#This Grand Nest

[corvidist]

A slightly dry dinner in northern Antarctica. Although meals are secondary to snacking throughout the day, they are still social events for the community. In part because of the beak notch, most cultures tend to eat dryer food earlier in the day and then less solid food later on. Friends will tend to gather when they eat, and out of all meals, dinner becomes a significant social occasion resulting from the large number of Directors heading back to sleeping areas/recreation and such after eating and cleaning off. Much of the food is served in what it was made in, though not all of it. Water is regularly dumped out and refilled. This being one of the first groups to arrive since the area was cleaned, there isn't much in the way of spillage, but there will be.

The beak notch:

It was smaller in the past, and its slow expansion has been attributed to the increased necessity of tool use. It's not large enough to prevent adequate food/water intake, but it does mean that some will inevitably spill out. When this actually became a problem for sanitation as larger communities developed, it became common for eating areas to have floor mats dedicated to collecting what drops down that and are then washed afterward, having them on platforms so the food can be dropped down, or a mix of both.

Recycling:

In the past, they've used food waste as biomass for insect farms/compost. It is also now used to help with biotech cultivation.

As a community activity:

Meals contribute quite a bit to daily life since communities tend to eat in the same place as a social activity. Wake up, eat a fairly dry snack with water, and start the day, with meals typically getting less dry and drinks more flavorful as the day goes on. At least one large meal is often had in the evening where most of the community gathers at once and groups interact, share gossip, and otherwise just chill for a bit. After that, most will head to communal bath houses where they'll clean up before dispersing again, either to sleep for the night or begin community nighttime functions.

Bragging to the other collectives about how many dead things they harvested from the biomass pile but then the engineering collective challenges the plant ag collective to a platform duel for fun (king of the hill but the platform is suspended like 50 feet in the air) so like half the group breaks off and the sanitation collective gets angry and starts scolding them because the fuckers just made their job 10 times more difficult by making a mess everywhere because they tried to take their food out of the eating area to watch without making prior arrangements.

[corvidist]

From this grand nest, will hatch many worlds. 

Commission - This Grand Nest

My first commission, courtesy of @corvidist's patronage! Thank you so much again!

If you're interested in getting a piece like this for yourself, click here!

As always, image ID will be in the alt text and the reblogs. :)

[opal-owl-flight]

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO SPLOON3 AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO NEO3!!!

(On the phone screen being shown to Neo3 is likely a leaked Grizzco document about how all the eggs had gone missing)

There is no way the platoon wont pull all the stops to make the day happy for their favorite salmon-raised shithead. Doesnt matter that they havent had proper sleep for the last 2 days.More deets below regarding the feat….

For years, things have been simmering below the surface of Grizzco. Upstarts in the ranks, dissatisfied workers, *vengeful* inkfish, salmonid sympathizers who infiltrated the system to find out how to help, much like the platoon.

Crack teams. Strike forces. secret unions.

There isnt a BIG number of them, and none of them really worked together like a well-oiled machine, but they all had the goal of tearing this damn corporation/mafia apart.

For a variety of reasons, really. For poor conditions or pay. For the deaths of their coworkers. To investigate the big runs in hopes of stopping more in the future. To steal the eggs and return them to sea.

The platoon pokes here and there, and does their own share of this backbreaking work. The second everyone got paid... these groups opened the floodgates. Theres a lot of em, grizzco cant get em all. (And the activities cant be tracked back to the platoon, unlike other times like the Cap4 saga.)

Nobody knew they were working alongside the legendary NSS.

----------

A pal of mine puts it best...

Imagine knowing your partner, sibling, best friend died and finding out it wasn't just them dying defending the places... they died cause some corporate fuck orchestrated the whole series of big runs.

And in the future, these groups catch wind of what the NSS knows. That the big runs were all Grizzco made. This drives most of the shills into a frenzy. Most of all the high-value volunteers who were only there for the grand run but was trapped by the corporation.

---------

Come a whole 24 hours after the grand run, Grizzco starts panicking.

because only 700 million eggs remained in their stores.

Thats what Neo3 gets for her birthday -- the fact that all the extra eggs were returned to the sea. It rejuvenates her to fight for the future, now that there IS a future to fight for.

More raids continued after, 3 putting her squarely in that leadership position for the NSS's strike force (now including 7 and the crew from the Cap4 arc!)

Eventually, only 500 mil remained. And then grizzco goes on lockdown and....well, lets just say they made some people disappear. None from the platoon's strike force, thankfully. Most were grizzco's own shills, up in the higher ranks. Blamed for the loss of the eggs *and* for not making the number back.

-----------

I wont say tgere werent any casualties on the upstarts, though. Some were caught and are in serious danger from the mafia, though none fell under the jurisdiction of the NSS. The fact is, the NSS wasnt aware of a lot of these cases due to how fractured all the upstarts are. (It allows the movement as a whole to not be immediately shut down after a few get caught, or something. So they say.)

(bonus pic without the caption!)

[protector-culture-is]

Protector culture is making us hide in a blankie nest with many plushies because it's thundering and raining outside, and we're still a little afraid of thunder, and it's cozy and safe in nest

~ 💾

.

[thegreenstripes]

Champions League - Game 4 (part I)

Sporting 4-1 Manchester City

Golos: Gyokeres (38', 49'P, 80'P) + Maxi Araujo (46') MOTM: Gyokeres

[corvidist]

One would require a state of profound denial to think this was anything manmade. 

A strange silence began to overtake the ship. The wind still howled and the grinding of the hull never ceased, but everyone outside simply stood, spectators to what they were yet to know. Xander finally pulled himself to his feet, mouth agape. 

The craft flickered back to teal, then just as suddenly as it appeared, vanished behind a distant landmass and an oncoming storm. 

---

They laid out their sliders, time draining quickly before being without a harness would be dangerous. Before they would begin their descent. The sliders were nicely made. The time went slower than they’d expected. The pair started to preen each other, Current trilling as Red adjusted a withering feather. A tender, desperate gesture as the final announcement was made. They were out of time.

---

At ten seconds Ann stood up. She wasn’t about to have a TV screen be the last thing she saw. She walked to the window as the timer approached zero, gazing at the Potomac. This was the life she had. If she was going to die now, ok. 

This art is utterly incredible and I cannot thank @shuttlecarrier enough for making it. The detail on the ship, the landscape, all of it is just beautiful.

somewhere in the arctic.. (comm for @corvidist)

[homebrewandhypotheticals]

Hypothetical for you all: You can make any piece of media inside of another piece of media (things like the Itchy and Scratchy show in The Simpsons, or Card Wars from Adventure Time) into a real thing! What piece of media do you choose, why, and how would you expand on it into something substantive enough to exist as its own thing?

Tl;Dr: If you could make any piece of in-universe media from fiction into its own, separate thing, what would you choose, why, and how would you expand on it?

[corvidist]

An unexpected conversation. Nothing will be the same.

[enfysandember]

A poster style mockup of all our faves!

[corvidist]

RED!!!! Hc this is them reexperiencing their time at the north pole on the winter solstice. LOOK AT THEM!!!

A sillay bird for @corvidist :3

[wutheringheightsfilm]

i think "allosexual" as a term should be retired. now

[foxenavian]

I've been doing crayon doodles lately since I've been far too busy to draw in my usual style. Though, it gives me a chance to do worldbuilding with little scenes like this.

Rare shot of Bento together with his family. All are unnamed except for the orange hen, Miso.

[opal-owl-flight]

I didnt expect to see Octavio in the Grandfest...and neither did 3, for that matter.

In my interp of the lore, Inkadia is aware of who he is. 3 and the platoon have been fighting for years with the Inkadian powers that be to recognize Octaria as a legitimate nation, for it to be held in equal regard.

That day finally came on the Grandfest. Or at least, the beginnings of it, anyway.

More on the two's convo below!

"Hm! |...Sir Octavio! Im...surprised to see you here.|"

"What. You think Octaria doesnt deserve to celebrate the biggest event in the continent alongside you squits?"

"|No! No! Im...|" they chuckle, a smile breaking across ther face. "|...glad to see that you made it!

But I dont remember arranging a pass for you...|"

"Aah. Well. Your old man pulled some strings. That, and the Inkadian and Splatlandian powers that be invited me themself."

Now 3s surprised. "|...Really?|"

"Mhm. I brought the dome-dwellers up here with me. Look around! Didnt you notice them in your matches?"

Are they dreaming?

They never noticed them at all. It wasnt even like there was much of a difference. For months there have been an increase of migrators and visitors. Allowed to turf. Allowed to stay. Allowed to...

Live in the sunshine.

They stagger, which made the Octarian king hold out a tentacle to steady them. "You alright, bucko?"

3 nods. "|A-a little overwhelmed, thats all.

All those patrols. All those deserters I helped to assimilate. All that struggle they had to go through to escape Octaria-

And now, its just...so...|"

"Easy?"

3 nods again, silently.

"Mmmm. I'll admit though, not everyone is keen on just letting people explore. Not everyone was keen on coming up here for this festival, either.

...too much, has happened for them to trust Inkadia again."

3 hangs their head low. He held their chin and made them look up again.

"...But you. You and your platoon of hooligans. Youve been changing that. You are Inkadians that went the extra mile in understanding us. Listening to us, respecting our decisions. Allowing us to rule our nation as we wished.

It means...a lot. More than you know.

To the point where even those who dont trust Inkadia are at least respecting it from a distance now."

The conversation is cut short by a couple of young Inkfish kids.

"Oaah...its the Octarian king!"

"Hes REAL!!!"

"Of course Im real, squirts! Who'dya think leads all the Octarians?"

"Yeah!!" squeaks another kid, who waddles closer. "Our king is so nice! He brought us up here to play!!"

"Woaah, really?"

"Mhm." He grunts. "Everyone deserves the sunshine."

The kids eyes all shine. Theyve had ex-Octarian friends who spoke much kinder words about the king. It was easy for them to accept the fact that hes just there, grinding wasabi peacefully. Talking to the Inkfish who wants merch. Having generally gruff but...daresay, gentle vibes.

Octavio grunts out a chuckle. "Are you enjoying the surface, little one?"

"VERY!! I made new friends!! The sun feels so warm, ah!! The music! The music!! Oh, so wonderful!!!"

3 smiles again...

"Oooh... wait, I can finally ask!!" squeaks one of the kids. "Mister king, sir! Did you really fight someone called Agent 3???"

3s smile becomes a nervous one. Octavio picks that up immediately.

"Why yes. Little hooligan, that one. Ack! Gave me a headache like nothing else!"

"Did they convince you? To be good now?"

"Mh. Its a little more complicated than that, kiddoes. But I..." he sighs. "...I guess, they did."

"Wooow!!"

"So cool...I wish I could meet them!!"

"Well..."

Octavio sees, from the corner of his eye, 3 making the subtlest movement of shaking their head.

"Its said...that theyre one of the top players in the leagues. If you look hard enough, youll find em."

The Octarian kid looks straight at 3, knowingly. The two other kids notice -- and look at the golden badge they hung around their neck.

"Oh! Oh! Youre a top player, right?"

"Do you think youve met them?"

Octavio is doing EVERYTHING he can to not laugh.

"|...Im not sure. Im not exactly sure what to look for.|"

"Ill help your search, all of you." Octavio grunts again. "What exactly to look for."

3 looks at him, eyebrow raised.

"Theyre ruthless on the field. Whether it be a real fight, or in the leagues. They think on their feet, move faster than most eyes can register.

But underneath that cold efficiency...

Is one of the gentlest, most understanding squids I know."

3s expression changed from nervous to...comfort? Theyre not sure what it is, but its warm.

"Watch for a player who goes out of their way to be nice to kids and beginners. One who's a good sport in the cutthroat top leagues. One who's willing to share their battle tech to anyone, something that most top players keep under wraps.

One who's motivated to help you become the best version of yourself.

No matter how long it takes."

Octavio sees 3s shoulders relax a bit. He smiles.

"Yeah, I may have fought them a lot, back in the day. But now, Id really rather think of them as a friend."

The kids start bickering about which player it could be. The Octarian kid already knew. Shes seen them before, after all. She points at them now.

"Hehee! Maybe you should try looking in a mirror, miss. That sounds a lot like you!"

The other kids stop bickering and take a closer look.

"Huh?? Them? Hmmm...now that you say it-"

"Shes right!!! Its right in front of us!! FOR3VRFRSH! Agent 3!!!"

Octavio grinds one of his wasabi sticks a little harsher on the table to get their attention. "Kids, kids! Remember what the legend says!"

That confirms it!! They shush each other, but are still sqealing quietly. They look up at 3 again, the new info putting the top player in a different light. They threw a glance at Octavio before squatting down to their level.

"Yes," they rasp. "Me and the king...were more friends now...than enemies. Time...passes. People...change.

Remember that, okay?"

"Yes miss! We'll remember!!"

They wink. "Good...now...Stay Forever Fresh!"

Octavio looks on, leaning slightly to whisper to the floating squid jerky next to him.

"You did good with this one, Cuttlefish."

He says nothing, like during this whole conversation. One thought was in his head.

He didnt do that. That...was all 3. They were better than he ever was. He only wished...

He didnt push them as hard as he did.

----------

HOO BOY THATS A DOOZY OF A READ. I didnt PLAN for the beginnings of the acceptance of Octaria to come this early but Nintendo gave me material!! A lot of this is still semi-rough so forgive me if the pacing is whack. I just had to make and write something!!

[corvidist]

Hey!

helloo

[celestialtrolls]

i am thinking about creator ceremiré today

[milkweedman]

Genuinely spending 2 hours a day just prepping the fiber, RIP

To be fair at least a third of that time is pushing the executive function button so I can start the next nest. They're unfortunately one of those activities that has enough steps that each one feels like it's own separate thing, so I have to Start Task each damn time. So there's a 5-10 minute cooldown between them.

Got 9 nests, I think (on top), middle is some fleece that's already had a lot of locks picked out so it's kind of jumbled, bottom is combing waste.