#ark enforcer

[aceofintuition]

Been doing some sprites for Infinite Fusion during slow periods at work and I've somehow made myself a niche of spriting up all the specevo and custom creatures featured in Ark.

[teecupangel]

Submitted by @saberamane

I’m finally back with the Ark/AC Fusion!!

 They reach the deepest depths of the subterranean cave they’ve called home for the past while, and find the platform for the final ‘boss’ of the area. Entering, they encounter the deformed, tentacled monster that was once ‘Rockwell’ (which Ezio says, firmly, that that was on the list of things he definitely wouldn’t consider having sex with), and in time, put him out of his misery.

As the portal readies to ‘ascend’ them, Desmond says a last, tearful farewell to his Reaper, placing it in a cryo pod and leaving it in the saddle of his rock drake.

As they are lifted up, following the spinal like machinery back up towards they came down, all the broken down machines begin to light up until they reach the very beginning of where they started. A bright flash of light and the portal whisks them away.

Only this time, they are not transported through space to a new ‘ark’, they are sent to earth. And earth does not look good. There are spires of crystallized element erupting from the ground, and the dirt is dry as dust and lifeless, not a single spec of green anywhere to be seen. And the creatures are ‘infected’ with the element as well, large parts of them replaced with black and purple, looking like decayed flesh.

They’ve barely taken in their surroundings when these infected creatures begin to take notice, and run towards them.

Surprisingly they’re saved, by a white and red tek Giga of all things. And who does Desmond see on it’s back?

Clay.

Desmond:

Velonasaur

Gasbag

Defense Unit

Mega Mek

Forest Wyvern

Ice Titan

Altair:

Enforcer

Scout

Gacha

Rubble Golem

Thylacoleo

Yeti

Ezio:

Managarmr (Because they’re flashy as fuck, and Ezio is all about the ‘bling’, lol)

Dire Bear

Tapejara

Rex (Ol’ reliable lol)

Daeodon

Desert Titan

Ratonhnhaké:ton:

Snow Owl (I just feel he’d really like their heat vision, and they can heal which would help him when exploring.)

Rock Elemental (Because sometimes you just need a tanky boy.)

Yutyranus

Megalosaurus (Cave runs!)

Iguanodon

Forest Titan

Clay!!: He Lives!! And only has tek Creatures

Tek Giga (totally hacked, not legit tame AT ALL, because you can’t legit get them.)

Tek Rex

Tek Raptor Pack

Tek Quetzal

Tek Parasaur

Enforcer

And as a surprise, Clay, the best man to ever live, hacks an orbital drop to get Desmond’s Reaper for him. And he is definitely judging Desmond about this, even though he knows how this happens. I mean, Desmond could have just left the thing out in the wild to fend for itself…

Now then, how is Clay here? He doesn’t know exactly. He woke up on ‘Extinction’ with that weird gem thing in his wrist, and all engrams/dossier’s unlocked. For a long while he thought he was still in an animus or something…

Also, he is linked to Ezio, and Ezio only, so when Ezio dies… Clay does too. And the first time it happens is a surprise to everyone BUT Desmond. Clay is not please with being linked to someone else, especially when they die often…

=============

Additions from teecup:

The Ark Survival Evolved AU idea (this one and this one too)

Tames for The Island Ark

Tames for the Scorched Earth Ark

Tames for the Aberration Ark

Clay would add an interesting dynamic to the mix too, especially if he’s being a chaotic gremlin.

Also, the fact that Clay can hack the system is such an OP move at this point that I think we need to give Clay a disadvantage of some kind to level the playing field (because the other OP character we have is Desmond and his OP-ness is ‘random’ as far as everyone knows although it seemed to have a higher chance of working on bosses which is more of a rule of funny than anything else).

May I suggest, Clay actually has the lowest ‘stats’ of the four? Like, yeah, he has all engrams/dossiers unlocked BUT he gets tired and hungry quicker than anybody else and his inventory is lower than the others (even if he ups his inventory using other means like a mount, it is still lower than it should be).

Clay thinks someone is out to get him because he’s cheating the system or because he’s not meant to be there in the first place and his entire existence was some sort of accident. Maybe even both!

So, because of Clay’s ‘limitation’, he tends to stay near the base because (1) he’s squishy so he could easily die and (2) if Ezio dies, he dies anyway. Staying near the base means that anything that stayed on his ‘corpse’ could be retrieved if necessary.

Desmond

Reaper does not count as a tame in this ark because Reaper is technically a ‘mod’ at this point and it seems to aggro everything that sees it so, yeah, his Reaper is safer in the base as a lookout/patrol. Full on bored kid always happy to see their working parent come home and play with them vibes.

His Velonasaur usually joins him when he’s out in the ‘wilds’, acting as both a decoy and a DPS attacker with his thorn and spine attacks to keep the enemy (especially flying ones) switching between two or more targets. He also sometimes acts as a scout but Desmond prefers him to stay close by as more of an early radar if Desmond is too focused on one direction.

Gasbag was tamed sorta unintentionally? Desmond found a Gasbag wounded and he felt bad for the poor fella so he gave him food to try and heal him. That amount of food was enough to tame him (and maybe Desmond’s random glitchy taming ability might also be in play) and he followed Desmond back to the base. He works more as both pack mule and also a source for more oxygen. Desmond definitely does not like him to be part of any fighting because he just sees him as a sweet mild-mannered tame, even going as far as feeling scandalous when Altaïr suggested that he could be a good decoy.

Everyone calls bullshit on Desmond taming a Defense Unit. Like, everyone knows by now that if there is any monster/creature/whatever that could not be tamed in this Ark, it would be the sci-fi looking crab robot thingie. Desmond swears he tamed him the ‘natural way’. They all think it’s bullshit but, at this point, they just accepted that Desmond was bound to freaking tame one or two untameables this time anyway. The Defense Unit itself is kept near the base as more of patrol and it likes to attack anything near the base that doesn’t register as an ally to Desmond. This does mean that any other patrolling tames usually grabs the carcass of anything the Defense Unit has killed back to the base for easy ‘good boy’ praises (even though everyone knows it was probably killed by the Defense Unit). 

Altaïr built the Mega Mek after a few Meks have been built that have a prototype hidden blades. Desmond gave him the big puppy dog “I want one pleeeasse?” eyes after seeing Altaïr’s own Enforcer and hearing how he liked watching shows of robots fighting back in New York. Everyone gives Altaïr the knowing ‘you’re so totally whipped’ look when he presented the Mega Mek (which was created using the previous experimental Meks) to Desmond. This is Desmond’s preferred vehicle of choice and as a Vorpal TEK Cleaver as its main right hand weapon and Altaïr’s latest hidden blade attachment as its left hand weapon (the next version will have a hook blade attachment because Ezio insists)

Because of Mega Mek, the Forest Wyvern is usually used for aerial attacks or if Desmond needs to scout some place from high up. Forest Wyvern is also his usual go to AOE attacker and Gasbag is afraid of the fire. 

Unsurprisingly, the Ice Titan serves as the main attacker in Desmond’s ‘pack’. Desmond and the Ice Titan usually tag team every enemy into oblivion while it’s distracted by the Forest Wyvern or the Velonasaur. Desmond never leaves the base without his buddy Ice Titan (which he may or may not be calling Vanilla Ice, Clay stresses he should not be allowed to call him Vanilla Ice).

Altaïr

The Enforcer is his main mount mostly because of how adaptable to the environment it is. His Enforcer is usually called Altaïr’s Monster by Clay because it’s not just one ‘tamed’ Enforcer. It’s multiple Enforcers all ‘stitched up’ by Altaïr’s audacity after he learned that fully crafted Enforcers can only be level 1 and he hates the game of chance of having enemy Enforcers leave blueprints of random quality so he just went “I’ll take my base Enforcer and just keep upgrading him with other Enforcers parts”. Clay is sure cannibalizing parts from other Enforcers is also against the rule but everyone just accepts it because Altaïr is already in his mad scientist phase and every mad scientist needs to create a monster that may become their undoing as a treat. Why is the Enforcer most probably going to be his undoing? Well, it’s a modded Enforcer for all intents and purposes so it is one of their highest damage dealing ‘tames’ at the moment (maybe only rivaled by the Mega Mek)

As the name says, Scout is usually used by Altaïr to scout around so Altaïr could plan his route better. Unlike the Enforcer, Altaïr didn’t bother to mod his Scout BUT he does have a lot lying around the base because of their varying qualities so everyone believes he plans to mod his current Scout at one point or another. It is also sometimes used to lure targets into traps or, if Altaïr believes that Desmond plans to go to a dangerous area OR thinks Desmond might be planning something stupid, he would let Desmond ‘borrow’ his Scout and the Scout’s only instruction is to keep healing Desmond’s Mega Mek. Desmond can’t even use it to scout around because the Scout’s main and only order as far as its concern is to keep healing the Mega Mek. 

The Gacha stays in the base to keep producing resources, especially crystals. Altaïr tried to make a farm but noticed that the Gachas tend to become sad if Gachas of the same gender are near each other and then Altaïr had to get a female Gacha for both of them to stop being sad then they had children. At some point, Altaïr had unintentionally built a large enclosure to ensure the current Gachas are not sad OR trying to overwhelm the base’s population with more baby Gachas. (Clay had suggested they just kill the excess Gachas, at which Altaïr grumbled that Desmond wouldn’t like that if he heard about it and Clay just made a whipping sound). One of them actually gives loot instead and Altaïr is trying to study how the hell that happened. 

So apparently Rubble Golem cannot be tamed but Rock Elemental can be? But if we want Altaïr to have a Rubble Golem instead, we can make it as a thank you gift from Desmond for the Mega Mek? Either way, this one is mainly used to mine resources for Altaïr’s ‘studies’.

It might not be his original Thylacoleo but Altaïr tends to forget that at times. It doesn’t mind. It mostly stays near Altaïr acting like an oversized lazy cat.

Okay. So this one is weird. There’s a Yeti in a cave near their base and Altaïr is currently studying it from afar because… it’s sorta a fascinating creature to him? Like it seemed to understand them to some degree and he would like to study it further before killing it (if the need to kill it does come up in the first place). Clay jokes that, soon enough, that Yeti will start learning sign language. That only made Altaïr curious if that would be possible.

Ezio:

Ezio would insist that he got a Managarmr because he’s all about the bling as Clay and Desmond like to tease. But also, the Managarmr is one of the more ‘dangerous’ mounts to use as they can attract aggro easily thanks to their ambush attacks and flashiness sooooo… there may be a reason why Clay dies a lot in this game thanks to Ezio XD (because of this though, Ezio’s other tames rarely, if ever, get hurt)

If Ratonhnhaké:ton’s previous Dire Bear was more on the attacking and mule side, Ezio’s Dire Bear is more of a jack of all trades but master of not. Loves to gather everything and anything it sees to get pets from Ezio. Fast enough that it could be used as a scout. Definitely packs a punch. And can take more weight than most. 

Tapejara is his aerial support and usually used to ferry him and his other tames into usually inaccessible areas. Tapejara is highly skilled because it does a lot of things, including stealing eggs while the mother is distracted.

Th T-rex is called Cars 2 (in honor of Desmond's T Rex named Car) which Clay claims to be an underrated Pixar movie that deserves more love. Desmond insists Clay is being sarcastic. Nobody else gets the reference.

Daeodon is a tame that everyone insists (especially Clay!) that Ezio brings with him because of its healing abilities. Seriously, Ezio needs it the most this time around for some reason (there are theories that the monsters that easily aggros on Ezio might have ‘smelled’ or ‘felt’ his connection to Clay and that’s the reason why Ezio has the second highest respawns in this around, 1st is Clay and that’s because of Ezio’s deaths mostly. It really says something that Desmond who would have to respawn if anyone BUT Clay dies is the 3rd highest this time around and he likes to ‘take a walk’)

The Desert Titan is usually used as a mobile base and Ezio taught it how to grab his corpse and run away. Actually, his tames had been taught of “Dead Ezio Protocol” which can be summarized as ‘grab Ezio’s corpse and find a safe place while keeping each other safe’. The Desert Titan usually served as the leader in that scenario with the Managarmr becoming bait and decoy while Tapejara flies back to the base to get Ezio.

Ratonhnhaké:ton

Absolutely agree. Ratonhnhaké:ton would like Snow Owl’s utility and also use him as a messenger if any of the others are nearby.

Rock Elemental: Yeeeess, the tank of Ratonhnhaké:ton’s pack and also the real MVP considering the amount of fighting they do.

Ratonhnhaké:ton let Desmond name Yutyrannus “Yuty Junior” in honor of the first Yuty. Ratonhnhaké:ton’s Yuty though is more on the buff-debuff side than pure damage, giving roars that ups attacks of damaged tames (which tend to happen) and weakens enemies.

Ratonhnhaké:ton asked Altaïr if he’d like to name his Megalosaurus in honor of Altaïr’s old Megalosaurus but Altaïr just reminded Ratonhnhaké:ton that he didn’t exactly name all of his tames. That’s more of Desmond and Ezio’s thing (Clay sighs and tells Desmond that naming them only makes it harder to let them go and Desmond groans that he knows that but he can’t help it, they look so sad without names and Clay will stress that, no, they do not, that Gacha is sad because he’s not getting any Gachussy). In honor of the nameless Megalosaurus, Ratonhnhaké:ton names his Megalosaurus Junior. (No one knows if he’s being serious or if it was a joke)

Iguanodon was one of Ratonhnhaké:ton’s first tames in this Ark but she’s been heavily outclassed by the other tames and the places Ratonhnhaké:ton now goes too can be quite dangerous for her. Mainly, she serves to gather food and act as a pack mule for the pack so they can continue on even longer without returning to base.

Forest Titan has a building on its back that stores most of Ratonhnhaké:ton’s other attack items including weapons, ammos and they serve as a mini-sorta base but not really a base? There is a bed there so Ratonhnhaké:ton can respawn on the back of the Forest Titan (he told Ezio he should do that as well but Ezio’s like ‘naahh, it’ll be fine’). The Forest Titan also serves as an offhand tank if Rock Elemental needs to tap out for a bit.

Clay

Tek Giga might have been the trigger that makes everything aggro at Clay. The Tek Giga was Clay’s first hack and hacking in this Ark takes a long time so he could not do it anymore because of all the aggros. However, with the help of others, Clay is planning to try hacking another one. Maybe even the big boss just for shits and giggles XD

Tek Rex and the Tek Raptor Pack are Clay’s main damagers. He calls them his “Jurassic Park Gang”. Only Desmond gets that reference of course. 

Tek Quetzal is usually his go to mount whenever some big fight is happening and staying on Tek Giga or even Tek Rex would be dangerous.

Tek Parasaur is there to cause chaos, master of hit and run attacks and also… berry gathering. This one looovvveeesss stimberry and the common joke is that it’s tweaking when it’s out gathering stimberries XD

His Enforcer is something he fully crafted on his own and, no, he will not do that abdomination that Altaïr was still doing. At some point, Clay thinks Altaïr should just stop but he knows he won’t. He had a taste of what it feels like to be Frankenstein and he’s going to keep going until the Monster finally says no. (Desmond tells him to stop being so overly dramatic)

[mya-valentine]

Beneath the Rain

Synopsis: As the rain pours endlessly over Fontaine, signaling Neuvillette's hidden sorrow, you step in to lift his spirits. Through light-hearted teasing and a shared moment in the rain-soaked courtyard, you help him find solace, reminding the Chief Justice that even in the storm, there is room for renewal and peace.

The skies above Fontaine were heavy with dark, rolling clouds. A steady downpour fell over the city, the sound of rain tapping rhythmically against the windows of the Palais Mermonia. The rain had been falling since early morning, and everyone in the city knew what it meant—the Chief Justice, Neuvillette, was in a somber mood.

Inside his office, Neuvillette sat behind his imposing desk, his silver-blue hair cascading over his shoulders as he reviewed legal documents, eyes scanning each word with meticulous care. The faint light of his office lamp reflected in his pale blue eyes, giving them an ethereal glow. Outside, the rain showed no sign of stopping.

You stood just outside his office, leaning against the doorframe, watching him. You were a bailiff—one of Fontaine's many law enforcers—and while your job often required a certain level of seriousness, your personality was anything but. Playful and mischievous, you loved finding ways to tease and surprise Neuvillette, especially when he was lost in his work.

Today, though, something was different. The endless rain told you that something was weighing on his heart. While most people in Fontaine feared the Chief Justice's stern and stoic demeanor, you had always seen something more in him. Beneath that composed exterior, there was a gentleness that few were privy to. And, of course, a certain vulnerability that came with the rain.

You knocked lightly on the door, not waiting for permission to enter. Pushing it open just enough to peek your head in, you caught sight of Neuvillette still deeply immersed in his work, his posture as straight and regal as ever.

"You know," you began, voice light and teasing, "if you keep this up, we might need to build an ark to escape the flood you're causing."

Neuvillette's quill stilled, and he slowly lifted his gaze to meet yours. His expression was calm as always, but there was something in his eyes—a hint of melancholy that matched the rain falling outside. He regarded you in silence for a moment, as if weighing your presence, before he spoke in that deep, rich voice of his.

"Shouldn’t you be attending to your duties?" he asked, though there was no real reproach in his tone.

You shrugged and stepped fully into the room, closing the door behind you. "Already done for the day," you said with a smirk, crossing the room to stand in front of his desk. "Now I’m here to make sure you don’t get washed away in a sea of paperwork."

Neuvillette sighed softly, setting his quill down and leaning back slightly in his chair. His hands folded neatly in his lap as he looked at you with that same serene, though distant, expression. "There is much to be done. The court does not rest simply because the weather is… unfavorable."

"Sure," you replied, moving around his desk so you could lean against the side of it, close to where he sat. "But even the Chief Justice of Fontaine needs a break now and then. Besides, it’s not just the weather that’s unfavorable, is it?"

He didn’t reply right away. Instead, he looked out the window, watching the rain slide down the glass in steady streams. The sound of it filled the silence between you, a gentle yet persistent rhythm. After a long moment, he finally spoke, his voice quieter than before.

"The people of Fontaine look to the skies to understand the emotions of their city. But they don’t always understand… that the rain is not just for them."

You softened at his words, recognizing the weight behind them. "You’re sad," you said, more a statement than a question.

Neuvillette’s eyes remained on the window, his expression unreadable. "Perhaps. There are always things to contemplate… mistakes to correct, injustices to remedy."

You watched him for a moment, your heart aching at how much he carried on his shoulders. Neuvillette was Fontaine’s pillar of justice, yes, but he was still just one person. You knew how much he cared—about fairness, about his role in the city’s legal system—but you also knew he often kept his emotions hidden, even from himself.

"Hey," you said gently, reaching out to place a hand on his shoulder. His gaze shifted to you, and for a brief moment, you saw the vulnerability he so carefully kept buried. "You don’t have to carry everything alone, you know."

He didn’t say anything, but the way he looked at you said enough. There was gratitude there, even if he couldn’t express it out loud. You smiled, trying to lighten the mood.

"Tell you what," you said, standing up and pulling him with you, surprising him with your sudden motion. "Let’s take a break. You and me. A little walk outside. Who knows, maybe the rain will stop if you clear your mind."

Neuvillette hesitated, clearly reluctant to leave his work behind. "The city requires my attention—"

"The city can wait for an hour," you interrupted, still holding his hand as you led him toward the door. "Besides, what’s the point of having the Chief Justice if he’s too exhausted to think clearly? Trust me, a little fresh air will do you good."

Though it took some coaxing, Neuvillette eventually relented, allowing you to pull him away from his desk and out of the office. Together, you walked through the grand halls of the Palais Mermonia, the echo of your footsteps mingling with the steady rain outside. It wasn’t long before you reached the courtyard, where the rain was still falling softly, though not as heavily as before.

You stepped out into the courtyard, not caring that the rain would soak through your clothes. You turned back to look at Neuvillette, who had stopped at the edge of the doorway, watching you with a mixture of confusion and amusement.

"Come on," you called, holding out your hand. "It’s just a little rain. What’s the worst that could happen?"

Neuvillette stood there for a moment, considering. Then, with a quiet sigh, he stepped out into the rain, joining you in the center of the courtyard. The droplets fell gently on his silver hair, sliding down his face and clothes, but he didn’t seem to mind. Instead, he looked up at the sky, as if trying to understand what the rain was telling him.

You took his hand again, squeezing it lightly. "See? It’s not so bad."

Neuvillette glanced down at you, and for the first time in hours, a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. It was barely there, but you saw it. And that was enough.

"It is… peaceful," he admitted softly, his gaze softening as he looked at you. "I forget, sometimes, to appreciate these quiet moments."

"That’s what I’m here for," you said, giving him a playful nudge. "To remind you when to stop being the Chief Justice and just be… you."

Neuvillette’s eyes softened even further at that, and he lifted your hand, brushing his lips lightly against your knuckles. It was a simple gesture, but one that made your heart flutter nonetheless.

"Thank you," he murmured, his voice barely louder than the rain.

You smiled up at him, your heart swelling with affection. "Anytime."

For a long moment, the two of you stood there, hand in hand, letting the rain fall around you in gentle, steady rhythms. The clouds still hung low, and the city was still shrouded in grey, but the atmosphere between you and Neuvillette felt lighter, more at ease.

And then, as if sensing the change in his mood, the rain began to ease. The heavy downpour that had drenched the city all day finally slowed to a drizzle, and for the first time in hours, there was a hint of light breaking through the clouds.

Neuvillette looked up at the sky, his expression thoughtful. "Perhaps," he mused softly, "the rain is not only a reflection of sorrow… but also of renewal."

You grinned, tugging him a little closer to you. "I like that idea."

As the last of the rain tapered off, you stood there together, the soft sounds of water dripping from the rooftops mixing with the gentle breeze that began to blow through the courtyard. In that moment, it felt like the city itself was breathing a sigh of relief—just like Neuvillette.

And as he stood there beside you, his hand still in yours, you knew that whatever storms came next, you would always be there to remind him of the peace that followed.

.

.

.

Masterlist

[bathtubbbbbbbbb]

Some predictions/speculations of varying grounds about Arcane season 2 that have been rattling around in my head for a while — I thought I’d share them just for fun & as sorta a bingo card cus at least some of ‘em surely will end up true in some way, shape, or form.

Sky or the Hexcore that absorbed Sky becomes Blitzcrank.

The Last Drop becomes a base of operations for the enforcers — Caitlyn will parallel Silco & Vi will parallel Jinx.

Caitlyn starts smoking.

We get a scene that parallels Mel’s flashback in season 1 where in Jinx takes the place of the Princess Ambessa kills, except Jinx is spared & there’s consequences.

Sevika & Viktor team up post Sevika teaming up with Jinx.

A scene with Viktor that parallels the “you don’t wanna threaten the guy that pours the drinks” scene, except “pours the drinks” is replaced with “fixes everyone’s mechanical & cybernetic augments” or something along those lines anyway — Huck makes a reappearance, Mel & Jayce play the roles of the 2 traders that didn’t honor their word.

Jayce & Viktor strangling scene parallel.

Some Little red Riding Hood vibes with Vi & Warwick — Jinx is going to be the Huntsman.

Some big parallels between Viktor & Caitlyn, & Silco.

Jayce is a lonely sad sack & his & Vi’s arks are going to parallel each other — I feel they’re gonna be ops at the start of the season but by the end of it be reluctant besties.

Caitlyn’s going to find Vi’s archived incident reports from Stillwater & see a photo of the guys face Vi caved in & really rethinks her “despite it all good heart”, I feel Jayce may be involved with this, maybe he’s the one that initially finds the files or goes looking for them then shows Cait — anyway angst will ensue.

The animation for Ekko’s time travel stuff is is gonna be absolutely awesome.

Ekko is gonna get kicked outta the firelights for simping over Jinx.

Heimerdinger in a Scooby Doo-esc way is revealed to be the narrative villain all along. Yippe!

Jinx’s punts Heimerdinger.

I guess Singed will probably be there being creepy — maybe his daughter is that robo ballerina chick from fnaf who knows.

Aaannd, that’s where I’m gonna end it.

{Edit cus I forgot a couple}

Vi is going to get a spinal injury & will get a back/torso brace similar to that of Viktor’s, reminiscent of the corset she wears in her league design.

After Vi is done being an emo pit fighter she’s gonna bleach her hair to get all the black dye out of it — if you look at her original concept design for LoL it looks like she has partially bleached hair.

Jinx & Vi’s mom is going to be revealed to have been a brothel worker.

Mel & Jinx are going to have opposite parallel arks — Jinx gains influence & power while Mel loses it, it’s revealed to the audience how actually naive & out of her depth Mel actually is while it’s concreted that Jinx is a genius & only bounces back stronger under pressure.

In act 1 a temporary trio is formed between Vi, Viktor & the big shield enforcer guy we see in the trailer that’s likely from the under-city — I feel visually they’re such a strong parallel to Vi, Mylo, & Claggor, & like personality wise too — I can see Vik having a secret lock picking skill, & shield dude gives gentle giant vibes (from like that 1 clip we see of him looking sympathetic over Caitlyn’s shoulder while she’s obviously going through some emotional turmoil).

[anon-e-miss]

White Lies - 4

Prowl waddled down the long hallway. He did not know why he had been called to the Ark’s entrance. The humans had been talking about something called a baby shower. It was customary to give gifts to the human mother before her baby emerged. In Praxus, bitlets were not even given designations until they had survived a vorn. Yet, Prowl was already thinking of the bitlets by designations, though he told himself they were just nicknames. Praxus was gone, even if they were still on Cybertron, there was nothing left of his home state but a crater. Embracing human traditions, to a degree, was not a terrible idea but he could not convince himself that celebrating the bitlets before they emerged was wise. Something could yet go horribly wrong.

He cradled his swollen forge as he turned and saw sunlight. There was a crowd at the entrance and Prowl considered turning around and going back inside. His spark was racing. He was not sure why his spark was racing. The bitlets were jostling for space in his swollen forge. Ratchet had no idea how long this carrying would be. With the complications of the Earth’s sun’s effect on his systems and the fact he was carrying multiples, there was really no knowing. What Ratchet was certain of was that it was not yet safe for them to come. If they did come early, Ratchet did not have the equipment to do much for them. The Ark had no NICU. Prowl could only hope they gave him less trouble then their progenitor. With the way they were twisting and turning, they were as active as him.

“Prowl!” Prime turned, smiling widely at him. Prowl stopped mid step. He narrowed his optics. “Come. Primus has another miracle for you.”

“A miracle?” Prowl asked. Ironhide stepped aside. Prowl’s optics went wide. The face he had drawn stared back at him, smiling sweetly. He knew the field. It did not matter what face Meister wore, Prowl knew him.

“Hey Sweetspark.”

For a time, there was nothing. Prowl heard Ratchet muttering about him being overclocked. Offended, Prowl lifted his helm. He clenched his dented when he realized he was in Meister’s arms. What did he do? Tell them Jazz was an intention to disguise the fact he had let a Decepticon get him with spark? Did he tell them, before he had been relegated to the Ark, he had gone on those long patrols in the hopes of rendezvous with his criminal paramour? It had been an unprofessional and unacceptable arrangement when he had been an enforcer. It had become treason when Prowl had enlisted in the Autobots while Meister had enlisted with the Decepticons. No, Prowl could say nothing and the smirking aft knew it.

“I am fine!” Prowl hissed, perhaps too sharply. Meister, the damnable lecher crooned to him.

“Y’re tired, Sweetspark. When was the last time ya recharged? Don’t tell me yer still livin’ on that rocket fuel?”

Oh damn him.

“Take the time you need, Prowl,” Prime told him and then he left Prowl alone, with the lupinoid in sheepacron’s plating, to parse the human proverb.

“What are you doing here?” Prowl snarled as he wriggled out of Meister’s grasp.

“News o’ yer conditions got to the Nemisis,” Meister told him. “Ya got Megatron in quite a tizzy.”

“Boo hoo,” Prowl retorted and Meister chortled.

“Considerin’ how big ya are, he’s figurin’ Prime’s been servicin’ ya ‘n he is one jealous bucket o’ bolts”

“How is this my problem?” Prowl asked. “I have had the largest bounty on my helm of any Autobot since the beginning.”

“He wants ya alive,” Meister told him, with no trace of his irreverent humour. “Got the orders here. He wants to punish ya for yer audacity. Starscream figures he can make ya a broodcarrier like the Ancients did.”

“And what do you figure?” Prowl asked. “That I would just go along with whatever scheme you have created? I am not going anywhere with you.”

“I don’t share,” Meister said. “Y’re mine. So I can’t have Megatron or that shriekin’ pidgenoid gettin’ their servos on ya.”

“So you think I would runaway with you?” Prowl asked.

“No,” Meister replied. “I figured this was as good a time as any to defect.”

“You... you cannot be serious, you think I would recommend you?” Prowl asked.

“I think ya made yerself a pretty lil cover,” Meister replied. “‘N yer friends bought it. Just call me Jazz.”

“You are mad. Absolutely mad,” Prowl grumbled. “They will figure it out.”

“Nah,” Meister replied. “They ain’t that bright, that’s why they have ya. ‘N I got it all sorted out. Always got a plan when I gotta drop one face for the next. Changed my designation so many times, I don’t even remember which one I onlined wit.”

“That is depressing, not wholesome,” Prowl retorted and Meister chortled again.

“We did come from different sides o’ the track, Sweetspark. I emerged in the mines ‘n ya onlined in a factory. We were both created to be slaves. We both found different ways out.”

“Do you honestly think I am going to just allow you to make yourself at home on the Ark?” Prowl asked.

“Don’t like this is the first time I’ve been on yer base,” Meister chastised him.

“This is different and you know it!” Prowl snapped.

“O’ course its different, y’re carryin’ my bitty,” Meister replied. “‘N I take care o’ what’s mine.”

“Bitties,” Prowl sighed.

“Bitties?” Meister asked.

“You ensparked me with triplets!” Prowl hissed and with the strange radiation from the Earth’s sun, I have no idea how long this carrying will be.”

“Triplets...” Meister stared at him.

“Triplets,” Prowl confirmed. “I would have had to have kindled the last time on Cybertron. I do not know how they survived stasis lock.”

“They’re rooted to a strong spark,” Meister replied.

“Aft,” Prowl grumbled.

“No Con can get ya when ‘m around, Copbot,” Meister told him, stroking his lower lipplate with his thumb. “No one can get to yer bitties.”

“What about you?” Prowl asked.

“If I’d wanted to drag ya back to the Nemesis, ya gave me plenty o’ chances,” Meister reminded him and Prowl flushed. “‘M thinkin’ Prime ‘n Ratchet got the right idea. Y’re best kept right here.”

Right here. Prowl moaned as Meister seized him, kissing him hard. A moment later, and Prowl was on his berth, legs dangled over the side. Meister stood between them and Prowl could not pretend not to want him there. With deft digits, the saboteur stripped him, discarding the maternity armour on the floor. It had been a long time since the Decepticon had seen him nude, and his frame had changed a great deal. Prowl watched Meister rove his frame with his optics before almost reverently touching Prowl’s swollen middle. He startled when they kicked and then he grinned. Prowl’s lingering temper softened a little. Just a little. Meister thumbed his nozzles and Prowl shivered; they had become so sensitive.

“Ah!” Prowl gasped as Meister rubbed his anterior node and down his thick folds. Their colour was a darker gold now. There was no hiding how wet he was. The berth beneath his aft was soaked. “Oh... M...”

“Jazz,” Meister reminded him. “That’s what ya called me.”

“Mmm!” Prowl arched his back as Meister crooked two digits in side of him and rubbed his gamma cluster.

“Gotta yell my designation when ya cum,” Meister told him. “Never know if someone’s listening.”

“Ack!” Prowl bucked and writhed.

“Ya picked the designation, Sweetspark,” Meister teased him. “Say it. Say.”

“Jazz!” Prowl gasped.

“That’s it,” Meister purred. He held Prowl’s legs wide apart. Prowl knew what was coming, though he could not see through his forge. Still, he felt the pressure and the weight of Meister’s spike against his wet and engorged folds. “Tell’m who’s fraggin’ ya.”

“Unh,” Prowl moaned as Meister sheathed his spike in a single, slow thrust.

“If I’d known how sexy ya’d be heavy I’d o’ sparked ya up long ago,” Meister told him. He fragged Prowl in long, firm strokes of his spike. Prowl’s wells shook each time he thrust home. “Y’re hotter than the smelter!”

“Mm...!” Prowl exclaimed.

“Jazz,” Meister reminded him. “Gonna cum screamin’ that designation, Sweetspark.”

“Damn... yooooouuuuu,” Prowl cried as Meister fragged him slowly and surely, in perfect control. “Frag me!”

“Pretty sure I am,” Meister laughed.

“Properly!” Prowl growled.

He was on his knees, laying over a pillowed. His servos were tied together and them tied to the berth. Meister had declared he would keep Prowl tied to the berth until he could do nothing but scream the designation he had assigned Meister. No one would be bothered if Prowl hid away in his berth for a while. Ratchet would even be pleased. They would not guess Meister was keeping him their, keeping him full of spike and making up for the contributions he had not provided. Prowl moaned into the pillow as Jazz squeezed his wells and nipped at his doorwings as he fragged him from behind. Meister sucked on his wells as Prowl rode him. As he overloaded, before falling limp on Meister’s chassis, Prowl screamed:

“Jazz!”

[tinydefector]

Prowl over

Prowl x human

Word count:2.5k

Warnings: classic paying for fines with sex, (man in uniform) sex, smut, fingering, oral, G/T, sex on car/ sex with car(XD) valveplug.

Take on the classic paying a fien with fucking a police officer, haven't seen anything like this for Prowl so thought why not.

Prowl masterlist

If anyone makes art of this please tag me cause I'd love to see it.

_____________________

The sound of an engine roars through the long desert road, the stars above flicker and sparkle under in the cloudless sky. The car races down the old highway, over the speed limit more than the driver cared to check. They hum along to music, as their arm hangs out the window tapping against the side of the door. The driver's carefree demeanour abruptly shatters when the flashing red and blue lights catch their attention, in the rear vision mirror. A muttered curse escapes their lips, a frustrated exclamation at the unfortunate timing of encountering law enforcement in such remote areas. "Oh fuck me, why is it only on roads like this pigs fly, never out here any other time" they mumble. 

The presence of the police car ruins their mood in an instant.

They finally find a decent enough area to pull over and slam their head back into their seat and groan out loud at their stupidity, taking a deep breath as they try to read themself for dealing with law enforcement this late at night. It's only when they catch the number plate that they realise it isn't a real cop, the smaller little insignia on the bonnet also reflects the red and blue lights. A mix of relief and curiosity washes over them as they watch Prowl's holoform emerge from the police car and approach them. They can't help but wonder what he was doing out here this late, normally he would be back at the Ark at this time of night.  

Prowl maintains a professional demeanour as he approaches the driver door. "Good evening, licence and registration please" he greets them in a firm yet polite tone, his eyes focused on a note pad but in truth it was his way of masking as he ran scans on their number plate. Prowl's attention moves to the driver. Their eyes flicker to him as they shoot him a nerve smile. "On the Prowl I see" they state with a slight laugh. 

 Prowl's optics narrow slightly as the driver's words reach his audials, a flicker of recognition crossing his face. He lets out a groan of annoyance as a stern and annoyed expression crosses his face, His voice takes on a colder tone as he addresses them, his words laced with a hint of passive-aggression.

"What are you doing out here?" Prowl says, his voice dripping with a mix of familiarity and disdain. "Speeding like that on these roads, you're lucky I happened to be on patrol today. " Prowl's optics scan the surroundings once more, ensuring that no other potential law enforcement were around. He then focuses his attention back on the driver, his gaze unwavering. “Sorry I was just trying to get home Prowl” they try to defend. 

"You know the rules. Speeding is a dangerous and reckless act that puts not only yourself but others at risk." He reaches into his pocket and retrieves a ticket book, flipping it open with a practised motion. "I'm afraid you'll be receiving a fine." Prowl's tone remains stern as he proceeds to document their information. "Oh come on Prowl! Don't be a hard ass!. No one ever comes out on these roads other than Autobots or you know Human allies and no one this late, I'm sorry I am but I'm just trying to get home!" They hiss out in annoyance. Prowl's brow narrowed further, his patience wearing thin. He takes a step closer, leaning against the window. "Let me remind you that it is my duty to enforce the law and maintain order on these roads, regardless of who you think should or shouldn't be here."

Prowl's holoforms eyes bore into the,, his voice growing colder. "Speeding is a violation, plain and simple. It endangers everyone.". They lean out their window meeting him almost face to face. "Prowl please I can't get this fine I need my licence, i can't afford a fine" they state desperately. "You should have thought about the consequences before you decided to break the law," Prowl responds, his tone less harsh than before. 

"Prowl I flat broke, I don't get paid to come out to autobot headquarters, I'm there as a volunteer, please I can't afford a ticket, anything else please" They beg. Prowl's optics narrow, as they continue to plead for leniency. "Step out of the vehicle,” Prowl commands, his voice commanding obedience. They are led to the boot of the car where they are handcuffed and Prowl does a quick search of them, then lets out a small grumble of words at him but he pays them no mind. Just as quickly as his holoform was there it disappears into thin air; the sound of gears, metal and scrapping is the only warning they have before two large servos grab their  hips. They gasp slightly as Prowl sits them up on the roof of their car moving back around the side. "You're an ass you know " they mumble as he makes them look up at him. 

Prowl's optics flicker with a mix of annoyance and amusement as they mutter their discontent. "You should have thought about the consequences before breaking the law," he states, his grip on their hips tightening ever so slightly as he moves closer standing between their spread legs. "Consider this a lesson in accountability," he adds, his voice carrying a note of satisfaction. He leans in closer, his voice low and husky as he responds to their plea. "You enjoy being a pest, don't you?" he murmurs, a hint of amusement lacing his words. Prowl's grinding against them slowly,  servos gripping their  thighs harder holding them in place against the roof of the car. His name falls from their lips as they look up at his optics. 

A faint smirk tugs at the corners of his lips. "Say it again," he commands. they bite their lip and lean back against the roof of the car, Another moan leaves them before an idea crosses their mind, a twinkle of mischief in their eyes. "Oh officer Prowl, I'm so sorry for speeding, please I don't have the money can I pay this fine Another way?" They ask in fake desperation only to moan as he nips at their neck. "Fuck prowl" they yelp as they squirm under him. 

Prowl's continue to nip and suck marks into their throat. teasing them as punishment, his voice laced with a hint of amusement. "Oh, how convenient. Suddenly you're sorry for speeding," he hums against their throat, his tone dripping with sarcasm. Prowl's grip tightens on their thighs, hiking them higher up his hip plating. "You think a few moans and pleas will get you out of this?" he questions, He leans in closer, his voice low and seductive as he whispers in their ear. "You just want me to fuck you, is that it?" he whispers, his words sending shivers down their spine as a loud whine leaves them making Prowl chuckle at their desperation. 

 

"Yes, Please Prowl" they call out breathlessly and sincerely. Their eyes focus on his faceplate "God you're hot when you get all Cop" they state under their breath, Prowl's audios catch the driver's breathless plea, he lets out a soft chuckle at their desperation. 

  "Flattery won't get you out of the fine," he responds smugly as he watches how flustered they get under his touch. "Prowl I don't even care about the fine anymore, please you're killing me here" they whine as they grind back against his interface panel. "Fuck Prowl please" They whimper pathetically. A smirk tugs at the corners of Prowl's lips. "You want it so badly, don't you?" he murmurs, his voice low and husky in their ear, the static filtering over the top of it has them whining as they try to grind back against him.

The sound of ripping fabric has them gasping as Prowl servos tear through their pants.   throwing the ruined fabric onto the ground. "Prowl! That my only set!" They cry out in a panic as they wiggle and struggle in the hand cuffs. his voice tinged with a hint of annoyance . "How unfortunate," he retorts. His servos continue their slow descent, tracing over the newly exposed skin as be indulged in how soft it is in his grasp. "You should have thought about that before," he remarks, a smug satisfaction crosses his face.

 

They don't get a chance to try and argue more before Prowl's digits are moving against their sex stroking and teasing before he dips one into their tight heat. They gasp, Moan and quiver against the car roof from each touch. "You owe me a new set" they manage to stutter out, as they rock against his servo, adjusting to the size of his digits as they relax against the car roof. Prowl raises an optic as he shakes his head before leaning down to press his glossa into them, working them open with both his mouth and digits.  His voice drips with a passive-aggressive remark, "You think you can make demands now? How amusing" . Prowl's response. They cry out as he presses his glossa deeper into them, his other servo dragging them back as they try to squirm away. 

 

As the cuffs dig into their back, the driver arches and whines, their arms partially numb from the restraints. Prowl watches his digits disappear into their tightness. Spreading their thighs wider. Prowl's spike throbs mercilessly within his panel, aching to be released . "You want my spike?" Prowl taunts, his voice dripping with amusement at their despair. "You'll have to beg a little harder than that," A small sob leaves them as Prowl digits sink back into them, he enjoys each little sound and movement of their body against his. "Prowl please fuck me, please need you, please" they call out breathlessly,  only to gasp as he captures their lips in a hungry kiss. he pulls his digits out.. "You want me? You want me to frag you?" he murmurs, desire in his voice as he continues to press little kisses to their lips.

 

"Yes, yes please " They whimper sweetly against his lips. Prowl feels a surge of satisfaction, their plea for him growing more desperate. With a deliberate motion, Prowl's interface panel snaps back, freeing his spike from its confines. A low growl of pleasure escapes his vocalizer in a static filled buzz, his spike throbs and pulsating with anticipation between their thighs. 

They bite their lip as Prowl teases the tip Against their sex, pressing in enough only to pull away and repeat again.  Whimpers and whines leave them as they watch. "Please mister police officer, I promise I won't speed again, I really don't have the money to pay this fine, could I pay with my body?" They coo in a playful tone, still biting their lip. Prowl's optics narrow slightly as he continues to tease the tip of his spike against them. 

A hint of amusement flickers across Prowl's face as they plead with him in a playful manner, offering their body as payment for the fine. His tone is laced with a fake mix of restraint and curiosity as he holds back an eye roll at their dramatics. "Is that so?" he replies, his voice low and measured. "You're willing to offer your body in exchange for the fine? Quite a proposition," Prowl's optics lock onto theirs, his gaze intense as he considers their request, taking the time to mull it over in his processor with a hum. 

 

They gasp loudly as Prowl slowly presses his spike into them, sweet little moans leave them as he rolls his hips pressing his spike deeper into them with each thrust. "Mmmm you don't seem to mind my offer, somebody likes to play favourites with autobot allies " they call back teasingly only to gasp at a rough thrust from Prowl. “behave” he mumbles, With each thrust, Prowl rolls his hips, driving his spike deeper into the driver's tight opening, eliciting more moans from them. "Don't mistake this for favouritism," he growls, his tone filled with a touch of aggression. He knew it was true he was playing favourites but he didn't want to be called out on it. 

 

Their eyes flicker down to watch as Prowl's length disappears and reappears with each thrust, he hikes Their legs up more before picking up pace grinding his spike into them.  "Mmmm whatever you say handsome, I'm your favourite little criminal, " they tease playfully as another moan falls from them. A low growl escapes Prowl's vocalizer as he continues to move with increasing intensity, "Oh, you think you're my favourite little criminal, do you?" he grunts, his voice laced with a hint of dominance . "Well, let's just say you've certainly caught my attention" . Prowl's movements become more urgent, his thrusts growing harder and faster . 

As he continues his forceful thrusts, pleasure courses through both their bodies, causing them to gasp and cry out in ecstasy when he presses into them just the right way. Prowl relishes in the tight clench of their walls around his spike, each little response to his actions bringing him immense satisfaction as he shuts them up. He watches with delight as their words are replaced by babble pleasure. Leaning closer, his voice dripping with a mix of authority and desire, Prowl whispers in their ear. "You wanted to tease, my little criminal? I hope you're ready for the consequences of your actions," he growls, his voice low and seductive . Prowl's thrusts become even more forceful, his movements calculated the car under them rocks with each thrust and the sound of his gears grinding and creaking echoes into the desert air.

They clench as if trying to milk him of transfluid and cry out as their orgasm hits, tears run down their cheek. With a snarl of raw desire, Prowl continues to rut into them, his movements becoming more urgent with each time they arches and grind back against Prowl. One of his servos brushes tears away from their cheeks as he captures them in another kiss.

With each powerful thrust, Prowl is closer to the peak of pleasure, their bodies moving in perfect rhythm. Prowl's own overload follows, his transfluid spilling into them, as a static snarl leaves his vocalivers as he slumps over their panting form. He holds them close as he resets his systems taking time to let everything reset before his optics focus In on them. They both stay still, taking time to recover as Prowl's expression softens as he traces their faces. Their pants go into lazy breaths as they lay against the car roof just watching him before they finally speak. "Do I still have to pay the fine?" They inquire softly as they clench around him again. Prowl's optics flicker with a mix of annoyance and amusement as them. “You're a pain in my aft” he grumbles with another kiss. 

“can you please take these cuffs off, they are digging into my back too much” they call out as he hums in contemplation again. “Prowl don't be a dick, please”  

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[lokideservesahug]

Let's Get Down To Business

Part of the 𝓕1 𝓕𝓪𝓷𝓽𝓪𝓼𝔂 𝓒𝓸𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓬𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷

-°•°•°•°•--•°•°•°•°--°•°•°•°•--•°•°•°•°-

Pairing: Max Verstappen x fem!reader (Mulan AU)

Warnings:Reader has hair that she ties up but eventually cuts (but no explicit length). No Max yet :( (but he will be in the next part ofc!!). Praying and so many mentions of honour.

Notes: I'm so sorry this took so long but I actually enjoyed writing this (despite being in a writing study for so long). Oh and I hope you enjoy another animal naked reference in this one, tell me if you got it😉

Summary: Your entire life you qerr brought up being told of the importance of honour for bothe you and your family all in preparation for the day you finally meet 'The Matchmaker.' Qell what happens when that day comes and it continues to get progressively worse and worse?

Wordcount: 4.2K

-°•°•°•°•--•°•°•°•°--°•°•°•°•--•°•°•°•°-

You can't remember a time before you were made to study. From being taught how to read and write when you were a child to now, being taught to be a lady. There were always strict regulations being enforced on you so you could learn. You take a deep breath. "Graceful, polite." You repeat from the scroll in front of you ad you make neat work, copying the words onto your arm. You continue this process for another few words before your tranquility is broken bu the distant call of a Cockerell.

You bolt up. Oh no...you're going to be late. You scramble out of bed, running around to try and find your dog. "Little brother?" Your shouts only elicit a small huff from the dog on the floor but the noise us enough to make you look down. You bend down and speak in a sickening, high pitch. "Aww there you Are! Aww who's the smartest little doggy in the whole world? Is it you? Yes it is!" You grab a familiar contraption, a light cloth bag, tied to a string with a bone on the end of the stick, left to dangle. "Can you help me with my chores?" You tie the contraption to your dog as you ask the clearly rhetorical question. He begins to run around, crazed and you gently push open the door to outside to give him some direction. He bolts off and you chuckle to yourself as you hear his barks as he runs of and spreads grain and seeds all over your garden.

☆-☆-☆-☆-☆

Your father tries his hardest to kneel in the temple outside. He uses his crutch to lower himself onto his knees, looks above and begins to pray. "Honourable ancestors, please help Y/N to impress the Matchmaker." Little brother runs to the worship gazebo and spreads seeds all over the tile floor. In just a moment, your father is surrounded by a flock of chickens all trying to savour the food. Your father lets out a sigh of despair as he closes of his prayer "Please, she needs it."

You approach the gazebo, tray of tea in hand. A soft whimpering makes you halt in your tracks and you take the bone of the end of the stick and feed it to the desperate dog as he gives you a small bark of thanks. You stand back up and down to your father. "Father, I brought yo-" Your lack of looking up meant that you couldn't anticipate your father being just ahead of you as you began to walk. Meaning that you drop the tray in shock. Your father, somehow manages to catch the handle if the teapot with his walking stick, but the mugs were not as lucky. You look up sheepishly at the sound of shattering pottery. "I'll go and get a spare..." He cuts across you, concern written across his features. "Y/N, you should be preparing already. We are counting and you to uphold-" You chorus your father's familiar words "The family honour. Yes, I know. Don't worry, you know I won't let you down." You hide your ink covered ark as you give your father a confident, reassuring nod. You quickly pivot, calling a gentle "Wish me luck!" as you run down the stairs. Your father shakes his head, brows knitted in worry as he speaks to the dog, "I'm going to go and pray some more."

☆-☆-☆-☆-☆

You are met by your grandmother, her friends, your mother and your mother's half hidden dissaproving stare. You can already feel the berating on the tip of her tongue. "I'm sorry." You shyly chime before she has a chance to speak. She just shakes her head as she goes to get something for your "makeover".

Your grandmother's friend (a short, kind woman that you have known for as long as you can remember) pulls on your arm and is very succinct on where she wants you to stand and what she wants do in the mean time. She flutters around you, softly chastising your looks, messy hair and slight imperfections. After you are undressed, she all but pushes you into the bathtub behind you and your body is instantly overcome with great shivers.

You manage to grit out through chattering teeth, an unamused "It's freezing." Your mother almost smirks and responds simply with "It would have been warm if you were here on time." Touché. Your grandmother's friend is very smiley and lovely but boy can she be strong when washing your hair. She pulls tighter than the past few minutes and you hold in a wince, knowing it would only cause more harm than good. After she has finished pulling your hair in every direction, she moves away to go, and you suppose get the "company" ready, and your mother lifts your arm. "Y/N. What is this?" You avoid her eyes and the sight of your ink-covered arm as you pull your arm to your body. "Uhm notes?" You nearly slap yourself at your clearly uncertain tone. Your mother just raises an eyebrow "For?" "Incase I forget!" Your mother just scoffs and turns away but you try and remind yourself that this is already the start of you "bringing honour to [them] all."

You're out of the bath and having your hair styled in a blur that is so fast that you don't even get time to think on what's happening around you. There are two even older women then before, both very polite this time, pulling on your hair and twisting it in every way hair can be twisted to the pivot that you think they're even finding ways to deny the laws of physics just to style hair. They finally decide on a hairstyle and a subtle accessory and only moments after, you are shooed out of the door to the next stage of your transformation.

You pass two men in a very involved chess match. You look at the old man, clearly pondering his next move on the smug man opposite him. You move the older man's Knight and walk off (just missing his jovial laugh and his opponent's slack jawed expression). Your mother leads you to a room where she finally has more involvement. Her and another woman? (Seriosly how many women do you need,  it really must take a village then) begin to tie all sorts of fabrics around you, leaving you adorned in an interesting combination (that you can't quite see yet as they refuse to let you move even to glance down).

You walk out of the courtyard yet again, finally feeling slightly more prepared to meet the Matchmaker. You pass along two fairly young children. A boy and a girl. The boy runs laps around the girl who is calmly sat on the floor. Well until he snatches the small doll in her hands. The small terror runs off, giggling, leaving the girl visibly upset. The boy happily skips past you and you lean down and grab the doll from his greedy claws. You freeze and pass the doll to the girl who just gives you a toothy grin (minus a few baby teeth) before nuzzling her head into the doll.

You glance to your side to see your mother, only to spot her still with her back to you but a large distance away. You break out in to a quick jog and manage to end up just behind her, giving an unconvincing smile by the time she turns to look at you. You sit the most still as you have ever been as one of your mother's friends applies a soft sheen of lipstick to your lips, finishing off the intricate makeup look now on your face. Your mother stands a few feet away, face contorted to show fear for today's upcoming events. You turn away, not selling her fear to manifest into more fear of your own and instead glance at the focused look of your makeup artist, adding the final few touches to the look. She holds a mirror up to your eyeline yet you grimace at how professional you look. Out of sheer habit, you grab a small strand of hair from the front of your face, pull it out of the updo and twirl it slightly. There, you feel much more comfortable now that you don't look too perfect.

You focus in the path ahead of you and fail to notice your mother running towards you, carrying a parasol.

Your mother unwraps a gorgeous hairclip, gently sliding it into your hair. You bow your head to make it easier for her. She softly whispers and pats your cheek slightly. "There. Now you're all ready." You smile at her, trying to fight of the nerves as you do so. As you walk away from your mother (who wipes a tear subtly as you leave) and your grandma (who also feels the need to try and hand a cricket to you which you decline). You let out a soft prayer as you walk, you hope today will go well and you bring the honour and respect that your family so desperately needs and deserves.

You knew you forgot something! What a great start to the day!

☆-☆-☆-☆-☆

You scramble to the line up and so all thoughts of grace, decorum and proper pracise leave your mind. So when the Matchmaker calls your name and you respond with a loud "Present!" You fail to realise that the matchmakers response would be a grumpy mumble of "Speaking without permission." as she turns her back. Your face nearly drops into your hands from embarrassment. Once you finally get inside, the Matchmaker instantly makes you spin and she mumbles to herself. Something about how you are not quite the right shape.

You watch with bated breath, trying to make out the matchmaker's mumbles. So you easily notice the small cricket that jumps onto another shoulder. Gosh you knew you shouldn't have let your grandma give it to you. It's just as much trouble as she is. You quickly try and grab the cricket so it doesn't start to create more conflict; your reputation is already on a line that's getting thinner and more delicate as time progresses. The Matchmaker sharply turns to you, leaving you with nothing left to do (you must admit that this is one of the lowest points of your life so far) but to swallow the cricket. "Recite the final admonition." You hum in acknowledgement and try to hide the crirping cricket in your mouth. "Well." It's now or never, you spin the cricket out and break out into the soliloquy.

You try and Recite the words to the best of your memory but feel it falter at the final sentence. You glance down at your left arm, speak what it says and the quickly correct yourself due to the smudged writing's misleading appearance. The Matchmaker grabs your left arm, leading you further into the room. She bends down and grabs a kettle from  where it was boiling. "Now, pour the tea." She gestures in an inviting way even when her tone is far from it. Your gaze however is only focused on the ink covered hand of hers. Your eyes widen in horror "To please your future in laws, you must demonstrate dignity and respect." She scratches her face and spreads ink all around her mouth. Still in your mindless, shock induced, trance you miss the teacup entirely and end up pouring a decent amount of tea onto the table. You shake your head and quickly correct yourself and focus on pouring the tea into the cup, not willing to have another mark against your name.

Suddenly, something emerges from the tea and your grandmother's cricket floats to the top, clearly enjoying itself in the warm beverage. You softly whisper as the woman takes the mug "Pardon me..." She shoots you a glare. "And silent!" She lets her face hover over the mug, soaking in the hot fumes. "Could I just-" You lean over the table in an attempt to grab the mug. The Matchmaker gives you an odd look and the two of you commence in a brief tug of war like situation before the tea ends up going flying, all over her front.

Unsurprisingly, she wails in pain but most of your attention is focused on the cricket who jumps down the front of the Matchmaker's dress. You gasp in horror. The older woman reels back in shock and ends up knocking over the container of hot coals used to heat the kettle. The cricket continues to scurry around under her clothes, tickling the Matchmaker which leads her to fall backwards into the steaming coals with a pained wail. You try and grab a nearby flat scroll to try and act as a fan but it only ends up making the glowing patch on her behind flare up into large flames. The Matchmaker continues to scream and run around the room like a headless chicken as you only stand there helpless.

Outside, your grandmother turns to your mother with a smile. "I think it's going well. Don't you?" Without warning, the Matchmaker bursts through the doors to outside and begins to shout to anyone and everyone to "Put it out!!!" In a last ditch attempt to save the Matchmaker, you pour the now (slightly colder) tea all over her. Well it puts on the fire but it also smudges her makeup and makes everyone freeze and look at just how disheveled she is. You wordlessly pass the teapot back to her, bow and scurry away, refusing to make eye contact with her.

The Matchmaker shakes her head and realises that you can't get away that easily. Just as you reach your mother, she stalks after you to shout in your face. "You are an utter disgrace. You may look like a bride but you will never. Ever. Bring your family honour." You just hand your head in shame and slowly make your way back to the house. Your grandmother and mother comfort you and lead you home before the mumbling of townspeople around you can develop.

☆-☆-☆-☆-☆

Over the years, you have found that one of the most theraputic things to do when times get tough, is visit your horse. Sassy walks behind you, quieter than usual, clearly sensing your sombre mood. You walk through the courtyard and spot your father in your peripheral vision. He smiles at you and you duck your head, refusing to meet his eyes and speed up your pace just a small bit; yet you fail to notice your father's concerned and upset face at your dismissal of him.

Sassy already knows where to go when you enter the other stable, she happily starts to lap water up from the pale and you are left, staring at your own reflection. You almost cringe at your painted face. You look like a delicate doll, waiting to be a bride but you feel like anything but that. You draw your attention away from your reflection and begin to remove your jewellery. You stare outside at your father and when your mother and grandmother walk up to him, clearly informing him of earlier events, you feel the oit in your stomach turn into an endless chasmic abyss.

You turn away as your parents have a moment, both lowering their head in sorrow. You walk outside of the stable, feeling constricted in the dark walls. You walk over the dainty bridge in your garden, and head to the prayer gazebo. Your hand gently skims over the water. Unsurprisingly, your sleeve is left damp but all you fucus on is the tranquility of the pond despite it being disturbed.  You look at the polished stones and once again are forced to come to terms with your current looks. Maybe if you pray you will feel some relief. I mean it always works for your father? You bend down yet even then, you are placed face to face with your own face staring back at you in the shiny tiles.

You grab your now wet sleeve and rub it over your face, trying to scrub away your makeup and the expectations placed upon you. You do it a few more times and end up getting majority of the art off of your features. You pull yourself back up, not in the right state of mind to pray but you catch sight of your hair. You remove the hair clip (that is miraculously keeping your updo together) out and let your hair fall down.

☆-☆-☆-☆-☆

Despite not clearing your thoughts, a small walk leads you to be sat at the foot of the large cherry blossom tree in the corner of your garden. You fiddle with the intricate hairclip, clasped in your hands. Your father clears his throat and gives you a small smile. For the second time today, you turn away and refuse to meet his eyes out of sheer embarrassment. He sits down on the bench next to you and lets a pregnant pause sit for a short while.

"Wow. How gorgeous the blossoms are this year." You don't respond. "But look. This one is late." Curiosity piqued, you turn your head slightly and follow the direction if your father's finger. At the end of it's 'path' is a small, unblossomed cherry flower. "And I bet, when it blooms, it will be the most beautiful of them all." As he said the last part of the sentence, he takes the clip from your hands and slides it into your hair once again. You finally meet your father's eyes and the two of you share a silent, meaningful moment filled with smiles and love.

Suddenly, the distant banging of drums cuts across your tranquil moment and your father straightens up. He pushes himself up using a crutch and you are left extremely worried. "What? What's wrong?" Your father gives you no response and walks to the front gates. Your mother, who is already there spots you and gently shoos you back. "Y/N. Stay inside." Your grandmother coughs behind you and gestures offhandedly with her thumb. You jog towards where it is pointing and you start to scale the wall that you had used so many times to stargaze in your youth.

You sit on a faux ledge part of the top of the wall (created by the meeting of the top wall tiles and a stable wall) and listen in. A clearly important looking man on a horse, surrounded by other, tougher looking men on horses stand in the middle ground of land between the and your neighbour's houses. "Citizens, I bring a proclamation from the imperial city. The huns have invaded our country." His words instantly cause people to gasp and even young mothers to scoop up their small children out of fear. The man continues. "One man from every family must serve in the army. For the good and honour of our country." He begins to read of the names of neighbouring families, in alphabetical order. One man steps forward and volunteers volunteers fight in place of his clearly old and frail father which makes you feel a pang of sadness. When he reads out "The Y/L/N" family you mutter a small "No..." You watch as your father hands his walking stick into the shocked arms of your mother and begins to hobble to the man on the horse.

You jump down and run towards your father, shouting "You cant go!" Your father turns at your intrusion. And groans your name as you run up to him. You look up into the yes of the advisor. "Please sir, my father has already fought bravely in the past. He is far too-" He cuts across you with a loud boom. "Silence." He turns towards your father. "It would do you some good to teach your daughter some manners and to hold her tongue in a man's presence." Your father continues to hold eye contact with the royal advisor but adresses you. "Y/N, you dishonour me." You look away. Oh not again. The second time today? You must be on a streak of dishonour. You father takes the instruction envelope and hobbles back to your front gates as you are left feeling hopeless.

☆-☆-☆-☆-☆

Later in the evening, you sneak around to peer into your father's spare room after hearing a small commotion come from here not long ago. Inside, is your father opening a cabinet that you have never in your life seen open. His army crate. You were told as a child to avoid it at all cots due to the danger of it and its contents and now you can see why. Your father pulls a giant blade (probably a sword) out and you also catch a glance of his old army uniform. Your father holds the sword up to the light and begins to swing it, clearly in an attempt to practise his swordsmanship by swiping the air. And you must admit that it's an impressive show.

Until he feels a sharp pain shoot up his arm, causing him to drop the sword. You nearly nearly to his aid but then remember that you are strictly spying on him and would be in so much trouble if you were caught (and goodness knows you don't need that today). He staggers towards a wall and pulls himself up making you shuffle away from the doorway slightly, feeling as panicked as he looks.

☆-☆-☆-☆-☆

Despite how action-packed the day had been, everyone at dinner was surprisingly silent, making for a tense atmosphere. You must have been left alone with your thoughts slightly too long though because when your parents discuss your father's enlistment in hushed whispers, you slam your bowl on the table. "You shouldn't have to go. It's not fair." Your voice breaks at the end of the sentence and you stare at your father in desperation and sorrow. You ignore your mother's quiet cry of your name. "There are plenty of young men. Healthy men that are fit and willing to fight for our country."

Your dad just shakes his head. "It is an honour to fight for this country and to protect my family." The emphasis for his fourth word nearly makes you stop and think. But the key word is 'nearly'. You shake your head. "So you're willing to die just for honour." Now your father finally stands. "I will die for what is right." "But if-" "I know my place. Clearly you need to learn yours." You stare at your father, bottom lip quivering, and flee.

☆-☆-☆-☆-☆

You sit in the garden, letting the rain and darkness envelope you. You watch the sihlouettes of your parents fade as they turn off the lights, clearly deeming it the right time to sleep and then suddenly a plan begins to devise itself in your head. You begin a determined walk to the gazebo and begin to pray. Then you rush out of the gazebo, determined to not waste anymore time. You walk into the spare bedroom and take a deep breath on an attempt to rush your stressed, quick beating heart.

You raise both hands and open the double doors to your father's army supplies. You raise the sword and unsheath it slightly. Wow it's much heavier than you anticipated. You stare at your reflection and the depth of your actions finally sinks in. Your father's words earlier ring in your brain. You too will "die for what is right." As long as it means keeping your father out of danger. You raise the sword and grab a handfull of your hair... Well today must be a day of transformations. You take a giant chop to your hair and you and do an even looking one on the other side (because even with your plan, you still wanted to retain some dignity). You manage to style your hair in a way the is closest to other men's that you have seen in town and move on to the next stage of your plan.

You pull down your father's old uniform and mutter a quiet thanks in your head that it was from when your father was younger and much closer to your size. You put it on, doing up every fastening, tightening every part you could and you look at yourself in the reflection of the sword. You sneak out of the house into the stables, startling your favourite companion. Sassy goes to buck at you due to your unfamiliar appearance but you gently shush her and the ever clever girl, quickly clocks on to the predicament. You ready her up by equipping your saddle and saddle bags (but not before grabbing some extra horse food for the journey).

You take one more glance behind you as you walk out of the courtyard. Yet despite the abysmal weather, your path has never looked so clear. You get up onto Sassy and ride to the camp, letter clutched in hand. You hope this works.

☆-☆-☆-☆-☆

Across the garden, one of your families prayer stones lights up and at the same moment, your grandmother wakes up. She bolts upright and gasps. "Y/N is gone!" She stalks through the house whilst feeling around for a candle to light. Your parents wake with shocked, disbelieving mumbles. "What?" Your father turns to his side but his attention is caught by something. On his bedside table is something that wasn't there when he went to sleep. Your hairclip.

He shakes his head and grabs his walking stick. "It can't be." Even in his half asleep state, he manages to reach the spare room extremely quickly. He opens his old crate and is left speechless.

Your family runs out into the night. "Y/N?" Your father somehow looks likely as he runs towards the gate until he slips in q puddle. He lands face first in the puddle but your mother quickly pulls him up. "You must go after her. Otherwise she will be killed!" Your mother stands up but your father grips her hand. "If I reveal her, she is as good as dead." Your parents stare off unto the distance, silent prayers playing like broken records in their mind. Leaving them to not notice where your grandmother walks off to. She seeks shelter in the gazebo and looks up to the sky, helpless mumbles tumbling pass her lips. "Ancestors, hear my prayer and help to protect Y/N. Please"

-°•°•°•°•--•°•°•°•°--°•°•°•°•--•°•°•°•°-

Thank you so much for reading, I hope you enjoyed it!

As always, likes, reblogs and especially feedback is always welcome!

Taglist: @nikfigueiredo @mysoulispainted @leclercings @d3kstar @hiireadstuff @a-beaverhausen @nichmeddar @lozzamez3 @stinkyjax @marymustdie @littlesatanicassholebitch @mehrmonga @insanedeathwish @ems-alexandra @a-disturbing-self-reflection @cherry-piee

[purplespacecats]

i have so many questions about the trillionaire interstellar arks. like how many people involved knew ftl travel wasn't real? the trillionaires themselves, obviously, but what about the staff? i doubt they'd be able to find enough morally bankrupt people with the necessary expertise. what about their families? take all the immediate family members of the few hundred richest people on earth, and you're gonna have some class traitors in the mix. and obv they must've kept the truth from the 200 lottery winners; no way they'd all be cool with everyone they've ever known and loved being condemned to death.

it couldn't have been hidden for long; once you're living on one of these ships, it must be obvious that it's designed as a generation ship. and there would have to be rules enforced to maintain genetic diversity à la sixth house, and presmably a sperm bank and/or frozen embryos for that purpose, which are obviously only necessary because they're not coming back.

so what happens when the truth is revealed? and what would have happened if it hadn't already been too late, and jod hadn't kicked off nuclear armaggedon as they were launching? when the passengers who had been kept in the dark learned that they were leaving the rest of humanity to die despite everyone knowing about the cryo tech that could've saved everyone else, some of them for sure would have rebelled and tried to turn back. the trillionaires presumably would have planned for this, but they also couldn't afford to kill a lot of staff and wouldn't want to kill their loved ones, so the extent of the violence they could use to quell an uprising would be limited.

what i'm saying is, maybe all jod had to do is wait, and at least one ship would've come back. that if he hadn't cared more about stopping the ships than he did about saving humanity, he might actually have been able to save everyone.

[simply-ivanka]

Press Failure Inflates the Debate

Coverage of the Harris campaign is biased.

Worse than that, it’s malpractice.

By William McGurn Wall Street Journal

Presidential debates typically don’t determine the outcomes of elections, notwithstanding the large television audiences they draw and the dramatic moments they produce. But Tuesday night’s dustup between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris may be different.

Press failure has inflated it into the seminal event of the Trump-Harris race. Because reporters haven’t insisted that Ms. Harris answer basic questions, the debate, moderated by ABC News, may provide the only moment in the 2024 election when Americans get to see how Ms. Harris performs under pressure.

This failure would be appalling at any time, but the circumstances of Ms. Harris’s campaign turn simple media bias into journalistic malpractice. The vice president secured the top slot on the Democratic ticket without having to contest a single primary—and therefore without having to lay out and defend her record. This leaves her largely unknown to American voters, a situation Ms. Harris is now exploiting to reinvent herself as a moderate challenger rather than a woke incumbent.

In addition, Ms. Harris is a mother lode of unanswered questions on most of the issues that once defined her. This includes her previous support for everything from defunding the police and banning plastic straws to getting rid of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and starting from “scratch,” stances she now apparently disavows.

An appearance by Sen. Tom Cotton (R., Ark.) on ABC’s “This Week” in August shows how the press lets her off the hook. When Mr. Cotton brought up Ms. Harris’s support for eliminating private health insurance, which the Medicare for All policy she espoused in 2019 would do, host Jonathan Karl interjected that Ms. Harris has said she no longer holds that position. Mr. Cotton pushed back. “She has not said that,” he correctly pointed out. “Anonymous aides,” he said, may have said that she no longer holds the position she once did, but we haven’t heard it from the candidate herself.

Ditto the big CNN interview, for which Ms. Harris brought along running mate Tim Walz to cut in to the time she would have to take questions. Moderator Dana Bash did make a show of asking why Ms. Harris flipped on fracking. But she wasn’t pressed on her biggest non-answer of the evening—“My values have not changed.”

It’s unlikely Ms. Bash or CNN would accept such an evasion from Mr. Trump or his running mate, JD Vance. When Mr. Vance did his own interview with Ms. Bash, she rightly grilled him on abortion and comments he made about Mr. Walz’s characterization of his service in the Minnesota National Guard. But it’s worth watching the two interviews to see the very different tones Ms. Bash took toward Mr. Vance and Ms. Harris.

In short, Ms. Harris is getting a pass. Bad enough that 56 days from the election, she still isn’t giving interviews or holding news conferences. The far greater scandal is that a free press isn’t demanding that she do so.

It’s hard to fault Ms. Harris. Her strategy is a sign that she knows her liabilities. Her campaign is trying to get through the next eight weeks avoiding events where she might have to answer an unscripted question or explain details of, say, inflation. Team Harris knows they don’t go very well for her.

Take the recent rollout of her economic platform, most notable for her call for a federal ban on “price gouging.” Even the Washington Post called her plan full of “populist gimmicks.” And former Obama administration economist Jason Furman told the New York Times that it is “not sensible policy.” Message taken: Better to stick to fuzzy, feel-good themes like “joy” or to call Mr. Trump a felon.

It isn’t the first time a Democratic presidential candidate has benefited from a domesticated press. One reason Ms. Harris is her party’s nominee is that the press covered up President Biden’s mental decline. By the time the June 27 debate with Mr. Trump exposed Mr. Biden’s condition for all the American people to see, it was too late for primaries. It was much the same in 2020, when the New York Post broke the story of Hunter Biden’s laptop three weeks before the election. Because the computer contained evidence of Hunter’s sleazy overseas business dealings while his dad was vice president, the press buried it.

Today the received wisdom is that sooner or later Ms. Harris will have to give interviews and press conferences like a normal candidate. Perhaps. But she has a decent shot at winning the White House because her campaign is running out the clock before anyone can ask her a tough question.

On Tuesday night at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Ms. Harris and Mr. Trump will have at it for 90 minutes. Ironically the low expectations for Ms. Harris may be an advantage. All she has to do is not humiliate herself and her performance will be hailed as a triumph.

If the press corps did its job, we’d all know more of what we need to know about Kamala Harris and what kind of president she’d make. But because it won’t, it’s all on Donald Trump to do that job himself.

[churino]

Design for pre earth barricade

He wasn't able to handle the autobadge ealry on, maybe he was never a good fit for it if you think about it,

Inside the Primax 984.0 Gamma ark that our initial group of autobots called their home layed the seat of power for all autobots, as you may expect, being the head of goverment doesn't mean a place is entirely peaceful, Barricade and his Race Track patrol would make sure of that. The Race Track patrol was a minor group of troublemakers back in the day. The young barricade was among them as "runner," an alias he used to avoid reconition like the coward he was, but everything changed the day the ark was attacked by the predacons.

the rest of the patrol saw oportunity in the chaos and broke into living quarters and stole as many things as they could, but barricade was left behind by them and caught by the authorities, he ratted em out and got away scott free as a result while his buddies rusted away.

Now, without a job, Barricade decided to "turn his life around" and get into law enforcement, and that's where the trouble really began. You see, Barricade is a bully at heart, and what happens when a bully is determined to get more power? Not good things. I'll tell you that much

[aliciavance4228]

Here's a list with obscure deities from Greco-Roman Mythology to obssess about

Aceso: The goddess of the healing process and Asclepcius' daughter;

Achlys: The goddess of the eternal night, aka the Mist of Death;

Agon: The greek god of competition;

Alala: The goddess of the war cry, daughter of Polemos and one of Ares' attendants;

Alke: The goddess of battle-strenght and Eris' daughter;

Amechania: Apparently the ancient greeks did have a goddess of helplessness too.

Apate: A daughter of Nyx and the goddess of deceit;

Arete: She's more a concept than an actual deity. From what I found, her name means virtue, in the sense of being the best version of yourself or reaching tour highest potential. She was supposed to personify that;

Aristaeus: A minor god primarily known for rustic arts like beekeeping and cheesemaking. And Eurydice's assaulter;

Arke: Iris' sister who was thrown intk Tartarus after betraying the gods and becoming a messager for the titans;

Atë: Eris' daughter and the goddess of mischief, delusion, folly, and reckless impulsiveness that leads to ruin;

Bia: The goddess and personification of force;

Caerus: Very obscure guy and the god of opportunity;

Ceto: An early sea goddess and the mother of the Gorgons, the Graia, Echidna and the Hesperian Dragon;

Cybele: A Phrygian Mother Goddess, her cult being very popular in Anatolia once;

Dike: Goddess of mortal justice and fair judgment;

Dolos: God of trickery and guile, and a former apprentice to Prometheus;

Dysnomia: Daughter of Eris and goddess of lawlessness;

Eleos: A daughter of Nyx and the personification of pity, mercy, clemency, and compassion;

Endovelicus: Worshipped only by the romans, and apparently a deity who came from the Lisutanian Mythology. He was the god of healing and light.

Epione: The goddess of the soothing of pain and Asclepcius' wife;

Eucleia, Eupheme, Euthenia and Philophrosyne: Hephaestus and Aglaea's daughters;

Geras: Son of Nyx and the god of old age;

Homados: God of the noise of battle and all the blood-curdling screaming that implies;

Homonia: Goddess of concord, unanimity, and oneness of mind;

Hygieia: A daughter of Asclepcius and the personification of health, cleanliness, and sanitation;

Iaso: Daughter of Asclepius and the goddess of recuperation from illness;

Janus: Present only in the Roman Mythology, Janus was the god of doorways, gates, transitions, and beginnings and endings;

Kratos: Apparently he actually existed in Greek Mythology, but he was the god of strenght and power;

Limos: Daughter of Eris and the goddess of starvation;

Lyssa: Daughter of Nyx and the goddess of mad rage, frenzy and rabies in animals;

Mithras: Besides the fact that he was a roman god worshipped by a popular mystery cult there are few things known about him;

Momus: Son of Nyx and the god of satire, mockery, censure, writers, and poets;

Moros: Son of Nyx and the god of impending doom;

Oizys: Daughter of Nyx and the goddess of misery;

Pamacea: Daughter of Asclepcius and the goddess of universal remedy;

Peitho: Goddess of persuasion and seduction;

Penia: Goddess of poverty and need;

Phorcys: God of the mysterious dangers of the deep and Ceto's husband;

Plutus: God of wealth;

Polemos: Personification of war;

Ponos: God of hard labor and toil;

Porus: God of plenty and a son of Metis, making him the half-brother of Athena;

Praxidike: The goddess of judicial punishment and the exactor of vengeance;

Priapus: A minor fertility god, known for trying to rape Hestia once and his large equipment;

Ptocheia: Greek goddess of beggary;

Quirnius: An early roman god of Rome itself as a city state.

Seilenos: The god of drunkeness and crushing grapes under foot to make wine and the godfather of Dionysus;

Soteria and Soter: The goddess and god of safety and deliverance from harm;

Zelus: The personification of dedication, emulation, eager rivalry, envy, jealousy, and zeal. Had wings like his siblings (Nike, Kratos and Bia) and was an enforcer for Zeus that stood about his throne;

[vickyvicarious]

No man knows till he has suffered from the night how sweet and how dear to his heart and eye the morning can be. When the sun grew so high this morning that it struck the top of the great gateway opposite my window, the high spot which it touched seemed to me as if the dove from the ark had lighted there. My fear fell from me as if it had been a vaporous garment which dissolved in the warmth. I must take action of some sort whilst the courage of the day is upon me.

The way Jonathan describes suffering from the night and being relieved by the sun in the morning makes me think he stayed up all night. Which is likely not to terribly unusual at this point, of course. He does describe things happening during the day at times but I think he's still on the mostly nocturnal schedule enforced by Dracula, and any daytime events are him staying up later/maybe waking earlier for the most part.

But even if it isn't too new for him to be awake till this point, the way he stayed up - sitting in silent horror for hours, lost in utmost doubt and fear - feels really striking and painful. I can picture him sitting huddled on the floor with his back to the window, writing his previous entry on the diary balanced on his knees. And then just hugging them to himself and staring into the dark room for hours...

Until the sun comes, bringing with it comfort and determination to act.

[tf-cyberaligned]

Designs for the sequel I am already planning

The Rescue Recruits!!

And some of my lore that will be explored with for all of them!

Wedge

Wedge was formed during the war. He was created through spark bonding between two Decepticons, though he never really met his Parensnatales (parents) due to their assignment within the ranks. Due to his young age, he was put into the energon mines on one of the Deception owned planets on the outskirts of the Milky Way. While he had to fight Autobots sometimes, this planet was relatively uninhabited by Autobots, meaning that many Decepticon children made their home here.

When the war ended, and they returned to Cybertron, Wedge found out that he was orphaned just like many of his miner buddies. While Cybertron was being rebuilt, several mechs had stepped up to take care of and watch over the young Cybertronians left behind. One of these groups was the newly reemerged Protectobots, who were missing one key bot in their lineup. Wedge was one of the young Cybertronians taken in by the team, where he soon learned about rescue work and started to ask for training in it. While Rescue City was being repaired, the Protectobots and several of the old Alpha team members who had returned to the city started to teach small things to the young Cybertronians who were under their care. While some dropped off from the lessons, the others stuck around to become the new rebirth generation of Rescue Bots, which Wedge was one of those.

Whirl

Whirl was also formed during the war, formed from a spark bond due to Ultra Magnus and Whirl Sr. not being careful with their conjunx bonding ceremony. While her designation was Whirlybird, she chose to use just Whirl to mess with mechs on the Lost Light. One day a large energy spike was detected across the Milky Way. While Ultra Magnus went off to investigate the strange anomaly, the Lost Light continued to avoid the attacks of the DJD.

Once the ship was able to reach Cybertron and the whole family was reunited, Whirl Jr. was stumped on what she was wanting to do. Whirl Sr. one day had suggested joining the newly rebuilt Rescue Bots Academy. Due to Ultra Magnus's knowledge of the old laws and regulations of Cybertron, he would teach Whirl Jr. them during his free time. Due to this, she had an immense love for the subject. So when she found out that the academy had enforcers as an option, she jumped at the chance to join. Leading her to join the first wave of new official Rescue Bot Recruits.

Hot Shot and Jolt

Hot Shot was one of the mechs who reemerged from the Well. Jolt's spark connection with him is what allowed him to return. Jolt is his minicon partner, and one of his oldest friends. Hot Shot was one of the many young mechs who had to fight in the war. While he had a naturally forged frame, his spark was transferred to an adult build, offering more protection than his young, weak armor plating he had before. The pair fought side by side during the war as first Optimus's personal scouts, then as a commander of a squadron. Jolt helped to keep to Hot Shot in check, offering guidance to the young soldier. When Hot Shot had become a commander, his role also shifted to being a mentor for a young scout that Optimus had appointed. Hot Shot taught the young scout everything he needed to know, and the pair formed a close friendship. When the young scout had been kidnapped by Megatron while Hot Shot had been shot down, Primus had changed Hot Shot's frame. This new frame while lacking speed, made up for it in strength, allowing the young commander to rescue the young scout at Tyger Pax. After the events at Tyger Pax, the Ark was ready to launch. Hot Shot was meant to be one of the mechs that went on the ship. However as it was launching, the Nemesis had attacked. Hot Shot was one of the fatalities during this attack.

Upon his reemergence from the Well, he was met by the mechs who were looking over the many new sparks and reemerging sparks. After many questions, he was finally reunited with Jolt. After that Hot Shot and Jolt had aimlessly wandered around Cybertron. Hot Shot was one of the mechs who had no Parensnatales, and so he really had no place to go. After some years, the pair heard about a new Cube league forming. Cube was originally a game created during the war by Ratchet for the many young mechs who were forced into the war to have something fun to do. (Also was created to distract them from the Wrecker's game of Lob) Hot Shot remembering the many games he played, joined the league and was soon given a home among the teams. Over time, he had risen to fame, being one of the best players within the league. After a big final game of the season, Optimus had approached him. Shocked to see the meant to be dead leader, Hot Shot didn't believe at first that the mech was really in front of him. However after some time talking, Hot Shot learned that he had been alive for awhile at that point, and had just returned from a mission back to Earth. It was at this point that Optimus had offered him and Jolt a chance to go to the newly reopened Rescue Bots Academy.

Medix

Medix also reemerged from the Well, being one of the mechs that was killed during the Rescue Bots Massacre. Medix is the child of First Aid and Vortex, having been formed by a spark bond during the start of the war. He too was put into an adult frame like Hot Shot was, and when the Protectobots joined the war, he was also brought into it with his cousins. He worked as a tirage medic on the field, being a true pacifist just like his aunt Groove. His team within the Rescue Bots rank was Alpha 2, which consisted of his cousins Skyfeather, Rook, and Heatrock. Skyfeather was their team leader, due to her being the oldest and most experienced out of them. The Alpha 2 team was able to combine with the Alpha 1 team (Protectobots), making the two teams very powerful in terms of the war. Skyfeather and Heatrock were able to combine within the actual Protectobot team, forming Gaia Guardian, while Rook and Medix were able to replace an original team member when they were unable to transform. When Defensor fell at Tagan Heights, Rescue City was left with Alpha 2 leading and protecting it. This is when Megatron decided to strike. Medix watched as his older cousins were slaughtered, before his death and the destruction of Rescue City.

Upon his reemergence, he was reunited with his cousins who also reemerged with him. Together the group made their way to the remains of Rescue City, where they were reunited with Hotspot, First Aid, Streetwise, and Groove. Blade's absence confused them all, but they all were quick to start rebuilding the city. Blades soon reappeared on Cybertron, having survived the war and was the reason that they were all able to reemerge due to his Gestalt bond with his siblings. When the school was rebuilt and reopened, Medix joined the new wave of students coming into the academy, excited to finish his training properly.

Hoist

Hoist, while not apart of the war, was a civilian casualty. His Almatonias (moms) had him before the war broke out. His family had decided to stay out of the war as long as they possibly could, but his death due to an Autobot Wrecker's explosions is what pushed his Almatonias to join the Decepticons.

His Almatonias survived the war, allowing for his reemergence. He was reunited with them, and after Cybertron had been mostly rebuilt, they were encouraging him to choose what he wanted to do in life. Now that the caste system was overthrown, he was allowed to do just that. Hearing about the reopening of the Rescue Bots Academy, and that engineering, one of his passions, was offered at the academy, he applied to be a student there. He was accepted and joined the first wave of new students.

And that is the lore of these guys for the Cyberhumans and Cybertronians sequel! While this story isn't going to be mentioned much until that point in time, I wanted to get these out there as some of the characters will be mentioned within the main story of Cyberaligned. Due to how interwoven I want everything to be, we will be seeing glimpses of Hot Shot and Medix within Blade's memories, as well as meeting Whirl Jr. and Whirl Sr. in one of the future chapters when the Lost Light crashes on Earth.

I hope y'all are excited for this future plot!

[the-cat-and-the-birdie]

Hobie Brown's Living Room on the S.S Anne Ark

Hobie's living room on the houseboat complete with graffiti, boatcats, and a juke box he's customed himself.

(In depth explainer below - click for higher rez)

Diane took this photo early in the morning while Hobie was still sleeping upstairs. It seems like Moto the cat is already up. [Light mentions of my Spidersona Disco-Spider Diane below] The S.S Anne Ark (get it- AnArch?) is Hobie's home, and arguably his favorite place in the world.

Gifted to him by an old geezer Hobie used to work for, he's been living on Anne for 4 years now - since he was 16.

And this is his living room.

Hobie is by no means a homebody, but when he is home, he spends most of his time here - reading, writing songs, and listening to music.

The Living Area -

Feel free to imagine a LOT more junk here. The living room floor is always covered with his projects - songbooks, or patches, zines - whatever art he's making then. Cause Hobie is always making art. His couch might as well be older than him - and he found it on a curb in Tower Hamlets, called a few favors, and somehow got it in here. But it's the most comfortable thing you'll ever sit on.

The Music/Recording Area -

Almost every song Hobie has recorded or written in the past 4 years has been here. Hobie keeps most of his music equipment in the wooden cabinet and the good stuff that can't fit gets put on display. There's a microphone rigged to the ceiling and mixing equipment for recording. Hobie's motto is the louder the better, and it's a good thing the windows are re-enforced, because his speakers are loud enough to make the glass rattle. There's also a vintage jukebox that Hobie had bartered for a couple years back. Now, he loves tickering with it. He's swapped out the old 50's songs for something more his taste tho.

The Kitchen Area -

Hobie can cook, and he loves it, but being a street kid for so long, he's hardly ever gotten in the habit of doing it. Hobie's kitchen is sparce, partly because the boat is off the grid. His cupboards are mainly full of books and shoes, and his oven is rarely used. However, he has a grill on the back deck - and that's where he does most of his cooking. Once Gwendy came around, Hobie got a lot more into cooking, the kid seemed like she needed a homecooked meal. Hobie mainly eats cheap street food - street kid habits -frequenting fish n' chip places and kebab shops, and yeah, he calls the dude behind the counter 'boss' or something. He also eats a lot of food from convivence stores, like packaged sandwiches and cold pastas. Because they're easy to carry, and when he was younger, they were (literal) life-savers. The taste gives him nostalgia. The thing he makes most in the kitchen is beans on toast. Diane finds it disgusting, which Hobie finds hilarious.

The BoatCats

Hobie is a man of many cats. He looks after the dock and alley cats, catching fish on early mornings (yes, he fishes) to give to them before he has breakfast. All of them have names, and none of them have collars. And Hobie loves them all. Those that are a bit older, weaker, or just want to - get to come live with him as BoatCats. Pictured here: Left - Moto (Personality: Feisty, Calm, Curious) Right - Pierogi, also known as Rogi (Personality: Cuddly, Talkative, Friendly) Hobie does not care much for their genders, and doesn't check.

More about The S.S Anne Ark (I'll be posting an explainer with the outside, layout, etc)

The S.S Anne Ark is a modified wide-beam canal boat. Completely off-the-grid, and DIY'd by him, it's Hobie's pride and joy. The Anne Ark is three levels tall - a 'ground' floor, and upstairs, and a locked basement below the deck. Pictured is the living room. To the left - beside the windows - there is a hallway that leads to Hobie's workshop and the basement Hobie choses to firmly keep private. Not even Gwen, Pavi or Diane have been down there. To the right behind the cat tree is the stairs up to Hobie's bedroom. (You walk up those stairs, hit the landing, turn and go up again.) The Anne Ark has two 'bedrooms' and one 'bathroom'. Hobie's bedroom is what was once the control room, gutted and converted. The second bedroom was once a small equipment space. The small bathroom is up there as well - but it's more of a wet room, with a shower and toilet. There's a sink to wash your hands on the second floor outdoor deck, but it's either that or the kitchen sink.

But that's Anne Ark! And after years of squatting and homelessness as a streetkid, Hobie considers Anne his forever home. And he takes pride in that.

He tries pride in opening Anne's doors for others too - kids in the same spot he was, who just need a little help.

Other little facts about Anne Ark:

Hobie's leather jacket is on the couch. He has multiple, he can't be walking around in the same jacket as Spiderpunk 24/7, right? He has a couple, and the ones he stops wearing, he donates. He usually starts a new one when the last is too cover in patches to continue.

The Anne Ark changes colors.

Diane throws rager after-parties on Anne Ark after the band's shows. She has her own apartment she loves to death, and doesn't sleep over often - maybe staying a weekend or two a month, or crashing after a party. In turn, Hobie hardly ever sleeps at hers. Mainly because her place is merticulously pink, and she says he messes up her throw pillows. He disagrees with the idea of unusable pillows. And with her own crib and bed a portal jump away, they don't feel the need to bunk together. Non-conventional relationship and all that. [Insert scene of Barbie being like 'why would you wanna stay over?? :) This is MY dreamhouse lol <3 ]

________________________________________

So uhhhhh, that's his living room.

I tried to get it as genuinely close how it looks in me paracosm (i JUST learned that word), based on how Diane sees it. All of this is based off of headcanon and I see it when I'm in the space.

Some things may be left out for sake of space and simplicity - but this is mainly it - as accurately as I could reasonably get it.

If you read this far, THANK YOU - I really appreciate it and it genuinely means a lot! As usual, you will take this photo of Hobie, and pretend this is normal behavior.

Bye.

[12pt-times-new-roman]

c3e89

Rashina gives the Bells Hells a task so they can prove themselves valuable to the Volition. They are in the midst of plotting to topple the Weave-mind and free the people of Ruidus from the Emperium; they are willing to give anything and everything for the future of Ruidus.

Rashina is slow to trust -- her father was a very trusting man, "and all it took was to trust the wrong person once." But the Volition is running out of time. She brings them to a war room-like area with a central table, and one of the people in here -- Gaztomo -- has some small, fungus-like creatures (mycits) as pets.

There are hundreds of thousands of mycits that work throughout the city -- they have no political leanings, but they're useful, like giant fungal isopods.

The reiloran variants were once a singular people, but over time, the Weave-mind genetically engineered or selectively bred the telepathic abilities out of many reilorans -- they have fundamentally altered the evolution of the entire species to their ends. Their forms are withered, taxed beyond even their stretched lifespans, and the same five have been in power for over five centuries. They can psychically project their minds all over the moon, and can inhabit the minds of reilorans who have been marked with a device at the back of their necks. Every civilian of Kreviris is marked, and a potential extension of the Weave-mind. They have extremely powerful wills, but although they can look at anyone and everyone, there are still only five of them -- and the Volition, which was apparently established by Rashina's father, ensures that their members have their marks carved out.

Reiloran children are brought to the Arks Crionum (the citadel) shortly after birth to be marked. The marks are biologically-engineered, organic implants.

Ruidian society has been "reset" by the Weave-mind at least four times, Kreviris has been rebuilt at least twice and the central pillar has been the only constant thing.

Exandrian gods have no reach on Ruidus. There are no miracles here. All that they have is each other, the promises of the Weave-mind, and the occasional whisper, the promise of belonging, from below. The Weave-mind is the interpreter of Predathos' whisperings; but Predathos does not speak directly to Ruidians because Exandrians are ultimately more useful to its plan of escape.

Before the Weave-mind, there was a collective of societies across Ruidus; the Emperium rose among them, and there was an event called the Crush nearly three centuries ago that destroyed them and allowed the Emperium to rise to ultimate power. This corresponds directly to the fall of Molaesmyr.

Within the citadel, the Weave-mind has a massive collection of bio-engineered tools and weapons, and those are what allowed them to come to power.

In addition to the flares, Ruidus also experiences quakes; they're rare, happening once every few years, but like the flares they have also been increasing in frequency. The Crush was a series of quakes so strong that it destroyed the majority of Ruidian society, reducing nearly everything to ruins.

The Dominion of Kruth -- Kreviris' military branch -- is headed by Oko Kruth, whose bloodline has a particular psychic connection to the beasts of the land. "If you see them, run -- or end things real quick."

The Tectis are Kreviris' upper echelons, politicians, police chiefs, enforcers. nobles -- they're an eclectic bunch, paranoid, and while most are in the pocket of the Weave-mind, some of them are aligned with the Volition. (I'm really trying to ignore Matt's Bioshock reference with the "ace in the hole" thing here.)

Ludinus has been running a deep excavation underneath the "prime pillar" of Kreviris, and shuttling strange artifacts there from the bridge. (I'm also trying very hard to ignore the way that Rashina's inflections mirror Essek's.)

To many Ruidians, Predathos is the closest thing they have to religious faith. What Rashina knows is that since the Vanguard has arrived, the Emperium has been ushering in an air of excitement among the populace with the promise of relocation to Exandria. There have been celebrations across the city, demonstrations in the streets. She doesn't know what it means for Ruidus; but she believes the intent is for those who are loyal to the Weave-mind to go to Exandria. "The only reason we know our life is so hard here is because we compare it to what we see in your dreams... we see feasts, holidays, miracles and... here, there is dust and survival. There is joy to be found here; but it's one thing to not know otherwise, but most nights, the basis of comparison is put in our faces." The Weave-mind is responsible for those dreams.

The Weave-mind also, when they came to power, destroyed every historical text and record they could get their hands on, and the Volition has nothing left of it.

They begin talking about their plans for the morning.

First, a detonation at Ludinus' excavation beneath the pillar that would let the Volition recover some prisoners. Sorrowlord Zathuda is overseeing the excavation at the moment. One among their number is already helming this move: as she gestures to him, Ira Wendigoth emerges from the shadows.

Secondly, an infiltration mission: one of their spies, Everoa -- a bormodo scientist tangential to Ludinus' experiments with Aeorian technology -- has gone missing, and needs to be recovered. She was working in the Coloquium of Candescence at the base of the citadel. Last the Volition heard, she was working on a device or weapon for Ludinus.

Thirdly, there is a rescue option: numerous Volition members and Exandrians who opposed the Emperium were taken hostage about a week ago. Rashina gestures to a green dragonborn in the shadows, who's leading the expedition: Bizoden Amari, who is a champion of Bane, the Strife Emperor (another one of the lawful-evil Betrayer Gods) and came here on behalf of him. She looks at FCG: "you smell of a broken road... Freedom brings all to ruin in time."

And lastly, the secret fourth option, led by Gaz himself: a mission to assassinate Liliana Temult.

They are given the night to sleep on the decision.

Imogen expresses similar feelings toward the prospect of killing her mother as before: it would take a lot to redeem her, with nearly 30 years of working for the Emperium under her belt. She's worried that she'll try to stop it. At the same time, she recognizes that she never really knew her mother, and her situation is very similar to Fearne's, whose estranged father is running the excavation.

Laudna also points out that they're going on one of these missions to gain the trust of the Volition, so to go on one of them for their own personal gain instead could jeopardize that if it fails; while Orym points out that if they succeed in killing Liliana, this mission is her last chance to talk to her.

I'm already partial to going to find the scientist because they might encounter more Aeorian technology, but it's also interesting that no one has mentioned that doing that one could also yield more info about FCG.

FCG uses the coin to ask the Changebringer whether or not Imogen's mother is redeemable. When the coin flips, it usually has this ring to it, but here it's silent, and it lands squarely on its side -- "unsure."

Gaz comes back, and Imogen convinces him to tell them about the assassination. They recently discovered that she's been held up in the Woven Music Grand Hall, gathering a lot of Exandrian ruidusborn there. Imogen learns that there are certain devices that can interrupt thought-eaters and some psychic abilities. I need someone to insight check her, please

"You're working on a lot of assumptions that your mother is redeemable... an estranged parent is just a stranger who can make you believe any bullshit." Ashton is completely right -- every time they've encountered Liliana it's been "this one last chance," over and over again. If Imogen tries to reach out to her, there is the incredible risk that she will expose them and the Volition -- and on only Imogen's word, they sacrifice the trust the Volition has given them, they take the risk that Imogen will be pulled in to Predathos, they take the risk that Liliana will pinpoint her location, and they ensure that Ashton has disadvantage on basically everything during whatever excursion they go on. (Imogen constantly gets her way with this party, and someone really needs to call her on the bullshit she's pulling before it gets them all killed.)

Imogen decides to reach out to Liliana. In the dream, it's just color and warmth; then, a light, and Liliana appears curled up in a ball, hovering in the air.

Liliana explains that she thinks she's opposing Ludinus, she's pulled him back from the edge -- and she is saving people, there are Ruidisborn children here who she's protecting. But she's still convinced in his mission, that setting Predathos free will free them all, that killing the gods is an overall good thing. She wants Imogen to believe that she loves her, but she's never shown it; doesn't deny that she would kill Imogen if she had to. She thinks that she can guide Ludinus' plan down the right path, but still believes in the end goal -- she thinks she can do it safely.

"If we do this right, maybe we can all go home. [No, mama. You're lying to yourself. They're lying to you. Ludinus is an evil, evil man, and he's gotten into your head.] History is full of evil men. Few have the courage to stand up and try to stop them. I don't think we're on the opposing side like you think we are, we just have opposing methods, that's all. Please see it in yourself to understand why I've given up all of this. [Maybe it's your turn to run.]"

They decide that it's not a good idea for any of them to go on the assassination mission -- Imogen because she couldn't handle it (which is perfectly understandable, my god), and everyone else because she wouldn't forgive them if they had a hand in it.

There are a lot of good things coming out of this -- FCG acknowledging that the gods are gray, Imogen recognizing that her mother isn't going to flip sides, Laudna not instinctively taking Liliana's side against the gods.

Chetney gets at something they really don't have an answer to: sure, you might think the gods are tyrants, but why? What's the underlying motive there? There needs to be one. I personally think that Ludinus wants to make a massive power vacuum so he himself can fill it, but it could be something else.

"Sure, I can see the tyrant in the gods, but I can see the tyrant in the man too." "We're not all that different, gods and mortals."

Luckily, the Bells Hells do know some basics about the Divine Gate and its purpose to keep divinity separate from Exandria, and Orym knows that it wasn't that long ago that Vecna got banished behind it. They are of the general consensus that releasing Predathos would be bad if its true intent is to destroy the gods; but where they're unsure is what will happen to Predathos, and more importantly Ruidus itself, if Predathos is not released.

Also, I was wrong, Ashton only gets disadvantage on ability checks, not attacks. Which is better, sure, but that means disadvantage on stealth, and all of the available missions are at least partially stealth-based.

As they wake up, the Volition base is buzzing with energy.

Fearne goes to find Ira as he's making some bombs. His plan is to cloak his team in illusions, sneak into one of the more recently-constructed tunnels, plant the bombs on the drilling devices there, and explode them. Also, Ira did previously know that Zathuda was Fearne's father, which really complicates Ira's relationship with the Calloways -- but his ire with Zathuda is because he's had bad dealings with the Unseelie. Ludinus stole his designs and is trying to change the course of history without giving him credit.

Ira also has a theory regarding Fearne's birth: "In my mind, it seems that Ludinus and the Vanguard's interest involved creating as many Ruidisborn as possible, in the hopes that the few odd children might be born special (read: exaltant). You were halfway there."

Fearne does want to see Zathuda, but it's not the same as the situation with Liliana because Zathuda isn't very likely to actually die during that mission -- he might not even be there.

Imogen and Laudna talk about Liliana. "As someone who loves you, I can't imagine abandoning you." "But you have another power pulling at you, don't you? I thought we got rid of Delilah, we beat her, but as soon as we split up, you fanned that ember back into a flame and now it's bigger than ever... but I can hate Delilah, and love you." Imogen doesn't know if she'll ever be free of Ruidus, and Laudna doesn't know if she'll ever be free of Delilah, but "if getting rid of Delilah means getting rid of you, I don't think that's worth it... I just wish I knew why you gave her power again." "I didn't mean to -- it wasn't a choice. She never fully left." "Are you telling me the truth? You wouldn't lie to me again, right Laudna?" OUGH--

They kiss. "I will never let you go. And if you need her, then that's my answer." "But what if by holding on to you, I'm holding you down? You are destined for greatness. We can all pretend that we're special, unique maybe -- but not the kind of special that you are. Everything is being set up, is being staged, for you to be the savior of Exandria." (oh I hate this narrative but I love how illustrative it is of the dysfunction they need to address--) "Laudna, if you weren't holding me down, I wouldn't be saving anyone but Predathos. I would be gone."

It's so interesting how Laudna is interpreting the narrative surrounding Imogen as opposed to Imogen herself, and how she's superimposing that narrative over Imogen's own agency. It's an extension of her codependence, sure, but it's also a projection of the issues Laudna has with her own agency in relation to Delilah, and it's just so complicated and I want to SCREAM (/pos)

(The sasquatch-like creatures are Quinakkas.)

Ira has built a series of screech plumes, which disrupt and scramble both magic and psychic abilities. The Volition will use them in the assassination attempt. It is implied that the design of these were based on the Aeorian disruption devices the Bells Hells found earlier.

They enter the war room. Today is a day of action. They decide to split up: FCG, Ashton, and Fearne will go with Ira to the detonation site, while Chetney, Imogen, Orym, and Laudna will go to the citadel to retrieve the bormodo scientist. All told, these are pretty good group makeups -- and the addition of a reiloran caster to the infiltration group and Ira to the demolition group rounds out the party makeup. The only thing Team Infiltration is missing is a healer, but with Laudna's wither and bloom plus the fact that most of their stuff refreshes on a short rest, I think they'll be alright.

Just before they head out, FCG pops a greater restoration on Ashton to clear their last point of exhaustion. Also, the reiloran mystic casts both invisibility and see invisibility on the entire team. Meanwhile, Ira casts seeming on the demolition team, and they take on the guise of quanikkas, bormodos, and -- for FCG and Mister -- mycits. (Ira himself is a thought-eater reiloran.)

Thankfully, at the last minute, Team Infiltration -- which has no full healers -- takes a bunch of the health potions.

I'm very curious as to whether Matt is going to split the teams up and introduce guests, or if he's gonna switch off every half hour or so. I'm leaning toward splitting them up, but we'll see.

As they descend, they see a society -- children, little flying creatures, a weird faccimile of Exandrian architecture. Music -- there are musicians here. Towers that are filed-down or half-remembered elvish, nearly-dwarven buildings -- this is a society based in a mixture of disparate interpretation, and in being so, is wholly unique and uniquely beautiful. Only then do they notice the Dominion of Kruth, thick in the streets -- the sound of drills being run, the sight of war machines and armored juggernauts, training in what feels like preparation for a move to Exandria at some undesignated future time.

[lancelotslair]

if ur taking asks about tf aftershock, I have a few questions to (maybe) help get more asks rolling 😶👉👈

1: what is the (current) premise of the A.U ?

2: where is it set ?

3: you’ve shown us the Autobots so what are the Decepticons like ? (No art needed, I’d jst like maybe a lil’ stuff on them :D)

4: how exactly are Bee, Arcee n Hotrod stowaways ? (Did they stowaway on the Arc???)

5: do u have any HC’s in this A.U about Cybertronian’s + Cybertron ?

6: are there any ships in the A.U ? (I don’t mind if there aren’t lmao 030)

I hope these questions are sufficient n stuff lol (I RLLY don't wanna sound condescending but u can take as long as you need to answer or don’t have to answer at all 😚)

—Dragæy 💜🖤✨

oh sure no problem, Would love to answer questions about it to the best of my ability! Under the cut it goes hehe

Ah, it's sort of two fold? The first is that it is meant to be a fake show with the pros and cons of that, following set length schedules with each specific story being a episode or a two parter. Goal with the show is basically, well what if we made it real weird real silly had a lot of odd alt modes and color schemes. Also debatable a musical show. And then the HORRORS!!!! This is all due to me finding it so fun to write in season block formats. I think it would play in the 2010 lineup of Cartoon Network robot shows and sit along side GenRex as a sort of beloved by the few who know it but also oft forgotten show… Different musical numbers would likely sometimes take on different animation styles to suit the characters, I think that would be fun. Sorry I imagine a Transformers Musical Cartoon, I have a powerful mind and a lot of love.

Secondary premise being Showing the ahem, aftershocks of various choices and actions and inactions. The small groups of Autobots and Decepticons that did wind up on earth [Optimus' small hunk of the Ark, Starscreams small squad] wake up to find the war has gone on without them, with many mechs having switched sides for a variety of reasons, and are forced to contend with where their loyalties and ethics lie in the new landscape. It's only halfway through the first season Megatron even actually arrives to earth, and knocks down the fragile peace Optimus and Starscream had Semi agreed on for the sake of survival, as well as shattering the security of the 'Con squad and sending the 'Bots into a panic when he reveals just what he has gotten up to in 4 million years without his high command or his #1 enemy. [Slightly incorrect, he still has Shockwave but Shockwave is. Well, he's a bit preoccupied.]

Eh, shrug, small farming town primarily, earth generally. Towns based on numerous rural middle of america towns as well, that's the sort of place I know best! Critically within the town is a Radioshack that Swindle becomes the manager at, with a good portion of the shows main human cast being his employees. It's sort of the shows main B plot location, with a lot of silly plots starting up there. A few episodes in Jazz decides to sort out his own holoform to get a job there just to see what Swindles up to "just in case" [And because he's curious about humans!]

saw you said you saw some of em but!! they're actually pretty fun, and split into two groups [megatrons army and Starscreams small but growing Group] at the end of season 1 and throughout season 2 [They leave in chunks. Starscreams first to leave actually!] We also see once Megatron joins the fray that he has supplemented his army, and missing high command, with various Autobots he has captured and convinced, by various means, to join him. Most notably is Elita as his SiC, Perceptor as TiC, Prowl as a enforcement agent, and Ironhide chillin' in the brig.

yup yup! Stowed away when they were told NOT to go in that section! The 'Bots split the ark into a collection of smaller faster ships [like a combiner in a way] at the start during the G1 esq chase off Cybertron, the goal being to disorient the 'Con forces and hopefully keep teletraan away from them. The three are the youngest bots in the show and were Supposed to go on Magnus and Kups ship, as the two were considered most likely to be able to handle that hellish trine and keep them safe. Unfortunately Arcee had the clever idea of sneaking aboard Optimus' section and was easily able to convince the other two, which in the long run forces Optimus to be a single double-divorced father of three teenagers-young adults who do Not Listen.

Honestly a rather difficult one to answer, not because I don't but because much of it is meant to be explored through the story. Well I had just used the term trine, which within this work is a group of three [usually "forged" together, but not always, see Starscream's trine] with a connection between their sparks, though exactly what that connection Is varies by trine. In the case of Starscream+ they three had met after retiring from active duty and ah, actually met because Skywarp was a musician with Thundercracker her manager and they needed a bodyguard, and Starscream needed a job after losing Skyfire.

Lets see… The way mechs form is by a spark igniting, and then the metal of Cybertron wrapping around it in a sort of cocoon that the mech forms within, eclosing as a protoform and toddling off to find a alt mode or home. Fun fact! Soundwave, Rumble, and Frenzy are from the same initial ignition [triplets…] but Rumble and Frenzy eclosed much earlier, making them the big siblings! It's fun! Laserbeak and Ravage on the other hand are built on earth. Hm… Oh theres a heavy usage of antenna on various characters which is prrooobably never would be explained in the show but each are used for different sorts of communication, with the specific types varying by role/battle style of characters, for instance Starscream has big Router style antenna which he uses specifically to link up with his trine, allowing those three to function as one processor split into three frames on the battlefield! He claims it gives him a massive headache. Snaps RIGHT also you see with Optimus and Hot Rod sometimes Mechs eclose with a minicon sorta guy that functions as absolutely a Part of them but also separate. Roller Rights Forever. One Tough Little Autobot.

Mechs often keep a bit of the paint color of those closest to them on their frame. Skywarps Trine shows this on their boots, I fucked up the art I posted for the 'bots but Bumblebee and co do similar, if you were to look at Elita, Optimus, and Megatron closely [in universe] you'd find each has the others color hidden somewhere on their person.

Relationships ahhh? There's several implied or hinted at with the intention of a make believe fandom for the show [represented by our friends, mostly] but ahhh main ones at the moooment??

Megoplita eternal DIVORCE PAIN AND HATRED AUUU AUUUUU eclosed together, a trine for all time, best friends forever until ohhh they really were Not. There's a lot of bitter emotions between the three, saddest thing you ever did see. Optimus wears the other twos colors the most openly, and has yet to find it in his spark to abandon hope for them. Elita believes herself to be acting to in a way to lessen the harm caused by Megatron and wont listen to reason. Megatron is short and mad about it.

Jazz/Swindle/Prowl really really funnyyyy I mean even just Jazz and Swindle with the way they are acting in the Radioshack and Jazz finding he really Does get along with this little guy fucking great and respects the care Swindle shows for his employees, but also later on uh, ssspoilers for fake show? Ig? well Prowl is working under some intensive loyalty programming and after they are able to capture his crazy cybertoothed tiger ass Jazz goes to Swindle for help in breaking Prowl out of it because he knows Swindle managed to break his own loyalty programming [in a very bad no good and painful moment, but he did it!!] and trusts him with his, ahem, partner. They succeed! Though Prowl is a lil fucked up from his four million or so years of hell hell hell forever, but hey he's got a lil guyyyy now which helps more then you might imagine

Swindle/Skyfire is really funnn n cute in it also uh, Starscreams gone when Skyfire is awoken so he finds a fast friend and companion in Swindle [on medical duty on the Skyfire case DESPERATE to prove he has use to Megatron so his ass does NOT get sent to Shockwave] n well. He's so small . Skyfire in fact is the one to grab Swindle after a few to many threats to his friend and the two book it from Megatrons base of operation before reuniting with Starscream. This is a case of it's real cute n' fun

I do think Optimus Ratchet and Wheeljack are capable of homosexual actions. This needs no explanation or provided evidence.

actually kinda jus the majority of Starscreams initial squad [starscream, skywarp, thundercracker, Soundwave, Swindle, later Skyfire] if you are FUCKING brave. the show Heavily focuses upon them and their growing bond and basically having to on the fly learn to be as efficient as any team that actually gets along. Easy to see how and why, specially with a few bottle episodes explicitly to show their care for each other before they're even willing to consider that.

GENERALLY I view uh, shipping for this as like. There MAY be a few "canon" ones [jazz swindle n prowl IS likely, just the way their story seem to be growing] but like? It's meant to be viewed as another weirdo Transformers show so it's Mostly free reign to do what you wanna. [I would prefer Hot Rod and trine be left alone in this regard, they're just little guuuys cmaaahn.]

Also Lockdowns there, he hasn't been mentioned in any posts and I think we might have set him to die? Sorry girlies, Ratchet and Swindle medic power hour or something, he's built to be a real skeevy sleazeball and genuinely unlikable, which means I'm sure people will like him :D There are NOT many deaths in the show, at current, as it's mostly meant to be fun that doesn't shy from the horrors, it's just fun to kill him badly

salutes okay , The Best way to do this would be to write a pitch bible and then I guess script out episodes and do pretend cast Q&A's to give out bits of lore, but this will have to be sufficient. Do not be afraid to ask for clarification on Anything. Okay my 5 am monster energyjust wore off goodnight everyone.