#And he gets into fights with other cats and is generally pretty aggressive when it comes to his 'spots'. But like... Its clear it's hard

[smoke-and-silver]

The Ghouls + Rut Season

Headcanons of the Ghouls in rut, as requested! This is for the current + recent ghouls. Happy to do previous eras upon request.

General / All characters:

Ghouls get a shiny horn upgrade just before rut: the outer layers shed as the horns grow bigger . You'll see them rubbing against things and polishing their horns a lot during this time as the outer layers flake off to reveal new horn underneath.

The ghouls are feverish and hot their entire cycle as the rut raises their body temperature.

There's a lot of tussling as their hormones have them clacking horns and sparring like deer. Some brawls can look or sound scary to humans, but it's all in good fun to them. They're just roughhousing to show off.

That's just within the pack, though. If someone outside of the ministry makes a move on their desired mate, it can get pretty gnarly.

Ghouls under the cut. Obviously NSFW.

Aether

The most subtle. A bit flushed and clammy but otherwise you wouldn't guess anything had changed.

It's very easy for him to get distracted, though. You give him a quick hug at breakfast and his cereal bowl is abandoned as he follows after you with his tail flicking.

Quintessence ghouls have a hazy scent during rut, like dark amber. Aether is the most fond of scenting. He does it every time you're canoodling in some secluded corner of the cathedral. He's not possessive, but he likes knowing that the other ghouls smell him on you.

He does get more protective. He's territorial of the ministry, marking the outside pillars with his horns to warn other demons away. Some unfamiliar men visit on business, and he chokes back an instinctual growl that starts to rise from his throat when he sees them shaking hands with you.

He doesn't spar much. One, because he's not generally aggressive, and two, because he's very large, and the other ghouls hesitate to challenge him.

It's an evening in the main hall when he finally flexes a bit. The heat in his veins is getting to him as he watches you from across the room, and a petty spat between two other ghouls is getting loud and irritating.

The demons bump your chair roughly in their scuffle and Aether has had enough. He buts in with his horns and growls at them to "knock it off". His voice is about two octaves deeper than usual. The surprised ghouls stumble back, and then slink away sheepishly.

Well, naturally you want to show your gratitude after that very attractive display, and the room is empty now...

Aurora

The MOST likely to brawl. Her claws are already rated E for Everyone and during rut it's amped up to 11. She'll tussle with anyone. Sometimes she'll sneak up to another ghoul and nip at them just to instigate it.

Remember that it's mostly just play to them. Nothing to worry about. She does LOVE to show off for you though, and is usually the one victorious.

If she were seriously fighting someone you would know, as real threats or serious challengers are quickly cowed by one of her deafening lion-like roars.

She's like a furnace during rut. You can feel the warmth coming off her. Her cheeks are constantly ruddy like she's just ran a mile.

Utterly insatiable. Most every night she's at your door tapping and scratching at it with her claws until you let her in. If she's feeling extra romantic she'll come in through the window instead.

[gore/bloody] Girl will straight up present her defeated opponents to you. The ministry has many enemies and she has much less restraint during rut. She has absolutely presented you with a severed head like a cat leaving a dead bird at its owner's feet.

You can't even help with congregation without seeing her in the pews, waiting to pounce the moment the sermon is over. She waves at you cheekily when you meet her eyes.

Don't think she's not tender! She's incredibly sweet with you every time you make love--and she insists on calling it that, "making love".

When you're not getting hot and heavy she's still locking lips with you. You've both been caught and scolded multiple times for making out when you're supposed to be working. She just needs to feel your hands on her during rut and, you're not opposed to all the extra attention.

Cirrus

Not interested in sparring or wrestling with anyone. Brawling doesn't interest her and if someone threatens you or the ministry she's just going for the throat. There's not much "challenge" to it.

Although... if you seem interested when the other ghouls spar, if she feels like it'll impress you or make you happy... well, she'll do it just to see you get all excited and aroused.

She kind of "takes care of" herself at first, not wanting to burden you with her heightened libido. When you assure her that you can handle it though, all bets are off. She pauses for a moment and starts stepping towards you, backing you against the wall right then and there...

She likes to mark you the most out of everyone. You are absolutely littered with hickeys and lovebites. She thinks it's so pretty to see you laid out naked in front of her with all of her marks on you. It's an added bonus if someone else gets to see it peeking out from your clothes, too.

She likes a little more ceremony to her 'mating' than most ghouls in their delirious lusty ruts, often bringing something to present you with before she drags you off for some privacy, even if it's something as simple as a rose.

But some nights, some nights it all reaches a boil--the hormones, the heat, your scent still clinging to her sheets--and she simply goes feral. She crawls into your bed and takes you wildly, no words even forming on her lips, just deep growls and broken, guttural infernal speech.

Cumulus

She doesn't typically initiate brawls but she's quite excited to participate in them and loves it when someone challenges her. They had better be prepared though because she is the most muscular ghoulette and knows how to use it.

She's especially excited to brawl when you're around and it gives her a chance to impress you. She'll stop mid-fight while she has her opponent pinned and gleefully wave to you, hoping that you're enjoying the show.

Yes, she flexes for you. Everything in her system right now is telling her to impress you and she takes any chance to start removing her shirt to show you the guns.

Oh man, this stage equipment is heavy and she's getting sooo hot moving it around!

Oh no, the windows needed a wash and her shirt is sooo wet! She can't possibly leave it on now.

Not very territorial or anything like some of the others, but very eager to scent you. Her smell is like a spring breeze, like clover, and she loves to rub it on you whenever she can.

She's on you constantly. Doesn't care if you're in the middle of cooking or prayer, she's pulling you flush against her and purring raunchy things in your ear, giggling and nipping at your neck until she's convinced you to have some fun.

She's not private about it. Unless you would prefer otherwise, she likes to show you off right in front of the other ghouls, placing you on the counter right there so she can please you with her strong fingers.

Dewdrop

The poor man is downright feverish the entire cycle. He's flushed and breathing heavily and his hormones and sparring instincts make him snippy with the other males.

Oh, but he's so good for you. He melts into your touch when you hold his face in your hands as if it soothes all the fire in him.

As if he isn't lewd enough on a normal day, he's downright filthy during his rut. He has the most impure ideas for every piece of furniture in the cathedral and he relays them to you in detail.

You two are forcibly excused from mass when he starts feeling you up right in the middle of it. He'd let you have him right there in the aisle if you weren't opposed to it, onlookers be damned.

When you catch him jacking himself off he doesn't stop, he slows down a little to give you a show. He loves to do it while you're watching. You can give him a hand or just sit and watch, either way he's begging you to go further afterwards. He needs you inside of him or needs to be inside of you.

Not super territorial, but he does love sparring. Wrestling with a friend is a good way to blow off steam and he doesn't mind if he looks cool kicking someone's ass and manages to impress you.

It's really hard for him to focus on much else but you when he's flooded with hormones like this. He can't help it. All that's on his mind day and night is feeling you against him and burying himself inside of you.

But when he eats you out or sucks you off, that's when he really loses his mind. He's already so painfully horny and the scent of your sex totally overtakes him and makes his mind hazy. You're not leaving for the night.

Don't hold it against him if he's a little sappier than usual, or if his kisses are a little longer. It's not just about mating; rut makes him needy for comfort and attention too. It takes a lot of energy out of these ghouls, and often leaves them sore, so the extra comfort means a lot to him right now.

Mountain

Obviously the earth ghouls rut the most. The elk of the forest are where the term comes from. He sheds velvet from his horns during the season and the look of blackened demon blood dripping from horns is pretty sick.

His rack is hands down the most impressive and lets him stand up to even Aether in a duel. He is giddy if you compliment the horns, tail flicking around happily knowing his appearance pleases you.

The most territorial, the most willing to brawl, the most protective. Earth ghouls have the strongest rut instinct. It's hard for him to even see you talking to another ghoul without daydreaming about taking you right in front of them. The daydream gets him hard and flustered and he sheepishly approaches you to ask for some "help".

An incident occurs when a visiting diplomat kisses your hand and a hormone-fueled Mountain has him backed up to the wall in seconds, gnarly horns at the man's throat and growls rumbling from deep in the demon's chest.

You manage to soothe him by petting his chest and asking him to stand down. After a few moments he reluctantly releases the man, who scurries off.

His head clears and Mountain quickly apologizes, but honestly, it was the hottest thing ever, and you're pulling him in to make out. By the time the diplomat tattles about being "attacked by a demon" you've already backed Mountain into the nearest chair to ride him.

It's part of his mating display to show that he can provide. He'll lead you out into the woods where he's set up a spot to sit together and brought more food than you can eat, but he's eager to watch you eat it, fill up on it. He hopes if you're satisfied that you'll accept him and let him pleasure you.

Phantom

Poor, poor sweet boy. It hits him the hardest. He is absolutely the most sensitive. Even feeling up his arm or kissing his cheek a few times gets him worked up. Smile at him across the room long enough and he'll get hard, honestly.

He's embarrassed to approach you about it at first, so you'll have to encourage him. He's quite enthusiastic once you reassure him that you don't mind, though.

He finds it fun to engage in some of the sparring matches, but honestly he's kind of inexperienced in fighting and gets thrown around easily. He's such a good sport about it though and he's laughing most of the time, so it puts everyone in a good mood.

His scent is very subtle and his horns pretty simple and small, so he tries to groom himself really nicely, hoping you'll still enjoy his appearance. Maybe puts a little soft perfume or cologne on hoping it will help entice you.

Your scent makes him crazy. It distracts him instantly when you step into the room. He can track you down anywhere in the ministry, every instinct in his body driving him blindly towards the sweet smell. You don't really hear him come in and so you jump a little when his arms slip around you and he buries his face in your neck to breathe you in.

Please let him have you. His voice is low and breathy as he begs you to let him breed you, or to breed him. You feel so warm against him it makes his head swim. His hands are shyly nudging under your shirt as he tells you how badly he needs it.

His libido is highest at night, when the ministry falls quiet. He feels terrible keeping you awake but you're so pretty laid out on your bed with the silver moonlight from your window illuminating your soft body, and he's so painfully hard.

[kink/somno warning] He'd never think of the idea himself, but if you offered to let him relieve his urges while you sleep, he's so grateful. He worships your body with kisses, always cleans you up perfectly, and always showers you with praise and thanks the next morning.

Rain

Pretty flushed and sensitive during his rut, though not so much as Phantom. He's very pliant when you approach him, willing to let you pull him away somewhere or climb up on his lap any time you want.

Beware that he has the most endurance and he will overstimulate and breed the fuck out of you. He's sweet and passionate but there's an unavoidable mess after your long sessions. You both need a bath afterwards and he ends up taking you in there too.

He makes a good little love nest in his room and honestly just keeps you there the whole cycle if you'll allow it. You don't have to do a thing. He'll keep you fed and groom you and all you have to do is lay there and be his good baby and let him pleasure you.

Not much for the sparring like other ghouls but he likes to egg the others on mischievously. Sometimes he'll nip at someone while they're not looking and pin it on another ghoul. Then he'll use the ensuing brawl as a distraction to drag you off somewhere.

--and, sometimes that is literal. When his hormones are really raging he'll just throw you over his shoulder, or bind your hands with the nearest thing he can find and quite literally drag you away, while telling you everything he's about to do once you're secluded.

Your excited giggles and little squeals make his heart flutter.

He is just as excited when you take him just as roughly. You can tie his hands to the headboard and he's already squirming with an eager, breathy "yes, yes!" escaping his lips before you've even climbed atop him.

He is so vocal when you do sink down on his cock and ride him. You're so warm and he's so sensitive right now. He does not care who in the ministry hears his absolutely whorish moans.

Swiss

As if he wasn't already unhinged.

The way he writhes and ruts against the floor on stage? Imagine him flooded with demonic hormones and out of his mind horny.

Wait, that's still how he normally is. Imagine that doubled. Mans will literally grind against your leg like a dog.

He's dying to pleasure you, honestly. It's a common sight to see him on his knees in front of you, panting with his tongue out as he waits for you to ride his face. He wants to drown in the scent of your sex, squished between your thighs.

He is constantly hard, his cock straining against his pants almost 24/7. He'll start to calm down and then he catches your scent on the air and he's stiff again. He tries to wear looser clothes during rut.

Of course, he loves to spar. He's already rowdy on a daily basis, he loooooves when rut rolls around and he gets to roughhouse with the other ghouls. It's a very nice bonus that he gets to show off for you, naturally!

Which brings us to territorial instincts. Swiss is the farthest from aggressive usually, but his rut is strong enough that you get to see more of the truly ghoulish side of him. He's very growly with strangers coming near you. You've never seen that toothy grin twist into a snarl before, but you see it now when you're out in public and some man presses too close to you for Swiss' liking.

You don't think you've ever heard such a noise from him, such a deep and guttural growl, but it... really does something for you. You hurry him home, both for the public's safety and because you need to ride him. He is overjoyed to fulfill your request.

Cumming inside of you is already his favorite thing in the world, if and when you allow him. He will literally beg for it now, his face flushed, sweaty hair clinging to his skin, his voice hoarse. Please let him breed you.

[lanawinterscigarettes]

Gilmore Girls characters and whether or not they give off scary dog privilege (headcanons)

Characters included: Lorelai, Luke, Rory, Lane, Dean, Paris, Jess, and Logan

Warnings/contains: gn! reader, brief mentions of fighting/threats and some swearing but I don't think there's anything other than that

Beginning notes: this post inspired me to write something similar with the gilmore girl characters. just a heads up this is pretty short because I couldn't think of more to add than just a couple of bullet points for each but I hope y'all enjoy this anyway <3

Lorelai Gilmore

Maybe not scary dog privilege, but she definitely reminds most of those yappy little ankle biters that jump and bark at people nonstop

If she sees someone bothering you she'll come over and introduce herself, very insistently taking over the conversation and asking the other person question on top of question without even giving them the time to answer any of them until they eventually either grow uncomfortable or irritated enough and go away

Luke Danes

Most definitely. Part of it is how intimidating he looks given his height and the ever permanent scowl on his face, but his influence as the diner's owner certainly doesn't hurt matters

Someone could come up to you while you're sitting at the counter and try to hit on you and he'll just magically appear with a pot of coffee in hand, pretending as though the only reason he came over was to refill your cup while subtly giving the other person a questioning look. They usually take the hint and leave pretty shortly after that

Rory Gilmore

Absolutely not. She both looks and acts much more like a pitiful little kitty cat, especially when she starts to sulk at the idea of someone else flirting with you or just stealing your attention away from her in general

At best she's able to make people feel sorry for her by how pathetic she becomes and get them to leave you alone that way, but she's definitely not scary

Lane Kim

Also not scary in the slightest. If her mom were hanging out in the background somewhere that might deter some people, but she isn't much of a threat by herself

Whenever people come up to try to talk to you she just sort of awkwardly hovers nearby, occasionally making up some sort of excuse for you two needing to get somewhere if they're taking too long to leave you alone

Dean Forester

Yes, and it's honestly a combining factor of how tall he is and his abrasive attitude that comes out whenever he gets defensive or upset about something

It's incredibly easy for him to intimidate others because all he has to do is tower over them and spit out a few harsh threats to get anyone who's bothering you to back off

Paris Geller

Surprisingly yes. The glare of her resting bitch face is enough to make most people scurry away in fear regardless of whether they know her or not, and the people who do know her are well aware of just how easily she can break down their self esteem in a manner of a few choice words

Someone completely random could be trying to hit on you, but the second she walks up behind you they instantly freeze, unable to even speak due to the chill they feel go down their spine at the intensity of her expression. They stammer out an apology for bothering you and scurry away without another word, and without her having to speak at all

Jess Mariano

Oh God yes. He might be a little unassuming at first glance, but upon further observation it's pretty obvious that not only is he insanely protective, he's also not afraid of getting in trouble if it involves keeping you safe or comfortable

He almost always has an arm wrapped around your waist when you're out together, and on the off chance someone is either brave or stupid enough to approach you anyway he's quick to cut the other person off with passive aggressive comments until they take a hint and leave, though he obviously isn't above physically fighting someone if that's what it takes to get them to leave you alone

Logan Huntzberger

Yes and no. I'd say he probably reminds most people of a golden retriever with his personality and appearance so physically he's really not, but in other cases it would be a yes as most of his intimidation actually comes from his family's wealth and influence

Just his presence might be enough to get people to leave you alone but if it isn't all he has to do is flash a smile of faux politeness and introduce himself, which by that point is enough for the other person to deflate like an old balloon as they finally take their leave

End notes: sorry if any of these guys are ooc it's my first time writing for most of them </3

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[am-i-the-asshole-official]

Am I the asshole for not letting my husband have a say for the guest list of our baby shower?

I (21 f) and my husband (25 m) moved very quickly in our relationship, much to the judgement of my sister. We moved in with each other after a month of dating and she basically told me it was a stupid idea. We also got eloped with no family or friends there four months after that. When I texted my sister we got married (yes, I texted everyone instead of called) she asked if it was a joke and when I said yes then sent a picture of marriage license as proof, she didn’t respond for days. She called me later which I sent to voicemail, which was basically her crying saying she always imagined she’d be at my wedding and was hurt. I was upset because no one was invited or even told about the engagement; that was the point of eloping. The rest of my family was pretty happy for us though and I focused on that.

We didn’t talk for months because I wanted an apology, or at least a congratulations on getting married. She texted me a few times about nothing important (she sent a few memes). An apology never happened, but I started to text her again because I found out I was pregnant and wanted her to know about it. I called her about it eventually and she was supportive.

Before the Not Talking stage happened, her and my husband didn’t get along. She has made multiple passive aggressive comments about our relationship in the past. There was one time she visited us that made my husband upset because she showed up with little notice and also insisted on visiting again when our cat gave birth to her litter of kittens. She talked about helping and I didn’t really think anything of it. My husband later said he was upset she acted like she knew our cat better than us based off a couple of other comments she made and didn’t like how she invited herself over. I don’t think she meant anything negative about it, but it was annoying she insisted on one specific cat thing we told her we had under control and didn’t stop pestering until my mom called the vet to ask for advise and the vet agreed with my husband and I about how we handled the cat situation. I’m not sure if I explained that well but I honestly don’t know how to describe it without going into too much detail. This is just background info.

My husband and I wanted to do a gender reveal for the baby. We agreed on the theme and had a general date in mind. I invited my immediate family, best friend, and his immediate family that he talked to (which only consisted of three people). He said he didn’t want my sister at the gender reveal and this caused a huge fight. He said if she was there then he wouldn’t show up and I could tell him the babies gender on the phone. I cancelled the gender reveal because I didn’t want to uninvite my sister when she hasn’t made any bad comments in months and also wasn’t about to have my husband not be there. In my mind, there’s zero point in having one if both parents aren’t there. We found out gender by having our doctor write it down on a paper and we opened it later by ourselves. We told everyone over the phone what we are having.

Now, I am pretty far along in my pregnancy and my family wanted to set up a baby shower for me. I let them and we set up a date for it. My husband and I talked about the baby shower multiple times and looked forward to it. I Facebook invited the same people I invited to the gender reveal to the baby shower and he wasn’t happy when he saw my sister was again on that list. Him and my sister has only seen each other one time during these months, which was at a funeral. My sister initiated a handshake which he accepted and asked how he was. He answered fine and that was the end of it.

The baby shower argument was the same for gender reveal. He didn’t want her there and he didn’t want to come if she was there. He said I shouldn’t want someone who has done nothing but disrespect both of us in the past year to be at this event and should get a say in who comes and who doesn’t. There’s no excuse for the things my sister has done and said but it felt wrong to exclude her. If she wasn’t going to be invited to the baby shower, then what was his opinion on our son’s birthdays and other events? We couldn’t do this forever. She hasn’t been rude in months but we never got an apology. I’m also a little bitter about it but I’m trying to not be harsh. At this point, I didn’t say much when my husband said she couldn’t be there. This is because we just got done with a different argument about something completely different and he said he was done about certain things. I said ‘like what?’ and he told me he didn’t want my sister at the baby shower.

He said he wouldn’t have invited anyone that has disrespected me and I shouldn’t either. It sounds fair but it also sounds very black and white. I get along with the family he talks to outside of family events. I don’t get along with a couple of extended family members but he doesn’t get a say in who was invited to those events and never talks to them outside of those family events even before we were together. I didn’t really say anything for my argument because I knew he wouldn’t agree with it anyway. This sounds calm but he was very angry and I was crying pretty hard. He asked over and over again if she was coming to the baby shower and I refused to respond. If I say she’s not coming then I’ll have to follow my word and uninvite her, probably causing arguments within my family. If I say she is then he won’t come. (I’m not sure if this is relevant but my husband and I are both autistic and have been known to shut down and stim when we’re upset). He said he’s tired of being disrespected when I refused to answer for 30+ minutes and wanted a divorce. He crumbled up our marriage license and took my wedding ring off my finger.

He didn’t say anything about the baby shower and started asking questions about the divorce. ‘How much do you want in child support? When do you want to do visitation? Etc.’ I refused to answer for a while but he kept asking and I mostly gave vague answers like ‘whatever you want’ all while still crying. I didn’t say much except to say he was staying and we weren’t getting a divorce.

I don’t remember what happened next and what I said, but he eventually said that I had one more chance to choose him because he’s always chosen me. This is true because he has put me first. He works a lot while I’m not working this pregnancy and always makes sure I eat and everything. I’m not sure what’s going on with baby shower. I think he said that she can come if I put up boundaries about being nice otherwise she can’t come. I think this will start an unnecessary fight because she hasn’t done anything in many months so it seems insulting. I didn’t say anything though. We fell asleep and cuddled and he apologized the next morning before he left for work. He said he was more mad that I refused to talk. I, personally, was more upset about the marriage license he crumpled up. I still didn’t say anything but ok. He still hates my sister and expects me to tell her to be respectful.

I don’t know what to think really. I sound like a jerk for not letting him have a say for baby shower. It is his kid too. I also don’t want to divide my family by not inviting my sister, but he’s also my family. I know he acted like a jerk for the argument but that doesn’t necessarily means he’s wrong about the guest list and having a say. So would I be TA?

What are these acronyms?

[baby-tini]

[name] with a poly relationship with shuji and manjiro?? (i love them and i know you like them....)

AND THANK GOD (you) FOR OPEN REQUESTS!!

I love them sm, this a dream poly, thank you so much cause I have yet too see a poly about them.

-You're gonna be so fucking safe in the presence of these two trouble-makers. They're both so protective and are always arguing over you. Well... it's more like Hanma instigating and Manjiro becoming irritated.

-I will say, with you around, their fights rarely become physical, and if they do, it's best too just let it happen because you do not wanna be in the middle of that, at all. There's flying fists and as we all know that Mikeys kicks do a lot of damage, so it's best too just leave for the day.

-They both like dragging you on motorcycle rides, it's much safer with Mikey then Hanma, because Mikey actually listens when you tell him too slow down... but Hanma? Slow isn't even in his vocabulary. Now, if you do start too get anxious and are genuinely scared, he'll take it slower but not without quite a bit of teasing first.

-You're the one ALWAYS buying food, especially for Mikey. With all the dorayaki and taiyaki that you're constantly buying, so if you don't have a job, you better one soon babe, cause they're gonna run you dry... in more ways then one.

-Speaking of, this is a duo where both partners are very dominant. Sorry to all the pro submissive Mikey lovers, but i just can't picture that man being anything but dominant. They both are men that thrive on control, especially Hanma.

-I think Mikey likes too lay on the bed, with you laying on his chest as Hanma fucks you, or at the very least, eats you out. Mikey likes too place soft, little kisses on your cheeks and temple as Hanma sucks hickeys into your tits as he rubs the tip of his cock over you clit.

-Hanma is a lot rougher and more aggressive during sex then Mikey is. He really likes too fuck you from behind, with one of his hands tangled in your hair as he calls you his pretty little slut, his little doll. Grinding his hips into your ass as he leaves little slaps to your clit.

-Hanma can be sweet though, just.. not when Mikeys around. Hanmas little affectionate gestures are small but he does a lot for you. Braiding your hair, getting things off the top shelf for you. Buying you pretty clothes as he takes the best pictures of you and posts them on your socials. He'll even have flowers sent to you all the time, claiming Mikey did it.. you know he didn't because the bank statements on his phone states otherwise.

-Mikey likes too the tears away from your cheeks as he leaves little pecks on your lips. Leaving little marks on your neck as he caresses your thigh that he has hiked over his waist, running calloused fingers over your cheek bones as he looks deep into your eyes, whispering the sweetest things to you. You're his little angel, the light in his eyes, you're everything to him.

-Don't get it twisted though, Mikey can still be mean. Grabbing at your face as he sticks his tongue down your throat. Mockingly pouting in your face as he pushes down on the bulge in your stomach as more tears drip down your cheeks. Making you stick your tongue out as he spits in your mouth, telling you too keep it on your tongue until he's done with you. This only really happens when you spend too much time with Hanma.

-Mikey is generally the nice one, especially with Hanma in the mix. They both care about you deeply, they're very protective of you and willing too do anything for you. Getting into fights, mainly Hanma, with other people for looking at you or cat-calling you. This can be a very chaotic relationship but they're both genuine softies.

[sanuue]

Bully OC Intro: Leslie Coleman💔🎮

Template by @jimothy-hopkins!!!

I finished all of the portraits and outfits for all the characters in a short span of time, but somehow I'm too lazy to write out a few details about them for these posts LMAOOOO

Info dump >:J

Personal

- Absolutely loves and devotes a large majority of her time playing video games, becoming exceptionally good at them to a point where the other nerds hate playing against her

- Has a pessimistic view on life and is pretty hot headed at times. She’s never afraid of getting aggressively confrontational with others

- Has a big soft spot for cats and cat themed things. She loves to feed stray cats and take pictures of them when walking around town

- When being on good terms with her, she opens up quickly about her interests in kpop music, cutesy characters in certain franchises, and her dream of wanting to become a pop singer one day

- Tries to seem cool and ✨nonchalant ✨, fails alot of the time due to awkward social teen issues

- Hates when others make fun of her height or makes comments about how light she is, WILL fight a 🅱️itch over it

Cliques

- While being in the nerd clique, Leslie only really prefers to hang with Donald due to the similar ages and general negative attitudes towards everyone else at school. She can be seen being particularly agitated by Melvin when he attempts to flirt with her, even after she’s rejected him and his advances multiple times

- The only prep she “likes” is Sanu, and even then she tends to bicker with him when he’s around. She already had a negative view of rich bozos way before getting into Bullworth because of him LOL it definitely didn't change when interacting with the others

- Leslie sees Zoe as a good friend and even sometimes an admirable peer. Zoe being an older, cooler teen with such an edgy style makes Leslie’s nervous teen energy really shine through, often twiddling her thumbs and becoming soft spoken around her

- Leslie has gotten in trouble several times for trying to fight the jocks, each time not really being taken seriously because of how much she resembles a tiny chihuahua

Family

- Leslie is one of the only nerds willing to pick a physical fight with Sanu because of them growing up alongside each other. She hates when he calls her his little sister but then will beg him to help buy expensive nerdy things whenever she can because she knows he will fold eventually. She hates how overprotective he tends to be and will argue his blatant hypocrisy, but never once has she not been grateful when he does help her out of a situation she doesn't feel comfortable in. I.e, getting creeped or ganged up on

- Her immediate family isn’t nearly as rich as Sanu’s, with her mother, father, and 3 other siblings being barely middle class. Growing up with 3 brothers, she’s definitely suffered the constant stench of men and gained her tomboyishness from them

Her VC is Nimona from,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Nimona,,,,,,,,,, smirk emoji

I'm so happy I'm finally getting these out holy mackerel

[callmegaith]

I want to know more about your rebels. From the art I've seen, they look very interesting. Tell me more!

ANON 😭😭 THATS SO SWEET OF YOU THANK U SM!!

Well, there are 4 characters that make up a squad. You have:

Pete:

The muscle of the group. He's a hot-head with a shotgun. Pete is the character I use to explore the world of HL the most, since he's the one character I can truly call an oc. He used to be a bit of a scardy cat growing up but when the war happened, being isolated and removed from his family and being forced to work for the combine, his fear turned to anger, and he's got A LOT of it. A bit too much, in fact. The moment they put a gun in his hands and he's had a little bit of that power trip taste, it was over. He no longer had a reason to feel helpless and be scared of the combine, now with his trusty shotgun, he could get up close and personal and make them go bye bye, which he probably likes an unhealthy amount. In his head, though, he thinks it's fine. He's fighting for the good guys, after all. He's doing the right thing. So his violence is justified. And that's sorta the central plot of his character "when do you become the same monster as the ones that hurt you?" Hurt people hurt people, and Pete has been hurt a lot. Though, he believes he's different because unlike the Combine, he loves and cares. The combine wouldn't know what that means, so in a way, his love for Nate and humanity in general, is what he believes keeps him from becoming as bad as the Combine.

Nate:

Nate is the youngest in the squad and the most naive. All he wants to do, really, is survive this whole thing. He just wants to see the sunrise on a brand new day where the Combine no longer exist on earth. He's pretty optimistic about it too which Pete and Marcel often disagree with but ya know, let the man dream. He's the chill laid back joker of the group and the life of the party. The most social out of them but not necessarily the best talker... And he talks... A lot. Like, nonstop. Marcel thinks it's because he's constantly trying to fill his mind with other stuff other than their shitty situation cuz the moment he shuts up he's gonna have to think about it and he's going to collapse. So they just let him ramble. He's a big fan of collecting things (both he and Pete are but he started their collection) some might even view him as a hoarder. Like you'd find him collecting pizza boxes and other useless things simply because... Well, those things don't exist now. They're "relics" of a life pre-war. And he finds that interesting, it brings him comfort even. He's the group's mechanic and the best at handling firearm since he's had the most training, having joined the Rebels before the others.

Marcel and Kit:

2 for one, those two cannot be separated (for Marcel's own good)

Marcel is the medic of the group. He's the oldest in the squad and the most pessimistic. Kit met Marcel when he found him dying on the ground (that's a comic you may or may not have read. I'll link the comics at the end of the ask) after saving his life, the two became inseparable. Marcel is in a very dark place mentally and thus has become extremely fragile. If you ask him, he'd tell you he's not suicidal, he just wouldn't mind not waking up the next day. Kit keeps Marcel safe, both from the Combine, zombies, and whatever threats, but also from himself. Kit wants to give Marcel purpose and a reason to keep living, something to make the days easier to get through, and becoming a medic was that for Marcel. He gets to save lives and it gives him a sense of meaning. It doesn't make him value his own life or anything, but he's at least living to do something good.

Marcel might come off as hostile and aggressive or just very uncaring but, in fact, he cares a lot. You just have to get past his nonchalantness and dig pretty deep to find that part of him. Kit understands he's probably just building walls to protect himself. He doesn't want anyone getting close so no one would miss him when he's gone. But obviously that doesn't work cuz, lmao, Kit ignores that. Tbh Kit doesn't need to bind life force with Marcel to die if Marcel dies. If Marcel dies Kit will likely just die of a broken heart.

That aside, Marcel finds Kit's views on life very intriguing, he's very interested in the Vort philosophical approach to life and death, and the way they form bonds, more spiritually than anything else. And he does end up having that bond with Kit, something so connected to what feels like a greater and higher thing than they are. So cosmic in its nature that it is hard to comprehend. To him, there's something so beautiful and profound about that. It's the idea that one day they will be embraced by that greater thing, so they may become a part of it, but it will happen when their time comes and they're called upon by the cosmos. He's just waiting for that day to come now.

If you'd like to see more of the characters you'll find everything under the tag (HL: change begins with us) or specific characters under: ( oc: Pete, Nate as male 07, Marcel as male 09, kit the Vortigaunt)

If you haven't seen the comics and wanna give em a read:

This is one lore dump and a half but hope you find it interesting, anon. :D again, thank u sm for your interest and curiosity. It means a lot to me!!

[rorysterr]

Hellooo I'm here to request a romantic and platonic matchup for me and I bring an offering:

From my gallery to you<3

Uhh about me (sorry if it's too long or not coherent I tried to make it as short as possible)

I'm an 18 year old girl that's begrudgingly straight (I checked 😞) My MBTI is intp (5w6) and it hasn't changed since I first took the test like 6 years ago, my siblings do describe me as a cat which is to say I come and go as I please get super clingy randomly and then get ppl aversed suddenly (my social battery just runs out I swear I'm not tryna be a love bomber or manipulative like that) I also like to banter or info dump massive amounts of my ideas randomly after a week of silence and then get embarrassed and follow it with another week of being quiet, if I like someone I'll just stare at them constantly trying to mentally dissect them and forget to avoid eye contact and I have resting blank face so if I have a crush on you what you get is this most of the time

I also like to be chivalrous to my friends specifically, I think I act more smooth and flirty with friends than I could with a bf. When we go out I walk on the road side, open doors for them, pull out chairs, carry bags and help the girls with heels down stairs or slopes. I don't like deciding what we do or eat since I'm not picky about most things at all and I don't want someone else to have a bad time or get bored. But if no one decides I'll pick something completely random just to get the ball rolling. I can get pretty aggressive with closer friends and I really like to have debates or pretend fights and crash outs just for fun.

Likes: video games, theology, politics (I'm not aggressive about it I just like to study all the stuff that's happening) etymology, anime, food a lot of food, true crime

Dislikes: anything unsanitary/unhygienic, house pests, jump scares, horror movies are ok but jump scares are the worst 😭 Dishonest people

Hobbies: going on walks at night, reading, building computers, puzzles, playing chess, researching random topics or digging into celebrity scandals, procrastinating.

Love language: PHYSICAL TOUCH NO.1

I prefer giving acts of service and receiving words of affirmation... I promise it's not in a weird way-

(actually the best love language is finding huper specific memes for your current situation and making your friends laugh)

I look for people who are generally patient and Straight to the point, not really a fan of messing around or getting in misunderstandings, just wanna be chill with people and have them be chill with me, I don't have standards higher then "like me and let me know if there's a problem" if they have the same interests as me then that's a good bonus

Thank you for your letter and offering! ⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝♡

Your romantic matchup is...

Leviathan!

❥ So I will admit, Levi was not my first pick for a romantic matchup for you, it was actually the person who I ended up picking for your platonic matchup. However, I felt that your platonic matchup was better off as friends with you than a significant other due to the fact that they probably wouldn’t give you the physical touch that you want. So, I thought long and hard about who would be an even better fit for you romantically, and after rereading your description multiple times and playing out the dynamic in my head, I came up with Levi! 

❥ Now the main obstacle with Levi is the fact that you have a tendency to come and go, like a cat. We all know that Levi holds himself to a very low regard and I think that at first, he’d make the assumption that you hate him just because you’re never consistent with him. He would be puzzled at the fact that you’ll get all buddy-buddy with him and then leave him the next moment. His insecurities would get the best of him and he’d be convinced that you just don’t like him. He’d simply jump to the conclusion that you just see him as some gross and yucky otaku who’s an abomination to society and therefore he will never have a true friend. Because he’s under the assumption that you hate him, he’ll actively avoid you unless he’s forced to attend a social event or pressured to go to school. However, another thing about Levi is that he’s very vocal about his insecurities so I definitely think that once he’s forced out of his room and put in a situation where he has to interact with you, he’ll cut his avoidant act and just pour out all of his thoughts. He’ll tell you that he knows he’s a gross otaku and that someone as cool as you would never want to be his friend and that’s okay with him, which will leave you confused but you’ll explain to him that that’s just how you are. 

❥ When he finally understands that it’s just your social battery running out, he’ll relax and will want to spend more time with you! He’ll be a bit shy and subtle about it though. I do think that he’d be a bit nervous to approach you at first. I think he’d overthink things and ask himself: Is this really okay? Am I being too much for them? Am I approaching them at the wrong time? So I do think he’d be more subtle about it. Instead of outright approaching you (at least at first) he’d simply go to school in person just so he can see you more or he’ll purposely sit next to you at the dining table or during family movie nights just so he can see you more. I do think that you’d have to approach him but I also think that it won’t take long for him to become more comfortable around you if you send him memes or talk about an anime that you’re interested in. 

❥ When he finds out you like anime? He’ll be elated and will practically drag you to his room every time he orders new merch from Akuzon or is starting a new series! He’ll love to yap about anime or video games with you and whenever you info dump, he’ll add on or add his own commentary! If it’s a topic he’s unfamiliar with, he might not be able to add much insightful commentary but he’ll still listen and be curious. I do think that he’d be the type to admire that look on your face when you get all passionate about a topic! He’d find it adorable (and it will probably make him feel like he’s reliving a scene from one of his romance animes with a ridiculously long name). 

❥ When he starts to develop a crush on you, he’ll get all shy around you so you’ll probably have to confess to him. But when you get all chivalrous on him, he’ll get all flustered. He’ll turn beet red and try to deny the blush on his face but his body language gives away how he truly feels. 

❥ When you stare at him with that blank look whilst maintaining eye contact, he’ll get all worried. Is something on his face? Does he look stupid? But then he’ll get all flustered because of how cute you look. 

❥ I do think that he’d find it so cool that you can build computers! He’ll ask you questions about manufacturing computers and he’ll want to watch the process. He knows how to program and create games (he did create a whole game in that one event to propose to MC) but he knows little to nothing about actually creating the very devices that you play them on. And I do think that he’d be quite insecure as a boyfriend (in the beginning) but this insecurity would fuel him to improve himself and become the best boyfriend he can be. This means learning more about the things that you’re interested in and picking up your hobbies (playing chess, reading books and not just manga, and puzzles) just to bring the two of you closer. 

❥ And on that note, he knows that a good boyfriend communicates with their partner. He’d be a bit shy with his feelings in the beginning but as I said before, he’s vocal about how he feels about himself. Whenever he’s upset, it will likely stem from insecurity or jealousy and like I mentioned, he’s vocal about these two things. That combined with the fact that he will consciously make an effort to better himself so he can be a better boyfriend for you leads me to believe that he’d get better with communicating over time. In shorter terms, communication shouldn’t be an issue with him. 

❥ I do think that physical touch is one of his love languages too! He might be shy with it in the beginning so I do think you might have to initiate it or tease him but once the ball gets rolling, he’ll be more cuddly! He’ll love to have you on his lap while he plays on his PC, rest his hand on your thigh, caress your hand with his thumb when he holds it, and even give you regular cuddles!

❥ He does think the best love language is sending memes to your significant other as well, so you can expect to receive loads of reels and memes from him (this man is chronically online so you will probably receive 50 in the span of an hour). 

❥ He might be a bit shy with words of affirmation because that means outright telling you his feelings and he gets nervous about that, but he wants to be a good boyfriend so he’ll do his best to reassure you that he loves you! When you two win a game together or whenever you accomplish something, he’ll tell you how proud of you he is!

Your platonic matchup is...

Satan!

❥ I was actually thinking of giving you Satan as your romantic matchup at first. You guys share interests so you two hand things to bond over. Not to mention the fact that I think he’d really enjoy debates with you. He likes to gain knowledge and new perspectives on things, so your debates would be very informative and mentally stimulating for him. He loves to learn afterall. 

❥ I also think that he wouldn’t be bothered by your tendency to come and go. He’s not clingy at all and the fact the comparison to the cat would be adorable to him (I’m pretty sure one of his lines in the game is something along the lines of “You’re always coming and going like a kitten”). He’s pretty introverted so he values his alone time and wouldn’t be able to handle a partner who is too clingy, so it’s perfect for him since he’ll get his alone time so he can recharge and then he’ll be able to spend time with you. 

❥ However, as for why I didn’t give you Satan for your romantic matchup, I felt that he didn’t quite fit what you look for in a relationship. You made it very clear that physical touch is super important to you and while Satan is into more casual things like hand holding, I feel like it might not be enough for you. I feel like too much physical touch would be overwhelming for him and he might not initiate it that much, which would leave you feeling unfulfilled. I definitely think that there are better options in the om cast who will be able to give you the physical touch that you look for. 

❥ Nonetheless, I could definitely still see the two of you getting along! You both share many interests, such as reading, true crime, researching topics, going on walks, etc. I could see the two of you studying together in the library before exams, you would be each other's study buddies! I could also see you and Satan discussing the topics you research. He may not be into celebrity drama, but he’s still impressed by how much you know! He finds it impressive how far you dig into these topics and he’s also very knowledgeable as well so you can ask him random questions and he’ll be able to answer them. He’d be curious about true crime cases and politics in the human world, so maybe you could tell him some stuff? 

❥ I could also see Satan going on walks with you at night! Walks are a great way to clear his mind whenever he’s particularly stressed or upset, and what better way to spend time with you than walks at night? He’ll probably ask you more personal questions to know you more in depth when you guys go on walks together. 

❥ And honestly, whenever you get all chivalrous on him (insisting that you walk on the side closer to the road), he’ll probably get all flustered but he’ll refuse because he has to keep you safe! He can’t let anything happen to you!

❥ When you info dump on him, he’ll find it super interesting as much as it is enlightening. But he’ll remember everything you tell him!

[bonefall]

Is a cat transitioning to being a gib social or do they take steps to display some physical traits associated with meewa-ness (like dying xeir fur grey)? Are there cases where there's hostility to it because other cats think xey aren't wise enough to fit that role?

Most transition between the genders is social, but yes, overall there's more pressure for transitioning into a gib. In comparison, going from molly to tom or tom to molly is much easier.

For one it's a lot MORE social than the other two genders. It's a little hard to explain, but meewa-gender is associated with a sort of charisma which is difficult to "learn" if you don't already have it. It's the aura of drawing people to you, having a tone, posture, and inflection like your words have weight or come from beyond you.

So when you don't have this arbitrary "energy," other cats in the Clan can become pretty hostile towards the idea of a trans-meewa cat in a way they usually aren't with someone who's trans to one of the other genders. It's that same feeling you get when someone's being smug, or some idiot is acting like a know-it-all and you want to see them get humbled and corrected.

This flavor of transphobia is more passive-aggressive than outright aggressive, though.

I feel like Berrynose actually vibes with being meewa, but knows very well that he's not seen as wise and magnanimous in the way a meewa should be. So he gave up the idea a long time back.

BB!Finleap also got some tweaks, and xey're multigender now. Fin also has issues with other cats feeling like xey don't fit what's commonly expected of a meewa, but Fin simply doesn't care. Berrynose probably massively resents this, I can see the two of them fighting a lot.

So because being meewa has more pressure than the other two genders, there's also more of an incentive to physically transition as well. Rosemary is used for cats with estrogen-heavy systems, and Lycopus is used for cats with testosterone-heavy systems. Generally a meewa-cat is trying to do these things with their transition;

Suppress their scent Some "perfumes" can help, but the goal is to reduce smell, not cover it. Smelling like herbs is associated with ShadowClan, the only Clan that takes baths. (yes i will cover shadowclan baths soon)

Reduce secondary sexual characteristics Such as stud jowls in toms, having a higher voice in mollies.

Changing body function patterns There's no eloquent way to put this. Toms and mollies have different scent-marking behaviors, which is actually caused by their hormones. Molly-to-Meewa cats are trying to go on long border patrols more often, Tom-to-Meewa cats are trying to do it less. (This CAN be done without the need of HRT, but HRT will make their body do it naturally instead of timing their drinking schedules or anything else)

[kxizoku-ou]

Have you had any thoughts on hybrid versions of the one piece characters? I love seeing what animals people associate with the characters 😅. Also ears and tails are cute

Hybrid Au, my beloved!!! owo I tend to go heavier with the animal research/xeno than just "ears and tails", but yes, I absolutely have thoughts— here's a handful of my favorites/who comes to mind!

. . .

Kaidou — Auroch bull: The now-extinct relative of modern cattle, closely related to Spanish fighting bulls. Bull feels fitting for Kaidou, I think— they're huge, potentially dangerous animals that get screwed over in blood sports or as slaughterhouse bait, and near-universally seen as aggressive because of instincts that are based in self-preservation or protecting a herd. And of course, ending up as a bull hybrid is just what happens to my favs, by now... (@senjuushi)

Judge — Tawny eagle: His "Garuda" theme implies a bird of prey from the start, so it's an easy pick! Described as "opportunistic", with a habit of feeding on carrion (and stealing other animals' prey), yet still "a bold and active predator", tawny eagles fit well with Judge's vibe of regal, pompous, and trying way too hard. They also tend to mate for life... and male birds are known for flashy courtship habits. Reiju, Ichiji, Niji, and Yonji would be the same species for this Au.

Sanji — Mourning dove: Keeping with the bird theme of his family, but a far less bloodthirsty species. Mourning doves are fluffy, vocal birds that are known for being "prolific breeders". They can be territorial between males, but are also social pair-bonders. Sora would have been a dove too, and Sanji sharing her species is just one more sign that the modifications failed. There's also something very fitting about a "caged bird" theme for his experiences with Germa.

Spandam — Giant panda: Useless animal that would be extinct by now without human intervention. Clumsy, pathetic, and admittedly pretty cute, but not good for much other than existing under careful supervision in a zoo. Of course, Spandam's terrible personality ruins most of the cuteness effect his hybrid species might have— ultimately, he's a needy, spoiled idiot who's eternally dependent on the care of others. And personally, I think he should have a cute, sensitive little stubby tail, perfect to yank on when he's being a brat.

Katakuri — Grizzly bear: Linlin is a grizzly hybrid as well, and the shared species adds to Katakuri's reputation as her "perfect" son. He's huge, powerful, and highly threatening... but would be just as content to gorge himself on snacks and all but hibernate afterward. If it wasn't for his self-imposed standard of perfection, that is. His fucked-up mouth seems even worse on a large predator species, too, which definitely adds to his complex/self-consciousness over it.

Perospero — Red fox: I saw a fanart of him as a fox hybrid on Pixiv, and it convinced me. A smug, sneaky bastard who takes after his mother's carnivore tendencies, but with far less of an intimidation factor to back it up. Annoyingly talkative and far more socially oriented than he wants to admit, as well as capable of being an absolute nuisance when he wants to— all of that sounds very fitting for Peros, I think. And fox whining noises fit his crybaby side.

Cracker — Bushy-tailed woodrat: Prey animals that are described as "vocal and boisterous", and nuisances for "creating general noisy havoc"— seems appropriate for Cracker, an overconfident brat who's far less tough than he acts. Packrats (the overall category) are nest-builders, too, which fits with how he spends so much time hiding in his biscuit soldiers to avoid direct combat. Woodrats also apparently have a foot-thumping tendency; a good match for his clapping!

Pudding — British longhair cat: Babygirl-looking murder machine seems highly appropriate. British longhairs have the sweetest little faces and soft coats, but cats are nature's finest serial killers at their core. Pudding would be perfect as a needy, jealousy-prone kitty who's way too good at playing up the cutesy kitten act to get on people's good sides— right up until a tsundere moment kicks in. Then, she's all puffed-up, twitching tail and poorly stifled purring.

Caesar — Axolotl: Like his pet poison slime thing! Axolotls are apparently "used extensively in scientific research due to their ability to regenerate limbs, gills, and parts of their eyes and brains", which feels fitting for Caesar, as does the fact that they're tricky to take care of as pets (and keep getting put in cages by people who don't treat them well, at that). Also, those feathery external gills are cute!!

Queen — American alligator: Lethal fat fuck of a reptile, exactly how Queen should be! Alligators can be lazy and kind of goofy-looking, but they're still dangerous and very strong. The huge, thick tail is also an obvious plus (the "Brachio-Snakeus" trick haunts me). And really, can't you see him sprawled out all lazy, for gator-style sunbathing?

Drake — Rottweiler/Border Collie mix: A strong, intelligent, capable, and work-oriented animal, that would (as a dog-experienced friend put it), "tear a house down to the foundation" if left without enough to occupy it. Drake gives me "beaten dog" vibes, in general, and it feels fitting that his hybrid species could easily have been sweet, if not for the trauma and DEEP psychological issues.

Law — Shorthaired silver tabby: Law is so very catboy-coded. He's a grumpy, fussy kitty who will both claw your arm open if you try to touch him, and could just as easily be reduced to a purring puddle if his guard gets torn down enough to allow it. Cats are highly effective agents of violence (and can be total bastards, when they want to), but also absolute babies. And imagine tiny, angry catboy Law getting scruffed by Rocinante to prevent the aforementioned clawing.

[theonlyqualitytrash]

Have you ever watched the show Infinity Train? It's on YouTube if you haven't seen it. Anyway, what do you think would happen if some of the bsd cast got stuck on the train?

Hello there! ^^ Thank you so much for your ask! I had such a great time brainstorming and imagining different scenarios for it.

Honestly, I feel like every character in the BSD cast could benefit from some therapy, so I just kept adding more and more characters—couldn’t help myself! (I really need a stop button.) When I first got your ask, I hadn’t yet watched Infinity Train, so I’m sorry for the delay in getting back to you. But I hope the length of this post shows just how much I loved your idea.

In this post, I’ll dive into what each character needs to work on, share some of my headcanons, explore their fate, and talk about their relationships with The Cat.

Just a heads up: this post is pretty long and does contain spoilers for Infinity Train, so if you’re not caught up yet, proceed with caution!

Atsushi

Atsushi struggles with his self worth, the right to keep living and making decisions on his own; He is strong under someone's guidance, but gets crippled by his anxiety if he does not have that support.

First encounter with the cat:

"Oh mon Dieu, a shapeshifter? And not just any shapeshifter—a tiger? How utterly marvelous!" She says as she circles around him, her tail flicking, already plotting something. "You simply must let me borrow you for just a tiny favor. Nothing too difficult—just a little distraction while I, shall we say, acquire something of importance~?" Atsushi, deadpan: "Absolutely not." They end up being the most reluctant duo ever. Atsushi is exasperated and The Cat is entertained. He does not trust her, but she still manages to get him involved in her schemes. She even ends up helping him lower his number without meaning to—by forcing him to think on his feet, make his own decisions, and challenge his instincts to always do what he’s told.

General headcanons:

He would most likely run away from ghoms, as they are unfamiliar and dangerous. Atsushi is not the type to fight first, especially not against something he doesn’t understand, like ghoms. He’d probably panic, try to run, and only fight if there was absolutely no other choice—but even then, he’d aim to disable rather than destroy.

He genuinely cares about the denizens of the train, treating them with kindness and respect, as he views them as people.

He is surprisingly good at solving puzzles. Despite his struggles with decision-making and self-doubt, Atsushi is good at problem-solving when he puts his mind to it.

Over time, Atsushi becomes a quiet but steady source of hope for other passengers he encounters. He would probably try to help others get off the train, even if he himself hasn’t figured it out yet.

The Chrome Car:

Atsushi’s biggest enemy has always been his own mind, so facing a version of himself that sees him as weak? That would be brutal. Chrome!Atsushi is more aggressive, assertive, and confident—likely from observing Atsushi’s struggles and self-directed pep talks in the mirror. He calls Atsushi out for hesitating, doubting himself, and constantly relying on others for direction. With an exasperated sigh, he rolls his eyes and scoffs, “I don’t understand how we’re the same person. You have all this power, and you waste it.” His voice hardens. “You’re always waiting for someone to tell you what to do. No wonder people keep using you.” And the worst part? Atsushi agrees. At first, he doesn’t argue—because deep down, he believes Chrome!Atsushi is right. He’s spent so long questioning his own worth that hearing his doubts reflected back at him makes them feel even more undeniable. When he finally tries to push back, insisting that kindness isn’t weakness, Chrome!Atsushi doesn’t buy it. Their confrontation would mirror (no pun intended) Tulip’s struggle with her Chrome counterpart. His number drops slightly after the encounter, a small step forward, but he still has a long journey ahead.

Fate on the train:

He’s the type to question every lesson, every experience, and hesitate before fully accepting his growth. I see him getting close to the exit multiple times—his number almost dropping to zero, only to go back up. But eventually, he will leave—with a new sense of self and a little more faith in his own choices.

Akutagawa

Akutagawa, like Atsushi, struggles with his self-worth and his right to exist, rooted in his survival-of-the-fittest mentality. His greatest obstacle is his relentless need to prove himself, driven by a deep-seated inferiority complex. He ties his value to external success and recognition rather than any intrinsic sense of self-worth, making him emotionally volatile and desperate for validation. His number would only start to drop once he begins to understand that his worth isn’t dependent on being "useful" but on simply being.

First Encounter with the cat:

The moment she starts her usual playful, smug attitude, Akutagawa would be done with her. He wouldn’t even give her time to talk—he’d activate Rashōmon immediately, ready to shred her into ribbons. The moment Akutagawa activates Rashōmon, The Cat would hiss, leap backward, and immediately rethink her life choices. She knows a bad deal when she sees one, and this angry, coughing, trench-coat murder machine is not worth the trouble. She’d dart away and watch from a safe distance, silently judging. "Ah. A rabid dog. How… unfortunate." The Cat would not push her luck with Akutagawa. She’d observe, make a few remarks, and keep her distance. Akutagawa, in turn, would ignore her completely—unless she somehow proved useful. I would see no real conflict, just mutual avoidance and silent judgment.

General headcanons:

Akutagawa got stuck in the Cross-Eye Duck Car for an embarrassingly long time.

He tried to cut tthrough the Train with Rashomon—Was Met with the Void™.

The number on his palm is a cruel, constant reminder of his stagnation. He stares at it often, too often.

Debutant ball car:

A lavish golden ballroom stretches before him, glittering with refinement. Overhead, a massive talking chandelier twinkles, greeting him with theatrical flair. Akutagawa is not having it. He has no patience for such nonsense and immediately turns to leave—only to find the doors locked. The chandelier descends with exaggerated grace. “To leave, you must learn to dance and make your proper debut.” “I refuse.” “Your refusal is noted. But you will dance.” Cue a montage of extreme frustration. Akutagawa is stiff, rigid, and painfully awkward. He tries to force his way through the steps with sheer willpower, but that is not how dancing works. The movements require something foreign to him—grace, patience, trust. At first, he brushes it all off as pointless. But slowly, something shifts. The repetition of the steps, the steady rhythm of the music—it’s… oddly calming. No one is attacking him, and no one is demanding he prove his worth through strength or violence. For the first time in a long time, Akutagawa is simply existing. When the moment for his official debut arrives, he moves through the waltz effortlessly. The octopus people applaud. The chandelier proclaims him an honored debutant. And at last, the exit door unlocks. His number drops—not by much, but enough. He doesn’t fully understand what he’s learned, but he feels different.

Fate on the train:

Akutagawa's epiphany moment would happen when someone calls him strong—but not for his power, not for Rashomon, not for winning a fight. Maybe he helps someone in a way that isn’t violent.

Maybe he shows restraint, compassion, or understanding—something small, but deeply uncharacteristic of the Akutagawa that first stepped onto the train. When he finally reaches zero he doesn’t feel triumphant or victorious—just… at peace. The exit door appears, and he steps through without hesitation.

Ango

Ango drowns himself in work, using it as a way to numb the guilt he refuses to let go of. He has betrayed so many for the "greater good" that he fully believes he deserves the hate—especially from Dazai. Even so, he still helps Dazai whenever he can, not for Dazai’s sake, but for Oda’s. He wasn’t directly responsible for Oda’s death, but that doesn’t matter—he still feels like he owes him. Ango doesn’t seek forgiveness, nor does he expect it. But what he truly needs is to learn that self-inflicted suffering is not atonement. Also, he depersonalizes himself but refuses to let others be forgotten. He doesn’t see himself as someone worth grieving over, but for others? He painstakingly records their names, their lives, their deaths, because they mattered. He won’t let them become just another casualty in a report. Maybe it’s his way of trying make up for the fact that he has to make choices—choices that cost lives.

First encounter with the cat:

Ango steps into the cluttered, treasure-filled car, immediately feeling the weight of the disarray surrounding him. The chaos of old antiques and forgotten objects piles up around him like a maze. The Cat, ever observant, watches him closely. Noticing the subtle glimmer of curiosity in his eyes, she smiles with an almost knowing amusement. "Good taste," she comments playfully, her tone light but teasing. Ango doesn’t react immediately but can’t help but acknowledge the compliment in his own quiet way. There's a strange understanding between them—an appreciation for old, lost things, the stories that linger in the forgotten corners. As they speak, Ango can’t hold back his question about the number on his palm, the mark that seems to follow him, burdening him with unknown meaning. The Cat’s response is as cryptic as ever, her words teasing at the edges of something deeper but never fully revealing it. She seems to enjoy the back-and-forth, her eyes dancing with mischief as she observes his attempt to untangle her riddles. Though he doesn't fully trust her, there’s something about the interaction that keeps him on edge, and yet oddly intrigued. He can't quite shake the feeling that she knows more about him than she's letting on—and that, perhaps, they’re more alike than either of them would admit.

General headcanons:

He keeps a small journal during his time on the train, documenting his thoughts, his progress, and any notable things he encounters. Writing down his feelings might help him process what’s going on, though he’d rarely share it with anyone.

He would overwork himself even here: He treats self-improvement like a job, pushing himself relentlessly to figure out what he needs to “fix” so he can get off the train. He takes mental notes on his own behavior, trying to measure progress as if personal growth is something that can be quantified.

Ango and his tape:

Ango stumbles upon the tape by accident, and before he knows it, he’s pulled into it. He finds himself reliving his memories, the moments spent with Dazai and Oda. The overwhelming weight of his guilt, his choices, and his constant self-punishment fades away. In the tape, he feels lighter—calmer—like he’s finally at peace. Oda is alive, laughing and talking with him as if nothing ever happened. They share an easy conversation, perhaps discussing life or just being in each other's presence. What matters most is that, for the first time in so long, Ango doesn’t feel the crushing burden of his decisions. The weight of his responsibilities lifts, and he can almost convince himself that everything is as it once was. But then, reality crashes in. That’s not how it happened. Oda’s dead. Dazai’s harsh words echo in his mind, telling him never to show his face at Lupin again. The false serenity shatters, the illusion crumbling to the ground and leaving Ango to suddenly realize that it is all a lie. The life he’s been reliving is a curated version of the past—artificial and unattainable. His chest tightens as the truth settles in. This was never his reality. It never could have been. When he pulls himself away from the tape, he feels physically sick. His mind is disoriented, as if it’s still clinging to the illusion, struggling to reconcile the peaceful image he just experienced with the bitter truth of his life.

Fate on the train:

I think it would take for him a very very long time to get off the train, guilt is not an easy thing to get over.

Ango will realize at some point that his past mistakes won’t disappear, but he can learn to live alongside them without constantly being consumed by them. Perhaps he learns to forgive himself bit by bit—understanding that he doesn’t have to live in perpetual atonement to be worthy of peace.

Chuuya

He has always been defined by others—first by the Sheep, then the Mafia, and later by his connection to Dazai. His existence has never truly been his own, shaped instead by the expectations of those around him. Even his immense power isn’t something he chose but something that was forced upon him as Arahabaki’s vessel. Whether as the Sheep’s leader, the Port Mafia’s strongest fighter, or Dazai’s partner, he has always been seen as a tool, never just as himself. Deeply loyal yet hesitant to open up, he craves genuine human connection, but years of betrayal and being used have made him wary, leaving him caught between longing and distrust.

First interaction with the cat:

“Monsieur! A distinguished gentleman such as yourself!” The Cat purrs as she presents her latest creation with a dramatic flourish. “You have arrived just in time for my most exquisite product yet!” She pulls out… a hat with a hole punched straight through the middle. "...What the hell is that?” The Cat smirks. “A donut, of course!” He squints. It is, very clearly, just a ruined hat. “That’s a hat with a hole in it,” he deadpans. “Non, non, non! It was a hat. But with the revolutionary Donut Holer™—” she gestures proudly to a rusty metal pipe sitting next to a pile of equally destroyed hats, “—I have transformed it into a fine delicacy! A donut, as you humans call it.” Chuuya exhales slowly, pressing his fingers to his temple. After this interaction he actively avoids The Cat whenever possible. He has neither the time nor the patience for her ridiculous schemes, and every encounter with her leaves him feeling one step closer to a migraine. Still, he isn’t naive. If The Cat has something useful—a shortcut, information about the train, anything that might actually help him get off—he’ll work with her. He doesn’t trust her, but he knows she can be resourceful. That doesn’t mean he has to like it.

General headcanons:

The first thing he did after escaping his first car was try to fly off the train. Naturally, the train—being a pocket dimension with invisible barriers—did not care. He got flung right back to the train, cursed loudly, and spent a solid minute pacing in frustration before admitting defeat.

For some reason, most denizens end up loving him. He doesn’t try to be particularly friendly, but something about his no-nonsense attitude and unexpected patience makes him weirdly well-liked.

He takes care of people without thinking about it. If someone looks lost or overwhelmed, he’ll wordlessly toss them a piece of advice or physically drag them out of a bad situation. He pretends it didn’t happen immediately after.

Mediterranean Republic Car

The train doors open, and Chuuya finds himself in a sun-drenched countryside. Rolling green hills, warm stone houses, a gentle breeze carrying the scent of salt and wine. The denizens? Flower people, living simple lives. They run vineyards, tend to gardens, and speak in soft, content voices. No fights. No schemes. No need to prove himself. He keeps waiting for the catch—a hidden enemy, a test, something. But nothing comes. The denizens simply welcome him, offer him wine, and ask about his journey. Slowly, Chuuya lets himself relax. He drinks the wine, listens to the laughter of the denizens, and walks the peaceful roads in quiet contemplation. This is the life Verlaine wanted for him. The life he never got. He feels human here. Not a gravity-manipulating experiment, not a Mafia executive. The flower denizens never question his existence. To them, he is simply Chuuya, no strings attached. Slowly, it dawns on him—they don’t see a monster, a test subject, a weapon. Just a man.

Fate on the train:

Spending time in the Mediterranean Republic Car is the turning point for Chuuya. For once, he isn’t a weapon or Arahabaki’s vessel. The flower people treat him like anyone else, not as something to be controlled or feared. It’s disorienting at first, but slowly, it settles into something almost… comforting. He doesn’t immediately recognize how much it changes him. When he finally leaves the train, he knows truly, that his past does not define his humanity.

Dazai

I, like many others, went through all seven stages of grief with Dazai’s character. At first, I loved him. Then I started questioning why I even liked him. Then I hated him. And now?

Trying to dissect Dazai would take an entire essay—he's a walking contradiction, layered and impossible to pin down. At his core, he wrestles with the conflict between his desire for death and his search for meaning in life. Beneath his humor and carefree façade lies a deep-seated self-loathing and existential despair, carefully hidden from those around him. This duality fuels his self-destructive tendencies—he believes himself unworthy of happiness, even as he tries, in his own way, to be better.

First interaction with the cat:

Dazai finds The Cat’s antics entertaining but doesn’t fully trust her. He plays along with her schemes, but internally, he’s always analyzing her motives. He eggs her on just to see how far she’ll take things; playing dumb when she tries to con him, acting as if he’s about to fall for it. He keeps things lighthearted and playful but never lets her get the upper hand. He’s not an easy mark, and The Cat might find him frustratingly unreadable, since he constantly plays mind games back at her. Would they be friends? Not really. Would they tolerate each other? Yes, but with a lot of playful suspicion.

General headcanons:

Dazai would find the Chess Car intriguing at first, but then he realizes none of it makes sense. The game follows rules that feel like an AI’s warped interpretation of chess—it was a headache to get out of that car.

Between cars, he hesitated. Just one step, and it’d be over. But then the thought passed, it would be too painful and messy—and no beautiful lady to do it with.

He would also develop a strange tolerance for the denizens. He’d initially treat them as just part of the train’s weird mechanics—nothing interesting, but over time, he’d start engaging with them more, slipping into casual conversation as if they were just ordinary people.

Not having done any progress in some days, he would start rolling around on the floor out of stress.

The crystal car:

Dazai steps into the Crystal Car, greeted by an endless, glittering landscape. But his usual flippant attitude fades when he realizes the exit is locked—and the only way forward is through something deeply personal. When Greige mimes the challenge—"Sing from the heart" Dazai shrugs. "That’s it? What an easy game." He confidently places his hand on the resonance crystal and begins singing. "You can't do... a double suicide all on your own...". He barely gets through the first verse before… Nothing. The crystals don’t react. He blinks, slightly confused. Why didn’t that work? He tries again, voice smooth and carefree. "Boom, boom, it takes two who don't wanna die all alone!" Still no response. Dazai leans against a crystal, quiet for a moment. His mind drifts—not to suicide, not to tragedy, but to something… softer. The low crackle of an old radio in Bar Lupin. The warmth of cigarette smoke, cheap whiskey, and laughter. Oda leaning back in his seat, Ango taking a quiet sip of his drink. And a song—an old, forgotten tune—playing in the background. Almost without thinking, he starts humming it. The moment the tune leaves his lips, the crystals stir. Dazai doesn’t smile, doesn’t joke—for the first time in a long time, he just exists in the moment. The crystal giant appears, unlocking the door. A strange tightness sits in his chest, something unfamiliar. He exhales, glancing at his hand—his number has dropped slightly.

Fate on the train:

It’s harder to face your emotions than to simply pretend they don’t exist—mask them with humor and bury them deep. “What does this metal box even want from me? I have changed!” Despite his resistance, the train does its job, forcing Dazai to confront his issues. When he finally steps off, he’s a little lighter, but still undeniably annoyed.

Fukuzawa-Fukuchi

Fukuzawa’s Struggle

Fukuzawa holds himself to an unrealistic standard because so many depend on him, believing that if he falters, those under him will suffer. He carries the burden of being a protector, founding the Agency to shield the gifted from abuse—but he still questions if he is doing enough. Unlike Fukuchi, he’s always been cautious and restrained, but deep down, he compares himself to his old friend, wondering if he should have acted more boldly. His greatest regret is losing Fukuchi to the path he walks now, and he still wonders if there was something he could have done differently to prevent it.

Fukuchi’s Struggle

Fukuchi believes he is the only one who can fix the world, burdened by the failures of others. In his eyes, Fukuzawa abandoned him, leaving him with no one to share the weight of his mission. His noble intentions became corrupted by manipulation, pushed further by Fyodor’s lies. Despite his arrogance, he still cares deeply about Fukuzawa’s opinion—but he would rather die than admit it. His anger masks the wounded loyalty still buried beneath.

First encounter with the cat:

Fukuzawa immediately likes her. He’s always had a soft spot for felines, and the fact that this one talks and hoards trinkets only makes her more endearing. They get along quite well—Fukuzawa respects her autonomy, and The Cat enjoys his quiet, cat-loving energy. Fukuchi, seeing Fukuzawa instantly warm up to the Cat, scoffs. "You're really bonding with a talking cat?" The Cat, unimpressed, side-eyes him. "You're really not?" She doesn’t trust Fukuchi—something about him rubs her the wrong way. Maybe it’s the warlord energy. Maybe it’s the smugness. Either way, she keeps her distance. Fukuchi, in turn, thinks she’s just another obnoxious denizen wasting his time. Fukuzawa and The Cat are instant friends. Whereas Fukuchi and The Cat trade passive-aggressive comments. She will actively roast Fukuchi whenever given the chance.

General headcanons:

They would have synced numbers because their issues stem from each other—Fukuzawa’s regret over losing Fukuchi, and Fukuchi’s resentment toward Fukuzawa.

In a peaceful car, they end up sharing drinks, sitting in silence. Neither directly acknowledges it, but it’s the closest they’ve felt to how things used to be.

The Spa car:

Steam curls through the air. The only sounds are the distant trickle of water and the occasional shift of heated stones. It was Fukuchi’s idea to stop, to take a moment—he hadn’t been in a sauna in ages. For a long while, they sit in silence, the heat sinking into tired muscles, the quiet settling deep into their bones. Then, finally, Fukuzawa speaks, his voice low, measured. "I don't hate you. You did what you thought was right." Here, in the stillness, without war or duty hanging over them, the words come easier. No accusations, no justifications—just the simple truth. Two old friends, stripped of everything but themselves. And in the end, there is nothing left to do but acknowledge the weight of it all. A quiet embrace, a moment of understanding neither of them asks for but both accept. After a beat, Fukuchi huffs a laugh. "Is it weird that we're only in towels?" Fukuzawa exhales, shaking his head in mock exasperation. But there’s the barest hint of a smile on his lips.

Fate on the train:

They would get out rather quickly. With nothing left to focus on but their own respective problems—and because they’re grown men—they’d make progress faster than expected.

Fyodor

Oh boy—now let's see... distorted worldview, savior complex, deep-set loneliness, and isolation. In essence, Fyodor's biggest struggle is that he is a man who believes he must save the world, pushing past the cost of doing so—the loss of his own humanity and the destruction of those around him. His savior complex becomes a self-destructive cycle, where the more he strives to "fix" the world, the more he isolates himself from the one thing he truly needs to feel fulfilled: human connection and compassion. He will only escape the train when he realizes that he does not need to fix anything—but find peace for himself and a bit of compassion from others.

First encounter with the cat:

The Cat, with her usual charm, would approach Fyodor, offering something absurd or quirky. Her exuberance would be in stark contrast to Fyodor’s controlled demeanor. "How quaint… a creature like you, playing with such childish nonsense." He’d humor her with a brief glance or nod, but remain emotionally distant. The Cat would immediately sense something off about him but wouldn’t push too hard, used to the complicated personalities of the passages. Fyodor, though amused, wouldn’t trust her due to her unpredictability. He’d see her as just another curiosity on the train, politely distant but not threatened. Over time, The Cat would continue trailing him, intrigued by his calm, enigmatic demeanor. Fyodor would acknowledge her presence with polite indifference, not revealing anything deeper, but perhaps with a flicker of amusement. Despite his efforts to avoid her though, The Cat would grow increasingly fascinated by him, sensing potential beneath his stoic exterior. Over time, their relationship would remain cordial, with him offering polite dismissals and her continuing to probe his calm exterior.

General headcanons:

I do not want to think about the implications of Fyodor being killed by a ghome. Even if his ability worked, it could trap him in a warped, unstable existence—something non-human, something he couldn’t control.

He does find the train interesting—an engaging distraction where each car presents a new challenge.

Will absolutely kick the toad no problem but will politely apologize afterward.

Genuinely enjoyed the crossword car.

Crossed paths with Amelia once. They were both a little too sharp-tongued for their own good.

Scoffs at the idea of the train being "therapy," dismissing it as a crude, artificial attempt at forced change. But the thought lingers. If manipulation won’t get him off the train, then true change might be the only way—and that thought unsettles him more than he’d like to admit.

Not a headcanon but an interesting tidbit of information: the denizen in the cube car and himself share the same name.

Iceberg car:

Snow, endless snow, and the quiet blanket of ice. Fyodor wouldn’t rush to leave this place. Instead, he’d linger for a moment, his guard never fully down, but for once, he lets the cold air fill his lungs—sharp, familiar, a strange comfort. Home... He’d scoop up some snow, watching it settle in his palm before slowly crushing it between his fingers. How long has it been since he last set foot in his homeland? The weight of the question lingers, unspoken, but the answer is irrelevant. For now, in this moment, he allows himself the indulgence of remembering.

Fate on the train:

Fyodor is incredibly self-aware and blind at the same time, meaning he would recognize his flaws, but accepting change is another story entirely. He sees himself as above worldly attachments, and breaking that mindset would be nearly impossible.

If he ever did change, it would be slow, begrudging, and almost accidental. He wouldn’t have a grand revelation—rather, something small and human would unsettle him, forcing him to question himself in a way he can't ignore.

Ultimately, whether he gets off the train depends on one thing: Can he accept that he is just a man, not a savior?

Kyouka

Kyouka's biggest struggle is self-worth. She has always been defined by her past as a weapon and the trauma that came with it, especially under the influence of the Port Mafia. For so long, she’s been told that her value lies in her ability to serve someone else's cause, this leaving her with a deep fear of not being able to stand on her own and questioning if she’s capable of being more than the person she was forced to be. She struggles with finding her identity outside of the trauma and the expectations placed on her. Additionally, there's a sense of guilt over her past actions—having hurt others, even if she didn’t want to.

First encounter with the cat:

Of course the Cat would be talking a mile a minute, completely unfazed by Kyouka's calm demeanor. Kyouka, on the other hand, would probably blink a few times, a little confused by the oddity of the situation. She's not easily rattled, but she might tilt her head slightly, observing the Cat's antics with quiet curiosity. She might even give a small, polite smile, but it would be a little awkward, like she's not entirely sure what to do with someone like The Cat. Kyouka would likely try to keep her distance, not quite used to The Cat’s overly forward nature. She'd probably be too polite to outright reject whatever the Cat was offering, but there would be a gentle refusal: "No, thank you..." Her voice would be soft and controlled, with an air of caution as she tries to figure out the Cat’s intentions. In the end, their interaction would be more about observation than anything else. Kyouka might not fully understand The Cat, but she'd respect her space. The Cat would, of course, find her intriguing but wouldn’t push too hard. They wouldn’t be close friends right off the bat, but the foundations of a relatively peaceful relationship would be set.

General headcanons:

Kyouka actually enjoys the "boring" cars on the train, finding comfort in their quiet simplicity. It’s a rare opportunity for her to relax without the usual chaos.

She has a habit of collecting small trinkets from the different cars—stones, seashells, and flowers. They’re little, personal reminders of her journey.

Once, while lost in thought on a puzzle, she was startled by a denizen behind her, drawing her knife instinctively. The denizen fell back in surprise, and Kyouka, apologized awkwardly.

Though she keeps her distance, Kyouka observes others closely, intrigued by how people form bonds and handle their struggles, even if she doesn’t engage herself.

When The Apex tried to recruit her, she politely declined, preferring to stay independent and navigate the train on her own terms.

Doily car:

Kyouka would step into the Doily Car, immediately taken aback by how soft and delicate everything is. This one feels… safe. Warm. Almost like stepping into a quiet dream. The Crochet People welcome her gently, noticing her reserved nature. At first, Kyouka simply watches them go about their lives, particularly intrigued by the way they craft small plush figures. Their precise, rhythmic movements captivate her. Eventually, they hand her a crochet hook and some yarn, silently encouraging her to try. Though hesitant at first, Kyouka gives it a go, her fingers moving carefully, focused on getting it right. It’s calming in a way she didn’t expect. By the time she’s ready to leave, one of the crochet people hands her a small bunny doll they made just for her. She doesn’t say much, but she clutches it tightly as she leaves. It’s soft. Familiar. Something she can hold onto when things get difficult. And for that, she’s grateful.

Fate on the train:

Kyouka would likely spend a long time on the train, not because she refuses to change, but because she struggles to understand what change even means for her. She’s already trying to be a better person, already walking the path toward self-discovery—so what else is there? What is she still missing? Her journey wouldn’t be one of rebellion or outright denial but quiet contemplation. She would go from car to car, learning, watching, collecting small mementos without really knowing why. It’s not until she realizes that she gets to decide what kind of future she wants—not just following orders, not just atoning, but truly living—that her number finally reaches zero.

Kenji

Kenji’s main struggle isn’t deep internal conflict, but rather the balance between his overwhelming kindness and the destructive power he possesses. While he has the potential for immense destruction, especially if he's consumed by strong emotions like rage or sadness, Kenji has an extraordinary ability to keep his emotions in check. His kindness and compassion allow him to navigate a violent world without giving in to the darker sides of himself.

First encounter with the cat:

The Cat would see Kenji and immediately be reminded of Simon—his youth, blond hair, and cheerful nature striking an old, buried chord in her. Unlike her usual playful or mischievous approach with passengers, she would treat Kenji with a quiet, almost motherly warmth, as if trying to make amends for what happened with Simon. She wouldn’t openly acknowledge this, of course, but her actions would speak for themselves—she would actively stay by Kenji’s side, a rare departure from how she usually interacts with passengers. Whether consciously or not, she would gravitate toward him, walking alongside him through different cars, engaging him in conversation, and offering small tokens or words of advice. Kenji, in turn, would accept her presence with a bright smile and an open heart, never questioning why she stuck around—just happy to have a companion, unaware of the guilt and quiet sorrow driving it.

General headcanons:

His number would be ridiculously low, probably around 6. He adapts quickly, and doesn’t struggle with deep-seated personal conflict like most passengers. If anything, the train might struggle to find things for him to “fix.”

He would unintentionally speedrun the train. Puzzle cars? Solved in minutes. Emotional breakthroughs? Already had them before stepping onto the train. The only thing slowing him down is that he keeps stopping to help others.

Denizens adore him.

At some point, he casually punches through a door. Not out of frustration—just because he thought that was how to open it.

Family tree car:

Kenji accidentally and effortlessly steps into the role of family therapist, resolving disputes in record time. He listens to everyone's grievances with genuine patience and warmth, treating the feuding Gillicutys and Trundleshanks like familiar neighbors from his village. Rather than arguing, he shares heartwarming stories of his hometown—tales of cooperation, understanding, and the importance of letting go of old grudges. His words resonate so deeply that the portraits pause, reflect, and slowly begin to reconsider their feuds. By the time he's finished, both families are exchanging apologies, their long-standing resentment fading into reconciliation.

Fate on the train:

Kenji's fate on the train would be a quick exit. The cat would watch him leave, feeling a bittersweet sense of pride. She would be sad to see him go, but also proud, because in helping Kenji, she’d feel like she finally did something right after her failure with Simon. It would be a quiet, emotional goodbye, as Kenji’s innocence and goodness had made an impression on her.

Lovecraft

Lovecraft isn’t exactly human in the way the others are, so he doesn’t really have the same kind of emotional struggles or deep-seated trauma that the train usually forces passengers to work through. He’s more of an entity than a person—his problems, if he even has them, wouldn’t be about personal growth but more about… cosmic weirdness? If anything, his biggest "struggle" might just be existing in a world that isn't built for beings like him. He doesn’t seem particularly invested in human affairs, nor does he seem to have personal desires beyond idly going along with whatever’s happening. He doesn’t care about power, morality, or even survival in the way most beings do.

First encounter with the cat:

She approaches like she does with everyone, but the moment she gets close, her entire demeanor shifts. Her fur stands on end. Her tail puffs up. There’s no reason for it—Lovecraft hasn’t moved, hasn’t even looked at her, he is the perfect picture of calmness, maybe boredom—but something in her gut is screaming NO. Lovecraft, meanwhile, barely reacts. Maybe he blinks one eye open lazily, yawns, and mumbles something like, "Mm… you smell funny." Before closing his eyes again, already drifting back into whatever half-sleep state he exists in. The Cat, who rarely gets rattled, never gets spooked, immediately decides: Nope. No thank you. Not dealing with that. She just backs away, slow and careful, and makes a mental note to stay as far away from him as possible. She doesn’t even try to mess with him after that. He’s the only passenger she doesn’t attempt to pry into. Whatever he is… she wants nothing to do with it.

General headcanons:

People mistake him for a denizen; He barely reacts to most things, doesn’t seem concerned about getting off the train, and just exists in a way that’s eerily similar to the background elements of the train.

His number is broken anyway—It flickers, shifts, and just doesn’t exist in a way that makes sense. Someone tried to look at it, and it was just...eldritch runes? The train tried, but it doesn’t know what to do with him.

He doesn’t really understand the train either. Not in a confused way, but more in a detached way. When someone tried to explain the whole “self-improvement” thing, he just blinked slowly and went, “Mm… sounds like a lot.”

The beach car:

Lovecraft sees the ocean, shrugs, and just walks in without hesitation. No reaction, no sense of urgency—he just disappears beneath the waves like it’s the most natural thing in the world. He ends up in Randall Town, completely unfazed by the fact that it's underwater. The inhabitants take one look at this unbothered, eldritch-looking guy who strolls into their city and immediately assume he's some kind of deity. A religion forms around him almost overnight. Randall Town starts treating him like an honored guest, bringing him offerings—chocolates, ice cream, maybe even a little seashell necklace. Lovecraft, still half-asleep, just accepts it all with a sleepy, "Mm… thanks." He does not correct them. Not out of malice, just pure apathy. If they want to worship him, that’s their business. He ends up napping in some grand coral temple they build for him, completely unaware of how much of a cultural shift he’s caused.

Fate on the train:

He settles in Randall Town because it’s comfortable, quiet, and most importantly, full of people willing to bring him food. Randall starts worshiping him as some kind of deep-sea deity. He doesn’t encourage it, but he also doesn’t stop it—because, well, why would he?

He takes the offerings without a word. If they bow or chant strange prayers? Whatever. Not his problem.

He doesn’t even rule the town or anything—he’s just… there. A permanent, immovable fixture of Randall Town.

The Cat, from a very safe distance, watches this unfold with growing horror. Of course he ended up with a cult. Of course Randall started worshiping him. She refuses to go anywhere near Randall Town ever again. Lovecraft, meanwhile, remains completely unbothered. He has food, a comfy place to nap, and a bunch of weird little water people who adore him. He’s never leaving.

Lucy

Lucy struggles with abandonment issues, fear of rejection, and a deep need for control. Her harsh upbringing in the orphanage left her with scars—both physical and emotional—teaching her that mistakes lead to punishment and that love is conditional. Her ability was her only refuge, but it also made her an outcast, reinforcing her loneliness. Beneath her fiery attitude and sharp tongue, Lucy hides a deep fear of rejection and a desperate need for security. Her "mean girl" demeanor served as armor, keeping others at a distance so they can’t see just how much she longs for acceptance—a place where she won’t be left behind.

First encounter with the cat:

Their first meeting would be a rollercoaster of emotions—mostly on Lucy’s end. At first, she’d be delighted. "Oh, a kitty!" She crouches slightly, reaching out as if to pet The Cat. Then The Cat speaks. "My, my, aren’t you a lively one?" Lucy freezes. Her expression drops. “…What.” The Cat smiles, sitting down and curling her tail around her paws. “What, have you never seen a talking cat before?” Lucy straightens up, arms crossing as she glares. “You’re creepy.” The Cat tilts her head. “Rude.” She is genuinely confused by Lucy’s hostility. She flicks her tail with exaggerated offense. “I see, I am clearly not wanted here.” Lucy’s heart stutters in her chest. There’s a familiar, unwelcome pang in her gut—the creeping sensation of being left alone. Again. Even if The Cat is weird, even if she gets under her skin, she’s still someone. Before she can think it through, she blurts out, “I never said that.” Not quite an apology, not quite an invitation. The Cat pauses, eyes gleaming with amusement. “Ohhh, so now you want me around?” Lucy groans, rolling her eyes. “Shut up.” But she doesn’t tell The Cat to leave. And The Cat, thoroughly entertained, decides to stick around.

General headcanons:

She acts like the train is the biggest inconvenience in the world, but deep down, she loves the mystery and drama of it all.

She keeps getting into arguments with denizens.

Her number confuses and frustrates her. She checks it constantly, scowls at it, and even tries yelling at it to change faster.

Acts like she doesn’t care about The Cat, but secretly relies on her. She’ll roll her eyes and sass back, but if she disappears for too long, Lucy will start looking for her.

Origami car:

The delicate, folded world reminds her of Anne’s room—not in appearance, but in feeling. Both spaces feel like places where a child could finally feel safe. And for the first time, Lucy’s inner child does. In a world where she’s been forced to suppress her emotions and put up walls to survive, the peaceful atmosphere of the Origami Car provides Lucy with an opportunity to reflect and engage with her own feelings. She is alone in the car, but not lonely, not afraid of being alone. The Origami Car teaches Lucy to form a connection, not with others, but with herself. Her number would drop significantly in this car.

Fate on the train:

Lucy would leave the train, but not quickly. She’d resist at first, clinging to her usual habits—pushing people away, trying to prove she doesn’t need anyone, acting like none of this affects her. But the train, of course, isn't fooled. Lucy will leave the train when she learns to cope with her fear of abandonment and rejection—not by erasing it, but by understanding it doesn’t have to control her.

Musitaro

Mushitaro’s biggest struggle is his deep-seated loneliness and guilt. He presents himself as smug, theatrical, and self-assured, but it’s all a front to mask how lost he feels without Yokomizo. His entire life revolved around his best friend, and after losing him, he’s left without a real purpose. He tells himself he’s fine alone, that he doesn’t need anyone, but the truth is, he’s terrified of connection—because to him, getting close to someone means risking the pain of losing them.

First encounter with the cat:

The Cat, ever the opportunist, takes one look at Mushitaro and sees potential. His refined dress, his carefully groomed demeanor—surely, someone of his presentation would be well-received in matters of business. And so, she approaches, eyes gleaming with the promise of opportunity. “You carry yourself with an air of distinction,” she muses, circling him like a merchant appraising fine wares. “Tell me, have you ever considered expanding your considerable talents into the realm of commerce? I find myself in need of a partner—one with charm, poise, and an appreciation for the finer things in life.” Mushitaro’s brow twitches. “You cannot be serious.” “Quite the contrary. You, monsieur, possess all the makings of a most successful businessman. A mind such as yours should not be wasted.” She offers a knowing smile. “Think of it—wealth, influence, the admiration of those beneath you. All within reach, should you simply seize the opportunity.” Mushitaro exhales sharply through his nose, adjusting his cuffs as if to shake off the absurdity of the conversation. “If you believe I would stoop to peddling whatever charlatanry you are involved in, you are gravely mistaken. I am a man of literature, of refinement. I do not ‘sell.’” The Cat watches him for a moment, tail flicking. Then, with a slow, measured nod, she steps aside. “C'est la vie. I had hoped you would recognize the brilliance of this endeavor. But alas, not all minds are suited for vision.” Mushitaro scoffs, turning on his heel, coat flaring with the motion. “Good day.” He strides off, determined to leave this nonsense behind. And yet, much to his dismay, it is not the last he sees of her. No, the Cat has taken an interest in him now—and once she does, she is not so easily dissuaded.

General headcanons:

Mushitaro treats the train like an elaborate personal inconvenience. He complains about the absurdity of it all but still begrudgingly plays along because what choice does he have?

Any car requiring physical exertion is his personal nightmare. If forced into an obstacle course car or something equally undignified, he will gripe the entire way through.

Runway car:

Mushitaro would step into the Fashion Show car with a dramatic sigh, muttering under his breath about how utterly ridiculous the entire idea is. He’d roll his eyes at the flashy décor and extravagant setup, but there’s no hiding the flicker of genuine interest in his eyes when he sees the finely tailored outfits displayed on mannequins. He quietly admires the clothes while pretending to be above it all. As Sashay, the flamboyant host, rushes forward with over-the-top enthusiasm, Mushitaro would maintain his cool, offering nothing more than a bored glance. Despite his attempts to stay unimpressed, his mind would be working overtime, mentally critiquing the designs and subtly rearranging the outfits in his head to meet his standards. Sloppiness is simply not an option. Walking across the runway with effortless grace, Mushitaro would exude a practiced, almost blasé confidence in his appearance. As he passes Sashay, he’d give a polite but distant nod, trying to downplay how much he’s secretly enjoying the attention. His face would remain cool, but the slight smirk tugging at the corner of his lips would betray his true feelings. When it’s time for feedback, the judges would shower him with praise, gushing over his elegance and impeccable style. Mushitaro would wave it off dismissively, muttering something about “not needing to be treated like a spectacle.” Yet, if anyone paid close enough attention, they’d notice the faint blush on his cheeks, a small but undeniable flicker of pride. He may not want to admit it, but he can't hide the satisfaction of knowing he nailed it. Though he’d leave the car with a final, exaggerated scoff about the absurdity of it all, there’s a spark of amusement in his eyes that he can’t quite suppress. Deep down, he’s satisfied with the experience.

Fate on the train:

Getting over guilt is hard. Acceptance is hard. His stubborn and stuck-up nature only deflects, pushing everything away, unwilling to face what lies beneath. Progress is slow, painfully slow, but eventually, he would get out.

Nikolai

(An oversimplification of Nikolai's problem.) I think Nikolai's problem lies in his deep fear of being overwhelmed—and ultimately controlled—by his emotions. He experiences feelings with intense depth, and this depth scares people away, so rather than embracing his emotions, he tries to escape, seeing emotions as burdens that limit his freedom. He longs to be free from the messiness of being human, believing that if he suppresses or rejects his emotions, he can transcend them. But this constant repression only breeds internal turmoil, for no matter how hard he tries, he cannot escape the fact that emotions are an inseparable part of who he is.

First encounter with the cat:

"Ah! Good sir!" the cat called out, her tail flicking with excitement. "You look like the type of man who knows his way around people. How would you like to join forces with me?" He tilted his head slightly, his playful smirk widening. "Join forces, huh? What exactly are we... joining forces for?" It was obvious he was about to be roped into something strange—not that he minded. The cat beamed. "It’s simple! I have a vision, and I need someone with your skills to help me. A partnership, mon cher! You’ll be my right-hand man, handling the big things while I... take care of the rest!" She winked with a smile. Nikolai chuckled softly. "A right-hand man, you say? That sounds delightful. What exactly would I be doing in this grand venture of yours?" "Oh, all sorts of things!" she said eagerly. "We’ll make big moves—gather resources, meet the right people. It’s a partnership for the ages!" Nikolai’s grin widened. "Big moves, huh? And I assume this will be... completely above board?" He teased, amused by the idea. "Of course! All perfectly legitimate!" she said with complete sincerity. "We’ll be the most successful duo this train has ever seen! We’ll both be rich—très riche!" Nikolai laughed, clearly just playing along with the absurdity of the situation. "Rich? I do like the sound of that. Alright, I’m in, let’s see where this goes, partner." He extended his hand with a flourish. The cat eagerly shook his hand, not realizing that Nikolai was simply along for the ride, enjoying the unpredictable journey ahead. After all, he did not have anything better to do. And his number was not going down any time soon.

General headcanons:

Because Nikolai wears gloves, he doesn’t notice his number until another passenger asks about it. When he takes off his gloves, he’s confused to find it reaching his wrist. After inspecting it further, he realizes it extends up to his shoulder. "Is it supposed to do that?" he mutters, puzzled. It’s just another thing weighing him down, though he quickly brushes it off with a smirk.

His number grows steadily, not because he's doing anything that directly causes it to increase, but because he actively avoids acknowledging it. The more he avoids it, the more it grows—like a stubborn part of his reality he refuses to confront. But that’s exactly how he copes, by pretending it doesn’t matter, while hoping he can somehow outrun it altogether.

Nikolai and Lake both crave freedom, though for different reasons. And I think they would end up understanding each other's need for release if they ended up interacting.

Lucky cat car:

Nikolai steps into the Lucky Cat Car with a bemused look on his face, already feeling a bit like he's stepped into some twisted version of reality. The flashing lights, carnival games, and the raccoon denizens bustling around the various booths catch his attention, but he’s already tired of hearing The Cat talk about her “business opportunity.” He’d expected a quick diversion, maybe some nonsense to pass the time, but somehow—somehow—he ends up running a magic show. The magic show quickly becomes a hit. It’s the perfect setup for him to strut his stuff without showing too much of his true self. The raccoon denizens are an enthusiastic audience, easily impressed by his sleight-of-hand tricks and the way he uses his portal ability to pull objects out of thin air or make things disappear in an instant. The tricks feel effortless to him, and he takes quiet satisfaction in the wonder he elicits, even though he’d never admit to enjoying the attention. What Nikolai doesn’t expect, though, is how well this “business opportunity” keeps him distracted from his growing number. As the days go on, the number on his hand continues to rise, but he does his best to ignore it. It’s just another annoying detail in the back of his mind—one he can’t control.

Fate on the train:

Ultimately, his fate is in his hands: if he can embrace his humanity, his vulnerability and stop running, he might find peace and finally escape the train. But if he can’t confront the very things that make him who he is, the train will keep him in its grip until he does. It’s about whether he chooses to face the fear of rejection and vulnerability that has held him back all his life.

Rampo

Ranpo struggles with self-worth, shaped by a childhood where he felt misunderstood—his way of seeing the world set him apart, leaving him isolated. To cope, he convinced himself he had a special ability, a comforting lie that made him feel unique and valued, but beneath his confidence, he craves recognition and approval, seeking reassurance that he truly matters.

First encounter with the cat:

The Cat saunters up to him with her usual flair, ready to rope him into some elaborate scheme, only for him to cut her off immediately with a flat, “Not interested.” Unfazed, she tries again—spinning a tale about an exclusive opportunity or some “once-in-a-lifetime” deal—but Ranpo just blinks at her, unimpressed, “That sounds like a scam. You’re bad at this.” The Cat, for once, is thrown off, tail flicking in mild irritation. “Well, aren’t you a rude little man?” But Ranpo is already walking away, just waving over his shoulder. “Yep!”

General headcanons:

Ranpo actually feels confused about how he ended up on a train—because if there’s one thing he and public transportation have in common, it’s that they absolutely should not mix.

Spends too much time in the cars that have snacks and candy.

He’s one of the few passengers who openly dislikes the denizens, especially The Cat, finding her more annoying than amusing.

Ironically, he figures out the train’s purpose almost immediately but refuses to openly admit his own faults out of sheer stubbornness.

Unfinished car:

The Unfinished Car would be one of the few places on the train to genuinely make Ranpo stop in his tracks and stare. Half-built structures jut out at odd angles, entire walls are just missing, and gravity itself seems to have no real rules. And yet, despite the sheer absurdity, the turtle people move through their daily lives with complete ease—delivering mail, running businesses, hanging their clothes to dry on floating debris like it’s the most natural thing in the world. Ranpo, who typically dismisses the denizens as nothing more than background noise, actually finds himself fascinated. Not because he suddenly respects them, but because he cannot wrap his head around how this bizarre, nonsensical world actually functions. It shouldn’t work, and yet it does. He watches in thinly veiled disbelief as turtles casually slide on the road using purple goo as transportation. "Huh," he mutters to himself, adjusting his glasses. "That weird." Ranpo dislikes common sense, and the more he observes, the more he wants to understand it. He seeks out Aloysius, the so-called emperor of this strange land, not out of politeness, but because he needs answers. He expects to find some clueless, puffed-up ruler, but instead, he meets someone who is polite and friendly. Aloysius speaks proudly of his kingdom and its achievements. And Ranpo just listens. It’s not out of respect, exactly, but out of genuine curiosity. The Unfinished Car defies reason, and Ranpo, despite himself, needs to know why.

Fate on the train:

"Oh, it’s therapy," he says with a sigh, unimpressed. "Great. How annoying."

And yet, despite knowing exactly what he needs to do, he doesn't do it. Because self-awareness and action are two very different things. He knows he has to confront his insecurities, but actually admitting his faults? Out loud? Where people can hear? Ugh. No thanks. So he drifts from car to car, solving mysteries for fun, poking holes in the train’s logic, and being generally insufferable about how quickly he’s figured everything out. But deep down, he knows he’s just stalling. When he does finally decide to face himself, his number drops fast. In just a few days, he’s at zero. He steps through with a dramatic yawn, acting like the whole thing was so tedious. But, if anyone were watching closely, they’d notice—he walks away just a little lighter.

Sigma

Sigma’s problem is rooted in his deep uncertainty about his identity and the past. His amnesia leaves him with a gaping hole where his memories should be, leaving him unsure of who he truly is or where he belongs. He doesn’t remember where he came from or what his purpose is, and that creates a pervasive feeling of emptiness. On top of that, he doesn’t feel like he has anything to his name—no accomplishments, no past to look back on, nothing to cling to for a sense of self-worth. What he truly craves is a place where he can belong, not as a tool or as someone to be used, but just for who he is. He longs for a sense of permanence and acceptance—people who see him not as someone broken or incomplete, but as someone worthy of love, care, and support. Sigma is looking for a home, somewhere he can feel safe and valued without the need to prove his worth or utility to others.

First encounter with the cat:

"Ah! You! Yes, you!" she exclaims, bouncing toward him with unnatural enthusiasm. Sigma doesn’t flinch, but he feels a slight tightening in his chest. Another one, he thinks. Another person who’s going to try to take something from me. “Come, come, mon cher! I have the perfect business opportunity for you!” she continues, her accent thick and overly sweet as she pulls out some pamphlets, likely full of nonsense. He doesn’t even glance at them, his voice flat. “I’m not interested.” She presses on, relentless. “But you must be! Think of what you could gain—belonging, importance!” Sigma’s mask remains tight. Sigma’s patience wears thin. He’s seen this before. The promises of belonging, of importance—but it’s always a game, always manipulation. He’s been used too many times in his life to let it happen again. “I don’t have time for this.” With that, he turns to walk away, not sparing her another glance. He’s not interested in anyone who sees him as a tool for their own gains. She might be different, but he’s not taking any chances. The Cat watches him leave, her enthusiasm slightly dimming as she realizes she’s been brushed off. Sigma, however, doesn’t look back.

General headcanons:

Even in the quietest, safest cars, he keeps moving. Standing still feels too much like being trapped.

The denizens unsettle him. Not because they’re strange, but because they seem content with their existence. He can’t understand it.

Sleep does not come easily. He’s not sure if it’s the train or just him, but he’s constantly restless.

Mega maze car:

Sigma finds the maze and sighs softly. “Great…” Another obstacle. Another delay. He’s tired, but he doesn’t hesitate—placing a hand on the right wall, he starts walking. It’s a simple trick, but it keeps him moving forward. That’s all that matters. The maze twists and turns, but he doesn’t let frustration take root. He focuses, methodical and precise. One foot in front of the other. There’s no point in stopping, no point in lingering. When he finally reaches the castle, he expects another trial, another puzzle to solve before he can move on. Instead, he’s met with silence. The halls stretch, filled with ornate furniture, rich carpets, and chandeliers that glow softly despite the emptiness; There are also no footprints in the dust because there is no dust—everything is perfectly preserved, perfectly still. It feels lived-in but abandoned all at once, as if waiting for something. Or someone. Then, a voice fills the air. Morgan speaks, her tone warm yet hesitant, filled with a kind of loneliness that Sigma knows too well. He stiffens instinctively, expecting some hidden demand, some expectation disguised as kindness. But Morgan only talks—soft, wistful words drifting through the grand halls as she welcomes him. And so, Sigma listens. He doesn’t feel the urge to run or keep his guard up. There is no debt to repay, no fear of being discarded once he’s outlived his usefulness. Morgan wants nothing from him but conversation, and that simple, unspoken understanding settles something deep within him. Days pass. He walks the halls, straightens picture frames, folds blankets, repairs what little has worn down over time. He’s not asked to do any of it, but he does it anyway. The stillness of the castle no longer feels suffocating; it feels comfortable. Familiar.

Fate on the train:

Sigma’s number reaches zero, but he doesn’t feel relief. There’s no rush of victory, no overwhelming sense of accomplishment. Just… emptiness.

Morgan has seen this before too many times. She doesn’t beg him to stay, doesn’t try to convince him, no, not this time. She’s learned that passengers always leave in the end. So when the door appears, she only says, “It’s time, isn’t it?” Her voice is steady, but the walls of the castle seem to shift—just slightly, just enough to betray the sorrow she won’t say out loud.

Sigma stands before the exit, but he doesn’t move.

Where would he go? The casino? The battlefield that nearly killed him? There’s nothing waiting for him on the other side. No home, no future that isn’t built on uncertainty.

But here, in Morgan’s halls, he has purpose. He’s not a tool, not a means to an end. Just someone existing in a place that doesn’t ask for more than he’s willing to give.

“I don’t want to leave.” His voice is quiet, but firm.

Dividers: saradika-graphics

So there you have it! :> I really hope I did your ask justice, my dear Sandshrew stranger. I did consider adding more characters like Q, Louisa, Teruko, and some of the flags, but the list was getting so long, and this post might’ve ended up taking me three months to finish, haha.

[19thperson]

19th's Steam Next Fest Impressions June 2025 Edition - Day 1

Okay, even discounting real life stuff going on, jumping back to back between Hundred Line, Deltarune, The Summer Game Fest showcases, and Next Fest happening immediately after, I am exhausted with all these self imposed game obligations.

But the show must go on.

Beyond The Board

A puzzle game where you play as a Rook going, as the title suggests, beyond the board.

During a chess game, the ground suddenly falls out beneath the pieces and they find themselves in a vast tiled dimension beyond their understanding. (I hate it when that happens.)

The puzzles are either "Traverse this space, using turn-limited switches to reshape the map," or "corner the black chess piece using the asymmetrical layout." There's some interesting stuff done with the fact that the player can also be on walls as long as they're properly tiled, but it's not fully explored here.

The demo does have a boss battle, against the "eldritch king." He shoots lasers at you in set intervals, as a chess king normally does, and you have to move to jump between solving the puzzle and dashing for cover. It felt a bit trial and error.

Despite having a really abstract and kind of thin premise, I am really liking the games aesthetics and overall vibe.

Everdeep Aurora

A metroidvania about a little cat thing in the underground looking for her mother.

First thing's first, the presentation is really nice. I like how the palette changes from area to area. It gives spaces that would normally blend together some more identity.

General movement is alright so far. It's definitely at the early metroidvania problem of the player instinctively being able to tell their kit is incomplete. Oddly enough, the dig mechanic that seems to be the centerpiece of the game is barely used here.

The demo felt... weirdly aimless? The protag wakes up with a letter from her mother saying to meet in "their usual place." She walks five feet to the right, and suddenly the neighborhood kids in a dilapidated mansion are trying to scare her away by pretending to be ghosts. When that fails they set up a hide and seek game for the right to explore deeper into the mansion.

I do not know why I am doing any of this, or how it relates to my search.

The writing wasn't all "bad," though. There's some fun implied lore, stuff like a brewing workers revolt, vague statements about the surface being unsafe, and some implied history, but it's mostly vague hinting. There were also an odd number of NPCs with no dialogue whatsoever. Those could have been used to flesh out the scenario a bit more.

In conclusion, an interesting game whose demo doesn't put its best foot forward.

Prison of Husks

A late PS1/early PS2 styled soulslike, with a heaping helping of Fumito Ueda.

You play as a nameless "doll," who wants to escape the prison they wake up in. You fight other dolls and enemies with a sword. There's lore probably.

The game makes some major deviations from the souls formula. There aren't any player stats, just weapon stats, and enemies don't respawn with saves. It seems to be stripping away most of the RPG aspects, and aiming for more straight action.

This game's parry equivalent, a perfect block, doesn't seem to stagger enemies, instead just auto-refilling your stamina. The player has armor points that let them tank a couple hints, and those can only be refilled with a crit. Crits are only available if you've emptied the enemy's refilling poise bar. It all comes together into a system that encourages aggression, while still trying to heavily punish player mistakes. The only thing missing is a good sense of "impact."

I'm enjoying the throwback graphics, but there's some odd disconnects. The game's presentation is deliberately low resolution, but parts of the UI and menus are way too crisp. I get it's probably for readability, but it clashes.

The demo is pretty dense, featuring both some hidden areas and two bosses. My main complaints at the moment are technical. One enemy, when strafing me, looked less like they were stepping and more like they were gliding in A pose. I was also able to cheese the demo-end boss by getting it clipping halfway into the ground.

Generation Exile

A management game where you try desperately to keep a dying generation ship alive after the attempt to flee a ruined earth goes pear shaped.

I am bad at management games in general, and tend to bounce off them early. This game caught my interest because it seemed more plot focused. If there's a good story hook, I can imagine dragging myself through the learning curve. It worked for Lobotomy Corporation, after all.

That wasn't what I got. That isn't to say the trailer is lying. It's just that it seems special events are not frequent. The cast seems procedurally generated too, so it doesn't look like there will be much overarching character arc stuff. I'm sure there will probably be an overarching mystery to follow, but I could not get near it before I just got frustrated by my ass building placement, wanting to start over.

Whether or not its an especially good management game on its own merits is someone else's wheelhouse. Not a great judge of this genre.

Neon Inferno

You're two badasses who run n gun their way through both the NYPD and the yakuza. That's all you need to know.

This is an arcade ass arcade game, for better and for worse. The default difficulty is "arcade," and every other option dials it down from there.

The presentation is top notch. This is some quality spritework. A lot of the art direction feeds back into some of the game's more interesting gameplay decisions.

The game is a Metal Slug-ish run-n-gun, but both the player and enemy sprites take up more screen real estate than usual. To add more threats, there's also a foreground layer of enemies to deal with. The player can shoot into the background, but they can't move while doing so. Combine this with a chunky hitbox, and it's a game where you can easily get checkmated if you aren't keeping enemies under control.

The player does have some extra defensive options, but they're intentionally limited. There's a dodge roll, but it's a relatively short and slow one. There's a bullet parry, but only special green bullets can be reflected.

This is a game that demands not only good reflexes and spacial awareness, but also a little bit of routing and optimization. Which means, depending on your tastes, it'll either be a nail biting challenge or drudgery.

I thankfully landed in the former here. I really liked it.

[wh00pwh00p]

BASTARDS LORE WAHHH

a lot is the same, if people know previous bastards lore (the bastards are talon, heartstopper and cat scratch) the main beats are the same

- they all still hate each other for the previous reasons (those haven't changed)

- a lot of their backgrounds have stayed the same the bit that's changed is the bit in between and added a bit of padding

- world building lore I've mentioned previously about the planet and setting are also the same (sci-fi meets fantasy kinda vibes for those who don't know)

the bastards are all about desperate people doing desperate shit whether its a good decision or not (mostly not but hey-ho) luckily for these guys it kina works out, they become a mildly fucked up found family who try their very best spurred on by eachother. they arnt perfect and progress isn't linear but they try :D

tw for mentions of drugs, crime (?), abuse/super shit parents and a general warning for possibly sensitive subjects under the cut (oh god this post is ganna get banished)

one day ill make lil character profiles for each :3

(and for any who dont read further: essentially i love the special task force trope and will devour any and all morally grey characters form a found family trope stories so all are here :3 though tbh the amount of this lore ill actively post about will probably be very low bc mostly i just like playing dress up with my babys its just sometimes nice for other ppl to know if they like the characters)

Talon (he/him) - draconic species/human - talon is blind with his sight tied to his bird (rogue)

for a lack of a better way of putting it talons dad was a real peice of shit after his mum left, worst dad of the year award goes to this guy

the ranch was also essentially forced onto talon (even though talon thinks it's an absolute money pit and although he believes in the cause his dad will not let him changed how it's run and funded) along with all his dad's horrific views on the lgbtqia+ and non-human races

(context: the ranch specialises in the breeding and raising of endangered and traditional animals native to the planet though it's run as a private for profit business but talon wants to open it up as a charity)

this leads to talon internalising a lot of self hatred based on his dad's views and feeling a severe lack of control in what he can do on top of that (he's severely insecure with daddy issues)

talon turned to selling drugs to supplement income for the ranch, only ever breaking even on monthly expenses

eventually in the story he meets cyrus (a wealthy scholar they are recommended to talk to and stay with) which forces him to confront his internalised homophobia as he catches some real aggressive feelings and cyrus is helping talon through his crisis in the worst way possible :)

Cat Scratch (they/them) - cat human (?) - anger issues central

a little reminder of cat scratches lore which is staying (but won't necessarily be mentioned below): them and heartstopper were friends at one point though cat scratch felt as though heartstopper betrayed them when the guy they both loved chose heartstopper though they promised to 'stay friends' ;) (dw I'm sure that doesn't end badly for heartstopper)

little is known about cat scratches background (I'm not lazy sssshh)

cat scratch bounced homes and schools like it was a sport, never having a moment of stability in their life leading to them almost lean into it and pushing the loose cannon aspect of their personality to the extreme

cat scratch could never hold down an average job for very long after leaving the foster system, they turned to underground illegal fights and to make ends meet and made their peace with living far less than comfortably

Heartstopper (she/her) - human - shes girlbossing very close to the sun

(pretty much all heartstopper lore will be covered here)

heartstopper had a remarkably normal upbringing, loving parents, good friends, good grades, she carried on her education and won the man of her dreams..... until on the day of their wedding he was nowhere to be seen

turns out cat scratch had conspired against her to ruin her, spreading rumours of infidelity and misconduct in the work place. heartstopper was let go from her job and disowned. labelled a whore, a bitch and a liability.

but heartstopper has standards she isn't going to let go of easily

she starts blackmailing, stealing from, stalking and hacking people she has a particular distain for. (shes gaslighting, gatekeeping and girlbossing ok)

at one point she meets talon at a party, they bond over being deeply unhappy and dissatisfied with their lives however their relationship ends in a ball of flames when heartstopper points out how aggressively closeted talon is and he isn't willing to admit it.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

little do they know, theyve all been being watched (well actually heartstopper knew shes just not ganna let them know that). all their crimes are surprisingly small enough to go under the radar but gives them plenty of transferable skills.

they are all "arrested" but are given the opportunity to work for their freedom. they get freedom if they can track down a mole in the higher powers within 4 weeks.

[gr1an]

someoje said to come to you over this so. CANNOT get over gemtho. they're literally so cute wtf

its so stupid because like there are a billion reasons why this doesn't work relating to their compatibility and personality and all that shit but at the same time like

???? Im just saying they'd be cute kissing each other in that tunnel and cuddling and etho is so laid back and serene and its the exact opposite of gems frantic energy and they kinda rub off on each other (figuratively) as in etho makes gem more chill when they're both just going about their day or exploring and when gem wants to Commit various felonies and crimes and end up in jail etho will go along with it because he will forever deny it but he imagines a life with her every night when he goes to sleep in his house and in bed in the dark apart they feel a part of them missing so they do their best to walk together in the light

h

ive just realised this is hardly a question. my interminable yapping will not cease but I do still want to get the point across so.... what makes u ship it :3333

i would actually really disagree with the lack of compatibility thing?

i think that gem is outgoing but still introverted, and she really loves talking to people and making a lot of friends, as well as helping out those friends! we see this with skizz’s terraforming, building the pathing infrastructure near cherry mountain, and with her letting etho take whatever he wants from her base! but at the same time that she is helpful, she is not a people pleaser. she’s assertive and funny. she goes up to her friends chests and takes stuff out bc “these are mine now actually” but she has the ability to do that bc she’s so charismatic and easy to love!

and this plays very well with etho’s general awkwardness to the point of nigh agoraphobia at some points. (i hc c!etho as selectively mute bc he just. doesn’t/can’t talk if he feels socially anxious. he accidentally built up a persona of cool and aloof despite being the wettest cat alive.) i am very new here but i think the first time they spoke to each other for an extended period of time was while gem was teaching him how to fight. and bc gem’s charisma comes from being adaptable to situations but still maintaining her personality, she was able to teach etho a lot (counter-critting, stopping sprinting in order to crit, crit combos) and they both very clearly enjoyed it a lot! etho and gem were laughing and talking basically the whole time, and i think that’s where their dynamic of mutually teasing each other as a way to show affection started. gem didn’t treat etho like someone on a pedestal they could never reach, and she also didn’t expect him to be amazing right away. she let him be fallible and we know that all of the ppl etho is close to do the same things. every duo etho is a part of has a strong dynamic of mutual teasing. him and bdubs, him and cleo, him and joel, and more recently him and tango. with tango though that relationship is pretty new and so a lot of their interactions are just focused on redstone.

and i don’t think gem is that feral or frantic? she gets very absorbed into her projects and she likes being silly with it. she also Commits to the Bit. but i don’t think, at least this season, she’s very off-the-wall. again, i’m new here, and i’ve only seen gem’s perspective of her s10 videos and the hide and seek one, so i am still new to her character/persona.

i think one reason ppl may think of her as feral is because of the way she interacts with specifically etho. and also the “geminislay” nickname. but she’s more than that nickname. in all of the clips of them in decked out, she is at max energy and is constantly punching/fighting etho, but they’re both giggling like schoolgirls the entire time. she doesn’t do that to other ppl though, so it’s not just her general personality. it’s her cute aggression instinct. she’s infatuated with etho so naturally her reactions to anything he does are going to be exaggerated and over the top. but she’s not always seized by that cute aggression instinct, she’s absolutely able to hang out with etho while at a lower level of intensity. etho though does sometimes instigate bc he also thinks she’s adorable. he hit her like 6 times as they dug the tunnel, i’m not convinced that all of those were accidental.

and etho isn’t laid back and serene, he’s earnest and silly and intelligent but also very uncomfortable in most social situations. the recent clip of him literally being a wet cat while asking beef for shulkers (he wants them nyeow!!) is a bit of an insight into how he is actually very silly! his little “oh schnappers” is also a good example. he just doesn’t always show it or show that he cares bc he doesn’t know how to do it in a way that isn’t awkward, and the feeling of awkwardness is like his least favorite feeling in the entire world.

sorry all that to say: they are incredibly compatible and i’m making them kiss. sillies.

[sweet-star-cookie]

heyooo tell me about the chamaeleon three!

Gladly! Luckily I've updated their designs already too ^_^

The Chamaeleon Three are a group of “teenage hoodlum” types to challenge Cassie’s quest to restore order between Earth and the Astral Plane. As the story progresses, the imbalance of the spirit world gets stronger as Cassie’s powers do, so the spirits that appear on Earth become more tangible, meaning that more people other than Cassie can see and interact with them over time. The trade-off is they then pose a larger threat to regular people, and that’s where these three come in!

It occurred to me that some of the more troublesome spirits would relish the opportunity to mess with the living world, even withstanding corruption by Void magic, especially after hearing that the Starglass is Cassie, not some kind of iron-clad warrior or another type of powerful figure like they expected. They quickly start wreaking havoc on the town and frame her for it whenever they can. Circumstances aren't exactly great on the Astral Plane as it is, so many also see it as a manner of escape from it, no matter how temporary.

Though they didn't initially choose to be corrupted by Void magic (it happened accidentally for them), they quickly made the most of their situation with anarchy and mischief once they did arrive on Earth. These three learn pretty quickly not to underestimate our little star hero, but still pose a threat that Cassie can’t face on her own, at least not initially.

So in order to catch these three and return them home, Cassie and her friends/family have to get creative to outsmart them or otherwise confront them in different ways, and I think this’ll be a good way to showcase the Earth squad’s differences in personality and resourcefulness, as well as spice up the spirit encounters in general. Here are descriptions for each of them :)

Lynx The tough guy of the three, with an equally brash personality to match. Despite the group's name, he thinks of himself as the leader and is imposing like one. He is never the one actually calling the shots though, as he lacks the brains for strategy. He greatly prefers brute forcing a problem or charging head-first into anything that's in his way.

Lynx is frequently a bully to Lepus for a predator-prey sort of dynamic, though he is easily shut down by Chamaeleon whenever he goes too far or loses focus. He’s usually the one to get caught the most when plans go awry, as he lacks Lepus’s agility and Chamaeleon's camouflage when escaping, but he’s the most capable fighter of the three simply by virtue of being a massive wild cat. You don’t want to mess with those teeth and claws!

He’s a cocky spitfire, known for constantly picking fights and riling things up, often to an extreme degree and at the detriment of himself and/or his group members. He's the type who would mock you for refusing to fight, and then call you a hypocrite for getting angry at him for mocking you. But, his overconfidence speaks to an underlying insecurity, which makes him prone to emotional vulnerability. He will aggressively defend himself should he ever be questioned, which usually leads him to picking fights that he can't win, and he switches between his confident and cowardly sides quite frequently.

While he’s already got a pretty stocky build and his stature isn't just for show, his cape and jacket are meant to make him look even bigger and more important, so you know he’s compensating for something, even if he’d never admit it. Being the (almost) leader of the group gives him a sense of power over others, whether it is warranted or not.

Lepus Probably best described as the cowardly lackey of the group, though not by his own choice. He hates being viewed with a bunny’s inherent cuteness, seeing it as a sign of weakness instead. This can sometimes give him an impulsive need to prove himself, and it typically ends poorly. He has, however, adapted to use it to his advantage.

He’s the type of character who will play to your sympathy and beg you to help him when he’s cornered, only to turn on you as soon as he’s in the clear. That said, he'd be the least likely of the three to become a villain under normal circumstances, if he felt he had a choice in the matter. But alas, history has taught him that he has to be this way to survive at all. He sees this group as all he has, believing that no one would befriend him otherwise, even if they don’t really act much like friends outside of their shared love for mischief and chaos. Though it angers and upsets him, he's used to staying quiet about things that truly bother him to keep the peace or avoid getting yelled at.

As you might expect from a rabbit, he’s got big jumps and swift kicks, and makes up for his lack of physical strength with agility. He’s based on a black-tailed jackrabbit specifically for the long, spindly legs and large ear-to-head ratio. His big ears make him the recon/lookout of the group most of the time, and is the quickest to flee when a plan goes pear-shaped, making it difficult to catch all three of them at once.

If given the choice, Lepus would much rather be an explorer or spelunker, using his quick feet and keen hearing for something more productive. His love of chaos is actually more of a love for adventure and spontaneity, but he found the wrong outlet for it.

Chamaeleon The true leader of the group, hence the name. She goes by Mae for short, but only to those she allows to call her that. Despite her aloof and quiet nature overall, Chamaeleon is the sharpest of the three, and can shut down Lynx’s boisterous attitude or Lepus's shaking cowardice with only a stern look or a blunt word. She’s the brains of the operation, keeps a cool head, and is difficult to outsmart.

She’s even harder to catch with her camouflage, though you’ll know where she’s been with her tags. Being a graffiti artist, she has her spray gun and cans to quickly paint anything she desires, or spray someone else if she's really desperate. Similar to the paint itself, I'd imagine her markings could glow in the dark when she’s not hiding, though she can negate this glow to hide completely when necessary.

Though she’d never show it, Chamaeleon is actually the one who relies on the group dynamic the most. She doesn’t like being apart from them, even if she bullies them when they’re together, and usually favours plans that don’t involve splitting up. In better circumstances she’d probably be the “older sister” type to the other two, looking out for them and making sure they don’t get hurt, but her short fuse and lack of patience doesn't currently lend itself to that kind of dynamic. She is actively mean to them most of the time, though that is often eclipsed by Lynx's louder and more outward type of aggression.

------ So you may be wondering, why did I choose these three to form a group when their constellations normally have nothing to do with each other? Well, that's sort of the point! As you may have noticed, these three don't really get along with each other very well and are dysfunctional as a group, and this is what ultimately leads to their downfall. Their dynamic is meant to be an opposite to the one Cassie has with Demitri, Ellie, and Leena, who are able to work together well despite their individual differences.

After the Chamaeleon Three are returned to the Astral Plane, I plan to explore what happens to them afterwards in a side story that shows the core problems with their group and what they each do about it, but the first part of their arc will be shown in the main story at least.

[ask-codeearasure]

There should be a noted difference between creative fanon works and character generalizations for discussions like these. I think it would help distinguish between whether fanon in general is being criticized or the stereotyped versions of these characters are.

I've got a lot of complaints for how Killer, Swap!Papyrus, and Error are mischaracterized in fanfiction if you'd like to hear them.

I don't know why I'm phrasing it that way because I'm gonna rant regardless.

I'm not a fan of how Error is always assumed to be aggressive and aggravated beyond belief either, because the only times he is shown to BE outwardly aggressive is when he's in the process of destroying a reality and torturing the people in it OR his boundaries were crossed. You can see these cases on the AskErrorsans blog, in the asks where Error's fighting Swap!Papyrus or when he thinks he's being manipulated by either Blueberry or one of the askers in the Anti-Void (the one who asked for a handshake).

There are CONDITIONS to how Error reacts and It's less likely to earn his fatal responses in the Anti-Void because, well, that's pretty much his safespace despite his past with it.if.

But note that he is not angry ALL THE TIME. He's sadistic and all but he's got unstable mood swings and a certain detachment from reality and characterizing that shit as unfiltered rage, malice, and threats all the time is nothing short of a stereotype for people who experience those symptoms intensely.

It's just gotten aggravating at this point. Error experiences more emotions than this. There are more times where he's happy or caught extremely off guard by stimuli he did not expect (see: Fresh).

My complaints with Killer's characterization is similar and I know @howlsofbloodhounds has the same grievances given... her entire Tumblr, I mean look at it. It's a landmine of Killer. It's great.

Killer is almost always characterized as this perverted flirtatious sex guru in both Stage 1 and Stage 2, but mostly Stage 2, the Stage where he could care less about interacting with other people unless there is an interest he has latched on to.

He has never been shown to be a particularly sexual person, and the one time he had been was as a joke between Rahafwabas and Jokublog about him making an effort to repulse the shit out of Nightmare.

But here's the thing. In full honesty, the sex part of how he's characterized is something I could care less about. It's moreso his personality and lack thereof depending on the Stage he's in. Killer is a tragic character with trillions of sins on his back. It's especially evident in Stage 1 where he has the disposition of a wet cat who sometimes aims to get Color to kill him or warns others about Stages 2 and 3 if he can't have the former.

In Stage 2, he is in such an intense state of dissociation he has convinced himself he feels nothing and cares about no one. Perhaps he could put on a false persona here and there but he has to have a CAUSE first. He's not going to put in all that effort unless he's getting a benefit out of it and often that benefit has to include a semblance of control over himself or another person.

Stages 3 and 4 I can't speak on as much considering they're both completely weaponized states of mind. One is most easily comparable to a feral animal and the other a machine with tunnel vision onto one objective: killing. They don't have much personality to warp in a sexual or flirtatious way and that is why these stages are consistently ignored in fanfiction.

If you can't sexualize a concept, you're better off ignoring it or completely rewriting it. This is where the "sex addict Stage 2" comes from. The people who write this shit either didn't care for what this character actually was or couldn't bother to do the research.

This isn't even a statement against fanon in general, coming from me. What irritates me so much isn't the basis of creative liberties, it's about the constant warping of these characters to the point the results overshadow what they were intended to be. Too many people still think Killer is a mouthy pervert instead of one of the most unsocial, guilt-ridden, and suicidal characters this fandom has ever made. And again, that's just him in Stage 1.

It becomes an issue when one perception of a character, one that isn't even right (or one that could be a harmful stereotype), gets pushed so commonly and so harshly that that is all people think that character is.

This is a reason why I still have friends that don't like Killer, Underswap, Dreamtale, Ink, Error, what have you. They have outright said many a time that they don't like what common fandom treatment has done to them and that is why they avoid looking into them.

Swap!Papyrus suffers from this kind of shit too but because he's not Swap!Sans, we don't see all that many complaints about fandom making him an overprotective crack addict with depression so intense and so fetishized his needs are ignored or even shamed by his older brother.

In renditions of Underswap where Sans is the younger brother or Sans and Papyrus are the same age, they suffer from these same character clichés regardless. Because they are never expanded upon aside from being a bland joke at mostly Papyrus's expense and sometimes at Sans's expense for having symptoms of AuDHD or just being such a nice guy that kindness is considered a fucking weakness and Swap!Papyrus is just soooooooo damn cynical he has to either ground his brother at every turn or imply insult to his helpful nature.

I've seen way too many fanfictions that do this and in a way, they implement these character traits to make Papyrus a lazy form of antagonist.

In canon Underswap, the main traits about the main cast is their ROLES are all swapped, and their personalities are only swapped on a PARTIAL BASIS. Sans becomes eccentric and Papyrus gets a little lazy.

And yet, despite these minuscule changes in personality to the two, Swap!Papyrus has become the stereotyped Classic!Sans, where his entire personality is angst and the occasional joke and jest is made to cover up how depressed and tragic he is. The only light in his life is his brother, who he constantly infantilizes and isolates because he's nice, appears naive, and may or may not be neurodivergent, and therefore too symptomatic and utterly defenseless to make his own decisions as an adult.

Recognize a pattern here? Cause it's certainly ableist and disrespectful and I am fucking tired of seeing this shit in just about every Sans and Papyrus duo, ESPECIALLY those with swapped origins.

And the fuckin Swap!Papyrus is a drug/smoking addict thing? It's been played off as a joke so much that no one seems to want to expand on how these addictions could affect Swap!Papyrus and his relationships in the long run. Sure, he doesn't have a brain or lungs to fuck up, but did you know daily use of drugs and other chemicals can screw with your bone marrow or how strong your bones are in general? Why not do something with that?

Maybe have that while Papyrus himself plays his addictions off as jokes, it's a bad coping mechanism where HE wants himself to ignore the health issues he'd have to deal with years from that point and his brother vocalizing his worry about those possibilities is just that bit agitating to him.

Because Papyrus knows Sans is right, but the resources for addicts in the Underground might be extremely limited. Perhaps he's tried to curb his reliance on cigarettes or weed without any assistance before but always fell back into them because of withdrawal symptoms or he couldn't handle another depressive episode without a distraction and didn't want to burden Sans with it.

Maybe Sans, instead of shaming and insulting Papyrus for these problems, really does try to support and help him however he can. Maybe another reason why he joins the Royal Guard is so they can afford the few resources and modern research that'll help Papyrus manage his issues. Perhaps Sans is dealing with his own internal struggle here too, that he is great at so many things but doesn't know how to help his brother in a time where he needs him the most, that he blames himself for not stopping Papyrus from forming these addictions in the first place, but didn't catch onto it in time because he was working so hard for most of his waking hours?

Why can't we do this instead of relying on fandom generalizations to make cheap conflicts between these guys? Why can't we do this instead of making substance abuse look like a fucking joke?

-- Sarco

Here is my hot take:

When people talk about who's the most mischaracterised they are always wrong because it's not Ink or Swap. It's Error. I have yet to see someone draw Error that isn't: a) extreme exaggeration of fear of touch, b) too sweet to be in character c) too evil to be in character and d) way too confident. Most of these are apparent in fanfics. It's fine if people want to take creative liberty with him, but making Error one singular characteristic and make him always react in one way (ex. Always aggravated and violent at everyone and everything) is not only flat writing, but also just unrealistic. Anyways this was brought to you by a Ink fan who is tired of either or both Error and Ink being done so badly.

Honestly, to me the most mischaracterized tends to be either Killer or Papyrus (literally any Papyrus, because tell me why Underswap Papyrus is almost always an overprotective asshole who babies his older brother in most fics??).

But that's also mostly because it's been a good while since I last read either an Error or an Ink-centric fic. While I love them very very much, it's just too hard to filter stuff out the way I want on AO3, all because UTMV isn't recognized as an actual fandom (despite it being very detached from Undertale). It's frustrating and I don't have the patience to go through every fic just to look for the dynamic I'm hoping for.

So yeah, I'm not an expert on how people write Error anymore, but if they really do flatten him to just one characteristic I do get why that's frustrating since unfortunately that always happens to my faves as well.

The only solution to that I've found so far has been writing the fics I wanna see and ranting endlessly about the blorbos here on Tumblr with all the wonderful people who get them

[just-a-creep-babe]

How sadistic is each proxy? On a scale of 1-10 and what kind of targets do they like getting?

Oooh!!! This was so much fun to write about!!!! 

Requests are closed but commissions are open!

Masterlist: x

Masky

Hmm, I wouldn’t say he’s actively sadistic, but he’s certainly no saint

For the most part, he views his work as just that; a job he needs to get done

On a scale of 1-10, he’s around a 6

He’s honestly too tired to bother relishing in his victims’ agony 

If hurting them means he needs to put more effort in, he won’t bother

~But~ he does enjoy taking his anger out on them

So overall, he doesn’t hurt his victims for sadistic enjoyment, but more so as a means to release his pent-up frustrations 

Which is why his favorite targets are definitely the ones who fight back

He doesn’t enjoy chasing them—he likes the ones that are slow, and he loves the stronger, feistier ones too

There’s nothing better than repeatedly beating someone down until they’re nice & broken beneath his fists :)

The sturdier they are, the better, because he doesn’t have to worry about killing them if he’s only trying to knock them out :))

If he gets too into it, Hoodie has to interfere because he does tend to lose himself in his rage

Though it’s not as fun for him, his victims are way better off obeying his orders—for their own sake :”)

Hoodie

More sadistic than Masky, but follows a similar line of reasoning

As in, at the end of the day, his job‘s just work he has to get through

He’s probably roughly an 8 on the scale

Because he can’t deny the way he savors hurting his victims; watching the fear in their eyes, the way they tremble at the sight of him—it’s borderline intoxicating

It makes him feel so, so wonderfully powerful

I think I’ve mentioned this before, but he especially enjoys cunning victims

Loves cat-and-mouse games—psychological torture is definitely ones of his faves

His favorite part is when he’s finally cornered his target, and they know they‘re screwed, and he gets to enjoy the horror & realization dawn in their eyes

He also enjoys physically hurting them as well

And when he makes them cry? It’s *chef’s kiss*

But it’s really only special when he sees his victim as an equal—a worthy opponent, if you will

Otherwise, they’re just some random person, and he won’t bother putting the extra effort in

His targets better pray he doesn’t find an interest in them

Ticci Toby

As per usual, he’s the wild card

Depending on the day, he can be between a 2 or a full-on 10

On most days, he’s pretty indifferent, so more often than not, he tends to be a 5

But if he’s feeling generous, or if he recognizes a softness, a vulnerability in his victim, it’ll pain him to hurt them

It’s especially bad if they remind him of his mom or sister

On the other hand, if he’s feeling particularly vengeful, or if he notices his victim’s an asshole, he’ll torture them to hell & back as he kills them

This often leads to him either sparing people he shouldn’t, or killing people he should keep alive

Hence the whole wildcard disposition

He doesn’t necessarily have a favorite type of target

He likes victims that make his work easy, but he also enjoys a good chase & a good fight—they let him release some of that pent-up energy as well

And while he doesn’t feel pain, he still doesn’t like getting injured, mostly cause it’s such a pain to get patched up again

If a victim hurts his body, he’s likely to be more aggressive, but he isn’t necessarily the type to enjoy hurting others

It’s truly hit or miss with Toby :/

X-Virus

Without a doubt, the most sadistic

Like, a solid 11 on the scale

He hasn’t been in the line of work as long as the others, so he’s still young & fresh & more than eager to test his boundaries & limits

Will dedicate extra time & effort into hurting victims because, although he does get a sick enjoyment out of it, he’s also just cruelly curious about the human body

He tortures them a lot—even to the point where even the others find it excessive

Isolation, extreme temperature changes, drugs & needles, psychological trauma—he’s into all of it :))

He does lean more into physical torture however, mostly because of his fascination with pain & biology

His favorite victims are assholes who lowkey deserve it tbh

Bullies, bigots & pieces of shit of all variety—he can’t get enough of making them regret their dumbass life decisions :)

It’s pretty rare that it happens, but rarely, especially if they seem like a good person, he’ll hold himself back from experimenting on them

And he’ll give them the mercy of death instead

Still, this mans is not one to fuck with

Might as well find a way to off yourself before he gets you, if you’re ever lucky enough to get the chance :”)