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moiraineswife · 3 years

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Not A Single Lecture - A Shallan & Jasnah Fic

Hello! ‘Tis I!! Again!!!! Two posts in one week, hoo boy, I’m exhausted. Don’t get used to it.

Title: Not A Single Lecture

Rating: T? Bc I never know how to rate these. but there’s discussion of murder so u know. Content warnings: mentions of attempted assassination

Summary: Shallan was disappointed by the way her reunion went with Jasnah in Oathbringer after her miraculous return from the dead. So I gave her a better one. Or, rather, a more private and personal one.

After her arrival at Urithiru after being thought dead, Shallan visits Jasnah and returns one of her most precious possessions to her personally.

Teaser: ‘“I know that servants delivered the trunk I managed to rescue from the sinking,” Shallan said, and Jasnah nodded.

“That was greatly appreciated, Shallan,” she said, with a small smile and a grateful nod, “Although I do note that some terrible fate befell its lining?”

Shallan blushed slightly, then noted the twinkle in Jasnah’s eye and smiled back, “It gets really cold up in the Frostlands, Brightness,” she said.

“I can imagine,” Jasnah said drily, reclining in her chair. “I am sorry for what you went through, Shallan. I should have taken greater precautions to prevent such an eventuality, I-”

“Brightness,” Shallan interrupted, finding a flicker of boldness in herself, “If you’re about to apologise to me, again, for someone trying to assassinate you, please don’t.”

Link: AO3

Shallan stood outside Jasnah’s chambers in Urithiru feeling like an acrobat standing on the precipice of a platform, preparing to leap from it, hoping they would be caught instead of crashing to the floor and making an unsightly splat.

Don’t be ridiculous, she told herself, It’s only Jasnah! You’ve faced down chasmfiends and Voidbringers, for the Heralds’ sake! You can do this.

If only those kinds of thoughts worked to quiet her anxieties. If they did, she supposed, then she wouldn’t have any anxieties in the first place, so that was kind of a stupid line of reasoning. Jasnah wouldn’t have been impressed by it.

Storms. She had grieved for this woman! She had felt pain almost daily after her death, renewed again when she’d brought news of it to her family on the Shattered Plains.

She had been thrilled to hear that her mistress had survived the terrible events of that night - for which Jasnah had apologised to her. As if she was to blame for someone stabbing her through the chest and-

No. She was not going to think about that again. Not now. She had another task, another reason for being here.

While her reunion with Jasnah had, upon reflection, gone exactly as it probably should have, there was a part of her that wanted something closer to the fanciful imaginings her mind had conjured up.

She hadn't expected tears and fond embraces - from Jasnah? That would just have felt strange. But she did want something a little more than what Jasnah had given her.

Taking a deep breath, paper crinkling against her chest where she held it pressed with her safehand, Shallan reached up and knocked.

“Yes?” Jasnah’s smooth voice replied, and Shallan pushed the door open.

“Brightness?” she said, peering around the door, feeling like a chull peeking out of its shell to check if the storm had passed and it was safe to emerge, “I was wondering if I could speak to you for a moment? If you’re too busy that’s fine, I can come back later, or never, if that's what you want, but-”

“Not at all, Shallan, please come in,” Jasnah said graciously, gesturing at one of the chairs beside the desk area she had set up for herself already.

Shallan walked in, forcing herself to walk and not creep, and took the chair, looking around.

The chambers were utilitarian, without ornamentation or artwork on the walls. Just the required furniture. Very Jasnah.

It was an internal chamber without a balcony, or even windows. That made Shallan shudder, just slightly. It made her feel closed in and trapped.

She would have thought, after what had happened below decks on the Wind’s Pleasure, that Jasnah would have wanted to be able to see the open sky and outside world. She certainly did.

Apparently the woman felt more comfortable in this sealed box of a chamber. Only one entrance or exit. It was all very practical, but Shallan didn’t think she could live that way. Not again.

“What can I do for you, child?” Jasnah asked, actually putting down her pen, a sign of great respect, from Jasnah, and clasping her hands in front of her, surveying Shallan over them.

The sound of her voice recalled Shallan from her vague analysis of Jasnah's living space, and she remembered abruptly why she had come.

“I know that servants delivered the trunk I managed to rescue from the sinking,” Shallan said, and Jasnah nodded.

“That was greatly appreciated, Shallan,” she said, with a small smile and a grateful nod, “Although I do note that some terrible fate befell its lining?”

Shallan blushed slightly, then noted the twinkle in Jasnah’s eye and smiled back, “It gets really cold up in the Frostlands, Brightness,” she said.

“I can imagine,” Jasnah said drily, reclining in her chair. “I am sorry for what you went through, Shallan. I should have taken greater precautions to prevent such an eventuality, I-”

“Brightness,” Shallan interrupted, finding a flicker of boldness in herself, “If you’re about to apologise to me, again, for someone trying to assassinate you, please don’t.”

Jasnah smiled again at that, tapping the tips of her fingers on the table the way she did when she was considering something.

“Yes,” she mused finally, “It does sound a little ridiculous when set out that way, doesn’t it?”

Shallan nodded firmly.

“Very well," Jasnah said, as though reaching some grand philosophical conclusion she'd had to wrestle with for some time, "I will not shift the blame for someone attempting to murder me, and catching you in the crossfire, onto myself in future.”

“Good,” Shallan said, and Jasnah smiled again.

She did have a nice smile. It was small, and subtle, barely a tugging at the corners of her mouth, but it suited her. Shallan took a Memory for later sketching.

“So,” Jasnah said, in a more business-like tone, “Now that we have that squared away, I assume there was something you wanted with me, Shallan?”

“Yes,” she said and, feeling unaccountably nervous, she leaned forwards and set the paper down on the desk between them. “You see, the servants returned all of your things to you but I,- Well I found this among them while I was travelling, and I put it with my things. I thought, now that you’re not dead, you might like it back.”

She watched Jasnah lean forwards and pick up the paper delicately and examine it, expression unreadable.

It was the sketch that Shallan had done for her as a gift when she had confirmed her as her ward back in Kharbranth. The one she’d been so startled to find kept safe with the things Jasnah considered most precious.

Jasnah stared at the piece for a long time, then set it down very carefully and smiled, more widely this time. Still gazing down at it, she brushed a finger lightly over the lacquered surface with what Shallan could have sworn was fondness.

“I looked for this among my things when they were returned to me,” she said, quietly.

She’d looked for it? Really? Shallan found herself startled. Surely there had been more important things she'd wanted to see to than a silly picture?

“I had been sure it was in the trunk with my notes, but when I couldn’t find it there, I assumed it had been lost," Jasnah continued.

Her fingers traced the delicate lines pressed into the paper, looking at it as though it was an ancient map leading to treasure within Urithiru.

“I was surprised to find it in there,” Shallan found herself saying, “I kind of assumed you would have just thrown it away.”

Idiot! What in Damnation did you say that for!? She scolded herself, while Pattern buzzed in a way that sounded almost...Judgemental.

Jasnah looked up, finally, at those words “Why would you assume that?” she asked, brow creasing into a slight frown, sounding truly bemused.

Well, there were probably only a few people on Roshar who could say they had genuinely bemused Jasnah Kholin, so yay for that!

On all other counts, Shallan found herself blushing. That was nothing Jasnah hadn’t seen from her before, but storms, she’d been getting better at not doing that every time someone so much as looked at her. Mostly.

“I just,” she stammered, stumbling over the words, “You never seemed that interested in the visual arts, or in my sketching. I didn’t think you would find that much worth in it. I- I was pleased that you kept it, obviously! Just...Just surprised.”

Jasnah sighed at that, and her shoulders seemed to slump for a moment, before she automatically reasserted control over her posture and expression.

“I fear I may have disparaged your skill in drawing far too much, early on, Shallan. You have my deepest apologies for that,” she glanced up and met Shallan’s eyes, seeing her open mouth and added swiftly, before she could speak, “Yes. Again. And this time I will not be reasoned into retracting said repeat apology,” she said firmly

Shallan blushed some more, because why not commit to it now she had started? But she smiled slightly as well. It was just so very Jasnah.

She hadn’t realised quite how fond she was of her until this moment. It was familiar, reminding her of the times they had studied and connected together in Kharbranth. She had missed that more than she could say.

“Regardless,” Jasnah continued, glancing back down at the sketch, “This was something you gave me as a gift. Something that you obviously poured a lot of time, and love, and skill into. Even if I did not appreciate what you created - which, for the avoidance of any lingering doubt on the subject, I do - that alone would make it worth treasuring to me.”

Shallan opened her mouth but, for once, found that she couldn’t think of anything to say to that. Witty or otherwise.

Genuine emotion was not something you saw very often from Jasnah Kholin. She wasn’t entirely sure how to handle it.

Fortunately, or unfortunately, Pattern decided to intervene, “Mmm, that was very kind, Jasnah,” he buzzed happily, dimpling the paper under her hands and making her start, “I am glad that you did not die!”

Shallan burst out laughing at that, unable to help herself.

She should probably have felt mortified at his intrusion into their conversation. But, well, it had broken the tension nicely. And it actually summed up her own feelings on the matter pretty well.

“I am rather thrilled by that as well, Pattern,” Jasnah replied drily, as though that had been a perfectly reasonable thing to say.

Pattern hummed more happily than ever, spinning around on the desk top like a drunk cremling.

“Thank you,” Shallan said quietly, pulling her attention away from her incorrigible spren to focus on her former mistress.

Jasnah nodded to her. Shallan reached across the table and gently gripped her hands. She seemed a little surprised at the contact, but did not pull away, so that was something.

“And for the avoidance of any doubt,” Shallan added, with a wry grin, “I’m glad you didn’t die too, Jasnah.”

“Life is much more interesting around you,” Pattern chimed in, apparently thinking their favourable reaction to his earlier comment had invited him to join in this conversation in full, “Such a fascinating human," he hummed happily, "It would have been such a waste if the stabbing had been permanent!”

Shallan covered her face with her hands in embarrassment, but was relieved to see that Jasnah looked amused, rather than affronted, by this assessment of the situation.

“I am glad you find me such a curious specimen for your research, Pattern,” Jasnah said, smirking as if she knew exactly what she was tempting with that comment.

Pattern buzzed happily, and began to reply, but Shallan slapped a hand over him to stop him, “We have to meet Adolin,” she said firmly, cutting across him and getting to her feet.

She did not want to hear Pattern’s thoughts on Jasnah as a specimen. Not in front of Jasnah, at least.

“We do?” he asked, his buzzing sounding amusingly muffled, as though her covering him with her hand actually effected his ability to project sound, “But I thought-”

“You thought wrong!” she interjected, hurriedly.

Then turned to Jasnah and gave her a little flustered bow, of all things, “It was good to see you, Brightness.”

“And you, Shallan,” Jasnah returned, looking as regal and poised as ever, but also vaguely entertained.

Shallan hesitated, dithering on the spot, then, before her nerve could fail her, she darted forwards and gave Jasnah a quick hug. The woman tensed at first, but relaxed into it graciously and patted her on the back.

With that, Shallan turned, blushing yet again, and hurried from the room, feeling more satisfied now that she’d had a better reunion with Jasnah. And not a single lecture in sight.

***

FEED ME. feed me: ur thoughts.

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minjungfmd · 3 years

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famed base magazine / interview

question and answers warnings / none

1. what one word or phrase would you use to describe your 2021?

“van gogh-esque.”

2. how have you and your group grown this year?

“we’ve scaled back on our promotions, but not entirely as fans predict. three to two doesn’t make that much of a difference, you see. we’re seven years in, and well beyond our rookie years — we’re veterans of some sorts or at least that’s how our juniors have addressed us. we’re mature doing bubble gum pink, showing age really doesn’t have that many limitations. suppose another year in the books would also make us closer, wouldn’t it?”

3. what has been your must-have fashion item recently?

“my must have fashion item... i’d say, my dior saddle bag. but that’s kind of too many times said and done. so, i’ll have to go with my vegan biker shorts. biker shorts have been coming around in circles lately, but the vegan leather is becoming a new trend — add in the change of blacks to browns, and you’ll have yourself a stunning fall. stray away from the black and white coloration and add some muted colors, that’s my big advice.”

4. how would you describe the concept of your solo pictorial and how you came up with it? what were your thoughts about it and during it?

“there’s a night crawler in everyone, i’d like to say. usually, people assume the night is when the real self comes out — i took a twist, and said the night is when the persona comes out. it’s a mixture of parts evil, parts coy. the coloration is reminiscent of japan’s city pop — hence why we traveled out to tokyo to do the shoot. i’ve been a fan of city pop, not so much the vibrant pinks and purples. but even if that trend has past, there’s always a resurgence waiting in the future. similarly, the persona changes from time to time, hence how the inspiration spawned. it was fun to visit japan again, and play into the tunes of city pop — that’s a concept equinox hasn’t done, and it was fun for me to live out the fantasies pretending like it was a teaser for something in the future.”

5. talk about your exclusive x base stage performance.

“it was fun — that’s the day time, when the true persona does come out. i got to bring along friends who aren’t that well known, but talented. jam and have fun as if it weren’t a job, but more so just a group of friends seeing each other for the first time in a long time. i got to bring elements that were important to me from my artwork, to my dingy guitar, and my pretty pug pickle. i’d say, it’s true to me, and where i felt like home.”

6. what are you most interested in these days?

“these days — i’m less about art, less sketching less painting. i blame time constraints, but also a new fascination in learning the guitar, and writing more songs. i don’t know why, but the thing about inspiration is that you have to seize it when you can or else it’ll dwindle at your fingertips — so, i’d say make the most out of it, and i have no regrets.”

7. what is something you want to do in the future?

“i’ll be corny. i want to fly to space via space x — maybe someday, space x will sponsor me.”

8. if you could describe yourself as a color, what would it be?

“i say it all the time — gray. but if i’m supposed to become a bit more creative, and love colors, i’d say an olive green. i like the muted earthy tones that doesn’t scream a field of flowers — there’s something mysterious about it, but almost an eerie gentleness. i think that’s why olive green is magical.”

9. what is your favorite concept equinox has done?

“is it vain of me to say psycho? it’s the first title track that i’ve partaken in — the eerie concept there with the classical victorian gothic themes are something we haven’t touched on. the song itself, in my opinion, is a taste of art that evokes a chilling feeling despite how many times you listen to it. it’s timeless, and i’ll make my cake and eat it too.”

10. how does it feel for the public have seen you evolve over the years?

“weird — nobody expects to stand under a microscope as they go through puberty. neither do you expect anyone to remember the embarrassing moments you’ve done in years past. it’s humbling, it’s awkward. it’s irony like the truman show — still, i can’t change the past and i’m glad that i’m still evolving. so, keep on watching me now.”

#famedbasemagazine

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acespnminibang · 3 years

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botwstoriesandsuch · 4 years

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Where Time Takes Us

Hey all! I’m almost done with Chapter One of a fic I’m working on, so in the mean time, why not have a quick teaser?

Eventually I’m gonna also post the full thing on AO3 so the format is better, and it’s also gonna have zelink and some revali stuff in the future...although I’m mainly gonna focus on character growth and arcs than the romance. All in all, when I’m done you’ll have to read it for yourself. In the mean time..

Enjoy!

Where Time Takes Us 6905 words (of like...15k it’s a teaser ok)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Watch the home while she is off to war

The Slumber King versus the rearing boar

Awake, arise, do not be blind

To tales and destinies entwined

In the world we said that we would leave behind

- - - - - - - - - -

6 months, 3 weeks, and 3 days before the Hyrule Castle Slaughter, the Akkala Citadel Massacre, the slaying of the Champions, the death of the hero, and the rise of Calamity Ganon

She was supposed to work until whenever doomsday struck, and truly she wanted to, but circumstances led her to walk towards the echoing laughter.

Already trying to prepare the quip she would throw back at them (as undoubtedly they’d complain about her being late again) the researcher weaved through the familiar roads of West Castle Town. Most of the houses were dark, with the only light source coming from the occasional flickering lantern, and the pale complexion of the midnight moon. Needless to say, it made the warm glow of The Adequate’s Tavern stand out all the more as she approached.

Another roar of laughter and shouts escaped from an open window on the south side of the pub. The bags under her eyes curved with her smile as she recognized one of the voices. She absentmindedly traced her fingers along the outer walls of the tavern as she walked, loose chips of faded blue paint falling to the pavement below. The wooden sign above the door creaked with its askew weight. “The Adequate’s Tavern” was printed in bold, blue letters atop a faded yellow outline. The missing e’s and t’s gave evidence to the building’s true quality.

Pushing open the door, the researcher was met with a swirl of familiar scents, ranging from alcohol, apples, bread, and leather, along with a smokiness coming from the fireplace near the back of the bar.

Closing the door behind her, she walked through the entrance, passing under a wooden overhang, and alongside a long, stone-slated bar counter. She overheard a conversation between the barkeep and a waiter.

“Yes, they’re here again, so get out there already!”

“The scientists?” the waiter asked.

The man started shoving her towards the storage door behind the bar. “Yes, yes, now hurry up and stock up on that apple cider. I’ve already turned four full pitchers from the three of them, and the fourth is no doubt on the way. We can turn a bigger profit from those kids than any random alcoholic that stumbles in here tonight!”

The waiter disappeared into the back and the barkeep was left muttering by the counter. Chuckling to herself, the researcher moved away, starting to search for the scientists in question. Other than a single, beige wall that separated the edge of the bar with a support beam in the middle of the room, the pub was very open and lively. Square and circular tables were littered across the floor in mismatched patterns, ranging from oak brown to birch white. Clearly, aesthetic was not the centerpoint of the place.

She walked about the pub, scanning the faces of the men and women alike who crowded by the booths and tables. The tavern mainly housed a sea of Hylians, who let out the occasional drunken laugh, or hearty chuckle. It was a miracle she could hear her thoughts at all, as the air was rich with the sound of clattering dishware and the patter of dancing feet, as in a small corner to the left was a semi-circle stage housing a small band. A Hylian man with umber dark skin, much like her own, blew away at a Lurelin-made, seashell harmonica. To his left, a blonde woman extended her arm in quick and elegant strokes with a bow and fiddle. Two others struck away on small drums and bells, and the playful gig they performed had gotten several people up from their feet to dance for Hylia knows how long. The music wasn’t terrible, but she had heard better, from a certain Sheikah in particular...

As if fate had read her thoughts, she finally caught sight of her friends.

It hindsight, it was easy enough to expect the bard to be at the table closest to the stage. Yet, it was probably the three heads of cloud white, Sheikah hair that gave them away the quickest. A young teenage boy sat across a square table from two other Sheikah, a boy and a girl. He was looking at nothing in particular, as he plucked away at his lute, presumably tuning it. Wrapped around his head was a small cluster of green wooden beads, woven with brown string. They dotted like a line of stars in his fluffy, white hair, alternating between pine and sage shades. The knot tying the strings and beads around his head hung loosely like vines just by his right ear. He was just asking to look like a starstruck, homeless traveler, if it weren’t for the bright red cape pinned across his shoulders. The golden, Hyrulean emblem holding the crimson cloth together signified his status as an important worker of the palace. Although, no one would be surprised that this thin, skinny teenager was a bard and court poet, and not a royal knight.

Suddenly, the bard looked up and met her gaze, a pair of warm, red eyes catching the light of familiarity. He patted the empty seat next to him and said something to the other two Sheikah in front of him. One of them looked back, a young man with storm wild hair that seemed to part like lightning. He had a beige, long sleeve coat over a red tunic, as was the classic Sheikah style. However, the style of his white jacket told of his rank as a scientist. With chocolate eyes and a contagious grin, he nudged the girl next to him and fake coughed.

The young woman wore roughly the same outfit, although she had a navy blue skirt and boots compared to the other guy’s black pants and shoes. Her eyes were also red, albeit, with a more striking scarlet color, compared to the other boy’s warmer wine shade. Looking back, she adjusted her bright, Sheikah red, round, sparkly, diamond decorated glasses, complete with white accents that matched her hair. It was pulled in a messy bun, a hairstyle that her close friends knew was less for looks, and more for practical purposes, as supposedly “the stupid strands always find ways to bother my eyes. No, stop, I don’t need a comb! My eyeballs are just sensitive, OK?”

Pivoting past a waiter, the researcher finally moved closer to the trio, brushing her curly dark hair above her shoulders as she prepared for the sarcasm to begin.

The stormy eyed scientist spoke first.

“Purah, Purah! Is that...a ghost I see? It looks like Adello, but I feel like I haven’t seen her in a century, I surely thought her dead! Am I being…haunted?”

Purah turned in her seat and gave a fake gasp. She adjusted her red rimmed glasses at the sight of her. “You’re right, Robbie! I’ve heard about these spirits. They only come at midnight under a full moon, and they appear when you have friends that don’t know how to time manage and haunt you by coming to your birthday party with their terrible fashion sense 45 minutes late!” She clapped her hands along with the syllables of “45 minutes” to let her point be known.

Robbie awed at Adello in sarcastic wonder, and the boy across from him exhaled out of his nose with a smile.

Adello put a hand on her hip. “Save your breath, I was just working a bit overtime on the Divine Beast sketches. You know, work? For the jobs that we all have? So we can pay our taxes and shit? Unfortunately, not all of us have fancy salaries Mrs. Royal Scientist.”

Purah turned to Robbie, pulling down her glasses and looking at him sternly. “See, this is another trait of these kinds of spirits. They’re cursed to only say excuses for eternity.”

He shook his head. “Coupled with the fact that their fashion only ever consists of one color? Truly, a terrible fate for a ghost indeed.”

Adello narrowed her eyes. Smoothing out her juniper colored tunic, she said, “Ok first off, green is a great color on me, it pairs well with my skin tone. You’re both just blind, no wonder you need glasses.” Purah put a hand on her chest dramatically, but she continued. “Plus, I’d really rather not get fired since that ceremony thing with those Champions is tomorrow and, as you all know, I just got that promotion.”

The researcher propped a black leather boot up on the empty chair by the table, flipping her jet black hair dramatically. “How does it feel to be in the presence of someone with an actual on-the-field career?”

Purah stuck out her tongue, and Robbie cupped his hands and booed. However, the boy sitting on the other side of the fourseated table gave a celebratory strum of his lute, giving Adello’s pose a bright background flourish with a few upbeat chords.

She winked. “Thank you Zimiri, at least someone can recognize skill.” The bard gave a little bow with his head, grinning. “A few chords is all it takes to enhance a dramatic, late night entrance.”

Adello chuckled, finally sitting down in the empty seat beside him. The old oaken chair and floor creaked under the new weight. Robbie let out a huff.

“You kids need to learn to respect your elders.” He announced the word “respect” with the tip of his tongue. The researcher rolled her eyes.

“Ah yes, a whole one year gap between us. What astounding age and experience that these elders emit.” She gestured at Robbie and Purah with a sweep of her arm.

“Uh excuse me, but I believe in my case it’s now double that. A whole two years, my dear, naive child. For as of 4 hours ago, I now emit the knowledge of an existence spanning two decades!” Now it was his turn to pose dramatically, pointing towards the ceiling.

Everyone at the table groaned, turning to occupy themselves with something else. Purah started writing in her journal which she pulled out from her satchel, and Adello started to become very interested with the ceiling. Zimiri continued to pluck nothings on his lute.

Robbies crossed his arms, his white long sleeves folding across the Sheikah red shirt underneath. “Oh I see! So when Adello brags, she gets a musical accompaniment, but when I do it, it’s suddenly annoying and embarrassing?”

Adello smirked to herself, and answered, “Yep, that’s how it goes!”

“Alright you don’t get to speak Miss I-don’t-know-how-to-be-punctuation!”

Purah promptly smacked Robbie over the head with a pen.

“Hey! W—”

“The word is punctual you idiot.”

Robbie slumped his shoulders and made a face. He tapped his thumb and fingers together, mimicking the opening and closing of a mouth while he muttered mockingly in Purah’s tone under his breath.

Purah finished off a note in her journal before turning to the rest of the table. “Alright Adello, time to catch up. We’ve been playing ‘Till You Spill and I’ve already got some juicy stuff in here!”

Turning the pages of her journal towards Adello, she gave a chaotic grin. “Last round, Zimiri revealed that he once got teary eyed in front of the King himself after reading a poem about clouds.”

Zimiri raised his hands in defense. “Look, the clouds were an analogy for lost childhood innocence and I got choked up with that author’s amazing choice of imagery and descriptions, OK?”

Purah pointed her pen at him to hush, and continued. “Of course, him being a sentimental dork isn’t anything new, so he lost that round to Robbie who revealed the identity of his first crush.”

Zimiri muttered something about the game being rigged towards the birthday boy, but Adello talked over him, excitedly.

“Ooohhhh? Robbie?? Who are they?” She propped up her elbows and cradled her chin in her hands, excited at the prospect of more embarrassing information she could hang over his head.

He mumbled, looking to Purah for assistance, but she only cupped a hand over her ear, waiting for him to respond. “You all fuckin—” he sighed, “it’s…she’s...c-ch…” he avoided everyone’s gaze, “her name is...Cherry…”

Adello gasped, gleefully. “That girl from your old university?? The writer you hung out with!?”

Purah beamed, shaking Robbie’s shoulders excitedly. “I know right???” She loosened her grip and allowed him to wiggle out of her grasp for a moment. “Oh sweetie, campus days may be long gone for all of us prodigies and geniuses,” she flipped a few strands of her white hair with a turn of her head, “but I’m sure you’ll get her someday. You just gotta turn up the charm, find a way to woo with words. I’m sure writers’ love that.” Purah pulled down her glasses and gave a forced wink at him.

Adello tried to hold her tongue to no avail. “Pffft. Yeah, you can try wooing her with your punctuation.” This got a snicker out of Purah, and caused the birthday boy to blush furiously and slump further in his seat. Zimiri finally spoke up.

“Now, now, let’s all play nice. We don’t need to pester him further about it, he did win the round after all.”

“Uh, yeah. Speaking of the game, you still need to drink up mister.” Purah slid a tan brown cup of apple cider towards him, the translucent contents sloshing around like muck in a gutter.

He leaned on the back two legs of his chair. “Isn’t it punishment enough to smell it? The cider isn’t even near my face and my mouth is already burning.”

She shrugged. “Them's the rules of ‘Till You Spill. Your secret sucked, so swig!”

The poet groaned, but complied. Tipping the cup towards his lips, Zimiri took a hearty slurp of the cider, much to everyone’s amusement. It felt like hot, molten copper mixed with old apple skins. How could something both burn and freeze your throat at the same time? He let out a gag, to which Adello patted him on the back with a short laugh.

Raising his posture, Robbie crowed, “When we finally have Zimiri’s birthday maybe then we’ll actually upgrade to the alcohol.”

Adello raised an eyebrow. “Uh, right, because the upgrade from disorientingly strong, smelly apple cider, is you two being flat out drunk. Right...”

Purah slammed both her fists down with pride, letting the cups and pitchers slosh a few, amber colored drops onto the worn wooden table. “Bold of you to assume I’d drink at all, considering I’ve never lost a round! Mwahaha!” She blew a raspberry at her. “This tongue is apple free, baby.”

She gestured with her pinky and index finger at Zimiri and Adello. “Now, you two! The late combatant and the latest loser shall spill next. Give us your juicy gossip!!”

The bard, still reeling from his drink, leaned back in his chair and gave a nod toward Adello. “Ladies first?”

While she wasn’t undefeated in this drinking game, she sure as hell was playing to win. Especially since somebody needed to knock that smug expression off of Purah’s face. Adello thought to herself quickly.

Zimiri, no doubt, is probably gonna say something self-deprecating again, as he’s too nice to actually reveal anything embarrassing about anyone else. So...I just need to say something unexpected and interesting...perhaps something embarrassing about...hmm, I’ve already exhausted all my info about those cushy nobles and guards in past rounds…

Suddenly, she snapped her fingers. “The princess has a secret stuffed animal collection.” Seeing the light in her co-workers’ eyes twinkle, Adello knew she had chosen her words well. Purah leaned in. “OOoh? And how did you come across this juicy piece of information?” She rested her chin on an arm with an innocent smile.

“When I sent my application for the new job a few weeks ago, I gave it to the princess directly. It was late at night, and I bumped into her as she just left her room. The door was cracked open for a few seconds, before some royal, pompous guard slammed it right in my face. Yet, it wasn’t before I saw the pile of,” she counted on her fingers, “cow, sheep, bird, dog, and several horse stuffed animals piled high by her big, blue bed. I bet if I peaked for just a few more moments I could have found enough to pin her as a true horse girl.”

Robbie shrugged his shoulders, unconsciously rapping the table with his finger. “Well, speaking as a horse guy myself, I can attest to the fact that the childhood horse obsession phase never leaves, so I find Princess Zelda’s collection quite admirable.” He gave a nod towards Zimiri. “Either way, it’ll be tough to top that, Zim. Cute, yet slightly concerning, fact about our future queen? Quite the competition. Shall I signal the waiter for a refill now?”

Zimiri plucked a few more strings from his lute, before finally setting it down on the floor. He tilted his head, playfully. The string with sage green beads seemed to sway with the tavern’s music, and he spoke with a glint in his eyes. “Well, I might be faced with impending failure and ultimate defeat, but hells if I’m not one to try instead of mope.”

He combed his fingers through his messy, white hair, pondering his next choice of words. Fiddling with the beads and strings wrapped around it, he thought out loud.

“Let’s see...to top out on an embarrassing fact about a respected princess...it's natural to combat it with something...personal? That always seems to be the more valuable information in this game…” Adello shook her head. He was playing right into her hand.

“Well...Robbie won last round with the identity of Cherry...so, how about I dish out something similar. See, I’ve...uh…” he rubbed the back of his neck, “Oh! Well. Court poet, shrine researcher, the job gets you close with the princess...kinda...I’d like to think we’re close anyhow…” He mumbled the last part of his sentence and let out a short cough. Then, he went back to fiddling with his short, messy hair.

“So… ever since I moved into the castle. When did my mom come here… five years now? I’ve, uh… had a crush on... Zelda…” He gave an uncertain grin, and raised the palm of his hands as if to ask, “well?”

At first he was met with silence. In his head, he started to celebrate the victory of his first ‘Till You Spill round in literal months. That was until he was met with groans and pitiful mutters.

“Oh Zimiri,” Purah sighed, “I was rooting for you too.” Seeing the bewilderment creep onto the poet’s face, Robbie answered the question before it even escaped his lips. “Literally everyone here knew that bud, it’s not a secret.”

The bard started to sputter, moving his hands in wild, questioning motions.

“But? Wha— I? You!? Didn’t you— I… W-well I mean, I know Adello knew, I told her years ago, but you guys—”

“Oh my gods. Zimiri, you literally talk about her all the time, you’re totally in love. Given that we’re also the recipients of your long spiels and ballads about how ‘intelligent and thoughtful and amazing Zelda is,’” Purah said the words to mimic the tone of Zimiri’s honey sweet voice, “it’s exceptionally, extremely, very, very obvious.”

“R-recognizing a person’s positive traits doesn’t instantly mean in love!”

The royal scientist leaned across the table and patted his head. “Right, but you also started attempting love songs a coincidental 2 weeks after starting your job of shrine research with her. Your eyes are already red, so whenever she passes by it’s like your pupils magically form into adoring hearts. Try to stay away from poker, it’s for your own good.”

Zimri continued to sputter, his cheeks becoming roser by the second. Robbie turned to Purah. “So, all in favour of finding Adello’s spill better than Zimri’s?” The two of them raised their hands in unison. “Alright buddy, secret sucked, so swig! WAITER PLEASE!”

Adello watched as the same woman she had seen near the bar earlier made her way to the table. Picking up a pitcher, she poured out a fresh cup of Adequate’s Apple Cider. The four of them had been here so many times, they didn’t even need to verbally ask for the order.

Before he could even start to reach for the cup, Adello snatched it out of the way. “Nah, it’s ok. I’ll do one for you, Zimiri. These two monsters have already tore you to shreds, and I’m sure I need a punishment anyway for coming in so late.”

He started to protest, but after catching the look in her dark, iron eyes, he relented. “Well, I thank you for your generosity.” The other two, however, were not as compliant.

Purah cupped her hands around her mouth, yelling, “Booooo... Boo to pity! Boo to generosity!” Robbie mimicked her.

“Yeah you have to respect your elders’ wishes. We demand blood! Suffering!”

Adello cracked her neck for show, before downing her glass of cider in a few gulps. The stench and tingling sensation seemed to stick to the sides of her throat. It would take more than water to clear that out. “Adequate” was being very generous when describing its quality.

“Mmmm. The cider’s weirdly salty tonight, I think your attitudes got mixed in here.”

Purah blew another rasberry at her.

They played for a few more rounds, the clatter of cups and breaths of laughter decorating the hours. Much to everyone’s distaste, Purah continued her winning streak, getting by with unbeatable information about the King, royal guards, and one embarrassing anecdote about how her little sister, Impa, had caught her writing an interesting letter to the “local archery hunk.”

Yet, Purah laughed along with the rest of them, the eyes behind her red rimmed glasses held no shame, which Adello envied. Of course that sort of attitude would make you a master at this game. Robbie and Adello attempted to team up and be biased towards Purah in an effort to get her to lose, but either Zimiri didn’t take the hint, or he just really liked playing fair which wasn’t exactly out of character, even if it meant more drinks for him.

Suddenly, a bell towards the back of the pub rang, signifying the end of the band’s gig. The dancing paused, as people gave their thanks, varying from politie applause to drunken yelps. Robbie then rapped the table with his hands, excitedly.

“You know what else tonight needs? Some amazing music, eh Zimiri?” He bounced his eyebrows up and down at him, and gestured towards the lute leaning on one of the table legs.

“I don’t know,” Zimiri replied, “I’ve only a part-time hire for the weekend rush hours, and I wouldn’t want to blindly get on stage and sing without being given permission.”

Adello scoffed. “Uh, are you kidding? The owner would love for you to play without paying you. Haven’t you heard the talk around town? The Adequate’s Tavern: Home of alright food and acceptable ale, but an outstanding, white-haired bard!”

He fiddled with the string in his hair again. “Oh yeah? I’d love to meet him someday.” At this, Adello clicked her tongue and promptly shoved him out of his chair with her hip.

He laughed to himself as he stumbled aback. “Alright, alright, but only because the birthday tyrant requested it.” Robbie clapped his hands in a “chop-chop” fashion, to truly signify his role as the newly dubbed tyrant.

Suddenly, Zimiri perked his head. Stepping back towards the table, he reached for his cup. “Oh wait, I just lost that round. I still need to drink my—”

Adello grabbed the cup right out of his hands. She tipped it 180 degrees and let the cider spill completely onto the wooden floor. He hopped back, and Purah let out a surprised yelp, saying something about letting the stench seep into the floorboards. Robbie just started to laugh, wildly. Noticing the small commotion, a few other guests looked back at them and started to snicker to themselves.

Setting the cup back on the table, the researcher said, “Great, now you don’t need to ruin your voice any longer. Now get up there and one-up the last band.”

The bard pushed his chair under the table. Picking up his lute as he stood and faced Adello, a charming smile on his face. “Heh, well. My singing voice is grateful. I suppose now I’m in debt to comply.” He gave a curt bow.

Robbie clapped his hands again. “Great, great. Now quit the manners and let’s go already! I still have to order the cake pie!”

Both of the girls rolled their eyes in unison. Zimiri shrugged and started to walk through the small crowd of standing Hylians, and towards the small stage.

A few of the regulars who recognized him let out whoops and whistles, yelling out “Bard!” or “More music!” in support. It seemed that no one really knew his name, but it was nice enough to know that even working here part time would grant you the honor of being recognized by a bunch of random folk. One confused patron, who only associated him with “z” yelled out “Yeah, Zelda!” before promptly slumping under the table. Looking around, a blonde girl caught his eye, as it seemed she was staring at him. He waved, and her cheeks, much to Zimiri’s confusion, turned pink at his gaze and she turned to her friends who started giggling.

Moving past the last of the Hylians with an, “excuse me, sorry!” he finally stepped on the stage. The bard pulled up a small stool to the stage, leaning against it. Most of the folks continued to whoop in approval, seemingly eager for another chance to start dancing. Even the barkeep clapped his hands, probably excited at the thought of a free gig.

I guess, if no one is stopping me…

It was a rowdy bunch, but not a new one. Zimiri had played for these kinds of audiences before.

“I see that quite a few people are itching for a new tune. So, uh, any requests?” he announced as he strum a chord on his lute.

A mass of different voices bounced around the tavern, requests ranging from The Babbler’s Jig, Misko’s Tale, The Eldin Bluffs, and Can I Get More Ale? Although, Zimiri wasn’t quite familiar with the chords of that last song.

He couldn’t stop himself from being biased towards the request of a certain dark skinned girl to his left.

“The World Behind!” Adello said. “Enough with those new ballads, I demand a classic!”

Robbie pumped an arm in the air. “Yes!” he shouted. “I second that! So is my decree as birthday tyrant!”

The bard smiled, preparing the fingering on the neck of his lute. He turned towards the audience. “Well, I’m afraid I have no choice but to heed to such authority.” He began to pluck the beginning notes, tapping a tempo with his boot against the stage. “Now then, a beat, if you all would be so kind?”

The tavern chattered in approval, before piping down. There probably weren't more than 30 people, but the beat they made was definitely sufficient. The sound of stomping, banging mugs, and clapping filled the room. The tempo didn’t even need much adjusting, as The World Behind was pretty familiar around Castle Town. The beat was like a child pretending to be a marching soldier, unconcerned and playful.

Zimiri’s smile widened. A lively crowd indeed, this will do nicely.

With that, he started to sing. His silvery voice echoed across the tavern, as he closed his eyes and began to play.

The boys have gone out to the wishing well

Will they come back? Oh only time will tell

A rupee for a life refined

But time and dreams never align

So tell the world we’ll leave it all behind

Many of the guests had started to dance again, while the rest continued the beat of the song. As Zimiri plucked rapid notes on his lute, he heard a supporting holler from Purah. Next to her, Robbie was slamming his fist to the beat, clearly enjoying himself.

Have you seen the soldiers’ drinking ale?

They wish to sing along with nightingales

To dance on home with songs and rhymes

To banish all the fears from mind

Yes tell the world we’ll leave it all behind

Another pause between the verses, and the bard played the “decorative” rapid notes in between. He didn’t mean to seem like he was showing off, but Adello would attest to the fact that this happened whenever he got too into the music. Looking towards her, Zimiri saw her give a double thumbs up.

Of beasts and men and all atrocities

The damn-ed fate, she owns all that you see

To a better day of new design

Forgot about the gods divine

Oh tell the world we’ll leave it all behind

At this point, some of the guests were singing along, though not to the point of overpowering his own alluring voice. Laughter rang out around the warmly lit room once again. Zimiri looked out at the dancing patrons and smiling guests, grinning at the feeling in his chest this brought. He continued the last verse.

Watch the home while—

“HEY!”

The sudden gruff voice startled the bard to the point where he nearly slipped off the stage.

Lumbering through the double doors, three guards entered the tavern. The one in front, who had interrupted the music, wore a typical knight’s outfit, the same as his male and female coworkers behind him. However, the black hooded cape he wore atop his metal armour swayed with every step he took across the floor, his supposed rank silencing the room.

Well, mostly, silenced the room. A few ticked off guests were booing, groaning, and mocking him for ruining the entertainment.

“Oh would you lot shut up for 2 seconds?!” he said, his voice booming across the tavern. “Listen, I’ll be blunt. I gotta give two messages for this establishment.”

The guests shook their heads, mumbling. Their booing and insults continued, but their volume quieted, it was too early to be getting cross with a couple of knights. Even Zimiri quietly slipped off the stage back towards his friends so as not to be at the end of the knight’s intimidating voice.

The female guard behind the knight handed him a slip of parchment. Unfolding it, the guard cleared his throat.

“Firstly, you’re music and pounding is disturbing the noblemen next door. He’s staying at the inn or something and wants you to quote,” he read from the paper, “quit the mindless thumping, for Castle Town is a place of serenity and peace, not of nonsense jigs and banging.”

The groaning and insults started up again, the man gave a shrug, stating something about how he was just following orders.

Adello couldn’t help but laugh out loud. “HA! Well, with an attitude like that, this’ll probably be the first and only time he’s been banged, he should be grateful.”

The room exploded into a mess of laughter and whoops. Even the guard smirked to himself, but attempted to hide it with a shake of his head, saying “Watch the mouth girl.” Although, his stern tone wasn’t in it.

After a second, he cleared his throat again. With a stomp of his boot regained the pub's attention, the laughter suffocated out.

“Now, we’re also here looking for a Dr. Robbie Kimura? I received word they might be around here?”

With the attention now towards a single table, most of the guests went back to their idle banter. A few waiters nodded their head towards the table in the back, and the man caught sight of three, white haired teenagers, who were sitting with the dark haired girl who had quipped out earlier.

The scientists turned around too late, in an effort to avoid the knight’s gaze. “Gee, what a bunch of snitches,” Robbie mumbled. The three guards started to walk over to the table.

“Dr...Robbie?”

“Who’s asking?” Robbie squinted with his dark brown eyes.

“Is this some kind of prank? You and your friends don’t even look old enough to drink.”

He scoffed. “Ok, first, yes I am a doctor! I didn’t fly through all those courses over four years just to be called, ‘Mr.’ And secondly, I’ll have you know that I am a ripe 20 years of age today, and I’m here drinking expired apple juice with my associates. So take that, pal!”

Beside him, Purah gave a proud nod in agreement. Zimiri started to wave at the guards, but Adello grabbed his arm before he could finish the movement. The guard was a bit unsettled with the way that girl was glaring at him. What was some random Hylian doing hanging out with a bunch of Sheikah anyway?

“Right, well look here son. Some curious aristo-brat snuck into the courtyard and caused one of those flying, metal Sheikah things to fall apart. My boss said that it was your prototype so you should come back and clean it up before something explodes, and possibly give a sincere apology to the meddling kid who got a few scratches.”

Robbie threw his hands in the air, exasperated. “You’re really gonna pull me out of a birthday just so I can go apologize to a spoiled kid for breaking in and ruining my Guardian?”

“If it let’s me keep my job, then yeah.”

Robbie mumbled something about not getting a slice of the apple cake pie.

Suddenly, Adello got up and pushed her chair in, smoothing out the belt around her tunic as she walked towards them.

“Ah yes, well thank you my dear assistant for the assessment but I’m capable of taking it from here.”

The guard raised a bushy, black eyebrow. “Sorry wha-”

“You said you only wanted Dr. Robbie? Well great job, you found them. Now let’s get going, I need to finish up a new design anyway.”

“You’re...Robbie? You’re a... clearly not—”

“Oh, I’m sorry, I should have had my mother consult you for your opinion before I was given my name.”

This time, the guard didn’t smile along with her quip. “This is not the time for—”

She held up a finger to silence him, and glared at the three guards with her iron eyes.

“Look, I’m not a nobody. I’m more than capable of fixing up the guardian and any other disasters you might have left lying around the castle grounds. If I’m feeling generous, maybe I’ll even lick the kid’s boots, it’s not my first time dealing with this, alrighty?”

The knights looked at each other, quizzically. The researcher crossed her arms.

“You’re still following your precious orders, aren't you? How would you know what Dr. Robbie looks like? You can’t be faulted for not knowing someone you never met. So, you’ll just have to take my word for it.”

The blonde man behind the gruff, black caped guard, whispered something to his female coworker. Her gaze switched between the girl and the man. Still seeing the uncertainty in their eyes, Adello leaned closer to the knight and lowered her voice. “Come on, have a little heart, it’s his birthday.”

A beat of silence sat, only filled by the mild mumbling and chatter of the tavern. Finally, the guard let out a sigh.

“Alrighty Dr. Kimura. I’ll help escort you to the site.”

Robbie started to protest, but Adello quickly silenced him with a wink. The guard turned towards the rest of the room, yelling, “The rest of you, the sun is gonna rise in a few hours so save your rioting for then! Am I clear?”

The patrons just responded with stupid groans, and half-hearted agreements. They started walking towards the door. The female guard started to put a hand on Adello’s shoulder, but she brushed it off, saying something along the lines of “I can walk on my own two feet, thank you very much.”

Purah turned in her seat. “I’ll save a slice of cake pie for you!” Adello turned her head and responded with a two fingered salute, before disappearing out the door with the guards.

The tension in the tavern was almost immediately cleared, the moment the knights left. Most of the people went back to their normal conversational volume, and the waiters began to patter about with more confidence. However, Zimiri slumped in his seat, letting out a sigh.

“Why does she always do things like that?”

Robbie fiddled with the edge of his cup, tracing his finger around the rim. “Well, you know her. Undermining authority? Check. Insults and quips? Check.”

Robbie continued to list off more traits, but it faded out of Zimiri’s ear. Always jumping onto other’s burdens. Ah, that idiot. I bet she hasn’t slept for the last two days.

Purah suddenly piped up, taking out her pen and rapping it against the table. “Alright you too, let’s not let the sacrifice be in vain. Pool your rupees, we’re getting Robbie the fancy cake pie.”

The clatter of a few red and blue rupees echoed on the wooden table, although Zimri knocked Robbie’s share aside, saying how the birthday tyrant shouldn’t have to pitch in. Purah turned in her chair and started to wave her hand, in order to get the attention of a waiter. The bard watched as a woman with a tray started to walk over to the table. Then, he turned to Robbie.

“So what should we do while we wait?” Zimiri asked. Robbie stroked his chin, looking around the room.

“I think...the people could still use some music.”

Looking out at the crowd, Zimiri noticed how the guards' interference had really dampened the atmosphere. The warm and lively laughter that was present just a few moments earlier was now replaced with more monotone chatter.

He nodded his head in agreement, putting on a charming smile. The place needed a new pick-me-up, did it?

Well, what else is a musician for?

Stepping back onto the stage, he strummed an open chord, double checking the tuning. The whooping and clapping started to return, much to his delight. Plucking a familiar melody, the warm feeling in his stomach returned as he watched the new smiles that started to fill the room. However, before he began to sing, Zimiri first focused on craning his neck to look out a window, trying to catch a glimpse of a certain girl in the night.

It seemed the moon and sun were balanced on the edge of the world. The night had started to submerge behind the walls of West Castle Town, with only the brightest stars still perched upon the ink of the navy blue sky. The silver lining of greying clouds just barely glowed from the faint light of the day, still trying to break out of the eastern waters.

Adello’s footsteps echoed through the cobblestone streets, but she could barely hear it against the shifting of metal plates from the guards in front of her.

The gruff man looked back, scratching his peach fuzzed chin as he spoke. “Listen, if you finish your work quick I might be able to escort you back here.”

Adello shook her head. She turned to retrieve a journal from the pouch on her belt, opening its pages as an excuse to avoid his gaze. “No, it’s fine. I still have some more work I should be finishing up at home anyhow.”

“You...live at the castle?”

“Mmm.”

The guard took her blunt response as a sign to not continue with the niceties, much to Adello’s relief. Looking up, she gazed at the looming castle. Its towers were like mountain peaks, sitting above the blurred silhouettes of the buildings of Castle Town.

Taking out a bit of charcoal, she started to sketch its outline on a fresh page in her journal. While she only had one color, she tried to capture the shadows and lighting that cascaded on one side of the castle to the other.

The female guard slowed her step, starting to walk alongside the researcher.

“Already working?”

Adello didn’t look up from her journal. “Uh… you could say that.”

She laughed. “Well you best hope you know what you’re doing. This kid’s father has been yelling at her highness all night. Supposedly because she’s helping to lead Sheikah research, so everyone associated with guardians is at fault.”

Adello finished up the tower of Princess Zelda’s study in her sketch. She smiled to herself at the finished work. It was one of her better pieces. Putting the journal away, she turned back to the guard and scoffed. “Is that so?”

The guard hummed a yes. “Apparently, the kid is the son of some visiting nobleman from the East Post. It’d be in your best interest to apologize profusely if you still wanna walk around alive.”

Adello shook her head. She didn’t know it then, but looking back, many moons from now, she would laugh at the irony of her response.

“I’d rather die.”

#botw #breath of the wild #legend of zelda botw #loz botw #botw fanfiction #purah #purah botw #robbie #robbie botw #zimiri #zimiri botw #adello #adello botw #botw oc #where time takes us

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comunidadarcsystemworks · 4 years

Text

Exclusive interview with Arc System Works

We have had the opportunity to interview several key members of Arc System Works. Before we begin, we want to thank Arc System Works America for giving us the opportunity to have this interview.

We will divide the interview into 3 sections: "General", "Daisuke Ishiwatari" and Tosimichi Mori.

General

Q. The first question is going to be a tough one, but the community has been very vocal about it so we would really want to begin with this one. Will GGPO (Good Game Peace Out) be implemented in your next projects? If not, would you consider its implementation at some point in the future? We are not talking specifically about Guilty Gear Strive.

A. We’ve heard your passionate requests, and we’re working on a netcode that will live up to everyone’s expectations.

We’ll have more information for you later.

(Guilty Gear Strive Director: Akira Katano)

Q. Fighting games aside, do Arc System Works has plans to do more action games like Hard Corps in the future? Especially with the Guilty Gear engine. We recently saw Code Shifter as your latest brand new platform action game or your collaboration with Wayforward, which are always welcome.

A. We’d definitely like to try genres other than fighting games, such as action games.

This would include plans to use Arc System Works’ 2.5D animation style in non-fighting games, of course.

However, we don’t have any concrete plans to share at the moment.

(Producer: Takeshi Yamanaka)

Daisuke Ishiwatari:

Q. Thank you so much for taking the time for our questions. Since the announcement at EVO, we are really excited to know more about Guilty Gear Strive, and we have read all the interviews and your philoshophy about this game and its gameplay. So, what would you consider to be the lead factor for this change?

A. Thank you for your excitement about Guilty Gear Strive.

The biggest reason for changing the gameplay is to make a game that can reach the current generation of gamers.

I feel that through previous Guilty Gear titles, we have more or less perfected the Guilty Gear formula.

It may very well be possible to tighten that up and make a further refined game. But, even if we did, such a game would create a disparity between new players and veterans who are used to the game’s systems.

So, we wanted to reset the start line for everyone. But of course, this doesn’t mean we’ve forgotten our appreciation and respect for long-term fans and accomplished players.

Q. One of the main focus seems to be drawing the attention for new players and esports while adapting the HUD and the gameplay/action to everyone so it can be enjoyed by a wider audience. That´s interesting, but how will you make new players invest time in your game and wanting to improve their skills at their own pace? For example Granblue Fantasy Versus could be a good example since it has a big focus on its RPG Mode to do so in case beginners are not doing well while playing online.. Will you take a new approach this time with the Story Mode or single player content?

A. I’m sorry, but I can’t tell you anything concrete at the moment.

However, the game will offer an experience of learning and discovery for both new and advanced players. Our game design is even more focused on that now, than ever.

I can’t guarantee that it will make it into the game, but we are also thinking of ways to further strengthen the community.

For example, currently most players aren’t very familiar with the top players.

But if they realized there were stars similar to Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather playing the game, wouldn’t they want to know how that person got so skilled?

We’d like to provide something to help players who aren’t too deeply into the game a way to enjoy it as a whole, like fans do with soccer or basketball.

Q. As of today, we know that you are gathering feedback regarding the main points of the new gameplay so I´ll save it for later, but as for the music, we are noticing a lot of emphasis on vocal tracks. Will this be the Guilty Gear with the biggest number of vocal tracks? will we get new versions of themes like “Holy Orders” or “Give me a break!?

A. Yes, I believe GGST will feature more vocal tracks than any prior title.

That is one of our many decisions in attempting a complete renewal.

We aren’t currently planning vocal arrangements of previous songs, however.

The only example I can think of where that went well would be Queen’s Seven Seas of Rhye.

Of course, if there were enough requests, there are songs I would love to create vocal versions of.

Q. A lot of people are requesting characters from past games like Testament or Bridget, but of course, we know that you can´t confirm any detail by the moment. However, I would like to know if we could get just a small hint about past fighters coming back to the scene.? Can we expect more original characters to be added to the game besides the cyborg samurai from the first teaser?

A. All I can say is, there will be characters from the previous series and this new character too. Please look forward to it!

Q. About the gameplay, as I said earlier, I believe that it's necessary to wait until the beta version for us to have a proper idea about it. Since I still haven´t had the chance to play the game I can just express my opinion as a spectator. I believe the overall gameplay seems interesting according to what you want to achieve but doesn´t the wall break mechanic interrupts the flow of the match a bit too much for the spectators? I feel the same with restricting combo routes, won´t it be monotonous if we ever watch the same, or really similar routes?

A. Don’t worry. The developers are creating GGST with both a casual and hard-core perspective in mind. There may be some aspects that don’t quite satisfy series veterans, but we will create new depth that will motivate them to learn something entirely new.

Also, even if the Beta Test is not well received, you will see our answers to your feedback in the game upon release.

Finally, could you share some words and thoughts to your fans in Spain?

Currently, we are steadily releasing news about GGST. However, the gameplay itself is still very much in development. Our plan is to continue to evolve the game as we receive feedback from the players. Please look forward to it.

Toshimichi Mori:

Thank you so much for giving us the chance to give an answer to our questions. We have read everything that could lead to a future Blazblue or Persona 5 Arena so I´ll try to make interesting questions for everyone.

Q. First of all, I would like to start with Blazblue Alternative Dark War. Will it be possible for you to share some more details about it? Last time I heard from the game I was taking notes at the London Comic Con. If you can´t share any details, could you give us a hint about when could we know more about the game? Also, I love the sketches that you publish from time to time!

A. Thank you very much.

However, I can’t say much about Dark War right now--only that I, personally, am working so that you guys can play the game as soon as possible. I believe that as long as the players are supporting the project, it will move forward. So please keep talking about it.

Q. Talking about the London Comic Con from last year, I remember that I asked about Alpha 01 and you said that this year we should have news, but this year I want to add something else to the same question. Besides Alpha 01, when could we know something about Gamma 03 as well?

A. I’m really glad that for whatever reason, so many people like Alpha.

I understand some are really looking forward to her making an appearance, but it will be some time… So please wait a little longer.

Q. As of June of 2018 you said in an interview with Gamerevolution that you are saving ideas for future Blazblue and future Persona Arena Projects. Also, in an interview with Gearnuke (January 2020) you said that you would like that your next game will be 2.5D and that the next Blazblue will have new system mechanics. Taking all of this into account, could you please give us further details about what would you like to achieve with a new Persona Arena (which people are really vocal about it) or Blazblue project?

A. I appreciate your enthusiasm. However, I can’t really discuss anything at this moment. Please understand.

Q. Moving on to Blazblue Cross Tag Battle and talking about the same interview from Gearnuke, we read that companies are not approaching you to add their characters in the game. Have you considered “small” companies like Nihon Falcom or Vanillware to see beloved characters like Adol Christin from the YS series or Gwendolyn from a cult classic like Odin Sphere? I feel that they are characters that most of us known or we have heard of but they still didn´t have the chance to shine outside of their games.

A. I get a lot of requests for characters in BBTAG. Honestly, there’s lots of characters I would like to include, myself.

I won’t say it’s impossible for the characters you mentioned to join the cast, but we don’t have any plans for this at the moment. Regardless, I would really like to do some form of collaboration in the future.

Q. Sticking with Blazblue Cross Tag Battle, will we see more characters from RWBY or Senran Kagura? Is there a chance to see Persona 5 characters in the game (unless a Persona 5 Arena is in the works of course) or Kyoko and Misako from River City Girls?

A. We’ve just released Season 2, so we don’t have any definitive plans for the next characters yet.

Right now, we’re still thinking about the next step and listening to everyone’s requests as we work with the current version.

Going back to Blazblue main story, now that the phase C came to an end, and with Rachel´s words being “I shall find you, I promise” at the end of Blazblue Central Fiction… Will we get a follow up to this arc, or it will be a completely new arc? Also, are you planning to do another anime or manga?

A. We are preparing for the start of a new story… Sadly, I can’t guarantee when it will happen. I think that when that new chapter begins, you will understand what Rachel meant.

Finally, could you share some words and thoughts to your fans in Spain?

Thank you for loving the BlazBlue series.

I can feel that love you have, so I hope I can meet all of you in person someday. Thank you for your continued support.

#Blazblue #Guilty Gear Strive #GGST #Ishiwatari #Toshimichi Mori #Arc System Works #Interview #Alpha 01 #BBCF #Blazblue Cross Tag Battle #BBTAG

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ignis-scientia-estrogen-brigade · 4 years

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~Updates, Updates, Updates~

I’ve been meaning to make this post since I finished Inktober a couple of weeks ago, but attempting to update my master list resulted in accidentally breaking my entire Tumblr theme, which took a few days to fix. At any rate, I’ve got a lot of things to say about future updates to this blog (especially if you aren’t following my day-to-day antics over on Twitter), so here’s everything in no particular order:

UPDATE ON ART: As you might have noticed, I haven’t been doing much in the way of drawing lately (outside of Inktober). This has been a banner year for me as a professional freelance illustrator, but it leaves me so little time to work on personal projects and about the only thing I want to do after drawing on my computer for eight hours is sit down and play video games. ;_; I’m definitely hoping to do more FFXV art in the new year!

UPDATE ON ISEB STORE: That said, the holidays are coming up quickly and Christmas presents aren’t going to buy themselves, so I’m going to try and hammer out a few traditional pieces to throw up on my Etsy storefront in the next few weeks (I’ll be sure to make a post about it here when I do). I’m also planning on restocking a few items as well (prints mostly), so if you need to do some holiday shopping of your own maybe something over there will catch your eye.

UPDATE ON GIFT EXCHANGE: If you missed out on an Inktober sketch, there’s still a chance to get some personalized art from me! I signed up for r/FFXV’s Secret Messenger Gift Exchange, and if you sign up too I just might be your Secret Messenger! Either way, the mods of it are excellent organizers and I expect it to be loads of fun for everyone involved.

UPDATE ON IGNIS CHARM CLUB: I’ve been toying with an idea for several weeks now about a 12-month Ignis charm club that would kick off in January 2020, but I’d need to get the first few designs drawn and sent to the manufacturers no later than December 1st. It’s possible for me to spend the next couple of weekends working on them, but I’m not even sure if there’s a market for something this niche. Chime in on the comments if you think this is something you might be interested in and I’ll weigh my options!

UPDATE ON FANFICTION: Like a true fanfiction writer, I took a long hiatus from working on The Autonomy of Fate right when the story was getting hot and steamy. I fully intend on finishing this series—it’s already been outlined in its entirety, I just need to sit down and finish it. So for the handful of people who followed it, please sit tight for just a little longer! I’m headed to the land of always winter in a few weeks and I expect I’ll have plenty of time on my hands to work on it then.

I think that just about covers it! For now, I’ll leave you with a teaser of an FFXV photoshoot I participated in last weekend with some good friends of mine, including Ignis cosplayer extraordinaire, @landscape-gonna:

#ignis scientia #final fantasy xv #ffxv

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pluto-fics · 4 years

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Inspiration is Motivation | Teaser

Upcoming Fanfiction: Artist!Taehyung x SingleMom!Reader (M)

You take this time to inspect the equipment provided to you. Brushes and pencils of rather good quality, however accompanied by a cheap, fizzy eraser. The watercolor paint seems decent enough. But the big bottles of acrylics and oils on the desk in the middle of the room, accessible for everyone in it, clearly are not top-notch quality. That of course does not mean it is bad per se, you just might have expected something fancier in the art department of the local Community College.

Your train of thoughts comes to an abrupt stop when you hear someone opening the big wooden door and entering the room, a deep but smooth voice wishing you and your fellow course participants a good morning. The slender figure who just stepped into the room makes your eyes grow wide the second you lay your eyes on him. He is tall, with model like features, facial as well as bodywise. His fashion sense clearly is a little extravagant, for he wears a way too oversized dress shirt with a pair of what almost seemed to be pajama pants of some sort, and a matching beige colored beret topping his head. The big round glasses topping his nose make you curious. Does he need them to see? Or were they simply added to this retro outfit because they fit the vibe?

"I'm glad you all made it here on time, unlike myself" he then speaks while rummaging in the bag he has just placed on top of the desk in the front of the room. You hear quiet giggles erupting from two slightly older women in the back. His lips curve into a handsome smile, not even needing to show the whites of his teeth to make you doubt the existence of a man with such impressive visuals. Yet, you feel kind of stupid for the way you swoon over his looks like a teenager, despite being a grown woman with a child waiting for her to return home.

The young man claps his hands together as if to catch everyone's attention, even though he already possesses the full concentration of everyone in this room. "Now, I'd like to start by introducing myself, if that's alright by you."

He swiftly turns to the chalkboard behind himself and writes down what you assume to be his name.

"My name is Kim Taehyung and I teach traditional art at the local University. But as you can tell, I'm also hosting art courses like this one once a week, while also working as a hobby freelance artist. So I guess you could say that art is my passion."

There it is again. That charming smile of his as he tends to the attentive group of people in front of him. "But enough of me, I think we're all here to improve our skills, so how about we start with some easy warm ups to get creative first?" You notice everyone responding by nodding or already flipping over the cover of the massive sketchpad in front of them to reveal a blank page. Imitating your 'classmates', you flip open your sketchpad and face Mr. Kim again.

He begins by instructing everyone to warm up their wrists by drawing circular shapes of several sizes and shading them to your heart's content to make yourself familiar with the medium you're using. Another hint of his is to try the different art materials provided to each one of the participants and see which one you'd preferably work with today.

A couple minutes later, you can tell Mr. Kim valued his participants' individuality. Only giving a rough theme for the artwork you are supposed to create, he left everything else to you. "Warm Autumn" was the theme he came up with and your mind immediately drifts off into what you would like to call your ‘creative mode’. Images of brown leaves, soft breezes of air and fluffy fabrics of knitwear come to your mind. Thus, you begin by settling on a color palette in warm brown, red and yellow tones and soon start by sketching an idea.

Mr. Kim does no longer talk to the whole course. Instead, he begins to slowly walk around the classroom and take a look at everyone's approaches on the topic. Usually, you'd get so engulfed in your works that you would blend out most of your surroundings. However, Mr. Kim's presence makes it hard for you to fully concentrate on the sketch before you like you usually would. You don't even need to look up to know where Mr. Kim currently stood at, while he gradually comes closer to where you are seated at.

The sound of his steps approaching you slowly sends shivers down your spine, just like the feeling of him standing right beside you, wordlessly examining your sketch. You can't keep from glancing up at his face as his gaze remains locked on the paper before you, an approving look surfacing on his face. He then glances at your face, his eyes meeting yours immediately as he leans down a bit to speak to you with a quieter, low voice. "Nice choice of motives. Do you have an idea for the final composition already?"

You feel your cheeks heating up as you mumble out a shy "Um, kind of", unsure of how to feel about the genuine interest Mr. Kim shows. It's been a while since someone other than your son Tyler had commented on one of your works. The young artist next to you smiles. "You're a fast one, huh? I like that. But let me know if you need anything, alright?" His voice is just as unique as his appearance. And the more you get to hear of it, the more you come to like the sound of it. Nodding your head with a smile, you thank him before he smiles back and moves on to the next participant of his course.

Thank you for reading this far. This fanfic is in the making – follow @pluto-fics and be notified of future updates.

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katebenfer · 4 years

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Readerly Exploration 3/25/2020

The Comprehension Matrix

Big Take Away: The matrix is a way that helps teachers organize information to help them learn the best ways to teach comprehension by organizing activities into pre-reading, during-reading and post- reading activities.

Interesting fact: One phrase that i read that stuck out to me was ��we often will test students on their comprehension, but we don’t teach them how to comprehend.” That was a powerful sentence for me, as it made me reflect back on my teaching experiences and how i want to teach in the future. We must teach our students how to comprehend what their reading and across contents, not just ELA.

Habit: I decided to make a character sketch of a student that I had in my 3rd grade class at Newberry. I noticed from the very beginning that this student had trouble with comprehension, but it surprised me to the extent that they had. This student would red, then re-read. After they read, they would go to the questions to answer about the story. But, when she got to the questions she had a hard time understanding the questions and then would have to re-read the narrative again to try to answer the questions. Then they would lose focus and have to start again. They would get frustrated and want to give up. However, I noticed that when Amanda and I would take the time to ask them for key words or details they should be looking for in the story, to find the question, it made it easier for the students. It reaffirmed what the article said earlier “we often will test students on their comprehension, but we don’t teach them how to comprehend.” It was so evident, that this student was being tested on their comprehension, but was not taught how to comprehend or what to look for when comprehending. When there was scaffolding given to the student, they did well. After reading the article, it gave me applicable ways in which I could help students who have a hard time comprehending. In the Pre-Reading, its so important to activate knowledge and connect to the students what they will be reading, as it will help them to start thinking and brainstorming. Then for the reading section, have them make predictions or use think-alouds to help them. This requires them to be pay attention and soak in what they're reading. Then for the Post Reading, use different forms, such as reflection, creating writing and more. Sometimes asking questions should be hard and don’t always assess their comprehensions properly.

Extended my understanding: Being able to sketch out the comprehension process of my students, help me understand the struggle and difficulty of comprehension for students. Students cant be expected to read and understand all the sudden, they need to be taught and scaffold. Using strategies and using alternative ways for students to learn is important. Also allowing them to read books that they chose and are interested in is important.

Five Instructional Procedures: Compendium of Instructional Procedures

1. Book Talks: teasers that teachers use to introduce the book and get students interested in what they about to read or learn. The book is often summarized, and there is a short excerpt that is read. There are three steps: 1) Select a book to share. 2) Plan a brief presentation. 3) Present the book talk.

2. Exclusion Brainstorming: This procedure is used to help activate students background knowledge and expand their understanding. This helps them look at the vocabulary and get them ready for what they’re about to read. There are four steps. 1) Prepare a word list. 2) Read the list of words. 3) Learn about the topic. 4) Review the list.

3. Hot Seat: Role-playing activity that starts to build comprehension. Students will have to think quickly to respond to the questions that they are asked. There are 6 steps. 1) Learn about the character. 2) Create a costume. 3) Prepare opening remarks. 4) Introduce the character. 5) Ask questions and comments. 6) Summarize the ideas.

4) KWL charts: KWL charts are using to activate prior knowledge. The K stands for what we Know, the W for what we Wonder, and L for what we Learned. There are 4 steps. 1) Post a KWL chart. 2) Complete the K column. 3) Complete the W column. 4) Complete the L column.

5) Making Words: An activity that has students arrange letter cards to spell words. Teachers chose words from books they are reading and words they should know. This activity is good for English Language learners as well. There are 5 steps. 1) make letter cards. 2) Choose a word. 3) Name the letter cards. 4) Make words. 5) Share words.

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davidmann95 · 6 years

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Action Comics 1000!!!

Action Comics #1000!

(The above being the cover I ended up getting, since another anon asked me about that. Allred’s was better, but I thought this was not only more broadly iconic, but a better contrast with Action Comics #1 with the color scheme and Superman showing the opposite side of his nature as an ethereal figure reaching down to help rather than a strongman smashing a car. There were several store-specific covers I would’ve preferred, but they’re store-specific, and I wasn’t gonna wait however many years and pay however much money to meet Doc Shaner and have him do a sketch on the blank variant, so whadaya gonna do?)

Was this all it should have been? God no, of course not, conspicuously not, at least not on the writing end - no Morrison or Waid or Ellis or Ennis or Gaiman, King being the only one here arguably on that tier (someone made the not-unconvincing suggestion that DC didn’t want to get anyone who’d obviously overshadow Bendis’s debut). Artwise on the other hand this was a runaway smash, a mix of classic talent and contemporary big names, with most of the obvious available figures ‘missing’ from this already hard at work on Man of Steel.* Still, DC should’ve been trying for another Superman #400-scale testament to the ages, and instead it’s a nice normal anniversary issue.

But as nice, normal anniversary issues go? This was a damn good one. One where, oddly, I only accurately predicted how much I’d enjoy one story, with a number I thought would be mediocre or simply pretty good based on the creative teams being among the better or best, one or two I thought would be sure standout winners being mid-tier, and the story I thought would be the guaranteed stinker of the bunch winding up a highlight. In order of presentation, with some small spoilers:

For The City That Has Everything: I was not expecting much from Jurgens, but he really outdid himself, at least by his own modern standards; the crowd shot at the end was what put it over the top for me. Every Superhero getting together to thank Superman for their existence is something I’ll always stan for.

Never-Ending Battle: God what a pretty story. To be honest, I was a little disappointed about Gleason being the one to go onto Action Comics with Bendis, but that’s entirely in the past now; dude’s dynamite when let loose. Tomasi’s writing is sort of superfluous if still nice, but it’s both strange and hilarious to imagine Superman actually giving this rambling recounting of his day, bereft of visual aids and leaving out most of the actual details in favor of moral lessons and philosophizing about the deeper narrative meaning of his own life.

An Enemy Within: The one shoulder-shrug of the bunch; Wolfman just can’t quite make it come together with the Swan material he had to work with. Killer last page though.

The Car: So I’d seen a blurry shot for the first page of this in that group photo the editors posted once this issue went to the presses, and since it looked like Pa in the barn in Smallville, and with Johns’ Donner-nostalgia and Donner actually being Donner, I expected a pat Jonathan-teaches-young-Clark-a-lesson yarn here. This is, uh, definitely not that. Instead it’s a story I never knew this issue needed but it absolutely did, as not only the sequel to Superman’s most important tale, but one that retroactively places the most important parts of that ‘Superman spirit’ as it’s developed over the years back before they were fully conceived, in a way that fits this particular take on the character. Definitely my favorite thing Johns has done with Superman since at least Legion of Superheroes, and lord does Coipel need to be doing interiors for DC on the regular.

The Fifth Season: A great character piece that ends up working as a pocket sequel to Birthright, which softens the blow of Waid not being here, and Albuquerque acquits himself particularly admirably given this was originally supposed to be drawn by Tim Sale. Between this and letting his cosmic freak flag fly in Metal, I officially want Scott Snyder to take a second proper crack at Superman someday.

Of Tomorrow: I responded to this when it was released online, and as expected it’s by far the best of the bunch.

Five Minutes: The sort of ‘normal’ Superman story that simply had to be in here, and in that regard this succeeds perfectly well. And Ordway always delivers.

Actionland!: I was disappointed in this one…until it went in the direction it did. Still, I feel like it grasped at being even better yet couldn’t quite get there, and given how well Dini did with the backup in Action #975 last year I expected more. I can’t complain too much though, because good lord y’all, Jose Luis Garcia Lopez with Kevin Nowlan inks and Trish Mulvihill colors.

Faster Than A Speeding Bullet: The one that was obviously supposed to be terrible, and…wasn’t? I didn’t contest Meltzer being in this mix - there’s always an unjustifiable inclusion based on internal politics with these sorts of things, and moreover the dude helped save Jerry Siegel’s house; that counts for something, so better him than Goyer or JMS - but understandably didn’t expect much, especially after his piss-poor contribution to Detective Comics #27 a few years back. But, accompanied by in my opinion the best John Cassaday art in a good long while, he told a really gripping little story here that manages to cut the bummer of a knot that lies at the heart of one of the most archetypal types of Superman stories: you have to acknowledge sometimes that Superman can’t save everyone, but you don’t want to actually see him let anyone down. Though Superman recommending someone become a cop is…a little more charged in 2018 than Meltzer probably had in mind, which knocks it down a couple points in my estimation.

The Truth: People seemed to be hating on this one on Twitter, but personally? I thought it was fun. Very slim, which isn’t unexpected given Bendis is working against his own best tendencies for Jim Lee and Lee isn’t well-suited to him in the first place and it’s a prologue/in medias reis teaser, but it has a few really good moments (”STOP!”), Bendis seems to remember Superman’s supposed to be a tough dude as well as a kind one, and Jim Lee can still draw the heck out of some punches. The ending twist is one that could go well enough without breaking anything or work out very badly indeed, but this did its job of getting me to think I’d like to read a weekly miniseries and then two Superman comics a month by this writer for the foreseeable future.

As for the pinups, Romita Jr.’s is weird but in my opinion effective, Simonson’s is obviously good, and Jimenez is god-tier. So that’s about it; wish they’d sprung for more big-name writers, it especially stings Morrison isn’t here, and it’s inexcusable that Lois didn’t get a story, but by and large, this was a damn good piece of Superman comical bookery. Roughly speaking, Wolfman/Swan

* Other than Alex Ross, who even more than say Frank Quitely is genuinely bizarre to not see here. The latter I understand doesn’t have any special affection for superheroes - he may have done some Milk Wars covers, but those would’ve been helping out a friend of a friend - but Ross I can easily envision tearing out one of his teeth or breaking a toe without hesitation for this gig. I guess Marvel must have him under an exclusive, with an exemption for Astro City covers.

#Action Comics 1000 #Superman #Action Comics #Opinion

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perksofwifi · 5 years

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2021 Kia Optima Redesign Teaser Reveals New Grille

Kia has released sketches of the redesigned 2021 Optima midsize sedan, and the most prominent feature is the new grille called the “tiger face.” It’s an evolution of the current grille, and it appears wider than before but retains the distinct pinch in the middle. The headlights also appear integrated with the grille, and its LED daytime running lights feature the same Z pattern that first appeared on the Kia Cadenza.

One of the teaser sketches also reveals the rear end of the 2021 Kia Optima, which now features a full-width taillight and what appears to be a small duckbill-like kink on the trunk lid. Its signature full-length chrome strip on the side appears to wrap around the rear window and continue to the other side of the vehicle. The fastback roofline remains, which should make the Optima more recognizable.

The 2021 Kia Optima’s interior appears to be an evolution of the current horizontal theme but with a couple key changes. On the center console, there’s now a rotary shifter, hinting that higher trims will get that instead of a mechanical one. There’s also a two-screen layout similar to the one you find in new Mercedes-Benz models; however, the main touchscreen is tilted toward the driver.

Like the recently revealed Hyundai Sonata, the redesigned 2021 Kia Optima will ride on a new platform. Hyundai/Kia’s Smartstream engine family should find its way under the hood. Future Kia Optima variants should include a hybrid and a sporty GT model. Expect Kia’s updated midsize sedan to debut sometime soon, likely at a standalone event in Korea where it will go on sale first before finding its way to other global markets including the U.S.

Source: Kia

The post 2021 Kia Optima Redesign Teaser Reveals New Grille appeared first on MotorTrend.

https://www.motortrend.com/news/2021-kia-optima-redesign-teaser-reveal-new-grille/ visto antes em https://www.motortrend.com

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adriansmithcarslove · 5 years

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2021 Kia Optima Redesign Teaser Reveals New Grille

Source: Kia

The post 2021 Kia Optima Redesign Teaser Reveals New Grille appeared first on MotorTrend.

via RSSMix.com Mix ID 8134279 https://ift.tt/2BQSqBg

#IFTTT #RSSMix.com Mix ID 8134279

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unit8-dda-humphreyhb · 5 years

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Unit 8 - Project Evaluation

Context:

The purpose to the animation that I’ve made, is to create a possible insight as to what the second season of ‘Final Space’ may provide as an experience from a fans point of view. My target audience for the animation is from teenagers all the way up to young adults, people who have a interest in animation as well as most importantly fans of the show. In terms of how well I understand the specialist area that my project is in, I believe it to be fairly strong as I there is clear definitive evidence that it fits into the animation side of the design industry.

However, there is the potential argument of it being an unofficial ‘teaser trailer’ for the next season of an existing show, there are factors which don’t credit it to be a fully fledged fluent animation. But in my opinion that doesn’t define it and the main aspects out weigh the this minor point. In addition the key aspects that capture it as a short animation help provide entry into this category.

Looking forward in expanding on this in the future, I would like to increase my knowledge specifically on different techniques on how to animate characters and the movement they do. This would include learning new design software, as well as new tools that would come with the software and the possibility of plug-ins. To conclude, my overall aim is to keep on developing my skills and knowledge so then I can better myself as creator.

Research:

While initially starting my project I did some in depth research into the three main animations that I wanted to take influence from and had a interest in their story and design styles. This was my main source of secondary research for the character, background and general projects style, although when it came to creating the character’s body designs, I sourced some reference images from the internet. These helped me form more original appearances in comparison to the season one versions of the characters.

Throughout this project I have conducted secondary research to help my initial designs and sketches done on paper, then later I still used them but took more influence from some reference images for clothing. Once I had got past the stage of character design and creation, I conducted a survey where people could voluntarily fill out and provide me with feed back in the format of Primary research. The main reason why I did it in this way was because it gave me a more realistic point of view, plus from this perspective I could see what a random person/stranger would initially see.

The combination of research and the whole creative process worked hand in hand throughout my major decisions. This can be seen as an example when I conducted my first primary research survey, and from that was the development of characters and the roles within the animation. Then I conducted a second survey asking for people’s initial thoughts on specific effects showcased in images I displayed. To sum up my thoughts on the effectiveness of my research, I believe my techniques to be useful for the progression and development of my project throughout, especially my method for gathering primary research and utilising it to improve my work.

Reflecting on what I have learnt from this project and looking forwards to how I will conduct my research for future projects, I will be using similar methods and techniques to help influence and shape the creative design process. I now know it is essential to construct some form of primary research earlier on in projects, as the results will inform any alterations from the feedback I would of received and then at a later date there will be less major changes needed.

Problem Solving:

Throughout the duration of the project I have come across multiple problems, which have differed from major issues to minor. I then found ways to solve them or even in some cases have had to work around it to create some sort of solution and alternative method to complete tasks. However, though having to deal with these issues is not ideal, it has been of benefit at times. In terms of learning from issues after they’ve been resolved, I would not have learnt how to fix a specific error that I made or that occurred so then in the future I can easily avoid encountering it again at a later date.

By dealing with these obstacles, it has taught me how to adapt though sometimes my own mistakes. For example I came across an issue when using the puppet tool to animate a characters limbs, hands and fingers everything was working up until I applied pins to the fingers. They became significantly distorted when using other tools like position and rotation to animate the hand as a whole. In terms of tackling the problem that I’ll encounter with future projects, I will be more prepared if it is a reoccurring similar problem and likewise when it’s a new issue that I’ve not dealt with prior to then.

Planning and production:

I believe that my planning for each stage of the project was fairly well thought through and that allowed me to plan ahead for each week. My time was managed primarily through a time schedule, which I made to help me plot tasks throughout the timetabled amount of weeks provided for the project. These tasks that I laid out gave me small milestones to work towards and from that reduced the work load on each stage of the production, making it more manageable.

In my future projects I would like to have a more adaptable planning scheme, as even though my current one for this project worked and gave me the knowledge of what tasks I needed to complete within the up coming weeks, there was a way to easily change parts if I skipped some tasks or needed to gain some extra time in certain tasks. In addition to this I will strive to apply a new possible aspect to the time scheme design, by adding a progression bar for each stage maybe and then that delivers more information on where I’m at in the project. Apart from these minor factors I would say that my planning overall benefited my workflow, and therefore increased the productivity for the creation process.

Practical Skills:

This project has given me the opportunity to explore new techniques and then lead on to me gaining skills from it. I was able to learn these from source videos on ‘YouTube’ that displayed tutorials on how to conduct a certain effect or use a tool in a different way to what I had done previously. An example of how I explored a new technique is when I wanted to make the text 3D, I asked for one of my fellow students assistance with it, as they had knowledge on how to perform this effect from previous work they had done. I could then learn how to do it from their instructions and guidance and now because of this I learnt a new skill within Adobe After Effects.

To sum up my experience into looking into new techniques and methods on how to simplify an effect or give a certain one some extra flare, or factors which would enhance the visual experience, I believe that I’ve made steps to improving my understanding of animating and the application of already existing skills to a new format. By doing so I have increased my knowledge on subjects within animation as a whole. With future projects I’ll be aiming to expand my skill set like I did whilst working on and developing this one.

Evaluation:

My belief is that I’ve been quite fluent with the evaluation side of reflecting on each decision, whilst working on the project. I made a survey which not only provided me with a source of primary research, but gave me constructive criticism on which I could base my evaluation and assets designs, background designs, sound and visual effects. I think that reflection on my work has made me acutely aware of any mistakes I made and how to move forward to the next development of it, and this is all done through evaluating the process of the project progression at different points.

Presentation:

My blog is organised and has clear structure, it is ordered showing a clear progression of my development that I did to assets made in Photoshop and then imported to After Effects, to be implemented into the animation. I also showed the process that I went through to make the characters initially and then the development process to a completed version. Furthermore I displayed references to sources that were used for influences that I had used for character design, this method provided a nice interesting and informative flow to my blog.

In some posts there could have been a bit more clarity with showcasing my thought process. By doing this it would have expanded the possibility of the reader understanding my actions in a more in-depth way. However, in my opinion there were very few posts that contained these traits, so accordingly the presentation still is of a high quality in terms of showcasing initial content, reflection, development and then the final version. So to conclude, I believe that my project as a whole reaches the expectations that I originally had when starting it and has exceeded in some areas, although I acknowledge it may have slightly fallen short in others. I would deem the project a complete success and most importantly a huge and important learning point for me to have expanded my creative knowledge, as well as my skills set and general understanding of the software I have used.

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