#alrick.... the man that you are

[unsettlingg]

He's reaching for his card-

@niuniente Thank you for making this man, he crawles up the walls of my mind 24/7

[niuniente]

Thank you for the wonderfull update! I'm all for Kizzie/Alrick, but I love the way the storyline with them is developing. I feel that Kizzie had a very romantic view of Alrick, especially since she has a lot of prejudice against Death Heads and was so positively surprised by Alrick to the point it seems she completely "forgot" that HE is a DH, and all the things she despises and acuse DHs of doing and condoning he likely had done so. She'd look at him and see Alrick as the kind person he is, and it's awesome, but not to the point where she erases this other part of him, even thought he has it literally printed on his face. They'd never work if she is not confronted and accept the fact he is a DH. Lou Lou and Pearl would be wonderful helping her get through this, but she'd also needs to be open to that. They'd make a wonderful support group for each other (given they all started from a point of mistrust and/or prejudice with DHs, which is not unfounded lets be honest.) She was so fixed in this betrayal that she seemed to miss the fact that he said the business had to be his not that she couldn't continue her dream and career. The way I see it she is more "protected" then ever. Because now her business is DH business and DH can't take deals on other DHs. The "under construction" farce would only last so long after all. Kahamet interest in Alrick is very interesting to me. It feels almost as he sees him as a possible heir even. He seems to have a mix of desire to manipulate and mold him to his desires and at the same time to let him flourish in his own rebellion and power. Kahamet in a way reminds me of The Illusive Man from Mass Effect. And I though I like Kahamet better than TIM, his ruin would be just as rewarding to witness. I also love how you humanize piece of shit characters like Plague. He is an ass, and deserves a lot of the things happening to him, but I can't help but feel bad too. Not in a pity kind of way, but more in a sympathetic way.

Kizzie is definitely viewing Alrick through rose-tinted glasses because of his kindness. It's easy to fall for something like that, whether the person is a good match on a deeper level.

When it comes to her business, Alrick is the owner and Kizzie basically works for her. So she has free hands to do music as she sees the fit. It is a good deal for her.

Anti-heroes are one of my favorite tropes, as well as villains who have one weak spot of a person. I don't know how much Plague actually cares about Cure or is it more "my toys, you can't play with them" attitude towards her. I'm sure we learn at some point. Perhaps he's a yandere type of a person? Or just a genuine dickhead?

[asmrtist-brainrot]

Hii not sure if ur interested, but could I request Abul x reader x Abul’s family (platonic!) headcanons? Just the reader slowly creeping into their hearts and abul’s family slowly starting to accept them as part of the family? (nothing is more powerful than making ur boyfriend’s family love you more); imagine that, at one point, Alrick (grandpa) and celestia (mom) start protecting YN from others questioning abul’s relationship w/ them (if it's in a negative view)

It's already sort of a well-known "secret" that Abul is very fond of his partner soooo...

Gender Neutral! Reader

~ Dari

Platonic! Royal Dragon Family + Abul X Reader

Alrick is somewhat of an old fashioned, slightly pompous ass to most and held onto a lot of the views that he felt kept him safe...

but he still loved his son and so loved his grandson and he learned to also love the person, the human, that his grandson loves too

you sort of wore him down, holding that same fire and spirit that your own grandmother held

soft and gentle and bright, you reminded him so much of his loving son

Abul lowkey started getting suspicious when Alrick started having you do some "paperwork" with him and worries if he's just drinking insecurities in you or plotting to make you leave him

and essentially bursts in on one of these times to see that you were in fact helping with papers but also having tea and a chat, even seening Alrick full on belly laugh at one of your cheeky quips.

... struck dumb until you chirp for him to join you both, Alrick gives him the evil eye about it thoigh and gruffly tells Abul later not to interrupt his time bonding with his future in-law

Abul needs time to reboot after that but is very relieved to see that he's softened up

Alrick is terribly protective of you now, a looming force that simply bashes away any opinions of nobles because fuck them all, he's the strongest and will make them love you as much as he does

Celestia knew what you were to her son when she first saw how he looked at you and it just made her so happy to see him breaking tradition because he loved someone so much

she also already loved you after she figured out what type of person you were

... You did remind her a lot of her late husband, they weren't really in love but she still loved him as the father of their children and respected him as the good man he was

and OOH, you were just darling! such a cheerful and playful thing - she's gotten so sick of the uptight stiffs that you were someone she feels like she can let loose around

she lowkey pesters Abul about when he'll propose because she's been dying to plan a wedding

Kass, not long after meeting you and finding out you were her brother's partner, was over the moon

she was brimming with delight after finding out you were such a sweetheart, practically dragging you away from your chores or her brother to go and explore with her - much to Abul's chagrin

often cracks jokes about "how did someone like you end up with my oaf of a brother?"

she pouts when you defend him but quickly bounces back to pride that you loved him so much

Kass appoved of you the minute she figured out how deep your feelings were and just feels at ease around you

you don't judge her for anything and yes, that includes being a bit of a gossip - she loves spilling about the messy things surrounding the nobles

ya'll know she has the hottest tea around

she's also real amused you managed to get into Alrick's good graces too

Abul thought it couldn't get any weirder until he found out his stepbrother was making nice with you, it also annoys him a bit because he was such a prick but the minute you're in the room - he's just sooo nice

Bren and you were essentially already best buds after you both started working together, you were happy to show him the ropes and defend him if necessary

it strange for him to have someone to defend him so readily, so... he adores you and the both you play board games and read together

even after his royal attachment to the dragon family was revealed, you still treated him like the pair of you were friends all your lives

but now, you happily call him your brother

he felt welcome long before he was revealed to be related and he had you to thank for that

[featherymainffins]

I guess it's so funny to me because I think it is quite literally the opposite of the role he wants to inhabit? Like uh this isn't a think piece at all, I'm just spitting words randomly but

Haunting the narrative is a passive act. Yes, technically speaking, you set it into motion and it is your doing, but you are not present for it and much of it relies on others acting upon your lack of presence.

And yes, we could argue that the role of the mastermind, which is the role that he does fulfill in the narrative, is also defined by absence (the mastermind is not seen, only their actions are), and we could argue about the passivity vs activity of the role, but the main difference is that the mastermind is in direct control. The mastermind is the spider weaving the web and the chess master moving the pieces.

Haunting the narrative takes control away from you in a way. You do have control initially, but everything else is out of your hands. Haunting the narrative is effectively being like God: you create something in your hands, set it free and then leave, and everything that happens afterwards is nothing you can interfere in.

So haunting the narrative is passive, marked by your absence, and something you cannot control. The very nature of haunting the narrative means that you do not control anything. You threw the dice and now they are rolling: Rose Quartz / Pink Diamond died of her own will, now the dice are rolling; the author of the Journals is is gone but he left them behind, now the dice are rolling (yes, this one applies only until a certain point in the story); Alrick died, now the dice are rolling; Madoka erased herself from existence, now the dice are rolling (specifically about Rebellion); Lisa burned on the pyre, now the dice are rolling; the scientist created Adamant and died, now the dice are rolling (actually funnily enough I feel like Lapis Lazuli might be a BIGGER ghost in the narrative despite the fact that the scientist basically literally caused the whole existence of HnK); whatever the fuck WD Gaster has going on i guess;...and many more examples

(An example that I might get stoned for is Durge. Durge died in all but the body and as such they are not at all present in the story yet their lingering ghost has an undeniable impact on your character no matter what kind of person you choose to play as. This is my subjective interpretation and I recognise that a lot of people don't see it that way, but I consider pre-story events Durge dead. If you took my mind and erased all my memories and me as a whole and let me out into the world I wouldn't consider that person me at all. I'd be dead. That person would have just inherited my body.)

The role of the mastermind is one that I personally consider passive, but in sharp contrast to haunting the narrative, it's all about having control. The plot is entirely yours to command. A literal example of this is Makima from Chainsaw Man, who is the Control devil. A more traditional example is Jonah Magnus / Elias Bouchard from The Magnus Archives. Or Mother Miranda from Resident Evil, whose dead daughter is haunting the narrative as a nice bonus (on technicality. The game itself does not seem very concerned with the implications, for some reason). Many such cases etc etc we could be here forever.

It's sorta like a sword/shield thing - the sword and the shield both belong to the knight and both are used in battle, but they are not the same thing.

I forgot where I was going with this actually.

[adiabolikpastel]

I'm not sure if you got the question I sent you the other day, so I'll send it again, (I hope this doesn't bother you, if so ignore this 😣).

If really this guy Carnelian was so dangerous and powerful as to make all the clans make an alliance to kill him, how do you imagine a battle between Karlheinz, Burai, Ajax and the king of the Wolf clan vs Carnelian? I guess it would be a fucking epic fight, because I can even imagine Alrick, Alexander and Shu helping their fathers in battle! Even MC/Yui could give them blood since from what I know, Cordelia's blood is like an elixir that heals and makes the one who drinks it more powerful.

Oh gosh! I sorry, tumblr must have eaten it! I am happy that you sent this in again, since I didn't get it before. You will never bother me with ask~ always feel free to send them in!

First off, thank you so much for mentioning him by name! I am so honored that you remembered and even used Alexander in your ask! Ah, it means a lot to me that you know his name and that you see him in the blog. Thank you for that!

Okay the rest will be under the cut, I just needed to get that out! Thank you for this ask I love these world building ask! I have also reached out to @the-sloth-woman to ensure facts for her characters.

How do you imagine a battle between Karlheinz, Burai, Ajax and the king of the Wolf clan vs Carnelian?

I think that this battle - at least for the cannon in my own universe of Excruciating Duplicity - would serve as a catalyst for what is to come. From what I have seen / been told about the Carnelian Blood story line - it feels like some kind of battle is what it is trying to lead up to. Putting a fight between all of the major demon lords vs. Carnelian in the near coming future.

To that extent - I don't think it would only fall to Shu, Alrick and Alexander (as well as the Wolf's son! - Eberto perhaps is that was his son). At least not for our DL cannon boys. It will probably be something that needs all of the Sakamaki / Mukami / Tsukinami boys to be apart of - because it would most definitely involve Yui.

The battle itself, is hard to say. From the bits of information that I have learned about Carnelian himself (which BTW, the tragedy of this man, my goodness he's been through it), I don't think that he would have the man power to do a big war like battle. He barely has the 5 sons - unless he comes up with a way to amass an army. So to that, I think it would come down to a literal 4v1 situation.

Where Burai, Karl, Ajax & Gottfried (dead in cannon, but so is Burai - we play with the timeline here), are fighting Carnelian and the boys are fighting his sons. If there were any armies or followers outside of his son's that is where Alexander, Alrick & Eberto would come in - along with any other siblings from the Adlers or soldiers.

As far as Yui's involvement, because I know she is technically the MC of the cannon - I am sure Carnelian will either take her or she will be simply support for the boy of her choice. I don't think she herself will do much, but she would be present. Idk if she would be conscious though. I can see Callista there as well, doing her part to either keep Yui safe once returned to the 'heros' or there for support.

But this battle would be one for the older generation, and what is most important for it in my cannon would be the affect it has moving forward.

The Catalyst

I believe that it would be from this battle that Gottfried would die. Out of all the lords, he would be the one to fall - and it would be Ajax's fault that it happened. While I am not sure what his royal bird brain does, it is form this that the major war begins to stem.

Burai, while not particularly close with anyone, is upset by the loss of Gottfried. Whether that be from not liking his son Eberto who follows after him - or simply the fact that once again Ajax proves to be worthless (probably more this reason). This battle, while won, spells the end of the old regime.

[julianobungus]

I came up with this idea back in the summer when we were discussing Phillip/Amelia ship. That was before you decided to take a break from writing long posts, and I thought I'd just write it when everything would befine, but this idea makes me suffer from brain rot, so I'm finally telling it.

So, this is a crossover of the Owl House and Infinity Train.

Philip, after returning to the human realm, recovers faster than in the canon. And he learns how much the world has changed. He is glad that humanity has created so many things without any magic, but the realization that his views are outdated, that magic is no longer considered evil, that witch hunters are not considered heroes, makes him feel very bad.

He studies everything that has happened over the centuries. This world is not the world that he left once. There are completely different problems in this world (Which he could solve with magic, but he can't even think about it). It makes him feel even worse. Some part of him wants to believe that all this is not true, some part of him wants to return to the Boiling Isles and continue to rule the witches, as he has done for many years, some part of him just wants to be a hero or at least a good person.

He uses the ability to turn into slime to get into different places and steal different things. He feels bad that he has to do this to people, but this is the only way. After some time, he decides to leave Gravesfield and move to another place that will not remind him of the home that is no longer there.

And that's how he gets on the Infinity Train. I think that Philip would be the first passenger whose number would cover the whole body immediately after getting on the Train.

This place amazes him, each car has its own separate world with different inhabitants. But he doesn't know what to do with them. The variety of these creatures reminds him of the inhabitants of Boiling Isles, but he knows that his actions on the Isles would be considered evil if he told anyone about them.

He remembers what he heard from the video from the Conductor, about the Denizens and about the essence of the number. All this sounds strange and so unlike what he managed to learn about the modern Human Realm. He's not going to just believe the words of some sphere. If he was naive, he would have been dead long ago. So, he decides to study the Train the same way he once studied the Boiling Isles.

Honestly, I'm not sure if he would have called his real name or called himself Belos. But he would act the same as in Elsewhere and Elsewhen. As Lilith said, “The confidence, the compliments. He says everything you want to hear.”

He wears his suit, he has bags with things from the Human Realm and he is ready for anything. And at some point, he meets Amelia. Maybe it was just a chance meeting, or maybe she was purposefully looking for him, a passenger with such a high number, after she saw him on one of the monitors in the Engine.

She is a human being just like him, so he asks for help. And Amelia is shocked to hear Alrick's voice. At first, she thinks that Philip is another Turtle Person who can transform into a human, like Hazel. But his number looks so real, unlike Hazel's number. She agrees to help Philip, simply because it is the only way to hear Alric's voice besides Aloysius. And it is more enjoyable for her to talk to a human than to a turtle.

What do you think about it? Oh, and I do not know where to put it, but Simon is alive and he has Catra as his partner. This ship still seems interesting to me

Wawawa I love this! For real, this was a delight to read. Philip finally meeting a human who kind've(??) understands him? He has no idea of the effect his voice has on Amelia though, not that she needs to tell him right now. Amelia herself honestly can't explain how it's happened, but she doesn't want to leave the guy who sounds so much like him - *and* is a human man, as a plus.

And don't you worry, Simatra is still very much alive in this lil joint AU. They're still travelling the train, with Simon having a high, body-spanning number, and Catra dreading the day he'll have to leave (she understands what happens now), although she doesn't really talk about that with him. Not right now, anyway.

imagine all four of them meeting up.

[quercus-queer]

Shoutout to Alrick Timmens, lowkey a harbinger of chaos

[the-sloth-woman]

OC QUESTION MEME ! 1. What’s a unique skill they have? Is there any reason why they can do it? 74. What’s their guilty pleasure?

Thank you for sending this in~! :D

1. What’s a unique skill they have? Is there any reason why they can do it?

Lilly: These are good questions...

Alrick: We're a demon and a Nephilim, isn't everything we do a unique skill?

Lilly: They don't mean it like that!

Alrick: Fine, fine. There are a few unique skills that I have. My biggest one is probably my "pain touch". I can touch someone and cause them to experience the sensation of burning pain. All the Rosenfelds can do it.

Lilly: Mm...

Alrick: Don't make that face, it's been ages since I've used it on you.

Lilly: Well, I think my unique skill, other than swordsmanship, is that I'm really good at chess! I've been playing ever since I was little after I first moved into Alrick's father's house. I've been playing for maybe... 200 years, give or take? That's a lot of time to practice!

74. What’s their guilty pleasure?

Lilly: Guilty pleasure? Um...

Lilly: R-recreating my favorite movie scenes with props at home.. Like the fight from The Princess Bride.

Alrick: ABBA...

[anotherscrappile]

My favorite scary/sweet bunny man, Alrick :)

If you like humanoid animal/animal-like human societies &/or short stories about mercenaries, I cannot recommend @niuniente’s wonderful comic Dead-Head’s Deal enough! It has wormed its way into my brain & lives in there rent free.

[artbyblastweave]

A Theory about The Unproduced Amelia Season

I think Amelia’s book would have served to reframe her takeover of the train as, at least initially, a good thing. On some level, I think it was a good thing. When we first meet Amelia in Book 4, she’s in some form of Dialogue with One; he’s walking her through the proceedings of the train, laying it all out for her. And frankly, he’s framed a lot like a supervillian here.

This isn’t the One-one that traveled with Tulip. He’s a united front, with a specific goal and ethos. His name drips with ego. He’s cold, calculating. He’s a robot hidden behind an uncanny face. He knows the train kills people. Probably a lot of people. He doesn’t care. They fix their shit- with limited guidance and resources- or they die. For all intents and purposes, he’s either PG Jigsaw or he’s playing Metatron to one.

Then there’s Amelia. Amelia, about whom we can observe several things;

She’s known to have a knack for subverting tyrannical, bureaucratic systems. She undercuts the phone company. She jokingly tries to talk Alric into ditching graduation. She does poorly in a classroom setting but she’s brilliant when she applies herself.

In an era when all passengers have specific uniforms-branded with One’s face, no less, Amelia is wearing the boots, (which physically can’t be removed) but not the soulless; identity-erasing uniform.

She’s penetrated very far into the infrastructure of the train. You don’t get this far on your first day, or without subverting a lot of systems to get One’s personal, undivided attention.

She has no Denizen with her here. That’s odd; with the exception of Grace, most passengers tend to accumulate denizens pretty quickly after they board the train. Kez demonstrates that, under One, this is what Denizens do- it’s their duty to explain the set-up and assist the passengers, although she personally isn’t “conventionally” good at it (she helps by being so incompetent they have to devise workarounds to the problems she creates.) 

So what we’re looking at here is coded like a Bond Villain Speech to a protagonist that you’d get at the climax. This is after the plucky, headstrong, anti-authoritarian heroine has pushed through countless dangers on the train proper, to break into the inner sanctum of a sanctimonious demigod. This is after she’s asserted her individuality with clothes instead of a uniform. 

This is after any denizens she potentially encountered have left her company; maybe through second-act heroic sacrifice, or just by being left behind when One brought her into the main tour. (It’s possible she never encountered any, but from a meta standpoint it’s unlikely the whole book would have been her with One-One and no one else.) In the construction of a typical horror thriller or heroic action adventure, we’d be witnessing zero hour. Now let’s look at her influence on Ryan and Min’s adventure. She exerts influence twice; once at the Party Car, and once at the castle.  In the Party car, she gives them back their stuff. Ryan’s Guitar, Min-Gi’s minisynth, their clothes. All flatly necessary to get through the car, to resolve their problems in general, and it’s pretty clear that One wasn’t going to give them that stuff if Amelia hadn’t suggested it; she’s in some kind of dialogue with him that can be heard through the Steward. 

And someone pointed out that in the other seasons, the stuff that the passengers bring on board with them is a reflection of themselves, their strengths and their pasts. Someone aside from me pointed out that under One’s system, Tulip wouldn’t have had the pocket knife that she used to rescue Lake- and that was the only conceivable takeaway from that car, that you need to extend empathy even to people who are hurting you while pursuing their own needs. They pointed out that without his phone and the recording, Lake wouldn’t have been able to help Jesse through his issue with Nate and Troy. He could have kept dancing around that forever.  So this is clearly Amelia at a point where she’s trying to introduce a Reform to a broken system. And it’s a good one! The second time she shows up, she takes the pair’s magnoboots, proclaims that “we are on our own,” and (accidently)  self-destructs the stewards. That’s a demonstration that she’s in control at this point, if not competent control.

 It’s telling that the most prominent thing One’s regime provides to the Passengers are boots that can be used as restraining bolts if they start doing something he doesn’t like. It’s also telling that Amelia’s first act as Conductor was to remove those restraining bolts from everyone on the train. Her breakdown at the end of Book One is at least partially informed by her knowledge of how callously One-One ran things when she hadn’t rendered him a complete moron. Her brusque, no-nonsense attitude in Book 3 results from the fact that she’s not actually sorry about overthrowing One-One; she recognizes that there was a mechanical limit stopping her from bringing back Alrick, that she took One-One’s little speech about the train being capable of anything too literally, and that her time in charge could have been spent far more productively. But that was purely a practical error, not necessarily a moral one; she isn’t shown to care about denizens any more than One One or the Apex do, and she doesn’t care about the train working beyond what’s necessary to burn off her sentence.

Considering all of this, I think that a book about Amelia would have been framed as a full-circle revolution; a story about Dorothy finding the man behind the curtain, finding him lacking, and usurping him. The tragedy isn’t that the real conductor was overthrown; the tragedy is that Amelia fails to improve meaningfully on his performance.  She failed to recognize her newfound capacity, and her moral responsibility, to improve the system for everyone; Instead, she got lost for thirty years in the pipe dream of bringing back Alrick, with nothing to show for it but turtles.

[typhonserpent]

Death-Head's Gift

Fandom: Death-Heads Deal/Pokemon crossover Rating: Teen (swearing, violence) Genre: Slice-of-Life Pairing: Primm (Grimm/Pearl) Summary: Pokemon AU. Grimm wants to surprise his wife with a new Pokemon, but catching the one she wants will be a challenge. Luckily, Alrick and his team are there to help.

This is a gift for @LittleGrayRam as a part of the DHD Discord's secret santa event. If you want a macabre but surprisingly warm hearted webcomic to read, pick up Death-Head's Deal, join the discord, and of course read this fic. <3

✦ My Writing Tag ✦

✦ AO3 Link ✦

All day long, the full-face bear couldn’t shake the feeling that he was being watched.

He wasn’t doing anything unusual. He’d gone to a meeting with some high profile bank owners, filed the necessary paperwork to sell his share of his company’s stock, met for lunch with his wife, and spent the afternoon chasing down a few local street rats to pay them for a job well done. After work, he went out for dinner with his other wife and then wrapped up the night at his favorite bar, where he snorted lines of coke with a few of his colleges. Now the night had turned pitch-black, and the bar was emptying. He wasn’t keen on leaving his brand new car at the bar until morning, so he was taking a walk to clear his head. Every now and again, it felt like someone was staring over his shoulder, but when he looked behind him, nothing was there. Just like at the bar … and the coffee shop … and the restaurant … and in the park …

He looked behind him, and again, saw only shadows and parked cars.

He quickened his pace

He was only a few blocks away from the bar. He’d be fine. He just had to make it to his car.

The streetlights flickered. The shadows beneath his feet shifted unnaturally. He froze, eyes wide, swiveling at breakneck speed.

Behind him. A new shadow.

It approached. His forehead was damp with sweat.

A tiny Yamper stepped into the light.

Hand over his chest, the bear sighed, finding every inch of him still tense and shaking. The Yamper gave a single, high pitched bark

“Hey there, little guy.” He said, kneeling, “Gave me a scare. You lost?”

The Yamper leaned forward to sniff his fingers and suddenly the streetlamp above him shattered, bathing them in broken glass and darkness. He looked up and into a pair of wicked, glowing red eyes. A sharp-toothed smile appeared below. The eyes bounced in delight with the sounds of a deep-pitched laugh that sent chills down his spine.

Terrified, the man stood and stepped backwards, only to trip on a vine that had suddenly spread behind him. Immediately, the vines wrapped themselves around his ankles, and the accompanying Bulbasaur stepped into his field of view.

“Fuck …” He breathed as the Gengar revealed itself, still standing behind the happy, panting Yamper.

Two half faced rabbits followed behind the Pokemon, their Death-Head masks glowing white as they stepped out of the darkness. They were carrying bats.

He reached for his belt, where three Pokeballs were clipped. He’d paid a lot of money for this team, for exactly this reason. His hand was shaking. He blindly threw the ball, and his wrist was immediately snagged by one of Bulbasaur’s vines. The ball flew and slowed to a stop, encased in the purple glow of Gengar’s ghostly hold.

The shorter of the two Death-Heads, whose bare arms were covered in scars, laughed, “Oh fuck no. Batter up!”

He hit the ball full force with his bat, and it shattered into pieces.

When the man reached for another ball, the silent Death-Head his hit hand full force. He heard the crunch of bones in his wrist. With chilling calm, the silent Death-Head removed the remaining balls from the man’s belt. He was regarding this task as though it were another pile of papers dropped on his desk.

“NO! PLEASE!” He cried, throwing up his uninjured hand in surrender, “DON’T DO IT! PLEASE!!!”

“Too bad, buddy.” Joon said, “Sucks to be on the receiving end of a deal.”

Alrick snapped his fingers, and the Bulbasaur turned to him. Fingers extended, he closed his fist, and the Bulbasaur’s vines crept up and bound the man from head to foot.

The man was gagged, blindfolded, and transported by the cold touch of Ghastly’s levitation. Twenty minutes later, he was thrown onto a metal chair. The Bulbasaur finally released the man, only for his hands to be cuffed behind him. The blindfold was removed. He stared face-to-face with a warthog woman, her tusks sharpened to fine points, her features hidden behind a familiar skull mask.

“I’m going to cut the crap and get right to the point.” She said, “We’ve had a hell of a time finding you. You’ve worked really hard to maintain a double life, and confirming you’re you, much less approaching you with that black-market pokemon team of yours, took not one, but two of my boys. I ran out of patience a long time ago, but unfortunately for you, someone is paying us a lot to squeeze information out of you.”

The man’s breathing was fast and heavy. She yanked the duct tape off his mouth, earning a cry of pain, leaving his lips raw and chapped.

“So … let’s start why you sold your company’s stocks this morning.”

He squirmed. The edges of the metal chair cut into his pants, “I… I just planned on retiring early is all. It’s time to move on.”

She heaved a sigh, “And here I thought it would be easy … Torkoal?”

Beneath the chair, the man felt movement. He looked down. The Torkoal’s head appeared and met his face.

“N-no … NO!”

The volcanic opening on Torkoals back glowed an angry orange. Smoke belched. The Torkoal lit its shell ablaze, and the mans screams filled the room.

x – X – x

Grimm reached into the kitchen cupboard, removed a box of sugar, and was greeted by a demanding mew. The Espeon below him flicked her tail in annoyance and nudged her food bowl in his direction.

“So demanding.” He chuckled, putting back the sugar and reaching instead for the Pokechow.

“Jasper! You know better.”Pearl scolded from her seat at the kitchen island.

“My own fault for being so audacious as to prepare my coffee before her breakfast.” Grim replied, pouring the food into into the bowl.

Pearl lowered her phone, “She’s been so clingy ever since they switched my schedule. I feel awful that she’s cooped up by herself all day.”

“Perhaps she’d like a companion?” Grimm took his seat across from her, coffee and bagel in either hand, “Pokemon generally perform better in teams, and my Charizard and Nidoking aren’t exactly housepets. We could look into adopting another Pokemon.”

“Oh! That reminds me.” Pearl picked up her phone and pulled up the article she’d been reading, “Look at this, someone spotted a Pikachu at this campground. It’s just a couple hours outside of Lywood.”

Grimm skimmed the article, pausing to study the attached photo. It was mostly blurry trees and shadows, but there was little doubting the creature that was hiding in the darkness; that distinct shape and familiar yellow color, those pointed ears atop.

He gave her an incredulous look.

“You want a Pikachu?”

“Oh, goodness, no. Are you kidding me? I mean breeding was banned so long ago, and it’s so highly regulated you can’t even find them on the black market. Not that you’d want one that’s so horribly inbred anyway, I mean that’s why they banned it in the first place, and even if you’re lucky enough to find one being sold legitimately it’s worth more than our house, and forget finding one in the wild unless you live in Kanto or Alola, and even then-”

She froze, suddenly noticing the amused smirk on Grimm’s face.

When she’d first met him, before she’d ever met any Death-Head, that look might have sent frozen her in place. His eyes always told another story. He was amused, but he was looking at her with the same eyes he might watch her undress with. He loved watching her be excited.

She froze in place, but not from fear. She was blushing.

“I have to confess,” She said with a sheepish smile, “I know it’s seen as kind of childish these days but I always really loved Pikachu. Back when it was popular, my room as basically covered in merch.”

“So you do want a Pikachu?”

“Sure, and I want to win the lottery too, but I’d have to buy a ticket first.”

“Waste of money. You’re better off buying a Pikachu. Pad thai for dinner?”

“Now that sounds worth the price.”

“I’ll pick it up on the way home.” He stood, giving her a quick kiss.

“You’re the best.” Pearl caressed his cheek, not shying away from his Death-Head mask. It was as much a part of him as the markings beneath, and she loved every part of him.

Grim took her hand and kissed her knuckles, then left for work.

x – X – x

Three mugs of beer clacked together.

“To a job well done, boys!” Rena cheered.

Rena, Alrick, and Joon had a feast of fried noodles, dumplings, curry, and rice laid out before them.

“Dig in, boys. You’ve earned it.” She continued, “That job netted us a big payout, and a huge influx of new clients, and it’s all thanks to your and your teams.”

Joon had already begun stuffing his face with fried rice. Alrick was politely picking at some white rice and soy sauce.

“I’m not going to lie, Joon, I thought Gengar’s scary face routine would have stopped working years ago. You’d think people would get used to it.”

“It never fails!” Joon replied, brandishing a butter knife as though it were a sword, “Sometimes I let him out of his Pokeball at night and he gets me just for shits. We wouldn’t have figured out about his double life if it weren’t for Alrick’s new addition, though.”

Alrick gave him a thumbs up.

“That Yamper of yours is a good tracker.” Rena added, “About time you got a companion for your Bulbasaur. Next you should try convincing the stubborn thing to evolve.”

He shrugged.

A shadow fell over Joon’s plate of fried prawns (now reduced mostly to chewed tails). He looked up to see a fellow Death-Head looming over them. He paused mid-bite, meeting the half-face cat’s deadpan stare.

“Hey, I’ve seen you before.” Joon said, pointing the prawn at him, “North faction, right?”

“Grimm!” Rena raised her mug, “To what do I owe the honor?”

“Actually, I’m just picking up dinner. I didn’t intend to eavesdrop, but I overheard some of your conversation.”

“Eavesdrop all you want, I’m bragging!” She laughed, “My boys earned dinner and a few beers on me. Real tough case. Had use Torkoal to get the pig to squeal, but I wouldn’t have caught him in the first place if not for Joon’s Gengar and Alrick’s Yamper.”

“Your Yamper is a good tracker, then? Would you be willing to use him for another job? I have something in mind.”

Alrick typed on his phone.

‘If the work is safe and reasonable, I am willing. However, Bob Barker is not mine. You will have to ask his owner.’

Grim paused, staring at Alrick’s face through the phone.

“… His nickname is Bob Barker?”

x – X – x

LouLou was greeted by two Burmy that dropped from the ceiling and a Yamper wiggling the back half of its body.

“Bobby! It’s good to see you, too!” She said, kneeling to scratch the Yamper’s ears. The two Burmy shook their leaves loudly.

“And good to see you two as well.” She said, nodding at them, “Your cloaks are growing in well. Alrick really is a miracle worker.”

Alrick stepped out of the kitchen with a tea tray in hand, setting it on the coffee table. LouLou’s attention was drawn to the dark man sitting on the couch. He rose, revealing a painted skull mask and the lines of a permanent scowl etched over his face.

He was eating a cheese stick.

LouLou didn’t hide the fear that washed over her face. The Yamper weaving between her feet wasn’t helping the mood.

“Alrick, you didn’t tell me your friend was another Death-Head.�� She whispered.

“I am not here on Death Head business, miss. Nothing official, no deals have been made. If anything, I wish to make a deal with you.”

She looked to Alrick, who had poured himself a cup of tea. He walked to her and placed a hand on her shoulder, giving it a squeeze. She felt her nerves melt under his touch. She felt safe around him, and if he said this man was safe, then she would believe him.

“Let’s start with introductions.” The man said, gesturing to the couch. The three of them sat around one another while Alrick poured tea. The Yamper settled in on LouLou’s feet, and the Burmy retracted to quietly cling to the ceiling.

“My name is Grim,” He said, “I know Alrick from work, though we don’t work in the same faction.”

“LouLou,” She said, accepting a cup from Alrick, “Alrick and I grew up in Lywood together. I actually just moved back a few months ago. Alrick was nice enough to rehome Bobby for me.” She patted the Yamper on the head. He wagged his its stubby tail in response.

“I had to move into a much smaller apartment and they don’t allow pets. I was impressed by how Alrick was able to command his Bulbasaur with hand signals. Bob Barker’s still pretty young so he has a lot to learn, but he’s the puppy of the Yamper I had growing up. He means a lot to me. It’s been so nice to be able to visit him and know he’s in good hands.”

“Your Yamper is the actually the reason for my visit. His tracking abilities are becoming a bit of a legend. And you’re comfortable with him being used for jobs?”

“I trust Alrick, and I know he won’t put Bob Barker in any danger. He assured me his only fighter was Bulbasaur, and that Bobby wouldn’t be involved in any battles. Only for tracking. I didn’t even know he had such a good nose! Though I guess that explains how he always found where I hid my hats. I still don’t own any hats without bite marks. Hold on!” She looked up, realization seizing her attention, “Please don’t tell me you want to use Bobby for a job. I don’t want him to be hurt. He means too much to me.”

“No, no.” Grim said, holding up his hand, “Not for a job. At least, not for a Death-Head job. No danger will be involved, you have my word. I wish only for his help tracking a wild pokemon, A Pikachu, specifically. As a gift for my wife.”

“Your … wife?”

“You seem surprised. We Death-Heads have families and loved ones, too.”

“No no, I know that, of course. I guess I just didn’t expect such a … sweet gesture from such an intimidating looking man. No offense.”

“None taken. Will you agree, then?”

She sighed, glancing down at the Yamper on her feet.

Grim moved from his seat, kneeling in front of her. He scratched the Yamper on the head, stirring it from its sleep. It looked up at him, wagging it’s tail.

“Ma’am, you have my word. No harm will fall upon your Pokemon.”

“No battles?”

“None whatsoever. On my honor.”

She glanced at Alrick, who gave her a thumbs up.

Taking a deep breath, she nodded.

“Alright. I trust you.”

A few days later, she was bidding them goodbye outside of the flower shop.

“I’ll make sure the Burmy stay out of trouble.” She said, taking Alrick’s keys from him, “The Cherrim is moved to the balcony any time the sun is out, and the Sunkern gets water every other day, right?”

Alrick nodded. She gave him a salute.

“Take care of my pokemon, and I’ll take care of yours. You two stay safe out there!”

“We shouldn’t be gone for more than a day or two, but if the area is flooded with trainers, it’s likely the Pikachu has retreated further into the woods.” Grim explained, “We won’t have a phone signal that far out, but if we wind up gone for more than a week, we’ll return here and make a new plan.”

LouLou knelt, letting the Yamper jump into her arms and nuzzle into her neck, “Be a good boy, now. I love you.”

The Yamper yapped in response. She set him down and Alrick pressed the button on his pokeball, allowing him to retreat with a familiar mechanical sound.

On the street, Grim’s Charizard was outfitted with a saddle and bags on either side. Grim hoisted himself onto the Charizard’s back, and Alrick straddled the spot directly behind. With a gentle nudge, the Charizard was in the air. LouLou waved as they took off.

They cleared the skies of Lywood, leaving the familiar smog of the city and soaring over surrounding fields and farmland. They followed the road until the settled land turned into wild trees and untamed wilderness. Flocks of Spearow passed by every now and again

It was evening by the time they reached their destination. The road leading in was littered with cars and ride pokemon. The hiking trail and campgrounds were crawling with trainers. They flew further in, until the officially marked campgrounds disappeared and all that could be seen was trees and the occasional tent or campfire. They flew further still, until there were no signs of civilized life whatsoever. It was pitch-dark when they eventually landed in a small clearing.

Hopping off Charizard, Alrick released Bobby while Grimm tended to Charizard. The excitable Yamper spun in circles, sniffing every inch of his new surroundings, until Alrick snapped his fingers, causing the Yamper to stand at attention. From his pocket, he produced a plastic baggie with a lock of yellow hair inside, opening it, he allowed Bobby to sniff. After a few seconds, Bobby put his nose to the ground, and paced, eventually working his way in circles to the edge of the clearing.

Grimm was feeding his Charizard a pokepuff when Alrick typed a message on his phone.

‘He’ll bark when he’s found a trail.’

It happened before either of them could react. Immediately, the Yamper’s terrified yelps carried it away from the shadows at the edge of the clearing, darting across the field, through the two Death-Heads, and into the woods at the opposite end. Alrick panicked, his eyes wide, his gaze darting from the place Bobby had come from, to the place he’d run into, and then back again.

“I’ll find out what’s over there.” Grimm said, “He couldn’t have gotten far. Probably just spooked by another pokemon. Take Charizard for light and meet me back here in an hour?”

Alrick gave him a thumbs up.

Alrick left, his path illuminated by the light from Charizard’s tail. Grim went the opposite way, feline eyes glowing in the darkness.

Alrick kept his ears perked. While they walked, he occasionally snapped his fingers. When he heard a rustle in the bushes, he swiveled and immediately released Bulbasaur. Bulbasaur stood poised to attack. When the Fearow rose from the foliage, Alrick quickly realized his mistake. He snapped his fingers twice. Dodge.

The Bulbasaur scrambled to move out of the way, still managing to catch the edge of the Fearow’s wing attack. Bulbasaur fell, his bulb split in twain. Not easily beaten, the Bulbasaur stood on shaky les to face the Fearow as it took to the sky. Alrick snapped his fingers and clapped his hands once. Attack one.

Bulbasaur unleashed spores of sleep powder from its bulb. As it swooped Fearow kicked up the wind with its wings and dissipated the sleep powder with ease. Alrick dove, encasing Bulbasaur in his arms to block the impending attack. He felt the brush of feathers against his back, expecting the sharp pain of a peck to follow. The attack was interrupted when Charizard leapt into action with a ferocious growl.

Alrick rose to his feet, clutching the injured Bulbasaur to his chest, and watched as Charizard and the Fearow went head to head. Feathers and blood alike flew. Charizard had a long gash across his forehead and had Fearow’s wing in his teeth. Fearow pecked at Charizard’s neck and chest until Charizard released it. The second it was able, the Fearow took to the air. Charizard responded with a flamethrower, missing the Fearow and instead lighting the foliage nearby.

Charizard looked past the Fearow, past the flaming bushes, and for a brief second, Alrick swore he saw a the shadows shift behind the flames. Charizard’s eyes widened, and immediately released another trail of flames from its mouth. Instinctively, Alrick snapped his fingers. If Charizard understood him, it didn’t matter. The panicked pokemon was attacking every shadow around them, and every dried twig and tree was catching alight as he did so. Alrick stepped back until he was up against a tree. Helpless, he watched as the flames crackled around him and grew with every panicked attack. Everywhere he turned, there was more fire. Charizard took to the air.

He still clutching his Bulbasaur. Bulbasaur dug his claws into Alrick’s shirt, looking up at him with large eyes. Hesitantly, Alrick touched the injured bulb, and Bulbasaur yelped in response. With a sigh, Alrick returned Bulbasaur to his pokeball and clutched it tight.

He tried stomping the flames, then he tried tossing dirt onto them. He removed his jacket and tried smothering them. He crawled on all fours hoping one of the bushes would let him through. Maybe there was a gap somewhere. Anywhere.

The leaves behind the ring of fire rustled. Like a bloodied phoenix, the Fearow rose, its beady eyes trained on Alrick. He clutched pokeball close to his chest, weighing his options, when he heard a tiny yap. His fur matted and tangled with leaves, Bobby crawled under roots and bushes to reach Alricks side and face the Fearow. Bobby’s lips curled in a snarl and his fur bristled with electricity. Before Alrick could react, the Fearow swooped, and the Yamper opened his jaw wide to reveal sets of sharp, crackling teeth.

Thunder fang.

Bobby jumped and sank his teeth into the Fearow’s neck as soon as it was within range. The Fearow’s eyes widened, its whole body stiffened with the jolts that ran through its body. Light flashed, and the smell of burned feathers overtook the smell of smoke. The Fearow collapsed, and Bobby released it. When it stirred, Bobby growled. Despite its injuries, the Fearow unsteadily rose to its feet, glaring at Bobby and Alrick.

Suddenly, Bobby was enveloped in a white light.

Alrick stood slack-jawed. The Fearow poised to strike. Thinking fast, Alrick snapped his fingers and clapped his hands once. Attack one The newly evolved Boltund charged.

It was over in a second. The weakened Fearow fell to another thunder fang, and Bobby, looking very proud of himself, ran back to Alrick with his tail wagging.

For a moment, Alrick felt a flood of relief. Bobby jumped to his hind legs, now easily able to rest his front paws on Alrick’s chest. He rewarded Bobby with ear rubs. What a good boy

A tree branch snapped and fell near them, spitting embers and charred debris up in its wake. The wood crackled and split. Bobby looked up at him with his ears bent back, and whimpered.

His heart sinking, Alrick returned Bobby to his pokeball, then clutched the pokeballs of both of his precious pokemon to his chest.

x – X – x

Grimm’s Nidoking finished off the last Spearow with a swipe of his tail. The bird fell in a crumpled heap on the ground. He immediately returned Nidoking to his pokeball.

The forest was quiet here, save for the songs of bugs and the cries of nocturnal pokemon. Grimmm’s boots crunched dry autumn leaves. A babbling brook could be heard close by. A flock of Zubat flew overhead, but seemed uninterested in him. Glowing feline eyes narrowed to make out a nearby cave from which the last of the Zubat flock was pouring. When a flash of yellow disappeared into the cave, his cat ears perked.

He cave was overtaken largely by the stink of Zubat guano. His nose wrinkled. There were plenty of nooks and crannies where a pokemon could hide, but he couldn’t gauge how deep it was just by looking.

He decided, quite quickly, that he didn’t want to waste time spelunking tonight. He released Nidoking from the pokeball and said in a cold, calm voice, “Nidoking, sludge wave.”

Nidoking opened his mouth and released a torrent of toxic purple liquid. The cave floor was flooded with a thin layer of poison. Grim picked up a foot and kicked a bit off his boots.

From behind one of the rocks, a large shadowy claw reached up. The darkness parted into a wicked smile, accompanied by wicked, glowing red eyes. Nidoking took a few steps back. Grimm stood off to the side, just out of the face’s direct line of sight.

“Nidoking.” Grimm growled, “Stand your ground.”

The pokemon glanced behind at his master, then back at the shadowy visage, then back at his master. It was clear which one was scarier. Grimm cocked one eyebrow and rubbed his chin, studying the scary face before them.

“Not unlike Joon’s Gengar. Fascinating. Nidoking, ice beam. Now.”

Nidoking obeyed, unleashing an icy spray with so much force that the rock before them was shattered. The familiar yellow pokemon was revealed, and no sooner did it see its predicament than did Nidoking’s ice beam hit the pokemon full force, flinging him a few feet back. The pokemon skidded to a stop and stood, dazed and wobbly. At the neck, his head flopped to one side as though broken.

“Wait.” Grim commanded, and walked past Nidoking. The pokemon, his head hanging limp, turned to Grimm as he approached. On the pokemon’s stomach, two black dots seemed to widen. He jumped and backed up against the wall.

Taking out his phone, Grim opened his Pokedex app, and scanned the creature before him.

Mimikyuu – Disguise Pokemon - It wears a rag fashioned into a Pikachu costume in an effort to look less scary. Although it's a quiet, lonely Pokémon, if you try to look at what's under its rag, it will become agitated and resist violently.

“Hmm,” Grimm hummed, pocketing his phone, “So it wasn’t a Pikachu after all. I suppose you’re the one who scared Mr. Barker earlier, too.”

The Mimikyuu trembled.

“I won’t hurt you. Here.” Gently, he took the head of the Mimikyuu’s disguise and stood it upright. Producing a potion from his pocket, he sprayed it on the Mimikyuu, healing whatever wounds the battle had inflicted.

“I can relate to you, you know. Most people are scared of me, and a precious few have seen under my mask.”

Looking up at him, the Mimikyuu made a little squeak.

“You’re welcome.” He said, patting the Mimikyuu’s head.

He left the cave with the Mimikyuu in his arms and Nidoking at his back. His ears twitched when he heard the familiar roar of his Charizard. The Charizard landed before him, and Grimm’s disappointment was evident by the glare he wore.

“Where is Alrick?” He asked, and the Charizard replied with a sheepish look.

He sighed. The smell of smoke was quickly apparent, and the story in full came together.

“You’re a real troublemaker when left unchecked, aren’t you?” He said to the pokemon in his arms. The Mimikyuu glanced up at him innocently, “Come along then, let’s clean up this mess”

x – X – x

The fire roared around Alrick. His long, sensitive ears were bent back against his head. The two precious pokeballs stayed close to his chest. His shirt was tugged up over his nose and his eyes were squeezed shut against the stinging smoke.

Suddenly, a crackling whoosh, like dirt thrown into the wind. A sudden sense of cool cut a line against his side. He dared to look up, and saw as another flaming bush was suddenly doused in sand.

Grimm pointed, and Nidoking put out a third fire with it’s sand tomb.

Stunned, Alrick watched until the flames were all drowned. Grimm approached him and held out his hand for Alrick to take. He had a strange yellow pokemon perched on his shoulder.

Alrick had never felt so relieved, and his expression spoke every word that he couldn’t. Grimm helped hoist him up and rested a hand on his shoulder. There was a moment of silent comradery between them. Neither of them needed to talk. In fact, the silence was welcome.

When their moment was over, Alrick took out his phone and scanned the pokemon on Grimm’s shoulder. Reading the description, he smirked and shook his head.

“I owe you a debt for your help, and I owe Charizard some firm re-training, but it seems we’ve found our little troublemaker, as well as the source of the Pikachu sightings.”

He motioned for Alrick to follow. Charizard was waiting close by.

“We’ll find somewhere to rest for the night and return to Lywood tomorrow. I imagine LouLou will be happy to see Mr. Barker again.”

Dread sank into Alrick’s chest. He glanced at the pokeball in his hand.

He had no idea if LouLou was going to be happy to see him.

x – X – x

They parted at the street in front of Alrick’s apartment. Grimm stayed seated on Charizard while Alrick dismounted. They paused and met eyes just as Alrick’s boots hit the pavement.

“Why the long face?” Grimm asked.

Alrick released Bobby from the pokeball. The Boltund gave him a happy bark.

“… I see.”

Alrick turned, motioning for the Boltund to follow.

As Grimm flew away, his sensitive feline ears could hear as Alrick entered the apartment.

“Welcome back, Alrick! Did it go w-WHAAA? BOBBY!? IS THAT YOU?”

x – X – x

Equally as loud as LouLou had been, Pearl squealed, holding her cheeks in her hands.

“OH I love it! It’s even better than a Pikachu!”

Sitting on their dining table, the Mimikyu squeaked, and for a brief second, seemed to be blushing beneath his disguise.

“You’re the best husband ever!” She threw her arms around Grimm. He who remained stoic but bore a soft, gentle smile uncharacteristic of the hardened Death-Head that the streets knew. “Is this where you’ve been all night? I thought you were just on a job!”

Grimm shrugged, setting his hands on her hips. “It was a job, in a way. Seeing you smile is worth any Death-Head’s price.” He kissed her forehead.

“You softie … wait, you didn’t actually make a Death-Head deal for this you?”

“Not a Death-Head deal, no.”

“Oh, thank goodness.” She sighed, clutching her chest, “Well let’s get this little guy fed and washed. We’ll have to come up with a name, too.”

“I had a name in mind, actually.”

x – X – x

LouLou flopped onto the couch, burying her face in her hands. Bobby sat on her feet as before, but his eyes now easily met hers. He panted and wagged his tail.

“This is too much to take in.” She groaned, “Is this why you were always picking on the neighbor’s Meowth?”

Alrick returned from the kitchen with a mug in each hand. He glanced at her sheepishly as he sat one coffee on the table and sat in the armchair with the other.

“I can’t be mad about it.” She sighed, leaning back, “Especially when Bobby jumped into the fight on his own. I guess if he wants to fight so bad, I can’t forbid it anymore. But no dangerous missions, I mean it! I won’t forgive you if Bobby gets hurt.”

Smiling softly, Alrick nodded.

x – X – x

Two full-face bears crouched under a window. The smaller of the two shook with fear.

“Y-you sure about this?”

His companion had malice in her eyes and a crowbar in her hand, “I’ve been staking this place out since yesterday. I just saw the Death-Head get back this morning. He lives here, and so does his wife.”

“Y-yeah, but … what if she’s a Death-Head too?”

“Then she deserves to suffer. A Death-Head tortured and killed my husband. Cheating bastard he may have been, but now I’m out a husband, a house, and all his money. I’ll have my revenge. I’ll hold this bitch hostage for info, and if she’s a Death-Head, I’ll knock her upside the head, too.”

He swallowed. Together, they peered over the window ledge, into the house.

“What the fuck is that? Is that a fucking Pikachu? Damn, this guy’s loaded.”

Pearl finished tying a bright pink bow around her pokemon.

“Like a distinguished gentleman.” She said, “Come with me, sir. Your dinner awaits.” She gave a dramatic bow, then headed to the kitchen. The pokemon briefly glanced at the window, then hopped off the couch.

The woman watched her disappear. “Alright,” She hissed, “Looks like the hubby isn’t home. We probably got a couple hours before-”

She froze, her own words caught in her throat. She stared wide-eyed at the massive black claw that dragged razor-sharp nails across the window. A pair of wicked, glowing red eyes appeared appeared behind it, and a sharp-toothed mouth, grinning, laughing, and mocking her. She stumbled back. Her companion was already running away, screaming.

“F-fuck! What the FUCK is that!?” She shouted. She scrambled to her feet, abandoning her weapon. She ran faster than she ever had in her life. She would never trespass on a Death-Head’s house again.

The Mimikyu’s pitch-black claw retracted back into his disguise. He held his little head high.

“Trouble!” Pearl called from the kitchen, shaking the box of Pokechow, “It’s dinnertime!”

Perking, Trouble happily followed her to the kitchen.

[niuniente]

hey out of curiosity, how long do you spend on character design? I really love the animal people in dead head's deal. I feel like I prevent myself from making comics bc I spend too much time trying to make the designs perfect.

Frankly speaking I don't know. Because I don't really design the characters. If I'm unsure, it might take a few hours which is mainly used for thinking and looking at inspiring images. Actual drawing takes just a few tens of minutes, if that long.

95% of the time I just draw the character directly in the comic when it's the characters turn to appear without prior planning. If I have an idea already, I draw the character on a different sheet just so that I can show it to my Patrons.

For example, I drew Grimm directly in the comic. The moment Pearl saw him for the first time was also the moment I saw him for the first time. When I saw him, I instantly knew he's wearing a haori with a jacket and black jeans, and that his tail is long and white. His colors I tried out later but even then I already knew how he looked. I only needed to find the right tones.

My character creation process is like:

Alrick popped out on his own so I didn't design him.

Joon popped out on his own so I didn't design him.

For Kizzie I knew I wanted a character looking like a golden era Hollywood actress so I just drew her.

Dio popped out on his own so I didn't design him.

Plague was inspired by Janus Cascade from Wild Arms 3 and I mulled over with him for maybe an hour or two.

Alrick introduced Lou-Lou to me so I didn't design her.

I knew that whoever Plague is, his right hand is someone cute, soft and timid. I based Cure around that idea and spent a bit longer time with her. But not too long, just an hour or two.

I knew how I wanted Ren to look so I just drew him.

I drew Ren's niece Nanette directly in the comic - I didn't design her.

I drew Pearl directly in the comic so I didn't design her.

Loid is an existing character from my other comic FUZZY and he's loosely based on Billy Idol. Him I actually designed with a thought and it took a few days.

Algoth is loosely based on Benitto Armani from Sun-Ken Rock, so I drew him directly in the comic, too.

Rena is based on Mitsuko from Bloody Roar and I drew her directly in the comic.

Kahamet is based on a dream where I met a man in a grey suit and a black goat's head, and he said his name is Kahamet. This was 5 years prior to DHD.

And so on and so on.

I'm constantly thinking and analyzing, to such an extent that it does cause me problems. I think that perhaps that's one reason why characters come too easily to me.

I try to keep in mind what I have drawn and what is missing, so I can introduce those elements to new characters. We don't have another character with such an angular face or an eye patch than Ren. No one has a similar tail or ears or hair as Plague. Cure is a weird hybrid mixture where she's almost a full face but not quite. Rena is muscular. Alrick has neck spikes. Pearl has a short cat tail. That is a small way to make characters a bit different.

I take much inspiration from already existing characters and such, which makes the process faster. It's my way to say thank you to these existing, inspiring creations.

But really, like I can't really take full credit for Death-Head's Deal (or FUZZY), I can't take full credit for the characters either because they just come to me.

Kick in my door and say "Here I am, draw me (like your French girls)!"

Then, I sit with them and let them tell me who they are. It's really like making friends in real life. The less I control the process the better :3 (although that is really bad for commercial work).

[mmikmmik2]

If you were to sort the Infinity Train cast(s) into the Major Arcana a la the Persona games, which Arcana would you give everyone?

anon I had SOOOOO much fun thinking about this, thank you so much for sending me this. I sorted all the major characters, plus a few other entries, based on a mix of Arcana symbolism, Persona series character archetypes, and general vibes. I came up with answers I feel pretty good about for all but four of the Arcana. (Was really tempted to say Strength is every human character who doesn't board the train because they can handle their problems on their own lol.) This is going to be a long-winded post, so I thought I’d post just the list as an image (which hopefully won’t be too blurry!) rather than wrestle with Tumblr formatting trying to make a short list, and put a big text wall under the readmore talking more about my picks.

If this list does end up illegible, the same info is under the readmore as text! Plus some characters for Magician, Strength, Justice, and Death that I didn’t want to add to the “official” list because they’re more based on headcanon. (Although my reasoning for some of the “official” picks is pretty weak lol.)

One-One as 0. The Fool

Oh my gosh, what am I?

IT is great at fleshing out character backstories and families, so One-One at the beginning of S1 is one of the few characters who really feels like a blank slate. He's got a lot of his baggage back by the end of the season, and I think One and One-One are more similar than they seem at first glance, but S1 does seem to have been very formative for One-One and how he thinks about what he's supposed to be doing and how he relates to other people. So it does kind of feel like his fool's journey.

Alrick Timmens as I. The Magician

The magician begins the journey... by beefing it on a dirt bike, dying, and sending his wife flying off the deep end. Rip.

Alrick was an engineer like Amelia, so I could see him suiting some of the themes of the Magician, like conscious thought and manifesting ideas. His apparent playfulness and insecurity are similar to the Magician characters in Persona.

Kez as II. The High Priestess

“We can’t make this decision for you, Kez.” “You know what to do.”

I thought really hard about making Kez the Magician because just like every Magician since Persona 3, she's dumb, horny, and insecure dlkjasfdkl

(and also her showing up at the start of the story arc and being helpful but also super needy is very Magician)

But the idea of "intuition" really does suit Kez. Sometimes her intuition is as bad as her conscious reasoning, but I think that's a lot because she's so confused about what happened with Jeremy, and Morgan making Kez feel like she did a bad thing by helping him.

Tuba as III. The Empress

She made me feel like I was warm all the time.

Tuba's a mom. Sorry, this one's not that deep, haha.

Simon Laurent as IV. The Emperor

Highest number! I'm the leader now.

Simon has a lot of issues, but the one that felt the most prominent to me was his unhealthy relationship with power, authority, dominance, and rules. Another quote I considered using here was what he said in Grace's memory of meeting Amelia: "I never thought I'd get to see the Conductor with my own eyes. He's perfect! Everything finally makes sense again." In his emotional crisis, he thought everything could be fixed just by the existence of a huge, scary, powerful, male authority figure, even if they weren't doing anything helpful or informative.

Atticus as V. The Hierophant

I like to think that our stones are sturdy and handsome, like the Corgis that crafted them.

Atticus is a figure of traditional authority who deeply loves the history, society, and culture of his people. He often provides spiritual wisdom and encourages Tulip to get out of her own head and engage with the world around her. Also in Persona, Hiero is the Dad Arcana so it's very funny to me (a) to make the little dog be Hiero and (b) that the little dog really does have the strongest Wholesome Dad Energy of the whole cast.

Jesse Cosay as VI. The Lovers

Don't tell me what to do. I'm not going to be a part of anything like this, on or off the train.

This was my first and easiest pick lol, Jesse is sooooo Lovers. Like, the focus on choice and personal values and relationships? Yep, that's Jesse. It works on an "actual meaning of the Arcana" level and a "vibes with the Persona characters" level lol... popular, upbeat, and having such an identity crisis.

Lake as VII. The Chariot

I'm my own person, who is getting off this train!

I don't know if Chariot captures all the ways Lake grew over the course of S2, but I feel like they had the most externally focused conflict of all the IT characters, which suits Chariot. They've been fighting to stake out their personhood from start to finish, and they took action and used their willpower to achieve that goal. Also they have at least a little jock energy which is a prereq for Chariot tbh.

Frank as VIII. Strength

I dunno, I kinda imagine him as a simple man and easily underestimated, but with a lot of heart. The Cat may say they're keeping things casual but I don't think she'd take him with her on her private vacation unless he had some kind of inner toughness that would let him stand toe-to-toe with her.

Morgan as IX. The Hermit

I need to be alone right now. Kez... maybe... we can talk later.

I like that Morgan embodies toxic self-isolation and stonewalling and rejection, but that she seems to be moving towards the positive aspects of Hermit and taking some time to calm down and process and think. I like it when characters can embody the best and worst of their Arcana.

Tulip Olsen as X. The Wheel of Fortune

We have to adapt to the changes in our lives. It's the only way things can get better.

Tulip has a lot of themes and conflicts, but this one is a clear standout as the most important. I also like it for Tulip because, while she has to handle a lot of difficult and even traumatic situations, some of the change that challenges her isn't as unambiguously bad as e.g. the death of a loved one. It really is just change itself she's struggling with, and that's Fortune babey. Also, from the perspective of the train itself and lots of other characters, by reversing Amelia and One-One's positions again and changing how One-One administrates the train, Tulip is the one giving the wheel a spin. That's fun.

Lucy as XI. Justice

One of my friends once described the Justice characters in Persona as "the ones the player character is ultimately accountable towards", and I like to think of Lucy as kind of being that for Grace (...since Hazel has excused herself). Lucy is the Apex kid we see Grace interact with the most, the first Apex kid Grace admitted to herself that she had harmed (see Grace very briefly showing distress and then regret when Jesse points the harpoons at his face and she stops him), and the first person to confront Grace when she came home in The New Apex.

Min-Gi Park as XII. The Hanged Man

I don't know if we'll sell a single album, but we'll figure that out as we go.

Min-Gi sacrifices his "realistic", "sensible" goals for a more personally (spiritually, even?) enriching life that's beyond his control and outside of the expected norm. Like the Hanged Man, who dangles foolishly upside-down, but as a deliberate choice and in a state of serenity and enlightenment. I also think this arcana suits a reading of Min-Gi's character development as starting off going slower as a way to stall and live in denial, but then going slower with deliberation. Compare his arrogant insistence on refusing to act in The Astro Queue Car to his patience and care in The Castle Car and The Train to Nowhere.

Jeremy as XIII. Death

This isn't about the death of his family - I'm thinking of his reluctance to admit his number was going down. He cared about Morgan and Kez, and it's possible both that he may have really wanted to stay with them despite his exit and that that might even have been a healthy choice - they're real ass people with feelings and everything, not holodeck characters. But I also think Jeremy was using his life with them to avoid moving on out of that fog (because it was hard and it hurt and he didn't want to think about what that would mean for him and Morgan) and Morgan was enabling him.

Ryan Akagi as XIV. Temperance

Maybe the experience is the point. I wasn't just rushing you. I was rushing myself.

I think this one speaks for itself. Also, the other quote I considered putting here, from The Art Gallery Car: "You told me I can't appreciate the song without taking in the rest of the album. I need the whole package."

The Cat as XV. The Devil

I always do the right thing.

Honestly, this is one I really wasn't sure about. The Cat isn't a great pick for a lot of the meanings of Devil. She is definitely consumed by material comforts, and the short-term rewards of ignoring her issues at a long-term cost, though. This is more of a "vibes with Persona characters with this arcana" pick... Devil characters tend to start off being somewhat exploitative or even antagonistic towards the player character, and gradually showing a more conflicted and genuine side.

Amelia Hughes as XVI. The Tower

There's a hole in the universe where Alrick used to be.

Amelia's life is defined by catastrophe and upheaval - both those she's suffered and those she's inflicted on others.

Hazel as XVII. The Star

I'm going to keep loving you like you're still here.

When I think of "The Star" as a small but inextinguishable light in the darkness, Hazel seems like the obvious choice. Although we left her deeply wounded, I think she still has a flicker of her hope, faith, and purpose.

Grace Monroe as XVIII. The Moon

But it's unfair for me to tell you how to understand yourself. I mean, I don't even fully understand me.

Grace is probably the most complex and dynamic character on the show and hence one of the most difficult to place. I considered Empress, Strength, Devil, and Judgement for her... I think ultimately, lies and illusions are the most unifying theme of her character arc. Also, from a Persona angle, her pursuit of status out of a lack of true self-worth reminds me of Ai and Mishima.

Alan Dracula as XIX. The Sun

Brought together by the majesty of a superpowered deer!

I'm sorry dkjasfklads this is largely because I thought it was funny to have this completely inexpressive dead-eyed deer as Sun akfk but also... like... it kind of works okay!!! Think about the genuine joy and comfort and positivity he brings to Lake and Jesse (and me)!

The New Apex as XX. Judgement

"Then what are we gonna be?" "Guess we'll have to figure it out?"

This is kind of a Persona mythology gag again because of Judgement being a group social link near the end of the narratives of P3 and P4, when the protagonists have pierced through the lies and actually figured out who the villain of their game is and are ready to really start making progress.

0 as XI. The World

Ah, train does it again!

It's an ending and the completion of a journey, but also the beginning of a new one. And the world is literally what the passengers receive at the end of their train journey. Welcome home.

[sylvarantii]

Man, going back and rewatching Infinity Train can be such a gut punch sometimes. Getting to that last episode of season 1 and Amelia saying "I don't want to live in a world without Alrick." is so, so heartbreaking. And considering when Tulip goes through the tape of her memories and you always see them together? You can just tell how much it hurts that she lost the person she loved the most.

I just, Amelia is such a great character, man. I really, really hope we can somehow convince the CN execs to at least do a movie for Book 5 because I just desperately want some sort of good resolution for her.

[adiabolikpastel]

Can you tell us how you imagine Shu and Callista's wedding?

What kind of decorations would there be? Who would be the guests of honour? Would Burai or Alrick come to the wedding? Where would the honeymoon be? What is Callista's dress like and what would Karl wear on the wedding day?

Sorry if it's too many questions, but I LOVE fanfics about arranged marriages.

Ohhhhh gosh, strap in Anon! This is a very long post, so pictures and explanations under cut. Thank you so much for the ask!

This was all simply a more general idea, if you would like me to elaborate on anything, please let me know!

Before I dive into this, there are a few things I want to state, to help paint a picture of their world by the time Shu and Callista are wed:

There is talk of war; unrest has set in between all of the different major clans

Kalheinz is still in power, as Shu has not killed him yet

This marriage will secure the alliance between the Adler and the Bat clan, should things move to war

Decorations

So lets start with, probably, the most intricate part of your question. First, we'll cover the alter - or where they say 'I do.' It must be outside, as Adler Demon's celebrate all things as such. They will choose a location where you can see how vast and beautiful the sky is. Using the natural beauty of the world being their best decoration.

The reception would be simple as well. Allowing nature to be their decorator more than anything. I am torn to think of how LARGE the wedding would be. I mean of course it is a rather important affair - however, most in attendance would be nobles.

Guest

On the topic of - the guest of honor, perhaps you meant maid of honor? and best man? I have never heard of a guest of honor at a wedding - that wasn't the bride and groom. Callista's Maid of Honor would more than likely be one of her elder sisters. If not them, they would be bride's maids. Same with Shu and Reiji, along with his brothers.

That being said though, Demon Ceremonies would be different from human ones, I can go into more detail about that in another ask if you would like. Ultimately for this ask, I would have to say no one would take those rolls - as that is not a custom that Demon's practice.

Burai and Alrick would be invited - yes. Whether or not they would attend is the question. The Vibora and Adler clans are at the heart of the conflict that exists in this future. Adler's wanting to commit to an alliance with Humans, and Vibora to stay the way things are. The invitation would be out of good will, as Ajax does not want this conflict to occur. (@the-sloth-woman given that information, how do you think Burai would respond?)

Honeymoon

Another concept that I don't quite think Demon's would practice. Something similar though, perhaps. A period of time for the couple to be alone and away from others - the goal being to come back with the woman pregnant. This is basically what Honeymoons are, however, we in this modern time have moved away from pregnancy being the goal of it.

In that sense - Shu and Callista would get away. More than likely escaping to the Human World - far away from all the conflicts at home. Where they would go - I am not sure. Callista would probably want to show Shu all of the beauty that the Human World has. It's natural sights, the people, and culture. Shu would definitely go along for the ride.

To the point of the get away, that would be of no avail. Shu and Callista are unable to conceive an heir by the time they come back from the get away. This not being from a lack of trying - that goes much deeper into their plot.

Clothes

Callista loves dresses. So, for a wedding dress, originally I was thinking something big and puffy. However, the more I looked, the more I fell in love with these more a-line types. Something with a long trail, or a veiled cape. I LOVE the idea of something that could flow out like wings! Of course it would need to be strapless or at least show off her cleavage for Shu.

For Karlheinz, while not the center of attention, his outfit would be something that grabs it. He is still the Bat Clan King - and as such, there is an appearance to uphold. Since Skye came into his life, he has taken his fashion choices a bit more seriously.

[julianobungus]

I decided to compare Alrick and Simon to see if Amelia could see Alrick in Simon.  And yes, these two are very similar. I was a little upset that Simon was paler than Alrick, and then I decided to compare Kid Simon and Kid Alrick. And after that, I noticed that Simon became unhealthily pale with age and wrote that whole huge post about AU.

Now I'm thinking about two AU, two different scenarios. In one of these scenarios, Amelia, at a first encounter, notices how Simon looks like Alrick, and she has thoughts that she considers very bad. The boy looks so much like her fiancé and idolizes her, and she is torn between taking advantage of it and not doing it. Maybe things will turn out differently and as a result Simon will travel with Amelia and Hazel.

Another scenario is that Amelia finds Kid Simon. She decides to raise him as her child. He's her assistant, he's also wearing some kind of disguise suit. In this AU, a Simon/Tulip may occur since they will definitely meet in person. And after One-One becomes a Conductor again, and Amelia and Simon help him, Simon will meet Grace. I think you will agree that it would be quite interesting to observe the development of the relationship between Grace, who never had Simon, and Simon, who was raised by Amelia. Maybe Simon will even decide to take advantage of the privileges of a "True Conductor's" Assistant

Oooh! Good observation!

I like both of these ideas, and they're quite fun. Amelia struggling with herself not to try anything on this younger, naïve man, and Hazel having to deal with living with the same man who murdered her best friend. Fun times for all. Simon just head-over-heels enamoured with Amelia, who tries her damnest not to try anything on him.

Also, scenario two! Simon and Tulip becoming temporary friends/beaus is a fun idea, but I wonder how this whole set-up would work? Would Amelia still be corrupted and take over the train as the False Conductor, with Simon helping her along? Would he have a hand in a lot of the disruptive stuff she did? Would Tulip be the one to convince him that what his parent is doing is wrong, before he temporarily turns against her to save the train? So many fun avenues!

And yeah, Simon's a coy, awkward wee shite - he totally would try to use his 'True Conductor's Assistant' privileges to impress this girl he met. I wonder what they'd both be like, character-wise, in this AU? More-or-less level-headed? How different would they be, and how would they play off of each other? The possibilities, dawg.