#full-text searchable

[nixmcretro]

Docker, GeoCities Search, and RetroChallenge 2022/10 Results

Where to start with the last few days. Why not here! The RetroChallenge 2022/10 results are in. Looks like I nabbed the Grand Prize. Not too bad. 💁‍♀️

[chornayadrakoshig]

I feel sorry for my 13 ao3 subscribers while I'm trying to archive all my fandom shit on ao3

[catastrophic-crisis]

The Video Game History Foundation just launched early access to its (digital) library, which contains development materials, artwork, press kits, promotional materials, and more relating to video games - some of which has never been public before - as well as "Over 1500 full-text searchable out-of-print video game magazines—including game industry trade magazines rarely available to the public."

More magazines ranging from Game Informer to Girl Gamer (the short-lived official Nintendo magazine) linked here.

Some highlights of the digitized library are the Cyan collection (the developer of the Myst adventure game series), which boasts over 200 videotapes and audio recordings including original FMV filming footage and "never-before-seen" interviews with the development team, Fromsoft promotional materials (given with a blessing from Fromsoft to be donated and including materials from Bloodborne to Kuon), and guidebooks and emphemera from video game events like the Electronic Entertainment Expo.

The library collections contain notes that designate whether materials are reproducible (for use in books, videos, etc) or restricted use, if that is a concern.

[incognitopolls]

Excited and relieved to share that I've compiled a full database of this blog's polls, which is searchable by category/keyword.

As I'm sure many of you know, tumblr's search function within a blog is… not great, but it literally returns nothing if the text you're looking for is inside a poll. This database isn't overly sophisticated, but it should solve a great deal of the search problems for me and you both.

As of posting, this is updated through January 7th, 2025. (When I started working on it. Oof!) I'll continue to update it periodically, but you shouldn't expect it to ever be 100% current.

[transmutationisms]

sorry if you've answered this before, but how do you keep track of all your readings? do you have a crazy well organised zotero system? how do you take notes?

I use zotero yes but it's not particularly organised. I have folders for each of my grad classes (when I had those) and then I try to make new folders whenever I'm looking at a new subtopic or body of literature.

it's really an imperfect system though, like truly you don't have to be a professional organising wizard to make this work. for example here are six real folders that exist in my zotero and will do permanently:

Lamarck &c <- secondary literature about Lamarck; some of Lamarck's own works

Lamarck 20thc <- specific clump of early 20th century literature on Lamarck that is usually considered to be secondary literature but that is also occasionally useful to me as primary literature

Lamarck biog <- archival documents pertaining to Lamarck's life; some of Lamarck's own works

Lamarck primary but not authored <- primary biographical sources on Lamarck but nothing he wrote himself

Lamarck primary <- a misnomer, this one means primary sources written by other people who happen to be relevant to things I want to say about Lamarck

5033 <- classwork & term paper pertaining to Lamarck from 2019

these collectively account for maybe 20% of my zotero library and the rest is in similar condition. it's fine because Eye remember the years-long process of that ⬆️ happening and so those folders are still useful mental collections for me. don't let getting organised stand in the way of actually reading things you want to read lol.

when I take notes on nonfic I prioritise reminding myself what page numbers I can find key ideas on. occasionally I write out a full quote but usually my notes look more like this (real copy/paste from the last thing I had open):

145 q about how much influence these doctors had in strengthening the medical profession prior to 1914; focus on their contributions to professional reform. Campaign to abolish the position of health officer in 1870s, aftermath of Medical Reform Act of 1892, efforts to reform pharmacy and nursing. Physician-legislators played an important part in the reorganisation of the medical field post 1870s, but their ability to do so was hindered by the demands of a political career and the expectation that they served as rural spokesmen. 170 narrow focus of professional goals made it hard to equate them with social improvement. The structure of Third Republic politics limited the power of parliament to alter the social forces that regulated progress in the health professions

like the point isn't to learn special journallingg techniques, it's just prompts so I can go back and find things when I'm like "wait who the fuck was saying something about parliamentary structures and doctor careers..?"

I do all my note-taking in zotero as well because then I can text-search all of it in one place with the books themselves (the ones I pirate anyway, which is most).

so the key techniques here for me really boil down to 1) group things together however will make most sense when I'm prompting myself in the future and 2) make it all text-searchable. I don't have some steel trap memory lol I just try to work around what I do have as best I can.

[emblemxeno]

Honestly, the thing that pisses me off the most about Fates's story discourse over 3H story discourse is people stretch themselves to find depth in 3H that doesn't exist, while dismissing Fates outright and assuming it has no depth. All entirely rooted out of the fact Fates is a good story with a bad first impression, while 3H is a bad story with a good first impression, and to most viewers, that's all that matters as opposed to the actual critical analysis of the work itself.

Like, look, I get it. A fun fact: Fates's story in the West was actually better received than IF was in Japan, as while Fates ultimately had a few proud troopers (usually at college-level analysis) who understood what was actually being said, IF apparently botched the script given by Kibayashi badly enough (including much of subtext in Japanese making very little sense on top of poor diction, in the language all about poor diction and subtext) that Treehouse had to clean-up and fix as much as they could while working with the flaws, which is why they were super heavy on people reading into the subtext to get Kibayashi's vision. I get why people make that mistake and assume because the impression is bad it's all bad, we've seen that with so many works of fiction in the past!

But what gets me is when somebody dismisses perfectly good content with tons of depth, meaning and value solely based on first impressions, while giving a pass to anything with a good first impression even when the logic and rhetoric does not follow through. And like, I get why people do this. First impressions matter a lot and is defaulted in being a survival strategy, where you often can't verify what somebody is like except by the immediate first glance of judgement; what separates us between "us" versus "them". And I get why people do this with IRL people, it's why I work so hard to give a good first impression… but fucking honestly, a lot of these stories are fiction, with the information searchable online. You can read about fundamentally crucial plot points and the truth behind the work just from looking up the information online! Video games aren't reality, and thus don't need to actually require the first impression rule… but for most people, it does anyways, and causes people to dismiss perfectly valid or solid content solely not based on the quality it has, but based on bad first impressions in works either unintentionally (FE Fates, Ayane Matsunaga in Persona 4, etc.), or maliciously misrepresented due to author bias (SMT Law, Leon Kuwata in DR1, etc.). What causes me to get so annoyed is when people dismiss what the author has to say or go full on "death of the author" like the author or narrative's input or opinion doesn't matter. It does. You cannot divorce context from the author's ideas and thesis and make it what you want, you've created a fanfiction then! And then you have so many FE fans just assume Fates has no depth whatsoever and that people have to justify to like it, even when it very clearly does in its main text that people reject because it's not a good first impression… it's a vicious cycle rooted in initial fans' disappointment of it not being Edgelord/Villain FE4 like they hoped and instead being... very empathetic and not afraid to have a protagonist (especially male one) have emotions and not afraid to share weakness or cry. And what infuriates me is that when you present evidence that proves the first impression wrong… many people double down and don't actually correct themselves based on the information! That's what infuriates me, as it's a failure to be a good person or care about doing the right thing!

It annoys me as much as it does as somebody who's worked with Autistic kids and is Autistic, and I know the pain of feeling like your insights are rejected based on first impressions than the actual truth of the matter. People need to accept that whatever interpretations of canon they have on a story is irrelevant versus the express purpose of the text, as stated by the devs, because without having the truth, how can one hope to be a good person? "Follow your own justice" with your eyes blind and ears deaf to the consequences of your actions? No, that's when people get hurt, and I get especially vocal because Fates – especially Conquest – has a downright brilliant story that's layered underneath a ton of bad first impressions, and while I get the rule of making judgements based on presentation, that's still not a reason to dismiss the context or spread blatant misinformation or misrepresentation on what is actually happening in the story. If you cannot expressly or accurately talk about the context of what happens in the story divorced from your own headcanons and actually sourced arguments from the text and author's Word of God, you're not qualified to actually talk about it. End of story.

Like, I don't know about what others think, but if I'm giving a bad first impression and say a bunch of things, and then are presented with evidence said bad first impression is wrong… I immediately apologize to the person or thing I've offended, delete anything that I've said that was incorrect about it and firmly stand by them over said first impressions. It's not hard, and it doesn't make you lesser for admitting you were operating on faulty information. What does make you lesser is when you reject that evidence or truth to double down and not actually focus on doing the right thing by correcting your information! I genuinely don't understand it, because it's like somebody being tried at court, evidence comes up that clears their name, and the jury rejects it because, oh I dunno, they're something like a non-offending person with pedophilic disorder (just an example of how a stigmatized group can bias people by conviction via public opinion, and that is ALL I'll say about that land mine), or a communist in the 1950s/anarchist in the 1920s. It doesn't make any sense!

Obviously, bad first impressions shouldn't be dismissed entirely, especially when it turns out to be true... and most of the time, they do! If something stinks of awfulness, chances are it is awful. But the thing that really aggravates me is how much people don't realize they're misrepresenting something that isn't even bad, just poorly understood and continuously misrepresented. There are works that give a bad impression that are bad and works that give a good impression that are good. But I always found it frustrating how people chose the one with good impressions but bad intent or logic over the one one bad impressions but good intent or logic, even when that's not remotely the truth nor is it accurate to the context or subtext. And personally, I'd happily sooner look past something with a bad impression that is actually good, versus something with a good impression that is actually bad. This is what frustrates me about how 3H is given a pass while Fates gets shit when if you actually analyze the text from a college-level reading ability, you begin to see it's the reverse; Fates is downright genius if you actually interlayer the context and subtext, while 3H just flat-out falls apart.

I will say, though, it certainly didn't do favors for my faith in people's ability to read and appreciate canon text. I already have tons of faith in humanity; stuff like the above makes me honestly lack faith in people's ability to be rational or intelligent about context. All I will say is if people like Odovakar's abysmal Fates analysis (asking anonymously so look it up) were given to a college-level course, he'd fail straight out of that exam.

I wish I can go more in-depth like this post deserves, because you make a lot of good points. It's just a lot all at once haha.

What I will say is that while I slightly disagree with the idea that audience reaction has no relevance, this discussion does remind me of what I'm studying in uni right now, things like structuralism vs post structuralism.

What we deal with when it comes to the FE fandom is heavy, heavy doses of post-structuralist (acknowledgement of multiple valid interpretations) analysis that is spun as structuralist (one true meaning that is stable and predictable).

Ultimately, where the best literary and analytical thought comes from is the recognition of both author circumstances and the resulting text product having an impact on an individual's perception of the product.

I dislike 3H's story based on this "equation"; a significant amount of lore that serves little to the plot, characters' entire beings are undercut by the whims of the player insert, and no deep or thought provoking theme beyond whatever each route wants to serve to you leading to the game lacking a strong core (this is within the product) + the devs and writers literally admitting that their product 'gained a life on its own', that there was no one person who knew everything in the plot, and no one in the room telling them to fucking stop (author circumstances) = my perception of the story being that it's a dreadful mess that doesn't know what it wants to be beyond a lore simulator with cute characters who you teach and have tea with.

That's my personalized reaction backed up by subjective analytical thought, as well as sourced facts/circumstances and standard literary criticism. Now I can't expect every single person to go through those steps, but as you said, it's as if the first impression and surface level shit supersedes all of the muck that is under 3H's story, whereas with Fates, the first impression is so irrevocably bad to most people that almost fucking nobody is willing to even entertain that it may have a good story without first coating their sentiments with irony, sarcasm, or timid apologies in advance.

It's so utterly transparent, and so utterly unpopular to point out, because that's the type of gunked up social contract that the community has created and perpetuated. Breaking that resigns someone to mockery, shame, or plain confusion.

But like you, I care immensely about things past first impressions and how things are presented. Why else would I talk about these games years past they've released.

Anyway, thanks for the ask. I never heard of the Japanese reaction to IF being worse than the Western reaction to Fates. I will admit, it's hard to swallow, but I recognize that it's because of the culture I'm inundated with and involved in, so my bias in is full force. Really, all I know was the shit that was completely changed, added, or removed from the JP script to the localized one, but were I to look into it more, I bet I'd see what you're talking about regarding the text in its native language.

[trickstersaint]

a few people have asked to see the full text for aromanticism which i would love to provide in a nice beautiful format where it all looks how it does when you play it. however the insides of it look like this!

and that is 6161 words across 93 passages and i am just not willing to go in there and copy/paste or screenshot them all one by one. so! what i do have is like. almost the raw data, just all of the text of it; not organized by anything and it's got all the command language in there, but it is searchable and you'll be able to follow the little titles through it if you'd like. linking that for you here on my little webbed site in case that satisfies anyone's needs <3 you just have to promise not to judge while you're looking at the guts of it i was learning to use twine as i made this and it is not as gorgeous beautiful when you're not looking at it through the reader interface haha <3

[cinemaocd]

10 people I want to know me better

got tagged by @kaelang12, THANKS

last song:

last book: The Letters of Stephen Gardiner.

last movie: Blue Velvet (1986)

I don't know how I forgot to spend three paragraphs on Dorothy in Blue Velvet on my lynch post earlier last week. I rewatched it and I have a lot of thoughts, but mainly, Jeffrey's comically naive question, "WHY DO MEN LIKE FRANK EXIST?!" is the whole point. Men like Frank are not born that way, they are made, through neglect and abuse. Sir why did you give this monster such wonderful taste in pop music? It's a movie after which you need a shower but also a glass of milk because of the overly sweet ending.

last tv show: M*A*S*H, Tuttle (1970), our family's ultimate pudding TV. Just one joke after another rapid fire, Hawk and Trap in full on flirt mode, Alan Alda's blue eyes in tuttle's funeral...HOLY SHIT SIR STOP. Henry's legit tears. The whole thing is perfection, why we love the show. We reached for it after Blue Velvet LOL...

sweet/spicy/savory: sweet probably...hardest thing to stick to in my "nutrition is self care" diet. I like fruit and a chocolate chip buckwheat pancake with syrup. I don't think I should give it up. Maybe just eat a salad for lunch, lol.

relationship status: Married, 23 year this summer. We have a son who turns 19 in a short while

last thing i googled: "searchable text letters of stephen steven gardiner"...

looking forward to: doing some writing, watching a film with friends online, burrowing in for a chilly evening with pizza with the fam and the final part of our annual Trylogia rewatch.

Yeah that's right. Spending the evening with these babes:

current obsession: Stephen Gardiner, Trylogia, Classic film, writing fic again, self care, yoga, and way too much of the blue hellsite (affectionate).

Ten People I want to know me better:

@ardenrosegarden, @miewmiew77, @historyartthings, @cosmic-walkers, @fuerst-von-argot, @mackdaddyofthecravate, @nicholasvanryn, @dykeofwellington, @mametupa, @cursemewithyourkiss

No pressure but it is nice to have the occasional show and tell as distraction.

Hope you all have a safe and warm holiday weekend.

[aenariasbookshelf]

Fic: The Intern (MCU/911 ccrossover)

Finally posting this here because I have apparently lost my goddamn mind and it's all @typhoidmeri's fault.

(Also I have had an absolutely terrible last few months and could use some validation, pretty please.)

Title: The Intern

Summary: “Okay, wait, why the hell is your name popping up in a SHIELD file, of all places?”

All right, so maybe there are still one or two secrets in Buck’s closet. But in his defense, they’re all Darcy Lewis’s fault anyway, so the blame lies solely in her hands.

a/n: I plead temporary insanity, that’s the only explanation for this piece, which is probably only of interest to me and like three other friends. But, given the last few months I’ve had, I figured it was worth it to exorcise some demons and get this piece out before I chicken out.

Timeline wise (which, dear god, trying to figure out timelines for this show gives me a migraine), this takes place very early in S1. Like first couple of episodes early. As for the MCU, we’re going with a kinder, they all lived in the tower sort of a universe, no Civil War, no Thanos, etc. Because that’s how I roll.

More notes after the piece to avoid spoilers.

*

“Okay, wait, why the hell is your name popping up in a SHIELD file, of all places?”

Buck looks over Hen’s shoulder at the tablet in front of her, a page of search results front and center on the screen. Halfway down the page, past a few youtube entries of his spiderman interview, is a link to a searchable database full of files from the massive 2014 document leak that emerged when SHIELD had collapsed in on itself.

Ah, shit.

“Why the hell are you googling me?” is all he asks instead, because this is a story that he really doesn’t want to get into.

Actually, he may not even be able to get into it, considering the approximate 5 billion NDAs he   had to sign before he closed the book on that so-called vacation. None of which were his fault, thank you. He was just an…innocent bystander. Ish. He really just followed his cousin straight into the midst of trouble. So really, it was all her fault.

“Because that’s what we do with the new people around here, probie,” Chimney adds. “So what exactly were you doing in the UK in 2013?”

Buck just gives them a wink instead, because that’s what they’d expect from him. “Well, I’d tell ya, but then I’ll have to kill you.”

I mean, it’s not like people haven’t heard about aliens by now, especially in light of what happened in New York in 2012. Which was another incident that was also his cousin’s fault, though it doesn’t look like Hen and Chimney have found that link yet. So that’s one small mercy, at least.

“Just like a bargain basement James Bond.”

He’s ready to fire back another retort at Hen, but then the alarm bell goes off and it’s time to go to work, all talk about mysterious files forgotten.

(Though, to be fair, before Buck skips down the stairs he makes sure to wipe the history and cookies from Hen’s tablet. Just in case.)

*

It’s well after ten by the time Buck gets back to the frat house, which is still buzzing because his taste in roommates isn’t exactly the greatest (look, he knew at least one of them before he got there from Peru, and the room was cheap enough that it totally didn’t obliterate the meager salary he got as a probationary firefighter) and, well, it was a Thursday. Any excuse for a party, really. He doesn’t bother to hang around, just gives them a wave and heads up to his room.

He tosses his duffel into the corner, and is sure to lock the door behind him, because no one needs to witness the call he’s about to make.

With an exhausted sigh he flops down on the bed, but he can’t sleep. Not yet. Not if he’s going to speak to his cousin and annoy the hell out of her in the process. He pulls up Darcy’s entry in his phone, flips over to the text message thread.

>> hey u up?

Is what he texts, solely because he knows it’s going to annoy the hell out of her.

About ten seconds later his screen lights up with an incoming FaceTime call, followed quickly by Darcy’s familiar face. Brown hair tossed up into a messy bun, glasses, pursed lips, and definite dark circles under her eyes from some inevitable late nights.  He can’t see much of the room behind her, but there’s plenty of glass and steel and sterile white walls, which doesn’t exactly scream astrophysics to Buck, but then again what does he know?

“Hey, fireboy!” she says, far too chipper for the late hour.

“Really? That’s the best you can do?”

“It’s after one in the morning here, cut me some slack. Science and Jane Foster don’t sleep, therefore neither do I.” To emphasize the point, she picks up an iced coffee and slurps loudly on the straw, echoing loud and clear over the call. “So what’s up, cuz? Why are you calling at this stupidly late hour?”

“Did you know that my name is apparently showing up in SHIELD files online?”

“What??”

Buck nods. “Yep. My co-workers were having fun during some downtime today and decided to google everyone’s names. And there in a database of all the files from the 2014 data leak from the Triskelion is a file that mentions me, the UK, and 2013.”

“Goddamnit,” Darcy mutters, wincing and running a hand over her forehead. “What, you mean you’re not showing up as L.A.’s finest Spiderman knockoff anymore?”

“Oh, don’t start. Also, it’s after those entries.”

There’s the telltale clicking of a keyboard coming from Darcy’s side, then a few seconds later Buck sees her grimace again, looking none too pleased. “Yeah, that is definitely your name showing up in the leaked database. Well, shit.”

“Yeah, understatement. Is there anything you can do about this? I don’t exactly want my new coworkers to…know any of this.”

“I mean, the internet is forever, so I don’t know if there’s any putting this back in the bottle, so to speak.” Buck just groans at that, falling back on the pillows and falling out of the frame of the call. He pulls a pillow over his face, because this is just what he wants to hear. Really. So much. “You mean you don’t want everyone you work with to know that you helped defeat an invasion of alien elves from before the dawn of time in London one year?”

“It’s not exactly something easy to explain,” he shoots back, still offscreen and muffled by his new face covering.

“But it’s still a hell of a story.”

“A story that not a lot of people will believe, even now.” Because even though it feels like the world’s gone mad, more than once, these days, what with aliens and superheroes and killer robots, sometimes it’s still hard to believe the stories when they happen to someone they know up close and personal.

(Happens twice, really, but the first time he legitimately was just a bystander. Not the only one, not by far, but just an observer rather than a participant. Unlike the second time. That one they were well into the thick of it, hence the interviews, NDAs, and eventual SHIELD file.)

Buck sighs again, pulling the pillow off his head and sitting up so he can look Darcy straight on through the phone screen. “Are you sure - are you absolutely sure that even with all of your alleged connections that there’s nothing you can do?”

Darcy glances off camera again, followed by a few more keyboard clicks, and she chews at her lips. “I may be able to tweak the optimization so it gets those entries buried a few pages further back, get the L.A. Spiderman entries further up the list to take priority, but there’s not much else I can do.” She sighs heavily, pursing her lips and blowing air through them. “I might - and this is no guarantee at all - be able to ask someone else to help.” This statement is followed by another grimace from Darcy, and a muttered “I am going to owe Nat so much for this.”

“I will owe you so much for this,” Buck insists. “Even more than the fake ID debacle of 2007.”

Darcy smirks and jabs a thumb at herself. “Bucks County’s finest teenage fake ID forger, that’s me.”

Before any more words can be said, there’s what sounds like a small explosion offscreen on Darcy’s side, followed quickly by an “Oh, shit!” and scrabbling feet.

“Everything okay?” Buck asks.

Darcy flips the camera to the other side, revealing a slender brunette woman whacking at a smoking piece of technology with what appears to be a damp towel. “Lab’s on fire. Again. It happens a lot with our homemade equipment.” She flips the camera back to her face, rolling her eyes at the sight in front of her. A loud, strident alarm sound erupts from somewhere on her side, accompanied by rapidly flashing strobe lights in the reflection of Darcy’s glasses. “And there’s an Assemble call. Just fucking ducky. Gotta go, fireboy, we’ll talk soon!”

With that the call ends, the screen going black and silence descending on the bedroom. Buck flops back again, dropping the phone on his chest with a sigh. “That was not helpful.”

(And what the hell did she mean by an Assemble call anyway? Whatever, half the things Darcy says don’t make sense anyway, and he pushes the thought aside.)

Still, the matter of Evan Buckley’s SHIELD file never comes up again at work, so Buck figures that the matter’s over and done with.

Until it isn’t, of course, but that’s a story for another day.

*

a/n part two: So while it may not be entirely obvious here, but this universe has spun out in my head over the last few weeks and has become its own, canon divergent mash-up crossover of an alternate universe beast. This is just a little part of it, to test the waters and see the story come to life a little. A kinder, gentler universe where some characters get treated a little better than in canon (because this is fanfic and I can do what I want). Though there may be one or two hints in here about this alternate universe…

And yes, just picture Thor: The Dark World with a younger Buck in there playing the role of Darcy’s intern, with a lot more personality and a bit more sass. The movie would play out exactly the same way pretty much (except for the kissing bits because ewwww no. They are family, people.)

No constructive criticism please, gentle readers. I’m just here to have fun. Thanks for reading!

[sumerianlanguage]

hello! i sent an ask earlier but let me rephrase. is there any protection tablet you know of that has an every day protection incantation? i’m very spiritual and would like a phrase to write in cuneiform for my protection. I know of the word Ḫulbazizi, which is similar to “evil be gone” but could you help translate a phrase like “evil be gone, may the gods protect every step i take” thank you so much ❤️ it’s so hard to find people who understand cuneiform!

Hello! I did some sleuthing and here's what I've found. The hulbazizi incantations are a set of inscriptions that are mostly in the Akkadian language, dating to later than the Sumerian period, though they often use Sumerian words (or sometimes nonsense Sumerian-like words) in amongst the Akkadian. They most often appear on amulets and protective charms rather than full-size tablets - here's one in the Schoyen collection. They're called that from the Sumerian words hul 𒅆𒌨 "evil" + zi 𒍣 "to destroy", in the passive form bazizi 𒁀𒍣𒍣 "it is destroyed", which is used as an incipit (first words) of some of them, but doesn't appear in every one. Check out Bácskay & Niederreiter 2022 for a bunch of examples. You may also be interested in van Dijk et. al. 1985 (full text from Yale here), which has a large number of incantation spells but unfortunately isn't searchable.

My twitch chat helped me out with our own translation of the phrase you requested, though I don't know of it appearing anywhere in the cuneiform corpus of course. "Deities" is dingirene 𒀭𒊑𒉈, and "to protect" is ngal 𒅅, in the form "may (they) protect (it)" appearing as hebngalene, which I believe would be 𒃶𒅁𒅅𒂊𒉈 in cuneiform. The word for "step, footstep" in Sumerian is the same as the word for "foot", ngiri 𒄊 - and the most Sumerian-ish way I'd translate the end of the phrase is simply as "all (shar) my (-ngu) footsteps", ngirisharngu 𒄊𒊹𒈬.

Putting it together, I'd translate this phrase as Hul bazizi, dingirene ngirisharngu hebngalene "Evil be destroyed, may the deities protect all my footsteps", written 𒅆𒌨 𒁀𒍣𒍣 𒀭𒊑𒉈 𒄊𒊹𒈬 𒃶𒅁𒅅𒂊𒉈 in cuneiform. Let me know if this translation works for you!

[gallifreyinstituteforlearning]

Do you have any website where all you awesome and helpful notes and answers are collected?

Also,do you have any FAQ or articles like "So,you decided to create your own timelord OC?Here some tips you should know:" and stuff?Would you make it in nearest future?

All of GIL's answers, guides, and research are currently collected in one handy place on a Google Docs file: 👉 Content Collection Masterlist

This link is also at the bottom of every post for easy finding. It's updated fairly regularly and links out to all the detailed Tumblr posts.

There is a plan underway to move everything to a proper wiki-style site, where everything will be fully categorised, searchable, and maybe a little less chaotic. However, GIL is run by a single very tired human with limited time and an affection for sleep, so it's a work-in-progress.

✨ Creating a Time Lord OC

There's already a detailed guide for that right here:

If there's interest, more specialised articles could definitely happen—feel free to request anything you'd like to see! 😃

Hope that helped! 😃

Any orange text is educated guesswork or theoretical. More content ... →📫Got a question? | 📚Complete list of Q+A and factoids →📢Announcements |🩻Biology |🗨️Language |🕰️Throwbacks |🤓Facts → Features:⭐Guest Posts | 🍜Chomp Chomp with Myishu →🫀Gallifreyan Anatomy and Physiology Guide (pending) →⚕️Gallifreyan Emergency Medicine Guides →📝Source list (WIP) →📜Masterpost If you're finding your happy place in this part of the internet, feel free to buy a coffee to help keep our exhausted human conscious. She works full-time in medicine and is so very tired 😴

[queer-ragnelle]

hi! i was wondering which books were on your "to scan" list and which books you're looking for but don't own a copy of. if that's okay to ask.

Hello!

This is a great question, especially because I’m so fortunate to have a lot of people here on tumblr as well as discord who work to help me fill out these book lists!

There’s a few books in my collection I haven't found a PDF for.

Retellings

The Story of Sir Galahad by Mary Blackwell Sterling (1908) [Camelot Project]

The Doom of Camelot anthology edited by James Lowder (2000)

Legends of the Pendragon anthology edited by James Lowder (2002)

There may be more to add to the list though! If anyone has a book in mind that is:

In the public domain

Out of print

Written by a deceased author

I’d be happy to work on adding those! Whether that be tracking down an existing PDF or buying a copy to scan.

Medieval Literature

English translations:

Three Arthurian Romances translated by Arthur Gilbert Ross (Caradoc, The Knight with the Sword, The Perilous Graveyard)

I ordered this and then it never arrived. :^/ I'll try again, but my goal is to have the full text scanned and searchable rather than the individual parts such as float around currently.

Roman van Walewein

Ferguut

Lancelot Compilation

English translations of this Dutch trilogy is locked up in university libraries. I know they are, because several people have told me so. Academic rigmarole is preventing anyone from accessing them yet. But! I have physical copies of all three books myself edited by David F. Johnson & Geert H.M. Claassens. They’re huge, Lancelot is pushing 800 pages long. I’d like to exhaust our options before I spend hours scanning these, particularly if they already exist in full searchable PDF format. If it comes to it, I'll scan them. Cover to cover.

Untranslated:

Le Petit Bruit (French)

Le Román de Tristan le roman de Palamede (French)

Escanor by Girart d'Amiens (French)

Les propheties de Merlin (French) [some people are working on this already]

Cantari Arthuriens (Italian) [needs to be made into a PDF & then translated, already have translated Pulzella Gaia]

ll Ciclo di Guiron le Courtois Vol I-Vol VI (Italian) [Can't find Vol VII.]

Roman de Roi Artus by Rustichello da Pisa (Italian) [Does a PDF exist?]

Memorial das Proezas da Segunda Tavola Redonda by Jorge Ferreira de Vasconcellos (Portuguese)

Tristán de Leonís y el rey don Tristán el joven, su hijo (Spanish)

That's everything at the moment. Having this typed out will be helpful so we can keep track of what's what. Let me know if there's anything I missed!

[himehikoshrine]

Weekend Lesson Stage Script (EN)

This is the full Stage Script from the game menu for Weekend Lesson. (Apologies if there are typos, especially one's not already in the game menu version).

There is one part early on where the EN game script mixes up a few lines that I tried to put back in order (Hasekura's 'monologue' about Shiroma at the end of act one). Otherwise I tried to keep things as they are.

As with the others, there are lines and details in the stage script that are not in the performance you see in game, where they are shown only as text-over summary.

Also, as with the others, any ad-libs and such would not be here. The last-minute changes for Weekend Lesson are in line delivery, mostly, rather than lines, so it may not be as noticeable. Of course, you can access it from the game menu, if you’ve got it, but this version is searchable! Because someone else beat me to this project for Sleepless King here [x] that makes this the last of the stage scripts for the collection. You can find my transcription of Mary Jane here [x], of Oh, Rama Havenna here [x], and of all versions of Sissia of the Central Nation here [x].

Weekend Lesson

By Neji Kokuto

(1) Chapter 1

•Outside the Great Galleon

Two women walk together through a business plaza along the shoreline.

They notice a peculiar-looking building in the shape of a ship.

Kanna: Ms. Ando! There’s a ship right in the middle of the business plaza. It looks as if it’ll set sail any moment!

Ando: Oh, Kanna. There’s no way there would be a ship on land.

Ando: That’s a building designed to look like a ship. And there are no sailors in it, but office workers.

Kanna: Really? What a very unique building it is. It must be a new company.

Ando: That company’s much older than we are.

Kanna: Whaa?!

Ando: I believe you may have heard of it. The company’s name is…

Louis exits the building. 

Louis: Good morning! Good morning! 

Louis: From space exploration research to selling food and beverages, Great Galleon SJB is here!

★Dance

"We Are the Great Galleon"

Louis: Allow me to explain what our company is!

Louis: It’s been 200 years this year since our founding. An old company whose founder built up our assets through trade and said, ‘If you set sail, head for Acapulco!’ and always, always, challenge yourself!

Though I’m not sure what that means…

Louis: Our business has expanded to over a hundred countries. Our sales are on the level of national budgets, and our stocks have only been rising. Prime ministers and presidents are nothing compared to our president. Oh, but I kid. Well, probably.

Louis: Our pay? It’s good, of course. This suit is tailor made Paul Louis. ALL my personal belongings are Paul Louis. 

Louis: The work environment? Our employee benefits are perfection. Our company bistro serves nutritionally balanced, healthy meals, and our employee gym is always bustling with invigorated employees working up a sweat!

Louis: ‘Overtime’? What is THAT? Oh right, that evil concept I’ve heard so much about. Our company is nothing but wholesome, with abundant vacation time.

Louis: Recreational leave, maternity leave, family leave, confession leave. Even our crew who might get rejected from a love confession can feel at ease.

Louis: When you feel fulfilled in your private lives, your motivation to work rises. And we don’t neglect upskilling our employees, either. That all comes back in contribution to the company.

Louis: What do you think? Amazing, isn’t it? The Great Galleon SJB!”

Louis finishes his line. Everyone disperses.

Next to Louis, Hasekura hurriedly exits the building.

Hasekura: Documents… Documents…

Louis: Hasekura? If it isn’t Hasekura! Good morning my friend, my colleague!

Hasekura: Ah… Good morning, Louis.

Louis: You weren’t at dinner with our group the other day. What’s the matter? We go out every month, remember? 

Hasekura: I thought I’d bring down the mood if I went, so I didn’t go. Once a month is pretty frequent, too…

Louis: What are you talking about?! Everyone missed you. It’s ONLY once a month!

Hasekura: I’ll try and join next time. Well, I have to go turn in these documents. 

Louis cuts off Hasekura as he tries to get away.

Louis: We were talking at the dinner, you know.

Hasekura: Y-Yeah? About what?

Louis: You see, I’ve actually been entrusted with a big project coming up.

Hasekura: You really are amazing. You’re the star performer out of all of us hired that year. Tell me more about it at the next dinner. I’m just going to turn in these documents…

Louis cuts off Hasekura as he tries to get away.

Louis: I’m being told a promotion’s just around the corner for me, but I really like not having the responsibility, so I’m in a bit of a tough spot.

Hasekura: Oh, I see. I can understand that.

Louis: Though I know I should happily accept being able to be part of a new project as the result of my hard work.

Hasekura: Right yeah, that’s true. So, I’ll just be submitting these documents…

Louis grabs Hasekura’s shoulders as he tries to get away.

Louis: it’s just, I can’t handle this project alone.

Louis: The ship’s captain, no matter how skilled he is, can’t overcome stormy waters without a crew…

Hasekura: Yeah… I got caught in another long talk with Louis.

Hasekura: I’m at fault. I’m at fault for trying to walk past him…

Louis: …In other words, I want you to help me. You’ll do it, won’t you Hasekura?

Hasekura: Huh? What was that?

Louis: I’m saying I want you to join the project that was entrusted to me!

Hasekura: Me? I can’t, Louis! I’m not as talented as you. I’ll just get in everyone’s way.

Louis: Hasekura… you gotta aim higher. ‘If you set sail, head for Acapulco!’ Right?

Louis: Your guardian angel can’t help you fly if you stay curled up and looking down like that all the time. You gotta change, Hasekura!

Hasekura: S-Sure…

Mukai: Hasekura, there you are.

Mukai: Our boss was making a fuss about not having the documents they needed first thing in the morning.

Hasekura: Mukai, I’m sorry. I got to work early today, but…

Louis: Oh, if it isn’t Hasekura’s subordinate, Mukai. How are you this fine day?

Mukai: Louis, I see you’re the culprit.

Mukai: Hasekura’s supposed to get the negotiation documents for Europe to our boss. Please don’t hold him up.

Hasekura: Er, no Mukai, I’m the one at fault.

Louis: Mukai, can you convince Hasekura here? He really should join my project.

Louis: If he does, you can join the project, too. We can open a path to success together. You ever heard this before? ‘If you set sail’…

Mukai: Where Hasekura needs to head isn’t Acapulco, but our boss’s desk.

Mukai: Besides, if you have that big of a project, shouldn’t you be busy as well?

Louis: Ah, that’s right! I had a meeting first thing in the morning. Sorry, Hasekura, Mukai, I’ll take my leave now!

Louis leaves.

Hasekura: I’m sorry, Mukai. I caused you trouble.

Mukai: A project, huh? Isn’t there a possibility he’ll just use you however he needs and take all the credit himself?

Hasekura: I think he really just wants to give me a chance, since I’m so hopeless.

Mukai: Do you want to do that project?

Hasekura: I… Well…

Mukai: For now you just need to get those documents submitted. Please get going. 

Hasekura: Yes. Understood.

Two employees pop out of the shadows.

Employee A: What a fun Friday it is. The golden glittering of the world after 5 PM

Employee B: The things we want to do are as countless as the stars. What should we do today?

Employee A: Oh my, Hasekura. How are you today? What sort of fun are you going to have today?

Hasekura: Er, no, I’m just… going to go home and do nothing, I guess.

Employee A: Oh my, what a lazybones!

Employee B: Then what about tomorrow? How do you spend your days off?

Hasekura: I sleep until noon on my days off… And then do nothing… And then sleep when it’s nighttime, I guess.

Employee B: Ohhh, how dreadful!

Employee A: You need to sparkle more!

Employee B: She’s right, how about you come out with us?

Hasekura: Er, uh, well…

Employee A: We’ll find a way to bring your life to life!

Mukai: Stop.

Employee A: Oh, if it isn’t Mukai! What are your plans today?

Mukai: We’re in the middle of work right now, so we can’t talk.

Employee B: Well, aren’t you all business. I see a hint of a cool sparkle in your eye.

Mukai: Hasekura, let’s go.

Hasekura: R-Right… Excuse us.

Hasekura stops after walking for a short while.

Hasekura: I’m sorry, Mukai…

Mukai: This company has a lot of people who love themselves and want to make others their little clones. 

Hasekura: I feel like I’m being targeted because I’m such a boring person…

Mukai: How about picking up a hobby? It’ll be a good shield for you, too.

Mukai: Is there anything you’re interested in?

Hasekura: There’s nothing I can think of… Ah.

Mukai: It’s Shiroma from reception.

Shiroma: Hasekura, Mukai. Hello.

Mukai: Hello.

Hasekura: …

Shiroma: Well, goodbye.

Hasekura watches her walk away, unable to say anything.

Mukai: Are you okay not saying hello to Shiroma?

Hasekura: I didn’t?!

Mukai: I certainly didn’t hear it.

Hasekura: Damn it…

Mukai: Let’s just get those documents submitted. I’ll come with you.

Hasekura: Sorry…

Monologue

Hasekura: Rome…

Hasekura: Our company is a large corporation where anyone would want to work. It must have been due to some mistake that I was able to get in.

Hasekura: I have no place here. All my peers are climbing higher into the distance as I continue to cause trouble to my subordinates.

Hasekura: Throughout it all, she is my only source of peace. Her gentle smile comforts me. 

Hasekura: She is a faraway land to me. My Rome. A beautiful capital, just out of reach. 

(2) Chapter 2

•Bistro

Mukai: Excuse me. Two iced coffees please.

Mukai: Hasekura, we’ve finished putting together the project overview.

Hasekura: Sorry… I somehow got you involved in Louis’s project. 

Mukai: It’ll help me develop my skills, so it’s no big deal.

Mukai: Are you sure you’re all right being a part of the team?

Hasekura: Someone like me is being allowed to join on a big project. I should be grateful for the opportunity…

Mukai: But…

The door opens

Mukai: …Hm? Speak of the devil. It’s Louis.

Louis: …

Hasekura: Oh, you’re right…!

Shiroma: …

Hasekura: Shiroma! Why is she with Louis… 

Hasekura: …

Hasekura: Mukai, I’m heading back to the office.

Mukai: But the iced coffees aren’t here yet.

Hasekura: B-But…

Louis: Aren’t I lucky to find you here during lunch? Having lunch with you would make the food even more delicious!

Shiroma: Oh, Suzuki. You’re such a sweet-talker.

Louis: Call me Louis. That’s what everyone calls me. Also, I really meant what I said. 

Louis: How about dinner sometime? I know a good place.

Shiroma: Sure, if the opportunity comes up.

Hasekura: …

Mukai: The star performer of the office and its most captivating beauty having lunch together. A pair that would stir the hearts of anyone who laid eyes upon them.

Hasekura: Hahh… You’re right…

Mukai: …

Mukai: Are you sure you’re all right with this, Hasekura? This work, the accolades, and the woman you admire are all in your coworker’s sights.

Hasekura: Huh?! It’s not like I…

Mukai: How about you try going after them yourself? Some things can change with just one word, just one step.

Hasekura: Er…

Hasekura: I don’t have that kind of strength. 

Mukai: Hahh. Let’s go. We can still get out now without having to talk to them.

Hasekura: O-Okay…

Fade out

•City (Night)

Hasekura: …Hahh.

Hasekura: The city’s bustling tonight. It is a Friday, I guess.

Hasekura: Maybe I should wander around a bit.

Shiroma: …

Hasekura: …?!

Hasekura: That’s… Shiroma… Oh no, she’s coming this way!

Footsteps come closer, then fade away.

Hasekura: Oh good, she didn’t see me. Er, no, wait, why did I hide? I should have just greeted her!

Hasekura: I wonder where she’s going? It’s dangerous for someone as pretty as her to be walking the streets alone… 

Hasekura: …

Hasekura follows behind Shiroma

•Outside the Ando Dance Studio

Shiroma: …

Shiroma walks up the stairs.

Hasekura: Is this where Shiroma was headed?

Hasekura: There’s a sign… ‘Ando Dance Studio’?

Hasekura: Is she learning how to dance? I wonder what style of dance it is…

Ando: They’re social dances.

Hasekura: Huh?

Ando: Good evening. 

Hasekura: A, h-hello! Er, I was just interested in dance, so…

Ando: Then would you like to observe a class?

Hasekura: Aaaahh, no, no! I’m sure it would be a bother to the instructor and their students. I’m a beginner, I’ve never danced before…

Ando: Oh no, beginners are more than welcome. I can assure you that these are the words of the dance instructor.

Hasekura: The dance instructor…? Er, are you the one teaching the class?

Ando: Yes. Come on in.

Hasekura: Ah… Okay…

•Inside the Ando Dance Studio

Ando: I’m back.

Kanna: Welcome back!

Kanna: Oh? Who’s the new guy?

Ando: This person is…

Shiroma: Hasekura?

Hasekura: …Shiroma.

Ando: Oh, Shiroma, do you know him?

Shiroma: Yes, he’s a coworker of mine.

Kanna: A coworker? So he works at Great Galleon SJB?!

Kanna: Then he’s part of the corporate elite!

Hasekura: I just happened to get in on a fluke.

Shiroma: But still, why are you here, Hasekura?

Hasekura: Er, well…

Ando interrupts to help him.

Ando: You mentioned you were interested in dance, right?

Hasekura: Ah, yes, that’s right. Are you learning dance here too, Shiroma?

Shiroma: No, I…

Kanna: Shiroma occasionally comes to watch me dance! She used to do social dancing during college.

Shiroma: I don’t anymore, though. Do you have any experience dancing, Hasekura?

Hasekura: I’m a complete beginner, actually…

Shiroma: You’ll be able to dance right away under Ms. Ando’s guidance.

Shiroma: All right, I’ll be leaving now… Hasekura, do your best, okay?

Hasekura: R-Right!

Sounds of footsteps leaving and the door closing.

Hasekura: Shiroma…

Kanna: Hasekura. You didn’t come here chasing after Shiroma, did you?

Hasekura: Wha-?!

Kanna: There were people like that during college, too.

Kanna: Are you sure you’re interested in dance and not Shiroma?!

Hasekura: I-It’s not what you’re thinking!

Ando: Kanna, don’t be rude now.

Kanna: Shiroma hates people like that!

Hasekura: I’m joining!

Ando: Oh?

Hasekura: Please let me join your class!

Ando: Are you sure?

Hasekura: Please.

Ando: …All right. Well, since we’re here, how about we start the lesson.

Hasekura: O-Okay.

Hasekura: Oh, no… Am I going to be okay? I’ve never danced before.

Hasekura: And this is social dancing at that. The thought of dancing with women is just too much for me…

Ando: Let’s try walking first.

Hasekura: Walking? In a dance class?

Ando: Yes. Try walking straight and coming back here.

Hasekura: All right.

Hasekura: …I should be able to manage this much.

Sounds of footsteps retreating and then approaching.

Ando: I see. I got it now.

Hasekura: Got what?

Ando: I have an idea of how you’ll improve, Mr. Hasekura.

Ando: Posture is important in social dancing. Mr. Hasekura, can you try walking one more time?

Hasekura: Like this?

Ando: Stop!

Hasekura: Okay!

Ando: Hasekura, look in the mirror. How would you describe your posture?

Kanna: He’s slouching forward with a tilted pelvis!

Hasekura: …What she said.

Ando: Ugh, Kanna!

Ando: Hasekura, let’s start with shoulders back.

Hasekura: Like this?

Ando: Yes. From there, hold your head upright with your chin parallel to the floor. Make sure your line of sight doesn’t drop to the floor.

Hasekura: Right…

Ando: Look again in the mirror.

Hasekura: My posture’s better.

Ando: Right? Now let’s try walking again. Push off your back foot and land on the heel, rolling forward to the ball.

Hasekura: Push off my foot and land on my heel, rolling forward to the ball…

Hasekura wobbles along unsteadily.

Hasekura: Huh? This is hard… I’m only walking.

Ando: It’ll get easier if you count while walking. One-two, one-two.

Hasekura: One… two, one, two…

Hasekura continues learning to walk. 

Fade out.

Ando: All right. That’s it for today’s class. Good work, everyone.

Hasekura: It’s over already? All I did was walk…

Ando: But you’re tired, right?

Hasekura: Well… yes.

Ando: As you go about your day, keep an eye on your posture in any reflections that you pass by.

Ando: All right then, I’ll see you next Friday!

•City (Night)

Hasekura: I’ve gotten myself into a predicament…

Hasekura: I’ll just make some excuse and drop out after a while… Hm?

Hasekura: I can see my reflection in a showroom window.

Hasekura: The posture I learned in class… was like this, I think.

He fixes his posture in front of the glass, which worsens again as he starts walking. He fixes his posture in front of another pane of glass. He exits the stage with his posture somewhat improved.

(3) Chapter 3

•Dance Studio

Ando: Good evening, Hasekura. Let’s begin today by practicing how to walk again.

Hasekura: Okay.

Hasekura walks.

Footsteps.

Ando: Much better than last week! I see you’ve been practicing.

Hasekura: There’s just a lot of mirrors and glass around town…

Ando: But there are people who improve and those who don’t. You’re clearly the type to apply yourself and get results, Hasekura.

Hasekura: Oh, no, it’s not…

Ando: Now then, let’s add something else to the walking today.

Ando: And that will be me.

Hasekura: What do you mean?

Ando: I’ll walk alongside you, Hasekura. Try walking while adjusting your pace to mine.

Ando: All right, let’s go.

She begins teaching blues dancing for beginners.

Ando: Front, front… side.

Hasekura: Side? L-Like this?

Ando: Yes. Next, back, back…side!

Hasekura: Like this…

Ando: Now just repeat those steps. Front-front-side, back-back-side.

Hasekura: Front, front, side, back, back, side…

Ando: Yes, not bad. Now let’s use our hands.

Ando: Hasekura, try stretching your right hand out straight forward.

Hasekura reaches his right hand out forward.

Ando: Gently curl your hand as if you’re carrying a ball.

Hasekura slowly curves his right hand.

Hasekura: Like this?

Ando: Yes. And now your left. Stretch out your left arm to the side and bend your joints upward.

Hasekura: Like… this?

Ando: Yes. Now let’s incorporate the steps. Front, front, side. Back, back, side.

Hasekura: Ah…this… makes me feel like I’m dancing.

Ando: You are dancing, in fact.

Hasekura: Really?!

Ando: Social dancing looks difficult at a glance, but it’s easy once you get the hang of it.

Ando: All right. Lastly, clasp your left hand with mind and put your right arm around my waist. 

Hasekura: Huh?!

Ando: Now, let’s dance! Front, front, side. Back, back, side!

Ando: Say it with me, Hasekura!

Hasekura: R-Right. Front, front, side! Back, back, side…

Ando: You’re dancing!

Hasekura: Dancing… I’m dancing…

The two of them dance.

Fade out.

Hasekura: Even someone like me can dance…

Hasekura: Er, no, it’s just because you’re a good teacher. I didn’t really do anything.

Ando: You’re able to dance because you took this practice seriously.

Hasekura: Th-Thank you…!

Ando: Let’s learn a new step while you’re still in that mindset of success.

Hasekura: O-Okay!

(4) Chapter 4

•Office

Employee A: Another Friday’s come again at last.

Employee B: A golden spark to set off our weekend.

Hasekura: …

Employee A: Oh dear, Hasekura. Where are you off to in such a rush?

Employee B: Will you be getting into some mischief this weekend?

Hasekura: Er, no, I don’t have any plans in particular…

Employee A: Ever the layabout! Why not come out with us, then?

Employee B: She’s right, Hasekura. Let us share our sparkle with you.

Hasekura: No, I… E-Excuse me!

Employee A: Aww, a pity what a sloth he is! That Brian Hasekura!

Employee B: Friday after five is when we come alive! Enjoy yourself amongst the living, Brian!

Mukai: …

Mukai: It’s pretty unusual for Hasekura to turn someone down so firmly…

•Dance Studio

Hasekura: I got here earlier than usual. I’ll practice the steps I learned from last time…

Kanna: Hey, Ms. Ando. Are you really not entering competitions anymore?

Hasekura: …?

Ando: Not this again, Kanna.

Kanna: but you studied dance abroad and even joined an international competition!

Kanna: You were the one who inspired me to dance, Ms. Ando!

Kanna: I want to see you shine in the spotlight…!

Ando: Forget about that. It’s all in the past now…

Ando: Ah! Hasekura…

Hasekura: G-Good evening… Um.

Kanna: I’m going home for today.

Ando: Kanna!

Footsteps of Kanna leaving. 

Ando: …Hahh.

Hasekura: Ms. Ando…

Ando: I’m sorry. Let’s begin practice. 

The two of them dance awkwardly.

Hasekura: Ms. Ando… Should we end the lesson for today?

Ando: no, it’s fine…!

Ando: I’m sorry. I really am no good.

Ando: Hasekura, would you mind if I asked you to join me for a moment? 

Hasekura: I’ll do what I can.

Ando: All right then, let’s go!

Hasekura: Huh? Where? Whoa!

Ando rushes out of the studio, pulling Hasekura by the hand.

•Piano Lounge.

Hasekura: Is this… a bar?

Ando: It’s a piano lounge.

Sound of the door opening.

Piano music can be heard playing. 

Hasekura: I see. Everyone’s dancing to the music.

Ando: You can dance with anyone you find interesting. Just approach whoever you like.

Hasekura: Er, ah, no, um…

Ando: Heh… Then may I have this dance?

★Song

“Ms. Robin”

Hasekura: It’s really difficult to dance with other people around! I keep bumping into everyone.

Ando: A bit different from the studio, isn’t it? You have to find an open spot. Over there, look.

Ando leads Hasekura

Hasekura: Wow, we got through.

Ando: Heh…

Ando: …

Ando: Hasekura, do you enjoy dancing?

Hasekura: Huh…?

Ando: The truth is… you came to the classroom because you were curious about Shiroma, weren’t you?

Hasekura: …!

Ando: I apologize if I’m mistaken.

Hasekura: …What got me started, was exactly what you said.

Ando: If dancing is challenging for you, then…

Hasekura: Ah…

Hasekura: I was surprised that even a person like me could dance.

Ando: Huh…?

Hasekura: I can’t accomplish anything at all, so it made me happy to be praised for being able to dance. 

Ando: But you work for a famous company with so much history.

Hasekura: There’s no overtime and it’s easy to take paid leave. It encourages a good work-life balance. It’s the perfect place to work.

Ando: That sounds lovely.

Hasekura: I’m sure it would be for normal people. But I want to work overtime, and I don’t want to go on vacation. 

Ando: Huh?

Hasekura: I’d rather work at my own pace than rush myself just to get out on time, even if it means working overtime.

Hasekura: I feel worthless, having nothing to do when I have so many empty days off. I would rather work in that case.

Hasekura: Everything about it that others envy just feels like pressure to me. 

Ando: Ah, I’m sorry… How rude of me.

Hasekura: No, I’m just fighting against the times. It’s my own fault. I’m surpassed by my peers, I cause trouble to my subordinates, and I’m just a boring guy.

Ando: That’s not true at all!

Hasekura: Huh?

Ando: To me, you’re a fun person to be around, Hasekura.

Hasekura: Fun? Me?

Ando: Yes. I mean, someone once so afraid of dance is now dancing out in public.

Ando: I’ve never witnessed such an incredible change. 

Ando: Seeing you now makes me feel proud for starting my own studio.

Ando: Yes, it was a good thing to have gone down this path…

Ando: …Hasekura! Let’s dance with more liveliness!

Hasekura: Whoa… W-Wait, Ms. Ando!

Hasekura and Ando dance together.

The song ends and the stage fades to black

(5) Chapter 5

•Office

Mukai: …

Hasekura: …What is it, Mukai?

Mukai: Hasekura, recently… You’ve gotten taller, haven’t you?

Hasekura: Taller? I don’t think I could suddenly grow taller at my age.

Mukai: You look more fit.

Hasekura: You’re just imagining things.

Mukai: Other employees around us were talking about how you’ve been looking more handsome lately. 

Hasekura: Huh?! I’m sure it’s just mockery… Oh.

Mukai: What is it?

Hasekura: The social dance class…

Mukai: Social dance?

Hasekura: Oh, no, it’s nothing.

Mukai: Did you start a dance class?

Hasekura: Yeah… It’s strange for a guy like me to be dancing, huh?

Mukai: No, though it is unexpected. So that’s why your posture and movements have changed. 

Hasekura: My posture’s just slightly improved, that’s all…

Shiroma: Mukai, Hasekura. Hello.

Hasekura: Ah, hello. 

Mukai: Hello.

Shiroma: Let’s all work hard today.

Shiroma leaves. 

Mukai: You’re even able to greet her now.

Hasekura: Ah… Y-Yeah…

Mukai: It’s Friday today. How about you keep up that momentum and ask her out on a date?

Hasekura: Wh-What are you talking about?! There’s no way I can do that. Besides…

Mukai: Besides?

Hasekura: I have dance class today…

Mukai: …He really has changed.

•Dance Studio

Hasekura: Hello.

Kanna: Oh, Hasekura! Perfect timing! Listen to this!

Hasekura: What is it?

Kanna: Shiroma will be joining us today!

Shiroma: Come on, Kanna, you’re making a fuss.

Hasekura: Shiroma!

Shiroma: Hello, Hasekura. I’ve heard your dancing has improved.

Hasekura: No, it really hasn’t…

Ando: …

Ando: We must let Shiroma see what you can do, Hasekura. Now then, let’s begin…

Sound of a door swinging open energetically. 

Louis: Pardon me! The name’s Louis of the Great Galleon SJB!

Hasekura: Louis?!

Louis: I heard you were in this dance class, Hasekura! Why didn’t you tell me? I’m hurt! …Oh?

Shiroma: Louis.

Louis: If it isn’t Miss Shiroma.

Hasekura: Louis, what are you doing here…?

Mukai: Louis, please don’t do anything rash!

Hasekura: Mukai?!

Shiroma: Mukai.

Ando: Hasekura, Shiroma… You know them?

Hasekura: We all work together at the same company. Mukai, what’s going on?

Mukai: When I mentioned you were taking a dance class, Louis said he wanted to learn, too.

Louis: After seeing how much Hasekura changed from a simple dance class, I wanted to try it out, too!

Louis: But I had no idea Miss Shiroma would be here as well.

Hasekura: Shiroma’s just here to watch her friend dance. Don’t make it out to be something strange. 

Louis: Come to think of it, I remember talking about this at lunch the other day, Shiroma. That you learned dance in your days as a student. 

Louis: I’m sure Miss Shiroma’s dancing must be quite lovely. Don’t you think, Hasekura?

Hasekura: What are you saying, Louis? That’s…

Kanna: …

Kanna: Oh! How about this, then?

Kanna: The two of you compete against each other in dance, and whoever wins can dance with Shiroma!

Shiroma: Kanna?!

Ando: What are you talking about, Kanna?

Kanna: There’s a dance party hosted by the Ando Dance Studio in a month, right?

Kanna: It’s an event where people young and old gather to have fun dancing.

Kanna: So Hasekura and his talkative friend can compete to see who’s better at dancing, and the one who stands out most can dance with Shiroma. 

Kanna: Wouldn’t it be romantic to see two men fighting over who gets to be her partner? 

Ando: Kanna, that’s hardly the purpose of a dance contest.

Louis: No, it’s an interesting idea! I don’t have any experience with dance, though I do have confidence in my physical abilities.

Louis: I’m sure I won’t lose to Hasekura.

Mukai: …!

Mukai: Louis, you’re always like this!

Hasekura: Mukai?

Mukai: You’re always trying to show off your superiority by looking down on Hasekura!

Louis: You’ve got it all wrong, Mukai. I’m only speaking the truth.

Mukai: It’s even worse that you don’t realize what you’re doing!

Mukai: Shiroma, this competition is just idiotic, but how about accepting his terms? I won’t feel satisfied until Louis’s arrogance is beaten down!

Hasekura: What’s wrong? Calm down, Mukai. This isn’t like you.

Mukai: I’m completely calm!

Shiroma: …All right. I do enjoy dancing. I’ll practice dancing for the party.

Hasekura: Shiroma?!

Louis: That settles it, then. I apologize for the fuss. Who’s the one in charge here?

Ando: … That would be me.

Louis: A pleasure to meet you. My name’s Louis. I’d like to ask for your guidance. 

Ando: Everyone has their own personality, so I won’t be teaching you the same way as I do him. Let’s find a dance style that suits you.

Louis: Now that sounds promising. How about we get right into practice? Strike while the iron’s hot, as they say.

Hasekura: …

•Outside

Hasekura: That was a surprise. I didn’t think you’d come to the studio, Mukai.

Mukai: I’m sorry… This is all because I mentioned your dance class to Louis.

Mukai: And on top of that, I made everyone agree to that stupid competition…

Hasekura: There’s no use trying to change what’s been decided. I’ll just do what I can, though I think it’ll be difficult to win.

Mukai: Hasekura, you’ve been practicing all this time, right? Louis is starting just today, so…

Hasekura: You saw him, didn’t you? He only just started and he’s memorized steps and begun dancing already.

Hasekura: If he keeps getting better at this pace, he’ll pass me in no time.

Mukai: That’s not true!

Hasekura: Mukai?

Mukai: Do your best. You can win for sure.

Hasekura: I’m sure you’re just being considerate. Don’t worry about me. I’m the one at fault, not being able to do things a normal person can do.

Mukai: …

Mukai: I’m sick of hearing that!

Hasekura: …Urk?! Mukai...?

Mukai: Whenever anything happens you’re always saying, ‘It’s my fault,’ ‘It’s my fault,’ but what did you ever do that was so wrong?!

Mukai: If you keep saying how much you’re at fault, what do you want me to say?!

Mukai: Would you be satisfied if I told you that you were at fault?!

Hasekura: Mukai, I didn’t mean it like that…

Mukai: Every time you demean yourself like that, it hurts me too!

Hasekura: Mukai…

Mukai: Damn it… Excuse me!

Hasekura: Mukai! Mukai!

Sound of Mukai running off.

Hasekura: Mukai…

Ando: …Hasekura.

Hasekura: Ms. Ando! Ah…

Ando: I’m sorry. I overheard your conversation.

Hasekura: No, it’s my fault… Ah.

Hasekura: …

Hasekura: Mukai’s a new hire who’s always calm and considerate. I should be leading by example, but I only ever cause him trouble… 

Hasekura: he’s such a strong person, I never imagined that he could be hurt by anything. 

Hasekura: No, I never even thought that he might feel that way.

Hasekura: That he would be hurt on my behalf. All because of me….

•Office

People cross paths within the office.

Hasekura is looking around for Mukai

Hasekura: …

Hasekura: How am I supposed to face him now…

Mukai: Good morning.

Hasekura: Mukai…!

Mukai: What’s the matter? let’s get going.

Hasekura: R-Right…

Hasekura: Mukai, about last week…

Mukai: Let’s just call off the competition.

Hasekura: Wha…

Mukai: It’s ridiculous to be forced into some contest because someone else wanted it, when you’re only doing dance as a hobby.

Mukai: I’ll go around and apologize to everyone.

Hasekura: Mukai.

Mukai: I’m just like all the others, trying to push their own ideals on how you should live your life.

Mukai: This was what I wanted, not you. The whole thing is my fault.

Hasekura: No, it’s not!

Mukai: Hasekura…!

Hasekura: I know you said it for my sake.

Hasekura: You should come to the dance party, too.

Hasekura: I’ll win against Louis.

Mukai: …

Hasekura: Er, well, I don’t want to pressure you, so…

Mukai: I’ll come… No, I want to support you.

Mukai: I believe you’ll be able to win, Hasekura.

Hasekura: Mukai… Right!

(6) Chapter 6

•Dance Studio

Louis: Hasekura, I’m glad that I’ll finally get to see your A-game today.

Hasekura: I’m not sure ‘A-game’ is what I would call it, but I am taking this seriously.

Kanna: They’re totally fired up! This is so exciting!

Ando: There’s only a short amount of time, so let’s choose one type of dance for each of you and practice it thoroughly.

Ando: I believe a quick, lively step dance would suit Louis. You’re good at them, right Kanna?

Kanna: Leave all the footwork to me! I’ll be a great partner for you.

Louis: Looking forward to it, Miss Kanna.

Kanna: Wow, he’s so cool!

Ando: Hasekura will learn an elegant waltz. I’ll be your partner.

Hasekura: Thank you very much.

Ando: now then, let’s all work hard for the dance contest! 

Everyone begins practicing.

Louis and Kanna dance with nimble footsteps

Kanna: One, two, three, one, two, three! Wow, you’re really good, Louis!

Louis: Haha, thanks!

Ando: They seem like a good pair.

Mukai: …

Ando: Hasekura?

Hasekura: So that’s what Louis looks like.

Ando: You see him every day at the office, don’t you?

Hasekura: I do, but… I’ve never really looked at his face.

•Outside

Louis: All right, see you next week, Hasekura!

Hasekura: Right.

Hasekura: …I’m not used to seeing coworkers after work like this.

Ando: Hasekura.

Hasekura: Ms. Ando. What is it. 

Ando: Well… I was just thinking about what you said while we were dancing.

Hasekura: Yeah…

Hasekura: Up until now, I’ve always looked down as if to avoid others’ attention. I never tried to look them in the eye.

Hasekura: But now that Louis and I are competing, I’ve looked directly at him for the first time.

Hasekura: He was dancing his best and breaking a sweat… He might actually be a hard worker. 

Hasekura: It was sort of a revelation to me, after only feeling intimidated by him for so long. 

Hasekura: I’m starting to feel like dancing has made me notice things I wasn’t able to before.

Ando: Hasekura…

Kanna: Wow, that’s so amazing!

Hasekura: …?

Ando: Kanna?

Kanna: Louis and Hasekura are steadily getting better and better! My idea was a huge success!

Shiroma: Jeez, getting everyone involved, too…

Hasekura: Shiroma’s with her…

Ando: The two of them are going to dinner, I imagine. 

Hasekura: They’re close, huh…

Kanna: You’re so lucky, Shiroma. I’m jealous two guys are competing over you.

Kanna: Hey, so what are Louis and Hasekura like at work?

Shiroma: Louis is popular within the company and well known in general. He was recently put in charge of a big project. 

Kanna: And Hasekura?

Shiroma: Hasekura is…

Shiroma: Scary.

Hasekura: …?!

Ando: Oh…?

Kanna: Scary? How so?

Shiroma: Hasekura seems somewhat hollow inside… I don’t know what he could be thinking about.

Shiroma: I get scared every time our eyes meet. I’m always smiling awkwardly to brush it off.

Hasekura: …!

Kanna: Ohh, no way! Tell me the details over dinner!

Sounds of the two of them leaving.

Ando: Hasekura…

Hasekura: I-I’m sorry. Haha… I feel bad for eavesdropping on them during such an awkward conversation.

Hasekura: Just when I thought I was starting to be able to see things I couldn’t, who knew I’d also realize I wasn’t actually seeing the things I thought I did. 

Hasekura: I really am no good. It’s not a new problem for me. I’m at fault. I’m… I’m…

Ando: You’re not at fault.

Hasekura: …!

Ando: You’re not at fault Hasekura. You’re not…

Ando: Hasekura. Let’s dance.

Hasekura: But, I just don’t feel like it right now…

Ando: And that’s why you should. Cast off in a stormy night and your boat will simply sink. 

Ando: At times like these, you need to keep warm and wait it out until the sea calms down.

•Dance Studio

A waltz plays.

Hasekura: …

Ando: …

Hasekura: …There’s a part of me that can see why Shiroma would be scared of me.

Hasekura: But… it still made me sad to hear it.

Ando: …

Hasekura: …I’m going to forfeit the competition.

Hasekura: I don’t want to do anything to scare Shiroma any further. 

Hasekura: And I think… I should quit dancing as well.

Hasekura: I’ll just return to my life from before… That’ll be fine. I don’t need anything…

Ando: Are you really all right with that?

Hasekura: I am.

Ando: Then, why do you look so sad?

Hasekura: …

Ando: I know I shouldn’t be talking about this right now, but I don’t think Shiroma was actually afraid of you. 

Hasekura: But she said…

Ando: I know. I heard it too, after all. But, I just can’t believe it…

Ando: She was listening intently about how you were progressing. She was smiling as she said you were amazing.

Hasekura: Then why…

Ando: I don’t know. But if you end things now, you’ll never know the answer.

Ando: Hasekura, do you really want to stand still for the rest of your life?

Hasekura: …

Hasekura: …I don’t want to stand still.

Hasekura: …I guess I was having fun. Dance felt like the first thing I was capable of doing in my life.

Hasekura: Yeah, that’s right. I’m having fun. I may be in pain, but even now, I’m still having fun dancing.

Hasekura: …I don’t want to stop.

Ando: …Ah.

Hasekura: What is it?

Ando: It’s because you smiled, Hasekura.

Hasekura: I did? I didn’t realize… 

Hasekura: It’s hard to believe I could smile when I’m on the verge of tears.

Ando: It’s because of dance.

Hasekura: No, it’s because of you, Ms. Ando…

Ando: Me?

Hasekura: Ah, it’s nothing… Is it okay if we dance a while longer?

Ando: Sure.

(7) Chapter 7

•Dance Studio

Ando: One, two, three, one, two, three… Yes, perfect.

Hasekura: Thank you very much.

Kanna: Louis, you’re so good!

Louis: Thanks!

Hasekura: He’s really improved a lot.

Hasekura: I was just thinking that he might be a hard worker, but now I’m actually a bit frustrated. 

Hasekura: Maybe it’s because I don’t want to lose.

Ando: You have your own strengths, Hasekura.

Ando: I’ll be dancing in a way that highlights those strengths, so don’t you worry.

Hasekura: Thank you…

Hasekura: …

Hasekura: But if that’s the case, won’t you feel held back, Ms. Ando?

Ando: You’re the star here, Hasekura. You don’t need to worry about anything like that. Now then, let’s dance.

Hasekura: Ms. Ando…

Hasekura and Ando dance.

Ando: One, two, three, one, two, three…

Hasekura: …

Hasekura: Do you ever feel like you want to stand out, Ms. Ando?

Ando: Huh? …Well, there was a time in the past when I did.

Hasekura: In the past?

Ando: When I did competitions as a dancer, I would think things like, ‘I’ll be the most dazzling person in this hall!’

Hasekura: That’s normal if you’re in a competition, isn’t it?

Ando: That’s what I thought, too. But…

Ando: At some point, I would only be satisfied by being commended with awards. 

Ando: I danced not because i wanted to dance, but because I wanted to win awards.

Ando: Maybe that’s why dance became less and less fun for me…

Ando: One day, I just quit and turned my back on it. I swore to never enter another competition again. 

Hasekura: I never imagined…

Ando: I didn’t want to use dance as a way to fight.

Ando: But I think my thinking has changed a little.

Hasekura: …?

Ando: Hasekura, your improvement was faster after it was decided you would have this competition, right?

Ando: I feel there are things that can improve when you compete with others.

Ando: I felt perhaps that my days competing were not a waste.

Hasekura: Ms. Ando…

Ando: Well, let’s end here for today. I’ll see you next week, Hasekura.

Hasekura: …

Kanna and Louis are about to head home.

Hasekura: Kanna.

Kanna: Hm? Yeah?

Hasekura: Do you have a moment…?

(8) Chapter 8

•Party Hall

Louis: The day’s finally here, huh, Hasekura?!

Hasekura: Yeah…

Shiroma: …

Hasekura: Shiroma is smiling in her usual way…

Mukai: Hasekura.

Hasekura: Mukai.

Mukai: I know you’ll be great out there.

Ando: I’m the host of this dance party, and my motto is to have fun. You have some freedom here, too. Please dance to your heart’s content.

Louis: I’ll go first. Watch me.

Hasekura: Yeah, all right. Do your best.

Louis: …

Louis: Hey, Hasekura, I envy you, you know?

Hasekura: Huh…?

Louis: No matter what happens, you’re always firmly grounded and work steadily through any sort of boring work. And you do it so well. 

Louis: You’re the exact opposite of me. I respect you for that.

Hasekura: Louis… 

Louis: That’s why I won’t lose. All right, I’m up. Miss Kanna, may I have your hand?

Kanna: Yes!

Mukai: I never knew that’s how Louis felt…

Hasekura: …

Music for a quick step dance plays.

Ando: Louis is much better now than when he’s practicing. I see he’s the type who does his best performing for an audience.

Mukai: He’s so good, even an amateur like me can tell…

Hasekura: He’s our star performer in our group at work, after all.

The music changes to a waltz. 

Mukai: The song has changed. 

Ando: It’s finally time.

Hasekura: I wish I could tell myself from a few months ago that I’d be dancing in a competition here.

Ando: I wonder how you’d respond.

Hasekura: ‘I don’t really know how, but I’m sure they just let me in on a fluke.’ 

Ando: Heh heh. All right then, let’s dance. 

Hasekura: Yes.

Louis: I wonder what sort of moves we’ll see from Hasekura.

Kanna: I’m sure you’ll be surprised.

Kanna: By him AND Ms. Ando!

Ando: Let’s relax and enjoy ourselves.

Hasekura: Right.

Ando: One, two, three, one, two, three…

Hasekura: One, two, three, one, two, three…!

Ando: …?!

Hasekura begins dancing, leading Ando.

Louis: Hasekura’s leading? 

Hasekura dances so that Ando stands out.

Ando: Hasekura, what’s the matter? You won’t stand out at this rate. You won’t be able to win against Louis!

Hasekura: I realized… No, it’s something I knew from the start. I just finally became aware of it.

Ando: Aware? Of what…?

Hasekura: Unlike Louis, I don’t want to stand out.

Ando: Huh…?

Hasekura: I hated myself for being too reserved to step out in front of performative people, but that’s actually a unique part of my personality. 

Hasekura: Rather than stepping forward myself, I like supporting the people who are made for the spotlight. 

Hasekura: And Ms. Ando, there is no one better suited for it than you. No…

Hasekura: It’s that I want more than anything to see you in that spotlight now.

Ando: …! 

Hasekura: That’s why I learned how to dance from Kanna in a way that makes you look beautiful.

Hasekura: If you set sail, head for Acapulco.

Hasekura: That’s our company motto. I don’t know what it means, but it just sort of gives me courage. 

Hasekura: Please dance, Ms. Ando. For your sake. 

Ando: …

Ando: Can I count on you to lead?

Hasekura: Yes.

★Dance

“Compass Line”

Kanna: Ms. Ando looks just as she did when she used to compete…!

Louis: He’s managed to surprise us with a brilliant strategy. No, this is Hasekura showing off his true strength. Mukai, looks like the competition’s decided. 

Mukai: …Yes, it does.

Mukai: Everyone on the floor is watching the two of them dance. 

Shiroma: …How lovely, Hasekura.

The song ends.

Kanna: Yes! Hasekura, it was a huge success! Everyone’s eyes are fixed on Ms. Ando!

Ando: Kanna…

Kanna: This is what I wanted to see! I’m so happy! And now I understand that you can shine even when you’re not competing, Ms. Ando!

Kanna: You can shine whenever it is that you want to!

Ando: Thank you, Kanna…

Kanna: Hey, Hasekura. Shiroma told me she used to be afraid whenever she saw you.

Kanna: She said she could never tell what you were thinking. 

Hasekura: Ah…

Kanna: But after watching you take up social dancing, Shiroma realized… 

Kanna: That you’re a reserved, thoughtful, warm person! She told me how embarrassed she felt that she never saw you for who you were.

Shiroma: Hasekura.

Hasekura: …Shiroma.

Shiroma: You were wonderful today. Ms. Ando was of course beautiful as well, but… To me, you were the most dazzling.

Shiroma: So…

Shiroma: Won’t you please dance with me?

Mukai: Good for you, Hasekura, You did it.

Hasekura: …

Hasekura: Shiroma. It was your smile that saved me. I was able to keep going at work because you were there. 

Hasekura: That’s why I’m happy to hear you say that to me now. I really am happy.

Ando looks away.

Ando: …

Hasekura: But… The person I want to dance with… is Ms. Ando.

Ando: …!

Shiroma: Heh heh… I had a feeling.

Ando: Hasekura…

Hasekura: Ms. Ando. I want to watch you, shining more brightly than anyone else, closer than anyone else. I…

The volume of the music rises.

Fade out.

(9) Chapter 9

•Outside

Employee A: Live through each day until the day you’ve been waiting for has arrived.

Employee B: Yes, the long-awaited Friday! The most sparkling day of the week!

Hasekura: …

Employee A: Oh my, Hasekura! How are you?

Employee B: Do you have any plans tonight?

Hasekura: Plans? …Ah.

Hasekura: Today, I’ll be dancing.

Everyone enters to perform.

The End.

[elsewhereuniversity]

i was wondering: how do you keep track of all the objects that are traded back and forth? seems like it would get kinda cluttered wherever you’re keeping them. do you have a spreadsheet or something?

I tried spreadsheets for a while at the beginning! But it was too much time to summarize objects, and pasting the full text of asks got cumbersome very quickly. So the current system is a series of word docs, which is a lot easier to ctrl+f than tumblr usually is, due to tumblr's loading time and habit of just. hiding asks sometimes for no reason.

All charm asks get put into drafts right away, and their text is pasted into my 'charms - unposted', so I can easily search the text of the asks if I need to. Given tumblr's... everything, the most reliable way of finding anything again on the blog is also searching a specific phrase from the ask - another reason summaries weren't working early on to keep track of things.

When a charm is answered and put into the queue, the text is cut from 'charms - unposted' and moved to 'charms - current', which is sorted into sections by object type: pens, sewing kit, jewelry, weapons, rocks, keys/locks, etc. I bold the relevant part of the text, eg. 'when the moon rises this silver ring glows', to make it easier to scan quickly. All the different sections have shortcuts at the top of the doc so I can jump around easily. (I thought about organizing it by effect, but that was a lot harder to sort).

When they're given away, they get put in the 'charms - gone' doc, which isn't sorted because for the most part I don't need to find anything in here again. But it's still nice to have an easily searchable list of them, just in case!

[skulandcrossbones]

I could very much use an example of how to do the [media] edit thing, and when to use it.

Plz

Absolutely! In fact, here's a full, comprehensive explanation of tags, tagging, and the usefulness of the [media]edit tags!

WHAT EVEN ARE TAGS?

Much like how hashtags on twitter will take you to all the posts about #thatthingeveryoneistalkingabout, Tumblr also uses (hash)tags to catalogue posts. When you make a post, you can hit the add tags button to add relevant tags about the post topic. Then you can click on those tags and find other people talking about the same thing.

Go forth and find others who love the thing you love! That's how you build ✨a fandom ✨

WHY TAG?

Well, tags have two primary functions on tumblr:

To organise YOUR blog.

To make a post searchable.

For 1, you can use whatever tags you want to catalogue your own blog. For example, all of my gifs are tagged with "#originals" because that's what I started using in 2012 and I'm too lazy to change it now. Someone else might use #* or #mine, and that gives them a way to find (and direct others to) their own gifs on their blog.

For 2, making a post searchable allows other people to see your gifset/art/funny meme/text post/ramblings and reblog it to their blog as a way to say "I liked this thing! look at this thing!". We can help people see our posts by tagging whatever our post is about with the relevant tags. So if I gif a star wars movie, or you draw some lovely star wars fanart, or someone writes a post about a theory they have, we can all tag our posts with "#star wars" and boom, now anyone searching for "#star wars" can see our posts and reblog them to their blog.

OKAY, SO WHY [MEDIA]EDIT?

Well, as you can imagine, the general topic tag is often a very busy and scary place. Tumblr catalogues EVERY post that uses a tag, but it also catalogues every post that even mentions that topic in the body of the post. So EVERY post that mentions "star wars" is gonna show up when you type "star wars" into the search bar. (Sorry anyone searching for star wars right now 😅) If you're just looking for a nice gifset to reblog, this can get very annoying very quickly.

Solution? [media]edit! All the way back in the early 2010s, some genius who has been lost to time proposed a new tagging system for gif- and editmakers. Instead of only tagging "#star wars" or "#supernatural", they suggested that we tack "edit" on to the show title so people could search specifically for edits! And it worked and for a long long time gifmakers have been using these tags to make their posts more easily searchable.

HOW TO USE [MEDIA]EDIT TAGS?

If you're uploading a gifset or an edit (this is an example of an edit that ISN'T a gifset), you should include the edit tag in the first 30 tags you use. That's because Tumblr only catalogues the first 30 tags, and everything after that is disregarded.

The basic formula for an edit tag is [title/topic]edit, but a lot of the time the title gets shortened. #[supernatural]edit is pretty long, so it was shortened to #[spn]edit. #[doctorwho]edit became #[dw]edit. #[teenwolf]edit became #[tw]edit (I'm using brackets here to minimise clogging the tags, but when using them you don't include the [ ]).

There's no hard and fast rule about which tag to use, and generally speaking if I'm giffing something new and I'm not sure which tag to use, I'll go look and just use what everyone else seems to be using. Sometimes there are abbreviation overlaps with other shows, sometimes there's weird title formatting (like romeo + juliet 1996 where people sometimes use [raj]edit or [r+j]edit or [romeoandjuliet]edit or all 3 because no one can decide and it's easier to just cover all your bases) and sometimes a show or movie won't have a tag at all and you get to PICK ONE which is very exciting and scary.

In more recent years some general edit tags have gained popularity like [film]edit, [movie]edit, [netflix]edit, etc. These are fine to use, but make sure you're including the title of the show/movie as well so people can still filter the specific content they want to see gifs of. (You can do this by searching "[film]edit, [film name]", for example).

Here are my tags from my most recent gifset, colour coded to show you what are [media]edit tags, general edit tags, and general topic tags.

the [MEDIA]edit tags allows that SPECIFIC media to be searched for (in this case, gifs of fast and furious). there are seemingly 2 commonly used tags for this movie franchise, so i used both.

the GENERAL edit tag allows users to search for NONSPECIFIC edits of a GENERAL topic. [women]edit for example will show you all tagged edits of women from ANY media*.

the general TOPIC tag is the CATCH-ALL tag for any kind of post made about that topic, not just edits, i.e. ALL posts that tag and mention michelle rodriguez.

*userladiesblr and junkfooddaily are tags for source blogs that track those tags to find and reblog content specific to their blog content (women + schlocky action/horror/sci fi movies). i've included them in the general edit tag category for convenience.

TL;DR SUMMARY

Use [media]edit tags when you're posting original gifs or edits of something that you want people to be able to find.

There are no hard rules but the edit tag format is [title]edit, wherein [title] may be the full name or an abbreviation (and it's best to check what other people are using so your post isn't lost to the ether!)

Edit tags are for gifsets and non-gif edits ONLY. Fanfic and text posts do not belong in the edit tag.

I hope this helps!

[owlchimedes]

do you have any tips for making your notion pages (esp. planning/assignment tracker pages) both functional and aesthetic? what resources do you use? i've been using notion for a little while as a sort of academic planner, mostly with the table/database function, but would appreciate any advice/resources you have :)

Preface: Notion is first and foremost a workspace. If there's a tension between form and function, function has to win every time. That said, it's definitely possible to have both!

Tip #1: Use templates. Notion itself has a huge database and unless it brings you personal joy, there's no point wasting time building your page from the ground up. If you're in the studyblr tag, you probably want something aesthetic, and I've had good luck with these. The eternal studyblr queen EmmaStudies also has some pages.

Tip #2: Curate your pictures. Do you have a pinterest? No? Get one! I find it's best to start out with one or two focal images and then work from there. Don't be afraid to use dark images either, Notion does have selectable light/dark mode. Images with partial transparency can be nice to break up the sharp-cornered square that is Notion's default and Notion does also support GIFs. My biggest suggestion is to select 1 neutral base color (Notion provides black or white), 2 somewhat similar colors, and then one accent. On my current page, I'm using black, brown, gold, and white.

Tip #3: Beautiful is not synonymous with useful! Before you download a template, ask yourself: what organizational tool am I actually looking for? Personally, I can't use Notion as a planner —typing takes too long when I could scribble in a scratchbook instead. So I don't get much use out of the Calendar feature, the ToDo lists (hence why I post them here), or Kanban boards. I do get a ton of use out of the hyperlink, embed, stack text, and font color options for notetaking!

Please pardon the contract law screenshots lol. Notion lets me have a colorcoded system, open/close toggles for things we may only discuss briefly, and hyperlink to separate pages for (law school) each individual case. That in particular is amazing because on those case-pages I can include links, citations, and put searchable 'tags' for year, jurisdiction, keywords, etc. That means that as I go through law school, I'm actually building a searchable database of relevant case law on every topic I study. Brigance isn't a case with a media component, but if I was working on White v. Samsung or Leonard v. Pepsico, then I could include the relevant video and audio clips.

So notetaking on Notion is exactly what I want! But if you want to have a daily planner, or a journal, or a habit tracker, make sure you include that. YouTube is the best possible resource for finding something specific, but I occasionally find something neat on Instagram.

Tip #4: The most useful thing for me (and I really believe the most useful thing for any student who has syllabi) is an assignments database. This is really just Notion's basic Database: Table View that I've curated into a workhorse.

At the beginning of the semester, I look at all of my syllabi and put all of my readings, homework, exams, and special dates into a table, tagging each one with the class, type of assignment, and due date. Then I can use Notion's "Views" feature to sort them. I have a tab where I can see everything, a tab where I can see the next 2 weeks, a tab just for tests, a tab to sort by each class, and a 'catchup' tab that lists everything incomplete with a due date that's passed —by checking it off, it deletes itself from that "View" because it no longer fills all the criteria. (I have actually done the things shown here, I just wanted you to have something to look at).

Plus, I looove checking things off of the 'Full' tab and seeing that little % complete number at the bottom tick up!! This table means I'm never surprised by an assignment, exam, or event and preparation is more than half the battle. I've found that the best way to balance this really heavy-duty table on the opening page is to keep it on half the screen and fill the other side with gizmos and pictures. There's not a lot else you can do besides selecting the color of your tags.

Tip #5: Widgets! This is really where the fun aesthetic part comes in. Both Indify.co and Widgetbox.app work with Notion and it's how people include clocks, timers, weather reports, playlists, etc. They can be a bit of a humbug to install because they're hosted externally so to make adjustments you have to re-embed the new code into Notion; in particular, Spotify playlists take 10-20 minutes to update.

In general, I would still consider myself a Notion novice. There are some true wizards on YouTube doing things that frighten and impress my brain. If anyone has more resources, please add them below!