Yes, Buffy loved Spike

The way people act like that was in anyway left up to discussion by the show is legit hilarious/infuriating.
James Marsters (Spike) has said in an interview that, when Joss Whedon let him know that Spike was gonna fall in love with Buffy in season five, he had assumed it would one-sided - only for Whedon to correct him with a “Oh no, she’s gonna fall in love with you too.”
And the show wasn’t shy about it either. Through seasons six and seven, we are shown Buffy repeatedly denying that she loves Spike - and then immediatelly contradicting herself either through actions or her own words (and even in season five she had already kissed him once after he did not give away her sister’s identiy to Glory even after being tortured).
After Buffy comes back from the dead - from heaven - and is dragged to the literal hellmouth, having to crawl out of her grave, she sees the Buffy-bot being torn from limb by a bunch of demons. Naturally, this fucks with her head a bit. She manages to save her friends, but she is still very shaken, and looking like she’s not really fully back to her senses as her sister is speaking to her. It really does look like something is very wrong and that she is not at all the same girl we once knew.
Then she hears Spike’s voice and goes to see him. Only when she sees HIM, when HE starts trying to talk to her, when HE is the one taking care of her, does she start to properly respond. And, of course, out of all the people there - all of whom are worried about her and that she supposedly trusts way more than she trusts this “fully evil” vampire - Spike is the one to whom she reveals what actually happened to her.
During the musical episode, we see her sing “I touch the fire and it freezes me, I look into it and it’s black. Why can’t I feel? My skin should crack and peal - I want the fire back” confirming to us that her depression after being taken from heaven was not just a temporary consequence of the shock of it all, and has left her completely disconnected from the people she loved, and from life itself, and that she does not know if it can ever be fixed.
But at the end of the episode, after Spike stops her from basically commiting suicide (because remember, he stopped BUFFY. not the bad guy) she sings to Spike “This isn’t real, but I just wanna feel” right before they kiss. And Spike’s own song says “I died so many years ago. You can make me feel like it isn’t so.”
It is very clear that what convinced Buffy to keep on living wasn’t just because Spike loved her - she already knew that, and she also her friends and this has not done anything to make her less depressed. What makes her not give up is realizing that SHE can still connect to others, SHE still can have feelings for someone. Only it is with her former mortal enemy instead of her friends and family (she had even said in an earlier episode that he was the only person she could stand to be around) and the kiss makes it obvious that this new bond she has with Spike is NOT platonic.
And the following episode when she tries to pretend it means nothing? It has her acting all flirty with Spike while they’re both dealing with the amnesia spell, and once their memories return the episode ends with her kissing him AGAIN.
And during ALL of the episodes she’s claming she is totally disgusted by him? She’s having sex with him all the time. And when Tara finds out about it, Buffy does admit she’s using him, but she refuses to give an answer when Tara asks “Do you love him?”
When Spike brings a date to Xander’s wedding , Buffy KNOWS is just to get her jealous and Spike even admits to it - and she admits that, even knowing all of that, it DOES bother her. She is unbelievably distraught after finding out he slept with Anya, and even says to his face “I have feelings for you, I do. But it’s not love. I could never trust you enough for that” showing us that the thing stopping Buffy from truly giving Spike a chance is, understandably, the “You’re a literal souless creature that needs to feed on people to survive” factor, not because their connection is not genuine or strong enough, or because of her past with Angel.
Not to mention, it makes perfect sense that, during the season she was clearly suicidal, she falls in love with the character that is representing the possibility of her death - their first time even happens after Spike reveals that, for some reason, the chip no longer causes him pain when he attacks her, and thus he actually poses a threat to her again.
Unhealthy? Absolutely. Scary? Fuck yes. Does she get over her “feelings that are totally not love” in the season finale, when she’s crawling “out of her grave” again, this time triumphantly, in the sunlight, all brave and finally letting go of her self loathing? NOPE!
In season seven, when she’s finally about to go out with a man that is not and has never been evil, her friends are all obviously wondering if this is a sign that she is over Spike - of if she’s just pretending to. Buffy’s response? THE biggest Freudian Slip she’s ever had in the series.
“Why does everyone in this house think that I’m still in love with Spike?”
STILL!
Still. In. Love.
Not “Why is everyone convinced that I fell in love with Spike? I told you guys I liked him, but didn’t love him” but “Why do you guys think I’m not over those totally vague, definitively not deep ‘feelings’ I had and that were 100% not just a code for 'Yes, I am in love with him, but I’m scared it will blow up in my face’?”
And how does that date with that Not Evil guy, that was revealed to be the son of Slayer, go? Pretty well! It looks like this romance might actually have a chance of going somewhere.
At least until she goes “Look, I know Spike killed your mom when he was souless and all, but if you try to go after him to get revenge again, he will murder you, and I will let him.” She also turns her back on her watcher, and father figure, when she finds out he was in on the plan to kill this vampire that is Totally-Not-Her-Boyfriend.
The episode even has Giles directly compare her codependent bond with Spike to what she had with Angel - which again, included her letting Angelus get away and kill people. Sure, Spike has a soul now, he let the dude live to tell the tale since killing his mom WAS an awful thing to do, and if he was attacked again and killed him it would be self-defense - but it’s impossible not to notice the very clear “Buffy is protecting her man” tone of it all.
Not to mention, before that, Spike offers to leave Sunnydale since Buffy’s potential new boyfriend clearly can help her find demons and thus she no longer needs him around - and she full on says that SHE IS NOT READY FOR HIM NOT TO BE THERE.
Then, of course, there’s “Touched.” The episode in which EVERYONE is going “We might die tomorrow, lets fuck to cope”, and not only is Buffy clearly touched (Get it? Get it?) by Spike’s speech about how much he loves her, she asks him to get in bed with her and hold her. And even though they are not having sex, the scenes of them cuddling are being framed as being just as intimate and romantic as the scenes of everyone else making love to their partners. Again, we had Giles full on state the obvious to Buffy: she and Spike might not be sleeping together anymore, but they are VERY clearly acting like they’re still in a relationship, even if both are now hesitant to give it a try after literally everything went wrong for them.
The following day, Spike says that it was the happiest night of his life, and when he starts saying that he knows it obviously didn’t mean as much for Buffy as it did to him, she corrects him and says it absolutely did. Spike even goes as far as trying to confirm it AGAIN by asking “Were you there with me?” to which Buffy says “I was”, which is HUGE considering she had just admited to him the previous night that she had always cut herself off from everyone - Spike VERY much included - due to being the slayer.
“Oh, but what about the Bangel kiss in the finale?”
The one Joss Whedon explicitly refered to as “the show’s way of servicing the Bangel fans” aka FANSERVICE? The one that came right out of nowhere as the signature of Bangel’s “romantic chemistry” is angsty pining? The one that didn’t hold a candle to one of the few Bangel scenes I say absolutely worked, aka the kiss after Angel comes back to Sunnydale to help Buffy deal with her grief over her mother and that only happened after they had spend HOURS together because, surprise surprise, it doesn’t matter if they still have feelings for each other, they have NEVER had this dynamic of exes that just casually make out with each other the second they are in the same room together?
The one that happens right before Buffy says “Sorry, you won’t be the vampire champion that will save the world, I’m chosing Spike for that role”? The one that is followed by an obviously jealous Angel making it very clear to Buffy that he is bitter she’s “brushing him off for captain peroxide”? And then she asks if he’ll react that way everytime she gets a BOYFRIEND?
When Angel points out that, again, she just let slip how she actually feels about Spike, Buffy has to deny it because Joss Whedon thought the ONLY way to make sure viewers didn’t miss that Buffy is totally an independent woman that don’t need no man was to tease both the possibility of a Bangel AND a Spuffy endgame just to go “Sorry, Buffy is gonna choose to be single.”
HOWEVER, even the way she does that has changed significantly, as she says “He is not my boyfriend, but he is in my heart.” Notice how, unlike all the previous times, Buffy is not trying to diminish what she has with Spike.
She went from “I slept with Spike/said I feelings for him BUT this totally means nothing and I could NEVER love him because he doesn’t have a soul like Angel did” to “Look, Angel, I swear that Spike is totally not my boyfriend BUT I will treat him like he is because I absolutely do have feelings for him. Could you pretty, pretty please go back to L.A. now that the fanservice moment is over? I’ll even end it with a 'sometimes I totally think of what could happen between us someday’ so we can pretend our romance has not been officially pronounced 'impossible to ever be endgame’ since season three of my show and season one of your show?”
And where does she immediatelly go to after this? To see Spike. Because she wants another night of cuddling with him. Then The First shows up in the middle of the night to torment her, he explicitly refers to Spike as Buffy’s vampire LOVER.
Finally, the final battle is happening, and Spike is about to die saving the world, and Buffy, with tears in her eyes finally says that she loves him. Whedon had even said to Sarah “Be proud of him. Love him when saying it.” We even see literal flames as they are holding hands - an obvious nod to the musical, with the “I want the fire (feeling) back”, and Whedon basically confirmed it by saying it was a very deliberate choice to symbolize the feelings the characters have for each other. It is the visual representation of Buffy FINALLY accepting that she truly does love Spike.
“Oh, but he responds 'No, you don’t, but thanks for saying it’ implying Buffy was only trying to make sure he would die happy!”
Did you guys forget EVERYTHING ELSE I just mentioned in this post? Or the fact, at that point, Spike is still processing the guilt of all the monstruous things he did as a vampire now that he has a soul again? Did you forget him literally asking Buffy to kill him for what he did and telling her that the soul did not suddenly make him good - only for HER to be the one to say he fought back against the monster inside of him and that she believes in him?
Again, James Marsters gave us his insight on what he felt Spike meant by that line and how he played it: Spike was saying that Buffy COULDN’T love him. Not yet. Because he didn’t feel he deserved it yet. It was not the right time for them. Yet.
“Oh, but in the late seasons of Angel, when Spike is brought back to life, he is told that Buffy never truly loved him!” Yeah, he is told that - BY ANGEL! In what world would he, Buffy’s ex that has had problems with Spike since long before Buffy was even born and that had already admited that having her pick Spike over him “did not bring out the champion in him”, not be extremely biased?+ Andrew says that Buffy said "she loves BOTH OF YOU" and she clearly didn't make any comparaison or says only that about Angel.
“But you’re forgetting the Buffy comics in which she is basically told Angel is her soulmate and sleeps with him during some magical fuckery that made her go mad with power!”
Yeah, and in those same comics, even though it took forever and Whedon just HAS to force the “Buffy ends the story chosing to be single because she can either be a strong female character OR be in a happy relationship” AGAIN, she and Spike became a couple after all of that, with her explicitly telling him WHAT SHE HAD WITH ANGEL IS IN THE PAST, and the ending even suggests is only a matter of time before she and Spike get back together again, this time for good.
Claiming that it was up for debate if Buffy ever truly loved Spike is as ridiculous as if I said “I know we are both shown and told many times that Angel and Buffy slept together in season two, but I actually think it’s up for the debate if they truly did” NO, IT ISN’T!
We are shown how Buffy’s feelings for Spike grow over time, how her dynamic with him changes, how she is actively choosing him over everybody else after he gets his soul, and both the character and the people involved in making the show EXPLICITLY SAY she loves him.
You can dislike it, but don’t expect everyone else to cover their ears and close their eyes to pretend it wasn’t clear that Spike’s love for Buffy has not been one-sided for a VERY long time.
This is not a comparaison with her relationship with Angel but just a fact, explains several times by actors and creators themself.

Hello!
Today I felt like telling my story that don’t matter but actually does because it really built my character haha when I was 13 years old I had a Facebook profile from a character that I like, Zack Fair from Final Fantasy VII Crisis Core, at the beginning I didn’t even know what role play was, just that I really wanted to play as him. I added a bunch of people roleplaying as other characters from that game in particular and later on just random accounts from other games, I was very shy and didn’t actually role play that much because I was insecure about my English since it’s not my mother tongue, so I kinda just saw everything from the sidelines, with kinda no popular status I got a real life friend to join me as Aerith side note she didn’t even play the game or knew anything from it but went ahead and created an account to role play with me who was my character’s love interest and we would play as a couple. Nothing really happened at the beginning, until it did.
I added a profile playing as Ike from Fire Emblem and we started talking, only thing I know is that he’s a guy haha so we started talking and I explained him about my character and the game which got him interested about it, I really liked him he was cool at that time. He even left his Ike account to make one for Cloud Strife, a character from Final Fantasy VII. My character’s life was started to progress since he was being so extrovert, loud, cringy haha I made friends from role playing like Xion from Kingdom Hearts who I believe was a girl, Roxas from Kingdom Hearts who was a girl too, shout out to my girl! We still talk to this day.
Zack and Aerith got engaged after a while and we adopted Xion as our daughter, but little did they know I was having an affair with Cloud.
Cloud and I got closer and closer by talking I swear everyday after school, next fact I unlocked from him was that he was from the UK, we would talk about our interests and how was our day without revealing our names, to this day I don’t know his, but I would feel like we were actually friends on the start, he would tell me I play the best as my character, even saying I was actually him so I think that started to mess with my head, what was really aimed at my character and my real identity? Because it felt like we were in a relationship, he would say he liked me and that we should be together, so we started talking more flirty and couple like, even role play smut but it would be so awkward like *moan* and stuff haha nothing graphic, I don’t know why I didn’t tell my wife, to the outside we were this happy family, even my daughter had a crush on Cloud and I would discourage to pursue him, my thinking was he’s gay you don’t have a chance but with me it’s different.
I am Zack Fair.
The way I would role play was using fanarts, I would make albums from the characters and post a bunch of cute fanart and go from there, since it was easier to describe the scenery because of my English. I made albums from most of the characters of my game, even albums titled as family and it would be crossovers from Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy. Other people used this method I am not claiming it as my own, but overall this life was competitive I remember another Zack Fair named with the Japanese pronunciation Zakkusu Fea and I was totally jealous of him, he was so popular he had his Aerith and his family, their profile pictures were pretty so that made him pretty in my head, there was also this other Cloud Strife but named Cloud NotaChocobo something among those lines and he was a very cute boy, he always pick the cutest fanart of Cloud, but I never spoke with any of them I was shy and I tried to expand my social circle.
But Aerith disliked Cloud to the point she deleted him from Facebook, I don’t remember the motives but he would be sarcastically rude to her, it wasn’t really just one big event and I was really a coward to not defend my wife, instead I wouldn’t really interact in public with him, it was all on private messages, one day Aerith suggested we should switch accounts for a day and I accepted because I thought it would be fun to play as her. Big mistake.
She saw,
everything.
She posted on my wall saying what she found out, would copy paste fragment of what we told each other, our professions of love, I tried to warn Cloud but I was not on his friend list, soon enough friends started to notice the posts on my profile and got involved, I was rightfully the bad guy in all this, my daughter hated me because here I was breaking the family apart and engaging with the guy she wanted. I immediately apologized to my friend in real life playing as Aerith and she just lol’d telling me it was okay it was just a joke but in my mind it wasn’t. We got a divorce after that and she kept engaging on role playing as a single mom, later on I saw she remarried but then she really wasn’t much online anymore. For myself I grow out a mustache, a friend drew one from one of my profile pictures, it was popular back in 2008, haha, this face was even my signature :{D.
I went back to Cloud, we were apologetic of what had happened and soon enough it was like before, only this time I would tell him that I wanted our relationship to be public but he wasn’t ready yet, so I waited and waited but deep inside I felt hurt because I thought he didn’t love me in real life, he would then tell me his problems from his day, that he was at a friend’s house playing spin the bottle and he had to kiss a guy but didn’t because he was shy about it and I was so jealous about it I thought we broke up in that moment but didn’t say nothing, he would give me a few hints here and there about his personal life, I only know he has his mother and a big brother and were from India, he would send me links to Indian songs and dramas from Bollywood, that made him happy. One time while looking at profiles to add from mutual friends I saw an account named after my character and the profile was a real photo of an Indian guy, I looked through his profile and I got the vibe it was him, but to this day I don’t know since I never told him and the account was soon deleted or maybe he changed the profile picture since there were so many accounts with the same name.
We kept our relationship private until one day he said he was ready to make it public I was very excited about it, our friends congratulated us and I thought this new step would be so much fun but it went downhill from here. I don’t really remember anything from here I think because it were the days that I really struggled with balancing this persona and my own, the friends I made here would vent to me about their real life problems and I would try to help them as much as a 13 year old can, later I fell sick to the stomach turns out I had gastritis from all the stress, I remember leaving the Doctor with my mom telling her “So it’s because of the stress? But I like helping people, they tell me their problems…” and she said something among the lines of how they wouldn’t help me back, it sucked.
Tumblr was a miracle, I got my blog and I got obsessed with it, since I loved many tv shoes back in the day I enjoyed the content that people were posting, the images, the gifsets, the audios, the videos, the memes we got from that like the Mishapocalypse haha. Again I don’t really remember how Cloud and I broke up but I’m pretty sure he broke up with me, I told my friend Roxas about it and we decided to have a public relationship but really we were just friends, in my head I tried to make Cloud jealous but later on I didn't even care he had changed and I disliked this new persona and speaking of people they were not getting online as much anymore, so leaving was easy, I added Roxas to my real account and didn't look back.
I would only get online from time to time since I was afraid my account could get hacked or deleted for inactivity, but when I was logged I could say hi to all my friends and I got some juicy gossip, remember Cloud? He was in distress telling me that he was role playing with a mutual friend of us, a Genesis from Final Fantasy VII Crisis Core, and boy they were role playing smut and Genesis’ mother caught a glimpse or something but she read all that and grounded him from his computer, I was indifferent from it I recall only saying him something like: Too bad. To this day I have the gut feeling that he was cheating on me, not with Genesis but I recall him interacting in a suspicious way with other Zacks, oh yeah he only liked Zack Fair.
Later on I saw that Cloud changed again his behavior, he was like a role play police if he didn’t like how you act he would let you know about it, he made a lot of accounts like a second Cloud Strife, a Genesis Rhapsodos one, one of my character Zack Fair. Until I logged one day and I couldn’t find him on my friend list until I realized he deleted me, with time I never found his account, maybe he deleted them all, I don’t know since roleplaying on Facebook wasn’t as popular.
That is all I have to say, I might have little stories here and there about these time but overall it really messed with my reality of how I view these friendships… relationships… I don’t regret it much, it was a fun escape since I hated my middle school haha but super cringe it let’s be real, I don’t really remember much apart from minor details or fun stuff that happened but shoutout to that other Zack Fair from Italy on his mid 20’s who told me he was in a metal band and learnt German from metal music who got stabbed in a bar I don’t remember why but when I told him I was a girl he wanted to be in a relationship with me and come visit me, I shut that shit down. But hi bro o/

Hello!
Today I felt like telling my story that don’t matter but actually does because it really built my character haha when I was 13 years old I had a Facebook profile from a character that I like Zack Fair from Final Fantasy VII Crisis Core, at the beginning I didn’t even know what role play was, just that I really wanted to play as him. I added a bunch of people roleplaying as other characters from that game in particular and later on just random accounts from other games, I was very shy and didn’t actually role play that much because I was insecure about my English since it’s not my mother tongue, so I kinda just saw everything from the sidelines, with kinda no popular status I got a real life friend to join me as Aerith side note she didn’t even play the game or knew anything from it but went ahead and created an account to role play with me who was my character’s love interest and we would play as a couple. Nothing really happened at the beginning, until it did.
I added a profile playing as Ike from Fire Emblem and we started talking, only thing I know is that he’s a guy haha so we started talking and I explained him about my character and the game which got him interested about it, I really liked him he was cool at that time. He even left his Ike account to make one for Cloud Strife, a character from Final Fantasy VII. My character’s life was started to progress since he was being so extrovert, loud, cringy haha I made friends from role playing like Xion from Kingdom Hearts who I believe was a girl, Roxas from Kingdom Hearts who was a girl too, shout out to my girl! We still talk to this day.
Zack and Aerith got engaged after a while and we adopted Xion as our daughter, but little did they know I was having an affair with Cloud.
Cloud and I got closer and closer by talking I swear everyday after school, next fact I unlocked from him was that he was from the UK, we would talk about our interests and how was our day without revealing our names, to this day I don’t know his, but I would feel like we were actually friends on the start, he would tell me I play the best as my character, even saying I was actually him so I think that started to mess with my head, what was really aimed at my character and my real identity? Because it felt like we were in a relationship, he would say he liked me and that we should be together, so we started talking more flirty and couple like, even role play smut but it would be so awkward like *moan* and stuff haha nothing graphic, I don’t know why I didn’t tell my wife, to the outside we were this happy family, even my daughter had a crush on Cloud and I would discourage to pursue him, my thinking was he’s gay you don’t have a chance but with me it’s different.
I am Zack Fair.
The way I would role play was using fanarts, I would make albums from the characters and post a bunch of cute fanart and go from there, since it was easier to describe the scenery because of my English. I made albums from most of the characters of my game, even albums titled as family and it would be crossovers from Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy. Other people used this method I am not claiming it as my own, but overall this life was competitive I remember another Zack Fair named with the Japanese pronunciation Zakkusu Fea and I was totally jealous of him, he was so popular he had his Aerith and his family, their profile pictures were pretty so that made him pretty in my head, there was also this other Cloud Strife but named Cloud NotaChocobo something among those lines and he was a very cute boy, he always pick the cutest fanart of Cloud, but I never spoke with any of them I was shy and I tried to expand my social circle.
But Aerith disliked Cloud to the point she deleted him from Facebook, I don’t remember the motives but he would be sarcastically rude to her, it wasn’t really just one big event and I was really a coward to not defend my wife, instead I wouldn’t really interact in public with him, it was all on private messages, one day Aerith suggested we should switch accounts for a day and I accepted because I thought it would be fun to play as her. Big mistake.
She saw,
everything.
She posted on my wall saying what she found out, would copy paste fragment of what we told each other, our professions of love, I tried to warn Cloud but I was not on his friend list, soon enough friends started to notice the posts on my profile and got involved, I was rightfully the bad guy in all this, my daughter hated me because here I was breaking the family apart and engaging with the guy she wanted. I immediately apologized to my friend in real life playing as Aerith and she just lol’d telling me it was okay it was just a joke but in my mind it wasn’t. We got a divorce after that and she kept engaging on role playing as a single mom, later on I saw she remarried but then she really wasn’t much online anymore. For myself I grow out a mustache, a friend drew one from one of my profile pictures, it was popular back in 2008, haha, this face was even my signature :{D.
I went back to Cloud, we were apologetic of what had happened and soon enough it was like before, only this time I would tell him that I wanted our relationship to be public but he wasn’t ready yet, so I waited and waited but deep inside I felt hurt because I thought he didn’t love me in real life, he would then tell me his problems from his day, that he was at a friend’s house playing spin the bottle and he had to kiss a guy but didn’t because he was shy about it and I was so jealous about it I thought we broke up in that moment but didn’t say nothing, he would give me a few hints here and there about his personal life, I only know he has his mother and a big brother and were from India, he would send me links to Indian songs and dramas from Bollywood, that made him happy. One time while looking at profiles to add from mutual friends I saw an account named after my character and the profile was a real photo of an Indian guy, I looked through his profile and I got the vibe it was him, but to this day I don’t know since I never told him and the account was soon deleted or maybe he changed the profile picture since there were so many accounts with the same name.
We kept our relationship private until one day he said he was ready to make it public I was very excited about it, our friends congratulated us and I thought this new step would be so much fun but it went downhill from here. I don’t really remember anything from here I think because it were the days that I really struggled with balancing this persona and my own, the friends I made here would vent to me about their real life problems and I would try to help them as much as a 13 year old can, later I fell sick to the stomach turns out I had gastritis from all the stress, I remember leaving the Doctor with my mom telling her “So it’s because of the stress? But I like helping people, they tell me their problems…” and she said something among the lines of how they wouldn’t help me back, it sucked.
Tumblr was a miracle, I got my blog and I got obsessed with it, since I loved many tv shoes back in the day I enjoyed the content that people were posting, the images, the gifsets, the audios, the videos, the memes we got from that like the Mishapocalypse haha. Again I don’t really remember how Cloud and I broke up but I’m pretty sure he broke up with me, I told my friend Roxas about it and we decided to have a public relationship but really we were just friends, in my head I tried to make Cloud jealous but later on I didn't even care he had changed and I disliked this new persona and speaking of people they were not getting online as much anymore, so leaving was easy, I added Roxas to my real account and didn't look back.
I would only get online from time to time since I was afraid my account could get hacked or deleted for inactivity, but when I was logged I could say hi to all my friends and I got some juicy gossip, remember Cloud? He was in distress telling me that he was role playing with a mutual friend of us, a Genesis from Final Fantasy VII Crisis Core, and boy they were role playing smut and Genesis’ mother caught a glimpse or something but she read all that and grounded him from his computer, I was indifferent from it I recall only saying him something like: Too bad. To this day I have the gut feeling that he was cheating on me, not with Genesis but I recall him interacting in a suspicious way with other Zacks, oh yeah he only liked Zack Fair.
Later on I saw that Cloud changed again his behavior, he was like a role play police if he didn’t like how you act he would let you know about it, he made a lot of accounts like a second Cloud Strife, a Genesis Rhapsodos one, one of my character Zack Fair. Until I logged one day and I couldn’t find him on my friend list until I realized he deleted me, with time I never found his account, maybe he deleted them all, I don’t know since roleplaying on Facebook wasn’t as popular.
That is all I have to say, I might have little stories here and there about these time but overall it really messed with my reality of how I view these friendships… relationships… I don’t regret it much, it was a fun escape since I hated my middle school haha but super cringe it let’s be real, I don’t really remember much apart from minor details or fun stuff that happened but shoutout to that other Zack Fair from Italy on his mid 20’s who told me he was in a metal band and learnt German from metal music who got stabbed in a bar I don’t remember why but when I told him I was a girl he wanted to be in a relationship with me and come visit me, I shut that shit down. But hi bro o/

I made a Reddit account just to post this – long time lurker, first time posting!! Im a perfume newbie and am trying to find a good summer signature scent. Ultimately, I’m trying to figure out fragerence notes that I like vs don’t like but i know that will take some time.
I love flirty, youthful, fruity, fresh scents. Listing some of my favorites below – based on these, which perfumes should I try? Armani My Way - floral, Victoria’s Secret Bombshell (original and seduction), Good Chemistry Queen Bee
Viva La Juicy was my favorite back in high school and TBH I still love it, but I’d like something more mature that doesn’t feel too old (I’m 28F)
Excited to start exploring!!

I have been having trouble finding a perfume that I could wear everyday without getting sick of it after a couple of hours. Anytime I smell a someone with perfume and even myself for too long I get such a bad headache and even a bit nauseous. One perfume I love is Mizensir's For Your Love, however its a too sweet for me when I smell it all day. Its sucks since love the resin, ambergris, musk, and oud-ness it has to it, just not the sweetness. One smell I can handle is a clean shampoo smell. I was wondering if anyone may know a more clean version of for your love thats fresh but warm, cozy and maybe even a little flirty but not cheap and more classy at the same time. Something that is signature scent worthy but not obnoxious that can be worn year round. Im extremely picky when it comes to the perfumes I wear since my nose is quite sensitive but at this point im willing to try anything. Thanks :)

(Part 1 https://www.reddit.com/HFY/comments/15hwx0i/a_hidden_history/ )
(Part 2 https://www.reddit.com/HFY/comments/1b7ypzs/a_hidden_history_part_2/ )
(part 3 https://www.reddit.com/HFY/comments/1big0s0/a_hidden_history_part_3/ )
(Part 4 https://www.reddit.com/HFY/comments/1bkvptw/a_hidden_history_part_4/ )
(Part 5 https://www.reddit.com/HFY/comments/1bo3zz6/a_hidden_history_part_5/ )
(Part 6 https://www.reddit.com/HFY/comments/1brj8pi/a_hidden_history_part_6/ )
(Part 7 https://www.reddit.com/HFY/comments/1bum8h0/a_hidden_history_part_7/ )
(Part 8 https://www.reddit.com/HFY/comments/1bwejrh/a_hidden_history_part_8/ )
(Part 9 https://www.reddit.com/HFY/comments/1bysli5/a_hidden_history_part_9/ )
(Part 10 https://www.reddit.com/HFY/comments/1c1esve/a_hidden_history_part_10/ )
The new royal retinue arrived in their quarters, with other paladins showing the new soldiers around. Arcturus was less than amused as the Queen passed by a sensor array, causing it to short-circuit due to the amount of energy radiating from her. Serena looked at her quarters and almost collapsed from the luxury. After settling in and eating a meal, she and her retinue got the whole story up to now explained to them. By the time the sun finally vanished over the horizon, everyone was completely exhausted. With all caught up and basic information passed on, everyone went to bed.
With nobody but Marcus still awake, the atmosphere around the ship was almost eerily silent. "Busy day wasn't it Arc?" Marcus idly said as he reconfigured satellite data.
"Indeed it was sir. I cannot say I was prepared for this." Arcturus said over the various beeps and boops of his system.
"To think that all that shit took place in only nineteen hours? First Contact with a non-human species. Discovery of a Grey Colony. Encountering an entire medieval civilisation made of Elves... Magic for god's sake... AND my ex no less. Hard to believe." Marcus wiped his tired brow and sighed.
"Oh very much so sir. It seems fate has once again interfered. As you have said many times." Arcturus brought a drone over, serving a nice cup of tea.
"Starting to think the entire universe is against me at this point. How are my family's remains? Those elves didn't get into Hold C did they?" Marcus asked with a somber tone in his voice.
"No sir, as soon as we had guests I sealed Hold C. As for your requests, they have been accepted. I have not yet been told who the couriers are but I have the manifests and transponders. You will have the last in a few days at most." Arcturus beeped and displayed some charts.
"Well... at least that's good news. I don't think I can take the stress anymore, Arc. I have to find a new project world now. I have to find someone else to take over from me when this is settled. I can't keep my family stuck in a cargo hold for the next two years. It's not right." Marcus sighed heavily as he sank into his seat.
"Understandable sir. Before we continue sir, I need to show you something." Arcturus said, and displayed a graph.
"Hmmm... Fluctuations in the sensor net. Red is the biotic spectrum... Blue is the geographic spectrum... Yellow is mechanical or artificial spectra. I'm guessing purple is the interference caused by magic. And black is?" Valtiel said as he analyzed the results.
"Unidentified interference sir. There is an unusual energy signature in the continent occupied by the factory. I have been moving factory facilities around to try to scan it and see what it is. It appears from archive records, it is a Grey structure, but I have yet to pinpoint its location. Interference is still too severe. I am having difficulty properly filtering it out.." Arc responded, showing more evidence and archives.
"Well then... Take notes. Item one, Build radar array and sensor towers across the continent to assist with scanners. Make sure we properly set relay towers." Marcus said as he typed away at the console searching through blueprints.
"Yes sir. I have the manufacturing specs, we still have twenty five thousand tons of resources in stock despite the fact extraction operations have ceased. I will start production of the prefabs immediately." Arc replied.
"No you won't Arc, you will offline and recharge. Just because all this nonsense has gone on doesn't mean you need to overdrive yourself. You WILL get a minimum of three hours offline time. That is an order." Marcus commanded.
"Aye aye Ser." Arc responded with a bit of a scared tone.
"Item number two. I have direct orders from the Union Congress. They've already heard about it and are bossing us about. Usually I'd tell them where to stick it, but they made a good point. I want portable field hospitals and full medical production starting as soon as possible. Emphasis on maternity and natal care facilities. Start using the scans of the Elves to produce race specific stimpacks, biotics and aid kits. I understand they have magic and all but I'd rather be prepared." Marcus ordered carefully, double checking a few plans and graphs.
"I shall start procedures first thing sir. The elves have a biology that is not very dissimilar to ours. It won't take long to change formulations." Arcturus displayed a series of graphs and biometrics data.
"Arc... Give me a moment." Marcus said and started pressing buttons with a wry smile. "There."
"YOU'VE GIVEN ME ACCESS TO THE MEDIA LIBRARY!?" Arcturus yelled, his voice echoing through the bridge.
"What? You go through all this nonsense, AND spend nineteen hours working because I'm unavailable, AND you have to deal with guests and you expect me to not reward you? Puh-lease. But you have to promise, three hour minimum offline time to rest your circuitry, then work, THEN movie time. I can handle most operations tomorrow while you take a break." Marcus said with a smile.
"Th-thank you sir!" Arcturus' voice was almost giddy.
"Very good. Please... excuse me for a minute." Marcus said and stood up.
Marcus stood up and headed for the cargo bay. Passing the quarters of the slumbering elves, he quietly, imperceptibly walked along. His steel toe boots barely made a sound as he walked past. He breathed a sigh of annoyance as he entered the main cargo hold, finding most of the unsealed cargo was strewn about the place. He facepalmed in frustration as he passed the cargo crates containing the lingerie selection from an abandoned contract, most of its contents neatly folded on the floor or atop other containers.
He shook his head and quietly walked to a nearby cargo door marked with a huge yellow C. The door opened with a hydraulic hiss to reveal a very ornately decorated room. Tapestries and banners of various colors and patterns hung from every wall. One side of the room had reinforced shelves stacked high with marble tombstones, polished and hand carved. The other side of the room had an array of coffins, urns, funeral boxes and ash boxes containing various remains.
Marcus closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He approached one coffin, covered with medals, accolades and a large Terran Union Flag, and gently placed a hand on it. He closed his eyes, uttering a prayer to the empty hold and took a deep, long breath.
"OOoohhh okay! Now I understand why we broke up. Now I get it." A voice suddenly came from behind him.
"Who let you in?" Marcus replied and looked at the offending voice.
It was Andrea, his ex. Dressed in a skintight nanosuit, her waist length white hair flowing freely behind her. "Oh come on Cookie Bear! You can't do me dirty like that!"
Marcus simply sighed, and finished his paying of respect. Andrea was aware how dangerous Marcus could be, so she kept her distance until he was done. Marcus raised his head, patted the coffin and moved over to her. He angrily grabbed her by the ear and dragged her out of the room as one would do to a spoiled child.
"OWOWOWOWOWOW!!!!"
"Andrea Marie Wilkins, I know for a FACT your parents raised you better than this!" Marcus angrily griped as he dragged her up to the bridge by her ear.
"Okay! Okay ow! I'm sorry! Jesus can you calm down?" She said, rubbing her sore ear.
"Calm down? CALM DOWN!?" Marcus' voice echoed through the hall, several guests waking up in response. "HOW THE FUCK AM I SUPPOSED TO BE CALM!?" Marcus yelled, starting a rant.
"I have spent FIFTEEN DAMN YEARS traipsing around the galaxy dealing with bureaucracy and bullshit piracy looking for ANY member of my family I can find and everywhere I went I faced piles of bodies! Ive had to wade through oceans of red tape in order to just SEE my relatives, let alone fucking recover them! AND THEN.. I have to drown in an ocean of red tape to get access to this fucking planet that was scanned properly!"
By this point, several elves, including Serris, two guards and King Valarian had gotten out of their beds and were hearing everything that was said.
"INSULT TO INJURY WHY NOT, I have to now play host to a delegation of medieval elves who have the potential to burn my face off If they sneeze too hard because somehow magic I guess!? AND MORE SO, the scans on this planet say there's Grey tech here, which means I have to tell the Mechanicus. Which now means im going to be drowning in EVEN MORE FUCKING RED TAPE!! WHICH MEANS THE COFFINS IN THE CARGO HOLD ARE GOING TO BE SITTING THERE FOR ANOTHER SIX MONTHS BEFORE I CAN ASK ANYONE TO LEAVE!! ITS INSULTING!!!"
Andrea's face went white as she shed a tear.
"AND now look at this shit! I have lost every member of my family that has ever existed! Fate is tempting me, ooohh she's tempting me! I can hear the bitch cackling in the background, she thinks I cant but I CAN!! 'Oh come now look at all these lovely fertile ladies, come on Marcus! GIVE ME MORE FAMILY FOR ME TO KILL!!!' YEAH SURE! WHY THE FUCK NOT!?"
Marcus finally ran out of breath and sat on the floor in the corner, having a quiet sob. "I can't take this anymore. I'd rather just hand this over to someone else then go find a new planet and start again. I can't take this anymore!"
Andrea sat next to him. "Huh... That's what you think huh? You think fate is effectively cursing you to be alone forever?"
"How else does one interpret this situation exactly? 'Oh sure maybe fate is giving you a break and decided to torture someone else for a change.' Yeah I dont believe that shit for one damn second." Marcus said in a mocking tone.
"So... Youre not even willing to TRY give it a chance?" Andrea asked.
"Not a single damn thing has gone right for the last fifteen years. Optimism is impossible when every path forward has a hurdle you can only use a sledgehammer on to get through. I refuse to inflict this on another person. Maybe, just MAYBE... When everything is finally settled I can finally relax. Another... Twenty years maybe?" Marcus bashed his head against the wall behind him out of frustration.
"Well... That explains a lot doesn't it?" Andrea couldn't really say anything beyond this, and just sat there.
"One thing... If just ONE thing goes right, just ONCE... Maybe I can try calming down. But I won't hold my damn breath. But then again I don't need to repeat myself... You've been talking to Arc after all. You know everything already." Marcus craned his neck, looking at her accusingly.
She blushed and stood up. "Well... No hiding from you is there? I'll show myself out. Try to get some sleep, okay?"
"Pfft, yeah right, 'sleep' she says. HA! That's a laugh." Marcus sarcastically said and returned to his pilot's seat, busying himself.
Andrea closed the bridge door behind her, coming face to face with Serris and Serena, with King Valarian leaning against the wall. "Well. Shit. Actual Elves... The reports were not kidding."
"Wow... Are all human women this gorgeous?" Valarian asked idly.
"Well then. You certainly don't mince words, do you?" Andrea said as she approached him.
"Look around you. Look at our women. We have learned not to waste time and mince words. Men in our world have learned that sweet words and side glances accomplish nothing. We have learned that if we like something, we say we do. Otherwise, someone else does, and we lose our chance. I only got my wife as my wife because I simply walked up to her and asked." He said, gesturing to the two girls behind her.
"Well that's understandable. Marcus got me the same way. Kinda surprised me at the time. And to answer your question, yes, we are." Andrea smiled and flicked her hair in a flirty way as she walked back to her fighter in the hangar.
The two girls looked at Valarian with a scowl. He simply smiled, shrugged and returned to bed. Serris and Serena likewise did the same and the ship went back to quiet.
The following morning was abuzz with activity as the royal retinues went fervently to work. By this point, Marcus' radio network was in place, and each of the royals could communicate with their kingdoms and rule from there. Aside from small stuff, there wasn't much to do beyond giving the local regents a few orders to cover their bases. The communications array helped the elven population stay fully aware of what was going on and why. One of the conditions that Marcus detailed with the communications array was No censorship, and public access, to which they agreed.
Everything was going a lot smoother than expected. By the time everyone had finished breakfast, Arcturus had completed his previous orders, building several prefabs for field hospitals and other things. Thanks to the radio network, the transition was accelerating faster than expected. Marcus however, was more nervous than usual. And not due to his apprentices crowding around him, and even moreso, having Andrea nearby too.
"Come on... Where are you..." Marcus idly said to himself as the ladies chatted to each other.
The radio suddenly crackled to life and an unnatural, broken biomechanical voice could be heard through the ship. "By the Light of the Void I see the path, by the power of the machine I carve my way, by the fruits of Gaia I take my steps, but it is through my will alone that I set the world in motion."
"Praise the Machine Brother." Marcus replied in kind.
"Praise The Machine. We have a small frigate on approach. Requesting docking permission. Following Requisition Order Seven-Seven Omega-Three." The voice said again.
"Confirm order. You are clear to enter. Please obey Behaviour Protocol Code Sixteen S. Proceed." Marcus replied again.
"Uhh... Marcus... You invited the Mechanicus here?" Andrea said.
"In order to recover my mothers remains I had to sign a covenant with them. Looks like they're finally here to collect." Marcus said and stood up. "STAY." He commanded, heading to the hangar.
Andrea went pale and grabbed the over eager Jaquelyn, pulling her away from the bridge door before locking it. "Arcturus, lock the interior doors." She commanded and used a hologram to watch what was going on in the hangar bay.
Marcus entered the hangar bay and waited as the most ornately decorated warship anyone had ever seen appeared, and entered the hangar bay. The ship came to a slow stop, and within seconds five strange men, clad in scarlet red robes walked out. They were... not what Andrea was expecting. Apart from the creepy cult robes, it was just five normal dudes, no augments, no additions, aside from one very dapper chap who sported a monocle.
"Brother Marcus, It is so good to see you again!" The highest ranking one said, shaking Marcus' hand enthusiastically.
"Sure... Please excuse me, I am... somewhat stressed." Marcus said, looking lower than he ever has.
"Well we have taken over and completed your contract orders. Here you are." The leader guy said and pressed some buttons.
The ship's cargo ramp opened and moved down, revealing several carefully packed cargo crates and an oak coffin with a glass window. Marcus moved over to it and collapsed into tears at the sight of his mothers peaceful face from behind the glass. Andrea closed the camera feed out of respect and let him mourn in peace.
Two hours later, the new ship fired its engines and left in a hurry. The five men that came with it though, stayed. Marcus returned to the cockpit and got back in his seat. He let out a huge, satisfied sigh of relief.
"Uhm... Care to explain?" Andrea asked.
"The Cult Mechanicus have decided to take over the uplifting project. They will assess the situation and try to figure out the best path forward. I am NOT qualified for that shit, but they say I did a good job, ish, so far. But they can handle it better, so they're here now. I've put them on the quarters in Deck D, and the last of my family are reunited. Talk about a weight off my shoulders..."
Marcus groaned and stretched out in his seat. The air around him lifted, as if this were the first time in years he'd had a chance to genuinely relax.
"So... what happens now?" Serris asked.
"Well they will take over tracking and excavation of the Greys tech and also taking care of the human ruins that are still around. They will also see to it that the local populace get up to space, a lot more responsibly than I can, within a much shorter time. My job here is effectively done." Marcus said.
"Well..." Andrea retorted, standing next to him. "That... simplifies things. Prayers answered I guess."
"Well no. Now I have to find a new world, go there, terraform it, then build it up, then bury the family there. I can't keep it here anyway. 'Oh thanks for uplifting us but we find it offensive that the first thing you did after you gave us starships was to turn our planet into a graveyard herpaderp.' Yeah... Not happening." Marcus mockingly stated as he started browsing the market.
The girls just looked at him. "Well the trauma of your parents' deaths must've made you slightly stupider than I remember." Andrea said blankly, swatting him on the back of the head.
"The fuck!?" Marcus jumped out of his seat and looked at them.
Andrea pushed him back in his chair and sat in his lap. "Oh come on, are you really that silly? Think about it. Isn't there just a tiiiny little iota of brain in that thick skull that thinks it might juuust be a bit wrong about the whole being cursed thing?" She pressed her cleavage into his face.
"Uh... well... I don't-"
"You don't think that maaaaybe the whole situation that just arose here is a sign that maybe, lifes giving you a break?" She smiled as she unzipped the top of her nanosuit just enough. "I mean, a beautiful planet full of gorgeous chicks who like to be naked all the time, and who very obviously have a thing for you despite the fact it's only been a day?" Andrea looked at the assembled ladies with a side glance and smirk.
"But...-"
"MAYBE it could possibly be a thing where the universe is like 'You know, I've nearly wiped this guy out and he's had enough, he needs to start living again. Here bro, have a bunch of gorgeous naked women.' You ever think of that?" She finished removing her top and slipped out of it.
"That doesn't work like tha-"
"SO MAYBE, just MAYBE, take advantage? I mean, these girls are clearly, very into you. How could they not be?" She shoved her cleavage into his face once again. "THINK ABOUT IT DUMBASS!!"
She yelled, put her top back on then casually walked out. "Come on ladies. Our future husband needs to think a bit."
Andrea ushered the group out, leaving Marcus sitting in his seat with his jaw open, closing the door behind them. "Okay... so..."
"Oh come on! I know. That... look. That glint in your eyes, that shiver in your bones. That little tingle you have when you hear his voice. You cannot tell me you aren't into him. I'm not a Psion and even I can tell these things." Andrea pointed her finger at them accusingly.
"Well.. Uh... i..." Serris shyly squirmed.
"So here's the short story as to WHY you like him so much. He's devoted to any cause and never fails to finish it. He's a family man who will do anything for his kin. He's good looking and extremely smart because you need to be in order to be a Coursair for any length of time. AND he's essentially a war hero, engineer, he's stupid rich despite what he says and he has one of the most beautiful ships in the entire sector. I not surprised you get a bit wet when you get close!" Andrea playfully spanked Serris.
"Well! Uhm... Wow... Okay..." All the girls blushed.
"Ok.... So what do we do now?" Jaquelyn asked as she picked her jaw off the floor.
"Patience. I have planted the seed. Soon enough, he will open up. I would strongly recommend you take the chance when he offers it. I grew up with that man. I know for a FACT hes worth the effort." Andrea said, getting close to Serris. She grabbed the Elf girl and kissed her. Serris was taken completely off guard as Andrea gently booped her nose after pulling away with a sultry smile. "I'm looking forward to it... You are so... soft."
Andrea playfully gave Serena's rear a gentle pat, then walked out the door to the hangar.

I will continue to update this post as reviews come in.
Rotten Tomatoes: Certified Fresh
Critics Consensus: With its trio of outstanding performers volleying their star power back and forth without ever dropping the ball, Challengers is a kinetic and sexy romp at court.

	Score	Number of Reviews	Average Rating
All Critics	90%	201	8.00/10
Top Critics	87%	48	8.10/10

Metacritic: 85 (48 Reviews)
Sample Reviews:
The plot of “Challengers” might sound stale, and yet, there’s an electric spark to Guadagnino’s approach that elevates the material, rendering it fresh. - Peter Debruge, Variety
Smart, seductive and bristling with sexual tension, Challengers is arguably Luca Guadagnino’s most purely pleasurable film to date; it’s certainly his lightest and most playful. - David Rooney, Hollywood Reporter
Challengers ambitiously weaves complex threads through the metaphor of tennis, and explores themes of love, rivalry and personal growth. - Valerie Complex, Deadline Hollywood Daily
The youth of all three characters is particularly welcome... If the characters were all in their 40s, Challengers would still be a good movie, but it would be less sensual, less fraught and less emotionally cruel. 4/4 - Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle
“Challengers” is a seductive feast for the senses. 4/5 - Amanda Luberto, Arizona Republic
Moment by moment, line by line and scene by scene, Challengers delivers sexiness and laughs, intrigue and resentment, and Guadagnino’s signature is there in the intensity, the closeups and the music stabs. 4/5 - Peter Bradshaw, Guardian
Challengers must be the most purely pleasurable film of the year so far. Like a great tennis match, it’s a clash of sleekly honed bodies and minds, and the question of who finally comes out on top is irrelevant to the fun of the struggle itself. 5/5 - Robbie Collin, Daily Telegraph (UK)
It’s the most gripping sports movie in years. 5/5 - Clarisse Loughrey, Independent (UK)
The mood here is unrestrained. The drama is always compelling. It is, ultimately, a grand slam masterclass. 5/5 - Kevin Maher, Times (UK)
Perfectly pleasant to watch, it never becomes thoroughly engrossing, as the characters often slip from enigmatic to thinly-written. It isn't bad, but it is underwhelming. 3/5 - Caryn James, BBC.com
Anchored by three arresting performances and playfully experimental direction, Challengers is fresh, exhilarating, and energetic. A- - Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly
Operating at the peak of his powers, Luca Guadagnino has the time of his life with this practically sadistic exploration of unrelenting obsession. 5/5 - Alex Godfrey, Empire Magazine
A scintillating romantic triangle paired with a gripping sports drama, Challengers finds Luca Guadagnino in crowd-pleasing mode, delivering his most purely entertaining film. - Tim Grierson, Screen International
What a fun, sexy time for you. 5/5 - Hannah Strong, Little White Lies
Zendaya is so good in this role, it’s impossible to imagine anyone else playing it. She utilizes her celebrity as well as her acting talent to create a larger than life figure still human and recognizable. - Drew Gregory, Autostraddle
Justin Kuritzkes’ script... subverts the typical stakes of each match in order to focus on the animating thrill of wanting something with every flooded sweat gland on your body. A- - David Ehrlich, indieWire
Challengers remains an entertaining movie thanks to its complicated characters who are played by actors on their way to becoming sparkling screen stars. B - Murtada Elfadl, AV Club
Challengers is just plain fun — playful, aggressive, and a thrill to watch. It isn’t like anything else that’s hit cinemas in the past few years. 94/100 - Tasha Robinson, Polygon
While it may be too much for some audiences to handle, there's no doubt Challengers is hands down one of the best and sexiest movies of the year. - Kristy Puchko, Mashable
Challengers is an intoxicating showcase for the beauty and excitement of bodies in motion. 3/4 - Rocco T. Thompson, Slant Magazine
Right to the final exhilarating moments, Challengers plays a bold game — sports action so visceral you can feel the sweat dripping off the screen, along with the emotional rallying that occurs off the court. A- - Liz Shannon Miller, Consequence
Erotically charged, intricately plotted and breathlessly stylish, Luca Guadagnino’s Challengers delivers pleasure at every turn. - Alonso Duralde, The Film Verdict
It’s a treat to see three comparatively young actors nailing the kind of understated flirty gravitas that the stars of movies for grownups used to exhibit in earlier eras. 3.5/4 - Matt Zoller Seitz, RogerEbert.com
This is without a doubt the single most exciting movie any of us are likely to see this year. Buckle up and enjoy this sexy ride, you won’t want it to end. 5/5 - Linda Marric, HeyUGuys
SYNOPSIS:
From visionary filmmaker Luca Guadagnino, Challengers stars Zendaya as Tashi Duncan, a former tennis prodigy turned coach and a force of nature who makes no apologies for her game on and off the court. Married to a champion on a losing streak (Mike Faist – West Side Story), Tashi’s strategy for her husband’s redemption takes a surprising turn when he must face off against the washed-up Patrick (Josh O’Connor – The Crown) – his former best friend and Tashi’s former boyfriend. As their pasts and presents collide, and tensions run high, Tashi must ask herself, what will it cost to win.
CAST:

• Zendaya as Tashi Duncan
• Josh O'Connor as Patrick
• Mike Faist as Art Donaldson

DIRECTED BY: Luca Guadagnino
WRITTEN BY: Justin Kuritzkes
PRODUCED BY: Luca Guadagnino, Rachel O'Connor, Amy Pascal, Zendaya
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Bernard Bellew, Lorenzo Mieli, Kevin Ulrich
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: Sayombhu Mukdeeprom
PRODUCTION DESIGNER: Merissa Lombardo
EDITED BY: Marco Costa
COSTUME DESIGNER: Jonathan Anderson
MUSIC BY: Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross
CASTING BY: Francine Maisler
RUNTIME: 131 Minutes
RELEASE DATE: April 26, 2024

Someone brought up the idea of Endless (or any of the older books) being made in the current year, and how they'd ironically end up as shells of themselves due to the *ahem* genre that seems to be the most popular these days. I agree that there would indeed be something endless, though it wouldn't be the summer for sure, but that got me thinking in a more positive light: What would this trilogy be able to capitalize on in the current age of choices that may not have been accessible in the past? I've made a mental list of aspects I think a remake would benefit from, and after replaying and thoroughly enjoying the trilogy again, things that absolutely have to stay the same. As always, just an opinion so feel free to comment your suggestions down below. Spoilers for the entire endless trilogy below, so if you haven't, go play it!
Choices: It's funny. You'd think with the app name that the choices would keep evolving until we get to a truly special choose your own adventure story. Yet they really did it well right here at the beginning. Between normal choices, timed choices, tough choices, diamond scenes, "outfit choices" and the underlying relationship mechanic, this trilogy does have me wondering what certain dialogue or actions would occur based on what I choose on any given day and how I build throughout the book. Really, the only thing I think could be done is just simply adding more! Not necessarily to the point of bloat, but relationship checks, unique dialogue and actions which accompany it, and tough choices that could perhaps alter relationships with multiple characters, or even the scenario itself. The latter point would in some cases lead to altering the story itself, but not so drastically that it changes key story beats. Unfortunately there does lie the issue of coming into a book 2 or 3 without imported save data and potentially isolating a new file due to very few relationship choices being made, but that could be remedied by adjusting the relationship requirements and quotas for certain actions
Outfits: I'll keep it straight, I avoid outfits like the plague. Maybe it's the cost that always deters me, or the fact that they don't visually pull me in as often as I think they will in certain books, but one thing I noticed that this trilogy does neatly is use both visually appealing and stylistic outfits alongside unique outfits that fit with the story to convince you that maybe it's worth dropping gems on them. And the special outfits look cool too. Expanding on this, some of the adventure and newer romance books are tailored so that outfits are sometimes applicable other than the following scene after purchase, and this could be done as well given the uniqueness of certain outfits and the wild number of scenarios this trilogy has. A pocket knife would come in handy during a fight or something else. Making it cascade such that outfits work into the other books after proper purchase but not prior would probably be the way to go. Although it would be cool if I could Andromeda armor from chapter 1.
Characters: After playing through the trilogy in about a week or so, I honestly cannot imagine changing a single thing about any of the characters in this book. This seems like high praise but I've really come to understand that I just like how everyone fits in this story. If anything, the best thing a remake could do would just be giving more of them, whether it's character moments or expanding into some of the mythos of the island and the subplots woven within the island and between the cast. Really can't say more cause I think they do just work.
Story: This one is kind of obvious but the story ain't changing. Doesn't need to. Remaking could probably add extra scenes for interesting moments and context (though they'd unfortunately be quite gem heavy these days)
Art: CG touchups if they're deemed necessary would be interesting to see, and changes to the animations if necessary as well would probably be the route. It needs to retain its signature artstyle of course but could still have an injection of new pizazz.
Romance: The change here is posted plain on the icon of the app. The scenes get longer and probably roll around in the mud (both figuratively and actually). Technically making the gem scenes live up to their worth! (which is a good thing, right?) Additionally, there would probably be more flirty moments with non-LI characters but that's a whole other story for another book.
In General: After typing this out, I really have to say that the more things change, the more they stay the same. Maybe this trilogy really is that good that leaving it untouched and doing additional backstory or side story releases separate from it would be the play to add context, lore or cool scenes. But it's always fun to speculate what direction a remake could go if possible.
At the end of the day, if I even so much as think of doing this kind of idea for the Freshman, I've gotta get a life or something.
​
P.S. I didn't really mention puzzles but that's because they don't really need to change since they're intertwined with the story itself. Solutions being discoverable in the app would probably be the best way to go for those I assume.

I am on the hunt for my signature scent.
Something along the lines of fruity + vanilla or anything you think I'll like that will last 4+hours.
I really love light fruity florals where the florals are not strong.
I'd love something citrus + vanilla or peach or strawberry or something to that effect. (Not really lime or heavy coconut)
I am looking for a fluffy decent scent that's still sophisticated and flirty but not purely gourmand.
Scents I do like: -Mod blush is ok but not quite it for me.
-Killians Love Don't Be Shy - the initial scent before it fades 10 seconds later... This would be the winner if not for how soon the scent changes.
-Lovespell (not CF) was a fave when I was younger before I was CF
-Skylar vanilla skye i like fine but i need more. -Skylar peach fields... ok but not it.
-The Good Scent Love ... I like it but it's too light and disappears.
The original viva la juicy i liked a lot and the rosé one (not CF)
Rabanne Fame (not CF) just got a paper sample and that is kinda nice, but obv. not fruity vanilla
Atelier Clementine California (not CF) i like this but want to mix it with vanilla
(I hate lavender, cedar, and heavy earthly scents. They are only ok if they are not very noticeable)
I don't have a lot of experience with fragrances, any help is appreciated!

TL;DR - Geminis are flirty, Pisces are flirty. How to know if she wants to go from friend to girlfriend?
​
I love her energy/personality and having her as a friend and am completely content if it were to stay that way forever. That said, I would hate to miss signs that she wants to take it to the next level. With both our signs and signatures we are extremely flirty with those we like, it's almost automatic....
I don't have a lot of experience with Geminis, at least after starting to moderately study astrology ~ 6 months ago.
​
We met through a friend about 4 months ago, both huge nerds (WoW and such). We hit it off immediately. Dove into conversations like we were trying to make it to the bottom of the ocean as quick as possible. It's obvious that we both love each other's company. Always a hug hello and goodbye - she initiated that first in our relationship - for me being an extremely loving water sign, I don't initiate physical contact with women. Me too and all that shit...
She's very girly, and an absolute bombshell, and to that point she sometimes laments that no one ever approaches her.
I am a stocky guy, 5-9, broad shouldered with big arms. I try to dress well and stay well groomed. Judging from the attention I get in public and in bars from women of all ages, I know I'm attractive for a bigger guy. However, it's definitely not her 'type', from who I've seen her date since we met.
We text constantly, usually multiple times a day, at least to check in on each other. She doesn't hesitate to call and just to talk about what's going on with her or our mutual friends.
Two weeks ago, She had a scare with a recent ex who went psychotic and she called me first. I came over and brought her a handgun and showed her how to use it. She has experience with them but doesn't own one. She immediately started sharing her location (I reciprocated) with me and I gave her a key to my place in case she needed to get out of her house and go somewhere quickly.
She wants to go to a range with me, and seems genuinely interested in getting more familiar with firearms. I've been around them my whole life, having grown up on a farm. She increasingly invites me to things she's going to do. She asked if I wanted to go watch the son of one of her friends play at a country bar tomorrow (weds), then also said we should go shooting on thurs.
She's amazing and I'm happy to be in her life. I don't press any kind of idea of a romantic relationship bc I enjoy what we have. I would be open to it if she decided she wanted to pursue it. Are there certain signs she would give if that becomes the case?
​

FIRST//PREVIOUS//NEXT
​
The frog lady let out a croak of surprised before looking between them in shock. “Human!? But your kind almost NEVER leave your walled cities besides some adventurers! Most certainly not your knights!” She then looked down the tunnel slowly moving closer to the duo. “Oh by the waters, what dungeon have I wandered into that even human knights have come for?”
Jack gently patted her shoulder causing her to jump and let out a loud ribbit. After barely managing to bury a laugh he took a deep breath and explained. “Look, We are from a very VERY far way away. Another dimension if you understand that kinda thing. We just happened to find this dungeon first and are in no way associated with the humans here.”
The frog blinked a bit as she looked back and forth between the two. “Were you summoned? We have beings come from other dimensions but they are usually summoned forth by a mage of great power. I have never heard though of a true souled being getting summoned though.” She slowly started to relax and started to stand up straight showing she was a head taller than the dimensional duo.
“Nope. We came here ourselves to collect magical gems.” He continued on as John lowered his rifle to finally relax. It was pretty clear now that she was not going to do anything to harm them. Plus, there was the question if she even could even with only mid-tier armor.
“Magical gems? Oh, you mean the catalyst crystals?” She asked before wiping some rat pulp off of the end of her staff to show it was embedded with a few green and black crystals. “Some say they are stone grown from veins of elemental magic. Others say they are remains from souls shedding their ties to the elements as they move on to whatever lies after.” She explained. “Why would you, beings from another world, need OUR crystals?”
Jack looked over to John. “Hey, you wanna cut in a bit? I hate that you are just standing there.” Jack called out.
John simply shook his head a little before speaking up, “Nah, we both know you want to talk to her more and why.” The large man then chuckled as Jack calmly flipped him off.
“Well. Our dimension has no crystals, but we found they are full of energy to power things.” Jack explained as he returned his focus to her. “In fact, they are the best power source we have ever found. So to collect them teams, just like me and John here, are sent out to collect them and send them back.”
“A world without crystals… must not have magic either.” She mused as she continued to take notes. “Fascinating. It would explain why I detected no spell signatures from your armor or weapons. Only magical traces.” Her quill was a blur as she wrote faster and faster. Pages crackling as she flipped between them.
“We use ours to power spells and a few enchantments, but the magic in the air is usually so potent they are often not even needed.” She explained before looking up at them. “Dungeons are usually the best place to find them due to the magical concentration being very high within them.” She lowered her book to look between the two men. Her eyes remaining on Jack far longer than John however.
“So, why are you down here?” John asked as he looked at the remains of the rats and snake. “If you don’t need crystals what made you come down here?”
She let out a long sigh as she rested one of her hands on her hip. “I guess it is only fair to tell you two. You saved my lives, said what you are after, and its not really that interesting to begin with. I came down to search for new things to study and learn from, to grow my levels, and to find items and gold to sell to fund my travels.” She then rubbed her chin with her long fingers before walking close to Jack. Her hips swaying side to side with each step.
“So. You two probably need a guide and someone who knows this world. I want to travel the world learning more too AND I could use some protection. How about we-“ she pointed to Jack, then herself, then John. “-form a party?”
John simply let out a sigh. “Seems like a good idea to me. Besides I know Jack won’t turn it down.”
Jack had just been nodding as he watched her… everything. He knew she probably didn’t mean it but her swamp-witch outfit did not leave much to the imagination. Particularly her chest. Why did a frog have a chest like that he did not know nor care to argue against it.
“Wonderful! I do have one request if one of you don’t mind. I know you said you were human, but I just want to s-“ her words were cut off by the hiss of Jack’s helmet’s seals before he slipped it off. The dim lights highlighting his sharp face, his wild wide smile of perfect white, slender and piercing blue eyes, and full head of golden hair. His smooth chuckle echoed through the cavern as he saw her large eyes grow a bit wider.
“Much better than the few pictures I have seen.” She mused to herself as her quill went wild on her page. She needed to record as much as possible! Not only was it one of the very few times a human had actually been spotted outside of their enclaves, but they were also from another world!
“By the way. I am Jack and that wall of fuck-you is John.” Jack explained pointing to himself first followed by motioning to his companion. “I just realized we never bothered to swap names!” He admitted with a laugh causing the poor frog to tense up and let out a long sigh.
“Ah, I completely forgot!” She squeaked out with her face turning a bit darker as blood rushed to it. “I am Nelva. I apologize again. I was a bit too caught up in, well-“ She motioned to them both as she recovered from her embarrassment. “-all of this. I did leave my home to learn new things, and this is very much new.”
Jack let out a laugh and nodded a bit. “Fair enough! Well, I am sure we can show you lots of new things and learn together!” He then patted her shoulder a bit. “We don’t have any reason to keep our stuff a secret. I doubt anyone in this world has the precision machinery to replicate it even with magic anyway. Besides, will be nice to have someone local along.” John simply shook his head and started to walk down the hall.
“Alright you two. Lets get moving. We need to at least find a few gems before we head topside.” John grunted out as he started to check around the next corner. “Jack, ears.” He quickly added as he focused on the monsters that were just down the hall.
Jack nodded and reached into his pack pulling out two bright orange balls of clay-esque foam. “Here. Put these either over or in your ears. Its to keep them from getting hurt by the loud noises our guns make.” He tapped the sides of his head before he slipped his helmet back on to protect his own ears.
She nodded and stuck them over where her ears were in her head. She had already “experienced” the loud noise of the guns going off without them being protected and decided a little bit of protection was a very good idea. The idea was nothing new really. A few high end fire spells were known to make blasts big enough that it would cause ear damage as well.
Once the ear protection was on he nodded and got behind John’s back. Nelva thought about joning the attack, but realized it was probably a bad idea since she still needed to learn just how they fought. Plus, she really wanted to watch and learn more about them. A few taps from Jack on John’s shoulder to signal he was ready and the “show” began.
They whirled around the corner and got into pre-planned positions. Jack slightly in front and to the left of John towards the corner to leave John’s field of fire unobstructed with Jack a bit closer to better use his gun of choice.
Their teamwork against the rats was on point. John’s gun thudding loudly and slowly as he took his time to use the higher caliber to rip apart anything that was larger or seemed to have the most armor. Jack’s shotgun booming and clacking as shell after shell flung double-ought death to whatever was fastest or was getting closest to give John the breathing room he needed to make his shots count.
The cave echoed with the roar of the slaughter. The booms of rounds followed by the wet crunch and other rather disgusting noises of the rounds ending the short lives all over the cave walls, and floor, and sometimes the ceiling if it hit one just right. Still, none was managing to get close and soon the system would only display “killed” over the corpses rather than bother trying to calculate just how much overkill had happened.
It didn’t take long at all before the last of the monsters fell amidst the gore. The two men looked around to make sure none were following the horde before motioning Nelva to come. “Alright, all clear!” Jack said with a chuckle as they topped off their respective guns. Jack sliding more shells into his shotgun while John attached his rifle to his pack to put more rounds into his magazines.
As she walked up her eyes wandered over the remains of the monsters and had to pause to keep her lunch down. She had seen monsters ripped apart my spells before, but this was something else! She couldn’t help but think how lucky she was being used to foul odors from the swamp as the stench of the bodies hit her. She knew right away that those “guns” were not something to take lightly, and how lucky she was that they were on her side.
As they walked over the bodies they paused only to pick up the more obvious crystals. Nobody wanted to dig through the bloody mess even with sealed armor on. Besides, from what Nelva had said they would find more, and better, crystals further in. Nelva did consider taking notes on the damage the guns did, but decided to wait for less graphic subjects.
“So, what ya think?” Jack asked Nelva as John walked a bit behind them. Both to keep an eye on their new companion just in case and also to avoid being near the obviously flirty Jack.
“I think the weapons are very… efficient.” She calmly replied eyeing his gun knowing full well that his weapon had created some of the more “graphic” displays. While she was very curious as to how the guns worked she decided that it was probably a good idea to focus on the humans first. While it was rather strange to her that one was avoiding them both she didn’t mind too much as Jack was all too happy to answer her questions.
As the two talked the trio soon found themselves in a small room with a beautiful red glow. The source? A massive red crystal that glowed with a faint magical fire within it. The two humans stopped and stared at it before looking at each other.
“Jackpot?” Jack asked John who had paid a bit more attention in gem appraisal.
“Jackpot.” John said with a nod.
They then looked at the massive crystal knowing that this hunk would power a block with ease. Plus it would be enough that it would keep their ship fully powered for quite some time even after they sent back a very generous cut back home.
This dimension just kept getting better and better.
FIRST//PREVIOUS//NEXT

This is a part 2, you can find part 1 here: [F4M] You apparently have some history with the vampire you're hunting [vampire x vampire hunter] [enemies to lovers] [violence] [part 1] :
Edit: I also put the script in scriptbin for ease of recording (I heard some VA's prefer reading it from there): Virtual-Grade592: [F4M] vampire and her lost husband [enemies to lovers] [vampire x vampire hunter] [hypnosis] [TW: mention of death and death penalty] - scriptbin
I'm open to any criticism and anyone is free to make an audio of this script. Now onto the story itself:
[sound of ropes getting tied]
Sorry for the restraints my love, but it’s necessary to stop you from fighting me.
Now let me bandage up the wound on your hand.
[pause]
There, all taken care off. Now how is the rest of you? Oh my you’re shaking so much. Sweetie what is wrong?
[pause]
You’re sweating so much. Sweetheart are you scared of me? I know we fought moments ago but I swear I will not harm you. I just want to know what happened to you.
[pause]
You cannot trust a monster? Since when am I a monster?
[pause]
Well you didn’t hate my bloodsucking nature during our wedding. What has changed?
[pause]
Huh? We were never married? I certainly remember an ‘I do’ passing from your lips.
[pause]
You do not remember me? Like at all? How is that possible? We have been together for years
[pause]
No I am not lying. What would even be the point of deceiving you? Shouldn’t I have killed you by now if we had no relationship?
[pause]
Yes good point, I do have evidence of our marriage. Hang on let me get it.
[sound of feet going up a staircase and going back down a bit later]
Here our wedding pictures and more importantly our marriage contract with your signature.
[pause]
Of course they are real.
[pause]
Why are you getting angry?
[pause]
You think I hypnotized you and made you marry me. Sweetie please believe me I’d never do that. Why do you even think that?
[pause]
You have gaps in your memory? Oh no, honey I think someone has messed with your brain. Let me check. Just look into my eyes.
[pause]
Closing your eyes doesn’t help you because I am not trying to harm you. Genuinely the best thing for you now would be to let me put you into a trance. Otherwise I cannot undo what happened to you.
[pause]
Of course you still think this is my doing. Someone must have brainwashed you to hate me and want to kill me. I lost you once before and that will not happen a second time.
[pause]
Oh right, you don’t remember the kidnapping either. Let me explain. We were married and living right here, in this house. I had to leave for a couple of days to attend a meeting with the vampire council. You stayed at home because you had to do several interviews in town. When I got home, the whole place was wrecked and you were nowhere to be seen.
[the vampire cries for a moment and then wipes her tears away]
I am so sorry sweetie. I’m sorry I could not protect you and I’m sorry I could not find you. None of this would have happened if you hadn’t met me. It’s been more than a year and I can only imagine how your mind has been twisted, but please let me make it right. That is the least I could do for you. So honey open those beautiful eyes and look at me.
[pause]
You don’t trust me?
I understand. After all to you I am just some vampire that wants to charm you. Anything I say could be a lie to lower your guard. If I were in your shoos I wouldn’t trust me either. But I am telling the truth and the only way to convince you seems to be with force. So sorry honey but I have to do this. Sit still I will pry open your eyes.
[pause]
There we go. Right into my eyes. Yes, just look at them and let me do all the work. The only thing you have to do is listen and
[choking sound comes from the listener]
[panicked voice of the vampire] What’s happening?! Honey! Breathe, keep on breathing! Keep eye contact, I see something in your mind!
[the vampire tries to keep her voice calm] It’s a command. Ignore that command, it’s choking you. Let me override that command. Breathe sweetie breathe. Breathe for me. Don’t black out, breathe for me. No no no no, breathe, I command you to breathe! You have to breathe you have to!!
That’s it, good. You’re doing it. In and out, in and out. You’re doing fine, just keep looking in my eyes and breathe.
You can feel it now can’t you? The unknown conditioning? The brainwashing some stranger did to you? It’s a heavy fog in your mind. Giving you fake memories. Making you believe that you are a vampire hunter. But it’s not real. It’s weighing your mind down.
Let me get rid of it for you. Let my words blow the fog away. Let my eyes shine a light to the truth. The truth that you are safe. The truth that you are loved. The truth you’ll be okay. The truth that I am here for you. Let this truth replace the fog. Let this truth fill the gap in your mind. Good that’s good. You are entire enveloped by my voice, entirely absorbed by my gaze.
Now let me guide you to the source of the problem, to the birthplace of the fog. Can you see it in the distance? The person who corrupted you? Who caused this fog? You can get closer. You can look at their face. What do you see?
[pause]
You can’t tell? It’s fading away? Don’t strain yourself sweetheart, let it be. You have done more than enough. Slowly wake up on the count of 5. 1 you keep breathing in and out. 2 you leave the fog behind. 3 you become more aware of the world around you. 4 the glow in my eyes is fading. And 5 wide awake.
Welcome back, how are you feeling?
[pause]
Confusion and disorientation are very normal after hypnosis. Sit back and relax, it shall wear off in a while. In the meantime I can undo your restraints. After all, your hostility has stopped and with that hand you couldn’t use a weapon anyway.
[pause]
There we go, free again. Now if your head has stopped spinning, we can discuss what you saw. What did their face look like?
[pause]
It was entirely unrecognisable? As if a large shadow concealed it? Perhaps next time we’ll find them. For now you have done more than enough.
[pause]
Yes we do need to do this again. I think there are still hidden commands left in your mind. That choking was one example of such a command. It was meant to force you to stop breathing if another person hypnotized you, probably to keep the identity of the original hypnotist secret. Luckily we could break it before … ehm let’s not think about that.
Did you experience anything else during the trance?
[pause]
That’s great honey. I knew you could forget the fake memories. Did you also start remembering things?
[pause]
No? It’s all blank? You really have no memory of me?
[pause]
Maybe in time they’ll come back. Until then I shall be your guide to the past. So do you have any burning questions?
[pause]
My name? Oh right, from your perspective we have never met. I am Isabelle nice to meet you.
[pause]
Well you have a lovely name too. I bet the rest of you is equally lovely. Why don’t you come closer so I can truly admire your loveliness.
[pause]
Still a bit apprehensive I see. No worries darling I’ll stop being flirty.
[loud yawn from the listener]
Let’s get out of here and get you to a bed.
[pause]
No we can’t sleep here. Whoever made you a vampire hunter might come here to check who won the fight. You are in no condition to fight and I’m not sure I could keep you safe. So we are going to a safehouse an hour away from here. Now darling follow me to my car, the sooner we leave the sooner you get in bed.

"Nyeh...Kokichi! Where are you?" Himiko called out as she entered the living room. She and Kokichi had planned to watch "The Mask" together, but Kokichi was nowhere in sight. "Kokichi?" Himiko called again, craning her neck. She looked to her right in the direction of the dining room, but he wasn't there, either. Suddenly, she felt her vision grow black as a pair of hands cover her eyes. She uttered a small gasp of surprise before smiling. She knew there was only one person who enjoyed sneaking up on and surprising her like that.
​
"You called?" Kokichi said.
​
"Yes, I did," Himiko replied, folding her hands in front of her. Kokichi gently grabbed one of her hands and twirled her around before wrapping his other hand around her waist and dipping her. Himiko let out a small shriek of surprise.
​
"Didn't know I could do that, did you?" Kokichi murmured with a flirty smirk. Himiko blushed.
​
"Nyeh...why are you in a romantic mood all of a sudden?" she asked. Kokichi sighed deeply.
​
"I love you," he said in a deep, goofy voice before proceeding to give her little kisses all over her face, making Himiko giggle. "Ah, you set my soul on fire. It is not just a spark, but a flame. A big, roaring flame. I can feel it now. Burning...burning! " Himiko laughed harder and nudged him playfully.
​
"You watch way too much Tom and Jerry," she said.
​
"Hmhmhm...you do too if you knew where I got that from," Kokichi pointed out with a wink. They both chuckled and shared a kiss. Kokichi lifted her back up. "Ready for the movie, Himi?"
​
"Nyeh...I was ready before you were," Himiko replied.
​
"I wAs ReAdY bEfOrE yOu wEre," Kokichi mimicked playfully.
​
"MeH mEh MeH tHeH ThEh tHeH mEh Meh," Himiko said, sticking her tongue out at Kokichi. Kokichi laughed and kissed her cheek before popping the movie in and sitting down to watch it. It wasn't long before they got to the part where Jim Carrey's character first met Cameron Diaz's.
​
"She kinda reminds me of you," Kokichi said. Himiko's eyes and mouth widened as she stared at Kokichi in disbelief. Kokichi gave her a strange smile. "What?"
​
"She reminds you of me?! " Himiko asked incredulously.
​
"Well...yeah, but only in this movie," Kokichi replied with a shrug.
​
"D-Do you know who she is?!" Himiko exclaimed. "That's Cameron Diesel!" Kokichi chuckled and shook his head.
​
"It's Cameron Diaz, you goober," he corrected. "And, why? Is it bad that she reminds me of you?"
​
"Well...no, but, why does she remind you of me?!" Himiko asked. "She's what guys would call 'a babe.'"
​
"Well...I guess because Jim Carrey reminds me of myself in a way, and he ends up with Cameron at the end of this movie," Kokichi simply replied. "I guess that's why."
​
"But saying Cameron Diaz reminds you of me is like...like...saying Jessica Rabbit reminds you of me!" Himiko said. Kokichi smiled and bit his lip, turning his head away from Himiko. Himiko stared at him in disbelief as a smile grew on her face, as well.
​
"Kokichi..." she began. Kokichi turned back to her as a small blush formed on his cheeks. Himiko uttered a delighted gasp. "No way! Kokichi...!"
​
"What?!" Kokichi asked, smiling.
​
"Does Jessica Rabbit...remind you of...me, too?!" Himiko asked in hushed, squeaky excitement.
​
"Well, so what if she does?" Kokichi answered with a shrug. "She's got red hair, and, well...red is her signature color...just like yours, I guess! Jeez, is that a problem?" Himiko squealed with delight.
​
"Nyeeeeh...! Does this mean you see me as voluptuous, Kokichi?" Himiko asked, batting her eyelashes in a coy manner as she leaned closer to Kokichi. Kokichi's blush deepened.
​
"Well, I mean...not exactly that," he mumbled, scratching his head.
​
"Is there anyone else who reminds you of me, Kokichi?" Himiko asked, folding her hands and placing them under her cheek. She tilted her head expectantly, giving Kokichi a cute, shy smile. Kokichi groaned, his face remained red as he shut his eyes.
​
"Beddy Bup," he muttered incoherently.
​
"What did you say?!" Himiko asked, grabbing his arm with excitement. Kokichi cleared his throat.
​
"Betty...Boop..." he answered.
​
"Wheeeeee...hee-hee-heeee!!!" Himiko giggled with glee. "Nyeh...Betty Boop reminds you of me, too?!"
​
"Only because you both have a derpy voice," Kokichi replied, opening one eye to look at Himiko. Himiko placed her hands on her hips and began swaying her shoulders at Kokichi.
​
"And because I got a boop-a-doop-oop personality?" she said in a Betty Boop-ish voice as she continued to bat her eyes at Kokichi. Kokichi chuckled.
​
"Oh, God, Himiko..." he mumbled. "You're such a doofus."
​
"Is there aaanyone else?" Himiko asked, running her fingers up Kokichi's arm. Kokichi sighed.
​
"Yeah, yeah...one more," he replied.
​
"Weeellll...who is it?" Himiko asked, biting her lip with anticipation. Kokichi smiled and rolled his eyes.
​
"Morticia Addams," he answered.
​
"R-Really?!" Himiko exclaimed. "Not Wednesday, but Morticia, the mature and curvier one?!"
​
"Well...she's witchy and mysterious," Kokichi said. "But, not cold-blooded, like Wednesday."
​
"I'm mysterious?!" Himiko exclaimed.
​
"Well...when we first met, I didn't consider you mysterious," Kokichi admitted. "But you are now, in a way, since you have an actual magic other side of you, or whatever."
​
"So, all the times you've called me ugly, you really thought I was hot?! " Himiko asked with a large smile.
​
"Himiko, I never really thought you were ugly, but I didn't think you were hot, either," Kokichi replied. "At first...you were just...okay, but in a cute way. But then, we started hanging out, then going out, and you wanted to pull pranks with me, and then I found out you were a Guardian Mage, and I guess as time went by...you became hot. Don't make a big deal out of it."
​
"Oh, I am gonna make a big deal out of it!" Himiko said sassily, flipping her hair with her hand. "Nyeh...my man's gots the hots for me!" Kokichi smiled and rolled his eyes again.
​
"Dweeb," he muttered, shaking his head. "Can we go back to watching the movie, now?"
​
"Mm-mmm...I don't wanna watch the movie, anymore," Himiko murmured flirtatiously.
​
"Awww...but we didn't even get to the Cuban Pete paaaart," Kokichi pouted. Himiko scooted closer to Kokichi.
​
"Oh, don't worry," she said, slowly taking the remote from Kokichi's hand. "We won't need Cuban Pete." Kokichi grinned and raised his brow in amusement.
​
"What do you mean by that?" he asked flirtatiously. Keeping her eyes locked with his, Himiko pressed her forehead against Kokichi's and ran her fingers down his chest.
​
"Nyeh...I'll teach you to chick-chicky-boom, chick-chicky-boom, chick-chicky-boom," she murmured in a low, seductive voice, batting her eyelashes and swaying her shoulders.
​
"Sssssmokin!'" Kokichi murmured in response before giving Himiko a sultry kiss.

8. Ferryman:

I'm going to say this now. I don't hate Captain or Ferryman. And for him specifically, I thought Ferryman had a lot of potential to be interesting and compelling.
I thought Ferryman really got the shortest end of the shortest stick of all the characters in the story. The man is supposed to be Captain's antagonist, but he's barely even around for us to really know him. When we saw Ferryman again and he's acting cartoonishly evil, the first thing in my mind was how he is acting drastically different to the Ferryman we knew. But then I started thinking, we never really knew the Ferryman at all. So now I'm thinking one of three things happened:

• a.) Ferryman always was meant to be a bastard and Mihoyo realized they were incredibly behind the 8-ball with this depiction of his character, and so they decided to fast-track his exploration for the end of the story and explore the other stuff in the epilogue and just go all-in with the villainy on his return
• b.) they were behind on building Ferryman's character as an antagonist and so they tacked the villainous stuff onto him after the fact as an "easy fix" so that the heroes have a reason and stake in beating him.
• Or c.) they straight-up overhauled and rewrote his character.

I don't know which of the three it could be, because I could see an argument for all of them. When I looked at all of Ferryman's scenes pre-hiatus and compared them to post-hiatus, it almost sometimes feels like Mihoyo didn't know what they wanted to get out of him and just went with all their best ideas at once as they were trying to figure him out. And all those ideas fought each other.
Here's what I mean:
We first get introduced to Ferryman in Sanka Saga. And it's the only other event where he is prominently featured. In this event, he's basically helping and guiding Kasumi with a mission that pretty much ends very pyrrhically with Kasumi absolutely spent by the end of it. But in the last scene of the event, Ferryman offers Kasumi a spot on his ship with his "ragtag crew of misfits and rebels" as he aims to seemingly bring people together. We don't know what his real goal was yet, but it seemed that's what he was going for. With this event, we can get a decent idea of Ferryman's character.
He seemed like someone whose heart was in the right place, but was clearly tired of it all and jaded, but still trekking through with his personal mission, whatever that mission may be. But he also seemed very distant and closed off emotionally and cold in the sense that he never really seemed to be that close with his crewmates, despite still viewing them as crewmates, at this point in his life. In short, he's Captain, but edgy and with an attitude. Good guy with good heart, like Captain. But just tired and emotionally reserved, which gives him his cold and jaded demeanor. And we can guess that he is still mostly good at this point, not just because of him helping Kasumi, but also the fact he said that he runs a boat of misfits and rebels, which implies that he still has his crewmembers at this point before everything that allegedly went down with them that was introduced in the epilogue of the final event.
Unfortunately, this was the only real good look at Ferryman's character we could get as he would never show up prominently again in the Captainverse until the very end.
But he does show up vocally in other events. And what we see and hear from him doesn't seem very off from our first impression of him. In Honkai Quest, Ferryman, albeit reluctantly, lets Delta bring the Olenyevas with her on her ship and keep them around, so long as she takes responsibility of them. He did see her actions as reckless and exceeding her authority and tried to get through to her by calling her by her real name. But he backs off and respects her boundaries when she snaps at him for calling her by her real name. And like I said, he allows Delta to keep them on, so long as she is responsible for them. This shows us another side to Ferryman's character. And it's that he is also a bit of a control-freak and authoritarian. Whatever it is he wants, he really doesn't want it to mess up and tried to warn Delta not to make it a habit of making potentially reckless executive decisions like that. He wants to make it clear he is the one running the ship and he calls the shots. What the scene shows is a more negative side to Ferryman's character and adds a bit of nuance to him. On one hand, he is a man who likes the idea of bringing people together, but is tired of it all, but still wants to carry on with his mission. But on the other hand, however he's going about this brings up the notion that we should start keeping an eye on this guy more because his goals and conviction are starting to bring out some negative tendencies.
There is also the exchange of, (Ferryman:) "People change." (Delta:) "But you won't.". This exchange happens when Ferryman asks Delta of her opinions on the report and Delta is shocked because she didn't expect him to want to know what she thought and wrote him off as someone who only cared about the goal and not the method. But what does the exchange tell us? What does she mean by "But you won't." It's so incredibly vague due to that we know so little about Ferryman's character and have seen so little from him. We don't know a whole lot of anything about this guy and what we already know doesn't seem to line up with what we're being suggested here. So we can only go off of the context surrounding the exchange in the conversation itself, which I dug into in the previous paragraph. But even then, that doesn't seem to fully line up with what Delta is implying based on what we've seen pre-hiatus. It suggests that Ferryman, along with his negatives of being an authoritarian control-freak, he also sees his crewmates as tools and underlings and is using them as a means to an end. And he doesn't care about them or what they think or how they feel and that Delta is aware of this. But we don't have much to back that in pre-hiatus. So we're simply just being told this, with not much to concretely back it.
Everything we have at that point just seems like edgy, tired, old man Captain driven by his mission than someone manipulating his tools/crew that I should be turning my nose up at and be on my guard with. And that's even with the negative traits that are presented in his character in that event. Even in the conversation that shows he's becoming an authoritarian. He knows that he is. And recognizes that when he backs off a bit in his talk with Delta. Had this been our first conversation with Ferryman, I'd be saying different. But this isn't. We've already met him and got an idea of him in Sanka Saga, one of his most prominent events. And now, in an event where he doesn't show up until the last five minutes via a phone call, we're being suggested with another idea of him in the middle of that conversation. And I can't see myself fully buying it. I can see how the Ferryman we first met could be the authoritarian control-freak that is being implied in Honkai Quest. But on the other hand, with the way it's been presented and his seemingly self-awareness, we just didn't have enough content or context to naturally bring us to the conclusion that he's as bad as the manipulator that disregards his crew as tools that Delta is making him seem. Especially since Delta is presented as an always easily irritated, ill-tempered, snarky, crass, unruly, "Go away!"-energy hot-head anyway and since that Ferryman's extremely limited second "appearance" in the story doesn't leave as much of an impression as his first. It felt like Mihoyo was still trying to figure out his character and still didn't have a final draft of him by this point in the story.
Again, I can see the connections and where and how they could fit in had it been more fleshed out. But what's being shown/presented and what's being written/intended aren't always going to fit in or line up, depending on how you execute it. In other words, it doesn't matter what you're telling with your writing, if you don't show it in your writing. Just look at James Ironwood from RWBY and what that led to. Only in this case, Ferryman's handling in the writing seems more like a lack of a solid vision and occasionally clashing ideas for a seemingly unfinished product vs stubbornness and borderline self-sabotaging writing in the case of Ironwood.
And even in Arc: Light Bound, Ferryman seems to carry a good amount of self-awareness regarding his negatives when he tells Kasumi that she is there to prevent him from making big mistakes. This showed he even also seemed to care for his allies, even if he liked to keep them at a distance physically and emotionally and was a bit of a tired authoritarian with them. But he basically told Kasumi to act as a deterrent/neutralizer should he do anything he might regret. So he knows that he is in a dangerous place and has enough wherewithal to have his crew on stand-by just in case. And that's it from him for a while.
Overall, the Ferryman we get in these events is a very troubled man, who wants to do the right thing, but is getting desperate with the how and is probably going to do something drastic. And he's self-aware as he has his team to stop him from going overboard. He may not be all there. But we see a lot of potential for nuance in his character, especially with his words to Kasumi in Arc: Light Bound. He is nothing like the "wicked fox" (direct quote) we got that showed up in the final event.
And then, the story returned from hiatus.
In the second to last event, Delta says how Captain and Ferryman are complete opposites after Captain gives one of his signature speeches. Captain basically calls himself an idealist and Delta says that they're opposites. Basically meaning that Ferryman is probably a cynic. The weird part is, we never really see much of Ferryman as an antagonist (even though narratively he should be), let alone enough to know his character as a cynic. Again, Captain, but edgy. And from previous events, he never really struck me as cynical. He was definitely coming off as snarky, jaded, calculated and cold, and emotionally distant. But never really cynical. He basically felt like he wanted the same thing Captain wants, a happy ending for people. But Ferryman is just not as nice or polite about it and likely had a dangerous mentality going about it. And when he returns, his depiction is almost like Mihoyo wanted to make Ferryman more into a character that Captain had a reason to beat (even though the ideas they had for him early on seemed fine respectively). And I say that because we see Ferryman do and say things in previous events pre-hiatus that don't really seem like the treacherous cynic he is in the end of the story.
Again, it really does feel like Mihoyo didn't have much of a finalized idea or at least a direction with what they wanted from Ferryman and just continued throwing things at the wall until something stuck. And this was the idea they landed on. And that might explain why Ferryman didn't get so much attention pre-hiatus; why he felt really barebones and didn't really get explored too much as it was only really toward the end of it and the epilogue that we actually got to know something. We knew who Captain was, what he fought for, what he's looking for (sort of), what he believes in, etc. But for Ferryman, before the epilogue and finale, we had nothing and could only make reasonable assumptions at the end of Sanka Saga and his cameos in Delta and Bronie's events, way, way before the final arc. Because they were still figuring him out. And it also explains why we were being shown and told different ideas of Ferryman as a person, some of which complimented each other while others clashed. Because each one felt like a different revision of him.
The well-meaning, jaded and mysterious, and mostly blank Ferryman in Sanka Saga. Honkai Quest gave and showed us the emerging authoritarian control-freak with a hint of desperation and also suggested the alleged manipulator that disregards his crew as tools with no care for what they think. And Arc: Light Bound gave us back the well-meaning Ferryman and kept and highlighted the growing desperation and self-awareness that we first were alluded to in Honkai Quest, which also, in turn, implies the authoritarian and control-freak aspects were still there, too, to a degree. And the alleged manipulator that saw his team as tools seemed to be mostly gone and downsized. It seemed like Mihoyo was slowly but surely getting a clearer idea of Ferryman as we go on.
And then After the Blood Moon Fades gave us the wicked, cynical fox...
Going to say this now. I can see how and why the Ferryman we first met could become the bastard we met in the final event. But because of how little we got of him, the way it's being presented and executed makes it really hard for me to justify, or even believe.
Because when Ferryman makes his grand return, he is a straight mad villain. He doesn't even feel like the same character. Ferryman gets a very sizeable handful of minutes of screentime toward the end of the final event. And what does Mihoyo have him do?

• Aids in a plan that involves wiping out all Theresa's to get an ether anchor in order to achieve his goal
• Gave him an evil laugh
• A slow clap complete with a condescending remark to Captain's basic "I'm a good guy" speech
• Basically briefly made him into a pg-13 Jigsaw with the whole drugging Delta and Kasumi bit
• Speaking of which, poisoning Kasumi and Delta because...
• Have him openly be flattered when Sirin just straight up calls him a wicked fox

And that's off the top of my head.
And he does all this in just a few minutes of total screentime upon returning since his last appearance in the whole story. The guy even talks like a manic, raving, mustache twirling, Saturday morning villain. Ferryman was never this much of a bastard in the start, let alone in his previous event. But when he comes back, he's full-on heel. Which is weird because in earlier events, he was nowhere near this level of villainy. He had nuance or at the very least a lot of potential from it. There was little to no escalation or development shown between the troubled growing authoritarian to the bastard Ferryman. And just like that, all that nuance and benefit of the doubt Ferryman had as an antagonist was thrown out the window. It felt like Mihoyo just stopped trying with him. Like they just threw their hands in the air, turned on RWBY V8, and said, "Hey, let's do that with Ferryman!"
Either I was being too generous earlier and Mihoyo really had no idea what to do with Ferryman's character at all and decided to rewrite him to be more villainous so Captain has a reason to fight him. Or they intended on showing him to be more villainous over time with more events, but they were so low and behind on time that they just jumped right into it and showed it to us all at once with no real build-up or development in-between. Again, I don't know. But regardless, whatever it was they were trying to do, it did not work, in my opinion.
Captain even says that Ferryman is famous for pulling stunts like this during the Kasumi/Delta poison scene as if he knows him. I'll cover this later, but first of all, I must have missed something because last I checked, Captain has never met Ferryman prior to this point, which is a whole other problem. And second, Ferryman is not famous for pulling stunts like this. Because this is the first time he's done something like this, let alone done anything. Ferryman has not once acted like this or even remotely close in his past depictions.
Not once have we seen these tendencies, at the very least to this degree, from Ferryman during his short stint in the story. Maybe, maybe it can be argued that we saw this back in Sanka Saga, the only event where Ferryman actually physically appears and plays an actual, prominent role. Or even Arc: Light Bound since he influenced the events of that story. But it's still flimsy, if you ask me, to connect that to what he does in the last event considering we see no progress or development or escalation of him reaching that point. The sad thing is, I think Ferryman is a very good parallel and foil to the Captain and could have made for a really good dynamic and clash between the two characters and their philosophies. But in the end, I thought Mihoyo seriously botched it by pretty much watering down both characters (I'll get to Captain in a bit). And that says a lot considering Captain (and technically Ferryman) were/are self-inserts that actually managed to step into their own a bit as characters. I believe they squandered Ferryman.
The one constant that is consistent with Ferryman is that he is a broken, desperate man that is a result of a loss of faith and hope, and how that loss of faith and hope didn't just affect him but hurt the people around him as well.
If only they executed it cohesively...

9. Captain:

This one might be the most contested. Captain has always been a pretty polarizing character around here for multiple reasons. Now I'm not going go into those reasons. We all know what they are. And I'm not going to sit here and pretend Captain was such a deep and nuanced character as compelling as Kiana. But I personally had no problems with the Captain's existence, even if he was a textbook self-insert, because I thought it was mostly harmless with his story being self-contained anyway. And I was always one of his defenders. But this one time, I can't defend him. I liked him pre-hiatus. I thought he was fine. But post, I thought he was really boring. Yeah, I know. Gimme a break!
I really liked how Captain basically came into his own as a character. I know he's a self-insert, but I still think he came into his own with Day You Vanished With the Stars. But there are some things I wanted to get off my chest.
When Captain's story first started, he was basically just a dorky, goofy-goober character that got into his own misadventures and formed bonds and connections because of how simple and good-natured he was. I didn't mind it too much and it wasn't really much of an offense. But then, the story started to take itself more seriously. And because of that, Captain had to be taken more seriously. And one of the most prominent events to mark this seriousness was Day You Vanished with the Stars. One of the best events Mihoyo has ever written (and it never won best event of the year either time it was nominated. I'm not bitter...).
This is the event where I think Captain came into his own more as a character. Long story short, Captain basically has the ultimate test of fortitude and ideals as he tries and tries again to save his friend Kongming from dying. But each time he is powerless and on the verge of breaking as he needs to get smarter and not brute-force the situation. And the only way he succeeds is by having to remove Kongming from her universe in a bittersweet ending as the only way for Kongming to live means she can never return home. Captain does get a bit wiser after this and arguably stronger as a person due to how he got put through the emotional wringer. And he basically gets a companion in Kongming, who I thought he had a fun dynamic with that they never really did much more with later on. You could argue the last event did, but it was more of a lite rehash of DYVWTS if you ask me.
Then in Rosemary's Floriograph, we learn a bit more about Captain's consciousness mapping and how he's starting to get a bit carried away with it and he was getting trapped in his dreams, also sort of never really got that expanded upon. I mean it did get expanded on in the lore with how Captain was a result of Ferryman's constant mapping and how the mapping did play a role in how Ferryman became how he did. But I mean the specific parts about Captain mapping and getting trapped and forgetting himself. Nothing really came of that, from what I recall. Anyway, there was also some intrigue in the connection between FR and Captain as we now wonder what Rita is here for with the Captain and if Captain will remember her.
And then there was Estival Seaside Amusement Park where Captain is trapped in a dream and it ends with him failing to get Seele out as she willingly stayed behind. And Captain remembers his promise to Luna as the story begins to go full-circle and he begins to move toward finding her.
By the end of the first part, he was still had a bit of the goof and dork with a good heart in him. But he was also stronger as a person and wiser and had his more serious moments as he bonded with his valkyries. And he now had a real mission and goal finally.
But when Captain came back after the hiatus, he seemed different. And honestly, kinda boring. I mean he was never the most exciting character, but I thought he had some charm to him. Now this could be a case of him always being this way and I'm just now opening my eyes to it. But I'm not sure yet. It could also either be that Mihoyo made him even more basic and just slogged with him in the return, or maybe the fact he had so many more fleshed out characters to bounce off of that it made his flaws more obvious. But then again, I never really saw these problems as apparent in the earlier days of the Captainverse when he was interacting with multiple characters like in Odd Drifter or in the cooking events or the first Summer event or Sanguine Nights or Winter Rhapsody or Honkai Kingdoms, etc. So again, I'm not fully sure.
For example, where I felt the Captain shined most was with his interactions with other characters. His sort of little sister-big brother dynamic and banter with Kongming, his interactions with Rita carried an aura of mystery and coyness to them and sometimes flirty if we include their earlier days, his initial dynamic with Luna was pretty wholesome as he's basically trying to bring her happiness, his banter with Himeko as he shared drinks with her, and even his sort of chaperone dynamic with Seele I liked, as short-lived as it was. And there was the birthday events where he's hanging out with the Valkyries or the aforementioned Odd Drifter, Winter Rhapsody, and cooking events (at least the first one, which I consider a very soft Captainverse event because of the end), it felt like he had a different dynamic and bond with each one. Constantly getting dragged around and pestered by Kiana. Always being given a hard time by Bronya while also enjoying a good game or two with her. Getting taken care of and pampered by Mei. Terrorized by Theresa, his boss. Or getting his mental fortitude ground when working with Hua. As basic as he was, it made it easy for him to bounce off other characters and vice-versa because of how simple he was narratively. He was like a "one-size-fits-all" and could play any role depending on who he's with. His basicness made him almost fluid. And I thought it worked.
But when he came back in the last two events, it felt like every interaction he had with someone felt very same-y, for lack of a better word. What I mean is, pre-hiatus, he felt like the big brother of the group and had his own sort of sibling dynamic with most of them. Obviously not including Himeko or FR. But post-hiatus, he felt like an awkward out-of-touch dad trying to keep up with his adolescent kids. It was either him trying to be all insightful and reflective, or giving motivational speeches to his teammates about never giving up, and working together, and how there's always another way in the face of small odds, and how much of an idealist he is, and... yeah... It got old really fast for me.
At first, I thought, he basically lost his slightly quirky, animated doofus side and just became a generic heart of gold, idealist protagonist. He's like Elysia, but boring. I don't even like Elysia! But at least she could get a reaction out of me. At least I cared when she was on the screen (reasons aside). Captain now just feels unbearably naive, losing any bit of charm he had left, and constantly teeters between the character archetype of "oblivious bright-eyed boy scout" and "wise tv high-school janitor", depending on what the scene needs him to be. In my opinion, it's boring. I know he was a self-insert and didn't have much personality to his character back then, but at least he had some personality, as basic as it was. And he had different dynamics with people. Now, he's just the same character all the time with everyone. His dynamic with Kongming and Luna and FR might be the only ones that still felt consistent from how they were back then and still show us the dorky side of Captain. It's most of his interactions with everyone else that he doesn't really have a connection. And then, it clicked.
One of the things about the Captain was that he brought people together and could get along with everyone by establishing different bonds and dynamics with them because of how basic he was. But the fact that FR, Luna, and Kongming, the three characters the Captain of old still shines through with, make up the minority of characters he's interacted with, Mihoyo just simply did not have the ability with the time they had to really establish a bond with all the newer characters Captain was getting to know and would eventually quickly recruit. For example, Captain of old would be constantly lightly teasing, but also looking out for, Sirin as she's the kid in the group, and bantering and testing the waters with Delta and trying to find connections to establish a bond with her and coax her out of her shell just to name a couple. Or even putting up with Bronie's antics since she was the last to join before the hiatus, and it could have been reminiscent to his dynamic with Bronya, except Captain is the serious one this time trying to rein her in as she troubles him.
His best interactions were with the characters Mihoyo took the time to establish a dynamic bond with him across multiple events. Kongming had the Kingdoms events, Odd Drifter, and DYVWTS. Luna had Sanguine Nights and sort of had Odd Drifter. And FR had the birthday date, Sanguine Nights, and Rosemary's Floriograph, and a bit of Estival Seaside Amusement Park. And they were all events where he had one-on-one time with the aforementioned characters, whether it was multiple scenes across events or the whole event itself. And obviously they all have the last few events. But now, with these other characters that make a majority of the cast now, Mihoyo doesn't have the time to establish a bond. So, beyond the three I mentioned, he just interacts with everyone with borderline the same energy. He's still simple, but it feels... less good , for lack of a better word, in quality with these other characters. I'm not sure how to put it more succinctly.
But the point is, time. Mihoyo did not have the time to establish a believable bond. So they had Captain just carry what felt to me like a similar energy with them and it really exposed his weaknesses as a character. He's fine when he's with someone he's familiar with and has a fleshed-out relationship with. But when not, he somewhat flounders and acts with an almost default setting. Ironically, Sirin was the only one he had even a little time to establish any semblance of a bond with. But it's still very minimal.
And now, with the majority of characters, the Captain we have now just feels there when he's around them and doesn't really feel like there is any true bond with them. It feels like they [the post-hiatus crewmembers (minus Luna)] are there out of obligation. When a member joined the Captain, he had a bond with them and they had a genuine reason to join him. The only exception was Bronie since she was there more out of circumstance and was the last to join before the hiatus anyway. But after that, Captain literally scoops up six people and the only one that really has a good enough reason to be there due to their relationship with Captain was Luna, who he already had a bond with anyway. Everyone else, just felt like a given with little effort to at least make it impactful in some sense. That includes Kallen and Himeko, who he technically already met in Sanguine Nights, but these versions may as well have never met him.
Another thing. Captain's idealism. I get that Captain's character is basically an idealist all about hope and having faith. But my God! It felt like the victories post-hiatus felt less and less earned compared to before. There was only one real setback and then he was just back into it. In DYVWTS, for example, Captain basically trial-and-errored his way into a solution through failure after failure, but getting smarter and closer each time. And eventually, he found a third way to get it done. (Note: I'd bring up his role in Rosemary's Floriograph, but he was essentially playing another character entirely, so I wasn't sure if I could reliably count on including it. We don't know how much of him was Captain and how much of it was "Conan Doyle" at play there.)
But in the last two events--more the tail end of the last one, really--, it was basically really bad thing happens where both outcomes are bad, somehow finds a way through it, repeat. And it was usually either brute-forcing their way through it via sheer willpower, or dumb luck banking on very specific circumstances that would require some level of omnipotence to even have an idea of what the plan would be. Like when he brought back Luna or Kongming. Sometimes it didn't even feel believable that he's coming up with these ideas himself, and more like the writers just injecting them into his mind because there always has to be a way. Because he needs to be the idealist. There needs to always be a way... And sometimes he figures things out when we haven't been given too much of a reason to reach that conclusion yet.
For example, one of the narratives teased fairly early in the Captainverse was the Captain eventually remembering who FR is and why she's here (this point will return later). But randomly, in the last event, Captain brings up that he knew she was with him under someone's orders. But looking back, was there ever really anything to even suggest that or even give a reason to believe that in the story? Or at the very least, anything for Captain to suspect that? Because everything we knew, wasn't really a whole lot. And everything Captain knew was even less than us. Every hint that could lead Captain to believe, the Captain was not there for and shouldn't be aware of. And was never made aware of as far as we know. When she first arrives, all we know is that she is there and she has some kind of motive or intention surrounding the Captain considering her interaction with him and the fact she wanted a spot on the ship in exchange for saving him. The only things that could garner suspicion that the Captain is aware of are that she's always there to get him out when he's in a bind, which, in hindsight, is pretty suspicious and probably the only thing in the story shown that actually gives us a good reason to suspect her. And then there's her "Truth" line in the end of Estival Seaside Amusement Park and birthday letter, which, again, is too vague for Captain to reasonably draw anything from. And that's it. There is nothing that the Captain is present for that would justifiably lead him to that conclusion or suspect of something akin to that. This is what I mean when I say it feels like the writers are just injecting ideas into him with not much thought to put in how or why he's getting those ideas.
I know I defended the Captain a lot in the past, but it feels like Mihoyo just slogged with him to the end.
Anyway, I know I promised to also talk about the antagonist-protagonist relationship between Captain and Ferryman in this entry. But with amount of stuff I had to cover in that part alone, I decided to cut that out of this one and dedicate its own entry to it. I'll post that before the day is up since I did promise to get these posts done with in four days.

No horny. No polygamy. Only Firefly.

After Firefly stole the hearts of an entire community, I got curious and wondered if it was possible to do an entire run of Star Rail as a devoted boyfriend. So I started a new account and played through the main story with some self-imposed restrictions to really put the “role-play” in this “turn-based role-playing game”

Why a Monogamy Run?

Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away (…) - Deuteronomy 17:17

Harems are cringe incel fantasy, real gigachads invest and nurture one romantic interest in sickness and in health, when richer and when poorer, when down bad and when up great. Also, if we can get Firefly and Robin back (Luocha pls), I will ask Sunday to consecrate the marriage as a favor for saving his sister and he doesn’t seem like the type to approve of adultery.

The rules of the Monogamy Run

Silence wench! I do not wish to be horny anymore. Now I just want to be happy. - Sad Doge

Thou shalt not pull other female characters besides Firefly

Only a cheater spends money, Stellar Jades, and Calyx materials on women other than their girlfriend. Any female character who is old enough to be a potential love interest are prohibited from the account and should not be pulled from their limited banners. Exceptions are little sistedaughter type characters, because no one righteous before the law would think of them as a love interest. If Firefly becomes playable all available Jades should be spent to pull her and her signature Light Cone, with as many extra Eidolons as possible.

Thou shalt not ascend other female characters besides Firefly

Follow-up on point 1, Trailblazer will inevitably be joined by temptresses for free (e.g. March 7th, Natasha) or from standard banner pulls. To preserve the principle of the Monogamy Run, these characters must NOT be ascended, because my resources and funds are devoted to Firefly and all the oak cake rolls she wants. (Please ignore lv.8 March and lv.3 Asta in the second screenshot, they leveled up just by participating in tutorial battles.)

Thou shalt not date other female characters besides Firefly

Certain story quests are basically glorified dates. If they are optional, they should be left unfinished. If they are necessary for main quest or other side quest progression, only the most passive-aggressive dialogue options that rebuff dem hoes should be selected.
For example, Serval asked me to meet her at the Goethe Hotel to begin her character quest. Fair enough, it can still be platonic like with Natasha’s quest as long as I don’t choose flirty dialogue. However, she included the following message:

“It's a date then! Whoever stands the other up is a snow mouse

I am now a snow mouse.

Two special exceptions

In order for Firefly to truly become my girlfriend, I need to introduce her to my parents. Therefore, Trailblazer’s mom and step-mom, Kafka and Himeko, are exempt from the above rules, or else we won’t receive our wedding dowry or parental blessing. Also I don’t want to disappoint me mum.

How did the run go?

Right now might be the best time to try out the Monogamy Run because Dr. Ratio is available for free, and unless you pulled Gepard or Lynx using your free standard pulls his follow-up attacks are key to getting through the Trailblaze Missions without any women in your party.
My free 5 star was Clara, who totally wasn’t the reason why I put the little sister exemption in the rules of the run and gave me a pseudo-sustain (that is really just letting the child die first from enemy attacks). Besides her, I didn’t get any healer besides Natasha, since Gepard is mad I didn’t continue the Landau bloodline with his middle-aged onee-san and would not let his little sister join my party. (Just you wait, soon I’ll get around to doing Pure Fiction and getting my free Lynx). Thus, the whole run consisted of Destruction MC, Svarog, base Dan Heng, and Ratio DPS-ing their way through the Space Station and most of Belobog before Preservation MC descended like a guardian angel with Cocolia’s sword stuck through his chest and blessed me with near-constant shield generation, surprisingly decent sub-DPS, and true Taunt to replace Clara’s half-assed passive. Initially I thought Clara and Preservation MC would be redundant, but her Ultimate means any attacks taunted towards MC still launches counterattacks pretty frequently. Add to that the fact that Ratio’s follow-up can be triggered by Svarog’s counter, and there were some pretty silly boss fights.
Fire MC helped me bulldoze through Luofu and Penacony within a few days by face-tanking damn near everything, in fact most of that time was spent waiting for Luofu characters and Sparkle to stop faffing about with their endless exposition (or nonsense, in Sparkle’s case) and let me continue playing. Many boss fights end with one or two members of the party dying, but the MC is rarely one of them because both Preservation and Destruction MCs have self-heal mechanics. If Trailblazer dies it is quite unlikely the rest of the party would pull through and win, and therefore a good indication to do more grinding.
Because the strategy is to finish enemies as quickly as possible, Technique-restoring and ATK and HP/DEF-buffing consumables also became a standard part of my arsenal. Dan Heng’s technique just flat out boosts damage by 40% for 3 turns and I activate it before almost every battle. Ratio’s technique is pretty good for temporarily distracting enemies in the overworld so I can interact with key items or devices, which would normally be uninteractable if enemies spot you. This is pretty handy because you don’t get much EXP from fighting enemies anyway, so I was running past everyone like a Dark Souls boss runback. This whole workflow got me using a lot of consumables, which is why I now get excited whenever I come across vending machines and the chance to restock on supplies. I kinda wish we have an auto-create consumables function in addition to auto-use.
Regarding difficulty, the hardest content was Ruan Mei’s event because of the Tazzyronth clone boss and its True Stings, so I’m putting off Argenti’s quest until I get a healer that meets the Monogamy restrictions.

How was the date with Firefly?

She’s as beautiful as the day I lost her.

Would you do it again?

Maybe if they add a skip cutscene button which you can use from the start, instead of activating them only after watching the cutscene once.

I’ve been slowly but surely building my fragrance collection and I wanted to share and see what you guys’ opinions (good and bad!!) are on these scents!
(Not in any particular order)
Chloé Eau de Parfum- I recently got this one and oh my gosh I love it. It’s so long lasting and has such a delicate and elegant fragrance. This scent reminds me of date nights with the girls, black turtle necks, and champagne.
Versace Dylan Blue- This has been signature for ages now. It’s so clean and fresh and subtle yet noticeable. This one reminds me of showers, summers abroad and flowy dresses.
YSL Black Opium- Does this one even need an introduction? So sweet yet seductive, I love it. This one is definitely date nights, little black dresses, and a bold lip!
Carolina Herrera Very Good Girl-I also got this one recently. I think I prefer “Good Girl” but this one is still phenomenal! Bold and flirty, I would put it in the same category as Black Opium. Reminds me of club nights, mini dresses, and stilettos.
Glossier You- Another popular one! I’d been using You for years and loved the old formula though I can’t say I like the new one that much. I love the crisp muskiness of it. I would put it in a similar category as Dylan Blue in terms of it’s every-dayability. Reminds me of autumn, sweaters, and New York.
Let me know what you guys think of these!!