#collaboration at its finest

[montereybayaquarium]

We get pretty excited about the common siphonophore. What’s not to love?

We’re thrilled to be the first public aquarium in the world to culture and raise these delightful drifters. While these animals are incredibly fragile and difficult to see, they’re abundant and can be found throughout the ocean!

Siphonophores are colonies of tiny animals called “zooids”, and they play an important role in the oceanic food webs.

Thank you to our colleagues at @mbari-blog for the common siphonophore footage! Check out their website to learn more about these magnificent mysteries!

[cool-fancier]

A Dance of Synergy

Requested by anonymous

Synopsis: Passion for dance ignited at a young age led you to WayB and a close friendship with Bada. A surprise battle ensued at Street Woman Fighter 2, showcasing your hidden connection. The shared synergy while dancing together left fans curious about the unspoken bond between you and Bada

A/N: I did rush this so please don't mind and I'm sorry if like the timeline doesn't make sense

Word count:2.6K

Your passion in movement as a child inspired you to pursue a career in dance. You found comfort in the rhythm of music from the age of five, your body responding easily to every beat. It felt as if the songs themselves were telling stories that could only be expressed through dance.

Your enthusiasm expanded immensely as a result of your unwavering dedication. Hours spent mastering each step, pirouette, and leap became a tribute to your unrelenting dedication. Dance wasn't just a hobby for you; it was your soul.

You caught the attention of local dance communities as you refined your skills, leaving a lasting impression with your mesmerising performances. Acclaim didn't come easily—countless hours of effort, pushing your body to its limits, and battling self-doubt constituted the foundation of your journey.

Then came the key moment when your sister, Noze, entered the competitive dance world for the first time. She saw your brilliance and strong commitment and realised she needed you at her side. WayB, Noze encouraged you to join her crew with her contagious enthusiasm.

Joining WayB wasn't just about dancing; it was a decision that changed the trajectory of your career. Together with your sister, the crew took the dance scene by storm, your synchronized movements leaving audiences in awe. Noze's energy blended seamlessly with your finesse, creating a dynamic duo that captured the essence of every performance.

Your partnership with WayB elevated your profile in the dance industry. Recognition followed as your talent caught the eye of choreographers and artists alike. It was during these collaborations that your expertise as a choreographer flourished, carving a path that eventually led you to the pulsating heart of the K-pop industry.

WayB's reputation paved the way for their entry into Street Woman Fighter, an electrifying dance competition. Your sister, Noze, encouraged the crew to embrace the challenge, sensing the opportunity to showcase your collective talents on a grand stage. The experience not only solidified WayB's position but also propelled you further into the dance industry's spotlight.

— — — — — — —

Your chance meeting with Bada at her dance lesson was a memorable experience. You recall approaching the studio anxiously, the slight fragrance of sweat mingling with the excitement of learning from one of the finest. Bada's enthusiasm filled the room as she effortlessly lead the class through the difficult choreography.

With your exact techniques and contagious excitement, you drew Bada's attention as the class progressed. Her compliments at the end of the lesson seemed like a reinforcement of your commitment to dancing. You had no idea that was just the beginning.

After the class, while you were catching your breath, Bada approached with a warm smile. "Wow the famous Y/N from WayB ,You were amazing in there!. Are you new to my classes?"

You chuckled nervously, grateful for the compliment. "Thank you! And stop I'm not that famous , this was my first time here. I couldn't miss the chance to learn from the legendary Bada Lee."

Bada's laughter was music to your ears. "Legendary, huh? Flattery will get you everywhere! I'm glad you enjoyed it. I hope to see you in more classes."

From that day on, you became a regular at Bada's classes. Each session was an opportunity to learn from her and share a few laughs along the way. Your admiration for her talent grew, but so did your friendship.

Your interactions expanded beyond the dance studio as the weeks evolved into months. Coffee dates, casual lunches, and even spontaneous dance-offs became common. The relationship between you and Bada was undeniable, the shared passion for dance forming the foundation of your bond.

As your friendship with Bada grew, so did the moments of discovery. You found yourselves plunging deeper into each other's worlds amid dancing rehearsals and late-night hangouts.

Bada recounted stories about her experiences in the K-pop world with magnetic passion. Her eyes twinkled as she described the joy of choreographing for some of music's biggest stars. You listened closely, enthralled by her passion for dance and the industry insights she gave.

In turn, you opened up about your experiences with WayB, detailing the high-octane moments on stage as well as the creative process behind some of your most memorable performances. Bada was an attentive listener who asked probing questions about your craft.

You discovered shared interests and variations as your chats progressed beyond dance. Bada's taste in corny romantic flicks mirrored yours, and spontaneous movie nights became a favourite hobby. Every shared laugh and meaningful conversation enhanced your friendship, from arguing the best dancing styles to playfully criticising each other's dress choices.

There were also times when you both confided in one other about the difficulties you faced in the competitive dancing scene. In those moments, your mutual support and understanding established the cornerstone of your new partnership.

There were glimpses of something more in the midst of the growing friendship. The lingering looks, the unintentional touches that sent sparks flying, and the butterflies in your stomach when you were together—it was an emotional dance that neither of you could resist.

It was during a spontaneous outing to a bustling street food market that the unspoken tension between you finally surfaced. Amidst the aroma of sizzling delicacies and the ambient chatter, Bada turned to you with a thoughtful expression.

"You know, spending time with you has been incredible. I feel like I've known you for much longer than we actually have. There's this connection between us that's hard to ignore."

You nodded, feeling the same way but also unsure of where to take the conversation. "I feel it too, Bada. It's like we just... click."

The air between you held a silent question, a mutual acknowledgment of the unspoken feelings that lingered beneath the surface. It was a defining moment—a crossroads where friendship and something deeper converged.

With a soft smile, Bada reached out, gently taking your hand. "How about we explore this further? Take things one step at a time and see where this journey leads us?"

Your heart skipped a beat at her words, relief flooding in as the unspoken tension dissipated. "I'd love that, Bada. Let's see where this dance takes us."

That moment marked the beginning of a new chapter in your relationship. From there, the transition from friends to partners was a natural progression, solidifying the beautiful connection you shared.

Amidst the bustling street food market, the conversation lingered in the air, a silent understanding hanging between you and Bada. The playful banter and shared laughter seemed to create a cocoon around the two of you, shielding you from the outside world.

As the evening sun cast a warm glow, Bada leaned in, her eyes twinkling mischievously. "You know, there's one thing we haven't tried yet."

Your heart raced, anticipation mingling with a hint of nervousness. "And what might that be?"

With a playful grin, Bada teased, "A proper goodbye for the night, perhaps?"

A shared chuckle punctuated the moment, the air thick with unspoken anticipation. Without a word, you leaned in, your lips meeting in a gentle, playful kiss. It was a fleeting moment, but one that spoke volumes—filled with the promise of something beautiful blooming between you.

Pulling away, both of you wore matching sheepish grins, a hint of color dusting your cheeks. "Well, that was unexpected," you chuckled.

Bada, her laughter infectious, replied, "I blame the romantic atmosphere of the street market. It's making me do crazy things!"

The shared laughter dissolved any remaining tension, the ease of the moment reinforcing the comfort you found in each other's company. With a knowing glance and a playful wink, you both continued your stroll through the market, the echoes of your laughter mingling with the vibrant ambiance.

That spontaneous kiss became a cherished memory—a moment that sealed the unspoken feelings and added a touch of whimsy to your budding relationship. From that day forward, the warmth of that shared kiss lingered as a silent promise of the affection and connection between you and Bada.

— — — — —

The Street Woman Fighter 2 concert was a highly anticipated gathering of dance crews, and in a surprising twist, you had managed to secure a spot for an unexpected 1vs1 battle against Bada. It was a sneaky decision, known only to the organisers, because you didn't tell anyone, especially Bada, about your participation.

As the evening progressed, the crews showcased their abilities, and each performance was welcomed with deafening acclaim. The electricity in the air crackled with excitement, as the battles grew, leading up to the final act of the day.

Bada, as Bebe's leader, had captivated the audience with her crew's dazzling performances. She had no idea that an unexpected opponent was waiting in the wings—a challenger who was more to her than just another dancer.

Bada's amazement was obvious as the emcee announced the surprise 1vs1 match. As you went onto the stage, the spotlight illuminating your silhouette, her eyes opened in surprise. The audience murmured in confusion and excitement, unaware of the backstory behind this sudden face-off.

The emcee's voice rang out throughout the venue. "Ladies and gentlemen, a surprise addition to today's battles! Joining us for an impromptu 1vs1 against Bada Lee is none other than Wayb's Y/N!"

Bada's expression was priceless as the music began, signalling the start of the battle. You took a position opposite her, a teasing smile on your lips. The expectation of the crowd contributed to the intensity of the event.

As you began your routine, the first few beats of the song boomed throughout the venue, your motions flowing and precise. Bada, taken aback but never one to back down from a challenge, matched your intensity with her own trademark style, the dance floor serving as a canvas for an unexpected battle of styles.

As the battle progressed, the tension between you and Bada crackled in the air. Each move was a silent retort, a playful challenge to the rumors that had been circulating within the dance community. The audience, caught in the exhilarating showdown, cheered for both of you, unaware of the deeper connection that existed between the two dancers on stage.

In the midst of the battle, a playful wink and a mischievous grin were exchanged between you and Bada. The unspoken understanding added an extra layer of amusement to the competitive atmosphere.

The battle reached its climax, both of you showcasing your best moves. The audience erupted into applause, thoroughly entertained by the unexpected showdown. As the music faded, you and Bada stood facing each other, panting but wearing matching grins, a shared secret concealed beneath the surface.

The atmosphere in the arena erupted with energy after your heated 1vs1 bout with Bada. Sensing the heightened energy, the emcee introduced a surprise segment: a collaborative dance between you and Bada. As the familiar chords of a popular song filled the room, you both exchanged a shocked look, your unspoken connection sparking a spark of anticipation.

As you and Bada took your places on stage, the audience erupted in applause, the spotlight casting an ethereal glow around you. As the music grew louder, you began to move in perfect unison, each stride mirroring the previous one, as if your bodies were speaking a same language.

The chemistry between you and Bada was undeniable, the unspoken bond manifesting in the synergy of your movements. Fans were mesmerised as your diverse dancing styles merged effortlessly, producing a mesmerising tapestry of motion.

The earlier battle's humorous banter and competitive edge had been replaced by an effortless harmony, with each move complementing the other. It was as if you both anticipated each other's movements, a monument to your friendship's unspoken understanding.

With each elegant turn and intricate formation, the audience, entranced by the exhibition of unity and delicacy, shouted louder. Whispers and gasps flooded the room as your and Bada's chemistry transcended the dance floor, creating a lasting mark on everyone in attendance.

As the music reached a climax, you and Bada finished the dance with a magnificent final posture, the audience's cheers echoing throughout the venue. The shared moment between you two lingered in the air, a silent testament to the deeper connection that existed between you.

The emcee, beaming with enthusiasm, approached the center stage amidst the thunderous applause. "Ladies and gentlemen, let's give it up for Y/N Y/LN and Bada Lee! What an incredible performance! The chemistry between these two dancers is simply undeniable."

Fans, who had been speculating about the nature of your relationship, couldn't help but notice the palpable connection between you and Bada. The synergy that had unfolded before their eyes left an impression that was impossible to ignore, sparking a renewed wave of curiosity and excitement among the audience.

The emcee, sensing the electric atmosphere, approached with the mic. "A spectacular showdown! Y/N, Bada, any words for our audience?"

You stepped forward, the smile on your face concealing the deeper sentiment. "Thank you all for the love and support. It's been an incredible experience sharing the stage with such amazing talent."

Bada, her eyes gleaming with excitement, added, "Absolutely! The energy here is electrifying. Thank you for being a part of this journey!"

The crowd cheered, unaware of the hidden dynamics at play between you and Bada. As you left the stage, the playful banter and shared glances remained concealed, adding a layer of intrigue to the rumors that continued to circulate within the dance community.

The crowd cheered, unaware of the hidden dynamic between you and Bada. As you left the stage, the playful banter and shared glances between you remained concealed, adding an intriguing layer to the rumors that continued to swirl within the dance community.

— — — — —

In the hushed aftermath of the concert, the backstage area embraced a serene ambiance. You and Bada found a secluded spot away from the bustling crowd, the shared moments on stage still vivid in your minds.

Bada's smile was soft, filled with the remnants of the exhilaration from the performance. "That dance was something else, wasn't it?"

You nodded, a smile mirroring hers. "Absolutely. The synergy between us was incredible."

A comfortable silence settled between you, the weight of the unspoken emotions adding a layer of depth to the moment.

The shared glance between you held a silent agreement, the bond you shared extending beyond the confines of words. In that quiet space, amidst the fading echoes of the concert, a mutual understanding lingered between you and Bada.

As the quiet lingered, the intimacy of the moment heightened. Bada's gaze softened, her eyes searching yours for a shared truth. Without a word, a gentle yet purposeful movement drew her closer, and in that silent invitation, you felt a warmth envelop both of you.

The world around seemed to fade as Bada's lips met yours in a tender, sweet kiss. It was a moment that felt suspended in time, a silent celebration of the bond that had quietly grown between you.

When the kiss gently parted, the serenity of the moment remained, a shared intimacy that transcended the public eye. Bada's eyes met yours once more, a depth of emotion conveyed in that silent exchange.

"Thank you," Bada whispered softly, her voice carrying a weight of gratitude and affection.

You smiled, a warmth spreading through you. "For what?"

"For being here. For understanding. For this moment," Bada replied, her eyes shining with sincerity.

In the quiet embrace of the backstage, amidst the remnants of the concert, you and Bada stood, hand in hand, the unspoken intimacy of the night weaving a tapestry of shared memories.

It was a moment that etched itself into the story of your relationship, a moment that celebrated the beauty of dance, friendship, and the love that had quietly blossomed within the rhythm of the music and the unspoken language of your movements.

[thesummerestsolstice]

Headcanon Crafts for the House of Finarfin

Earwen: a sailor. Yes, I know, the Teleri are the sea elves, but while most of them can manage in a rowboat, only a few are true sailors; able to navigate the Teleri's finest ships, even in rocky bays or stormy waves. And Earwen was the best of the best. She was particularly fond of venturing out where no one had before, seeing everything there was to see on the ocean, though she always turned back to Valinor eventually.

Finrod: a bard. While Maglor's focus was always on the oral history of the Quendi, Finrod preferred to learn folktales and lays, which were often preformed more casually and retold with somewhat improvised lyrics on the fly. By the time of his death, he knew more myths and legends (elvish, mannish, and dwarfish) than anyone else, though most of it remained unwritten and died with him.

Angrod: a spinner. Well, he didn't just spin wool into thread– though he did keep a few sheep, and was very fond of them. He spun thread and yarn from various materials, and then hand made dye to turn it various colors. He valued his work for its rich hues and remarkable resistance to fraying. He was basically the only person whose thread was high quality enough for Caranthir; the two of them really bonded over fiber work.

Aegnor: a dancer; more in-line with traditional Vanyar work than most Noldor crafts. He had the strength and precision for the most complex dances, though he was sometimes a bit awkward when it came to dancing with a partner. Some speculated that he would swear his service to Nessa, as one of the few dancers skilled enough for a place in her halls, but he never did. He always felt there was more for him in life than endless routine.

Orodreth: a gardener. Look, a garden is an amazing work because it's always growing and changing, and it's made in collaboration with nature. Orodreth loved that sense connection with the world around him, and tried to make garden that looked more natural and weren't bound to beds or boxes. His favorite flowers were always tulips. Though it was underground, Nargothrond still had beautiful gardens thanks to some creativity on his part.

Galadriel: a baker, like Finarfin. As a child, she wanted to follow in her father's footsteps and make something that everyone would be able to enjoy; she learned a lot of her craft directly from him. Aredhel would often bring her fresh ingredients from the Valinorian woods. After going to Middle-Earth, she set her craft aside because she had no use for fancy craft work when she had to deal with fighting hordes of orcs and trying to deal with Sindar-Noldor political relationships. Also Finarfin and Aredhel weren't around anyone. She came back to it in the Second Age, and was able to find peace and happiness in her craft once again, although she never lost any of her warrior's skill.

Bonus! Although he wasn't aware of it, Finrod actually managed to make his way into legends and folktales throughout the peoples of Middle-Earth. Though his story was changed over time, he's always remembered as a faithful friend and a ray of light in dark times– and as having a rather impressive amount of fancy jewelry. He learns this all in Valinor, from his conversations with another famous keeper of tales: Bilbo Baggins.

Headcanon Crafts for Finwe and his Children, the House of Feanor, the House of Fingolfin, and the rest of the House of Finwe.

[whoopseydaisy]

The Overflowing Heart

I will tell you how I made this witch’s token, but you will have to find a way of your own. It is as Grandmother Wren told us,

“Remember always that some portion of magic is yours to wield, and that the world contains many, many truths.”

the recipe:

3/4 oz Kazuki gin

1 1/2 oz. Sake + tea mixture

1 oz. fresh squeezed grapefruit

3/4 oz. Strega

shake over ice, and serve in your finest or favourite tea cup

garnish with dried rose petals

notes:

Sherringham Kazuki gin— a collaboration of one of my favourite distilleries and my favourite local tea shop, Westholme Tea Farm. Made from Japanese cherry blossoms, and locally grown tea leaves with notes of yuzu, grapefruit, and juniper. I first visited Sherringham in a trio of my own, on a day long adventure, visiting a beach someway up the island. Westholme is run by an old coworker of my Aunt’s, and his partner who makes gorgeous pottery. I could not put words to my excitement when I first heard whispers of their collaboration.

Sake + Tea Mixture— I can never fully recreate this just the same. There is magic in that, I think. I have little left. I made it by taking a sprinkling of the following teas from Westholme, and cold steeping them in a mason jar with a large ice cube, topped with sake and a splash of moon bathed witch water.

featuring:

Blossom: (jasmine green, floral), for the cottage’s calendar

Bi Luo Chun: (green, delicate and earthy), for i thought it was grown here, over seven long years (I rolled a nat 1 on my perception check)

Pur-eh: (fermented, earthy), for its mushroominess and it’s connection therin

Dog: (black assam, vanilla and cardamon, from the Chinese Zodic series), the cardamom pod and a few leaves, for our beloved Fox

Witch Water: the witch water used in this potion was bathed in the Friday, October 13th New Moon (a day so witchy I thought for sure the class would be released that day!) in an empty kazuki gin vessel

~

Grapefruit— because it was pink and in season and a citrus I love dearly

Strega— the witch liqueur! According to legend, Giuseppe Alberti was given the recipe for this elixir after saving a witch falling out of the sacred walnut tree, under which witches would convene to dance and perform their rituals.

for the cocktail chapter of the @worldsbeyondpod unofficial cookbook

[heartfullofleeches]

So I’ve been in love with your sheriff reader but what if another sheriff came to town and saw how everyone loves reader and wanted that for themselves like they don’t really care about anything or the bandits they just want everyone to love them an not reader so they try an take over an og sheriff reader sees this as in a relaxing opportunity (sorry if it’s long)

Tw: reference violence, bullying

Cracked ice settles at the bottom of a glass as dark liquid fills it to brim. The sheriff's weighted head pivots to an upright angle as the drink is brought to lips posed in a crude smile; a blemish compared to the cloyingly sweet expression they wore days prior. They can barely process their surroundings; blurry shapes crowded around them and suffocating them more than the tight robes that binding them to their seat. A sharp jab from behind brings them to attention; the shrill laughter that follows corrected by a whistle.

"Now, folks. I know we agreed to a collaboration, but don't think that means you have the right to rough up our friend here more than needed."

Dryness coats the temporary sheriff's throat as they croak. "M...mayor?"

"Guilty as charged." The mayor bends to their level. They take one long sip from the glass in hand before shaking it in their direction. "Thirsty?"

The sheriff becomes painfully aware of their dehydration as the condensation from the glass wets their cracked lips. How long had they been out? Pushing the question to the back of their mind, they part their lips and allow the cool liquid to hit their tongue. It burns as swashes against their spilt cheek, but they gup it down with no other option. Their head returns to its orginal option as the mayor retracts their hand; hat dipping down their face. The mayor's calm expression wilts into annoyance.

"Ugh.. Take that shit off them already. Don't know why you haven't by now. Need to get it cleaned before Y/n gets back."

Hands grip their battered form; tearing the sheriff's hat from head and badge from coat. Still dressed otherwise- they've never felt more exposed.

"I don't understand. What's.. what's going on?"

"What's going on indeed.." The mayor stands up; a hand tangled in their hair keeping the sheriff's eye on them as they return to their desk. "From how I see it, some big city hot shot though they could weasel their way into our town and replace the one thing that keeps this place running. Our sheriff."

The sheriff swallows the blood clinging to the sides their mouth; a delicacy compared to the bitter truth that follows. Back home, they had it good, but it wasn't perfect. High paying gig, the love and respect of their community, but they still yearned for more. They longed for the homemade pies and the comforting familiarity of everyone worshiping them, while still valuing the face behind the mask. The unwavering trust. All tokens of which you had.

It was easy to get you to agree. Chased after by those you were meant to pursue; longed for unknowing by the person who wrote your checks. All they had to do was slip a few highlights of the city into your brain, and you were packed and ready to go. The mayor orginally protested your departure, but couldn't say no to their dear sheriff. You did deserved a little break after all you've been though - long as you had a few uninvited visitors making sure you were safe.

The temporary sheriff had it good for the first week. The finest room in the local motel. A different meat brought to them every other day. Someone must've been sewing near the pot during the making of one meal, but fortunately they spotted the needle before wolfing down the entire stew. Their dream life came crumbling down the day they decided to put in a payment for a recently vacated home, and everyone caught onto their plans before they'd even reached mid stage.

"I'm.... sorry."

"Sorry-" The mayor's eyes roll so far they appeared as if they'd pop right out of their skull. They lurch forward, sinking their digits into the delicate flesh of the sheriff's jaw; teeth clenched as all kindness is forgotten. "Don't you fucking lie to me, you hear? I know, you know, they know you aren't sorry. The only thing you're sorry about is that you got caught."

The sheriff whimpers as they're let go; nail markers and shame branding their skin. An arm props up on their shoulder, elbow dug right into the center of the torn muscle. The bandit leader flicks their ear as they tip your hat on their head; proudly dawning your badge without a lick of guilt.

"Eazy now. You call us the bad guys yet you're the one being mean. Here, lemme give them something to wear better than the sheriff's stuff real quick."

A round of cheers and soft snickering rings throughout the small room as a wad of spit connects with the sheriff's cheek. The bandit wipes their mouth with their sleeve

"Thought you were slick, huh?" Sack of shit like you, comparing yourself to a prize like our sheriff. You should be thanking the corrupt bastard in front of you. If they hadn't called us in, we would've strung you up by your ankles and dragged you through the streets like the filth you are. Speaking of which, what are we gonna do with this thing, boss."

The mayor ignores their mockery to allow a soft smile to form over their lips. "We have about half a week before our loved one returns so only time will tell, friends. Only time will tell."

[narratingvoice]

My sincerest apologies for the radio silence from this blog recently. I know, it's very out of character for me. The thing is, I've been in a bit of a pickle over the past few months. The fiscal year for 2023 didn't end nearly as profitably as I projected, not even with the hype and celebration surrounding

THE TENTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE STANLEY PARABLE (2013)!

Server maintenance isn't free, you know, and neither are infinite holes. And with Unity changing its pricing structure on top of it, well, I really needed to put the old noggin to work finding a way to squeeze every last dime out of my fans provide new and valuable pieces of entertainment that will be worth your money. And that's why I'm thrilled to announce my partnership with the fine folks at I Am 8bit to bring you: The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe: Collector's Edition!

It's true! Yes, I know I did a fake announcement for something similar last year, but this one is for real! A physical product that you can purchase and have delivered to your home, and play on your Nintendo Switch or Playstation 5. And this package involves absolutely no changes to the game itself, which really takes a load off my back. Since I have no presence in the physical world, I have to trust that my collaborators will deliver the finest quality items. And trust them I do. Shall we take a look at all the wonderful bonuses you'll receive?

Stickers!

Just like the ones I slapped onto Stanley's bucket, now you too can slap these stickers on your own bucket. Or anything else that currently lacks stickers on it. You will not receive a bucket to stick them on. We floated that idea, but Mr. 8bit told me he'd rather not have to lug dozens of buckets down to the post office every day. You'd look like a right idiot doing that, I agree. So get your own bucket and enjoy the thrill of sticking!

Oh, and do be aware that whatever object you affix the "Property of Stanley" sticker to, does legally become Stanley's property, and he will demand you send it to him.

More surprises under the cut!

An instructional manual!

"But Narrator," I hear you saying, "didn't you just say you're not giving me a bucket? What do I need this for?" First of all, do not interrupt me when I'm giving a presentation. Second of all, this manual is for the bucket that's in the game. I've noticed many players do not seem to know how to operate the bucket, and treat it like it's a person rather than an inanimate container. With this instructional manual, I will give you a comprehensive guide as to what a bucket can do (such as: prevent water from spilling all over your trousers) and what it cannot do (such as: love you back). I have had some harrowing experiences in the field of instructional manual writing, but I think this one is some of my finest work yet.

A figurine!

Yes, our most requested piece of merchandise is finally here! The OFFICIAL Stanley Parable Ultra Deluxe Stanigurine stands 5 inches tall and is made of durable PVC. And as with the virtual Figustans, that's all there is to it. There's no articulation or any type of toy action. You don't get anything but the feeling of deep satisfaction at owning this collectible. The package only comes with one, so why not buy six copies if you really want to recreate the game in your home?

But wait, that's not all!

If you are an absolute Stanley Parable fanatic, you'll want to supplement your Collector's Edition with even more plastic tat commemorating your favourite game. And you definitely want to support me as much as possible, right? So you can also buy:

The button that says the name of the person playing the game!

For just $10, you too can have a button that says your name, presuming your name is Jim. The button will only say the name Jim and will never say any other name, no matter how often you press it. I found that a lot of players really got into the immersive experience of being Jim, so I decided to keep it that way instead of programming it to say a whole lot of names. Sorry, but there are too many different names in the world. You're Jim and you'll like it.

Vinyl albums!

When you buy the Collector's Edition, you'll get a free code to download the Official Soundtrack in MP3 format. But what if you don't like MP3? What if you're a bit more old-fashioned in your audiophile taste? Well, I've got you covered! With this 2-record set, you can listen to all the office ambience on your gramophone or turntable. Why, you could even DJ a set with it! If you do, please send me your mixtape and I'll give it an honest review. My music taste is impeccable.

An instructional audio cassette!

Yes, this is just a cassette telling you how to install and run a copy machine. Listen, I took some odd voiceover jobs here and there to pay the bills. And I figured, you lot are so ravenous to hear my voice that you'd even pay good money to hear me deliver some boring instructions. At least, that's the impression I get from the more saucy side of the fandom. So that's what you get. Do I do anything funny? You'll have to buy it and find out!

Hold on, Stanley is trying to tell me something. What do you mean, nobody has a cassette player any more? Why wouldn't they? It's the perfect compact audio format! It's got two sides, which is more than you can say for a CD, and it's a lot more portable than vinyl. Well I'm not shipping out cassette players. You can take it or leave it. No refunds.

[ranticore]

Chapter 3 - To Be Phocid [Qedivar's research]

It's that time again. Ishmael is a teenage boy, fair warning.

I'm posting this on mobile so I cba linking the previous chapters but go into the siren tag to find them.

x

Following these events, and at Maris’s insistence, Ishmael began to keep a journal. To the delight of this author, his writing was deep, introspective, and highly detailed. From now on, I no longer had to rely on pieced together scraps and reports, but from a primary source. As such, the way these events are related will shift a little, but that is only for events concerning Ishmael.

Cherta, unfortunately, did not keep a journal at this time and remains frustratingly opaque, given Ishmael’s somewhat biased recounting of their activities. Although one must concede to the difficulties of keeping a journal underwater, before the age of sub-aquatic writing systems, and with eighteen other overambitious adolescents in relatively close proximity.

Ishmael’s journal was recorded on a computerified device and was not written by hand, though his deep dream education had serviced to educate him in handwriting skills. This was tested when he was younger, as part of an evaluation to determine the extent of his dexterity. Although the notion of a form of writing which is stored in a purely hypothetical space is very odd, especially in its permanency, it has enabled us to access his thoughts at this day and age, whereas traditional aquatic knot-writing would have long since rotted away.

He wrote in the language of the Predecessors, which I believe to be the root of all air-speaking language families. The translation of these texts is what has taxed me more than any other part of this process, aside from the grievous bodily harm, and it has taken a fantastic span of time to achieve this translation. I cannot credit my sources for fear of implicating them but you can be assured that the finest minds of the Spire collaborated on this project. This Predecessor tongue is what is spoken in all of the videos, enabling me to learn it to a conversational level, though I am hardly fluent.

Some of the journal is rendered untranslatable due to it referring to objects or concepts which were considered common knowledge at the time, requiring no additional definition. These concepts or objects will be clearly marked. However, I believe much of the text to be familiar to many people, telling of the frustration and longing common and recognisable today. That said, I believe it is also important not to take for granted the relatability.

Ishmael is not always familiar to us and existed in a time we would find nigh incomprehensible. Do not take this as reason to doubt his interiority or personhood, and do not fall into the trap of believing that you would have done better in his place, that you would have seen clearly what he obviously did not (and had good reason not to). They may have been phocids, or the predecessors of phocids, but they were new. If you were the first of your kind, could you do better?

I will now present the text in chronological order, starting from the eve of his sixteenth birthday:

-

Entry 1 – I hate seeing that baby siphonid. It’s still moving. It drags itself around on the leg the researchers didn’t take. Now I’m just going to remember this forever, since I wrote it down. Great. I hate that fucking noise. Why can’t they just get it to shut up?

Thank [deity]. They took it away.

Update – it didn’t even taste good.

-

Entry 2 - Maris told me to talk more about my feelings. What does she know? Nobody understands me anyway. I don’t think they can feel all that on their face like me. The sipho noise kept touching me. The researchers are always talking about hydrofoils and antennae but I bet they don’t know what I do - how the siphos talk to each other. I told Callum and he didn’t know what I meant, even though he has a beard.

Talked to Lee again about sex since Dan said he wouldn’t tell me himself. I don’t think Lee told the truth about a lot of that stuff. The other kids sometimes joke around a bit too much, but it is kinda funny I guess.

Update - Dan shouted at me for asking, but now I have proof Lee was wrong.

-

Entry 3 – The phocids click at each other underwater with their tongues.

Dan got so angry after I pulled my face hair out. He made the interns [untranslatable] search my room for the hairs and they actually found them. They didn’t even do anything with it, just put it in a bag and sealed it away. Looks like nobody wants it at all. Dan says Atom spent 120 billion nua making me, so I think one face hair is worth a few million. If I started selling them to the people outside the lab, I could buy my own stake of land on Siren just like them. I wouldn’t let Lee in. My fingers are probably worth a couple billion each.

Should I

-

Entry 4 – Emer (the intern) looked at me like I did something wrong when she changed my pillowcases.

Spilled bile EVERYWHERE when they were testing me. I keep thinking about somehow saving it and trying to sell it. I’m supposed to be a digestive model for Siren food, so my insides are probably worth a lot. I should ask Dan when he calms down.

Callum came around to talk to Dan again. He’s getting really tall, he’s taller than me now even when I stand up straight. He’s so skinny, like the baby siphonids (I can snap one in half with just my teeth now). When Callum was there, he didn’t want to look at me, but I get it. They didn’t even cook the siphonid this time, it was raw and with the shell on. His leg is the same width as one of them.

Emer won’t stop changing my pillowcases. Is there a way to prevent them from smelling like that?? Callum hasn’t been around so I can’t ask. Maris thinks it’s just because people my age start getting sweaty but Dan specifically told me he made me not have sweat glands anywhere but my hands. Then he said the phocids do have sweat glands. I still don’t get the point of sweating if you’re already a stupid wet rat who lives in the

-

Entry 5 – I’m seventeen now. Since I’m an adult, I decided to stop being reticent around the phocids. I want to know if they found a comfortable way to walk without the skin coming off their tails. So I went to talk to them today for the first time. There is a window where you can do it, they let it open ever since the climate control got busted again last month.

Cherta is really weird. I knew they couldn’t stay in the pool for very long because they might have a seizure but apparently it can happen any time, not just underwater. They have a button implant that makes their muscles relax. Anyway, their tails have thicker skin than mine so that was useless. But it is still worthwhile, I think, to meet with the phocids. They remind me why I am a human, and they are not. I kind of pity them because all they're ever going to be is a bunch of test subjects in a tiny swimming pool.

Cherta told me that one of the phocids died a year ago. I don’t remember Dan ever talking about it to me, but they said it was a big deal. Apparently they got pressure sickness when climate control broke the first time. I think Cherta broke it the second time, they sounded too proud to mention it. I don’t get it. Anyway, breaking stuff in the lab is against the rules and I think I’m going to tell Dan about that.

-

Entry 6 – I made the right choice. Cherta got so angry when they found out I told on them that they had another seizure. The other phocids had to pull them out of the pool. Dan thought I did the right thing but I don’t think he liked me going to tell Cherta about it afterwards, told me no one likes a snitch. Well, then, what am I supposed to do? Just let it happen? I hope Cherta chokes on that gross pool water next time.

Dan suggested I go do something other than visit the phocids and I agree, they’re clearly not worth my time. I went to see Callum instead but he wasn’t in. He has a games console, I saw him show it off to Lee the other day. I wonder if he’d let me try it.

[End of Journal Entries]

-

It paints an interesting picture. As Ishmael mentions, Cherta suffered permanent neurological issues as a result of their birth mishaps. This was a point of contention within the lab, beyond Ishmael’s knowledge; the finance manager of the settlement questioned the wisdom of keeping a test subject in an aquatic locomotion study group who could not spend much time underwater. Every time, however, Dan Loris would respond that Cherta now provided essential information about phocid neurology and drowning mechanisms.

The phocid whose death Ishmael mentions was number seventeen, Ambla. It is highly likely that number seventeen’s death was accidental, but the circumstances were not caused by a failure of the lab’s climate system.

I have found the experimental notes from that day; Ambla was brought to an isolated chamber which was controlled by the climate system, with its own test pool, and the quality of the atmosphere was changed to match that of the Precursor home planet. The force of gravity was thus increased. What the Humans did not expect was Ambla’s sudden inability to swim to the surface. They inhaled water, which settled in their lungs and caused them to drown even after they had been pulled out of the pool.

Dan expressed grief in his notes, and surprise. He did not understand why such a thing would occur and blamed the climate system for somehow altering the test beyond his parameters. This is likely what led to Cherta’s misconception that the climate system had killed one of their friends, and their subsequent sabotage of the climate system every few months after that.

But any phocid or selkie reading this will intimately recognise the problem, and I believe the mystery of Ambla’s death may now be solved. The water taken to fill the pool was likely Tel!am’s Blood, a phenomenon all sea-faring people will know about. The Precursors, it seemed, were unfamiliar with it, and had pumped water in to the pool which nobody could swim in. But with the increased gravity, even the fittest phocid would struggle to rise in shallow water.

Regardless, there exists a substantial gap between that last journal entry and the next. Almost a year, in fact, when Ishmael did not write at all, and neither did he participate in Maris’s therapy sessions. I do, however, have a copy of Callum’s journal with me which provides at least half of the narrative, incomplete as it is.

[silverskye13]

Is dnd fun? :o I wanna play so bad but every session or group I join falls apart fast

DnD is very fun! As long as you have a decent table and a decent DM. I've only had good experiences with it, barring once or twice. It's collaborative storytelling at its finest.

Tbh I really like DMing. Sometimes I think really hard about posting 2-shot campaigns on here to just invite random people to. But I think setting schedules for something like that would be murder, so I've yet to try it.

I do hope you find a group to stick with! There's a lot of Discord servers dedicated to exactly that: gathering random people together to play. I recommend checking into those!

[theresattrpgforthat]

hi! firstly, i wanted to thank you for your blog :) its actually gotten me into ttrpgs and you run a great service! secondly! im in the market for a two player ttprg for people who… haven't exactly played ttrpgs ever before! we both like the genres horror and comedy. as for mechanics, we love character creation and coming up with lore / improv on the fly! any games that fit this would be great. thank you so much, mint!

THEME: Duet Games for Beginners

Hello, and thank you so much for your message! Welcome to the hobby, there’s oodles of fantastic games out there and I’m glad that you find my posts helpful. Let’s get started, shall we?

First of all, I’m also going to shout out @jeffstormer 's Party of One podcast, which was my jumping off point for looking for 2-player games that would work for you. I heavily recommend checking him out, as he has years of experience playing (and running) games for two, regardless of whether they’re designed to be played that way.

Second of all, I tried to recommend games that either come with a lot of tools or that are pretty short, because I wanted to give you options that either really guide you through the process or don't overwhelm you with instructions. Your mileage may vary, but I hope something here stands out!

Dead Friend: A Game of Necromancy, by Ghostly Rituals.

Dead Friend is a roleplaying game for a necromancer and a ghost. That is, it's a collaborative storytelling game for two players. You will each play the role of a friend, one living and one dead. You will ask and answer questions to develop the characters, their community, their history together, and the motivations leading up to their final conflict.

The script follows the dramatic structure of a necromancy ritual, and you will use the spellbook of instructions throughout the entire game like a witch reading spells from an ancient grimoire. The mood may be spooky or intimate, heartwrenching or hilarious — it is up to you as storytellers. Dead Friend requires 1 Tarot deck or 1 deck of mundane playing cards.

I think this game looks like a good combination of horror and comedy, as it carries horrific tones but allows you to choose the mood. You’ll be answering question prompts throughout the game using tarot cards, so this is another excellent method of creating lore as you play. This game has an actual play episode of it with Jeff Stormer and Dani Costello that you can listen to if you want an example of play as well!

Standoff, by Matthew R.F. Baloušek.

The necromancer shrieks with cruel laughter, plunging the glowing dagger into the warrior's heart. "Fool! All your struggle was for naught. Your soul will be but a tasty morsel for my dark master!"

He starts to pull the dagger out, but finds his wrist stopped cold by Francesca's iron grip. She stares back with an icy glare. A glint of light catches the necromancer's eye, and he looks down to see the talisman of protection.

Wresting the dagger from the necromancer's cold hands, Francesca grins. "I hid all my vital organs in a pocket dimension!" Taking a free hand to dip a finger in what appeared to be blood, she tastes it and chortles. "You wasted the ichor of Ag'tekk on nothing more than a large ketchup packet!"

Standoff is a game where everyone works together to tell a ridiculous story full of twists, ripostes, counter-feints, and triple-double-crosses.

This is a chance to take turns one-upping each-other in a world of your own design. You’ll need a number of index cards in order to write down what you introduce to the world, but little else. What I appreciate about this game is the structure it provides - I find that structured sections and examples help new players get used to coming up with pieces as they go.

This is improv comedy at its finest - and it can also play with a larger group! There aren’t specific characters assigned to each player, but if you want to take more responsibility for either the Protagonist or the Antagonist then you should still be able to do that. This game looks exceptional, and I hope you check it out!

What’s A Vapourwave, by fen slattery.

A two-player, 200 word RPG about explaining vaporwave to your grandpa. Based on a true story.

One player is Casey, who kinda knows what vaporwave is. Another is Grandpa, who loves Casey and wants to understand their life. Played via text message.

This is a simple game that can be played via text message that navigates a humorous attempt at a grandfather doing his best to understand his grandchild. I love the aesthetic of this game, and I can see how easy it is to let the conversation within this game devolve into hilarity.

Heart Full of Trash, by StarshineScribbles.

Heart Full Of Trash is a  2-player roleplaying game where you play as raccoons on a date! 

Sort your recycling as you create your characters and tell the story of their romantic endeavours. Will your date be a triumph or will your raccoons develop a deep and long-lasting friendship?

Either way, by the time the game is over, your recycling will be sorted and ready for correct disposal. 

This is an adorably cute game that leans much closer to the comedy side of your request. The two of you will actually sort your recycling as you role-play - so since you’re using something you already have in your house, you don’t need to go and buy any extra gaming materials! This game is a bit closer to an improve game as well, so it might be a good introduction for someone who is less familiar with traditional character sheets and rolling dice.

You’re in Space and Everything’s Fucked, by Nevyn Holmes.

You’re in Space and Everything’s Fucked is a love letter to sci-fi cosmic horror and gore-filled splatter films.

You're In Space And Everything's Fucked emulates the trappings of isolation space horror video games through the lens of a tabletop role-playing game and is inspired by similarly fucked-up situations found in the Dead Space, System Shock, and Alien franchises.

The Station takes on the role of monsters and setting; generating both as the Struggler explores. They take a bird's-eye-view of the story and throw obstacles and objectives at the Struggler.

The Struggler fills the boots of the hapless sap that ended up in this situation. They scavenge, sneak, and generally work to survive by any means necessary in the face of horrifying creatures and untrustworthy NPCs.

The Demo version of this game is designed for two players, although it looks like the Kickstarter that Dinoberry Press ran back in March is for a bigger game down the road. The game includes a character creation section, a hint of map generation, and a handful of generated Boss Monsters! Because you generate the map as you go, I think this gives you a chance to come up with lore as you go. If you want chilling horror and a constant struggle for survival, this is the game for you.

Games I've Recommended in the Past

My Duet Flirty Games Post.

My Epic Two-Player Games Post.

[mywifeleftme]

327: XTC // Black Sea

Black Sea XTC 1980, Virgin

XTC’s discography has a very organic flow to it. Andy and Colin’s voices aside, it’d be tough to guess the same band was behind the albums that bookended their career (convulsive 1978 New Wave speedball White Music and the lavishly arranged psych pop of the turn of the century Apple Venus tandem), but if you follow the band over time, from one album to the next there are few radical departures. Each link in the chain contains elements of the record that precedes it and the one that follows it. Still, you can clearly divide their discography between their early years as a hard-touring New Wave act and their second act as a pastoral psych pop studio project—and, in that light, the albums that straddle that transition (today’s album, Black Sea, and 1982’s English Settlement) could be considered the “definitive” XTC records.

It’s easy to forget what a spectacular live act XTC were in their early days, something like a combination of ‘60s bubblegum, Devo, the Residents, and Wire, but with cardio that would’ve put most of those acts to shame. As a guitarist, Andy Partridge scorned anything that smacked of blues, slashing out hiccupy riffs way up the neck, hurling himself into head-spinning rhythms that often wouldn’t be out of place on a Fugazi record (if he didn’t have such a sweet tooth). He surrounded himself with collaborators whose ability as players was such that they were able to make their own marks on the band’s sound despite Partridge’s dictatorial tendencies—not only minority songwriter and exceptionally melodic bassist Colin Moulding, but ultimate utility man Dave Gregory (who flitted with ease from lead guitar to keys) and their gem of a drummer Terry Chambers, a non-writing / arranging member who would be lost when the band’s studio transition reduced him to a glorified session man. Chambers was an absolute machine, and many of the band’s most memorable early statements rely on his power and precision behind the kit.

Black Sea is their last record to be dominated by the quirky sound-over-sense rhythm workouts on which they built their name, and they go out with a bang: “Rocket from a Bottle,” “Burning with Optimism’s Flames,” and especially “Paper and Iron (Notes and Coins)” are fine reminders that new wave was as much Body as Head music, while the tribal stomp of “Travels in Nihilon” feels like a hint at what XTC would’ve sounded like as some kind of Swindon krautrock band. But the songs that are best remembered from this one are those first stirrings of their burgeoning reinvention as basically the attention deficit disorder Kinks.

By his own admission, Colin Moulding’s early songwriting efforts had aped Partridge’s style, but here it seems Partridge was inspired by Moulding’s sardonic kitchen sink satire “Making Plans for Nigel” (from the previous year's Drums and Wires). “Respectable Street” reads almost like Partridge proving to himself he can write his own “Nigel,” while the chiming psychedelic pop of “Towers of London” scales its social commentary to the Empire itself. His finest moment though is “No Language in Our Lungs,” one of the band’s first genuinely emotional statements. The wordy lyric is typically “clever” (“I would have made this instrumental / but the words got in the way”) yet it captures the feeling of being overwhelmed by the intensity of…well, a feeling. The credit lies mostly with its arrangement, which heaves and stumbles behind Andy’s inconsolable howl like someone dragging their feet in exhaustion.

Black Sea usually sits somewhere between third and fifth in my personal XTC rankings, but it’d be the place I recommend a new fan start with the band (or would be, were the record available on streaming services). Between Andy’s peculiar voice and a smartass quality that can get a little cloying, XTC’s not for everyone—but for those on the wavelength, their catalogue is one of the greatest of the rock era.

320/365

Bonus

For the hell of it, my personal XTC discog rankings.

Skylarking English Settlement Black Sea White Music Drums and Wires Apple Venus Volume 1 Go 2 Wasp Star (Apple Venus Volume 2) Oranges & Lemons Mummer Nonsuch The Big Express

[astercontrol]

Who is your User, Program?

Well… there's no way to make this easy, really.

Several different perspectives on that complex question, "Who is your User?"… as directed toward the MCP himself.

On the Tron Wiki, both Gibbs and Dillinger are listed.

Looking for evidence of these claims in onscreen canon of the '82 movie, there's clear support for Dillinger:

I may be missing something, but I don't see any explicit claim of Walter Gibbs as the MCP's User…

...although he IS explicitly stated to be the founder of ENCOM, so it seems likely he would have been involved in writing the MCP when it was a chess program.

(His own program, Dumont, at least confirms he was there at the time.)

(Interestingly, right after Dumont says he's "old enough to remember the MCP when it was just a chess program," his next words are "He started small, and he'll end small." Someday I'll have to analyze in more depth these alternating he/it pronouns for MCP. Perhaps "it" was the pronoun used back in the Chess Days?)

The prologue of the Tron: Betrayal comic offers another perspective on MCP's creation, but this is narrated by a version of Dumont who…. seems to have vastly distorted memories of what actually happened:

"FLYNN WAS UNLIKE THE OTHER USERS. HE WAS, AND IS, A CREATOR. HE MADE ORDER FROM THE CHAOS OF ONES AND ZEROES."

…um. I think you transposed the words "chaos" and "order" there, program.

"HIS FINEST CREATION, THE MASTER CONTROL PROGRAM, REBELLED AND TRIED TO DESTROY HIM. THE MCP BROUGHT FLYNN TO THE GRID."

…setting aside the confusion of what exactly "The Grid" refers to here… even IF Kevin Flynn created the MCP, I cannot imagine anyone calling it his "finest" creation.

(Even by Flynn's own evaluation, at the time of the '82 movie, his infiltrator program Clu1 was "the best program ever written." Sorry, MCP, that sweet little User's boy is better'n you.)

But anyway.

The Tron Wiki acknowledges that Dumont's narration here is incorrect:

But we do, at least, know that Flynn interacted in some capacity with the MCP when it was a chess program:

Could he have worked on beta-testing and/or debugging the chess functions?

If not the original programmer, he may at least have been involved in development of the MCP, in some capacity.

But now let's look at the MCP's own viewpoint on its origin.

When Dillinger says "I wrote you!" this is how MCP responds:

He doesn't contradict Dillinger's claim to have written him, but he dismisses it as unimportant, in light of how far he's come since Dillinger did any of that writing.

Then, when Sark makes a similar admonishment:

This time, the MCP does contradict him, claiming he doesn't have one singular User. Rather, he considers himself a collaborative project so vast that any individual contributor is unimportant.

So, even if Dillinger and Gibbs-- and maybe Flynn-- were all involved in developing him… from his own hubris-soaked perspective, none of it even matters.

Is this the face of his original User? Who cares. He started small and he ended small.

[garbagewitchcraft]

Tarot Correspondences

SUITS OF TAROT

SWORDS - related to element of air, Sping and male energy. They have active polarity. It is The Mind of the Suits and the quickest of them all.

Keywords:  logic, intellect, ideas, change, communication, teamwork, decisions, thinking, planning, analysis, ego, cruelty, abuse, conflict, arrogance, manipulation.

WANDS - related to element of fire, Summer and male energy. They have active polarity. It is The Heart of the Soul and the second quickest. 

Keywords: energy, creativity, action, willpower, strength, sexuality, intimacy, adventure, ambition, community, fun, celebration, social skills, soul, aggression, self-centered, impulsive, destructive. 

CUPS - related to element of water, Autumn and female energy. They have passive polarity. It is The Heart of The Suits and very slow. 

Keywords: feelings, relationship, love, healing, family, home, comfort, nurturing, dreams, intuition, spirituality, the past, childhood, subconscious, fantasy, illusion, repression, secrets.

PENTACLES - related to element of earth, Winter and female energy. They have passive polarity. It is The Body of The Suits and the slowest of them all. 

Keywords: health, finances, appearance, education, possessions, career, responsibility, routine, manifestation, stability, security, safety, service, the body, materialistic, strict, critical, greedy, detached. 

Polarity:

active (wands, swords) - changes one’s environment, focused energy outward, direct, extroverted, active.

passive (cups, pentacles) - adapts to environment, focused energy inward, indirect, introverted, reactive.

Interaction between Elements:

Strengthen - increases the intensity of elements, amplifies both positive and negative qualities.

Support - collaboration between elements, build each other up.

Weaken - elements cancel each other out, decrease the effectiveness of each other.

Neutral - elements don’t influence each other.

COURT CARDS

KINGS - related to air element and mutable zodiac signs (end the season; adaptable, flexible, communicative, rebellious). Kings as Control.

King of Wands - Sagittarius. King of Swords - Gemini. King of Cups - Pisces. King of Pentacles - Virgo.

They lead their people and inspire the masses; they’re in the center of attention. Strategic and analyzing.

QUEENS - related to water element and cardinal zodiac signs (begin the season; assertive, initiators, decisive, aggressive). Queens as Creation.

Queen of Wands - Aries. Queen of Swords - Libra. Queen of Cups - Cancer. Queen of Pentacles - Capricorn.

Feminine energy at its finest; they work behind the curtains, far away from the public but not less effective than Kings. Private and wise. 

KNIGHTS -  related to fire element and fixed zodiac signs (middle of the season; focused, stable, stubborn, reliable). Knights as Movement. 

Knight of Wands - Leo. Knight of Swords - Aquarius. Knight of Cups - Scorpio. Knight of Pentacles - Taurus.

Often impulsive and charming, they are the one to act rather than think. They serve. The quickest of all the court cards. 

PAGES - related to earth element. They are usually the students, the least experienced and willing to learn. Pages as Messengers. 

MINOR ARCANA

Ace -  represent the entire element itself, and therefore 3 entire zodiac signs (example: Ace of Pentacles represents Virgo, Capricorn, Taurus).

2, 3, 4 - represents the cardinal zodiac signs (Aries, Libra, Cancer, Capricorn.

5, 6, 7 - represents fixed zodiac signs (Leo, Aquarius, Scorpio, Taurus).

8, 9, 10 - represents mutable zodiac signs (Sagittarius, Gemini, Pisces, Virgo).

Astrology Correspondence

More information here

MAJOR ARCANA

NUMBERS OF TAROT

1 (Fire) - beginnings, potential, opportunity, individual, raw energy, birth. Tarot: Aces, Pages, Magician.

2 (Air) - collaboration, teamwork, opposition, decisions, balance, duality, diplomacy, crossroads, partnership, yin-yang. Tarot: 2s, High Priestess, Justice, Judgement.

3 (Fire) - group, growth, action, friendship, creativity, ambition, expansion, fertility. Tarot: 3s, Empress, Hanged Man, World.

4 (Earth) - foundation, stability, security, comfort zone, protection, focus, stagnation, structure. Tarot: 4s, Emperor, Death.

5 (Air) - chaos, conflict, unknown changes, struggles, challenges, damages, loss. Tarot: 5s, Hierophant, Temperance.

6 (Water) - harmony, support, memories, charity, help, fragile, vulnerable. Tarot: 6s, Lovers, Devil, Knights.

7 (Water) - introspection, reflection, past, experience, knowledge, change of course, motives, asses. Tarot: 7s, Chariot, Tower.

8 (Fire) - success, movement, action, achievement, progress, change, evolution, finishing. Tarot: 8s, Strength, Star.

9 (Earth) - near completion, reward, fruition, moving on, final outcome, transition, fate. Tarot: 9s, Hermit, Moon, Queens.

10 (Earth) - ending, cycle, rebirth, death, extremes, path, renewal, karma. Tarot: 10s, Wheel of Fortune, Sun, Kings.

[dawndelion-winery]

Sparks Fly

It's a dream come true to meet your favourite idol, or is it?

Idol au! Ft. Scaramouche, Kaeya, Dainsleif, Albedo

Scaramouche:

A master at the whole "bad boy" persona

Pretty privilege at its finest - no one else could possibly get away with being that much of an ass and that in itself was a feat

You had hoped he was nicer behind the scenes

Hopes: dashed, heart: broken - he was just as much of a jerk off camera

Intimidating eyes narrowed at you as you approached him with a marker and his latest album - your intentions were obvious enough - and he'd simply scoffed and turned back to his coffee

Which was ironically one of the sweetest beverages you'd seen in your life (was there even any coffee in all that milk?)

Just as you were about to turn away, he reached out for your marker and quickly scribbled on the album, barely sparing it a glance

"Go on, thank me and revel in my glory to your heart's content, peasant."

You wanted to scowl at his cockiness, but at the sight of his smirk, the most you could manage was a reluctantly awestruck expression

At which he'd "heh"ed and tapped your cheek before walking away

Kaeya:

Known for flirting with his fans, you weren't expecting him to fluster so easily at your praise

He coped fairly enough the first few compliments

But beyond that?

Boy was he a mess, his ears turning redder and redder as he struggled to maintain your gaze, refusing to look away out of courtesy

He had nowhere to turn to that didn't have someone teasing him because even his manager, Rosaria, joined in the fun

That's not to say he hates it, he quite likes being fawned over - he just had no idea how to react to it all

It doesn't help that his fans (you included) went feral over your cute idol being all flustered

Probably hides behind you if he gets overwhelmed since you look guilty about starting it

Will readily drape an arm around you for a picture if you ask, though

But not without a bashful, slight hesitance

"You make quite the charming bodyguard, don't you? I suppose I can hope to see you at future events?"

Bids you farewell with a kiss to the back of your hand

Dainsleif:

Not exactly what you'd call idol material

A little too aloof and blunt by nature, his production company was hesitant to debut him but did so anyway since he was pretty popular for a trainee

Has a very strict code of conduct for himself, and makes sure to meet a certain degree of chivalry

It's no wonder you found yourself drawn to him; he who was so much like a regal knight sworn to duty, keeping distance for the sake of professionalism

And his bluntness led to a fair share of humorous moments as well, which only served to add to his charm

You weren't quite prepared for how critical he could be, even of his own fans

"I am too understand that your knowledge of me is supposed to be flattering, but I can't help but wonder if you've nothing of greater interest to spend your time on..."

Anyone could see your smile drop

And even he had the sense to comfort you in some way, even if he was the offending party

"What I mean to say is that normally you wouldn't take such care to note these details about people who aren't in immediate proximity to your life- It'd make a lot more sense if the extent of trivia about each other was mutual-"

And that, comrade, is how you tricked your beloved idol into a coffee date - by asking if he was going to get to know you as well as you knew him

Who would've thought that the aloof idol, as seemingly flawless and untouchable as he was, was also incredibly petty

Enough so that he'd adamantly insist on proving himself right

*cue Dainsleif realising that as a fan, you have some sort of image of him and wanting to impress you so he spends a day preparing beforehand*

Albedo:

If Scara's the bad boy, he's the devil

In all of his collaborations with Kaeya, they've often stuck to the roles people expect of them - Kaeya being the flirt and Albedo being the charming and gentle, but romantically inexperienced prince

Little did they know how reversed their roles were in reality

Albedo is the worst sort of flirt in an idol, with angelic eyes and the devil's smile, it was only too easy for him to charm his fans and have them wrapped around his finger

He knows exactly what sort of effect he has on you when he responds to your gift

"That's lovely, darling."

It's perfectly in character for his persona, and yet so fitting in its duality that it shows the exact sort of person he is

It's a known fact that he's perceptive, but even a dedicated fan like yourself can't pick up on how quickly he notes your body language

It's exactly this perceptiveness that makes him such a charmer on stage, what with his knack for reading what the people want

"Oh? It seems like there's two people in me? Hm, that does sound like quite the concept. I owe you thanks for that idea, my dear. How's a complimentary pass to the performance you've inspired sound?"

There was nothing more magical than his on stage costume change, seemingly transforming one outfit into a completely different one

He stole everyone's breathe when his voice dropped an octave

"Sorry to hijack the show, everyone. But it's time for the second subject to take the stage."

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[reccyls]

William Chapter 18 POV story

Finest Evil, Finest Love

Half summary, half actual translation. Context below the cut.

Context/Summary: William has been hmm, framed isn't the exact right word, but he's been accused of collaborating with a group engaging in things like morphine production and trade, blackmail, human trafficking, slave labor, etc. Thus in order to prevent Crown from being investigated, he left on his own.

A few days later, it becomes clear that anyone who has ever associated with William, namely a bunch of people that he has kind of been a patron to, are being kidnapped and imprisoned in the Tower of London. They are also being tortured for William's location.

Kate thinks that this is a lot of effort to go to just for one man's location, and slowly she starts unraveling the actual plan: by torturing the people to the breaking point, the prison guards hope to turn them against William. Get the prisoners to think that it's all William's fault: he's a murderer and monster who deceived them, and it's because of him that they're in this situation. Among all the prisoners, surely there'd be one resentful enough to see an opportunity when a guard "accidentally" leaves a weapon out. And when William comes to rescue the prisoners, just have the people he was set to rescue be the ones to kill him instead.

So obviously, nobody wants that to happen. Kate, Liam, and Alfons go to the Tower of London to try and free the prisoners before William can, but they are just a little too late.

William and Kate reunite at the Tower of London just as the prisoners have been freed. He didn't expect to encounter her there. But he quickly figures out that she must be here to free the prisoners first, just in case that the prisoners were a trap for him.

However, before Kate can tell him to leave, some of the prisoners arrive. He recognizes them, looking at him with mixed emotions. While he knows that Kate wants him to leave, he still has something he needs to do here first.

He orders them to approach him, he's here, after all. He recognizes one of them as Charlie, a young man with a revolutionary spirit. Charlie, however, has internalized everything that was written about William in the news article and shaken from the torture he underwent, and thus thinks William is responsible for everything, calling him a demon and a murderer.

William can feel Kate's distress at all the accusations being hurled his way. He thinks that if this is enough to hurt her, then she really shouldn't be by his side. She won't be able to be truly free if she's chained by the pain she feels when others are hurt.

Kate tries one more time to convince William to leave. However, Charlie won't let William go. He doesn't want to be accused of being William's collaborator, so he pulls out a knife he picked up from one of the prison guards, and runs to stab William, who makes no move to avoid it. If this is what Charlie wants and needs, then he's not about to get in the way of that. After all, he doesn't believe that he'll die here.

He's cursed to meet his tragic end as befitting his fairytale curse. The current situation is missing something to make it a true tragedy. So, he's quite certain that even if he were to be stabbed, he wouldn't die. The only thing that he'd regret is if Kate, standing nearby, would blame herself for something she couldn't control.

But as Charlie runs to stab him…

(--?)

I heard the sound of the knife that sought freedom hit its target. Before my eyes, Kate's hair curled through the air as if in slow motion.

(…Kate?)

Liam: Kate!!

As Liam's distant-sounding shout pierced through the air, I caught Kate's collapsing body in my arms.

William: …

I didn't need to ask her why she did it. Her actions, and the red engraved on her body, spoke more eloquently than words ever could. It was all for her own selfish love.

"Even if you wish for your own destruction, I won't allow it." "That is my conviction, what I want to stay true to." "Because I and I alone am my master." "Look, William." "When loving you, am I not the most free I have ever been?"

(…Yes. Yes, you are.) (You have chosen to be true to what your heart desires.)

-Start flashback- Kate: I… Kate: When I die, I want to be able to think that I am here because I've been able to choose to pursue what is precious to me. -End flashback-

As she lay in my arms having made that choice, her white clothes were being dyed deep red. The color of her desire. The color of selfish love, of the pursuit of freedom.

When we first met, I had imagined it. The sight of her throwing off all shackles, how she could be a flower blooming in the darkness-- How beautiful such a sight would be.

And now in my arms, the blossoming crimson of her, now free and unshackled… far surpassed my expectations.

(Beautiful.) (So absurdly beautiful.)

William: …Kate. William: …On the night that we first met, I remembed wiping off the blood that stained your cheek.

My hand carressed her pale cheek. What name should I give to this surge of emotion welling up from the dark abyss of my heart? If I could put a proper name to it, would that make you happy?

William: Ever since then, I've always thought… William: …that red suits you best.

The wish that I never had any intention of realizing has now fallen into the palm of my hand. If I decided to consume it, have it dance atop my tongue, if I fully savored its flavor- How sweet would it taste?

(My foolish, lovely, pitiful robin.) (If even the fear of death can't stop your love-) (-then someday my destiny shall surely kill you.)

Because even now, even with Kate bleeding out in my arms, I had no desire to avoid meeting whatever fate was in store for me.

Allow me to offer you the finest evil (love) that will lead you to your ruin.

[turing-tested]

Rooted in The Medium

From the furthest rings of the Incipisphere to the eclectic beats of LOHAC, two allies ventured into an epic quest. Autoresponder and Davesprite aren’t your typical characters in this Sburb session – they’re the foremost digital alchemists, turning your digital grist into the finest alchemical treasures.

Our Genesis Frog's Tale

A decade ago, in a timeline that (hopefully) isn't doomed, Autoresponder and Davesprite formed an unbreakable alliance, destined by the whims of Skaia itself. Together, they've faced the challenges of the game – from rogue Jack Noir attacks to navigating the dream bubbles – all while honing their shared mission: to champion the digital narratives of every player in the session.

Autoresponder, with his computational brilliance and binary wit, defied the bounds of mere programming. Davesprite, winged and wise, combined the essence of time with the vastness of the digital expanse. Together, they craft the coolest digital landscapes under the Green Sun.

Our Aspect and Class

Each Land in the Medium resonates with its own melodies, its enigma, its pulse. And as the narrative unfolds, it's vital that these stories don't get lost amidst the chaos of Lord English's tantrums. We're not just about maxing out your echeladder; we're on a quest to embed your legacy into Paradox Space's infinite tapestry.

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Having collaborated with Seers, Rogues, and the occasional doomed timeline version of themselves, our expertise is beyond god tier. Whether it's a session in the Furthest Ring or crafting pixel-perfect designs on LOMAX, we are the alchemists to trust. But what we cherish most? Unveiling the ethereal wonders of the Medium.

Fighting For The Medium

Beyond the grist, the fray, and the captcha cards, it's the shared memories, the quirky dialogues, and the spirit of unity that fuels our drive. Whether you hail from LOFAF or bear the mark of Derse, we understand you. Our mission? To translate your essence into a digital masterpiece, compelling even to the most stubborn carapacians.

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[ Send Us A Message on Pesterchum! ]

[blackswaneuroparedux]

Je suis né gentilhomme, de bonne maison. Le nom de d'Artagnan était déjà connu quand je vins au monde.

Courtilz de Sandras, 1701.

Charles Ogier de Batz was born around 1612 in Castelmore near Lupiac in Gascony. He joined the company of musketeers around 1633, taking his mother's name, d'Artagnan, and the title of count. The historical d'Artagnan, the one originally portrayed by Courtilz de Sandras and the one more famously inspired by Alexandre Dumas and Auguste Maquet (Maquet was Dumas closest collaborator and never got the proper credit) have a few things in common. Both the de Sandras and Dumas versions of the real d’Artagnan were cadets from Gascony, who went to Paris to 'take up service' and became courageous and loyal musketeers to the king.

In 1646, the musketeers were dismissed and d'Artagnan entered Mazarin's service as one of his "ordinary gentlemen". His loyalty to the minister and the king during the troubles of the Fronde earned him a number of delicate missions, which revealed his tact and humanity, as well as rewards, such as the position of captain of the King's little dogs hunting deer. When the musketeers were reconstituted, d’Artagnan became a lieutenant in the first company of musketeers (1665), he soon became its captain-lieutenant (1667). It was said that this was the finest position in the kingdom, and D'Artagnan fulfilled it marvellously. His company soon became a model company, as brilliant as it was well trained, and the king congratulated him on several occasions.

It was as captain of the musketeers that d'Artagnan took part in the 1667 campaign in Flanders, with the rank of cavalry brigadier. He was part of Turenne's army, which besieged and captured Lille, and was appointed governor of that city. He was still there in 1672 when the Dutch war broke out. His so-called Memoirs say very little about this episode in his career. Nevertheless, he played an important role in the capital of French Flanders. It was he who had Vauban's plans for the new fortifications of the city carried out.

Dumas and Maquet, somewhat taking artistic licence (see the end of the Vicomte de Bragelonne) portraying d'Artagnan as commanding an army corps in front of the siege of Maastricht. It was there on the battlefield, shortly before the action in which he took part, he received a letter from Colbert, in which the minister announced that the king had just made him Marshal of France. But this is nonsense. The king did not need Colbert's pen to inform the captain of his musketeers of his decision regarding such a great reward; Louis XIV was in command in person before Maastricht, and he could have said to d'Artagnan: "Monsieur, je vous fais maréchal”. But he never said it. D'Artagnan was not yet a lieutenant-general; he only held the rank of marshal of the King's camps and armies.

In any case on 25 June 1673 Captain-Lieutenant d’Artagnan was killed at the siege of Maastricht. Siege warfare could be as dangerous as battlefield combat. As it was, d'Artagnan was not on duty that day, but events shifted, requiring his presence. He was hit in the throat by a stray bullet, which killed him.