#also speaking of the cubs hat

[phoenixeclipse-lmkau]

Journey Cubs (JC) AU

Au idea~

Reader ends up pregnant right before the duo leave to fight the celestial realm. Unknown to her but she was also given an elixir of life to keep her alive during this time. However her 'death' happened and the duo thought she was dead.

After the brotherhood fails to conquer the celestial realm Reader is pulled back into the world. She settles down in a small village far into the mainland.

She lives peacefully with Spirit and they open an inn together. Neither of them age as they raise the twins Bao and Tao! The twins grow up and learn of their dads, both deciding to protect their mother from such men. Reader doesn't get with anyone else as the twins are VERY protective of her.

>>>

One day far into the future Reader is visiting Spirit’s mother's grave with her. Bao traveled with the two while Tao stayed behind to watch over the inn.

*Ding* *Ding*

Tripitaka jumped at the sound of the small bell above his head. He glared at the two monkey demons who laughed at his fear.

"Hello?" He called out into the silent inn, not a sound was made. There was no returned greeting nor was there sound of life. Looking back and forth he searched for anyone who may run the small inn.

"Looks like no one is here," Bajie muttered glancing around.

The group who was looking for a place to rest for the night groaned. They were at an actual inn, somewhere with beds and possibly blankets and no one was there to let them in! Wukong felt his jaw tighten, he was getting more and more annoyed at the group around him. Macaque was NOT heloing his annoyance either, he did not want to speak yo his fucking EX- husband at all. But he couldn't do anything about it while the circlet was still sround his FUCKING SKULL!

Wujing spoke up, "Then who is that?"

The group looked to where he was pointing. A head of white hair was laying on the counter, propped up by two white furry arms. A large hat covered his head if not for the hair sticking out around it, he wouldn't be very seen at all.

Macaque was the first to notice something odd, his shadow there was something different about it. His shadow wasn't like any he had seen on anyone else, his shadow... it was like his own! A pocket of space that swirled thickly with magic, and under complete control of the person it belonged to.

How did he have shadow magic?

He didn't get to say anything before his pain in the ass ex-husband jumped foreward. "Hello! We need rooms!"

His shout was met with an annoyed grunt, the man lifted his head and the whole group froze. A dark purple flared mask surrounded two bright golden eyes. A thick stripe of purple began at his lip and trailed down his chin. Six deep purple, lotus shaped ears fanned out as he proped his head in his hand.

"Is that so? You don't need to shout about it," he grumbled before letting out a loud yawn, showing off his sharp teeth.

"How many rooms will it be? Theres-" his ears fluttered before he continued, "six of you. So two rooms would be enough."

The group was too stunned to respond, this young man roughtly 20 looking looked just like Macaque. Aside from his ear and eye color, he looked like the spitting image of him. He raised a brow when he didn't get a response.

"Well. Do you want rooms or not?" He asked, snapping his teeth in annoyance a habit he picked up from his aunt.

"... who are you?" Wukong was the first to speak, anger building in his chest along with awe and shock. It was his eyes, the same eyes that matched his own. There was no way, it was impossible.

"The name is Tao, now a room or not? If you aren't here for a room then would you kindly LEAVE?" He growled before yawning again.

"No! We... we need a room. It's just surprising to see a monkey demon in these parts," Macaque spoke up, walking closer examining the shimmering fur and the bright eyes.

He didn't have a child, and the only one he'd ever been with... no she had died... right? Yes she was, it's possible that he was born from a storm like himself, or maybe from a stone like Wukong. There was that bright shimmering sun magic within him after all. Even if it was far less than the overwhelming amount of highly UNSTABLE shadow magic. Had he not been training? Does he realise what happens to those with unstable shadows!?

"Hmm? Riiiight... I suppose me and my brother are the only ones around," Tao nodded with an exadurated sigh.

The group was silent, awkwardly shuffling until Tao tossed them a set of keys. They were quick to file away to the rooms that Tao told them to go to. Macaque and Wukong hestitated for a moment, both wanting to talk but decided to wait... they needed to talk to him when the other wasn't around.

No one noticed Tao's sneer, his eyes darkening on the back of the two monkey demons. He had recognized them immediately, and rage swelled in his chest at the sight of them.

"Bao, keep mom in Spirit’s town until I tell you otherwise. We have unwanted pests" he muttered, knowing his voice would reach his brother. The wind never failed to give him the information when his name was spoken.

He would wait until they left. He wasn't going to start needless fighting but he wasn't going to just sit back if they did anything stupid. He would protect his mother from THEM no matter what.

[just-some-random-blogger]

Yeti

Cregan Stark x Martell!Reader

Summary: Cregan takes you hunting with him and, you get caught up in a snowstorm. Needless to say, the cold is a formidable adversary to your Dornish self.

Word Count: 2k+

Warnings: fem!reader, wife!reader, mentions/depictions of violence/gore/horror, smut (pwp tbh, semi-public sex, breeding kink, cunninglingus, vaginal penetration, dirty talk, praise kink), cregan 'don't fuckin scare my wife' stark, fluff, typos, etc.

A/N: haha head. no thoughts. only wolf hubbie. and ok just roll with the folklore i added just just Tagging: @pinksirensong @aralezinspace @sloanexx

"WHAT?" I quip, breath condensing with the cold air.

The men around me let out deep, hearty chuckles upon hearing my concerned exclamation. Cregan chuckles under his breath and shakes his head. The fire in the middle of our group crackles.

"Aye, I saw it with my own two eyes," the oldest of the men in the hunting party says, "twas the biggest beast I'd ever seen." He scratches his white beard. A shiver runs down my spine. It wasn't just because of the wind.

"Lord Stark," a voice calls from behind, "we've finished setting up the tent."

Cregan turns to the approaching men and nods, "very good. Thank you."

"When mi cousin went missing," I turn to the man by my right as he speaks, "mi aunt saw a seer to ask if they could get 'is body back if 'e was dead," he says, "and, by the gods, instead, that night, there was a loud screech and claw marks on the trees. In the end, they erected a stone for mi cousin without 'is body."

I shudder and wrap myself tighter into my coat.

"D'ya know the story about the headless, lady?"

My expression twists, along with my insides. I shake my head.

"Well," the man continues, "long story short, an entire heard of sheep slowly started losing their heads and there were large footprints that trailed off the farm every time it happened."

I clench my jaw, "... how horrible."

"Aye. Yetis feed messily. They say that if you find sheep organs in the snow, you ought to run cause a Yeti left that there."

Cregan rolls his eyes but then catches the way my face continues to contort.

"Didn't all of the sheep on that farm have their guts gushing out of their necks?"

"I think it also happened to the cows-"

"That's enough," Cregan shakes his head, leaning on his knees, "I will not hear another word of the kills of snow figments while we're out in the snow."

"But it's not a figment."

"Milord, you know that even your father had an encounter with the Yeti-"

"The Yeti kill mi dog-"

"Enough, I said!" Cregan blurts louder than the rest. He stands from his spot, and in turn, his cloak, which he had wrapped around me, is pulled off my body. He stills, having forgotten he'd done that, and looks down at me, reaching hand, "in the tent with you."

I do not take his hand. I instead grip my furs tighter as I slowly stand. He does not fault me for it, though he does let out a grunt.

The men share another laugh. They watch as I struggle to move from my spot, as I was practically twice my size with all of the layers I had on. Cregan had even given me his outer coat, leaving him one layer less, yet still, he was unfazed where I was practically rigid with frost.

"Poor Dornish cub," one of the men mutter.

Cregan presses his lips together and adjusts the woolen hat on me. He wipes the snowflakes off my lashes before placing a hand on the brown bear fur on my back, "waddle quicker then."

I do not snark back at his remark.

One crunch in the snow after the other, my boots finally take me to the tiny, makeshift tent.

Cregan reaches out to me again, making me look back at him with wide, inquisitive eyes. When I do nothing but stare, he mutters, "the coat, love."

I furrow my brows at him like he called bloody murder, "but I'm cold!"

Cregan blinks then shakes his head, "I'm only going to dust the snow off."

I shake my head and shudder, breath condensing in the air.

He purses his lips and grabs me not unlike a rag doll. I squeak and just let it happen. He brushes the snow off me, muttering something under his breath as he did, then guides me into the tent.

When he kneels down by the makeshift bed on the ground, he and takes off his cloak, "will you be sleeping with the whole wardrobe on you?"

I plop down next to him gracelessly and pant, "if you wish for me to survive through the night."

He draws out a deep breath. It looks as though smoke left his lungs. Cregan makes a pillow out of his cloak and motions to it.

I gratefully lie down, although with all the layers on me, the cloak-pillow was a bit too low. Still, I fluff it up and it suffices well enough.

"Will your men be alright outside?" I mutter as I gaze upon the blanket and fur tent they built.

He grunts as he stands, "there've been worse winters, sunshine." He then begins to walk off.

"Wait," I knit my brows, "where are you going?!"

Cregan turns back and places his hands on his hips, "I wouldn't want to intrude on you and your fur. There's barely enough room for the two of you."

"Cregan."

"Oh, Hush, hush," he waves his gloved hand and moves to close the tent's opening, "I'm keeping watch so my bear cub doesn't get eaten by a Yeti."

"That's not funny."

I hear the sound of his boots stomping away.

It was bad enough that I was shivering intermittently in my sleep, thus why I kept waking up, but then I had an awful nightmare about the gargantuan, white-furred snow monster. Now all I could do was pray to R'hllor that I remain strong enough to get through this storm.

I further solidify when I hear a deep cry from a distance.

... no... not a Yeti. That's simply my mind playing tricks on me.

And yet my heavy eyes are now wide open.

I roll on my back and sit down as I listen to the wisp of the storm, anticipating another shriek.

I sniffle and shudder as dread bubbles in my belly.

"I am not waiting for the Yeti to creep in my tent, gods no," I mutter to myself as I crawl out of my tent on all fours.

As I emerge out of the warm cocoon, I yelp when I look up and find myself faced with a snow covered man laid back on a tree truck. He looked as though he was dead. I let out louder yelp when I realize the man was Cregan.

I run to him, no longer caring that cold was seeping through my fur and quickly brush the snow off him. Because of this, Cregan groans and finds consciousness.

"W-"

"ARE YOU ALRIGHT?" I rub Cregan's face with my hands.

He scowls at me, "is it morning?"

"W-what?"

He groans as he sits up, "dammit, girl, I was sleeping."

"WELL HOW COULD I HAVE KNOWN THAT!" I quip, "you look like you were about to make friends with the Stranger."

Cregan grabs my arms as his face slowly contorts, "I'll have you know I am the vision of health, bride."

I let out a sound as he leans in and wraps his arms around me, bringing his face into my neck. The feel of his cold nose against my skin makes me gasp. He mumbles, "so warm."

"Cregan," I brush the building snow on him, "let's go into the tent."

And so we did. Or at least as much as the Stark lord could fit inside.

Once we were situated in the tent, I laid next to Cregan, who kept moving because of his legs that were sticking out. After a while, he began shifting me as well. He pulls me into his chest and claws my coat off, "away with these furs, dammit."

"Cregan, I'm cold."

My words and my attempts to keep myself warm are futile as my hulking husband rips the source of his ire off me, "I can warm you better."

"Cregan, please," I grab his hands when he tries to undo more of my clothes, "it's too cold for this."

I am wholly defenseless when he shifts on his knees and shoves me on my back. He situates himself between my legs and pulls his gloves off, "I'll leave you sweating."

I whimper when I feel cold begin to seep through as he pushes my skirts up, "Cregan-"

"Shh, shh, shh," he digs his finger into my hips, " 'm just going to warm my face. You felt how cold I was."

With a rip, my pants and smallclothes were down. The yelp that leaves me is repeated when I feel Cregan's frosty lips on me.

Cregan sinks down and throws my legs over his shoulders. At this point, his bottom half was sticking outside the tent. That, added to the sounds I was making through my glove-muffled mouth, made for the most obviously obscene act you would ever witness in the woods amidst a storm.

"Come now, pretty girl," he mutters between kisses, "no one will hear you through the wind."

I whimper when he swirls his tongue around my nub.

"And even if they do, they'll know to blame it on the Yeti."

True enough, I begin to grow warmer and warmer, and louder and louder.

"Mmm, fuck, Cregan," I reach down from him and dig my fingers into his hair, "I feel warmer now. So warm."

He hums against me, eliciting a moan from my lips. He sighs hotly on my core then nips at my thigh, "so sweet and soft, and all for me."

I whimper and arch against him as he continues to lap at my increasing wetness. I bite down on my lips as the sound of his feasting fills my ears.

"Cregan," I sigh as I pull on his roots, "need more."

He barely lifts his head and whispers against me, "not warm enough?" His one brow quirks.

"Need you inside me," I mutter, seeing my breath fog up in front of my face.

Cregan chuckles then sigh, "see, you woke me up," he retorts, rubbing his cheek against my thigh, "I'm going to need you to beg for forgiveness first."

I grunt when he sinks back down on me, "please, husband. Forgive me. I'm begging you. I need you."

Cregan chuckles louder, "how wanton, not even putting up a fight--"

"Please," I pull his hair again, "please."

He shakes his head, so very clearly meaning to rub me with his nose, "I'm enjoying this enough already."

"My love, please. I want you in me," I pant."

With that, he sinks down darts his tongue into my folds, making me squeal. He continues at it then makes me yelp when he grazes my flesh. He croons, "like that, pretty girl?"

I whine helplessly as he continues. I can practically feel his grin against me. I scrape his scalp with my fingers, "Cregan."

He chuckles and relents, lifting his head, "oh, what now?"

"I need your cock in my cunt."

He laughs then clicks his tongue, "my, my, Lady Stark. How uncouth. Is how they raise the ladies in Sunspear?"

I let out a whimper when the cold bites my exposed flesh after Cregan pulls away. He presses his fingers into my thighs, "what would you give me if I fucked you, wife?"

I answer exactly as I know he wants, "an heir."

He huffs heavily through his nose and gets on his knees, "just one?" He brings both my legs into one arm as his other works on undoing his trousers.

"As many as you want, my lord."

He hums and eventually frees himself. I sound leaves me when I feel how cold but hard he is, "good girl."

Our groans mix as he sinks into me and pushes my knees into my chest. I feel warm slick on him as he rubs into my chilled cheek. "Fuck. You're so cold," he mutters. He proceeds to pepper kisses all over my face, "let me take care of you."

I reach for his face and begin to grunt when he bucks into me. If it weren't for all of the clothes still on my back, I'd surely have my skin gashed by the end of this.

"Fucking gods," he growls against my temple, "so tight and hot."

He pushes his hands behind my knees and picks up the pace.

I throw my head back and helplessly whine as he slaps into me. He pushes down on me and pins me in place. He pants against my ear, "this warm enough for you?"

"Mmm, gods, yes-"

"Gonna fill you up. Burn my come into you. Make you carry my pups," he licks my skin then nips at me, "make you heavy with my seed. Put so many pretty babes into my pretty bride."

My fingers dig into his hair as his mouth trails down my neck. He asks, "you want that don't you?"

"Yes, wolf."

He gruffs and snaps his hips rough, "good. Good."

I grow warmer as he moves quicker. Soon enough both our bodies are warm to the touch. I peck his cheek and bask in the feel of him. At a point, his movements become erratic and aggressive.

"My pretty cunt. Mine, mine mine."

"Cregan-"

"Yes, darling. I'm here," he sighs, "fucking my pups into your soft belly and warming you up. Feels better than all those fucking pelts right? Warmer. Warmer. Warmer. So fucking warm."

I squeal as I feel myself get pushed on the edge.

"Come on, love, give it up to me."

I whine erratically.

"Come on, pretty girl. Milk my cock and take my cum. Fuck, just like that. Come on. Don't be difficult. Come on, my little-- oh, that's it."

Cregan's movements do not relent as I come undone and spasm beneath him. The knot inside me breaks into a thousand pieces and I'm sure if there was a Yeti out there, they'd be running the other way after hearing me.

A few moments later, he, himself, twitches and fucks all of the smug comments he meant to say out of his system.

His movements grow increasingly languid until he comes to a stop.

He breathes against my neck and finally releases his clutch on my legs. He adjusts his hold on my thighs and makes a cushion out of me, not that I mind. In fact as I catch my breath and wrap my legs around him, I warn in between breaths, "don't you dare pull away, Stark."

He presses his lips on the top of my head, "never, Stark."

[sailorscout93]

Okay attempt number 2 at posting why I personally think Galinda Upland is a high masking AuDHD person after I saw a post pegging Elphaba as Autisitic and Galinda as ADHD:

See under the cut

1. She’s very clearly high energy/hyperactive, always busy, never stops talking, the way she talks it seems like that’s how her brain works, just running and running constantly.

2. She speaks what’s on her mind without thinking about how what she says may affect those around her. “You’re green!” It very much gives me “If you’re from Africa why are you white?” From Mean Girls vibes. (And yes, I do think Karen Smith is autistic too lol)

3. She has 2 special interests: being Popular and sorcery. I mean, aside from just being a huge gay flamingo mating dance, Popular also feels like a giant infodumping session of Galinda onto Elphie. She’s sharing all the knowledge she has on one of her favorite topics. The works she puts in to following her hearts desire to be a sorceress, saying how it’s her hearts desire. She would do anything to be able to do magic and I personally think she has the knowledge behind it, even if she doesn’t have the magic ability in her in the way Madame Morrible is looking for. She recognizes that Elphaba was the one who did the magic in the courtyard at Shiz and she begs Elphaba to share how she did it, even though she claims to loathe her. She thinks Elphaba knows something about her special interest that she doesn’t so she MUST find out!

4. I know the suitcases and trunks all her stuff is in is partially because of the lack of closet space in the dorm room but while it seems like everything has its place, drawers are labeled, etc… it’s still very cluttered. She just has SO. MUCH. STUFF. A little bit of hoarding. She cannot bear to get rid of anything because what if she needs it one day?! (I.E. the hat her grandmother made her!)

5. Speaking of the hat. I don’t think she actually hates it. It may not be her style, but her grandma made it for her! When Pfannee pulled the hat out and he and ShenShen started hating on it and Galinda turned around, it took her a moment to read her friend’s tones. You can see for a second her expression looks neutral but contemplative when she’s looking at Pfannee before it changes and she starts to hate on the hat. She had to take a second to read and process her friend’s tone before she responded so she could have the correct reaction her friends were expecting from her.

6. The ‘toss toss’ and ‘leg’ things are both stims. You cannot change my mind.

7. Why is she so high masking? Because her momsie and popsicle conditioned her to hide any trait of hers that could seen as “undesirable” or “unladylike”. She’s Galinda Upland of the Upper Uplands after all! She has a reputation to live up to!

8. After the Ozdust Ballroom night when she and Elphie become friends, she quickly becomes attached to her. Elphie becomes her “safe person” and she develops an attachment to her that I see frequently in neurodiverse people. She always wants to be around her and she is always holding her hand and touching her because she’s so comfortable with Elphaba. She finally has someone she can unmask around.

9. Speaking of Elphie…. Galinda shows some HEAVY Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria in the deleted scene “Elphaba’s Promise”. She is sad and hurt, not that Elphie and Fiyero were doing something without her, but that Elphie “chose” Fiyero to help her rescue the cub, not Galinda. “If you needed someone, you could’ve picked me!” Breaks my heart every time!

10. She seems to have a little bit of rigid thinking when it comes to Dr. Dillamond not being able to pronounce her name. She seems to think if she just keeps repeating the correct way to say it, he’ll eventually get it and not understanding that he’s physically not capable of pronouncing her name correctly because of his lack of upper front teeth, even when it’s explained to her.

11. This last one is very much a stretch (pun not originally intended this time lol) but I’m putting it in too, hypermobility issues are a very high comorbidity with autism and when she’s dancing around during Popular she does a high kick. Could it just be athleticism? Maybe. Could it be a hypermobility thing? Also maybe.

[threecowsusingthistoreadcomics]

Weekly Hermittober Week Three - Invention!

Another piece of art based on me and @activate-shadow-of-the-window ‘s Hermit Hat Atelier AU! They’re doing this weekly drawing challenge right alongside me, so make sure to check out their art if the AU interests you.

This piece features Mumbo Killsalot Jumbo and his invention- the gun. Don’t let his calm demeanor fool you. Despite being the creator, Mumbo barely has any idea how to use it. He prefers to sell his weapons and leave them for others to use. “Peace Love and Plants” isn’t broken if other people use his inventions for harm, right?

Speaking of other people, to the left of this piece are some of Mumbo’s customers. CuteGuy, who uses Mumbo’s weapons to fight crime. Cub, who Mumbo got to test for him as a trusted craftsman. And Doc, who’s #1 on the list of “People Mumbo Probably Shouldn’t Be Selling Weapons To”, but also one of Mumbo most loyal customers.

You might be thinking, “Wow, this seems super illegal! I wonder how Mumbo is still running a Totally Safe business as a non-brimmed cap?” and the answer to that is Dumb Luck and also it is Worse than you think.

Not only does Mumbo run a business selling illegal contraptions- He’s also a trusted producer of pendants for the Knights Moralis. He has a drastic double life that could easily get him into So Much trouble, but he’s somehow managed to scrape by unnoticed for several years.

[mochiwrites]

Mochi I’m brainrotting over your secret husbands AU, are there anymore crumbs you can provide for a poor Scarian lover?

I CAN ABSOLUTELY PROVIDE MORE CRUMBS YES <- just got to class and is bored

we haven't touched on season 8 too much, have we? I think there's a lot of funny moments to be had from this season. because boatem. mumbo, impulse, and pearl. they definitely have bets in the betting pool, and you know they're going to be trying whatever they can

from pearl locking grian and scar in the g-train. to mumbo asking both grian and scar to join him on a picnic only to back out last second. to impulse making one of those cheesy "boat of love" trips in the chocolate river in his factory for them

these guys are pulling out whatever stops they can to get grian and scar together. and I think it's boatem that finally makes our married couple realize what their friends are trying to do. they don't get away with it for very long

cue scar meeting with impulse and just. starting to wax poetry about how wonderful grian is, and how much he loves him (impulse is sick of it /affectionate). cue grian moping around mumbo's base because he misses scar (he'll see him in a few hours) and he can't just tell scar he misses him (this one is true, because scar would tease him for days if he knew)

bonus points for scar bothering cub about his "grian situation" and grian bugging pearl about his "scar situation" (both are So done with their respective siblings)

impulse calls an emergency meeting. boatem is empty. grian and scar get an entertaining date night

the hat scar made for grian? has an engraving on the inside that says forever and always, light of my life. grian makes scar backup gear that's extremely mushy and scar solemnly swears to never lose it (he has it stored away in his ender chest)

the pranks!!!! pranks a plenty!!!! scar gives grian a run around over where he's building his mountain (they both know scar is going to choose his spot). scar getting stuck in bedrock is absolutely Layered with flirting upon flirting. they die in the void together, holding each other because grian tried to catch him

grian officially renames the magical menagerie to magical bebegarie for forever (once again, scar claims the charged creeper is their child now. grian is exasperated)

they pick up a habit of star gazing together in midnight alley, and have definitely fallen asleep together before. scar's started to keep a blanket up there when that happens

speaking of blankets... he's missing a few. and some of his shirts are missing. and huh, would you look at that, scar's found them in grian's nest. How Odd

though grian loves sleeping in the swaggon, it's unfair how comfortable scar's beds always are! and boy do the other members of boatem go crazy when they see grian leaving scar's base in the morning. and upon being questioned, grian and scar always say that they stayed up doing blueprints of builds together. which isn't technically a lie, sometimes. but most of the time it's a lot more... hands on ;3

and oh my god the ravager prank from big eye crew... I'm not saying grian and scar try to keep each other in their sights the entire time, but I'm definitely saying grian and scar keep each other in their sights. and after the ravagers are taken care of, they're hiding away in grian's base and cuddling for the next few hours, Do Not Disturb

also this extends far past season 8 but scar often wakes up with jellie curled on grian instead of him. he declares grian is feeding her extra treats so she'll love him more. grian denies this, but scar doesn't believe him

:D

[ruzzellgoldgrin]

DWC May 2025

Bonus Day! Snap/Armor

Many years ago in Halfhill during The Invasion of Pandaria...

Early morning, a lone pandaren walks along the weathered road, each step flawlessly landing on each worn rock as if memorized from years of taking this path. A gentle river winds through the jade hill like a serpent through grass. The humble man carries upon his back numerous pots and pans, a wok, tea kettle, a portable stove, and a simple wicker basket loaded up with groceries purchased down in The Jade Forest. The traveler greets Mrs. Redpaw with a smile and nod of his straw douli hat. She would offer a smaller smile, though her brow furrowed in concern. "Little Pao! Thank goodness you are here!" The moniker was an affectionate one as he was anything but little. He receives the older lady as she clings to his arm in pleading. "Eh? What seems to be the matter Mrs. Redpaw?" Her white markings on her brow pulled together as she tried to collect her thoughts, not wanting to raise her voice too much lest she draws attention. Her copper eyes keep darting over to the local tavern. "Pao Pao... There is this man over in The Lazy Turnip causing all kinds of trouble... He is a soldier from The Horde. We heard there was an invasion on the shores of Krasarang earlier this week, but he's the first we have seen of his kind out here." Her grip in his silk sleeve tightened as her worry grew. "Please, you must deal with him! I'm scared their aggression will draw out The Sha in our village!" The dark patches under his eyes sunk at the severity of the situation. Despite knowing this, he simply smiled in turn to her and laid a solid paw on her slender shoulder. "It will be alright. I will take care of this Horde soldier. You have my word." The smile on her face was a relieved one now. She knew he of all people would be able to quell this quarrel.

The pandaren wandered up the hill, the steps slick with dew as he entered the village proper. Many villagers watched from their porches and some children clung to each other. A small cub hugged her cloth dolly as her mother shielded her to her robes. The town was quiet, save for the hushed tones of onlookers and the raucous noise that came out of the tavern. He ducks his head low and enters the rounded archway to see a small green man in foreign armor. The tabard on his body was of some strange sigil resembling a horseshoe and the bright crimson colors contrasted with the green ears poking out the sides of his helmet.

"Aww, waddaya mean ya ain't got roasted pig?!" The irate soldier barked out to the waitress. She tries to placate the man offering him a bowl of mung beans and some chilled garlic noodles, the aroma of the simple dish alluring. He abruptly back hands the dish off the counter, sending it flying as it smashes to pieces on the bamboo wall. "No ya crazy broad, I don't want flippin' noodles! I needs meats! I can't keep my strength up eating this noodle crap!" She shirks away, on the verge of tears as she ducks down below the counter. The chef tries to intervene now, raising up a cleaver before the Horde soldier produces his iron cudgle and begins bashing the wooden bar. "Oh! You think yous gonna be a hero now! I'mma show you nitwits why ya don't mess wit da Horde!" Before the situation could escalate to violence, the wanderer speaks out in a firm voice. "Stop right there friend!"

The tavern goes silent. Nobody moves for a tense moment. The tiny soldier then turns around, his arm still raised up with the beatstick. He pulls down his crude wooden shield and hops down from the seat in a steady advance towards the traveler. "Oh ho ho! Now that's what I'm talkin' about! Some lamebrain is gonna come in here and act like theys got the nerve to tell us who's in charge?! Ha!" He taunts the man in a cackle as he presses on, his weapon kept at arms distance. "Please, we don't want any violence in our humble town. Not only does your emotions manifest as The Sha, but such feelings are also bad for the soul." The soldier pauses his march a moment to let out a boastful laugh at those words. He even goes so far as to slap his knee in amusement at such a claim. "Wahahah! Oh oh man! Thanks for that bud, I haven't had my ribs tickled like that since Saturday nights at The Tail!" The pandaren takes a cautious step backwards as the tiny soldier continues his march. The two begin to walk out of the tavern and into the open marketplace as the crowd stays a safe distance away. "Listen here bud! I don't believe in all that Pandaren mumbo jumbo Sha crap! We are here to crush The Alliance and to claim these lands in the name of The Horde! Any Sha or tubby bear like all of you is no match for our military might! Any day now, The Kor'kron will be marching up through these lands, and you lousy, fat, good-for-nothin' bumpkins will be praisin' us for bringing order to this join!" Around the small man's armor, a glowing aura of shadows and white light begins to radiate out of him. His pride and violence starts to manifest into a Sha and fuels the man as he now wildly swings about his truncheon, threatening the would-be hero. The wanderer holds his paws up, empty handed in surrender as the soldier closes the distance. "Now! Apologize to me before I bash your idiot brains in and knock that stupid hat right off your big, fat-"

He takes another wide swipe of his club towards the receding traveler and suddenly finds himself losing his footing and words as he falls forward, pratfalling to the muddy ground! He blinks in disbelief. Did he just trip in front of this man. He could have sworn he felt his arm grabbed and his body pulled forward, but he didn't see it happen. No one is that fast. The children watching giggle at the silly soldier as his armor and tabard are now coated in muck. "What the... I.. I tripped you fools! These dirt roads are nothin' compared to Orgrimmar!" He gets up, a bit dazed now. The aura of darkness around his begins to disapate now as he tries to regain his confidence. "I'll show ya barbarians what's so funny here!" He turns his aggression to the wanderer once more and begins to bash his shield with the beatstick, drumming along in taunting as he draws near. Thump! Thump! Thump! The steady marching and showboating draws near. The pandaren watches carefully, studying the rhythm of his opponent becoming one with those movements. Paws still held up in surrender, another mishap occurs.

Suddenly the soldier's shield and club drop to the ground with a loud clang as the man stands paralyzed in pure shock. The front of his visor is now crumpled in a singular point. Crimson begins to quickly run down the vents of his damaged helm as he drops down on his seat and grips at his covered face, a muffled scream of agony coming out now. The crowd winces at the sudden violence, the mother shielding the eyes of her daughter and covering her ears. The pandaren keeps his paws up, though his right paw now is holding up only two claws stiffly together. He speaks out calmly to the shriveled up soldier as he desperately tries to remove his helmet between sobbing. "My friend, you can not have such anger in your heart. We are good people who want only peaceful lives. Why do you come to our lands with war and hatred in your hearts? We are all neighbors here. Why not choose the path of peace and acceptance like we have?" The man rocks back and forth in excruciating pain, finally pulling off his helmet. His azure hair is in a disheveled mop strewn about his sweating face. He clutches at his mouth as his lip in split and spits out the shattered pieces of his bloody tooth. A masterful strike, only his upper right canine was vacant in his mouth. A tactical touch mean not to kill him but to deter any more violence. His mind buzzed with white hot anger. "My toot! Ya bafterd! Ya meffed up my fmile! ARGGH!!" He winces as he covers his face, more blood spilling out over his gauntlets. His violet eyes dilate as his pride is harmed as well. He bolts up swiftly, his judgement clouded in taking out this peasant.

He takes a lunge at the man, his full body thrown in with every ounce of strength. He then catches the faintest glimpse of Pao's eyes glinting under his straw hat. He could see in those jade green eyes a practiced gaze. He anticipated the goblin's moves, thoughts, and actions. Every attack was planned and read. Even his last ditch attempt to tackle the man. Time slowed down. He could see the pandaren's paw move at impossible speed. Faster than his plush body should be capable of. His chest is flat-palmed by the pandaren. The colors of the village and people swirl around as he is spun around. The ground is skyward. The sky is downward. Wind rushing. Mind disoriented. Breath escapes his lungs. He now finds himself submerged in crisp, cold water, the sounds of cheering and laughter drowned out. He breaches the river's surface and coughs out, clinging to a log as air fills his lungs once more. "y-y-youf funnuva-" The wanderer calls out from the top of the hill down to the goblin. "Be respectful! There are children and women present!"

Pao nods in satisfaction as the minor threat is dealt with. Mrs. Redpaw walks up to hug his arm in appreciation. "Oh thank you, thank you so much Pao Pao!" He smiles and gives her a gentle hug. "The Shado-Pan will always protect our people. You will never be alone, for we are always watching from the shadows." He readjusts the loops of his basket and gives it some thought. "Though we could use a few more fresh vegetables from the marketplace." Mrs. Redpaw beams happily, ushering in the townfolk to celebrate the victory and gather up fresh produce for the unassuming warrior. As they make their way down to the farmer's market, Pao waves them off. "Just a moment please!"

His soft footfalls walk down the slick grass of the hill, his poise unbreakable despite his massive weight and the dewy hillside making ascent near impossible for the goblin to crawl his way back up. The bleeding man glances up to the Shado-Pan, his eyes in disbelief and his pride shattered. He shirks away a moment, fearful the man is here to finish the deed. Instead he finds a gentle smile and an open paw, offering to help him on his feet. "Come now, you look miserable little one. We will treat your wound and get you dry. We will even feed you some delicious sour tofu soup." The man stares in disbelief. He had never seen someone act with such honor. He pulls away from the man and unsteadily kneels up. "Howf youf moffed like ffat? I couf barfly fee youf!" The man chuckles softly and helps the goblin stand up now that he is decidedly defeated. "If you want to learn our ways, then come train with us at The Wall." The goblin's eyes darted about skeptically. He still clung to his mouth wincing in pain as the pandaren lead him up the hill by his elbow. "What is your name little one?" The goblin blinks blearily to the Shado-Pan as they ascend the hill, the sun now breaking out over the jade valleys that sprawled out past Halfhill all the way down to the grand wall far off in the distance. He covers his mouth and in broken words says "My namef Ruffell..." The lets out a little laugh at his funny speech. "Well 'Ruffell', you have a lot to learn from us..."

( @daily-writing-challenge )

[gothushi]

zoo dates with rob!!!!

>-< …… yes pls

• packs lunch for u both wants 2 make it extra special and make sure u do zero work. he’ll make sure theres enough water/juice in the cooler and ice and fresh fruit and make ur favorite sandwiches. packs ur favorite candy too. will have some snacks like pretzels, cheese cubes, some chips, packs electrolyte mixes. self indulgent but also puts some washcloths in the cooler to lay on ur neck when u get too hot

• puts sunscreen on for u. he doesn’t want ur little nose to burn :( rubs it into ur skin and gently onto ur face even if u whine abt it and he makes u wear a hat.

• u insisted on wearing cute shoes instead of ur tennis shoes so … he stops about an hour in and buys u a pair of slippers from one of the gift shops. they’re big n look like tigers. (they get a little roughed up from walking so he buys another pair right b4 leaving)

• also buys u whatever plushies u eye in the gift shops. u end up leaving with a tiger one, a giraffe one, a penguin, and a zebra

• he packed food but they have suuuuch yummy lookin treats tht u beg for some … he warns u that u might upset ur tummy eating so much but buys some stuff anyway …. (ur tummy hurts not long after) (he sits on a bench with u and scolds slightly till u almost cry) (then he rubs ur tummy)

• has a hard cooler on wheels which he pulls, and when ur lookin at animals he makes u sit to rest ur feet and so he can lightly rub on ur shoulders and tell u all about the animals

• info dumps abt them. gives u facts or explains their behavior to u while u just swoon a little and almost forget to even pay attention to the animals. he knows a lot abt all of them but when it comes to the big kitties he knows a lot more

• the zoo has a little train ride to go past larger cats and whatnot in the much bigger enclosures.. sits right beside u and watches as u take pictures on ur phone. big cats r his favorite but he finds himself smiling at u the entire time instead

• the zoo also has a carousel but its diff wild animals .. u beg beg beg him to go on it with u but he doesnt first bc he wants to take pictures everytime u come around. he looks like a proud dad w his cargo shorts n hat n his phone up. then he goes on it with u and sits together in one of the seated spots instead of on the animals, takes some selfies upon ur request

• takes u to the little petting zoo area where theres more tame animals. they got goats n alpacas u can feed and he just thinks its so cute how u get rly attached to one of the little goats and u almost tear up when he says its time to leave. he gets u a donut so u dont cry (he’s mentally tallying how many times uve almost cried so far… crybaby)

• speaking of feeding they have giraffe feeding and he has to stick right beside u w a hand on ur back bc ur nervous. yeah theres a fence but the giraffes are suuuper big n their heads the size of ur torso … kinda scary … but he encourages u to get closer and says he’ll protect u. coos all happy when u feed the waiting giraffe

• u only last abt four hrs b4 u have to tap out. he can see ur all droopy eyed and heavy limbed, so he gets u back to the car and all buckled in to go home

• helps u place all ur new plushies in their respective spots (all he does is hand them to u) (u have a recliner in ur bedroom thr nvr gets sat on bc it just houses all ur plushies) (except for bear who stays in bed at all times)

• snuggles in bed w u and while ur fast asleep he looks through all the pictures he took on his phone. has some of u by the main entrance, some from the aquarium, by the goats, got some videos of u on the carousel and on the train ride .. he browses for a good hr b4 making that rare post on his instagram (tht u made him make jus so u cld send him stuff ..) captions it ‘zoo day w/ the cub🐯’

;(((( rob …..

[nekohime19]

Mini Mac #12 : two monkeys and their hobbies

They're just enjoying a great afternoon and doing their respective hobbies while still talking together! Just peacefull times 😌

Macaque was organizing the various flowers and herbs he gathered during spring to prepare his medicines, at least that's what the golden-furred monkey had been calling his powders and elixirs. Speaking of the sage, he was leaning over him curiously, whispering now and then some questions about the different ingredients. While Macaque took some petals and herbs and brewed them with a sharpened pebble he used specifically for this, Sun Wukong began to busy himself with cloth and threads. Lately, the sage had been fond of needlework, especially since he could gift his creations to Macaque. The black-furred monkey had to admit, Sun Wukong was way more talented than him for this kind of work. His wardrobe had never been so diversified, he had traded his leaves for linen robes, silk shirts and cotton hats. He still wore some leaves, especially during the heat-wave hitting the mountain at the end of spring.

Macaque added some petals of purple phlox to his powder and smelled it, once he was satisfied with the scent he put the powder in a little vial and tied a purple ribbon (or more precisely a bit of the ribbon he cut) at the neck of the vial.

“You know your sleeping medicine is terribly effective. How did you find the recipe?” Asked the sage as he sewed the edges of his new creation, a tiny purple robe embroidered with plum blossom fitted for Macaque.

“Trials and errors.” Shrugged the lil guy, he took some sage herbs and brewed another medicine, one for increasing strength. “I always had some facility with flowers, being born from one and all.” Sun Wukong raised an eyebrow at that, he turned the robe he was working on and began to work on the back.

“I thought you were born from the shadows?” Mumbled the sage.

“Both.” Macaque felt the King's curious gaze and decided to elaborate a little. “I'm born from the shadows gathering inside of a plum blossom bud for one year.”

“Aw, that means you bloomed? That's adorable.” Macaque fondly rolled his eyes at this.

“Then how were you born?”

“From a stone egg gathering the power of the earth, the egg hatched once thunder struck it.”

“Dramatic.” Snorted the black-furred monkey.

“I like grand entrances.” They fell in a peaceful silence after this, each enjoying their own hobbies. Sun Wukong was lounging on his wooden couch while Macaque was on a silk napkin created especially for him by one of the sage hair. The silk didn't hurt his knees contrary to the wood and it was comfortable.

“Maybe I should create a pocket for you in my clothes.” Suddenly said the sage as he peeked over Macaque with an excited smile.

“Really? You want me to go in your pocket?”

“Well, I'm always afraid you'll fall when you're on my shoulder.” Whined Sun Wukong, mayhaps he also wanted the pocket to be on his chest and carry Macaque close to his heart, but the lil guy didn't need to know this.

“If the pocket is comfortable I'll consider it.” Huffed Macaque with the hint of a smile. “I made some powder for the elder who had trouble with his back, the one you told me about, it's the green vial.”

“You know you could give it to them yourself.” Pointed out Sun Wukong, Macaque huffed with flushed cheeks and averted his eyes.

“I may get along with the younglings but still I'm not part of your troop.”

“You could be.” Whispered Sun Wukong with a hint of longing. Macaque stilled for one second before shaking his head and resuming his brewing. It was not the first time the topic of the troop came between them. Sun Wukong was always eager to include him but Macaque had his reluctances. He liked to show off his stories to the younglings and he did see the olders watch him from afar, some even nodded at him, apparently grateful that he entertained the cubs. He also supplied medicines to the King for the bruised and sick, but he never truly interacted with monkeys outside of the sage and the cubs. Some part of him was scared of truly being part of a group. Having a friend was fine, having fans was troubling but he could deal with it, but being part of a troop? Being in an active community? It was something he never did, the unknown at its utmost. Macaque was scared of that.

He was born alone and lived alone for a long time. Not fully fae but also not fully monkey, he had no places. Some giants even chased him because of his oddity, finding his rarity entertaining. Macaque wasn't ready to be part of something bigger than him. Mayhaps, one day he will be ready, but not for now. No. He was still trying to get used to friendship after all. Speaking of friendship, Macaque was experiencing one of his first great crisis with relationships. From what he understood and the specks of conversations carried by the wind, the brotherhood was planning to attack Heaven at the end of summer. And while Macaque had told himself to let Sun Wukong make his own decisions, he was also torn by the need to warn him about the consequences, the dangerosity of this endeavor. He knew he shouldn't dictate Sun Wukong's life, but sometimes he just wished he could lock him behind the water-curtain cave and protect him from the outside world. Those odd urges were becoming stronger and stronger as the planned attack approached.

“Hey… So you still want to follow through with the attack on Heaven and all?” Asked Macaque as he bit his lower lip.

“Yeah of course, man, I'm so excited for it! You know when we will take over Heaven I'll give you anything you want!” Chirped Sun Wukong with a thumping tail.

“I don't need anything.” Sighed the macaque, a little bit fond. “You know it's dangerous, right? The Jade Emperor is… ruthless sometimes.”

“It'll be fine. We're not gonna lose.” Shrugged the sage, Macaque sighed, but he couldn't do anything more than that. Sun Wukong was allowed to do anything he wanted with his life and Macaque didn't want to take this freedom away from him.

He simply hoped everything we'll go well for his friend.

+ cut scenes

Older monkey *At new mom struggling with both her babies* : You know you could leave them to the lil shadow. 😌

New mom : the lil shadow?🤔

Older monkey : a friend of our king, he entertain the younglings with his shadows and they adore him. You could have the afternoon to relax.

New mom : so that's what lil Yue and lil Yong were fighting about!😲

Older monkey : they were fighting?🤨

New mom : yeah for being the shadow club president or something. 😅

SWK : look I made you a new robe!

Macaque : Oh it looks good, let me try it on!

Macaque proceed to shed his clothing

SWK : w-wait let me turn around!! 🫣

Macaque : you know we're both monkeys? 🤨

SWK quickly turns around with flushed cheeks and a puffed out fur.

Ch1 / Previous / Next

[godofdystopia]

Durgeheart Week Prompts (WIP)

Because it's my week that I'm putting together, I thought I would share what my own entries into this will be based on the prompts chosen.

JUNE 8TH; STARES OF LONGING: Shadowheart is trying to pray but keeps getting distracted by Durge training. Durge is trying to train but keeps getting distracted by Shads praying. Both of them are extremely guilty about their desire because "I am Shar's servant/a monster" so comfort themselves with the fact that nobody else knows about their despicable attraction. Barcus asks the prodigal question of "Are they always like this?" and gets a resounding "Ao preserve us, but yeah."

JUNE 9TH; TENDER LOVING CARE: Durge has gone off to her death and told Bhaal that she woud rather die than become his creature again, something her father is more than happy to accept as a compromise. Withers comes in with the 11th hour save which, unfortunately, only restores the soul bits that Bhaal ripped out- not all the injuries from the Orin fight. Luckily, there's a Selunite cleric ready and waiting to patch her up. And also be mad at Durge for going to her death without saying goodbye first.

JUNE 10TH; IN ANOTHER LIFE: (Wild West/Cowboy AU) Jenny is a simple sister of Our Lady Of Loss monastary deep in the Nevada desert. As pioneers and renegades make their way into the Wild West, our dark haired nun finds a very injured-via-two-headshots Durge floating down the river and decides to patch up what is most likely a victim of the lawless violence of the westward advance. Meanwhile, the miraculously still-alive Durge flits between haunting nightmares of horrific violence... and growing attraction to her caretaker.

JUNE 11TH; OUR CHILDHOOD INNOCENCE: (Based on a very adorable piece of fanart) It was a chance meeting between a young girl selling flowers from her family's modest country home and a filthy beggar child too scared to speak. It was chance that Jenevelle met Durge just after the worst day of Durge's young life so far and the young girl offered the scared demigod a flower. Thus was a new friendship born: Jenevelle would bring scraps of food for the Durge and Durge would watch from the shadows like a guard dog whenever the Hallowleafs enter the city. Surely only good things can happen from here- hey, who's that top hatted goblin sculking about in the shadows?

JUNE 12TH; MEET THE PARENTS: (prepare for sadness) As everyone goes about preparing for the final battle, Durge asks Shadowheart to come with her to one of the many paupers graves in the Gate. Here, Durge engages in a ritual many many years out of date: talking to the first family that ever took them in, who gave her her last name, who gave her comfort even when the cult broke Durge down into just what is festering inside her... it's a very weird and very emotional moment, but finally (finally) Durge gets to introduce a nice young lady to the spirits of her dead family.

JUNE 13TH; GREEN EYED MONSTER: Gortash has made his move and properly revealed the true extent of Durge's evil nature. Durge is the mastermind behind everything that has happened so far... as the party reacts rather poorly, Shadowheart has one thing only on her mind: If Gortash does not stop staring at her lover with such possessive and desiring eyes she is going to cause the mother of all political incidents by attacking here and now. Karlach, even though she is very pissed, is egging her on.

JUNE 14TH; AFTER THE END: The Netherbrain is dead and now comes the rebuilding efforts. Shadowheart and Durge have a nice cuddle after sleeping off the tiredness of defeating an ascendant god and decide to talk about that cottage in the countryside they've wanted but never thought they would get. Also, they're formally adopting the Owlbear Cub.

[fanartalchemist]

back at it again with the #planet m0nd02019 au characters. We got a father and his son, and a drone that can do a lot of tricks, except for speaking. more story below (and a Terrifying surprise art at the end)

Pop & Cub:

Mime:

Things to know about Pop & Cub:

Pop is the only Parent in town, caring for a single infant drone named Cub. Pop would go to the farthest planet in the solar system and back just to protect his only child. His wife died of an unknown cause. He is a Decent father if he is not easily distracted and uses better judgment. Being a parent on their planet is hard, but not as hard as one of his worst Incidents when he had to make a drastic decision.

Before that story, let's get to know his son better. Cub Is the youngest member in town. He likes to be a firefighter when he grows up. he enjoys video games and exploring wherever his dad goes. Mutch like Flippy and Splendid, he has an Active Solver that makes him survive even the biggest accidents that could usually kill him. Cub mostly uses his Solver to move around by spinning his propeller hat and to play with whatever he can get his "hands" on. there are some occasions where his powers have greater potential, but there was only one record where he lost control of his solver.

Pop usually likes downloading different stories to entertain his son with before bed, but one day he had found a USB that contained a Free "story" to download. Little did he know that it was a virus that would corrupt the solver, but it was too late. By the time it was morning, his son was acting strange. He hired Mime to take care of his son since he had plans to head out. while Mime checked on Cub in the kitchen, Petunia was also at his door. She was selling cookies and was hoping Cub and Pop would like some too. Both of them head to the kitchen, only to find his possessed son, mutated into some sort of Tentacle Demon that Tore Mime's head off his body. it grabbed Petunia, but she slipped out of its grasp. Both hid from the possessed child, while Pop called Serial Designation L for help. Sadly, Petunia was found and Was Mauled to death. L finally arrived with the patch and fought the demonic entity. During the fight, Pop saw his cub's face and saw that he was in pain. He came to realize that his son was aware but had no control. Afraid that his son would have to live with the memories of what he had done, Pop had to make his toughest decision. After L removed the thing from Cub with the patch, Pop used that chance To put his son out. Cub came back through regeneration, but he couldn't remember what had happened. Pop had a hard time moving on from that incident, but eventually, has has gotten better. Because of the planet's Curse, everyone who was disassembled is brought to life with no recollection of the incident, except for the witnesses. What happened to the USB with the virus, we may never know. It was never seen since Pop had gotten rid of it and removed memories of where he hid the USB. Hopefully, nobody has to use that Virus ever again.

Things to know about Mime:

Mime Is Considered a great artist on the planet. With the Permanently damaged speech synthesis, he can only communicate by other means like signing, visor text, sound effects, and Mime stuff. He enjoys making people around him smile, whenever he is in a workplace or in public. there are times where he isnt lucky tho, especially when it comes to actually comunicating. for example, he would be the most quietest victim to kill without alerting other drones in the group. that, and he cant warn others about the danger in time unless they payed attention to what he is saying. Being the quiet one is rather difficult.

[writeraid]

Moon Knight (2022) and the tale of 'Oops! Unintentional OCD representation.'

Disclaimers before I start this: - I have been diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. OCD affects everyone differently (for example, I do experience compulsions and the things that can come from them ( Dissasocation, severe Anxiety/Panic Attacks, etc) however I also have issues with things like intrusive thoughts and a need for rountine) so I feel the need to note that this is written from a point of my own experiences.

-On the other hand, I do not have DID. If I somehow misinterepret something/make an error, please do inform me.

-I know that many of these (especially getting into Steven's part) are interpreted by the fandom (including autistic people) as Autistic traits. This is in no way an attempt to 'disprove' that headcanon or speak over other's voices. I actually agree with this headcanon, this is just my way of overanalyzing and reading into things (And also projecting on my comfort characters. Probably. Definitely.)

-I am nothing psycholgical. I was forced to read a lot of stuff on this topic growing up because my mother tried to convince me I was 'normal' while actively knowing I'd been diagnosed. Take all of this tongue and cheek.

-This isn't in any praticular order. it's just me rambling.

-my spellcheck hates tumblr for some reason. spelling errors may be in here. I am sorry.

Essay (it wasn't supposed to go on this long I swear.) incoming after the break:

So, first of all, this is entirely based off show canon. Which means Jake bebe I'm sorry but you aren't going to get much detail in this post. If the comic people wanna jump in, you know I encourage it.

I think, personally, Marc is the most obvious contender for 'specifically ocd things'. Where do I get this? His mannerisms. The specific things he does. the godsdamn cubs hat iykyk.

...bet you thought I was gonna say Steven, didn't you? Yeah, well, I thought I was gonna say that too but then I thought about it more (I'll get to him, I promise.)

So, Marc. Marc Spector. Marc 'Let me become your adopted sister and not in a weird way' Spector. (this man seriously reminds me of my half brother I..it's a little scary not gonna lie.)

What about this man am I reading too much into for this? well..there's a lot..actually. So, the most glaring (i think) is the fact that this.man.hyperfixates.fight.me. When he was a kid, he hyperfixated on space and science fiction (going off what we see in his childhood bedroom..and my limted comic knowlege...) and later, closer to everything that happened with Randall, it was Tomb Buster. My main jumping off point for that is the 'constant rewatching of something linked to a hyperfixation when you need comfort' thing is uh...well lets just say the week after the election I rewatched Moon Knight somewhere around five times. in a row. yeah uh-moving on.

Playing off the back of it and just to be safe- TW (starting at the first * and ending at the second *): Gonna talk about Alchohol and Addiction for a moment.

*

It is..believed (using that wording here both to be safe and because this is coming from the psych stuff my mother made me read to prove I was 'normal'..it didn't.) that those with OCD have a tendency towards addictive personailty traits and higher risk for addictions as a result. That plays a lot into the 'Obsessive' part of the disorder (as well as Hyperfixations.) and can apply to anything from caffeine to alchohol. And everything else. Of course, this doesn't apply to everyone with the disorder, I'm only using this as a lead in to my next bit of analyizing.

To be clear, I don't think Marc is straight up an Alcoholic, I think he has a tendency to turn towards some..unhealthy..coping mechanisms, but I don't think he's been written to be an Alcoholic. I do think what I mentioned a second ago plays into his. Addictive Personailty traits can play into these types of unhealthy coping mechanisms, and I'm choosing to think that's what we're seeing in Marc: He's not necssecarily an Alcoholic, but he turns to it as a coping mechanism in part because he has a tendency towards addiction and a craving for some form of vice hardcoded into his brain. Alcohol isn't the adiction here. Self destructive behavior is.

(I could go even further with this and talk about the semi-popular headcanon I've seen bouncing around that Jake smokes cigarettes as a way to deal with stress and how that could play into this buuuuut I don't wanna.)

(ALSO could go into this and talk about the fact that OCD is believed to be something that can be passed on geneticly and talk about W**dy but I'm not even going to try to get into that)

(I relate to Marc because I to am a neurodivergent midwesterner with Mommy Issues.)

*

Marc also has a lot of mannerisms that I, personally, see myself doing everytime I'm wrangling my brain against intrusive thoughts or a compulsion. Not going to go into much detail here, but I will say: all of Episode Five, Marc bumbling (because thats what he's doing. fight me.) around Cairo in Episode Three, and the last scene in London in Episode Two.

Getting a bit more into headcanon territory now (That is to say, I have no real proof of this, it's all speculation): I think Marc's compulsions tend to be very much drawn from his trauma. This is something that can happen and I have experienced first hand (A great example of this in media is the opening of Lilo and Stitch.). If he drops a plate or a mug, he'll run his hand over the floor again and again because what if there's a piece of glass on the floor still and she steps on it. Also, door locks. but specfically his bedroom door (when he has one *looks at Steven's flat*). He has to make sure it's locked. Because that held her off for as long as possible, and if he just has a few more moments - Layla questions this at first, and he just explains it away as anxities from the job they do.

Also, it's believed OCD can cause Mood Swings. Do with this information what you will because if I try to do anymore over analyzing on that topic alone this post will take two years to read.

..and because of that, I'm gonna put Marc up on a shelf with a blanket and a marble maze and talk about Steven for a bit.

Steven is actually a little easier to talk about here...and that's why I had to put one of the disclaimers that I did up top...because of what I'm gonna get into.

So first off, the entire gods-darn opening to Episode One..after the stuff with Harrow in the very beginning..obviously. The way his little morning routine is shown, step by step like it is, feels like, to me, a ritual. Specifically, one that started as one thing and then turned into a ritual (I've...uhuh...experienced this before.). The way it's filmed feels like the implication is that he does these exact things. in the exact same order. exactly the same. every time. I doubt that's what the intention was, but damn if that doesn't hit me right between the ribs.

That one is the most glaring when it comes to Steven - hell, that was something I picked up on the very first time I watched Moon Knight back in 2022, and ultimately what made me want to come back to this after I rewatched it again and..well, again, watched MK five times in a row the week after the election. There are some other examples that I personally read into as being potential for ocd symptoms/related issues, but they are a lot smaller. The other thing I can say I notice with Steven is repetitive motion and finding what seems to be some form of comfort in that. The Rubiks cube, as an example, that is something that involves a constant string of repetitive motions in order to even come close to solving it (I would know..I have never solved one. yet. But I've gotten very close!).

Now would be a good time to mention that repetition and routine are both things that are at the center of the Venn diagram between people with ocd and Autistic People so..keep that in mind here, that's part of the reason I'm not going as in-depth as I was with Marc because the lines get really blurry at some point.

Anyway, further into headcanon territory here: In case it's not obvious, I think Steven's is much more based on ritual and routine, his compulsions aren't as (seemingly) random as Marc's, based around things like re-doing the sand around the bed at night, every night, and reading the same page in the same book, every night. I also think he deals with intrusive thoughts. (His "A thought can't be evil, can it?" Line from Episode Two is my best proof for this.) Jake, like I said, is near impossible, anything of this sort with him is purely headcanon and speculation. If a comics person wants to jump in, feel free to add in something to this. And again, this is all just overanalyzing and probably me projecting onto my comfort characters. This show, honestly, has gotten me through a lot over the past couple of years, between my...lovely..mother and a lot of ups and downs so at the end of the day it really might just be that, projection. This isn't meant to be taken to seriously, don't think about it to hard. I'm also stopping this now because I don't want this post to take ten years to read.

[sunecito]

Baby Cyno

Cyno is a baby and toddler regressor. Which means he needs a lot of assistance in most things, even if he doesn’t want it.

King of pouting. He’s too small to be angry, his intimidating tactics don’t work as well as they do when he’s big, he becomes a angry lil’ guy.

Non-speaking little cub, he becomes really closed off, and pretty shy. Cyno communicates with hand gestures, eyebrow movements, small vocal noises, and a little notebook.

Speaking of his notebook, Tighnari and Collei made it for him! It includes words of affirmation, doodles to color in, reminders and rules, and of course communication cards he can point to.

Cyno only openly says one coherent word; Nari (Tighnari). He can also mention other names at times; ‘Tam (Alhaitham), Kaka (Kaveh), and ‘Reus (the stuffed Wolf blanket that Collei made him).

Collei LOVES crafting for Cyno!! She made him a blanket plush based off his hat, and he’s never let go of it. She’s Cyno’s art teacher, all his drawings are put in a memory book she’ll pull out to show proudly. She’s also in the process of making a softer version of his hat so it won’t be as heavy whenever he wears it.

Collie’s not the only one spoiling the desert kiddo. Kaveh makes stuff for little Cyno as well, such as noise-cancelling headphones and an adult mouthpiece for him. (He also made a music box- not that easy to make, he had to admit, but seeing Cyno regress almost immediately at the sound made it worth it).

Kaveh ADORES little Cyno. He’s the “Someone’s getting sleepy” type of caretaker. In fact, Kaveh holds him, Tighnari plays with his hair, and Alhaitham reads.

Autism Alhaitham real. He’s still learning about regression but he understands Cyno more than the others. He has a bias to baby Cyno for being a quiet little. He likes to read his books out loud, even if Cyno can’t understand its complexity.

He made his own set of small space TCG cards. His deck consists of Nari, Cyno and Collei-flower.

There’s toys that are meant to represent maths and statistics, but to be truthful, Cyno loves messing with those bars with multicolored beads to push from side to side, balancing each color.

Speaking of, Cyno is a sorting little. Give him anything and he’ll sort it. Sometimes by categories, and sometimes by his own personal opinions.

Keep this boy inside. With shoes on. And lotion. Leave him far away from icky moisture and bugs.

Berry yogurt made by Tighnari is his go-to, especially if there’s a side of small snacksables like nuts to mix with.

Lil peacekeeper also likes to smack people in the head with his hand. A small little “whamp”.

Cyno gets a lot of nightmares from his childhood as a test subject, and most of the time he wakes up regressing or he already slipped. In those cases, he grabs his gear until he can talk to Tighnari.

Speaking of which, Little Cyno is a needy one. He’ll fuss when being held but mainly cuz he wants to act big. He would be happy being held and cuddled all the time if he could.

[sorcerous-caress]

Went and did the extra questions for Sean Shanahan you came up with

(This is long as hell sorry in advance)

Inspiration

The Urchin inspiration points are like helping the tiefling kids and protecting children, hell even protecting the Owlbear Cub gives you inspiration

Past characters

Either one or some of his “siblings” would probably appear around the guild and if he’s with you will probably immediately freak out thinking they’re here to take him home but they’d probably be just as surprised to see him. I can also see his tiefling mother maybe appearing as a refugee at Rivington and freaking out but for a different reason. He’d probably introduce you to his mom and if you’re romanced she’ll probably tease him and embarrass him in front of you by telling some random story from when he was a child.

Dismiss/join lines

He’ll be disappointed to be dismissed because he likes going out but won’t make much fuss and will get excited when joining again before quickly calming himself

Questions

You could probably ask him if he’s hot under that coat and scarf of his which he’ll respond defensively about his choice of clothing. Asking him where he’s from is something he wouldn’t answer until way later in the story I believe.

Dream Visitor/ilithid powers

He wouldn’t trust the Dream Visitor one bit saying they clearly want something and to strongly advise not using the powers saying that anyone that offers immense power cannot be trusted

Companion endings

He’d probably be kind of hostile towards companions who went on their evil route especially Astarion even Grand Duke Wyll although I don’t think that’s necessarily a bad ending saying things like “oh better than us lowly folk now huh?” And taking the occasional jab at them

I can see his own bad ending being if you encourage his more aggressive revolutionary methods because I can definitely see him giving into his hatred for the rich and greedy and going full French Revolution on them, it would probably become an obsession where he doesn’t even care about helping the poor anymore just taking down the elite and gaining a “if you’re not with me you’re against me” mentality.

His good ending he would probably go back home to face whatever punishment his guild would give him for killing that rich guy and if you’re romanced you can offer to go with him which he would decline at first before being persuaded otherwise.

Special Item

He’d probably casually mention liking birds and if you give him something bird related he’d be genuinely surprised and shyly thank you for the gift

Family and home

He’d definitely speak of his second mother and her friends and his “siblings” before revealing they were apart of a guild and also his first mother but wouldn’t hide the fact that she was a tiefling and the community of homeless tiefling he grew up with. He’d also be pretty open about being abandoned at birth not being ashamed of it. He’d mention his home but would leave out that he killed a rich person prior to the events of the game until later on.

Fight

If he had a fight scene with anyone it’d probably be Astarion early on about how he’s so dismissive of people in need and smug it’d probably be the first time its shown that people in need is a sensitive subject of his

The Baddies

Raphael: Raphael would remind him of a greedy employer, tells you the benefits for you but leaves his own in the fine print. After the interaction with Mol he would say that he reminded him of foremen back home who he himself had witnessed plenty of time try to convince kids and even himself at a young age to work in factories so they didn’t have to pay as much.

Ketheric: He hates generals. Ketheric may fight with his soldiers but he hides behind his invulnerability where his soldiers die around him. If he were a true leader he’d fight alongside them as a mortal as comrades. He will point out that he doesn’t hate soldiers if it is assumed, he pities them for being brainwashed to be pawns in someone’s game.

Orin: Another thing he hates, people who prey on the weak. He doesn’t think highly of her. He believes that people who prey on the weak only do so because they are afraid of retaliation something he loves to do. If any of the companions are kidnapped he’ll be mad but if Yenna is kidnapped his dialogue about it would probably noticeable more angry than the others.

Gortash: The definition of the one thing he will always hate, a tyrant. He hates how smug he is, how confident he is. He suggests killing him every time he is brought up or spoken to. Would probably suggest different ways to do it as well. He really hates tyrants.

Abduction

On one hand it got him away from home after he committed a crime and on the other hand he has a parasite in his head so he sees the pros and cons

Drow Twins

He would agree to the deal only if you promise that he isn’t going to do anything he doesn’t want to

Origin

I don’t think there would be a unique feature but I do think it would be interesting to see his romance scene play out while playing him since you’d be seeing how other companions react to it

Astarion

Astarion being a vampire didn’t surprise him. “Oh you’re telling me the pale guy with sharp teeth and makes biting jokes all the time is a vampire? Shocker” he also wouldn’t really think of him any differently because he’s been ok for this long

Poly

He’s definitely not against polyamory but would suggest that it just be them since this is his first relationship and he doesn’t think he’s ready for any of that. Although since he’s asexual he would give Tav permission to have their fun similar to Karlach in Act 1.

Questline

His questline would be finding his birth parents. In the shadow cursed lands there would be a group of mercenaries dead along the road with a note about a conspiracy about a group of rich people having kidnapped a noble family with some sort of clue that they are his birth parents, either they have his last name or there’s mention of his abandonment in some way. When brought to him he’ll be surprised and disgusted that he has noble blood then say that he should leave them to their fate because they didn’t care about him why should he? He’ll change his mind though saying he’d be lying if this didn’t make him curious. Along the way you’d run into a lot of rich assholes to get information, some of them just being assholes some being actually horrible people and if you let them kill the ones who are just assholes it would lead into his bad ending but killing the genuinely horrible people probably wouldn’t but the best choice would be convincing him to just make them stop whatever shitty horrible operation they’re running. Finding his birth parents could play out two different ways because I haven’t settled on who his birth parents are but the two ideas I have come up with are 1. They’re genuinely horrible nobles that had a kid and didn’t want him for some reason (scandal, reputation, etc) so they had someone drop him off at some random location 2. One of his parents is a noble and the other isn’t favorable to their family (most likely a servant or maybe a rival noble family member) and they were forced to get rid of him.

If it’s 1 he’s gonna kill them, if he’s convinced not to he’s going to majorly dislike it and probably leave the party. If it’s the good ending he’ll have a talk to you saying that this is the first time killing people who were genuinely horrible made him feel bad because it made feel like he was becoming like them, people who didn’t care about the others around them. He’ll ask that if he ever ends up like that and you can’t bring him back to kill him because he’d rather be dead than end up like that but ending up like that would exactly be his bad ending where he instead will just talk about how much he enjoyed it.

If it’s 2 he’ll save them when they whole ordeal is explained he’d be open to getting to know them but he’ll make it clear that he’ll never refer to them as his mother or father he already has two mothers and that’s enough for him. In his bad ending he’ll probably dismiss everything they say and just go to kill them because of his hatred for the rich. Afterwards he’ll speak about how he never felt the need to look for his birth parents but that he was glad he did because they seemed like good people.

Underdark

Does not like the Underdark. He will embarrassingly admit that he is afraid of the dark even though he likes hiding in it and will say he’ll be sticking close to a companion with Dark Vision or you if you have dark vision. (Hmm I wonder what this concept came from)

Fighting Tav

The only time I think they’d ever fight you is if you did something incredibly horrible in the story where there’s no way he could let it slide.

Cure

He’s fine with just going along because the tadpole didn’t seem to be doing anything plus he likes exploring it’s all he did in his younger years when he wasn’t pickpocketing nobles or training under his second mother.

Job

I feel like he’d be Astarion for people who didn’t like doing bad stuff.

Durge Confession

I don’t think there’s anything a Redeeming Durge could say that would make him hate them. Something I haven’t been able to touch on is that he isn’t totally a “if you’re bad you get killed and that’s it” guy if a bad guy shows signs of redemption he wouldn’t be opposed to let them do so.

Romance Your Tav

No

Fandom Reaction

I feel like a general about of people would like them but I feel like the people who don’t like Wyll wouldn’t like him

Shipped with

Considering his background with tieflings he’ll probably have more dialogue with tiefling characters so probably like any of the popular tieflings, Karlach, Alfira, Lakrissa, Rolan, hell maybe even the couple but since he has conflict with Astarion he’ll probably be shipped with him

Niche ship vs main ship

Sadly I think the tiefling ships with get outshined by the Astarion one not that I don’t like Astarion I just like the tiefling characters more than him

Drama

I feel like the Twitter Blue users wouldn’t like him making fun of rich people

Voice

I flip flop between the Irish and British accent. It was originally Irish because I wanted him to sound different than the fantasy humans that are usually British because he didn’t grow up among humans but all the voices you could choose for Tav in Baldur’s Gate were British so now I hear him as Tav 1. If I had anyone in mind it’d probably be Shay Cormac’s VA from Assassin’s Creed Rogue because Assassin’s Creed was THE big inspiration for the character before it turned into mostly Robin Hood.

Tent

There’s barely anything other than personal items like his second mother’s feather and maybe a lute given to him by his first mother. Might not even be a bed since as a former street urchin he’s slept on things less comfortable.

Unique Dialogue

Any conversation about tieflings or with tieflings would result in him talking about his childhood which he is open about because he isn’t ashamed to be an abandoned child or ashamed that he wasn’t even raised by his own kind. Also anything about rich people of course he’d mention how much he dislikes them.

Emperor/Orpheus

Fuck the Emperor. He would suggest Orpheus do it himself because a true leader would sacrifice themself for their cause not get someone else to do it for them.

More about his romance

I already said what the first scene this is just for some extra stuff.

He likes being tickled, I briefly mentioned it in the first thing but in his first intimate moment if you choose the option to tickle him it will gain him approval and if you pass an insight check you can ask if he liked it and he’ll get embarrassed and deny it but then admit it and there would be a dialogue about why he likes it.

He likes feeling vulnerable in the romance. Being teased, embarrassing him, and all stuff relating to that he loves if it is kept in a playful manner will gain approval. The way he acts around you when romanced is different than when he isn’t. When not romanced he’ll be confident in the way a quiet kid is confident. Being quiet and then sometimes saying something, usually sarcasm or dry humor being an all around smart ass (I kinda forgot to put that in his personality tab in the last thing whoops). If you’re romanced his confidence is gone, he’s very shy around you but he’s of course glad to see you, he’s like a kid with a very obvious crush. The dry humor and sarcasm is still there but less of a smart ass (only a little bit). He’s also submissive (which is very funny when his whole ideology is that the people in power are corrupt and that you shouldn’t obey them) so he likes it when someone is dominant, soft doms specifically. (I’m not projecting you are). Later on in the story he’ll most likely bring up kids and how he wants to adopt. He’ll talk about how he wants to follow in the footsteps of both his mothers and take in a kid or kids so that they would have a home. He’d make note that they’d ran across many orphans and urchins on their travels in need of a home and that it would criminal not to at least offer them the chance. I probably have more ideas about his romance in my head that I have forgotten so I don’t know ask questions about that if you want.

Thank you for this full course meal omfg it was amazing to read through

[skiplo-wave]

Wicked is based off the Wicked Musical and the original Wizard of Oz book (1900). In this story, Dorothy does not have ruby shoes. There is no red brick road swirled in the yellow brick road. There was a lot of things changed in the first Wizard of Oz (1939) film. At one point, Dorothy was going to have a love interest which was the Scarecrow. They quickly tossed that one out.

Dorothy has the silver shoes in this story and the Scarecrow does get a love interest ;)

SPOILERS:

Wicked- Part 1:

The Land of Oz is celebrating the death of the Wicked Witch of the West. Glinda The Good Witch arrives and tells the citizens the story of Elphaba. Glinda and Elphaba share the same mother. While Glinda's father was away, her mother had an affair with a traveling salesman who sold elixirs. This affair resulted in the birth of Elphaba. Their mother was surprised by her green skin. Elphaba's father rejected her and cursed her as infant. Elphaba had a very troubled childhood. Nessa, the third sister, cannot walk and is wheelchair bound. Years later, Elphaba attends Shiz University with her sister Nessa where she meets up with Glinda. Elphaba and Glinda does not have a good relationship. Madame Morrible, the headmistress of Shiz University takes a liking to Elphaba and her ever growing magic. She begins to teach her sorcery. She tells Elphaba that she has a chance at meeting the great and powerful Wizard of Oz, which she dreamed of her whole life. Glinda becomes jealous of Elphaba. The history teacher, Dr. Dillamond, a talking goat, who is not taken seriously by his students and often faces discrimination. Dr. Dillamond informs Elphaba that there is talks that someone is wanting to ban all animals from talking and Elphaba becomes upset about this information. Fiyero, a charming young man that arrives at university steals the hearts of many. Including the sisters, Glinda and Fiyero. Fiyero throws a party, where Glinda gives Elphaba her grandmothers hat as a joke. Glinda had a change of heart and to the dismay of the party guests, the sisters share a dance together. At the party, Nessa meets a munchkin named Boq, who she falls in love with. But Boq has feelings for Glinda. Elphaba and Glinda bonds as sisters. Dr. Dillamond is banned from teaching at Shiz University and Elphaba is the only student who objects. A professor introduces the students to the cage that is designed to prevent animals from speaking. Elphaba becomes angry and saves a lion cub (The Cowardly Lion). Fiyero and Elphaba shares a moment. But believing that he loved another, Elphaba tells Fiyero that he will never love her the same way that he loves Glinda. She lets him go. Soon the headmistress informs Elphaba that the Wizard wants to meet her and she is summoned to the Emerald City. At the train station, Glinda realizes Fiyero is in love with Elphaba. As they say their goodbyes, Elphaba encourages Glinda to become with her. The sisters travel to Emerald City and meet the Wizard of Oz. They learn that the great and powerful Oz is a man behind a curtain. They also learn that Headmistress Madame Morrible is his secretary. Morrible gives Elphaba a spell book. Elphaba is asked to do a levitation spell on the Wizard's monkey servant. But the spell misfires and gives the monkey servant wings. Elphaba soon discovers that the Wizard is behind the plan to ban all animals from speaking. And he is not powerful as he claims to be. He has no real power. Which is why he wants to use Elphaba for hers. Elphaba reects the Wizard and flees. Madame Morrible spreads a rumor all across Oz that Elphaba is a wicked witch and cannot be trusted. Glinda finds Elphaba and tries to peruade her to go back and apologize. Elphaba refuses and asks Glinda to come with her. Glinda supported her sister, however she declines to go with her. Elphaba repeats the levitation spell on a broom and she escapes Emerald City.

.

[dark66angels]

"It helps them sleep, you see."

The young woman smiled gently, putting her grey hair up in a loose bun and placing her wide brimmed, but not pointed, hat over it. Her brown eyes twinkled in the yellow kitchen light, fingers slight and quick as she spooned a little sugar into each of our cups.

"They're not even all that strange," she mumbles as she turns to the hanging spice rack. She takes two little jars of herbs. They both glow faintly.

"This one is mint, and this one is lavender. I also have sweet basil, but Jacob is the only one that likes that in his tea."

She puts a little of the... Lavender into her tea infuser, alongside the black tea mix already in it, and closes it up, setting it in her cup. She glances between me and my partner, before closing them both and setting them away.

Becca, my partner and subordinate, speaks up. "And you grow these yourself, Miss Whitter?"

"I do!" She seems awfully happy about that. "Well, the children help me. But these herbs," the witch nods to the cabinet, "Were grown by my hands, from seeds that my late grandmother started. The children have their own herb garden, mostly parsley and basil, and some garlic and onions. They recently planted some potatoes, but it's going to be a while before we see any growth there."

The kettle whistles, and Ms. Whitter turns quickly, turning off the stove and pouring the steaming water into the cups. Becca's and mine steep like normal black tea, while hers takes a moment longer to start glowing ever so softly...

Becca leans forward. "And how does it help them sleep?"

"Just like they're not magical counterparts," she turns away distractedly to get the milk. "They calm the nerves, or sooth the throat, or just add a little floral flavor to the drink. And the glow helps the kids focus on something else. Something that isn't a bruise or a cut from tripping on the rocks, or the anxiety of a bad dream, or bad memories."

I scoff. "So it's just a parlor trick, a lie?"

She pauses at that, about to pour her milk. She does so, then sets the now closed jug aside.

"I do not lie to children, Detective Barka. But I can see that you do not believe me. And you do not have to. All you need to believe, is that the children are safe under my care until they are adopted."

She tilts her head up, the kitchen light reflecting red off of the wide pupils of her eyes. I freeze, something deep inside me stuttering at the face of a predator. A wolf. A mother bear guarding her cubs. And then she tilts her head to the side, a pleasant, gentle, human smile creasing her eyes.

"Would you like milk in your tea, Detectives?"

Text: A witch runs the orphanage. She dries strange plants for strange spells, and brews cups of tea light for the children at bedtime. The warm liquid glows faintly, a sweet smelling nightlight.

[bokettochild]

Okay! Thoughts!

I'm literally living for Time being called Ancestor, responding to it! I've wondered for a long time what they call him, he calls Wild 'Cub' and Twilight 'Pup', but I've always wondered what they call him. Ancestor is...odd, but beautiful, almost regal? I love it

And Twilight's gracefulness with this. He cares a lot, it shows him at his best to show how the only reason he's upset to die is because he wanted to do so much more for other people, and that's why, when Wild urges him to keep fighting, he does. It shows so much of who Twilight is; it shows that he lives a truly selfless life, a hero among heroes; someone who lives life for the sake of others more then he ever could himself, and that's beautiful (and sad, because Twilight clearly doesn't value himself nearly enough)

Also, Warriors commending and scolding Wild in the same breath? Twilight interjecting that no, Wild doesn't listen to anybody? Their little pained laughs at that?

And Time's gentle pride. Twilight's concern that his death would be cause for Time to be bound to the mortal world for so long. The gentle and kind way they all speak to him, it's so heartfelt and touching!

And Wild's speech! I was almost afraid, as I was reading, that JoJo really would end it here, but Wild's speech would mean nothing if it did, so I know that it's got to continue!

And the others' reactions to that speech! They say so much about the boys! Wind is showing his heart on his sleeve, determined to encourage and help however he can. Warriors is that playful sort of challenge; he's teasing Twilight, because they're the sort of brothers who never lay off each other, but he's also showing his support and trying to encourage. And Legend's gentle comment about fishing, I think it shows a lot about him, about how he values the otehrs as more than heroes but as people. Being a hero has taken up so much of his life that I think he's just glad to be able to see things outside of that eternal fight, but see the others as brothers, and reminding Twilight that he wants to spend time with him outside of battle and travel, doing something mundane and quiet, I think it shows growth in their relationship and bond.

And then there's Sky. Sky whose words speak to himself and Twilight both; they have kingdoms to watch flourish and they both need to make it to the end of this adventure to see that happen. They both have so much yet to do, and I think Sky sees a bit of himself in Twilight right now, can understand, perhaps better than them all, what Twilight wants and why it matters so much. And I think that JoJo's choice to have him say that is absolutely perfect.

Also, there's a few little things here that I love. I love Warriors' hand on Wild's shoulder, gentle and assuring, but also firm and grounding. i love that Legend holds his hat instead of wearing it: a common sign of respect or mourning that I think is awesome to include. Their faces, the gentle expressions; Legend's expressiveness is really showing through this time, and I find it interesting that the only two we see crying at all are himself and Wind, the two who were previously called "young heroes" a couple updates ago.

That little thumbs up. iyt shouldn't have made me laugh, but it just seems so out of place with all the drama here, yet so perfect for Twilight! Just like him actually saying 'y'all' (it's cannon now, you hear!), it just suits him so well.

Lastly, I want to point out: Wild is smiling weird again, and this time it's not for the others to see. Now it could be a smile of "I did good, we're okay" but it isn't relieved, not really. it makes me wonder what's going on inside his head.....