Middle of Spring for Some... · 6:19pm May 5th, 2023
... But it feels like the beginning of summer for me, and I don't like summer. Holy crap, do I miss winter.
Anyway, enough of my belly aching. Don't have too much of an update to really share. The only thing of note is that I've really been throwing myself into my gaming hobby lately. Beat a highly recommended JRPG among my circle of friends called "Tales of Xillia". Thought it was pretty good, but had some big beef with some of the characters ("Discount Dante" and "Mr. King of Overcompensation" being prime offenders. Not to mention "Bitch Fairy"), but it's not out of bad writing. I was actually surprised how solid the writing and story telling was. Dunno if I could actually call it super top tier, but it's certainly much better (and more believable) than most shonen schlock.
Ended up beating the game the night before, and was given the option of New Game+. Normally, I'm hesitant on playing a second round on a 40-50 hour JRPG, but I reminded myself I don't have to stay committed to it now that I have seen the just of the story, and was informed on a few things on why it would be a good idea to at least start it. The first is that while you are following a very set linear story, you actually get the option to start the game as one of two characters, and this choice effects story perspectives at key points. The game low-key recommends throughout the game it would be a good idea to actually do an NG+ with the other character just to experience what kind of shit went down when character 1 wasn't there.
There is also another interesting twist with NG+. Through the game, you earn titles, which at first aren't worth anything and award you "Grade Points", which seem useless at first (perhaps acting as a completion ranking. But, when the game ends and you gain access to NG+, you find out those points are there to trade in to add perks or hindrances to your next run (no matter which character you start as). Honestly, it was probably one of the more unique and interesting NG+ in any game I've ever played.
But that's enough of that, honestly. None of you likely care about my ramblings about gaming... so I'll move on to some actual updates. Mostly just one in the end. I've been slowly working on another side chapter to "Beautiful Stories for Ugly Children", this time starring Fluttershy. Considering how the "summer" has been and will continue to be a pain in my ass, I'll likely try to dive into the work of this chapter more since it very much has a winter feel to it. Take my mind off of melting in my seat. And maybe also take the time to explore the personalities and relationship of the meek little pegasus with a certain individual.
Oh, and I do have a few new story ideas for "Apparition Amphitheater", but those won't be talked about until later in the year. To those of you in the know, you know when. To those that aren't, you'll have to figure that out, lol.
Anyway, that's all there is to it on my end. Like I said, not much of an update, really. Hope you're having a good May, and that you're enjoying your Spring/Summer more than I am. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to have a sneezing fit for about ten minutes.
noice
sure hope it fleshes Bael out some more, the guy needs it
ironic for such a corpulent lad, but there you go
5726629
Here's hoping, lol.
Though, I'm going to be fair. Bael is a major part of the chapter, but he's not exactly an active character. This'll more be a Fluttershy story concerning Bael than anything.