#15 44

[vanillahub]

🔥🔥

@15-44

Send me a “ 🔥 “ for an unpopular opinion. [Accepting]

People can cry about it as much as they want to, BUT I don't think the words authenticity and RP mesh well together. Let me explain: Unlike with say, Fanfiction/fanart making, you're not really all alone in a RP context. Of course, you're still the one responsible for coming up with the standard/basis of your muse, otherwise you're left with just a haphazardly made muse. BUT the moment you start engaging with anyone else, you're going to be suscetible to their influence/ideas/whatever you guys are talking about.

So, in this situation, no one can really claim how they came up with a plot or muse 100% on their own. I'm speaking this largerly basing off my own experience, throughout several RPCs and many RP partners I've had. The majority of my worldbuilding metas wouldn't even be a thing, if I weren't juggling ideas or discussing about them with someone else. I wouldn't have even 60% of my creativity drive, if it weren't for my friends support and talks.

Unless you're RPing with an AI, which is the same as nothing, you're never RPing with yourself. I feel like some people take the whole "authenticity/originality" in RP to such an extreme (like I've seen some ppl FIXATE on it), they forget that the main principle of RPing is its collaborative effort between two writers.

To sum it up:

Your muse/plots/development aren't entirely yours, as much as you want to convince yourself otherwise. If that were the case then, where would be the fun of RP be, to begin with? You may as well just move to Fanfiction writing, if that's so important to you.

I'm going to also say it: I feel like ppl heavily misinterpret or full on don't understand when I say things like- "Ship and let ship" or "Write whatever you want in fiction.".

I fully support ppl going mad shit in fiction, I won't budge in the slightest bit on my very hard stance on anti-harrassment (nobody ever deserves to receive any harrassment over things in fiction, period.). My problem comes when people decide to read that as some kind of, greenlight for them to approach me with shit, I NEVER had any intention to engage with to begin with. (e.g.: I often dab into darkfic elements for the majority of my muses, but IDK who'd look @ my work and think "HM MAYBE THIS IS THE PERFECT PERSON TO APPROACH FOR SOME NONCON PLOT-" AND DO IT IN AN APPROACH, I REALLY DON'T DO.)

It's both funny (in the sense that it is obvious, those people aren't really respecting people's boundaries) and frustrating (like c'monnn you're just digging your own grave). There are some ppl who will truly take your entire arm, if you offer them a hand.

[skullkxd]

a singular rock

A rock!! Ree holds it, careful and curious, rolling the weight in their palm.

“This is gonna be good to throw at people.”

They tuck it away in their pocket, maybe to use later.

[emmetrain]

give him the poison treats. he's built different. he can handle it

"I am Emmet! If you can handle it, we should be best friends! Yup! I have so much poison to dispose of--you never get a chance to use them. You know."

[healbellls]

@15-44 has sent: 🌺 @ morty!

Send a flower to hear… [Accepting, SPECIFY MUSE]

🌺... a secret.

"Rule number one when travelling around Johto. Don't ever use kantonese accent around here. Unless you're feeling like going unnoticed, by a good chunk of the region's population. And it's the same thing in Kanto, don't think you can get away with talking like this, over there."

"You know how it goes."

[nerdynanny]

"The way I figure it-- plastic didn't exist when glass cups were made. So 'glasses' were glasses. I mean we also call glasses glasses too, if that makes sense." He tapped his shades, then pointed to the plastic cup.

"That's just called a cup, usually. Language changes and shifts over time, and vernacular can vary from region to region." Asking the educator at the bar might've been a bit too on the nose, let alone one with such a grasp of the English language.

"My query is why words that look like they should rhyme, don't." He pulled out a pen and scrawled three words on a napkin.

Cough. Rough. Thorough.

"So, this?" He's holding up a glass cup, waggling it in his hand. "This is a glass. It is made of glass."

"So, don't you think that it's a bit weird that this -" He sets down the cup, before picking up a plastic cup, "is... made of plastic, but humans don't call it 'a' plastic. This mug over here, made of ceramic - but but it's not 'a' ceramic. Why?"

[a-d-nox]

are there centers in human design that can be considered masculine/feminine? (Like how Sun and Mars give masc energy and how Moon and Venus give feminine energy)

or is there even more androgynous centers too (I'd think Mercury is pretty similar to that energy)?

human design: how certain gates and channels fit gender/genderless stereotypes

feminine

gate 2: this is what i think of when people say "women's intuition" - it's all about sensing with this gate. they feel things out instead of relying on guidance and rules.

gate 13: a receptive gate - in the olden days women were the gatherers and men were the hunters. now a days this gate is synonymous with receiving messages from others - often people feel comfortable with the active gate person to the point where things are overshared to them... its the placement of an empath - therapists commonly have this placement. a lot societal expectations for feminine individuals center on the themes of this gate: receptivity, comforting, empathy, etc.

gate 15: the love for others and unassuming energy of this gate in my opinion aligns with femininity. its like a mother nature energy there is love/support/respect for all of the world's creatures.

channel 2->14: this feels like the magic of the feminine. there is one place where all things end and begin as people say and that is the womb. this is a gate that reminds me of such power - the creation of life is unlike anything else.

channel 37->40: these are trustworthy people - their word is their bond. you can trust them completely without fear. they use shared values, desires, and emotions to create stronger connections with others. i feel like these people also have the tendency to be very touchy feely.

masculine

gate 10: no fears just vibes. this placement is one of those that is hard to place - its just so indifferent and cocky to me? no one is this prideful and sure of themselves as a masculine energy?

gate 21: not to get all cave person again like but this is a hunter not a gatherer. they bring home the bacon, are protective, and are a primary decision maker.

gate 34: this just a gate of raw power and independence - which screams masculinity to me.

channel 21->45: "this is a mans world". this is a placement fit for a king. this people are authoritative, leaders, and natural managers of people/things around them.

channel 34->20: business man vibes. this is a force to be reckoned with - they are unstoppable and ooze capability. its sort of cocky to me again...

androgyny

gate 29: this gate knows how to adapt it doesn't lean any which way. it can be passive or assertive depending on the situation.

gate 44: again survival for survival sake type of vibes - they can be both the hunter and the gatherer with this gate active.

channel 1->8: tabula rasa vibes - powerful in a mysterious way. its not clear or concise. they know who they are and that is all that matters to them.

channel 9->52: this is a passive (feminine) and an active (masculine) gate meshing together. they have the ability to be both productive yet patient and introspective.

like what you read? leave a tip and state what post it is for! please use my “suggest a post topic” button if you want to see a specific post or design related post next!

click here for the masterlist 

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© a-d-nox 2024 all rights reserved

[shady-tavern]

A Hero’s Return

Continuation of this little short story. No particular warnings, but let me know if I should tag something.

***

'Ready when you are.'

It felt as though the message was burning a hole into your pocket as you stared at your hero costume. Freshly laundered, repaired perfectly after your fight with that telekinetic villain and just as practical and flashy as before. It shouldn’t be scary.

Your hands weren’t trembling when you put it on, but it was a near thing. It helped to know that Silver was waiting on the other side, not a floating terror ready and willing to kill. If you failed, no civilians would get hurt or killed. You would not die knowing you had been utterly useless, or wake up miraculously to find hundreds of people dead because you hadn’t been strong enough.

You had grown stronger, you knew you had. Enough so, in fact, that the hero association had recently bumped you up to Class B. Which was a little frightening, you had never played in the upper leagues before and while you knew you were part of the bottom crowd of Class B, it was still very different to your comfortable, quiet little Class C.

You took a few deep breaths after buckling the last of your gear in place and you stared at the mirror, realizing that the costume didn’t fit like it used to. You had gained muscle and a bit of weight and…it didn’t look right anymore. The colors seemed too bright, the little fluttery accents you had once added to the design on a whim too useless.

You took another deep breath and turned away from the mirror. Now was not the time to get into an existential crisis over your costume. You could always order a new one from the association later. You grabbed your phone, staring at the most recent message for a long moment, your heart pounding nervously.

'Ready when you are.'

You could hear Silver’s voice in your mind as you read those words, could see his reassuring smile, the kindness in his mercury eyes that didn’t quite manage to hide patient anticipation. He was looking forward to this, you knew. He had been there every step of the way, as you had dragged yourself out of the hole your failure and terror had shoved you into.

You didn’t feel ready to be a hero again, but you had decided that it didn’t matter. You would never feel ready. You could run those obstacle courses and simulations Silver built a hundred thousand times and not feel ready.

'Ready' you typed back and hit send before you could stop yourself. 

The hero association already knew you would return to active duty today. The substitute hero had left the city last night, looking relieved. His stay here had been exceptionally boring, since Silver had refused to challenge him in any way. Aside from bugging him a bit for fun, but his pranks were always harmless.

You flexed your hands and for a moment you felt all the scar tissue pull tight, stitched up wounds and surgery scars and broken bones that had taken months to heal. You weren’t ready, but you were sick and tired of sitting around at home.

You were sick and tired of being scared, of worrying. Of thinking about the next Class A villain that could show up with murder on their mind. You wanted to be a hero, still, even now. You wanted to protect people and help them where you could. You straightened your shoulders and walked forward, projecting a confidence you did not feel.

It was showtime.

*.*.*.*

You watched civilians cackle in delight as they were pelted with marshmallow butts the size of half your palm. Silver was bouncing a bit on his toes at your side, grinning so wide it must’ve hurt his cheeks.

"Well?" he said with a grin. "Aren’t you going to try and stop me? Oh no, darling, dashing hero!" He pretended to fall into a faint, hand theatrically pressed against his forehead. 

He tipped over with thoughtless trust, knowing you’d be there to catch him. And you did, hands pressed against his signature leather jacket as he draped himself over your arms with exaggerated drama. He continued, "Whatever shall I do, my evil soul quivers!"

You couldn’t help but laugh, tension you hadn’t been aware of sliding off your shoulders like water off a duck’s back. When you caught your breath again, looking down, Silver had the softest smile on his face, his eyes crinkling at the corners. He looked far too sweet for someone proclaiming he had an evil soul.

He straightened from his pretend fainting after a moment and tugged his jacket properly back into place.

"Good first day back?" he asked quietly, barely audible over the huffing and puffing noise of his Ass Kicker 50, it’s wheel of used but thoroughly cleaned and disinfected boots merrily pelting butts into the growing crowd.

"Yeah," you answered just as quietly. "Glad to see me again?"

"Of course, darling." His soft smile got a mischievous edge as it grew into a smirk. "But you must be losing your edge, you haven’t even disabled my baby yet."

You couldn’t help but smirk back, tapping a piece of plating. "Dead switch is beneath this thing, isn’t it?"

He looked startled, then cursed and grumbled, actually looking like he had no idea if he was frustrated or delighted and instead settled on a weird mix of both. "I was hiding it so well! How the fuck did you know?"

You gave him a small shrug. "It’s the only place that works and from the way the thing’s set up and built, it had to be in this area to avoid messing with the machinery. And it’s the only plating that’s not bolted down. Pressure opens it, right?"

You pressed down experimentally on one side and the plate popped open easily enough, swinging aside to reveal the big red button. Because of course it was a big red button. That was so very Silver.

When you looked up, his mercury eyes were bright and intense and that elated-frustrated look was still on his face. "And you once asked me why I fight you," he said, his quiet voice carrying a particular tone that you couldn’t quite place. It made you feel faintly flustered, though.

You fiddled with the plate for a moment, before closing it again. "Yeah, well, I’m just glad I’m not boring."

Silver drew up to his full height, actually looking affronted. "Boring? How dare you?"

The smile tugging at your face felt far too earnest and touched by half, but it seemed to soothe his insulted affront.

"I’ll have a conversation with whoever put that thought into your head," he said, pointing a finger at you. "And if it was you yourself, we are going to have a long talk."

Hearing a round of loud, delighted noise from the side, both of you looked over to see a group of goth teens cackling as they pocked little holes between the cheeks of their marshmallows butts.

"Ah, I knew I had forgotten something," Silver muttered and you dissolved into helpless laughter, ending up leaning against his shoulder and gasping for air.

By the time you calmed down, you were out of breath, your belly aching in the best of ways and you reached up to wipe some moisture away. Silver looked very content and happy, standing there and watching the machine pelt away, people jumping to catch the butts wrapped in paper to keep things sanitary. So they could be picked up and still eaten if they fell to the floor.

He was always so thoughtful, you thought, still leaning against him and not moving away. You had no idea what he got out of being a villain - well, aside from tax fraud, a bunch of other illegal activities and some very, very strange substances you were not going to touch, ever - but you were happy to see him happy. He deserved it.

"They needed that too," Silver said in this moment, nodding at the crowd. "This city hasn’t quite been the same since that villain attacked. They’re relieved to have you back and seeing us fight harmlessly should put more demons to rest."

You hadn’t even thought about that, too caught up in your own trauma as you had been. You looked back at the people and you saw that he was right. There was a visceral relief on many faces, a giddiness that was born half out of the silliness of the situation and half out of a release of fear-filled tension.

They had been even more helpless than you had been. Civilians with no combat abilities and absolutely no chance to survive the Class A villain. All they had been able to do was run while they had to watch you bleed and break and still stand up again and again.

Oh. 

A quiet realization struck you down to your core. You had wondered why people had been polite but not overly warm with the substitute hero. He had sent you regular updates on villain activity and how his patrols had gone, even if it had taken you a while before you had gotten the guts to read it all instead of only the summary. 

He had mentioned that people didn’t seem all that curious about him and he had sulked about that a bit.

All this time you had thought that you had failed them, these people who grinned and waved when they saw you. Who didn’t hesitate to call you away from the street and ask for help or offer you sweets or lunch when you had been patrolling for hours. People who let you hold their babies or hugged you when you brought their lost pets back.

But they hadn’t seen a failure that day months ago. They had seen you, standing between them and certain death and refusing to give up, no matter what. All because you wanted to protect them with all you had.

"Hey, what’s wrong?" Silver’s worried voice cut into your thoughts and when you glanced at him, his brows were furrowed. "Why are you crying? Do you need me to switch off my baby and back up?"

"I’m fine," you croaked weakly, though you totally were tearing up. "I’m just glad to be back, don’t read too much into it."

Silver’s face softened with a quiet bit of relief and he hummed in understanding. "I’m glad, too, by the way," he said after a moment. "To have you back that is. I may have been a wee bit lonely."

You raised an eyebrow, glad that no tears had spilled over. "You saw me almost every day."

"But not like this," Silver said. "Don’t get me wrong, I love watching you destroy the machines of the obstacle course or absolutely ace the simulations, but I missed going up against you like this."

You rubbed the back of your neck, straightening from your slouch against him. "You always say things like that with a straight face." You both admired him for it and felt envious. Sometimes you wished you could just simply say what was on your mind as well.

Silver smiled, a little lopsided and crooked. "Life’s short, so who cares what others think," he said. "All I care about is living every day the best I can."

You knew what he meant by that. He had told you a bit more about his fight against Terra after modifying some more simulations for you. You had even seen a glimpse of the patchwork of scars that fight had left on him, many of them surgery scars. He had barely survived his debut as a villain. His ever first fight and it had been against Terra.

"You know, I wanted to make the butts bigger," he said before you could say anything, smoothly but obviously changing the topic. "But there was only so much I could fit into Ass Kicker 50 and that just wouldn’t do."

"Are you going to run out of butts soon?" you wondered.

Silver hummed thoughtfully. "I guess there is a minute of pelting left at most."

The two of you waited until the machine stuttered and began to slow, the wheel of boots no longer finding marshmallows to kick into the crowd. Silver gestured grandly for you to go ahead and you pressed the dead switch with a small smile.

"Well then." He clapped his hands together. "I guess I should say hello to my favorite warden. He is ever so happy to see me every time."

You couldn’t help but snort, then you hesitated. "You know, you could just…go."

Silver actually looked a little insulted. "Don’t ruin my date with prison, my dear." He beckoned you closer with a finger, presenting his hands. "I want to see if I can walk out the front door dressed like a futuristic clown."

You blinked, in the middle of pulling out your cuffs. "What would that look like?"

He smirked as you reached out towards him. "I guess you’ll have to find out." He leaned in as your hands closed the cuffs around his wrists, warm skin pressed to warm skin and cold metal between. "I’ll make sure to make the news for you."

"Alright," you said, bemused and curious in equal measure. You noticed how warm he was, this close to you, your hands covering his. His breath smelled faintly of peppermint. "Come on, there are two new officers on the roaster who are eager to prove you can’t slip past them."

His face lit up. "Oooh, fun." He chuckled, low and menacing and for once sounding like the villain he was. "I do love ruining their day. Shattered dreams taste ever so delicious."

You rolled your eyes fondly, waving the waiting police over. They hurriedly hid the marshmallow butts they were snacking on and bustled over, trying to look important and menacing. Even if Silver was a very polite and very wonderful villain, he was still wanted for a number of crimes and the state really wanted to prosecute him.

"Be gentle with Ass Kicker 50," you told the clean-up crew who came in to tow the machine away to a storage facility. "She’s done good service."

When you looked back over to Silver, you caught the warm, unbearably fond smile as he watched you on his way to the police car. He cast you a wink as he got in, mouthing, 'Clown'. You playfully wrinkled your nose at him and saw more than heard him laugh as the door was closed.

"Um." A soft, hesitant voice made you look over and you immediately recognized the girl who had approached you. The teenager who had nearly died at your side months ago. "I’m very happy you’re back and that you made a full recovery." She thrust out a small gift. "Thank you, for saving my life."

"And mine." One of her friends bustled over, holding a little wrapped gift as well. "If not for you, I wouldn’t have made it."

You felt speechless, accepting the gifts hesitantly and that seemed to open the floodgates. You were swiftly surrounded by people thanking you and expressing their concern and relief in equal measure. Your arms soon overflowed with gifts, flowers from the elderly, drawn pictures from children and baked cookies from grateful parents. It nearly made you cry.

You did cry a little when you got home, sniffling as you sat in a pile of gifts, reading letters and smiling at the graceless but enthusiastic scribbles of a five year old. Suzie was curled up in your lap, fast asleep as a small bundle of warmth.

You taped all the pictures to one wall and pinned the letters to an old, large pinboard you had gotten a few years ago. You put the food away and the flowers into a vase and scattered the rest of the gifts across your flat in a smattering of decorations.

It had mattered. Ever single moment you had felt helpless and terrified had mattered. You hadn’t been a footnote on some document, lamenting a too early death. Because of you, so many futures still existed, those bright, burning lives not snuffed out by a cruel hand.

You would continue growing stronger for them all, you vowed to yourself. Even if you needed Silver to end the fight and save you again, you would be there. Standing between evil and everyone else as many times as it took.

For the first time in months, you felt like a hero again, too.

You dozed off with the news channel on and jerked awake sometime in the early morning hours just in time to blearily watch a repeated clip of Silver, dressed as a sparkly, futuristic clown, moonwalk dancing out of prison. There it was, his famous, Class A skill of getting out of trouble in the most ridiculous ways.

You were chuckling softly to yourself, reaching out to fish your phone from your coffee table. You already had a message waiting for you.

'Watch me, darling.'

You were still half asleep when you answered, a golden feeling like honey on warm bread filling your chest, 'Always.'

You hesitated, then tapped out one more message, 'If you have any more inventions, I’m ready.'

He answered immediately. 'Oh, darling.' It read and you could hear the glee in his voice in your mind, could imagine the way he brightened. 'I was hoping you’d say that.'

You loved this ridiculous, wonderful man so much, you thought, still bleary and half asleep. Your heart felt so full with good things it felt as though it was spilling over to the point where you had to squeeze a pillow, hiding a wide grin against it.

[sleepanonymous]

the first couple of seconds are missing but trust me this is so worth it

[tachvintlogic]

Dan Phantom's age, the possibilities

His age is Danny's: 14 to 16 + 10 years in future = 24 to 26

His age is Vlad's: 40's + 10 years in future = 50's

His age is an average: ((15±1)+(45±5))/2 + 10 years in future = 40±3

It's Danny's ghost half's age: 0 to 2 + 10 years in future = 10 to 12

It's Vlad's ghost half's age: 20's + 10 years in future = 30's

The ghost half average: ((1±1)+(25±5))/2 + 10 years in future = 23±3

His human half's biological age (AGIT): 14 to 16

Human half's time spent existing (AGIT): 0 We're not considering this

Possibilities where Dan is considered a minor: 2/7

Minimum age you can date without people thinking it's weird: x/2 + 7

Maximum age you can date without people thinking it's weird: (x-7)*2

Dan's maximum possible age: 59

Dan's minimum possible age: 10

Years until the age range Dan can date assuming his minimum possible age overlaps with the age range Dan can date assuming his maximum possible age: 20.333 years

Age his date is allowed to be when the age ranges of his minimum and maximum possible ages overlap: 46.667 years old

[heckyeahponyscans]

SOON

[vanillahub]

🔥🔥🔥

@15-44

Send me a “ 🔥 “ for an unpopular opinion. [Accepting]

// 1 am rambling let's goooo

NGL, I'm kinda of sad most rules pages have shit like "DNI freaks" or some other variation of threat of violence towards others. I say I'm sad, but the reality is that it has never been this easy to dodge/avoid having certain types of people, orbiting my blogs. But still, it really sucks when you think you found a new blog to follow. Then you check their info, and that's plastered on it. And if that isn't bad enough, they never make a clear cut distinction between IC and OOC stuff. (So, are they uncomfortable with those subjects in RP? Is it okay for people who write darkfic to follow/engage with them?etc. You can never be sure with those people.).

I should probably add this to my rules later, I just keep forgetting about it. But like... Ever since I learned that there is some kind of RPC, for historical figures (Im not talking about series/show versions based on those historical figures). That's definetely something, I really don't want getting anywhere near. I love history, I'm not "bothered" by the fucked up world history. But I just find it overall, quite distasteful you know? No matter how "respectful", those muns try to claim to be. I just think that RPing as historical figures, once real life people who left their marks in history, isn't exactly a "good way" to show respect for them. They may be dead, but they aren't fictional characters.

There is some discourse in regards to using deceased actors as FCs, and how you shouldn't do it. But like... Do those not realise that, if they truly wished to honor the dead, then they should show appreciation for their work and not ommit them? Carrie Fisher is forever eternalized in her work as Leia Organa. Christopher Lee is forever eternalized, in his work as Count Dooku. To me, this feels like an attempt to do the right thing, but it is only doing harm. Because, let me remind people. A fan doesn't carry in any shape or form the same weight, a mega Corporation like Disney does. We are not making billions of dollars, off those actors works. A fan is first and foremost, an admirer and an observer. So, yeah. The discourse around deceased FCs is pretty stupid, IMO. Especially because, the same people who make a stinker out of it, remain dead silent when their favorite mega corporations keep milking any clout/influence/etc out of a deceased actor/content creator (Do I have to bring up Disney's piss poor attempt at a crypto NFT scam via using Stan Lee's image? Long after the man's death? [And they recently got into an agreement, to keep using Stan Lee's image/likeness for any future Marvel endeavors] Or how about them now using an AI to generate Vader's voice going forward, because his original VA is retiring?).

[skullkxd]

@15-44 said: « don’t be scared »

“… I’m not scared.”

Despite saying that, they’re shaking. Ree swallows, squeezing themself up tighter, hugging around their body as if it’s going to fall apart at even the slightest wind. It hurts to have their body stretched this way, but — but it’s what makes them feel safe.

“It was just a nightmare,” they say, firm. “It was just a nightmare. I’m not scared.”

[belorussiandino]

fair antigua, we salute thee

happy 43rd independence day 🇦🇬🎉

[ol1verdrawsyt]

And she said "lay me down in golden dandelions"

Reblogs r appreciated!!!!

[healbellls]

At last, he found someone with who he could actually communicate with. This travel around the Kalos region has been anything, but a smooth ride for him. Being stuck in a land where, he barely had any grasp of its language, was the last thing he had expected (none of his previous travels to other regions, have ever been like this).

The more he thought about it, the more frustrated he became

As such, Morty was clearly indulging and appreciating the distraction, from his current dillemma. Thanks to his powers, he knew that the deck of cards never truly left the other, but that didn't kill his enjoyment out of watching him handle it. "I'm letting you know, I've lost my wallet. So, don't count on getting any money from me." He spoke in a playful manner, as if it were a vain attempt at masking, what truly happened to him. While he spoke, he did just as instructed by the other man.

And just as the other predicted, there were the cards, in the correct order as well.

Morty wasn't the only one entertained by the trick, his Gengar stood by and paid close attention to the whole thing. "Geng!! Grr-!" It chirped in utmost shock, when the cards were unveiled. Its pointy ears and the stubby tail twitched, in excitement.

"If I'm correct, these are definetely the kings. At least, they should be. I can't be sure, what if they changed that as well?" Morty teased, as he handed back the cards.

@healbellls sent: ❛  how did you do that?  ❜ - Morty!

     And he procures the deck in his hand once more - and he avoids answering Morty's question directly.

     "Well, growing up, my father was a bit of a magician, he did a lot of entertaining of that sort." He flipped over the top card of his red-backed deck, tapping at the king of hearts with the side of his nail. "And, a couple years back," eighty years back, "I worked in one of my uncle's casinos." And he flipped over the next card, a king of diamonds. The next, a king of spades. A king of clubs. "Remember the order of these," Gavner adds as an aside, before returning the kings to the deck.

     "Naturally I got adept at handling cards very quickly." His thumb hooks the edge of the deck, he cuts it in two, manipulates one half under the other, cuts it again, fans the deck out to riffle shuffle it. "Honestly," Gavner taps the edge of the cards against the back of his right hand to straighten them, "it's all about having fast fingers."

     "Well, fast fingers and good dexterity." Almost without moving, the deck is gone from his left hand, having completely vanished and nearly instantly appearing in the grip of his right. Gavner doesn't make a show of it, simply setting the stack of cards down on the surface in front of them, acting as if the deck didn't seemingly warp between his hands.

     ( It's easy to trick the eye when you can move faster than any human eye can follow. )

     "So, clearly shuffled. King of hearts, diamonds, spades, clubs, in that order." And the top four cards certainly are not the cards he listed. "Go ahead and take the top four cards off for me, will you?"

     "Take a look at them, tell me what they are, show them to me — they should be the kings."

[powkaboomslash]

Guy. Did you know i’m a ANIMATOR???????????,???????????

(well duh you probably already knew)