#cobalt imp

[shaleimpdaily]

day 19! happy new year all !!

[meat-fr]

It's my turn to hatch a double apparently

Such a pretty one too! :D

[elizamgarts]

A few sketches/ rough drafts I’m working on

[frostycatblr-fandom-files]

Sentences For WIPs Game

I was tagged by @ulchabhangorm (thanks lovely! 🩷) to participate in this little game where the idea is to make a 24-hour poll including every WIP you want to work on, and have people vote for one of those WIPs. Then once voting has concluded, you write one sentence for every vote of the WIP that received the most votes.

Thing is: I have so many WIPs that I hope to write within the year (if I can!!) that I'm going to offer as many as the poll will allow, AND, I'll "cheat" a tiny bit and write a sentence for ALL of the WIPs that get a vote. ;)

No Pressure Tags: @eclec-tech @dystopicjumpsuit @clonethirstingisreal @returnofthepineapple @dragonrider9905 + @lonewolflupe @the-bad-batch-baroness @523rdrebel @wings-and-beskar @eternal-transcience

I'll put what's cooking under the cut so anyone who's interested can get a taste of what's to come, only if you're so inclined~ Those marked as request fics will have the details purposely sparse or vague to keep a bit of the surprise alive.

Lost on Life Day: *Request fic. Combination of bad weather and a "small" natural disaster leads to a bit of Huddling Together For Survival between a certain cobalt blue captain and the trusted friend he's harboring feelings for. Because he's put her in danger, Rex thinks it might be best to let a certain loth-cat out of the bag... (Oh, and he should probably mention that it happens to be Life Day, too.)

Cyber Crush: *Request fic. While doing a bit of the ol' “slightly questionable research”, Wrecker and the reader “meet” each other over the galaxy-wide-web, where Wrecker answers a few… concerning questions. Worried he’s accidentally helped a Seppie, he asks Tech to run a thorough background check and finds out that the reader isn’t a Seppie at all. She’s just a writer!

Stuck in the Stacks: *Request fic. Modern AU, where the reader and Wolffe live in the same, small mountain town that is no stranger to the odd bout of bad weather. They've been passively flirting for so long, but never seem to make much progress... When a truly bad storm rolls in the first time Wolffe comes to pay her a visit at her job—hoping to check out a few books for a "little project" he's working on [C'mon, it's Carol's request fic, of course I'll give this reader a fitting job!]—it forces them to stay after-hours. Alone. ;)

No Foxes In This Hole: Longform story I started 10/10 of last year, series link here. Reader's new to Coruscant after seeking a big life change, and boy is she gonna find one. The crimson commander will too, for that matter!

Seaglass in the Surf: Hiding out on a remote, backwater planet, Din Djarin makes the acquaintance of a woman who frequently makes trips to the shoreline just to scour through the sand for something. He offers to help, thinking she's looking for something she lost. Turns out she's looking for things that others have lost, for a rather different reason than the one Din initially suspects.

Your Body Remembers: Experimental fic without a single line of dialogue where you as a local living in hardship on an Imperial-controlled planet find a little more than just hope in the man who, at first, will tell you nothing more than he's a Mandalorian is the only person who has answered your desperate plea for help.

Yellow Blankets, Yellow Blades: Reader makes their favorite Jedi fugitive something rather special to keep in the room he's always been offered whenever he needs a place to lay low from the Empire. While the item brings up many memories that are perhaps a little too bittersweet, Cal, who hasn't seen a lot of genuine kindness like yours since the start of the Purge, can't believe how lucky he is that you went through all that trouble, just for him.

Like Family: Star Wars AU. Feral asked you a very important question recently, and he's been riding on Cloud 9 ever since! Trouble is... he's having difficulties finding the right time to tell his brothers the happy news. The way you and him go about letting the loth-cat out of the bag together isn't exactly what you had planned, but hey; you're still warmly welcomed once they know you're officially going to be part of the family!

Hunting the Nexu: An absolute mess in the outline stages right now, HtN is a TBB AU that covers events from both season 2 and 3 between Crosshair and a mysterious hired gun that agreed to help his brothers and sister with rescuing him from Mount Tantiss and the Empire.

Glory In Gold: Hired to teach Cody Mando'a under false pretenses for an Imperial mission, it isn't long before it's revealed to you the real reason you're here once, sometimes twice a week, on the Empire's dime, is personal. But it's not long after that that the reason changes again. To something more... intimate.

Loving A Lazarus Species: You've been mourning Tech's death for close to a year. Maybe more. The denial that this death is real runs deep; chasing down the ghosts of ghosts when it comes to rumors your love still lives. Lucky for you, the brown-eyed, bespectacled man proves you have no need for the morally murky research you've turned to in your desperation: proving he's harder to kill than initially believed... [We're doing a Tech Lives AU!!]

Dressed to the Ninety-Nines: You and the bandana-wearing sergeant have to feign being on a date for a "special assignment". Hunter effectively proves that he sure cleans up well and behaves like a perfect gentlemen, the whole nine. But is there really a "special assignment", or is this all part of some elaborate bet?

[phlurrii]

I'm gonna throw my guess into the ring:

Cobalt/Kobalt (origin is German, Kobalt meaning 'imp/demon')

Ooooo, no, but ooo

[rodrigobera04]

Now the fairy type:

FAIRY pure

Tanuki paws the ground to create magic.

Drop of paint transforming into a magical portrait.

Moth pixie eat fabric and materialize them into "clothes" on their bodies.

Little alphanim animal releasing sugar around the environment.

Little thieving imps, making noises in houses at night.

Cradle in the shape of a horse, placing babies and rocking them to sleep.

Monster wearing masks to hide her face; has varieties with different masks.

Fairy using long objects like wands, varying by habitat.

Festive fairy with blow toy nose that makes a funny noise.

FAIRY/ FIRE

Cartoonish sun that makes the plants grow and melts the winter snow.

Bear monster with hot fur, giving warmth to the sick and heating food.

Phoenix evolving and returning to its pre-evolution when it burns.

Cake fulfilling the wishes of those who blow out their candle.

Gingerbread man warming his surroundings like an oven.

Peaceful fire elemental cornsnake, blowing flames to hunt.

Swamp witch formed by colored gas fire.

Dolphin performing the circus act of jumping into a ring of fire.

Saci creates swirls of smoke and embers when it spins.

FAIRY/ BUG

Predatory firefly, using its light to trick volbeats into eating them.

Cockroach beneficial for eating garbage and leaving cities clean.

Dryad leaf insect, imitating leaves and attacking anyone who threatens its tree.

Hamadriad skater insect gliding on the surface of the water on tiptoe.

Beetle painted like dominoes, looking for one with similar spots to pair with.

Literal bugbear,bedbug boogeyman biting children.

Spitting insect trapping opponents in sweet resin.

Woolly aphid like a sheep, herded by ant Pokémon.

Crayfish cutting fishing nets, similar to yokai amikiri.

FAIRY/ ELECTRIC

Traveling park stuffed animal, manipulating light.

Night light fairy, its wings shine and wards off dark and ghost Pokémon.

Sprite made of colorful rays, giving light in the night sky.

Musical artist dancing in the rain and creating electrical energy.

Animal made of pixels, based on game mascots like Mario and Kirby.

Fairy furry animal, the static of its fur tickles anyone who touches it.

Deer stylized as lightning, attracting rain wherever it goes.

Kid's show mascot traveling through broadcast waves and materializing into energy.

Lemon tree fairy with thorns and a sour taste to avoid being preyed upon.

FAIRY/FIGHTING

Sumo fighter mascot, crushing his opponent.

Ballerina gazelle with sharp hooves, hurting its predator with elegance.

Fairy fish protecting lake fauna from fishermen.

Camouflaged gnome protecting forests from lumberjacks;counterpart of the fish fairy.

Jester monkey using sticks to perform his comedic shows.

Pixie with large hands to throw punches, in contrast to her elusiveness and lightness.

Two-headed monster with heads like cheerleader pompoms, doing dance moves.

Superhero fairy made of sweets, homage to Anpanman.

Colorful Yaksha, protector of mountains, seeking adversaries.

FAIRY/ STEEL

Nymph of a wishing fountain, decorated with coins thrown into the water.

Angelic bells tolling and warding off evil spirits.

Kobold covered in cobalt, rivaling miners in mines.

Metallic fairy looking like a necklace, hanging from its chain arms.

Metal hag, tearing the victim with knife-sharp nails.

Sweet soda fairy, inside a can, able to gush out like a jet.

Horseshoe magnet attracting good vibrations and luck with its mythical magnetism.

Bird with a flute beak creating little birds like a sound when it blows.

Wind-up toy, its real body is the key that moves the metallic body of different appearances.

FAIRY/ FLYING

Flying being modeling clouds into animal shapes.

Downy sylph carrying seeds and pollen on its body by the wind.

Dove doing magic tricks, like taking handkerchiefs from his chest.

Animal with bee wings and bear face, pollinator.

Flying cow being carried by the wind, like in the movies.

Glider gecko, looking like a paper cutout.

Creature like a mermaid with a magical voice and wings like hair.

Airy and songful spirit of the gardens, mixing insects and birds.

Nest-shaped winged creature with three small avinoids inside.

FAIRY/ ICE

Serow making his way through the snow with his long legs.

Ice jar with berry juice inside that cures burn status.

Polar mermaid with a seal coat, like a selkie.

Mangalitsa pig with its fur forming an elegant snowy coat.

Snow angel, a snow being with icy wings, but cannot fly.

Melted ice cream slug launching its shell cone like a harpoon.

Floral fairy that blooms in spring after being covered with snow.

Little critter looking like a rabbit with long ears worn like a scarf.

Troll with no mouth, just an ice stalactite for its nose, sneezing in blizzard winds.

FAIRY/ WATER

Reef fish making corals with their almost inaudible sounds.

Magical water bird, capable of changing its shape; confused with Nessie.

Kissing frog, believing that he will evolve into a prince like that.

Kaiju with a waterfall on its back that creates laminated rainbows.

Aquatic animal filling with water and bursting like a balloon.

Archer fish looking like a water gun.

Ondine creating bubbles to purify polluted water.

Sea lilies flying across the surface of the water, dancing in the sea current.

Gardener mole splashing water through its nose like a watering can.

FAIRY/ ROCK

Fairy holding a lollipop-shaped stone.

Friendly Anurognathus took care of dinosaurs by eating parasites.

Marble nymph watching over and preserving gardens.

Cave knocker with eyes like lanterns and bat ears.

Candy/porcelain crab with a colorful rocky shell.

Predatory troll disguised by day as a garden gnome.

Sea snail collecting various colorful shells that are glued to its adhesive body.

Brontosaurid like animal with a long neck, wearing magical collars.

Lion dog imitating statues, aggressive when its home is invaded.

FAIRY/ GROUND

Mole lizard colored like a gummy worm.

Venus of Willendorf gnome made from fertile clay.

Desert rose, made of shiny sand.

Yokai broom spreading dust but cleaning curses, based on hahakigami.

Turtle with a fairy circle on its shell.

Craftsman pokémon hiding inside an animal-shaped jar he built.

Imp with different shaped feet, creating strange and confusing footprints.

Mud creature attracting prey, like a mud mermaid.

Magical starfish, creating bodies made of sand.

FAIRY/ NORMAL

Witch's familiar, looking like a strange animal.

Colorful creature, made of several toys grouped together.

Gnomes with long beards, even females.

Fairy with antennas in the shape of a musical note, making noises like a cricket.

Creature making scribbles with its claws like colored pencils.

Hairy, horned creature, a dancer appearing at seasonal festivals.

Armadillo used in games involving balls,made of rubber.

Furry little critter, its dense fur hides objects and cushions impacts.

Monotreme monster, caring for orphaned eggs and chicks.

FAIRY/GRASS

Cocoa cut like a mug, with hot chocolate inside.

Little elf building a castle made of mushrooms.

Alraune with a root tail, like a mermaid, singing.

Marsupial guarding seedlings, seeds and flowers in its marsupium.

Fairy lantern stealing energy from roots to fuel its bioluminescence.

Lily of the valley making bell or harp noises with its musical flowers.

Colorful corn releasing its kernels that explode like popcorn.

wooden trunk with wooden ears like literal ears, listening to the flora.

#THE FINAL FAIRY MYTHICAL:

Quill pen fairy, fairy/normal, using her ink to tell stories and change the course of reality.

We're done for now.

[yourfellowhuman07]

Where Do We Go Now?

A She-ra: Princess of Power 2018 fanfiction

The war is finally over. Prime is dead, the hive mind is broken, and everyone is reunited with their loved ones. However, there are some questions left unanswered. What will be the fate of Catra and Hordak? What are these new memories Wrong Hordak has? What is Etheria's place in the wider universe? Where do we go now?

___________________

Chapter 24, yay!

Also, this is something I probably should have said a while ago, but if you have any questions about anything or just want to say anything to me please comment or ask me. I need more excuses to infodump, and I hate to leave anyone confused.

have a nice day!

___________________

Chapter 24: Refugee Camp

Entrapta, along with Hordak, Emily, Imp, and the former horde soldiers, raced down to the base of the mountain to the massive crowd. As they got closer the more faces they recognized from the Fright Zone, and they realized people from the news were there. Once they got to the crowd, they were bombarded by microphones, cameras, and people asking too many questions.

“Lord Hordak, where were you when Horde Prime was here?” “Princess Entrapta, how will you deal with the war refugees?” “Lord Hordak, why have you decided to live in Dryl?” “Lord Hordak, can you give an official statement on your views on Horde Prime?” “Princess Entrapta, can you comment on your relationship with Lord Hordak?” “Lord Hordak, what are your views on the treatment of the clones?”

As their cameras flashed and their microphones closed in on Entrapta the more nervous she felt. She quickly slammed down her mask and coved her ears as she backed away right into Hordak. He quickly noticed her distress and with her consent picked her up and pushed through the crowd. He tasked Emily with keeping the reporters and paparazzi away as they ventured further into the crowd of refugees.

The group entered the crude camp the refugees had set up. Canvas tents with the Etherian Horde insignia littered the field; small fires gave off plumes of smoke filling the atmosphere with the smell of wood fires. Whispers filled the air as the group weaved their way through the camp. Then Hordak heard the calling of his name.

He turned around to see Octavia, Grizzlor, and Cobalt running toward him. He placed Entrapta down on her feet.

“Lord Hordak, Princess Entrapta, we’re glad you are here,” Octavia said, slightly winded.

“There is no need to call me that anymore, all political powers I possess are gone. More importantly, what is going on here?”

“Would you two like the long answer or the short answer?” Grizzlor asked.

“Long answer.” the couple answered.

“When Horde Prime took over the Scorponi Kingdom almost everyone fled to the Crimson Waste. Once the war was over the people who didn’t want to stay in the Crimson Waste wanted to go back to the Fright Zone. Then when word came out that Scorpia was gaining the throne many, including us, decided to come here since we trusted Princess Entrapta, and now that we know you’re here it’s even better.”

“Why wouldn’t you want Scorpia as a ruler?” Entrapta asked.

“Many people don’t want someone from her family on the throne because of their… legacy,” Cobalt explained.

“What legacy,” Entrapta looked at Hordak.

“When her family was in power they were tyrants who oppressed the people, her great-grandfather was particularly cruel. He was quick to punish and drained the national treasury with all the parties he held. Many people did not like him so there was a rebellion that I got caught up in and one thing lead to another and I became the ruler of the Scorponi kingdom.”

“Oh.”

“Even with her family ties people were wary regarding her competence as a ruler,” Cobalt commented.

“I always hear good things about her.” Hordak expressed.

“She was ok. A little airheaded and one track minded.” Octavia explained.

“Maybe if she didn’t spend so much time with Catra she would have done better. Speaking of, what happened to Catra? I heard she got caught up with Horde Prime before joining the Princesses.” Cobalt asked.

“She’s in Brightmoon with Adora. Later she is going to the Fright Zone to help Scorpia rebuild her kingdom. That reminds me you three have been tasked with the aid in rebuilding kingdoms around Etheria.” The trio of former commanders exclaimed their frustrations. “I know it is not ideal, but it is ‘necessary to heal Etheria’. I will put you in contact with Queen Glimmer so you three can get a grip on what your jobs entail.”

“You know what, it’ll be fine. Let’s go get more people settled.” Octavia sighed.

“I need to call a meeting with the Drylian council members about this whole situation. Hordak do you want to come up with me?”

“No thank you, Princess, I’ll try to help down here.”

“Wait I have money on the line here so I have to ask, are you two dating?” Octavia asked.

The couple looked at each other with flushed cheeks. Hordak looked slowly over to the one-eyed woman.

“...yes.”

“HA, I knew it! Pay up!” The two men begrudgingly dug through their pockets and put a sum of money in Octavia’s hand.

“Wait, you three made bets on our relationship!” Hordak exclaimed.

“Not just us.” Octavia chuckled as she counted her money.

“You didn’t know?” Entrapta exclaimed.

“No!”

____________________________________________________

After making sure his door was closed, Hordak flopped down on his bed. Today had been one of the most exhausting days he has experienced. Even though it is not #1, it was certainly up there. He had divulged one of his deepest secrets to a crowd of people who were mostly former sworn enemies. Then he spent two hours picking a name and filling out paperwork. Then he spends most of his day helping former underlings set up camps. Sparking long, awkward conversations with everyone. All while trying to fight off nosey news reporters that seemed to spontaneously appear wherever he went. 

Well, it could have been worse. He could have been stuck in a meeting for the bulk of his day like Entrapta. Entrapta and the council members had decided to let the refugees stay and populate the land at the base of the mountain. All of the Drylian citizens lived within the mountains of Dryl. Seeing as The Crypto Castle was the only structure visible from the outside of the mountain, there was plenty of room for the new citizens.

When Hordak, Emily, Lonnie, Kyle, and Rohelio got back to the castle, Entrapta informed Hordak that tomorrow she and the council with the aid of some construction workers will be drafting plans for new buildings and roads at the base of the mountain. She also informed him she would be visiting Scorpia tomorrow to locate the data from their portal project.

She offered to let him come, but he said she should go alone since the Princess Alliance probably wouldn’t want him there. She also should have a chance to hang out with her friends. Besides, he needs to spend time with his brothers. He has been neglecting them for the past couple of days, not of his own volition of course. He has just been busy, that’s all. Perhaps he could take them out to get more clothes? I mean, they had been wearing the black underclothes Prime gave them and Hordak himself only have his overall and the black turtleneck he found. They are supposed to be learning independence and new garments should be a step in the right direction. Maybe he could borrow some money from Entrapta, and pay her back when his money eventually comes through.

Then his conversation with Frosta popped into his head, and he realized how much he has been neglecting the romantic aspects of Entrapta and his relationship. The last romantic gesture he made was when he confessed his feelings to her and that was a week ago. This was a woman worthy of worship and here he was squandering the time with his petty problems. Think of all the stress he has put on her with dealing with his needs. He needs to do something special for her. He needs to make up for all the problems he has caused. Something that will get her mind off of everything that has happened.

At this point, he was up on his feet pacing around his room. As the gears in his mind spun his eyes burned holes in the ground. Then he stopped in his tracks as suddenly he remembered what star system he was in. He snatched his datapad off of his bed checking tomorrow’s date and confirming the event that was supposed to take place tomorrow.

[launa-moe-art]

Tales from the Other Side: Reverend's Words

A conversation between a sister and her reverend.

Rated T for Teen. No major warnings, but there are hints of manipulation.

A chess match had occurred between the Reverend Mother and one of her closest associates. All the other nuns were in their chambers resting as a part of their strict schedule. Guards were posted outside the door to the Mother’s office, staying vigilant for any busybody sinners that temporarily resided in their guest rooms. The Mother was eyeing the board as her colleague moved her bishop diagonally across the board and placed it right next to her knight. Side by side. The smaller nun tapped the timer perched on a small box beside the board, two minutes and 13 seconds. 

The Reverend continued to eye the board. She agreed to a pastime before she retired for the morning. A simple chess game with only them present. The abbess moved her rook to overtake her other bishop. One tap on the clock, two minutes and 33 seconds.

“If I may, Sister Edith?” the Reverend spoke. The sister perked up at the sudden conversation. “Yes, Reverend Mother?”

“Is there any reason you wanted to see me tonight?”

The Sister swallowed. Her polite posture contradicted the muscles tensing underneath her habit. The authority of the Mother still reigned behind closed doors. “…I wanted to ask you about one of our guests.”

The Reverend flicked her line of sight towards the Sister, not saying a single word. Make it quick. The smaller nun clenched her hands ever so slightly, not enough to where it’d break etiquette, but enough to signal uneasiness. The Sister silently inhaled and exhaled softly, “It’s about the imp from the Lust Layer.” The Reverend continued to look at the Sister, who was starting to feel the sense of being read like a book. The larger nun brought her arms above the desk and rested her elbows, hands becoming a bridge for her sharp chin to lay on. “What about him,” the Mother uttered. The Sister continued to feel a little uneasy at the blunt response. She had to choose her words carefully.

“…May I ask why he’s here with us? Imps aren’t known for being…worthy of our grace.”

The Mother looked down at the chessboard before her and then at the discarded chess pieces to her left. She moves her hand to delicately pick up a piece taken from her: a pawn.

“You’re familiar with pawns, correct?” She spoke, slowly admiring it as she rotated it carefully from side to side. The sister gulps again, making sure her posture remains polite. “Y-yes, I’m quite familiar with them.” The Mother gently moved the piece from her fingers to her palm, using her claw-like digits to carefully surround it while it remained unharmed, almost like she was cradling it.

“They were given this name for a reason.”  Her hand lit up a cobalt blue as she levitated it above her hand. “They’re normally viewed as mere infantry by humans, but in reality, they resemble the ones who pick a cause to believe in. One to fight and put everything on the line to sustain their livelihoods. Naturally, they’re the weakest pieces on the board…unless you know how to use them.” The Reverend continued to make the piece float as she carefully watched it. “You’re familiar with the rule that pawns can change their status once they reach the end of the board, yes?” The Sister almost agreed with her until she was interrupted. “They can become anything. A rook, a knight, a bishop…” The Reverend’s eyes grew darker as she gazed at the pawn.

“Even a Queen. But never a King.”

The pawn ignited in a flame that matched her color, burning as the Reverend watched her power surround it. The Sister could only watch as her abbess was mesmerized by the violence she wrought on her discarded pawn. A sick mixture of endearment and cold-heartedness brewed in her eye, causing her lone council member to tremble at the sight. She couldn’t break her etiquette. Not here, not now. 

“They can prove themselves to be worthy of our grace, yes, but entertaining them with the idea they’d ever be a part of it is even better.” The pawn vanished within the flames and returned to its proper place in a second. The Sister was in awe at her effortless powers, but she looked down and saw the board was completely different. Her Knight wasn’t beside her abbess’ Bishop anymore.

It was overtaken by a Queen,  and her king was surrounded by a checkmate through a rook, a knight, and a pawn who suddenly became a bishop. 

“Especially when you have one who tears through your enemies with ease.”

She was getting unnerved.

“R-Reverend, I-“

A buzzer went off. Five minutes had already passed. Her time was up.

“Oh, would you look at the time! I’d love to play again, but I believe it’s time for you to retire for the night, yes? We wouldn’t want our fellow Sisters to feel envy of all things!” The Reverend laughed so sweetly at her little joke. “Y-yes, of course!” the Sister replied, suddenly flustered at the saccharine tone she received. She got another rare moment that kept her by her side, a reminder even. Quickly grabbing the chess box from the side of the desk, she placed all the pieces and components back inside with great efficiency. In the midst of her locking the box with ease, she felt a growing sense of euphoria bubbling in her chest and then a familiar, clawed hand placed on her shoulder. The Sister turned around and saw her Reverend once again stare at her eyes with her single one through her veil. The Mother had leaned close to make sure she properly heard her.

“One more thing, Sister Edith.”

“Yes, Reverend Mother?”

Her iris went slightly dark as she gave her command.

“What’s discussed in this room, stays in this room.” Her voice was distorted. “Rumors aren’t to be spread in my domain.”

The nun quickly nodded, garnering an implied small smile from her abbess. Once dismissed, the Sister remained giddy about being one of her most trusted council members. She could almost skip down the hall to her chamber for feeling such unspoken praise from her abbess, yet a thought still lurked in her mind. A dark one that bothered her and made her slow her walk.

If she saw the imp as her pawn to use, one to burn in flames if he ever crossed her or gained enough strength…

What does she think of the rest of them?

[volstruckerz]

thinking a lot about caleb’s 16 charisma and how carefully he chooses his words and about his proficiency in deception, persuasion, and intimidation. thinking about how a lot of what caleb says can be confusing because i feel like he is often at a war with himself between saying what he really means and feels vs. saying what is “right” or the most effective in a present situation.

i find it interesting that you can interpret a lot of what caleb says as both his genuine feelings and as something carefully constructed to fit a certain person, situation, or goal, depending on what he wants out of it, i.e. comforting fjord or any of the other party members, telling beau about his past to get into the cobalt soul library but carefully omitting key details. like yes, he wants to comfort them, but he also can’t quite remember how to talk to people just as “friends,” with no ulterior motive, transactions, pursuing a certain agenda, or racking up favors (this is where i feel his social awkwardness comes from, the stilted but earnest way he says he’s learning how to “people again” despite seeming to be very good at negotiating, bargaining, or deceiving. friendship is different than understanding how to use people for your own gain). 

i find it especially tragic that ikithon probably saw bren’s somewhat instinctual sense of empathy and bleeding heart and warped it for his own personal gain, to teach him how to use that to deceive and use others. this also explains caleb’s later insistence that he’s been “using” the nein, which veth later points out just sounds like he’s relying on others, just as they all are, because they are friends and family. for all his understanding of people, he has to relearn how to form relationships with them that aren’t a means to an end, which becomes super evident in the campaign.

i think caleb finds himself wanting to change because of how much he cares about the nein, despite everything in him telling him not to. he finds himself trying, after all these years, to be a good friend, but it’s fucking hard — after so long of learning to be a practiced deceiver and manipulator who thought of friendship as something you would never deserve again, how do you try to begin again?

i find it hopeful that caleb’s immense capacity for empathy and understanding others stayed constant with him through everything and that he was almost helpless to it (i also find it important that while caleb was helpless to his heart, actually trying to grow and be a better person took intent and practice, not something that just happened. it was something he had to intentionally work towards for a long time) — that no matter how much he wanted to just gain more power and pursue his ultimate goal, he still found himself loving veth beyond a mere partnership but as someone like family, and that he grew attached to her and loved the mighty nein and started to do things for them that didn’t really help him at all but simply because it was important to them and. and that he still loved astrid and wulf after everything. this is how caleb, who is constantly afraid he is exactly what ikithon made him, really shows that he isn’t him (“not yet,” to quote beau) for several reasons: because he tries, because he cares about hurting them, because he has a heart that loves, despite everything.

i find it very compelling that to have a very perceptive understanding of people can either lead to an immense capability for empathy or manipulation, and that it is a choice caleb often wars with — saying or doing the most effective thing that he was taught to do or acts of love that are ultimately riskier, left you more vulnerable, and are a gamble in its effectiveness. it’s a struggle he faces for most of the campaign as he grows, and i find it very realistic that the change doesn’t happen in an instant — it happens gradually, where the audience starts to become confused between deception and vulnerability, where we start to see a mix of the two. i find it important that just because caleb’s first attempts at comfort don’t start as something wholly vulnerable and straight-forward, that he’s still trying and that most of it still comes from his heart, even if he’s also still trying to control a situation, i.e the “you were not born with venom in your veins” speech to essek. that when caleb would have never been vulnerable with these colorful group of assholes, he finds himself wanting to open his heart and trying, in his stilted, confusing way, to let himself love again, simply for its own sake. i find it very human, hopeful, and super compelling to watch play-out throughout the campaign as he grows more into himself.

[demonangelgirl134]

Raptors the Hedgedemon

(Finally doing Raptors' bio)

Name: Raptors

Age: 36

Gender: trans male (he/him pronouns)

Sexuality: bisexual (but demiromantic)

Location: Mobian Hell

Species: Demon Hedgehog (dead)

Occupation: the Mobian Devil

Favorite colors: yellows and magentas

Nationality: Scottish

Personality:

• childish

• short tempered

• rude

• arrogant

• tsundere

• sometimes feminine

• can be nice when he wants to be

• persistent

• winey

• a bit of a crybaby

Physical characteristics:

• wears a mask that is basically a prosthetic eye to him

• relies mainly on his pitchfork for combat

• can shape-shift into anything

• half blind without his mask

• has a bullet scar on his forehead and a scratch scar on the eye covered by his mask

• has telekinesis in which he can control his scarf like an extra pair of arms

• has a prosthetic ear

• gets electrocuted when he touches holy water (and the invisible sweater)

• has a very fluffy chest and shoulders

• cries blood

• catches fire when angry

• has a Scottish accent

• voice turns demonic when he's mad

Preferred weapon: battle axes and his pitchfork

Likes:

• Collecting souls

• taking baths

• sleeping

• causing misery in the surface world

• acting and performing

• Singing

• seeing people suffer

Dislikes:

• Scratch the Cyber chicken

• people mocking him

• disappointment

• people speaking against him

• Stickler the Impfox

• meetings

• being unappreciated

• work

Faults:

• is arrogant

• is overly obsessed with getting Scratch the Cyberchickens soul

• doesn't like to accept help

• can be impulsive

• is easily ticked off

• isn't the type to allow people to get close to him

Fears:

• being deemed a pathetic Devil

Best friends:

• Bullet the Vampire Bat

• Slash the Harpie

• Bax the Bear

• Striker the Fenic

• Skeppy the Imphog

Acquaintances:

• Cobalt the falcon

• Stickler the Impfox

Crushes:

• Skeppy the Imphog

• Mindy the fox

• Cobalt the falcon

Enemies:

• Scratch the Cyberchicken

• Grounder the Swiss army robot

• Maria the Ghost Cyberchicken

Relationship status: Single

Family:

• Velvet the hedgehog (deceased twin sister)

• Whiplash the hedgehog (missing older brother)

• Apex the hedgehog (deceased father)

• Lace the hedgehog (missing mother)

Backstory:

Raptors the Hedgedemon was raised in a very abusive home when he was still alive. His parents divorced and his father didn't take his mom leaving well and would constantly take it out on Raptors and his sister by hitting them and calling them worthless he even clawed out Raptors' eye when he was 6, leaving him with three nasty scars and the need to wear an eyepatch for the rest of his life. And when Raptors and Velvet turned 16, their dad forced them to work in his club as pole dancers which they never liked one bit. But one day, when Raptors was 18, he came home from work to his dad repeatedly stabbing Velvet in the chest with a pocket knife, so he grabbed a kitchen knife off the counter and started repeatedly stabbing his dad in the back and side until he was dead. Raptors was both shocked at what he had just done but was also relieved that his horrible father was finally gone, but he wasn't paying attention to those feelings and he was more concerned about his sister, but the hospital was unable to save his sister and the sorrow drove him to start a life of crime, in conclusion, meeting Striker, Bullet, Slash, and Bax, (the first friends he ever had) and becoming the leader of the Murder Mobians, but after a few years in the life of crime, Raptors jumped in front of a bullet for his friends (literally jumped in front of a bullet and got shot in the head) and died just like his father and sister. But because of his criminal history, his soul ended up in Mobian Hell, but luckily for him, the Mobian Devil had been killed a long time ago and the Mobian Imps were so impressed with his history, they decided to make him their new king. So with a little dark magic, Raptors was given a new body and powers and a new henchman named Skeppy and he thus became the new Mobian Devil

[soham98]

Why IMP's Pre-Alloyed Powders Are Ideal for Diamond Cutting Tools

IMP's Pre-Alloyed Powders enhance the stability and performance of diamond cutting tools, offering superior durability and precision cutting. These powders provide excellent diamond retention and adaptability for various manufacturing techniques, making them a cost-effective alternative to cobalt. Discover how IMP meets the evolving demands of the diamond tool industry with innovative solutions.

[shaleimpdaily]

day 22 yeah i uh forgot about it until i had like 10 mins to actually work on this one so enjoy(????)

[princethesweet]

Chapter 2 : bugs

Trigger Warnings : Bug mention ,Blood , hallucinations, slight violence ?

"You know I always hated bugs"

Dione said under their breath as they stared at the mirror. Their fingertips brushing against their left cheek. Observing the white fur and how long it had gotten. They really needed to cut it , Dione clearly did not needed to look like a stray dog. More than they already did. Finally their yellow irises landed on the corner of their room , where none standed. But perhaps they were seeing something most didn't.

"My late partner , Roland. Was the one that liked bugs. He liked them more than himself at times. Which I always found ridiculous. Because I used to think 'how could anything be better than him?' It was foolish of me to even think so in the first place."

Dione shook their head , a hand running through their hair. The whispy white locks curling around their fingers and almost swaying against imaginery winds. The mutant always looked odd , like a ghost of the past coming to haunt the present day. Even in their original era they looked odd , like a fae or an imp. Though the latter word was used more often than the former. Their horns , tail , canines and eyes were enough to qualify them as an imp , a creature of the night , a demon , a fiend. And perhaps they were one in another lifetime. Perhaps they should have proved them right all along. Become a villain and let go of the knight mentality that was so deeply ingrained in their mind. Those thoughts always ran wild in Dione's psyche late at night. Nowadays it seemed ridiculous, people were suffering enough , and with the appearance of the false giants that attacked innocents. It really seemed not logical to entertain the idea of proving they could be evil and ungodly.

"And yet i cannot stop but think. What he could have seen in me ? Why did he stick with such an imperfect being. Why did he stay by my side when he was everything and i was simply nothing. When he was the reason i believed in redemption and the existence of good in humans."

Their eyes shifted away from the corner, as if realising nothing was here to begin with. Dione's eyes landed on their image on the mirror , the reflective surface clouded with frost and rime. A cruel reminder of the looming presence of the eternal ice , the parting gift of Roland . Dione's left hand curled into a fist , their claws digging hard enough into the caloused flesh to draw blood. Cobalt blue beads of hemoglobine forming underneath the pitch black fingers , making a nice contrast. In the mirror Dione's face twisted into a wicked grin , mouthing the word 'Imp' . This was enough for the mutant to lunge at the mirror , fist meeting the reflective surface. Shattering into shards and falling down on the sink. Dione's fist was planted at least a good 3 inch deep into the wall , They stared at the now formed hole , breathing heavily in unspoken anger. Soon they were pulled out of their state by banging on the front door of the public bathroom.

[dhm-rising]

So since I’ve started getting serious about this whole “I’m going to open a hatchery” thing, I thought I should make an interest check for some pairs that I’ve had lurking in my scries. Even though this project has ballooned far past just a hatchery at this point, I thought it would still be nice to have two (maybe three) opening day pairs. (The first one being Grim Gold Ghosts with Chrysus and Xipe.)

I plan to make all of these pairs at some point, but will be focusing on them in poll order.

The scry + pair info will be under the cut if you’re interested in that!

Wooden Werewolves (Gaolers)

WIP Lore - The Wooden Werewolves are the result of the hybridization of two constructs. The mother is an enchanted wooden carving from deep within the Cairnstone Rest, while the father is a shapeshifting beast who was once imprisoned in the Hewn City by his fear of the light. Whether or not the breeding of these magics results in something wonderful or horrific will be up to the writer.

Female - Earth Common | XXY Driftwood/Slate | Shaggy/Daub/Scorpion

Male - Light Unusual | XYX Driftwood/Slate | Shaggy/Peregrine/Braids

100% Gaoler | 100% Shaggy (Driftwood) | 50/50 Daub/Peregrine (Slate or Driftwood) | 15/85 Braids/Scorpion (Slate or Driftwood)

Nest in Earth or Light

Hallowed Horrors (Imp/Noc)

WIP Lore - Bound together in unholy matrimony, these two unhinged magicians have traveled the Tangled Wood for decades searching for a source of the shade. Wanted by The Icewarden himself, it’s anyone’s guess as to whether they’ll actually succeed.

Male Imperial - Shadow Bright | XXY Eldritch/Pear | Lionfish/Flair/Runes (Outfit)

Female Nocturne - Shadow Bright | XXY Eldritch/Pear | Lionfish/Morph/Ghost (Outfit)

50/50 Imperial/Nocturne | 100% Lionfish | 50/50 Flair/Morph | 15/85 Runes/Ghost | 100% Eldritch/Eldritch/Pear

Nest in Shadow

Stars Upon The Sea (Skydancers)

WIP Lore - Long ago, a star and a sea monster fell in love. They would meet briefly every night as he rose into the sky, and again when he fell to make way for the sun. Eventually, they could no longer stand to be apart and gave up their powers to become mortal so they could be together.

Female - Water Bright | Phthalo/Splash/Orca | Ripple/Tide/Capsule

Male - Lightning Goat | Phthalo/Navy/White | Jaguar/Flair/Runes

100% Skydancer | 50/50 Jaguar/Ripple (Phthalo) | 85/15 Flair/Tide (Navy/Cobalt/Ultramarine/Blue/Periwinkle/Lapis/Splash) | 50/50 Runes/Capsule (White/Moon/Ice/Orca)

Nest in Water or Lightning

[elenamaee]

The Rise of Electric Vehicles: A Sustainable Revolution

The Shift Towards a Greener Future

In recent years, there has been a growing global movement towards sustainable transportation, with electric vehicles (EVs) at the forefront. As concerns about climate change and air pollution continue to mount, governments, automakers, and consumers are increasingly recognizing the need to transition from traditional gasoline-powered cars to cleaner alternatives. This article explores the rise of electric vehicles and their potential to revolutionize the way we travel.

From their humble beginnings as niche products with limited range and high price tags, EVs have come a long way. Technological advancements, coupled with government incentives and increased public awareness, have propelled the adoption of electric vehicles to new heights. With major automakers investing heavily in EV development and infrastructure, the future of transportation is looking increasingly electric.

The Environmental Imperative

One of the key driving forces behind the surge in electric vehicle popularity is the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change. The transportation sector is a major contributor to global carbon dioxide emissions, and the widespread adoption of EVs could significantly reduce this impact.

Unlike traditional gasoline-powered cars, electric vehicles produce zero tailpipe emissions. By running on electricity, which can be generated from renewable sources, EVs offer a cleaner and more sustainable alternative to internal combustion engines. This shift towards electric transportation is crucial in achieving global climate goals and creating a more environmentally friendly future.

Overcoming Challenges: Range Anxiety and Infrastructure

Despite the numerous advantages of electric vehicles, there are still challenges that need to be addressed for widespread adoption. One of the most prominent concerns for potential EV owners is range anxiety – the fear of running out of battery power before reaching their destination. However, advancements in battery technology have led to significant improvements in EV range, with some models now capable of traveling over 300 miles on a single charge.

In addition to range anxiety, the availability of charging infrastructure remains a crucial factor in the widespread adoption of electric vehicles. Governments and private companies are investing in the development of charging stations, both at home and in public spaces, to alleviate this concern. As charging infrastructure becomes more accessible and convenient, the barriers to EV ownership continue to diminish.

The Economic Benefits

Aside from the environmental advantages, electric vehicles also offer significant economic benefits. With lower operating costs and reduced maintenance requirements compared to gasoline-powered cars, EVs can save consumers money in the long run. The cost of electricity is generally lower than gasoline, resulting in lower fuel costs for EV owners.

Furthermore, the growing demand for electric vehicles has created new job opportunities in the manufacturing and renewable energy sectors. As the production and adoption of EVs continue to increase, the green economy is expected to expand, creating a more sustainable and resilient workforce.

The Road Ahead

The future of transportation is undeniably electric. Governments around the world are setting ambitious targets to phase out internal combustion engines and promote the adoption of electric vehicles. Major automakers are investing billions of dollars in EV development, with plans to introduce a wide range of electric models in the coming years.

However, the transition to electric vehicles is not without challenges. The availability of raw materials for battery production, such as lithium and cobalt, raises concerns about sustainability and ethical sourcing. Additionally, the existing infrastructure for charging and battery swapping needs further expansion and improvement to accommodate the growing number of EVs on the road.

The rise of electric vehicles represents a significant step towards a more sustainable and greener future. With their zero-emission technology, lower operating costs, and numerous other benefits, EVs have the potential to revolutionize the transportation industry. However, addressing challenges such as range anxiety and charging infrastructure will be crucial in accelerating the transition to electric vehicles.

As governments, automakers, and consumers continue to prioritize sustainability, the shift towards electric transportation is expected to gain even more momentum. With ongoing advancements in technology and increased investment in charging infrastructure, the vision of a world powered by electric vehicles is becoming increasingly within reach.

[hezzabeth]

An hour later, they reached the end of the market, weighed down with packages and a bag filled with jars of creation sand.

"Did we really need the ragdoll?" Sugafana asked Jay.

"Of course! Every child needs a special cuddly toy when they're born," Jay insisted.

"And the reading tablet?" Sugafana asked, referring to the old book of fairytales? It cost an entire bag of snow," Sugafana pointed out. Actual paper books were incredibly rare.

"The lady selling it looked like she hadn't had a decent meal in weeks! And babies who are read to grow up smarter," Jay explained.

"I’m sure she’s perfectly smart! Rich people always pay extra for intelligence upgrades," Sugafana pointed out as the baby squirmed against her chest.

"We should have bought her the pink princess dress," Jay said, looking down at the baby who was now wrapped up in a plain blue blanket.

"It was filthy and five sizes too big! The man was charging far too much for it," Sugafana grumbled.

Two people were leaning against Sugafana’s transport pod. Sugafana had found the pod abandoned and half destroyed in the snowfields during the first year of the appliance war. It had taken six months to repair. When she was finally done, Sugafana had painted it a cheerful Daffodil yellow with purple flowers.

"My pod isn’t a park bench," Sugafana said coldly, glaring at the two strangers. The first interloper was a tall round woman dressed in a black jumpsuit, her long frizzy blue hair pulled away from her craggy severe face. The second was a pale little girl wearing a frilly black party dress, her cobalt hair falling over one shoulder in a thick braid.

"It feels perfectly comfortable to me," the little girl said as the lady stood up, her black cloak swishing around her ankles.

"Assassin," hissed Jay.

"We prefer the term execution specialist," the lady said, and her eyes fell briefly on the baby.

"So, that little imp was right! You did keep the baby," the lady remarked.

"Mama, is this going to take long? My feet are tired from stamping too much," the little girl whined.

The execution specialist merely nodded towards the car.

"I see your pod has four seats; you will give my daughter and me a ride back to your camp. We walked here, and it was exhausting," she said.

"I won’t let you harm the baby," Sugafana said firmly.

"Neither will I," Jay added, and the lady chuckled. It was a low, cold chuckle.

"I only kill for money. Although if you refuse to give us a ride, I may make an exception," the lady remarked, and Sugafana’s eyes fell on the little girl who was scratching at her paintwork.

"Fine," she growled.

The first few minutes were tense as they drove through the city gates.

"So have you given the baby a name yet?" The assassin asked from the back seat after several moments of silence.

"No, she’s not my baby," Sugafana said through gritted teeth.

"I love naming things," the assassin said dreamily.

"Mama named me Paulina; it means small," the little girl remarked.

"You were small when you were born; I couldn’t decide if I should take you on as an apprentice or leave you to die on a hill," the assassin said.

Sugafana felt the grip on her steering controls tighten.

"And do you have a name, Auntie?" Jay stammered nervously.

"Not a legal one, no, but in this part of the solar system, you all call me the Sinister Whisper," the Sinister Whisper remarked, and Sugafana waved at the controls, causing the pod to skid to a stop an inch above the snow.

"When Mama dies, it will become my name," the little girl said cheerfully.

"Get out," Sugafana hissed.

"Get out? You want my daughter and me to get out into the freezing wasteland? It’s almost nightfall," she said with a small, vague smile.

Sugafana glanced upwards; the eerie aquamarine sunset was already starting.

"Get out, I don’t deal with famous assassins," Sugafana repeated herself.

"They might end up freezing to death! That little girl's dress doesn’t have sleeves," Jay said.

"I don’t feel the cold," the little girl said, and suddenly Sugafana felt something sharp and cold pierce through her thick braid, gently touching her neck.

"How about we all get out together? Or I might slip, and this nasty little needle filled with a highly effective toxin will end up breaking through your skin," the Sinister Whisper said.

Mars at sunset was considered one of the most classically beautiful sights in the solar system. Three hundred years ago, the tourist board of Mangalrajya built a glorious pleasure garden just outside the city. Sealed under a massive protective dome, tourists would party. Artists would come armed with drawing tablets to capture the aquamarine skies. Families would eat gourmet meals while waiting for the sun to set and the night sky to light up with a celestial fire show. During Holi, the fountains would spray epic jets of rainbow water. During Christmas, the local Catholics would arrange special concerts. For years, Sugafana would save her credits and take her sister to the annual food festival. When the appliances took over, the pleasure garden was one of the first things they destroyed. Now the land was empty apart from an occasional lump of rusty metal sticking from the ground.

Sugafana stood on the freezing ground, the needle still pressed in her neck.

"So, how did you two meet then?" The Sinister Whisper asked curiously.

"Mama! I don’t want to hear stories," the little girl grumbled.

"We met three years ago when we both tried to collect snow cubes in the same patch," Sugafana said simply.

"She thought I was a Maharatha raider and tried to kill me with her shovel," Jay added with a small nervous smile.

The Maharatha raiders were an annoying gang of teenagers. They spent their days roaming the wasteland robbing people instead of getting jobs.

"Then the real raiders showed up, and we beat them up together; after that, working together seemed easier," Sugafana added.

"Very nice, you're protective and you work well together," the Sinister Whisper said and then nodded towards Paulina.

Paulina skipped towards Jay and then pulled on his shirt.

"Give us the baby, or we will kill your partner," Paulina smiled.

Sugafana almost flinched. Jay seemed to be shifting slightly as if about to give the baby over.

"Jay, don’t do it," Sugafana said quietly.

"Are you sure?" Jay asked as the baby flailed about, her head slumping onto Jay’s shoulder.

"I’m sure, I’ve had twenty-four years! That baby has had nothing," Sugafana said, shutting her eyes.

Twenty-four years. Twenty years of pleasant walks, silly fights with family, and warm safe beds. Four years of people vanishing, good, sore bleeding hands, and four years of Jay’s silly stories….

Sugafana felt the needle pierce her skin. Her muscles clenched, preparing herself for the onslaught of burning poison. Nothing happened. Sugafana slowly opened her eyes and glanced over her shoulder. The Sinister Whisper was smiling at her, a self-satisfied, almost proud smile.

"The two of you have passed all my tests. Congratulations, you’re about to become parents," the assassin smiled, marching towards Jay, who was now faintly whimpering.

"I’m sorry… what?" Sugafana choked, and the Sinister Whisper shrugged.

"This baby needs parents who are intelligent, caring, and willing to die for its safety," the Sinister Whisper remarked casually, and Jay screamed as the Sinister Whisper pricked his skin with the same needle.

"You mean you’re not here to kill the baby?" Sugafana stammered, feeling vaguely hysterical.

The Sinister glanced briefly over her shoulder. "If I wanted to kill the baby, I would have destroyed the maternity droid's circuits instead of leaving it in the snow," she said with a small shrug.

"Mama, can’t we take the baby? These people are so soft," the little girl pleaded as the assassin pulled a small black box out of her pocket.

"No, darling, the baby's father will turn to us first," the assassin said as she handed the needles to her daughter and opened the box.

"The baby's father? Can’t he take her?" Sugafana asked, peering at the box.

Inside was a tiny gold caterpillar carved from solid gold.

"The baby's father is a bad man, an incredibly stupid bad man," the assassin said before taking the needles off her daughter.

Jay nodded as if fully understanding what she meant.

With a swift movement, she stabbed the caterpillar.

"Maternal and paternal genetic material uploaded," the scorpion said, and the assassin moved towards Jay, holding the tiny scorpion above the baby's head.

"This is a cosmetic DNA overrider, so you understand what that means?" The assassin asked Jay.

"Yes, we studied them at nursing school," Jay said in a small, nervous voice.

"What does that mean?" Sugafana whispered nervously.

"Rich people use them when they want to change their appearance but don’t want the genes to get passed down to their kids. It’s a sort of genetic mask that lies over your real DNA," Jay explained.

"Rich people, of course," Sugafana sighed.

"When I place this caterpillar on her head, this baby will have your maternal and paternal DNA signatures; every database in the solar system will register her as your biological daughter," the assassin explained.

"I have always wanted to be a mother," Sugafana admitted.

"I do like kids," Jay added.

"I know, that’s why I left the android on your snow patch," the assassin said, placing the caterpillar on the baby's head.

"Genetic overriding sequence selected, do you wish to proceed?" the caterpillar asked.

"Well, do you?" The assassin asked.

Sugafana’s eyes met Jay’s. He slowly nodded.

"Yes," Sugafana said, and the caterpillar began to squirm.

Suddenly, the baby's hair began to fall out in fluffy green clumps. The baby screeched and cried as the caterpillar rolled in on itself, turning into a cocoon.

"She’s in pain," Sugafana cried, running towards Jay.

"She’ll be ok; the patients I observed said it’s more of an annoying itchy feeling," Jay reassured her.

The baby's skin tone was changing; her cheeks were becoming fuller, and tiny prickles of violet hair began to sprout from her scalp.

"Modifications complete," the cocoon chimed, and it burst open, revealing a golden butterfly that flew away, landing on the assassin's shoulder.

The baby opened her eyes. Big, amber gold eyes surrounded by thick dark lashes.

"She looks like you," Jay whispered, and something flooded through Sugafana. Something aching and sad. Something wonderful.

"No, she looks like my sister," Sugafana whispered, taking the baby out of Jay’s arms.

The baby gripped onto the front of Sugafana’s shirt, and suddenly she was four years old again, holding her baby sister the day she was born.

"You should name her Perdita," Paulina said in a tiny, firm voice.

"No, they need to name the baby themselves," the sinister whisper scolded her gently.

"My sister's name was Lakshmi, but this baby is her own person," Sugafana said to Jay, and he stood next to her, patting the baby's head.

"What about Dityaa? It means almost the same thing," Jay asked, and Sugafana nodded, her eyes watering.

"Dityaa," she said firmly. Suddenly, everything flashed blue, and the air filled with the scent of fresh pineapple.

"They’re gone," Jay whispered. The assassin and her daughter had vanished.