Car of the Week | Our 2024 Car of the Year!
- Thread starter XSquareStickIt
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- singapore
- K31thc0m
- K31thc0m
Single-Player Challenge
Road Atlanta: 1:33.348
Lake Louise Short: 1:04.765
Colorado Springs: 1:31.592
Total time: 4:09.705
if you beat me at colorado springs, good for you. the bumps made the experience terrible unlike the other two circuits, which i found more enjoyable.
Road Atlanta: 1:33.348
Lake Louise Short: 1:04.765
Colorado Springs: 1:31.592
Total time: 4:09.705
if you beat me at colorado springs, good for you. the bumps made the experience terrible unlike the other two circuits, which i found more enjoyable.
- 1,746
- Singapore
- XSquareStickIt
The original NSXes, the NA1 and NA2, are cars that I've sort of feared being featured on COTW, because they're my childhood heroes, and I love them immensely. Hell, I have a section of my display cabinet almost entirely dedicated to the NSXes. They're legendary cars that others have covered much better than I could, and even on a subjective front, I don't think I could ever do the cars justice.
In GT7, the NA1-R makes a very strong argument for itself as the perfect sports car. Its achingly beautiful looks hasn't aged a day, and anyone who says a V6 can't sound good hasn't been near an NSX. Its NA engine is rather gutless unless it's screaming for its life, and yet, having to shift up almost feels like a tragic event with the 5 speed manual. The car is soft by modern standards, yet so naturally responsive with its overall light weight of 1,230kg (2,712lbs) and its low, unladen front end. On both corner entries and exits, it's so playful, yet so gradual in its playfulness, really letting drivers choose how much slip angle they want into and out of corners. And I especially love how, from the outside, the only visible changes of the Zenki NSX-R from the base NSX are the Enkei wheels and stripped out interior; none of that nonsensical boy–racer garbage that later Type Rs seem obligated to have, and there will always be a part of me that wishes the Type R ethos had stayed unchanged from the Zenki NSX.
I don't think I can retell the story of the NSX better than others already have, so I'll just dump here the excellent videos that the YouTube algorithm has bestowed upon me, and I hope you'll find the same value in these that I did.
savagegeese has an hour–long documentary on the original NSX, even scoring interviews with the car's original engineers, and Uehara Shigeru himself!
Kurosawa Motoharu, a.k.a. Gan–san, trashes the NSX-R around the Nordschleife in 1992.
In GT7, the NA1-R makes a very strong argument for itself as the perfect sports car. Its achingly beautiful looks hasn't aged a day, and anyone who says a V6 can't sound good hasn't been near an NSX. Its NA engine is rather gutless unless it's screaming for its life, and yet, having to shift up almost feels like a tragic event with the 5 speed manual. The car is soft by modern standards, yet so naturally responsive with its overall light weight of 1,230kg (2,712lbs) and its low, unladen front end. On both corner entries and exits, it's so playful, yet so gradual in its playfulness, really letting drivers choose how much slip angle they want into and out of corners. And I especially love how, from the outside, the only visible changes of the Zenki NSX-R from the base NSX are the Enkei wheels and stripped out interior; none of that nonsensical boy–racer garbage that later Type Rs seem obligated to have, and there will always be a part of me that wishes the Type R ethos had stayed unchanged from the Zenki NSX.
I don't think I can retell the story of the NSX better than others already have, so I'll just dump here the excellent videos that the YouTube algorithm has bestowed upon me, and I hope you'll find the same value in these that I did.
savagegeese has an hour–long documentary on the original NSX, even scoring interviews with the car's original engineers, and Uehara Shigeru himself!
Kurosawa Motoharu, a.k.a. Gan–san, trashes the NSX-R around the Nordschleife in 1992.
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- singapore
- K31thc0m
- K31thc0m
looks like someone REALLY loves the nsx 😳😳😳
- 1,746
- Singapore
- XSquareStickIt
Ever since the 3rd generation, "FD3S" RX-7 ended production in 2002, rumours, fan renders, and outright clickbait articles purporting a grand return of a Mazda rotary sports car have swarmed the niche fan community incessantly. While the four door, four seat, and criminally underrated RX-8 did succeed the RX-7 in name and driving feel, it never had the laser focus, bleeding edge performance, stunning svelte looks, or cultural significance that the FD was so beloved for, leaving some to believe that the legendary 7 had no true successor. In 2015, Mazda took a look at that that storm of speculation and discourse and thought, "Y'know what? Ima have a piece of that action, show 'em how it's done for poops and giggles", and revealed at the Tokyo Motor Show, a "Rotary Sports Concept" known as the RX-Vision.
Of course, in the 13 years since the FD bowed out of the Japanese market, cars, and the world at large, had changed almost beyond recognition. Cars had arguably gotten so fast to a point that high tech computer wizardry had become a requirement to not only keep them on the road, but to get the most out of them on the track. Thus, pure, lightweight, simple, and affordable sports cars à la the RX-7 have been edged out of the market by technological juggernauts, with many companies even beginning to experiment with hybridisation to prepare for an eventual transition into a carbon neutral future, resulting in an influx of bloated, heavy, and isolating computers on wheels. The RX-Vision then, shocked TAS2015 attendees upon its unveiling both with its beauty and what said beauty seemed to promise; it was low, it was wide, it was svelte, and it hadn't a single screen in the spartan cockpit, seemingly promising the return of a pure sports car just like the FD RX-7 used to be. One could even argue that the RX-Vision looked less like its own thing and more like an FD RX-7 pulled out of a time machine and adapted for the climate of 2015: the goggles–shaped rear light cluster sheathing four round brake lights is the most obvious shared design element, but even the RX-Vision's headlights, while required by modern laws to be static, have running lights in the shape of panel gaps suggestive of the sorely missed pop–up headlights of the RX-7. Heck, the analogue gauges in the RX-Vision would almost look nicked straight from a Zenki FD in the early nineties if the tach didn't read up to an eyebrow–raising 10,000rpm! It really did seem like Mazda were dead serious about bringing something in the spirit of the FD RX-7 into the modern era; something that would be focused on just the driving thrills while actively purging from it any frills, and such a notion was proper cause for celebration both for rotary sports car fans and driving enthusiasts in general.
However, despite all the direct callbacks to my childhood hero and dream sports car, the RX-Vision has always looked a little... off, to me. The part that sticks out to me the most—quite literally—is the stupidly long bonnet of the RX-Vision. One of the main selling points of a Wankel Rotary engine is that they're very compact for their power output, so why the heck does the bonnet of the RX-Vision look long enough to swallow a V12 longitudinally? What's under there, what's that space used for? Designer Maeda Ikuo has proudly stated in GT Café that this long hood, short deck style was an intentional design decision, giving the car great proportions and putting more load on the rear tyres, but I respectfully disagree with him. If load on the rear was really so important, I'd really rather they just made a rear mid–engined car instead, fully acknowledging that Mazda seems oddly adverse to producing RMR cars for some reason. One of the things that made the RX-7 so beloved was that it was a very "pure" and "honest" sports car—there was nothing on it that didn't serve a purpose, and the cars had a very simplistic, yet organic beauty to them because of that. The RX-Vision by contrast, was not only a hollow styling exercise, but one that looked like a fat, disproportionate person wearing a designer dress to me. Yes, the dress itself is achingly beautiful, but the thing underneath contorting, stretching, and giving it shape, I just can't for the life of me find attractive in the slightest, and the whole package just seems a waste.
Now, this is a personal pet peeve of mine, but I really wish the RX-Vision had a third brake light in the middle, even if it'd mostly be blocked by the rear spoiler in its lowered position (and I highly doubt this is legal anywhere). The spoiler bisecting and obscuring the rear lights may at first appear to be just a styling item, but in a blink–and–you'll–miss–it moment during the car's reveal, a video package did show the spoiler raising up and out of the way of the lights, and designer Maeda Ikuo has stated in an interview that the spoiler deploys automatically. It's a bit of a shame that the spoiler is completely static in GT7 in its lowered and obstructive position. I've genuinely never understood why spoilers and wings nowadays need to pop up and down. It's just unnecessary mass and complication. I'll deal with the drag penalty at legal speeds and save on the mass, thank you very much. Rear wings are cool, I want to see them, and anyone who thinks they're uncool are pots calling kettles black. Also, remember how I praised the RX-Vision earlier for not having a single screen in the cockpit? Yeah, that might be a bit of a problem, considering the fact that the thin stalks protruding from the doors hold nothing but cameras. They might want to look into that before putting the car into production, and while they're at it, maybe they can also add in door handles and a fuel inlet.
In 2022, seven years after the RX-Vision was initially revealed, Toyota unveiled a good looking, long hood, short deck FR GT3 racer called the GR GT3 Concept, and the folks at Japanese Nostalgic Car quickly connected the dots, similar roof and door cut lines, and proportions to the RX-Vision GT3 Concept that was added to Gran Turismo Sport in 2020. Now, I don't even want to fantasise about knowing what goes on behind closed doors of car design at a corporate level, but this lines up a bit too well with my gut feeling of "The RX-Vision is very unlike the Mazda I know", making me believe that the RX-Vision was never born specifically to be a Mazda to begin with, but rather as a shared platform. I know the auto industry is in a bad place right now, and the clock is ticking on the internal combustion engine, but as a Mazda fan, I don't know if I want a rotary sports car that has to compromise and share platforms with something it was never meant to be. To be clear, I'm not against platform sharing at all; I just think that the rotary sports car is too ingrained into Mazda's identity to share with and be compromised for some other make, even if Toyota and Mazda (along with Subaru) seem to be buddy–buddy in real life.
I don't give praise to Polyphony Digital often, but they've done an absolutely fantastic job in capturing the essence of the RX-Vision in GT7. Designer Maeda Ikuo has stated both in interviews and in the GT Café that he designed the surfaces in such a way that light dynamically dances across the car as the viewer moves around it to make the car appear more as though a living creature and not just a machine, and while a good approximation of this can be experienced without ray tracing, this dynamic light dance absolutely comes alive in GT7 with ray tracing enabled. It genuinely tickles my inner child taking the RX-Visions to Scapes with spectacular lighting, such as the Tokyo National Art Center, and just... moving the car around, much like a child would a toy car in his hands.
While the wheels and plastic trim pieces look black most of the time, at certain angles, they give of a slight candy apple reddish tint, and even that has been captured and replicated faithfully in GT7. It's not very noticable with the original body colour of Soul Red because they pair so well with said paint, but that reddish tint starts to really stick out and look awkward when the car is repainted in anything other than red, or when one messes around with colours and temperatures in photo mode to get the car looking a certain way.
On the technical side of things, Mazda are cautiously tight–lipped about any specs of the RX-Vision, refusing to spare us fans even morsels of information. We only know that the SkyActiv-R engine is the "main power unit", and that it's an FR. Despite Mazda's deliberate wording that leaves open the possibility of hybridisation, the RX-Vision's only power source in GT7 is its screamer of a Rotary Engine, interpreted by Polyphony Digital to be a naturally aspirated 4–Rotor that revs to 9,500rpm, producing a peak of 517HP (386kW) at 8,800rpm and 489.2N⋅m (360.8lbf⋅ft) at 7,500rpm. If you think PD were super generous with those power figures, wait till you see how little the RX-Vision weighs according to them: a mere 1,290kg (2,844lbs); 60 kilos (132lbs) lighter than the RX-8 Spirit R and just 20 kilos (44lbs) heavier than the RX-7 Spirit R Type A. These figures put the RX-Vision's performance somewhere around those of the C6 Corvette ZR1, Ferrari 458, and the NC1 NSX; all of which familiar names and flagships the FD RX-7 could go toe–to–toe with in the early nineties.
While the SkyActiv-R engine's power curves and noise do make it extremely similar to the R26B 4–Rotor of the 787B, a very pleasant surprise greeted me when I got into the car from the garage: it made actual 787B noises! This is a big deal to me because I've complained about PD not having a real 787B to scan and record back when I reviewed the 787B in GT Sport, resulting in the digital 787B—and anything else derivative and accepting of its 4–rotor—sounding decidedly unlike the real 787B, including the RX-Vision GT3 Concept. In other words, the "base" RX-Vision sounds more like a racecar than even literal racecars on startup! Despite this, the sound of the base RX-Vision has been notably muffled from its GT3 counterpart during actual gameplay, itself already slightly muffled from the sound of the faux 787B. Some have expressed that the piercing wail of the 787B's 4–Rotor is grating to listen to, and even I have to concur with that sentiment. The RX-Vision's sound, having gone through so much muffling, is perfectly fine to listen to even for long periods of time, all while still sounding highly distinct. It has struck the perfect balance in my opinion, especially if one can suspend their disbelief and not question how something with this much character and volume can ever hope to make production in today's car climate.
The benefits of not having to exist in the cruel and spiteful world are readily apparent from the right bucket seat of the RX-Vision, as the A–pillars are impossibly thin by stringent modern standards, allowing for an incredible view out front. The RX-Vision also doesn't have to print 0–100km/h times nor pass noise and emissions regulations, so the car can be geared naturally for its power curves and mass. Driving it is such a breath of fresh air and a stark reminder of just how ludicrously compromised modern cars are. 2nd and 3rd gear in the RX-V's sequential gearbox are very close to each other to keep the rev happy Rotary unabashedly screaming unhindered by noise regs, and the car will continue to pull all the way in 6th gear, topping out at redline around 320km/h (199mph) in clean air without even a hint of wanting to function as an overdrive highway cruising gear. Just like the 787B, the RX-Vision has ample mid–range punch normally uncharacteristic of NA Rotary Engines, and when mated to such close gear ratios, the RX-Vision is never left without an answer for any complex of corners. I do however concur with Obelisk and RX8 in saying that the RX-Vision has a bit too short of a final drive ratio for the speeds it feels otherwise capable of. It's not a big deal most of the time, but it does feel like squandered potential in the highly specific scenario of a top speed slipstream battle against other cars, or even copies of itself.
Of course, with performance numbers far surpassing that of the FD RX-7, the suspension setup of the RX-Vision has accordingly been tightened up to be less playful and more immediate. The RX-Vision shows no perceptible pitch and roll on its default Sports Hard tyres from the inside and out, and it's almost racecar immediate in its response to driver inputs. Its stiff suspension, incredibly lightweight body, and meagre downforce values combine to result in a car that reacts to every minute crease and crevice of the road surface, transmitting them all to its driver with such clarity that it even comes across visually in bumper cam, making the RX-V feel extremely raw and constantly on the edge, easily upset by an imperfect public road, beating up its driver visually in lieu of physically through the digital divide. It really does remind me of tuner cars from the 90s with how on edge and unrefined it feels in its pursuit of performance, no doubt worsened by the very modern 20–inch steamroller wheels. That stiff suspension setup can also be problematic even on an obsessively smoothed over racetrack: with a staggered 245–285 tyre setup and a rear weight bias from the long hood, short deck body style, the RX-Vision can struggle to put weight over the front tyres to get the long nose to bite into an apex, which is a problem only highlighted more by the fact that whoever is in charge of setting up fictional cars at PD just loves giving them stupidly tight differential setups, meaning that the laden, grippier rear end of the RX-Vision is always trying to keep the featherweight front end from turning and biting into a corner. On trail braking, there's a very prominent moment wherein the car awkwardly stops wanting to turn, the steering wheel judders, and the front tyres scrub with no leadup nor warning whatsoever, and it's a similar story on corner exits as well, where the rear end will suddenly break loose without warning on power, despite the malleable and predictable nature of the NA engine. What this translates to in practice is a very unpredictable and counter–intuitive car to drive; I find myself braking early for corners just to avoid having enough brake input to lock up the LSD when it comes time to pitch the car into the turn, and on corner exits, I'm always tiptoeing on the accelerator pedal, waiting, anticipating the stupid diff to bust the rear end loose. I keep TCS on at 1/5 when driving the RX-Vision not only because I appreciate the safety net, but also because the TCS light coming on out of a corner as I roll on the accelerator pedal is the only warning I'd get for the RX-Vision wanting to re–enact the last downhill run of Takahashi Keisuke versus God Foot.
Despite the "Vision" in its name, the RX-Vision is, in fact, not a Vision Gran Turismo car, meaning the car can be upgraded and adjusted. One might think then, that the car's rather glaring faults can be fixed, but I'm sad to report that, aside from the gearing, none of the RX-V's prominent faults can be tuned out. While a "fully" customisable suspension kit can be bought for the RX-Vision, the springs can't go soft enough to give clear, stable Vision on Sports Hard tyres, with minimum natural frequencies of 2.30/2.50Hz F/R. For some context, a C6 ZR1's stock values are 1.8/2.0Hz F/R, and that's hardly a soft car to begin with. There are no aero parts for the RX-Vision at all in GT Auto, meaning that the car is just stuck with its default downforce values for life. While the car does produce meaningful downforce as–is according to its spec sheets, it doesn't feel enough to counteract the lift the body naturally generates, as the car feels vague, floaty, and even snappy at high speeds, making some high speed corners and kinks either extremely precarious to take at speed, or just flat out impossible to negotiate without slowing to an extent where that becomes dangerous in itself. It's impossible to brake on the high line for the aggressively banked T1 of High Speed Ring Reverse without introducing the rear quarter panel to some armco, and it WILL snap loose without fail, controller or wheel alike, on the final left kink on Deep Forest's home straight. I'm merely speculating when I say this, but I really think the long hood, short deck body style is to blame for all this lift, as the air along the roofline of the car has to dip sharply to meet the boot lid of the car, creating a region of low pressure where the rear window is. It's why so many Le Mans racer have "long tail" versions, right? To feed higher pressure, less turbulent air to their rear wings for high–speed stability? Maybe this wouldn't be such an issue if we could put a towering rear wing on the RX-Vision to match its roofline à la the GT3 Concept, but despite the racecar already being in GT Sport prior to the release of GT7, none of that trickled down to the base car at all for some unfathomable reason.
For a million credits, I would certainly hope for more customisation options and a much better drive. The C6 ZR1 and any of the AMG GTs are just better cars in every regard, and good luck trying to convince your average petrolhead to not buy a Ferrari 458 and instead shell out more than thrice the Credits for a Mazda. Heck, I'd rather spend more on swapping in a racing 4–Rotor to an RX-7 or RX-8, and end up with cars that boast much more customisability visually and mechanically, to say nothing of the unreal fuel efficiency that racing engines have in this game.
The RX-Vision struck me as odd when I first laid eyes on it, and PD's interpretation of it only solidified those doubts into pure disdain. I'm just glad that Mazda has seemingly moved on from the pure styling exercises and made something much more balanced looking and no less beautiful in the Iconic SP.
The RX-VISION is a car in which I placed my car designer life on the line.
I worked on it from the standpoint of really making the dream sports car I have in my mind.
And one of the most important things for a sports car is its fundamental structure.
Historic cars that are still popular and beautiful to look at today all have exceptionally great proportions.
So the first thing we worked on for the RX-VISION was also the structure.
A textbook FR (Front Engine Rear Drive) with a long nose, and the ability to place proper load on the rear wheels.
In the final stages, we extended the front nose about 150mm from the structure we had originally designed,
the part from the front doors up to the front wheel center.
In the very end we made it a slightly unbalanced proportion...
But at that moment we got a lot of traction on the rear wheels, and thought "This will work!"
That slight unbalance is the hook. It's the secret to making someone go "Hmm".
The other secret is the reflection of light.
If you look at the RX-VISION as you circle it, I think you'll notice that the light's reflection moves around like a creature.
Cars are like family or friends to those who are into them.
And it's a very rare industrial product that runs around on its own.
That makes cars have the same type of existence as animals running around in the wild, or an athlete running on a field.
And when you think of it that way, I also want cars to be something that looks beautiful and truly alive in nature.
And for that you need a "sense of life."
So when thinking about what is the sense of life, that will put cars at one with nature,
we tried to express life in the car with the light's reflections and their beauty on tje car's body.
And those are the type of shapes that are instilled in the RX-VISION.
Sarah:
Thank you for that great story, Maeda-san!
Maeda Ikuo:
The pleasure was all mine. If we meet again, I hope we can talk more about cars and design.
When producing the RX-VISION, I had a long running desire to make the RX-VISION a GT3 car and compete in the Le Mans.
I'm a car designer, but I have a soft spot for motorsports.
The first movie that I spent my own allowance on to go see in a theater, during elementary school, was about the 24 hours of Le Mans.
I still remember being really excited to see the fantastic battles between cars like the Porsche 917 and Ferrari 512S.
It made me want to race at the Le Mans in the future, and it also was what got me to strive for a job involving cars.
Mazda won the Le Mans,
and that event naturally connected to that scene of the Le Mans that I dreamed of as a child.
But I want to have everyone take interest in todays motorsports scene, not just events of the past like the 787B.
I strongly hope to add a new page to Mazda's motorsports.
In that respect the GT3 version of the RX-VISION was a car that I really wanted to make happen,
and I was able to do that first in Gran Turismo virtually.
This is something I created with the strong conviction, "that this will be a real car in the future."
And I personally want to drive the Sarthe circuit in this car.
Sarah:
Thank you for that great story, Maeda-san!
Maeda Ikuo:
The pleasure was all mine. If we meet again, I hope we can talk more about cars and design.
Of course, in the 13 years since the FD bowed out of the Japanese market, cars, and the world at large, had changed almost beyond recognition. Cars had arguably gotten so fast to a point that high tech computer wizardry had become a requirement to not only keep them on the road, but to get the most out of them on the track. Thus, pure, lightweight, simple, and affordable sports cars à la the RX-7 have been edged out of the market by technological juggernauts, with many companies even beginning to experiment with hybridisation to prepare for an eventual transition into a carbon neutral future, resulting in an influx of bloated, heavy, and isolating computers on wheels. The RX-Vision then, shocked TAS2015 attendees upon its unveiling both with its beauty and what said beauty seemed to promise; it was low, it was wide, it was svelte, and it hadn't a single screen in the spartan cockpit, seemingly promising the return of a pure sports car just like the FD RX-7 used to be. One could even argue that the RX-Vision looked less like its own thing and more like an FD RX-7 pulled out of a time machine and adapted for the climate of 2015: the goggles–shaped rear light cluster sheathing four round brake lights is the most obvious shared design element, but even the RX-Vision's headlights, while required by modern laws to be static, have running lights in the shape of panel gaps suggestive of the sorely missed pop–up headlights of the RX-7. Heck, the analogue gauges in the RX-Vision would almost look nicked straight from a Zenki FD in the early nineties if the tach didn't read up to an eyebrow–raising 10,000rpm! It really did seem like Mazda were dead serious about bringing something in the spirit of the FD RX-7 into the modern era; something that would be focused on just the driving thrills while actively purging from it any frills, and such a notion was proper cause for celebration both for rotary sports car fans and driving enthusiasts in general.
However, despite all the direct callbacks to my childhood hero and dream sports car, the RX-Vision has always looked a little... off, to me. The part that sticks out to me the most—quite literally—is the stupidly long bonnet of the RX-Vision. One of the main selling points of a Wankel Rotary engine is that they're very compact for their power output, so why the heck does the bonnet of the RX-Vision look long enough to swallow a V12 longitudinally? What's under there, what's that space used for? Designer Maeda Ikuo has proudly stated in GT Café that this long hood, short deck style was an intentional design decision, giving the car great proportions and putting more load on the rear tyres, but I respectfully disagree with him. If load on the rear was really so important, I'd really rather they just made a rear mid–engined car instead, fully acknowledging that Mazda seems oddly adverse to producing RMR cars for some reason. One of the things that made the RX-7 so beloved was that it was a very "pure" and "honest" sports car—there was nothing on it that didn't serve a purpose, and the cars had a very simplistic, yet organic beauty to them because of that. The RX-Vision by contrast, was not only a hollow styling exercise, but one that looked like a fat, disproportionate person wearing a designer dress to me. Yes, the dress itself is achingly beautiful, but the thing underneath contorting, stretching, and giving it shape, I just can't for the life of me find attractive in the slightest, and the whole package just seems a waste.
Now, this is a personal pet peeve of mine, but I really wish the RX-Vision had a third brake light in the middle, even if it'd mostly be blocked by the rear spoiler in its lowered position (and I highly doubt this is legal anywhere). The spoiler bisecting and obscuring the rear lights may at first appear to be just a styling item, but in a blink–and–you'll–miss–it moment during the car's reveal, a video package did show the spoiler raising up and out of the way of the lights, and designer Maeda Ikuo has stated in an interview that the spoiler deploys automatically. It's a bit of a shame that the spoiler is completely static in GT7 in its lowered and obstructive position. I've genuinely never understood why spoilers and wings nowadays need to pop up and down. It's just unnecessary mass and complication. I'll deal with the drag penalty at legal speeds and save on the mass, thank you very much. Rear wings are cool, I want to see them, and anyone who thinks they're uncool are pots calling kettles black. Also, remember how I praised the RX-Vision earlier for not having a single screen in the cockpit? Yeah, that might be a bit of a problem, considering the fact that the thin stalks protruding from the doors hold nothing but cameras. They might want to look into that before putting the car into production, and while they're at it, maybe they can also add in door handles and a fuel inlet.
In 2022, seven years after the RX-Vision was initially revealed, Toyota unveiled a good looking, long hood, short deck FR GT3 racer called the GR GT3 Concept, and the folks at Japanese Nostalgic Car quickly connected the dots, similar roof and door cut lines, and proportions to the RX-Vision GT3 Concept that was added to Gran Turismo Sport in 2020. Now, I don't even want to fantasise about knowing what goes on behind closed doors of car design at a corporate level, but this lines up a bit too well with my gut feeling of "The RX-Vision is very unlike the Mazda I know", making me believe that the RX-Vision was never born specifically to be a Mazda to begin with, but rather as a shared platform. I know the auto industry is in a bad place right now, and the clock is ticking on the internal combustion engine, but as a Mazda fan, I don't know if I want a rotary sports car that has to compromise and share platforms with something it was never meant to be. To be clear, I'm not against platform sharing at all; I just think that the rotary sports car is too ingrained into Mazda's identity to share with and be compromised for some other make, even if Toyota and Mazda (along with Subaru) seem to be buddy–buddy in real life.
I don't give praise to Polyphony Digital often, but they've done an absolutely fantastic job in capturing the essence of the RX-Vision in GT7. Designer Maeda Ikuo has stated both in interviews and in the GT Café that he designed the surfaces in such a way that light dynamically dances across the car as the viewer moves around it to make the car appear more as though a living creature and not just a machine, and while a good approximation of this can be experienced without ray tracing, this dynamic light dance absolutely comes alive in GT7 with ray tracing enabled. It genuinely tickles my inner child taking the RX-Visions to Scapes with spectacular lighting, such as the Tokyo National Art Center, and just... moving the car around, much like a child would a toy car in his hands.
While the wheels and plastic trim pieces look black most of the time, at certain angles, they give of a slight candy apple reddish tint, and even that has been captured and replicated faithfully in GT7. It's not very noticable with the original body colour of Soul Red because they pair so well with said paint, but that reddish tint starts to really stick out and look awkward when the car is repainted in anything other than red, or when one messes around with colours and temperatures in photo mode to get the car looking a certain way.
On the technical side of things, Mazda are cautiously tight–lipped about any specs of the RX-Vision, refusing to spare us fans even morsels of information. We only know that the SkyActiv-R engine is the "main power unit", and that it's an FR. Despite Mazda's deliberate wording that leaves open the possibility of hybridisation, the RX-Vision's only power source in GT7 is its screamer of a Rotary Engine, interpreted by Polyphony Digital to be a naturally aspirated 4–Rotor that revs to 9,500rpm, producing a peak of 517HP (386kW) at 8,800rpm and 489.2N⋅m (360.8lbf⋅ft) at 7,500rpm. If you think PD were super generous with those power figures, wait till you see how little the RX-Vision weighs according to them: a mere 1,290kg (2,844lbs); 60 kilos (132lbs) lighter than the RX-8 Spirit R and just 20 kilos (44lbs) heavier than the RX-7 Spirit R Type A. These figures put the RX-Vision's performance somewhere around those of the C6 Corvette ZR1, Ferrari 458, and the NC1 NSX; all of which familiar names and flagships the FD RX-7 could go toe–to–toe with in the early nineties.
While the SkyActiv-R engine's power curves and noise do make it extremely similar to the R26B 4–Rotor of the 787B, a very pleasant surprise greeted me when I got into the car from the garage: it made actual 787B noises! This is a big deal to me because I've complained about PD not having a real 787B to scan and record back when I reviewed the 787B in GT Sport, resulting in the digital 787B—and anything else derivative and accepting of its 4–rotor—sounding decidedly unlike the real 787B, including the RX-Vision GT3 Concept. In other words, the "base" RX-Vision sounds more like a racecar than even literal racecars on startup! Despite this, the sound of the base RX-Vision has been notably muffled from its GT3 counterpart during actual gameplay, itself already slightly muffled from the sound of the faux 787B. Some have expressed that the piercing wail of the 787B's 4–Rotor is grating to listen to, and even I have to concur with that sentiment. The RX-Vision's sound, having gone through so much muffling, is perfectly fine to listen to even for long periods of time, all while still sounding highly distinct. It has struck the perfect balance in my opinion, especially if one can suspend their disbelief and not question how something with this much character and volume can ever hope to make production in today's car climate.
The benefits of not having to exist in the cruel and spiteful world are readily apparent from the right bucket seat of the RX-Vision, as the A–pillars are impossibly thin by stringent modern standards, allowing for an incredible view out front. The RX-Vision also doesn't have to print 0–100km/h times nor pass noise and emissions regulations, so the car can be geared naturally for its power curves and mass. Driving it is such a breath of fresh air and a stark reminder of just how ludicrously compromised modern cars are. 2nd and 3rd gear in the RX-V's sequential gearbox are very close to each other to keep the rev happy Rotary unabashedly screaming unhindered by noise regs, and the car will continue to pull all the way in 6th gear, topping out at redline around 320km/h (199mph) in clean air without even a hint of wanting to function as an overdrive highway cruising gear. Just like the 787B, the RX-Vision has ample mid–range punch normally uncharacteristic of NA Rotary Engines, and when mated to such close gear ratios, the RX-Vision is never left without an answer for any complex of corners. I do however concur with Obelisk and RX8 in saying that the RX-Vision has a bit too short of a final drive ratio for the speeds it feels otherwise capable of. It's not a big deal most of the time, but it does feel like squandered potential in the highly specific scenario of a top speed slipstream battle against other cars, or even copies of itself.
Of course, with performance numbers far surpassing that of the FD RX-7, the suspension setup of the RX-Vision has accordingly been tightened up to be less playful and more immediate. The RX-Vision shows no perceptible pitch and roll on its default Sports Hard tyres from the inside and out, and it's almost racecar immediate in its response to driver inputs. Its stiff suspension, incredibly lightweight body, and meagre downforce values combine to result in a car that reacts to every minute crease and crevice of the road surface, transmitting them all to its driver with such clarity that it even comes across visually in bumper cam, making the RX-V feel extremely raw and constantly on the edge, easily upset by an imperfect public road, beating up its driver visually in lieu of physically through the digital divide. It really does remind me of tuner cars from the 90s with how on edge and unrefined it feels in its pursuit of performance, no doubt worsened by the very modern 20–inch steamroller wheels. That stiff suspension setup can also be problematic even on an obsessively smoothed over racetrack: with a staggered 245–285 tyre setup and a rear weight bias from the long hood, short deck body style, the RX-Vision can struggle to put weight over the front tyres to get the long nose to bite into an apex, which is a problem only highlighted more by the fact that whoever is in charge of setting up fictional cars at PD just loves giving them stupidly tight differential setups, meaning that the laden, grippier rear end of the RX-Vision is always trying to keep the featherweight front end from turning and biting into a corner. On trail braking, there's a very prominent moment wherein the car awkwardly stops wanting to turn, the steering wheel judders, and the front tyres scrub with no leadup nor warning whatsoever, and it's a similar story on corner exits as well, where the rear end will suddenly break loose without warning on power, despite the malleable and predictable nature of the NA engine. What this translates to in practice is a very unpredictable and counter–intuitive car to drive; I find myself braking early for corners just to avoid having enough brake input to lock up the LSD when it comes time to pitch the car into the turn, and on corner exits, I'm always tiptoeing on the accelerator pedal, waiting, anticipating the stupid diff to bust the rear end loose. I keep TCS on at 1/5 when driving the RX-Vision not only because I appreciate the safety net, but also because the TCS light coming on out of a corner as I roll on the accelerator pedal is the only warning I'd get for the RX-Vision wanting to re–enact the last downhill run of Takahashi Keisuke versus God Foot.
Despite the "Vision" in its name, the RX-Vision is, in fact, not a Vision Gran Turismo car, meaning the car can be upgraded and adjusted. One might think then, that the car's rather glaring faults can be fixed, but I'm sad to report that, aside from the gearing, none of the RX-V's prominent faults can be tuned out. While a "fully" customisable suspension kit can be bought for the RX-Vision, the springs can't go soft enough to give clear, stable Vision on Sports Hard tyres, with minimum natural frequencies of 2.30/2.50Hz F/R. For some context, a C6 ZR1's stock values are 1.8/2.0Hz F/R, and that's hardly a soft car to begin with. There are no aero parts for the RX-Vision at all in GT Auto, meaning that the car is just stuck with its default downforce values for life. While the car does produce meaningful downforce as–is according to its spec sheets, it doesn't feel enough to counteract the lift the body naturally generates, as the car feels vague, floaty, and even snappy at high speeds, making some high speed corners and kinks either extremely precarious to take at speed, or just flat out impossible to negotiate without slowing to an extent where that becomes dangerous in itself. It's impossible to brake on the high line for the aggressively banked T1 of High Speed Ring Reverse without introducing the rear quarter panel to some armco, and it WILL snap loose without fail, controller or wheel alike, on the final left kink on Deep Forest's home straight. I'm merely speculating when I say this, but I really think the long hood, short deck body style is to blame for all this lift, as the air along the roofline of the car has to dip sharply to meet the boot lid of the car, creating a region of low pressure where the rear window is. It's why so many Le Mans racer have "long tail" versions, right? To feed higher pressure, less turbulent air to their rear wings for high–speed stability? Maybe this wouldn't be such an issue if we could put a towering rear wing on the RX-Vision to match its roofline à la the GT3 Concept, but despite the racecar already being in GT Sport prior to the release of GT7, none of that trickled down to the base car at all for some unfathomable reason.
For a million credits, I would certainly hope for more customisation options and a much better drive. The C6 ZR1 and any of the AMG GTs are just better cars in every regard, and good luck trying to convince your average petrolhead to not buy a Ferrari 458 and instead shell out more than thrice the Credits for a Mazda. Heck, I'd rather spend more on swapping in a racing 4–Rotor to an RX-7 or RX-8, and end up with cars that boast much more customisability visually and mechanically, to say nothing of the unreal fuel efficiency that racing engines have in this game.
The RX-Vision struck me as odd when I first laid eyes on it, and PD's interpretation of it only solidified those doubts into pure disdain. I'm just glad that Mazda has seemingly moved on from the pure styling exercises and made something much more balanced looking and no less beautiful in the Iconic SP.
I genuinely think PD has given the RX-V too much speed and too little handling. It's obvious to say this in hindsight, but I think if a Mazda Rotary sports car was in production today, its most natural rivals would be the A90 Supra and the RZ34 Fairlady, both of which hover around the 550PP range—some 70PP below where the RX-V currently sits.
I did try my hand at assuaging the RX-V's awful tendencies, and while it is a bit of cheat to lower speed to get the car to handle better, I think I did pretty well, albeit also making the car a little soulless in the process. I think 400HP and 1,380kg (3,042lbs) are more realistic figures for a production car today; both power and mass are below those of the aforementioned Supra and Fairlady, and cruising at Japan's speed limit of 100km/h has the engine doing almost 3,000rpm in 6th gear. Flat out, it's good for around 270km/h (168mph) in clean air. And, of course, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to give the car the manual gearbox it deserved.
I don't know why I did this. I guess I just really wanted to say that I tried everything I could to make the RX-V work. I don't tune often, but I'd like for anyone still reading to give my setup a try and share with me their thoughts on the setup.
Wheels are 19–Inch items (one inch down from the default), at default offset and width.
I did try my hand at assuaging the RX-V's awful tendencies, and while it is a bit of cheat to lower speed to get the car to handle better, I think I did pretty well, albeit also making the car a little soulless in the process. I think 400HP and 1,380kg (3,042lbs) are more realistic figures for a production car today; both power and mass are below those of the aforementioned Supra and Fairlady, and cruising at Japan's speed limit of 100km/h has the engine doing almost 3,000rpm in 6th gear. Flat out, it's good for around 270km/h (168mph) in clean air. And, of course, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to give the car the manual gearbox it deserved.
I don't know why I did this. I guess I just really wanted to say that I tried everything I could to make the RX-V work. I don't tune often, but I'd like for anyone still reading to give my setup a try and share with me their thoughts on the setup.
Wheels are 19–Inch items (one inch down from the default), at default offset and width.
RX-Vision '15:
Maeda Ikuo:The RX-VISION is a car in which I placed my car designer life on the line.
I worked on it from the standpoint of really making the dream sports car I have in my mind.
And one of the most important things for a sports car is its fundamental structure.
Historic cars that are still popular and beautiful to look at today all have exceptionally great proportions.
So the first thing we worked on for the RX-VISION was also the structure.
A textbook FR (Front Engine Rear Drive) with a long nose, and the ability to place proper load on the rear wheels.
In the final stages, we extended the front nose about 150mm from the structure we had originally designed,
the part from the front doors up to the front wheel center.
In the very end we made it a slightly unbalanced proportion...
But at that moment we got a lot of traction on the rear wheels, and thought "This will work!"
That slight unbalance is the hook. It's the secret to making someone go "Hmm".
The other secret is the reflection of light.
If you look at the RX-VISION as you circle it, I think you'll notice that the light's reflection moves around like a creature.
Cars are like family or friends to those who are into them.
And it's a very rare industrial product that runs around on its own.
That makes cars have the same type of existence as animals running around in the wild, or an athlete running on a field.
And when you think of it that way, I also want cars to be something that looks beautiful and truly alive in nature.
And for that you need a "sense of life."
So when thinking about what is the sense of life, that will put cars at one with nature,
we tried to express life in the car with the light's reflections and their beauty on tje car's body.
And those are the type of shapes that are instilled in the RX-VISION.
Sarah:
Thank you for that great story, Maeda-san!
Maeda Ikuo:
The pleasure was all mine. If we meet again, I hope we can talk more about cars and design.
RX-Vision GT3 Concept '20
Maeda Ikuo:When producing the RX-VISION, I had a long running desire to make the RX-VISION a GT3 car and compete in the Le Mans.
I'm a car designer, but I have a soft spot for motorsports.
The first movie that I spent my own allowance on to go see in a theater, during elementary school, was about the 24 hours of Le Mans.
I still remember being really excited to see the fantastic battles between cars like the Porsche 917 and Ferrari 512S.
It made me want to race at the Le Mans in the future, and it also was what got me to strive for a job involving cars.
Mazda won the Le Mans,
and that event naturally connected to that scene of the Le Mans that I dreamed of as a child.
But I want to have everyone take interest in todays motorsports scene, not just events of the past like the 787B.
I strongly hope to add a new page to Mazda's motorsports.
In that respect the GT3 version of the RX-VISION was a car that I really wanted to make happen,
and I was able to do that first in Gran Turismo virtually.
This is something I created with the strong conviction, "that this will be a real car in the future."
And I personally want to drive the Sarthe circuit in this car.
Sarah:
Thank you for that great story, Maeda-san!
Maeda Ikuo:
The pleasure was all mine. If we meet again, I hope we can talk more about cars and design.
- 1,746
- Singapore
- XSquareStickIt
Right about now is usually when the announcement post for the next car goes up, but, as per tradition, we'll be running the 2024 Car of the Year come this Tuesday's/Wednesday's lobby, and so I'll let you all know what car we'll be running this week tomorrow. Which means, you have less than 24 hours to submit your nominations if you haven't already!
Meanwhile, I just thought I'd photo dump a bit to show off the few of the NA1s I have, because I love them so much:
I have a thing for turquoise cars, because it's such a unique and pretty colour, but not many cars can pull it off. Arguably the car that got me into turquoise in the first place is the "big minor change" NSXes in Gran Turismo, the JDM variants of which came in Estoril Turquoise Pearl. In fact, they came in many fun colours, not just turquoise! I have fond memories of scrolling through the colours as a kid, and collecting said colours still make me feel like a kid today. Unfortunately, Estoril Turquoise Pearl isn't in the game, so I've had to make an approximation of it. Good thing is, I can make the roof black on any NSX now! NSXes with body colour roofs just look weird to me, like a Viper without stripes or a Hakosuka without the rear wing.
I mentioned that I loved the NA1 NSX-R because there was very little to distinguish a Type R from the base model, but back in the early nineties, there was another car across the world that had a souped–up performance variant that was barely distinguishable from its base model, the C4 Corvette ZR-1 (ignore the Grand Sport livery on my car)! I'm sending myself into a GT2 nostalgia trip, don't mind me.
I made a mock Imola Orange Pearl NSX too. The NSX's design is so pure and beautiful that even putting small stickers on the cars feel like outright vandalism. I like to put in small, personal touches on plain body cars to really make them mine, but with the NSX, even that feels vile and uncouth. I've had to tuck two stickers into the recesses of the door handle areas just to not obstruct too much on the car's beauty.
...and going in the entirely opposite direction, I also have a race livery NSX, a replica of the 1995 car that finished first in class in the GT2 category of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
I grew up playing the 1.00 NTSC-U version of Gran Turismo 2, which, among MANY others, had a bug wherein the NSXes converted to the Acura make couldn't accept racing modifications, one of which a replica of said Team Kunimitsu GT2 car. As an adult now, I'm taking revenge for the kid who didn't know he got robbed by now putting said livery on my car in GT7
Ayumi races against Senna's personal NSX!
Also, the Saturday lobby was one of the most enjoyable COTW lobbies in recent memory! Here's a banger race at Tsukuba Circuit, with closely knit action from start to finish!
The car I'm driving is a replica of Kawai Shinji's personal NSX-R. Kawai–san is the Representative Director of Route KS.
Thanks to everyone who participated in COTW and made it fun and worth doing, be it showing up for our lobbies, writing here on the thread, or heck, just liking posts or even lurking. It really makes COTW feel worth the effort
Meanwhile, I just thought I'd photo dump a bit to show off the few of the NA1s I have, because I love them so much:
I have a thing for turquoise cars, because it's such a unique and pretty colour, but not many cars can pull it off. Arguably the car that got me into turquoise in the first place is the "big minor change" NSXes in Gran Turismo, the JDM variants of which came in Estoril Turquoise Pearl. In fact, they came in many fun colours, not just turquoise! I have fond memories of scrolling through the colours as a kid, and collecting said colours still make me feel like a kid today. Unfortunately, Estoril Turquoise Pearl isn't in the game, so I've had to make an approximation of it. Good thing is, I can make the roof black on any NSX now! NSXes with body colour roofs just look weird to me, like a Viper without stripes or a Hakosuka without the rear wing.
I mentioned that I loved the NA1 NSX-R because there was very little to distinguish a Type R from the base model, but back in the early nineties, there was another car across the world that had a souped–up performance variant that was barely distinguishable from its base model, the C4 Corvette ZR-1 (ignore the Grand Sport livery on my car)! I'm sending myself into a GT2 nostalgia trip, don't mind me.
I made a mock Imola Orange Pearl NSX too. The NSX's design is so pure and beautiful that even putting small stickers on the cars feel like outright vandalism. I like to put in small, personal touches on plain body cars to really make them mine, but with the NSX, even that feels vile and uncouth. I've had to tuck two stickers into the recesses of the door handle areas just to not obstruct too much on the car's beauty.
...and going in the entirely opposite direction, I also have a race livery NSX, a replica of the 1995 car that finished first in class in the GT2 category of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
HONDA NSX GT2 Le Mans 1995 by takaBE5C
#kunimitsu #lemans1995 #takabe5c
#kunimitsu #lemans1995 #takabe5c
I grew up playing the 1.00 NTSC-U version of Gran Turismo 2, which, among MANY others, had a bug wherein the NSXes converted to the Acura make couldn't accept racing modifications, one of which a replica of said Team Kunimitsu GT2 car. As an adult now, I'm taking revenge for the kid who didn't know he got robbed by now putting said livery on my car in GT7
Ayumi races against Senna's personal NSX!
Senna Red Portuguese NSX 91 by Knapyboy
#senna #honda #nsx
#senna #honda #nsx
Also, the Saturday lobby was one of the most enjoyable COTW lobbies in recent memory! Here's a banger race at Tsukuba Circuit, with closely knit action from start to finish!
The car I'm driving is a replica of Kawai Shinji's personal NSX-R. Kawai–san is the Representative Director of Route KS.
Thanks to everyone who participated in COTW and made it fun and worth doing, be it showing up for our lobbies, writing here on the thread, or heck, just liking posts or even lurking. It really makes COTW feel worth the effort
- 517
- Singapore
Right, I do need to cast my votes. Here we go!
Best Looking Car
It’s a good thing Obe squeezed this in right at the end of the year, because the old NSX is very much the epitome of simple elegance. No excessive lines, no fake vents. Just a smooth, sleek and clean design that still inspires awe over the decades.
Worst Looking Car
The Volvo 240. It’s just a big box on wheels, whereas the KPGC Skyline has old-school charm and the Jimny has the rugged, ‘the little off-roader that could’ look.
Well, you can’t fault the Swedes for electing for form over function at least.
Most American Car
It’s quite telling that for 2024, we have only 3 cars that are even American in the first place. The Chaparral 2X, the F-150 and the Camaro.
The Chaparral 2X obviously doesn’t qualify as ‘Murica, and the Camaro’s track package with its aero and handling mods also isn’t very ‘Murica either.
So that leaves the F-150 with its big truck size and option to swap in a 1200+hp engine. What could be more ‘Murica than that?
Speaking of the Chaparral….
Beater of the Year
The Chaparral 2X’s laser thruster tech is quite interesting, but the 2X is completely let down by its awful handling at low speeds. The car’s downforce is effectively tied to the laser thruster’s throttle and if there’s no throttle, there’s nothing pressing the car down onto the track. Which is probably why Polyphony ran the one time trial the 2X had this year at Daytona oval to cover up how much its low speed handling sucks.
Car of the Year
I mean, come on. Did you really expect me to pick anything else? I would have to change my name if I did that!
Kid me loved the coupe-like looks of the RX-8, how its rear doors were mini-suicide doors and just how unique it looked compared to every other car at the time.
Of course, little me didn’t care about minor things like maintenance and fuel efficiency and reliability. The RX-8’s sleek, unconventional looks (and a copy of Burnout Revenge) were what sucked me into the world of cars, and I’ve never looked back since.
Best Looking Car
It’s a good thing Obe squeezed this in right at the end of the year, because the old NSX is very much the epitome of simple elegance. No excessive lines, no fake vents. Just a smooth, sleek and clean design that still inspires awe over the decades.
Worst Looking Car
The Volvo 240. It’s just a big box on wheels, whereas the KPGC Skyline has old-school charm and the Jimny has the rugged, ‘the little off-roader that could’ look.
Well, you can’t fault the Swedes for electing for form over function at least.
Most American Car
It’s quite telling that for 2024, we have only 3 cars that are even American in the first place. The Chaparral 2X, the F-150 and the Camaro.
The Chaparral 2X obviously doesn’t qualify as ‘Murica, and the Camaro’s track package with its aero and handling mods also isn’t very ‘Murica either.
So that leaves the F-150 with its big truck size and option to swap in a 1200+hp engine. What could be more ‘Murica than that?
Speaking of the Chaparral….
Beater of the Year
The Chaparral 2X’s laser thruster tech is quite interesting, but the 2X is completely let down by its awful handling at low speeds. The car’s downforce is effectively tied to the laser thruster’s throttle and if there’s no throttle, there’s nothing pressing the car down onto the track. Which is probably why Polyphony ran the one time trial the 2X had this year at Daytona oval to cover up how much its low speed handling sucks.
Car of the Year
I mean, come on. Did you really expect me to pick anything else? I would have to change my name if I did that!
Kid me loved the coupe-like looks of the RX-8, how its rear doors were mini-suicide doors and just how unique it looked compared to every other car at the time.
Of course, little me didn’t care about minor things like maintenance and fuel efficiency and reliability. The RX-8’s sleek, unconventional looks (and a copy of Burnout Revenge) were what sucked me into the world of cars, and I’ve never looked back since.
- 74
- South Africa
- atom_bomb1953
You've probably noticed that in the off-chance times that I review a car here, I don't just review it - I go out of my way to add some unique spice to my writeups, either buying multiples of the same car and stealing liveries for them all, or reviewing every car from the same make, or driving something that isn't meant for the snow on the snow, or kidnap the people who designed the cars and force an honest review out of them at gunpoint. I don't work for CAR Magazine, I'm a laaitie typing about cars in a children's driving game for a forum. I gotta spice things up somehow. The rubber stamp of Beater or Sleeper may be predictable, but the way I reach them shouldn't be. In this regard, I also feel the need to add some additional awards of my own. So without further faffing about...
The Yu Jimin Award (Best-Looking Car of the Year)
There's not a whole lot of competition, not when Square decided to pick the Miura for Week 63. This leaves me with a shortlist for second place - the Aston DBR9, the Maserati MC20, the Porsche Carrera GT, and the Volvo 240. But this is a street fight. There are no awards for second place, so Face Card of the Year goes to the Lamborghini Miura P400 Bertone Prototype.
A car so fantastic to behold, that when Lamborghini made a retro concept for it back in 2006, they fully admitted their shame in bringing this design back in any capacity while swearing off harking back to the past (and then they made the Countach LPI).
The Junior Tafa Award (Worst-Looking Car of the Year)
Just because I name a car here, doesn't mean it's bad to drive. The GR Corolla's pencillers started drawing the car and didn't stop, the 996 GT3 looks like it has melted next to an open fire, the Volvo 240 wants to wipe its tears away but can't because its wipers don't work in-game, and the Renault R4 exists solely to be victim of Mr Bean cutting in front of it. But they all pale in comparison to the Saudi Special, the Abu Dhabi Desert Bus, the Lamborghini Urus.
Lambo should make a V12 hybrid version called the Clirus.
(It's Fun To Stay At) The YMCA Award (Most American Car of the Year)
We were strapped for American autos this year, so while the obvious thing to do would be to give the award to the BMW Z8 for being an honorary open-top pony car, keep in mind that James Bond drove it, making it as American as beans on toast. There's only one choice - the Chaparral 2X VGT.
America will conquer the universe using laser-powered space cars.
The UFC Macau Award (Surprise of the Year)
Usually when a live UFC event comes on at a reasonable time, I set myself up for a half-decent show at best. Put one up 11 in the morning, I start to worry if my time spent on what I thought would be a random Apex card with one good fight will be worth it. And then I watched it. And I was amazed. And my worry ceased to exist. I can say the same thing about the BVLGARI Aluminium VGT.
This drivable watch had everything going against it. It's a VGT. It's a VGT that cost over four thousand dollars to get early. Its suspension was too hard for the style of driving it asked for. Its headlights are complete crap in the middle of the night. But after seeing this car outlast and overtake full-blown GT3 machines on their home turf made me realize that the BVLGARI is more than some cynical marketing scheme. It feels like a real car, and as I said back then, it should be one.
The Tinnitus Was Worth It Award (Engine Sound of the Year)
This category was much closer than I anticipated. It's your fault for making me choose between so many nice noises. Pick your favourite of the year and it's likely that I considered it. So if you thought the Porsche Carrera GT was the car you'd never use the radio of... then I salute you as a fellow man with good taste.
It truly is a sound to die for. OKAY THERE I MADE THE PAUL WALKER JOKE
The Raivon Anderson Award (Racecar of the Year)
IT CAN'T BE ANYTHING ELSE
REPLACE YOUR GARAGE WITH JIMMEHS
The Yu Jimin Award (Best-Looking Car of the Year)
There's not a whole lot of competition, not when Square decided to pick the Miura for Week 63. This leaves me with a shortlist for second place - the Aston DBR9, the Maserati MC20, the Porsche Carrera GT, and the Volvo 240. But this is a street fight. There are no awards for second place, so Face Card of the Year goes to the Lamborghini Miura P400 Bertone Prototype.
A car so fantastic to behold, that when Lamborghini made a retro concept for it back in 2006, they fully admitted their shame in bringing this design back in any capacity while swearing off harking back to the past (and then they made the Countach LPI).
The Junior Tafa Award (Worst-Looking Car of the Year)
Just because I name a car here, doesn't mean it's bad to drive. The GR Corolla's pencillers started drawing the car and didn't stop, the 996 GT3 looks like it has melted next to an open fire, the Volvo 240 wants to wipe its tears away but can't because its wipers don't work in-game, and the Renault R4 exists solely to be victim of Mr Bean cutting in front of it. But they all pale in comparison to the Saudi Special, the Abu Dhabi Desert Bus, the Lamborghini Urus.
Lambo should make a V12 hybrid version called the Clirus.
(It's Fun To Stay At) The YMCA Award (Most American Car of the Year)
We were strapped for American autos this year, so while the obvious thing to do would be to give the award to the BMW Z8 for being an honorary open-top pony car, keep in mind that James Bond drove it, making it as American as beans on toast. There's only one choice - the Chaparral 2X VGT.
America will conquer the universe using laser-powered space cars.
The UFC Macau Award (Surprise of the Year)
Usually when a live UFC event comes on at a reasonable time, I set myself up for a half-decent show at best. Put one up 11 in the morning, I start to worry if my time spent on what I thought would be a random Apex card with one good fight will be worth it. And then I watched it. And I was amazed. And my worry ceased to exist. I can say the same thing about the BVLGARI Aluminium VGT.
This drivable watch had everything going against it. It's a VGT. It's a VGT that cost over four thousand dollars to get early. Its suspension was too hard for the style of driving it asked for. Its headlights are complete crap in the middle of the night. But after seeing this car outlast and overtake full-blown GT3 machines on their home turf made me realize that the BVLGARI is more than some cynical marketing scheme. It feels like a real car, and as I said back then, it should be one.
The Tinnitus Was Worth It Award (Engine Sound of the Year)
This category was much closer than I anticipated. It's your fault for making me choose between so many nice noises. Pick your favourite of the year and it's likely that I considered it. So if you thought the Porsche Carrera GT was the car you'd never use the radio of... then I salute you as a fellow man with good taste.
It truly is a sound to die for. OKAY THERE I MADE THE PAUL WALKER JOKE
The Raivon Anderson Award (Racecar of the Year)
Listen, all these picks are less objective criteria and more personal preference, get used to it. And yes, I'm fully aware that this category stands the risk of having the car of the year as well. That out the way, my pick for Racecar of the Year goes to the Honda RA272.
This is as pure as it gets. No wings, no diffusers, no position lights, no buttons on the steering wheel - just you, a tub, and a screaming V12 inches away from your cerebellum.
The Award (Most As-Rated Car of the Year)
This one goes to the car that offered me no more or less than what I expected. It can be as good or bad as it wants, just as long as it's a car, no doubt. And one of the cars of all time of the year is the Renault R4 GTL.
Simply put, it car. It French. Have funky wheelbase. Go slow.
The KWAB Award (Beater of the Year)
Pray tell, which car was it that everyone here despised every second of? That I despised every second of six entire hours racing this accursed thing? The one that made me listen to DOCTOR JONES DOCTOR JONES WAKE UP NOW to pass the time? Why, the Toyota Aqua S, of course!
I LUUUUUUUUURRRRVE having half your power supply shut down, which is fine - the tiddlywink tyres were growing weary after three miles.
Skyrocket44's Car of the Year
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IT'S THE JIMMEEEEEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
This is as pure as it gets. No wings, no diffusers, no position lights, no buttons on the steering wheel - just you, a tub, and a screaming V12 inches away from your cerebellum.
The Award (Most As-Rated Car of the Year)
This one goes to the car that offered me no more or less than what I expected. It can be as good or bad as it wants, just as long as it's a car, no doubt. And one of the cars of all time of the year is the Renault R4 GTL.
Simply put, it car. It French. Have funky wheelbase. Go slow.
The KWAB Award (Beater of the Year)
Pray tell, which car was it that everyone here despised every second of? That I despised every second of six entire hours racing this accursed thing? The one that made me listen to DOCTOR JONES DOCTOR JONES WAKE UP NOW to pass the time? Why, the Toyota Aqua S, of course!
I LUUUUUUUUURRRRVE having half your power supply shut down, which is fine - the tiddlywink tyres were growing weary after three miles.
Skyrocket44's Car of the Year
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IT'S THE JIMMEEEEEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Attachments
- 1,746
- Singapore
- XSquareStickIt
2024 was a hell of a year for me in COTW, for both the right and wrong reasons. The same can be said for the cars we've sampled! From Kei off–roaders, a 60s F1 legend, laser propelled sci–fi doohickeys, everyman pickup trucks, and cutting–edge supercars, just to name a few. While no objective measure can apply for such a wide variety of cars in the real world, here in GT7, all they have to do is to make us smile. So, which car has done that better than anything else? Five regulars have made their opinions known, and in the case of a tie, I will use my vote to act as a tie–breaker; otherwise, I will abstain from voting.
We start with what may perhaps be the second most important award right behind the Car of the Year award: the Best Looking Car Award! After all, an ugly car that spins you into a ditch upside–down whilst its engine is on fire is a bad car; a beautiful car that spins you into a ditch upside–down whilst its engine is on fire is a feisty mistress with a difficult attitude that stands as a test of manliness and skill. That is to say, almost any fault can be forgiven if it's beautiful, and the nominees for that lifetime of forgiveness are...
And the winner is... (drumroll...)
(Collects bribe behind back)
And, just as waves need to recede and humans need to exhale, we now swing to the opposite end of the spectrum: the Worst Looking Car Award! As one might imagine, while a beautiful car can commit war crimes and get away with pure beauty, an ugly car can do things perfectly, yet still never get the recognition it deserves... not that many of the nominees for the Worst Looking Car really DO much of anything well, but still...
Our nominees are:
And the "winner" is, with 2 whole votes...!
Asia has Kei cars. Europe has the Grand Tourer. America? America has POWEEEEERRRRRR. That, and their own category of award here in COTW, the Most American Car Award! Be it muscle cars, pickup trucks, or classic sports cars, anything made in the United States of America promises to be incredibly quick in a straight line, loud, and loads of fun (if you can control the damn cars)! Such strong identity is the reason why this odd little award has managed to stick around since the GT6 COTW days, and why USA is the only country to have its own award.
Unlike the political system in the US, we at COTW offer voters more than just two candidates to best represent their views, needs, and opinions. How many more? One more!
And the winner is, by an astonishing 3 votes...
And now, it's time for one of the two "big ones", the Beater of the Year. Nominees for this award are not only ugly, expensive, drive horribly, or have zero practical use; they'd need to have almost a skillful blend of most of the above stated criteria to be considered. These cars are so bad that they arguably can't even serve as context to help us appreciate even the gems in the car list. In our small community of COTW, there is no greater shame than to be branded the Beater of the Year.
And yes, I did remember Baron's claim that he'd vote for the Mazda RX-8 as BOTY from the start of this year! I asked, and he said that worse cars have usurped it. No, I didn't threaten his family (too much).
The RX-8 deprived list of nominees are...
And the winner is... with an encore of 2 votes...
And now, for the one we've all been waiting for... the 2024 Car of the Year! Cars that are nominated for the COTY awards do multiple things incredibly well, and it's gems like these that make even trudging through several BOTY candidates worth the while. The crowning jewels of our year–long escapade are...
...wait, six cars, from five voters? Yep, Yard only cast his vote for the Car of the Year category. Not that it helped any; we now have a six–way tie for the most coveted award of them all! Where's the unity? How's anyone reading this supposed to trust us?!
I guess that simply means it's time for me to assert dom— I mean, calmly step in and assess the situation and apply only the most rational and thought out steps and procedures to come up with—
Our usual weekly lobbies are ongoing as usual. This week, we'll be re–running the 2024 Car of the Year for the first week of 2025! See you there!
We start with what may perhaps be the second most important award right behind the Car of the Year award: the Best Looking Car Award! After all, an ugly car that spins you into a ditch upside–down whilst its engine is on fire is a bad car; a beautiful car that spins you into a ditch upside–down whilst its engine is on fire is a feisty mistress with a difficult attitude that stands as a test of manliness and skill. That is to say, almost any fault can be forgiven if it's beautiful, and the nominees for that lifetime of forgiveness are...
- Week 55's Maserati MC20 '20
- Week 63's Lamborghini Miura P400 Bertone Prototype '67
- Week 89's Honda NSX Type R '92
And the winner is... (drumroll...)
(Collects bribe behind back)
The Honda NSX Type R '92!
Both the Lamborghini Miura and the Honda NSX received two votes each, and so I voted for the car that was beautiful both inside AND out. What a concept, right?
Both the Lamborghini Miura and the Honda NSX received two votes each, and so I voted for the car that was beautiful both inside AND out. What a concept, right?
And, just as waves need to recede and humans need to exhale, we now swing to the opposite end of the spectrum: the Worst Looking Car Award! As one might imagine, while a beautiful car can commit war crimes and get away with pure beauty, an ugly car can do things perfectly, yet still never get the recognition it deserves... not that many of the nominees for the Worst Looking Car really DO much of anything well, but still...
Our nominees are:
- Week 50's Toyota Tundra TRD Pro '19
- Week 52's Lamborghini Urus '18
- Week 60's Volvo 240 SE Estate '93
- Week 74's Toyota Aqua S '11
And the "winner" is, with 2 whole votes...!
The Toyota Aqua S '11!
Some might simply view it as too plain, others, outright ugly. Perhaps there's no worse sin in a racing game than being boring. But at least the Aqua can take solace in the fact that it lapped an entire field of Tomahawks when we featured it!
Some might simply view it as too plain, others, outright ugly. Perhaps there's no worse sin in a racing game than being boring. But at least the Aqua can take solace in the fact that it lapped an entire field of Tomahawks when we featured it!
Asia has Kei cars. Europe has the Grand Tourer. America? America has POWEEEEERRRRRR. That, and their own category of award here in COTW, the Most American Car Award! Be it muscle cars, pickup trucks, or classic sports cars, anything made in the United States of America promises to be incredibly quick in a straight line, loud, and loads of fun (if you can control the damn cars)! Such strong identity is the reason why this odd little award has managed to stick around since the GT6 COTW days, and why USA is the only country to have its own award.
Unlike the political system in the US, we at COTW offer voters more than just two candidates to best represent their views, needs, and opinions. How many more? One more!
- Week 41's Chaparral 2X Vision Gran Turismo
- Week 50's Ford F-150 SVT Raptor '11
- Week 87's Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE Package '18
And the winner is, by an astonishing 3 votes...
The Ford F-150 SVT Raptor '11!
Makes sense; these dumb trucks are seemingly driving regular, sensible cars to extinction in the US, and the scary thing is, even we city–dwellers halfway across the globe sometimes see them infest our tight streets. At this point, power is not just a flex; it's a requirement.
Makes sense; these dumb trucks are seemingly driving regular, sensible cars to extinction in the US, and the scary thing is, even we city–dwellers halfway across the globe sometimes see them infest our tight streets. At this point, power is not just a flex; it's a requirement.
And now, it's time for one of the two "big ones", the Beater of the Year. Nominees for this award are not only ugly, expensive, drive horribly, or have zero practical use; they'd need to have almost a skillful blend of most of the above stated criteria to be considered. These cars are so bad that they arguably can't even serve as context to help us appreciate even the gems in the car list. In our small community of COTW, there is no greater shame than to be branded the Beater of the Year.
And yes, I did remember Baron's claim that he'd vote for the Mazda RX-8 as BOTY from the start of this year! I asked, and he said that worse cars have usurped it. No, I didn't threaten his family (too much).
The RX-8 deprived list of nominees are...
- Week 41's Chaparral 2X Vision Gran Turismo
- Week 43's Ferrari F8 Tributo '19
- Week 74's Toyota Aqua S '11
- Week 86's Mazda RX-VISION '15
And the winner is... with an encore of 2 votes...
The Toyota Aqua S '11!
I've little doubt that the Aqua is a good city car in real life, but here in a racing game, it presents a boat load of quirks and issues with its sloppy handling and short–lived hybrid boost, and it's a horrible first impression to imprint onto a new player as a starter car. In hindsight, we also didn't get to test many outright awful cars this year!
I've little doubt that the Aqua is a good city car in real life, but here in a racing game, it presents a boat load of quirks and issues with its sloppy handling and short–lived hybrid boost, and it's a horrible first impression to imprint onto a new player as a starter car. In hindsight, we also didn't get to test many outright awful cars this year!
And now, for the one we've all been waiting for... the 2024 Car of the Year! Cars that are nominated for the COTY awards do multiple things incredibly well, and it's gems like these that make even trudging through several BOTY candidates worth the while. The crowning jewels of our year–long escapade are...
- Week 39's Mazda RX-8 Spirit R '12
- Week 40's Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV GSR '96
- Week 44's Suzuki Jimny XC '18
- Week 64's Alfa Romeo 4C Gr.3
- Week 72's Toyota GR Corolla MORIZO Edition '22
- Week 83's Mazda Eunos Roadster (NA Special Package) '89
...wait, six cars, from five voters? Yep, Yard only cast his vote for the Car of the Year category. Not that it helped any; we now have a six–way tie for the most coveted award of them all! Where's the unity? How's anyone reading this supposed to trust us?!
I guess that simply means it's time for me to assert dom— I mean, calmly step in and assess the situation and apply only the most rational and thought out steps and procedures to come up with—
It's the Mazda RX-8 Spirit R '12!
What a comeback story! From being pegged as the BOTY since January by a clearly crazed Canadian, to now joining the COTW Hall of Fame as a Car of the Year! Truly incredible! Well done, Mazda! And what a birthday gift this will be for @RX8 Racer, who will get to run his namesake on his birthday week!
And we at COTW can pat ourselves on the back for being truly professional, impartial reviews and judgment!
What a comeback story! From being pegged as the BOTY since January by a clearly crazed Canadian, to now joining the COTW Hall of Fame as a Car of the Year! Truly incredible! Well done, Mazda! And what a birthday gift this will be for @RX8 Racer, who will get to run his namesake on his birthday week!
And we at COTW can pat ourselves on the back for being truly professional, impartial reviews and judgment!
Our usual weekly lobbies are ongoing as usual. This week, we'll be re–running the 2024 Car of the Year for the first week of 2025! See you there!
- 3,935
- On the move
- SomePlayaDude
SPD Writes Gran Turismo 7's Car Of The Week: Week 87 - Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE Package
You know, this picture makes me miss doing Showcases like I did in Horizon 5. These three did quite an impression on that time I nominated the Viper GTS, despite being a personal trio.
So, say hello again to Shadow..
..in no relation to the Sonic Adventure 2 inspired Sonic The Hedgehog 3 movie that just came out (freaking amazing movie, by the way), however. We haven't had an SPD personally named car in a while now, huh? The last was perhaps Boxzilla from Week 73.
I'm sure you haven't a clue this isn't Shadow's first appearance in COTW. If not perhaps a quick cameo in my weekly stories that even I too don't have the memory for, I've used it in the Mini Mexico iteration as part of the showcase I held with the Dodge Viper GTS (VX). Due to how well it did, I'd say it earned a Sleeper there, but we didn't even nominate it. Like we haven't nominated a Mustang there too, which is a travesty that only comes unrivalled against the tragedy of Week 34.
As an Asian, it must be odd that I've come to appreciate American cars more than Japanese ones. The Camaro Mustang rivalry was one of the reasons why. It's such a strange position for me that two of my favorite American models are, surprise surprise, at each other's necks in the market they have their stake in.
To begin, the ZL1 trim for a classic 69 Camaro was more of a special version rather than a special model for sale. What looks to be an unassuming model that came out as standard, in the hood you can see the results of a COPO regulated special engine package. Such Camaros were powerhouses, and were called the ZL-1 in reference to the 427 HEMI engine it carried. And with a limited 69 models only bearing this badge, it became the unicorn of Camaros then. Despite having it's name taken from then, the trim however became official on the modern 5th Generation Camaro, but without the dash so it's spelled ZL1. Make no mistake: for ZL1 Camaros are top performing trims for this model of Chevy, intended for the road, the strip or the track.
Now we head to this Camaro. It's a ZL1 from the 6th generation. Armed with a supercharged LT4 V8 that you can find in the C7 Corvette Z06, this baby, with its 650 horsepower and 1.7 ton load, will take you to the moon if you want it to. However, what's unusual was the presence of all these slits, a large splitter and a giant rear wing that generates 130 kilos of downforce. This is the 1LE trim, which is the track pack to the ZL1. You have downforce. You have largened lightweight wheels. You have a lightweight blacked out hood. You get stiffened suspension and a transmission modified to limit its final gear to the capabilities of the car.
Any naysayers can look no further to this budget sports hero managing a very respectful 7:16 lap time around the Nurburgring. If anything, American cars hardly get a presence around here, and this super Camaro sure made headlines then. You can't do that to any old muscle car: you have to get it right to be this quick.
Yes, that is Sonny Meng: Asian-American Badass's name on the car, it's his stage once again this week.. I hate it when it's his stage and on December. December's my chill 'I'm far away from my PC and PS5 as possibly can' period of life. Oh well, enjoy the Trackmania 2 Canyon reference in the aesthetic. Story, however..
This week's theme song:
Me & You (Dirtyphonics Remix)
Nero
Welcome Reality
Episode: Purge The Canyon
As the morning starts to glow, a certain modified Golf charges down to the industrial south side of Los Angeles.
Bringing his friend slash mentor, and his small statured companion, Graham overhears their talk..
Candy: "So.. why isn't the dark one joining us on your monthly Willow Springs party?"
Sonny: "Today, my man Jake has a side gig."
Candy: "What? A job?"
Sonny: "Wanna guess?"
Candy: "It's obviously bounty hunting."
Sonny: "No. I mean, it was one time, but not this time. Actually, Graham: since you know, don't you say anything."
With him in the conversation made official, he replies in accordance..
Graham: "Lips are sealed."
Sonny: "Well.. let's keep going. You're not going to believe the answer."
Candy: "Truck driver?"
Sonny: "That's Fred's gig. I mean.. no."
Her confidence sinking, she then spoke in disbelief..
Candy: "We're going to be here forever, right?"
Sonny: "Unless you give up, of course. I'm not that cruel, lah."
Candy: "Right. I'll concede. What's it then?"
As Sonny snaps his fingers, the driver then spoke out..
Graham: "Indie wrestling."
With that, her imagination brews..
Candy: "Ooohh.. guy like him, holding other sweaty men in suggestive ways. Barbaric!"
Sonny: "Guy's got a show up in Sacramento, so now you know why he's out-o."
Candy: "So, how does he fight in the squared circle?"
Sonny: "Big hulking brute, but.. but.. actually it'd be better if I can find his highlights on YouTube. Maybe after today's track party. Remind me, okay?"
Candy: "Suits me."
The psychological gambler then listened closely, stating..
Graham: "You're in a.. more than amicable mood, I hear?"
Candy: "Fwee... It's refreshing he's not raising me up a chokehold for a change.."
Port of Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California, USA
Early Morning
Just outside the port area, the small crew in the Golf comes by the secure areas of the gigantic port.
With a special app on the Golf's middle screen, Graham puts the car on a slow pace as he observes..
Graham: "Alright, based on today's map.."
Candy: "Maps? Is Carlyle secretly designing a treasure filled temple, or something?"
Sonny: "No idea, lah. But it's his MO on his mostly illegal side gig to be discreet."
Candy: "Umm, excuse me? 'Mostly' illegal?"
And after a quick decipher with a message he's got on his smartphone, he then announces happily.
Graham: "Alright. I can deduce me mate's just by this part of the port. Keep your belts on, guv."
Candy: "I sure hope we can drive around here, because if we don't.. I wish I'd have Daphne's wide brimmed hat right about now.."
Graham: "Fret a little less, ma'am. Of course we can. Have to flash my ID first."
As the Golf finds a discreet resting spot, the passengers exit the car.
And in front of them..
Candy: "Yup, I see a bunch of naughty smugglers working under the watchful eye of the Californian state government. You ever used his services, Sonny?"
Sonny: "It's why I'm here, baby. But for bit that's no ways illegal, lah. Otherwise, no. Every car I have on me is legit legit, sis. By the way.. I gotta make myself a bit scarce, just in case the fan club decides to stop by."
As Sonny puts on a hood and sunglasses, he waltzes away as if he's a drunk beggar.
The other duo then moved towards the people handling cars, as the little racer then caught with her eye..
Candy: "That's a Mustang I recognize.."
Before she could get a close look, a few workers came by and greeted, followed by their leader..
Carlyle: "Ahh. Salutations, Graham and his lil' missy. Hope you's got no trouble finding us this day?"
Graham: "After the first blunder, you're not getting any more of that muck, I promise you. Is mum here, or.."
Carlyle: "Nahh.. she's working on this new film in Alaska. Something about some squad of.. was it 5 or 6.. umm, that number of commandos fighting some hilariously well armed Ruskies on the ice. Not original, but I ain't the director, so.."
With a car nearby driving out, the person handling it puts it on standby and greets..
Daphne: "Howdy, fellas."
Wiping a few sweats, the Outrun Queen, wiping a few sweats and notably without her camera, walks to her superior for today.
Carlyle: "I see you's all met my assistant for today: the ever so lovely Miss Daphne."
As he gestures to her appearing, Candy stepped forwards, developing happy thoughts this woman with roots from the 60's.
Candy: "Daph? Hey.. umm.. you don't look too well dressed to be a smuggler with all that skin about, just saying."
Daphne: "Honestly, it's not like you CAN tell I'm sunburnt, girl. Cut me some slack."
Not wanting to escalate, the little racer spoke carefully..
Candy: "Of course not. It's always a good day with you about."
Daphne: "Oh f[BLEEP] yeah it is! DAMN! Sorry for being tense, just.. exhausted."
As the conversation flows towards the men..
Graham: "So, Lyle.. umm.. I got Sonny Meng mucking about somewhere. What'd be the action plan with him?"
Carlyle: "List business, but really: I's just using my services to move his s[BLEEP] with lower costs."
The plump lion however has other thoughts, as he announces..
Carlyle: "But first.. I gots us an early Christmas gift for us to play with. This one's yours, ready and able."
After, he takes out a set of keys from his side pocket, dangling one out for Graham to notice..
Graham: "Eh? Porsche, is it? Not a new one, so.. I put my money it's a 996?"
Carlyle: "Ahhh. Close. 993. An oldie but goodie. Fully refurbished Ring runner following a nasty crash. Come over."
The group then gets led to a spot with a few cars..
Getting a free new car for Christmas, it's natural he too would act like it, as he admires..
Graham: "Oh, bloody me, this is some machine.."
Carlyle: "Consider it playing with our profits finally taking shape, my man. By the way: I's tried getting a turbo, but you'll have to settle with the RS version. Means you's got some tweaking to do with the handling."
Graham: "This versus my killer Golf is going to be quite the contest. If I can toy with it with the lads in the Ghosts, there's a chance I can't even calculate the difference."
Carlyle: "Someone eager to earn his way into The List, I see?"
Not soon after, the ladies hop into observing the 911..
Candy: "Nice. I'm not really into Porsches.. if not that Carrera GT that time, that is. So, is this the commission you're getting for some heist work?"
Graham: "That time between us is one of many, by the way."
Carlyle: "Don'ts got a gift for you, baby doll.. Sorry."
Candy: "No worries. A car for free is a stretch.. but I still owe you for doing a complete cleanup on the Augur MINI."
Carlyle: "Nah. Forget about it: you's owe me zilch."
However, Candy turns and finds herself unable to ignore the car just besides..
Candy: "So, what about this golden Zenki?"
Carlyle: "That's mine. Boss guy didn't like me running high octane in the straights, and he's right. So I got's me a new toy that's got kinks for the corners, courtesy of some time attack garage that's clearing out stock."
Candy: "Who, exactly?"
Carlyle: "I reserve my right on customer discretion, doll. No dice."
He's more into his new old Porsche, but Graham did however have an idea to share..
Graham: "By the way, you mentioned us 3 getting a free ride. Where's mum Miranda's gift?"
Carlyle: "As her ex-fiancee, I gots her something so special, she'd forget I had her on a one night stint. But I's want her to be in person for it, thus: it's for another time. It's behind that locked grate."
Daphne: "Before you all ask: I don't know what's in it either. Nuh-huh."
While sense of sight isn't available, Candy leaned towards and listened through the metal grate.
Candy: "Hmm.. I hear the seaside.."
Mumbled the little racer, obviously being placebo, but it gave a hint enough for her to guess..
Candy: "If it's a punch buggy in there, I won't be shocked."
Carlyle: "You'd got it all wrong.. but good try anyways, doll."
Down but not even flinched, Candy decided to ask..
Candy: "One more thing.. Sonny Meng. He's not the type that gets his cars with your services. That's what he told me, anyways.."
Carlyle: "That clown's using me to get his car unnoticed by the fan club he loathes so much. Easy money's the end game here, doll."
A quick pause has her thing his logic being sound, expressing with an impressive smile.
Candy: "Peculiar. That's actually quite a sound reason, I must say."
Carlyle: "Come over here; I show's you's."
Leaving Graham and Daphne, the orange lion man walks to the locked garage just next to Miranda's secret stash.
Carlyle: "Well, I's managed to keep it away under lock and key in this here secure. This by the ways is state of the art transport cargo. Small fortunes come and go with things like this."
Taking off his chewing wheat, he then grabs the padlock and quickly rotates away to its 4 pin code.
As he get the lock loose, he then prepares a quick drumroll the moment he was to lift the grate open..
Carlyle: "...AAAND..."
Sonny: "OPEN!"
Not taking the surprise attacks from a certain Chimera, he shouts in disbelief..
Carlyle: "OH GOOD GOD, OF COURSE.."
Despite the hood and sunglasses, it's unmistakable he's Sonny Meng, as Candy then queries..
Candy: "So.. how was your scouting mission?"
Sonny: "We're in the clear. For now. But no sloppy thoughts, baby: the uncertainty of my unofficial fan club does mean we gotta dash ASAP, beh. Show it to me."
Carlyle: "With pleasure."
This time, the grating does open, revealing..
Duke Nukem Theme
Megadeth
Warchest
Candy: "It's a Camaro. A track tuned one?"
Sonny: "Not just any Camaro, Candy baby. It's my own daily driver of sorts: a ZL1, with the 1LE track package. Doubles that with a slick tuned track racing speciality engineered by Chevy, further fine tuned by the Ghosts. Chiseled to perfection by moi. Keys please."
A quick toss to his side, the keys of said Camaro comes to its owner, as he unlocks it remotely..
Candy: "Perfection, eh? I hope you don't let THE BEAST hear that."
Sonny: "It's a fickle relationship I must tale.. but I'm afraid if you need a crash course on why I love Camaros and Vipers, we're going to have to do it on the way to the Springs. Ladies first.."
He opens the passenger door, giving the lady her way in the car.
As he closes it, an instruction was then shared, as he tosses a quick hundred bill towards the classic car enthusiast..
Sonny: "Here's your take, hot stuff. Think you can clean this op up and get to our nice List meet at Big Willow in less than 3 hours?"
Carlyle: "You's challenging me in my line of work, Sonny? I'll be there before you know it. Plus Graham and Miss Anders, 'course."
Some bonuses..
Why the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE Package gets a certain Dirtyphonics remix as its signature song:
Plus: Shadow in Mini Mexico's COTW..
You know, this picture makes me miss doing Showcases like I did in Horizon 5. These three did quite an impression on that time I nominated the Viper GTS, despite being a personal trio.
So, say hello again to Shadow..
..in no relation to the Sonic Adventure 2 inspired Sonic The Hedgehog 3 movie that just came out (freaking amazing movie, by the way), however. We haven't had an SPD personally named car in a while now, huh? The last was perhaps Boxzilla from Week 73.
I'm sure you haven't a clue this isn't Shadow's first appearance in COTW. If not perhaps a quick cameo in my weekly stories that even I too don't have the memory for, I've used it in the Mini Mexico iteration as part of the showcase I held with the Dodge Viper GTS (VX). Due to how well it did, I'd say it earned a Sleeper there, but we didn't even nominate it. Like we haven't nominated a Mustang there too, which is a travesty that only comes unrivalled against the tragedy of Week 34.
As an Asian, it must be odd that I've come to appreciate American cars more than Japanese ones. The Camaro Mustang rivalry was one of the reasons why. It's such a strange position for me that two of my favorite American models are, surprise surprise, at each other's necks in the market they have their stake in.
To begin, the ZL1 trim for a classic 69 Camaro was more of a special version rather than a special model for sale. What looks to be an unassuming model that came out as standard, in the hood you can see the results of a COPO regulated special engine package. Such Camaros were powerhouses, and were called the ZL-1 in reference to the 427 HEMI engine it carried. And with a limited 69 models only bearing this badge, it became the unicorn of Camaros then. Despite having it's name taken from then, the trim however became official on the modern 5th Generation Camaro, but without the dash so it's spelled ZL1. Make no mistake: for ZL1 Camaros are top performing trims for this model of Chevy, intended for the road, the strip or the track.
Now we head to this Camaro. It's a ZL1 from the 6th generation. Armed with a supercharged LT4 V8 that you can find in the C7 Corvette Z06, this baby, with its 650 horsepower and 1.7 ton load, will take you to the moon if you want it to. However, what's unusual was the presence of all these slits, a large splitter and a giant rear wing that generates 130 kilos of downforce. This is the 1LE trim, which is the track pack to the ZL1. You have downforce. You have largened lightweight wheels. You have a lightweight blacked out hood. You get stiffened suspension and a transmission modified to limit its final gear to the capabilities of the car.
Any naysayers can look no further to this budget sports hero managing a very respectful 7:16 lap time around the Nurburgring. If anything, American cars hardly get a presence around here, and this super Camaro sure made headlines then. You can't do that to any old muscle car: you have to get it right to be this quick.
Yes, that is Sonny Meng: Asian-American Badass's name on the car, it's his stage once again this week.. I hate it when it's his stage and on December. December's my chill 'I'm far away from my PC and PS5 as possibly can' period of life. Oh well, enjoy the Trackmania 2 Canyon reference in the aesthetic. Story, however..
This week's theme song:
Me & You (Dirtyphonics Remix)
Nero
Welcome Reality
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Episode: Purge The Canyon
Sonny's Penthouse
Burbank, Los Angeles, California, USA
Dawn
As the sun comes to shine onto this exquisite side of America, our focus heads to..
Sonny: "Oummm..."
..the Asian American Badass leading a small yoga exercise in their cleared out penthouse basketball court.
Sonny: "Oummm... put in all the negativity.. and.. turn it around! Yeah, motherfu-I mean... oummm..."
Mumbles the egoist as he keeps his vision darkened, and head uptight as he positions himself in an arm supported headstand pose.
The men infront of him, not as well focused in their exercise as the self proclaimed badass is, remain in their crossed sitting position, discussing while fatigued..
Graham: "Blimey, that's just not possible for me, guv.."
Kirk: "Yeah, just.. find a good stance to breathe fine.."
He knows they're having trouble, but Sonny keeps going with the flow, as he continues..
Sonny: "Now breathe.. in... outt... in.. O-U-freaking OUT.."
Just as the room remained a proceeding quiet, that all came to naught as a little lady walks in the only door..
Watching a yoga session gone awry, she then stammers..
Candy: "I-ermm-what?! Egads! What's this then?"
Sonny: "Welcome.. Candy baby.. come and.. soothe your inner rage, and find your mark of Zen.. oumm.."
Reassuring this whole thing is the message she's reviewing through her smartphone, she walks on and scopes about the whole scenario, noting in curiosity..
Candy: "From sushi chef, to extreme parachuting.. Of all the strange things he's capable of, this has to be the most extraordinary.."
Kirk: "After declaring his inner half psychic, you'll get used to it."
Graham: "Aye, least you weren't there when he's once proper dressed a lady to great degree.."
Eventually, she spots a mat set up with folded clothes on top, realizing quickly..
Candy: "This must be for me.."
Sonny: "Oumm.. One Step Ahead, motherf[BLEEP]ers.."
Now..
Deep in a realm between life and death..
A form of harmony envelops her mind..
But while she knows she's to keep calm, and forget the troubles the world has brought her..
Those thoughts instead persist, eventually remaining to envelop her emptied mind..
Although they serve to disturb, these mixture of the good, the bad and even the ugly..
To this little racer, they serve a greater purpose to her: as steps to her growth..
The peace eventually does come..
But without the sense of time passing, an hour came without realize..
One quick nudge is all it took for her to return to this mortal coil.
Candy: "Huh?!"
Noticing the only person around mopping up the basketball court, she asks, acting as if she just woke up from a deep slumber.
Candy: "You pompous.. umm.. what just happened?"
Sonny: "Ohh, you're back, sis. Well, looks to me you're spiritually prepared for today's shenanigans, right?"
Candy: "You're making it sound like.. like it's something I'm not going to look forward to, am I?"
She gets up, forgetting the tight exercise getup she's got on working wonders on her flexibility.
As she moves her limbs in ways she hasn't realized she could, she quotes..
Candy: "I'll just keep an open thought and stay on 'no'. By the way.. this outfit.. it fits perfectly."
Sonny: "Like with your power armor. Haiyaa, baby! Didn't you forget Ginnie told me your proportions?"
Candy: "Oh, right.. creepy but unmistakable."
Wrapping her yoga setup, the egoist then hands the little lady the mop, letting her clean her zone as he declares with his eager face on..
Sonny: "Free for you to keep, baby. Don't think you want to hear the bad news that size is for teenage girls?"
Candy: "Since you're giving it to me, I don't mind it that much."
Sonny: "Wise choice, Candy baby. [teeth glares]"
As soon as the court returns to its former glory, the two start walking towards the kitchen..
Candy: "Sure feels strange now that I'm here without any sign of Ginnie cleaning up the messes you make.."
Sonny: "Funny you say.. she really likes working in the Eunos Cafe."
Candy: "I'm shocked she is, because she can't do coffee related things with a honest smile."
Sonny: "Sure, but you should know she's looking at the MONEY, Candy baby. Why you not think about that, eh?"
Candy: "Money as a motivator is so cliche."
And as they arrive, the other two men around make themselves visible, as Kirk gently greets.
Kirk: "Hey, Son and lady friend. Meal's almost ready."
Sonny: "Just take your time, bro. We ain't in some rush."
Kirk: "With him at our side, time's not an issue, ain't that so?"
Graham: "You said it, bruvver."
The little lady took the moment to ask the other odd person out..
Candy: "What are you around for, wild with an e?"
Graham: "Well.. lad here's got some business at the docks with our good friend Leo. I mean.. Carlyle."
Candy: "That name reeks of his.. smuggling work?"
Graham: "Yeah, sure. I mean.. it's that or it's the escape vehicle on the heist business. That's what's on the top of me noggin, that is."
As the fledgling racer places plates around the table, Candy takes a sit, continuing as he too seats himself..
Candy: "So, it's Carlyle at the docks, and.. how about Miranda?"
Graham: "No. Haven't seen mum in the longest while, Candy. Perhaps Carlyle can tend to that curiosity. Knowing him, he'll be there already.."
And from the kitchen, the hosts then appear..
Sonny: "Hey, if that chunky monkey's not around, that means it's more eggs and bacon for us!"
Kirk: "Yeah. We got a serving for 8, and you better finish it. Without him, it might be one hell of a struggle."
As they place the breakfast at the ready, Sonny slinks quickly to his faithful right hand man, whispering..
Sonny: "Aii, dude, no it won't."
Kirk: "Eh?"
He makes a quick point to the lone woman in the room, and realizing a trait of hers from Week 81..
Kirk: "Ohh.. OHHH, right.. I mean.. right~"
Not at ease however, Graham stopped to ask..
Graham: "What's this whispering about, you two?"
Sonny: "Oh, yeah.. feast your eyes, bro, for what looks to be the greatest little eater in the entire planet!!"
It didn't even get 2 minutes on the table, but the amount of scrambled eggs and bacon missing gives the game theorist the context..
Candy: "Umm.. is something wrong?"
She wondered as she clears her face..
And to the biker..
Graham: "Goodnees gracious, the rumors ARE true."
Sonny: "Come, G-man. Do hop along this train saying the little racer belongs in a circus of gluttony, right?"
Sonny's response however is treated to her poorly, as she stops and argues..
Candy: "Rude! I do not!"
Sonny: "Yeah? We all belong in a circus of some form, Candy baby. Like fatguy here's the main attraction of freaks, Graham can be the.. daredevil on a bike jumping flaming hoops, and I'm.. the superstar from the human cannonball!"
Despite his intentions, Sonny added, as a safety net..
Sonny: "Er, humm.. in any case, don't take it as entirely negative, lor."
And how effective this whole statement was can be seen with Candy's furious look reduced to a mere slight grump.
Candy: "Gurr... I hate how right you are.."
As the men settle themselves to the most important meal of the day, the man who owns the place announces as he plays with his food..
Sonny: "Ahh yes.. the perfect bacon and eggs. Like the way Ginnie makes 'em."
Kirk: "Hell yeah."
Candy: "No wonder it's so familiar. And delectable."
Using a fork to grab some bacon, Sonny then recalls..
Sonny: "Now you mention it, I never see Ginnie complain about your eating habits."
Candy: "You don't know how many times I sneak a snack from Ginnie's enhanced vision.."
Sonny: "How is it she stops you, lah? She's not your parent, Candy baby."
Candy: "It doesn't stop that she reeks of some form of authority."
Sonny: "Which is odd.. didn't the Count tell you?"
A query comes, Candy replies after a quick swallow..
Candy: "Of?"
Sonny: "Of how she was adopted into their household years back? The Richelieu bunch, I mean."
A thought of Ginoa's connection with her fiancee provided her an idea, as she responds..
Candy: "There are hints of that.. but from that manor in Sainte-Croix.. to here?"
Sonny: "That's for another time. It's.. rather eventful, and I prefer if Bon or Paul be the one telling you how that went."
The other two men on the table gets involved, as Kirk mentions..
Kirk: "Long story short, Ginnie says blackmail."
Graham: "Eh? Did somebody say blackmail?"
Noticing the man's interest in the word, Candy asks..
Candy: "Your eyes just.. glowed up upon mention of.."
Graham: "Blackmail? Not sure why, honest, but I have a gut feeling it might come in handy to know how it works."
Sonny: "I'd do it too, but since it doesn't help that the taxes I have to manage are so darned much.."
WIth Sonny's owned property in mind, Candy then wondered..
Candy: "Speaking of taxes.. I didn't know that.."
Sonny: "I own the building? That's not so surprising, don't you think, sis? I'm more surprised you didn't remember, actually. It's a Sonny Meng effort.. alongside with some help from the Singaporean government.."
Candy: "So, umm.. under the guest rooms, what's the rest of the floors filled with?"
Sonny: "These days? War asylum, Singaporean diplomats, commandos, even criminals ready to be exported back and from Singapore.. maybe there are hookers.. Kirk can confirm this."
Kirk: "Shut your pie hole; that's a trash assumption, and you know it!"
This brotherly banter however is something she's not keen on being a part of, as she focuses back on the plate in front and continues, murmuring..
Candy: "...I'm continuing my meal."
Burbank, Los Angeles, California, USA
Dawn
As the sun comes to shine onto this exquisite side of America, our focus heads to..
Sonny: "Oummm..."
..the Asian American Badass leading a small yoga exercise in their cleared out penthouse basketball court.
Sonny: "Oummm... put in all the negativity.. and.. turn it around! Yeah, motherfu-I mean... oummm..."
Mumbles the egoist as he keeps his vision darkened, and head uptight as he positions himself in an arm supported headstand pose.
The men infront of him, not as well focused in their exercise as the self proclaimed badass is, remain in their crossed sitting position, discussing while fatigued..
Graham: "Blimey, that's just not possible for me, guv.."
Kirk: "Yeah, just.. find a good stance to breathe fine.."
He knows they're having trouble, but Sonny keeps going with the flow, as he continues..
Sonny: "Now breathe.. in... outt... in.. O-U-freaking OUT.."
Just as the room remained a proceeding quiet, that all came to naught as a little lady walks in the only door..
Watching a yoga session gone awry, she then stammers..
Candy: "I-ermm-what?! Egads! What's this then?"
Sonny: "Welcome.. Candy baby.. come and.. soothe your inner rage, and find your mark of Zen.. oumm.."
Reassuring this whole thing is the message she's reviewing through her smartphone, she walks on and scopes about the whole scenario, noting in curiosity..
Candy: "From sushi chef, to extreme parachuting.. Of all the strange things he's capable of, this has to be the most extraordinary.."
Kirk: "After declaring his inner half psychic, you'll get used to it."
Graham: "Aye, least you weren't there when he's once proper dressed a lady to great degree.."
Eventually, she spots a mat set up with folded clothes on top, realizing quickly..
Candy: "This must be for me.."
Sonny: "Oumm.. One Step Ahead, motherf[BLEEP]ers.."
Now..
Deep in a realm between life and death..
A form of harmony envelops her mind..
But while she knows she's to keep calm, and forget the troubles the world has brought her..
Those thoughts instead persist, eventually remaining to envelop her emptied mind..
Although they serve to disturb, these mixture of the good, the bad and even the ugly..
To this little racer, they serve a greater purpose to her: as steps to her growth..
The peace eventually does come..
But without the sense of time passing, an hour came without realize..
One quick nudge is all it took for her to return to this mortal coil.
Candy: "Huh?!"
Noticing the only person around mopping up the basketball court, she asks, acting as if she just woke up from a deep slumber.
Candy: "You pompous.. umm.. what just happened?"
Sonny: "Ohh, you're back, sis. Well, looks to me you're spiritually prepared for today's shenanigans, right?"
Candy: "You're making it sound like.. like it's something I'm not going to look forward to, am I?"
She gets up, forgetting the tight exercise getup she's got on working wonders on her flexibility.
As she moves her limbs in ways she hasn't realized she could, she quotes..
Candy: "I'll just keep an open thought and stay on 'no'. By the way.. this outfit.. it fits perfectly."
Sonny: "Like with your power armor. Haiyaa, baby! Didn't you forget Ginnie told me your proportions?"
Candy: "Oh, right.. creepy but unmistakable."
Wrapping her yoga setup, the egoist then hands the little lady the mop, letting her clean her zone as he declares with his eager face on..
Sonny: "Free for you to keep, baby. Don't think you want to hear the bad news that size is for teenage girls?"
Candy: "Since you're giving it to me, I don't mind it that much."
Sonny: "Wise choice, Candy baby. [teeth glares]"
As soon as the court returns to its former glory, the two start walking towards the kitchen..
Candy: "Sure feels strange now that I'm here without any sign of Ginnie cleaning up the messes you make.."
Sonny: "Funny you say.. she really likes working in the Eunos Cafe."
Candy: "I'm shocked she is, because she can't do coffee related things with a honest smile."
Sonny: "Sure, but you should know she's looking at the MONEY, Candy baby. Why you not think about that, eh?"
Candy: "Money as a motivator is so cliche."
And as they arrive, the other two men around make themselves visible, as Kirk gently greets.
Kirk: "Hey, Son and lady friend. Meal's almost ready."
Sonny: "Just take your time, bro. We ain't in some rush."
Kirk: "With him at our side, time's not an issue, ain't that so?"
Graham: "You said it, bruvver."
The little lady took the moment to ask the other odd person out..
Candy: "What are you around for, wild with an e?"
Graham: "Well.. lad here's got some business at the docks with our good friend Leo. I mean.. Carlyle."
Candy: "That name reeks of his.. smuggling work?"
Graham: "Yeah, sure. I mean.. it's that or it's the escape vehicle on the heist business. That's what's on the top of me noggin, that is."
As the fledgling racer places plates around the table, Candy takes a sit, continuing as he too seats himself..
Candy: "So, it's Carlyle at the docks, and.. how about Miranda?"
Graham: "No. Haven't seen mum in the longest while, Candy. Perhaps Carlyle can tend to that curiosity. Knowing him, he'll be there already.."
And from the kitchen, the hosts then appear..
Sonny: "Hey, if that chunky monkey's not around, that means it's more eggs and bacon for us!"
Kirk: "Yeah. We got a serving for 8, and you better finish it. Without him, it might be one hell of a struggle."
As they place the breakfast at the ready, Sonny slinks quickly to his faithful right hand man, whispering..
Sonny: "Aii, dude, no it won't."
Kirk: "Eh?"
He makes a quick point to the lone woman in the room, and realizing a trait of hers from Week 81..
Kirk: "Ohh.. OHHH, right.. I mean.. right~"
Not at ease however, Graham stopped to ask..
Graham: "What's this whispering about, you two?"
Sonny: "Oh, yeah.. feast your eyes, bro, for what looks to be the greatest little eater in the entire planet!!"
It didn't even get 2 minutes on the table, but the amount of scrambled eggs and bacon missing gives the game theorist the context..
Candy: "Umm.. is something wrong?"
She wondered as she clears her face..
And to the biker..
Graham: "Goodnees gracious, the rumors ARE true."
Sonny: "Come, G-man. Do hop along this train saying the little racer belongs in a circus of gluttony, right?"
Sonny's response however is treated to her poorly, as she stops and argues..
Candy: "Rude! I do not!"
Sonny: "Yeah? We all belong in a circus of some form, Candy baby. Like fatguy here's the main attraction of freaks, Graham can be the.. daredevil on a bike jumping flaming hoops, and I'm.. the superstar from the human cannonball!"
Despite his intentions, Sonny added, as a safety net..
Sonny: "Er, humm.. in any case, don't take it as entirely negative, lor."
And how effective this whole statement was can be seen with Candy's furious look reduced to a mere slight grump.
Candy: "Gurr... I hate how right you are.."
As the men settle themselves to the most important meal of the day, the man who owns the place announces as he plays with his food..
Sonny: "Ahh yes.. the perfect bacon and eggs. Like the way Ginnie makes 'em."
Kirk: "Hell yeah."
Candy: "No wonder it's so familiar. And delectable."
Using a fork to grab some bacon, Sonny then recalls..
Sonny: "Now you mention it, I never see Ginnie complain about your eating habits."
Candy: "You don't know how many times I sneak a snack from Ginnie's enhanced vision.."
Sonny: "How is it she stops you, lah? She's not your parent, Candy baby."
Candy: "It doesn't stop that she reeks of some form of authority."
Sonny: "Which is odd.. didn't the Count tell you?"
A query comes, Candy replies after a quick swallow..
Candy: "Of?"
Sonny: "Of how she was adopted into their household years back? The Richelieu bunch, I mean."
A thought of Ginoa's connection with her fiancee provided her an idea, as she responds..
Candy: "There are hints of that.. but from that manor in Sainte-Croix.. to here?"
Sonny: "That's for another time. It's.. rather eventful, and I prefer if Bon or Paul be the one telling you how that went."
The other two men on the table gets involved, as Kirk mentions..
Kirk: "Long story short, Ginnie says blackmail."
Graham: "Eh? Did somebody say blackmail?"
Noticing the man's interest in the word, Candy asks..
Candy: "Your eyes just.. glowed up upon mention of.."
Graham: "Blackmail? Not sure why, honest, but I have a gut feeling it might come in handy to know how it works."
Sonny: "I'd do it too, but since it doesn't help that the taxes I have to manage are so darned much.."
WIth Sonny's owned property in mind, Candy then wondered..
Candy: "Speaking of taxes.. I didn't know that.."
Sonny: "I own the building? That's not so surprising, don't you think, sis? I'm more surprised you didn't remember, actually. It's a Sonny Meng effort.. alongside with some help from the Singaporean government.."
Candy: "So, umm.. under the guest rooms, what's the rest of the floors filled with?"
Sonny: "These days? War asylum, Singaporean diplomats, commandos, even criminals ready to be exported back and from Singapore.. maybe there are hookers.. Kirk can confirm this."
Kirk: "Shut your pie hole; that's a trash assumption, and you know it!"
This brotherly banter however is something she's not keen on being a part of, as she focuses back on the plate in front and continues, murmuring..
Candy: "...I'm continuing my meal."
As the morning starts to glow, a certain modified Golf charges down to the industrial south side of Los Angeles.
Bringing his friend slash mentor, and his small statured companion, Graham overhears their talk..
Candy: "So.. why isn't the dark one joining us on your monthly Willow Springs party?"
Sonny: "Today, my man Jake has a side gig."
Candy: "What? A job?"
Sonny: "Wanna guess?"
Candy: "It's obviously bounty hunting."
Sonny: "No. I mean, it was one time, but not this time. Actually, Graham: since you know, don't you say anything."
With him in the conversation made official, he replies in accordance..
Graham: "Lips are sealed."
Sonny: "Well.. let's keep going. You're not going to believe the answer."
Candy: "Truck driver?"
Sonny: "That's Fred's gig. I mean.. no."
Her confidence sinking, she then spoke in disbelief..
Candy: "We're going to be here forever, right?"
Sonny: "Unless you give up, of course. I'm not that cruel, lah."
Candy: "Right. I'll concede. What's it then?"
As Sonny snaps his fingers, the driver then spoke out..
Graham: "Indie wrestling."
With that, her imagination brews..
Candy: "Ooohh.. guy like him, holding other sweaty men in suggestive ways. Barbaric!"
Sonny: "Guy's got a show up in Sacramento, so now you know why he's out-o."
Candy: "So, how does he fight in the squared circle?"
Sonny: "Big hulking brute, but.. but.. actually it'd be better if I can find his highlights on YouTube. Maybe after today's track party. Remind me, okay?"
Candy: "Suits me."
The psychological gambler then listened closely, stating..
Graham: "You're in a.. more than amicable mood, I hear?"
Candy: "Fwee... It's refreshing he's not raising me up a chokehold for a change.."
Port of Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California, USA
Early Morning
Just outside the port area, the small crew in the Golf comes by the secure areas of the gigantic port.
With a special app on the Golf's middle screen, Graham puts the car on a slow pace as he observes..
Graham: "Alright, based on today's map.."
Candy: "Maps? Is Carlyle secretly designing a treasure filled temple, or something?"
Sonny: "No idea, lah. But it's his MO on his mostly illegal side gig to be discreet."
Candy: "Umm, excuse me? 'Mostly' illegal?"
And after a quick decipher with a message he's got on his smartphone, he then announces happily.
Graham: "Alright. I can deduce me mate's just by this part of the port. Keep your belts on, guv."
Candy: "I sure hope we can drive around here, because if we don't.. I wish I'd have Daphne's wide brimmed hat right about now.."
Graham: "Fret a little less, ma'am. Of course we can. Have to flash my ID first."
As the Golf finds a discreet resting spot, the passengers exit the car.
And in front of them..
Candy: "Yup, I see a bunch of naughty smugglers working under the watchful eye of the Californian state government. You ever used his services, Sonny?"
Sonny: "It's why I'm here, baby. But for bit that's no ways illegal, lah. Otherwise, no. Every car I have on me is legit legit, sis. By the way.. I gotta make myself a bit scarce, just in case the fan club decides to stop by."
As Sonny puts on a hood and sunglasses, he waltzes away as if he's a drunk beggar.
The other duo then moved towards the people handling cars, as the little racer then caught with her eye..
Candy: "That's a Mustang I recognize.."
Before she could get a close look, a few workers came by and greeted, followed by their leader..
Carlyle: "Ahh. Salutations, Graham and his lil' missy. Hope you's got no trouble finding us this day?"
Graham: "After the first blunder, you're not getting any more of that muck, I promise you. Is mum here, or.."
Carlyle: "Nahh.. she's working on this new film in Alaska. Something about some squad of.. was it 5 or 6.. umm, that number of commandos fighting some hilariously well armed Ruskies on the ice. Not original, but I ain't the director, so.."
With a car nearby driving out, the person handling it puts it on standby and greets..
Daphne: "Howdy, fellas."
Wiping a few sweats, the Outrun Queen, wiping a few sweats and notably without her camera, walks to her superior for today.
Carlyle: "I see you's all met my assistant for today: the ever so lovely Miss Daphne."
As he gestures to her appearing, Candy stepped forwards, developing happy thoughts this woman with roots from the 60's.
Candy: "Daph? Hey.. umm.. you don't look too well dressed to be a smuggler with all that skin about, just saying."
Daphne: "Honestly, it's not like you CAN tell I'm sunburnt, girl. Cut me some slack."
Not wanting to escalate, the little racer spoke carefully..
Candy: "Of course not. It's always a good day with you about."
Daphne: "Oh f[BLEEP] yeah it is! DAMN! Sorry for being tense, just.. exhausted."
As the conversation flows towards the men..
Graham: "So, Lyle.. umm.. I got Sonny Meng mucking about somewhere. What'd be the action plan with him?"
Carlyle: "List business, but really: I's just using my services to move his s[BLEEP] with lower costs."
The plump lion however has other thoughts, as he announces..
Carlyle: "But first.. I gots us an early Christmas gift for us to play with. This one's yours, ready and able."
After, he takes out a set of keys from his side pocket, dangling one out for Graham to notice..
Graham: "Eh? Porsche, is it? Not a new one, so.. I put my money it's a 996?"
Carlyle: "Ahhh. Close. 993. An oldie but goodie. Fully refurbished Ring runner following a nasty crash. Come over."
The group then gets led to a spot with a few cars..
Getting a free new car for Christmas, it's natural he too would act like it, as he admires..
Graham: "Oh, bloody me, this is some machine.."
Carlyle: "Consider it playing with our profits finally taking shape, my man. By the way: I's tried getting a turbo, but you'll have to settle with the RS version. Means you's got some tweaking to do with the handling."
Graham: "This versus my killer Golf is going to be quite the contest. If I can toy with it with the lads in the Ghosts, there's a chance I can't even calculate the difference."
Carlyle: "Someone eager to earn his way into The List, I see?"
Not soon after, the ladies hop into observing the 911..
Candy: "Nice. I'm not really into Porsches.. if not that Carrera GT that time, that is. So, is this the commission you're getting for some heist work?"
Graham: "That time between us is one of many, by the way."
Carlyle: "Don'ts got a gift for you, baby doll.. Sorry."
Candy: "No worries. A car for free is a stretch.. but I still owe you for doing a complete cleanup on the Augur MINI."
Carlyle: "Nah. Forget about it: you's owe me zilch."
However, Candy turns and finds herself unable to ignore the car just besides..
Candy: "So, what about this golden Zenki?"
Carlyle: "That's mine. Boss guy didn't like me running high octane in the straights, and he's right. So I got's me a new toy that's got kinks for the corners, courtesy of some time attack garage that's clearing out stock."
Candy: "Who, exactly?"
Carlyle: "I reserve my right on customer discretion, doll. No dice."
He's more into his new old Porsche, but Graham did however have an idea to share..
Graham: "By the way, you mentioned us 3 getting a free ride. Where's mum Miranda's gift?"
Carlyle: "As her ex-fiancee, I gots her something so special, she'd forget I had her on a one night stint. But I's want her to be in person for it, thus: it's for another time. It's behind that locked grate."
Daphne: "Before you all ask: I don't know what's in it either. Nuh-huh."
While sense of sight isn't available, Candy leaned towards and listened through the metal grate.
Candy: "Hmm.. I hear the seaside.."
Mumbled the little racer, obviously being placebo, but it gave a hint enough for her to guess..
Candy: "If it's a punch buggy in there, I won't be shocked."
Carlyle: "You'd got it all wrong.. but good try anyways, doll."
Down but not even flinched, Candy decided to ask..
Candy: "One more thing.. Sonny Meng. He's not the type that gets his cars with your services. That's what he told me, anyways.."
Carlyle: "That clown's using me to get his car unnoticed by the fan club he loathes so much. Easy money's the end game here, doll."
A quick pause has her thing his logic being sound, expressing with an impressive smile.
Candy: "Peculiar. That's actually quite a sound reason, I must say."
Carlyle: "Come over here; I show's you's."
Leaving Graham and Daphne, the orange lion man walks to the locked garage just next to Miranda's secret stash.
Carlyle: "Well, I's managed to keep it away under lock and key in this here secure. This by the ways is state of the art transport cargo. Small fortunes come and go with things like this."
Taking off his chewing wheat, he then grabs the padlock and quickly rotates away to its 4 pin code.
As he get the lock loose, he then prepares a quick drumroll the moment he was to lift the grate open..
Carlyle: "...AAAND..."
Sonny: "OPEN!"
Not taking the surprise attacks from a certain Chimera, he shouts in disbelief..
Carlyle: "OH GOOD GOD, OF COURSE.."
Despite the hood and sunglasses, it's unmistakable he's Sonny Meng, as Candy then queries..
Candy: "So.. how was your scouting mission?"
Sonny: "We're in the clear. For now. But no sloppy thoughts, baby: the uncertainty of my unofficial fan club does mean we gotta dash ASAP, beh. Show it to me."
Carlyle: "With pleasure."
This time, the grating does open, revealing..
Duke Nukem Theme
Megadeth
Warchest
Candy: "It's a Camaro. A track tuned one?"
Sonny: "Not just any Camaro, Candy baby. It's my own daily driver of sorts: a ZL1, with the 1LE track package. Doubles that with a slick tuned track racing speciality engineered by Chevy, further fine tuned by the Ghosts. Chiseled to perfection by moi. Keys please."
A quick toss to his side, the keys of said Camaro comes to its owner, as he unlocks it remotely..
Candy: "Perfection, eh? I hope you don't let THE BEAST hear that."
Sonny: "It's a fickle relationship I must tale.. but I'm afraid if you need a crash course on why I love Camaros and Vipers, we're going to have to do it on the way to the Springs. Ladies first.."
He opens the passenger door, giving the lady her way in the car.
As he closes it, an instruction was then shared, as he tosses a quick hundred bill towards the classic car enthusiast..
Sonny: "Here's your take, hot stuff. Think you can clean this op up and get to our nice List meet at Big Willow in less than 3 hours?"
Carlyle: "You's challenging me in my line of work, Sonny? I'll be there before you know it. Plus Graham and Miss Anders, 'course."
While still in the morning, Candy isn't one to keep her consciousness around the trip until Shadow exits a small gas stop in the middle of the Californian desert.
Candy: "[yawns] Ummm.."
Sonny: "Morning to you again. Does it wear you out? I mean the meditation earlier, of course."
Candy: "You know I don't have the words for that. Keeping calm helps me sleep, if that's what you want to hear."
As the Camaro zooms across the sand, the little lady asks the man who's familiar with the land the obvious question..
Candy: "Are we there yet?"
Sonny: "Nearly."
Candy: "I always fly in to Willow.. I can never get used to being on side saddle at a place like this."
Sonny: "Where it's dry, barren and full of the grainy stuff? I prefer being on the saddle at all times, sis. The saddle outta here. And Shadow's the right kind of saddle."
Hearing him call it such a name, she can't help but ask..
Candy: "I've been meaning to ask.. why is the name Shadow plastered all over the car?"
Sonny: "Because I was an edgy dork? Actually, it's because Camaros are my shadow. They never seem to get away from me, y'know?"
Candy: "Sounds like an excuse for an edgy name from an edgy dork to me."
Sonny: "Keep saying whatever makes you happy, lor. The modern era Camaros has and always will be my Shadow."
However, while the sound of a supercharged V8 keeps the car soundtrack to a manly vision, the driver's spidey sense gets tingled, as he shouts..
Sonny: "Aww shoot. What's a badass episode featuring me, the Asian-American Badass if I didn't know it was coming.."
Candy: "What's coming??"
Sonny: "Check the back, baby."
Actions Speak Louder Than Words (feat. Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators)
Slash, Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators
4
And checking the back has Candy find..
Candy: "That's an Aventador. Not just any Aventador... that's an LP 750-4 SV."
Sonny: "Not just any Aventador LP 750-4 SV. That treacherous hint of blue can only mean.. Mad Bull. And in it.."
Should this be a movie, the camera would zoom towards the brunette enigma driving the Lamborghini, but the Asian American Badass himself knows..
Sonny: "The Shadow Queen slash bitch of bitches. Hold on to your braids, baby. IT'S SONNY TIME.."
Candy: "How do you kno-"
Before getting any answer, the car boosts away, but the little lady however didn't get into position, giving her a vigorous bounce back to her chair.
Candy: "uuuuUWAAAAAAAAAAaaaAA~"
Sonny: "♫They say that actions speak much louder than words! So if you please just show a sign.. Your true intentions, well, they better be pure. Please, don't waste myy time!♫"
Candy: "Sonny! SONNY!! I knew 4 rounds of eggs is a bad ideaaaaaHHH!!"
Candy: "[yawns] Ummm.."
Sonny: "Morning to you again. Does it wear you out? I mean the meditation earlier, of course."
Candy: "You know I don't have the words for that. Keeping calm helps me sleep, if that's what you want to hear."
As the Camaro zooms across the sand, the little lady asks the man who's familiar with the land the obvious question..
Candy: "Are we there yet?"
Sonny: "Nearly."
Candy: "I always fly in to Willow.. I can never get used to being on side saddle at a place like this."
Sonny: "Where it's dry, barren and full of the grainy stuff? I prefer being on the saddle at all times, sis. The saddle outta here. And Shadow's the right kind of saddle."
Hearing him call it such a name, she can't help but ask..
Candy: "I've been meaning to ask.. why is the name Shadow plastered all over the car?"
Sonny: "Because I was an edgy dork? Actually, it's because Camaros are my shadow. They never seem to get away from me, y'know?"
Candy: "Sounds like an excuse for an edgy name from an edgy dork to me."
Sonny: "Keep saying whatever makes you happy, lor. The modern era Camaros has and always will be my Shadow."
However, while the sound of a supercharged V8 keeps the car soundtrack to a manly vision, the driver's spidey sense gets tingled, as he shouts..
Sonny: "Aww shoot. What's a badass episode featuring me, the Asian-American Badass if I didn't know it was coming.."
Candy: "What's coming??"
Sonny: "Check the back, baby."
Actions Speak Louder Than Words (feat. Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators)
Slash, Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators
4
And checking the back has Candy find..
Candy: "That's an Aventador. Not just any Aventador... that's an LP 750-4 SV."
Sonny: "Not just any Aventador LP 750-4 SV. That treacherous hint of blue can only mean.. Mad Bull. And in it.."
Should this be a movie, the camera would zoom towards the brunette enigma driving the Lamborghini, but the Asian American Badass himself knows..
Sonny: "The Shadow Queen slash bitch of bitches. Hold on to your braids, baby. IT'S SONNY TIME.."
Candy: "How do you kno-"
Before getting any answer, the car boosts away, but the little lady however didn't get into position, giving her a vigorous bounce back to her chair.
Candy: "uuuuUWAAAAAAAAAAaaaAA~"
Oh goody. It's Mad Bull. A lightweight, amped up, aerodynamic version of Lamborghini's flagship that's usually paired with Night Moves. How can a similarly treated muscle car base be able to hold ahead of that?
Realistically it can't, but who says I can't make that happen, hmm? If there's something you might think putting aero on a muscle car is going to fix the unfavorable muscle car tendencies the base car is bound to carry.. you're going to be quite disappointed. But perhaps something else is there in the car that instead is to your liking that'll give it abilities to slay supercars like said Aventador?
Perhaps the first thing anyone can notice about the car is how well balanced it is. It will turn in a way it's like the baby bear's stuff as Goldilocks goes home invading: just right. While it carries a 54:46 balance, and 100-150 aero that gives more air pressure by the back, the car as it stands on its more advanced compound, is simply amazing to take around a corner. Proof that one: those tires aren't for show: it has a job, and two: is quite a surprise that the kind of car you get here is capable for twists and turns. Only, not as perfect as it may seem, but fine enough that you won't get distinct performance differences in non-pure low or high speed tracks. You can cruise the car around a long corner with little worry, and it won't mess you up. Only you will mess you up, and that's coming about next..
Traction. What did you expect from a supercharged V8 that's not the Ford GT '06? Nice whine, beefy sound, all the reasons to be playing the car from all angles. While I do prefer the Demon for this category, the Camaro's C7 Vette shared LT4 is no joke on the eargasm department. But back to traction: it's the main thing that divides the inherent noob trap this car is, and the fact you've bypassed that and leveled up far enough to be driving things with rubber that get thinner the less you think it. To fully accentuate this, I swapped the car to ye olde Sports Hards, and.. to me, they're not bad. Just that, no matter the tire, you're going to get a lot of wheelspin as explained by the in game powerband with a torque peaking in the middle RPMs. Yea.. not good if you rely on doing some short shifting, because you get it wrong, and you're slipping into the wheelspin. But again, while kids are cruel, this car, young and brash, isn't quite that cruel. The leniency for how much turn throttle before you lose it is quite great, so while I implore you don't go full send on the steering, get it gradual instead, and feel when it's about to lose it.
Perhaps the only issue we do have with the car is traction, because everywhere else is just something out of Hell's Kitchen. No, not a hardened respected meme-driven chef or a blind lawyer by day and superhero by night. But something hot.. the brakes. It is what I say the best part of the car. It can stop you. It can balance you. It can engine brake with no fault. It is astounding, for a car from America, that it can brake a lot better than any of its rivals or whatever you wish to pit the car against. And even on Sports Hards they retain their grand stopping power, and you can see that the suspension on the car's doing its work keeping it settled nicely for the next challenge ahead.
Any other notable handling hiccups that need address? Hmm.. power oversteer is a given, but is very manageable for 600+ horsepower. Good on the regular sized curbs. Quite hard on the springs so grass is lava.. Kumbayah?
We're going to the most beautiful part of this car: the acceleration. While you are going to get the rear spinning if your input's complete binary, those with even the slightest of steady inputs are going to get a car that'll even launch in a spectactular fashion for a muscle car out the corners, with or without short shift. To think this is the regular Camaro ratios it's going with, as they've only changed the 6th gear. And there's no gimmick. No certain place to shift. Just go push that supercharged puppy up to the lamps and shift. It's simple like that, and also rewarding as heck. Despite simplicity though, the car's not as pick up and play as many would hope an upgrade in compound would do.
If I was going to take the Camaro to a classification of nerd speak, it's more of a lightning bruiser than a balanced car: anything it sees, it can do and do it with, the very least, an above average level of performance. It can do handling, it can do speed, it can do drifts, it can do circuits, and you wish it can do your taxes. I know anyone can be thinking: in Sonny Meng's case, it can probably do your mom, but your momma jokes are against his character, if you need to know.
All in all: this is the one car that's like.. let's grab some Pokemon context.. a Moon Stone. You want your Nidorino to learn all kinds of moves, basically your talent with handling low grip in powerful machines. Then when the time is right: up you go, and it's Nidoking time. Though these days, competitive Nidoking don't use any of the moves he learns, and that's where tuning will come in handy.
Not tuning your Nidoking, I mean. Jeez, the contexts get more and more out of hand when I'm writing a mandatory car on my break month.
Realistically it can't, but who says I can't make that happen, hmm? If there's something you might think putting aero on a muscle car is going to fix the unfavorable muscle car tendencies the base car is bound to carry.. you're going to be quite disappointed. But perhaps something else is there in the car that instead is to your liking that'll give it abilities to slay supercars like said Aventador?
Perhaps the first thing anyone can notice about the car is how well balanced it is. It will turn in a way it's like the baby bear's stuff as Goldilocks goes home invading: just right. While it carries a 54:46 balance, and 100-150 aero that gives more air pressure by the back, the car as it stands on its more advanced compound, is simply amazing to take around a corner. Proof that one: those tires aren't for show: it has a job, and two: is quite a surprise that the kind of car you get here is capable for twists and turns. Only, not as perfect as it may seem, but fine enough that you won't get distinct performance differences in non-pure low or high speed tracks. You can cruise the car around a long corner with little worry, and it won't mess you up. Only you will mess you up, and that's coming about next..
Traction. What did you expect from a supercharged V8 that's not the Ford GT '06? Nice whine, beefy sound, all the reasons to be playing the car from all angles. While I do prefer the Demon for this category, the Camaro's C7 Vette shared LT4 is no joke on the eargasm department. But back to traction: it's the main thing that divides the inherent noob trap this car is, and the fact you've bypassed that and leveled up far enough to be driving things with rubber that get thinner the less you think it. To fully accentuate this, I swapped the car to ye olde Sports Hards, and.. to me, they're not bad. Just that, no matter the tire, you're going to get a lot of wheelspin as explained by the in game powerband with a torque peaking in the middle RPMs. Yea.. not good if you rely on doing some short shifting, because you get it wrong, and you're slipping into the wheelspin. But again, while kids are cruel, this car, young and brash, isn't quite that cruel. The leniency for how much turn throttle before you lose it is quite great, so while I implore you don't go full send on the steering, get it gradual instead, and feel when it's about to lose it.
Perhaps the only issue we do have with the car is traction, because everywhere else is just something out of Hell's Kitchen. No, not a hardened respected meme-driven chef or a blind lawyer by day and superhero by night. But something hot.. the brakes. It is what I say the best part of the car. It can stop you. It can balance you. It can engine brake with no fault. It is astounding, for a car from America, that it can brake a lot better than any of its rivals or whatever you wish to pit the car against. And even on Sports Hards they retain their grand stopping power, and you can see that the suspension on the car's doing its work keeping it settled nicely for the next challenge ahead.
Any other notable handling hiccups that need address? Hmm.. power oversteer is a given, but is very manageable for 600+ horsepower. Good on the regular sized curbs. Quite hard on the springs so grass is lava.. Kumbayah?
We're going to the most beautiful part of this car: the acceleration. While you are going to get the rear spinning if your input's complete binary, those with even the slightest of steady inputs are going to get a car that'll even launch in a spectactular fashion for a muscle car out the corners, with or without short shift. To think this is the regular Camaro ratios it's going with, as they've only changed the 6th gear. And there's no gimmick. No certain place to shift. Just go push that supercharged puppy up to the lamps and shift. It's simple like that, and also rewarding as heck. Despite simplicity though, the car's not as pick up and play as many would hope an upgrade in compound would do.
If I was going to take the Camaro to a classification of nerd speak, it's more of a lightning bruiser than a balanced car: anything it sees, it can do and do it with, the very least, an above average level of performance. It can do handling, it can do speed, it can do drifts, it can do circuits, and you wish it can do your taxes. I know anyone can be thinking: in Sonny Meng's case, it can probably do your mom, but your momma jokes are against his character, if you need to know.
All in all: this is the one car that's like.. let's grab some Pokemon context.. a Moon Stone. You want your Nidorino to learn all kinds of moves, basically your talent with handling low grip in powerful machines. Then when the time is right: up you go, and it's Nidoking time. Though these days, competitive Nidoking don't use any of the moves he learns, and that's where tuning will come in handy.
Not tuning your Nidoking, I mean. Jeez, the contexts get more and more out of hand when I'm writing a mandatory car on my break month.
Sonny: "♫They say that actions speak much louder than words! So if you please just show a sign.. Your true intentions, well, they better be pure. Please, don't waste myy time!♫"
Candy: "Sonny! SONNY!! I knew 4 rounds of eggs is a bad ideaaaaaHHH!!"
Willow Springs International Speedway
Rosamond, California, USA
Noon
Under the blazing desert heat of a certain recently sold track, small crowds gather round.
Now out from the washrooms, Candy, now refreshed, mumbles of what happened earlier..
Candy: "Phew, when they say the co-driver gets the biggest scare on the track.. they weren't lying."
But as she suddenly turned back, she notices a certain lion, leaning by the walls and chewing a single stalk of wheat.
Before she could, he spoke..
Carlyle: "What's cooking, little mama?"
Candy: "Lyle? I didn't roar for you."
Carlyle: "Course you's didn't. I always like being outside the ladies room, for.. umm.."
He can't gather his thoughts, she thought, but she deduces that he's being shy about his habit.
Regardless, she replied with an answer.
Candy: "You.. trying to pick up girls outside the restroom? Is this desperation, or an opportunity?"
Carlyle: "It's the one place I can guarantee their appearance, doll."
Candy: "That's bold of you to think that way.."
Her 'unbelieveable' phase however gets put aside as Carlyle however did have something to say that's not about picking up girls outside the restrooms..
Carlyle: "Anyhow, it looks to me The List folk be around and, thus, want you's around."
Candy: "Wait, are you sure? I mean.. if you ask me, only your liutenant is the only person around that wants me."
Carlyle: "That play on the words I be choosing is intentional, doll."
Candy: "Alright.. settle down, Leo.. I know you hate his One Step Ahead like some other guy, but.."
This unusual pair then wandered further into the sunny pits areas..
Noting the presence of his Christmas hat, Candy then went to wonder..
Candy: "You're really into Christmas, huh?"
Carlyle: "What? Is it strange for I's to have the jolly spirit of giving? Especially to my inseperable companions of my ever so great adulthood?"
Remembering her episode with the Mangusta last year, however (not yet written), she then remembered a hint of it..
Candy: "Actually with what happened last year.. why am I questioning this?"
Carlyle: "Y'see?"
And before they realized, a shadow falls on them, and while it could be anyone from Candy's view, the smell of tobacco gives this identity a dead giveaway.
They turn to this woman, and..
Carlyle: "Oh snap, it's Krampus."
Nirvana: "Why do you fear calling I, Nirvana, the embodiment of punishment?"
Candy: "Punishment really suits you.. says your cigar burn marks that time ago."
With an urge to hurt the little racer starting to rise, she snuffed that out as she then mentions..
Nirvana: "Hmph. Should there be anything you need to know, do know that charmless clown has something ready for you. His presence is.. while unwanted.. also mandatory. A shame.."
Candy: "I can tell you inserted those words yourself."
Nirvana: "You have figured that much, at least."
Nirvana then turns to the dutchman, asking..
Nirvana: "Dutchman. The one called Graham seeks your presence."
Carlyle: "Does he? Well, umm.. how'd you even.. even.."
His stammering was enough for Nirvana to set out her usual deadly glare, intimidating the dutchman..
Carlyle: "Golly.. I'll take my leave then. Excuse me's.."
..and leaving the ladies behind..
Nirvana: "It leaves to both you and I, Nirvana."
Candy: "Seems to me.. you have quite an interest in Graham. And a lot of Sonny's associates. You REALLY have something against him, huh?"
Nirvana: "Those are beans Nirvana refuses to spill.. for now. Still irrelevant. Unlike yourself."
The enigma remained calm and collected, like always, but today: she's also loyal, as she instructs..
Nirvana: "Perhaps the one thing Nirvana is instructed to.. entrust you with is The List still retaining its interest to hire you."
Candy: "I'm done with street racing, if that's enough a hint."
She turns her back, but Nirvana and giving up doesn't match well in words to pair, as she explains.
Nirvana: "Ohh, but The Outlaw thinks otherwise. A vote was held of this interest, and the minority against has failed to exist. It means your purpose here isn't for social hellos and goodbyes, little one. You say no, and we shall remain.. unrelenting."
Disturbed, the little racer then queries..
Candy: "So, this small upcoming street race.."
Nirvana: "The charmless clown calls it.. testing your Mark of Zen. Nirvana will instead reaffirm it's just a fancy way to have the List analyze your skills."
She prepares to light another cigarette, as Candy can't find herself reasoning to say no..
Candy: "Skills? Well, I got those alright. But we aren't on the streets today, sorry to disappoint."
Nirvana: "Hmph.. to say Nirvana's ties with local enforcement.. or even The List's ties with local enforcement seems to wane.. concerning, but.. it matters not."
After a quick blow towards a sign that obviously tells that the whole area isn't a smoking area, the brunette begins to walk, further suggesting to the little racer..
Nirvana: "If you aren't busy, come follow. I'm sure he told you of the car you'll be expected to drive today."
Candy: "Eh? A car? B-but.."
Eventually, the women stares into the abyss..
..if the abyss was in the form of track focused muscle cars.
The Camaro however took center stage, as the little lady puts it..
Candy: "Peculiar. When did Shadow get here?"
Nirvana: "Perhaps he had it moved while you were conducting your.. business. Or perhaps it is Chaos Control. Regardless.. it is time I depart. Daphne will handle you now. Ciao."
Leaving her, the Hong Kongese lady was left for a moment, until the classy Daphne comes over post polishing her Mustang.
What she then heard was more mumbling..
Candy: "Strange.. how'd I not see this coming?"
Daphne: "What's wrong, Candy?"
Candy: "Oh.. umm.. the fact that The List has a strong presence about.. I'm willing to bet something is fishy."
Daphne: "Fishy? Girl, I'd take it as an opportunity to clash with some nasty.. somewhat respectable street racers. The Outrun Queen's kind of people."
Her chipper mood did give Candy a bump up in confidence, replying..
Candy: "Our kind of people. I'm not objecting, but I don't quite like it when not everything's being revealed to me."
Daphne: "Like?"
She turns about, and notices..
..her own Signature Car in wait, and then explains..
Candy: "I see my Yaris is here thanks to Kirk and some trucking work, but I'm taking Shadow instead.."
Daphne: "Just a guess, but I'd say Sonny wants to see you outta your comfort zone."
Candy: "Just about every week is me out of my comfort zone, Daph. As if I'm being documented of my actions then."
Daphne: "Whatever the reason, I'm sure it's not like.. there's a bomb underneath the Camaro if you go under 40 miles.."
Not liking the Speed reference, Candy reassures..
Candy: "My friend Rudeboy taught me enough that such a bomb needs an expert to even engineer, and that's none of you out and about."
Daphne: "You know I'm talking about that flick with Keanu Reeves handling a bus, right?"
Candy: "I'll see if Minori-chan knows.. the last I heard of Keanu.. he's an edgy skating fox person."
Before more thoughts proceed with a certain movie star..
Show Me A Sign
Modestep
Evolution Theory
..another man with big hopes blasts through the main Willow straight..
Daphne: "Wowee.. have a look!"
Candy: "If he's not in that Camaro, this will explain how Sonny's going to get on the action with us.. THE BEAST."
Daphne: "The legendary snake of Los Angeles.. y'know it was born on these lands?"
Candy: "Born?"
Daphne: "Yeah, born, baby! Rumors speak of a whole day, from sunlight to moonlight, that has him plow the streets of Willow with the car, shaving an enormous 5 seconds off a regular Viper's pace with him and his team's grand efforts to make the most capable, yet subtle, street racing Viper ever. Am surprise he didn't tell you nothing?"
In disbelief an interesting tale escaped her muddied her thoughts.
A moment passes and she realizes why..
Candy: "The last time I was here with that car as focus.. I was clouded.. by something else."
Daphne: "Oh?"
Candy: "I was debuting my skill in FT-1 VGT race car, and setting out a challenge I called unbeatable. But.. eventually, that man beat it."
The classical belle then thought as she related..
Daphne: "Well dagnabbit indeed! Put your ego on the track, was it? Must've been quite a wake up call to see your inner best side just shattered."
Candy: "Shattered is accurate.. on what happened after that came to be. But rebuilt from the pieces is also just as accurate."
Daphne: "Least you grew up out of it."
The little racer then turned, then looked up..
Candy: "If it was that era of me then standing before you, Daph, I'd want the hat."
Daphne: "Hold up! I did not bring that for you, how dare you assume!"
Before things can continue about large wide brimmed hats, a certain plump sidekick steps in..
Kirk: "Ladies, please step aside."
Candy: "Eh? Well, I suggest we do as we're told."
Daphne: "What's the hubbub, my man?"
He didn't need to explain the arrival of a certain Viper into the pit lane..
As the car parks itself, the driver exits, and opens his helmet.
Sonny: "Phew.. THE BEAST on Big Willow never gets old, eh fatso?"
Kirk: "No arguments here."
Sonny: "Can't wait to see how you do in your supertune, bub."
Kirk: "You can say it's going to be a Rampage, Son. I'd best be off and get to see it runs fine."
As Kirk moves aside to get busy with his own Signature Car..
Sonny, swinging his hair to the side like a hot celebrity would, instantly puts his eyes on Daphne, remarking..
Sonny: "Hell yeah, he better be. I wager you better be off too, Daph. You want to be at 110 percent when you put your shoes against The List."
Daphne: "Dang, you got a sound argument there. I'll see you on the track, Candy."
Not surprised at the outcome, the little racer now stands beneath the one they call the man who needs no introduction.
With hints of his meddling to this moment, Candy gives out a face that can be described as unimpressed, but someone as naive as Sonny Meng still keeps his mood going like always..
Sonny: "And now it's just the two of us. Let me guess that Nirvana clued you in onto the role you're playing at Sonny Meng's monthly Big Willow celebrations?"
Candy: "Obviously."
Sonny: "What's a day without her trying to ruin my mojo? Oh well. That all is true by the way. Everyone knows what this is on the outside, but inside? It really is just The List looking for more potential recruits."
Candy: "I'm curious more on how it's now you mentioning this whole plot?"
Sonny: "It slipped my mind. When I can think only of myself and Shadow, honestly, why would you even argue against?"
Not in the mood for riddles, the half Singa sucker gets straight to the point as he explains..
Sonny: "But let's keep it simple so everyone can follow, sis: race, inclusive of a bunch of you and The List, you get to play around with Shadow for me, and credits are coming in. What says you? You better not say no now?"
Candy: "I'm in no position to negotiate now that you said credits."
Showing a sharp mind, he recalls to an earlier moment and rides on it as he shoots..
Sonny: "Hehe.. didn't you say money is so cliche, ma?"
Candy: "It is, but when it's coming to my pocket.. I'll let that slide."
Rosamond, California, USA
Noon
Under the blazing desert heat of a certain recently sold track, small crowds gather round.
Now out from the washrooms, Candy, now refreshed, mumbles of what happened earlier..
Candy: "Phew, when they say the co-driver gets the biggest scare on the track.. they weren't lying."
But as she suddenly turned back, she notices a certain lion, leaning by the walls and chewing a single stalk of wheat.
Before she could, he spoke..
Carlyle: "What's cooking, little mama?"
Candy: "Lyle? I didn't roar for you."
Carlyle: "Course you's didn't. I always like being outside the ladies room, for.. umm.."
He can't gather his thoughts, she thought, but she deduces that he's being shy about his habit.
Regardless, she replied with an answer.
Candy: "You.. trying to pick up girls outside the restroom? Is this desperation, or an opportunity?"
Carlyle: "It's the one place I can guarantee their appearance, doll."
Candy: "That's bold of you to think that way.."
Her 'unbelieveable' phase however gets put aside as Carlyle however did have something to say that's not about picking up girls outside the restrooms..
Carlyle: "Anyhow, it looks to me The List folk be around and, thus, want you's around."
Candy: "Wait, are you sure? I mean.. if you ask me, only your liutenant is the only person around that wants me."
Carlyle: "That play on the words I be choosing is intentional, doll."
Candy: "Alright.. settle down, Leo.. I know you hate his One Step Ahead like some other guy, but.."
This unusual pair then wandered further into the sunny pits areas..
Noting the presence of his Christmas hat, Candy then went to wonder..
Candy: "You're really into Christmas, huh?"
Carlyle: "What? Is it strange for I's to have the jolly spirit of giving? Especially to my inseperable companions of my ever so great adulthood?"
Remembering her episode with the Mangusta last year, however (not yet written), she then remembered a hint of it..
Candy: "Actually with what happened last year.. why am I questioning this?"
Carlyle: "Y'see?"
And before they realized, a shadow falls on them, and while it could be anyone from Candy's view, the smell of tobacco gives this identity a dead giveaway.
They turn to this woman, and..
Carlyle: "Oh snap, it's Krampus."
Nirvana: "Why do you fear calling I, Nirvana, the embodiment of punishment?"
Candy: "Punishment really suits you.. says your cigar burn marks that time ago."
With an urge to hurt the little racer starting to rise, she snuffed that out as she then mentions..
Nirvana: "Hmph. Should there be anything you need to know, do know that charmless clown has something ready for you. His presence is.. while unwanted.. also mandatory. A shame.."
Candy: "I can tell you inserted those words yourself."
Nirvana: "You have figured that much, at least."
Nirvana then turns to the dutchman, asking..
Nirvana: "Dutchman. The one called Graham seeks your presence."
Carlyle: "Does he? Well, umm.. how'd you even.. even.."
His stammering was enough for Nirvana to set out her usual deadly glare, intimidating the dutchman..
Carlyle: "Golly.. I'll take my leave then. Excuse me's.."
..and leaving the ladies behind..
Nirvana: "It leaves to both you and I, Nirvana."
Candy: "Seems to me.. you have quite an interest in Graham. And a lot of Sonny's associates. You REALLY have something against him, huh?"
Nirvana: "Those are beans Nirvana refuses to spill.. for now. Still irrelevant. Unlike yourself."
The enigma remained calm and collected, like always, but today: she's also loyal, as she instructs..
Nirvana: "Perhaps the one thing Nirvana is instructed to.. entrust you with is The List still retaining its interest to hire you."
Candy: "I'm done with street racing, if that's enough a hint."
She turns her back, but Nirvana and giving up doesn't match well in words to pair, as she explains.
Nirvana: "Ohh, but The Outlaw thinks otherwise. A vote was held of this interest, and the minority against has failed to exist. It means your purpose here isn't for social hellos and goodbyes, little one. You say no, and we shall remain.. unrelenting."
Disturbed, the little racer then queries..
Candy: "So, this small upcoming street race.."
Nirvana: "The charmless clown calls it.. testing your Mark of Zen. Nirvana will instead reaffirm it's just a fancy way to have the List analyze your skills."
She prepares to light another cigarette, as Candy can't find herself reasoning to say no..
Candy: "Skills? Well, I got those alright. But we aren't on the streets today, sorry to disappoint."
Nirvana: "Hmph.. to say Nirvana's ties with local enforcement.. or even The List's ties with local enforcement seems to wane.. concerning, but.. it matters not."
After a quick blow towards a sign that obviously tells that the whole area isn't a smoking area, the brunette begins to walk, further suggesting to the little racer..
Nirvana: "If you aren't busy, come follow. I'm sure he told you of the car you'll be expected to drive today."
Candy: "Eh? A car? B-but.."
Eventually, the women stares into the abyss..
..if the abyss was in the form of track focused muscle cars.
The Camaro however took center stage, as the little lady puts it..
Candy: "Peculiar. When did Shadow get here?"
Nirvana: "Perhaps he had it moved while you were conducting your.. business. Or perhaps it is Chaos Control. Regardless.. it is time I depart. Daphne will handle you now. Ciao."
Leaving her, the Hong Kongese lady was left for a moment, until the classy Daphne comes over post polishing her Mustang.
What she then heard was more mumbling..
Candy: "Strange.. how'd I not see this coming?"
Daphne: "What's wrong, Candy?"
Candy: "Oh.. umm.. the fact that The List has a strong presence about.. I'm willing to bet something is fishy."
Daphne: "Fishy? Girl, I'd take it as an opportunity to clash with some nasty.. somewhat respectable street racers. The Outrun Queen's kind of people."
Her chipper mood did give Candy a bump up in confidence, replying..
Candy: "Our kind of people. I'm not objecting, but I don't quite like it when not everything's being revealed to me."
Daphne: "Like?"
She turns about, and notices..
..her own Signature Car in wait, and then explains..
Candy: "I see my Yaris is here thanks to Kirk and some trucking work, but I'm taking Shadow instead.."
Daphne: "Just a guess, but I'd say Sonny wants to see you outta your comfort zone."
Candy: "Just about every week is me out of my comfort zone, Daph. As if I'm being documented of my actions then."
Daphne: "Whatever the reason, I'm sure it's not like.. there's a bomb underneath the Camaro if you go under 40 miles.."
Not liking the Speed reference, Candy reassures..
Candy: "My friend Rudeboy taught me enough that such a bomb needs an expert to even engineer, and that's none of you out and about."
Daphne: "You know I'm talking about that flick with Keanu Reeves handling a bus, right?"
Candy: "I'll see if Minori-chan knows.. the last I heard of Keanu.. he's an edgy skating fox person."
Before more thoughts proceed with a certain movie star..
Show Me A Sign
Modestep
Evolution Theory
..another man with big hopes blasts through the main Willow straight..
Daphne: "Wowee.. have a look!"
Candy: "If he's not in that Camaro, this will explain how Sonny's going to get on the action with us.. THE BEAST."
Daphne: "The legendary snake of Los Angeles.. y'know it was born on these lands?"
Candy: "Born?"
Daphne: "Yeah, born, baby! Rumors speak of a whole day, from sunlight to moonlight, that has him plow the streets of Willow with the car, shaving an enormous 5 seconds off a regular Viper's pace with him and his team's grand efforts to make the most capable, yet subtle, street racing Viper ever. Am surprise he didn't tell you nothing?"
In disbelief an interesting tale escaped her muddied her thoughts.
A moment passes and she realizes why..
Candy: "The last time I was here with that car as focus.. I was clouded.. by something else."
Daphne: "Oh?"
Candy: "I was debuting my skill in FT-1 VGT race car, and setting out a challenge I called unbeatable. But.. eventually, that man beat it."
The classical belle then thought as she related..
Daphne: "Well dagnabbit indeed! Put your ego on the track, was it? Must've been quite a wake up call to see your inner best side just shattered."
Candy: "Shattered is accurate.. on what happened after that came to be. But rebuilt from the pieces is also just as accurate."
Daphne: "Least you grew up out of it."
The little racer then turned, then looked up..
Candy: "If it was that era of me then standing before you, Daph, I'd want the hat."
Daphne: "Hold up! I did not bring that for you, how dare you assume!"
Before things can continue about large wide brimmed hats, a certain plump sidekick steps in..
Kirk: "Ladies, please step aside."
Candy: "Eh? Well, I suggest we do as we're told."
Daphne: "What's the hubbub, my man?"
He didn't need to explain the arrival of a certain Viper into the pit lane..
As the car parks itself, the driver exits, and opens his helmet.
Sonny: "Phew.. THE BEAST on Big Willow never gets old, eh fatso?"
Kirk: "No arguments here."
Sonny: "Can't wait to see how you do in your supertune, bub."
Kirk: "You can say it's going to be a Rampage, Son. I'd best be off and get to see it runs fine."
As Kirk moves aside to get busy with his own Signature Car..
Sonny, swinging his hair to the side like a hot celebrity would, instantly puts his eyes on Daphne, remarking..
Sonny: "Hell yeah, he better be. I wager you better be off too, Daph. You want to be at 110 percent when you put your shoes against The List."
Daphne: "Dang, you got a sound argument there. I'll see you on the track, Candy."
Not surprised at the outcome, the little racer now stands beneath the one they call the man who needs no introduction.
With hints of his meddling to this moment, Candy gives out a face that can be described as unimpressed, but someone as naive as Sonny Meng still keeps his mood going like always..
Sonny: "And now it's just the two of us. Let me guess that Nirvana clued you in onto the role you're playing at Sonny Meng's monthly Big Willow celebrations?"
Candy: "Obviously."
Sonny: "What's a day without her trying to ruin my mojo? Oh well. That all is true by the way. Everyone knows what this is on the outside, but inside? It really is just The List looking for more potential recruits."
Candy: "I'm curious more on how it's now you mentioning this whole plot?"
Sonny: "It slipped my mind. When I can think only of myself and Shadow, honestly, why would you even argue against?"
Not in the mood for riddles, the half Singa sucker gets straight to the point as he explains..
Sonny: "But let's keep it simple so everyone can follow, sis: race, inclusive of a bunch of you and The List, you get to play around with Shadow for me, and credits are coming in. What says you? You better not say no now?"
Candy: "I'm in no position to negotiate now that you said credits."
Showing a sharp mind, he recalls to an earlier moment and rides on it as he shoots..
Sonny: "Hehe.. didn't you say money is so cliche, ma?"
Candy: "It is, but when it's coming to my pocket.. I'll let that slide."
As the time of their given race came, the line is set.
But..
Candy: "I haven't had a taste in this much raw power in a long while. Nothing will disturb me now!"
Sonny: "Okay, don't say I didn't warn you, Candy baby."
Sonny: "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!!"
Graham: "What's this then?"
Carlyle: "Heheehhhh.. It's real on now."
Sonny: "I bring you my special guest.. from the mountains of Gunma.."
Me & You (Dirtyphonics Remix)
Nero
Welcome Reality
Sonny: "He's fearsome. He's bloody. And he's a real speed demon."
Sonny: "And he's my good pal: the one and only Raiko!"
Nirvana: "Raiko.."
Isamu: "Nirvana-kun.. time I spice up the playing field, isn't that right, Shin?"
[barking noises]
Daphne: "Awww yeah! I really dig this party now!"
Candy: "This is perhaps going to tax me. A lot."
Isamu: "Ready."
Sonny: "Let's start us a countdown. 5, 4, 3.."
Sonny: "2.. 1 and.."
Sonny: "This bitch is intentionally driving this close to tick me off.."
Nirvana: "Fufufu.. he knows."
Isamu: "Curses.. I'm glitching.. but we'll make it through this, Shin-chan"
[dog whimpering]
Daphne: "It ain't a highlight if we don't get Mustang versus Camaro!"
Candy: "All this power.. you're really trying to hit a nerve.."
Graham: "Nirvana, was it.. I wonder what kind of voodoo magic that lets you in the good graces of The List.."
Nirvana: "Hmph.."
Kirk: "Rampaging through!"
Carlyle: "The day I got handling done's.. is the day I need speed! Dagnabbit!"
Daphne: "Bye, I'll send you a postcard, darling."
Graham: "Blimey it's a mess behind."
Sonny: "Keep looking back, G, and we might as eat you alive. [teeth glares]"
Nirvana: "Eat him alive.. Nirvana liked that."
Carlyle: "Oni! How ya been?"
Isamu: "This isn't the time for pleasantries.. but I do like your car, Hotshot."
Sonny: "I had a top tier breakfast, Graham, but you are my sweet escape, my man."
Nirvana: "Fufufu.."
Graham: "Come now? There's literally someone named Candy in the race too, guv."
Candy: "Hello, this whole communicator thing works perfectly fine, how dare you even.."
Kirk: "Jeepers, she's sneaking up on me.. with a giant V12.."
Nirvana: "Greetings.."
Candy: "M-mistake.. I.. umm.. please take my place, Daphne."
Daphne: "Loud and clear, little miss!"
"Everyone's around the Rabbit's Ear! The action remains all fired up!"
Sonny: "Yo, tub fat. I plan to win this skirmish."
Kirk: "What happened to focus on Candy?"
Sonny: "That's objective dos. Uno remains a pole position with THE BEAST.."
Nirvana: "Come and try then."
Sonny: "Time to show y'all a T9 perfect exit's big reward."
Sonny: "And dead, and DEAD!"
Nirvana: "Blast.."
Kirk: "Ain't a big surprise he pulls up this kind of crap on his home turf."
Nirvana: "Hmm.."
Candy: "I'm coming to get you, Daph!"
Daphne: "Keep at it, darling. We'll get biker boy here in no time."
Graham: "URGH, I've had it with this bleeding pressure off me arse!"
Kirk: "Bro."
Sonny: "Broo~"
Kirk: "Broooo~"
Sonny: "1-2 finish between us?"
Kirk: "Weekly practice paying off."
Sonny: "Not big surprise, lor. Proud of your progress, lard knight."
Daphne: "So, you do it like this.. power when they least expect it!"
Graham: "Oi!"
Candy: "These are some street smarts.. mental note.. noted."
Sonny: "C'mon, Nirvana.. there's no shame in waving the white flag today, baby."
Nirvana: "Nirvana races to the bitter end, you fool."
Candy: "So, looks to me you don't take pressure that well, is it, wild with an e?"
Graham: "Bugger. Off."
Sonny: "So easy, maa. If anyone's expecting a different result, you're a dumbass, lor."
For today, I lied.
But..
Candy: "I haven't had a taste in this much raw power in a long while. Nothing will disturb me now!"
Sonny: "Okay, don't say I didn't warn you, Candy baby."
Sonny: "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!!"
Graham: "What's this then?"
Carlyle: "Heheehhhh.. It's real on now."
Sonny: "I bring you my special guest.. from the mountains of Gunma.."
Me & You (Dirtyphonics Remix)
Nero
Welcome Reality
Sonny: "He's fearsome. He's bloody. And he's a real speed demon."
Sonny: "And he's my good pal: the one and only Raiko!"
Nirvana: "Raiko.."
Isamu: "Nirvana-kun.. time I spice up the playing field, isn't that right, Shin?"
[barking noises]
Daphne: "Awww yeah! I really dig this party now!"
Candy: "This is perhaps going to tax me. A lot."
Isamu: "Ready."
Sonny: "Let's start us a countdown. 5, 4, 3.."
Sonny: "2.. 1 and.."
Anyone with lofty dreams on making your own racing Nidoki-I mean Camaro?! I mean.. if it were up to me, training a Nidoking is easily just special attack, speed and a moveset that includes BoltBeam. Nothing can beat BoltBeam. But let's not lean on that.
I'd say this is more accurate for the base 6th generation SS, but you can use this souped up one for the same reasons, and perhaps reach even higher. That perhaps is staying until we see some form of nomination for said SS (which I will write because it's Emile's Signature Car, and I don't want to disappoint the amount of John Wick, Jason Bourne and Agenc 47 he is going to present should that episode comes). But I will answer yes: a well tuned racing Camaro is quite firmly a possibility. And quite a popular one too. It means I gotta not screw this up.
As if it's showing the big middle finger like any American would, the Camaro comes with aero on stock, but it too can be removed, which is something any track based car in this game dreams of attaining (that's not the NISMO GT-R, that is, but they're brothers in this whole supercar slaying occupation). Just that, when I see a big wing on this car, it doesn't feel out of place like its predecessors would. A touring car Camaro looks and feels the part right, like a touring car Mustang.. see where these pony cars have done right? Anyhow, aside the bigger better rear wing (that I don't quite like because I prefer the 3 point held setup that's sort of synonymous with the car), you can place a diffuser. These can come in handy, and also doesn't ruin the vibe the car brings in any shape or form.
Onto what's on the blueprints today: now since the track pack special comes with Sports Mediums on, I'm going to take a step back and give it the more usual daily driver compound of Sports hards. Upon swapping, the car carries 609 PP, which is much too high to my liking, but depending on who you are, it might be fine. But the gist of what's to be done is to tame the Camaro so that anyone can experience track ready supercharged V8.
The first thing is to get rid of oversteer. Quite a good chunk of things anyone can do to get this sorted, but my favorite is the one two punch of the LSD and gearbox settings. Accelration go down to at most 10, and have a ratio setting that pumps up the first with every other gear being quite narrow. This means that your rotation is restricted, and unless you play with the restrictor, you're never going to touch the middle RPM zone where Spikey McTorquespike resides.
And if you ask me, I'm done. But really, I know there's more to do, and I should comply.
Since there's nothing to do with the suspension that's drastic, how about some pointers? Of course, you can make it all so much harder it mimics a Camaro GT4 race car, but it's not without any drawback for you to make it hard by its backside. That's the gimmick for the Alfa 4C Gr.3. So if you need to adjust for more.. how about more grip? Have a raised front by 5 mm might get you some change. And while you're at it, play with the negative camber so you get something like 1.0 - 3.0. It might help if you're going to the big leagues that is 700PP.. I never go there. Honestly, too much fuss, and cars with inherent aero are kings there. The Camaro just doesn't have that in the front.
If you're going the other way, know that having a power nerfed ZL1 is perhaps more detriment due to the unchangeable downforce. Maybe you can do what I do that is 600PP SH, because it's a natural there. Though, in my testing, a 600PP SS without any permanent additions isn't quite so nice to drive. I'm a frequenter in Clubman Cup Plus in The Glen, so you should really take my word for it, especially with laps just barely reaching under 1:59.
I'd say this is more accurate for the base 6th generation SS, but you can use this souped up one for the same reasons, and perhaps reach even higher. That perhaps is staying until we see some form of nomination for said SS (which I will write because it's Emile's Signature Car, and I don't want to disappoint the amount of John Wick, Jason Bourne and Agenc 47 he is going to present should that episode comes). But I will answer yes: a well tuned racing Camaro is quite firmly a possibility. And quite a popular one too. It means I gotta not screw this up.
As if it's showing the big middle finger like any American would, the Camaro comes with aero on stock, but it too can be removed, which is something any track based car in this game dreams of attaining (that's not the NISMO GT-R, that is, but they're brothers in this whole supercar slaying occupation). Just that, when I see a big wing on this car, it doesn't feel out of place like its predecessors would. A touring car Camaro looks and feels the part right, like a touring car Mustang.. see where these pony cars have done right? Anyhow, aside the bigger better rear wing (that I don't quite like because I prefer the 3 point held setup that's sort of synonymous with the car), you can place a diffuser. These can come in handy, and also doesn't ruin the vibe the car brings in any shape or form.
Onto what's on the blueprints today: now since the track pack special comes with Sports Mediums on, I'm going to take a step back and give it the more usual daily driver compound of Sports hards. Upon swapping, the car carries 609 PP, which is much too high to my liking, but depending on who you are, it might be fine. But the gist of what's to be done is to tame the Camaro so that anyone can experience track ready supercharged V8.
The first thing is to get rid of oversteer. Quite a good chunk of things anyone can do to get this sorted, but my favorite is the one two punch of the LSD and gearbox settings. Accelration go down to at most 10, and have a ratio setting that pumps up the first with every other gear being quite narrow. This means that your rotation is restricted, and unless you play with the restrictor, you're never going to touch the middle RPM zone where Spikey McTorquespike resides.
And if you ask me, I'm done. But really, I know there's more to do, and I should comply.
Since there's nothing to do with the suspension that's drastic, how about some pointers? Of course, you can make it all so much harder it mimics a Camaro GT4 race car, but it's not without any drawback for you to make it hard by its backside. That's the gimmick for the Alfa 4C Gr.3. So if you need to adjust for more.. how about more grip? Have a raised front by 5 mm might get you some change. And while you're at it, play with the negative camber so you get something like 1.0 - 3.0. It might help if you're going to the big leagues that is 700PP.. I never go there. Honestly, too much fuss, and cars with inherent aero are kings there. The Camaro just doesn't have that in the front.
If you're going the other way, know that having a power nerfed ZL1 is perhaps more detriment due to the unchangeable downforce. Maybe you can do what I do that is 600PP SH, because it's a natural there. Though, in my testing, a 600PP SS without any permanent additions isn't quite so nice to drive. I'm a frequenter in Clubman Cup Plus in The Glen, so you should really take my word for it, especially with laps just barely reaching under 1:59.
Sonny: "This bitch is intentionally driving this close to tick me off.."
Nirvana: "Fufufu.. he knows."
Isamu: "Curses.. I'm glitching.. but we'll make it through this, Shin-chan"
[dog whimpering]
Daphne: "It ain't a highlight if we don't get Mustang versus Camaro!"
Candy: "All this power.. you're really trying to hit a nerve.."
Graham: "Nirvana, was it.. I wonder what kind of voodoo magic that lets you in the good graces of The List.."
Nirvana: "Hmph.."
Kirk: "Rampaging through!"
Carlyle: "The day I got handling done's.. is the day I need speed! Dagnabbit!"
Daphne: "Bye, I'll send you a postcard, darling."
Graham: "Blimey it's a mess behind."
Sonny: "Keep looking back, G, and we might as eat you alive. [teeth glares]"
Nirvana: "Eat him alive.. Nirvana liked that."
Carlyle: "Oni! How ya been?"
Isamu: "This isn't the time for pleasantries.. but I do like your car, Hotshot."
Sonny: "I had a top tier breakfast, Graham, but you are my sweet escape, my man."
Nirvana: "Fufufu.."
Graham: "Come now? There's literally someone named Candy in the race too, guv."
Candy: "Hello, this whole communicator thing works perfectly fine, how dare you even.."
Kirk: "Jeepers, she's sneaking up on me.. with a giant V12.."
Nirvana: "Greetings.."
Candy: "M-mistake.. I.. umm.. please take my place, Daphne."
Daphne: "Loud and clear, little miss!"
"Everyone's around the Rabbit's Ear! The action remains all fired up!"
Sonny: "Yo, tub fat. I plan to win this skirmish."
Kirk: "What happened to focus on Candy?"
Sonny: "That's objective dos. Uno remains a pole position with THE BEAST.."
Nirvana: "Come and try then."
Sonny: "Time to show y'all a T9 perfect exit's big reward."
Sonny: "And dead, and DEAD!"
Nirvana: "Blast.."
Kirk: "Ain't a big surprise he pulls up this kind of crap on his home turf."
Nirvana: "Hmm.."
Candy: "I'm coming to get you, Daph!"
Daphne: "Keep at it, darling. We'll get biker boy here in no time."
Graham: "URGH, I've had it with this bleeding pressure off me arse!"
Kirk: "Bro."
Sonny: "Broo~"
Kirk: "Broooo~"
Sonny: "1-2 finish between us?"
Kirk: "Weekly practice paying off."
Sonny: "Not big surprise, lor. Proud of your progress, lard knight."
Daphne: "So, you do it like this.. power when they least expect it!"
Graham: "Oi!"
Candy: "These are some street smarts.. mental note.. noted."
Sonny: "C'mon, Nirvana.. there's no shame in waving the white flag today, baby."
Nirvana: "Nirvana races to the bitter end, you fool."
Candy: "So, looks to me you don't take pressure that well, is it, wild with an e?"
Graham: "Bugger. Off."
Sonny: "So easy, maa. If anyone's expecting a different result, you're a dumbass, lor."
For today, I lied.
As the day follows, the track opens itself to the public.
Back in the garages, however, the race victor and his apprentice for the day come to watch a promised stream of their friend wrestling in the indie circuit.
DING DING DING
Watching a chokehold the petite statured driver's fairly familiar with, she notes..
Candy: "Whoaa.. that's what I call cutting off circulation in such a.. savage way! I for one am not sure anyone wants to be in the ring with him.."
Sonny: "Money is on the table for these people, Candy baby. But he's being treated as a proper monster of the arena. If he isn't wearing the suit, you can probably imagine.. beef battling out with beef.."
Candy: "Beef? Is this where he gets his want for human meat?!"
Sonny: "You silly, ah? Looks to me you ain't getting in the sport, eh? But how about our sport: how was Shadow?"
A question she knew was to be asked, but even though she's an answer at the ready, she's not quite confident to reply.
But that's not the case soon after a moment.
Candy: "Definitely not my kind of car, but in it.. I can find a lot of pace I've missed out. Not to mention there was a Mustang I had to contend with."
Sonny: "That's normal really. Dancing with Daphne's big Shelby.. keep going, baby. Someday, you'd be like me, getting a nice win with local American favorites. Then again, it's me and THE BEAST, so.."
But before he could ramble on, he notices she's got more to say..
Candy: "I, umm.. I can find a muscle car from the heart, despite the track focused kit on it. I can see.."
A moment looking down turns to looking straight into the owner's eyes, as she describes her experience further..
Candy: "Something that's not THE BEAST in terms of pleasantries. It's unhinged but also disciplined.. it's more rewarding.. I reckon it's something you really are in love with on a long term basis."
Sonny: "Yeah, I mean: it is mine for some years now. And the car's tuned for me, after all. It's my Shadow."
Candy: "You're really taking that dork factor your younger self made, then put because of your current self aside.. umm.. complete riddle of the tongue there.."
He makes a quick chuckle as he readies onward to a main point..
Sonny: "Well, but it settles something else. You're alive. If I won, or you won, or Adachi won or.. her.. well, I say you've got some zen in you to master Shadow in less than a whole day. I saw him finish last with under 3 seconds behind us.. it was anyone's game, after all."
Candy: "Zen? That session we had in the morning really did do something."
Sonny: "That's definitely placebo, sis. But.. try yoga sometimes. Alone. Or let Ginnie accompany you. Fact is: I've been getting Max to have a go in quelling his inner rage with it these days. Why not start there for you?"
Candy: "I did get some free clothing.."
Sonny: "That too. (Haiyaa, she's so materialistic sometimes, this one..)"
His dismay with her personality then was put aside as he hears orders from a master..
Isamu: "Go for the throat!"
But being the overly supportive little pooch he is, he instead goes for..
Candy: "Shin! AHAHAHA! Oh, you're here! Did you miss me?"
..an unstoppable flurry of licks to the little racer.
The owner too follows, but stops just before the licking could begin, instead just standing by his companion, who greets..
Sonny: "What's good, Adachi? Hand still glitching, I guess?"
Isamu: "It appears so. But despite that, nothing like still reeling in excitement over my brief surprise appearance. You know who took the best lap run? It wasn't you."
Now freed from the clutches of something cute, the little racer approaches for a greet..
Candy: "Fancy seeing you around, Adachi-san. Still on the run?"
Isamu: "Yup. Still incognito, Candy-kun. This time, I'm keeping close to The List. Speaking of close, I suppose you remember my bloodied garb.."
Candy: "Why, I haven't gotten close to your S2000 since.. since.. the day we met!"
Isamu: "I'd give you a drive, but.. you know me."
Candy: "You readying some form of flaming hoop, eh?"
The one armed bandit was ready for many, but not circus context as he questions..
Isamu: "Hoop, eh? What's with the circus themed context? That's freaky."
Candy: "He told me it's okay."
With a punchable smile, the man declares away..
Sonny: "Yo, I mean.. The List is one big freaky circus, lor. Just ask Nirvana."
Isamu: "You can get all kinds of answers from the biggest information broker in Los Angeles. Especially ones that drag your name in the mud.."
Sonny: "Just another day in her office. Wonder where she's gone? Perhaps gone sucking up another 12 sticks for taking a big L with Mad Bull."
Smoking is bad, but ironically the man who vapes at times is the one who raised this as he shares..
Isamu: "Someday, we have to help her kick that habit. If she needs my help with vapes instead.."
Candy: "That's not much better, you know?"
Isamu: "You better have the gall to say crap like that in front of Anjuro.. whereever he's gone to nowadays."
Candy: "Sure. I'll be waiting."
However, as the episode comes to a close..
Everybody Have Fun Tonight
Wang Chung
Mosaic
Candy: "It's that song again.."
Sonny: "I'm impressed you still remember, Candy baby. But.. well.. it usually happens when I'm here, in Big Willow, closing out."
Isamu: "Well?"
Sonny: "It's setting the mood.. of.. oh! I wanna see if I'm going to beat my best with Shadow. Talk to you chumps later, aight?"
Abnormally leaving the scene in a hurry, the Camaro standing by gets a roar in life and begins to take flight..
Who's left however..
Isamu: "Chumps?"
Candy: "Better than.. I dunno: bitch of bitches."
Isamu: "I respect that man, but.. what even does that mean?!"
..gets a taste of his opposing personage, as the enigma walks in with her signature tobacco smell..
Nirvana: "Just another talent of that talent deprived swine. Fufufu..."
Isamu: "Eh? You make your appearances as devoid of presence as always, Nirvana.."
Though, Candy did have one last question at the ready..
Candy: "Tell me.. Nirvana.. are you really his number 1 fan?"
She watches on with admiration, struggling to eke out words, until..
Nirvana: "It.. matters not."
Back in the garages, however, the race victor and his apprentice for the day come to watch a promised stream of their friend wrestling in the indie circuit.
DING DING DING
Watching a chokehold the petite statured driver's fairly familiar with, she notes..
Candy: "Whoaa.. that's what I call cutting off circulation in such a.. savage way! I for one am not sure anyone wants to be in the ring with him.."
Sonny: "Money is on the table for these people, Candy baby. But he's being treated as a proper monster of the arena. If he isn't wearing the suit, you can probably imagine.. beef battling out with beef.."
Candy: "Beef? Is this where he gets his want for human meat?!"
Sonny: "You silly, ah? Looks to me you ain't getting in the sport, eh? But how about our sport: how was Shadow?"
A question she knew was to be asked, but even though she's an answer at the ready, she's not quite confident to reply.
But that's not the case soon after a moment.
Candy: "Definitely not my kind of car, but in it.. I can find a lot of pace I've missed out. Not to mention there was a Mustang I had to contend with."
Sonny: "That's normal really. Dancing with Daphne's big Shelby.. keep going, baby. Someday, you'd be like me, getting a nice win with local American favorites. Then again, it's me and THE BEAST, so.."
But before he could ramble on, he notices she's got more to say..
Candy: "I, umm.. I can find a muscle car from the heart, despite the track focused kit on it. I can see.."
A moment looking down turns to looking straight into the owner's eyes, as she describes her experience further..
Candy: "Something that's not THE BEAST in terms of pleasantries. It's unhinged but also disciplined.. it's more rewarding.. I reckon it's something you really are in love with on a long term basis."
Sonny: "Yeah, I mean: it is mine for some years now. And the car's tuned for me, after all. It's my Shadow."
Candy: "You're really taking that dork factor your younger self made, then put because of your current self aside.. umm.. complete riddle of the tongue there.."
He makes a quick chuckle as he readies onward to a main point..
Sonny: "Well, but it settles something else. You're alive. If I won, or you won, or Adachi won or.. her.. well, I say you've got some zen in you to master Shadow in less than a whole day. I saw him finish last with under 3 seconds behind us.. it was anyone's game, after all."
Candy: "Zen? That session we had in the morning really did do something."
Sonny: "That's definitely placebo, sis. But.. try yoga sometimes. Alone. Or let Ginnie accompany you. Fact is: I've been getting Max to have a go in quelling his inner rage with it these days. Why not start there for you?"
Candy: "I did get some free clothing.."
Sonny: "That too. (Haiyaa, she's so materialistic sometimes, this one..)"
His dismay with her personality then was put aside as he hears orders from a master..
Isamu: "Go for the throat!"
But being the overly supportive little pooch he is, he instead goes for..
Candy: "Shin! AHAHAHA! Oh, you're here! Did you miss me?"
..an unstoppable flurry of licks to the little racer.
The owner too follows, but stops just before the licking could begin, instead just standing by his companion, who greets..
Sonny: "What's good, Adachi? Hand still glitching, I guess?"
Isamu: "It appears so. But despite that, nothing like still reeling in excitement over my brief surprise appearance. You know who took the best lap run? It wasn't you."
Now freed from the clutches of something cute, the little racer approaches for a greet..
Candy: "Fancy seeing you around, Adachi-san. Still on the run?"
Isamu: "Yup. Still incognito, Candy-kun. This time, I'm keeping close to The List. Speaking of close, I suppose you remember my bloodied garb.."
Candy: "Why, I haven't gotten close to your S2000 since.. since.. the day we met!"
Isamu: "I'd give you a drive, but.. you know me."
Candy: "You readying some form of flaming hoop, eh?"
The one armed bandit was ready for many, but not circus context as he questions..
Isamu: "Hoop, eh? What's with the circus themed context? That's freaky."
Candy: "He told me it's okay."
With a punchable smile, the man declares away..
Sonny: "Yo, I mean.. The List is one big freaky circus, lor. Just ask Nirvana."
Isamu: "You can get all kinds of answers from the biggest information broker in Los Angeles. Especially ones that drag your name in the mud.."
Sonny: "Just another day in her office. Wonder where she's gone? Perhaps gone sucking up another 12 sticks for taking a big L with Mad Bull."
Smoking is bad, but ironically the man who vapes at times is the one who raised this as he shares..
Isamu: "Someday, we have to help her kick that habit. If she needs my help with vapes instead.."
Candy: "That's not much better, you know?"
Isamu: "You better have the gall to say crap like that in front of Anjuro.. whereever he's gone to nowadays."
Candy: "Sure. I'll be waiting."
However, as the episode comes to a close..
Everybody Have Fun Tonight
Wang Chung
Mosaic
Candy: "It's that song again.."
Sonny: "I'm impressed you still remember, Candy baby. But.. well.. it usually happens when I'm here, in Big Willow, closing out."
Isamu: "Well?"
Sonny: "It's setting the mood.. of.. oh! I wanna see if I'm going to beat my best with Shadow. Talk to you chumps later, aight?"
Abnormally leaving the scene in a hurry, the Camaro standing by gets a roar in life and begins to take flight..
Who's left however..
Isamu: "Chumps?"
Candy: "Better than.. I dunno: bitch of bitches."
Isamu: "I respect that man, but.. what even does that mean?!"
..gets a taste of his opposing personage, as the enigma walks in with her signature tobacco smell..
Nirvana: "Just another talent of that talent deprived swine. Fufufu..."
Isamu: "Eh? You make your appearances as devoid of presence as always, Nirvana.."
Though, Candy did have one last question at the ready..
Candy: "Tell me.. Nirvana.. are you really his number 1 fan?"
She watches on with admiration, struggling to eke out words, until..
Nirvana: "It.. matters not."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sonny Meng episode strikes again. There's like 5 more cars in this jurisdiction.. which is only less if it was a Jacob Ross episode. So get comfortable with overflowing ego. And overflowing amount of music entries.. This is normal, okay?!
I'm not supposed to be writing, but alas: my hand was forced at what is easily one of my favorite additions in Gran Turismo Sport's roster. And one on the list. What's on the list? Well, if I'm writing, it was most definitely on said list.
I guess I should share who Shadow is (no relevance to black anti-hero hedgehog slash doomsday experiment that co-starred in an excellent third movie adaptation). I've mentioned it in its first appearance (when I nominated the Viper in Forza Horizon 5), but Shadow is a name that's inherited over Sonny Meng's ownership of Generation 5 and 6 Camaros that's appeared in Gran Turismo 5 and onwards. Kind of like Spectre having various appearances in Twisted Metal being different cars. Who knows? In the future, if there's a much more sophisticated Camaro, maybe it too will take the Shadow name.
Speaking of names, expect my next nominee to be the one I declare: the car with no name. The story's already written for this, and all I have to do is insert little Miss Candy Lam into the mix.
This week's roster wheelspin winner was Isamu Adachi, complete with his Signature Car that I haven't revealed in a very long time now.
I'm not supposed to be writing, but alas: my hand was forced at what is easily one of my favorite additions in Gran Turismo Sport's roster. And one on the list. What's on the list? Well, if I'm writing, it was most definitely on said list.
I guess I should share who Shadow is (no relevance to black anti-hero hedgehog slash doomsday experiment that co-starred in an excellent third movie adaptation). I've mentioned it in its first appearance (when I nominated the Viper in Forza Horizon 5), but Shadow is a name that's inherited over Sonny Meng's ownership of Generation 5 and 6 Camaros that's appeared in Gran Turismo 5 and onwards. Kind of like Spectre having various appearances in Twisted Metal being different cars. Who knows? In the future, if there's a much more sophisticated Camaro, maybe it too will take the Shadow name.
Speaking of names, expect my next nominee to be the one I declare: the car with no name. The story's already written for this, and all I have to do is insert little Miss Candy Lam into the mix.
This week's roster wheelspin winner was Isamu Adachi, complete with his Signature Car that I haven't revealed in a very long time now.
As the main character, Candy Lam is bound to appear in every segment, be it either as the lead role, or as a small mention.
The infamous Sweet Toothed Lone Wolf of Asia, or known worldwide as Le Glace Pacer. While her social presence is significantly poor, her presence on the track hasn't been short of perfection, now under the pressures of being a monetary source of higher powers, as well as her role being the most prime form of woman racers.. But don't let her hear that.
Theme Song: Def Leppard - Bad Actress
Racing Duel Music: Def Leppard - Nine Lives
Gender: Female
Nationality: Hong Kongese
Age: 30
Current occupation: Professional racecar driver
Distinct features: Long, clean, straight ashen hair tied to a ponytail via traditional red braids. A stiff, stoic Asian beauty that starts to show sign of wrinkling, covered by heavy layers of makeup. Thin, rounded diamond face, with various beauty signs of it being worked on unnaturally, especially her unblemished small snub nose, heavily lipsticked mouth and thin brown Asian eyes. Short body with small proportions.
Choice of clothing: Typical modern glossy sleveless Hong Kong dress, but 90% she will have her favorite on, that's in blood red with a white bauhinia pattern on, with matching sandals. Most of her clothes and themes come in red or white.
Cars: Toyota GR Yaris 1st Edition RZ "High Performance", MINI Cooper S, Honda NSX Type R '02, Mazda Demio XD Touring, Nissan Skyline GTS-R (R31)
Even though she's a proud Hong Kongese, Candy is actually born in high society Tokyo, and more exposed to living in a usual Japanese lifestyle. An only child, it was easy to find herself spoiled rotten from a young age, getting what she wants and not caring how it got there, thanks to wealth she inherits strongly. Her father notably was an executive in Toyota's racing division.
A target in her younger ages, Candy's early life was full of trouble from others that are against her being a Hong Kong native in Japan. She never made any friends as a result, and this loner habit of hers remained even after changing schools, going so far to even give her a new alias. While her parents have a strong standing in the society she lived in, she remained in their shadow, because she couldn't find comfort out of it.
Upon reaching her adult days, Candy's first 'milestone' would come when an incident in a high class event caused her to run, leading to a manic police car chase spanning several weeks before she was arrested. The victim of these events would have deep ties with various Yakuza families. While her parents retreated to Hong Kong, Candy stayed in Japanese prison, learning that if nothing needs to come her way, she needs to learn something she initially dreaded to do: manipulate the human mind, a state of thought she was once a victim of.
After her sentence, she regained her freedom, and it didn't take long that was noticed by the city's largest street racing community. Still with her inherited wealth, she started off strong in the streets. Years then pass, in which she eventually proves herself as a top competitor for racing in many top endurance races worldwide.
While her fans are out there in many parts around for being a woman dominating a man's sport, she's not exactly a great social interactor, and is a nobody outside the racing community. With many questions still left unanswered, maybe there are more ulterior motives with the unsanctioned blue MINI project..
The infamous Sweet Toothed Lone Wolf of Asia, or known worldwide as Le Glace Pacer. While her social presence is significantly poor, her presence on the track hasn't been short of perfection, now under the pressures of being a monetary source of higher powers, as well as her role being the most prime form of woman racers.. But don't let her hear that.
Theme Song: Def Leppard - Bad Actress
Racing Duel Music: Def Leppard - Nine Lives
Gender: Female
Nationality: Hong Kongese
Age: 30
Current occupation: Professional racecar driver
Distinct features: Long, clean, straight ashen hair tied to a ponytail via traditional red braids. A stiff, stoic Asian beauty that starts to show sign of wrinkling, covered by heavy layers of makeup. Thin, rounded diamond face, with various beauty signs of it being worked on unnaturally, especially her unblemished small snub nose, heavily lipsticked mouth and thin brown Asian eyes. Short body with small proportions.
Choice of clothing: Typical modern glossy sleveless Hong Kong dress, but 90% she will have her favorite on, that's in blood red with a white bauhinia pattern on, with matching sandals. Most of her clothes and themes come in red or white.
Cars: Toyota GR Yaris 1st Edition RZ "High Performance", MINI Cooper S, Honda NSX Type R '02, Mazda Demio XD Touring, Nissan Skyline GTS-R (R31)
Even though she's a proud Hong Kongese, Candy is actually born in high society Tokyo, and more exposed to living in a usual Japanese lifestyle. An only child, it was easy to find herself spoiled rotten from a young age, getting what she wants and not caring how it got there, thanks to wealth she inherits strongly. Her father notably was an executive in Toyota's racing division.
A target in her younger ages, Candy's early life was full of trouble from others that are against her being a Hong Kong native in Japan. She never made any friends as a result, and this loner habit of hers remained even after changing schools, going so far to even give her a new alias. While her parents have a strong standing in the society she lived in, she remained in their shadow, because she couldn't find comfort out of it.
Upon reaching her adult days, Candy's first 'milestone' would come when an incident in a high class event caused her to run, leading to a manic police car chase spanning several weeks before she was arrested. The victim of these events would have deep ties with various Yakuza families. While her parents retreated to Hong Kong, Candy stayed in Japanese prison, learning that if nothing needs to come her way, she needs to learn something she initially dreaded to do: manipulate the human mind, a state of thought she was once a victim of.
After her sentence, she regained her freedom, and it didn't take long that was noticed by the city's largest street racing community. Still with her inherited wealth, she started off strong in the streets. Years then pass, in which she eventually proves herself as a top competitor for racing in many top endurance races worldwide.
While her fans are out there in many parts around for being a woman dominating a man's sport, she's not exactly a great social interactor, and is a nobody outside the racing community. With many questions still left unanswered, maybe there are more ulterior motives with the unsanctioned blue MINI project..
The newest member of infamous street racers The List so happens to be one country bumpkin that puts his charm above all else to any sweet talking, pretty lady he finds, whether they like it or not.
Theme Song: The Alan Parsons Project - Psychobabble
Racing Duel Music: Cinderella - The More Things Change
Gender: Male
Nationality: American
Age: 28
Current occupation: Stunt actor
Distinct features: Blonde hair, often slicked upwards to a folded twirl, revealing his charmed, rugged diamond face. Small green eyes behind medical sunglasses, with a chubby hook nose and a wide mouth that drastically puts a nasty idea to his often showing grin. Average height, with slightly wide profile. Skin is blemished in many places. Always chewing wheat.
Choice of clothing: Never consistent, but it's always action oriented. He can be wearing a tank top, to army fatigues. His lower body usually has khakis and combat boots. Has an affinity for orange. Wears special sunglasses due to an incident that damaged his eyesight.
Cars: Plymouth Superbird, DeTomaso Mangusta, Maserati Merak SS, Nissan Silvia K's Type S (S14)
This ravishing, but honest down to earth lover was born from a long line of the first Dutch immigrants to America of the 19th Century. Being a rural countryman of Illinois descent, Carlyle hasn't been of note in the racing world. But everyone around him know this man can get into the career without issue, as he's got the moves thanks to his long experience as a prime stunt actor of a small Los Angeles movie studio: Aurea Signum Studios. And one mantra that follows would be how that studio never fakes their stunts. Carlyle specializes in the vehicular aspect of this, notably, aside from women, he gets his arousing fix through high speed chases.
How Carlyle manages this is due to his family's ties with the classic car communities all over America. He's never without his Superbird ever since he turned 16, and it's always seen nearing 200 MPH. No doubt this would lead to how he's a frequenter to the police stations all over the nation, taking chances to just woo at just about any woman he sees within. Most commonly, that would be in central Los Angeles, where his own mother works at, and he would meet a significant link: a Japanese officer living in America, who has ties with the most infamous street racer in the nation.
A night stint of The List was interfered when Carlyle made their legendary speedster sweat with nitrous behind them. Not only did it get him a spot on The List, codenamed "Hot Shot" as per their rules, but he would prove invalauble as team support, along with being a creative thinker stemming from his army cadet youth, especially if he'd be deluded to say women were on the line.
In fact: a figure such as he somehow carries major weight in the underworld, particularly being the man to go to procure older cars, be it a used car or a Hagerty appraised classic. There are strong suggestions his role in the classic car communities are just a front for smuggling, but rumors remain as rumors.
Theme Song: The Alan Parsons Project - Psychobabble
Racing Duel Music: Cinderella - The More Things Change
Gender: Male
Nationality: American
Age: 28
Current occupation: Stunt actor
Distinct features: Blonde hair, often slicked upwards to a folded twirl, revealing his charmed, rugged diamond face. Small green eyes behind medical sunglasses, with a chubby hook nose and a wide mouth that drastically puts a nasty idea to his often showing grin. Average height, with slightly wide profile. Skin is blemished in many places. Always chewing wheat.
Choice of clothing: Never consistent, but it's always action oriented. He can be wearing a tank top, to army fatigues. His lower body usually has khakis and combat boots. Has an affinity for orange. Wears special sunglasses due to an incident that damaged his eyesight.
Cars: Plymouth Superbird, DeTomaso Mangusta, Maserati Merak SS, Nissan Silvia K's Type S (S14)
This ravishing, but honest down to earth lover was born from a long line of the first Dutch immigrants to America of the 19th Century. Being a rural countryman of Illinois descent, Carlyle hasn't been of note in the racing world. But everyone around him know this man can get into the career without issue, as he's got the moves thanks to his long experience as a prime stunt actor of a small Los Angeles movie studio: Aurea Signum Studios. And one mantra that follows would be how that studio never fakes their stunts. Carlyle specializes in the vehicular aspect of this, notably, aside from women, he gets his arousing fix through high speed chases.
How Carlyle manages this is due to his family's ties with the classic car communities all over America. He's never without his Superbird ever since he turned 16, and it's always seen nearing 200 MPH. No doubt this would lead to how he's a frequenter to the police stations all over the nation, taking chances to just woo at just about any woman he sees within. Most commonly, that would be in central Los Angeles, where his own mother works at, and he would meet a significant link: a Japanese officer living in America, who has ties with the most infamous street racer in the nation.
A night stint of The List was interfered when Carlyle made their legendary speedster sweat with nitrous behind them. Not only did it get him a spot on The List, codenamed "Hot Shot" as per their rules, but he would prove invalauble as team support, along with being a creative thinker stemming from his army cadet youth, especially if he'd be deluded to say women were on the line.
In fact: a figure such as he somehow carries major weight in the underworld, particularly being the man to go to procure older cars, be it a used car or a Hagerty appraised classic. There are strong suggestions his role in the classic car communities are just a front for smuggling, but rumors remain as rumors.
Bohemian Like You plays
Once part of the greatest street racing crew in the UK, Sonny's now a key player in The List's day to day finances. While these days, he's started a long running racing career, leading to a gigantic bounty of success. This egotistical, proven all around badass comes forward as the most divisive top racing figure in the USA.
Theme Song: Rush - Vapor Trail, The Dandy Warhols - Bohemian Like You
Racing Duel Music: A Silent Truth - Chariot (Daycore)
Gender: Male
Nationality: Half Singaporean, half American
Age: 32
Current occupation: As he would state it: a mother[BLEEP]ing racing celebrity
Distinct features: Curled, black medium long hair, always semi-shiny. Handsome, diamond Asian like face and skin tone, with a long stubble combined with a Zappa. Narrow angled grey eyes that shine when he wants to, subtle upturned nose, and hair surrounded mouth. Overcompensating perfect teeth that glares when he wants to. Slightly taller, semi slim build, with mild developed muscle.. also that gleam when he wants to.
Choice of clothing: Usually in biker style clothing, including leather all around with an undershirt.
Cars: Dodge SRT Viper GTS, Chevrolet Camaro Z28, Ferrari 288 GTO, GT By Citroen Road Car, Mazda Eunos Roadster (NA Special Package)
While he might have a Singaporean father, his work as a presidential bodyguard means Sonny's an all American citizen. Birthed in Washington, he moved to California when he was still very young. There, he would meet the eventual leader of The List, and befriend him, being his social contact that would relate with him as that man would darken. On the contrary, Sonny remained as optimistic as he always has been.
But his optimism didn't carry over to his education, where he was often the main culprit of racism as an issue there. It was then he would learn, then utilize his famous mantra of always being one step ahead. By using his birthday gift: a 69 Camaro, he would cause what he would dub as the best graduation day ever: getting just about every nemeses in his school driver license suspensions, while he gets away scot free. Due to this epic win, his egoist side would rise from then onwards, possibly never reaching a ceiling.
It wouldn't stop there. Applying to study in London found itself to be a costly move, and he would bring said Camaro over the Atlantic to begin street racing in those streets just to break even. And past that, UK's top street racing crew known as the Prophecy would take attention, and adopt him as the first ever mentored student, known as a Chosen. Even though Sonny did graduate with middling honours and is ready for adult life, he chose to spend his earnings to chase his hobbies, and to everyone's surprise: it would end up being his life's work, with his unshakeable ego and skill would put him in the podium spot of any racing field he touches.
In addition to his successful racing career, he took on the role as The List's main income source, internally codenamed "Chimera". In recent years, Sonny's momentum has been halted when his mother passed, and now has a mission to find the Mrs. Meng to succeed even further than just his wealth and fame. These days, while he might be the badass he claims, he's also bound to lure in all sorts of trouble, such as the bad luck he's known for among his divisive peers, alongside his, what he dubs: 'favorite hostile secret admirer' in Nirvana.
Once part of the greatest street racing crew in the UK, Sonny's now a key player in The List's day to day finances. While these days, he's started a long running racing career, leading to a gigantic bounty of success. This egotistical, proven all around badass comes forward as the most divisive top racing figure in the USA.
Theme Song: Rush - Vapor Trail, The Dandy Warhols - Bohemian Like You
Racing Duel Music: A Silent Truth - Chariot (Daycore)
Gender: Male
Nationality: Half Singaporean, half American
Age: 32
Current occupation: As he would state it: a mother[BLEEP]ing racing celebrity
Distinct features: Curled, black medium long hair, always semi-shiny. Handsome, diamond Asian like face and skin tone, with a long stubble combined with a Zappa. Narrow angled grey eyes that shine when he wants to, subtle upturned nose, and hair surrounded mouth. Overcompensating perfect teeth that glares when he wants to. Slightly taller, semi slim build, with mild developed muscle.. also that gleam when he wants to.
Choice of clothing: Usually in biker style clothing, including leather all around with an undershirt.
Cars: Dodge SRT Viper GTS, Chevrolet Camaro Z28, Ferrari 288 GTO, GT By Citroen Road Car, Mazda Eunos Roadster (NA Special Package)
While he might have a Singaporean father, his work as a presidential bodyguard means Sonny's an all American citizen. Birthed in Washington, he moved to California when he was still very young. There, he would meet the eventual leader of The List, and befriend him, being his social contact that would relate with him as that man would darken. On the contrary, Sonny remained as optimistic as he always has been.
But his optimism didn't carry over to his education, where he was often the main culprit of racism as an issue there. It was then he would learn, then utilize his famous mantra of always being one step ahead. By using his birthday gift: a 69 Camaro, he would cause what he would dub as the best graduation day ever: getting just about every nemeses in his school driver license suspensions, while he gets away scot free. Due to this epic win, his egoist side would rise from then onwards, possibly never reaching a ceiling.
It wouldn't stop there. Applying to study in London found itself to be a costly move, and he would bring said Camaro over the Atlantic to begin street racing in those streets just to break even. And past that, UK's top street racing crew known as the Prophecy would take attention, and adopt him as the first ever mentored student, known as a Chosen. Even though Sonny did graduate with middling honours and is ready for adult life, he chose to spend his earnings to chase his hobbies, and to everyone's surprise: it would end up being his life's work, with his unshakeable ego and skill would put him in the podium spot of any racing field he touches.
In addition to his successful racing career, he took on the role as The List's main income source, internally codenamed "Chimera". In recent years, Sonny's momentum has been halted when his mother passed, and now has a mission to find the Mrs. Meng to succeed even further than just his wealth and fame. These days, while he might be the badass he claims, he's also bound to lure in all sorts of trouble, such as the bad luck he's known for among his divisive peers, alongside his, what he dubs: 'favorite hostile secret admirer' in Nirvana.
A definition of the mysterious benefactor to the American dark side, nobody truly knows who, where, what or how this Nirvana person came to be. Aside being one of California's biggest earners within its black market, the only thing people know about her is that you never want to be on her bad side..
Theme Song: Nirvana - All Apologies
Racing Duel Music: Peaches - Boys Wanna Be Her (Tommie Sunshine's Brooklyn Fire Retouch)
Gender: Female
Nationality: Unknown, presumably American
Age: Unknown, presumably in her late 30s
Current occupation: Black market information broker
Distinct features: Medium long straight brunette hair, with the left side slightly longer on the front. Broad and tall diamond shaped face, with heavy eyeshadow and deep red lipstick. Wide and narrow green eyes, thick button nose and lip sticked mouth. Eyes always covered with a bespoke pair of sunglasses. Wears a pair of ruby gemmed earrings. Tall, slender figure.
Choice of clothing: Isn't one for a certain clothing style, but her daily go to includes a designer cropped jacket and blouse. Underneath usually is seen with dark, long skinny jeans, with tall leather boots underneath. Never without her prized golden necklace, carrying the iconic Nirvana grunge band smile.
Cars: Lamborghini Diablo GT, Honda Civic Type R (EK), Lamborghini Countach LP400, Lamborghini Aventador LP 750-4 Superveloce
If there's a dark American secret or two worth knowing, there's a very good chance it either came from, or is already been privy by the mysterious, unusually beautiful chain smoker known as Nirvana. While she's not hiding any association with it, it's unclear why she took up the name of a once popular 90's grunge icon.
Despite being in the game for approximately a decade, Nirvana's role as an information broker has been volatile for involved parties. Regardless of the risk, it's a very fruitful business that allowed her to make up a luxurious, albeit mysterious way of living. Every day passes with her face on at least one association wanting her death, be it from minor greivances or major groups, with rumors saying even involving the darkest organizations within national governments. But by being directly connected to the Assassin's Guild means that threat is non-existant for her. It's strongly rumored she is the one completely external individual with the unstoppable, absolute Trinita L'Assassina on speed dial, as various wealthy crime bosses that had her targeted once had their groups dissolved in a week.
Anyone knows Nirvana is one mysterious figure that probably intentionally overdelivers her speech with speaking in third person, combined with odd lingual skills and backed with an odd accent. While it's obvious she's hiding everything about her, there's no hiding her services mainly being stationed in Los Angeles. There's also no hiding that she likes to drive an old Lamborghini Diablo, and it's seen frequently street racing at night. Her presence often causes the racing at night to be mostly calm, a sign of her connection with the local police.
A worker of secrets, Nirvana also knows how to keep them, and over the years, she begun to even use them for her own benefits. While not exactly the most expensive of secrets, using The Outlaw's identity allows her to blackmail her way into The List, now part of them as code name "Enigma". But running with the self proclaimed fastest crew isn't the goal. She uses it as soon as she found out racing celebrity Sonny Meng serving as the group's backbone, and also being directly related to its leader. To her, Sonny is the one person she deems her nemesis. Nobody but the just as similarly egotistical Nirvana only knows why this grudge came to be.
Theme Song: Nirvana - All Apologies
Racing Duel Music: Peaches - Boys Wanna Be Her (Tommie Sunshine's Brooklyn Fire Retouch)
Gender: Female
Nationality: Unknown, presumably American
Age: Unknown, presumably in her late 30s
Current occupation: Black market information broker
Distinct features: Medium long straight brunette hair, with the left side slightly longer on the front. Broad and tall diamond shaped face, with heavy eyeshadow and deep red lipstick. Wide and narrow green eyes, thick button nose and lip sticked mouth. Eyes always covered with a bespoke pair of sunglasses. Wears a pair of ruby gemmed earrings. Tall, slender figure.
Choice of clothing: Isn't one for a certain clothing style, but her daily go to includes a designer cropped jacket and blouse. Underneath usually is seen with dark, long skinny jeans, with tall leather boots underneath. Never without her prized golden necklace, carrying the iconic Nirvana grunge band smile.
Cars: Lamborghini Diablo GT, Honda Civic Type R (EK), Lamborghini Countach LP400, Lamborghini Aventador LP 750-4 Superveloce
If there's a dark American secret or two worth knowing, there's a very good chance it either came from, or is already been privy by the mysterious, unusually beautiful chain smoker known as Nirvana. While she's not hiding any association with it, it's unclear why she took up the name of a once popular 90's grunge icon.
Despite being in the game for approximately a decade, Nirvana's role as an information broker has been volatile for involved parties. Regardless of the risk, it's a very fruitful business that allowed her to make up a luxurious, albeit mysterious way of living. Every day passes with her face on at least one association wanting her death, be it from minor greivances or major groups, with rumors saying even involving the darkest organizations within national governments. But by being directly connected to the Assassin's Guild means that threat is non-existant for her. It's strongly rumored she is the one completely external individual with the unstoppable, absolute Trinita L'Assassina on speed dial, as various wealthy crime bosses that had her targeted once had their groups dissolved in a week.
Anyone knows Nirvana is one mysterious figure that probably intentionally overdelivers her speech with speaking in third person, combined with odd lingual skills and backed with an odd accent. While it's obvious she's hiding everything about her, there's no hiding her services mainly being stationed in Los Angeles. There's also no hiding that she likes to drive an old Lamborghini Diablo, and it's seen frequently street racing at night. Her presence often causes the racing at night to be mostly calm, a sign of her connection with the local police.
A worker of secrets, Nirvana also knows how to keep them, and over the years, she begun to even use them for her own benefits. While not exactly the most expensive of secrets, using The Outlaw's identity allows her to blackmail her way into The List, now part of them as code name "Enigma". But running with the self proclaimed fastest crew isn't the goal. She uses it as soon as she found out racing celebrity Sonny Meng serving as the group's backbone, and also being directly related to its leader. To her, Sonny is the one person she deems her nemesis. Nobody but the just as similarly egotistical Nirvana only knows why this grudge came to be.
Hailed as one of the fastest street racers in the treacherous mountains of Japan, Isamu brings a curse he so willingly carries to prove he is more than your usual unbeatable hothead behind the wheel.
Theme Song: Linkin Park - Lost in The Echo
Racing Duel Music: Linkin Park - Blackout
Gender: Male
Nationality: Japanese
Age: 28
Current occupation: Track racing personality
Distinct features: Black, short/medium spiky hair, with a hachimaki underneath. Notably handsome look, with red asian eyes (contacts?), a thin grecian nose and often dried up mouth. Thin rounded Asian face with some skin blemishes. Average height, but slightly thin build.
Choice of clothing: Wears a retro 80s style sunglasses at all times, due to issues in his vision. Isn't one for a particular fashion style, but his clothes are always white with red accents. Some parts of clothing might not be tied or secured properly.
Cars: Amuse S2000 GT1 Turbo, Nissan SKYLINE 2000GT-R (KPGC110), Honda Sports Vision Gran Turismo, Toyota Alphard Executive Lounge
Up above the mountains of Gunma prefecture, there was a folk legend from the 80's. They said those who raced and survived down the dubbed 9 Valleys of Hell would be granted audience by the mysterious, but all inspiring Raiko: the fastest street racer in those parts of Japan. A challenge usually follows, and those who failed would be brought to shame in a level that usually has them retire from street racing, and those who succeed would take the mantle and become the all new Raiko.
Gunma native Isamu would be the forty ninth challenger for this mantle, and he would not only successfully take the role of Raiko, but also be assassinated the very night he was to celebrate this achievement. The legend of Raiko would sizzle away due to fears surrounding the curse of the 49: the number of death and agony, with Isamu's soul to burn in purgatory forever.. as it was to be written.
Years later, thanks to some efforts within certain criminal organizations, Isamu would come back, but something was off, especially with his new habit of wearing a strange pair of sunglasses at all times. Nobody would believe he was the same man, so Isamu decided the whole of Japan would find out he's the real deal: by being the fastest racing down the roads of Japan as The Oni. Behind the wheel of what's known as a cursed S2000, we find Isamu as a bit of a slacker, an enthusiast on speedcubing and a confident goof who likes to taunt others, making fire out of any situation. This latter aspect of character is stemmed mainly from his Kabuki theatre upbringing, with rumors of certain Yakuza families floating around this whole new reborn character.
Theme Song: Linkin Park - Lost in The Echo
Racing Duel Music: Linkin Park - Blackout
Gender: Male
Nationality: Japanese
Age: 28
Current occupation: Track racing personality
Distinct features: Black, short/medium spiky hair, with a hachimaki underneath. Notably handsome look, with red asian eyes (contacts?), a thin grecian nose and often dried up mouth. Thin rounded Asian face with some skin blemishes. Average height, but slightly thin build.
Choice of clothing: Wears a retro 80s style sunglasses at all times, due to issues in his vision. Isn't one for a particular fashion style, but his clothes are always white with red accents. Some parts of clothing might not be tied or secured properly.
Cars: Amuse S2000 GT1 Turbo, Nissan SKYLINE 2000GT-R (KPGC110), Honda Sports Vision Gran Turismo, Toyota Alphard Executive Lounge
Up above the mountains of Gunma prefecture, there was a folk legend from the 80's. They said those who raced and survived down the dubbed 9 Valleys of Hell would be granted audience by the mysterious, but all inspiring Raiko: the fastest street racer in those parts of Japan. A challenge usually follows, and those who failed would be brought to shame in a level that usually has them retire from street racing, and those who succeed would take the mantle and become the all new Raiko.
Gunma native Isamu would be the forty ninth challenger for this mantle, and he would not only successfully take the role of Raiko, but also be assassinated the very night he was to celebrate this achievement. The legend of Raiko would sizzle away due to fears surrounding the curse of the 49: the number of death and agony, with Isamu's soul to burn in purgatory forever.. as it was to be written.
Years later, thanks to some efforts within certain criminal organizations, Isamu would come back, but something was off, especially with his new habit of wearing a strange pair of sunglasses at all times. Nobody would believe he was the same man, so Isamu decided the whole of Japan would find out he's the real deal: by being the fastest racing down the roads of Japan as The Oni. Behind the wheel of what's known as a cursed S2000, we find Isamu as a bit of a slacker, an enthusiast on speedcubing and a confident goof who likes to taunt others, making fire out of any situation. This latter aspect of character is stemmed mainly from his Kabuki theatre upbringing, with rumors of certain Yakuza families floating around this whole new reborn character.
An anomalous UK born American roadie turned fledgling racer supreme. While nothing stands out from the outside, Graham is a healthy gambler, fueled by his keeness of psychology in game theory: a studious and frequent user of this art, which always gives him an edge on his day to day troubles.
Theme Song: Motörhead - I Got Mine
Racing Duel Music: The Cult - Wild Flower
Gender: Male
Nationality: Half British, half American
Age: 29
Current occupation: Up and coming racer
Distinct features: Copper middle parted fringe. Square face, with round green eyes, thick nose and average sized mouth. Covered with mutton chops and a moustache. Pale skin covering an average heighted man with average weight.
Choice of clothing: Usually with a baggy t-shirt with a sleeveless biker denim jacket, dark jeans, fingerless gloves and brown heavy duty boots.
Cars: Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk7, Porsche 911 Carrera RS (993)
Born out in the deserts of Nevada USA, Graham was actually the result of a rich American with a British mistress. However, with them having no willingness to take care of him, they sent him to the nearest orphanage. He never quite learned of this fact until he was an adult, but he let that part of his past go; his life as an orphan hazed all over this, as it's in no way bad, just challenging.
Usually out and about in the deserts, Graham's main exposure to the outside world was due to 3 determining factors: bikes, his closest brother Jonathan, and his competitive nature to win. This latter fact has Graham eventually learn the inner depths of game psychology: a skill he utilizes when it's needed. His teenage life was all about riding their old Harley Davidson revived from a dump, then heading to every town, noting every chess competition and making a quick buck in getting good results. Graham was no grandmaster, but at that age: it's hard to find anyone who can beat him. Not to mention he's been pocketing money over time for the inevitable departure.
Adulthood however took a turn for the worst, as a tragic accident killed off his brother in an incident that clashed with a former racer and his girlfriend. Graham couldn't take the grief, and wandered on towards the West, into California. What he strived to live for was reduced to ashes. Unsure what to do, he made a gamble that worked out: include himself in the day to day activities of a small movie studio.
Initially working for free, his overall patience would pay off as the studio's biggest stars took their eyes on him, and decided he needs another shot at life. Noting these stars as stunt actors with a penchant of doing their stunts without any ropes or assistance, Graham would work under one of them as her steward, growing eventually to be her good friend.
Finding out of the ravishing Dutchman's illicit activities, Graham took part anonymously, finding out his talent for driving is something he yearns to exploit. Taking up offers for Suzuki's newest branch of FIA racing, Graham knows this next gamble would pay off.
Theme Song: Motörhead - I Got Mine
Racing Duel Music: The Cult - Wild Flower
Gender: Male
Nationality: Half British, half American
Age: 29
Current occupation: Up and coming racer
Distinct features: Copper middle parted fringe. Square face, with round green eyes, thick nose and average sized mouth. Covered with mutton chops and a moustache. Pale skin covering an average heighted man with average weight.
Choice of clothing: Usually with a baggy t-shirt with a sleeveless biker denim jacket, dark jeans, fingerless gloves and brown heavy duty boots.
Cars: Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk7, Porsche 911 Carrera RS (993)
Born out in the deserts of Nevada USA, Graham was actually the result of a rich American with a British mistress. However, with them having no willingness to take care of him, they sent him to the nearest orphanage. He never quite learned of this fact until he was an adult, but he let that part of his past go; his life as an orphan hazed all over this, as it's in no way bad, just challenging.
Usually out and about in the deserts, Graham's main exposure to the outside world was due to 3 determining factors: bikes, his closest brother Jonathan, and his competitive nature to win. This latter fact has Graham eventually learn the inner depths of game psychology: a skill he utilizes when it's needed. His teenage life was all about riding their old Harley Davidson revived from a dump, then heading to every town, noting every chess competition and making a quick buck in getting good results. Graham was no grandmaster, but at that age: it's hard to find anyone who can beat him. Not to mention he's been pocketing money over time for the inevitable departure.
Adulthood however took a turn for the worst, as a tragic accident killed off his brother in an incident that clashed with a former racer and his girlfriend. Graham couldn't take the grief, and wandered on towards the West, into California. What he strived to live for was reduced to ashes. Unsure what to do, he made a gamble that worked out: include himself in the day to day activities of a small movie studio.
Initially working for free, his overall patience would pay off as the studio's biggest stars took their eyes on him, and decided he needs another shot at life. Noting these stars as stunt actors with a penchant of doing their stunts without any ropes or assistance, Graham would work under one of them as her steward, growing eventually to be her good friend.
Finding out of the ravishing Dutchman's illicit activities, Graham took part anonymously, finding out his talent for driving is something he yearns to exploit. Taking up offers for Suzuki's newest branch of FIA racing, Graham knows this next gamble would pay off.
Shy, unfocused, but a straight forward, kind hearted fellow with a penchant for helping out the best he can. The definite Yin to Sonny's Yang, Kirk is no slouch in anything he does, developed into this automotive jack of all trades thanks to the friends and support he's fostered after a life alone.
Theme Song: ZZ Top - I Gotsta Get Paid
Racing Duel Music: Rush - Secret Touch
Gender: Male
Nationality: American
Age: 31
Current occupation: A lot, but racing mechanic is what he usually puts forwards
Distinct features: Short, combed back black ponytail. Puffed up round face. Narrow rounded navy eyes, thick narrow snub nose and thick lipped mouth. Pronounced muscular wrinkling on cheeks and face. Average height, with a mix of fat and muscle within a well weighted body.
Choice of clothing: It's never not a tight tank top and well fit blue denim jeans, along with his signature pair of work gloves and safety boots.. unless it's cold, which a longcoat enters the equation.
Cars: Roadster Shop Rampage, Chris Holstrom Concepts 1967 Chevy Nova, Toyota Supra 3.0GT Turbo A
Kirk's past was mostly undocumented and not left pursued, strangely as if this past, and his desire to pursue it was tampered with by higher forces. Needless to say, the only things he remember of his past is that he's born in one of the lesser cities within California. What he does know stems from his time as a young adult, where he awoken in the middle of the warm California desert, only with his name intact. Going in and out of smaller work, he has no place to call home, usually forcing himself to be useful to remain alive. However, the experience allows him to learn the appropriate skills he would make great use of today, particularly in culinary and engineering.
However, he soon found a great first venture that not only got him a place to stay, but money to earn, and that is facilitating motoring events in a small town within Orange County. A gentle soul by nature, his great decision making by prioritizing growth over violence earned him the respect of the community, up until a clashing with some degenerate racing crews caused a rift, extorting money from him and the community. He keeps on hoping that one day this would end. And those hopes came one day when he would take a look at a certain classic Chevrolet Camaro. Said car would be the ride of the then rising celebrity race driver known as the Asian-American Badass, and from then they bonded.
After a final clashing ensued with the help of his new friend, he would be forced out of Orange County due to these crews organizing a headhunt for him. Making their escape into his new friend's stomping grounds within Burbank, California, Kirk knew he would end up in a prison, unwavering and in undying gratitude to his new friend for life. However, that initially hellish life would be, in eventuality, a form of heaven for him, living it out with a small biker gang that had similar incidents that precede their meeting. Now leading as the Vice Captain of Sonny Meng's private biker gang, he would also delve further into his own interests in life at his own casual snail's pace.
One day, he would find out that the groups that organized his bounty would be dissolved and completely disappeared without warning. Taking no heed of it, little did he know there are interested parties looking for a man like him..
Theme Song: ZZ Top - I Gotsta Get Paid
Racing Duel Music: Rush - Secret Touch
Gender: Male
Nationality: American
Age: 31
Current occupation: A lot, but racing mechanic is what he usually puts forwards
Distinct features: Short, combed back black ponytail. Puffed up round face. Narrow rounded navy eyes, thick narrow snub nose and thick lipped mouth. Pronounced muscular wrinkling on cheeks and face. Average height, with a mix of fat and muscle within a well weighted body.
Choice of clothing: It's never not a tight tank top and well fit blue denim jeans, along with his signature pair of work gloves and safety boots.. unless it's cold, which a longcoat enters the equation.
Cars: Roadster Shop Rampage, Chris Holstrom Concepts 1967 Chevy Nova, Toyota Supra 3.0GT Turbo A
Kirk's past was mostly undocumented and not left pursued, strangely as if this past, and his desire to pursue it was tampered with by higher forces. Needless to say, the only things he remember of his past is that he's born in one of the lesser cities within California. What he does know stems from his time as a young adult, where he awoken in the middle of the warm California desert, only with his name intact. Going in and out of smaller work, he has no place to call home, usually forcing himself to be useful to remain alive. However, the experience allows him to learn the appropriate skills he would make great use of today, particularly in culinary and engineering.
However, he soon found a great first venture that not only got him a place to stay, but money to earn, and that is facilitating motoring events in a small town within Orange County. A gentle soul by nature, his great decision making by prioritizing growth over violence earned him the respect of the community, up until a clashing with some degenerate racing crews caused a rift, extorting money from him and the community. He keeps on hoping that one day this would end. And those hopes came one day when he would take a look at a certain classic Chevrolet Camaro. Said car would be the ride of the then rising celebrity race driver known as the Asian-American Badass, and from then they bonded.
After a final clashing ensued with the help of his new friend, he would be forced out of Orange County due to these crews organizing a headhunt for him. Making their escape into his new friend's stomping grounds within Burbank, California, Kirk knew he would end up in a prison, unwavering and in undying gratitude to his new friend for life. However, that initially hellish life would be, in eventuality, a form of heaven for him, living it out with a small biker gang that had similar incidents that precede their meeting. Now leading as the Vice Captain of Sonny Meng's private biker gang, he would also delve further into his own interests in life at his own casual snail's pace.
One day, he would find out that the groups that organized his bounty would be dissolved and completely disappeared without warning. Taking no heed of it, little did he know there are interested parties looking for a man like him..
She might be, by day, a happy go lucky waitress on her family's retro themed diner in Big Sur, but by night, she's known to be a lot more in the coastal Californian street racing crews she's ran with and against.
Theme Song: Guns N' Roses - Nightrain
Racing Duel Music: Guns N' Roses - Anything Goes
Gender: Female
Nationality: American
Age: 34
Current occupation: Diner waitress
Distinct features: Dark brown medium curled afro with brighter accents. Heart shaped face. Blue hooded eyes, flat, narrow hooked nose and medium sized thin lips. Mildly freckled. Awlays with thick blue hued eye makeup and amber lipstick. Brown skin. Semi-tall height with average build and weight.
Choice of clothing: Has a taste for classical 60's American fashion. If not working with her 60's styled waitress outfit, she has on a 60's fashion shirt dress with tight socks and arm socks, and heeled shoes. Also with a large, bright brimmed hat, various jewelleries such as large golden hoop earrings and bangles.
Cars: Shelby G.T.350, Ford Shelby GT350R, Ford Roadster
Michigan based Daphne grew most of her life in the coastal regions of California, exposed to the sun more times that she's used to the sunburn should she ever suffer it. Being a sole daughter, she succeeds her festival roadie father, and a high octane mother who's famed as a dirt oval racer all over the US. While this is where she was exposed to the racing world from, her main influence growing up was from her grandparents: old people with a taste for modified American racing in the 60s. Somehow able to keep up with their family's travelling to various places all over the US via motorhome, she never longs to leave her home base of Big Sur for longer than a few weeks when this happens.
With her education a mess thanks to her never staying in school, she just grew up with the wisdom of her olders to go on with. By the time she reached her teens, she became involved in the business of the underground racing scenes that started growing traction. Her growth started to develop then, learning skills such as to manage money and work by handling the racing organizations, talk loud by announcing race events and starting them, and eventually learn to race after being a part of these races after a scandal with some organized crime groups rigging races. She would meet various individuals of this scene, including the enigmatic Nirvana, a ravishing Dutch smuggler who she often partners with, and two Americans who would eventually be apart of The Prophecy as its Chosen.
Not willing to go back to school, she settled with being a simple waitress of a racer themed diner placed next to Big Sur's premier racing venue. However, being the face of the family ran V8 Cafe and Grill, she never shies away from the simple American life, looking in the past to determine her future. Recently on the rise within underground racing leagues as The Outrun Queen, she's been eyeing with great passion on infamous crew known as The List, hoping to one day clash with the leader she idolizes (in secret).
Theme Song: Guns N' Roses - Nightrain
Racing Duel Music: Guns N' Roses - Anything Goes
Gender: Female
Nationality: American
Age: 34
Current occupation: Diner waitress
Distinct features: Dark brown medium curled afro with brighter accents. Heart shaped face. Blue hooded eyes, flat, narrow hooked nose and medium sized thin lips. Mildly freckled. Awlays with thick blue hued eye makeup and amber lipstick. Brown skin. Semi-tall height with average build and weight.
Choice of clothing: Has a taste for classical 60's American fashion. If not working with her 60's styled waitress outfit, she has on a 60's fashion shirt dress with tight socks and arm socks, and heeled shoes. Also with a large, bright brimmed hat, various jewelleries such as large golden hoop earrings and bangles.
Cars: Shelby G.T.350, Ford Shelby GT350R, Ford Roadster
Michigan based Daphne grew most of her life in the coastal regions of California, exposed to the sun more times that she's used to the sunburn should she ever suffer it. Being a sole daughter, she succeeds her festival roadie father, and a high octane mother who's famed as a dirt oval racer all over the US. While this is where she was exposed to the racing world from, her main influence growing up was from her grandparents: old people with a taste for modified American racing in the 60s. Somehow able to keep up with their family's travelling to various places all over the US via motorhome, she never longs to leave her home base of Big Sur for longer than a few weeks when this happens.
With her education a mess thanks to her never staying in school, she just grew up with the wisdom of her olders to go on with. By the time she reached her teens, she became involved in the business of the underground racing scenes that started growing traction. Her growth started to develop then, learning skills such as to manage money and work by handling the racing organizations, talk loud by announcing race events and starting them, and eventually learn to race after being a part of these races after a scandal with some organized crime groups rigging races. She would meet various individuals of this scene, including the enigmatic Nirvana, a ravishing Dutch smuggler who she often partners with, and two Americans who would eventually be apart of The Prophecy as its Chosen.
Not willing to go back to school, she settled with being a simple waitress of a racer themed diner placed next to Big Sur's premier racing venue. However, being the face of the family ran V8 Cafe and Grill, she never shies away from the simple American life, looking in the past to determine her future. Recently on the rise within underground racing leagues as The Outrun Queen, she's been eyeing with great passion on infamous crew known as The List, hoping to one day clash with the leader she idolizes (in secret).
Some bonuses..
Why the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE Package gets a certain Dirtyphonics remix as its signature song:
Plus: Shadow in Mini Mexico's COTW..
- 3,935
- On the move
- SomePlayaDude
BUT I'M NOT DONE YET!
SPD Writes Gran Turismo 7's Car Of The Week: Week 89 - Honda NSX Type R (NA1)
I guess my only regret with this picture is that.. it's not in Championship White.
Pop quiz: anyone remember the RA272? Honda's first ever racecar that achieved pole? Of course you should: I wrote a masterclass that took me 4 days to compose and even put story down. That's commendable. I mean I say it is, but I hope that's the case from you all too.
I'm not looking back to find out if I mentioned it was a spark for Honda to develop further into their racing roots, but that's where the magic is, yes. I do remember that car's legacy did begin with Honda developing engines for Formula 1 manufacturers. But as time went on, Honda was thinking.. why do the racecar drivers only get our magic.. it should be spread across like Christmas cheer!
That was in 1984. Honda, taking some notes from Pininfarina for a concept, and making a certain Ferrari 328 as a basis, would eventually make shape a supercar they abbreviate as the NSX, which is short for New Sportscar eXperimental. Most interesting on the outside was the design, led by Masahito Nakano and taking inspiration from the F-16 Falcon. The engine was a self engineered DOHC V6 that churned out the gentlemen's agreed 276 HP over a 1.3 ton body. This car would also be the first of its kind to use an all aluminum monocoque as well, and lightweight aluminum springs to keep the weight low. It was going to also get a VTEC, but there must be something in the fine print I missed that led to refusing it.
Before showing it off to the masses, we'll now talk about one of the best known things about this car: the fact that F1 legend Ayrton Senna helped with its handling, with notes suggesting the car should carry stiffer suspension and chassis. And he's also not the only big name. We also got supercar superstar Gordon Murray, who used this car as the gold standard to find the perfect basis of a supercar's handling and balance... notes he would then use to develop the legendary McLaren F1.
After all is ready, the NSX would then debut in the 1989 Chicago Motor Show, and would eventually start selling by the following year. Being sold under the company's bougie Acura brand, the car entered the market of both sports and supercars. I know there are praises for the Senna inspired handling, because a certain Drift King Keiichi Tsuchiya would christen said Honda/Acura to being the best driver's car and hasn't yet found a car that could succeed that title. Not to mention while Ferraris are being measured, you can find this first NA1 NSX to be comparable to a good chunk of sports cars in its time, especially to the 911 (964) that cost a lot more for very little gain in comparison.
And now to the Type R: this is what can be said as the unicorn of the first NA1 series of NSX. It's essentially the regular NSX, but with bonuses, notably being the first Honda to get the Type R badging. Perhaps earned as it was put on a diet that has it lose 120 kilos. The game details well on it losing amenities like air-conditioning, sound dampening, radio and power windows. The car also got more rigidity, and chose not to conform to the gentlemen's agreement, with a 284 horsepower output. Sold exclusively in Championship White that's inspired from the RA272, and with a 500 unit limited production, it's a wonder why it's sold in the used car dealership with more than that.
Here's something you probably won't get from me in the future: Christmas episode! Just like the car's Type R badging strongly hinting into the red, today we get into some of the red you normally see.. flowing in your body.. umm..
Just read the fine print, eh?
This week's theme song:
Ready To Go
Republica
Republica
bonus points to anyone who finds out where I got the song from.. it's not random or personal this time
Episode: Deck the halls with friends and killers
As the festive day comes to a close..
..Minori, now off duty, starts to sit by one of the many couches with her superior, nearby, beginning to ask..
Candy: "Umm.. Minori-chan?"
From her eyes, she sees her enemies on the other side of the room, and thus..
Candy: "This gathering of the Trinitia is easily not going your way, huh?"
Minori: "Funny you mention that, because 1) Ama is not one of the Trinitia. And 2) I rather enjoy my enemies being here. A showing of how my skeleton, muscles.. my very soul is built for the moment, bebe."
But the lone man then walks by, noting as he gestures towards the door..
Rodulf: "Incoming."
As a certain mysterious lady, and a man known as the Black Flash then enter the shop.
The ladies then note..
Minori: "Now for a bunch that won't even raise a finger. You can lower your guard now."
Candy: "For Nirvana.. I feel isn't the right thing to do."
Instantly spotted, this pair approaches..
Nirvana: "So, this is the Eunos Coffee Lounge? Comforting. Assassin?"
Minori: "How may I serve?"
Nirvana: "The house special. And a bitter abyss for him."
As the cyborg takes her exit, Emile however..
Emile: "A pleasure, Miss Lam."
Candy: "You.."
With memories still strong of this man swinging his hand held tomahawks with skill, and worse with an intent to chop her little body up, she struggles to speak..
Candy: "I just don't.. have an ounce of courage to even say hello.. I-I-I know you mean no harm.."
The jazzy killer then swings from his back his handy saxophone, and replies as he holds his musical instrument..
Emile: "Perhaps a bit of jazz might come in handy. I've been practicing.. makes you feel I can take your breath away.."
Candy: "Whatever makes you happy.. (okay, Candy, no panic no panic..)"
Nirvana, enjoying the suffering of this scentless apprentice, adds on..
Nirvana: "You have a knack for riling her up."
Emile: "Nothing like pressure in the right place."
Putting her sense back in their place, she then begins conversation..
Candy: "Umm.. so.. you've come for some gathering? I know it's obvious that Christmas is what's on the table, is it?"
Nirvana: "Correct."
And just then, she returns..
Minori: "And here.."
Receiving a darkened shot, the Bostonian musician then puts the drink's essence into his nose, noting with joy..
Emile: "Black death.. it soothes my soul. I hear this shop uses beans grown locally.. ones you don't get anywhere else.."
Minori: "Don't shoot the messenger.. of which.."
Even behind sunglasses, the mysterious brunette notices..
Nirvana: "You don't seem.. completely in good spirits, Assassin."
It's her handler, so she didn't hesitate to answer..
Minori: "It's Quin. I held back because it's.. Christmas."
Emile: "A given."
Minori: "She barely holds back. That's her plan.. as with madame Ama.."
Candy: "They seem to enjoy your pain a lot.. I wonder if we can twist that?"
Nirvana however, shares her thoughts as she sipped..
Nirvana: "Either way, be thankful for them.. as Nirvana feels there's in the organization who refuses to believe Christmas is the Guild's day for a ceasefire."
Emile: "We take tribute to the soldiers who played soccer in 1915."
Candy: "Ohh.. intriguing!"
Just then, the lights went off, and the whole shop comes to a hint of chaos..
Boniface: "Was there someone who plugged in plugs that's piled, or??"
Amadine: "Ginoa.. where are you.. you need to tell me with your night vision.."
Minori: "You can see me perfectly fine, madame; shoo shoo!"
To the local that's lived in Ginza her whole adult life however, she notices from the outside..
Candy: "Hmm.."
Nirvana: "Little one?"
Candy: "The power outside's not affected, meaning.."
She deduces, while remaining calm.
Eventually, the power does come back on, giving Candy words of comfort she shares..
Candy: "Knew it's not going to last. I knew there's nothing to worry abou-"
..although, she wasn't ready for the arm grabbing the back of her elf outfit's collar, as she awkwardly struggles..
Candy: "UGHWAAAAA!"
The Crimson End: "Why hello there.. ehe ehe ehe.."
As the hostage situation begins, the enigma glows up..
Nirvana: "Perfect."
Emile: "It's as you predicted, with deadly accuracy.."
The Crimson End: "One step, and you'll learn today what it means to die from a thousand cuts."
And from afar..
Nash: "Moto-san.. don't.."
Hayato: "I don't need steps to eviscerate this one. Come on, Jiji.."
Quinlan: "Bugger off, you bloody prick!"
Amadine: "So this is the Crimson End.. how.. disappointing?"
Though, the man dressed as Santa spoke up..
Rodulf: "Crimson.. step down. It's that time of year."
The Crimson End: "Consider this.. my SEASON'S GREETINGS!"
She pressed harder, a sign of her inner intensity ramping up.
Candy: "Nggg... (Such a squeeze..)"
Rodulf: "You end her.. and I promise.. a fate worse than your identity getting leaked. How is that for you?"
Blackmailed, her desire now betrays her identity.
A moment later, she makes her choice..
The Crimson End: "RRRUUUHHHH!! You gutless coward!"
Now let go, the little elf dashes away..
Rodulf: "Nirvana?"
Nirvana: "She will finally be under my control.."
As she heads for a nearby table, she looks back, seeing herself to be followed..
Candy: "UWAAAHHH!! I uhh.. guess you're the star attraction today."
The Crimson End: "Don't push your luck."
(or you know, kinda tomorrow, since that last scene was midnight)
The southern side of the FIA approved expressway remains in a calm, unoccupied state.
For today's Christmas special, the track has no plans to remain that way.
Standing by a few cars are a pair of men, watching at each other with crossed arms, destined for a duel, despite this being their first race together..
Rodulf: "Doctor Kirkham."
Nash: "I'm not a doctor, Reaper. Not yet, at least."
Rodulf: "Perhaps a doctor on the circuit."
Nash: "I.. No arguments there."
Rodulf: "It's time I ready you for the showdown that is Veyron versus McLaren F1."
Nash: "Oh, verily so. My brother is going to be so jealous. But ground rules."
Rodulf: "The first rule is we don't talk about the rules. Keep it clean."
Nash: "Hmm.. the only rule that matters."
And not far away..
Remembering her American escapades from Week 87, Candy finally gets a first look at one of Nirvana's many tertiary Lamborghinis..
Candy: "Mad Bull?"
Nirvana: "My backup machine should I, Nirvana, want the Diablo rested."
Candy: "Sure, I understand having a choice of car, but.. is there a reason why it's called Mad Bull?"
Nirvana: "Nirvana would prefer that remain unexplained until.. well.. you know until when.."
She starts walking away, allowing the pint sized pacer to continue her look around the expensive Italian hypercar.
However, another walks in, and Candy, after a quick glance, started to talk..
Candy: "The weeks pass, and I'm sure I thought I knew her."
Boniface: "Please.. you hardly know me."
Candy: "Had your first sip?"
Boniface: "After this race we can have.. a 'private Christmas drink', perhaps?"
Candy: "Oh how naughty.. I.. umm.. let's focus on surviving a race against murderers and assassins."
Boniface: "Oh, ma cherie.. to think we'll be racing against killers and the like. I wonder much of their capabilities. Will they surprise me: the Prophecy's newest Chosen?"
As Boniface started to indulge in the whole race roster, Candy then notices behind him..
Candy: "Eeep! They're all together!!"
Four women standing by, at postures that hint they're ready to strike.
Candy: "Stop stop stop!!"
And as Candy leapt and jumped ahead to stop their potential appetite for violence, she crashed on the floor, but instead notices..
..that these women are having a huddle of sorts.
Candy: "Are you ladies having a.. an agreement?"
And the fists lunging ahead instead are a hands in moment, as they cheerily raise their arms up in unison.
Candy: "This is.. a first? Ama, you're not even in the Trinitia!"
Amadine: "Mi poupon.. consider it the first of our contests that's not.. in the field of battle."
Minori: "Ama.. the field of battle is this closed off expressway. May the best woman triumph."
Quinlan: "Whewee! I'm up for a race. What says you, Crimmie?"
The Crimson End: "Ehe ehe.. time to show you the power of Honda's supercar!"
Seeing the creepy lady of blood even feeling quite cordial, Candy found this all strange, noting..
Candy: "Even the blood knight's in it.."
The Crimson End: "It's.. giving me an idea.. why bleed out the Trinitia.. instead, we fight and make sure you bodybags live another day for me to reap! Ehe ehe ehe.."
And to follow..
Quinlan: "Don't care how many languages she's got in her tongue: creepy red is still creepy."
Minori: "Ama's head is filled with doubt.. bebe, I wonder.."
Thoughts bubble on how these ladies are thinking of a future where they don't fight each other, Amadine answers..
Amadine: "I don't know.. I hate her, and I'm never going to be satisfied until I beat her."
Minori: "Madame, you have another chance to beat me here. And why not in front of the Trinitia.. it's not killing potential or skills with weapons, but a certainty for sure is us three.. we can drive."
Her aspiration allured, she quickly admits..
Amadine: "I get a chance to be out of being second place.. a tempting offer.."
Quinlan: "She's got a little brother that can race.. wager she's one heck of a racing talent."
The Crimson End: "Oh don't even think about it. A nobody with association is still a nobody."
Hearing what looks to be gentle trash talk over women that want each other dead, the little racer mumbles..
Candy: "This is.. seriously jarring to bear witness.."
And as she blindly wanders on, she spots another supercar to be raced..
And a pair of men conversing by..
Candy: "Emile and Moto-san, huh?"
She approaches but not without some context to their current talk..
Hayato: "Is there like.. some reason the Guild is into being fast racers?"
Emile: "Hmm.. perhaps I can share.. a target was this race car driver that crossed all the wrong lines. Turns out he drives a modified supercar, I forget if it was a Ferrari or a Porsche. He's paranoid as hell and always kept his car in check. As a result.. he's nigh uncatchable. The only way we had a chance to get him was with some outside help. Enter The Outlaw."
Hearing that alter-ego, she queries instantly..
Candy: "The Outlaw?"
Emile: "Yep. Not only did he get the man, but it inspired the entire Guild to pick up sports cars and learn to drive as if life behind the wheel's a car chase scene ready to erupt. Since I was there, there's also when I found who the man behind the mask is.."
Hayato: "Your history with that man in the military finally paying off, nyeeeh?"
Keeping quiet, Emile then changed subject, bringing around his saxophone from behind..
Emile: "Anyhow.. I want to get some preparation songs in.. come and sit."
Candy: "Sure! What's on your mind?"
He blew a few test notes, and then spoke to his small crowd..
Emile: "This one's a ballad I call.. Obsidian Divide.. dedicated to me nearly putting little Candy into itty bitty pieces.."
As a steep reminder to what trouble she got back in Week 53, she groaned..
Candy: "Ughh.."
A rather eclectic lot of cars come gathered at the lines of Tokyo's converted expressways.
Though, to the small crowds present, the one they look at most eagerly would be the red NA1, watched by a pair of its younger siblings.
Ready To Go
Republica
Republica
And as the signal to go deploys, the many cars start charging on..
Quinlan: "See ya later, bozos!"
Minori: "That's one powerful Lamborghini.."
Hayato: "Candy-chan, if you would mind?!"
Candy: "Hell. No."
Rodulf: "Good riddance."
Nirvana: "Hmm.. MC20. A tricky opponent from the Big 3.. I, Nirvana, must break you."
Boniface: "So that's what she's turned her thinking to? How barbaric.."
The Crimson End: "Oooh, feisty.."
Amadine: "This will be the day they notice me.. beating the likes of you, rouge."
Nash: "No more pulling my punches. They call me.. me.. tsk, I don't think I got a name to run with, deary me."
Emile: "Assassin, your reflexes are lacking."
Minori: "Merde, I am not feeling myself.. I blame you, Quinn!"
Quinlan: "That's right. As my second cousin would say.. guiltyy~!"
Amadine: "Ooohh, I haven't driven this quick for so long, but.. but.. I'm doing good?"
Quinlan: "Think you can be a sweet darling and get out of my hair, Ama?"
Amadine: "That better be rhetorical."
Nash: "Knock knock. I have come for your head, Helwalker."
Rodulf: "So... he truly cannot resist."
Hayato: "You still in a fritz with your NA2, Candy-chan?"
Candy: "I.. yes."
Hayato: "Perhaps that one in red can help you."
The Crimson End: "No way in hell."
Quinlan: "The Outlaw style round the rosie!"
Amadine: "Ohh, nice.. thank you for the motivation.."
Boniface: "Zut alors, those hypercars are on a whole different league.."
Minori: "I am.. screwing up!"
Hayato: "Nyeeheeheehee.. you making mistakes is free real estate."
Quinlan: "Crikey, she's a quick 'un.."
The Crimson End: "Ehe ehe ehe.."
Amadine: "Oh boo.."
Quinlan: "Your defense ain't good enough, darling."
Rodulf: "This is.. child's play."
The Crimson End: "I'm thinking of cutting another slice of you, bud. How's about it? I know you like pain.."
Boniface: "C'est.. c'est pas vrai!"
Emile: "I have an ostinato for you, emerald.. it's a tuned V8 melody."
Amadine: "So charming of you, Emile. A boxer beat's always my kink instead."
Nirvana: "Nirvana must remain in pursuit.. that pompous ass is speculated to be.. more quick.."
Amadine: "Racing is.. surely not my thing, Emile."
Emile: "Aww.. let me play a sad song on the world's smallest violin."
Amadine: "That car has power, but the driver? Hmm.."
Boniface: "Sacre bleu, stop with the horning!"
The Crimson End: "It can't.. be helped.. eheeheehee.."
Boniface: "She's done it to touch a nerve.. how brutish!"
The Crimson End: "AAHAAHAAHAAHAA!"
The Crimson End: "Keep it up.. I'll catch you eventually.."
Boniface: "Alle, Nettuno. Do not let her disturb me again!"
Rodulf: "Nash.. where are you, friend?"
Nash: "Not far back, Bugatti man. Seems to me the lot behind us is having a hell of a time."
Rodulf: "Kehehehe.. I'm not hunting anyone today, so it's rather.. uneventful for my end regardless."
Candy: "Minori-chan.. us on the expressways is going to be a more frequent episode."
Minori: "I hear.. and I obey, bebe."
The Crimson End: "Big lady in a big car.. but with small amounts of talent to get me.."
Quinlan: "You're gonna eat those words, red."
Minori: "Well, now I know what I must do.. practice.."
Nirvana: "Out there, I'm sure that charmless clown is laughing.. humph. Nirvana will show them all."
Rodulf: "I apologize ladies and gentlemen.. but I am a bona fide speed demon after all."
Realizing we can have our own awards, I aught to nominate this car as the most recurring car in COTW lobbies as it is with in story racing as well.
SPD Writes Gran Turismo 7's Car Of The Week: Week 89 - Honda NSX Type R (NA1)
I guess my only regret with this picture is that.. it's not in Championship White.
Pop quiz: anyone remember the RA272? Honda's first ever racecar that achieved pole? Of course you should: I wrote a masterclass that took me 4 days to compose and even put story down. That's commendable. I mean I say it is, but I hope that's the case from you all too.
I'm not looking back to find out if I mentioned it was a spark for Honda to develop further into their racing roots, but that's where the magic is, yes. I do remember that car's legacy did begin with Honda developing engines for Formula 1 manufacturers. But as time went on, Honda was thinking.. why do the racecar drivers only get our magic.. it should be spread across like Christmas cheer!
That was in 1984. Honda, taking some notes from Pininfarina for a concept, and making a certain Ferrari 328 as a basis, would eventually make shape a supercar they abbreviate as the NSX, which is short for New Sportscar eXperimental. Most interesting on the outside was the design, led by Masahito Nakano and taking inspiration from the F-16 Falcon. The engine was a self engineered DOHC V6 that churned out the gentlemen's agreed 276 HP over a 1.3 ton body. This car would also be the first of its kind to use an all aluminum monocoque as well, and lightweight aluminum springs to keep the weight low. It was going to also get a VTEC, but there must be something in the fine print I missed that led to refusing it.
Before showing it off to the masses, we'll now talk about one of the best known things about this car: the fact that F1 legend Ayrton Senna helped with its handling, with notes suggesting the car should carry stiffer suspension and chassis. And he's also not the only big name. We also got supercar superstar Gordon Murray, who used this car as the gold standard to find the perfect basis of a supercar's handling and balance... notes he would then use to develop the legendary McLaren F1.
After all is ready, the NSX would then debut in the 1989 Chicago Motor Show, and would eventually start selling by the following year. Being sold under the company's bougie Acura brand, the car entered the market of both sports and supercars. I know there are praises for the Senna inspired handling, because a certain Drift King Keiichi Tsuchiya would christen said Honda/Acura to being the best driver's car and hasn't yet found a car that could succeed that title. Not to mention while Ferraris are being measured, you can find this first NA1 NSX to be comparable to a good chunk of sports cars in its time, especially to the 911 (964) that cost a lot more for very little gain in comparison.
And now to the Type R: this is what can be said as the unicorn of the first NA1 series of NSX. It's essentially the regular NSX, but with bonuses, notably being the first Honda to get the Type R badging. Perhaps earned as it was put on a diet that has it lose 120 kilos. The game details well on it losing amenities like air-conditioning, sound dampening, radio and power windows. The car also got more rigidity, and chose not to conform to the gentlemen's agreement, with a 284 horsepower output. Sold exclusively in Championship White that's inspired from the RA272, and with a 500 unit limited production, it's a wonder why it's sold in the used car dealership with more than that.
Here's something you probably won't get from me in the future: Christmas episode! Just like the car's Type R badging strongly hinting into the red, today we get into some of the red you normally see.. flowing in your body.. umm..
Just read the fine print, eh?
This week's theme song:
Ready To Go
Republica
Republica
bonus points to anyone who finds out where I got the song from.. it's not random or personal this time
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Episode: Deck the halls with friends and killers
The Eunos Coffee Lounge
Ginza, Tokyo, Japan
Evening
Within the private areas of the cafe, the owner slash little racer watches herself get ready in front of a mirror
Candy: "Hmmm hmm hmmm hmm hmmm.. all I want for Christmas is-"
Wearing what looks to be a sexy green elf dress, complete with fake ears and a green red hat, adding on the final touches to her attractive festive look gets a quick interruption from a phone call..
Not taking much time to reach her phone on the nearby desk, she looks and answers the call..
Candy: "Oh, mister wild with an e.."
Graham: "Morning, love. Or should I say.. evening? Time is it there?"
Candy: "Just keep it at evening. So.. you called to chat across the world, or?"
Graham: "Course not. Wager you're in that cafe of yours, serving up a jolly time.."
Candy: "Well, my business is for people aged 7 to 77. It's a kid friendly paradise."
Graham: "That so? Actually.. never mind. Just letting you know that mum Miranda's in Tokyo, and just want to call in advance so you ain't knee deep in surprises."
Gratified by the news, she replies joyously..
Candy: "Well, I'm told today, of all days is going to be surprise after surprise.. but thanks for the heads up."
Graham: "No worries."
Candy: "So.. what're your Christmas plans?"
Graham: "Strict practice. Was gonna send you bunch a card, but I'm tits up in practice for the New Year's Race of Grand Valley. Perhaps mum could have that sorted for you, but you never know."
Candy: "Quaint. I think this phone call's more than sufficient."
Graham: "Right. I'll be off then. Merry Christmas, love."
Candy: "Merry Christmas to you too, wild with an e."
With the call ended, she puts her phone back on the table, and goes straight back onto the mirror..
Now done, she notes the presence of another elf, as well as Santa Claus himself!
Okay, not really.. but rather the important Assassin's Guild figures in festive outfits themselves.
A slow walk allows her to overhear their conversation..
Minori: "How's it going, Santa Shinigami?"
Rodulf: "Oh, not so bad, cyberdam. Dressing up like Santa seems to be growing on me. I like the children hasn't a clue what context a monotone voice provides?"
Minori: "Or how a big bushy beard hides your usual killer stride."
Rodulf: "That too. What shall happen if some little runt finds my scarred face in detail? It's interesting, but unwanted."
And within close proximity, she speaks up..
Candy: "Hey."
Rodulf: "Ahh the petit sized elf. Ginnie here tells me she's tired of this s[BLEEP]."
Knowing much of Minori's secretive enhancements, Candy replies with an unserious sound off her voice..
Candy: "She? Tired?"
Minori: "Don't listen to that fat bellied clown, bebe. I am still quite able."
Rodulf: "Hohoho. I jest, of course."
He's trying to be Santa, she thought, but she figures he's much too scary to be a good one, replying..
Candy: "You.. make a good evil Santa, Shinigami-san.."
Not usually emotional, Rodulf however finds an excuse to feel out of character, explaining..
Rodulf: "Perhaps now I give thanks for allowing us to exercise our meet up later, mus."
Candy: "There's no need for that, Rodu.. I mean: Santa Shinigami."
Hearing that name, Minori strikes..
Minori: "So, how is it that name's not so bad now, Rodulf?"
Rodulf: "Perhaps I've, forgive the pun, warmed up to it."
Candy: "Crafty. By the way: what's going on tonight?"
Minori: "Just a collection of my, insert quote 'colleagues', end quote from the Assassin's Guild. Having the shop to themselves for the evening. Mostly friends and family of the staff that work here."
Rodulf: "Because I know you'll ask, little mus, I will get in between any assassination attempt from and towards her."
She finds a moment to act deadly, teasing..
Minori: "Oh, you know how much of a bad girl I've been?"
Rodulf: "Ginoa here is queen of the festive coal mines. Actually, I would be one hell of an evil Santa."
Candy however isn't quite so sweet as she requests..
Candy: "So, aside what might be inside the presents, anyone you expecting?"
Minori: "Nirvana."
Rodulf: "Emile."
The pair hailing from California coming over has Candy let out a breath in relief..
Candy: "Okay.. fortunately decent people. I'll need to check on the festive specials.. be right back!"
She leaves, but leaves her killer maid with some doubt..
Minori: "I'm expecting.. more. Would it be wrong to say my heart beats quicker and quicker?"
Rodulf: "Remember, cyberdam.. we don't do killings in Christmastime. It's.. quite strict I even keep that in check."
Minori: "Huhhh.. definitely easier said than done.."
As she sheepishly sips away the current special drink, Candy commits to reading a business magazine article about her potential new sponsor in Theodore Scott.
While it is in Japanese, she reads through fine, also with wonder on how these big Texan oil brothers are doing.
However, the front door opens, ringing a bell, and the man she saw come in got her off her chair in a flash and approaching with a quick greet.
Candy: "Nash? Nash!! Hey!"
Nash: "You alright? Merry Christmas, Candy."
Candy: "Thanks. Wasn't expecting you, actually, but.. shouldn't you be with family?"
Nash: "Of course I am, you silly muppet. Moto-san?"
He moves to the side, and reveals a wild Moto-san with his usual ninja-like attire covered in Christmas lighting.
Hayato: "Nyeeheeheehee.. Candy-chan, you sloppy elf. Forgot already?"
Candy: "Of course.. I suppose I did. You're not sneaking around like that.."
Hayato: "Nyeeehhh.. not like I'm going to do anything rather sneaky this day."
However, she can hear, despite Ginza's often busy state, a much louder noise coming from the outside, noting..
Candy: "There's a commotion outside.."
Nash: "I brought the F1. A veritable cause of grand attention. Combine that with a certain armored Bugatti just by."
With the understanding finally sinking in, her eyes glowed, as she quickly asked..
Candy: "No. Way. Permission to get some pics for my socials?"
Nash: "Predictable as ever. Well, off you go then."
She dashes out fast, but to those she left: they have something to say..
Nash: "Moto-san, can you watch her?"
Hayato: "Nyehhhh.. do I have to?"
Nash: "Do as I say, my son. I have a bad feeling in the back of my white locks."
Crowds of people surround these cars, from rich locals, carolling groups, or even racing fans with their phones and cameras, mixing a volley of selfies and high quality pictures to be used for whatever they please.
Candy however takes advantage of the presence of these Signature Cars..
Candy: "Perfect. These are t-the kinds of photos that'd make Daph s-s-soo jealous! Brr... it's freezing tonight.."
..forgetting that in the crowd that she's dressed rather poorly for nearly 0 degrees celsius..
As she begins to collect heat, she realizes a card flying towards the floor by the cars.
Picking it up, she notes, aside the steel bladed rim and the emerald heart logo on..
Candy: "Huh? A calling card? Must've come from over th-there.."
It wasn't her first time seeing said logo, but as she walks to the back of the cafe, she can't quite capture where she'd seen it before.
Sitting in the back is Minori, who seems to be awaiting something, or someone.
Noticing her superior shivering, she comes and concerningly asks..
Minori: "Candy-sama? Oh mon dieu, you shouldn've be out here wearing that!"
Candy: "I'll be inside i-in just a moment. How about you.. and your little antlers?"
Minori: "Bebe, please.. I'll be fine."
As she opens a door to a warmer inside, she then shows..
Candy: "Right. Don't worry about me too.. it's warmer around the back.. You're waiting for Bon and the presents, right? Just a quick one: you recognise this card? Came from this way.."
Minori: "Oh.. I.. Merde.. I know this.."
Realizing the logo of her nemesis known as the Emerald Lust, Minori then hears an ominous rolling of tires..
Minori: "BOUGE!!"
Candy: "AIK?!"
Candy, who wasn't the target, unfortunately gets collided by something light, but was taken off balance.
Following a fall, she gets a quick lift up and landed on an enlarged, wheeled toy horse..
It's not a BDSM horse, but a tool used to hold her victims for whipping, knowing she was in said position before occassionally..
Now chained up, she realizes this wooden toy horse to be..
Candy: "(A-Andre?!) No! NOO NOO NOOOOOOO!"
She can't help but struggle through her bindings, as the person behind it all then notes..
Amadine: "Take care of her for me, Andre. And as for you.."
..followed by watching the blonde haired Minori reveal what this emerald killer's looked forwards to..
Amadine: "I don't know who you are, but I know that battle stance anywhere.. Ginoa.."
Minori: "Cat's out of the bag, ehh, madame?"
Amadine: "Ahhh hahahahaa! Madam Quinlan was right. You were in the company of brother's little fleur. You betray me already, after all the love and bonding we've been through??"
Minori: "Oh magnifique. Disgusting as always. After I turn you into floss, she better have a heart of tungsten too.."
One ready with a spiked baton, and the other with blades protruding her limbs, the little lady can do nothing but watch..
Candy: "F[BLEEP] f[BLEEP] f[BLEEP]!! Must.. break free.. since when did your chains get even tighter, Andre?! Nggngg.. "
As the clash was to begin, the real cavalry to her freedom does come in..
Boniface: "Ahh, bonjour, ma cherie! I uhh.. see you're riding the now festively decorated Andre."
Candy: "Bon! Andre is still a very naughty horse! Erhh.. a little help please?!"
While he's enjoying her stuck on their toy horse, he adheres just after a quick gaze..
Candy: "Thanks.. arhh.. why are you even here, Andre?! Umm.. now to the matter of your sisters?"
Boniface: "Monsieur Nash instructed me to stay put, for you'll see.."
As steel clashes steel..
One man steps in to control..
Moto-san enters!
Hayato: "Aah ahhh! Fair dames. It's Christmas! I'm afraid we stop right there."
Standing in between with no fear, the green goblin then objected, while acting coy..
Amadine: "Hoo? Qu'est-ce que c'est? Christmas, was it? I'm afraid it's not going to work in civil war. I've been waiting for this pain, son of Nash.."
And before she knew it..
Hayato: "YOSHAAAAA!!"
A rapid succession of katana slices follows..
And while Amadine would find all the hits misses, that all changes as Hayato puts his blade back in its scabbard, slowly..
What was supposed to be Amadine's skin tight leather would then fall to the floor, in pieces, and her body left untouched, as if it's some Christmas miracle.
Amadine: "S-SACRE BLEUUU!!"
She shouted as she started to cover up her naked bits..
The Super Formula kid used the moment to gloat..
Hayato: "Nyeeheehee.. feel the talent of Yoko-chan and my perfect iaijitsu. Now, Ginnie-chan.. your move, creep."
Minori: "Nice moves.. alright, I surrender, monsieur."
Liking the fate her nemesis had to experience, said nemesis however had words to say..
Amadine: "...keh! You had to surrender. You're so lucky! So lucky! [shivering]"
Minori: "You're going to keep spouting excuses on your current predicament, madame? You're hopeless, you know? Moto-san.. get her a nice warm pumpkin blend."
Hayato: "All right. And you're welcome. Come now.."
As those warriors exit back into the cafe, the middle man of this whole event started to pick up all her sister's weaponry, placing them into Andre's saddle bags.
With the hostilities ended, conversation resumed in the air..
Boniface: "Such barbaric events unfold! It's a good thing we know another enforcer to stand up to those bloodthirsty beauties.."
Minori: "Thanks to my new gig here in Ginza, I haven't taken a soul in months."
Boniface: "Sure, sure. That's hard to believe. Ma cherie? Are you hurt?"
Candy: "No.. mentally, I mean. When did Andre get some Horse Armor DLC on him?"
Despite that moment on being a very well bound toy horse, the little lady notes her closest man's arrival..
Candy: "You here already means the presents are too?"
Boniface: "Oui oui. Excuse me while I.."
The ladies stand by as the man reverses a medium sized cargo truck into the alley.
As he gets out, the aristocrat quickly heads to the rear and opens the rear.
The group watches the sorted and stored presents on board, noting..
Candy: "Sweet! Minori-chan, if you would?"
Minori: "Talk about a whole wall of presents. The couriers sure can sort about.."
Boniface: "I uhh.. remembered it was much messier.. they sure know their work, huh?"
Ginza, Tokyo, Japan
Evening
Within the private areas of the cafe, the owner slash little racer watches herself get ready in front of a mirror
Candy: "Hmmm hmm hmmm hmm hmmm.. all I want for Christmas is-"
Wearing what looks to be a sexy green elf dress, complete with fake ears and a green red hat, adding on the final touches to her attractive festive look gets a quick interruption from a phone call..
Not taking much time to reach her phone on the nearby desk, she looks and answers the call..
Candy: "Oh, mister wild with an e.."
Graham: "Morning, love. Or should I say.. evening? Time is it there?"
Candy: "Just keep it at evening. So.. you called to chat across the world, or?"
Graham: "Course not. Wager you're in that cafe of yours, serving up a jolly time.."
Candy: "Well, my business is for people aged 7 to 77. It's a kid friendly paradise."
Graham: "That so? Actually.. never mind. Just letting you know that mum Miranda's in Tokyo, and just want to call in advance so you ain't knee deep in surprises."
Gratified by the news, she replies joyously..
Candy: "Well, I'm told today, of all days is going to be surprise after surprise.. but thanks for the heads up."
Graham: "No worries."
Candy: "So.. what're your Christmas plans?"
Graham: "Strict practice. Was gonna send you bunch a card, but I'm tits up in practice for the New Year's Race of Grand Valley. Perhaps mum could have that sorted for you, but you never know."
Candy: "Quaint. I think this phone call's more than sufficient."
Graham: "Right. I'll be off then. Merry Christmas, love."
Candy: "Merry Christmas to you too, wild with an e."
With the call ended, she puts her phone back on the table, and goes straight back onto the mirror..
Now done, she notes the presence of another elf, as well as Santa Claus himself!
Okay, not really.. but rather the important Assassin's Guild figures in festive outfits themselves.
A slow walk allows her to overhear their conversation..
Minori: "How's it going, Santa Shinigami?"
Rodulf: "Oh, not so bad, cyberdam. Dressing up like Santa seems to be growing on me. I like the children hasn't a clue what context a monotone voice provides?"
Minori: "Or how a big bushy beard hides your usual killer stride."
Rodulf: "That too. What shall happen if some little runt finds my scarred face in detail? It's interesting, but unwanted."
And within close proximity, she speaks up..
Candy: "Hey."
Rodulf: "Ahh the petit sized elf. Ginnie here tells me she's tired of this s[BLEEP]."
Knowing much of Minori's secretive enhancements, Candy replies with an unserious sound off her voice..
Candy: "She? Tired?"
Minori: "Don't listen to that fat bellied clown, bebe. I am still quite able."
Rodulf: "Hohoho. I jest, of course."
He's trying to be Santa, she thought, but she figures he's much too scary to be a good one, replying..
Candy: "You.. make a good evil Santa, Shinigami-san.."
Not usually emotional, Rodulf however finds an excuse to feel out of character, explaining..
Rodulf: "Perhaps now I give thanks for allowing us to exercise our meet up later, mus."
Candy: "There's no need for that, Rodu.. I mean: Santa Shinigami."
Hearing that name, Minori strikes..
Minori: "So, how is it that name's not so bad now, Rodulf?"
Rodulf: "Perhaps I've, forgive the pun, warmed up to it."
Candy: "Crafty. By the way: what's going on tonight?"
Minori: "Just a collection of my, insert quote 'colleagues', end quote from the Assassin's Guild. Having the shop to themselves for the evening. Mostly friends and family of the staff that work here."
Rodulf: "Because I know you'll ask, little mus, I will get in between any assassination attempt from and towards her."
She finds a moment to act deadly, teasing..
Minori: "Oh, you know how much of a bad girl I've been?"
Rodulf: "Ginoa here is queen of the festive coal mines. Actually, I would be one hell of an evil Santa."
Candy however isn't quite so sweet as she requests..
Candy: "So, aside what might be inside the presents, anyone you expecting?"
Minori: "Nirvana."
Rodulf: "Emile."
The pair hailing from California coming over has Candy let out a breath in relief..
Candy: "Okay.. fortunately decent people. I'll need to check on the festive specials.. be right back!"
She leaves, but leaves her killer maid with some doubt..
Minori: "I'm expecting.. more. Would it be wrong to say my heart beats quicker and quicker?"
Rodulf: "Remember, cyberdam.. we don't do killings in Christmastime. It's.. quite strict I even keep that in check."
Minori: "Huhhh.. definitely easier said than done.."
As she sheepishly sips away the current special drink, Candy commits to reading a business magazine article about her potential new sponsor in Theodore Scott.
While it is in Japanese, she reads through fine, also with wonder on how these big Texan oil brothers are doing.
However, the front door opens, ringing a bell, and the man she saw come in got her off her chair in a flash and approaching with a quick greet.
Candy: "Nash? Nash!! Hey!"
Nash: "You alright? Merry Christmas, Candy."
Candy: "Thanks. Wasn't expecting you, actually, but.. shouldn't you be with family?"
Nash: "Of course I am, you silly muppet. Moto-san?"
He moves to the side, and reveals a wild Moto-san with his usual ninja-like attire covered in Christmas lighting.
Hayato: "Nyeeheeheehee.. Candy-chan, you sloppy elf. Forgot already?"
Candy: "Of course.. I suppose I did. You're not sneaking around like that.."
Hayato: "Nyeeehhh.. not like I'm going to do anything rather sneaky this day."
However, she can hear, despite Ginza's often busy state, a much louder noise coming from the outside, noting..
Candy: "There's a commotion outside.."
Nash: "I brought the F1. A veritable cause of grand attention. Combine that with a certain armored Bugatti just by."
With the understanding finally sinking in, her eyes glowed, as she quickly asked..
Candy: "No. Way. Permission to get some pics for my socials?"
Nash: "Predictable as ever. Well, off you go then."
She dashes out fast, but to those she left: they have something to say..
Nash: "Moto-san, can you watch her?"
Hayato: "Nyehhhh.. do I have to?"
Nash: "Do as I say, my son. I have a bad feeling in the back of my white locks."
Crowds of people surround these cars, from rich locals, carolling groups, or even racing fans with their phones and cameras, mixing a volley of selfies and high quality pictures to be used for whatever they please.
Candy however takes advantage of the presence of these Signature Cars..
Candy: "Perfect. These are t-the kinds of photos that'd make Daph s-s-soo jealous! Brr... it's freezing tonight.."
..forgetting that in the crowd that she's dressed rather poorly for nearly 0 degrees celsius..
As she begins to collect heat, she realizes a card flying towards the floor by the cars.
Picking it up, she notes, aside the steel bladed rim and the emerald heart logo on..
Candy: "Huh? A calling card? Must've come from over th-there.."
It wasn't her first time seeing said logo, but as she walks to the back of the cafe, she can't quite capture where she'd seen it before.
Sitting in the back is Minori, who seems to be awaiting something, or someone.
Noticing her superior shivering, she comes and concerningly asks..
Minori: "Candy-sama? Oh mon dieu, you shouldn've be out here wearing that!"
Candy: "I'll be inside i-in just a moment. How about you.. and your little antlers?"
Minori: "Bebe, please.. I'll be fine."
As she opens a door to a warmer inside, she then shows..
Candy: "Right. Don't worry about me too.. it's warmer around the back.. You're waiting for Bon and the presents, right? Just a quick one: you recognise this card? Came from this way.."
Minori: "Oh.. I.. Merde.. I know this.."
Realizing the logo of her nemesis known as the Emerald Lust, Minori then hears an ominous rolling of tires..
Minori: "BOUGE!!"
Candy: "AIK?!"
Candy, who wasn't the target, unfortunately gets collided by something light, but was taken off balance.
Following a fall, she gets a quick lift up and landed on an enlarged, wheeled toy horse..
It's not a BDSM horse, but a tool used to hold her victims for whipping, knowing she was in said position before occassionally..
Now chained up, she realizes this wooden toy horse to be..
Candy: "(A-Andre?!) No! NOO NOO NOOOOOOO!"
She can't help but struggle through her bindings, as the person behind it all then notes..
Amadine: "Take care of her for me, Andre. And as for you.."
..followed by watching the blonde haired Minori reveal what this emerald killer's looked forwards to..
Amadine: "I don't know who you are, but I know that battle stance anywhere.. Ginoa.."
Minori: "Cat's out of the bag, ehh, madame?"
Amadine: "Ahhh hahahahaa! Madam Quinlan was right. You were in the company of brother's little fleur. You betray me already, after all the love and bonding we've been through??"
Minori: "Oh magnifique. Disgusting as always. After I turn you into floss, she better have a heart of tungsten too.."
One ready with a spiked baton, and the other with blades protruding her limbs, the little lady can do nothing but watch..
Candy: "F[BLEEP] f[BLEEP] f[BLEEP]!! Must.. break free.. since when did your chains get even tighter, Andre?! Nggngg.. "
As the clash was to begin, the real cavalry to her freedom does come in..
Boniface: "Ahh, bonjour, ma cherie! I uhh.. see you're riding the now festively decorated Andre."
Candy: "Bon! Andre is still a very naughty horse! Erhh.. a little help please?!"
While he's enjoying her stuck on their toy horse, he adheres just after a quick gaze..
Candy: "Thanks.. arhh.. why are you even here, Andre?! Umm.. now to the matter of your sisters?"
Boniface: "Monsieur Nash instructed me to stay put, for you'll see.."
As steel clashes steel..
One man steps in to control..
Moto-san enters!
Hayato: "Aah ahhh! Fair dames. It's Christmas! I'm afraid we stop right there."
Standing in between with no fear, the green goblin then objected, while acting coy..
Amadine: "Hoo? Qu'est-ce que c'est? Christmas, was it? I'm afraid it's not going to work in civil war. I've been waiting for this pain, son of Nash.."
And before she knew it..
Hayato: "YOSHAAAAA!!"
A rapid succession of katana slices follows..
And while Amadine would find all the hits misses, that all changes as Hayato puts his blade back in its scabbard, slowly..
What was supposed to be Amadine's skin tight leather would then fall to the floor, in pieces, and her body left untouched, as if it's some Christmas miracle.
Amadine: "S-SACRE BLEUUU!!"
She shouted as she started to cover up her naked bits..
The Super Formula kid used the moment to gloat..
Hayato: "Nyeeheehee.. feel the talent of Yoko-chan and my perfect iaijitsu. Now, Ginnie-chan.. your move, creep."
Minori: "Nice moves.. alright, I surrender, monsieur."
Liking the fate her nemesis had to experience, said nemesis however had words to say..
Amadine: "...keh! You had to surrender. You're so lucky! So lucky! [shivering]"
Minori: "You're going to keep spouting excuses on your current predicament, madame? You're hopeless, you know? Moto-san.. get her a nice warm pumpkin blend."
Hayato: "All right. And you're welcome. Come now.."
As those warriors exit back into the cafe, the middle man of this whole event started to pick up all her sister's weaponry, placing them into Andre's saddle bags.
With the hostilities ended, conversation resumed in the air..
Boniface: "Such barbaric events unfold! It's a good thing we know another enforcer to stand up to those bloodthirsty beauties.."
Minori: "Thanks to my new gig here in Ginza, I haven't taken a soul in months."
Boniface: "Sure, sure. That's hard to believe. Ma cherie? Are you hurt?"
Candy: "No.. mentally, I mean. When did Andre get some Horse Armor DLC on him?"
Despite that moment on being a very well bound toy horse, the little lady notes her closest man's arrival..
Candy: "You here already means the presents are too?"
Boniface: "Oui oui. Excuse me while I.."
The ladies stand by as the man reverses a medium sized cargo truck into the alley.
As he gets out, the aristocrat quickly heads to the rear and opens the rear.
The group watches the sorted and stored presents on board, noting..
Candy: "Sweet! Minori-chan, if you would?"
Minori: "Talk about a whole wall of presents. The couriers sure can sort about.."
Boniface: "I uhh.. remembered it was much messier.. they sure know their work, huh?"
Back inside the cafe, the Emerald Lust, embarassed by the quickest strip tease out east, tends to her own by a table, covered in blankets.
In no mood to fight or start one, she watches a short statured elf serve her the shop's signature hot beverage..
Candy: "Here.."
Amadine: "Ahh.. don't listen to Mirielle, Candy.. me and Bon: we don't deserve you, mademoiselle."
Joining her on the table, a fact from moments ago comes up to the little lady's head..
Candy: "So.. the cold is your big weakspot, is it?"
Amadine: "I never have to reveal THAT to you, but I can't deny it. It's actually both extreme temperature ends. My beautiful body.. it is tough but to the elements, well.. highly sensitive to flame and frost."
Candy: "Well, you took a risk.."
Not furious, the lusty killer argues..
Amadine: "It was perfect, but you should've reminded me.. the weather here gets cold. Cold as the alps, perhaps."
Candy: "Perfect, when I hear a hint that your organisation has a no killing rule on Christmas."
The woman in green laughed quietly, following with..
Amadine: "I was going to.. umm.. disable my cybernetic friend and when the time comes.. she will wish she was dead."
Candy: "You probably had Bon thought of that loophole up for you."
Amadine: "You see exactly why I really thought it through.. hehehe, no matter. I'll get something to eat and I'll be out of your hair.. temporarily, that is, mi poupon."
The shop owner then hopped off her seat and wonders..
Candy: "I wonder how Ginnie is going with the presents.."
And as the emerald lust begins to drink her coffee, she notices on the table..
Amadine: "Hmm? The remote? I suppose it won't do any harm to change the channel.."
With international news playing, Amadine hopped from channel to channel, until..
Amadine: "Hmm.. Clubman Cup race on the expressways? Perhaps Bon is involved in this?"
Putting the controller down, she lays back as she watches a selection of street cars rumble across the expressway..
Back in the alley, the team of Amadine's siblings carry on distributing presents into the cafe.
The little lady then walked in, and spoke..
Candy: "How's it hanging?"
Boniface: "Almost done. Based on calculations, theres that one layer left.."
As she notices the aristocrat going through his paperback and the average size of a present, she slinks to the back of the truck.
With some depth perception at work, she notices, for one layer, it's much too thick for the size of a packed present.
With that in mind, she returns to her boyfriend, asking..
Candy: "These are all same size, right?"
Boniface: "Correct."
Candy: "Umm.. I have a hunch there's a gap behind these last presents."
And with Minori about to return to the back of the truck, Candy then stops her..
Candy: "Ginnie?"
Minori: "Well, what is it now, Candy-sama?"
Candy: "There's a chance Bon here overlooked something, and.."
Boniface: "Que?? Overlooked? If I may add.."
Minori: "Shut up for a sec. I mean, can this wait until.."
As if it was perfectly timed, what's left of the presents then sudenly flies out the back.
And from there comes the source of this 'explosion'..
Quinlan: "JINGLE F[BLEEP]ING BELLS!"
Boniface: "T-the tennis player?!"
While Minori might be exhausted, another fight's definitely not in her mood, as she dismisses..
Minori: "Ohh. Quin.. At least it's Christm-"
..to which the tennis diva then takes as an insult as she..
Quinlan: "Not taking me as a threat, is it? FALCON... PUNCH!!"
Strangely not able to react to Captain Falcon's iconic fist, the cyborg takes a hit, as she shakes in place with a blazing red background taking over.
Flying at great velocity across the alleyway, the pair witnessing this sees a white splash, indicating a knock out of the arena.
As the out of nowhere Smash Brothers announcer declares 'GAME', this pair then asks..
Boniface: "Ma cherie, why are we clapping?"
Candy: "I don't know, just keep it up."
And off the screen, the maid tries to recollect herself from the cold asphalt floor..
Minori: "Ughh.."
Only for her to receive a great Hulk stomp, halting her progress..
Soon after, the musclebound mama then leapt back, and shouted, as she begins to wail on her target with her gigantic haymakers..
Quinlan: "Why in the blazes did you make me do this? I'm fighting, so that everyone around you can watch you die! Think, Gin! Shiela like yerself's gonna outlast every fragile, insignificant being on this here planet. Bet'cha'll live to see this world crumble to dust and blow away like! Everyone, and everything you know will be gone! What'll you have after that?"
Pausing the beatdown, a rather untouched Minori replied..
Minori: "You.. Quin? What's with.. all this dramatics?"
Quinlan: "Oh, just in the mood for these shenanigans. Now EAT THIS."
Raised by her neck, the giant then swung a huge clothesline to her target..
..who then gets sent flying off to the back of the truck.
While the landing is softened by the presents, Candy and Boniface, now looking in the truck from the rear door's rims, spoke up, even though the former didn't think she could survive such a punishment..
Candy: "Minori-chan?! Goodness me, if you're okay, say something!"
Minori: "Umm.. ouch?"
Not taking a bump seriously, Boniface, with understanding..
Boniface: "Hahahaha. Oh, Ginoa, you are indeed resilient."
Candy: "Ugh.. and why are you NOT worried, darling?"
Boniface: "It takes two of the likes of that tungsten brute to even make a mark on my dearest Ginoa. Or knowledge to rip her limbs off. Hope that helps."
The two then turned to see Quinlan, dressed up as if Santa was a lumberjack.
And from the little lady was some resolve..
Candy: "Quin! She's not hurt or anything, but I say that's enough. I can't let you abuse her like this!"
She kept smiling, but slapped her hands clean as she then replies to that threat lightly..
Quinlan: "Yeah? Figured I'm just about done beating her silly anyways. It's Christmas, after all!"
Boniface: "Isn't that convenient? Another plan to just wreck her silly rather than some first degree murder?"
Quinlan: "Besides, all this clashing gives me enough leverage to measure how big a walloping I can dish out before she gets hurt, like hurt hurt."
Of course a quick smash brawl wouldn't be left unheard, as the rear door in the shop was opened by Kris Kringle himself..
Rodulf: "What's going out here?"
Quinlan: "Crikey, it's Santa!"
Rodulf: "Hrrr.. Big tungsten. Now we're having a party!"
He replied with enthusiasm: something Candy didn't get to see often, as she foreshadows..
Candy: "Gee, I can't wait to see how much more packed the cafe's going to be."
In no mood to fight or start one, she watches a short statured elf serve her the shop's signature hot beverage..
Candy: "Here.."
Amadine: "Ahh.. don't listen to Mirielle, Candy.. me and Bon: we don't deserve you, mademoiselle."
Joining her on the table, a fact from moments ago comes up to the little lady's head..
Candy: "So.. the cold is your big weakspot, is it?"
Amadine: "I never have to reveal THAT to you, but I can't deny it. It's actually both extreme temperature ends. My beautiful body.. it is tough but to the elements, well.. highly sensitive to flame and frost."
Candy: "Well, you took a risk.."
Not furious, the lusty killer argues..
Amadine: "It was perfect, but you should've reminded me.. the weather here gets cold. Cold as the alps, perhaps."
Candy: "Perfect, when I hear a hint that your organisation has a no killing rule on Christmas."
The woman in green laughed quietly, following with..
Amadine: "I was going to.. umm.. disable my cybernetic friend and when the time comes.. she will wish she was dead."
Candy: "You probably had Bon thought of that loophole up for you."
Amadine: "You see exactly why I really thought it through.. hehehe, no matter. I'll get something to eat and I'll be out of your hair.. temporarily, that is, mi poupon."
The shop owner then hopped off her seat and wonders..
Candy: "I wonder how Ginnie is going with the presents.."
And as the emerald lust begins to drink her coffee, she notices on the table..
Amadine: "Hmm? The remote? I suppose it won't do any harm to change the channel.."
With international news playing, Amadine hopped from channel to channel, until..
Amadine: "Hmm.. Clubman Cup race on the expressways? Perhaps Bon is involved in this?"
Putting the controller down, she lays back as she watches a selection of street cars rumble across the expressway..
It's a super car with a not so super price tag, but I don't think it's in any way a car without any notable value. When you add Honda's knowhow on Formula 1 engineering to the domestic world, and the advice of a Formula 1 legend, you are going to get something worth driving, whether or not it's worth ten thousand or a hundred thousand.
As I should be looking at the brakes, the main 'bad', if I can even call it that, of the car comes mainly from the handling. Even though it's like ackshually hurr Senna fine tuned it to perfection, it's probably tuned to his specifications as a race car driver. It rewards aggression. It's not a beginner's car, these supercars, but in the context of classic or retro supercars, the NA1 is definitely on the easy peasy side of things. Just that you can still lose out the rear whether you intend it or not. But as it is a road car with little downforce values, you will find the steers coming in. Understeer at higher gears, and a more prone to power oversteer state in the lower end. There is no in between: the closest being the car's third gear. It will be your friend if your inputs aren't spot on.
On to these gears. It's not the 6 speed we get with the Type S, but I say 5 is more than capable because the general acceleration of the car is incredible, more on that perhaps later. Now, the car can get rather slidey at low speeds, especially when you're under third. But it's respectably stable in just about every metric past that. It might be so to me, but power understeer is a myth past third. Rather anomalous for a car with a weight balance measured at 42:58. You can play in turns by keeping in gear to remain stable, or lower a gear and watch the smoke fly. Put all these handling quirks and braking perks together, and you can see for a host of what might be it's downfall, it's also not a cruel car.
But that doesn't mean it's perfect. The stiffening suggested by Senna hints at something else. You'll find the car gladly acting stable on level ground, but that's not quite the case when you get one or more wheels acting up on elevation. It doesn't have to be said that in here, you better watch out for curbs: it's a stiff player. Plus if you're into NSX cars, one trait they all carry, be it an NA or NB, is that they tend to lose grip in the rear when you let go off the throttle. This is a trait you can exhibit in older supercars like the Miura of doom. Nothing like some throttle braking for you to make good use of so you can survive, especially in the lower gears.
I'm thinking of finishing off with how one can classify the NA1. In just about any game with an original NA NSX, it's always leaning to a more higher tier of performance. You can see it here too. With such a low slung fighter jet design and Honda's great know how with their engines, the NA1 can rocket out of a standing start exquisitely, and keep going with that momentum. And on the whole, I can see the NSX being a straightforward machine to master, with that throttle braking you may have to use as the only learning factor. And bring it to stock car races: you'll find this car can really punch well above its weight, with notable rivals with similar niche being 993 911s, modern era Alpine A110 and the base Alfa Romeo 4C. With a hint that they're lighter and nimbler, you in an NSX isn't going to outpace them around tight corners, but when the corners are gone, you're definitely a straight line rocket. Fact is: the car excels THIS great in straight line, so much so that you wonder what would've happened if the VTEC that was originally conceived actually did end up in the final product.
I think the only letdown the NSX Type R has exhibited would be how Honda decides not to further this iconic shape and design to the NB NSX. I mean, carrying a sleek, fighter jet inspired design, 'course. I'm also worried that a copy paste is coming when the NA2 comes over.. a hint I'm writing all road going NSXs (and the Group 3 NB).
As I should be looking at the brakes, the main 'bad', if I can even call it that, of the car comes mainly from the handling. Even though it's like ackshually hurr Senna fine tuned it to perfection, it's probably tuned to his specifications as a race car driver. It rewards aggression. It's not a beginner's car, these supercars, but in the context of classic or retro supercars, the NA1 is definitely on the easy peasy side of things. Just that you can still lose out the rear whether you intend it or not. But as it is a road car with little downforce values, you will find the steers coming in. Understeer at higher gears, and a more prone to power oversteer state in the lower end. There is no in between: the closest being the car's third gear. It will be your friend if your inputs aren't spot on.
On to these gears. It's not the 6 speed we get with the Type S, but I say 5 is more than capable because the general acceleration of the car is incredible, more on that perhaps later. Now, the car can get rather slidey at low speeds, especially when you're under third. But it's respectably stable in just about every metric past that. It might be so to me, but power understeer is a myth past third. Rather anomalous for a car with a weight balance measured at 42:58. You can play in turns by keeping in gear to remain stable, or lower a gear and watch the smoke fly. Put all these handling quirks and braking perks together, and you can see for a host of what might be it's downfall, it's also not a cruel car.
But that doesn't mean it's perfect. The stiffening suggested by Senna hints at something else. You'll find the car gladly acting stable on level ground, but that's not quite the case when you get one or more wheels acting up on elevation. It doesn't have to be said that in here, you better watch out for curbs: it's a stiff player. Plus if you're into NSX cars, one trait they all carry, be it an NA or NB, is that they tend to lose grip in the rear when you let go off the throttle. This is a trait you can exhibit in older supercars like the Miura of doom. Nothing like some throttle braking for you to make good use of so you can survive, especially in the lower gears.
I'm thinking of finishing off with how one can classify the NA1. In just about any game with an original NA NSX, it's always leaning to a more higher tier of performance. You can see it here too. With such a low slung fighter jet design and Honda's great know how with their engines, the NA1 can rocket out of a standing start exquisitely, and keep going with that momentum. And on the whole, I can see the NSX being a straightforward machine to master, with that throttle braking you may have to use as the only learning factor. And bring it to stock car races: you'll find this car can really punch well above its weight, with notable rivals with similar niche being 993 911s, modern era Alpine A110 and the base Alfa Romeo 4C. With a hint that they're lighter and nimbler, you in an NSX isn't going to outpace them around tight corners, but when the corners are gone, you're definitely a straight line rocket. Fact is: the car excels THIS great in straight line, so much so that you wonder what would've happened if the VTEC that was originally conceived actually did end up in the final product.
I think the only letdown the NSX Type R has exhibited would be how Honda decides not to further this iconic shape and design to the NB NSX. I mean, carrying a sleek, fighter jet inspired design, 'course. I'm also worried that a copy paste is coming when the NA2 comes over.. a hint I'm writing all road going NSXs (and the Group 3 NB).
Back in the alley, the team of Amadine's siblings carry on distributing presents into the cafe.
The little lady then walked in, and spoke..
Candy: "How's it hanging?"
Boniface: "Almost done. Based on calculations, theres that one layer left.."
As she notices the aristocrat going through his paperback and the average size of a present, she slinks to the back of the truck.
With some depth perception at work, she notices, for one layer, it's much too thick for the size of a packed present.
With that in mind, she returns to her boyfriend, asking..
Candy: "These are all same size, right?"
Boniface: "Correct."
Candy: "Umm.. I have a hunch there's a gap behind these last presents."
And with Minori about to return to the back of the truck, Candy then stops her..
Candy: "Ginnie?"
Minori: "Well, what is it now, Candy-sama?"
Candy: "There's a chance Bon here overlooked something, and.."
Boniface: "Que?? Overlooked? If I may add.."
Minori: "Shut up for a sec. I mean, can this wait until.."
As if it was perfectly timed, what's left of the presents then sudenly flies out the back.
And from there comes the source of this 'explosion'..
Quinlan: "JINGLE F[BLEEP]ING BELLS!"
Boniface: "T-the tennis player?!"
While Minori might be exhausted, another fight's definitely not in her mood, as she dismisses..
Minori: "Ohh. Quin.. At least it's Christm-"
..to which the tennis diva then takes as an insult as she..
Quinlan: "Not taking me as a threat, is it? FALCON... PUNCH!!"
Strangely not able to react to Captain Falcon's iconic fist, the cyborg takes a hit, as she shakes in place with a blazing red background taking over.
Flying at great velocity across the alleyway, the pair witnessing this sees a white splash, indicating a knock out of the arena.
As the out of nowhere Smash Brothers announcer declares 'GAME', this pair then asks..
Boniface: "Ma cherie, why are we clapping?"
Candy: "I don't know, just keep it up."
And off the screen, the maid tries to recollect herself from the cold asphalt floor..
Minori: "Ughh.."
Only for her to receive a great Hulk stomp, halting her progress..
Soon after, the musclebound mama then leapt back, and shouted, as she begins to wail on her target with her gigantic haymakers..
Quinlan: "Why in the blazes did you make me do this? I'm fighting, so that everyone around you can watch you die! Think, Gin! Shiela like yerself's gonna outlast every fragile, insignificant being on this here planet. Bet'cha'll live to see this world crumble to dust and blow away like! Everyone, and everything you know will be gone! What'll you have after that?"
Pausing the beatdown, a rather untouched Minori replied..
Minori: "You.. Quin? What's with.. all this dramatics?"
Quinlan: "Oh, just in the mood for these shenanigans. Now EAT THIS."
Raised by her neck, the giant then swung a huge clothesline to her target..
..who then gets sent flying off to the back of the truck.
While the landing is softened by the presents, Candy and Boniface, now looking in the truck from the rear door's rims, spoke up, even though the former didn't think she could survive such a punishment..
Candy: "Minori-chan?! Goodness me, if you're okay, say something!"
Minori: "Umm.. ouch?"
Not taking a bump seriously, Boniface, with understanding..
Boniface: "Hahahaha. Oh, Ginoa, you are indeed resilient."
Candy: "Ugh.. and why are you NOT worried, darling?"
Boniface: "It takes two of the likes of that tungsten brute to even make a mark on my dearest Ginoa. Or knowledge to rip her limbs off. Hope that helps."
The two then turned to see Quinlan, dressed up as if Santa was a lumberjack.
And from the little lady was some resolve..
Candy: "Quin! She's not hurt or anything, but I say that's enough. I can't let you abuse her like this!"
She kept smiling, but slapped her hands clean as she then replies to that threat lightly..
Quinlan: "Yeah? Figured I'm just about done beating her silly anyways. It's Christmas, after all!"
Boniface: "Isn't that convenient? Another plan to just wreck her silly rather than some first degree murder?"
Quinlan: "Besides, all this clashing gives me enough leverage to measure how big a walloping I can dish out before she gets hurt, like hurt hurt."
Of course a quick smash brawl wouldn't be left unheard, as the rear door in the shop was opened by Kris Kringle himself..
Rodulf: "What's going out here?"
Quinlan: "Crikey, it's Santa!"
Rodulf: "Hrrr.. Big tungsten. Now we're having a party!"
He replied with enthusiasm: something Candy didn't get to see often, as she foreshadows..
Candy: "Gee, I can't wait to see how much more packed the cafe's going to be."
As the festive day comes to a close..
..Minori, now off duty, starts to sit by one of the many couches with her superior, nearby, beginning to ask..
Candy: "Umm.. Minori-chan?"
From her eyes, she sees her enemies on the other side of the room, and thus..
Candy: "This gathering of the Trinitia is easily not going your way, huh?"
Minori: "Funny you mention that, because 1) Ama is not one of the Trinitia. And 2) I rather enjoy my enemies being here. A showing of how my skeleton, muscles.. my very soul is built for the moment, bebe."
But the lone man then walks by, noting as he gestures towards the door..
Rodulf: "Incoming."
As a certain mysterious lady, and a man known as the Black Flash then enter the shop.
The ladies then note..
Minori: "Now for a bunch that won't even raise a finger. You can lower your guard now."
Candy: "For Nirvana.. I feel isn't the right thing to do."
Instantly spotted, this pair approaches..
Nirvana: "So, this is the Eunos Coffee Lounge? Comforting. Assassin?"
Minori: "How may I serve?"
Nirvana: "The house special. And a bitter abyss for him."
As the cyborg takes her exit, Emile however..
Emile: "A pleasure, Miss Lam."
Candy: "You.."
With memories still strong of this man swinging his hand held tomahawks with skill, and worse with an intent to chop her little body up, she struggles to speak..
Candy: "I just don't.. have an ounce of courage to even say hello.. I-I-I know you mean no harm.."
The jazzy killer then swings from his back his handy saxophone, and replies as he holds his musical instrument..
Emile: "Perhaps a bit of jazz might come in handy. I've been practicing.. makes you feel I can take your breath away.."
Candy: "Whatever makes you happy.. (okay, Candy, no panic no panic..)"
Nirvana, enjoying the suffering of this scentless apprentice, adds on..
Nirvana: "You have a knack for riling her up."
Emile: "Nothing like pressure in the right place."
Putting her sense back in their place, she then begins conversation..
Candy: "Umm.. so.. you've come for some gathering? I know it's obvious that Christmas is what's on the table, is it?"
Nirvana: "Correct."
And just then, she returns..
Minori: "And here.."
Receiving a darkened shot, the Bostonian musician then puts the drink's essence into his nose, noting with joy..
Emile: "Black death.. it soothes my soul. I hear this shop uses beans grown locally.. ones you don't get anywhere else.."
Minori: "Don't shoot the messenger.. of which.."
Even behind sunglasses, the mysterious brunette notices..
Nirvana: "You don't seem.. completely in good spirits, Assassin."
It's her handler, so she didn't hesitate to answer..
Minori: "It's Quin. I held back because it's.. Christmas."
Emile: "A given."
Minori: "She barely holds back. That's her plan.. as with madame Ama.."
Candy: "They seem to enjoy your pain a lot.. I wonder if we can twist that?"
Nirvana however, shares her thoughts as she sipped..
Nirvana: "Either way, be thankful for them.. as Nirvana feels there's in the organization who refuses to believe Christmas is the Guild's day for a ceasefire."
Emile: "We take tribute to the soldiers who played soccer in 1915."
Candy: "Ohh.. intriguing!"
Just then, the lights went off, and the whole shop comes to a hint of chaos..
Boniface: "Was there someone who plugged in plugs that's piled, or??"
Amadine: "Ginoa.. where are you.. you need to tell me with your night vision.."
Minori: "You can see me perfectly fine, madame; shoo shoo!"
To the local that's lived in Ginza her whole adult life however, she notices from the outside..
Candy: "Hmm.."
Nirvana: "Little one?"
Candy: "The power outside's not affected, meaning.."
She deduces, while remaining calm.
Eventually, the power does come back on, giving Candy words of comfort she shares..
Candy: "Knew it's not going to last. I knew there's nothing to worry abou-"
..although, she wasn't ready for the arm grabbing the back of her elf outfit's collar, as she awkwardly struggles..
Candy: "UGHWAAAAA!"
The Crimson End: "Why hello there.. ehe ehe ehe.."
As the hostage situation begins, the enigma glows up..
Nirvana: "Perfect."
Emile: "It's as you predicted, with deadly accuracy.."
The Crimson End: "One step, and you'll learn today what it means to die from a thousand cuts."
And from afar..
Nash: "Moto-san.. don't.."
Hayato: "I don't need steps to eviscerate this one. Come on, Jiji.."
Quinlan: "Bugger off, you bloody prick!"
Amadine: "So this is the Crimson End.. how.. disappointing?"
Though, the man dressed as Santa spoke up..
Rodulf: "Crimson.. step down. It's that time of year."
The Crimson End: "Consider this.. my SEASON'S GREETINGS!"
She pressed harder, a sign of her inner intensity ramping up.
Candy: "Nggg... (Such a squeeze..)"
Rodulf: "You end her.. and I promise.. a fate worse than your identity getting leaked. How is that for you?"
Blackmailed, her desire now betrays her identity.
A moment later, she makes her choice..
The Crimson End: "RRRUUUHHHH!! You gutless coward!"
Now let go, the little elf dashes away..
Rodulf: "Nirvana?"
Nirvana: "She will finally be under my control.."
As she heads for a nearby table, she looks back, seeing herself to be followed..
Candy: "UWAAAHHH!! I uhh.. guess you're the star attraction today."
The Crimson End: "Don't push your luck."
Uneasy due to what happened earlier, the little lady puts herself in the office, but then realizes..
Candy: "Men, laughing?"
She then sees two men already having private talks..
Nash: "Oh, you should've looked at the face of my brother. It's furious squared."
Not pleased further, she immediately hops in..
Candy: "So, what are you fellas up to?"
Rodulf: "Just having a nice cordial talk.. recapping our tumultuous history."
Candy: "Tumultuous? I've never heard of it?"
Rodulf: "It's that man's fault, I mean.. The Prophecy's leader Clark Kayne."
With intrigue, she pressed..
Candy: "Oh? Your brother?"
Nash: "Thanks to him, Sorensen is.. might I say he's banned from entering the Greater London area."
Rodulf: "By proxy, the Guild activity there remains a minimal."
Confused about the Prophecy and knowing of the presence of people, from certain regulars, to Chosen such as Boniface and her good friend Cierra in it, Candy wonders on..
Candy: "How does some fanatical cult like street crew even do that?!"
Unusually, the fearsome animal didn't have an answer, but rather a warning..
Rodulf: "Underestimate his brother at your own peril, little mus."
Nash: "She's been under his bad side once.. verily, you're basically screwed when you enter this bad side."
Candy: "Yes.."
While a brief glimpes has Candy experience being pressured by the Big 3 for giving Cierra up that one time, she quickly moved on, mentioning..
Candy: "But you two seem.. rather cordial?"
Rodulf: "Well, he's not Clark Kayne. So what's stopping us doing business together? I have his foundation develop something for me.."
Santa then takes something out his jacket pocket, revealing a familiar injectable..
Rodulf: "This."
Candy: "That?! Minori-chan calls that the Helwalker drug."
Rodulf: "Perhaps because it's mine and mine alone. An experimental rejuvenation pill made by research of this man's symptoms."
Nash: "An offshoot. Drug trial halted because of its potential danger. It takes a man like this one to be able to use it."
Rodulf: "I will admit.. I've been using this behind your back to different peoples.. her is one of them."
The white haired man then looked at Candy, and while his head noted the lack of any negative symptoms, his voice..
Nash: "Truly? I.. verily.. oh dear."
Candy: "He's worried. Perhaps you need to give me this.. I don't know.. drug trial for a lady this inherently potent and talented."
Rodulf: "Also cute and cuddly."
Candy: "Stop it."
Hand to chin, he then asks..
Nash: "But in what situation did you even need something like that experimental rejuvenating pill??"
Candy: "Nirvana. When I gave Cierra the slip, I.. indirectly pissed her off, and got broken ribs and cigar burns as a punishment.."
She swung to the side, and nearly wept out a tear: actions Rodulf noticed, and suggested..
Rodulf: "If it's so hard for you to speak of it.. I suggest you stop.."
Candy: "..but in addition to Minori-chan keeping me day to day, she also handed me a Contract."
Knowing what she meant, he added..
Rodulf: "What comes through that woman's mind is indeed an enigma, little mus. Take it from me.. one who's worked with her for nearly a decade."
Putting the mysterious tobacco addict aside, Candy has the other women around in her mind..
Candy: "By the way.. today's the first time I see the Trinitia have come together.."
Rodulf: "Against their own will, of course. Since it's Christmas, I was wondering instead of getting them to murder each other like they always would, we get them together for something.. less murderous?"
Looking at Rodulf and the words 'nice', Nash expresses..
Nash: "Nice? You? Balderdash!"
Candy: "It's mainly my idea. I've actually talked about getting them together, and I didn't know today's the day. So, I'm probably the nice one."
Turning his attention, his script remains..
Nash: "Nice? You? Balder-"
The recipient however didn't like how that's a consideration, and instantly leaps up to slap him in the cheeks.
Nash: "HEAVENS!"
He shouted as the then falls..
The lady on the giving end however..
Candy: "I had a slap out with big sis, I'm quite sure you can take it."
As all that happens, the door to the office then opens, giving entry to..
Nirvana: "Greetings."
Rodulf: "Nirvana. Ready for Secret Santa?"
Hearing those words, the little racer wonders..
Candy: "Secret Santa? Really? This isn't my idea, Nash, by the way."
As he regains his balance, his wit didn't need any changing, he thought as he..
Nash: "Little body of yours surely can't carry such a heart of generosity."
Candy: "How dare you! Mama, he's accusing me of being a Grinch!"
Uneasy at this, she replies..
Nirvana: "Nirvana remains quiet, and gladly apathetic.."
The four of them watch from the large shuttered window..
Rodulf: "The Crimson one getting a present? How unusual."
As they focus on her, they notice her unwrapping a long wooden box, of which she brings out..
The Crimson End: "A katana! Such a beautiful lethal weapon! WHAACHAAA!"
Swinging about like a Chinese kung fu stunt actress should, she would perform many swings, of which one would..
Boniface: "UGHAAH!"
..collide with the Count of Sainte-Croix's left shoulder.
Nash: "That escalated quickly.."
Spoke Nash, with concern as they then begin to hold restraint of the shop's owner who was unsurprisingly furious..
Nirvana: "Little fool.. please remain composed.."
Candy: "MMMHMMM!! BON!! HMMMMHMMMM!!"
As the private office tries to get a calming from this sudden arousal, back outsite..
Amadine: "Brother! That sadistic piece of.. ugh.. are you in.. any scrumptious pain?"
Boniface: "Merci, Ama.. but I can tend to this sudden wound.."
And the office watches as the siblings sort out their wound with a first aid kit..
Candy fortunately now calmed, remarks..
Candy: "He's tough.."
Nash: "Just as I expect from our fellow Count. Rodulf, if you would?"
Rodulf: "Of course, let me offer him one later.."
Their sights now head towards Emile, who's walking over the robotic maid now holding a fedora..
Minori: "Emile... a fedora is very much you."
Emile: "Shame it came to you, then."
Minori: "What's your present?"
Emile: "Expensive wine. La Caussade Sainte-Croix-du-Mont, 1998."
Minori: "Boniface's favorite. It's relatively inexpensive.. 50 Euros, give or take. With that aging, though.."
And with that bottle of wine in mind, the group watches back towards the victimized Boniface..
Boniface: "Ama.. do tell: is it necessary for me to use these protein supplements?"
Amadine: "I don't. But for a man like you, it might extend your.. your pe.. well.."
Boniface: "That.. while brutish, is quite considerable.."
Amadine: "I got here some coffee.. whoever that's from. Ohh Quin.. we found your secret santa.."
As if it's game time, the tennis diva steps in to the pair, holding a thick object that she reveals..
Quinlan: "No surprises there, right? Speaking of which.. anyone going to own up to this.. 120 page book of Sonny Meng's racing biography? Creepy we get mention of this bloke around here."
Overhearing all this noise, Nirvana comments with a slight of confusion..
Nirvana: "Nirvana knows the best part of Secret Santa is the mystery.. but why do they ruin it with crap like that?"
Candy: "When these people really stand out, it's not hard to figure that much."
Nirvana: "Hmm.."
However, the serene vibes turned to naught as soon as someone else opened their present..
Hayato: "It's a leather whip! Supple, metal engraved.. nyeeeheeheee! Die monster! You don't belong in this world!"
As the wannabe ninja takes good advantage of his love for Castlevania, the little lady whose somewhat related to him however felt..
Candy: "Hmm.. least everyone's happy.."
..left out.
But then, as if it's a Christmas miracle..
Nirvana: "Not so fast, little racer."
She turns, noticing the three others with her holding small boxes.
Rodulf: "Ja, you can see, correct? Of course: it's gifts for you."
Candy: "But how about.."
Nash: "Verily, a loner like yourself needs it more than us."
Stepping up first is Nirvana, who then takes a slip of paper out of her box, and reaches it out..
Nirvana: "Here. Read it."
And she reads..
Candy: "An all expenses paid FIA track voucher sponsored by Automobili Lamborghini Club USA.. trying to get me out of Nippon, is it?"
Nirvana: "Fufu... perhaps you will decide one day what Nirvana has to experience in a rather frequent basis."
Santa Shinigami however, instead of handing a box, takes his present and flips and twirls it around his hand like a Counter-Strike player inspecting their knives.
Rodulf: "Does she request something more physical? Here's something from the Guild for your troubles, little mus. Not coal."
Placing it back in its packaging, he then hands said box to the little lady..
Candy: "Survival knife? I.. don't think I will be trekking into the wild anytime soon."
Rodulf: "I'd be lying if I didn't swear my life into a well made survival knife. Just have Ginoa teach you a few moves, then on your next camping trip.. you will see results."
After putting the box and the coupon away, she then turns to Nash, who has his honest corporate smile at the ready.
Candy: "How about you, the not-old man?"
Nash: "I was saving something special for you, and it was going to be a car.."
Instead of a free car, the box he carries is a relic from the 90's, specifically..
Candy: "Sculpted McLaren racing memorabilia from the 90s! Hang on.. was this little guy supposed to be you?"
Nash: "Me, 20 years ago, as a matter of fact. Something for the people around to remember your place. MSO has plenty of those laying about for me, so consider that my veritable excuse for sloth."
However, the little lady realizes, with all this charity she didn't deserve..
Candy: "But all seriousness, I.. don't need these to convince me I'm in good company.. Thanks."
Rodulf: "Fact is, I do. Usually when I send gifts, it's a chokehold to the pearly gates."
Candy: "Killers always killing, right?"
Rodulf: "Right? But it IS Christmas, little mus!"
As they were to continue spying on the rest of the cast, the office door then opens..
Boniface: "I see you are all here.."
Candy: "Bon! Is your.."
Boniface: "Arm alright? It's just a flesh wound. Not to mention.."
The savage hunter then hands this wine loving aristocrat an injector.
Boniface: "Merci. By the way.. I have an announcement.. it's not a Christmas meet and greet with people like us if we're not racing. I have.. Sunday Cup tomorrow at the expressway, noon. So.. the road is set for us before."
The first to react, the Mythic leader then announces with eagerness..
Nash: "I say we take it. All in favor?"
Candy: "Yes sir!"
Nirvana: "Fufufu.. I, Nirvana, cannot wait to show Nirvana's stuff.."
Rodulf: "I brought the Bugatti, drottning.. it will be interesting."
Despite his injury, he lets out a smile as he replies..
Boniface: "Magnifique! I'll announce it to the masses later."
Candy: "Men, laughing?"
She then sees two men already having private talks..
Nash: "Oh, you should've looked at the face of my brother. It's furious squared."
Not pleased further, she immediately hops in..
Candy: "So, what are you fellas up to?"
Rodulf: "Just having a nice cordial talk.. recapping our tumultuous history."
Candy: "Tumultuous? I've never heard of it?"
Rodulf: "It's that man's fault, I mean.. The Prophecy's leader Clark Kayne."
With intrigue, she pressed..
Candy: "Oh? Your brother?"
Nash: "Thanks to him, Sorensen is.. might I say he's banned from entering the Greater London area."
Rodulf: "By proxy, the Guild activity there remains a minimal."
Confused about the Prophecy and knowing of the presence of people, from certain regulars, to Chosen such as Boniface and her good friend Cierra in it, Candy wonders on..
Candy: "How does some fanatical cult like street crew even do that?!"
Unusually, the fearsome animal didn't have an answer, but rather a warning..
Rodulf: "Underestimate his brother at your own peril, little mus."
Nash: "She's been under his bad side once.. verily, you're basically screwed when you enter this bad side."
Candy: "Yes.."
While a brief glimpes has Candy experience being pressured by the Big 3 for giving Cierra up that one time, she quickly moved on, mentioning..
Candy: "But you two seem.. rather cordial?"
Rodulf: "Well, he's not Clark Kayne. So what's stopping us doing business together? I have his foundation develop something for me.."
Santa then takes something out his jacket pocket, revealing a familiar injectable..
Rodulf: "This."
Candy: "That?! Minori-chan calls that the Helwalker drug."
Rodulf: "Perhaps because it's mine and mine alone. An experimental rejuvenation pill made by research of this man's symptoms."
Nash: "An offshoot. Drug trial halted because of its potential danger. It takes a man like this one to be able to use it."
Rodulf: "I will admit.. I've been using this behind your back to different peoples.. her is one of them."
The white haired man then looked at Candy, and while his head noted the lack of any negative symptoms, his voice..
Nash: "Truly? I.. verily.. oh dear."
Candy: "He's worried. Perhaps you need to give me this.. I don't know.. drug trial for a lady this inherently potent and talented."
Rodulf: "Also cute and cuddly."
Candy: "Stop it."
Hand to chin, he then asks..
Nash: "But in what situation did you even need something like that experimental rejuvenating pill??"
Candy: "Nirvana. When I gave Cierra the slip, I.. indirectly pissed her off, and got broken ribs and cigar burns as a punishment.."
She swung to the side, and nearly wept out a tear: actions Rodulf noticed, and suggested..
Rodulf: "If it's so hard for you to speak of it.. I suggest you stop.."
Candy: "..but in addition to Minori-chan keeping me day to day, she also handed me a Contract."
Knowing what she meant, he added..
Rodulf: "What comes through that woman's mind is indeed an enigma, little mus. Take it from me.. one who's worked with her for nearly a decade."
Putting the mysterious tobacco addict aside, Candy has the other women around in her mind..
Candy: "By the way.. today's the first time I see the Trinitia have come together.."
Rodulf: "Against their own will, of course. Since it's Christmas, I was wondering instead of getting them to murder each other like they always would, we get them together for something.. less murderous?"
Looking at Rodulf and the words 'nice', Nash expresses..
Nash: "Nice? You? Balderdash!"
Candy: "It's mainly my idea. I've actually talked about getting them together, and I didn't know today's the day. So, I'm probably the nice one."
Turning his attention, his script remains..
Nash: "Nice? You? Balder-"
The recipient however didn't like how that's a consideration, and instantly leaps up to slap him in the cheeks.
Nash: "HEAVENS!"
He shouted as the then falls..
The lady on the giving end however..
Candy: "I had a slap out with big sis, I'm quite sure you can take it."
As all that happens, the door to the office then opens, giving entry to..
Nirvana: "Greetings."
Rodulf: "Nirvana. Ready for Secret Santa?"
Hearing those words, the little racer wonders..
Candy: "Secret Santa? Really? This isn't my idea, Nash, by the way."
As he regains his balance, his wit didn't need any changing, he thought as he..
Nash: "Little body of yours surely can't carry such a heart of generosity."
Candy: "How dare you! Mama, he's accusing me of being a Grinch!"
Uneasy at this, she replies..
Nirvana: "Nirvana remains quiet, and gladly apathetic.."
The four of them watch from the large shuttered window..
Rodulf: "The Crimson one getting a present? How unusual."
As they focus on her, they notice her unwrapping a long wooden box, of which she brings out..
The Crimson End: "A katana! Such a beautiful lethal weapon! WHAACHAAA!"
Swinging about like a Chinese kung fu stunt actress should, she would perform many swings, of which one would..
Boniface: "UGHAAH!"
..collide with the Count of Sainte-Croix's left shoulder.
Nash: "That escalated quickly.."
Spoke Nash, with concern as they then begin to hold restraint of the shop's owner who was unsurprisingly furious..
Nirvana: "Little fool.. please remain composed.."
Candy: "MMMHMMM!! BON!! HMMMMHMMMM!!"
As the private office tries to get a calming from this sudden arousal, back outsite..
Amadine: "Brother! That sadistic piece of.. ugh.. are you in.. any scrumptious pain?"
Boniface: "Merci, Ama.. but I can tend to this sudden wound.."
And the office watches as the siblings sort out their wound with a first aid kit..
Candy fortunately now calmed, remarks..
Candy: "He's tough.."
Nash: "Just as I expect from our fellow Count. Rodulf, if you would?"
Rodulf: "Of course, let me offer him one later.."
Their sights now head towards Emile, who's walking over the robotic maid now holding a fedora..
Minori: "Emile... a fedora is very much you."
Emile: "Shame it came to you, then."
Minori: "What's your present?"
Emile: "Expensive wine. La Caussade Sainte-Croix-du-Mont, 1998."
Minori: "Boniface's favorite. It's relatively inexpensive.. 50 Euros, give or take. With that aging, though.."
And with that bottle of wine in mind, the group watches back towards the victimized Boniface..
Boniface: "Ama.. do tell: is it necessary for me to use these protein supplements?"
Amadine: "I don't. But for a man like you, it might extend your.. your pe.. well.."
Boniface: "That.. while brutish, is quite considerable.."
Amadine: "I got here some coffee.. whoever that's from. Ohh Quin.. we found your secret santa.."
As if it's game time, the tennis diva steps in to the pair, holding a thick object that she reveals..
Quinlan: "No surprises there, right? Speaking of which.. anyone going to own up to this.. 120 page book of Sonny Meng's racing biography? Creepy we get mention of this bloke around here."
Overhearing all this noise, Nirvana comments with a slight of confusion..
Nirvana: "Nirvana knows the best part of Secret Santa is the mystery.. but why do they ruin it with crap like that?"
Candy: "When these people really stand out, it's not hard to figure that much."
Nirvana: "Hmm.."
However, the serene vibes turned to naught as soon as someone else opened their present..
Hayato: "It's a leather whip! Supple, metal engraved.. nyeeeheeheee! Die monster! You don't belong in this world!"
As the wannabe ninja takes good advantage of his love for Castlevania, the little lady whose somewhat related to him however felt..
Candy: "Hmm.. least everyone's happy.."
..left out.
But then, as if it's a Christmas miracle..
Nirvana: "Not so fast, little racer."
She turns, noticing the three others with her holding small boxes.
Rodulf: "Ja, you can see, correct? Of course: it's gifts for you."
Candy: "But how about.."
Nash: "Verily, a loner like yourself needs it more than us."
Stepping up first is Nirvana, who then takes a slip of paper out of her box, and reaches it out..
Nirvana: "Here. Read it."
And she reads..
Candy: "An all expenses paid FIA track voucher sponsored by Automobili Lamborghini Club USA.. trying to get me out of Nippon, is it?"
Nirvana: "Fufu... perhaps you will decide one day what Nirvana has to experience in a rather frequent basis."
Santa Shinigami however, instead of handing a box, takes his present and flips and twirls it around his hand like a Counter-Strike player inspecting their knives.
Rodulf: "Does she request something more physical? Here's something from the Guild for your troubles, little mus. Not coal."
Placing it back in its packaging, he then hands said box to the little lady..
Candy: "Survival knife? I.. don't think I will be trekking into the wild anytime soon."
Rodulf: "I'd be lying if I didn't swear my life into a well made survival knife. Just have Ginoa teach you a few moves, then on your next camping trip.. you will see results."
After putting the box and the coupon away, she then turns to Nash, who has his honest corporate smile at the ready.
Candy: "How about you, the not-old man?"
Nash: "I was saving something special for you, and it was going to be a car.."
Instead of a free car, the box he carries is a relic from the 90's, specifically..
Candy: "Sculpted McLaren racing memorabilia from the 90s! Hang on.. was this little guy supposed to be you?"
Nash: "Me, 20 years ago, as a matter of fact. Something for the people around to remember your place. MSO has plenty of those laying about for me, so consider that my veritable excuse for sloth."
However, the little lady realizes, with all this charity she didn't deserve..
Candy: "But all seriousness, I.. don't need these to convince me I'm in good company.. Thanks."
Rodulf: "Fact is, I do. Usually when I send gifts, it's a chokehold to the pearly gates."
Candy: "Killers always killing, right?"
Rodulf: "Right? But it IS Christmas, little mus!"
As they were to continue spying on the rest of the cast, the office door then opens..
Boniface: "I see you are all here.."
Candy: "Bon! Is your.."
Boniface: "Arm alright? It's just a flesh wound. Not to mention.."
The savage hunter then hands this wine loving aristocrat an injector.
Boniface: "Merci. By the way.. I have an announcement.. it's not a Christmas meet and greet with people like us if we're not racing. I have.. Sunday Cup tomorrow at the expressway, noon. So.. the road is set for us before."
The first to react, the Mythic leader then announces with eagerness..
Nash: "I say we take it. All in favor?"
Candy: "Yes sir!"
Nirvana: "Fufufu.. I, Nirvana, cannot wait to show Nirvana's stuff.."
Rodulf: "I brought the Bugatti, drottning.. it will be interesting."
Despite his injury, he lets out a smile as he replies..
Boniface: "Magnifique! I'll announce it to the masses later."
Past midnight, Candy steps out of her cafe, this time dressed in her usual.
Candy: "And that's everyone.. eh?"
However..
She didn't seem to notice what lurks by the back alleys just a few blocks from her home..
Candy: "An NA1? Interesting. Badging indicates this might be the original Type R. One of the five hundred, eh? Painted in red for what reason, I wonder.."
But up from above..
A bloodthirsty assassin awaits, with eyes locked on to the little racer.
The Crimson End: "Ehe ehe ehe.. look down there.. she's alone and vulnerable. An easy kill."
However, there was someone else who got something against that:
Herself.
Miranda: "Eh? Hold up a sec, bud. That down there is the precious. Our precious.."
Lucky enough there's no witness to seeing this person aarguing with her two alter-egos.
The Crimson End: "Too late for you to consider, Summers! Her blood I must taste.. her and all others!"
Miranda: "Ehh.. don't you think that's taking it a step too far, bud?"
The Crimson End: "We MUST be one step ahead of our enemies, Summers. It's now the time to act!"
That ultimatum was enough for the woman to take out an injectable, and instantly place it by her neck.
Her usually blood hungry eyes now turn to one that's sisterly, having her sweet soul sister persona take over, as she declares..
Miranda: "Stop with this nonsense, hoser.. Let me take lead this time."
Jumping off the edge, she glides with her cloak, and the unfortunate Candy then sees..
Candy: "Oh no.."
The Crimson End: "Ehe.. naughty naughty.."
As the blood knight takes one step, the person ahead dropped to the floor, panicking as she announced..
Candy: "S-STOP! I mean.. you wouldn't harm me.. I'm important! It's Christmas for crying out loud!!"
The Crimson End: "Christmas? Oh, well.. I feel it's time that rule gets ruled out, eh?"
In the blink of an eye, a 2 meter gap turns to 2 centimeters, as the one standing rubs the cheeks of the other with an eerie feel..
The Crimson End: "You indeed are adorable.."
Candy: "Ulp.."
The Crimson End: "I'm feeling quite.. hungry.. for blood, of course.. to think all the fresh prey's around and just not able to be exploited like I would.. HNGG..."
Still on the floor, she wanted to back away, but had the rear wheel of the NSX blocking her path.
Thoughts in a blur, she resorted to..
Candy: "This must be your car.."
The Crimson End: "Aww.. she's figured so fast. When you see the rest of the Trinitia race fast cars.. I too must leap in.. I'm the superstar.. not them. There are lap records around the states with this NSX on it!"
However in the inside mind..
The Crimson End: "(That bluff's bound to cover my stints in my years street racing..)"
The Honda then became the main attraction, as they continue..
Candy: "I.. umm.. how did you come by such a car?"
The Crimson End: "Keeners like you are destined to be a part of this.. katana-rama.."
Candy sees her secret Santa gift being a no-nonsense Yakuza standard katana amps up her fear sliders, as she exclaims..
Candy: "M-Mercy!"
The Crimson End: "Just this once.. well.. I'm rich. Filthy stinking rich. I know this woman, who knows a man, who knows how to get certain cars at certain lower than market prices. And rumor has it.. it came from a dead fellow.. one I made sure happen."
And once again in the inside mind..
The Crimson End: "(Any hint this was an Aurea Signum stunt car is going to end my cover story..)"
Without a reason to doubt her bluff, the little racer continued to shiver and squirm..
Candy: "M-morbid.."
The Crimson End: "Now since that false man vampire speaks of a race in the bare morn, I'll be off, and if you screw me on the track, you are screwing with me personally. I'll see you around, Candy.. ehehehe.."
Entering her car, Candy takes a step ahead moments before it makes its exit.
And while the image of this vampiress stayed strong, her thoughts however spoke otherwise..
Candy: "Ugghh.. how is it in such a time, I can't seem to forget those.. unusually gentle eyes.."
Candy: "And that's everyone.. eh?"
However..
She didn't seem to notice what lurks by the back alleys just a few blocks from her home..
Candy: "An NA1? Interesting. Badging indicates this might be the original Type R. One of the five hundred, eh? Painted in red for what reason, I wonder.."
But up from above..
A bloodthirsty assassin awaits, with eyes locked on to the little racer.
The Crimson End: "Ehe ehe ehe.. look down there.. she's alone and vulnerable. An easy kill."
However, there was someone else who got something against that:
Herself.
Miranda: "Eh? Hold up a sec, bud. That down there is the precious. Our precious.."
Lucky enough there's no witness to seeing this person aarguing with her two alter-egos.
The Crimson End: "Too late for you to consider, Summers! Her blood I must taste.. her and all others!"
Miranda: "Ehh.. don't you think that's taking it a step too far, bud?"
The Crimson End: "We MUST be one step ahead of our enemies, Summers. It's now the time to act!"
That ultimatum was enough for the woman to take out an injectable, and instantly place it by her neck.
Her usually blood hungry eyes now turn to one that's sisterly, having her sweet soul sister persona take over, as she declares..
Miranda: "Stop with this nonsense, hoser.. Let me take lead this time."
Jumping off the edge, she glides with her cloak, and the unfortunate Candy then sees..
Candy: "Oh no.."
The Crimson End: "Ehe.. naughty naughty.."
As the blood knight takes one step, the person ahead dropped to the floor, panicking as she announced..
Candy: "S-STOP! I mean.. you wouldn't harm me.. I'm important! It's Christmas for crying out loud!!"
The Crimson End: "Christmas? Oh, well.. I feel it's time that rule gets ruled out, eh?"
In the blink of an eye, a 2 meter gap turns to 2 centimeters, as the one standing rubs the cheeks of the other with an eerie feel..
The Crimson End: "You indeed are adorable.."
Candy: "Ulp.."
The Crimson End: "I'm feeling quite.. hungry.. for blood, of course.. to think all the fresh prey's around and just not able to be exploited like I would.. HNGG..."
Still on the floor, she wanted to back away, but had the rear wheel of the NSX blocking her path.
Thoughts in a blur, she resorted to..
Candy: "This must be your car.."
The Crimson End: "Aww.. she's figured so fast. When you see the rest of the Trinitia race fast cars.. I too must leap in.. I'm the superstar.. not them. There are lap records around the states with this NSX on it!"
However in the inside mind..
The Crimson End: "(That bluff's bound to cover my stints in my years street racing..)"
The Honda then became the main attraction, as they continue..
Candy: "I.. umm.. how did you come by such a car?"
The Crimson End: "Keeners like you are destined to be a part of this.. katana-rama.."
Candy sees her secret Santa gift being a no-nonsense Yakuza standard katana amps up her fear sliders, as she exclaims..
Candy: "M-Mercy!"
The Crimson End: "Just this once.. well.. I'm rich. Filthy stinking rich. I know this woman, who knows a man, who knows how to get certain cars at certain lower than market prices. And rumor has it.. it came from a dead fellow.. one I made sure happen."
And once again in the inside mind..
The Crimson End: "(Any hint this was an Aurea Signum stunt car is going to end my cover story..)"
Without a reason to doubt her bluff, the little racer continued to shiver and squirm..
Candy: "M-morbid.."
The Crimson End: "Now since that false man vampire speaks of a race in the bare morn, I'll be off, and if you screw me on the track, you are screwing with me personally. I'll see you around, Candy.. ehehehe.."
Entering her car, Candy takes a step ahead moments before it makes its exit.
And while the image of this vampiress stayed strong, her thoughts however spoke otherwise..
Candy: "Ugghh.. how is it in such a time, I can't seem to forget those.. unusually gentle eyes.."
(or you know, kinda tomorrow, since that last scene was midnight)
The southern side of the FIA approved expressway remains in a calm, unoccupied state.
For today's Christmas special, the track has no plans to remain that way.
Standing by a few cars are a pair of men, watching at each other with crossed arms, destined for a duel, despite this being their first race together..
Rodulf: "Doctor Kirkham."
Nash: "I'm not a doctor, Reaper. Not yet, at least."
Rodulf: "Perhaps a doctor on the circuit."
Nash: "I.. No arguments there."
Rodulf: "It's time I ready you for the showdown that is Veyron versus McLaren F1."
Nash: "Oh, verily so. My brother is going to be so jealous. But ground rules."
Rodulf: "The first rule is we don't talk about the rules. Keep it clean."
Nash: "Hmm.. the only rule that matters."
And not far away..
Remembering her American escapades from Week 87, Candy finally gets a first look at one of Nirvana's many tertiary Lamborghinis..
Candy: "Mad Bull?"
Nirvana: "My backup machine should I, Nirvana, want the Diablo rested."
Candy: "Sure, I understand having a choice of car, but.. is there a reason why it's called Mad Bull?"
Nirvana: "Nirvana would prefer that remain unexplained until.. well.. you know until when.."
She starts walking away, allowing the pint sized pacer to continue her look around the expensive Italian hypercar.
However, another walks in, and Candy, after a quick glance, started to talk..
Candy: "The weeks pass, and I'm sure I thought I knew her."
Boniface: "Please.. you hardly know me."
Candy: "Had your first sip?"
Boniface: "After this race we can have.. a 'private Christmas drink', perhaps?"
Candy: "Oh how naughty.. I.. umm.. let's focus on surviving a race against murderers and assassins."
Boniface: "Oh, ma cherie.. to think we'll be racing against killers and the like. I wonder much of their capabilities. Will they surprise me: the Prophecy's newest Chosen?"
As Boniface started to indulge in the whole race roster, Candy then notices behind him..
Candy: "Eeep! They're all together!!"
Four women standing by, at postures that hint they're ready to strike.
Candy: "Stop stop stop!!"
And as Candy leapt and jumped ahead to stop their potential appetite for violence, she crashed on the floor, but instead notices..
..that these women are having a huddle of sorts.
Candy: "Are you ladies having a.. an agreement?"
And the fists lunging ahead instead are a hands in moment, as they cheerily raise their arms up in unison.
Candy: "This is.. a first? Ama, you're not even in the Trinitia!"
Amadine: "Mi poupon.. consider it the first of our contests that's not.. in the field of battle."
Minori: "Ama.. the field of battle is this closed off expressway. May the best woman triumph."
Quinlan: "Whewee! I'm up for a race. What says you, Crimmie?"
The Crimson End: "Ehe ehe.. time to show you the power of Honda's supercar!"
Seeing the creepy lady of blood even feeling quite cordial, Candy found this all strange, noting..
Candy: "Even the blood knight's in it.."
The Crimson End: "It's.. giving me an idea.. why bleed out the Trinitia.. instead, we fight and make sure you bodybags live another day for me to reap! Ehe ehe ehe.."
And to follow..
Quinlan: "Don't care how many languages she's got in her tongue: creepy red is still creepy."
Minori: "Ama's head is filled with doubt.. bebe, I wonder.."
Thoughts bubble on how these ladies are thinking of a future where they don't fight each other, Amadine answers..
Amadine: "I don't know.. I hate her, and I'm never going to be satisfied until I beat her."
Minori: "Madame, you have another chance to beat me here. And why not in front of the Trinitia.. it's not killing potential or skills with weapons, but a certainty for sure is us three.. we can drive."
Her aspiration allured, she quickly admits..
Amadine: "I get a chance to be out of being second place.. a tempting offer.."
Quinlan: "She's got a little brother that can race.. wager she's one heck of a racing talent."
The Crimson End: "Oh don't even think about it. A nobody with association is still a nobody."
Hearing what looks to be gentle trash talk over women that want each other dead, the little racer mumbles..
Candy: "This is.. seriously jarring to bear witness.."
And as she blindly wanders on, she spots another supercar to be raced..
And a pair of men conversing by..
Candy: "Emile and Moto-san, huh?"
She approaches but not without some context to their current talk..
Hayato: "Is there like.. some reason the Guild is into being fast racers?"
Emile: "Hmm.. perhaps I can share.. a target was this race car driver that crossed all the wrong lines. Turns out he drives a modified supercar, I forget if it was a Ferrari or a Porsche. He's paranoid as hell and always kept his car in check. As a result.. he's nigh uncatchable. The only way we had a chance to get him was with some outside help. Enter The Outlaw."
Hearing that alter-ego, she queries instantly..
Candy: "The Outlaw?"
Emile: "Yep. Not only did he get the man, but it inspired the entire Guild to pick up sports cars and learn to drive as if life behind the wheel's a car chase scene ready to erupt. Since I was there, there's also when I found who the man behind the mask is.."
Hayato: "Your history with that man in the military finally paying off, nyeeeh?"
Keeping quiet, Emile then changed subject, bringing around his saxophone from behind..
Emile: "Anyhow.. I want to get some preparation songs in.. come and sit."
Candy: "Sure! What's on your mind?"
He blew a few test notes, and then spoke to his small crowd..
Emile: "This one's a ballad I call.. Obsidian Divide.. dedicated to me nearly putting little Candy into itty bitty pieces.."
As a steep reminder to what trouble she got back in Week 53, she groaned..
Candy: "Ughh.."
A rather eclectic lot of cars come gathered at the lines of Tokyo's converted expressways.
Though, to the small crowds present, the one they look at most eagerly would be the red NA1, watched by a pair of its younger siblings.
Ready To Go
Republica
Republica
And as the signal to go deploys, the many cars start charging on..
So, if you look up the site, you can see there are a whole array of ways you can tune your NSX NA1. It's not just a supercar: it's still in the echelons of being a tunable sports car. And it's not even hard to tune. Honestly it's another car with a quick fix, but I shall put down some itty bitty advice in addition..
Now in GT Auto you can find what perhaps is the biggest loss both the NA1 and NA2 NSX cars have: no access to a custom rear wing. I mean a fully custom rear wing, not the Advan wing or the NSX-R rear lip. Aside that, you can meld up your own NSX quite easily, to nice clean tuned looks, to what might be almost a race kit similar to the cult classic LM GT2 utilized by Team Kunimitsu. This also means you can get downforce values with little change to the original profile: a purist like me finds pleasing. Do nab the rear slats or any of the rear wing options however: the rear downforce alone is enough to deal with the car's annoyingly miniscule slippery rear.
Another thing to note is that the car does have an engine swap.. with Aramis of all cars. I mean Aramis being the GT500 NSX that leads the meta of Group 2.. anyone who knows me knows of my association with the Three Musketeers towards the most up to date of the GT500 bunch. Do this swap of the HR-414E at your own risk: perhaps them appearing in the tuner's is easily for the sake of reminding they exist. Very few cars I have are swapped with weight in the story, and my own experiences.
The first thing you might see is the fact you can turbocharge your NA1. This is a classic way of pumping up the car, despite being an option I definitely recall not being in the PS1 era of GT that turns me and my siblings off the car. Now, the car carries only a mid or high RPM turbo, and that translates in quite a major way to the powerband. The car will be more prone to being rather sluggish on the low RPMs, but in return you do get a squeeze of power on the higher rev ranges, and on the car overall. You ask me, this hack should be done if you plan a build just ahead of 600 PP.
So as long as you have a rear wing, the car's going to be even more cake for you to handle. If you actually refuse even the slats and have downforce at zero, you might have to get to a suspension customization that has a slight chunk upwards at the front. If not that, then you put some ballast in the front to get it closer to the magical 50:50 weight ratio. And if not that, you should really consider getting those rear slats.
What else.. oh yeah: curbs! Damping and anti roll bars. Get them above half. I don't think this car needs much touching in the camber and tow. And that's it? I mean.. yes: that's it. The rest comes down to whether or not you turbocharged the car.
That advice on the turbo would come in the form of the LSD and the transmission. You're welcome to do what you like if you don't turbo this baby up (just shorten the lot and adjust for final), but if you do, you want a long first, and nice narrow other gears. For LSD, get braking up to at least 30, and you're welcome to put more if you don't like throttle braking. That LSD advice actually applies to the car on the whole, so you should at least make it more restrictive, or go wild.
Speaking of going wild, who wants more SPD analogies that make no sense? Read on.
Tuning this car is like.. umm.. rojak (non South East Asians better Google this, and yes: you ARE missing out). There are things you might not like within (sliced apples, starch, cucumber, sausage, tempeh, perhaps the top tier fritters if you're a freaking lunatic), but in the end: you'll still end up eating it, because that's the beauty of rojak. It's a WTF mix that's in the end of the day freaking delicious. And in this car, that WTF factor comes with what anyone is going to put in the car, be it a turbo, the aero, the rollcage.. whatever. Hopping in the NA NSX, stock or tuned, is an experience that, if you don't f[BLEEP] it up, you will come back satisfied. I can say any car tuned can be like rojak, but it's feels right at home here unlike anywhere else. Like Keiichi Tsuchiya says about the NSX holding his award for the perfect driver's experience.
And that's 2024 nice and wrapped. See you in 2025.
Now in GT Auto you can find what perhaps is the biggest loss both the NA1 and NA2 NSX cars have: no access to a custom rear wing. I mean a fully custom rear wing, not the Advan wing or the NSX-R rear lip. Aside that, you can meld up your own NSX quite easily, to nice clean tuned looks, to what might be almost a race kit similar to the cult classic LM GT2 utilized by Team Kunimitsu. This also means you can get downforce values with little change to the original profile: a purist like me finds pleasing. Do nab the rear slats or any of the rear wing options however: the rear downforce alone is enough to deal with the car's annoyingly miniscule slippery rear.
Another thing to note is that the car does have an engine swap.. with Aramis of all cars. I mean Aramis being the GT500 NSX that leads the meta of Group 2.. anyone who knows me knows of my association with the Three Musketeers towards the most up to date of the GT500 bunch. Do this swap of the HR-414E at your own risk: perhaps them appearing in the tuner's is easily for the sake of reminding they exist. Very few cars I have are swapped with weight in the story, and my own experiences.
The first thing you might see is the fact you can turbocharge your NA1. This is a classic way of pumping up the car, despite being an option I definitely recall not being in the PS1 era of GT that turns me and my siblings off the car. Now, the car carries only a mid or high RPM turbo, and that translates in quite a major way to the powerband. The car will be more prone to being rather sluggish on the low RPMs, but in return you do get a squeeze of power on the higher rev ranges, and on the car overall. You ask me, this hack should be done if you plan a build just ahead of 600 PP.
So as long as you have a rear wing, the car's going to be even more cake for you to handle. If you actually refuse even the slats and have downforce at zero, you might have to get to a suspension customization that has a slight chunk upwards at the front. If not that, then you put some ballast in the front to get it closer to the magical 50:50 weight ratio. And if not that, you should really consider getting those rear slats.
What else.. oh yeah: curbs! Damping and anti roll bars. Get them above half. I don't think this car needs much touching in the camber and tow. And that's it? I mean.. yes: that's it. The rest comes down to whether or not you turbocharged the car.
That advice on the turbo would come in the form of the LSD and the transmission. You're welcome to do what you like if you don't turbo this baby up (just shorten the lot and adjust for final), but if you do, you want a long first, and nice narrow other gears. For LSD, get braking up to at least 30, and you're welcome to put more if you don't like throttle braking. That LSD advice actually applies to the car on the whole, so you should at least make it more restrictive, or go wild.
Speaking of going wild, who wants more SPD analogies that make no sense? Read on.
Tuning this car is like.. umm.. rojak (non South East Asians better Google this, and yes: you ARE missing out). There are things you might not like within (sliced apples, starch, cucumber, sausage, tempeh, perhaps the top tier fritters if you're a freaking lunatic), but in the end: you'll still end up eating it, because that's the beauty of rojak. It's a WTF mix that's in the end of the day freaking delicious. And in this car, that WTF factor comes with what anyone is going to put in the car, be it a turbo, the aero, the rollcage.. whatever. Hopping in the NA NSX, stock or tuned, is an experience that, if you don't f[BLEEP] it up, you will come back satisfied. I can say any car tuned can be like rojak, but it's feels right at home here unlike anywhere else. Like Keiichi Tsuchiya says about the NSX holding his award for the perfect driver's experience.
And that's 2024 nice and wrapped. See you in 2025.
Quinlan: "See ya later, bozos!"
Minori: "That's one powerful Lamborghini.."
Hayato: "Candy-chan, if you would mind?!"
Candy: "Hell. No."
Rodulf: "Good riddance."
Nirvana: "Hmm.. MC20. A tricky opponent from the Big 3.. I, Nirvana, must break you."
Boniface: "So that's what she's turned her thinking to? How barbaric.."
The Crimson End: "Oooh, feisty.."
Amadine: "This will be the day they notice me.. beating the likes of you, rouge."
Nash: "No more pulling my punches. They call me.. me.. tsk, I don't think I got a name to run with, deary me."
Emile: "Assassin, your reflexes are lacking."
Minori: "Merde, I am not feeling myself.. I blame you, Quinn!"
Quinlan: "That's right. As my second cousin would say.. guiltyy~!"
Amadine: "Ooohh, I haven't driven this quick for so long, but.. but.. I'm doing good?"
Quinlan: "Think you can be a sweet darling and get out of my hair, Ama?"
Amadine: "That better be rhetorical."
Nash: "Knock knock. I have come for your head, Helwalker."
Rodulf: "So... he truly cannot resist."
Hayato: "You still in a fritz with your NA2, Candy-chan?"
Candy: "I.. yes."
Hayato: "Perhaps that one in red can help you."
The Crimson End: "No way in hell."
Quinlan: "The Outlaw style round the rosie!"
Amadine: "Ohh, nice.. thank you for the motivation.."
Boniface: "Zut alors, those hypercars are on a whole different league.."
Minori: "I am.. screwing up!"
Hayato: "Nyeeheeheehee.. you making mistakes is free real estate."
Quinlan: "Crikey, she's a quick 'un.."
The Crimson End: "Ehe ehe ehe.."
Amadine: "Oh boo.."
Quinlan: "Your defense ain't good enough, darling."
Rodulf: "This is.. child's play."
The Crimson End: "I'm thinking of cutting another slice of you, bud. How's about it? I know you like pain.."
Boniface: "C'est.. c'est pas vrai!"
Emile: "I have an ostinato for you, emerald.. it's a tuned V8 melody."
Amadine: "So charming of you, Emile. A boxer beat's always my kink instead."
Nirvana: "Nirvana must remain in pursuit.. that pompous ass is speculated to be.. more quick.."
Amadine: "Racing is.. surely not my thing, Emile."
Emile: "Aww.. let me play a sad song on the world's smallest violin."
Amadine: "That car has power, but the driver? Hmm.."
Boniface: "Sacre bleu, stop with the horning!"
The Crimson End: "It can't.. be helped.. eheeheehee.."
Boniface: "She's done it to touch a nerve.. how brutish!"
The Crimson End: "AAHAAHAAHAAHAA!"
The Crimson End: "Keep it up.. I'll catch you eventually.."
Boniface: "Alle, Nettuno. Do not let her disturb me again!"
Rodulf: "Nash.. where are you, friend?"
Nash: "Not far back, Bugatti man. Seems to me the lot behind us is having a hell of a time."
Rodulf: "Kehehehe.. I'm not hunting anyone today, so it's rather.. uneventful for my end regardless."
Candy: "Minori-chan.. us on the expressways is going to be a more frequent episode."
Minori: "I hear.. and I obey, bebe."
The Crimson End: "Big lady in a big car.. but with small amounts of talent to get me.."
Quinlan: "You're gonna eat those words, red."
Minori: "Well, now I know what I must do.. practice.."
Nirvana: "Out there, I'm sure that charmless clown is laughing.. humph. Nirvana will show them all."
Rodulf: "I apologize ladies and gentlemen.. but I am a bona fide speed demon after all."
Realizing we can have our own awards, I aught to nominate this car as the most recurring car in COTW lobbies as it is with in story racing as well.
After the race, Christmas day comes up, but not without activity among those in the Assassin's Guild..
Parked aside an NA1 that finished a very solid position, the presence of Mad Bull nearby however hints..
Candy: "Nirvana?"
..Candy's arrival?
No, not that. Rather the fact the enigmatic brunette smoking nearby.
Putting out her latest snub, she then talks..
Nirvana: "Ahh.. the little one. Nirvana knows you're about to ask about earlier.. but right now, I, Nirvana, have more pressing matters."
Candy: "You do? Is it something.. Christmas related?"
Nirvana: "Of course it isn't. It concerns the Crimson one.. It is one person I, Nirvana, have no control and hold over.. that ends today. This is her car?"
Candy though replied, while watching the car's Japanese plate..
Candy: "I didn't get any hint if it is, or if it's loaned to her."
Nirvana: "Regardless.. it will be of great importance Nirvana.."
She pauses as she places some small sized gadgetry on the car, then continues..
Nirvana: "There we go.. 3 sets. Trackers. One fails, the others will comply."
Candy: "Trackers.. so you can track her movements?"
Nirvana: "That's the intention, as you figured."
With her gloves wiped, Nirvana takes out yet another cigarette as she discusses..
Nirvana: "And that is my business concluded. Nirvana will depart soon, but should you have more queries, now is the time.."
Candy: "Obviously. It's the Trinitia.. they're under you, right? What's your role, exactly?"
Knowing her duties, she answers..
Nirvana: "My role? It is one that little fools such as yourself would find themselves dead the further they proceed with this line of logic."
Candy: "But I find it concerning.. when you take such measures to the Crimson End.."
Nirvana: "The Crimson one is unhinged. Chaotic. Cannot be trusted. Prone to attacking when she sees fit. And worse of all.."
She blows a foul polluted cloud, then further explains..
Nirvana: "A master of disguise and espionage. Reasons Nirvana admits to being why she's not able to be around unless.."
However, the ladies quiet talk gets a sharp interference as they hear blades clash, while mostly unclear.
It was sharp and loud enough for them to..
Candy: "What's that?"
Nirvana: "Curses.. Nirvana knows what's to be.."
They dashed to the source of the clashing, and when they arrived to an underpass, they see..
Candy: "A-ama? Minori-chan!"
Nirvana: "What happened, Bradley?"
Three killers lying on the floor, slowly getting up, while blood starts spilling about.
The maid then explained..
Minori: "Madame Nirvana.. umm.. we wanted to congratulate the Crimson one on.. on.."
Quinlan: "Having a bonzer attitude on the track and generally on track manners. Something tells me she's had a life behind the wheel or something.."
Amadine: "Oui, even I cannot catch the likes of her.."
Considering their usual animosity, the little racer had to wonder..
Candy: "They can't be lying, right?"
Nirvana: "No.. Nirvana has a hunch.. she knew I would be tracking her NSX.. so, where is she?"
Minori: "Somewhere that way.. urh.."
Amadine: "Tsk.. this much blood lost.."
Quinlan: "Gin! Ama!"
As the French rivals start to stagger and fall, Quinlan, also wounded comes up and grabs them both before they meet the hard floor.
It might be for Christmas, but Candy then sees something develop: the reunion of these killers to a more intimate level..
Candy: "How is it you.. care?"
Nirvana: "It's like that charmless clown would say.. racing brings people together.."
Amadine: "But that woman.. she has two minds, I guess.."
Minori: "We were having a consideration.. to say f[BLEEP] off to our long reigning hatred of each other, as that crimson one suggested. But when the news came to her.."
Quinlan: "Honestly, it's less predictable than me busting through boxes or walls."
However, the noise doesn't end there, as they hear..
Candy: "Sirens?"
Nirvana: "Nirvana will tend to these three. Go check it out."
With a hint this is where the Crimson carnage would go through, she heads for the siren's source, and sees..
A set of civilians applying first aid to those that have been part of this swath of pain.
Candy: "WAAAHHH! It's a crime scene here.."
However, as she begins to count the injured count, a voice calls to her..
Uhh...
my precious Candy..
help..
Hearing a familiar voice, she then dashes through the scene..
Candy: "Excuse me!"
..and turns to find a woman's body, with a katana placed through her center..
However red this whole scene looked, the yellow surrounding this woman can only mean to Candy that this is..
Candy: "Miranda?! GWAAAHHH! What on earth?!!"
Miranda: "Oww oww.. hiya, sweetie.. umm.. I need an ambulance, pronto.."
Candy: "Hang on.. Murph's app!"
Swiftly taking her phone out and pushing through screens in record time, Candy then places said phone away, and kneels down to inspect..
Candy: "You're going to be fine, just.. keep holding on.."
Miranda: "Thanks.. you're a pal.."
Candy: "Miranda.. I need to know. There's a woman donned in red.. it's her doing, is it?"
Miranda: "I wish I knew.. it happened so fast.."
Without any way to halt the bleeding, she calls out to the people nearby..
And eventually turns back to the lady on the floor.
Candy: "Actually, just stay put, and don't say anything.."
Miranda: "Hmm.. [sniffles].."
Candy: "You alright?"
Miranda: "No. This was supposed to be the best Christmas surprise ever, but.. in my bag.."
Finding a small yellow handbag nearby, the little racer leapt towards it, and unzips it, revealing..
Candy: "A Christmas card?"
Miranda: "I.. well.."
Candy: "Tsk.. Miranda, I.."
Miranda: "Don't mention it.. ehe.."
Her eyes then start to close due to blood loss, but her body functions remains intact, in most part to the katana placed between her armpits, to the knowledge of nobody at the time.
Saddened, Candy notes..
Candy: "Out.. Miranda, you poor thing. [sniffs] if I didn't know any better.."
And before people nearby come to assist and surround the yellow maiden, Candy then gets a quick sudden thought..
Candy: "Those eyes.. look really familiar. Is it possible.. that.. that SHE'S the Crimson End??"
Before she can confirm this doubt however, the body..
..disappears?
Parked aside an NA1 that finished a very solid position, the presence of Mad Bull nearby however hints..
Candy: "Nirvana?"
..Candy's arrival?
No, not that. Rather the fact the enigmatic brunette smoking nearby.
Putting out her latest snub, she then talks..
Nirvana: "Ahh.. the little one. Nirvana knows you're about to ask about earlier.. but right now, I, Nirvana, have more pressing matters."
Candy: "You do? Is it something.. Christmas related?"
Nirvana: "Of course it isn't. It concerns the Crimson one.. It is one person I, Nirvana, have no control and hold over.. that ends today. This is her car?"
Candy though replied, while watching the car's Japanese plate..
Candy: "I didn't get any hint if it is, or if it's loaned to her."
Nirvana: "Regardless.. it will be of great importance Nirvana.."
She pauses as she places some small sized gadgetry on the car, then continues..
Nirvana: "There we go.. 3 sets. Trackers. One fails, the others will comply."
Candy: "Trackers.. so you can track her movements?"
Nirvana: "That's the intention, as you figured."
With her gloves wiped, Nirvana takes out yet another cigarette as she discusses..
Nirvana: "And that is my business concluded. Nirvana will depart soon, but should you have more queries, now is the time.."
Candy: "Obviously. It's the Trinitia.. they're under you, right? What's your role, exactly?"
Knowing her duties, she answers..
Nirvana: "My role? It is one that little fools such as yourself would find themselves dead the further they proceed with this line of logic."
Candy: "But I find it concerning.. when you take such measures to the Crimson End.."
Nirvana: "The Crimson one is unhinged. Chaotic. Cannot be trusted. Prone to attacking when she sees fit. And worse of all.."
She blows a foul polluted cloud, then further explains..
Nirvana: "A master of disguise and espionage. Reasons Nirvana admits to being why she's not able to be around unless.."
However, the ladies quiet talk gets a sharp interference as they hear blades clash, while mostly unclear.
It was sharp and loud enough for them to..
Candy: "What's that?"
Nirvana: "Curses.. Nirvana knows what's to be.."
They dashed to the source of the clashing, and when they arrived to an underpass, they see..
Candy: "A-ama? Minori-chan!"
Nirvana: "What happened, Bradley?"
Three killers lying on the floor, slowly getting up, while blood starts spilling about.
The maid then explained..
Minori: "Madame Nirvana.. umm.. we wanted to congratulate the Crimson one on.. on.."
Quinlan: "Having a bonzer attitude on the track and generally on track manners. Something tells me she's had a life behind the wheel or something.."
Amadine: "Oui, even I cannot catch the likes of her.."
Considering their usual animosity, the little racer had to wonder..
Candy: "They can't be lying, right?"
Nirvana: "No.. Nirvana has a hunch.. she knew I would be tracking her NSX.. so, where is she?"
Minori: "Somewhere that way.. urh.."
Amadine: "Tsk.. this much blood lost.."
Quinlan: "Gin! Ama!"
As the French rivals start to stagger and fall, Quinlan, also wounded comes up and grabs them both before they meet the hard floor.
It might be for Christmas, but Candy then sees something develop: the reunion of these killers to a more intimate level..
Candy: "How is it you.. care?"
Nirvana: "It's like that charmless clown would say.. racing brings people together.."
Amadine: "But that woman.. she has two minds, I guess.."
Minori: "We were having a consideration.. to say f[BLEEP] off to our long reigning hatred of each other, as that crimson one suggested. But when the news came to her.."
Quinlan: "Honestly, it's less predictable than me busting through boxes or walls."
However, the noise doesn't end there, as they hear..
Candy: "Sirens?"
Nirvana: "Nirvana will tend to these three. Go check it out."
With a hint this is where the Crimson carnage would go through, she heads for the siren's source, and sees..
A set of civilians applying first aid to those that have been part of this swath of pain.
Candy: "WAAAHHH! It's a crime scene here.."
However, as she begins to count the injured count, a voice calls to her..
Uhh...
my precious Candy..
help..
Hearing a familiar voice, she then dashes through the scene..
Candy: "Excuse me!"
..and turns to find a woman's body, with a katana placed through her center..
However red this whole scene looked, the yellow surrounding this woman can only mean to Candy that this is..
Candy: "Miranda?! GWAAAHHH! What on earth?!!"
Miranda: "Oww oww.. hiya, sweetie.. umm.. I need an ambulance, pronto.."
Candy: "Hang on.. Murph's app!"
Swiftly taking her phone out and pushing through screens in record time, Candy then places said phone away, and kneels down to inspect..
Candy: "You're going to be fine, just.. keep holding on.."
Miranda: "Thanks.. you're a pal.."
Candy: "Miranda.. I need to know. There's a woman donned in red.. it's her doing, is it?"
Miranda: "I wish I knew.. it happened so fast.."
Without any way to halt the bleeding, she calls out to the people nearby..
And eventually turns back to the lady on the floor.
Candy: "Actually, just stay put, and don't say anything.."
Miranda: "Hmm.. [sniffles].."
Candy: "You alright?"
Miranda: "No. This was supposed to be the best Christmas surprise ever, but.. in my bag.."
Finding a small yellow handbag nearby, the little racer leapt towards it, and unzips it, revealing..
Candy: "A Christmas card?"
Miranda: "I.. well.."
Candy: "Tsk.. Miranda, I.."
Miranda: "Don't mention it.. ehe.."
Her eyes then start to close due to blood loss, but her body functions remains intact, in most part to the katana placed between her armpits, to the knowledge of nobody at the time.
Saddened, Candy notes..
Candy: "Out.. Miranda, you poor thing. [sniffs] if I didn't know any better.."
And before people nearby come to assist and surround the yellow maiden, Candy then gets a quick sudden thought..
Candy: "Those eyes.. look really familiar. Is it possible.. that.. that SHE'S the Crimson End??"
Before she can confirm this doubt however, the body..
..disappears?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quite a crowd this week. It's sort of intentional.
I put a lot of time in this episode for some reason. I don't know why. Christmas isn't a holiday I put high on my personal tier list of holidays.
Ahh, I was thinking of a more traditional Christmas episode, but everyone's doing that. Bringing family together, having a big meal, Santa appearing in some silly form. An aesop of being nice.. that kind of crap is when I do end up making a more traditional story rather than these weekly shoe-ins.
That's two episodes, in a row, with Mad Bull in it. That car is the sidekick to my purple gold Miura 'Night Moves', after all. It also means Nirvana, unless one of her many Lamborghinis that isn't the Diablo (or EK Civic Type R) gets chosen, isn't coming over next time I write. Interestingly, the only Lamborghini I plan not to write is the Vision GT.
Today's Christmas collective consists of mainly the characters that serve or have served under the Assassin's Guild. You can tell from what car who the main focus this week is for.. you probably also noticed the reference to the Christmas Truce back in World War I, but my take on this is instead with a feminist cyborg, a blood driven vampiress and a literal iron woman.
In more detail, I wish to focus more on what's easily my favorite addition of the Sport era of characters from the lone Canuck in Miranda Summers, specifically on how she has an inner bloody side that needs sating, while her civilian self refuses to keep that playing. You know, if the story involves these femme fatales, I seem to have some leverage to write this with a bit more enthusiasm. It's Miranda's fault.. her entire civilian character is designed to allure me.
This week's roster wheelspin winner was, in a rather strange twist, Nash Kirkham. But what's not strange is how I'm taking quite an advantage with racing a McLaren F1 and a Bugatti Veyron. This is perhaps the second time you'll have seen Rodulf's Signature Car, supposedly the third since it was to appear in the week the BMW M3 Sport Evo was nominated.
I put a lot of time in this episode for some reason. I don't know why. Christmas isn't a holiday I put high on my personal tier list of holidays.
Ahh, I was thinking of a more traditional Christmas episode, but everyone's doing that. Bringing family together, having a big meal, Santa appearing in some silly form. An aesop of being nice.. that kind of crap is when I do end up making a more traditional story rather than these weekly shoe-ins.
That's two episodes, in a row, with Mad Bull in it. That car is the sidekick to my purple gold Miura 'Night Moves', after all. It also means Nirvana, unless one of her many Lamborghinis that isn't the Diablo (or EK Civic Type R) gets chosen, isn't coming over next time I write. Interestingly, the only Lamborghini I plan not to write is the Vision GT.
Today's Christmas collective consists of mainly the characters that serve or have served under the Assassin's Guild. You can tell from what car who the main focus this week is for.. you probably also noticed the reference to the Christmas Truce back in World War I, but my take on this is instead with a feminist cyborg, a blood driven vampiress and a literal iron woman.
In more detail, I wish to focus more on what's easily my favorite addition of the Sport era of characters from the lone Canuck in Miranda Summers, specifically on how she has an inner bloody side that needs sating, while her civilian self refuses to keep that playing. You know, if the story involves these femme fatales, I seem to have some leverage to write this with a bit more enthusiasm. It's Miranda's fault.. her entire civilian character is designed to allure me.
This week's roster wheelspin winner was, in a rather strange twist, Nash Kirkham. But what's not strange is how I'm taking quite an advantage with racing a McLaren F1 and a Bugatti Veyron. This is perhaps the second time you'll have seen Rodulf's Signature Car, supposedly the third since it was to appear in the week the BMW M3 Sport Evo was nominated.
As the main character, Candy Lam is bound to appear in every segment, be it either as the lead role, or as a small mention.
The infamous Sweet Toothed Lone Wolf of Asia, or known worldwide as Le Glace Pacer. While her social presence is significantly poor, her presence on the track hasn't been short of perfection, now under the pressures of being a monetary source of higher powers, as well as her role being the most prime form of woman racers.. But don't let her hear that.
Theme Song: Def Leppard - Bad Actress
Racing Duel Music: Def Leppard - Nine Lives
Gender: Female
Nationality: Hong Kongese
Age: 30
Current occupation: Professional racecar driver
Distinct features: Long, clean, straight ashen hair tied to a ponytail via traditional red braids. A stiff, stoic Asian beauty that starts to show sign of wrinkling, covered by heavy layers of makeup. Thin, rounded diamond face, with various beauty signs of it being worked on unnaturally, especially her unblemished small snub nose, heavily lipsticked mouth and thin brown Asian eyes. Short body with small proportions.
Choice of clothing: Typical modern glossy sleveless Hong Kong dress, but 90% she will have her favorite on, that's in blood red with a white bauhinia pattern on, with matching sandals. Most of her clothes and themes come in red or white.
Cars: Toyota GR Yaris 1st Edition RZ "High Performance", MINI Cooper S, Honda NSX Type R '02, Mazda Demio XD Touring, Nissan Skyline GTS-R (R31)
Even though she's a proud Hong Kongese, Candy is actually born in high society Tokyo, and more exposed to living in a usual Japanese lifestyle. An only child, it was easy to find herself spoiled rotten from a young age, getting what she wants and not caring how it got there, thanks to wealth she inherits strongly. Her father notably was an executive in Toyota's racing division.
A target in her younger ages, Candy's early life was full of trouble from others that are against her being a Hong Kong native in Japan. She never made any friends as a result, and this loner habit of hers remained even after changing schools, going so far to even give her a new alias. While her parents have a strong standing in the society she lived in, she remained in their shadow, because she couldn't find comfort out of it.
Upon reaching her adult days, Candy's first 'milestone' would come when an incident in a high class event caused her to run, leading to a manic police car chase spanning several weeks before she was arrested. The victim of these events would have deep ties with various Yakuza families. While her parents retreated to Hong Kong, Candy stayed in Japanese prison, learning that if nothing needs to come her way, she needs to learn something she initially dreaded to do: manipulate the human mind, a state of thought she was once a victim of.
After her sentence, she regained her freedom, and it didn't take long that was noticed by the city's largest street racing community. Still with her inherited wealth, she started off strong in the streets. Years then pass, in which she eventually proves herself as a top competitor for racing in many top endurance races worldwide.
While her fans are out there in many parts around for being a woman dominating a man's sport, she's not exactly a great social interactor, and is a nobody outside the racing community. With many questions still left unanswered, maybe there are more ulterior motives with the unsanctioned blue MINI project..
The infamous Sweet Toothed Lone Wolf of Asia, or known worldwide as Le Glace Pacer. While her social presence is significantly poor, her presence on the track hasn't been short of perfection, now under the pressures of being a monetary source of higher powers, as well as her role being the most prime form of woman racers.. But don't let her hear that.
Theme Song: Def Leppard - Bad Actress
Racing Duel Music: Def Leppard - Nine Lives
Gender: Female
Nationality: Hong Kongese
Age: 30
Current occupation: Professional racecar driver
Distinct features: Long, clean, straight ashen hair tied to a ponytail via traditional red braids. A stiff, stoic Asian beauty that starts to show sign of wrinkling, covered by heavy layers of makeup. Thin, rounded diamond face, with various beauty signs of it being worked on unnaturally, especially her unblemished small snub nose, heavily lipsticked mouth and thin brown Asian eyes. Short body with small proportions.
Choice of clothing: Typical modern glossy sleveless Hong Kong dress, but 90% she will have her favorite on, that's in blood red with a white bauhinia pattern on, with matching sandals. Most of her clothes and themes come in red or white.
Cars: Toyota GR Yaris 1st Edition RZ "High Performance", MINI Cooper S, Honda NSX Type R '02, Mazda Demio XD Touring, Nissan Skyline GTS-R (R31)
Even though she's a proud Hong Kongese, Candy is actually born in high society Tokyo, and more exposed to living in a usual Japanese lifestyle. An only child, it was easy to find herself spoiled rotten from a young age, getting what she wants and not caring how it got there, thanks to wealth she inherits strongly. Her father notably was an executive in Toyota's racing division.
A target in her younger ages, Candy's early life was full of trouble from others that are against her being a Hong Kong native in Japan. She never made any friends as a result, and this loner habit of hers remained even after changing schools, going so far to even give her a new alias. While her parents have a strong standing in the society she lived in, she remained in their shadow, because she couldn't find comfort out of it.
Upon reaching her adult days, Candy's first 'milestone' would come when an incident in a high class event caused her to run, leading to a manic police car chase spanning several weeks before she was arrested. The victim of these events would have deep ties with various Yakuza families. While her parents retreated to Hong Kong, Candy stayed in Japanese prison, learning that if nothing needs to come her way, she needs to learn something she initially dreaded to do: manipulate the human mind, a state of thought she was once a victim of.
After her sentence, she regained her freedom, and it didn't take long that was noticed by the city's largest street racing community. Still with her inherited wealth, she started off strong in the streets. Years then pass, in which she eventually proves herself as a top competitor for racing in many top endurance races worldwide.
While her fans are out there in many parts around for being a woman dominating a man's sport, she's not exactly a great social interactor, and is a nobody outside the racing community. With many questions still left unanswered, maybe there are more ulterior motives with the unsanctioned blue MINI project..
A definition of the mysterious benefactor to the American dark side, nobody truly knows who, where, what or how this Nirvana person came to be. Aside being one of California's biggest earners within its black market, the only thing people know about her is that you never want to be on her bad side..
Theme Song: Nirvana - All Apologies
Racing Duel Music: Peaches - Boys Wanna Be Her (Tommie Sunshine's Brooklyn Fire Retouch)
Gender: Female
Nationality: Unknown, presumably American
Age: Unknown, presumably in her late 30s
Current occupation: Black market information broker
Distinct features: Medium long straight brunette hair, with the left side slightly longer on the front. Broad and tall diamond shaped face, with heavy eyeshadow and deep red lipstick. Wide and narrow green eyes, thick button nose and lip sticked mouth. Eyes always covered with a bespoke pair of sunglasses. Wears a pair of ruby gemmed earrings. Tall, slender figure.
Choice of clothing: Isn't one for a certain clothing style, but her daily go to includes a designer cropped jacket and blouse. Underneath usually is seen with dark, long skinny jeans, with tall leather boots underneath. Never without her prized golden necklace, carrying the iconic Nirvana grunge band smile.
Cars: Lamborghini Diablo GT, Honda Civic Type R (EK), Lamborghini Countach LP400, Lamborghini Aventador LP 750-4 Superveloce
If there's a dark American secret or two worth knowing, there's a very good chance it either came from, or is already been privy by the mysterious, unusually beautiful chain smoker known as Nirvana. While she's not hiding any association with it, it's unclear why she took up the name of a once popular 90's grunge icon.
Despite being in the game for approximately a decade, Nirvana's role as an information broker has been volatile for involved parties. Regardless of the risk, it's a very fruitful business that allowed her to make up a luxurious, albeit mysterious way of living. Every day passes with her face on at least one association wanting her death, be it from minor greivances or major groups, with rumors saying even involving the darkest organizations within national governments. But by being directly connected to the Assassin's Guild means that threat is non-existant for her. It's strongly rumored she is the one completely external individual with the unstoppable, absolute Trinita L'Assassina on speed dial, as various wealthy crime bosses that had her targeted once had their groups dissolved in a week.
Anyone knows Nirvana is one mysterious figure that probably intentionally overdelivers her speech with speaking in third person, combined with odd lingual skills and backed with an odd accent. While it's obvious she's hiding everything about her, there's no hiding her services mainly being stationed in Los Angeles. There's also no hiding that she likes to drive an old Lamborghini Diablo, and it's seen frequently street racing at night. Her presence often causes the racing at night to be mostly calm, a sign of her connection with the local police.
A worker of secrets, Nirvana also knows how to keep them, and over the years, she begun to even use them for her own benefits. While not exactly the most expensive of secrets, using The Outlaw's identity allows her to blackmail her way into The List, now part of them as code name "Enigma". But running with the self proclaimed fastest crew isn't the goal. She uses it as soon as she found out racing celebrity Sonny Meng serving as the group's backbone, and also being directly related to its leader. To her, Sonny is the one person she deems her nemesis. Nobody but the just as similarly egotistical Nirvana only knows why this grudge came to be.
Theme Song: Nirvana - All Apologies
Racing Duel Music: Peaches - Boys Wanna Be Her (Tommie Sunshine's Brooklyn Fire Retouch)
Gender: Female
Nationality: Unknown, presumably American
Age: Unknown, presumably in her late 30s
Current occupation: Black market information broker
Distinct features: Medium long straight brunette hair, with the left side slightly longer on the front. Broad and tall diamond shaped face, with heavy eyeshadow and deep red lipstick. Wide and narrow green eyes, thick button nose and lip sticked mouth. Eyes always covered with a bespoke pair of sunglasses. Wears a pair of ruby gemmed earrings. Tall, slender figure.
Choice of clothing: Isn't one for a certain clothing style, but her daily go to includes a designer cropped jacket and blouse. Underneath usually is seen with dark, long skinny jeans, with tall leather boots underneath. Never without her prized golden necklace, carrying the iconic Nirvana grunge band smile.
Cars: Lamborghini Diablo GT, Honda Civic Type R (EK), Lamborghini Countach LP400, Lamborghini Aventador LP 750-4 Superveloce
If there's a dark American secret or two worth knowing, there's a very good chance it either came from, or is already been privy by the mysterious, unusually beautiful chain smoker known as Nirvana. While she's not hiding any association with it, it's unclear why she took up the name of a once popular 90's grunge icon.
Despite being in the game for approximately a decade, Nirvana's role as an information broker has been volatile for involved parties. Regardless of the risk, it's a very fruitful business that allowed her to make up a luxurious, albeit mysterious way of living. Every day passes with her face on at least one association wanting her death, be it from minor greivances or major groups, with rumors saying even involving the darkest organizations within national governments. But by being directly connected to the Assassin's Guild means that threat is non-existant for her. It's strongly rumored she is the one completely external individual with the unstoppable, absolute Trinita L'Assassina on speed dial, as various wealthy crime bosses that had her targeted once had their groups dissolved in a week.
Anyone knows Nirvana is one mysterious figure that probably intentionally overdelivers her speech with speaking in third person, combined with odd lingual skills and backed with an odd accent. While it's obvious she's hiding everything about her, there's no hiding her services mainly being stationed in Los Angeles. There's also no hiding that she likes to drive an old Lamborghini Diablo, and it's seen frequently street racing at night. Her presence often causes the racing at night to be mostly calm, a sign of her connection with the local police.
A worker of secrets, Nirvana also knows how to keep them, and over the years, she begun to even use them for her own benefits. While not exactly the most expensive of secrets, using The Outlaw's identity allows her to blackmail her way into The List, now part of them as code name "Enigma". But running with the self proclaimed fastest crew isn't the goal. She uses it as soon as she found out racing celebrity Sonny Meng serving as the group's backbone, and also being directly related to its leader. To her, Sonny is the one person she deems her nemesis. Nobody but the just as similarly egotistical Nirvana only knows why this grudge came to be.
Fourth wall breaking fan favorite racer of the current Super Formula era, Hayato's achievements haze the many dilemmas and twists he's found himself in. A former Yakuza enforcer that doubles as an just as silent and swift ninja wannabe with a unfavorable young personality to back up his race track talents.
Theme Song: The Crystal Method - Play For Real (feat. The Heavy)
Racing Duel Music: The Crystal Method - Play For Real (feat. The Heavy, Dirtyphonics Remix)
Gender: Male
Nationality: Half Japanese, half Brazilian
Age: 30
Current occupation: Race car driver
Distinct features: Dyed dark purple hair in the shape of a ponytail. Wide, diamond shaped face with pale skin. White tinted eye contacts, flat thin nose and a slim mouth exhuming a dangerous smirk. Average height, slightly thin build. Heavily tattooed body due to his past within the yakuza.
Choice of clothing: Dark colored, and always covering his skin. Commonly wears trendy clothing, nowaday's its a designer sweater hoodie with 3 quarter denim pants, tall shoes and a belt. Never seen without his traditional made ornamental katana and its sheath behind, presumed a fake to just about anyone who don't investigate.
Cars: Honda NSX (NB), KTM X-BOW R, Honda S660
History was shady, but first records show Hayato was born in Nagoya with a mixed Japanese Brazilian bloodline. Notably, his family carries strong ties to the shinobi warriors of Sengoku Japan, giving him an idea on what kind of person he was going to grow as. However, he was a rebellious soul who could hardly get anything going in curriculum. That journey as a ninja would have to wait until one day, he would personally go on a journey to retrieve an old relic hidden in a deathtrap shaped like a home. He might have succeeded, but the problems started. Said relic was a priceless katana, and word got out, his family and clan were slain or went missing, including his family, who had an abrupt but heartfelt goodbye, not knowing where to go.
After reaching adulthood, Hayato made his way through life with a girl he met. It was thanks to her he got involved in Yakuza affairs, being the sole daughter of a top family enforcer. He would learn their ways, brandish their stripes and worked his way up the ladder. On the side, he applied for a junior Red Bull course in racing, again because his girlfriend said so. That eventually grew as he was noticed by two important individuals: an infamous street racing delinquent, and the head of the multi million organization known as the Kirkham Foundation. With their offers, Hayato had a new goal: to be deemed an icon, as someone significant.
Years pass, and Hayato leaned back to the criminal element strong. But as he grew in strength, that went to the test as the family he served was the same one that terrorized his teenage days. As his connections to the relic he used came to light, blood flooded rivers as he fought his way up to get the answers he needed. All was said and done, but one final test remained: the woman that lived with him all those years pledged her allegiance against him, and in a final struggle, he cut her where she stood. Past all the heartbreak, he would remember her by selling the relic katana to the government, then having a master blacksmith forge a whole new sword: the same one he carries at all times on his back. He branded the sword as 'Yoko': the girl he lived with all his adult life til then.
Now with those bloody ties severed, Hayato stands now a strong contender for the Honda Racing Corporation. While his focus lies on Super Formula nowadays, he's been seen testing out Honda's Group 3 division. And there's a good chance he might be travelling the world, eager to be showing his honed racing skills.
Theme Song: The Crystal Method - Play For Real (feat. The Heavy)
Racing Duel Music: The Crystal Method - Play For Real (feat. The Heavy, Dirtyphonics Remix)
Gender: Male
Nationality: Half Japanese, half Brazilian
Age: 30
Current occupation: Race car driver
Distinct features: Dyed dark purple hair in the shape of a ponytail. Wide, diamond shaped face with pale skin. White tinted eye contacts, flat thin nose and a slim mouth exhuming a dangerous smirk. Average height, slightly thin build. Heavily tattooed body due to his past within the yakuza.
Choice of clothing: Dark colored, and always covering his skin. Commonly wears trendy clothing, nowaday's its a designer sweater hoodie with 3 quarter denim pants, tall shoes and a belt. Never seen without his traditional made ornamental katana and its sheath behind, presumed a fake to just about anyone who don't investigate.
Cars: Honda NSX (NB), KTM X-BOW R, Honda S660
History was shady, but first records show Hayato was born in Nagoya with a mixed Japanese Brazilian bloodline. Notably, his family carries strong ties to the shinobi warriors of Sengoku Japan, giving him an idea on what kind of person he was going to grow as. However, he was a rebellious soul who could hardly get anything going in curriculum. That journey as a ninja would have to wait until one day, he would personally go on a journey to retrieve an old relic hidden in a deathtrap shaped like a home. He might have succeeded, but the problems started. Said relic was a priceless katana, and word got out, his family and clan were slain or went missing, including his family, who had an abrupt but heartfelt goodbye, not knowing where to go.
After reaching adulthood, Hayato made his way through life with a girl he met. It was thanks to her he got involved in Yakuza affairs, being the sole daughter of a top family enforcer. He would learn their ways, brandish their stripes and worked his way up the ladder. On the side, he applied for a junior Red Bull course in racing, again because his girlfriend said so. That eventually grew as he was noticed by two important individuals: an infamous street racing delinquent, and the head of the multi million organization known as the Kirkham Foundation. With their offers, Hayato had a new goal: to be deemed an icon, as someone significant.
Years pass, and Hayato leaned back to the criminal element strong. But as he grew in strength, that went to the test as the family he served was the same one that terrorized his teenage days. As his connections to the relic he used came to light, blood flooded rivers as he fought his way up to get the answers he needed. All was said and done, but one final test remained: the woman that lived with him all those years pledged her allegiance against him, and in a final struggle, he cut her where she stood. Past all the heartbreak, he would remember her by selling the relic katana to the government, then having a master blacksmith forge a whole new sword: the same one he carries at all times on his back. He branded the sword as 'Yoko': the girl he lived with all his adult life til then.
Now with those bloody ties severed, Hayato stands now a strong contender for the Honda Racing Corporation. While his focus lies on Super Formula nowadays, he's been seen testing out Honda's Group 3 division. And there's a good chance he might be travelling the world, eager to be showing his honed racing skills.
An aristocratic, but overall simplistic French gentleman, carrying awards in literature as well as a well versed connoisseur of wine. But his biggest achievement is none of those, but of racing in the GT leagues, most notably being a dominating recurring champion of the Supercar Festival Leagues.
Theme Song: Yes - It Can Happen (Cinema Version)
Racing Duel Music: Yes - Love Will Find A Way
Gender: Male
Nationality: French
Age: 28
Current occupation: Race car driver
Distinct features: Clean combed back black hair, with a large white stripe in the center. Baby blue eyes, almost always seem closed. Thin mustache, wide upturned nose and mouth with regular skin tone. Slightly thin build with average height.
Choice of clothing: Fine suits are his wardrobe's modus operandi. Comes in many forms, but his favorite combine a silver slim fit suit vest and matching pants. Expensive accessories from a Rolex watch, fountain pens in his pockets, golden pins of various fancy shapes, and a pinned handcrafted gold trimmed rose (doubles as a hidden knife).
Cars: KTM X-BOW R, Alpine A110 (2017), Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GT Veloce, Maserati MC20, Renault R5 Turbo
Secretly referred to the as the family's little Bon Bon, Boniface is the last of 3 current generation of the infamous Richelieu of Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon: a family whose wealth surpasses many that of just about anyone in Europe thanks to their stake in developing nuclear products, particularly electrical power and energy developments worldwide. While the middle child handles this business without remorse, and the eldest sister being a very well known bounty hunter for the Assassin's Guild, Boniface himself gets his family name famous in sport, notably in race cars.
Unlike his Paris born sisters, Boniface was born when they've already retreated to Sainte-Croix. But from a young age, he was often sent to the capital to be raised by relatives, schooled in the most lofty of education institutions. As he grew up, he didn't get along with others of his age well, but rather preferred to be among other adults, eventually acting and getting along with them. While his maturity rised, his manners remained sloppy and smug, thus why he usually calls similarly aged persons barbarians, brutes, or whatever synonym he can figure out.
These connections would eventually lead to two of his life's greatest passions. Race car driving, and wine. After high school, he went on to quickly pursue them. Eventually, he would become a famed touring car racer, notably as the sport's purely clean racer with a near perfect clean race record. His interest in wine would lead them to his other life as a wine connoisseur, releasing weekly reviews to his online website. An open learner whose recently graduated with a Major in English Literature, Boniface's current focus is to help his family's financial issues, with its problems stemming from his sister's newly diagnosed complications in her heart.
Thanks to burying the hatchet with his long time Scottish rival, he's found yet another path to take in being the recurring champion of the Supercar Festival. But those skills are put to the test as he inadvertently made his way into the ranks of The Prophecy as their newest Chosen.
Theme Song: Yes - It Can Happen (Cinema Version)
Racing Duel Music: Yes - Love Will Find A Way
Gender: Male
Nationality: French
Age: 28
Current occupation: Race car driver
Distinct features: Clean combed back black hair, with a large white stripe in the center. Baby blue eyes, almost always seem closed. Thin mustache, wide upturned nose and mouth with regular skin tone. Slightly thin build with average height.
Choice of clothing: Fine suits are his wardrobe's modus operandi. Comes in many forms, but his favorite combine a silver slim fit suit vest and matching pants. Expensive accessories from a Rolex watch, fountain pens in his pockets, golden pins of various fancy shapes, and a pinned handcrafted gold trimmed rose (doubles as a hidden knife).
Cars: KTM X-BOW R, Alpine A110 (2017), Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GT Veloce, Maserati MC20, Renault R5 Turbo
Secretly referred to the as the family's little Bon Bon, Boniface is the last of 3 current generation of the infamous Richelieu of Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon: a family whose wealth surpasses many that of just about anyone in Europe thanks to their stake in developing nuclear products, particularly electrical power and energy developments worldwide. While the middle child handles this business without remorse, and the eldest sister being a very well known bounty hunter for the Assassin's Guild, Boniface himself gets his family name famous in sport, notably in race cars.
Unlike his Paris born sisters, Boniface was born when they've already retreated to Sainte-Croix. But from a young age, he was often sent to the capital to be raised by relatives, schooled in the most lofty of education institutions. As he grew up, he didn't get along with others of his age well, but rather preferred to be among other adults, eventually acting and getting along with them. While his maturity rised, his manners remained sloppy and smug, thus why he usually calls similarly aged persons barbarians, brutes, or whatever synonym he can figure out.
These connections would eventually lead to two of his life's greatest passions. Race car driving, and wine. After high school, he went on to quickly pursue them. Eventually, he would become a famed touring car racer, notably as the sport's purely clean racer with a near perfect clean race record. His interest in wine would lead them to his other life as a wine connoisseur, releasing weekly reviews to his online website. An open learner whose recently graduated with a Major in English Literature, Boniface's current focus is to help his family's financial issues, with its problems stemming from his sister's newly diagnosed complications in her heart.
Thanks to burying the hatchet with his long time Scottish rival, he's found yet another path to take in being the recurring champion of the Supercar Festival. But those skills are put to the test as he inadvertently made his way into the ranks of The Prophecy as their newest Chosen.
Once a youthful, late 90s racing powerhouse with family fortunes secured his good life as the strategic and composed mastermind behind the Kirkham Foundation of Medical Sciences. This Manchester native is settled for many lives worth of riches, racing world influence and overall standing in his many fields, but he requires the help of a few worthy others to achieve the goal of housing the fastest racers on the planet.
Theme Song: Coldplay - White Shadows, Coldplay - Paradise (Epic Orchestral Cover by Carl Abelgas & its_draconix)
Racing Duel Music: Electric Lights Orchestra - Prologue + Twilight
Gender: Male
Nationality: British
Age: 41
Current occupation: Corporate director
Distinct features: Medium sized, clean cut straight grey hair with white edges. Wide oblong oval face, with hints of wrinkling. Thick narrow nubian nose with often dried out mouth of average size. Slightly tall, very fit build covered by strongly pale skin.
Choice of clothing: No real preference outside of what's British. Functional is what matters. He's often with designer clothing that make him look and feel youthful, such as a puffy jacket over shirt and jeans, bright tracksuits and if anything is formal, it's brightly colored.
Cars: McLaren F1, Abarth 500, BAC Mono
Nash was birthed in his current home turf of Manchester. A rich upper classman of Whalley Range, Nash might be born with wealth on his pocket from day 1 due to his father's role as the figurehead of long time pharmaceutical megacompany: the Kirkham Foundation. But he wasn't quite blessed in other ways. His mother passed from childbirth, and his father's not long for the world with a terminal illness. With connected family unwilling to support this dying cause, Nash was left with the family fortune from age 10. However, his father's advice never left him: he's to only trust himself, and never to let anyone give them a chance to take away the family riches.
With that advice in mind, he's left his lofty life of a giant mansion with servants on every whim to enroll himself to the best, with loyal corporate figures acting as his legal guardians, ensuring he would come up to grow as the future of the company. His trust issues would plague him until he would scuffle with a boy who would grow up to be the UK's street racing pioneer known as The Messiah. Said boy would change Nash for the better, being the first person he would open to, and declare as his brother: a role still going strong today. His bitterness towards others would end, as this period of comforting his always angry brother would give way to Nash's overall kind spiritedness coming out.
Reaching adulthood, Nash balanced out his new role as the Foundation director with the life he yearned to find, and he looked hard. Upon suggestion by his brother was track racing, and while his brother was unfortunate, Nash went on to be a GT racing icon after his debut years, meeting many others in this career. But the good times never last, as he was diagnosed by a rare form of albinism that caused his body to age quicker than usual. While his foundation went far to develop a cure, nothing fruitful arose. His undying dedication to this cure had him hit the books, so hard that it earned him great honors in medical sciences and economics. As he would take on an American protege to give his racing wisdom, he's uncertain of his fate, and adopted a successor to give down his company due to an old friend's promise.
These days, Nash's undiagnosed condition prevents him from racing in his name, despite being in peak physical form, but he's usually out and about racing various top racing fields as the Mysterious NZ. And if he's not co-hosting Sim Gear with his brother, he's scheming away his latest big dedicated project known as the Mythic Initiative. Now with six in tow, he's hoping to rid the discord caused by his own protege entering a dark chapter, hoping that the choice never has to come..
Theme Song: Coldplay - White Shadows, Coldplay - Paradise (Epic Orchestral Cover by Carl Abelgas & its_draconix)
Racing Duel Music: Electric Lights Orchestra - Prologue + Twilight
Gender: Male
Nationality: British
Age: 41
Current occupation: Corporate director
Distinct features: Medium sized, clean cut straight grey hair with white edges. Wide oblong oval face, with hints of wrinkling. Thick narrow nubian nose with often dried out mouth of average size. Slightly tall, very fit build covered by strongly pale skin.
Choice of clothing: No real preference outside of what's British. Functional is what matters. He's often with designer clothing that make him look and feel youthful, such as a puffy jacket over shirt and jeans, bright tracksuits and if anything is formal, it's brightly colored.
Cars: McLaren F1, Abarth 500, BAC Mono
Nash was birthed in his current home turf of Manchester. A rich upper classman of Whalley Range, Nash might be born with wealth on his pocket from day 1 due to his father's role as the figurehead of long time pharmaceutical megacompany: the Kirkham Foundation. But he wasn't quite blessed in other ways. His mother passed from childbirth, and his father's not long for the world with a terminal illness. With connected family unwilling to support this dying cause, Nash was left with the family fortune from age 10. However, his father's advice never left him: he's to only trust himself, and never to let anyone give them a chance to take away the family riches.
With that advice in mind, he's left his lofty life of a giant mansion with servants on every whim to enroll himself to the best, with loyal corporate figures acting as his legal guardians, ensuring he would come up to grow as the future of the company. His trust issues would plague him until he would scuffle with a boy who would grow up to be the UK's street racing pioneer known as The Messiah. Said boy would change Nash for the better, being the first person he would open to, and declare as his brother: a role still going strong today. His bitterness towards others would end, as this period of comforting his always angry brother would give way to Nash's overall kind spiritedness coming out.
Reaching adulthood, Nash balanced out his new role as the Foundation director with the life he yearned to find, and he looked hard. Upon suggestion by his brother was track racing, and while his brother was unfortunate, Nash went on to be a GT racing icon after his debut years, meeting many others in this career. But the good times never last, as he was diagnosed by a rare form of albinism that caused his body to age quicker than usual. While his foundation went far to develop a cure, nothing fruitful arose. His undying dedication to this cure had him hit the books, so hard that it earned him great honors in medical sciences and economics. As he would take on an American protege to give his racing wisdom, he's uncertain of his fate, and adopted a successor to give down his company due to an old friend's promise.
These days, Nash's undiagnosed condition prevents him from racing in his name, despite being in peak physical form, but he's usually out and about racing various top racing fields as the Mysterious NZ. And if he's not co-hosting Sim Gear with his brother, he's scheming away his latest big dedicated project known as the Mythic Initiative. Now with six in tow, he's hoping to rid the discord caused by his own protege entering a dark chapter, hoping that the choice never has to come..
Bound by yellow, this Canadian sweet talking, sexy sensual stunt actress may be a sweet little rose, but behind all that posterior, many find out that roses have thorns. In Miranda's case, they might as well be dual layers of barbed wire.
Theme Song: Nazareth - May The Sunshine
Racing Duel Music: The Cult - Spiritwalker
Gender: Female
Nationality: Canadian
Age: 29
Current occupation: Stunt actress
Distinct features: Thick yellow (not blonde) medium curly hair. Heart shaped face. Long and narrow, heavily lashed brown eyes. Thin nose and narrow lips. Yellowish hinted makeup with peach lipstick. Average height, petite muscular build, with above average proportions.
Choice of clothing: Rise and shine, it's all yellow here. Usually in her home turf, she's found with a form fitting sun dress, stockings and yellow pumps, along with gold bangles and jewelleries. Changes to shorter skirted dresses on higher heat, or thick fur coats with boots on colder. Importantly there's some yellow on it.
Cars: Mercedes-AMG C 63 S
The only child of a rural family hailing from a small lakeside community within Alberta, Canada. Miranda's early days usually has her time spent around the meadows, prairies and lakes of her hometown. She's unconditionally loved her parents: her fisherman father, and also her artist mother. Naturally, she's picked up small hints of their talent: namely physical prowess and the artist's keenness, all behind a face that's constantly calm, gentle and smiling.
However, the simple happy life finds a bump when the father's diagnosed and passes away from leukemia. His final words etched onto the small family's mind: find and keep chasing the light. Unsure, Miranda leaves the small village and ventures on to the city to find a chance at life for her teenage self. She's reached various lows, and times would come where an aggressive self has to emerge so she can stand out. There were many chances, but the light she eventually settled in was in the school of theatre arts.
Eventually transitioning into being stars for low budget shows and films, Miranda breaks it big over time and finds herself in the humble beginnings of top tier Hollywood, part of the small but well grounded Aurea Signum Studios. The hard worked efforts of the small family pays off as they're able to live comfortably within this lofty side of America.
Nowadays, she makes up a trio that's inclusive of her ex-boyfriend: a fellow stunt actor guised as a chubby ravishing Dutchman and her steward: a hard thinking British biker slash psychologist. An obvious team mom, sweet soul sister and always keeping face, Miranda usually finds herself short of cash due to her spending habits, and finds herself doing odd jobs, usually either as a fledgling street racer, or being involved in whatever her ex-boyfriend comes up with in his car smuggling business.
Theme Song: Nazareth - May The Sunshine
Racing Duel Music: The Cult - Spiritwalker
Gender: Female
Nationality: Canadian
Age: 29
Current occupation: Stunt actress
Distinct features: Thick yellow (not blonde) medium curly hair. Heart shaped face. Long and narrow, heavily lashed brown eyes. Thin nose and narrow lips. Yellowish hinted makeup with peach lipstick. Average height, petite muscular build, with above average proportions.
Choice of clothing: Rise and shine, it's all yellow here. Usually in her home turf, she's found with a form fitting sun dress, stockings and yellow pumps, along with gold bangles and jewelleries. Changes to shorter skirted dresses on higher heat, or thick fur coats with boots on colder. Importantly there's some yellow on it.
Cars: Mercedes-AMG C 63 S
The only child of a rural family hailing from a small lakeside community within Alberta, Canada. Miranda's early days usually has her time spent around the meadows, prairies and lakes of her hometown. She's unconditionally loved her parents: her fisherman father, and also her artist mother. Naturally, she's picked up small hints of their talent: namely physical prowess and the artist's keenness, all behind a face that's constantly calm, gentle and smiling.
However, the simple happy life finds a bump when the father's diagnosed and passes away from leukemia. His final words etched onto the small family's mind: find and keep chasing the light. Unsure, Miranda leaves the small village and ventures on to the city to find a chance at life for her teenage self. She's reached various lows, and times would come where an aggressive self has to emerge so she can stand out. There were many chances, but the light she eventually settled in was in the school of theatre arts.
Eventually transitioning into being stars for low budget shows and films, Miranda breaks it big over time and finds herself in the humble beginnings of top tier Hollywood, part of the small but well grounded Aurea Signum Studios. The hard worked efforts of the small family pays off as they're able to live comfortably within this lofty side of America.
Nowadays, she makes up a trio that's inclusive of her ex-boyfriend: a fellow stunt actor guised as a chubby ravishing Dutchman and her steward: a hard thinking British biker slash psychologist. An obvious team mom, sweet soul sister and always keeping face, Miranda usually finds herself short of cash due to her spending habits, and finds herself doing odd jobs, usually either as a fledgling street racer, or being involved in whatever her ex-boyfriend comes up with in his car smuggling business.
The most feared bounty hunter in all of Europe, maybe the whole world. An unstoppable wild killer, whose emotions are, to him, just a setback to the bigger picture. But there's more to him than just a savage, remorseless shell honed to kill.
Theme Song: Yngwie J. Malmsteen - Perpetual
Racing Duel Music: Yngwie J. Malmsteen - Gates of Babylon
Gender: Male
Nationality: Swedish
Age: 36
Current occupation: Bounty hunter
Distinct features: Balding swept back parted blonde hair. Notable skin damage, scarring and blemishes on his aggressive, top wide then lower thin oval face. Small patch beard. Tall, and fairly muscular on a thin body.
Choice of clothing: Thick leather gloves and steel tipped industrial boots covered by industrial coveralls, usually only worn by the leggings. Tight fit striped shirt, padded with protection. A fur jacket covers the top when weather is cold.
Cars: Bugatti Veyron 16.4, Volvo V40 T5 R-Design
Known mainly as the Hel Walker or the Grim Reaper. Rodulf is probably one of the best, and just as merciless and ruthless bounty hunters known to man. But his humble origins from Kiruna have been rather normal. He was a shy, but cool star basketball player in his small community growing up, and was prepared for a life going pro on just playing sports. There, he learned that teamwork has been a core part of achieving a goal. But all this does is reinforce his feelings as a man who works and operates alone. This is because as he was to exit high school, he would play his last match with his team before being the sole survivor in a plane hijacking, indirectly caused by, as he found out personally, a terrorist organization.
With all ties gone due to his death being presumed, the still young Rodulf learned how to survive in the cold Swedish wilds, from living off the grid, and eventually kill. Knowing enough of those who buried his past in the snow, he would begin a long and hard pursuit of these individuals, and he would learn to hone his killer instinct, put aside his sympathetic personality and get stronger after each kill. The cold bloody war would end as he would end the terrorists by his own hand. However, due to the leader being bound by a certain organization's protective contract, the just as feared Assassin's Guild would take action and send their best assassins to find and apprehend him. Mercilessly, Rodulf didn't think twice and put him on their radar when he sent these assassins back to their masters in boxes.
And he wouldn't stop there: he rampaged his way to the inner circle of this organization and by stroke of luck they instead managed to calm him and inserted him into the group to protect themselves. Now, the life of high stakes killing begun anew, with his specially armor plated Veyron being the testament of his nearly decade reign. The Guild would then place a major base within Kiruna, specifically near Rodulf's older stomping grounds.
While savage and likes to hold grudges, those who do luckily know Rodulf can find a quiet man who thinks to himself a lot, and while scars are all over his body, he can be quite aloof, menacing and anti social. While he's feared and protected, Rodulf can sometimes be found racing legally in the FIA in Group 1 Bugattis. He would make use of this relationship to bolster his driving talent with his own car. Some rumors speak of him clashing with a few racers personally, but nothing has happened on this end. Right now, he has his eyes on The List, with an eager gaze towards the man behind the strings..
Theme Song: Yngwie J. Malmsteen - Perpetual
Racing Duel Music: Yngwie J. Malmsteen - Gates of Babylon
Gender: Male
Nationality: Swedish
Age: 36
Current occupation: Bounty hunter
Distinct features: Balding swept back parted blonde hair. Notable skin damage, scarring and blemishes on his aggressive, top wide then lower thin oval face. Small patch beard. Tall, and fairly muscular on a thin body.
Choice of clothing: Thick leather gloves and steel tipped industrial boots covered by industrial coveralls, usually only worn by the leggings. Tight fit striped shirt, padded with protection. A fur jacket covers the top when weather is cold.
Cars: Bugatti Veyron 16.4, Volvo V40 T5 R-Design
Known mainly as the Hel Walker or the Grim Reaper. Rodulf is probably one of the best, and just as merciless and ruthless bounty hunters known to man. But his humble origins from Kiruna have been rather normal. He was a shy, but cool star basketball player in his small community growing up, and was prepared for a life going pro on just playing sports. There, he learned that teamwork has been a core part of achieving a goal. But all this does is reinforce his feelings as a man who works and operates alone. This is because as he was to exit high school, he would play his last match with his team before being the sole survivor in a plane hijacking, indirectly caused by, as he found out personally, a terrorist organization.
With all ties gone due to his death being presumed, the still young Rodulf learned how to survive in the cold Swedish wilds, from living off the grid, and eventually kill. Knowing enough of those who buried his past in the snow, he would begin a long and hard pursuit of these individuals, and he would learn to hone his killer instinct, put aside his sympathetic personality and get stronger after each kill. The cold bloody war would end as he would end the terrorists by his own hand. However, due to the leader being bound by a certain organization's protective contract, the just as feared Assassin's Guild would take action and send their best assassins to find and apprehend him. Mercilessly, Rodulf didn't think twice and put him on their radar when he sent these assassins back to their masters in boxes.
And he wouldn't stop there: he rampaged his way to the inner circle of this organization and by stroke of luck they instead managed to calm him and inserted him into the group to protect themselves. Now, the life of high stakes killing begun anew, with his specially armor plated Veyron being the testament of his nearly decade reign. The Guild would then place a major base within Kiruna, specifically near Rodulf's older stomping grounds.
While savage and likes to hold grudges, those who do luckily know Rodulf can find a quiet man who thinks to himself a lot, and while scars are all over his body, he can be quite aloof, menacing and anti social. While he's feared and protected, Rodulf can sometimes be found racing legally in the FIA in Group 1 Bugattis. He would make use of this relationship to bolster his driving talent with his own car. Some rumors speak of him clashing with a few racers personally, but nothing has happened on this end. Right now, he has his eyes on The List, with an eager gaze towards the man behind the strings..
A former marine, with the deadly combination of being a silent, two-faced sneak and an all American underworld justicar, laying down verdicts he so chooses with either the soothing tunes of jazz, or a high powered sniper rifle.
Theme Song: Soundgarden - Hands All Over
Gender: Male
Nationality: American
Age: 37
Current occupation: Hitman for hire
Distinct features: Unkempt, scruffy medium black hair. Face is mostly shrunk like, with notably small brown eyes, tiny nose, and unpronounced mouth. Thin mustache and chin strap beard. Often mistaken as Asian, but actually Caucasian. Slightly tall, thin muscular build with semi-long proportions on his limbs.
Choice of clothing: Hides his eyes behind well spent large teardrop sunglasses. A black fedora to match his overall dark suits and their grey hints. Strong penchant for classy, black tie clothing, and it's always seen dark.
Cars: Chevrolet Camaro SS
A man with arms bonded for handling the heft of 50 calibre rifles, and moreso for nicer suits. Before going as Emile in the underworld, he would be known as The Black Flash, named as a play of his Boston Massachusetts origin, and also of his origins as a major player in the killing fields. But it never truly started there. Emile wasn't smart, or notably talented. But he was fit. So he went to the military the first chance he got in his late teens, helped by his semi wealthy, but all around patriotic family and upbringing.
Becoming a peerless man with a sniper rifle, Emile's focus was true and his shots probably truer. He would earn his military honors along with his squadron that included a traumatic youth, a defender of the American way, and a soon to be senator. But one year, after a tour in the Middle East, he came home with his family brutally slaughtered and his home savaged. With all the resources at his grasp, his well honed focus was turned to an even finer slice of vengeance. His unrelenting force would bring those responsible to their graves, and he would leave no stone unturned, bringing a small hint of his intents to anyone else involved: through death.
It was by the end of that rampage that Emile grew to be permanently somber. His pride for the all red white and blue was turned to a shadow, and he would believe that if nobody was to help others to becoming him, he would be the one to do it. With a reputation in the criminal world, the now renowned Black Flash has a creed: a self regarded 'good guy', only accepting contracts against notably terrible figures. Some would say he would rival the Trinitia, of which one he learned of her ways personally as fellow mates: a cybernetically enhanced femme fatale known as the Killer of Killers.
Always based in California, should he have to leave the States, it must mean serious business.
Theme Song: Soundgarden - Hands All Over
Gender: Male
Nationality: American
Age: 37
Current occupation: Hitman for hire
Distinct features: Unkempt, scruffy medium black hair. Face is mostly shrunk like, with notably small brown eyes, tiny nose, and unpronounced mouth. Thin mustache and chin strap beard. Often mistaken as Asian, but actually Caucasian. Slightly tall, thin muscular build with semi-long proportions on his limbs.
Choice of clothing: Hides his eyes behind well spent large teardrop sunglasses. A black fedora to match his overall dark suits and their grey hints. Strong penchant for classy, black tie clothing, and it's always seen dark.
Cars: Chevrolet Camaro SS
A man with arms bonded for handling the heft of 50 calibre rifles, and moreso for nicer suits. Before going as Emile in the underworld, he would be known as The Black Flash, named as a play of his Boston Massachusetts origin, and also of his origins as a major player in the killing fields. But it never truly started there. Emile wasn't smart, or notably talented. But he was fit. So he went to the military the first chance he got in his late teens, helped by his semi wealthy, but all around patriotic family and upbringing.
Becoming a peerless man with a sniper rifle, Emile's focus was true and his shots probably truer. He would earn his military honors along with his squadron that included a traumatic youth, a defender of the American way, and a soon to be senator. But one year, after a tour in the Middle East, he came home with his family brutally slaughtered and his home savaged. With all the resources at his grasp, his well honed focus was turned to an even finer slice of vengeance. His unrelenting force would bring those responsible to their graves, and he would leave no stone unturned, bringing a small hint of his intents to anyone else involved: through death.
It was by the end of that rampage that Emile grew to be permanently somber. His pride for the all red white and blue was turned to a shadow, and he would believe that if nobody was to help others to becoming him, he would be the one to do it. With a reputation in the criminal world, the now renowned Black Flash has a creed: a self regarded 'good guy', only accepting contracts against notably terrible figures. Some would say he would rival the Trinitia, of which one he learned of her ways personally as fellow mates: a cybernetically enhanced femme fatale known as the Killer of Killers.
Always based in California, should he have to leave the States, it must mean serious business.
Ama's entire life has been behind a shadow, always being second place. But this lustful devil puts herself at a prominent position as a killer and a bounty hunter on the rise, thanks to opportunities arising that work well with her renewed, sexy business plans.
Theme Song: Pearl Jam - Why Go
Gender: Female
Nationality: French
Age: 33
Current occupation: Bounty hunter
Distinct features: Dyed dark green long straight hair, with heavy makeup. Rounded triangular facial features. Overall face gives off a masculine Nordic vibes, with green heavily lashed almond shaped eyes, thick nose and mouth. Tall, caucasian figure with a large voluptuous body with bare hint of muscles.
Choice of clothing: Depending on the moment, the outside clothing varies, from needing a thick jacket or not. There's always a tight body fitted combat suit with sharp heels under all of that.
Cars: Porsche 911 Carrera RS (964), Porsche 911 Turbo S (992)
A lustful passionate emerald, Amadine is the first of 3 current generation of the infamous Richelieu of Sainte-Croix-du-Vernon: a family whose wealth surpasses many that of just about anyone in Europe thanks to their stake in developing nuclear products, particularly electrical power and energy developments worldwide. While the middle child handles this business without remorse, and the youngest son dabbles in top level racing, Ama finds herself in the business of bounty hunting, also within the shadows of her many nemeses.
If there's one thing anyone knows about this family, it's that money never is an issue for the Richelieu. Before the family retreated to the south east edge of the country, she was born and raised in the elite classes of France's rich within Paris city borders, Amadine soon found her calling in life thanks to many part in her physical prowess, dexterity and strength. Her affinity for green stems when she was playfully called She-Hulk by her peers as she grew more built and more savage like in her teenage days, even though she gained a more associative and an opportunistic way of thinking then. It wasn't an issue for her; rather it's her way of remembering what she likes of her past. Upon reaching adulthood, she would dabble into various medium catered for adults: a passion she shares with her little brother, though it got her to that personality she's always clinged toward today.
With her first kill from an individual that has been heavily abusing his wealth against her own family's, Ama learned said thrill firsthand, and became a self taught killer, assisted by her family and wealth. Working as a private hire BDSM by day, her unique flair slowly reveals, especially with the use of calling cards. While not exactly famous, Ama's also the only known survivor from a one on one battle against the most feared assassin in the world: one of the Trinita L'Assassina known as the Killer of Killers. She's serious about her work, but she's also known to toy around her victims, challengers.. perhaps anyone she's keen to meet with her own two eyes.
Theme Song: Pearl Jam - Why Go
Gender: Female
Nationality: French
Age: 33
Current occupation: Bounty hunter
Distinct features: Dyed dark green long straight hair, with heavy makeup. Rounded triangular facial features. Overall face gives off a masculine Nordic vibes, with green heavily lashed almond shaped eyes, thick nose and mouth. Tall, caucasian figure with a large voluptuous body with bare hint of muscles.
Choice of clothing: Depending on the moment, the outside clothing varies, from needing a thick jacket or not. There's always a tight body fitted combat suit with sharp heels under all of that.
Cars: Porsche 911 Carrera RS (964), Porsche 911 Turbo S (992)
A lustful passionate emerald, Amadine is the first of 3 current generation of the infamous Richelieu of Sainte-Croix-du-Vernon: a family whose wealth surpasses many that of just about anyone in Europe thanks to their stake in developing nuclear products, particularly electrical power and energy developments worldwide. While the middle child handles this business without remorse, and the youngest son dabbles in top level racing, Ama finds herself in the business of bounty hunting, also within the shadows of her many nemeses.
If there's one thing anyone knows about this family, it's that money never is an issue for the Richelieu. Before the family retreated to the south east edge of the country, she was born and raised in the elite classes of France's rich within Paris city borders, Amadine soon found her calling in life thanks to many part in her physical prowess, dexterity and strength. Her affinity for green stems when she was playfully called She-Hulk by her peers as she grew more built and more savage like in her teenage days, even though she gained a more associative and an opportunistic way of thinking then. It wasn't an issue for her; rather it's her way of remembering what she likes of her past. Upon reaching adulthood, she would dabble into various medium catered for adults: a passion she shares with her little brother, though it got her to that personality she's always clinged toward today.
With her first kill from an individual that has been heavily abusing his wealth against her own family's, Ama learned said thrill firsthand, and became a self taught killer, assisted by her family and wealth. Working as a private hire BDSM by day, her unique flair slowly reveals, especially with the use of calling cards. While not exactly famous, Ama's also the only known survivor from a one on one battle against the most feared assassin in the world: one of the Trinita L'Assassina known as the Killer of Killers. She's serious about her work, but she's also known to toy around her victims, challengers.. perhaps anyone she's keen to meet with her own two eyes.
A technological marvel with a sharp finesse in her life ending work that got her the moniker of the Killer of Killers. Formerly the most sought out assassin for hire, she now lives in refuge under a guise, hoping nobody would find her unless you have a problem and no one else can help..
Theme Song: KMFDM - Professional Killer
Racing Duel Music: KMFDM - Virus (Pestilence Mix)
Gender: Female
Nationality: French
Age: 30
Current occupation: Maid? (obviously in disguise, she's actually the self proclaimed greatest assassin in the world)
Distinct features: Black, medium well combed right side bob, aggressively blonde when portraying her maid Minori personality. Smooth triangular face. Thin green almond eyes, thin tall nose with wide tip, and narrow mouth. Slight perky, blemished cheeks. Shiny white teeth that seem unnatural (actually bombs). Bright caucasian skin, with average height, weight and proportions. Small creases over arms and legs (actually hidden blades).
Choice of clothing: Your usual frilly maid outfit (definitely not intended). Outside, she's usually wearing a dark colored halterneck blouse/tank top, with black jeans and comfort slippers. Wears a red butterfly clip (actually a hidden knife), a golden set of bangles on her left hand (actually a hidden taser), and a large banded watch on her right (hiding the barrel of a hidden gun in her arm)
Cars: Ferrari F40, Renault R4 GTL
Perhaps the most well known member of the Assassin's Guild that serves as the example to not follow for any prospective killer due to her actions of infamy. Taking on a rural upbringing just out in the hillsides of the Pyrenees, this killer to be had a name, and being the only child of a family. Taken by an unknown sickness, her father left the family, forcing her to migrate with her mother to find better pastures. While they found refuge within a millionaire's estate, the man was a predator by the definition, taking his mother to satisfy his pleasures while the lone child would run away finding that truth out with intents to exploit it. Being on the lam by child police and this richman's associates, she learned to not only hate men, but also to hide and survive.
She would then meet one of the very few men she can respect: a Catholic priest who took her in. Informing him of her farmland origins, the christened Gino would come through living on and off the sanctified church grounds, using this time to hone her athletic and martial skills. However, as she came to adulthood, the men in pursuit of her finally caught up, and further her hatred of these people by not only destroying anything she comes to contact with, but also using their influence and wealth to frame her for that act. To get back at these people, Gino would conduct the perfect crime: one she's been planning ever since her arrival. To get this near impossible task done is to help kindle her inner perfectionist, but put her on the most wanted list in the country.
Her escape all the way to the southernmost side of the country got the attention of the Richelieu family, who would massively profit of these crimes indirectly, and thus led to their favor for her. Befriending the profit minded alpha and her wine loving little brother, the once again renamed Ginoa had revenge in her heart, now striking anyone who would exploit the poor, declaring herself a self serving assassin based by the Richelieu's turf. Her most pivotal moment in this career came when she was to bring to the end of an experimental surgeon: the man who would grant her artificial augmentations of her body who apparently was a high ranking member of the Assassin's Guild. This eventual clashing would lead to her joining, as well as the birth of the Trinitia L'Assassina that stemmed from their efficient, effective service.
Within this organization and thanks to the jealousy of the Richelieu matriarch, Ginoa finds herself travelling all over the world, even mastering a roster of languages, but these days finds herself hiding away in the center of Los Angeles, unwilling to step out of this shadow for the amounts of deathly gazes awaiting to end her. She did however learn two more important life lessons thanks to a few close friends, inclusive of The Black Flash, her short gang leader lover and an angry fellow known as The Messiah: vengeance is a strong motivator, and similarly so is love.
Theme Song: KMFDM - Professional Killer
Racing Duel Music: KMFDM - Virus (Pestilence Mix)
Gender: Female
Nationality: French
Age: 30
Current occupation: Maid? (obviously in disguise, she's actually the self proclaimed greatest assassin in the world)
Distinct features: Black, medium well combed right side bob, aggressively blonde when portraying her maid Minori personality. Smooth triangular face. Thin green almond eyes, thin tall nose with wide tip, and narrow mouth. Slight perky, blemished cheeks. Shiny white teeth that seem unnatural (actually bombs). Bright caucasian skin, with average height, weight and proportions. Small creases over arms and legs (actually hidden blades).
Choice of clothing: Your usual frilly maid outfit (definitely not intended). Outside, she's usually wearing a dark colored halterneck blouse/tank top, with black jeans and comfort slippers. Wears a red butterfly clip (actually a hidden knife), a golden set of bangles on her left hand (actually a hidden taser), and a large banded watch on her right (hiding the barrel of a hidden gun in her arm)
Cars: Ferrari F40, Renault R4 GTL
Perhaps the most well known member of the Assassin's Guild that serves as the example to not follow for any prospective killer due to her actions of infamy. Taking on a rural upbringing just out in the hillsides of the Pyrenees, this killer to be had a name, and being the only child of a family. Taken by an unknown sickness, her father left the family, forcing her to migrate with her mother to find better pastures. While they found refuge within a millionaire's estate, the man was a predator by the definition, taking his mother to satisfy his pleasures while the lone child would run away finding that truth out with intents to exploit it. Being on the lam by child police and this richman's associates, she learned to not only hate men, but also to hide and survive.
She would then meet one of the very few men she can respect: a Catholic priest who took her in. Informing him of her farmland origins, the christened Gino would come through living on and off the sanctified church grounds, using this time to hone her athletic and martial skills. However, as she came to adulthood, the men in pursuit of her finally caught up, and further her hatred of these people by not only destroying anything she comes to contact with, but also using their influence and wealth to frame her for that act. To get back at these people, Gino would conduct the perfect crime: one she's been planning ever since her arrival. To get this near impossible task done is to help kindle her inner perfectionist, but put her on the most wanted list in the country.
Her escape all the way to the southernmost side of the country got the attention of the Richelieu family, who would massively profit of these crimes indirectly, and thus led to their favor for her. Befriending the profit minded alpha and her wine loving little brother, the once again renamed Ginoa had revenge in her heart, now striking anyone who would exploit the poor, declaring herself a self serving assassin based by the Richelieu's turf. Her most pivotal moment in this career came when she was to bring to the end of an experimental surgeon: the man who would grant her artificial augmentations of her body who apparently was a high ranking member of the Assassin's Guild. This eventual clashing would lead to her joining, as well as the birth of the Trinitia L'Assassina that stemmed from their efficient, effective service.
Within this organization and thanks to the jealousy of the Richelieu matriarch, Ginoa finds herself travelling all over the world, even mastering a roster of languages, but these days finds herself hiding away in the center of Los Angeles, unwilling to step out of this shadow for the amounts of deathly gazes awaiting to end her. She did however learn two more important life lessons thanks to a few close friends, inclusive of The Black Flash, her short gang leader lover and an angry fellow known as The Messiah: vengeance is a strong motivator, and similarly so is love.
Hailed as the Sports Diva from Down Under, Quinlan's a bona fide master in the physical contest of contests. A recent graduate of the world racing league's B License, her great muscles isn't the only secret of hers she's keeping tabs on.
Theme Song: Judas Priest - Hard As Iron
Racing Duel Music: Toyah - Thunder In The Mountains
Gender: Female
Nationality: Australian
Age: 33
Current occupation: Sports personality, prominently as a tennis player
Distinct features: Long bright orange hair, often tied in a pair of split braids. Wide almond shaped pale blue eyes, thin but thick skinned slab nose and small mouth. Her caucasian skin's always shiny. Semi-tall and has a defined muscular, built body.
Choice of clothing: 'A show of her greatly honed skin when she can' is her motto on this, usually wearing a sporty tank top with tight sports shorts, with a jacket either worn or wrapped around her waist. There are sporty shoes and sports sunglasses to complement.
Cars: Lamborghini Urus, Renault Sport Mégane R.S. Trophy, Toyota Tundra TRD Pro, Suzuki Jimny XC
Gold Coast born Quinlan was the second of a whole horde of children. She never had an issue getting past the ropes of life with her siblings, who frequent the beaches there. Thanks to her father's role as a pro surfer, and her mother being a lifeguard of one of the many beaches there, Quinlan had no issue with meeting people and also getting to know the active lifestyle she gets frequent exposure from. Reaching puberty, she however gained one other interest due to her body somehow developing muscular. Compounded by how ridiculed she was in school of her size, she knew this was the calling she needed to stand out and shield her ego: through strength.
Without a remarkable education, Quinlan went straight into sports, getting scholarships for various sports academies and fields. However the result, her jolly character seems to be a perseverant one where she never has a notion to give up in any slight. Though, behind all this muscle was still this psychologically inept woman, who would be taken advantage of by certain criminal elements in Australia. It didn't take long for her to think enough is enough, leading to a mental snap and a new aggression began from there. To the public, it gave them a positive role model to follow, and for the underworld a new killer threat thanks to her behind the scenes actions towards.
In one clash, she was put in a bind, but was saved and proceeded to clean up a large sports corruption scandal thanks to the Assassin's Guild, specifically from a feminist cool cyborg, with another sadistic blood knight. Joining in as an athletic powerful giant, these women would end up being known as the Trinitia: a triple threat of women that would be deemed unstoppable should they come together, though in their heads and ideals that's not quite the case, enough to cause a hostile rift.
Jumping from sport to sport, she recently gotten her hands into racing cars. Though, her growth seemed to be drastically larger than your run of the mill racer. Rumors report that she seems to have contact with the infamous Outlaw, though no direct reasoning has been confirmed.
Theme Song: Judas Priest - Hard As Iron
Racing Duel Music: Toyah - Thunder In The Mountains
Gender: Female
Nationality: Australian
Age: 33
Current occupation: Sports personality, prominently as a tennis player
Distinct features: Long bright orange hair, often tied in a pair of split braids. Wide almond shaped pale blue eyes, thin but thick skinned slab nose and small mouth. Her caucasian skin's always shiny. Semi-tall and has a defined muscular, built body.
Choice of clothing: 'A show of her greatly honed skin when she can' is her motto on this, usually wearing a sporty tank top with tight sports shorts, with a jacket either worn or wrapped around her waist. There are sporty shoes and sports sunglasses to complement.
Cars: Lamborghini Urus, Renault Sport Mégane R.S. Trophy, Toyota Tundra TRD Pro, Suzuki Jimny XC
Gold Coast born Quinlan was the second of a whole horde of children. She never had an issue getting past the ropes of life with her siblings, who frequent the beaches there. Thanks to her father's role as a pro surfer, and her mother being a lifeguard of one of the many beaches there, Quinlan had no issue with meeting people and also getting to know the active lifestyle she gets frequent exposure from. Reaching puberty, she however gained one other interest due to her body somehow developing muscular. Compounded by how ridiculed she was in school of her size, she knew this was the calling she needed to stand out and shield her ego: through strength.
Without a remarkable education, Quinlan went straight into sports, getting scholarships for various sports academies and fields. However the result, her jolly character seems to be a perseverant one where she never has a notion to give up in any slight. Though, behind all this muscle was still this psychologically inept woman, who would be taken advantage of by certain criminal elements in Australia. It didn't take long for her to think enough is enough, leading to a mental snap and a new aggression began from there. To the public, it gave them a positive role model to follow, and for the underworld a new killer threat thanks to her behind the scenes actions towards.
In one clash, she was put in a bind, but was saved and proceeded to clean up a large sports corruption scandal thanks to the Assassin's Guild, specifically from a feminist cool cyborg, with another sadistic blood knight. Joining in as an athletic powerful giant, these women would end up being known as the Trinitia: a triple threat of women that would be deemed unstoppable should they come together, though in their heads and ideals that's not quite the case, enough to cause a hostile rift.
Jumping from sport to sport, she recently gotten her hands into racing cars. Though, her growth seemed to be drastically larger than your run of the mill racer. Rumors report that she seems to have contact with the infamous Outlaw, though no direct reasoning has been confirmed.
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