#also her black harness had been her harness for most of her life

[two-calicos-in-a-trenchcoat]

.....

Yesterday wouldve been laylas 16th birthday...

[woodblxssomcrowned]

Look at all these Senju! Some canon, some OCs. Some more developed than others!

From top to bottom I present: Senju Ema's bloodline!

Senju Ema

Head of the Senju clan for thirty-seven years, and was for most of that time known as a ruthless and incredibly deadly kunoichi. She was nicknamed Senju no kijo - the she-devil of the Senju, a name she embraced and lived up to throughout her life. Under her leadership the Senju were known to be particularly vicious, but also very efficient and successful. She was the third oldest of six sisters and was the only one to live into adulthood. She had a deep hatred for the Uchiha, and they would know she had been present on the battlefield if they found their clansmen with their eyes gouged out. Some dead, some still alive. She died at the age of fifty-five in battle, and had to be decapitated in order to stay down. Her remains were recovered and buried by the Senju.

Shimura Yunsuke

Ema's first husband, who she married shortly after becoming head of the Senju. It was an arrangement that came with benefits and connections between their clans at the time. They didn't like each other a whole lot, having a very pragmatic and professional relationship over an affectionate one. He died at twenty-three years old, after just a few years of marriage and three children.

Senju Hisashi

Ema's second husband was actually one she picked because she liked him...as much as she could like anyone. They had been romantically involved on and off through out their younger years and after Yunsuke died she decided to marry Hisashi. He had three children with Ema, but also picked up the role as a father for her children from her first marriage, who were still very young. He died just a handful of years before Ema did.

Senju Chesa

The older twin sister of Jaya, and the oldest of Ema's children. She inherited her mothers white hair and red eyes, but was unlike either of her parents in personality, having a cheerful disposition. Her likeness to her mother became her death when it made her a target on the battlefield and she was killed quite brutally. She was sixteen years old and her body was only partially recovered.

Senju Jaya

The younger twin sister of Chesa. She inherited her mothers white har but her fathers dark eyes. Not as cheerful as her siste, but dangerously clever. Following the death of her sister, Ema made her dye her hair black, to make her likeness to her mother less striking and therefore make her less of a target. Still, Jaya died just a year after Chesa, at the age of seventeen. She was wounded badly and drowned. Her body was never recovered.

Senju Butsuma

The youngest child of Ema and Yunsuke, but Ema's oldest son and one of two who would live into adulthood. None of Ema's children got along too well with Ema, she had a tendency to terrify just about anyone. But after the deaths of Chesa and Jaya, Ema became even stricter han she's been before, and her children felt that. When she died, Butsuma was among those who didn't really mourn her death. He after a decade of courting he would marry Senju Haruna, and they would have four sons together.

Senju Noma

The oldest child of Ema and Hisashi. He was quiet and reserved. Very quiet. He rarely spoke unless spoken to, and when he wasn't training he had his nose buried in a book or scroll, usually quietly sneaking off to be alone. He died at the age of 10, and his body was never recovered.

Senju Yuma

Second child of Ema and Hisashi. He died at the age of seven, with his remains only partially recovered, and his dead triggered Ema to track down and capture the young son of the current head of the Uchiha clan. She had every intention of killing Tajima Uchiha, but with combined efforts she was convinced to make use of him as a hostage instead.

Senju Rima

The youngest child of Ema and Hisashi. he was born a few years after Rima's death, and is almost twenty years younger than his oldest half-brother Butsuma, born less than ten years before his nephew Hashirama. He would be the only of Ema's children who would live to see the end of the era of warring states. He would die during the 1st shinobi world war, in his late forties. He would have two children with his wife Saki.

Saki

Saki was the wife of Rima, and the mother of Tora and Naoki. She married into the Senju clan as a civilian during the era of warring states.

Senju Haruna

The wife of Butsuma and the mother of Hashirama, Tobirama, Kawarama and Itama. She had been romantically involved with Bustuma for since they were sixteen years old, but repeatedly declined his proposals. She had that man wrapped around her finger and despite the pressure he refused to pursue anyone else, but at 26 years old she finally agreed. Haruna came from a strong, healthy branch of the Senju and she was a more than capable kunoichi. In fact, Ema was more annoyed that they had waited to long with it, since it was generally customary to marry and have at least one child in your early twenties, and they were both in their mid twenties at the time that their first child Hashirama was born which was being a bit late to the game when your life expectance was about thirty. She died in her late thirties.

Senju Tora

The oldest child of Rima and Saki and older sister of Naoki. Although trained to be a shinobi, she as not particularly talented, and when Konoha was founded she chose to retire from that path. She frequent helped look after Hashirama's children when they were little, as she was quite a few years older than them.

Senju Naoki

Youngest child of Rima and Saki and the younger brother of Tora. He's the same age as Danma and the two grew up alongside each other and were like brothers. His father passed on Ema's white hair to him. He had a crush on Kaname for a while when they were teenagers, but due to being too closely related, with Hashirama being his cousin, he could not pursue her. He would die in the 1st SWW,

Senju Hashirama

Oldest son of Butsuma and Haruna. We know who this guy is. In his late teens, not long after become head of the Senju clan, he would marry Uzumaki Mito and have a son, Danma, and a daughter, Kaname, in quick succession, and almost a decade later a second son would be born. He would die in his late forties.

Senju Tobirama

Second son of Butsuma and Haruna. We know who this guy is too. Along with his brother Hashirama he would live to see the end of the era of warring states and live into adulthood. Like his brother, he'd die in his forties.

Senju Kawarama

Third son of Butsuma and Haruna. Died at the age of seven and his body was partially recovered.

Senju Itama

Fourth son of Butsuma and Haruna. he would die not long after Kawarama, at the age of seven. His body was recovered.

Uzumaki Mito

The Senju matriarch, wife of Hashirama, mother of Danma, Kaname and Kichiro. Married into the Senju clan from the Uzumaki clan. An nearly unmatched fuinjutsu and exceptional shinobi. She became the Kyuubi's first jinchuriki after sealing the demon away within her own body. Would die in her sixties.

Senju Danma

Oldest son of Hashirama and Mito, born roughly eight years before the death of Uchiha Izuna. Natural born shinobi, but always weighed by the pressure of trying to live up to his father's legacy. Would become the father of Tsunade in his late teens, and later marry Senju Kaede and have a son that was named Nawaki. Danma died at the age of 22, a few months before Nawaki was born, being slain by the newly formed Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist not long before the start if the 1st SWW, with his body never being recovered and his fate a mystery to all.

Senju Kaname

The only daughter of Hashirama and Mito. Was born roughly seven years before the death of Uchiha Izuna, and with the unusual inability for nature transformation, which left her uncapable of performing traditional ninjutsu. When Konoha was founded the Shinobi Academy was opened, she was refused a place there, and was never officially considered a shinobi by the village even though she trained herself to be quite capable. She would be the only one of Hashirama's children to live past her twenties.

Senju Kichiro

The youngest child of Hashirama and Mito. Kichiro was born not long after Uchiha Madara's attack on Konoha and Mito sealing away the Kyubi within herself. Due to the experimental nature of the seal, the Kyubi's chakra ended up affecting him while in his mother's womb, fusing with his own and marking him physically, mentally and spiritually. He grew up wild and hostile, but nonetheless a highly skilled shinobi and fiercely loyal to his family. His father would die when he was still a child, and not long after his uncle would follow. At age sixteen he was allowed to join the ANBU, but hardly a year later, at age seventeen, he would be assassinated due to his relation to the Uzumaki clan.

[[unnamed mother of Tsunade WIP]]

Senju Kaede

The wife of Danma, the mother of Nawaki and stepmother of Tsunade. Raised both of Danma's children like her own after he went MIA during a mission and presumed dead. She was a skilled shinobi. Would die during a mission just a year before Nawaki.

Senju Tsunade

Oldest child of Danma. We know who she is. Older sister of Nawaki, one of the legendary Sannin, the fifth Hokage, the most beautiful woman of her generation etc etc etc Glorious woman all around.

Senju Nawaki

Youngest child of Danma, and Senju Kaede's only child. Younger brother of Tsunade. Died at age twelve.

[delta-pavonis]

Ficlet: Naga's Boon

For @amielot (Apparently? Like, I started this AGES ago and only have vague recollections of the server conversation that started it... Could I search the Discord? Yes. Am I lazy? Also yes.)

Dreamling AU || rated G before the break, rated E after the break (cw: nagas have hemipenes (two penises, kinda) like all snakes and lizards, but not the more, uh, horrific looking options if you Google it, monsterfucker Hob Gadling, description of non-human genitalia, Hob is a bit of a size queen and a cumslut and we love that for him, Dream has to be restrained during sex for Plot Reasons™️, naga Dream wearing a leather chest harness might be one of the hottest images I have come up with recently ngl)

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

"You return." His voice rumbles out of the depths. It may have been more than a lifetime ago, but Hob remembers well His voice.

Hob's immediate vicinity is brightly lit thanks to the high quality of the candle in his lantern and yet the way in front of him still looks like an endless abyss of starless midnight. "Well. Yes. You said that you wanted to know what it was like. That we should meet again on this day in one hundred years. I will keep my end of the bargain, if it provides me this gift."

The susurration of scales along damp stone is amplified by the cave's mouth as He approaches. "You name it a gift? So you still want to live?"

"Oh yes." He nods vigorously enough to cause the lantern hanging from the end of the tall staff he carries to swing.

The light sloshes wildly back and forth between the rock walls, causing a small grouping of bats to hiss and squeak before they take to the air. Hob ducks as they flitter overhead and when he turns back to the inside of the cave He is there.

For a moment it is as if a torso hovers in the darkness, His bone-pale skin almost as reflective as a cat's eyes. He embodies an ideal that only the greatest artists and students of the human form could conceive of... except where hips should dip to thighs and groin, is shadow and fire.

Human-appearing skin gives way to wide horizontal belly scales, each bright flame yellow in the middle fading to ember orange then to ruby red at the edges. Everywhere else, serpentine coils of which Hob sees no end, is the shining black of obsidian.

Hob holds the lantern-staff aside as the ancient naga approaches to within arms reach. He has to look up to meet those hypnotizing eyes, blue-black, just as he remembered. "What must I do," he pauses, breathless, "to keep this boon?"

"You are more than passing brave, Robert Gadling, to return to my lair, apparent promise of renewed immortality or no. What have you been doing for the last hundred years?" He lowers his torso as he speaks, until their faces are more of a height.

"Oh, same as before, soldiering mainly. Bit of banditry now and-wait" Hob's brain catches up with the conversation. "Did you say apparent promise?"

The naga's smirk, the barest curl of rose-pink lips, makes Hob shiver. "Well caught." He shakes his head, long black hair falling over one shoulder, and if Hob did not know any better he would think the ancient creature amused. "Your so-called boon is not subject to my whims nor those of any other. You earned it fairly and so it will not fade until you will it so."

Earned it fairly. What Hob had done was save the life of another naga from a pitchfork and torch-bearing mob. She was dark of skin, hair, and scale, yet this one had called her 'sister.'

"Oh, so I..."

"May leave, if you'd rather."

Hob pauses, bites his lip as he considers his options. This creature must have knowledge beyond his wildest imaginings, stories of things forgotten by most of those alive today. He wants to know more. "And if I'd rather not?" The naga's head shifts backwards on his neck, surprise widening his eyes; that was clearly not an answer he considered possible. "I do not know when you last went and saw the outside world, but I could tell you my story..." He hesitates before adding, "If you would be willing to tell me a bit of yours?"

The naga rushes towards Hob, stopping only a hair's breadth away, mouth open and forked tongue flickering out all around Hob's face, brushing against his forehead and cheeks and chin. Hob is so close that the naga's fangs are visible in his open mouth even though they remain retracted, pulled backwards by thin membranes that glint almost silver in the light.

The tongue disappears into a scowling face, brow drawn in confusion. "You do not smell of lies."

"That would likely be because I am not lying." For a moment Hob worries he has overstepped, been too casual, but then a glimmer of mirth softens the naga's expression.

He nods his head once, accepting the answer. "Then tell me, what has changed in your world since I saw you last?"

So that was as far as I got with the intro. Then there was this bit of gratuitous pornography...

"Hob," he hisses, "I do not think I can..."

"Love," the human soothes, reaching out to grab the naga's neck and pull him up for a kiss. "You can. I know you can hold yourself still. The only way to restrain your smooth body any more than it already is would be to loop hooks into the flesh beneath your scales. And I refuse." Dream whimpers, eyes closed as he trembles. "Just think of the reward, darling. Imagine one of your cocks buried within me, the other gripped in my hands. Think of it."

Hob tries to let some of his own breathless excitement bleed through. Because after seven hundred years of meeting with this gorgeous, awe-inspiring, witty, fascinating creature - not to mention eight decades of being lovers - finally, finally he will have what he has wanted since year two hundred and one: Dream screaming his pleasure as he empties inside him. And Hob is goddamned excited.

Little did Hob know when he first desired this that he would get to have Dream come on him at the same time.

Dream, while equally enthusiastic, is terrified that he will hurt Hob. And he isn't wrong: the majority of his body is a long tube of extremely strong muscle that thrashes around when he is near and at his climax. Hob has watched as Dream has whipped his tail around fast enough to gouge cuts eight inches deep through dragon hide, so he doesn't begrudge Dream's hesitation.

If Hob were another naga their snake-bodies would be intertwined and therefore kept from wild movements by the other's strength. But he is not. So they have had to come up with other options.

Dream's body, both human and snake, is being held down by an elaborate series of straps and chains. On his snake end, which they have found runs a full forty-seven feet in length, are a dozen foot-wide leather collars that tighten around the body if pulled. Each are anchored via chains to iron rings buried deep into the stone of the cave floor. His human form lays on a mattress, but is also held down with a harness that loops around his shoulders and chest and has a very short chain to the floor. He cannot fully sit up, but he can stretch enough to touch Hob as he is riding Dream.

Hob is perched on his lover's pelvis, along the transition from skin to scales. Behind him, three belly scales back, far too low relative to the jut of what appear to be hips to be human anatomy, protrude two slick, gleaming cocks.

Their proportions are also too exaggerated to be human, with a more pointed head that transitions relatively smoothly into the shaft. The shaft is widest at just below its middle, making it shaped almost like a flower bud. At the base of each, right before they connect into a 'Y' shape, are a series of gentle ridges that make Hob groan just looking at them. No part is wider than Dream's hand, so there is no doubt that Hob's body can accommodate.

Hob slides backwards until the two cocks press up against his ass and nudge into his lower back.

While they have never done this specific sexual act before, Hob has sat between the two dicks and rutted back and forth until they both came. It absolutely drenches Hob in cum, both front and back, and Dream takes great pleasure in covering his lover as much as possible.

"You ready, love?" Hob asks as he reaches behind to grab one of the two pricks.

He beams down at Dream, maneuvering so that he sits in the space between the twitching, leaking members. He takes a moment to rock forward, his own cock sliding against Dream's, making them both groan. Then he rises up onto his knees and starts guiding one of Dream's impossible cocks into his body.

Dream stretches and gets one hand on Hob's thigh. "As much as I can be." His voice is steadier than it was before.

Oh fuck, it is better than Hob thought possible, that long gentle taper just gliding into him until it is stretching him open, stretching and oh oh oh!

"Yes! Hob!" Dream snaps his body up as much as he is able, chains clinking as he reaches their limits, popping his prick into Hob to the base.

Hob lets out this long, drawn out wanton noise, more than a moan, not quite a howl; he is so full he almost wants to cry with how good it is.

When he looks down, Dream's chest is heaving, shining with sweat, his mouth open and slack, his lids heavy over dark eyes. He looks like he wants to devour Hob and in that moment Hob probably would let him, if only it kept this glorious prick buried within him for a minute longer.

Hob runs his hands down the cock arcing up between his legs. It twitches into his touch and presses Hob's cock and bollocks against his belly and oh yeah, that's gonna be fantastic. He rolls his hips forward once, rutting himself into those ridges at the base of one of Dream's pricks and lifting him off the other.

Dream hisses, fingers gripping bruises into Hob's thigh, and his hips snap up to fully sheathe himself again inside Hob, making them both cry out.

Hob wants to tell his lover how good it is, but he can't figure out words, so he keeps stroking both his hands up and down the cock in front of him, rolling his hips and fucking himself in time with it, and Dream sobs through it all, but his body eventually picks up the rhythm.

Hob's cum gets smeared all over Dream's cock under his hands and it is only a few more thrusts before Dream peaks, a shriek of unintelligible sibilants, stripes of searing hot white covering Hob's shoulders and neck and the side of his face. At the same time the cock inside him pulses over and over and Hob can feel the spend leaking out of him and down his legs and across Dream's belly.

If Hob had his way this would last forever, but he can already tell he is close, Dream so fucking deep inside him it hits every pleasure spot Hob knew he had and then some. He can hear the heavy chains behind him rattle and groan as Dream's long body thrashes in its confines, attempting to twist and roll. It makes every third or fourth thrust become a wild buck that hits harder than the others and Hob's vision whites out for a moment each time.

The bucking gets more frequent as Dream reaches his own peak, and Hob has already been holding himself back, so once every thrust is one of those uninhibited snaps of Dream's body, he lets himself go. "Dream! I'm gonna oh yessss!"

When he collapses forward Dream's cocks are flexible enough to go with him, still everted and full, and isn't that just lovely. They will retract eventually, out of Hob and all the way back into Dream's body until they invert internally. Perhaps Dream will let Hob fuck into his inverted pricks for a second round.

But that will be later. For now Hob feels their breathing sync as he drifts into sleep.

[lukedanger]

Owlcatober - Day 2 - Fake Names (KM)

Day 2 of @owlcatober, focusing on a group of differently named adventurers preparing to infiltrate the Kingdom of the Cleansed...

[Ao3 Link]

And so dear readers, we leave the tale of the Baroness to follow the deeds of Sir Tristian, friend to Amalia of the Kingdom of the Cleansed! And the tale is now written not by Linzi the [insert title later], but Brynn the Ca

“Story check.”

Linzi looked up as she was interrupted by Ekundayo, her heavy maille shirt rustling as she did. They were all dressed differently, even Tristian had traded his Sarenite robes for the earthen robes of a humble pilgrim. A large black furred wolf with a riding harness was also sitting by the fire with them, next to Tristian at the moment.

“C’mon,” Amiri growled, clearly unhappy without her oversized sword in favor of the javelins, hatchet, and small shield of a skirmisher, “We went over this a bunch of times. I’m not dumb, I’m even learning those stupid letters!”

“Stories fall apart in the details,” Ekun retorted, having wrapped his head in cloth in a Thuvian style. “I will start: Taiwo, mercenary from Thuvia. Came north to see the world, offered to guide Tristian’s party. Prefer to be left alone.”

Amiri grunted, shaking head. “Fine - Valeria, thief from Numeria. Got caught robbing a League tower, sold as a slave, broke out after pushing a mill wheel for years, looking for a new life in Gevaudan.” She glanced at Octavia, “You next.”

“You had to use that as a background…” the wizardess exhaled, shaking her head despite the large pointy hat and thick black robes she was wearing. “Okay: Aurelia, necromancer from Galt trying to redeem herself. Fond of quite good whisky, late night strolls, and hates cities.”

Their attention turned to Kaessi, wearing a worn gambeson with a spear propped next to her seat on a log. “Layla. I came here to make a new life away from Qadira, joined a village militia with other settlers, and deserted after the troll attacks.” She cast a particularly harsh glare towards Tristian - the kind that stayed whether she was feeling kind or harsh that day. “So why does he not need to lie?”

“Amalia is… not fully aware,” Tristan admitted, looking down as if in shame as he was judged by kindness. “She knows me only as a humble pilgrim who was interested in how the Kingdom of the Cleansed offers redemption.”

“The covers were my suggestion,” Ekundayo added, “to reduce suspicion.” He turned to Linzi, then frowned at her notes. “I thought you left the book behind? Too iconic.”

Linzi exhaled. Yes, he had been quite firm on that. “A Cavalier of the Paw still has her entry in the annals to consider! A worthy cause sought, and a worthier one to charge into!” She stood up, the heroicness of the pose rather dampened by stumbling. Linzi was unused to the weight of maille on her shoulders, even with the belt of strength that Valerie had lent her.

“Regardless,” the bard-pretending-to-be-cavalier continued, “You can be sure to follow Brynn into gllloorrrrrrious battle!”

“Speaking of paws,” Amiri grumbled, “where’s Dog?”

Ekun sighed. “Too known. Besides, someone else plays the role of war wolf. Brynn?”

“Oh, right,” Linzi had almost forgotten the most important part! “Thank you Sir Tristian for keeping an eye on Gnaw while at Tuskdale!”

She could see Kaessi tilting her head and mouthing ‘Gnaw’ in confusion as the large black furred wolf rose and sniffed Tristian’s hand.

“Perhaps you should get her out of the harness for tonight,” Tristian suggested, gesturing towards Linzi.

“Oh, of course!” Linzi really should have known better. She didn’t have a squire, after all! Then again, I end up playing squire often enough… she thought as she started removing the strapping. Oh, if only she could write what she was really doing: she knew readers would have a laugh at it.

Hopefully the Baroness did not realize it either. That would be awkward. And embarrassing.

====

NOTES:

While I do not plan on doing as much with Kingmaker for Owlcatober, I did want to do a few things and test the waters a bit. Since KM was my first stab into Pathfinder at all I went relatively generic, and the baroness I rolled for it ended up as the proto version of Elaina. I've been mulling on ways to reroll her to stand out as her own character. Luckily, a confluence of circumstances such as the name I grabbed for the barony and certain problems like "They're In This Together!" constantly repeating offered an idea...

[tinkizzig]

“I couldn’t do it. The first time or the second. Hell, I have never been able to do it. I have been on this ship for five years, and not a single time when it is my time to act have I been capable of doing it. I know I am just one small part of an engineering team, but I am not even sure I should be here. The rest of the team knows what to do when something goes out, malfunctions or glitches. Their response is impeccable and unflappable. They can all turn a Wielman’s capacitor upside down and inside out in just seconds. I don’t have any idea as to why I was even selected to be a part of this crew.”

–Robert (Roblox) Malchovich

“Hey, Roblox! Come sit over here.” Hangarth shouted excitedly, as the human stepped inside the kitchen / cafeteria / breakroom.

“Oh hey red buddy.” Roblox replied sadly. “I’m not really in the mood for this today, I kind of want to be alone.” 

 

Hangarth put on an unnatural expression for his face because he was trying to purse his lipless lips in sternness about Roblox’s response. “Hang on,” Hangarth strained as he tried to remember something. ”when the tough gets tough then the rough gets going.” 

Roblox’s expression lightened with a bit of a smirk, and he patiently corrected with: “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.”

“Yeah, that’s it.” Hangarth brushed the red tentacle-like hair from his red face. “I don’t know anybody as tough as you.”

“Eh, I’m not that tough.” Roblox said humbly.. 

“Not that tough?” Hangarth shook his head. “Are you kidding me?” 

Hangarth stood up staring off into nothingness with an awe of deepest respect. “You were the one who, while camping in the forest, was bitten by dozens of blood sucking parasites. You were the one who stepped on a sharply cornered toy for building, directly on one of your most sensitive and closely grouped nerve endings in your body, sending a crippling pain through said body. You were the one who ate a cream made of ice so fast your brain froze causing an immense pain and great turmoil in your life for a matter of a few minutes.” 

"Yeah, none of that makes me tough though." Roblox replied. 

"None of that makes you tough?" Hangarth asked with an uncharacteristic wave of his hand as if he was giving an imitation of a unique earthly attitude. "Just think about Bartleby last week. He had cut his hand on the side of the drive harness and immediately got an infection. He has been out this whole week, and we are worried he isn't going to make it through; and you simply shrug when you talk about the one time you broke your leg while sliding down the side of a mountain on your sky’s, skees or whatever you call those narrow flat boards connected to your feet. There is also that one time you were confronted by a beast that could have killed you if it had attacked you, but you grabbed it by a strap around its neck and returned it to the home of the person who owned it next door." Hangarth slowly shook his head side to side. "You have lived through the most perilous things and we are inspired by your bravery everyday." 

"I do not do anything brave each day." Roblox said, realizing he shouldn't have said it. 

“Again, I am beside myself at the words you say,” Hangarth started another impassioned speech. “Your daily routine consists of drinking that bitter black liquid containing a little poison which raises your heart rate. Not only have you done this every day, but you offer it to everyone else aboard the ship. Nanosy tried some one day and nearly died after a few sips. She was sweating profusely while her heart rate nearly breached lethal levels.”

“That was more of a misunderstanding of each other's biology and physiology. Terran humans are not as strongly affected by caffeine as everyone else.” Roblox said, sounding apologetic.

“Don’t you see it? You are the toughest, bravest and most inspiring person on the ship.” Hangarth smiled. “I spoke to the captain about you, and we both agree that you being here and telling us of your life is all we need you here for. Yes, it would be beneficial for you to also improve your engineering skills and knowledge, but your experiences are far more valuable than that.” 

“So, you guys only want me around because I lived on a dangerous planet?” Roblox asked, feeling a little personally put out. 

“No, we love your charm and wit along with your acumen but mostly, we as a crew, find the most inspiration and pride that we are in close connection to and comfortably associated with a Deathworlder.” Hangarth explained, unknowing how socially rude it was for him to even say. “We all brag to people we know who also work in the fleet. We kind of feel like we are part of an elite club or group just because you are here.” 

“That is even worse, now I am your token human?” Roblox asked, totally offended.

Hangarth smiled in excitement. “I don’t know what that means but wait here while I get the rest of the crew, I think your explanation will be tied to another personal story.”

[dailydemonspotlight]

Barong - Day 25

Race: Avatar

Alignment: Light-Neutral

April 24th, 2024

I'd like to start this daily demon spotlight with an admittance of bias. Barong is my favorite demon in the series, bar none. In celebration of making it to 25 (!!) days of this series, I've decided to let the holy cat out of the bag. Barong is the demon that introduced me to Balinese mythology, has saved my hide several times throughout the series, and has an adorable and unique design to boot. He stands right next to, if not above Black Frost and Chernobog in my book. Past that, though, I would also like to say- thank you all for sticking with me for 25 days! It's been so damn fun, and I plan on continuing this series for months, if not years to come. I know it's a little early for the ivories, but the small community that has been built up over time has given me so much life and energy!

With that sappy stuff out of the way...

Today's demon of the day lies in the form of the great panther, protector of mankind, and host of all things good, Barong. Bali mythology is surprisingly easy to look through, having solid roots and foundations, as well as its origin being in a somewhat small subset of Indonesia, though this isn't to say it's not complex. Balinese mythology takes a unique form, one similar to the worship of Ame-no-Uzume, wherein several of its stories aren't plays nor grand tales, but rather, fascinatingly hypnotic dances. Barong's appearance in these dances is that of a glamorously decorated (and very ambiguous) animal that I would personally say looks somewhat, vaguely similar to a lion?

However, the type of animal it is isn't that important, and admittedly just makes me confused. What is important is Barong's role in Balinese mythology, that being of a protector of humanity itself- in the mythos surrounding Barong and its eternal rival Rangda, Barong represents good health, good fortune, and has reign over all the spirits that inhabit the small province. The most prominent myth featuring the great avatar is recanted in the famous Kris dance, a dance representing Barong battling with Rangda. During the hypnotic trawl, dancers bring swords dangerously close to hurting themselves, though they emerge unscathed, watched over by two dancers in an ornate harness holding up the avatar of Barong who dances furiously behind them.

The dance begins with two monkeys and Barong engaging in dance, though quickly escalates as witches sent by Rangda attack the frolicking group. The dance-drama escalates from there as Barong tries to reign back control over the kingdom, which had found itself under siege by Rangda, eventually leading to the most iconic scene of the play, wherein two palace guards stab themselves with kali daggers in a desperate trance under Rangda's control- though they emerge unscathed as Barong comes to the rescue and engages in battle with the witch, protecting the guards with his holy magic. After a long and fraught dance between Barong and its rival, eventually, the holy avatar emerges victorious, and the kingdom is returned to peace and prosperity.

Barong is not just an artefact of the dance, though- he's an important figure in Balinese tradition, one held in reverence and good spirits, and the dance is simply held to represent the eternal struggle between good and evil, as well as celebrate the triumph of the love and goodness that Barong represents. People equipped in Barong costumes even, on occasion, parade around Balinese towns in order to ward off evil spirits and bad luck. Barong is locked in a never-ending battle against Rangda and the forces of darkness, yet never gives up hope; As a Bali volunteer in the Bali Volunteer Program puts it, "Once the trance is over, Barong and his supporters finally overthrow Rangda. But she does not die. Instead, she reincarnates and Barong must defeat her again. The fight never stops. It is symbolic of light’s eternal strife against darkness."

In the SMT series, Barong is depicted faithfully, though far more blue than red. Decorated in jewels and studded in silver, the Balinese lion dances in combat, easily connecting to the dance-dramas the beast is so frequently depicted in. Interestingly, a common series staple is that of Rangda and Barong's fusion leading to Shiva, and while unconfirmed, I have an idea as to why this may be the case. While Barong and Rangda are from completely different mythologies, they both represent opposing forces of light and dark, something that Shiva, a god of destruction who is not evil, is an inherent blend of- Shiva is both light and dark, good and evil, while Barong is good, light, and Rangda is evil, dark.

All in all, Balinese myth's hypnotic dances and beautiful performances lend to an amazingly designed demon that truly fulfills all it sets out to do, represents an underrepresented mythology, and stands out as my personal favorite demon in the series. Next to Chernobog and Black Frost, of course. And also Parvati. And Mother Harlot. Am I just edgy?

[ticklygiggles]

Miya&Mia's Tickletober Day 5 - Disguise

Elias Ainsworth x Hatori Chise

A/N: Thanks to my sweetest Ginny for giving me the idea for this fic? You are an angel! As always, I hope you all enjoy this!

Chise didn't know much about men's looks. She didn't know what her type was and she certainly didn't know what was considered handsome or not good looking, so she thought she was not the right person for this task in particular.

"Now, what do you think about this, Chise? Do I look better with black hair?" 

"U-Uh…"

"Waaa!" Silky clapped har hands happily, nodding her head in approval. On the other hand, Ruth simply huffed and nuzzled himself closer to Chise's lap. 

When Elias asked her to help him choose a new disguise for a trip he had to do, she immediately said no, but Elias insisted that he'd like to look good for his bride, even if she wasn't going to be there with him.

"You look… good, Elias."

"Chise… I feel like you don't like anything I show you," Elias said and Chise could clearly see the disappointment on his face and... was that a pout? 

"I told you I'm not good at this," Chise said, feeling an uncomfortable feeling in her guts at the thought of disappointing him. Silky quickly read the mood and she was quick to leave to the kitchen.

Ruth looked at Chise and then at Elias. Chise's feelings were settled in his guts as well, but feeling like it was something Elias and Chise had to talk over, he left behind Silky, claiming that he wanted a snack. 

Elias sighed and he made his way towards Chise, sitting beside her. Chise couldn't lie and say she didn't like Elias like that, he looked… well, he looked attractive with black hair, she felt something akin to butterflies at seeing him like that. 

In other words, she didn't hate it compared to the other disguises he had shown them for the past forty minutes. She would even say she liked it. 

"I'm honest," she said, quietly, looking at Elias who looked back at her with very extravagant golden eyes. "You really look good this time. It's my favorite so far."

That made Elias's face light up; if there had been a tail behind him, it would most likely be wagging hard.

He grabbed Chise's hands between his and asked excitedly: "do you mean it, Chise?! Or are you just being kind?" 

Chise smiled fondly, shaking her head. His reaction relieved her. "I'm honest," she said, but her eyes landed on Elias' smile and she frowned. "Though… no matter what disguise you wear, your smile will always be fake." 

Elias gasped, his fingers touching the frozen smile on his face. "It doesn't look real? What about this?" He showed his white teeth to her and she frowned a little more. 

"Fake."

"Huh? Then what should I do to make it look real? I can't smile more than this, it is uncomfortable and it hurts my cheeks and- ack! N-Nohoho! Nohohot thihihis!"

"I think we can only do this."

Elias cringed away from Chise's hands, but she easily followed him, smiling brightly and giggling sweetly as her fingers danced around Elias' ribs, making him cackle, little tears if laughter already at the corner of his eyes. 

Chise felt a little breathless. Elias really looked nice in this disguise, she definitely liked him better than with blond hair. He somehow looked younger and full of life. She liked it. 

"Ahahahaha! Ch-Chihihisehehe! Hahahave mehehehercy!" 

Chise didn't know how, but she was nearly straddling Elias as he laid against the surface of the couch, squirming and laughing vibrantly. His rich, deep laughter filled the house and her heart. 

She giggled softly when she found a very ticklish spot on his highest ribs that had him shrieking with laughter. After tickling him for a few seconds, she finally stopped, sitting properly as Elias tried to control his giggling and get himself back up. 

"Chihise," he said a little out of breath. "You often doho this, do you like to see me suffer so much?"

Chise smiled, shaking her head. "I like your laugh." 

"Well, I also like yours, Chise."

Before she could even think about escaping, Elias had caught her by the waist and was gently tickling her sides, making her giggle brightly. 

"Nahahahat mehehe!" She laughed, trying to free herself from his hold. "Ehehehliahahas!" 

"I think your smile was a little fake, Chise. Let me help you with that just like you did."

"I don't need- ahahahaha! N-Nahahahaha!"

[deadbydangit]

Okokok hi I'm back and I have such a silly little scenario

So we all know a lot of the killers are from old times, and a lot of the realms are modern. I'm thinking how funny it would be with old killers seeing tvs and light bulbs and cameras and just generally modern stuff lol

Killers being Twins, Plague and Huntress!

-🌱

Love it! I actually did something like this in my Adventures in Texting fic. But I would love to expand on this. Please enjoy. I'm actually going to do part two of this since I have more ideas.

With a killer from past times discovering new technology

Twins, Plauge, Huntress

Twins

There might've been some technology in their time.

But they were always on the run and living in the wild.

There is no way they've ever seen any of it.

So when you turned on the lights without a candle, they both just froze.

How?

What is this?

They might even be a little bit frightened.

Assure them that nothing will hurt them.

Explaining technology will be difficult.

Mainly because they fear it's some sort of black magic or something.

The people who were after them after had weird rituals and weird contractions.

What if you're one of them?

You're going to have to prove you aren't.

Once she gets used to the lightbulb she isn't as frightened.

They'll slowly warm up to the idea of using technology.

They learn fast, so it doesn't take long before they're using it regularly.

Charlotte likes phones.

She can always reach you if she needs you.

Victor really enjoys anything that plays music.

From record players, to CD players, to iPods and everything in between.

You've improved their lives drastically with these experiences.

And they can't wait to share more.

Plauge

She is arguably the oldest one in the realm.

There was no technology when she was alive.

She figured that the lightbulb was just some strange candle cover.

But she finds out it isn't, she'll be memorized.

Did the gods take the power of the fire and condense it into this little glass tube?

She has so many questions.

If the gods didn't do it, then who did?

Humans!?

Blasphemy!

Humans shouldn't be trying to harness that type of power!

And they stuck those people in that box?

That's horrifying and cruel.

They aren't stuck?

But how are they in there then?

Maybe lead her to the conclusion that the gods gave humans knowledge on how to build such things.

Out of everyone, she is the most hesitant to embrace these changes.

However, she does like the lightbulbs as it was a frequent hassle to keep candles burning.

She might never fully embrace technology, but she is grateful for what you have shown her.

You must've been sent by the Gods.

Huntress

Out of all of them, Anna is probably the one closest to modern times.

It's heavily implied that she was around during the cold war in the late 1940's.

Even so, she lived the life of a hermit in the forest all her life.

So she wouldn't know regardless.

If she had found a phone before you introduced her to one, she would've thought it was a weird rock or something.

And she would've thrown it at someone.

Then she would've wondered why the rock looked like broken glass now.

If you show her how a phone works, she'll be in complete awe.

She can hear you through this rock!

Anna can be a little dense, so take your time explaining things.

You'll also have to show her how to be more careful with technology.

She's a very strong person, and the idea of a light touch doesn't make much sense to her.

Now she wants to know more!

A computer?

What can it do?

How does it work?

She's a very curious individual.

Make sure you're around when she tries something new though.

She has used things wrong and broken them in the past.

Then she starts to feel guilty.

Anytime you show her something new, she gets more and more excited.

But how could she not be excited when the coolest person ever is showing her all these new and amazing things?

[danganronpadedication]

DAY 11: DANGANTOBER

Day 11: Favorite Character Design

Oh. My. God. I had the absolute HARDEST time picking who to write this post about. I went through four different drafts, first picking Izuru, then Gundham, then Kiibo, and now finally, Miu Iruma. For the most part, I think the character designs in Danganronpa are really hit or miss. You either get outfits that absolutely SLAY, or you get Kazuichi's highlighter jumpsuit. Miu is one of these character's whose outfits are runway worthy. But first, let's discuss who she is as a character. Miu is one of my favorite characters in V3. Usually, I don't really like the characters who make unnecessary sexual jokes and references, I find it very uncomfortable when done in excess. Obviously, there's exceptions to this, I can handle it when it's in confession form (SEND ME THIRST/GENERAL CONFESSIONS), or when I'm in-person. Anybody who knows me in real life, will know that my humor is very explicit in nature as well. But when I'm playing a game, I try to avoid anything like that. It's the same reason I'm not a big fan of Teruteru (even though if you're a fan of his, chances are you're pretty chill). But for some reason, despite being the BIGGEST offender of this, I find Miu to be a really fun character.

Miu reminds me of one of my friends IRL, and even that friend agrees with that notion. Miu is very funny, especially in her dynamics with Kokichi. Every time the two of them would interact during a trial, it got a very good laugh out of me. THEY WERE GOING FOR EACH OTHER'S THROATS (literally. Looking at you, chapter four).

She's actually smarter than a lot of people give her credit for. Her entire murder plot in chapter four was actually very well-thought out, from the minor tweaks in the code, to the fail safes she put throughout the game. If she had succeeded, there wouldn't really be any reason to suspect her, and she'd have had a monopoly on all information available in the Neo World Program.

She's also very useful post-mortem, with the Electro Hammers and that one EMP grenade being her creations. Kokichi even had her make a device that would allow him to fake control over the Exisals. Despite her death, she still plays a very big part in the final chapters of the game.

Even if you want to look at trials, she almost always guesses the correct killer. Two examples come to mind, mainly Kirumi and Korekiyo. With Kirumi, she states "I think the cleaning lady did it!" before the group even suspects Kirumi. With Korekiyo, she says "I think you killed them [Angie and Tenko] both!", while everyone was still operating on the idea of there being two killers. I think two blackeneds at once would've been very cool, but alas.

But, let me get back on track, and go back to talking about her design. Let's use this full-body sprite as a reference.

Like many V3 characters, Miu suffers from what I call "Dusty Palette". To me, the colors are too toned down from previous games, and it looks like everyone is covered in a layer of dust. Despite this though, Miu's color palette still manages to be pleasing to the eye. She's mainly pink, with hints of blue, yellow, white, and black. Initially, you wouldn't really think this color combination would work, but it does. The variation on shades creates contrast, the impression of gold detailing against black backgrounds and great shading. She gives like, pastel steampunk vibes. Like, you're LYING if you say Miu wouldn't rock this hat.

On the topic of accessories like this cool hat, Miu knows how to accessorize her outfit. She has on studded, fingerless gloves, goggles, a choker, necklaces resembling barbed wire, and harness straps with gold rings on it. A lot of what she wears has a sense of utility to it. The goggles are the most obvious ones, not only do they make for a good hair look, but she can easily pull them down to work on something. The gloves also fall in this theme, allowing for mobility and hand protection from machinery, while matching her style. The harness and straps are also utilitarian, holding up her socks and providing posture structure, but it's also meant to illicit more of a suggestive undertone. Anyone familiar with Korekiyo's favorite past-time will know what I'm talking about. This is very in-line with her character, wearing things that can be seen as risque, but aren't overtly so, because she's not actually experienced with that.

The lower half of her outfit, the awesome boots, knit or ribbed socks, the straps, and the flowy, pleated skirt all really go well together. The boots come off as a yassified version of Kiyotaka's boots, as well as Junko's. The colors match her palette as well, no mixing of metals here. I believe her boots are supposed to reminiscent of bondage boots, since that's quite literally an item you can give her in-game. The knit socks are giving Pinterest autumn girlie, it stands out a bit, but it's also kind of a statement. You just know those are warm and comfy. We've already discussed the straps, but me personally, I feel like those kinds of garters are really nice touches on outfits. Catch me on Dress To Impress putting those on EVERYTHING.

The upper half of her outfit consists of her jewelry, a chest and arm harness, the gloves, goggles, and pink sailor's uniform with a blue bow. The pink outfit set is so unique, especially when there's already a ton of other female characters in that same traditional uniform. The list is endless really, Sayaka, Toko, Sakura, Peko, Ibuki, Tenko, and Maki all sporting some variation of the outfit. But none of them have theirs in pink, and none of them have accessorized it like Miu has. Honestly, she's an icon, she's a legend, and she is the moment.

Miu is an amazing character, with even better fashion sense. While I can't CONFIDENTLY say I'd be her friend if she were real, I can definitely say she's provide joy when around her. She's smart, fashionable, and funny. I think she can be a bit awkward and insecure, but honestly, more reason to love her.

Just ignore the Love Suites, Love Across The Universe, and honestly, Free Time Event routes too. Jeez, Shuichi and Kiibo are victims.

And honorable mention goes to her admitting to giving Kiibo a camera function so he can take pictures of her...er...waste, and analyze it for her health. Once it was revealed that he was a camera for the entire game, basically streaming everything he sees, one must wonder how much the audience actually saw lmao. Tsumugi was sweating (truth) BULLETS after that reveal for sure.

[pies-database]

TH13TEEN [She/her]

Name(s): 13, Dorothy, SW6

PHALANX code: ALTN-006-010

Nickname(s): Thea

Likes: Agriculture, Folklore, parapsychology, Floral tastes and smells, leatherbound books, corvids, folk music, the sounds of a forest, regional culture regarding the deceased, indie music.

Dislikes: Makeup, Attention, technology, spices, authority, brutalism, techno music, complete isolation, loud noises, when people forget stuff, repeating herself.

Personality: It may be easy to think she's a very nature loving girly pop princess. Alas. No, she is not a vegan, she loves animals but understand the whole "circle of life" schtik. She has spent most of her life in the woods, and it comes across. She lived long enough in civilisation to now have faint ideas of what she likes, and she will likely remain that way for what she thinks will be the rest of her life.

However, she is still rather young at mind. If you treat her with respect and kindness and don't push yourself onto her territory, she will get attached and your punishment will turn from "becoming a tree" to being slowly infected by different plants.

She is easily spooked, and unfortunately for literally everyone, her first instinct is indeed to attack. Or, well, curse.

Abilities: She is this universe's version of a true witch, essentially harnessing a connection they have to a separate plane of existence to make bargains. As witches get more powerful, the bargains get less costly as they learn how to properly barter. They can hex, summon and commend. The term 'witch' is gender neutral, and applies to anyone with this ability.

She also has the passive ability to grow plants and forest wherever she walks. This makes it really inconvenient for a trip to the corner shop.

Abnormal physical features: Most notably several long, sprawling cracks in her skin that are common from witches. The more cracks they have, the more the cracks splinter. They can be transferred to a secondary object [usually made of wood but can be pretty much anything] but 13 doesn't.

Said cracks will open to show a flowing green substance that is slightly luminescent whenever they attempt to use their magic. There are a few cracks below her right eye which spell out "13".

Otherwise just looks like a normal teen, apart from skin colour [a black] which will always represent the track colour irl [unless there's extenuating circumstance.]

Backstory: In late 2009, a 12 year old girl turned to her mummy and pops with concern after cracks started appearing in her skin. a few days later, her pops leads a team of heavily clad men into their living room, and her mummy grabs her hand and drags her out through the back garden, away from the scary men. Into the forest.

She wasn't stupid, she had listened in the assemblies. The forest was scary. It was dangerous; people went in and didn't come out again. But her mummy was dragging her there, and she did drag her feet so there really wasn't much she could do. And they kept on going deeper, and deeper, and she could swear she could see someone moving there, she really did - maybe it was one of the people who didn't come back out?

And when mummy stopped after what must've been at least 6000 hours, her feet hurt and mummy was sobbing. She wanted to go home, she didn't know where home was, and mummy wouldn't stop crying.

At some point she realised she had been glowing, and her stomach was rumbling more than it had ever been, and her skin was becoming a pure midnight black and she was alone. She screamed.

A few minute-hours later, and a kind woman emerged from the trees, concern written all over her face. Thea couldn't move. She felt it as her body rocked side to side as she was carried to a small clearing, and then went into somewhere that smelled of old and dust.

A few minute-hours later than that, and she was having grapes and a bottle thrust at her mouth, and she took it hungrily.

She didn't know it at the time, but she remained in that cycle of impossibly hungry to indulging for months, until 10th of March 2010 where her body finally stopped, broken in some impossible-to-fix way.

Eventually, she came to, and after weeping in the 5-months-stranger's arms, finally got acquainted with her situation. She would not be left like that, she simply would not. anyone close would stay.

This was the way of her world for 6 years, until the commotion with The Ministry Of Joy, where she was one again exposed to the horrible heavily-clad people. But this time she had footing, and in the honour of the people lost, she took her chance to strike.

Current residency: The Dark Forest: The State Home's crypt.

ASKS: OPEN

[paganimagevault]

Goddess Tabiti and Scythian rider, tapestry from the Fifth Pazyryk Kurgan 3rd C. BCE. She holds a plant in her hands, possibly representing a tree of life.

"The large felt rug was neatly rolled up with long thin poles inside. The base of the rug (a cloth of thin white felt, 3mm thick and about 30 sq.m. in area) was covered with colored felt appliqués. The figures, painted with vegetable dyes, are sewn to the rug with twisted sinewy thread.

In two wide friezes, the same scene is repeated many times: a female character in luxurious attire sits on a throne, holding a branch of a mythical plant; a mounted warrior—also in decorated attire, with a compound bow in a harness suspended from his belt—approaches her. In all the scenes the figures are similar, but not identical, demonstrating that they were not made from a single template.

This plot has a pre-Asiatic origin; judging by analogical artifacts, it was also known to the Black Sea Scythians and Sarmatians. It is usually interpreted as an investiture scene where a certain Goddess “hands over” power to a leader.

Fragments of a second, not preserved rug with images of two mythical creatures were sewn on the side of a large rug in ancient times. One was a hind-footed creature with a lion’s body, wings, and a human head with stylized horns (a sphinx). The tail and wing feathers, as well as the clawed feet with spurs, are preserved from the other character. The original composition of the second rug can be read by correlating the fragments sewn into the large rug with the scraps of drapery that survived in the burial chamber; only the sphinx has been fully restored. The second character is a bird with a large hooked beak (conventionally called a phoenix).

The phoenix clutches at the head of the sphinx, which in turn grabs his opponent by the beak. This composition, like the “investiture scene” from the large rug, has early analogues in Western Asia and the Middle East, and was repeated exactly the same way many times. Indeed, the image on the fragmented rug probably originally had the same frieze composition as the large one.

Apparently, the large rug was stretched over the poles that were found wrapped in it, creating a funeral “tent” where the body of the deceased may have been displayed for some farewell ceremonies. It is also possible that the “tent” was placed over the burial chamber and served as a temporary ground structure until the mound was erected over the burial. The fact that the rug had to be repaired and remade using fragments of the second rug proves that these rugs were not made specifically for the funeral but earlier. It follows that the subjects of the images on them should not be interpreted as necessarily related to the burial.

It is interesting to compare the riders depicted on the pile rug with the mounted warrior on the repeated scene of the felt rug.

The carpet-makers of Trans-Asia depicted riders on the felt carpet who were not yet using saddles (on the backs of their horses were archaic large saddlecloth with breastplates), while the saddles depicted on the felt carpet are specially made objects that look similar to those among the Pazyryk finds. The nomads were always somewhat ahead of their sedentary neighbors in terms of horseback riding (and often also weaponry) but borrowed from them for luxury items. For example, in the fifth kurgan were found five cheprak (saddlecloths), two of which are decorated with imported fabrics. Nomads typically did not use cheprak; their presence here is most likely evidence of a temporary strengthening of Pazyryk relations with the Iranian world in the mid-third century BC."

-taken from VoicesOnCentralAsia

[theproperweirdo]

Ramblings and analysis [part 1]

Scarlet | The Arcane Shadow

My long time favourite character in AFK Arena since I started playing has been Scarlet ❤️ her backstory is killer and I feel like her design is detailed and enhances her personality even more using these details you really have to look into

To start, her past! Please skip the next two paragraphs if you know her story 👍

Scarlet’s mother (who I’ll call Ms. Laurence for convenience) raised her from a baby to around what I assume was preteen age. Their family carries a maternal “curse” of psychological torment and dark energy. Scarlet’s grandma had previously killed herself during an opera performance, after being driven insane by the voices she heard. Ms. Laurence wanted Scarlet to overcome this curse, and have her become a respectable woman like her own mom. Scarlet? Not so much. And although she loved her very much, Ms. Laurence didn’t get to see Scarlet’s future. She spiralled into insanity as well, and was taken to a mental institution.

Scarlet was taken to the Violet Orphanage afterwards, which could have a very long post on its own. 💀💀 While there, she tried and failed multiple times to escape. She felt like something was off about the strange people and weird tests they did. After having enough of her midnight missions, they started to amp up the tests in intensity and aggression, in either magical or physical ways. During one of these tests she passes out, and in the haze of her consciousness, she receives the last wishes from the spirit of her mother, before coming too. Once she’s awake, she makes her last attempt to escape— by burning the entire orphanage to the ground.

Her past is tragic. She’s stuck with a curse that’s taken both her mom and grandma, then used as a lab rat til she has a mental break. But there’s so much more to analyze! (Wowwww)

Her family’s curse is one described as one of “madness,” that blurs reality and fantasy. In a setting like this, it seems to be some kind of arcane affliction passed from mother to daughter.

However, there’s the obvious subliminal implication of her curse— that it’s a genetic mental illness. Although disorders are not often hereditary, they’re still most commonly seen in an individual when a direct family member has the same one. For Scarlet and her family, this sounds like a long line of women who have schizophrenia. Hearing voices like auditory hallucinations, erratic behaviour, and having extreme delusions, are the most prominent and aggressive symptoms. Scarlet’s grandma took her life after losing the ability to differentiate between real and imaginary. Scarlets mother became overwhelmed by her delusions. Before burning down the orphanage, Scarlet herself begins to hear voices and monsters. Now on her own, she doesn’t want to become what her mother and grandmother did.

She also possibly fights her own hallucinations better because she had to reassure her mother when she was young. She probably never met her grandma though.

As a violent and dangerous curse, it’s effective and seems to stem from some older power. But I think this reflection of mental illness in women is powerful and incredibly well written for a character in a mobile gacha RPG game.

Okay, that’s on her story! Now for an artist’s eye on her design… let’s move top to bottom.

Scarlet’s hair is visually more black with streaks of red highlights. But we know from the description of her mother, along with her 4koma-style comic, that she had a full head of red hair.

The red itself is said to be a sign of the curse in her story. Seeing that the black has come and overtaken it in her recent years, I think it’s meant to represent her own hold on her sanity. Scarlet’s mother still has (I assume) all her hair red when she’s taken away. The black in her hair might be her own control on the chaos magic, and how she’s managed to harness it.

Or, the black came through as an awakening of sorts. It comes in the climax of her grand escape, when she seemingly inherits the destructive power of the curse. If her mother didn’t manage to fully grasp any control over her own magic, maybe she never had the same moment of magic-puberty as scarlet. So maybe this magic changes her both mentally and physically, leaving a few remnants of the red, because even though she’s improving, the curse will never stop its assault on her. Either way, it’s a physical tell of how her magic has changed her.

Her clothes seem to be a personal choice for herself. At six years old, Scarlet rejected any kind of fancy teachings or proper dresses. She was likely just a young girl who had her own preferences and didn’t like the suffocating atmosphere of noble life. But her mother’s most sincere wish for her was to see her grow into a distinguished and elegant lady like her grandmother.

I imagine she had a lot of time to think and reflect on her memories in the Violet Orphanage. Her mother loved her genuinely and dearly, and they were separated in the end because of their shared curse. I imagine she would remember the one thing her mom wanted to see most in her. The dress and corset were probably picked out herself because she wants to fulfill the one thing her mom wanted. :( even though she hates dressing up, she wants to make her mom proud in this way. The makeup and heels are probably for the same reason.

Her armour and signature item are both made of this gold coloured metal, but her shoulder guards got some red by the edges.

The one other character with the same kind of armour is Morrow, the only other in game person who was a victim as the Violet Orphanage (aside from Isabella and Silvina).

They were kept there in different periods of time, but it’s obviously not a coincidence that they’re the only ones who share this design motif.

These are the Signature Item descriptions for both Morrow and Scarlet ⬇️⬇️

Both for controlling dark magic! However, the origin of Scarlet’s item says that it was formed during her destruction of the Violet Orphanage. Also the gold armour is on Morrow’s arms and not his book. Scarlet is the same, she’s got it on her shoulder guard, but not the stabilizer. My theory is that it’s either 1. A material they used in the orphanage to conduct experiments on the kids using dark magic, and they both now use to to chanel their own magic and cast spells. 2. It’s a normal kind of metal, but the red shading comes from use of dark magic. That would explain why both of their armour has it.

Either way, it’s a very cool detail! :) other things I’ve noticed are:

Her attacks have the possibility of hitting allied heros. I interpret it as her magic still being unstable and hard to control. She’s got her sanity and magic under control, but not completely.

There’s no clear distinction between “dark magic” and “hypogean magic” so it’s possible she controls some variation of void realm arcanum, or a hypogean cursed her bloodline and she now channels its energy instead of suffering from it.

She looks considerably older than Isabella. Makes sense considering the timeline, but makes me a lil sad.

Anyways, that’s the end of this long ass post. Hopefully more to come in the future (if I remember)

Til next time 🫣🫣

[une-sanz-pluis]

Excerpt from the Will of Edward, 2nd Duke of York

I bequeath the best sword and dagger that I have to my lord the King … also that my saddles and harnesses be equally divided amongst my henchmen, except that I wish that Rokell should have the best… I bequeath to Thomas Pleistede £20 in recognition for the graciousness that he showed to me when I was imprisoned in Pevensey. I bequeath to Philip Beauchamp my mail shirt that he wears and that was given to me by the earl of Huntingdon, may God absolve him, and in addition, my sword that he carries and £10. I bequeath to Thomas Beauchamp my brigandines, faced in red velvet chequered black and white and £10. I bequeath to John Popham my new brigandines of red velvet that Grove made for me, the bassinet that I wear and my best horse, except the above. I bequeath to Diprant my small mail shirt, the plate armour that my lord the Prince gave me called a breastplate [Brestplate], the plackart that belonged to my lord my father, may God absolve him, my huvette [houfett] and my steel skull-cap.

Karen Watts, "Armour at Agincourt – The Will of Edward, Duke of York", in The Battle of Agincourt: The Illustrated Companion (Yale University Press 2015)

Notes:

Watts' breakdown of the will is primarily interested in the evidence it reveals of the armour worn at the the Battle of Agincourt. However, it's worth pulling a few things out. The will was written at Harfleur a few weeks before the Battle of Agincourt, where York was killed - the highest ranking casualty. It was written in the aftermath of the Southampton Plot, where his younger brother, Richard, Earl of Cambridge, was executed for plotting against Henry V.

The bequest to the king:

The duke of York's first bequest is not to his family but to his king, Henry V ('mon Seignour, le Roy') and it is appropriately military and symbolic - his prized sword and dagger. It also reveals that the sword and dagger were personally owned knightly weapons.

It is probably not too surprising that York's first bequest was to Henry V, given that York had no children of his own and his brother and heir had very recently been executed. His sister, Constance of York, survived him by a little over a year but there are obvious reasons why he wouldn't bequeath her military items. York might have also been hoping that the request would result in Henry's care or acceptance of his young nephew and heir - the future Richard, Duke of York - but it's not clear from this excerpt if his nephew was mentioned. Given the context the excerpt was made in, it does seem striking that York doesn't bequeath his nephew any arms or armour.

I bequeath to Thomas Pleistede £20 in recognition for the graciousness that he showed to me when I was imprisoned in Pevensey.

York was imprisoned in Pevensey Castle in 1405 after being accused by his sister, Constance, of being involved in a conspiracy against Henry IV.

I bequeath to Philip Beauchamp my mail shirt that he wears and that was given to me by the earl of Huntingdon, may God absolve him, and in addition, my sword that he carries and £10.

I love the relationships and intimacies these items reveal.

Watts identifies Philip Beauchamp as an esquire of the duke's. The Earl of Huntingdon was possibly John Holland, the half-brother of Richard II who was killed for his part in the Epiphany Rising in 1400, or Guichard d'Angle, who died in 1380 and had been a companion of Edward the Black Prince. I think Holland is the more likely figure.

Watts identifies Thomas Beauchamp as part of York's household but singles out John Popham as "the most interesting" figure - he served on the campaign, where he was apparently knighted. He also received a life rent from York's manor of Vastern.

The items are given in detail. York apparently was a fan of a brigandine - "a body defence consisting of small plates riveted inside a textile covering" - as he had "many personal brigandines, including new ones produced by a recognised maker."

The plackart that belonged to York's father - Edmund of Langley - is a "plate defence" for the lower torso and could be worn with the brigandine - "yet another step towards full chest protection". But the latest development in that regard is the "breastplate" given to York by Henry V (when he was Prince of Wales) that York apparently believed needed to be explained and named. It was plate armour that finally protected the full chest.

[dandelion-system]

Idk what a subsystem is really but we have, I guess like different areas in our headspace, exclusive to some alters.

Everyone can go in the void. It’s the main area, where everyone hangs out, where front will be, and home to a bunch of alters. It’s got Sasha’s room, Cassie’s room, M’s room, and a few more I can’t remember immediately.

Then we have upstairs. The first floor is mostly for alters that don’t really have a job, other than just fronting and living life (eg being social, eating, drinking, doing homework) my room is here! I used to share with Bee but I moved into my own room (Bee got annoying)

The second floor has mostly littles, as far as I remember. I don’t go up there often.

Third floor is for the caretakers, and the non humans? Saturn and Hestia share a room, but when you go in their room it’s sort of just… sky. It doesn’t have confines. And everything is unfairly comfy. I have to be invited in, mind.

S0-R3n and Alastor also live on this floor, but they have normal rooms as far as I’m aware. S0-R3n probably has a recharge cupboard. I really don’t know.

And then there’s the much less accessible areas. You can’t be invited in, you have to be someone from there or you can’t go there.

The first one we were aware of was the white rooms. It’s like an opposite to the void. Small, winding spaces, all white, instead of open black spaces. I’m not allowed in there anymore, because I’m in my healing era, but it’s where the prosecutors live. Ironically it looks like a therapy lounge in several of the rooms.

Then there’s the slightly more elusive. The playground is a littles only zone, but I’m an age slider so I can go in sometimes. Obviously caretakers can go in too, but otherwise? Littles only (it’s lovely there. Kitty spends all her time here when she isn’t being sarcastic to us. I don’t blame her.)

Then there’s the forest, and there’s the lake.

The forest, I’ve never been to. Most of the alters from the forest, stay in the forest. The only one who really comes in and out is M, who goes in to check up on them, spend some time feeling, then generally goes back to her bedroom quote ‘because its pink and my friends visit me in there and we have stuffies and sleepovers’. From what I know, it’s another open space, but with much more there than the void. I mean, we have a table for games (connect 4 is fun) and a tv and lounge set up in the void, but otherwise it’s just empty. The forest is developed. You can see trees and grass for miles, and it feels like there’s a sky even though there isn’t really one). M found a hammock there once? But there’s also a large meadow. From the sounds of it, really peaceful. Which, honestly? Best idea we ever accidentally subconsciously had because it’s where the trauma holders go. I hear Aria sits between the forest and meadow, against a tree. I miss her.

The lake? River? I don’t know bodies of water. Anyway, it’s not like the forest at ALL. it’s all black, and there’s no clear door or direction in or out. It’s our most guarded area. The water is golden and glowing and spitting and warm, and some alters simply sit along the banks. Some of them have idk, ‘harnessed its power’ or whatever and can take it with them outside the area, should they need to. Dazai likes to carry his around as a book. Which I find amusing. Anyway. If any of you have seen my little pony, it’s like whatever celestial does right before she turns twilight into a princess? The water holds all our memories. It has memories that are alter specific, memories none of us can access. It’s gatekeepers only. I’m only aware of two alters who can go in here, and the only reason I can fathom is that they’re both so detached from the system that it doesn’t affect them? Or they seem themselves as some sort of ultimate system protector, like they have some sort of responsibility? Can’t tell.

Over time as we change we can move between areas. Nebbie never leaves the lake. Dazai I barely at the lake, and close to becoming a caretaker and losing lake privileges. Aria had her own room on the first floor, once. Now I haven’t seen her in over a year. I used to be the BIG LEADER SUPER COOL of the white rooms, but now Maddie is my replace,ent or whatever? She just keeps people in when they can’t handle being let out (props to May and Charlie for working on it tho! See u soon besties). So idk.

Are these subsystems? Maybe.

[aceofstars0]

✨️💜Basil's Backstory💜✨️

General Info

Basil is pansexual intersex and uses he/they. He is a double below-arm amputee. He's not exactly human, as I'll explain later. Their favorite food is pesto and their favorite drink is orange juice.

Their creation

The planet they come from has a lot of kind people (some of their personalities and appearances were passed onto basil). They were invaded by a foreign planet they had been at odds with for decades and thought they were going to be wiped out. The ruler of the planet had been developing the meteor basil would grow from for a long time, and decided to send it out now. It had no specific trajectory. In the magic au, they add something in to give basil the ability to harness the powers of the meteor (meteor magic) and wish granting.

Around 1000 years ago, around when Muzan was turned into a demon, a tsunami hit Japan. It wasn't horrible, but upon closer inspection, the Japanese people discovered a meteor had it Earth a few kilometers out to sea. They decided to leave it be, and it sunk to the bottom of the ocean. Over the next 500 years, a few alien insects escaped the meteor to observe the human life. When they got back to the meteor, it changed into something like an egg, and started formulating its own human being. The human was a small child with short white hair and pale skin. The meteor floated it to the surface and sent it on a wave to the nearby shores of Japan.

Early life

Basil was found on the beach and dropped off at a nearby orphanage. They were taught how to be a normal human, but were bullied because of their light, colorful features. They suffered horrible abuse until they were 10, and left on the sidewalk. During their time there, they lost their left arm due to an accident. Around a year after they had been abandoned on the street, Shinobu and Kanae found them and brought them back to the Butterfly Mansion and helped them get on their feet. They named him Basil Kocho and started training him to be a demon slayer.

During this time, they discovered he had insane strength and ability to fight. It was because the alien bugs had observed people's need to be protected that they gave her this strength. Of course, Basil had no idea of his origin. By the time he was 15, he likely could have fought alongside Yoriichi. He developed his own Meteor breathing, a very powerful skillset. On a mission he was sent on at 14 years of age, he bested Akaza and became the Meteor Hashira. However, he lost his right arm in the process...

Turning into a demon

Basil does get turned into a demon, and the story is here. Be warned, there are manga spoilers.

Characteristics

Basil is incredibly strong. Both mentally and physically. He enjoys building others and himself up.

Purple streak au

This au is focused on the relationship between basil and @larz-barz 's oc, Milo Suzuki

2 or 3 weeks after Basil started as shinobu's tsuguko, they met milo. Me and larz role played how they met on our role play accounts (i tagged it as basil kocho 1st rp)

Modern au

In this au basil has the same backstory up until shinobu adopts him. She sends him to school along with most the other ocs. He also never loses his other arm and never discovers his physical strength.

Magic au

This au includes anyones oc who wants to participate

In this au, Basil is grown in a natural meteor and arrives on earth that way.

Wish granting: Basil chants something, their eyes glow and their pupils dissapear, and they black out. They temporarily awaken in a spirit like state where they can walk around separate from their body. Here, they see ghost-like hallucinations showing them what the answer to their wish is. If it was future or past vision, there hallucinations act it out without talking. If their wish was a desire, the ghosts act out how it happens in the human world, but the humans don't see it happening, they only see the effect. Basil is granted the ability to grant one wish around every month, and the way they know one is ready is that their magic symbol changes color into a golden yellow.

I haven't gotten to meteor magic yet but it's similar to meteor breathing

[byberbunk2069]

@streetkid-named-desire tagged me for an OC association thing. I copy-pasted from their post

I tag @fourth-floor-at-langley, @medtech-mara, @aggravateddurian

I'm using the most recent pictures I have of them but their appearances are gonna be changing again over time (not so much with my netrunner tho)

First is Veil (aka V31L or any variation that other runners might have seen her handle as):

Animal: Standard domestic cat because that is just the general vibe netrunners give off tbh

Colors: 007BA7

Month: June/July (wrt birth month: January)

Plants: She's a California girl at heart so she likes palm trees

Numbers: I was gonna go for 23 for reasons relating to William Burroughs and Psychic TV but I'll go for 42 as the maximum RAM she had in the most recent playthrough

Songs:

Cowgirl - Underworld

Mindfields - The Prodigy

Teardrop - Massive Attack

Smells: Tropical fruits, coconut, vanilla

Time of Day: 10PM - 5AM

Food: Combination of classy Japanese dining and street food.

Drinks: Rum & Coke, beer, real coffee (bought off a black market dealer on the Net)

Elements: uwu the fifth one

Seasonings: the shit that makes Indian curries slap (I'm Bri'ish so I've only ever had a proper curry a few times and the others have been bastardised ones made at home)

Weapons: Quickhacks, Skippy, D5 Sidewinder, Hercules 3AX, suppressed Unity

Places: EdgeNet (Yoko Tsuru's shop), H10 rooftop

Sky: Clear night sky (so she can see the moon)

Weather: Rainy days, clear nights

Candy: I think bubblegum counts. Cigarettes definitely don't count.

Hobbies: Hacking, arguing with other Netrunners, remote controlling her Galena when she decides now is the right time to get in to a disagreement over the phone or with a passenger.

Artstyle: Patrick Nagel

Fear: The collective weight of guilt after spending 11 years of her life in NetWatch and the last few of those years sub-conning for Arasaka catching up with her. Losing her found family.

Clothing item: Black leather racers, knotted tank, personalised edgerunner with shoulder mounted monitor on the left sleeve and shoulder pad on the right, heeled boots (her wardrobe varies but that set in particular is her go to)

Three Emojis: 🧠⚡💥

Star Sign: Capricorn

Ronnie below the keep reading:

Animal: Some kind of attack dog, doberman maybe.

Colors: #660000

Month: August (birth month)

Plants: Roses

Numbers: 10 - which was the most she took on (so far) in an impromptu street fight in Northside. Unfortunately for her the gang was NCPD and they had to deploy a netrunner to pacify her.

Songs:

Boys Wanna Be Her - Peaches

Hips, Tits, Lips, Power! - Pigface/Silverfish

If You Want Blood (You Got It) - GWAR

bonus: Ratfinks, Suicide Tanks and Cannibal Girls - White Zombie (also Caramelldansen but because of that one Doom Eternal meme which is Ronniecore)

Smells: Pineapple

Time of Day: 8PM

Food: Pizza

Drinks: Beer

Elements: Fire

Seasonings: hottest possible chilli powder

Weapons: Cut-O-Matic, Baseball Bat, Carnage, her (cyber)fists

Places: Lizzie's, trailer park outside SanDom, Megabuilding H11

Sky: She was born way after the Time of the Red but that.

Weather: Rainy

Candy: leelou beans.

Hobbies: Fighting, sleeping, defending her output's honor (even though she's capable of standing up for herself).

Artstyle: Jamie Hewlett

Fear: Adam Smasher, Militech

Clothing item: black bustier, short shorts, harness, fishnet tights, combat boots

Three Emojis: 🦾👊🪚 < pretend thats a cut-o-matic

Star Sign: Leo