#but. ANYTHING FOR KROM

[br3adtoasty]

🌹 omg Krom date in a little forest clearing....

ask game here

as my brain has been completely fried these past few days and my mind just shut down when i think about them, here’s a drawing instead!

they’re the ever, your honor

[aousboom]

Listen to me, Krom. Go live your life. Work your best. Don't worry about anything here. I'll love you. I'll be faithful to you. I'm always yours.

CITY OF STARS (2024)

[warehouse-in-la-cienaga]

My favourite trope in fanfiction is actually time-travel meeting, where the younger ones can see that things do actually get better, and the older ones can see that they have actually changed, and they’ve achieved so much. And I think the Bad Kids are primed for that kind of thing.

I’m imagining that they’ve been graduated for a few years, they’ve got their own careers, but they do still adventure pretty regularly and are a well known party. Then, they’re fighting something that’s gotten ahold of a chronomancy object, and when one of the BKs tries to grab it, they (and the thing they’re fighting) are sent back in time.

Meanwhile, it’s the second day of freshman year, everyone is still standing outside, waiting for the first bell, the younger BKs are whispering about what the corn means, when a huge monster falls through a rip in time and crushes one of the statues near the front doors. Then, before anyone can do anything, six full grown adventurers are destroying it and grabbing the watch and pulling each other up, congratulating each other, laughing.

Goldenhoard tries to go up to them and ask what’s going on, and the goblin on the half-orc’s shoulders pulls out a gun and shoots him point blank. Everyone’s confused as hell, and the group don’t seem to know where they are. Until someone mentions the date, and then they just look kind of exhausted. At the end of the day, when the young BKs try to go to Krom’s to spy on Johnny Spells, they find older versions of themselves, who spent the day reminding themselves what happened and figuring out how to help with Freshman Year level problems, including-

-Fig getting Gorthalax out, sitting all her parents and younger self down and having a talk about how best to keep communication open and be kinder to yourselves, since they all want each other to be happy.

-Fabien has a long talk with both of his parents, getting his mom sober earlier, and a talk with younger him about being your own person and living up to expectations.

-Adaine pulls younger her from her family, and gets Aelwyn to chill. She does get her parents out of Elmville, via Blackmail or other means, with the implicit threat of punching them to death. She now has two younger sisters, and encourages the type of emotional self expression that was previously repressed.

-Riz giving his younger self the schedule he works on, including breaks for all meals and six hours of sleep each night. He doesn’t allow younger him to fall int the bad habits he did. He also tells his mom a little bit about his dads new job, and they have a happy cry about it.

-Gorgug gives his parents the schematics for a reinforced bed and a few of his works. Younger Gorgug is a little starstruck that older him is so cool, and Gorgug takes a minute to explain to younger him that he deserves to have the things he puts effort and thought into pay off, that he deserves to take pride in the cool things he could accomplish.

-Kristin gets younger her to speed run an entire theological breakdown, reassures her at every step, and gets her into a more relaxed, solid mindset with a support system outside of her family. She also has to find a smart way of getting young Kristin to realise she’s a lesbian without sending her into a crisis, and is semi-successful.

-Throughout the year, the older BKs have run ins with their parents, go about fixing problems for Sophmore and Junior year (they stop Porter’s plan, and when he runs off Gorgug ends up being a substitute Barbarian teacher for half the year). They’re trying to figure out how to get back to their time. The ending is either Kristin dying to Coach Dawn and bringing Arthur back, who can send them back, or they can’t go back, so now there’s two versions of the BKs running around, and if both groups are in one place, everyone else evacuates, because something is about to go down.

[randomwriteronline]

uhrgh. ugrhhhhhhh Velika thoughts. i hate taht guy

i. do not think that Velika would be bent on world domination i think he would be bent on Cleaning Up. Making Everything Nice And Tidy. his fun experiment was a success and its done and now it time to get aaaall the lego pieces and put em right back in a box. except the box is, of course, an incinerator. he has the blueprints and notes and everything anyways he can just recreate the whole thing if he wants so its not like anybodys losing anything anyways (except a whole universe worth of lives that he fuckin gave sapience to but oh well). hes not going after Artakha and Karzhani and Tren Krom and Miserix and the mad Great Being and Tuyet bc he doesnt want competition, hes going after them bc their purpose is done and theyre either ripe for the trash compactor or just hazardous in general. and yknow yeah maybe his hundred millenia of partial isolation and mind fuckery and shit surgery and horrible island living have jumbled his brain so much that he thinks everything is an experiment and nobody is truly sapient except himself and so he is the rightful ruler of all these brainless beasts with no thoughts of their own, but hes not conquering anything. hes cleaning his desk.

and maybe Mata Nui and Teridax were "brothers" because they were his "children". his "heirs". one a supernatural divine researcher on a mindnumbingly lonely quest and the other one of a group of scientists capable of godly things. Velika's dismissal of the Matoran Universe translating in Mata Nui's apathetic approach to his own body, but their love for researching and discovering allowed him to develop an honest appreciation for "lesser" forms of life whereas his father saw it as a reason to care even less. Velika's superiority above everything translating in Teridax's egomania and desire for conquest, but where his cruelty is purposeful and calculated and very aware of itself because he loves it his father's is careless and serene and almost distracted, a byproduct of his skewed worldview that he doesnt bother to try to fix because why even should he.

[sepublic]

It's been forever since I've done this, but I want to explore the idea of Krika as an eldritch Makuta, like I've done with others before.

In canon, his domain is the Northern Region of the Northern Continent; We know little else of this place and what it's like, save for the Tren Krom Peninsula. However, the Tren Krom Peninsula is part of the Southern region of the Northern Continent, and is Gorast's domain; So I've opted to leave those details for if I ever explore Gorast under this lens instead.

So if we cut out the TK peninsula, we don't really have anything regarding where Krika lives. But the thing is that there's a lot of emphasis on the word North; And sure, Krika's domain isn't the northernmost part of the Matoran Universe, it's tied with Zakaz and Xia for third place (although Karzahni is in second place, but Karzahni is supposed to be a myth so Krika's region is likely regarded as sharing second place).

But that aside: What do we associate with the North? Cold. Ice. In the North Pole, winter is eternal darkness without any sunlight, lasting for months. Fittingly, Krika is associated with cold in canon; He's white, the color usually reserved for Ice, but also he absorbs heat in order to keep himself tangible, making everything colder in the process. This is how ice works on a thermodynamic level; It's so cold, like a heat vacuum, that it steals heat from the surroundings and makes them cooler as a result.

So let's roll with this and give us the Makuta of the North; An icy being who is constantly draining the heat of the lands. The Northern Region is frozen over; Perhaps it wasn't always like this, but ever since Makuta emerged, he has inflicted an eternal winter that is slowly spreading across the continent.

Makuta is a creature of Ice and Shadows, and his enemy is the Sun, which embodies Heat and Light. Hot and Cold, Light and Dark; These dualities pair together. Light and Heat are energy; Cold and Darkness are the absence of that.

Not unlike MNOG Makuta, the Makuta of the North represents Entropy; He is the inevitable Heat Death of the universe, he is destruction. He is a simple fact, a force of nature that you can't deny. Canon Krika mourns that the Makuta can't be much else than destroyers, and his resigned to his fate; He is nihilistic. The Makuta of the North feels the same way; He did not ask to represent darkness and destruction. He is an aspect of nature but nevertheless fear and vilified.

This is how we can incorporate a more sympathetic, tragic take on Makuta, which is what Krika brings to the table in canon. The Makuta of the North is nihilistic, resigned to inescapable fate. There's no point in trying, there's no point in fighting or living, if it'll all end the same; This is like how canon Krika believes that nothing good will happen to him if he goes along with the Brotherhood or doesn't, so he just goes with the easiest flow.

Makuta is despair, he is resignation. Let things rest, stop rising up, let them go still and cold and dark. It's quite a draining mentality to be around; Literally draining, hence him stealing the heat as a vacuum, because he is indeed nothing. Makuta is pitiable because in a way, he can't fight his nature, or at least that is what he believes. He will happen anyway and be hated for it despite being just as natural, if not more so, than heat and life. He is Death, because without heat or energy, Life cannot thrive.

He is a spindly creature, hollow like a skeleton for he has nothing inside and is undead; His spines resemble piercing icicles and he lives underground, as far from the sun as possible. The closer you get to ground zero of Makuta's freeze, the colder it is, until you encounter an enormous glacier; Makuta resides at its heart as the source, having frozen even the air around him, and he navigates like an intangible ghost (like in canon) through this solidified world. You can't hurt him physically because again, he is entropy, he is abstract.

In canon, Krika's Kanohi is the Crast; The Mask of Repulsion. So maybe this theme carries through to the Makuta of the North as a vacuum who repels all substance to leave nothing in its wake. His glacial fortress 'repels' outsiders as well.

Makuta intends to block out the sun with his darkening blizzards, and eventually extinguish it entirely. In the meantime, those who oppose him will burn themselves out trying to combat his cold, so it'll be the same result either way; But our heroes try anyway, to fend off the inevitable because they believe in trying. A Toa of Fire would be a pretty obvious protagonist here, possibly functioning as a Toa of Light as well; A Toa of Ice would be interesting as someone who skirts thematically close to Makuta, much more than they're comfortable with; Maybe like Matoro in canon, with his secrets, partnership with Teridax, and usage of forbidden Kanohi.

So there's the obvious Fire and Ice duality, and the relationship between their respective Toa. Maybe like Matoro, this Toa of Ice makes a sacrifice to stop Makuta's destruction, restoring heat and light to their land... For now at least. Because in the end, Makuta will always come back. And eventually, he'll win. But until then, our heroes keep fighting and trying anyway, so they can live and enjoy their time together for as long as they can.

[heretherebedork]

I love how Fueang is not just the most whipped boy in Thailand, he is also the most willing to do literally anything to prove his whippedness. He will get coffee. He will massage. He will go to Chiang Mai for spicy sausage. He will grow their garden. And he will do all of that because loving Krom is the single best thing that ever happened to him, healed his relationship with his family and has brought him so much joy that going to the ends of the Earth for the man he loves is all he wants to do. He does it for the kind of love that is so tender that is breaks you into pieces and puts you back together better.

[rrat-king]

I felt bad for possibly asking too many- and I'm content with the ones I asked, but Fig Faeth is truly my favorite character and I'm constantly looking for new content for her- I JUST CANT NOT DO ITTTTT

🧸👻👽💤💝🫂📓🍫❤️‍🔥😺😬😶

(I'm so sorry)

no never apologize I love doing these and i love fig i'm happy to provide good fig content for you <333

🧸 A headcanon about their childhood

when she was six she refused to wear anything other than the princess dress that Sandra Lynn had gotten her as a Halloween costume the year before. going to school? princess costume. going to the store? princess costume. gilears work dinner he brings his family to? fig is in that raggedy princess dress you better believe

👻 A headcanon about what scares them

she is so fucking scared of being known, which is so hard when she's doing something as big as music where her face and her persona are one of the selling points. she just really struggles cuz of how much she was forced to change and being percieved as someone else or even as her true self is just terrifying to her

👽 A headcanon about a weird quirk of ther

she loves popping her and stretching her joints so they make so much noise, sitting in truly what most be the most uncomfortable positions but she says she likes it cuz it's a nice stretch

💤 A headcanon about their sleep

the world could be ending and she would not wake up. she is such a heavy sleeper ever since she stopped trying to trance cuz it barely worked for her to begin with. can fall asleep anywhere

💝 A headcanon about their love language

like our boy riz she is also a huge acts of service girly. she will hunt your banker for you, she will be your guard dog, she will become a paladin for a forgotten god like she will do it all cuz she loves her friends so much.

🫂 A friendship headcanon

she fucking loves cuddling on people and the most pda tolerant friend is kristen so they are fucking always hanging off of each other. the school commonly circulates with rumors that they are dating when in fact they are just Like That

📓 A headcanon about their hobbies

one thing about fig is that the second she gets like, really good at something to the point of it almost becoming a job it stops being fun for her. so she loves hobbies that she's a little bad at. she can't sew but she loves making patches and buttons for her and her friends even if it just kinda shitty painting on fabric and then asking Kristen to sew it on for her or hot gluing bottle caps with safety pins

🍫 A headcanon about food

fucking loves lembas cuz gilear used to bring it home after work trips even though adaine is convinced its like, the most boring food in the world fig loves it

❤️‍🔥 A romantic headcanon

fig is not really a date person, not a typical romance in general, but she does do the typical date stuff with ayda just cuz she wants to show her the like, typical teen deal and what's associated with it aka dates to kroms or to the ice cream shop. she mainly just likes spending time with ayda no matter the circumstances

😺 An animal related headcanon

she grew up with Baxter and she loves him so much. like she was a baby sitting on his back and holding too tight on his feathers and jumping and crawling all over him just like she loves him so much he's basically the family dog

😬 A headcanon about the worst thing they’ve done

fig is really hard for this question cuz she does tend to be pretty intentional in her actions but like, still is a dumb teen who makes dumb teen choices quite a bit. a big one that stands out is her first interaction with ayda and being kinda fantasy rascist

😶 A random headcanon!

this one is pretty basic but she has a tail and its epic. she has so many bangles and ribbons she wears around it its so fun

ask game here!!!

[jq37]

The Report Card – Fantasy High Junior Year Ep 14 Sleuthing and Scantrons

Welcome back to Fantasy High where we are back from winter break and hitting the ground running starting with our girl Kristen who just learned that the proselytizing patriarch of the Dawn clan–Bobby Dawn–is her new Cleric teacher. 

Kristen decides to not make waves and just vibe out the situation. Bobby isn’t doing anything obviously out of pocket like calling people heathens, but his vibe is way preacher-y than Yolanda’s more neutral academic style and Kristen can clock that he’s giving certain kids a harder time than others (likely based on their choice of deity). 

We’re still on downtime so let’s run through Kristen's tracks. 

She thinks about doing a Mystery roll to learn more about Ankarna but rolls Academics first for a 19. A+.

Next, she rolls Popularity and she specifically wants to hit up Gertie. She passes with room to spare on a 21 and, amidst some awkward flirting that at least Gertie seems super into, asks her some questions about the Devil’s Honey. Gertie says that she hasn’t made a ton–just a few bottles. The nectar you need to make it is pretty rare. Her client (the trucks and thus, presumably KP) ordered two bottles right after the new year which is twice as many as she got last time. Kristen tries to get Gertie to switch the honey with a placebo but Gertie isn’t willing to lie so she settles for Gertie reporting back on if they ask for any more (which is logged into the school records anyway). With the logs, Kristen can see that the first delivery of Devil's Nectar happened a week or two after spring break last year--this is before Lucy even died. 

After that she has a Relationship roll and wants to finally have that chat with her parents. On a 27 they have a reasonably cordial meeting at Krom’s Diner. Her whole fam is there–brothers and parents. Her parents are pretty happy that Bobby Dawn is the new cleric teacher (though the have a foot in mouth moment when they realize that Yolanda was murdered and not fired like they thought and that they were basically just celebrating a woman’s non-Helio sanctioned murder).Bucky’s happy to see his sister and a little bummed that he hasn’t been able to convert anyone in his party to Helioism. 

She asks how her parents feel about Gal and their vibe is like, “Shrug, she’s fine.” Not Helio but she’s not infernal or anything. Kristen floats the idea of her attending church one Sunday–not to come back to the church, just to observe and for her class–but her parents are practically salivating at the opportunity to bring her back into the fold. Her mom specifically points out that it seems kismet that she, as Helio’s chosen (even if she’s not currently in the church), was the one to bring back the sun. 

Bucky catches a glimpse of Kristen’s Cass shards and asks about them but, before she can tell him much, her parents cut her off and end the encounter. They tell Kristen they’ll pay for her bill so, naturally, she runs up a huge tab. 

Final roll is for her campaign and she gets a Nat 20! She is absolutely crushing it–and why wouldn’t she be? She’s a world saving, total stud who rides with the coolest kid at school, a literal rockstar, and the people’s dork. And her opponent is Kipperlilly, ultimate bad vibes generator. Kristen and KP have a tense standoff where Kristen asks her what’s she’s trying to forget with the devil’s honey and KP tells her to fuck herself. 

All of the Bad Kids square up, ready to throw hands on the spot but Oisin–wizard of the Rat Grinders–breaks it up. There is a long beat of the Bad Kids trying to recruit Mary Ann for reasons that are beyond me that you’ll just have to watch for yourself and the Bad Kids declare that all the RG’s are a lost cause except for her. Adaine, in an uncharacteristically un-aggro move for her–says that the wizard actually seems kind of cool and Brennan asks for a Perception check. 

She rolls like trash but everyone wants to know what the cute wizard thinks about her and social engineer some romance for their girl so they pile on the buffs to turn her four into a dirty 20. With them coaxing her to pay better attention, they see that Oisin is waiting to say something to her–he casts the Message cantrip and gives her a quick, “Sorry,” to apologize for her friends’ behavior. Then their whole crew heads out. Fig reveals that she’s the one behind the entire Complicated Women Podcast. Where does your web of deceit end Figueroth???

Next up to run through tracks is Gorgug. 

First track is Barb and he crushes it with a 26. Porter is so proud. A+!

Next is Artificer (Brennan only makes him roll once, not three times) and he gets a 31! He’s officially a Barbificer which means he can hold concentration on pre-cast spells while raging. Henry is super proud of him too! He gets some more cool gadgets so he’s all twins-y with Riz. Green guys with gadgets! 

His next track is Mystery and here’s where things get juicy. He wants to dig into Henry’s deal and, with Flash of Genius, gets a 20. He snoops around Henry's desk before his class one day and finds a note from Ruben asking for a ride home, nothing about the Cloud Rider engine, and some Grix parts along with his notes which seem to indicate that fixing Grix isn't his top priority and he's gonna leave it until Aguefort is back. Suddenly, Gorgug hears something from outside the door--a conversation between Henry and Jace. Jace says that he got Henry's letter about Ruben and he's just there to assure him that everything is fine. Henry doesn't sound super assured and wants to have a more in depth meeting but Jace gets pretty aggro pretty quick. He says he's too busy for that and they should meet at the school year when Aguefort is back and when Henry pushes back on that, Jace Misty Steps to be all up in his face and says he should keep his fucking nose out of other people's business. Henry walks into the class, clearly shaken, and Gorgug plays dumb effectively, slipping on his headphones like he didn’t hear anything. 

Finally, he rolls Owlbears and fails. Rather than push it (which would make him take his fifth token) he decides his heart isn’t in it and drops Owlbears. Fabian and Gorthalax are both disappointed, even though they understand. Riz gets promoted from off the bench to fill his spot, much to his glee. Fabian and Kristen both try to roll relaxation but they fail (which has no mechanical downside).

Speaking of Riz, let’s do his tracks next!

As always he does Academics first and rolls a 31. DC to find the Rogue Prof is 30 which means he’s right on her trail! We don’t resolve that this episode but Brennan says that he finds Eugenia Shadow’s (the teacher) death records which means that, as they suspected from episode 1 of this season, she’s almost certainly a ghost. 

Extracurriculars with disadvantage is a dirty 20 so he’s still on top of those. 

Third roll is a Mystery roll to try and figure out how the Rat Grinders became the Rat Grinder from the High 5 Heroes. A 23 is only enough for some basic clues which are as follows. From Gertie, he learns that part of what makes Devil’s Honey work to make you a good liar is it makes you in the moment believe what you’re saying which erases some of the tells of lying from your expression and body language. It also allows you to lie without speaking which is useful for Wizards speaking telepathically AND for its original purpose: lying in prayer. Fig thinks this could maybe be used to pray effectively through doubt. Riz also catches Jawbone (who just finished giving a muffin to a hard at work Adaine–cute!) and asks about Kipperlily and her finding the rogue teacher. Jawbone says it was all above board though she did find her crazy fast–8:01 on the first day, literally the first minute it was possible. (Adaine/Shiv remembers at this point that she has ethereal vision and can def help Riz find a ghost). Jawbone mentions that the people at the morgue are trying to do something about the runes on Lucy and Yolanda and racing the clock before rezzing them because borderline impossible--they're getting close to the one year limit with Lucy. Riz knows there’s more info he can get but it would mean stealing the file from Jawbone and listen. He’s a good guy rule follower but he’s also a Rogue baybee. Nat 20 to snatch it with Jawbone none the wiser. Brennan says that he’ll properly dig into it later but, for at a quick glance, he sees that she's been coming to the counselor since Freshman year for anger issues and that his name is in the file for some reason. Mysterious!

Fourth roll is Owlbears and, with a portent roll from Adaine, he manages to hang on and not totally flame out. I like to imagine she literally used her oracle magic to predict what was gonna happen and drilled the moves he needed to not get tackled into his head like DDR steps. 

Last up is our girl Fig!

She does her Work track first and actually works on her album properly for the first time in ages. With an insane plus 20 to Performance (????) she gets an ungodly 38 and writes the most metal song ever which is an 8 minute epic about gods and devils which requires Adaine to make a magical copy of Gorgug just so he can play the drum part. It’s called Dawn of Justice and it rocks so epically hard that she is able to inadvertently magically call dibs on Ankarna. No one can rez the goddess but her. She also casts Find Greater Steed and is able to summon the horse that Ankarna used the gifted wedding bridle on So, clearly Fig took those warnings about Ankarna finding worshippers super to heart! 

[Note: My notes say that the bridle was a gift from Ruvina to Cass actually, but hey. I guess when you're married what's mine is yours and all that.]

Next track is Paladin and she gets a 29. A+! While she’s working with Porter, she asks him about the Mountains of Chaos which she thinks is on another plane but he clarifies it’s just up north and parties go there to clear dungeons all the time–including the Rat Grinders many times. That’s news to me because this is the first we’re hearing of them doing anything besides stepping on rats. 

Next for Fig is Mystery and she wants to use her Dream spell to visit Lola. In Lola's dream, she's remembering a email between her and Ruben about the podcast (Fig realizes she never followed up on that) and also she sees that Lola was talking to Ruben with Jace CC'd. Fig appears as herself in the dream and tries to be like, “Hey, I talked to Jace, cut me in on the plan.” Lola wants to know if she wants to go back on tour because Ruben just canceled, which surprised both me and Fig. But Fig hides it well and is like, “Yeah, Ruben just canceled, that’s why I want in.” She gets a Nat 1 Insight so Lola seems pretty clueless about a plan. When Fig floats the idea of Jace being a part of a plan to summon a god, Lola says she has no idea what she's talking about and Jace isn't a planner, he just gets in her way. But what she sees as him being a nuisance looks a lot like clues. Apparently Jace doesn't want Ruben touring and he was the one who made Ruben get Frosty Folk moved to the Thislespring Tree. Fig stores away that info and then warps the dream into something normal (by dream standards) to cover her tracks as she gets out of there. 

Lastly, she wants to leave a note for Zara saying, “Hey not coming to class this week” but Brennan has her roll and apparently the note is an excellent example of attempting to get your way that Zara respects because it’s still a 34 and and A+! Our kids are doing really well!

Except, here’s the thing. They’re not actually. Or at least, Kristen isn’t. It’s mid April now, just like IRL, and grades have come out. Kristen is failing Cleric classes again. She’s expelled. 

Everyone is outraged. She’s been working so hard under insanely difficult circumstances! They march to Jawbone’s office to get answers and he sees the problem. Yolanda made allowances that let her be a cleric with a dead god but Bobby got rid of that. He said no god is an automatic failure. Riz is so stressed that he elects to take a fourth stress token. Gotta respect Murph for the move but that’s crazy. 

[Note: This doesn’t become relevant in this ep but it’s mentioned around here so I just wanna say, Riz hasn’t had a chance to dig into KP’s file yet but there’s something about her going to a cemetery in Ashgrove which he connects to the ghost Rogue teacher. Also, they all share the info they learned in downtime.]

ANYWAY, the Bad Kids are ready to throw hands once again and head for Bobby Dawn’s classroom, but Kristen has them all wait in the hall while she confronts him and she tries a novel tactic. She goes in crying. She claims that her Cass shards have been destroyed and that she’s lost and directionless. She gets a 26 on her Deception and Adaine, with all the quiet confidence of the elven Oracle, says that Bobby gets a 1 on his Insight roll. Kristen says she’s ready to come back to the fold and allows Bobby to pray with her but when she asks about the paperwork to get her reinstated at school, he’s not interested in that. He believes that she’s sincere but he’s not gonna break rules or make allowances for her. Kristen gets the sense that he actively wants her to be expelled for some reason and he got what he wanted. 

Her friends are outside, practically salivating as they get ready to kick some Foghorn Leghorn ass, but Jawbone shows up and says that they qualify for The Last Standard–aka the Last Stand Exam–and they all decide that that’s a better first option than murdering ANOTHER faculty member. As Kristen leaves, Bobby Dawn gives her a bit of advice that seems to point to her falling in line and being Helio’s chosen again and Kristen calls him a control freak and says he’ll never win–which is a satisfying way to leave a room but a waste of a great Deception roll! The other kids cast various spells on him so he smells like shit the rest of the day because they’re all loyal, petty gremlins. 

Jawbone explains what exactly the Last Stand is. It’s an endurance test that replicates the conditions of a desperate last stand. They’ll have to answer questions while waves and waves of monsters try to kill them. Adaine and Riz are the only ones excited about the questions. There will be 12 questions (two for each of them) and a proctor. They lose 30 points (Out of 100)  if the proctor (who is some rando named Gavin Pundle) dies. There will be a cleric on hand to rez them if they die but it’s more like when they die. We don’t learn this until later but this isn’t an exam where you’re not expected to TPK. But hypothetically you could stay up the whole time because there’s a limited amount of monsters. Also, it’s not like you die, you're out. Kristen can still rez her friends. It’s just a TPK that ends it all. And one more piece of info I’m gonna give you early to keep the rules together. The questions they have to answer are not rolls. They are timed questions/challenges that the actual at the table players have to answer in real life. But they do have a lifetime. Remember how Gorgug won a mysterious academic resource for getting double Nat 20s in his classes earlier in the year? Well that gets the party a stamp that they can use on two of their questions before the time runs out to skip it without penalty. OK, that’s everything! Got it? Good. The Bad Kids get a good night’s sleep and the next day, it’s time for the Last Stand! 

The Last Stand is held in some kind of extra dimensional pocket dimension full of illusory, cheering Agueforts. Buddy Dawn is the volunteer cleric on duty and the group seems wary of him even though he’s taken a divine oath that will strip him of his magic if he fails to rez them.

Because the Bad Kids are doing so well in school, they get a grace period to set up a bunch of buffs and readied actions and stuff. You already know the drill–I’m not gonna do a play by play of every single spell, buff, and attack for this fight but I’ll give highlights. Kristen casts Death Ward on the proctor (great forethought) and Adaine summons Moggy the Doggy to protect him. Fabian has the Hangman and summons some rats (Adaine is happy that Fabian is using her present). Adaine summons the Dry Guys and does Mirror Image. Fig disguises herself as the Proctor, summons Ankarna’s fiery steed as well as spirit guardians, and does Armor of Ayda on herself and her mount. Riz has his Mage Hand out. I’m sure I’m missing stuff but the point is, they’re buffed as hell and ready to go. They pump themselves up with a Hoot Growl chant and then it’s off to the races!

The first wave of monsters includes an otyugh, a gorgon, a steel bull, a hydra, skeletons, and three ochre jellies. Brennan tells them that they’re literally at adventuring school so it’s not meta gaming to know things like you have to cauterize a Hyrdra’s neck lest two more heads grow in its place or that jellies are weak to fire. 

Highlights!

Riz does CRAZY damage with all his rogue stuff. Adaine and Gorgug do a cool tag team where he cuts a Hydra head off by boomeranging its head off with an ax before she cauterizes it with a Chromatic Orb. Emily/Fig throws away her dice cause she’s rolling SO BAD.

At the top of the next round, Riz gets the first folder with a test question. There is one marked Investigation and one marked History. He grabs the Investigation and Brennan hands him an actual Scantron (everyone hated that) with the phrase “Bony Girth” written on it before turning over an hourglass. They’re allowed to work together on these and we get to see some teamwork in action. Ally and Murph both realize right away that it’s an anagram. Murph gets the word Night and Ally hits him and says, “Night Yorb!” A “Correct” stamp graphic hits the dome. They got one! 

Fabian goes for a folder as well and his choices are Athletics and Common. He goes for Athletics but the desk turns out to be a mimic and attacks him. He just tanks the damage because he doesn’t have the time to fight it. This is a multiple choice question about who the Owlbears’ rival team is. They're between the Buccaneers and the Hellions. Siobhan thinks it’s the Buccaneers since Bastion City is right nearby but realizes that Lou is correct when he says that that’s actually the professional team that Ragh is trying out for, not their high school team. Lou says Hudol Hellions and that’s another one in the bag! 

More highlights!

Fabian makes quick work of the Hydra, doing a ton of fancy Fighter moves to cleave the rest of its heads and then sending in the Hangman in dog form to fire breath all the neck stumps. Fig Fireballs the otyugh and two of the jellies! Gorgug gets TWO NAT 20s in a row plus another hit to get the bull from 100% to bloodied. 

And to close out the episode, Kristen sends a quick prayer up to Cass and then does Turn Undead, destroying all the skeletons on the field. Whatever else happens in this fight, you can’t deny that the Bad Kids are off to an amazing start. Let’s hope they can keep the momentum going as we head into the second half of the Last Stand, next week!

Detention

Bobby Dawn for Failing Kristen

I knew I wouldn’t need to wait long to put him on my shit list. He can absolutely go to hell for saying that letting Kristen remain in class was “against the rules” somehow. That’s a simple exercise of discretion! And if anything, isn’t it more impressive that Kristen is still running circles around other clerics with a dead(ish) god? That her god is still able to communicate with her in this state? ALSO, if we’re getting technical, Cass isn’t actually dead! We've established that. She’s, as Miracle Max said, only mostly dead which is still partially alive! I know this needed to happen to force the Last Stand but he can still jump into a lake. I hate that, even when she's actually earnestly and effectively applying herself, Kristen is getting smacked down by the system.

(Also, I have to assume Helio died for three days at some point and came back since he’s basically frat bro corn Jesus. Gods die and come back! It’s a thing! It’s a thing that they do!)

Honor Roll

All of the Bad Kids for Loyalty and Badassery

I really couldn’t pick this week so I decided to just give it to all of them. I tried to do a more in depth recap this week to really highlight the coolness of everyone. I think they have especially good team synergy this week from trying to help Adaine get her kisses in to being ready to throw down for Kristen. And everyone got at least one major piece of Mystery info in their downtime rolls. Not to mention how strong they came out for the first part of the Last Stand. I’m just super impressed and I love them individually and as a unit!

Random Thoughts

OK so obviously the biggest red flag right now is Jace. As I pointed out in the last recap, he was there talking to Kalina in the conversation Ragh saw and now we have two more suspicious actions from him. Now I’m questioning his other actions too. Like, making Riz a part of the interim staff. Was that in order to make sure he fell under the staff category for an ulterior motive bylaws related reason? And is he fully working with The Rat Grinders? He’s a sorc but what origin? What if he’s divine soul and wrapped into this god stuff somehow?

(This could be nothing but the other big loose end besides the above that’s been stuck in my craw in Soph year is Sandra-Lynn talking about a couple that made things hard for her and I’ve always wondered if Jace was involved there.)   

Handing a Nat 1 portent roll to your DM must feel like doing drugs. 

Kipperlily had had rage issues since Freshman year, huh? Does that mean she’s been in league with the corrupted Ankarna since then or just a really easy target? And why would Riz’s name be in her file? I so badly want to know what else is in that file. Brennan, I know you need to control the pacing of the story to some degree but in no world does Riz see his name in that file and go, “Welp I’ll check that out later.” Absolutely not. 

Also, two more Rat Grinder points. KP ordered the honey BEFORE Lucy died? That’s suspicious. And Porter confirmed that they’ve been to the Mountains of Chaos many times which means our understanding of their activities has been off. Like, I suppose it’s obvious that they must have been doing more than literally just stepping on rats because we know they’re making moves, but this seems a bit out of left field. Though it does answer the question of what they likely did for their Sophomore Year quest because that’s been incongruent. Multiple times is also pretty suspicious. That points to going there for a specific reason. Also, that’s where the celestial gods were traveling en route to Cass’s wedding. Maybe there’s a connection there. Were they searching for Ankarna’s name?

Maybe I’m just being paranoid and I know Riz literally tattooed Night Yorb stuff onto his body of his own free will but a part of me wonders whether a part of that wasn’t a bit of Sol/Helio manipulation trying to get Kristen back as a cleric. Like, her mom is right. Her bringing back the sun could have been a dramatic prodigal daughter moment. 

Buddy mentioned Bucky being “led astray” a few eps ago and I’m really curious to know exactly what that means because he seemed to be mostly in good little paladin mode this ep besides some slight curiosity about Kristen’s shards. 

In addition to the moment with Bobby Dawn, Kristen tipped her hand AGAIN In this ep to when she revealed that she knew about the Devil’s Honey. Like, girl. I know you love a dramatic mic drop but keep some secrets, damn!

Curious about what was written on the physical note that Emily gave Brennan when she said she was skipping Zara’s class.

Where did Ally’s “girl Winnie the Pooh” bit come from? It was so confident and out of nowhere that I burst out laughing. 

Brennan has been doing such a great job with battle eps this season. We’ve had back to back bangers with really creative mechanics. I can’t wait to see what the other questions are! (This is why I always say I identify with Adaine and Riz most of the BKs)

“The Last Stand” and “Dawn of Justice” are both subtitles of superhero movies. That doesn’t mean anything. It’s just weird that it happened twice. Two nickels and all. 

Saved this for last–yessssss Oisin. Be apologetic about your friends being weird. Take the extra time to personally apologize to Adaine and only Adaine while her friends to air traffic control signals to get her to pay attention to you. Very happy that everyone at the table seems to be as invested in making this happen as I am (and that Adaine volunteered that she thought Oisin could maybe be cool even when she could have demurred or said nothing or been really harsh like she usually is with the Ratgrinders). I especially love Fig being like, “We’re trying to make this romance happen!” Like, hey girl I got me my wizard paramour, let’s get you yours. Get you a ride or die friend like that. 

One last thing! It’s my birthday on Friday and, to celebrate, I made my thesis visual novel free on itch.io for the weekend. It’s called A Tale of Two Sisters and it’s very meta and fairy tale-y and sincere. I put a lot of hard work into it and, if you enjoy my recaps, I’d appreciate you checking it out and leaving a review. Again, it’s totally free for the weekend! I have another game on there that you can check out but that one's free all the time. 

[red-hibiscus]

I love this conversation so much. Fueng happily being ok with whatever role according to watch Krom wants. As opposed to it just never being mentioned at all in bls. Usually ends up going towards more stereotypical routes (unless it's the cases where both are equally masc).

Fueng telling him to not mind stereotypes and speak openly. Him telling Krom than he could be anything. I love how Krom seems to think about it for a few seconds before smiling and saying that he wants to be the bottom. This time a lot more genuine.

[miss0atae]

Random thoughts about City of Stars episode 9:

I was so afraid this episode would show us the "break up" between Fueang and Krom. I was on the edge during the whole episode.

▪️ If I have to say one thing it is how good Fueang and Krom's relationship is. They really know how to maintain it well and never miss a chance to communicate their needs, fears and reassurances. It's not so common in series to see the main leads being able to take the time to really talk. Every time I thought misunderstandings would lead them to break up, the series found a way to prove me wrong and I loved every minutes. I hope they won't give them any "break up" and the series will continue to show how communication is the key.

▪️ Since Fueang helped Krom out of the club when he was drunk, he's been force to face online backlash from his fans but also from some fans who believe he has a "special" relationship with his friend Kor. I believe this episode handles well how sometimes fans can be too deluded in their own fantasies that they would feel betrayed if their favorites idols do anything outside of what they imagine they should do. This is very relevant of what can still happen to idols nowadays.

▪️ I felt sad for Krom because despite being warned of not checking anything written online about them, he still couldn't stop himself from reading the comments and was really hurt by them. I can try to imagine how difficult it is to face it. So many people already shared their stories about how they had to deal with hate online and how it affected their mental health. I'm just glad Krom found help in his family, friends but also his lover. As it is also the same for Fueang. I'm so glad they supported each other in this very complicated situation.

▪️ Fueang had to also deal with unscrupulous journalists who dug in his past to make him admit things he doesn't want to share with everyone. I found him very brave and patient when he answered their questions. Fueang is really a very good person. I love this character. The calm way he is always speaking with everyone is so smoothing. However, he also has his weaknesses and it seems one of the journalist found a story about his ex boyfriend and wants to make him admit he is gay while knowing it would have an impact on his career.

▪️ I think the story made a good deal about how your past relationship especially if you are queer can affect your career when you are a celebrity. Especially for Fueang who is not out and who always hide his relationships. We learnt about Sarut, his ex who seems to want to sell a video of them kissing when they were together in high school. The betrayal must hurt! Especially when you know that it was Sarut who broke up with Fueang. Why is he coming back now? We don't know yet. Is it about money? Because it's been a while and there is no other reason for Sarut to act this way…

▪️ Special mention to Kor, who is always ready to help Fueang but also faced difficulties in his previous relationship with Namsom because of fans or journalists who didn't accept them. It hurt Namsom and Kor doesn't want this to happen to his best friend. I believe it hit too close to his own situation to make him indifferent. I wish if Fueang and Krom find a way to stay together despite everything, it will make Kor and Namsom be brave enough to try again to be together. They both still love each other and they also deserves happiness.

I can't wait for next week to know what will happen now that the vengeful ex is back to stir up ill feelings.

[ladylamrian]

Hii 🥰

I saw this and thought pink 🩷 You can use the quote / pic in whichever way you want 🩷

Loyal to be Royal 👑

Female Main Character: Alex

Pairing: can be considered as F!MC×NikRyder or F!MC×Garrus, the fae

Summary: Alex feels the pressure of royal life

Word Count: 1.9K words

Rating: General

Warnings: none

-> My complete Nightbound Masterlist <-

A Garrus (fae) fanfic for @teatimemols 🧝🏻‍♂️🧚🏼‍♀️

Taglist: @infactnoimmasitinthemiddle ; @peonierose ; @secretaryunpaid ; @jdstar88 ; @blackcatkita ; @lilyoffandoms ; @liviusofpella ; @mxdanni ; @dutifullynuttywitch ; @mariemarieohcontrary ; @tessa-liam ; @choicesficwriterscreations ; @hopelessromantic1352 ; @rosepetals1 ; @choicesjanuary2024 (Prompt: Relationships)

Some parts beta-read by @peonierose

Thanks @lilyoffandoms for ideas of this prompt

Comments via Reblog wholeheartly welcome

Author's note: Part of Song Lyrics taken and rewritten from Barbie - The Princess & the Pauper 🩷👑

"Hey guys, I'm back.", Alex tiredly spoke as she finally entered Garrus his bar, the Graveyard Shift from the side-door. Krom, Ivy, Nik and Garrus were seated on stools and enjoying their drinks.

"Hey, Alex!! You look exhausted. Everything alright?", Nik asked her with a concerned look on his face as she plopped on an empty stool next to him and rested her head on the wooden table.

"Tired.", she wispered.

"Tired? Awww, poor thing. Did you faes partied hard at the palace or what?", Ivy giggled and gently rubbed her friend's back.

To answer her question, Alex sat upright and faced her friends with a sad expression. "Ivy, that's not it. I'm so tired of all those many rules. I'll never be a perfect royal. All I do is make mistakes. I... I just want to make Thalissa and everyone proud, but I can't. I wish just father was alive. He would have definitly helped me."

"Rook, you're still learning. I know you will be doing well. I just want to say... We... We haven't seen you for days and... well...".

"What we all want to say is that we missed you, Alex."

"I know, Krom. I missed you all too. Sorry, but beeing royalty isn't exactly a piece of cake. I thought it's not going to be difficult and I'll enjoy this wealthy life, but I guess I didn't know what was coming for me. It's so stressful, especially when Lamrian has currently no ruler sitting on it's throne. So it's up to me to handle everything."

"Do you even want this royal life, rook? Can you handle this or...?"

"Oh baby, I could build a castle out of all the bricks they threw at me.", she confidently answered him and winked.

"Oh really?", he raised an eyebrow.

"Nik, I somehow have to. For my father, Lord Elric. I'm alive only because of him and Lamrian is my home. I don't want to disappoint him. I have a duty to fulfill... just like you have, Nik.", she glanced meaningful at him and got serious now.

Yes, what has to be done, must be done. Just like the young nighthunter, Nik Ryder swored after the death of his adopted father to protect everyone from evil and keep the worlds safe.

"Yeah, guess so... I just thought about your well-beeing.", Nik disappointedly looked away, trying to avoid her gaze.

"I know, but I have to prove myself. Some fae nobles are just... Arrrghh!!! Rules, rules and more rules.", she wanted to scream and let her frustrations just out.

"I sadly know what you mean, darling. I've been there too.", Garrus gently smiled at her and layed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"Honestly, I feel hopeless actually. They haven't even considered me as Elric's child yet, as the heir of Lamrian, a member of the royal fae court... I'm no fae for them, just an outsider who's responsible for my father's dea..."

"Don't you dare to say that!!", Garrus suddenly bursted out his anger which surprised everyone since it's not his nature.

"Uhhh, Garrus? You okay?"

"I... I... I'm sorry. My apologies for the sudden tone and behavior. But... My fellow fae friend, don't you ever dare to blame yourself for anything. You're innocent and not responsibile for anything. Neither for the death of my duke nor the banishment of young Lord Tialo. Some fae nobles are just like that and they won't change their behavior, so do not allow them treat you like this. They think they're just better than others. Trust me, I've been there too once and I feel you. Of not beeing accepted and..."

Garrus was the heir of a Fae viscount before the Fae cast him out. The friendly fae remained exiled until this day. He was banished for running cons and swindling magic off the upper crust. The Fae court was too uptight for him and he needed his freedom. But until today, still dreaming of returning to the Fae kingdom. His true home.

Garrus lowered his head, remaining silent for a moment in front of his friends who worriedly glanced at his sad expression. It took a few seconds, before the handsome fae snapped out of his thoughts and focused back on his loyal companions.

"I was thinking. My dear Alex, let me help you. Guide you and teach you about the royal life of a fae. Let's show them what we got, darling."

"You would do that? Are you sure?"

"I'll show you, m'lady. But I'll teach you in my style. Some music, please!", Garrus requested and Krom immediately did what he asked. A beautiful, classical melody began to play. Garrus began to sing and dance. Taking Alex her hands in his and twirling around the room as if they were dancing waltz in a dance hall. While dancing he began to demonstrate whatever he was singing whether using his acting skills, body language or showing her something. He started by picking up a silver spoon from a plate.

🎶 To be a royal is to know which spoon to use.

To be a royal is a thousand pairs of shoes.

To maintain a regal gait.

Leave the parsley on your plate.

And be charming but detached, yet amused 🎶

"Wohoooo, Garrus!!!", Ivy excitely cheered and began to whistle.

🎶 To be a royal is to never be confused

Do a plié and never fall

Don't ever stray from protocol

All through the day, there's just one way you must behave

Do keep a grip and never crack

Stiff upper lip and arch the back

Bend from above and always wear your crown and wave

Shoulders back and

Tummy in and

Pinky out and

Lift the chin and

Slowly turn the head from side to side 🎶", he sang while Alex did what he musically requested.

"Like this?"

"Dear, you're Fae-tastic!"

"We're Fae-tastic."

Soon Garrus signaled Krom to turn off the music. The song might be over but there was still a lot to teach.

"That dance was amazing, Garrus."

"Thanks, now listen!! From the way you eat to the way you walk, here's what it takes to have the manners of a royal.", Garrus proudly handed Alex a very big binder over.

"Ooof, it's... really heavy. But you will help me, right?"

"Of course, teaching you about the life among the royal court of the fae is also important. Don't worry that's very simple. Are you up for the task or is that too much for the beginning, darling?"

"I'm ready, Garrus. Challenge accepted!!", she winked.

"First thing, the royal curtsies. They don't need to reach the floor, simply put one leg behind the other, bend your knees, and bow your head slightly. However, deeper curtsies and long pauses are a sign of respect and formality."

Alex does as her fae-friends explained and put one leg behind the other, bend your knees, and bow your head slightly.

"Pfff, that's easy."

"I like your spirit, dear.", he smiled and placed a plate infront of Alex and requested her to take a seat at the table.

"You may not put much thought into how you cut your food, but those nobles take dining etiquette very seriously."

"I know how to eat properly. I'm a grown-up and not a toddler."

She held the knive in the right hand, the fork in the left with the tines facing down and stabbing the food. Then she brought it to the mouth.

"Instead of stabbing the food, balance food on back of the fork, then bring it to the mouth."

"Is it that important, Garrus? I mean, at least I don't mess up my clothes or my face while having a meal. "

"You're right, dear. I don't care either, but... the other faes."

"I know...", she sighted.

"Look, if royals need to use the restroom during a meal, they don't announce their intentions. They simply say, "Excuse me," and leave it at that. If they're not done eating, they cross the utensils so wait staff know not to take the plate. When finished with the meal, they place utensils at an angle, putting the handles at the bottom right of the plate."

Alex took the fork and knife in her hand and started to place them correctly on the plate.

"Wait, you mean that angle?"

"Like 4:20 on a clock you mortals use."

"Hah, I got it! I'm good at this, right? Show me more, Garrus."

"You're a natural, dear. Now let me think what else you might... Ahhh, yes. Now I know. They say your handshake reveals a lot about your personality. Keep direct eye contact with the fae in front of you, grasp their hand firmly but not painfully, shake for one or two pumps (no more!), and shine a royal smile."

"Why two pumps and not more?"

"Yeah, why two? Good question, Alex. Why only two, Garrus? What if I want to give four?", Ivy asked too.

"Wouldn't four be too much.", Krom asked worriedly.

"Yeah Garrus, why two?"

"Quiet, please!! I'm trying to give lectures to Alex. I actually don't know either. Hmmm, let's skip that. Alex, they say that men in the royal family put out a helping hand when their spouses go down a flight of stairs, especially at formal events. The women keep their chins parallel to the ground and hands at their sides. If there's a banister, they rest a hand on it, rather than grab it and keep their toes pointed toward the railing while they walk."

"I know, I know, it's just like in the movies. But this royalty here doesn't need the helping hand of a man, I can do this on my own.", she confidently answered.

"Your spirit is admirable. Another point, royalty are expected to be addressed by their full, given names rather than nicknames given to them by their families and friends. Sooooo...", Garrus nervously glanced at Nik who immediately understood.

"Are you tryin' to tell me something, Garrus? Nobody has a problem if I give Alex nicknames. It's my style, right rook?"

"Uhhhhh... riiiiiiiight, blondie.", Alex rolled her eyes and grinned after giving the blond haired guy a new nickname. It's sure fun.

"Don't call me like that, rook."

"Alright, blondie. Oh, I... I mean, Nik. So Garrus, what's next?", she tried not to laugh and turned her attention back to the young fae.

"Alex, you did well. These are enough lessons for the first day, we'll continue tomorrow. Time to open the Graveyard Shift and letting the customers in.", Garrus suggested while taking out his keys to open his bar. As he was headed towards the front door, Alex stopped him by resting her arm on his shoulder.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I... Thank you, Garrus. For helping me, teaching me. For everything."

"I would do anything for my favorite fae."

"I know, but still. Thanks! And I'll promise you that one day, I'll make sure that your banishment will be lifted. I'm aware of how much you miss your home, Garrus. Soon you'll be free again, I promise."

"Thank you, Lady Alex."

"Please, no formalities. You're my friend. Even when I become a duchess one day, I would never want my friends to call me like this. Without any title, please. Just Alex is fine.", she smiled at him.

[meetthegofer]

i must know.. what does fossey think about the other mercs (◕_◕)

WONDERFUL QUESTION THANK YOU KROM!! to spare everyone's dashes ill put this under a readmore but heres a few of the dynamics i have in mind... not everyone Yet but ill reblog this tomorrow with everyone i couldnt fit here. i just dont want it to be TOO too long LOL

SCOUT when scout first caught wind of miss pauling having an assistant/coworker of her own, all he initially knew was that they were from new york. like most people, he assumed the city, but unlike most he immediately assumed it would be a beautiful young woman like pauling, and that there would be Two lovely ladies for him to try and woo. ...so when he actually Met fossey, his expectations were not only not Met but just completely wrong. for a while, he didnt quite know how to interact with them, but eventually settled into a role that he never thought he would EVER get the chance to play: annoying big brother. fossey, like me, actually has an older brother back home who is... really not the best, so hes a little more hostile than one would expect when it comes to bantering with scout LOL. its all in good fun though. like they get along but if you were to witness them from a distance you'd be like Uh do these bitches hate each other?

SPY fossey doesnt like spy very much; shes pretty easy to startle, which is something spy has very little consideration for-- on the contrary, he gets a bit of joy out of their jumpy reactions. they take his little nicknames for her [i.e "ma crevette" aka "my shrimp"] as insults and dont seem to trust him much. spy certainly seems intrigued by them, but whether or not he actually cares for them is a different question. he will sometimes make cruel jokes for the express purpose of winding them up, but fossey's reactions never really seem to be what spy expects out of them. so hes a little perplexed and intrigued that he isnt reading them as well as he thinks...

ENGIE being that both of them are pretty tech-savvy, and on a surface level theyre both quite amiable, they get along quite well in terms of discussing interests!! however, given engie's own interests in transhumanism and his god complex + fossey's own general disinterest in being/staying human, they... kind of arent allowed to talk to each other super often 😭 she absolutely Would offer herself to be uploaded to a computer or some shit like that and no one wants that to happen EXCEPT for those two

SOLDIER as i've mentioned before, fossey is generally pretty weak compared to all the mercs [and honestly, even compared to miss pauling]. because of this, more than anything i think soldier sees them as someone he has to "protect"/look after, even in super mundane or completely nonviolent situations. not necessarily in a nurturing way so much as "OBVIOUSLY you cannot handle yourself so i will take care of this for you! maggot!" but hes being nice in his own way... he has good intentions hes just. well. soldier. he also happens to be the one most responsible for accidentally hurting them via roughhousing, since sometimes his approaches to "helping" them involve great physical violence. while this scared fossey at first now they just think its really funny

[infactnoimmasitinthemiddle]

Hii 🥰

I saw these picture prompts and I thought I’d send them your way. You can create anything you’d like. Moodboards, edits or even write a story, whatever makes you happy.

The most important thing is that you have fun (and don’t worry you can answer the ask whenever you have time or feel inspired) 🥰

Picnic

Book: Nightbound

Pairing: Nik Ryder x Alex Hernandez

Rating: General

Words: ~900

Summary: Alex and Nik spend a day picnicking

A/N: If you think Krom wouldn't be into having his own little garden you are wrong

Alex had promised herself it would be just a good old day with her boyfriend. No supernatural stuff; no creature they should be running after, none running after them. No headache of a ‘magic training’ she had to worry about. 

She wandered between the flowers, inhaling the sweet scent of lilacs, caressing the sunflowers between her dancing fingers, as the cool breeze brought her sweet kisses. Her face was painted warm, highlighting the blissful expression that had been missing for a little too long.

Nik stirred awake beside her, his gaze immediately fixing on the smiling face in front of him. Her smile was infectious, he swore, because he could no longer remember what made him jerk awake. Was it a nightmare? Another of his demons that he breathed in every second of his life? 

Nik couldn’t care less. As he stroked and felt the strands of her hair, he could almost feel the warmth radiating from her. No wonder she brightened up his day. Hell, every second of his life.

“You did not just come here to sleep all day, did you?,” Alex said with her eyes still closed.

A small smirk formed on his face. 

“I’m sure relaxing all day was your idea.”

“Sleeping isn’t the only form of relaxing.” 

Alex crawled over to the bag of fruits she bought from her friend the other day. Krom was a little too insistent, even for a stone troll. And how could she say no to homegrown ones? Her mother was always a bit of a fitness freak. Though she didn’t want to admit it, she did inherit some of that from her mother. 

She threw one of the apples over to him. 

“An apple a day keeps the doctor away, Nik. Did you know that?” She winked at him as she bit into her own apple.

“Pretty sure it can’t.” He shifted on his back and rested his head on her lap. “Not in my case, anyway.”

Alex looked down and noticed a pensive look on his face. She sighs, running her fingers through his blond hair. The wind had managed to destroy the effects of his strongest hair gel. And there was not a drop of sweat sticking to his head that day. 

She tried to wipe the trace of worry on his face. But by then she would have known that it was permanent.

Nik cuddled up closer to her, staring off into space. “Sorry, I promised I’d relax.” 

“Just try not to think of other things, okay? It makes me worried, you know.”

He smiled a little and tilted his head to look at her. Strangely, he noticed movements at the corner of his eye. His instincts kicked in as he got a full view of the creature beside them. He stood up quickly, pulling Alex up with him.

“W-what?!” Alex tried not to fall, tripping over herself. She followed his eyes to a horse like animal gulping down a bunch of grapes from her bag. A sharp horn stood as a weapon over its head, shining like a trophy in the sunlight. 

Her eyes went wide. “A unico–”

“Shh! Get behind me,” He whispered. 

“Wait, it’s–”

“No! I swear it isn’t cute!” He grabbed her wrists tightly, keeping her still behind him.

They silently watched the unicorn eat the fruits in the bag. They thought it wouldn’t stop until the bag was empty. But the unicorn paused midway, raising its head up. It watched them carefully, shifting its gaze left and right. 

Nik spread his arms to the side, shielding Alex, as the unicorn took a step forward.

“Don’t you dare come any closer.” He glared at the unicorn as if it were an old enemy.

“Nik, I think–”

“Shh!” He continued to slowly back away.

“Just trust me on this one!” She pushed Nik to the side, walking towards the unicorn. She took a deep breath and stopped directly in front of it. They stared at each other for a while.

“I’ll just leave you to die this time.” Nik crosses his arms, trying to look like he didn’t care that she was probably going to let herself be stomped over by a unicorn’s hoof. Although he was sure that he was going to snatch her and run away if it took another step towards her.

Alex rolled her eyes. She extended her palms to the unicorn’s nose, keeping it there for a moment, before tilting her head slightly. She explored its eyes, finding it green and hiding something– dark, ancient and familiar. She closed her eyes for a moment as her palms glowed neon green. 

The unicorn shivered, but it didn’t push her away. 

When her eyes opened, she was still face to face with the unicorn. It was leaning its nose into her hand, letting her pet it. 

Alex turned to Nik and smirked. “Don’t be shy.”

Nik took a cautious step towards the unicorn. Upon Alex’s direction, he touched the unicorn’s nose softly. 

“What kind of Disney princess crap was that?” He asked as he continued to pet the unicorn.

Alex grinned and kissed him on the cheek. “I’m a fae, Nik. A half-fae.”

It was one of the only times she could claim that title with pride.

~@choicesficwriterscreations @ladylamrian @lilyoffandoms

[whiteheartlight]

thinking about post-war trauma for the Toa Mata... how Lewa has issues with his autonomy after Tren Krom and dissociates because he remembers what it was like to be torn out of his body and he doesn't feel like himself physically anymore. he doesn't like to be alone anymore, will sneak into his siblings' rooms to sleep next to them at night but won't admit anything is wrong, won't talk about it. probably hasn't even told them fully what happened. and how Tahu keeps waking up with the sudden and intense feeling that something terrible is going to happen and he has to go check on each one of his teammates to make sure they're safe and close to him. Kopaka's exhausted constantly, desperately homesick, lost, feeling a disconnect from everyone else around him, so he just keeps putting himself in dangerous situations because the adrenaline and the fighting gives him a purpose again. started losing his faith in the world after Matoro died and it only got worse when Mata Nui left.

Pohatu feels guilt and grief over every friend he has lost. he wants peace so badly he'll ignore trouble on the horizon and refuse to be involved in anything political because it's easier to just pretend everything is fine now. deludes himself and then gets terrible feelings of anger and loss of control when something goes wrong, which is completely new for him. sometimes he does think about how he could kill his enemies or how he should have in the past because at least that would make this all stop. Gali actually thinks she might be doing okay if her brothers weren't all acting so weird. sure, she gets nightmares, and she gets nervous if she doesn't see them all at least once a day, and she grieves those she's lost, but she could get through it with a little time and help. so she's trying too hard to help everybody and that puts her on the back burner and then she gets stressed and hopeless again. and Onua acts the same as he always does, but that's kind of awful in the end, because he sees that his siblings need help sometimes and he doesn't do anything about it. wonders if it's wrong that he can't seem to bring himself to care, sometimes. he doesn't feel capable of dealing with anything anymore. feels like they failed. feels like they don't deserve a new world. tired.

when things start getting settled they'll find themselves again, but it will take time. will be harder on some of them than others. sometimes the best they can do is all sit together in the quiet for long minutes, so they don't forget they're not alone.

[randomwriteronline]

Vakama's hands were warm, awfully so. He moved them carefully across the Ice warrior's new face, with a gentle feathery touch, flexing his fingers ever so slightly so that the other would shift it in the direction the Turaga wanted without having to press too hard and risk ripping the skin apart as he intently picked up every detail with his scrutinizing gaze.

Had he still been a Toa, Kopaka would have responded to his careful movements with harsh ones, to show he did not need to be treated as though he was made of fine glass.

But now (for some time now) he was a something, and he had just watched as the bandages where Pohatu had pierced himself by simply hugging Onua too tight were changed, the not at all shallow cuts already struggling to scar, and how their Earth brother had been horrified at what a simple contact between such different bodies could cause; so, wary of the frailty of the form he had been forced into and for the sake of the Turaga's peace of mind, he tolerated the cautious approach with which he was treated.

It did not mean he had to like it. Especially not that look.

What was the former mask maker trying to find? A piece of his self? He knew he did not look like himself, he knew he was unrecognizable. He knew he was a disgusting, soft, malleable mound of abhorrent flesh, filled with nauseating sacks and tubes and hairline conducts and shapeless things pulsing erratically every second, covered in veins and fat and muscle, with no way to defend himself, no way to be helpful, no way to do anything. He had made the mistake of looking at himself, back when his Akaku still fit on his face (before his new one had grown in, agonizingly, and he had had to rip the mask off of himself before it killed him because the organic matter could not close around the joints and nubs with which his body used to hold it still) and he still had nightmares about it. Not even Tren Krom's remains had looked so horrible, so parasitic and alien - they hadn't been lodged inside him.

He knew whatever he was could no longer be called Kopaka, the Toa Mata Nuva of Ice. He knew it from the second he'd changed. Was the Turaga hoping the cold warrior was still there, somewhere beneath the malleable matter? Was he looking to be disappointed? Was he going to desert him, appaled, when his search inevitably turned vain?

Vakama's palm cupped his cheek gently.

It was warm, and kind, and his glowing eyes held nothing but care.

Kopaka leaned into it despite himself, bitter expression softening, turning saddened, in need of comfort. The metal thumb brushed against him as though to clear away a few tears. He wasn't crying, of course; he wouldn't have dared being caught dead doing so, especially before a Turaga.

But the motion brought him solace nonetheless.

-

Onewa came in second, much more loudly than his Fire brother: he clamored to know where his Toa was, shoving aside anybody in his way with the good manners of a Manas crab on a warpath.

Pohatu would have all but leaped directly at him and likely trampled him in his excitement if the Agori had not forcibly bound him to the beds he and Kopaka had been stationed in since they'd been brought to New Atero. He still tried their patience, crawling hurriedly across the cots and laying on them so that his torso could extend as far towards the door as possible: as soon as the Turaga emerged he gave a joyful strangled sound, arms outstretched to be caught in a gruff, delicate embrace attempting to keep some distance between the two beings so that the former Toa could not fall into the temptation of squeezing new wounds open on himself again.

The carver's hands were smooth despite it all, like pebbles of a river, and carried the comfortable heat of sunny days. He looked over the creature, once the warrior he had welcomed into his Koro, with the apprehension of a father whose child has scraped their knees and elbows; then, as a bout of frustrated helplessness burst from within him and demanded release, he jerked his head away from the being still holding him sweetly to shoot a glare at his silent peer.

"Well then! Look at this!" he barked, harsh, rough, vitriolic. "Such a good job of protecting him you did, didn't you!"

His interlocutor tightened his fists and looked away, biting his lip.

"Is the shame keeping your from talking, now?"

"Onewa," Vakama began sternly.

His brother glared at him, screaming to shut his mouth and stay out of this without a single word - but before he could continue lashing out accusations and vitriol, his tongue was stopped by a weakened punch to the top of his shoulder, not hard enough for the skin to break upon it yet still so intense that it made him wobble.

He searched for the face that had delivered it, but it was gone already: Pohatu had pressed it against his peer's hair, hiding it from view, and was wrapping his arms tight around him, as tight as he wanted, without fear of a pain that a softer body could not deliver.

He swayed his brother a tad and kept adjusting his grip. Maybe, if he kept pressing, the guilt would ooze out of him like liquid from a blister, like pus from an infection. Maybe, if he kept pressing, he would manage to squeeze out of him the stupid belief that this had been his fault, and that he was responsible for their misery.

Did his brother think he didn't know? Did he think that just because they had changed so drastically he could not tell what he was thinking, what he was feeling? No, not at all, not at all - if anything it had made it so, so painfully easy.

Pohatu had learned to read him, of course he had; he had learned every inflection and minute tic, every silent little word the other refused to voice, because he had stuck to him like a Makuta fish biting its terrible teeth into a larger prey and refusing to let go even as the mightier Rahi convulses to get rid of the little stubborn pest with minimal success. And now - now that they had no armor, no still masks, now that their faces moved with such frightening fluidity, so strange and different and unfamiliar but screaming their thoughts so loud it hurt his ears (that was what his audio receptors had become, and they felt so much, so much, to the point where evereything he saw made a sound even if it didn't) it had taken him nothing to learn that language by just looking, and now he could read everything in his mind with the ease of a Suletu, of a Toa of Psyonics, and it was strange and terrible and it hurt, it hurt, it hurt, and all he could do was hold tight.

Onewa called for him. Pohatu refused to turn to look at him.

They'd been through so much. It had hurt, horribly, terribly, to grow these bodies against their will. He had insisted on coming along; he hadn't managed to dissuade him; it was nobody's fault but his own if they were both like this.

He should have protected him.

The Turaga's hand laid warm and gentle on his back.

Pohatu shuddered it away, tucking himself tighter around his brother. Kopaka's spine was cold against his chest, but he did not mind.

He'd failed him once.

He'd make up for it now.

-

Nuju did not visit.

Nokama did not mention it as she tried in vain to translate what sounds Pohatu was least uncomfortable making (he could feel the air in his throat hit a block, he could feel it opening and closing with each vowel, and it felt so wrong that he would hold his neck to try and still the movement), surrendering at last. Her kind touch felt fresh, and humid, like dew on a leaf.

Whenua did not mention it, maybe too caught up in trying to pretend he wasn't taking notes on them, studying them, like they were a pair of very rare Rahi he wouldn't have dreamed of ever managing to get his hands on. His fingers, like Onua's, were rough and scratchy as he prodded their limbs, studied their joints, tested the texture of their hair between his digits.

Matau did not mention it, and that was it. He was unnaturally quiet, observing his Turaga siblings try to find something, anything to give them some sort of answer to what had happened to the former Toa, trying to understand them in the ways they were most familiar with. He grazed them curiously, and they barely noticed - he was light even when applying pressure, as if he were a spirit.

"Keetongu could sparelend us a helphand," he offered at last.

"If this were the work of a venom, certainly," replied Whenua: "But I see no bites or punctures like the ones left by Visorak."

Pohatu shook his head to convey an agreement with the Turaga's statement: no, it had not been a poison. That would have been merciful, and maybe they would have even had a better chance of going back to normal.

"It might still be a good idea to seek his guidance." Nokama noted. Her hand lingered on the once-Toa of Stone; the watery feeling did not disturb him as much as it could have.

She turned to the two of them, her eyes gentle, her mask immoble. Something about the stillness of its features bothered them for a single second, made them nervous - they'd gotten too used to looking at each other, at the Agori's expressive visages. The realization worsened their unease.

"Hopefully he will be allowed here," the Turaga told them so sweetly. "If you'd like that, of course."

He faced Kopaka. His brother merely shrugged.

If Nuju's absence was bothering him (and the other was not going to divulge that information to anybody), he did not care to point it out.

Pohatu resolved to nodding for the both of them.

-

He'd never seen Tahu look scared.

He had, by all means, even though his Fire brother refused to admit it and did everything in his power to dissimulate how he was feeling. Truly, in that regard, he was the same as his Ice brother - and like him, he would have hated that fact if it were ever voiced to him.

He'd never seen this specific type of scared on him, though.

A cautious type of scared.

It would have almost been funny: since when was Tahu cautious?, they could have joked, and if he tried to argue they would have reminded him of his awful plan against the Rahi Nui, or the first course of action that came to him before the Bohrok nests, and he would have gotten so mad that his armor would have turned scalding hot enough to glow, and he would have tried to swat at them with his boiling hand in revenge, because he was still hot-tempered Tahu despite it all.

It wasn't as funny when he flinched at the sound of a voice calling for him with a shining gaze and a strained noise struggling to leave a throat.

Onua didn't flinch, but the bed-bound patient could read in his eyes the same apprehension.

"Hello, brother," the Toa of Earth greeted him sweetly. He held up his hand in a fist for the fraction of a second before closing his other palm around it. He couldn't ask him for a Toa salute, not in the way they'd grown accustomed to anymore: they would have clanged knuckles as hard as they could have been able to, and the fragile organic mixture that was the hand of meat would have turned to a limp mass of shredded flesh and broken bone. "Hope we're not intruding. You don't seem to be doing too bad, eh?"

The other smiled, much more confidently than he had at first. He'd been practicing. Getting the hang of this 'lips' thing.

The Toa of Fire remained silent, staring at him. A kind nudge from Onua reminded him that, unlike their brother, he could not feel somewhere around a good dozen organs shifting with each word in a manner so wrong and nauseating that he couldn't stand to articulate a single syllable.

"Hello," he only said, lamely.

A ghastly sound responded. An attempt at a 'hi'.

The two Toa approached the cot.

"Where is...?" Onua braved to ask.

The answer came in the turning of a head to a corner of the room, one that opened into a smaller nook of sorts. His peer could walk just fine, unlike him, as both his legs were healthy enough; being nothing but perfectly coherent with himself, he had begun using that advantage to hide away from any visitors that tried to get a hold of him. Including if it was their siblings, of course.

Especially if it was their siblings.

The Toa of Earth followed his former brother's gaze for a moment and gave up on it immediately. Better not to bother a sleeping Kane Ra.

Beside him, Tahu looked at the hair.

It started where his brain should have been and went down, down, all the way to his shoulders, all the way past them. In smaller bouts it grew from his arms, his legs, his chest, his pelvis, like grass or moss of sorts. At times it curled tighter, into springs, at times in a more relaxed way, into waves or strands of kelp. In some cases it grew straight, like softened pine needles or something like that.

It looked unnatural.

Like some sick joke.

This was not his brother. This was something else. Something that responded to his brother's name, that tried to sound like his brother's voice, that existed in an approximation of his brother's shape.

He felt his hands tremble.

Another step, and before he knew it something soft and frail and too tender was wrapped around him so hard he could feel his joints seep into it with the ease of a burning blade into a pane of ice. His fingers wrapped around it as well, stumbling as it found bumps and sunken lines upon an otherwise flat surface, getting caught and tangled in the somewhat matted mass of minuscule keratin wires, pulling a few in the hurry of trying not to do just that. The squeezing continued, and he could feel the skin giving in against metal the more pressure was applied; he hastily patted the bumpy spine and reached up to the shoulders, managing to convince the grappling hug to loosen just in time before the flesh was torn.

His heartlight pulsed erratically as he slowly forced his breathing down once more. He held back with all the careful worry in the world.

Muffled words reached him, a few gentle knocks against what sounded like a force field. He looked up: Onua looked back from behind the softly shimmering spherical shield summoned by his glowing Hau.

Oh.

Sorry, he did not say.

Don't apologize, his brother did not reply as he was allowed to step in before the barrier returned to divide the three of them from the rest of the world again.

He sat next to him on the cot, leaning a little closer to place a hand of his own on the bundle of meat and skin essentially sitting on the Toa of Fire's lap. It was warm like a desert rock; it seemed to perfectly soak in the heat Tahu gave off.

An arm reached out, wrapped around Onua's neck, pulled him closer. The soft face laid against their joined shoulders.

Pohatu shook a little.

His brothers closed around him.

He could feel Akamai through their hold: he could feel it, steady, warm, strong, coursing through the veins overtaking his body.

He listened to its breathing, their breathing, the familiar comfort of their dangerous forms.

He felt his skin's fear of being pierced.

Pohatu tried to hold tighter, to let the metal sink all the way into him, to feel no pain against them like he would have had so little time ago.

Tahu and Onua pried him off gently just enough so that he wouldn't hurt himself.

The Hau's shield shimmered brighter.

Their hands were rough and warm on his back.

It was nice to know he was loved.

Despite it all.

-

From the moment the green Miru made its appearance, he dreaded the words that were bound to reach him eventually.

Because of course, he would have said something.

How could he not? They hadn't seen each other in so long, with all the concerned thoughts that came with that, and now that they were all back together he was treated to an unsightly creature that he should have somehow recognized. A single glance and he would have realized the gravity of the situation. It would have sunk in quickly, unstopped and unstoppable, like a blade into muscle; he would have shouted something like Mata Nui!, and stumbled back as he bristled visibly, appalled, and would have asked him what in the world had happened to mess him like that.

Instead, Lewa surprised him.

He just looked.

In perfect silence, he just looked.

The object of his attention retreated into himself, into his gross form sitting angrily on the barren floor now unbound by bandages as his cuts had healed all but completely, scowling at the Toa of Air while the glowing green eyes simply took him in.

Had his brother ever been so quiet? Was he really that ghastly?

No; he would have jumped back if he'd been so disgusted, would have floated right up to the ceiling and rushed away. Lewa wasn't a fan of retreats, but he knew how to make one quite well.

Instead, the familiar mass of thin tendons and metal armor lowered itself slowly, carefully, until it was more or less at the same level as the thing he was staring so intently at. Behaving like he would before a frightened Rahi which hisses and growls terribly as it is cornered, for it fears its wounded leg will turn it into a larger beast's meal, he took care to slide closer in the least threatening way possible, all gentle movements and steady gaze.

He considered it a success, since the other did not react.

Lewa held his hand out expectantly with his palm pointing upwards.

After a moment or two, very carefully, a frailer one laid on it.

The Toa's touch was strangely soft, strangely rough. It was barely there, thin and ethereal, yet felt almost like a fern's caress as one passes through them, too. His fingers traced the scars running thin regular rings around the fingers, lightening the skin where the new patches had finally healed above the cuts.

He reached along the back, along the bones hidden beneath muscle; he stopped at the wrist. He looked.

A sudden gentle 'thunk' by his side made the other jump.

"Sorry," Gali whispered in a lulling tone.

He had been so absorbed by the tactile feeling that he hadn't even noticed her arrival. She sat on her knees next to him, not reaching out, not trying to touch him, not trying to impose comfort on him until his shoulders lowered again.

She, too, only looked.

The former wounds might have seemed to trace nonsensical patterns to most - shapes without meaning, mirrored carvings hetched without rhyme or reason.

Gali winced.

Their armor, the very thing designed to shield them - all that was left of it, aside from the scraps in the wreck, were the signs of its damage on the beings it needed to protect. Painful trenches dug into flesh, born of good intentions.

Her fingertips, caked in brine and jagged with wet salt, laid on the arm so lightly she wasn't even sure she was touching it.

She wasn't shrugged off.

Their sister ventured towards the back, meeting the scapula, tracing its shape as carefully as she could; her Air brother inched along the remains of a cut across a forearm.

Can I still call you brother?, they all thought without saying a single thing. Now that I am so profoundly different from you, will you still let me use such a word? Will you still let me recognize you as my sibling, my friend, my kin? Are you still mine? Am I still yours? Do I still feel to you like you used to know me as, or have I become a total stranger? Can you still call me brother?

"Am I hurting you?" Lewa asked quietly.

The former Toa shook his head.

Gali exhaled a sigh of relief; her palm rubbed long swathes across his peeking ribs.

Kopaka shut his eyes and breathed.

Deep. In. Out.

Deep. In. Out.

He could feel Wairuha's presence wash over him - its ever-shifting, ever-soothing, ever-cooling form passing through his limbs as it rose and fell, rose and fell, rose and fell within him, following his siblings' careful exploration, their kindness given motion, submitting a pace for his shivering inhales to walk after, step after step after step.

He could feel them mapping out the body he'd grown, so careful in fear he'd break, so curious and uneasy yet sparing him a disgust they couldn't bring themselves to feel about him.

He could feel their affection seep into him, as if to try healing an invincible ache.

He could feel himself wanting to cry.

I love you, he wanted to say.

I love you, truly, he wanted to say.

I love you, truly, really, he wanted to say.

I'm glad you're here. I'm glad you're still here. I'm glad you didn't abandon me. I'm glad. I'm really glad. I'm so very, very, very glad.

Lewa was humming.

Gali brushed his hair.

I'm really glad, he wanted to say.

I'm so very, very, very glad, he wanted to say.

I love you so very, truly, really much, he wanted to say.

Deep. In. Out.

Deep. In. Out.

Kopaka fell asleep on his sister's shoulder, unplagued by nightmares of seeing horrid bloodied snakes make a nest in his gut.

Gali held his other hand.

Lewa kept humming.

-

He'd planned to whistle him awake with a midday birdsong. No ward of his wouldn't have recognized how out of place that was, in the middle of the night; the strangeness of such an mistimed call would have certainly caused some wariness in him, but it would have been the quickest way to stir him back to consciousness. He'd hoped the sleepiness would have made things easier.

Kopaka, sitting on his cot since another horrid dream had forced his eyes open again about an hour ago, squinted towards the little lights near the doorway. Pohatu slept curled around his hand, still injured leg outstretched.

Nuju chirped a greeting again.

No response.

The Turaga tried his luck, and stepped forward.

No response.

Only a dark silent stare, immoble, freezing cold, sizing him up as he approached, closer and closer, until he too was sitting on the somewhat stiff mattress.

Kopaka made no sound nor movement.

Silence hung between them.

Nuju waited before meeting his gaze, so exhausted, a little ashamed. He wondered if the former Toa could have understood.

If he could have forgiven his weakness.

They were too similar for the Turaga's liking, sometimes. So quick at jumping to conclusions, so hasty in scurrying into isolation as soon as something threatened to overwhelm them, so insistent in hiding away into themselves instead of seeking comfort, convinced they knew how to handle their own pain best. It was quite incredible how despite their influence Matoro had turned out so sweet, so kind - although more than once he'd regretted dooming him to abide to their shared painful silence.

His hands balled into fists, his heartlight stuttered. He struggled to calm his shaking form.

They hadn't even had the time to mourn him.

Everything had been so hectic.

So dangerous and chaotic.

It had been like being a Toa all over again, but worse.

Somehow so, so, so much worse.

They hadn't had a moment to breathe, to let themselves feel in a time when what they needed was to keep their sense sharp and alert, to think of anything other than surviving and resisting and planning and escaping and, and, and...

And so they'd never mourned him.

And so he'd only had time to do that now.

And then...

And then, now...

He breathed in, deeply. He turned.

Such dark eyes, his Toa had. Nuju's glowing ones reflected in them, creating specks of light on the humid surface like sunshine on water.

Kopaka did not speak in stars, bright riddles to be decoded, hints and suggestions leading to undisputable if at times nebulous answers; he spoke in snowflakes, small details, carefully constructed structures of meaning compressed into minuscule pieces.

The Turaga watched his neck contract and shift as he swallowed. He was certain the action felt as foreign and disturbing to the poor creature as it looked.

Pohatu shifted in distress when the soft hand slipped away from his grip; his alarmed whines waned as fingers combed through his hair, slowly, sweetly, until he was calm once more. The former Toa pulled himself into a kneel, facing his guide, tension bubbling and twitching beneath his skin: he leaned forward, forward, forward, until his face laid against the metal chest, and wrapped his arms around the smaller frame so tenderly cold.

The iron fingertips grazed his back and cheek, cupped the alien body within them. It shuddered under the kind grasp.

Then came heaving breaths, heavy, hissing through dull teeth, struggling against themselves; and finally, with a horrible whimper, came the water, rivulets from melting icicles, cold, so cold, seizing the flesh with horrible shivers as strangled sobs tore his throat apart, as useless nails tried to sink deeper into the Turaga's armor, searching for something familiar, known, loved to grab onto.

Kopaka cried, as hard as he could.

Robotic hands held him a little closer and brushed away his tears.

One ward lost forever; one changed so drastically he was convinced his true self was just as gone.

Destiny hated what he loved, it seemed.

Nuju tightened his embrace around his Toa, brushing through the long hair he allowed his mask to sink into, swaying him gently as he listened to his anguish.

[the-starry-seas]

yeah i'm watching the borderlands movie, liveblogging-style commentary below

spoiler-free tldr: dedication to aesthetics and easter eggs. a handful of funny lines. about half of them didn't land at all. the lack of blood is rather unforgivable. would've been a 6.5/10 if that exact script was for different brand-new characters. as it is, 3/10 due to the character assassination

no reason for tiny tina to not be blowing the shit out of random things what is this girl doing ??????????????? character assassination

roland kinda gives me bl1 vibes but i'm still not even vaguely sold on hart's casting

probably the only psycho to not be screaming about meat bicycles 0/10 also that jumpsuit just looks... cheap. love the mask though.

wym knox

is that supposed to be a skag?

MARCUS WOOOOOO honestly this guy nailed it good job. though the ponytail... i'm confused. did i just never notice marcus had long hair? (one google later: yeah i'm unobservant as shit)

i don't recall anywhere but the literal actual dump in bl1 looking anything like this. krom is an interesting namedrop though

oh fuck yeah i love seeing robot POV- oh shit they're canonising lilith's last name being cashlin?

oh shit i know that bunty board mission look!!!! nice tbh

this voiceover is. not working for me however.

okay i love everything about claptrap, this is the obnoxious twerp that i know and... tolerate. yeah, let's go with tolerate. "even completely unjustified ones like yours" HAH

yeah lilith i feel that violence/expression combo

i cannot at all understand how the echonot is... a bot-only thing? but then again there's no other reason to have him tag along

OH SHIT I KNOW THOSE CROSSHAIRS

ah those fucking rakk

bunny! i know that bunny! got a booty like POW

LMAO good going tina finally she bears some resemblance to canon

zero reason for lilith to not teleport here but i guess they're saving the siren reveal? for some reason?

"LIKEABITCH" "MY BIG BRUDDAAAA" i kinda like it tbh. she was never going to be tina in a pg-13 movie but this is near-ish enough that i'm not upset

where's krieg during all of this exactly? ah there we go

wilhelm scream!

cgi on teh creature is looking a little shaky

claptrap's dedication to annoyingly singing everything, yeah, it tracks

okay so characterisation is... y'all've heard everyone bitching since the first trailer, right? but tina and krieg BFFs are growing on me and i'd read the fanfic

i'm not over krieg having hair sorry i even googled to make sure he didn't in bl2

SUPERMASSIVE BLACK HOLE

could they not have worn normal masks instead of whatever these glowy cyberpunk things are?

"kriegy give me a ride!" oh they're cute

w. what is moxxi's accent? also why does lilith have mommy issues suddenly

temu tannis. honestly i think the casting for her isn't horrible, and the characterisation isn't as bad as some other characters, but it's still not what i'd expect

i'm not buying eridian clone. do we not remember what eridians look like.

this is supposed to be sanctuary???? geez they had so many other visual things nailed, i don't. get that. arguably one of the most iconic places in the series, idk how it's That

oh shit, caustic caverns?

yeah tina and krieg are everything to me

"hope blooms in the strangest places" coming from tina is the worst, it's a perfectly fine line but from TINA? would've been fine from lilith

i am not buying that knife-throwing action, would it have been so hard to find a stunt guy who knew how to do that already?

an ambush by dozens of enemies sure would be a nice time for some siren powers but tbf that is some pretty smooth gunwork

krieg dragging claptrap up the staircae and hitting every stair along the way LMAO

would it have killed them to have ANY lighting in that hallway

no way on earth did tina just snap a guy's neck

IT'S TIME TO BLEEEED HAHAHA yeah i'll give em that one, nice

at this point i'm wondering if lilith is human. with the characterisation in this movie it would not surprise me if tina was a siren instead. and siren tina could be cool! but c'mon. ah so tina teleported them. yep.

firehawk is what? i mean i don't mind it. but. canon, y'all. then again tina is phasewalking so

oh no way did roland survive that

that certainly is a scene that happened

was this one of the workers' villages that got abandoned when the corporations pulled out? bandits attacked and she got orphaned, sent offworld, and fell in with a violent crowd? that's actually a decent backstory tbh, it's just. not lilith's backstory.

i swear this hole place looks familiar i just can't place which map it's from

oh that miniboss-looking dude has a baller design

OH IT'S THE SYRINGE NOISE WOO

that was dumb as hell, killing knox like that

OH FINALLY SIREN POWERS and looks like rewriting the elevator bit yeah it was phasewalking after all

"you have my word" oh yeah that's valuable

"i have to open it" you could just. teleport them out. like you teleported in. could you not. or just kill atlas.

okay the vault arch building does look pretty neat

FIREHAWK WINGS YES

whatever cgi they're doing with floating lilith... i don't like that.

Do Not Hurt The Tina

Do Not Hurt The Krieg

okay the firehawk shield effects are pretty cool

NOBODY KILLS ME BUT ME YEAH

i will always support kids being able to beat up their abusive parents

ooh hentai

ELLIE AND SCOOTER ELLIE AND SCOOTER ELLIE AND SCOOTER ELLIE AND SCOOTER

i still don't get these shantytown vibes for sanctuary but i do love me some fireworks

glorious meat fiesta

"come onnn do the thing" i love when characters say that and the other character is all naaah but then gives in almost immediately cause they love the person asking

FIREHAWK IN THE SKY ALERT DEEPLY FUCKING COOL