#video game developer excess

[stuffromymind]

On Video Games & "Big Name Talent": Bad Investment.

Is it because game designers are also celebrity obsessed and wasting development $$$ to work with a 'famous' person overrules common sense business decisions and creates blindness to the subsequent dip in the immersion quality of the final game that putting in famous actors will DEF create?

I've been reading up on Cyberpunk 2077 a bit of late. I'd heard a DLC was out. All the reviewers say it's good now but basically their view is always tempered by how atrocious it was on launch day. The most broken game in history pretty much. Stoopid early adopter feckers got burned. 

Again.

But having studiously avoided it, I'm thinking I may get it as a 'reward' to myself - If I can complete 10 games if I have of many, many dozens that reside on consoles and my PC.......sometime.......? Blade Runner is one of my fave flicks and this is basically aping that.

It does have Keanu Reeves in it, though. Not just the voice but him. Why da fuq do game companies keep doing this?

In a movie, actors are part of an ensemble of other human beings in front of a camera and the actor can become a character, if they're good, so any given actor doesn't stand out as 'playing a role'. In a video game it's just an immersion breaker:

"Oh, there's Keanu again."

Like Death Stranding with Norman Reedus. "Hey, I'm the brooding Walking Dead Guy."

I defy anyone to tell me these 'big names' a-d-d anything to the world you're attempting to inhabit by reminding you that an actor is strolling around in it.

Who wouldn't enjoy playing Call Of Duty now and thinking: "Hey it's that twisted pervert, Spacey! Now I REALLY feel like I'm in this game world."

I'd suggest even dropping having 'big stars' doing voice acting. Unless the celeb does such a good job that you don't know it's them. (Which begs the question: Why spend the $$$ to get them?)

Why put all the $$$ into getting this big name 'talent' when they always pull you out of the game world?

I still remember meeting the king in Elder Scrolls 4 and thinking:

"Huh. It's Captain Picard/Patrick Stewart talking to me."

Annnnnnd:

The world I was entering was "Just a game".

Thanks.

It's an utter waste of $$$ that could be spent on the game. 

I wonder how much CD Projekt Red paid Neo and if that cash, and the expense of mo-capping him, coulda made the game less of a shit show if better spent?

Why not put this truly squandered cash into more dev time or, (this one is crazy), paying people actually working on the game a better wage?

End of this treatise on yet another pitfall of getting sucked into celebrity worship - this time by game developers.

Anyhow, the price on it hasn't really dropped too often since launch but it's $40 on GOG, (no DRM so you kind of actually OWN it if you download the installer files), right now and the apparently "excellent" DLC add on is on sale for $33. You can get both for $70.39 (CDN).

[alternate-real-ities]

Hey, about that virus going around… my best bro and roommate said he came into contact with it, but since he’s “already Asian” apparently he thinks it makes him immune. How true is that? Cause ever since he brought it up things aren’t exactly adding up. He doesn’t seem sick, but he doesn’t seem normal either. Should I be worried? Hell, should I be worried about myself? I’ve stayed away from his room, so I should be fine, right?

Thank you for contacting our help line. We understand your concerns regarding the recent outbreaks of the flu. Please be assured that we are doing everything possible to contain the situation.

We recommend that you avoid contact with your roommate until we can confirm he is not infected. Please keep us informed of any changes in his or your condition. If you develop any symptoms, please contact us immediately.

Early symptoms may include fever, cough, body aches, heightened sensitivity in the pectoral region, and excessive sweating. Please note that we cannot predict how long the incubation period may last. We strongly advise remaining in your room and avoiding others until we can confirm you are not infected.

[BEEP]

You hear that ominous final tone, heart pounding in your ears. The help line's words echo in your mind - "Avoid contact with your roommate…" But how? You live in such a small flat. Keeping your distance feels impossible… yet the alternative is too terrifying to contemplate.

With shaking hands, you barricade your door using a chair wedged under the handle and a towering pile of laundry. It won't stop him if he truly tries to enter, but it might buy you crucial seconds to react. You tell yourself those seconds could make all the difference.

The days drag by at an agonising pace, each one blurring into the next as you remain sequestrated in your room like a prisoner awaiting judgement. You only emerge when absolutely necessary - dashing to the bathroom under cover of darkness or grabbing meagre rations from the kitchen when you're certain that your roommate, Jake, is out. Each time, your heart races and palms sweat, half-expecting to collide with him around every corner.

To keep yourself from going crazy, you throw yourself into mindless distractions like binge-watching television shows until your eyes get too tired, or playing video games. But no matter how hard you try to distract yourself, the anxiety always creeps back in, gnawing at the edges of your sanity.

You can't stop thinking about what's happening to Jake… and what might happen to you if you're already infected. The thought of losing yourself, of being consumed by this virus until nothing remains but an empty shell - it makes you physically ill. You can't allow that to happen. You WON'T let it happen.

So you cling to the barricade like a lifeline, praying it will be sufficient to keep the monster at bay… even as a small, treacherous part of you wonders what it would feel like to give in, to embrace the change and see where it takes you. You shudder at the thought and clench your fists, forcing yourself to focus on the present. You can't let your mind wander down that path. Not now. Not ever.

On the third night though, you wake up drenched in sweat, shivering uncontrollably. Your head throbs like a drum. You stumble to your desk lamp with trembling hands and flick it on. The light seems too bright, hurting your eyes. You touch your forehead - it's burning hot. Panic rises in your throat as the horrible realisation hits: you're ill. You try to stand but your legs give out. Collapsing back onto your bed, you curl up into a ball, shaking and miserable. A wracking cough tears through your chest. This is only the beginning, you know. The fever is just the first symptom. More will follow, and then…

No. You can't think like that. You have to stay strong, stay hopeful. Surely someone will arrive soon. They have to. Until then, all you can do is ride out this fever in isolation, praying it doesn't get worse.

The next morning, you wake up feeling slightly better. The fever has broken, but your body feels heavy. You sit up and look around your room, but something feels off. It's like your room had shrunk overnight. You shake your head, trying to clear the fog. Maybe you just need to eat something. You try to sneak out to get some food, but your legs feel like jelly. With some effort, you make it to the kitchen and grab a few snacks. Back in your room, you sit on the edge of your bed and munch on some crisps. You feel a little better, but still not quite right. You can't ignore how hungry you feel, like you haven't eaten in days.

You check if your roommate Jake is around, but the apartment feels eerily empty. You can't quite remember when you last had a proper meal - the days seem to blur together lately. On impulse, you pull out your phone and place an order for a juicy burger and crispy fries, already savouring the taste in your mind. As you wait for the delivery, you glance at your bed and freeze. The sheets are soaked with sweat, the damp patch sprawling obscenely across the mattress. You stare at it in disbelief, then look down at yourself. Your shirt clings to your skin, drenched in perspiration. "It's just the heat", you mutter, trying to convince yourself. "Nothing to worry about."

You strip off your clothes and step into the shower, hoping the water will wash away the unsettling feeling. As the steam envelops you, you can't help but notice how your muscles ripple beneath your skin, more pronounced than before. You shake your head vigorously, splashing water everywhere. You step out and towel off, but a glance in the mirror makes you pause. Your skin has an almost unnatural sheen to it, glistening under the harsh bathroom lights.

You throw on fresh clothes and try to ignore how they feel tighter than usual. The doorbell rings - your food has arrived. You rush to answer it, eager for something normal to focus on. As you take the bag from the delivery person, you can't shake the feeling that their eyes linger on your body a moment too long before they leave.

Back in your room, you tear into the burger ravenously, barely tasting it as you devour every last bite. But as you finish and lick the grease from your fingers, a wave of dizziness hits you. You grab onto the desk for support, breathing heavily.

Now would be a good time to call that help line again.

You pick up your phone and start dialing, but as you do, a huge headache hits you. You drop the phone and clutch your head, groaning in pain. What's going on? You feel like you're losing your mind. You try to focus, but the pain is too much. You stumble back to your bed and collapse onto it, clutching your head. You can't think straight. As you close your eyes, your conciousness fades away, and you drift into a restless sleep…

You slowly blink open heavy eyelids, squinting against the harsh sunlight streaming through gaps in your blinds. Your skin feels hot and tingly, almost feverishly so. You groan as you try to sit up, muscles protesting from days of disuse, but there's a new tautness to them that catches you off guard.

Glancing down, you notice beads of sweat rolling down your bare chest, which seems… different somehow. More defined, more muscular than you remember. Your shirt clings to your skin, damp with perspiration. You peel it off with a grimace, the fabric sticking to your body.

Jake's concerned face swims into view as he leans over you. "Dude, wake up," he says, his voice sounding distant through the ringing in your ears. He looks different too - more chiselled, bigger pecs than usual. "You've been out of it for like, three days straight."

Three days? The thought sends a flicker of panic through you, but it's quickly drowned out by the strange sensations coursing through your body. You lick your dry, cracked lips and try to speak, but your voice comes out as a raspy croak.

"Water…" you manage to grate out. Jake grabs a glass from your nightstand and holds it to your mouth. As you drink greedily, you can feel the cool liquid sloshing in your expanded chest, which rises and falls rapidly with each breath.

Jake sets the glass aside and frowns, his brow creasing in a way that makes him look almost stern. "I had to break down the door, man" - he says, gesturing to the splintered wood and broken furniture littering your room. The sight makes your head pound harder.

Fragmented memories flash through your mind, but they slip away like sand through a sieve, leaving you grasping at nothing. "I… I don't remember," you mumble, rubbing your temples. Little do you realise though, the virus had been violently rewriting your DNA while you were passed out, transforming you into a muscular, hyper-sexualized parody of masculinity - a hung, dumb jock bro with no thoughts beyond chasing his next high.

Jake frowns, his brow creasing in a way that makes him look almost stern. "Well, try to eat something. I made you some chicken soup - your favourite." He nods towards the steaming bowl on your desk.

You swing your legs over the side of the bed with a grunt, muscles screaming in protest. The room spins dizzily around you, and you grab onto the mattress for support. In the mirror across from you, you catch a glimpse of your reflection - gaunt face, wild eyes, and a body that looks… different somehow.

As you lift the spoon to your mouth, you can feel Jake watching you intently. The soup tastes bland compared to how ravenous you feel. You polish off the bowl in record time and slam it down on the desk. Sweat pours down your face and chest, soaking into the sheets beneath you. Your muscles twitch and flex involuntarily, as if eager to be put to use.

Jake's eyes widen as he takes in your physique - the bulging pecs glistening with sweat, the rock-hard abs clenching and unclenching with each labored breath. "Dude… you're fucking jacked," he marvels, reaching out to run a hand over your slick chest.

You moan at his touch, arching into it like a cat in heat. Your nipples are hard, almost painfully so, and ache for more stimulation. Jake seems to sense this - he leans down and drags his tongue over one of the sensitive nubs, making you gasp.

"Fuck bro, you taste so good" - he growls, laving attention on your chest with lips and teeth and tongue. "I just wanna… fuck…" He grinds against you, his own arousal evident through his straining pants.

Your head lolls back against the pillow as Jake worships your body, lost in a haze of sensation. The fever rages through you, stoking the fires of lust burning in your veins.

Jake sits up abruptly and strips off his shirt, revealing his own impressive physique. "Gotta get these sweaty clothes off," he grunts, shimmying out of his pants to reveal a massive erection straining against tight wet underwear.

He dives back onto the bed, covering your body with his own sweat-slicked one. You can feel every hard plane and ridge of muscle pressing against you as he kisses you deeply, hungrily.

You gasp at the sensation, your hips bucking up involuntarily to meet his. Your cock throbs, harder and bigger than you've ever been before. Jake licks his lips as he feels it straining against the fabric.

"Holy shit, you're hung too," he marvels, palming you through your pants. "Fuck bro, I just wanna suck you off so bad."

He starts tugging at your pants impatiently and you lift your hips to help him, mind hazing over with a desperate need for stimulation. As your massive cock springs free, Jake's eyes widen and he licks his lips hungrily.

"Damn dude, that's fucking huge," he breathes before diving down and swallowing as much of you as he can.

You groan loudly, head falling back against the pillow as Jake works your shaft with sloppy enthusiasm. Your hands tangle in his hair, holding him in place as you start to thrust shallowly into his mouth.

"Fuck yeah, suck my cock bro," you grunt, voice deeper and more aggressive than usual. "Gonna fucking nut down your throat."

Jake moans around you, sending delicious vibrations through your aching flesh. He takes you deeper, nose pressing against your pelvis as he swallows around your length.

It doesn't take long before you're cumming hard, vision whiting out as you shoot thick ropes of cum directly into Jake's stomach. He gulps it down greedily, not spilling a single drop.

As the waves of pleasure subside, you collapse back onto the bed, panting heavily. Jake crawls up your body with a shit-eating grin, licking his lips.

"Fuck dude, that was intense," he says, voice rough from the thorough cock-sucking. "You taste so fucking good."

He leans down to kiss you and you find yourself returning it eagerly, tongue delving into his mouth to taste yourself on him. Jake grinds against you, his own erection straining against his pants.

"Gonna fuck you now," he growls against your lips. "Gonna pump you full of my cum until you're dripping with it."

You moan in agreement, too far gone to care about anything else. As Jake lines himself up with your hole, you realise that all you want, all you need, is to be filled by him completely. Your body aches for it, craving the stretch and the fullness only his massive cock can provide. You look up at him with lidded eyes, pupils full of lust.

And as Jake slams into you balls-deep on the first thrust, you scream in ecstasy and surrender yourself completely to the transformation. Your old life fades away like a distant dream, replaced by this new existence of constant arousal and indulgence with your best bro.

Jake sets a brutal pace, pounding into you with animalistic grunts and growls. The room fills with the obscene sounds of skin slapping against skin and both of your wanton moans. You meet each thrust eagerly, relishing the delicious burn of the stretch and the intense pleasure-pain of being used so roughly.

"Fuck yeah, take my cock you dumb slut," Jake snarls, gripping your hips hard enough to bruise as he rails into you. "Gonna fucking breed this pussy."

You can only moan in response, too lost in sensation to form words. Your own cock bobs lewdly with each thrust, drooling pre-cum onto your stomach. Jake leans down and captures your lips in a filthy kiss, all teeth and tongue as he continues his relentless assault on your ass.

The coil of pleasure winds tighter and tighter in your gut until finally it snaps, your second orgasm crashing over you like a tidal wave. You scream into Jake's mouth as you cum untouched, your cock pulsing out thick ropes of jizz between your bodies.

Jake hilts inside you one last time before stilling, his cock throbbing and twitching as he shoots load after heavy load deep into your guts. You can feel the heat of it flooding your insides, marking you as his property.

And as Jake rolls off you with a satisfied grunt, already snoring softly, you drift off into a deep, dreamless sleep, unaware of how different your life will be from now on. Your old aspirations and inhibitions have been replaced by a single-minded desire to spread this feeling of warmth in your groin, to be with your bros, to lift and pump, to fuck, and man… you're a total stud now. Tomorrow you'll probably go to the gym and pump some iron with your best bro Jake - and you couldn't have it any other way.

[vanillasyrupsblog]

Breaking Up With Your Phone: Phone Detox

WHAT IS A PHONE DETOX?

The Oxford Dictionary defines a detox as, ''a process or period of time in which one abstains from or rids the body of toxic or unhealthy substances.'' Paired with the word phone, the phrase describes the concept of limiting your phone usage, in hopes of not only taking a break from the digital world but to see positive effects in your attention span, relationships and real life commitments.

WHY SHOULD YOU COMPLETE A PHONE DETOX?

If you're anything like me, your phone is everything. It's a place of entertainment, with tiktoks and reels. It's a place of motivation with pinterest and various tumblr posts. It's educational, an untouched language app sitting somewhere on your screen. And, what is most important and the reason of its creation, it's a way to connect with your friends, family and strangers on the internet.

While it all sounds perfect, the negative effects simply outdo everything you get:

Increased Stress Levels

Difficulty with Sleeping

Struggle with Memory, Attention and Problem-Solving Skills

Poor Effect on Mental Health

Hinders Development of Social Skills

HOW CAN I COMPLETE A PHONE DETOX?

If you've done any research on 'phone detoxes,' you'll find that the advice tends to be drastic. Youtubers, who lock their phones in safes or switch to a dumb phone. Or bloggers, who swear by 24 hours of doing absolutely nothing, no entertainment to 'reset the brains.'

Maybe for some people, that works, I can't deny it completely. However, a lot of people have commitments. Work. School. The need for a GPS, the need of being some sort of connected to your circle. Or the need of your phone for flashcards, learning. So this style of 'phone detox,' aims to limit and lower your screen time, not take an absolutist approach! (With these steps, I'd suggest about 3-7 days between each step, to make it more easier to being consistent.)

STEP 1 -> MAKE YOUR PHONE UNATTRACTIVE:

The reason why anyone struggles with phone addiction is due it being such a dopamine trigger. The ability of having any information at your fingertips, and any form of entertainment has done overwhelming harm. Therefore, the first step is to make your phone unappealing and unnatractive for you through:

Turn on Greyscale, making your phone less appealing with the lack of vibrant colours.

Undownload any games/apps that you know you simply doomscroll on and get nothing else from it

STEP 2 -> MINDFUL USING

Doomscrolling is the "act of spending an excessive amount of time reading or scrolling through social media." This I'd argue is also one of the biggest factors in phone time. So the second step in a phone detox would be:

Setting a time limit on your phone! To make this any sort of effective, download an app that gives you reminders/or has a floating clock so you are much more mindful with how much time you're spending.

Keep your phone away! While it's difficult to not take your phone with you to work or school, keep some sort of physical distance to it. When out, put it in your bag. And when inside, leave it in the same spot everywhere you go, don't take it with you to the bathroom or the kitchen.

STEP 3 -> REPLACEMENT

A lot of phone screen usage comes from boredom or to relax after a hard day of work. Therefore to keep going with your phone detox it's important to replace everything you used your phone for originally!

ENTERTAINMENT: Invest in screen-free hobbies (reading, drawing, journalling, walks, or spending time with others), and with screen entertainment, be mindful of what you consume (uplifting/inspirational movies, inspiring yt videos, positive video games)

EDUCATIONAL: go old school style for learning: make physical flashcards, use a whiteboard for blurting or teach someone your subject. and general learning: switch to podcasts while cleaning, read textbooks/articles/books for content, take classes.

MOTIVATION: read non-fiction (autobiographies, studies), watch longer content (movies, youtube videos), find inspiration outside: museums, shows, in nature, volunteering, libraries

SOCIAL: plan phone calls over texting, (or text on your laptop/computer to make it more meaningful), spend more time with your family/friends in person, go outside and speak to strangers (a simple good morning to a stranger goes a long way)

STEP 4 -> OTHER THINGS

These I couldn't find a category for, but to complete a successful phone detox, I'd argue these steps would be good to add on.

Morning Routine with no need for your phone AND turning off all screen one hour or two before your bedtime

Being outside/inside without listening to any music, the want of not being distracted at all and giving everything your full attention

Sleeping away from your phone, and keeping your phone away from you in general

Setting specific hours in the day to use your phone, rather than simply picking it up at any time.

SUMMARY OF STEPS:

Turn your phone on greyscale, clean out any apps that you doomscroll on

Download an app that clearly displays your phone usage time + app use time

Keep your phone physically away from you

Replace your phone usage needs with physical concepts like reading books for entertainment or going outside for inspiration

And the other things steps are as summarized as they can be!

If you give this a go, good luck! <3

[cleolinda]

I never actually explained why I started playing the Silent Hill 2 remake. As many people have pointed out, it is an absolutely wild choice (complex, difficult, scary, LONG) for my first video game. (I’m a mobile gamer, I wasn’t allowed to play video games as a kid, etc.) 

Since Jacksepticeye has come back to Tumblr, I’ll be a dork and say that I became a big fan of his channel over the last couple of years, and I started watching game playthroughs generally to wind down at night. I’ll basically watch anything he plays, and in October, he played the new remake. I was maybe 20 when the original came out, but I didn’t know shit about Silent Hill. Something about Pyramid Head, The Scariest Games Ever, not really my thing, but sure. I started watching and... didn’t really get into it. Planets weren’t aligned that day, idk. I let it keep running, went on to the second video, and then we hit THIS scene:

That music comes in out of NOWHERE like strong perfume and I was like, what the fuck is this game, why is the acting so good, what is HAPPENING, I love it. 

For several weeks, I was obsessed with the Akira Yamaoka soundtrack (both versions) and the story. The Actual Autism fully kicked in, and it was better than dealing with the rest of November 2024. I watched multiple people play the game, learned everything about it, didn’t care about the combat, never thought I’d play it myself. 

And then, two months into this... I kinda... I kinda wanted to fight a leg monster. A mannequin. THEY ARE SO SASSY AND THEY’RE SMART despite having no heads. I wanted to engage in noble fisticuffs (anklicuffs?) with these things. I am proud to say that I have gone from getting stuck in the parking lot on day one to actually being really good at fighting mannequins. (It’s the lying figures that get me. Fucking splash-damage motherfuckers.) Over ten hours of practice play in the first three levels of the game, I’ve only died twice so far (and both times were when the game BOXED ME IN and swarmed me with vomit monsters. Rude).

So anyway, I decided to play the game, and @idoherty451 and I started discussing it in excessive depth, and now I want to do a text commentary for sure, and a video gameplay (voice) commentary if I can get that up and running; I already have some rough reaction audio that I've been posting. I just want all this (and the software I’m learning) to be a new set of tools in my “having fun discussing media” box, really. That said, I don’t know how far I’ll actually take the practice run, now that it’s fulfilled its purpose and I’ve diagnosed that my hapless ass needs to be on light combat. I’ve even played South Vale 2-3 times to develop basic skills! I’m doing so good! So it’s helped to do a first run, get through “I’m lost for half an hour” snarls, and practice moving the camera more smoothly. I may leave off with playing ahead before I get to the last two bosses years from now at this rate and let y’all see that happen, for better or worse, without any prep. 

The whole premise here is that I want to walk through the game and talk about all the lore and easter eggs and theories I’ve learned about. It will be the opposite of spoiler-free (minus That One Big Thing I won’t give away). If you would like to watch spoiler-free playthroughs of this long-ass game, I also recommend Marz (new to the franchise) and Gab Smolders (huge OG fan). 

Anyway, this is what I’ll be doing tomorrow while actively ignoring U.S. politics. James Sunderland has some very specific problems, and unlike mine, he can hit most of them with a steel pipe. Wish me luck with Pyramid Head. 

[sataniccapitalist]

A new discovery of methane leaks in Antarctica could be a game-changer and potential near-term threat that’s difficult to characterize without sounding overly negative. Of course, situations like this that appear threatening to civilization, or life as we know it, are difficult to believe and accept as something the will really happen, which is understandable because nothing in human history compares to the risk attendant to the dreaded runaway greenhouse effect. So, there’s nothing in human history to compare it to.

Nevertheless, there are scientists who believe we are living on borrowed time because of massive changes happening at the top and at the bottom of the planet where only scientists and indigenous people hang out. Now, this new discovery serves to emphasize their concerns of a climate monster capable of altering everything, lurking in the background.

The threat is explained in a YouTube video: Immense Methane Leaks in Antarctica: A Hidden Climate Theat Unveiled by Phantom Ecology, which is headed by Milton Muldrow, Ph.D. asst. professor at Wilmington University and Chair/College of Arts & Sciences.

As a prelude to this new information, it’s important to note that Russian scientists have been monitoring the risks of methane breakouts in the High Arctic for a couple of decades and have voiced concern about the risks of a sudden burst as undersea methane clathrates increasingly melt, bubbling to surface in ever-larger diameters, which they have measured. As it happens, methane (CH4) is many times more potent than CO2 at trapping excessive global heat.

Additionally, the risk of a methane breakout is mentioned by Peter Wadhams, emeritus professor, Ocean Physics, University of Cambridge, in his celebrated, brilliant interview: The Future of Sea Level Rise: “Russian scientists working the region believe a huge pulse of methane could erupt.” This could crank up global temperatures to ultra-dangerous levels in as little as 2-3 years. The consequences would be unspeakable. And with Antarctica joining, the game changes.

As a science researcher/writer of over 400 articles, this new development is extraordinarily spooky and difficult to accept because the consequences feel way too close for comfort. Stated at the opening of the Phantom Ecology video: “Deep beneath the icy plains of Antarctica, a slumbering giant is beginning to stir. Scientists have made a startling discovery. Vast reservoirs of methane hydrates locked away for millennia are showing signs of instability.”

The finding sent ripples of concern throughout the world of science. The consequences for the planet could be quite dangerous, maybe sooner rather than later. Rising plumes of methane (CH4) near the Antarctic Peninsula raises a major concern that trapped methane will be released into the atmosphere, exacerbating an already dire situation of accelerating global temperatures. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Maginot line of 1.5C above pre-industrial not to be exceeded as framed at the Paris 2015 climate conference by nearly all the nations of the world is kaput. To date, global temperatures have been exceeding that level for nearly two years running.

Meanwhile, world famous climate scientist James Hansen (Earth Institute, Columbia University) says 2C is on the horizon. “The pace of global heating has been significantly underestimated, according to renowned climate scientist Prof James Hansen, who said the international 2C target is “dead” (Climate Change Target of 2C is ‘Dead’ Says Renonwed Climate Scientist, The Guardian, Feb. 4, 2025). It’s a huge understatement to say this would be horrendous for Antarctic methane leaks, Arctic methane leaks, including Siberian methane leaks and Alaskan methane leaks, as well as Glacial methane leaks (see below “Methane Double Trouble” for another disturbing new discovery).

The volume of methane locked away in Antarctic ice is estimated to be more carbon than all other fuel deposits combined for the planet. A small fraction of this escaping into the atmosphere could have catastrophic consequences for the climate system “in the not-too-distant future.” (Muldrow)

[most-datable-datable-bracket]

ROUND 5 MATCH 4

Derek propaganda:

“Extreme hot take but Derek is the best OL1 love interest. He has the best and sweetest confession in the game. You play video games together. He seems reserved until you actually start dating and find out that he's actually just a gentleman who didn't want to be overly forward with someone he's not in a relationship with. He's a family man. You get to blatantly abuse your 'dating' privileges in front of his brothers. He's just so insanely sweet and caring and makes me wanna cry whenever I play his DLC.”

“- Impossible to dislike

- No, like, literally impossible. OL1 will allow you to be indifferent to it's two other LIs, Cove and Baxter but you actually can't pick that option for Derek. Game decided that You Will Be (at least) Friends With Derek

- This boy is so good!!!! He's a sweetheart and has your back in the best way and he's constantly doing his best to make sure the people around him (especially you) are happy

- This is also a complex flaw of his because he feels like he needs to be the best that he can be and to be worth something

- This both manifests in how he treats others (he's exceedingly well-mannered and does everything for others because he secretly hopes that someday someone will do the same for him) and his career prospects (he takes on excessive practice to get good at football/soccer so that he can potentially get a scholarship and become famous all so he can potenially feel like he's worth something. This is actually a major conflict in his Step 4)

- His DLC also has some of the best moments in the game

- He also has a family and they're also really good and you get to see a lot of them

- His dad is hilarious, his mom is gorgeous and their relationship is very cute

- Meanwhile, Derek's brothers are great. I wanna gush about them because I love them but also play Derek's DLC yourself!!! See how good they are for yourself!!!!

- I will say that these three have a really good relationship dynamic and the development it takes in the 10 years between when you first meet Jorge and Nico as little kids to Step 4 where they're adults (and a teenager, Nico is 16 in Step 4) is genuinely very well written

- If you're into the steamy stuff, Derek also has the best make-out session out of all of the boys

- He's also just. Very funny. This boy will invite you to a waterpark and then ask you if its a date so he knows whether or not it's ok to check you out in your swimsuit

- Or, if you aren't dating by that point (but you do want to to date him), the narration will note how he's trying so so hard not to check you out, he's just trying so so so hard

- Puppy dog face. Look at it. Tell me you can look at that face and not want to smooch him

- His confession is also the best, did I mention it's the best? Because it's absolutely the best one in the entire game

- He has a whole thing about having to confess to you on a ferris wheel and he's so committed to it that he actually avoided ferris wheels for a long time before this confession because he promised himself he'd do it the next time he went on one

- And then he went on one...and he literally doesn't confess when he does it because he lost track of time and he had to get off

- so he asks you to go on the ferris wheel with him again so he can actually confess this time

Just. Just vote for him!!!!”

“He's sweet, polite, and out-going and is always willing to put you first (sometimes too willing).”

“polite responsible jock u r NOT immune to this”

Asra propaganda:

“He GIVES AWAY HALF HIS HEART TO REVIVE YOU okay but like. He's the MCs roommate and they were together for a few years before the MC caught a plague and died and he obsesses over a way to bring them back before succeeding by making a deal with a god to trade half his heart for MC and betraying the emperor. And then when MC comes back but without any of their memories, he takes care of them and teaches them how to live all over again and he never asks for anything in return. On all the routes where you don't choose him he's really supportive and helps you out despite your history and overall he's just really nice and supportive of the MC and is their rock no matter what route you go down. Also he has a pet snake named Faust and I love her she's so <33 

Idk I just appreciate him so much”

"He gave you half his HEART!! He would literally go to hell and back for you!! He wants to take you on adventures all around the world—doesn’t matter where, as long as he’s by your side!! AND he’s nonbinary!!!"

[lsunstreakerl]

for the kink prompt: maybe some catboy max? im such a sucker for subby max asking for (read: silently demanding) attention

don't ask me any worldbuilding questions or the color of anything. (especially don't ask me how it ended up being 1.5k words. I swear I was watching the word count.) this is pretty much complete smut. you weren't very specific with what kind of catboy, so I went with whatever. this is... probably not what you were thinking of. here you go anyways :)

HI this is. very clearly a kink prompt fill. terribly explicit content ahead I'm afraid. not violent just horny.

pairings: lewis hamilton/nico rosberg, lewis hamilton/max verstappen, implied lewis hamilton/max verstappen/nico rosberg

relevant heads up: return of the the maxussy, people/animal hybrids as pets, heats.

Nobody told Nico how much work having a catboy was going to be. Max likes to cause problems- he'll curl up all sweet on their laps before randomly deciding to bite, he has a personal vendetta with Lewis's monstera in the dining room, and he's outscored them both on every single competitive video game they have.

The shelter said he was still young, and had warned them his personality was still developing- and like a pair of complete idiots both Nico and Lewis had thought that was cute.

Now they have a menace.

Jenson had practically cried laughing at them the first time Nico called to ask for advice, before informing him that Sebastian was equally as terrible until they got him Charles.

Nico isn't sure adding another cat to the mix is going to fix anything- and Max is actually being cute now, sprawled across Lewis on the couch purring. His tail flicks occasionally, soft swishes against the side of the couch, and sometimes his ears will twitch at a noise, but he's being behaved.

Probably because Lewis has just gotten back from looping them both around Monte-Carlo a few times, trying to get some of the excess energy out.

It's worked, thankfully.

Nico wanders over, leaning down to kiss Lewis as one hand reaches into Max's hair, scratching between his ears.

The purring ratchets up a notch, and Max's eyes blink open slowly, nestling his face further into Lewis's chest.

"Did Lew finally wear you out, you little beast?"

Max simply stretches out his legs, whole body arching with a soft noise before he's curling back up. He's watching Nico lazily, and Lewis's hand is running down his back in long, smooth strokes.

"I guess we need to add more running into the routine. He liked watching the harbor- we should see if he's interested in swimming sometime."

Nico raises an eyebrow.

"Lewis, he's a cat."

Lewis shrugs, scratching down Max's spine.

"So? He's a weird cat."

Nico can't exactly argue that.

------

Lewis is trying to get some paperwork handled for Toto, but Max is being suspicious. Suspicious as in he's being behaved.

He's curled up tight in the armchair, watching out the balcony window. His ears are alert and forward, and Lewis isn't sure he's actually moved a whole lot in the last hour. The very tip of his tail twitches occasionally, and his hands are neatly folded in his lap.

On the one hand- Lewis should probably go check that out. On the other hand- Max is not currently trying to bite at Lewis, or his plants, or putting holes in the curtains, so he's inclined to let it slide, at least until he gets a few more emails done.

It's only when he's hitting send that he realizes. Max doesn't usually spend time in the home office with him, because it's boring unless he's actively being a brat, but sometimes, when the weather is nice enough-

Lewis sighs, rolling his eyes as he stands and makes his way over to the chair, trying to see what Max is seeing.

Yup. Carlos is throwing a frisbee for Daniel down by the harbor, both of them tanned and shirtless. Lewis has no idea how either of them have that much energy, but- he supposes that's why Carlos got an Aussie. They're excitable like that.

Unlike Lewis and Nico, who have ended up with a bratty Dutchie. Max is technically also Belgian, but not enough to be on his pedigree, so his papers read standard Amsterdam.

"Stop ogling the neighbors dog, please."

Max makes a small noise in the back of his throat, looking back up at Lewis. His eyes are larger than normal, and when Lewis gently rubs at his ears, he's running a bit hotter than usual as well.

Shit.

"Oh, oh no. Are you seriously in heat?"

Max just blinks, pushing his head further into Lewis's palm. Lewis sighs, leaning down and wrapping an arm under his thighs before lifting. Max snuggles into him and starts purring.

It's sweeter than Lewis would like to admit. Max's tail brushes against his thigh as he walks them into the bedroom, dropping Max down onto the bed.

If blatantly staring at the neighbors hadn't given it away, the way Max drops his legs open and arches his back is a clear sign of heat.

"I know, I'm on it sweetheart, one second."

Lewis shoots off a text to Nico before digging into one of the drawers. They'd known it was a possibility- one of the perks of having catboys is the high sex drive, and Dutchies are particularly known for it- something about the Amsterdam line just makes them needy.

The shelter had informed them that Max hadn't had a heat since he was rescued, but that they might return on a regular schedule in a stable environment. Apparently, Lewis and Nico have finally provided that, six months after bringing Max home.

Nico is going to be so jealous he's not present for the start of Max's.

Max whines from the bed, and Lewis snags a few of the toys before coming back over. Poor Max is already a mess- a clear wetness soaking into the sweatpants they keep him in, tail flicking. His ears are slightly pinned back, and he's kneading at the duvet.

Lewis swings a leg over the bed, straddling Max's thighs as he brings his hands to his chest, already puffy and soft under his palms.

Max keens, arching up into him, and Lewis knows he's going to have his hands full until Nico gets home.

"I've got you, don't worry."

Lewis lifts up for a moment, sliding the sweatpants off and tossing them somewhere across the room. Max's thighs are shiny with slick, and Nico's going to kill him for doing this without him, but there's no way Lewis is going to resist- brings his head down and licks a stripe across Max's core, hot and wet.

Max's thighs clamp around his head, and Lewis grins, brings his hands up, gripping one of Max's thighs with his right, holding him down by the waist with his left.

Max bucks into his mouth, already making cute little noises above him.

Lewis brings his head back down, traces out patterns into Max with his tongue as he progressively falls further apart, before he licks a bit higher, latches his mouth around Max's clit and sucks.

Max wails, shuddering under Lewis's hands as he comes, and he's definitely making a mess, slick dripping out of him. Lewis doesn't mind- they'll change the sheets later.

He wipes his mouth with the back of his hand, crawling up Max's stomach to toy with his chest again, even as Max squirms underneath him, panting.

"Be good, sweetheart. Nico will be home soon."

Max's eyes are big and wet as he looks at him, and Lewis really can't help it, not when he's being cute.

Nico won't know if he sneaks two before he gets home.

He runs his hand between Max's legs, collecting slick before pressing it to Max's mouth, feels his rough tongue lapping at Lewis's fingers.

Lewis takes back every comment he's made about Max being badly behaved- if he's this sweet his entire heat, every time, Lewis will pretend not to notice the missing leaves on his plants.

Max is sucking at his fingers like it's what he was born to do, even though he must feel needy and empty, and Lewis half wonders if the solution to his behavioral problems is just keeping him horny.

He'll run it by Nico later.

Lewis leans down to suck at Max's chest, leaves little bite marks across his skin before catching a nipple in his teeth and nipping, listening to the breathy noise Max makes.

He keeps at it, letting it slowly build, because if he can also teach some patience here it'll be a miracle. Max is getting red underneath him, splotches across his neck and down his chest, and he can't stay still under Lewis's wandering hands.

Lewis can tell he's getting close when Max starts frantically clawing at his back and biceps as he keeps teasing him, before Lewis finally gives in and shoves a thigh between his legs, right up against his wet heat.

Max immediately grinds up, desperate and needy, chasing pleasure against the muscle of Lewis's leg. It's a bit of a power rush, knowing he could move it back, leave Max hanging until Nico gets here. He doesn't, because he's not feeling that mean, and Max has been good today.

It doesn't take very long before Max comes again, riding the orgasm with weak little shivers, still keeping Lewis's thigh clamped between his own.

Lewis can heart the clatter of keys into the bowl in the living room, and then their door is swinging open, Nico's eyes immediately dropping to the bed.

"You got started without me!"

Lewis grins, deliberately grinds his thigh down where Max is still oversensitive just to hear him whine, watch him twitch away from it below him.

"I wouldn't be too worried about missing anything."

Nico's already pulling off his jacket and shirt, making his way to the bed. His eyes are dark, focused on Lewis and Max like something he wants to eat.

Lewis is sure his own expression isn't much better.

[chlorinecake]

ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁 Restless Nights w Enhypen ! ⩇⩇:⩇⩇

༯ pairing: bf!enha x snoring s/o ☁️

༯ warnings: cavity inducing fluff, language, a lil crack

༯ wc: less than 200 words for each member

니키 | Niki - Once you and Niki started sleeping in the same bed together, it was game over for you about three nights in when he ~discovered~ your snoring habit. The menace in him couldn’t help but record your noisy fits, just in case he ever ran out of things to tease you for 🤭 He even nicknamed you “piglet” the next day 😭 You’d feel a lil insecure about it (at first) until asking him what he meant by it, and he’d simply show you the video, holding back his laugh… He’d use his height advantage against you as you desperately tried reaching for his phone to delete the video 🤧🤧 “NIKI IF YOU DON’T DELETE THAT SHIT, I’M NEVER SLEEPING WITH YOU AGAIN!!” He’d drop his arm immediately, handing you the phone. “I’m sorry,” he’d whisper, pulling you in for a hug.

정원 | Jungwon - Usually, Jungwon is a VERY LATE sleeper, so there are nights when he doesn’t mind your snoring as much. However, if he’s really tired and in need of some quality rest 😪, your snoring can be somewhat of a hinderance to him. So, he researched methods that might aid your noisy habit. Meditating or simply listening to calming music with you before bed soon developed into more than just an anti-snore scheme, but a part of your nightly routines 🥰🥰

“I’m so tired, Wonie, can we please just go to bed?”

“Right after we meditate first.”

“But why,” you pouted.

“It’ll help you sleep better, ____. Just give me 10 minutes, and afterwards, we can cuddle.” After that offer, you’d happily oblige, and sometimes, end up meditating in each others presence for even longer than planned.

선우 | Sunoo - Some nights, Sunoo finds your snoring cute, while other nights he finds it ANNOYING AS HELL 😩, so it really depends on his mood. One night, he was so fed up with it that he plugged your nose while you were sleeping, just to laugh his ass off when you wake up wheezing 💀 until you look at him like “😤” and he makes up every excuse 🪦

“Go back to sleep, honey, you probably just had a bad dream.”

“Sunoo.”

“Fine, the truth is, your snoring was annoying the hell out of me, so I tried to cheer myself up by letting the intrusive thoughts win. My apologies.”

“Sunoo.”

“Look, I promise I’ll never do it again, baby 🥺.”

“SUNOO!”

“What?” Those were his final words before you’d initiate a revenge tickle fight, tiring him out before you both fell back to sleep, snoring together this time 😴

성훈 | Sunghoon - Honestly, Sunghoon isn’t bothered by your snoring habit at all. He GETS his beauty sleep 💅✨💋, regardless of the earthquake occurring on your side of the bed 🥴 The only time he’ll tease you about it is if you snore ~excessively~ right after intimacy 🙈 He’d wake up the next morning and trace lazy shapes on the small of your back, admiring your EVERYTHING in the moment of silence before saying some cheeky shit like:

“Was it that good, baby?”

You’d wake up at the sound of his voice, groggy and confused.

“What’re you talking about, Sunghoon?”

“Last night, silly. You were snoring like a beast, so it must’ve been fabulous.” You could feel heat rush to your face, both out of embarrassment and affection ☺️☺️

제이크 | Jake - As you came to learn while dating him, Jake is a softie at heart 🥹🫀🍬 He finds your snoring habit SOOO endearing. Sometimes, he likes to think of the different animals your snores remind him of 😑, but his all time favorite snores are the kitten purrs you make while nuzzled against his chest, making his heart thud like a whole ass drum!!! He can’t wait to update you the next morning, telling you how cute you sounded/looked in your sleep 😌 He also DEFINITELY took a picture or two 👀

“Baby, guess what! It’s really important,” he’d say in his adorable Aussie accent, shaking you from your slumber…. at 5am 🫠

“Yeah, what is it Jakey?”

“You looked really pretty while you slept, and your snores sounded saur freaking cute, and I love you, and I also can’t wait to sleep next to you again TONIGHT, and-”

“HOW IS THAT IMPORTANT, JAKE?”

제이 | Jay - Jay absolutely can’t STAND your snoring! He’s pretty big on physical touch in a relationship, viewing cuddle sessions as a form of ~life support~ in most cases. Though, he simply has a very low tolerance for the noise you make, especially when he’s tired 🥱 The poor guy ends up sleeping on the couch during most of your snoring fits so he doesn’t wake up cranky or disturb you with his tossing and turning 😭😭 It’s honestly for the best 💝

“Jayyyy,” you call from your shared bedroom.

By now, he knew exactly what you wanted whenever you called his name like that.

He picked up his pillow and blanket from the couch, meeting you on the mattress.

“Cuddles?” You’d ask, tugging at the hem of his shirt.

“Always 😏”

희승 | Heeseung - Knowing Heeseung, he’d probably be snoring right on with ya. He’s a ~vocal~ man in his waking life and it’s not very different when he’s asleep either. His snores aren’t as loud as yours, but he sleeps like a baby through your noise anyways 😌 Heeseung believes snoring is an indicator that one is catching up on some well-needed and deserved rest, so he’ll likely NEVER complain about it 🫶🤗

Hugging you from behind, he’d pull you closer the second you tried to escape his hold.

“Heeseung, I need to pee,” you’d whine, squirming in his arms.

“What if I miss you while you’re gone?” He’d ask you, pouting.

“I’ll come back as soon as I finish, okay?”

“Ugh, okay,” he’d answer, only for you to come back two minutes later and find him smiling into your pillow, drifting back to sleep.

  zᶻ

૮˶- ﻌ -˶ა⌒) thanks for stopping by! make sure to check out my bookshelf for more fun reads! 🎂

[the-red-princess]

MY FIRST FIC … it’s just the first chapter… hope you all enjoy … it’s a MarkHelena fic …

Chapter 1 - Good or Bad news ?

Difficult times always show us the real value of the things we have.

How many sunny afternoons had I spent buried in work while Gemma asked me to go for a walk? How many game nights had I missed? Two years of pain and remorse were more than enough to change my view on what really matters, and on how I want to enjoy this new life I've been given, when I thought my existence would be nothing more than a memoryless job, nights of drunken stupor, and, in the few hours I actually felt sane, the pain would consume more and more parts of me, leaving new open holes every day.

The "Rebellion of the Innies," as the Lumon severed floor takeover came to be known, ended in a confusing way three months ago. The company barely survived the scandals, but only after declaring that all research into severance would be permanently shut down. Helena Eagan took over the company amidst the chaos after the sudden death of her father. Her actions since then had been solely focused on repairing the damage caused by severance to everyone. Along with Harmony, she was able to develop a safe reintegration method, which was presented to the severed workers along with videos of their Inners, in an attempt to convince them to go through with the procedure, so the Inners wouldn't be "killed" in the end. Helena herself stated she would undergo the procedure as soon as she sorted out some personal medical issues.

Even with all the advantages, I didn't feel like I should go through with reintegration—especially knowing the feelings my innie had for Helena Eagan. My heart belonged only to Gemma, and I didn't want that to change.

"Mark!? Can you help me with the plates, honey?" Gemma called from the kitchen.

"Of course," I said, snapping out of my sudden daydream caused by a news headline I saw on my phone.

When I got to the kitchen, I saw Gemma taking roasted chicken with potatoes out of the oven. The smell quickly spread through the air. She had never been much of a cook, but ever since she came back, cooking had become her outlet. She said that in the testing floor, those moments preparing food felt special—like she had control over something, even if it was small—and she had learned to find peace in that. Every day, since we moved back to Ganz, she made a different recipe for dinner.

While I was setting the plates, I noticed a car stopping in front of the house. Then came the knocks on the door. We weren't expecting anyone. For some reason, my heart started beating faster, like something was about to jump from behind the couch. I walked toward the door and, still a bit hesitant, opened it.

When I saw who it was, I involuntarily took two steps back. She then raised her hands slightly, as if surrendering, and gave a faint smile.

"Calm down, Mark. I come in peace," Helena said quickly.

"What are you doing here? How do you know where I live?" I asked, still keeping some distance from the door.

She was accompanied by two security guards waiting a bit farther off, probably at her request so she wouldn't seem threatening.

"Well, like I said, I come in peace. And I know where you live because you still have a chip from my company in you both—but we can only track Gemma's. It was a newer model."

She was rambling a bit at the end, seemed nervous, and was gesturing excessively. I must have made a very clear expression of distrust, because she quickly continued explaining.

"I know you two don't want anything to do with me. I know it doesn't matter how many times I apologize—it'll never be enough to make up for everything my father and the company did to you..."

"Oh, are you talking about the kidnapping of my wife? Faking her death? Torture? Or trying to kill us?" I cut her off mid-speech. "We made it very clear last time that we didn't want any of that in our lives anymore."

When we left Kier, we had a conversation with Natalie, representing the board, who offered us a sum of money—"financial compensation for the distress," they called it. The lawyers said it was a fair amount, along with a promise that we'd never be bothered again. We accepted the offer just to get out of there and start over—as if nothing had happened. At least, that was the idea.

"I know. And I didn't want to come here..." Her voice grew quieter as she spoke, looking down at her clasped hands.

"Then why did you come?" I asked, exasperated.

Gemma heard the voices and came to see what was going on, drying her hands with a dish towel.

"Sweetheart? What's happening? What are you doing here?" Gemma asked, slightly irritated, standing beside me.

"If you let me speak, I promise I'll leave right after," Helena said, straightening up and putting on a serious expression once Gemma arrived.

We both waited in silence while she prepared to speak, now clearly a bit irritated.

"Well, like I was saying—it wasn't my idea to come. Harmony insisted ever since I found out..." she swallowed hard and looked away. "Mark, I didn't come to ask for support or even presence—I was just convinced you deserved to know... I'm pregnant."

She said it almost in a single breath, probably hoping it'd be like ripping off a band-aid: the faster, the less it hurts.

Neither Gemma nor I reacted. I opened my mouth, but my brain refused to give me any sentences—just a single word.

"Wait … how ???”

"Mark, I think everyone knows how these things happen. I know your focus is history, but you must have studied biology," Helena replied sarcastically.

"I know how biologically, but... when? Where?" I asked, holding onto the doorframe, feeling like I might throw up at any moment.

"Oh, you didn't watch the tapes of your innies before leaving? Well, I saw all of them. And to answer your questions—there were several days. But the first time was during that retreat. Then the day I found you at the restaurant, remember?"

"I do," I replied, still a bit dazed.

"Those days I was informed of what happened and took every precaution to make sure nothing would come of it—but the problem was the many times our innies got involved during the rebellion... they took full advantage."

That last part she said laughing openly, showing no concern for our state of complete shock.

I felt Gemma step away and sit on the stairs behind me. My head was spinning. Amid the confusion, visions I'd had during my attempted reintegration came flooding back—me on top of Helena, on a plastic-covered floor, and for a moment, I could feel her heart pounding as I leaned over her. I shook my head, trying to erase the memory.

"I... I don't... are you sure it's mine?" The desperation in my voice was clear.

Helena lifted her head, still smiling faintly.

"Well, I did what I promised Cobel. I'll be in town for a couple more days to deal with some company issues. If you have any questions, my hotel info is on this card, including my room number. Goodbye, Mark... Gemma."

She placed the card into my hand resting on the doorframe. Without waiting for any reply to her goodbye, she turned, quickly got into her car, and left.

I kept staring at the spot where Helena had stood, as if her ghost remained there, repeating the word "pregnant" over and over. My head was spinning. I blinked a few times, hoping I'd suddenly wake up on the couch.

I took a deep breath and pulled myself together—I needed to be there for my wife. I turned around, and Gemma was looking at her feet, hands resting on the stair step she was sitting on. I knelt in front of her.

"My love? Are you okay?" I asked, touching her shoulder. She didn't pull away, which was a good sign.

I tried to lift her face, but she didn't let me.

"Gemma, I swear—I didn't know anything about this. I had no idea my innie was that involved..."

"It was your innie... not you..." she said, still with her head down. "It's okay—I just need a minute."

She put her hands over her face. I backed away and sat on the floor, waiting until she was ready to move.

We didn't have dinner that night. The roast went straight into the fridge. Gemma kept insisting she was okay, but I knew how much that hurt her—how much it hurt me. I was going to be a father, and I'd probably never have contact—just pictures in magazines or TV. It didn't feel right.

Near bedtime, Gemma said she needed space. I agreed and reassured her I'd sleep on the couch. She brought me a pillow and blanket, said goodnight, and went upstairs.

I tried to distract myself with a silly movie, but nothing could take my mind off the unexpected visit.

When I first started at Lumon, I saw lots of ads featuring Helena—especially related to severance. What always struck me was how young she was, holding so much responsibility—and also very beautiful. The day I saw her at the restaurant was so strange. When I realized we were flirting, I got confused. I wasn't capable of holding a conversation with anyone—and suddenly the heiress of the biggest company is in front of me, and I act like a teenager. Worse—she responded. It felt like the prom queen asked to sit at my lunch table.

I realized I was smiling remembering it. I know the reintegration didn't fully go through, but these feelings that arise when I think about her... it makes me think there's some leak from my innie.

I reached into my pocket and took out the card Helena had given me. I know it felt wrong—but I had the feeling that talking to her would ease the weight in my chest. I don't want to have a son or daughter and never know them. It's my right... isn't it?

I got up quickly and went to the bedroom. Gemma was sleeping deeply, and she'd stay that way until morning. Lately, she'd been taking medication to help her sleep—it made her rest deeply. So if I went out and came back quickly, she wouldn't even notice.

I went downstairs, grabbed the car keys, a coat, and left. She was staying at one of the city's fanciest hotels, of course—the presidential suite.

It was a quick drive—no traffic at that hour, already past ten at night. I parked in front of the hotel. Suddenly a chill ran through my stomach. I took a few deep breaths to calm myself—it was just a conversation.

I gathered my courage, walked quickly to the entrance. In the lobby, the lights dazzled me for a moment. It was beautiful—gold and white dominated, the floor and counters looked like pearlescent quartz. The staff greeted me with fake smiles. I approached the counter and asked to speak with Helena Eagan in the main suite.

"One moment, sir, I'll check."

The attendant didn't seem to believe I'd have any relation to an Eagan. Even outside Kier, Lumon's reputation was huge.

"Good evening, Ms. Eagan, sorry for the late hour. A Mr. Mark Scout is here to see you."

He listened carefully to the reply, and like magic, his expression toward me changed.

"Perfectly, ma'am. I'll authorize his—"

"Wait. I don't want to go up. Can't she meet me down here?" I interrupted.

"One moment, Mr. Scout... Ma'am, your visitor would like to know if you could meet him in the lobby?... I see... No problem, ma'am. I'll let him know. Thank you and good night."

He hung up and turned to me with a smile.

"Mr. Scout, Ms. Eagan informed me that she's not feeling well enough to come down—and insisted that you go up."

My idea was to speak with her in public. She makes me nervous, and being alone with her in a room wasn't going to help—but I needed to get this weight off my chest, or I'd suffocate.

So I agreed. The smiling attendant led me to the elevator, used a room key to call it, and told me I'd exit directly into the room, so he couldn't accompany me.

As the elevator doors closed, my heart began to race again. I felt like this was a terrible idea—but at the same time, if I didn't go through with it, the anxiety in my chest would explode.

[dkniade]

I’ve got a feeling that Lyney, Lynnette (and maybe Freminet) were designed early on in the game’s development since the level of detail on their outfits is surprisingly pleasing with a limited colour scheme too.

(….no yeah of course. The first two were in the Teyvat storyline preview video)

Wine-red, teal, and gold (edit: secondary colours), with black/white (edit: primary colours) and some muted secondary (edit: tertiary) colours to tie it together. It’s nice (maybe it’s just the type of colour scheme/ratio I like in character designs haha)

(I’d rather they have long pants though)

Now compare them to some other characters, whose designs seem cluttered with high contrast and excessive metallic details as per the Genshin Impact standard level of detail in character design. Quite unnecessary (and visually distracting) to have that much skin showing for Lisa, Yelan, and Shenhe (where am I supposed to look? The face? Arms? Thighs? Too much contrast.) Exactly why must their hips be so pronounced? Both Lisa and Yelan have only some cloth falling between their thighs, and Shenhe…

Shenhe doesn’t even have that much non-form-fitting clothing. A disciple of the Adeptus Cloud Retainer hailing from a clan of exorcists! Dressed like that? The red strings are supposed to be “binding/locking” her soul/bloodlust (it’s common in traditional Chinese culture to tie red ropes around supposedly possessed items—like vegetables—to prevent their “escape”) but their positions with this choice of outfit seem so much more suggestive than it should. Should she really train in the mountains dressed like that?

Neuvillette and Kaeya share some shapes for their upper body (large lapels, collar, asymmetrical hairstyle, something that fans out around shoulder parts, etc) but compared to the Fontainian trio above they still seem overdesigned.

I learned in a graphic design class once that, if you put too many different fonts together, then nothing stands out. In a similar way, too many details together can make the designs feel cluttered or distracting. I’m sure as fans of the game we get used to the level of detail in the character designs, but the moment the Fontainian trio got their key visuals released, I remembered just how effective simple outfit designs can be for this game.

Though, Dainsleif, Neuvillette, and Zhongli have rather similar shapes and value ratios in their outfits (highest contrast is face/chest area, tight sleeves with symmetrical coat/cape that splits out at the ends, broad shapes around shoulders pointing down, metallic accents compliment rest of colour temperature, etc)… Neuvillette is so pale that I think, if he was Black (with white/pale hair) for example, it’d allow more representations of dark-skinned people and his hair would contrast more, thus drawing attention to his face better.

Strange… Shenhe and Neuvillette both have white/silvery hair but their canon skin tones are even more pale… In the end, it’s quite boring to look at on some level

[bambimeadows]

I haven’t really got anything of value to contribute to tumblr, I just want to make it clear that I’m biologically programmed to develop deranged obsessions with video game characters old enough to be my father in excess and it’s killing me

[identityarchitect]

"polite reminder to all my mutuals that phone and social media addiction is not real" please say this is unserious

you think that when a teenager gets extremely anxious over their phone being taken or uses their phone a lot its because theyre physiologically dependant on their phone and not because:

its the primary way of speaking to someone who is not literally in the same room as you

teens lack control over substantial parts of their life such as where and who they live with, who has access to their medical or financial information, where they go physically, when they are allowed to leave the house, what possessions they have and what they do with those possessions, and even basic things like what they eat or dress

that lack of control is legally and socially validated, even though if, for example, someone had full access to their partners financial information, bank account, and money, and could control what their partner did with their money, we'd rightfully call it abuse

it is a genuinely upsetting event to have someone take your primary means of communication with other people, even (and especially!) out of concern for your wellbeing

there are many queer teens who live in a bigoted environment and are at risk of physical harm if their parents find out that they're queer, who use social media and their phone to find resources on queerness, connect with likeminded people, and develop a plan to escape their environment

further than that there are many teens who live in an abusive environment who just straight up would not know about abuse if it weren't for social media

further than THAT there are many teens who live in cults (i.e mormonism) who are only connected to non-cult sources via social media (i.e the exmormon subreddit)

there are multiple studies that shed doubt on the methodology of studies talking about behavioural addiction, and show that behavioural addiction might not even exist the same way substance-based addictions do:

Although the majority of research in the field declares that smartphones are addictive or takes the existence of smartphone addiction as granted, we did not find sufficient support from the addiction perspective to confirm the existence of smartphone addiction at this time. The behaviors observed in the research could be better labeled as problematic or maladaptive smartphone use and their consequences do not meet the severity levels of those caused by addiction.

(via Is Smartphone Addiction Really An Addiction?)

The present results indicate that self-identified excessive exercising, sexual behavior, shopping, online chatting, video gaming, and/or eating tend to be fairly transient for most people. This aspect of the results is inconsistent with conceptualizations of addictions as progressive in nature, unless treated.

(via Natural Course of Behavioural Addiction: A 5-year Longitudinal Study)

as well as these two that talk about the methodology involved in studies into behavioural addiction. did you know that theres a paper that proposes fucking tango dancing as an addiction? the abstract of that paper says "However, this dependence is associated with marked and sustained positive effects whilst the negative are few.". the paper itself didnt find any negative effects of tango dancing because OF COURSE IT DIDNT, ITS PROPOSING THAT A SOCIAL, PHYSICALLY ACTIVE HOBBY IS AN ADDICTION. how can you take the field of behavioural addiction seriously when there are people proposing that you can get addicted to physical exercise.

but yeah no its definitely because theyre developing a fucking mental dependence on smartphones and not because thats how literally everyone talks to each other. socialising is a core part of human wellbeing anon. next youre going to say food addiction is real. fucking hell.

[ausantana]

𝐌𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰: Anora (2024)

Written by: Au, also know as @ausantana on tumblr

"Your paradise was nothing more than a cruel game—a prison of illusions that I refuse to call home."

Click below to continue reading! ↓

Anora (2024) is a film that stands out for its bold and deeply reflective screenplay, capable of captivating the audience from its very first scenes. The story centers on Ani, a woman seduced by the promises of an idealized world presented by Vanya, who ventures into a reality that, at first glance, seems to offer all the answers and happiness she has ever desired. However, the climax delivers a devastating blow of reality when Ani discovers that everything she believed in was merely a cruel game for Vanya, adding a note of tragedy and disillusionment to the plot.

This unexpected twist is the key that propels the development of Ani’s character, forcing her to confront a harsh truth about herself and those around her. The film not only provides an emotionally intense narrative, but it also invites viewers to question the nature of human relationships and the manipulation that can hide behind façades of perfection. Ani’s evolution becomes a tangible representation of the pain of disillusionment and the quest for authenticity in a world rife with deception.

Within this context, the character of Igor stands out as a counterpoint of humanity and empathy amid the prevailing coldness and selfishness. Unlike other characters who view Ani merely as an object or a means to their own ends, Igor treats her with the respect and dignity she deserves. His presence is fundamental, as it enables Ani to rediscover her self-worth and begin rebuilding her identity far from the manipulations and falsehoods that had once enveloped her.

Another crucial aspect explored in the film is the stark contrast in social classes and the accompanying stigmas that affect the protagonist. Ani finds herself entangled in a web of humiliation and threats imposed by a multimillionaire family, which wields its power and fortune to dominate and control her, stripping away any possibility of independence. This social critique is presented in a subtle yet powerful manner, highlighting how economic barriers and prejudices can destroy self-esteem and severely limit the personal development of those in vulnerable positions.

The cinematography of Anora (2024) plays a crucial role in shaping the narrative, using color contrast and staging to emphasize the duality between illusion and reality. The spaces tied to Vanya and his world of privilege are bathed in vibrant, saturated, and warm tones, reflecting the false sense of glamour and security he promises Ani. In contrast, when the protagonist faces the consequences of that deception, the color palette shifts to colder, more muted shades, accentuating her isolation and the harshness of her emotional awakening. The staging further reinforces this dynamic: the lavish interiors, filled with excessive ornamentation and opulence, starkly contrast with the simpler, stripped-down spaces where Ani experiences moments of genuine humanity, especially in her interactions with Igor. These visual elements not only enhance the storytelling but also underscore the film’s social critique, visually exposing how appearances mask the toxicity of a system built on power and inequality.

Overall, 'Anora (2024)' is not only celebrated for its excellent screenplay and narration, but also for its ability to delve into universal themes such as disillusionment, manipulation, and the struggle for dignity in an unrelenting environment. The film encourages the viewer to reflect on the true nature of human relationships and the high price paid when one blindly trusts in illusions built on falsehoods. With its complex plot and memorable characters, Anora establishes itself as a cinematic work that both challenges and moves its audience, leaving a lasting impression.

tiktok videos that summarize the movie:

Anora's scenography (copy & paste): https://www.tiktok.com/@swell.96/video/7478754786666466582?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7472040865031620098

Ani's Loneliness

Contains Spoilers: Final Scene (my fav movie scene)

— xoxo, Au.

[ask-egonspengler]

ABOUT:

CHARACTER SHEET:

Items in italics are not canon, but will play into this portrayal of the character.

NAME: Egon Zephaniah Spengler

DOB: November 21, 1946

SEXUALITY: Non-specified (gray-asexual)

POSITIVE TRAITS: Intelligent, hard-working, observant, insightful, curious, reserved, independent, innovative.

NEGATIVE TRAITS: Detached, guarded, isolated, avoidant, prideful, prone to rage, high-strung.

LIKES: Junk food, various scientific (and pseudo-) fields, music, art, poetry, architecture, reading, coffee, naps, thunderstorms, alone time

DISLIKES: Slimy textures, tasteless food, excessive physical touch, crowds, cilantro, heat, slander, chewing noises, sports

CANONICITY:

PRIME: This portrayal of Egon Spengler is canon-compliant and based upon how he is depicted in the first two movies and subsequent video game. Characteristics from the novelization may also crop up.

SECONDARY: This portrayal is also influenced by the IDW comics version of Egon and, to a much lesser degree, the cartoon version. On occasion, he may make reference to things which would later show up in Afterlife or Frozen Empire, but that will be rare.

OTHER: Not everything this version of Egon Spengler says is strictly canon. While the portrayal is strongly rooted in canon, much of it will be based upon popular headcanon and what makes logical sense for the character to say/do/think/feel.

FURTHER NOTES:

Egon will be written as autistic, Jewish, and grayasexual. However, given that he only knows the development of terminology up until 1991, he will not explicitly say that he falls on the autistic or asexual spectrums.

The goal of this blog is that each response/plot line either be interesting, funny, or scary. All of it will be appropriate for the Ghostbusters universe and rooted in canon portrayals.

Egon does not swear excessively in the movies, video game, novelization, or comics. This portrayal will remain true to that aspect of his character, but he will make use of lighter profanities from time to time.

The writer is an adult, but will not tolerate or write NSFW or 18+ content on this blog. If Egon does speak about more mature topics, it will be in his characteristic science-minded style.

He functions primarily on a queue and answers oldest asks first. So if your ask has not yet been answered, chances are it’s in his queue and will be posted soon.

[most-datable-datable-bracket]

ROUND 4 MATCH 8

Derek propaganda:

“Extreme hot take but Derek is the best OL1 love interest. He has the best and sweetest confession in the game. You play video games together. He seems reserved until you actually start dating and find out that he's actually just a gentleman who didn't want to be overly forward with someone he's not in a relationship with. He's a family man. You get to blatantly abuse your 'dating' privileges in front of his brothers. He's just so insanely sweet and caring and makes me wanna cry whenever I play his DLC.”

“- Impossible to dislike

- No, like, literally impossible. OL1 will allow you to be indifferent to it's two other LIs, Cove and Baxter but you actually can't pick that option for Derek. Game decided that You Will Be (at least) Friends With Derek

- This boy is so good!!!! He's a sweetheart and has your back in the best way and he's constantly doing his best to make sure the people around him (especially you) are happy

- This is also a complex flaw of his because he feels like he needs to be the best that he can be and to be worth something

- This both manifests in how he treats others (he's exceedingly well-mannered and does everything for others because he secretly hopes that someday someone will do the same for him) and his career prospects (he takes on excessive practice to get good at football/soccer so that he can potentially get a scholarship and become famous all so he can potenially feel like he's worth something. This is actually a major conflict in his Step 4)

- His DLC also has some of the best moments in the game

- He also has a family and they're also really good and you get to see a lot of them

- His dad is hilarious, his mom is gorgeous and their relationship is very cute

- Meanwhile, Derek's brothers are great. I wanna gush about them because I love them but also play Derek's DLC yourself!!! See how good they are for yourself!!!!

- I will say that these three have a really good relationship dynamic and the development it takes in the 10 years between when you first meet Jorge and Nico as little kids to Step 4 where they're adults (and a teenager, Nico is 16 in Step 4) is genuinely very well written

- If you're into the steamy stuff, Derek also has the best make-out session out of all of the boys

- He's also just. Very funny. This boy will invite you to a waterpark and then ask you if its a date so he knows whether or not it's ok to check you out in your swimsuit

- Or, if you aren't dating by that point (but you do want to to date him), the narration will note how he's trying so so hard not to check you out, he's just trying so so so hard

- Puppy dog face. Look at it. Tell me you can look at that face and not want to smooch him

- His confession is also the best, did I mention it's the best? Because it's absolutely the best one in the entire game

- He has a whole thing about having to confess to you on a ferris wheel and he's so committed to it that he actually avoided ferris wheels for a long time before this confession because he promised himself he'd do it the next time he went on one

- And then he went on one...and he literally doesn't confess when he does it because he lost track of time and he had to get off

- so he asks you to go on the ferris wheel with him again so he can actually confess this time

Just. Just vote for him!!!!”

“He's sweet, polite, and out-going and is always willing to put you first (sometimes too willing).”

“polite responsible jock u r NOT immune to this”

Zen propaganda:

"Extremely handsome, HES A MUSICAL ACTOR FKFNKSNSJ, deep and relatable family trauma, He's genuinely a good person behind the vainness <3"

[reitisen]

Everything Is On Fire! (Long Read (I mean it))

Well, crazy stuff has developed over the past weeks with the Touhou Project. To help with things, this post is going to be a looooooong read. I'm currently not pleased with the current direction that the Touhou Project has been going in. (This is coming from a fan who has played EOSD and up since 2016.) (Still love you, IN. for your mechanics and actually fighting Reimu/Marisa.) Do whatever to get yourself comfy; it's going to be a very long read. I better hope you have a reading comprehension past high school, because I have friends who have posted about this who had people ignore everything they said on this issue and blindly disregard issues because they think being a Touhou fan is an identity. There is just too much cult behavior in Touhou. I mean it, an ACTUAL CULT surrounding some people (not just ZUN) and the series itself. Nonetheless, there is an actual religious site about Touhou religions. https://archive-of-the-sealed-gods.neocities.org/ Yeah, okay, intro over. Alright! Now it's time to read! :)

1. Ruw is making up excuses for why he's taking down OSTs. Apparently it's a "violation of guidelines" for "extracting from official sources." Though the largest Touhou OST reuploader channel is still up, so who knows what basis he has for this. Also, the guidelines are very dubious in terms of rules. Yes, I'm stating it now; they aren't guidelines but rules due to enforcement. Though it seems to be used as an excuse now to do it even though it wasn't uploaded earlier. As a side note, if I see people defending this. I'm actually going to question if they have reading comprehension for whenever they bring up the guidelines. Keep in mind there is specifically a guideline against "excessive sexual content that is unlawful." It's been combined in the JP version with the anti-discrimination against groups. Like what does this mean? It’s arbitrary given that laws are different and this is on the EN side. (Oh boy loli debate) This has been ignored by Touhou fans (if you have been on Twitter for even a minute, good lord, there is so much fetish content). Which has never gone punished. In fact, a lot of people are violating the guidelines (posting pictures of Zun and taking anything from the Touhou games to use in their own works—yes, that means sprites and artwork), yet I don't see people complaining about it. The guidelines don't even make sense, as it seems Ruw is using both JP and EN guidelines, which is like ??? JP (2024) has new guidelines, but EN (2020) is also valid, Ruw? Why hasn't this been updated in English to include JP translation? In fact, why are they different? Very confusing for fans who want to eagerly dive into the series when the guy who is enforcing them uses them whenever it fits into his narrative.

2. People are starting to believe this is intentional by Zun. Honestly, I think I'm also starting to believe this, given the release of the official OST on YouTube. HAHA nope, Ruw is seemingly bad at even doing the official OST releases, as a Dutch fan's reupload of the OST is included within two albums. (5/19/2025) (for when this post was made.) (Shoutout to the Dutch Touhou fan seemingly included here.) I find it completely baffling that the excuse here is due to official uploads of works. when even the execution of the release is seemingly made haphazardly and in a rush. Yet again, making me believe that this release wasn't even planned in the first place and was made just as an excuse to take down all the fan reuploads of OSTs. Either ZUN has hired somebody too lazy to even care about the series now, or he has finally let go of the Touhou Project since SUB. Anim. To not even care about what's going on around him.

3. Chinese fans (wow, never heard of them before? have you?) have talked about Ruw's behavior within the comments. You can translate the Images too within the post without signing in. https://www.bilibili.com/opus/382144693689904067 https://thwiki.cc/Ruw Yeah, I know, it's Chinese. Probably have to jump through the translations and guides to see comments for BiliBili and the understanding of Chinese jokes. TLDR, they really don't like him and his behavior with his handling of the Touhou Project. (Some even think he controls Touhou now, given how much Zun seems to allow his behaviour.) Keep in mind Chinese Touhou fans are very dedicated to the Touhou Project. It's the reason why you see so many fanworks get imported and translated, such as the Fantastic Danmaku Festival Series, Mystia's Izakaya (that's right), ASL, BDitB, EIoS, and many others I'm not going to mention because I'll be going too long to include others not Chinese related. They also aren't small. I mean, how do you think these games get made? Chinese Touhou fans make up a large percentage of the fan base. Crazy, right? Not just JP, or even the Korean Touhou Fandom!

Alright, I feel like I've gone on too long, but TLDR: Touhou Project has changed. Fans are too obsessed with Touhou to even care about the problems. Ruw has double standards and is also spiteful. OSTs are now semi-"official." Fans who care are angry at Ruw. A very disappointing month for real Touhou fans who care about the health of the series and the doujin spirit.

Anyways, tadahhhhhh, see you later if you even got to this point of reading. Good job for sticking through my dumping of esoteric knowledge, which isn't even half of it, as most of it will make a regular Touhou fan question the creation of this series, but I haven't reached the point of full insanity to ionize. I'll primarily still focus on Touhou, but mostly fanworks, as I feel they deliver more to the series nowadays. Still waiting for FDF3! Cooler designs and whatnot. Maybe some designs for myself. So I'll leave this quote here. "Touhou isn't about the official works; it's about the fanworks that have made Touhou into its own special series set aside from the rest. It's the sole reason why many fans have joined the Touhou Project and explored the various branches of this series, from either official to secondary or secondary to official. The fans have been constantly the backbone of what Touhou fans stay within the Touhou fandom for."