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xemobladechromicles · 2 years

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Thoughts on Certain Xenoblade 3 Heroes So Far

I don’t want to rank them until I’ve both unlocked all of them and completed everyone’s quests. So this is just a ranking based on the impressions they’ve given me, I think there are 5 heroes I haven’t gotten: Nia & Melia, Cammuravi, Machine Assasin Person (her sillhouette looks cool I’m excited to know wtf is going on there), the hacker class, and the seraph class, so I’m not gonna talk about these guys even though admittedly I’m very excited to obtain all of them.

Anyways these are my current impressions of everyone.

Ghondor

She’s too powerful for the censors. Someone stop her. I love her, she’s so funny. Like, her accent is so thick. She’s too powerful. I’m intimidated. I’m in love. Ghondor is epique. You fucking try meeting her to save the world and she just calls you a loser and wants to fight. Yas girl, slay (the party). The phrase Bitchqueen is glorious. I mostly love her because she swears a lot and that’s funny. Like, Eunie may say “bitch” and “arse” occasionally but ultimately says “queen’s knees” and shit, but Ghondor is above censorship. She is too powerful. If she didn’t dub Monica as the Bitchqueen, I’d be calling Ghondor that (affectionate). She just makes me happy lmao.

Gray

I think it’s hilarious that he acts like a teenage edgelord with a dark and mysterious past but then I go into his affinity chart and learn that he’s fucking 60. He pulled a Riki. He’s not allowed to do that. Also his dynamic with Eunie during his recruitment sidequest is hilarious. I like how Eunie just insults him the entire time and he’s just like “im batman bro” “who tf is batman you edgy bitch??” Also his class is super fun. Like, you simply explode everything with guns that shoot lasers. I have criminally not used him much, mostly because if I need a Full Metal Jaguar, I’ll employ Eunie or occasionally someone else. It’s mostly that I was grinding everyone to class level 10 on his class, so there wasn’t room for him in the party when I already had 3 Jaguars. But I love his class and I love his dynamic with Eunie. He’s a funny man.

Theory crafting time. I’m actually kinda curious if this class could be used as a dodge-tank, especially if you’re given post-game gear to work with and stick the class onto a naturally evasive character like Mio. Due to being mostly AoE and dealing so much fucking damage that aggro management is necessary here, the class wouldn’t really struggle with drawing aggro. When using tank classes, especially Zephyr, I often combine their primary aggro drawing ability with Quickdraw due to QD both providing evasion for the art and it’s bonus damage from the front being a very useful tool for drawing and maintaining aggro quickly due to the ridiculous amount of damage it deals from the front, which is where tanks are going to be positioned most of the time. So I imagine the inverse of using QD with an aggro drawing ability supplementing it would be quite good. Alongside that, I want to draw attention to Demolition. When using the FMJ class, I like to either pair Demolition with an evasion art or another piercing art. I assume the piercing stacks (otherwise rip). But Demolition is so good with an evasion art because the attack animation is so long. In the context of a DPS character, this is usually long enough for tanks to draw the aggro back while you’re hiding in evasion frames, in the context of a tank, I imagine this ability would be great for dodging one to two key abilities (depending on how art-spammy the boss is). Side note, as FMJ, combining Dead Set with an evasion art can also be nice because it guarantees safety while you fully remove aggro, this class is super squishy normally and needs to remain alive to get the most out of its dps. The other thing I think FMJ would be able to do as a tank that other tanks can’t is kiting enemies. Since the class is ranged, it probably would be able to auto attack certain enemies outside of their auto range and if it does this while maintaining aggro, that would help get around squishiness, especially since FMJ uses timed cooldowns.

Since this is a dps class rather than a tank class, a tanky FMJ build would pretty much allow everyone to run Protector’s Pride and the accessory with the same effect, maybe combine that with someone on the Troubadour class and that would create a recipe for art spam. Since the mechanic is meant as an “oh shit” mechanic rather than something you’d have constantly active, especially if you get the level 15 version, which I don’t know what the amount is at rank 15, but with the rank 10 version, it’s a 40% increase, combine that with my current best recharge speed, that’s another 40%, which I’m assuming would result is an 80% arts cooldown reduction that I could theoretically attach to everybody. In FMJ’s case, Demolition has a 26s cooldown at Rank 10 (dunno if cooldown will decrease at Rank 15), so that with an 80% cooldown would be a 5.2 second cooldown, which isn’t that much longer than the art’s cast time. Tho, I imagine there would be some difficulties with the evasion art it’s attached to being auto recharge, especially since 3 doesn’t have Pouch Items like what existed in 2. Quickdraw has an 11s cooldown at rank 10, so an 80% cooldown reduction would result in the art having a 2.2s cooldown. The art itself lasts approximately half a second, so just using QD, you’d probably be in evasion for at least a quarter of the fight just by spamming that ability alone. Third ability would kinda have to be Superstorm since I don’t believe Fatal Barrage has a long enough animation to justify losing out on its back attack damage and deadset wouldn’t be particularly useful to this build for obvious reasons. If you combine this with the Dance of Barrages ability, which at rank 10 gives an 11% chance to keep the recharge when using an art, that would also be valuable to maintaining uptime, even considering its low procc rate. I’d probably combine tank FMJ with a troubadour anyways due to that class being designed around cooldown reduction alongside its passive 15% boost to ally accuracy and evasion (at rank 10, I don’t know what the rank 15 boost looks like). Since that class can also spread Ring’o Roses, I imagine that could be part of the build too, potentially even as the art that superstorm is tied to. Also, keep in mind that all of this cooldown bullshit would apply to your allies too. Which could result in something like, say, a War Medic with healing constantly up, or an Ogre being able to spam their hard-hitting arts, DPS classes in particular would be able to combine this with a crit build and Frenzied Combo. Unfortunately FMJ doesn’t have the best base crit, but considering how many multi-hit arts the class has, crit FMJ with Frenzied Combo could be quite strong, whether it’s attack or tank.

The main thing holding this class back as a tank is how naturally squishy it is, but I feel like with the right build that can be worked around. I just think this would be dedicated to the post-game because running tank FMJ would require an art-spam build that requires combining skills from multiple classes at high ranks in order to properly function due to how squishy this class is. I just feel like it would work as a tank if you’re post-game and building your team around a hyper offensive playstyle. I’m unsure whether Violent Streak of Gemini Strike would be the better choice of Talent Arts in this build. Violent Streak lasts longer and deals more damage but Gemini Strike has a shorter cooldown and also draws aggro. The biggest weakness I can think of that I don’t think there’s any getting around is that the player would basically have to glue themselves to the FMJ character since I sincerely doubt in the AI’s ability to not instantly die the moment you try to mess around with a different character for 2 seconds.

I also just realized that FMJ has weirdly high base healing power. In fact, it appears to be the highest healing power given to a non-healer class. It’s not enough to be used as a direct healer, but I wonder if combining some of its arts with stuff like Hornet (a heals nearby allies on hit ability) could result in the FMJ be used as the party’s source of healing, which would leave room for more buff-oriented healer classes like Signifier and Troubador taking up the party’s healer slot.

Idk, I just really like the FMJ class. It feels good to play and I just have an instinctive feeling that it has the potential to be used in some fucking disgusting builds. As a dps class, it synergizes really well with Eunie due to her role in chain attacks including ether penetration. As a tank, I’d probably elect Mio or Eunie. Mio has good natural evasion and Eunie is just generally very good with this class and I don’t have faith in tank FMJ’s ability to take a hit anyways. Noah on a tank class is usually really nice because of the Monado Arts giving him invincibility, but he wouldn’t be getting access to that in this case because he doesn’t get invincibility when playing a dps class. Overall, I love this class, I haven’t really done much with the character tho, but he left a good first impression.

Valdi

Mixed opinions gameplay wise. On one hand, he’s an automatic addition to any team where I have to fight mech bosses. His chain attack special is ridiculous for racking up damage multipliers and having a heal bot is really nice since it opens up room for me to spec the rest of my party into damage, but most of the major and sidequest bosses, especially after getting Valdi, are against either human enemies or Moebius. So, I rarely get to actually use him, but he’s a welcome addition whenever I can get away with it.

Personality wise? Irrelevant. Gun healers are hilarious. I like how there are four heroes with guns (if you count Isurd and Riku), two of them are healers, one of them is a damage class that synergizes with healer abilities, and the other one is the most utility-focused attack class in the game. Also, there’s a specific energy to, like, Taion pointing a gun to N’s edgy bastard face and unloading, like, 50 bullets while making a I:| expression. This class is fucking glorious and I love it. I have no strong opinions about Valdi’s personality. I do like how he’s one of the two small children healers who Lanz inherits the class from.

Fiona

Can we just take a moment to talk about how funny her weapon is? She literally beats you to death cutely with a flag. And the flag has a laser on it. I haven’t figured out how to properly use her class yet since I got her right next to several other heroes, haven’t gotten the characters I want with high ranks on this class, and I don’t really understand the value of giving everyone random buffs without having much in the way of direct heals. I do like sticking her spread buff ability on Yumsmith since I can spread crit and power-within fields both to give the other attackers higher DPS that’s less positionally dependent and to give the tanks better tankiness since most of the fields end up looking like 10 circles overlapping each other while (probably) Mio stands in the middle.

I play this game using the English dub. I like her accent, but I didn’t really care for how her VA delivered some of her lines. I also just didn’t have a strong opinion on her first quest and haven’t yet done any of the following sidequests. I imagine there’s a lot of potential for them to be good because there’s just a strong premise here, I just haven’t really gotten into the meat of her yet. Which kinda also describes my gameplay experience with her.

As a side note, I also think her character design is cute, but it doesn’t translate great into 3D and it doesn’t really match Agnus’s aesthetic or any other pre-established Aesthetics in the game. Her design is actually a pretty good example of many of the primary issues with Saito’s character designs even when barring how the horniness ruined so many designs in 2. This is still a massive improvement over what happened in 2, I just felt like it was worth pointing out in specifically this character design.

I’ve been wonder which heroes have the best and worst chain attack since it seems that they’re balanced by sacrificing player control, customizability, and being able to mix and match classes in favor of having ridiculously powerful chain attack effects. Like with most of this character, I haven’t really figured out how she’s best used in chain attacks, but she seems potentially really good due to her ability to artificially elongate regular chain attacks.

Ashera

I love characters who have problems with the concept of self-preservation. Ashera is so funny. Like, she decides “I’m going to storm my own base as an ego trip.” Since whether she succeeds or fails, it is an ego trip. Also I think her reason to want to be free from the flame clock is fucking hilarious. She’s not doing it to be free from fighting, she just wants to become enemies of Moebius so she can fight them. I also really liked Eunie in this sidequest. I really liked seeing Eunie get genuinely pissed off at Ashera’s antics and then they have some sort of understanding at the end of it. I honestly wasn’t expecting Eunie to have such good character work here of all places. It was a pleasant surprise. I haven’t really done any of her follow-up quests, but I should. It’s just that there’s so much to do in the game and there was a lot of plot stuff to do immediately after recruiting her, that I kinda forgot to go back to the town and now I’m overlevelled. I kinda want to do most of the overlevelled crap once I’m in the post-game since I do actually care about the sidequests, it’s just that doing side content for these games is difficult for me, mostly because my desire to progress the story or fuck around exploring the world is way stronger than my desire to slowly build up relationships with the NPCs and see everything come together. Something something instant gratification. Ashera slaps my ass and balls (even tho I don’t have balls to slap, sad day for her).

She was my go-to hero, especially during the mid-game because of her ability to instantly fill the chain attack meter to 200%, damage multiplication, and access to launch, which resulted in my mid-game chain attacks consistently taking out approximately half of a boss’s health bar whenever I used her. This is really helpful since I’ve been playing the game on hard mode and she effectively let me skip the second phases of several difficult boss fights. I mostly pulled her out for boss fights and used someone else when running around the world since I pretty much got everyone except Eunie and Taion to level 10 on this class because a universal launch art is just really useful, and her spread ability of damage reduction at low health is an amazing defensive ability, especially to slap onto squishy classes and other tank classes with bonus effects at low HP. Though it does sometimes suffer from opportunity cost, which wasn’t as big of an issue in the mid-game.

But she’s fallen off late game. I feel like her class is likely going to be very strong post-game because the long attack animations pair with evasion arts, resulting in you getting a lot of dodge-frames, especially since post-game you’ll be able to pair these abilities with evasion arts taken from DPS classes, so I wouldn’t be surprised if running a Lone Exile Crit Build would be viable, especially since this is a DPS tank class. Especially if the player eventually gets access to life-steal either from one of the classes I haven’t unlocked or from an accessory I haven’t gotten a hold of. The class feels like it was designed to be a somewhat squishy drain-tank with an emphasis on evasion, but the class doesn’t naturally come with life-steal effects or evasion arts, so it needs supplements from other classes in order to function, otherwise you’re left with a squishy tank that doesn’t really accomplish dps.

At the moment, I’m near the end-game. Got stuck on a boss and, after 8 hours of bashing my face against him, I’ve decided I want to do some sidequests rather than using my bonus EXP storage to do some side content that I’ve been procrastinating on. Mostly just to replenish my Nopon Coins and level some people up in some classes. The problem with Ashera right now is that I need to be able to have control over my tank characters to get through the late-game bosses otherwise they might not dodge key abilities and won’t draw aggro properly. Alongside that, her ability to start a chain attack with 200% has fallen off in power due to competition from other heroes, such as Ghondor instantly recharging herself, Alexandria’s crit modifier, and Fiona’s ability to recharge the chain attack gauge. Alongside that, enemies have much high break resistances now, so I can no longer consistently topple enemies during the first round of chain attack, which results in Ashera’s actual turn being inconsistent with its ability to combo. She’s now better with Ouroboros chain attacks due to them being shorter while a ton of late-game heroes are better than her in standard chain attacks due to their more consistent application during the attack. Her class also isn’t being very helpful due to just not being able to tank enough hits and me not having access to the stuff I said would make the class hypothetically one of the strongest classes in the game.

This class is pretty nice for grinding tho. Since I’m fighting low-threat enemies and just wanna be quick about it, an offensive tank is convenient for that.

I really like this character. I also really like the class conceptually, I’m just a bit disappointed that it’s fallen off end-game, especially since I have quite literally every character except for Eunie and Taion at rank 10 on her class (and Eunie is rank 6, Taion is literally the only character I haven’t used the class on, and I probably should get him there since I’ve been using him on utility-dps classes recently).

Riku and Manana

I love them. Riku has a gun. Manana has a laser cooking pot. Riku is my god. I’ve always wanted a Nopon party member with a gun, and Riku has fulfilled my wishes. I think the characters are a bit shallow for main characters, especially when placed next to the party members, but as side characters, I love them, and by them, I mean Riku (Manana’s okay, but Riku’s gloriousness elevates them). Riku just has military clothes and what I assumed was an afro. Execuse me sir, he is an egg. Why is his voice sexy? I’m so intimidated. He’s the one character to have experienced puberty. And his eyes are so soulful and hot, but again they’re attached to a fucking egg. I feel sexually threatened by a man who does not know what sex is. Also his gun, as far as I can tell, is a melee weapon?? Beautiful. I love him. I stan him. I fear him. Also the Hero Quest where Manana just spins and destroys those arachno is hilarious. Manana went brr. She is amazing and deserves good things for that moment and that moment alone.

As far as their class is concerned, it’s really interesting. It’s the only class in the game where I’ve gotten literally every party member to rank 10 on. Sappy-Sappy drain is a really useful ability, having a universal break art is really good, especially with Incursor’s universal break art of the opposite type. I think the class has really come into its own late game where the high break resistances on bosses means I pretty much need a dedicated break person. Since this is a dps/healer hybrid, I’ve been leaning into the class’s supportive capability and attaching my one memory locket to whoever I give this class to. I’m thinking Taion might be the best suited for this class because it lets him make use of his chain attack ability while still being able to make use of stuff from classes that I’ve already levelled him in. I kinda wish there was an easy way to check what everyone’s unmodified stats are so I could quickly tell what each person’s natural stats are best suited towards, since that would help me best decide who to stick this class on.

My guess is that this class will fall off post game once I have access to resources that let me build classes more wildly, especially since this class’s strongest abilities are shared abilities and its playstyle of stacking debuffs will most likely get harder the more enemies gain resistances and immunities to their debuffs. That said, the class probably would then be moved to a buff-oriented attacker, since Crit+ and the power within fields art isn’t shared, which means this class’s use post-game probably would turn more aggressive. Especially once I can swap out the Talent Art. Atm, I use the class more defensively than anything.

I really like the Nopon. I haven’t used them in my party much because I pretty much always had at least one person as Yumsmith when off bosses and I haven’t really been equipping them for bosses due to not remembering what their chain attack effects were.

Isurd

He just really failed to leave an impression on me. His voice acting kinda sucks. I like using his class on Eunie since he’s a more damage-oriented healer, which synergizes nicely with her combination of good ether damage and high heal power. I found the character to be kinda boring tho.

His story boss wasn’t very good. It looked like the devs might have been trying to riff on the Zu Pharg fight in Xenoblade X, but the fight against Isurde sort of failed because it had the stuff drawing away from the Zu Pharg’s spectacle without really any of the things that made the boss work. Like, it was a giant quadruped machine that summoned minions and you can climb around its wreckage after the fight. It shares the issue with the Zu Pharg where the camera is just not able to zoom out enough to really get a full view of it. But what made the Zu Pharg such a good spectacle fight where this one failed has to do with X’s scope as a whole, which was much bigger than 3′s. Basically the Zu Pharg fight had you chasing a mech that was quite literally the size of a mountain across an entire continent that you’ve explored up to this point while (most likely) flying in mechs. The fight had a series of fighting the boss, fighting its minions, and running past the minions to get back to the boss. This gave the player a good view of something other than the boss’s legs in the air, and on the ground it gave a good sense of the boss’s sheer scale because while you could not see the entire boss, you could get a leg into frame, which was fucking massive. The Zu Pharg was also by far the largest enemy in the game, which already had some gigantic enemies. This was also emphasized by the mech transforming from a gigantic flying fortress in Phase 1 into a literal fucking mech in phase 2. And yeah, the mech was the size of a fucking fortress more or less. So, the fight was memorable because it overwhelmed you with its sheer scale in a game that already had an emphasis on it. The fight against Isurde doesn’t really accomplish any of this. For one, the mech isn’t towering over the landscape like the Zu Pharg was, and two, you really can’t fly around and chase it like the Zu Pharg did, which was due to differences in 3′s and X’s mechanics. As a result, the mech’s size in 3 worked more against it than anything in terms of spectacle. The enemy summoning didn’t really do it any favors either. In the Zu Pharg, the summons were very good at selling its scale since you’re pairing enemies that are roughly the size of the player’s mechs with the mech itself, while in 3, the mechs the boss summons are larger than the player and Ouroboros isn’t as permanent of a mechanic as Skells were in X. There also isn’t the surprise of leaning that this massive space you’ve been exploring for hours is actually a gigantic boss arena. The differences in music for each boss was also a big deal. The Zu Pharg had a unique theme that was very stompy and crunchy while Isurd used the general boss theme (if I remember correctly). Idk, the Isurd fight just isn’t very good spectacle wise, especially compared to the boss it was clearly based on. And the surrounding story wasn’t very good since Joran is a pretty shit antagonist so “it was Joran making mud-puppets” didn’t really help.

Overall, the character is just very nothing to me. I like his class. I think his boss fight was bad. It wasn’t frustrating, but it just fails to capture what made the fight it was clearly based on so good spectacle wise. That’s probably why I never use him in the party. The other reason is that I don’t like his chain art. First of all, some characters in the party can get early Bravos, so him getting that turn one isn’t special, especially since he’s not combining this with him not being a damage character, so he kinda just hogs the momentum from them for no reason. He might be decent mid-game, but I found his chain attack ability to be outclassed by Ashera’s at that point in the game.

Zeon

I kinda assumed he was meant to be that one bully character from the intro cutscene, so I thought it was weird that the kid grew up to be this noble-natured man with no explanation from how he got from points a to b, but it turns out he wasn’t that kid, so I’m mostly wondering what the point of this guy is since the one interesting part of his character to me was a misconception. As far as his class is concerned, I also haven’t really figured out how it’s supposed to work. I have characters with rank 10 on him just for the topple art, I regularly use his taunt on tanks, and I’ll probably go for rank 20 on some characters in his class just because his talent art is useful, but I really just am not feeling him or his class.

Miyabi

I swear there’s an NPC in the City with her name. But I was kinda disappointed with her recruitment quest conceptually since it kinda just revived three dead characters with no real strings attached. Her ability to buff Mio up during chain attacks is interesting but odd. Which I’d probably describe her class as. I still don’t confidently understand how to use if effectively. I currently have it on Lanz because w i d e. Her class being centered primarily around regeneration and cooldown reduction seems like it’s designed specifically to buff dodge tanks and ability spamming damage dealers, so I imagine that quality makes her at her most useful during post-game where both the need for her stuff and the access to accessories and high impact arts will be at its highest.

Alexandria

I like her class. I also like her chain attack effects. I don’t really have an opinion on her personality one way or the other. She’s gives me similar energy as Lin from X, but with a more cunning attitude. I like that she’s a trickster who manipulates the economy, which I would like to point out, canonically does not exist. She’s conceptually a very funny woman. Extreme stonks. Her voice acting is kinda dry. Her class seems like a class that only gets stronger the later into the game you get because of her power mostly lying in her arts, crit rate, and counter attacks while needing to be kept alive in order to remain effective. She’s solid but I feel like I have very little to say about her beyond that.

Teach

His voice acting sucks. He sounds like a robot. I thought his sidequest was okay, but his role in Mio’s past confuses me. He’s one of the characters presented as a wisdom gained by age mentor, but Mio is older than him. If she wasn’t, he would be dead. He wouldn’t be the only mentor figure Mio has who’s younger than her, but the idea he’s supposed to represent really doesn’t mesh with the setting. Again, he’s, at most, 9 years old. He can’t be a wisdom through age character while also being 9. It kinda just breaks any other thoughts I have about the character. He is a child. They are all children. I am, like, three older than the average person in this universe because as far as I can tell, the average human being is, like, seven.

As far as his class is concerned, it’s really useful in the mid-game, but it hasn’t been very helpful lately. It’s a physical damage healer hybrid. I just don’t think it heals enough. The strongest art in the class is probably the bind, but every enemy dangerous enough for me to bother either has a really high resistance to the status effect or is immune, either way, it never proccs. Both the damage and healing are underwhelming too due to most of the class’s attacks being single-strike. The debuff removal and divine protection aren’t bad, but I don’t really want my burst art to be on the Talent Art of a healer if I can avoid it. Talent Arts generally take forever to build up and I’d rather have burst/smash on a damage character than a tank or healer since it’s a high damage effect. His burst talent art does have the usage of being the first burst ability the player is likely to get access to, and you can access Teach before you get access to a consistent launch, especially since his talent art and the Sword Class talent art both deal extra damage against stunned enemies. He’s also a good healer to put characters who you’ve levelled into the Ogre Class into because it will result in this class doing a ton of damage, especially since attack classes that use crit aren’t going to at best be looking at around a 30% crit rate. So, his class is a very good damage dealing class that has healing on the side in the mid game, but late-game, most physical damage dealing classes can be built with consistent crits, so his damage gets grossly outclassed, which is the main thing making up for his okay utility. I still use the class in late-game for its debuff resistance and Divine Protect being useful, but it’s not nearly as powerful as it was in the mid-game and I don’t really see it jumping back up in the post-game.

Juniper

I didn’t realize that the nonbinary character I’ve heard people talking about was Juniper, making them, like, the fifth or something nonbinary character I mistook for being a girl. I don’t really have a strong opinion on their character. They’re character arc kinda rings familiar to my personal life, and I mean the part about them just wanting to let the flame clock run and hesitating to accept the solution the protagonists offer. But then they realize that letting things just get progressively worse is not a good solution to their problems so they decide to be more proactive about it. Usually being like “oh I relate to this” is a benefit to people, but for me, I, like, just dealt with shit like this, so the character going through that arc registered as old hat even though it probably isn’t. Kinda unfortunate circumstances there.

Regarding their class, it took a bit for me to warm up to it, but I think by the time I grew to actually like the class, I was at the point where high bleed and break resistances or immunities started getting so common that the class’s value started dropping off. I don’t see this class being good post-game either due to its focus being on using high power auto attacks boosted by bleed bonus damage as its main source of damage. While post-game, maximizing art use and chain attacks seems more effective. This class is still decent in chain attacks if you can launch an enemy during the attack, but that’s getting progressively less reliable to do, which results in this class becoming less effective. I actually found Lanz to be one of the better users of this class because his high attack stat works well with this class’s playstyle of chilling and auto attacking. If nothing else, it’s not a bad class to just leave the AI on while you micromanage everyone else, which is also a mid-game benefit. Personally, I think this class would be at its strongest at the beginning of the game but the player just gets access to it too late. Like, if Juniper was unlocked around the same time you unlock Ethel, I think their class would have a good chance to shine before falling off.

Monica

Monica has my favorite damage sponge tank class in the game. I love tanks who make their allies tankier by existing and Monica’s class does this best.

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badass-at-fandoming · 3 years

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Catch up on Part 1 here!

Where we last left our RB2: Secret Lesson heroine, she'd witnessed a breach in the Masquerade. A man who was Very Clearly A Vampire was delicately munch-munch-munching a lady's neck. Dorothy does what I suspect I would do if I found out vampires are real: she faints.

When she wakes, Jay, Theo, and Andrew are debating what to do with her. There's a lot of back-and-forth so let me summarize. The Russell Brothers are elder vampires. Like, Andrew is the "baby" of the family, and he was Embraced in the 1600s. As the years wore on and their powers grew, their connection to humanity lowered to an intolerable degree. They don't recognize humans as "people" anymore, just blood bags and playthings. Part of the problem is they're insanely powerful. It's hard to take humans seriously when one movement of the blood and they fall for your supernatural charisma, or follow any command, or break apart. For the VtM fans in the post, Andrew is most like a Vollgirre Toreador, Theo is most like a Gangrel, and Jay is like a True Brujah with some bonus Dominate.

Their parents, the Duke Edumund Russell and his wife Monica Russell, are understandably worried about them. They convinced their adopted sons to attend a human college so they could interact with others and regain their humanity. Except the Chancellor of the school ordered the brothers to keep apart from the other students. Usually, when the brothers feed, they wipe the human's memory afterwards.

But they don't WANT to erase Dorothy's memory because Dorothy is interesting. She resists their powers! She doesn't turn into a yes woman around them. She told them to fuck off! Being told to fuck off is unbearably attractive. 😂

Dorothy goes home to sleep off all these revelations, except who does she run into but Lars! Today's already been stressful, but a best friend returning from being ghosted is the just the cherry on a shit cake. Lars explains that he ghosted her because Kane was going through something. But. Um. I'm 99% sure he was busy turning into a werewolf. Dorothy makes it to her dorm room and face-plants into her bed, hahaha.

While Dorothy is asleep, she has a wet dream about Andrew. I'm not saying Andrew used Auspex to give her that dream, but he definitely used Auspex to give her that dream. Dorothy also finds him holding onto her fifth story window sill by his fingers, which is a little suspicious, haha.

Dorothy lets him in because what else are you going to do. After she left, the brothers told the Chancellor and their parents about the Masquerade breach and their wish to let Dorothy keep her memories. Now, Andrew explains, Dorothy could leave the fate of her brain to the Chancellor's arbitration...OR she could use this super cool loophole. Vampires' partners are allowed to know of their supernatural status, no matter the partners' species. So Dorothy and Andrew should fake date!!!

Dorothy is like...okay, this is insane, right? This is insane. She tries to let Andrew down gently and mentions that if she hadn't had such a horrible first impression of him, maybe things would be different. Andrew seizes onto this excuse and takes it very literally. He uses some Koldunic sorcery to transport him and Dorothy to another country that's across the international date line. So, technically(!!!) he met her hours before their first meeting. Omg, dude. 😂😂😂

But they have a really cute daaaaate. He takes her out for breakfast. Dorothy is majoring in Psychology and he's majoring in Fashion. As a human, he was an Italian painter and best friends with Artemisia Gentileschi. Ya know, the one who made this killer painting of Judith slaying Holofernes:

[[Image ID "Judith Slaying Holofernes" by Artemisia Gentileschi, painted between 1620-1621. The painting depicts the climax of the Bible story of Judith. After gaining access to the Assyrian general Holofernes' tent, the beautiful Jewish widow Judith and her loyal handmaiden decapitate him, which forces the would-be conquerors to leave Israel. Artemisisa depicts the bloody decapitation, using herself as a model for Judith and her rapist as a model for Holofernes]]

Eventually, the couple return to school, and Andrew is very eager for Dorothy to say she'll be his girlfriend. Dorothy point-blank asks why he's so adamant about this. They just met! Andrew confesses to the incredibly unsexy reason that he bet his brothers it would only take him 24 hours to make Dorothy his partner.

Unsexy!!! Dorothy storms off to find Lars and, hopefully, a sympathetic ear. He's on the school sportsball team, and she finds him in the gym...except she walks in on him planning a date with Eliza! WTF, LARS. Andrew comes running up, and before we can think thinky thoughts, Dorothy lays one on him. Andrew later describes it as a "tongue punch" and offers Dorothy kissing lessons asdfghjkladkfa. Lars and Eliza see and go "ew" because they are weak little babies about PDA. And that's how Dorothy starts fake-dating a vampire lol.

A few days pass. Andrew asks Dorothy to meet him at the Chancellor's office, so they can make their case that Dorothy should keep her memory. Andrew looks a little pale(r) than usual, but he distracts her with kisses. Sidenote: Andrew is the best kisser. After kissy kiss, the pair meet Theo, Jay, and Chancellor Dmitri inside. Theo says vampires and humans shouldn't romance one another. Jay argues that Dorothy should be allowed to keep her memory because she's interesting in a scientific sense. He wants to study her, haha. Nerd. Andrew cites the loophole, saying he and Dorothy are dating. Theo gives him a side-eye. 😒

Dorothy has other plans. She rips the Russell brothers a new one. They're a mess! They're disrespectful! They're impulsive! One made me orgasm in class, one forced me to time travel, and the last won't look me in the eye because I'm not "worth his time." They are the WORST and that's why I should be the one to beat some manners into their brains.

The Russell brothers are in awe of Dorothy's declarations. No one has (verbally) kicked their ass in a century. Chancellor Dmitri is equally impressed. He assigns Dorothy to be their therapist. adfgjkhl;l;kdjfasj W H A T

Dorothy protests that she's only 20! She hasn't even finished one semester of her psych major. But Chancellor Dmitri insists, and the brothers insist, so Dorothy has little choice. Andrew is so happy he swoons like a Victorian maiden, and Theo has to walk Dorothy home.

On the walk home, Dorothy asks Theo why he wears his meanie pants all the time, which gives him an opening to unleash his Tragic Backstory. In the 1500s, he was in the Spanish Navy. One day he returned home from a long voyage to learn his entire family had been slaughtered by werewolves. Like, when he left he had a wife, children, in-laws, parents, and grandparents. When he came home, he had no one. Theo swore vengeance, found a vampire to Embrace him, and killed a shit ton of Spanish werewolves. Once his vengeance was complete though, he sank into a depression that he's never really gotten out of.

Dorothy is like "Thank you for that shockingly dark update. See you tomorrow." 😂 Theo is like "what," and both he and I discover that Dorothy's first lesson plan is to bring this depressed old man to an amusement park. Theo is very skeptical, haha. But! Through the sheer power of being outside and roller coaster discombobulation, they have fun! Btw, going outside, walking, and riding roller coasters can ease depression symptoms. Nothing like launching yourself at speeds high enough to leave orbit to get that serotonin flowing.

At the end of the day, there is one ride left: the ferris wheel. I didn't realize ferris wheels were a romantic trope, but they must be. They keep popping up in these romance games. Usually I ride them so I try to find our car in the parking lot lol. Unlike my ace ass, Dorothy is not immune to the charms of the ferris wheel. And Theo is so Sad and has an Animal Magnetism and oh no the cabin shifted and our lips fell together! For 20 minutes they fell and couldn't get up.

[[Image ID Royal Blood 2: Secret Lesson, Theo Russell CG 1, Dorothy falls into Theo's lab while they ride a ferris wheel, and a surprised Theo catches her. Theo has short brown hair and green eyes. He wears a striped blue button-up shirt and basic black slacks, while Dorothy wears a white blouse and indigo skirt with a lighter flower pattern. The couple look surprised and in wonder, presumably because they just kissed]]

As soon as the ride is over, Dorothy and Theo's brains are full of question marks; swiftly followed by guilt. This element frustrates me. The player cannot avoid becoming Andrew's girlfriend, and their fake-dating contract always contains a clause to be exclusive, unless both parties agree to a non-monogamy situation. The player can choose to not kiss Theo, but Dorothy still feels immense guilt for the "crime" of thinking Theo is attractive. This thought crime guilt doesn't sit well with her character. Yes, she's only 20, but she's otherwise a very mature, old-soul 20 year old. She's certainly far more mature and sensible than the men around her. The narrative holds together if Theo and Dorothy really do cheat/kiss, but it feels forced and inorganic if the player chooses to remain faithful.

It's an example of the narrative vs otome game mechanics fight I talked about in the first post. Somewhere in the game's development process, it was decided that a cheater/loyal variable would take resources better spent elsewhere. Better to force the plot point that Dorothy feels guilty for cheating. It's one less thing to code and discourages players from feeling locked in to Andrew's romance, which otome players don't like.

Or I'm totally wrong. Maybe the author just wanted to include the infidelity trope in Theo's romance, and the moment just lands awkward.

Regardless, the scene changes. Mean Girl Eliza doubts that Andrew and Dorothy are really dating. The only solution is for Andrew to speedily appear and kiss Dorothy in the most obnoxious and public way possible. All over campus. Repeatedly.

Embarrassed by so many good kisses, Dorothy is like i NEED to LEAVE and declares she'll have her therapy session with Jay today. 😂 She asks Jay to take her somewhere he feels comfortable. Jay gets it into his head that for Dorothy to be comfortable and/or fall for him, he should take her somewhere she feels comfortable. Dorothy likes Andrew. That must mean Dorothy likes places Andrew likes. So he takes her to a jazz bar at like 6pm on a Tuesday asdfghjkl; Dorothy smells a rat, and is like "Jay...I've known for like 2 weeks and I know this isn't you."

Jay is low-key like "babe, take me now," because it is SEXY to FIGURE OUT PLANS. Even sexier is when Dorothy explains that she wants to get to know Jay, not Jay-cosplaying-as-Andrew. Jay has to buffer like a computer, hahaha. Eventually, he leads her to his "secret hideout," which is a little-used reading room at the college:

[[Image ID, Royal Blood 2: Secret Lesson, Jay Russell CG 1, Jay and Dorothy sit on the floor a reading room. Bashful, they face each other close enough to boop foreheads. Jay cradles Dorothy's hand to his cheek. He has blue eyes and blond hair with hints of a dark-brown undercut. He wears an overlarge, dark blue sweater over his jeans and white T-shirt, while she wears dull orange jeans and a blue, purple, white, and orange striped T-shirt.]]

These dudes... Can you believe this is only Episode 6.

Link to Part 3!

#cinamon games #maybe: interactive stories #royal blood #route review #text post

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ramenkween · 5 years

Text

Lover

Billy Hargrove x female reader

Summary: Billy has found peace and happiness since meeting you one month after the events of July 4 1985. Five years later, you and Billy reside in a small beach house in California and celebrate your first Christmas there.

Words: 2,580

inspired by the song Lover by Taylor Swift.

Warnings: none, apart from the fact this is super long and I am so so sorry for that! I got really excited when writing this but I hope you all like it, this is my first Billy x female reader fic ever!

…

Santa Monica, California

1990

You and Billy have been living in the bustling city of Santa Monica, California for almost 6 months. It was everything you both wanted; to be away from Hawkins, Indiana, and in the place where you both dreamed of being. Billy spoke of California non-stop since you both declared your love for each other one starry night in a football field of a town you longed to get away from. You suggested Santa Monica as your place to reside after going on a date to the movies to watch The Lost Boys, where Santa Monica was renamed Santa Carla. So, the two of you were determined to make that dream possible; with the help of your supportive parents (who loved and accepted Billy the moment you introduced him to them) and after working a series amount of jobs and saving every penny you received, you left behind the dreaded town of Hawkins, Indiana in the rainy sight of Billy’s rear-view mirror, awaiting the sunshine and sea salt waves of Santa Monica. Billy joked that if there were any more vampires lurking there, you’d be fully ready thanks to Corey Feldman and Jamison Newlander’s handy guide to vampire slaying.

The beach house you bought there was very small, but the two of you didn’t care. It looked run down and was in need of serious repair when you bought it, but the two of you worked hard to make it yours. The two of you continued to work to pay for other expenses; Billy secured a job as Santa Monica Beach’s lifeguard and surfing instructor, gaining the attention of all the women yet again. But Billy ignored them all; he knew his heart was yours. You worked as a barmaid at the pier’s popular barcade – a place where adults can drink and play Pac-Man at the same time. It wasn’t the greatest salary of course, but it was enough to keep you sustained.

Santa Monica was also just an hour’s drive away from Billy’s mother, too. You had the pleasure of finally meeting her; she’s as beautiful as Billy described her, and even more so kind. You have her over as much as you can and it makes Billy happy. You remember when you first invited her over for dinner; when you finished and was in the kitchen washing up you overhear a conversation between the two of them.

“Billy… I’m so sorry” she started to cry. “I am so, so sorry that I never came back for you. I should’ve come back for you…” Billy quickly pulled his mother into his arms and gently embraced her. Billy was a lot taller than her now as he kissed her forehead.

“Mom, it’s okay” he comforted her as he held her face in his hands. “I never stopped thinking about you.”

“I just wish you didn’t have to go with your father… I wish I was there for you…” Billy sat her down at the table which was half cleaned.

“Listen to me” he spoke gently. “If I hadn’t gone to Hawkins, I wouldn’t have met Y/N. She makes me happy, mom. And now that we’re both here, we’re not going anywhere.”

Billy’s mom wiped her tears away and let out a small laugh as you entered the room, wiping your hands. They both looked at you.

“Oh, sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt –”

“Don’t be silly” she murmured. “Y/N, come here.” She took your hand as you approached her, placing it on top of Billy’s hand. She covered both your hands with hers, gripping it tightly.

“You’re both wonderful people” she started to say. “Look after each other in this new life you have together. Remember that along the way you will have your disagreements, but love is the most important thing you both have. You have each other, and that’s all that matters in the world.”

You and Billy looked at each other, hearts full of love and wonder. His eyes sparkled the way they always did when he looked at you, and you always had the fluttery feeling in your stomach.

“I love your son more than anything” you said without taking your eyes off Billy. “There’s nothing that I wouldn’t do for him.”

The night went on with just the three of you; it was the happiest you’d both been.

Three months after moving there, Billy even surprised you with a new addition to your lives; a black and white Siberian husky puppy. You were over the moon and ever so excited to raise her. Billy specifically got a husky since it resembled a wolf but also remembered a brief conversation the two of you had years ago; you told him that his spirit animal would most definitely be a wolf because of their representation of freedom and perseverance. They also conveyed strength and courage – all the key factors you’ve seen Billy portray since that night on Fourth of July five years ago.

“We’ll call her Liberty” he said, smiling whilst cradling her in his arms. “Libby for short. What do you think?”

A smile stretched across your face as you admired the view of Billy gently swaying your new puppy. “Liberty Hargrove. It’s perfect.”

And it really was. Your life was perfect in every aspect of the word.

The house overlooked Santa Monica beach below and the two of you would surf almost every day at sunrise; Billy taught you how to ride the waves like he promised and showed you to be fearless of the waters. When you’d finish surfing and return to your beloved home, you’d make breakfast while Billy took Libby out for a quick walk around the neighbourhood. You made friends quickly and was pretty much welcomed by the community. Some nights after a busy day at work, you’d make room in your small living room to slow dance to the rock ballads of your senior year of high school. You’d pick Libby up and sway her along with you when she started getting insistent to join in on the fun. On your days off together, which would be on some weekdays and most weekends, you would simply relax together in the living room with the doors wide open, catching the sea breeze and morning sun on your skins; you’d be sitting cross-legged on the sofa reading a book while Billy sat on the floor opposite, strumming small tunes on the acoustic guitar you gifted him for his 19th birthday.

“Sounds beautiful, baby” you’d tell him while reading. Billy let out a low chuckle as he played around with the strings. “I may or may not be writing a song for you” he teased. That same night when Libby had drifted to sleep, he’d start singing you a song about a man who loved a goddess of the sea. His voice was slightly out of tune and raspy, but you loved it nonetheless. After longing kisses and confessions of how much you both loved one another, it would carry on to an endless night of passionate lovemaking. Two souls connecting as one, never wanting to let go of one another and losing yourself in the thrill of it all. You’d both sleep in the next morning, locked in each other’s naked embrace and tangled in the sheets of the fun from the night before. You’d usually be the first to wake up to admire Billy’s sleeping face, curly blonde hair partially covering his face and his cheek pressed against the pillow. You sweep his hair away from his face and give him gentle kisses on his forehead, the tip of his nose before softly kissing his lips, feeling him smile as you do.

“Good morning, angel” you whisper as you stroke his cheek with your fingertips.

“Hey baby” he said with his rumbly morning voice.

“Would you like some breakfast?” You asked. Billy perched up and groaned a morning stretch; eyes half open as he enthusiastically stated what he wanted.

“Umm… I want… Some pancakes… with the fresh strawberries in the mixture like you always do. Pretty please?”

You give him a passionate kiss before getting out of bed and dressing yourself with the burgundy shirt Billy wore the night before, making your way to your small kitchen. You’d then know that the rest of the day would be perfect. You and Billy lived the simple life together contently and happily for the past 6 months. It couldn’t get any better than this… could it?

Christmas Eve, 1990

It was your first Christmas together in your small beach house in the city. You and Billy had put up the tree two weeks ago, taking Polaroid photos as you went along. The tree was almost as tall as Billy and you decorated it with ornaments and lights, topping it with a silver star. Christmas Eve came around; you and Billy planned a small gathering with some friends you made in your time living there. Billy’s mom was there too, but she didn’t stay for too long as she had plans with friends of her own. Your parents sent a postcard from Hawkins, saying how much they missed you both and wished you a Merry Christmas for your first one away from them.

Much later the gathering came to an end and your guests went home, leaving you and Billy alone. As you prepared to clean, Billy took his arms around your waist and beckoned you to set them aside for now while you join him for a slow dance in the silence.

“Finally some alone time with my girl,” he said as he kissed your forehead. Libby whined in the background. Billy rolled his eyes and you both laughed.

“We love you too, Libby” you reassured. You wrapped your arms around Billy’s neck and pulled him in for a deep kiss. You continued to dance in the quiet atmosphere.

We can leave the Christmas lights up ‘til January

This is our place, we make the rules

And there’s a dazzling haze, a mysterious way about you, dear

Have I known you 20 seconds, or 20 years?

“What’s on your mind, babe?” you whispered up at him. He looked down at you.

“Nothing, just… you.”

“What about me?” you ask.

“Everything about you. I’m happy you’re here.”

Can I go where you go?

Can we always be this close forever and ever?

And ah, take me out, and take me home

You’re my, my, my, my lover

“Would you have believed it if five years ago someone told you you’d be here with me?” you question. He slowly dips you backwards and up again, cradling you against the crook of his neck.

“I’d tell them they’re crazy. There is no way I thought I’d ever be here with you, in this place, this life. We took a while but we’re here.”

“Was it worth it?”

“Of course, baby. I’d do it all again if I had to.”

We could let our friends crash in the living room

This is our place, we make the call

And I’m highly suspicious that everyone who sees you wants you

I’ve loved you three summers now, honey, but I want them all

Can I go where you go?

Can we always be this close forever and ever?

And ah, take me out, and take me home

You’re my, my, my, my lover

After a quick kiss, Billy pulls away from you and holds your hands as he slowly gets down on one knee. You feel your heart race against your chest.

“Billy… What… What are you doing?!”

Billy says nothing for a moment as he admiringly looks at you. He takes a deep breath and you feel his hands shaking.

“I was gonna do this tomorrow, but I couldn’t wait any longer. Y/N, I thought I was gonna die that night. In fact, I was ready to. I’d been an asshole most of my life, and I thought people would be better off without me, you know? But then I’d been given a second chance, and then I met you. And you made me a better man than I ever thought I could be, and you make me happy. I don’t know what I did to deserve you, but I’m not gonna risk losing you. So, if you let me…” Billy reached for his back pocket and pulled out a silver ring with a small diamond, holding it up to you. “I want to make the most of my second chance with you forever.”

You start to blink rapidly, trying your best to hold back your tears.

“Oh my god, oh my god…” you feel like you’re about to explode.

“Y/N, I love you. I’ve always loved you. Will you marry me?”

“Are you freaking kidding me?! YES!” before Billy could say anything, you tackle him to the ground and embrace him tightly. He wraps his strong arms around you and rolls you to your back so he hovers over you. Libby happily barks as she tries to jump at both of you with full energy.

“You’re serious right now?” he asked. You cup his cheek and see that his eyes are glistening with tears.

“I am so serious, baby. I want to marry the shit out of you.”

Billy sighs happily as he slides the ring on your finger. He leans down to kiss you before lying on the floor next to you. He takes your hand with the shiny ring and presses it to his lips.

“Mrs Y/N Hargrove… I could get used to that” you say as you admire the ring.

“Oh man, mom is gonna be so happy when I tell her” Billy exclaims. You begin to reminisce the night in the football field when you were both 18; you lay in the cold grass as you looked up at the starry night sky when Billy told you he loved you for the first time. That moment you realised you loved him too. Never had you even dared to dream that he would ask to marry you years later.

“You know we still have to clean, right?” you gestured to the messy table across you. Billy groaned, “In a minute. I want to just spend this moment with my new fiancée”. With that, he gets up off the floor walks over to your record player and puts on a slow song. He extends his hand, “Dance with me again?”

You gather yourself from the floor and take his hand. He pulls you in close and within seconds you’re slowly moving together to the beat of the song.

“I love you, Billy Hargrove. I love you so damn much.”

Billy brushes your hair behind your ear, gently stroking your jaw.

“I love you too, baby. Forever.”

Ladies and gentlemen, will you please stand?

With every guitar string scar on my hand

I take this magnetic force-of-a-man to be my lover

My heart’s been borrowed and yours has been blue

All’s well that ends well to end up with you

Swear to be overdramatic and true to my lover

And you’ll save all your dirtiest jokes for me

And at every table, I’ll save you a seat, lover

Can I go where you go?

Can we always be this close forever and ever?

And ah, take me out, and take me home (forever and ever)

You’re my, my, my, my

Oh you’re my, my, my, my

Darling, you’re my, my, my, my lover

#billy hargrove x reader #billy hargrove x you #billy hargrove #stranger things #dacre montgomery #taylor swift #lover

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sistercelluloid · 4 years

Text

Welcome to another edition of Streaming Saturdays, where we embed a free, fabulous movie for you to watch right here!

This week, Ann Sheridan and Dennis O’Keefe star in the noir thriller Woman on the Run, with star-worthy support from Robert Keith and an adorable mutt named Rembrandt. Sheridan co-produced the film not long after buying out her contract from Warner Bros., where they strapped her into a series of ever-tighter sweaters and dubbed her the Oomph Girl—a nickname she detested. (“‘Oomph’ is what a fat man says when he leans over to tie his shoelace in a phone booth.”) She stars as Eleanor Johnson, a bitter, jaded wife whose husband Frank (Ross Elliott) goes on the lam after witnessing a gangland slaying. Which turns out to be the best thing that ever happened to their miserable marriage.

When an inspector (Keith) arrives at the murder scene, he asks Frank if he’s married. “In a way,” he mutters half-heartedly. And that’s actually more enthusiastic than his wife is when the cops show up at their dingy flat, where the only sign of domesticity is a cupboard full of Ken-L Ration. (Like a lot of depressives, they may have given up on their marriage, their lives and themselves, but dammit, they take care of their dog.)

When Frank calls, Eleanor warns him that the police are tapping the line, so he hangs up and hits the road. But she soon learns from the cops—everyone seems to know more about her husband than she does—that he needs heart medicine he may not be able to survive without.

As Eleanor scours San Francisco in search of Frank, she discovers facets of his life she’d never known about: He went to the mat with his boss to save a friend’s job. He inspired a massive crush in a young secretary. He lived like Gaugin in Tahiti and Hemingway in Mexico. And he still loves his wife. That last bit of news comes as a something of a welcome shock to Eleanor. When the inspector tells her that a letter Frank wrote “sounds like a man in love,” she’s knocked a bit backwards with relief—almost allowing herself to feel hopeful. Then she leans in for a closer listen, as if she needs to hear it again.

Helping her on her quest to find her husband is noir regular O’Keefe as an obnoxious-but-charming reporter eager to snag an exclusive (and maybe Eleanor in the bargain). Sheridan has a crackly chemistry with him and with Keith, who seems to have been born craggy.

The whip-smart, cynically romantic script was written by Alan Campbell with an assist from director Norman Foster, who soaked up everything he could about mood, light and shadow from his mentor, Orson Welles. (Foster’s Journey Into Fear, featuring Welles, was so effective that Welles had to reassure skeptics he didn’t direct it himself.)

Campbell knew a thing or two about brittle, wearily witty women, having recently divorced Dorothy Parker. (They remarried afterward; film as couples therapy?) And for his part, Foster endured a rather… complicated marriage to Claudette Colbert (she lived with her mother; he didn’t).

Anyone else notice more than a passing resemblance between Foster and the guy he chose to play the husband?

Woman on the Run is lovingly shot all over San Francisco, which becomes a character in the film. And this isn’t Hitchcock’s glistening city by the bay: it’s docks and dives and dime stores, with the occasional edifying bit of architecture thrown in for good measure. (City Hall doubles as an art gallery.) The film climaxes with a harrowing chase through a spooky seaside amusement park (its one faithless locale: logistics dictated that they shoot at Ocean Park Pier in Santa Monica).

Even The New York Times‘ Bosley Crowther liked the film, kinda: “Since it never pretends to be more than it is, Woman on the Run… is melodrama of solid if not spectacular proportions. Working on what obviously was a modest budget, its independent producers may not have achieved a superior chase in this yarn about the search by the police and the fugitive’s wife for a missing witness to a gangland killing. But as a combination of sincere characterizations, plausible dialogue, suspense and the added documentary attribute of a scenic tour through San Francisco, Woman on the Run may be set several notches above the usual cops-and-corpses contributions from the Coast… will not win prizes but does make crime enjoyable.”

As usual with Crowther’s work, you’re tempted to write “he sniffed” at the end. As best I can figure, there was once some kind of annual prize for who could drip the most condescension, and he was determined to snag it every year running. But I think you’ll like Woman on the Run much more than he did.

youtube

STREAMING SATURDAYS is a semi-regular feature on Sister Celluloid, bringing you free fun film! You can catch up on movies you may have missed by clicking here! And why not bookmark the page to make sure you never miss another?

STREAMING SATURDAYS! The Fabulous Ann Sheridan Is a WOMAN ON THE RUN Welcome to another edition of Streaming Saturdays, where we embed a free, fabulous movie for you to watch right here!

#Alan Campbell #alfred hitchcock #ann sheridan #bosley crowther #classic film #claudette colbert #dennis o&039;keefe #dorothy parker #journey into fear #new york times #norman foster #orson welles #robert keith #san francisco #streaming saturdays #warner bros.#woman on the run

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aratilightwood · 5 years

Text

Set a few years after ‘The wicked powers.’

Ash and Drusilla go demon hunting.

...

Nightlife in Santa Monica was something to look forward to. You could always hear loud music and admire the bright lights emitting from the beautiful area of Los Angeles. The Pacific park on top of the pier was the main attraction with the enticing rides and stunning vision of the ocean. But this was usually closed to tourists and residents alike at later hours of the evening. There was a range of many different clubs and restaurants to choose from when deciding where to spend happy hour. Most of these places had a breath-taking view of the state beach, and people were lucky to have the opportunity to take a walk on the sandy landscape whenever they wanted.

It had just struck 12am when Drusilla got news of a recent demon activity near Ocean Avenue. The ley lines she studied had indicated an unusual and significant amount of mundane death count near the ’32 Ocean bar’. According to news reports as well, the bodies were left rotting behind dumpsters outside, for the police and ambulances to find. The cause of death was unknown.

She had to do something.

Everyone in the institute was asleep apart from Ash, who she found in the kitchen eating left over raspberry tart Helen made the night before. He wore navy blue pyjamas and was bare foot. He looked at her guiltily when she walked in, but she just smiled in bemusement. It was not the first time she had caught him at late hours, eating a midnight snack.

She told him about the suspicious mundane murders in Ocean Avenue, and he agreed to spend majority of the evening demon hunting with her. They both dressed into gear and drew several runes on each other’s skin. After that, they made a trip to the weapons’ room in the institute. Drusilla put at least three seraph blades around her belt, and her stele went inside her jacket pocket. She watched Ash reach for his choice of weapon, Phaesphoros, the Morgentern blade that had once been his father’s.

Once they were fully equipped Drusilla said, ‘shall we make a move?’

‘Sure’ Ash replied.

They made their way to the front doors of the institute and stepped outside. It wasn’t as cold as Drusilla had expected, even though it was autumn and the temperature had dropped significantly at the end of July. The car was parked against the left side of the institute building, and Drusilla sat in the driver’s seat while Ash placed himself on the passenger seat.

The drive to Ocean Avenue was silent, and there was hardly anything that could be seen out the window. Most restaurants were closed and only a variety of clubs were open to accommodate late party goers. They did not park right outside ’32 ocean bar’ but instead stopped on the pavement of the street opposite, where the beach was located. Drusilla got out of the car and examined her surroundings. In the darkness of the evening, she could only see an outline of the Ferris wheel on top of the pier at a distance. It looked sinister in the evening, like a shadowed giant towering over Santa Monica.

Drusilla walked around the car to join Ash who had already stepped out of the passenger door. He looked energised, his green eyes bright with the anticipation of an eventful evening.

She watched as he smiled and offered her his right arm, ‘ready for a night of heroic demon slaying?’

She curled her left arm around his right and reciprocated the smile, ‘here goes nothing.’

They both walked towards the entrance of the bar.

…

The atmosphere inside was dark. The walls were painted black, all except one, which was papered glittery. There was a massive disco ball hanging from the ceiling. A DJ stood on one side of the room beside a turntable and speaker phones, clearly immersed in providing good music. On the other side of the room stood a bartender, mixing different cocktails together. There was also a staircase that presumably lead to the toilets below ground. It was evident that the venue was hired for an event, because the room was clustered with a great number of ladies celebrating a hen party.

Drusilla heard Ash shout above the music, ‘you should sit by the bar and look out for anything unusual, while I survey the rest of the room.’

She nodded and walked to a stool near the bartender, while Ash proceeded to lean himself against one of the walls. Drusilla was thankful for glamour runes, because it meant she would not have to bother with small talk. On any other occasion, she would have, but her and Ash had come out tonight for a reason. She had to focus.

Twenty minutes had passed, and Drusilla was pivoting on her stool. The ladies at the party looked like they were having a great time. A lot of them were drunk and stumbling on top of each other, while they were dancing. It made her wonder how long the women had hired the venue, because it did not seem like they were leaving anytime soon.

At some point the DJ had put on ‘Single ladies’ by Beyoncé, and Drusilla found herself singing along out of tune. That was until her eyes met Ash’s across the room. He was stood with his arms across his chest and smirking at her. She immediate closed her mouth, blushed and instead diverted her attention to one of the ladies on the dance floor.

The woman was wearing a frilly, bright pink dress with a sash that read ‘bride to be,’ and wore silver heals. Her blonde hair was curled and there was a plastic crown on her head. She was making her way down the staircase.

Drusilla was glad she had the rune for heightened hearing, otherwise she would not have heard the agonising scream coming from the below the stairs. She turned and met Ash’s gaze, and his face had the same look of realisation.

She stood up and gestured him to follow her.

…

Drusilla made her way down the narrow staircase, with Ash following quietly behind her.

The lady was lying on the ground and not moving, but what lay on top of her was most alarming. It had a slimy body, at least six legs on each side, multiple eyes at the centre of its head and a barbed tail.

A Ravener demon.

Drusilla whipped out her seraph blade immediately, and Ash unsheathed Phaesphoros at the same time. She moved towards the demon while it looked up at her and hissed. She brought her blade down, but the demon was fast as it slivered aside, evaded the lethal blow and moved towards the staircase.

‘Get it!’ she shouted at Ash.

Ash stood in front of the stairs, so the demon had nowhere to run. He smiled triumphantly, and then moved to strike it with his blade. A few inches of the sword sank into the demon’s body, and then it disappeared into thin air.

Drusilla smiled, ‘great job!’

‘Thanks,’ Ash said as he examined the lady’s body on the floor, ‘is she dead?’

Drusilla looked down and saw that the woman was beginning to stir awake.

‘It looks like she’s sustained no serious injuries, and will regain full consciousness in a few minutes. But if we move her upstairs ourselves, the mundanes would freak out.’

‘You’re right, I suppose we should get back home now,’ Ash said.

They made their way up the stairs and out of the bar. The walk outside was a short distance and nearly all the lights on the street were out now. Before they could sit in the car and drive off, Drusilla heard something. It was the sound of scurrying feet upon sand. She looked out across the beach, and her heart skipped a beat. There was a group of Ravener demons, ten at least, running towards them.

‘Damn,’ Ash said as he tightened his grip on the hilt of his blade, ‘I forgot they hunted in groups.’

Drusilla grabbed hold of her seraph blade again and as soon as the demons got close enough, both her and Ash made quick work in disposing of them.

A few minutes had passed, when there were only three left. She brought her blade down, and it sliced through the first demon’s head. Ash was battling the second one and pierced his sword into its eyes.

Only one remained, and as Ash approached it, the demon wrapped its tail around his sword and threw it at a distance. He was left unarmed. As the demon was about strike with the tip of its tail, Drusilla stood between them and took the blow. She fell to the floor with her seraph blade in hand. Ash quickly picked up her fallen blade and finished the job.

As soon as the demon disappeared, Ash fell to his knees beside Drusilla, ‘Dru-Drusilla…my Drusilla, you need a healing and blood replacement rune.’

The demon had struck her left forearm, and there was blood mixed with poison surrounding the horrifying wound.

Drusilla chocked, ‘I can feel the venom coursing through my blood.’

‘Shh, it’s going to be ok,’ Ash said as he reached for his stele.

She closed her eyes as she felt him draw the runes on her skin and sighed in relief when they started working.

Drusilla watched as Ash stood, went to retrieve Phaesphoros and returned to her.

‘Are you feeling a little better?’ he asked.

She glanced down at the wound and saw that it was closed, although there was still a scar.

‘Yes, help me to the car. You will have to drive us back,’ she replied.

He nodded and lifted Drusilla to her feet. Ash leaned down slightly so she could place an arm around his shoulder for support, and they both walked back to the car.

…

The car ride to the institute was another quiet one. Ash was busy concentrating on the road, yet Drusilla felt him looking over at her occasionally, perhaps to ensure she was healing well.

At least ten minutes had past when Ash said finally, ‘thank you for saving me.’

Drusilla smiled and replied, ‘don’t mention it.’

Now Ash looked directly at her, ‘why wouldn’t I? It was heroic.’

He than turned to face the windshield again.

Drusilla sighed, ‘we’ve been hunting together for three years now. I’ve lost count of how many times you’ve saved me.’

‘I’ll always save you,’ he said quietly.

Drusilla did not reply, only put her head back against the seat and closed her eyes as they made their way home.

#cassandra clare #the shadowhunter chronicles #the dark artifices #the wicked powers #qoaad #qoaad spoilers #santa monica #santa monica pier #the los angeles institute #pacific park #drusilla blackthorn #ash morgenstern #helen blackthorn #sebastian morgenstern

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archadianskies · 6 years

Note

19 (sea change) and 6 (illusion)?

↳ [Ao3]

Cape Caem was nothing like Insomnia, and the wooden house was a far cry from the grandeur of the Citadel. It’s an unexpected, unplanned, literal sea change and they’re at the mercy of Crownsguards Monica and Dustin, and forever indebted to Jared Hester.

They’re loosely confined to the area until Cid and Cindy finish fixing the Royal Vessel, and there’s little to do but garden and fish to wile the time away. The once Prince Regis had used the house and lighthouse as a base of sorts, and Ignis had caught Cid holding the framed photo in the dock more than once.

It was hard to picture King Regis at their age, on a roadtrip much like theirs, with companions much like his. Like father, like son; Regis and Noctis, Clarus and Gladiolus. The Princes and their Shields.

The Shield at present was sprawled on the couch, riveted to whatever historical romance novel he was currently devouring, claret eyes behind a pair of black framed glasses he’s taken to wearing as of late. His mane of hair is pulled into a messy bun atop his head, and he’s dressed in a black shirt with a thick cardigan and sweatpants. The sea breeze at night made the cape chillier, and it amused Ignis that even the behemoth that was Gladiolus Amicitia required a cardigan too.

The younger Amicitia was fast asleep atop her brother, dressed in a hoodie far too large to be hers and a soft pair of flannel sleep pants. Tucked under one arm was a worn rabbit plush she’s had since she was a child, Ignis recognising it from the many times he interacted with Iris in the past.

It seemed an almost private moment, and Gladio looked softer than Ignis had ever seen him, and softer still with the way he had an arm draped over his sister protectively, comfortingly as she used him as a bed.

“Hey Big Guy.” Prompto greeted, smelling of the shoreline and eyes crinkled in amusement as he plopped himself down on the nearby armchair. “Iris all wiped out?”

“She’s not feeling well.” Gladio dropped his voice down so as not to wake her, and the lower octaves echoed in his chest and raced a shiver down Ignis’ spine.

“Oh?” Prompto’s smile vanished. “Can I get her anything? A potion? A remedy?”

“If you’ve got something that can wrangle a misbehaving uterus, by all means.” Gladio chuckled, delighting in the way Prompto fumbled.

“O-oh, uh-” The blond stammered, a faint flush of embarrassment on his cheeks. “W-well-”

“Don’t worry Blondie, she took some painkillers and is sleeping it off. I run a little warmer than most and she’s been doing this since she was a baby.” Gladio waved the book nonchalantly. “I’ll ply her with chocolate when she wakes up and she’ll be fine.”

Iris whined at the disturbance, squirming in his grasp. Gladio hushed her soothingly, rubbing her back and murmuring comforting nothings until she settled again. It was at odds with how he behaved usually- large and loud and brash.

Ignis found himself smiling, heart scrunching in fondness. Gladio caught his gaze and offered a lazy smile of his own.

Later when most of the household was in bed fast asleep, Gladio scrubbed the kitchen bench down as Ignis put away the last of the dry dishes.

The lack of an audience emboldened him, and Ignis reached out to run his palm along Gladio’s thick arm. His skin met warm wool, the cable knit cardigan bolstering the Shield’s capacity to run hot. Gladio’s brows drew together briefly in confusion.

“Where did you get this?” Ignis asked, hyper aware of the faint rosiness to Gladio’s cheeks.

“Err, in that mall near Iris’ school.” Gladio scratched the back of his head, as if searching for the memory. “We went shopping after one of her half days since they had an end of season sale on.” A casual shrug. Ignis hasn’t moved his hand.

“Mmm.” A hum of approval. “I like it, it feels comfortable.”

Gladio seems unsure of how to progress through the situation, eyes searching Ignis’ face for an answer. “Uh, yeah, I like it too.”

“May I borrow it sometime?” Ignis moved his hand higher and higher, grazing over the boulder of his shoulder before fussing along the soft shawl collar. He heard and saw Gladio swallow thickly, the bob of his adam’s apple disturbing his throat.

“Sure if you want.” He mumbled, pulling away as if he couldn’t bear the situation any longer, tugging the cardigan off and holding it out to him.

“I didn’t mean now, Gladio.” Ignis laughed, accepting the article and tugging it on anyway. It’s predictably too big for him, and smelled like Gladio, like clean soap and coffee and Cape Caem sea salt. He wrapped his arms around himself in the semblance of an embrace, and Gladio playfully pulled the shawl collar up so it covered his nape and brushed his cheeks.

“Nice and cosy, Specs?”

“It’s almost engulfing me.” The thrill of his proximity made him chuckle, and in the dim light of the kitchen, Gladio’s eyes were the colour of wine and Ignis wanted to drown in them. “I’d imagine it’s what being hugged by you is like, what Iris is very used to.”

A moment of silence, not uncomfortable, but like a pause before the start of something new.

Gladio stepped forward and wrapped his arms around him, squeezing him close and resting his cheek atop his hair. Ignis felt his knees go weak, and he let out a shuddering sigh as if his body had been wound too tightly and this was blessed release.

“May I keep this for a little while?” He murmured into Gladio’s chest as he felt Gladio press a kiss into his hair, testing new grounds, new bounds, uncharted territory.

“Well, you’ve deprived me of one source of warmth so you’re just going to have to let me hold you and be another.” He explained matter of factly. Ignis tilted back in his grasp so Gladio could see him raise a brow.

“Is that so?”

“I’m afraid so.”

He was under no illusions that this easy domesticity, these easy quiet nights could remain as such forever. Soon they would board the Royal Vessel and set sail for Altissia, with the Oracle blazing the path to commune with the Astrals in order for Noctis to claim his birthright. The path ahead, much like the path behind, would be wrought with fire and blood, tears and heartache.

They would seldom have moments like these, when the air was a gentle breeze that carried the sound of lapping waves and there were no foes to slay, no battles to wage until Noctis was crowned King.

So perhaps because of that, in spite of that, Ignis decided he wouldn’t waste such a precious moment stolen from their world weary existence. Gladio’s stubble was rough against his palms as he cupped his face and guided the taller man to lean down. When he was met with no resistance, Ignis closed his eyes and kissed him.

The Astrals pulled them all along, swept them up into a chess game that spanned the ages but they could not have this. This was theirs alone.

#gladnis #ignis stupeo scientia #gladiolus amicitia #ffxv #final fantasty xv #you didn't specify a fandom or pairing hope you don't mind anon #i also have way more written into polyship roadtrip but maybe ao3 can have it #@self this was meant to be mini fics only #why are you like this #annie writes: ffxv #oh anon #adventures in text posts

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rockleefangirl987 · 7 years

Text

Deep Breath and Here...We...Go!

Nothing like a glass of 🍷 to get one emboldened!

I may end up running this again in the future, depending on when I start actually posting the main story, but this is what I was talking about earlier. This is my introduction to the story…and a brief history or background to set it up.

The tentative title of the story is All This…and Heaven Too. It was the title of a Florence and the Machine song, but it mainly comes from a tragic movie with Bette Davis and Charles Boyer. Always loved that title. I hope it fits. My story in no ways will be that tragic. Anyway…here goes and all my thanks to @sausage-fist @ten-all-over @nejicanspin @fruitysmellz @morganknightos @teacher-monica @samlovesmaitogai @shock777 - just for helping increase my love for a little team called Team Guy.

All This...and Heaven Too

Introduction

There are many ways to tell a story.

This is one.

While some of the most common things become accepted canon, we don’t always agree, oftentimes forcing even The Creator of the signature work to admit ‘I was wrong,’ frustrating us to no end because now it is ‘set in stone’. Which is why we create alternate universes, to satisfy our hunger for...well, whatever the case, be it to right some wrong, give our hero or heroine satisfaction, or to complete a journey we felt was never satisfactorily finished.

This is another version...a tweaking...a difference here and there, some so minor, they may not be immediately noticeable.

Consider this a level of the multiverse, finite and infinite, each universe part of a vast assemblage and existing simultaneously, the numerous realities unaware of the other. Therefore at first glance, should you, in the reading of this account, discover something you believe a contradiction, recall this introduction and remember - this is only one version of the story and the lives entwined with it.

From a French motion picture entitled Beauty and the Beast, directed by Jean Cocteau and released in 1946 according to our known universe:

Children believe what we tell them.

They have complete faith in us.

They believe that a rose plucked from a garden can plunge a family into conflict.

They believe that the hands of a human beast will smoke when he slays a victim, and that this will cause him shame when a young maiden takes up residence in his home.

They believe a thousand other simple things.

I ask of you a little of this childlike sympathy and, to bring us luck, let me speak four truly magic words, childhood’s Open Sesame:

Once Upon a Time...

A Brief History

Briton.

Their people had always possessed a sense of exploration and adventure, to know what lay beyond the boundaries of the island which was the heart of their ancient kingdom, beyond the lands which were part of their growing modern Empire. It was in their blood, their nature, not as conquerors but as seekers, explorers, their desire taking them across immense, seemingly endless oceans and uncharted continents. It did not happen overnight. The usually peaceful unification around the world took decades, centuries…

Their society prospered, built on advancing technologies with a singular passion for steam, until almost everything - from modes of transportation to their homes and fashions were born of that industry. An historian eventually coined it ‘steampunk’. The term stuck.

However, it was not always the growth of an Empire pushing them forward.

There were times when the fates gave someone the right amount of determination or insanity to pursue what even the most foolhardy and adventurous of Britons had yet to attempt, to decide to travel east of the Empire’s Bharata, beyond the splendors of independent Cathay, into territories where few had gone. An intrepid archaeologist/historian/college professor made it to the borders, spending the next year performing survey work with his team and seeking rumored treasures from ages past. When he returned home, although he had made no direct contact with the inhabitants, his journals made mention of human beings with supernatural abilities, some of whom he alleged were witnessed flying through trees and bending elements including water or fire to their will.

They made for good stories. The Empire had seen much in its’ travels. And the archaeologist was well-respected for his previous retrieval work in finding legendary objects, in particular lost religious items. For the most part, his records were accepted as fact.

It was not until the stewardship of the second Hokage of Konohagakure - Tobirama Senju - did the Britons finally meet these people of whom the eminent Doctor Henry (aka Indiana) Jones reported.

Charles and Amelia Stanley - noted explorers, historians and experts in anthropology and archaeology - accepted the next adventure, their exploratory team penetrating the borders of what they would learn was the Land of Fire. The Stanleys became the first Westerners to discover Konohagakure...Konoha...the Village Hidden Among the Leaves. They came not as conquerors or interlopers, but to learn if the Jones chronicles were accurate. It wasn’t long before they also learned that what he had seen was the tip of the proverbial iceberg.

When the Stanleys and their party returned to the Briton capital two-and-a-half years later, they were accompanied by a few of the ninja granted permission to travel with them. The ninja were also on their own mission of discovery and exploration, so Konohagakure could be part of the outside world they, too, had heard whispers about.

Before long the Empire knew of them too. While some remained doubtful about people flying through trees, controlling elements or walking on water, it did make for a rousing good story. Most importantly, ninjas existed and the witnesses saw they possessed gifts equal to if not greater than those of the acclaimed medieval magician Myrddin of Caerfyrddin.

Talk of forming an alliance of some sort came into being, not with the Leaf Village as a part of the Empire, but as an ally, equals.

The murmurs about athletic games so each society might compete in friendship began, pushed by then Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, former Prime Minister William Pitt, and members of the royal family. By the time the ninja returned to the Village, accompanied by the Stanleys, there were diplomats with them too, as well as scholars, historians, surveyors, as well as those with the knowledge of agriculture and anthropology.

Charles and Amelia’s multi-volume Hidden: The History of Konohagakure, the Village Among the Leaves became required textbook reading on the university level. An abridged edition became a popular best seller.

The Alliance became reality, both on paper and in a vocal agreement. While many “on the outside” could not comprehend such a thing - that a force such as Konoha with its’ shinobi would consider itself on a level plane with the likes of mere mortals. It happened. It succeeded. The athletic games to push each side to their best happened every few years, usually in the Village, but on several occasions in Briton, giving the few who made the journey a chance to see their allies on even more personally. Each side benefited.

The ‘final’ Games. The Glorious Games were how they came to be known, both in Briton and among the Villagers. Of all those which had been conducted, these were considered the best and most memorable. Emperor-King Edward IX accompanied his athletes, along with his beautiful Queen, Alexandra, and their little daughter, the heiress-apparent, Princess Elizabeth. The Briton team was the largest in the history of the Games and people came from far off lands to watch the competitions, realizing with amazement that there were actual mortals with such fortitude they might make a jonin tremble, if only for a second.

There was already talk of the next Games becoming even more magnificent.

They never happened.

The Nine-Tails came. That story is chronicled in the histories of Konohagakure and need not be repeated here.

Briton could not have come to their aid had they even desired. The greatest war in their history, their one and only world war, broke out against the invading fascist forces of Germania and Italia intent on global conquest. It took several bloody years before their armies were pushed back and defeated. One dictator was executed by his own people who were part of the Resistance - him along with his mistress. The chief leader and instigator of the war - his dreams of conquest swept away - hid himself in a bunker in their nation’s capital, along with his mistress, general staff and those of his military and personal echelon. As the Imperial Briton armies surrounded them, the man worshipped as Der Führer took his life, as did his mistress and others not wishing to live in a world without him.

One World War was over.

The conflicts in Konohagakure continued almost without ceasing.

The Alliance was broken, broken for years, but never forgotten.

But you see, there are moments when the perfect time arises for renewal.

This was the moment.

Once Upon a Time...

#fan fiction #fan fic #team guy #team guy forever #rock lee #tenten #neji lives #neji #neji hyuga #might guy #might gai #team gai

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loseitall-ff · 7 years

Text

“I hope you have a good Christmas too” I said down the phone to Mychal “same to you too Rih, did you get my gift though?” turning around with my phone pressed against my ear, seeing the necklace he bought me on the bed “yes, it’s beautiful. You know you didn’t have too, I feel bad because I didn’t get you anything. Could have warned me” I honestly bought him nothing and I feel so bad about it too “don’t be, you need to be spoilt” smiling a little, I know what gift Chris would have got me, like he always does, his dick. Rolling my eyes “so what are you doing today? Just spending it with the family?” he knows what I am doing “yes, just the family. Liana’ grandma is coming down too” I mumbled “and Chris” he added, well he knew that “yes” I said simply, he knows Chris was “cool, can you tell him to stop commenting on shit. Stop giving the blogs something to talk about, I don’t have no beef with him. I am no gangbanger, I don’t want his people outside my house, I don’t want to upset him or be near Liana, if I get to that point then we will need to talk” I dread to think of that moment “I will see what I can do, I can’t promise you. My ex is hard headed, just block him” what else can I do “what about his army of fans?” biting my bottom lip “uhm, block them too? Just ignore him, don’t reply like you did last time, that shit was not cool. I am nobodies” I don’t want to go over it again actually “I am sorry about that, honestly” I will never have the right man for me.

Finishing Liana’ hair, I just thought I would put her hair in two puffs because having it open and her being everywhere will not be a great idea at all, least her hair will be out of the way “look at mother and daughter matching red dresses, slay my bitches” Leandra said as she two stepped into my bedroom “we are all waiting for you little ladies, Monica is cooking for the gods. Smells so good” I know Leandra is just hungry “we open presents now?” Liana asked, I am trying to drag it out because Chris should be here, we do it together and we usually buy the gifts together but this time it’s different “we will soon” I think I am holding this off for far too long now, I have not heard a word from Chris after the big bust up and told him how childish he is “I love your puffs, look at your hair” Leandra touched her hair, Liana turned around to face me “you look so pretty baby” I beamed “you look pretty too!” Leaning down and poking my lips out, Liana kissed my lips “do not dirty your clothes please and thank you” Liana ran off, I know that girl will end up doing something like fall in the dirt and say it was not her fault “you mind if I post this?” Leandra turned her phone to me showing me the picture of Liana and I kissing “yes, post on mine” I pointed, I love that.

Matching red heels to finish this look off, I can look like a hoe in my own home “Joyce!” I spat, opening my arms to her “oh sweetie” she dropped the bags on the floor, hugging her close “Merry Christmas” squeezing Joyce close “Merry Christmas to you too, thank you for having me” stepping back from the hug “you are most welcome here, stop it” reaching down to pick the bags up “nobody has opened gifts so we can do this together, please come on” these are heavy, why did I insist in picking this up “oh Joyce, girl” my mom said, I think Joyce was a little nervous because of everything, but that is not her fault, that is Liana’ grandma. I huffed as I placed the bags down, turning around and jumped back “Jesus Rorrey!” hitting his arm “you creeping up on me like that” he laughed at me “sorry, just wanted to see if you are good?” this is different from him “I am good, why are you asking that? I am just so happy, it’s Christmas and I have my family with me” he is being stupid “just need to know you good, it’s hard for a single mother you know” I don’t want to hear it, not today “stop” walking off “mom, where dad? Grandma not tell me?” this is what I didn’t want “he is coming baby, come the both of you” holding my hands out for Majesty and Liana to hold.

Eyeing up Liana from across the table, she wanted to sit next to grandma but I want to make sure she eats her greens “Liana is just like you, do not eat her greens. Look at her passing it all to grandma” my mom said, Liana sat back in her chair being all shy “sweetie, you can give it me. You can let me pile the pounds on for you” Liana lifted herself up “Liana eat some of your greens please, you can’t open your gifts if not” I just want her to suffer like I did as a child, these grandparents be spoiling these kids. Dragging my eyes down to my phone, why is Mychal calling me again. Quickly flipping my phone over, screen down “I see” Noella nudged me, rolling my eyes “it’s honestly so nice to have everyone here” I said trying to change the subject before Noella asks many of questions “I want to thank you mom and auntie, this meal is beautiful. I could have cooked, but no, you both insisted” this is why I love when my mom comes, she cooks for me “I just want to say thank you all so much” Joyce added “I am happy you are here” I smiled “I need to go to my sister’s next, I am going to gain weight” I hope she is not leaving so soon “you have to wait until Liana opens her gifts” I don’t want her to go “oh I will wait” she paused not saying a word more.

Liana will not drop it so we will now have to open the gifts, she won’t even let us clean the table. This girl is so spoilt, watching her drag Joyce to the tree “Liana, stop dragging grandma please. Wait for the family” I didn’t really want to open them now because I am full and also I wanted to wait it out for Chris, but that will not happen “man, I am so full” Rajad said while falling on to the couch, slowly getting down onto my knees at the side of the gifts “it will take a little time for grandma to get on her knees” Joyce grunted as she got on the floor “Liana sit down, next to Majesty” picking out the gift for Rajad “catch, that is from me” throwing it to him “Robbz, do the kids first. We will wait” my mom said, I guess I will get them out of the way “Joyce, let’s do yours first” I guess she wants to get off “we do mommy first” Liana tapped my thigh “wait for dad” swallowing hard smiling “he said for you to open your gifts, he is working late baby” she frowned at me.

“Come on sweetie, this is from your dad. He actually made the effort and got these for you” I have no idea how Joyce carried these bags, they are so heavy. She lifted a gift wrapped box, which is pretty big “pony!!” Liana gasped, he even wrapped it in My Little Pony wrapping paper “that is so cute” I said smiling, Joyce placed it in front of her “and baby, Chris didn’t forget you either” she got another box wrapped in the same paper “me?” Majesty pointed at herself “yes, this is for you” he didn’t have to do that “oh no, he didn’t have to do that” Noella said, Joyce waved her off “they are kids” Chris can actually wrap, Liana ripped the paper off so quickly “what did he get you” trying to look at the box “Barbie auntie!!” Majesty shouted, Liana looked at Majesty’ box “same as me” she pointed at the box “let’s open it later baby to play with, you have many of things to open” I can’t be dealing with opening everything now.

This girl has got nothing but toys on toys, where am I going to put this, her bedroom will be a mess of toys. She has a whole set of the Barbie collection now, every doll you can get and stuffed animals, she has a her own iPad now, in which I didn’t want her to have but he has done it “you are so spoilt, what you say to grandma” taking the box out of her hands, she got up from the floor “thank you” Liana jumped on Joyce wrapping her arms around her neck “it’s ok baby” Joyce hugged her close “he loves you so much baby, he would be here if he could” Liana moved back “can I call dad? I not speak to him today” I am so thankful she is not asking me “he is flying right now, he will be home” looking at my mom as she stared at me “your dad will come” Majesty said “he said he will come so why not? My dad goes away sometimes” look at my babies, Liana looks a little lost. Liana rubbed her nose “he not seen me though” he hasn’t seen her in a while “look at this, we got all this to play with” thank you god, Majesty can distract her from this.

Stepping off the jet, better late than never. That fog stopped us from even leaving Paris, I would have been home ages ago. Waving at Robb, he didn’t have to bring the things “you good cuz?” dapping him “yeah, you picked up the bike for me? My mom didn’t take it did she?” he shook his head “it’s in the trunk, you sure Liana will be awake” I shrugged “I am about to go anyways, it’s not that late” I know it is pushing on nine, her bedtime is latest ten so I can make it to her. I need to see Liana, it’s important I do “put the bags in the back, they are all going to Robyn’. Just put my backpack in the other car” I can hopefully speed there “hey! Chris” Mijo shouted me, turning around “be good aight, don’t be fucking around. You did enough of that in Paris” shaking his hand “I got you, this is about Liana now. Maybe Robyn too” I chuckled jogging off to the car “get yo ass in the car Lo, hurry up” getting in the front, Robb can drive me there.

I am so lucky that the roads are empty, rubbing my chin “how was Paris then cuz?” Robb asked “it was entertaining, I got some new ice” holding my wrist up “I did the club appearance, the whole thing and then went shopping in the morning and got Liana some new clothes. A few things, then I remembered I wanted to give the bike to her so then I texted you” licking my lips “hmmm sure cuz, that all sounds all too perfect for you, you ain’t mention the whole gangbanging on ole Mychal. You got niggas shook over IG” Robb hit my arm, I busted out laughing “nigga has a nerve to tell me he got what I couldn’t keep” kissing my teeth “I told that motherfucker, I can have anyone I want. That is my girl though, niggas need to get that shit right” thinking of it heats me up “she is your baby moms, don’t fuck shit up Chris. You going to her house, you high as shit. Since when do pilots allow that” shaking my head “just stop, just don’t ok? I have shit to deal with, I need to see my daughter and then deal with a thing” looking out of the car window “if that thing is Rihanna then you leave her be, she is good. She don’t need you and you don’t need her” gawking at Robb “Chris! Listen to me, stop it. Just stop for one second and listen to yourself, you had a whole ass child thinking it would fix things. We get that you love each other, you both are so annoying. You can’t keep your dick in your pants and she can’t help but be flirty with other guys, it’s a stupid circle. Let her go, I am telling you now. You need to leave her be for Liana’ sake and fix yourself” I think I look fucking fine, I don’t know what he is speaking about “you look like a butt hurt ex” I am a butt hurt ex.

Is it my eyes, I mean they do look a little small. I am a little smiley too, I don’t know what he is speaking about “you should have seen Chris, he was so hurt” Lo said in the back “how can you be hurt over someone you cheated on for the millionth time, just because you thought she was cheating. I mean I don’t know the truth” why is Robb doing this to me “because I do love her, I just don’t know. We are so volatile together too” shrugging “and we are here, just be good for everybody’s sake” I remained silent as Robb pulled up to the front gate and buzzed in “ole girl got a nice yard” looking at her home, it is beautiful “Hmmmm she do” I wish I got this home now, I remember when we was looking at homes, Robyn and I saw this home but passed on it “It’s them!” someone’s voce shouted and then the gate opened.

I feel somewhat nervous, I mean Robyn and I did argue on the phone and that was it. Then I threatened her man on IG in which I do not care about but still, I should have not done it but I could not help it. Closing the car door behind me, the trunk opened up and Robb jumped out “let me help you get the things in” walking around to the trunk “thanks, I will be good. Promise” he side eyed me, picking up the My Little Pony bike, I want to teach my daughter how to ride a bike. She is about to love this, holding the bike as I walked to the front door “if it isn’t the man himself” Leandra poked her head out of the door “yeah” I chuckled, she opened the door wider “Liana is just with her mom, getting her nightie on but she is coming down” walking into the lobby, I had a whole audience. The barbarian army just here.

Lo and Robb dropped the bags on the floor “you want us to wait outside? How you finna get back?” Robb asked me, dapping Lo “see you later bro, uhm I will get home somehow. I will call a nigga, just go home. Thanks for this” dapping Robb, he eyed me up “have a nice night” he waved the family off, I won’t lie but I am nervous now because everyone is staring at me, and I am late. Stuffing my hands in my bomber jacket pockets “hi” I said to Monica “nice to see you come” she said back, chewing my bottom lip “yeah” I am actually tired but I feel them staring so hard, I hope they don’t notice I am a little high “you good?” I looked at Rorrey, his meat head annoys me “are you?” he retorted “I’m good” I won’t start, not on this day “how about we go” Noella said, she knows damn well this is all so awkward “it is honestly good to see you, thank you so much for Majesty’ gifts. You didn’t have too” I forgot about that “it’s cool, they are precious. The both of them” Christmas is about the kids.

I am so glad that they are going because I know they don’t like me, not after me and shawty split up again “oh my! Dad!! Mommy! Dad!” hearing Liana scream, spinning around. Seeing Liana in Robyn’ arms pointing, my smile grew. Robyn placed Liana down to run at me “you come dad!!” catching Liana as I held her close “I wouldn’t miss it for the world, I am sorry baby. I am late but I am here!” Liana’ arms is squeezing my neck so hard, she let out a squeal “where is your red dress baby? You change it?” she let my neck go “I wait and you take ages, I change back?” shaking my head “no baby, I like this too” hugging her close again “you late! Grandma say you late too and I waited now I’m sleepy” poking my lips out “I’m sorry, you can go sleep. You can see what I got you and then you can sleep” she shook her head “I want you now” she placed her hands on my face “I have missed your ugly face” I chuckled saying, placing her down “quickly, close your eyes for me” Liana was quick to close her eyes, holding Liana’ hand.

Placing Liana in front of her bike, walking around the bike so I can see her reaction “open them pretty eyes baby” she looked at me and then the bike, she gasped “for me!? Oh wow dad” she clapped “oh wow!” she jumped touching the bike “I’m going to teach you how to ride this baby, I even got you a helmet. My little pony” Liana touched the bag in the front of the bike in amazement “I sit” she touched the seat, picking Liana up and placing her on the seat. She placed her hands on the bars, crouching down “you like it?” she nodded “I like dad” she lifted her head up, turning my head as she kissed my cheek “I love you baby, daddy going to teach you to ride this ok?” she can’t stop smiling, look at my baby. Getting up from my position, seeing Robyn just watching “I got her some clothes from Paris” I pointed, Robyn didn’t really look at me but nodded her head.

Liana remained on the bike and was not moving, I feel so awkward too. I have been stood here for ten minutes now. Looking at Liana rub her eye “you tired?” she looked up at me “I’m sleepy dad” she raised her arms “you can play with toys later” picking her up, Liana rested her head on my shoulder “you go to sleep, I will see you next time. It’s my fault” Liana lifted her head “stay” clearing my throat “I have to go now, momma will put you to sleep. Baby I will see you next time” she dead ass don’t believe me “if he puts you to bed, will that make you happy?” Robyn said, Liana nodded “if I put you to bed will you be happy with me then please?” I don’t like my daughter being sad with me “I be happy then” she grinned “aight, you need to show me your bedroom” or she can show me her mom’ bedroom, I do not mind.

Placing Liana down on the floor as we got to the top of the stairs, Robyn followed me up. Like she does not trust me in this house, Liana held my hand “you got a princess bed? I remember you told me this, see I remember baby” seeing the bedroom at the end of the hall, I pointed ahead of me “is that your room?” I know damn well that is Robyn’ room “you wish” Robyn said behind me “you show me that room baby?” Liana looked up at me “that is mommy’ room!” she is telling me like I care “you tell your father that” Liana dragged me into her bedroom “look dad!” she let my hand go, looking around her bedroom gasping “oh wow, this is beautiful Liana and look” pointing at her bed “princess bed, oh wow” this is a cute room, I just wish this was in our home. Kind of pains me that Liana’ bedroom in my home will never be used, swallowing hard.

Smiling at Liana, on my knees at the side of her bed. I could just watch her sleep to be honest, reminds me of all the times I had with her, the times I had Liana with me at home. I actually did a lot, I changed diapers, and late night feeds. When I would come back from the studio in the morning, I would stay up and play with her for longer. I would watch her sleep then, I won’t front in saying that she has changed me so much. I didn’t think I could love another female like I do Robyn but Liana is a whole different kind of love, this is my baby girl. A female me, smiling down at her. She reached up “give me” she tugged at my hand from under my chin “what you doing?” I asked, she hugged her stuffed bear and my hand together “you not leave now” she clenched her eyes shut “why you fake sleeping goofy? Don’t be lying to me little momma, open them eyes” I chuckled “you wake me!” she opened her eyes “I didn’t, you fake sleeping. You little faker” my knees actually hurt now.

Watching Liana’ hand slowly release my hand as she drifted off to sleep, this was short lived. I missed a whole Christmas day, I feel bad as fuck. I grunted as I got up from my knees, bending down to pick my bomber jacket up “I am guessing she is asleep then” Robyn said, look at her creeping on me “yeah” putting my bomber jacket on, there is so much shit that is wanting to be said between us both, I just know it. Robyn pushed the door open wider for me, she turned her head as I walked passed her. She won’t look me in the eye either, stepping outside Liana’ room and waited outside. I want to know when I can next see Liana, I hope tomorrow because I need to make it up to her so much, I need time with her.

Robyn slowly closed her door “when can I next see her? Can I have her tomorrow?” I asked “tomorrow we are going out as a family, Majesty will be going home soon” clenching my jaw, I don’t want to show my annoyance “I don’t get to see her, which is not fair. You know when you go to see your nigga can I see my daughter then” Robyn kissed her teeth at me “you was dying to say that, I know you very well” she pointed “I don’t have a nigga get that right, you are ok to bark at me but don’t listen. I have no man, I am not your woman or his!” I snorted “but you are ok to date, sit in the back of the car with him. Hold his hand, aight Robyn” she is so full of shit “he held mine actually, get that right. He was being a gentleman, unlike you. You would have left my ass to do it myself” she pointed out “I don’t care, you keep that nigga away from Liana. I am hundred percent going to punch his face too, tell him that. Who is he to talk shit to me” Robyn rolled her eyes “stop commenting on things, shut up! You keep quiet then, grow the hell up Chris. He said wrong and so did you but I am not anyone’s, if you love me and respect me like you do then you will stop. Let it go, let me go” my face softened “why do you need me to let you go, you let me go” I retorted back to her, Robyn didn’t say anything back but stare at me “Robz, tell Chris Mijo is here” Mel shouted from downstairs “coming” Robyn pushed passed me.

What is that all about, rubbing my face. She does not need me to let her go, she can do that herself. As much as she is holding on to something, so am I. We have so much chemistry and past that we can never let each other go, for us to let go we need to be apart and never see each other again, and the only thing that could stop that is if I died, she would never see me then. I guess I better go now, I made Mijo pick me up. Walking down the steps slowly “Chris, Robz made you this plate to go. Merry Christmas” Leandra held out the foiled plate “same to you” reaching the bottom and taking the plate from her, looking down the lobby but Robyn is hiding now “tell her to text me, I really want to see Liana. Even if you bring her, just please” Leandra looked at me in confusion, walking off with the plate Robyn gave me.

#Chrianna FF #Chrianna #Chris Brown #Rihanna #Fanfiction

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