Choices and More - The New Title of this Blog.

This is now a general topic blog that goes beyond Choices, since I have decided to branch out and will cover random topics of interest. I will still discuss Choices from time to time. I've long had a high school crush on Lisa from Vehicle Voltron, who is known as Haruka Kaga in Dairugger XV. Also, defeat does not exist in this dojo - mercy is for the weak.

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What’s gotten into the Choices fandom these days?

Honestly, I am disappointed in the fandom lately.  Yes, the Choices books they have been releasing lately are declining in quality, and i am equally frustrated by this.  Still, the disappointment from the latest Choices releases should not serve as a license to abuse and harass the creators, writers, and everyone working at Pixelberry.  No wonder I have decided to branch out myself and go beyond Choices as of late. 

I just got to flip the script and move on from the fandom.

[countessogilvy]

yo what the fuck is wrong with y’all???

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A long and overdue update.

Yes, it’s been a while. Haven’t updated my blog in a while, and looks like I’m due for an overhaul in the future. Sorry but I’ve been busy as of late.

Choices has been boring lately, so I decided to expand beyond Choices. In time I will have to make drastic changes.

The first two likes since my return are a hint of what my favorites will be.

I’ve long had an anime high school crush on Haruka Kaga from Dairugger XV, or better known as Lisa to Voltron fans.

Also, strike first, strike hard, no mercy, sir! Don’t forget a healthy dose of inner peace.

[erishuang]

@ choices fandom: can y’all not do this

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Criticize the finished product, NOT the people who made them.  It’s just like the expression “Don’t shoot the messenger.”

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It Lives Beneath To Get Steamy Next Chapter?

The next chapter of ILB teases that we (hopefully) will get a steamy scene.  Besides, we’ve already seen Tom shirtless, so those wishing to see Parker, Imogen, and Danni topless will get the chance. 

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It will be a  form of “redemption” for an Endless Summer and/or Hero character to make a cameo appearance in the regular art style, plus adapting the text box used for Perfect Match and Across The Void.

If Blaire Hall was “animated” from her regular art style in RoE to a more cartoonish style in ES, I don’t see why an ES and/or Hero character could not be drawn in the regular art style of most Choices books.  In addition, their text box should follow the style of PM/ATV.  Besides, these four books (ES, Hero, PM, ATV) are already classified as “Fantastic Adventures”, with PM being the newest addition to this classification.

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An android Match based on the likeness of Alex/Hero MC would be more complex for Eros

Following Alex/Hero MC’s journey into the Prism Dimension, he/she would find it difficult to return home.   Eros, the evil corporation which creates Matches, will take advantage of his/her absence by obtaining classified information about Alex/Hero MC through corporate espionage of Silas’s files, just like Rourke’s info on Taylor/ES MC.  Eros would release the Hero MC Match in order to create a rift among the superheroes Eva/Minuet, Kenji/Talos, and Caleb, as well as their assistants Poppy and Dax. 

It’s like Superman creating a robot version of himself to take over, or H.A.R.D.A.C. creating a duplicate of Batman.

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An ES/PM crossover where the LI meets an android version of the ES MC created by Eros Corp.

Would Sean, Jake, Quinn, or Estela be willing to meet an android duplicate of Taylor/ES MC?  Rourke’s classified information about Taylor/ES MC would be acquired by Eros Corporation and they would attempt to recreate the ES MC.  .

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An Assassin’s Latent Desire to Love  - Memoirs from Estela’s Personal Journal (cont.)

Book 3, Chapter 8

All of us have gathered on board the Dorado with a gargantuan task - to rid La Huerta of Cetus, who is holding the missing half of the Island’s Heart.  The Anachronists were likewise resolved to aid us, seeing that there is no other way to save the island.  We just have to keep pushing on forward.  

The Clockmaker suggested using a Faraday Cage to insulate the vessel from Cetus’s electric attacks, while the Dorado will fire all its available cannons and harpoons.  Aleister, Grace, and Zahra conferred with the Clockmaker on how to plan their strategy, while Quinn and Michelle went to gather supplies.  Some of us had to watch from the cliffs as lookouts.  Taylor accompanied Sean, Raj, and Michelle back to the cliffside, together with the rest of the Anachronists. The Clockmaker handed to us some brass communicators which we could use in order to direct our strategy.  Taylor then rejoined us on the Dorado, when Sean alerted us about Cetus, who was sighted on the portside.   Just as we thought that Cetus appeared on one side of the ship, we also learned that another head had appeared.  In fact, there were two other heads - one scarlet, the other green.  Cetus had evolved into a Hydra, just like the creature in mythology.  We were not prepared to handle a three-headed Cetus, yet we have no other choice.  Just as we netted the blue head with the Faraday net, the green and scarlet heads came over and chewed on it.  Zahra suggested we blind the blue head with flashbombs, while Malatesta would fake throwing the remaining half of the Island’s Heart, then blasting Cetus’s skull with harpoons and cannons.  Taylor went with Malatesta’s plan, as he lit the fuse and prepared to fire it at Cetus.  Meanwhile, Yvonne had been trying to distract Cetus, and she wanted Malatesta to fire at the beast,   Malatesta was reluctant to shoot, knowing he may hit Yvonne, but the latter had already made her choice to keep Cetus busy.  Taylor urged the captain to shoot, and Craig and I agreed, knowing that time is of the essence, while Diego protested.  Cetus’s blue head had been put out of commission, and Yvonne had successfully managed to claw her way back on board the Dorado.  Now we had to deal with two other heads.

Next on our sights was the green head. Knowing that the Dorado was already done for, the Clockmaker summoned an attack helicopter from the rifts of time. Jake, Mike, and the rest of us jumped from the ship to the chopper, with Taylor being the last to climb aboard.  The green head was attacking us with sheer ferocity such that we would have to make use of all available weapons on board the chopper.  Craig managed to save the laser cannon which he previously used at the MASADA Complex, as he fired several shots.  Talking to Taylor through the communicator, Michelle suggested that Craig should charge up the cannon to full power.  Craig was reluctant to do so, but eventually waited until the cannon was fully charged.  An intense laser beam emanated from the cannon, thereby destroying the green head, but the cannon itself was already short circuiting and starting to explode.  Craig had to let it go, thanking it for a job well done.  

The scarlet head was the only one left, as it tore apart the chopper’s tail using its maw.   Jake managed to land the helicopter within the cliffside, as Sean, Raj, and Michelle rendezvoused with us.  I managed to reunite with Taylor, as we now had one more task to accomplish.

Cetus had already lost its brothers, and had now become more ferocious than ever.  The Clockmaker’s stopwatch was nearly spent, and she reminded Taylor about the MASADA facility.  We still had a handful of resources left, but what have we to lose?  We could just go for broke.  Taylor opted that we’d rather destroy the sea serpent with what we already have, rather than spending what’s left of the Clockmaker’s already exhausted timepiece.   Using the leftovers from the Faraday net, we used it as a rope to keep Cetus under control as Quinn would attempt to recover the half from Cetus.  Kele made use of his cowboy techniques to reel in the serpent, while the rest of us rallied behind Quinn as she uses her innate powers to retrieve the Heart.  Just as she recovered the half, a bright light shone right in front of us.  There was not a sign of Cetus.  I held on to Quinn as tight as I can, as she had held on to the artifact.

The two halves of the Heart had fused together right in front of Quinn, and all of a sudden she was feeling possessed once again.  She was telling everyone to stay safe, just as Vaanu manifested in front of her and offered her Ember of Hope - a camera which she once used to take photos of her and her family. The spirit also guided Quinn to where we should return the Heart.

Having defeated Cetus, we bade farewells to the Clockmaker and the Anachronists as well as Yvonne and Malatesta.  One of the Anachronists opened a rift for us, leading to a chasm located near Mount Atropo.  We also settled in some cabins to rest.  While the rest of us were asleep, Taylor was awakened by something - a blue-green light had been shining brightly.

[choices-and-more]

UPDATED: Endless Summer Estela-centric book guide (Book 3)

I have consolidated both posts into a single one for Book 3, and have also updated it with new screenshots.

BOOK 3 - Act VII

Chapter 1 -

This is a timed choice.

Flee! (Jake +1)

Flinch! (Estela -1, Jake -1)

Fall! (Estela +1)

Premium Choice - Explore the second rift with Estela

I thought I'd lost you. (No effect)

Bet you thought you were rid of me. (No effect)

Get between her and the glass. (Estela +1)

Put your hands over her fists. (Estela +2)

Kiss her. (Estela +2)

Hug her. (Estela +1)

Retrieve Estela’s Ember of Hope (Salvaged Photo) and get +2.

Chapter 2 -

Even for the Catalysts? (No effect)

You won't want to miss our business. (No effect)

I just need to ask a question. (No effect)

A non-functioning portal gun. (No effect)

A priceless doubloon (No effect)

A sublime cigar! (Jake +1)

A deadly arrowhead! (Estela +1)

If you selected the Portal Gun

Plead with him. (Estela -1)

Intimidate him. (Jake -1)

The banana hat. (Estela -1, Jake -1)

The dried leeches. (Estela +1, Jake +1)

The seashells. (Estela -1, Jake -1)

There's nothing of value here! (Diego -1, Raj +1)

We can settle this reasonably! (Estela +1, Jake -1)

Surf with Jake (Speedy Maneuvering)

Surf with Estela (Stamina and Control)***

Surf with Varyyn (understand the area)

***N.B.  While you will gain a Romance Point with her, you will LOSE the race.  Thus, the better choice would be to win the race by “using the momentum,” “plotting a safe course,” and “grabbing the spider.”  Besides, the Premium Choice with her will make up for not getting Romance Points here.

Premium Choice - Spend the sunset with Estela

C'mon, that's cheesy.(No effect.)

I think I found your light too. (No effect.)

I remember. (Estela +1)

What changed? (Estela +1)

Smile reassuringly.

Lean in to kiss her. (Estela +1) (You gain +1 if you kiss her.)

Let's take it slow.

I want you too. (Estela +2)

As of the end of this chapter. you are 2.5 hearts filled up.  (Estela is now in love with you)

Chapter 3 -

Have you seen the others? (Estela -1, Diego +1)

How did you survive? (Raj -1)

Where did you get that outfit? (Jake -1, Michelle +1)

This is a timed choice.

Brace! (no effect)

Hook! (Diego +1)

Load! (Estela -1)

Payback time, Aleister! (Estela +1)

For Sean and Craig! (Michelle +1)

Arrrrrrr! (Diego +1)

Sean's right. Come with us. (Aleister +2, Sean +1, Michelle -1, Jake -1)

You'll only betray us again. (Estela +1, Jake +1, Aleister -1, Sean -1)

Chapter 4 -

We'll avenge her (Craig +1, Estela -1)

We have to focus. (Craig -1 Estela +1)

Chapter 5 -

(If you’ve already met the Endless)

It was too painful. (Quinn +1)

You didn't need to know. (Estela -1) (Zahra +1)

I get it. (Raj +1, Craig -1)

You must come! (Estela +1, Diego -1)

Chapter 6 -

Why are you still helping Rourke? (Quinn +1) (Estela -1, Aleister -1)

Give us the Heart and then we'll leave. (Zahra -1) (Sean +1)

Let's get the Island's Heart first. (Path A) (Jake +1, Sean +1) (Diego -1)

Let's rescue Varyyn and Grace first. (Path B) (Quinn +1, Estela +1, Diego +1)

Act VIII

Chapter 7 -

Purchase the "Dapper and De-lovely". outfit and get Estela +1

Nobody should be sad at their wedding. (Grace -1, Zahra -1)

I know it's hard to face a decision like this. (Estela +1, Aleister +1)

No one's going to hurt you. (Estela -1, Raj -1)

Fiora's waiting for you. (Grace +1)

I know about the ring and Neptune Cove. (Sean +1, Quinn +1)

Send Estela in. (Estela +1, Sean -1)

Let Zahra create chaos. (Zahra +1, Estela -1)

Have Aleister's explain. (Aleister +1, Michelle -1)

Chapter 8 -

Yvonne gets the cutlass. (Jake +1, Michelle +1, Sean -1)

Malatesta gets the cutlass. (Quinn -1, Sean +1, Estela -1)

Blind the heads. (Zahra +1) (Path A)

Trick him with the Heart. (Path B)

This is a timed choice.

Light the fuse! (Estela +1)

Drop your flint!

Push the harpoon gun!

Yvonne, move! (Estela -1, Diego +1,  Aleister +1)

Malatesta, shoot! (Estela +1, Craig +1, Diego -1)

Bring me his head on a spike. (17 💎) (Diego +1, Grace +1, Quinn +1, Craig +1, Sean +1)

We'll make do with what we have. (No effect)

(If you pick the diamond choice, you skip the next choice.)

Play Heart-potato! (Craig +1, Grace -1)

Throw things at him! (Estela +1)

Chapter 9 -

Premium Choice - Go to Party

If you choose to attend the party, you’ll get Estela +1.

Let's just sneak in and out. (Estela +1, Sean +1)

Some of us should distract them. (No effect)

Chapter 10 -

Some choices must last. (Diego +1, Craig +1, Estela -1)

A better future starts today. (Zahra -1, Michelle +1, Grace +1)

She will propose to you, and you can choose to accept her proposal, or decline and you will eventually propose to her. But since you have pursued her from Books 1 and 2, it;s presumed you should accept her proposal.

Since you will be marrying Estela, any other love interests (Jake, Sean, Quinn) you did not choose will automatically be “demoted” to Friend/Close Friend/Best Friend status.  From this point forward you can choose any choice you want.  If you purchase the Handfast Regalia outfit you will receive Estela +1.

You’’ll also get Estela +2 and Estela +3 as you consummate your wedding vows, and you will later be taken to a special honeymoon if you chose the “Devotion” flower (30 💎)

Scented fruit. (no effect)

Aphrodisiac wine. (no effect)

Spicy meats. (no effect)

What were they like? (Estela +1)

Do you think they'd have liked me? (Estela +1)

My mom and dad. (no effect)

Nothing. (no effect)

Splash her. (no effect)

Tickle her. (no effect)

I need you. (Path A) (no effect)

Let's just watch the stars. (Path B) (no effect)

Slow and gentle. (no effect)

Fast and rough. (no effect)

We're gonna get out of here. (Estela +1)

I just need you by my side. (Estela +2)

Act IX

Chapter 11 -

We're all catalysts today. (Sean +1, Aleister -1)

Slaying a hydra takes determination. (Aleister +1, Grace -1)

Less talking, more world saving. (Estela +1)

Climb the barricade (Path A) (Craig +1, Grace -1, Estela +1)

Take the back passages (Path B) (Quinn +1, Aleister +1, Zahra -1)

Chapter 12

Define 'optimal state.' (No effect)

What do you get out of it? (Aleister +1, Zahra -1)

You're a liar. (Estela +1, Sean -1)

If you followed the guide without missing a single Friendship/Romance Point as well as avoiding any choices unfavorable to her, you will be soulmates.

You are free to choose any ending you wish, but a word of caution: if you choose the Rourke ending by finishing Project Janus and rewriting history, your Romance with Estela WILL BE RESET, and the handfasting will be undone.  Thus, choose it at your own risk.  And believe me, right after I chose the Rourke ending, I felt bad as I threw away my Romance levels with her for nothing.

That leaves you to the two other endings - the Endless and Vaanu.  In the Endless ending, you will remain on La Huerta with her, while in the Vaanu ending, you sacrificed yourself to save everyone and the world.  In both endings, you will stay handfasted to Estela.

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The Underlying Messages of Materialism and Spiritual Transcendence as well as a Compromise in the Endless Summer endings

Endless Summer is the first book series to feature three different endings - the Rourke ending, the Endless ending, and the Vaanu ending.  The Rourke ending rewrites the past where Rourke is named Emperor and all the Catalysts have gone their separate ways, merely concerned about themselves and their families.  Taylor/MC and Varyyn are the only ones who remember their past lives, and Furball is nowhere to be seen.  With the death of Vaanu, the island of La Huerta perished.  When Taylor/MC chose to make a deal with Rourke, he/she has chosen to benefit his/her own flesh and blood instead of acknowledging that he/she could have used his/her inner power for the greater good of saving everyone at the cost of his/her own life.

Rourke’s offer to Taylor/MC is akin to the serpent which tricked the first humans into eating the forbidden fruit found in the tree of knowledge of good and evil.  True enough, Rourke acts as the serpent, or hydra, which seduced Taylor/MC into draining the Island’s Heart for the promise of being granted a normal life - complete with a family of his/her own, everything.  However, it came at a very high price - his/her friendships with his/her Catalysts are all for naught, and his/her romance with his/her love interest will be undone, since the handfasting was consummated at La Huerta. 

Rourke’s rewriting of history made some significant changes to the Catalysts’ lives. Quinn’s illness resurfaced, since the cure was only found on the island.  Grace’s mother was banished for launching a revolt against Rourke, who had made himself into a god, just as he wrote in his diaries.  Jake and Mike had become wanted men, and Craig was proud to serve under Lundgren. Sean was living under the shadow of his father, Marcus.  Estela went back to her cold, distant self, while her mother, Olivia, as well as Lila, are resurrected and willingly serving Rourke’s new order.  Zahra was Taylor/MC’s roommate.  Aleister had to accept the fact that he would have to obey his father as the emperor.  Raj feared that the Hartfeld campus would be a recruitment ground for Rourke’s conquests.  Diego is the only person who remains Taylor/MC’s friend, while Varyyn had been imprisoned in a detention facility.

On the other side of the spectrum, the Vaanu ending represents the spirituality of the human soul, and the strength to transcend beyond the physical.  Although Taylor/MC was not born an ordinary human, but rather an entity created by Vaanu, he/she acknowledged that he/she had a single purpose in life - to save everyone and the whole world, as well as to give the Catalysts back their futures.  Ironically, Ducitora’s ruler, Empress Azura once said, “For every life, a purpose.”  Taylor/MC’s selfless act was to be remembered as the greatest purpose he/she served.  By merging with Vaanu, Taylor/MC had transcended beyond all things material.  A true hero has given his/her life for the greatest good of all, and every timeline had joined altogether, thereby unifying them under Vaanu. 

In between the Rourke and Vaanu endings is the Endless’s ending.  While Taylor/MC resolved to return the energy back to Vaanu, he/she chose to remain on the island for the purpose of staying human.  He/she preferred a compromise - by staying on La Huerta, Vaanu will never leave Earth, and the timelines will forever be scattered.  In a way, the Catalysts (except Taylor/MC) have been chosen, through their Catalyst Idols, to be the only humans who would survive Raan’losti.  It is similar to Noah’s Ark in the sense that Noah, his wife, his sons, and their respective wives would be the only humans to survive.  Staying on La Huerta is both a blessing and a curse - while they have been promised everything on the island, the Catalysts will have to accept the fact that there is no future outside La Huerta.  They are trapped forever within a time loop, living in the present, just as the Endless had wanted. 

While PB intended the series to be one that involves time travel, as well as the truth that “Every summer has to end,” the writers unknowingly made references to materialism (Rourke) as against spirituality/transcendence (Vaanu), and the compromise in between (the Endless).

[choices-and-more]

An Endless Summer Epilogue Premium Ending

Take one part Rules of Engagement: Newlyweds, one part of any of the following The Freshman premium books: Chris: Luxury Getaway, Kaitlyn: The Perfect Date, or James: Masquerade Ball, and three parts Endless Summer.  You’ll get an Endless Summer Epilogue Premium book where Taylor/MC gets to be reunited with his/her LI following his/her merging with Vaanu. 

[choices-and-more]

HSS’s Superhero Theme without any cameos from “Hero”

While I was playing High School Story, Book 3, there was a superhero theme for the prom.  This theme featured Starfall from Ben Park’s comic in #LoveHacks, as well as some cameos from PB’s other game Hollywood U.  However, what is surprising that none of the characters from Hero were ever featured as a cameo.

The question is, where’s Alex/Hero MC? Kenji Katsaros/Talos? Or Eva/Minuet? Why were these three not even shown in the superhero theme for HSS? That is puzzling me.  They could have featured these superheroes alongside Starfall and the others.  

Maybe PB realized that Starfall would have made a better potential for a superhero story than either Alex/MC, Kenji, or Eva, which is why they are taking their time on Hero, Vol. 2.  Or they could be intending to introduce Starfall, and quite frankly, it’s about time Ben’s comics come to life.

Other than a mention in The Sophomore by Sebastian, as well as the outfit for the male HSS MC where the default names of the customizable MC’s are shown, there hasn’t been any specific cameos for Hero.

[qbalchemist]

Scammer Targeting Tumblr Artists

The title says it all really. So if nothing else, please share and reblog this post to raise awareness for those that might be caught out - both artists and followers. For a TL:DR, please look at the bottom of the post

What is happening?

Right now, there is at least one person actively impersonating multiple artists across tumblr in an effort to scam their followers into paying for fake ‘cheap commissions’. The scammer will clone a tumblr, usually using a slight change to the url/account name to look like the real deal. They will then message people directly through Tumblr with messages along the lines of “Hey, i’m doing cheap commissions right now. DM me to get one”. Naturally, this is ends up just being a way to take their money without giving anything back in return.

Who does this affect?

Everyone. Simple as that. As long as the scammer in question works unopposed, they are free to spread their influence and continue to scam more people. Even if you haven’t been targeted yet, it does not mean you are safe or immune. Several artists have already fallen victim to this scammer, and I encourage any artists that have to reblog this post with the details of their affected account(s) and the ones the scammer has set up.

How can we stop this?

Tumblr, like many other social media platforms, seems to care very little about ‘minor’ occurences like this one, and despite reaching out directly to them over a week ago through multiple avenues of contact - they have refused to comment on the situation, provide a recommended response for users, or take action on behalf of those already affected. Despite this, there are still tools at our disposal that we can use to make this scam more difficult, and to increase its visibility to those within Tumblr staff that are required by policy to take action. Tumblr has the following to say on the topic of impersonation: Confusion or Impersonation. Don’t do things that would cause confusion between you or your blog and a person or company, like registering a deliberately confusing URL. Don’t impersonate anyone. While you’re free to ridicule, parody, or marvel at the alien beauty of Benedict Cumberbatch, you can’t pretend to actually be Benedict Cumberbatch. They then provide a link to this online form that you can fill out if you suspect someone’s identity is being confused. Unfortunately, this can only be filled out if you are the victim of impersonation. In other words, only the artists can fill this out legitimately. So, what about the followers and users of tumblr whom aren’t being impersonated? Our most valuable tool in this online platform is the platform itself. It enables us to spread our word near-virally across all the many sub-communities on Tumblr with remarkable efficiency for a user-driven system. We can take advantage of that effect to increase awareness of the situation. Even if you - the one reading this right now - aren’t an artist or don’t know an artist, the act of reblogging this post or sharing it directly with friends improves it’s ‘ranking’ in popularity increasing its chances to be seen by more people. We don’t need everyone on Tumblr to see the post for it to be effective, just like we don’t need the entirety of the human population of the world to be immune to a disease for that disease to be rendered ineffective or eradicated. If enough people are aware, the likelihood of pulling off a successful scam increases dramatically reducing efficiency to a point that it no longer becomes profitable to continue.

Why should I care?

It disheartens me to say this, but of the many artists I contacted directly over the past week to warn about this issue many of them refused to listen or dodged the responsibility with lines like;

“I’m not being impersonated, so it doesn’t affect me”

“I’m just one person. I can’t make an impact”

“I need to take care of my community. Other people can look after theirs”

This is honestly disappointing that so many artists or art-rebloggers care so little as to intentionally wave the responsibility of keeping their followers and fellow artists safe from this, that they cannot spare 10 seconds of their time to share an informative post. I’m not here to bash artists, but it is time that everyone takes responsibility for their own communities, and of those around them. Artists: You have a responsibility to ensure that your followers and fans aren’t being abused by someone who may impersonate you. If they succeed, your reputation will be damaged, and your followers will resent you. Your followers are also almost guaranteed to be following other artists meaning your efforts can spread beyond your own circle of influence, so don’t be naive when you think you have little effect. Followers: You have just as much responsibility to be aware of those that might try to scam you or your fellow followers. Don’t just sit in silence when you see something wrong: Ignoring the issue only makes it more resilient to our efforts to stop it. You are the vocal majority if you just use your voices to be heard!

TL:DR

A scammer is impersonating artists and scamming money from their followers under the guise of ‘cheap commissions’. If we ignore the issue, it will get worse. Every single person that reads this can afford to spend just 10 seconds to reblog and share this post. Those 10 seconds can save others from being scammed for hundreds of dollars. Reblog & Share

[bhandarkar-bros-blog]

@lahuertasprincess @raventear @the-light-of-stars

[lahuertasprincess]

Wow this is so important!!!! Everyone please read and reblog this!!!!

[queenaryn]

@kenjkats @nocturnal-chen @raventear @kaoruyo

[choices-and-more]

Grace Tamara Hall could have done an Edward Sumner, or vice versa.

I was watching the movie “Unfaithful” starring Richard Gere, Diane Lane, and Olivier Martinez, and I just couldn’t help but laugh at Edward Sumner (Gere) suffering from a mental breakdown as he bashes Paul Martel’s (Martinez) head twice using the snow globe.  Edward was so furious that he didn’t even contemplate that Paul would suffer from a severe head injury, thereby killing him.   Only then did he realize that he had murdered someone out of anger.

I am reminded of Grace’s Catalyst Idol flashback when she obtained a “B+” in her biology exam under Professor Diaz.  Grace, feeling the pressure of succeeding her mother Blaire, suddenly snapped as she saw Diaz’s car.  Grace then picked up a signage post and repeatedly bashed Diaz’s car several times until she hit the car’s front glass.  Only then did Grace snap out of it, as she totally wrecked Diaz’s car. 

Perhaps Grace suffered from the same mental breakdown?  She got off easy, though she was apprehended for damage to property.  Edward never wanted to kill Paul, but his anger brought out the worst in him.

[choices-and-more]

Looking back, Endless Summer Book 3 should have been released end of January/first week of February 2018 rather than late December 2017.

PB should have anticipated the fact that because Endless Summer Book 3 would be a hit, they should have taken their time drafting it and discussing the plot twists so it would have already been completed by the end of January /beginning of February 2018.  Books 1 and 2 were completed without any breaks/hiccups.  They would be avoiding these numerous breaks, and they would be already releasing a finished product by then. 

As a matter of fact, they have moved the release date of their next hit Bloodbound to April.

[l8r-sk8rz]

How do you play choices?

I’m so curious. Do you self-insert (MC has your name, resembles as closely as possible to you/who you want to look like) OR do you create characters?

And even further if you wanna, what makes doing that so enjoyable? What part of that aspect draws you to the game?

And I might as well ask, if you play as yourself, do you make choices based on what you’d choose presently in your personality, or do you choose based on who you would like to be?

And ok, last one, I HOPE. If you create characters, what is your process? Do you create them as you go, or do you plan them?

I’m so intrigued with this! If you want to answer, reblog/reply with your response OR you can message me! I’d love to read about it!

[lizzybeth1986]

I love that you’re asking this, because I have a group of friends I always discuss plot and writing with, and we often end up discussing our MCs, their characterization, their backstories. It’s amazing how we can all draw different characterizations from that one MC whose default dialogue will often remain the same.

What I love about Choices and what makes it so fun to write stuff for is that there are so many ways you could go, so many routes you could choose, and you can’t go wrong with any of them (well, most of the time).

I do both. When I start playing a Choices book, I self-insert, because I’m still trying to find my way around this story and get a feel of who I like and what I want out of the story. I’m still trying to figure out which LI I want and what the LI I’m interested in is like, so up until I have a good idea of the book (usually by the middle/end of the first installment), I prefer answering as I would if I were in that situation, or how my ideal MC would react in that situation.

If a book really captivates me and I feel I would like to replay it a few more times and observe further, that’s when I might create a character for my MC. I tend to base their character on whoever they are dating in my gameplay, and while they may have elements of my personality, I tend to build them in a way that would make it clear why they are so well suited for my LI. For instance, my TRR MC Esther is meant to be Queen by the end of the series, so I instill in her qualities that would make her perfect for that role, even if she doesn’t have the breeding or education that Madeleine does. I provide her with a sense of detachment towards people she doesn’t like (something I’m definitely not capable of) - something I wouldn’t go for with if I were creating an MC who would date, say, Drake. Likewise, my RCD MC Sophie got really fleshed out after I got a better feel of Teja as a character. Once I got the feeling that Teja was someone open about her desires and stressed about having to work with someone like Markus, I saw Sophie as a foil who would give Teja the space to relax, and who would also open up and blossom under Teja’s influence.

I tend to keep building as I go, because as the story moves forward I need to work harder and harder on making sure my fics, if I’m writing them, are canon. I’ve also discovered that headcanon asks can be immensely helpful in building the character and getting a feel of what they/their relationship with the LI would be like. Sometimes there are questions you usually don’t even ask yourself that you find yourself answering when someone requests an ask, and it really helps you figure out what direction you want to take that character in.

I hope this helped, and I’d also love to see @ladynevrakis @violetflipflops @callmetippytumbles @kennaxval @feisty-mary @toglidethroughlife views on this.

[kenjkats]

I do something similar to @lizzybeth1986

I choose the look that just appeals to me most. I don’t make myself or give the MC my name. I don’t self insert in that way. (It’s weird to me esp with the romance stuff to self insert lol like I like Kenji bht not THAT much that I ship him w my literal self. Just my MC all the way tho 😂)

But my first plays are a mix of self insert (in that my personality bleeds into them bc I can’t resist some options sometimes) and having my own character bc I’m getting a feel for the MC’s default parts of their personality and the world they live in.

And well if I really played as myself I would be bored AF bc I would never be in any of these situations I’d be at home on my phone lol. I want to play as someone else.

For answers I tend to answer with what’s appealing and that could be different things depending on the situation. It could be something amusing but my MC or I would never say, but it’s too interesting to pass up on a first play. Or it could be something heroic, brave, spontaneous, outgoing etc that fits the character and their role in the story and the dynamic they have with others (like my hero MC) but these may not be things I would say or do either. Then there are choices that would fit the situation and my character but go strongly against what I want/would do so I give in to myself (like siding w Sean against Jake about asking Aleister to come back to the good side lol).

It’s during subsequent playthroughs when I know the story and characters already that I can detach myself fully and find a character to rp that fits within the world. It’s in these that I can choose things against what I would do and not feel bad bc I’ve gotten it all out of my system the first time.

[choices-and-more]

I always play using the default names of the characters, and I’m not too concerned about appearance in any way.  I just want to play it as it is.  It is the choices that you make that gives this game the appeal it truly deserves.