#but that something is like. this really terrifying & morbid concept

[wholesomefluffdaddy]

Okay. So. What if Enid finds out that, due to her shifting during the Blood Moon, she’s somehow linked to the Big Bad Wolf of fable and myth?

She learns this through some cryptic prophecy or perhaps an ancient pack superstition. The details are sparse, with much of it apocryphal, but this much is true: she’s begun to have strange dreams.

In them, she is a different sort of wolf. Monstrous. Ravenous. All teeth and maw and urge to hunt. There is forest in which she prowls, hunting a flicker of red.

Each night she dreams, and each night the hunt progresses. That flicker of red grows into scarlet swaths through dark foliage. Until one night, in a dream more nightmare than not, Enid sees the source.

Wednesday. Her morbid girlfriend. In red upon red upon red.

Cloth? Blood? She can’t tell from the dreams. All she remembers was upon waking us the terrible hunger. That relentless craving to feel flesh between her teeth. To bite down and consume her prey whole.

Enid is terrified. Even in waking, she can sense the gnawing need. Her gums itch. Her mouth pools with saliva. Her senses alight with every note of Wednesday’s dirge. Pulse. Breath. Sweat and scent. Hers.

So Enid has a dilemma. Does she really believe the superstitions? Is Wednesday truly her Red Riding Hood? Is she somehow destined to devour her girl? Oh gawd, what is she going to do!?

— — —

As for Wednesday, she is alarmingly fine upon learning of the so-called prophecy. She has her theories. She keeps them close to her heart, so as to not frighten her beloved. Because she has her suspicions.

The sweet rainbow wolf. Gentle and tender. Her valiant Enid. She has a monster in her that may only be tamed through exploration and acceptance. And Wednesday is prepared to help her with that, regardless of the risks. She would gladly place her bare neck between Enid’s jaws. Anything for her beloved.

Wednesday’s plan? The tales hint that the fables are but an indication of a cycle that must be repeated. Yet a fable is just a story. The setting has been defined by dream. The important players cast. But there’s that wiggle room in interpretation. Who’s to say that the designated prey can’t set it all in motion? Guide it. Shape it. Her own little orchestra, with her as the dark conductor in a bright red hood.

— — —

Whoops. Suggestion spiraled. Sorry! It’s really a concept of Enid finding out she’s the Big Bad Wolf, but being terrified of what that means. Themes of dealing with urges that she’s reluctant to accept. And Wednesday just truly wants to help, but in her own macabre and overly-dramatic fashion.

Silly and fanciful or tense and dramatic? Whichever! Can be SFW or NSFW depending on interpretation of the urges. Writing could have creative moments where sections are told like a fairy tale as they re-enact parts of the fable. I dunno! Your experimentation with A Raven and the Writing Desk made me think you’d enjoy playing around with something like this.

That’s my suggestion. 😅

This… This is gonna occupy my mind until I write it down.

[cookii-moon]

So fam, you seem to like to talk about ghost Cole. So tell me, how would you rewrite dotd? :)

I love talking about ghost Cole you are correct

The obvious first step is make it a season like it was supposed to be. DotD was just too short to set up much and the filler fight scenes didn’t help it. You could also have a longer special or a movie. Either or works.

The second is we should’ve gotten to see more of Cole BEING a ghost before we got to see him not being a ghost. I think the Chinese version did some parts of DotD better in that regard because we did at least get to see an exclusive intro where the ninja are training together. Cole gets knocked into a rack and suddenly they leave without him. We also get to know it’s happened before because if iirc he says smthn along the lines of “not again..” which did a better job of setting things up than the English version.

Have him use his ghosty powers for stuff to showcase the positives before having the ninja forget about him more and more as the episodes go on until the viewer is firmly aware something is VERY wrong and this isn’t just a cute holiday season. It starts with minor things you wouldn’t notice and gets more and more intense as the show goes on until Cole is forced to recognize he’s being forgotten.

It then becomes a race against time for Cole to find a way out of it before it’s too late, perhaps along with some of Yang’s trickery along the way? He also slowly grows to have a spite for Yang. Maybe you could also explore some of the duality between the side of him that’s used to being a ghost and the side of him that wants to be human again. Maybe the lines of life and death have blurred for him now that he’s fading, and Morro is trying to guide him (he probably has no clue it’s Morro until the end lol) to make up for his mistakes. Mostly because I think Spirit/Sandstorm duo would be fun to explore plus Morro shouldn’t be gone from DotD completely.

Obviously eventually he’d break and go to Yangs temple again. Morbid curiosity? He finally found a way? He’s just salty? Who knows!

I don’t think releasing the villains would serve any real purpose tbh. The ninja have already forgotten him and having former enemies pop up would only cause suspicion, plus it leads to the filler fight scenes, their only real purpose in the story anyways was fan service.

Anyways I want the fight scenes with yangs students to be more exciting. I want full on ghost brawls where they’re flying all over the place and fighting mid air and zipping through obstacles and walls and possessing weapons n stuff like cmon. We were robbed!!

As much as I love Ghost Cole I don’t think he’d stay a ghost. They had a point it DOES make him too overpowered in the long run and kinda means you have to write around it all the time when introducing stakes. It’s kind of already showcased a lot in the fandom where people will write fics in which he’s in a situation that shouldn’t really affect him as a ghost at all, but he’s still affected since you can’t put water everywhere and it’s hard to account for everything.

I do think he deserves the right to be permanently AFFECTED by his time as a ghost and it should be addressed more often. I want Cole to have a full blown panic attack when he and Jay go in the swamp to rescue the workers in S7. I want his lava arms and their connection to his time as a ghost and how he feels about them to be explored. I want various side effects to rear their head like him collapsing from exhaustion in the middle of a mission because he’s not used to sleeping or him struggling in a fight because he has to completely relearn his old fighting style. I want Vangelis to use his past to toy with him via necromancy and he’s absolutely terrified of going back to that life again or being stuck under his control because of the stupid leftover ghost traits.

Obviously this is just a concept, though who knows, maybe there’ll be a Spectral Flight sequel some day when I finish writing it. It probably wouldn’t be canon, but it’s a fun idea 👀

[egg-emperor]

Thoughts on the idea of eggman doing horribly vile shit but still wanting to be seen as in the right for it, like “oh I’m not making them slaves it’s protective robot skin haha”

Feel like it could be an interesting twist on his char, kinda got some of those vibes from the park in colors, the full corporate speak and like, trying to make this obviously evil plan look not evil, feel like there’s a lot to be done there

I love love looove it, that's what I was expressing a desire to share more concepts of just the other day. I have some I've been meaning to share but my favorite part is when he finally drops the act and shows his true colors and mocks them for it like a cold hearted bastard so I focus on that most lol. I do wanna delve into the build up more though.

He has indeed done it in various official media already like X, Archie, games, and promo material and I absolutely loved every instance of it. But since I'm a game canon guy primarily I'm just gonna focus on that for this reply, though in the future I'm probably going to share what I liked about the cases even outside them because I appreciate it in many places.

I love how one of the things about how he likes to take things that are generally considered childish like toys, theme parks, carnivals, circuses, etc and has his own twisted fucked up spin on it is how it can also be used to lure people in with the bright colors and usually perceived innocence of it. The times Eggman has played into it is interesting.

With Eggmanland in Unleashed, he was upfront about the hell on earth that it was to Sonic because he knew he wouldn't have believed his trickery, plus he takes pride in the fact. He enjoyed teasing him with the "If you have any complaints, come deliver them to me in person. If you can, that is!" to emphasize that it was the theme park of horror >:)

Plus the atmosphere was a lot darker so despite the neon colors, it probably wouldn't have fooled anyone Sonic or not. But he still had the Eggshop be a thing where horrible sawdust and motor oil tasting food was sold to make it horrible and unpleasant for his sadistic amusement, so maybe he would've hoped to trick people regardless?

We don't get to know for sure there but in Colors he wants lots of visitors and he really had to do some immense trickery make sure it seemed innocent and appealing enough to get them to use a space elevator to travel all the way up there lol. It's a lot more colorful and fun looking than the more dark and polluted looking Eggmanland from afar.

So for the Interstellar Park, the trickery is both in its design and his words with how he pretended it was a happy wonderland of fun with nothing to do with any evil plot or premeditated misdeeds. What I love is how once you've gotten all the way up there in space, you're fucked. You'll get messed up and killed one way or another.

In his PAs when you're actually inside, the act is dropped quick. He lies about some of it being safer than it looks but for the most part? All his lines are brutally honest about how messed up it really is, with the Wisps he harmed, blatantly acknowledges the dangers of the rides and planets, and how they can cause death, horror, and fear.

I love how sadistic he is in the PAs and his morbid humor that reveals how truly sick he is and that this park was created for anything but pure innocent reasons. He intended for the rides to be deadly and food to be bad and finds it very amusing. He probably loves the idea of these tricked people coming in and quickly becoming horrified and afraid.

But it still looks so colorful and fun from afar! It's so beautiful and with the joys he promises, how could you not want to go? So while it works to lure people in, it can also give its true horrors even more impact when visitors expect something nice but the dangerous disturbing and terrifying reality is revealed and I'm sure that's very appealing to him too.

So you get this funny combination of him both trying to deceive you but then quickly becoming brutally honest as soon as you're successfully trapped in it. This is exactly what happened in the SPINGEAR ride too, where he was immediately like "haha sike you're actually in for a terrible time!" as soon as the ride began and was loving it.

But I think the idea of him playing the long game with his trickery and deceit is interesting too. We've mostly only seen cases where it's a lot quicker like that but he's set up well for him to do an elaborate scheme of dragging it out for longer and the impact would hit extra hard after all that time too, which he'd definitely enjoy and mock after.

The Eggman Empire propaganda Sonic Forces promo video was cool because Eggman was trying to convince people the world being a dark polluted hellscape is actually a good thing, which reflects his twisted idea of a "perfect" world shaped his image, where he has the power of the control and the sadistic enjoyment of the harsh conditions.

Then because people obviously need the clean air to live, he tries to trick them into thinking robotomy is a wonderful helpful treatment for it. That never needing to eat, sleep, or think again is a good thing and that they'll love it. When really it's a trick to get them to submit to him, have control over them and strip them of their freedom and free will.

But there's an eerie glimpse at how he really knows none of this right with how he says love is mandatory. Once he's tricked them and they've submitted and given up their freedom and will, he can use them as he pleases and keep them controlled and brainwashed but if they do realize how fucked up it is there's no going back, they're trapped in it now.

I'd really like to see more of that, where he tries to tell people the vile things he does are genuinely great, for their own good, are nice and selfless of him and genuinely beneficial for them. Where he manages to manipulate so well to the point of mass delusion and brainwashing with people that follow him believing he's doing something the right thing.

It's good to be a mindless slave under his control, never having to think for yourself again! Trapping living beings in robots improves upon nature and is better and more beneficial than natural! The deadly attractions are what real fun and excitement really is! The brutal sadistic punishments if they fall out of line is for their own good! There's no meaning to life if it isn't to serve him and the world is better under his control!

And the idea of people actually believing that in the Sonic universe and following him is interesting to think about. Even though it bothers me when people do it in real life and believe his lies and think he actually has good intentions but I mean hey, they give me an example of what it'd be like at least. Eggman really is a good actor, props to him! XD

I have a few ideas I'd like to share in the future. Showing love, care, and false acts of kindness to trick and manipulate, or not even hiding his vile actions but managing to convince people it's good or that the end justifies the means, and have them falling for it and he sees how far he can take it makes it especially impactful and devastating.

Delusion, deceit, manipulation, and gaslighting in general is very fascinating to me after years of experiencing it and I've always wanted to understand it from the perpetrator's perspective and portray it as dark and disturbing as it really is. It's always been interesting for me to explore in Eggman too, from when he's manipulating specific characters to the masses. I've actually been researching big cases of mass delusion in history again lately so this is timely.

Pulling people into the empire with the lie that it's something great that will benefit everyone but their leader has much darker intentions and the true final outcome will benefit only himself, but he strings them along on a lie, brainwashes them, and has control though mind games and trickery is fascinating and thrillingly devious.

Then slowly or abruptly realizing it's a lie and the impact when it all comes crashing down and Eggman spits and laughs in their face and mocks them for having a heart and wanting to see good in him/believing and having hope in good coming from it. It emphasizes his coldness and cruelty and how much of a threat he is even to the mind.

And if that happens he'll try to shut down their doubts and lie more to keep them deluded because he knows just what they want to hear and promises them they'll get it. So if they don't believe it's right, the ends justify the means. And if that doesn't work, he'll threaten them to keep them in so they can't leave, or have them dealt with.

But he's so good at taking advantage of people's vulnerabilities, saying what they want to hear, and embedding lies so deeply into their minds to warp reality into what he wants them to believe that sometimes they may be too far gone and never see the truth. And he takes it to the darkest places, using them all up and harming them and they die in vain.

Every outcome has the potential to be very fascinating, entertaining, and impactful!

[frogs-with-tea]

I think the One Piece Sound idea is Galaxy-brained. It has so much potential! The setting can be so rich, both in scenery and emotion: they’re all seeing the water and the sky and the forest all the time, but they all grew up there and they’re kinda stuck there so they don’t notice the beauty unless something brings their attention to it. And the potential for the characters! The main crew are 20-somethings living in a tourist trap - the older adults are going to consider their minimum-wage dead-end jobs (or lack thereof, looking at Luffy, king of the bums as far as they’re concerned) to be a sign of their laziness or whatever.

I’d like to think that Nami runs scams on the boardwalk to fleece tourists as legally as possible. She supports Luffy’s search for the One Piece bc she wants to be rich and famous.

I’d like to think Luffy is the goofy guy selling t-shirts out of Usopp’s van with absolutely incredible good luck (no matter what happens, he always bounces back). He’s always at every single one of Zoro’s kendo tournaments: he was the only person cheering Zoro on at Zoro’s first competition, where he foolishly challenged the current champion and got his ass beat to hell. Zoro calls him captain as an inside joke between them; they were friends first out of the group and they are each others ride-or-die. Everybody thinks Luffy is just a childlike dumbass until Luffy sets out to challenge and take down cruelty and greed in the town.

Since he was young, Sanji wanted to go to culinary school but he’s afraid to leave the town: ‘Zeff needs me, the restaurant needs me’. (‘If I leave, the Vinsmokes will find me’) After Zoro gets pregnant, Zeff is on Sanji’s ass constantly about mating/marrying the Cactus. Zeff’s views are a little old fashioned but his heart is in the right place. Sanji has the self-esteem of a flea so he’s really conflicted about it. When he finds out that people are looking down on Zoro bc he got knocked up by ‘just a line cook’ he goes nuclear (I’m thinking about a parallel between this mis-characterization of him and his bounty posters in canon being caricatures of him)

Usopp runs a “Ghost Tour!” that is 200% bullshit and he changes up the locations and stories every couple months. It is the highest-rated attraction on Trip Advisor for the town.

Robin works at the library and she’s got an extremely morbid sense of humor, which terrifies Luffy/Usopp/Chopper BUT she’s doing a lot of the reading research on the treasure and she helps in the search a lot.

Anyway, all of this is to say I think you’ve got a really winning concept on your hands and I wish you all the luck and energy to see it through!

Hey there!! It makes me really excited to hear that you're so passionate about my AU ideas!! I've actually laid out a lot of my ideas on my personal blog @spock-smokes-weed, all under the tag #one piece sound au.

My ideas for Nami and Usopp is that they would be the ones experiencing the most "my life is in a rut" type feelings since they don't have much outside of work and the straw hats. Nami works at a bait shop with her sister, cus I thought it would be fun to position Nami in the old-school economy of the town, fishing. I thought it would be a fun setting for Nami cus she's both a getting dirty with her hands kind of person and a girly girl. With Usopp, in my mind, he's that one friend who's always bouncing from job to job. If this AU is about early 20s eunni, then we all have a friend that can't seem to find a job that makes them happy or they can tolerate. Usopp is an artist at heart and a big personality, I think he'd find it hard to get fulfillment bussing tables or washing cars.

Luffy is pretty straightforward. Living in his van with his dog (Chopper), being a menace to society.

And honestly, I don't see Zeff being the traditional type at all or would give Sanji any grief about marrying Zoro. Since he exclusively hires ex-cons to work on his staff, and already has a non-traditional family with Sanji, I can't see him thinking marriage would solve any issues between Sanji and Zoro. Zeff is a big feature in the story and Sanji's biggest pillar of support, but his advice mainly comes down to "just do the right thing and take responsibility." He just wants Sanji to step up as a father and not run out like Judge did to him. Sanji doesn't react to Zoro being pregnant well (at first. he's terrified of being a father, and that causes him to lash out) and Zeff very much gives him some tough love about stepping up and taking responsibility for his actions.

And for a note about the Vinsmokes, with this AU I'm not looking for a pure 1:1 with canon. So they might be evil royalty in canon, but since I'm taking inspiration from slice-of-life, I'd rather refit them to fit tropes from that genre. I have two posts on Judge specifically and my ideas for his roll in the story, but the TL;DR is that he's a narcissistic deadbeat who only resurfaces in Sanji's life to take advantage of him and ask for money.

As for the other straw hats, I have a post here about where I think they'd fit into the town.

Also, I have a post about Zoro's focus of the story, mainly being his battle with his strength and masculinity and his struggle with the judgment he gets from the town around him.

This was all super long but I just get so excited when ppl say they like my au and all I want to do is share all the ideas I have cataloged (both on here and in my brain)

[frostfall-matches]

[ matchmaking... ]

@imjustabeanie : [ match report ready ]

your match is…

✦ Jade Leech

-> Jade is absolutely not daunted by your brutal honesty, often finding it amusing instead. He is much more about subtlety himself - not the type to lie, per se, but he does leave things rather vague, simply letting people make their own assumptions (whether good or bad). He doesn’t see anything wrong with someone naturally being more straightforward, though. Many people are afraid to truly speak their minds in social situations, preferring general politeness and not wanting to hurt feelings, so he finds types like you to be so refreshing and funny. Initially, when the two of you don’t know each other very well, he really likes seeing how you react to him. A lot of students are wary of him, if not flat out terrified, so a lot of them stutter and stammer through excuses or beating around the bush. Jade doesn’t get too fussed about it, but when you come around and say what’s really on your mind towards him, he can’t help but laugh. On the plus side, he does make an effort to be more upfront with you in return, out of appreciation.

-> He is not someone who you’d really be able to rile up. Ever calm with an easy smile, Jade simply doesn’t crack in the face of pressure, mocking, or insults. He doesn’t even seem bothered by them. And depending on the type of person, his cool-headedness and pleasant smile will just rile up the one trying to goad him. Jade doesn’t exactly come across as the competitive type to most, but he actually finds competition and challenges quite enjoyable and interesting. He’s perceptive enough to pick up on the fact that you’re the competitive type, even though you try to hide it. He’ll casually challenge you to something, making it seem like a low-stakes fun pastime, only to not go easy on you whatsoever. He always acts like he has the upper hand and just grins at whatever taunting or teasing you throw his way - and he loves taunting you back, his words intentionally timed for the maximum irritation. It’s like a form of flirting, for him.

-> Jade loves your curiosity and the fact that you indulge in it freely and often. He is of the mindset that knowledge is a very powerful, useful tool, which seems to be in line with the way you view knowledge and learning. (He just has more nefarious uses for his knowledge, especially when it comes to other people that either he or the Mostro Lounge could make use of…) All that aside, your preferred area of interest leans a bit more towards space, but if you ever want to dig deeper into the sea, he’s happy to share some of his own insights with you considering the fact that he literally grew up in the Coral Sea. Any questions you might have, especially ones concerning the logistics of being an ocean dweller, he’ll answer to the best of his ability - and his answers tend to be quite thorough, wanting to sate your ever-present curiosity.

-> On a similar note, he’s a great conversation partner when it comes to debates or philosophical topics. Jade is never one to shame you for morbid curiosity or dubious ideas, and he’s happy to explore those topics with you. There’s a lot going on inside that head of his, hidden behind that smiling poker face. He’s smart and skilled, and won’t shy away from talking about difficult topics. These are really good opportunities for you to learn a bit more about him! You’re able to figure out what his stances are on certain topics (he’s pretty morally gray and self-interested… but also doesn’t mock ideas that keep the greater good in mind, either), as well as how he thinks and processes information. He’s good at playing devil’s advocate, so you’re able to really pick apart different ideas and concepts, trying to see things from as many different perspectives as possible.

-> Jade finds a kindred spirit in you, in the way that you encourage “bad ideas” and chaos. He hates “organized harmony” - finding such peace dull and boring. A core part of him wants life to be as entertaining and fun as possible, though his definition of entertaining is a bit loose and self-centered. He really likes planting poor choices in people’s heads and waiting for the inevitable chaos and fallout. He won’t participate in any reckless ideas himself (he’s just a touch too pragmatic for that), but he can usually convince someone else to do it. And knowing that you’re also the type to hype up your friends when it comes to their stupid, dangerous ideas? Well, that’s even better! He now has a partner in crime, the two of you watching from the sidelines as some poor fool you’ve encouraged goes and risks their pride and/or safety. You two are a pair of menaces in your friends’ eyes.

-> Moody? No problem! Jade is used to Floyd, so he doesn’t take it personally. If there’s something going on that’s troubling you specifically, he’s happy to suggest or even enact solutions on your behalf - just let him know if that’s something you’re interested in, because he won’t step in without you saying so. Otherwise, he’ll leave you be, figuring that you know how to manage your own emotions. That being said, he does like to leave a little gift for you on days that you’re really struggling. It’s often just one of your favorite snacks, but there are a few times he’ll leave you a nice bracelet or set of earrings. Nothing too crazy expensive or lavish! It tends to be either sea or spaced themed (a nod to your interests, but the sea themed jewelry he gets you are often from the Coral Sea. He hopes you consider them thoughtful, comforting gifts, and he really likes when he sees you wearing them!).

-> Baking becomes a hobby that the both of you indulge in. Besides the fact that Jade is overly competent in practically everything, he has a special fondness for cooking and baking. Even when he’s stuck working in the Mostro Lounge kitchen on a daily basis, he likes the freedom of cooking something that suits his own tastes… or experimenting with weird recipes. He likes going all-out on baking dates with you, and you each take turns picking the recipe. When you two first start baking together, he picks recipes that are more on the tame side, but then they progressively get more eccentric and unique. Other times he might just half-follow a recipe and then just start experimenting with the last half of it. At least you seem to be the type that’s willing to mess around and see if it’s something tasty or edible! All in all, he ends up truly enjoying the domesticity of spending this time with you, even though he’s not typically the type to fall too deeply into comforting, relaxed routines.

-> You two make a rather enigmatic couple. Both to outsiders, and to each other. It takes you a long time to open up, and you refuse to share your trauma or troubles even to those close to you. Jade likes to keep his cards close to his chest, never fully letting his guard down and being vulnerable. It may feel like a weird dynamic sometimes due to this perceived distance, but at the same time it can be rather comfortable. You both understand each other’s reluctance to bare your inner world and emotions, so there isn’t a strong pressure from either of you to do so. You can each take things at your own pace without feeling guilty. Sometimes the relationship may feel a bit stagnant because of this, since there’s this hesitance with emotional intimacy… but that makes those moments where one of you decides to take a step forward all the sweeter.

[icebrooding]

So, I really love @elder-dragon’s gijinka AU, and when I encountered Drakkar for the first time while going through IBS, I kind of. Fell head over heels with the spooky lil creature. So I felt like, hey, I should make a gijinka of them since elder-dragon hadn’t (yet)!

Design ramblings, etc, under read more.

I was inspired in several places by the concept art for them when it came to their clothes, with the cloak meaning to feel something like the ‘decomposing whale carcass-like fur’. I also felt I had to keep the rather terrifying look of their skeletal-like face due to how much it stuck out to me (although I couldn’t represent it even remotely like how it should feel, hrk) so I interpreted it as a headpiece with a very long almost moss-like length of thick fur cascading down their back when worn. Their hair is meant to be somewhat stringy to give it a slight ‘wet hair’ vibe.

Fun fact, I have megalohydrothalassophobia, so Drakkar’s state as ‘massive skeletal-like whale abomination that can swim in ice’ is absolutely terrifying to me, but coupled with the general horror feel of the Marches and the rather unnerving soundtrack that plays for them, I am actually completely in love with it. Morbid fascination, one could say.

[rahbid]

how different do you think Jezebel's life would have been if she were allowed to be raised to a certain age by Delilah? if they had been allowed to stay on the private island, watched but not interfered, for Delilah to raise her as she wanted. what kind of mother would Delilah would have been? what kind of child would Jezebel have been?

i actually play with a concept like this in my semi-mundane au wherein delilah successfully escapes with her child and ends up raising her in the louisiana bayou! it's not an au i have posted, but do occasionally muse about.

regardless of being raised in the bayou or on the island, jezebel is a much happier kid across the board. delilah truly wanted to love her daughter. what started as a plan to free herself turned into a genuine attachment throughout her difficult pregnancy.

delilah would have been a loving, if paranoid and occasionally controlling mother. she'd adore jezebel with every fiber of her being, but after all the trauma she'd experienced, would be absolutely terrified every time jezebel was out of her sight. this is mitigated slightly in the louisiana au, where delilah has the opportunity to socialize, develop a sense of community and form new connections with people. it becomes a very village raising the child situation. however, if left on the island, especially with birke watching, but not interfering, the fear in her would spiral. yes, she dotes on jezebel as much as she can, but she also does everything she can to prepare her for the tenuous reality of having to fight for their lives and bond. however, delilah really is jezebel's mother and excelled much like her daughter. this, alongside the sheer force that can be expelled by a mother fearing for her child, are some of the reasons she was killed in the first place. make no mistakes - birke was scared shitless of this woman outside of a controlled setting.

without birke's oppressive nature and violent experimentation, jezebel would have grown up with a much more stable sense of identity and much less of a lust for violence. yes, there's the aspect of inheriting her mother's fears ( for good reason, in this case ), but she's generally a happy kid. she develops a sort of gentleness to her that mainline jezebel isn't capable of.

this is especially exemplified in the louisiana au, as jezebel grows with a natural outgoing nature, curiosity and friendliness. she's regularly taking in stray animals, talking to the most random people, running errands. everyone knows her and her mother, knows that they've been through something awful ( but never ask details ). she's definitely still a weird kid and despite the lack of augmentations, she does have some milder enhancements due to being delilah's biological offspring. she's got some morbid interests, but is overall well known in her community for being extremely helpful and a great listener.

even in this more casual au, delilah is definitely still paranoid and often concerned about her daughter's friendliness, but is happy to see her happy. they spend a lot of time together and jezebel is a happy, doting daughter that is essentially in a constant state of telling her mother to relax. my favorite note about this au is delilah having a very mild french accent and jezebel having a very think cajun one.

[sweethoneyrose83]

Nerdy Goth Girl Dialogue Prompts

"Oh, you're into horror movies? That's cute. Let me introduce you to some real nightmares. Ever heard of The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari?"

"I'm not obsessed with death. I just think it’s fascinating how people spend their whole lives avoiding the inevitable."

"Did you know that Edgar Allan Poe was terrified of being buried alive? Imagine waking up in darkness and realizing you’ve been sealed away forever. Fun thought, right?"

"I was reading about the multiverse theory last night. Imagine—there’s a version of me out there that actually likes sunshine. Horrifying."

"So, is this your idea of flirting, or are you genuinely interested in discussing the finer points of Gothic architecture?"

"If you think my room is dark, wait until you see the abyss where I store my emotional attachments."

"Listen, I'm not saying curses are real, but if you suddenly feel like you're being watched tonight, don't say I didn't warn you."

"I actually find the sound of thunderstorms comforting. It’s like nature is finally expressing how I feel inside."

"I could explain the paradox of Schrödinger's cat, but that would require you to appreciate both metaphysics and the macabre."

"My favorite season? Autumn, obviously. Everything is slowly dying, and it’s beautiful."

"The concept of eternal life is cool and all, but if I had to spend it in fluorescent lighting? Pass."

"You know, the universe is constantly expanding. But it still can't contain how much I dislike small talk."

"People always say, ‘Don’t judge a book by its cover,’ but let’s be honest—it’s the dark, leather-bound ones that have the best secrets."

"I’m like a black hole of useless trivia. Did you know a group of crows is called a murder? The goth aesthetic practically writes itself."

"Are you one of those people who think black is just a phase? Because I’ve been perfecting this look since middle school."

"Oh, this old necklace? It's not just a fashion statement—it’s also rumored to be cursed. But hey, I like a little danger."

"You can call it ‘creepy’ if you want, but I just think it’s efficient to plan my funeral playlist ahead of time."

"You say I'm morbid, I say I'm well-read. There's a difference, trust me."

"Not to be dramatic or anything, but if I could live in a crumbling Gothic mansion surrounded by ravens, I would."

"I just think there’s something inherently romantic about stargazing. You know, staring into the vast, cold void of space, realizing our insignificance… really sets the mood."

"Do you ever wonder if the universe is just an endless library of forgotten stories, each of us just a page about to turn?"

"People say 'embrace the darkness' like it’s an edgy trend, but I say it's better to invite it for tea and let it tell you its secrets."

"Goth isn't just about wearing black. It’s an aesthetic commitment to staying enchanted by the things most people are too afraid to understand."

"I don’t read tarot cards because I think they tell the future. I do it because they tell me the truth I’m not always ready to see."

"There’s something oddly comforting about stargazing. You look up at a vast, uncaring cosmos and think, ‘Yes, this is my aesthetic.’”

"Yeah, I collect old, dusty books with titles in Latin. But no, I’m not casting curses… not yet, anyway."

"I could’ve been anyone in any time. But apparently, fate chose to make me a walking vampire playlist in the year of our lackluster reality."

"Life is basically one giant 'Choose Your Own Adventure' book, but someone tore out all the pages with the happy endings."

"Call me morbid, but I like to imagine every shadow I see has its own little story. We’d all look a little closer if we thought shadows could feel."

"I’m a hopeless romantic, really. I just think love poems sound better when they’re whispered in graveyards."

"Some people see black as absence, but I think of it as potential. Like, what do you want to fill that void with?"

"People call it morbid curiosity; I call it appreciating the part of life no one else wants to think about."

"I’d say I’m a realist, but realists don’t usually hang around places that remind them life’s a fleeting speck of dust in an indifferent universe."

"Sure, my room might look like a museum exhibit on Gothic literature and existential dread, but you can’t tell me it doesn’t have style."

"People always think goths are lonely. It’s more like we’re friends with the parts of life most people are scared to look at."

[harmonymurphy]

I'm thinking about making a sideblog to move all my comic/art/plotting/music rambling to. So I'll just talk to myself about it one last time.

I'm 90% sure I want to. I like posting reptiles and things that amuse me here and I always feel weird interrupting it with talking about my creative ideas I can't actually share yet.

There would be lots of pros. Mainly I wouldn't be nearly as self-conscious about talking there. If anyone chose to follow it, then they'd actually want to see that kind of stuff. (Unless they were one of those bots/spammers. In which case they can stick their head in a pickle jar and inhale* for all I care.)

There would be cons too. Biggest for me would be wanting it to contain all of the stuff I've said about my comic here. Problem is I think I've been here for 12 years and averaged almost 500 posts each year. That's a lot of stuff to dig through. But there are some really special posts in all that. Stuff I'd like prospective readers to know. Foreshadowing I'd like them to speculate about. Lots of stuff about my musical inspiration that I'd like to have in one place.

It would also be fun to add new commentary on some of the posts. Maybe not "Haha you're gonna scream when you figure out who/what this is about" but more so giving more hints about which character I'm referencing in each post or discussing how the plot has changed since I wrote that. Once I start drawing the comic later this year, I'd start reblogging certain posts and hinting they were about to become relevant.

Might be bittersweet to go back and see all my old posts referencing Rowena. I remember I used to refer to her as Fuzzipede before I felt comfortable using her real name online (I was just so terrified of my relatives finding me online that I was overly cautious back then). I know there are old pictures of her on my blog that I don't have anywhere else.

My biggest issue, though, is what I'd call it. I haven't decided on a name for my comic yet. (I thought of something this year, but it might sound stupid, I need to run it by my nephew next time I see him, he's seen my concept art and heard about my characters.) Failing that, I need to find a way to condense "I researched my medical problems and found something that makes me believe I'm not going to live more than 20-30 more years, which means I don't have time to wait for my art to improve, what you see is what you get" into a blog name. Not trying to be morbid, just honest.

So I'll be thinking about it, and I won't bring up my comic again until I make a decision.

*Gonna use that line in my comic. Don't steal it.

[vortship]

"And I was like- she ruined my brunch!"

"Mhm."

The conversation droned on, Hal only half-paying attention. How long was she going to let something as simple and stupid as a little bad dream make her dread sleep to begin with? The way she felt as though she was really there again, her breath catching in her throat, she didn't know it was possible to be that terrified of something that happened what felt like a lifetime ago now... and then came a morbid thought.

What if she did the same thing to her Earth parents? What if she let them down?

Her attention turned to the doorway, unsurprisingly, she'd been caught. And here she thought the TV was quiet; the concept of 'quiet', of course, being one the girl still had a tenuous grasp on.

"Yeah- yeah I'm fine." her voice was a mixture of anxiety and heaviness, "Just- y'know..." she gestured to the TV, "Brunch is on and I figured- why not... watch that?" although she barely was, "-at two am." Hal cleared her throat, any way she explained this, it didn't make a whole lot of sense.

he had already slept for an hour or so when the moonlight that now rested on his face woke him. stupid moon. couldn't he shine elsewhere but right into his bedroom? maybe he should have allowed sheila to get those curtains after all. he sat in bed for a moment, yawning. how late was it again? but he couldn't find his watch.

eh, might as well take a piss. he thought, sliding out of bed when his wife turned and stirred a little. but at least she seemed to have a good sleep. monarch dragged his old bones through the corridor, past 21's and 24's rooms, past hal's... by the time he arrived in front of the bathroom he thought he heard females voices.

females? jessica and miranda were gone the last time he checked. they only stayed for one night anyway. so who- walking closer to where the voices came from, malcom soon realized that they echoed from the living area. ugh 21's binging his stupid shows again isn't he... imma kick his ass in the morning. but something didn't sit right with his own assumption that it was 21 after all.

which is why he walked further up until he leant against the door frame, looking at his plasma tv shining in the brightest of HD (thanks venture for 'lending' me your tv). ❝ who's this? who's here? ❞ he asked, walking up behind her until he saw hal curled up in her blanket. eyes growing wider. ❝ wh- heeeey. you okay, sweetie? why aren't you in bed? you know that watching tv this close damages your vision? ❞

[linafication]

today may be valentines day but for some reason my brain has decided it’s also lina has wonky emotions & makes art about death day. what the fuck brain

[englass]

Concept/Title: Viewfinder

Pairing(s): Joseph Seed x Reader? / Undecided

Word Count: 3,187

Warning(s): Supernatural elements, horror elements, mentioned gore, death/ghosts, bad language/swearing.

A/N(s): Labelling this a concept piece because it’s not that refined imo; I got violently struck by the need to write it after randomly thinking of the idea at work. Doubt I’ll expand on it, but still interesting to write. And yes, I’m fully aware I’ve missed Halloween but– shh, who am I to question when inspiration strikes?

-/-/-

“Holy shit…”

It wasn’t anything new. Really, you shouldn’t be surprised; not with all you’ve heard about them. Not with the things you’ve seen…

But it’s the volume that catches your breath, makes shaky words tumble loose in a wispy exhale despite your aim for covertness.

You shouldn’t be here. Perched precariously across a high branch, you never should have come here. You can’t even remember why you’d decided on such recklessness in the first place, far removed from your typical cautious nature.

It was likely curiosity, the damned thing. What with this local war, once a whispered rumour with the tension brewing in the county, now in full swing.

You were unaligned, vehemently against the needless bloodshed on both sides. Had seen too much death in the calm of a spring evening to ever want to see it in the wrath of an actual war.

Without your camera, an old heirloom passed down to those with your ‘talents’ in the family, you could only catch glimpses. The unnatural glint of luna’s light in the corner of your eye, reflecting off the impression of a form that isn’t there in your periphery.

With the camera however… Well, fact is oftentimes stranger than fiction and seeing the evidence of some of the ways people have died is…

It was terrifying as a child; it’s still terrifying as a young adult.

God, you’ve always wanted to throw this fucking camera away. Put your foot to it so you would never have to see the horrors that lurk behind its lens again. Save any future members of your bloodline from the trauma it will surely lash upon them.

But you can’t.

It’s like a compulsion; morbid curiosity in full unrelenting force. You can’t bring yourself to destroy it. The not knowing, the paranoia should you ever lose – even just misplace it keeps it close.

Hardly a comfort, but always better the devil you know.

And you would always rather know than not when they are looking at you.

But this… this is unprecedented.

They’re not looking at you – fuck, thank god – but they are looking at him; at them.

Fucking hell, there’s so many…

It’s sickening. Seeing one is bad enough, having one follow you is worse, but this… this man has a whole fucking army of ghosts around him. All surrounding him, all circled close along with the living but still maintaining a certain respectable distance from him.

Are they all his followers, devoted in death as they were in life? Or have some inadvertently latched on to him, tethered themselves to him from the fear or rage he caused them in their final moments? It’s hard to tell. The toils and muck of conflict stains them all, makes them indistinguishable from one another.

You suppose death never has been a biassed prick.

The sight is beyond unsettling all the same, though.

Can he feel them? You know you can, if they get close to you. Still not figured out if they can hurt you though; never given them the chance, never been brave enough to try. Only ever turned tail or shot them with your camera in a reactive bid to startle them away. Sometimes they come back, other times they don’t. Sometimes they appear to want to show you something, other times… other times you don’t know.

You don’t exactly care to look at them long enough to find out.

Thankfully, depending on who you were to ask, he doesn’t seem to notice them. None of them do. Not even the girl, their appointed sister, despite how much exposure to that fucked up Bliss stuff she’s apparently had.

You’ve heard it causes hallucinations, makes people see things; you sometimes wonder at how much of what they see is really there or not.

They all have ghosts, you notice though. More so the preacher, Joseph if you remember rightly. But the other two men – his brothers, have a few of their own too. Barely a handful each, but…

You shiver, breath a whispered gasp as you see the way they stare. There’s no emotion in a ghost's face, completely blank and expressionless save for whatever injuries or lacerations may scar them. Even their eyes are blank, void of any thought or feeling, never no different than the eyes of a dead fish; but the intensity… that is something else. That is something felt.

And if they could… well, you’re sure they’d be glaring something fierce.

Did they kill them? It’s an awful thought, but with what you’ve heard it wouldn’t be far beyond the realm of possibility. The Seeds have always had blood on their hands, as goes the local gossip. And with how fixated the two and one ghosts are on the other two brothers respectively…

There’s history there, at the least. Enough history that you don’t think they’d ever leave.

Grudge worthy history.

God, how do they sleep at night from such a look? From such a silent and inexpressible rage? It’s beyond you.

… You really should leave.

This is dangerous. The full weight of the situation you’ve found yourself in starting to drag you down. Chewing at your already fraying nerves. It’s not even like you could take a picture to hand over to the resistance as a peace offering of sorts, in exchange for your continued uninvolvement. The flash would go off; the outcome would be your worst case scenario.

Slowly, so slowly you start to move. The ramblings of the zealous preacher falling further into the background as you attempt to manoeuvre from your, admittedly awkward position across the branch.

You don’t think too much of the chill from the night air. A glance towards Joseph and his entourage is enough proof that the ghosts haven’t moved from their docile positions, dead eyes still fixed on the preacher. You breathe a sigh of relief and continue to carefully raise yourself into a sitting position, making sure to keep as much of yourself as close together and hidden as possible under the leaves and cover of night.

It wouldn’t do for anyone to see you swinging about like some damsel in distress because you lost your balance.

In a cruel moment of irony, you stretch your leg back to start shimmying to the trunk of the tree, fully intending to make your way down and skedaddle away, when your foot suddenly slips from its hook on the branch too quickly. Body tipping dangerously to one side, frantically wrapping your arms around it, camera scuffing against the sturdy wood as you pin it harshly between your chest and the branch.

Thankfully, the flash doesn’t go off.

Taking a gasping breath, your eyes skittishly dart from person to person, hoping beyond all else that no one heard your – almost – fall. When no one seems to bat an eye you sigh, slumping with the weight of it to further cage your camera against you; forehead colliding a little harsher than intended into the bark.

That was too close.

With another quieter sigh you start to rise again, adamant to get away as quickly and stealthily as possible; not wanting to test your luck any further tonight.

But then you see it.

A glimmer, an unnatural glint of silver in your periphery.

You freeze.

Breath catching in your chest, fear an icy tendril sliding down your back you stare wide eyed at nothing; eyes becoming unfocused in a vain attempt to better see what is typically hidden. To attempt to follow the things you normally can’t.

It’s a silly attempt. Worthless really, but still you make it. No different to chasing those squiggly things in your eyes.

Cautiously you slide your camera out from under you. Turning to look over the edge to the ground below, vision spinning at the sudden acknowledgment of just how high up you are. You close your eyes hard for a few seconds, take a deep breath, and raise your camera…

It’s there. Almost right underneath you.

Dead eyes staring up at you, empty and expressionless.

You don’t move. Snared in the trap that these weird moments of looking at something that shouldn’t be, that isn’t there for most people, lock you into. Almost like an invincible ledge that you don’t know the limits of, nor the depth of the fall that awaits you should you get too close.

They are a follower of Joseph’s, though. You can easily make out the mark of the cult on their shredded jumper. Can see the inked branding of a sin on the inside of their arm. You think there might be hints of another one on their face, but… if there was one it’s gone now. Missing with the entirety of their right cheek; muscle and tendon and teeth exposed, part of their tongue…

They don’t gurgle though. Or choke. Or do anything really to show off their grisly wound. Not like the way they do in the movies or on television shows. There’s no fanfare here. They’re already dead, they have no need to sputter and uselessly swallow. They’re just an apparition. A scary one, a harmless one, but an apparition all the same.

Or at least, you try to tell yourself that.

With the sting of salt in your eyes you watch in distress as the ghost raises its arm, loosely outstretched toward you. Burnt and blood coated fingers pried apart into a lethargic open grab, a claw ready to steal you from your haven.

Oh, you’re so fucked…

It’s blocking your only way down. The only good thing is that ghosts can’t climb, but one of many pieces of bad news is that it's standing guard, waiting for you to eventually leave the safety of the tree. Sadly you don’t have the luxury of staying in one place forever, unlike the dead do.

The only thing you can think to do is to jump, but that’d be stupid– even for you. If you fall wrong you're done for. Staying up here might not be ideal, but at least you're not down there with it; incapacitated to boot if you were to be foolish enough to take the risk and end up hurting yourself.

… But you need to leave.

You’re becoming too lost in your fear, can feel your finger hovering over the shutter button, the urge to press down and drive the thing away growing the higher your panic rises. The need to flee itches at you, makes you twitch the longer it stares blankly up at you through the camera. Arm raised and painfully still.

What the fuck does it want?!

Before you catch yourself your mouth is already opening, a hushed ‘go away’ on the tip of your tongue–

And then there’s a shout, a raucous rally and the sporadic spritz of gunfire.

You jump, muscles flinching violently as you move to look too quickly, arm slipping out from under you–

Hands reflectively grabbing your camera tightly to hold onto and protect–

The impression of a button under your finger–

The flash goes off.

“Ahh–!”

You’re blinded, vision seared white as you're shot near point blank, flail in your shock and feel yourself slip from the branch, scrambling too late to save yourself before the blurry world is tumbling by too quickly–

A crack of pain has you scream out.

The ground a harsh greeting as you warble a pained cry, breath a wheezing cough as you weakly roll from your back to your side.

Fuck, you think you caught your shoulder…

The world is still a blurry mess of afterimages and lights, tears threatening to fall at the pain ricocheting through you, but you don’t have a chance to try and work yourself through it all before you're being mercilessly yanked to your feet. Rough hands grabbing and clawing as you are thrown into the roaring crowd.

“G-get the fuck off me! Let me go!” Your demands are far weaker and shakier than you want them to be as you're dragged along, shoved into one person only to collide and be pulled by another, the jeering exclamations and threats of the cult loud and ringing in your ears before you’re aggressively tossed to the ground.

You barely stop your face from hitting the ground, knees and forearms taking the brunt of the assault as your head instead knocks into your shielding arms before resting there as you curl into yourself. Make yourself as small and un-intimidating as possible in the eyes of the dead and living both.

Although, you’re far more concerned about the latter…

Choking at the harsh dig of your hoodie into your jugular, you're yanked by your hood back and onto your knees. Fingers clawing at the pressure around your throat as you're made to look up into the piercing eyes of the cult’s leader: the elusive Joseph Seed.

Freezing, you barely pay any mind to how he lightly raises his hand, a hush falling over everyone at the placating gesture as the choking grip on your hood is slackened into a controlled grip; a warning hold.

… You’re so going to die here.

The realisation has you gasping on a shuddery breath, tears gathered from your painful fall now weeping down your cheeks at the physical and mental strain of it all. The emotional turmoil of being so viciously confronted with the sudden fragility of your existence.

There’s no mercy here, you realise. No conceivable way to weasel yourself out of this now that you’ve been captured. Any excuse you can think up, any plea your brain desperately provides turns to ash in your mouth. There’s no way out of this…

He’s going to kill you…

You’re going to become one of them…

Glimpsing the flickers of light snagging on their ethereal forms you try not to actively look and search them out. The cold is far more prevalent when surrounded by them all, all no doubt watching you now that Joseph’s ramblings have come to a close at your impromptu arrival.

You try not to shiver though, try not to draw attention to the fact that you’re trying to look for something that isn't there. You’re sure you fail though, if the way Joseph slowly tilts his head is any indication. Natural eye colour tinted differently with the defence of his sickly yellow glasses between you.

Effortlessly, the older man kneels in front of you. Keenly observing you as you sniffle and barely hold back a shiver, breathe a contained gasp at how close he suddenly is. You try to retreat, to back away from him but you can’t; his hands quickly yet gently take your face into his grasp, holding you steady in his subtle inspection of you.

He calls you a child, tone patronising yet insufferably endearing as if you know no better. Looming over you as he admonishes you with all the righteous authority of a concerned father. Falls into a terrifying inflection of faux-sympathy as his thumbs brush absent circles into your damp cheeks, passes too close to your vulnerable eyes to be anything less than an unspoken threat; an intimidating yet wordless demand for your compliance.

You merely stare wide eyed at him, listen halfheartedly to his fraudulent platitudes and serpentine reassurances. Addressing all present, not just yourself as the object of his unwavering stare. Manufacturing a humble spectacle as he makes voiced inquiries he has no intention of letting you answer, drawing assumptions that rile up the onlookers into a thunderous rapture as much as it eases them from the edge of action.

Completely controlled and controlling.

An arrogance thinly veiled, a power freely wielded and openly demonstrated.

He is dangerous, beyond reason and comprehension. The devil is a sweet talker, and Joseph’s tongue is an enticing silver snare for the unguarded; words an enchanting will-o-wisp preying on the gloom of a despondent soul.

It’s little wonder he has risen to such notoriety.

Then his eyes drop, his voice stills, and his smile fades.

A pause. Lengthy and considering; lined with a tenuous, yet undefinable tension.

Watched by all around with bated breath, your interaction a show upon this most undesired stage, the hum of your joint audience a silent wonder and murmured question.

… What is he–?

Before you can follow the thought, he reaches for you.

He takes your camera.

“No, wait– let go of me!”

In the midst of your renewed struggle, panicked and desperate as he frees you from the metaphorical shackle of your camera and its strap around your neck, you keep your wary sight trained on Joseph. Watch in morbid interest in case he sees something, that he’ll be scarred by whatever it is he finds on the other side, letting you go free from the fear that will no doubt begin to plague him at such a blasphemous view.

Though you also fearfully hope he doesn’t break it…

He carefully turns your camera to and fro, expression contemplative as his fingers brush over the vintage wood. Tracing the elegant silver vines and delicate spirals inlayed into its frame.

He looks to you, peers at you over the frame of his garish glasses in a manner too much like the ghosts that watch you both.

You can’t keep the contact, too quick to look away and stare wantonly at your camera instead. Casting nervous glances to the flickers of unnatural light in the corners of your vision; afterimages quick to dodge your direct line of sight.

Joseph raises the camera; looks it over one last time, before finally looking through the viewfinder.

You hold your breath, struggles ceasing a second after at the morbid wonder that has taken hold. He doesn’t jolt or flinch or give any indication that he sees anything, simply looks through it. Seamlessly turning to point the camera at the many people around him, to turn it on his own brothers and sister; to turn it on you.

You flinch violently at having the dark lens of your camera pointed at you; the abysmal eye of death’s observer trained intently on your trembling form. Your terrified and living visage reflected in the black pitch of its glass.

Click—

There’s a flash, blinding and sudden and you yelp at the revitalised burn of your eyes, held tightly closed as you attempt to blink away the afterimage seared into your poor eyes: the ominous face of your camera staring back at you, a mask upon the devil before you.

Hesitantly your eyes flutter open, ears picking up at the laborious whir of your old camera as it develops the film.

Joseph is disinterested in you, focused purely on the picture slowly drooling from the film ejector.

He takes it gently, briefly shaking it to help develop the picture quicker. Once he’s satisfied, he stares. Shaded eyes glossing over the captured details of your person.

Green tinted eyes slowly crawl from the picture to its living counterpart. Watching you from his towering advantage as you shrink further under his blank yet intense gaze. So much like them, so much like them…

And then he smiles.

“You can see them too.”

[softrozene]

Reacting to Reader’s Braces Headcanons

I took a break from my event to create this extremely self-indulgent and rushed headcanons since I finally got my braces off! I have a very strong dislike for my retainer now but it will grow on me :’) Anyway this is comfort for me since my mouth is in pain lol.

One Piece Characters Reacting to Reader getting braces vs. getting them off!

One Piece Characters x Reader (Gender-Neutral/Nonbinary)

*I just did the Straw Hats, Law, Marco, Ace, and Thatch for this! (I did not add Jinbei as a straw hat since I am still not all the way caught up)

Warnings: This is long, Fluff- The characters reacting can be considered platonic/romantic- I will have any romantic (kissing) headcanons in bold. Except Chopper. He is strictly platonic because he is baby.

This is their normal One Piece world since I was a bit curious how they would react since I imagine that if there are dentists/orthodontists in their world it would be rare or only in like huge cities like Water 7.

FLAKSDSA Honestly just imagine Reader leaves the crew once in a while to go get their adjustments done or something lmfao. We ignore logic for this one. Only care about the reactions XD

Words: 2,343

Monkey D. Luffy:

When he firsts sees the metal in your mouth he is curious!

He will be in utter awe or laugh if he thinks they look funny (which of course makes Reader’s confidence plummet lol unless you laugh with him)

May call you a robot

He wants to know why they are shaped around your teeth- It is not like the gold or silver teeth that other pirates have that accompany missing teeth

This is weird for him since your teeth seem to be trying to look straight?

When you explain the reasoning of braces to him he is even more puzzled but excited for you!

He is not sure you really need them since he likes your smile regardless but he is happy if you are happy!

As for when you get them off- He is in awe that the braces did their job! And now you get to wear this weird plastic thing in your mouth

How the heck did you even get it in there?

He has no clue what a dentist/orthodontist is so he will just call them mouth doctor and think Chopper is the one helping you lol

Kissing with them on is also a weird experience for him! (I really hate to say it but he will love if you do not clean them very well. It makes him surprised but happy if he tastes food on them alfdjaslkf I HATE THIS lol)

He likes the way the metal feels when he explores your mouth but hopefully he is not a harsh kisser- You fear something will break if he really wanted to flakdfa

When you get your braces off he is in even more shock! That is so cool! Your smile is straight now! But now you got this weird plastic thing in your mouth... He does not mind he is just forgets you wear it since it is clear!

Luffy honestly does not care what you look like smile wise from before or after. He has no preference. He only cares that you are happy with your smile!

Roronoa Zoro:

“What the hell is in your mouth?”

THIS MAN BATHES ONCE A WEEK SO I WOULD ASSUME THAT IS THE SAME WITH HIS DENTAL HYGIENE?! I really hope not. I hope he cares for his mouth and will pretend he does now falksdfja

Anyway, he sees the metal and he is confused but once you explain it, he really does not care anymore

“Oh, cool, I guess.”

If you are partners though- He will be intrigued how kissing you would be. He takes the chance and decides it is an experience for sure tasting the metal in your mouth. (May remind of blood so he pretty cool with it alfdjalk)

Speaking of blood- If something ends up poking him or cutting him... He will enjoy it to the max tbh however if it is you that is hurt he will cease all kissing and only go for pecks until later

When you get them off I think he would miss tasting the metal

When you get your braces off he does not notice at first... It takes a few smiles before he goes... “Wait a minute...”

Then it hits him!

He will smile and be happy if he notices that being braceless brings you confidence with your new smile!

Nami:

SHE NOTICES THEM IMMEDIATELY AND SHE LIKES THEM

Nami is huge on hygiene so I think she would love to know more about dental hygiene and the concept of braces

She is understanding with your diet restrictions and will scold anyone who gives you weird looks or tries to get you to eat something you should not

She is your go-to for this since she also wants to see the end result as perfect

She is tad worried in the kissing department- Not wanting to mess your braces up since she knows how much effort goes into them but she also worried about her safety and if a wire or lose bracket will poke her or worse you. So she sticks to gentle kisses until they are off

She actually goes with you to your orthodontist to see how they take them off and to be there for you

She is happy with and for you upon seeing the end result!

and now her kisses can be harder >///<

Usopp:

As a tinkerer he will notice and also be intrigued. He has never seen braces (like Luffy and Zoro) and has never heard of them

He asks so many questions

Luffy, Zoro, and him are the ones who forget your diet restrictions which causes much irritation on your side. You will constantly glare at them for offering foods or drinks you can’t have

Usopp will eventually start remembering and be considerate on your behalf

When he kisses you he is soft and gentle- Not wanting to hurt you or himself. If he tastes blood he will pass out in fear just because he will blame himself and think he hurt you. He is too sweet :’)

As soon as your braces are off he will ask SO MANY QUESTIONS about the retainer like how was it made and such? Does it feel weird?

He is just so intrigued by it and of course- It makes you smile even more.

Sanji:

Tbh I feel like he would have had them as a kid or wanted them if his dad cared enough aldfjakl

Also notices them immediately

He will actually cater to your diet needs/restrictions because he knows how much they mean to you if you are going through such a time consuming thing to get your teeth fixed

Besides that he is just a friend you can go to if you are in mouth pain- He will make something soft for you every time you go for an adjustment or tea to help sooth your mouth

If you are kissing on the other hand- If homeboy does not pass out first he will be so gentle. He is terrified of hurting you or making you uncomfortable with your braces on (and lowkey is the same way even if you get them off- You will have to be the one to make the first move)

When you get them off- It is a food celebration! Whatever you missed eating or that you could not eat he will make it all for you!

He does notice if you are smile more and if you are more confident with your new smile! : )

Tony Tony Chopper:

HE IS YOUR BEST FRIEND DURING YOUR BRACES TIME.

He will constantly worry about any mouth pains and since he is a doctor is intrigued how someone labeled as a doctor for teeth does their jobs

He will asks questions constantly and write about your journey with this

10/10 cutie and best buddy for this

Make sure he is stocked on simple pain meds for you

Nico Robin:

She notices them but does not say anything or ask questions unless you want to talk about

She is sweet and looks out for you

Makes sure Sanji helps with your diet restrictions

Besides that she does not notice much or ask much

She is just happy that you are doing this for yourself

Her kisses concerning this are always gentle. She refuses to risk anything with you until after your braces are gone. Only then will she let herself become more heated with kisses.

After your braces she will always compliment your smile (and tell you it was beautiful before too but notes how confident you are)

Cyborg Franky:

“WHOA THAT IS SUPPPPPERRRR!”

He likes them.

That is all.

Okay but seriously. As a man who completely turned himself into a machine in the front he has mad respect for you for putting metal in your mouth. Like that concept is wild to him since the mouth is so sensitive (yet he also can blow flames out his mouth due to working on it aldfjal)

He will refuse to kiss you since he knows how is strength and hard kisses can damage your brackets/wires so he refuses anything until after they are safely off.

Besides that after your braces are off and you have your retainer on (He honestly didn’t notice the retainer lol) He will go “You have a SUPERRRR smile!”

Brook:

Brook honestly does notice them at first but he does not say anything until you do

Cue his jokes: “I NOTICE THE METAL IN YOUR TEETH WITH MY EYES BUT WAIT I DO NOT HAVE ANY EYES YOHOHOHO”

Besides that he is not that interested in them

For kissing though he also refuses to do so since he is straight up a skeleton. He does not want to risk his bone breaking ANYTHING. Though he will peck your cheek. Even after you get them off he is hesitant since he is a skeleton- That does not mean he will not try. If you ask he will get flustered and be gentle for you

When you get your braces off- Brook may tease you and say your teeth are almost as straight as his! And remind you constantly that he is a skeleton adlfjakl

Trafalgar Law:

Is just a king- I should stop all headcanons here alfdkaldks

He knows what braces are and is not that interested in the work only because he prefers his medicinal studies that are more morbid than the mouth

However, he is very observational still and notes how you care for them and what your diet is

For kissing- He acts like he does not care but he is gentle and careful when things gets heated. He is actually a big softie so he will do everything to avoid ruining your braces that would involve a setback.

After you get your braces off he also notices how much more confident you are. How much brighter your smile is because of that

Besides that- He does not make a big deal out of it

Marco the Phoenix:

He and the Whitebeard pirates have been nearly everywhere and met all kinds of people so he is not that surprised when he notices that you have braces

He has seen them before so not a big deal

Much like Law, Marco will not make a big deal out of it

However, if you both are close to each other he may tease you whenever you develop a lisp or when are embarrassed after an adjustment.

Either way he means it with a good heart

God- Kisses with Marco when you have braces are so, so, so, gentle. He is the king of kisses no matter what. He is careful but he sure as hell will not let the metal win when you both get heated. So he knows how to maneuver around your mouth with his tongue >///<

When you get your braces off- It is a celebration with the whole crew. Marco helps plan it and of course takes photos of your smile afterwards since you have every right to be proud of your smile

He will always comment on how your smile is brighter

Portgas D. Ace:

Also with Marco (and Thatch) he is rather used to seeing different kinds of people with different situations so he is not surprised to see metal in your mouth

However when you get close to him he does ask questions and get intrigued

He only teases you when you have some trouble speaking a few words but besides that- He is also respectful and does not think much of the braces

Though since he is one that eats all the time he tries to be considerate for you since he knows that it can be frustrating with your diet restrictions

If you are in a relationship with him he actually is not confident in kissing you with your braces. It is because he cares so much about you and because of his self-loathing- He would HATE if he messed up your braces so he is cautious and tries not to push anything until after you get your braces off

When your braces comes off homeboy is going to dine-and-dash with you EVERYWHERE

Thatch-

Like the other two- Thatch is used to this kind of thing so he is not surprised

Since he is the culinary chef for the Whitebeard Pirates you bet your butt he will have better foods for you to suit your needs

He is also teasing like the others and may take it a far sometimes but he will remind you that you are good with or without braces!

He constantly makes sure you are doing fine though since he is aware of how the other whitebeard pirates may not be as considerate as he is

Kisses with Thatch are gentle but I think if it gets too heated he may forget that he is supposed to be gentle. He definitely ends up tearing up his tongue on the metal if this is the case and he feels bad if you feel bad- If not he will laugh it off and continue if you want

After you get your braces off- He will check with what you want to celebrate! What kind foods you have to eat first and you get the honor of taking the first bite!

OKAY LAST BUT NOT LEAST HERE IS A LIST ON WHO WOULD MAKE SURE YOU ACTUALLY WEAR YOUR RETAINER :’):

Would forget you you wear a retainer so they would not be helpful as a reminder: Luffy, Zoro, Franky, Brook, Ace

Remembers then forgets after a while: Usopp and Thatch

Makes you wear your retainer as instructed and will give you a death glare (out of love of course) if you are not doing so: Nami, Robin, Sanji, Chopper, and Marco

Will make sure you wear your retainer even though he says he does not care, and will murder your soul if you do not do so (out of love but he will lie about it): Law

[motownfiction]

harvest

St. Catherine’s had a Sadie Hawkins Dance until two years ago, in the fall of 1981. Back then, an outspoken freshman named Lucy Callaghan took her case to the administration: Theoretically, there was nothing wrong with a dance where girls asked boys to be their dates, but by calling it a “Sadie Hawkins Dance,” the concept was still rooted in misogyny: Sadie Hawkins was a character in the Li’l Abner comics, and she was ridiculed for being thirty-five and unmarried. Lucy asked the administration if that was really the message they wanted to send. Besides, she said, her best friend’s name is Sadie, and she doesn’t want her to have to shoulder such an awkward burden. In the end, Lucy gave them so many withering stares that they relented. The concept of the dance would stay, but it would now be called a Harvest Dance. A sort of epilogue to September’s bombastic homecoming. Jeans and t-shirts allowed.

Which brings Charlie Doyle here, now. A freshman at St. Catherine’s in the fall of 1983. Terrified that Carrie Sullivan is going to ask him to the dance.

According to everyone who’s ever known the both of them, Carrie has been in love with Charlie since they were very small. Charlie doesn’t see it, and he doesn’t want it, either. He likes Carrie, to be sure. She’s a good friend. Maybe the smartest person he’s ever really known. She has good taste in music, and this summer, when he took her to see WarGames, she actually had something to say about it. But when he thinks about going on a real date with her – not just hanging out at the movies like old friends do – he panics. He feels like he might throw up. And every morning before he leaves for school, he gets on his knees at the foot of his bed and prays that Carrie won’t ask him to the Harvest Dance, that day or any day. Everyday, it works.

Eventually, it works a little too well. It’s the day before the Harvest Dance, and Carrie hasn’t said a word about it. Finally, at lunch, Charlie asks her why. Morbid curiosity wins over mortal fear. Carrie just shrugs over her peanut butter sandwich. Says she already asked Greg Wilson, that guy from their algebra class who loves Star Trek and AC/DC. Charlie shrugs over his sandwich, too. Can’t say the guy doesn’t have layers.

He’s not sure if it bothers him, Carrie having another date. But it’s not what he prayed for. He prayed that Carrie wouldn’t ask him out, not that she’d find somebody new. He’s not sure what the gnawing feeling in his gut is, so he decides to ignore it. Let the peanut butter catch it.

Yeah, Charlie thinks. That’ll do.

(part of @nosebleedclub september challenge -- day ix!)

[k-s-morgan]

I'm pretty curious: what are your thoughts on Bedelia? Because I personally really disliked her and was honestly shocked when I discovered how many people on tumblr not only disagree but actually see her as a role model? Like, for me, she has no positive qualities. You could say she's curious and brave but no, she's just indecisive. She's curious in theory but when real life comes it turns out she's not brave enough for what she was curious about and also not brave enough to get out of it, so

she's always stuck somewhere in the middle, constantly biting off more than she can chew and convincing herself that she's there by her own choice and calculation. I think that in many situations she wants to see herself and so poses as someone way superior than is the case. And ok, she is smart, but because of her other flaws, she doesn't act on it. People glorify so much her outsmarting Hannibal after Florence but like, she could've just get him arrested at any moment?

She didn't need all these charades, she wasn't supervised. Or of course she could've just shot him or call FBI in Mizumono. And then she tries to act all superior with Will, but gets everything wrong with who was behind the veil, and the talk about being naked? The fact that she shows different emotions doesn't mean she hidden them so well but rather that she doesn't have such devastating emotions as Will. She showed plainly how unprepared she was to go there and how despite what she thinks of herself she doesn't fit Hannibal's nietzschean superhuman concept. For me Alana for example is a strong woman here, who learns and works over her trauma. Bedelia is too self-absorbed to even admit she made any mistakes. I'm sorry this ask grew into such monstrosity but I felt the need to explain my point of view and I would really love to hear someone's else (whose analysis I really respect) perspective because it's been seriously baffling me for a long time now

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

Hello! This is such an interesting ask, I really enjoyed hearing your thoughts on Bedelia. I agree with your analysis, although funnily, it's because of this that I like Bedelia :D She's definitely no role model in general, and I disagree with Bryan that she's the smartest character because I don't think any of her actions indicate it.

You are right, Bedelia is a very self-absorbed character. She's also self-sustained: I feel like she could happily live her whole life as the only person on Earth. She's cold and calculating; she has a high self-esteem and a painfully strong sense of curiosity - the problem is, it's mostly theoretical in nature. For example, Bedelia enjoys the idea of taking life, and she seems to have enjoyed the actual moment of it, but what comes next terrifies her. She doesn't like the consequences, she doesn't like the blood; she's scared about being caught and readily asks for help from a man who set this whole situation up. What fascinated her in theory turned out to be much uglier in practice, so she quickly retired and chose to isolate herself to avoid doing something like this again. She follows the same pattern of behavior with Hannibal.

Bedelia always knew that Hannibal is dangerous, but she still continued therapy with him, genuinely trying to understand him, too fascinated to back off. She says she tried to refer him to another doctor, but based on their interactions, she truly enjoys sessions with him, likely because she feels in control. In S1, when Hannibal reaches out, she backs away, never letting him close but keeping him interested enough to keep him coming to see her. It’s like she’s playing a game of her own, getting to know this man in a person suit, understanding she’s the only one he can more or less confide in, and enjoying her power. But the balance begins to shift when Will appears and when Bedelia realizes she underestimated the depth of Hannibal’s depravity. Hannibal is focused on Will entirely now, he doesn’t need Bedelia all that much, and she doesn’t like it because losing Hannibal’s interest means becoming disposable. Things become too real, so she freaks out and runs.

Another shift comes when she sees him after Mizumono and agrees to escape with him. Bedelia thinks she holds control again: Will is gone, Hannibal is a wreck who desperately needs council, and she feels confident about her own importance. Hannibal tells her, “I never found you to be lacking,” which she likely takes as a certainty that she’s never been disposable, after all. In that shower scene, it’s obvious how she gradually relaxes and becomes lazily arrogant. She thinks she can step forward now, getting to know Hannibal even better, behind the veil, being the one who’ll gather the pieces of him, and also satisfying her curiosity along with a morbid and mostly latent fascination with darkness, as well as basking in knowledge that someone as dangerous and unique as Hannibal needs her.

All these motivations are gone as soon as she understands that Hannibal is not only not over Will but that he’s also casually planning to kill her (in E1 of S3). She didn’t expect it, based on her reaction, at least not this soon. That’s where Bedelia starts another game with the aim to survive. But like you mentioned, even then, she's not just fighting to win - she's fighting for a good and comfortable life for herself.

Bedelia is afraid of going to prison and she is afraid of alienating Hannibal. She doesn't know if Hannibal will actually be caught, and that's why she tries to stay in the middle: she's setting him up, but covertly, sitting in front of the cameras instead of going to the police directly. Later, she tries hard to stay interesting and get Hannibal to support her alibi - Bedelia has no desire to be on the run forever. She wants her comfortable life back. The second she has it, when Hannibal is locked away, she relaxes and exploits him to earn more money and get more attention. She doesn't need people, not really, but at the same time, she enjoys being needed by them.

She overestimates herself repeatedly, like she does with Hannibal and then with Will. She cannot bear the thought that Hannibal considers her disposable while worshipping the ground Will walks on - it offends her, so she's starting talking to Will to get a better grasp on him and see for herself how he's irrelevant and Hannibal is just stupid for being fixated on him. Alas, she's wrong, and this time, she becomes dinner because in many ways, Will is an even more dangerous opponent than Hannibal.

I love Bedelia, though - I consider her a very interesting character exactly because of her flaws. It's fascinating to me how she considers herself superior and yet ends up being fatally wrong about so many important things; I also find her preference of theory to practice, observation to participation unusual and interesting.

[sepublic]

Coven Head Duos?

            Eda’s Requiem established a better introduction to the Coven Heads, and the show seems to have set itself up to introduce them in duos- Obviously this wouldn’t quite work out since nine is an odd number, so someone would be left out… But lo and behold, the one who sticks out is Raine the double agent, who is introduced on Eda’s side early on, before we’re shown Darius and Eberwolf!

         So with the remaining number being a neat and even one, I wonder if we’ll be introduced to the remaining Coven Heads as duos- And if so, under what circumstances, and which combinations?

         My first thought is the Healing and Potion Heads… I like the idea that both will show up in Eclipse Lake alongside Hunter, also searching for the Titan’s Blood- And it’ll provide some tense moments where Hunter is caught between two sides. Especially if the Coven Heads’ aggression and unexpected appearance destroys any chance of compromise, if Amity is under the impression that Hunter is trying to attack…

         The Potion Head seems a good candidate to be interested in Titan’s Blood, which is likely a liquid- And that’s something they’d know all about, as well as how to store and utilize it in other concotions! And then there’s the Healing Head… Healers are doctors, who are more than familiar with blood as a concept, so they might use their anatomical knowledge in locating the Titan’s remaining blood clots!

         Plus, if the Titan’s Blood IS being sought out to help Belos with his condition, it’d make sense for the Healing Head to be involved in that… Potions and Healing are already closely intertwined, with how Eda’s elixirs are a form of medicine for her, and Gwen brings the two of them (as well as the Beastkeepers) up in regards to handling Eda’s curse. With Potions being a form of medicine and Healers as the actual doctors who prescribe, and it’d make sense for these Coven Heads to operate together.

         Then there’s four more… This is even more speculative, but to work off of the idea of Gus dabbling in both Illusions and Oracle magic- We might see their respective Coven Heads together? Perhaps the Illusion Head will provide an interesting interaction for Gus, in that he recognizes his skills and validates them… And also shows Gus just how much more terrifying Illusions CAN be, by trapping him in a simulation that makes him question reality.

         We’d get an even darker look into Illusions, fitting how Gus can be a surprisingly morbid little kid… As well as parallels and foils between him and the Illusion Head! Especially with the idea that maybe the Illusion Head is hiding a true, monstrous appearance… So you have Gus who uses magic to make harmless things look threatening, and then his Coven Head who makes the dangerous appear perfectly safe!

         We’d get an even darker look into Illusions, fitting how Gus can be a surprisingly morbid little kid… As well as parallels and foils between him and the Illusion Head! Especially with the idea that maybe the Illusion Head is hiding a true, monstrous appearance… So you have Gus who uses magic to make harmless things look threatening, and then his Coven Head who makes the dangerous appear perfectly safe!

         Both devious in their own ways, the Illusion Head moreso because the threat IS real and veiled, while with Gus, it’s all just a bluff and nothing real, by the end of the day. The Illusion Head is luring people into actual harm and danger, while Gus is defensively warding others off… And it could be fun to see them quarrel over these differences in philosophy as well. Gus doesn’t try to make himself or others look better, which leads to a relief and happy acceptance for how things really are, while the Illusion Head is all about spoofing up appearances to hide the ugly truth.

         And again… With the death motifs involving Gus, and how Oracle magic seems the closest towards Necromancy… With the Oracle Head, we could explore Gus reconsidering his options! We might have an episode where Gus considers pursuing Oracle magic, and obviously the Oracle Head is overjoyed at the idea, and is encouraging Gus to do so… While the Illusion Head is disgusted, leading to some hilarious interactions as the two argue to earn Gus’ favor, and show off their own arsenal in the process.

         If the Illusion Head IS young, we might get a classic young VS old dynamic, with Gus being even younger and also friends with an elderly illusionist… And Gus of course manages to catch both Coven Heads off-guard when he decides to pursue both courses, and become a multi-track kid! Naturally, the Coven Heads are disgusted and really make out Gus as an enemy, while insisting that he HAS to choose one over the other.

         Plus, if we’re getting a look into Oracle magic… We might also get some more insight into Gus’ more morbid fascinations, especially with death- Maybe even an explanation or backstory? I do like the idea that he suffered the death of a close relative, hence why he always brings up ‘dying’, while still being very respectful of the dead and their graves. Maybe Gus could juxtapose with the Oracle Head, who callously reanimates the dead as his own tools without respect, using them as he sees fit!

         …And of course, to get REALLY morbid? With how Illusions can be overlaid with solid things to further convince victims… With the idea of the Oracle Head being a necromancer;

         What if there’s an incredibly dark moment where the Oracle Head reanimates the dead, and then the Illusion Head disguises them as living people? For all we know, there could be a horrific twist where someone that appears to be alive has been dead this entire time, their corpse puppeted around like on strings, with an illusion used to hide the obvious wounds and decay and so forth!

         That would REALLY disrespect the dead, while also blending in the idea of the Illusion Head as someone who hides the dark truth, downplays the horrible nature of things… I wouldn’t be surprised if he handled propaganda for Belos. So you get Gus horrified and disgusted by these Coven Heads’ and their sacriligeous use of magic that he’s interested in! And that just further convinces him to learn that magic in a way that spites the Coven Heads…

         Plus again, it’d be a REALLY fun callback, and dark parallel to Through the Looking Glass Ruins, where the dead SEEM to come back from the dead but don’t actually… Where Gus thinks it has to be an illusion, only to be real! Where Gus interacts with this for a good portion of the episode, only to see the truth- And all sorts of twisted mind games by the Coven Heads, designed to disturb the kid. Maybe even a low blow or two, involving a false apparition of this dead relative…

         Which, could lead to Gus confronting and coming to genuine terms with what happened- While dispelling this mirage… Not to mention, rejecting an offer by the Oracle Head to help him contact with the actual spirit of his loved one. I just think it’d be a really fun idea, of the Illusion and Oracle Heads together, and a wonderful moment for Gus’ character arc!

         This of course leaves us with the Plant and Construction Heads, and they both seem among the most elderly of the Coven Heads, save the Oracle Head, if we’re going by appearances alone! Although the Healing and Potion Heads are mostly obscured, although THAT could be a parallel between them… Regardless, I’ve noticed that the Plant and Construction Heads are usually right beside each other, both in Hunting Palismen and Eda’s Requiem! We do see Darius and Eberwolf in the forefront in HP, and later as the only coven heads moving around –besides Raine- during the beginning induction ceremony…

         Of course, we also see the Healing, Illusion, Potion, and Oracle heads, from left to right, in Hunting Palismen and Eda’s Requiem- Though in the latter, the Healing Head is separate from the rest, so who knows? I could be overthinking it. I would like to mention that I’ve compared the Construction Head to vaguely resembling Gilbert in the past… And Gilbert, he’s associated with Plants by proxy of his daughter Willow!

         Maybe this could hearken back to that- Except instead of a father-daughter relationship… Weird take, but I lowkey ship the Plant and Construction Heads? I know all they’ve done is stand beside each other, but they seem like old people and OG Coven Heads… I dunno, I like the idea of them being a bit more morally gray, but still having that tender relationship and bond with one another. Sort of like Eda and Raine, they never made it official, but it’s been going on since their youth…

         And while the other Coven Heads are up in drama and not always getting along in these duos, the Plant and Construction Heads? They’re in legit love and kindly towards one another, sweet and gentle… It’d warm my heart and be a fun thing to do with antagonists. Maybe they don’t quite get redeemed, but ultimately abandon Belos’ cause to pursue their own thing together… And who knows?

         We might see them discuss together their past with Belos, how they chose to support him- And how that was when they were young and dumb, when things seemed so much better and easy, idealistic, like they could take on the world! But now they’re older and experienced, and the world has not turned out that way, the coven system is not quite smoothly rolling in as they anticipated.

         I’m totally projecting here, but it’d be fun to see these old, jaded souls maybe get a wakeup call, when they see the youths and next generation step up to challenge Belos… Maybe rekindle and find that old spark for something else? A realization that the times have changed, that the coven system is outdated and may never have fitted at all in the first place… Maybe remarking ironically to each other how these youngsters, so full of passion and desiring change, remind them of themselves!

         Maybe sadly remark on the futility, resigned to what they dug themselves into- And maybe realizing they don’t have to, later on! And as they see the rebels and their motives, the Plant and Construction Heads discuss their own past motives, if Belos hasn’t lived up to what he promised them all those years ago… If it’s time to let the new generation take over, retire and look after themselves for once? How the two of them have changed since then, and should adapt to that?

         Plus, I just like the idea of these actual senior citizens being in love… Eda and Raine are a lot older than most rep, but they’re not actually old, they’re middle-aged. And obviously the Plant and Construction Heads would be a M-F pairing, but it’d be nice to show some healthy love at a genuinerly elderly stage of life, especially since this show is pretty positive in how it portrays older people.

         I dunno, the Plant and Construction Heads just look like they fit well together… Am I being weird? I like the idea of them being protective of each other, old-fashioned but endearing… And of course, they’re both raw powerhouses and brutes with their magic! Earth and Plants go well together, after all. Maybe Willow could face off against the Plant Head, with parallels noted as Willow is reminded of her father Gilbert in the Construction Head…

         I mean, the Plant Head looks like she could be a cool granny, and the Construction Head seems generally chill based on his debut in Covention- When Tiny Nose freaks out from applying a power glyph, hurtling him over her head? The Construction Head seems to take this mostly in stride, even if Tiny Nose is nevertheless subdued later on… Or, they try to subdue her at least.

         So there might be some nuance to these Coven Heads, as the show discusses how Belos lied to and manipulated them in his own right, won them over with grand promises of change and dreams… Only to not live up to that. How Belos swept them up in his charisma and they were won over, especially if everyone was desperate in a time of war and chaos- Through the Plant and Construction Heads, we might get a look into the era pre-Belos, and understand how and why people chose to turn to him in the first place. What compelled everyone, made them so desperate to accept Belos- Those who DID choose him of course, not the ones who were forcibly subjugated.

         …And yes, I HAVE considered that post by @gutgoreberries and I might do a separate one going into that more. But for now, I’ll say that what we see is interesting, as-is the idea of the Plant Head caught somewhere in-between; Between the rebellion and Belos, likely. The Illusion and Oracle Heads are right beside one another and similarly tattered like Darius and Eberwolf’s (who were almost corrupted and died), which COULD point towards them appearing together, and lend credence towards the idea of a Gus episode where he faces off against them…

         Beyond that, we have the Plant and Potion Heads following Darius and Eberwolf… Then the Healer, then the Illusion-Oracle duo I mentioned, and finally the Construction Head! So things might get mixed up a bit, and it’s the Construction Head with the Healer, especially since we’ve seen glyphs for both covens, so we might get into that. And Plants and Potion… Weird thought, but it reminds me of Willow and Boscha? Could we see some parallels and antagonism here, maybe reversed with the Plant Head as the aggressor?

         Or, if we go by strict order and ignore the damage to the banners… Maybe the Illusion and Construction Heads go together, which could be a neat callback to Through the Looking Glass Ruins, and Gus and Mattholomule’s friendship! With one purely physical, the other intangible… But both being able to supplement each other to really fool and trick others! Oracle with Healing, because maybe the Oracle Head would be interested in the knee where the Titan’s Blood is, given how the knee is where people communicated with the Titan…

        And again, what I said with Plants and Potions, plus plants seem like a good source for Potion ingredients too! But yeah, I’m incredibly excited for these Coven Heads and I love their designs and concepts, and I’m really curious as to their personalities and potential motives, if we’ll ever dive into them- With the downsized Season 3, alas, we might be cheated out of characterization that Dana originally intended to show. Maybe in spin-offs or side materials… Or just straight-up Word of God, I’m down for ANYTHING over nothing!