#fos: base icons

[byler-endgayme]

Official Lobegate Lore

If you’re new to lobegate, I highly recommend reading this post by @bluearacari

Read that first if you want to understand what lobegate is. It explains lobegate itself, how it started, and the key pieces of lore in order of when they were revealed to the ‘audience’ (Bald Mike nation).

In this post, I’ll explain the full lobegate storyline in (mostly) chronological order. Most of this is based off of anon asks, but I also just made up some of the lore so it flows better. Unfortunately, I couldn’t incorporate every single anon ask, because some of the lore contradicts each other or has loose ends. However, if I missed out on something important or got things wrong, please let me know!

I’ve also made a lobegate playlist, which you can listen to while reading if you like:

Also pls see this hilarious edit by @xoceanstarx011

I’m the anon behind these following identities in lobegate:

Baseball Girl

Will’s Favorite Car / Milkvan

Jesse

U. N. Owen

Duolingo

Other anons:

@dynamicccsworld (Baseball Boy, George Seymour Kent (?), Hawkins Reports)

@your-ivy-grows13 (Tick Tock)

@itwasaseven7 (The New Baseball Girl)

Others (If I missed you and you wanna be tagged, please let me know!)

Bald Mike nation (received anon asks):

@tripleatechie

@clericallyinsane

@dia-depeche

@bluearacari

@pythoness94 (hacked the MMM, allowing Bald Mike nation to hear what occurred within)

@noihavenosanitythanksforasking

@orlastarburst

Others (This is based off activity in the #lobegate tag - if I missed you and you wanna be tagged, please let me know!)

Lobers (started this whole thing)

@somewiseoutthere

@itwasaseven7

@noihavenosanitythanksforasking (?)

Others

@red-raven707 (fooled us into thinking they were a Lober)

Anyways, let’s get into it!

…

Mike was going bald quickly and desperately needed a balding implant. Alas, he couldn’t get on the waiting list for one, so he decided to steal Walter White’s balding implant, becoming the Bald Mike we know and love today. At this stage, Bald Mike did not yet fully comprehend the power of his special, shiny implant to hypnotise people…

Conveniently, nobody knew what happened to Walter White himself, so Bald Mike got a wig and stole his identity for the time being. Only Bald Mike’s best friend, Jesse Pinkman, was in on it. However, Jesse didn’t know about the balding implant yet, and just thought he got a weird haircut.

On November 2nd 2021, at 8:15, Bald Mike took over the Village with Three Waterfalls and reclaimed it as his own. As Jesse stood by his side, holding his hand, Bald Mike revealed his radiant glowing head for the first time. The puny Baseballians didn’t stand a chance against the radiant power of The Light. In the invasion, many Hawkins residents danced in the streets, whilst Baseballians lost their homes. From then on, the Village became known as Hawkins. Because Bald Mike was under the alias of Walter White at the time, this incident became widely known as the Walter White incident.

The loss of the Baseballian village devastated Baseball Boy, Baseball Girl (his cousin), and the New Baseball Girl (Baseball Girl’s twin). They are also known as the Three Waterfalls, named after the iconic landmark from their hometown. Planning revenge on Bald Mike, Baseball Boy formed the Mitochondria Metamorphosis Mob (MMM) with Baseball Girl’s support. However, the New Baseball Girl mysteriously disappeared and was nowhere to be seen…

Over the next couple of months, the MMM recovered from the Walter White incident by recruiting people to join, building a milkshake factory, and establishing their MMM lair. The MMM soon formed an alliance with the Lobers and Duolingo. Duolingo wasn’t much help but made a great pet bird for Baseball Girl, whilst the Lobers adored their holy Lobe. Baseball Boy started the tradition of worship towards the holy Lobe, milkshakes, and baseball bats. He also teamed up with the mysterious Tick Tock, who collaborated with him remotely and helped form many plans. Initially, Baseball Girl supported Baseball Boy’s efforts within the MMM, but gradually she became more and more power-hungry…

Elsewhere, the New Baseball Girl had her own plan to take down Bald Mike. She sneaked off to Hawkins, planning to assassinate Bald Mike herself, but instead stumbled upon a Milkvan in the junkyard who was rusting away. It was Will’s Favorite Car, discarded and forgotten. She repainted him bright blue and discovered he had time travelling powers. Together, they started testing time travel out…

…

Meanwhile, Hawkins was preparing for the upcoming presidential election…

On August 17th, 2022, Bald Mike started his presidential campaign and revealed himself to the world as the bald man he truly was. Entranced by the power of The Light, everyone listened to what he had to say. The citizens put him as their profile pictures and created a large movement in support of Bald Mike. From then on, his supporters became known as Bald Mike nation. Pretty much everyone thought he was a worthy president, and his Baseballian hater minority were nothing to him. At some point in Bald Mike’s campaign, Jesse pointed out that the bald implant had hypnotic powers, with the potential to mess with memories. Surely they could use it to their advantage…

On November 8th, 2022, George Seymour Kent and his partner, U. N. Owen, were scheduled to meet with the new presidential candidate, Bald Mike. They agreed to come - though apprehensively, due to hearing rumours about the Walter White Incident of 2021. They were also surprised that Jesse came to the meeting, seeing that he only stared intently at his watch and seemed bored. At first, George and U. N. Owen’s discussion with Bald Mike went smoothly but then…

At around 4:15 during the meeting, George asked Bald Mike about the Walter White Incident, and everything went awry. Bald Mike didn’t want his dark past to be revealed! In a fit of rage, he ripped off his wig and unleashed the power of The Light unto George. Shocked, George and U.N Owen fought Bald Mike and Jesse. U. N. Owen distracted Bald Mike momentarily with a blow to the cheek, allowing George to escape the office. But poor George’s memories began to jumble up, and he couldn’t escape Bald Mike’s voice in his head…

Soon afterwards, George ran away to Lover’s Lake, suffering from migraines as Bald Mike’s voice became louder and louder. He was seeing the light… he was not himself anymore. All his memories evaporated, replaced only by a vision of that shiny, radiant, bald head. The infection had spread to his brain… he had not long left… and yet the love letter in his pocket was tragically unsent, unread by its intended recipient. With his mind gone, George ripped the envelope open and scrawled a message on the back of the letter. His last words were preserved in golden ink:

HE IS ALL.

THE LIGHT IS NYE.

WE WILL REST UNDER THE WATCHFUL EYE. OF THE KING.

REJECT HUMANITY EMBRACE LIGHT.

Back at the office, Jesse wrangled U. N. Owen off Bald Mike and adjusted his watch, changing the time from 4:15 to 7:00. With his time travelling powers, Jesse brought U. N. Owen and himself to a barren wasteland sometime in the far future. This way, Bald Mike would be safe. But mere moments later, Milkvan and the New Baseball Girl appeared out of nowhere and grabbed U. N. Owen from Jesse. They began to U-turn to capture Jesse, but Jesse quickly adjusted his watch from 7:00 to 8:15. Nobody knew when or where he had time travelled to. So, Milkvan, U. N. Owen, and the New Baseball Girl were forced to return to the present.

Milkvan, U. N. Owen, and the New Baseball Girl now stood in front of the MMM lair. Suddenly, the New Baseball Girl bolted off into the woods - finding these two randos was not part of her plan…

When the original Baseball Girl found Milkvan and U. N. Owen outside, she welcomed them into the MMM with open arms. Milkvan and U. N. Owen didn’t know she was a twin, so they assumed she was the one who saved them. Soon, they formed an undying loyalty to Baseball Girl. Besides, U. N. Owen was intensely worried about George. He still hoped George was alive out there somewhere, but nevertheless, he swore to kill Bald Mike himself.

Having recruited more loyal MMM members, Baseball Girl began to ruminate over leading the MMM herself… without Baseball Boy…

…

Bald Mike suffered an imprint on his cheek where U. N. Owen had hit him. And now he was left alone, without his best friend Jesse. But Jesse’s words from the Walter White Incident kept on repeating in his head…

“I’m gonna save you, my lobe I MEAN LOVE. My sweet, evil, radiant, shiny, goofy, silly, dictator, murderer lobe I MEAN LOVE, you are in grave danger. But don’t worry. Sit tight.”

It was strange that Bald Mike had never remembered him say these words… until just now. It was as if a new memory had just inserted into his brain. Surely, it was one of Jesse’s time travelling antics. In time, everything would make sense. He trusted that one day, his Jesse would return.

…

When The New Baseball Girl had fled from Milkvan and U. N. Owen outside the MMM lair, she bumped into another girl in the woods.

El… wearing a big yellow Benny’s t-shirt. Instantly, the New Baseball Girl fell in lobe at first sight and listened to her story.

Ever since the Walter White incident of ‘21, El had been providing displaced Baseballians with eggos, milkshakes, blankets, shelter, baseballs, and the other necessities they needed to survive the invasion. But to really help the local Baseballians out, she needed to take her ex, Bald Mike, down… and this would only be possible through the MMM. The New Baseball Girl, tormented by her failed plan to assassinate Bald Mike by herself, agreed to help El. She made El her Queen and did whatever she ordered. Together, they started planning to take over MMM from Baseball Boy and Baseball Girl…

…

For three years, Bald Mike basked in the glory of his presidency of Hawkins. But eventually, the time for re-election came again, and Bald Mike would do everything in his power to ensure #baldmike2025 would become a reality.

However, the MMM and its allies had other plans. During these three years, Tick Tock helped Baseball Boy devise the MMM’s plan to assassinate Bald Mike. First, U. N. Owen was going to drive Milkvan all the way to Hawkins and play a haunting tune to scare away Bald Mike nation. Then, U. N. Owen was going to capture Bald Mike, tie him up, and, most importantly, cover up his bald head with a cloth. After this, they were to drive to the three waterfalls and throw Bald Mike down, finishing him off once and for all. With the plan complete just in time for the 2025 election, the MMM and its allies were ready to begin tormenting Bald Mike nation.

…

On 7th January 2025, the Lobers sent Bald Mike nation claims that Mike and El were in lobe. However, it wasn’t long before the Lobers were caught, causing them to surrender and disappear.

Then, the MMM’s recruitment intensified, and they began to reach out to Bald Mike nation. The MMM began spreading propaganda, claiming that Bald Mike was a terrible candidate, that Lobe was for life, and that the holy milkshakes and baseballs should be praised. When this didn’t work, the MMM began threatening Bald Mike Nation with their powerful alliance with the Lobers and Duolingo. All of these theatrics aimed to take down Bald Mike in the upcoming election. But Bald Mike’s radiance was too strong and Bald Mike nation were unmoved.

Secretly panicking, Baseball Boy asserted himself as the leader of MMM and warned about the Milkvan and his haunting tune. He was still hopeful that the original plan could be carried out, but alas…

…

Many years’ worth of seething jealousy finally awoke from within Baseball Girl. In a burst of frenzied fury, she took over the leadership of MMM, and Baseball Boy was much dismayed to find out that Milkvan’s loyalties lied with Baseball Girl. He surrendered and was kicked out of the MMM. Still, he felt he had to reveal the truth about the Walter White incident, and sent coded messages to Bald Mike nation. Before Baseball Boy could continue, Baseball Girl ordered Milkvan to finish him off by running him over.

With Baseball Boy out of the way, Baseball Girl changed the plan. She wasn’t in contact with Tick Tock, so Tick Tock was uninformed of these changes. As originally planned, U. N. Owen was going to drive Milkvan to Hawkins to capture Bald Mike. But according to Baseball Girl’s plan, U. N. Owen and Milkvan weren’t to kill him right away. Instead, they were to deliver him to the MMM lair, find Jesse, and kill Jesse in front of Bald Mike. This would inflict maximum pain unto Bald Mike. Only then would the MMM kill Bald Mike, and afterwards, they’d send the Milkshake Tsunami (generated at the milkshake factory) to destroy Bald Mike nation once and for all. (But of course, nothing ever goes to plan…)

After the plan revisions, the MMM continued sending out recruit invites and threats to Bald Mike nation. In the background, the baseball manufacturing and milkshake brewing continued too. Milkvan was asleep, charging up for the long trip. U. N. Owen was watching the Hawkins News intently, spying on them for information but also secretly hoping George was still alive. Many news reports about Bald Mike and other affairs began to surface, scaring the local Baseballians in Hawkins.

It was around this time that Jesse began contacting Bald Mike nation with coded messages. He ensured they couldn’t be intercepted by the MMM, for that would allow them to track his whereabouts - in both space and time.

Even with all this going on, everything seemed stagnant for a moment or two… and for good reason. Baseball Girl mysteriously disappeared... but what happened to her?

…

All these years later, under the orders of her Queen El, The New Baseball Girl returned to take over the MMM from Baseball Girl. After all, Baseball Boy’s death weakened the group, and now was the perfect time to strike.

Overworked from leading the MMM, Baseball Girl had let her guard down. This allowed The New Baseball Girl to breach security, knock Baseball Girl out with a baseball bat, and throw her into the milkshake brewer at the milkshake factory.

Now, with Baseball Girl out of the way, The New Baseball Girl claimed leadership over the MMM. She painted Baseball Girl as a coward, claiming she fled the country due to stress from leading the MMM. Bald Mike nation continued to be sent endless baseball and milkshake threats. In these threats, The New Baseball Girl warned about the dangerous truth about Bald Mike, criticised Bald Mike nation for suggesting Baseball Girl was dead, and sympathised with local Baseballians.

…

On the 8th of January 2025, shortly after The New Baseball Girl revealed herself to Bald Mike Nation, she disappeared too. Without a clear leader of the MMM, Bald Mike nation eventually calmed down. However, many questions were still left unanswered. What happened to Baseball Girl? What were the New Baseball Girl’s plans? Is Bald Mike truly safe now? Amidst all the silence, Bald Mike eventually let his guard down.

But of course Bald Mike wasn’t safe yet. Far from it. Because Baseball Girl reappeared, explaining her disappearance. She asserted that she didn’t flee the country, contrary to the New Baseball Girl’s claims. It took her hours to clamber out of the Milkshake pot in the milkshake factory, but finally, she returned. The MMM was officially back in business! But now they had to stop the intake of MMM recruitment for safety reasons. Where would they find new recruits now…

Baseball Girl was ready to commence her plan. Milkvan and U. N. Owen were sent to Hawkins, playing the grim Milkvan tune all the way. With his guard let down, Bald Mike was easy to capture. U. N. Owen tied him up and threatened Bald Mike nation. He managed to further capture 387 citizens and began his drive back to MMM lair. Because of this sudden influx of unpaid, forced recruits (slaves, basically), MMM officially closed recruitment to the public. A news report about these missing citizens was broadcasted on Hawkins television, accurately reporting it was coordinated by Baseball Girl.

…

Meanwhile, Tick Tock finally managed to reach the MMM again after Baseball Boy’s death. But Baseball Girl, still tense after the security breach, mistook Tick Tock for the New Baseball Girl. She demanded that her twin reveal herself at once and fight her at the Milkshake factory. When Baseball Girl arrived there, she found The New Baseball Girl busy sipping on some milkshake samples. So there she was! As payback, Baseball Girl drugged her, ensuring she would be unconscious for at least the next 12 hours. She pretended she didn’t know what happened to the New Baseball Girl, trapped her in a bunker, and patiently waited for the captured Bald Mike to arrived at the MMM lair.

Though tied up, Bald Mike bashed about inside Milkvan and damaged him quite badly. When they arrived at the MMM lair, U. N. Owen began repairs on Milkvan, whilst Baseball Girl was delighted to finally have Bald Mike in her hands. With Milkvan’s time travelling powers on her side, she intended on finding Jesse next. Unfortunately, they faced delays due to Milkvan’s repairs and not knowing where/when Jesse was hiding. It didn’t help that Baseball Girl lacked the braincells to decode Jesse’s secret messages to Bald Mike nation.

With the MMM planning to capture him next, Jesse began to panic. He frantically sent his last messages to Bald Mike nation, resolving not to communicate anymore out of fear of being found by the MMM. After all, of all people, U. N. Owen might know where he time travelled to…

Meanwhile, propaganda - both pro-Bald-Mike and anti-Bald-Mike - continued to circulate. Some messages about The Light praised its saving power, whilst others ominously warned against looking at it. In any case, the overpowering strength of The Light was made clear.

…

Tick Tock contacted the MMM again, disappointed about the changes to the original plan. They disapproved of the capture of 387 Hawkins citizens and the delay in assassinating Bald Mike. They threatened Bald Mike nation, claiming Bald Mike would be in danger if a deal was not made.

But Baseball Girl asserted to Bald Mike nation that she wanted to assassinate both Jesse and Bald Mike. She would drown them both in the milkshake pot at the milkshake factory. Initially, Baseball Girl was apprehensive about collaborating with Tick Tock, not knowing who they were. Nevertheless, she started discussing plans with Tick Tock, requesting to capture Jesse and make Bald Mike watch him die.

Tick Tock didn’t disclose their true identity to Baseball Girl, saying they were only here to make plans. However, they agreed to help capture Jesse.

Baseball Girl asked Tick Tock if they had any ideas as to the time period Jesse was hiding in. She also waited for help from Milkvan or U. N. Owen, but it took a while to get a response from them…

…

At the repair shop, Milkvan’s repairing was delayed, as U. N. Owen’s attention was drawn to breaking news on TV. Three years after George’s disappearance, his body was finally discovered near Lover’s Lake at 5:15. His last written words on the piece of paper were broadcasted on TV, but tragically, the love letter for U. N. Owen on the other side was not shown.

Upon the announcement of George’s death, many years’ worth of pent-up yearning and hoping crashed inside U. N. Owen. Pure grief, regret, and devastation ravaged inside him, and he admitted - too late - his love for his beloved partner. He described how brave, courageous, and justice-seeking George was, and went away to cry for a few minutes.

…

The New Baseball Girl finally awoke from being drugged. She was ultimately powerless, trapped alone in the bunker without any food or water. Nevertheless, she swore that Jesse would be captured, and claimed Jesse was the ‘brains’ whom the ‘stupid’ Bald Mike relied wholly on. Then, she descended into a fit of fury, swearing to fight Baseball Girl. The New Baseball Girl claimed the MMM truly belonged to her and that there was only supposed to be one of them growing in their mother’s womb.

But Baseball Girl ignored her twin’s requests to fight, saying that finding Jesse was more important.

Finally, U. N. Owen stopped crying and finished Milkvan’s repairs. Discussing the plan with the other MMM members, U. N. Owen recounted the traumatic events of the day he and George met Bald Mike and Jesse in the office. Crucially, he remembered that when Jesse was escaping Milkvan, he had turned his time travel watch from 7-ish to 8:15.

Thinking about what 8:15 could mean, New Baseball Girl wrongfully guessed that Jesse was hiding in Hopper’s cabin in Hawkins.

On the other hand, Baseball Girl thought the whole deal about 8:15 was ridiculous.

What they failed to grasp, fatally, was the true significance of this number, of 8:15. Of course, you can’t really blame them seeing that so much time had passed, but still.

8:15 on November 2nd, 2021… it was where it all began.

The Walter White incident.

…

When Jesse had turned his watch to 8:15 all those years ago, he time travelled back to the past, back to this momentous day. It was the day his life changed - the day Mike revealed his bald head to him. It was so radiant, so magnificent, that Jesse full-on fell in lobe. And, of course, his lobe was reciprocated. The two of them held hands and Jesse had never felt happier.

That’s why Jesse knew it was the perfect time period to hide from the enemy. Not only was it a traumatic moment for the Three Waterfalls, but reliving his best moment - the moment he felt so much love - gave him power. Again and again did Jesse experience this blindingly radiant moment, and again and again did Jesse’s power grow and grow.

But finally, after three years of reliving the Walter White incident, Jesse knew it was time to return to the present. Changing the timeline, Jesse told Bald Mike,

“I’m gonna save you, my lobe I MEAN LOVE. My sweet, evil, radiant, shiny, goofy, silly, dictator, murderer lobe I MEAN LOVE, you are in grave danger. But don’t worry. Sit tight.”

Jesse set his watch from 8:15 to 12:00. And all of a sudden, he teleported to the present, now standing at the centre of the MMM lair. Beside him, his belobed Bald Mike was tied up with his radiant head concealed. And in the room also stood Baseball Girl, U. N. Owen, and Milkvan all staring, gaping at Jesse. They were too late; they failed to find him in time.

HE found THEM.

Jesse untied Bald Mike, and they each held the other in their warm embrace. The MMM thought it was a mere act of affection from these reunited lobers. But it was more than that. The two lobers simultaneously ripped off the coverings off each other’s heads - Mike’s cloth and Jesse’s wig, because Jesse is also actually bald - to reveal two perfectly shiny, bald heads. The power of love, accumulated over years thanks to Jesse’s time travelling antics, was more powerful than ever…

At once, they unleashed The Light unto the MMM.

Milkvan spontaneously combusted; U. N. Owen screamed his dead lober’s last message and exploded into golden ink; Baseball Girl transformed into an inanimate baseball. Positively glowing, Bald Mike walked over to the baseball and squashed it into insignificance.

The New Baseball Girl may have survived this attack, being stuck in the bunker, but she too would not survive much longer without food or water. As for Tick Tock, communicating from afar saved their life. But they disappeared, powerless without the MMM to do the dirty work.

And so, on the 9th of January 2025, Bald Mike and Jesse defeated the MMM with the power of love. With all their enemies obliterated and the 387 hostages returned, Bald Mike’s presidential campaign became an unmatched success.

On the 10th of January 2025, Bald Mike officially won the elections, as well as the hearts of Bald Mike nation. Again did the people make Bald Mike their profile pictures, showing off their Bald Mike pride to the world.

Basking again in the ever-radiant glory of presidency, Bald Mike’s head continued to shine throughout the village with the three waterfalls, throughout the valley - all the way to the abandoned Mitochondria Metamorphosis Mob lair, all throughout the drained milkshake factory, all throughout the woods, all throughout the universe - now and forevermore.

[pixxiecup]

top header / paci icon link / dni banner by me

sam winchester regressor headcanons ✩彡(do not tag as kin/fo)

🌱 : regresses to a big kid ! probably 8-10 :) mostly self sufficient but will occasionally want a carer

☁️ : reads a ton , mostly fact books or history books . he also enjoys the tactile books , i definitely see him being a dino kiddo !!!

🌿 : will hum softly as he reads too , i also see him kicking his legs or tapping his fingers a lot .

🍵 : always wears comfy clothes or pajamas when regressing , he has a little "kit" tucked away with baby blankets , books , maybe even some worksheets .

🍀 : imaginative play is his favorite ! he works on his own dinosaur species and planets . maybe even creates whole ecosystems and carefully describes how it all works together ? i think he has an agere journal too , thats where he keeps all his work n coloring !

🍃 : loves going out in nature and exploring , give him a nice book and some apple juice under a nice big tree on a cool summer day and he will be set for HOURS ! might end up napping too . . .

🦖 : thats another thing ! very sleepy kiddo , mainly because he usually regresses at night once he gets some alone time and quiet .

🧃 : has never really told anyone about his regression , mainly keeps it to himself . it works well though because he doesnt exactly need a carer and he feels safer with it just being his own thing .

🍈 : when he involuntarily regresses or regresses without realizing dean will help him through it and be patient . he doesnt exactly know whats happening or why but hes figured out how to deal with it over time .

🏕️ : also really enjoys nature based activities , hiking , camping , long walks , maybe even some runs ! sometimes he will take pretty pictures to stick in his agere journal or just keep it nearby so he can look back at happy memories <3

🌲 : pet regresses to either a pup or a wolf !

🌳 : we all know sam is a dog person , so if he had a pet i definately think hed spend time with it when regressed . sleeping with it or building little forts ! even taking it with him when he adventures .

⛰️ : is also very clumsy and prone to minor injuries when regressed :( he can always patch himself up but he makes sure to give himself a treat after ! maybe a cookie or something similar

🍋‍🟩 : i think that if he and dean were to regress together that they would play swords !! if he ever had a carer i think hed want to play swords with them too

🧺 : when he does pet regress he is always super playful n excited n happy , very silly pup :3

🧩 : i also think hes more of a juice guy instead of a milk guy , uses a cool water bottle instead of a sippy or baby bottle . i think that he might use a paci but when he doesnt he uses chewlry !

🪵 : likes going to museums n parks , zoos n aquariums ! anywhere he can learn new things n see all sorts of cool stuff .

🍏 : fave regressed nick names : bug , bub / bubs / bubba , big guy , dog related ones (such as pup) , angel , munchkin .

[kitzatara]

https://www.tumblr.com/scarlet--wiccan/763877765424545792/could-you-explain-more-in-depth-why-you-dont-find?source=share https://www.tumblr.com/scarlet--wiccan/763542245293129728/what-are-the-aspects-of-marvel-magic-that-do?source=share

This is a really interesting perspective, I'd like to see your response to this

For me, I love Zatanna’s backwards speech because it is unique. There are almost no other characters from other media who use backwards speech to cast spells. It’s rare, and that makes it interesting to me.

I also love it because it is a reference to Leonardo Da Vinci writing his journals so that they could only be read in a mirror. Him being her ancestor and they original reason why they cast spells by talking backwards is fun. It’s just a fun wacky concept to play with.

It’s also technically a language you can learn, If you really wanted to lol. Which is true for a couple other common spell languages like latin, or even elvish from lord of the rings. Backwards is just slightly easier since it’s just reversing words in english. It’s instantly translatable, and allows you to be privy to what her spell will do. It’s like they’re telling you a secret on the page, or like decoding her magic. Which I feel just contributes to the fun wackiness of it all.

I guess I will somewhat counter two of their points. Firstly in my opinion, all magic is a command, while Billy and Nico do have different styles, at the end of the day they are also giving a command. Because that’s what magic is. Commanding the world around you with language, usually through a specific way, or language.

Billy’s is through chants, and Nico’s are commands through her staff. Others like I said use latin, some use rhymes, or song.

Others use gestures and hand movements which is still a type of language. It’s communication through the body. To me spells don’t require wordplay and I’ve never considered Zatanna’s backwards magic to be lacking in wordplay but I’ve also never felt it necessary to enjoy spells. Sure it’s fun, but in my mind the notion that her spells lack word play can be applied to most spells and magic systems.

And while I suppose it can be said Zatanna’s spells often don’t have a lot of wordplay, I can think of a few times that they did, or that they were references that were turned into spells which I find to be really fun.

This spell being song lyrics, and a pose from the iconic band queen

Spells like these being references to popular phrases: open sesame, hello stranger, still as stone.

Or the time she saved the day entirely through palindromes.

I also like this one where she uses go to time out as a dimensional portal, and rac fo Sdrac because it also rhymes while being backwards.

Again it’s not often but it is there on occasion, some writers do have fun with it. But at the end of the day, most of their issues are opinion based. I can’t do much to change their mind, other than just tell you why I like her backwards and will always find it interesting and fun.

[igetis-number1simp]

Lore of the Enforcement. Part 1

The Enforcement is a powerful army with countless of clone super soldiers wearing AX-1 Power armor, and with a goal to take over the Multiverse. They are extremist that uses brutal methods. They despise corruption and love fighting.

The Enforcers are similar to the Space Marines from Warhammer 40K, except they aren't from Warhammer 40k and does not fight for mankind or an "emperor". They fight to keep the Multiverse balanced. Enforcers LOVE war and fighting, every enforcers normally charge into the battlefield with gun blazing since they do not fear death thanks to the indestructible AX Power armor they wear. Every Enforcers do not give names to themselves and instead goes by their given number. "XT-233," "XT-5000." Enforcer-Zealots are known as "ZT-3237". Enforcers never take off their power armor or even their own helmet, for as they identity with their armor. The Enforcers can live up for thousands of years. (They cannot die from aging) Every Enforcers loadout are equip with almost every weapons. Holstering a Energy Revolver by their ankle, carrying a chainsword by their waist, carrying a Core ShotGun and a heavy assault rifle by their back, etc, etc. The power armor worn by Enforcers are extremely powerful. Nothing can pierce it's armor, not a single being or weapon in the entire multiverse can damage or pierce it. The power armor is so strong that an Enforcer can survive a nuclear blast or an orbital strike with minor injuries. The armor is design to adapt against everything; hot climate, cold climate, distortion, acid, etc. The Power Armor is also made out of Anperfysium (yay rozital lore reference).

Paladin Destroyers are armed with a very wide variety of weapons mounted in front of and beneath the bridge. Visible weapons forward of the bridge include a one or two large cannons, two large self-loading rocket pods, and two large Gatling guns; 2 large triple-barreled naval guns are also visible mounted on the hull beneath the bridge. The only named weapon is the ATLAS Cannon, which fires the Precision Strike. The Paladin Destroyer is capable of firing a it's precision ATLAS Cannon, Gatling gun, 120mm and 380mm Artillery, specialized Gas, EMS, and Airburst shells, a high intensity Laser, and a high velocity Railcannon.

The Omega Destroyer is a one of a kind ship that is the size of a planet. It is the leading ship in the main Enforcement fleet. The ship is the icon of the Enforcement and the Sentinel council is onboard. The Omega Destroyer can pack a powerful attack that could destroy an entire planet.

The Enforcer Imperialium is a very special rank that is rarely given by the Sentinel Council, any Enforcers chosen by the Imperialium will have to go through a very advanced and specialized training. This training transform any Enforcers into an warrior that is skilled in the most advanced combat and tactical skills, as well as a heightened understanding of the Enforcement's beliefs and ideologies.

The Enforcers have special Legions that have their own unique Enforcers and weapons. The Drillmaster Legion are a chapter of Enforcers that rely on weaponized mining equipment and use them for combat or constructions of outposts, they like to ambush from underground by digging straight to the surface where the enemy least expected. Their power armor have waists blades or a drill attached, and they carry more explosive based weapons. The Drillmaster Legion is led by Imperialium XT-266. The Drillmaster Legion are known to be the crazy ones, they're known to fight like beasts in combat and they make mining equipment look like a deadly weapon of war. If you asked anyone about them, they'll tell you that they are the toughest and the most brutal of all the Enforcement divisions, and are known to be savages in combat. They also have the most brutal torture method to "dig up" information out of the enemy. The Heavy Legion specialize in maxing out the armor of their Enforcers to act as walking shields for the other Enforcers. They have a gatling gun attached to their right arms and a big heavy shield on the other. The Heavy Legion is led by XT-1059.

The Firefly Legion is the most recent division formed by the newest Imperialium, XT-63. The Firefly Division specializes in using fire based weaponry and jetpacks to rain down fire upon their enemy from the sky. They use flamethrowers, incinerators, and ballistic weapons that fire 5000 degree bolts at their enemies. They are the most feared Special Division next to the Drillmaster Division. They wear their power armor that has painted a nice hot-rod design, with a mix of red, black and gold yellow. The red signify bravery while black shows death to their enemies and gold represent the pride of the Enforcers Firefly's

XT-1059 is an Imperialium who is in charge of the Heavy Division. He is the most serious and strongest Enforcer. He has his own custom power armor which is fittingly named the "Juggernaut"

XT-266 is an Imperialium who is in charge of the Drillmaster Division. He is the most unpredictable and funniest, and always like to joke around. He is the least serious than XT-1059, and love to have a "Sibling rivalry" between his division and the heavy division. XT-63 is the most recent Enforcer to become an Imperialium. He was an Enforcer Ultra serving his Force Captain's company on a mission to recapture the planet "Nova". After leading his platoon with interesting concept, his force captain propose to the Sentinel Council which put XT-63 through the test to see if he is up for the task. XT-63 proven himself and was promoted to an Imperialium. He is best pal with XT-266 and XT-1059.

Enforcer-Zealots (or ZT-Insert number) are highly trained specialized Enforcers that wears a white custom X0-2 power armor. Some of them are bred to be at this rank, while others has to be promoted to take training from the honorable Sangheili warriors or the Adaptus Master himself that will train these Zealots wannabes

The Adaptus Legion is a legion of specialized elite Enforcers trained as harden, stealthy warriors. They are led by ZT-001, AKA Adaptus Master. The Zealots rely one weapon and one weapon only; an energy blade. The Zealots are disciplined warriors and are used as guards for the Sentinel Council.

Spartan-berry is a liquid that the Enforcers love to drink in celebration, it is the only drink they rather drink than alcohol, a drink which they hate.

Enforcer Ranks:

The Enforcers ranks are color coded, their ranks are represented by the numbers and the color of the stripes on their right arm. One yellow stripe = Minor, the lowest rank of the Enforcer. Two yellow stripes = Major. Three yellow stripes = Ultra, the rank that give you a squad of lower ranks to lead. One red stripe = Captain, they take charge of platoons. Two red stripes = Commander, they command a company of enforcers. Three red stripes = Force captain, they command a battalion (over a hundred enforcers) and wear an AX-2 power armor. One blue stripes = Field master, they lead a brigade of Enforcers and are in charge of the security and transporting supplies of Enforcement controlled territory. One blue and Red stripes = Lieutenant, These serve as the right hand to their Company Shipmaster, typically commanding one of the Company's two demi-companies. Two blue and one red stripe = ShipMaster, they command their very own paladin destroyer, commanding a large portion of Enforcers. Two Blue and Two red stripes = Fleet Master, they command their fleet of paladin destroyers and command enforcers. They also act as second in command and advisors to the Chapter Master that they served. Three Red and Two blue stripes = Chapter Master — The highest attainable rank of Enforcers, commanding their fleet of ships and invasion forces under their command. The Chapter Master only answer to the Imperialium and the Sentinel Council.

[aptericia]

Octopath II gameplay tips!

I'd been thinking about this for a while, but since I have mutuals who are playing 8path2, here's a list of advice and things the game doesn't explain!

Incorrect/vague skill descriptions:

The Warrior skill "Enervating Slash": The description is flat-out wrong. This will remove all positive status effects from the USER, rather than the targeted enemy!

"Increased intensity spells" courtesy of the Scholar job: So wtf does this even mean? It gives you a counter that causes the next x number of AREA TARGET SPELLS to be "intensified". For instance, the Cleric's "Heal Wounds" skill can be intensified, but NOT the Apothecary's "Healing Touch" skill. For elemental-based spells, such as Fireball, this causes it to trigger twice (or three times if using Alephan's Wisdom).

Throné's EX skill "Disguise": When used on an ally, Throné takes on their job(s) and learned skills. Sadly, because she doesn't also take on their equipment stats (to my knowledge; I haven't actually verified this), it means she's usually not optimized for their fighting style.

Partitio's EX skill "Share SP": This also has a flat-out wrong description. He gives a percentage of his SP to EACH party member, not just one. For instance, without boosting, he will lose 25% of his max SP and every other party member will gain whatever that amount is. And yes, they'll get it even if it puts them above their normal max SP! Partito rocks!

The Apothecary job’s “Preventative Measures” support skill: Rather than nullifying status ailments for the first 3 turns of battle (as the description says), it nullifies the first three status effects to target the user. So if the user isn’t hit with a status effect until turn 4, it will still be nullified, but if they’re hit with 4 status effects within the first three turns, the 4th will still take effect.

Battle interface:

"Status ailments" include Poison (take damage each turn), Sleep (unable to act until hit), Unconsciousness (unable to act, period), Blindness (greatly reduced accuracy), Terror (unable to boost), Silence (unable to use skills) and Confusion (target a random ally until hit).

"Positive status effects" and "negative status effects" include buffs/penalties to stats, as well effects like temporary HP regen, Sidestep/Vengeful Blade charges, etc. Note that the Cleric skill "Sacred Shield" does NOT appear next to the character's name, and therefore does not count as a "positive status effect"

The order of enemy weaknesses is something you'll see mentioned in any guide/trivia about the game, and it's incredibly helpful. Weaknesses are always listed in the same order: Sword, Polearm, Dagger, Axe, Bow, Staff, Fire, Ice, Thunder, Wind, Light, and Dark (SPD ABS FIT WLD). So for instance, if I determine that an enemy is weak to daggers and the dagger icon is in the first square, I know that enemy CANNOT be weak to swords or polearms, because those would be listed first.

Traveler talents:

Don't forget that Osvald's Study Foe talent reveals more weaknesses each time he encounters the same enemy!

Remember to have Partitio in your party in order to take advantage of his Business Partners talent! For instance, if Parti's follower gives a discount when buying things, this applies not only to NPCs he Purchases from but also shops if he happens to be in the party. Similarly, you may want to pick up a follower that earns more from sales before you sell off a bunch of junk. And if his follower gives a refund at the inn, you can refill your whole party's meters for free as long as you keep Partitio in your party.

Dancer skills that will activate Agnea's Dance Session talent include: Lion Dance (Dance Session targets the ally), Peacock Strut (Dance Session targets the ally), Dagger Dance (Dance Session targets Agnea), and Bewildering Grace (Dance Session targets a random party member). Ruinous Kick, Stimulate, and Sweeping Gale will NOT trigger a Dance Session.

If you want to go into a dungeon you're just under-leveled for, try taking both Throné and Temenos and clearing it at night. Blessing of Darkness and Moonlight Judgement together can give a huge advantage, especially once you're higher-level.

Miscellaneous:

Caits and Octopuffs have absurdly high evasion and elemental defense, but give you massive rewards if defeated. They will often flee the battlefield if ANY enemy has taken damage by the time their turn comes around. Usually the best way to defeat them is to hammer them will all your strongest magic, as spells can't miss and have a minimum damage of 1. Use of Stimulate, Leghold Trap, and the A Step Ahead support skill can come in handy to push their turns back. As @limayde mentioned, Medium and Large Soulstones can also defeat most of them instantly!

Healing (via skills) is based on the caster’s elemental defense. Therefore, it’s a good idea to give your healers equipment with high Elem. Def!

[crestedplumage]

i was looking at some old twitter accounts for some people who were also bradford buzzard fans, and kinda sad to see either they've been deleted or privated. and i know the other like two fans ive known and i think are still active here, but there is some animosity. and you know what, that is sad.

it's been awhile and i think im ready to share the story on here.

I'll be adding the usernames on the bottom.

there are a few people in this story. lets start with a user, lets call her abby. now abby had messaged me a lot on twitter and i got interested in her, wanted to connect over bradford from ducktales. i sent her a link to a friend's discord server and welp, abby started to go a bit too apeshit. she was not liked, and i would have to say, i didnt like her much either.

came to a point both her and my friend got into a tiff and i was in the middle. i tried to encourage abby to leave, but she wanted friends, and she cried to me. i felt so bad. in the middle of all this, i had made a server for bradford icons, and well. she got in there, i gave the link, she wanted to start over and welp, she invited a bunch of other bradford fans i did not know then.

in hindsight it was a very very very bad idea. i didnt know these people. and most of all, i let this person hijack my server bc i felt guilty for her crying.

things started to south. lets add two more people here. brittney and cate. now, most of these people who are on this bradford server were into roleplaying him.

i was not a roleplayer, i was into fanfic. i wanted these people to hear my fanfic idea out. so me, abby, brittney and cate go onto vc. now brittney has an rp account, roleplaying bradford. ive barely interacted with these people. and britt was just going on and on and on and on about herself and her backstory and how that related to bradford (of all people).

some red flags stuck out. for one, she was hogging the conversation, me, cate, and abby were silent and i could barely get a word in edgewise. now the big bombshell: britt just outright tells us she has a cluster b personality disorder. now normally this would be fine, except for how she conducted herself with us.

i finally edged my way to speak about my story. at this time, i really wanted britt's admiration. her blog was huge and it inspired others. but one thing i didnt want to tell her was that many of her posts were trite. including one post where she used the entirety of the song "because of you" by kelly clarkson, and when i pointed that out to her, she tripped over her words saying "uhhh well-" and then meanders into a different point. another red flag.

but that was afterwards. here as i said i tried to say a word in edgewise - britt shuts up for the entire conversation. cate at least seemed to like my words. britt steps off, icon goes on "do not disturb" and me and cate speak late into the night. it was nice.

i get concerned for britt - i message her to make sure shes alright. apprantly she was not - she was hurt i "insulted her friend" by saying that stealbeak in the reboot was an idiot and that her friend supposedly rped as stealbeak. the others had tried to correct me apprantly, saying he was smart and stuff but i was like. what??

i apologized, and i began to get scared my reputation in the fandom is down the toilet for insulting its queen. next night, another vc. again she hogs the conversation. i wanted to teach a lesson. i get in between again to say something at least. she says some woe about being buried alive and abused and almost being killed. i am starting not to believe this hooey. i am starting to think she was saying all this for attention (esp since her personality disorder is based on getting attention). the other two were taking this all up with no hesitation.

she got silent again. i message her next day, she was insulted i "interrupted her". she went ahead to spam post her roleplays onto the server, begging for attention. i dreadfully did not like that and thought of banning her forthright.

this woman, this woman in her 30s scared me. awfully shitless. i never want to meet this person again. because of who she is, she was unpredictable. i was scared she'd self harm bc of me not acknowledging her posts.

next day, i was sent a link to a post by britt from abby. it was a post that said that britt would delete her blog bc she didnt feel like she belonged in the fandom.

i was heartbroken, and i was panicking. i had a panic attack. i cried for three days, couldnt eat, couldnt sleep. i thought of her all weekend. of the one person i never wanted to make unhappy.

more things happended. i tried to get her to think i was harmless. i tried appeasing, and i was very fawning. i would not wish this to my worst enemy.

i wanted to tell her how i felt, that i was sorry, so sorry. she had said it was fine, but i didnt believe her. i didnt know then i had harm and guilt ocd. none of these reassurances mattered. i needed her to tell me "i forgive you" and to never harm me again.

she was nice to me, but idk if it was that she was pretending to me like this or was trying to isolate me from the group. britt repeatedly told me how much she disliked the other artists in the fandom, how jealous she was of them, how she hated them, and how much she disliked abby for following her around everywhere. it makes me wonder if she said all this to just get me closer to her control.

eventually it went to a heavy boil where i saw an artist show bradford being shipped with an oc. it was cute art, but i was super jealous bc i shipped myself with him. but again, i wanted to make an inclusive environment for all, so i commented how this person's image is now stuck on my mind in a positive way.

britt messaged me. why was this person's art stuck in MY mind and not HER art?? how dare i like someone else's art that wasnt hers. how dare i enjoy something outside herself. to the point she pointedly asked WHY. i was deathly afraid. something very personal and sexual came out of me, i said it to steer her away from me.

i was violated sexually.

i had tried telling cate, the only other person then who seemed to like me, to stay away from britt. but she did not hear me. she wanted no part in this "Drama". she even asked me to apologize to britt. i NEEDED cate to listen to me. i didnt want her to be hurt by britt. i had left the server and still spoke to britt bc i was afraid of saying no to her. i gave over the server to abby, though she didnt know how to manage it. i didnt want to just run, i wanted to leave this planet. the thing i wanted to do most, make an inclusive environment for all, went down bad. very very bad. what kind of ally was i.

i was miserable. i was horrible. me and cate dated for like a week before she tells me she lied about having a crush on me. i wanted to be close with her, be with her. i thought she loved me. i broke it up after she told me she was aro, and thats when i dumped on britt how much GUILT i had. she responded with something but i had no more stamina to stay. she unfriended me and left the server.

i tried to stay with cate. i had already also cut off then went back to abby on account of cate's guilt tripping towards my behavior. I then broke it off one last time. abby had spoken of my friends horribly, and sent me some very concerning messages about both her own mental health, and anti-semitic memes where i was disturbed to see messages from her.

i was lost and i was feeling so bad. i had tried to tell these girls what horrible things britt had done to me, but i was afraid to share screenshots on account of it being a violation of privacy. even now i have a hard time with it. i had saved copies of them but had them deleted.

i didnt want these horrible things to happen to cate. when i told her what i had done, she accused me having borderline personality disorder, and to stay away from her. blocked me even after telling me she'd get back to me. what betrayal.

the one person i loved from this life gone. the people who i thought would be life long companions: gone. i couldnt stand looking at my old posts on my blog, my vulnerable messages with cate, so i left. made this one. i dont want these people harming anyone else. but i know how many followers they have. i dont want their ire. i want people to know they are safe away from these individuals.

i can not stand this. i want to be open but i am scared. im so afraid of these people telling others im a liar, or that i am manipulator. that im the bad guy who messed everything up, because *I* lost *them*.

i am still getting through this experience with a therapist. all i am afraid of is britt using her flying monkeys to try and kill my online persona, as if it wasnt at this point. this person took it all away from me, and i *let* her. because i was scared. instead of seeing the bullshit and just saying sayonara from the beginning.

ive since been blocked by cate. and last i checked, she seems to be doing well. i am sad she never asked me to confirm my own fucking mental illnesses before saying fuck you bye. she even uses her art present to me as her own icon and edited it so my version of brad isnt there. how disgusting can you be. it still makes me cry. said user is also a libertarian and believes in book banning lgbt+ books such as heartstopper. these are all far right beliefs, and she watches fox news. how hypocritical for someone who's a bi aroace. how sad.

i want people on here to not be afraid and to block these individuals.

i think i am ready to name them, i will not @ them. I'm ready to move on. if they message me or if any of their friends message me, i will delete them. ive already blocked these individuals. you should too.

if they message me through puppet acounts, they will be blocked and deleted too. ive never done a "call out post" but im done with this. i am afraid of the consequnces, true, but i want people to understand.

abby is shadowjinx626 britt is sympathy-for-the-damned and cate is milliegriffin / thelostlibrary rp i had roleplayed an entire story with millie and its been a year and i have no idea what she did with it. i hope you all know what youve done. im tired of being the "big person" and not doing anything about this, instead keeping it to myself. i want you all to know.

[skylarksilver]

Enter Tutorial

a/n: Twisted Wonderland and Sword Art Online crossover.

A girl with short brown hair and hazel eyes gazed up at the decrepit ceiling, listening to rain strike the roof overhead. The building itself looked to be in shambles, there was a nasty draft stirring dust and bringing in cold air. The fiery hellcat that had been the kick off of her problems of the last few hours was at least warm as he curled against her side. His flaming blue ears gave off a surprisingly small amount of light.

She closed her eyes and let out a long slow breath, the stress and fear she had been holding back coming out now that she felt she was relatively safe and unobserved. 

Alright, let's take stock of things as far as I remember before waking up here with Grim yelling in my face. I finished my exercises, ate dinner and got ready for bed. Then Yui called. We were on the phone together for a while.

Sword Art Online had been a deeply immerse game that wouldn't have made it past the development hurdles without a Mental Health Monitoring AI to ensure the players were not at risk of harming themselves. Yui's growing a degree of sentience thanks to Kirito and Asuna had made her a friend, and peer in some ways. And even now, as a navigation pixie in Alfheim Online, she was very observant.

And remembered dates impeccably well, as did her in-game ‘parents’.

The date was one that would carry weight for Liana for the rest of her life. She had excused herself from playing in Alfheim Online with her friends and she had tried to be subtle about it. But she hadn't been alone with her sadness for more than twenty minutes before she was invited into a voice call with her Alfheim guild. Klein was complaining how Kirito had persuaded some NPC to give them a hugely cut discount on their last supply run. Agil and Leafa, Kirito's sister, were discussing a weapons upgrade.

"Weren't you all gonna be at the new dungeon opening?"

She had been quite confused at what they were doing. And there was a small lull that Yui piped up to fill, speaking from all thir devices at once.

"I noticed tonal shift in your speech patterns, and upon recognizing the date, I thought that being alone was not going to be good for you."

It seemed you could take a Mental Health AI out of the game, but you couldn't change her base code. Liana had felt a soft gratitude fill her at the sound of her friends voices. Asuna was the one who voiced their resolve.

“We weren't going to go into a dungeon without our Beast Master. It'll still be there later.”

And they hadn't played together, but just talked. Kirito had known Jax personally, from the Beta Test., so he would volunter some stories about the amusing accidents that could occurr when you were trying to learn the proper positioning for Sword Skill activation. Or how Jax had, with an absurdly high Stealth skill, pretended to be an NPC for a full two days by hiding his player icon. And Liana found herself telling more about him in life. How the traits he had manifested in Sword Art Online were reflected in his daily life. How he never needed to hear a song more than once before he had the lyrics memorized, pitch perfect. And they all let her talk. In hindsight, it was a skillful way of leading her into opening up.

And she did. With a confession that brought feelings of both shame and guilt.

“You know how some times, you'll pause while doing something and realize you're waiting for the system to identify how to interact with it? Or when you get a cut or scrap and remember that you can bleed again? Well, sometimes just after I wake up, I'll forget the game is over. And think I'm back in Aincrad. And for a second, I'm excited to be there. Not because I wasn't scared, but because when I was there, so was he.”

She hadn't even gotten to go to the funeral. They had all still been trapped in the game when he had been killed by a trap room. Jax's stealth stats had been among the highest in the game, and his trap detection skills made him excellent for guiding parties through the high XP grinding areas that had automatic, resetting obstacles on the 45th floor. She hadn't been high enough level to go with them, so he had left her on the 19th floor where she could work on bonding with one of her favorite companions, a crimson salamander she was coaxing through the steps to fledge out into a dragon.

All his possessions had been transfered to her upon his death. She had found out when she was notified that she had to sort her inventory beecause she didn't have enough room for all of his items. At the same time, Kirito got a message in which Jax asked him, from one elder brother to another, to look out for his sister and make sure she never got anywhere near the clearing party or the guilds that spearheaded that effort.

And through Kirito, Liana met Asuna, Yui, Agil and Klein. And she had someone to catch her. Then and now on the aniversary of his passing. The talk had been good after she vented some of her grief. Peaceful. Agil described his wife's latest frustrations with pregnancy. Klein put his foot in his mouth on three seperate occasions. Sugu and Ayano got into a minor disagreement about the virtues of a K-pop Group whose name she couldn't recall. Yui was flickering around her phone as they played through some cooperative puzzles while listening to everyone. All conversation was now on comfortably light subjects that helped her house feel less dead and silent. That made the day feel like just any other day.

Then Liana heard the distinct sound of hooves on pavement. The jingle of a harness. And that startled and worried her. She had read that coma patients sometimes had moments where they experienced some sensory hallucinations. A side effect of their brains having to self stimulate enough to function once they woke up.

“Does anyone else hear a horse?”

The call had gone silent when Liana asked this.

“Yuu, tell me five things you can touch.”

Agil's voice was deep and soothing, she could hear the worry in it as the eldest of their strange little group brought out what they affectionately called ‘dad mode'. He was prompting her to begin a grounding exercise to focus through whatever halucinations were coming.

“My sheets. My phone.”

She reached out blindly, trying to ignore the ringing hoofbeats that seemed to be coming ever closer. They had never been this strong before and it was somewhat scary to experience.

“My bedframe. The lamp by my bed. My- it's in my room. How is it in my room?”

She remembered seeing the horse looming over her, the smell of the animal and the creak of leather harness the groaning of wooden wheels. The walls of her room had somehow vanished. The horse was rather beautiful. Pitch black, but with liquid dark eyes that looked rather friendly. She felt paralyzed in her bed, gripping the sheets as tightly as she could.

“Stay with us Yuu, it's not real. Yui. Can you call her mom?”

“Right Papa!”

Their young AI friend had transferred herself entirely to Liana's phone and started the emergency dial up for Liana's mother. The SOS that she was having a hallucination and needed help grounding herself again. The black of the horse seemed to fill all her vision and the last thing she heard was her friends trying to get her to respond to them.

She didn't remember anything else after that.

Just waking up in the box.

I don't care if the damn bird calls it a gate. It's a coffin.

Everything that had transpired after that. Meeting Grim, learning about Night Raven College, seeing the little monster set fire to the hall, endangering the strange, hooded and robed throng of teenagers-

It was all too much.

Liana had given her avatars name reflexively when questioned about her identity. Yuu, a neutral name that had endless potential for puns, and had been a private joke between herself and her brother.

She had always enjoyed exasperating him into wordless frustration. So oftentimes the only word he had been able to get out was: ‘You...!’ He had made the first avatar for her and had given it that name as a little homage to her favorite pastime of driving her big brother up the wall as he did to so many others.

Dire Crowley, the headmage, had not impressed her with his portrayed intelligence. But then again, Kaiyaba had hidden under everyone's nose almost from day one during the death game. No one had realized he was there until Kirito forced him to reveal the fact that he had given his avatar Immortal Object status. His bluster and apparent lack of care or competence aside, she doubted that he was as harmless as he pretended.

I'd almost rather get kicked out of here. But if this is some sort of dream, it's probably better to let it play out normally as long as it's not actively traumatizing me. Lucid dreams get unstable and chaotic if I try to control them. And this is more interesting than repeating the same scene over and over again.

But there was one thing keeping her from writing this whole affair off as a dream. Liana held up her hand slowly making a fist. She couldn't see it in this light, but she could feel the bandages that covered it. She had helped smother the flames on a student when Grim had been lashing out. A boy with unreal red eyes and pale hair had not been fast enough to dodge the flames.

The burns on her palm from that experience were real. That pain was real. The blisters, the redness. The sensory transmitters in Alfheim could recreate the pain up to a certain point. But they didn't make the injury look as real as it had seemed when Crowley helped her put a dressing on her hand. There had been no faint pixelization in the air to indicate she had taken damage. That was 100% genuine.

But if that's the case, and I'm not dreaming...

She gave a short downward flick of her index finger at about chest height. A series of five white icons appeared in the air before her.

How can I access the SAO menu?

She knew it was the Sword Art Online menu. Her life had depended on the data that those five little white dots had held and what she had put into them. She knew the strange cool pressure on her finger of selecting an icon. The faintest resistance that swiping through the menus had they wouldn't respond too readily to unpracticed or uncertain movements.

And just like in SAO, the log out button was gone. So was the chat function, the map, the magic list, and her list of pets. She had her inventory, her skills, and that was about it. She returned to the default menu, mouth pressed in a tight line as she tried to think rationally. 

Fact, I definitely get hurt here like I do IRL. Fact. I definitely see and can interact with the menu. Though considering that I was hearing things earlier, I could still be hallucinating. But apparently the horse could also be real so I'm back at square one.

Her other hand tightened on her phone. She would normally have set it to charge, but she doubted this place was even wired for electricity. Listening to Crowley prattle, aka world exposition she was not in a position to pass up, she concluded that most things Earth used electricity for had been superseded by magic and magic stones.

 This whole scenario feels contrived. Like the tutorial of some sort of isekai game. Only the player doesn't miraculously get magic to help them survive.

Liana frowned at that thought, eyeing the menu dots again. She hadn't popped with unknown powers, but maybe... She tentatively reached out and tapped her attributes icon.

The stats of a Lv 73 Beast Master looked back at her and she gave a sigh of pure relief.

I was LV 65 when we escaped Aincrad. The other levels I got in Alfheim after converting my avatar into Summoner. And I'm 100% OK with getting abilities I at least know how to use instead of something entirely new.

She was very certain that if it were not her only way to communicate with her friends, people who knew what her life had been like while she was functionally a vegetable, Liana would never have picked up another game again. It had taken months for her to even try to get back into the multi-player games her brother first taught her to play on. In the end, she had chosen to not allow her joy in it to be stolen by a game designer with a god complex.

 A Beast Master's needed decent physical attributes, and good charisma to interact positively with animals and monsters, but her highest stat was actually her Perception. She had reasoned that people who were well in tune with animals in the real world were those that noticed their behavior and knew how to respond to him.

“That ain't how games work, sis. But...suppose this isn't exactly qualified to be called a game anymore.”

Jax's smiles had been much more rare after the Death Game began. It had taken concerted effort to draw them out of him where they had always come readily before.

High perception, meant a proportionately fast reaction time. Coupled with a high dexterity, it meant Liana had been able to keep up with much higher leveled players, while avoiding their notice most of the time. Jax had still kept her out of harms' way as much as possible while he worked to clear the game.

I can't focus on that right now.

She pulled herself out of her introspection, tapping into her inventory. It still had the items she had last placed in it while in Alfheim, though the text was blurred over some items. And there were other items that were defeinitely from SAO that she did not recall having in there.

It's some weird mashup of the SAO and Alfheim menu? I've got my old class, but the stats, level and skills of my new one.

Liana selected a basic set of clothes, casual wear she had made in SAO for the dirty daily work of tending to her pets and companions. It rested in her hand as she pulled it out of her Inventory, reaching over to the rickety chair, the only other secure piece of furniture in this bedroom, and placed it down carefully.

If you're still there tomorrow, then I can trust that the Menu is real and...and this is some new kind of game. Or my life is now a Gamer story. 

Grim muttered, rolling around by her side to curl into a tighter ball, paws tucked in to conceal his belly. Liana held her phone close to her chest, and accessed her menu to set a timer on how long she wanted to sleep. She wasn't sure what time it was right now. But as pretentious and dramatic a ceremony such as what she had seen, she would be astounded if the sorting was not held at midnight. And the average teenager needed 8-10 hours of sleep, so the following day of classes would hopefully be adjusted as a result.

She set a timer in her menu to wake her in 6 hours. She'd get her optimal amount of sleep once she knew if this world she had found herself in was safe.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The soft chime of her timer made Liana's eyes snap open. Grim groaned, flattening his ears to his head with his forepaws.

“Fglnha....Turn it off...” 

He can hear it too.

She quickly silenced the alarm and closed her menu with a flick of her hand, watching as he went back to snoozing. The sky outside was lightening but still far from proper daylight. She went into her settings and turned on Secrecy. With a high enough Stealth modifier, you could conceal your PC icon, and also your menu alerts from other players. This could be countered with a sufficiently high perception. But something told her that as long as she was discreet and careful, she would be able to hide the menu from most everyone.

Assuming this is a game where the NPC's can see the menu. Or not a game...

Her bandaged hand tightened, the faint throb of pain reminding her that this was not the sort of setting she was used to.

I'd better treat this as it's own death game until I figure out some rules. If this is a tutorial like I think it is, then I should get some more clues. Regardless, I'm playing it safe until I can figure out what to do next.

Liana carefully slipped out of bed to investigate the dorm. The clothes she had laid out the night before, pulled from her inventory, were still on the old chair. Further proof that she was either having a very consistent dream or she had somehow been transported to a new reality. She stuck close to the walls, judging that the floorboards were less creaky there than they were at the center of the floor.

The bathroom she had found the night before was in even worse shape in good light. But she still took advantage of the functional lock to change out of the ornate black and violet robe she had found herself in yesterday. The ceremonial attire that Grim had been so desperate to get his paws on.

Curious, Liana eyed it up and down and activated her little used Appraise skill.

Tight, even stitching. It fit me as though it were tailored. Very fine material, though not one I am familiar with. Possibly actual gold thread. Every student was wearing this last night, so I'm assuming I was a part of a large ritual that this was a component of. And it has hardly wrinkled even though I slept in it. Magical? No way for me to tell.

Storing it in her Inventory would be the easiest thing. She certainly didn't trust the closet or wardrobe. But this was also something she was known to have so if it wasn't easily visible, it could be a bit odd.

I'll have to get used to being called Yuu again.

Her Alfheim friends used her name and her screen name interchangeably. It wouldn't be that big of a stretch to go back to it. Just a different mindset that she had compartmentalized for her own well being.

Yuu didn't see people the same way as Liana did. Liana had never dealt with a genuine threat in her life. She grieved her brother, missed him and clung to her friends across the world to stay sane.

Yuu saw people as potential threats. And though she had accepted Jax's death, she was still angry over his loss. Yuu held onto her comrades like her life depended on it because it did.

There was an ominous sounding chuckle rising from the floor and Yuu looked down sharply to see the top of a hat poking through the floor.

“You're an early riser, prefe-”

One of the ghosts from last night froze upon seeing her, milky eyes going wide with shock. She carefully folded the robe as best she could, resolving to find someplace sheltered with hopefully less dust to keep it in.

“Good morning to you too. I don't think I caught your name last night.’

The ghost remained motionless, gawking at her. She crouched and poked at his face curiously. It felt like waving her hand through mist, only it wasn't wet but some other unique feeling. He flinched and popped wholly into the room, his form losing its distinction in shock.

“You're a girl!”

“Yeah. Guess it wasn't that obvious in the robe, huh?”

The ghost seemed genuinely distressed, wringing his hands and turning this way and that.

“Oh dear. Oh dear oh dear oh dear. This is going to make some waves.”

Exposition?

“How so?”

Yuu rose to talk with him more readily, keeping her tone level and non accusatory. He seemed to be winding himself up well enough without her help.

“Night Raven College is a boy's school. And you've been presented to the Mirror as a student and accepted as one!”

“But I wasn't sorted in a dormitory.”

He waved his hands impatiently.

“That doesn't matter! Not every teenager that stands before the mirror has a clearly defined soul. Sometimes it takes a bit more time for them to figure out the direction of their ambition, and sometimes it even changes as they are here. The part that makes you a student of Night Raven College is the gate, the robe and the mirror, not the dormitory placement!”

It was part of a ritual. I knew it.

“What does being a student mean as opposed to being a guest?”

“Lots of things. Way too many for just this puff of ectoplasm to remember. Oh, this is going to be so stressful but so very interesting!”

[snowfox102]

I added the Franklin Badge to my lineup of MOTHER/EarthBound pin designs! This one is based on the way it looks in Smash Bros since that's kind of accepted as the "main" appearance, though I would like to make the gold colored version too. It comes in two sizes.

[azure-firecracker]

X-Files Season 1: MVA Awards

So I’m aware that my most popular post on here is about Mulder and Scully not being the best agents in the world all the time (and I love them for it). That being said, they do have their moments, so I decided that every time I wrap up a season, I’ll be giving out MVA (most valuable agent-not motor vehicle accident) awards for each episode.

Since I basically only have 2 characters to choose from, this won’t be too surprising, but I thought it was important to acknowledge our agents’ good agent-ing.

Some of these choices will be obvious, some less so. Feel free to comment YOUR favorite MVA moments:) Awards and explanations under the cut.

Pilot: Mulder-For solving the entire case based on very little information (still don’t get how he figured it out), and for explaining UFO phenomena to Scully and, by extension, us.

Deep Throat: Scully-For taking the air base agent hostage and exchanging him for Mulder (this was iconic!)

Squeeze: Mulder-For figuring out all the supernatural weirdness (a trend across basically all episodes), and for saving Scully from Tooms.

Conduit: Honestly they weren’t doing too great this episode, but I’ll give it to Mulder for saving that kid from the motorcycles (he’s FAST).

The Jersey Devil: Scully-For bailing Mulder out of jail and for later scaring away the Jersey Devil before it could kill him.

Shadows: Honestly neither of them were doing anything in particular this episode. I guess I’ll give it to Mulder for helping find the evidence in the office.

Ghost in the Machine: Scully-For fighting her way out of the vent/fan death trap and rescuing Mulder from gunpoint.

Ice: Scully-For generally being the most levelheaded one there, and for figuring out how to neutralize the parasitic worms.

Space: Our agents didn’t do a ton in this one, so I’m going to give this MVA award to a one off character, Michelle-for basically running NASA Mission Control by herself for much of the episode, even when everything was going to shit (and after being in a car accident!)

Fallen Angel: Scully-For bailing Mulder out of jail (again), and for scrubbing in at the drop of a hat to help all of the burn victims.

Eve: Mulder-For realizing that their drinks were poisoned and for catching the twins.

Fire: Scully-For basically solving the entire case on her own while Mulder was…emotionally occupied, and for taking care of Mulder after he was fire traumatized in the middle (also for putting up with all of Phoebe’s shenanigans in a very professional manner).

Beyond the Sea: Scully (obviously), for protecting Mulder after he was shot, for striking up a potentially dangerous connection with Luther Lee Boggs, and for chasing the killer to his death. All while she was grieving her father, if you believe that.

Genderbender: Mulder-For saving Scully from the weird seductive gender transforming alien cult person (honestly the only scene in the episode where they didn’t massively fail at everything).

Lazarus: Mulder-For figuring out the body swap insanely fast, for successfully finding Scully when she was being held hostage, and for leading the charge into Lula’s apartment (it is her apartment right?)

Young at Heart: Mulder-For overcoming his trauma, shooting John Barnett, and saving the cello player.

E.B.E: Scully-For that great « the truth is out there, but so are lies » speech (this was another episode where our agents did not actually do many things).

Miracle Man: Another episode where not much was done, but I’ll give this one to Scully for her autopsy skills.

Shapes: Another one off character-this one goes to Sheriff Tskany for making sure Mulder and Scully got the information they needed, and for shooting the manitou and saving them both.

Darkness Falls: Mulder-For making his deal with Spinney, which was the only reason they all got as far out as they did and were able to be saved.

Tooms: Scully-For being simultaneously professional and snarky to FBI superiors, for keeping Mulder sane on his stakeout, and for pulling Mulder out of the escalator den just in time.

Born Again: Mulder-Once again, for figuring out all of the supernatural weirdness based on very little information and somehow getting everything right.

Roland: Scully-For getting through to Roland at the right time, and for being seemingly the only one to have any idea of how to interact with autistic people.

The Erlenmeyer Flask: Scully-For breaking into a government facility and risking her career (possibly her life) in order to steal evidence and save Mulder, and for being ready for anything during the bridge exchange. I’m convinced Mulder may have died on the bridge if she hadn’t been there.

Let me know if y’all like these, I’d love to keep doing them for season 2!

[thesims4blogger]

The Sims 4: Official Laundry List (December 1st, 2023)

The Sims Direct Communications, the official Twitter account for technical information on The Sims 4, has just shared a new Laundry List of bug fixes that should be resolved with the next game update.

Although an exact date hasn’t been confirmed for the next patch, it is safe fo assume it is going live on Tuesday, December 5th, two days before the release of The Sims 4 For Rent Expansion Pack.

Sul Sul Simmers!

Welcome to this month’s Laundry List, where we share a list of the top community concerns we’re currently investigating and hope to resolve in the next patch. This is only a list of topics with upcoming fixes; there are more topics reported by players that are not listed and are still being worked on.This list is based on reports by players on Answers HQ and helps us continue our work of improving the user experience on a regular basis.

Please note that some topics can be tricky and may require an extended investigation on our end, so even though we are actively reviewing, it’s not a guarantee that we’ll have an immediate fix in the upcoming patch.

Here’s the list of the community concerns we’re investigating and aiming to resolve in the game update this month: 

Admired Icon: Can't fulfill 250 followers on Social Bunny

Sims Use Far Away Sink for Dishes instead of Close

Sims excessively making coffee/tea, autonomy issue

Issues after placing " Standard gas oven by blazin ladles" oven.

Sims gaining fame eventhough they are out of the spotlight

Sims Won't Finish Meal If Finish Drink First

Sims excessively "Ask What Happened"

Constant kitchen fires with fear of fires trait

Plant reverts to dirt pile (Sim is on different lot on season change)

Game 'freezes' occasionally when opening in-game menus

Sims created via genetics are having default body hair

Sims doing country dancing when different style of music is playing

Build Mode Undo Button That Brings Up The Search Menu

Excessive use of phones and use in inappropriate places

Want to solve hard problems for kids but only available to teens

Errands Taste of Adventure: Cross stich task doesn't fulfill

Song/Book/Paint/Nectar progress bar fills up action never finishes

Sims enter locked apartments/houses

Thank you for all your patience and valuable help in reporting!

Please continue sharing with us any issues you’re experiencing on Answers HQ.

We’ll continue to check in and together we can make this game the best it can be. Happy Simming!

[therumpus]

Strong Women and Tenderness in Poetry: A Conversation with Caitlin Coey

by Jeri Frederickson

Through the strength of Ani DiFranco’s songs, Jessica Chastain’s ass-kicking characters, and a host of friends, Caitlin Coey’s debut poetry collection, Without the Cliff (Finishing Line Press, 2023) weaves strength and beauty to bolster the reader through the grieving and painful seasons of life. The poems explore complex memories and relationships through healing and beauty.

Coey is a queer writer whose work focuses on gender-based violence, mental health, queer love, and the importance of friendship. Her poetry names childhood traumas that many have experienced and reminds readers they are not alone. Coey’s poems resonate with the strength of friendships that guide folks out of dark nights of the soul. Her works reimagine what could have or should have been - and how to draw strength from the icons of our day. Her poetry has appeared in Shambles, The Roadrunner Review, Awakened Voices, Sad Girls Club, and The Heduan Review.

Coey and I met attending poetry seminars and workshops, and I have had the privilege to publish her poems in Awakened Voices, a journal for survivors of sexual violence. I spoke with her recently on Zoom to learn how these poems came to be and how she has cared for herself and her reader.

***

The Rumpus: Congratulations on your debut book! How did Without the Cliff ��title come about?

Caitlin Coey: There is a poem in the book called “A Prayer for When Legs Crumble and Vision Blurs” and the last couplet is “make me Thelma and Louise without the cliff.” It's a prayer to myself about wanting to be strong. Something I do as a coping mechanism when I’m feeling disempowered is watch movies and TV shows where strong women are kicking butt and defeating villains. It’s comforting because I know it’ll end well and my body remembers what it is to feel empowered. 

Rumpus: The book ends on a poem with strong women and a prayer. You’ve offered coping mechanisms to the reader at the end.

Coey: The poem that ends the book now is a calming poem. It's a soothing poem. My goal was always to be mindful of not overly protecting, but not triggering the reader. I didn’t want to include anything just because it was difficult or because it was shocking. So, ending with a piece that's comforting is like giving the reader a warm blanket, and it lets the reader know that I, as the author, am okay too.

Rumpus: Why is it important to you that the reader knows the author is okay?

Coey: I come from a theater background and if you're an actor in a challenging scene, and you're not okay as the actor, the audience knows that. Then the audience worries about you instead of following the story and having their own experience. That's something that I really carry with me as a writer. I didn't want to shy away from anything, but I also didn’t want to re-traumatize anyone if I could help it. I know there's a big divide about trigger warnings, but I like to have them. At 34, I know what a lot of my triggers are, not all of them, but a lot. Even if there aren’t the words “trigger warning” or “content warning,” there are often breadcrumbs and you can sense what something is going to be and choose if you want to engage with it. To be clear—even if I end up being triggered by something I watch or read, I'm never mad at the person who made the art. But if there are intentionally no breadcrumbs and no warning of any kind, it feels like valuing the art over the mental health of the audience.

Rumpus: You begin the book with an Ani Difranco quote. Is this a way to prepare the reader and yourself for the sometimes difficult content in the book?

Coey: As many queer women do, I have a long relationship with Ani DiFranco and I love that song “If He Tries Anything” from the album “Out of Range.” It makes me feel empowered. I was probably listening to it during the writing of many of these poems. I wanted there to be those breadcrumbs. The dedication is to survivors. For me it functions as both a welcome and a content warning. For this book, I’m saying listen this happened to me, and I made it out of the bottom of the well, metaphorically. And you're going to be okay too. The only reason I was able to write any of this is because I had people around me who showed me how to get out because they’d been there too.

Rumpus: How did you know these poems all went into a collection?

Coey: I've been writing for most of my life—since I was ten—but it was sporadic. When I started going to therapy and diving into and uncovering the stuff that I talk about in the book and dealing with it, writing is what helped. The poems go together because they’re all a part of my healing process.

Rumpus: There are several poems that are letters to specific people in your life, but the reader gets to be someone who knows you and the person that these letters are written to.

Coey: I’m glad to hear that as a reader you feel let in by those pieces. I got some feedback a while ago that those poems shouldn't be in the book because they’re an inside thing between me and somebody the reader doesn't know. I was adamant they needed to go in the book because those people are very important to me.

Now there's a lot of books and surveys that talk about how friendship is equally as important as romantic relationships. But I remember a time when, and maybe it was just the atmosphere I was in, but friendship was looked at as a placeholder to romance. I’ve never agreed with that. I wanted to elevate the importance of friendship and show that a big part of what enables me to be okay enough to write about what’s in the book are the people I wrote letters to.

Rumpus: As a fellow writer, I was impressed with the beauty of the language that was in poems that include difficult subject matter. As a reader, it also felt like an elevation that holds everything.

Coey:  I have always dealt with complicated feelings with metaphor, even before I knew what a metaphor was. As a kid, I had a lot of really complicated feelings, but I didn't know how to describe them. I can remember being asked, “Do you feel sad? Do you feel happy?” I was always like, “That's not enough; those aren't enough words.” I still have trouble as a 34 year-old identifying my feelings sometimes, which is a result of things I talk about in the book. So, I use imagery to express myself and to understand how I feel and what I think.

Rumpus: This beautiful language also extends through the First Kiss series.

Coey: The first one I’d never written about before because it's about a coercive experience. I was always mad that was how my first kiss went. And you know, you can get into conversations with friends about first kisses and what they were like and it’s supposed to be fun. I would always have to decide if I was going to say the real thing or pick something else. And that just makes me so mad and sad for myself. So, I wrote what I wished instead, which is where the redux poem comes in. The other First Kiss poems are those alternative stories. I liked the idea of surprising the reader in an exciting way with those stories. I’m reframing the experiences and choosing what I want to tell in the moment.

Rumpus: Is Without the Cliff telling the story you want to tell?

Coey: Absolutely. I hope people feel less alone. Maybe one day we won't have to say this anymore, but writing about trauma isn’t just therapeutic, it’s valid artistic material. Even ten years ago, I can remember feeling like my work didn’t have a place in the literary world, and that could have been my specific bubble, but I don’t think so. With that idea resounding in society, it can be hard to keep writing about these difficult things, to remember that your voice is important. That’s what I want people to know. Don't listen to the critic in your head saying you don't matter or that nobody wants to hear it because it’s not true. Your story is valuable.

________________________________________

Jeri Frederickson is the author of You Are Not Lost, available from Finishing Line Press. She is the Creative Director of a nonprofit arts organization in Chicago whose mission centers survivors of sexual violence. She graduated from Antioch University Los Angeles with an MFA in Writing.

[lonely-vivid-devil]

❀ - rules

i do not do pride flag icons unless i make a post or something specifically saying i will do something. don't request them,, they're boring for me to do lol

as mentioned in my byf, i can delete any requests i want for whatever reason !

i will do ship/pairing layouts. i will not edit for ships that are incestuous or pedophilic in nature. (i will edit for toyakasa/toyasaki !)

the way i do edits will be in the style of all of the images on my blog, turning images monochrome and adding a spotlight highlight. please specify what color you would like or i will use a color i associate with the character.

if you have a specific image you would like me to include but would like to remain anonymous, i can do that for you. please specify.

please mention if you would like no kin/me/id/fo tags.

anything i make will be usable by anyone as long as they credit and reblog.

be as specific as possible when requesting.

❀ - some personal boundaries under cut

anything made of an shiraishi (project sekai) or furina (genshin impact) will automatically be tagged as no kin/me/id/fo tags, and this applies to the requester.

strange ships to avoid, i'm aware, but i prefer not to see akitoya or kanamafu requested. i will accept requests based on these two very selectively.

i will not do headcanon edits for images with unique / dramatic lighting as i simply am not talented enough.

[kylesvariouslistsandstuff]

Some random opening weekend predictions for animated movies for the rest of the year and maybe some 2025 ones, too...

THE GARFIELD MOVIE - Somewhere around $30m-45m. The only thing we can kind of base this on is the live-action GARFIELD from 2004, which did okay at best, wasn't really all that big back then. Whereas this is all-animated and much more recognizably Garfield & co., which I think will help it open above your typical post-COVID outbreak animated movie. It's the first all-new animated picture since KUNG FU PANDA 4, though not the first kid-friendly movie, as IF will open the weekend before it. Still, it's Garfield. Well-known, decades-old character. I guess the only other comparison here would have to be THE PEANUT MOVIES, which opened w/ $44m back in fall 2015. So yeah, somewhere in that ballpark.

INSIDE OUT 2 - Over $100m. The first INSIDE OUT opened with $90m back in 2015. Adjusted, that's definitely higher than $100m now. Anxiety was a huge hit upon the teaser release last fall, too. Could be a Grogu-esque character for the film that gets everyone in droves to check it out... So yeah, easy $100m opening. Will sit up there with THE SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE ($146m) and SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE ($120m), as grand champion animated openings post-March 2020. Could even make a play for the record, which currently belongs to the 2019 LION KING ($191m). If we don't want to count those kinds of CG movies, then... INCREDIBLES 2, with $182m.

DESPICABLE ME 4 - Over $60m. MINIONS: THE RISE OF GRU opened to a great $107m back in 2022, being the first movie in this franchise in five years (it had been delayed from its original planned summer 2020 release date), and it also helped that the DESPICABLE ME franchise was over ten years old by that point - the first movie having turned 10 in July 2020. I think that definitely helped MINIONS 2, and out of nowhere came that whole meme with people dressing up in fancy suits to see the movie. That's a sort of thing that can't be engineered, and can't happen again... Thus, I expect DESPICABLE ME 4 to perform a little more closely to DESPICABLE ME 3 (that opened to $72m back in 2017) and open above $60m. Could be anywhere between that and $80m, really. Maybe higher, if there's something of a nostalgia rush for it like there was for MINIONS 2.

TRANSFORMERS ONE - Over $25m. Tricky, given that this is an all-new take on Transformers and all-animated no less. I'll compare this to fellow Paramount animated film TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: MUTANT MAYHEM. That movie came off of two live-action takes on the characters (released in 2014 and 2016), and prior to that there was a single animated movie in 2007 that made an okay amount of money, and there were the three live-action movies from the 1990s, the first of which being iconic... MUTANT MAYHEM opened with $28m last year, so I expect a similar turnout for TF ONE. Especially coming a year after RISE OF THE BEASTS (opened with $60m). With no footage out yet, it'll have to make a real impression the way MUTANT MAYHEM did in order to not get fully dismissed as "Oh, a TRANSFORMERS cartoon now?" Keep in mind, the first SPIDER-VERSE got that kind of reaction in 2018, and opened w/ $35m.

THE WILD ROBOT - Over $30m. I sense a real hype for this one, unlike most non-sequel animated movies released over the past couple of years. And even before COVID, honestly. The trailer really, *really* made an impression. At the movie theater I work at, between co-workers and guests commenting on the poster? Yeah, I think this one possibly scores the biggest opening for a DreamWorks non-sequel since THE BOSS BABY ($50m) all the way back in 2017. The bar isn't too high, for CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS, ABOMINABLE, and THE BAD GUYS grossed between $20-25m on their respective opening weekends, while RUBY GILLMAN came and went. This one, I think, will surprise.

THE DAY THE EARTH BLEW UP - Over $10m. It's Looney Tunes, yes. It's 2D, also. I don't expect a huge opening for it, given how the tides often flow. No doubt fans and those who have been keeping track of its existence will show up. Not sure how GFM goes about marketing and advertising this one, but I'm basing this on how a lot of non-anime 2D films - whether they're based on pre-existing franchises or not - did over the past 15 years.

MOANA 2 - Over $100m. The first MOANA opened with $56m back in 2016 and legged it up to a $245m+ domestic gross. Pretty solid run in theaters... But on streaming? E-X-P-L-O-D-E-D... It continues to be one of the most streamed movies of all-time, every year. Something about it, really keeps it atop the tidal wave. The post-theatrical life for this movie is ROBUST... Thus, I think this sequel will be a massive opener.

THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE WAR OF THE ROHIRRIM - Over $10m. Being an anime take on LORD OF THE RINGS, I think this will largely be ignored on its opening weekend, looked at as just "a LORD OF THE RINGS cartoon". With some diehards and animation fans such as ourselves showing up. Could be a leggy surprise thereafter, though.

MUFASA: THE LION KING - Over $30m. Whenever a sequel/prequel/whatever to a Disney remake crops up, it usually doesn't do great. ALICE IN WONDERLAND (2010), for example, was a billion dollar smash. Six years later came ALICE THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS, which didn't make half of what the first Burton movie made worldwide. It did pitifully domestically, opening with $26m, waaaaay down from the first one's $116m opening take. MALEFICENT 2 had a similar trajectory, though not as harsh as a come down. That opened with $36m domestically, down from the first's $70m opening. I think LION KING prequel - coming off of the first, which opened with $191m - has a similar fate. It'll also have SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3 to compete with.

DOG MAN - Over $10m. Basically a milder CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS. Looking at the likes of MIGRATION and such, it'll be a teens opener, probably having spectacular legs afterwards.

THE SMURF MOVIE - Over $10m. Kinda hard to gauge. A little while ago, Sony Animation did SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE in 2017, which opened with $13m. That came off of two relatively recent live-action hybrid movies. In 2025, it'll have been almost 10 years since LOST VILLAGE, so maybe that helps it? Maybe the new approach helps it? Remains to be seen, this is based on what little we know of it... But we already had three Smurfs movies in the 2010s, so it seems like it'll only do alright.

[pasoroblesinn]

Discover the Best Things to Do in Paso Robles

If you're planning a trip to California’s Central Coast, prepare to fall in love with Paso Robles. This charming town is more than just a wine lover’s paradise—it’s a playground for foodies, adventurers, history buffs, and those simply seeking a little rest and relaxation. Whether you're here for a weekend getaway or an extended stay, you'll find plenty of unforgettable things to do in Paso Robles.

Staying at Paso Robles Inn? Even better. This centrally located hotel puts you steps from top Paso Robles activities, downtown attractions, and endless opportunities for wine tasting and exploration.

🍷 Sip, Savor & Explore Paso Robles Wine Country

Let’s be honest—wine is what draws many visitors here, and for good reason. Paso Robles is home to more than 200 wineries, with picturesque vineyards scattered across rolling hills. From small boutique cellars to iconic estates, there's a tasting experience for everyone.

Some popular nearby wineries include:

DAOU Vineyards – Elevated tastings with breathtaking views

Justin Vineyards & Winery – A must-visit for full-bodied reds

Eberle Winery – One of the region’s pioneers with free tastings

Sculpterra Winery – Where art, wine, and nature meet

Wondering what to do in Paso Robles after your first glass of Syrah? Hop on the Paso Robles Wine Trolley or book a guided tasting tour to safely sample your way through the region.

🏞️ Outdoor Adventures & Scenic Beauty

Paso Robles isn’t just for sipping—it’s for exploring. If you're the type who loves wide-open spaces, there’s no shortage of outdoor Paso Robles activities to fill your days.

Visit the Paso Robles Pioneer Museum for a glimpse into the area’s rich history

Take a hot air balloon ride for stunning aerial views of wine country

Hike through Lake Nacimiento or Santa Margarita Lake

Stroll through Downtown City Park, just outside Paso Robles Inn

Relax at nearby hot springs or soak in a private spa tub back at the Inn

From sunrise hikes to peaceful picnics, nature is always within reach.

🌟 Downtown Attractions in Paso Robles

Located at the heart of downtown, Paso Robles Inn makes it easy to access the town’s most beloved spots on foot. If you're asking yourself, “Where are the best attractions in Paso Robles?” — the answer is right outside your door.

Some must-see downtown highlights:

Paso Robles Downtown City Park – Great for events, people-watching, and farmers markets

Studios on the Park – A vibrant gallery featuring local artists

Paso Market Walk – Artisan shops, craft eats, and community vibes

Carnegie Library – A historic gem nestled in the park

After a full day of exploring, return to the Inn and unwind by the koi pond or sip a glass of wine in your private balcony hot tub. It's the perfect blend of adventure and tranquility.

🌅 Don’t Miss Sensorio: A Dazzling Light Experience

One of the newest and most stunning attractions in Paso Robles is Sensorio: Field of Light by artist Bruce Munro. This immersive light display features thousands of fiber-optic stemmed spheres that shimmer and shift across the landscape. It’s surreal, serene, and absolutely Instagram-worthy.

Sensorio is just a short drive from Paso Robles Inn and is a must-see experience for guests of all ages.

🥂 Eat, Drink & Indulge in Local Flavor

Paso Robles’ culinary scene is just as impressive as its wine. With everything from farm-to-table fine dining to casual bites, you’ll never go hungry here.

Some local favorites:

Cattlemen’s Lounge at Paso Robles Inn – Sip craft cocktails and enjoy comfort food with a view

Thomas Hill Organics – Creative dishes made with locally sourced ingredients

La Cosecha – Latin American flavors in a cozy downtown setting

The Hatch Rotisserie & Bar – Rustic, soulful dishes and great cocktails

And don’t forget dessert—try Negranti Creamery for sheep’s milk ice cream or stop by Just Baked for a sweet treat.

🛏️ Stay Close to It All at Paso Robles Inn

What makes Paso Robles Inn such a special home base for your adventures? It’s the location, history, and unique offerings all rolled into one.

Enjoy historic charm with modern amenities

Book a vineyard view or hot springs tub room

Dine onsite at the Paso Robles Inn Steakhouse

Relax in the peaceful courtyard gardens

Be just steps away from all the best Paso Robles activities

Whether you're traveling with friends, family, or that special someone, the Inn sets the stage for unforgettable memories.

✅ Your Paso Robles Bucket List (Save This!)

Here’s a quick list to guide your visit:

☐ Go wine tasting at 2-3 local wineries ☐ Take a sunset stroll in Downtown City Park ☐ Catch the Field of Light at Sensorio ☐ Enjoy dinner and drinks at Cattlemen’s Lounge ☐ Visit the Pioneer Museum or Studios on the Park ☐ Book a spa session or relax in your in-room tub ☐ Explore shops and eateries at Paso Market Walk ☐ Watch the stars from a vineyard patio

📍Plan Your Trip Today

There are so many things to do in Paso Robles, and Paso Robles Inn is your front-row seat to it all. Whether you're sipping wine, soaking in local history, or simply watching the sunset, every moment here is worth savoring.

👉 Start planning your getaway today

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How a Business Center in Downtown Dubai Supports International Businesses

Dubai has firmly positioned itself as a global business powerhouse, attracting investors, entrepreneurs, and companies from around the world. One of the most sought-after locations in the city for international operations is Downtown Dubai — a dynamic area known for its luxury, connectivity, and corporate reputation. For businesses planning to establish or expand in the UAE, a business center in Downtown Dubai offers the perfect launchpad.

This blog explores how a premium business center supports international companies and why Dubai Business Center Offices is a top choice for those seeking flexibility, infrastructure, and credibility in the heart of the city.

The Appeal of Downtown Dubai for International Companies

Downtown Dubai is often referred to as the commercial and cultural epicenter of the city. Housing iconic landmarks such as the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, and the Dubai Opera, this location reflects sophistication and modernity.

International businesses benefit from this setting in multiple ways:

Global connectivity: Just 15 minutes from Dubai International Airport

Proximity to financial institutions and government offices

Access to high-end accommodations and restaurants for client meetings

Prestigious corporate address

Establishing a presence in a business center in Downtown Dubai gives your company instant credibility and makes a powerful first impression on clients and partners.

Fully Equipped Workspaces: Ready for Immediate Use

A significant challenge for international businesses setting up in a new country is managing time and cost. Office fit-outs, utility connections, and administrative setup can delay operations. This is where a business center adds tremendous value.

Dubai Business Center Offices offers:

Furnished offices with ergonomic designs

Modern meeting and conference rooms

Fast and secure internet connectivity

Printing, scanning, and administrative support

Professional reception and phone answering services

These services help international teams focus on their core operations while the business center handles the rest. Whether you're a two-person consultancy or a growing satellite office, you'll find the resources you need under one roof.

Flexibility to Match Your Growth

Every international company has different goals and budgets when entering a new market. A business center in Downtown Dubai gives you the flexibility to scale operations without the pressure of long-term leases or unnecessary expenses.

Dubai Business Center Offices offers several workspace options:

Private offices for confidential operations

Shared coworking spaces ideal for collaboration

Virtual offices with a prime business address and mail handling

On-demand meeting rooms for presentations and client sessions

This modular approach allows companies to upgrade or downsize based on seasonal demand, hiring changes, or project needs.

Business Setup Assistance and Licensing Support

Setting up a business in Dubai involves navigating various legal and regulatory requirements. For international entrepreneurs, this can be a challenging process. A well-connected business center in Downtown Dubai like Dubai Business Center Offices provides direct assistance with business setup and licensing.

Key support services include:

Assistance with mainland or free zone trade license applications

Ejari registration for office tenancy documentation

PRO services for visa and immigration paperwork

Help with banking and VAT registration

This hands-on guidance ensures that international companies stay compliant while launching smoothly and quickly.

Professional Environment That Enhances Corporate Image

Image matters — especially for global brands entering a new region. Working out of a modern, professionally managed facility in Downtown Dubai significantly enhances your company’s credibility. Clients, partners, and investors associate this location with high standards, stability, and forward-thinking enterprise.

Dubai Business Center Offices has curated a high-end professional environment that includes:

Elegant interior designs

Concierge-level reception services

Private lounges and client waiting areas

High-quality maintenance and security

For international businesses looking to create the right impression from day one, location and presentation are key.

Multilingual Staff and Cultural Understanding

Operating in a foreign market can present communication challenges. That’s why multilingual support is essential. At Dubai Business Center Offices, the staff are proficient in English, Arabic, and several other international languages. This ensures seamless communication with clients, government departments, and internal teams.

Moreover, the staff are trained to work with professionals from diverse cultural backgrounds, making international guests feel comfortable and understood.

Ideal for Meetings, Networking, and Remote Teams

Modern businesses need flexible spaces to host meetings, collaborate with remote teams, and conduct workshops. A business center in Downtown Dubai serves as a functional and inspiring setting for all these needs.

The facilities at Dubai Business Center Offices include:

AV-equipped conference rooms

Event spaces for seminars or product launches

Lounge areas for informal team meetings

Quiet zones for focused work

The opportunity to network with professionals from various industries also leads to unexpected partnerships and collaborations — a huge plus for international startups and SMEs.

24/7 Access and Top-Notch Security

International teams may operate across time zones, which makes 24/7 access essential. At Dubai Business Center Offices, businesses enjoy round-the-clock entry, high-level security, and a safe, well-maintained working environment.

This flexibility allows international teams to work at times that suit their headquarters or clients abroad, ensuring productivity isn’t limited by local office hours.

Why Choose Dubai Business Center Offices?

Choosing the right partner is crucial when establishing a presence in Dubai. Here’s why international companies prefer Dubai Business Center Offices:

Located in the prestigious Downtown Dubai

Fully equipped offices with no setup delays

Business licensing and visa support

Multilingual and culturally aware staff

Affordable, flexible pricing plans

Access to networking and client engagement opportunities

Whether you're entering the UAE for the first time or expanding your regional footprint, our business center offers the ideal launchpad.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is included in the office packages at Dubai Business Center Offices?

Our packages typically include furnished office space, internet, reception services, meeting room access, and administrative support. Custom packages are available depending on your needs.

2. Can international clients apply for a UAE trade license through the business center?

Yes. We offer full support for company formation and trade licensing — whether you’re choosing a mainland or free zone setup.

3. How soon can I start using the office after signing up?

In most cases, clients can begin working within 24 to 48 hours, depending on the documentation and type of package selected.

4. Do you offer short-term office rentals for visiting executives?

Yes, we offer flexible daily, weekly, and monthly rentals perfect for business travelers and short-term projects.

5. What kind of businesses commonly use the Dubai Business Center Offices?

We support a range of industries, including tech startups, financial services, consultancy firms, marketing agencies, and international trading companies.

Final Thoughts

International expansion into Dubai is a smart move for forward-thinking businesses. By choosing a business center in Downtown Dubai, companies gain a strategic location, operational efficiency, and professional support all under one roof.

Dubai Business Center Offices makes this transition seamless by offering everything from workspace solutions to legal guidance, all while maintaining a high standard of service and flexibility.

If you're looking to enter the Dubai market with confidence, we’re here to support your journey every step of the way.