#a real cryptid situationship here

[player-1]

Rotating the idea in my brain like a microwave burrito cause I know I have the creative chops to explain it but barely a crumb of the artistic kind. So Caelesa, yeah? The anomaly of a deer zebra thing who's whole schtick is to run away from any and every sign of danger but could very easily throw hands if she's cornered (or when she’s not having her brain hardwired with the mission for a whole lotta decades or centuries until the main story). Now what if, and I mean what if-

What if Caelesa's rings were supposed to be a wolf collar? While they are mainly used in Spain (Carlanca) and Italy (Roccale/Vreccale) for livestock dogs, it's also dated back to ancient Greece and Rome for war dogs (which could also connect to Caelesa being the Latin word for heavenly (like a heavenly "deer")). But even if they're not connected anymore, they still follow her like a phantom, a part of a goal that she can never run from until their inevitable death, to run from something or to chase something just out of reach. But the real question is how was it broken in the first place? The only other Abyssal with a similar kind of "injury" is Braccus, though I'm all for it being after his battle with Xanders and ripping the crystal out of his chest after his death for research (since only two scientists in the Abyssal story mention the crystals having the same-ish composition as Nexomite/Nexonium, though they didn't mention who/when/where they got the sample from). So I'm all for the idea of them breaking before or after her death, both instances being the reason why the rings couldn't be repaired after she got revived alongside the other Abyssals. And of course, since Caelesa is the only other Abyssal besides Helevolk that doesn't say anything about their goal and life before getting killed by the Guild or Lateria, the pre-canon potential is ripe for the picking here...

Something about a monster who's entire genetic code is built around the idea of run/flee/evade that was born with a bear trap of a collar wrapped around their throat all day every day. Like they're meant to be harmed by the ones hunting them down and going straight for the throat (figuratively and literally of course).

Something about said monster building a friendship with another that had the freedom to travel wherever they wanted, untethered by worry and responsibility from an unknown higher power.

Something about breaking apart those bonds to save the one they cared for the most when put against all odds, but the reminder of their dissention always trails behind them, the shattered brand still hanging loosely around their neck like a yoke collar. Meanwhile the shards of their chains become a source of awe and wonder for their closest friend, a ring of metal and feathers now protecting them against the ones that see them as an unwanted threat...

And yes, this is my headcanon on how Byeol got the ring-chariot thing since it easily dwarves the little guy, why the wings aren't exactly on the cherub birb if they somewhat match the fuzzy collar he has, and Caelesa matching that design scheme about 2-3 years after the main game. And something something about the real world parallel of one of many shock vids about a deer and/or horse eating an injured bird for protein deficiencies (Casual Geographic), something something about a seemingly innocent prey animal having the capacity to harm a weaker animal in order to survive harsher conditions-

On a unrelated note, I'm riding the fanfic potential high of Caelesa being friends with Byeol despite constantly calling anything and everything idiotic in every single sentence since the Greek translation of her name is "I called" (or "I loved you" from Google Translate). Even if she doesn't say it out loud, she was willing to destroy the one thing protecting her to save a kind innocent "angel" of a "Tyrant" and carry that symbol up until the present time.

[boyswillbebutch]

Me explaining why all the songs on my oc playlist are there- Very Long Post apologies!!

Tagging @locke-n-k3y since they were interested :] I also repeat myself a lot here and if you have any questions pls send them my way!! This is a very mixed explanation of my story in no timeline order so understandable if you have questions!

Also now tagging @guess-how-i-stole-this-body since i think this is the one you meant? sorry if it isn’t!

The playlist in question:

Kiss Me, Son Of God by They Might Be Giants: Janette and her relationship with her cult status (She’s the leader) and her journey to get there

Gnaw by Alex G: The first half is about Adele and Josh in highschool AKA when they met and the second is Josh talking to his son Ryan

Sarah by Alex G: About Claire, Ryan’s older sister who dies later in the storyLike Real People Do by Hozier: All the romantic relationships in the story basically but mainly Karma (Ryan and Carmela)

Twin Size Mattress by The Front Bottoms: Josh and Adele’s relationship in a way

Motion Sickness by Phoebe Bridgers: Dana talking about her ex

Feel Good Inc. by Gorillaz: The cryptid trio!! (Dana, Carmela and Ryan the main three) mainly just a song they’d sing too

Funkytown by Lipps Inc.: I imagine the cryptid trio dancing to this hehe :]]

Lone Star by The Front Bottoms: Maria and Daniel (Carmela’s parents)

Beachboy by McCafferty: RYAN!! I don’t know how to explain it tbh but yeah

I Hate My Mom by GRLwood: Claire and Adele’s (her mum) relationship

Freaks by Surf Cruse: The cryptid trio in the middle of the story

Shut Me Up by Mindless Self Indulgence: Again a song mainly just vibes but its also Jadele (Janette and Adele)

Numbers by TEMPOREX: Another ryan song!! Again idk how to explain it

The Villain I Appear To Be by Connor Spiotto and Molly Pease: Janette!! And her trying to convince herself that she isn’t a bad person

Tears Over Beers by Modern Baseball: Josh talking about Adele 

bad idea right? by Olivia rodrigo: So this is a bit of an inside joke with me and my friend but its basically the song that’d play for one of the scenes with Carmela and Ryan (but downplayed to just kissing lmao) 

bad idea! by girl in red: JADELE!! Janette and Adele. If you listen to the song its kind of self explanatory?

Why Am I Like This? by Orla Gartland: Dana! A dana song for the ages. She is not doing welll

This Is Love by Air Traffic Controller: Janette and Adele in the midway point of their relation/situationship

Gilded Lily by Cults: Janette and the cult she runs thanks to her mum

First Love/Late Spring: Claire. also one of dana’s dads, Noah

Me and My Husband by Mitski: Maria and Daniel’s relationship

Nobody by Mitski: Carmela!! Also if adele threw a pity party she doesn’t deserve :D

Be Gay, Do Drugs, Hail Satan by Super Cassette: Adele and Josh when they were younger in the 90’s

Dead Girls by Penelope Scott: Claire again!! This explains her death D:

I Bet On Losing Dogs by Mitski: Janette and her son/nephew Oliver (she adopted her nephew after her sister died)

Brutus by The Buttress: Janette and her time in the cult and the way she killed her friend Huan Lin when she was younger

Teenage Dirtbag by Wheatus: Josh talking about Adele in the 90’s/early early 200’s 

Ma Belle Evangeline from Princess And The Frog: Noah talking about his late wife Laura

Dream Sweet In Sea Major by Miracle Musical: Claire except she didn’t die at sea

Don’t Try Suicide by Queen: Claire’s death. but in a goofy sense :]]

Thermodynamic Lawyer Esq, G.F.D by Will Wood and The Tapeworms: Janette again!! Basically her feeling sillyyy/hj

Goodbye Yellow Brick Road by Elton John: Ryan :[

Need 2 by Pinegrove: What I imagine plays when the cult building burns down (also this scene is where Janette dies for the first time in the story) 

Buddy Holly by Weezer: Josh- he is a big fan of Weezer

Trees by McCafferty: Josh talking about his childhood

She Wolf by Shakira: The cryptid trio would sing this :D

The Moon Will Sing by The Crane Wives: Mainly just vibes I think it suits the story

Murders by Miracle Musical: Again just vibes but it could also be when Janette killed Huan

Ring Of Fire by Johnny Cash: What would play while the cult building is burning down if this was a show

DO YOU REMEMBER ME??? by emily jeffri: Janette talking to Adele when she comes back to life

The Bug Collector by Haley Heynderickx: Maria when she left for another city and her grief and regret about leaving Carmela behind

Tongues and Teeth by The Crane Wives: Janette talking about her and Adele’s relationship (In a way since Janette is aro and its also her trying to come up with ways to convince Adele to not date her since Adele does not take no for an answer akdhdkhdj)

Everybody Loves Somebody by Dean Martin: Noah and his husband Jose

Nice 2 Know Ya- Instrumental by Sylendanna: Again just the cryptid trio vibing 

Bleed Magic by I DON’T KNOW HOW BUT THEY FOUND ME: Adele talking about her and janette’s relationship

Bicycle Race by Queen: Just vibes :]]

Chinatown by Shakey Graves: Josh talking about Adele while she’s cheating on him

Two Birds by Regina Spektor: Claire and Ryan (the siblings ever augh)

I WANNA BE YOUR SLAVE by Måneskin: Jadele (janette and adele)

Closer by Nine Inch Nails: Also Jadele do not question meeee/lh

Wet by Dazey and the Scouts: Maria and her feelings about being in a relationship

SOLUS by emily jeffri: V I B E S

Washing Machine Heart by Mitski: Maria again :[[

Murder Song (5,4,3,2,1) by Aurora: Adele and Josh

Fell In Love With A Girl by The White Stripes: Adele and Josh in primary school

The King by Sarah Kinsley: I think this would play over Ryan and Carmela’s kiss if this was a showwww

Memento Momori: the most important thing in the world by Will Wood and The Tapeworms: Janette talking to Carmela

Night Shift by Lucy Dacus: JANETTE AND HER MANY COMPLEX FEELINGS ABOUT ADELE it’s such a janette song guyssss

Sober To Death by Car Seat Headrest: Josh talking about Adele

Babooshka by Kate Bush: VIBES AGAIN

Uptown Girl by Billy Joel: Noah talking about Jose just swap girl to guy

Digital Silence by Peter McPoland: The story as a whole

Time/Space by Alex G: Oliver, Janette’s son/nephew

Non, je ne regrette rien by Èdith Piaf: A song that’d be playing while Ryan’s arm gets chopped off by Carmela

Barracuda by Heart: This just gives off Carmela vibes to me

Highway to Hell by AC/DC: Janette when she dies the first time/hj

(Don’t Fear) The Reaper by Blue Öyster Cult: I think it also fits the story as a whole

We Didn’t Start The Fire by Billy Joel: The cryptid trio

So You Wanna Marry Daisy by Spence Hood: Adele. nothing else lmao

Duvet by bôa: Maria again!!

Be Nice To Me by The Front Bottoms: Ryan talking to Carmela after she cut off his arm

You’re Not Special Babe by Orla Gartland: Josh talking to Adele

The Chicken by Bo Burnham: Literally this song explains Maria and Daniel and a bit of Carmela’s story as well

Habits by Genevieve Stokes: Dana song :]]

Where The Streets Have No Name by U2: What I imagine plays on the last epsiode as the end credits

It’s Been So Long by The Living Tombstone: Janette talking about Oliver (FNAF SONG LETS GOOO) 

Never Been Better by half•alive and Orla Gartland: Basically just Noah and Maria (they are best friends!!) 

Poison Oak by Bright Eyes: Josh :] love him sooo much

Dullahan by Worthikids: Dana song again!! She also listens to music like this

West Coast by FIDLAR: The cryptid trio

Goodbye, My Danish Sweetheart by Mitski: Maria since she is one of my saddest characters D:

Mad IQ’s by I DON’T KNOW HOW BUT THEY FOUND ME: JADELE BELOVEDS TOXIC YURIIII!! 

Runs in the Family by Amanda Palmer: Janette and her family- also Maria

Kiss Ur Face Forever by Orla Gartland: Karma! (Carmela and Ryan)

Missus Piano by Rio Romeo: Adele talking to Janette

Slipping Through My Fingers by ABBA: Ryan at Claire’s death scene and Oliver at Janette’s death

Hermit The Frog by MARINA: Janette in highschool

Step On Me by The Cardigans: Janette talking to Adele

This Hurts by Mindless Self Indulgence: Janette, Adele and Josh (they’d make the best polycule if they were all good people and nothing bad happened akdhkdhd)

Molly by Mindless Self Indulgence: Janette in highschool againnnn

Witness by Mindless Self Indulgence: V I B E S 

Lights Out by Mindless Self Indulgence: Dana’s taste in music

Personal Jesus by Mindless Self Indulgence: Some aspects of Janette and Adele’s relationship

Join Us (And Die) from TGWDLM: Janette when she comes back from the dead

Inevitable from TGWDLM: Adele if she was in TGWDLM

Lifeboat from Heathers: Claire if she had a musical song

Bed of Roses by Mindless Self Indulgence: Basically janette’s final death since she also does in a bed of roses in a sense!!

Baby Hotline by Jack Stauber’s Micropop: Josh and Adele (if Josh hadn’t transitioned)

Agape by Nicholas Britell: What would play in one of the episodes :DD

Kilby Girl by The Backseat Lovers: Karma!! Ryan and carmela beloveds <33

suffering by Amélie Farren: Carmela <333

Black Friday from Black Friday: Vibess also carmela talking to Janette

Ghost of Chicago by Noah Floersch: Ryan talking about Carmela i love them so much guys kshdjdhd

Hello My Old Heart by The Oh Hellos: Janette when she’s dying (for the last time in the story so for context she dies twice) 

If you read this far I am giving you a hug, a high five for finger guns!!! Thank you for reading my oc rambles

[wheneverfeasible]

There are honestly so many more I could link and love on, but I gotta go take care of my laundry now, so here’s a list of fics of varying lengths and topics that I think could be good distract from icky things. Or good cleansers maybe.

(These are all Steddie btw)

Secret Admirer by @scoops-aboy86

Secret admirer AU. Really super cute and sparked my love of Steddie secret admirer fics. Comfort read for real. Eddie starts leaving Steve love letters and they become penpals. Some angst with Eddie worried Steve will hate him if he knew who he was. wc: 29,903

crush notes by @steddiecameraroll

Secret admirer AU. The second secret admirer fic I read with Steve being the one to leave Eddie love letters (or “crush notes”) while also befriending the other boy. With some angst because of insecurities again. Also super cute and a comfort read. wc: 17,915

The Frozen Lake series by kayeslin

Focuses on Eddie’s experiences during the earlier seasons and how he meets and falls in love with Steve pre-S4 through S4. Additional little “what-if’s” and deleted scenes as well. wc: 176,288

Look For the Boy With the Broken Smile, Ask Him if He Wants to Stay Awhile by Eenselwig_98

Omegaverse with o!Steve and a!Eddie where Steve feels like he’s only good enough to fuck and Eddie is absolutely in love with him. Heartbreaking and sweet. One chapter left to go. wc (so far): 42,992

The Sound of Our Shadows by @intermittentmania

College AU with the mean dom Eddie that made me fall in love with mean dom Eddies. Definitely heavier stuff but oh so beautifully done. Read tags. Ongoing. wc (so far): 46,289

The freak in the penthouse by @katyawriteswhump (katya1828)

Steve whump. sw!Steve and millionaire!Eddie get up to shenanigans in the penthouse suite. As someone whose favorite movie was Pretty Woman growing up, I was immediately sold on this fic. A few chapters left to go. wc (so far): 30,189

The King & the Prince by @apomaro-mellow

Fantasy/monster!Eddie AU. Eddie is the immortal king of a land ruled by beasts, Steve is the disappointing prince of a land at war with them that Eddie has kidnapped. Shenanigans ensue. As they wont to do. Ongoing. wc (so far): 50,454

Golden by @sageclipse (spacewise)

Streamer AU. Absolutely adorable. It’s a shorter fic, only one chapter left to go, but it is definitely a comfort read. Eddie streams playing games and falls for cooking streamer Steve. wc (so far): 6,898

Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours) by @steddieasitgoes

mailman!Steve AU. Steve is a mailman who gets into a small rivalry with a new resident on his route, Eddie. Super cute with some angst. Comfort read that is a love letter to the types of careers so many people take for granted. wc: 61,091

Bitten by @ebnealwrites (emmy_award)

A secret situationship gets derailed because of the events of S4 which leads to Steve leaving Hawkins behind and Eddie going through some changes from, shall we say, bat bite complications. Ongoing. wc (so far): 38,697

Oh No, Not Me, I’d Never Lose Control by @blushweddinggowns (purpleweekend)

gay!Steve, bisexual!Eddie, he just doesn’t realize it yet. Steve talks in his sleep, and then starts having sex dreams about Eddie while sleeping in Eddie’s bed, causing Eddie’s internalized homophobia to start to implode. Angsty and delicious. A few chapters left to go. wc (so far): 33,908

Camp Folktale, Summer of ‘86 by cairparavels

Summer camp AU. Steve and Eddie are summer camp counselors who start off as enemies to friends to lovers. There’s angst and fluff and lots of side ships. Original cryptid lore. wc: 113,859

Upside Diner series by @just-my-latest-hyperfixation

waiter!Steve and record-label-owner!Eddie AU. Eddie stops by a diner late at night and sees Steve waiting tables. Flirting ensues, Steve makes Eddie work for it. Very cute but also angsty. Actually the first work/series I subscribed to again after quitting subscribing to things for years. Comfort read and ongoing series. Total wc (so far): 5,439

i know what you want from me by @gideoncharov (hyxzw)

Fake dating & modern AU. Steve has decided if he’s going to be a disappointment to his parents then he’s going to pretend to date Eddie. VERY angsty. I’m gonna be real honest, this one was hard for me to read at times because it hit on trauma I personally have as Steve deals with accepting his family is toxic and abusive and the way he reacted to things hit way too close to home. I also happened to read it during the anniversary of going NC with my family which made it hit harder. But by god was it good. Kind of therapeutic actually. Anyways. Worth the read. wc: 86,788

~

Aaaaaaand yeah. I would link to some of @stervrucht’s fics but obviously that’s unnecessary with her already tagged 😂 (love you Ster)

tbh I almost linked one of your fics before realizing wait you wrote that one 🤣

I've had a tough week and an even tougher weekend ahead. No pressure tags but please drop your favorite distraction fics.

@wheneverfeasible @plumsfromyouricebox

@stervrucht @stevesnailbat