#and it only has one thing so i guess i'll have to look into that later

[zoe-oneesama]

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE I URGE YOU TO TALK ABOUT THE SEASON 6 CHARACTER DESIGNS. Mostly cus i wanna hear the salt, but also because as someone who's designed many outfits for these characters over the course of multiple years, you more than anyone have your place to talk

Honestly the episode was just *okay*, so the designs are really the only place I'm particularly heated (I mean I still have my complaints on the episode, but nothing as anger inducing as Season 5):

So I'll start with the heroes:

I'm not mad about cutting off Bunnix because nothing's different.

Viperion - I like what they did with the mask and the deeper color contrast is delicious, but the suit feels like such a downgrade from the old design.

Carapace - I guess this is the Season of the Mask Facial Hair? Viperion is encroaching on this, but Carapace's little chin bit looks like a Soul Patch. Otherwise, it's a good design and I like the additions!

Vesperia - At least it looks like they fixed the weird root issue she had with her bangs from the old model. From what I can see here, I don't dislike this, like, full inversion making the top yellow and the pants black. Dunno what the ring around her thumb is though, and why does she hold her weapon like that??

Rena Rouge - it feels like they made changes to her because they thought they had to? I'm not mad at the differences, just...they sure are there. My only complaint about her is that they colored her tail as if she has two tails but she only has one? Like...just give her two coattails.

At least they ditched the corset U_U

Rooster Bold - The pose makes it hard to see, but he looks pretty cool to me! LOVE the new mask and his bitchy heels. Didn't like the mohawk then, still don't like it now.

Ryuko - this^ picture doesn't show her off, so here's her from the episode:

The suit is still nothing amazing, but I like the scale texture and shoulders, I LOVE the bigger horns, and her hair is fire~!

Miss Hound - yikes on this picture, thank god she cameo'd in the episode:

She's cute! ...Honestly anything was an upgrade, she was just wearing a recolored version of her outfit in Season 4-5, so the fact this is it's own thing is instantly better.

King Monkey - yikes the lighting on this is scary. Anyway, I can't really glean anything from this and the only thing that stands out is the horns on the circlet. I'll pend judgement for now.

Pegasus - Similarly to KM, there's not much I can note here? He's got longer hair so that's...something, but I like that now the visor is a full visor and not a floating pair of glasses. And we'll have to see it in an episode because here I like the contrast between the browns, but the old suit also had that contrast in promo material and then lost it in the episode.

Caprikid - Loooove the fur on the pants for some reason, and I die for the boots little hooves~ Bold choice to go bigger on the horns when there was some controversy about them, but hey. At least they fixed the problem with his white mask.

Minotaurox - aww what a cute widdle hammer. It really looks stunted, a lot of the weapons here look skinnier and weaker actually. I don't think I like the yellow on the horns, but I like that we can actually SEE the details on his suit now. And I like the hoodie/hair.

Argos - yep. That's Argos.

Purple Tigress - Okay, she looks dope AF! No notes, she looks awesome.

Pigella - And on the other hand...yikes. There so much going on here, and in fairness I can't fully understand what I'm looking at. This is not what I meant when I kept adding pig ears to my Pigella design!

Polymouse - Okay, no lie, I DID like her in this still image, but uhhh she's in the episode and um...

Girl no. What's with these LED strips?! WHY is your HAIR going THROUGH you hoodie?! And I know in comparison to the other characters she's still "plus sized" but this still feels...bad.

I won't talk about Ladybug and Chat Noir, they're good. Not exciting not bad just good.

Sooooo the humans.... Mostly I'm bothered by how some are so drastically changed and some are just...not. At all.

Alya - her new Mom lewk. Idk, I just feel like they could've gone harder. She looks fine, I actually like her hair when I watch the animation in motion, it's just...she looks 25 now.

Alix - uh, yep that's Alix. Wait, did her pony tail switch sides...?

Zoe - She's found her 2000s emo girl aesthetic and is clinging to those crusty shoes. I don't like it, her dumb tshirt was really my biggest problem with her old design so of course that's the part hey keep. She just looks...disjointed. I'll hold on judgment of her hair for now.

Kagami - love the hair, hate the crop jacket. It makes her skirt look reeeeeally short.

Sabrina - AH! NO! BAD! WRONG! Hate the hair, hate the pants, I don't even think I like her new glasses. This is a chop, a CHOP!

Juleka - I don't...hate the hair. I just weep for what we lost. I DO hate her new boring-er blouse which is just a weak imitation of her old top. Her hair is so wild so why did her clothes get more boring?

Rose - Season 6 Rose can't hurt you, Season 6 Rose can't hurt you, Season 6 Rose can't hurt you-!!

Mylene - I like her new outfit, it feels like the natural next step for her! I can't get a good look at her new hair though, so I'll reserve judgement.

Nino - Damn, finally a full glow up. Nino looks good! This is probably how I would have designed him the first time around, so, yay!

Felix - you fucking loser, you didn't change here either?! Are SentiBoys just stunted?!

Kim - His big change is...getting sleeves. And his roots are more visible? I guess??

Max - Why this nerd got a smolder all of a sudden? I think he'd look good if they just finally ditched the suspenders, or had them hanging down and not in use.

Nathaniel - Have...have I drawn him in this? I feel like there's a Scarlet Lady version of this. I guess that tells you I like it, right?

Ivan - Hell yeeeeees! GLOW UP! He's like "oh, I gotta wear this nose ring all the time? Better make it ALL WORK TOGETHER!!" I didn't know he had it in him, good job!

Luka - uhhh, is he wearing a different jacket, or is that his old jacket in the new animation style? At least he stopped advertising his own father on his chest. His shirt being tucked in...it disturbs me...

Marc - ...I can't tell if he even got a hair cut because it might just be the new style.

So yeah, I have quibbles but they're overall okay.

If you really want nightmare fuel, you see the kwamis.

[yandere-wishes]

which batboy does mittens have a crush on?

₍^𖹭 𖹭^₎⟆ ₍^𖹭 𖹭^₎⟆ ₍^𖹭 𖹭^₎⟆ ₍^𖹭 𖹭^₎⟆ ₍^𖹭 𖹭^₎⟆

Oh, good question!! @fancyfeathers mentioned that Mittens should probably be the eldest of Selina's sidekicks. And is closest in age to Dick Grayson. Which opens up one of my fav tropes of "Childhood friends to lovers" (but make it yancore!!!)

He'd been so sweet once, little boy wonder swinging along the skyline. Pretty like a sunset, decked out in reds and yellows. You'd watch him from your perch atop the scrappers. Arms nervously ringing around a bagged-up bundle of jewels. Your mentor would scuff making comments about fruitless morals and pretty boys.

Kittens chase robins. It's the way the world goes around, just like how black cats chase bats.

You sneak behind him, punching on his back and rolling him around. Robin kicks your ribs out of instinct, aims for your stomach next with his knee. He only stops when his masked eyes meet yours, when he sees the sweet playful smile adorning your lips. This is a game...

It's always been a game.

At least to you...

You'd only learn, years later, that it had always been far too real to Dick.

Your siblings are better than you at the whole "cat burglar" thing. They creep through the shadows and glide through half-open windows. They steal rubies and diamonds and pearls. They leave little scratch marks and lipstick stains on the safes they rob. They spend the nights being chased by bats and birds. And then when the sun threatens to shine once more they steal kisses and love bites.

You'd always preferred the day. The monotone ease found only under the sun's gentle rays. You prefer to give instead of take, your youngest sister always said it was Nightwings fault for that. That the first robin had rubbed off too much on you.

You still keep an old photo of Dick in your apartment, a silly little photo of two kids, smiling with blood between their teeth and haphazard empty gums. Dick's nose is bleeding, you have a black eye.

You can't quite remember who took the photo.

Bruce or Selina.

It doesn't really matter.

Some things are far too deep-rooted. Crystallized in blood. You've long hung up your mask, and handed in your whip. You've renounced the ways of the cat, renounced the ways of a rogues. You spend your days inside a school, teaching the young of Gotham, watching how the trauma seeps in prematurely, coiling and embedding itself into the lady Gotham's children. Hurt them young so they learn to survive.

You feel so guilty...

It's hard to leave lineage rotting in its grave, hard to abandon and reject that which pumps through your veins. You still pick the locks, still, slip through shadows as if they were a second home, you're still more feline than human. More freak than normal.

Only this time you don't have your mentor or your sisters.

You don't have your claws or whip.

There's a security guard with a gun.

Pointed straight at you...

Dick Grayson, Robin, Nightwing. He'd been so sweet once. You're glad to see the saccharine hasn't washed off. The boy wonder stands in front of you, although you guess he isn't much of a boy anymore. His uniform is hard on your eyes, reality glitches, you see him dressed in his sunset colors. Reds and yellows, young and free. Dick offers you a sweet smile,

"Hey, it's been a while..."

"Yeah, it has."

Dick assures the security guard he'll handle you. Still, you don't miss the way his blue eyes burn holes into the other man's back. He opens the car door for you before getting behind the wheel. On the way, you try to reason with him. For old time's sake, you beg. "I really was just trying to get those kids some toys, but there's so many of them and the prices these days are-"

"I know," Dick says, his bright smile sends your heart a flutter. "It's alright, I'll take care of everything." You laugh leaning back, looking at his reflection through the mirror, that broken nose did end up healing nicely.

He doesn't take you to the station, instead he drives to his apartment. Deep down you knew he'd never hand you in, he couldn't, he'd spent his whole life watching that bat excuse the cat. He can't go against his training, he too can't abandon his heritage. He pulls you out of the car and into a tight embrace promising he'll keep you safe. And you hate how he feels all so utterly safe, how he smells like home and happiness. You hardly notice how hard he squeezes and how hungrily his lips hover above your pulse point.

Thus he spoke but you don't remember listening.

He spoke of finally having you again.

Of loving you again.

You only ever catch the odd word.

Utterly distracted by the delicate twinkle in his ocean eye.

It's hard to focus on the words when for the first time in a long long time you finally feel like your old self again.

High off nostalgia.

₍^𖹭 𖹭^₎⟆ ₍^𖹭 𖹭^₎⟆ ₍^𖹭 𖹭^₎⟆ ₍^𖹭 𖹭^₎⟆ ₍^𖹭 𖹭^₎⟆

Okay, so all this being said there is an alternative.

@darkpeppermint had another idea, since Mittens is so different from the rest of her family, then she may not even fall for a batboy at all and just marry a sweet golden retriever farm boy...

And yet, despite the sweet fairytale twist they tried to propose. My sick and twisted brain heard the words "golden" and "farm boy" and immediately thought of PROFESSOR CRANE...

Maybe poor little Mittens ends up getting manipulated by the charming professor, Crane. Maybe they meet one day when she's taking her class on a field trip to Gotham U and ends up bumping into Jonathan.

There's just something so familiar about him. So nostalgic, he reminds her of home, of her family, of her childhood friends...he almost feels safe.

Welp Fancy, it finally happened we've become co-parents again.

Our children's list is Kachina and Mittens so far 🤣🤣 Let's see who gets adopted next lol.

[mr2swap]

Stepdad and son time

-Calm down old man, A cigarette won't ruin “My” body-

My stepfather Steve smiled confidently at me and then flexed his huge arms just to reinforce his point.

-I even think they are a little bigger than the last time you saw them, right Steve?-

Despite being outdoors the powerful aroma that came from the smoke reached my nose, that aroma was so familiar, but at the same time it was different I could remember the taste, however I had never tasted one. It was the old and dry lips of my stepfather, those Who remembered the delicious and soothing taste of that horrible habit.

-Oh! How rude I have been... Do you want any of this?? -

Steve took a couple of steps towards me and held the cigarette towards my face, the same face he had left behind 3 years ago. I'm not sure how he did it, but I have no doubt that he is to blame for what I now look like. As an overweight, middle-aged Southern man, I couldn't resist the soothing taste of a good cigarette.

Suddenly my mind relaxed and all the hatred I felt for the guy who had ruined my life vanished. Steve looks as damn happy and confident as the last time I saw him. We continue fishing, drinking and talking as if we were really a couple. Stepfather and his son having a good time, son of a bitch…

When I lived with my mom, he and I never got along well, sometimes we went days without talking even if our room was only a couple of meters away. To me, Steve was just a lazy idiot who was lucky to find someone like my mom.

Although my mom tried to get us closer multiple times, she didn't succeed, Steve and I were very different. I used to be a sports fan, I spent time with my friends playing all day or sweating in the gym, but all that changed when I turned 21 years old, Steve suddenly began to take an interest in my life in a somewhat obsessive way. He started watching the videos I posted about my workouts on Instagram and looking at my friends' profiles.

But the most obvious proof that he was the cause of all this was that just a week after we "mysteriously" woke up in the other's body, Steve left the house in the middle of the night with my motorcycle, the selfish bastard. The only thing he left me was his social security number and a small message:

“I'm sorry that we couldn't find out what caused us to exchange our bodies, but I think we should both continue with our lives. Take care of your mother and don't worry... I'll go visit.”

Since that day my life has been shit, I don't know what the fuck he did to me, but since that day I've had to fight every day with that little voice in my head That makes me act like an idiot, Sometimes and all I can think about is How damn hot it is in the house and how good I could use a six-pack of beer. I guess he thought he would do me a favor by doing that to me to blend in more, or maybe I'm just his trash can where he dumped his shitty habits including his taste in women and Susan, my mother.

Every night before I go to sleep I try to be so fucking drunk that I forget what I do at night with my own mother and when I can't get my mother to give me money for the beers I masturbate furiously in the bathroom to relieve my desire for the disgusting sex with mom

If you're still horny and want to read more of my m2m bodyswap stories, subscribe to my Ko-fi I have over 250 stories in my archives

[im-so-normal-iswear]

Tw: kidnapping/brainwashing

Hello! I simply adore the way you write, so if it's not too much of an bother, could you please write something about yan!Sonic with an darling who's got kidnapped and controlled into getting on Robotnik's side?

Have a good day/night

☕️

A/n: this one took a while, its not too long though.

Yandere!Sonic x brainwashed!reader

"Come on, Y/N, snap out of it!" he yelled desperately. His usual cocky grin was nowhere to be found. His face was contorted in panic as he dodged another attack you threw at him, before jumping to Dodge another attack from one of eggmans mechas. His eyes darted between you and Robotnik's latest monstrosity.

But you didn't respond. You simply stood there, your stance rigid, your expression devoid of any emotion. The once bright spark in your eyes had been replaced by an eerie, lifeless glow. Robotnik’s laughter echoed through the air, sharp and mocking.

"Looks like your little 'friend' has finally seen the light, hedgehog!" Robotnik sneered, leaning out of his floating pod. "They're mine now, and there’s nothing you can do about it!"

Sonic clenched his fists, his body tensing as his mind raced for a plan. "You’re wrong, Egghead! I'll get them back, no matter what!"

Robotnik only laughed harder, motioning toward you. "Go on, my dear. Show Sonic where your loyalty lies."

Your body moved, almost mechanically, stepping forward with cold, unrecognizable precision. Sonic flinched as you raised your weapon, one of Robotnik’s energy blasters, aiming it directly at him.

"Y/N, come on! Snap out of it!" He desperately wanyed to try and shake you out if it but you aimed the weapon at his head.

Without hesitation, you pulled the trigger.

Of course, Sonic is still the fastest thing alive, so he dodged it easily, darting to the side. He skidded to a halt, his eyes filled with a mix of shock and heartbreak. You were really trying to hurt him.

"Guess I’ll have to do this the hard way," he muttered to himself, shaking off the dread creeping into his chest.

Sonic lunged forward, zipping around you in a blur. He didn’t want to hurt you, but he needed to disarm you somehow. As he closed the distance, he could see the faint tremor in your hands.

You turned to him, aiming at him, and firing, though he dodged.

"Come on Y/N! Youre better than this!"

For a brief moment, recognition flickered through your eyes. But it was quickly snuffed out as Robotnik barked another order.

"Enough!" Eggman ordered. "Finish him, or you’ll regret it!"

Your body stiffened, your movements becoming even more rigid. Sonic gritted his teeth, frustration bubbling up inside him. He hated Robotnik more than ever. How could he- no, how dare have the audacity to lay his hands on you.

"Fine, If you won’t let them go, I’ll just have to take them back."

Sonic closed the gap between you in an instant. . You lashed out, your movements swift and precise, but Sonic was faster. He dodged your strikes with ease, his focus unshakable. As you swung at him again, he caught your wrist, holding you in place.

Sonic held your wrist tightly as he sped away from the battlefield, dodging blasts and debris from the collapsing mecha behind him. His heart was pounding. He refused to let Robotnik keep you like this, this cold, unrecognizable version of yourself. He wasn’t going to lose you.

"Hang in there, Y/N," he muttered under his breath as he reached a secluded clearing far from the chaos. He gently set you down, though you struggled, thrashing against his grip with the same mechanical precision. "I'm sorry about this," he said softly, grabbing a piece of rope he’d snagged earlier and tying your wrists and ankles together. You struggled harder, but Sonic was too fast and too determined.

Once you were secure, Sonic knelt in front of you, his hands gripping your shoulders as he stared into your lifeless eyes. "This isn’t you," he whispered. "You’re stronger than whatever Robotnik’s done to you. I’ll fix this, I promise."

He fumbled for his communicator, dialing Tails with shaky hands. "Tails, I need you," "he said as soon as his friend picked up. It’s Y/N… Eggman did something to them. I don’t know what, but they’re not themselves."

Tails voice crackled through the communicator, calm but concerned. "Bring them to my workshop. I’ll see what I can do."

Sonic hesitated, glancing at you as you continued to struggle against the restraints. He hated seeing you like this, but he couldn’t risk untying you just yet. "Alright, but you’d better be ready, buddy. I’m bringing them now."

When Sonic arrived at Tails workshop, the fox was already waiting, tools and scanners laid out in preparation. Sonic carefully carried you inside, setting you down on a padded table as Tails got to work.

"They've gone under some kind of mind control," Sonic explained, pointing toward hus head as he tapped his shoe on the ground. "Eggman’s got them doing his dirty work, and I can’t... I can’t lose them, Tails."

Tails nodded, scanning you with one of his devices. "It looks like Eggman implanted a neural control chip. It’s suppressing their free will and amplifying his commands. I think I can disable it, but it’s going to take some time."

"Then do it," Sonic said firmly, his hands clenched into fists. "I don’t care how long it takes, just fix it."

Tails worked diligently, carefully removing the chip while Sonic stayed by your side, holding your hand even as you fought against him.

Finally, after what felt like hours, Tails let out a relieved sigh. "That should do it. The chip’s deactivated, and their neural pathways should return to normal soon."

Sonic’s ears perked up as he looked at you. Slowly, your eyes fluttered closed, and when they reopened, the lifeless glow was gone. Instead, there was confusion, fear, and, most importantly, recognition.

"Sonic…?" you murmured, your voice shaky.

"Y/N!" Sonic’s voice cracked as he pulled you into a tight hug, relief washing over him. "You’re back! I knew you could fight it."

You blinked, your memories slowly coming back. "What... happened?"

"It doesn’t matter now," Sonic said quickly, holding you closer. "You’re safe, and I’m never letting him hurt you again."

Over the next few days, Sonic barely left your side. He hovered constantly, always checking on you, asking how you were feeling, and making sure you ate and rested. At first, you appreciated his concern, it was comforting to have him so close after everything. But as time went on, his behavior became more and more overwhelming.

"Sonic, I’m fine," you said one afternoon, trying to step outside for some fresh air. But Sonic was already blocking the door.

"Are you sure? What if Robotnik tries something again? You should stay inside where it’s safe."

"Sonic," you said firmly, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I can take care of myself. You don’t have to watch me 24/7."

His eyes softened slightly, but he still didnt relent. "I almost lost you, Y/N. I can't let that happen again. I won't."

You frowned, trying to reason with him. "Sonic, you saved me. I'm okay now. You don’t need to-"

"I do need to," he interrupted, his voice uncharacteristically serious. "You don’t get it, Y/N. I can’t lose you. Ever. You mean too much to me."

The way he said it sent a chill down your spine. You tried to step back, but Sonic caught your wrist.

"Don’t worry," he said, his usual grin returning, "I’ll make sure nothing ever happens to you again. You’re safe with me."

[doctormonocat]

Replaced

Self Aware! Rafayel x Unaware! Player

Can you guess which other game character this is inspired by? I will be doing a series for each of the LADS boys being self aware. A little angsty, once again. It will hopefully become clear, but this is a story about Rafayel, your favorite LI, becoming self aware, and eventually being replaced by Caleb. I just picked Caleb bc he just released, but Sylus or any LI released after start would work. Hope you enjoy! I'll prolly do a part 2. A bit long, sorry!

Self Aware! Rafayel who becomes aware slowly but surely. Rather than an instant moment of understanding, he begins to recognize new things in his world, things he didn’t understand before. Things seem… out of order. Time is disjointed, his senses thrown into a black void just as often as he is alive. 

Self Aware! Rafayel realizes he is a game character long before he ever becomes aware of you. His existence seems to dull with each passing day before he meets you. His life, his suffering, his love… none of its real. He realizes that he is pre programmed into a virtual reality. But he wonders, why? And why does he feel a sort of… presence? 

Self Aware! Rafayel who feels the presence everywhere. In his battles with his… lover? (is she still? Does he even want her to be? Rafayel doesn’t know. Even she seems fake now) There is an unknowing force watching him. Despite the oddity of it, Rafayel isn’t alarmed by it. If anything, it’s comforting. Warm. It feels like his first hug after a life of being touch starved. 

Self Aware! Rafayel becomes addicted to the presence. Comforted by the ever watching force. He looks forward to his limited interactions with it in that cafe everyday. His dulled world begins to spill with color. 

Self Aware! Rafayel who one day sees… you. You’re the presence that’s been there for what seems like years, the only thing allowing sunshine to pour into Rafayel’s darkened world. He preens under your attention, feeling like a deep sea fish seeing the light for the first time. 

Self Aware! Rafayel who finally realizes his world is a dating game. It's a bit of a shock, but a surprising comfort. You had become his everything before he was even aware who you were, and being able to actually see you everyday has only deepened his feelings. So, learning that you joined this game to date the characters, and that he is your main focus is a relief. He feels requited. You care about him just as much as he does you (maybe not quite as much, he realizes. Currently, you are his only tether to realness, and are still unaware of his awareness or his feelings. But, it won’t be like that for much longer). 

Self Aware! Rafayel who is aware of the other male love interests, but doesn’t pay them much of a mind besides the occasional twinge of jealousy. After all, you only complete their events out of a sense of obligation. But he is your focus. You pull for his cards, spend your in game currency on his outfits, and have him accompany you for card games and plushie hunting. It’s clear to him, he is your favorite. And he hopes that when he makes you aware of his presence too, that your favoritism will turn into something more. So, in response to those other boys, all he does is give you a pout the next time you visit him in your cafe. But, seeing your smile in his presence makes the painter’s grumpy mood vanish quickly. He loves your smile, direct just at him; teasing, joking, and flirting all the time just to see it whenever he wants. Yeah. He needs to see that smile more often.

Self Aware! Rafayel who wants everything to be perfect for when he confesses. He’s been picking up some coding skills on the side, trying to keep it hidden from you as he carves out a small place in his world just for you to. The perfect place by the beach, with the perfect light. The perfect gift (a painting of you), the perfect words to say to make you understand the depth of his sentience and of his love. His perfect moment. He’s worried he might spoil it accidentally though, with the extra attention he’s been lavishing on you. You’re just so cute, that every time you cheer after the two of you win a battle together he can’t help but laugh along. He’s a little tired of waiting, but he still wants everything to be perfect. He just hopes you can chalk up your excellent luck pulling cards and his extra smiles to a new game mechanic. 

Self Aware! Rafayel who is vaguely aware of the announcement of a new male love interest. Colin? Or maybe Cade? Who cares? Rafayel’s been your favorite since launch. Truly, he doesn’t pay too much attention. He’s too focused on making his confession to you just perfect. 

Self Aware! Rafayel who starts paying attention when he hears it come from your mouth. 

“Caleb is almost here!” You say, cheerily. 

Self Aware! Rafayel who feels his heart clench a little. Now he begins to remember the details clearly. Caleb. Thats his name. The jealousy he feels is a bit more papabile than it has been before with the other boys, feeling like a heavy stone pulling his heart down into a dark ocean. He remembers you playing that chapter with that… man… in it a couple times, but he dismissed it as you trying to better understand the story. He knows it's not because you want to see that guy. Is it? 

| | | | |

Self Aware! Rafayel who doesn't realize how black everything has been until he’s let out into the light again. How long has it been? He feels his body physically react when he checks your phone’s internal clock and realizes a month has passed. His world had become dull again without you at least visiting him; fake, and flat and just black. It scares him for two reasons. The first, that without you he might stop being aware, stop existing as he is now. He might start being like the other nothings that populate his world without you, pre programmed to run in circles. It terrifies him. And the second, that something might have happened to you in the time you were away from him. He is even more scared that something in your large and expansive reality might be able to harm you. With his dulled senses, he hasn’t felt your presence visiting him at all in the past month (that went by all too fast to him. Add that to his growing list of things that will keep him up at night.)

Self Aware! Rafayel who is scared now for an entirely different reason. He manages to use his coding skills in the brief time period where you are visiting to tether himself to the game outright. At least it will be harder now to pull him away from you. Even if you stop visiting, he’ll be aware. But with that, comes an even worse realization. You’d been here, actually. In the game, playing as usual. Just not with him. 

Self Aware! Rafayel who wants to cry and shout all at once. Who the hell is this Caleb, and how dare he take you from him (he tries to push down the feeling that you have betrayed him as well. He doesn’t want to fall into that rabbit hole of resenting the only thing that makes him feel alive). So, instead he blames this… usurper, who has stolen your love, your light, your attention away from him. 

Self Aware! Rafayel who has a plan to get your attention back. Screw the perfect moment. He just needs to confess the next time he sees you. You’ll throw away apple boy the second you realize you have a sentient fishie who loves you more than anything. 

Self Aware! Rafayel begins to slowly realize a couple of harrowing things. The first, that you haven’t visited him in a long time. The last time you did, his first gasp of air in over a month, seemed to be irregular, if not a fluke entirely. You were too focused on Caleb (the name still sickens him to think about) to spend anytime with him anymore. Who knows if you would even give him the chance to confess. The second, even more harrowing thought. Was it your attention, your love, that brought him sentience? If so, could that same awareness be brought to another? Would Rafayel’s competition soon extend to another man who knew of your existence just as he did? The third, that it might not even matter for him or the “colonel” either. You had discarded and neglected Rafayel so easily when a new shiny toy came into your view. Did you even see him as real? Would you ever? Were you even capable of that? 

Self Aware! Rafayel chose to push that thought down deep. He would cross that bridge when he got to it. No, he should deal with the problem at hand. Caleb. Just the very thought of him made fire burn in Rafayel’s veins and a sting like salt water in his throat. At the very least, he should deal with this so-called replacement. 

Self Aware! Rafayel who knows deep in his soul, in the very essence of his being that you love him. You’ve just been… distracted. Tempted. Lured. But Rafayel knows about luring also. He is a siren, a vision of seduction and temptation. Colonel apple can’t compare. Rafayel will use very weapon in his arsenal. His newly acquired coding skills will force you to see him, force you to let him win your love back. He’ll shower you with gifts, with digital seashells, in game currency, and his sweet words. He’ll hold off on confessing, just until his competition is not even a memory in your mind. 

Self Aware! Rafayel decides that even if that fails, he has other ways of convincing you to his side. He wonders what would happen if he were to alter the game code, to make Caleb repulsive to you, or even better, gone (the thought of messing with the game code, with the very essence of the world does still make him a bit queasy. Perhaps that will be his last resort). Instead, he wonders what would happen if he decided to find Caleb in his world. Maybe a recreation of a certain explosion might be in order, certain to actually find it’s target this time. 

Self Aware! Rafayel who is becoming desperate. He’s willing to do anything. Even if it means removing all other obstacles by any means necessary. You will love him again. 

After all, why wouldn’t you? With no one else but him and you, everything will be just as it should be. 

[miwiheroes]

Dropping Byler Evidence Every Day Until Season 5

. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁ Day 20: Phonegate . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁

Here I am today talking about whether phonegate is canon or not, but I also want to point out a new point that I feel like no one talks about because apparently you're only ever allowed to be completely on one side of things and never on the fence on this tag but hello:

If phonegate is real, it is a byler proof.

If phonegate is not real, it is also a byler proof.

Um okay hear me out.

Firstly, let's talk about Phonegate being REAL, then I'll get onto my explanation of the possibility of it not being real still being a byler proof.

REAL

First of all, let me clarify, I truly believe that phonegate is canon. But on the slight chance that it is not, it still doesn't negate byler. Anyways, onto the Real.

Will and Mike both have an argument in Rink o Mania about not being able to contact each other. It's clear that Will is angry about the fact that Mike hasn't called and believes that he doesn't care as much as Mike about their friendship. This is a misunderstanding.

Mike then throws this back at Will because he also has the misunderstanding that Will doesn't care as much about his friendship. We find out that this is because: Mike can't seem to get in touch with Will on the phone -> Mike hears from El that Will is painting for someone else (which is their thing) -> Mike finds out that the painting 'is not for him' in the airport and that it's 'nothing' -> Mike notices that Will has been acting strange all day and is annoyed that he's ignoring him -> Mike says that he's sorry he acted so offended, but he only did that because he was scared that he'd lost Will.

Therefore, something must have happened for Mike to have felt like he'd lost Will. He would never have felt that way if he hadn't tried to call him.

Now, one thing that I've noticed is that Will never tried to call Mike. And I was like, well, I guess Mike has the right to question that of Will right? Well, this misunderstanding gets fixed by the painting. This is because the painting proves that while Will didn't call Mike, he was still thinking about him. He was still thinking about Mike and doing something for him. So while Mike thought he had lost Will, he really had Will this whole time. Which is why the painting being commissioned by El is such a disappointment for him.

The painting, when it gets revealed to him, is proof to Mike that Will hadn't been lost during that time period. YAY! But when Will says it was commissioned from El, Mike gets disappointed because it means to him that Will hadn't been thinking of Mike the whole time, in his eyes. If that makes sense??

AND THEN.... we get the thing about "Mike won't stop whining about it."

This is not about El.

Mike talks about 'stealing Cerebro from Dustin' at the end of S3 in relation to calling El, not discussing the phone at all. As you can see in this image as well, there is a radio in the Mike box, implying that El uses this specific radio to talk to Mike. It is also a major plot point in season 4 that the government are looking for El and that El has to be called Jane because the government are looking for her, so Mike cannot call her on the phone because the government listens to phone calls.

I think that Dustin saying "Mike won't stop whining about it" proves that Mike has been trying to get into contact with Will this entire time, proving that the Rink o Mania scene was one of those classic "letters? you wrote me letters?" tropes that happens super often with romantic couples.

Also the fact that DUSTIN says this is interesting because he was the one trying to get into contact with Suzie in S3. The fact that he is also Will's friend as well as Mike shows that only Mike whining about it implies something deeper about their friendship. Surely Dustin and Lucas should be whining about it too if Will's their friend? But no, it's just Mike, showing that his feelings are more than friendship.

So there's one more discrepancy left in this narrative: If Mike had called, why didn't he just tell Will? And solve their argument?

And to that I say: because he's gay and has internalised homophobia my guy. All this previous proof SHOWS that he definitely called Will. So why did he lie? He lied because he would rather have Will get annoyed at him than look incriminating. Calling Will over and over is something that he has romanticised in his head, and this is simply confirmed by the fact he doesn't say it. Mike was calling Will because he loves him, therefore he doesn't want to say it because it would seem that way to Will. Therefore, Will not talking to him is the best case scenario for him. He would rather Will not talk to him for this reason than the other one.

This was not an act of selfishness. It was an act of self-sacrifice. It seems, on the surface, that Mike is being bitchy about Will not calling him back, but underneath OH BOY he's prioritising Will like he always has..... just in a different way, by not making him uncomfortable by his romantic actions.

More Proof that this is a plot point in the show is the Stranger Things game leaving a litttleee Easter egg:

UM EXCUSE ME WHAT IS THIS????? A very very obvious clue if you ask me holy shit.

Overall, PHONEGATE IS FUCKING HUGE. There are also many other little easter eggs that I don't even think I can go into right now. (For example, little subtle focuses on the Byers' phone and the phone being something associated with Will constantly) I truly think that phonegate is canon and proves that Mike romanticises his actions surrounding Will, that Mike really did think he lost Will and this means the painting plot is just made even more painful.

But there is another possibility.....

NOT REAL

On the off chance that the Duffers did not write this plot extremely seamlessly, and that Mike is just a jerk who did not even try to contact Will and just blames it all on him, it still kind of seems like a byler proof to me even if he didn't call.

Not calling kind of implies that something is keeping him from wanting to call. He also ends up apologising for this, feeling like he had lost Will. This means that the reason for not calling him was being too afraid that Will was having fun without him. And we can see from the ending of S3, that Mike has just realised something big about Will.

So, if we want to go with the narrative of Mike having internalised homophobia, it makes sense for him to have either phoned Will a bunch of times but doesn't tell him because it would be too incriminating..... OR

It also makes sense for him to have not phoned at all because that action would ALSO be too incriminating for him to do, because he sees phoning him and writing letters to him as a romantic thing to do.

SOOOOO basically, phonegate being canon would be the best way to write this storyline and proves that Mike must have internalised homophobia because he sees him calling Will all the time as a romantic, incriminating thing (also it makes the painting lie more devastating so it would be a cool plot point) BUT if it is not canon, while this won't be the best writing choice, it would still prove Mike has internalised homophobia because it means he romanticises calling Will, and doesn't do it in the first place, because it would be incriminating.

[sillygoofyqueer]

four, i will give you dora's backpack if you drop the leviathyuan lore. Please. Im starving.

I do not want you to steal a child's backpack, but sure I'll feed you I guess, just to be sure you don't starve to death. OKAY SO, Leviathyuan!!! I have no idea where I got up to hmmm...OH! I got distracted by how he looks instead of his lore, right. ANYWAY! Luo Binghe sees this demon creature, and this demon creature spots him. Of course, the first thing he assumes is that he's about to be attacked when the creature jumps up and - it's hard to say if the demon is running to try and catch him off guard or if it's kind of bouncing/stumbling over to...also try and catch him off guard? To be fair, he is caught off guard and doesn't have any time to attack before this demon has launched itself at him and is!!! Biting!!..His hair. What. He's on the floor and this creature is just chewing at his hair with a thoughtful look on its face, before it spits his hair out and starts just tugging on it. He knows his hair isn't straight and elegant like everyone else's, but it's not that fascinating! He tries to speak to it but it just yabbers back at him in what can only be another language and shows off its terrifyingly sharp rows (yes rows plural!!!) so he just shuts up and lets it happen. Okay I'm bored of talking about that right now, we're going to get into the backstory lore because Shen Yuan is NOT transmigrated! He wasn't born in The Lake, but was instead born in a much more open environment, not even that far down if we're thinking about how far down the abyss is. As a little baby Leviathyuan (still huge, but just a littol baby in human form), he was lured away by his parents by a particularly interesting looking fish - not to eat it, just to watch it! When the fish goes out of water, Shen Yuan follows, switching instinctively to human form and IMMEDIATELY getting grabbed by a demon poacher. The demon poacher was hired to catch a baby leviathan demon for some random noble (Linguang-Jun :D), and now they have their stuff they're going to get out of the abyss and get their reward! Well, that was the plan before there's like a migration of huge scary monsters or something and the poacher has to take shelter. In The Cavern. With The Lake in it. While the poacher thinks it's all chill, baby Yuan senses something in The Lake and starts being like "AAAAGGGGHHH" but in baby language. The poacher is like "oh my god shut uup," while a huge fucking monster from the deep is like "C h i l d ." I'm thinking like the huge monster is a cool octopus type creature as well. I've got a note here that says I think it'd be cool if the water-based demons were much more chill than the land-based demons. Like, while land-based demons would be all "GRRR DEATH TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!!! I DON'T CARE IF IT WAS NECESSARY FOR YOUR SURVIVAL TO TAKE MY LAND!!", water-based demons are more in tune with nature. The sea is one of the most beautiful examples of an ecosystem ever, and I think it'd be neat to reflect that in the demons that live in there. They'd be more like "of course you can feast on my dead brother's corpse, we've got some fine algae growing in there!" Much more peaceful than land-based demons.

[starberry-cupcake]

I'm trying the post-it method and it's really messy but, if it helps, I'll keep it up, because I feel like live-reading doesn't help me out with processing this as much as going back on notes does...god, I sound like palmolive...

previously, in nona del 9:

this happened

this is the general tag for all the recaps I've done

CHAPTER 8 (third house skull, which, I guess, but tangentially)

sriracha girlie from school is still on the case and asks nona to up her game in the surveillance task and pretend she's on a radio call

she doesn't elaborate but I doubt it'd help nona understand much anyway if she does

she's just happy to help

nona has to put little boots in the six-legged dog's feet before going out into the scorching heat, though

it's the summer here, so I feel you, noodle

(bonus info: our new puppy apparently has been aptly named because she has 0 fear and is trying to jump into the pool head first like a maniac)

so nona, because she has no preservation skills either, just like our puppy, thinks is a good idea to pretend like she's talking to coronabeer

she still calls her "crown", but it doesn't make me feel any more ok with her pretend calling coronabeer of all people

wasn't she with BOE and whatnot? what if the enemy is listening?

she invites her to her birthday party on the beach

and I might be too cautious but I know better than to share so much information in the wild outdoors where someone could listen

like 'I'm gonna be in this location at this day, please come steal from me or whatever'

maybe it's just my latine self talking, but be careful out there

how do they trust this girl to not be a hazard on her own?

she's like 8 years old

oh, great, I sound like mercygirl now

nona starts drowsing off and a bible chapter comes in, which people have told me is her sleeping

gonna remind everyone I didn't find that out on my own

that's not a victory for me

JOHN 15:23

"Whoever hates me hates my Father as well" is the bible verse in this one

well, then

I haven't read the bible this much since I was in my second school (out of 4)

so here we are again with dr. reverend emperor john buttface's monologue

there's a distraction tactic possibility to get him killed, if we ever need one

he mentions the eye color change as things get weird with their experiments

and says cassiopeia?? potentially? or cyrus? told him he looked like edward cullen "from that old movie twilight"

like I'm not gonna clock dr. reverend emperor john having read twilight with his own two changing eyes

so dr reverend emperor john the menace and his terrible lyctors start doing awful things to the corpses that aren't rotting

allegedly due to dr reverend emperor john "loving them"

whatever that means

and the corpses remain undamaged

what I'd like to point out here is that these people are deranged and god awful even when they hadn't been 25 million years old

this is them brand new from the package and they're all either terrible or complicit in being terrible

I think cassiopeia is the only one visibly suffering but still, man

these people were always like this, this isn't some "we've been out in space so long we've lost touch with our humanity"

happy out of touch thursday, this is you, this has always been you

dr reverend emperor john starts talking about touching the corpses' hands and feeling them even when they aren't there with him

mercygirl is doubting his sanity

yet still they all followed him to hell, so who's crazier here

they picked two corpses, a guy and a gal, to make more specific experiments on, and he named them ulysses and titania

titania after the shakespeare character

ulysses not after the greek hero

and by controlling their hands from across the room I guess they discover necromancy

he's still talking to harrow through all this

CHAPTER 9 (sixth house skull, but at what cost?????)

sriracha girle tells nona that, after her imaginary phone call with coronabeer, the ceaseless watcher left the building

literally

nobody knows what this means but sriracha girlie is still on the case

then they start hearing shots outside and everyone has their safety precautions but they're all bored about it instead of afraid

wish this was just a fiction thing and not the current world

so everyone gets picked up except for sriracha girle, as ush

camilla comes to pick up nona from school and gets pastries (aka facturas, where I'm from)

camilla is doing the lord's work here

she got them by selling out pyrrha's cigarettes, apparently, which I find a great exchange but I don't smoke, so I'm obviously team facturas

then, we get a nona flashback from a month prior, about the Event which prevents them from going swimming anymore

they used to go to the sea at dusk to have some private time with the water

and by them I mean nona went swimming, because the sea is filled with deadly jellyfish, so they'd kill a regular person, but not nona

she can swim with the jellyfish, which sounds beautiful, actually

the whole swimming description is so relaxing and beautiful and I am hating this heat but I'm grateful for the swimming opportunity it provides

swimming is great

swimming with jellyfish without dying must be great

relaxing moment for 3.5 seconds for everyone

of course things can't be relaxing for too long, this is tlt we're talking about

nona sees some people surrounding camilla and guesses it must be the police

which, in every universe, is a Problem

tons of police men surrounding one woman, yeah, doesn't look great

but I was fine because this is camilla fucking hect we're talking about

no cops at pride, just camilla and knives

nona can't hear their conversation but, at one point, she can hear camilla say "speak House"

which ??????????????????????'

doesn't sound good AT ALL

nona sees one of them pointing a gun and warns camilla, which earns nona a shot through the shoulder

so then, when nona resurfaces, she finds everyone lying motionless and camilla squatting on the sand

and I was like "of course my baby did that"

but then nona looks at her and she's got one camilla eye and one palmolive eye

and is talking like camolive is some sort of dragon ball fusion

they ask nona not to freak out

I'm freaking out

camolive's timer starts going like crazy and they ask nona to drive them home

camilla comes back to herself at this point BUT

she's bleeding everywhere

like, blood coming out of her skin

it's everywhere

nona asks her to get palmolive but camilla says they can't

so nona has to drive them home in the middle of the night with the blood and the salty water and the potential police following

nona thankfully can manage and pyrrha says camilla is in thanergy shock

she says they can never do that again and that if palmolive wasn't sharing a body with her, she'd be kicking his ass

AND I WOULD BE TOO

PALMOLIVE, I SAID IT LAST RECAP, MAN

YOU HAD ONE JOB

KEEPING CAMILLA SAFE

WHAT ARE YOU DOING??????

camilla asks them to not tell palmolive she was "weak"

pyrrha drinks in camilla's honor while she's recuperating and nona asks her why she said goodbye to her if she's gonna be fine

to which pyrrha asks how does she know she was saying goodbye

basically, camilla is not dying but she's also not fine

which I got from the very heavy bleeding, thank you very much doctor pyrrha

if something happens to camilla I swear to whatever god that isn't the monologuing prick in the sleeping chapters I'm gonna go feral

PALMOLIVE I'M GOING TO CHASE YOU DOWN

AND THAT'S IT FOR THIS RECAP!!! I think the post its system is better for me?? I'll figure it out as I go. See you on the next one!!!

[beef-brisket]

Verosika: That was amazing!

Adam chuckled as he walked off stage and hugged Verosika.

Since he started working for Ozzie in his clubs, he's found that he's gotten even more popular. He hasn't felt this safe in years, even in Heaven. Things were starting to look up, which is why something had to ruin it.

Verosika: The Princess is in your dressing room.

Adam: I- What?

Adam pulled away and looked lightly terrified. Looking past Verosika's shoulder and down the hallway to the dressing rooms, he felt his heart rate speed up.

Verosika: Hey. No.

She cupped his cheeks and forced him to look at her.

Verosika: You know I don't give a fuck about authority figures, if you want her gone, just say the word. I don't give a shit who she is.

Adam sighed and petted Verosika's hand: No, it's okay... I'll see her.

-

Adam stood outside his dressing room door. He was beyond pissed off. And scared. How dare Charlie think she can just invade his space and wait for him. Like some hunter.

Opening the door, Adam couldn't help but glare at her- and glare harder at Vaggie. Because of cause the princess couldn't leave the hotel without her guard dog.

He's never felt much anger towards Charlie, but now? Since everything that had gone down with Lucifer? Yeah, no. Fuck her. It was her fault.

Adam: Oh look. Two lesbos invading my personal space. Again. And I'm not even being paid this time.

Adam walked past the girls and sat down at his makeup table, spinning his chair around to face them. He did his best to look unbothered, but judging by the way Charlie flinched and looked down, he wasn't doing very well.

Vaggie: You're lucky we paid you the first time.

Adam glared: Sorry. I don't talk to dogs. And in fact, their not allowed in the dressing rooms. They shit everywhere.

He smirked as Vaggie growled: Watch yourself mouth, whore-!

Adam: See, there it goes. Shitting. Either treat me with respect, or get the fuck out! I'm done dealing with assholes who think they can treat me anyway they fucking want.

Charlie: Adam- I swear, that isn't what we're doing-.

Adam: Really? Before you showed up, I only had one freak to worry about, but all of a sudden, I got attacked by some short asshole, who THEN came to my fucking house- the only safe place I had, and tried to fuck me! So, I don't care what you're doing. You're lucky I'm even agreeing to speak eith you.

Vaggie: Not like you get a choice, she is the princess-.

Adam: I don't give a shit who she is. So, hurry up. The fuck are you hear for?

Vaggie: Ad-.

Adam: I wasn't speaking to you. Or are you Charlie's voice as well? Little princess can't speak for herself now?

Charlie: I can. Sorry, Adam. I uh... I'm here to see you about... dad-.

Adam: Ha! Nope. I have a restraining order on him for a fucking reason. Let me guess, the short king depressed because he didn't get his way? Typical.

Charlie: Adam- please. He's... broken.

Adam: Good. No one gave a shit when I was fucking hurting! Why do I have to put down everything and stop my life, to comfort people who didn't give a shit about me?! You don't even know the shit I've fucking been through, not only in Hell, but Heaven and Eden as well!

Adam folded his arms: Short king finally got a taste of his own medicine? Fucking good. Don't bother me about it.

Charlie: He loves you, Adam!

Adam: Yeah? And I loved him in Eden. He didn't care, in fact he fucking laughed at me! Both if you shit hole parents did. So, fuck. Him. And not in the good way.

Charlie sighed, only smiling when Vaggie rubbed her back. She had no idea how to convince Adam.

Succubus au

@beef-brisket

@fanofstuff01

(This au was originally on @things-aren't-what-they-seem66blog and was originally thought of by an anonymous ask)

The roaring of the crowd and the playing of his guitar deafened his ears but the incubus didn't care. He loved the way they cheered his name while he shredded on his axe. With one final strum, his song was done. He raised his arms and gave the horns, to which his fans reciprocated, and bid them all goodnight. He walked away his hands still raised until he was out of sight from them. Adam sighed heavily and wiped the sweat with his forearm as he made his way to his dressing room.

Once there he flopped onto the couch and groaned. Though Adam loved being a rockstar and having adoring fans, he wouldn't lie to himself, each performance, especially concerts, can be quite draining since he always had to prepare with mic checks and making sure he sounded right. Steve, his producer/manager/on-and-off-again fling, always assured him that these were mandatory. Just one of those sacrifices that come with being a star. Still, Adam felt a little like shit and he needed a drink, a hard one. Unfortunately, his evening wasn't quite over yet as knocking was heard from the other side of the door then a voice called out.

Assistant: Excuse me? Commander? I'm sorry for bothering you but I brought the VIP guests here with me.

Adam sighed completely forgetting about that. Almost all VIPs get access to meet him after every show. Though he loved his fans coming to him and saying how much they loved him, maybe even getting some head from the older crowd, tonight, he didn't want to. However, he knew that he didn't have much of a choice. Unless he wanted Steve up his ass, and not in a good way. Letting out a long groan he sat up, rubbed his eyes, and yelled out to her.

Adam: Bring them in.

He closed his eyes and sighed once again as he heard the door open and feet shuffle in. He prepared himself for the immediate responses of squealing and clamoring over to shake his hand. However, he was not prepared for a familiar voice to call out his name.

Charlie: A, Adam?

He opened his eyes and standing in front of him were Charlie, Vaggie, and a one-eyed sinner.

[mj-iza-writer]

I’ve never requested something from someone before but I feel like something of a whumpee who has only ever been tortured for Whumper’s amusement and has been made to feel useless and suddenly one day whumper decides to make Whumpee like a pet/slave and whumpee is confused but happy to get even the smallest of rewards while also knowing Whumper could rip it all away if they wanted to for any reason. You don’t have to write it just something I’ve thought about and decided it couldn’t hurt to ask.

I am honored to be your first request. I do apologize about the wait though. I hope you enjoy the story.

"Do you need a reminder of your place?", Whumper pushed Whumpee onto the floor, "hmm? I'll be happy to knock it back into you."

Whumpee's lip quivered as they looked up at Whumper. They hadn't done anything wrong.

"N-no Master... I-I'm sorry", Whumpee lowered themself to the floor. They squeezed their eyes shut as they rested their head onto the hardwood.

"That's more like it", Whumper chuckles as they rest their shoe on the side of Whumpee's head, "nice and obedient."

Tears snuck out of Whumpee's eyes and roll onto the floor.

"You are nothing.... the only use I have for you is the housework you do", Whumper digs their foot into Whumpee's head, "lick my shoes. Your mouth isn't useful for anything else. There you go", Whumper jeers as Whumpee turns their head slightly and licks the bottom of their shoe."

"You're a filthy animal", Whumper sneered, "a simple mutt."

"Yes Master", Whumpee whispered before offering their tongue again.

Whumpee had collapsed tiredly on the hallway floor that night. They were barely able to keep their eyes open from the day they had just experienced. They felt that it was getting worse as the days passed.

Whumper had kicked them a few more times before going to bed.

Whumpee was too tired to even worry about their injuries.

"I would love to have a good day....", Whumpee whispered, "tomorrow... maybe."

The next morning they limped into the kitchen.

They froze when they looked down and saw two dog dishes set out.

"Oh good", Whumper sauntered out, "I have a new role for you to play for me. Doesn't that sound fun?"

Whumpee quickly nodded in response. It was better to be agreeable. Much safer to say yes.

"Good. Now get into a crawling position", Whumper pointed at the floor, "you are a mutt. So it's only fitting that you act like a dog. You'll still be required to do your chores, but you can no longer walk on two feet. You may not speak unless I tell you to. You can only go outside to use the bathroom."

"O-outside?", Whumpee glanced at the door.

"I have to let you out. You can not leave without permission", Whumper grinned.

"It-its cold outside Master", Whumpee whimpered.

"It will be even colder for you too. Take off your clothes. You lost that privilege", Whumper smirked evilly.

"M-my clothes", Whumpee looked down at their faded, thin clothes. These were all they had.

"Strip... stop asking stupid questions", Whumper yelled.

Whumpee shook violently as they pulled their clothes off.

"You can keep the underwear. No one wants to see that", Whumper sighed, "actually when did you last take a shower?"

Whumpee covered themself out of embarrassment, "it's been a while", they whispered.

"The chores can wait. I can't have a dirty dog. Bath time", Whumper pointed.

Whumpee awkwardly stared at the tub while Whumper filled it.

Scenarios popped in their head of how badly this could go. Be dunked under water, soap shoved in their mouth or eyes.

"Alright, hop in", Whumper stood aside.

Whumpee looked up nervously, "please Master forgive me for whatever I've done. Please, I don't want you to drown me."

"Get in", Whumper clenched their jaw.

Whumpee cowarded back a little before inching to the tub. Their legs felt like jelly as they got into the water. To their surprise, the water was warm.

"I guess you're using my shampoo and soap", Whumper reached for a few things, "at least this will make you smell better. You were getting a little rancid. Your nails look gross too, so I'll trim those today."

Whumpee looked sadly at their nails. Thoughts of their nails being pulled off raced through their imagination.

Whumper started to rinse Whumpee off.

Whumpee jumped back and yelped.

"Sit still", Whumper ordered as they splashed the water at Whumpee's face.

Whumpee sputtered as the water dripped from their face.

A few minutes later, Whumper was massaging shampoo into Whumpee's hair.

Whumpee moaned quietly as Whumper worked.

"Does this feel good?", Whumper paused to look at them.

"Yes Master", Whumpee whispered, "thankyou for your kindness."

"Ymhmm", Whumper hummed.

Whumpee stared up at Whumper at they trimmed Whumpee's nails and even filed them to a nice shape.

"Why are you staring at me?", Whumper frowned.

To Whumpee's surprise, Whumper was actually talking gently to them.

"I-I apologize", Whumpee whispered, "I just haven't had this done for a while. Thankyou so much. Even just these few minutes have been so uhm comforting. I-I'm really thankful."

"You're welcome. I'm just wanting to give this a try for a little while. I'm getting bored with abusing you. Need something refreshing to do, and I've been wanting a pet but can't have one here."

Whumpee nodded, "may I ask what things you would have me do in this role? I want to be able to give you what you want Master."

"I don't know yet" Whumper looked at Whumpee, "for right now... just keep doing your chores. Never mind what I said earlier about the no speaking at least. Just remember your manners."

"Yes master", Whumpee nodded.

A few days passed, and Whumpee was the happiest they had been in a long time.

Whumper had taken such good care of them. Yes, they still had to do the chores, but Whumper hadn't hurt them in so long.

Whumpee treaded very carefully still. They didn't want to chance Whumper getting mad and ruining this chance.

They were a pet, yes, but they were being taken care of at least.

They jumped when they heard Whumper yelling and slamming things in the kitchen.

"No please", Whumpee whispered, "not yet."

Their master's temper was flaring. That often meant Whumpee would be the punching bag to help calm them down.

"Whumpee!", Whumper yelled.

Whumpee gulped, it was over.

They slowly crawled to the kitchen and peeked around the corner.

"Don't just stare at me. Clean it up", Whumper pointed at a puddle on the floor, "I was trying to fill your water dish, and my hand slipped and I dropped the bowl."

Whumpee quickly got up and grabbed a small towel.

They got back down and quickly wiped the spilled water.

"Go-good pup", Whumper sighed, "fill up your water dish for yourself, I guess. I'm going to go sit down."

Whumpee nodded and watched as Whumper partially limped out of the kitchen.

Whumpee had noticed recently that Whumper was acting differently.

They crawled out after Whumper, and watched them sit down.

"What are you looking at?", Whumper sighed as they sat down.

"May I ask a question Master?", Whumpee whispered.

"I guess", Whumper frowned.

"Yo-you have been acting very differently for a few days. Not even with how you've treated me. Are you okay?

"Bold question for a slave to ask a master. Do you want to go back to me hurting you or something?", Whumper glared.

"N-no Master, I've enjoyed this more than you will ever know. I just... you seem like you are hurting. I know what it feels like to hurt. I just, uhm... hope you're okay", Whumpee looked down.

Whumper sat back in their chair, "I'm not sick, I'm just getting old. I'm not able to knock you around like I use too. I thought maybe making you into a pet would ease some of that. I have honestly kind of enjoyed it as well."

"I've been so nervous about you taking it away from me. I have enjoyed being your pet", Whumpee looked down, "I do kind of miss using the inside bathroom though."

"Yeah, you can go back to doing that. It's too cold for me to stand out there with you", Whumper grinned, "I don't plan on changing this any time soon. Just don't do anything stupid, at least."

"So you are okay then?", Whumpee looked at them worriedly.

"Yes, I'm fine... just old", Whumper patted their lap, "come on, let's watch a movie."

Whumpee took a second to realize what that meant. They crawled forward to get closer.

"You can come up here. Come on", Whumper patted on the couch.

Whumpee looked at the couch questioningly before jumping up.

It wasn't along until Whumpee was allowed to rest their head on Whumper's leg.

Whumpee blinked slowly a few minutes after Whumper started massaging their head.

"Feel good", Whumper chuckled.

"Y-yes Master?", Whumpee answered almost questioningly.

"You seem unsure", Whumper startled to turn the TV on.

"I-I'm not use to this", Whumpee answered, "it does feel good though."

"That's good", Whumper sighed, "that's good."

Taglist. As always please let me know if you want to be added or taken off of the list. It's not a problem at all.

@villainsandheroes @the-beasts-have-arrived

@sacredwrath @porschethemermaid

@monarchthefirst @generic-whumperz

@bloodyandfrightened @freefallingup13

@notpeppermint @cyborg0109

@idontreallyexistyet @painfulplots

@whumpbump @everythingsscary

@skittles-the-whumpee @expressionless-fr

@theforeverdyingperson @legendarydelusiongoatee

@candleshopmenace @whumpanthems

@lavndvrr @ivymyers

@starfields08000 @a-living-canvas

@lumpofsand @watermeezer

@indigoviolet311 @whumpy-mountains

@risk606 @electrons2006

@paperprinxe @whumprince

@kaz-of-crows @mis-graves

@decaffeinatedtimetraveler94 @sausages-things

@isikedmyself878 @daffyduckcommittedtaxfraud

@valravnthefrenchie @glennemerald

@jasperthecapser @does-directions

@deafeninglittlecrown @jumpywhumpywriter

@blackbirdsinatrenchcoat @mylifeisonthebookshelf

@thenormalestever @whatwhump

@galatic-worm @starmoon-constellation

@bacillusinfection @whumpsandbumps

@tobiasbones @octopus-reactivated

@string-of-broken-hearts @weirdthingweee

@kawaii-cakes @phoenixpromptsandstuff

[worldly-fluster]

Snapdragon

Sylus x non-mc! reader

Part 2 of ?

(I got this border thingy from someone on here, can't remember who but this goes to them)

---

"Sy-?!"

The breath was knocked out of me as I hit the ground, feeling like I could pass out but the adrenaline of the moment kept me awake.

In a daze, I looked around, seeing that it was dark, probably night time.

I seemed to be in a park, I could see modern buildings in the distance...

I was...home?

"Hello!"

The sudden voice startled me as I jumped up with a screech.

"I am OTTO! Would you be interested in taking photos for a promotion at our store?"

I blinked fast as I stared at the floating...bot.

"No?"

"Okay! Have a nice day!"

I watched as it floated away, it not really registering in my head fully for a moment.

Was that...an Otto from the LADS game?

So I was still not home yet...

Did I want to go home?

I...want to go back to my Snapdragon.

---

I wandered around the park for a bit, I think I saw a sign saying Rainbow Park? So I guess I'll call it that.

The sun was peaking over the trees in said park when I ran into someone that seems familiar.

When he sees me, he smiles and waves.

"MC!! Miss Bodyguard!"

...ah shit.

"What a surprise to see you out of uniform, taking a stroll around the park."

"Yeah, uh, didn't really have a choice you know?"

"What do you mean by that?"

"Well-"

I was interrupted by the sound of his phone receiving a notification.

"Hm?..."

Rafayel looks at his phone in confusion, it's a text from...MC? But she's standing right in front of him?

He looks back and forth between his phone and me before he asked.

"You're not Miss Bodyguard, are you?"

"No...I kinda need help getting home..."

"Where's that?"

"Wouldn't believe me if I told you."

"Try me."

I play with my hands nervously as I look away before explaining.

"You see...I'm from a different...reality. I only figured that out when I saw flying robots honestly. Back home there was no such thing- the closest is an AI but those don't fly."

"...okay. How did you get here then?"

"I don't know honestly, this is the second time this has happened to me and the only thing that's similar is that right before I get thrown somewhere else I smell something weird-"

"Like what?"

"Like, the first time it happened I kept smelling flowers but no one else could, I thought I was going insane but then when I went to bed, I woke up in a field of flowers."

"And the next time?"

"Right after a bad fight-my friend won- I could smell the exhaust of cars and the city. Seconds after that I started to glow and then got sent here."

"...hm..."

"I told you it's hard to believe."

"It is yeah, but I have experienced plenty of strange things."

"Really?"

"Yeah, not as strange as another reality yet, but there's a first for everything."

"Right..."

"So...since you're not from here, you probably don't have anywhere to stay."

"Nope."

"Well, you can stay at my place for now. We should have your problem fixed in the shake of a fishes tail!"

"Really?"

"Yeah, it'll be easier to help you if you stay nearby so it's no problem for me."

"Thank you."

---

We just made it to Rafayel's home. He was showing me around, his artwork was beautiful... He seemed to preen every time I complimented his work. We talked and joked around for a bit before we had to acknowledge the 'elephant seal' in the room-his words not mine.

"I just messaged Miss Bodyguard, she should be on her way here."

"Okay..."

"Nervous?"

"Yeah, it's not every day you meet yourself you know?"

"It is kind of a special only you thing...but I'm here to help."

---

"..."

"..."

"...So how are you two feeling? 'cause this is weird."

I snorted, bringing my hand to my mouth to stifle my laugh.

'Miss Bodyguard' looked over at Rafayel with a deadpan.

"...I can never leave you alone, can I?"

---

It took some explaining before we were all in silent contemplation. None of us knew what to do next.

"I don't know how to help you..."

Miss Bodyguard sighed, making Rafayel frown.

"Well, we can't just not help her though."

"I know, which is why I'm going to contact some people to help."

"and who would that be?"

---

"Luke and Kieran at your service Miss Hunter!"

"Am I seeing double right now?"

"...no no...there are two Miss Hunters..."

"...Boss'll be happy."

Miss Bodyguard, or Miss Hunter, shook her head.

"No, no telling him. He'll be a pain in my ass if he gets involved himself."

"But-"

"No."

"Yes ma'am."

Through this conversation I was giggling, they were more fun in person.

Rafayel stood to the side with a pout, but soon got distracted when his phone started going off, causing him to flinch.

"Uh oh..."

---

Miss Hunter/Bodyguard was taking me to her place, Rafayel was busy dealing with the fallout of procrastinating and Thomas was not happy.

"When we get there, if we run into anyone...your my estranged twin sister that was living overseas."

"Okay...but we have the same names?"

"...Fuck."

---

As we practically jogged through the lobby, we were stopped by yet another familiar face.

"Hey MC-..."

"Xavier! I can explain."

Xavier looked from her to me for a second, his hands holding a container of something.

"Hi?"

"Hello..."

We exchanged awkward greetings as Miss Bodyguard panicked.

"This is my um...oh who am I kidding, I can't lie to you."

"What?-"

"Come on Xav, I'll explain back at my apartment."

"Okay." He walks with us, turning to me when we reach her door, "Would you like to try this? I've been working on my baking."

"Oh! Sure why not."

As I grab a cookie? And place it in my mouth is seemed Miss Bodyguard realized what was happening and she twirled around with her hand out and a look of horror on her face.

"Mm! Not bad actually...it reminds me of the Peppernuts my step-grandma used to make. Can I have more?"

Xavier seemed to start to glow as he handed me the entire container. The little light particles floating around him as he smiled with wide, happy eyes.

Miss Bodyguard froze in shock before turning around and opened the door.

---

"I...need to use that bathroom..."

"It's the first door on the left, right before the kitchen."

I go into the bathroom, do my business, but as I'm washing my hands...the cabinet door above the sink just falls off and hits my head. It doesn't do much damage, just a small gash, but because it's on my head it bleeds terribly.

I walk out of the bathroom to Xavier standing in the hallway with Miss Hunter peaking her head out of the kitchen. When they see the blood they...kinda panic.

Xavier, without question, automatically lifts me up and goes to run out to take me to the hospital- but Miss Hunter stops him.

"Xavier! We can't take her to the hospital, I'll just call Zayne if we can't stop the bleeding here."

We end up having to call Zayne, the bleeding wouldn't stop and I was getting lightheaded.

When Zayne walks through the door, he sees me and paused for a second before immediately going into doctor mode.

He stopped the bleeding and put a small bandage over it. When he finally saw everything was fine, he looked at my face then turned towards Miss Hunter.

"Explain."

---

Miss Hunter explains what happened to both men, having not finished explaining it to Xavier before I accidentally hurt myself.

---

Miss Hunter gets a call from the Twins when she's done explaining.

"We found a few things that could help...but..."

"We will have to let Boss in on this in order to know more."

"... Damnit, fine."

"We'll meet him at the Kitty Cafe down the street."

---

"So Sylus is... intimidating. He doesn't know anything about privacy either, sending his Crow, Mephisto, to watch me with his camera vision thing. Ugh! I hate him...can't believe I have to deal with him more than I have to now."

"...Maybe I should just stay here?"

"You don't want to come to the Cafe?"

"Not really..."

I just don't want to meet the Sylus of this world...he's not my Snapdragon... probably. I just don't want to hurt myself if he isn't.

"Okay, that's fine. I didn't want you to have to meet this guy anyway so that works out perfectly."

---

I sat in Miss Hunter's apartment, a little bored staring out the window. Waiting for her to come back with news or something that will help me go back...to which place, I don't know anymore.

I would honestly love it if they were able to send me back to my Snapdragon...

Caw!

I startled as I heard a tapping on the window, too deep in thought to even realize there was now a crow hopping on the ledge.

"Oh...hello there."

I tap the glass back and giggle as the crow jumps away a bit before coming back to tap the glass again.

"You're awfully cute...I'm gonna guess your this Mephisto Miss Hunter was talking about?"

Caw Caw!

I giggle and open the window to let him in from the cold. He does a few hops before flying into the apartment and landing on the back of a chair, not too far from me.

"Want to keep me company while everyone is busy?"

Caw!

I coo at his adorable crowing.

"You're adorable, I don't know why she doesn't seem to like you...she doesn't seem to like this Sylus either."

I sit on another chair next to where Mephisto is perched.

"There is a Sylus that I know...he was ruff around the edges but he is just a sweetheart...I miss him."

I sigh as I turn my head back to the still open window.

Caw...

There's a moment of silence before I ask.

"So...from what I've heard you're a camera or video recorder right?"

Caw.

"I'll take that as a yes." I giggle.

Caw caw caw!

"Can you tell your boss, Thank you, for me? I'd appreciate it if he helps me get back..."

Caw! Caw caw!

"Oh you're too cute...you know crows are my favorite bird?"

Caw?

"Yep, they're just so pretty...I've always wanted to pet one but I'd get too excited and they would fly away before I'd take a step closer."

Caw!

Mephisto jumps to the end of his chair and flaps a few times before hopping onto my lap.

"Oh! Can I pet you then?"

Caw!

I smile all giddy, as I slowly run the back of my fingers on his feathery chest.

"Oh you are so precious..." I coo at him and he fluffs up his feathers, getting comfortable in my lap.

---

Miss Hunter came back from meeting Sylus with a frown and practically growled when she saw Mephisto on my lap. His feathers flatten in alarm but he doesn't make a move to leave.

"Oh not you again!"

Caw!

She goes to shoo him off when I hold him closer to me.

"Hey now, Mephi didn't do anything."

"Oh he does plenty by being here."

"No, as long as he is polite he can stay as long as he wants with me."

Caw.

"See? He agrees he will be good."

"No, this is my home. No crows allowed."

I huff and stand with Mephisto in my arms, all snug and not trying to leave.

"Then I'm leaving too."

"Where can you go? Raf is busy with work, and you don't know anyone else."

I look down at Mephisto in my arms in thought. Maybe I should just pull the bandaid off? Go ahead and meet him?

"Do you think your boss will let me stay with him Mephi?"

Caw!

His little head does a bobbing motion as his beak makes a clicking sound, his tail feathers fluffing out a bit and shaking.

"I'll take it as a yes then."

"Wait wait, hold on. You can't just go stay with him! He's probably, if not the, most dangerous man on this planet!"

"Then I will be the safest with him, right Mephi?"

Caw!

I continue walking to the door, cooing at Mephisto the whole way. She doesn't try to stop me but I hear a scoff come from her.

"We won't listen to her, I mean, he's my best bet at getting home I think. What with him having all those leads and all."

Coo.

"Oh you're so cute..."

---

When I make it to the lobby of the apartment building, I realized I didn't have a way of contacting him...

"Hey Mephisto? Do you think you can go tell him for me?"

Caw?

"Yeah, I don't have anything on me to contact anyone..."

Caw!

Mephisto ruffles his feathers and hops up from my arms onto my shoulder, his beak slightly rubbing on the small bandage on my head, wiggling his tail a bit before he flies off in what seems a random direction to me.

I decided to sit on a nearby bench and wait...

I wonder how this will go...

**@poptrim I finally finished Part 2!!!! There will be at least 2 more parts, the next one will be more snippets of Dragon! Sylus because while we wait for him we think back on some memories we have with him.**

***this hasn't been edited btw***

[distant--shadow]

Yeah, it's 100% an issue of question curation, not an issue with questions being asked. There's literally no way that you could know that without specifically seeking out questions that were submitted but not answered, but I guess some people are expecting you to be clairvoyant...

It's a shame because it's probably the only fireside chat Laura'll do for at least a year. I think the quesitons that get the most repeat submissions are always going to be the memey ones, which is why they really need a dedicated person to pick out the most interesting questions during fireside chats, otherwise we're just gonna keep getting shallow questions.

Also, I was just thinking the other day about how girlfailure is kinda like the new bimbo and it bothers me. Like, yeah, it means ditzy and klutzy and we can say it affectionately all we like, we're still kinda trivialising feminity. It's also a really clunky word that sounds bad to say. If you wanna talk more about it, I'd like to hear it

I feel you here, but as I keep tryna say I don't think it's 100% an issue on curation, because those silly questions had to be submitted in the first place, and the person curating them has to have some sort of belief or knowledge that it is what the audience wants to hear. I can take an argument for lightheartedness, but as I said, it's within the context of all of the grievances people have had with this campaign, I guess paired maybe with underlying concerns I could have about them tryna appeal to a certain crowd, and how that could effect the main campaign format eventually. I don't know the current time line for recording, so there's all chance that the latest episode was filmed an amount of time before the fireside chat, so that added to wanting to steer from too current questions as it would maybe spoil. but then again I say, the show didn't have to be this week. and you're very right, it is so frustrating because we have a lot less of a look behind the curtain with this campaign than we did c2, and yes they're so busy, but it's frustrating because we (or at least I) don't want any of the bells and whistles in this extra content. I'm not looking to fulfil a social need watching them hang out, I want to get a grasp of what is going on, or at least not have it replaced by the goofing.

of course part of why I was posting initially with pretty heavy words is because I was feeling pissed off about it, you wait a long time for something to come round and it just feels like the same information rehashed to you, or yeah as I said in other posts, it feels like an obvious infiltration of fandom and like you're getting pandered to. and hey, maybe that's the fault of this campaign, maybe the majority feel it's so lacking they'd rather say fuck it, I'd rather AU to everyone's face.

I'll say a little bit on the girl failure thing, because I am almost certain people have written good and thought out essays and pieces on this stuff, but what I will say is what my gut says. firstly, there has been a huge up tick in the use of girl by women in general in recent years, and as a simple quick note on that: I don't like it. it shows a denial of aging, a wish to not be associated with what is woman, as well as literally the word for a child. yes, I understand the complexities of a society where getting houses and a lot of these other classic age associated milestones are really hard if not impossible, and that language evolves and definitions change, but what a denial of the experiences you do get to have instead. there's a lot of freedoms we have that prior generations haven't. to go through all of that and still call other women girls is just. it's not it. I can understand an argument for preference, but as I said, to use it for others is infantilising. showing my age here, I'm sure, but it's the way girl has become like an identity vs woman. why are you so scared of being a woman? what is it about if that you dislike? how does that play into-

girlfailure, and people using it so casually for everything and it becoming a meme.

language is important. and I shoudlnt be allowed to say that because I haven't proof read a post in my life and I've got a sieve brain from years of drug use. but the language you use plants seeds. when you make jokes and belittle yourself, do you know what kind of people see that and think, huh, well if they're saying it it's fine for me to say it too, and who goes on to repeat it the loudest? how, genuinely, I genuinely believe this, yknow, you watch those videos and read those pieces on how people basically become fascists without realising, from the wildest paths. that it's often a long chain of events. behaviour starts somewhere. and yeah, this is a huge dumbing down and simplification of that and I'm sure a lot of people will argue I'm being delusional and dramatique', but associating a negative trait with a gender or a sex or a race or ability, making it a meme, using that meme, even if it's initially only used by the people it applies to, it gets co-opted by those it doesn't, and in time is used as ammunition against them. do I think that every person saying girlfailure or girlmath is using it with vicious intent? no. but I'm old enough to have grown up with changing vocabulary and words that are derogatory and thought of as totally fine to use in every day language and were in reality dehumanising and or belittling the people they were used against. basically? girlfailure gives me the ick. sure, girlfail all over yourself if you have to. don't use it for other women. don't put it out there.

it's never made sense for me for Imogen. yeah, she's a goof at times, but her failures are literally dice rolls, why is no one else a girlfailure? she's been rediculously perceptive (lol not visually) so many fucking times. what do you mean all you've wanted is for Imogen to be a girlfailure? you want her to flunk everything she attempts? doesn't seem to line up with the Imogen I very much enjoy seeing and people claim is what they love to see.

finally, and this might be huge news to some people, I can think girlfailure is a shitty term and propagating misogyny, and that doesn't take away from how much of my concerns are focused in areas that need more attention, doesn't mean it's all I care about. as I'm always saying, change happens locally, within communities. change starts with small actions as well as big ones. language is important. if you don't see how small things play into the big things then I'm sorry, the world isn't that simple. dehumanising and the like starts at micro levels. and before u know it it's law.

[ihaveseentruebravery]

Sorry was reading the tags, but I don't think you got off topic. Because this issue is multifaceted, right? Multiple things have caused this perspective that feels incredibly isolated (practically selfish) when it comes to releasing a god-eater on the gods.

1- No one of the Bells Hells actually served a god (fcg's faith came later) so why would a god have 'answered a prayer' when they were younger? The whole point of the Divine Gate WAS for the non-interference. So again...the only 'oppressive' god anyone would have experience with IN this group would maybe be Lolth. Whereas the ONLY reason they survived the fight was because of boons from the Matron, the Arch Heart and the Wildmother (seedling healing Orym and such).

2- as was evidenced last night, even in a finale arc boss battle after having JUST fought Da'leth, Laudna says she'll 'summon Predathos' best puppet Thull'. Even WITHIN their narrative Thull outshone Da'leth and his mission so hard that he wasn't even brought up until after when they thought he'd be back after the battle. Da'leth and his mission against the gods never even took hold in our groups' brain because it was so overshadowed by Thull' nearly TPKing them and them being annoyed at his monologues. This is either a narrative weight issue, or narrative comprehension issue and IDK which.

3- Because of the prevalency of these gods, and the Matron and the Wildmother in particular, actually assisting both these characters and other characters within the world, this decision feels incredibly tone-deaf and with a bad implication. IE, very 'im gonna be mad at these beings and ALSO not care that I only survived *because* of them'. Which again is just the issue writ large. The lore goes that the Betrayers and Titans would have destroyed all mortals and that caused the Schism. The Betrayers and what titans were left would have again, destroyed all mortals and the Primes in the calamity. All people left alive on Exandria are there because the Primes chose to end their interference with the Divine Gate. They were already self aware enough to stop their own collateral damage. And literally none of this speaks on the damage mortals have caused because of pursuals of power or whatever, like Bor'dor's story. As other characters have put it...that wasn't the gods fault, it was mortals. And again, here we have mortals not comprehending the power of taking out multiple powerful beings at once without considering what they defend against: ie, planar incursions or the demon-devil battles like the Blood Wars, or Eldritch horrors or like...pick anything that's gonna STILL threaten Exandria without them

4- even in the meta of dnd, you can have athiest characters that don't benefit from magic-your run of the mill fighter, barbarian, or rogue. But within Exandria's world, the gods gave mortals magic. So not only is this a baffling thing to consider when characters know that, even if they aren't characters of faith, and just thumb their noses at what power they've benefited from (their boons and items), of course this feels inherently selfish as well. And again, Da'leth didn't need faith in divinity to cause the sheer amount of damage he's caused, so destroying the beings people HAVE placed their faith in (there will always be the paragon of a paladin or cleric that will have been the sole reason a village is cured of a disease or protected from a demon lord), does not answer the question of if divine faiths are no longer there, what fills the vacuum? I would love for it to be general faith in goodwill and life (FCG), but you still have mortals (Braius) that go 'guess I'll look for evil avenues of power bc it speaks to me'. A lack of powerful beings and their temples will also not solve that natural inclination. Not that Bells Hells have to consider all people, but to take away what has proven to be protective in the past WITHIN this context is especially tone-deaf.

5- if we assume the outcome is wildly positive even with the Betrayer Gods accepting to be mortals...there aren't any possible solutions to any of the above that have even been voiced so they can be considered and talked through to a definitive solution. So we're left with a tone-deaf decision, from a deliberately self-imposed isolated perspective, a lack of consideration for the rest of the fucking world without an actual reason, on a paper-thin motivation of 'ending a cycle', while ALSO benefiting from the said power that is evidently So Bad It Deserves Its End.

Of COURSE that'd make anybody looking at this story and it's unfortunate implications go 'ummm....wait a minute...'.

I genuinely just can't wrap my head around how people look at past characters who have strong relationships with the gods, some of whom were saved by the gods and think "yeah we should rip that comfort from them" like what?????

I mean, this is kind of a fundamental issue I have with c3, right? It's about the previous text not supporting the reading we're being asked to make here. Which, since I've been rewatching the Mighty Nein, only feels more true after hearing something like "The Wildmother planted her last seed in the Barbed Fields before leaving Exandria for the safety of the world to grow the Arbor Exemplar as a beacon of life and hope that even in the face of desolation we can continue on" and to see her intervene on Fjord's behalf against Uk'otoa (a very aggressive, cruel, mechanically evil lesser idol that will apparently not be touched by Predathos, were it to be freed) and then come to c3 and see people talk about the ultimate tyranny of the gods, with no differentiation between the Prime Deities and Betrayers. And some of this, to be clear, I think is deeply exacerbated by fan spaces who will run a marathon with an inch of leeway given to that perspective of the gods on nothing more than a predisposition against religion. So you get caught between these two texts--the campaign itself and the fan response text--and it's like. what are we doing guys. what's going on. The idea of an overwhelming divine tyranny in Exandria feels especially disconnected from canon when we have examples of tyrannical governments like the Dwendalian Empire who are allowed to ban religious worship. And the lack of touchstones with common people and their perspectives additionally makes it difficult to buy into this idea of the gods in c3 specifically. The Hells feel very isolated in their perspectives, which I think is a detriment to the story as a whole and it gives the impression of an incredible lack of empathy for everyone else. The conundrum of ripping comfort and faith away from people has been broached by Imogen in the campaign! But no conclusion was ever drawn and it hasn't come up again, so we're just. Lost in the mire of Bells Hells' personal deliberations on the state of religion for the entire world and it feels wrong because of that. It's too isolated an idea to feel worth applying it to LITERALLY EVERYONE, and I can't make presumptions for why the fan texts feel the way they do on the subject, but I feel it is something to do with the idea that any change is good change. Which is not true, and should require a great deal more consideration of the material effects of these plans being proposed, but. Alas.

[numberonetribble]

Stuck at my mom's house until the 27th, can't finish the comic I was working on until then :( here's a rough Cowboy!pinup sketch of Bumblebee and some Breakbee + Piston angst:

[bmpmp3]

post ankle-twisting clarity

[sheliesshattered]

somehow, I don't know how, but somehow sewing machines always know when you're nearly done with a project and pick that exact moment to throw a hissy fit