#baby Oleg

[writing-is-a-martial-art]

There was always a dragon under the hill. It sleeps, now. Sometimes in the night one can hear its snore mixed in with the crickets and the nightingales. The dragon had always been there but it hadn’t always slept: the story behind that isn’t as clear as one would imagine - not many left to tell it, fewer still who wanted to. The last elder to bear the scars of its claws died last spring, and her memory wasn’t what it used to be for the years before that. 

The folks with silver in their hair can still recall the first years after the dragon was put to its sleep: the crops were so fertile back then, with all the ash. Some say that the winters used to be warmer, the flame the dragon breathed in its lair heating up the hill where it didn’t burn it.

There were heroes, back in those days, and the youth listened to the elders, and the elders were younger, and nobody dared steal or raise a hand against one of their own, with how few they were.

They’d add after that, in a quick, learned mumble about the pity and the tragedy of it all, and of course it was awful under the dragon but, but…

Back in the dragon days they had no taxes (except, of course, for the dragon meals). The king’s men thought it wise not to approach the beast’s domain. There were no lords to claim their territory—who in their right mind would want to get close to the lair, try to harvest the charred land? 

Back in the dragon days the men were real men and the women were real women and it all was so simple, and really the young die all the time anyway, and the dragon still sleeps under the hill and there must be a reason they didn’t kill it, back then.

There was always a dragon under the hill: some say it isn’t a hill at all but the land that settled over its den, that without the dragon it wouldn’t be here in the first place, and the dragon didn’t even eat all that many people, really. A sort of protector. A sort of lord – not much worse than the rest of them. Saw value in its people, one way or another.

The dragon sleeps now. The crops haven’t come in all that well this year and there are taxes to pay and border disputes to settle and the women who washed and clothed the elder’s body one last time say the scars weren’t as horrid as some one-bit storytellers make them out to be. 

By the mouth of the old cave, someone holds out a bell, someone else urges them to get on with it. 

Years later, they’ll say it was the wind that did the chiming, but the whole story isn’t as clear as one would imagine.

[crimescrimson]

Oleg Kirrov in Every Saints Row Title: Saints Row: The Third (2011) |Saints Row: The Third (2020) | Saints Row IV (2013) | Agents Of Mayhem (2017)

[anthropologistfromentropy]

I made a collage of the polycule in my fic! And my polycule tbh, though it's missing Vera Urusova, the sapphic swordfighter I have a big crush for too.

Felix Yusupov, Sergey Razumovsky, Oleg Volkov, Vaslav Nijinsky, Georgy Chicherin, Alixander. The last 3 are all Lichinka, from when he's first introduced to couple years in the future, during the sequel.

Chicherin should be a bit younger, but I like how this shows his softer side. Doesn't really look attractive, stolen my heart tho.

(Alixander and Lichinka are my OCs. Yusupov, Nijinsky and Chicherin were real historical figures, queer Russians from early 1900s. Sergey and Oleg are from Major Grom, tho Oleg is also Dashkov from Karamora.)

[duinoelegies]

i've been watching the americans for the first time and, i'm really sorry, i know it's wrong, but as much as i like philip and elizabeth, i always sort of want them to get off my screen so i can see nina my girl nina again

[anthonsgi]

★’･ﾟ:｡･:*:HSR Men random bf!headcanons:｡･:*:･ﾟ’★

【Note: Hello! I have decided to write short headcanons for a few men in this game [playable only, sorry Oleg simps (*_ _)人], excuse any fluency errors, English isn't my first language, and I am still learning as I go! Please enjoy, and don't hesitate to request anything; I'm open to suggestions!】

【Pairings: Dan Heng, Gepard, Jing Yuan x GN!READER】

【CW: none!】

☆〜DAN HENG〜☆

He enjoys your company even if you two aren't speaking; simply being aware of your presence near him when he's focused on something insignificant, like reading a book, relaxes him.

Definitely has a soft spot for you and lets go of his usual cold and reserved demeanor when you two are alone.

There have been a few instances of him unconsciously beaming at you as he got lost in thought, looking at your excited face while you rambled about something you're passionate about. He'd never admit to it, though, if you called him out on it.

Prefers to be the big spoon mainly because he loves the feeling of your back pressing against his chest when your breathing slows as you fall asleep.

However, he appreciates it if you ask to be the big spoon whenever he has a nightmare or one of his visions.

He has little relationship experience [renheng ＼(º □ º l|l)/], so as committed as he is to making you feel loved and appreciated, he searches the data bank in the archives for information on romantic gestures and comes across a book about the significance of pet names. After "educating" himself more, he may refer to you as "my love," "darling," or even "baby" if he's feeling particularly lovey-dovey.

Dan Heng isn't a jealous boyfriend; nevertheless, if something bothers him, he becomes touchy! Always holding your arm or wrapping his hand around your waist.

Haven only just awakened, he's such a sleepy cutie! He'd try to kiss you but miss and peck your chin instead.

☆〜GEPARD〜☆

He's an exceptionally blushy guy, and it's pretty simple to make him flustered. Just hold his hand, and he'll melt.

No matter how long you've been together, Gepard loves to kiss but will never do it without getting your consent first. His kisses are short and gentle, but they are also tender and reassuring, given that he frequently cups your face in his hands.

Even though this guy evidently struggles to keep his plants alive, he will make every effort to grow a lovely flower as a gift for you.

He attracts kids like a magnet; some of them aspire to be captains like him, and it's the cutest thing ever to see him grow nervous as they shower him with compliments and questions.

Sometimes he'd find you asleep on the couch, and he'd pick you up bridal style and carry you to bed carefully so as not to wake you.

Oftentimes, Gepard's responsibilities prevent him from spending time with you, but he always strives to make up for it.

Used a cheesy pickup line once and never tried it again after feeling the second-hand embarrassment.

He always looks for a way to impress you with his strength.

☆〜JING YUAN〜☆

His duty as General usually keeps him occupied with work stuff, so when you pay him a visit during the day, he'll light up almost instantly and he'll be in a good mood.

You have to constantly kick him (gently or with force depending on how much sleep he has robbed you of) so he can turn to the other side and stop snoring.

When writing about his day in his diary, he always mentions the instances where something reminded him of you. (Spoiler alert: the majority of his day description is him adoring your facial features).

Jing Yuan's kisses are typically quick, although if he's feeling exceptionally touch-deprived, he prefers deeper, longer kisses.

If you decide to move in with him, it will be incredibly domestic; you would prepare each other's favorite drinks and meals just the way you like them without needing to ask, and you will share each other's clothes and accessories on a daily basis.

Routine, even if secure, can be exhausting, and he finds himself trapped in one. Therefore, Jing Yuan appreciates it when you try new things with him and make him feel like he can breathe freely again. Without worrying about any boring responsibilities, just you and him spending time together. Those are his most treasured moments.

He's very protective of you. Secretly that is. It might seem that he's not that bothered by the times you may have spent a while longer on an errand or went exploring, but he's actually worried! Sometimes to the point of sending someone to go look for you, just to be sure you're all safe and sound.

Has asked you to massage his back on multiple ocassions after a particularly tiring day.

[bestangelofall]

In a Name

She was Natalia first.

She imagines, now, her mother and father discussing and deciding on what they would call the baby. Maybe it would have been Pavel or Oleg or Dmitry if it was a boy, and maybe they had pondered on Maria or Sofia or Tatiana before settling on Natalia—the first name she was given, but not the last.

Among all the other things she doesn’t remember, or that are murky and hazy, she likes to think that she forgot the smile of her mother looking at her and for the first time whispering “Natalia” with awe and love.

(As she says, love is for children, and surely the girl she once was would be deserving of it.)

After that, maybe lifetimes later, she would be known by many names.

All of them titles that speak of actions, and loyalties, and treason and blood.

Blood that she spilled, blood that was hers on the floors of the Red Room—and maybe in a way it all mixes together, because just as she killed all those other people, the ones whose names she doesn’t even know, she also killed Natalia.

Even if she’d been taught against it, the Widow had hesitated—maybe it was the nerves of her first kill—so Natalia’s death was slow, torturous, even though the agony went unseen and silent, in a prelude of the fact that she would go by unnoticed, unmourned, forgotten; for from the blood and gore that became Natalia Alianovna Romanova’s ethereal corpse something glorious emerged:

The Widow.

The Red Death.

The Slavic Shadow.

It was a necessary sacrifice.

When she defects, before another title is thrust upon her—the Russian Avenger—Nick Fury asks her what name she wants to take. She thinks of something American, to integrate better, and then discards the idea—she isn’t sure yet that this isn’t all some deep cover thing, but it’s better not to start that way, at least in the secrecy of her mind. She thinks of Alisa and Olga, because those are names she has always found pretty. Inevitably, she thinks of Natalia.

The problem is that Natalia is dead, and now, for the first time in years, it feels like she can finally rest, like she won’t be rolling in her grave for what became of what she was. It doesn’t feel right to take that name now, to disturb the dead and pretend to be some dead girl.

The idea of randomly picking something also doesn’t sit well with her. She’s done that many times, but it was always meant to be transitory—for a night, for a week, for a few months—but now it’s supposed to be forever. She’ll still need to be Anna or Mary or Irina or whatever else is decided for missions, but there needs to be something that isn’t temporary, that it’s truly hers.

If only she knew who she truly is, then maybe the task of picking a name wouldn’t be so difficult.

Nick Fury is looking at her with a blank expression, but she can see annoyance and impatience past that empty gaze. They say things are different here, but she knows not to make a handler wait for too long, and from the deep recesses of her mind, help comes.

“Natasha,” she says, and then adds, “Romanoff.”

As aliases go, it’s terrible, but Fury doesn’t say anything, just types it down. 

When asked, she will say that it was a way of making her birth name easier for everyone, that this one will get less butchered by tongues unaccustomed to the rounder vowels and more diverse consonants. 

But the truth is that she was Natalia first, but for her mother and father, she was also Natasha. When she did something cute, or when they were crossing the street and she had to hold her mother’s or father’s hand, that’s what they called her. Before she was taken away, that’s what her mother, covered in the blood of her father, screamed.

That’s the last word her mother ever spoke.

Natalia is dead, and will remain so, but maybe Natasha is what couldn’t be killed, a living thing among many ghosts.

She was Natasha second, and last.

Read on Ao3

[gingiesworld]

Family is Forever

Chapter Two

Wanda Maximoff x GN! Reader

Warnings: Angst

Taglist: @fxckmiup @ginnsbaker @gb12d @angrywhisperslove @louxbloom @casquinhaa

18+ MINORS DNI

The night was just as hard for Wanda and the twins. Although the two had broke it to the boys softly. Both Billy and Tommy couldn't really sleep either, so they both soon joined Wanda in her bed. As Wanda lay on her back, staring at the ceiling as the soft snores filled the room.

The next morning was just as tiring, even after the twins had gotten on the bus, Natasha had popped over to see her best friend.

"Are you ok?" She asked Wanda who just chuckled dryly.

"Y/N and I are getting a divorce." She told her.

"What did they do?" Natasha questioned as she approached her.

"Nothing." Wanda told her honestly. "It's just, I still love them but I." She turned to face her. "I hurt too damn much even now because they aren't here. They do everything that a parent does for the twins, makes time for their games and competitions but then there is no time for us."

"Did you try and talk to them before you decided to do this?" Nat asked her as she shrugged.

"It wouldn't have made a difference." Wanda whispered with tears in her eyes. "This is what's best for us."

"Where are they staying now?" She asked as Wanda picked up the towel  again.

"Bucky's just until they find an apartment nearby." She informed her. "I just miss who we used to be, when we were in college before the twins."

"We can't go back Wan." Nat told her sadly as Wanda nodded.

"I know, believe me." She gave her a sad smile. "I just, before the twins we were ok and we even graduated college before they were born, but I just wish that we maybe never got pregnant at such a young age because they threw themselves straight into work to provide for us."

"Well babies and hospital bills are pretty expensive." Nat reasoned as Wanda nodded.

"Yeah, not to mention buying a house." Wanda scoffed.

"What?" Nat was shocked.

"They never even discussed it with me when they bought this house. I thought we were renting it all of these years but they bought it." She told her friend.

"That's amazing Wanda." Nat beamed. "You don't have to worry about losing your home."

"I know." Wanda sighed. "I'm not angry that they did this, I guess I just wanted to have more of them than I got."

"I know Wanda, but this could be the best thing for the four of you." Nat reassured her.

"Thank you for being here Nat." Wanda whispered as Nat wrapped her arms around her. Holding her as she sobbed.

She wondered how she was going to tell her parents about the divorce. She was worried on their views since they both loved Y/N and knew they would be perfect for their little girl. But she never had to worry as Y/N had already took it upon themselves to tell the in laws.

"Y/N, what are you doing here?" Mrs Maximoff beamed as she ushered them inside.

"I just need to talk to the both of you since Wanda is probably going insane wondering how she is going to tell you." They told the two of them. "We are getting a divorce."

"What?" Oleg boomed as Y/N took a deep breath.

"I am still very much in love with her but I took her forgranted." They told them. "Since the boys were born, I threw myself straight into work and we never really had time to be us."

"Well, raising and providing for a family is a struggle." Oleg stated as Iryna held his hand.

"It is a struggle." Y/N admitted. "I guess I just lost touch in who we were as a couple and Wanda isn't happy and she is set in this decision because as much as I could say it would change and fight for the marriage, I know that would be a lie because of my job and if I were to cut back, we would lose money and the boys college funds won't increase vastly either."

"The boys will be ok for now." Iryna told them as they shook their head.

"I don't want them to have to go to community college. I want them to choose the best colleges for their dream jobs." Y/N told them both. "I also have another fund for Wanda to decide with what she wants to do with it. She can open up a shop, cafe or a bakery. I just want her to be happy and if I am not the one making her happy, I would happily step aside so she can be."

"You are a good kid." Oleg stated as he sat forward. "You always have been and you are perfect for Wanda. Maybe a separation would be best?"

"No, she has her heart set on divorce." They told them. "I just wanted to tell you because I know she will worry about this, especially since she needs you both now more than ever." With that, Y/N bid their goodbyes and left the two.

As Monday fast approached and Y/N had took the day to look at some apartments. Soon falling for a two bedroom only 10 minutes away from the house. Already deciding on taking it, they seen a message from Wanda.

'We need to talk'

Once they had made an appointment to sign the lease and get the keys, they made their way towards the house. Taking a deep breath as they knocked on the door.

"You don't have to knock." Wanda told them as she let them inside.

"I don't live here Wanda so yes I do." They told her firmly. "This is your home." Those words hit Wanda like an 18 wheeler as she poured some coffee.

"I guess so." She handed them their cup before she pursed her lips, leaning on the counter as she kept a lot of distance between the two. "Why did you tell my parents?" She questioned.

"I knew you would worry about their reaction." They answered her honestly. "I just told them the truth about it all and they want to be there for you and the boys Wanda."

"But I should have told them." She told them sternly as Y/N sighed.

"Wanda, if I can't do this something for you, take the stress off of you for once then what type of person am I?" They questioned as they stepped closer. "I know we aren't together but I still want to make sure you aren't stressed and you're ok, because that's all I will ever want."

"Ok." She whispered as she moved back. "I just, I was caught off guard by it." She looked up into their eyes before speaking once more. "Then who is going to be there for you through this?"

"I will be fine." They told her. "I always am." They stepped away from her as they played with their fingers, picking the skin on their cuticles. "I guess I will head out and I will see you tomorrow."

"I'll see you tomorrow." Wanda whispered as she took a deep breath.

Closing her eyes as she heard the door close once more. Her heart was breaking at this moment as she knew there was no coming back from this.

[artisticwizard]

Morgott for the ask meme

Favorite thing about them

I'm gonna try and keep rehashing of what has already been said about him to a minimum so I'll get it out of the way here. I love that he's big and soft and I love that he's a mean as shit crotchety old bastard with both a self-hating attitude and an ego. I did not get into elden ring intending to like him. He was a surprise blorbo for me. I love how Morgott is a proud creature and a scorned one all in the same time. To be honest, look around at any of the posts I've reblogged from people for this ask and I probably agree with 90% of their points. I think my favorite thing is the art people make around him. Every time someone draws him being soft and tender....He's so large next to their small tarnished and yet he holds them like glass....I'm gonna DIE

Least favorite thing about them

Hard to draw :( Also hard to roleplay :( Also I wish he was utilized more. hunting us in game alongside the nights cavalry. Wish his fight was a bit tougher too.

Favorite line

"Have it writ upon thy meagre grave:

"'Felled by King Morgott! Last of all kings." ARE YOU KIDDING ME THAT LINE IS THE COOLEST FUCKING THING EVER. In one sentence he disparages you as insignificant and elevates him as king. Not just King THE LAST. This lineage will die with him, this he states. And I think he's actually giving you credit here. This lineage will die with him, whether you are the one to kill him or you fail.

brOTP

I gotta go with his actual bro. I like the dichotomy between him and Mohg so much it makes me ill. I love how Mohg went full self love and Morgott went the other direction. This is one of the instances where I think fandom rather than canon has elevated their relationship so much for me. Especially fic writers. Elden ring fic writers write these two so goddamn well.

OTP

Morgott and the Tarnished. Everyone's Tarnished. People write and draw and create so many wonderful things around this old man. I also have a soft spot from him and Oleg. My Tarnished Wulfwyn and him is my brainrot OC x Canon ship that I think about CONSTANTLY.

nOTP

Him and Mohg. Even in a setting like this where incest is more normalized, it's just never gonna be my thing. No hate.

Random headcanon

You also get a Mohg headcanon built in. I've always loved the idea that Omen can take on traits of different animals, not just the horns. In my head Morgott took on more mammalian traits like ram-like horns, a long tail, and fur. Though I will not deny him his tiny baby wings. Mohg on the other hand took in more reptilian and avian traits like pebbled skin or scales and feathers and wings.

Unpopular opinion

Some people have this kind of....kicked puppy attitude about him that I don't agree with. He's soooo shitty and bitter as a character and he enjoys hunting Tarnished like he does. I'm not saying he's the cruelest demigod in the story, because he isn't by far, but I wish people didn't ignore his mean streak as much because it's soooo interesting.

Favorite picture of them Oh Dude So Many. This one by bora-in-tamriel makes me laugh whenever I see it, though.

[trashy-corvian]

I wasn't there where Belobog story was ongoing so i don't know what people thought at the time. But playing it as a russian is low key hilarious.

You have this planet named after the Sun God. It looks like my backyard in winter. Belobog is literally "White God",god of happiness. The upper city is just St.Petersburg while Lower city is what you see in every medium/small town. The whole story is just "Blokade of Leningrad" but with aliens

And characters omfg. We have Armor and her girlfriend Strength/Butterfly. The family of spotted cats. Luka's name is literally slavic Naruto. Clara is a russian jew and her father is the God of Fire and Protection. I know 6 Natashas and 4 Olegs. Pelagea Sergeyevna isn't difficult to pronounce at all yall just babies, also i need to know her last name.

All of this to say that the plot point with Sampo was obvious from the start.

His name is literally SAMPO KOSKI of course he isn't native to Belobog. I was sus the moment i knew his name.

Ah yes, our citizens. Steve, Dave, Karen and -checks notes- Ebony Dark'ness Dementia Raven Way

[trofysisters]

Тимофей

Олеся не собиралась пользоваться своим положением и сидеть, сложа руки. Она осознавала, что теперь является женой и будущей матерью, поэтому упорно изучала кулинарию. (Olesya was not going to take advantage of her position and sit idly by. She realized that she was now a wife and future mother, so she persistently studied cooking)

Но ей всё ещё не хватало мастерства, поэтому она то и дело резала пальцы, а последствия ее кулинарных опытов отмывал от плит�� Тимофей. (But she still lacked skill, so she kept cutting her fingers, and Timofey washed the consequences of her culinary experiments from the stove)

Являясь единственным добытчиком в семье, он упорно трудился, получая повышения. Теперь он преподавал в средней школе, и зарплата немного выросла. (As the family's sole breadwinner, he worked hard and received promotions. Now he taught in a high school, and the salary increased slightly)

Но на этом он решил не останавливаться и продолжал улучшать свою харизму, чтобы заинтересовать своим предметом непоседливых учеников. (But he decided not to stop there and continued to improve his charisma in order to interest restless students in his subject)

Олесе пришло в голову, что она могла бы стать писателем, нужно только приобрести навык. (It occurred to Olesya that she could become a writer, she just needed to acquire the skill)

Но ее отвлекла боль внизу живота. Девушка была неопытной и не стала вызывать скорую помощь. (But she was distracted by pain in her lower abdomen. The girl was inexperienced and did not call an ambulance)

Так в домашних условиях (не повторять!) она родила. Вот те раз, - подумала Олеся. (So at home (do not repeat!) she gave birth. Here's one for you, thought Olesya)

Вот те два, - сказала игра. (Here are two for you, said the game)

Так на свет появились два чудесных мальчугана: блондин Олег и шатен Толя. Начало для многодетной семьи с шестью детьми положено. Пользуясь отсутствием Тимофея, в квартиру ворвался студент-задира, но твердой рукой Олеси он был из квартиры выдворен. (This is how two wonderful boys were born: blond Oleg and brown-haired Tolya. The beginning has been made for a large family with six children. Taking advantage of Timofey's absence, a bully student burst into the apartment, but with Olesya's firm hand he was kicked out of the apartment)

Хорошо, что накануне Тимофея повысили. На его премию Олеся смогла купить кроватки и пеленальный столик. (It’s good that Timofey was promoted the day before. With his award, Olesya was able to buy cribs and a changing table)

Уложив детей, она отправилась изучать советы по уходу за младенцами. (After putting the children to bed, she went to study tips on caring for babies)

Тимофею сегодня повезло. Он спорил с руководством о математических комбинациях в играх и сумел применить свои знания в игре Крестики-Нолики, за что получил возможность читать лекции в университете. (Timofey was lucky today. He argued with management about mathematical combinations in games and managed to apply his knowledge in the game Tic Tac Toe, for which he received the opportunity to lecture at the university)

Первым делом Тимофей бросился к детям. Хоть он и боялся менять подгузники, но что не сделаешь ради малышей. (First of all, Timofey rushed to the children. Although he was afraid to change diapers, what wouldn’t you do for the sake of the kids)

А ради любимой жены он приготовил ужин. Заодно не придется отскребать горелое с плиты. (And for the sake of his beloved wife, he prepared dinner. At the same time, he won’t have to scrape burnt food off the stove)

Дети не давали родителям отдохнуть даже ночью, но супруги были уверены, что вместе всё преодолеют. (The children did not allow their parents to rest even at night, but the couple were confident that together they would overcome everything)

[kamogryadeshi]

❗As a result of two Russian missile strikes on Zolochiv, a two-month-old child was killed, the head of the Regional Military Administration Synyegubov said. Three women were injured. There are damaged houses, shops, cafes, cars.

The mother of the baby who died during the Russian missile attack on Zolochiv is in serious condition in the hospital — she received an explosive injury, a shrapnel wound, head and hip injuries, the spokeswoman of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration, Shapoval, said.

According to Kovalenko, head of the Zolochiv Rural Military Administration, the Russians struck two rockets around 02:20. They hit a hotel and a store located in the center of the village. The child's body was recovered from the rubble of the hotel, the head of the regional administration Synyegubov said

Photo: Oleg Sinegubov/Telegram

[rpgchoices]

Useless rpg recs. RPGS where you can adopt a pet or a monster

Updated list!

Pillars of Eternity = You can adopt multiple (A LOT) monsters and pets, and have one following you.

Pillars of Eternity: Deadfire = You can adopt multiple (A LOT) monsters and pets, and have one following you.

Dragon Age Origins = You can adopt a mabari (dog).

Arcanum of Steamwork and Magick Obscura = You can adopt a dog!

Pathfinder Wrath of the Righteous = If you choose the Azata path you will obtain a talking Dragon companion. Plus you can adopt and summon a cat named Tiger.

(NOT IN PIC) Pathfingder Kingmaker: You can adopt some pets in Oleg's post.

Neverwinter Nights 2 = You can adopt a giant monster spider.

Rogue Trader = You can receive a lion-like beast (species Janusian lacerax) that can sit by your side in your ship.

Baldur's Gate 3 = You can adopt a baby owlbear and a dog named Scratch.

Skyrim = You can get some animal companions (dogs) to follow you.

[anthropologistfromentropy]

Don't they make such a great family?

Edik Razumovsky - Riddler (born in 1984)

Ilya Razumovsky (adopted American name Julian Devorak) - Plague Doctor (born in 1986)

Sergey Razumovsky - Citizen (born in 1989) (he and Moira are identical twins btw)

Moira O'Deorain (deadname Mikhail 'Misha' Razumovsky) - (haven't chosen an alias yet)

Gerasim Razumovsky - Party Poison (born in 1992)

Igor Grom is gonna have his hands full with this family of autistic and queer criminal geniuses! (And their partners: Penguin, Lucio, Oleg, Poison Ivy) They are badass, but also my poor traumatized babies 💔

[too-young-to-fall-in-love]

Marionette

director's (editor's?!) cut below the cut :)

and yes I linked the song - it fits Napoleon's character SO WELL I had to share it

I see this edit as a prequel, of sorts, to the 2015 movie. To me, this is what happened to Napoleon before he joined the CIA. However, I do also see the rest of the song as him both stealing art and having an all around good time and as him and Illya as agents in their respective agencies becoming 'marionettes' for Waverly. Lol yes I do have this edit as a prequel to the actual song itself and to canon events. But also if you listen to the song, it definitely feels like there's a cut there! (Or maybe I've just listened to it too many times.

I really liked putting together all the parts that said marionette, especially when Oleg talked about him being their most prolific agent. In the movie, it's said in the Russian instrumental case which means that they see Napoleon as an object. It really cemented the idea of him as a marionette for me. (and also the fact that he really is Sanders' marionette)

Of course, there was also the bit with "they won/ I'm done/ new one/ begun" because that is so totally him joining the CIA because they DID win !!!!! after he had to make a deal with them he really had no choice - he was done with them and with stealing art (poor baby). Also, having his upside down picture for they won was amazing work on my part lol it really seals the deal there.

Yes, I would have to say that he did do his best not getting caught, but alas, how else was he supposed to meet Illya????? (surely it was all a ploy so he could meet his future husband🤞🫡)

I think this song is really interesting and everyone should give it a listen!!

[buttercup-barf]

Well. Okay.

Under the cut are a couple Team Fortress 2 OC's and a lot of yapping related to them. Nothing particularly interesting related to the main game and its epic cast, sowwy.

Some less-coherent doodles trying to figure out The guy that I'd imagine as the main- [embarrassed but accepting sigh] Self-insert for the game. This is Oleg! He's an obnoxiously superstitious/religious Russian on the run after taking part in several riots, stealing a bunch of gear from cops, and also The Goat Incident. Weird little man. Or, I guess, not little, he is pretty tall, and very much an adult, even though he has something of a baby face for some weird reason.

The man's mostly just kinda grimacing miserably most of the time - the job of a mercenary pays well, but it's the people he has to work with and fight against that make it rough on him. He's just so tired all the time, and anxious about everything, and just wants his Goddamn paycheck and to stay out of prison. He can still get pretty mean on the battlefield (both in terms of the average Domination line and in terms of how bloodthirsty he can get), but hey, which one of these people isn't.

I like to think he's sort of a complete third piece to the Doctor-Firefighter-Policeman trifecta. All based professions in theory, but the mercs mirroring these professions in practice are first of all insane, and apply their tools in the effectively opposite directions to their job descriptions. I've got more to say about him, but that's for if and when I make a proper reference image of him.

Initially, instead of drawing up a proper Tenth Class[tm], I just made a fourth category. For shits and giggles. You may or may not recognise these faces, and if you did, I'm flattered! ... Although I'm kinda spoiling their actual names in the tags anyway. Oops.

Behold! Servando, the Messenger (Mexican, previously a postman, an easygoing but irritable nerd emoji of a man), Reina The Bouncer (Japanese, previously a bouncer at a bar, a reserved but kind-hearted gentlewoman with definitely no ties to the Japanese mafia), and Aidan the Odd-Job (Irish, previously a handyman, a friendly if a bit gullible gentle giant).

They're all functionally civilians that were way too good at their jobs, and drank just enough lead-poisoned water to be more functional than the average Teufort resident, but still deranged enough to sign up for the Gravel Wars. They all just want to help end this once and for all, because the commotion was making their previously comfy-cozy domestic three-way married life a bit challenging.

[piratesexmachine420]

Given that today is the anniversary of Sputnik 2, and I've seen more than a few ghoulish posts circulating today about Laika, I thought I'd share this quote from Oleg Gazenko, former head of the Institute of Biomedical Problems and animal supervisor for Sputnik 2:

"Work with animals is a source of suffering to all of us. We treat them like babies who cannot speak. The more time passes, the more I’m sorry about it. We shouldn’t have done it. We did not learn enough from the mission to justify the death of the dog."

Was she loved? Certainly.

Did she die a noble death? Absolutely not.

She died scared, stressed, alone and miserable from hyperthermia (overheating) mere hours into her flight. The claims she was euthanized or asphyxiated peacefully were fabricated for propaganda purposes.

Do not fall into the trap so often employed by proselytizers of the Soviet space program: first does not mean valuable or important.