#;caemthe

[guhamun]

STANDING BESIDE JIYAN, HE CROSSED his arms, saying nothing as the General spoke to both his Hounds and the Midnight Rangers. It was…surprising, still, to him, that this man would do this much. Had any other been in their place, he would have found the speech they gave to be insincere no different from that of a politician trying to win over the masses. He had met many with silver tongues, but…everything about what left Jiyan’s lips was honest. Truly so. If he could sense it, then his Hounds could too. They were not often thanked for their service. Why would they be when they were only offering assistance for the sake of material gain? Even those whose hearts were not wholly focused on shell credits, would never work for free simply because someone asked them to. Silently he listened as other rangers began to speak, their words just as heartfelt as Jiyan’s were – their thanks just as genuine. Just like he had been surprised, his Hounds had been too. He could see it in their eyes, in the way some of their lips parted, and how wholly unguarded each was in the face of all of this.

     Perhaps it was because no one ever cared about their assistance in the same way that these people did. To another nation, they might just be equivalent to bodies in an army whose names were never uttered or even learned. Calcharo didn’t understand these people of Jinzhou. He wasn’t sure he ever would no matter how long he stayed in these lands, but all the same…even his cold, jaded heart felt…something. Was it pride for his Ghost Hounds? Was it another feeling entirely? He wasn’t really sure, nor was he sure how to put that unfamiliar feeling into words. It was the same thing he felt when he sat somewhere on high in the distance, looking over the city of Jinzhou and overlooking the people down below as they laughed and enjoyed their lives despite all the hardship around them. The apology that came from Jiyan was not surprising. Calcharo had expected that would be added into the speech itself, as well as the other words that followed after that. Even if he had expected it, such would still put his people at ease all the same.

     In the New Federation, you had to constantly be alert even when your environment seemed peaceful. It was that lapse, that lull, that always made people lose that caution. Here, though, it was easy to put aside old instincts and to let them fade until they were but a dull whisper in the background of one’s mind. Even if had managed to drop his own guard a little too.

     It was foolish of him…

     As soon as everything came back to him, he gave a small nod to Jiyan. ❝Thank you for your speech, General. It means much that you would take the time to offer it. To the Midnight Rangers, who spoke and offered those touching words, we too offer thanks to you as well.❞ There was a quick agreeance from his Ghost Hounds, the heavy air that had existed now clearer as each offered their own verbal thanks. This was something they needed to hear to boost their morale. ❝Now, then, with that lead off, I will give my own speech as I know you all expect it. All of you did your best, so don’t be hard on yourselves for any losses. The Outbreak was one we were not expecting since they have trickled down into the single digits, but we mustn’t lower our guards. Remember, peace is just a moment for us, and so we don’t get the luxury to enjoy it for too long. We will learn from this and train harder going forward. Keep your fangs sharp. That aside, later on today when things have settled, I wish to talk to you all about a deal that may be made with the General. I require your input on the matter before I make such a decision as it directly affects each and every one of you.❞

     He saw the intrigue.

     Truthfully, Calcharo already knew what their answer would be to his question. Even so, he would approach this as he always did when it concerned the group. ❝Until then, continue to assist one another and help where needed. We can’t have our Midnight Ranger comrades doing all the work on our headquarters, now can we?❞ Affirmatives were given, such all he needed to hear. ❝Good. Dismissed.❞ Only when everyone trickled out to resume whatever they had been doing previously, did he turn to find where he could help as well. With all these hands at work with bringing everything back to order, things should be done relatively quickly. For now, he wouldn’t think about anything else except for the task at hand.

"I'm afraid that I'm not a professional speaker, I'll just talk as the general of the Midnight Rangers." The truth was that he had never considered himself a public speaker. But, since he joined the Midnight Rangers when he still was a teen, he found himself in that position due to the circumstances. Back at the Riverside games, when him and other new recruits were being cornered by TD, someone needed to give them courage and fight back. Back at the camp, when the morale was low after an encounter with TD that took many lives, someone needed to break the depressing silence. At the war, when the rangers were dying left and right, haunted by delusions, someone needed to stand up and remind them why they became rangers in the first place. The number of times increased dramatically since he was assigned general, welcoming the new recruits, before any risky operation, after a bitter battle, countless times. He never had anything prepared for the occasion, he just spoke from the heart.

As he walked where all were gathered, he spotted Jianyu, which made him flash a subtle smile, nodding to greet the mercenary and his dreadmane. Once all eyes were on him and silence reigned, he spoke up. "Ghost Hounds, we meet in grievous circumstances, but I would like to introduce myself as I see new faces among your ranks. I am the general of the Midnight Rangers, Jiyan..." As he talked, the rangers and combat medics present moved closer, subtly making a group next to their general. "Since our agreement, your service in Jinzhou and its surroundings have represented a great aid to the Midnight Rangers. I can't thank you enough for your work that has saved the lives of many of our men and women. Our number of casualties and injured have dropped significantly with your assistance." The head of the combat medics nodded and told how the assistance of the mercenaries allowed them to treat a few gravely injured rangers in time. Another ranger stepped in to tell how two mercenaries helped held back a TD attack. In fact, everyone present had been in one way or another aided by the mercenaries, all familiar faces.

Once they were all done talking, the general spoke again. "That's why I would like to apologize for not corresponding the aid you've provided us these past years. Even if our alliance is a temporary one, you are our esteemed allies and warrant the same respect and dutifulness you've offered us. This calamity has shown me that we don't have the proper methods of communication or discussed plan to handle this and similar situations. That is unacceptable and I would like to fix that as soon as possible. Since this was a lack of foresight on our behalf, please let us take responsibility and aid until your base returns to its original glory." The message he wanted to send was that the Midnight Rangers would never leave them behind. It may sound noble to some, and a mutually beneficial agreement to others. After all, the Ghost Hounds were more 'useful' to the Midnight Rangers when in good shape. A practical way of thinking the general couldn't fully agree with (as he wasn't one to help to receive something in return), but would follow if that was what was asked of him. "Lastly, I would like to say that you're always welcome in Jinzhou. You're not outsiders to us. So, even if it's a temporary one, I hope that you see it as your home."

It was then that he turned to look at the leader of the mercenaries for a second before saying: "Your leader has an important matter to discuss with you, so I do not wish to take more of your time. The rangers and I will be assessing damage and working on reparations in the meantime."

[lunaetis]

@caemthe replied to your post :

cú vc: 🐶✨✨✨

​─「美沙夜」─  " missed me, pup ? " the sparks in his eyes made her own gaze soften a little, too. always so honest, this one. no wonder he's her favorite.

[incandescentia]

obligatory 'placing a cucumber next to luna when she isn't looking' ask!

This is a cat bullying!!! Cease this at once—

[nvrcmplt]

can i get a few boothill hcs regarding his daughter and children in general so i can bawl my eyes out please? 🥺

His Daughter - nameless at the moment - is one of the main reasons his life turned for the better. Though adopted by Nick and Gray, his light was passed on when he saw her alone and without anyone like himself. He didn't say anything more that day when he first held her in his arms. Mending her hurt knees, wiping tears, learning how to brush her hair without yanking knots and braiding pretty flowers into each braid. He made his life revolve around her from the moment he decided at that moment; 'she's my daughter.'

The day she died, murdered by the IPC was the day he no longer knew what happiness was. He no longer knew what the light side of life was like. He no longer knew what it meant to live with a purpose when he stared upon what he once called home with them.

The last thing he thought of was Her, when he went under the knife. She was everything to him. She was his home - so without her, the stars were his guidance to the nearest IPC Marketing Development Department member. His gun was loaded with their last breath. Aeragan-Epharshel, would be avenged, Nick would be avenged, Gray would be avenged, his Daughter will be avenged until he drops himself.

And he made sure, gods, he made sure that he'll take forever to collapse, no shabby humanoid body will kick the bucket with his upgrade and his determination fuelled by his hatred and anger.

Kids in general are the apple of his eye, he loves their innocence in the world. How they'll never know what it really means to be sad, hurt or lonely. Though he's not dumb enough to say they'll never know those things, some parents don't deserve their children, he knows that the majority are sweet brats. Folks of the youngest of ages that just want to thrive and live, play hopscotch, kick the can, shot beer bottles with their guardians.

Children are to be protected no matter what.

If he wasn't so versed in species around the universe, Pepeshi folk would have been seen as children the moment he stepped into Penacony, but he stood corrected when he learnt of them being full-fledged adult creatures with tiny structures.

He is thankful for the tampering on his cursing at times, when he is indeed around kids that just love to copy what he says. A bunch of kids yellin' mudder-fudger is the lesser of evils of what he really said.

[intcritus]

[ cú, for zahir! ] ❝  did you just flip off that old guy?  ❞

if there were certain social rules zahir didn't subscribe to, it was respecting elders. some of them were fucking bastards and meaner than anyone he'd ever come across. so yes, while he could be cordial, he wasn't going to be when the elder in question had been eyeing the badger since they got to this rinky dink town. like he was worried zahir would attack the children and other elderly just because. yes, zahir was feral, twenty-four seven, but he had a precarious hold on his temper and only let it rage on those who truly pissed him off. the elder is super fucking lucky that flipping him off was all the badger did.

sliding his muave gaze toward cú, zahir snickered, before shrugging at his companion. ❝ ━ he kept fuckin' starin' at me. i know 'm feral, but he acted like everyone was in danger. ❞ he huffs, throwing an arm around his traveling companion, ❝ ━ i'm sure even if i was a danger, you've got my leash, don' ya ? ❞ a proverbial one anyway. one doe-eyed look and zahir would've stopped in his tracks. not that it would've ever been an issue. for monsters? absolutely, but humans? nah.

answered. @caemthe

[loiyaltie]

STARTER CALL. // @caemthe (cú)

"Your support on the front lines has been invaluable..."

Gepard leads the way back into the barracks, offering the other entry before himself, and first chance for a seat in the warmth. Serval's repairs to the Geomarrow heaters have meant that retaining heat within the buildings has been easier on the front lines, the soldiers able to function without huddling for warmth. Gepard is more than used to the bitter bite of the cold, but the newer recruits always struggle. Well most of them. The green-haired one who fights like a man possessed has never held complaint, nor has the one he now shares space of. Privately he considers him the more personable of the two.

"How are you finding things? I do hope that the service has not detracted from your enjoyment of Belobog..." He would not want the visitors from the stars to see themselves as being taken advantage of.

[fortecircuita]

@caemthe: asked: [ jiyan, for aalto ] “What does that even mean?” | among us sentence starters | accepting!

"Oh uh" aalto gives a slight nervous chuckle upon realizing what he just said aloud (or more so on impulse) he turned around to face jiyan with a sheepish smile"Schmoozin onwards?--its uh just a fun thing encore says when we move on to another destination sometimes, I guess I subconsciously picked up doing it ahah.." he broker said rubbing the back of his head with a shrug- he didnt want to admit how many times before hes actually had a slip up like that.

"I dont really think it has any other full meaning besides the one made up..yknow?-kids seem to really like making up fun word combos"

[astarab1aze]

d&d stats here

[ardenssolis]

@caemthe said (inbox):

[ cú ] "It's No Noise November this year, actually, which means..." Proceeds to press the mute button when it's Ozyman's turn to fight.

WAS THIS JEALOUSY? HOW childish! Everyone should be overjoyed to hear his booming voice on the battlefield! What better way to usher others into combat but to hear the charismatic certainty of a king? As if this welp would understand. ❝Perhaps you should speak louder. I can barely hear you.❞

[guhamun]

@caemthe said (inbox):

It had started as a simple mission to investigate some ruins from a hidden research facility near the borders of Huanglong. The group dispatched for it was mostly patrollers, and a few mercenaries, mostly as a precaution in case TD had gathered there. It was supposed to be a simple mission, after all. Except that no one returned, and communication was cut. It went on like that for nearly 12h until a message was finally received. It was a weakened and fearful voice that said: ‘Please, someone save us.’ And that was the end of it. Communication couldn’t be reestablished after that. Once reinforcements were sent to the location, it soon became clear why it wasn’t going to be an easy rescue mission. Most of the floor had collapsed, revealing an underground facility that was barely hanging by a thread. Not just anyone would be able to get down there. On top of that, there were strange readings that made it impossible to guess what dangers lied ahead, and a strange level of static electricity coming from the underground facility. Jiyan felt responsible, so he said he would be going down. He expected to handle the rescue mission alone, but he couldn’t say he was surprised when he saw the mercenary leader waiting at the location. He knew that Calcharo always looked after his people. “The last and only message was received 3 hours ago. There should be at least a few survivors in the worst case scenario.”  Between the two of them, it should be a quick affair, but Jiyan could sense that something wasn’t right. But… ‘Please, someone save us.’ He would never leave anyone behind.

THE MISSION HE HAD dispatched some of his Hounds on had seemed simple enough. They were to aid the Midnight Rangers in their patrol and serve as extra protection just in case things intensified. Whenever TD were involved, one could never be certain how a situation might unravel. Thus, it had been wise of Jiyan to ask for his aid in the off chance that there might be trouble. However, what he had thought would be the case, turned out to be the opposite. Filled in on what had happened, it took no convincing for him to involve himself. Although his Hounds had volunteered to go with him, he refused to allow them to involve themselves when this was his failure to handle. The only thing he allowed from them, was to serve as backup in case the Midnight Rangers needed them. Going inside, though…that was up to him.

     Calcharo would put no other lives in danger when just his would suffice (it was easier looking after himself than multiple people anyway). Besides, Jiyan, no doubt, was already on his way to the location the distress signal had disappeared. And so, he waited. Arms crossed over his chest, he peered down that exposed underground facility, mind mulling over all the potential dangers that might be lying in wait. He wasn’t even sure if the one who sent that distress signal was still alive…or if anyone in that group was considering how long ago that last message had been. Regardless of this fact, he would see for himself what their end was…and bring back the dog tags of his men if that was what it all came down to.

     ❝You’re here.❞ Without turning to look at Jiyan, he had already known that they were present. Their footfalls, long since memorized. Turning away from sight beneath him, icy gaze came to fall upon the General’s features, his expression as solemn as his own. ❝Be prepared for whatever we encounter. I know you can sense that something isn’t quite right about this situation.❞ It was instinct that came from having to make quick decisions – of having to look five steps ahead of everyone else.

[incandescentia]

👀 + how does human flesh taste? For sion

“…” now that’s an unusual question — coming from a human too, out of all people. “I assume you dared to question me that on the very first place because you wish to know about my honest thoughts… very well.” He only needs to be as eloquent as he can be with his answers, but doesn’t hold back from truly saying his thoughts, right? It’ll be slightly challenging, yet still doable regardless.

“If you put a piece of a human next to of a pork, beef, and a random game meat and let me sample it without knowing which one is which, I wouldn’t be able to tell simply from the taste alone.” Implying that he cares less about the actual taste, but there’s something more to it. “But the mana or life force you get from a human’s flesh is different because it’s particularly more bountiful. There’s even more plenty if you consume the brain — likely because they believe it’s where thoughts and emotions are stored...” His sentence briefly trails off until he tops it off with a conclusion, “...yes, the brain is indeed the most satisfying part to me, taste wise.”

@caemthe | 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐲 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐞 “👀 + 𝐚 𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧” 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲��𝐥𝐥 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝟏𝟎𝟎% 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐲. ( accepting )

[futurefind]

⏳️ / jiyan for sasume!

Meet the younger version of my muse! // @caemthe

"Ehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh—?!"

"You're a General!?" the child, maybe ten or so, beams up at him with fists raised and clenched in excitement. Her one blue eye sparkles, the fringe that pulls out of her nape-length hair just-so long enough to completely cover the other. She bounces on the balls of her feet, buzzing with excitement in her shabby and patch-worked boy's clothes.

"That's so COOL! Does that mean you can teach me how to fight?" she trills, like an odd mix between songbird and hyper puppy, turning to throw a few fists through the air. Her form isn't bad, per say, but it's impatience and unpolished, with no sign of proper polish. "Karina-sensei know a lot, but it's all theo--theum--theoretical! And she never practices with me seriously!"

A small, bangled fist misses air and hits him in the side. Stronger than the average child, sure, giving more credence to her 'training' than what she thinks of it. Except she freezes, pupil snapping into a point, and she tucks into herself as she snaps away.

It's gone almost as quick as it comes, when nothing comes of it, replaced with another wide, toothy grin.

"Oh, oh! You must fight a lotta TDs, right?! What's the coolest one you've fought? The funnest battle? How many people have you saved? The most at once??"

She's bouncing again, hopping in place like a windup toy forced to stay put. "What's your Forte like? Or is that just a tattoo— Ooh, think you could beat my mom?" A laugh laugh. "Ah- Who'm I kidding, mom'd beat anyone if she were still here!"

[darabeatha]

@caemthe replied ; petition for an edit of 'if you don't love me at my [sheep form], then you don't deserve me at my [ikemen]'

[lunaetis]

@caemthe asked :

[ jiyan, for yangyang ] A cat, on a tree so tall that the general wouldn’t be surprised if it was found out that it said it had been around since the first Lament. Impressive truly, but now it posed a threat to the safety of the kitten trapped at the top. He stepped back as he looked up, finally spotting the poor pet. “How should we proceed? It wasn’t too fond of the fish I offered earlier.”

unprompted. || always accepting

─「秧秧」─  it was almost impressive how a creature so small could get itself up upon a tree that tall all by itself. even before she could hear the sounds of it meowing for attention and assistance, YANGYANG was able to sense the emotions that came from the smallest of movement as the tree barely moved with the winds. the general had fetched a delicious looking fish in order to lure it down, however, the feline still wouldn't budge. was there something else that caused it to stay up there despite how dangerous it was ?

                quietly, she reached out her hand and closed her eyes to feel the winds, allowing the flow of the air current to pass through her gloved digits. she heard everything, the rustle of every single leaves, the way the sands and dirt moved underneath their feet, the scent and noises carried with the breeze, and a sign of distress coming from the small creature up and above them.

                " it must've been scared of the tacet discords suddenly appearing in the area. " both of them had already dealt with that, but the air itself was still unstable from the recent fight. perhaps that was why the cat refused to come down. she had to make sure there were no other external stimulants to make it go into fight or flight mode. her silver hues finally opened, and she turned to the taller male.

                " i'd like to try something. general, could you please hold out your hands and arms for me ? " that was all she gave him, and only when he had decided to comply that the winds around them slowly stilled, like the air was MUTED and with a wave of her gloved digits, a soft current whipped the small creature from where it was and carefully carrying it down onto his awaiting arms. he would be able to feel how warm the breeze was, how gentle it enveloped around the small feline like soft cushion. a smile then curved her lips at the successful attempt especially when the said kitty was nuzzling into his strong hold. a tender giggle escaped her.

                " she seems to be fond of you now. maybe she could smell that fish on you ? "

[parabelllvm]

[ deirdre, for jaime ] i thought there would be more people here.

“You would think so, right?”

“You hear about some big event or something to that effect but when you arrive, the fanfare is not as… poignant, I guess?” It's then that sea green eyes slide over to the woman to her right, with her head turning a little bit more as to more clearly offer the other her attention. “At least — that's been my experience when I visit places. It always takes a little bit for… “things to get going”, as they say. Sometimes if you arrive early, you'll be bored out of your mind until about midday — when things really pick up.”

At least, that had been her experience each time she visited new places for new experiences. It's taught her to be patient, for sure — especially when she's anticipating some wild display of magic or some sort of performance.

“In this case…” Jaime holds the syllable, her eyes drifting away from the other blonde and moving towards their surroundings. “…It'll probably be another couple hours — two at most, honestly. We still have a bit more time to walk around and explore~”

It's then that the noble elf nudges Deidre a little bit, a happy little smile on her lips.

“…We could probably get some little trinkets before everything gets busy. Or find somewhere nice to sit and wait.”

"I Thought" prompts | @caemthe

[ardenssolis]

@caemthe said (inbox):

Important!!! What are ozy’s thoughts in moo deng? :>

They are so…baby. He thinks that she’s the cutest little thing he has ever seen (besides cats--). His favorite is when she does the little ear wriggles. It’s less threatening when it’s an adorable baby hippo as opposed to a giant adult watching you from the distance. Baby hippos are adorable, though. He will admit this. Even more so when they don’t have any teeth but they try to open their mouth and look threatening anyway. Him on his cellphone looking at all the 45354534 Moo Deng photos and videos under his covers at night….