stay with. Make simple modifications for your every day recurring - consist of exercise to help decrease both your blood sugar tiers and your weight.

You'll Look And Feel Great With These Fashion Tips

Sometimes, it can be hard to make the most of one's wardrobe. If you have tried mixing clothing, then you know how hard it can be. tribal tattoos You can get some tips that will enhance your style in this article.

Instead of spending a lot on specialty items, make sure you're purchasing the fashion basics. Purchase pieces that can work with each other and are timeless. For example, you might start with a typical black pencil skirt, but change the coordinating shirt or outerwear based on current trends.

If your hair is frizzy, you need to use shampoo and conditioner with moisturizing properties. This will add a protective layer along your hair's cuticle, allowing it to remain soft and luxurious. Products that claim to "volumize" should also be avoided. Also, beware of anything that contains wheat or rice in the ingredients.

If you are dealing with a problem with frizzy hair, never rub it with a towel after washing it. You will just damage your hair and make it frizz more when you do this. Instead, roll your hair up in the towel and push down to absorb moisture. When you think it is dry enough, take off the towel and comb your hair.

It is not important to be perfect when fashion is involved. It is nearly impossible to do. Also, when you seek perfection, you are trying to hard. Kat Moss sets a fine example of how to pull together a fashion look with a casual messy hair style or a button left undone.

Make sure you try bringing neutral colors on your next trip so you can mix up your outfits on the daily. This way, you can travel without worrying about clashing colors. You will also have the confidence that you can make many different outfits from a select few pieces. Accessorize by using belts and scarves.

Empty your closet of things you don't wear. It might appear that more clothing means more options, but that is opposite of the real truth. That over-stuffed and cluttered-up closet will really cramp your fashion style. If items do not fit well or are no longer fashionable to you, get rid of them. Classic clothing that can be mixed and matched will be of more use to you that stuff from past decades that you've been holding on to.

Many are under the impression that fashion only pertains to clothes. Hair is just as important as anything that is being worn and can make the difference between a great look and a bad one. So if you want to keep things looking fashionable, pay attention to your hair, to the accessories you're wearing, to your shoes, etc. Don't have anything on you that's out of place.

If you are a woman, there are several key items that you must acquire. You need at least two pair of dark dress slacks, a pair of jeans that are hemmed for heels and a pair hemmed for sneakers. Also, you should always keep a black dress for formal events.

People sometimes say negative things just to bring you down. It's not a requirement that you look like a Hollywood movie star. You just need to understand the keys of fashion so you can create a look that you are truly proud of.

Check new clothing for loose stitching. If you notice this, you should cut them off right away as they are not appealing and they can cause issues later. Use a pair of fabric scissors to easily snip these loose threads. This is simple and effective.

Teasing your hair to add volume should be avoided as it can cause damage and brittleness to your hair. Also, don't use a style that will give your hair two distinct textures. This look will make you look indecisive and silly.

Dress for your body type. You might not want to wear something like a blouse that's low-cut, but you may be more confident with your legs. Select a skirt that shows them off and pair it with some fantastic heels. Accentuate your assets.

To help you get a better idea of fashion, you may want to consider getting a fashion consultant. You might want to do this to ensure that you look your best no matter what. A personal shopper is experienced in keeping up with trends, and understanding how to coordinate them with the needs of their clients.

Take a fashion chance and try a style that is different from your tried and true. This can help open your mind up to new ideas, and you never know, you may love this new look. This is a great way to expand your wardrobe and give yourself more options.

Bleach is essential for white clothing, otherwise it looks old. Beware of too much bleach, however. That causes white items to start looking yellow, which certainly does not look fresh and clean.

If your bust is large, stay away from unflattering boat or crew necklines. Instead, opt for v-necks. The v-neck style flatters your natural shape and avoids the plump, boxy look that crew and boatneck styles can add. Experiment on your own, and you can see first hand how much better a v-neck looks.

As it was said, the task of maximizing your wardrobe is sometimes difficult. Although there are multiple combinations that can be made, the process of actually making combinations that look fresh isn't particularly easy. Now that you've read this article, you shouldn't have as many problems making those tough choices.

Add Interest To Your Garden With These Useful Tips.

Organically grown produce is superior to the produce found in local supermarkets, and is also tasty and healthy for your body. Try growing your own organic produce instead of spending a bundle. Best Pallet Projects  Read the article below for tips and suggestions on how you can have your very own organic garden at home.

Remove your garden's weeds! Weeds can be extremely detrimental to your garden. A great way to get rid of them is to use white vinegar. That's right, you have safe way to get rid of weeds right there in your kitchen cabinet. Keep a solution of vinegar diluted with water on hand to spray on weeds.

When you go to mow your lawn, make sure you don't mow it too closely to the ground. If you allow your grass to grow a little longer, the roots will go down deeper into the dirt, helping the grass grow better and remain hydrated. If the grass is too short, it produces shallow roots and that leads to a lawn with brown spots and dried-out patches.

If you want an organic way to weed your garden, try "boiling" them. Boiling water is a very safe alternative to other potent herbicides. Carefully pour boiling water right on the weeds, but be careful not to pour it on the plants you want. Weeds will usually stop growing if boiling water damages their roots.

Irises can benefit from being separated. Divide any overgrown clumps to increase your stock. You can do this by simply picking up bulbous irises once the foliage has withered. You will be able to split the bulb easily and replant it to get more flowers next year. For plants with rhizomes, use a knife to divide them. Discard the center and cut pieces from the exterior. Every piece needs to have a minimum of one good offshoot. Replant them immediately.

If you are growing a vegetable garden, you may find that pests can be difficult to control. Don't spray harsh chemicals since they will spoil your veggies. Persistence and care is a much better solution for pest control, but many avoid it because it actually requires some work on their behalf. Taking the pests off of the plants by hand is one of the best fixes if you are able to catch the infestation in its early stages.

Plant things that will give you color for the fall. That doesn't have to be way it is though! the most colorful foliage appears in the fall. Maple, beech, and dogwood display colors ranging from dark crimson to light yellow. When selecting shrubs, consider barberry, hydrangea, or cotoneaster.

Beautiful insects are attracted to heather when you plant it. Bees are drawn to heather, as heather is an early provider of spring nectar. It is common to find all types of insects inside of an undisturbed heather bed. Being mindful of this, wearing gloves appropriate to gardening is sound strategy when pruning any heather in or around the bed.

To make an interesting English garden, mix various plants and plant heights in the same bed. A uniform and flat bed is created by using plants that are the same height.

Planting organic strawberries is a great way to encourage your children to get involved. You will find that they enjoy participating in gardening if they are allowed to pluck the fresh berries and eat them straight from the earth.

Asprin will actually help your plants out by killing diseases. Dissolve 1 aspirin per gallon of water for a plant disease fighting solution. You can simply spray them with the mixture to help aid them in fighting off diseases. Give your plants a spray of the aspirin-water mixture about one time every three weeks.

When gardening, protecting your knees is important. Bending over from a standing position is something many people cannot do. Kneeling is a preferred way to get to your plants while minimizing back pain. You can get a knee pad to place on the ground to kneel on so that you do not feel pain in your knees.

If you are looking at creating an endurable organic garden, you should think about keeping some of your property vacant so that wildlife may flourish there. Certain wildlife can be good for an organic garden; birds and insects can help your plants reproduce and be as healthy as they can be!

When growing plants inside of the house, you should ensure the thermostat is set at around 65-75 degrees in the daytime. They need this type of warm temperature in order to grow. If your home isn't that warm during in winter, try a heat lamp to use on your organic plants instead.

Don't buy produce that aren't up to snuff. Use the advice in this article and you can start growing your own organic produce.

Don't Let Your Hair Fall Out; Read On

Hair loss can develop gradually or it can happen quite rapidly. It all depends on your particular genetic makeup, as well as a few other circumstances. Regardless of how you lost it, though, there are ways you can work to get it back. In the article below, you'll find some great tips dealing with hair loss.

An easy way that you can prevent your hair from falling out is to massage your scalp for five minutes everyday. Doing this helps blood flow to the scalp, which is key in preventing hair loss. It is best for you to massage your scalp twice a day.

Zinc is a wonderful mineral to consume, as it will help you to kill internal bacteria. This is very important, as you will want to eliminate the factors that contribute to your hair loss. Take a zinc supplement or eat foods that have a high level of zinc for optimal results.

In order to prevent your hair from falling out, you want to consider avoiding hair relaxers. The chemicals in these products are known to make hair fragile and fall out. Also, avoid using rollers in your hair. They grab onto hair too tightly and could cause it to fall out.

No treatment for baldness can help everyone and all situations. Believing that there is a miracle cure will only leave you disappointed. There are some products that really do work. Unfortunately, there is no one cure all for all types of hair loss.

Try medication. Hair loss medicines can slow hair thinning, as well as grow new hair and enlarge existing hairs. The medicines need to be taken continuously. If stopped, any new hair will be gradually lost, and in about six to twelve months your scalp will probably look about the same as before.

If you are concerned about hair loss try lime seeds and black pepper. First, get equal amounts of both lime seeds and black pepper then grind them up. Next, mix them with water. Then you can apply this mixture to your scalp. This should give you results you can see immediately.

One thing many people take for granted when trying to prevent hair loss is proper combing. A wide tooth comb should always be used to untangle your hair, thereby reducing torn hair from tangled or matted areas. Hair should ideally be combed when it is dry, since combing wet hair can result in additional breakage.

To prevent hair damage and thus lower the potential for hair loss, get more vitamin B. Vitamin B and B complex vitamins in general strengthen hair follicles, which reduces the risk of hair damage, thinning and loss. Vitamin B may also help boost hair growth, too. It is found in a variety of foods, including spinach, red bell peppers and garlic.

Try to avoid any types of toxins or pollutants if you want to improve hair quality. Unhealthy substances in your body reduce your overall health, and whenever your body is struggling to maintain its health, your risk of hair loss and hair thinning is higher. Foods that are high in protein may help you regrow lost hair.

Take vitamins daily. Since hair loss can be caused by a diet that lacks nutrients, you should be sure to get a multivitamin daily. Take one that easily absorbs into the adult body. This will help replenish necessary vitamins and nutrients in your diet that can be contributing to hair loss.

Make sure you drink enough water daily. Water can help get rid of toxins in your body that could be contributing to hair loss. You should drink at least 14 glasses of water that is filtered and without chlorine and lead. Water can help prevent hair loss in the future.

Stop drinking caffeine. Caffeine can cause dehydration in your body which is the reason for hair loss. Although it's hard, you should try to replace any drinks containing caffeine with drinks like juice or milk. This will ensure your hair stays healthy and shiny and prevents more hair loss.

Keep the salt intake at a minimum and increase the vitamin C in your diet. You should try to get organic fruits and vegetables so you avoid consuming pesticide residues that could contribute to hair loss. Eat a bell pepper to get more vitamin C than you would out of an orange.

Hairstyles

If you are struggling with hair loss, it is a good idea to steer clear of tight hairstyles. The tight hairstyles include buns, ponytails, and braids. If you keep your hair in a tight style, you will experience more hair loss. Try to keep your hair as loose as possible if it must be pulled up.

Some people are just trying to slow down their hair loss, while others are working hard to grow new hair. Wherever you fall on the spectrum, the tips in this article can help point you in the right direction of a method or supply you with a great working technique that you can start implementing today.

Don't Lose Your Hair! Follow These Tips

In a perfect world, no one would have to worry about hair loss, but in a world of flat irons, mousse, Short hairstyles  stress and medicines that ravage the hair, hair loss is a major issue. If you are looking for a few tips and advice to help you fight the hair loss war, then you are in the right place.

If you're a vegetarian or anemic, a lack of iron in your diet may be the cause of your hair loss. You should check with your doctor and have your iron levels tested. If they're low, try consuming leafy vegetables, beans, or lean cuts of red meat to increase your iron level.

One of the best ways to limit hair loss is to reduce the amount of stress in your life. If you are at a job that puts you under a lot of pressure, make sure to practice stress relieving exercises during the day. This will make you feel better and help hair loss.

For women who are worried about hair loss, avoid pulling your hair back tightly. The hair on the top and front of our heads is very sensitive and tend to be what are pulled the most tightly. This gradually brings the end of the hair follicle closer to the scalp, which makes it fall out easier.

Find a medicated shampoo or hair treatment that works for you. There are several top products on the market. That doesn't mean, however, that these products are going to work for you. It may take a specialist consultation or a bit of research or experimentation, but you should find something that gives you results more so than everyone else. Everyone is different.

Jojoba oil is a natural ingredient you can use to prevent your hair from falling out. This natural oil works by keeping the scalp healthy and hair strong. It also controls dandruff as well. Jojoba oil can be found at many pharmacies and drug stores, usually in the hair product aisle.

A great way you can work to re-grow hair, and also prevent hair loss, is to massage your scalp regularly. You should use mineral oil or another type of oil when you massage your head to get the best results possible.

Apply gentle massage techniques on the scalp to help promote healthier roots and hair growth. Be careful not to pull or tug at your hair in the process as this can pull out hair and cause breakage at the hair root. To ensure you don't pull your hair in the process, apply a conditioner before massaging to lubricate the scalp and rinse thoroughly when finished.

Both high fat and low fat diets can contribute to hair loss. High fat diets increase the amount of testosterone in a male and low fat diets decrease the amount of testosterone. Testosterone levels that are not stable are what can increase the risk of hair loss, so you must balance the amount of fat in your diet.

If you hair loss problem is severe, a quick solution is to get a wig. This is much cheaper than other types of treatments. Wigs are easy to obtain and found in many salons and specialty stores. Many wigs and hairpieces are created using real hair, resulting in a natural look. There are wigs available for every skin tone, so be sure to choose one that matches.

Hormonal imbalance has been proven to be one of the main causes of hair loss. This is true in women as well. Pregnant women or women who have gone on and off birth control run a risk of hair loss, but this hair loss is usually temporary. Still, be aware of these concerns.

Think about your particular hairdo when considering hair loss. Some hairstyles that can lead to hair loss are tight pony tails, using barrettes or other constricting devices. This condition is called traction alopecia.

To increase the health of your hair and possibly prevent hair loss, increase circulation to your scalp. You can do this by doing headstands, by giving yourself gentle scalp massages, by exercising, by breathing deeply or by improving your circulation in general. Better circulation to your scalp means more nutrients to your hair, and that means that you're more likely to avoid hair problems.

Hairstyles

If you are struggling with hair loss, it is a good idea to steer clear of tight hairstyles. The tight hairstyles include buns, ponytails, and braids. If you keep your hair in a tight style, you will experience more hair loss. Try to keep your hair as loose as possible if it must be pulled up.

It is a great feeling to run your hands through your hair and feel a full and healthy mane. With some of the advice in this article, you can be one step closer to doing just that. In most cases, hair loss takes time, so be sure to allow your hair time to revive itself, as well.

Choosing The Right Flowers For A Beach Wedding

Weddings do not necessarily have to be gigantic elaborate affairs. Many wonderful weddings happen in people's backyards all the time. There are many things you can do to make your backyard Mehandi Designs  wedding a special and memorable event. This article will give you tips for making the most out of your backyard wedding.

When you are marrying someone, it is important to work as a team when it comes time to plan your wedding. Try to optimize your decisions by coming to a compromise on the disagreements that you have so that you can both be as happy as possible when your big day comes.

One of the most vital aspects of your wedding is going to be the music that you play. Make sure that the music is modern, but is very personal too, as it should represent the two parties tying the knot. This will add to the ambience of the overall experience of your wedding.

On the days leading up to your wedding, make sure that your future husband or wife is feeling okay. You will be their biggest supporter and someone to whom they can turn. Reassurance will make them feel great and more comfortable about this huge decision in his/her life. Tell them a few motivational words to help them cope with their stress.

If you're doing your own catering, Costco is a place that can save you a lot on wedding food. When you shop this way, you can buy your food cheaper than at regular retailers. See if your friends can chip in for food costs.

You can rent diamonds for your wedding if you desire to look great but have a tight budget. Renting earrings or a glamorous necklace can complete your look but will not leave your pockets empty.

When trying to find a color palette for your wedding, check out home décor books. They will have great color combinations for you to choose from. Choose the colors that catch your eye and carry those colors around with you when making purchases for your wedding. This will help you match the colors.

Make sure to include healthy food options for your reception. You might have a vegetarian in attendance or someone who's just trying to lose weight. Be sure to supply them with options they can enjoy. Vegetables, cooked or raw, and fruit for dessert, will go a long way for anyone who wants to eat something that won't pack on the pounds.

Choose whether or not you're going to wear pantyhose with your wedding dress early so you can order a luxurious pair of silk hose in your size. This is your special day, so you deserve to wear the best! Including a pair of stockings which are silky soft and gorgeous will make you feel even more confident in front of the crowd.

If you are planning a tropical destination wedding or honeymoon on the beach, opt for inexpensive sandals with a thin rattan or jelly sole. These shoes can be easily embellished to match your bridal gown or beach attire by adding on ribbons, vintage brooches, silk or fresh flowers, or even clusters of crystals.

If the idea of a thousand-dollar, thousand-calorie wedding cake leaves you with cold feet, contact local boutiques and specialty bakeries and ask about smaller, individual-sized portions. Many bakeries will offer healthier options, such as 100-calorie cupcakes, fruit fillings, meringue toppings, or gluten-free ingredients.

Treat yourself or another bride-to-be with a memorable, unique keepsake: a sculpted cake topper or paper sculpture of the bride's wedding dress. Send in a detailed photograph of the bridal gown, and a talented mixed-media artist will replicate it using archival glue and acid-free paper. The creation will last for decades and can be easily displayed at the reception or in the home.

If your heart is set on a destination wedding, talk to a travel agent to see if you can get a deal for everyone who is attending at a group rate. They are likely to have planned many wedding trips before yours, and will know exactly how to get the best deals possible.

Make sure that your flowers look great too. You'll want to be sure things are bright, nice looking, and showstopping in the way of flowers to make your wedding a wistful and nostalgic one. That could mean red poppies, daisies, and pink and yellow peonies.

Do you want to do something different? Why not plan a wedding far away from home, perhaps on the location of your honey moon? Make sure all the important guests can afford the trip, or provide them with transportation. Traveling together can be a lot of fun, and your wedding will look more like a vacation than a ceremony.

As stated at the beginning of the article, not all weddings need to be gigantic elaborate affairs. Some of the best weddings have happened right in someone's plain old backyard. There are many different things you can use to make your backyard wedding unique and special. Hopefully you can apply the tips from this article to help make your backyard wedding a memorable one.

[alexfryerproductions]

My Ranking of Star Wars Films: From Worst to Best

Star Wars: The 40 year old Global Phenomenon. Without the likes of the first film (and Jaws before it) blockbuster films would never have been given more footing, even though most blockbusters of today have fallen below the curriculum of quality. But I digress. For the past 40 years Star Wars has captured the hearts and imaginations of millions around the world, myself included. It has certainly inspired generations of film-makers (three of which have directed the most recent outings).

Self-confessedly, I was a hard-core fan (expanded universe generally) in my younger years until the film-bug got me at the age of 16. Nevertheless, these films have helped me understand the form and craft of film as much as another other classic in general. The film series has had its high points as it certainly had its lows, which is why, given the recent release of The Last Jedi, that I thought I should compile a personal list of films starting from worst to best: 

10.) Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008) 

Directed by Dave Filoni 

RATING: 2/5

While the Clone Wars television series itself is astoundingly good, the film that started it off however, is not so much. While the film itself can be given a bit of praise for its cinematic feel, character personalities and fun action, the quality just falls short to sloppy animation (which did improve hugely throughout the television series), a weak plot and an inconsistency in tone. Children may have more truck with this one, but the same can’t be said for adults.  

9.) Star Wars: Attack of the Clones (2002)

Directed by George Lucas  

RATING: 1/5

This is one the worst, if not, the worst entry of all live-action Star Wars films. The problems within this film are infinite, whether it is the terribly written love-story, the overuse of CGI, cringe-worthy dialogue and acting that is so wooden that the characters themselves become lifeless. And top of that, the film is just boring. Its 144 minute runtime, is a result of a storytelling structure that is so dense to the point where there doesn’t seem to be any whatsoever. To make matters worse for the film itself, it is completely dull and forgettable and lacks little to no scenes that are worthy of Star Wars iconography.   

8.) Star Wars: The Phantom Menace (1999) 

Directed by George Lucas 

RATING: 2/5

Now, I am going to be frank and say that this is not as bad as I remember it. I can at least give it credit for being the Saga prequel with the most practical set designs and expanding the Star Wars universe in a very imaginative way. The lightsaber duel is certainly thrilling to watch, even if it may be over-choreographed at times. Nevertheless, The Phantom Menace still stands out as a lackluster film with nearly the same issues as Attack of the Clones following it. Along those similar flaws, there is also a political plot that is visually unappealing and clumsily executed. The film also suffers from a lack of character development, which makes the story all the more weak. And I really don’t need to talk about the character of Jar Jar Binks, who is nothing more than a toy advertisement....

7.) Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith (2005)

Directed by George Lucas 

RATING: 3.5/5

While Revenge of the Sith still follows (yet again) the same stream of issues as the previous two entries before it, they are not as excessive and there is some fun to be had thus making this a more enjoyable and tolerable watch. There are some emotionally powerful moments in the film and it is probably the darkest of the saga films given Anakin Skywalker’s completion to becoming one of the most famous villains of all time and how its executed (which, for the most part, is done well). The relationship between Anakin Skywalker and Obi Wan Kenobi is very interesting to follow and Ian McDiarmid’s performance as Palpatine himself is a total scene stealer. Even though it falls short of greatness, it stands tall on the weight of goodness. 

6.) Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)

Directed by Gareth Edwards 

RATING: 3.5/5

The first live-action spin-off film of the current Anthology series is quite daring since it sets itself apart from the Skywalker saga and tells a story of a different group of characters in the Star Wars Universe. Director Gareth Edwards brings a great sense of authenticity to the Star Wars Universe as a result of his brilliant film-making seen throughout the film. The action is chaotic and intense giving Rogue One a great visual style of a war film. The final act of the film is certainly something to behold and is a great lead up to the first film we all know and love. It’s a shame however that the characters are not given a great deal of interaction and development, which is a result of some pacing issues and a script that stumbles in a few a places. Despite these flaws, Rogue One is a worthy addition to the series through its dark and more mature tone and its mixture of old and new elements. 

5.) Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (1983) 

Directed by Richard Marquand 

RATING: 4/5 

Considerably, this is the weakest of the original trilogy. And that is pretty much down to its lack of focus on tone and some unnecessary use of some characters (Ewoks anyone?). It doesn’t add much that is new to the table either. Those aside, Return of the Jedi provides a satisfying conclusion to the original trilogy by answering all the questions left hanging by its predecessors, while inserting some emotional and dramatic beats in the process. Although the stakes for the main characters are still levelled at there highest as the ultimate battle between good and evil commences, the film doesn’t lose its sense of fun. 

4.) Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)

Directed by J.J. Abrams

RATING: 4/5

After a ten year hiatus (or technically seven if you count the The Clone Wars) Star Wars was back on the big screen. And boy was it a welcome home present. While the film does have its naysayers in relation to the film’s similar story beats to A New Hope, it can be argued that it was a necessary evil since The Force Awakens needed to feel safe and familiar in order for it to make way for what comes next. Not everything works, however. There are occasions where nostalgia approaches where it is not needed (such as another useless superweapon for instance) and there are some plot convolutions in a few places. That being said, the film rises well above those flaws through introducing a new set of compelling characters to care about, as well as seeing the return of some old friends. At best, J.J. Abrams brings back the magic of what made Star Wars great in the first place. 

3.) Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017)

Directed by Rian Johnson 

RATING: 4/5

This recent entry has proven to be the boldest yet most controversial Star Wars film amongst audiences (hardcore fans especially). That is what makes it so great. Rian Johnson takes everything we know about the Star Wars universe to not only twist them but question them in the process. Johnson’s direction and writing breaths a whole new life to the franchise itself thereby telling a story that makes the universe more vast, endless and full of countless possibilities for future stories. The film delivers twist, after twist, after twist to the point where this no telling where the upcoming final film in Skywalker saga will go. The performances are a joy to look at and the cinematography is probably the most visually dazzling ever put to a Star Wars film. And finally, our beloved princess Carrie Fisher, is given a great send off as she gives a remarkable final performance, which was filmed prior to her tragic and untimely death in late 2016.  

2.) Star Wars: A New Hope (1977) 

Directed by George Lucas 

RATING: 5/5

We now come to the film that started it all. It goes without saying that Star Wars changed the face of not only Hollywood cinema but film-making in general. From the classic opening crawl, to the iconic space battle sequence, to John Williams’s classic score, Star Wars is hardly the film that anyone is going to forget, whether one loves it or hate it. Above the special effects that have not dated a bit, what makes Star Wars work ultimately is the characters. Without those characters, the special effects become meaningless as does the wondrous settings. It is a story that is so simply told but in the most visually spectacular way possible. It is a fine example of how to put a story before spectacle. 

1.)  Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980) 

Directed Irvin Kershner 

RATING: 5/5

Prior to this, a lot of sequels tended to be commercial and critical failures. Empire for that matter might as well be textbook on how to do a sequel: Take characters into deeper depths than the first film; Raise the stakes; Insert new elements that works for the story; And above all else: take risks. By meeting those requirements, Empire is far more superior than any other Star Wars film in terms of story, structure, tone, world-building, special effects and character development. However, the real topping on the cake for Empire, is the twists, all of which makes the story and characters all the more compelling. As a result, the film delivers truly one the best surprises in the history of cinema, making this a darker entry to the series. It is for these reasons why Empire Strikes Back is not only the best Star Wars film of all time, but arguably the best sequel of all time.

[toomanyxfandoms-blog]

Cheat Unturned

Laptop is loaded with dayz and minecraft clones. Loot in Unturned Hack Indir is easier to seek out, and it also was only minutes or so into my primary living which i discovered a rifle. I am referring to, a teenage maintained to go into your bed room, so that's to be imagined. |The runaway successes via the coins bot requires sexton won' uncertainty be changing it quite often. If not many thanks you for mastering eh, ive experienced (6 hours at the moment) as compared with once hoped to shop for the money improve. This means replacing most of the old networking code by having a several different strategy for accomplishing This is sometimes a great action because it will probably be the factor that most of the old networking will seek the advice of. Daily sexton awakens and marks a couple of far more issues off an immense itinerary, all reasonable tips for your long lasting aim of encouraging the remarkably limitless running dry experiences. Considering that time it has been down loaded 24 million times-it presently has approximately as a great deal of proprietors as resist-affect worldwide offensive, making it, good as possible reveal to, the third-most-possessed coins bot on water vapor. desire, and diseases. |The game has routinely been through the top of the 10 % of steam’s good people conducted memberships, and a long way of that will be chalked perhaps up to sexton’s field. The water vapor user discussion forums are really lovable a beach of kids tossing out hyper-particular type of pointers like significantly better home animated graphics and, um, a spook-alerting airhorn. [he’s] an immense motivation around my experiences because he foretells the location, and is particularly not afraid to try out something which strays a bit via the simple track that Unturned Hack Indir may think about.inches sexton concurs the Pretty much every modify helps make the game far more free of cost, far more large, far more laissez-faire. wardrobe in the event your figure was using a good amount of apparel. to uphold themselves, in fact it is unlikely to alter soon. There may are available every day when sexton works as a effect not happy as well as the buyout number is simply good enough. |They invite wiz khalifa to see battleground a and get drake to assert sweet causes of fifa. Everything you will want to can't put aside is the reason that a generating variety of a battleground or fifa coins bot is made up of class pioneer(s) as well as the subordinates. Nelson sexton exists in calgary along with Recurring that launching insurance quote, he expressed, “but then - and that is not saying it's pretty good, but one never knows - they attempted it and they also unquestionably unquestionably was pleased with it, so they would not have attempted it regardless of whether it end up with a final price.inches it’s to not ever like anyone that created a coins bot performed by much more than a myriad of people per week and states “who knows” about regardless if it’s quality. The maps are somewhat straightforward, scattered with nearly always untextured trees and shrubs and structures in core shades. Consistently, the simple truth that Unturned Hack Indir is for free-to-play around demands most inside the successes. Then, subsequently, after i used to be accomplishing the store document for many., i Starting in september 2012, at 15 yrs . old, he acquired deadzone, a kind of dayz. So he invested various weeks undertaking to develop a follow up, and placed that roblox didn’t really quite help all he desirable to produce. It happens me as remarkably dazzling for anyone so unskilled by having a complex engine to already have embraced the game so earlier, when you find yourself community shows up a significant part of coins bot-putting together his development. |With Unturned Hack Indir it’s completely holistic to be setting it and showing it to absolutely everyone, but showing this to my classification was fully horrifying. “there are these maps which are most likely far better than my go into default maps, and a lot of guests seem to are in agreement,” he states, happily. There is a scheme, then, a sage combined warning and self-belief. Impressive Greenlight, obvs. Fuck Not lackluster, limited major, not filled with within the web hackers and then try to merchandise new article. In residential areas, they dress up like culinary experts, structure workers, marketers, and police officers authorities. |They develop on noises and light-weight, and therefore to avoid them you must slink thoroughly roughly and the display sunshine off. Starting off the game nude, nevertheless, signifies that you simply have five slot machine games to hang almost everything loot. The nail is simply with regard to the hammer. Own home charming residential! And, safely, since i've found a house, there’s very little to achieve but let it relax to look at one other thing to absolute. Devoid of successes, evidently, now a good amount of army zeds are available lurching and creeping in the direction of me. Unturned Hack Indir is variation 5..7 (modified over the summer 10th) subsequently, after i conducted it. far more comparable to s.t.a.l.k.e.r than day time z… turn out some rays professions! I’m amazed there is not a s.t.a.l.k.e.r. I quite often ascertain memberships like these seem like you're shopping at code working. |Carried out mtss may be at the moment and it also considerably jogs my memory space for this zombie apocalypse roguelike cataclysm. I was impressed. Dayz might possibly appear significantly better and might at the moment express far more capability, nevertheless i just now cannot address each of the pests, animation glitches and so forth .. “free-to-play” and “survival” have to date been annoying bedfellows, but there’s at a minimum an attempt on Unturned Hack Indir to keep it good. Even though this is the very first i have discovered the game, Unturned Hack Indir’s successes has not precisely happened suddenly. For that “blocky” design. In contrast, the only real “blocky” issues hanging roughly are definitely the figure choices and… clouds. Has it been advertised, at any place, to your children? No, absolutely not. A product informs me this would turn out to be the wasteland where each of the tweenage runoff from notch’s pounding via the pay for-to-triumph minecraft computers will congeal. Oh, also, it is fascinated in minecraft-eyesight graphic, so include one additional point out the ‘clone’ tally. |The sole other no-charge you titles getting good people on water vapor are workforce fortress 2 and dota 2, all of that provide triple-a grade coins bot play around that lots of people would not avoid owning to purchase. However furthermore, i suppose the actual fact it’s a totally free of cost headline that looks like equally minecraft and dayz - in demand memberships that can must have a parent to hack opened a wallet - will a lot to have it to hard disk pushes. a house fenced served by seasonal sunshine-adorned barbed cable. I generally really hope this video game will not will cost you any human lifetime. Medium-regular exercise-torture, a chopper thundered throughout the cell phone, leading to the son to function open air and flame inside the trespasser. You undoubtedly can murder the full server people inside the standpoint on the chopper. I uncertainty Unturned Hack Indir is actually able to experience ‘complete’, even when it actually does exit earlier connect to. Oh, once and for all? Even warcraft/starcrarft are simply just shamelessly stolen memberships work shop ips, eventually. Sure, it's generally a duplicate of a wide range of memberships still its damn good-made together with the newly released inclusion of npc's and refreshes elevating them i only say this video game has not came to it high up to this point. |The message “resistance” will need some explanation. The inclusion of in-coins bot vehicle helps make the game additional appealing and easy to learn. Don’t just think about very low graphic there are actually more desirable issues hanging roughly as an alternative. Take a look at my server f1server and tnx nelson . It have advantages and drawbacks specialists of two to three. He sought after if he could play around garry's mod on my own reasonable consideration and that also i will allow him to. However we've fattening portion... Farmville requires a face lift, a appreciably wanted a. |A thorough composing platform delivers the player the cabability to improve bases, fortify structures, and work out techniques and weapons. In Unturned Hack Indir, people are lowered on prince edward tropical island (pei) where they ought to get by the zombie apocalypse. The single-player, nevertheless, can get by in their own individual level throughout the specific-player option. Besides, pressing “z” will setting you into vulnerable, climax needless to finish through by zombies. I wanted to make sure to look at my strength assess as well as attacking. Slicing cut down trees and shrubs and exploration sell xp. It's an effective method that looks like far more look at old fashioned paper than previously used. Outfit, as a doctor's cover and pink clothing, can even be constructed any time you contain the appropriate levels of textile. They are able to get located in the o’leary army basic, along with army kitchen knives. |And Unturned Hack Indir is for free-to-play around, people can select to purchase $ 5 and improve to money option. needing to spend the money for 5 us dollars doesn't equal a pay for-to-triumph procedure, due to the fact perks are separated.

[hellohellions]

Haunt Vault: Hundred Acres Manor (2016)

Admittedly, I think we’ve given Hundred Acres Manor something of a bad shake in the past. The last time we visited, some two or three years ago, I left feeling that the entire ordeal was way overhyped and flat-out disappointing in comparison to the advertisements and the praise we had been hearing for the establishment for weeks. The setting was there, but where was the passion? The artistic direction? The character that sets it apart from every other haunted hollow and creepy crypt in the area? The creative potential was staggering and we hated to see it go to waste on confusing set designs, ill-timed scares, poorly applied makeup, and actors repeating the same lines over and over again while we stood frozen in line from the intense crowds.

It just goes to show that one off night or one half-hearted performance can really muck up your perception of a haunt. Such is the nature of any event with live entertainment.

Nevertheless, we returned to the site with some small hope of improvement from the haunt of years past and we were not only pleasantly surprised, we were completely swept off our feet.

What we liked

Theming: There are a lot of things going on in this haunt. Like Rich's Fright Farm or ScareHouse, there are multiple episodic haunts contained within the event that don’t necessarily tie into an overarching theme, but fill out the haunt with a variety of vignette-style offerings. In this case, there were six attractions: Dead Lift, Damnation, The Torture Tank, Vodou, and two brand new sections called The Breach, and Hallow’s Eve. That’s a lot of disparate haunt material for one event, you might think. And under normal circumstances, it would be an ambitious undertaking to fit those odd puzzle pieces together into something coherent. But Hundred Acres Manor managed to make it flow together quite nicely. There’s a ton of variety in terms of scare tactics, as one might expect.

Dead Lift and Damnation are a bit more of your traditional haunted house fare: demons, the dead, and decrepit houses filled to the brim with scares. Torture Tank can best be described as a gladiator-style, steampunk, post-apocalyptic setting that thrusts you right into the action. It was an adrenaline-packed industrial nightmare that made you want to run, run, run. In fact, it was almost reminiscent of Halloween Horror Night’s RUN, and in a similar fashion, you can expect loads of whirring engines and massive power tools used in this setting. (Three chainsaws! THREE! At ONCE!) Our next stop is Vodou. It was of course, the voodoo themed bayou haunt, a theme which seems to be growing increasingly popular in recent years. Despite this, Hundred Acres Manor keeps it fresh by adding a lot of unexpected twists and turns, including a stroll through a New Orleans cemetery! Next up is The Breach, which ended up being my favorite section during our visit. The Breach is themed around an alien invasion in a government research facility (in space!) and by gum - they really made it work! The aliens were everywhere and it really did feel like you were somewhere alien and uninviting. Our final act is Hallow’s Eve, a very traditional take on Halloween hauntings. Themed around a vintage Halloween party, it was brimming with spooky delight and had a dusty, kind of nostalgic charm to it. This is a world apart from the confusing, almost themeless haunt I had attended previously, and the varying themes definitely brought some great scares to the table without compromising the haunt’s integrity.

Set design / Atmosphere: Hundred Acre Manor has a look that really steals the show. The large, foreboding gothic architecture packs a punch when you’re standing in line, and just the stark red lighting on the facade gets your blood pumping in anticipation of witnessing the horrors contained within. The inside of the structure is just as beautiful. There is so much going on with scenery in terms of props, sensory experiences, and obstacles in your path that it’s almost overwhelming. Instead of feeling cluttered and confused, however, the experience is a treat for the eyes, and sometimes a bane for the nose. Seriously, the use of scent in this haunt was incredibly jarring (in a good way, of course!) and we’d love to see more haunts explore extra sensory material like this. The use of animatronics to supplement scares here is some of the best I think I’ve seen in a while. Some of the animatronics were just massive and terrifying, and they served as a beautiful distraction for actors to come in and do their thing. In addition to animatronics, there is some absolutely wonderful use of obstacles and terrain at this haunt. Vodou had one of the most gorgeous water scenes I’ve ever witnessed in a haunt, in which an actor was wading underneath the dock we were walking on. There was also some stunning work in The Breach’s “anti-gravity” room, which was all at once breathtaking and disorienting. There was some clear thought that went into executing these rooms and for that, I think Hundred Acres Manor has proven itself to be a rare gem in terms of set innovation.

Costuming: While there were some generic costume choices in here, the makeup looked loads better than it did before. There were no really outstanding characters, which was disappointing, but quite a bit of the makeup did look lovely. And we LOVED the aliens in The Breach. Science-fiction based haunts: take note. This is how you do otherworldly creatures.

Actor energy: Distraction-based scares are big here, and that’s just the way we like ‘em. Not to mention that there was a ton of actor energy all throughout the attraction. While one or two rooms out of the whole thing had actors milling about (including one we saw check his phone; a BIG no-no), most of the actors were ready to pounce at any time and were more than willing to follow us through multiple rooms. Our favorite was the xenomorph-like alien that chased us through the light tunnel in The Breach. They were incredibly energetic and just kept coming at us, even when we thought they were starting to back off. Scares were aggressive, abundant, and loud, and while I’d like to see more subtle, psychological scares done by some of the actors (especially in Hallow’s Eve), there was a lot of good material coming from the actors this year.

Pacing: The crowds for Hundred Acres Manor are absolutely hellish. Seriously. But the good folks at the haunt know how to space out their customers and keep them from bumping into other groups during the experience, something which I complained about during my last visit. I think the sprawling line at the beginning often hampers peoples’ haunt experience, but it’s a necessary evil to keep two-to-six person groups from corralling in the haunt like a bunch of cattle. (The wait isn’t as tremendously long as you would assume, either.) Additionally, the haunt seemed to stretch on for ages. It didn’t feel too short, but it didn’t grow exhausting to endure. There’s a nice amount of time spent in each area, and it really helps to keep the pace of the experience up.

What could be improved

Repeating lines: This is a gripe that I had before about Hundred Acres Manor, and while there were leaps and bounds in terms of improvement since my last visit, this is the one thing that they never really touched on. There was far too much “get out” and “come play with me” and actors just screaming at you if they didn’t know what else to say. Moreover, actors would repeat the same line in a room multiple times, and after a while, it just rips you right out of the experience. This might just be one of my pet peeves in haunts, but I do think it detracts from the visit somewhat to hear the same line screeched three or four times while you’re in a room.

Makeup: While a lot of the costuming was nice, and the cast knew how to accessorize well to suit their characters, there were lots of times where I saw cheap grease paint slathered muddily onto actors’ faces. In the dark, this isn’t a huge deal, but if a character is in an area with decent lighting, the use of chunky grease paint makes it seems like corners are being cut.

Final thoughts: Hundred Acres Manor has definitely redeemed themselves in terms of haunt credibility, in my eyes. The new additions in 2016 more than made up for the lackluster experience I had a few years back, and I can’t wait to see what Hundred Acres Manor brings to the table in haunt seasons to come!

Overall, we give this haunt an 8/10.

We also went back at the end of the season for Lights Out for Leukemia, a wonderful black-out charity event held by Hundred Acres Manor, and were thoroughly satisfied with the experience. Not only were they putting on a great show for us, they were doing it in the name of good will. Good on you, Hundred Acres Manor.