#Vill & Whiskers

[paradoxlivefr]

[FR] Live Opening Drama The Cat's Whiskers

Personnages: Naoakira Saimon, Yohei Kanbayashi, Ryu Natsume, Shiki Ando Notes: Comme d'habitude, écoutez >>l'audio original<< en parallèle pour un max d'immersion. /!\ Trigger Warnings /!\ Un peu de violence physique (merci Yohei) et tabagisme (merci encore une fois Yohei).

Naoakira: La pluie…

Larmes du ciel versées pour autrui.

Dansant sur ces pavés de roche.

Bientôt, laveront cette ville de tous ses reproches.

Yohei: [applaudit] Bravo, Professeur ! Et comme ça, tu pourrais pas aussi rameuter plus de clients ?

Shiki: Patron, j’ai le reçu de l’épicerie…

Naoakira: Ah, je te remercie. Yohei, je vois que tu as les mains libres, ça te dérangerait d’aider avec la comptabilité ?

Yohei: Ça marche. Viens par là, Ryu ! Aujourd’hui, je vais t’apprendre à faire des cocktails.

Ryu: Youpie, youpiee, youpieee !! Corps et âme au rapport ! Ryu-kun peut tout faire avec brio !

Alors, lequel j'vais apprendre à concocter ?

Yohei: C’est un cocktail appelé Strike.

Naoakira: Ouh là...

Yohei: Les ingrédients sont simples : du Whisky canadien, du vermouth, et puis ça… ça, ça et aussi ça. Voilà, c’est tout.

Ryu: Okay, compris ! Ryu-kun le barman charismatique s’en charge !

[Bruits de Ryu qui prépare la boisson]

Désolé pour l’attente, voici un verre pour le gentleman.

Yohei: [Il prend une gorgée et tousse]

C’est quoi cette putain de chose immonde !?

Shiki: Ah…

Yohei: Mon Dieu, prions pour que tu restes à jamais le seul outrancier ici.

Ryu: Hihihi~ Y a pas de quoi~

Yohei: Toujours aussi désinvolte toi.

Naoakira: Est-ce que ça va, Shiki ?

Shiki: Ah, oui… J’ai juste été un peu surpris, c’est tout.

Naoakira: Je vois. Eh bien, on dirait que nous ne recevrons plus d’autres clients ce soir, il est temps de fermer boutique.

Yohei: Ouais.

Ryu: Dans ce cas, je vais aller ranger le panneau !

Shiki: J-je vais passer la serpillière...

Naoakira: Nul besoin. Après que le panneau soit rangé, je veux que tout le monde se rassemble ici. Il y a quelque chose dont je voudrais vous parler.

Ryu: Eeeh !? Ryu-kun va enfin être promu au rang de manager~??

Yohei: Pas d'inquiétude, ça n’arrivera jamais.

Oi, Saimon. j’te préviens, même si tu ramasses un autre gosse ou un animal dans la rue, on a plus de place pour accueillir qui que ce soit.

Ryu: Ryu-kun et tous les autres sont des enfants ramassés dans la rue~

Shiki: O-oui, um… C’est comme je le pensais, je vous dérange, pas vrai… ?

Naoakira: Tu ne m’as jamais dérangé, au contraire.

De plus, est-ce que le désir de sauver un être vivant tant une mauvaise chose ?

Yohei: La seule personne que tu veux vraiment sauver c’est… rah laisse tomber. À part ça, de quoi est-ce que tu voulais nous parler au juste ?

Naoakira: En fait, ceci nous est adressé.

Shiki: C’est… une lettre ?

Naoakira: Une invitation pour The Cat’s Whiskers. C’est écrit : “je vous convie à participer au Paradox Live, l’évènement qui déterminera qui sera la prochaine légende du hip-hop”.

Ryu: Ça à l’air méga fun !! Où c’est, où c’est ??

Naoakira: Du côté de la baie, au Club Paradox.

Yohei: Comment… ? Mais y a dix ans, cette salle de concert a été…

Naoakira: Oui, c’est bien ça.

Yohei: Bizarre, surtout que Buraikan ont disparu eux aussi.

Naoakira: Qu’est-ce qu’il y a, Shiki ? On dirait que tu souhaites demander quelque chose.

Shiki: Ah, oui… Paradox… ? Brian [1]…? Je me demandais juste ce que c’était…

Yohei: C’est pas Brian, mais Buraikan.

Ryu: Hahaha ! Qui c’est ça, un footeux en Erasmus !?

Hello Brian, my name is Ryu-kun! [2]

Naoakira: Haha, je vois. Cette confusion est compréhensible, cette histoire date d'il y a longtemps. Shiki était encore petit à cette époque, après tout.

Yohei: Buraikan est une équipe MC assez extravagante qui a existé par le passé. [3]

MC Yasha et MC Shura… c’étaient de vrais monstres.

Shiki: Leurs noms de scène font peur…

Naoakira: À l’origine, ces deux-là formaient un duo underground très populaire.

Grâce aux Concerts Fantômes, ils ont été reconnus à l’international en un claquement de doigt.

Yohei: [Il ouvre son briquet pour allumer une cigarette]

Bah, avant même d’avoir percé grâce aux Concerts Fantômes, les gens laissaient courir des rumeurs sur leur arrivée même si c’était que pour un simple cypher [4]. Et à chaque fois, ils rassemblaient un nombre exorbitant de péquenauds.

Shiki: Um…

Naoakira: Qu’y a-t-il ?

Shiki: … Par le passé, les gens appréciaient écouter et faire de la musique en solitaire, non ? Alors pourquoi les cyphers existent-ils ?

Yohei: Parce que faire du hip-hop et des freestyles en impro totale seul, c’est impossible.

Naoakira: C’est pourquoi des cyphers sont tenus dans chaque banlieue. Évidemment, comparé à aujourd’hui, ils étaient bien mieux gardés secrets à l’époque.

Se rassembler juste pour profiter d’un peu de musique ensemble… le reste de la société nous prenait pour des fous à lier.

Ryu: Oooh ? Le boss et les autres faisaient partis des fous à lier ??

Naoakira: Yohei et moi-même faisions du hip-hop bien avant que celui-ci ne soit largement démocratisé, vois-tu.

Shiki: Dans ce cas, le patron et les autres ont dû voir Buraikan pour de vrai… ?

Naoakira: Oui, avec Yohei… nous ne les avons vus qu'une seule fois.

Yohei: Ce jour-là a été une vraie claque. C’était le genre de performance qui reste gravé dans ton esprit à tout jamais.

Naoakira: Effectivement.

Indéniablement, leur existence est la raison pour laquelle le hip-hop a subi une telle expansion.

C’est pourquoi tout le monde a cru que Buraikan veilleraient à l'ascension des nouveaux, mais…

Shiki: Qu’est-ce qui s’est passé ensuite ?

Yohei: En l’espace d’une nuit, ils ont complètement disparu par magie… comme dans un conte de fée.

Shiki: Incroyable… Pourquoi une disparition aussi soudaine… ?

Naoakira: On dit que leur duo s’est dissout, mais personne ne connaît la vérité. Seul Dieu sait la vraie réponse.

Ryu: Dommage, ces deux-là semblaient prometteurs…

Yohei: Tch, tu parles comme si tu savais quoi que ce soit.

Ryu: Héhéhéhé !

Yohei: Arrête de rigoler comme un débile, espèce d’incapable !

Ryu: Incapable… Incapable… ? Ça sonne adorable, ��a !!

Yo yo, représentant des Incapables, Ryu-kun est dans la place ! Se pliant aux instincts, à l’aide de côtes de porc cont’ vous y sera taquin, checkera !

Naoakira: Haha. Vous savez, les fantômétals que nous utilisons sur scène…

… On raconte que les toutes premières personnes ayant réussi à créer une illusion de leur émotions et réalisant ainsi le tout premier Concert Fantôme, n'était autre que Buraikan.

Yohei: Ouais. Il y a un pont super long construit hors-limites de la baie, c'est bien ça ?

Et par-delà ce pont, à l'origine il y avait une énorme salle de concert.

C'était la bahut de Buraikan… Club Paradox.

Shiki: Cet endroit renferme un passé vraiment sombre, hein… Naoakira: Oui, mais revenons à nos moutons.

Cette invitation… Qu’est-ce que tu en penses, Yohei ?

Yohei: Je l’ai déjà dit avant, mais ça m’a tout l’air d’une arnaque.

C’est invraisemblable pour Paradox de réapparaître comme ça par magie.

Ça doit sûrement être l'œuvre de fanatiks. [5]

Ryu: Mais ce Club Paradox est bien revenu, tu sais ?

Naoakira: Ryu, comment peux-tu en être aussi certain ?

Ryu: C’est mon ami Pigeon-san qui m’la dit.

Il a dit : “cui, cui, piou, piou !”

Yohei: Oi, Saimon. Je crois bien qu’il a vraiment fini par péter les plombs.

Naoakira: Haha. Shiki, tu pourrais t’informer sur le sujet ?

Shiki: Ah, oui. Um… [Il parcourt son téléphone] Ah, il y a un nouveau tag dans les tendances !

On dirait bien que les gens postent rapidement des photos du même endroit sur les réseaux.

Um, c’est…

Yohei: Sérieux… ? Encore cette île… ?!

C’est pas croyable… !

Naoakira: Intéressant… !

Quel genre de mécanisme peut bien se cacher derrière un tel endroit ?

J’ai bien envie d’aller le voir de mes propres yeux.

Yohei: Pourquoi fais-tu autant une fixette sur cet événement ?

Si le pourquoi du comment du retour de Paradox est le seul truc qui te préoccupe, pas b’soin de faire l'effort de participer.

Naoakira: Je souhaite essayer à nouveau… avec toi, ainsi qu'avec ces enfants.

Pour que l’on devienne le top du hip-hop ensemble.

Yohei: Ah… cette gloire qui nous a échappé du bout des doigts autrefois…

* * *

[Flashback]

Yohei: Saimon, c’est un truc de fou !

Naoakira: Quoi donc ?

Yohei: On a reçu une invitation d’outre-mer !

Tu vois cette fête en Amérique où Buraikan ont participé peu avant de se dissoudre ?

Ils disent qu’ils veulent qu’on fasse un Concert Fantôme chez eux !

Naoakira: …

Yohei: Saimon… ?

Oi, c’est quoi l’problème ? Tu trouves pas que c’est l’opportunité d’une vie !?

Si on accepte de jouer là-bas, notre nom parcourra la terre entière !

Si on y arrive, même Tsubaki-san va… !

Naoakira: Je suis désolé. Le moi actuel ne peux pas accepter une telle offre.

Yohei: Ah ? Qu’est-ce que tu m’chantes ?

Va pas m’dire que le hip-hop te lasse, quand même !

Naoakira: Non, ça n’arrivera jamais !

Je pense sincèrement que participer serait une bonne chose.

Mais… Je suis désolé. Pardonne-moi, Yohei…

[Fin du flashback]

* * *

Yohei: C’est le genre de chose difficile à refuser…

Naoakira: J’en conviens que c’est un souhait égoïste, mais… j’ai envie de pouvoir rêver à nouveau.

Yohei: Et ? Qui d’autre est invité ?

Naoakira: Chaque groupe possède des spécificités bien à eux, mais ils sont tous encore en pleine ascension.

Il y a le trio qui fait fureur parmi les jeunes : BAE, le gang à l'esthétique militaire : Akan Yatsura, et enfin, le duo qui s’introduit dans toutes les compétitions ayant pour récompense des gains monétaires : cozmez.

[Shiki lâche un cri de surprise et du verre se brise]

Ryu: Ah~ J’lai cassé ! C’est pas bon ça, pas bon du tout~!

Hm ? Shiki ?

Shiki: [hyperventile] Ah…

Yohei: Oi… qu’est-ce qui te prend d’un coup ?

Naoakira: Shiki ?? Yohei, je m’en occupe. Yohei: Compris. Ryu, va chercher la pelle et la balayette.

Ryu: Oui, oui, m’sieur~ [bruits de pas] Shiki: Ah… ah…

Naoakira: Shiki.

Shiki: Patron, je… je…

Naoakira: Tout va bien, Shiki, parce que je suis juste là à tes côtés.

Shiki: Ah… mais…

Naoakira: Pauvre petit, tu es devenu si pâle…

Allez, prends une profonde inspiration. Inspire, expire. Est-ce que ça va mieux ?

Shiki: Oui, um… Je suis désolé d’avoir interrompu votre discussion…

Naoakira: Ne t’en fais pas pour ça.

Yohei: [Il pose un verre sur le comptoir] Tiens, de l’eau. Bois.

Shiki: Ah… merci beaucoup.

Yohei: Hé, Saimon, ça me dérange pas que tu souhaites essayer de devenir la crème du hip-hop à nouveau, mais…

En vrai, tu crois pas que cette compétition serait trop dure à supporter pour ce gosse ?

Naoakira: Hm…

Ryu: [Ryu nettoie les morceaux de verre brisé] Ryu-kun pense que Paradox Live à l’air intéressant, mais Shiki ne va pas venir ?

Shiki: C’est impossible pour quelqu’un aussi souillé que moi…

Ryu: Quoi, Shiki est sale ?!

Ah, ça veut dire que t’as pas pris de bain ?! Sniff, sniff…

Yohei: Arrête ça, espèce d’idiot !

Ryu: Aïe, aïe, ça fait mal !

Shiki: De plus, si je participe à ce concert… [sanglote]

Yohei: Allez, c’est pas comme si c’était la première fois que tu participais à un événement de cette ampleur !

Alors, c’est quoi le problème ?

Saimon, tu crois pas que ce serait plus judicieux de participer sans lui ?

Naoakira: … Oui, mais l’aspect plaisantin de Ryu et l’extraordinaire sens du rythme de Shiki sont indispensables à notre musique.

D’autre part, Whiskers est composé de quatre membres, ni plus ni moins.

Si nous ne pouvons pas tous y aller ensemble, alors autant ne pas y aller du tout.

Shiki: N-non ! Ne faites pas ça !!

Ryu: Shiki ?

Shiki: Mes sentiments n’ont pas d’importance. Je veux être utile pour le Patron, je me dois d’être utile…

Yohei: [soupir] Bon, qu’est-ce qu’on fait maintenant ?

Naoakira: Je ne pense pas que tes sentiments n’ont pas d’importance. Je souhaite que tu prennes soin de toi, Shiki.

Et pour cette raison, je suis certain que cette compétition nous fera à tous le plus grand bien.

Yohei: Ce qui veut dire…

Naoakira: … Que nous, The Cat’s Whiskers, allons participer au tournoi.

Est-ce que ça te va, Shiki ?

Shiki: … Oui.

Naoakira: Je suis sincèrement désolé. Merci beaucoup, Shiki.

Shiki: Patron…

Ryu: Oui~ Ryu-kun a sommeille, il reste quinze minutes au compteur avant que Ryu-kun devienne Ryu-kun endormi… bip, bip, bip, bip…

Naoakira: Haha, c’est vrai. Je suis désolé de vous avoir gardé debout aussi tard, tout le monde.

Ryu et Shiki, vous pouvez déjà aller vous coucher. Je vais rester ici un peu plus longtemps avec Yohei pour nettoyer la boutique.

Shiki: D’accord… Dans ce cas, bonne nuit.

Ryu: Le mouton des rêves fait : “bêh, bêh, bêh”… [ronfle tout en marchant]

Shiki: Ryu-kun, attends un peu… c’est dangereux… ! Allez… réveille-toi…

[En fond] Hé, tu m’écoutes ?

Yohei: Saimon… tout ça là, c’est pas la seule raison pour laquelle tu souhaites participer, j’ai tort ?

Naokaira: Je vois, je ne t’arrive décidément pas à la cheville, Yohei.

En fait, il se trouve que la compagnie Alter Trigger essaie de racheter notre terrain.

Yohei: Hein ? Alter Trigger ?

Naoakira: Oui.

Yohei: Oi… c’est sérieux ?

… Ils se foutent de not' gueule !

Je donnerai jamais Seven-Four à personne !! Ce bar est à nous !!

Naoakira: Bien sûr, et je n’ai pas non plus l’intention de céder cet endroit si facilement.

Cependant, nous n’avons pas d’autres choix pour protéger notre boutique que d’émettre une meilleure offre qu’eux.

Yohei: [claque la langue et soupire] Et donc, ils proposent combien ?

Naoakira: En prenant en compte les coûts de maintenance, il sera difficile de rivaliser avec eux si nous n'amassons pas au moins les dix milliards de yen.

Yohei: On dirait un nombre qu'un morveux a sorti au pif !

Où pourrait-on trouver autant d'argent ?

Me dis pas que…

Naoakira: Si, c'est exactement ce que tu penses.

Yohei: Alors c'est ça ton plan. Fait chier !

Naoakira: Bien entendu, il reste aussi le problème concernant Ryu et Shiki. C'est pourquoi nous devons remporter le tournoi coûte que coûte.

Yohei: [allume une autre cigarette] Bah, si tu regardes la situation sous un autre angle, la solution semble plutôt simple.

Tous nos problèmes s'envoleront si nous devenons le top du top, pas vrai ?

Naoakira: Haha. Eh bien, je suppose que oui, vu comme ça...

Yohei: Dans ce cas, allons-y, Saimon. Comme le toi et moi d'autrefois.

Naoakira: Oui. De plus, nous avons aussi Ryu et Shiki à nos côtés désormais.

Yohei: [il remplit deux verres] À la tienne, Saimon.

Naoakira: Quoi, tu comptes à nouveau boire ?

Yohei: J'vois pas comment j'pourrais digérer ce que tu viens de me dire sinon.

Naoakira: Tu marques un point.

Je suis désolé de toujours t'apporter des tracas, Yohei.

Yohei: Je partage le sentiment.

Nous sauverons cette boutique à coup sûr.

Naoakira: J'y compte bien. À la tienne.

* * *

[Bruit de store en métal qui se ferme]

Yohei: [écrit tout en lisant] "Pour cause de participation à un événement spécial, le bar Seven-Four fermera temporairement aujourd'hui."

Voilà, ça ira comme ça.

Ryu: Oh ? Shiki, t'as d’nouveau la bougeotte !

Shiki: J-je vais bien ! Je suis toujours comme ça, après tout…

Yohei: Ouais mais je pense pas que ce soit normal pour autant.

Ryu: Tu sais Shiki, y a pas besoin d'être aussi nerveux comme ça !

Shiki: Ryu-kun…

Ryu: Après tout, c'est juste une compétition ! C'est pas comme si on allait à l'abattoir~!

Shiki: Ah… !

Yohei: … [il donne un coup de poing à Ryu]

Ryu: Aïeuh !! Le Maître m'a fait maleuh !!

Yohei: Arrête de parler pour rien dire, surtout si ça fait qu’empirer les choses !

Naoakira: Est-ce que ça va, Shiki ?

Shiki: ... Oui, je vais bien.

Naoakira: Vous ne l’avez peut-être pas encore tous réalisé, mais Shiki est la raison pour laquelle notre musique est ce qu'elle est aujourd'hui.

Si nous voulons gagner Paradox Live, nous devons être ensemble tous les quatre.

Shiki: Vous le pensez vraiment… ?

Naoakira: Oui, c'est la stricte vérité.

Ryu: Et Ryu-kun alors ? Hé, hé, et Ryu-kun ?!

Naoakira: Haha, bien sûr que Ryu est indispensable, et Yohei aussi.

Yohei: Arrête ça, ou mon allergie à la galanterie va encore faire des siennes.

Shiki: Haha…

Ryu: Ah, Shiki a rigolé !

Yohei: Bon, dans ce cas, c'est parti, Saimon !

Naoakira: Oui, montrons au monde ce qu'est la vraie musique…

Nous, The Cat’s Whiskers.

[1] Prononcé Bu-rai-an en japonais, jeu de mots 10/10 [2] Dit en anglais dans la version originale. “Bonjour Brian, mon nom est Ryu-kun !” [3] MC = Maître de Cérémonie. Désigne un ou des rappeur(s) de hip-hop. [4] Un cypher est : ”un espace qui donne l’opportunité à chaque artiste d’exposer son art et de montrer ce qu’iel sait faire. Les MCs freestylent tour à tour sur un même beat ce qui leur permet, traditionnellement, de se faire un nom et de commencer à se créer une fanbase. C’est donc une pratique collective, conviviale et artistique avant tout.” Tiré de Urbania FR. [5] “Fanatik” est le nom donné aux grands fans de hip-hop. Remerciements : Encore une fois, même si j'ai fait le plus gros du travail, je me suis aidé de la traduction anglaise réalisée par lechefrita_ (Twitter).

Pour écouter le morceau associé à ce CD, MASTER OF MUSIC, >>clique ici<<

[transparentgentlemenmarker]

☞Today in History. On today’s date 177 years ago, Tuesday, July 14, 1846, world–renowned Norwegian-American pogonotrophist-extraordinaire Hans Nilson “King Whiskers” Langseth (1846-1927) was born at the village of Eidsvoll in Akershus County, Norway.

☞Hans Langseth’s claim to fame is his beard, which was the longest ever recorded at 18 feet 6 inches when it was measured at the town of Barney, North Dakota in 1912 when he was 66 years of age.

☞In 1867, Hans Langseth emigrated to the United States. He spent much of his life as a farmer, but for a while he toured with a travelling freak show, exhibiting his beard to the public. He eventually tired of show business & left the freak show after numerous nonbelievers yanked his whiskers to see if they were real. Late in his life, Langseth made the decision to cut off his beard, but he only got part way through it & couldn’t finish the job.

☞Langseth met his earthly demise at the venerable age of 81 on November 10, 1927 when he died from the effects of unspecified natural causes at the town of Wyndemere, in Richland County, North Dakota. He was buried in Elk Creek Church Cemetery in Kensett, Iowa. When he died, his beard measured 17 feet, 5 inches. In 1967, Hans Langseth’s famous beard was donated to the Department of Anthropology at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC.

Il y a 177 ans, le mardi 14 juillet 1846, l'extraordinaire pogonotrophe norvégien-américain de renommée mondiale Hans Nilson "King Whiskers" Langseth (1846-1927) est né dans le village d'Eidsvoll à Akershus Comté, Norvège. Sa renommée est sa barbe, qui était la plus longue jamais enregistrée 5m60 lorsqu'elle a été mesurée dans la ville de Barney, Dakota du Nord en 1912, alors qu'il avait 66 ans. En 1867, Hans émigre aux États-Unis. Il a passé une grande partie de sa vie en tant que fermier, mais pendant un certain temps, il a tourné avec un spectacle itinérant de monstres, exposant sa barbe au public. Il a fini par se lasser et a quitté le freak show après que de nombreux non-croyants lui aient arraché les moustaches pour voir si elles étaient réelles. Vers la fin de sa vie, Langseth a pris la décision de se couper la barbe, mais il n'a fait qu'une partie du chemin et n'a pas terminé. A sa disparition terrestre à l'âge vénérable de 81 ans le 10 novembre 1927 des suites de causes naturelles non précisées dans la ville de Wyndemere, dans le comté de Richland, dans le Dakota du Nord. Il a été enterré au cimetière de l'église Elk Creek à Kensett, Iowa. À sa mort, sa barbe mesurait 5m30. En 1967, la célèbre barbe de Hans Langseth a été donnée au département d'anthropologie de la Smithsonian Institution à Washington, DC 16 juillet 2023

[velataluna]

𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐮𝐦, 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝟏

​Author's note: This is a Pet Shop AU which draws inspiration from the fanmade game Demonic Ville created by ShieldPlatinum.

The original characters belong to Capcom, I merely borrow and reimagine them for purely literary enjoyment.

To ouvragesdepenny, whose presence and ideas serves as underlying motivation to write and finish this fiction.

☾◌ू࿐ ⸻

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒆𝒕 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒑 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒖𝒄𝒌𝒆𝒅 𝒃𝒆𝒕𝒘𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒂 𝒓𝒐𝒘 𝒐𝒇 𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔. 𝗔𝘁𝘆𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 exuded from its façade that Vergie found himself peered through the bay window. Spotted within were sundry cages and a silver-haired man wearing a red apron tending them.

Being one who is conscious of his free time, normally Vergie would simply straighten himself and continue to his destination. But as it happened the sight of those endearing creatures of various breed and clad in colorful fur felt too much to resist.

It would be such a great loss to not at least pet one of their soft-looking fur before going home.

His mind set up, Vergie made his way to the door. The visitor bell rang as he swung it open and entered, then the silver-haired man he spotted earlier immediately turn to regard him.

“Welcome,” the man greeted him with an air of readiness and professionalism of someone who had made the same greetings many times that day prior to Vergie's arrival. “Please feel free to look around, we have many species to accommodate every trait you might look in an animal companion.”

“Thank you,” Vergie replied and did as encouraged, turning to inspect the cages to his left, adjacent to the window.

There were some breeds of dog, one of them is a white Russian shepherd with its white fur almost covering its eyes completely. It barked in greeting to him, to which Vergie responded by leaning down and petting its head several times then scratched its jaw. The creature repaid his gesture of affection with its own, licking Vergie's slender digits. 

𝘞𝘦𝘭𝘭, 𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘯'𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘣𝘰𝘺?~

“He certainly is.” Vergil tilted his head over his shoulder as the silver-haired male spoke up, as though reading his mind. “A very loyal creature too dogs are, especially this breed it seems to have taken a liking to you.”

The dog barked several times as though saying, "I am, I am, I am!"

“Ah, I'm afraid my apartment would be too cramped for him,” Vergie informed with a tone of genuine regret.

He moved on to the next set of cages, housing a group of felines with various whiskers and colors, but Vergie did not regard them more than a look, for cats to him, always felt too relatable. He felt keeping a cat around would feel like keeping himself in such a manner.

“Do you know that unlike dogs, cats are known to be the prideful creatures?“ The silver-haired male spoke again, suddenly coming next to Vergie. But his eyes were trained at the cat as he continued. “If dogs are mindful of your emotional state, cats would demand a degree of sensitivity from their master and expect you to behave in accordance with their feelings.”

“A moody creature, is what you imply.”

“Oh, very. Though I personally find that quality about them adorable. Cats can be difficult at times but they reward you best once you get to their good sides.”

It was then Vergie took note that the male wore a pair of glasses that glinted with something that he couldn't quite make of when the male spoke about reward.

“You favor cats, I presume?”

“I do. They remind me of a pet I had.” The man looked up and met Vergie's eyes as he said thus. Beneath his spectacles, his countenance spread into something gentle.

“Might I inquire as to what became of it?” Vergie couldn't hold himself back from asking, taken by the man's seemingly fond expression as he recalled his pet.

“He's gone. But that's fine, because I know he will come back someday. All lost pets will.”

The gentleness exuding from the man's demeanor evaporated all of a sudden, like a curtain being pushed then pulled back. In its wake was a fathomless enigma that set all the hair on his body erect as Vergie felt those bespectacled eyes homing in, a flash of crimson within and the whole atmosphere seemingly darkened, a horned shadow behind the man.

As sudden as this whole impression evoked, it receded. Vergie blinked as the light and pleasant atmosphere returned as though it had never been replaced and the silver-haired man himself appeared stoic once more.

𝘞𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘢 𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘬 𝘰𝘧 𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵...?

He looked askance at the man in an attempt to assure himself that the man did not suddenly grow a demonic horn. Upon a proper look, the man seemed to be quite young though not too much, perhaps in his late twenties. His silver hair hung just above the collar of a dark purple shirt and beneath it were black jeans. It was upon his breast covered apron that Vergie found what he hoped to find, a name tag. Though instead of a name a simple word of 𝐎𝐖𝐍𝐄𝐑 is printed upon it in red.

How odd, Vergil couldn't but mull over. Why put upon a job title instead of a name? It's almost as if he didn't want to be addressed with his name, or mayhaps he wants to keep it a secret?

⸻ 𝑒𝑡 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑒 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑠 𝟸

[ink-and-dagger]

Whiskers cameo in a future dwm chapter? 🐈

Silco blocks out the incessant thump of the tuneless rubbish that blasts through the club, intent only on getting upstairs to where his bourbon and humidor awaits, along with the promise of relative peace and quiet.

He peers briefly over the balcony as he rounds it, as is becoming his habit. You’re bobbing your head along to the music as you pull a pint, completely lost in your own little world. The corner of his mouth twitches of its own accord, but he quickly intercepts.

Silco takes the first few steps up his stairwell before his brain fully registers what he’s just seen.

He pauses, before slowly backing down the stairs and casting his gaze over Vill.

The man is as expressionless as always. Still as a statue, hands folded at his front, staring dead ahead, guarding his post studiously.

The picture of hulking intimidation.

Were it not for the tiny cream and peaches head poking out from his shirt pocket. A kitten, too young to have been suitably weened from its mother. Fuzzed chin resting on the hem of the fabric, and pink nose in the air; fast asleep despite the noise of the club.

Silco raises an eyebrow, gaze flicking up to his henchman.

Vill doesn’t pull his attention away from the middle distance.

“Found her abandoned on the street, Sir. Too little to leave alone.”

Always succinct when he does bother to speak.

Silco considers the picture before him a few seconds longer, before allowing it with a small Hm.

“Don’t let Jinx see it,” is his only request, before he leaves the man alone with his pet.

[click here if you have no clue what I’m on about]

[ink-and-dagger]

STOP this is adorable 😭⭐️🥳

I love seeing the whole gang together. Thank you so much dearest darling. Big family portrait 🥹❤️❤️❤️

A late birthday drawing (*_*)

Yes they are eating the strawberry cake I couldn't enjoy...oh well

#ink and dagger

[twsted-princess]

"Unhand her you beast!!! Unless you want to lose a finger!!!"

(Artwork cropped and done by @briarrosescurse and @chibichibisha)

Bio

Name: Louise

Nicknames: Sir Louise of Genovia, (Himself) Louis, (Melanie) Lu-Lu, (Mori) Minnow, (Floyd) Snack, (Leona) Monsieur Souris de Ville/ Mr. City Mouse, (Rook) Gerbil, (Omari) Sir Squeak-a-Lot, (Kirsten @rookvonhunt) Little Knight (Ellen @multydoodles) Honey Badger (Basil @squidwen) Mr. Whiskers (Tomoyuuki @just-an-otakus-blog)

Voice Actor: Misaki Kuno

Age: Unknown

Height: 2" (tail length is 3" so in total he's 5")

Homeland: Earth, The Kingdom of Genovia

Birthday: Not quite sure but he knows that it's around spring time

Starsign: Aries or Taurus

Gender: Male (He/Him)

Family: Melanie (Closest friend)

Occupation: Student, Bodyguard of Melanie

Based off: Jaq and Gus

Professional Status

Dorm: Ramshackle Dorm

School Year: First

Class: 1-A

Best Subject: Alchemy (Good at collecting ingredients)

Club: Newspaper

Dominant Hand: Right

Favorite Food: Swiss cheese fondue with all the fixings

Hated Food: Capers

Likes: Being Mel's friend, Historical knights, Jousting, Epic fairy tales, Cheese in any form, Anyone who's nice to Melanie

Dislikes: Men, (mainly those who show romantic interest in Melanie) Bullies, Not being taken seriously, Very fast speeds

Hobbies: Swordfighting, Assisting Melanie

Talents: Having defeated "a massive serpent" (fought a garden snake that bit Melanie when she was little)

Unique Magic: Has none

Backstory

The loyal "appointed knight" of Melanie and her best friend. He acts like a classical knight, protecting women and fighting great beasts for the sake of the greater good.....but everyone else sees a tiny mouse who thinks he can fight a fully grown human. He might talk a big talk but he'll make an attempt at any challenge no matter how risky. The most important thing is his highness's safety and happiness. They've been close friends since she was a little girl, the only one who could understand him. Quite literally as she's the only person who could talk to him back on Earth. If it's one thing about him is that he's faithful to his companions. To him Melanie deserves all the safety and happiness in the world and if you treat her well then consider yourself his new friend.

[19thsentry-blog]

In The Shadows

Miraculous Ladybug Fanfiction (Lukanette Endgame)

Chapters

Prelude | Chp 1 | Chp 2 | Chp 3 | Chp 4 | Chp 5 | Chp 6 | Chp 7 | Chp 8 | Chp 9 | Chp 10 | Chp 11 | Chp 12 | Chp 13 | Chp 14 | Chp 15 | Chp 16 | Chp 17 | Chp 18 | Chp 19 | Epilogue | Worlds Not Our Own | Timeline

Chapter Eleven: Crosses to Bear (AO3 Link)  

Chapter Snapshot

It wasn't exactly a surprise that Marinette had loved someone before she met him. It would've been stranger if a girl like her hadn't, so it hadn't been a shock to see the person she had feelings for. Admittedly, Luka wasn't particularly excited about it all, but he'd asked for it, hadn't he? When he spoke to her at the record store, when he asked for her autograph, when he saw her in that alleyway, when their eyes met across traffic--and a million other times, small and large and something in between. He'd come to Paris officially out of responsibility and a promise, but he stayed for her, for the pleasure and the pain of being part of the world.

Wes leered with a knowing grin on his face, flipping his drumsticks in the air and catching them, head lolling to the beat. His arms and body moved with an easy, yet aggressive flow over the drums. "Thaaat’s my boy! Now we're talkin' earthly pleasures," One strong arm brought a drum stick down to bear on the crash cymbal for emphasis. He paused, amber eyes jubilant. "Gonna shag 'er?"

Luka shook an imaginary Wes out of his head, dashing down the stairs to his apartment and unlocking the door. Mullo and Sass flew from his hood like bottle rockets.

"So many people and noises and things," Mullo squeaked, flying circles around Luka's head as he hightailed it to the bathroom. He had to retrieve the Guardian's Precepts from its undignified hiding place. "It was so fun! Will we do it again sometime?"

"I'm sure we will," Luka said, not quite paying attention as his nails struggled with duct tape.

"It wassss enjoyable. Marinette issss quite sweet."

Luka reflexively smiled, his heart light just at the sound of her name. "Yeah, she is. But we've got stuff to do tonight." He shucked the tape-covered bag off the Guardian's Precepts. "And I'm already late."

"That's what happens when you snog," Mullo tittered, high-pitched laughter making her whiskers twitch. Apparently, he wasn't the only one Wes had left his mark on. He wasn't sure if it was for better or worse, but it made him feel slightly less crazy.

"Are you going to tell Ladybug about Wang Fu?" Sass asked. They'd surmised that was who must have been Marinette's master, although there was always room for doubt. Luka kind of hoped they were wrong.

"I think I'll have to. If I want to trust her by giving her this," he held up the book before shoving it in the waistband of his jeans, "She should at least know everything we do. Damn, we're really late…" Luka closed the door quietly so it didn't wake his landlord upstairs and then found a place to transform a block away. Hôtel de Ville was 20 minutes away from work, and before he'd made plans with Marinette it had seemed like a convenient meet-up point. He'd have to make up a lot of time. Viperion jumped from roof to roof, powerful legs pushing him faster and faster towards the municipal building.

Normally Luka was pretty good about shoving thoughts aside to focus on the task ahead, but Marinette was stuck in his head (Like It's a Small World, she'd said, flushing pink and nervously rambling). He hadn't lied to her, though. If he was just a temporary diversion from someone else or a more permanent fixture in her life, it didn't matter. He'd be happy for whatever time he was allowed with her. She hadn't told him that she was in love with the boy--Adrien--but she didn't have to. Her body spoke for her; she thrummed with tension when he'd arrived. That wasn't the only thing that happened tonight that he had to think about, either.

He'd felt it; that electric wire that hummed through him when he felt eyes on him, the warning that something was coming. Luka turned from his chair, missing whatever Jagged had said--trying to locate the source of the feeling. Their eyes met from across the small slip of water that separated the barge from the land, those sharp green depths that gleamed like raven's eyes. Félix: the boy he'd saved, the boy with the hundreds of steel shutters around his heart but who still couldn't protect himself from the knife's edge he stood on--not that Luka knew exactly what turmoil was roiling in his body. He could just sense it, someone close to falling into darker, more desperate depths (because hadn't he stood there as well, when the knife was in his hands and Sangpo was helpless and needed him and there was only one action his brain could think of?).

Félix had no way to knew who he was as he was now, but he headed for him anyway with a single-minded determination, as if he were the only one on that boat that really existed at all. Juleka had caught his line of sight and watched as Félix boarded, and then the air on the boat seemed to grow stale all at once--eyes watched Félix like he was a rabid dog, something to be avoided, to be feared, to curl one's lip at in disgust. Félix ignored it all, pace not pausing or slipping in the thickness of the tension. He paused in front of their semi-circle, he turned to Juleka on Luka's right and wished her a happy birthday, to which she nodded stiffly at. And then those eyes were on him, carefully indifferent, but Luka knew those shutters expertly held back any level of explosive emotion. He could feel it, even if there was no indication of it in his body language.

"I don't believe I've seen you before," Félix started. "I know most of my cousin's friends. I must say, it's such a tight-knit group I'm always surprised when someone new joins."

A cousin? He was related to one of Marinette's friends, then, but who? He didn't have a chance to ask; Marinette burst through the crowd with a folding chair raised slightly over her chest. "I brought extra chairs!" Her body thrummed panic; it reverberated through her tiny frame as she quickly set up the chair between Luka and Juleka and spun around to sit in it. Marinette's smile was like an ice storm when she looked at Félix. No one had expected him, clearly, Marinette said so with a fake cheer to her tone, the only one willing to say much at all at the intruder. They exchanged reserved blows; a clash of wills displayed before him.

He mentioned another boy; Luka couldn't recall that name among the ones he'd heard, but admittedly he couldn't recall them all. A second golden-haired boy appeared, a carbon copy of Félix but softer, he wore his emotions on his sleeve rather than shutting them away. When his jade eyes met his there was confusion, but unlike Félix hostility didn't roll off his body. Luka realized the boy was waiting for Marinette to introduce them, but she seemed frozen, not able to say anything. She rested a hand on his shoulder, and that's when the boy's energy started to shift.

That's when he realized.

It wasn't exactly a surprise that Marinette had loved someone before she met him. It would've been stranger if a girl like her hadn't, so it hadn't been a shock to see the person she had feelings for. Admittedly, Luka wasn't particularly excited about it all, but he'd asked for it, hadn't he? When he spoke to her at the record store, when he asked for her autograph, when he saw her in that alleyway, when their eyes met across traffic--and a million other times, small and large and something in between. He'd come to Paris officially out of responsibility and a promise, but he stayed for her, for the pleasure and the pain of being part of the world.

A splash of red sparked against the night in his peripheral, and a strong sense of relief flew through him when he realized it was Ladybug, apparently just as late as he was. Viperion closed the gap, the two of them exchanging sheepish grins as they jumped through the air and up to the roof of Paris's capitol building. They stood on one of the lower rooves, still several floors above the ground but not quite reaching the heights of the mighty bell tower.

"I'd apologize for being late, but it looks like we both have bad timing," he said with a breathless little laugh, settling to sit on the roof with his back against the decorative wrought iron fence that closed them in.

"I got a little held up," Ladybug agreed. She sat across from him. Her blue eyes no longer stared daggers at him; a nice change of pace from the last few times they'd met. He liked them better this way--the lightness in them seemed to sparkle with reflected moonlight.

"So, do you have it?" he asked. Their purpose tonight was going over ways to repair Mullo's Miraculous, and when he'd told her about the book that should have the cure, she had told him she knew about it. Viperion had assumed at the time that meant she had the Spellbook, but from the nervous tick of her fingers, he might have been too hasty.

Ladybug sighed, and her hand wound around her back to pull out a tablet. "The book is…it's kind of a long story. Master Fu told me that it was lost with the other Miraculouses."

Viperion's shoulders sagged. "I guess I should have expected that. You said last time we met that he didn't tell you a lot."

"We never had a lot of time," she jumped in, defensive of her old Master.

"Right," he nodded. "Did he...tell you how the Miraculous were lost?" She opened her mouth to answer but shook her head instead of saying anything. Viperion swallowed. Ladybug seemed highly loyal. She probably wouldn't like what he had to say, but she deserved to know. "Sangpo told me about it when he told me about the bracelet." When he'd been given his "grand and glorious" mission, as Wes had put it. Ladybug leaned closer, arms winding around her knees, eyes alight with careful curiosity.

"Sangpo didn't know exactly what happened, only what he experienced at the time," he warned, "So he admitted it could be biased information. Guardians are--were trained from a young age. They were sought out, and their parents would bring their children to the temple to live, away from their homes. It wasn't just Guardians they sought out, either. They looked for Holders too, and they'd train them at the Order's temple in Tibet. Sangpo was trained to be a Holder from a young age, and he was the Snake Holder for a long time, like I told you before. That night…that night they were undergoing a test for a new potential Guardian. He was just a kid--uh," Viperion paused, caught up in the intensity of Ladybug’s eyes and the curiosity that had grown in them. "Wang Fu, was his name."

Ladybug uncurled, one hand lying flat on the roof. "That's him! Master Fu."

Viperion bit the side of his cheek and kept going. "The trial was a hard one. He had to guard the Miracle Box for 24 hours without food or water."

Sangpo's kind eyes watched him, but there was something else in them tonight, Luka couldn't be sure what. Luka was hungry--starved, but he'd been hungry before and knew with certainty he would be again. There was nothing for it. You could suck on a rock and your body would produce saliva, enough to make it feel like you were drinking, and sometimes that was enough to fool yourself that you were filling your stomach. But there was none of that tonight. Just himself, the hunger, and the bracelet. That, and Sangpo from the doorway where he occasionally appeared.

There was no distraction from hunger. It gnawed him from the inside out, his brain and nerves focusing only on it and it alone. It was survival instincts, he thought, the brain and body trying to remind you that it HAD to live, that it NEEDED something to live. But just because you needed something didn't mean you would get it. Luka knew that most of all.

He'd not gone this long without something, though. On the streets or in the country, he could chew dandelion stems or tree bark. Once or twice even a bug--he'd heard people did that normally, in some places. His brain kept thinking of all the times he'd ever eaten. Every meal he'd had at home in Scotland, with his mother and baby sister and aunt, goat's milk and bread and potatoes, soups and oats, berries and beets and honey and eggs. He thought of the beans and toast he and Sangpo had eaten so many hours ago.

He would eat again, and he'd live--or he wouldn't, and he would see his mother and sister again. Luka laid down on the ground, curled around the bracelet, one hand cupping it protectively. This pain was temporary. For now, that was enough.

"If he'd never been that hungry before--hell, even if he had, it…it's not easy. He was alone, probably scared and upset. It was clear that he didn't really want to be a Guardian, from what Sangpo told me, but they never expected…" Luka sighed. "Sangpo was meditating in the courtyard. That's when he heard the screams--and that's where Sass found him. Obviously, Sangpo hadn't expected him, he was supposed to be in the Miracle Box but there he was, holding the bracelet. Sass told him that Fu had summoned an amok to find him something to eat, but that it went wrong."

Ladybug was frozen on the spot, mouth slightly hung open as she tried to predict the end of his story--she was hung on every word.

"The problem was, he was starved, distressed, upset. He couldn't have known what he was doing. The amok he summoned; with his intentions and mind in disarray, it became bent on devouring the Miraculouses. But it consumed everything. Not just food, but furniture, the very stone of the building itself, the people--" Ladybug gasp quietly, more a sharp intake of breath than anything. "Sass had saved Sangpo, but the only thing that can purify an Amok after something like that was the Ladybug Miraculous. Since that was the box Wang Fu had been watching that night, he assumed…well, he thought it was gone already. Eaten. That thing was hellbent on the Miraculouses. He didn't tell me about the fight itself--it was…it was hard for him to talk about. In the end, the only thing he could do was lure it deeper into the earth."

Viperion ran a thumb over the bracelet. "I saw it, once. The place the temple used to stand. I'd hoped that there was a clue Sangpo had missed, some kind of indication that the other Miraculous Boxes had survived. Nothing," he swallowed. "Nothing survived. Not even the ground. Just a pit that led all the way to hell itself." He could see every year Sangpo had lived with the burden of being the only one left alive written on the lines of his face--his world had been torn apart. Sangpo would tell him bedtime stories some nights when they couldn't sleep of the different Kwamis, he'd draw them in the dirt, deep-set eyes crinkled with joy when he would remember. And then it would rush in again, that pain of loss. And when Luka had stared down that deep dark pit, he felt that pain down to his bones. With Sangpo gone, this pain was his to bear now. Their stories his to remember.

"I had no idea," she murmured softly, retreating back inside herself, arms around her legs. "He never told me."

He couldn’t blame Fu for that. It had to be painful, living with it on his shoulders for so long. He couldn’t imagine what it would be like to feel responsible for the catastrophe in the first place. "I'm guessing when that…happened, that's when the book was lost. But without it, we're missing huge chunks of information."

Ladybug bit her lip. She reached for the tablet again. "About that…I mean, even with the pages, it's written in some weird language. Not even Fu could read all of it."

Viperion shook his head. "I'm not surprised--he still hadn't finished his training. But I know how. I can translate it."

How many days had he lived in that one night? The stars only moved when he felt himself start to nod off, his eyelids begging themselves to close. In the tiny square of dirt outside their home (or shack, might be a more apt word, its wooden walls looking ready to collapse at any moment under its sheet metal roof) Sangpo sat, back rigid, palms resting on his knees. Luka recited the letters again, tongue heavy. Each reset, he would repeat their most recent phrase and Sangpo would either nod and draw new characters in the dirt or would bid him say them again, and again, and again.

His brain began to swim. He barely knew his English letters, and this seemed far harder. Not that he would know the difference. When he was finally granted leave to de-transform and go to sleep, he dreamed only in sounds and color, the foreign tongue lashing him relentlessly. The next night, Sangpo added pictures. "Your brothers--sisters," he said, drawing human shapes clothed in hoods or robes. "The first, he learned swiftness. You will too." Sangpo drew a character next to it, "Myur tshad".

Luka repeated after him.

Sangpo pointed to the drawn person next to the first. "Your sister. She learned--" he paused, trying to work the English word on his tongue. "How the earth, how people, shiver."

Luka frowned, young mind trying to translate. "Like an earthquake?" Sangpo's tongue clicked. That wasn't quite it. He thought for another moment. "I don't know either. Like when you feel something moving, though?"

This was acceptable for the moment. Sangpo drew more characters in the dirt. "'Dar ba," he said.

Luka looked up at him, "What will I learn from you?"

Sangpo's lips lifted into a smile (Luka loved Sangpo's smile most of all because it was the most genuine, the thing that made this feel like home, that made him feel like he belonged). "How to change skin. Sgyur ba."

Ladybug tucked the tablet to her chest. "How do you know all these things? I thought…I thought you were like me." Her eyes conveyed what she couldn't say, I thought you were lost, like me.

He gave her a sad smile. "I am. When Sangpo died, he hadn't taught me everything he knew. Just enough for me to keep going on my own, to piece it all together. But even when he was alive, the only thing that limited our time was me," Viperion said, lifting his wrist to let the bracelet gleam in the moonlight. "However long I could reset, over and over, that's what we had. It's never enough to feel ready, though." He said this softly, remembering the long years he'd lived afterward; never quite feeling alive, even when he'd learned how to live longer than anyone else.

They were both quiet for a while before Ladybug spoke. "The Spellbook is…we have pictures of it. Here." She tapped at the tablet screen and it glowed under her touch, and she handed it to him.

Viperion scanned the first page, detailing the Absolute Miraculous Power, the recreation of the universe. He flipped through the tablet, eyes moving quickly over the descriptions of heroes, and what new powers they learned. He stopped at Shé (Sangpo's voice rang in his mind again; your brothers, sisters, he was the first). His eyes drank in the familiar characters, those that he had first learned in the dirt behind their home. Viperion frowned, realizing the longer he looked at the picture something was off, and the question that had been budding in his mind since the start sprung to mind.

"Ladybug…how did you get these pictures? You said it was a long story, but I'm curious. These pictures are pretty high quality…how long has the Spellbook really been missing?"

Guilt seemed to roil off her in waves, she twisted her fingers together. "Well…I mean, it was. For a long time. A really long time. But then I…found it. But I couldn't keep it, so Master Fu and I took pictures of it."

He frowned. "What do you mean you couldn't keep it?"

"The person who had it kind of noticed it was missing--but it's fine, I know where it is--"

"Wait, wait, does this person know about the Miraculous? Are they one of us?" There had to be some reason she would let it out of her sight, even if he wasn't seeing it right now.

"No, he has no idea about any of it, but that's why it's safe! No one would look for it there," Ladybug said. The pent-up energy was too much for her to bear, she stood up and began pacing in circles.

He stood, too. "You have no idea the lengths people will go to, Ladybug. If they learn how to decode that book…"

"I think Hawk Moth reminds me well enough about the lengths people go to, thanks," she crossed her arms. "I couldn't even learn how to decode it, and neither could Master Fu. I'm sure it's fine." Her blue eyes grew dangerous again, daring him to question her.

Viperion's lips drew in a thin line, and he held the tablet up. "You mean, that's what you thought before tonight?” Because he was here, someone who could read it.

Her features warped slightly, realizing he'd trapped her in the argument. "Well, you're, I mean, you're different. You knew one of them."

"I wouldn't have thought that anyone but Sangpo made it out of that hell hole alive, either, but I was wrong. I never expected a Guardian to be alive, even when someone else brought up the possibility, and that was my mistake. But there's a reason why the Order never left Tibet, and there's a reason they tried to erase all history of prior heroes. This information is dangerous--assuming no one else will ever figure it out is…it's optimistic."

Ladybug breathed out angrily, turning her back on him and gripping the wrought iron fence that bordered the roof of the capitol building. "Why can't you just trust me that the person who has it wouldn't misuse it?"

He sighed. "It's not me not trusting you. I wasn't here when you and Master Fu decided to give it back, I can't imagine what the scenario was. But put yourself in my shoes. Would you blindly trust who I gave it to without looking into them for yourself?"

He heard more than saw her hands grip the iron harder, back muscles tense before she relaxed, turning around to face him again. "If I tell you…just remember this person is…I mean there's no way you'd trace my identity back just from knowing him, okay?"

Viperion stared at her for a moment; he still didn't fully understand her hang-up about secret identities. Granted, he'd lived most of his life trying to ensure that no one found out he had the Snake Miraculous, and when he was transformed, he was careful no one knew who he really was. But they were both part of this secret, both just as equally responsible for the Kwamis, in his mind. She'd mentioned that she was afraid one of them could be akumatized, but even that had flawed logic. Surely one of the first things Fu would have taught her would be how to avoid that (although, he thought, maybe not after everything he had confirmed tonight). Ladybug must have taken his silence as "Okay" because she kept going.

"The person who has it is a famous designer that lives here in Paris," she spoke slowly as if the words were being dragged out of her. "His name is Gabriel Agreste."

It didn't sound familiar, but he wasn't exactly on the up and up in the fashion world. He might be able to ask Marinette about it later--she wanted to be a designer, so she would probably know. But this wasn't exactly something he wanted to put off. "Where does he live?"

Panic settled on her features. "Why? What are you planning?"

A lot of things, although he wasn't sure it was a good idea to tell her that. He didn't like hiding things from her, but he hadn't anticipated their relationship would be like this. Viperion wanted to trust her, but he wasn't sure he could trust the decisions Fu had helped her make. His promise to Sangpo was more important than anything else. "Nothing, but I feel like it's something I should know given the circumstances. Although if he's famous, I guess I can just look him up online or in a phone book." He wasn't a wizard with the internet, but he knew enough for someone as old as he was.

Ladybug huffed a sigh and gave him the address. "But I'm telling you, it's fine. He practically never leaves home, and there's no way he knows how to read it. That place is basically a fortress."

Viperion handed her back the tablet. "Thank you for telling me." She took it back, a small frown on her face. "The next time we meet I can work on finding which page details how to fix Mullo's Miraculous. But I probably should call it a night--still have to get up and pay rent, you know."

She nodded at him, holding the tablet to her chest--she looked so small, then. He wondered who she might really be, if she had people who cared about her enough, who supported her. They said goodnight and she watched him until he was out of view. When he no longer felt her watchful eye, he turned, heading in the direction of Gabriel Agreste. If his home really was a fortress, he'd have a hell of a time figuring out exactly how to break into it.

Tonight, the quiet in the Agreste home was welcome. If Gabriel had known that Félix would be alone in the mansion tonight, he never would have left for that "Secret Society" show the old folks loved to put on. The man never left the house, and yet standing around in some famous person's basement with a mask on was what got him off? No matter how long he lived, Félix doubted he would ever understand Gabriel Agreste--or, for that matter, what Emilie had seen in him. His mother was in full agreement on that one (not that she had much room to criticize in that department, her picking Christoph might be even more of a mystery).

Félix tested the monocle, checking that it was working as intended by examining the stampede of fingerprints on the doorknob of the guest suite. It still seemed to work, all these years later—it had done an excellent job in guiding him to his father’s secrets two years ago. Whomever Wadham had commissioned it from certainly knew their stuff. This foray was a deviation from his original plans, but perhaps in the end it was for the best. He wasn't one to back down from a challenge, but he also wasn't interested in making stupid mistakes, and avoiding Luka was starting to look like a necessity. If anyone could undo what he was attempting to do, it would be that man. His eyes saw too much.

Félix tucked the monocle back in his pocket and left the guest suite; even if he had the house to himself, he shouldn't assume that would remain the case for as long as he needed. The chances that Gabriel had left the Peacock Miraculous out of his sight were slim, but it was worth investigating. His shoes glided silently across the smooth marble floors as he slipped into the atelier, closing the door behind him. Félix put the monocle on, scanning the room for prints or anything suspicious. Men like Christoph and Gabriel tended to keep their deepest secrets close to their chest, and as often as Gabriel spent his time here, surely his secrets would be somewhere in this room.

Félix took a long look at each naively youthful picture of Adrien that hung on the wall, then checked each dress mannequin for anything hidden beneath or behind, finding nothing. That only left the most predictable place. He’d hoped his uncle’s self-preservation skills would be sharper than that and had given him the benefit of the doubt, but there on the rim of Emilie’s Gustav Klimt portrait were several clumps of fingerprints.

He punched in a few variations of the code, the monocle guiding him to the most used numbers. The safe popped open with a soft click, and God, there, the bane and savior of his existence--the Peacock Miraculous. Ashamed as he was to admit it, his fingers were shaking when he pulled it out and held it in his hands. His heart thudding quickly in his chest, he slipped the Miraculous into his breast pocket and then turned his attention back to the rest of the contents; a picture of Emilie, an airline ticket, a thick book—

Félix stiffened suddenly. Someone else was coming. He turned slowly, finding that the door was already open, a dark shape sliding inside just as he had minutes before. It turned to him and it really felt as if time had slowed to a crawl.

"Félix," Luka breathed, and at the sound something exploded in his chest, the blast radiating through every limb. Félix would never admit it, but there was another reason to avoid Luka besides the way his eyes reached inside his heart, besides how he could feel and see things and tempt the untemptable out. His throat tightened for a moment, in his mind he wrapped any errant thoughts in a great box and chained it closed, slamming both hands atop the lid to hold back the monster.

Félix straightened, then put a hand on his hip, his mask as smooth as always. "Well, I hadn't expected company tonight. Yours least of all."

The bastard had the gall to soften, a chuckle escaping his lips. "That makes two of us. What are you doing here?" Luka walked towards him, the sleek black of his scales shined ever so slightly from the faint light coming through the two windows.

"This is my uncle's house. When we have business in France, we stay here." Luka seemed to freeze for a moment, and Félix watched him draw the connections, quick tabulations taking place over his face. "As clandestine as my actions may appear, I have a reason to be here. But I'm curious what yours might be." There was no point in hiding the open safe and the subterfuge he'd been undergoing. Still, he turned off the monocle and tucked it in his pants pocket so he could regard Luka clearly.

They were testing each other, and they both knew it. Luka drew several steps closer. "Apparently your uncle is hiding something important, and I'm trying to find out where."

Félix raised a brow. "Another paid job?"

Another soft laugh. "No. This is personal."

His lips curled into a smirk, parroting back what Luka had said moments ago. "I suppose that makes two of us, then." Félix stepped to the side, leaving the safe in full view--he had what he needed. Whatever Luka wanted in the safe, it couldn't possibly be more precious than what he'd already taken. Luka's brows drew together in confusion but resolve quickly took over and he closed the remaining gap, his hands immediately drawn to the thick, red leather-bound book in the safe. He flipped through it briefly before blue eyes lifted to regard him, cloying and curious, searching, digging.

"Why?" In the end, that was the only question Luka could ask.

Why? Why indeed. Félix was about to chide him about asking such non-specific questions, but Luka suddenly turned from him, a grimace on his face. His hand quickly reached for his bracelet. A nervous tick? No, surely nothing that simple.

"When was your uncle supposed to be back home?" Luka asked quickly, and alarm spread through Félix’s body. He grit his teeth. It wasn't supposed to be this way. He should have already made off with the Miraculous, but here he'd been, making light chatter with Luka like he had all the time in the world. This was why he was to be avoided--

Luka didn't wait for an answer, his mouth set into a grim determination that fit his face so well. He twisted the bracelet on his wrist, and with a hiss and a flash of dull, dark teal, his outfit changed design in an instant. Gone was the sharp jacket and close-fitting scale decorated pants, replaced by a jet black, robed shirt, cinched at the waist and wrists with dark teal wraps and similarly styled bottoms. Thick boots were changed to sleek, flat black shoes. The dark eye mask that framed his blue eyes was simplified, no longer sporting the sharp white fang design that curved along his cheekbones, and a black mask covered his handsome nose and mouth.

Luka quickly tucked the book in a side satchel that was slug around his waist (Félix could see, briefly, that the lyre was hidden there as well). Had he not watched the transformation take place, he probably wouldn't have thought it was Luka at all; even his cerulean eyes had changed colors to a flat jade green--none of the same emotion swam in those depths.

Félix had assumed that the lyre's ability to incapacitate those that heard it was the Snake Miraculouses power, or perhaps it was the gift of intuition, the ability to see through others like they were reading a book (Of course, then he had heard Luka's playing from across the river this morning; the way that he knew it was him, how he felt his heart lurch in his chest, how Luka would look at him like he knew every emotion and thought that ran through his head--all of it disproved those theories). Could this transformation be the Snake Miraculous's true power?

Luka slapped the safe closed behind the painting just as the door to the atelier inched open. Félix felt Luka move behind him, strong hands coming around to grip his shoulders. Luka's mouth dipped to his ear, whispering, "Play along, I'll figure this out." Félix's mind quickly ran through his options. Now that he had the Peacock Miraculous, Gabriel was much less of a threat, but he was still someone he needed to interact with on the regular. Not that he and Gabriel had the best of relationships, but if he and Adrien were to ever be the same as they were--

Félix shut his mind down with a snarl at his inner thoughts. By far the best defense in this case would be a pretend lack of control, so just as Gabriel's shoe came into view through the doorway and Luka wrapped an arm around his throat and the other pinned his arms behind him, Félix simply let it happen. Beyond anything else, he was burning with curiosity to know just how far Luka could get without his help.

Gabriel came into full view, back steeled tall, eyebrows knit furiously together, mouth twisted down in that signature frown that he really ought to have trademarked by now. If he was afraid, he didn't show it.

Luka tightened his grip slightly, moving them further to the corner (the exact opposite direction of the door, Félix noted irritably). "Interrupted, just as things were getting interesting. Boss won't be happy about that," Luka's voice was tense, but light with a false tone of cheeriness--not him at all, some false masquerade to match the play he was enacting.

Gabriel took a full step into the room, closing the door behind him as if he was alone, not facing an intruder and his most hated nephew. He leveled them with the fullest extent of his icy gaze, fury simmering beneath the surface. "I must warn you; the police are already on their way. Whatever you expected to find here, you will not be walking away with it. I doubt you'll be walking away at all."

"You'd be surprised what I'm capable of. I wouldn't come closer. Even if you don't like the kid, wouldn't look good to have a dead body on your hands, would it? All kinds of nasty attention come with that." Luka pulled him another step backward, towards the window that flanked Emilie's portrait. Was jumping out the window really his plan?

"Who sent you?" Gabriel asked, his voice clipped and strained. "What are you after?"

"Aw, you gotta know better than that," Luka's false voice chided playfully. Félix felt Luka's hand gently, slowly letting go of his arms behind his back, but he stayed put. "Cronies like me don't ever get the whole story--" just as Luka's last word fell, Félix was pulled against Luka's chest with all the impact of a high-speed car crash, glass shattering around their feet and the explosive sound ringing in his head. He closed his eyes as a reflex against the shards of glass and his feet were pulled from the ground, Luka’s arms wrapped around him in a twisted embrace. A shard of glass ripped through the sleeve of his shirt as he was pulled back through the window, out into the cold air of the night. If he ever wondered how it felt to fly through the air like he'd seen Luka do the first night he saved his life, he never would have to guess again. The wind whipped through his hair; his stomach glued to his spine at the intense lurching sensation. When they finally faltered to stop several moments later Félix sagged against Luka's body reflexively, trying to find his own bearings.

"Sorry about that," Luka gasped, he leaned against the wall of the alley he had dropped them in. "That was the best plan out of the bunch."

Félix could feel the steady heartbeat from Luka's chest, he counted the beats, 1, 2, 3, 4, before pushing out of Luka's protective embrace and stumbling the 3 feet across the alley to drop his weight against the neighboring wall. The cut on his arm began to pulsate slightly, reminding him he'd been sliced open, that the precious blood that dripped was supposed to be inside him, not out (At least it was blood, real, red, warm, being pumped through his body rather than something jet black. The blood he bled was that of a man, not a monster).

"Does it hurt?" Luka asked. His voice and clothes were back to normal, and those ocean blue depths sparked with concern.

"Fine," Félix snapped, hating the way the word lashed out on his tongue, the vulnerability of the word. He took a breath, working calm into his voice, working back in the detachment, the cold. "It's just a scratch. Nothing for you to worry about." Especially not you. "I'm curious why you didn't just leave me up there," Félix said, eyes scanning the alleyway, judging their distance from the Agreste mansion by how close the Eiffel Tower loomed in the distance. Half a kilometer away, at least.

"I'm sorry about that, too. I still have some questions for you."

Félix raised his brows at him, face the picture of incredulity.

Luka rubbed his neck. "You're not obligated to answer any of them, but it would make it easier."

"And if I don't?" Félix wondered what Luka's version of the non-easy route would be.

He laughed again, that same soft chuckle, the one he was growing far too accustomed to hearing. "Nothing? I don't know, I can't make you do anything you don't want to. That's just the kind of guy you are."

Luka didn't even bother denying there might be something he would do if Félix were someone else. Interesting, that. What was the best move here?

Félix let out an undignified snort. "I don't trust my uncle. He doesn't trust me. I felt like there was something he was hiding, and I wanted to know what."

They watched each other silently, a chess match out of words and wits. "And you found it?" Luka asked. "What he was hiding?"

"Yes. And evidently, so did you," he said, eyes dropping to the satchel slung around Luka's waist. While the rest of the outfit had returned to normal, that had stayed the same. A wail of sirens blared past them, headed towards the Agreste Mansion. The two of them ignored it. Luka's mouth was pressed in a thin line. One gloved hand reached for the inner pocket of his black scaled jacket, pulling out the Peacock Miraculous Félix had stolen.

When had he taken it? When they were falling? Before? Félix couldn't help the involuntary tilt towards it, but he paused and clenched his fingers into fists instead. "Well, you have much more in common with a crook than I thought," he said.

"And here I am, thinking the same of you. How expensive are your shoes? 600 dollars’ worth?" he quipped, a callback to their first conversation. Luka tossed the Miraculous back to him with a lazy underhanded throw. Félix caught it, but he couldn't quite mask the surprise on his face. "It's fake. Your uncle's smarter than you thought."

Fake? How could he tell? Félix flipped the jewel around several times, looking for any indication it was fabricated, but he found none. "How do you know?" he asked, voice dripped in suspicion.

"I can sense it. Give it a shot. You know the words?" Luka asked, now crossing his arms and leaning back up against the alley wall.

Félix straightened. Would knowing the words be too much of a tell? Would it matter? With Luka, he doubted it. If he was asking, he likely already sensed that he did know them. This round went to Luka; he never would have given it back if it was fake.

Félix threw it back, having no use for pretty baubles. "Well. There's one evening wasted," he said drily, watching Luka catch it and roll it over his knuckles, between his fingertips, easy as breathing.

"Why did you want it in the first place?" Luka stashed the fake in his bag.

"Because the last person that should have it is a man like my uncle." And that, that was the truth.

"As opposed to you…?"

"I've no interest in using it to terrorize Paris. It used to belong to my aunt, you know. It should be with my mother, if anything, not Gabriel."

Flinty eyes stared into his. "So, you've known Gabriel Agreste was Hawk Moth this whole time and you decided not to tell anyone? Why? You really want others to suffer that badly?" Luka's voice was cold--now that was more like it. Félix could handle cold.

Félix put his hands in his pockets, casually crossing one ankle over the other. "I'm not Mother Theresa. I take care of the people I care about, and that's all. My cousin is innocent to a painful degree. How would he feel to know his father was the one holding Paris under siege? And what would happen to Gabriel if he were caught? A long, publicly drawn-out trial where the Agreste and Graham de Vanily's names are dragged through the mud? Family matters should be dealt with by the family."

"And is that why I haven't heard anything about the other uncle that tried to kill you?"

Félix rolled his eyes. Now there was a topic that put him in a sour mood. "That would be the reason you haven't heard of it, although we've yet to find where the rat is hiding. But yes, it will be dealt with privately, between him and our lawyers."

"Doesn't sound like your family life is very warm and fuzzy."

Félix's smile twisted. "We all have our crosses to bear. Now, are you finished with your cross-examination? Am I allowed to ask why you wanted that book so badly?"

Luka's smile was guarded, and he shrugged. "I just like the pictures."  

Bastard. The book had to hold some significance for him to go through all the trouble to get it. He'd investigate that later--that and the plane ticket. He hadn't thought either was of any importance, but if the book was important then the old plane ticket might be related. "How charming of you," Félix pushed off the wall. "Well. I ought to be getting back."

"Would they believe you escaped by yourself?" Luka asked.

"It wouldn't be out of character if that's what you're asking." He smiled icily. "I'm feisty."

"I'm sure," he said with a chuckle. "Félix?"

Félix turned to leave but stopped when Luka called his name. He didn't bother looking back, didn't like the stutter in his heart when Luka said his name. The monster shook the chained box dangerously beneath his fingertips. "What?"  

"You don't have to bear your crosses alone."

Félix barked a laugh, but it caught in his throat, strangling him. He left (ran) without another word, and took off back to the Agreste mansion, going from one personal hell to another. He had nightmares, later, of Luka chaining him down with uncompromising strength, a steely but warm hand trapping his arms behind him, his other arm wrapped around his throat. That soft voice holding him down, whispering nothing but kind words in his ears, lips drawing down to his cheek, neck--

Luka would have to pay for that, and soon.

[100yearoldcomics]

July 23, 1922 The Katzenjammer Kids by Harold Knerr

TOP PANEL [ID: The Kids are set adrift on an ice flow in some Arctic ocean. Fritz lights a campfire and warms his hands while Hans holds the reins of a polar bear he's managed to leash with a rope. The bear paddles to panel right. /end] Hans: Atta boy, Alexander! Ve soon get to Africa vare der climate iss more varmer!

MAIN COMIC [ID: The crew of Long John Silver's ship and the Katzenjammers look over the side of the ship into the waters. A lone polar bear floats by on an ice floe. John's sailors are lowered down in a lifeboat with a harpoon. /end] Captain: Chimminy! Dot boy vould make a dod-gasted fine rug for der parlor! Long John: The boys are gonna grab him! Fritz: Iss it a bolar bear? Hans: It looks more like a mockingboid!

[ID: The sailors hogtie the polar bear and bring it up on deck, where it lies dripping wet and furious. The rest of the crew admires the captive beast as the Kids walk off together, laughing and planning something. /end] Captain: Dot's vot I call dum-goozled good bizness! To-night, it gifs plum duff for eferyvun! Sailor: He wuz a tough customer! Long John: Tie him up below an' we'll skin him tomorrow! Bear: Gr-r-r-r!

[ID: Mama sits in her room below deck, happily sewing a patch into a handkerchief. The Kids sneak off behind her, dragging a polar bear skin rug behind them. /end] Mama: Iss you studying your jomography like I said it? Hans: Ve chust came in to get der book! Fritz: Ve vant to see if der South Polar iss vest or east uf der North Poler!

[ID: The polar bear seems to escape from below deck, scaring the wits out of Long John and the sailor currently manning the wheel. Look closely, though, and we can see the legs of the Kids underneath the bear's belly. /end] Bear: Gr-r-r-rump! Sailor: Jumpin' gee-whilikens! Long John: Holy mackerel!

[ID: The Kids reveal themselves under the bearskin rug. Long John laughs heartily while his crewmate perches warily atop the wheel. /end] Fritz: It's only us! Hans: Chust try it vunce on Der Captain und vatch him get a fit! Sailor: Well, I'll be jig-swiggled! Long John: Haw! Haw! Haw! That's a good 'un an' ye can lay to that!

[ID: The Kids help the steering sailor into the bearskin rug as Long John gleefully walks off. /end] Hans: Don't forget to say "Gr-r-r," ven he comes! Fritz: You should say it mit a Spinish accent! Sailor: It'll be a good 'un on old whiskers! Long John: I'll get the old boy on deck!

[ID: Long John leads Der Captain and der Inspector up on deck, where they're horrified to see what they think is a polar bear steering the ship. The Kids giggle as they run off in the background. /end] Bear: Gr-r-r-r-oo-oof! Captain: Hellup! Fetch quick der gun, Chon! Long John: Hee! Hee! Har!

[ID: The sailor, laughing, reveals himself. Der Captain and der Inspector give him the stink eye while John stifles giggles. /end] Sailor: Har! Har! Har! Just a little kiddin', Cap! Captain: Say! Did I maybe bring a ding-goozled, empty noodle joke-maker on der cruise? Stop it, or it gifs a punch in der jaw! Long John: The ol' boy's sore!

[ID: The Kids lean in through portholes in the side of the room where the real polar bear is tied up. Fritz chats with the growling bear as Hans cuts his leash with a knife. /end] Hans: Alexander, der vorld iss yours! Fritz: Tomorrow, maybe you vill be a rug! But to-day, if you iss smart, you iss better as a pair uf kinks! Bear: Gr-r-r-r-r!

[ID: John, der Inspector and der Captain sit around a card table, smoking cigars and playing cards. They turn around and glare at the polar bear as it stalks into the game room. /end] Long John: Cut that out an' get back on deck! Inspector: Iss ve playing Pinochle or chust hafing a conwention? Captain: Dod-rot my binnacles! Am I der Captain uf dis dum-foozled ship or ain'd it? Bear: Gr-r-r-r!

[ID: Der Captain takes the ashtray where his still-smoking cigar sits and hits the bear over the head with it. /end] Inspector: Cut ouid der conwersation und play cards! Captain: Vunce for all und all for vunce, cut ouid der monkey bizness und stay on der gum-svoggled deck!

[ID: Der Captain, badly bruised with some fresh growing lumps atop his head and his clothes torn to shreds, perches atop the mast of the ship, angrily glaring at the deck below. Seabirds sail through the sky on either side of him as the sun sets. /end] Sailor #1: All right, Cap! We got 'im! Sailor #2: You kin come down! He's tied up! Captain: Und NOW it gifs a moider!

[super-famicom-star-inactive]

Friday Special #9

January 30th, 2021

So I was digging through my bag of DS and GBA titles, and noted that one of them was a Game Boy Advance VIDEO cartridge that contained the first two episodes of Sonic X. Popped it into my DS to relive some nostalgia and it occurred to me that there isn’t anything like this anymore besides those PSP UMD VIDEO disks that had whole movies on them. 

So where did they come from and how did they come to be?

For this week’s Friday Special, we’re gonna find out. 

For a little backstory, the Game Boy Advance handheld console was released back in 2001 and it was marketed as the successor of the Game Boy Color. With its resolution of 240 x 160 pixels (which was a lot at the time), 15-bit RGB Color Support (it was capable of producing 512 colors in character mode and 32,768 simultaneous colors in bitmap mode), and Dual 8-bit DAC for stereo sound, it was a fascinating machine and a work of technical art. It was super successful world-wide and garnered millions in sales. 

So what exactly were the Game Boy Advance Video titles?

The Game Boy Advance Video cartridges were a special class of cartridges where based on the amount of memory, it featured one to four episodes of popular shows of the time like those from Cartoon Network and Nicktoons. 

Here is the complete list of games:

GBA Video Movie Pak vol. 1

Shrek

GBA Video Movie Pak vol. 2

Shrek 2

GBA Video Movie Pak vol. 3

Shark Tale

GBA Video Movie Pak 2-Movies-In-1!

Shrek

Shark Tale

GBA Video Movie Pak 2-Movies-In-1! Vol. 2

Shrek

Shrek 2

The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron vol. 1

"Brobot"

"The Big Pinch"

"Granny Baby"

"Time is Money"

All Grown Up! vol. 1

"Susie Sings the Blues"

"Coup de Ville"

Cartoon Network Collection vol. 1

Ed, Edd 'n Eddy: "Stop, Look and Ed"

Courage the Cowardly Dog: "Magic Tree of Nowhere"

Johnny Bravo: "The Perfect Gift"

The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy: "Crawling Niceness"

Cartoon Network Collection vol. 2

Codename: Kids Next Door: "Operation T.U.R.N.I.P."

Courage the Cowardly Dog: "Courage the Fly"

Johnny Bravo: "Balloon Platoon"

The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy: "Mandy the Merciless"

Cartoon Network Collection Limited Edition

Ed, Edd 'n Eddy: "Key to My Ed"

Courage the Cowardly Dog: "The Queen of the Black Puddle"

Codename: Kids Next Door: "Operation M.I.N.I.G.O.L.F."

Dexter's Laboratory: "Big Sister"

Cartoon Network Collection Platinum Edition

Codename: Kids Next Door: "Operation T.O.M.M.Y."

The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy: "A Grim Surprise"

Courage the Cowardly Dog: "Cowboy Courage"

Ed, Edd 'n Eddy: "The Luck of the Ed"

Cartoon Network Collection Premium Edition

Dexter's Laboratory: "Double Trouble"

Courage the Cowardly Dog: "The Shadow of Courage"

Johnny Bravo: "Cookie Crisis"

Ed, Edd 'n Eddy: "A Glass of Warm Ed"

Cartoon Network Collection Special Edition

Ed, Edd 'n Eddy: "Oath to an Ed"

Johnny Bravo: "Beach Blanket Bravo"

The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy: "Billy and the Bully"

Dexter's Laboratory: "Dexter's Rival"

Codename: Kids Next Door vol. 1

"Operation R.E.P.O.R.T."

"Operation N.O.-P.O.W.U.H."

"Operation B.R.I.E.F."

"Operation D.O.G.F.I.G.H.T."

Disney Channel Collection vol. 1

Lilo & Stitch: "Slushy"

Kim Possible: "Ron the Man"

Disney Channel Collection vol. 2

Lilo & Stitch: "Poxy"

Kim Possible: "Rufus in Show"

Brandy & Mr. Whiskers: "To The Moon Mr. Whiskers"

Dora the Explorer vol. 1

"3 Little Piggies"

"The Big River"

Dragon Ball GT vol. 1

"A Grand Problem"

"Pan's Gambit"

The Fairly OddParents vol. 1

"Foul Balled"

"The Boy Who Would Be Queen"

"The Information Stupor Highway"

The Fairly OddParents vol. 2

"Father Time"

"Apartnership"

"Ruled Out"

"That's Life"

Nicktoons Collection vol. 1

SpongeBob SquarePants: "Pizza Delivery"

The Fairly OddParents: "The Big Problem"

All Grown Up!: "Chuckie's In Love"

Nicktoons Collection vol. 2

SpongeBob SquarePants: "Nature Pants"

SpongeBob SquarePants: "Opposite Day"

Rocket Power: "The Big Air Dare"

The Fairly OddParents: "Odd Ball"

Nicktoons Collection vol. 3

SpongeBob SquarePants: "Squeaky Boots"

The Fairly OddParents: "Tim Visible"

Danny Phantom: "Attack of the Killer Garage Sale"

Pokémon vol. 1

"For Ho Oh The Bells Toll"

"A Hot Water Battle"

Pokémon vol. 2

"Playing with Fire"

"Johto Photo Finish"

Pokémon vol. 3

"Pokémon, I Choose You!"

"Here Comes the Squirtle Squad"

Pokémon vol. 4

"Beach Blank-Out Blastoise"

"Go West Young Meowth"

The Proud Family vol. 1

"Twins to Teens"

"Tween Town"

Sonic X vol. 1

"Chaos Control Freaks"

"Sonic to the Rescue"

SpongeBob SquarePants vol. 1

"Bubblestand"

"Ripped Pants"

"Jellyfishing"

"Plankton"

SpongeBob SquarePants vol. 2

"Mermaidman & Barnacleboy"

"Pickles"

"Hall Monitor"

"Jellyfish Jam"

SpongeBob SquarePants vol. 3

"Walking Small"

"Texas"

"Hooky"

"Mermaidman & Barnacleboy II"

Strawberry Shortcake vol. 1

"Meet Strawberry Shortcake"

"Spring for Strawberry Shortcake"

Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go! vol. 1

"Depths of Fear"

"Planetoid Q"

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles vol. 1

"Things Change"

"A Better Mousetrap"

Yu-Gi-Oh! vol. 1

"Friends Until the End Part 3"

"Friends Until the End Part 4"

Although the first of the GamePaks (the other name that they went by) started to appear in 2004, the original name was GBA-TV a year earlier. The first cartridges to be released in May of 2004 were when Majesco was able to acquire rights for 4Kids properties such as Sonic X and Yu-Gi-Oh! for the earliest released titles. Later in June, select shows from Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, Nick Jr., and Funimation were added to the line-up when Majesco acquired the rights. The Disney Channel soon was added as well late in November of that year, creating even more cartridges for the roster. That next November in 2005 was the time for when Majesco was able to acquire the rights for Shrek, Shrek 2, and Shark Tale from Dreamworks, where for the first time, the Game Boy Advance Video series would now feature full-length movies, which was a marvel at the time due to the Game Boy Advance’s limited memory. 

In total, 36 cartridges were made in the entire line-up with more slated for released but were cancelled for various reasons, whether they be because of low sales of previous cartridges or copyright issues.

Here is the complete list of cancelled games:

Drake & Josh vol. 1

"Pilot"

"Dune Buggy"

Even Stevens vol. 1

"Swap.com"

"Stevens Genes"

Kirby: Right Back at Ya!

Ugly Betty vol. 1

"Pilot

"The Box and the Bunny

Sonic X vol. 2

"Missile Wrist Rampage"

"Chaos Emerald Chaos"

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles vol. 2

Yu-Gi-Oh! vol. 2

Speaking of copyright, there is a reason that the GamePaks were only viewable on Game Boy Advance systems as well as the first two DS systems but not the GameCube's Game Boy Player accessory. It was because the owners asked Majesco to make it so that making the games incompatible with the GameCube’s GBA Player would protect their properties from getting ripped onto VHS tapes and DVDs, which was what the Player was capable of doing. It would not have mattered however, because the low quality would have shown on the TV, making the ripping process useless. 

The low quality of the cartridges were due to the heavy compression of files in order for them to fit on a GBA cartridge, causing noticeable artifacts on the screen, even more visibly on a later system like a DS console. The low quality was the biggest disadvantage for the Game Boy Video cartridges as they eventually became obsolete by the late 2000s/ early 2010s when the DSi was released with no backward capabilities.

Despite them being obsolete by today’s standards, they can still be found online on shopping sites like eBay and depending on the condition can go for a pretty penny. The rarest one in the entire roster is the cartridge for Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go! vol. 1 as only a limited number of copies were made and are now so rare that they can fetch almost $200 on eBay, where that is the only shopping site to even have them for listings. 

It should be mentioned that around the same time, Sony was releasing PSP UMD (Universal Media Disc) Video disks for their PSP systems that were capable of playing whole movies, but that’s an article for another time. 

Thoughts From the Head

As stated above, I actually do have one of the Game Boy Advance Video cartridges in the form of Sonic X Vol. 1 that I had bought years ago at a local video game store. It still works, and although you can definitely see the age on a DS screen, it’s still super impressive how much they had to compress in order for the data to fit. 

It’s still a really neat piece of history and it’s something that would’ve never happened in today’s age of gaming with everyone being as tight-lipped about copyright to the point of it being detrimental to creativity. That being said, if you have a GBA, its succeeding systems or the first two DS systems, I’d say to track them down while you can, especially if your favorite show is on the list (unfortunately, I have no hope of getting the Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go! vol. 1 cartridge as that is like trying to find an ant in a haystack but I have the Sonic X one and that’s good enough for me). 

Here’s some photos of mine!

So do y’all think about all of this? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Thank you for reading!

[mellifera38]

Mel’s Big Fantasy Place-Name Reference

So I’ve been doing lots of D&D world-building lately and I’ve kind of been putting together lists of words to help inspire new fantasy place names. I figured I’d share. These are helpful for naming towns, regions, landforms, roads, shops, and they’re also probably useful for coming up with surnames. This is LONG. There’s plenty more under the cut including a huge list of “fantasy sounding” word-parts. Enjoy!

Towns & Kingdoms

town, borough, city, hamlet, parish, township, village, villa, domain

kingdom, empire, nation, country, county, city-state, state, province, dominion

Town Name End Words (English flavored)

-ton, -ston, -caster, -dale, -den, -field, -gate, -glen, -ham, -holm, -hurst, -bar, -boro, -by, -cross, -kirk, -meade, -moore, -ville, -wich, -bee, -burg, -cester, -don, -lea, -mer, -rose, -wall, -worth, -berg, -burgh, -chase, -ly, -lin, -mor, -mere, -pool. -port, -stead, -stow, -strath, -side, -way, -berry, -bury, -chester, -haven, -mar, -mont, -ton, -wick, -meet, -heim, -hold, -hall, -point

Buildings & Places

castle, fort, palace, fortress, garrison, lodge, estate, hold, stronghold, tower, watchtower, palace, spire, citadel, bastion, court, manor, house

altar, chapel, abbey, shrine, temple, monastery, cathedral, sanctum, crypt, catacomb, tomb

orchard, arbor, vineyard, farm, farmstead, shire, garden, ranch

plaza, district, quarter, market, courtyard, inn, stables, tavern, blacksmith, forge, mine, mill, quarry, gallows, apothecary, college, bakery, clothier, library, guild house, bath house, pleasure house, brothel, jail, prison, dungeon, cellar, basement, attic, sewer, cistern

lookout, post, tradepost, camp, outpost, hovel, hideaway, lair, nook, watch, roost, respite, retreat, hostel, holdout, redoubt, perch, refuge, haven, alcove, haunt, knell, enclave, station, caravan, exchange, conclave

port, bridge, ferry, harbor, landing, jetty, wharf, berth, footbridge, dam, beacon, lighthouse, marina, dockyard, shipyard

road, street, way, row, lane, trail, corner, crossing, gate, junction, waygate, end, wall, crossroads,  barrier, bulwark, blockade, pavilion, avenue, promenade, alley, fork, route

Time & Direction

North, South, East, West, up, down, side, rise, fall, over, under

Winter, Spring, Summer, Autumn, solstice, equanox, vernal, ever, never

dusk, dawn, dawnrise, morning, night, nightfall, evening, sundown, sunbreak, sunset

lunar, solar, sun, moon, star, eclipse

Geographical Terms

Cave, cavern, cenote, precipice, crevasse, crater, maar, chasm, ravine, trench, rift, pit

Cliff, bluff, crag, scarp, outcrop, stack, tor, falls, run, eyrie, aerie

Hill, mountain, volcano, knoll, hillock, downs, barrow, plateau, mesa, butte, pike, peak, mount, summit, horn, knob, pass, ridge, terrace, gap, point, rise, rim, range, view, vista, canyon, hogback, ledge, stair, descent

Valley, gulch, gully, vale, dale, dell, glen, hollow, grotto, gorge, bottoms, basin, knoll, combe

Meadow, grassland, field, pasture, steppe, veld, sward, lea, mead, fell, moor, moorland, heath, croft, paddock, boondock, prairie, acre, strath, heights, mount, belt

Woodlands, woods, forest, bush, bower, arbor, grove, weald, timberland, thicket, bosk, copse, coppice, underbrush, hinterland, park, jungle, rainforest, wilds, frontier, outskirts

Desert, dunes, playa, arroyo, chaparral, karst, salt flats, salt pan, oasis, spring, seep, tar pit, hot springs, fissure, steam vent, geyser, waste, wasteland, badland, brushland, dustbowl, scrubland

Ocean, sea, lake, pond, spring, tarn, mere, sluice, pool, coast, gulf, bay

Lagoon, cay, key, reef, atoll, shoal, tideland, tide flat, swale, cove, sandspit, strand, beach

Snowdrift, snowbank, permafrost, floe, hoar, rime, tundra, fjord, glacier, iceberg

River, stream, creek, brook, tributary, watersmeet, headwater, ford, levee, delta, estuary, firth, strait, narrows, channel, eddy, inlet, rapids, mouth, falls

Wetland, marsh, bog, fen, moor, bayou, glade, swamp, banks, span, wash, march, shallows, mire, morass, quag, quagmire, everglade, slough, lowland, sump, reach

Island, isle, peninsula, isthmus, bight, headland, promontory, cape, pointe, cape

More under the cut including: Color words, Animal/Monster related words, Rocks/Metals/Gems list, Foliage, People groups/types, Weather/Environment/ Elemental words, Man-made Items, Body Parts, Mechanical sounding words, a huge list of both pleasant and unpleasant Atmospheric Descriptors, and a huge list of Fantasy Word-parts.

Color Descriptions

Warm: red, scarlet, crimson, rusty, cerise, carmine, cinnabar, orange, vermillion, ochre, peach, salmon, saffron, yellow, gold, lemon, amber, pink, magenta, maroon, brown, sepia, burgundy, beige, tan, fuchsia, taupe

Cool: green, beryl, jade, evergreen, chartreuse, olive, viridian, celadon, blue, azure, navy, cerulean, turquoise, teal, cyan, cobalt, periwinkle, beryl, purple, violet, indigo, mauve, plum

Neutral: gray, silver, ashy, charcoal, slate, white, pearly, alabaster, ivory, black, ebony, jet

dark, dusky, pale, bleached, blotchy, bold, dappled, lustrous, faded, drab, milky, mottled, opaque, pastel, stained, subtle, ruddy, waxen, tinted, tinged, painted

Animal / Monster-Related Words

Bear, eagle, wolf, serpent, hawk, horse, goat, sheep, bull, raven, crow, dog, stag, rat, boar, lion, hare, owl, crane, goose, swan, otter, frog, toad, moth, bee, wasp, beetle, spider, slug, snail, leech, dragonfly, fish, trout, salmon, bass, crab, shell, dolphin, whale, eel, cod, haddock

Dragon, goblin, giant, wyvern, ghast, siren, lich, hag, ogre, wyrm, kraken

Talon, scale, tusk, hoof, mane, horn, fur, feather, fang, wing, whisker, bristle, paw, tail, beak, claw, web, quill, paw, maw, pelt, haunch, gill, fin,

Hive, honey, nest, burrow, den, hole, wallow

Rocks / Metals / Minerals

Gold, silver, brass, bronze, copper, platinum, iron, steel, tin, mithril, electrum, adamantite, quicksilver, fool’s gold, titanium

Diamond, ruby, emerald, sapphire, topaz, opal, pearl, jade, jasper, onyx, citrine, aquamarine, turquoise, lapiz lazuli, amethyst, quartz, crystal, amber, jewel

Granite, shale, marble, limestone, sandstone, slate, diorite, basalt, rhyolite, obsidian, glass

Earth, stone, clay, sand, silt, salt, mote, lode, vein, ore, ingot, coal, boulder, bedrock, crust, rubble, pebble, gravel, cobble, dust, clod, peat, muck mud, slip, loam, dirt, grit, scree, shard, flint, stalactite/mite

Trees / Plants / Flowers

Tree, ash, aspen, pine, birch, alder, willow, dogwood, oak, maple, walnut,  chestnut, cedar, mahogany, palm, beech, hickory, hemlock, cottonwood, hawthorn, sycamore, poplar, cypress, mangrove, elm, fir, spruce, yew

Branch, bough, bramble, gnarl, burr, tangle, thistle, briar, thorn, moss, bark, shrub, undergrowth, overgrowth, root, vine, bracken, reed, driftwood, coral, fern, berry, bamboo, nectar, petal, leaf, seed, clover, grass, grain, trunk, twig, canopy, cactus, weed, mushroom, fungus

Apple, olive, apricot, elderberry, coconut, sugar, rice, wheat, cotton, flax, barley, hops, onion, carrot, turnip, cabbage, squash, pumpkin, pepper

Flower, rose, lavender, lilac, jasmine, jonquil, marigold, carnelian, carnation, goldenrod, sage, wisteria, dahlia, nightshade, lily, daisy, daffodil, columbine, amaranth, crocus, buttercup, foxglove, iris, holly, hydrangea, orchid, snowdrop, hyacinth, tulip, yarrow, magnolia, honeysuckle, belladonna, lily pad, magnolia

People

Settler, Pilgrim, Pioneer, Merchant, Prospector, Maker, Surveyor, Mason, Overseer, Apprentice, Widow, Sailor, Miner, Blacksmith, Butcher, Baker, Brewer, Barkeep, Ferryman, Hangman, Gambler, Fisherman, Adventurer, Hero, Seeker, Hiker, Traveler, Crone

Mage, Magician, Summoner, Sorcerer, Wizard, Conjurer, Necromancer, 

King, Queen, Lord, Count, Baron, Guard, Soldier, Knight, Vindicator, Merchant, Crusader, Imperator, Syndicate, Vanguard, Champion, Warden, Victor, Legionnaire, Master, Archer, Footman, Gladiator, Barbarian, Captain, Commodore, 

Beggar, Hunter, Ranger, Deadman, Smuggler, Robber, Swindler, Rebel, Bootlegger, Outlaw, Pirate, Brigand, Ruffian, Highwayman, Cutpurse, Thief, Assassin

God, Goddess, Exarch, Angel, Devil, Demon, Cultist, Prophet, Hermit, Seer

council, clergy, guild, militia, choir 

Climate, Environment, & The Elements

Cold, cool, brisk, frosty, chilly, icy, freezing, frozen, frigid, glacial, bitter, biting, bleak, arctic, polar, boreal, wintry, snowy, snow, blizzarding, blizzard, sleeting, sleet, chill, frost, ice, icebound, ice cap, floe, snowblind, frostbite, coldsnap, avalanche, snowflake

Hot, sunny, humid, sweltering, steaming, boiling, sizzling, blistering, scalding, smoking, caldescent, dry, parched, arid, fallow, thirsty, melting, molten, fiery, blazing, burning, charring, glowing, searing, scorching, blasted, sun, fire, heat, flame, wildfire, bonfire, inferno, coal, ash, cinder, ember, flare, pyre, tinder, kindling, aflame, alight, ablaze, lava, magma, slag,

Wet, damp, dank, soggy, sodden, soaked, drenched, dripping, sopping, briny, murky, rain, storm, hail, drizzle, sprinkle, downpour, deluge, squall, water, cloud, fog, mist, dew, puddle, pool, current, whirlpool, deep, depths, tide, waves, whitewater, waterfall, tidal wave, flow, flood, leak, drain

Wind, breeze, gust, billow, gail, draft, waft, zephyr, still, airy, clear, smokey, tempest, tempestuous, windswept, aerial, lofty, torrid, turbulent, nebulous, tradewind, thunder, lightning, spark, cyclone, tornado, whirlwind, hurricane, typhoon

Man-made Item Words

Furnace, forge, anvil, vault, strap, strip, whetstone, brick, sword, blade, axe, dagger, shield, buckler, morningstar, bow, quiver, arrow, polearm, flail, staff, stave, sheath, hilt, hammer, knife, helm, mantle, banner, pauldron, chainmail, mace, dart, cutlass, canon, needle, cowl, belt,  buckle, bandana, goggles, hood, boot, heel, spindle, spool, thread, sweater, skirt, bonnet, apron, leather, hide, plate, tunic, vest, satin, silk, wool, velvet, lace, corset, stocking, binding

Plow, scythe, (wheel) barrow, saddle, harrow, brand, collar, whip, leash, lead, bridle, stirrup, wheel, straw, stall, barn, hay, bale, pitchfork, well, log, saw, lumber, sod, thatch, mortar, brick, cement, concrete, pitch, pillar, window, fountain, door, cage, spoke, pole, table, bench, plank, board

Candle, torch, cradle, broom, lamp, lantern, clock, bell, lock, hook, trunk, looking glass, spyglass, bottle, vase, locket, locker, key, handle, rope, knot, sack, pocket, pouch, manacle, chain, stake, coffin, fan. cauldron, kettle, pot, bowl, pestle, oven, ladle, spoon, font, wand, potion, elixir, draught, portal, book, tome, scroll, word, manuscript, letter, message, grimoire, map, ink, quill, pen, cards, dice

Coin, coronet, crown, circlet, scepter, treasure, riches, scales, pie, tart, loaf, biscuit, custard, caramel, pudding, porridge, stew, bread, tea, gravy, gristle, spice, lute, lyre, harp, drum, rouge, powder, perfume, brush

bilge, stern, pier, sail, anchor, mast, dock, deck, flag, ship, boat, canoe, barge, wagon, sled, carriage, buggy, cart

Wine, brandy, whiskey, ale, moonshine, gin, cider, rum, grog, beer, brew, goblet, flagon, flask, cask, tankard, stein, mug, barrel, stock, wort, malt

Body Parts

Head, throat, finger, foot, hand, neck, shoulder, rib, jaw, eye, lips, bosom

Skull, spine, bone, tooth, heart, blood, tears, gut, beard

Mechanical-Sounding Words

cog, fuse, sprocket, wrench, screw, nail, bolt, lever, pulley, spanner, gear, spring, shaft, switch, button, cast, pipe, plug, dial, meter, nozzle, cord, brake, gauge, coil, oil, signal, wire, fluke, staple, clamp, bolt, nut, bulb, patch, pump, cable, socket

torque, force, sonic, spark, fizzle, thermal, beam, laser, steam, buzz, mega, mecha, electro, telsa, power, flicker, charge, current, flow, tinker

Atmospheric Words

Unpleasant, Dangerous, Threatening

(nouns) death, fury, battle, scar, shadow, razor, nightmare, wrath, bone, splinter, peril, war, riptide, strife, reckoning, sorrow, terror, deadwood, nether, venom, grime, rage, void, conquest, pain, folly, revenge, horrid, mirk, shear, fathom, frenzy, corpselight/marshlight, reaper, gloom, doom, torment, torture, spite, grizzled, sludge, refuse, spore, carrion, fear, pyre, funeral, shade, beast, witch, grip, legion, downfall, ruin, plague, woe, bane, horde, acid, fell, grief, corpse, mildew, mold, miter, dirge

(adjectives) dead, jagged, decrepit, fallen, darkened, blackened, dire, grim, feral, wild, broken, desolate, mad, lost, under, stagnant, blistered, derelict, forlorn, unbound, sunken, fallow, shriveled, wayward, bleak, low, weathered, fungal, last, brittle, sleepy, -strewn, dusky, deserted, empty, barren, vacant, forsaken, bare, bereft, stranded, solitary, abandoned, discarded, forgotten, deep, abysmal, bottomless, buried, fathomless,unfathomable, diseased, plagued, virulent, noxious, venomous, toxic, fetid, revolting, putrid, rancid, foul, squalid, sullied, vile, blighted, vicious, ferocious, dangerous, savage, cavernous, vast, yawning, chasmal, echoing, dim, dingy, gloomy, inky, lurid, shaded, shadowy, somber, sunless, tenebrous, unlit, veiled, hellish, accursed, sulfurous, damned, infernal, condemned, doomed, wicked, sinister, dread, unending, spectral, ghostly, haunted, eldritch, unknown, weary, silent, hungry, cloven, acidic

(verb/adverbs): wither (withering / withered), skulk (skulking), whisper, skitter, chitter, sting, slither, writhe, gape, screech, scream, howl, lurk, roil, twist, shift, swarm, spawn, fester, bleed, howl, shudder, shrivel, devour, swirl, maul, trip, smother, weep, shatter, ruin, curse, ravage, hush, rot, drown, sunder, blister, warp, fracture, die, shroud, fall, surge, shiver, roar, thunder, smolder, break, silt, slide, lash, mourn, crush, wail, decay, crumble, erode, decline, reek, lament, taint, corrupt, defile, poison, infect, shun, sigh, sever, crawl, starve, grind, cut, wound, bruise, maim, stab, bludgeon, rust, mutilate, tremble, stumble, fumble, clank, clang

Pleasant, Safe, Neutral

(nouns) spirit, luck, soul, oracle, song, sky, smile, rune, obelisk, cloud, timber, valor, triumph, rest, dream, thrall, might, valiance, glory, mirror, life, hope, oath, serenity, sojourn, god, hearth, crown, throne, crest, guard, rise, ascent, circle, ring, twin, vigil, breath, new, whistle, grasp, snap, fringe, threshold, arch, cleft, bend, home, fruit, wilds, echo, moonlight, sunlight, starlight, splendor, vigilance, honor, memory, fortune, aurora, paradise, caress

(adjectives) gentle, pleasant, prosperous, peaceful, sweet, good, great, mild, grand, topic, lush, wild, abundant, verdant, sylvan, vital, florid, bosky, callow, verdurous, lucious, fertile, spellbound, captivating, mystical, hidden, arcane, clandestine, esoteric, covert, cryptic, runic, otherworldly, touched, still, fair, deep, quiet, bright, sheer, tranquil, ancient, light, far, -wrought, tidal, royal, shaded, swift, true, free, high, vibrant, pure, argent, hibernal, ascendant, halcyon, silken, bountiful, gilded, colossal, massive, stout, elder, -bourne, furrowed, happy, merry, -bound, loud, lit, silk, quiet, bright, luminous, shining, burnished, glossy, brilliant, lambent, lucent, lustrous, radiant, resplendent, vivid, vibrant, illuminated, silvery, limpid, sunlit, divine, sacred, holy, eternal, celestial, spiritual, almighty, anointed, consecrated, exalted, hallowed, sanctified, ambrosial, beatific, blissful, demure, naked, bare, ample, coy,  deific, godly, omnipotent, omnipresent, rapturous, sacramental, sacrosanct, blessed, majestic, iridescent, glowing, overgrown, dense, hard, timeless, sly, scatter, everlasting, full, half, first, last

(verb/adverbs) arch (arching / arched), wink (winking), sing, nestle, graze, stroll, roll, flourish, bloom, bud, burgeon, live, dawn, hide, dawn, run, pray, wake, laugh, wake, glimmer, glitter, drift, sleep, tumble, bind, arch, blush, grin, glister, beam, meander, wind, widen, charm, bewitch, enthrall, entrance, enchant, allure, beguile, glitter, shimmer, sparkle twinkle, crest, quiver, slumber, herald, shelter, leap, click, climb, scuttle, dig, barter, chant, hum, chime, kiss, flirt, tempt, tease, play, seduce

Generic “Fantasy-Sounding” Word Parts

A - D

aaz, ada, adaer, adal, adar, adbar, adir, ae, ael, aer, aern, aeron, aeryeon, agar, agis, aglar, agron, ahar, akan, akyl, al, alam, alan, alaor, ald, alea, ali, alir, allyn, alm, alon, alor, altar, altum, aluar, alys, amar, amaz, ame, ammen, amir, amol, amn, amus, anar, andor, ang, ankh, ar, ara, aram, arc, arg, arian, arkh, arla, arlith, arn, arond, arthus, arum, arvien, ary, asha, ashyr, ask, assur, aster, astra, ath, athor, athra, athryn, atol, au, auga, aum, auroch, aven, az, azar, baal, bae, bael, bak, bal, balor, ban, bar, bara, barr, batol, batar, basir, basha, batyr, bel, belph, belu, ben, beo, bere, berren, berun, besil, bezan, bhaer, bhal, blask, blis, blod, bor, boraz, bos, bran, brath, braun, breon, bri, bry, bul, bur, byl, caer, cal, calan, cara, cassa, cath, cela, cen, cenar, cerul, chalar, cham, chion, cimar, clo, coram, corel, corman, crim, crom, daar, dach, dae, dago, dagol, dahar, dala, dalar, dalin, dam, danas, daneth, dannar, dar, darian,  darath, darm, darma, darro, das, dasa, dasha, dath, del, delia, delimm, dellyn, delmar, delo, den, dess, dever, dhaer, dhas, dhaz, dhed, dhin, din, dine, diar, dien, div, djer, dlyn, dol, dolan, doon, dora, doril, doun, dral, dranor, drasil, dren, drian, drien, drin, drov, druar, drud, duald, duatha, duir, dul, dulth, dun, durth, dyra, dyver,

E - H

ea, eber, eden, edluk, egan, eiel, eilean, ejen, elath, eld, eldor, eldra, elith emar, ellesar, eltar, eltaran, elth, eltur, elyth, emen, empra, emril, emvor, ena, endra, enthor, erad, erai, ere, eriel, erith, erl, eron, erre, eryn, esk, esmel, espar, estria, eta, ethel, eval, ezro, ezan, ezune, ezil, fael, faelar, faern, falk, falak, farak, faril, farla, fel, fen, fenris, fer, fet, fin, finar, forel, folgun, ful, fulk, fur, fyra, fallon, gael, gach, gabir, gadath, gal, galar, gana, gar, garth, garon, garok, garne, gath, geir, gelden, geren,  geron, ghal, ghallar, ghast, ghel, ghom, ghon, gith, glae, glander, glar, glym, gol, goll, gollo, goloth, gorot, gost, goth, graeve, gran, grimm, grist, grom, grosh, grun, grym, gual, guil, guir, gulth, gulur, gur, gurnth, gwaer, haa, hael, haer, hadar, hadel, hakla, hala, hald, halana, halid, hallar, halon, halrua, halus, halvan, hamar, hanar, hanyl, haor, hara, haren, haresk, harmun, harrokh, harrow, haspur, haza, hazuth, heber,  hela, helve, hem, hen, herath, hesper, heth, hethar, hind, hisari, hjaa, hlath, hlond, hluth, hoarth, holtar, horo, hotun, hrag, hrakh, hroth, hull, hyak, hyrza

I - M

iibra, ilth, ilus, ilira, iman, imar, imas, imb, imir, immer, immil, imne, impil, ingdal, innar, ir, iriae, iril, irith, irk, irul, isha, istis, isil, itala, ith, ithal, itka, jada, jae, jaeda, jahaka, jala, jarra, jaro, jath, jenda, jhaamm, jhothm, jinn, jinth, jyn, kado, kah, kal, kalif, kam, kana, kara, karg, kars, karth, kasp, katla, kaul, kazar, kazr, kela, kelem, kerym, keth, keva, kez, kezan, khaer, khal, khama, khaz, khara, khed, khel, khol, khur, kil, kor, korvan, koll, kos, kir, kra, kul, kulda, kund, kyne, lae, laen, lag, lan, lann, lanar, lantar, lapal, lar, laran, lareth, lark, lath, lauth, lav, lavur, lazar, leih, leshyr, leth, lhaza, lhuven, liad, liam, liard, lim, lin, lirn, lisk, listra, lith, liya, llair, llor, lok, lolth, loran, lorkh, lorn, loth, lothen, luen, luir, luk, lund, lur, luth, lyndus, lyra, lyth, maal, madrasm maera, maer, maerim, maes, mag, magra, mahand, mal, malar, mald, maldo, mar, mara, mark, marl, maru, maruk, meir, melish, memnon, mer, metar, methi, mhil, mina, mir, miram, mirk, mista, mith, moander, mok, modir, modan, mon, monn, mor, more, morel, moril, morn, moro, morrow, morth, mort, morum, morven, muar, mul, mydra, myr, myra, myst

N - S

naar, nadyra, naedyr, naga, najar, nal, naal, nalir, nar, naruk, narbond, narlith, narzul, nasaq, nashkel, natar, nath, natha, neir, neth, nether, nhall, nikh, nil, nilith, noan, nolvurm nonthal, norda, noro, novul, nul, nur, nus, nyan, nyth, ober, odra, oghr, okoth, olleth, olodel, omgar, ondath, onthril, ordul, orish, oroch, orgra, orlim, ormath, ornar, orntath, oroch, orth, orva, oryn, orzo, ostel, ostor, ostrav, othea, ovar, ozod, ozul, palan, palad, pae, peldan, pern, perris, perim, pele, pen, phail, phanda, phara, phen, phendra, pila, pinn, pora, puril, pur, pyra, qadim, quar, quel, ques, quil, raah, rael, ran, ranna, rassil, rak, rald, rassa, reddan, reith, relur, ren, rendril, resil, reska, reth, reven, revar, rhy, rhynn, ria, rian, rin, ris, rissian, rona, roch, rorn, rora, rotha, rual, ruar, ruhal, ruil, ruk, runn, rusk, ryn, saa, saar, saal, sabal, samar, samrin, sankh, sar, sarg, sarguth, sarin, sarlan, sel, seld, sember, semkh, sen, sendrin, septa, senta, seros, shaar, shad, shadra, shae, shaen, shaera, shak, shalan, sham, shamath, shan, shana, sharan, shayl, shemar, shere, shor, shul, shyll, shyr, sidur, sil, silvan, sim, sintar, sirem, skar, skell, skur, skyr, sokol, solan, sola, somra, sor, ssin, stel, strill, suldan, sulk, sunda, sur, surkh, suth, syl, sylph, sylune, syndra, syth

T - Z

taak, taar, taer, tah, tak, tala, talag, talar, talas, talath, tammar, tanar, tanil, tar, tara, taran, tarl, tarn, tasha, tath, tavil, telar, teld, telf, telos, tempe, tethy, tezir, thaar, thaer, thal, thalag, thalas, thalan, thalar, thamor, thander, thangol, thar, thay, thazal, theer, theim, thelon, thera, thendi, theril, thiir, thil, thild, thimir, thommar, thon, thoon, thor, thran, thrann, threl, thril, thrul, thryn, thuk, thultan, thume, thun, thy, thyn, thyr, tir, tiras, tirum, tohre, tol, tolar, tolir,  tolzrin, tor, tormel, tormir, traal, triel, trith, tsath, tsur, tul, tur, turiver, turth, tymor, tyr, uder, udar, ugoth, uhr, ukh, ukir, uker, usten, ulgarth, ulgoth, ultir, ulur, umar, umath, umber, unara, undro, undu, untha, upir, ur, ursa, ursol, uron, uth, uthen, uz, van, vaar, vaelan, vaer, vaern, val valan, valash, vali, valt, vandan, vanede, vanrak, var, varyth, vassa, vastar, vaunt, vay, vel, velar, velen, velius, vell, velta, ven, veren, vern, vesper, vilar, vilhon, vintor, vir, vira, virdin, volo, volun, von, voon, vor, voro, vos, vosir, vosal, vund, war, wara, whel, wol, wynn, wyr, wyrm, xer, xul, xen, xian, yad, yag, yal, yar, yath, yeon, yhal, yir, yirar, yuir, yul, yur, zail, zala, zalhar, zan, zanda, zar, zalar, zarach, zaru, zash, zashu, zemur, zhent, zim, ziram, zindala, zindar, zoun, zul, zurr, zuth, zuu, zym

A lot of places are named after historical events, battles, and people, so keep that in mind. God/Goddess names tied to your world also work well. Places are also often named after things that the area is known for, like Georgia being known for its peaches.

My brain was fried by the end of this so feel free to add more!

I hope you find this reference helpful and good luck world-building!

-Mel

[vorish-egos]

Doctor Henrik Vor(ish) Schneeplestein

Contains: Soft/safe vore and G/T

11 pages long, 3,993 words.

Written by: ~Zharin~

        ______________________________

“How come doc called us here?” Chase stopped twirling his hat on his hand and hung his head over the support of his chair to look back at Marvin. The magician simply shrugged, remaining by the door.

“Who knows what he’s up to this time?” He sighed, “But if he doesn’t get back here soon then I’m gonna—” The door suddenly swung open, missing Marvin by a few whiskers, and Henrik von Schneeplestein came bustling in with an armful of notes and clipboards.

“Ah, Chase! You are here,” the German doctor greeted eagerly. “Have you avoided any vittle drinks for four hours?”

“Yep!” The ego sounded quite proud of himself. “I’m a little shaky, and my head hurts, but JJ really helped out. Man that dude’s tea is good.”

“Good, good, zhat I can fix. And Marvin—? Ah, zhere you are, silly. Vhy are you hiding behind ze door?” Marvin grumbled incoherently and stepped out of the shadows. Schneeplestein set his things on the counter and frequented a few cabinets, muttering under his breath before he finally grabbed what he was looking for and returned to the other two egos.

“I need some help vith my latest experiment,” the doctor explained. Chase sat up.

“What kind of experiment?” He tried to flip his hat back onto his head, but it missed completely and almost fell to the floor; it glowed green just above the tiles and floated back into its rightful place.

“Zhere is a medicine zhat I have been verking on,” Henrik began as Chase flashed Marvin a grateful glance, “It is called famotidine, vhich reduces ze amount of stomach acid zhat ze body releases. Theoretically, zhis drug enhanced vith a little tinkering of Ihr guter arzt can create a sort of temporary gastroparesis, vhich means zhat zhe stomach vould be inactive for un moment.”

“Okay… But what do you need us for?” Marvin prompted, “You usually just take medicines yourself and jot down your symptoms.” Henrik grinned.

“Not zhis time. You vill use your magic to shrink Chase down, and zhen he can gauge zhe effects of zhe medicine!” Chase tilted his head.

“How am I gonna do that, doc?” He asked haltingly.

“Simple; I vill be taking ze medicine and zhen svallowing you.” Both egos’ eyes widened.

“Whoa, wai-what!?”

“Schneep, you have a lot of good ideas and experiments… this is not one of them. When’s the last time you’ve slept?”

“It vill be perfectly fine!” The doctor insisted, “I vill be monitoring both of our stats, and if something goes wrong zhen you can just teleport him out!” Marvin opened his mouth, but he couldn’t grasp for any words. Instead, he tossed his head back with an exasperated sigh before looking over at Chase.

“Chase, you can say no if you don’t want to,” the magician reminded. Chase bit his lip.

“I-I know. But…” He stalled for a few seconds, adjusting his cap before looking at Henrik. “Doc, you know yer my best friend, and that I trust you with my life— I mean, you saved my life, so… I-I guess the least I could do is help ya.” He then smiled. “Even if it is a little… Eccentric, I’ll support you.”

“Fantastic, danke mein freund!” Schneeplestein clapped his hands together, beaming. “I’ll take ze medicine now— oh! And you need minor painkiller for ze headache, of course, of course…!” As the doctor fervently hunted for the required meds, Marvin crossed his arms and cast a sidelong glance at Chase.

“Why the hell did you agree to that? It’s an insane and dangerous test that could very well end horrifically.” Chase shrugged and gave the cat-lover a weak grin.

“What can I say? I have no sense of self-preservation.”

“Ah, zhere it is!” The doctor came hurrying back with a small dosage of Tylenol. As Chase accepted the medication and downed it, Henrik unscrewed the bottle of pills he’d collected earlier and swallowed down two of the little capsules.

“And now ve vait for an hour.“ 

And so they waited. Chase passed the time by playing on his phone, seeming completely unconcerned about the experiment he was about to partake in— Marvin, on the other hand, had taken Schneeplestein aside and spoke to him privately.

"Doctor, are you sure about this?” Marvin murmured as Henrik unwrapped a mint and plopped it onto his tongue.“I know you’re trying to push the boundaries, but this goes far beyond logic.”

“Bah! Marvin, you are a magician. Logic does not apply to magic.”

“Yes it does! Schneep, in every field or profession there are laws that you must abide by, rules made to NOT be broken— give me one reason that makes it okay to eat your best friend.”

“Technically it vould be ingesting, eating vould suggest zhat—”

“I’m serious!”

“So am I! Zhis is for science, and he vill be in good hands! I have specifically taken extra measures to ensure ze success. I have restrained myself from eating anything except for breakfast zhis morning, and I last had vater two hours ago. Vould I really risk Chase’s life if I did not think zhat he vould be okay?” Marvin quietly groaned and put his head in his hand.

“If this doesn’t… If-If Chase dies—”

“He von’t,” Henrik vowed, putting his hand over his heart, “Je promesse.” Marvin studied the doctor’s earnest solemn, and then he let out a sigh.

“As soon as the medicine starts wearing off…” He warned.

“You vill be notified.” The magician still looked reluctant, but he finally gave in and agreed to trust him. After they settled into an awkward silence, with only the stifled grunts and mantras of victory or defeat from Chase, it seemed like forever before Henrik’s watch suddenly beeped loudly. The doctor shared a look with the magician.

“It’s time.” Marvin took a deep breath.

“How small do you need him to be?” Henrik bit his lip and gave the thought a few seconds before he brought his hand up in front of his face.

“About… Zhis small?” He made a broad C with his thumb and index finger, using his dominant eye to peer through his fingers and gauge Marvin’s veiled reaction. He could only note a faint flicker of surprise behind the cat mask.

“Three inches? Are you sure you’ll be able to get him down?” He nodded.

“He has to be big enough to notify me from ze inside. It vill be a tight fit, but he’ll be fine." 

"He’ll be heavier than he looks.”

“Yes yes yes, density, packing of ze atoms together, I am vell aware.” Chase suddenly interrupted by clearing his throat.

“You guys ready?” He asked. Marvin regarded him with narrow eyes.

“Are you?" 

"Yeah!” The vlogger grinned from ear to ear. “Let’s do this!” Henrik chuckled, grateful for his optimism.

“Very well.” The magician held up his hands, which began to glow green as his eyes also turned viridescent. “Just hold still,” he advised, “You’ll feel a little dizzy…” But Chase was already starting to feel the effects. His energy plummeted as his eyelids drooped, and he let out a yawn as the world seemed to spin around him. He was losing altitude, and everything around him seemed taller and taller as he shrank down, at the others’ chests, then hips, then past the shins. His brain was dimly aware of the change in perspective, but it was hard to be consciously aware of his new size until everything slowly stopped spinning.

Chase slowly opened his eyes and let out the breath he’d been holding. The chair he had been slouched on moments before was like an empty living room, and the back towered over him like the wall of a third story house.

Nothing, however, could compare to when Chase turned his head and found himself only meeting four gargantuan pillars of cloth. His eyes slowly traveled up, coming across the vast expanses of the doctor’s white professional coat, and Marvin’s flowing cape and casual blue top, before he finally met their intimidating gazes. They were both looking down at him, one with fascinated eager, and the other with quiet apprehension.

“It verked!” Chase flinched under Henrik’s booming exclamation, covering his little ears.

“Not so loud!” Marvin hissed, “He’s much more fragile in this state. There’s a reason I don’t do this often.”

“Yes yes, and ze only time you have vas vhen Anti possessed you.” The doctor dismissed the other’s wary and approached Chase. Chase scooted back a little and craned his neck as he was shrouded in the doctor’s shadow, but to his dizzy relief Henrik made no move to grab him.

“How are you feeling, Brody?” Schneeplestein asked at a tolerable volume as he sank into a crouch; he rested his chin on the edge of the chair as he gave his tiny friend a smile. Chase huffed nervously, suddenly finding himself grinning.

“Uh… I-I’m fine doc! I-I guess.” The paternal ego slowly got up, and with only a second of hesitation he walked closer to Henrik. 

“Zhat is good,” Schneeplestein murmured warmly, “But ve better get started as soon as possible. Are you ready?” Chase swallowed nervously and nodded.

“Yep!” Henrik shifted back and placed his hand down beside the shrunken ego. Chase exhaled and stepped on, using one of the doctor’s cold fingers to haul himself up into his palm. When he’d stopped moving, Schneeplestein brought his hand to his chest and stood up. Chase went bug-eyed as the floor feel even further away from him, and he leaned against the doctor’s chest, hearing his heart boom right in his ears 

“You don’t have to watch if you are really against zhis.” Henrik turned to Marvin, but the magician shook his head.

“You wanted me here to make sure nothing goes wrong,” he pointed out dryly, “So don’t fuck up, or I’m telling Anti about the secret coffee collection you keep pretending to know nothing about.”

“Yes mama,” the doctor joked weakly.

“Oh, Marv!” Chase removed his hat and waved to get their attention. “Can you take this for me?” He called, “I don’t want it to get ruined!”

“Of course.” By simply making a fist, the hat flashed green and shot out of Chase’s hands, floating over to Marvin’s care. Chase let out a relieved sigh as he watched his precious snapback settle within the magician’s pocket, and he finally sat back and looked up at Schneep.

“I’m ready now, doc.” The doctor nodded.

“Alright.” Chase was escalated higher up, and then his bony platform stopped at Henrik’s chin. Chase giggled a little when the scruffy hairs brushed his arm, and he felt the doctor smile.

“Here ve go.” He parted his lips and opened his mouth, blasting Chase with a warm minty breeze. Chase stared on into the dark and humid cavern before him, and then he summoned his courage and carefully stepped forward. He placed his hand on the doctor’s tongue, grimacing when it sank beneath his touch with a slippery noise, and then he set about climbing his way in. When his back bumped against the top row of teeth, the jaw suddenly dropped even wider, making Chase yelp as he slid in faster than anticipated.

Henrik instinctively pushed his tongue up, halting Chase’s slip. He mumbled something that was indiscernible, but Chase pushed against the doctor’s palate and glanced over his shoulder.

“I’m fine!” He called. He felt the slimy muscle under his elbows and chest relax as he wriggled his hips over the rows of teeth, struggling to fit the rest of his body in; he got pretty close before it was hard to fidget any deeper in, and he could just barely feel the tip of one of his shoes against Schneeplestein’s hand.

Hoping he’d get the memo, Chase tapped his foot to signal for assistance. His surroundings shifted again, and the vlogger braced himself as the tongue momentarily extended to lap up his poking legs. He was pulled all the way in past the ivory walls, and then darkness shrouded him as the doctor closed his mouth.

Henrik was a little surprised by how full his mouth was, but it didn’t stop his determination to finish the experiment. His jaw muscles lightly worked as he shifted Chase around, rubbing his curled up form with his tongue and getting as much of the tiny dad covered in saliva. The mint he’d taken earlier had done its job well, not only making the experience for Chase a little more bearable, but also stimulating the saliva glands to make the trip down easier. Additionally, the shrunken ego’s faint taste was rather… Interesting. Beneath the scratchy cloth was a strange combination of sweet and salty, combined with the familiar flavour of that Japanese whiskey the vlogger guiltily loved. He made a mental note to jot that down with the rest of his entries.

When he was ready, he made a little grunting noise to warn Chase before he held his head up. Chase slid the few extra millimeters that he could before his head pressed against the back of the good doctor’s throat, and Henrik braced himself before swallowing. He immediately choked and swallowed again, a hard gulp lodging his subject only shoulders deep. A throat lozenge would have been a good item to invest in. Numbing the throat would have probably made it a little easier. Nevertheless, Schneeplestein was determined, and so he swallowed again, summoning his strength to push Chase deeper in. He felt a flutter of movement as his esophagus started to pull the vlogger even deeper, drawing in his chest and adding more pressure to the doctor’s throat. Henrik bit back another gag and replaced it with a stream of firm swallows, repeatedly telling himself to not throw up, no matter what—

When an arm suddenly bent awkwardly and jammed against his neck, Schneep choked and brought his hand to his throat. A quick analysis of the lump under his fingers told him that Chase had been twisted into an awkward position, one leg still stretched out on his tongue while the other was out against his cheek. Chase was squirming, trying to help move things along, but it only made Henrik’s mouth water even more as he tried to deal with the new obstruction.

“Chase…” He managed to croak. “L-legs…!” He felt the vlogger’s legs retract deeper into his mouth and fold against the hips, which were just outside of the doctor’s gullet. Henrik carefully rubbed his neck, trying to smooth out the painful bump near his jugular, before he finally felt the arm straighten out. With a quick swallow, he felt Chase slide a little behind his fingers, and Schneeplestein shivered a little at the surreal feeling. He gathered a little saliva and steadied himself, and then he roughly threw his head back and swallowed as hard as he could.

It was a shocking sensation to feel his trachea suddenly restricted even further as the rest of Chase was shoved down into his throat. He didn’t have the breath to choke as his esophagus stubbornly squeezed the heavy mass down, past the doctor’s fingers and down to his clavicle. Henrik took a ragged gasp of air as soon as his epiglottis was clear, and he waited with a pale and sweaty demeanor as he felt the descent carry on past his clavicle. Chase had stopped squirming now, staying still in a prime position as the esophagus continued to pulse and pull him down into the doctor’s depths.

Marvin was regarding Henrik’s gradually paling expression, which only grew more severe the further down Chase went. When the pressure remained behind his ribcage, Henrik could only put his hand on his diaphragm and weakly swallow, giving his subject the last push he needed. He shuddered as his best friend’s weight gradually adjusted, shifting from tightly strung in his chest to gathering in his abdomen. When the last of Brody was finally deposited into his stomach, Henrik gasped and almost staggered. Marvin was immediately at his side, gripping his shoulder to support the faint doctor.

“Did it work?” The magician asked. Schneeplestein breathed heavily, sinking into a crouch as he gripped his stomach. It felt heavy, but not in the overstuffed kind of way. Maybe it would have even felt kind of nice… If he didn’t know that his best friend was what filled him.

“Chase?” He waited for an answer. His heart was beating faster with each second that passed, and he was about to try again when he suddenly felt Chase move. He drew in a sharp and shuddery gasp as his stomach wall was gently pushed outward, a feathery touch against the layer of flesh between him and his hand. “Oh, Chase! Mein gott! Are you okay in zhere? Oh scheisse, ze timer!” Henrik shakily pulled away from Marvin and rose on wobbly legs. He staggered to his computer and leaned on the desk, his hand still resting over his midriff as the other frantically fumbled with the mouse. Once he had the clock ticking, he let out a sigh and put his head down against the cool surface and focused on just breathing. He could feel his own diaphragm as it heaved in and out, but feeling Chase shift around in addition was a factor that he had not anticipated. He thought it’d be much easier than this— but Schneeplestein hadn’t stopped to think how strange his body would find the experiment.

“… Doctor?” Marvin lay a hand on Henrik’s shoulder-blades. The doctor closed his eyes and swallowed, his raw throat recalling just how painful it’d been to get his friend down.

“He made it,” he answered hoarsely. The tension in Marvin’s shoulders visibly faded, and he let out a relieved sigh.

“Good… That took longer than I expected.” As he rubbed Schneeplestein’s back in an effort to calm him down, he brought his other arm to hook under the doctor’s and drag him up a little. “Come on, take a seat, you’ll feel better.” Henrik was almost completely limp by the time he slid into his chair. He hunched over with closed eyes, still breathing heavily from the ordeal he’d so enthusiastically pressed for.

“St-stethoscope…” The magician’s sharp eyes picked out the instrument from across the office, and with a swish of his hand the item whisked into his fingers’ grasp. He handed the tool to Schneeplestein, who’s own hands trembled as he fumbled to put the ear pieces in before he searched for the right spot on his abdomen with the other end.

“… And it’s kinda tight in here, but it’s really warm! Oh, and it was a little rough at first, but then once I got all the way down it was kind of like a water slide! … A tight, weird, grossly pulsating and dark water slide.” Henrik practically melted with relief.

“Chase! I can hear you now.”

“Oh, that’s great! I made it!” The doctor let out a breathless laugh.

“Yes, I can tell. How are you, nothing vas dislocated vas it?”

“No, I’m fine, are you? Yer breathing sounds a little hard.”

“I am fine as vell.” As his lungs gradually slowed down, Henrik found himself tracing Chase’s little figure with his thumb. It was a bit shocking to feel the shrunken ego the size of his fist, if not smaller. Was there a scientific way to recreate Marvin’s magic? Perhaps next time he could go for smaller, now that he knew the limits of his body. Perhaps he could enlist Robbie next time— would the zombie’s sluggish metabolism make for an even longer period of safe containment? Perhaps—

“May I, doctor?” Schneeplestein jolted out of his scientific brainstorming and nodded at Marvin.

“Ah, of-of course.” He handed the stethoscope back over. Marvin placed the ears in and lightly placed his hand where Henrik’s was, and it glowed faintly as he honed in on their friend’s location. The magician paused for a moment, and then he suddenly turned red as his countenance twisted into a confused smile.

“He’s-he’s talking about setting up a tea nook and using a hammock,” he snickered.

“Vhat!? No— Chase, zhis is not an air bnb!” Marvin laughed.

“He’s trying to barter for some tea now.” Henrik huffed.

“No, if I svallow anything else zhen zhat vill trigger my stomach, plus if I did drink tea zhen not only vould zhat be gross for him, it vould also ve very hot for his size and probably burn him—” The relief in tension was interrupted by the door flying open, and Jackie skid into the office.

“Doc, doc! I need yer—” The superhero stopped and blinked puzzledly at the scene before him. Marvin cleared his throat and stood, returning back to his stoic self.

“Yes, I do see what you mean, doctor.” He handed back the stethoscope. “But I don’t care how bad too much salt is for my heart, if I want to put soy sauce on my rice then I’ll add my damn soy sauce!” He snapped. Catching on, Henrik held his hands up in a placate gesture.

“Fine, don’t trust ze doctor zhat knows you are eating yourself to your grave!” Marvin rolled his eyes with another dramatic huff, and then he turned to Jackie.

“What’s the problem now?” Jackie blinked and shook his head.

“Uh, Rob-Robbie ran off with JJ’s hat, and, uh, he won’t give it back.”

“Oh.” Henrik folded his doctor coat more tightly around his middle, tensing to get up. “Vell, I’m sure he von’t destroy it, but perhaps—”

“Nope, yer busy.” Marvin pushed Schneeplestein right back into his chair. “You were just tellin’ me about all those files you have to pour through, remember?” The magician prompted. “Plus all of those hypotheses, and your… Latest patient…” Henrik faltered.

“But- but Robbie—”

“Will probably gladly trade me the hat back in exchange for something else.”

“Ah…” Henrik sighed and pointed to a drawer in the back. “He’d probably prefer von of ze flower crowns to a derby.” Jackie wasted no time bolting over and rummaging through the drawer.

“Got one!” He held up a lilac wreath as he dashed back to the door. “Come on Marv, let’s go!” Marvin yelped as the energetic superhuman grabbed his arm and hauled him out of the office.

“I’ll be back in a little bit doctor, just sit tight!” He managed to call out before magicking the doors shut behind them.

“Okay…” Schneeplestein sat back in his seat and scanned the empty room. He suddenly felt conscious about being the only visible person in the room, yet another lay in his own core… And he was keeping awfully still.

 He quickly placed the stethoscope back. “Chase?” Instead of a quippy reply or a bad punny joke, to his surprise, what answered him instead was a snore. Bewildered, Henrik peeked behind his jacket and placed his hand over his stomach. He could feel Chase curled up on his side, snuggled into his inactive organ as the snoring continued peacefully. Henrik let out a soft chuckle, running his thumb lightly over the vlogger’s flank.

“Guess zhat spell took more out of you zhan I thought.” He stifled a yawn of his own and looked up at the computer. “… Ve have plenty of time,” he decided quietly. He set the stethoscope beside his keyboard and took off his jacket. He kept his movements slow as he pulled his arm out of the sleeve, and then he rotated the clean white coat until it lay over him like a blanket. The doctor slumped back in his chair, keeping mindful about compressing his stomach as he closed his eyes and sighed. When he felt Chase shift a little, he smiled and let his hand rest over his faint figure.

“I can write my notes down later,” he mumbled to himself before soon slipping into a very much needed nap.

       ______________________________

[fanficimagery]

Imagine dating Viktor. A friend of his, Fleur Delacour, is getting married and he's taken you as his plus one. Even though a wedding is such joyous occasion, some people just didn't get the memo.

Author's Note: Let's just say that at the Battle of the Department of Mysteries (Order of the Phoenix), Harry + friends and the Order were able to take down Voldemort by some miracle. This is fanfiction so just go with it. 

Viktor X Reader

Being invited to Fleur Delacour's wedding to one Bill Weasley left you feeling all sorts of excited. Viktor's friends in Bulgaria had become your friends, as had your friends become his friends, but these were completely new people you were to meet.

While you had unfortunately missed the wedding ceremony itself, you and Viktor managed to portkey in while everything under the marquee was being transformed for the reception. Fleur was a vision in her wedding dress and her dashing husband was of the friendly sorts. They were happy you and Viktor could make the reception, and after congratulating them one last time they were off to greet their other guests.

Viktor had left you alone to grab some drinks, but ended up getting distracted by a witch in a red dress. And while the witch in question is rather pretty, you are very comfortable in your relationship with Viktor and trust him immensely.

"Ruddy pumpkin head," someone grumbles from somewhere behind you. "Who invited him?"

As subtly as you can, you peer over shoulder to see what drama shall unfold. It's another redhead, plus an individual who can only be Harry Potter after you spot the telltale scar of his on his forehead. Following his line of gaze, you can only snort when you realize the redhead is glaring at Viktor.

Your snort catches the boys' attention, the redhead flushing as the dark haired wizard chuckles. "Sorry for eavesdropping."

The redhead gulps and tersely nods, and Harry sheepishly grins. "Are you a guest of the bride or groom? I don't think I've seen you around before. Ron here," he elbows his friend in the ribs for not introducing himself, "is the brother of the groom. And I'm Harry- a friend of the Weasley family."

"Y/N," you introduce yourself with a smile. "And I guess you can say I'm a guest of the bride. Only I just met her just today, but my date has been friends with her for a few years now."

"Oh yeah? Who's your date? Maybe we know him," Harry says.

Smirking at the opportunity that's just landed in your lap, you gesture over your shoulder and point. "I've been dating that ruddy pumpkin head for nearly two years now." Ron's eyes widen and Harry roars with laughter. As Ron tries to stammer out an apology, you wave him off. "It's fine. But by the glares and name calling, I take it the pretty witch my boyfriend is talking to is Hermione?"

"He tell you about us?" Harry asks, suddenly uncomfortable.

You nod. "Yeah. He was very fond of the friends he made when he visited Hogwarts for the tournament. Especially those who didn't fawn over him because of the quidditch star he is, but I don't blame him one bit. All the fake interest and constant questions must be annoying," you say with a wink and internally breathe a sigh of relief when Harry loses some of the tension in his shoulders. From Viktor you had heard how Harry Potter really wasn't the fame chaser some tabloids made him out to be, so you threw that little tidbit into the conversation so you'd let Harry know you weren't about to nag him about his Boy Who Lived/Conquered status.

The three of you are saved from coming up with other topics of conversation when Viktor and Hermione finally join you, and introductions are made all over again.

"It's so nice to meet you," Hermione gushes. "I've heard so much about you."

"You as well," you chuckle as Viktor proudly tucks you into his side.

The five of you then strike up a conversation as everyone is let back under the marquee for dinner, music, and the dance. As you and Hermione seem stuck in a conversation about your jobs, Viktor, Harry, and Ron take it to mean you don't want to be separated any time soon and find a table with enough chairs for the lot of you plus Harry's girlfriend as well.

Then over dinner, it comes to light that you work in the magical department of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History as a curator and cursebreaker, and Hermione is hooked. Ron eagerly supplies that his brother, the groom Bill, is a cursebreaker as well. Viktor then happily explains that you look over newly discovered artifacts, both magical and not, before they're cataloged. He's so proud to explain what your job entails and the fact that you've been offered a similar job in England which is why you're transferring at the end of the year.

"I've got a good chunk of money saved up," you say with a fond roll of your eyes. "This lug," you then say while gently elbowing Viktor, "asked me to move in with him and well.. I can't tell him no, it seems."

"I am her veakness," Viktor shyly admits, eyes glued to yours as he grasps your hand and kisses your knuckles.

"Just as I am yours, my love."

"Blimey," Ron mutters. "They're worse than Harry and Ginny."

"Shutup, Ronald," Ginny huffs before her expression softens as she gazes at the other couple in question. "They're cute."

"Adorable, really," Hermione muses.

"And totally boink like bunnies." There's a moment of silence before Ginny cackles and the three males at the table turn red at your words. Hermione is laughing as well, face hidden in her hands and you grasp Viktor's face in your hands while kissing his forehead in apology. "I couldn't help myself," you chuckle.

"Troublesome vitch," Viktor mumbles, his lips twitching in amusement.

You wink in response. "As if you'd have me any other way." Settling back in your seat, you also offer an apology to Harry and Ron who are still red around the ears, but both boys wave you off. Ginny is dabbing away tears, still choking down giggles as Hermione sips some water to hide her smile behind her glass.

Bill and Fleur soon make their way towards the middle of the dance floor, and the newly married couple open up the night of dancing by sharing their first dance together as husband and wife. The rest of the Weasley family and close friends make their way towards the floor to circle the happy couple, and you watch as a fluttering horde of butterflies encircle the married couple as they twirl while staring lovingly into each other's eyes.

Standing up from your seat, you scoot over and settle down in Viktor's lap. Wrapping your arms loosely around his neck, his arms encircle your waist as he presses a kiss to your chin. "Vould you vant somesing like zis?" He asks, gesturing the party around you.

"Is this your way of proposing, Krum?"

"Ne," he chuckles. "Ven I propose, you vill know."

"Oohh. When, huh? Not if?"

Viktor meets your eyes, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "You know you are only vitch for me." He then quickly presses a chaste kiss to your lips, chuckling, and you bite back a squeal when you feel one of his hands smooth down the small of your back to lightly grab at your ass. "Love you."

"Love you too, you ruddy pumpkin head."

His head falls back as he barks out a laugh. You're smiling at him and thinking about summoning another drink when a sudden hush falls over the party. Viktor's immediately alert, as are you, and he grasps your hand as he stands before pushing passed several guests. In the middle of the floor is a hawk patronus. The moment it's beak opens to relay it's message, witches and wizards start to panic.

"Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley have been attacked. Prepare yourselves. They are coming. They are coming. They are-"

Cracks of apparition resonate all around outside the marquee before blue, purple, and green curses are suddenly flying.

Amidst the screams, witches start apparating children out of the place and the elder generation apparate out to safety. Numerous of others stay behind to fight.

Back to back with Viktor, your wand slips into the palm of your hand and immediately you erect a protective shield. You can hear Viktor sending off curse after curse, occasionally erecting his own shields to stop the spells being thrown at him.

"Fleur!" Bill's terrified shout distracts both you and Viktor in the lull you suddenly found yourselves in, and you watch as the newly married couple gets separated. Fleur seems to hold her own before her wand goes flying and then her hands are grasping at the skirt of her dress to make it more easier for her to run and dodge.

"Viktor," you breathe in horror when you realize two wizards in the old deatheater regalia set their sights on the bride.

"I know. Stay low," he tells you.

"Aim high."

You squeeze his wrist in reassurance before holstering your wand, and then concentrating as best as you can you kneel down while letting your animagus form take over. In your place remains a hissing black panther. Viktor erects a shield to protect Fleur and you lunge across the floor, your teeth clamping onto the wand arm of the wizard who first attacked. As he yells and you use your weight to drag him down, you then unsheathe your claws and drag them down his chest while sinking your teeth into his neck.

A cutting hex hits your ribs and you yowl angrily, but a large black dog- or is that a Grim?- tackles the other deatheater.

"Y/N!" Your head snaps up and you meet Viktor's worried gaze, your whiskers twitching. The commotion around you is starting to dwindle, so you don't worry about watching your own back as you paw around for Fleur's missing wand. Finding it, you gently grasp it within your mouth before walking it over to the rather astonished witch. As she cautiously takes it, Viktor kneels down and presses a hand to your bleeding wound. "You are hurt, my love."

Your ears twitch and then you're transforming back, sitting on your knees with a grimace. "Just a scratch."

"Blimey. That was bloody brilliant." You glance over your shoulder to see an older wizard standing between Ron and Harry, the wizard's hair falling to his shoulders in dark waves with the grayest eyes you've ever seen. "Sirius Black at your service, sweetheart."

Harry grins. "He was the shaggy dog who avenged you."

Huffing a laugh, you fall forward on Viktor while gesturing a wave behind your back. "Thanks for that. I'm Y/N."

As Viktor helps you up to your feet, Bill gently collides with Fleur as he hugs her to his chest. Pressing kiss after kiss all over her face, he finally tucks his wife into his chest while looking to you and Viktor. "Thank you. Both of you."

"S'what friends are for, Weasley." Viktor glances down at you, scooping you up in his arms within the blink of an eye. Your arms immediately go around his neck and you furrow your brow at him. "What?"

"You are slurring vords. Come. You need Healer."

You blink and belatedly realize just how slow you are to actually reopen your eyes. "O-oh." As Viktor hums and starts marching through the lingering witches and wizards to get you looked at, your head falls onto his shoulder. "When we g'married, deatheaters are not 'vited."

Viktor huffs an amused laugh. "Okay, love. Vatever you vant."

[onceandfuturekitty]

Hi!

Hi :D um, so....yours ended up getting some French in, if that’s okay? xDD

****

Pourquoi je vis, pourquoi je meurs? [Why do I live, why do I die? -French lyrics and English subs here]

Raindrops on roses, and whiskers on kittens

Je t’écris des trottoirs de nos villes habillées en Nöel [I write to you from/about the sidewalks of our cities dressed in Christmas -French lyrics and English translation here]

The hills are alive with the sound of music

Risin’ up, back on the street

****

That was an interesting experience!! XDD a very eclectic collection. I don’t think my English teachers would have been happy with this poem :P

[atchoumthecat]

The eternal battle of my whiskers and hairs of my face... 😝 * L'éternelle bataille de mes moustaches et poils de ma figure... 😝 * #atchoumthecat #atchoumthewerewolfcat #atchoum #werewolfsyndrome #werewolfcat #werewolf #ambrassyndrome #hypertrichosis #persiancat #persian #canadiancat #cats #catsofinstagram #cats_of_instagram #cutepetclub #photos4ellen #happycat #ellenratemycat #buzzfeedanimals #dailykitten #9gag #boredpanda #thedodo #meow #theyaresocute #weeklyfluff #huffingtonpost (à Ville de Repentigny) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bss1fanDJtE/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=oqofag1oxjyu

[ink-and-dagger]

The only headcanon of Vill that i have is that he recently adopted a pet kitten and named it Whiskers. No one can change my mind on this

Author approved ✅

Whiskers’ favourite place to curl up and sleep is on Vill’s head. They’re inseparable. Whiskers is all Vill thinks about when he’s at work. He may look like a tough scary bodyguard, but there’s a thought bubble above his head and it’s just this adorable lil kitten playing with a one of those toys that’s like a lil mouse on a string and a stick that Vill bought.

[adleryoung]

"A lowfolk bagelmonger?" Estmere mumbled in a daze.  "No wonder I've been craving those things lately!  Those damn Vulps!  Damn them to the Netherhells!  Is there a way to reverse this?  We've gotta -  No, wait, what am I saying?  It can't even be true.  It's gotta be one of those lie thingies, like you said, babe.  These Ixies can say stuff that's totally bogus."

"I'm afraid, Your Majesty, that this time I speak the sweet and pure truth," the Ixie insisted.

"Aw man," Estmere moaned.  "No way.  No way!  No WAY!!"

"There there, husband," Edessa consoled, placing a hoof on Estmere's shoulder.  "Surely it isn't as bad as all that.  Our child is still royalty, and is rightful heir to the Imperial throne."

"What do you mean, our child is still ..?" Estmere began.

"I am not certain that is the case," the Ixie interjected.  "They made sure his lineage was edited first, so lowfolk he would be before thou wert permitted to have venery in the special way required to conceive.  The grandchild of a lowfolk bagelmonger would have no claim to the throne."

"But the Scuti itself was of royal lineage," Edessa declared hotly.

"Thou art not supposed to know that," the Ixie pointed out.

"Yeah, how do you know that?" Estmere asked suspiciously.

For a moment after banging my head on the table, I felt giddy and saw sparkling stars in my field of vision.  I had strange, disorienting thoughts of kissing Avogadro, and of attending the banquet in a stunning gown and making the Vulpsmarshal swear his undying devotion to me.  Or perhaps I could even tempt King Estmere himself to make an exception to his ungulates-only Floozy policy...

Thinking of Estmere suddenly reminded me of why I was here in the first place.

FUMA'S WHISKERS!  My transmogrification disguise was starting to affect me strangely!  I had to get out of there and turn back into my proper self.

I darted out from under the table and made a break for a nearby alley, leaping and twisting and dodging pies as I went.  I had just reached the cover of some closely huddled buildings when I tripped over the body of an elf lying on the ground.

"Zere he goes," Charmina Chubb chuckled.  "Der King is surely beink taken care of at zis moment, und his pesky brother vill soon fall victim to his own folly - if zings go accordink to Der Plan .. und zey all haff zo far."

"Who are you talking about?" Percy asked curiously.

"At last, a body worthy of my honor!" Angus bellowed gleefully.  "I shall punish the traitor and then re-conquer my city, armed with only my wits, and this!"

He reached into his Elfintory and pulled out a bottled ship.

Thanks for the likes and reblogs.  Keep ‘em coming!