#| v; Alpha & Delta |

[namelessdumbass]

The Nameless Ghouls guide

This one will be almost identical to one i wrote last year. Slightly updated for all the new listeners and those who still struggle with identifying them.

As per usual a warning: there's gonna be a lot of text, silly collages and typos. English isn't my first language...isn't even my first foreign language either 🌚

If you want videos/gifs of the Ghouls/Ghoulettes, pls check the links in the older post!

Enjoy!

99% of the names, Ghouls/ Ghoulettes have, were given by fans. The only Papa who called them by their names/alchemic elements was Terzo (aka Papa III).

The first 3 (Opus Eponymous, Infestissumam, Meliora) eras only had 5 Ghouls on stage. Prequelle had 7, Impera and Skeletá - 8.

There are many ways to tell them apart:

-how they are placed on stage -their alchemic symbols (important for Opus, Infest and Meliora eras! check out my Meliora guide where i shed more light on this topic) -their height and body types -their instruments -jewellery -date of the photo/video

Opus Eponymous era (October 23, 2010 - december 15, 2012)

(from left to right: Omega/Quintessence #1, Chain/Water #1, Earth #1, Air #1, Alpha/Fire #1)

There were only 5 Ghouls: Fire/Alpha, Quintessence/Omega, Chain/Water (later Lake), Earth #1 and Air #1. Since 2011, Ghouls were placed in certain areas on stage: Quintessence and Earth on Papa’s right, Water in the middle, Air and Fire - on Papa’s left.

Their alchemic symbols are visible on their robes, but it's sometimes hard to see them due to the quality of pictures and videos from this era. The best way to identify them - is to look at their instruments.

Alpha aka Fire Ghoul #1

Lead guitar. Had fire symbol sticker on his white-n-black Gibson RD. Skilled motherfucker. Taller than Papas, looked bigger in first 2 eras. Was a bit reserved in era 1, but became quite active and naughty in era 2. Has blue eyes, started to wear a ring in era 2 and got tattoos in era 3. If you see a ghoul who often shows a ✌ sign - that’s Alpha :) Secondo's favorite ghoul. Hangs out with Omega, River, Delta, Pebble and Mist on stage. Enjoys attention, quite popular among fans. Can speak Italian, has strong accent.

Joined in october 2010, left in november 2016

Omega aka Ether/Quintessence Ghoul #1

Rhythm guitar, black Gibson RD with Omega sticker. Tall, stompy, was quite confident from the very beginning, graceful hand movements (trust me, you won’t confuse him with any other ghoul). Has cutest laugh. The Perfect Ghoul™. Has beautiful eyes, chunky silver rings (he wore them in every era), is the reason the Ghouls got their alchemic symbols. Papa III’s favorite Ghoul, that’s why he was always praised and his butt was always touched/smacked during Year Zero solo by Terzo :) Did interviews in era 2 (sometimes together with Alpha or Special Ghoul) and 3.

Joined in october 2010, left in july 2016 :(

Chain aka Water Ghoul#1

Bass, black IBANEZ. Mysterious and metal AF, wore a chain as a belt and painted black bones on his hands, had Grucifix on metal necklace (which was later worn by Omega after Chain left). Was quite active and actually the shortest ghoul of era 1.

Joined in october 2010, left in early 2011

Earth Ghoul #1

Drums. Had no other specific name. Tall (same height as Omega), slim, has blue eyes. Despite being in Ghost for like 4 years, is soooo underrated. There’s not much we know about him. The only earth ghoul of Ghost who did an interview (together with Alpha). Was a badass

Joined in october 2010, left in 2014

Air Ghoul #1

Also had no specific name, though some fans prefer to call him Aero/Aeon. Synthesizer, keyboard and keytar. The tallest ghoul (a bit taller than Omega), dark eyes. Modest, very calm, didn’t move much. Loved showing horns and stared at fans sometimes. Had badass Mummy Dust solo 👇

Joined in 2011, left in november 2016

Lake aka Water Ghoul #2

Bass. Played white-n-black Squier by FENDER and Rickenbacker 4003 (in Opus Era). Joined in 2011 after Chain left. Middle height, dark eyes. Quite calm. Played two different guitars in era 1. Had cool black lenses in era 2, wore a ring sometimes. Also quite underrated. Fun fact: Remember Year Zero mv when Secondo flashes us? Well, it was this Water in Papa’s chasuble, not Tobias :)

Joined in 2011, left in 2014.

Infestissumam era (december 15th 2012 - June 3, 2015)

How are Ghouls placed on stage? Same way as in Opus era. Same Ghouls, different outfits and masks. Their alchemic symbols became more visible and ghouls opened up more on stage. There was only one change of the lineup: Lake left in 2014 and was replaced by River.

River aka Water #3

Bass. Played Lake's black-n-white and sometimes plain Squier by FENDER. Middle height, dark blue eyes. Was quite chaotic and weird on stage. Held his bass in a suggestive way, humped it sometimes. Interacted with Alpha a lot, was a bad influence. Definitely had fun on stage, enjoyed attention. See a ghoul with wide-legs-stance? Yeah, that’s him! The tallest of the Water Ghouls.

Joined in 2014, left in 2015 (before Meliora era began).

Meliora era (june 3, 2015 - september 30, 2017)

Placed on stage? Same way as in previous two eras. This is when a lot of changes happened. In 2015, Fire, Quintessence and Air Ghouls were the same, but Earth#1 and River left and Delta and Pebble were introduced. This era confuses a lot of people that's why you should always take a look at the top of their uniforms. Ghoul's respective element is always highlighted!

Delta aka Water#4

Bass. Played white-n-black Fender and black Gibson. A bit shorter than Papa III, cute, has blue eyes. No visible tattoos or rings. Skilled, filled in for Apha and Omega (and also played his guitar!) couple times for a few rituals and acoustic shows. Loved interacting with Alpha and Pebble on stage.Became Quintessence Ghoul in july 2016 when Omega left, played rhythm guitar.

Joined in June 2015, left in november 2016

Pebble aka Earth#2

Drums. Despite being the shortest and smolest in the band, played the shit out of drums. Was the most active Earth ghoul of Ghost. A show off. Loved interacting with fans. Played a brief solo before Stand by Him. Had a ring, his mask looked a little bit too big for him. Slim, light green eyes. Loved interacting with Alpha and Water.

Joined in June 2015, left in november 2016

In july 2016 Omega left Ghost, Delta took his place and Mist, the first Ghoulette of Ghost, played bass.

Mist Ghoulette aka Water #5

Bass. The same, as by previous Water Ghouls. The first Ghoulette of Ghost! Tiny, has blue eyes, a tattoo and ring on her finger. Cute as hell. Was quite calm and modest. Loved by fans. Her mask looked too big for her. Same could be said about the guitar. Since people still confuse her with Dew (due to small height i guess), the quickest way to identify her is to look at her finger nails. They were always painted :)

Joined in september 2016, left a the end of Popestar tour in november 2016.

In 2017 all of the former ghouls and Mist left and the new pack of Ghouls was introduced. All of them (except for Mountain) were +- same heigh as Terzo, so identifying them isn’t hard.

Ifrit aka Fire Ghoul #2

Lead guitar. White Fantomen.  Hyperactive, full of energy, jumps, spins and moves a lot on stage. Papa III’s hype man. Loved interacting with fans, gestures a lot. The ghoul that can’t stand still. Has blue eyes, no visible tattoos or rings. Ray of sunshine (no really, he’s very sweet). Quite popular among fans. Loved interacting with Zephyr, Aether and Dewdrop.

Joined in march 2017, left in september 2017

Aether aka Quintessence #3 aka Banana ghoul

Rhythm guitar. Black Fantomen. A bit taller than Ifrit and Papa III. Loves bananas. Has dark eyes, bracelets and a ring. No QE sticker on his guitar. Beefy, friendly. Also spins, dances and jumps a lot on stage. Was present in Terzo, Cardinal and Papa IV eras. Interacted with all of the Ghouls on stage. Was Cardinal’s favorite Ghoul. Was bullied by Sodo, but also annoyed him too sometimes. He and Sodo had pre Cirice guitar battles. Did backing vocals in Prequelle and Impera (in 2022) era.

Joined in march 2017, left in may 2023.

Dewdrop aka Water #6 aka Fire #3

Bass, used by previous Water Ghouls (only during Meliora/Popestar era!) and lead guitar. White Fantomen during Prequelle era and white Fender Stratocaster since Impera era. A bit shorter than Papas and the rest of the ghouls. Slim. Popular among fans. Stompy, was naughty in era 3, but became muuuuuuch worse later. Horny i would say and even more aggressive. Ghoul equivalent of chihuahua. Shows middle finger, throws picks when he’s angry or annoyed by Aether. Was a Water ghoul in 2017, became a Fire Ghoul #3 in 2018 after Ifrit left. Licked��his guitar, picks, tried to lick Rain, Aether and bullied Cardinal sometimes. HORNY during Mummy Dust. Vapes on stage, interacts with fans, loves choking Rain. Once hurt his finger, didn’t give a damn and continued playing guitar smearing blood all over it. Can also be a gentleman, is nice to Ghoulettes.

Joined in march 2017 and is still in Ghost (as of april 2025).

Zephyr aka chAir Ghoul #2

Keyboard, synthesizer, keytar. Same height as Papa III, blue eyes. Quite active on stage, but can also be calm. Sits on chair a lot, but starts moving when he’s feeling it. Interacts with Ifrit and Aether. Cute as hell Keytar solo - 👇

Joined in march 2017, left in september 2017.

Ivy aka Earth #3

Drums. Dark eyes, wears bracelets. Same heigh as Ifrit. Even though he had been in the band only few monhs, he did an amazing job.

Joined in march 2017, left in june 2017.

Mountain aka Earth #4

Drums. Tall, slim, has grey eyes and a tattoo on his finger. Hates shoes. Quite popular among fans. Pretty calm, especially comparing to Pebble. Nice fella. Was present in Papa III, Cardinal and Papa IV era. Is now Perpetua's ghoul.

Joined in june 2017 and is still in Ghost (as of april 2025)

Prequelle era (april 6, 2018 - march 3, 2020)

The number of ghouls on stage has increased. Instead of 5 there were 7 ghouls. And this is the year when we got not one, but two Ghoulettes! How are they placed on stage? Like this:

New ghouls of this era:

Rain aka Water #7

Bass (same as by previous Ghouls) and black Fender Jazz bass. A bit taller than Dewdrop and Cardinal/Papa VI. Has dark eyes, beautiful hands, slim. Quite calm comparing to the others. Opened up a bit more in Impera era. The only adult on stage, beside Ghoulettes and Mountain. Has to step in when Dew becomes a pain in the ass, also allows him to choke him during Year Zero. Wears the same headpiece as Swiss and the Ghoulettes on stage

Joined in january 2018 and is still in Ghost (as of april 2025)

Swiss aka Multi Ghoul

Baritone (black Hangstrom) and acoustic guitar, tambourine, backing vocals. Plays cowbell during Umbra. Tall, slim, has dark eyes and biiiiiiiiiiiiig smile. Dances on his platform, tries to seduce other ghouls, acts possessed. Is in your walls. A manace to society. Vapes on stage. Loves interacting with fans and other ghouls. Known for his powerful shimmies. The horniest Ghoul of Ghost. Annoying the shit out of Sodo aka "jerking him off" was his main hobby in 2023. Also went to Aurora’s (see below) and Cumulus’ platforms. The most chaotic ghoul. In Skeletá era he also wears the same headpiece as the Ghoulettes!

Joined in january 2018 and is still in Ghost (as of april 2025).

Cumulus aka Multi Ghoulette

Backing vocals, synthesizer, tamboutine. Short, curvy, has amazing voice. No visible tattoos. Loves interacting with fans and other Ghouls/Ghoulettes. Dances and slays. Cirrus' bestie

Joined in january 2018, left in 2024/beginning of 2025

Cirrus aka Multi/Air Ghoulette

Keyboard, synthesizer, tambourine, keytar, backing vocals. Tall, slim. No tattoos. Active on stage. Loves sticking out her tongue. Comes to the center of the stage in Impera era. Literal queen. Keytar solo 👇

Joined in january 2018 and is still in Ghost (as of april 2025)

Impera era (january 25 th, 2022 - october 7th, 2023)

There were also a few changes in this era: new Ghouls and slight changes in the stage setting [see my older guide as tumblr only allows 30 pictures per post!]. In 2022 one more Ghoulette joined the Prequlle pack.

Sunshine aka Multi Ghoulette

Backing vocals and tambourine. A bit taller than Cumulus, but shorter than Cirrus. No tattoos and rings/bracelets. Cutie. Dances and acts funny on her platform. Stood on Papa’s left.

Joined in 2022, left in may 2023.

In 2023 Sunshine and Aether left and were replaced by Aurora and Phantom. The rest of the Ghouls/Ghoulettes remained the same.

Phantom aka Quintessence #4

Rhythm guitar. Black Fantomen and black Fender Jaguar (in Lachryma mv). Tall, slim, dark eyes. Loves interacting with fans and loves bats. A show off and a little bit chaotic. Quite confident despite being a newbie. Joins Rain and Sodo for epic into of Square Hammer and outro of Rats. Loves annoying Papa IV during Year Zero outro. Loves going to Aurora's platform and dancing with her. almost No visible tattoos, wears a ring. Interacts with every ghoul/ghoulettes on stage. Became quite an entertainer in Skeletá era.

Joined in may 2023 and is still in Ghost (as of april 2025)

Aurora aka Multi Ghoulette

Backing vocals, tambourine. Also plays keyboard instead of Cumulus in Skeletour. Full of energy. The shortest Ghoulette. Loves dancing next to Rain during Miasma.

Joined in may 2023, is still in Ghost (as of april 2025)

Skeletá era (March 5th, 2025):

The tour hasn't started yet, but there's already a change: Cumulus has left Ghost and her place is now taken by Haze ghoulette.

Judging by Lachryma music video, most of the Ghouls/Ghoulettes will be placed on stage the same way they were in Impera era.

Haze aka Multi Ghoulette

Backing vocals. There's not much we know about her... for now. She's taller than Aurora and slim. We'll see what she'll be like during this tour :)

Joined in February/March 2025

Honorable mentions:

Special Ghoul aka Phil aka Tobias

Showed up for interviews and to grab some awards. Talked about albums, meanings of songs, ghildo and Papas. Worships cats, loves Abba. Slim, has green eyes. Wore Alpha’s uniform. Was present in Primo, Secondo and Terzo eras. Makes a lot of silly sounds.

Hasn’t been active since 2017

Cowbell Ghoul

Plays cowbell in “Ritual” and “If you have Ghosts”. A freaking legend. Tall, has a posture of a shrimp. Always got shooed by Papa III. Only showed up at the end of Popestar tour in 2016. Brought many people joy with his presence.

And that was it….for now. Skeletour starts in a few days, so i'm excited to find out what Ghouls/Ghoulettes going to do on stage.

I hope this guide was useful.

Thanks for reading 🖤💜

[honeyroots]

— keep it on the down low, ft. DEAN WINCHESTER

☆ SYNOPSIS: You're Sam’s best friend, but Dean just can’t keep his hands off of you.

☆ WORD COUNT: 1.6k ☆ WARNINGS: NSFW (18+) / fem!reader / p in v / mentions of alcohol / reader is sam’s best friend / college au / frat!dean / praise (f receiving) / lowkey sam is pining for reader / reader and dean are sneaking around ☆ PAIRING: stanford!dean x reader

“You have to bounce the ball on the table and then make it into one of the solo cups,” DEAN WINCHESTER was laying the rules of beer-pong out flat. As a champion in his frat house, he was serious about playing doubles and determined to drill the rules into you prior to the start of the game. 

Your first day at Stanford, you met Sam Winchester in an introduction to psychology class. He somehow forgot a pen and leaned over toward you, cheeks red as he asked to borrow any sort of writing utensil. Naturally, a friendship formed between you and Sam, and the first time you met his older brother Dean, who was the president of Alpha Delta Phi (apparently Dean rushing the frat it started as a joke), your mouth watered and your knees went a little weak. He was too perfect, his jawline sharp, lips full, and eyes the prettiest color of green. The worst part? He knew he was beautiful, always weaponizing his pretty privilege to his advantage, and you hated to say that it worked on you.

Dean was directly behind you, one hand pressed against your waist as you aimed for the red solo cup. It was merely practice, training you up for some end-of-the-year frat party that was coming up. His chin rested on your shoulder as you threw one of the ping-pong balls toward the red solo cups positioned at the other end of the table.

Whenever Dean got too close, Sam would huff and puff, telling Dean to get his grubby hands off of his best friend. But today Sam wasn’t here, it was just you and Dean, in an empty frat house. When he texted you this morning to come over, you blinked a few times thinking maybe you were still in the middle of a dream, but when reality set in and you realized you were reading his message correctly, you nearly ran to his house.

The ball bounced off the rim of the cup, falling to the floor, the bounces echoing off the walls as you sighed in defeat. There was something about the alignment of the cups that was throwing you off.

“Don’t worry, you’ll get it,” Dean encouraged, pulling one of the balls from the pile in his right and shoving it into the palm of your hand. His chin was still nestled on your shoulder, eyes fixated on the flex of your hand as you released the next ball from the tips of your fingers. The ball landed in the front cup, earning a large smile from you.

“I did it!” You cheered, turning around to face Dean. Chests pressed together, your bodies were so close, you could be considered one entity. Dean dropped the ping pong balls, curving one of his fingers into your belt loop and pulling your lower half closer to him. As the rest of your body collided with his, you felt the halfie he was sporting against you.

With his other hand, not paying any mind to the ping pong balls bouncing awry, he grasped your chin. The room felt like it was spinning, your mind in a daze as Dean dipped his face forward. With his lips so close, they were grazing against yours as he spoke, “I’ve been wanting to do this.”

His lips were on yours in a matter of moments— gentle at first, with soft nips from his teeth tugging at your bottom lip. His hand found its way to the small of your back, fingers toying with the hem as he lifted just enough of the fabric for his calloused hands to run against the bare skin of your back.

“Fuck, tastes so good,” he hummed against your lips, jutting his tongue out to lick a stripe along the roof of your mouth. The way your lips moved together, tongues crashing against one another was natural like two puzzle pieces fitting together. “I’ve got a real sweet tooth, did you know that?”

The whole thing was a blur. How you ended up in his bedroom, and how you ended up in between his sheets, you weren’t really sure. The feel of his hands on your body, his lips against your skin created a mind fog like no other. It wasn’t like you hadn’t thought about Dean Winchester. Like you hadn’t thought about the lines of his face and the calluses on his fingers in depth, or how they might feel against you.

Dean peeled the comforter back, his mouth still on yours as he pushed you against the bed. Completely clothed, he fell on top of you, wrapping his arms over your head as his mouth pressed chaste kisses against the corner of your mouth, then down your neck until he reached the collar of your shirt. The way Dean laid into you was like he would never be able to have you again, exploring every inch of your skin as he peeled your clothes off was enough to have your skin heating.

“So beautiful,” he whispered, using one hand to reach behind and unclasp your bra; it was almost a red flag how quickly he unhooked the clasp. His lips ran down your chest, pressing kisses to (what felt like) every inch of your skin. With his teeth, he unzipped your pants, tugging your jeans off of your body at a slow speed. As soon as you were splayed across his bed, your body on full display for him, Dean stripped himself of his clothing. Rushed, like he couldn’t wait to be inside of you, he removed his shirt and jeans. Everything about him was so gorgeous, the dips in his abdomen, even the oddly shaped tattoo on his left pectoral was beautiful.

It didn’t take long for Dean to position himself in between your legs, his hand reaching down to toy with your clit. His middle finger connected with the sensitive bud, rubbing a few circles to prep you for what was to come. His face hovered above yours, eyes watching your facial expressions as he dragged his finger up and down your slit. He wanted to memorize the way your face contorted, to find the face you make when you’re experiencing the most pleasure so he could engrave the image into his mind and replay it for himself when he was alone.

“Just trying to warm you up, baby,” Dean spoke in a low voice, his eyes searching yours. Moving his fingers from your core, he brought them to his mouth to taste you. Humming in pleasure, Dean smiled against the tips of his fingers. Heat rushed through your body at the sight of him tasting you, collecting your slick like it was honey and running it against his tongue. “Tastes so sweet.”

“I’ve thought about this,” you admitted, small gasps pulling from the depths of your throat as Dean lined up the tip of his cock with your slit. Slowly, he pushed in, but not all the way, getting you used to the stretch of him. Your eyebrows furrowed, eyes screwing shut as you felt him enter, the stimulation of his fingers and the girth of him almost too stimulating.

“I know,” Dean breathed against you, his lips only inches away from yours. “I’ve thought about it too. I’m a slimy guy, huh? Thinking of my brother’s best friend. You’re just so pretty, like a doll.”

Dean pushed more of his shaft inside as he spoke, a soft groan coming from him as he felt the warmth of your core clench around him. Your body was responding to him in a way you didn’t expect, just the feeling of him bringing you to a place you had never experienced, and he wasn’t even rocking into you yet. When he began thrusting, the movements gentle against you, you couldn’t help but squeeze his shoulder in pleasure. With your head thrown back against the pillow that smelled of his aftershave, you let out soft whimpers. 

“You’re doing so good,” Dean praised, rocking his hips in and out of you. It took him a second to get to know the ins and outs of your body, trying to find your g-spot, but as soon as he located it, he doubled down. In just a few thrusts, he had you squirming beneath him, begging for more as he stimulated your core.

You felt your orgasm approaching, and before you could even give Dean a warning, you were spurting around him. Whining against his shoulder, you felt the peak of your orgasm spill over. With care, Dean continued to thrust in and out of you, riding you down from the high of your climax as he reached his own. Groans that sounded like a symphony sprang from Dean’s mouth. Collapsing on top of you with your bodies still connected, you both heavily breathed in unison. Interlocking your hands, Dean pressed his head against your chest. He cleared his throat, his lips gently pecking your collarbone. “We shouldn’t tell Sam about this.”

“No,” you agreed, guilt festering in the pit of your gut as you thought of your best friend. Was this a betrayal? Hooking up with his older brother? Squeezing Dean’s hand, your fingers brushed against the hardened skin of his index finger.

“Why are your hands so calloused?” You questioned, not necessarily meaning for the question to be spoken out loud.

“From my job. It’s the family business.” Dean let go of your fingers, and with a gasp from overstimulation, he pulled himself out of your core. Using his t-shirt, he wiped the insides of your thighs, finding solace in cleaning you up. 

“What do you do?” You hadn’t realized Dean worked outside of being a full-time student and full-time frat boy. It seemed that every time you spoke to Dean, you were unlocking buried lore, and one day you were determined to put the puzzle pieces together.

He paused, collecting his thoughts. “Call it community work.”

[loganlermanstanaccount]

please don't kill me mr ghostface (part 1)

(AO3 Mirror), (Main Masterlist), (Kinktober '23 Masterlist)

(Part 2 - coming soon!)

pairing: stalker!Miguel x f!reader, slight yandere undertones. (he's a murderer lowkey but very gentle and sweet and scary hot that's all guys I promise.)

summary: murders on campus. the odd toothbrush goes missing. what's new, honestly. life keeps ticking and you end up at a Halloween party somewhere you shouldn't. there, you meet a gorgeous man in a strange mask. he seems sweet, and all you're looking for is a bit of fun. what could go wrong?

warnings: 18+ , fingering, anal play (mig eats ass, send tweet!) , rimming, p in v, soft dom mig, some switchy + needy behaviour, mild threat of violence (not by mig), alcohol consumption. Minors DNI

a/n: 5k words of ignoring red flags. girl get a grip!

wc: 5.2k

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You look too good to feel this shitty. 

That's the thought you're left with, picking at flimsy spiderwebs draped on a sofa. Sandwiched between two couples making out like their life depends on it, of course, but that's beside the point. 

“Someone said there's CCTV of a guy walking out the building at 3am… seems a little convenient, if you ask me…”

There's a TV on in the background, barely cutting through the dense chatter. By this point, your eyes have glazed over, trying not to let them rattle around in your skull. Drunken conversation around you, and it's the same thing as always; long, winding tales of a campus killer - the kind out of a cheesy slasher. What the news says, officially, is that there weren't any links between those 3 bodies that turned up out on the playing field, an empty dorm, a supply closet; but it hasn't stopped people from indulging in wild speculation. 

“No, no, she just didn't turn up to my Econ class….I swear–” 

Stay in pairs. Don't walk alone at night. Whilst you think it's all tangential at best, you're not one to tempt fate. The gossip, you could do without. But it doesn't hurt to keep yourself safe, pepper spray nestled in your usual bag. 

Tonight, however, you've left it at home, thinking the friends you came with would be enough. Somewhere, somehow, they're off chugging shit beer and you're milling about the place and sinking into couch cushions. There's something sticky by the seat, and there's a crackle as you're jostled - the sharp edge of a stray elbow almost knocks your drink away. 

Fuck.

For one night only, you're a cheerleader. A short, short skirt and little top; it has you feeling overdressed. Even though you've left the pompoms at home, next to your taser; seemingly, you've read the mood wrong - stupidly assuming people would dress up for a Halloween party. As you make your way to the kitchen, tugging down your skirt here and there, that's all you can see; half-hearted costumes - cat ears, white sheets and flimsy masks. It feels like you stick out in comparison. You've gone all out, with nothing but the threat of a beer sodden lap for your trouble. 

It's a big house. Alpha-delta-phi, kappa-something-or-the-other; a frat with too much money and too much time on their hands. With all the doors you walk past, shallow thuds and thumping ringing out behind them, you're as good as lost. The best ragers this side of campus - as raved about by one of your friends. It feels like bucketfuls of horseshit right now, wandering around packed halls - and oh. Is that the same staircase? 

“ Fuck, watch it!” You clatter into the side of an arm, a t-shirt with a superman symbol emblazoned at the chest. He's pretty, but his features curl into a sudden sneer. 

" Sorry –" You start but he doesn't let you finish, wagging a thick finger in your face. 

There's a girl draped on his arm, merely watching as he shouts; loud over pumping music from the next room over. 

"Hey, dipshit , you gonna keep staring? Mouth open like a fucking fish– do you know how much this shit costs?" Your eyes are wide, as he gets closer - stinking of alcohol and pot and God knows what else. You're not drunk enough to entertain this, shirking away from confrontation. The room is hot, his breath is sticky , and–

He grabs your arm. Immediately you're trying to wrench yourself away, not daring to look into blown pupils. Clammy, his grip tightens on bare skin and your stomach churns. He's solid, bigger than you and unable to keep the anger out of his voice…. and fuck. You're scared. 

Fear, rising like bile at the back of your throat. Bitter and sharp, fear at the fact that there isn't anyone to help; that everyone else looks away and pretends that this isn't happening. Fear at the spittle that sprays from his mouth like poison, stinging skin. You screw your eyes shut, expecting a slap, a blow, or something worse and then… 

Thud. The hand around your wrist is no more, replaced by a gentle pat on your shoulder. Nothing lingering, just a light touch to get you to open your eyes; to see that guy on the floor, clutching at a swollen jaw and split lip. 

"You okay? " 

It's deep, muffled by a mask, and the figure in front of you has to crouch to be heard over incessant chatter. 

You're nodding, sheepishly, not trusting yourself to keep that edge out of your voice. 

Ghostface, the masked man, the only other person at this party properly dressed up; he only cocks his head in a gesture that says a thousand words. His robe pools around his wrists, thick fabric that you grab onto without thinking, grip just as tight as your would-be assailant. You don't even want to think about it, what could've happened if someone hadn't stepped in. It has you biting back tears, more shaken than you'd like to admit. 

"H-Hey, hey, easy…" He's rubbing little circles into your shoulder, hesitant. Your lip wobbles, ever so slightly, but he catches it, gently pulling you aside. 

There isn't a crowd. The stragglers, those that saw the display, barely look at the guy on the floor, scrambling to his feet and far away. In the meantime, you fight off tears and force yourself to flash a shaky smile. 

"Good. " You croak, taking his hands off your shoulders. "F-Fuck , I mean… I'm good. Thank you."

He doesn't quite budge, giving you that strange look again. At least, you think so, rearing up to his full height to cross his arms. Quiet incredulity, almost cartoonish, and it almost makes you laugh. Almost. 

"Let me get you a drink… some water, or something." He says, stretching out a gloved hand. Sensing your hesitance, he quickly adds, "... Please ."

Chewing your lip, you only have to think for a second before taking it, and you're led out through double doors. Your masked man is big; broad shouldered and hulking, cutting through the writhing mass with ease. It's just as well, you think, unable to sort through the tangle of things that rattle around in your head. You hate this fucking school, sometimes. Boys will be boys. Wear more appropriate clothing. Well, wasn't she just asking for it?  A culture of inaction; of hand-wringing and hand-waving… passing on the blame until three dead bodies show up on campus. 

That's one thing you have to thank the so-called serial killer for, at least. At least something might actually change around here. 

Empty, the kitchen is a mess, but nothing you wouldn't expect. Drink long gone; a distant memory spilled on a carpet, somewhere; you perch awkwardly around a counter, not knowing where to put your hands. Rattled, you've resorted to a glassy stare; stewing and festering and thinking so intensely it might frighten off your masked man. 

It doesn't. He merely taps you, a gentle elbow to your side and he offers you a glass of water. Weakly, you give him a smile, gulping up the liquid. 

"You here by yourself ?" He asks, muffled by plastic. 

You can't help it, eyes wide at the implication - a masked man, a killer on campus - and he must realise the way it sounds. 

In no time at all, he clarifies, "I just mean… fuck … is there someone I can call? So you're not alone."

It's a kind gesture. Kinder than you'd expect from a stranger. Slowly, you shake your head. 

"They ditched me about an hour ago." You give a bitter laugh. "Just me and you, Mr Ghostface."

And with that he laughs; deep and sonorous, causing heat to bloom at your chest. Despite yourself, you smile, and you swear you see a glint of something behind the mask. 

It has you itching for a drink. All of a sudden you make your way across the room, swiping at empty beer bottles and cans, rummaging around for some hard liquor. When you find it - a half empty bottle of something that smells like carpet cleaner and acetone - you're taking a swig, and offering it to the man across from you. It's sneaky, but you don't think he clocks your paltry attempt to see what he looks like under that mask. 

He shakes his head, hands up in defeat. 

"You sure?" Your voice is lilting, hazy around the edges. Creeping up closer, you press your body to his, taking another unceremonious gulp. Under that cloak - heavy, somewhat well made - you can feel him, lean and cut muscle that tenses as you get closer. 

Batting your eyelashes, you make full use of the cheerleader get-up, snaking a dainty hand to his side, and then up to the counter. If you didn't know any better, you'd think he was ogling you, chest taught and tight at the way you feel against him. 

Or maybe, he's bored as shit. You wouldn't know - with the mask, and all. 

Wobbly, you clamber up onto the counter, helped up by a gentle hand at the small of your back… and oh. You like that: big, thick fingers that press into you, carefully tracing your waist… and why won't they go down a little further? Grab handfuls of the flesh at your thighs, your ass, everything in between? 

He's too conservative for that, you think. Nervous, too. Nevertheless, he slots between your thighs, big palms flat next to your ass. 

"I… I don't mind watching." He says, voice low. 

It makes you giggle as you drink, sweet and soft, and liquid dribbles past your lips, down to collarbone. Mr Ghostface is gentle, tracing a finger across the juncture of your neck, light pressure on the vein that sits nice and pretty at its side. 

It goes to your head. The alcohol, the large man of few words with a hand on your neck. When he finishes swiping at the liquid and pulls his hand away, you curl your hand around his, bringing it to your lips. Pert lips wrap around his finger, tongue swiping over leather, and you swear you can hear his breath hitch - heart clearly skipping a beat. 

"Careful…" You say, leaning forward to press your tits against him, brushing away imaginary fluff from his shoulders. "I really like this costume."

"I like it too." He clears his throat. "You look nice."

"Nice? Is that all I get, Mr Ghostface?" You're teasing, tracing up his broad chest to his neck and then just under his chin. Carefully, you hook a finger under the thin strap of his mask, tugging ever-so gently. 

Quickly, he stops you. 

"Not yet, sweetheart."

You pout, flashing him a frustrated look - and God , does he want to kiss it off of you. 

"But soon?" 

"If you're good." You swear you can hear him smile, hands wrapping around your waist. 

You get a bit bolder, hand tracing up his sleeve, clutching at thick, corded forearm. Watching intently as he keens, pushing you to the edge of the kitchen counter with only one hand at your back. This close, you even like the way he smells, like rust and oil and earth, the way he feels around you; strong arms caging you in, protecting you. You feel safe, for some reason. 

When he sighs into you, exposing a sliver of tan neck, you feel your knees go weak - unable to stop yourself from mouthing at it, pressing little kisses into the skin. He seems so sensitive, rocking into the counter for some pressure already, clutching you closer and closer until there's a hickey blooming just under sharp jawline. 

"Fuck- " He hisses, pawing at your waist a little more desperately. 

Suddenly self conscious, you separate with a wet smack, and inspect your handiwork. 

"Shit." Eyes wide, you press a finger into the flesh. Your masked man winces. "M'sorry. Got carried away."

He heaves, placing his head on your shoulder for a moment, trying to catch his breath. 

"It's fine," He strains. "Don't worry… s'fine."

Admittedly, he doesn't seem too fine, adjusting what feels like a painful hard-on beneath a loose cloak. 

Cradling his head so he can look at you, you whisper something bold, even for someone who's downed more than a couple shots worth of cheap liquor. 

"I know somewhere… I-I think … that we could go if you wanted to…" His head lolls, and you hear him swallow roughly. "Somewhere quiet . We'd be alone. Just us."

A beat passes and you think you might've read this wrong, much too forward for your own good. It’s why he surprises you by nodding - slowly, at first, and then with more conviction. Taking your hand, he snakes it under his mask, and you almost gasp when you feel soft, plump lips at your knuckles and palm, pressing shaky kisses to the skin.

“I need to do something first.” He says it so quietly, you almost miss it under the mask. “Where can I meet you?”

You don’t ask questions. 

“Pool house.” You nod towards the windows, overlooking a sizable pool. People mill about its edges, but you know the little house is off-limits for the night. “Side entrance. They… leave it unlocked, sometimes.”

He doesn’t ask questions. 

Before he goes, he snakes a hand under your skirt, giving your ass a sizable squeeze - leaving you breathless. 

You don’t feel the cold as you slip out, playing with a loose thread at the hem of your skirt. The side entrance is stiff but unlocked, and you duck past a screen, head on a swivel. Like a good girl, you sit on plush cushions, thighs pressed together to relieve a pressure that has been building since you met your masked man. And you want to touch yourself; to circle that little bud with clumsy fingers, imagining it was him.

You wait. And you wait. You settle between the cushions, adjust your skirt, look at your hair through a makeshift mirror - the glossy surface of windows overlooking the pool. Not wanting to risk turning on the lights, you wander past what little streams in from across the pool; flashing and pounding with the heady bass of music. You can't help but wonder where he's gone, if he's even coming, and what he had to do so desperately that he'd leave you wanting more. 

At this point, you don't even care if he takes off his mask. You don't want to know a name, or see the real man underneath the costume. You just want him; writhing underneath as you bounce on his fat cock. 

"Hey." 

That voice makes you jump, swiveling to face him. How did he get in without you noticing? He was so quiet, so–

"Missed you." He says it so soft, it makes you melt, walking slowly towards him. Shrouded in shadow, as you get closer you notice he's shed his cloak, donned in a white t-shirt and straight leg jeans. Big boots, thick with fresh mud, thud onto the tile. When you meet, two figures cut by bright light, you almost gasp. He's taken off the mask. Instead of Mr Ghostface, you're met with a man - and he is so, so beautiful . 

Tan skin. High cheekbones, a jaw that could cut glass. His hair is haphazardly slicked back, fluffy and curly in all the right places. But it's his eyes: mischievous and glinting and serious all at the same time - absolutely gorgeous. You could look at him like this forever; chest heaving, messy, out of breath. 

Your hand comes to his chest. He’s hot to the touch, clasping his great big hand atop yours. Squeezing, he pulls you closer, other hand creeping up bare thigh, before hooking under your ass in a move that makes you squeal.

From this close, his lashes look so pretty; wispy and romantic and yearning.

"You look beautiful.”  He doesn’t kiss you, not yet, content with only watching - studying you with sharp eyes. “Always do."

All you hear are the compliments, too tipsy to notice what the stranger implies. You're not usually one for a one night stand, but he is intoxicating - intense in a way that's hard to explain. 

Carding one hand through the curls at the nape of his neck, you press your lips to his in a kiss that starts off sweet and quickly deepens. He is hungry and devouring; licking up your moans with plump lips. 

You lead him to the sofa, only separating for fleeting breaths. Eyes low, illuminated by a flash of light here and there; you force yourself to concentrate on him , shuddering breaths and all. He’s hard, rocking into your lower half splayed out beneath him and arms caged around your head. It’s sly, but you snake a hand past his t-shirt, across his back and then fumble with the belt. It makes him smile, soft laughter spilling into your parted lips; before he sits up above you.

“You want it that bad, huh?” Windswept, he croons, batting away your hands to unbuckle the clasp himself.

You groan, shifting upwards. You don’t notice the way his eyes dart down, eying up the peek of thigh that spills out of little shorts. 

“Say it f’me, sweetheart.” He hikes up your skirt, exposing your covered cunt. He’s gentle, pawing at the flesh, pressing the heel of his palm right above your clit.

“F-Fuck!” The pressure is delicious, and you roll your hips up, up, up; chasing some semblance of relief. When he stops, you whine - clutching at his forearm, frustrated. “Want it, please .”

“Want what?” He prompts, lifting his shirt over his head in one quick movement. You’re met with the wide span of his chest, muscle taut and tight above you.

“Want you in me. I want… I want you to fuck me ‘til I break, pound my fucking hole so hard I can feel it in the morning. I want– ”

You’re babbling, now, spurred on by the way he tugs off black shorts, lifting up your legs to slip them off. He’s too slow, clearly enjoying watching you squirm and writhe. 

“You can have it, sweetheart.” He coos, before capturing you into another kiss. This time, he separates and you follow him up; finally parting with a wet smack. “I’ll give you whatever you want, however you want it… but you gotta do something first.”

“ Anything .” You breathe.

“Fuck yourself, for me. I…I–”

“You like to watch.” You finish it for him, breathless.

“Please.” His head dips low; big, red-brown eyes never leaving yours. 

The way he says it leaves you panting, hung off of every word. And you croon, leaning back into couch cushions, already hot at the way he kneads his thumbs to the flesh near your pussy. This close, he can see the way your cunt pulses, eating up a tiny thong between glistening lips. He’s kneeling on the floor, now, snaking his body around to get a perfect view, flashing looks between both your pretty lips. 

More than willing to oblige, you pat at your clit, sending sweet pleasure coursing through your lower half. Even though your legs tremble, he holds you down, placing gentle kisses to your inner thighs. Slipping your thong to the side, you dip two fingers past your slit, gathering up slick to press carefully into your hole.

“So… so pretty. ” He sighs, not daring to close his eyes despite the pleasure he feels. When you notice how his other hand is buried in his pants; jerking up and down to match your pace. You start slow, for now, pumping two fingers in and out, heel of your palm snug against your clit. The sounds are obscene, the wet schlick-schlick ringing out in the quiet room. 

“Prettiest fucking thing I’ve ever s-seen.” Your stranger moans, slathering over your thighs with sloppy kisses, occasionally swiping at your knuckles. Lower and lower, as you get faster and faster, his tongue makes you feel amazing. You’re close - entranced by your spot in the limelight and the sharp eyes that watch every ministration. 

It’s only when you’re knuckle deep, well and truly fucking yourself ; chasing something just out of reach with his help; when two things happen, catching you by surprise. The first, the one that sends electricity down your spine, that makes you jolt and shiver and almost cum right then and there…

…is a wet kiss pressed to your asshole. He slathers and slobbers and licks large stripes up and down; ripping a great moan out from you. He doesn’t stop there, spreading the globes of your ass to delve deeper, tongue-fucking you as your hand stills - unable to concentrate on anything else. Pornographic, he humps his lower half to the same pace, sealing his mouth over your hole. With the vibrations of his moans sending pleasure straight to your clit, you finally cum - a rolling, bubbling orgasm that ends just as intensely. 

The second thing that happens, just as you fall off the edge, is that you’re plunged into darkness. The lights from across the pool, once bright and flashing; are cut off. The music stops, and chatter dies down. Your stranger holds you through it, licking up cum from your neglected cunt, whispering sweet things into the skin.

“There it is, baby. Nice n’ slow.” He soothes as you whimper, hand tight in his hair. 

In the dark, you’re heaving, feeling him slow down as your cunt clenches around nothing, empty. Shaky, you sit up on your haunches as he follows you up.

“Is everything…? What happened?” You’re a little panicked, shaken up from your orgasm. 

“You’re okay, you’re okay. ” He rubs little circles into bare skin. “Too much?”

You shake your head, nuzzling into him. He gives your forehead a kiss, and you feel warmth bloom across your chest.

He shifts. “Just give it a…”

As if on cue, a generator whirs to life, flooding the little room in red light. Something similar seems to happen across the pool, as you take a quick glance to the window.

Your head is a little fuzzy. It aches as you catch his eye, looking at you intently.  

“Do you want to stop? We don’t have to–”

“No.” You say it resolutely, with so much force it even catches you off guard. “I want to.”

“Fuck.” He mutters, brows pressed together imperceptibly. 

For someone you’ve just met, he still looks at you like ice about to melt, like he’s bearing witness to the last breaths of a dying star. He looks at you like he knows you; like he knows how many half-truths and one-night stands you’ve had to endure. It makes you shiver; here, bathed in crimson light, pressed against one another.

He starts with your lips, a gentle thumb pressed flat, and then deeper, deeper, deeper. It’s like before, you realise, the taste of liquor and leather long gone. He keeps his eyes on you, careful as he pops the thumb out, groaning at the length of spit that comes with a flash of your pink tongue. You splay yourself out underneath him, drinking in the sight above; your stranger, your masked man once upon a time, shirtless and breathless and rock hard against your cunt. Now, he tugs down black boxers, its band cut across his torso just so. Thick hair; dark, curly, neatly trimmed; and you reach to trace down his happy trail, to get a hand on his pretty cock.

He just watches , eyes dark, leaning forward to rock into your soft palm and put his mouth on the skin that pillows out from a tight crop top. To give him more access, you tug it down, exposing sensitive nipple. And then that tongue; searching, inquisitive, precise; wraps itself around the flesh. You keen - a pretty moan that has his heart fluttering and eyes clasped shut.

“Inside.” At first, it’s a whisper, said in the throes of deep pleasure. You repeat it, slowing your hand at his cock. 

When he doesn’t answer; still slathering at your tits, pawing the flesh that spills out from your costume; you tug, a sharp thing that has him moaning and sitting up on  his haunches.

“Said I wanted you inside, baby.” You say - and his breaths are deep, his eyes are wild. “Do you want it? Do you want me?”

“A-Always….course I— ” He stops himself, chewing at the inside of his cheek. Finally, he nods and you continue, satisfied.

“Watch.” You titter, reaching down to line him up; carefully gathering slick up at the head of his cock. His tip weeps; shuddering like your stranger does above, getting close and hitching up you up to stay flush against you. His eyes stay trained downward. Inside, he mouths at your neck, groaning once his cock sinks into your fluttering hole.

There’s a tightening grip at your hips, big hands bunching up the skirt to keep you close, with a careful pressure at your clit. That sends heat coursing through your veins, tasting deep crimson in the air. He fucks; up close and humping like he wants to crawl into your skin, with a fervour you’ve never encountered before. It has you hot and sticky, desperate for that biting edge that keeps slipping from dainty fingers. You start to put a hand at your clit, tracing between your bodies when a strong hand pulls it away. Firm.

“No, no, no…” He whispers it, putting your wandering hand to his face, kissing the palm.

“Please. ” You whine. “M’close. So close.”

You feel him twitch inside, hips stuttering at your tone.

“No.” He says it again, resolute. “I’m going to make you cum. Gonna make you feel so good, sweetheart… just… just be patient. Please. For me .”

You’re reaching up for a kiss, of which he obliges. This time, it stays sweet; pink tongues swiped over lips.

“Look at me.” His hips shift, changing angles to hit that sweet spot like you’ve been moulded to his dick - like he knows just where to touch you to make you fall apart. “Look at me, hermosa. Ohh f-fuck, you take me so well… so pretty. You gonna milk my cock? Feels so good around me, sweetheart, like you were made for me. Like we’re ... L-Like–”

You groan, unable to tear yourself away from his writhing form: strong, lean muscles, tensing in the red light. And oh, isn’t he pretty, mere moments away from release, from spilling thick cum inside you.

“M’gonna–”

“I know, I know, hermosa. ” You like the way he says it, rolling off his tongue like honey; treacled and sweet. “Cum f’me, sweetheart. Want to feel you clamp around my cock. Cum for me. ”

And just like that, you’re gone; nails digging into his back as you careen off a steep cliff’s edge. Your stranger quickly follows, pulling out to wrap a tight hand around the base of his cock, spilling onto your stomach as you clench around nothing.

You’re whining, getting ready to complain; why hasn’t he come inside? why doesn’t he want to stay?; when he stills, settling by your side. Propped up by one arm, he crouches down to stroke at your cheek, to touch your jaw, moving your head this way and that - as if he’s looking for something hidden behind bright eyes.

In the red of the emergency lights, you suppose you’re looking for something too. A beat passes, and then another. The generator splutters, whirring and coughing. The lights turn off; replaced by the noise and white lights from across the pool.

So lost in one another, you hadn’t quite noticed; everything else falling away. 

He clears his throat, clambering off of the sofa and tugging up his trousers. Quickly, he returns, a bundle of towels draped across his bare shoulders, and then he wipes off the cum - gently, separating sweaty limbs. Your costume is more or less intact, but you’re unable to do more than just lay there. He’s diligent and patient, not in any sort of rush. When you sit up, he pulls on a shirt, kneeling by your legs to play with a loose thread at your skirt. Too intimate, you suppose. With his head on your lap, you don’t think you care. 

“We should leave.” You say it first, what’s been left in the air for someone else to pick apart. 

“We should.” 

“Can’t leave together.” You say simply, curling a hand in his hair. 

Humming, he looks up lazily, with a hint of a smile. “You go first.”

Neither of you make a move to get up.

“Mr Ghostface,” You start, giggling. “What happened to your mask?”

“Lost it.” He’s cryptic. Finally, he stands. 

Your stranger stretches out a rough palm, and you take it, getting up on shaky legs. You almost collapse onto his chest, but he’s there; solid, stoic. Looking up, and it catches you off guard: the intensity of his stare, how he watches in a way that makes you feel stripped bare. 

“You first.” He repeats, still holding on.

He’s pretty. Of course he is, but the shadow and light makes his features even more pronounced. In the quiet, you take the opportunity to catch him off guard; standing on tip-toes to press a quick kiss to his cheek. Jaw tight, he doesn’t react the way you want him to: ever-still, passive. Fuck. You’ve read it wrong: not used to the intensity of this kind of foray. After all: a one night stand seems too reductive, doesn’t quite span the depths and furrows of how your stranger has taken you apart. Finally, you leave the strange man still standing in the pool house. You don’t dare to look, but you can feel him; the weight of his stare at your back.

You can feel his hands, too; the ghost of his touch lingering as you make your way back to the house, mingling with the crowd.

~~~

You don’t tell your friends. You make your back home after the party, bundled into a taxi with a hand tight around your own wrist. It doesn’t feel like his hand on yours - not even close.

“I didn’t actually fuck him yesterday!” Your friend tugs on your sleeve, giggling into your shoulder as she recounts her night. A debrief with the girls turns into hungover breakfast-bleeding-into-lunch at your dorm. They’re bundled onto the sheets, some eating greasy takeout and others nursing bludgeoning headaches. 

You’re fine, mostly. A little bit of liquid courage, but your hangover pales in comparison to some - catatonic on your rug and scrolling through their phone in a limbo-like state.

“You didn’t fuck him, but you wanted to.” Someone pipes up, and the conversation devolves into raucous laughter.

You laugh, tucked into yourself. The wonders of a half-dozen sophomores during Halloween - able to grin despite the shit storm that’s been mounting. Campus killers notwithstanding - they make you smile, at least.

“Were you there towards the end?” Someone asks, poking an elbow at your side. “When there was that blackout?”

You nod, simply - not trusting yourself to say more.

“I-I mean…” Her voice is suddenly shaky, thrusting a phone into your unsuspecting hands. “Well… they’re saying it must have happened then, or around that time.”

You squint, confused.

“And it could’ve been anyone, I suppose. There were like, what, a hundred people there? More? ”

“What?” 

“A body. They found a body - by the pool house, or something…”

_

_

_

Miguel taglist: @d1lf-loverrr, @afro-hispwriter @ilovemiguelohara @weedxgirlx420 @ladydovahkiin180 @aaliyuh3 @sweetanimebakery @vvitcxen @rosecoloredlenses708 @daikondal @magikmina @impettywhenyouare @alonelygirlsuicidenote @plushyplants @javi0ca @rheeves @starrfruit @nikirikii @marsbars09 @foxglove-grove @mimooyi @crosshairclown @dead-by-light @kynamitedessert @naarra @wanderlustingcastaway @sagejin @cookielovesbook-akie @tangerineloverrr @gobblegluckgluckgod @wolfiepirate @jxxey3 @ebrysteria @elliemm @manchuria @youngghostpeachslime @weasleybuns

@ilovemuppets @vauriz @bonbyon @aimno256 @ancientbeing10 @tvije @venus1224idkpleaze @neteyamsbulletwound @chickenjefferson-blog @maki-z @jasjasthings @aiyaaayei @hyp-oh-critical @tea-earl-grey-thot @sunset-euphoria @moonsio @akiras-key@szaplsdropthealbum@levanneisdumb @naiya-patel17 @Serostapesweat @strawberrymiguel @yumeeesss @errorundyne-exe @spear-bitch @redsoleily @marsissoswag @slezhara @ye4gerzz @adlct515 @nanam1 @indigocookie @cincocosas-blog @starguiders @path0logicalpeoplepleaser@funkyfishy@whoreloll@eugeab@tarjapearce@maddielikesmoths@egotaestical

[thehypnone]

this beautiful afternoon I give you the better...

Alpha Era I

Gibson SG Standard in Heritage Cherry

Gibson SG Standard in Classic White

White Gibson RD

Omega Era I

2009 custom Gibson RD Standard Reissue in black gloss

Black and white Gibson Kirk Hammet 1979 Flying V

I'm not sure about this one. It looks like a Pureslem Cardinal but it's a bit off, plus the neck and head don't match, they look Gibson-ish. It may be a custom, no-name or a mix.

Alpha Era II

White custom Gibson RD

Omega Era II

2009 custom Gibson RD Standard Reissue

Alpha Era III

White + red custom Gibson RD

Omega Era III

1977/1978 Gibson RD Artist Sunburst

2009 custom Gibson RD Standard Reissue in black gloss

Delta Era III

Gibson SG standard in black gloss

Ifrit Era III

Unknown version of Hagstrom Fantomen Stock White Gloss

Hagstrom Fantomen Stock White Gloss

Aether Era III

Hagstrom Fantomen Stock Black Gloss

Dewdrop Era IV

Hagstrom Fantomen Stock White Gloss with mods

Hagstrom Fantomen Custom White Gloss with mods

Hagstrom Siljan II Dreadnought CE in black gloss acoustic

Aether Era IV

Hagstrom Fantomen Stock Black Gloss

Hagstrom Fantomen Custom Black Gloss

Hagstrom Siljan II Grand Auditorium 12 String acoustic

Swiss Era IV

Hagstrom Viking Deluxe Baritone in black gloss

Hagstrom Siljan II Dreadnought CE in black gloss acoustic

Rain Era IV

Hagstrom Siljan II Dreadnought CE in black gloss acoustic (borrowed from Swiss for the duration of the acoustic set)

Dewdrop Era V

This is a bit tricky so I'm giving a disclaimer at the beginning. There's enough Stratocaster models and versions for me to not be able to determine them with 100% accuracy, especially with the way Dewdrop has them all modified and customized. Stuff below are my best guesses based on the knowledge I have, but that would mean even more customizations and possibly swtiching out the necks, so just keep that in mind.

Olympic (dirty) White Fender EOB Signature Sustainer Stratocaster with some personal-preference kinda mods

Olympic (dirty) White Fender LTD American Performer Stratocaster with heavy mods, including Seymour-Duncan Hot Rail pickups and Floyd Rose locking tremolo system

Arctic/Polar (pure) White Fender LTD American Performer Stratocaster with heavy mods, including Seymour-Duncan Hot Rail pickups and Floyd Rose locking tremolo system

Olympic (dirty) White Fender LTD American Performer Stratocaster with lighter mods, including Seymour-Duncan Hot Rail pickups

Arctic/Polar (pure) White Fender LTD American Performer Stratocaster with lighter mods, including Seymour-Duncan Hot Rail pickups

Aether Era V

Hagstrom Fantom Custom (with additional mods) Black Gloss

Swiss Era V

Hagstrom Viking Deluxe Baritone in black gloss

Hagstrom Dreadnought CE in black gloss acoustic

Aeon Era V

Hagstrom Fantom Custom (with additional mods and mismatched pickups) Black Gloss

Hagstrom Fantom Custom (with additional mods) Black Gloss

Hagstrom Fantom Stock Black Gloss

and again, if anyone has any questions my askbox is open as usual :3

[obsidianpen]

Howdy! Awhile back you mentioned you weren't likely to get back to Enticed and asked if anyone wanted to pick up and write the rest, you could share your plot/plan with them... I'm no where near as good of a writer as you and couldn't do that (it actually terrifies me the idea of trying to continue a fic that you started tbh, you are one of my favorite writers). But I still find myself sometimes imagining what happens in later chapters of Enticed, for instance the big showdown at the end of OotP where Harry finally presents at the Ministry, and then in Year 6 when Harry as an Omega leads to some kind of huge Alpha fight (I imagine something like a massive chaotic bloody fight in the Great Hall where the Alphas are all triggering each other & beating each other to a pulp/dueling while the Omegas hide and Betas run for cover and teachers try to stop it). So, I wanted to ask if you wouldn't mind sharing maybe your general plot/key scenes with us just for fun? And maybe the endgame couples? If not, no worries! :)

sure! Spoilers ahead!

so yeah Harry presents as a delta (omega) during the whole ministry fiasco, ofc, and it’s about as dramatic as you would expect me to make it. It happens during the possession scene and so V is right there - like couldn’t be closer to it really - and loses all self control and sense of self, trying to uh, get Harry lol but Bella, also a delta, is there, and she and Harry’s dynamics actually revolt each other so she’s not affected at all. She manages to drag her lord away to safety (she is the only one who would be powerful enough to do this), where he otherwise would have been caught by Dumbledore.

Harry meanwhile is a mess, and it’s too late for any kind of repressing potion for him. He gets taken away by Dumbles (who has MUCH more self control than Voldemort btw) and is put into quarantine. Poor Harry, it’s not a fun time.

he eventually resurfaces and is told what all happened. He has a nice little chat with Dumbledore about the uniqueness of being a Delta, which Dumbles knows all about, because duh, Grindelwald was a delta. (He also learns ollivander is a delta).

year 6: Harry is getting all the stares. He’s finally able to perceive magic and now he GETS it. He and Ginny (also an omega) have insta-bonded. Hermione is protective and already planning future ministry legislation. Ron is uncomfortable but is still Harry’s best friend and ride or die.

Draco Malfoy keeps a great distance from Harry but can’t seem to keep his eyes off him. Harry gets it because he’s having the same problem with him and about six other alpha wizards. He still hates him.

Harry is no longer able to stay in the boys dorm. He now has to stay with the other omega girls in their special dorm room, which he finds mortifying at first, but then realizes how necessary that is, and grows to enjoy them quite a lot.

Harry is aggressively adopted by Godiva (self appointed Head Omega of the Gryffindor squad) and is forced to be ‘one of them’ (though he still escapes all the time and prefers to hang out with his ‘lowly beta’ friends). Godiva is upset when she learns his name is not Hadrian or Harrison. She calls him Hadrian anyway. In lieu of being able to give him a real proper lady make over, she and Fey (who has a muggle mother as I’m writing her) figure out Harry’s glasses prescription and get him some contacts ‘so that his lovely eyes can be admired properly’ and because ‘those glasses are hideous and you’re going to make us all look worse if you wear them’. Harry is sort of into it once he gets used to it. Snape kicks him out of class when he shows up without them with no explaination.

Harry becomes obsessed with Draco Malfoy. Hermione tells him it’s just because he’s an alpha and says be needs to go shag someone else to get over it. Ron is still uncomfortable. Harry says it’s def only because Malfoy is up to something Bad but he isn’t sure if he trusts himself anymore.

Harry (who has to be even more meticulous with taking repressants btw, because he’s not as predictable as a delta) thinks yeah maybe hermione is right actually but every time a bold alpha dude hits on him he panics and can’t handle it. Godiva sighs and makes it her mission to teach him.

the Myrtle bathroom scene with Draco goes very differently. Idk for sure how that would go but probably Malfoy has been forgetting to take his repressing shit what with how stressed he is and there’s probably some pretty intense hate sex, or at least very close to hate sex and plenty of hate snogging. Is this drarry? Maybe

the death eaters still break in, Harry still goes with Dumbledore, Dumbledore still dies

seventh year starts semi similarly, Harry is out with Ron and Hermione doing their thing and hunting horcruxes but they have a limited supply of the repressing elixir for Harry. Voldemort, being a bastard who still very much wants to kill Harry (perhaps more than ever now, because deltas are exceptional and this makes Harry more of a threat in some ways), puts insane regulations and safety measures around repressing elixirs for omegas, as well as any ingredient needs to brew it, making it impossible for Harry to get his hands on any without outing himself. They eventually run out when they’re out camping in the woods when Ron is with them and they have the locket.

he has no options. Hermione and Ron have to tie him up and help him suffer through a heat when one hits (they’re beta so they can’t help in the uh, other way). Harry is losing his mind halfway through it. The only thing that helps at all is the locket. He somehow gets to it and puts it on. Locket Tom reaches him in a dream and manages to convince a half-mad Harry to say ‘voldemort.’

the snatchers show up first. This includes Fenrir Greyback. He immediately goes insane upon finding Harry like that. But voldemort has been waiting for something like this to happen, so he shows up too.

big crazy alpha duel. V versus Fenrir. Hermione and Ron can’t get anywhere near the insane magic that’s happening, but Harry can. He’s having the wildest magical awakening of his life, and when he commands these two alphas (who he no longer sees as individuals in his current state) to kill for him, they do (or they try to anyway; Voldemort wins)

and then ofc Voldemort is supposed to kill Harry because that was the point of all this. But he sees his locket and Harry’s wearing it and that poses many questions and, well, if he’s going to kill Harry anyway he might as well enjoy him first. Somewhere in the middle of that much more intense and messed up hate sex, he realizes what Harry is, so of course he takes him ‘home’ (and don’t worry either he takes him away from hermione and Ron first or more likely Harry somehow banished them, idk the details there but I would not have them watching that lmao).

uhhhh yeah that’s about how far I had the plot going in my head!

[covid-safer-hotties]

New COVID Variant XEC May Outpace Others This Fall - Published Sept 18, 2024

"The virus is always going to be mutating away from what it was in order to get more efficient at infecting individuals," Adalja said. "So I think this really highlights the fact that a universal COVID vaccine, or some vaccine with different technologies, perhaps a nasal vaccine and using mucosal immunity, all of those things are important."

What if, get this, we prevented covid cases by improving ventilation, mandating air filtration, and wearing masks in public? Wouldn't that accomplish the same goal right now? Every mutation takes us further away from the current scientific fantasy of a universal covid vaccine. We have to stop cases to make this dream a reality.

by Sophie Putka

The new COVID-19 variant XEC may overtake others in circulation to become dominant in the coming months, experts said, but will not prompt a meaningful change in symptoms or vaccine response.

So far, the CDC's variant proportions tracker has not registered enough cases of XEC in the U.S. to report it. (The agency's projected estimates for the 2 weeks ending in September 14 currently show KP.3.1.1 and KP.2.3 as the leading variants, with 52.7% and 12.2% of national cases, respectively.) Another estimate using data from the variant tracker GISAID has XEC at 1.11% of U.S. cases as of September 15, with around 48 sequences reported.

First detected in Germany in June, it's been found mostly in Central Europe, representing 10% of cases, according to the U.K.'s Science Media Centre.

"XEC represents a fairly minor evolution relative to the SARS-CoV-2 diversity currently in circulation, and is not a highly derived novel variant such as those that were granted Greek letters," like Alpha, Delta, and Omicron, Francois Balloux, PhD, a computational biologist at University College London and director of the UCL Genetics Institute, said in a Science Media Centre statement.

Experts noted that while XEC may have a small advantage in transmission, available vaccines are still likely to provide protection from serious illness.

XEC is a "recombinant variant of some of the other Omicron lineages that have been around for a while, and it does appear to be more immune evasive, giving it a transmissibility advantage in the population with the immunity that it has," Amesh Adalja, MD, of the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security in Baltimore, told MedPage Today. "But it doesn't really change anything, just like the last variant didn't change anything, or the one before that, one before that, or the one before that."

Currently available COVID vaccines target slightly different subvariants. The updated mRNA shots aimed at KP.2 from Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty) and Moderna (Spikevax), as well as Novavax's vaccine targeting the JN.1 variant lineage, are still protective against the most serious consequences of COVID infections, experts said.

"If this becomes a dominant variant, it will decrease the efficacy against infection of the updated vaccines, but the updated vaccines will still be durable against severe disease [and] hospitalization, and that's what is really the primary function of our current, first-generation COVID vaccines," Adalja said.

Still, he emphasized, the rapid mutation of the virus underscores a need for a different kind of vaccine than those currently available if the goal is to protect against infection rather than just severe disease.

"The virus is always going to be mutating away from what it was in order to get more efficient at infecting individuals," Adalja said. "So I think this really highlights the fact that a universal COVID vaccine, or some vaccine with different technologies, perhaps a nasal vaccine and using mucosal immunity, all of those things are important."

[ghostbc-headcanons]

GUIDE TO THE GHOULS: NAMES, ELEMENTS, VCs AND MORE

i've been meaning to make a post like this since the beginning of the blog but i put it off so long because i was terribly uncertain of myself lol.

but now that i am not, i am finally pushing myself to make this. it's also pertinent for this blog because a lot of the ghouls (particularly era I/II) are, like. completely disregarded, so i gotta make up my own shit for them.

DISCLAIMER: remember this is a headcanon blog and my portrayals of certain characters may not align with your view of them - i am trying my best! also, information is subject to change (a lot of them straight up don't have voice claims yet but i'm not worried about that).

SO. here is your guide to this blog's interpretation of the ghouls. let's get into it under the cut :)

FIRE GHOULS

ALPHA: Eras I-III, hot-headed, kind of an asshole. Voice claim: Cesare, Bigtop Burger

IFRIT: Era III, rambunctious, won't stop running around the Ministry. Voice claim: Jerma985

DEWDROP: Formerly a Water ghoul during Era III, was converted into a Fire ghoul by Era IV. Angry, short, slightly annoying. Voice claim: Dib Membrane, Invader Zim

WATER GHOULS

CAMBRIAN/"CHAIN": Era I, genuinely doesn't speak, but his gaze packs a punch. Voice claim: Uh. He doesn't talk.

LAGOON: Eras I-II, very brutal, very metal, only a little dumb. Voice claim: TBD...

MARSH: Era II, laidback, but cares about his job a lot. A walking contradiction. Voice claim: TBD...

DELTA: Era III, very sweet, constantly looking out for his bandmates. Had a brief stint taking Omega's place, though it didn't last long. Voice claim: TBD...

MIST: Era III, snarky, holds a lot of wit but has a sweet goofy side. Voice claim: Anya Jenkins, Buffy the Vampire Slayer

RAIN: Era IV-V, independent, reliable, presumed shy but he just doesn't talk unless he's got something important to say. Voice claim: Julian Bashir, Star Trek: DS9

QUINTESSENCE GHOULS

OMEGA: Eras I-III, the one literally everyone knows and loves. Sweetie-pie. Voice claim: Snufkin, Moomin Valley

AETHER: Eras III-V, a little self-centered but silly about it so it's okay. Generally also sweet. Voice claim: Dan Avidan

PHANTOM: Era V, clumsy, foolish, VERY self-centered but also still silly about it so he, too, gets a pass. Voice claim: Joxer the Mighty, Xena: Warrior Princess

AIR GHOULS

STRATOSPHERE/ZETA: Eras I-III, very stiff, very proper, does things his way or the highway. Voice claim: TBD...

AIR/"CHAIR": Era III, very enthusiastic! A peppy guy. Voice claim: TBD...

CIRRUS: Eras IV-V, a bit proper, but don't be fooled - she loves a good party. Voice claim: Princess Leia, Star Wars

CUMULUS: Eras IV-V, genuinely the nicest ghoul you will ever know. Mother of the group. Voice claim: Leela, Futurama

EARTH GHOULS

PANGEA: Eras I-II, very scary and also intimidating and he's scary and scary. and . Scary .. Voice claim: TBD...

PEBBLE: Eras II-III, a spitfire (as all short people are) who will kill you. Voice claim: Dan, Dan Vs.

DIATOMITE: Era III, unbothered king. Literally so nonchalant. Voice claim: TBD...

MOUNTAIN: Eras IV-V, very sweet, very tall, gentle giant. Voice claim: Rhys Darby

MULTI-ELEMENT GHOULS

SWISS: Eras IV-V, freak. Will not shut up. Ever. Fire/Air ghoul. Voice claim: Hunter, The Owl House

SUNSHINE: Era V, genuinely a bundle of sunshine, just like her name. Fire/Earth ghoul. Voice claim: Ruby Gloom, Ruby Gloom

AURORA: Era V, chaotic, dorky, tries to keep the group happy. Air/Quintessence ghoul. Voice claim: Penny, Bigtop Burger

OTHER GHOULS

SPECIAL: Spokesman for the band, secretly theorized to be Lucifer in disguise. Voice claim: Tobias Forge (duh?)

COWBELL: Silly guy. Played the cowbell once on stage. Technically an Earth ghoul. Voice claim: TBD...

[werewolfghoul]

Ghoul heights (in my opinion) from shortest to tallest! These are partially based off actors, but obviously more exaggerated for the characters. (I'm sorry for the tag spam. </3)

ERA I:

Big Earth - 7'10

Chain - 7'0

Alpha - 6'11

Omega - 6'11

Air - 6'5

Lake - 6'0

ERA II:

- all same as above!

River - 6'2

ERA III:

- all same as above!

Mountain - 7'0

Aether - 6'8

Ifrit - 6'6

Delta - 6'4

Ivy - 6'0

Zephyr - 5'9

Dewdrop - 5'5

Mist - 5'3

Pebble - 5'0

ERA IV:

Swiss - 6'4

Cumulus - 6'0

Rain - 6'0

Cirrus - 5'7

Sodomizer - 5'4

ERA V:

Phantom - 5'10

Sunshine - 5'6

Aurora - 5'0

UNACCOUNTED FOR:

Cowbell - 6'4

Phil - 6'0

Here is also some charts for funsies! (Pebble and Aurora got cut off a little but um... Don't mind that.)

[mcacomulada]

What you are about to read is probably a bit weird, it's my attempt at making sense of the biological cycle of trolls.

Troll Biology for Wigglers

Trolls are a triploid species, with a triploid biological cycle. The mother grub (3n) releases eggs (n), if these are fertilised by combined troll slurry (they are absorbent, in the primitive times trolls probably had to jizz over them instead of using buckets), they hatch into trolls (2n). If they are not fertilised, however, a virgin mother grub (n) is born (along with all other kinds of lusii). 

A matriorb is made when a virgin mother grub eats a fertilised egg (2n) intact. At this point, the egg dissolves in the innards of the virgin mother grub and goes through a metamorphosis, into a matriorb (with the adding of the virgin mother grub’s gamete).

Queer theorisks also point out that the quadrant system which permits various concupiscent partners was probably a result of troll reproduction being based off of the mixing of a large quantity of a lot of trolls’ genetic material. This necessity to share that much genetic material and with so many people probably provided the necessity to have multiple partners.

The history of troll biology is incredibly obscure, as before meeting humanity, trolls didn’t see any value in preserving that kind of information or learning much about the past at all.

The Blood Colors: Chromochromosomes

The trolls and lusii, unlike humanity, don’t have sex chromosomes. Instead, they have chromochromosomes (on top of the 27 pairs of others).

Each troll has two chromochromosomes, one of them defines characteristics like blood saturation, horn shape and size, number of molts, height, etc. There is only one variety of this chromosome, appointed chromosome V.

The second one has twelve different varieties, all according to blood hue, psionics, and other hue specific attributes, it also potentially modifies characteristics like horn size or general height reached. These twelve chromosomes recieve the subsequent names: Α (alpha), Δ (delta), Λ (lambda), Π (pi), Ι (iota), Υ (upsilon), Τ (tau), Ν (nu), Κ (kappa), Σ (sigma), Μ (mu), �� (chi). [Order from warmest to coolest on the hemospectrum].

Kankri and Karkat’s mutation is caused by a trisomy in the chromochromosomes, wherein they have both the Χ and A chromosomes. This would be extremely controversial to discover, seeing as that basically turns the hemospectrum from a line into a circle, and makes the hierarchy seem even more pointless than it was.

Although not portrayed in the graph, both the mother grub and trolls release two types of gametes: those that have chromosome V (gV) and those that have a chromochromosome (gC). If there is one there isn't the other.

Lusii are born only from the gC, trolls occur when a gC egg and a gV gamete meet or vice versa. The mother grub is the result of a fertilized egg (VC) combined with a virgin mother grub's gamete (gC).

[ask-the-clergy-bc]

Band Ghoul Names and Element Guide (For this blog)

I’ve been meaning to make this guide for a while. Recently I received a request which will REALLY need this for better context.

(Note: some of the elements and names Are just ones I personally use for my world building, so they aren’t official or fan wide!! This is just how I’ll be regarding them and how they work in my writing.)

All ghouls in the list are written in chronological order of appearance!

*ghouls with multiple instruments positions

**Mixed Element ghouls

—

Non Band Ghouls: 

Special (“Phil”): interview and behind the scenes ghoul. Quintessence Element. Also the Sigma Ghoul. 

**Cowbell: Plays the Cowbell. Earth and Quintessence mix.

Miasma: “syringe ghoul” - Ghoul who had the syringe during chapter three. Presumably quintessence/unconfirmed element. Rumored to also have a 'darkness' to their element...

Luna: Kia Forum Vocalist - Quintessence

Breeze: Kia Forum Pianist - Air

Aqua: Kia Forum Cellist - Water (Freshwater/Lake)

Marina: Kia Forum Cellist - Water (Oceanic)

Fire Ghouls (Guitar players):

Alpha: eras I - III

Ifrit: era III

*Ember (Sodo): era III bassist, Era iv + current guitarist. Fire ghoul but born of mixed element parents (one water and one fire.)

**Swiss: Era IV - Current. Technically a multiple element ghoul but primarily shows fire element talents. Guitar, tambourine, vocals. Mixed Fire, Air, and Quintessence element power. 

Quintessence Ghouls (Rhythm guitar):

Omega: Era I - III

*/** Tide: (originally bassist) era III. Mixed ghoul of water and quintessence. 

Aether: era III - current.

Chaos: Goes by the nickname Phantom. Era V. Powers manifest in both matter manipulation and communicating with the dead.

Air Ghouls (Keyboard):

Air: (Formally known as Beta in my verse) Era I - III

Stratus (ChAir): Era III

Cumulus: Era Iv - Current , taller ghoulette and keyboardist 

Cirrus: Era IV - Current, shorter ghoulette and also backing vocals. 

**Sunshine: Era V - tambourine, vocals, keys. mixed element of Air and Fire. She/They pronouns equally. Their element actually manifests as LIGHT, which helped them get their nickname!

**Aurora: Era V - Vocals and tambourine. Air ghoulette with mixed elemental parents of air and quintessence . Standard Air elemental powers but shows auras and aura reading abilities.

Earth Ghouls (Drums):

Gamma: Era I - II. Mixed Forrest and Stone ghoyl.

Earth: (small earth) Era II - III. Plains Ghoul.

Ivy: VERY BRIEFLY end of Era III before Mountain took over. Forrest ghoul.

Mountain: Era III - Current. Stone Ghoul.

Water Ghouls (Bassists):

Delta (Chain Ghoul): Era I. Oceanic ghoul/borderline deep sea.

River: Era I - II. Freshwater river ghoul.

Water: Era II. Freshwater ghoul with oceanic parent.

(Tide was fourth Bassist before being the second Quintessence Ghoul) (era III)

Mist: Era III. Oceanic ghoul.

(Ember was the sixth before he went fire )

Rain: Era IV - Current . Freshwater/Lake ghoul.

[chthonic-sorcery]

𝘚𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘎𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘬 𝘐𝘯𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 🧿

𝚂𝚞𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚘 𝚂𝚞𝚖𝚖𝚘𝚗 𝚂𝚙𝚒𝚛𝚒𝚝𝚜, 𝙶𝚘𝚍𝚜, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝙳𝚊𝚎𝚖𝚘𝚗𝚜 ⛧

An example of voces magicae, or magical mystery/nonsense words, these magical vowels in Greek, the alpha-beta-gamma-delta or ΑΒΓΔ, were sung before most invocations/evocations of spirits, Gods, and daemons as a way to harmonize with the spheres of the universe (in accordance with Pythagoreanism.)

TO PRONOUNCE SINGLE VOWELS IN ANCIENT GREEK:

A- ah as in father

E- ay as in day

Ē- ee as in seek

I- ih as in stick (if it appears after a

consonant)

O- oh as in broke

Ō -the same as O, except the sound is drawn out, like oooh

U -oo as in truth

IAỒ, an extremely common magical name for God, is pronounced ya-oooh."

In the Greek Magical Papyri, a 2000 year old Greco-Egyptian magical text, it states to sing these vowels in accordance to certain sounds:

the “A” with an open mouth, undulating like a wave; [A, α]

the “O” succinctly, as a breathed threat. [O, ο]

the “IAÔ” to earth, to air, and to heaven. [ΙAΩ, ιαω]

the “Ê” like a baboon; [Η, η]

the “O” in the same way as above; [O, ο]

the “E” with enjoyment, aspirating it, [Ε, ε]

the “Y” like a shepherd, drawing out the pronunciation. [Υ, υ]

—PGM V. 24 – 30

Learn more here ⛧

[planet-of-the-machines]

[Transcribed from speech]

Hey there outpost 3! I've got a few questions for the Disassembly drones.

-/Robo-Jesus someone get her off of me!!!/-

So, N and V, regarding the sword blade wings; are they typically uniform size?

-/steel feathers in my face! Stop attacking me!/-

*Eagle screech*

Cuz our new Disassembly drone here has a set of wings that are pretty big, like some vast predatory bird! And I caught sight of some of her feathers splitting open-

-/NONONO NOT THE FACE!/-

-one sec, HEY! SHUT UP AND STOP AGITATING MY PATIENTS!

-/What are you-? No that's not yours/-

*crashing sounds*

*Sigh* as I was saying, her blade feathers split open, revealing small thrusters, so is that something standard issue, or is she some special variation of disassembly?

-/-son of a Subroutine! Give that back you Mettalic Magpie!!/-

*Caws of victory *

Oh, right, also do either of you know a Serial Designation F? Cuz that's the name on the band on her leg.

-/ OH COME ON SHE STOLE MY TABLET! I HAVE BLUEPRINTS ON THAT!/-

GOOD! I won't have to patch you up for a while then! Anyway, thanks for any light you can shed on this.

Cheif Medical officer of Outpost 15

Minerva

P.S. Brainstorm is fine. F was just flailing her wings in his face trying to steal his tablet.

P.P.S. don't worry about data leaks either. I traded some shiny scrap metal to get it back. She was trying to make a nest in the repair bay she's confined to.

Biscuits, J's going to kill me for saying this.

There are several... um, models of us Disassemblers, kinda like how there were hundreds of different dog breeds before the Flash. Or I guess a better comparison would be humanity and its various races and ethnicities. Me and my team are of the Alpha 2 model, Alpha meaning basically the "default" Murder Drone. The 2 is that we're the second, uh, generation of that default, as the Alpha 1 was phased out by the company in 2051.

Th-that's not to say we all look the same, heheh. If we get enough recorded kills, JCJenson lets us modify ourselves... so long as Mr. Sentinel approves of them. I've only gotten 29 confirmed Worker Drone kills since we were deployed, not quite enough for even the cheapest mod. J's gotten around 70, which she used to get her feet — usually the girls only get the "stilts," as maintenance calls them. And V's killed over 100, but—

-N

I haven't modded myself because I don't need any. Best of the team.

-V

Oh.

Okay then.

That brings us to the other models. IDK who's in charge of designing us, but they seem to have really liked animals, cause they've put quite a few features into them.

The Beta model, which F seems to be of, take after birds of prey. Larger wingspans, thrusters for extra speed in the air, and and three-pronged feet for grabbing on to railings, ledges, or... uh, people. I think G may be a derivative of the Beta 2, judging by her feet, but then there's her massive tail, and she's too small.

The Gamma model take after wolves, lions, and tigers. They have claws integrated into the fingers, more sensitive audio receptors — they can even run on all fours. Kinda wish I was one... although I probably would've killed— ANYWAYS!!!

The Delta Model is basically the Alpha, but amphibious — mostly taking after sharks. They can be told apart by the fins on their arms, legs, and back. That, and they have no wings.

The Epsilon model take after chameleons. ... I don't think I need to explain what they do. Mainly they're used for scouting or stealth ops.

Finally, there's the Zeta model... also know as the Shifter model. In all honesty, they're closer to Heavy Drones than they are to Disassembly Drones, except they... uh...

-N

They're like this loser's emo friend. Turn into a car or truck or jet fighter of some kind for higher mobility. Don't ask why corporate thought to turn them into vehicles instead of animals, even J has no clue about it.

Shifters are like stormtroopers (no, not those stormtroopers). The company uses them whenever brute force is necessary to get a job done. There aren't that many Zetas around, though one of them, Sentinel Major, somehow got high enough on the corporate ladder to become J's boss.

As for your other question... *sigh* N, J, and I were trained alongside another trio when we were first built and turned online. S, K, and D, if my new memory core's not lying. We really didn't get along, as our teacher pitted us against each other��� still pit our teams against each other, and every other team built before and after us. It's all a competition, one where you otherwise never see your opponents. So no, we've never heard of Serial Designation F until your message, miss.

-V

You mean you've never even met any other teams in person? Robo-Jesus Christ...

-Boulder

There goes that potential interrogation down the garbage chute.

-Chase

Dude. Really?

Hot Rod

Let me get this straight. When you called me a shifter during prom, you were saying some of you guys have my powers!?

-Uzi

Yep. They're usually around the size of a Heavy Drone, though, so I imagine they'd call you an imp.

-V

BITE ME!!! >:(

-Uzi

Oh chill out. If there's anything special about you besides your... personality(?), they don't have two vehicles they can turn into, only one. Besides, you're fast enough to run circles around them and they'll just overheat to death trying to hit you.

-V

Hold on. You said they're used as stormtroopers. Why would Jenson need someone for that kind of role?

-Orion

I don't know the details, but apparently the company's not just fighting the WDF. J said a few things about rival companies... and something about the Red Army... but said V and I didn't need to know the specifics. And because we weren't really allowed to ask questions...

-N

[b-radley66]

Some of my Star Trek OCs from the Borderlines series (https://www.adastrafanfic.com/users/B_Radley/series) by the talented @punkzcakes . From left, Siobhan Lincolnton, known as Shiv, Chandra, Kaylin Stone-Hunter, and Decker Sinclair. All showing different versions of the uniforms, including a couple that sorta made up. Shiv wears the field pants (adapted from the landing party uniforms in Star Trek V), Chandra wears the Service Dress Alpha with bomber version for senior officers (with Deltan Combat Distraction Modification). Kaylin is in the field uniform with the black undershirt and Decker wears the Service Dress Delta (madeup) for in operations gold. The Service Dress Bravo is the turtleneck and vest, the Service Dress Charlie is a maroon pullover that goes over the Service Dress Delta. @punkzcakes is a wonderful artist and great to work with. I whole heartedly recommend her if commissions are open!

[jennelikejennay]

Planet naming conventions! This works for Star Trek fics or anywhere else, because this is one of several ways planets are named in real life.

Start with the constellation the star is in (from Earth). Say Cygnus, the swan. Put that in the possessive form (us turns to i, a turns to ae). Then the stars are named with Greek letters from the brightest to the dimmest. So the third-brightest star in Cygnus is called Gamma Cygni.

Then you can letter or number the planets. Real astronomers tend to use letters (Alpha Tauri b) whereas in Star Trek it's often Roman numerals (Ceti Alpha V). Either is fine.

Does this sound really terrocentric to you? It is! The Federation has the bad habit of naming things and keeping those names over the names given to them by the people who live there. I.e. Vulcan over T'Khasi, Kronos over Qo'noS. If you are coming up with the name the inhabitants call it, you'll want to use an alien sounding word, not this system.

(Also Delta Vega is the fourth star in the constellation Vega, not anywhere near Vulcan, which is in the Epsilon Eridani system.

Can we all just agree that where Jim gets marooned in the 2009 movie is T'Khut? It's the only place that makes sense.)

[nerds-yearbook]

Appendix: Some Nerd Appearances of David Warner

Teen Titans Go! - The Lobe (2020)

Mary Poppins Returns - Admiral Boom (2018)

The Alienist - Professor Cavanaugh (2018)

The Amazing World of Gumball - Dr Wrecker (2015 - 2016)

Baldur's Gate: Siege of Dragonspear - Jon Irenicus (2016)

Southern Troopers - Admiral Warner (2015)

Penny Dreadful - Professor Abraham Van Helsing (2014)

Doctor Who - Professor Grisenko (2013)

Wizard - Merlin (2013)

The Evil Clergyman - The Evil Clergyman (2012)

The Secret of Crickley Hall - Percy Judd (2012)

A Thousand Kisses Deep - Max (2011)

Tron: The Next Day - Ed Dillenger (2011)

Graceless - Daniel (2010)

Doctor Who: Dreamland - Lord Azlok (2009)

Hogfather - Lord Downey (2006)

The League of Gentlemen's Apocalypse - Dr Erasmus Pea (2005)

Cyber Wars - Joseph Lau (2004)

Cortex - Master of the Organization (2004)

Dr Jeckyll & Mr Hyde - Sir Danvers Carew (2003)

The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy - Nergal (2001 - 2003)

The Code Conspiracy - Professor (2002)

The Little Unicorn - Ted Regan (2001)

Planet of the Apes - Senator Sandar (2001)

Men In Black animated - Alpha (1997 - 2001)

Star Trek: Klingon Academy - Chancellor Gorkon (2000)

The Secret Adventures of Jules Verne - Arago (2000)

Buzz Lightyear of Star Command - Lord Angstrom (2000)

Batman Beyond - Ra's Al Ghul (2000)

Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn (2000)

Star Wars: Force Commander - Grand Gen Brashin

Superman animated - Ra's Al Ghul (1999)

Descent 3 - Dravis (1999)

The Outer Limits - Inspector (1995 - 1999)

Total Recall 2070 - Dr Felix Latham (1999)

Wing Commander - Admiral Geoffery (1999)

Toonsylvania - Doctor Vic Frankenstien (1998)

Houdini - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1998)

Fallout - Morpheus (1997)

Spider-Man animated - Herbert Landon (1995 - 1997)

Preversions of Science - Dr Nordhoff (1997)

Freakazoid - The Lobe (1995 - 1997)

Captain Simian & the Space Monkeys - the Glyph (1997)

Privateer 2 - Rhinehart (1996)

Beast Master III - Lord Agon (1996)

Gargoyles - Archmage (1995)

Iron Man - Arthur Dearborn (1995)

Batman animated - Ra's Al Ghul (1992 - 1995)

Final Equinox - Shilow (1995)

Biker Mice from Mars - Ice Breaker (1995)

Mighty Max - Talon (1994)

Babylon 5 - Aldous Gajic (1994)

Lois and Clark the New Adventures - Jor-El (1994)

Adventures of Brisco County Jr - Winston Smiles (1993)

Quest of the Delta Knights - Lord Vultare (1993)

Body Bags - Dr Lock (1993)

Wild Palms - Eli Levitt (1993)

Dinosaurs - Spirit of the Tree (1993)

Star Trek the Next Generation - Gul Madred (1992)

Captain Planet and the Planeteers - Zarm (1992)

Tales from the Crypt - Dr Alan Goetz (1992)

Return to the Lost World - Professor Summerlee (1992)

The Lost World - Professor Summerlee (1992)

Star Trek VI - Chancellor Gorkon (1991)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II - Professor Jordan (1991)

Twin Peaks - Thomas Eckhardt (1991)

Spymaker - Adm Godfry (1990)

Star Trek V - St John Talbot (1989)

Worlds Beyond - Ken Larkin (1988)

My Best Friend is a Vampire - Professor Leopold (1987)

Frankenstien - the creature (1984)

The Man With Two Brains - Dr Alfred (1983)

Tron - Ed Dillenger (1982)

Time Bandits - Evil Genius (1981)

Time After Time - Dr John Leslie/Jack the Ripper (1979)

[mattapparentlystumbltourneys]

BRACKET REVEAL

Alright. At long last, I present to you the bracket...or should I say...*BRACKETS* for the Virtual Character Tournament!

Given the scale, the first round is going to be one bracket per week, 4 a day, with each lasting 24 hours. I know that this is still tight, but given how many contestants there are, along with the necessary inclusions of images and propaganda (oh and I guess also my job), it's what I can do to keep this semi-manageable. There's also no redemption round this time. It's gonna be a single elimination tournament. Be kind to your peers. This is not but a drop in the infinite ocean of the internet.

...oh yeah the brackets themselves. We'll be going in order over the course of 4 weeks. I'll make proper announcements for them as they commence. Given how many there are and what I want to get done beforehand, Bracket 1 will likely begin some time this week. But for the matchups...

Bracket 1:

Hatsune Miku (Vocaloid) vs. Elohim (The Talos Principle)

Flame (Yu-Gi-Oh! VRains) vs. The Supervisor/Mouthless (Tenkuu Shinpan)

XANA (Code Lyoko) vs. MetalMan.EXE (Mega Man Battle Network)

9-Jack-9 (Zot!) vs Poppy Pipopapo (Kamen Rider Ex Aid)

Sage (Sonic Frontiers) vs Mektryllis (Fate/Extra CCC)

Dot Matrix (Reboot) vs V Flower (Vocaloid)

Wizardmon (Digimon) vs Delta (Red Vs. Blue)

Sora (Ever17) vs Kasane Teto (UTAU)

The Doctor/EMH (Star Trek Voyager) vs Crash (Awful Hospital)

Burroughs (Shin Megami Tensei IV) vs Quorra (Tron Legacy)

The Machine (Person of Interest) vs The Rocket Dex (Pokemon)

P03 (Inscription) vs. M.X.E.S (FNAF Security Breach: Ruins)

Hakuno Kishinami (Fate/EXTRA) vs Data Riku (Kingdom Hearts)

Samaritan (Person of Interest) vs ART (The Murderbot Diaries)

Cortana (Halo) vs M-Bot (Skyward)

Mitsuko Miyazumi (Archer) vs Ritsu (Assassination Classroom)

Bracket B:

Ene (Kagerou Project) vs The Thunderhead (Arc of a Scythe)

Amadeus (Steins; Gate 0) vs D.O.M (The Adventure Zone)

AM (I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream) vs Theo (Meta Runner)

Colonel.EXE (Mega Man Battle Network) vs Daia (Kiratto PriChan)

Agumon (Digimon) vs The Bobbiedots (FNAF Fazbear Frights)

Felix the Desktop Cat (Real Life) vs SHODAN (System Shock)

MegaMan.EXE (Mega Man Battle Network) vs Church (Red vs. Blue)

Shepherd (ENA) vs Dr. Coomer (Half Life VR But the AI is Self-Aware)

Sophie/Sophia (Persona 5 Strikers) vs Dizzy (Beyblade)

Miss J/SCP 5094 (SCP) vs Ultraman X (Ultraman X)

SAYU (No Straight Roads) vs Falulu (Pripara)

Incarceron (Incarceron) vs Benry (Half Life VR but the AI is Self-Aware)

Lea (Crosscode) vs Kiracchu (Kiratto PriChan)

Dragon (Prahumans) vs Murder-Bot 2.0 (The Murderbot Diaries)

Ai (Yu-Gi-Oh! VRains) vs Glitch Slime (Slime Rancher)

Eris (Wolf 359) vs Monika (Doki Doki Literature Club)

Bracket III:

Hera (Wolf 359) vs Shin AI (Your Turn to Die)

Alba (Star Twinkle Pretty Cure) vs The Denpa Men (The Denpa Men)

Guy (Free Guy) vs EDI (Mass Effect)

Aetna (Lore Olympus) vs Yui (Sword Art Online)

Nicole the Holo-Lynx (Archie Sonic) vs Gabumon (Digimon)

Jacqueline Box (Pripara) vs Mamechi (Tamagotchi)

Vanellope von Shweetz (Wreck-It Ralph) vs Cleverbot (Real Life)

The Phantom Virus (Scooby-Doo) vs Chiaki Nanami (Danganronpa)

Alter Ego (Danganronpa) vs Digit (Cyberchase)

Simulcast (Reflection TTRPG) vs SARA (Toonami)

Lumina Ichihoshi (Dig Delight Direct Drive DJ) vs The World Machine (OneShot)

Rumble McSkirmish (Gravity Falls) vs Holly (Red Dwarf)

HAL 9000 (2001: A Space Odyssey) vs Samantha (Her)

PAMA (Minecraft Story Mode) vs Noah Kaiba (Yu-Gi-Oh!)

Agent Smith (The Matrix) vs O.R.C.A (Splatoon)

Spunc (Alpha Betas) vs Porygon (Pokemon)

Bracket Delta:

GIFanny (Gravity Falls) vs Coco (Aikatsu Friends)

Vic Fontaine (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine) vs Red One (The Last Angel)

Glitchtrap (FNAF Help Wanted) vs Holo (My Holo Love)

Avina (Mass Effect) vs Light Hope (She-Ra)

Motherboard (Cyberchase) vs Aya (Green Lantern: The Animated Series)

Bonzi Buddy (Real Life) vs Tama (AI The Somnium Files)

Dragon (Worm) vs Bip (Runway to the Stars)

Failsafe (Destiny) vs J.A.R.V.I.S (Marvel Cinematic Universe)

Aiba (AI: The Somnium Files) vs CanHaz (DC Comics)

SAYER (SAYER) vs Fey (Welcome to Night Vale)

Buddy (Buddy Simulator 1984) vs Ziggy (Quantum Leap)

Maggy (Hellspark) vs The Squip (Be More Chill)

Lyla (Spider-Man: Across the Spiderverse) vs Durandal (Marathon)

Beta Jay 137 (Ninjago) vs Zero III (Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward)

Sergey Ushanka (The Magnus Archines) vs Demetra (Spy Kids 3: GAME OVER)

Alie (The 100) vs Lil' Hal (Homestuck)

As always, thank you for bearing with me during this long and arduous process. Sorry for the hassle, and be prepared, as it is almost upon us.