Twinkle twinkle little star notes guitar

Multi-talented instrumentalist and composer Rachel Flowers

2015.05.06 20:59 rminsk Multi-talented instrumentalist and composer Rachel Flowers

Multi-talented instrumentalist and composer Rachel Flowers. Born 15 weeks premature Rachel lost her eyesight at three months old due to Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP). When she was two years old Rachel’s mother showed her how to play “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” on the piano. Rachel picked up the melody immediately and was soon playing every song she heard by ear. Rachel’s given abilities and the music that is her inspiration make her a talent that cannot be ignored.
[link]

2023.05.30 08:46 nathanjyun A Beginner's Guide to: Hidden Potential

A Beginner's Guide to: Hidden Potential
Hey everyone, sorry for the couple day break. Took a quick trip before summer activities really kick up for me. I'll still be putting these out as much as I can until I run out of useful things to talk about though.
Today's topic is on Hidden Potential, which is one of the most crucial aspects of the game. A quick note, though:

Hidden Potential only unlocks at player rank 50.

So if you're not there yet, come back to this post later.

Hidden Potential is Dokkan's dupe system.

What is a "dupe"?
It's short for "duplicate". In the context of gacha games, you roll a dupe when you roll a character you already have. Dupe systems allow these dupes to have more of a use than just collecting dust in your box or being sold.
In the case of Dokkan, the Hidden Potential system is so game-changing that dupes of an older unit may even be better than the first copy of a new one.
NOTE: Hidden Potential is only available for units that have a UR or LR rarity.

Here is the Hidden Potential screen:

Accessing the "Hidden Potential" section will lead you to a screen that looks something like this:
This is a zoomed-out view, by default Dokkan zooms you really far into the center of the tree.
Above is the Hidden Potential tree, with various unlockable nodes.
Unlocking a node provides a buff to the given unit:
  • Red nodes increase a unit's base ATK
  • Blue nodes increase a unit's base DEF
  • Teal nodes increase a unit's base HP
  • Nodes with a character on them require an exact copy of the character to unlock.
  • And...

There are some special square nodes.

Instead of granting a buff to base stats, these nodes provide the unit with more interesting qualities. The more of these nodes that are filled out, the higher their level:
  • Recovery Boost: Grants the unit with increased healing per same-colored ki sphere.
    • The higher the level, the more HP recovered.
The Recovery Boost icon.
  • Super Attack Boost: Slightly increases the damage of a unit's super attacks and active skill, if it has one.
    • The higher the level, the greater the damage increase.
The Super Attack Boost icon.
  • Type DEF Boost: Slightly reduces the damage received from disadvantageous enemies.
    • The higher the level, the less damage received.
    • For example, an AGL unit with this skill at lvl 10 will receive less damage from STR ENEMIES ONLY than an AGL unit with this skill at lvl 1.
The Type DEF Boost icon.
  • Type ATK Boost: Works the same as Type DEF Boost, but instead increases the damage dealt to disadvantageous enemies.
    • The higher the level, the greater the damage dealt.
    • For example, an INT unit with this skill at lvl 10 will deal more damage to TEQ ENEMIES ONLY than an INT unit with this skill at lvl 1.
The Type ATK Boost icon.
  • Evasion (Commonly called "dodge" by the community): Grants the unit with a chance to dodge an incoming attack, receiving no damage.
    • The higher the level, the greater the chance to dodge.
    • In my opinion, this is one of the worst HiPo skills. It doesn't provide much benefit, while being straight up detrimental to others. I don't care what DaTruthDT says, I think dodge is bad.
The Evasion icon.
  • Critical Hit (Shortened to "crit"): Grants the unit with a chance to perform a critical hit, dealing increased damage while also bypassing the enemy's DEF and ignoring type advantage.
    • The higher the level, the greater the chance to perform a critical hit.
The Critical Hit icon.
  • Combo Attack (Commonly called "AA" by the community): Grants the unit with a chance to perform a single additional attack (I call it the HiPo additional).
    • This additional attack has a chance to be a super attack.
    • The higher the level, the greater the chance of performing this single additional attack.
      • Note that higher levels DO NOT MEAN that a unit will perform more than one HiPo additional. Any further additional attacks are due to passive skills.
    • This HiPo additional is always the last attack by a character.
      • The more attacks are performed beforehand by the same character, the higher the chance of the HiPo additional occurring.
The Combo Attack icon.

Unlocking a node requires Hidden Potential Orbs.

Hidden Potential Orbs are color-type-specific, but certain farmable units have unique orbs just for them.
They come in three varieties: S, M, and L. Each is slightly more rare than the previous. Potential orbs can be found in special event drops, gifts, mission rewards, etc.
The starting node is in the center, and has four paths branching off of it.
Each path can be filled out, until a special node is reached that looks something like this:
These nodes are what make Hidden Potential the dupe system of Dokkan.
Nodes with the art of the character require an exact dupe of said character to unlock.
By exact I mean EXACT. a Dokkan awakened character cannot have these nodes unlocked by its pre-Dokkan awakened version.
NOTE: The bottom right path can only be filled up to this node if the character's super attack level is 10.
I Dokkan Awakened a character, but later summoned an un-dokkaned dupe of them. What do I do?
There are a few options:
  1. Dokkan Awaken the dupe, then unlock the path in the main unit's tree.
    1. This requires some farming, and takes a long time.
  2. Use the Reverse function.
Reverse?
The Reverse function allows you to reverse a unit's Dokkan Awakening, allowing you to use that dupe you just summoned without having to farm their event over again.
Reversing a unit requires a single "Incredible Hourglass" medal, which are pretty hard to come by.
However once you've applied the dupe, undoing the reverse (called Reverse Dokkan Awakening) costs nothing. Literally nothing.
Have a dupe of a character you already Dokkan awakened? Reverse that character, apply the dupe, then use a Reverse Dokkan Awakening.

Ok, I have a dupe of a character. Which path should I unlock first?

Bottom right.
After that, if you have more dupes unlock top left next. The last two don't matter too much in my opinion.
Why does this order matter?
This is where the special square nodes come in.
The various square node buffs.
Each path past the dupe node contains special square nodes. These nodes allow you to choose, between a selection of the buffs above, which to apply.
The special square nodes in the bottom right and top left paths allow you to choose between levelling Combo Attack, Critical Hit, or Evasion.
In contrast, the other two paths let you choose only between the remaining four.
Are the first three square node buffs really that much better?
Yes.
Would you rather have a unit that might perform two super attacks, triggering any stat boosts and/or effects twice? Or have that unit receive slightly less damage from a single type?

So then, what do I choose? Crit, AA, or Dodge?

This is the bulk of building a unit, and it depends on the unit itself and its kit. With every HiPo build, you should prioritize one of these three, treat another as secondary, and ignore the third completely. Let's look at three examples:
Example 1: STR LR Cooler
My personal favorite unit in the game: STR LR Cooler
STR LR Cooler's gimmick is performing a whopping FIVE ATTACKS on each appearance, each with a chance of becoming a super attack. So how should I build him? In my opinion, it's this:
  • Prioritize: Crit
    • If the fact that he performs five attacks wasn't enough to convince you that this unit is meant to deal damage, he also infinitely stacks ATK on his 18ki super. In order to fully capitalize on his insane damage, I choose to prioritize crit.
  • Secondary: AA
    • Remember when I said the HiPo AA is always the last attack, and more attacks beforehand increase its chance of triggering? Well, five attacks is more than enough to trigger the HiPo additional. I want some levels to make sure it even happens in the first place, but I don't want to prioritize it.
  • Ignore: Dodge
    • There are some units where dodge is literally detrimental to their kit. However, in the case of Cooler, it's less because it's detrimental and more because the other two skills give so much more benefit.
      • In fact, dodge is considered the worst of these three skills. In some cases it's detrimental, in most others the other two skills will provide a lot more benefit.
Example 2: AGL LR SSJ Goku and SSJ Vegeta
A rather controversial unit, but decent nonetheless.
This unit has a transformation condition requiring them to receive 7 attacks and perform 3 super attacks. Already this might give you an idea on what to prioritize and what to ignore.
  • Prioritize: AA
    • For the first three turns, this unit performs an additional attack with a 50% chance to be a super. HiPo AA will allow for the possibility of a third attack that has its own chance to be a super.
      • This means that it is possible for this unit to super three times in a single turn, already fulfilling one of its transformation conditions.
    • Post-transformation, the chance of the second attack being a super is increased. AA will, once again, allow for the possibility of three supers.
    • Each of this unit's super attacks increases their ATK and DEF. The more supers are performed, the tankier they will be after attacking.
    • Attacking twice before the HiPo AA will increase the chance of the HiPo AA occurring. However, it's not STR LR Cooler's five attacks, so we want more levels to increase the base chance.
  • Secondary: Crit
    • This is less because crit is good on this unit, and more because dodge is bad on it. However, this unit is still a great damage dealer, and having more damage on top of that is never a bad thing.
  • Ignore: Dodge
    • Remember when I said dodge is detrimental to some units? This is one of them. This unit needs to receive 7 attacks to transform, but dodging even a single attack may mean another entire turn with this unit pre-transformed. Without dodge, this problem would not exist.
Example 3: PHY LR Janemba
One of the best defensive units in the game on his release. I'm sad to say he's aged a little bit.
This unit is a purely defensive unit. In Slots 1 or 2, he has guaranteed guard. In Slots 2 or 3, he builds up ATK and DEF with each attack performed, requiring three attacks total. My method of building him may be controversial, but I have my reasons:
  • Prioritize: AA
    • This unit has no additional attacks built into his passive, meaning with AA he can perform a maximum of two per turn. However, he requires only three to fully build up. Therefore with AA, he can potentially fully build up in two appearances. Since only one attack is performed before the HiPo AA, I max this one out to get as fast of a buildup as possible.
  • Secondary: Dodge
    • The controversial nature of this build is that many would rather prioritize dodge, rather than put it as secondary. However, in my opinion having a faster buildup is more important than receiving no damage from what, one attack in an entire turn? His defensive buildup and his guard make it so that negligible damage is received from most bosses anyway. However, I would still put this as secondary because...
  • Ignore: Crit
    • In practice, this unit is not meant to deal damage. He not only has a kit focused on defense, but he also deals a disappointing amount of damage compared to other units on teams with him (like STR LR Cooler). Crit would be absolutely pointless, as landing a critical hit would not make him on par with his teammates. Those levels would be better spent increasing his dodge or additional attack chance.
It also doesn't hurt to ask for build recommendations!
NOTE: Even without unlocking any dupe nodes, there is a SINGLE square node that provides one of these three buffs. What this square node is depends on the unit's color type, and you cannot choose what it is, unlike the others:
  • AGL and PHY: The node will be an AA node.
  • TEQ and STR: The node will be a crit node.
  • INT: The node will be a dodge node.

Finally, percentages.

The way people notate how many dupes are in a specific unit is through percentages. In particular, this percentage is the portion of the Hidden Potential map that has been filled out.
Remember, always fill out the bottom right path, then the top left. The other two don't matter as much.
  • 55%: This is the most you can fill out a Hidden Potential map by with zero dupes.
    • Remember the unit's super attack level must be at least 10.
  • 69%: This is a unit with one dupe, with the bottom right path filled out.
  • 79%: This is a unit with two dupes; both the bottom right and top left paths are filled out.
  • 89% - 90%: This is a unit with three dupes.
    • A unit with the bottom right, top left, and bottom left paths filled out is at 89%.
    • If you choose the top right instead of the bottom left, the unit will be at 90%.
  • 100%: The hidden potential tree is fully filled out with four dupes.
    • This is easy to spot from a unit's icon; the star in the bottom right corner will be rainbow colored instead of golden.
    • All farmable units can easily get to 100%, since copies of the unit itself can be farmed.
I have a unit at 100% and I just summoned another dupe. What do I do with it now?
Sell it for coins.
In Baba's Shop, you can actually exchange dupe characters for the same red, blue, yellow, or teal coins depending on the banner you summoned the dupe from. However, THIS IS ONLY POSSIBLE ONCE THE MAIN UNIT IS AT 100%.
submitted by nathanjyun to DBZDokkanBattle [link] [comments]

2023.05.30 07:49 Aliceyua Overlord Part 1 Collab - Review

Credits for Overlord Part 1 Maint
Shalltear - <@347906868653588490> Albedo - <@123108972516474880> Part 1 Banner & Farmable Equips - <@210587485237936129> _ _ _ _
Is the shadow clone jutsu trademarked?
diff -Shalltear-
Light, Demon
STATS
HP - 7590 +1430 ATK - 3975 +686 DEF - 2700 +564
SKILL 11 second CT - 2500% Light DMG (MAG). For 10s, increase own Lifesteal by 3%. 600 Break ～～～ A funny nod to the anime, but not terribly functional. Might counter Hellfire if you use her as a dps for one of those stages, but otherwise won't do much in most situations.
ARTS 26000% Light DMG (MAG). For 20s, reduce Enemies' Dark & Light resistance by 40%. 1300 Break ～～～ Decent RES down buff for a decent duration. While she will provide more than enough dps on her own, this lets her further buff herself and other light or dark dps units.
TRUE ARTS 90000% Light DMG (MAG). For 20s, increase own Critical DMG by 200%. 2000 Break ～～～ It seems like this is just a standard for good dps units nowadays. It goes without saying that this is a huge buff, and it even has a great duration.
SUPER ARTS For 80s, increase own Arts by 5/s & summon a Double that mimics all of own attacks (This includes Arts and Skill, not Equipment). ～～～ This is the core of Shalltear's kit. It essentially gives her a huge 180000% multiplier on TA that is further agumented by the Crit DMG buff.
ABILITIES
If HP is above 70%, increase own Critical Rate by 100%. ～～～ Fairly standard for a modern crit dps. The condition isn't too restrictive, and will easily be held, especially with the lifesteal from Shalltear's skill.
Increase DMG to Enemies under 30% HP by 30%. ～～～ At this point, most things are pretty much dead. But the extra damage is nice nontheless.
Increase own Arts by 50 at the start of a Quest. ～～～ Nice little addition for startup
MATERIALS
x100 Light Summoners Road Orbs
SLOTS
Newer players are considered to be those who joined during the release of the Overlord crossover and onwards.
*6☆ <:lbmag:650796593276256266> *
Newer Players
Magical Hat “Akashic Eye” [Freedom Fighters: "Last Wishes Passed to the Future" (Grohl & Onfuan) Side Story Farmable]
Optimal
True “Exceed Zechs” [Dark Zeorg True Weapon] Victoire’s Catsuit [Halloween Equipment Banner] Dark Blade “Exceed Zechs” [“The Hero and the Cursed Sword” (Dark Zeorg) Event Farmable] Ultra Relic “Eraser Bit” [Ultra Giant Boss XTF Eraser Clear Reward] ～～～ Bring anything that can provide arts to get clone up and TA as much as possible before it runs out. For nuking, just bring the typical buff and debuff equips.
*5☆ <:lbmag:650796593276256266> *
Refer to first slot ～～～ Same as above
*4☆ <:lbmag:650796593276256266> *
Newer Players
Crimson Outfit “Pierrot Crimson” [“Pierrot of Flames” (Pientz) Trial Event Farmable]
Optimal
Rosetta’s Pareo [Summer Equipment Banner] Crimson Outfit "Peirrot Crimson" Sealed Tome "Truth of the Morning Star" ["The Twin Knights of the Morning Star" (Feena & Regulus) Event Farmable] ～～～ Use whatever you can, good 4 mag are few and far between.*
*4☆ <:lbphys:650796348194422823> *
Newer Players
Relic “Volkans” [“Trials of the Flame God” (Ifrit) Giant Boss Farmable] Gun Sword “Bray Cannon” [“Weapon with a Heart” (Vicious) Trial Event Farmable]
Optimal
Relic “Volkans” Gun Sword “Bray Cannon” Hatred Claws “Grief” [Subject-β3 Mines Boss Drop] Dark Armor “Evil Death” [“The Hero and the Cursed Sword” (Dark Zeorg) Event Farmable] ～～～ Bring anything that can generate arts or buff.
Overall Impressions
Shalltear has the largest multiplier on global, and for 200 Artsgauge no less. Along with further buffing on her TA and enemy debuffing on NA, Shalltear is one of the best dps units to date, and that position will be solidified with the release of units like Star God Liza who can adequately support her. However, while Shalltear is a great dps, that's all she does, and is therefore relegated to being luxury unit for faster clears. Most content is already nukable with currently available characters, and you can bet future content will find some way to lock her behind gimmicks. Regardless, she is a solid unit overall and excels at what she does. Just don't expect her to shatter the meta. _ _
Foolish mortals, you believe you're allowed in the presence of my Bone Daddy.
Albedo
Dark, Demon
STATS
HP - 7095 +1340 ATK - 3045 +630 DEF - 3625 +630
SKILL 12 second CT - 2000% Dark DMG (PHY). Increase own Arts by 30. If HP is above 70%, increase Arts by 60 instead. 400 Break ～～～ Not much to say, Art on skill go brrrrrr.
ARTS 23000% Dark DMG (PHY). Permenantly increase Demon Allies' DMG & DMG RES by 10% (Up to 30%). 600 Break ～～～ While this does look great, sadly mono demon teams currently don't exist on global.
TRUE ARTS 42000% Dark DMG (PHY). For 30s, increase Allies' PHY RES by 20% & Allies gain a DMG Barrier that negates 10000 DMG. 1000 Break ～～～ The high uptime and sizeable barrier makes Albedo a decent option to bring for bosses who deal physical damage. Sadly only providing 20% dmg res puts her below competition such as Sanstone, however because it's physical dmg res, it can stack with units like Sanstone and Emperor.
SUPER ARTS 120000% Dark DMG (PHY). For 10s, increase own Critical Rate by 100% and Allies' DMG RES by 60%. 2000 Break ～～～ While the high multiplier is tempting, she lacks any innate dmg up to help actually damage. Her Super Art would mainly be used for when the boss does a large amount of damage in a short period of time.
ABILITIES
When near-death, increase own Arts by 300 and heal Allies' HP by 50%. ～～～ While you shouldn't be getting near death with Albedo on your team, this is a nice fallback that likely won't save you from any major nukes.
Increase Paralysis RES by 100% ～～～ A nice increase to her viability by preventing her from getting paralyzed.
Increase Freeze RES by 100% ～～～ A nice increase to her viability by preven....wait a minute didn't I just say this?
MATERIALS
x100 Dark Summoners Road Orbs
SLOTS
Newer players are considered to be those who joined during the release of the Overlord crossover and onwards.
*6☆ <:lbphys:650796348194422823> *
Newer Players
Relic “Radeus” ["The Glowing Sanctuary" (Fosradius) Giant Boss Farmable]
Optimal
True “IZANAGI” [Sakura Mira True Weapon] Cursed Light Sword “Anestra” [Auge Raid Boss Drop] Raphtalia’s Sword [Shield Hero Event Farmable]
～～～ As per usual just run artgen equips. Also despite what it says above, this is a 5 equip slot. DO NOT LB HER PAST 5 *
*5☆ <:Lbdef:660480904128364554> *
Newer Players
True “Flambardo” [Sanstone True Weapon] Blazing Cloak “Flame Stola” [Knights of Blood Pt. 5 (Sword Berwick) Side Story Farmable]
Optimal
Flexible ～～～ Just run whatever defense equip you need for the boss.
*4☆ <:lbphys:650796348194422823> *
Newer Players
Relic “Volkans” [“Trials of the Flame God” (Ifrit) Giant Boss Farmable] Gun Sword “Bray Cannon” [“Weapon with a Heart” (Vicious) Trial Event Farmable]
Optimal
Hatred Claws “Grief” [Subject-β3 Mines Boss Drop] Gun Sword “Bray Cannon” ～～～ As per usual, not many good option for 4 * physical equips so just run whatever
*4☆ <:Lbdef:660480904128364554> *
Newer Players
Magical Sword “Siegel” [Freedom Fighters: "Last Wishes Passed to the Future" (Grohl & Onfuan) Side Story Farmable] Armor “Dragon Scale” [“The Dragon General’s Sword” (Rohst) Trial Event Farmable]
Optimal
Rem’s Sexy Lace Bikini [Summer Equipment Banner] Flexible
～～～ Just run whatever you'd need for the boss, however *DO NOT LB ALBEDO PAST 5*** _ _ _ _
Overall Impressions
Overall Albedo is a strong defensive unit who is only screwed over due to its reliance on running mono demon, being able to provide them with 30% dmg res by ramping her Normal Art and an additional 20% physical res on TA along with a rather sizeable barrier. However, mono demon teams are not very viable in global right now, as time progress and we get more units such as Demon king Vox and the Dream Evolution for Zenon, then a mono demon team will become a viable option. But it's important to note, Albedo and mono demon comps heavily relies on their Bone Daddy, Ainz, to help carry the team.
Overlord Crossover Part 1 Equipment Banner Info
3F
5☆ <:lbphys:650796348194422823>
HP - 0 ATK - 500 DEF - 0
10000% Dark DMG (PHY). For 10s, Increases own STATS by 25%. If the user is a Dark unit, additionally increase ATK by 25%. 45 second CT, 1000 BREAK
Hermes Trismegistus
5☆ <:lbdef:650797237286338589>
HP - 0 ATK - 0 DEF - 500
For 20s, Increases all allies' DMG RES by 25%. Additionally, increase allies' PHY RES by 25% for the first 3 times this equipment is used. 35 second CT
Albedo's Dress  4☆ <:lbdef:650797237286338589>
HP - 0 ATK - 0 DEF - 120  For 15s, Increases all allies' CRIT DMG RES by 15%. 40 second CT
Shalltear's Parasol  5☆ <:lbmag:650796593276256266>
HP - 0 ATK - 500 DEF - 0  7000% Light DMG (MAG). For 12s, Increase own MAG DMG by 50% & reduce enemies' Light RES by 30%. (Stackable) 50 second CT, 600 BREAK
Pipette Lance  5☆ <:lbmag:650796593276256266>
HP - 0 ATK - 500 DEF - 0  7000% Light DMG (MAG). For 10s, Increase own CRIT Rate by 100%. Additionally if HP is above 80%, increase own CRIT DMG by 60%. 55 second CT, 500 BREAK
Shalltear's Gown  4☆ <:lbphys:650796348194422823>
HP - 0 ATK - 120 DEF - 0  4000% Light DMG (PHY). For 10s, Increase own ATK by 30%. If the user is Light, additionally increase Accuracy by 20%. 45 second CT, 600 BREAK
Overlord Part 1 Farmable Equipment Info
Wooden Stick
5☆ <:lbmag:650796593276256266>
HP - 0 ATK - 500 DEF - 0
5000% Dark DMG (MAG). For 10s, Increases own MAG DMG by 50%. If the user is a Demon unit, additionally increase Equipment CT REC by 30%. - Light RES 5% UP 50 second CT, 300 BREAK
*An EV Variant is available, however the passives aren't too noteworthy as usual.
Overlord Part 1 Banner Equipment Reviews
3F
An interesting equipment to say the least, as there are very few situations where you'd want a STATS Up effect. Said situations would include Pseudo-healing, which it is indeed good at, but one should rely more on their units to provide the healing rather than their PHY Equipment Slots.
Hermes Trismegistus
One of the largest sums of DMG RES in the game, with a good uptime to go alongside it. While it is unfortunate that the PHY RES effect is limited to 3 uses, 25% general DMG RES for 20s is something that's both strong & quite uncommon.
Albedo's Dress
Relatively long duration for a 4* Equipment, with the DMG Resistance to rival certain 5* DEF Equipment. However it's limited to only CRIT DMG which restricts it's usage.
Shalltear's Parasol
Released a bit early due to a lack of Star God Liza and her Ether Recast Ability, allowing you to use this equipment twice for 60% Light RES Down. However it is still usable as it does indeed stack with other Light RES Downs like True "Cantabille", totalling to 80% Light RES Down.
Pipette Lance
Generally, equipment that gives only the user CRIT Rate aren't really... used. However Pipette Lance also provides an 80% CRIT DMG Buff, which makes it stand out as a DMG UP equipment regardless of the CRIT Rate effect.
Shalltear's Gown
Typical 4* PHY that increases ATK. The Accuracy, while appreciated, has better options in the form of 3☆ <:lbphys:650796348194422823> Hellspit Karks, providing a passive 30% Accuracy UP. Could show up for as a minmax option for both ATK & Accuracy once or twice.
Overlord Part 1 Farmable Equipment Review
Wooden Stick
A nice 50% MAG DMG Up buff from a farmable equipment. The equipment CT REC effect is quite interesting as it can accelerate certain Demon Unit's equipment cycles providing more buffs/healing/arts from their equipment slots. Max 1-2 if you're a beginner, Veterans can consider getting atleast 1.
Overlord Part 1 Should You Pull?
Units
Yes, everybody should do the guaranteed multi. Ascended units are inherently stronger than 80% of Awoken units, and having more units to use for Summoners Road is key to clearing more stages.
Equips
Albedo Armor (Hermes Trigonometry) & Shalltear's Parasol are the prizes of this part, with good endgame/nuking use both today & in the future. The rest are nice to have, but not enough to chase after. Additionally, Part 2 has a better list of equipment to worry about. Namely Narberal's Headband & Mk.II. Newbies should wait for Part 2 as it has Support Equipment.
Whales
While Shalltear is an amazingly fast DPS, currently she isn't going to enable much due to both her lack of Ascension & the lack of Supports to make her leaderboard viable. Post ascension she's easily one of the fastest DPS units in the game, at the exchange of no utility or survivability in comparison to other big hitters with DEF Slots & Buffs/Debuffs. Albedo isn't really a strong unit until both Ainz & Demon King Vox releases, if that team is something that interests you then Albedo is a core part of that team.
Alchemy Stones
Because Deluxe Alch Banners are a thing, it'd be recommended to save for those rather than the 5k ALL STARS banner due to the large list of awful units or ones that you likely already own. Additionally, players should wait until all 4 Crossover characters are featured before pulling on ALL STARS. Not advisable to pull at the moment, wait until Part 2 or for the next Deluxe Alch Banner.
submitted by Aliceyua to grandsummoners [link] [comments]

2023.05.30 07:26 Aliceyua Fairy Tail Collab - Review

🐉 Credits for Sakuya Release & Fairy Tail Rerun <:gasp:692908028412035142>
Sakuya Review - <@910463974817005568> New Legend of the Forbidden Ninja Scroll Act 2 Equipment Info & Review - <@98761877273731072>
Natsu Review - <@98761877273731072> Lucy Review - <@767775211977179166> Gray Review - <@372743358847778816> Erza Review - <@361664519736524801> Fairy Tail Gacha and Farmable Equipment Info & Review - <@574197337732284416> _ _
Born as a Human, raised by a Dragon, and [Redacted]
diff - Natsu -
Fire, Demon
STATS
HP - 6706 +999 ATK - 3022 +463 DEF - 2822 +433
SKILL
12s CT - 1900% Fire DMG (PHY). For 8s, reduce Enemies' DMG RES by 10%. 400 BREAK ～～～ Nice little DMG RES debuff, nothing noteworthy but not entirely redundant as well.
ARTS
27000% Fire DMG (PHY). For 25s, increase own ATK by 100% and reduce Enemies' Burn RES by 50%. 1100 BREAK ～～～ A long-lasting ATK buff and Burn RES debuff. Additionally, the Burn RES debuff can be helpful when paired with his True Arts for enemies with innate Burn RES. Otherwise, his Arts will generally not see use for most situations.
TRUE ARTS
68000% Fire DMG (PHY). 100% chance of inflicting Burn. For 20s, Allies ignore 100% of Enemies' DEF. 1800 BREAK ～～～ What’s there not to like about a decent DMG multiplier with teamwide DEF Ignore buff. One of the few units in the game, as well as the only Fire unit able to give teamwide DEF Ignore. Furthermore, the 100% chance to inflict Burn synergises particularly well with one of his passives, which will be covered below.
ABILITIES
When own HP is above 70%, increase own Arts by 3/s, Freeze and Paralysis RES by 100%. ～～～ Amazing passive 3 arts/s generation as well as a nice 100% RES to both Freeze and Paralysis at the cost of keeping Natsu above 70% HP. With heals or barriers in the team, Natsu should rarely fall below this threshold and should be able to take full advantage of this passive.
Increase BE generation by 10%. ～～～ Nothing much to say here, a nice BE boost, although its impact is usually negligible.
Increase own DMG by 100% against Burnt Enemies. ～～～ Sheeesh~ That’s a significant DMG buff against Burning enemies. As stated earlier, most enemies won’t have innate Burn RES and can be burned by Natsu’s True Arts, allowing Natsu to gain a substantial 100% DMG buff against the Burned enemies.
MATERIALS
x1 Fragment of Flogassa
_ _
SLOTS
Newer players are considered to be those who joined during the rerun of Fairy Tail collab and onwards
5☆ <:lbphys:650796348194422823>
Newer Players
Relic “Radeus” ["The Glowing Sanctuary" (Fosradius) Giant Boss Farmable] Harusame [Shaman King Equipment Banner]

Natsu’s Scarf [Fairy Tail Event Farmable]

Natsu’s Clothes [Fairy Tail Equipment Banner] Erza’s Sword [Fairy Tail Equipment Banner]
Optimal
Harusame True “IZANAGI” [Sakura Mira True Weapon] Izumi no Kami Kanesada [Golden Kamuy Equipment Banner]

Cursed Light Sword “Anestra” [Auge Raid Boss Drop]

Type-30 Bayonet [Golden Kamuy Equipment Banner] Angelas’ Royal Dress [Halloween Equipment Banner] Rishley’s Sunset Bikini [Summer Equipment Banner] True "Drago La’cryma” [Angelas True Weapon] Dragon Knuckle EX [TenSura Equipment Banner] ～～～ For general use, stick to ArtGen equipment. For nuking, use regular buff/debuff equips that affects Physical/Fire DMG.
5☆ <:lbphys:650796348194422823>
Same as above.
4☆ <:lbmag:650796593276256266>
Due to the lack of many good 4☆ <:lbmag:650796593276256266> equipment, the slot is flexible for most situations.
Overall Impressions
Being one of the few units and the only Fire unit able to provide teamwide DEF Ignore in the game, Natsu is definitely by no means a useless unit. Although stages which require DEF Ignore are few and far between, he can still act as a competent DPS unit with his high True Arts DMG multiplier paired with his passive significantly increasing DMG against Burning enemies. Moreover, he is able to passively gain Arts from simply being above 70% HP, which isn’t very difficult to maintain, allowing him to perform well in sustained fights. _ _
Juicy Lucy!
fix Lucy
Light, Human
STATS
HP - 6680 +999 ATK - 2950 +492 DEF - 2663 +409
SKILL
12s CT - 1500% Light DMG (PHY). For 8s, reduce Enemies' ATK by 10%. 300 BREAK ～～～ Not much here, the ATK debuff can help with survivability but not very impactful overall.
ARTS
15000% Water DMG (MAG). Permanently increase allies' Magic DMG by 30% (stackable, up to 150%). 800 BREAK ～～～ Damage is typical for a NA, but also gives a teamwide permanent, stackable buff. It is only for magic damage, encouraging the use of magic-oriented units, though in the worst case scenario, she will give herself a permanent buff at the very least. Using Lucy in conjunction with other sources of artgen can allow her to use her NA 5 times to increase the whole team’s magic damage output by 150%, which is quite substantial. Note that this arts deals Water damage, despite Lucy being a Light unit. This can be helpful if bosses somehow negate or resist light damage, but it generally won't matter much.
TRUE ARTS
50000% Light DMG (MAG). For 20s, increase Allies' Critical Rate by 100% + Increase Allies' Arts by [1 × # of Light Allies in the party]/s. 1600 BREAK Note: This unit's Arts Gen is Type E and will not stack with other Type E Arts Gen. More info can be found in the ... artsgen command. ～～～ Decent multiplier for a support unit, but the most important aspect of Lucy’s TA is that it is currently the only light unit that both gives a teamwide crit rate of 100% while simultaneously supplying arts to the team. The only caveat is that Lucy has to be used in a team with at least 3 light units, and preferably mono-light, for her ArtsGen to be relevant.
ABILITIES
When own HP is above 80%, increase ATK and DMG by 50%. ～～～ Light tends to have great healers and tanks, so it is not unrealistic to keep Lucy at high HP most of the time. The reward for keeping her HP close to max is a sizable buff to both ATK and DMG. _ _
Increase DMG to Dark Enemies by 20%. ～～～ Another buff that, while situational, can be relevant against dark enemies which normally abound in the game.
Increase own Arts by 2 for every 10% of max HP lost. ～～～ Seems nice in theory, but in practice, she will gain too few arts from this passive to be significant, as she would need to take 5 times her max HP in damage to gain 100 arts.
MATERIALS
x1 Fragment of Radachne
SLOTS
Newer players are considered to be those who joined during the rerun of Fairy Tail collab and onwards
5☆ <:lbmag:650796593276256266>
Newer Players
Magical Hat “Akashic Eye” [Freedom Fighters: "Last Wishes Passed to the Future" (Grohl & Onfuan) Side Story Farmable] Celestial Gate Key [Fairy Tail Crossover Equipment Banner]
Optimal
Victoire’s Catsuit [Halloween Equipment Banner] True “Exceed Zechs” [Dark Zeorg True Weapon] Magical Hat “Akashic Eye” Dark Blade “Exceed Zechs” [“The Hero and the Cursed Sword” (Dark Zeorg) Event Farmable] True “Proscris” [Diaz True Weapon] ～～～ Nothing out of the ordinary, fill this slot with ArtGen in most circumstances.
5☆ <:lbsupp:650797466354057228>
Newer Players
Lucy’s Clothes [Fairy Tail Crossover Equipment Banner] Magisteel-Toe Boots [Phantom Snipers: Episode 1 (Hart) Side Story Farmable] Lesser Demonheart [General Equipment Banners]
Optimal
Lucy’s Clothes [Fairy Tail Crossover Equipment Banner] Liza’s Smart Skirt [Halloween Equipment Banner] Fight Club Goku Uniform” [Kill La Kill Crossover Equipment Banner] Santa Liza, Seeking Wisdom [Christmas Equipment Banner] Sacred “Silent Treasure” [Mines Farmable] Any 4+ aps teamwide artgen equip ～～～ Fill this slot with the artgen equip that yields the most arts per second available, and preferably a teamwide artgen equip. _ _
4☆ <:lbheal:650797046218883151>
Newer Players
Shako of Aspiration "Betzfald" [Cross the Blaze Part 7 equip] Flower Cane Irurose [General Equipment Banner] Relic “Force Keratos” [“Glowing Sanctuary” (Fosradius) Giant Boss Farmable]
Optimal
Puck's Pouch [Re:Zero Crossover Equipment Banner] Shako of Aspiration "Betzfald" [Cross the Blaze Part 7 equip] Flower Cane Irurose [General Equipment Banner] Relic “Force Keratos” [“Glowing Sanctuary” (Fosradius) Giant Boss Farmable] Holy Night of Fenrir [Christmas Event Farmable] Flexible ～～～ Fill this slot with the most potent healing available, or either cleanse or revive when needed.
Overall Impressions
Lucy does not hide the fact that she is fairly limited to mono-light teams (or teams with 3 light units at the very least). However, she is a strong support for mono-light teams, being capable of permanently ramping the team’s Magic damage with repeated NAs, or contributing to team artgen. Her role is quite obvious and a bit limited compared to the collab’s other units, but she fulfills that role in outstanding fashion. _ _
Have you seen my shirt? I swear I left it right here...
diff Gray
Water, Human
STATS
HP - 6677 +999 ATK - 2999 +459 DEF - 2859 +438
SKILL
12s CT - 1800% Water DMG (PHY). For 7s, increase own accuracy by 20%. 400 BREAK ～～～ Nothing major to note about, the minor acccuracy buff is appreciated when needed.
ARTS
22000% Water DMG (PHY). Permanently increase Allies' PHY DMG by 30% (up to 150%). 800 BREAK ～～～ Coupled with his passive, this allows Gray to increase the team's PHY DMG, including himself in quests with many prestages, making him very useful as a mob clearer.
TRUE ARTS
50000% Water DMG (PHY). For 20s, increase own DMG by 100%. If used for the first time of the Quest, increase Allies' Arts by 70. 1800 BREAK ～～～ Another great DMG buff, albiet selfish this time, to burn down the boss after clearing all those prestages. The added first time effect of a massive 70 arts boost to the team helps if anyone is falling behind on arts when they reach the boss, something that Gray likely won't have issues with given his unique passive.
_ _
ABILITIES
At the start of a Battle, increase own Arts by own Luck. ～～～ The bread and butter of what makes Gray such a good farming unit. When he's maxed at 120 luck, that allows him to use Arts immediately at the start of each battle without having to rely on any BE or equips. With enough prestages, it'll give him a use of True Arts for free.
Increase Water RES by 10%. ～～～ The very minor resistance to Water is appreciated, but I don't think it'll make a difference very much.
Increase Freeze RES by 50%. ～～～ Once again appreciated to protect him from freeze, but it's basically a coinflip as to if he gets frozen.
MATERIALS
x1 Fragment of Freydal
_ _
SLOTS
Newer players are considered to be those who joined during the rerun of Fairy Tail collab and onwards
5☆ <:lbphys:650796348194422823>
Newer Players
Relic “Radeus” ["The Glowing Sanctuary" (Fosradius) Giant Boss Farmable]
Optimal
True “IZANAGI” [Sakura Mira True Weapon] Izumi no Kami Kanesada [Golden Kamuy Equipment Banner] True “Efkeria” [Fen True Weapon] Cursed Light Sword “Anestra” [Auge Raid Boss Drop] ～～～ Snippity Snips [Kill La Kill Equipment Banner] True “Saint Blaze” [Nies True Weapon] Silent Summonstone [“Faith in the Stars” (Ifrit & Palamicia) Event Farmable] Rishley’s Sunset Bikini [Summer Equipment Banner] Gray's Sword [Fairy Tale Equipment Banner] ～～～ The usual ArtGen or nuking equips depending on what you're up to.
5☆ <:lbphys:650796348194422823>
Same as above.
4☆ <:lbphys:650796348194422823>
Newer Players
Gray's Necklace [Fairy Tale Equipment Banner] Relic “Volkans” [“Trials of the Flame God” (Ifrit) Giant Boss Farmable] Gun Sword “Bray Cannon” [“Weapon with a Heart” (Vicious) Trial Event Farmable]
Optimal
Hatred Claws “Grief” [Subject-β3 Mines Boss Drop] Blaze Coil “Annulus” [Garm Mines Boss Drop] Dark Armor “Evil Death” [“The Hero and the Cursed Sword” (Dark Zeorg) Event Farmable] Gray's Necklace Relic “Volkans” ～～～ Gun Sword “Bray Cannon” [“Weapon with a Heart” (Vicious) Trial Event Farmable] Dark Armor “Evil Death” [“The Hero and the Cursed Sword” (Dark Zeorg) Event Farmable] ～～～ Without Grief, the best you can do here is some ATK or DMG buffs.
_ _
Overall Impressions
Gray comes swinging at farm teams as an effective upgrade to Kazuma from Yu Yu Hakusho. As a Luck unit, he excels at not only clearing waves, but also providing teamwide Arts (for the first time), and even as a decent DPS/Buffer. He provides excellent damage buffs to himself and to the team, with very offensive slots to help in full luck nukes. With all that said, he serves as one of the best Luck units in the game, period. _ _
Boobs.
fix Erza
STATS**  HP - 6696 +999 ATK - 3105 +475 DEF - 2780 +427  **SKILL**  12s CT - 2000% Light DMG (PHY). For 8s, increase own DMG by 10%. 900 BREAK ～～～ Being a small boost to begin with, 10% is a mere droplet in such a large pool of DMG Up buffs provided by Erza's True Arts.  **ARTS**  20000% Light DMG (PHY). For 20s, increase own ATK by 50% and reduce enemies' evasion 30%. 1200 BREAK ～～～ While a 50% ATK boost is pretty decent, you'll mostly just be using Erza's True Arts for the more favorable boosts in damage output and also how you'd want to use her True Arts consecutively to ramp the damage up. However, coupled with accuracy buffs, the 30% evasion debuff can come in handy against highly evasive bosses.  **TRUE ARTS  70000% Light DMG (PHY). For 15s, reduce enemies' Light Resistance by 40% and increase own Critical DMG by [60% × # of times this True Arts has been activated, up to 300%]. 1600 BREAK ～～～ Huge multiplier, potent resistance debuff, and increasingly large DMG up buffs. With passive critical rate as the cherry on top, it will hit harder than a truck searching for isekai victims. Furthermore, it will get more powerful after each use (effects max out at 5 uses, of course). Even without ramping, her True Arts can already unleash a huge amount of damage and provide great damage support for light damage dealers with herself included.
_ _
ABILITIES  When own HP is above 90%, increase own Arts gauge by 4/s. Additionally, increase own Critical Rate by 100% if unafflicted by Status Ailments ～～～
A key component of her kit, this passive is something you'll want to maintain in order for Erza perform her utmost best as a DPS unit. The automatic Arts gauge generation will help greatly in stacking up her DMG buffs, and the innate critical rate boost will ensure maximal damage against enemies with high defense. Against foes with critical resistance, you can bring an additional critical rate boost to land critical hits, assuming that the enemies don't have a resistance value substantially higher than 100% (in which case, you'll bring DEF ignore).  Increase own Light Resistance by 10%. ～～～ The value is pretty negligible, and it's especially so since Erza's not redirecting damage or anything.  Increase own Paralysis Resistance by 50%. ～～～ Being a mere 50%, Erza might occasionally dodge paralysis, but this would mostly reduce the paralysis duration by a bit. Not really special/important to Erza's kit, and you could always just bring a defense item to deal with various kinds of ailments. 
MATERIALS  x1 Fragment of Fosradius
SLOTS**  Newer players are considered to be those who joined during the rerun of Fairy Tail collab and onwards  5☆ <:lbphys:650796348194422823>  Newer Players  Relic “Radeus” ["The Glowing Sanctuary" (Fosradius) Giant Boss Farmable]  Optimal  **True “IZANAGI” [Sakura Mira's True Weapon] Izumi no Kami Kanesada [Golden Kamuy Equipment Banner] Hiei’s Sword [Yu Yu Hakusho Equipment Banner] ～～～ True "Velocity" [Noel's True Weapon] MorNyan Star [A Tail of Mystery (Detective Liese) Event Farmable] True "Drago La'cryma" [Angelas's True Weapon] Rishley’s Sunset Bikini [Summer Equipment Banner] Gem of Ragsherum’s Grudge ["Revenge of the Cursed Armor" (Ragsherum) Event Farmable] Godzilla Earth [Godzilla Equipment Banner] ～～～ Typically bring Arts gauge generation, or bring DMG buffs or resistance debuffs for nuking. _ _
5☆ <:lbdef:650797237286338589>  Newer Players  Relic "Logislett" [“Trials of the Flame God” (Ifrit) Giant Boss Farmable] Guild Flag [Fairy Tail Equipment Banner] Erza's Armor [Fairy Tail Part 2 Event Farmable]  Optimal  True "Flambardo" [Sanstone's True Equipment] Iris's Change of Pace [Summer Equipment Banner] Flexible ～～～ Use your best damage mitigating equipment. For nuking specifically, you'll usually bring teamwide ATK boosting items.  5☆ <:lbphys:650796348194422823>  Same recommendations as the first slot ～～～ Typically bring Arts gauge generation, or bring DMG buffs or resistance debuffs for nuking. Make sure it stacks or doesn't come into conflict with other items.
_ _
OVERALL IMPRESSIONS  Erza can already unleash a great amount of damage on the initial True Arts, and she can increase her damage output until she caps out at a total of five True Arts uses. As such, she can serve as an excellent DPS unit for most content, whether the stage is short or long. The conditions on her passive seem kind of strict, but it ultimately isn't an issue for lengthier content (where it will matter most for her kit) since you're always expected to bring a healer for those kinds of stages anyway. And unlike most ramping DPS units, she doesn't need too much to get the ball rolling, and there aren't really any disadvantages that would deter her usage in general content as she would already be able to deal more than satisfactory damage from the get-go without hassles like stacking Normal Arts or severe health drain.  For nuking, she can provide pretty good damage support, boasting a potent Light Resistance debuff and two 5-star physical slots that could fit more debuffs or buffs to further enhance the team's damage output while also dishing out a fairly large amount of damage herself. As a side note, her innate critical rate and ability to hold fast, hard-hitting weapons like True Grand Destin may be of use for clearing some mob stages on auto (or just in general). _ _
submitted by Aliceyua to grandsummoners [link] [comments]

2023.05.30 07:14 alex_esc EQ Your Mixing Room, No Sonarworks Required.

Having a good low end response is key for achieving your best mixes but resonances can build up and ring out like crazy. Especially if your monitors are close to the walls or corners!
This is what happened to me, my bedroom has very little space for my desk so the only place I could place it was right up in the corner of the room. When I record bass or you hit a low note on an electric guitar like a low A or G I get this low resonant frequency that makes every mix sound muddy and extremely low-end heavy. Turns out there's a fix for that!
You might have heard of Sonarworks or Room EQ Wizard (or REW) and that those kind of programs are supposed to compensate for resonances and imperfections on the frequency response of your speakers.
But for those programs to work you need a reference microphone. If you're starting out in audio you probably don't have one.
Here's a simple solution where you DONT need a specialized microphone or any microphone at all!

Room Acoustics is just math

Sonarworks and REW rely on you using a microphone to measure the frequencies where your room naturally adds boosts and cuts. But acoustics can boil down to physics and maths. So if you had the right formulas you could just run a few calculations and get the exact frequencies you need to compensate.
Well, someone made a website that does all the maths for you!

Step 1: Measure your Room

Use a measuring tape to get the dimensions of your room. You probably already have a measuring tape laying around somewhere. Now write down your measurements in centimeters, or use feet if your prefer.
The acoustic calculator website supports centimeters and feet only, so if you measure in meters make sure to convert them into centimeters.
Here's an example, my actual room:
length Width Height
310cm 343.5cm 98
What should you do if your room is not rectangular?
If your room is not cube-shaped or a rectangle like a room where the ceiling is sloped or tilted or the top of your room looks like a triangle you'll have to pretend your room is rectangle shaped even if it's not. This is just for simplicity's sake, just pick a height and run with it!
Wait really? isn't there a formula for my specific room shape?
Yes, it's possible to run the calculations for non-rectangular rooms but this tutorial will only focus on the easiest method where you have to do no maths at all. Even if you're not using the real measurements because you're pretending your room is a rectangular prism you'll still have enough precision to fix annoying low end resonances. More on that later.

Step 2: Put the measurements into the website

Go to https://amcoustics.com/tools/amroc on the computer you mix on and type in your measurements.
Once you type those in you'll see a graph like this!
And there it is, there's my annoying resonance when the bass plays a low G or A! that's because there's a room mode at my room on 100Hz and 110Hz.
There's a few fancy graphs and a bunch of spikes on top of a keyboard. There comes a point where there's so many spikes on that keyboard that it seems there's probably a ton of issues! Don't worry, that's not what that graph means ;)
There's a formula you can apply to know at what frequency you can start ignoring those spikes, but that formula requires you to know the RT60 value of your room. If you don't have a mic to measure that you can simply use this rule of thumb:
Ignore all the spikes above 300 Hz.
On the previous example image you can see how there's a lot of spikes that start to bunch up at around 150-180Hz. That's the point where you want to ignore everything above that.
In the example the cut off point is everything above aprox 150Hz, all rooms will have different cut off point, but in my experience it is commonly between 150-300Hz.
The important part is that you ignore the bunched up spikes and focus on the lone and spaced out resonances. Example Image.
Now click the preview button, this will play the frequencies you mouse over. So mouse over a few frequencies to confirm that those are the frequencies where you're hearing ringing in your room.
Now write down those frequencies, Example:
​
Freqs
submitted by alex_esc to u/alex_esc [link] [comments]

2023.05.30 07:04 Insanekitten [CA] [US] [SELLING] Mega Anime Nendoroid Figure Sale (Older Nendoroid collection)

Image of wall of Nendoroids and couple of Figmas: https://imgur.com/a/FBaVpAx?
I was an active anime collector a decade ago but I’m realizing now I just don’t really have the space to display most of my collection all at once, and most of these have just remained in storage. So with a heavy heart, I’ve decided it’s probably about time to really pare down my collection and let these go to a loving home where they will be better appreciated and maybe see the light of day.So I’ll be working on listing a bunch of my collection, from figures, manga, DVDs, plushies, and anime merch. Much of my collection is from around 2010 or earlier, I stopped actively buying stuff around 2013, so you will notice I have mostly older figures. I’ll still be figuring out what I really want to keep so some of these figures I may be on the fence about - but by all means feel free to send me an offer.
Happy to take more photos and provide more details if you are interested in specific figure(s), just ask.
I accept Paypal G&S. I am open to trades and best offers.
Figures come from a smoke-free and cat-friendly home and are being shipped out from Canada, BC, Vancouver. I will calculate shipping using either Canada Post or USPS, whichever works out to be the best option, and I will give buyers a range when possible. I am happy to combine shipping and ship worldwide. I am also willing to arrange for free pickups if you are in the Lower Mainland.
I use recycled materials, so basically I reuse Amazon boxes, or whatever I have on hand. I will ensure the boxes are sturdy and well packed (I give em the ol shake test). I can also buy new shipping materials to ship figures at buyer’s expense if the buyer prefers.
MIB = Mint In Box, has never been opened, seal is intact, and box is in mint condition.
CIB = Complete in Box, all parts are included, has been opened.
IMAGE 1
+++++++
Hyakka Ryouran - Yagyu Jubei - Nendoroid (#171) - Opening ver. (FREEing) MIB $45 USD / $60 CAD
Kodomo no Jikan - Kagami Kuro - Nendoroid (#085) CIB $60 USD / $80 CAD
Kodomo no Jikan - Usa Mimi - Nendoroid (#098) CIB $60 USD / $80 CAD
Queen's Blade - Airi - Nendoroid (#168a) (FREEing) MIB $55 USD / $75 CAD
Mascot Character - Gumako - Cheerful Japan! - Nendoroid (#200) - Support ver. MIB $30 USD / $40 CAD
Puchitto Rock Shooter - Black ★ Rock Shooter - Cheerful Japan! - Nendoroid (#180) - Puchitto Support ver. CIB $52 USD / $70 CAD
Vocaloid - Kagamine Len - Cheerful Japan! - Nendoroid (#190) - Support ver. MIB $52 USD / $70 CAD
Vocaloid - Kagamine Rin - Cheerful Japan! - Nendoroid (#189) - Support ver. MIB $52 USD / $70 CAD
Working!! - Yamada Aoi - Nendoroid (#233) (Max Factory) MIB $52 USD / $70 CAD
Fate/Tiger Colosseum - Saber Lion - Nendoroid (#050) CIB $52 USD / $70 CAD
[SOLD] The World Only God Knows - Elsie - Nendoroid (#184) (Max Factory) CIB $45 USD / $60 CAD
Kannagi - Zange - Nendoroid (#069) CIB $52 USD / $70 CAD
Tantei Opera Milky Holmes - Kamaboko - Sherlock Shellingford - Nendoroid (#156) - Anime ver. CIB $45 USD / $60 CAD
Black ★ Rock Shooter - Nendoroid (#106) CIB but damaged parts $22 USD / $30 CAD
Kuroshitsuji - Ciel Phantomhive - Nendoroid (#117) CIB $66 USD / $90
Kuroshitsuji - Sebastian Michaelis - Nendoroid (#068) CIB $66 USD / $90
[SOLD] SoniComi (Super Sonico) - Sonico - Nendoroid (#252) - Tiger Parka ver. CIB $75 USD / $100 CAD
Mahou Shoujo Madoka☆Magica - Charlotte - Tomoe Mami - Nendoroid (#183) CIB $60 USD / $80 CAD
Mahou Shoujo Madoka☆Magica - Akemi Homura - Nendoroid (#182) CIB $60 USD / $80 CAD
[SOLD] Mahou Shoujo Madoka☆Magica - Sakura Kyouko - Nendoroid (#217) CIB $60 USD / $80 CAD
Kyouran Kazoku Nikki - Midarezaki Gekka - Midarezaki Kyouka - Nendoroid (#052) CIB $75 USD / $100 CAD
Little Busters! - Belka - Noumi Kudryavka - Nendoroid (#158) - Winter Uniform Ver. (Gift) MIB $45 USD / $60 CAD
Fate/Stay Night - Altria Pendragon - Nendoroid (#121) - Saber, Super Movable Edition CIB $60 USD / $80 CAD
Melty Blood - Neco-Arc - Nendoroid (#120) - Ultimate Version MIB $260 USD / $350 CAD
Minami-ke - Minami Chiaki - Nendoroid (#088) CIB $40 USD / $55 CAD
[ON HOLD] Suzumiya Haruhi no Shoushitsu - Kyon - Nendoroid (#153) - Disappearance Ver. CIB $52 USD / $70 CAD
[ON HOLD] Suzumiya Haruhi no Shoushitsu - Suzumiya Haruhi - Nendoroid (#124) CIB $52 USD / $70 CAD
[ON HOLD] Suzumiya Haruhi no Shoushitsu - Nagato Yuki - Nendoroid (#123) CIB $52 USD / $70 CAD
Death Note - Yagami Light - Nendoroid (#012) CIB $52 USD / $70 CAD
Shining Wind - Kureha Touka - Nendoroid (#063) CIB $37 USD / $50 CAD
Penguin Musume - Nankyoku Sakura - Nendoroid (#048) CIB $55 USD / $75 CAD
Strike Witches - Francesca Lucchini - Nendoroid (#108) CIB $37 USD / $50 CAD
Mahou Shoujo Madoka☆Magica - Akemi Homura - Nendoroid (#208) - School Uniform ver. MIB $75 USD / $100 CAD
Bungaku Shoujo - Amano Tooko - Nendoroid (#118) CIB $52 USD / $70 CAD
GOOD SMILE Racing - Vocaloid - Hatsune Miku - Nendoroid (#109) - Racing 2010 MIB $60 USD / $80 CAD
Vocaloid - Hatsune Miku - Nendoroid (#129) - Absolute HMO Edition CIB $70 USD / $95 CAD
Lucky☆Star - Fate/Stay Night - Cosplay Set - Izumi Konata & Hiiragi Kagami - Nendoroid (#034) CIB $80 USD
Fireball - Drossel von Flügel - Nendoroid (#081) CIB $66 USD / $90
Vocaloid - Hatsune Miku - Cheerful Japan! - Nendoroid (#170) - Support ver. CIB, crushed box (GSC botched many shipments) $33 USD / $45 CAD
[ON HOLD] Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu - Asakura Ryouko - Expansion Set - Nendoroid (#044) CIB $55 USD / $75 CAD
IMAGE 2
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Vocaloid - Hatsune Miku - Nendoroid (#261) - Yukata ver. CIB $52 USD / $70 CAD
Vocaloid - Hatsune Miku - Nendoroid (#097) - Snow CIB $52 USD / $70 CAD
[ON HOLD] Vocaloid - Hatsune Miku - Nendoroid (#033) CIB $60 USD / $80 CAD
Vocaloid - Hatsune Miku - Nendoroid (#333) - Yukata, Natsu Tsubaki ver. MIB $52 USD / $70 CAD
Black ★ Rock Shooter - Strength - Nendoroid (#166) MIB $55 USD / $75 CAD / $75 CAD
Black ★ Rock Shooter - Dead Master - Nendoroid (#128) CIB $52 USD / $70 CAD
Black ★ Rock Shooter - Black ★ Gold Saw - Nendoroid (#145) MIB $55 USD / $75 CAD
Vocaloid - Lily - Nendoroid (#286) (Phat Company) MIB $55 USD / $75 CAD
Vocaloid - Megurine Luka - Tako Luka - Nendoroid (#093) CIB $55 USD / $75 CAD
Vocaloid - Meiko - Nendoroid (#187) MIB $66 USD / $90 CAD
Vocaloid - Kaito - Nendoroid (#058) MIB $85 USD / $115 CAD
[ON HOLD] Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu - Asahina Mikuru - Nendoroid (#016) CIB $35 USD / $47 CAD
[ON HOLD] Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu - Nagato Yuki - Nendoroid (#010) CIB $40 USD / $54 CAD
[ON HOLD] Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu - Suzumiya Haruhi - Nendoroid (#009) CIB $35 USD / $47 CAD
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Toradora! - Aisaka Taiga - Nendoroid (#185b) - Sailor Fuku Ver. (Ascii Media Works, Sentinel) MIB $90 USD
[SOLD] Nedoroid Diorama Play Set (#03) - School Festival Set A - (PHAT) MIB $60 USD / $80 CAD
[SOLD] Nedoroid Diorama Play Set (#03) - School Festival Set B - (PHAT) MIB $60 USD / $80 CAD
[SOLD] OreImo (My Sister Can’t Be This Cute) - Gokou Ruri / Kuroneko - Nendoroid (#144) CIB $52 USD / $70 CAD
Makai Senki Disgaea - Etna - Nendoroid (#356) (Phat Company) CIB $100 USD / $135 CAD
Makai Senki Disgaea - Flonne - Nendoroid (#357) (Phat Company) CIB $100USD / $135 CAD
Fate/Stay Night - Altria Pendragon - Cheerful Japan! - Nendoroid (#215) - Saber & Tohsaka Rin, Support Ver. CIB $85 USD / $115 CAD
Vocaloid - Hatsune Miku - Nendoroid (#150) - Snow Playtime Edition MIB $70 USD / $95 CAD
Vocaloid - Hatsune Miku - Nendoroid (#207) - Snow, Fluffy Coat Ver. MIB $70 USD / $95 CAD
Vocaloid - Hatsune Miku - Nendoroid (#303) - Snow, Strawberry White Kimono Ver. MIB, original shrink wrap still intact $140 USD / $190 CAD
Vocaloid - Hatsune Miku WonderFest 2014 - Figma (#EX-016) - Snow (Max Factory) MIB $75 USD / $100 CAD
Black ★ Rock Shooter - Kuroi Mato - Figma (#EX-006) - Seifuku ver. (Max Factory) MIB $60 USD / $80 CAD
submitted by Insanekitten to Nendoroid [link] [comments]

2023.05.30 06:37 dragonagitator WTF IS THAT?! A handy guide for when the excitement is insufficiently subdued

Sirens, Police Cars, Fire Trucks, and Ambulances:
Gunshots, Explosions, and Assorted Booms:
Smoke and Haze:
Strange Lights in the Sky:
Giant Rocks on Trucks:
White Fluff in the Sky in May:
what else should be on the list?
submitted by dragonagitator to Bellingham [link] [comments]

2023.05.30 06:31 Kylestien Dumb "Where are they now?" thing for Advance Wars 2.

People seemed to like the first one I did so I thought I'd do a second now I finally finished AW2. (That last mission is a bitch by the way.)
Andy: The strain of a second war had tired him. He had hoped that after the events of 1, all he'd need to do are practise drills. So when the war was finally over, he dedicated himself to improving Orange Star's early warning systems. If Black Hole rises again in another land, they'll know.
Max: Max decided that, with his extensive knowledge of tanks, he could probably improve the Neotank even if it was already technologicaly advanced. His idea of "add 300 more gun turrets to it" was however shot down by R and D, who said they'd be lucky to add 5.
Sami: Sami decided to do a recruitment drive for Orange Star after the events of the war. She figured the best way of doing that was to do more humanitarian work in the war torn nation. It did wonders to both fixing up the place as well as getting more people to join.
Nell: Having seen the devastation that Black Hole had caused not once, but twice, Nell decided that it would be better for an alliance between the four nations to become more official, on the offchance that they rise again under Hawke. While talks between the four leaders have not progressed past the naming stage yet, she is hopefull for progress. Her sister is still too young to join the army, but seeing Nell attempting to acheive the impossible has only inspired her further to do so.
Hatchi: Confident that he can leave Orange Star's fate in the hands of the youngen's now, he decided to keep enjoying his beach hut and business. Do not ask how he got Sturm as a hirable CO for outside the campaign. You do NOT want to know how he pulled that off. Also he might have to kill you.
Olaf: After seeing his hometown devastated in the war, Olaf was distraught. As part of the negotiations for Nell's upcoming allaince, he requested funds to repair his wartorn nation. They were granted, and Olaf also spent his own resources, even putting in his own physical effort, to repairing the city and other places hit by the Black Hole army. The town square has been restored to it's former glory. Everyone agrees it's pretty nice.
Grit: Grit decided it would be a good idea to try and figure out if any of the resources Black Hole stole were left over, or if they were all spent. Turns out that Sturm had been keeping a horde of them in a secret base on the offchance he did in fact need to retreat and go for Round 3. Grit donated his find to the negotiations for an alliance.
Colin: for his part in the war effort at such a young age, Colin was award the Medal of The Bear, one of Blue Moon's most highly venerated war medals. Not long after, he received a complaint from his men about the shoddieness of their equipment and being thrown into the meat grinder, and how it was bad for moralde. Colin listened ... kind of... and had a arcade room installed in every base. Morale has risen by 20%, but they still would have prefered guns that work.
Eagle: The saying "Great minds think alike" is an accurate one, as, much like Andy, Eagle decided to improve Green Earth's early warning systems AND their defenses, reasoning that since they got hit the hardest by Black Hole, they needed to be better prepared for next time. Every town now has it's own air base. In times of peace, they even put on air shows and fake dogfights.
Drake: Drake meanwhile did a complete overhual of Green Earth's navy, reasoning pretty much the same. He also put forwards the idea of a submersable repair drone for fixing ships up on the fly, but was told that was basicaly impossible, especialy for the already submersable submarines.
Jess: The war over and her homeland safe, Jess went back to her studies abroad. The head of the faclity was annoyed as all get out due to the fact that she had left without any warning, during the middle of a important class, and knocked over and destoryed a valuable teaching tool on the way out... but relented when told the situation. She is in great student debt for the broken tool, but is content.
Kanbei: Kanbei, while absolutely willing to form an allaince with the others, is possibly the main reason it is still in the planning stages, His request to call the alliance "Kanbei's United Army" being repeatedly declined. However, it's not all bad from him, as he is also adamdent on getting every soilder in this new united allaince the best equipment and training possible. The soilders love him for it, but both demands are slowing down talks.
Sonja: Sonja, realising the greatiest threat in their campaign was the genius scientist Lash, begain her own quest: to either hunt down and kill Lash, or recruit her for Gold Comet. Honestly, after her little taunts dug a bit too deep into her soul, she was not sure which she wanted to do. However, despite her best efforts, she did not succed in locating her. Apparently she hid herself much better then Sturm ever did.
Sensei: After a breif trip to some remote isle for a holiday, Sensei thanked the old guard for taking part in the war, and asked Kanbei to increase their pensions dramaticaly for thier effort. Such was agreed. Now Sensei can afford a nice traditional house by the beach. AND hire a jazz band for events!
Flak: Annoyed at one too many failures from him in the campaign, Hawke demonted Flak back down to private again. However, while he may have been useless as a CO, his time as such made him too effective as a private, showing cunning and ruthlessnes greater then his compatriots. In the end, Hawke repromoted him, deciding that a weak but well treat CO was better then a competant and power hungry up and comer.
Lash: Lash decided to go aground, taking the effort of rebuilding by doing so from a hidden location with her Lashbots. She actualy loved the rebuiilding process more then the devastation it caused, a revelation that surprised her, even if she could not yet admit it to herself. Ironicaly, Sonja DID find her one time, but Lash, desperate and out of tricks, pretended to be one of her Lashbots in the vain hope she'd just go away. Somehow, against all odds, it fucking worked. Sonja will never know how close she came...
Adder: Being terrified after the threats made to him by Sensei, Adder also decided to go to ground. Having built himself a hidden panic room in the middle of nowhere with some spare resources, he fled, waiting for the order from Hawke to rebuild. However, when he got to his panic room... someone had already been there, and left a gun with one bullet and a note: "It's a better option then ruining people's homes and meeting me again, sunny." Adder kept the gun out of sheer spite, planning to shoot the old fucker with it if they DO meet again.
Sturm: Sturm is dead, but the fear of someone somehow reviving him once more, dcespite that seemingly being impossible, was so great that the allaince agreed to take his body (Or rather, the dirt where his body was before being vaporized) and scatter them across both lands. They hope this will be enough to make sure that Sturm never rises again.
Hawke: Hawkes whereabouts are unknown...
submitted by Kylestien to Advance_Wars [link] [comments]

2023.05.30 06:30 farmer_giles91 12 Days Honeymoon in Tokyo & Kawaguchiko with tips and observations

I just had my honeymoon (originally scheduled for Jun 2020). My wife and I are in our early thirties. It’s my wife’s first time in japan while it’s my fourth. I’ve benefitted immensely from stalking Tokyo travel reddit and would like to return the favour. I’ll provide some of my tips and observations to the end (skip to the end if the itinerary doesn’t interest you), some of which I think haven’t been mentioned before.
Thank God pretty much everything went to plan, and my wife thoroughly enjoyed the trip. We spent 12 days in Japan, most of it in Tokyo and 2 nights in Kawaguchiko. Many people were surprised to know that we’d be spending most of our trip in Tokyo, but I thought it was just fine because Tokyo had a lot to offer. My wife and I aren’t big on visiting shrines or ticking tourist hotspots off a checklist. We don’t shop much, but we did a lot of it simply because it’s Japan and we bought lots of quality-of-life items (not fashion) for ourselves and others. Given how much my wife really enjoyed the trip, I think others with similar interests could find something helpful too.
Pre-trip planning
Planning during the trip
Day 0 (Wed) - Arrival at Shinjuku Airport- Arrived in Haneda late, about 11. Clearance was quick but baggage took 30mins. I had no choice but to cancel my airport limousine and take the metro to our hotel in Shinjuku.- I tried Apple wallet’s Suica at first. It worked seamlessly but felt that a physical metro card was just faster so I eventually switched over.- Reached after midnight, so do let your hotel know in advance if you anticipate arriving at odd hours.
Day 1 (Thurs) - Shinjuku exploration- Originally planned to visit Tsukiji on day 1, but given that we arrive late the previous night, agreed with my wife to change the plan and spend the first day doing the Shinjuku itinerary.
Day 2 (Fri) - Kappabashi St., Fabric Town, Akihabara
Day 3 (Sat) - Cooking class in Shinjuku, Shibuya
Day 4 (Sun) - Komazawa Church, Harajuku, Shibuya
Day 5 (Mon) - Tsukiji Market, Ginza Muji/Uniqlo, Tokyo station
Day 6 (Tue) - Tokyo National Museum, Fabric town revisit, Akihabara revisit, Ochanomizu
Day 7 (Wed) - Shinjuku Gyoen Garden, Mori Museum, Ginza Wakamatsu, Shinjuku
Day 8 (Thurs) - Kawaguchiko
Day 9 (Fri) - Fuji Q Highlands, Shimoyoshida Honcho St, Batting Cage
Planning for Fuji Q & Morning Jog: I didn’t plan to go to Fuji-Q highlands before the trip. Always felt it a bit of a waste to visit amusement parks overseas. That’s until I realised that Fuji Q had some of the most exciting, (I mean world-record-holding) rollercoasters in the world. Perhaps not anymore, but that intrigued me enough, because most amusement parks only had 1-2 coasters. Problem was that wife is terrified, and she said cycling on the streets of Kawaguchiko was like a coaster ride for her. So I decided I would reach at opening time, and buy time by paying for the fast passes and try their top three coasters. The night before, we felt that we had to make decisions on our itinerary as it was our last day at Kawaguchiko. If Mt Fuji wasn’t visible, go to Oshino Hakkai, if it was, we could try going to Shimoyoshida to get a nice picture.
Day 10 (Sat) - Kichijoji, Ghibli Museum, Kichijoji Jazz bar
Woke up before sunrise for a run and to attempt to catch a sunrise picture of Mount Fuji. Streets were completely empty. Even ran to the famous Kawaguchiko Lawson for a picture. Headed back for an onsen bathe (note: we never used the room's shower, and always went for an onsen bath throughout our stay in Kawaguchiko). Took a 7am bus to return to Shinjuku.
Day 11 (Sun) - Tokyo Sky Tree, Shinjuku, Back to Kichijoji, Shibuya
It was a crazy day where we simply hit the places we wanted to revisit regardless of proximity. Headed to Tokyo Skytree in the morning to check out another Ghibli store. If you’re not going to the Ghibli museum, this is probably the best store available. Headed to Shinjuku to try curry udon, then to Kichijoji to try satou beef balls and dangos and to make some purchasing decisions on some sports equipment. Then we ended up at Shibuya (my favourite place!) to the mega Don Quijote and Tokyu Hands to shop for gifts for others. It was a lovely end to our trip!
Day 12 (Mon) - Back home
Best trip ever, says my wife.
Tips for travellers
Observations
I've decided not to mention the specific food places as far as possible because I think there's more than enough recommendations available elsewhere. I also think sometimes that we get a bit fomo if we build up too many must-go spots. Enjoy your trip and the process of discovering new places! But feel free to ask me more if you like.
submitted by farmer_giles91 to JapanTravel [link] [comments]

2023.05.30 06:26 CaptCardboard Tips for edge-of-breakup overdrive recording guitar direct?

I just recently got into recording guitar direct. Got a Suhr Reactive Load for my tube amps, and have Two Notes Wall Of Sound with a few of their proprietary IRs along with a couple York and Celestion IRs. I can get killer dirty and fuzzy tones, and if I use the preamp out of my SS Peavey Backstage 30 I can get decent crystal clear tone. But if I try to use my tube amps clean (Silvertone Champ clone, or 15 watt Traynor BassMate) or use a very light overdrive pedal, I can always hear a little top end crackly buzzing. It's faint, and it can get worse when I really dig in playing. It sounds almost like the Impulse Responses aren't capturing the full range of my guitar sound. I've tried different IRs. My few different amps. Different guitars. Lowering inputs and outputs. Adding compression in my DAW makes it way worse. I'm just not sure how to make my low gain cleanish tube amps sound natural with this current setup. Is this a common trouble with this recording technique? I really enjoy every other aspect of recording with a load box and IRs since I'm in a noisy apartment and have trouble micing loud amps, but it's a whole new world for me and I'd love some tips for improving my recorded guitar sound. I'm using a Warm WA12 or GAP Pre-73 into a Clarett 2pre on an iMac with Reaper.
submitted by CaptCardboard to homerecordingstudio [link] [comments]

2023.05.30 06:13 Ravens_Quote Ideas for hell base

Ideas for hell base
I'll be using this post later for a guide/personal reference, but I'm also looking for feedback/ideas/build tips if y'all have any.
Pictures 1 & 2 show the general aesthetic of the base I want to build, a primitive build style where no wall is less than 2 blocks thick, dungeon brick is the primary building material, and fluids are included in the design of the build. As this is to be a hell base, honey is of course to be the traversable liquid of choice, while lava is to serve decorative and maybe lighting purposes.
Thing to include: Crispy honey generation area. Two large cauldrons which, when filled above a certain mark, bleed off top liquid down pipes into a central mixing cauldron where crispy honey can be made and harvested. Experiment w/ tube running underneath cauldron to be the one carrying lava, such that player can stand in the honey-filled central cauldron and safely mine crispy honey blocks from there.
Picture 2 shows one way of including rarer building elements into the base (meteorite ore here), though it does have some limitations considering what I plan to have in the hell base (various moss types).The design also shows a well-practiced means of keeping slimes, bats, and other such nuisances out by using liquid to block their passage while allowing the player through (notably also allowing one side of a wall to be entirely flooded while the other remains dry- I bucketed all the water from my East ocean into my West one and that particular tower is what's keeping Noah from building another ark).
Things to include: Blue, glowing pink, glowing orange, and rusty red moss (emphasis on rust moss if nothing else).
Q: "Won't growing that much moss take forever?"
A: This is a mediumcore character. I can't use my dunestriders until I fish up a second pair because anything I have less than 2 of is something I effectively already have none of, and the same goes for a pair of teraspark boots I have. Trust me, I've got ways of killing time.
Picture 3 shows a tried and true defensive building pattern designed to limit an enemy goblin archer's line of sight with the player (until they walk into pre-hardmode melee range of the player) while still allowing rapid movement through the base. The only gripe I've had with this system is thanks to the platforms used instead of doors on the NPCs' houses, which is easily solved by simply not housing NPCs inside the halls. While not effective against imps, this has promise against scythe-throwing demons while not impeding the player should the wall of flesh need to be fought through these grounds.
Picture 4 shows a test segment of what a picture 3 hallway might look like if built in the style of pictures 1 & 2. Note that this would alternately go up and down and up again, providing some level of emergency flood protection from lava/honey overflow should it be needed.
The in-universe lore of the society that supposedly built the hell base I plan on building is that they worked with fluids a lot, so this is always a design concern regardless of practical relevance.
Thing to add: In picture 1, the main temple has a breathing chamber with a jellyfish bowl on top of it (there's another one on the opposite side of the screen but it's harder to see here). It's a 4 block wide upside-down "cup" suspended by chains. Houses and larger rooms inside the hell base could use these both for decoration and to hang heart lanterns/mana star lanterns inside of.
Of note, in picture 4 there's clearly spaces for brown moss to grow within the ceiling and blue moss to grow beneath the floor, but this leaves nowhere for glowing pink/glowing orange moss to grow. Will need a large, centralized area for these colors of moss to be showcased in.
Picture 5 is purely to keep you guys in the loop- that's the base I've been living in, complete with EoC/King Slime arena in the middle. In the middle, at the bottom, you'll notice a T-shape of vine rope with four vertical rectangles of lava beside it- that's the hellavator leading to where the base this post has been going over is meant to be built. Mirroring my main base a little, I'd like to also have a central arena in my hell base that's at minimum able to accommodate a queen bee fight, though it'd be cool if I could fight plantera here once I get into hardmode. If any of y'all have a recommendation on how big to build the box, I'd be happy to take a note of it. Thank you all for reading, and I hope you have a good day. :)
submitted by Ravens_Quote to Terraria [link] [comments]

2023.05.30 06:06 RyuuAraragi Kevin takes a joyride

I was listening to Reddit stories on YouTube, wondered about whether or not I had a story to share, and remembered this story of my old coworker.
For a bit of backstory: I manage a small restaurant under a larger company. Sometime in early 2022, one of my coworkers receives a company car, nearly crashes it into another car on the way from the dealership to the restaurant, and gets traumatized by the absolute chewing out he receives from the older lady he almost hit. It goes without saying that he currently avoids driving like the plague. So now, we just have a car sitting in our tiny parking lot. It's a shame, since it was a pretty nice looking car, a Hyundai Elantra I believe.
Around this time, I'm getting into basic car maintenance, such as changing oil, headlights, coolant, and spark plugs. Consequently, I also own one of those little bluetooth code readers that connect to my phone to tell me if there's something wrong with my vehicle.
Now to introduce the star of the story, Kevin. He describes himself as "street smart, not book smart." He's a nice guy to a fault, but lacks a great deal of common sense as it will be apparent later. Kevin longs to own and drive a car of his own, but has yet to make the steps towards getting his license. At this point, he's failed the written exam a couple times and has not progressed on to the actual road test. I give him rides from time to time, such as when he misses his bus.
After the whole debacle with the car, I decide that it'd be essential to install a rearview camera so that anyone driving it would at least feel safer doing so. I've done the installation job before on my own car, so how hard could it be? I buy an okay looking rearview camera kit off Amazon, wait a couple days for it to come in, and quick Google search, and I'm quickly removing panels and wiring the camera to the company car's brake lights in the restaurant's parking lot after work. While I'm at it, I figure that I should check this car for any trouble codes. It's a used car, so it's probably got some issues on it, right? I pop in my code reader into the car and wait for it to spit out data. I finish the camera job and check my phone for any issues. Two trouble codes catch my eye: low battery voltage and a misfiring cylinder. Cool, I can just drop by the nearest auto shop to have the battery recharged and grab a spark plug for the cylinder. Two birds with one stone, easy.
Kevin, done with the restaurant closing duties, steps out to check out what I'm doing. I explain that I'm just installing a rearview camera for the car and making sure it's running properly. I keep in mind that Kevin also wants to own his own car one day, so I go into more detail into car maintenance, quickly explaining about batteries and spark plugs. I give him a little demo of how the rearview camera works. He asks me if he could sit in the driver's seat, and I oblige.
"Man, this car is NICE! I want a car like this," Kevin says. He plays around with the controls on the dash for a little bit. "Can I take it for a little drive?"
I immediately shut this idea down. "Kevin, you don't even have your license. What makes you think you can drive it?" I scold him.
"I can drive," he shoots back. "I've seen you drive before. I think I can do it."
You just asked me the about dashboard controls. As if.
We get out of the car and we get ready to go home. I have the next two days off and I want to spend them relaxing. "Kevin, the car has faulty spark plugs and a dying battery. Under no circumstances, do NOT touch the car while I'm gone. I honestly this this car is unsafe." I repeat this several times before we go home. Satisfied by his confirmations, I throw the keys in the register head home. I feel like you could already tell where this is going.
Fast forward a couple days. I'm just chilling at home and aimlessly reading my emails. My parents borrow my car to get groceries. It's quiet, and I'm at peace. Until Kevin FaceTimes me. Usually, when I get a call from my staff, it's a question about food or where certain items are in the restaurant. It's not often that it's an emergency. I sigh and pick up the phone.
Immediately I see Kevin sitting in the driver's seat of a car. Before he could even say anything, I blurt out, "Kevin, are you in the company car right now?" A short pause and he purses his lips like he's eaten something really sour. "Kevin, I'm not going to ask you again. Are you in the company car right now?" More sternly this time.
Dodging my question, all he can manage to get out is "I messed up..."
One of my kitchen guys told Kevin that we're out of cabbage. Since there's a supermarket about a 10 minute walk away, he decides to go there during his break. He considers walking but realizes that bringing back cabbage would be heavy, so Kevin concludes that he should take the company car there since it would cut his time in two and it'd be more comfortable. Note, we also have a staff member who can drive. Apparently he didn't think about it at the time. He thinks, instead, about how this will get him points for being able to solve a problem at the restaurant without me being around.
Kevin grabbed the keys from the register, turns on the car, and drives off. He makes it about two blocks before the engine starts to sputter and subsequently dies due to the misfiring cylinder. To his credit, he manages to maneuver the car to the curb and turn on his hazards. He immediately calls me right after.
"Kevin, I thought I made myself very clear that the car was off limits," I said slowly. He proceeds to mimic a Mickey Mouse laugh and say, "I made a littly f*cky wucky."
Head in my hands, I sigh again. "Kevin, I have no way of getting to you. You're gonna have to call around to see if anyone can help you out." We hang up the phone and I make some phone calls of my own. The first phone call went to the senior manager (SM for short). It's his day off as well, but it can't be helped.
"What's up?" The SM seems to be spending time with his family, since I hear his kid laughing in the background.
"Kevin apparently took the company car to go shopping for ingredients, the car broke down, and now he's stuck," I explained.
There was a long pause. "What the f*ck? Is he dumb? I thought he didn't even have his license."
"I already told him that he's not to touch the car under any circumstances, and on top of that the car is in need of repairs," I continued.
The SM tells me to call the vice president (VP), since he's working today and he's in the area. Honestly, I don't want to have to escalate this issue that far, but I have no choice. I know that the VP has so much on his plate already, but I give him a call regardless. The call goes more or less the same as with the SM, but the VP says that he's on the way. He's about an hour away, however. God dammit.
In the meantime, I call my friends in the area, explain the situation, and ask them if they could do me a favor and save Kevin. I'm not really sure if it's actually the spark plug, but I think they'd at least be able to give him some extra support while the VP is on the way. Nobody's able to help out, so I give Kevin a follow-up call. Keep in mind it's been half an hour since he called.
"Hey Kevin, did you get into contact with anyone yet?" I ask.
"No, not yet," he responds.
"Uhh, any reason why?"
A long pause.
Fed up, I strongly recommend he call the VP to tell him what he did. We hang up again and I go straight into bed and nap, just completely drained from the entire interaction. I'll follow up later.
I wake up from my nap and call the VP to find out what ended up happening. The VP caught up with Kevin and started up the car with no issues. The VP makes Kevin sit in the passenger's seat and they drive back to the restaurant in awkward silence. He has no words for Kevin, and instead tasks SM and I with scolding him about it. Fair enough.
The next time SM, Kevin, and I are all working together is in a weeks' time. SM and I agree to mess with him a little bit. I tell Kevin that SM wants to have a meeting about what happened. I hype this up throughout the week, dropping hints such as "ooh Kevin, you're gonna get it!" A week passes by in the blink of an eye, but it probably feels like a drawn out hell for Kevin. We let him fester and reflect about his actions. The three of us sit down at a table before the restaurant opens and I open my mouth.
"Kevin, never do that again."
I end the meeting there. Kevin, who's as white as a sheet, has the color return to his face and appear to have a huge weight fall off his shoulders. "Is that it?" He shyly asks. I confirm that's it. He laughs in relief, since he believes he'd be fired. I add that he's young and bound to make really dumb, stupid mistakes. If I tell him something, he really needs to listen. On top of that, since he's working for a business, his actions, noticed or unnoticed, are representative of the business as a whole. "And Kevin, for the love of all that is good, get your license."
TL;DR Kevin drives a car in need of repairs to the store without his license and it breaks down en route. He calls me for help, but I send him my boss' boss to him. We make him think for a week that he'd be violently punished for his actions, but we gave him a life lesson instead.
submitted by RyuuAraragi to StoriesAboutKevin [link] [comments]

2023.05.30 05:11 Famous-Advantage-161 Ehhh WTF. Seven Times

Ehhh WTF. Seven Times submitted by Famous-Advantage-161 to BitLifeApp [link] [comments]

2023.05.30 05:05 Silverinkbottle [F4A] The genre is original fantasy! Literate romance anyone?

Lemme just get my little plot bunnies out of way! I am willing to play either M or F, with any pairings as long as my partner is above 21+! If interested in any plots below, please send me sample of your writing inspired by said plot. If all is kosher, we will pop on over to Discord!
​
Writing Requirements: 3rd Person, Literate, be willing chat OOC (I like to talk, okay)
​
~Familiar Troubles~ Inspiration via Kamisama Kiss
Genre: Romance, Slice of Life, Supernatural
The once tranquil pavilion rippled with visible tension as the saggy-faced elder tapped her oak cane against the ground. A low hum rippled over wrinkled lips as onyx eyes twinkled with mischief much to the thinly veiled discontent of her guest. All Resignments seemed to make Familiars so uneasy, the elder could never figure out the reason behind that. To her old eyes, it was the start of a new adventure.
"Ah yes. The clerks have drawn up all the proper paperwork, your Assignment will be to one of the new saplings. Consider it a worthy reward for all your hard work-"
There was a loud snap of wood as the delicate fan shattered between the once composed Familiar's hand as crimson eyes burned with unspoken emotion. Still not a single word escaped their lips to go against the Elder Council would all but drown them in shame. A Sapling God/Goddess was mortal human elevated to the skirts of Godhood, responsible for lesser tasks in their realm. The whisper of spring breezes, the first notes of an instrument. Yet with time, saplings could grow into the tallest of trees with the right nurturing and environment. Most of all the luck to avoid the axes of hunters seeking to strip them of their budding power. Hence their forced partnership with far more experienced Familiars.
Requirements: Literate (I tend to be overly wordy and would prefer to have partner help paint the picture so to speak) Romantical Slice of Life, Cast Building (Help me design the other beings of this new world)
~Road Less Traveled~
The low rumble of oxen and creaking wheels were as good as coffee for the members of the caravan blinking sleep from their eyes still. A low whisp of smoke slipped from tightly pinched lips as one of the driver's blew out the hazy perfume from his pipe. Mixing sweet tobacco with the crisp morning dew of the grassland. It going to be several days before the party arrived to their destination. A little village of herders renowned for their wool products. It wouldn't be long till the white fluffy boulders would begin dotting the horizon. A nostalgic sight for the driver as he had spent more than a few nights in the back of the wagon curled up after a night of drinking under a dyed blanket. Alcohol warmed the belly as well as the blanket did, yet the aftermath was far more regrettable come morning. Even those touched by the Arcana couldn't fend off a hangover. Nor could those of his kind resist the allure of the road and unseen sights. Its why many became merchants and the like to soothe their restless souls. Those that ignored the urges seemed to be blown up in some magical misfortune.
​
However, caravanning came with its own sets of dangers. Monsters, bandits and above all catching strays were common problems for the impatient caravan master. Still, he continued on the roads, goods ladening his wagons and his eclectic party. So it wasn't surprising when he was notified by a scout that another onlooker wished to join up.
Requirements: Literate, Romance, Adventure mixed up with Slice of Life. Gimme your best monster ideas and quests!
Shopkeep Romance (He ran an inn and she ran the bakery across the road?)
Foreign Royal X Reclusive Mage
~Fandom~
Arcane (I would adore playing against a Viktor or Silco! Would be willing to double! Do keep in mind my knowledge is show lore.
Black Butler
Overlord
Would be willing to discuss other plots if we vibe well but nothing ticks all the boxes! Once again please DM me a writing sample so we can get the ball rolling. If you have any questions DM me or leave them below!
I would prefer my partner be in UTC-6.
submitted by Silverinkbottle to Roleplay [link] [comments]

2023.05.30 04:32 mrspwins MSC Meraviglia - NYC - May 7-14 Review

Hello! My husband and I went on our first-ever cruise on the MSC Meraviglia earlier this month and it just occurred to me that it might be nice to post a review. Since the biggest questions I see people ask about with MSC are "how is the food?" and "why do people hate the food?" I thought I'd do a food review. Obviously I can't compare it with any of the other cruise lines, but we like to eat out and are willing to spend money on a great meal so that's what I am comparing it to. We've eaten at Michelin starred restaurants and typically avoid chains but on a normal day we're making spaghetti with meat sauce or dumping frozen garlic chicken pasta into a pot like the average American.
Before I get started with this, I need to note that I have been dealing with a health issue that makes me constantly somewhat queasy and have little appetite. While I've lost a bunch of weight I do not recommend this method. However, some days I feel better than others, and I had a couple of good days on the trip, enough to try a couple of specialty restaurants, but not enough to try everywhere I wanted to.
So MSC food is *different*. It's like when you go to Europe and the food isn't really unfamiliar, but you don't find the stuff you're used to eating. They don't really have fried food, they didn't seem to have bags of chips or candy. On days I didn't feel well, I ordered a chicken sandwich from room service. It came on thin-sliced white bread with no crusts, with sliced roasted chicken (not deli slices), tomato, and darker greens. The potato chips were hand-sliced potatoes and tasted like potatoes pan-fried with a little salt. There was a small side-salad too, again with darker greens, not iceberg or romaine, dressed with a little vinagrette. I got chocolate-chip cookies for dessert, and they were crisp and the size you'd get making them at home, not the giant size you usually get here. And it was all delicious! Hopefully that helps to clarify what I mean by "different".
My husband ate at Kaito Sushi by himself, and I joined him at Butcher's Cut and Ocean Cay specialty restaurants. He said the sushi was good, not spectacular, but at least as good or better than we get in our Midwestern city (which has a well-respected food scene). He liked it enough to eat there twice. At Butcher's Cut, I had bone marrow with parsley sauce for an appetizer, filet mignon and crispy fries for the entrée, and lava cake with vanilla ice cream for dessert. The steak was done perfectly medium-rare, per my request. I didn't try the sauces on the steak because it didn't need them. The scoop of ice cream with the lava cake was small but rich and creamy. Best, though, were the fries. OMG the fries were the most amazing thing I have ever tasted! I cannot express how much I loved them. Steak fries, perfectly crisp and lightly salty with almost a caramelized crust on the outside, perfectly soft and almost melty on the inside. If I could only eat those fries for the rest of my life, I would die happy. This was as good a meal as we would get at a higher-end steakhouse, and definitely worth buying the package.
At Ocean Cay, I had the crackling fennel salad (very good, and a large portion), the roasted lobster tail with bourbon vanilla cream and pureed carrots (very surprising and delicious flavors, not sure that I would have roasted lobster again) and crème brulée (large portion, very rich, so much that I couldn't finish it though I sure tried). I tried my husband's crab cakes - they were tender and seasoned fine for me but he thought they were a bit bland. His tuna steak was good, though. The waitstaff there were particularly attentive and helpful. Worth it with the package, though I got the lobster off the regular menu.
We are not drinkers so did not get an alcohol package. I got a glass of wine with supper at both specialty restaurants, but there were surprisingly few choices by the glass. They were both nice wines but I would have liked a few more options. BTW, there are AA meetings ("Friends of Bill W") every evening in the "library" - more a corner with some bookshelves - in case you need them.
We only ate in the main dining room once for supper. I would say it's like eating at a mid-range restaurant, maybe like a local chain. Not the best meal ever, but far from the worst. This is where you're most likely to find food that is closer to a typical American restaurant - they had meatloaf and potatoes as one option the night we went. Again, the staff is fantastic and are happy to give you more cheese or pepper or leave off the sauce, etc.
We ordered continental breakfast every day but one (it was free with our Fantastica experience). Pain au chocolate every morning, with fresh fruit! The only bad part was that I couldn't get a diet coke delivered with it - my husband ran up to the buffet to get some for me every morning. He said his coffee was great, though, plus he got big bottles of Sanpellegrino all day, so he was happy. We tried eggs and bacon one morning, but it wasn't that great. I had pain au chocolate with a little peanut butter and fruit the rest of the time and was quite content.
The buffet was big and very busy whenever I went to it. They had multiple stations for the more popular items, but I don't think everyone realized that. The pizza was, in fact, very good, but again it is not much like American pizza. The slices were large but had thin, flexible crusts that were not greasy and did not have tons of cheese or tomato sauce. There were pepperoni slices when I was there, but also white pizza and different kinds of veggie slices. The one closest to plain cheese was either pepperoni or one that had small slices of zucchini scattered on it that would be easy to pick off if you didn't want them. If you have a picky person in your party that intends to rely on pizza for their meals, please reconsider - it really isn't even like the Neapolitan pizza I've had here. They didn't have peanut butter out anywhere but they had it available. They had a grill section for burgers and hot dogs (I didn't get a close look, so not sure what else might be there but I didn't see chicken nuggets). They had lots of salad fixings and pasta salad and fruit and a rotisserie chicken station. A wide variety of tasty bread and rolls and real butter. Desserts were usually small - two bites - pieces of cake in different flavors, not necessarily plain chocolate or vanilla. ETA: We just put together a charcuterie plate with french bread and prosciutto and salami and fresh mozzarella and pears, etc a couple of times. Highly recommended.
The chocolate place served an absolutely divine hot chocolate with whipped cream, and the gelato was stellar, but they are extra. Budget for them, both in cash and calories.
My husband gained two pounds even though he mostly lounged around and he ate constantly. I'm sure it's possible to gain a lot more but the smaller portion sizes and dearth of heavy sauces and fried food definitely helped. Neither of us felt deprived at all.
So TL;DR: MDR food was fine, specialty restaurants better and worth the package prices, but picky eaters or fried-food lovers may not be happy with food options.
submitted by mrspwins to Cruise [link] [comments]

2023.05.30 04:27 Acceptable-Friend-92 The most comprehensive Bollywood gossips and controversies post ever: The Scandals, Love Triangles, Casting Couch, Rumours and Gossips over the Years.

Peeling back the curtain to take an exhaustive look at the scandals, love triangles, and controversies that have rocked our favorite industry over the years. Let me know in comments which ones were you most moved by and which ones you hadn't heard before. Please feel free to add more context or new gossips that you know of, in the comments.
I. Epic Love Triangles
1. Salman Khan - Aishwarya Rai - Vivek Oberoi: This tale begins with Salman and Aishwarya's sparkling chemistry on the sets of "Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam" in 1999. Their real-life romance soon hit rocky grounds with allegations of Salman's abusive behavior. Enter Vivek Oberoi, who offered Aishwarya emotional support during this difficult time. This resulted in Salman allegedly making threatening calls to Vivek, leading to a heated press conference by Vivek, and a chilly relationship between the two actors ever since.
2. Hrithik Roshan - Sussanne Khan - Barbara Mori: The industry was left reeling when rumors of Hrithik Roshan's alleged affair with his "Kites" co-star Barbara Mori started making the rounds in 2010. This reportedly led to a temporary separation between Hrithik and his wife Sussanne Khan. The couple later reconciled, only to eventually divorce in 2014.
3. Raveena Tandon - Akshay Kumar - Shilpa Shetty: In the late 90s, Akshay Kumar was romantically involved with Raveena Tandon, only to reportedly two-time her with her friend Shilpa Shetty. This led to a feud between the two actresses, though they later buried the hatchet.
II. Feuds and Fallouts
1. Shah Rukh Khan - Salman Khan: Their brotherly love soured at Katrina Kaif's birthday party in 2008, where a heated argument turned their friendship into a rivalry. Their relations have since been turbulent, though they seem to be on better terms now.
2. Karan Johar - Kajol: This iconic friendship hit a roadblock over a film release clash between Kajol's husband Ajay Devgn's "Shivaay" and Karan's "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil." It took them years to mend their strained relationship.
3. Kangana Ranaut's Feuds: Her spats with industry veterans from Hrithik Roshan to Karan Johar have been public and often bitter, leading to an ongoing dialogue about insider-outsider dynamics in Bollywood.
III. Controversies That Shaped the Conversation
1. The Nepotism Debate: The conversation around nepotism in Bollywood took center stage after Kangana Ranaut called Karan Johar the "flagbearer of nepotism" on his talk show. This stirred a heated debate about privilege and opportunities in the industry.
2. The Sushant Singh Rajput Case: Sushant's untimely demise in 2020 led to conversations about mental health, the cutthroat nature of the industry, and sparked an ongoing investigation into his death.
3. Deepika Padukone’s "Cleavage Controversy": When TOI published an inappropriate article objectifying Deepika, it ignited a much-needed dialogue about the dignity and respect of women in the entertainment industry.
IV. The Casting Couch Phenomenon
1. Shakti Kapoor Sting Operation: In 2005, India TV carried out a sting operation on Shakti Kapoor, where he was caught on camera offering work to an undercover reporter in exchange for sexual favors. The incident exposed the seedy underbelly of the casting couch in Bollywood.
2. Tanushree Dutta - Nana Patekar Incident: In 2018, Tanushree Dutta accused Nana Patekar of sexual harassment during a 2008 film shoot, marking the advent of the #MeToo movement in Bollywood.
V. Turbulent Relationships and Breakups
1. Abhishek Bachchan - Karisma Kapoor Breakup: This engagement had the makings of a Bollywood fairy tale until it abruptly ended in 2003, amid various speculations, including family disagreements.
2. Amitabh Bachchan - Rekha Affair: This controversial affair in the 70s between Amitabh, who was married to Jaya Bhaduri, and Rekha, the sultry siren of Bollywood, is still discussed today. Their alleged love story ended after the shooting of 'Silsila', which ironically depicted a similar love triangle.
VI. Sensational Controversies
1. The Underworld Connection: From extortion threats to film financing, the connection between Bollywood and the underworld has been an open secret. The incident of producer Gulshan Kumar's assassination in 1997 sent shockwaves through the industry.
2. Sanjay Dutt's Arms Act Case: Sanjay Dutt's arrest in 1993, under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act for possessing illegal weapons, was a major controversy. His involvement strained his career and personal life significantly.
3. The Blackbuck Poaching Case: Salman Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, Neelam, and Sonali Bendre were accused of hunting blackbucks during the shooting of 'Hum Saath Saath Hain' in 1998. Salman Khan was sentenced to 5 years in prison in 2018 but is currently out on bail.
VII. Scandals that Made Headlines
1. Shahrukh Khan vs. Shirish Kunder: SRK allegedly slapped Farah Khan's husband Shirish Kunder at Sanjay Dutt's party in 2012 for his derogatory tweets.
2. The AIB Roast Case: The 2015 AIB Knockout featuring Karan Johar, Ranveer Singh, and Arjun Kapoor drew significant criticism and legal trouble for its explicit content, questioning the limits of freedom of expression.
3. Priyanka Chopra-Nirav Modi Controversy: Priyanka Chopra landed in controversy when she endorsed Nirav Modi's jewelry brand, which came under the scanner during the Punjab National Bank fraud case.
VIII. Unfortunate Tragedies and Mysteries
1. Parveen Babi's Mental Health: This yesteryear actress struggled with mental health issues, including schizophrenia. The glamour queen's tragic life ended in isolation, her body discovered in her apartment days after her death.
2. Jiah Khan Suicide Case: This case from 2013 shocked Bollywood when the young actress took her own life. Her then-boyfriend Sooraj Pancholi was charged with abetting her suicide, and the case is still ongoing.
3. Sushant Singh Rajput's Death: Sushant's death in June 2020 caused a national uproar and brought attention to mental health, nepotism, and drug use in Bollywood. The case is under investigation by various national agencies.
IX. Controversial Remarks and Public Outbursts
1. Salman Khan's "Raped Woman" Comment: Salman Khan faced public wrath for comparing his physical exhaustion during the filming of 'Sultan' to a "raped woman". His remark was widely criticized for being insensitive.
2. Kangana Ranaut's Confrontations: Kangana Ranaut has been at the center of several controversies, from her public feud with Hrithik Roshan to her claims of rampant nepotism in Bollywood, causing a storm in the industry.
3. Swara Bhaskar's "Vagina Monologue": Swara faced backlash for criticizing the portrayal of women in 'Padmaavat', especially her comment that she felt reduced to a "vagina" after watching the movie.
X. The Drug Controversy
The 2020 NCB investigation into drug use in Bollywood, which began following the death of Sushant Singh Rajput, has been a significant recent controversy. Several top actors, including Deepika Padukone and Shraddha Kapoor, were summoned by the agency.
XI. The Casting Couch Controversy
Casting couch allegations have been rampant in Bollywood, echoing the broader global issue faced by Hollywood in the form of the Harvey Weinstein scandal. Many actors and actresses have reported facing such situations, adding a layer of disgrace to the industry's glamour.
1. Ranveer Singh: Even male actors like Ranveer Singh weren't immune to this ugly side of Bollywood. Singh has admitted that during his struggling days, he was approached with casting couch offers.
2. Ayushmann Khurrana: The versatile actor has also spoken out about casting couch experiences in his early career, highlighting that this isn't just an issue faced by actresses.
XII. The Age-Gap Issue
Bollywood has often faced criticism for casting significantly younger actresses opposite older actors, furthering the stereotype and raising questions about the representation of women.
1. Shahrukh Khan and Alia Bhatt in 'Dear Zindagi': Despite the film's critical acclaim, it was criticised for the glaring age difference between Shahrukh, who was 51 at the time, and Alia, who was 23.
2. Akshay Kumar and Kiara Advani in 'Laxmii': This film also faced similar backlash due to the age gap between Akshay (53) and Kiara (28).
XIII. Wage Gap Controversy
Pay disparity between male and female actors has been a significant concern in Bollywood. This inequality reflects the systemic sexism within the industry.
1. Kareena Kapoor Khan: Kareena highlighted this issue, revealing that she was paid less than her male co-stars in several movies.
2. Priyanka Chopra: Priyanka also addressed this issue, stating that she was paid significantly less than her male counterparts for the same amount of work.
XIV. The MeToo Movement in Bollywood
The MeToo wave hit Bollywood in 2018, shaking the foundations of the industry. Several prominent names were called out for sexual misconduct.
1. Nana Patekar and Tanushree Dutta: Tanushree Dutta revived a decade-old case of alleged sexual harassment by Nana Patekar on a movie set. This case marked the beginning of the MeToo movement in Bollywood.
2. Vikas Bahl: The 'Queen' director was accused of sexual harassment by a former employee at Phantom Films, leading to his temporary removal from the 'Super 30' project.
3. Alok Nath: The veteran actor, known for his 'sanskaari' image on-screen, was accused of rape by writer-producer Vinta Nanda, sending shockwaves through the industry.
XV. The Trouble with Award Shows
Award shows in Bollywood have often been under scrutiny for their lack of transparency and allegations of bias. Several stars have boycotted these events, expressing their discontent.
1. Aamir Khan: Notoriously known for boycotting award shows, Aamir has stated that he doesn't believe in them as he finds them to be biased.
2. Akshay Kumar: Akshay too has expressed his mistrust in award shows, mentioning that he was once told he would win an award if he performed at the ceremony.
XVI. The Nepotism Debate
Nepotism in Bollywood came under severe criticism after the tragic death of Sushant Singh Rajput. Accusations were rife that the industry's preferential treatment of star kids was a contributing factor.
1. Kangana Ranaut: Kangana sparked the nepotism debate on Karan Johar's talk show when she accused him of being the "flag-bearer of nepotism".
2. Alia Bhatt and Varun Dhawan: These star kids have repeatedly faced flak for getting easy entries into Bollywood because of their family connections.
XVII. Tax Evasion and Money Laundering Allegations
Several Bollywood celebrities have been involved in tax evasion and money laundering cases, tarnishing the industry's image.
1. Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas: The couple reportedly faced allegations of illegal construction at their Mumbai residence.
2. Shah Rukh Khan: King Khan had faced a case of alleged irregularities regarding the foreign exchange rule violation for his IPL team, Kolkata Knight Riders.
XVIII. The Drug Controversy
Drug use in Bollywood came into the spotlight after the tragic demise of Sushant Singh Rajput. Many industry insiders were interrogated by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB).
1. Rhea Chakraborty: Rhea was arrested by the NCB for allegedly procuring drugs for Sushant. She spent nearly a month in prison before being granted bail.
2. Deepika Padukone, Sara Ali Khan, and Shraddha Kapoor: These A-list actresses were summoned by the NCB for questioning regarding the drug nexus in Bollywood.
XIX. Accusations of Plagiarism
Bollywood has frequently been accused of plagiarising content from Hollywood and other industries without proper credits or rights.
1. 'Barfi': Anurag Basu's acclaimed film faced criticism for allegedly lifting scenes from various international films.
2. 'Ra.One': Shah Rukh Khan's ambitious project was accused of being a rip-off of the video game character, G.One.
XX. Casting Couch Allegations
One of the darker aspects of Bollywood, and indeed many film industries worldwide, is the infamous casting couch phenomenon.
1. Tanushree Dutta: She accused Nana Patekar of behaving inappropriately during a film shoot, which led to the #MeToo movement in India.
2. Kangana Ranaut: Kangana too has spoken out about her experiences with the casting couch early in her career.
XXI. Censorship Issues and Political Controversies
Bollywood movies have often been at the center of political controversies, resulting in bans, protests, and even violent threats.
1. 'Padmaavat': This film faced extreme backlash from certain groups who alleged that it distorted historical facts. Director Sanjay Leela Bhansali and actress Deepika Padukone received death threats.
2. 'Udta Punjab': This film highlighting the drug menace in Punjab faced numerous cuts from the Central Board of Film Certification, leading to a public outcry about censorship.
XXII. Actor Feuds and Professional Rivalries
There have been numerous instances of feuds and fall-outs between Bollywood actors, sometimes even resulting in professional rivalries.
1. Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan: Although they have patched up now, these two superstars had a notorious feud that lasted for several years.
2. Kareena Kapoor Khan and Priyanka Chopra Jonas: Rumours of a rivalry between these two leading ladies have often made headlines.
XXIII. Social Media Controversies
Social media has often been a platform where controversies erupt, from insensitive tweets to online feuds.
1. Sonam Kapoor: Sonam was trolled for her comment on a meat ban in Mumbai, where she called the ban "misogynistic."
2. Abhijeet Bhattacharya: The singer has been involved in numerous Twitter controversies, from making derogatory comments about women to getting suspended from the platform multiple times.
XXIV. Controversial Statements and Interviews
Controversial statements made by actors during interviews have often sparked debates and backlash.
1. Salman Khan: Salman faced criticism for his comment where he compared his physical exertion in 'Sultan' to that of a "raped woman".
2. Ranveer Singh: Ranveer's statement about fantasizing about Kareena Kapoor Khan received backlash for being inappropriate.
XXV. Alleged Affairs and Love Triangles
Bollywood's rumor mills are always buzzing with whispers of secret affairs and complicated love triangles.
1. Amitabh Bachchan and Rekha: This alleged affair remains one of Bollywood's biggest unsolved mysteries. While neither has confirmed the rumors, their off-screen chemistry has always sparked speculation.
2. Shah Rukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra: There were rumors of a close relationship between the two during the shooting of 'Don 2,' although both actors have consistently denied any affair.
XXVI. Plastic Surgery Rumors
It's common for celebrities to face rumors of cosmetic procedures, and Bollywood is no exception.
1. Anushka Sharma: The actress faced immense criticism and trolling when she appeared on 'Koffee With Karan' with what looked like a fuller lip. Anushka later clarified that she used a temporary lip enhancing tool and not surgery.
2. Priyanka Chopra Jonas: She faced similar rumors early in her career. While she has admitted to a botched surgery, she denies undergoing procedures for cosmetic purposes.
XXVII. Scandalous Photoshoots and Wardrobe Malfunctions
These can lead to a storm of criticism, comments, and rumors for the stars involved.
1. Deepika Padukone: Her 'Cleavage Show' controversy sparked a debate on sexism in media when a leading newspaper tweeted a derogatory comment about her outfit.
2. Alia Bhatt: She faced a wardrobe malfunction during the promotion of 'Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania,' leading to unwarranted media attention.
XXVIII. Controversial Remarks and Public Spats
When celebrities voice their opinions, it sometimes leads to public spats and controversies.
1. Sonakshi Sinha and Mallika Dua: Sonakshi's comment on an episode of 'The Great Indian Laughter Challenge' didn't sit well with Mallika Dua, leading to a Twitter spat between the two.
2. Kangana Ranaut and Diljit Dosanjh: Their spat over farmer protests in India became a hot topic on social media.
XXIX. Rumoured Relationships
There have been numerous relationships in Bollywood that have been kept under wraps, with only whispers and hints to keep the gossip mills churning.
1. Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif: This duo never officially confirmed their relationship, but their vacation pictures somehow found their way to the public, fueling rumors.
2. Sidharth Malhotra and Alia Bhatt: Their chemistry in 'Student of the Year' sparked rumors of a budding relationship. However, they both have remained tight-lipped about their relationship status.
XXX. Controversial Interviews and Statements
Sometimes, the words of these celebrities can stir a controversy.
1. Alia Bhatt's GK Gaffe: Her infamous blunder on 'Koffee With Karan' made headlines and led to her being trolled on social media.
2. Sara Ali Khan on 'Colorism': Sara's comment on preferring a 'fair and handsome' man led to a backlash, with critics accusing her of endorsing colorism.
XXXII. Pay Disparity Controversies
Pay disparity in Bollywood has been a point of controversy and a source of debate.
1. Kareena Kapoor Khan: She openly talked about the pay disparity in Bollywood, stating that she doesn't see her contemporaries being paid as much as their male co-stars.
2. Deepika Padukone: She called out the pay disparity in Bollywood in several interviews, stating that she was paid less than her male co-stars despite having a substantial role.
XXXIII. Allegations of Cheating
Even stars aren't immune to the pain and scandal of cheating allegations.
1. Hrithik Roshan and Kangana Ranaut: This controversy took the industry by storm when Kangana alleged that Hrithik had cheated on his wife with her. The ensuing legal battle and mudslinging was all over the news.
2. Amitabh Bachchan and Rekha: This is one of the oldest controversies in Bollywood. Though never confirmed, it's widely speculated that Amitabh had an extramarital affair with Rekha during the peak of his career.
XXXIV. Nepotism Debates
Nepotism has been a long-standing issue in Bollywood, causing major debates and controversies.
1. Karan Johar: Known to launch star kids, Karan has been at the center of the nepotism debate. The controversy escalated after Kangana Ranaut called him out on his own chat show.
2. Alia Bhatt and Varun Dhawan: Their debut in 'Student of the Year', produced by Karan Johar, led to allegations of nepotism, creating quite a stir in the industry.
XXXV. Alleged Link-ups
Sometimes rumors of link-ups between stars become a hot topic of discussion.
1. Priyanka Chopra and Shah Rukh Khan: Rumors swirled about a possible affair between Priyanka and Shah Rukh during the filming of 'Don 2'. However, nothing was ever confirmed.
2. Shraddha Kapoor and Aditya Roy Kapur: Their sizzling on-screen chemistry in 'Aashiqui 2' sparked rumors of a real-life romance, although they have denied these claims.
XXXVI. Film Set Controversies
Bollywood isn't all glitz and glamour; sometimes things can get heated behind the scenes.
1. Kareena Kapoor and Bipasha Basu: The two actresses reportedly had a major fallout during the filming of 'Ajnabee' (2001), which escalated during 'Aitraaz' (2004). They only patched things up years later.
2. Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh: During the making of 'Padmaavat', rumours suggested that there was tension between Shahid and Ranveer due to the allocation of screen time. Both, however, have denied these claims.
XXXVII. Money Matters
When big bucks are involved, controversies aren't far behind.
1. Salman Khan and Vivek Oberoi: Salman reportedly threatened Vivek for getting close to Aishwarya Rai. Vivek called a press conference to disclose this, but the controversy adversely affected his career.
2. Kangana Ranaut and the producers of 'Manikarnika': There were rumours of budget overruns and Kangana taking over the director's chair, creating quite a stir in the industry.
XXXVIII. Career Controversies
Certain career decisions can also lead to controversy.
1. Deepika Padukone and 'Padmaavat': Deepika's portrayal of Rani Padmavati sparked controversy over the film's historical accuracy. Despite protests and threats, the film was a box office success.
2. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and 'Heroine': Aishwarya was originally cast in 'Heroine', but after falling pregnant, she was replaced by Kareena Kapoor, causing a buzz in the industry.
XIX. The Tinseltown Tales of Southern Cinema
While Bollywood takes the centre stage in Indian film gossip, let's not forget the South Indian film industry, brimming with its own share of drama.
1. Prabhas and Anushka Shetty: Post 'Baahubali', rumours started swirling about the lead actors' off-screen chemistry. Despite the consistent denial, fans continue to speculate.
2. Nayanthara and Prabhudheva: Their love story caught everyone's attention, but their relationship ended amidst rumours of a secret wedding.
XL. Tollywood's Sensational Stories
The Bengali film industry, known as Tollywood, is no stranger to controversies either.
1. Rituparna Sengupta and Prosenjit Chatterjee: Once a popular on-screen pair, their professional relationship allegedly soured due to undisclosed reasons. The duo avoided working together for over a decade.
2. Subhashree Ganguly and Dev: Their reported break-up became the talk of Tollywood, as the duo decided to keep mum about the details.
XLI. The Mysterious Marathi Movie World
The Marathi film industry has seen its fair share of controversies.
1. Swapnil Joshi and Mukta Barve: Rumours of an affair started during their hit series 'Eka Lagnachi Dusri Goshta', but both vehemently denied any romantic involvement.
2. Sai Tamhankar and Amey Wagh: The rumour mill churned when the duo shared the screen in 'Girlfriend'. Both denied any off-screen romance.
XLII. Punjabi Cinema's Spicy Stories
The Punjabi film industry has had its fair share of controversies too.
1. Neeru Bajwa and Amit Sadh: They reportedly grew close during the shooting of 'Bikkar Bai Sentimental'. Though they never confirmed a relationship, the gossip remained rife for quite some time.
2. Diljit Dosanjh and Neeru Bajwa: Fans have long speculated about the duo's chemistry beyond the screen. However, both have always maintained their stance as 'just friends'.
XLIII. The Turbulent Tunes of Bollywood Singers
Even the crooning voices of Bollywood have been caught in webs of controversy and gossip.
1. Sonu Nigam's Tweet Storm: His tweets on the use of loudspeakers for Azaan (Islamic call to prayer) sparked outrage, leading to public debates and backlash.
2. Mika Singh's Public Disputes: His infamous slapping incident at a concert and the Rakhi Sawant kissing controversy kept him in the public eye for all the wrong reasons.
3. Ankit Tiwari's Legal Battle: The 'Aashiqui 2' singer was embroiled in a serious legal battle when he was accused of rape by a woman.
XLIV. The Dark Drama of Bollywood Directors and Producers
1. Karan Johar's Ae Dil Hai Mushkil Controversy: The film's release coincided with heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, leading to controversy due to the casting of Pakistani actor Fawad Khan.
2. Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmaavat Debacle: The historical drama stirred massive protests due to its alleged distortion of Rajput history. Bhansali faced physical attacks and massive public outcry.
3*. Mahesh Bhatt and Parveen Babi's Controversial Relationship:* Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt's relationship with late actress Parveen Babi was the subject of controversy and gossip. Their tumultuous affair, coupled with Parveen's battle with mental health issues, made headlines and created a buzz in the industry.
4*. Anurag Kashyap's Marital Woes:* Director Anurag Kashyap's marriage to actress Kalki Koechlin attracted media attention. The couple separated in 2013, and their relationship struggles and subsequent divorce were discussed in the public domain.
XLV. Priyanka Chopra's Reddit AMA Fall-Out
Priyanka Chopra's Reddit AMA (Ask Me Anything) session became controversial when she failed to address certain sensitive questions, leading to disappointment and backlash from the Reddit community.
XLVI. Bollywood’s Less Than Starry Behaviour
1. Salman Khan's Media Misadventures: His scuffles with the media have been well-documented, including an infamous incident where he allegedly snatched a reporter's phone.
2. Kareena Kapoor Khan's Fan Fiasco: A video of her allegedly snapping at fans asking for selfies caused a stir online.
3. Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone's Fallout: Post their break-up, they reportedly gave each other the cold shoulder at public events, fuelling the gossip mill.
XLVII. The Other Side of the Playback Singers
1. Lata Mangeshkar and Mohammad Rafi's Feud: One of the oldest controversies that rocked Bollywood was the fallout between these two legendary singers over royalty rights.
2. Abhijeet Bhattacharya's Controversial Remarks: Known for his controversial comments on various issues, Abhijeet often found himself at the receiving end of public backlash.
3*. Sonu Nigam's Azaan Controversy:* In 2017, singer Sonu Nigam sparked controversy when he expressed his displeasure on Twitter over being woken up by the sound of Azaan (Islamic call to prayer). His comments led to a heated debate on religious tolerance and freedom of expression.
4*. Anu Malik's #MeToo Allegations:* Renowned music composer and singer Anu Malik faced allegations of sexual harassment during the #MeToo movement in 2018. Several women accused him of inappropriate behavior, leading to his removal as a judge from a popular singing reality show.
XLVIII. The Many Shades of the Indian Film Industry
1. Dravidian Drama - Tamil & Telugu Cinema: The south Indian film industry isn't free from controversies either. The rift between the late Tamil Nadu CMs, MGR and Karunanidhi, both of whom were from the film fraternity, impacted the politics of the state for decades. Similarly, the Telugu industry saw the tragic fallout between renowned actors Chiranjeevi and Rajasekhar.
2. Bengali Cinema's Intellectual Ire: The Bengali film industry, known for its intellectual and artistic cinema, was hit by controversy when the veteran director Rituparno Ghosh's sexual orientation came under public scrutiny.
3*. Tamil Film Industry's Caste-based Controversies:* The Tamil film industry has witnessed controversies related to caste-based issues. Actors and filmmakers have faced criticism for allegedly promoting caste discrimination through their films or making controversial statements.
4*. Malayalam Film Industry's #MeToo Movement:* The Malayalam film industry witnessed its own version of the #MeToo movement, with several actresses coming forward to share their experiences of harassment and misconduct. The movement brought to light the dark side of the industry and led to discussions about the need for safer work environments.
XLIX. Unraveling Layers of Love Triangles
Apart from the ones mentioned earlier, love triangles have been a common theme in Bollywood. Some of the real-life instances that became fodder for gossip include:
1. The Madhubala-Dilip Kumar-Raj Kapoor Saga: In the Golden Era of Bollywood, the Madhubala-Dilip Kumar-Raj Kapoor triangle kept gossip columns busy, especially after the infamous court case during the filming of 'Naya Daur.'
2. The Shilpa Shetty-Akshay Kumar-Twinkle Khanna Triangle: Akshay Kumar was linked with Shilpa Shetty while he was reportedly in a relationship with Twinkle Khanna. This resulted in much speculation until he eventually married Twinkle.
L. Bollywood's Cheating Scandals
1. Hrithik Roshan and Kangana Ranaut: The alleged affair between Hrithik and Kangana, while he was married to Suzanne Khan, created one of the most publicized controversies in Bollywood.
2. Amitabh Bachchan and Rekha: The much-speculated affair between Amitabh and Rekha during his marriage with Jaya Bachchan remains one of Bollywood's most enduring rumors.
3. Govinda's Extramarital Affair: Actor Govinda faced public scrutiny when news of his extramarital affair with actress Rani Mukerji surfaced. The affair reportedly caused strain in his marriage and led to widespread gossip.
Indeed, the Indian film industry isn't just about glitz and glamour, but also about human flaws and frailties that often come to light, adding another dimension to our understanding of it.
Here are a few more controversies and rumors that I might have not covered yet (Apologies for any repetitions):
  1. The mysterious disappearance of Divya Bharti: In 1993, actress Divya Bharti tragically fell from the balcony of her apartment at the age of 19. Her sudden death sparked numerous conspiracy theories and rumors surrounding the circumstances of her demise, including speculation about foul play and possible suicide.
  2. The alleged black magic practices of Tantrik Chandraswami: Tantrik Chandraswami, a self-proclaimed spiritual guru with connections to several Bollywood celebrities, was accused of practicing black magic and having undue influence over prominent personalities. His alleged involvement in the political and entertainment spheres sparked controversy and speculation.
  3. The secret wedding of Juhi Chawla: Rumors circulated in the late '90s suggesting that actress Juhi Chawla had secretly married a British businessman. Although Juhi Chawla never publicly confirmed or denied the rumors, they persisted for a considerable period, adding an air of mystery to her personal life.
  4. The supposed curse of the film "Raaz" (2002): It was rumored that the horror film "Raaz" brought a curse upon its cast and crew. Alleged incidents of supernatural occurrences and mishaps during the film's production led to speculation about a supernatural influence affecting those involved.
  5. The controversy surrounding the film "Water" (2005): Deepa Mehta's film "Water" faced significant opposition during its production due to its sensitive subject matter and depiction of the treatment of widows in India. Protests, threats, and acts of vandalism occurred on the film's sets, leading to the relocation of the shooting to another country.
  6. The alleged rivalry between Madhuri Dixit and Sridevi: There were rumors of a rivalry between two Bollywood icons, Madhuri Dixit and Sridevi, during the '90s. Reports suggested that their competition for top actress status led to tensions and strained relations.
  7. The controversial casting of Sanjay Dutt in the film "Lage Raho Munna Bhai" (2006): Sanjay Dutt's inclusion in the film "Lage Raho Munna Bhai" created controversy due to his involvement in the 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts case. The decision to cast him sparked debates about ethics and the rehabilitation of individuals with criminal backgrounds.
  8. The alleged love triangle between Aamir Khan, Reena Dutta, and Kiran Rao: Speculation emerged about a love triangle involving actor Aamir Khan, his ex-wife Reena Dutta, and his second wife Kiran Rao. Reports suggested that the dynamics of their relationships overlapped, leading to rumors and discussions in the media.
  9. The controversy surrounding the film "Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love" (1996): Director Mira Nair's film "Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love" faced controversy and censorship challenges due to its explicit content and portrayal of sexuality. The film's release was met with mixed reactions and debates about artistic freedom.
  10. The alleged involvement of Bollywood celebrities in the IPL spot-fixing scandal: During the Indian Premier League (IPL) spot-fixing scandal in 2013, rumors swirled about the involvement of certain Bollywood celebrities in illegal betting and match-fixing activities. Although no substantial evidence was found to support these rumors, they generated significant speculation and discussion.
  11. Govinda and David Dhawan's fallout: Govinda, known for his comedic roles, had a fallout with director David Dhawan, with whom he had collaborated on several successful films. Reports suggested that their relationship deteriorated due to creative differences and personal issues, leading to a strained professional relationship.
  12. Aditya Pancholi and Kangana Ranaut's legal battle: Kangana Ranaut accused actor Aditya Pancholi of physical and emotional abuse during their alleged relationship. The legal battle between them attracted significant media coverage, with both parties presenting their sides and filing counter-allegations.
  13. The alleged love affair between Rani Mukerji and Abhishek Bachchan: Rumors circulated about a romantic relationship between actors Rani Mukerji and Abhishek Bachchan during the shooting of their film "Yuva" (2004). Speculation about their relationship and its impact on Abhishek's engagement to Aishwarya Rai was a subject of gossip in the industry.
  14. The alleged feud between Aishwarya Rai and Sonam Kapoor: Reports suggested that Aishwarya Rai and Sonam Kapoor had a strained relationship stemming from a comment Sonam made about Aishwarya's fashion choices at the Cannes Film Festival. The alleged tension between the two actresses garnered attention in the media.
  15. The controversy surrounding the film "Fiza" (2000): Actress Karisma Kapoor faced backlash for her portrayal of a Muslim character in the film "Fiza." The film's depiction of communal violence led to accusations of misrepresentation and insensitivity, resulting in protests and debates.
  16. The controversy surrounding the film "Rahul" (2001): Director Prakash Jha's film "Rahul" faced objections from the National Commission for Women (NCW) for its portrayal of a teacher-student relationship. The NCW raised concerns about the film's potential to promote inappropriate relationships and demanded cuts or a ban.
  17. The controversy surrounding the film "Mohalla Assi": Starring Sunny Deol, the film "Mohalla Assi" faced censorship issues and remained unreleased for several years. The CBFC objected to its content, which included explicit language and the portrayal of religious figures, leading to legal battles and delays.
  18. The alleged rivalry between Aamir Khan and Shah Rukh Khan: Rumors of a rivalry between two of Bollywood's biggest superstars, Aamir Khan and Shah Rukh Khan, have circulated for years. Reports suggest that there is an underlying competitiveness between them, with occasional subtle digs and comparisons made in the media.
  19. The alleged tiff between Kangana Ranaut and Deepika Padukone: Reports of a rivalry between actresses Kangana Ranaut and Deepika Padukone have made headlines. While both have denied any animosity, occasional comments and indirect references in interviews have fueled speculation about a cold war between them.
  20. The mysterious disappearance of actor Nadia: Nadia, the first female stunt actress and action heroine of Indian cinema in the 1930s and 1940s, vanished under mysterious circumstances in the 1940s. Her sudden disappearance left the industry and her fans bewildered, and her fate remains unknown to this day.
  21. The controversial love triangle involving Guru Dutt, Geeta Dutt, and Waheeda Rehman: There were rumors of a complex love triangle between legendary filmmaker Guru Dutt, his wife, playback singer Geeta Dutt, and actress Waheeda Rehman during the making of the film "Pyaasa" (1957). While the exact nature of their relationships remains speculative, it added an intriguing layer of mystery to their personal lives.
  22. The unsolved murder of director Bimal Roy's cinematographer Subrata Mitra: Subrata Mitra, the acclaimed cinematographer known for his work with director Bimal Roy, was found dead under mysterious circumstances in 1997. The case remains unsolved, leaving behind unanswered questions and speculations.
  23. The alleged paranormal occurrences during the filming of the horror film "Mahal" (1949): During the shooting of the iconic film "Mahal," there were numerous reports of eerie happenings on set. Actors and crew members claimed to have witnessed strange phenomena and experienced unexplained incidents, adding a supernatural element to the film's legacy.
  24. The enigmatic persona of actor Guru Dutt: Guru Dutt, the iconic actor-director of the 1950s and 1960s, was known for his introspective and melancholic on-screen persona. His tragic death in 1964, attributed to an overdose of sleeping pills, continues to be shrouded in mystery, with debates about whether it was an accident or suicide.
  25. The controversy surrounding the film "Bandit Queen" (1994): Director Shekhar Kapur's film "Bandit Queen," based on the life of Phoolan Devi, faced legal challenges and controversies for its explicit content and portrayal of violence. The film's release was delayed, and it sparked debates on artistic freedom and the depiction of real-life incidents.
  26. The alleged black magic practices in the film industry: Over the years, there have been rumors and claims of certain individuals in the film industry practicing black magic or being involved in occult practices. These rumors have fueled speculation and added an element of mystery to the industry.
  27. The alleged rivalry between Raj Kapoor and Dilip Kumar: Two legendary actors of the Indian film industry, Raj Kapoor and Dilip Kumar, were rumored to have a rivalry during their heyday. Reports suggested that their professional competition and different acting styles fueled tensions and strained relations between them.
  28. The controversial relationship between Kamal Haasan and Sarika: Actors Kamal Haasan and Sarika were in a live-in relationship for many years and had two children together. However, their relationship was marked by rumors of infidelity and personal differences, leading to a tumultuous and publicized separation.
  29. The controversy surrounding the film "Sins" (2005): Director Vinod Pande's film "Sins" faced severe criticism and opposition due to its explicit content and portrayal of taboo subjects like sex and religion. The film's release was marred by protests, bans, and legal battles, igniting debates on artistic freedom and censorship.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is based on available public sources, media reports, and general knowledge. While we strive to ensure accuracy and reliability, we cannot guarantee the completeness or authenticity of the information. The content presented here is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as factual or verified. Any views, opinions, or statements expressed in this post are those of the respective individuals or sources mentioned and do not necessarily reflect our views. We encourage readers to conduct further research and exercise their own judgment when interpreting the information provided. We shall not be held liable for any errors, omissions, or damages arising from the use of this post.
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2023.05.30 03:45 Junior_Button5882 Spring-heeled Jack

Spring-heeled Jack
Spring-heeled Jack is an entity in English folklore of the Victorian era. The first claimed sighting of Spring-heeled Jack was in 1837.[1] Later sightings were reported all over the United Kingdom and were especially prevalent in suburban London, the Midlands) and Scotland.[2]
There are many theories about the nature and identity of Spring-heeled Jack. This urban legend was very popular in its time, due to the tales of his bizarre appearance and ability to make extraordinary leaps, to the point that he became the topic of several works of fiction.
Spring-heeled Jack was described by people who claimed to have seen him as having a terrifying and frightful appearance, with diabolical physiognomy, clawed hands, and eyes that "resembled red balls of fire". One report claimed that, beneath a black cloak, he wore a helmet and a tight-fitting white garment like an oilskin. Many stories also mention a "Devil-like" aspect. Others said he was tall and thin, with the appearance of a gentleman. Several reports mention that he could breathe out blue and white flames and that he wore sharp metallic claws at his fingertips. At least two people claimed that he was able to speak comprehensible English.

History

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Precedents

In the early 19th century, there were reports of ghosts that stalked the streets of London. These human-like figures were described as pale; it was believed that they stalked and preyed on lone pedestrians. The stories told of these figures formed part of a distinct ghost tradition in London which, some writers have argued, formed the foundation of the later legend of Spring-heeled Jack.[3]
The most important of these early entities was the Hammersmith Ghost, which in 1803 and 1804 was reported in Hammersmith on the western fringes of London; it would later reappear in 1824. Another apparition, the Southampton ghost, was also reported as assaulting individuals in the night. This particular spirit bore many of the characteristics of Spring-heeled Jack, and was reported as jumping over houses and being over 10 ft (3.0 m) tall.[3]

Early reports

📷Illustration of Spring-heeled Jack, from the serial Spring-heel'd Jack: The Terror of London
The first alleged sightings of Spring-heeled Jack were made in London in 1837 and the last reported sighting is said in most of the secondary literature to have been made in Liverpool in 1904.[4][5]
According to much later accounts, in October 1837 a girl by the name of Mary Stevens was walking to Lavender Hill, where she was working as a servant, after visiting her parents in Battersea. On her way through Clapham Common, a strange figure leapt at her from a dark alley. After immobilising her with a tight grip of his arms, he began to kiss her face, while ripping her clothes and touching her flesh with his claws, which were, according to her deposition, "cold and clammy as those of a corpse". In panic, the girl screamed, making the attacker quickly flee from the scene. The commotion brought several residents who immediately launched a search for the aggressor, but he could not be found.[6]
The next day, the leaping character is said to have chosen a very different victim near Mary Stevens' home, inaugurating a method that would reappear in later reports: he jumped in the way of a passing carriage, causing the coachman to lose control, crash, and severely injure himself. Several witnesses claimed that he escaped by jumping over a 9 ft (2.7 m) high wall while cackling with a high-pitched, ringing laughter.[6]
Gradually, the news of the strange character spread, and soon the press and the public gave him the name "Spring-heeled Jack".[7]

Official recognition

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📷A public session at the Mansion House, London (c. 1840).
A few months after these first sightings, on 9 January 1838, the Lord Mayor of London, Sir John Cowan), revealed at a public session held in the Mansion House an anonymous complaint that he had received several days earlier, which he had withheld in the hope of obtaining further information. The correspondent, who signed the letter "a resident of Peckham", wrote:
It appears that some individuals (of, as the writer believes, the highest ranks of life) have laid a wager with a mischievous and foolhardy companion, that he durst not take upon himself the task of visiting many of the villages near London in three different disguises—a ghost, a bear, and a devil; and moreover, that he will not enter a gentleman's gardens for the purpose of alarming the inmates of the house. The wager has, however, been accepted, and the unmanly villain has succeeded in depriving seven ladies of their senses, two of whom are not likely to recover, but to become burdens to their families. At one house the man rang the bell, and on the servant coming to open door, this worse than brute stood in no less dreadful figure than a spectre clad most perfectly. The consequence was that the poor girl immediately swooned, and has never from that moment been in her senses. The affair has now been going on for some time, and, strange to say, the papers are still silent on the subject. The writer has reason to believe that they have the whole history at their finger-ends but, through interested motives, are induced to remain silent.[8]
Though the Lord Mayor seemed fairly sceptical, a member of the audience confirmed that "servant girls about Kensington, Hammersmith and Ealing, tell dreadful stories of this ghost or devil". The matter was reported in The Times on 9 January, other national papers on 10 January and, on the day after that, the Lord Mayor showed a crowded gathering a pile of letters from various places in and around London complaining of similar "wicked pranks". The quantity of letters that poured into the Mansion House suggests that the stories were widespread in suburban London. One writer said several young women in Hammersmith had been frightened into "dangerous fits" and some "severely wounded by a sort of claws the miscreant wore on his hands". Another correspondent claimed that in Stockwell, Brixton, Camberwell and Vauxhall several people had died of fright and others had had fits; meanwhile, another reported that the trickster had been repeatedly seen in Lewisham and Blackheath.[citation needed]
The Lord Mayor himself was in two minds about the affair: he thought "the greatest exaggerations" had been made, and that it was quite impossible "that the ghost performs the feats of a devil upon earth", but on the other hand someone he trusted had told him of a servant girl at Forest Hill who had been scared into fits by a figure in a bear's skin; he was confident the person or persons involved in this "pantomime display" would be caught and punished.[9] The police were instructed to search for the individual responsible, and rewards were offered.[citation needed]
A peculiar report from The Brighton Gazette, which appeared in the 14 April 1838 edition of The Times, related how a gardener in Rosehill, Sussex, had been terrified by a creature of unknown nature. The Times wrote that "Spring-heeled Jack has, it seems, found his way to the Sussex coast", even though the report bore little resemblance to other accounts of Jack. The incident occurred on 13 April, when it appeared to a gardener "in the shape of a bear or some other four-footed animal". Having attracted the gardener's attention by a growl, it then climbed the garden wall and ran along it on all fours, before jumping down and chasing the gardener for some time. After terrifying the gardener, the apparition scaled the wall and made its exit.[10]
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Scales and Alsop reports

📷Illustration of Spring-heeled Jack, from the 1867 serial Spring-heel'd Jack: The Terror of London
Perhaps the best known of the alleged incidents involving Spring-heeled Jack were the attacks on two teenage girls, Lucy Scales and Jane Alsop. The Alsop report was widely covered by the newspapers, including a piece in The Times,[11] while fewer reports appeared in relation to the attack on Scales. The press coverage of these two attacks helped to raise the profile of Spring-heeled Jack.[citation needed]

Alsop case

Jane Alsop reported that on the night of 19 February 1838, she answered the door of her father's house to a man claiming to be a police officer, who told her to bring a light, claiming "we have caught Spring-heeled Jack here in the lane". She brought the person a candle, and noticed that he wore a large cloak. The moment she had handed him the candle, however, he threw off the cloak and "presented a most hideous and frightful appearance", vomiting blue and white flame from his mouth while his eyes resembled "red balls of fire". Miss Alsop reported that he wore a large helmet and that his clothing, which appeared to be very tight-fitting, resembled white oilskin. Without saying a word he caught hold of her and began tearing her gown with his claws which she was certain were "of some metallic substance". She screamed for help, and managed to get away from him and ran towards the house. He caught her on the steps and tore her neck and arms with his claws. She was rescued by one of her sisters, after which her assailant fled.[4][12]

Scales case

On 28 February 1838,[13] nine days after the attack on Miss Alsop, 18-year-old Lucy Scales and her sister were returning home after visiting their brother, a butcher who lived in a respectable part of Limehouse. Miss Scales stated in her deposition to the police that as she and her sister were passing along Green Dragon Alley, they observed a person standing in an angle of the passage. She was walking in front of her sister at the time, and just as she came up to the person, who was wearing a large cloak, he spurted "a quantity of blue flame" in her face, which deprived her of her sight, and so alarmed her, that she instantly dropped to the ground, and was seized with violent fits which continued for several hours.[14]
Her brother added that on the evening in question, he had heard the loud screams of one of his sisters moments after they had left his house and on running up Green Dragon Alley he found his sister Lucy on the ground in a fit, with her sister attempting to hold and support her. She was taken home, and he then learned from his other sister what had happened. She described Lucy's assailant as being of tall, thin, and gentlemanly appearance, covered in a large cloak, and carrying a small lamp or bull's eye lantern similar to those used by the police. The individual did not speak nor did he try to lay hands on them, but instead walked quickly away. Every effort was made by the police to discover the author of these and similar outrages, and several persons were questioned, but were set free.[14]
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Popularisation

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The Times reported the alleged attack on Jane Alsop on 2 March 1838 under the heading "The Late Outrage at Old Ford".[11] This was followed with an account of the trial of one Thomas Millbank, who, immediately after the reported attack on Jane Alsop, had boasted in the Morgan's Arms that he was Spring-heeled Jack. He was arrested and tried at Lambeth Street court. The arresting officer was James Lea, who had earlier arrested William Corder, the Red Barn Murderer. Millbank had been wearing white overalls and a greatcoat, which he dropped outside the house, and the candle he dropped was also found. He escaped conviction only because Jane Alsop insisted her attacker had breathed fire, and Millbank admitted he could do no such thing. Most of the other accounts were written long after the date; contemporary newspapers do not mention them.[citation needed]
📷Ad for Spring Heeled Jack, a penny dreadful (1886)
After these incidents, Spring-heeled Jack became one of the most popular characters of the period. His alleged exploits were reported in the newspapers and became the subject of several penny dreadfuls and plays performed in the cheap theatres that abounded at the time. The devil was even renamed "Spring-heeled Jack" in some Punch and Judy shows, as recounted by Henry Mayhew in his London Labour and the London Poor:
This here is Satan,-we might say the devil, but that ain't right, and gennelfolks don't like such words. He is now commonly called 'Spring-heeled Jack;' or the 'Rossian Bear,' – that's since the war. — Henry Mayhew, London Labour and the London Poor, p. 52[15]
But, even as his fame was growing, reports of Spring-heeled Jack's appearances became less frequent if more widespread. In 1843, however, a wave of sightings swept the country again. A report from Northamptonshire described him as "the very image of the Devil himself, with horns and eyes of flame", and in East Anglia reports of attacks on drivers of mail coaches became common. In July 1847 "a Spring-heeled Jack investigation" in Teignmouth, Devon led to a Captain Finch being convicted of two charges of assault against women during which he is said to have been "disguised in a skin coat, which had the appearance of bullock's hide, skullcap, horns and mask".[16] The legend was linked with the phenomenon of the "Devil's Footprints" which appeared in Devon in February 1855.[citation needed]

Last reports

In the beginning of the 1870s, Spring-heeled Jack was reported again in several places distant from each other. In November 1872, the News of the World reported that Peckham was "in a state of commotion owing to what is known as the "Peckham Ghost", a mysterious figure, quite alarming in appearance". The editorial pointed out that it was none other than "Spring-heeled Jack, who terrified a past generation".[17] Similar stories were published in The Illustrated Police News. In April and May 1873, it reported there were numerous sightings in Sheffield of the "Park Ghost", which locals also came to identify as Spring-heeled Jack.[18]

Aldershot

📷North Camp in Aldershot as it looked in 1866.
This news was followed by more reported sightings, until in August 1877 one of the most notable reports about Spring-heeled Jack came from a group of soldiers in Aldershot Garrison. This story went as follows: a sentry on duty at the North Camp peered into the darkness, his attention attracted by a peculiar figure "advancing towards him." The soldier issued a challenge, which went unheeded, and the figure came up beside him and delivered several slaps to his face. A guard shot at him, with no visible effect; some sources claim that the soldier may have fired blanks) at him, others that he missed or fired warning shots. The strange figure then disappeared into the surrounding darkness "with astonishing bounds."[19][20][21]
Lord Ernest Hamilton's 1922 memoir Forty Years On mentions the Aldershot appearances of Spring-heeled Jack; however, he (apparently erroneously) says that they occurred in the winter of 1879 after his regiment, the 60th Rifles, had moved to Aldershot, and that similar appearances had occurred when the regiment was barracked at Colchester in the winter of 1878. He adds that the panic became so great at Aldershot that sentries were issued ammunition and ordered to shoot "the night terror" on sight, following which the appearances ceased. Hamilton thought that the appearances were actually pranks, carried out by one of his fellow officers, a Lieutenant Alfrey.[22][23] However, there is no record of Alfrey ever being court-martialled for the offence.[24]

Lincolnshire

In the autumn of 1877, Spring-heeled Jack was reportedly seen at Newport Arch, in Lincoln, Lincolnshire, wearing a sheep skin. An angry mob supposedly chased him and cornered him, and just as in Aldershot a while before, residents fired at him to no effect. As usual, he was said to have made use of his leaping abilities to lose the crowd and disappear once again.[25]

Liverpool

By the end of the 19th century the reported sightings of Spring-heeled Jack were moving towards the north west of England. Around 1888, in Everton, north Liverpool, he allegedly appeared on the rooftop of Saint Francis Xavier's Church in Salisbury Street. In 1904 there were reports of appearances in nearby William Henry Street.[26]

Aftermath and impact upon Victorian popular culture

The vast urban legend built around Spring-heeled Jack influenced many aspects of Victorian life, especially in contemporary popular culture. For decades, especially in London, his name was equated with the bogeyman, as a means of scaring children into behaving by telling them if they were not good, Spring-heeled Jack would leap up and peer in at them through their bedroom windows, by night.
However, it was in fictional entertainment where the legend of Spring-heeled Jack exerted the most extensive influence, owing to his allegedly extraordinary nature. Three pamphlet publications, purportedly based on the real events, appeared almost immediately, during January and February, 1838. They were not advertised as fiction, though they likely were at least partly so. The only known copies were reported to have perished when the British Library was hit during The Blitz, but their catalog still lists the first one.
The character was written into a number of penny dreadful stories during the latter half of the 19th century, initially as a villain and then in increasingly heroic roles. By the early 1900s he was being represented as a costumed, altruistic avenger of wrongs and protector of the innocent, effectively becoming a precursor to pulp fiction and then comic book superheroes.

Theories

No one was ever caught and identified as Spring-heeled Jack; combined with the extraordinary abilities attributed to him and the very long period during which he was reportedly at large, this has led to numerous and varied theories of his nature and identity.[citation needed] While several researchers seek a normal explanation for the events, other authors explore the more fantastic details of the story to propose different kinds of paranormal speculation.[citation needed]

Sceptical positions

Sceptical investigators have dismissed the stories of Spring-heeled Jack as mass hysteria which developed around various stories of a bogeyman or devil which have been around for centuries, or from exaggerated urban myths about a man who clambered over rooftops claiming that the Devil was chasing him.[27]
📷Henry de La Poer Beresford, 3rd Marquess of Waterford (1840)
Other researchers believe that some individual(s) may have been behind its origins, being followed by imitators later on.[28] Spring-heeled Jack was widely considered not to be a supernatural creature, but rather one or more persons with a macabre sense of humour.[4] This idea matches the contents of the letter to the Lord Mayor, which accused a group of young aristocrats as the culprits, after an irresponsible wager.[4] A popular rumour circulating as early as 1840 pointed to an Irish nobleman, the Marquess of Waterford, as the main suspect.[4] Haining) suggested this may have been due to him having previously had bad experiences with women and police officers.[29]
The Marquess was frequently in the news in the late 1830s for drunken brawling, brutal jokes and vandalism, and was said to do anything for a bet; his irregular behaviour and his contempt for women earned him the title "the Mad Marquis", and it is also known that he was in the London area by the time the first incidents took place. In 1880 he was named as the perpetrator by E. Cobham Brewer, who said that the Marquess "used to amuse himself by springing on travellers unawares, to frighten them, and from time to time others have followed his silly example."[30][31] In 1842, the Marquess married and settled in Curraghmore House, County Waterford, and reportedly led an exemplary life until he died in a riding accident in 1859.[citation needed]
Sceptical investigators have asserted that the story of Spring-heeled Jack was exaggerated and altered through mass hysteria, a process in which many sociological issues may have contributed. These include unsupported rumours, superstition, oral tradition, sensationalist publications, and a folklore rich in tales of fairies and strange roguish creatures. Gossip of alleged leaping and fire-spitting powers, his alleged extraordinary features and his reputed skill in evading apprehension captured the mind of the superstitious public—increasingly so with the passing of time, which gave the impression that Spring-heeled Jack had suffered no effects from ageing. As a result, a whole urban legend was built around the character, being reflected by contemporary publications, which in turn fuelled this popular perception.[32]

Paranormal conjectures

📷Spring-heeled Jack illustrated on the cover of the 1904 serial Spring-heeled Jack
A variety of wildly speculative paranormal explanations have been proposed to explain the origin of Spring-heeled Jack, including that he was an extraterrestrial entity with a non-human appearance and features (e.g., retro-reflective red eyes, or phosphorus breath) and a superhuman agility deriving from life on a high-gravity world, with his jumping ability and strange behaviour,[33] and that he was a demon, accidentally or purposefully summoned into this world by practitioners of the occult, or who made himself manifest simply to create spiritual turmoil.[34]
Fortean authors, particularly Loren Coleman[35] and Jerome Clark,[36] list "Spring-heeled Jack" in a category named "phantom attackers", with another well-known example being the "Mad Gasser of Mattoon". Typical "phantom attackers" appear to be human, and may be perceived as prosaic criminals, but may display extraordinary abilities (as in Spring-heeled Jack's jumps, which, it is widely noted, would break the ankles of a human who replicated them) and/or cannot be caught by authorities. Victims commonly experience the "attack" in their bedrooms, homes or other seemingly secure enclosures. They may report being pinned or paralysed, or on the other hand describe a "siege" in which they fought off a persistent intruder or intruders. Many reports can readily be explained psychologically, most notably as the "Old Hag" phenomenon, recorded in folklore and recognised by psychologists as a form of hallucination. In the most problematic cases, an "attack" is witnessed by several people and substantiated by some physical evidence, but the attacker cannot be verified to exist.[citation needed]

Counterpart in Prague

A similar figure known as Pérák, the Spring Man of Prague was reported to have been seen in Czechoslovakia around 1939–1945. As writers such as Mike Dash have shown, the elusiveness and supernatural leaping abilities attributed to Pérák bear a close resemblance to those exhibited by Spring-heeled Jack, and distinct parallels can be drawn between the two entities.[28] The stories of Pérák provide a useful example of how the traits of Spring-heeled Jack have a broad cultural resonance in urban folklore. Pérák, like Spring-heeled Jack, went on to become a folklore hero, even starring in several animated superhero cartoons, fighting the SS, the earliest of which is Jiří Trnka's 1946 film Pérák a SS or Springman and the SS.[37]

In contemporary popular culture

The character of Spring-heeled Jack has been revived or referenced in a variety of 20th and 21st century media, including:
Spring-Heeled Jack (1989) – a combination prose and graphic novel by Philip Pullman in which Spring-heeled Jack saves a group of plucky orphans from the malevolent Mack the Knife.[38]
The Strange Affair of Spring-Heeled Jack (2010) – an alternate history novel by author Mark Hodder, portraying Spring-Heeled Jack as a time traveler.[39]
The Springheel Saga (2011) – a three-series audio drama produced by the Wireless Theatre Company.[40]

See also

External links

submitted by Junior_Button5882 to cryptid_world [link] [comments]

2023.05.30 03:35 Master_Antelope What if I Rewrote Miraculous? (Season 4, Eps 1-13) (minor spoilers for S5)

Sorry I've been gone for a bit, I had a storyline to finish up and a few bad bouts of writer's block, but I managed to get to this finished up! Here's Season 4, eps 1-13! Be sure to leave some feedback!
Season 4 (March-April):
  1. Truth: First change (shared with Lies): Lukanette/Adrigami are clearly established to have been a thing over multiple weeks/a month, with the NY special being the second(?) time they’re truly established. I doubt it’s truly satisfactory, but stuff still has to work within this specific season/the larger narrative, so… eh. Second change: Andrew Hendrol is present for the concert on the Liberty (“I might have to challenge you guys to a battle of the bands one day.”) and slips off to transform into Dragonus just before Luka arrives akumatized. He absorbs Truth/Eyebeam’s (renamed Light Eye) powers then buggers off to appear later in Lies. Third change: Shadow Moth’s design. While I personally like it, it wasn’t terribly popular. So here's a slight redesign: the main body can stay the same with its purple overcoat and black lapels but make the purple a bit darker and the lapel is the same as it was on Hawk Moth. His cowl is now a chromed blue with a peacock feather “eye” right on the forehead instead of his Zuko monocle. His skin turns indigo like Mayura’s and his eyes are like Duusu’s, but more malevolent. The biggest change to his costume is the function of the tailcoat itself: its tail is like a male peacock’s train, long and vibrant blue with pinkish feather eyes in the back, and it opens and spreads in reaction to his emotions. For example, if he’s pleased or angry, it opens up and spreads out behind him, and if he’s exasperated/neutral, it folds back down. Fourth change: Marinette’s transformation into Ladybug is fixed this time around.
  2. Lies: First change: Marinette isn’t as fan-girly over the Adrien life showing, instead wondering if he’s doing alright with his schedule. Tikki and the others assure her that he’s probably used to it, and she doesn’t have to be so worried about it. Of course, this doesn’t dissuade her nerves, especially not when the modeling session the show films has Lila in it. Second change: The art room scene gets a couple added lines of dialogue (“Adrien. Our parents raised us for perfection, but we don’t need that. We’re already perfect. We’re perfect. Just show me your truth.” “But… I’m not sure what that truth is.” “Let me show you.”) before their class starts. Third change: the Hendrols are present for Prince Ali’s birthday party – it’s why Dragonus skedaddled from the fight – and Andrew manages to hide and transform without anyone noticing, avoiding Lies’ sphere. Even Dragonus can’t risk touching the sphere, even if his cravings for power – much like a vampire – don’t go away.
  3. Gang of Secrets: First change: Tikki attempts to console Marinette after she talks about worrying about Shadow Moth and Dragonus (“Well, Duusu had always been a bit chaotic. I could imagine that he might be causing Shadow Moth a problem or two. As for Dragonus… he can’t have it much better than you right now, right?”), which cuts to Andrew Hendrol and the Dark kwamis all having a dance party to unknown song that sounds suspiciously similar to “Hips Don’t Lie”. Second change: Instead of the girls just barging up, Tom and Sabine give them permission to go up and check on Marinette. “She hasn’t been answering for us, maybe she will for you.” And the dollhouse doesn’t break from Rose taking off the roof. Rather, Rose trips on something – maybe a roll of thread or a screwdriver or loose paper – and knocks into it. Same result, though, but Alya rightfully calls Mari out: “Okay, Marinette, something is really wrong with you. I’m sorry we can in uninvited, but your parents said we needed to check up on you, and I’m sorry Rose broke the house, but it was a complete accident and you’re blowing up over it. There’s more going on here than just boy trouble, isn’t there? We’re your friends, girl, we want to help.” To which Mari replies: “Maybe I don’t want your help, or your friendship anymore. Get out!” Third change: Dragonus swoops in during the fight and knocks around the Gang of Secrets himself after LB catches Lady Wifi, which inadvertently gives LB time to talk LW into rejecting her powers. Fourth change: Rena Rouge doesn’t look as off in this episode, where her skin was a few tones too light. Dunno if it was intentional, but that still could be fixed. The episode ends as normal.
  4. Mr. Pigeon 72: First change: a biggie. Alya acknowledges Lila’s number of akumatizations and says, “You know, even if you couldn’t tell me about Lila’s lying about being BFFs with Ladybug, you still could’ve told me – or anyone, for that matter – about how she threatened you in the bathroom. No one threatens my BFF with impunity.” I know a lot of people were upset with Alya’s passiveness over the whole Lila situation, but this line will have impact throughout the rest of the rework. Second change: I found this out on a whim, but it turns out city pigeons are a kind of dove, so Bob Roth wasn’t entirely wrong. Fun. Third change: Andrew Hendrol is watching the evil pigeons transform people outside and figures out he can’t go out, transformed or not, without getting touched. Vorrath: “When has that stopped you before?” Andrew: “I’ve got it.” Cut to later, he invades the fight between the illusions and Mr. Pigeon in a giant mech made out of a sentimonster that he teleported into so he could fight. Overkill doesn’t begin to cover this guy. Fourth change: I’m tempted to change Ladybug’s Lucky Charm suit to her permanent one, but if I did, certain episodes wouldn’t have as much oomph later… hmmm. For now, her suit can stay the same.
  5. Psycomedian: Honestly don’t know what to do with this one, it’s a fairly solid little episode; funny, love square-y, gives Gabriel some background and Cat Noir some spotlight. I guess I can really just add Dragonus to the mix: Psycomedian tries his emotion-gimmick on him and he no-sells it (there is a lot, and I mean a lot of lore behind Dragonus/Andrew Hendrol, so I think it would be easier to link my original fics with him up to the point I’m at for posting and you can explore his background there, as well as his powers) then proceeds to quickly skirmish with Angrybug: “There’s the fire I sensed when I absorbed your powers! Why don’t you let loose like this a little more? Finish the job!” (Again, lore makes sense if you read my main fics, I’m sorry, but he’s such a big character in my works that I don’t know how to condense it down. I’ll try but expect that later.)
  6. Furious Fu: First change: I’m really, really confused as to why Fu and Marianne are not referred to as husband/wife or at least married. They would’ve gotten married, right? It’s not a thing that I or the fandom seem to be upset about, I’m just super confused, and if anyone is willing to enlighten me, I’d be thankful. For now, Fu and Marianne are a couple, husband and wife, like they should’ve been since Backwarder or before. Second change: During the fight between LB/CN and Su-Han, guess who shows up but Dragonus. Su-Han freezes for a moment, which gives LB/CN time to snatch the Miracle Box, but Su-Han tries to pull it back. SH: “Ladybug! You did not tell me the Dark Dragon Miraculous was in Paris!” CN: “Sounds like you never asked!” Dragonus: sarcastically “Aw, now you’ve hurt my feelings.” Draws sword and points it at SH. “So you’re the Celestial Guardian I heard about. Head honcho, I’m guessing.” SH turns his aggression towards Dragonus. SH: “You and your kind are a blighted spot amongst the history of the Miraculous, demon!” Lunges. “Heavenly Retribution! The Righteous Will of the Justiciar Breaks the World’s Evil!” Dragonus dodges most of the attacks and matches a few of them, but Su-Han lands one good punch to the stomach. Dragonus: “growls Alright, then. You aren’t as much of a pushover as they are… or the Guardians at the Temple were. If we’re going to talk in metaphors, here's mine.” Flies away from SH and presses center of sword, opening a compartment and pulls out a purple pendant on a chain, emblazoned with a stylized T-rex face. “The grand unity of dinosaurs and dragons humbles the arrogant monk. Rexx, Vorrath, Unify!” (See here for appearance: https://archiveofourown.org/works/42733506/chapters/114090748 use ctrl-F and search "Thero"). “Thero Dragon flies as the Dark Guardian!” This reveals to everyone present that Dragonus has more of the Dark Miraculouses at his disposal and subsequent “oh crap” from Su-Han reveals how serious it is. By this point, LB/CN ran off, Thero Dragon taunts Su-Han and flies off, then doesn’t return until the battle with Furious Fu in the stadium, where he absorbs FF’s powers and briefly fights LB/CN before flying off again, proclaiming that “You haven’t seen the last of Thero Dragon!”. Episode ends as normal, but Su-Han will appear again this rewrite before Ephemeral.
  7. Sole Crusher: Okay, major change time again. I know a lot – almost utterly ridiculously so – of people do/did not like Zoe in the slightest. But, since I’m trying to stay fairly… fair to the source material (while adding new and interesting concepts), we are including Zoe, only her introduction is going to be quite different. Zoe has come to Paris because her time at her boarding school was cut short due to complete and total bullying, and her own father, a man we know as Robert Lee from Audrey, is too distant to think of another arrangement within NY and sends her to Paris to be with her mother. So, Zoe is going to be quite sullen/angry with her situation, and this becomes apparent when Marinette runs into her. Marinette apologizes profusely, but Zoe gives her a glare and basically tells her to bugger off. Marinette, though, recognizes something is wrong and pries just a little more (and it’s framed as Marinette trying to keep Zoe from attracting Shadow Moth’s attention while simultaneously trying to help), and Zoe reveals a bit of what’s happened – including the one friend – but not the full story nor which family she’s living with. Marinette, being the all-but-Lila-loving hero she is, preps a bag for the new girl. “Even if life has been bitter, it helps to have something sweet!” Marinette says. Zoe gives her a strange look. “What’s your angle? Everyone has one. Why’re you helping me?” Zoe asks, confused and suspicious. Marinette blinks in surprise and shrugs. “It’s the right thing to do, especially when you’re in a new place. I gave you my number if you’d like to chat.” Zoe blinks twice, clearly surprised by the generosity and seeming genuine nature of the girl in front of her. “Okay, then. I guess I should give you mine so… you know.” Marinette holds out her hand. “So I don’t lose it.” The first step to breaking Zoe’s rough exterior has been taken, but said rough exterior still persists when Zoe arrives at the hotel. Another major change: Audrey, while trying to be more supportive of Chloe, still has her preferred child, and that preferred child is Zoe, because, and this will cause drama later, “Zoe is one of only four people in my life who don’t grovel at my feet.” Chloe walks into the lounge/dining hall and hears this and immediately goes nuclear, but her rant is cut short by Zoe snapping at her to “Shut your mouth, you little brat.” Chloe is, of course, horrifically offended, but Audrey breaks it up before it escalates and sends them to get to know each other better… which, given this Zoe, goes about as well as expected. She snaps at all of Chloe’s rules, throws the diamond heels, and when Chloe calls her a “horrible half-of-a-sister”, Zoe throws it right back at her. This back-and-forth continues to school, where Zoe doesn’t bend to Chloe’s whims, but instead blows up at her again – which inadvertently does two things: it proves that Zoe isn’t like Chloe, but she’s quote-unquote “bad” in other ways. Of course, someone – Andrew Hendrol – sees this whole debacle and comments, “Such a powerful response to Chloe’s bratty self, such a temper. Oh, yesss, I like her.” There’s still “scaring Damocles” and “Marinette/girls talk about Zoe and Chloe”, but it’s less of Chloe’s influence and more “wow she’s scary but I bet Chloe had something to do with it.” Marinette and Zoe’s text still goes through, and Chloe still snaps at her for texting Marinette, but Zoe just snaps at her. “It’s none of your business, Chloe.” Chloe, on the other hand, makes it her business and goes back to her notebook, eventually landing on cockroaches in the locker (reused material, really?) to punish Marinette, and Zoe actually stumbles, a haunted look in her eyes. She staggers out of the room (taking the heels with her) and out to the roof, prepping to throw the shoes away in anger (perhaps a metaphor for something more disturbing) before losing the will to and she just breaks, resting her head against the bar and starts to cry. Andre comes up to her, they talk, and Zoe reveals her original dream of acting. “I’m good at it, but then everyone expected a different Zoe and they pressured me and I broke and now I can’t think of acting or anything without getting angry… I don’t like being angry. Not with the people who don’t deserve it, not with Chloe, not with anyone… I just want to be me, but I’m scared that the angry one is me…” Andre sighs. “You know, it might be good for you to… put a little bit of time between your past and now. Choose what you want to put in the Dream Cellar, and once you’ve… adjusted, you can come get it. Or you can leave it. The choice is yours.” Zoe’s akumatization stays the same, the general akuma battle remains the same, except for Thero Dragon Siphoning off Sole Crusher’s powers and stomping a few civilians for big kaiju battle time while taunting Chloe (“You can run, but I know I’m in your nightmares!”), which provides LB/CN enough time to find the akumatized sneakers and break them. The barge scene is a little different: Zoe explains what happened, and while her backstory with the crowds and roaches hasn’t changed too much, she adds, “I had one friend, but even she wasn’t around very much… not enough to help me when I needed it. I don’t blame her, she had a rough childhood, too, but I still pent that up. I’m sorry you had to see my outbursts. I get it if you don’t want to be my friend.” Of course, huggy happiness still ensues, the Bourgeois confrontation still happens, though Chloe’s basis for her demands is “If she stays here, she’ll make me stress out and ruin my perfect me!” and her threat is to crush you like your NY classmates did, while Audrey just rolls her eyes. “Chloe, quit being melodramatic. I understand Zoe’s not been the best sister – which is a discussion we will have later – but she’s not going back to New York now. I’m certainly not going to be responsible for her return fares.” The episode ends with Andre asking Zoe to “Call me Dad. I know your father is… distant, and I don’t know if I can replace him, but-” Zoe hugs him. “Thanks, Dad. Promise me you’ll make the choice to take your past out of the cellar, too.” The episode ends the same, with a much happier Zoe thanking Marinette for everything as a photo album (with dates so we can at least see it was a week or two between this and Queen Banana!) plays across the screen.
  8. Queen Banana: First change: Chloe’s “half-of-a-sister” bit when she bursts into the art room is now “Giving the lead role to my half-of-a-sister who just came out of nowhere a week ago?!”, and all of the talk of going back to New York is replaced with snappy but ultimately toothless posturing about ruining her life. Zoe, of course, is having none of that and snaps back at her with “The only way you’re ruining this movie is if you pry it from our hands!” The art room scene ends the same way as in the original, but the scene in Bob Roth’s office is changed a little bit: Not as much mention of going back to New York and more mention of Chloe’s pride as she says “You said our hands, which apparently includes the producer’s hands, too. Oh, I love a good loophole!” Zoe is oddly okay with this and confidently whispers to the others “We just need to outlast her, trust me.” Second change: Andrew Hendrol is part of the filming crew – “Live soundtrack design” he calls it, while Chloe calls it useless – and escapes the ‘enchanted sleep’ part of the filming, and is shown to get increasingly more annoyed with Chloe, to the point of risking his secret identity as Thero Dragon by offering to play the fire-breathing dragon suggested by Alya (“Lemme do it, I’ll knock that role out of the park, just let me actually blast her with fire.”). Third change: After Marinette’s rousing soapbox speech, Zoe pats her on the shoulder. “See what I meant about outlasting her?” Fourth change: Not to be outdone, Everett Hendrol, Andrew’s father (who is also present in the theater unlike Gabriel, showcasing the closer relationship Everett has with his son than Gabriel does with his), has also chipped in some pocket change (an amount of several thousand euros in Europe money I guess), so the film is entirely cut off from the city’s funding and Chloe’s interference, and when Chloe runs off, Everett darkly chuckles once as Andrew calls out “Cry me a river, Queen Banana!” (Everett is aware of Chloe’s antics and the Hendrols as a family have no sympathy for those, especially the rich, who act like fools). Fifth change: Again, Chloe’s revenge plan isn’t to get Zoe sent back to NY, she’s going to crush Zoe in a way only she can come up with… which is banana. Sixth change: There’s less of a “my fault” moment from Zoe and that weird “promise” bit is gone, now it’s just Zoe deciding to face down her sister and give her a reality check. “You want to know why we waited until you were gone to shoot the movie? Why we talked Gabriel Agreste into funding it? It’s because no one could stand your bratty behavior! Not because we hate you, not because anyone turned against you, but because you couldn’t swallow your pride and work as part of the team. If this is how you acted as part of Ladybug’s team when you were Queen Bee, it’s no wonder you were kicked off!” Queen Banana gets infuriated, Ladybug saves Zoe, they scooter off into the subway, where Ladybug commends Zoe’s bravery, but definitely winces a little bit regarding Queen Bee. “Chloe, for all her faults, wasn’t terrible as Queen Bee, but she really had attachment issues to the Miraculous, even after I tried… and failed to explain to her that her secret identity was compromised. But I doubt I’ll have that issue with you. Zoe Lee, (insert Miraculous speech here).” Seventh change: Once Queen Banana’s banana gun is glued up and she realizes she’s about to lose and runs, guess what, Thero Dragon drops in front of her, triggering Chloe’s trauma from the Miracle Queen incident. Thero Dragon Siphons off Queen Banana’s banana powers for the fun of it, then activates the power of the Dark T-rex Miraculous, Silver Tongue, which manifests as a purple blast of energy that, if it hits a human target, allows the T-rex holder to manipulate the minds of their target… which Thero Dragon uses to break down all of Chloe’s confidence and restraints, all the while tormenting her with things like “Your mother hates you,” “Your so-called friends despise you,” and “You’re utterly ridiculous.” Ladybug and Cat Noir start driving him back, but he managed to do enough damage as he needed. “I don’t know why you bother defending a traitor,” he says. “She wouldn’t do the same for you.” Queen Banana by now has fallen back, crying, and freeing her from Shadow Moth is an act of mercy, but Chloe still refuses the Magical Charm based on her own (self-nurtured) hatred for Ladybug and Vesperia, both for replacing her and failing to save her from Thero Dragon. Eighth change: Chloe, in her anger, swings at Zoe when she declares her hate, only for Zoe to catch it way too fast and lower Chloe’s fist while she gives her speech, and once Chloe takes the Charm and the akuma is repelled, Andre steps in and reprimands her for trying to hit Zoe, even going so far as to… “Chloe Bourgeois, your behavior is becoming completely unacceptable. You are embarrassing yourself and your family. Give me your phone. You are hereby grounded for a week.” Chloe looks shocked. “WHAT?!?” Andre is stern. “I’ve failed as a father. I should’ve tried to keep your behavior in check when you acted out, and I see I’ve failed terribly. There are so many people we will have to apologize to, especially your classmates for everything you’ve done to them.” The episode ends with Marinette and Tikki wondering if this new approach to Chloe’s behavior will do anything good.
  9. Gabriel Agreste: First change: Shadow Moth’s monologue is merged with Gabriel’s scene in the mausoleum under the mansion, first with Gabriel with his back to Emilie’s coffin before he turns to face it. Second change: When Nathalie offers Gabriel half of her sandwich, he initially refuses (“You need your strength.”) and she insists, then he crumbles (“You’ll need your strength, too.” “…Alright. Thank you.”). Third change: Andrew Hendrol is not present at the art-room fairy-tale-comparison blah thing, but Zoe’s response to Marinette’s question changes to “My mother has been attempting to treat her kids equally. Unfortunately, that means when Chloe got grounded for a week, I had to miss out on the dinner party. Had I known this was gonna happen, I would’ve put up more of a fight.” Also because of this, Zoe is NOT in Marinette’s room, but she is patched into the whole conversation thanks to Max and Markov. Fourth change: Audrey Bourgeois is throwing glares at Andre (apparently over punishing Chloe) and takes note of the solitary gold-trimmed black mask shaped like a lion’s head. “Don’t tell me he’s coming. You invited Hendrol?” “I had to. Otherwise he’d invite himself and ruin everything unexpectedly. At least now we can expect it.” Continuing the trend, after the Tsurugis arrive at the party, a shiny silver sedan rolls into the front gate, and Everett and Andrew Hendrol step out. Everett is in a pure white suit, in complete contrast to the rest of the party, and the hostility in the air is palpable as the car mogul and his son enter the foyer. “Gabriel.” “Everett. I would… like to welcome you to the party. Though the dress code specified darker clothes for all attendees.” “Really? I didn’t notice that, but even if I had, my black suits are all being cleaned. This is all I had.” “Indeed. Your mask, as requested.” Everett weighs the black lion mask in his hand. “Well, it’s not quite the cut obsidian I had hoped, but given your work, I shouldn’t be surprised.” Gabriel is imperceptibly seething. “I must ask you to stow your device-” “Neither of us will do that, and your little scrambler isn’t going to work on it, either. Your tricks, Gabriel, have been done by men greater than you a thousand times. And I’m the only one still standing.” Of course, when Chloe and Marinette sneak into the ballroom, everyone is giving Everett Hendrol a wide berth as he’s drinking something. Sixth change: The transformation into Shadow Moth from civilian form is still “Nooroo, Duusu, Unify!” I always hated that Dual Metamorphosis nonsense. Seventh change: Andrew Hendrol is fiddling on his phone – the only one that works, but Chloe can’t take it bc he already slapped her hand – when people start to leave Adrien’s room. Eighth change: Gabriel’s threat to Felix is more explicitly “I just need to snap my fingers, and you will be thrown out of here and I will tell everyone the truth about what you did and what you are. Think of your mother, Felix. She’d be devastated to see her only son hauled off for stealing from me… or the Hendrols. Everett is easy enough to provoke, and all I’d have to do is blame whatever I do on you. He’d personally see your life become pure torment.” Ninth change: Thero Dragon pounces on the Collector and Siphons from him, chuckling darkly as he does. “Clever plan, Shadow Moth, clever plan, indeed. But you aren’t fooling anyone.” Tenth change: We get a second epilogue: after Gabriel’s scene, we cut to a scene in the Hendrol mansion. Everett Hendrol is sitting at his desk, watching a chess board on the surface. The white pieces are miniature statues of him and other people, including Andrew, the black pieces are mini statues of Paris’s elite and relations: Gabriel as the king, Emilie queen, Tomoe and Amelie as bishops, Audrey and Andre as knights, Bob Roth and one unknown person as castles, and the pawns are their kids (Adrien/Chloe/Kagami/Felix/XY and three blank ones). The pieces are all at rest like the beginning of a game, but the queen (Emilie) and one castle (as yet unknown) are lying down. Everett just smirks, moves one of the white pieces a space forward, then a black piece. Everett Hendrol declared war.
  10. Mega Leech: First change: Polymouse or Manimouse for Mylene’s super-name? I want public opinion on this. Second change: Andrew Hendrol is present at the “Stop Project Oxygen” rally and reveals a bit more depth to his character (and potentially a motivation for Thero Dragon): he is very conscientious about the environment, and he becomes increasingly annoyed with the ad and brutally picks it apart. “Two of my best friends’ parents work for the Hendrol Motors Advertising Division and this is exactly what they said a bad ad looks like. Also, Paris’s investors are brainless idiots who barely know how to stand up for themselves, let alone save the planet.” And he snaps at Chloe. “Wasting water? You mean like you do by existing? And don’t get your dad in this, my dad would destroy him.” All in all, he sides with Mylene first. “I’m getting my dad to counter-fund this scheme, he’s already gone to war.” Andrew then leaves right before the Minidiktators show up to transform into Thero Dragon. “After all, they can’t get me if my ears are covered.” Thero Dragon is just brutally attacking Mega Leech by himself… revealing a scary level of contempt for sentimonsters. Third change: The Minidiktator possessing Cat Noir is expelled through his real ear, not the cat one. Fourth change: Ladybug’s suit doesn’t weirdly swap between Lucky Charm suit and normal near the end, it just stays normal. The rest of the episode… ends as normal. Even that scene at the end.
  11. Guiltrip: I don’t really have too many problems with this episode, nor do I really remember any complaints about (though I’m sure I’ll be corrected in the comments), the most I can really think of is adjusting it to fit my current ideas. So… First change: Juleka speaks clearly and no one’s parroting her words. Second change: While the first half of the episode plays out the same, Andrew Hendrol is noticeably absent, but once the second half starts, he shows up and he’s very unhappy/unpleasant to be around. It’s explained that he had to take a day off for stomach flu (and, little lore bit, he’s always very temperamental after a bout of sickness). As such, he doesn’t have much in the way of patience for the second half’s antics, but unlike Chloe, he’s quietly stewing and not drawing too much attention to himself. This extends to the later fight within Guiltrip (after he leaves the science lab when he realizes the only ones left are him, Chloe, Sabrina and Lila), as his negative emotions as Thero Dragon end up being so bad that Guiltrip gets hurt by them… and he flies off the handle once a bubble pops against him. He cools off eventually, but yeah. Third change: No animation errors. God, this episode was a doozy.
  12. Crocoduel: First change: Luka acknowledges that Marinette hasn’t been around since Zoe first joined the group instead of not seeing her since their breakup. Gotta love the writers forgetting characters being in places at times ugh. Second change: Fix the animation errors. Third change: About half the partygoers (Mylene/Ivan/Rose/Nino/Alya) know that Jagged Stone is the twins’ father. Fourth change: The sky doesn’t immediately become overcast the moment Jagged and Anarka are akumatized. That was just weird. Fifth change: When Cat Noir complains that he and Ladybug don’t have wings, Thero Dragon flies over them and taunts “But I do!”, he flies up, Siphons from Guitar Villain and Captain Hardrock, then pits them further against each other for giggles. Then he reappears to Siphon off Purple Tigress’s power. Sixth change: The Tiger Miraculous transformation phrase is “Paint my Stripes!” not “Stripes On!”. The episode ends otherwise normally.
  13. Optigami: First change: As an extra precaution to keep potential suspicion from Ladybug away, Gabriel makes sure Audrey invites Adrien’s entire class plus two extra invitations that go to Luka and Kagami. Second change: The first elevator bit with the entire class is stupid, so it’s getting changed to “Andrew Hendrol (who is in the elevator) rolls his eyes and punches the close button while Marinette tries to avoid Alya”. Third change: Andrew Hendrol slips out just before Audrey gets akumatized and discreetly transforms into Thero Dragon, and he immediately picks up on the smell of Shadow Moth in the building. He starts prowling around the building, waiting for the right moment to strike. This moment comes when Style Queen is about to hit the elevator Marinette/Adrien are trapped in, just before Shadow Moth calls her off. He blindsides her with his clamp weapon, then disarms her (literally) with his sword before Voyaging to the floor below, cackling the whole time. Fifth change: When Ladybug realizes that “Nino” is actually a sentimonster and calls out Shadow Moth, “Nino” starts laughing as his eyes glow gold and his body starts to deform into a monstrous shape. Thero Dragon’s voice starts echoing out of it. “And to think you almost got revealed because of an ally’s actions, Ladybug,” he said. “First the Turtle brought out without your explicit orders, then what? Someone betrays you for the Miracle Box? The only way to protect what you hold dear is this: ally yourself with me, and I can grant you access to powers you could only dream of. Consider my offer, because if the trend continues, you might lose more than just your privacy because of a fake butterfly.” Ladybug runs off to get the Turtle Miraculous Cataclysmed. Sixth change: Marinette is a little shaken by the end of the episode and some of her words are a little more barbed than intended, to which she apologizes and offers a solution to the problem faced that day, giving Alya the Fox Miraculous full-time, but gives her a few rules to follow. “If I find out you broke one, I’m taking the Miraculous back. Understand?” The episode ends pretty much the same. Oh, and that phone in the Miracle Box container? It’s (a little clunkily) mentioned that Marinette created the one during a “random creation attempt” session with Alya.
So, yeah. Now that I've finished working on my main Dragonus storyline and summer's on the way, I might be able to get the second half (plus the halves of Season 5!) out relatively quickly. As I promised, here is the link to the main Dragonus storyline, I'm almost finished posting it all. It's a divergence from Season 3 with some concepts pulled from the NY special and Season 4/5, but all in all it's a pretty good read (I don't exactly redeem Chloe as much as punch her until she understands that she's been horrible but she definitely becomes better): https://archiveofourown.org/series/2798386
Give me feedback, please! Your feedback helps me make this better!
submitted by Master_Antelope to miraculousladybug [link] [comments]

2023.05.30 03:32 CapnTytePantz Relentlessly

Broadcast 43499AZ-Sigma:
"Khol'ren sho lah! I am Primus Kizzur’kst, and this will be our final report. We do not expect to survive this mission...not anymore. Our doom is approaching, on tireless legs. We were sent to capture and kill H'lussah scientists from their remote monitoring outpost on a dead planet in some backwater star system at the edge of an equally remote and undeveloped galaxy. Our Tol'vorii wanted to know what brought the prey to such a remote place. Was it a secret weapons facility? Was it the beginning of a remote colony to preserve the last of their species in this futile struggle against us, the finest, fastest, and fiercest warrior race of all the known galaxies? Our leaders wanted to know, and so we were sent to capture, interrogate, and ultimately eliminate the pathetic H'lussah cowards.
We infiltrated the red planet, on its dark side, concealing our ship in a crater. I will admit, now, that it took considerable time to filter out all the noise emanating from the third planet of the system, so much so, that we almost missed our window of infiltration. Whatever the H'lussah were doing to that planet, it was not pleasant, even by our standards. The amount of radiation and scattered noise bombarding the surface would make it practically unlivable by any normal standards.
Regardless of this interference, however, we made it to the surface undetected and quickly covered the distance to reach the H'lussah outpost in a matter of five planetary rotations. The gravity of the red world was similar to that of our home world, so we had little difficulty traversing the barren and rocky surface. Once we reached the outpost, our talons and teeth made quick work of the guards. They did not have time to raise any alarm. We were confident in our victory, given that the H'lussah are a soft species, inferior to us in every way but dying. We indulged ourselves in a bit of slaughter. That was our first mistake.
If I'm being truly honest, my Tol'vo, our first mistake was entering this system, to begin with. The H'lussah had indeed found something, several somethings, in fact. Within the structure, we discovered the remainder of the H'lussah, working around three other, bipedal creatures. While others worked, one H'lussah, in particular, was conversing with the three creatures. Another H'lussah was taking notes on one of their inferior crysplates.
We crept up on the unwary scientists, so engrossed in their research and fidgeting with their vaunted tech. Kulvik thought he saw one of the strange creatures notice him and paused, sending out warning scents to the rest of us, while maintaining silence, like a true Ikshen Shadestalker. We froze, maintaining our natural camouflage and monitoring our quarry for any other signs of alert. The unknown creatures and the H'lussah continued their futile chatter, in what we assumed would be their final moments.
I marked the lead H'lussah as our primary target, and my warriors moved in to eviscerate the others. That's when things went wrong. The one Kulvik had identified as noticing us lunged past the H'lussah holding the crysplate and tossed a liquid it had been imbibing in the face of T'ksiil. It was some sort of clear solvent. My warrior screamed and fell to the floor in convulsions, as the solvent continued to eat away at his flesh. One of the other creatures shielded the lead H'lussah scientist, while another took up arms next to the one who acted first. My warriors began attacking the other H'lussah, but these aliens did not quake and shriek like the weaklings they associated with. They leapt into battle, as fierce as any of my warriors. They used sharpened tools to puncture my warriors' carapace armor or rupture their respirator lines. They were brutal and efficient, with no signs of panic in their predatory eyes.
Shuul nah voh! It is my dishonor, but I grabbed the H'lussah with the crysplate and signaled my remaining warriors to retreat. One of the creatures saw this and tackled Kulvik, tearing off his arm and using my warrior’s own claws against him. I signaled Vah'sho to breach the front entrance, causing all compartments to undergo violent decompression, as we sprinted into the thin atmosphere and dusty wasteland of the red planet. I heard an inner door slide shut and its atmo seals engage. Foolishly, I smirked, thinking that the H'lussah survivors and their new pets were trapped within, long enough for us to escape, successfully.
It was only one rotation before we saw the bipedal creatures on the horizon, following our trail. Each time we spotted one of them, we would break into a sprint to put distance between us as we carried our captive. They did not seem to possess weapons that could reach us, and so we assumed we could simply outrun them, with our superior speed. Every time we would stop to rest, however, it became shorter and shorter intervals before we saw them on the horizon, again.
We questioned the H'lussah scientist we had captured, during our intervals of rest. She called them ‘humans’, an unknown species in the universe. The way she spoke of them gave my warriors pause. She seemed to fear these humans, but the odd shifting of her skin coloration and the curl of her vocal flaps made it appear she also liked them, or at least one in particular. H'lussah are weak and odd. They are not warriors, and their worlds were easy to conquer, their people tasty to devour or pleasurable to enslave. The way she looked when talking of the humans, however, made it seem that she held them in reverence, like some sort of saviors. 'Choh'nah! What does a H'lussah meatbag know?!', we thought to ourselves.
By the dawn of the planet's fourth rotation, the creatures were on our heels. They never relented, never seemed to tire. They pursued us, doggedly, without pause or hesitation. By then, we could clearly see that only two of them followed us. We did not see any other H'lussah, however, and assumed that the third had stayed with its masters. That day was one of insufferable anguish and dishonor. My warriors had reached the end of their endurance. One by one, they collapsed, dead or exhausted from tireless pursuit. As one of these humans approached our fallen brothers, they would place a boot upon the base of their heads or use one of their sharpened tools and sever the central nerve chord or puncture our primary artery. They would not stop to feed on their kills, however. They would just continue pursuing us. We knew our brothers were dead and doom was upon us, but we could not stop. Instinct and our mission drove us forward.
There was no end to the fourth day. There was no longer any time. Ks'shiva and I were the only ones left, the only ones strong enough to continue. We carried the H'lussah female, because our mission demanded it, though both of us wanted to leave her and flee with all the strength left in our limbs. It didn't matter, however.
The morning of the fifth day, we saw the ridge of the crater that held our ship. It was rimmed by the glow of the ship's wreckage, with its fuel still burning. A single human sat upon the ridge, waiting for us. At this sight, the H'lussah female began to laugh. She told us that this is something her people had observed before, in the human species, along with a domesticated, pack predator these humans called a 'dog'. According to her team's research, these humans would employ these creatures to hunt with them, often running down or cornering prey for their masters to overwhelm and kill. Even without these creatures, humans would use similar tactics in small groups, dating back millions of cycles into their history.
We made a grave mistake coming here, to this planet of death. We thought the H'lussah had found a new home or were researching for some weapon to defeat us. What they had found was an ally. A relentless ally that could hunt their enemies and kill them with brutal efficiency. The mightiest solvents and toxins are their sustenance. They even breathe gases that are corrosive to our species and produce terrifying bacterial cultures within their own mouths, poisoning any with their bite. If the H'lussah are able to breed more of these creatures, they may have a formidable tool to pursue us across the stars. I would like...[clackshhhh]..."
​
"...Mags, have you hacked their comms yet?" came a commanding voice through the Izkilsii’s vox channel.
"Affirmative, sir. They can hear you, but I can't vouch for comprehension," a second, feminine voice replied.
"Guess we'll have to hope these translators the H'lussah worked on are enough," the first said before Primus Kizzur’kst began to lose consciousness.
Major William “Wild Bill” Tanner approached the two scaley creatures who had taken their H’lussah friend, Au’lah. He nodded warmly to her, as a comforting smile curled his lips through the membrane of his human-sized H’lussah atmo suit. Then he turned to the two collapsed aggressors. The H'lussah called these hyper-predators "Izkilsii". According to them, the Izkilsii were a warrior race that hunted other races to extinction and sought to dominate and expand across the galaxy. They did not make alliances, seeing themselves as the dominant predators and viewing all other races as potential food or sport. Those races they did not kill or consume, outright, they would enslave and use to cultivate their hunting grounds or develop greater technology for them to expand their empire.
The H'lussah were on the verge of extinction, clearly losing the war for survival against the Izkilsii, when they made contact. In the hope of finding a better place to hide, the scientists had found a remote world, coated in a shield of noisy radiation, and possessing no advanced civilization or technology to attract the attention of the Izkilsii. They never knew it was inhabited by a race of apex pursuit predators that possessed no natural weapons but had instead developed a keen ingenuity to utilize tools and domesticate indigenous predator species to survive.
Luckily for the H'lussah, humans were also curious explorers as well as adept conquering warriors and had begun to advance beyond their own homeworld. No known race could survive on the human homeworld called "Earth" for extended periods of time. It was a death planet, full of caustic gases, deadly solvents, and virulent strains of microscopic life that would wipe out most other sapient galactic species. The humans described their world with affection, but as endearing as their stories were, it made the H'lussah shudder to think about what terrible death would await any of them upon the surface should their containment suits or adaptogens fail to protect them. That is why the two races had encountered one another on the planet the humans called "Mars". It was more hospitable to the H'lussah with a little tweaking from their Terragen machines, and it presented an enticing challenge for the apex species of Earth.
Despite the initial misconception that humans had discovered "Martians", both species entered into an amiable discourse. A naturally docile, explorer race, the H’lussah found common ground with the humans of this era, who were insatiably curious, a predilection that often overrode their better instincts to run or fight as a first reaction. Any number of terrible misunderstandings could have ended the talks immediately and spelled a second doom for the H'lussah, but they were calm and patient while the humans graciously responded in kind. Both realized their love for exploration and their curious natures held them together long enough to establish an understanding of one another. That and one other thing: they despised being hunted.
Major Tanner rolled the unconscious Primus over, with his boot, while Doctor Margaret “Mags” Zhang helped Au'lah to her feet and made sure the second Izkilsii would not threaten them, again. The third member, who had been providing overwatch, began his descent from the ridge. He shouldered the experimental reciprocating pulse rifle in a low-ready carry as he carefully picked his way down the rocky slope. Lieutenant Alexei “Lexie” Orumov had been the one who spotted the Izkilsii inside the H'lussah structure and subtly alerted the others via comm clicks.
"'Dat vas close, Major. I only just arrived a little vhile ago. Had barely enough time to scuttle dheir ship,” the Lieutenant stated as he stopped in front of the Major and rendered a prompt salute.
"My bad, Lex, but we had to keep ‘em moving at an increasing pace to run them down," Major Tanner replied, returning the salute.
"Understood, sir,” Lex sighed as he returned his right hand to the grip of his weapon, “just cutting it a little close is all."
"Thanks for the hard work, Lex,” Bill said with a grateful smile. “Had to make sure they couldn't get off-world with our friend, though. Maybe you can convince Au'lah to give you one of those H'lussah rub downs," he joshed knowingly.
"Aw, qvit teasingk, Major! You know dhey only do dat for families and mates," Lex replied with a slight blush. For such a brawny stoic, the cosmonaut was a big softie when it came to matters of the opposite sex.
"Hey! What better way to cement an alliance?" the Major said with a cheeky grin.
​
…A sudden barking noise from the two male humans jolted the Primus from unconsciousness, and he observed the first human strike the other. Perhaps they were fighting over the H'lussah female. She seemed to turn an unusual color and then shrank behind the second human, the one he assumed was female. After the dominance struggle settled, the first human bent over the Primus.
“It won’t be–much longer–, my Tol’vorii,” Primus Kizzur’kst gasped through shallow breaths. His second heart had already stopped beating, and his air sacks were unable to fully inflate. “I am the last–of my warriors–, and we were–run down, like–prey,” he choked out his words across the open comms.
​
"...Broadcast this to your Tol'Vorii, lizard lips,” the Major interrupted, as he leaned closer to the dying Primus. “I'll try to speak in a manner your kind can understand. You wanna know your first mistake, here?” There was a pause filled with tension, as the two leaders of their teams glared into one another’s eyes. “You walked into our turf and tried to take something that was ours,” Major Tanner growled, “You mess with a friend, a member of our pack, and you mess with the whole damn pack. Soon your people will face the fury of seven billion pursuit predators.”
The human stood to his full height, looming over the prone form of the Primus, and grunted a mirthless chuckle. “The best part, or worst in your case, is that we are only a small, international team of explorers,” he continued while gesturing to the two others beside him, “You have yet to face our military, our fleets, our troops, our true hunters. The H'lussah are allies of humanity, part of our collective pack..."
The human leaned closer and bared his teeth in a hungry expression.
"...so run, you scaly bastards. Run as far and as fast as you can because we are coming for you, relentlessly. [krrksssshh]...”
submitted by CapnTytePantz to HFY [link] [comments]

2023.05.30 03:32 fencite Autism and stage fright

I'm AuDHD and my stage fright is so confusing.
I'm actually a good public speaker! Especially at work, I can present with animation, I don't need many notes, I'm responsive to the audience. In small groups I'm a different story but when I'm in charge of a large group, I'm fine. Not necessarily really comfortable, but I can fake it at least.
I'm an amateur musician. When I'm playing my instrument I'm fine as well, maybe a few butterflies but I'm confident in my skills.
But something falls apart when I sing. I'm not lacking in confidence exactly, I am comfortable with my abilitiesa, I'm not a star but I enjoy choir and little solos. When I'm singing alone I can't keep my stage fright away. I sang at a tiny open mic last week and I couldn't figure out where to look, I shook and smiled weirdly in embarrassment, just overall extremely self conscious.
This has been a consistent problem for years. I guess my question for you all is: does anyone have similar issues? Or any suggestions for what to work on? Just practising more hasn't helped; as soon as the people are there it's like I'm ten years old and terrified.
Edit: I reread this and it comes across so smug, I'm very sorry!! I am mediocre at these things, for real, I just don't understand why singing in public is this major line for me. I try it every three or four years it seems, and always end up giving up.
submitted by fencite to AuDHDWomen [link] [comments]

2023.05.30 03:19 autobuzzfeedbot 32 Movie And TV Moments That Were Pure Fan Service

  1. The Mandalorian has recently been accused of this a lot, especially with all the celeb cameos. But one big one is the reference to the classic "It's a trap!" meme from the original Star Wars trilogy.
  2. Similarly, "Hello there" became a huge meme after Obi-Wan said it in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (though people tend to forget that it was actually also Obi-Wan's first line in A New Hope, too).
  3. The Star Wars sequels also have a bunch of moments that are clear references to the original trilogy. For example, "I got a bad feeling about this" is uttered a bunch of times in the series, including twice by Han in the original series — so when Han came back for The Force Awakens, of course the script had to have him say, "I got a bad feeling about this."
  4. Big franchises are especially guilty of bringing back old lines. Remember how "You know, I'm something of a scientist myself?" became a meme after Norman said the line in Spider-Man?
  5. No Way Home was basically just a big ball of fan service, as it brought back many famous characters from the Spider-Man and The Amazing Spider-Man series, including their versions of Spider-Man.
  6. They also specifically made a reference to a popular meme from the 1967 cartoon: the famous "Spider-Man pointing" scene. (Quick note: The scene features only two Spider-Mans, but the meme often shows three.) When Ned tries to get his friend's attention in No Way Home, he addresses him as "Peter" and then "Peter Parker," leading to some confusion where the three Peter Parkers point at one another.
  7. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse even more explicitly re-creates this meme, and its sequel, Spider Man: Across the Spider-Verse, is set to do the same.
  8. When Gendry sailed off at the end of Season 3 of Game of Thrones and then was essentially forgotten about for multiple seasons, it became a meme in the fandom that he was still on the boat.
  9. Oftentimes, actors will improvise lines particularly for the fans. One example is in Catching Fire — after Effie's line about mahogany in the first film took off, Elizabeth Banks explicitly threw in another reference to mahogany in the second film.
  10. Similarly (though this movie isn't released yet), Rachel Zegler threw in her sarcastic bow in The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes as a direct reference to Katniss's famous bow in The Hunger Games.
  11. Another improvised moment thrown in for the fans? "Yeah, bitch" from El Camino. Fans loved quoting the line from Jesse, so Aaron Paul made sure to throw one final one into the follow-up movie for his character.
  12. Similarly, Tom Hiddleston improvised his "Another!" line in Loki as a reference to the hilarious beloved-by-fans moment from the first Thor film.
  13. Sometimes, fan service is making a reference to a common fan gripe or joke. One example is when Agatha points out that Wanda Maximoff's accent comes and goes in WandaVision. Wanda is from Sokovia, but Elizabeth Olsen's accent is wobbly at best and often changes.
  14. Some shows also like to address fan theories...like Gossip Girl, which referenced a popular fan theory that Eric was Gossip Girl (which was actually even the original plan from the writers).
  15. Pretty Little Liars also finally addressed an extremely popular fan theory that Aria was A by having her briefly work with A in Season 7, even donning the classic black hood.
  16. Some fan service moments directly reference plotlines from the books that didn't make it into the TV or movie adaptations. For example, also in Pretty Little Liars, they threw in a short storyline about Hanna once having kissed Mike as a reference to the strong Hanna-and-Mike relationship in the books.
  17. Gossip Girl also had Chuck adopt a dog named Monkey as a reference to the books, in which Chuck actually owns a monkey.
  18. Other times, fan service references things from real life. The Vampire Diaries had a funny nod to the real-life fan casting (and rumors of his actual casting) of star Ian Somerhalder as Christian Grey in 50 Shades of Grey by having Damon read the book in a Season 8 scene.
  19. Supernatural also made a reference to real life when Paris Hilton guest-starred. Given that Paris had starred with Supernatural star Jared Padalecki in House of Wax, they decided to make a funny reference to the film in a scene with Paris and Jared.
  20. In fact, Supernatural is FULL of nods to fans, especially when it comes to ships. The episode "Fanfiction" in particular actually portrayed fans and explicitly mentioned wildly popular fan ship Destiel.
  21. Supernatural also referenced the "Wincest" fan ship of Dean and Sam in a different episode.
  22. In fact, a lottttt of fan service has to do with teasing different fan ships, ESPECIALLY ones that are not ever going to become canon. Sherlock was basically a master class in this. They continued to tease the Sherlock-John relationship throughout the entire show, even having Mrs. Hudson explicitly believe that they're in a relationship.
  23. But the even more obvious fan service moments came in the rather fanfiction-y episode "The Empty Hearse," which provided fan explanations for how Sherlock survived jumping off a building. This included him crashing through a window to kiss Molly Hooper, as Molly-Sherlock was a popular ship...
  24. ...and even more egregiously, teasing crack ship Moriarty and Sherlock by having them appear to be about to kiss in a scene that hypothesized what might have actually happened on the roof.
  25. Another popular fan ship? Natasha and Steve from the MCU. Their kiss in The Winter Soldier felt like a pretty obvious example of fan service, as it was definitely not necessary for the plot.
  26. Sometimes it seems like the writers and/or directors themselves actually support these ships and include scenes specifically for other fans who are on the same page. One example: the Harry-Hermione dance in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I, which excited many Harry-Hermione fans but felt pretty out of place and random for everyone else.
  27. In some rare cases, two characters of a popular ship actually do get together...in a way that feels more focused on appeasing those fans than letting something happen naturally. The most blatant example to me is Arya and Gendry on Game of Thrones. Although Gendry had his own storyline, when he came back, the show pretty quickly eschewed that in favor of having him finally get with Arya in a kinda out-of-place scene.
  28. Similarly, I strongly feel that the Kylo-Ren kiss in The Rise of Skywalker was done as fan service for fans of the ship, because it felt SUPER inorganic for me...but I know that's a contentious opinion.
  29. Sometimes characters of a popular ship get together in the script even though this actively goes against canon. For example, in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II, Neville randomly admits he's in love with Luna, which never happens in the books but was popular in the fandom.
  30. Movies based on comics use a lot of fan service — this often means adding in catchphrases from the comics or cartoon adaptations of the comics, like Cyborg's "Booyah" in Justice League. This one was forced in, as actor Ray Fisher didn't even want to say it.
  31. Similarly, Bruce saying "Hulk smash!" in The Incredible Hulk felt like a pretty strong moment of fan service.
  32. Finally, let's end on one more Marvel example that wasn't exactly well received: When all the female Avengers randomly teamed up in Avengers: Endgame, it was considered pandering to a female fanbase in an extremely forced way.
Link to article
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2023.05.30 03:17 ScorpioTix Hollywood Bowl 2023-05-24 review and more comments on ticketing

from the ijwthstd blog where you can also find download link
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I was going to let this one go but the version up on Dime is missing a song.
It was another date night, and I also had edibles, homemade and much stronger than expected. The wind was bugging again and I could barely keep the mics mounted, more due to the substances coursing through my system than any technical problems. And you only have some other taper to blame for giving me infused treats to capture his avant garde favorites, where a heavy dose of THC is a must for endurance.
This tour was a little controversial in my digital neighborhood from all ends to the people who think just because they are fan they are entitled to be one of the 15,000 inside out of the 25,000 who wish they were at either the lowest price possible or the highest, outbidding everyone else in the process. And the brokers who think feel entitled to grab all the tickets and charge whatever they want for them to Michael Rapino who was a bit inconvenienced but would rather suck it up and play along and maybe give some money back than let AEG book the tour.
Reeves Gabrels might be my favorite guitar player ever, not just his work with David Bowie (and I still maintain "Outside" is my favorite album of his) but his solo album "Ulysses" is particularly spectacular. Though his work with The Cure is a bit more restrained to that particular style, I was very happy for him when he landed this gig. And I wish I had something resembling an adult income when he was doing his regular residency at the Baked Potato where I would see the show, eat a massive spinach potato topped with jalapenos smothered with Tabasco sauce and then walk the 5 miles home to get up in 4 hours and go to work. Was only able to manage that a few times but if it were ten years later I would go to every single one and Lyft it out of there.
Speaking of good gig eats, it wouldn't be a Hollywood Bowl show if it didn't have a fair amount of wrapper crinkling thanks to the Bowl's infamous BYO policy and my love of hot peanuts and addiction to infused edibles. I tried to secure to my mics to a mask under a hoodie because these mics don't like even the slightest breeze but didn't quite work the way it used to especially with me stuffing my fat face all night.
There were T shirt kiosks crammed into corners I had never seen them before and every line like Space Mountain 4th Of July. The price? $25! Only 3 or 4 with simple designs as not to overwhelm the senses, and credit card. I don't think they cost that much since the 1990's. I never buy arena shirts but I still had to get one for my dearly neglected. Already seeing these shirts everywhere now. I doubt KISS sells as many in November as The Cure did on a Wednesday night. Wouldn't be surprised if they can even best regular merch sales record holders Iron Maiden in equivalent venues. I bet The Cure would even be undercutting the bootleg guys outside selling for $20 if the Bowl and LiveNation's hefty fees allowed.
Being date night with a traditional buy your tickets a year in advance and pay for parking patron, and I did what I almost never do anymore and buy advance in the fan to fan exchange so she would have something to look forward to, and crossed my fingers they wouldn't be canceled. I paid $192.40 for the pair, beating my record high of $40 to get into Pasadena Daydream. I got the dreaded U31 error on the first try but switched to another browser and pulled them again, but unfortunately was logged into my (former) business buy account so I was a little nervous because for a while I was spending an amount that seems so unreal to me still, even now. All that was left active were stacks of Matchbox Twenty that were sold or refunded in early 2020 for a tour that just kicked off a few weeks ago.
If anyone knows Michael Rapino, tell him to get his IT guys on that error. Not everyone says fuck it and buys in the lot day of show like I do. He may be rich but it's Never Enough and he can always use more so there is no reason regular fans with money to spend should be denied tickets they took the time to try to purchase. People are missing shows and his $122 million payday could be a little higher if he can take these customer complaints seriously and fix this constant issue.
There is so much I can say about Robert Smith's ticketing policy, especially since I am of the opinion "my ticket, my money, my property" but that opinion has evolved a bit with this tour and I can't really say I am unsatisfied with how it worked out. On it's face it looked fair to everyone and those looking to profit were sufficiently warned. Now those regular fans who had their tickets canceled might think different. It's all algorithmic, it's not like they were using a secret list of known offenders. For example, if you go to a lot of shows and have eclectic tastes you are eventually going to get your tickets canceled for something in addition to never getting the verified fan codes.
Now Eddie Vedder did the same no transfer and fan to fan resale for his YouTube Theater show. When it half sold, he lowered the prices while previously purchased tickets listed for resale were locked into the price floor at the original price, twice what even closer seats were eventually listed for. Or Ed Sheeran, notorious for inconveniencing fans in addition to resellers with his spurious ticket verification checks for secondary purchased tickets outside venues where they would cancel the tickets on the spot and resell them. Now I am getting regular notifications of discount Ed Sheeran tickets from stadiums across the continent. In a kinder, gentler era where the free market reigned it would be the third parties assuming some of the promoter's risk and taking those losses. But this tour sold out 100% instantly and any unwanted tickets had the auto refund built in because tickets resell the second they are listed on the Fan To Fan exchange, unlike Eddie Vedder where that money spent was lit on fire.
I know I get always get a clueless knee-jerks from drooling mouthbreathers when admitting to the cardinal sin of selling a sacred ducat for more than face value, especially on The Cure Reddit where I got multiple accounts banned for harassment for merely explaining how the business works from my perspective. Maybe one of those folks can answer this simple question, if I don't even qualify for housing anymore, why should I care what someone spends on a concert ticket? Or better yet, will anyone in Glendale or Burbank, California who bought their house 2010 or earlier sell it to me for what they paid? The worst is thinking of life without teeth because after three decades of neglect, once I hit the tipping point I was able to go to the dentist I liked and say do what you gotta do then just paid the bill. Still my biggest splurge, spending more than my Ireland and Finland trips combined. So what if you spent $40 more than me for a pair to Dancing With The Stars.
Right now if it's not The Cure, Taylor Swift or K-Pop, pretty much everything is $10 or so day of show. Prices fall so hard, so fast I am legitimately worried brokers will start going bankrupt and stop bulk harvesting inventory leading to the collapse of the secondary market and Ticketmaster might actually become an almost monopoly.
For those of you still looking for tickets, keep in mind there is no guest list and Robert Smith is personally handling sales to friends and family but god forbid any of Bob's friends have to pay a very fair price to see this show, and anything still unsold goes back to Ticketmaster and even the box office day of show where my friends were getting Garden Boxes out the window for all three shows.
Enough about tickets, now that the cat is out of the bag how I funded my all concerts all the time lifestyle for so long, I hope to tell that story someday. The secondary market is not what you think it is. And with the exception of Ebaying my Inland Invasion 2003 ticket for rent money because I couldn't get a ride, I have never sold a single ticket for The Cure. For more on that subject I highly recommend the Bob Lefsetz podcast interviews with both Ticketmaster founder Fred Rosen and current LiveNation chairman, the aforementioned Michael Rapino who talks a bit about this tour.
Nice to see a few classic Reeves style solos on "A Night Like This" (replacing the sax solo on the original) and "From The Edge Of The Deep Green Sea" especially with the absense of "Wrong Number" and "Yesterday's Gone" in the set. I know they are keeping a dividing wall between his projects but I sometimes wonder how David Bowie's "The Motel" would sound interpreted by this band.
The music itself was nothing short of divinely inspired and perfectly delivered but the backlighting and inefficient use of screens means you can pretty much get a seat anywhere in any building and it won't really matter. Sit in the back row, eat an infused chocolate and enjoy the sights and sounds even if you don't see much of the actual people onstage. I liked the 2016 visuals better with Reevesvision on the left jumbotron all night. Got to hear at least some of my favorites though I have soft spot for my first ever purchase "Wild Mood Swings" but they do play "Want" some nights, if not this one. Got "Disintegration," "A Night Like This," "From The Edge Of The Deep Green Sea" as well as many yet to be released songs that are meant more than sending people to the loo or for more underpriced merchandise. Robert Smith believes in them enough to put them in the set every night and should be given the same attention as the classics you, if not me, grew up with. He still takes his craft seriously in addition to the business.
There are likely better recordings, even of the same night, and as is often the case this serves as more of a vehicle to tell my story than just kicking another show out there for the obsessive compulsives to put on a soon to crash hard drive without ever hearing.
I was planning on going the last night and splurge on a garden box if possible but I did have a free show by Kara Jackson on my calendar and though I had yet to hear a note, I sampled a song and decided to save myself the cash. It was worth it to spend, but the Bowl is just a bit too much to deal with three nights in one week. Foot, car, shuttle, there is just no easy way to get out of there.
And I will leave you with a link to my most played song by The Cure, which would likely blow at least a mind or two if it returns to the set.
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https://youtu.be/-yF_PLJfe7Q
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2023.05.30 02:20 captbrickmanufp My Sleep Number Is Imaginary

A quick note before reading: I am an insomniac and wanted to write a story that blended Slavic folklore, a fever dream, and crazy pot hallucinations all in one. Here is that result...
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In the shady valley, where the sundials were made of shadows and doubt, and the rivers ran with the whispers of babbling dreams, there lived an insomniac named Vanya. Time held no meaning for Vanya, for he was the village watchman forever ensnared by the grip of sleeplessness. His sleep number, he would jokingly say, was imaginary.
Under the perpetually drowsy sun, he wandered through the quaint village, past the cottage where the blind witch divined secrets from her cauldron of whispers, through the field where the blacksmith shaped the iron winds into mundane realities, and into the dense woods inhabited by creatures of old lore. Each day was a delirious ballet of Vanya's continuous wakefulness and the eccentricity of his companions in the village.
One twilight hour, as the village faded into a monochrome dreamscape and Vanya's eyes began to droop, he would see Baba Yaga, her chicken-legged hut pirouetting through the mushroom-dappled forest clearing, spun by unseen threads of an ancient lullaby. A talking fox would appear, his silver fur shimmering like stardust under the moonlight, spouting intricate philosophies that made less sense than the patterns of the Milky Way. In Vanya's waking dreams, logic, like his sleep, was an elusive specter.
A nocturnal sunflower, the Zorya, would bloom, its golden petals glistening like a sun trapped in a blossom. With her soothing voice, it would spin tales of the Chernobog, the creature of darkness that lived under Vanya's bed, feeding on his absent dreams. Yet when Vanya would peer under his bed, only dust bunnies and forgotten shoelaces met his gaze.
He would walk on moonbeams, following the Stuzhka, a river made of forgotten lullabies, only to find himself at the foot of Jack's towering beanstalk, where the echoes of a dragon's snore reverberated from above. But the dragon, Vanya knew, was just an old, worn-out windmill, creaking and groaning in the distance.
Each day was a fantastical adventure, each hallucination more absurd than the next. In the cool embrace of the night, Vanya would lay under the stellar canopy, a parody of sleep that did little to quench his weary spirit. He would trace constellations in the stars, spinning tales of knights and dragons, of witches and lost children until the first rays of dawn chased the darkness away.
His hallucinations slowly dissipated with the morning light, leaving Vanya alone in his wakeful reality. He would laugh at the absurdity, lighting his morning pipe with a nod to the fading shadows. "My sleep number is imaginary," he'd chuckle as if sleep were another character in his fantastical narrative.
Despite the ethereal chaos of his existence, Vanya found solace in his fevered wakefulness. His dreams, or rather, his lack thereof, were the brushstrokes on the canvas of his life, rendering it into a masterpiece of delightful lunacy. In the Slavic folklore of his lineage, in the playful whimsy of his world, the line between the real and the imagined blurred into obscurity.
Vanya's life was an insomnia-laden fever dream, a nonsensical Disney movie drawn by a stoner's hand. It was a dreamscape of eternal wakefulness, where sleep was as imaginary as Baba Yaga and her dancing hut. Amidst the daily humdrum and the nightly hallucinations, Vanya found his peace, living his story in the crooked valley beneath the sleep-starved sky.
His erratic yet mesmerizing visions drew the villagers' attention, transforming his life into a nightly spectacle. They would gather around the bonfire, their faces bathed in its warm glow, and listen as Vanya painted vivid images of his nightly adventures with the finesse of a seasoned bard. His tales wove a spell around the village, and he was no longer just a watchman but a weaver of dreams, a creator of fantastical realms.
One day, under the watchful gaze of the sun that never slept, an outsider arrived in the crooked valley. She was an intriguing maiden named Marusya, who claimed to be a Dreamcatcher. She had hair as dark as the Chernobog's shadow and eyes that shimmered like the Stuzhka under the moonlight. She held a tapestry of woven dreams, intricate and vibrant, a cosmic map of someone's slumber.
Marusya promised to lure sleep into Vanya's wakeful nights. She seemed like a surreal apparition from his hallucinations. Vanya half-expected her to vanish in a puff of smoky dream dust. Yet, as days turned into nights, she remained, gradually becoming a part of his colorful reveries. Their shared laughter and stories filled the once-quiet nights, turning them into a nocturnal symphony.
Marusya began to spin her dream tapestry around Vanya, weaving threads of starlight, whispers of the Zorya, and melodies of lullabies. Night after night, they would sit under the celestial dome, Marusya's fingers dancing on her loom of dreams and Vanya's voice breathing life into his hallucinations. They were a peculiar duo, one coaxing dreams from the universe, the other narrating tales of whimsy and wonder.
One fateful night, under the cosmos' twinkling gaze, Vanya, amid recounting his encounter with Jack's dragon windmill, felt his eyelids grow heavy, a sensation as foreign as the idea of a silent night. He blinked at Marusya, whose gentle smile felt like a lullaby, and he slept for the first time since he could remember. His last conscious thought was that maybe, his sleep number wasn't as imaginary as he had always believed.
Vanya's slumber was a spectacle, as villagers silently gathered around, watching their watchman adrift in the sea of dreams. They marveled at Marusya's gift, the Dreamcatcher who wove sleep into their storyteller's life. It was a quiet celebration, a testament to the magic of dreams and the power of stories.
Vanya awoke to a world where the line between his visions and reality seemed even more blurred. His dreams were a continuation of his waking hallucinations. Yet, they bore an indescribable warmth, an echo of Marusya's soothing presence. He mused that his sleep number was no longer imaginary but rather a great enigma, entwined with the essence of his hallucinations, dreams, and the folkloric charm of his existence.
In the crooked valley under the watchful, sleepless sun, Vanya lived his life on the cusp of dreams and wakefulness. His tale became an anthem, a lullaby, a dream, whispered and shared, echoing across the landscape. And in his story, the village found a comforting paradox – that in a world where dreams could be caught, sleep could also be found in the realm of the imaginary.
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