#durable hair extensions

[swappetf11]

CIA Agent Nathanial Ford

Agent Nathanial Ford, a master of disguise at the CIA, sat at his meticulously organized workbench, surrounded by an array of tools and materials: silicone molds, fine human hair, a palette of skin tone pigments, and dental caps. His latest mission required him to infiltrate a high-stakes criminal syndicate in Moscow, Russia—a role that demanded not just linguistic fluency but an entire physical transformation to match.

The assignment was to pose as Dimitri Ivanov, a mid-level operator within the syndicate known for his dealings in illicit arms. Nathanial's task was to gather intelligence on the syndicate's connections with corrupt government officials. To become Dimitri, Nathanial would need to master not just the Russian language, but also the specific Moscow dialect, characterized by its sharp intonations and swift, clipping pace.

First, he focused on the facial hair. Years ago, Nathanial had undergone a beard transplant to enhance his ability to grow thick, authentic facial hair. For this role, he needed Dimitri’s signature look: a dense, well-groomed beard that was slightly graying at the edges. He began with a testosterone regimen weeks prior, ensuring his natural beard matched the density and style needed, then dyed it to achieve the perfect salt-and-pepper effect.

To achieve Dimitri’s receding hairline, Nathanial underwent a temporary hairline modification using a technique involving electrical follicle manipulation. This non-invasive procedure adjusted the growth patterns of his hair to mimic a receding hairline, creating a natural appearance without the need for prosthetics like a bald cap. He carefully blended his natural hair with additional strands that matched the texture and color of Dimitri’s hair, ensuring a seamless appearance.

Next, he prepared the ear and teeth prosthetics. Dimitri had distinctly large, lobed ears—a feature that could draw attention if not replicated accurately. Using silicone molds, Nathanial crafted oversized ear prosthetics that attached with special adhesive strong enough to integrate with his skin for extended periods. The teeth were another critical aspect; Dimitri had a noticeable gold cap on one of his upper molars. Nathanial created a set of dental caps, including the gold one, which could be worn comfortably for days and would withstand detailed scrutiny.

Adjusting his height was the next step. Nathanial was naturally 5'10", but Dimitri was known to be a slightly imposing 6'1". Using specially crafted shoe lifts that fit inside his boots, Nathanial managed an additional three inches without compromising his ability to walk naturally. This adjustment required Nathanial to practice Dimitri’s walk, which was a confident, slightly lumbering gait that suggested years of physical labor.

Once the prosthetics were ready, Nathanial applied them himself and tested them extensively to ensure they remained securely attached to his body. Sometimes, the prosthetics were worn for so long that his skin began to integrate with them, a testament to their durability and his commitment to the role.

The final touches involved accessories that would round out Dimitri’s persona: a vintage Soviet watch, a worn leather wallet containing family photos and membership cards to various local establishments, and a set of keys to a nondescript, slightly rusty Volga sedan.

As Nathanial reviewed his transformation in the mirror, fully morphed into Dimitri Ivanov, he practiced his dialect again, ensuring every inflection and nuance was just right. The reflection showed not a CIA agent, but a Moscow native, ready to delve deep into the dangerous underbelly of Russia's criminal world. His preparation complete, Nathanial was ready to step into a life that was not his own, armed with nothing but his wits and his impeccable disguise

[randomwriteronline]

woe/rejoice. agori (and by extension glatorian) hcs be upon you

Agori exhibit subtle sexual dimorphism differently depending on which tribe they belong to (i.e. lebori males have brighter plumage, fezeri females are larger), while their bone structures are essentially identical. Gaquri are the only tribe able to naturally alter their bodies' production of their estrogen and testosterone equivalents. Actively transitioning and/or intersex individuals of any tribe can present dimorphic traits of one sex, traits of both sexes, muddled traits, or none at all

Their breasts are placed in the pelvic area, like horses, and the nips are the only visible part. To prevent chafing, lower garments have soft reinforcements at hip-height

They have short, nubby tails which have survived across their evolution despite having lost their original size and purpose. their movement is very limited and usually unconscious; since they remain the same length during all stages of life, they appear to "shrink" the more a person grows. children use them to better balance themselves when learning to walk

With the exception of Basari's and Fezeri's, Agori ears are very flexible despite their small size and can lean in almost all directions. Their shape varies across tribes

Their senses aside from touch are generally keener than humans'

Agori clothing tends to prefer function to form and does not have significant differences between masculine and feminine styles, although it wasn't always the case before the Shattering

Together with hugs, kisses and handshakes, each tribe has a unique display of affection or greeting pertaining to the head and/or face: Lebori preen each other, Gaquri rub cheeks together, Koniri gently nip ears, Fezeri butt the top of their heads, Basari scratch each other's nape, Potori shove temples against one another and Tapyri press the other's hand to their forehead. The gesture's intensity is usually toned down when done to someone of a different tribe to avoid discomfort or pain

If an object is in an enclosed space like a house, a vehicle or a box, Agori will point to it with their chins instead of their fingers

Vorox and Zesk still communicate in an extremely simplified version of a strict Basari dialect, although the phonetics had to be heavily changed to adapt to the shape of their mutated mouths. Malum has learned it and is currently the only fully sapient being somewhat fluent in Bara Magna Basari

Other tribes tend not to know Tapyri have hair

Koniri fur keeps warm, but becomes stiff in great quantities; Lebori down feathers are very soft, but struggle to retain heat on their own; Potori wool offers great insulation in most climates, but risks growing mold easily when humidity increases

After they (almost) went extinct, the sturdy carapaces of dead Bara Magna Fezeri were pillaged to make very durable high quality armor. because of this there are no intact pieces or Fezeri remains left, and the few plates that have survived since, no matter how worn or outright broken, are either made into family heirlooms or sold at exhorbitant prices. Sahmad has a large number of them (almost all buried) as he made a habit of targetting and capturing anybody who wore them specifically

Tapyri are unique when it comes to cleaning since their protective mucus naturally catches dirt and other particles for easy removal, meaning they only need to scrub or peel it off. Gaquri, Koniri and Potori take water baths while Basari, Fezeri and Lebori take dust or sand baths

Agori children are addressed with the pronouns ti/tir until they choose their own. its highly unusual for someone to use ti/tir for tir whole life, and the set is often used as a playful jab when a person exhibits childish behavior

Pregnancy is a very taxing endeavour: the process takes around a year and a half, but the parent's body will additionally need two or three years to recover from the strain of the experience as a whole, during which it will be physically unable to produce the necessary material to make another child. sudden spikes in stress or a constant stream of it during pregnancy is almost sure to produce a stillborn, and its very easy for older individuals to simply not have the energy to make it through childbirth once the time comes. this used to not be a problem, since Agori are very long lived and the whole planet was full of them, but the Core War drastically reduced their numbers and the hazardous conditions produced by the Shattering all over the planet made for a very dangerous environment to attempt having a child in, so births became extremely rare in the 100 thousand years before Mata Nui's return. the so called "children of Bara Magna" (which include Gresh and Berix) are few and far between, commonly having significant age gaps from one to the other

A wide number of male MU beings is perceived as feminine or adjacent by Agori, partly due to sexual dimorphism not being A Thing for most species, partly due to voice and countenance: Tahu, for example, is considered to be very lady-like. in his specific case this perception might however be also affected by the fact that he was modeled after Ackar, who used to be much more overtly femme in his youth* (check tags)

this is what ive got so far. peace and love on spherus magna.

[nerdythebard]

#62: Sun Wukong, the Monkey King

[Art Credit: GameScience Studio]

All he ever wanted was to chill with his monkey friends and eat delicious fruit. But the Bureaucracy of Heaven said nooo...

Time for the one and only Sun Wukong. The Handsome Monkey King. The Great Sage Equal to Heavens (self-appointed). The Immortal Troublemaker. As requested by @otakuboysworld. Without any futher ado, let's get into some monkey business! This is going to be quite a bananas build!

Next Time: With a raven's mantle and a doctor's mask... the Hunt shall begin!

Wukong is the earliest example of an overpowered anime protagonist I can think of. With his extensive repertoire of powers and skills, I had to restrict myself to only the most famous few, so let's see what we shall focus on:

Stacks of Immortality: Sun Wukong has gained immortality on at least four separate occasions and originally emerged from a mysterious stone (which adds to his durability). We need to be as tanky as possible on our journey to protect the goodest of monks.

Friends in High Places: The Monkey King, although often clashing with the Bureaucracy of Heaven, does have a few immortals looking out for him including the Bodhisattva Guanyin or Taibai Jinxing, the Great White Golden Star.

Monkey Games: Although a competent and powerful fighter, Sun Wukong is also an accomplished trickster, relying on illusions, transformations, and manipulation to accomplish his goals. Only don't make any bets with the Buddha.

---

1. BACKGROUND

This one is pretty obvious - we're going with the Hadozee from Astral Adventurer's Guide. We shall put +2 into our Dexterity and +1 into Constitution, gain 30 feet of running and climbing speed, and the Dexterous Feet ability, which lets us manipulate objects with our feet as well as we would with our hands. We then have the Glide ability - whenever we fall at least 10 feet above the ground, we can use our reaction to open our skin flaps and glide using our running speed without taking any fall damage, flying squirrel-style. In this case, I would ask the DM to reflavour the Hadozee skin membrane into Sun Wukong's Jin Dou Yun, or "Cloud Surfing" ability. Or, as you may know it better

We also get Hadozee Dodge - whenever we take damage, we can use our reaction to roll a d6, add our proficiency bonus, and reduce the damage by the result. We can to that a number of times equal to our proficiency bonus per long rest.

For the Backround, we have a few options (Acolyte, Sage, Folk Hero among them), but as a pilgrim making their Journey, we shall grab Far Traveler. We get proficiency in Insight and Perception (to better spot the demons), proficiency with one musical instrument or gaming set, one language of our choice, and the All Eyes on You feature; our accent, mannerisms, and... well, being a monkey, certainly draw attention, but we may use this to our advantage by obtaining information or favours.

2. ABILITY SCORES

We will start with Constitution - we are a monkey made of stone draped in layers of immortality; we can take several heavy punches. Strength will be next, being able to lift an entire pillar supporting the underwater dragon kingdom is no small feat. We will put Dexterity as the next one - we are, in the end, a nimble monkey.

Charisma will be next; we are, after all, the (self-proclaimed) Handsome Monkey King and our reputation among the yaoguai preceeds us. Wisdom is on the lower end, but it shouldn't worry us as the (self-proclaimed) Great Sage Equal to Heaven. Finally, we're dumping Intelligence - we are, in the end, an impulsive monkey.

3. CLASS

Now, there are a few interesting ways we could've build the Monkey King, ranging from the classic Kensei Monk through Matt Mercer's Echo Knight Fighter to simulate his hair clone technique; but I do like what I came up with.

Level 1 - Druid: Starting off with Sun Wukong's connection to his homeland, Mount Huaguo. Druids get d8 as their Hit Dice, [8 + Constitution modifier] initial Hit Points, proficiencies with clubs, daggers, darts, javelins, maces, quarterstaffs, scimitars, sickles, slings, and spears as well as light armour, medium armour, shields, and herbalism kit. Really good options, so let's grab a quarterstaff and a scale mail armour. Our saving throws are Intelligence and Wisdom (we sure need those), and we get to pick two class skills from the list (Medicine and Religion).

Druids start by learning Druidic, a secret language and writing system used to communicate secrets across. Additionally, we start with Spellcasting. Wisdom is our casting ability, we learn cantrips, regular spells, and rituals, and we get to prepare [Wisdom modifier + our Druid level] spells every day from the full spell list. We start with two cantrips (Primal Savagery and Thunderclap) and one 1st-level spell (Jump).

Level 2 - Druid: We unlock Druid's signature ability - Wild Shape. Simulating one part of Wukong's 72 Earthly Transformations, we are now able to take the form of a beast we've previously encountered, with a max CR of 1/4 (no swimming or flying speed), for [our Druid level / 2] hours using our Bonus Action. We can transform twice per short or long rest.

We also get to pick our first subclass, our Druid Circle. For Sun Wukong, whose entire campaign against the Heavens started because his peaceful life on Mt. Huaguo was disturbed, we will go with Circle of the Land. We get to choose a bonus cantrip (Shilelagh), Natural Recovery lets us regain some spell slots during short rest, and we also get some additional spell depending on the Land we decide to associate with; here, we'll go with Mountain.

We can also grab another 1st-level spell (Protection from Evil and Good).

Level 3 - Druid: We don't unlock new class features here, but we are being supplies with some spells. From our subclass we get Spider Climb and Spike Growth (feel free to flavour the latter as Wukong's hair tossed on the ground and transformed), and we unlock 2nd-level spells, which lets us grab Hold Person.

Level 4 - Druid: We get our first Ability Score Improvement. We'll put one point into Constitution and round up Dexterity with the other. Our Wild Shape also improves, now including creatures with the maximum CR of 1/2 and swimming speed, and we gain one new cantrip (Produce Flame) and one 2nd-level spell (Enlarge/Reduce to use on ourselves or our staff).

Level 5 - Paladin: We're changing a tune for a little bit, but hear me out: Wukong is a holy warrior whether he likes it or not (and we do need better combat). Multiclassing into Paladin gives us proficiencies with the full spectrum of simple and martial weapons, as well as armours and shields we already are proficient with.

Starting with Divine Sense, we can now focus our magical monkey senses to detect all celestials, fiends or undead within 60 feet of us, basically allowing us to walk up to the suspicious old lady and go

We also get Lay on Hands, which grants us small pool of [our Paladin level x5] healing energy, which we can use on ourselves or another creature as an action. Alternatively, we can spend 5 of those Healing Points to remove an illness or a disease from our target.

Level 6 - Paladin: At this level, we are now able to pack a proper divine punch with the introduction of Divine Smite. Whenever we hit a target, we can now burn one spell slot to do additional radiant damage. The damage is 2d8 for 1st-level spell slot and increases by 1d8 for each higher slot (to a maximum of 5d8 or 6d8 if the target is a fiend or undead).

We also unlock our Fighting Style here; we'll pick Dueling for a +2 to our damage rolls since we're only using our staff and no other weapon.

Finally, at this level we unlock Spellcasting. Charisma is our casting ability, and we only know regular spells - no cantrips or rituals. Since we're mixing up two casting classes, feel free to use this [calculator] to know how many spell slots you'll be getting. We have a full access to our spell list, but each day we can only prepare [our Charisma modifier + half of our Paladin level]. With how we are right now that means we start with two 1st-level spells: let's grab Searing Smite and Compelled Duel to yell "COME AT ME, BRO!" to any demon encountered.

Level 7 - Paladin: With Divine Health we are now immune to any disease. We also get to pick our second subclass and pledge our Divine Oath. For Sun Wukong, whose goal is to become the Number One In All Heavens, it's obvious to pick the Oath of Glory.

We get a few extra spells (Guiding Bolt [funny idea: flavour this spell as your staff extending and hitting the target] and Heroism) and a Channel Divinity options (which we can use once per short or long rest):

Peerless Athlese: As a bonus action, we can enhance our physicality. For the next 10 minutes we have advantage on our Athletics and Acrobatics checks; we can push, lift, drag, and carry twice our normal capacity; and our jumping distance and height increases by 10 feet.

Inspiring Smite: When we deal radiant damage using our Divine Smite ability, we can use this Channel Divinity and, as a bonus action, distribute a total of [2d8 + our Paladin level] healing Hit Points to creatures of our choosing within 30 feet of us (ourselves included).

Level 8 - Druid: Going back to the man monkey of nature, we unlock 3rd-level spells. Take Erupting Earth and flavour it as extending your staff and striking the ground, causing tremors and difficult terrain. From our subclass we also unlock Lightning Bolt and Meld into Stone.

Level 9 - Druid: We unlock a new subclass feature. With Land's Stride, there isn't much that can stop us now. Non-magical difficult terrain no longer impedes our speed, and we can move through non-magical plants with hazardous elements such as thorns and grasping vines without any problems. For this level's spell let's take Water Walk to chase our enemies across all surfaces.

Level 10 - Druid: Halfway through the build and we unlock 4th-level spells. Time to get even better transformation abilities with... Hallucinatory Terrain. The reason I'm not taking Polymorph here is because that spell, much like our Druidic Wild Shape, is also restricted to the 'Beast' category. With Hallucinatory Terrain, we can mess up with the enemy's perception of their surroundings and add a sneak attack or two while they're confused. Classic trickster behaviour.

We also get two more spells from our subclass (Stone Shape and Stoneskin).

Level 11 - Druid: Oh, a lot happens here. First and foremost, another ASI. Let's take one point of Constitution and one point of Wisdom to finally become a little smarter. Next up, our Wild Shape impoves once again and now we can assume the form of any Beast with the max CR of 1 (which usually means a giant version of regular animals) and we can finally include creatures with flying speed!

Finally, we can get another 4th-level spell (Locate Creature).

Level 12 - Druid: At this level, we only unlock 5th-level spells. From our subclass we get Passwall and Wall of Stone, and we additionally collect Control Winds.

Level 13 - Druid: We get our last cantrips of the build (Resistance) and another 5th-level spell (Scrying). We also get another subclass feature. With Nature's Ward, we can no longer be charmed or frightened by fey or elementals, and we're also immune to poison and disease.

Level 14 - Druid: We unlock 6th-level spells here. With Wind Walk we can transform ourselves and our group into Flying Nimbuses... Nimbusi?... which can be re-made as summoning the clouds for everyone.

Level 15 - Druid: For this level's spell, Bones of the Earth will let us manipulate the battlefield and deal some damage. For our ASI we will get the Tough feat to further boost our Hit Points.

Level 16 - Druid: Unlocking 7th-level spells grants us another great crowd control ability - Whirlwind. It not only deals 10d6 bludgeoning damage to any target caught within, but we can also move it 30 feet per turn, effectively sweeping the area like a hoover.

Level 17 - Druid: Time for our final subclass feature. Nature'e Sanctuary forces a Wisdom saving throw onto any beast or plant that attempts to attack us and make them choose a different target (and miss) if they fail.

For this level's spell, let's further roleplay Sun Wukong's immortality by picking Regenerate. Just remember to be selfish with the heals ;)

Level 18 - Druid: Unlocking 8th-level spells here gives us access to Control Weather (yes, that's actually a power Wukong has) to wreck even more chaos.

Level 19 - Druid: For our final ASI we will grab the Observant feat; as Wukong was elevated to the Buddahood and gained his all-seeing eyes, we get a +1 to our Wisdom, read lips if we observe a creature for a minute, and get a +5 to our passive Perception and Investigation scores. For this level's spell, we're getting Sunburst to fully unleash our newly acquired divine might.

Level 20 - Druid: Our cap is Druid 17; it doesn't give us any new class or subclass features, but we do unlock the pinnacle of spellcasting, the 9th level spells. At this point, we can finally perfect the 72 Earthly Transformations with Shapechange.

4. RECOMMENDED ITEMS

Now, this here is a new section I'm trying out, please let me know your thoughts. Basically, to complete the build, I would like to list two or three items found in the D&D source books that you might want to consider pursuing. See, I am under the impression that the players shape the story as much as the DM; it is completely fine to ask your DM if you perhaps could have a storyline about getting these items, which would make for interesting plot hooks or storylines. Anyway, for Sun Wukong, you should consider the following (both given to the Monkey King by Ao Guang, the Dragon King of the East):

1) (Blue) Dragon Scale Mail - This Very Rare item gives us a +1 to AC, advantage on saving throws against Frightful Presence and breath weapon of dragons, and resistance to lightning damage.

2) Pole of Collapsing - To simulate the Ruyi Jingu Bang's dimension changing properties, I would ask the DM to fuse this one with the quarterstaff we use as our main weapon.

---

And that's my take on Sun Wukong, the great Monkey King. Let's see what we ended up with:

First and foremost, we have a solid pool of Hit Points. With the average of 216 we place on 3rd place of all build so far, right after Kratos and Atlas. With a plethora of healing options, we can simulate the layers of Wukong's immortality easily. We are a scout and a vanguard first and foremost - with Wild Shape, Divine Sense, and Wind Walk we can search out dangers along the way and let our party members plan out efficiently. We are also able to hold our own, adding the Paladin SMITE to our strikes or use our support spells to confuse the enemy.

Our AC is 16 (18 if we get the Dragon Armour), we have a +3 to our initiative, and the average of 216 Hit Points.

Unfortunately, there are several weaknesses here: first and foremost, none of our ability scores reach 20. Next up, a lot of our spells require concentration, so we need to be careful there. Finally, our mental stats are pretty low, which might prove challenging when facing enemies with mind control or illusion powers.

---

And that's it, my dears. I wanted to release this during the height of Black Myth: Wukong's popularity, but since my creative brain hates me... I have scrapped the entire build as I was at the very end. Yup, originally I intented to make him Kensei Monk and Trickster Cleric, but decided to focus on his transformations more. Hope you enjoy this, remember to be good to yourself, and I'll see you in the next one!

-Nerdy out!

[tobiasdrake]

Kaioken strikes me as something that was done quite differently in the anime versus the manga, with the former going for a risky flash of power, and the later going full blown transformation, as well as insisting on stacking it with Super Saiyan forms in ways that end up ammounting to nothing...

Funnily enough, Toei doesn't get as much opportunity to play around with Kaio-ken as they might have liked. Goku uses it pretty extensively in the fights he's in between Nappa and Frieza, so they don't get much chance to bring it back in for a Playing the Hits moment.

Within the anime itself, I think that one punch he threw with Super Kaio-ken against Paikuhan is the only time he ever does one outside of the manga's rails.

Though they do get to have fun with it in the movies. World's Strongest, Tree of Might, and Lord Slug all see Goku fire up the Kaio-ken, though rarely with the degree of skill he brought to its mastery in the technique's later life.

You can really see the difference between Toriyama and Toei's creative philosophies with the Kaio-ken there, between Namek and Slug.

In his training on the way to Namek, Goku focused on hardening his body to resist the Kaio-ken's effects and learning to fire it on a hair trigger.

The basic Kaio-ken is still the only form of the technique that can comfortably be sustained for a long stretch of fighting. However, that no longer matters, because he's cultivated a new way of using it that allows him to reach greater heights.

Goku already gave us a glimpse of what that looks like when he fought the Ginyus, using regular strength and ki suppression.

This is different from when a suppressed character would suddenly release their ki and then the Scouter goes "FUCK NO" right in the PTO member's face. Goku arrived with 5k BP. And then he defeated Recoome with 5k BP. At no point until Ginyu arrives does he ever stop having 5k BP, and then only at Ginyu's request to see his full strength.

Burter and Jeice assume this was a fluke accident because that's the sort of conclusion you draw when you're so reliant on Scouter readouts. They saw Goku take Recoome down with their own eyes BUT THE SCOUTER SAYS

But Vegeta catches onto exactly how Goku is doing this.

Goku's ki flares up in the moment he strikes and then drops back down to conserve energy. He's flickering his ki suppression so fast that the Scouter doesn't even have time to register the change.

This is not the Kaio-ken. Uh. Probably. We'll never know when he uses Kaio-ken again. But whether he was using the technique or not, he was showing us what "bursts" look like.

Every second spent in Kaio-ken when not needed is wasted stamina and durability. So he taught himself how not to waste it. Consequently, Goku can sustain a multiplier of x10 by flaring it just like this, which he does throughout the Frieza battle, without ever showing it.

It's a surprise reveal that Goku's already using KKx10 because his flickering of the technique has prevented it from being noticeable. Except to Kaio.

These guys aren't present for the fight and are just spitballing ideas. Yamcha grasped at the "What about Goku's weighted gear?" straw a moment ago.

But the omniscient perspective of the audience is present, and we've seen what Goku looks like fighting. There's been no big dramatic shout of "KAIO-KEN TIMES ABOOBUHBLOO!" He has a battle aura at times, but that by itself isn't enough to indicate Kaio-ken.

And yet this is probably Goku x10 getting kicked in the face.

This reveal took Toei by surprise as much as it did the audience. "Wait, was this Kaio-ken?" is a much easier thing to sell in the black and white color scheme of the manga. The one guy who said Goku hasn't been using Kaio-ken isn't present to watch the fight, so it's entirely possible that he's been visibly flaring red with every burst.

Piccolo, Gohan, and Krillin never get tripped up by this the way Ten does. And, y'know, they sense ki so they're probably feeling each flareup.

The halcyon days of Goku roaring with Kaio-ken and suddenly burning with its power are gone; He's beyond it. He's internalized KKx10 as a natural part of his motions, like moving his wrist in a certain way when throwing a punch.

Except when he panics and goes to x20 out of pure desperation.

A tragic and costly mistake that, much like with Vegeta, leaves Goku extremely vulnerable and unable to continue defending himself.

It's hard to say what Goku should or should not do, as Frieza truly is an incomprehensible menace. He's exactly what Kaio warned about when he freaked out on Goku about "ABSOLUTELY NOT! UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES! DO NOT FUCK WITH FRIEZA!"

But he probably shouldn't have done that. Goku actually managed to do some damage to Frieza with that, to be sure.

We see Frieza scuffed and bleeding. But he blew out his body doing it.

Much like with KKx4 against Vegeta, KKx20 hit Goku a lot harder than it did Frieza. He probably would have been better off keeping to the KKx10 bursts.

And then we have Lord Slug. The movie that tried to steal the thunder of Goku's Super Saiyan transformation by hitting theaters right before Goku's transformation in the manga and having him go Super Saiyan first. Or. Uh. Trying to, at least.

This is all very complicated and intricate, and conveys a technique that's simple in nature and yet complex to master. Goku has pushed the Kaio-ken far beyond what even its creator ever imagined, because that's what Goku does. He is a martial arts master.

This is the sort of stuff you think about when you're writing for Goku as a writer.

Toei or, more specifically, the people making the anime, don't think about the story like writers, however. They think about it like animators. Because they're animators. Their job is to animate. This is where a lot of the disconnection between manga and anime comes from, as Toei tends to pay more attention to what will be cool to animate over narrative consistency or storytelling.

The movie Lord Slug also pushes the Kaio-ken to new heights with. Um.

...

Whatever this is.

Piccolo gives Goku his ki, and Goku flares up into the Kaio-ken.

And then Goku's KK aura burns with the fiery visages of Goku and Piccolo himself working together as bros.

Which makes him vastly more powerful. Originally, this was intended to be Kaio-ken x100 and in fact you still see that number passed around in supplementals and shit. It's in the Japanese trailer for the film but they took it out of the official release.

And then Goku hits Slug really super hard with the power of the ultimate Kaio-ken for a Piccolo-Daimao Playing the Hits moment.

It looks super cool, was probably a ton of fun to animate, and works perfectly with no drawbacks of any kind.

But it's also. Y'know. Kinda dumb, with no explanation given for why Piccolo's ki suddenly allows Goku to hit KKx100.

Which may be why they took Goku shouting "x100!" out of the official release, but then we're left with the basic Kaio-ken one-shotting Slug, when before he got serious he was merely being pressured by the Super Saiyan Kinda. Goku needs the x100 multiplier for this moment to work. But also. That's ridiculous.

Looks fucking cool, though. Great animation, Toei.

[meadow-hearthfire]

If Mount Rageons were trolls

Inspired by @ohposhers' Trolls!V&V AU and some conversations I had with @octomyth about their Floyd’s Apprentice AU.

Mount Rageon Trolls are descended from Pop Trolls.

Before the Bergens rounded up the Pop Trolls, the Mount Rageon Trolls’ ancestors moved up Mount Rageous and made a home there, effectively evading capture at the Bergens’ hands.

In the generations that followed, they developed technology that advanced quickly.

They stopped relying on their hair extension abilities as they see little or no use in said abilities due to the conveniences of advancing technology.

They kept their hair-color-changing ability for fashion and vanity reasons. Also, disguises.

Vanity, greed, and pride became common among them. That is not to say they are incapable of kindness, compassion, or love though.

Traits:

Their bodies are flexible, stretchy, and more durable than those of other trolls, but their bodies cannot stretch as far as their hair can.

Their hair, which they hardly use to leap or grapple anymore, is also noodly and rubberhose-y.

While their bodies can withstand a lot of impact or abuse compared to trolls of other tribes, that does not mean they cannot feel any pain.

They have no fur—not even peach fuzz. Their skin has that rubber-like texture and sheen.

Here's a playlist that sums up the tribe as a whole and their backstory:

I'm open to suggestions.

[cure-icy-writes]

Skykid speculative biology

-Skykids, within the ecosystem, take the role of scavengers. Their primary food is a form of entropy created whenever a candle is lit; essentially, skykids consume the leftover energy. Because they are sacred and spiritual beings, it is considered good practice to place candles outside of your home to feed the skykid population. (Note: Ushering Stargazer's memory indicates that skykids and ancestors did, in fact, exist at the same time. Also, Aviary village contains candles to support this theory. Candle cakes may be shrines of a sort? Wasteland seems to be lacking in candles, while the palace in Crescent Oasis has many. So this is also a classism issue.)

-Skykids are not actually anything like ancestors, but rather a species of bird that happens to be humanoid shaped. They travel in flocks and are excellent mimics; their childlike stature is believed to be a defense mechanism, and they can imitate the cries of many other species. They also have a love of music (source: season of Aurora, season of rhythm, season of duets) and can be seen at concerts. It is said that if the dead are buried with an instrument, the skykids nearby will learn to play from their spirit.

-Due to their odd reproductive cycle, Skykids are lacking in primary sexual characteristics and do not appear to engage in sexual behaviors. (Source: default moth hairstyle is androgynous and game never asks your gender.) Skykids will learn how to style their hair and wear clothing from ancestors, which may often give the impression of gender, but it is important to remember that they might be wearing long hair and a pink flowery cloak simply because they thought it was pretty, not because of any feminine inclinations. The vast majority of skykids seem to be agender, with a small amount displaying gendered preferences. Occasionally, a skykid may be goth. It is uncertain if goth is a gender identity to them.

-Some skykids have been witness engaging in traditionally romantic behaviors, but it is unclear whether they understand romantic attraction or simply see this behavior as an extension of platonic love. It's theorized that they make no distinction between the two, as they will get down on one knee and present their candle to a potential friend.

-Skykids are extremophiles, who are very durable and hard to kill. They love being flung around, shot out of party cannons, and blasted by a boiling hot geyser. It's enrichment for them!

-Darkness plants, as they're commonly known, serve the purpose of absorbing pollution and converting it into a waxy substance that skykids can burn, much like candles. This spreads their seeds and restarts the cycle. Aquatic darkness plants are known as dark marimo, and usually don't clog pipes but rather drift around freely. If you place a small one in a mesh bag, you can use it to absorb the pollution in your water, creating a personal filter.

[ca77um-ilo77]

alright you have me convinced!! what should i know before i watch indycar next season??

yooo i'm so glad i convinced you!! this is a pretty long post, and is kind of all-over the place. i tried to break it up by general topic, but i'm adding randomly as i think, so just a warning. i'll add some info links i like at the bottom. (if you or anyone wants to talk indy or f1, asks or dms are so very welcome, i love making friends <3)

one thing about indy is unlike in basically every else, many cars look very different even when on the same team as well as special liveries that are nothing like their normal ones, so i'd recommend getting the indycar app (it's free and user friendly once you figure out the weird layout) as it has a spotter's guide. it also has onboard cameras and radios for free (!!!!).

indycar is (usually) a pretty friendly sport, but as is the case with american sports, we like chaos, so the drivers can pretty much say anything except swear words lol. there's a few different clips of drivers threatening each other, which is great. id say most drivers are friends or at least acquaintances, expect santino ferrucci (huge bigot, pay driver, got kicked out of f2 for extremely dirty driving, and i personally hate his hair) and often romain grosjean as he hits people a lot. as for 2024 rookies, kyffin simpson's dad bought him his seat, and kyle larson saying the n-word in 2020 means he has some really, really racist fans.

the safety rules are strict and the cars are very durable which is good for high-speed crashes. the safety people (shoutout amr indycar safety team i love y'all, amr the company i hate you more than i hate the fia) travel with the races and have extensive training. they are also stationed in places that allow quick access to any location on a track. this is most apparent at ovals as they are much faster and more dangerous. at the other races, they are stationed where there is higher likelihood for a more dangerous crash that needs faster reactions. they take trucks to the site that are full of basically anything that might be needed. this is especially important as indycar refuels and are at high risk of combustion compared to f1. the calling yellow flags is also a lot more liberal which is nice. during longer yellows, and reds at ovals they'll run a sweeper truck to clean the racing line so people don't slide into walls.

for flag code info, as i don't have the patience to write it out, it is is section 7.2 of the rule book (page 27). i've linked it at the bottom of the post.

with the cars, they're all required to have the same chassis and aren't allowed to change a huge amount, so the racing is mostly down to skill, though andretti, ganassi, penske, and mclaren are better as they have more money. there are two engine suppliers, honda and chevrolet, iirc (don't quote me here) chevy is a bit more powerful, but honda is a bit more handleable. fast pit stops are usually about 7 seconds due to smaller pit crews (7 people maximum) and refueling. each car also has it's own pit box as teams have variable car numbers based on what they can afford. firestone provides tires, and there are two compounds, primary and alternate, as well as a wet tire. primaries are the harder compound and have a black sidewall. alternates are softer and have a red sidewall, except at street circuits where it's green to signify all natural rubber. use of both compounds are required. on broadcast you'll hear them mention "sticker reds" which are just the brand new ones.

more tire info in section 15 of the rulebook (page 84). there's some complex rules if you like tires.

the biggest difference between indy cars and f1 is f1 has power steering, indy doesn't. if you watch onboards, the drivers are wrestling the car the whole time, and most of the racing comes down to skill. the actual racing is often chaotic (indycar app helps with this. i keep it open always) and since there are many pit stops in a race (the cars use a lot of fuel) the leaderboard will change a lot.

the points system is very different, i'll try to cover it as succinctly as i can but i'm going to put a link for the wiki on it at the bottom anyway. (this is going to be formatted real weird, but i want to be brief). p1 50; p2 40; p3 35; p4 32; 4th-10th decreases by 2; p10 20; 10th-25th decreases by 1; everything p25 down is 5 points. drivers get points for finishing the race, basically. (unless there's more than 33 finishers, then 34 down get nothing, but that doesn't really happen). there's some bonus points also, 1 for leading a lap, 2 for most laps led, and 1 for pole position. the final bonus is for indy 500 qualifying. top 12 get points from p1 getting 12, descending by 1, to p12 getting 1.

as for the circuits there's three types: ovals (6 races, 4 tracks), roads (6 races, +1 non-championship race), and street (5 races). ovals are very high speed with little to no breaking. road courses are just your average circuit made for racing, the roads tend to be a bit rougher than f1's but that's kinda just how american tracks are. street circuits are, well, on the street. american roads suck major dick. the smoothest indycar street circuit is comparable to the worst of f1's. very bumpy, usually some good crashes (watch 2023 st. petersburg start. shit was insane).

as a fan, i cannot recommend irl indy more. some races are busier than others, obviously, but it's cheap considering it's a big racing category. 3 day entry for the less major races is usually $60-ish, and paddock passes are an additional $120-ish. not 100% on the price for pit access, but that is a bundle with three day tickets usually. the races aren't super crowded and there isn't assigned seats which is nice. the paddock is super open (check my "fenrir indycar" tag, quick access on my pinned) and you are able to walk up to and touch the cars if you really want (i wouldn't) as well as have conversation with engineers if they're not busy. if you have pit access the drivers are usually just wandering around and are often happy to stop and talk/sign something when not busy. there's also a high risk of nearly getting run over by drivers on their scooters. will power is notorious for this.

for my non-americans, (love y'all) we are very happy to have a conversation with strangers. the indy fans are often thrilled to talk about their favorite drivers and thoughts with anyone. when i went id say the only bad experiences i had was getting overwhelmed (my fault, i went to a place that i knew would cause a meltdown) and my dad getting hit twice by a man in a golf cart twice (same guy, not my dad's fault, the cunt didn't try to move, warn him, or apologize, just hit him, let my dad stumble, hit him again. i'm still mad). the seats are usually right on the track, so it's extremely loud and smelly. 10/10 can not recommend irl indy enough. i am biased to the pnw and it's the only race i've been to, but the portland race is great. it's not got masses of people, you can walk right up to the track to watch with the only thing between you and the cars being a concrete wall and a fence, and as it's a smaller race with less fans compared to the east coast and mid-west races, it's cheaper. biggest con is its built on a swamp, so super humid. (another pro, i'll be there <3 [joke.])

any questions you've got or clarification needed, my notifications are on and i'll respond to relevant stuff as soon as i see it.

LINKS:

rule book (clicking on a section of the table of contents will take you there)

points format wiki

schedule (tickets can be bought here)

app link

2024 series wiki (so helpful)

[got-into-worm-by-mistake]

Kaiser came through the door with a girl on each arm, blondes with measurements like Playboy models.  Kaiser wore armor head to toe, elaborately worked and topped with a crown of blades.  The leader of Empire Eighty Eight.  The twins went by the names Fenja and Menja, and were decked out in Valkyrie-style armor featuring countless little steel wings, along with closed-face helms.  Had to admit, Kaiser liked his heavy hitters.  These two could grow to be three stories tall, and they were a hundred times more durable when they were. Purity entered a few steps behind him with several others following her.  She was dressed in a white costume without any markings or symbols on it, but the fabric glowed softly.  Her white hair and eyes glowed too, but it was more like they were made of heated magnesium than anything else.  I couldn’t look in her direction without getting spots in my eyes, and my mask had tinted lenses designed to reduce glare. The people that had come in with Purity were other members of Empire Eighty Eight.  Krieg, Night, Fog and Hookwolf.   It was interesting to see, because as far as I’d known, while every one of them had been a member of Empire Eighty Eight at some point in time, Purity had gone solo, while Night and Fog had splintered off to form their own duo in Boston not long after.  All reunited, apparently. That wasn’t even Kaiser’s entire team.  Aside from the rare exception like Lung reaching out to Bakuda when she’d been at Cornell, it seemed that most groups recruited new members from within their own city.  Kaiser was different.  He was one of the better known American villains with a white supremacist agenda, and people sharing his ideals were either recruited from other states or they came to him.  Most didn’t stay with him for too long, for whatever reason, but it still made him the Brockton Bay resident with the most raw parahuman muscle at his beck and call.

E88, I think, would absolutely be written differently if Wildbow was writing Worm today, but it is still done very interestingly, regardless.

The gang having more extensive linkages beyond just Brockton Bay, and presumably to the Gelleschaft (is that canon? WoG? Just a common fan thing?) to explain where some of the recruits he gets goes.

I do feel like it's a bit of a missed opportunity to not have E88 be bigger than just Brockton Bay - the degree to which Kaiser is monofocused on the city is a bit weird, but it does also fit with classic superhero tropes, which have a tendency to treat cities as islands unto themselves half the time (Most of the the rest of the time it's worldwide stuff. There doesn't seem to be a lot in between for the average comic book superhero story, from what I can tell. Regional/multicity narratives seem uncommon.

Then again, they seem uncommon in general. If you're going to spend any serious time in a given city for the story... you're gonna keep spending time in that city, I guess.

White Supremacy is a coherent (for a given value of the word) ideology that can serve as a motivating and rallying factor across the board for people well beyond the local area.

Technically the ABB sorta have a similar operating ideology, but in practice, it's mostly just Lung's self-aggrandizement, and recruiting for that, especially on a broader scale beyond just your local city, has got to be hard.

Probably one of the reasons E88 is such a big deal is just that it has what most villain cape gangs don't have - something to pull people in beyond the opportunity to make money as a criminal and have some cape cover and stuff.

I'm sure there's tons of that too, people who just join up for the money and the chance to be a brute, but if you believe in the ideals of E88, you can tell yourself you' re making the city a better place and all that.

Kayden/Purity certainly told herself that, and is telling herself that, now that she's rejoined.

Because she isn't willing to really do what she needed to do to change, to separate out from E88 and her past and so on.

[seaprofound]

interview meme

——— character question sheet

▌real name: poseida. ▌single or taken:  married (verse dependent).

▌abilities or powers: water manipulation (no matter the source—such as blood, for example, or even sweat), magic (most notably illusions), healing hands, empathy and emotion manipulation, shapeshifting, transmutation, earth manipulation—and, by extension, metal manipulation as well (so long as there are earth particles within the metal)—weather manipulation, accelerated healing, enhanced condition (strength, speed, durability, agility, and more—with her flexibility being to the point of elasticity), enhanced senses, limited flight (via water wings spell), teleportation, life creation (various creatures—both mundane and magical—and the atlanteans), power bestowal, aura reading, lunar empowerment, forbidden knowledge projection, bioluminescence, telepathic communication (limited to equids and animals tied to the sea), limited precognition, mild omniscience (with relation to her domain), and immortality.

▌eye colour: the blue of the mediterranean sea with sea green swirling in the center (central heterochromia). ▌hair colour: red—the red of a fox. under the sun, the glints of gold that catch her hair makes her mane look like wildfire.

▌family members: kronos and rhea (birth parents); nereus (father figure and mentor); hestia, demeter, hera, hades, and zeus (siblings); many, many children (most of whom are adopted); also numerous nieces and nephews that she dotes on almost as much she does her own children (at least, when they were young). ▌pets: do mortal men count?

▌something they don’t like: people who go back on their word. people who do not know the meaning of the word honor even if it slapped them in the face. deception against an enemy is something she takes no issue with—deception against an ally, on the other hand, she finds far less excusable.

▌hobbies/activities: arts and crafts, tinkering away at new inventions, magic, studying, reading, cooking/baking, singing, dancing, playing music (guitar, violin, drums, trumpet), swimming, surfing, horseback riding, and video games.

▌ever hurt anyone before:  yes. ▌ever killed anyone before: yes.

▌animal that represents them: horse, cat.

▌worst habits: comforting others but neglecting to comfort herself. isolating herself instead of talking to others. similarly, failing to communicate when there’s a problem—a habit that she formed from her days spent as her own father’s servant. the same days that taught her that it was wiser to stay quiet.

▌role models: nereus, hestia, the telkhines.

▌sexual orientation: pansexual.

▌thoughts on marriage/kids: complicated for the former. she resisted marriage for much of her early rule out of fear that she would only get used by someone who seeks to rob her of her power. with regards to kids, though, she has always been fond of them—especially the disadvantaged. the ones who are abandoned or mistreated for things that they cannot help. the unfortunate souls who have done nothing wrong except be born to parents who can't love.

she, herself, was such a child—a lonely, sorrowful child. and, yet, as she soothed her newborn cousin, chiron, for the first time, anger became her—not sorrow. how? how could anyone do this to a child? how could anyone just abandon an innocent infant without a second thought? the unfairness of it all gave her the resolve to better the lives of as many children as she could—whether it'd be by mentoring them, nurturing them, or flat-out adopting them as her own.

a happy child, to her, represents a brighter future.

▌fears: being worthless. not being of use to anyone. being discarded.

▌style preferences: flowing fabrics that do not stifle her nor restrict her movement. clothes that she could hide in if necessary. a color palette that would seem fitting for a deep sea witch: black with darker shades of blue and purple. comfort above all else with little regard for what is currently popular or trending. lastly, a stubborn disdain for shoes—unless they're silly (like shark slippers).

▌someone they love: her wife, amphi.

their love did not start out as a fairytale. po was much too guarded—much too jaded—to offer anything more than pragmatism when she initially proposed the idea of marriage. a partnership is what she called it. a partnership.

amphi gets: the title of queen (and all the powers and privileges that come with it).

po gets: someone to help her bear the burden of leadership.

win-win all around—especially since po did not require that they spend time together outside of the throne room. while not exactly a romantic offer, po did not think that it was a terrible one either. in her eyes, she was making a high-reward, low-risk offer. she even sweetened the deal by saying that she was fine with an open relationship—that she was fine with amphi taking as many lovers as she pleases. the promise of freedom is what po thought she added—so, it surprised her (not to mention stung a little) when amphi fled.

however, they eventually came to an understanding—and, with understanding, came a friendship that slowly blossomed into a romance.

▌approach to friendships: po shies away from them like a hermit crab—but longs for them like a flower longs for the sun. because of her childhood trauma—which made her so accustomed to loneliness—she struggles to make friends (even more so to define what a friend is). she can count on one hand people that she would say she is close to—but she tends not to vocalize that because what if she had it all wrong?

▌thoughts on pie: comforting. not as fun to decorate as cakes but enjoyable to eat. ace with vanilla ice cream. ▌favourite drink: smoothies. ▌favourite place to spend time at: her workshop on olympus.   ▌swim in the lake or in the ocean: ocean. ▌their type: a kind heart. a heart that does not judge others for their appearance nor things that they cannot easily change. a heart that tries to understand rather than immediately judge. ▌camping or indoors: camping because nature always has a way of inspiring her.

tagged by: nobody  tagging: @singofus , @nectaric , @rheaeaseandflow , @storybounded , @takenamiss and you if you see this! can't tag any more people because tumblr is the WORST

[sinkorhair]

Crochet Twist Hair: Time to Revamp your Style

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Low Maintenance

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[notesfromnowhere]

From Curiosity to Craft: How i learned to do Nail Extensions at Home.💅

Mastering nail extensions at home has been one of the most fulfilling and transformative experiences in my beauty journey. It all began when I enrolled in a cosmetology course in my hometown. My focus was on makeup, hair, and skincare, but I often observed other students practicing nail extensions. One day, they asked me to be their model. They only applied extensions on one hand, but that was all it took to spark my interest – I loved how polished and sophisticated my nails looked, and I knew I wanted to learn this art myself.

However, the cost of professional nail extension classes was beyond my budget. Determined to learn anyway, I turned to online resources and discovered a wealth of information. YouTube quickly became my primary teacher, offering tutorials from skilled nail artists. Pinterest provided endless inspiration, while Instagram Reels showcased creative tips and trending designs. Although TikTok was not available in India, these platforms offered me all I needed to start learning the basics of nail extensions and nail art.

Starting with Nail Art Basics I began by focusing on nail art as my starting point. Not only did it require minimal materials, but it was also a great way to develop steady hands, creativity, and an eye for detail. From color combinations to pattern designs, nail art helped me practice brush control and become familiar with nail anatomy. I enjoyed experimenting with small designs, which provided the perfect foundation before moving on to more advanced techniques.

Investing in Extension Supplies After saving up for a while, I finally purchased a beginner’s nail extension kit, which included nail tips, gel polish, acrylic powder, and other essential tools. I started with stick-on and press-on nails, practicing the process of application, shaping, and finishing. Each attempt taught me more about the importance of precision and patience, as even the smallest adjustments could make a huge difference. Practicing these steps gave me confidence and helped me build a steady foundation before I moved on to more complex nail extensions.

Advanced Training: Seeking Professional Guidance While online resources were excellent, I realized that certain advanced techniques—like acrylic overlays, gel extensions, and sculpting—were difficult to perfect without hands-on guidance. To improve, I reached out to a family member who had professional experience in nail artistry. Although she lived far away, I arranged a weekend visit and spent three days under her instruction. During this time, she taught me key techniques like sculpting, creating durable extensions, and layering for strength and style. This experience was a game-changer, as it allowed me to correct mistakes I didn’t even realize I was making and enhanced my skill level tremendously.

Perfecting the Craft After returning home, I practiced diligently, dedicating time each week to improve. I started creating full sets, experimenting with techniques like ombré fades, encapsulated glitter, and 3D accents. I joined online communities, where fellow nail enthusiasts shared tips, and found that feedback from other learners greatly boosted my confidence and skill. Gradually, my creations became more polished, and I could see the difference my persistence made with each set.

Final Thoughts Learning nail extensions at home has not only been a creative outlet but also a testament to the power of self-directed learning. What started as a curiosity has become a rewarding skill that brings beauty and joy to others. If you’re passionate about nail artistry, remember that with dedication, patience, and the right resources, you can achieve stunning results without stepping into a professional classroom. Whether it’s a new design or perfecting a technique, the journey is as enjoyable as the destination.

Some sets i did when i started learning.😁

Then i got a little better. 🤭

And this the latest set i did for my cousin on her birthday.💟

[officialscpfoundation]

I'm working on an anomaly involving a medieval giant, and I might need some suggestions on how to contain it. Well here's the basic description:

"The thing is a humanoid entity standing approximately 6.5 meters in height, with characteristics reminiscent of medieval European depictions of giants. It possesses exaggerated muscularity and appears to be in a state of late adulthood, as evidenced by graying hair and a deeply lined face. He wears fragmented pieces of what appears to be 14th-century plate armor, fused to its body, and wields a rusted greatsword that has been measured at 3 meters in length. The entity displays extensive knowledge of medieval European history, military tactics, and chivalric codes, though certain details are inconsistent with historical records. Subject insists it was part of a now-defunct order known as the Teutonische Titanen (Teutonic Titans), an alleged battalion of giants used by the Empire for warfare and fortification.

Note: Entity's armor and weapon. Despite their decrepit appearance, they exhibit anomalous properties, including extreme durability and weightlessness when wielded by the subject. The armor, fused to the giant's skin, seems to serve as both a protective layer and a medium for channeling thaumaturgic energy, which he utilizes to perform feats such as temporary invulnerability, pyrokinesis, and accelerated healing.

Intresting,I wonder how fast the healing is, perhaps a containment similar to the cannibal?

[asc-rp]

New muse:

- **Name:** Myca

#### Physical Attributes

- **Height:** 5'7" (170 cm)

- **Weight:** 120 lbs (54.4 kg)

#### Appearance

- **Hair:** Deep red, long and wavy.

- **Eyes:** Green, but glow a Golden-yellow, sharp and keen.

- **Skin:** Pale with a slight earthy hue, dotted with small, mushroom-like freckles.

- **Clothing:** A mix of natural fibers and leather, adorned with small mushroom motifs. She wears a large mushroom cap as a hat, adding to her unique appearance. Her outfit includes a green cloak for camouflage.

- **Accessories:** Antler-like growths on her head, emphasizing her connection to nature, and a choker with a fungal motif.

#### Abilities

1. **Fungal Growth Control:**

- **Description:** Can rapidly grow and control mushrooms and other fungi, creating barriers, traps, or paths.

- **Use:** Useful for creating obstacles for prey or providing cover during hunts.

2. **Bioluminescence:**

- **Description:** Emits a soft, glowing light from her skin and hair, useful in dark environments.

- **Use:** Can illuminate her surroundings, signal allies, or create distractions.

3. **Spore Healing:**

- **Description:** Produces healing spores that can mend wounds and cure certain ailments.

- **Use:** Effective in providing first aid to herself or allies during hunts.

4. **Hallucinogenic Spores:**

- **Description:** Releases spores that cause hallucinations in enemies, confusing and disorienting them.

- **Use:** Can incapacitate prey or create opportunities for ambush.

5. **Camouflage:**

- **Description:** Blends seamlessly into forest environments by altering her appearance to mimic the surroundings.

- **Use:** Ideal for stealth and setting up ambushes.

6. **Mushroom Summoning:**

- **Description:** Summons various types of mushrooms with different properties, such as explosive spores, poisonous fungi, or giant mushrooms for shelter.

- **Use:** Versatile in both offensive and defensive strategies during hunts.

7. **Sleeping Spores:**

- **Description:** Releases spores that induce sleep in those who inhale them.

- **Use:** Can incapacitate prey or enemies, making it easier to capture or escape from them. Useful for stealth operations and non-lethal takedowns.

8. **Fungal Communication:**

- **Description:** Uses underground fungal networks (mycelium) to communicate with other forest creatures and plant life.

- **Use:** Allows Myca to gather information about her surroundings, track prey, or call for help from allies.

9. **Mycelium Armor:**

- **Description:** Can harden her skin into a tough, protective layer resembling mushroom caps.

- **Use:** Provides enhanced defense in combat, reducing damage from physical attacks.

10. **Regenerative Spores:**

- **Description:** Releases spores that enhance her own regenerative abilities.

- **Use:** Allows Myca to quickly heal from injuries, making her resilient in prolonged battles or hunts.

11. **Spore Teleportation:**

- **Description:** Can disperse into a cloud of spores and reassemble at a different location within a certain range.

- **Use:** Provides quick escape routes, stealth movement, or strategic repositioning during hunts.

12. **Toxic Gas:**

- **Description:** Can produce a cloud of toxic gas that affects a larger area than her poison spores.

- **Use:** Useful for clearing out enemies from a wide area or creating a defensive barrier.

13. **Fungal Armor Enhancement:**

- **Description:** Can temporarily harden mushrooms she controls to create durable shields or weapons.

- **Use:** Provides additional protection and offensive capabilities during combat.

#### Personality

Myca is a determined and resolute huntress, fiercely dedicated to her role in maintaining the balance of her forest home. Though she is formidable in battle, she possesses a caring and protective nature, always watching over the inhabitants of her domain. Resourceful and cunning, Myca expertly uses her extensive knowledge of fungi and the forest to her advantage during hunts and survival situations. Her mischievous streak adds a playful element to her personality, often leading her to play harmless tricks on those who wander into her territory. Her mysterious demeanor often keeps her wandering the deepest parts of the forest, harmonizing with the rhythms of nature while maintaining a vigilant watch over her territory.

[things-about-cars-in-posts]

What would you consider the best, most reliable, low maintenance car? Bonus points for affordability. After having to take my 2011 Corsa to the garage for the fourth time this year due to a faulty temp sensor (this car just runs on a constant fever I swear. I'm in the UK for goodness sakes it shouldn't get that hot!!!), I'm curious as to whether there are any cars that don't have expiry dates outside of carefully maintained classics.

Well someone's not read my shooting brake post that thoroughly eh! :P

Jokes aside, I've touched on reliability a couple of times so those could be interesting reads for you, but I can tell you that, you'll hear it a lot, Toyota Land Cruisers are usually what you see when a dozen people need to cross a desert and camels aren't an option. And I cannot talk about the durability of old Toyotas without bringing up a piece of television that has been burned into my mind from when I was six or seven to this day and has never faded or faltered in clarity for a single of the seconds between them. Like, genuinely, you go pay me a visit eight years since I last saw it to hit me with a trick question about shot composition details and as you open the door shouting it you walk in on me losing my virginity and I shoo you away yelling "Piss off with your trick questions, I'm getting laid here".

But in terms of advice that is more actionable for you, I would as noted in other posts advise Toyotas and Hondas, and by extension Toyota's luxury brand Lexus (but please don't consider this advice against anything else, especially because these brands, Toyota and Lexus especially, have in some contexts developed a bit of a premium due to their reputation). And I know what you're thinking: "Mate I've a Corsa ya think I could get me a Lexus?" And the answer is yes. And other positively splendid pieces of kit.

I mean, you can find yourself plenty of first generation Lexus LSs in various states of rattiness, and one of those most famously did literally a million miles so I'm pretty sure you're going to be good on that front.

...but if you're not in the extremely lucky position of ULEZ compliance not being a dealbreaker, while looking for those, I also found some second generations...

...and I saw an ad for a third generation, and you know when you see an item and a price and you go through the description just to find out what the deal is and as you comb through you slowly realize that the part where they explain how this is not actually a functioning, usable product isn't there you start whispering "what the fuck? what the fuck?" and you put your hands in your hair and- yeah this is that level. Like genuinely I do not CARE if you were not asking purchasing advice and are not interested in changing your car you go phone your insurance for a quote and if it is anything below "This insurance price will actually ruin my life" you go click on that "Buy it now" button before someone else does.

But of course you may want a smaller car, what with coming from a Corsa and all that. Well, if that's the case, there's a little beauty that you're going to love love, and needs no TLC you and my help can't tackle. Remember my kei sportscars post? Well guess what it just so happens to turn out:

(if you are actually interested in getting a new car but have requirements these don't fulfill don't hesitate to drop me a line, there is little I love more than window shopping car ads and I have plenty other great ideas. If you want a new car you are going to end up with something cool whether you like it or not.)

Links in blue are posts of mine explaining the words in question - if you liked this post, you might like those!

[cursedwithwords]

HP Next Gen Headcanons: Albus

Full Name: Albus Severus Potter

House: Slytherin

Wand: larch and thestral tail hair

Patronus: thestral

Boggart: Scorpius being tortured/screaming

Profession: magizoologist

Sexuality: demisexual

Image(picrew):

Bonus: he has nightmares about delphini torturing and even killing scorpius which has made him very, very protective. He gets along with Lily the best of his siblings but still really loves his brother (even if he's annoying af sometimes). His worst subject is Potions but after his fourth year he buckles and asks James to tutor him (since it's Jamie’s best subject). After that, even though it's still his least favorite subject, he tries extremely hard to get good marks solely to make James proud. Can't balance on a broomstick or fly to save his life and Quidditch bores him to death. His favorite and best subject is Care of Magical Creatures, and his favorite Beasts are the aviary ones. He gained the ability to see thestrals after the incident with Delphini, learning quickly that they weren't nearly as frightening as he always believed. He acquires a strand of tail hair while visiting the herd of thestral near Hogwarts, and later brought it to Olivander to ask if he'd fashion a wand around it. The old wandcrafter was cautious to use it but was stunned to find how well the wand actually fit Albus (it remains the only wand he's ever made utilizing thestral tail hair). Having that wand made him more confident and reminded him that even great fear can become one of your greatest strengths. Gets along famously well with Draco which Harry fuuuuuckin hates.

Extras:

Wand Wood — larch

"Strong, durable, and warm in color, larch has long been valued as an attractive and powerful wand wood. Its reputation for instilling courage and confidence in the user has ensured that demand has always outstripped supply. This much sought-after wand is, however, hard to please in the matter of ideal owners and trickier to handle than many imagine. I find that it always creates wands of hidden talents and unexpected effects, which likewise describes the master who deserves it. It is often the case that the witch or wizard who belongs to the larch wand may never realise the full extent of their considerable talents until paired with it, but that they will then make an exceptional match."

Similar to Scorpius, Albus' previous wand (cherry wood and dragon heartstring) was broken in half by Delphini, which led him to receive his larch wand over the summer. Olivander warned Albus that it may be a bit difficult to master due to the properties of the wood. It was no secret that Albus wasn't considered the most talented of wizards: he had difficulty performing simple spells, struggled with potions, and the like. This was greatly due to the self-imposed expectations, as well as the abysmal lack of confidence he suffered from. Though his cherry wand did choose him, it never felt right in his hand. It isn't until after he faced Delphini that he began to trust himself a bit more, likely due to spite more than anything else. Olivander was stunned to see just how well the larch wand fit in Albus' hand. As if he was born to hold that wand. Olivander considers it to be one of his most impressive wands, as well as one of his more tempermental, because it doesn't like to perform for wizards who are not Albus. It will, however, work well in Scorpius' hand. Olivander theorizes this is due to the fact Albus cares deeply for Scorpius, and unconsciously instills that same care into his wand — an extension of his emotions. The larch wand will try to protect Scorpius in Albus' stead if the need arose. It's quite an interesting phenomenon.

Wand Core — thestral tail hair

"Thestral wands generally produce strong magic, but only when the wielder understands themselves. If the wielder does not know themselves or loses themselves, then their spells will suffer. When the wielder knows themselves, then this wand can create very strong spells. The Thestral wands are very tempermental and rare to find with Wizards and Witches of today."

Albus realizes that he can see the thestrals on the Hogwarts grounds soon after Christmas break his fourth year. Initially, he's cautious and avoids them to the best of his ability, but his curiosity eventually sees him visiting the herd in his spare time. During these visits, he quickly comes to realize that in spite of their startling appearance, Thestral are extremely docile and gentle. He becomes good friends with the herd and deeply enjoys being around them. During one of his visits, while giving one a good pet, a few strands of tail hair get caught around his fingers. He doesn't have an explanation of why he keeps it, but he feels compelled to bring them to Olivander himself, asking him to form a wand around them. Olivander is hesitant at first — he doesn't normally craft wands with such an unusual, unstable core — but eventually gives in. Albus is persistent, after all. It's just as well that he chooses to use larch, a wand wood known for instilling confidence, as a way to naturally counter any hesitancy that may still be lingering in Albus. His magic seems more powerful now that it's directed through a wand made so entirely for him, and it seems to grow even more powerful as time passes and Albus grows even more confident in himself. It's truly a symbiotic relationship, and Olivander swells with pride whenever he sees it in action.

Patronus — thestral (very rare)

"Since only people who have witnessed death can see thestrals, many associate them with loss of life; however, those with this Patronus are genuinely gentle and kind. People with the Thestral Patronus are empathetic and realistic and have the ability to look at the bigger picture, making them deeply powerful. They're often misunderstood by others and are way ahead of their years, having contemplated ideas that most only think about on their deathbeds."

James used to tease Albus using thestrals as a device of fear. Albus always knew he was just joking, but as a child, he couldn't help how scared he got when hearing the creatures description. Even following Craig's death when he was able to see the thestrals, he still felt nervous; but it offered an alarming sense of relief when he finally chose to approach the beasts and realized just how benign they were. They looked a certain way, so were perception as being malicious. A great majority of people with little to no understanding of them assumed the worst of them — just like they did with Albus. A creature that Albus once feared becoming a source of enormous strength and confidence, to the point where it becomes the core of his magic — is there anything more poetic than that? He loves thestrals now, and he bursts in joy when he casts a corporeal patronus the first time. While his classmates take a cautious step away, he would hold his hand out and smile, because he isn't afraid anymore.

[guardian-of-gotham]

//Filled out a questionnaire by my lovely mutual, Kirby, earlier in my hiatus, and I finally decided to post it. Also, there are NSFW themes in the Sexuality section. I've colored milder answers in orange and more potentially uncomfortable ones in red.

-- Appearance

001. Do they have any scars?

Yes, several. Most from before the Batsuit actually served as armor, when his dealings with Gotham's mobs saw him stabbed and shot repeatedly. And yet it still took a kid insisting on joining him for him to realize he should sacrifice some mobility for a more durable fabric.

002. Do they have any tattoos/piercings?

No.

003. What is their natural eye color?

Steely blue.

004. Do they wear contacts to change their eye color?

Not unless in disguise.

005. What is their natural hair color?

Black.

006. Do they dye their hair?

Not unless in disguise, and a wig is not an option.

007. Do they keep their hair long, short, or in between?

He's had the same short, combed back side part since he was a child.

008. What does their clothing style look like?

He dresses as formally as appropriate on any occasion. If he's going for a real casual look, he might wear a vest without a jacket or forgo outerwear entirely. No tie and leaving a couple buttons open at the top of his shirt is a popular go-to for a particularly laid-back date night.

009. Do they dress in “the norm” for their gender presentation?

Kind of? He dresses more formally than most men, and there are some common items of clothing he never wears, but his outfits are all still masculine, even if they sometimes get a bit too fancy to be considered normal. Also, he wouldn't be entirely opposed to wearing more feminine clothing if it was part of a disguise he knew he could pull off or if a partner expressed interest in seeing him in a particular garment/outfit.

010. Do they wear any kind of make-up?

Not usually, but he has used it for certain disguises, to help hide injuries, and when necessary for media and/or public appearances.

011. Are they invested in their physical appearance?

He tries his best to look presentable as Bruce Wayne and intimidating as Batman, but if those qualities weren't necessary for his goals, he probably wouldn't care much. His monetary investment in his appearance is pretty substantial, though, mostly due to extensive efforts to minimize his scars as much as possible to avoid suspicion towards his secret identity.

-- Identity

012. What is their gender identity and sexual orientation?

Cis male and demibisexual/romantic.

013. What is their relation to their gender identity and sexual orientation?

He's never questioned either and still thinks he's straight (by default). Given his place on the ace/aro spectrum, it's already difficult enough for him to form and realize attraction to others, and his stubbornness leads him to deny his feelings longer still, so he's never really needed or been presented with the opportunity to wonder if his interests go beyond women. Funnily enough, his first crush was on Harvey Dent in college, but it was also his first time experiencing real friendship, and he's so emotionally stunted, he didn't realize his feelings went beyond that.

014. What is their relation to their ethnicity/heritage?

Bruce was raised in both the Jewish faith and culture and still engages in the associated traditions despite now being disconnected from the spiritual aspects of his upbringing. There were some mild Christian influences from his father, who belonged to the Episcopal Church before his relationship with Martha, but those had much less of an impact on his life than the strong family values and emphasis on making the world a better place. "Tikkun olam" may as well be his life motto.

015. How do they feel about their nationality, current or of origin?

Having been born and raised in the U.S., he can appreciate some of the ideals behind the country's founding and the independent spirit it can inspire in people. However, he is also aware of just how deep corruption runs through every system currently in place, those in Gotham being some of the worst examples. To say that he loves his country in its current state might be a bit of a stretch, but he does care about the people living in it and does his best to play his part in its eventual improvement.

016. What family members had the most impact on them?

Considering his parents both instilled his current ideals in him and set him on his current path through their deaths, probably them. Although, he never would've gotten this far if not for the support and influence of his butler, and essentially, second father, Alfred.

017. What is their relationship with their family?

He does his best to love and protect every last person in his family, blood relation to them an unimportant factor, but he would never ask the same of them. As far as he's concerned, they would all be better off without him, and their continued association with him only increases the likelihood of their death. Any apparent distance he might place between himself and them is simply him trying to prevent that outcome.

018. Do they connect with their sense of self or reject it?

He sees himself as a tool, a necessary evil to help others. Any moments of self-discovery or humanizing experiences, regardless of if he's eventually appreciated them or not, have happened against his will.

019. Is their sense of self tied to another person or thing?

Very much so. As stated previously, he has built his entire life around aiding others. He sees no point to his existence otherwise. Honestly, he doesn't even know who he is anymore. Bruce Wayne pretty much died the same night his parents did, Batman is a purpose, not a person, and even the moments in his life where he feels the most real and alive only occur because of the people he's grown to love.

020. What does their morality look like?

He is intent on making the world a better place through self-sacrifice and systemic change. He unfortunately has found it necessary to hurt people to stop them from hurting others, but he refuses to kill, because he doesn't believe in any one person having the power to end another's life, and he believes that when people seen as heroes kill, it can corrupt their mission and/or inspire more malicious forces to pose as heroes and take advantage of people's trust in them to carry out harm on a mass scale.

021. What other names are they known by? 

Batman, Bats, The Bat, The Dark Knight, B, Brucie, Brucie Boy, Brucie Baby, Bruce Old Boy, Mr. Wayne, Dad, Father, Baba, Spooky, and more.

022. Do they know any languages besides their birth tongue?

English, French, Spanish, Russian, Japanese, Mandarin, Cantonese, Filipino, Korean, Arabic, Turkish, Polish, German, Latin, Greek, Italian, Portuguese, Hebrew, Thai, Vietnamese, Kryptonian, Swedish, Swahili, and Kasnian. Possibly more.

023. What religion were they raised in, if any?

Judaism.

024. Are they religious at present?

No. He's seen too many unbelievable things to completely discount the idea that everything he was taught in his youth was true, but there seems to be no explicit evidence supporting its existence either. Regardless, he still engages with the cultural aspects of Judaism and lives by the ideals instilled in him, holding the belief that faith in an otherworldly being isn't necessary to uphold family traditions or to be a decent person.

025. Do they hold to any superstitions?

Only if they've proven to be true, at which point, they can no longer be considered superstitions.

-- Health

026. Do they need glasses?

No.

027. What mental conditions do they have?

Autism, PTSD, C-PTSD, and Dysthymia (a.k.a. Persistent Depressive Disorder).

028. What physical conditions do they have?

Other than a plethora of scars, none at present.

029. Do they have any allergies?

No.

030. What notable injuries and/or illnesses have they had?

Broken bones, bruises, blood loss, sprained joints, strained muscles, dislocated bones, head trauma, bullet wounds, burns, stab wounds, incisions, temporary hearing loss, temporary loss of vision, temporary death, the common cold, pneumonia, frostbite, radiation poisoning, food poisoning, ingestion of poisons, exposure to fear toxin, Joker venom, Poison Ivy's pollens and pheromones, and various other psychoactive substances, paralysis, comas, hangovers, and many, many more.

031. How diligent are they about their personal hygiene?

When he needs to go out in public, very much so, but he has been known to neglect himself when focused on a particularly frustrating mission.

032. Do they keep up with their medication if they have any?

Alfred makes sure he does whenever necessary, but he does sometimes intentionally skip doses if he finds that the effects interfere with his ability to carry out his work.

033. Are they particularly concerned with staying healthy/clean?

Only to maintain respectability and the ability to fight crime. He doesn't fear death so much as no longer being able to protect others.

-- Symbolism

034. What colors are they related to?

Black as Batman, obviously, and perhaps gold as Bruce Wayne? He would be associated with wealth and extravagance, the color is the same as the champagne often served at his parties, and he is seen by some as a ray of light and symbol of hope in Gotham's dark, corrupt atmosphere.

035. What animals symbolize them?

Other than his clear connection to bats, there are also some parallels between him and a wolf. Both are seen by others as solitary predators despite clearly being pack animals. Plus, the animal's fierce and loyal characteristics are also very present in Bruce's own personality.

036. What plants symbolize them?

From Victorian Floral Code:

Asphodel - Remembered Beyond The Tomb

Red begonia - Dark Thoughts

Bluebell - Constancy

Bittersweet Nightshade - Truth

Box - Stocism

Cedar - Strength; I Live For Thee

Pink carnation - I'll Never Forget You

Cypress - Despair; Mourning

Dogwood - Love Undiminished by Adversity

Eglantine - Poetry; I Wound To Heal

Everlasting - Enduring Remembrance

Fennel - Force; Strength

Adonis Flos - Painful Recollections

Forsythia - Good Nature

Dark Geranium - Melancholy

Gladiolus - Strength of Character

Heliotrope - Devotion

Hyacinth - Sorrow

Ivy - Fidelity

Lavender - Mistrust

Marigold - Grief; Despair

Monkshood - Chivalry

Snowball - Bound

Johnny Jump-Up Viola - Thoughts, Remembrance

Wallflower - Fidelity in Adversity

Water lily - Eloquence; Purity of Heart

Weeping willow - Mourning

037. What celestial bodies symbolize them?

Stars - guidance, hope, and destiny

Comets - change and upheaval

038. What time of day are they most related to?

Night. A time of secrets and darkness. Light still exists; it's just harder to find. So long as there are those who can't rest safely each night, he will make this darkness his home.

039. What is a number or numbers that relate to them?

2. A number of dichotomy and conflict, as well as partners and cooperation. Two parents lost, two identities formed, the dynamic duos that protected him from the harm of self isolation, the two alters at war within his best friend, Harvey Dent, once the white knight to his dark knight, and the minimum number of people he can count on to continue residing at Wayne Manor, as they have since the other two were lost.

040. What elements are they most connected to?

Earth. Grounded, solid, steadfast, and dependable. Rich in resources and the foundation for all continued life.

041. What type of weather are they?

Gloomy and overcast. Melancholy and mundane, he isn't always appreciated and can be a source of misery for some, but to those of an acquired taste, he offers peace and hope, with the promise of a better life to come after putting up with a downpour or two.

042. What season of the year are they?

Fall. A time of death, loss, and change. He sacrifices and sheds parts of himself, so life and hope can begin a new in those around him. Even if he doesn't live to see the eventual spring, he will bear the brunt of the coming winter to leave the world stronger than he left it.

043. What kind of precious material are they?

Diamond. Forged under pressure and difficult to break.

044. What type of music fits them best?

Classical instrumental. Filled with soul and complex emotions, even if often overlooked or misunderstood by others due to a disconnect from those who rely more heavily on verbal communication.

045. What songs are closely tied to them?

Symphony No. 3 by Henryk Górecki, also known as the Symphony of Sorrowful Songs, is a piece that always spoke to something in him, especially after the deaths of his own parents. He might give its name if asked for his favorite song, but to actually hear him listening to it nowadays would likely not be a great sign for his emotional stability in that moment.

-- Preferences

046. What is their favorite food and drink?

Steak and steamed vegetables have always been a reliable go-to, and he wouldn't be able to function without the vast amounts of black coffee he consumes each day. Although, if he were trying to pair the two, red wine would be a better fit for the aforementioned meal.

047. Do they like sports?

Not particularly. He likes engaging in physical activity and appreciates the value sports add to society, but he's not the type of person who needs to keep up with a particular game or team. His priorities lie elsewhere.

048. Do they like hot or cold weather?

Cold. He's used to Gotham's gloom and recognizes the practical truth that it will always be easier to warm oneself than attempt to cool off.

049. How do they feel about animals?

While he appreciates them and finds it himself easily growing to care for them, he does think that there's a limit to how many of them people can personally care for within a single household and hopes Damian's penchant for collecting strays doesn't end up getting out of hand.

050. How do they feel about nature?

It's a precious resource that needs to be protected, but unlike a certain adversary of his, he doesn't believe the loss of human lives is necessary for that protection.

051. Do they prefer science or the humanities?

Personally, science. However, he does believe teaching the humanities to be more important when it comes to fostering a kinder society and making people aware of societal warning signs before true corruption can take root.

052. Are they booksmart or streetsmart?

Mostly booksmart, but he's streetsmart enough to do his job as Batman. He's knowledgeable on how the criminal underworld works and capable of analyzing his enemies' psyches, but there are deficits regarding his social intelligence in general that often get in his way.

053. Are they more comfortable in large crowds, small groups, or totally alone?

While he would likely say alone, he does, in fact, work and feel best when in the company of a few close friends or family.

054. Do they feel more in their element in urban or rural settings?

Urban, but specifically an older, darker version of urban. Places like Metropolis can feel too bright and overwhelming, and they lack the harsher architecture and abundance of hiding spots he's grown used to in Gotham.

055. How do they feel about math and language?

Both are important cornerstones of society, and he's made sure to remain well-versed in each subject.

056. Do they prefer to travel or stay in one place?

Stay in one place. There's a comfort in familiarity, even if Gotham can't exactly be described as comfortable on its own.

057. Are they good about getting out of their comfort zone?

Not really. That may seem hard to believe, given his nighttime activities, but pain and fighting have become commonplace to him. It's much harder to trust others or allow himself to be vulnerable than to face off against increasingly more difficult foes.

058. What’s their sense of humor like?

Dry, sarcastic, and often deadpan. It's sometimes hard to tell that he's joking beyond the sheer ridiculousness of some of his statements.

059. Do they have any special interests?

Justice and social reform.

060. What pieces of media are important to them?

The Gray Ghost and The Mark of Zorro, although, he hasn't seen either in decades. Television and film in general have lost much of their appeal to him since his parents' deaths.

061. What are their pet peeves?

Recklessness, greed, and cowardice shown by people who have others depending on them.

-- Sociabilities

062. Are they more introverted or extroverted?

Introverted, for sure, but he can pretend to be extroverted when he needs to be. He enjoys being around those he cares about, but even then, he prefers to observe them interacting with each other or quietly enjoy their company.

063. Are they paternal in nature?

Given that he has managed to amass a small army of children, several of which were acquired against his will and best efforts, it's safe to say that he's so paternal, it's often to his detriment. He doesn't believe any kid deserves him and the trouble that seems to follow him in their lives, but he will always care for the few that made their way into his life regardless. He also treats kids in general with as much kindness as possible, knowing all too well how frightening and lonely it can be to exist as one.

064. Do they want kids?

Surprisingly, no. He's only adopted kids if he's felt he's been their best and/or only option, which doesn't happen often. He didn't plan to have Damian, and he doesn't plan to willingly bring any more children into his horror show of a life. Of course, that's how he's always felt, so odds don't look great for him actually maintaining that goal any time soon.

065. What level of emotional intelligence do they have?

His emotional intelligence is fairly decent; however, his emotional wisdom and social skills often leave something to be desired. He can understand that he's in distress and needs to care for himself just fine, but that doesn't do him any good if he convinces himself he can handle things alone, believes himself to be undeserving of compassion, and actively refuses to take said care of himself. Likewise, while he can often understand the emotions of those around him, not everyone appreciates some of those emotions being treated as a simple problem he just has to find the solution for.

066. How do they communicate their thoughts and feelings (positive or negative) to others?

He doesn't. He bottles it all up until they push him too far or the occasional feeling dawns on him that he should them know he cares about them. After all, he's very obvious in showing how he feels (in his mind, at least), so why does he need to specifically voice it all the time?

067. What are their love languages out of the classic 5?

Acts of service, gift-giving, and quality time. Physical touch is also a common one for him in romantic relationships, but he doesn't initiate it nearly as often in platonic or familial relationships.

068. What are their love languages not included in the classic 5?

Memorization of small details, protection, avoidance, and sacrifice (up to and including his own life).

069. How strong is their sense of empathy?

Not very. He can be incredibly sympathetic and has his ways of reading people, but unless he can specifically relate to their current situation, he can't actually place himself in their shoes and feel what they're feeling. Even when he can relate to their situation, he moreso taps into his own past feelings than connects with their current ones, which can be counterproductive if they feel differently.

070. Do they allow themself to be vulnerable or keep all at a distance?

He absolutely keeps everyone at a distance, but those patient and persistent enough can definitely break through his walls and witness moments of vulnerability from him despite his best efforts to pretend such vulnerabilities don't exist. Those who pay close enough attention will even realize that the very fact that he allows them to get close means that he's already become vulnerable to them. The only time he doesn't try to hide that, though, is when he truly believes they need a reminder of how much he cares for them.

071. Do they struggle relating to others with foreign experiences?

Very much so, but that doesn't mean he automatically dismisses them. He'll always try to help others in their struggles as long as they aren't harming others. Even then, he's been known to offer words of kindness to those most in society wouldn't seem worthy of such an act. People can't change if never presented with the opportunity or motivation to do so.

072. How quickly are they to give their trust?

What trust? Joking aside though, trust always needs to be earned with Bruce. However, once fully earned and fostered, it's hard to break that trust entirely. He might not trust them in small matters anymore, but he'd likely still trust them with his life if push came to shove.

073. Are they more of an optimist or pessimist?

He would describe himself as more of a realist, but his life experiences have led him to expect the worst more often than not. Despite that, he continues to fight for a world where better expectations might more easily exist.

074. Are their emotions easily influenced by others’?

Only by those he's already started to grow close to. Usually, there are too many walls in place, but once someone's slipped past his defenses, it doesn't take much to have him wrapped around their finger.

-- Romance & Sexuality

075. Do they fall on the aromantic/asexual spectrum?

Definitely. He's demi in both spectrums, requiring an existing emotional connection before developing feelings for or attraction to anyone.

076. Do they want to be married?

Ideally, yes. In practice, it would take a lot to convince him to add yet another potential family member for him to lose into his life, though.

077. What type of features are they attracted to?

Sharp/angular facial features, plush lips, slender builds, toned muscles, broad shoulders, long hair, heights not far below but potentially fairly far above his own, and nice hands

078. What type of personalities are they attracted to?

Passionate, charismatic, mature, strong-willed, kind, and respectful people who are good with children.

079. What type of personalities repulse them/are a turn off?

Rude, violent, manipulative, reckless, egotistical, immature, and/or chauvinistic people unable to take anything seriously.

080. Would they be open to a threesome?

Not unless it was one mind shared between two bodies or one body shared between two minds.

081. Would they be open to a foursome or more?

The previous answer would still stand, but there would be more hesitance for each additional body/mind. More alters/other variations of head mates would be more likely to cause real discomfort than more bodies, though, since each one would technically be a separate partner with their own thoughts and personality. 2 minds might actually be a max for him.

082. Would they be okay with an open relationship?

Not at all. I could see him agreeing to his partner seeing others to keep them happy if he was talked into it, but he wouldn't be able to keep up multiple relationships at once himself, and even sharing his current partner would be very unhealthy for him and would eventually break him to the point of pulling away entirely.

083. Are they polygamous?

Absolutely not, as explained in the previous answer.

084. Are they open about their sexuality (both orientation and general)?

Nope. He doesn't even realize he's on the ace/aro spectrums, much less that he's bi. Even with women, he denies his attraction to them as long as he can and tries to avoid even purely emotional attachment to them, due to his tendency to repress emotions, his lacking romantic experience and his fear of loss. He's also a deeply private person in general and tries to avoid being the focus of a conversation.

085. Are they comfortable with casual sex?

No, he doesn't even feel the need to engage in such acts when not in a relationship. He would have no reason to seek out temporary companionship, and he wouldn't be attracted to anyone without forming a deeper connection to them. He hadn't even had his first kiss before becoming involved with Selina, and his one night stand with Talia was not intended to be so brief on his side of things.

086. How comfortable are they with discussing sexuality in general?

In general, incredibly uncomfortable, but with a (potential) partner, usually the most discomfort he'll feel is some mild shyness or embarrassment.

087. What are their kinks?

Bondage (mostly receiving), dominance (receiving), body worship (giving), sparring/wrestling, sensation play, adrenaline/danger play (only when no real risk/threat exists to deal with or after dealing with something real not brought on by his partner where nobody else could've been hurt), roleplaying (mostly bringing hero/rogue personas into the bedroom, though he's too embarrassed to reveal so without prompting), clothed sex (either both or just his partner), costumes/uniforms (mostly formal attire, business wear, and hero/rogue uniforms), lingerie (on either his partner or himself, but he hasn't been introduced to that second option yet), teasing (mostly receiving), and suspension (mostly receiving).

088. If they could choose, on average, would they prefer slow and sensual or fast and rough?

He definitely prefers to slow down and appreciate things as they occur, but he'll speed up if requested, and he certainly wouldn't have any complaints being treated a little rougher if his partner was the one controlling the pace.

089. Does emotional intimacy play any part in their enjoyment of sex?

Absolutely. He cannot enjoy the act if he isn't physically pleasing a partner he has grown emotionally attached to. He doesn't even tend to himself, though there's generally no need to if he hasn't interacted with such a person recently.

090. How tolerant are they of kinks they don’t have?

It depends on the potential they have to cause harm or illness and how much physical pleasure it would bring his partner. Outside of his own relationships, he doesn't care what people do as long as they're being safe and discreet.

091. Are they more prone to the dominant or submissive role?

Submissive. He can fake being dominant occasionally to please his partners, but it doesn't come naturally to him, and prolonged teasing or pushback would quickly break his resolve.

092. Do they prefer the penetrated (bottom) or penetrating (top) position?

He has no preference, but given that he has only had cis female partners in the past, he is more experienced as a top. Although, he would be uncertain of himself either way at first with a partner who had the same genitalia as him, and until he became more confident in his skill with that type of anatomy, he would likely always make sure they were still stimulated from the front in some way when topping. He also tries to use other forms of stimulation when taking the bottom role with partners lacking the necessary natural anatomy, wanting to make sure their needs are still being met. In any case, constant audible confirmation of his partner's pleasure greatly helps to reassure him and keep his anxieties from interfering.

093. Are they a sadist, masochist, or both?

He's not exactly a masochist persay, but if any pain is going to occur, he would much rather it happen to him. Anything on his end couldn't go beyond gentle love nips, lightly running his nails across skin, or minimal pressure/squeezing applied to certain body parts, and that last one would take a bit of convincing before he was comfortable trying.

094. Do they prefer to give or receive oral sex?

Give. He grows deeply uncomfortable whenever he is doted on in any way unless he is able to return the affection, preferably simultaneously, Even when he's already made sure his partner has had their fill for the time being, having all attention turned on him can still make him tense or squirmy, especially when when unable to at least touch them while it's happening.

-- Misc.

095. Would they be considered “out of touch” with the present day?

In some ways. He doesn't necessarily keep up with the latest trends or what slang is currently in use among the youth of today. In fact, he could easily be described as a product of an older era. However, he is more aware than most of the things that truly matter in life, and people trust him to pay attention to their needs and do his best to fight for necessary changes, when others with his level of power in society often ignore anything that doesn't directly seem to affect them or even make things worse for those less fortunate if it works to their advantage.

096. What are their feelings about recycling?

It's an incredible method for reducing waste, but an individual's efforts to engage in it won't make a difference if the corporations that create most of the world's waste continue not to take any accountability or make any attempts at change themselves.

097. Do they have any grasp of Internet culture?

Basically none. If it could provide insight on a case, he might put in the effort to learn a thing or two, but beyond that, it holds no relevance in his life.

098. What’s their average level of energy?

Probably a 5. Tired and overworked, but he manages to carry on regardless.

099. What are they proud of?

His family, his friends, and people who have chosen to better themselves despite any struggles involved in doing so. He holds no pride for any of his own actions or achievements, though.

100. What do they regret?

Every mistake, real or imagined, that he's ever made, the people that he's failed to save making up the majority of that regret.

101. Do they have any secrets?

...He's Batman.