#PLAYMATES INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT

[retrocgads]

USA 1997

[hoodytheowl]

Humans: Babies and Toddlers

I've recently had the 'pleasure' of babysitting my younger cousins and thought, how would aliens react to literal babies and toddlers? Considering how weird humans already are, the fact that these almost invincible beings start off as these tiny things that are incapable of feeding themselves, clothing themselves, communicating (efficiently that is), or even controlling bodily functions. Not to mention, they seem to need to be protected from everything in their infancy and need to be constantly looked after when they reach toddlerhood. Plus the fact that most humans can't even understand their own young and often have trouble dealing with them. Or how easily entertained these very tiny humans can be as well as how quickly they change emotions and need constant stimulation to stay engaged and learn basic motor skills. Aliens would go crazy trying to understand the marvel that is a baby or a toddler.

Just imagine the interaction: Alien: Human Cassandra, tiny human Alice won't stop screaming. Cassandra: *Looks over at Alice, who is sitting on a playmat and wailing, and sighs.* I know what she wants. *The alien watches in confusion as Cassandra grabs a cooking utensil known as a 'spatula' and hands it to Alice, who promptly calms down and starts biting on the spatula.* Alien: Why is tiny human Alice eating the cooking instrument? Cassandra: She's teething, so her gums are a little sore and she constantly needs something to chew on. Alien: What is this teething? *After explaining the concept of teething to the now horrified alien.* Alien: So you just... grow teeth?! Cassandra: Mhm, I usually have a teether for Alice but I might have forgotten to bring it with me... Alien: *More baffled then ever and with a new understanding that humans just got weirder.*

Alien: Human Cassandra, why is human Travis making those noises while covering and uncovering his face in front of tiny human Alice? Cassandra: Hmm? Oh, yeah... we couldn't get her to calm down so he's just playing peek-a-boo with her... Alien: Peek-a-boo? Cassandra: Yeah, babies go crazy for that game. Alien: Doesn't tiny human Alice know that human Travis is simply hiding his face? What's so amusing? Cassandra: *Laughs* Babies don't understand that the person is still there, for them it's an 'out of sight, out of mind' situation. Alien: Oh... Feel free to add on.

[twisted-wonderland-but-gayer]

Being His Sibling- Riddle Rosehearts

Idk the idea came to me. Yuu is GN— 6k words

Tws/Cws: Yuu is said to have medium length hair, Riddles mom is expectedly shitty and abusive, Yuu has shady behavior because of shitty abusive mom. Yuu is untrustworthy of Riddles friends for the first half. Hurt/comfort, angst with a good ending. No incest! Just Platonic!

Before NRC:

You were the older sibling of the Rosehearts family. Being the oldest, one of the very first things you have learned since becoming sentient is that a mothers love is no different from a mothers hatred. From the minute you could babble, your mother did everything she could do to control you. You weren’t allowed outside to play, you weren't allowed any snacks no matter how much your stomach rumbled. You weren't allowed to wear fun or silly stuff. And you were never allowed to fail or talk back.

Soon, your mother— the term rotted in your mouth— soon became pregnant again, and your precious little brother Riddle came to be. You remember your father holding you up to see the small bundle of joy in your mothers arms, excited that you may have a playmate. The excitement however, became resentment.

From the minute he was born, you were no longer a priority, usually being ignored in favor of the new addition to the family. Your chatter is ignored, your physical needs pushed aside, and your emotions bottled. Even when you went to talk to your baby brother and interact with him, mother would immediately begin to lecture you for seeing him without her permission, and you were locked away in your room to study. Yet whenever you peeked out, you saw your mother cooing and coddling Riddle, something you never really remember experiencing, but she would never play with the child.

Whenever you heard your mothers footsteps fade into the distance, you would come out to play, giving Riddle all the things you wish you were given. And one day, you heard his first words— your name. “Yu!” The baby gurgled, making you jump. “What did you say?” “Yuuu!” A wobbly smile grew on your face as you hugged the baby, in that moment promising yourself that you would always protect him

As you got older so did your brother, and mother did what she always does, control. But this time it was different. Mother would always praise Riddle for his studies, but never you. She was always lighter on his scolding, when she would scream at you. Though you were also locked away to study, she never really cared about your progress the same way she did Riddle’s. From there started a grudge that you would hold onto. What’s the point of doing anything mom wants when Riddle’s her precious little angel? If you don't matter at all what would it matter if you acted up?

Mother didn’t entertain your rebellious streak for long, the screaming match that came from you simply saying you wanted to go outside instead of reading left a mark on you. “I don’t get you, Yuu! I did everything for you! I cleaned you, I bathed you, I gave you life! I cook and clean for you! Why cant you be more like Riddle!” She screamed. “I'm sorry mama… I'm sorry!” Your child self babbled shakily while sobbing. “I just wanna play outside with the other kids!”

Father stepped in to try and stand up for you, but he got yelled at too. And you remember watching as your potential savior gave up on you, allowing mother to lock you away in your room again. And yet, you could still hear as she walked off, muttering insults under her breath, wondering why she ever had you.

Riddle soon became the age you were when you started ‘acting out’ and since then you’ve learned to be more sneaky. When mom went away you would sneak out to visit him in his room, playfully messing with him and getting him to take a break to play. “Won’t mom get mad?” Riddle asked, looking up at you with big stormy gray eyes. “As long as you don't tell her— that being said,” You dropped to your knees. You knew that even if she found out, you would be the one blamed for it, “Only I can visit you okay? Don’t come into my room..” “Why?” You chuckled, trying to find a believable excuse. “Cause my room is super boring! Seriously you won't like it.” “Oh.. okay!” Riddle beamed, allowing you to distract him from the theory books he’s forced to read, and telling him fairy tales instead to watch his eyes grow big with wonder.

Mom thought that you were no longer a problem. You never spoke up or out, you did as she said with your head bowed down, you always ate what she gave to you no matter how tasteless it was, and you excelled at your studies. Finally, she was relieved that you stopped resisting, not knowing how you actually were,

For months, you snuck out and played with Riddle in his room, even giving him the answers to some of the assignments mother forced him to do. At parties you were forced to attend, you went behind your mothers back to steal some sweets to sneak to Riddle, knowing how much he always wanted to try them. And when he was still hungry from the small portions of food he was given, you would give him yours, ignoring your own stomach just to see your brother beam.

One day however, Riddle came to your room. “What are you doing here? Only I can go into your room remember?” “Well, um, I know but…” Riddle pulled at your hand to guide you to his room. “There's people at my window!” “Really huh?” “Mmhmm!” Going into his room, you saw two figures peeking through. Both young boys, one a feline beast man with bright pink hair and a stunning smile, and the other a green haired boy with glasses closer to your age.

“They said they want me to play with them but I said I had to ask you first. Can I play with them? Please please please, Yuu?” Riddle pouted, and a pang of jealousy hit you for a moment before you let out a breath. You should be happy for your brother, even if you wish to join them, but you must stay behind and keep watch.

“Of course, Riddle.” You said. “Just come back in on my cue, okay? We can't let mom find out.” You smiled at him, helping him climb out of the window and outside, where you melancholically watched the trio play. It was okay though, your brother is happy just like you promised.

All good things came to an end, however. You were too late on your cue, and Mother found out. You have never heard Riddle cry as hard as he did that day in your entire life, his terrified wails leaving a scar on your heart. However you knew what came next was going to be worse. She was going to scream at you too. You heard Riddle apologize over and over and over and over— It was driving you insane.

Suddenly, you entered the room. You were going to get screamed at anyways, so what did it matter? “Yuu get out of here, dont think your off the hook either! I can’t believe you went behind my back like that! I thought your matured! Aren’t you supposed to be a role model for your little brother?!” “Aren't you supposed to be a mom?”

“Excuse me?!” The wretched woman demanded.

“You treat me and Riddle like shit!” The woman’s face contorted with shock at the language that she never taught you— unaware of the secret books you hid that she didn't approve of. “All you do is scream at us and lock us up! Whenever we ask for anything and do anything you don't like, you just scream at us!” You sobbed, “Why did you even have kids if you don't want to raise them!”

“Do not speak to you mother like that���“

“You’re not my mom! You are the worst mom ever! I hate you! Ever since Riddle was born you always ignored me! And you don't even take care of him either! This is why you and dad fight all the time! You’re never happy with anything. Even when I do everything you ask you're never impressed! All you do is scream! I hate you! I hate you so much!”

Your kid self sobbed, and mother seemed to forget about Riddle, harshly grabbing your arms and dragging off. As she did, you saw your father behind her, merely standing by, doing nothing to save you. You weren't allowed out of your room for days, you weren’t even allowed around Riddle without supervision either.

That's when you really became unruly. If mother locked the windows and doors of the house you would pick them and sneak out. When she conducts room checks, you memorize all the places she looks so you can keep your forbidden goods hidden. Mother hated you, and she made it known. Everything she said was a snide remark at you. How at 18 you will be kicked out. How awful of a kid you are. How fat you're getting since you're sneaking food. How your magic will never be as good as Riddles since you're slacking off.

One day, however, it all boils over. You don’t remember how old you were— 15? 16? Maybe 17? But what you do remember is mom starting up a classic screaming match, talking about how ungrateful and wicked you are. Comparing you to Riddle and saying how she hopes you haven’t corrupted him with your evilness.

“Don't you dare bring Riddle into this! This is between us. This argument is between us! How dare you accuse me of hating my brother, when you have done nothing but make his life hell, when all you have ever done is turn us against each other! When you placed my entire worth on a few pathetic books” You screamed back at her as the verbal abuse continued. Riddle soon came down from his room, as you looked at him.

He’s gotten taller now, and face slightly longer. He walks with perfect posture. Usually, you felt comfort in your brother, but you noted his unimpressed expression. “Riddle, please, don't get involved. This is between me and mom.”

“Why do you hate her so much?”

“What?”

“She’s right.”

Mother seemed to smirk as you turned to look at him

“You’re joking.” You sneer.

Riddle glares. “It's not her fault that you don't care for the rules. If you only followed them, you wouldn’t be in trouble all the time.”

“That's the issue, her rules always change for me so she has a reason to keep getting mad at me.”

“Maybe if you kept studying you wouldn’t be so stupid as to not understand the value of rules! She’s right! You have done nothing but cause trouble for as long as I can remember! If you would just listen—“

You shook with anger, “Don't you dare talk to me about listening, Riddle! I gave everything for you! Don't you dare pretend the happiest days of your miserable life weren't because of me! I did everything I could to try and look after you and you just—“

You were silenced by a loud slap across your face. It stung. You froze, holding the area as it bruised, bleeding in the areas where the nails made contact with your skin. “How dare you talk to your brother like that! Stop being so jealous over—“ You didn't register what she said, your ears ringing as eyes welling with tears as all you could was look at Riddle who seemed to stare at you with disdain.

This wasn't the Riddle you knew. The Riddle you grew up with. The Riddle that babbled your name as a baby. How long have you been protecting a stranger? Acting up so he can have the slightest bit of freedom that you longed for.

You narrowed your eyes before clenching your fists. "Shut up!" You snapped at your mother. "I'm sick of you! You want me gone? Fine! I'm out!" "Yuu Rosehearts! You go through that door I'm calling the police!" "Go ahead! Tell them what a shitty mom you are! And you!" You glare at Riddle before closing your eyes. "Just stay out of my life."

You walked out, snagging a fair amount of money that you saved over the years to book it out of the Queendom of Roses, finding your own place to crash at as you work a few jobs to keep yourself afloat, up until you are invited to NRC.

At NRC, before Riddle:

You were sorted into Heartslabyul, the dorm of law and order much to your surprise. You were expecting Scarbia or Savanaclaw given their dorms ‘survival of the fittest’ themes. Still, you would take what you could get.

As you stood in line for your dorm, you noticed a familiar green-haired man in the same group. Trey made eye contact with you, obviously surprised to see you, and gave you a nervous smile. You glared at him before looking away. You wanted nothing to do with the man that's responsible for feeding into Riddle’s issues. You both avoided each other, only interacting with necessary and never dragging anything out with each other.

Surprisingly, you thrived in Heartslabyul, able to heal your inner child with all the mundane tasks you had to do, even guiding others and helping them with theirs. You did well in school, usually getting the top score on every test. You had to get good grades for a good job, especially since your parents cut you off financially. You can’t afford to slack off, and yet, you helped to tutor others. Not to mention your magical knowledge and use was already ahead of most others.

At some point within the year, the dormleader approached you, much to your surprise. He noticed all you heard work and wanted to hand off the title to you. After all, next year he would be a senior and would have to go off campus. He would need someone to look after the dorm when that happens and after all he’s done, he needs a break.

Being a dorm leader would look great on transcripts on top of all the other benefits it had. You accepted, and the crown was passed down to you. You were honestly the best dormleader at the school given the fact you knew how to lead, were kind, and got all your shit and trauma together. You were relaxed, but still implemented rules, including all of the Queen of Hearts rules to honor her dorm. Of course, you weren't too strict.

“You need to have lemonade with two sugars,” You mentioned to your dormmate. “Eh- sorry dorm leader I’ll—“ “Don't panic, just stand up and drink it.” “Huh?” You smiled. “If you truly look at the rules and all the addendums, you’ll find a lot of loopholes. The rules says you have to sit down and have two sugars in lemonade. It didn't say what you couldn’t drink while standing.”

You smirked, your mothers rules and years of having to deal with shady jobs made it easy for you to find exploits in any sort of fine print handed your ways, and you were sure to try and teach your underlings the same. Even if they didn’t use exploits and didn’t care much for the crazy rules, you didn’t mind. You weren’t a tyrant. The entire dorm looked forward to each Unbirthday and Birthday party you planned, each one stretching traditions to their limit to offer something unique.

Your knowledge of contracts and high test scores even attracted the attention of other dorms, especially a certain octopus. When you caught some of your students in shady contracts, you would review it with them and point out everything they could take advantage of. This led to you being confronted by the Octavinelle housewarden pretty quickly, though annoyed he was quite impressed.

“Now there Yuu, I do hope you can not interfere with business.” “I don't plan to. If any of my dorm members decide to sign their life away, that's their fault. I can point out a few chips in the contract, but it’s not my job to save them.” Azul seemed impressed. “My, my, it’s quite rare to find someone so reasonable!” Azul smiled with his honeyed voice. “I do wonder how you did not end up in our dorm.”

***

On top of your housewarden duties, you also ended up finding a wonderful job working for Mostro Lounge, not at Mostro Lounge. Your quick thinking and keen eye helped to calculate Azul’s profits faster than he ever could— you had experience from your times of being homeless and couch surfing. On top of that, you would always point out where he could make a contract more water tight, or places where he could reword it so can exploit his victim for even more. It gave you work experience and a good wage that you and Azul both fought over in your business contract together.

Ironic how Azul ended up with another rowdy and rule breaking member under him, as you also stretched the contract you made to its limit. Azul for once didn’t mind too much, since you were fair as long as he was. Plus you keep those twins out of his way too.

After all of these years of working your ass off, you finally, finally made it. You had a stable home for the next few years. Food security! A job! Spare money for little things! Amazing grades! You made it! You would be fine! Despite everything you have gone through, you are going to be okay. You looked in the mirror of your room admiring the hair you dyed to cover up the ruby red locks of hair that tied you to your past. You were free.

It was one night in your dorm, where you were approached by Trey. Even though it has been a year, it was still awkward between you two, and you both didn’t talk to each other. You looked at Trey with the best neutral expression you could muster. “Can I help you?”

“Riddle is coming.” “Pardon?” “Riddle has been accepted into Night Raven, he’s coming next year.” You shut your eyes pensively. “I see.” “Y’know… maybe you both can… Make up…?” You shot a glare at Trey. I’m not taking advice from someone as two-faced as you— an asskisser, you wanted to say. “I’d rather not.” You simply said, making your way to your room. “Goodbye Trey, do not stick your nose where it doesn’t belong.” You warned, entering your room just to lay back on bed and stare at the ceiling with a newfound dread.

The next year with Riddle:

You stood as the housewarden representative of your dorm, watching as freshmen emerge from their coffins to get sorted. Then you saw him, Riddle. The red haired freshmen walked down the carpet to get sorted when he made eye contact with you, eyes widening for a brief moment before narrowing into a glare, not recognizing you at first with your dyed hair. He stood in front of the mirror, and though you knew it was unlikely, you still hoped that somehow, he would not end up sorted into your dorm.

“Heartslabyul.” The mirror spoke, and like that, everything started to crumble.

Guiding the freshmen to the dorms you stopped them in front of the dorm entrance. It was the dormleaders responsibility to assign everyone a card. “You will be a fine spade,” You said to one before allowing them in. “And you a diamond.” You waved the next person past you. “And you…” You paused when Riddle stood in front of you, before clearing your throat. “A heart would be most suited.”

The welcoming party went fine. You kept it traditional and laid back to not intimidate any of the new members, allowing everyone to socialize. As you engaged in the festivities and croquet, you noticed Riddle and Trey socializing, your brother looking sternly at Trey, before glancing over at you. You had a suspicion that even after all of these years, Riddle still needed to be superior to everyone. Your position as leader would not last long.

***

You had finalized the papers and packed your things. You were moving in the dorm you should have been a part of from the start: Savanaclaw. Azul cried crocodile tears that you didn’t join him, but you know that though you would have loved to be friends with your boss, he was a ticking time bomb of greed. Being under his control at all times was dangerous. Leona on the other hand, ultimately didn’t care about who joined so long as they could sort out their own shit. He was a safer, more minor and reasonable timebomb.

After packing, you went into the rose garden, noticing you were being followed in the distance. When you got to the center of it, where your favorite place in the whole school was, you turned around. It was Riddle and Trey. Tsk, what a surprise.

“I know you were ignoring me.” “Was I, dear brother? My apologies, it was never my intention.” Riddle would have nearly turned red if it wasn't for Trey putting a hand on his shoulder. How pathetic. He was just like his mother.

“I am here to tell you that I intend to duel you for the position of dorm leader.” “Okay, here.” You take off the crown on your head and offer it out to him, watching as your little brother stares at it a mix of baffled and offended. “Is this a joke? Or are you really that lazy and weak-willed?” Riddle demanded, “I refuse to just accept the crown, you need to put in the effort as a leader should!”

“I don't see why, I’m transferring dorms.” Trey raised his brows, “To where?” “Octavinelle,” you lied, not wanting to risk them harassing you in your new dorm. “Anyways, here you go, Housewarden Riddle. I’m sure you and Trey here would be wonderful leaders.”

“I refuse! Put in some effort for once in your life, Yuu!” Riddle scolded you in that damn tone mother always used on you.

You just laughed. “You do not deserve my effort, firstly. Secondly, are you being intentionally dense or have you forgotten what I said to you— I want you to stay out of my life. I do not want contact with any of you anymore. I'm done! I'm sorry it ended this way. I hope you get everything you ever wanted and I hope I hear nothing about it, truly, I do.”

You throw the crown onto the ground as you take a deep breath. “Don’t visit my new dorm. Do not look for me at all. I am tired of you always making me feel bad about myself and having to be superior to me. The years I spent away from all of you, were the happiest I ever had.” You glared, tears in your eyes as you look for any trace of what remained of the brother you once knew, only to be met with disgust, he huffs then speaks.

“Why would I ever visit or look for you? We are not family anymore if I recall, and we were never family to begin with. It’s ridiculous of you to even think I would want to be related to someone like you in the slightest.” Riddle stated. “You weren't my sibling. You never were, and never will be.” His glare made you chuckle cynically.

“Is that so? Well then, I’m glad that's the case…” You take a few steps closer to him, towering over Riddle height wise. It's impressive how much someone could grow when they weren't stressed all the time and had some proper food. You lowered your voice. “I cannot believe I wasted my entire life protecting you. The amount of abuse I have taken in your stead, all for nothing. You, you're just like her.” You sneer, pushing past Riddle before pausing. “I used to have a brother once you know? He had the kindest smile and the wildest imagination. Whenever we played pretend together we would imagine that we could both take over the world as brothers in arms. I wonder what happened to him.

You take another step forward as Trey looks away from you. “And you.” You sound absolutely feral by now. “I would have expected you of all people to not accept roles that you don’t want to be in,” You leaned in closer. “You damned two-faced son of a bitch. You allowed this to happen to him.” You didn't even look back at Trey as you made your way out of the maze, back to your room to change clothes, pack your bags and go.

***

Since the first week that Riddle took charge, you have heard nothing but horror stories. He was as tyrannical as you imagined him to be. Whatever, it wasn't your problem anymore, the others will get fed up and deal with him eventually, and maybe then he will finally learn. Besides, Trey seems to have no issues anyways.

Life in Savanaclaw was bliss, you fit in a bit too perfectly, not afraid to rough up others if it came to it. You shared a room with your closest friend, Ruggie. It surprised the both of you with how close you came, actually. Coming from a poor background, you both shared tips for saving money and DIY, along with helping each other do some sleazy things to get by.

You both helped each other get jobs, and you even helped Ruggie pay for stuff with no strings attached since you were more well off. You lended each other's stuff all the time. You even help him grab discounted stuff in bulk for him to take back to his village. You helped to tutor each other in subjects you both struggled with and would even allow him to copy your homework. You both understood each other. Finally, someone gets you!

You rarely see Riddle. The only time you ever do is during test postings. You go up to check your score, and as usual, it is in the top spot. Satisfied, you shrug and turn around, and go to walk off, when you see your brother in the crowd. Riddle's eyes look at the top spot in a mix of disbelief and jealousy, absolutely miffed on how he wasn't on top. You looked up to see where the Riddle's test was, just to see it directly below yours, only one extra credit point behind. You don't think much of it. You leave.

Every test, you would go and glance at the wall, just to make sure your grades were fine, and everytime you notice how Riddle looks absolutely frustrated. You honestly aren't doing it to try and get back at him at all, in fact you wouldn't care if Riddle beat you, as long as you were on the wall you were above average. Eventually, Riddle does beat you on one test— Algebraic Magic Notation, something you never really cared for.

You saw yourself in second place, noticing in the corner of your eye how Riddle seems to stare at you for your reaction, before you just shrug as you walk off, feeling a glare in the back of your head as you do so. You had lunch with Ruggie today.

Overblot:

You have heard about that new magicless student around. Enma Yuuken, his name was. Apparently he caused a lot of commotion at the entrance ceremony and is a dorm leader and stuff now, cool, good for him. You never expected him and his Heartslabyul friends to seek you out however.

You were exiting Mostro Lounge after some accounting and contract checking Azul had you do for his next big plan. As you walked through the dorm on your way out, you noticed a certain quad behind you. “… Can I help you?” You turned around and asked, looking at the students. There was a spade and heart with a collar from your brother around his neck, along with a tall, broad student behind them, monster on his shoulder.

“Hey are you Yuu? Chenya said we could find you here.” The spade asked respectfully. “Chenya huh…” You crossed your arms. “What do you need?” You asked curtly, staring at your newly dyed hair in the windows of the lounge. “Is it true Riddle’s your brother?” The heart asked desperately and sighed. “Not anymore. He’s dead to me. Is that all you need?” You narrowed your eyes.

“O-oh! Uh…” Deuce stuttered. “That doesn’t matter, can you tell us why the hell he's like this?” “Can I go back to my dorm?” “Is this not your dorm…?” Yuuken asks. You just blink at them. “Everyone we asked about said your from Octavinelle.” Grim muttered, you gripped your Savanaclaw ribbon in your fist to hide it.

"Firstly, I am a liar and you should never live in a place that your employer has control of, it will always result in a power imbalance, and believe me you do not want someone like Azul to have leverage over you. Secondly I don't share where I live because of people like you trying to ask me about Riddle."

You stare over at them watching as they all stare at each other with a tinge of guilt. You huff, "Fine, if you have questions, follow me. It's not safe to answer them here. There are eyes everywhere."

***

You look around outside of the dorm as you lead the group down the hall before stopping. “Okay what do you need to know?” “So your brother,” the heart starts. “How the fuck did he end up the way he is?” At that you let out a short laugh. “Oh, is that what this is about?” “Yeah sort of!” The heart sputters. “Look, we're trying to get him to stop being… like that… and we need to learn about him first!”

“I’m afraid you’ve been led on a wild goose chase. I haven’t had contact with him in years.” “Eh?!” The group booms. “Yeah, sorry about that, he told me I was never his sibling and that I never would be. If you really want to know why he’s like that, you should ask Trey.” “Trey?” Grim asks.

You nod. “They grew up together too, and he was around him for much longer since I left. Good luck overthrowing my brother though, if you need anything else let me know, though we haven’t talked to each other in a while, I can read him like a book.”

***

You didn't expect the quad to show up again the next day, this time at lunch where you sat. “What is it now?” You ask curiously as the heart— Ace, you learned, sits across from you pouting with his collar still on. “We’re challenging Riddle to the seat of housewarden!” “Oh?” Yuuken looks at you seriously and nods. “We need you to tell us everything about him."

You chuckle sadly. “Even if I did, you all stand no match. We were both forced to study magic before we could even walk, and you both have barely learned how to change colors of objects using magic. I’m sorry, but you cannot win.” Grim whines and Deuce sighs, “What, you saying we're weak?” “I am saying you are inexperienced. Do any of you even know how to cast a warding spell?”

The card soldiers went silent. “You know…” Yuuken starts. “Didn’t you fight Riddle since you were the housewarden before him? What did he do?” “I didn't. I gave it to him and left the dorm.” “You what?! You willingly handed over the dorm to him?!” Ace gawked. “I’m sorry, but it is not my job to save him from himself. Even if I won, he would just keep bothering me over and over. I ran away to get away from the person who defended the person that hit me, forgive me for not wanting to put up with him again.”

At that the table quieted. “So uh… what's your magic like… or your unique one at least…” Deuce asks. “Wouldn’t you like to know? All you know is that it tends to break the rules of everything around me when used— Ironically, with it, Riddle's spells wouldn’t even work with how by the book all his are.” “Breaks the rules..?” Deuce echoes. “Can’t tell you anything else, sorry.”

“Wait! What if we brought you with us as backup?” “It would be an invalid duel, I’m not from the dorm anymore.’ “What if you support us in the shadows or something.” “That's cheating!” Yuuken scolds. “Exactly.”

The cards sigh and you frown. “Look, I cannot help you with that from here, however, on the day of the duel I will accompany you. I'll hide in the crowd and step in if he takes it too far, since he tends to.”

He took it way too far as you stood before your brother, filled to the brim with blot. You sigh as you stand behind the freshmen you came to support, no longer hiding. “Come on Riddle. It doesn’t have to be like this.” “SILENCE! I am… I AM RIGHT! I AM STRONGER! You know NOTHING! You ran away! What would you know?!” “We aren't getting to them. Freshmen, get out of here, this is between us.”

“Nuh uh! I’m kicking his ass too!” Ace says. “Right!” Deuce replies. Yuuken pulls out his kendo stick, ready to fight despite being magicless. “Fine then, just follow my lead.”

***

You watched as the blot left your brother in front of you. The tyrant, no longer fighting. Then, and only then, did you collapse from your injuries. Even when you gave those freshies direct orders they put themselves in harm's way, meaning you had to tank the hit for them. “Yuu!” Deuce called out. “I'm fine! I'm just… tired…” You felt blood drip down your face as you laid down.

Upon snapping out of the blot, you heard sobbing, the same sad sobs that happened on that fateful day. “I'm sorry!” Riddle shouts, reminding you of how mother would making him apologize over and over. Your head pounds, and the next thing you feel is someone sitting next to you, putting a hand near your face to check your breath before resting it on your cheek, and you recognize it.

They were larger than they were before, but the softness was unmistakably Riddle’s. His hand held you face the same he did when you were both kids and you would lift him up in the air, pretending that he was flying. You smile and open your eyes, and are met with his face looking over you.

He was sobbing, face flushed and hair unkempt for the first time in his life, and yet the look in his eyes was unmistakably the Riddle you once knew. You smile up on him and reach up to cup his face as well. “I think… I finally found my little brother I used to play with after all these years…” You chuckle before sucking in a breath at the pain, making Riddle panic and pull you onto his lap. “Yuu!”

Riddle holds you close to him, pulling you in a hug. “I’m sorry! You were right! You were right… I treated you badly… Will you ever forgive me….?” He sobbed into your neck and you reached up to hug him. “I wasn't mad at you, Riddle. I never was. I was scared… Scared I lost you to her.”

You were critically injured, in unbearable pain, and yet here you were still protecting and comforting your little brother like you always swore you would. “I love you Riddle, always did you know that right?” Riddle choked back a sob and nodded. “Good, I’m glad you know.” “Don’t leave me… Please dont leave me alone again! Not after I just got you back…” “Hey… don't worry about me okay? I'll be fine, I’ve experienced worse. I'll bounce back in no time, and we can have tea parties again, Just like when we were kids,” you choke, and Crowley comes in just in time to pick you up as you struggle to breathe, making Riddle get up and crowd you.

“They’re going to be alright, right?” Riddle sobs. “Riddle,” you mumble. “Takes a lot more than that to kill me.” You beam confidently, despite the various injuries on your body. “Right now your dorm needs you. Show them what a great leader you can be, kay? I always thought you played a better queen than I did…” You slur. “I know that Heartslabyul will shine better with than it did with me.”

“Come on Yuu, let's get you to a doctor.” Crowley says, flying off with you in his arms. Riddle watched as he shook, and a smile grew on his face.

Resolution:

You lay on one of the beds in the nurse's office. Pixies come to cater to your needs every once and a while as you rest to the sound of the heart monitor beeping. You turn your head to the side to look in a mirror and your hair is an unruly mess that matches you, this time however, it is the same ruby red that matches your brother after you used a coloring spell on it. And for once, you do not hate your resemblance to him.

A knock is heard from the door, and you watch the door open in the mirror. Riddle comes in, a small tray in hand. The minute he sees you, he carefully approaches, placing the tray on the bedside table. You prop your bed up to see him better, smiling gently to try and ease his guilty and nervous expression.

“It’s nice to see you.” “I um… brought you something.” Riddle mumbles, opening the box he brought in. Unveiling it, you can see it is a tiny strawberry tart, the ones you would always try to sneak to him when you lived at home. The edges were burnt and it was slightly misshapen, but it was perfect. “I um.. made it, by myself.” He holds his hands in front of himself and looks down.

You reach over for it just to cause Riddle to fuss over you. “Don't move, you're hurt, I’ll feed you.” The housewarden holds the box in his arm, pulling out the spoon he brought with him and carefully scooping up a piece shakily before holding it to your mouth. “Heh, I can get used to this.” “You still have the energy to tease me on your deathbed? You really are… something…” Riddle pouts, making you snicker internally as you take the bite, savoring the tart in all its glory. It’s probably the best thing you’ve ever had.

“I'm sorry, I’m sorry… The tart is really good though…” “We are planning to have an Unbirthday party to make up for the last one… It was supposed to be today, but I put it off so you can come when you're better… If you want to.” “Will it be like the tea parties we imagined as kids? Where were together and can play and eat whatever we want?” “Yes, yes it will be just like the tea parties we had as kids.”

You tear up a bit. “I would love to.”

[newkatzkafe2023]

@lara-legomonkiekid

What if Male monkey Y/N Was a powerful entity but he was a himbo?

We are two halves of a whole idiot-Cosmo and Wanda🤪🥰

(Lmk Wukong) His eye was twitching when he met you, like nobody can be that dumb but here we are. Then again, that's kind of hypocritical on his part, considering a lot of the ideas he had could have gone better🙁. then, one day, your powers caused him to fall on his ass. You mainly did in an attempt to impressed him Which totally worked because , at the end of it all, he had a billion and one questions for you and he wonders if you can teach him how to do half the stuff you did.

(HIB Wukong) How can someone this powerful be this stupid, I mean you make pigsy seem like a genius. Your powers had made up for your lack of intelligence and take raising Luier and Silly girl with him. Your always playing and entertaining Luier and Silly girl and became a playmate/father figure to them as well. Which Wukong What appreciate if it didn't feel like he was raising three children🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

(NR Wukong) I swear with his personality, your lack of intelligence won't be a problem for him, Your hot face and big heart had one him over in no time. You both do extreme and dumb things as couples date together, and your bond has never gotten stronger. Although you two did take a couple of years of life off Li and Su because of your antics. Then the 3 were shocked by the powers you had and were a big help in the fight with the dragon gang. Between the two of us Wukong was heavily turned on by your muscles and power so It's going to be fun rewarding you🤤

(MKR Wukong) Has a brain Anarissam with every interaction. You may be powerful but you are extremely stupid, but not naive like the monk can be. Even with your lack of brain cells he would rather deal with you then deal with pigsy, and the others. Then you one day surprised everyone with your powers especially with helping with the fight with the demon king and even saved Fruity. Wukong may get annoyed with your idiocy, but he will never take you for granted.

(Netflix Wukong) He faceplams at least once a day. Seriously, he never met someone so empty headed that he would tell you the sky is pink, and you would totally believe him. He also shouldn't be talking like he hasn't had some idiot moments, but that's not the point. He was super surprised by your abilities and had happily help him in battle and in personal life, so he Appreciates you greatly.

(BMW Wukong) Your idiocy is his everyday Entertainment, he always has a reason to laugh with you to around. You are silly and have a big heart and are always kind to him, and weirdly affectionate to him, He tries not to blush with your love and cuddles. Well on a brighter note he is also impressed by your powers that you use to help him in the war and had stuck with him to the end.

(Destined one) He sighs alot dued to your lack of brains. Sometimes you can be a burden, but you try so hard to help him with his journey especially with how powerful you are. The Destined one had always noticed you affection and efforts to make everything easy for him. He would smile gently as you trip over your own feet. The Destined one loves his dumb boyfriend and he always will.

FEEL FREE TO REBLOG😵‍💫

[razzdazzledoo]

How do you feel about people roleplaying as MX?

Alright everyone, sit down. I've been waiting for this moment.

Welcome to

RAZZDAZZLEDOO'S QUICK GUIDE TO WRITING MX!!

For those who wanna be in-line with the character while still having the freedom of not being canon.

So first things first, let's get the ground basis with MX.

MX does what he does for the reactions it brings, that kinda stuff is his entertainment. So he plans ahead, hoping to find the best snowball effect for the strongest look of terror on people's faces.

Though he doesn't plan THAT much, he gets a ground base and then improvises the rest of it so it's hard to plan ahead against him.

He's also not meant to be intimidating all the time either, his playmates will get bored if it's the same song and dance so he plays into other personalities to throw them off.

When their guard's down? He strikes while the iron's hot. And that makes them terrified even more.

Second, how he interacts with other people.

It ultimately depends on what the other person's like. Are they exactly like him? Do they have the potential to be? Or are they like Lucas where they clearly fear him?

Those kinda aspects will play into the chemistry MX can have with a person. He's best friends with Executable M and Mr. Virtual for a reason, they're just like him in the sense of 'tormenting for their own entertainment' along with whatever goals they have.

If they show fear, he'll play into it. He'll show them reasons to fear him, and then the next moment deceive them into believing there's some good in his heart. Only to then tear down those chances, and watch them crumble.

"What if I wanna ship my MX roleplay with someone?"

You have the freedom to do that, don't let me restrict you from having fun. I'll provide how he would, in-character, respond to romance. But I wanna get some rules down first.

Do not be sexual with him. That kinda shit makes me incredibly uncomfortable, not to mention I don't see him ever showing interest to the thought.

Do not ship him in problematic scenarios. This can include: People in the victim role, like MX took their soul and put them in a vessel; Characters who are directly stated to be minors; And characters that use Luigi's likeness. I outright forbid this and will not hesitate to block you if I see it.

Build up to it. MX obviously isn't going to know what the hell a "relationship" is, he's never entertained the idea and so it's going to take some time for him to learn. He's gonna have to figure out why he feels the way he does around that specific person, whether with their guidance or not.

He knows that humans can feel love, and how they respond to it, since he's been around since the universe's creation; but he personally doesn't know much on the subject.

When he realizes he's actually capable of love, he's not gonna know how to respond to it. He might even outright avoid the person he feels those emotions to since he has not an iota of knowledge with relationships.

If your interpretation of MX has an actual friendship with other muses, and he gets along greatly, he might go to them about it as a show of trust and they can help him figure it out.

Otherwise, he'd try and leave "gifts" for his special someone. Like a cat bringing you a dead bird, for comparison. Most of his gifts are eldritch abominations though, like a smaller version of one of his clouds in his world as an example.

On the other hand, if his special someone went to him first about pursuing a relationship and he does feel love towards them as well; He'd go along with it, essentially being a big giant teddy bear for them if he thinks it'd be funny enough.

If someone tries to pursue a relationship with him and he feels no attraction, he just kinda messes with them about it. Poking fun that they'd fall in love with a monster like him, who'd never love them back.

There's no canon MX ship, I just personally lean more towards Powerforest since it's a comfort ship of mine.

"What are some other tips?"

If your interpretation of MX can frown, make it have impact. That brute smiles all the time, regardless of the situation; So if he frowns, that's gonna have to mean something.

Canonically if MX frowns, he's locked in. He's not gonna waste time playing around, he wants you DEAD.

Don't be afraid to be silly sometimes.

It'd get awful boring real quick if MX was one-dimensional in a roleplay scenario, having something like that can give him way more depth and I encourage it.

You don't need to follow this guide exactly, but please still be respectful of the boundaries I expressed in here.

This is not meant to be a rulebook on how to write MX, you still have the freedom to write him how you feel most comfortable with writing him. This is just how I go about writing the character in my own spaces.

[zorosdimples]

monster boyfriends? monster boyfriends in love? horny monster boyfriends in love? it really can go many ways

peach i must admit that just yesterday i was plagued by visions of werewolf choso…

i’m just imagining growing up as choso’s childhood best friend. you two are close—thick as thieves, playmates and confidantes—but you are both vaguely aware that your relationship can’t last; you have different statuses: choso is an alpha and you’re a lowly beta.

something strange happens during your teenage years that forever changes the trajectory of your life; choso imprints on you. an alpha imprinting on a beta is unheard of, and the action causes significant turmoil in his clan. on your part, you can hardly believe it. in a decision borne of both fear of the meaning of this act and your love for him—wanting to save his reputation—you run away.

while being a beta is hard enough, it’s doubly so after choso imprints on you. since you don’t have any of the latent instincts that other werewolves have, you can’t sense it, can’t see it. but your invisible mark is evident to others. it earns you strange looks, makes everyone afraid to interact with you. it’s difficult to make friends as a result, and impossible to find a partner.

after many years of struggle, you return to choso as a weary adult who misses their friend and is ready for a confrontation—whatever the results may be. but to your shock, choso is still devoted to you. he became the head of his clan thanks to your departure, but he never accepted a mate, refusing to entertain the idea of being with anyone other than you.

when you come together, it isn’t because of your primal instincts; you don’t go into heat, you don’t have a notable scent, and you can’t pick up on choso’s physical reactions to you. but the love and affection you hold for one another more than makes up for you biological differences. he will officially mark you, he will knot you and breed you, he will make you his forever. and you will allow him to because it was always him. your destiny could never be anyone other than him.

[xwagnerplaguesx]

Earthworm Jim (Shiny Entertainment/Playmates Interactive/1994)

[cinnamoncountess]

Fellow Travelers Rewatch Party | episode 1

Content warning: NSFW, strong language (likely)

This will be mostly a reaction and based on observations, given the knowledge about how things will unfold in later episodes.

What a perfectly beautiful way to start a show! The song flows amazingly with the cinematography and it encloses around the viewer like a warm hug, simultaneously delivers an underlying sadness, the lyrics preparing us of what lies ahead, a tragic love story that yearns to end happily, but won’t. It sets the mood and gently announces with a toe-deep dive that we’re about to journey backwards into a different decade. I love it! <3 (song: Stevie Wonder - If It’s Magic)

Marcus drives down the sophisticated suburban lane to meet Hawk in his perfectly cultivated family nest to hand over the package, according to Tim’s wishes. It’s sweet to know that he supports and protects Tim, because - as we find out later - he knows Hawk and his shenanigans the best. 

Promotion party! Lucy and Hawk certainly know lots of people. Also, how many grandchildren do they have? I’d assume the other kids are probably the children their guests brought to the party, playmates of his granddaughter, right? No, wait, Lucy says „grandkids“ - so there are more than one? 

Lucy: The grandkids are going to miss Hawk so much when we got to Milan. I don’t know what Kimberly’s going to do. - Hawk’s a beloved granddad.

Hawk: Well, she’ll ship them over in the diplomatic pouch. - The sass and wit never ceases. 

Lucy: I almost gave up my dream of moving to Italy with the man I love.

Hawk: In the end, sh settled for going with me. - OH. The foreshadowing, the ambiguity. The HURT. For BOTH of them. My heart.

Did we ever find out how and when Lucy got to meet Marcus, though? 

Marcus is sooo distressed about the AIDS situation killing all his friends, his beloved ones around him. I want to hug him! 

Marcus: Tim doesn’t want to hear from you. He asked me to make that clear. - It’s another verbalisation of ‚Promise you won’t write’, Tim might have been hoping to hear from Hawk. Then again, of course Tim made sure Hawk will receive the paperweight. It’s the same ‚message‘ that Hawk delivered to him when he left it as a gift before betraying him - to let go. Tim wants to let go. 

Flashback to 1952!

Tim ordering a glass of milk, almost snapping at Hawk for questioning his beverage of choice.

The beginning of the milk odyssey…

What a beautifully shot scene, the lighting, the music / score, the switch between scenes, paralleling the scenes between society conform married life of a ‚straight’ man and cruising through park bathrooms - the double life of Hawkins Fuller and preparing us for what lies ahead, truly marvellous.

I think that’s the roughest and most mechanical, unemotional sex we’ll see in the show. Hawk literally punches Eddie like a donkey.

Hawk: Milton. But my friends call me ‚uncle Milty‘ - Cracking up. Hawk, be serious. 

Hawk doesn’t care about your little life, Eddie. He got what he wanted. He doesn’t give him his number. Important detail since that’s the first information he receives from Tim, already going one step further than he does with Eddie here. 

The small „:|“ glance Mary and Hawk share in reaction to Miss Addison’s disapproval of commies, only the eyeroll and irritated sigh missing. Love Hawk’s and Mary’s interactions and friendship overall, so entertaining how they’ll constantly talk ambiguously. 

Tim and Hawk first meeting at the park! 

Tim: I have a degree in political science and history. I think I should aim a little higher, don’t you? - Oh, baby, you should! Too bad he’s never got to indulge in a profession that fits his education. But then again, maybe it’s for the best that reoriented his career and found a better path for himself, for his eagerness to be politically vocal! He still became a spokesman. 

Tim flusters as Hawk inquires him about memorising his biographical entry! His reaction is sooo endearing. He’s already so smitten. 

The banter between them! 

Hawk: Down boy. - And so the dynamic starts.

Hawk: Perfect. I’ll spend the afternoon picturing you kneeling in prayer. - Pants flew to the moon, ovaries and peepees exploded!

Smith: Your plan, me in the White House in eight years. - Hawk intending to ‚manipulate‘ his mentor’s career, making him president.

Tim and his little cupboard where he hangs his very few white socks and pants. D: Also, he is a plant person! In this apartment as well as in his 80s one he own quite a bunch of greens. 

Jean: … could stand to improve his spelling. You’ll have to do this one again. - Is Tim dyslexic? 

The book Tim bestows Hawk with, as a present for getting the job is titled ‚Look Homeward, Angel.‘ Angel. Skippy, in the book apparently, is derived from an angel’s name. So maybe that’s Hawk’s inspiration in the show?

Hawk visits Tim for the first time and wants to take him out for dinner! So much to the ‚we NEVER eat in restaurants!‘-complaint in episode 3. Hawk wanted to take him out to a restaurant before. <3

Tim is very, VERY drastic in his political views, which is a bit concerning, but also understanding, given the historical context. 

Hawk asking for consent before lifting Tim to his feet and undressing him, love it. 

Tim showing Hawk the family photo album.

Tim: This is uncle Ronald, the drunken designated hopeless sinner of the family.

Hawk: I think you’re giving uncle Ron a run for that title.

Tim: Thanks to you… - and the little smirk, I can’t.

Mary: How are you enjoying ‚Look Homeward, Angel‘?

Hawk: Immensely. Although I have trouble finishing a book before I wanna start another. - he says while he eye-flirts with the next guy standing closeby, oh Hawkins. 

Eddie making a scene out in the open, in the hallway…That is very, very awkward and risky and Eddie should know that, not a clever move. I feel for him, for what happens to him later on, but he had it coming, unfortunately. He should’ve let it go when Hawk made clear he doesn’t want further contact during their encounter and then clearly signifies he doesn’t recognize him. It’s like having an ONS or anonymous sex, the rules about how this will go and what it entails are set. 

Tim toe-sucking bj-ing himself to the fancy party is still wonderful and he must’ve done a spectacular job to convince Hawk. Also, he’s wearing Hawk’s coat here. Wonder if they acted out the little monologue and Tim really went there with the taste of him in his mouth. 

Alsop: My wife says the aroma is somewhat reminiscent of feet. I can promise you it tastes perfectly marvellous. - This is a very feet-heavy episode.

Lucy and Hawk share such entertaining banter moments, I wish they could’ve stayed just really good friends, without all the heartbreak and pain.

Bringing up Lucy is a red rag to Hawk, but Tim just can’t help it. These two have severely different perspectives on life at this point and Hawk told Tim multiple times that he can’t give him what he wants, the life he dreams of, that they can just enjoy these occasional moments of fun together, which of course isn’t enough for Tim, who craves for everything straight couples have, to date his partner openly. It’s not possible in this environment and Tim acts very stubborn and naive here. He is also constituting a great risk for Hawk, who doesn’t shove him away just yet, which is surprising, giving what we’ve seen of him and how cautious he wants to be, leaving no traces endangering his career.

After hearing McCarthy’s speech it’s actually so disturbing and irritating to know that Tim holds onto this man’s ideals so firmly. 

Shout out to the beautifully nuanced OST created by Paul Leonard-Morgan.

And that’s it for this episode. 

[misteria247]

More 12 Turtle Tot Leo cuz I'm a shameless self indulgent slut-

12 Donnie will often have his toddler older brother fall asleep on them, his little cheek resting against the back or side of his head. Because 12 Donnie much like the other 12 boys, make the toddler feel comfortable enough to do these kinds of things. 12 Donnie won't admit it but he lowkey dies from cuteness overload whenever he feels 12 Leo drifting off to sleep on his shoulders. 12 Leo will also hang out on 12 Donnie's shoulders to watch him do his inventions, asking a bunch of questions a mile a minute to pass the time. The older turtle indulges him and enjoys the little conversations they have.

Rise Raph whenever he has the toddler on his shoulders, 12 Leo loves to wrap his little hands around his head or neck and hug the large snapping turtle. The turtle toddler will also nuzzle Rise Raph's cheek, and if he's in a chipper mode will even chirp and churr at him. Rise Raph is instantly a puddle of goo whenever he gets 12 Leo's happy little noises or his nuzzles and hugs from his shoulders. In fact the reason 12 Leo does this is because he considers Rise Raph along with the other Rise boys as his own brothers. The first time the toddler had let out a happy little turtle churr and chirp made Rise Raph lowkey cry from the action.

12 Raph is one of 12 Leo's favorite playmates to mess with. The toddler will often times do little things or pranks on his younger brother resulting in some rather hilarious reactions from the lively teen. However when he's not messing with 12 Raph, 12 Leo will also often seek him out whenever he's uneasy or frightened or wanting affection. 12 Raph at first wasn't sure what he should do but after one puppy dog eyed look from his older brother and 12 Raph broke giving in to his brother's wishes and needs. 12 Raph will never admit it but he secretly loves being needed so much by 12 Leo.

Rise Mikey is 12 Leo's go to for all things game related and arts related. Rise Mikey is one of the more fun and chaotic playmates that the toddler likes to interact with. Whenever 12 Leo's full of energy or gets fidgety Rise Mikey's one of the first to step in and help distract the toddler. They'll draw together and sometimes bake sweets (with Rise Mikey being the main baker and 12 Leo helping out in little ways) and do all sorts of things together. Rise Mikey loves it when 12 Leo will come running for him, excited to do something fun and it always makes the box shell turtle's day.

Rise Leo is 12 Leo's partner in crime. If the toddler is feeling mischievous or in desperate need of entertainment via pranking or watching awesome TV shows or movies Rise Leo's the toddler's favorite person to go to for all of it. Rise Leo will tell the turtle tot funny little jokes and puns earning his little childish giggles of humor and making him smile in return. Rise Leo will help him plan out small pranks and help him ditch the scene of the crime whenever they get catch. 12 Leo's always attached to the red eared slider's side whenever they have TV show or movie marathons and has even joined the other turtle in training sessions like meditating.

12 Mikey is 12 Leo's unassigned Mom of sorts. While 12 Mikey is just as chaotic and full of energy to keep up with the turtle tot and is one of the ultimate playmates to 12 Leo, 12 Mikey is also one of the first to get 12 Leo out of a jam or to intervene in a situation that could be somewhat disastrous. 12 Mikey is also the person 12 Leo goes to when he's got boo boos, or he's in need of the TLC that a lot of toddlers crave. And 12 Mikey gives it to him freely even churring and chirping at him on occasion much like how the turtle tot would do for him whenever he was still a teenager.

Rise Donnie is 12 Leo's second favorite playmate that he plays pranks on or messes with. Rise Donnie has some of the most amusing reactions to them and the turtle toddler can't get enough of them, often times pressing the soft shell's buttons just to get a reaction. Yet when he's not doing this he's always seeking Rise Donnie out to just be around him. The toddler finds the soft shell's presence comforting and if he's getting a bit overwhelmed or uncomfortable with something Rise Donnie's always the first to take 12 Leo away from the thing that's upsetting him, giving a rather nasty glare at the offender who'd caused it. He's basically 12 Leo's unassigned Dad in a way.

[retrocgads]

USA 1997

[yetanotherexhaustedalchemist]

Rhyme Meadows' Story

Rhyme Meadows was born in the Queendom of Roses, the only child of Louis and Elizabeth Meadows. They were nobles - one of their great, great ancestors had apparently served the Queen of Hearts herself, and had been recognised for their loyalty. But the reason they were nobles wasn't really important - all that mattered was that they were. That's just how it was.Rhyme's parents were very proud of their heritage, but in reality, they weren't all that financially better off than the average upper-middle-class working family. They lived in a large house in a countryside town, their garden full of rose bushes of every color. (Rhyme's favorites were always the pink ones.)

As the only heir of her family's legacy and fortune, Rhyme, naturally, received the best education money could buy. She received private tutoring by experts in each field every morning. If the lesson material was particularly easy to understand, Rhyme would have finished her work before noon. She would leave her study room and eat lunch in her private miniature dining room. When she was younger, Rhyme would often ask her parents why she couldn't eat with them - their answer was that their heir needed to focus on her future duties, and they had business to attend to. She had her every need attended to, so she could be a dear and entertain herself, couldn't she?

Her parents, as a matter of fact, were always busy with something or another, and so Rhyme was left alone each afternoon. She had free reign of her bedroom, study room, library and play room, but human interaction was scarce to none. You could only play so many games without a playmate. When she was five, Rhyme began creating her own playmates - developing imaginary friends with vivid and crazy personalities, whose endless antics could keep her entertained forever. Next, she created a world for her friends to inhabit when she was not with them - their own little Wonderland. Rhyme took up painting, and she would spend hour after hour drawing maps, defining landmarks and history, and painting evolving scenery of their world on her walls. Her parents were surprised when they first saw her playroom, with its walls painted top to bottom with bizarre landscapes, but they ultimately decided it caused no harm and left her to it.

Another aspect of her training to be a lady was her extensive etiquette lessons. Which spoon and fork was which? What county is this lord or duchess from? How should you curtsy to greet them? And, above all, a good lady and child is seen and not heard, never heard. When adults were in the room, she was to listen quietly. When adults were talking, she should not be noticed. She wouldn't want to distract them, would she? (Rhyme stopped talking for the most part at eight.)

There was one brief exception to her monotonous lifestyle. When she had just turned eight a few weeks prior, Rhyme's parents sat her down and explained something briefly to her. A good lady of the house needed a husband, and so they had been looking into potential candidates for her to one day wed. The first of the candidates would be visiting their home the next day with his mother, and they would visit each day for the next two weeks, to allow the children to get to know each other, and the parents to discuss the possibility presented. (Rhyme honestly couldn't care less about the marriage stuff, she was just excited to finally, finally have a playmate.)

Despite her excitement, Rhyme was beyond nervous when she actually met her playmate for the first time. She was just as polite and proper as she had been taught to be, but the boy seemed so serious. And that wasn't even to mention his mother - she was as stern as ice. The introduction was tense to begin with, but when Rhyme and the boy were allowed to talk in her playroom, they quickly found common interests to talk about. He seemed somewhat confused by her detailed descriptions of her Wonderland, but he quickly began asking her questions about the land's governing system and residents, genuinely interested.

The escape from Rhyme's lifelong boredom was deeply needed. For the first time, Rhyme had a real, genuine playmate - someone that she considered her best friend, despite how recently they had met. And yet, as with all good things, it ended far too quickly. On the second-to-last day of the two week period, Rhyme was interviewed individually by the mother. It began with predictable, standard questions - questions Rhyme was well prepared to answer. But when the lady began asking more specific questions, Rhyme had no rehearsed answers to fall back on, and thus, she answered honestly.

As a result of her inexperience in social interaction mixed with her excitement of finally having a friend, Rhyme rambled on in her answers, detailing every corner of her Wonderland. At the time, she didn't notice the woman's eyes narrowing, yet Rhyme could recollect her destain perfectly in hindsight. The interview concluded, and Rhyme waited in her library until dinner. She thought she would see her friend again when she went down for dinner, but she did not. The next morning, Rhyme's parents informed her that the arranged marriage would not proceed. The lady had deemed the match unfitting. She would not be seeing her friend again. (Rhyme did not participate in any arrangements for potential partnerships from then on. Her parents handled that as well, and Rhyme was left to herself in her play area more than ever before.)

Now that she knew what companionship was like, solitude was more painful than ever. Rhyme would lose herself in her Wonderland entirely in almost every moment she was alone. Slowly, yet not slow enough for Rhyme to not notice it, she began to struggle to separate reality from illusion. She would drift into her own world at inopportune moments, but it was a necessary enough ability that Rhyme did not fight against it. 

She was not surprised when she manifested her unique magic for the first time at age ten. Lost in a Daydream (It's Always Tea Time) allowed Rhyme to finally give her Wonderland a corporeal form, if only for a little while, if only for in small portions. The world she would pull into reality would 'loop' inside the small space where the spell was performed. To anyone inside it, the dream would seem infinite and inescapable. However, perhaps as an unconscious failsafe, each looping world contained a hidden puzzle - a secret riddle - that could be solved to be released from the dream's hold. (Ten, as her parents and other adults said, was remarkably young for a mage to master a signature spell. For all their amazement and praise, Rhyme did not consider her achievement to be anything impressive. It was born out of necessity, not of talent.)

As Rhyme grew older, she was given more responsibilities as the young lady of the house. Her new duties took up some of her free time, which was probably a good thing. Her efficiency in her work was hindered by her constant lapsing into fantasy, but even that was a positive for Rhyme. More time taken up by work meant less time to sit around and do nothing. (She had read every book in her library twenty times over. Half of them she had memorized from front to back. Her reading speed was remarkable, and she could finish five full length novels in one afternoon. They simply weren't meaningful time wasters anymore.)

By sixteen, Rhyme was outwardly the epitome of a graceful and demure young lady. With open ears, keen eyes and a closed mouth, and more booksmarts than most college students, she was admired by her parents' peers from all over the Queendom. Her only fault, it seemed, was her frankly odd mannerisms and ways of thinking, which seeped through the cracks at times. Sometimes, she would stare off into the distance, her eyes darting around as if she were in REM, and she would not hear her name being called. (Ultimately, it wasn't a substantial issue. Everyone had their faults. And a lady should be seen and not heard, after all.)

At seventeen, Rhyme received the second big break in her life. She was given the chance to study at the prestigious Night Raven College temporarily, as a representative for her country and family name. Yes, Night Raven was an all-boy's school, but she would not be the only one. A select few talented young women from across Twisted Wonderland were being given the same opportunity. And Rhyme took the opportunity, grabbing it quickly and holding it close. She would not let her second chance to form bonds of companionship go to waste.

Rhyme now stood among the other young women presented with this rare chance in the Mirror Chamber in the heart of NRC's main building. One the women was tall - taller than Rhyme thought a woman could be - with a playful smile and hair that fell in dark waves. One wore a white scarf, tight around her neck, with lifeless crimson eyes. One was pink-haired and bright, her mere presence bringing life to the room. There were more, too, and each of them was dressed in Night Raven College's famous ceremonial robes.

One by one, the young women's names were called, and they stood in front of the ominous Dark Mirror, which would look into their souls and place them in the best fitting dorm. Rhyme couldn't help speculate which she would be placed in (Octavinelle, maybe? Or perhaps Pomefiore?), but speculation did not help her nerves when her name was finally called. She stood before the Dark Mirror, and the face in the glass looked so intensely at her that she thought it could see through her.

"The nature of your soul is... Heartslabyul," the mirror decided, and Rhyme breathed a sigh of relief. There was a list of reasons she was happy to be in Heartslabyul, not least of which being the honor of being placed in the dorm inspired by the Queen of Hearts herself - the figure who gave her family their namesake and who every child in the Queendom admired from a young age. But she could also not deny that there was another, secret reason she was so pleased. She had been hoping to be in Heartslabyul since she had heard from her parents in passing conversation who Heartslabyul's remarkable housewarden was.

(Was it too much to hope that she may be able to reignite a friendship, even one that burned for just two weeks?)

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

So, this is Rhyme's childhood. A few things to mention, yes, Rhyme is meant to be a love interest for Riddle. However, before that, she's just happy to have a friend. I don't imagine she'd even start developing romantic feelings for him until after Leona's overblot.

Rhyme's parents are certainly neglectful, at least emotionally. They don't intend to be, they're just very old fashioned and prioritise how outsiders view them more than they should. That plus them not really getting how children work led to Rhyme's ordeal.

She has some intentional parallels to Riddle, in of the sense that they were eight when things started a downward spiral, and ten when they developed their UN. (Mrs Rosehearts be out here ruining multiple children's childhoods.) Rhyme is aware that her accomplishment isn't as impressive as Riddle's, though, since Lost in a Daydream is a much less powerful spell than Off With Your Head.

Posted this on mobile so let me know if the formatting is off/something is wrong

[babblingstacey]

End of Spring, Year 2

Newly Completed Aspirations: Friend of the Animals 22/63 completed

Newly Completed Skills: Veterinarian, 37/50 completed.

Newly Completed Careers: Entertainers (musician branch), Freelance Writer. (17/45)

It's back to the grind for Gerdie. Since she doesn't sleep, no only did she become a Concert Virtuoso, she opened a combination Vet Clinic and Cat Rescue - where she fostered the local strays and found them forever homes - like Rainbow the cat going home with Gunther.

It was also time for Beau to age up to a child!

He is an adorable Outgoing child. And Anna was happy to have her playmate join her in the treehouse.

However, Gerdie has been feeling restless. She's at a crossroads of what to do next and the Watcher she is getting a little annoyed by Johnny's lack of interests beyond watching TV and his constant Mischief interactions even though they have a family club that bans those. She thinks it's time for a vacation for them all but where to go?

Not many screenshots - I feel the animal aspiration and Vet game play got a little grindy - and buggy - for me. So I'm calling it done, even if her vet clinic is only 3 stars. There isn't a rule, I was trying to get to at least 4 but I swear it bugs out every other patient.

[roadandruingame]

RaR Musings #21: The Crossroads of Simulation, Storytelling, and Fun

I'd had this one on a tab for a minute, because a lot of things happened and I've had a lot of time to think about things.

Exertion has done a lot to emblemize division between major game design philosophies.

On the one hand, a simulation-based game engine was necessary for a GM-less game, where creatures of theoretically infinite size difference could interact, in a way that everyone at the table can collectively intuit and agree on.

But, it did mean a lot more interaction with double-digit math, and 1m-wide tiles are far too granular to make the foundation of a "1 stamina = 1m movement, or swings 1 Size of weapon, for 1 damage" environment. Doing that math isn't fun, and held back use of storytelling as a driving force.

I transitioned to approximation-banding, and made only Tiring activities cost Exertion, shrinking the numbers so it was more about What Who was doing and Why, How, Where, and When it was supposed to happen if it wasn't Here. It meant you didn't actually even need a grid, or a map, instead keeping note of locations and settings by narrative impact, rather than how many spaces you had to move your little plastic man around the playmat.

But with the loss of specifics, questions about multiattack arise; how exhausting is it to attack more than once in a 3sec span? Anyone should be able to do it, and skill should have a positive impact, but how much does it change per weapon? It gets a little bit videogamey, in a completely different way than simulation is gamey, and in a way that has no mechanical consistency, leading to disagreements at the table.

More than that, are either of these systems even fun? While I have enjoy prompt-based creativity, and get a thrill when numbers come up in sub-1% statistical probabilities, that doesn't mean everybody will. And however it runs, it needs to be fun enough and easy enough to prevent players from suffering creative and emotional burnout, which leads them to becoming hesitant about sitting down for a session.

But I also, absolutely, abhor the recent trend of DND enthusiasts ignoring all the rules in favor of goofing off with friends. Having fun with your friends is good. Having fun with your friends while you play a game is great. Changing the rules of a game so that you have more fun playing it is fine. But dismissing the rules of a game wholesale to the point that they make zero impact on ANYTHING you can do? Why even pretend to play the game then?

Tabletop rpgs, unlike videogames, are work. Videogames don't progress unless you press buttons, but ttrpgs make you have to imagine the buttons and what they do, and require everyone present to agree on what the button actually does when you press it. Inventing these buttons has to be consistent, everyone should understand what happens when you press them, and everyone should enjoy the process of both making the buttons, and the fictional pressing of them.

You need to have fun, but simulation and storytelling are important for a game too.

___________________

I talked with two people of note lately.

The first was a prospective playtester, who (apparently, according to a third party) had no real interest in Road and Ruin, but still pursued me around multiple games of Warhammer 40k and ASOIAF to ask questions about it. And, as I so often do, I fell in love with my own game all over again. It's rapidly becoming my decade-long magnum opus, and everything it does is designed to excite me just as much as it is to entertain someone else. We ended up building him a Tatzl Plague Doctor, a plague-rat harpy unaffected by most diseases it carries, who travels the world transferring the diseases of others to himself, before bottling the diseases, and a Goblin Alchemist, part vampire, and pursuing science to one day rid themselves of the otherwise incurable disease. And, thanks to RAR's Story Roster, what is otherwise a nearly statistically-impossible task to discover at random, is given several boosts in probability, without guarantee, thanks to being a personal quest.

The second, was my dad. I owe my introduction to fantasy and sci-fi entertainment to him, and though he's never played a ttrpg, he's heard me complain about mechanics and players for years. His is the opinion that making a game that tries to do everything is senseless, and one should create a game to do one thing, specifically, and well. Many would agree with him. But his is also the opinion that if you force a player who enjoys Dungeons, to fight Dragons, that they'll absolutely hate it, and throw a tantrum over not getting to play the thing they joined the game for, and vice versa. A game that blends Dungeon players and Dragon fighters only stands to disappoint both parties, who will always end up playing something they don't want, eventually.

It's absurd, honestly.

Ttrpgs are a social fabric. Bringing the people who enjoy two different things together, to alternate their enjoyments, only strengthens the hobby, and ensures that it's easier to find people to play. By bringing this alchemist playtester into the fold, I get to see someone enjoying something they have an interest in, and work to make their quest come true. By joining with me, he gets to come along on my quest, and adding a little sprinkle of creativity that I'm not personally responsible for is just the kind of prompt I like in prompt-based creativity. The session becomes collaborative, between two or more people enjoying themselves, rather than confrontational, or one-sided legwork, which plagues the GM-dependent scene.

It's silly to disparage people on their preferences, but it's sillier to declare that other players couldn't possibly have something to improve your experience.

______________________

To that end, I think I have to lean heavier on variant rules.

Other games have them, but often, they're a little twist of math that alters the outcome slightly, or even devoid of mechanics at all.

No, I task myself with the rather silly task of creating a Simulation ruleset, and a Storytelling ruleset, based on the same variables and producing similar results. Players of simulation-like grid-based bookkeeping combat, as well as storytelling-focused, theater-of-the-mind, vague interactions, can come together and use the ruleset that they prefer, in order to get to play those Plague Doctor harpies and Vampire Alchemists.

As some say, the rules shouldn't get in the way of having a good time. But the rules should BE what someone USES to have a good time. And since my idea of a good time is different from someone else's, I should be just as welcoming of their preferences, as I ask that they are of mine.

The real risk is overcomplexity. Players already don't like having to learn one set of rules, much less variants of the same rules. There's every possibility that they balk when faced with the possibility of having to learn multiple types of rules for what amounts to the same game. But then, that's what the rules-lite version is for: the opportunity to completely ignore anything complex.

[7ban-sama]

hai there 7ban! realistically, about the ❤️🤍💜 bird au , if the human vers of tsu, amane, and nene were to own bird versions of themselves, how would you think it would go?? would the birds mimick everything they do?? would they watch them having a threesome?? would nene and bird nene get along well?? would the twins with their birdselves get along well?? tell me what you think!

Oh hai there. It's so novel to get an ask about an eccentric AU like that. (In general, I'm surprised by how many people have paid attention to the bird AU...😶)

However I must say, I don't usually think about interactions between human and animal selves in AU, I don't really explore things like that? Usually I think about it like: in this world it's a roulette of which of the three are human or not, so you can have human Nene + parrot twins, or all 3 as birds, etc.

Still, I can try my best to answer your question, it's just that my honest opinion might be a little funny. So for starters, I want to say, I typically think of Nene as the human owning multiple birds. Parrots are especially demanding animals, considering how social and long lived they are, along with how sensitive they are to their environment. Ideally, if you were going to commit to owning something like that, you'd commit in-full. So it's a world where Nene devotes a lot of her time to entertaining and caring for her birds. For this question, let's imagine she owns the twins and herself as a bird, and separately she has befriended the Yugi twins as humans. Sometimes the twins come over and look at her birdies.

For how the humans feel about their bird selves, you have a spectrum of at best... neutrality. At worst, active dislike.

Nene is perhaps neutral on the little budgie Nene, maybe just glad her boys have a playmate they like? Budgie Nene just neutral about the human that tends to her, not really thinking about her much, preferring attention from the boys. She can give her self seed. Accept seed.

The Tsukasas do not regard one another. I do not see him. Just a natural [walks away from you] reaction. Bored.

Amane would HATE his parrot self, and they'd actively feel competition with one another. Because Amane is such a rude, domineering personality, they'd each be offended by how ballsy the other is.

The extent Amane would hate himself is so much more profound than the way Nene&Tsukasa are indifferent to themselves, I think it'd actively cause problems. Cuz you'd have like parrot Amane screaming and diving at him, preventing him from touching either budgie Nene (MY MATE!!!!) or human Nene (MY OTHER MATE!!!!!!!!!!) Amane would be like 💢💢 I hate this JERK that's TERRORIZING you two... He's terrible to the other one too. [regarding Amane parrot constantly scrapping with Tsukasa and pulling out his feathers] He's a nasty pervert... [whines] Yashirooo, are you really going to let your pet bully me... Fine, I won't come over, you're all obsessed with him-

⬆ This would really suck lol. But I think it'd be the reality, you can't have two Amanes in the room, they want to control everything and they don't like each other kfkf...

As for mimicry, they wouldn't pick up any notable tics from their human selves... I like tend to do my animal AUs a bit 'magically', even without literal magic. Soo like, it's kind of as if these birds truly have the 'souls' of Amane/Nene/Tsukasa, and their most individualistic traits are mostly something they innately have. I think what would sooner happen is that human Nene would note eerie similarities between her twin parrots and the twin humans, things she can't explain. Maybe the twin parrots 'talking voices' already sound kind of like the human twins, but this was the case before they ever met each other. Little haunting things like that... (she'd just dismiss herself though, feeling crazy, maybe too into her birds or something...)

If the human trio had sex in front of the bird trio... That's funny, I have to think of it as Nene putting them in their cage before anything went down... The birds wouldn't even register it as 'sex', just humans doing human things, as they enigmatically do. Maybe them all being in a pile would be like ? ?? weird... but w/e. [preens one another]

I'm imagining human Amane feeling some sort of I'm Doing This To Prove She Is Mine emotion tho lol, and the vibes would be kind of weird, because of that, like. Maybe Nene already would be like // /// geez he's so pushy rn... //// Barely let me finish putting everyone away before he dragged me off. Sigh... I'm being fought over... (???????)

All I can picture is chicanery along these lines basically lol. I suppose the driving force is the fact that the Amanes cant completely ignore the interspecies version of Nene/Tsukasa, but this will make one another mad. Which... is why I try to keep things contained in just the OT3 usually. No room for this many Amanes.

[worldofthechateau]

The Fair Folk

The Fair Folk, also known as the Fae Folk, the Fae, or Faeries, are sapient beings who live in a dimension called the Realm of Faerie. This realm has an incredibly high amount of mana, and so do its residents: the fae are capable of casting magic without a wand and can effortlessly cast complex spells such as shapeshifting, invisibility, mind control, and minor reality-warping. They also don't seem to age, or if they do, they do so very slowly.

Unfortunately for humans, faeries operate on their own bizarre and incomprehensible system of morality that often leads to havoc for mortals.

They are divided into four courts: the Summer Court, the Autumn Court, the Winter Court, and the Spring Court. Each court has its own unique appearance and behaviors. However, one habit they all share is the practice of replacing young human children with their own. These Changelings are near-indistinguishable from the original child except for their faerie morality and powers. Many neurodivergent human children were persecuted under the belief that they were changelings, with the actual changelings remaining under the radar. Why they do this depends on the court.

Now, let's move on to the four courts. The Summer Court fae are the most human-looking, with only their pointed ears, inhuman beauty, and "off" eyes giving them away. They desire entertainment above all else, and often kidnap human children to raise as pets, playmates, and musicians.

The Autumn Court resemble a grotesque blend of animals mixed with humans, and are often mistaken for werebeasts. Their main goal is knowledge, and they often kidnap humans to experiment what makes us tick. Contrary to their claimed pursuit, the Autumn Court seem quite intent on proving their existing theories correct, rather than adjusting their theories to fit the evidence. (The more scientifically-minded members of the Society of the Supernatural are rather annoyed at this insistence.)

The Winter Court are rather ugly, with long curved noses. They love gemstones but do not want to bother themselves with the task of mining them from the mines of the Realm of Faerie, so they make humans do the task instead. They also appreciate Earth gemstones, so you may be able to bribe your way out of danger in a pinch.

The Spring Court most resemble the fairies of pop culture, being around the height of small children with insect-like wings. (However, pixies, whom we'll get to in a later post, resemble pop culture fairies the best). They have a culture that values laziness and selfishness, and thus parents tend to foist their children onto unsuspecting human parents.

There is a fifth court, the Hidden Court, mainly made up of Changelings who learned human morality and chose their human families over their fae origins. These faeries come from all four courts, and act more like the fairy godmothers of tales like Cinderella than the amoral tricksters of the main courts. They do sometimes partake in the practice of swapping babies with changelings, but only as a means of rescuing abused children.

There is one rule when making deals with the fae: DON'T DO IT! They will find a way to make things blow up in your face. If you absolutely must for whatever reason, think long and hard about every possible way to interpret the deal before agreeing.

When interacting with the fae, make sure to be polite at all times, but do not say "thank you." The fae consider this to be admitting you owe them a debt. Do not give them your real name, it only makes it easier to control you. Do not lie, and always keep your promise.

However, the fae are not invincible. They are weakened and repelled by the touch of cold iron and salt. Like any living being, they will die by being stabbed in the heart or by having their head cut off. The Society of the Supernatural routinely opposes the fae to rescue their kidnapped victims, and exploit these weaknesses to full effect.

(This will probably be my only post today, I have finals to work on)

Feel free to ask me anything about this world!

[wonderingvagrant]

How did you get into hypnosis?

What is your favorite form of entertainment?

3. What is something you want to do in your life you haven't yet?

These are for the ask 3 q about you.

1. How did i get into hypnosis? I got into hypnosis for real through sheer curiosity. Small ol' me wanted to see if "The things in the cartoons with all those mind controlling rays and stuff" was real. Yeah, i know how silly that sounds, haha.

2.What is your favorite form of entertainment? Honestly, firstly i thought of saying something like, reading light novels, or playing RPGs/turn-based games, even tabletops. But in the end, if i really think about what i spend the most time entertaining myself with, i'd say chatting and interacting with friends, playmates and special people dear to me.

3.What is something you want to do in your life you haven't yet?

Hm, interesting question! Honestly? There's a *lot* of stuff i have yet to do in my life that i haven't had the opportunity to. But if i had to go with the simplest one, i'd say travel. I'd like to travel across many countries and visit some people.