#the same way i do all my other recent edits which i open my own blog up to stare at like. multiple times in a day | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

2d-reality · 3 months

Text

In The Dead of Night

characters: Leviathan, GN!MC content/warnings: Levi drops by in the middle of the night. Fluff. word count: 838 notes: Minimal editing as always lol. Enjoy!

Waking to one of the brothers crawling into bed with you in the middle of the night wasn’t unusual. If you were honest, the rarer occurrence was for you to spend an entire night alone.

The shifting of your blankets woke you. Your mattress dipped as someone settled beside you, and you waited for their next move to tell who it was.

The longer you lie, pretending to still be asleep, the shorter your list of options becomes. Mammon and Belphie latch onto you before the blankets even settle. Satan prefers to turn you towards him so he can tuck your head under his chin. Asmo almost always wakes you with his goodnight kiss when he drops in, but he’s also pretty good about scheduling sleepovers-- one’s beauty sleep is far less effective when randomly interrupted. Lucifer wouldn’t dare risk one of his brothers catching him in a compromising position (read: Mammon sneaking photos to turn a profit), and typically simply demanded you come to his room, where he could lock and ward the door and have you all to himself. Your bed always creaked under Beel’s weight, even after being reinforced, which you didn’t hear just now. That leaves...

You tire of waiting and shift, stretching languidly to feign having just awoken. The only remaining option amongst your demonic housemates stiffens beside you, and a strangled whine pulls from his throat.

“Levi?” you say, just above your breath, voice gravelly from your recently disturbed slumber. In the darkness, you can’t see his face clearly, but Levi starts to lift the covers from where they’ve settled over his lap and scramble out of your bed, sputtering quietly as he does so.

“H-how did you know it was me? Do I-- do I smell? I know I-I spent the weekend binging the new season of My Mental Choices Are Completely Interfering With My School Romantic Comedy, but-- but I showered this morning, I- I promise, I'm sorry to bother you--” his voice rises as he continues, and the sheets get tangled around his calves in his nervous shuffling. You take advantage of his being momentarily trapped and reach out for the closest part of him you could reach. Your fingers curl around his bare elbow, and he sucks in a harsh breath, freezing in place.

“You smell fine,” you assure, first, and search for the right way to ask why he’s here without triggering further panicked insecurity. “What’s up? Are you okay?”

“I’mfine,” he rushes, and pulls minutely on his arm. “It’snothingreally,I--”

“Leviathan,” you murmur. “Breathe.”

He obliges, drawing in a shaky breath, and as you release his arm, the exhale is a little smoother.

“I don’t mind you being here, Levi. You just don’t usually come over this late. Just want to know you’re okay.”

One of Levi’s hands clutches the t-shirt over his chest. He sounds like he’s trying to say something, but it won’t come out. You reach out to him, coaxing the fist on Ruri-chan’s face to relax. He blinks owlishly for a moment, but releases, and allows you to slide your palm over his, lacing your fingers together. You can feel his palm heating up, and imagine his face is doing the same.

“Come here,” you beckon softly, not pushing him for an answer. Whatever his reason is for being here, you’ve learned he opens up to you in his own time, once he can get all his thoughts in acceptable order. You hear another shaky breath, and slowly, Levi settles back in. You use your other hand to fix the blankets over his torso, and scooch closer, pulling your joined hands into your chest. For a beat, Levi lies beside you, stiffly. You roll your eyes and reach for his other arm, pulling it over your waist and sliding a knee between his.

“M-moe,” he whispers. You hum, and feel his fingers tighten around yours as his other hand smooths a wrinkle over your back.

Sleepily, you snuggle closer to his warmth, and faintly, you can almost feel more than hear his heart racing near your face. “We can talk about it in the morning if you want,” you murmur. “You know I’ll never judge you.”

Levi’s throat closes partially over his next breath, making it sound more like a wheeze. You press a kiss to his knuckles before resting your chin over your hands and heaving a long, deep breath. Without instruction, he mirrors your action, and his body sinks further into the mattress beside you as he relaxes on the exhale.

After a long moment, he whispers, “I’m okay now.”

Sleep is swiftly ushering you back into its embrace with your favorite nerd tucked in so closely, and you hum softly in response.

“I love you, Leviathan,” you manage to just barely say over your breath. As you fall under the gentle lull of his breath on the crown of your head and the waves of sleep rippling over you in time, you hear him respond.

“I love you, MC.”

#obey me #levi #leviathan #obey me leviathan #levi x reader #leviathan x reader #levi x mc #leviathan x mc #om! levi #om! leviathan #obey me levi #obey me x reader #obey me x mc

269 notes · View notes

nexility-sims · 4 months

Text

𝐍𝐎. 𝟏 ❛ 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐝 ❜ | VARIOUS LOCATIONS AND YEARS

❧ 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 / 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭.

❛ The queen’s voice broke as she talked. Staring into the camera, she willed the tears to stay. Her eyes grew glassy, and the small audience before her—palace staffers and journalists, a mixed array of stone faces and quivering lips—blurred into a white haze. The decision to speak had come early in the morning as she sat alone in bed. The windows and doors were thrown open, and she stared at the moon until she could see the rabbits dancing upon its surface. Her hair was gone by then, wrapped in a bundle to accompany her daughter into the first of her graves. With one hand, Beatriz felt her scalp, with its hair shorter now than even on the day she was born. Mothering had never come easy to her. Neither her children nor her subjects received her love in full, or the way they desired it, or when they needed it. She had tried her hardest for Sayfa, of which she made no secret. Still, because she could not trust herself to have shown it, she also could not trust that her daughter had known.

𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐭 ↓

❧ woo, finally ! mixed feelings, but the important part is that it's done. my favorite part is the rowena guest appearance, personally :^)

TRANSCRIPT:

[RV] Good morning. I’m Inti Rivera. Today, the nation prepares for the funeral of Princess Safya. This daytime in memoriam edition of UBC Nightly News will be followed by live coverage of the procession.

[RV V.O.] Princess Safya was born in 1950 to the recently crowned Queen Beatriz and her second husband, Matias Villar. With the preference for male heirs ended, the princess was presumed to be a future queen.

[RV V.O.] The Queen elected to reveal her daughter’s name at the annual naming festival in Yaas. She was the first royal infant in two generations to participate. Princess Safya would later do the same with all three of her own children.

[RV V.O.] Although she was her mother’s heir and began accompanying the queen on business early, the princess was also close with her father. Commentators regularly noted their similar personalities and interests, as did Queen Beatriz herself.

[RV V.O.] Mother Rowena, formerly queen, returned to public life following Princess Safya’s birth. The princess shared her first patronage with her grandmother, and the pair became the most popular royals. [I] Can you tell us where you were today, my princess? [S] We visited an orphanage. The children are less fortunate, so we take care of them. I’m happy to say that is my responsibility now.

[I] How did the princess do today, Mother Rowena? [R] I don’t know how she can stand upright with a heart of gold! She’s full of empathy, this little girl, for others. She’ll be a servant her whole life, just like her grandfather. I envy everyone who’ll live to see it. [S] {Gasps.}

[RV V.O.] In the eyes of many, Princess Safya ceased to be a little girl when she announced her engagement in 1968 to Rodrigo Dardarich. The news excited the public but was not without controversy. [S] Some will say this is quick. We accept that. It is. However, it’s also true what they say: when you know, you know.

[RV V.O.] The Princess married in 1969. In a first, the family shared behind-the-scenes photographs of preparation for the ceremonies. Her new husband, in another break from tradition, would not share Safya’s titles. The princess penned a letter to the public for the occasion, calling her marriage, quote, “the first true act of my own, my first real decision.”

[RV V.O.] Critics who expressed suspicion of the relationship were vindicated soon enough. The princess and Lord Rodrigo became a favorite subject of photographers. The most skilled captured public arguments on multiple occasions throughout the years. These photos proved lucrative as interest in the couple and their life together continued to grow.

[RV V.O.] In 1975, the Office of the Crown Princess issued a formal statement refuting an “investigation” published by Concordia that year. The paper alleged impending divorce, with lurid but unsubstantiated details of infidelity and financial strain. The Crown declined to support privacy legislation proposed by the Assembly of Uspana in 1976, 1977, and 1980.

[RV V.O.] Princess Safya and Lord Rodrigo gave a joint interview on the state of their marriage in 1985. The unprecedented, polarizing broadcast broke daytime viewership records. The interviewer, Isabel Eannes, was widely panned by most viewers and commentators. [S] I don’t think that’s a fair question. [I] So, you disagree, then? You haven’t been unhappy?

[R] She’s unhappy right now—she hates combative journalists. [S] {Laughs.} No! I don’t hate anyone. We asked for this. We begged.

[I] Let’s talk about the ring, then. It’s new. Smaller. Why? [S] People like us don’t get do-overs. But, we’re trying anyway. [R] The alternative is being apart. That’s impossible. It can’t happen. We must try, even if it isn’t easy. [S] It’s hard, but that’s love. ‘To love someone is to suffer for them.’ [I] {Scoffs.} That is Tecuani maxim, isn’t it?

[RV V.O.] The princess gave birth to her first child, Leonor, in 1970. To the nation’s delight, Princess Safya and her new baby were inseparable. [R] Let us see her! Can you talk a minute? Share something! [S] We’re late for a meeting, I’m sorry!

[RV V.O.] In 1974, Princess Safya and Lord Rodrigo welcomed their second child, Mateo. Her office announced two years later, on the heels of former Queen Rowena’s death, that Princess Safya would be scaling back to, quote, “refocus on her growing family.” She would regain her place as Uspana’s “hardest working royal” by 1981.

[RV V.O.] Princess Safya’s final child, Gil, was born in 1979. The princess had declared a decade prior that she hoped for a trio of children.

[RV V.O.] When asked in 1985 if she wanted more children, Princess Safya remarked that she was, quote, “retired” and “content” to await her future grandchildren instead of “competing” with her mother. Queen Beatriz has six children, all born between 1950 and 1962.

[RV V.O.] Princess Safya, like heirs before her, formally began her career as a working royal at the age of ten. Commentators described her that year as, quote, “articulate,” “cautious,” and “soft-spoken.”

[RV V.O.] The princess and her younger brother, Prince Arnaut, became regular members of their mother’s retinue. The Queen described her feelings on the matter in passing during a press conference: [B V.O.] “Teenager” is a weak term. Once, Safya would have governed a province in her own right as a teenager. No longer. We coddle and undertrain our heirs just like everyone else now. The assembly tells me that’s a “parenting” problem. Well, what I say is it certainly won’t be my problem when I’m dead, and you’re stuck with them! {Laughs.}

[RV V.O.] Queen Beatriz and Princess Safya were proactive concerning Leonor’s training as well. The pair remained inseparable in public, gaining valuable experience together. Before her death, the princess announced her daughter would join the team she intended to task with passing a new education initiative through the Assembly.

[RV V.O.] Princess Safya began crafting policy proposals in 1988 to encourage and improve access to higher education. In addition to boosting funding for Uspana’s institutions, the princess was in talks with lawmakers to make attending schools abroad a feasible, affordable option.

[RV V.O.] Princess Safya’s last official public appearance was during a tour of elementary schools in southern Uspana. The fatal yachting trip capped a month of nonstop travel. Having allegedly, quote, “hit a wall” with legislators, the princess was focusing on what she did best. Commentators as well as school administrators, teachers, parents, and students described her in warm terms. The princess was enthusiastic and always connected on a human level with her future subjects.

[RV] That concludes this morning’s in memoriam special. Now, we go to Bernardo Rea for live coverage at Nakawe Palace.

[RE] Good morning. The mood is somber at Nakawe Palace as the family and silent gathered crowds prepare for the procession. Moments ago, Queen Beatriz unexpectedly announced she intends to give televised remarks. We are waiting to be invited inside.

[B] My firstborn will be interred today. I doubt that requires prefacing. How can it? It’s reality. The burden is immense. I’ve done what I can to lift it from my family. After funeral rites, the most sacred ritual we have is to shear our hair. This is surrendering power—spirituality vulnerability. It says, “Give me the pain of mourning. I can carry it for us all.” Not just anyone can be so burdened. You must be ready. You have to be empty.

[B] My request for all of you, the hundreds of thousands who I suspect will gather across Uspana, is this: empty yourself for her. Cry for my daughter. Weep as profusely as you can. Fill the streets with water so it will carry her home—to the mountains that chose her, that chose to take her away from us all, from me. We will let her go together, as one People.

#;long post #ts4 story #sims story #sims 4 story #ts4 royalty #sims 4 royalty #ts4 royal legacy #ts4 royal family #royal sims #simblr #ts4 legacy #1992.story.post #1992.a1 #1992.e02

147 notes · View notes

ro-is-struggling · 3 months

Note

Hello Hello & Congratulations

Recently gotten back into some Bucky feels & wanted to ask for him with lyric prompt 2 please! Made myself laugh with a friends to lovers idea where you're cooking for Sam & Buck & Sam slides a magnet into your back pocket cause obviously he's the best wingman (& tired of the pinning). Then I found comic panels with Buck & a little white cat & if that's Alpine!! & that first show prompt is open... Don't want to over ask but just know if it's down to the wire & no one asks for it...someone asked for it >.> Thanks for reading and stay hydrated!

Hi beautiful! Thank you so much for participating in the celebration and I’m so sorry it took me so long to post this! I LOVED this prompt and the little twist you gave it so much I wrote this in like a few hours. It’s short and sweet, I hope you like it💜💜💜

More Than Friends || Bucky Barnes x Reader

Summary: Sam is tired of always getting caught in the middle of the flirting and nervous glances you and Bucky subject him to every time you're in the same room, so he comes up with a plan to give you two the little push you so desperately need to confess your feelings —and laugh at you along the way.

Warnings: set somewhere after civil war where team cap is on the run together, mutual pining, friends to lovers, fluff, humor, Sam being tired of your shit

English is not my first language

Word count: 2000

Notes: I'm pretty sure this one is gender neutral? but I wrote it with a fem reader in mind so I'll tag it like that just in case some description slipped my tired brain while editing

This fic is part of my 600 followers celeration

Sam was tired of watching you and Bucky dance around the feelings you two clearly had for each other. Sometimes he thought you were doing it on purpose, like some kind of elaborate prank to torture him as revenge for the times he made fun of you. It was the only logical explanation he could find for your attitude. Otherwise he didn't understand why you would continually refuse to face the obvious. You were in love and everyone seemed to see it but you.

Life on the run was torture when he was stuck with the two of you. Watching you two get flustered from being crammed in the back seat of the car, Sam really thought that maybe he should have taken the Clint and Scott route and made a deal with the authorities. Home detention sounded so much better compared to the heavy tension in the air that seemed to follow you everywhere. On particularly bad days - like that time a man flirted with you in a bar and Bucky was in a bad mood all day - even traditional jail seemed like paradise in comparison.

Sam had tried everything to help you. He used to leave you alone on missions, put you in the same hotel room under the pretense that they had no more rooms, even made you sit together in the back of the car when you traveled. But despite all his efforts, you were no closer to facing your feelings than when he started. Even his subtle comments and pep talks didn't help. Every time he even dared to bring up your feelings, you acted confused and dismissed his words. He had tried it with Bucky and with you separately and you both had had almost the same response, which only proved Sam's point.

The rest of the team was tired of you too, but since they didn't have to spend half as much time as he usually did stuck with you, they didn't care. Wanda would disappear from time to time to see Vision, and Steve and Natasha were usually together in their own little world, figuring out what the next step would be. Which left him stuck with Bucky, you and the unbearable tension in the air. That's why no one understood his suffering and therefore no one was willing to help him.

Steve and Nat had told him that he should give you time, that eventually you would figure out your feelings and everything would get better. But Sam was beginning to think that would never happen. You had been dancing around each other since the day you met and showed no signs of changing. He had done everything he could to help you in subtle ways —talking to you privately or creating certain situations without your knowledge— all so as not to expose you and embarrass you, but apparently that was exactly what you needed, for something to expose your feelings and force you to confront them. And he had the perfect idea.

It came to him suddenly as he watched the two of you struggling to get comfortable in the back seat of the car. It was way too small a model, clearly not meant to comfortably transport a super soldier, so Bucky ended up taking up more than half the seat. Sam watched as he fiddled nervously with his hands, adjusting his position every five minutes to make sure his legs didn't accidentally brush yours. And as the sunlight beamed on his metal arm, Sam chuckled to himself at the thought that maybe next time he should give you pants made of magnets just to annoy Bucky.

It was like a light switched on in his head. It was the perfect way to get back at you while helping you deal with your feelings. A hilarious idea all around that made Sam proud of his creativity. It wasn't hard to execute either, he just bought some magnets and waited for you to leave the bag with your belongings unattended to slip them into the back pocket of one of your pants.

Not knowing when you would end up wearing said article of clothing added a layer of spontaneity to the situation. Even Sam had forgotten which pants he had chosen and when he saw you emerge from your room in the morning he didn't even realize his plan had been set in motion.

It was the first time in a long time that you hadn't slept in a crappy motel. Thanks to an old contact of Natasha's, you were able to stay in a safe house that had several rooms, good water pressure and a large kitchen. It wasn't the Avengers compound, but it was much better than the places you'd become accustomed to living. So, to celebrate you decided to prepare breakfast for the whole team.

You didn't let anyone help you, the very idea of someone else hanging around the kitchen while you worked on the pancakes made you anxious. You weren't a great cook by any means, but you found it easier and more relaxing to work when you had total control of the kitchen. So you sent everyone to wait elsewhere while you finished cooking. Steve opted to go out for his morning run and Natasha went back to bed, mumbling something about being woken up when there was food on the table. That left you with Sam, who settled down at the kitchen island with a glass of water to chat and keep you company. And not long after, Bucky popped his head through the door frame.

"Bucky! Just the guy I needed right now!" you said with a smile as you saw him enter the kitchen, dragging his feet as he rubbed his eyes to shake off the sleep. "Breakfast is almost ready, could you get the plates from the cabinet, please?"

Sam didn't think much of it, only that he would have to prepare himself for a morning of uncomfortable looks and flushed cheeks since you were in Bucky's way and to help you he would undoubtedly have to get closer to you than he seemed to be able to handle normally. Sam didn't remember his little joke until he felt the unexpected gasp you let out when Bucky's metal hand made contact with your backside as he reached behind you for the cabinet. He nearly choked on his water, laughter getting stuck in his throat as he watched Bucky panic, not understanding what had happened.

"I-I didn't... I mean, I'm sorry, I..." The super soldier tried hard to form a coherent sentence, but his mind was short-circuiting and his cheeks were turning a vivid shade of pink as he pulled his hand away from your body with difficulty. There was an inexplicable pull that drew him to you, making his metal arm move of its own accord, seeking to cling to you again. Bucky had to take a few steps back from you to make sure that didn't happen again.

"Well, the cat is out of the bag. Finally!" Sam exclaimed with a mischievous grin that told Bucky everything he needed to know. "Although to be honest, I was hoping you'd find a more subtle way to confess your feelings, Buck. Or at least do it in private."

"You did this?" Bucky asked, though he already knew the answer. Sam simply let out a long laugh as he rose from his seat and disappeared out the kitchen door. "You're dead, Wilson!"

“What is he talking about?”

The sound of your voice snapped Bucky out of his angry state, his gaze softening as it settled on your confused expression. The urge to murder Sam faded as he panicked, searching for an answer to give you. This wasn't the way he would have liked to confess his feelings for you, but he couldn't lie to you either-Sam had made sure of that.

"I..." Bucky hesitated, having trouble finding the courage to tell you the truth. He could hardly remember when he had last been in that position of vulnerability, having to search for the right words to express feelings he didn't know how to describe. He was rusty, the skills and confidence that characterized his younger self had been buried in the past and now he had no idea what to say to you.

"Yes?" You spoke as he fell silent, looking up at him with glittering eyes waiting to hear that thing you'd been dreaming of since the moment you two met.

Bucky sighed, defeated. "I like you, doll, like more than just a friend." He said finally, cringing at his poor choice of words. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean for you to find out this way. It's just that Sam figured it out and has been pressuring me to talk to you about it and I guess he got tired of waiting and did all this to fuck with me."

Bucky was rambling, talking at a speed that was not normal for him. He was also having trouble making eye contact with you, his eyes looking at everything but you. You'd never seen him this... nervous. He was nervous. His cheeks turned a darker shade of pink with each passing second and he spoke so fast that his tongue threatened to get stuck halfway through each word. He was so adorable that you couldn't help but let out a giggle.

"I'm glad that he did." It took Bucky a few seconds to process your words, his flustered expression slowly morphing into a frown of confusion.

"What?" he muttered and you smiled.

Reaching into your back pocket, you pulled the magnet out. It rested flat in the palm of your hand as you got closer to Bucky. In an instant, his metal hand was on top of yours, cold against the soft, warm skin. You intertwined your fingers with his, your smile widening as he copied your movements.

"I might have to thank him later because, you see, I kinda like you too. And I've been trying to do something about it for so long but I just couldn't, so Sam kinda saved me there cause I was starting to lose it." You let out a chuckle and Bucky joined you, completely understanding the sentiment.

The room fell silent, but it wasn't awkward or uncomfortable like other times. Although you could still feel the tension in the air as Brucky's gaze traveled from your eyes to your joined hands, lingering on your lips for longer than necessary. He took a step toward you and your breath caught in your throat, your insides vibrating with anticipation.

"Can I kiss you?" His voice was a soft whisper. His warm breath collided against the sensitive skin of your face as he rested his forehead on yours, looking up at you through his eyelashes with a hint of desperation. He was waiting for your consent, needing to hear it from your voice before proceeding.

"Please." It was all you could say before Bucky's lips crashed against yours.

It was a soft, slow kiss. Bucky's lips moved with torturous sensuality over yours, a gentle brush that barely satiated your need for him. But despite that, you let him guide the kiss to ensure his comfort. Bucky wasn't usually comfortable with physical contact —not after all he'd been through— and you knew this was a big step for him. So you embraced the softness of his kisses, quieting that voice in your mind that was screaming for you to grab his face and intensify it. It was tempting, yes, but you would have time for that.

Bucky didn't pull away from you immediately when you broke the kiss. He kept his forehead pressed against yours as his flesh hand traveled upward to caress your cheek. He looked at you with complete adoration, his fingers gently stroking your skin, as if he couldn't believe what was happening, as if he was afraid of being too rough and breaking the fantasy into a thousand pieces. Then he let out a chuckle and a smile broke out on your face as you heard such a sweet melody.

"What is it?"

"Nothing, is just that... Sam is never gonna let this go."

#bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes x fem reader #bucky barnes fluff #bucky barnes x female reader #bucky barnes #ro's 600 followers celebration

87 notes · View notes

darling-i-read-it · 11 months

Text

The Pairing

Pelle x fem!reader

Word Count: 3k

Warnings: not edited because who can be bothered, midsommar type things (cult, murder, people mysteriously going missing, a weird pairing ritual that includes murder, mentions of dani's trauma, mention of incest), I tweaked the plot a bit to fit the request

Author’s Note: Helly dear I hope you enjoy this! I left it open ended because I figured it was safe to leave the reader up to what they would do. Personallllyyyy I think after trauma bonding I could be swayed into a weird marriage lol. Enjoy(?)

Requested: by anon, Hi! Since you still write for Midsommar (which makes me very happy 🥳) and I saw your requests are open... I got one. The reader is friends with the group, she's Dani's best friend, and of course Pelle has a thing for her, he always tries to make any sort of excuses to touch her. She's invited to Sweden along the rest, and she's tricked into a sort of ritual where it's "decided" that Pelle and her are to be married. When she finds out she's mad and she wants to leave. Then you decide how to end it. Like she stays? She escapes? Is she kidnapped? You choose.❤️❤️❤️ I basically just found your blog, and I read almost all your work, and I love it! You're a great writer 👏

I don’t own these characters. They belong to author/director/creator

(not my gif)

“Do you remember Pelle?” Dani asked. You looked up from your phone. She was sitting on her bed, against the wall, arms wrapped around herself as she thought. Her phone had been recently discarded on the bed. You were sitting at her desk chair. You thought about Pelle, the gentle guy with the gentle smile.

“Yeah sure. He’s nice. Why?” You meant he was nice in that he was nicer than the rest of Christian’s friends. They were okay but they were guys and tended to act that way no matter who was around.

“He’s invited me to Sweden with him and the others.” You raised an eyebrow.

“They’re going to Sweden?”

“Pelle lives there,” she explained. “He’s going home and everyone else is going to visit where he lives. It’s supposed to be some kind of commune or something.” You sat up, putting your phone down.

“Are you going?” She shrugged.

“I don’t know if he wants me there. Christian, I mean. I don’t know if he just invited me to be polite.”

“You said Pelle invited you.”

“Well he seemed happy I was going but I don't really know him. I mean, he talks to you more than he talks to me.” You shrugged. You and Pelle had been friendly through the semester, simply because you go whenever Dani wants you to and Christian drags his friends around like dead weights. You narrowed your eyes at her, unsure what she was getting at.

“Do you want to go?”

“Yeah, I think so. I mean, I should get out of the house right?” You nodded.

“I think it’s a good opportunity. I mean, Sweden! That’s so cool.”

“Pelle extended the invitation to you as well,” Dani explained. You raised an eyebrow. You didn’t know the others that well and you knew Christian about as well as anyone knows their best friend's boyfriend. “You don’t have to come but I think I would be more comfortable if you were there too. I’m not sure how I’m going to react and I don’t know Christian’s friends that well and I don’t know the place and-”

“Relax Dani. When is it? I’ll check my schedule.” She grabbed her phone and started to scroll through, looking through the dates.

“We’d get there on my birthday.” You smiled a bit.

“That’s perfect. I didn’t think you should spend your birthday here anyway.” You shrugged. “I’ll go. I mean, I should probably look at how much it’ll cost and stuff but it could be fun. Right?” You didn’t deny how nice it would be to spend more time with Pelle, this time on his home turf.

“Really?” You nodded, shrugging. She smiled easily, shoulders dropping the tenseness.

“Yeah Dani. It’s for your birthday, how about that?”

Pelle grabbed your hiking backpack as you approached the car. The drive was supposed to be over four hours and you were all stuck in the same van, along with all your luggage. You weren’t exactly excited for the overwhelming boy aura that would come along with it.

“Thank you,” you said, gently. He nodded once, a kind smile on his face.

“Of course. I’m so glad you could come,” he expressed.

“Me too! It’s so exciting to see your home.” He shut the back of the car. Everyone else had gotten into their spots in the car. You called shotgun the second you got off the plane and you were grateful for it. Dani was squished in the back beside Christian, her window already down for some air. The sticky hot air was indicative of a nice morning turning into a nice day. You hoped this car had air conditioning. “Is there anything I should know? I’m sorry I don’t know a lot of Swedish, other than what you taught me.”

Pelle had been giving you words here and there, trying to get you to pronounce things correctly. It was kind of a lost cause but it was fun regardless.

“It’s probably going to be foreign at first. There are some things Americans aren’t exactly used to.”

“Like what?” “It’s easier for you to just see. But I assure you, you’re always safe.” He walked to the front of the car. You stood there a moment longer, unsure why you would need to worry about your safety. You pushed it out of your head, walking to the passenger seat. “Everyone buckled in?” Pelle asked, turning the car on.

There was a chorus of yeah’s, followed by a couple seat belts buckling in. You adjusted to be comfortable in your seat and prepared for the drive.

“Keep your hands, arms and feet inside at all times,” you joked. “The show is about to begin.”

The hike to Pelle’s home was nice, if not a bit hot. Eventually you found yourself settled into beds, backpacks finally down, feet resting. You were itching for a shower but didn’t want to ask about it. You had been showered with kindness, large slightly unnerving smiles and flower crowns. Pelle sat beside you in the grass as everyone started to explore. They found themselves in their own bubbles, the dancers and the educators. Even Dani was able to find some sort of place alongside those who were making dinner. You kept a keen eye on her, just in case.

The sun not going down tripped up your inner clock. It had to be closer to midnight than it was to midday.

“This place is beautiful,” you admitted and you meant it. The sense of disconnect from the rest of the world was somewhat jarring. You could tell how someone could enjoy a life out here. “I can’t imagine why you’d ever leave.” Pelle smiled gently. He was leaning back on the palms of his hands. You picked at the overgrown grass under your fingertips.

“It’s slightly limited,” he assured you. “I wanted to see what the rest of the world had to offer.” You shrugged.

“Then decided to come back?”

“This is my home,” he said wistfully.

“Home is where the heart is.” He nodded once. You looked back towards him, squinting in the sun. He seemed used to it, like it had no effect on him. “That was cheesy.”

“But true!” he promised. “Things are cheesy for a reason.” You laughed a bit.

“I think that's a classic,” you argued. He shook his head. “When does the sun set?”

“I thought I told you earlier that it doesn’t.” He leaned forward and gestured to the blue sky. “The midnight sun can go for days. Sometimes just a day, depending on the time of year.” You nodded, opening your mouth to ask another question when Ingemar approached the two of you.

“Good evening,” he said happily.

“It’s evening?” you scoffed. “See, this whole thing is messing with my inner clock. You got a wristwatch?” Both men shook their heads. You weren’t sure why you even asked. They probably still used the stick in ground timing method out here. Or maybe they didn’t even care and simply went about their days as thought time didn’t matter at all. You weren’t sure you could ever adjust to that.

“May I sit?” You and Pelle nodded. He sat down beside Pelle, getting comfortable on the hillside. “Are you both ready for the pairing tomorrow?” Pelle gave Ingemar a look.

“What pairing?”

“It’s silly, really. It’s part of the festival.”

“You haven’t told her?” Ingemar questioned. He laughed, making you feel left out. You weren’t sure why Pelle wanted all of this to be some sort of mystery to you. You wondered if it would lose its charm if you knew what was going to happen. But the pairing sounded somewhat sexual and you wanted to know if you were entering a sex cult or something.

“After the Attestupa tomorrow the elders make five pairings of people. It’s like…superstition. Whichever pairing seems to be best put together by the end of the festival gets to be married.” You scoffed.

“Married? Like a legit wedding?”

“As legit as we get around here. There is no paperwork or church to defy,” Ingemar explained.

“What’s the Attestupa?” you asked. You didn’t want to be insensitive to everything going on but you poked around for the sake of your sanity.

“Another thing easier seen than said,” Pelle explained.

“You are being awfully mysterious Pelle. Should I be worried?” He shook his head.

“No, not at all.”

After the Attestupa you were about to leave. Dani’s panic attack, which was justified after the events you had all witnessed, caused you to jump into protective mode. It was too early in her grieving process to be seeing death at all, let alone death right in front of her. It didn’t matter what kind of processes the people here went through, she needed to leave.

It was Pelle who convinced you both to stay. He apologized, assuring you both that nothing like that would happen again soon. It was part of the world he grew up in and didn’t think he needed to protect you from something he saw as normal.

You waited for Dani’s go ahead. When she said she would stay, so did you.

Then came the pairing.

The elders gathered everyone around the table again. They had a scroll out in front of them and you stood next to Dani, teetering back and forth on the balls of your feet. Pelle assured you there would be no deaths here. This was about the rebirth of those who had just died, the children that would be had from the couples paired together. You looked around, wondering which people had been waiting for this their entire lives.

Then your name was called.

Pelle and you.

Ingemar and Connie.

Then other names you didn’t know, people that had lived here their whole lives. Your eyes were still bursting out of your head from the time they brought you and Pelle up, gave you intertwining floral headgear and showed you to one of the private cabins.

Simon was still yelling from outside about Connie, wanting to drag her away, unsure of the reason she had been chosen. Dani watched you go but couldn’t grab you. She wanted to give you a thumbs up but didn’t have the heart to, unsure if you were going to die the second you were away from her eyeline.

When you were inside the cabin you took off the flower crown. You placed it on the bed halphazerdly., turning to Pelle.

“Okay, what the fuck is this?” you questioned. “Ingemar has a crush on Connie and now they’re paired together? What is this Pelle? Please.” He approached you and you didn’t back away. You still felt safe with him, even after all the things that had happened. You truly believed he wouldn’t hurt you.

“It’s not like that, I promise.” He put his hands on your arms, trying to center you. “They pair up some of the visitors every Midsommar,” he assured you. “I had no idea it would be you and I or Connie and Ingemar. They have to pair up some outsiders to avoid any incentuous children, they aren’t doing it from any kind of ill mind.”

It felt weird. In this room, alone, when you had just been in a group housing situation. You already wanted to see Dani.

“This is weird Pelle.”

“I understand it isn’t normal. But they aren’t forcing anything on us, on you. We’ll sleep here but it would be normal, as though we were sleeping a couple feet away in the group house.”

“So we don’t have to do anything right?”

“There will be a few pair games but those are normal. Like…compatibility games. They aren’t dangerous, I assure you. Do you trust me?” You swallowed hard, meeting his eyes. You nodded slowly.

“I think so. Yes,” you promised. He nodded.

“You’re allowed to leave and see Dani and our friends. Don’t worry.”

“What about Simon and Connie?”

“I’m sure Connie and Simon will see each other again soon. There’s no need to worry about them.” You nodded.

“At least they paired me with you. They could’ve paired me with Christian and I could've drowned him in the toilet or something.” Pelle gave you a small laugh. He put his hand on your arm, softly.

“Let’s have dinner alright?” You nodded, following him out of your cabin.

“So it’s like a game?” Dani questioned. “Why couldn’t they put Christian and I together. Maybe then he’d finally think about marriage.”

“You don’t wanna marry that guy,” you said, shaking your head. You were sitting by the gardens together. Pelle was harvesting some food and you watched, for moral support. “Pelle says it’s like a game. Whoever is most compatible at the end gets married.”

“Legally?”

“As legal as this all is,” you said.

“Did you see that Simon left this morning? Without Connie. Hitched a ride,” Dani explained. You shook your head.

“Really?”

“Yeah. Someone took him in the car into town.” You didn't know the guy well but were surprised. They seemed really close. Engaged, if you remembered.

“Pelle?!” you called. He turned around, putting the shovel into the dirt.

“Yes?”

“Did you hear Simon left?” He shook his head and walked over. He was sweating from the sun. His white baggy shirt clung to his chest. You were grateful again that you were paired with him out of anyone, the slight crush growing with the coincidence.

“I didn’t. Who told you this?”

“Ingemar,” Dani explained. “When Connie went looking. Do you think Christian would do something like that?” You wanted to scoff and answer honestly. Instead you met Pelle’s gaze and shook your head, lying.

“I’m sure he wouldn’t.” Pelle extended a hand.

“Would you like to help me?”

“Looks like hard labor.”

“I promise I’ll make it easier. Come.” You reached out and let him help you stand. You glanced back at Dani, who smiled, squinting under the sun.

“You guys are cute. Sure to win best pair.” You rolled your eyes.

“You get to be the maid of honor.”

“The may queen traditionally get’s that spot,” Pelle explained. You raised your eyebrows to her.

“Better get your dancing feet ready.”

“Have you seen Josh?” Dani questioned. She stood in front of your cabin door, concern lacing her voice. You rubbed your eyes. Pelle had let you sleep in a bit, allowing you to skip breakfast and bringing some back. You shook your head.

“No. Not since yesterday. Why?” Her jaw set.

“I can’t find him.”

“Isn’t the May Queen thing today? I doubt he’d miss that,” you offered. “Plus, I have a compatibility thing today too.” Dani nodded tightly. You were right. Josh would show up eventually.

“Can you ask Pelle if he’s seen him?”

“Yeah of course. You okay?” She nodded but she had that melancholy look on her face that was hard to read. You weren’t sure if she was just putting up a front or if she was at all settled. You wanted to ask her more questions but she turned slowly and walked towards the main part of the commune. You squinted in the sun. Pelle passed her while he was walking back from wherever he had gone.

“Are you ready?” he questioned. You nodded a bit.

“Thanks for letting me sleep in.”

“Of course. I want you rested.”

“So what do we have to do? Is it like a sack race or something? Who knows each other better? Quick, what’s your favorite color?” He chuckled. He looked down, intertwining your fingers. You let him, though you were suspicious.

“A tad more serious than that.”

“Pelle…”

“You’ll be fine. I promise.” He was determined to win this one. He had never been chosen for a pairing before but he had seen it happen. The pairs were sent out on the cliff and had to be the last two standing after a scuffle of pushing and shoving.

Ingemar and Connie were removed, after Connie mysteriously disappeared after causing too much commotion. There were only two more couples.

Neither were as strong or connected as you and Pelle.

He just wondered how he would get you up the mountain. Once you were there he had no doubt he could convince you to push for your own self preservation, along with his.

As Dani took a drink of the special tea before the May Queen dance, you drank some offered by Pelle as you started up the mountain.

#pelle x reader #pelle x fem!reader #midsommar imagines #pelle midsommar x reader #pelle midsommar x fem!reader #black balloons tag

280 notes · View notes

crescencestudio · 7 months

Text

Devlog #35 | 09.26.23

Hi everyone!

Hope the beginning of Fall has been kind to you all <3 To be Frank, it has not been Kind to me LMFAO. But I'll get into that, so let's dive in yippee!

Before I do, someone liked this post recently, which was such a throwback. It was before the full demo was out and everything!! I was so young and full of life. I'm going to sprinkle some comparison shots of the new assets with the old ones to break up the text and also walk down memory lane with me! (Full GUI not shown as I'm still waiting on the assets)

Chapter Cards (Left: After | Right: Before)

The "Progress"

I'm going to structure this devlog a little differently from the usual template. The main reason being, for those of you who didn't see, I have not been feeling Myself recently.

This month I found myself all out of sorts. While I felt like I was making progress and doing so much everyday read: fighting for my life, when I looked back on things at the end of this month, I didn't feel like I really did much.

On a higher level, I finished fulfilling Kickstarter physical rewards, opened a Kofi shop of the remaining merch, edited Druk's route and continued writing Etza's route, updated assets and code for the updated demo, and then general commission stuff (BGs from Vui, soundtracks from Peter, etc.).

But overall, Alaris felt largely like it was kinda sitting at around the same spot as it did when I entered this month. Which made me a little sad! I had wanted to make So Much Progress on Alaris because next month I won't be able to work on it really. Then, I realized I haven't taken a break from game development since I started it two years ago HA!!!

The Real Progress

Development for me has been back-to-back. Chapter releases every 1-2 months during my first half year of development, Full Demo release shortly after, Kickstarter shortly after, Full Game Development shortly after. When I was feeling burnt out from Alaris, I made intertwine. Then I was Heavily Involved in the development of two games shortly after.

All of this on top of my IRL responsibilities, which include a job, PhD school, and well, functioning as a normal human occasionally.

And then here we are at the end of September 2023, and I'm wondering why even though I creatively want to work on Alaris, I find my brain literally just getting too tired to think.

Etza CG (Left: After | Right: Before)

I think ever since the Kickstarter, I've put a lot of pressure on myself to consistently put out LOTS of updates for each monthly devlog. I don't want people to think I'm not working on things or I'm not committed to delivering after giving me their hard earned money. But now, with two years under my belt, I'm realizing that is... HMM maybe too high of a standard to put on myself for my first game ever. There are many much more seasoned developers than me who don't put that pressure on themselves (which is Good and Healthy).

So this month, I debated scrounging around and gathering all my crumbs to give you all a devlog that you'll be satisfied with. But I decided ultimately that wouldn't be good for me and would honestly not be the most transparent way to present the current process of things.

And so. Here I am. Head in my Hands. Letting you all know that while I'm not "burnt out," I am.... only human LOL (one human at that). And so some months, like this one, will just not have much progress to report. Not because I'm not working on it or any other deeper reason. But because it's physically impossible and unreasonable for me to be continuously pushing out a steady stream of content.

In-Game Sprites & BGs (Left: After | Right: Before)

Next month, I'lll be taking a vacation. It's actually my first Big, Official one in a Long Time! I'm very excited for it. And while I did initially think about working on Alaris while I was traveling on trains or things like that, I decided to respect my own need to be a Human and just take a break for once in my life. I don't even want to say I Might work on things, because that sentiment alone will pressure me to make some progress. So yes. Next month, there will be no devlog or updates. But please rest assured, I am "working on Alaris" by letting myself just Exist and Rest Up!

Not an Alaris screenshot but it is market research that deserves to be included because I played House in Fata Morgana recently and it was Phenomenal!

Thank you all for understanding and your continued support. I'm extremely appreciative to have such a kind and patient community. Hope you all have a wonderful October filled with Fall Treats, and I'll see you in November! <3

#alaris #devlog

81 notes · View notes

tomystars · 8 months

Text

raysand/sandray theories + analysis

(because im insane)

This is a little post where I'll be focusing on what's to come for raysand mostly based on the trailer (original trailer too) and what we already know from the episodes that have aired already. I'll be using pictures so the text doesn't feel too eavy.

Also want to mention I didn't think about all of this myself, it's mostly a compilation of me and my friend throwing ideas and thoughts at one another and I decided to make a post on this now because me and her predicted something that happened on yesterdays episode...

Before I begin, considering it's based on our thoughts, ideas and what we know of the trailer (which is often edited in a way where sometimes certain dialogue doesn't end up being the same one we see on the episodes) please take everything with a grain of salt. If you want to share your opinions, feel free to do so my inbox is open!

Let's begin!

Although this is mostly a theories focused posted, I do want to first talk a little bit about how Ray & Sand's relationship is at the moment.

We all know things are going to escalate more but for now both Ray and Sand consider each other as friends. I've mentioned this in another post before (that has recently been deleted because it wasn't very well written) but one of Sand's best qualities and what makes him, in my eyes, the best character in this series, is that out of everyone else he's KIND.

First episode we have him meeting Ray for the first time and the only reason he got mean was because Ray was being an asshole first. Yet, after all of that, he still understood Ray was drunk and he gave him a ride to his own home, let him puke on his toilet, gave him a place to sleep on... All of this to a complete stranger by the way! You can't with certainty tell me everyone would do something like this. In return, Ray acted like an asshole once again which lead him to being kicked out of Sand's place (later on I'll talk about why I think Ray reacted that way), and eventually Ray did end up apologising which I think was something Sand didn't expect.

Another thing that made it more easy for Sand to forgive Ray was when Ray said "Thanks for saving my life." which was a very honest thing to say and Sand realised that, he kind of got a little bit of an insight of what Ray truly is like. I often see people commenting about Ray being dramatic by saying that when he was not. He meant what he said and frankly Sand DID save his life. Had Sand left him alone, Ray would've driven while drunk which could've very well ended in an accident.

Fast forward, Ray keeps seeking him out (another thing that will come into play later on), hires him to be his drinking buddy, convinces him to leave a girl Sand was trying to take home to drive to drive him instead, they have a talk, seem to be on the same page, hook up and everything is fine. For now.

This is the first fight they have in the trailer. I think, at this point, they have already started to hang out more and being more close together, so Sand is starting to expect more from Ray, specially the way Ray acts around him, always being flirty, always saying certain things ("I care about your feelings. That's why I'm here." previews are always a bit deceitful so maybe Ray isn't even saying this to him but we move), always going after him, always wanting Sand to spend time with him, but at the same time saying they can never be more than what they already are, which will most likely give Sand a lot of mixed feelings.

Just like we saw on yesterday's episode, Ray will most likely keep leaving Sand for Mew, which I don't really mind considering that Ray is a girls girl and he will always put his friends above himself, but at a certain point I get why Sand would get upset considering they are friends too and it's just very horrible being the one left behind specially when you keep get mixed messages from this guy you're starting to like. He'll probably realise there's something between Mew and Ray too.

In this fight scene, Ray is probably once again leaving Sand for Mew which is why Sand says "Focus on me for once will you?". In return Ray says this:

"What are we to each other?" is a very key sentence in their relationship. The way I see it Ray will too start questioning their relationship, thinking "What are we?" because they'll both be floating around each other but no one will ever say anything. I'll get a little bit more into Ray's personality later on but Ray might be just as confused as Sand, he probably never had a relationship quite like what they both have and it's scary. At the same time, he could also just be saying that to be mean (I'm not trying to paint him as a villain, I love him and this all ties in with what I'll be saying later about his personality."

The second fight scene we see in the trailer. I don't know if any of you remember but in the original trailer there's a scene where they're both in the car and Sand says "I don't want to be in anyone's choices." (there's also a scene where Ray gets arrested but we won't talk about that), which could mean Sand doesn't want to be a choice, someone in a "competition" with someone else, but the one Ray would want to be with no matter what.

This scene we're seeing is most likely the equivalent of that scene in the old trailer. I think at this time in their relationship Sand has already confessed that he wants more from Ray, that he doesn't want to keep being a "choice" and that he wants them to be in a relationship which leads to them having a fight, and eventually to Ray saying this.

Now, I can finally get into Ray's personality and the reason why he acts defensively in both of these scenes with Sand. Ray is scared. I do think Ray has a crush in Mew but I don't think it has ever been more than a crush, Ray just hasn't let it go because it's safe and easy. He likes Mew, Mew doesn't like him back and that's it, he doesn't have to worry about complicated feelings. But then Sand comes along and he is unbelievable KIND and he treats Ray like a normal person, he's honest, he doesn't push back and even apologise for being nosy about Ray's mother, he worries about him when he's drunk, he talks back and he's FUN to be around, he never wanted anything from Ray even after taking him home when he was drunk, he refused to accept money from them hooking up, he gave up one of his nights to sing at Yo's bar just so he could sing at Ray's party...

I mean, since episode 1 we've been getting a look into Ray's self worth. He thinks he's worthless and a burden, probably because he's an alcoholic, and I'm sorry to say but his friends don't really help him when it comes to that. He doesn't want to keep burdening his friends with this so he turns towards Sand, hires him as his drinking buddy, to just listen to music with, have fun and relax, he even says "I just don't want to be alone." and even later on Sand sayshe can be his friend without having to hire him he even says "If you're my friend, you have to look after me in every way." and Sand does just that!

Ray is confused and he probably has never had someone to be this way towards him in his life, someone that wants to help him (with his alcoholism as well I'm fairly sure), someone that cares this much about him, but most importantly, confused as to why he's feeling this way thinking "Don't I like Mew? Why do I feel this way towards Sand?", so of course he's scared about what he's feeling and he's scared of being vulnerable and ending up being hurt, so he pushes Sand away by being mean. It's all too much for him.

What's worse is that Sand has been the only one setting up rules like the not sleeping with each other more than once, saying he'd never date someone like Ray and other less significant situations but Ray always convinces him to break those same rules (wonder why that is...) which Sand is at fault too like, my guy you need to be confident and just say no. Sand most likely set those same rules precisely because of an old relationship that started this way and ended up horribly so he's trying to not commit that same mistake again. This time I think Sand will fight back instead of just letting go like his old relationship, probably because he can tell Ray feels the same way as him.

Then we have this scene, It's a bit ambiguous because it's impossible to know exactly in what part of the timeline of this relationship this fits in but I personally like to think it's after all the fights Ray finally takes some time to think and get his feelings in order and realise what exactly Sand means to him and this is the scene where Ray goes and finds Sand to apologise and I guess 'confess'. It also fits really well with the last scene I'll talk about which is the bathtub scene.

In this scene we can clearly see Ray breaking down crying in a bathtub while Mew is hugging him from behind (in the old trailer Mew had clothes on so this doesn't really make me think much). Personally, this is probably a scene where Ray feels horrible for hurting Sand and might also be the moment he realises how he truly feels for him which of course has him feeling like this. Gut wrenching heartbreak. My friend thinks it might be a time where Sand has decided to stop talking to him, refusing to see him which could also make everything worse.

To end all of this I think it's very important to note that by no means do I think either of them are in love already but no one can deny they're clearly attracted to each other and that they have a connection, but most importantly they ARE friends and they consider themselves as such no matter what, they would do a lot of things for each other, Ray even as far as defending Sand's band to Top (it's Top we're talking about whom he hates, but nevertheless) so that's something to keep in mind.

#only friends the series #raysand #sandray #nyx speaks #really woke up and decided to type all of this out wow....

46 notes · View notes

fangirl-saya · 1 year

Text

The Reddit Q&A

Because I'm a normal person with normal amount of appreciation for Renfield and Hoult, I went through this thread and pulled out all the replies that had to do with Hoult. Enjoy. Reddit thread

Putting it under "Keep reading" because long post is long.

Hoult: I watched all of them but Dwight Frye is obviously such an iconic wonderful performance and one that I did try to take a lot of inspiration from.

Hoult: They’re all difficult for different reasons. I don’t have as great an answer as that… but playing Beast was quite challenging simply because of the makeup. [To Cage] Which reminds me, I really felt for you in this. You took it in stride.

Hoult: Something that I love is when you’re on a set and you open a drawer and someone has taken the time to write a letter. It may never end up on screen, but it’s so incredible that they took the extra step to make each aspect of the film feel more real and to make that moment special.

Hoult: We were all (the cast) growing up together. So, whilst we were pretending to do all those things on the show and be those characters, outside of it, we were becoming great friends and experiencing all those things in real life. We were 16 and 17, so to share that time with those people and still be friends with them now is very special. I feel lucky to be a part of it.

Hoult: Hmmm. I liked the first John Wick. Speed as well.

Cage: I’m just going to go on record now, Nick is a hell of a dancer, and he worked his ass off to do this incredible dance sequence which didn’t make it into the movie, but it was brilliant. That was a lot of work.

Hoult: That was, yeah, that was a lot of work and rehearsals. Choreography came up with this wonderful fantasy sequence of Renfield dancing with bugs, just over the moon with love. But yeah, sadly it didn’t make it into the film but maybe it will end up as a deleted scene?

Cage: No reason in terms of method, but the fangs were genuine fangs, they were ceramic and quite pointy. So I did bite my lip a few times which made me drink my own blood.

Hoult: I quite like the taste of my own blood.

Cage: There is something warm and fuzzy about it.

Hoult: We were inside a church at one point, during a hurricane. It wasn’t paranormal, but it was eerie. We had to stop filming and all gather together towards the center of this church and wait out this hurricane.

Cage: One of the recent ones, THE MENU, I just thought it was so delicious. That movie is about cooking so that is the right word. It was one of my favorite movies of the year. Darkest comedy in the most delicious way.

Hoult: Face Off, Con Air, Pig, Adaptation, The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent.

Hoult: There’s a line that she added (in a scene in the apartment and I was making her cookies) and she said “I don’t want your murder cookies." That was a very funny line that she made up. That gets me every time.

Hoult: I like the idea of Frankenstein's monster, but Dracula would be up there as one of my favorites as well.

Hoult: I mean he’s horrendous on some levels, but he’s also quite caring and nurturing on others. So it’s always a matter of perspective, isn’t it? If you saw a vignette of the nicest moments of their lives together it would seem picturesque and wonderful. And then at its worst it probably is horrific and as bad as it can get. So it’s both things at the same time.

Cage: I’m fairly certain that Dracula and Renfield had a few wonderful laughs together over the years. Big laughs? That’s probably the better word to use.

Hoult: Thank you so much. In some ways, tonally, these are similar films and I love making those horror comedy/twisted genres. If you like those, hopefully you’ll like Renfield.

Hoult: I learned today that Nick edited Shadow of The Vampire, which I didn’t know and I was surprised by it.

Cage: I don’t think anything surprises me about Nick Hoult. He’s making all the right moves and I knew he would.

Hoult: For me? Hot and sour soup.

Cage & Hoult: Both did all the time.

Hoult: Oh I wouldn’t want to say a least favorite. I like them all.

Cage: Thank you. You're great too.

Hoult: To quote a great actor, '"Thank you. You're great too" -- Cage'

...

Thanks for the questions! We gotta go see the children of the night about a bite to eat - but make sure to watch RENFIELD, only in theaters on April 14th.

#Renfield #trivia #Reddit #Hoult

55 notes · View notes

fixinglitg · 6 months

Text

HOW TO FIX BISEXUAL WOMEN IN THE GAME

So you've read the title and probably just wanna get straight to this, so I will. If you cba to read my explanation as to why I dislike some of the women LI characters, scroll down and find some red text, that's when I get on with things.

DISCLAIMER: After a recent ask at the time of editing this, I just wanna add the fact that this is a friend's to lovers route, and just my opinion. There will be multiple of these, so keep that in mind when you read through.

Fusebox SUCK at writing Bisexual women, and couldn't do a proper wlw to save their life, in my own personal opinion of course. So far, we've had Talia, Marisol, Elisa, AJ, Yasmin, Lily, Najuma, Cora, Angie, Dana, Gabi, Lulu, Bella, Chloe, Flo and Bonnie.In MY opinion, only Talia, Najuma in a way and Angie are the only ones written well.

Talia still has a good relationship with Jake if you don't pursue her, Najuma has no issues with going after Youcef (though she is a little on me sometimes) and Angie has an absolutely amazing friends to lovers and is the only reason why I play S4 despite actually enjoying that season very much weirdly.

So now we'll move onto the bad, because that's what this post is for.

Marisol is such a pain in the ass to get, and I just think she comes across as a bit manipulative and shitty. I've NEVER done a route for her because firstly I don't find her attractive at all, but mostly I think it's just too much of a hassle to get her. And the fact that she continues to use Graham in an attempt to make us jealous is so goddamn stupid like babe, just say it flat out and take my answer.

Elisa is the better of the two, yet ofc I haven't done her route as you HAVE to be on a Marisol route for her. I think she's gorgeous, and I find her kinda amusing (I know, odd me) but I think she just needed to come earlier, or have her be an open route already. I can't comment much more on her as I barely see her much afterwards, but I think she was a waste of potential.

Then we have Aj. And I love my girl, I really do, but S3 is so forgettable to the point where I can't actually remember how pushy she could be? Same with Lily to be honest. BUT one thing I do remember about Lily is the fact that she can steal you at the end, and then Aj leaves which SUCKED because that's how mine ended up the first time round, so she's never been in my good book for that. And then there was also Yasmin, but I haven't done her route so I can't give an opinion unfortunately.

Next we have S4 with Cora as I've already touched upon Najuma and Angie. See, I don't think Cora's BAD but I kinda hate the fact that she's like a false LI. The fact that you can't stay coupled up with her is a little annoying since I would've enjoyed a route with her, but it is a nice change of pace having someone basically reject your MC after coupling up with them. So, not terrible, but not amazing.

Then S5. Oh dear. Lulu is honestly the only one really worth it in the end. She's sweet, and she isn't clingy. Neither is Gabi to be fair, so for wlw I would definitely go for them. I think Gabi is a better character than people allow. She has depth to her, and people always talk about "oh but her little tantrum with the ring" I'm sorry but if a guy was sleeping round my house and I find a ring, I'm gonna think it's for me and not the "other women" you've just found. So I understand why she did it. Besides, she also got a confession out of Suresh, so is it really that bad?

Dana on the other hand, oh dear. Not only can she not take no for an answer, she also cheats on you, and then acts really shitty all throughout casa amor. Honestly, it's really satisfying going after Gabi after being with her, because she brings my mental health further down than it already is. And not only that, she's ugly asf??? She looks ill, I'm more concerned than attracted. And- yeah, the shading is all off, and the hair colour isn't it.

Before I continue my rant about that, let's move onto S6. I think Bella, Chloe, and Flo are all really attractive. The only thing that frustrates me is A. The fact that you can only couple up with them at the final recoupling, and B. The fact that you basically have to pick and choose who stays and who goes. And I think that they're all kinda pushed onto you. Of course, that's a writing error, but it makes me like the characters a little less when they seem really clingy and on you like no-one else exists.

And finally, so far, S7 with Bonnie. To keep things nice and simple, Bonnie should've been an OG girl instead. Whether she stayed as Bonnie or her whole reasoning was pushed onto an OG girl instead doesn't matter. She just never should've been an LI. Having Joyo/Bryson (I think) take her back to the villa when they feel nothing is so stupid. And I know it was only because they wanted to keep her since she's an LI. Which is why she should've been at the villa in the first place, so that it didn't put them in an awkward spot. On top of that, her character doesn't serve much purpose if you're either not into her, or not into women.

SO NOW THAT WE'VE GOTTEN THAT OUT OF THE WAY, you can read on from here if you didn't care about that shit and just wanted to see how I'd do this.

So the female LI of the season (if they only added in one) should be an OG from the start. I think that you have to do specific things to unlock that route. For example, say you're into women, and have a high heart score with said character (that's based on the original app, idk how it'd work for the new one now that the emojis are mostly nonexistent). You should only be able to pursue said woman if it makes sense.It should start off with Woman LI saying how she's into both men and women, and can't wait to start her journey. None of this "oH iM eXciTEd To GeT tO kNoW yOU"

NO. The female LI shouldn't have the sole purpose of being an LI for the MC.Then we'd see her recouple with a guy at least once or twice. During that time, she can talk about how things aren't exactly feeling right for her, but she thinks it might just be the fact that they're in the villa. I don't want to be automatically pushed onto this character. I want her to either randomly come out and say it, or hint at it.

And then after a challenge or some really hefty drama that splits the villa in two (because we love some drama) I'd want this sort of scene to happen:

Note: All FEMALE LI'S dialogue is in YELLOW.

"Hey. MC? Can I talk to you quickly?"

MC would follow potential F!LI to the firepit because it's weirdly symbolic. Then it would either be one of two options depending on if the route has been unlocked.

LOCKED ROUTE: "I'm worried about my time here. I'm just not clicking with anyone right now. (Her partner's name) isn't quite who I thought he'd be. And after today, I'm not really sure if I can trust him or not. Or anyone but you really. I don't know what to do. Since I think of you as the closest girl I know in this villa, a best friend even, I was wondering if I could get your advice?"

This would be securing the fact that she is now locked, and won't be able to be an option later on. I think it's a good idea to lock her to keep things simple. And then you could even add in another woman later to be her partner. Whether the new woman is also an LI too is in the air.

BUT what if she was unlocked? How would that dialogue go? Well...

UNLOCKED ROUTE: "I'm sorry if this is a bad time. Is this a bad time? It feels like a bit of a bad time."

Option A: "No, of course not, what's wrong?"

Option B: "As long as it isn't another secret we don't know of."

Option C: "Yeah, it kinda is with all the drama going on right now."

I imagine this would be after a challenge that reveals things like movie night etc, so just go with me for this one. Of course, her answer and your answer would be different depending on the choice, but it would all lead to this set of dialogue no matter what:

"Listen, I just have something I need to get off my chest. It's been here for a while, and I guess I just didn't want to acknowledge it. At least, not until today. I like you, MC. As in I wanna couple up with you if we get the chance to."

"Are you serious? Why now? What's changed?"

"That challenge revealed a lot. At least, for me it did. You've always been there for me since day one. I've always found you attractive. I just didn't wanna seem pushy. I've tried hinting at my interest in you without seeming weird, but you never reacted. I couldn't tell if you'd even be interested in... Well, me? I wanted to tell you, but I couldn't. I..."

"Please, tell me, (F!LI name)."

"You just looked so infatuated. With him. The way you looked. How you smiled. It felt different to how you looked at everyone else. How you looked at me. Even when you two were bickering a little, I couldn't do that to you. I didn't want to look like I was taking advantage of the situation. I didn't want to get in your way. But, after today, after seeing how he treated you during casa amor? After his slimy hands touched those girls in there only to say how much he likes you, and only thought about you in those moments... It made me feel something else. The thought of you being dumped killed me. And I knew it was because I like you. But I didn't want to admit it until today. And if you need space, I fully understand. And if you don't feel the same, I get it. And I hope we can still be friends. But I need you to know before it's too late."

At this point, I feel like you'd have the option to accept, reject, or say you need some time. Accepting will fully unlock the route, rejecting will of course close it, but saying you need time will keep the option open until you only have the choice of saying yes or no during a later scene a few days later (about 9/12 episodes in the old format).

If you lock her route here, you'd notice a little change in dialogue until the end. How each word seems a little strained as if you can tell she's really holding back how she feels without it being pushy or obnoxious.And finally, I just wanted to add a little scene where she'd couple up with you. Before this, she'd ask if you'd wanna couple up. If you say yes, then she'll be the one who gets to couple up. If you say you're unsure, you'd get the choice. But if you don't, her route is locked again. And if you say no then ofc her route is locked and she'll be a little disappointed that you said you were interested, but she'll be a bit more understanding if your answer was "I need some time" during her confession scene. Because then it doesn't seem like you've led her on. ANYWAYS, coupling up scene.

COUPLING UP WITH HER: "I don't know how much of a surprise this will be. But I've been thinking about this a lot. And now that I know I can, there's no way I'm letting this opportunity go. I wanna couple up with this person because they make me feel as if I can be myself. All my insecurities and flaws feel like perfection with them. And I can't thank them enough for making me feel so... Happy. If I had known them longer, I'd even consider the word "loved." They've been with me from the start, and not only are they my best friend, but my ride or die. They've been there for me through thick and thin, and I wanna be there for them. So, that's why the person I wanna couple up with is MC."

And there we have it. Of course, I'd go more into detail but this post is SOOOOO long already. I hope you enjoyed and my fingers are really fucking stiff now, I've been typing for about 30 minutes, I'm freezing, and I'm tired. But overall, this was so worth it. Let me know your opinions too!

#fanfiction #fanfic #love island game #litg spoilers #litg s2 #litg ff #litg season 6 #litg fanfic #litg mc #litg #litg stick or twist #litg double trouble #litg s6 #litg s7 #love island the game #litg season 7

35 notes · View notes

direwombat · 8 months

Text

(two)uquiz roundup

tagged by @g0dspeeed, @inafieldofdaisies, @aceghosts, @simplegenius042, @strangefable, @adelaidedrubman, and @deputyash

to do some uquizes (each linked with their corresponding oc results). i know there are more uquizes that i missed but i... uh...can't find them (oops...)

tagging y'all back for whatever you haven't done, and also tagging: @madparadoxum, @socially-awkward-skeleton, @voidika, @locustandwildhoney, @testyfestyenthusiast, @alexxmason, @josephslittledeputy, and anyone else wanting to give these uquizes a spin (and if you want to be added to the uquiz/picrew taglist, go like/reply to this post here)

which part of your oc holds their soul?

LEGS. you're always onto what's vital, what's essential, whatever's the most pivotal thing in your life. survival, stability, ambition, and self-sufficiency. you may find that others instinctively trust you to make the important decisions. at your worst, you're ungrounded. you lack ambition, you lack purpose, and you become more frustrated with life. at your best, you're the glue that holds it all together. your soul is the essence of holding the door open for as many people as possible. you are an extra umbrella in the downpour. the lighthouse guiding ships through a foggy sea. you're as dependable as anyone will ever be.

what romantic tarot card pair are you? (jakesyb version)

THE DEVIL + THE EMPEROR.there's only one religion for the two of you, and that religion is the other. you two are very nearly unhealthily obsessed with one another, and that's just how you like it. when they touch you, they can feel the blood pumping under the surface of your skin. your hearts beat for one another. when the day comes that one stops, the other will soon after. until then, you both will live out your lives in perfect, gothy paradise. deck: the tarot of vampyres.

(same quiz as previous, sybeli edition because i've been writing them recently)

THE TOWER + THE LOVERS. meeting this person shook your whole world. crumbling down is everything you thought you knew about life and love. their warmth, their generosity, their naivete, their knowing...! you don't know how anything made sense before them. all you know is that nothing will make sense afterwards. deck: the tarot of the divine by yoshi yoshitani.

paola results under the cut :)

which part of your oc holds their soul?

THE EYES. you'll notice yourself smiling with delight over things you once paid no attention to. streetlights on the river. smoke rising from a chimney. red roofs in the trees. my dog's eyes. deep clear water. red velvet. the moon in the clouds. a fast train rushing. concentration and awareness. liberation and intuitive knowledge. intelligence, intuition, insight, and self-knowledge. at your worst, you are non-assertive and afraid of success. on the contrary, it can make you more egoistical. at your best, you are more vibrant and confident, both spiritually and emotionally. in the absence of the fear of death, you become your own master and remain free of all attachment to material things. your intellect goes beyond that which you can obtain in the physical world. you want more. you want to know that you are beyond the mark on an astronomical level. you see-you KNOW- more than the average lazing eye. there's no way the others don't notice

what romantic tarot card pair are you?

THE ACE OF CUPS + THE TEN OF CUPS. your romance is the love story that seems only possible in movies. it starts from a youthful first meeting, innocent. and from what may seem like a lifetime later, you both end up happily in union, perhaps even married! your coupling is the epitome of emotional fulfillment and devotion. neither of you thought you'd end up here, but damn if you aren't glad you did. deck: thelema tarot.

#not at all surprised that jakesyb got the devil and the emporer (like so many other seed ships)#love those obsessed little freaks <3 #also OOF the tower and the lovers for sybeli....#a card of communication and honesty (the lovers) paired with a card of upheaval (the tower)#accurate for them lol #congratulations to paola for having a normal result fdal;dkjfadfs #oc: deputy sybille la roux #oc: paola orsini #and those soul results....perfect

20 notes · View notes

artofloof · 5 months

Text

BYF/Intro post!!!!!!!!!!!!! (super long sorry)

Hiiiiiiii!!!!! I'm Laura or Floof. I draw silly synth people and funny looking skeletons

The button below is the gate to the legendary post. >Hey um Joku...

RECENT ART THAT I REALLY WANT YOU TO LOOK AT!!!! (experimental) >Teto :) <3

BLOG INFO

☆Reposts of my artwork are strictly not allowed.

☆My current fandoms are UTAU/vipperloids and UTMV (Sans AUs)

☆Recommended 15+ if you're gonna interact! Here's why: --->I swear. a LOT. --->I sometimes post art with suggestive themes or lots of skin showing. These are always tagged! I do not post NSFW. --->I don't censor anything Be responsible!

☆I'm ALWAYS open to asks!!! I have tons of AUs and character headcanons that I would love to talk about. No pressure, but... easy way to get me clipped in the floor like a broken NPC going "YIPPEE! YIPPEE!" /hj

☆NO posting schedule. And also I post whatever I want. It's the wild west out here 🦅

☆Only send art requests if there is a post that says they're open. I delete these posts when requests close.

TAGGING SYSTEM

THIS IS GETTING LONG SORRY. SPEEDRUN:

>BLACKLIST TAGS: -I use #eyestrain, #flashing colors, and #flashing lights to tag seizure/headache-inducing content. If you find a post like this on my blog and it's not tagged, PLEASE TELL ME!!! Sometimes I don't know what is triggering and what isn't!!! -#suggestive for posts with sexual themes or lots of skin showing. There is no NSFW on my blog. May also use #nudity and/or #partial nudity in the future -#long post for posts that eat the space on your screen (like this one...)

>SORTING TAGS: -#Laurart is my art tag! -#Laurtalks for text posts -#Laurtunes music?!??! no way -#Laura's creations for my own AUs and characters -To group art by character, use #(their first name)! I don't always have consistent tags for posts with the same characters, so this is an easy way to find art of them -#shitpost is a busy place -#not utmv exists because most people follow me for sans au content lmao (this tag is no longer in use because I don't post a lot of sans au art anymore) -#reblog is self explanatory and #other people's posts is anything that's not mine

Okay got that? Cool. Swag and poggers. More about me as a person below the cut

☆☆ MEEEE ☆☆

TIME FOR ME TO GO INSANE okay yippee

-My favorite aspect of art is COLOR THEORY - you might notice I'm crazy for complimentary color schemes, and they're something I purposefully shove into most of my artwork. I also love character design but it doesn't take a detective to see my painful lack of OCs

-I use FireAlpaca and some edited default brushes

-MY FAVORITE AU SANS IS DREAM and my favorite vocal synth is Ritsu Namine :)))) second favs are Killer and Ruko Yokune 💖

-very normal about Dreamtale. promise. I'm even MORE normal about the Shattered Dreams AU. PROMISE.

-I like to read "bad" fanfiction for shits and giggles. This eventually culminated into THE SECOND BIBLE, which I wrote with my friend @artobsessedloser: Bloody Love (you should read it)

-Biggest art weakness right now is my inability to draw characters consistently :( but we're getting there gamers!!! yeaaah!!!!

-I'm super picky about ships. Always. Also don't draw them a bunch, but here's a list of some stuff I like if you're wondering or want to talk about them: Driller (Dream Sans + Killer Sans) Crossmare (Cross Sans + Nightmare Sans) Sheam (Dream Sans + Shattered Dream) Dreamberry (Dream Sans + Swap Sans)

-Labeling myself the founder of missile boob mondays before anyone else does 💥 /lh (we love Ritsu a lot on this blog)

-more TBA because we all know this section is never truly finished

☆

#don't reblog #Laurtalks #pinned post #goodbye Nightmare's greasy ass ask... it was nice having you pinned while it lasted. I will always remember you

8 notes · View notes

frenchiefitzhere · 8 months

Note

Both of your series give me art zoomies, but I was wondering if you could enlighten someone who plans to start their own va stuff (eventually 😓). What does your recording/editing process look like?

Big caveat: I'm not an expert. Entirely self-taught. All trial and error and YT tutorials. But I'm happy to share what I've learned 🌻 1. Set-up: a. Microphone: Rode NT-1 with a Focusrite Scarlett audio interface b. Software: Garageband (for most things) + Audacity (for fixing things) c. "Studio": I have the microphone on a floor stand in my walk-in closet. I also recently added a sound blanket as a curtain on the outside of my closet. I found it does make a difference which way I point the mic: away from the window that opens to the street.

A fancy microphone matters far less than the recording environment, I have found. It's important to check for things like appliances, fans, vents, etc. that might make extra sound. I'm pretty picky about getting a clean, crisp recording. (For example, if a car passes on the road as I'm recording a line, I do it again.) The reason the closet is a good place to record is because the fabric absorbs the sound. 2. Recording a. I record each character on her own track in GarageBand, and whenever I can, I will record as much content for the same character as I can (i.e. over multiple episodes).

b. It's much easier in the editing process to record A-A-A, B-B-B, C-C-C style for lines rather than A-B-C, A-B-C. In other words, if I mess up a line or think I might want a different take, I just immediately redo it as many times as I have to (rather than recording the whole script in one go, getting to the end, and starting over). c. It's helpful to have a nonverbal signal that shows up as a spike on the recording. (I learned that from Erik's little Audacity tutorial video.) So, if I know I have a section that I want to mark for some reason (ex. I know I messed up, I was doing foley, etc.), I just snap my fingers. d. Foley: If I have to make my own sound effects, I usually do not record them simultaneously as I act. It's much easier to make changes later if they're separate. It's not easy to 'extract' sounds. 3. Editing a. First, I export each track/character from GarageBand to Audacity and run the Noise Reduction and Declick plugins. Then I save those and bring them back into GarageBand. This step gets rid of most of the background noise. b. Then, I start lining everything up and clipping the recordings into regions. I usually make an extra track I call "Discard" so I can line up my back-up options for certain lines. (Usually, I'm just deleting the things I don't want but..sometimes I can't decide so I line one up in the Discard track in the same position/timestamp.) c. I usually add the sound effects and soundscapes at the same time. It's a bit more tedious to line everything up all at once, but much prefer it over going back and adding sound effects later, after I finish the voices. If you just have a few effects, it's doable to add them afterwards, but...timing matters for everything.

I get most of my sound effects and soundscapes from Freesound.org and sometimes I get them from Pixabay. Pixabay is also good for finding royalty-free music. Every once in a while, there's a specific sound I need that I can't find for free. For those, I get a license from Pond5 (which I like because it has a subscription like most stock libraries, but you can also buy what you need à la carte). d. Because I'm used to accessing MIDI for my musical projects, I've also found that that's a fun way to make special effects, especially when I need m a g i c. I just sift through the MIDI library in GarageBand (or use some plug-in instruments) until I find the sound I want, and I can change it up by playing different combinations on the MIDI keyboard. e. I spend a lot of time (probably too much) making micro-adjustments to the Automation. For example, I like the soundscape to fade in at the beginning and out at the end. And I make corrections--mainly Volume and Gain--for the main vocal tracks. That's also my way of keeping the SFX tracks down to just one or two: I can change the volume of each individual section. I'm not sure how helpful it is, but if you're curious, here's a screenshot of the next Ruby audio. (This is an unusually high number of tracks, even for a Ruby project.)

4. Finishing

I do not consider myself a 'video editor'. I like designing the thumbnails, but I wanted something where it would be super easy to make an interesting still image and just stick a sound file with it. Canva is good for that, and it's what I always use now. The only time I broke down and used iMovie to edit was for the Ruby vs. Carol puppet show, and I still finished that up in Canva. These are just the basics, but there are some other tips and tricks when it comes to different effects and stuff. (Musical projects are a completely different method. In a lot of ways, they're easier because ✨tempo✨. I still use GarageBand, and my recording set-up is the same, but how I record and edit is much different.) Note: You do NOT need to have all of this equipment right away to get started. A decent microphone does make a difference, but other than that, everything else is extra.

#frenchie answering asks #echo 🌻#audio editing #audio roleplay #frenchie makes audio rp #keep the art zoomies going pls #I love the art zoomies

9 notes · View notes

odysseys-blood · 5 months

Note

then, can you give us a list of games you recommend?

i sure can thank u for asking! i'll try to make it a bit more brief but under my top 4 i'll add a readmore with a longer list in case u wana read that and not the like. Odysseys Blood Introductory Game Pack.

so starting with the top picks:

1. The World Ends With You

i think a lot of people have a similar feeling about this game. you play as neku, recently deceased kid with no memories no friends and a whole lot of attitude and your main goal is to survive the reaper's game for 7 days to get a chance at living again. he trusts no one and believes in nothing but himself and being an extremely depressed middle schooler, i related to him but watching the way he changes over time and learns to open himself up. its kind of an eye-opener and i've seen the same though echoed through a lot of different people like me who wanted to really give up but this game does take you by the hand and oush you to try again. make connections. live and whileit may be a struggle its alright because you always have the option to keep going. also the ost is AMAZING and the art style is very unique and the story and characters captivate you so well. idk where id be without this game honestly. preferably if you do want to play its best to play the og on a ds (can be done w/ a hacked one) but if not its on switch and theres a sequel! which is ok but its not as great as original twewy

2. Tales of the Abyss

ToA (or tota as most ppl tag it but i stick with toa to match the tags for other tales games. which are also good esp vesperia i just wont add it to this list bc its already gonna be a long one). what stood out to me a lot with this game besides the main cast who i love to bits, is its theme on religion actually. when i first played toa i was still in the church and the main theme of religion in toa can be boiled down to devotion is all fine and good, but don't let it rule your life. the fate that is written out for you doesn't rule you, you make your own choices. even if they seem futile, you still don't have to take your fate sitting down you can kick and scream and fight as much as you want towards another path if that truly is what you desire. and that resonated with me heavily. this one's a little more crunchy looking from its age but i still really like the graphics (and i played on 3ds lol) and the environments in tales games are all so stellar its such a good game. and oh my GOD the party interactions. tales games usually do really good at having main casts that are "6-8 people who have no business being stuck together but they are anyways" and i think the part for this one will always be my favorite. also last little bit but theres so much about identity in toa as well and the way the main character, luke, is written with his own struggles about feeling like his own person has gripped me to this day. ive heard this one is hard to find a physical copy of but like. again shoot me a message if u have a hacked 3ds

3. AI: The Somnium Files

i've been here since day ONE (not exactly but theres a youtube page for one of the characters they were using to drop some info before the game released and i was watching while that was still going so. close enough). i am obsessed with aitsf. my icon is even the main character (edited a bit and w/ stickers). this game doesn't have combat like the first to and is strictly a visual novel and i adore the way it explores the central theme of love, especially familial love and its many shapes and forms and how sometimes even through blood it just doesnt. exist. but that doesnt mean you dont deserve love. someone will be there to give it to you and if not you take it however you can. this is much more apparent in the left half of the game which to this day has made the mizuki route my favorite. this one's eveywhere (playstation, steam, switch) and goes on sale frequently on steam for like $7. this one also has a sequel which is pretty good but again i think the original is much better

4. Heaven Will Be Mine

honestly with how many people i see daily gushing over poetry and writing im surprised more dont play hwbm. its a space mecha visual novel set in the aftermath of a war where earth sent children to go fight an existential threat which may not have even existed and now all of those kids are adults who have grown up without the shackles of society on the earth which js funny enough, finally calling for them to come back. the writing is beautiful and fun to pick apart and if you're a fan of prose i definitely think you should give this one a try. double of you're lgbt in any way this game is good for its writing about queerness especially if you're trans. please play hwbm. this one's on steam and doesnt have a sequel game but the devs, worst girl games, also made We Know The Devil which i like less than hwbm but its still pretty good! that ones got gay religious trauma

continuing is just a list of more i like in no specific order. some of these may be a bit cringey but i like fun

Witch's Heart

listen i know theres some strange bias some ppl have gainst rpgmaker pixel games but like. 1) odd but ok 2) witch's heart is such a beatiful story i need you to throw whatever biases you may have abt pixel games RIGHT NOW. my header text comes from this game. it means everything to me. do you have a wish you would kill for? does your wish mean more to you than another's? how much will you let your selfishness control you. for a game that looks so silly it made me cry a lot. this one's free on vgperson's translated game list and theres still MORE BEING MADE. SO MUCH GAME. FOR FREE. LOOK AT ME. ITS FREE. and heartwrenching.

To The Moon/Finding Paradise/ Impostor Factory

this description is short but similarly a pixel game like the previous rec. its more understandably heavy considering you play as eva and neil who fulfill the wishes of the dying in their dreams. its sad. i cried. i cry a lot dont i? these r on steam

Just Shapes and Beats

a rhythm game this time! it's got a cute little story mode but it is just a dubstep rhythm bullet hell i like playing. did you know i was a dubstep fan in middle school well now you do and im sad skrillex is mid now. its on steam and switch. not a good pick however if you are sensitive to flashing lights or have epilepsy im sorry. i believe there are safe modes but i havent tested them myself to see how well they work

Paranormasight

paranormasight is a horror visual novel illustrated by gen kobayashi who, if you can tell from the linework on the sprites and in the portraits and what have you, illustrated for twewy. i'll be real i was ready to screan and cry 30 minutes in but its not actually that scary im just a wimp. this one could be seen in a similar vein with witch's heart in the idea of: what would you do to fulfill your greatest wish. how many people would you kill. because you will be killing. on steam and switch.

Bustafellows

for being an otome bustafellows rly got me. while being an otome it is still plenty silly but heavy with fun characters. also i think this is the first time ive really liked an otome mc they tend to be very waify and kinda annoyingly written tbh but teuta is a VERY fun character and not at all a stand in for a self insert. or at least she isnt good at being a self insert which is fine to me because i love a main character that has their own personality. a guy dies like 10 minutes in. this ones on steam

Mamiya

i seem to like a lot of visual novel games with time loops and dead main characters and this is another one. very dark but i love it to bits. also this one requires a warning list i haven't seen anywhere but i made one myself here. its on steam

IVE RUN OUT OF PICTURES. SO I CANT ADD ANYMORE BUT QUICK LIST YOU'LL HAVE TO LOOK UP MORE OR JUST ASK ME ABT ANY OF THESE:

Lethal League Blaze

Hatoful Boyfriend

Fallen Hero: Rebirth (and its sequel Retribution)

Code Vein

shout out also to What in Hell is Bad. not for kids at all this one is explicitly 18+ but for being a goofy eroge otome it has. gripped my by the nuts and it has not let go. ive only been playing like a month help.

#cliff finally answers #anon ask #long post #just a handful of my beloveds but i did choose ones where like. these are games i chose myself #things that werent rly friend or mutual influenced

5 notes · View notes

imtashamonet · 9 months

Text

My Sims 4 Mods and CC Directory

youtube

This video is a walkthrough of the directory. This video was edited by my son, StoryOfSaint🦉! Subscribe to his YT Channels ➡️ @SaintusTheOwl @storyofsaint2571 🎶 Listen to his music ➡️ https://songwhip.com/storyofsaint

As an avid Sims 4 player, I have accumulated a large collection of custom content (CC) and mods to enhance and expand my gameplay. To keep it all organized, I created a handy Google Sheets directory that lists all the mods and CC currently in my game. Here is an overview of how I have it set up:

Section 1: The Mods Tab

The first tab in my directory is for mods. Here I have listed all the various mods I use in alpha order by the creator's name (this is the same way I organize mods in my mods folder so it makes updating easy). For each mod, I have columns indicating:

The creator's name

The name of the mod

A link to download it

Its current status related to the latest Sims patch

The date of the last time I checked for updates on that mod

The status column uses a simple color coding system to show at a glance which mods are up-to-date with the current patch: Updated (green), Compatible (yellow), broken/obsolete (red), safe to use, but needs updating (orange), new mod (blue), and unknown status (grey). The last checked date helps me know when I need to revisit certain mods to look for updates. It also helps me keep track of mods I've updated and those I haven't after a patch.

Section 2: The CC Tab

The second tab contains all my CC in alphabetical order by creator name. This tab is simpler, including just the name and direct download link for each piece of content. I don't include statuses here because CC doesn't usually have compatibility issues with game patches the way script mods do, but there is a notes column that I may use from time-to-time.

Section 3: Using My Directory

I keep this directory public via link sharing so other Simmers can benefit from it too. I find it helpful for keeping track of what I already have, as well as for grabbing links quickly when I want to recommend something to others.

However, anyone using CC or mods does so at their own risk. You should always check the file types and sources carefully for any potential viruses before downloading and installing anything. My sheets are updated frequently but may not always reflect the most recent patch status on each mod. Also be sure to read the mod descriptions for usage information and contact the creator if you need assistance.

Let me know if you find my Sims 4 Mods and CC Directory helpful! I'm always looking to improve it where I can. Happy Simming!

Updated feature!

Link: ImTashaMonet Mods + CC Directory - Google Sheets

Note: If you make a copy of this for your own drive, you will not be able to see any updates I make. For the best usage, bookmark on your browser either the directory or this post.

#sims 4 #sims 4 cc #ts4 #sims 4 mods #ts4 mods #Youtube

7 notes · View notes

amongthestackspodcast · 1 year

Text

**Decision to stop the Crowdfunding Campaign and put Among the Stacks on Hiatus**

This isn’t a particularly easy thing for me to write. It’s a bummer, but I genuinely believe that it’s the best course of action. Recently, the show received a lot of extremely valid and necessary criticism about how its run and especially how the crowdfunding campaign was set up and run. It was genuinely eye-opening, but there were a lot of great points which needed addressing, and that’s something I wanted to do.

I began editing the crowdfunding page to provide added clarity on items such as the nature of perks, remove typographical errors, and generally clean up the campaign. However, in doing this, I came to fully understand just how underdone the campaign was. There were a lot of points raised, and I mean a lot. I also began to look more critically at the way I was running the show, especially given the feedback I had just received, and I realised that this, too, needed to change.

I could have continued the show and made these changes, and, sure, maybe everything would have turned out fine, but most likely, they wouldn’t. Papering over the cracks is never a good idea, especially if you are continuing to move. This is true both for the show and for my own personal health. What would most likely end up happening is that these problems would continue to dog the show as it went on, until they became a million times worse when they eventually blew up down the line.

Seeing just how unpolished the campaign was was terrifying, and humbling. But it was necessary. And so, in the same way you wouldn’t want to keep driving a car when multiple people have shown you how there’s a leak in the engine that will cause it to explode later on, I don’t want to keep running the show as is without some serious examination and changes.

Because of this, I’m going to be ending the crowdfunding campaign. Anyone who has donated money will have their contribution refunded, because, after being shown how many things were wrong or unintentionally misleading, I can’t in good conscience continue to accept money from people when things will most likely fail spectacularly. It wasn’t my intention to mislead or take advantage of people, and I won’t continue to do it now I am aware that I have done it without meaning to.

Because of the Indiegogo campaign rules, campaigns can only be lengthened, not cut short, so the campaign will have to remain active until its natural end date at April 1st, 3:59 PM PDT, but any donations received will be returned to backers.

As for the show, we will release Tales 7-10 as planned as these are already recorded and in various stages of production, it not being fair to the people who put in amazing work on them, and the end of Tale 10 being a satisfying place for the narrative to pause, but on April 29th, after the release of Tale 10: Resurrection, the show will be going on an indefinite hiatus. I will pay the people who have already done work for the released episodes out of my own pocket over the coming months for their time and effort.

In the meantime, as stated before, we will be updating and bringing our transcripts up to date, along with timely releases for the upcoming releases of Tales 7-10.

Among the Stacks was always meant to be fun, a creative project that I’ve wanted to make for years now, and I was really excited to explore this with my friends. With our casting call tweet gaining so much exposure and having so many people express interest in the show, all of a sudden we had a massive audience, people were paying attention to us. This was something I wasn’t really prepared for, and it shows.

As a showrunner, I was frequently irritable, and didn’t listen to others’ opinions when I should have, and took expressions of genuine feedback way too personally. The show shifted away from the creative melting pot of ideas it had been at the start and slowly became a vanity project where I was the only one whose voice could be heard. Following a creative project with passion is all well and good, but following a creative project and not caring who you hit on the way is not. Among the Stacks should be what it was originally intended to be: a collaborative show, where everyone’s input is valid and constructive, not Nigel: The Show.

A lot of the feedback I received pointed out the explosive overconfidence of the project and the crowdfunding, and that I had bitten off more than I could chew with the show. So I’ll be stepping away and not doing anything show related for a couple of months, before returning to address and restructure how the show is run on all levels: storywriting, showrunning, and even social media. It’s not an easy call for me to make because this is something I love, and I know a lot of people enjoy both listening to and working on, but, in its present state, the way the show is run is untenable, and I am at fault.

When will Among the Stacks return? Honestly, I’m not sure. It’s a world I want to return to with so many stories I want to tell, but I want to do that with a better run show.

I hope that you can understand this decision

Sapere Aude

Nigel McKeon (she/they)

#among the stacks

22 notes · View notes