The State of the Gamer: 2/11/21

/ The Shameful Narcissist / 2 Comments

<–The State of the Gamer: 1/28/21           The State of the Gamer: 2/25/21–>

A weekly post updated every other Thursday detailing my current gaming projects.  I have an account at Grouvee, which is a site you can use to keep track of your backlog, so please feel free to friend me there!

What I Purchased

Nothing this week.

What I Finished

Nothing this week.

What I DNF’d

  • What Remains of Edith Finch – I honestly almost forgot I’d started playing this then stopped.  Not because I don’t like it, but I thought I hadn’t reviewed it based on the LP I watched, but I did.  I don’t have any issue replaying a game, but with so many on my backlog, I figured I’d move on to something else.

What I’m Playing

Title: GRIS
System: Nintendo Switch

Cover of GRISDate Started: 2/4/21

I remember either reading or talking to Kim of Later Levels about this, and I’ve had it not only on my backlog but my Switch itself for a while.  I figure it’s a good game to play for 4 in February.  It’s absolutely gorgeous with an aesthetic that reminds me of Child of Light’s watercolor graphics and fluidity.

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The State of the Reader: 2/10/21

/ The Shameful Narcissist / 2 Comments

<–The State of the Reader: 1/27/21         The State of the Reader: 2/24/21–>

A biweekly post updated every other Wednesday detailing my current reading projects and what new titles I’ve added to my to-read list.  Title links go to Goodreads, and if you have an account there feel free to friend me!  I’d love to see what you’re reading and/or planning to read.

Purchased: 2

Total: $6.98

Books Finished: 3

Title: Medusa’s Daughters
Author: Various
Editor: Theodora Goss
Date Added: December 20, 2019
Date Started: December 14, 2020

Cover of Medusa's Daughters edited by Theodora GossMedia: eBook/Kindle

I didn’t love this.  I didn’t hate it obviously, but I didn’t love it.  It was an interesting collection of stories about “misbehaving” women, which is why I’m sad I didn’t love it, because that’s my aesthetic.  I might change my mind about it once I have the time to think about the stories more, but that’s my initial perspective (and also why I don’t often rate books as soon as I finish them).

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The Broken Rose: Chapter 13 – A True General’s Task

/ The Shameful Narcissist / 8 Comments

Update: The previous artwork for this chapter has been removed as I believe it belongs to an artist who no longer wants her work reposted.  I wasn’t able to find definitive proof that this was that specific artist, but it looks visually similar enough to her other work that I don’t want to take a chance.  I’ll be going through all of the chapters and removing any art by that individual as well as deleting it from my image files, so you might see some missing images until I can replace them.  I’ll also be making a post about why I’m so adamant about doing this.  Thanks all!

The Broken Rose Page

<–Chapter 12                                                                                                                                 Chapter 14–>

Disclaimer: Final Fantasy VII, its characters, and settings are all property of Square Enix so I can take no credit nor claim any ownership of that. I do take some credit for the story’s plot.
Banner Artwork Disclaimer:  The featured artwork for the banner is entitled White rose I and was created by the very talented Deviant Artist RemusSirion who was gracious enough to grant me permission to use it here.  The picture has been slightly altered from the original. All rights belong to the artist, and links are included for both the artist page and the work.
CHAPTER ARTWORK DISCLAIMER:  The featured artwork is of unknown origin and source.  it has been slightly altered in appearance and to include the chapter number and title.  all rights belong to the unknown artist.

*******MAJOR CONTENT WARNING*******

Consistent and sustained graphic descriptions and mentions of rape/ sexual assault, sexual slavery/bondage, slavery, human trafficking, physical abuse, graphic descriptions of violence, mental abuse, emotional abuse, psychological abuse, body shaming, starvation, torture, forced pregnancy, forced childbirth, miscarriage, forced miscarriage, abortion, and other potential disturbing and triggering topics.

Aeris recovers from her newest ordeal under the general’s unwavering care.

Aeris slept more often than not and dark dreams returned to torment.

“I have you.”  She’d hear, low and assuring, as strong arms tightened around.  Her hand was couched in one large and warm, long fingers curled over to shield.

“I’m still here…”  She’d whisper as he kissed her brow and promised his rose it was true.

With so much sleep, Aeris was terrified to forget a day in her persistent count, but Sephiroth. knowing what it meant to her, always made sure he kept track.

“What day is it, master?”  She’d reach for his hand, which he’d never deny his rose.

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The Broken Rose: Chapter 5 – Dear Aeris

/ The Shameful Narcissist / 17 Comments

Update: Another update is upon us!  The tear stained eyes, the feather, the aesthetic.  This picture is perfect.  You can find it and more of Bethany’s work on Art Station, Deviant Art, and Twitter.

The Broken Rose Page

<–Chapter 4                                                                                                    Chapter 6–>

Disclaimer: Final Fantasy VII, its characters, and settings are all property of Square Enix so I can take no credit nor claim any ownership of that. I do take some credit for the story’s plot.
Banner Artwork Disclaimer:  The featured artwork for the banner is entitled White rose I and was created by the very talented Deviant Artist RemusSirion who was gracious enough to grant me permission to use it here.  The picture has been slightly altered from the original. All rights belong to the artist, and links are included for both the artist page and the work.
Chapter Artwork Disclaimer: The featured artwork for this chapter is entitled Raven pen and was created by the fantastically talented Deviant Artist omegaptera.  The picture has been slightly altered in appearance and to include the chapter number and title.  All rights belong to the artist, and the image is used her with their permission.  Links are included for both the artist’s page and the work.

*******MAJOR CONTENT WARNING*******

Consistent and sustained graphic descriptions and mentions of rape/ sexual assault, sexual slavery/bondage, slavery, human trafficking, physical abuse, graphic descriptions of violence, mental abuse, emotional abuse, psychological abuse, body shaming, starvation, torture, forced pregnancy, forced childbirth, miscarriage, forced miscarriage, abortion, and other potential disturbing and triggering topics.

Aeris’s first letter of reclamation to herself.

00-chapter-5-dear-aeris

A black feather quill with intricate wire work around the juncture of feather and pen. The bottom portion of it is wrapped in black fabric. “Chapter 5 Dear Aeris” in white is in the upper right corner. In the far upper right corner are the words “Vrana Raven.”

Dearest Aeris,

It’s been twenty-one days since I was last used.  My insides are healing, and my bruises have faded, but I’m still so afraid.  I’m terrified to wake back up and find myself starving and chained.  Every time I shut my eyes, I expect this dream to end.  My wonderful master, the Great General, says that will never be.  He tells me he has me.  He vows that I’m safe, and I just want to believe.

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The State of the Writer: 2/7/21

/ The Shameful Narcissist / 7 Comments

<–The State of the Writer: 1/24/21         The State of the Writer: 2/21/21–>

A post updated every other Sunday discussing my current writing projects and any completed the prior two weeks.

Finished Projects: 1

Project: Story
Working Title: The High Archon
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Type: Original
Length: Novel
Status: Preparation
Progress: Setting up notes in Scrivener

I managed to figure out one of the things I had under General Issues and Questions on OneNote from years ago for the male MC.  Sometimes I just have to start writing about the problem and brainstorming solutions, and it’ll come together.  I still have a few more things to do, but I’m starting to think about what I need to finish up in order to start writing the first chapter.  My hubs is the MVP for just listening to me talk about this shit and let me figure it out lol.

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The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

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Title: The Graveyard Book
Author: Neil Gaiman
Date Added: April 13, 2013
Date Started: August 9, 2018
Date Finished: September 13, 2018
Reading Duration: 35 days
Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal/Supernatural, Young Adult (YA), Mid-Grade

Cover of The Graveyard Book by Neil GaimanPages: 286
Publication Date: September 30, 2008
Publisher: HarperCollins
Media: Paperback

In this ingenious and captivating reimagining of Rudyard Kipling’s classic adventure The Jungle Book, Neil Gaiman tells the unforgettable story of Nobody Owens, a living, breathing boy whose home is a graveyard, raised by a guardian who belongs neither to the mortal world nor the realm of the dead. Among the mausoleums and headstones of his home, Bod experiences things most mortals can barely imagine. But real, flesh-and-blood danger waits just outside the cemetery walls: the man who murdered the infant Bod’s family will not rest until he finds Nobody Owens and finishes the job he began many years ago.

A #1 New York Times bestseller and winner of many international awards, including the Hugo Award for best novel and the Locus Award, The Graveyard Book is a glorious meditation on love, loss, survival, and sacrifice . . . and what it means to truly be alive.

Per the blurb, this is a retelling/fanfiction of Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book, but without the blatantly racist aspects of the original work.  In using the graveyard as a paranormal stand-in for Mowgli’s jungle, Gaiman’s novel serves as a perfect parallel to the “return to your own world” narrative, and could in fact surpass Kipling’s motif to the same.  While Mowgli will never belong to the jungle, one day the graveyard will be Nobody’s place, and the somber meaning of his name will be fulfilled.

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The State of the Gamer: 1/28/21

/ The Shameful Narcissist / 7 Comments

<–The State of the Gamer: 1/14/21           The State of the Gamer: 2/11/21–>

A weekly post updated every other Thursday detailing my current gaming projects.  I have an account at Grouvee, which is a site you can use to keep track of your backlog, so please feel free to friend me there!

What I Purchased

Nothing this week.

What I Finished

Title: World of Final Fantasy Maxima
Series: Final Fantasy
System: Nintendo Switch

Cover of World of Final Fantasy MaximaDate Started: 8/30/20
Date Finished: 11/27/20
Date Completed: 1/17/21

I was missing one Mirage, Garland, and needed to run around talking to characters in order to achieve 100% for Who’s Who.  Apparently, I’m not the only one who had problems doing this, as the google revealed forum pages of others asking how.

I really hope Squeenix releases some DLCs for this, because there’s so much they could do with it.  Add extra dungeons, more Mirages, more characters (like how many Final Fantasy characters even are there??  I should make a list lol), more towns/locations.  The options are literally limitless.

I’ve already reviewed this, so I’m not going to do another full review.  I might do an addendum to talk about the additions though.

What I’m Playing

Title: Etrian Odyssey 2 Untold: The Fafnir Knight
Series: Etrian Odyssey
System: Nintendo 3DS

Cover of Etrian Odyssey 2 Untold: The Fafnir KnightDate Started: 9/7/20

I have a plan now that I’ve fought the 4th Stratum boss again.  I definitely need to level and and/or get better weapons, which I need to make money for.  Either way I can do both at the same time by grinding.  My plan is to go through the stratum and hit all the collection and mining sites while fighting the FOEs.  That should net me enough resources to afford the equipment as well as working on my levels.

What I Played

  • Picross S5 – I’m now on the 15×15 megapuzzles, so I alternate between them and the regular ones.
  • AVICII Invector – I felt like playing through some of my favorite songs the other night so I did.
  • Golf Peaks – Well it finally happened…I wound up googling a solution.  It was for puzzle 7-4.  I think if I’d realized you didn’t need the move that popped the ball into the air to get up a hill I might’ve gotten it, because I was going off the premise that I could only use one particular card for the final move.  I managed to solve the next puzzle, but I’m kind of stumped with 7-6, or it was late and I was tired lol.

What I Demoed

  • Fitness Boxing – I’m going to buy it.  I really wish I’d had the time/energy to play it again, because I really like it.  I can do it sitting down (even though you’re supposed to stand, but eh, modification is okay), and I love rhythm games.

I just downloaded the final demo for Bravely Default II and another one for a game called Balan Wonderworld from Square Enix (actually, they’re both from Squeenix lol, at least Squeenix sent me the email about Balan Wonderworld), but I haven’t had the chance to play them yet.  Will report back when I do!

What I Watched

  • The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky (Olizandri) – Only a few more videos left!  I’m excited to continue this series and possibly play it myself.
  • The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask (Olizandri) – I just wanted a Zelda game to watch at work the other day, and MM is always an excellent choice.

So I got the notification that AOC is streaming Among Us again right before I started doing this.  I would’ve had this up sooner, but I passed out right after work (I was supposed to cut up vegetables for dinner, but oops, sleepy time instead!  The best part is I’d just downed a big ass mug of coffee), so this is coming to you later than expected (if you even expect this.  Why am I thinking you are???).  I still haven’t started a new Final Fantasy, but I did say I wanted to get my notes together.  I’d also like to maybe finish the review for FFVI.  I’m also working on notes for my WIP, so yeah.  I think it would make sense to get some things finished before I start anything else, at least something that’s going to be as time and emotionally consuming as FFVII. I may play Edith Finch in the interim.

<–The State of the Gamer: 1/14/21           The State of the Gamer: 2/11/21–>

The State of the Reader: 1/27/21

/ The Shameful Narcissist / 2 Comments

<–The State of the Reader: 1/13/21         The State of the Reader: 2/10/21–>

A biweekly post updated every other Wednesday detailing my current reading projects and what new titles I’ve added to my to-read list.  Title links go to Goodreads, and if you have an account there feel free to friend me!  I’d love to see what you’re reading and/or planning to read.

Purchased: 3

Total: $4.98

Books Finished: 0

On Hold

Title: Norse Myths That Inspired Final Fantasy VII
Author: M. J. Gallagher
Date Added: October 26, 2020
Date Started: December 8, 2020

Cover of Norse Myths That Inspired Final Fantasy VII by M. J. GallagherMedia: Paperback
Progress: 15%

I don’t know when I’ll be able to come back to this.  Just thinking about picking it back up triggers my gag reflex because of where I had to stop.  I’ve started reading an online translation of “The Maiden Who Travels the Planet” as a  non-fiction/reference/research replacement.  Not sure if I’m going to count it toward my book challenge total, but I probably will since it is on Goodreads.  I’ll probably read On the Way to a Smile and The Kids Are Alright next since I have physical copies of them both.

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The State of the Writer: 1/24/21

/ The Shameful Narcissist / 6 Comments

<–The State of the Writer: 1/10/21         The State of the Writer: 2/7/21–>

A post updated every other Sunday discussing my current writing projects and any completed the prior two weeks.

Finished Projects: 1

Project: Story
Working Title: The High Archon
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Type: Original
Length: Novel
Status: Preparation
Progress: Setting up notes in Scrivener

I wound up making a checklist of things I want to do in Scrivener before I start writing.  This was after I went through all of my old notebooks for any scribblings specifically related to the WIP like the stuff involving language and demographic background.  The checklist happened because I wanted a way to catalog what I still needed to nail down before I begin writing (plus I work better with checklists/to-do lists), but I also feel like I’m nearing the point where I just want to start and then figure things out as I go.

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The Broken Rose: Chapter 4 – Helpless

/ The Shameful Narcissist / 3 Comments

Update: This year is already better for many reasons, but for me especially there’s more art from Bethany to grace my eyes.  I feel like we’re our own worst critics, and it’s for this reason and many fellow creators need to show love.  I adore the lighting on the piece at the end of the chapter, especially with the ocean out the window.  Words can sadly not capture my feelings for Aeris’ expression, so I’m afraid you’ll have to look.  As always, you can find her work on Art Station, Deviant Art, and Twitter, so please follow here there!

The Broken Rose Page

<–Chapter 3                                                                                                    Chapter 5–>

Disclaimer: Final Fantasy VII, its characters, and settings are all property of Square Enix so I can take no credit nor claim any ownership of that. I do take some credit for the story’s plot.
Banner Artwork Disclaimer:  The featured artwork for the banner is entitled White rose I and was created by the very talented Deviant Artist RemusSirion who was gracious enough to grant me permission to use it here.  The picture has been slightly altered from the original. All rights belong to the artist, and links are included for both the artist page and the work.
Chapter Artwork Disclaimer: The featured artwork for this chapter is entitled Aerith Gainsborough.  It has been slightly altered from the original.  All rights belong to the artist, and a link to the location has been included.

*******MAJOR CONTENT WARNING*******

Consistent and sustained graphic descriptions and mentions of rape/ sexual assault, sexual slavery/bondage, slavery, human trafficking, physical abuse, graphic descriptions of violence, mental abuse, emotional abuse, psychological abuse, body shaming, starvation, torture, forced pregnancy, forced childbirth, miscarriage, forced miscarriage, abortion, and other potential disturbing and triggering topics.

Unable to walk or even crawl, Aeris is at Sephiroth’s mercy.

00-chapter-4-helpless

A painting of Aeris/Aerith sitting in the corner of what appears to be a cell with her back against a cracked and holed brick wall. She has her knees pulled up with her arms crossed on top of them. Her legs and feet are bare. Her head is laid in her arms hiding her face. She wears a pink ribbon in brown hair and also appears to be wearing a pink dress/robe. She sits in a shaft of light, and there are pink flower petals strewn around the floor of the cell with some on Aeris’s feet. “Chapter 4 Helpless” in pale pink is above and slightly to the right of her.

Every day Sephiroth knocked on the door, steeling himself against whimpers.  Then he would ask, “May I come in?”

And “Yes, master…” would be the reply.

The hush of the sea would frame his arrival as surely as split emerald light.  Silently silver and pale angel face with dark leather draped around.

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