#especially if you like fashion games and are over the age of 7

[manda-kat]

It actually hurts me to think that the closest thing we have to a proper, not shovelware, triple a, dress up video game is Love Nikki.

Which is a mobile game.

[eccentricallygothic]

| Video Game Brat |

Description: One in which Simon wakes up to find his baby whom he had carried to bed and away from her gaming system waging war on Roblox through her iPad that she has managed to sneak in.

Pairing: Daddy-Dom!Simon Riley | Baby-Sub Female!Reader. 

Warning(s): Ddlg, m!dom, f!sub, fluff, they're in love, bratty reader, size kink, age gap, manhandling, spanking/belting threat but it's empty, soft vibes, caring protective Simon, allusions to dacryphilia towards the end. Minors do not interact. 

Note: Coping piece because Lord knows I am exhausted to fuck and sleep evading like my life depends on it. Feedback is appreciated <3 

.

Tap. Tap. Tap. “Fucking noob” although Simon could sleep through literal war because of his military training, his eyes crinkled as his face scrunched from the light he could feel on his face. It was his baby's scent mingled with her vicious curses that brought him out of his slumber for he realized that under this circumstance he couldn't and won't tolerate the noise because he could tell just what was going on. 

His eyes opened before darting to his girlfriend's side of the bed and sure enough, she was propped up against her mountain of fluffy pillows as she furiously typed away on her iPad. 

Simon sighed as he let his eyes pull shut just for a second before he moved his hand to block out the light exploding out of the screen of the device. 

Baby was too engrossed in her cyber fight to notice his stirring and since she couldn't express her frustration through voice chat due to the almost 7 foot beast laying next to her who just happened to be her strict Daddy -especially when it came to her wellbeing-, she slammed the tips of her fingers down on the screen in an unceasing fashion. 

“Bullying children on your kiddie games instead of sleeping, again?” Though she started a bit because she thought he was asleep, it didn't waver her determination. 

“More like noob cunts who can't design for shit” Simon's eyebrows raised as he let his eyes close again. “And it's not a kiddie game. It's a fight to the death!”

Ever the brat. 

“Language, please” she scoffed before rolling her eyes. “And it's way past your bedtime, young lady” Baby didn't budge, instead hugging Toto the puppy plushy Simon couldn't help but envy sometimes before she continued to hurriedly go about her game. 

The man shook his head before reaching for her iPad. The girl gasped before her eyes widened to the shape of saucers. “NO YOU WOULDN'T–!”

“You know when I brought you to bed it was so you would sleep and not so you could melt your eyes on this thing” he had thrown her over his shoulder a few hours ago after pulling out the power cord of her gaming station. Only to wake up to find that she had somehow managed to sneak in her iPad. She had never been a rival to his strength, yet she passionately struggled against him to keep her gadget. “Let go or you can have the belt on that bratty little butt tomorrow” it was an empty threat and she knew it. Sure, it used to intimidate her at first because Simon was not the most friendly looking man and his scarred up build did not help. But spankings and the like were punishments he did not prefer for her himself for she was too small and adorable for him to rough handle.

Which was the reason why she was spoiled so rotten.

“Like hell I will!” Simon sighed before freeing the device from her vicious little harmless claws with a firm jerk before turning it off and placing it away, his other arm easily holding her smaller body in place that lunged in the direction of the iPad almost instantly when he half turned to put it away on the bedside table. 

“Ughhh, noooooeee!” Simon easily picked her up before bending her into the little spoon position, ‘knocking’ Toto off the bed in the process before placing her back against his strong chest and pulling the blanket over her squirmish form. “Ugh, you're such an old man with your stupid bedtime rules!” He was unfazed and unbothered as he dipped his face in the crook of her neck before closing his eyes in satisfaction. “Leave me meanie I don't like you!” She meant leave me alone but he knew her brain was at times too small to form proper sentences. “I don't like you, I don't like you, I don't like you!” He felt her little feet kick protestingly under the blanket. 

The idea that her rivals or rather haters probably thought she had pussied out pissed her off. 

“You don't have to like me, just go to sleep” he simply answered in a concluding manner, smiling in satisfaction at the way she kept muttering begrudgingly yet did not dare raise her voice since he had used his Daddy voice this time around. Simon snorted before dozing off with his baby in his arms, fully aware that she would keep pouting through the darkness of the room until she dozed off. 

Her claiming she didn't like him when he wouldn't let her have her way was nothing new. It had surprised him at first but then he understood that it was just her bratty way of expressing her disapproval. He was unbothered, because he knew he would wake up to breakfast with a note, ‘I don't like you because I love you INFINITY times Daddy ♡’ or something along the lines. That was, if she woke up before him. Or it would be with a drink, or a snack or lunch perhaps dinner. She was not good at ignoring him for too long though in times of brattiness she pettily tried to pretend that she was. 

One way or another, she would tell him that tomorrow. 

Either while being held in his arms or while crying on his cock.

But she would. 

That was the only way.

For now, she was resting and he dozed off feeling at ease now that he knew he had safeguarded his baby's wellbeing. 

And that mattered more than anything. 

.

[zerooup]

𐂂Little Alastor Head Cannons!𐂂

Don't like it, don't read! please don't harass me because you don't like what I do!

CW. ABUSE, MURDER, PERSONAL HC'S ON ALASTOR'S PAST.

𐂂 Alastor is usually around 0-4, but can be younger or older depending on his surroundings. It also depends on whatever chaos Charlie had planned for the day, and how his schedule goes.

𐂂 Alastor is very picky about who cares for him, Rosie and as of recent, Lucifer has been allowed to pick the boy up and care for him a couple times, though he'd still prefer Rosie over anyone.

𐂂 Very prone to bad flashbacks while regressed, Often from his time in life, but there's a few moments of his and vox's relationships that keep him wide awake, he'd never admit that though

𐂂 Very much still a little dealmaker! Which, is quite cute until you remember he's a violent overlord; but hey. it's hell; so whatever's cute is just. cute!

𐂂 Mama's boy. Even if she's in heaven, he'll hope to whatever god there is that she remembers him, even though most souls in heaven don't remember their kin that have been passed to hell. Like he'd even listen to that.

𐂂 He has a very real fear of his father coming into the hotel looking for his son, because there's only so many Alastor's in hell; he'd fear him coming in and hurting Charlie or any of the other hotel-goers; which. Charlie reassures him that there's a very slim chance that his father would actually be able to hurt her.

𐂂 Tries to be very quiet during his regression, even if that's for the worse. He'd often end up crying to himself in his radio tower to try and figure out a way to see his mama again, He knows he's beyond redemption... but that hasn't stopped him before.

𐂂 And usually after crying in his radio tower, he's tiny. Like; barely able to make the noises he usually does whole regressed.

𐂂 He's also very much more willing to flex his power while small. He does NOT like showing weakness, even while small. Husker made a quip about him being on a leash while small and he was very quick to remind him who was in control. Husk doesn't blame him for doing so, especially considering husker is only a bit older than him and they were acquainted in life.

𐂂 during his disappearance, Lilith was his caregiver... for about 2 months out of the 7 years; which gave him a schedule for his regression... that ended in his soul in her hands, and him back in hell to watch over Charlie, which is why he was around the television center of hell, and that's when he found her on "that fiasco of a picture show!"

𐂂 Speaking of that fiasco of a picture show, he hadn't regressed in 8 and a half years, and he was content like that. The SECOND lucifer was in the hotel, he insisted to Charlie that Alastor was a regressor in some form or fashion. Neither of them knew till husker outright said something about it.

𐂂 The first time he regressed was after the fight with Adam. He was able to fight it long enough to mourn the loss of Pentious and re-unite with the group. that day ended with a harshly wounded Alastor silently crying into his new radio tower.

𐂂 And as I've mentioned in one of my old posts, I believe Alastor is autistic. so the change of his radio tower only made him more upset the longer he stayed in there... but the deer-printed blanket was welcome.

𐂂 Partially why he never outright told anyone he's a regressor despite people telling him if he did it was alright; is because of how tiny he is. as well as his form shifting to be more fawnlike. Also the fact he's padded no matter what age... he's embarrassed by it. but; thankfully Charlie was able to talk him into it after finding him asleep on the couch while everyone else was playing games. and she made it very clear that this was the BIGGEST trust exercise they'd done. Once he'd woken up he'd somehow been moved to his room and changed... which is funny because he's an insanely light sleeper, but he somehow wasn't even stirred by being moved up a flight of stairs and sat down on the bed.

[districtscare]

BLOG OVERVIEW

👾 — lucia or kitty, her & neos, intp & haymitch abernathy + district 12 enthusiast. i mainly indulge in meta/character analysis, but i'm also a writer & (occasional) artist. this is my blog to get weird about my favorite guy & you have to stare at me and be like!! woo!!! go me!!! cool? cool because i'm seriously annoying about this guy. 7 years of this special interest and all i got was an attachment to a middle aged man

i politely ask for NSFW blogs to not interact with my posts, dms or reblogs especially if you're over 18. i'm a minor/still in school, so i am not your target audience!

i am a novel-only fan, so I'm not interested in the hunger games screen adaptations & don't consider them a form of canon. send me asks and dms!! i love talking to people

THG TAGS

the hunger games — compilation of all my posts regarding

haymitch abernathy — all posts not limited to my own thoughts!

sunrise on the reaping — anything on the new novel / my opinions

abernathy extended — my headcanons and lore for haymitch's family

HAYMITCH ABERNATHY

the character tag — takes you through every haymitch related post on the blog thus far.

haymitch + fandom ignorance of his role as a character/the stigma of alcholism

the 46 tributes + haymitch's tribute graveyard

haymitch & the severity of his losses as a mentor and a family member + general empathizer

why i disagree that haymitch's addiction begins earlier on (and why you should consider trauma as a whole and not just one part of it)

haymitch + love language = one over the other

haymitch & charm/ability to persuade and dissuade and why this helped during the rebel plot

THE haylist (haymitch playlist)

haymitch & every physical description of himself throughout the trilogy

OTHER THG ANALYSIS POSTS

the issue with district 11 & race + how collins perpetuates stereotypes in a contradictory fashion

maysilee donner as the canary in the coal mine + madge undersee and family connections

to gale's defense 1 & to gale's defense 2 + general thoughts

katniss everdeen & instances of apathy 1 & instance 2

SHIPPING

chaffnathy — my every post about them because they're real in my heart

AO3

link to my ao3 — for sake of follows & updates!

fic index — in case you're lazy <3

[toweroftickles]

Hi I'm so embarrassed- I know I'm like one of two-ish people who would want this but like I was wondering if you heard of a game called Solatorobo: Red The Hunter- and are willing to share some t-word thoughts GOODBYE AAAHHH

Well, guess what? You are lucky, because you just so happened to have found the other half of the two-ish people who would want this!! Solatorobo t-word thoughts are the elixir that gives me life and I am so excited that somebody requested them BUCKLE UP BABY

Tickle Headcanons

Red Savarin

Ticklishness Rating: 10/10

Most Ticklish Spots: Balls and Arches of Feet, Sides, Tummy

Absurdly ticklish, everywhere, but especially on his gigantic feet. The tiniest little poke can cripple him.

He's proud and cocky, and flustered by how sensitive he is.

Giggles like an angry little boy, always fighting to hold in his laughter. Tons of intense snickers in the roof of his mouth and through his teeth...he makes a lot of staticky noises when he's squirming.

Red's a struggler. Will never hold still and has to be wrestled down to get tickled.

He's constantly surrounded by girls...Caninu and Felineko alike...who think he's cute and love to tease & flirt with him. Pretty much every gal he meets tries to tickle him to death eventually!

The Dahak's (his robo) giant mecha fingers can operate with a surprisingly fine touch...very effective for tickling...and he's done this in battle before.

Chocolat Gelato

Ticklishness Rating: 7/10

Most Ticklish Spots: Belly Button, Armpits, Feet

More huffy and stern than Red, she sometimes gets fed up with her big brother's antics and feels the urge to punish him.

She can make Red do basically anything she wants (“Don’t make me tickle you”), and relishes the hold she has over him. Her bossy-but-demure nature belies a mean streak and sharp claws that she isn't afraid to use.

Her tickles are rough and squeezy.

Surprisingly, even though she's ticklish too, Red doesn't get her back very often, because it's always a fight he ends up losing.

Tickling really annoys her….unless Quebec does it. Then it’s a serotonin boost!

Forced to be the mature one, Chocolat rarely has the opportunity to act like a kid her age. Getting bear hugs and tickles from Quebec fills her with butterflies and lets her feel safe, loved, and smol. :3

Her cackling laughter isn't very ladylike, and this bothers her.

Ehl Melizee

Ticklishness Rating: 9/10

Most Ticklish Spots: Neck, Small of Back, Ankles

Some people, when they’re tickled, flail around wildly. Some curl into a defensive fetal position. And some feel their entire bodies contract like a tightly-coiled spring and freeze solid. Ehl is the latter.

She'll fervently insist that she's not ticklish, but acting is not one of her talents.

Ehl does not laugh. She shrieks in petrified agony.

Opera Kranz

Ticklishness Rating: 9/10

Most Ticklish Spots: Between Toes, Ribs, Inner Thighs

A predator in the purest sense, who loves to play with her food both literally and metaphorically. Domineering.

This feline pirate is a ravenous tickler who shows no pity. If a prisoner is in her clutches, she'll tickle-torture them to the point of capitulation without a second thought. It's her absolute favorite method of punishment, persuasion, and info extraction, and she knows just how to drill your weak spots. >:)

Calua and Gren always get nervous and excuse themselves from the room whenever she does this. They know not to get on her bad side.

In true cat fashion, Opera is haughty and treats everyone as beneath her. Constantly infantilizes her opponents, mocking, teasing, calling them “cute” or “sweetheart”….just imagine how bad it gets when she’s got them pinned down and won’t stop running her nails all over them.

When that sense of superiority breaks, she goes full Hulk mode.

No tolerance for what she dishes out. None. Howls and screams and threatens gory vengeance when given a taste of her own medicine.

Calua Napage

Ticklishness Rating: 7/10

Most Ticklish Spots: Belly Button, Feet

Too laid-back to really hate or be angered by tickling, but too defensive to really enjoy it either.

Extremely wiggly and squirmy, like a fish.

He always gets revenge, so watch out! But it’s all in good fun.

A teensy bit fearful of provoking Opera’s tickle wrath.

Several people have pointed out to him that they can't help but tickle his tummy; it's too tempting a target! He's thought about equipping a less-revealing wardrobe, but truth be told, he wants to flaunt his abs.

Quebec

Ticklishness Rating: 5/10

Most Ticklish Spots: Ribs, Belly

Surprisingly jovial for an ex-soldier, with a husky, bellowing roar that lets his heart of gold shine. Loves to laugh.

His voice isn’t deep; it’s in subterranean catacombs.

Guards Chocolat like an adopted daughter. He’s highly protective of her and the two are very close and affectionate.

Those paws might be massive & scary, but they’re just big fluffy tickle mittens.

When she was little, Chocolat's favorite pastime was getting picked up and carried around on Quebec's back. Whenever she wanted him to go faster, she'd kick him in the side with her foot or reach down and tickle his ribs, both of which made him chuckle.

As a result of his battlefield injury, his right leg no longer works, but his left does, so he has the unique distinction of being ticklish on only one foot.

He's extremely fuzzy, which makes him fun to touch...ladies tend to get very cuddly and physically affectionate with him, which can be a little awkward when they brush against a tickle spot.

Flo

Ticklishness Rating: 7/10

Most Ticklish Spots: Balls of Feet, Tummy

The French maid outfit isn't just for show, or for business. She loves wearing it, and she also loves getting flirty with feather dusters. ;)

Her sunny, chirpy laughter can brighten anyone's day! Flo yips like a little puppy.

She'll tell you to stop, but won't really mean it.

If anyone wants some more Little Tail Bronx research for tickle HCs, speak up…this whole franchise has such a cool aesthetic & cute characters that need to be exploited. XP

[tilbageidanmark]

Movies I watched this week (Year 4, week 4)

The blue caftan, my first Moroccan drama by Maryam Touzani, and another one starring Lubna Azabal ('Incendies', 'Tel aviv on fire'), this generation's Hiam Abbass. A daring topic about a closeted bisexual tailor who hires a new apprentice while his wife slowly dies. It's extremely slow, and tbh took me a few starts to get into, but eventually it won me over with its beauty, especially the metaphor of the embroidered blue caftan itself which he eventually finishes. 8/10.

*Woman Director

🍿  

“Everyone has their reasons”

First watch: Jean Renoir's The Rules of the Game, a comedy of manners about the haute bourgeoisie in Europe on the eve of World War 2. Banned nearly everywhere for two decades.

As of now, I haven't seen four from the Sight & Sound Greatest 50 films of all time list, ('Beau travail', 'Sunrise', L'Atalante' and 'Wanda'), which I plan on visiting soon.

🍿  

2 with André Dussollier:

🍿 François Ozon's latest film, The Crime is Mine, was an unexpected 1930's-style screwball comedy. A light and fluffy murder bonbon with a lesbian subplot, a feminine message of sort, and Isabelle Huppert as a faded Norma Desmond diva who used to act in the silent movies of “the great Alice Guy”! 7/10.

🍿  Truffaut's worst film, A Gorgeous Girl Like Me, was a chore to finish. No wonder I never heard about it before. An unfunny, unsexy black comedy about a an immoral, horny grifter who was arrested for murder, and the hapless sociologist who fell for her. 1/10.

🍿  

"... Evidently, an Ethiopian in the fuel supply: Seems to me I'm getting the old heave-ho..."

My Little Chickadee, a strange western spoof, with two completely subversive cynics, who really had nothing to do with each other, and yet were thrown here together in a middle of an otherwise-unfunny mix. W C Fields, a boozing, resigned con-man, and Mae West, an eye-rolling, horny sex-pot. How incredible this story 'could' have been, if it was given air to breath, filled completely with one-liners, was not censured, and stripped of all the fake moralities!

🍿  

Now that Jon Stewart is returning to 'The daily show', I discovered that he wrote and directed Irresistible 3 years ago, which came and went without fanfare. It's a mild and old-fashioned political satire about a Democratic consultant, the likes of which were done many times before. But it contained a fantastic twist at the end that made the whole thing absolutely vibrant. Rose Byrne is gorgeous as usual, and Mackenzie Davis felt to fill the moral fulcrum of the movie, and the end showed why. Don't read anything about it beforehand, if you decide to watch it. I saw it twice in the same evening. 8/10.

🍿  

Beyond the Bolex is an interesting documentary about a fascinating man, Jacques Bolsey. It is deftly told by a young director who was not aware that the unheralded inventor of the Swiss Bolex camera was her own great-grandfather. The story of this nearly forgotten pioneer is reminiscent of other giants of the arts, forgotten and now re-discovered: Hilma af Klint, Georges Méliès, Alice Guy-Blaché, Vivian Maier, each of them earned a new comprehensive biography.

(Unfortunately in my view, this one was the blandest of the five, due to the narrator's irritating intonation.)

*Woman Director

🍿  

"Stay Gold". First watch: Coppola's seminal The outsiders, the first of two coming-of-age adaptations he made of SE Hinton novels in 1983. Teenage gang members in a mid 60's Oklahoma town, born on the wrong side of the tracks, with early performances by a bunch of the "Brat pack" members, including young, red-haired Diane Lane, and cameos by Tom Waits, Melanie Griffith, and Sofia Coppola as a child looking for 15 cents. Now I'm off to see 'Rumble fish'. (Photo Above).

🍿  

An Irish Goodbye, a benign trifle about two estranged brothers, one of whom has Down Syndrome, dealing with the death of their mother. Won the 2023 Oscar for live short.

🍿  

3 re-watches:

🍿 “Sometimes you do your best work when you got a gun to your head.”

After reading the New Yorker story about $300K/week script doctor Scott Frank, I had to go back to his breakthrough Hollywood satire Get shorty. And indeed, wow, what a brilliant screenplay, economy of dialogue, elegance and balance, and a perfect cast (each of the 10 top billings stars was born to play their roles here). And so appropriate of him to place the emotional 'Touch of Evil' viewing scene at exactly the 45 minute mark, where it serves as the heart of the story. 9/10.

🍿  “This is your Rubicon. Do not cross the Rubicon!”

My second watching of Alexander Payne's absolutely charming The Holdovers (and the adaptation of the 1935 French 'Merlusse', which I saw last month too). 10/10 again for superb soundtrack and writing-directing as well as general kind-hearted wholesomeness.

I haven't seen 'American Fiction' yet, but in my opinion Paul Giamatti and Da'Vine Joy Randolph deserve to win this year's Oscars for best actors. Also that this will quickly become an American Christmas classic.

🍿 Oh, how I didn't like the heavy-handed Paths of Glory on re-watch. Yes, it exhibited a brave anti-military sentiments for Cold War 1957, but the injustice inflicted by the generals on the privates was laughably outdated. In was nice to see young Joe Terkel, in the second of his three Kubrick roles. And at least, it was the only time that Kubrick raised his own private curtain, by directing his (then-new) wife, as she closed the movie with her tearful cabaret singing. 3/10.

🍿  

The Constant Gardener, my 3rd by Fernando Meirelles (after 'City of God' and 'The two Popes'). It's an adaptation of a John le Carré's thriller about corrupt British diplomats in Kenya, a corporate conspiracy by multinational drug companies, and a love story (which is the weakest part of the whole thing).

I had a mixed reaction to this, nothing serious, won't go into it. The only lasting memory of this for me will probably be the Kothbiro leitmotif. 6/10.

🍿  

Torremolinos 73, a Spanish sex comedy from 2003. A bald, plain-looking man and his loving wife start making explicit home movies in 1973 Spain, after his career in encyclopedia sales ends, and 'become big in Scandinavia'. The premise is somehow promising, but it quickly develops into a ridiculous story about how he becomes interested in legit movies making. He ends up directing one symbolic Bergman-inspired art fart, with none other than young Mads Mikkelsen. 2/10.

🍿  

2 short shorts:

🍿 Dollar Pizza - Food porn of the highest quality makes you hungry: Now I want a slice! No judgement! 9/10.

🍿  The sheep and the flower, a real time (2 minutes) animated movie that fits in 8 kilobytes. Decent graphics, animations, direction and camera work, and the matching music… all in 8kB.

🍿  

Throw-back to the "Art project”:  

Pizza Adora.

🍿  

(My complete movie list is here)

[random-delights]

Agate

Name: Agate

Age: 24

Bio: Nicknamed the Falcon of Brodia due to her speed and strike in battle with her sword, she is a dedicated captain of Brodia. She has the tendency to nap wherever she pleases due to her overexerted energy during battles and training, giving it her all. She calls Diamant “Didi” and will also grace you with a nickname without asking.

↓ More Info Below  ↓

Thank you @shellysaurus-rex for putting in all this work for providing the template!

Note: "Sparkles" is Agate's nickname for Alear :' )

Ally Notebook

Initial Page;

Initial Class: Swordmaster

Birthday: August 02

Basic Info: Known for her agility in battle, she is a strong captain of Brodia who takes great pride in her duty to Diamant and Alcryst. She joined the Divine Dragon’s army to fight for the same cause.

C Rank;

Likes: Woodcraft, Training, Games, Diamant & Alcryst (Brodian comrades too), Music, Her blanket, Loyalty

Dislikes: Being tired, Anyone who makes Alcryst cry, Fashion, Her older brother, Snooty people

B Rank;

Hobbies: Training and exercising

Talents: Carving wooden miniatures 

Background: Born in a small town in Brodia, she was raised by a family with a skilled father in woodcrafting. Her father suffered from an injury that required him to work less than he was capable of. It wasn’t until her older brother suddenly left their family to go on a trip alone exploring the world. This left Agate furious over her inconsiderate brother, and took it upon herself to take care of their parents. Learning that joining the Brodia army can provide the support for her parents, she took up her father’s sword and charged into the Brodian castle demanding a fight with Damiant, only to accidentally walk upon a small Alcryst (of course, sending him to a fit of sobbing that drew Damiant’s attention). Ever since then, she has become a loyal and diligent captain known as the Falcon of Brodia due to her agility and endurance.

A Rank;

Height: 5′5″

Ring Size: 7 | N 1/2

Personality: Dedicated to her role as a  captain of the Brodian army, she can be loud in personality and loves to take on challenges of all kinds. When her energy is spent, she knocks out into a nap, sometimes even on the spot. She is loyal and caring to her close comrades and is always there to look after them. Has napped the most in the army. 

Supports:

Alfred

Louis

Diamant

Alcryst

Citrinne

Lapis

Amber

Jade

Zelkov

Kagetsu

Goldmary

Fogado

Pandreo

Panette

Merrin

Seadall

Mauvier

Nel

Rafal

Lila (oc)

Battle Quotes

When Selected:

“Ready and willing” (Full Health)

“For Brodia” (Full Health)

“Send me forward!” (Medium Health)

“Let me at them!” (Low Health)

Critical Attack:

“I will cut you down.”

“This is your end!”

“Meet my blade with honour!”

“Pick your prayers.”

Defeated Enemy:

“That was disappointing.”

“Over so soon?”

“Time to nap, I guess.”

“What a privilege it’s been.”

“May we cross blades again in the afterlife.”

Ally Heals:

“T-thank you…”

“I will return the favour!”

“This is embarrassing…”

Emblem Engage:

“Emblem Engage!”

“Forward together!”

Post-Battle Exploration

Chapter-Specific: 

“Don’t let the nickname Falcon of Brodia stick too much…I don’t really like it, but it makes Diamant and Alcryst smile, so I can't complain.” (Chapter 8: Kingdom of Might)

“We should hurry, Divine One. I’m afraid of what will face us in Elusia…I have a bad feeling about this.” (Chapter 9: A Clash of Forces)

“I must remain by Diamant and Alcryst’s side…especially during this time.” (Chapter 10: The Fell Dragon Sombron)

“I know Brodia and Elusia have been at each other’s throats…but this…I would never wish this upon anyone.” (Chapter 19: The Dead Town)

Battle-Specific:

“What’s this? Afraid I’ve lost my edge? Nonsense. Put me back out there!” (Not Deployed)

“Is that all? We’re just getting started! Bring it on!” (Deployed Numerously)

Location-Specific: 

“I’m not one for traveling, that’s more of my useless brother’s type of gig, y’know. But I must admit…the views are great to take in.” (Default)

“Who knew all these colours existed? No wonder people from Firene are so happy.” (Florra Mill Town)

“See that pillar supporting that part of the bridge? I climbed that, but Diamant sent guards to bring me back. He was worrying too much, if you ask me.” (The Grand Crossing)

“Welcome to our home. Impressive, isn’t it?” (Brodia Castle)

“I wish I had my trust blanket with me, the winds here are brutal. ” (Fort on the Border)

“Every nation has its wonders, eh?” (Destinea Cathedral)

“Sparkles! A group of people over there let me join their singing. Come! You should join us!” (Oasis Village)

“This place is really cool, I wouldn’t mind living here. Wait, don’t tell Diamant I said that. Please.” (Solm Palace)

Somniel

In Somniel:

“My brother would have loved to visit here…hm? Oh, nevermind. It’s nothing important.” (Default)

“Sparkles-! Have you seen the weapons? Which one do you want? I can get it for you and we can spar!” (Plaza)

“I’m not picky on food, I will eat anything, even twigs. Citrinne sometimes worries about me because of it. She’s such a worrywart.” (Café Terrace)

“Want to join me, Sparkles? Water’s good!” (Pool)

“The fruit here is so good! Wait—what do you mean we’re not allowed to eat the fruit off the trees here?!” (Orchard)

“I never fish myself, but I do accompany Diamant and Alcryst from time to time. They sure love their fishing.” (Pond)

“Sparkles! Good timing, want to train together? This is the best time to do it!” (Training Yard)

“Did you know this is a great spot for napping? You should try it some time!” (Lookout Ridge)

“Huh? A gift? T-thank you…you made my day.” (Their Birthday)

“Happy Birthday! Hope you like this…I had a hard time choosing, because I wanted to give you so many things.” (Alear’s Birthday)

Gifts:

“Thanks?” (Disliked)

“How considerate of you, thank you.” (Liked)

“Can I really have this? Thank you, this means a lot to me.” (Favorite)

“I mean…some people would find this useful, but not me. Sorry. ” (Horse Manure)

Café Terrace:

“Welcome! I can try my best, but can’t guarantee the outcome. Eat at your own risk.” (On Duty Quote)

Arena:

Introduction;

“You dare challenge me? Bring it on.”

“Let’s see what you are worth.”

“Come at me with your best.”

Win;

“Already over? What a shame.”

Loss;

“How strange…I need to train harder.”

Wake-Up Events

C1:

“Sparkles, here I come! Too bad I napped before I came here, or else I would have joined you. You got a nice place for sleepin’. ”

“You look so comfortable…even though I just napped…I feel like dozing off. … . Hm? Oh, Sparkles, you’re up. I guess that means I shouldn’t nod off. Ah well, shall we head out?”

“I wonder if there is a way for me to nap here too-oh, hey! Hello sunshine! Hm? What was I talking about? Don’t worry. Let’s get a move on then, yeah?” (Waking Early)

C2:

“I can’t believe they made a napper like me come and wake you up, Sparkles. You look all comfortable and cozy there…hm. Let me see if I can squeeze on here too. This isn’t a bad spot for napping.”

“You’re awake? No, sh, go back to sleep! We can nap the whole day off. Okay, fine, fine, I suppose you have important duties to attend to.”

“Aw, you’re up. I was hoping we’d nap a bit longer together here. Alright, up we go.” (Waking Early)

B1:

“Operation New Nap Spot is a go! Let’s see, if I squeeze myself here, I won’t have to disturb your sleep, Sparkles.”

“Wow, this bed is really comfortable. Do I have to be a Divine Dragon to get myself one of these? Oh hey Sparkles, hello sunshine. Me? Don’t worry, I was just testing some things out. Let’s go.”

“A-Ah! Did I wake you? I will have to be more successful next time…alright, let’s go then. I will try to do better next time!” (Waking Early)

B2:

“Watching you sleep has been so peaceful, Sparkles. I find myself coming here too much. A little quiet doesn’t hurt…”

“Are you up sunshine? Don’t worry, I haven’t been waiting for long. Feel free to go back to sleep if you wish.”

“Hey Sparkles, sorry did my words wake you up? I will keep my thoughts to myself then. Let’s head out, yeah?” (Waking Early)

A1:

“I hope Sparkles doesn’t mind me bringing my own blanket. Let’s see, this should be enough to cover us both. Let me just climb up onto here…”

“... . Hm? Oh Sparkles, you woke me up this time instead of the other way around. Can we stay here for a few more minutes like this? Is that okay?”

“Sparkles! I was hoping I wouldn’t wake you…my plans are spoiled now. Ah well…let’s head out then.”  (Waking Early)

A2:

“Sparkles, it’s me. I couldn’t help but come here on my own accord. There’s something about you I can’t keep myself away from. Maybe I should take a thing or two from you…they way you are kind, thoughtful and caring. I wonder if I could ever be like you, Divine One...”

“Are you up? Welcome back. We’re in no rush, so take the time you need to fully wake up. I will be here if you ever need anything.”

“Ah, S-Sparkles, morning! Shall we get a move on?” (Waking Early)

[pastelbatfandoms]

40 question plural/system asks

What do you guys usually fight about, if anything? Relationships lol That's really our main difference. We can agree on or agree to disagree on most everything else.

2. What are everyone's fashion tastes? I've answered this in other surveys,which you can search for under the tags Surveys or OSDD. But I suppose I can do each of our main styles. Mine (Michelle) are Streetwear , Hippie and Fandom/Causal.

Mitchell's: Emo & Grunge

Mina: Y2k & Basic (Think Gossip Girl)

Rini's: Girly and Kawaii (she is a child)

Levathia's: Victorian Goth or Romantic Goth

Alistair: Gothic & Devil Core. Suits.

Elizabeth: Angel Core

Newt: All Black, Nu Goth maybe. She doesn't have a set style.

Lyria's: Witchy & Boho mixed with galaxy themes. (Was Hipster)

3. Who's the best at dealing with stress? Alistair without a doubt as he is one of our protectors and the most mature (besides Elizabeth) I would also say Lyria too since she is so spiritual and an Alien.

4. Who has the weirdest music taste? lol Mitch with his Screamo. JK I mean we all have varied tastes so I don't think any of our music taste is weird.

5. Do you see your system members as individual people, parts of a whole, or something else? Do other members see things differently? Some see themselves as individuals, I think other's of us see themselves as part of a system that work together to make a whole. (myself included)

6. Is there anything everyone can agree on or have in common? We agree on how to raise our kids (for the most part),who we're married to and our beliefs.

7. How long have you known you're part of a system? Has it taken other members a longer or shorter time to come around? They all knew long before I did lol. I have only known for a few months.

8. What was the discovery process like for you? It was a bit of a surprise. I even joked about having it to our husband once (mine and Lyria's) turns out we do lol

9. What do you feel your origins are, if you feel comfortable sharing? Like how did we get OSDD? um Childhood trauma starting at the age of 5. (Rape, Molestation, Domestic abuse within the household, parents divorced, Dad was an Alcoholic, My Grandma and Sister died when I was very young.)

10. If you could wake up tomorrow and have everyone be in separate bodies, would you? Probably not. That would be a lot, plus we'd have to move we barely have room for 5 people here let alone 8 more! I feel like their safer and more comfortable in the inner world anyway. Especially Rini, Elizabeth and Newt.

11. Do you have a favorite plural character or headcanon? Killer Frost aka Caitlin Snow from The Flash.

12. Does anyone like any video games? What about books or TV shows? omg yes. Been playing since we were children. I've always preferred fighting games, as well as Simulation games. As far as Books and TV? Man that's a whole other list...We've been reading since we were 4 and are big into TV shows....

Mitch likes pretty much anything, but his/their favorites are Nintendo games, WWE games and Super Hero/Anime games.

Levathia prefers D&D to Video games but she does like RPG's, Horror & Vampire The Masquerade.

Lyria likes Mobile games mostly.

Mina likes The Sims, Dress up games, and Anime. As long as it's sexy or cute.

Rini prefers card games like MLP or board games like candy land. But she does like cute anime and Disney games.

Alistair and Elizabeth prefer board games over video games.

Newt sometimes likes playing mobile card games.

13. Who's the most outdoorsy, if anyone? Who likes to stay inside the most, if anyone? I'd say Lyria and Mina. Liryia because she loves nature and Mina because she likes just going out.

I think the rest of us are more introverted though Elizabeth does like laying out when it's sunny and cloud gazing.

14. What is religion and spirituality like for your system, if applicable? We're all pretty spiritual, Elizabeth is the only one of us who is religious (She's Christian)

15. Who, if anyone, are you out to? Are they supportive? My Husband, My Niece (Who I found out has DID) and My Mom.

16. Do you see multiplicity as more of a spectrum that everyone's on, or something that only effects some people? Only effects those who have had severe childhood trauma and possibly ongoing.

17. Any nonhuman members? Yes. As I stated Liryia is an Alien (Plieadian) Elizabeth is an Angel, Alistair and Newt are Demons, Levathia is a Vampire and Mitch is part cat.

18. Do you have introjects? If so, where do they come from? One, My ex Valenn, who is with Levathia. Hopefully I don't have anymore introjects of ex's....

19. Do you consider yourself disordered? Do other members feel any differently about this?  Yes, but I really don't think about it. It's always been this way I've had depression, Anxiety, PTSD and Disassociation for as long as I can remember. So It's pretty much the norm now.

20. What are everyone's favorite hobbies? I already answered in another survey....

21. How do you resolve in-system conflicts? We don't usually have them that I know of, but we do have an area towards the front that sits a round poker table that we sit at and discuss anything we have concerns over.

22. Do you dissociate often? What is dissociation like for you, if applicable? Sometimes I can't tell if I am or if I'm just really tired. I tend to space out often though and used to have really bad dizzy spells or feel like everything is in slow motion (including voices) I usually have to sit with my eyes closed for a few minutes or longer to settle.

23. Do you wish you had more or less members, or are you happy with what you've got now? I'm good with what I have. Though I wouldn't reject any new comers lol

24. How active are your other members? Who's around in headspace the most? Who fronts the most? Who's dormant, if anyone? As the host I am the most active. But Mitch, Liryia and Levathia are around the most. I would say Newt is the most inactive but she's not dormant she just never comes out because she guards the front with Alistair. I don't think we have any that are dormant...

25. Do different members have different art or handwriting styles? Feel free to show examples! YES! I have a more loose, all over the place handwriting and I'm better at drawing designs for letters and free hand.

Levathia has a more old world cursive style and she draws very dark things. (bleeding eyes and such)

Mitch has what I call "chicken scratch" handwriting lol but it's still readable just very hurried. He along with Rini are good at drawing anime characters.

Lyria has messy "cursive" large with plenty of misspellings lol she is the best artist out of all of us. She mainly draws/paints landscapes and planets from her memories of her home worlds. As well as sigils.

Rini's handwriting is very childish since she is our little.

Elizabeth's handwriting is very neat and light. She doesn't draw but she's good at decorating.

Alistair's handwriting is bold and precise like him. He's only drawn a self portrait (or helped me) but he says he's good at using charcoal and chalks. Very abstract.

Mina's handwriting is flowery with lots of hearts dotting the i's. She mainly doodles things like hearts and stars.

26. Do you ever feel NOT multiple? Like a singlet, or somewhere in the middle of the spectrum? Do you ever forget you're part of a system? Yes, alot actually, I used to think I was making it up.

27. Do you guys have different tastes in food? What are everyone's favorite foods?

I like chicken, pasta, hamburgers, breakfast food and breads.

I do know Mitch likes his junk food, cereal and chocolate...

Rini likes cereal, mac n cheese, Chicken Nuggets , Ice cream, Chocolate milk and Elizabeth eats more healthy, besides the occasional cake. (Sorry we're allergic to dairy guys!)

Mina likes frozen yogurt, Mocha's and fruit.

Levathia said she likes some japanese food and english.

Alistair prefers rich foods and dark chocolate (Wow total opposite of me lol)

Liryia doesn't have a preference. But prefers home cooked.

28. Have you ever struggled with denial? Yep.

29. Does your typing style differ depending on who's fronting?  Sometimes. If Liryia's typing we get alot of misspellings lol and if Mina or Mitch is fronting we get alot of teen style typing (abbreviating every word...)

30. Do you have any amnesia? What's it like for you? I used to from childhood and as a teen. I get alot of my memories mixed up.

31. Do any system members have a different gender or sexuality? How do you guys handle this? Alistair is male, Newt is None Binary and Mitch goes by they/him. Everyone else is female.

We handle it just like normal, we're all pretty open minded.

32. How has your system changed over time? I don't know...Other then Alistair not just being a scary shadow or demon anymore. Levathia isn't as volatile either.

33. Who's the oldest member? Who's the youngest? I suppose Liryia though we have a lot of ageless members. Rini is the youngest.

34. Do you see your system more as family, more as friends, more as roommates, or anything else? Family and friends.

35. What would your perfect life or dream job look like? How does this differ between members? I really don't have one anymore. Maybe a tarot reader with a permanent house.

36. Name your favorite quality of all the members you can think of! Including yourself! ;) Alistair is answering- Hello, Michelle found it hard to think of what to say so here I am.

Firstly I would say My favorite quality's of hers would be her strength, how strong and mature she is given everything she has been through. She has grown so much these past few years (some of that we attribute to her life now and family) she is also creative, sensitive and a great listener.

Mina would like me to write on her next so I shall hm. Mina is spirited to say the least, she is fun and kind, very loving (sometimes a bit too trusting) she may wear her heart on her sleeve but it has led Michelle to were she is now so Minara is much needed. I also appreciate her more open sexual side that she is not afraid to express.

Elizabeth, ah how does a demon write about an Angel? We used to not get on very much but we have grown closer over time, as we've realized the roles we play balance each other out. Elizabeth is kind as well very humble (sometimes too) and is a great caretaker to Rini.

Speaking of, where do I begin? Rini is our little therefore she emerged when Michelle was around 5-7 years and went through her first trauma. She may hold some but not all. She is very strong, spirited, sweet and loving. She may be shy but she is also very funny, cute and a joy to be around. She is also very creative and smart as well. Rini created our inner world, so imagination she has indeed.

Now onto Mitchell or Mitch as they like to be called. Mitch is our little emotional one, they do hold alot of the trauma. But despite his quiet, moody exterior he is the one (besides Newt) that I relate to the most. They are misunderstood because of his demeanor but they are actually quite sweet and good. He cares for us all but especially Rini and Mina, he is also very fun and unique.

Levathia is the one that I was the closest to (aside from Newt) growing up in the headspace. We were persecuters together and she was every bit as protective as I when it came to our well being, though she went a bit overboard at times. Lev may have a temper but she has a soft spot for those she loves. She is also very worldy and mature.

Speaking of Worldly. Liyria is our newest member, well new to us, she is actually a starseed and along with Levathia is a part of Michelle's past lives. I may not know her well but what I do know of her I like. She is highly spiritual and is connected to the aliens and akashic records as I am the occult and demons. We relate well when it comes to this and I respect her knowledge and generosity to share with us.

Newt is my right hand. They are very mysterious and seem foreboding because they are mute. but Newt is actually very kind and protective. They take their role as guard very seriously, though I do wish they'd lighten up a bit.

That is all of us for now...I will have Michelle return.

37. What's the most awkward experience you can have that you attribute to plurality? Not remembering things that people will tell you did or said...

38. Is it easy for you guys to be co-conscious? Yes.

39. Are you blurry often? How do you deal with blurriness? A bit yeah. We just deal with it, sleep lol

40. Do you know a lot of details about your system members, or is it more hard for you to parse out? I don't know as much yet but I do get details through dreams.

[caffeineandsociety]

Speaking of how people use accusations of pedophilia as a thought-terminating cliche, we need to have a conversation about how blatantly fucking racist the internet's current lolicon panic is.

Like - and I DESPISE that I have to include this preface - I don't like that it's a staple of harem and harem-adjacent games and anime to have the token edgelord little sister and looks-like-a-prepubescent-child romance options either. In my personal opinion it's uncomfortable at best and ruins the entire damned piece with its out-of-place bad-kind-of-weirdness at worst, and I think it's at least mildly irresponsible to sell taboo fetishism in the mainstream, as a side element in pieces that are decidedly not about the taboo fetish, to lonely people without caring if some of them are inclined to forget that some taboos exist for DAMNED GOOD REASONS, because "eh, not my problem, they have disposable income."

You know. Just like how it's irresponsible at best for adult-ish, dark-ish high fantasy to insist on having gratuitous sexual assault scenes out the wazoo for "historical accuracy" in a universe with dragons and absolutely no racial diversity despite ample evidence of trade networks that expand beyond these homogeneously white bubbles we focus on.

Yet way too much of the internet is out here, subtly or not, subconsciously or not, acting like this one shitty trope means Japan is just some den of degenerate men and gleefully submissive women, this perverted land that will sexualize anything and everything and in fact takes it as a challenge to cross every line and thinks child molestation is fun for the whole family because their age of consent is 14-

Which is. You know. Hm.

First of all, it can be argued that the age of consent in Japan is 14 in the same sense that the age of consent in the US is 12 or even nonexistent - that is to say, that's the youngest any prefecture is allowed to permit, and the only time it's actually used is in the case of close-in-age cases ("Romeo and Juliet laws") - i.e., the kind of legal codes that make it harder for homophobic parents to have their 15-year old children's same-age same-sex partners arrested and labeled as sex offenders. For no-strings-attached age of consent it's 16-18 depending on prefecture, exactly like it is in the US. The fact that even people who really try not to be racist or xenophobic will end up parroting this myth is...alarming.

Second, again, it's not like anime and Japanese games are the only things that have really uncomfortably sexualized genre staples, or that treat extremely young girls like sex-objects-in-training. It's not an anime-only thing that if we want a female character to have a ~dark~ backstory, it almost always involves sexual violence, as if women can't have any other kind of fear or traumatic experience (or as if men can't have sexual trauma except as an excuse to pay it forward, for that matter). Child actresses are often expected to wear fashionable, form-fitting clothes from damned near the moment they start walking, whereas young boys on screen generally get to just dress like kids. Western kids' media, especially that aimed at girls, is often glutted with obvious creator fetishes meant to fly over the kids' heads - and, okay, some of the breakdowns of this pattern are unfair and themselves the ones doing the sexualizing, the overlap between "things adults semi-often have fetishes for" and "things kids giggle at and/or may enjoy as sensory play" is...A Lot, but it is often framed in a weirdly sexual way, never mind that foot guy at Nickelodeon who got caught fetish mining from his audience of children.

Yet, for some reason, we only care about those cases when they're in the headlines, but when it's anime, we have to be on the lookout for it 24/7 and call it out EVERY time it shows up in ANYTHING we see and complain LOUDLY about it ALL the time or else we're child abuse enablers?

It's. It's xenophobia and racism. Full stop. And I'm sick to death of seeing it.

[colorbar1]

https://colorbarcosmetics.com/products/nail-lacquer-522

7 Nail Polish Trends The Internet Is Obsessing Over These Days

From small girls to old women, from working women to entrepreneurs, everyone loves to paint their nails. Feeling good by looking good is something every human does and enjoys to the fullest. Whether you're a fan of nail art or just like classic colors, trying out new trends can be an enjoyable way to step up your manicure game.

In this blog, let’s look at some nail polish trends that took the world by storm. From office looks to the red carpet, these trends were everywhere. These trends were not just fashion statements; they reflected the personality and creativity of the individual. Let's get started.

1. Classic Red and Nude

In the age of social media, new trends are a regular phenomenon. Social media influencers and celebrities are always looking for ways to set new trends and gain followers. However, two trends that have never lost their charm are classic red and nude nail paints. Their popularity remains unmatched. For centuries, vibrant red nail polishes have added a touch of elegance and sophistication. Nude or skin color nail polish is extremely popular because of the versatility it offers. It has the ability to blend with any outfit and take any look to the next level.

2. Pastel Perfection

Trends in nail polish may vary according to the seasons. Pastel colors are second on the list which gives your manicure a feeling of softness and freshness, and are often associated with spring. Pastel nail polishes, which range from soft pinks to mint greens, give a splash of calmness in their shades without being overpowering, making them ideal for embracing the spirit of spring.

3. Vibrant Neons

Moving on to the next we have Neon nail polishes. These are a must-try trend for people who enjoy making a statement. The colors instantly grab attention and are perfect for a party look or any event at night. Try applying neon-colored nail paints like neon pink, green, or orange along with a neon outfit. It compliments your outfit and adds a playful touch to your overall look. Applying neon colored nail paint is also a statement of self-expression and courage to try different looks. It reflects the confidence that an individual has in themselves.

4. Metallics and Chromes

Another futuristic trend that has people on the internet obsessed is Metallic and Chrome gel nail polishes. They are ideal for a chic and contemporary manicure. These high-shine finishes give your nails a luxurious touch and a futuristic look, which is ideal for formal events or nighttime wear. Maddy Perez FROM Euphoria, nailed the metallic look and since started the rise of this trend. Especially among the teenagers as the show is about highschoolers. As the cosmetic industry develops, newer shades will be introduced, which can make metallic and chrome shades more popular. Check out the Moana shade of this vegan nail lacquer to get perfect metallic nails.

5. Glitter and Sequins

When it comes to nail paint, everything that glitters is gold. These shades add a fun and sparkly vibe to your look. Glitter nail paints are perfect for occasions like weddings, parties, or any special event where you want to add some extra sparkle to your look. The shimmering effect of glitter nail paints can make you the star of the show.

 Whether you are looking for full coverage or want to pair it with other shades, these shiny nails will draw instant attention. The possibilities for designing eye-catching manicure designs are endless, ranging from sequin-infused paints to sparkly top finishes. You can check out Colorbar’s Luxe nail lacquer to get perfect glittery nails.

6. Matte Finish

The final trend for the day is matte nail polish. Fashionable and subtle styles that go well with a variety of looks and events. They are a smart and modern take on traditional glossy polishes. Matte nail polishes dry faster than glossy ones, which makes them a practical choice for people with busy schedules. Additionally, matte nail polishes are less prone to chipping and smudging compared to glossy finishes, providing longer-lasting wear.

Conclusion

It is a great time to experiment with your manicure because there are so many nail polish trends to pick from. Experimenting with different trends is a fun way to express your originality and uplift your style, regardless of whether you choose bold designs or classic tones. So feel free to engage in these six nail polish trends and transform your nails into a must-have piece of trendy jewelry.

If you are looking to add new colors to your collection, or finding the best nail polish combo, you can check out Colorbar Cosmetics. They are one of the best beauty brands in India, renowned for their high-quality makeup and skincare products. Shop now to get the best deals on their nail polish collection.

[nickgerlich]

The Wings Have It

In the age of rapid technological advances, it is not uncommon to hear people complain about what they perceive to be planned obsolescence. Whether it is true or not is irrelevant. It just finds people with products that have a limited useful life, and then they are forced to upgrade. It is difficult to prove this kind of thing, because tech is changing fast with or without conspiratorial minds plotting our financial demise.

But then again, there is some merit to pushing people along, even if they do so kicking and screaming. We can’t be having stragglers on the path to tomorrow, you know.

And so this finds KFC doing just that, promoting its digital ordering and rewards club. If you use the app or order online, you get points, which can be redeemed for more food. Don’t use digital ordering? Too bad, so sad. No points for you.

All of which means that the evolution of fast food continues at warp speed, which finds restaurant owners downsizing in new locations that focus on drive-thru and delivery. Good luck with dining-in the old fashioned way.

It’s almost like ordering at the counter has exceeded its useful life, and if you aren’t one of the cool kids with the app, you will just miss out on this generous promotion. No free chicken nuggets or sandwiches for you.

If COVID taught us anything, it is that we really don’t need all that in-store dining space, that drive-thrus and curbside pick-up can handle all of the business if need be, and we don’t need a bunch of employees entering orders. Make the customers do it, and incentivizing them is just the ticket.

But what about the people who don’t use apps and all those fancy things? Why, it’s almost like purposely overlooking the older population when you decide to stream a football game. Someone is going to feel left out.

Before I continue, I wish to give everyone a great Trivial Pursuit or Jeopardy answer. Why is the company called KFC these days? Wasn’t it called Kentucky Fried Chicken in ye olden days? Was the name change because the parent company, Yum Brands, no longer wished to convey the unhealthy reminder of eating fried foods?

Not in a million years, you wings- and thighs-loving fools. No, this stems from when the Commonwealth of Kentucky trademarked its name in 1991, and Yum Brands did not want to pay a licensing fee to use it. So they rechristened the chain KFC. Take that, you greedy royalty-grubbing politicians! Sometimes a rebrand is necessitated by a crazy law.

Actually, the KFC loyalty plan is four years after sister brand Taco Bell launched its digital rewards program in 2020. Numerous other chains not under the Yum umbrella have done likewise. And it makes sense. Digital ordering is the new way, like it or not. If you are bound and determined to do things the old fashioned way, that’s on you. They’ll still take your money, I guess, although as time unfolds, you will find yourself increasingly in newer KFCs and other fast food outlets where the whole idea is to have ordered online, and everyone is taking their food elsewhere to consume.

As for Yum Brands, they are doubling down on digital, which grew 20% and reached $7 billion revenues in Q3 2023, accounting for 45% of sales worldwide. If this screams Gen-Z and Millennials, I don’t know what else does. I suppose Gen-Xers and Boomers can just eat at Denny’s.

As I have said before, I am no fast food aficionado. It’s just not in my diet. All I will concede is a Subway veggie sandwich if that’s the only thing between me and starving. But if I did consume fast food, I would be all over this app. I don’t go to the supermarket for chit chat, and prefer to self-check my purchases. The same goes for a lot of my dining, especially if I were to dip into fast food territory. Just give me my food, and I will be on my way.

Good on KFC for tapping in to what is increasingly the core market in the US, Gen-Z and the Millennials. It’s their day. It’s YOUR day. And to take a page from another fast food outlet, Have It Your Way.

Dr “Do I Get Points For This?” Gerlich

Audio Blog

[liandlicouturethrissur]

Your Essential Guide to Kids Christmas Dresses in 2023

Fashion is a vibrant means of self-expression, allowing us to showcase our unique personalities and creativity. From casual to formal, bohemian to minimalist, exploring various styles becomes an exciting journey to discover our distinctive fashion identity. Similarly, exceptional gifts for children go beyond mere entertainment, sparking curiosity and fostering play over time. Through expert interviews and extensive research, we've curated a selection of toys, dress-up items, games, and gear to captivate the imaginations of kids, providing them with tools to explore and embrace the world.

Embrace the holiday spirit with enchanting Christmas dresses from Li & Li Couture, radiating festive elegance and making every moment merry and bright. Introducing our latest fashion, your go-to for the Christmas Kids Collection online, nestled in the heart of Kerala. With a passion for creating clothing for both women and children, we aim to make your child shine with excellence through our original and imaginative designs. We can provide you with a guide to assist you in selecting the ideal children's Christmas outfit. Remember that tastes and fashions might change from year to year, so it's a good idea to see what's new in terms of possibilities and trends.

1. Comfort and Material:

To make sure your child is comfortable during the celebrations, use a dress made of soft blends or comfy fabrics like cotton.

2. Joyful Colors: 

Popular selections for Christmas colors include red, green, gold, and silver. Dresses with patterns inspired by snowflakes, reindeer, or Christmas trees are a good option.

3. Fashions: 

A-line dresses, tutu skirts, and dresses with bows and ruffles are common fashions for girls. Boys may choose to wear shorts or colorful pants with their dress shirts.

4. Accessories:

Add accessories such as bows, ribbons, or Santa hats to complement the outfit. For boys, consider a festive tie or bowtie.

5. Age-Appropriate Designs

Verify that the dress's length and style are appropriate for the wearer. Smaller kids could feel more at ease in shorter, more whimsical styles.

6. Weather-Related Issues:

Dressing for the weather requires consideration. Should it be winter, you may wish to wear the dress with a coat or a matching cardigan.

7. Personalization:

To make the outfit special, some parents choose to add individualized details like custom embroidery or monogrammed initials.

8. Coordinating Family Attire:

Think about planning attire ahead of time to create a unified image when shooting family portraits. You can accomplish this by using complementary hues or accents.

9. Durability:

Kids may get really energetic, especially around the holidays. Select a dress that will hold up during playtime.

10. Cost-Effective Solutions: 

Examine cost-effective solutions without sacrificing quality. You can get reasonably priced gowns at local retailers, online marketplaces, and sales events.

11. Start Your Shopping Early:  

Make sure you have enough time to discover the ideal dress and make any necessary adjustments by starting your shopping early.

12. Comfortable Shoes: 

To finish the ensemble, don't forget to wear comfortable shoes. Boys may choose to wear celebratory sneakers or formal shoes, while girls are more likely to wear ballet flats.

Get ready to add a touch of magic to your little one's Christmas with our enchanting dresses! Imagine the delight as they twirl in festive joy, adorned in our stylish Christmas outfits featuring cute reindeer patterns and sparkling snowflakes. Buy Kid Christmas Outfit Online from Li & Li Couture, brings you shining garments for children who excel, offering the cutest outfits ever. Discover the best baby girl birthday party dresses at Li & Li Couture, with our design and production studio based in Kerala, India. Our love for the arts shines through in every piece we create for girls and boys. Your child is sure to be a star with our distinctive and creative designs. Li & Li promises high-quality materials and exquisite workmanship for a truly special holiday season. Shop now and let your little one sparkle with Li & Li Couture!

[pahrak-the-sinnoh-slizer]

Games in 2023: Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless

(I know it’s 2024 the game came out late 2023 so even if I didn’t get it until now it didn’t feel right saying it was “in 2024” okay)

I’ve been a longtime (if somewhat casual) fan of the Disgaea series.  It has that one-two punch of lighthearted tone and surprisingly serious plot developments that I tend to enjoy, and relishes in being perhaps the best example of over-the-top cartoon violence ever seen.  These games are absolutely STUFFED with things to do, but enticing as that is, it can also be a double-edged sword when trying to actually dig into them.  I’ve played at least a little of everything but Disgaea D2, yet 7 marks only the third time I’ve beaten the main story of a Disgaea game—and the first one I beat (2) took several attempts over a few years.  So this won’t be entirely comprehensive; nevertheless, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed myself thus far, and 35 hours seems like a good enough chunk that I’m qualified to recommend it to people.

First, a spoiler-free tl;dr: Disgaea 7 has all the whacky humor and engrossing gameplay the series is known for, with many mechanics being streamlined to make it one of the most accessible entries for players both new and returning.  The plot draws on familiar themes and takes some really interesting turns, helped by a very solid main cast, and as it neared its resolution I just couldn’t put the game down.  Definitely give the free demo a try if you’re at all curious!  That was all it took to hook me!

From what I’ve heard, Disgaea 6 wasn’t especially well-received.  I’ve only tried the demo, but it’s true that something about it just didn’t hit.  Nippon Ichi apparently took a lot of feedback on 6 into account when making Disgaea 7, and while I don’t have the experience to properly compare the two, playing the demo for 7 made me immediately want to get my hands on the full game, so that’s a stark difference.  The setting we’re exploring this time is Hinomoto, a cluster of closely connected Netherworlds based on feudal Japan; while the demons here were once known for their unusually undemonic code of honor, bushido, the realm has since fallen on hard times and has become just as rowdy as most other Netherworlds we’ve seen.  This is all the result of Hinomoto’s long-standing isolationist policy being forcibly ended by our villain, Demmodore Opener…just like how Japan’s isolationist policy was ended in real life!  Well, with the caveat that Opener has conquered Hinomoto and taken direct control over it.  It’s a funny way to draw as deeply from the inspiration as possible.  Under Opener’s rule, Hinomoto has declined in both honor and prosperity, but none dare stand up to him: he killed the Netherworld’s greatest warrior, the legendary Mugai, after all.  Things certainly look bleak for the demons living here.

Into this stumbles Pirilika, a ray of sunshine cat-gyaru demon who owns her own fashion brand and is a self-proclaimed “Hinomoto Otaku”, having fallen in love with the Netherworld from all the stories she’s heard about the age of bushido.  In other words, she’s a literal weeaboo rolling up to feudal Japan.  Only in Disgaea, man.  She soon crosses paths with Fuji, a dragon demon ronin who has an allergy to empathy that makes him cough up blood any time somebody’s nice to him; a situation presents itself where Fuji agrees to be Pirilika’s bodyguard for an enormous fee (he’s in deep debt), but Pirilika’s Prinny secretary rigs the contract so that he’ll only get his money after Pirilika has accomplished her goals in Hinomoto.  Determined to get paid, Fuji declares he’ll “do his worst”, and grumpily follows Pirilika on her adventures.  Oh, and they become wanted criminals for getting into an altercation with shogunate forces.  Hilarity ensues!

The demo lets you play through the first two chapters of the story, both of which end with a tutorial for a new mechanic.  At the end of chapter one, Pirilika offers Fuji a sword as a sort of down payment, and upon taking it he realizes that it’s actually one of the legendary Infernal Treasures said to be the greatest weapons in all of Hinomoto.  He’s curious as to why she has it, but he’s perfectly willing to put it to use, thus unlocking Hell Mode.  If you’ve played Disgaea 5, this is somewhat similar to Revenge Mode: a character builds up their gauge to achieve a power boost for 3 turns, though quite a few changes have been made.  First of all, since Hell Mode is tied to the Infernal Treasures, only a select few characters have access to it, and not all of them have their Treasure (or their Hell Mode) in all chapters.  Secondly, each character has their own conditions for charging their gauge: deal damage, take damage, do team attacks, and more.  Thirdly, Hell Mode is activated manually, not automatically.  Fourthly, the effects of each Hell Mode are also unique rather than a uniform buff.  Fuji’s attacks become able to ignore a portion of the enemy’s defense stat; another character gets to act twice per turn; another gets an insanely long attack range; etc.  And finally, as a sort of replacement for Overloads, Hell Mode also enables a very powerful skill that costs 0 SP, but does end Hell Mode early if you use it.  I think I’d need to go back and play more of 5 to really see if I like this or Revenge Mode better, but Hell Mode is plenty fun in and of itself; I definitely appreciate that activation has been made manual as it lets you be more strategic about when to use the power-up.

The end of the second chapter introduces…Jumbification.  I still hate the name.  Anyway, there’s a shared RAGE meter that charges when your units take and deal damage, and when it’s full you can have one of your units become a giant outside the bounds of the map.  As someone who never liked Dynamax, hearing about this made me hesitate checking the game out, but I wound up using it quite a bit.  Each unique character and each character class have their own passive ability that goes into effect once they Jumbify (it’s called a “Jumbility”…); these affect both allies and enemies equally, which means you need to think about which side will benefit more from this effect.  You must pick one of the four sides of the map for your giant unit to appear, and if enemies make it to that edge of the map, they can attack and potentially kill the unit.  The giant only has two options: either a normal attack, which has them hit a 5x5 area anywhere on the map; or, if an enemy unit Jumbifies, they can use a “Gigasaster Attack” to attack them instead.  After 3 turns, the unit shrinks back down and reappears on the map, but there’s nothing stopping them from Jumbifying again if you build up enough RAGE.  Somehow, I ended up really liking this mechanic!  It being available to every unit makes the exclusivity of Hell Mode a non-issue, every unit having their own passive effect on the map adds an interesting extra dimension to using it, and Jumbifying heals a character to full, which can save you in some tight spots.  Enemies Jumbifying is usually manageable, though they remain that way indefinitely which can feel unfair at times.  The boss of the Jumbifying tutorial can be a little tough, and when I was fighting the final story boss, I whittled their HP down significantly only to see them then Jumbify the next turn to heal completely.  That kinda sucked.  But I won so it really just made for an even more tense battle I guess.

Another small mechanic introduced past where the demo ends is Netherworld Sightseeing: after clearing a chapter, you can press a button in the stage select to go to one of its maps and walk around the same as if it was a second hub world.  There are treasure chests scattered about, miscellaneous characters you can chat with, a few generic class units you can actually fight one-on-one to recruit (and unlock a bonus color for that class), and some even have specialized shops you can browse.  It’s a simple little addition, but it’s got it’s own charm, I appreciate its inclusion.  There are also two special features you can access through sightseeing: Demon Shogi and the Netherworld Martial Arts Tournament.  Demon Shogi gives you a stage with preset units set to auto-battle and asks you to tweak their AI to clear the stage as quickly as possible; I haven’t messed around much with this, but I suppose it puts an interesting spin on the core mechanics.  The tournament is, well…a tournament.  You select a tier and then have to fight through three maps to win, with each tier being farther and farther up the level curve.  It can be a fun distraction, a way to spice up grinding; it seems like some fights have gimmicks, but I haven’t really seen many, just attempted a higher tier and was immediately faced with pre-Jumbified level 300 enemies.  Yikes.

Most of the returning mechanics you’d expect are also here.  They did keep the Juice Bar from Disgaea 6, which stores EXP, Mana, and stat points you can then freely distribute to your units; this can be a really great way to buff units at risk of falling behind, or to make your strongest characters even stronger right away.  I don’t recall how the Hospital was handled in 6, but new to me at least is that instead of giving milestone rewards, healing now earns you points you can spend on a gacha to randomly get rare items, money, points for the Juice Bar, even Innocents.  There were also changes made to the Item World, letting you do things like farm Innocents and reincarnate items, but probably the biggest change is in the size of Item World dungeons.  Previously, Common items had 30 floors, Rare had 60, and Legendary had 100; now, Common has 10 floors, Rare has 20, and Legendary has 30.  While it is sad to see it reduced so much, this does make leveling your items far more approachable and feasible, and is probably the right call considering how many floors you’ll still need to go through to deck out all your key characters in high-level equipment.  Also worth noting that the RAGE and Hell Mode meters both carry over between Item World floors, and I like how that opens the option to save your charge until you see what the next floor has to offer.  Very useful when you know you’re nearing a boss floor.

Regardless of where you’re battling, I like the selection of classes you can battle with.  Most humanoid classes have both a male and female variant, and both they and the monster classes draw from all over the series history.  I still want Wood Golem back, but I am LOVING the Pincer Shell and its gentlemanly disposition.  Also I can still make my recurring Lady Samurai unit, that’s a tradition that’s very important to me.  The story characters are nothing to scoff at either, of course: Fuji is your sword-wielding protag with big stats and a fire skill; Pirilika learns healing spells and buffs and is decent with a bow; you get a mage type, a thief type, a monster unit, and another strong melee fighter as you go through the game, providing good coverage whatever your playstyle entails.  Their Hell Modes are all suitably unique, though Pirilika doesn’t get hers until the very last chapter…but seeing as it revives all dead units, that makes sense from a balance perspective.  Why don’t I go into more detail on those other characters to transition into talking about the story?

Someone I ended up liking more than I was expecting is Ceefore, a girl who shows up in the story as early as the demo but can’t be recruited until after where it ends.  She’s a phantom thief who snorts gunpowder and gets off on causing explosions.  Only in Disgaea, man.  Where Pirilika is a Hinomoto Otaku, Ceefore is a Weapon Otaku, and has a particular fascination with the Infernal Treasures.  We soon learn that this is in part because she has amnesia, and coming into contact with Infernal Treasures helps her regain her memories.  She’s a very fun character, both in story and gameplay—when killing an enemy she has a chance to automatically steal their equipment, which I greatly enjoy as someone who’s never felt like bothering with stealing before!  Not to mention her Hell Mode skill attacks a straight line with infinite range.  That’s pretty cool.  When she does recover her memories it’s made clear she always loved weapons, and it’s for that reason she was sent to investigate the Infernal Treasures on behalf of Celestia.  Yep, she’s actually an angel!  While she can be very kind, overall she fits in more with demons than other angels, and it’s always nice to see Disgaea crushing their own in-universe stereotypes like this.  That’s once again a larger theme in the plot, so Ceefore’s contribution to it really goes a long way.

There’s also Higan Zesshousai, Fuji’s old master.  She’s a six-foot tall (plus horns) super-busty demon lady recognized as the strongest warrior in all of Hinomoto; her hobbies include fighting, eating sweets, and shoving her spear up people’s butts.  Eat your heart out, Tumblr.  She’s a mostly static character, which I mean as a positive, and I really enjoy the dynamic she and Fuji have.  They’ll yell and complain and crack jokes, sure, but it’s always apparent that Fuji is grateful to Higan and respects her, and that Higan cares about Fuji’s well-being and is always ready to support him.  And it never got weird!  It was just a very genuine representation of a student-teacher relationship!  Love that!  She also has this insanely cool scene later on where she uses her spear’s time-manipulating powers to turn a villain’s regeneration against them, she’s almost certainly the most badass character in the game.

As for Yeyasu…I both do and don’t like him?  Like, I think he’s pretty well-written and has some great moments, his selfish idiocy being revealed to be a form of denial was an interesting direction to take, but at the same time…I’m still really annoyed and put-off by his behavior most of the time.  He has a solid foundation beneath a veil of crap, and that’s exactly the point of his character development so it’s hard to outright hate him.  Last of the main bunch is Suisen, a robot boy who’s actually a living Infernal Treasure.  After losing a game with the party, they just kinda abduct him, and he just kinda goes along with it to honor the terms of the game.  Funny as hell, definitely, but also sort of a weird way to transplant a new main character into the fold?  He does want to learn to look past the numbers and believe in friendship and determination, which is serviceable, and he’s at the heart of a pretty big reveal about mid-way through the story.  Turns out, Infernal Treasures contain heaps of souls, and the dominant soul inside Suisen is the soul of Yeyasu’s little brother who was taken by Demmodore Opener as a hostage a long time ago.  Messed up!  But aside from leading to more interaction between Yeyasu and Suisen, not a whole lot really comes of this, and it can feel like Suisen is underreacting to this terrible knowledge.  I dunno, your mileage may vary; I like Suisen well enough, but I do wonder if he could have been more compelling.

The story these characters tell is engaging and well-paced…though I’m not sure how best to summarize it quickly without it looking messy.  A lot of things happen.  I’ll give it a shot, though!  The game is divided into three acts, the first of which is largely an episodic string of antics that serve to assemble the party and get a few Infernal Treasures in their hands—good, light-hearted fun.  Act 2 is when things start to get intense, following one continuous thread where the party, after dealing with some distraction tactics, learn about the Treasures being forged from massive numbers of souls and see an opportunity to take the fight directly to Opener.  This is where we start to really delve into backstories and see some character development, a good place for it now that we’ve had time to get to know and care about this group.  A boss fight with Opener then paves the way for Act 3, which reveals there’s way more going on than we initially realized, and we have a much bigger problem to solve.  Plot twists, but if you ask me they’re handled pretty well.  Here comes the tricky part of the summary…

Demmodore Opener is Pirilika’s father, with her mother being the evil scientist who revealed the truth about Infernal Treasures to them.  Turns out the REAL reason Pirilika came here was because, when her parents came to visit Hinomoto, she suddenly lost contact with them, and they’re both now acting very unlike themselves.  Also, that legendary hero Mugai who died fighting Opener?  He’s Fuji’s father, he created the Infernal Treasures, and he’s not dead, he was actually possessing Opener this whole time.  This was all part of his master plan to get Hinomoto to abandon the honor of bushido, to embrace violence and selfishness and become more…well, demonic.  That’s how he thinks the Netherworld should be, and he’s going to force that view on others by holding a televised execution of Opener so that he can cast a curse on all of Hinomoto in one fell swoop.  That curse?  Empathy Killer.  If the afflicted feels any positive emotion, the curse causes them extreme pain, and could even kill them…usually it makes them cough up blood.  Yep, while Laharl’s aversion to good feelings was just a joke, Fuji’s “allergy” is actually a potentially fatal curse.  I like how they’ve iterated upon the idea!  I don’t recall anything specific pointing towards the connection between Pirilika and Opener, though once her mother appears, it’s obvious they have a strong resemblance and she specifically mentions fighting her child, so that’s in the back of your mind all through Act 2.  We’re told of Fuji’s relation to Mugai relatively early on, and he’s quick to scoff every time someone talks about how great Mugai was, so we know something’s off about the guy well before he makes his grand return.  With many of our questions answered, now we’re off to stop Mugai…well, after a few grueling rounds with him.

With Opener’s boss fight, I dunno if I just placed my units in exactly the right spots or what, but after dealing with his lackies my army launched a united attack on him and killed him before he even took a single action.  I found this funny.  The NEXT fight, though, is your first battle with Mugai, your 10 units against just him, and this fight was HARD.  His skills deal double damage, he can’t be attacked from range, he has a chance to turn around when attacked from the back or side, and he immediately activates his Hell Mode (which is permanent for enemies), the effect of which prevents any unit he attacks from acting at all during their next turn.  I, uh, had to stop and grind a little for this one.  There’s still one or two more fights with him after that, but his Evilities are changed to be much more manageable, even with lackies.  My take is that it was just approaching the point of being too much, enough fights in a row to feel long and drawn out but not entirely tedious, which helps create the sense of this being a hopeless battle due to Mugai’s ability to regenerate from fatal damage.  He’s a neat villain, though I can’t quite decide if the gold teeth facemask is cool or awkward-looking…

Now there is another major character who I haven’t really had a good opportunity to bring up thus far.  All throughout the game, a little girl named Ao will occasionally pop up out of nowhere and cause mass destruction, and she claims to be Fuji’s daughter.  Fuji is vague about the details up until Act 3: since Fuji is Mugai’s son, he knows how to make Infernal Treasures, and following an incident where Mugai slaughtered the students he was training with, he thought combining their souls into an Infernal Treasure would be better than just letting them die.  Ao is the result—a living Infernal Treasure.  At first, all Fuji cared about was getting back at Mugai, and he spent a lot of time doing nothing but train Ao for that purpose.  However, he eventually realized he was being a shitty dad just like Mugai, so he stopped, told Ao she didn’t have to fight and should go do whatever she wants, and left her.  Problem being.  What Ao wants is to be with Fuji.  But through a combination of shame, trying to forget the past, and the Empathy Killer curse, Fuji has continued to push her away without any real explanation why.  Tragic!  I did feel Ao’s random appearances through Acts 1 and 2 felt a bit out of nowhere, but she greatly elevates the story of Act 3, where Fuji decides he’s going to fix things with Ao even if it kills him.  And it nearly does!  Ao’s body has become unstable and is on the verge of breaking down, so Fuji uses his knowledge of restoring Infernal Treasures (previously displayed in Act 2 to heal Suisen) to put her back in good health.  Ao tries to stop him because she doesn’t want his curse to kill him, but he carries out his fatherly responsibilities, saying it’s “proof that [he] loves [her] to death.”  I uh.  That, um, might be the most a Disgaea game has ever emotionally fucked me up.  Good shit.  The narration even tells you that this is the end of the story to twist the knife!  But Pirilika bursts onscreen and refuses to let things end this way, finally getting an Infernal Treasure (a bow that Ao had been holding onto) and using its healing power to save Fuji’s life.  The party brings Ao with them, though she’s still weak so she doesn’t actually become playable until the post-game; nevertheless, they follow Mugai into a hidden realm known as the Infernal Sanctuary, ready to decide it all with one final battle.

Mugai, who has now powered up to “Super-Deity Mugai” (it just makes me think of Super Kami Guru), is quite the obstacle to overcome.  Like I mentioned earlier, he can Jumbify to restore his health and make the fight a smidge more complicated, but while this was certainly a close call I still have to say his first battle was the toughest one.  Before dying, Mugai tells us his motivation more completely than he did earlier: after his first fight with Opener, the Demmodore spared his life and said they should become friends (he’s just as big a weeaboo as Pirilika), which made Mugai feel utterly humiliated.  It was then he discovered the Infernal Sanctuary, which is actually Hell.  Like, I know the Netherworlds are supposed to be a myriad of hells, but this is HELL Hell, a fiery vortex filled with the anguished souls of demons who can’t let go of the life they’ve left behind and are trapped here for eternity.  Mugai took this as a sign that empathy, compassion, emotion as a whole, was a weakness with no purpose other than to damn those who feel it, and that it was his responsibility to rid demonkind of it to ensure no more souls became bound to the Sanctuary.  That’s a solid motive if you ask me.  You’re given the context necessary to follow his train of thought, but aren’t asked to sympathize with or forgive him, and he’s decisively proven wrong.  The party talks about how Pirilika’s empathy and positivity has impacted all of them, and how they’re stronger because of their bonds with one another; the souls in the Infernal Sanctuary resonate with the souls in the Infernal Treasures, and with their power, Fuji is able to cut open the dimension and let the souls escape, accomplishing Mugai’s goal using exactly what he sought to throw aside.  It’s a good ending, IMO.

I really appreciated how the theme of generational change came out in the game.  The end of Japan’s isolationist policy was itself a changing of generations, making it a very fitting inspiration for the setting.  Mugai’s plot to force his own rigid views on the younger generation is…distressingly familiar…I’m not saying he’s a boomer, but, y’know.  Fuji himself realized he was in danger of repeating his father’s mistake, and redeems himself by making the conscious decision to break the cycle of generational trauma.  Even Fuji and Pirilika’s friendship is a more positive counterpart to the antagonistic relationship between their fathers Mugai and Opener.  There’s a plot thread about Yeyasu being compared to his father, Gachiyasu, even if it is more of a background thing.  A certain character is scarred by memories of their past life; another late-game enemy is a prototype Infernal Treasure motivated by loyalty to his creator and his jealousy of Ao; hell, you could even view expanding reincarnation to apply to items now as another manifestation of generational change.  It’s all so cohesive!  And it’s something that can resonate with many, many players for one reason or another.  The Disgaea series itself is also experimenting with some radical change, and I can’t help but wonder if that’s part of why the developers went with this theme: Disgaea is entering a new generation, and though it may have gotten off on the wrong foot with 6, Nippon Ichi is committed to listening to fans, improving the series, and steering towards a better future.  I for one look forward to seeing what the madlads cook up next.  …Dood.

[jimin-bangtan]

Cheers to the Whole Gang - Bangtan7 - PART 2 ---- (MAKNAE LINE)

*Reminder from Part 1 ~~ Even though Jimin is my bias, I am a fan of all 7 members of BTS.  They each are invaluable to the whole package and contribute such important, unique, and necessary parts to the whole. I just wanted to take a moment to give them all my appreciation and attention.  

**The following are my personal opinions. Part 2 is about BTS's Maknae Line. Part 1 was for the Hyung Line.

💜Kim Taehyung (V): V is the middle of 3 members that make up the Maknae (youngest) Line in the group. V's voice is one of the special, vocal flavors that adds a lot of color and spice to BTS's songs. While possessing a sultry, velvety, baritone pitch, he also has excellent higher ranges with a well-controlled falsetto. He is a good dancer and his playful stage presence has been noted often by fans.

V is known to be a warm personality who makes friends easily and involves others in group interactions smoothly. He loves family and has an affectionate nature. He thinks outside the box and is underrated for his musical, athletic, and intellectual talents. Jimin said once that V will state something in such a way that captures your attention and/or your heart because, I feel, he seems to really notice things that others don't and expresses them in a way that captures a truth or essence that had been overlooked. He is very quiet in meetings or group situations because I feel he is listening a lot and is comfortable not monopolizing conversations or attention. I enjoy his dry wit and off the cuff remarks that can be extremely funny, especially if you don't take V so seriously as if he is unaware of the humor of his clever remarks.

💜Jeon JungKook (JK): JK is the maknae of the Maknae Line and the youngest of the whole group. In spite of his youthful age at the time of his arrival at Big Hits, JK already possessed a very skilled, stable voice, in spite of no previous singing experience. JK also had what seems to be perfect pitch or at least an extremely good ear for music, which allows for a strong ability to not only sing but also adlib in tune at any time. As lead singer, JK was primarily responsible for recording and singing much of the main vocals but also did a lot of the layering, fillers and adlibs, not only during recordings but also in live performances, and he did so impressively and reliably. JK observes well and absorbs information very quickly. He's generally very quiet in many situations, especially in group settings, yet he accurately mimics small details about others in playful ways.

JK's superpower is that he observes, learns, incorporates, and uses the information he gathers by paying attention in grand fashion. I believe he learned how to sing, behave, and perform in this way. He had a lot of talented people around him and took full advantage of the valuable exposure to them. This characteristic likely explains why he's so good at many activities, so much so he was labeled the "Golden Maknae". Over the years, he has watched intensely and has learned how to process the information that he sees very efficiently. He, for example, cooks, draws, paints, plays instruments, games and sports with surprising ease and success.

JK debuted as not only the lead singer but also as a dancer. He has naturally attractive body movements and learns dance steps quickly - by observing, I'm sure. Emotionally, JK is an empath who becomes deeply touched when he sees others in pain or sad. He is a good listener, which goes in line with being a good observer. Although he says he has a hard time remaining focused unless he's highly interested, this facet benefits him in his ability to work on many different things at once, thereby improving his skills in different areas more quickly.

💜Park Jimin (JM)💜: My bias, Jimin, was the last member to arrive at Big Hits. He is the oldest of the Maknae Line, by just a few months over V. Although dance is why he was given the opportunity to join the company, Jimin was originally being prepared to be a rapper, not a vocalist. In spite of no vocal training and the shortest time to show his abilities, Jimin debuted not just as one of the 4 vocalists, but as the only main vocalist alongside the lead vocalist, JK. By his own will and demonstration of talent, Jimin ended up blossoming into a graceful, versatile, ballet-oriented, contemporary dancer and an angelic-sounding, higher-pitched, rare countertenor with a voice so unique that it stands out and is difficult to imitate.

Jimin worked extremely hard to find his own space and strengths as well as to practically train himself to become the attention-grabbing, powerful talent he actually is. Although Jimin was not the lead singer, he ended up being assigned a lot of the high-pitched, show-stopping notes, while dancing difficult choreography as a main dancer alongside JHope. His unique voice is often remarked on by vocal coaches, teachers, reviewers, and fans, whether singing alone or along with the group. Like V, his voice adds a huge amount of color and spice to any song he sings, whether he is harmonizing, leading, or soloing. He is able to use his voice in a lot of different ways, using a wide range of pitches as well as a great deal of articulations, such as vocal fry, vibrato, and creak.

Jimin's dancing is mesmerizing, highly skilled, and eye-catching. His dance style and technique elevate whatever dance they are doing to an artistic, precise level. It doesn't matter the style, genre, or speed. Jimin can make any dance look impressive and amazing. What JK has naturally for singing, Jimin has for stage presence and audience connection. He knows the right look, wardrobe, moves, and attitude to capture attention and increase the experience of the audience with sincere authenticity. He evokes passions in people from all directions. Every performance is a theatrical storytelling moment that captures your imagination and your attention. To his credit, Jimin, who was denied adequate training before beginning, is now known as a model for other trainees to emulate. He has become a KPop standard for quality and performance and is called "The Idols' Idol".

Off stage, Jimin has been described by many as warm, compassionate, generous to a fault, kind, and relational. He has a special bond with each of the members and has gone out of his way to be a good listener, friend, and supporter of his bandmates. Jimin's maturity and attentiveness to others has been highlighted by the band members on multiple occasions. Several people have said he puts others before himself, which is the very definition of humility. Many people he has encountered have talked about how their interactions with him have deeply impacted their lives. Jimin works hard, reflects effectively, and continues to be a force of innovation and creativity that inspires coworkers and fans alike. I warned you. Jimin is my bias, and I'm proud to be his fan.

[justiceheartwatcher]

Nearly a Fourth of States Introducing Biometric Digital IDs — and More than Half are Republican ‘Red’ States

Digital ID + CBDC = Total control/tracking of all human activity. Once these two totalitarian tools are in place there will be no turning back. The beast system will be hovering over us 24/7, watching everywhere we go, everything we buy, what we are eating, who we are choosing to connect with, and whether we’ve submitted to the latest injection that promises to protect the herd. All of this data will be transferred instantaneously to third parties who have no inherent right to it, other than the fact that people voluntarily hand it over to them. Oh, they may say they need these digital tools for other reasons, but those of us who are awake and aware of the game plan know full well where it’s heading. They want to monitor your buying and living habits so they can award you a social-credit score, then offer rewards or punishments based on how well they determine you are using scarce resources such as food (especially meat, eggs and dairy), gasoline, natural gas, electricity, etc. They will also know if you’re “up to date” on your shots. If your lifestyle is scored as less than “sustainable” you will be treated accordingly. All of a sudden your digital ID will flash a warning to the scanners at various entry points to everyday societal functions, and eventually these scanners will be all over, barring you from entry. You won’t even be able to log onto the internet. You will no longer qualify for any government services, a driver’s license, social security, Medicare and Medicaid, veteran’s benefits, etc. ............

Oh, but not to worry. Nobody is forcing you to get one of these new digital IDs, they say. It’s just for those hip, techno-cool folks who like to be on the cutting edge of everything. You Luddites can still have your cash and your old-fashioned plastic cards while the cool people get the “enhanced” IDs that merge their physical, biological and digital identification, just like old Uncle Klaus (Schwab) predicted years ago. Biometric Update reports: “Michigan is proposing a bill that would allow the Secretary of State to issue digital IDs in addition to their traditional physical counterparts, according to a local outlet. If passed, (Michigan) DLs would become official IDs, equivalent to physical licenses. They would be valid for state government services, banking, police stops, and ID checks for age.” In short, these will be all-encompassing IDs, merging your triune personhood in the new digital age. We can assume that conservatives will all jump on board when they find out that these new digital IDs would also be a fine way to verify one’s identity when going to the polls to vote. They’ve been clamoring for “voter ID” for decades. Now they will get it. It’s all part of the package. Something for everyone! #Michigan #DigitalID

[erinbeast]

Rhett aka BadgerBat

Demographics

1. Name: Rhett

2. Age: 32

3. Sex/Gender: Male

4. Ethnicity: American

5. Occupation: None

6. Socioeconomic status: Middle Class

7. Education: Some college (Went for degree in Art History)

8. Other notes:

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Physical Appearance

1. Eye color: Blue

2. Skin color: Grey/Black/Reddish

3. Hair color: Blue/Purple Mohawk

4. Height: 6’ 0”

5. Weight: 200 lb

6. Body type: Fit/Athletic

7. Fitness level: Good

8. Tattoos: Assassin’s Creed “Nothing is True, Everything is Permitted” on inner forearms, Boo and ShyGuy on right shoulder, Doom insignia on left shoulder, Dead Space marker/Isaac mask on lower left forearm, Cheshire cat on right thigh, Iris flowers on left collarbone, Slipknot S on back of neck, Eyeball Squid on left thigh, Time is Now, Now is Forever on inner wrists.

9. Scars/Birthmarks: Covered in small scars from various accidents and such.

10. Other distinguishing features:

11. Disabilities: ADHD and Bi-Polar

12. Fashion style: Jeans, T-shirt, Hoodie. Hates wearing shoes.

13. Accessories: Multiple piercings on face including, Gauged ear lobes, quadruple helix on left ear, industrial in right ear, septum piercing, and Prince Albert

14. Cleanliness/Grooming: Showers everyday, runs comb through hair twice and done.

15. Posture/Gait: A little slouched when standing, long sloping gait.

16. Tics: Bounces leg, fidgets (has fidget rings on both ring fingers), “Sir…sir…”

17. Coordination (or lack thereof): Average coordination

18. Weaknesses: Stubborn and can get frustrated when communication fails, little loose with money.

19. Other notes:

History

1. Birth date: 19 Dec

2. Place of birth: Hahn, Germany

3. Key family members: Mom

4. Notable events/milestones:

5. Criminal record: None

6. Affiliations: Themselves

7. Skeletons in the closet: Refuses communication with Father’s side of family despite attempts from said family.

8. Other notes:

Psychological Traits

1. Personality type: Likes to be in control, but chill. Nothing really bothers them, tends to ignore people who want to have a bad time/argue/incite things. He got better things to do.

2. Personality traits: Stubborn, affectionate, even tempered, can be manic/melancholic at times thanks to no-polar depression, creative, horny.

3. Temperament: Even, nothing much riles him.

4. Introvert/Extrovert: Introvert

5. Mannerisms: A little stuttered in front of new people (he’s a bit shy), overall chill and relaxed.

6. Educational background: Some college, left college from burn out before grades got bad

7. Intelligence: Average, absorbs new things like a sponge

8. Self-esteem: Low

9. Hobbies: Playing video games, practicing shibari/kinkaku knots, building and dressing avatars in games

10. Skills/talents:

11. Loves: Fynchie Maus, music, rope, and bed

12. Morals/Virtues: Morally sound, knows right and wrong and stays on the good side of the law

13. Phobias/Fears: Being abandoned and heights

14. Angered by: Not much, mainly people who refuse to leave him alone or who won’t drop a topic he’s done with

15. Pet peeves: Braggarts and self-righteous people

16. Obsessed with: Rope and Maus

17. Routines: Gets out of bed, plays video games, eat lunch, naps, gets up and practices knots while chatting with friends, eats dinner then bed (Very tentative routine, a lot of things tend to change day to day, especially when Maus comes over)

18. Bad habits: Picks at cuticles and makes fingers bleed, finishes peoples sentences

19. Desires: To go back to college

20. Flaws: Can be petty if you do piss him off

21. Quirks: Boops his nose when thinking

22. Favorite sayings: “Sir…sir”

23. Disabilities: No physical disablities

24. Secrets: Pretty open about everything, so none really

25. Regrets: Letting dad drift, not finishing college

26. Accomplishments:

27. Memories: Too many to list

28. Other notes:

Communication

1. Languages known: English

2. Preferred communication methods: speech or text

3. Accent: Mix of SE United States, SW United States, and Minnesota/Canada

4. Style and pacing of speech: Moderate pace when speaking but if t’s an engaging topic he might talk quickly.

5. Pitch: Low

6. Laughter: Low pitch Hahaha, occasionally snorts

7. Smile: Grin

8. Use of gestures: MUST use hands when speaking, hands are all over the place

9. Facial expressions: Can’t keep an inside voice on them

10. Verbal expressions:

11. Other notes:

Strengths, Weaknesses, and Abilities

1. Physical strengths: Stamina and Legs, can walk/jog for hours

2. Physical weaknesses: Pure strength is not his forte

3. Intellectual strengths: Video game lore, trivia, phones, and computers. Math though he hates it. Reading.

4. Intellectual weaknesses: Science (Except biology), foreign languages

7. Physical abilities: Average human

8. Magical abilities: None, other than being a Badger Bat

9. Physical illnesses/conditions: None

10. Mental illnesses/conditions: ADHD and Bi-polar depression

11. Other notes:

Relationships

1. Partner(s)/Significant other(s): Fynchie Maus

2. Lover(s): See above

3. Parents/Guardians: mom

4. Children: None and it will stay that way (He counts his cats and dog as children)

5. Grandparents: Mom side dead, dad’s side no communication

6. Grandchildren: None, he has no kids….

7. Family: Found

8. Pets: 6 Cats (Willa, Izzy, Bors Purrdinand the Fierce, Hobbes, Frank, and Bob) and Kyna a great Pyrenees

9. Best friends:

10. Friends: Ryan and Thurry

11. Rivals: None that he knows of

12. Enemies: See above

13. Colleagues: None

14. Mentors/Teachers: None he can remember

15. Idols/Role models: Mom

16. Followers: None

17. Strangers: No thank you

18. Non-living things: Like rocks… They exist? He has no real inclination either way

19. Clubs/Memberships: Only to libraries

20. Social media presence: Uses Facebook once a year, peruses Twitter and Tumblr

21. Public perception of them: Doesn’t know, doesn’t care except when he really gets inside his head and starts getting depressed/paranoid he did something wrong