#ballistic worm

[faultlinescrew]

*insert unfunny iseaki joke here*

[insomnimelodies]

inktober 10 - nomadic

i present: this silly little phone sketch of the travelers that i drew on the bus from work bc i have actually 0 time to sit down and draw today but i am COMITTED to seeing this inktober through (do not ask where this commitment is for actually important things like grad apps and other such serious things i have spent it all on inktober 🗿)

[taylorhebertweakestlittlebug]

The travelers:

Luke (right) stealing Cody's (left) beanie

Jessie and Mars going on a picnic, way before Madison

Krouse and Noelle

[sillydog33]

I hope trickster gets hit by a bus who agrees

[its-hai-time]

hello Nimona people

[cairavende]

Worm Arc 17 thoughts:

Travelers backstory!!!!!!!!! WOOOO!!!!!!

HOLY SHIT THEY ARE FROM EARTH ALEPH! That really explains the mysterious nature of their backstory up to now.

Would have loved to get some PoV's from some people who aren't Trickster but I'll live.

He's just such an asshole! Like I already knew he was but god DAMN did this arc remove any doubt.

Just the worst type of asshole that can be found in MOBA games (I say this as someone who played MOBA games for years). And then given superpowers. Ugh.

THE SIMURGH FUCKING HELL OH MY GOD I LOVE HER!!!!!!!!!

SHE IS MY FAVORITE ENDBRINGER AND ONE OF MY FAVORITE CHARACTERS EVEN IF SHE IS SUPER DUPER EVIL AND TERRIBLE! BUT SHE JUST SINGS IN EVERYONE'S HEADS AND THEY SEE THINGS THAT SHE WANTS THEM TO SEE AND SHE SEES THE FUTURE AND CREATES A CAUSE AND EFFECT PLAGUE BASICALLY AND I LOVE HER!!

Just the level of planning ahead she does, the number of moves ahead Simmy is playing. After the first few times she shows up they start quarantining where she attacks. Which ends up being exactly the right situation needed to push the Travelers to the choices she wanted them to make. Like, is quarantining even a counter to the Smurph or is it exactly what she wanted?

Sure precogs mess with precogs. That makes sense. But I don't know that it is as clear cut as Coil presented to Trickster. He implies two precogs just cancel each other out, but I assume it's more of a strength thing - a strong precog will cancel out a weak precog, but a weak precog will only make things a little fuzzier for a strong precog. So having Dinah would have helped against the Simurgh but I don't think it would be enough to just cancel out the Simurgh's power. Coil and Tattletale would probably also help. But I'm not convinced the last few months in Brockton Bay hasn't been more or less what Simmy wanted to happen.

Cody is the only person here that is probably more of an asshole than Krouse. Just could not get over the fact that Noelle didn't want to date him. Unbearably entitled dick. Possibly dead now, if Accord got his way. But very possibly not. Won't be surprised if he shows up again.

Cody's power is fun. I think it's the first "time travel" power I've seen. I mean Clockblocker does time freezing which is basically the same category but still, curious to see if we get any more level of time travel than this.

Marissa needs someone to make her some cookies and give her a place to hang out that isn't the house her mom lives in. I mean, I guess the current situation handles that but not how I meant.

I already liked Jess and now I like her even more. She's a cape geek! Wonderful.

Luke is interesting cause he was the only person besides Noelle who was close to Krouse at the start, but he's the first (well, aside from Cody I guess) to leave him. Really went through a character arc. Also Krouse lists Luke's "individual tragedy" as "not getting to fly" which is hysterical.

Oliver is a trans girl. Headcanon 100% established. It just fits so well. She just needs to find herself! And once she does and realizes what she actually wants to look like her power will get her there and won't need to keep adjusting! Right now Oliver's power is doing performative masculinity for them.

Noelle has had a bad time. God damn. She was having a bad time before everything happened and now she's having a very bad time. Damn. I had some guesses about her correct. Figured she was like, monstrous bottom half and normal top half. And figured touching her was bad. But I didn't foresee "touching her creates mutated evil clones". I'm sure that won't be a major problem in the next arc or two. I'm sure there won't be evil mutated clones of a bunch of capes to deal with . . .

I had long figured Travelers had Cauldron powers. It just fit with their power levels and such. I had also figured whatever Noelle's condition was, it was related to having a Cauldron power. I had a lot of guesses. None of them were "only drinks half a vial". For some reason I thought everyone would be too smart to do THAT! (I have no idea why I thought that.)

Current guess is Noelle is sort of in a never ending "trigger" event. Her power is constantly in the "building and gathering" phase and is not reaching the "lock things down" phase that normally happens (Bonesaw talked about this). Definitely a lot of other things it could be, this is just the best fit I've found so far.

This goes for Oliver too, which is why their power keeps changing how they look. Oliver just got lucky and has much less significant troubles compared to Noelle.

Got to see lots of new Case 53's. That was fun.

I expect to see more of Accord in the future. Just cause like, he gets smarter the more complex the problem. And the world is supposedly going to end due to (I think) the actions of higher dimensional entities. That is a very complex problem. And at the same time, he seems like the kind of person that might see "billions die" as a good way to reduce chaos. To simplify the world. Not saying that is what he will do, just that it seems a shame to not bring him up again.

I knew 40 people had died due to actions of the Travelers. I did not know Noelle had eaten them all! Because she tried to starve herself. I can see why it's important to keep her well fed. And why it's going to be an issue that there is no longer someone providing her with thousands of dollars of meat a week. No waste though, she has a very efficient digestive system.

The ending, with Trickster just staring at the bloodstain left behind by Coil's body while Genesis stares out at the ocean ... very good. I mean, really sucks for them, but it was a very evocative arc ending.

I wonder who won the Ransack tournament? One team disconnected because the building they were in disappeared into a space hole. I wonder what the rules are for that?

[travelers-gaming]

genuinely considering re-reading the travelers interlude to do an analysis of their powers. it's just really interesting how, despite being cauldron capes, their powers absolutely say as much about then as natural triggers would.

[nerissalmao]

nimona characters as.. worms??

since blogging about the nimona characters instead of my own issues as a queer woman-aligned person in this world is fun to both me and all the crazy people who reblog my stuff (thanks to all y’all btw), to nobody’s surprise, I AM BACK AT IT AGAIN. and to all you naysayers who are all like “nerissa your last post was like a few seconds ago” YOU ALL CAN SHUT UP because here are our favorite heroes, villains, and gay idiots as WORMS, courtesy of piccrew dot com.

First up is Nimona, the chaotic shapeshifter herself! I can’t tell if she is orange or pink so uh she’s orange in this but yeahhhh. We love you, Nimona, nice new form.

On next to Ballister, with his googly-aah eyes, gay pride flag, sunglasses (bc a shark CAN dance) and a hoodie that matches his lil worm flesh lmaooo

Ambrosius has a gay pride flag too, he’s an insufferable flower child, and he is GOLD. A goofy lil guy who loves his bf, worm or not (no arms to chop off sadly)

GLORETHHH. Personally, I think we should give Gloreth some sympathy given she was a child when she knew Nimona and probably grew to believe Nimona was only pretending to be her friend, but that’s just me. She looks a lot like Ambrosius because familial genetics and crap yeahhh

Oh ho HO, the Director. She’s wearing gold to emulate Gloreth, she’s mad as crap, and she has a gay pride flag in reference to my “she’s gay for Gloreth” theory. Her name is Lilith in my mind and always will be, you foolish mortals.

No, I will not make Todd, stop asking (“nerissa nobody has ever asked you tha—“)

[cinnamonglaive]

Hi @skittersdrippygirlcock fantastic url choice! I’m basing this just on Worm since I haven’t read WB’s other stuff.

Ballistic isn't a very complex character which fits his tertiary role; he's part of the Travelers but not a key member and I think he exists mostly for WB to ask: hey wouldn't it be cool if this power existed? The power in question being his ability to shoot any object he touches (including clothes/weapons!) off like bullets.

I marked 'bad at his power' because yeah I think with a little bit of a team-up with someone like Skitter or anyone else who can make objects he could've done serious damage to the endbringers/Scion. His power is badass and he was probably benched because the plot had to have some sense of balance.

As for the "ok but were they wrong?" and "ok but they were wrong", he was forced to make a lot of difficult decisions and I agree with him... somewhat. It would've been easy for him to abandon Noelle and turn into an independent cape, but he stuck around and tried to reduce her damage (which I see as an act of loyalty and bravery). At the same time, the Travelers really should have asked for adult help before Noelle got out of hand. Cauldron certainly had sufficient containment measures.

I think Ballistic's power is awesome but personality-wise he's kind of an ass (relatable, but still an ass) and I think since he was only meant to be a minor character, canon covered him sufficiently.

[rebel-sqrrl]

I think she understands better than most that she didn't actually kill Scion, the big tinker gun did. Also, she consistently underestimates just how strong and unique her power is.

That said, hundreds of capes probably saw her/Luke shoot Scion, and then saw him die, without knowing the in-between bit, so yeah, it's kinda wild that no one ever goes "hey, isn't that the girl who killed god?!"

must be weird as fuck to be foil. you arguably landed the decisive blow on god and nobody gives a fuck

[frostycatblr-fandom-files]

You know Nimona would.

Nimona: Evil Larry, would you still love me if I was worm?

Ballister, without hesitation: Yes.

Ambrosius:

Ballister: *Nudges him with elbow*

Ambrosius: Y-yes! Sorry, just hung up on the "Evil Larry" thing... And the whole... "Shark raiding the fridge for cold pizza at 3:45" this morning.

[nammikisulora]

so Jacobi is in love with Kepler, yes, absolutely. thing is… no matter how messed up he is (and he is plenty messed up!) he's still a pretty normal guy, so he can deal with having an inconvenient crush on his boss. it happens, right? sure the occasional sex dream on a mission is a bit, uhm, awkward to say the least, but hey, it's not the end of the world.

that's why it's so much funnier to me if Kepler is exactly as gone for him as the other way around, because our precious Artist Formerly Known? he finds this absolutely terrifying. he does not get crushes on people, he is 100% in control of his emotions and lets nothing get in the way of his job! except there's this ballistics expert who somehow worms his way past all his walls and takes up residence inside, and suddenly there's someone who isn't as easily expendable as he should be.

but no matter what, Kepler is a professional above all, so of course he doesn't let this affect him. both of them are acutely aware that nothing could ever happen between them for so many reasons, but while Jacobi is content to let things run their course, Kepler goes all in for repression. fuzzy feelings, him? oh absolutely not! they just work really really well together, they're a great team, that's all!

and yet he is absolutely not the slightest bit Normal™️ about Jacobi when push comes to shove, see things like 50 punds of fireworks and "Sir, Jacobi has shown exemplary skill and dedication throughout -" less than 24 hours after a murder attempt.

bonus points if Cutter knows about it and makes sure that Kepler knows that he knows and yeah I wrote that fic.

[cairavende]

Worm Arc 15 thoughts without interludes (interludes need their own post):

EVERYTHING IS FIIIIIIIINE

My daughters boss didn't actually try to assassinate her, her just planned to do it and then did it in one reality but kept the reality where he didn't! So it's ok! I'm fine. Not worried at all that Coil knows Skitter was planning on double crossing him and that he found a way to screw with Tattletales powers.

It's fiiiine (eye twitches)

I want to say I'm glad she got her full team on board, but given that there is a chance someone on her team ratted on her it might not be good.

Skitter goes a little bit far at the end with Triumph. Just a tiny itty bitty bit far. Child you almost KILLED HIM! And then you let him sit there dying when the threat isn't that he'll die now, but that you will come back if needed (mayor ain't going to say what you want him to say if you kill his son, the point is if he doesn't say it you'll come back)! I'm worried about you.

Brian I understand why you like my daughter and she seems to like you and I'm glad having someone you feel safe with is helping you process your very valid trauma (important note, you could have done the same with your sister, she was trying to help you but you wouldn't open up to her, you should open up to her). But please don't get in the way of her relationships with her girlfriends. Just understand in terms of long term stuff Chatterbug and Wolfspider 100% trump . . . Darkbug? Fuck what are you guys called?

(I've been informed Shadeswarm, Nightcrawler, Night Biter, Creepy Crawlies, or Carapace. I think Creepy Crawlies might be my preference among that.)

MOAR DOLL LESBIAN CONTENT!!!!!

Parian is one of my absolute favorite characters! Flechette is pretty cool as well. Being a hero hurts her. Stabbing my daughter also didn't build good marks with me, but I understand why she did it. Cause GAAAAAAAAAAAY. I have a hard time being too mad at a lesbian stabbing someone to protect her girlfriend.

I'm glad Parian isn't joining Coil full hog at least, she's too pure to be a villain (or a "hero"). I kinda wish she could just move to New York and be a fashion designer and live her best life, but I do enjoy the idea of getting to see her more.

And to be honest, I don't think anyone on Earth Bet is really going to be living their best life in the long run. Sorry guys.

The fucking shutdown the team gives to the Nazis is AMAZING! Like ya no Hookwolf or Purity this time, that obviously would have made it harder. But still, comparing the previous fight to this just really shows how much the team has increased in power. They didn't even bring Grue.

Skitter and Tattletale being able to work together to find all the people in a few block radius and figure out which groups are Nazis, all while just standing in the middle of the street, is so fucking cool. I fucking love watching them work.

I don't love the girlfriends fighting with the whole "Skitter wasn't told about the plan to have Regent yoink a Nazi". But they seemed to make up pretty quickly.

Skitter fucking running multiple bug clones, with cameras and microphones, all across her territory, and using them to talk to people and check in on things, WHILE getting surgery on her shoulder??! FUCKING HELL. Like ok yes, please love yourself child and let yourself take it easy sometimes. But also holy shit that is so god damn amazing. I am 100% convinced (I mean, I have been since like Arc 4 TBH) that she uses her bugs to basically offload her pain. Or offloads her mind to her bugs so she can ignore the pain in her body. Same idea. Like even if it's never confirmed it is true to me. And the multitasking! Give Taylor a Thinker classification!!

Just fucking attacking the mayor's family to intimidate him into telling people in Washington to not condemn Brockton Bay huh? I mean sure it kinda worked at the end (assuming he does what he said he would) but it really seems like a terrible plan. Like, the people in Washington are gonna hear about the attack and wonder about everything the mayor says. But fine, that's the plan.

Skitter making the bug clones complex enough that Trickster and Genesis don't even notice she's a clone at first is super cool! Also it does drive home that she is always just covered with so many bugs and using swarm speech so much that when a version of her shows up that is completely covered in bugs and speaks fully with swarm speech it doesn't throw anyone off.

Coil had to know that Triumph was the mayor's kid. The fact that he's the one who pushed to have them attack during family dinner.

I'm really proud of Skitter for figuring it out though! I pegged him as a cape pretty much right away and was able to figure out it was Triumph not long after, but she was in the heat of the moment. Also she got the girlfriend pegged as a either Prism or Ursa while I was still uncertain if she was a cape.

Holy shit that fight was so fucking cinematic! Perfectly built for Triumph to look cool by exploding bug clones with his shouts. And with Prism splitting and combining constantly. Just fuck. I'd love to see an animation of that fight. It was super cool.

And again, Skitter got dark there. And sadly I'm worried she's gonna get darker.

[travelers-gaming]

talked about this a little before but I love Luke's powers. like he genuinely wants to Do Good and Be A Hero and he gets a power that turns him into a weapon. like there's not really a useful nonlethal use the closest thing he can be to a hero is A Good Guy With A Gun and that's fascinating. I think his backstory makes the most sense if he grew up around guns. (canonically he lives in an apartment with his older brother, makes sense to imagine his bro as kind of a 2nd amendment conceal and carry guy). I don't think that Luke has ever actually been hurt by a gun but he knows them well enough to be wary and then, when he finally gets a special power, any use of it is playing with a loaded gun. like the contrast of the heroic fiction he grew up with against the reality of violence. idk. it just seems interesting

[jimmycarterghostland]

THE GOOD THINGS ABOUT WORM

1 Wildbow does a great job at "show, don't tell." Some examples are when he describes Leviathan as moving slower than he did at the beginning of the fight, showing that Leviathan is getting tired instead of simply stating it. And during Hookwolf's interlude, you can tell he is a racist without him explicitly saying so.

2 The subtlety. Worm has a lot of subtle moments, which is refreshing because too many pieces of literature out there beat you over the head with certain things. Wildbow knows how to write subtlety well. In a moment of foreshadowing, he uses the verb "stalk" when referring to Sophia, hinting at her being Shadow Stalker. Wildbow also implies that Cherish was using her power on Ballistic to make him not kill her. This moment was pretty subtle. This even lead to some readers believing Ballistic was being out of character when he was revealed to be a jerk, considering he didn't want to shoot Cherish. Those readers were unaware of Wildbow's excellent use of subtlety.

3 The narrators have distinct character voices. Wildbow makes their personalities and personal beliefs pop off the page. Hookwolf is a racist, and it shows in his interlude. He dislikes cornrows, because of his racism toward Black people, and he uses a racial slur to describe Shatterbird's ethnicity in his inner thoughts, instead of using the proper term for it. And with Brutus's interlude, you can tell you're reading from the point of view of a dog.

4 Worm has a lot of great similes. There's been a bunch of instances where I can easily understand what a character is feeling, because Wildbow would use a great simile to describe it. Like when Taylor mentions how her fear isn't going up or down, but staying static, as if someone has been pointing a gun at her for a while(I'm paraphrasing here). There are a lot of good similes like that in Worm.

5 The characters in Worm are complex and have distinct personalities and motivations. Their backgrounds tend to affect what they do in the present, which is a sign of good writing. And there are no out of character moments.

6 The characters are intelligent. I really appreciate this. Worm's characters are clever, the heroes and the villains, and this makes for intriguing fiction.

7 The powers. The powers in Worm are pretty diverse and creative.

[sweetteaanddragons]

I saw that post you made about fem!Feanor who has a bunch of daughters and one son and it got me thinking about what would change in canon if male!Feanor had a bunch of daughters...he would just go ballistic if anyone insinuated that he had so many daughters because he was trying for a son and I guess he would fight to get inheritance changed (no daughter of his is ever going to be less than fingolfin’s sons!)

You know what I honestly think would be the biggest change in this AU?

Feanor's reaction to the news he's getting a grandchild.

He's still happy, don't get me wrong! He's just also worried. So very worried.

Fem!Curufinwe's husband should also be very worried because he is definitely getting a very threatening shovel talk about how, if something goes wrong, Feanor doesn't care how long it takes or how certain Curufinwe says she is that she doesn't want to come back, Curufinwe's husband will be waiting on her.

(Of course, that might require him to face angry feelings toward Finwe for not waiting, which is a whole other can of worms.)

(Referenced post is . . . somewhere. I will try to track it down. Wish me luck!)

(Edit: It is here! I found it in my fic master list which . . . is a thing I had forgotten I had made, actually. I should probably update that at some point.)