#and the campfire with martyn

[sometilememes]

the fact that i haven't seen anybody talk about the diving contest is insane

like mumbo's reaction to dying is to immediately do tricks off of the thing that killed him

and grian who is on one heart thought that it was an incredible idea and agreed without hesitation

what is wrong with them

[saym0-0]

listen you will not convince me that dogwarts did not sing songs around the fire every night and only have like a 50/50 chance of getting back to their own bases bc they always passed out leaning against each other late into the night

[elpha00]

After the third session of wild life, the snails are deactivated. (Not killed, necessarily; they were never really alive in the first place. Just lovingly crafted shells filled with basic commands to follow.) They are left behind as empty husks, statues.

Gem scoops up her snail, pats her head, and creates a small space in the barn for it. She will occasionally voice her thoughts to it as she passes by. 

Bdubs immediately chucks his in the river. He’s done with it.

Tango, still terrified of his snail, gets Etho to throw it into the river for him.

Joel takes his and Lizzie’s and places them together under his sign on the reputation board, and draws a little winky face and a heart on the sign.

Lizzie, spotting this, does not change Joel’s score on the board. She does keep the snails together, setting them down by her campfire.  

Grian and Mumbo take Skizz’s snail and put it in the tunnel connecting their bridges. It jumpscares Skizz. Grian later takes Mumbo’s snail and places it in the exact same location. It jumpscares Mumbo. 

BigB creates an altar in the center of his head-home, and carefully positions his snail on it.

Pearl leaves her snail with Billy (her dog), to keep each other company. She returns later to see that Billy has completely chewed up the snail statue with a big, thoughtless grin on his face. She hosts a funeral for it. 

Martyn takes his (and Ren’s) all the way to the other side of the server and buries them deep underground. He doesn't trust that the snails won't be activated again.

[zhukzucraft]

=====>

The outcome was never really in doubt. You emerge victorious.

Jimmy: Dude! You did it so clean!

Joe: Truly, valorous rescue worthy of a song.

Joe: Now if you'll excuse me - hup!

Joe: I need to gather the wheat. The food situation is dire.

Martyn: (Hear that?)

Jimmy: (What?)

Martyn: (He's up for a midnight snack and scared of a little Creeper damage? Now who does that remind you of?)

Jimmy: (You don't think... We could be...?)

Martyn: (I'd say there's a pretty good chance dude)

Jimmy: (!! I need to make a better impression!!)

Jimmy: Hey, hey, Joe! It's Joe, right?

Martyn: (wow doing great there Jimmy)

Martyn: Ahem! So I don't think we ever got properly introduced-

Jimmy: -I'm Jimmy! This is Martyn! Man it's so nice to have you here-

Martyn: -You're not mad about being called a noob, right? Of course you're not, you seem like a chill guy-

Jimmy: -Are you down to 4 hearts right now, by any chance?

Jimmy: If you are, let me just start by saying I'm very sorry, I swear this doesn't usually... happen. to me...

Jimmy: Hey, did I mention I really like your hat??

Joe: Whoa whoa whoa

Joe: I think there's been a mixup.

Joe: You're trying to ask if I'm your soulmate, right? Sorry, but I'm, uh, already spoken for.

Jimmy: I'll just. Go over there and cook the fish over the campfire now. Yeah.

Joe: Aw don't be like that! You guys did help out! Let me repay you somehow.

Joe: ...As long as it's not with food.

Martyn: Uhh, sure, why not. If you insist.

Martyn: Got any diamonds to spare?

Joe: Haha, going straight for the big one, eh?

Joe: Well, who knows, actually! The fellas might've unearthed some. Maybe they will even share them in the spirit of mutual aid!

Martyn: (If only)

Martyn: Jimmyyy, we're going underground, you coming?

Jimmy: Just a secooond! I'll come join when the fish is cooked!

Jimmy: (And when everyone has hopefully forgotten this interaction)

=====>

Start Over -- Go Back

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

btw brackets () indicate whispering

just

wanted to make sure it was made clear ;;;

k thanks for your patience!!

[applestruda]

Boatem Knights AU Masterpost!!

a silly knights au i made that started as a joke, but now has quite a bit of lore, worldbuilding, and lovely writing behind it! I will hopefully continue to add to this as more gets developed.

Character designs

The Knights:

old designs - boatem (impulse, grian, pearl, scar, and mumbo)

new designs - boatem (impulse, grian, pearl, scar, and mumbo)

vex scar

watcher siblings (pearl and grian)

Big Eyes:

the big eyes crew (tango, bdubs, keralis)

bdubs design breakdown

tango design breakdown

Dogwarts + Doc:

Ren

Martyn

Bigb

Doc

Misc Folks:

Cub

Jimmy

Joel and Lizzie

Skizz

Gem and Etho

Art

Campfire song

Knights portraits

Company car scheme

Scar and familiar Jellie

Impulse sketch

Desert duo sketch (1)

Desert duo sketch (2)

Pearl sketch

Grian and mumbo sketch

Healing (mini comic)

Vex scar

Vex scar comic

Boob-window comic

Vex cub + convex doodle

Ancient paths

Impulse doodle

Team rancher doodle

Four armed Pearl sketch

Strongest knights sketch

Scar and Jellie

Only Human chapter 1

Only Human chapter 2

Only Human chapter 3

Only Human chapter 4

Mumbo and sunsets

Rancher hug

Ranchers and Jimmy's wings

"That's awkward" (mini comic)

Hunter joel

Perfect impulse (mini comic)

Inn fight

Asks and Textposts

(I'm probably only going to include important worldbuilding or character related asks here, also, there's gonna be posts here that mention having "no idea" for backstories and the like, but by now those have been developed.)

Convex canon + familiar Jellie

Vex magic

Grian and Impulse backstory ideas (starter concepts)

Vex scar (1)

Vex scar + evoker cub

"Freelance knights" + weapons

Convex

Traces of magic (scar + jellie)

Shape shifter mumbo

Impulse is just a guy

Boatem knights design breakdowns

Horse marriage

Fics!!

These fics are written by the lovely Zera Hopepetal and Elle Periwinklemoonlight, and are canon to the stories of the knights and the other folks in this au

Boatem knights writing masterpost (Zera)

Somewhere only we know (Elle)

little sunshine (Elle)

[raticalshoez]

a secret life session five compilation of my favorite silly moments (ft. my poor phone quality camera)

Transcript below cut (did it for fun; this is the first time I've done one):

[Jimmy]: No?

[Martyn]: Wait- so wait. You're not the ghost horse?

[Martyn]: I thought you were ghost rider! Who's ghost rider?

[Jimmy]: ...Who is that?

[Martyn]: I mean we could always punch them and find out.

[Jimmy]: Yeah.

(Immediately sword crits Lizzie)

[Martyn]: AH...

[Jimmy]: OH MY GO-

(Long Pause)

[Jimmy]: NO! NO. NO.

[Martyn, overlapping]: What did you do?!

~~~

[Mumbo]: Who wants to have a competition with me? How many times can yoou jump over this campfire?

[Martyn]: Uhh, sure?

[Mumbo]: 'Kay.

(Mumbo takes damage while jumping over the campfire)

[Martyn]: Oh, jeez.

[Pearl, exasperated]: Mumbo...

[Cleo, fairly amused] Mumbo...

[Pearl]: Zero, appearantly.

[Mumbo]: So, I- I've set the score at zero.

(Martyn tries and succeeds)

[Mumbo]: Ooo, okay.

[Martyn]: There you go.

[Mumbo]: You already got one.

[Pearl]: Mumbo...what are you doing..?

(Mumbo jumps again and takes damage again)

[Mumbo]: Okay...

[Cleo, laughing]: Mumbo..!

(Martyn tries it again and jumos over it flawlessly, again)

[Mumbo]: Zero again for me.

[Pearl, overlapping]: Mumbo, stop-

~~~

[Tango]: You got spleefed by an enderman. I love it.

[Etho, doing a poor imitation of Bdubs]: Sheesh! I'm late! Judas Priest! Let me park my horse. I'm coming up!

(Heart Foundation's laughs + Grian's hysterical laughter overlapping with his talking)

[Grian]: Hi, "Bdubs."

[Skizz]: This thing's not ready because-

[Etho, still doing that impression]: What is this?--

~~~

[Lizzie]: I'm going.

[Tango]: Lizzie, we missed your party!

[Lizzie]: Oh, did you?

[Skizz]: We're so sorry.

[Lizzie]: Oh, I didn't notice because I was having so much fun with the one person that turned up! Goodbye, everybody!

(Heart Foundation all "aww"-ing out of sympathy)

~~~

[Cleo]: If you go to- If you go and do levels in the end you can like-- like I got seven, so.

[Gem]: Wowww.

[Cleo]: Hi, biggest, bravest, boy!

[Bdubs]: Thank you! I am!

(Cleo wheeze)

~~~

[Bdubs]: Okay. Yes?

[Etho, overlapping]: Look at this guy.

[Grian, very monotone]: Bdubs, my beloved. You've returned.

[Bdubs]: Wait- both of you? I'm gonna puke--

~~~

[Joel]: What is Pearl building???

[Gem, hidden beneath Mumbo's laughter]: You should just...admit defeat, if I'm being honest.

[Joel, overlapping]: Pearl...

[Joel again, deeply distressed]: WH- WHY HAVE YOU GONE FOR THIS COLOR SCHEME, PEARL??? WHY THIS SHAPE AND THIS COLOR SCHEME, PEARL????

[salty-sweet-ren]

You know, I can't stop thinking about the very start of the new series when everyone was around the campfire, and how Martyn punched Jimmy before the game even began. I was watching Gem's POV first when I saw it, and I joked with a friend about how it would be funny if as karma Jimmy freed himself from the canary curse and killed Martyn when they turn red- which is a long way off and I probably shouldn't make predictions this early... But then I got around to other people's povs and even if I'm not fully correct, I can't help but wonder if I was on to something.

It was an honest mistake and he immediately gave Jimmy a heart to rectify it, they gave each other a quick kiss and went on their way... but then Martyn had some of the worst luck he's ever had day one in the series. He was attacked, injured, got completely lost underground, and dropped down to five hearts before finally completing his task- which I believe is the lowest anyone dropped!

Martyn was the winner of the last season, turning against the others for the sweet taste of victory. And he begins the new season striking the canary- a mistake, sure, but whenever people discuss canary symbolism they also discuss how while it's a warning to the miners, the miners look after the canary. They care for it and look after it, after all it's what keeps them alive. And watching everyone's povs nobody wants to target Jimmy (unless its funny), nobody wants to put him in danger so soon, they might consider it then bring up how he always dies first and find someone else... But whether intentional or not, whether rectified or not, Martyn injured the canary before the miners went into the coal mines, and he suffered the most of anyone.

I dunno exactly what dots I'm trying to connect here or how to properly put it into words at this point, something something transferrence of curses, something something karma... Idk, maybe I'm onto something, maybe not, we're just on episode 1, we'll have to see how the rest of the series goes!

[salemoleander]

It goes like this:

Scar seeks Grian out as soon as they respawn on Hermitcraft. Congratulating, reminiscing. Holding him when he starts to shake. (He was already forgiven before Scar stopped breathing.)

Bigb reaches out quickly- to check in, to see if he's okay. Says he had fun, as hard as it was- says he'd come back. There's an anxious quality to his messages that Grian is pretty sure wasn't there before. It's hard to remember that people ever acted differently; hard to keep straight who they were and who they all became.

At a time too late for visitors to really be wanted, Cleo comes knocking. She's not done feeling the emotions of what happened, but there is an understanding between their and Grian's sharp, bitter edges. Survival and love, twined together. She thanks Grian for letting her experience that kind of loyalty. It's as close to forgiveness as he'll get; he accepts with gratitude.

Skizz and Impulse arrive together two days later to see him - the over-loyal martyr and the under-loyal spy, happy they could play together. Skizz is easy; he forgives outright and out loud, with a declaration that he knows Grian tried his best to make things fair and fun. Pulled aside while making tea, his apology to Impulse is more concrete: a promise of future loyalty.

He receives a short message from Joel, requesting that next time he have more chances and reason to kill. Next time.

The moon is rising, and Bdubs is online, which means something is terribly wrong. One flight and several hours of coaxing later, Bdubs is close to the edge of sleep. He tells Grian he loves him; loves Cleo, loves Tango, adores them all. Would have wasted so much time not knowing everyone, without this game. Forgiveness is beginning to feel like nausea.

Jimmy doesn't acknowledge there's anything to forgive; dead too soon to know how painful things became. Still, he says 'No hard feelings'; still, he hugs Grian so tight at the next MCC his ribs creak.

Etho doesn't say anything, but he sends over a book of suggestions and ideas for the next series. He nods at Grian once, sitting at a campfire with his focus rapt on Ren telling a story, and Grian knows what he means.

Outside his front door one day is a large floral arrangement from Scott, with a note that only says "Thanks for the game". It is filled with poppies. Grian stares at it for far too long. He does not bring it inside.

Tango insists they play minigames together, talk, tour bases. And finally, he says so very casually that he had fun, and would like to play again. Have the chance to win. Grian knows he will do it all again. (Grian suspects Tango will not win, and he knows winning isn't worth it; he keeps those pieces of information to himself.)

Martyn writes a week later. He is grateful for having met Ren; bitter grief still sits in the gaps between his words. He say it was all worth it. Grian is too relieved at the forgiveness to call him on the lie.

Ren takes the longest. Several weeks come and go before Grian happens to cross paths with him. At first every word sticks like ice in his throat, but gradually the tension cracks and jokes seep through. Grian takes the plunge and apologizes for killing him (Scar did it, but by then the division between their actions was a technicality.) Ren says that given how it ended, there is nothing to apologize for.

He asks if Grian has forgiven himself, yet, for the end. There is an answer, but not one Ren will want to hear, so he just shakes his head.

Grian wakes from a dull, dreamless sleep and begins jotting down ideas for another series the next day.

[orangeocelotmartyn]

Martyn: (laughter) Ren: (in the animatic he's watching, singing) "and god / I know I'm one" Sing it BigB! Martyn: What? Ren: (singing) My mother was a tailor-- Martyn: (offended) Wait wait wait, ho-hold on, when was there songs by the campfire, and why the hell was I not there? What? Where and when and how and why? Lizzie (in the animatic) I think this guy should--

[ceratedfish24]

Do you have any particular thoughts on a scott x scar pairing or team up? Cleo once said in their stream that them being teamed up together would be evil unleashed, so I keep thinking about them

My mouth’s been watering over Scott x Scar team up, actually. Cleo’s so correct. They’re honestly never wrong. I know that Scott’s always the responsible one, but I think he could let loose and work with Scar to scam the entire server. It wouldn’t be an obvious scam, but, between their combined charisma, they could break the server into pieces. There’s so much potential there. I associate them with the song Grifters by Charming disaster.

Scar and Scott are kind of acquaintances. They respect each other, but they apparently don’t really know each other, which is understandable. They’ve been getting to know each other better, though, as of late. I think a Scar and Scott team up is not only possible but realistic! Scar tends to end up unwillingly alone in these series, and Scott has a habit of coaxing stray dogs onto his couch, whether that’s Cleo, Etho, or Martyn. It wouldn’t surprise me if, if there’s a next season, Scott ropes Scar into an alliance with him. They have so much potential for pettiness.

As for Scar and Scott pairing? I think it’s SO cute. Scar and Scott are both commonly paired with someone who doesn’t consistently show affection towards them, even though Scar and Scott themselves are pretty consistent in offering their own affection. Having each other would be so healing. Scott is a very loyal man, and he always feels like he has to earn his partner’s love and trust. Scar isn’t used to that. Scar has had people through him out once he’s red, leave him for a secret soulmate, choose their absent father over him, and backstab him. He’s not used to someone who thinks of him as greater than themselves.

Additionally, they’re both brutally honest. Scott is more consciously brutally honest, and he wouldn’t be afraid to tell Scar the hard truth instead of keeping secrets. Scar is casually brutally honest. He’ll say things out of left field that are true, but, goodness, Scar. He would be so quick to clock when Scott’s not caring of himself or when Scott’s feeling less than or when Scott is doing something because he thinks it will make Scar like him more as opposed to just being the same Scott who Scar fell in love with. It would startle Scott, to have someone who doesn’t sugarcoat or avoid hard topics, but I think he would appreciate it.

Scar says a lot of dirty things. Sometimes it’s genuinely unintentional, but, other times, he knows exactly what he’s saying. I think it would get a good laugh out of Scott, and I think that Scar would laugh at Scott’s dirty jokes as opposed to chastising him, too.

The Scar/Scott pairing is playful, vulnerable, warm, and healing, like a campfire. I would love to see more of them!!

[sparkybells]

twenty four hours into Wild Life and here are my thoughts from the povs I have seen so far (Scott, Jimmy, Lizzie, Scar, Joel, Gem, Cleo, and Skizz)

-THE RETURN OF GASLIGHT GATEKEEP GIRLBOSS (and impulse)

-not Scott finding Jimmy in a cave within the first few minuets 😭

-it Scott’s video alone I counted at least five “hole” jokes, the out of context videos are gonna have a field day

-Smallidarity crumbs

-SO MANY EMPIRES REFERENCES

-Valley girls immediately teaming up, they have been waiting to be paired since last season

-LIZZIE JIMMY SCAR TEAM UP WHEN I TELL YOU THIS WAS MY DREAM TEAM UP

-Martyn living up to his name sake

-THE RETURN OF RENCHANTING FELLAS WE ARE EATING

-Ren serenading the group around a campfire was so wholesome

-Joel and Gem team up, the chaos about to ensue between those two

—Skizz immediately going feral

-Grian Mumbo and Skizz learning what it’s like to be ants

-My prediction is that the wild cards will start silly goofy but progressively get deadlier as the season goes on

-if they keep referencing past seasons, groups, and smps we are COOKED

[yourpersonaljaskier]

@liloinkoink Once again! (Titled Bog Bodies)

---

Ren had always been beautiful, and gentle, but now, with him being back in a human body (human-ish? Human enough. Ren was Ren), Martyn couldn't take his eyes off him. The locks of his hair, the flicks of his ears, the swish of his tail. Martyn wanted to drink it in and more.

They had been traveling for nearly the whole day at that point, the sun dipping below the horizon ever so slowly, basking the world in warm, golden light. The air was slowly cooling as Martyn gathered firewood, occasionally glancing back at his God, simply to stare. Ren was sitting by the base of the campfire, sorting through food they can eat.

His hair was tied up, ears idly twitching once in a while as he hummed a rhythm-less melody. His tail was wagging idly, matched with a soft smile that rested on his lips. Martyn paused for a second, eyes stuck on his God as a warmth buzzed in his chest. Adoration filled him quickly, something akin to a lovesick smile easily finding itself onto his face with a tilt of his head.

Ren looked up to catch his eyes, obviously having felt his stare. He just smiled brightly at him, his tail wagging with purpose now. Martyn huffed a laugh, a flush traveling up his neck as he turned away, going back to looking for firewood.

The area they had made camp in was a small clearing, surrounded by flowers and half-dense foliage. Poppies, daisies and dandelions popped up like weeds as Martyn stepped between them, the grass brushing up his legs. Tall grass shifted in the breeze, the flowers moving with the roll of the wind. It was pretty here.

Though, firewood was slightly harder to find. Martyn didn't see the need to chop down an entire tree for it, they would be moving on afterwards, but he did need more. He sighed, taking his axe from his hip, playing with the weight for a moment before he grabbed a sturdy looking branch from one of the oaks and swung.

It came off easily, much better than anything Martyn had found on the ground so far. He stared at the branch before looking at the other trees surrounding the clearing, contemplating if he should chop a branch from others.

The quiet steps of another made Martyn look back, watching as his God joined him. The sky was turning a light pink behind him. "Do you want help?" He asked, leaning in to kiss Martyn's cheek, his arm hooking through Martyn's. "I can keep collecting them from the ground, if you want."

Ren was soft against him, leaning into his body with a need to touch, to feel. Love brushed against Martyn with a soft hand, tangling in his mind as Ren pushed his head into his shoulder, nuzzling into him. Martyn leaned into him, humming as his eyes strayed back up to the trees. "Yeah, that'd be nice. Maybe you can forage something as well, but I haven't been finding anything but flowers here," he shrugged, moving his head to press a gentle kiss to Ren's head.

His tail thumped against him for a second, excited wags swishing the air behind them as Ren pulled away, quickly catching Martyn in a proper kiss befofe he pulled back, radiant smile on his face. Gods, Ren was beautiful. Martyn leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to his God's forehead before letting him go, handing him whatever kindling he had gathered from the ground already.

The work after was monotone and the same, simple in a way that let him watch Ren in between each cut, each branch he gathered. The sun painted Ren in a beautiful shade, and Martyn couldn't feel luckier. Spending time with Ren was a bliss, something so intimate turned so common after he got his body back. He couldn't do as much when Ren was just a flame.

And now? Now, he gets to stare at his God as much as he wants, he gets to touch his God, feel his skin against his, a warm body pressed into his side, soft lips against his. His God was gentle, and beautiful, and stunning. Everything Martyn had hoped he was when he held his flame in his hands, felt the warmth spread around him when a building burned because someone looked at Martyn wrong.

His love was destructive, a force to be reckoned with, yet the softest of warmths, the sweetest of lights and it was all for Martyn. All of it. All of Ren. The thought made him giddy with glee as he slid his axe back into place, gathering up all the branches he cut off. "Are you done, milord?" He called, turning to Ren, who was kneeling in the tall grass, picking the flowers softly by their stems.

Ren turned to look at him, his hands full with kindling and flowers. Martyn walked over with a smile, his hand coming to gently tangle in Ren's curls. Ren leaned into his touch, tail wagging as his ears perked up. "I didn't hear you," his God mumbled as Martyn bent down, kissing the side of his head.

"I asked if you were done. What are you gathering the flowers for, man?" He asked, placing the branches down as he kneeled besides Ren, leaning into his God, watching as he continued to pick the weeds. "They don't make medicine or good kindling."

Ren hummed, turning his head to kiss Martyn's cheek, then the side of his nose and the corner of his mouth. "I wanna weave them into your hair," he said simply, leaning his head against Martyn's, basking in the paladin's presence. "I think you'd look beautiful."

Martyn laughed, gently plucking a dandelion that Ren hadn't picked yet. "I don't think my hair is long enough, dude," he teased, tucking the dandelion behind Ren's ear. "But I'd happily braid them into your hair instead, milord," he pressed a kiss to Ren's head, arm slinking around Ren's middle.

The sun had dipped behind the horizon by now, dying streams casting long shadows in front of them, it's tendrils digging into the ground as a reminder that they should set up that campfire soon. Neither made a move to get up. Instead, Ren shifted, pressing into Martyn with a gleeful sound. "I'd still want to try!" He exclaimed, pressing a kiss to Martyn's neck. The kindling dug into Martyn's back as Ren wrapped his arms around him. He didn't care.

His lips found Ren's and he was gone in bliss, in gentle adoration that cupped his face with flowers pressing against his cheek. His hands tangled in Ren's hair, undoing the band that held it together, the soft locks cascading down his back, over his shoulders. Ren laughed against his lips, the tall grass shifting as they pressed against one another.

"We should set up that campfire," Ren muttered as they pulled away from one another, yet still leaned back in for a kiss, then another. "It's getting dark," he said between a kiss, "we need it." Still, Ren wrapped his arms around Martyn, keeping him trapped in their soft loop of kiss after kiss after kiss.

Not that Martyn complained. He pulled away after another minute of indulging, loving the way Ren smiled into their kisses, the way his hands softly brushed his hair, even if it was followed by the brush of a twig, a petal. "Come on, milord," Martyn said, moving to stand up, picking his branches up. "We do actually need to make that campfire."

Ren whined as Martyn stood up, following suit. The bouquet of flowers had wilted slightly, but that was fine. He can still braid them into Ren's hair, he knows how to. He wouldn't mind weaving each stem into a lock of hair, carefully arranging the braid so they layer, just so Ren won't need to worry about it in the next few days.

They set up the campfire fairly quickly, and it was burning by the time the last rays of sun disappeared, casting the world in quiet darkness. They set their bedrolls up beside one another's, and settled in to have their dinner and rest. The bouquet was sat to the side, Ren promising to try and weave them into Martyn's hair after they eat.

Like clockwork, Ren was ushering him to turn around when he was done eating, hands brushing the back of his neck with a gentleness that had Martyn's shoulders release any and all tension. He tipped his head back slightly, letting Ren try and braid his hair. Just as he predicted, he couldn't.

"I give up," Ren muttered into his shoulder after 10 minutes, crumpled daisies in his hand. "Braid them into my hair?" He asked, ears pressed into his head with a pout as Martyn turned to him. The paladin laughed softly, his hand coming up to cradle Ren's cheek.

He leaned in to kiss his forehead before leaning over to take the rest of the flowers. Instead of staying upright, though, Ren insisted on laying in his lap. He draped himself across Ren's legs, his hair easily accessible to him, reaching just about his mid back.

"Is this because you don't want a proper braid?" Martyn teased as he started parting Ren's hair into sections, fingers gentle and soft. "I'll mess up if you're like this, milord," he warned, picking up a poppy. It's petals were already falling. He flicked it away and picked up a dandelion instead.

Ren simply hummed, melting into Martyn. His tail wagged happily, his ears perked and listening to each one of Martyn's movements. It was cute, in all honesty, Martyn could tell how much this meant to Ren. Besides, he couldn't ever pass up an opportunity to spoil Ren, make him feel worth all the love and affection that Martyn gave him.

"I love you, Ren," Martyn said after a few minutes, the braid nearly done. Ren looked up at him, his smile intoxicating. "My lovely God," he leaned down, braid held securely in his hand, to press a soft, gentle kiss to Ren's forehead. The fire crackled beside them, and insects buzzed around them.

Martyn wouldn't mind if he had to redo the braid a thousand times as he tied the end together. The flowers rested easily in the braid, a pop of colour in the beautiful brown. He rested his hand on Ren's head, now basking at the weight and comfort the feeling brought him. His God was everything he ever wanted, and needed.

His devotion was endless.

[theminecraftbee]

it’s ending a day after it originally began

i don’t want it to end.

it’s going to be so dramatic!

Martyn stares at the closed curtains in front of him. It’s intermission. Outside, the audience is mulling about, talking, theorizing. Here, on the inside, Scott is muttering to a campfire. He looks slightly to the left, like he can’t see the curtains at all.

i think it’s not fair. it’s a bunch of the same people who always win. you had better backstab scott before he wins a second time. it would be boring otherwise.

that would be so sad :( no they should stand together at the end.

god i hate how overdramatic everyone is. just do some killing and get over yourselves.

what if no one killed each other? would that be fucked up or what?

you could just kill yourself. that would be fun.

yeah. listen to us!

Martyn twitches. Scott mutters at the sputtering campfire. Martyn watches the curtains. They’re stained with blood. The stagehands had stopped bothering cleaning them; the curtains are red anyway, so who cares?

Blood dries brown, though.

you should talk to scott. he seems sad.

you should kiss.

make him sadder!

no i don’t like being sad.

what are you doing here then?

we want drama!

they all seem so sad though.

oh, it’s delicious how sad they are!

drama!

yeah, give us something good!

i still want you to kiss. majorwood ftw.

“What is it with you all and kissing?” Martyn says, exasperated.

“What? Martyn?” Scott says, looking up.

“It’s nothing. Go back to cooking salmon.”

you’re so boring.

yeah next time we won’t watch you if you’re like this.

our will be done.

no show without an audience.

now kiss him!

no stop that’s so rude and gross of you

imagine being that guy

yeah imagine having morals

it’s sadder if they kiss.

platonic relationships can be sad too!

Great. Now they’re arguing. Martyn sighs and turns away from the curtains. They’re closed anyway. It’s intermission. None of this actually matters. None of this will change the end of the show. Listen or decide not to listen, the show will go how it goes. The clock ticks down on the players.

He’ll act his heart out. The audience will eat it up. There’s not really another option.

i hate all the conflict. this isn’t fair.

kill him, martyn. betray him. show us a surprise ending. win.

“It would be easier if you decided what you wanted,” Martyn says.

“Okay, I know you aren’t talking to me,” Scott says.

it all ends tomorrow.

i don’t want it to end.

i want it to keep going. the drama’s barely started.

yeah. when will they kill each other again?

next time, there should be less mercy.

next time maybe they’ll just be friends?

hah! who wants that?

“Nah. Talking to. You know. Them.” Martyn gestures at the curtain.

Scott raises an eyebrow. “Yeah, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Well, it’s hard to hear them if you aren’t Listening.”

good joke

oooh lore lore lore

“…now I’m even more confused.”

“Ehh, don’t worry about it. It won’t matter soon enough anyway.”

“That’s… ominous.”

“Yeah, well.”

Martyn stains at the bloodstained curtains. He hears the orchestra warming up.

no matter what. as long as whatever he does is a good show.

true. put on a spectacle.

everyone loves a good drama.

OUR WILL BE DONE.

“Some things are just ominous I think.”

Scott returns to his campfire. Martyn takes his headband off his head and uses it instead to cover his ears. It doesn’t help a lot, but it helps a little.

Tomorrow, huh?

Well. Better to make it count, then.

[blueishspace]

Last Life with divine domains

Part 1: Rules and Domains.

Rules:

Last Life mechanics but everyone has an origin that assigns them a divine domain with powers and abilities.

Lizzie, Mumbo and Pearl will have completely randomized domains... for the other players they will have a domain that is connected in some way to the one they had in this version of Third Life.

For example In Third Life Scott's domain was Ice, possible domains for him could be: winter (as the season of ice), snow biomes, water (as ice is just a state of water) or crystals (as ice is a crystal)... I put these in a wheel and randomly choose one.

Possible Domains

In here are the possible domains they could have gotten. In [] is their 3rd Life domain.

BdoubleO - [Light] - Day, Sun, Colour, Lamps & torches.

BigB - [Weaving and Armor] - Protection, Warmth, Farm animals, Fate (as weaving is associated with it).

Cleo - [Stagnation] - Change (as opposite), Swamps (as biome of stagnation), Stone (as considered immutable).

Etho - [Darkness] - Night, Shadows, Depths, The Void, Mist, Secrets, Mobs.

Impulse - [Iron & Gold] - Ores & Caves, Copper & Amethyst, Redstone, Diamonds, Tools.

Grian - [Memory & Knowledge] - Perception, Wisdom, Books, Truth, Sight.

Jimmy - [Forests] - Jungles, Swamps, Deserts, Mountains, Snow biomes ecc (as all other biomes), Wilderness, Wood work, Nature.

Joel - [Ground] - Sand, Stone, Plains & Fields, Mountains, Caves, Nature, Compost, Agricolture, Earth.

Martyn - [Justice & Punishment] - Goverment, Law & Rules, Execution, Revenge, Power.

Ren - [Pain & Sorrow] - Regret, Desolation & Loneliness, Grief, Fear.

Scar - [Paths & Roads] - Travel, Merchants and Commerce, Connection, Rivers (as water roads).

Scott - [Ice]. - Winter, Water, Crystals.

Skizz - [Wither & Decay] - Destruction, Death, Poison, Regeneration & Rebirth.

Tango - [Coal & Flame.] - Fire & Forge, The Nether, The Hearth & Campfires, Energy.

Domains

And this is the list with the chosen domains including the new players.

BdoubleO - Day.

BigB - Farm animals.

Cleo - Change.

Etho - Mist.

Impulse - Diamonds.

Grian - Sight. (Wow, the randomizer is a watcher Grian truther)

Jimmy - Wilderness.

Joel - Mountains.

Lizzie - Storms.

Martyn - Law & Rules.

Mumbo - War. (Poor Mumbo)

Pearl - Spring. (Persephone and Pearl both start with P)

Ren - Fear.

Scar - Connections.

Scott - Winter.

Skizz - Poison.

Tango - The Hearth & Campfires.

Powers

BdoubleO - Permanent +1 level of Smite and Bane of Arthropods. I Resistance II during the day. Nearby spiders are pacified. Zombies and Skeletons don't spawn within 70 blocks from him. Ability 1 reverts a targeted zombie villager or witch into a normal villager. Ability 2 blesses another player with Resistance II during the day. Shifting deactivates the 70 block radius no mobs zone.

BigB - Looting II against passive mobs. Breeding mobs generate 2 children. Trown eggs deal punch damage. Van ride horses and pigs without befriending them and without saddles. Ability 1 summons 5 passive random mobs. Ability 2 turns passive mobs against specific targets. When shifting baby animals instantly become adults.

Cleo - Passive Regeneration I. Passive Speed I. x10 random tick speed in a 30 block radius from them. Negative potions effects last 50% less. Ability 1 rapidly drains targets hunger and armor durability. Every 10 minutes ability 2 turns a targeted block to a different random block. Shifting causes their name to change colour.

Etho - Passive Speed II. Name is invisible even when not shifted. Resistance to fire and lava damage. Semi-transparent. Ability 1 gives a target the blindness effect. Ability 2 sets everyone's render distance to 0. When shifting players closer then 10 blocks have their render view set to 0.

Impulse - Resistance I and Regen I when wearing diamonds. Haste II when using diamond tools. x2 diamonds when mining ore. Villagers trade with diamonds instead of emeralds. Ability 1 creates diamond spikes in a 3 block radius. Ability 2 turns the player into diamond (Protection IV) for 3 seconds. Shifting near a player will steal part of the diamonds they might have in their inventory.

Grian - Health is shown on top of entities. Passive Night vision. Sees exclamation marks on top of trapped chests and tnt minecarts. At the start of each session he knows how many boogeyman are active, not who, just how many. Ability 1 turns wood, grass and leaves invisible for a few seconds. Ability 2 gives Invisibility for a few seconds. Shifting gives access to a mini map.

Jimmy - Regen II when touching leaves, flowers, ferns, or tall grass. Untamed Wolves and Foxes closer then 5 blocks are tamed automatically. Tall grass and ferns have a small chance of dropping loot when harvested. When hit spawns 2 bees to defend him. Ability 1 bonemeals a large area without needing bonemeal. Ability 2 turns wolves tamed by other players into Jimmy's pets. Invisible when hiding (shifting) on trees or in tall grass.

Joel - Speed I and Strenght I while in extreme hills and mountain biomes. Passive Feather falling II. Additional Resistance at very high altitudes. Bigger reach. Ability 1 creates a rock wall to stop entities. Ability 2 creates a rock platform that raises the user. Shifting gives additional extra reach.

Lizzie - Permanent Jump Boost III and Feather Falling I. 5% chance of summoning lightning when hitting enemies. Resistance I and Regen I during rain and storms. Immunity to fire, blast and lightning damage. Ability 1 summons rain or storm weather. Ability 2 pushes entities far away. When shifting becomes a lightning rod.

Martyn - Protection II against players with more or equal number of lives. Isn't forced to leave his alliance once red. Access to a list of every life trade. Strenght I against Boogeymen. Ability 1: At the beginning session Martyn is given 5 rules to choose from, the rule chosen is applied for the whole session. Ability 2 summons an iron golem against mobs. When shifting has a chance of blocking hits.

Mumbo - Passive +1 level of Efficiency and +2 levels of Sharpness when using weapons. Passive +1 levels of protection on armor. Defending with a shield has a 20% counter attack chance. When shooting arrows a marker will point where the arrow will hit. Ability 1 gives Strenght II and Speed II but decreases Health (like a weird barbarian rage). Ability 2 is just a dash, makes up for it by having very short cool down. Shifting reduces damage taken.

Pearl - Permanent Speed I and Jump Boost I. Regen II while nearby flowers or on moss. No hunger loss while under the sun (photosyntesis). Can eat flowers and get a random positive effect for a few seconds. Ability 1 creates roots under targets causing them to fall. Ability 2 sprays pollen at enemy giving them random negative effects. Shifting bonemeals nearby blocks.

Ren - Strenght II during the night and in light levels of 0. Endermen and creepers are scared away. Speed I when running after an entity. Access to a mob noises soundboard. Ability 1 freezes entites in fear for a few seconds. Ability 2 gives Blindness and Nausea to a target. Gives Nausea to nearby entities when shifting.

Scar - Speed I on path blocks. Faster when riding Horses and boats. Protection II when near other players. +4 max health (2 hearts). Ability 1: At the beginning of every Scar chooses two players, they will share health for the whole session (if he links himself with another player they will also have 2 extra hearts). Ability 2: Every session Scar can gift a life without losing one of his own (any other life gifted will cause him to lose one though). Shifting gives Regeneration I to himself AND nearby entities.

Scott - Resistance to fire and blast damage. Passive Frost Walker and much in the same way Lava becomes obsidian. Regen II when standing on snow or ice. Snowballs thrown do as much damage as a punch. Ability 1 trows a barrage of snowballs like a machine gun. Ability 2: Once a session can change a 64x64 area into a snow plains biome... Shifting toggles off The Frost Walker effect.

Skizz - Immunity to Poison, Hunger and Wither damage. Rotten flesh gives 3 extra hunger. 20% of poisoning entities. 20% of giving Nausea to entities. Ability 1 trows a lingering poison potion. Ability 2 summons a cave spider. Shifting gives Nausea to nearby entities.

Tango - Resistance to fire and blast damage. Strenght I and Regen II when near campfires. Permanent Night vision. Can eat coal and wood to gain hunger. Ability 1 heals either himself or another entity. Ability 2 trows a burning ember at a target. Shifting causes smoke to appear but causes any attacker to a catch on fire.

Consequences for permadeath

Permadeath influences the domains assigned negatively.

BdoubleO - Day lasts half as long.

BigB - Chickens, sheeps, pigs and cows are stuck at half an heart and don't drop loot.

Cleo - Slower regeneration.

Etho - -50% render distance.

Impulse - -50% durability to diamond gear.

Grian - -50% render distance.

Jimmy - All leaves blocks disappear, Nausea in forests or taiga biomes.

Joel - Grass turns into course dirt, Slowness I when touching course dirt.

Lizzie - Weather is set to rain forever.

Martyn - Red lives lose 2 max health.

Mumbo - Weapons deal less damage and Armor protects less.

Pearl - All flowers are replaced by wither roses.

Ren - Nights last twice as long and are darker

Scar - Life trading stops working.

Scott - Snow and ice disappear, Weakness I when in cold biomes.

Skizz - All mobs have a chance of inflicting poison.

Tango - Campfires, torches and lanterns stop working

Third Life

Next Part

(hi @shortystack75 and @easily-distracted-by-fandom I started the sequel)

[saphscorner]

i wasn't planning to post this one (it's purely self indulgent) but ahasbands enjoyers are STARVING out here, and i figure i can at least contribute some crumbs! please enjoy!

word count: 760 pairing(s): martyn/mumbo warnings: none general tags & vibes: fluff, banter, first kiss

"You know, for all these jokes about being married and cinematic kisses under the sunset, I really wouldn't mind kissing you, you know.”

For a moment, Mumbo’s not quite sure what to make of that. Martyn certainly seems sincere, with no hint of teasing in his voice and a slight smile on his lips that’s half concealed by the darkness. A campfire crackles between them, serving to break up the tension that would otherwise feel a bit stifling in the few feet between them. 

“That’s… awfully forward of you, no?” says Mumbo. 

Martyn tips his head a bit as he gazes back at him. “What? More forward than when I just decided we were married?” 

“Well yeah, I’d say so. That much was a joke and all, but…” he trails off. The more he thinks about it, the more he thinks the idea of being married might as well not be a joke, with the level of devotion that he and Martyn have developed to one another.

“What would be forward is if I stood up, walked right over there, and kissed you, Mumbo. That would be forward.” 

Mumbo speaks before he has a moment to think. “I wouldn’t mind that.” 

At that, Martyn blinks. He opens his mouth to speak, shuts it, and gets to his feet. 

It suddenly clicks in his head what Mumbo’s just said yes to, and his face flushes over instantly. He stands up, hands raising defensively in front of him. “I-I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to-” 

“Did you just apologize for agreeing to something I asked you for?” 

“I uh- technically you didn’t ask, you just made a suggestion and I gave a very honest answer.”

“Fair point,” says Martyn. “I’ll ask then: can I kiss you, Mumbo?” 

For a moment, it’s as if Mumbo has entirely forgotten how words work. Yes, he thinks, please. The words catch in his throat, and slowly, he just nods. 

And at once, Martyn indulges him. He clears the remaining space between them in a few strides, and his lips collide with Mumbo’s. There’s a certain eagerness to it, rooted in the weeks of mutual pining that have led up to this very moment, but a gentleness too as Martyn’s hand comes to rest on Mumbo’s cheek a bit experimentally. 

Mumbo exhales softly into the kiss as Martyn slips his free hand into his, and Mumbo nervously laces their fingers together.

All of it is new, exciting though a little scary to cross the line they’ve flirted the boundary of since the start of the season. It’s too easy to give in, and Mumbo does exactly that, melting away beneath Martyn’s touch until they finally have to pull away. 

“Was that forward enough for you?” 

Martyn’s thumb traces Mumbo’s cheek idly, and that little movement alone is enough to turn Mumbo’s legs to jelly beneath him. “I-I think we went a little out of order,” he manages with a laugh. “We got married before we even had our first kiss.”

Martyn can’t help but giggle a little. For good measure, he presses another kiss to Mumbo’s cheek. “We’ve been out of order since the start, I’d say we just sealed the deal,” he said. 

“Do we want to get married? Should one of us propose for real?” 

“Mate, I think you just did. I’d love to marry you.” 

The two of them are laughing again, and Martyn drops his other hand to Mumbo’s, holding both of them in his own. 

“I’m actually not sure how much of this is a joke anymore,” Mumbo admits when his laughter finally begins to subside. 

“If I’m honest, I’m not sure either,” Martyn agrees. “But I did like kissing you, that’s for sure.” 

“No, right, I-I figured as much. Kissing someone for the bit would be… a little far?”

Martyn laughs again. “So that was sincere on your end too?” 

“Of course, yeah. Been kind of hoping we might… you know… for, uh, for weeks now!” He has to break eye contact for a moment, a bit embarrassed to be admitting the extent of his pining. 

“I should’ve made a move way sooner in that case” says Martyn, “I mean, I didn’t want to come on too… forward? I say that as if I didn’t just declare us married  from the start.” 

“Yeah, exactly! That’s the whole reason we’re here.” 

“I should be more forward then, I should keep it up?”

“If it gets us further.”

“Then can I kiss you again?” 

Mumbo can’t help but giggle. “Please do.” 

So, Martyn does.

[xmochilyx]

My piece for @trafficzine !

Thank you so much for letting me be a part of it. Go check out everyone else's contributions, too!

~♡~

My Beautiful Castillo

word count: 839

the beginning meeting

~♡~

You open your eyes to a new world. It's not unlike any other world you've explored before. Only, this one holds a short-lived purpose. In the earth below your feet you feel the echoes of worlds past. You've played this game before, and now, you have another chance to win.

It starts as it has three lifetimes before: in a ring around the heart of your first spawn. Now, sixteen people stand before you, a blur of smiles and vigor. You know these people. You stood beside these people before, a partner in any way that mattered. Across from you stand your closest friends. Allies that took you arm-in-arm while you rushed headfirst into danger. A soulmate whose life is held in your hands. An enemy whose home burns to cinder underboot. A friend whose blood has dried under your fingernails. You remember the bloodbaths and lives taken several times over. You remember gambling lives away like coins in your back pocket. Most importantly though, you remember love. The love you hold for your closest friends, the love between a haphazard family, the love cast by heartbreak as you carry on alone.

But this isn’t those now distant times. This is here and now. Before the first bonds of alliances doomed to shatter. Before the promises and betrayals. Before the blood that stains your skin and dries beneath your nails. Before the glory and devastation of a lonely win. This is a new time, and this new time, like all the many times before, promises to be no different. There are differences, though. A missing friend you haven’t played beside in months. A towering statue that casts a deep shadow on the earth. More health than you’ve ever had before. A portal to a dimension you’ve never seen in these games before. You try not to humor the idea too much. Not yet.

It is, however, a familiar voice that rises above the clamor of the crowd. The same voice that welcomes you every time.

“Hello, friends! Welcome to Secret Life. In this series we have thirty hearts per life, but no regeneration. The only way to regain hearts is from the Secret Keeper. At the start of each session, we'll be given a secret task. When you've completed your task, you can visit the Secret Keeper who will reward you with ten new hearts. If you fail your task, you get nothing. Remember, the whole time, you must keep it a secret!”

The sun is high and bright in the sky, a spotlight on the group around you. The shadow cast from the Secret Keeper is deep and long, but it leaves your small campfire alone to warm you. Anticipation of the unknown sends thrills down your spine, and you see mirrors of the same feeling on the rest of the group, too. You join in with the soft, excited cheers that ring out from the group while others around you call out friendly hellos.

Not yet finished, Grian motions towards a new face in the group, “As you can see, Gem has joined us this series,” you turn your head without a trace of subtlety, “She kinda didn't leave, and no one wanted to say anything.”

Giggles ripple around the circle and Tango nods,“it was awkward, yeah.”

Impulse shoots Tango a sharp glare, “you mean we love that she's here,” he defends at the same time Gem says: “you can't get rid of me!”

Jimmy steps forward, taking all the attention of the crowd, “surely for a newbie, everyone gets one free punch on Gem, right?” Interspersed agreements from the circle drown out anything else he wants to say, leaving Gem to vehemently deny the idea without help.

The friendly banter and sharp quips last only a moment. It quickly changes to shocked ohs as, instead of Gem, Martyn punches Jimmy and first blood is drawn. An uproar of booming accusations and bewildered laughter make the once friendly climate into something chaotic. Jimmy, the first to die every game since the beginning, was already half a heart down.

Martyn, eyes wide, puts his palms up guiltily, “my bad! My bad!” Apologies on his lips, he does the only thing left that makes sense, “let me give you this back!”

It takes only a moment for the heart transfer feature to do its job. In moments, you all bear witness to one of the new gimmicks of the season as it shines on full display, and the once disadvantaged Jimmy is half a heart ahead of the game.

The crowd, still unnerved, backs up, making their circle thinner. Unlike before, the noise does not dissipate, but rather, grows more discordant than ever. “With that,” Grian says, whipping around and breaking free of the meeting, “I'm getting outta here!”

Mumbo follows his lead, Scar casts long glances at the ominous statue, and you notice the players scatter in all directions. You retreat, letting the world take you as it always does.

Lᒷℸ ̣ ℸ⍑ᒷ ⊣ᔑᒲᒷ ʖᒷ⊣╎リ.

~♡~

Cross-posted on ao3