#why doesn't it at least have some ridging....... detailing...... ANYTHING

[belfry-ghost]

My contributions to the @haunting-heroes-creative-games banner!

[insanitize]

how old is tenna. like actually

okay so 4 hours ago at 2am i saw someone say tenna is from the 70s (likely because he's a game show host) and my gut reaction was There's absolutely no way that's true, he's for sure a late 80s or early 90s tv. but i realized if i were to believe that i should probably have a verifiable reason to, so i went and made sure i did my research to validate my opinion. my opinion has not changed, i still think he's probably supposed to be from the late 80s, but here's why i think that.

so. if i wanted to be anal retentive as fuck about it, i could say that if deltarune is meant to have a similar in-universe technological development timeline to ours irl, and if deltarune is indeed meant to take place in some analogous place to the united states, then tenna is likely no older than 18 (from 2007). because he's a crt receiving over the air signals, but past 2009 irl it would need to be a digital signal, and i assume deltarune takes place after 2009, and tenna crucially does not appear to have a converter box. which would mean he'd need to have that capability built in.

however, i like. really badly do not think that matters. not only am i positive he's meant to be much older than a tv from 2007, but i just don't think a detail that minuscule would be on anybody's list of priorities when designing an old tv in fiction.

so let's imagine none of that factors into how old he could be at all. what else can we go off of. primarily i want to first look at his design. you'll notice that although he verbally references one, tenna does not actually appear to have a dial in any visual we have of him. he doesn't even look like he has a button array of any kind.

this was extremely uncommon for the 1970s, especially for just everyday family households on an average budget. this wasn't, however, as uncommon after the 80s swung around. you'd still see a lot of tvs with dials on the side, but it wasn't so notably rare to see ones lacking in this control scheme.

part of this is likely due to the invention of the infrared remote, which would take television manufacturing by storm in the 80s. to be clear, wireless remotes for tvs did exist before this, but i specifically do think the zappers are infrared due to their attack patterns and sprite movements. if this is true (and especially if the zappers are universal remotes), then the existence of the zappers would support the assumption that tenna is from the 80s at the very earliest.

as an aside on the topic of tenna's appearance, while i do think the photorealistic images are more of a visual gag than anything meant to be like. concrete canon appearance of the guy. i do want to point out that the ridged edges he has were especially typical of 80s zennith tv sets. which makes sense to me, because zenniths were pretty state-of-the-art at the time.

another thing we could look at for clues to his age is the "programming" itsself. there are a few minor details to this i'd like to point out. none of these necessarily materially impact how old tenna could be, but seeing as he's already designed as a symbolic gesture towards nostalgia, understanding the references made with these small details can help us better construct what timeframe he's meant to evoke.

first of all, his reference to a "cooking channel". correct me if i'm wrong, but i'm pretty sure the first cooking channel broadcast in america was the food network, which is from the 90s. there is also literally a Cooking Channel (proper name) but i think it's from like 2002

secondly, the rhythm minigame. live music performances have been on the air forever and ever, but specifically the channel he's on is one dedicated to music videos. that wasn't hardly a thing at all until mtv. which is from the 80s. (Adding onto this point hours later hi. they're also specifically performing hair metal, which is. 80s.)

thirdly is the existence of lanino and elnina, who are (to me at least) a blatant reference to the weather channel. weather is a staple of television, of course, but i do mean the weather channel specifically. which is from the 80s. (also. this is going to seem like a stretch but the line "weather girls are the wave!" reminds me of the work done by 2nd wave feminists to make it so that more women could go into news network jobs. so that's cool)

i do also want to point out an even smaller tidbit. tenna interrupts (or claims to interrupt) his normal programming for breaking news. this was not impossible, per se, before the 80s, but it didn't become a regular occurrence until the 80s as well, after the inception of CNN. again, this doesn't mean tenna wasn't possibly at all manufactured sooner than this, but thinking about this from a fiction writing perspective, what matters here is what tenna is mean to make the player feel. these references are ones to a world post-cnn, post-food network, post-mtv. it's an expression of fondness for a very specific past.

this is also true in how older tech itsself is utilized. the tv time intro being played back with vhs effects is telling to me, because vhs wasn't the dominant household market video format until the 80s and 90s. this is even present in the format of the game show. it's a merging of the game show concept and the prevalent force of 90s video games. television programs based on video games weren't uncommon at the time, as they were essentially literally an attempt to teach an old dog new tricks. nick arcade came to mind right away for me the first time i saw the boards.

so that's why i think he's supposed to be 80s or 90s tech. honestly, this still makes him a ridiculously old crt. most crts on a regular use schedule will last a while, but only a little over a decade.

anyways so that's my stance. i;m so so tired

[maddstermind]

OC In 15

Thank you for the tag @the-down-upside-finch!!! This is so fun!!!!

Rules: Share 15 or fewer lines of dialogue from an OC, ideally lines that capture the character/personality/vibe of the OC. Bonus points for just using the dialogue without other details about the scene, but you're free to include those as well!

I uh. Did all of the POV Quartet. So I will tag people up top and put it all below a readmore LMAO. Tagging @saintedseraph, @k-v-briarwood, @sentfromwolves, @veneritia, and @scribe-scott!!

Rosamund:

"It's not true. I'm not- I'm not bad. It was-wasn't my idea. I ju-just want to be wi-with the people I lo-love. Please."

"Roland. Teach me how to fight. [...] For me. For my peace of mind. For the worst case scenario."

"You're doing this to ensure I don't put an end to the war you're so desperately trying to start, and I won't stand for it."

"Magic isn't a sickness, mother. I'm proud to have it."

"I thought we were in no danger here?" ["Well, I certainly hope so, but there's no harm in being prepared."] "So the knights should be at the dinner."

["I will not let you ruin your future."] "You are ruining my future. I've seen it."

"Have you ever gotten the feeling you're seeing someone for the last time?"

"I'd rather have died in that fire than continue to be tied to a nation of small-minded slaughterers."

"You all fear magic. My mother did, too. But keep this in mind for if we ever meet again. You are no longer negotiating with a like-minded Sivonese noble. You are dealing with a mage."

"I want to be nothing like [my mother]. Lucky for me, that means being a decent person."

"I won't let it happen. I will not fall to this."

"That's very interesting, but I'm not giving up until I make some progress."

"Run. Before I stop being a coward and kill you."

"I didn't mean to hide my position from you, I simply... didn't want you to be intimidated."

["You can't trust me already."] "But I'd like to."

Christie:

"Genes don't dictate guilds. Anyone can do anything."

"I'm not quitting. I may be young, but I'm not quitting. I'm just... frustrated."

"I don't care if she doesn't like me. I'm not going to stay away from you just because she wants me too."

"Val Thorne! He's an investigator, hunting down criminals all around Exosto. He's from Crown's Ridge, and I've been to some of the places he goes to in his books. Sometimes he gets details wrong, though, but that's okay. It's a fictional version of Exosto. He doesn't have to worry about things like diplomatic passage to get into Rasduk."

[debating if someone is flirting] "I think it's too early to throw it out as a theory, though. You may come across more evidence to support it. But I'd consult the opinion of an expert."

["Secret passage? Where to?"] "I don't know. I'm about to find out."

"I'm not afraid of anything. But I know it's important to be safe, and even more important to be calm, so you can handle if things go badly or if you find something gross, like a skeleton."

"I will be a great mage. Just you wait."

"I don't care if they don't want me. They never came and found me, so I don't know if they loved me that much. But I at least want to know who they are. If they look weird, like me. That kind of thing."

"I have to tell her. I don't— Don't want her to think less of me. I have to tell her."

"I don't want [Maurelle] to fall behind. I'm fine. Goodbye."

"If they're worried about time… n-no offense, but why would they hire an Investigator who is magic-averse?"

"Don't say stuff like that. That's for movies when people are about to die."

"Do you ever wish you could do magic?"

"I told you I'll stay safe. I'm not leaving."

Addison:

"My Lady. Would you like to crash this party? And this whole engagement, as it were?"

["You're the witch house guy?"] "Glad to see that's become my reputation."

["Rulers should always be honest. That's what Miss Fairchild always says."] "And she's right, but guess what? Most rulers aren't. And I'm not a ruler yet."

[to a bird] "You're a cute little thing, you know. Strange, but cute."

["What did you say about stabbing?"] "I gave them plenty of warning. And no one got hurt."

"I promise you'll be safe. I'll set you down just as soon as you'll be able to move by yourself."

"Luxurious or not, [the castle is] still a prison."

"I'm sorry? Just like them? You can just say magic-averse, Miss Fairchild, it's not a dirty word. And for your information, yes! I do plan on being just like them! Is it such a terrible thing to be? I suppose you'd think so, having magic all your life. You've never known what it's like to be without it! I'd pity you if the truth wasn't that it's terrible and limiting."

"Up for an adventure? I'm looking for a witch."

"Katamar, Dimitio, Vunwra. Guide me to what I'm seeking. Do not let me go home empty handed. I was put on this path for a reason, you put me here, did you not?"

"Funny story. I did almost die."

"I believe in all of you. I think you should at least try for what you want. It's better to try and fail than to not try at all."

["That's an antique, not a weapon."] "I think it'll do."

"I didn't meant to kill him - oh, Silpa. Oh, Silpa, I killed someone."

"I'm sorry for all that. Tha-Thank you for helping me. I promise it won't happen again."

Ashton:

"I can't have it happen again, Sutton. I want to help you, but I can't lose another town."

"Stay here. Stay hidden. I'll try and get them away from here. Keep away from the windows, and do not go outside until I come back alone. Understand?"

[lying] "I've never met a mage. I wouldn't know if I saw one."

"I'm coming with you. If… you don't mind the company."

"I'll be back. As soon as I'm able, I'll be back."

"This is a mountain, Sutton, the last thing you're going to see up here is fish."

["Anything [alcoholic] I can get you?"] "Something lighter, please."

"I can't imagine anyone being afraid of your magic."

"Hey, you're hurting yourself. You're not going to get out that way."

"If I'd known you'd react like this, I would've tried to find something else. You don't have to apologize for a reaction like this."

"How am I supposed to help you if I don't know what to avoid? If I don't know why we're doing this in the first place?"

"You were a kid asking for help. That does not put you at fault for their disappearance, you did the right thing. Anyone would have done the same."

"Twenty years, and I've been playing the victim this whole time. I'm scared of fire, a-and of rosey-armored knights, and I shouldn't be! I brought it on myself. I have no right to act this way, but I do."

[about magic] "I never thought it would feel like this."

["I've come this far."] "We've come this far."

[purplesimme]

2 is too obvious sooooo Wilmon in 30 maybe?

30. "What are you going to do? Kiss me?"

Read it on AO3

Forest Ridge is throwing a party for a reason Wille doesn't care to know. He doesn't want to go, but he has to show up for at least 10 minutes, and he's absolutely not going to do it alone. Simon isn't happy about going either, but he understand the position Wille is in and would never leave him hanging.

They get together at Wille's room to pre-game (spend time alone), and Wille gets to see Simon in good lighting. He looks so good, Wille can't stop staring. Fuck, he thinks, Simon is going to notice, play it cool, play it cool.

Playing cool his crush on Simon is one of the hardest things Wille has ever had to do, and he's a Prince, for Christ's sake. He should be better at pretending, but he fell so hard and so fast it all feels out of his control. But Simon can never know-- he's easily the most treasured friendship Wille has, and if Simon finds out it'll never be the same. So Wille will keep pretending as best as he can.

They hang around for an hour or so until it's a decent time to show up to the party, an alarm set on Wille's phone so they'll stay for exactly 15 minutes, say hi to four or five people, then smoothly make their exit back to Wille's room. It's a solid plan, Wille thinks.

As soon as they get there, and because they're no fools, they down a couple of drinks, maybe too fast, but free alcohol is free alcohol and they're not going to miss their chance. Wille goes the extra mile and steals a bottle to bring home with them, Simon giggling as he watches him.

They get back to Wille's a little tipsy already, but that not going to stop them from drinking more as soon as they sit down on Wille's bed.

"At least we got some alcohol out of it," Simon says while Wille opens the bottle.

Wille stops for a second to get a look at it. "Fuck," he says. "I don't like this brand."

Simon laughs at him. "You're so picky."

"I have taste," Wille argues, but he takes a big gulp as soon as he gets it open anyway.

They pass it around for a while, content with each other's company, and getting drunker by the second.

"Sara told me about this guy in her class," Simon tells Wille. "He's flithy rich, obviously, and his parents own this big company, turns out he..."

Simon keeps talking, but Wille's head is swimming and tunes him out, too busy memorizing every detail of Simon's face, as if he doesn't already know them. He realizes a little too late that Simon is trying to catch his attention back to the moment.

"Wille?"

Wille feels like he just got out of a trance. "What?" Is the best he can come up with.

"Are you listening to me?" Simon asks, a smirk on his face. "What were you thinking about?"

Wille is not going to tell him. "Nothing. I just zoned out," he says. "I'm drunk," is his argument.

"Me too," Simon agrees. "But that doesn't explain why you're looking at me like that."

"I'm not looking at you like anything," Wille quickly tries to defend himself.

"Yes, you are. What are you going to do?" Simon jokes. "Kiss me?"

Wille's brain doesn't think twice. "Can I?"

Fuck his stupid drunk brain, Wille thinks to himself as soon as the words are out of his mouth.

Simon stares open mouthed. "Do you want to?"

The question throws Wille completely off. "Do you?"

Simon frowns. "I asked first."

Wille has his heart in his throat, his hands start shaking and sweating, and he's terrified. But he's going to be brave anyway. "Technically, I asked first."

"Yeah, like, as a joke, right?" A pause. "Was it not a joke?"

Wille could be imagining things, but he thinks Simon is looking down at his lips every couple seconds. Does he dare say it? Yes, he does. "It wasn't a joke." He swallows dry.

Then Simon's lips are on his.

It's a soft, delicate kiss, just a press of skin against skin. It lasts a second, but it's the best second of Wille's life.

Simon is the one to pull away. "Okay?" Wille nods. "Is this only because you're drunk?" Simon asks, tone so serious he almost sounds scary.

"Only if I've been drunk since we met."

Simon is quiet, mouth opening then closing again, until he asks, "You've felt like this since we met?"

And Wille is blushing, even though he tries to fight it. "Maybe."

Then Simon is smiling, and Wille isn't sure why. "I like you," Simon says.

It's not computing on Wille's brain, though. "What do you mean?"

"That I want to kiss you again."

"Oh," Wille says as it downs on him. "So kiss me again." Like it's obvious. Maybe it is.

[feastfic]

Not me just thinking about how Lord X would sometines exaggerate on getting himself beat up, but still trying to charm you. Meanwhile you're freaking out because the guy just appeared on your door looking like 7 different parts of his body are broken.

X: hey babygir– *starts coughing to death*

(y/n): whAT THE FUCK HAPPENED TO YOU???

Have a good day/night

BWHAHSHW I DON'T EVEN HAVE A GOOD RESPONSE YOU CAN'T GET ANY BETTER THAN "hey babygirl" AND THEN DYING

(Jk here's your snippet!)

Of all the things you knew what to expect of the Lord this time, him appearing in...such a bad state was alarming, to put it mildly. It was worse than the first time you preened him, and you knew that had been bad.

Christ, you didn't even want to look at him. This was far more than just...a bit of disarray on the wings. He was bloody, bruised, battered; you name it.

And the first words out of your mouth when you saw him were;

"X what the FUCK did you do?!"

Of course you were worried, but the sharp tone and volume of your voice surprised X. It wasn't easy to get you to shout at anything, yet here you were shouting at him. (Aw, look at you, you're worried for him! Is what he'd think.)

You hurry to him and don't hesitate pulling him inside, shutting your door again to tend to his wounds.

"Jesus Christ..." You mutter under your breath, tracing your fingers just above the ridge of his brow. You looked hurt for him, since he either couldn't feel it or didn't care enough to address it.

"You're gentler than normal." He hums, pressing his head into your palm. It seems like he really doesn't care about whatever hell he put himself through before seeing you. Hell, he was still bleeding in some places and found the time to sound so casual.

"What happened to you." Your voice became blunt and concise, but your furrowed brow gave away your concern for him.

The sternness of your voice was so new to the Lord. He wanted more of that out of you. And oh, was he about to get what he wanted. So he relayed everything he could, picking out every gritty detail. He wanted you furious about what happened, and to see the mixed emotions on your face as he told you it all. Already he could see the way you were frustrated with him for purposefully hurting himself like this, but also the care about his wellbeing.

He loved that kind of clashing juxtaposition on your face. How it looked like you wanted to shout at him more and also hold him, tell him he'd be okay. Your contact is all that he wanted, and it didn't matter to him if it was good or bad. Just tell him any way you can that you care. He'd eat it right up.

Eventually you fell into a heated silence, just doing your best to treat him. Patching up bloody wounds, cleaning him up from an array of dirt. Smoothing his wings back down. You even had to splint one of his wrists. Honestly you had never even considered X could break his bones too. Since he always seemed so durable. (Very soon, you'd find out a few of his ribs were broken too.)

Well, at least he looked less beat up when you finished up. Even if you'd reprimanded him the entire time. He'd been giving you a strange look the whole time you'd told him off too.

"What, you get brain damage too?" You let the dry comment slip, you told yourself in your head you deserved to say it.

"Oh, no." X hummed, his eyes slitting. There was such an incomprehensible glow to his small pupils that you couldn't even begin to try to read it. "I've just been listening to you talk."

"X." You sighed deeply. "X."

His name on your tongue made his heart beat hard against his battered chest.

"X." You said it again. Oh, how you treated him! One of your hands grabbed the bottom of his chin, making him look up at you. "Why did you do it."

"Perhaps for you." And he left it at that.

[ahsana]

Rehab ~ Dean Winchester

Chapter 1 - The Party

Summary: Gwendolyn Anderson is in her early twenties. For most people that age, they're in college or just starting to find their way. For her, she lost the person closest to her in the universe and she has to find a way to pick up the pieces because everything as she knows it as about to change. After a few events that are less than coincidental, the only thing that seems to make sense anymore is a man with green eyes and a twelve step program.

Pairing: AU!Gabriel Novak x OC!Gwen, AU!Dean Winchester x OC!Gwen & possible other variations. Stay tuned to find out ;)

Word Count: 2038

Chapter Warning: Just like every other chapter in this book so far, there will be detailed drug use, mentions of drugs, paraphernalia, mentions of death and other very sensitive topics. If this could trigger you or set you off in any way possible, I urge you not to read it. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, please reach out and get help. You are not alone. Always keep fighting.

Even when things were okay, I still never feared death. I've been on the edge many times; never quite falling off, but never quite holding on either.

A lot of people say overdosing was their rock bottom. It wasn't for me. Heroin is a strong word, and sometimes it even shocks me when I say it. Weird, right?

In health class as a teenager, I saw the pictures of drug addicted people and made a pact with myself in my head that I'd never become one of those people and here I am. I guess I should explain how I got here, though.

« FLASHBACK »

Why did I snort that line? My nose burns, my brain hurts, and my whole body feels like it's buzzing. I'm not exactly sure where the cocaine came from or why exactly I did it but I know that I have to get out of here and fast.

Parties aren't usually my scene, but I figured since it was my last day as a teenager I might as well indulge. My surroundings aren't familiar, just some college frat party that I knew of because I attend school here, but other than that I really have no idea where I am or how I got here.

I'm searching for the exit, pushing past sweaty bodies and other young adults who reek of alcohol and marijuana. I gave up hope halfway through the search because it feels almost as if though it's impossible, so when my eyes land on the staircase in front of me I sigh gratefully.

The door at the end of the hallway is propped open slightly; a large rock wedged between so it couldn't close. The loud music was causing my ears to ring so I walked as quickly as I could and became elated when I realized the door at the end of the hallway leading to outside, giving me a chance to get some fresh air.

I push the door open and realize it's heavier than I first assumed, so I try and let it close behind me gently so it doesn't knock rock out of place. I inhale deeply and look around, only to be met with the fact that I'm on the roof somehow.

"Wow," I mutter, and make my way towards the edge of the building; my shoes making the gravel of the rooftop crunch along the way. I peered over the ledge, and for a second considered flying.

Worse case scenario, I land flat on the pavement, ultimately dying in the process or I make it to the rooftop across the way. I step onto the ledge, squat and then sit; dangling my legs over the side of the building.

My heart is pounding a hundred miles a minute, and all of a sudden tears start streaming down my face.

"I wish you would step back from that ledge my friend," I gasp out of shock because I didn't realize that I wasn't alone up here—and also because a random man is singing to me. I turn my head to face the mystery man and am pleasantly surprised. "You could cut ties with all the lies, that you've been living in," He continues, and I recognize the song and join in with him.

“And if you do not want to see me again, I would understaaaand. I would understaaand," We both sing in unison, and the stranger lets out a fit of giggles which makes me laugh in return.

"So Miss, how are you on this lovely night?" He questions.

"You aren't even going to ask me my name?" I inquire with a grin.

"Nope, don't need to." I nod in response, pretending to understand why.

“I'm doing well, by the way." I add.

"That's amazing.. or.. would be, if you were telling the truth." I cock my brow up, and he quickly adds, "I mean you wouldn't be sitting on the ledge for nothing, right?"

I shake my head in disagreement. "That's where you've got it wrong, sir."

"Sir? Do I really look that old?" He jokes.

"No, but I'm not sure what to call you since we don't need to know each other's names." The stranger sits beside me and lets his legs dangle over the building as well. I take a closer look at his features that are illuminated by the street lights below and I am captivated.

The ridge of his nose, the length of his lashes and his eyes—Wow, his eyes. It's dark, but I can tell that they're brown with a swirl of honey and it reminds me of a Hershey's bar.

"So, did you find what you were looking for?" He asks, and I shake my head no for the second time. "Well then what are you doing?" I shrug. "You're not very talkative, are you?" He asks, seeming genuinely curious.

"I am, but I'm not sure what to say. I'm at a party, drunk and high off coke, sitting with a stranger on the edge of the roof; trying to come up with something I could tell you but I'm at a loss for words here." The man gives me a goofy grin in return.

"Well. We'll probably never see each other again, so why don't you tell me your biggest secret?" I laugh out loud.

"Sir, I've known you for mere minutes and you want me to do something like that? Strange." I mumble in awe.

"I'm not from around here, so I couldn't possibly hold it against you in any way."

"Why did you come here then?" I ask.

"Free booze."

"Interesting. Here—I'll make you a deal. I'll tell you mine if you tell me yours." I whisper cheekily to him and he nods his head, agreeing.

"Sure. Okay. Let's start," he thinks for a moment, "My guilty pleasure is Lazy Town, the kids show."

"Ha! That's an awful secret, shame on you!" I reply but laughing while doing so.

"Fine, fine. Um, when I was seventeen I slept with my best mate's girlfriend. He still doesn't know." He whispers guiltily.

"Wow, that's pretty deep. Are they still together?" He nods.

"Been together for eight years, married for three—with two kids."

I chuckle, "How do you know you aren't the baby daddy?"

"Timeline doesn't add up—trust me, I did the calculations as soon as she told everyone she was pregnant the summer after we graduated high school," He trailed off but then turned his head towards me, "Your turn."

I gulp, and try and think of something.

"Um... Well, I might as well go all out then. My parents are both government officials. Amelia and Doug Anderson?" I throw the names out to see if he recognizes them.

"Holy shit," He marvels. "You're Gwendolyn Anderson. I should have recognized you as soon as I seen you! You and your parents are all over TV." I sigh.

"Yeah. But call me Gwen, I hate it when people call me Gwendolyn. Anyways—That's not exactly my secret." I look towards him and he motions for me to continue.

"I don't know why I'm telling you this but.. here we go. My entire life, I've felt like the weight of the world has been on my shoulders. Ever since I was a kid my parents have been pushing me to be the best in every category there has been or ever will be. My senior year of high school was the worst, obviously because of the impending doom of getting into the best college and working on getting scholarship offers; meanwhile keeping all A's, playing volleyball and volunteering."

I continued, glancing back now and then to see if he was still paying attention and he was alert the entire time. "It got to the point where.. I needed some extra help. Adderall was basically my scapegoat and how I functioned for the entire year. My parents were so busy being wrapped up in their own lives and pushing me to my limit that they never discovered I lost myself along the way. Now I'm in college, and I'm still trying to find my way back to a happy medium. But when I looked down at the ground, I realized that for some reason it doesn't even matter anymore."

"And what do you mean by that?"

"Have you ever gotten to the point where you feel like you're just numb? Everything is grey scale and there's no color at all? I'm just going through the motions. There's no highs or lows; only this weird middle ground. I thought coming to this party tonight and getting trashed would make me feel better but it didn't change anything." He nods, knowingly. I can tell he understands. He rests his left hand on top of my right one and somehow it felt like my body couldn't get any hotter.

I should be scared, uncomfortable even. I just met this guy and don't even know his name but I'm letting him touch me like we've been friends all our lives. A sudden thought makes me speak up.

"You know, it's not really fair that you get to know my name and I don't know yours." He chuckles.

“It's Gabriel." I smile because it's very fitting. He looks like a Gabriel.

"That's a beautiful name."

He laughs, "Beautiful? More like average. Your name is beautiful."

"I wholeheartedly disagree. I have a grandma name, at least yours fits your age no matter how old you are." He smiles. We sit in silence, his hand still resting on top of mine and I take another look down at the ground.

"How long do you think it would take to reach the ground?" I ask as if he'd actually know the answer.

"For a suicidal person? Too long. For a person just looking for some answers, too fast."

“How do you know which is which?" Gabriel lets out a grunt and laughs.

"Well, do you want to die?" He asks, raising his voice but continues smiling; which is oddly contagious.

"I don't think I'd ever do anything to speed up the process, so ultimately no. Probably not."

"I guess there's an answer then." Gabriel replies.

"An answer?"

"Yeah, the one of many you're looking for. I won't have them all, though."

"B-But I thought you were an all-knowing wizard!" I gasp out sarcastically.

"No, no. But... I maybe might have one.. just for now,"

I raise my eyebrow again and ask, "What might that be?" Gabriel reaches into his pocket and pulls out a tiny baggie with pills inside of it.

"You might like these," he whispers gently.

"Ah, man. I don't know--"

“I'm sure drugs weren't the first thing you thought of, but maybe they'll help you forget until tomorrow." I sigh and stick my hand out apprehensively.

"What are they?" I question.

"Percocet. Strongest prescription." I nod, remember hearing some of my peers talking about it previously this week. I swallow two of them without a second thought.

« FLASHBACK OVER »

I look down at the person who brought me into this mess, and his face is quickly turning a light shade of blue.

"Gabe, God, You fucking idiot! I told you not to do that much!" I shout and dial 911 as quickly as possible.

The next thing I know, I'm sitting on the front porch steps of his apartment as they're carrying him away on a stretcher. My best friend is dead, and I can officially say I'm terrified.

[whorepossum]

got nothing to do so here's my thoughts on the new mario kart courses since i finally played them

Paris promenade -reminded me of daisy circuit in terms of feel and aesthetic -last lap gimmick was neat -really does look like a track ripped out of the wii instead of the switch -i really cannot stress enough how badly this track needed some more detail because it could've been gorgeous

Toad Circuit -beginner level course so not surprising its a little underwhelming -nothing much to say here, its the same as the 3ds version -the toad balloons are.... really low poly though

Choco mountain -somehow managed to be immensely chaotic -track doesn't suffer from the lack of detail surprisingly -would've liked more detail regardless -stop using the bats as anything but visual flair please

Coconut mall -how the fuck did they absolutely ruin my main man coconut mall -somehow manages to be lower quality than the wii version, and less fun than the 3ds version -extreme dip in quality in this one, really could've used some more time in the oven -the anti gravity sections were right there!! and they didn't fucking use them!!! what the fuck!!! -despite being pretty much the same theme, this one just doesnt invoke the sheer raw violence the original did within me

Tokyo blur -does not live up to the hype -last lap change was very disappointing, paris promenade did the switch better -even for a beginning course this was a very bland track -mario circuit manages to be more exciting

Shroom ridge -??? -this is just a worse, lower quality toad's turnpike -but during the day i guess

Sky garden -managed to be worth the tears and disappointment -definitely could've used more love but still much better quality than the other tracks -best track from the updates so far

Ninja hideway -what on earth went wrong -seems high quality on first glance -low quality models absolutely do not help it's case -if you look past that it's pretty, but definitely not high quality -why is the layout both so simple and so messy -theme is underwhelming

to summarize: there's nothing really worth the purchase here unless you have an undying burning love for sky garden. either pass or pirate it because they fucked this one up pretty hard. i'm hoping and praying this is something they're either planning on fixing, or at least it's not indicative of the overall quality of the next tracks because my god did they massacre some tracks in this one