#been meaning to write a 5+1 fic exploring how the watchdogs feel abt the empire in general and their part in it in particular

[one-strugling-bean]

Have we ever discussed how "Watchdog" could just be the name of the army?

idk, this has definitely been brought up before, but like... it feels so possible?? (even tho I'm almost 100% certain it isn't) And i wanna talk abt it soo

Right off the bat, when you compare Watchdog to other species names from woy, it looks off. You have Zbornaks, Bingleblorps, Mooplexians, etc etc -- Watchdog doesn't rly fit with that, right? It's just an english word

And its not just any english word - its a word that details the 2 biggest qualities of the watchdogs as an army: their eyes and their loyalty/obedience. (At least that's what I'm assuming. I don't think its ever mentioned if their eyesight is rly good, but yeah.)

From my 2 min of research, i got that typically Watchdog is a term used for trained guard dogs (idk if that's common knowledge. maybe it is and I'm just sounding dumb here). So I can very easily imagine Peepers coming up with this name to elevate the species' credit as an evil army.

Like - they're not super smart, nor physically strong, buuuut they are easy to manage, you can order them around, they have good eyesight (which means good for guarding/reconnaissance), and are pretty loyal. So, Watchdogs.

(I imagine Peepers saying this^ last paragraph to Hater like a sales pitch.)

On a less positive side, the name also feels like it could be a little offensive. Like... you're calling them dogs. Dangerous dogs, but dogs nonetheless. Like they're pets, inferior to people in a way.

Whenever i get to this point, I always remember how genuinely mad Peepers sounds when Hater calls his "eyeball guys" dogs in The Axe. Peepers be like "f u, my people may be incompetent as shit, but they aren't pets."

(which does clash with the idea that peepers was the one to name them, cause like, what, did he just not realize the consequences of what he was calling his army? but hey, that's why this is a theory)

Also, word for word what Peepers answers Hater there is "They're not dogs either! They're-!" and then he's cut off :[

What are they, peepers?? What are all of you??? I WANT ANSWERS!!