#dyo speaks

[dyokenstuff]

I find it hilarious when people call steins;gate 0 bad and they always bring up the anime like brother- the vn exists lmao??? Never going to understand these people

Can I just say, my only complain with zero is kagari, I feel that her existence in the series was totally unnecessary, she hold zero purpose, only to act like an cry baby crying out loud for her mom issues, also leskinen's puppet, yeah, she was the reason leskinen did what he did but come on- she was annoying af and I bet the lore would not change at all if she wasn't there, and don't get me started with the whole "kagari looks like kurisu" thing like- why make an character similar to another character that is dead and the creators never explained why and how?

You know what they should have gone for? Fubuki, yes, you might wonder why, simply because of her whole thing about having reading Steiner, but somehow hold okabe's memories from when he tried to save Mayuri many times, they could have used fubuki instead of kagari, considering that on the vn, she possessed memories from the alpha worldline, and the 3 world war

(images from wiki btw)

Imagine if they made something like fubuki posseses this memories, and leskinen used her and brainwashed her for his goals, similar to what he did to kagari (the way they handle this fubuki with reading Steiner in the anime was actually awful, second thing that I feel disappointed a bit)

Steins gate 0 could be not good, it has some flaws and this and that, but it's also not AWFUL like how everyone portraits, it feels really annoying seeing people acting like it's the end of the world with zero, my urge is to jump on the screen and strangle them all or call sern after them, I don't care how steins gate would ended up in the future, now that we will get the reboot, if steins gate is good, I still love it, if it's bad, I still love it, if it's amazing or awful, I still love it, I don't care if they milk sg either, I will and still love steins gate!!!

[corrosive-theatrics]

How do you feel about the red lord

. . .

(The mask looked visibly uncomfortable despite the fact they couldn’t express very well. Fear, hate, and sorrow all balled up into one look of stern tragedy. Their hands clenched tightly into fists.)

Hm.. Next question, please! ~

[alfafilly]

It's 2025, new husband just dropped!

I've liked Darkrai for years, it's one of my top 5 fav Pokemon, but I recently got hyper-fixated and well... you know how it goes. :>

Name: Dyo (pronounced like Dio) Nicknames: Dio, Daddy Gender: Male (he/him) Age: Thousands of Years Height: 9 feet Weight: 115 lbs Type: Dark Moveset: Dark Void, Hypnosis, Dark Pulse, Dream Eater

Personality: -Sarcastic; sometimes you can't tell if his reactions are genuine -Sassy; will snap back with an attitude -Domineering/Controlling; doesn't like to be bossed around in the slightest -Lonely and craves attention; has an extroverted nature and wants to be around people -Egotistical; not to a narcissistic level, but he does think highly of himself

Bio: Dyo has been around for so long not even he remembers when he came into existence. Much of his life was spent protecting and guarding an ancient forest in Sinnoh/Hisui. As time went on, he could no longer stop the encroaching humans from destroying it to build their towns and cities. Eventually he grew tired of the routine and felt it an empty cause, so he abandoned it for new ventures. In a very "If you can't beat them, join them" situation, he began to take on behaviors and elements of human culture. He especially grew fond of humans and their silly little parties. He sometimes regrets the decision to abandon the forest, but at the same time feels he has lived a more enriching life now than the thousands he spent there. Sooo you win some, you lose some. He still harbors resentment to humanity as a whole for being so destructive.

Likes: -Battling; if he thinks he will lose he won't initiate or will run away though -Cold weather -Raves and parties (party boy ayyy) -Cuddling (ssh don't tell anyone)

Dislikes: -Sunlight; by nature/instinct more than anything else -His friend Cady -His scars, especially his chipped collar (he's self-conscious about it) -Humans + the fear of being captured (masterballs are his own personal nightmare)

Other: -He can speak telepathically to humans and other pokemon (He has a deep, raspy voice) -His mouth has no real function except when extremely exhausted or out-of-it he might be seen panting through it. Otherwise he just reveals it when being creepy or weird. -His legs are out 99% of the time and he will only retract them in an emergency, like if he needs to get away and they would be a hindrance. -He can phase through hard objects like a ghost, or disappear into shadows. He cannot, however, phase through flesh (aka people/most pokemon). -He's not evil, but he can be a little psychotic at times, such as enjoying inflicting pain on people or seeing people get hurt by their own foolishness. -He identifies as asexual and aromantic.

Theme Songs: Boss Bitch - Doja Cat Ur Not Hot - CallMeSpice Queen - Todrick Hall Moon Creep - Brent Walsh Talk talk - Charli xcx / Troye Sivan

[echantedtoon]

Obsessed

(WARNINGS: Some toxic relationship stuff mentioned, death, possession with the mask, yandereish tendencies, possibly some innuendos, Dyo IS his own warning, implied past spicy times, technically the guy he's posessing is dead, blood mentioned, pregnancy, etc.

Inspired by @wolveria 's works and a random anon ask she had gotten.)

What was it that drew out the obsession in living things? 

Could it be a taste for something they never had before? A new sudden interest in something? A feeling of familiarity that they wanted to cling onto? Or was it just a sudden snap in the brain that screamed 'must have it'? She hadn't the foggiest clue. The very reason she was here was because she was fascinated with the thinking of the inhuman and call of the unnatural. Such was the reason that brought her here to this situation in the first place. 

She shouldn't have let it happen. GOD she shouldn't have let it happen! What was she thinking?! It was stupid. She knew better than to be lured in by sweetened words and let herself become entangled in something else that was only to be the downfall of her own self, safety, and sanity.

"Hey, Reid." The sounds of a voice snapped her back into the world from her stupor as she looked up from the papers standing still in her hands and towards the smiling face of a fellow female employee. "I heard you're about to go on maternity leave. We're gonna miss seeing you around the office."

Despite the feeling of dread pooling in her guts she managed to voice a steady tone and a smile despite her shaky hand. "Yeah. It's better for me since I don't need all the stress."

Luckily the fellow scientist nodded without any arguments. "I hear you. This place can give you enough stress to give you permanent anxiety. It's probably why they took you off the zero Three Five's case to avoid anything bad happening to you." With a small sigh she crossed her arms. "I don't know anyone who'd willingly just surveillance the thing."

The thing. The mask. 

The literal reason she was in this situation in the first place. The very thing she was avoiding at all costs. God why did she allow hik to sweet talk her into intimacy. She was lucky to have been able to avoid the place without much argument from the higher ups due to request. What request? Simple. A request to transfer to a less strainous job due to her pregnancy. 

The problem that had arisen because of the stupid thing.

It was a stupid mistake that shouldn't have happened. How was she supposed to know that it was possible for it to- ..God. if anyone found out then she'd be terminated immediately if she was lucky. Interrogated and then forced to be locked away until her child was taken away for them to do who knows what to them at worst. The only good thing to come from this is the fact that no one would have any suspicions to the baby's origins. After all how could they suspect it?

He was a mask.

A very dangerous mask, but one without a body and that's part of the reason why she couldn't believe the situation she was in. If it wasn't for the literal pregnancy attached to her then she probably would've written everything off as a bad fantasy. However it was impossible to write off cravings, constant morning sickness, and the literal swell of her abdomen as a figment of her imagination. 

"No. I guess not...Are you here for the transfer order for scp zero seven four?"

She nodded. "Yep. I need the orders to get started." At which she stepped forward and held out her hand. "Do you have them?"

With a nod she just held out a single piece of officially documented paper, signed by a higher up with their stamp of approval. "Here. Don't loose it. Im drowning in enough paperwork and insurance coverages as we speak."

With a smile on her face she received her part and departed. "Thanks, Reid. Oh. Congratulations on the baby by the way."

She simply held up a hand back with a smile on her face that dropped the moment the other woman left before she sighed, leaning back in the uncomfortable office chair. Hand coming to lay on the problem that was the unwanted passenger currently here for the ride. 

"You're going to be the death of me."

~~~~

Like the flashes of hellfire red lights flashed upon the freed and bloodthirsty creatures that reigned supreme of the mesh of concrete and steel that once made up their confined cells of torture. The whirring of alarms sounded overhead instead of warning the innocent of humans seemed more of a praised laugh to announce the arrival of the manic chaos that was to befall all.

Blood. As red as the lights and as copper as the metal was the main decoration for the parade of monsters descending through the halls and disemboweling the humans and in some cases each other. No one cares. Certainly not the beasts that now ran ramped with adrenaline and bloodlust in their minds.

An inhuman screech went off into the night as a stronger forced ripped away arms from torso. Eyes turned and stared into the bloodlust abyss of bloodshot eyes. A mix of shrieks echoed out into the darkened night above. So much blood spilt in that night that it might've even spilt into the moon illuminating red down on everything.

R E D

The color clouded vision beyond reasoning. Inhuman yells of pain and murder carved way by him. One by one. Body by body. Life by life. Flesh torn from bone. Blood cleaved from muscles. Arms from torso. Limb from limb. He was a beast tonight. The thirst for blood was not just a want but a need. For tonight he was not a man. Not a demon. Nor anything else comprehendible by human thought.

~~~~

A wave of relief from the stress after so long was finally hers after her request for the maternity leave was approved and sent to her almost right away. Almost as quickly for her request months ago to be transferred to a less strainous job. But she supposed the foundation didn't want the reputation of putting a pregnant woman in danger on their heads on top of the amount of questionable things that they already had done. 

As for zero Three Five, she at first didn't worry to much. He couldn't get up and walk around on his own and while he could've noticed her ..condition, she transferred from his case before she began showing and didn't tell him, so she was confident that he hadn't any idea of this. Which would be better in the long run. Who knows what might happen if he found out. 

Apparently there was quite the tantrum throwing down his way anyways. The timing of her leaving and him acting out wasn't a coincidence, she was smart enough to know that but that wasn't really a priority right now. Her main priority was trying to figure out what to do about this. Her first thought was possibly just giving it up to adoption services which still hadn't really left the table. After all it might be better id there was as least minimal contact between this child and it's 'Father' as possible. 

When she first found out about this it was panic and anxiety. Still is but less than it was in the beginning. She had the ridiculous fear that she might be forced to birth a mask but that was impossible and just the paranoia speaking. The sonograms of the child weren't actually any different than that of a normal infant but that didn't mean anything was normal yet. Would it possess any keter level abilities like the mask? Was it just a normal human regardless of its parentage? Would they get any physical features like that mask? Though there wasn't anything physical to really take after. Perhaps they'd be extremely pale like the white porcelain Zero Three Five was made of but she could just easily just say it was Albinoism to detour any suspicions. She already had a reasonable excuse if anyone asked about the father.

"He was just a fling I had. He doesn't know and honestly I don't know who he is."

No one really suspected. People had one night stands all the time and several of those resulted in unexpected pregnancies. So why would anyone give any grief if it just happened to her? Sigh. She really needed a break. The next few months off was exactly what she needed to help her figure out what to do about this. 

~~~~

The darkness both swallowed him up and closed off the ways both in front and behind him making each end of the pathay difficult to see with the already limited vision he had. Heightened senses were one thing he had been thankful to have retained from years of familiarity to his body and mind. Closing off all senses to be more enlightened to one's world in a different light. Each echo of his footfalls ringing in his mind as the airways of his body forced himself to absorb more oxygen out of the air and each heart beat thudding against his ribcage. Throbbing sensation reaching from his head to his feet with every passing second he was surrounded by the buzzing swarm of danger. Enlightened by the stings of fear. Danger. Dread. Doom. Like many wasps penetrating his most basic human emotions and swelling them up to the point of combusting dangerously all over the peeping, teasing darkness.

The soft silk touch of his host's clothes met his hand. It was easy to move...Easy to will it to move running along the soft fabric to something more smooth and hard. Both basic instinct wasps forcing him to do something so familiar to combat the combustible feelings. To grab at which to protect him and cut it away like a sickeningly sweet cake of misery and despair. Instincts wailing to protect himself from dangers he had yet to see. Had yet to reveal themselves to him. Hopefully to be chased away by the sounds of the bullets of the gun and held out into the darkness to cut it's tainting self down a notch. That his willpower will always prevail over it. Each burning room slowly passing a tainting gateway. Each with a promise of safety behind it and perhaps even it had occupants inside using it. taking up it's offering of safety from the darkness now dead to the world highly unaware of the masked host just roaming outside arm outstretched and staring down the one that dared teased him the most with it's fake promise of protection.

The host approached slowly, one hand still gripped at his gum, fingers strumming against the metal handle as if his nerves where itching to use it. Yet he remained stoic despite the clouds that where casting gathering to add to the storm inside his head. Upon closer inspection the scalpel in the door was too purposeful for this to be an improvised job, this job - this attack, this entire get away had been just a waste of his time so far. His eyes narrowed or would've if he was capable of that.

"Dam it. Where is that damned exit?!"

A inhuman scream tore through the area drowning out the other terrible screams and blaring alarm.

The blaring alarms hid well the sounds of his footsteps and the chaos of murder around him covered the intention of the desire and want which was the driving force of the shared minds that combined with one another to become one.

The screams rang into the air as his pathway was made, him walking through its wake of cadavers long since dead. The morbid sight earning a slight chuckle despite his annoyance with the situation. 

"It looks as if that lizard got here before I did."

Terror. Fear. Danger. Get away. Get away! All the pathetic ones scream. Like a car accident, terrible yet one couldn't look away from the incoming storm of tragedy. He was so used to such actions as he came with the reputation. The woman who continued to shriek in his way meant nothing to him. She was merely just an obstacle. An annoying hindrance to what he wanted-..No

.

What he N E E D E D.

And he always dealt away with obstacles. The old body was easily chuckled to the side, he not caring about where it landed or how the other ended up. Screaming. A true testimony to his being. Power. Force behind it and he knew that as screams filled out his eardrums and killed him into the comfortable lullaby of chaos incarnate. Arms rising and head tilted back in display for the passionate dance of bodies scattering blurred to his vision footfalls thundering like a rain dance of nature. A true place a demon would find peace. Eyelids fluttered shut as the sounds blurred out around him until he heard nothing. Saw nothing. Felt nothing. But-

WHAT HE NEEDED WAS THAT DAM EXIT!!!

The fact that there was a lack of an exit messed with his irritation much more than it usually did but there was more urgency than before because of someone else who especially didn't like him found out about this little problem he'd gotten himself into and got there before he did...Well even just the thought of it happening was enough to drive him to insanity and rage and many other emotions he didn't want to unpack right now and didn't really have time to. As he paced past rooms with destruction already painted on it's walls and with the distant sounds of -... Footsteps drowned out by screams and alarms stopped in their pacing to back track. Poking his borrowed host's head inside a room. It looked like an office. The owner of which was long since dead slumped over against the wall. But what caught his interest was the thick window. Usually reinforced but now broken to the outside.

An exit and a new host all in one place.  How convenient.

"Hm. I think I'll take what's behind door number one.~"

~~~~

The peace of mind she'd gotten for once was short lived. As if she couldn't catch one break in this entire process. A breach. Just what she needed in this time. Her only saving grace was that she wasn't there when it happened. That probably would've been much more disasterous than actually taking this damned problem home with her. It was only inviting trouble...But she shouldn't worry, she told herself. Her home was a decent distance away from the sight and by the time she was due back most of the staff would probably be on leave anyways until repairs were made during damage control. 

So for now she'd relax and get comfortable on the couch and worry about just figuring out what to do next. Not as if she could do much with the equivalent of a bowling ball attached to her middle. Not until she was finally through this. 

However fate would've had other plans as they usually do.

When something from the outside of the room would've made their way in. Without warning the doorknob opening and swinging open by itself jolting her from where she lied, and horrified fear enveloped her when the body of her neighbor who was no more. Dramatically posed like a puppet following invisible strings.

"Honey!~ I'm home!~"

[askdyo]

Have you ever had any encounters with a cresselia before? What are they like, in your opinion?

Well... let's just say, me and Cresselia don't exactly get along...

I guess you might need some context... Cresselia are suppose to be our Yin to our Yang or some hippie bullshit like that. We are "Lunar Duos", but saying we are a "Duo" is giving her way too much credit. Essentially, they make sure we don't fuck things up. Back in the old days, they were like, uh... I guess the best way to put it, is a manager at your job. They would stop by every now and again and be all "Sup, dude? How's that forest you're guarding doing? Lookin' good? Awesome!" and then leave us alone for a few thousand years. Cycle repeat. Pretty peaceful. Pretty chill. No biggie.

After humans came along and things started going to shit... they kinda became that boss you fucking despise and wish would burn in a fire. I can't speak for other Darkrai, but for me, any time Cresselia came along to do her little checkups it would take everything in my power not to lose my ever loving marbles.

See, there are fewer Cresselia than there are Darkrai. Every Cresselia is sort of... "assigned" a certain number of Darkrai to keep tabs on. Mine became a fucking cunt. It was always "Huh. Dyo, it looks like you lost another couple hundred acres of your forest since last time. What's up with that? Hey, Dyo, seems like you've been feeding a little too much off the local human village. You can't be doing that! Humans are our friends! Huh? The humans are the ones destroying your forest? Now, now, Dyo, don't be silly! They're probably just upset you keep feeding off them! Maybe cut that out and they'll leave you alone!"

WELL, bitch, they fucking didn't! Like, where the fuck were you when everything went to hell?? Why did you disappear for the hundreds of years when I actually needed some support??

Nooo all you ever wanted to do was stop me from feeding by sprinkling your stupid ass fairy dust on me to force me to sleep or dump your dream feathers on the humans to prevent me from eating! The very same humans that were ruining my home. The fuck is up with that huh??

My Lunar Buddy. My Pal. I didn't see you stepping up to help when I needed it! When my forest was reduced to nothing! When I was being ganged up on every day for months on end! When they came after the forest, when they came after me, wh-when they came after Ko... K-Ko... ughh!!

Stupid motherfucking bitchass cock sucking cunt!!

...

Let's just say... when I saw her again finally...

... things didn't go well. She hasn't visited me since.

Honestly? Good. Go die ya stupid ho.

[dark-raven-666]

*breaks the wall*

I came here to request SCP 035 having a crush on the reader

*poof*

Scp-035 having a crush on reader

Wanings: angst, unrequited love

GN reader. He/it 035

///////////////////////////////////////////

Walking past its cell I see the shimmering eyes of the mask. It had been granted a D-class host for this interview

"Hello there! Paying me a visit I see! " it says with that rather creepy smile it holds.

"Hello" I give it a smile and sit on the chair facing it. This interview is two hours long. My instructions were clear. Get it to speak as much as possible and it will slip and give information.

I doubt many would like to spend two hours with a mask that oozes with something acidic. While I'm stuck here I need to remain on its good side.

"How is it going? What about my request? Will I be granted my own theater? " It blabbers with question.

"One at a time dear. First, everything is going great thank you for asking. Second your request for a TV was denied unfortunately. Third, I managed to convince them to build you a small theatre in your cell. If you behave well you get to keep it and if you don't it is taken from you" I answer the masks questions.

"Ahh a theatre! How wonderful! But we all know a theatre comes with an audience! Who shall be my audience Mia Signora?!" He seems happy saying this.

Mia Signora... Always with the Italian nicknames. He only calls other staff by their names... I think to myself yet keep smiling and respond.

"Unfortunately you don't get an audience yet I may be able to come see your acts on my breaks" I try my best to cheer him up.

The mask's face turns into a frown in a matter of seconds "oh no" I think. It did not like that...

Suddenly the frown turns back into a smile. "Well.. I can't complain! At least I will have an audience" he exclaims lifting his arms, well someone's arms into a shrug.

"Come now bella, I shall show you an act" he gets up from the chair and says.

To say the least the two hour so called interview gave no good results.

I put my mug of coffee down. A week has passed since the interview and I have what seems to be an hour of nothing. I could go out but once again, I promised the mask to watch it perform.

"Cara Mia! You've come to visit! I was exctatic the moment they gave me a host! I knew it meant I was getting a visitor!" It seems to cheer in happiness.

I walk and place a chair in front of the small stage and watch the mask get up there and act suddenly it reaches a hand into the audience. "bellissimo canarino! Sing with me!" He says rather dramatically and I take his hand and stand on the stage with him. And try my best to sing the song from the act "the phantom of the opera".

"Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime" he sings and I sing with him. By the end of the song he gets on one knee and sings "Y/N I loovvveeee youuu~"

The music plays from the CD and I stare at him surprised. This whole act he was the phantom and I was Christine. Why would he say MY name now. I think to myself until it hits me.

"Oh god..." Is all I can muster up.

He chose this act not only because it is my favorite but because he wanted to confess his love for me through it.

We all know how the play ends though, and it seemed deep down it knew we would end up the same.

"I'm sorry.. Dyo.. " I use its name. He has to know that now it is not a researcher and an scp but a person and a mask that is in love.

Its head ducks down and he hands me a ring for me to give back and continue the act.

I hand it the ring in its hosts palm and slowly walk backwards and off the stage. Looking back at it every step.

Tears flow down my own cheeks. I feel guilty and wish I could love him back.

Its head is still low and it is still on one knee. It seems devastated. Then I see something in the hole that is its eye. A tear. Not the regular black ooze. An actual tear. The face of the mask is smiling yet tears flow down its face...

It was a beautiful act. One that was filled with real feelings. One that would surely break one's heart.

/////////////////////////////////

As punishment for breaking the wall this story was angst <3

Forgive me dear this took forever but I finally got out of the author's block <3

[dusty-rubies]

* A lantern makes great company.

Viktor Hazelhurst is a shopkeeper, his beat up tent tucked away into an isolated corner of the Kingdom. He was once the court doctor, but was banished alongside Dyo and Cain when the current king took over. He spends his days either waiting for people to stop by his shop, or wandering the Kingdom, searching for people in need (and more items for his shop). Outside of the occasional visitor, he is alone.

The new court doctor? I wouldn’t suggest asking him about that. It’s… well let’s just say he gets very passionate when speaking about them.

[hiemaldesirae]

experimenting w the colours i want for dyo

(unfiltered) versions of dyo/dante/vergil under the cut <- in that order

key features:

dyos hair sparkles w flame like vergils does but they dont have the bright blue freckles, dantes hair doesnt really resemble flames at all but since i was too lazy to actually draw what his hair wld look like its like. just normal hair. bit fluffy but not gravity defying and the blue is less bright

dantes wither seeps through their mask more than dyos does and since vergil isnt a wither at all he doesnt get wither lol

technically speaking vergil isnt supposed to have the wither hands at all but i forgot to remove them and im way too lazy to edit it . also idk if it wld make sense but i am still workshopping this design so anything goes ig

and ofc eye colours point out who it is too

(freckles and wither r a lot more prominent in drawing but id imagine its duller and harder to spot face to face)

also for general colour scheme, still sticking to the mc origins, dyos skin is more brown grey than it is blue grey bc i think the wither skeletons r like. charred corpses and not um, buried corpses w mold and stuff (???? like w the warden. i dont think jm explaining this right but like. ya)

[tinysmileyrose]

Poimts

035 headcanons now

okay, crackles knuckles.

SCP-035/Dýo headcanons

his Greek name, δύο is pronounced /vee-oh/ (instead of reading it as dyo, read as vyo).

035 has been on Earth since before -850, and as of 2023, he's been on the planet for more than 2,873 years.

the amount of corrosive ooze leaked depends on the amount of magic; around a magical creature, there will be less goo.

in a high magic environment, his tendrils stabilize and effectively become less corrosive, unless you slice one open of course.

she doesn't really have a preference towards hosts (safe for lack of acne), but if given an androgynous or intersex host, he'll be very happy with it.

035 has mixed feelings about killing his hosts; on one hand it's an act of revenge for being imprisoned, but on the other, he feels bad.

he loves nearly anything art related, visual arts? performing arts? literary arts? he adores them all!

Dýo pretty much will have some interest in anyone/anything that could resist his possession and/or corrosion.

he and Bright are the genderfluid parasitic friendos! Bright will occasionally take them out on a 'girls' night'. though due to an argument on one of them, it resulted in 035 causing a containment breach.

they can speak many human languages, and could easily be used as a translator.

they're ambidextrous! though will usually use whatever hand was the host's dominate one because it is more natural feeling.

just because someone is wearing him, doesn't mean they will die. 035 has to look around the mindscape for the active consciousness and kill it, if the host has DID then he will have to kill those consciousnesses as well.

hope this is a satisfying response! -Vesper

[dyokenstuff]

Okabe and daru are the true definition of skinny cat and chubby cat

[corrosive-theatrics]

Lotus contracted an evil computer virus, tried to befriend him, got betrayed (who didn't see that coming), trapped in their own nightmare, got possesed, met a god, and then proceeded to kick the virus's ass.

..Interesting.

Sounds like an average Saturday night when I was in Greece.

Good to see they’re having fun!

[creepyalienghost]

🎭the Jester🎭

He was the fool of the city. No really he was jester and played his part very well. Dyo Polonoi had spent his first 15 years trying to do well in his studies. He knew his history and writing by his mother. His father, who was a knight and taught him to always respect king, queen and the lords. He and his friends would often play jokes on each other and sing songs. One particular, a peasant named Simon would tell him about the weird practice his father, the was thing however dyo didn’t listen much and wasn’t allowed to interact with the lower class. Sometimes his mother would take him to places like the town show or the theater. He loved going to the theater most of all. The roles of the characters would intrigue him and fascinate him. At 6 years old he auditioned for his first play and got into theater. At 10, he was getting leads, and at 15 his friend told him he should be a court jester.

“Why not?” she had said. “The court jester would be the perfect fit for you. You’re smart, talented, funny and it’s a high role. Besides, it’s time to start thinking about how we’re going to live in the next few years.” She had paused a minute before speaking again. “Maybe if your lucky, you would stand by the king and queen one day.”

Dyo wasn’t foolish enough to believe he would ever be noticed by the king and queen but he did take some time to think over it. She was right about many things. Without his knight father he would be nothing but a poor peasant begging in the streets. And though his father wanted him to follow in his footsteps as a knight he didn’t want the same. He loved to perform and sing. Learned and play music and making people laugh. The audience was what makes him happy.

The very next day he started his journey. He learned more instruments to play as well wrote down lyrics. He started going to other jesters and watched them to do it better. He also closely watched politics and started to write down his jokes. After a couple of months he started to perform for the people. Telling jokes, singing and dancing. Once his father found out, he was against him being a jester at first. He wanted his only child to follow in his footsteps but came to accept it after a while but warned him it wasn’t an easy role. Dyo had no idea how right he would be.

For nearly six years he performed music, plays, tricks and told jokes to the locals. He even made his family laugh when his poor mother passed away, though his father didn’t like it then and didn’t all respect him. Most of his friends left him and others didn’t think of him as an official jester and tried to fight him. All the pain and hard work payed off though when Dyo got a visit from two of the king’s lords after his show. He stood up and bowed to them in respect. “My lords what can I help you with.”

“The king wishes to speak to you.” One of them had commanded.

“Yes, my lords.” he nodded and replied. “Let me just get my bag-“

“No time.” The other command and both grabbed his arms, nearly dragging him. They people around watched as the jester was taken away. Some had worried faced hoping for best for him. Others has smirks hoping to never see him again. Dyo even has his mind races and trying to think of where he fucked up so he could beg for mercy.

Once they were in the king and queen’s presence they force him on his knees even though there was no need. He immediately bowed to his king and queen. “My king, queen I apologize for my actions and words. I will pay for them with what you wish.” He lowered his head, hands shaking.

“At ease my Jester.” The king spoke, raising his hand in a stopping motion. Dyo looked up at them, wanting a response. “We heard of your performance and talent. And we wish to give you an opportunity to become a court jester. Our court jester.”

Dyo was beyond shock by the offer. So shocked he forgot how to speak for a good minute. “Y-yes!” He clears his throat. “Yes my king! I will honor this ofer and make you proud!”

The king and queen both smiled. “I sure hope so to.” The king spoke. “Wouldn’t want to fail like the last one did.” Dyo got a lump in his throat, hearing that but he only nodded. “For the time, you may stay in our sleeping quarters.” The king signaled to a servant to show him there so he could start preparations.

His room at his family’s home was nice one but this was 10 times as beautiful. It was grand and line in gold like lining. They had provided him a real bed, which he never had before. They also gave him his own desk to write is plays and such and a bookshelf filled with books of all range. Dyo was very much grateful for everything the king and queen has given him and really hope he would succeed in his offer of impressing them.

For the two weeks leading up to the party he mostly sat at his desk jotting down ideas of jokes or parts to a song. Writing, crossing out and writing a new idea. He did this for hours trying to create something the royal lords, queen and king would enjoy. This was the next level for him, he needed to make sure this was golden. He needed to make his king and queen proud as well as enjoy the upcoming night. Now only for his own life but because he was taught to respect them. They were the rulers of the land and their people. They take care of them. The only time he spent learning his favorite subjects and mapping out the castle. One night however, a few days before the party he was fetched by one of the kings, servants and brought to the throne room and only saw the king. “My king, you wish to speak to me?” Dyo asked as he stepped up a bit and bowed on his knees.

The king nodded. “I did.” He replied then sent the servant away. “I wanted to ask how you are adjusting to the castle, Dyo?”

“I am adjusting just fine, my king. Quite well in fact!” He replied to the king.

“That is wonderful to hear.” The king nodded and stood up and grabbed a good size box. His movements were gentle when doing so. Dyo stayed on his knees as the king approached him. “As you know the party is in a few days. You are required a uniform.” He stood directly in front of Dyo now. Dyo himself made sure to kneeling properly in position and payed close attention. “My servant will bring you that by tomorrow, however I wanted to gift you this by hand.” He lowered the box down to dyo, giving him permission to open it.

Dyo did so, opening the top of the box with both hands and found a beautiful white porcelain comedy mask inside. He’s eyes widen at it’s stunning beauty. “My king i-its beautiful!” He whispers is shock.

The king smiles. “It is. I agree.” He replied and took it out of the box. “I want you to wear it at all the gatherings and parties, that’s an order, dyo”

Dyo nodded. “Yes my king. I will do so.”

“Good.” The king smiled and placed the mask over Dyo’s face, gently tying the ribbon behind his head. He was careful not to get his hair caught in between the knot as he tied it well. Dyo was careful not to move for the king as he did so. “There we go.” The king spoke and handed Dyo a mirror to show what the king sees. The mask went well with the shape of his face and flow of his hair. He didn’t want to take his eyes away from the mask. He was never an ugly guy but the mask made him more… mysterious. All he could see was his green color eyes.

“If you do great at the party then you can keep it.” The king says from behind. Dyo can see his warm smile though the reflection.

Dyo nodded. “I won’t let you down, my king.”

He kept true to his word. When is was time for his main act he did something he hadn’t done yet. He told a story. His story but from the perspective of a fox. On the sad parts he sang songs to let the people listen to and perform little tricks to keep it interesting. The people in the court laughed at his jokes and clapped along the beat of his music and even got some to get up and dance. What was more important was he made the queen and king happy as well. Many times Dyo looked over and saw them joining the crowd clapping or laughing, even dancing in their thrones. Safe to say, this was a success.

He was right! The next day the king allowed him to be the official court jester. Dyo was excited. After all that hard work and dedication, he has made it. Even his father was proud of him. It seems that things were going smooth now and for a few years it was. Dyo would perform at parties and gatherings for the king and queen, he spent time spend by his kings side when discussing war on other kingdoms or on there travels on important events. He became the loyal jester to the king. The king’s favorite. However the good things certainly stop when the queen grew ill.

When dyo heard the news that day he went straight to the kings and queens side. In there room the king was beside his queen in bed. The poor queen looked to be suffering and Dyo wished she could take the sickness away from her and the pain away from his king. “My king…is there anything I can do to help? …where’s a doctor?” He ask approaching the kings side.

The king shook his head. “Hopefully there be here soon, my jester. However there’s nothing you can do.” He looks at his queen in tears.

Dyo never seen the king cry before. He was usually happy and relaxed, even around the peasants. This wasn’t fair for both of them, especially the queen. She was such a beautiful soul and kind to all, both humans and animals. She would often enter the forest to feed the dear and squirrels. She would teach children how to care for them and she would sing to the birds. A beautiful life could end real soon.

After some time the carriage arrived at the entrance to the castle and out stepped the doctor with his bag of tools. Dyo glances at the man from his window and recognized that face. That peasant, Simon had become a successful doctor. So successful that the king trusted and contacting him for the queen. Dyo hoped the doctor could help he watched the doctor met with one of the lords and followed them inside.

Later that night Dyo sat beside the fire place in the library. He was trying to distract his worried mind though art of fiction but he just couldn’t lose himself in the book like he usually can. Worried his queen, he sat the book down and, pitched the bridge of his nose, thinking. After a while there was the sounds of footsteps approaching, barely noticeable though the cracking of the fire. He looked up to see the doctor standing there.

“Good evening.” He gives a little bow tours the jester. “Pardon me but Arnt you Dyo Polonoi .“ he ask, curiously

“Yes, I am.” Dyo nodded. “Simon, right?”

The doctor nodded, sitting across from him. “Correct…. It’s good to see you…it’s just unfortunate that it’s under these circumstances.”

Dyo nodded in agreement. “Yea…I hope she’ll make it.

The doctor sat up and got a bit closer to the jester. “I understand you worry, I am worried for our queen as well…but I promise you Dyo, i will do my best to save her.”

“Thank you, Simon.” Dyo replied. “I just only hope it could be enough…I-it’s not that I don’t believe your work doctor, it’s just you never know with these things.”

“Do not worry, I understand.” The doctor said. “These practices are still vary new and all. B-but! I had cured many others before and I’m confident that I will cure our queen.”

“I Believe you, doctor” Dyo replied. “The king wouldn’t just get any doctor. He had research done on you and you were the best choice.” he added and stood up. “However If you excuse me. It’s getting quite late. I should be off to bed.” He said then headed to his room.

Over the course of the week, the citizens prayed for her Heath, Dyo hoped as he tried to keep the king happy and the doctor tried but in the end it was all for nothing. The poor queen passed though out the night. The king was crushed and the doctor considered himself a failure. Dyo was there for the king so he’ll have a shoulder to cry on and even tried to make the doctor feel better but nothing would work in this situation, making him feel like a failure. Keeping people happy was his job after all

The funeral was elegant. Her casket was a beautiful smooth wooden that only THR wealthy could afford. Her father flowers laid on top of the lid and around the casket. All of the citizens we’re there to honor her and cherish their memories of her life though their eyes. It was going well. The orchestra played her favorite song, the lords saluted her body and the king told a few of his favorite stories, though he couldn’t really finish one with out breaking down, which he he lead the king off to the side at once. Dyo watched as they lowered her casket in the ground, and a group of citizens began to burry her there as the rest of them stood in silence in respect. That’s when the mystery person arrived.

“Your majesty.” Said a voice from the back, making everyone look that way. The person was tall and was wrap in a sink like ribbon. It’s voice sounded safe and trustworthy. “I can help you.” It spoke as it approaches the king. “I can teach you to bring your queen back.”

“But how kind stranger?” The king replied, holding back. Tears. “She is gone.”

The stranger knelt down to the king in a bow. “Your highness, if you allow me to stay in your kingdom, I can teach you things you wouldn’t even believe. You can become a god and have your queen back.” He said. “All you have to do is trust me.”

The stranger sounded so sweet and kind that dyo wasn’t surprised when the king agreed. He even smiled and couldn’t wait to see his queen again. Though he didn’t believe in magic before now but the stranger was confident and made it hard not to believe in it. Dyo watched as the king and this kind stranger went off to talk and everyone else went home in high hopes. After all what could go wrong.

[fuzedatti]

XI. Memento mori

───── ❝ 𝐀𝐧 𝐒𝐂𝐏 𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐞 ❞ ─────

Masterlist

──────────────────

—Have you ever wondered how bad it is to love?

Nicéphore's tired feet brought out his irritable side, carrying the little boy on his shoulders did not help his now short temper.

—What do you mean?– Asked the doctor. —What kind of trick are you doing now?–

The mask was silent for a few moments, thinking about his answer.

—Nothing.– He tolted his head. -I just want to know.-

The distant lights of the city seemed like paradise at that moment, shining among the emptiness of the frozen desert, they had been walking for about 15 hours or so; Not being human, tiredness was the least of their concern, but when it came to their mind, it could not be controlled. The doctor stopped dead in that place, alerting the minor to the situation. Louis turned to see his lover with an arrogant face, knowing exactly what to answer.

—Makes you weak.– Dyo didn't answer. —Wasn't what you wanted to hear?–

The gusts of wind accommodated the few loose hair of the Frenchman, mesmerized by the petrified God.

—Yes, that was it.

Junior kept his head down as he listened to his "parents" speak. He was not a child, not as they thought, he was analyzing the environment, observing. He adjusted his hat a bit to continue harassing their presence, now tense from the discussion.

—Do you think I'm weak, Louis...? Do you think I'm a fool?

A slight tic in his eye made him react, taking the doctor by the neck to slam him against the ground. His head thudded against a nearby rock, without reacting, Louis looked directly at Dýo, hollow inside.

—Even after all these years,– He said as she helped him up. —You still don't know how to respect me.–

The plague doctor chuckled, taunting his lover discreetly. He took the minor by the hand to rest his numb shoulders. The monstrosity remained silent, its steps heavy against the rough earth, watching its footprints disappear against the wind. Will the other prints disappear too?

The hours seemed to slip away easily. The sound of rampant addiction and sin reverberated through their heads. The thousands of flashes could blind a mortal, but to them, it was insignificant.

One night on the last day of October marked history. When witches were burned to scare away evil spirits, but what they did not know is that they had created new monsters; Mythical monsters, worthy of nightmares, human monsters.

The crowd of people were all in costumes, too distracted to notice the presence of the Keter and Euclid class entities. The foundation was lying when it said that no one, and I repeat, no one should know about the anomalies; Ironically they adored their "costumes", hailing how realistic they looked and their creativity in doing so.

Louis's heavy voice whispered something to Dýo, in a language already forgotten by mortals, even the smallest could understand it. They talked about the escape, what they would do next, and most importantly, finding a new host for Dýo. The current body was already on the verge of disintegrating, the bones stopped looking like props, and his height decreased every day. Both eternals analyzed the environment to find a suitable host, it had to be someone tall, strong and especially resistant. He must have someone young with a lot of energy, the human metabolism sped up wildly when Dýo was ported, having to eat exuberant amounts of food a day to stay on his feet.

Among all the people, a woman of approximately 6'5 caught their attention, she seemed vigorous and fit for a guest, his eyes never leaving her. Cautiously, the pair approached her, imitating each other's movements, as if it were a reflex. Every step the mask took was one less limb for him, the humans too drugged to notice the decomposing corpse next to him. Once at a safe distance, Louis pulled a syringe from his robes and while the woman was distracted, he nimbly injected the liquid right into her lumbar vertebra, letting her spinal fluid absorb the toxin.

The woman began to deform in a matter of seconds, scaring the other mortals not understanding what was happening. Her brain totally drunk on new forms of life surrendered to hers, leaving her body at the mercy of Dýo, who, theatrically, extended his arms to engulf the female body and become one with her. Its dark tentacles embraced the limbs, bursting their veins and arteries. The mask settled on the face, now destroyed by the weight, leaving the deity in total control. The horrified people screamed for help, but it was all a Halloween show in their eyes. The mask gave a long stretch to crack the remaining bones, a new body to possess felt good.

Beneath their naivety, people kept praising the costume, the hollow shell of the soul that is now in a better place. The doctor turned to his creation, which was now laughing non-stop for no reason.

—You didn't have to do all that theatrics for something so simple.

—They adore me.– Dýo sighed. —Like old times, they adore me.–

Louis said nothing, letting his partner's dream not be broken into a thousand pieces. The bad thing was that, apart from the terrified people, they had to keep moving forward but the deity obviously wouldn't want to, she wanted to have fun and her subjects must entertain her. Soon the doctor lost sight of his Lord, frowning behind his mask. The corner near the main street seemed like a good place to wait for her for about two hours. No matter where he looked, the tide of people seemed to never cease, millions of ornate heads flooding his vision, it was nauseating.

Arms folded, he killed anyone who got close to him, it didn't matter, they just looked like common drunks with nothing else to do in their lives but fall asleep on the sidewalk. His deathtouch was effective, sure, but there were times when he wished he had the powers of the mask, to change his body at will, to create new limbs and that enchanting ability to manipulate, he was convinced he was under its spell, somehow. All his hands did was kill and satisfy, create, but never prove anything. His cure proved nothing.

He hadn't noticed the passage of time, nor the moment when Junior disappeared from his side. He turned to look for him, but there was no sign of his presence, at that moment he began to despair. In his own language, he screamed for him, he began to get dizzy among so many humans, so many identical faces, so many illusions, he felt death near. He yelled and yelled until he got an answer but not from the little one, but from his partner.

—Could you stop making that annoying sound?– She complained. —Why don't you try to have a little fun?–

—No, I just-

—You always make excuses for my potential. I am a God, your God. Why would you disobey your lord and master?

—My Lord, listen to me, I need-

—I need.– She imitated his voice. —What do you need? To rescue you, to make you feel full? Or to give a purpose to your existence?–

—THE CREATURE IS NOT HERE!

Dýo's perpetual smile disappeared in that instant, changing to one of anguish. The human companions looked at this paranormal change with terror and ran away, watching the creature increase in size.

—Are you that insignificant to lose a mere creature?– His voice, though serene, emanated hate.

—If you had only put your human needs aside, he wouldn't be lost right now.

—Humans!?– Dýo yelled. —How dare you call me human!?–

The deity roughly grabbed the doctor, trying to destroy his bones with violence, but the french didn't communicate anything, his expression of indifference remained the same.

—Do you care so much about the baby?

—YOU don't understand.– Dýo growled. —Bring me that creature, NOW!–

Louis was about to do something unthinkable, aiming the spike of his mask at the opponent's center, but he was interrupted by the sound of slow clapping in the distance.

The scarlet necklace wobbled gently, each movement creating a reflection. The man stood on his spot as he continued to clap his hands, his smile poisoned with pride.

—Well done, well done...– Bright whispered.

Both anomalies were released to turn to see their opponent. The crimson figure loomed toward them with power, each step heavier than the last, revealing its hollow, glass-encased eyes. Accompanied by a group of MTFs, he smiled placidly upon seeing that his objective had been achieved, the capture of SCP-035 and SCP-049.

Words were lacking to describe that moment, but the look full of hate towards Bright explained it perfectly. Have you ever hated so much, so deep, that it generates love? Genuine love, a love rooted in the death of the one you hate.

Because on that night, Dr. Jack Bright didn't know he was going to die.

[askdyo]

Not like you'd probably need to, but have you ever tried driving a car, Dyo? Or any kind of vehicle?

Heh, I definitely gave it a whirl before for shits n giggles. Remember that inheritance I mentioned before? Ida had a small car collection too. Her kids wanted them bad but fuck them kids. Nothing unique or rare, she just had, like, an unnecessary amount of them. Like. 12 or something?

After I got done messing around with them there were only 4 left… Man did you know cars could go up in flames that fast? I sure didn’t! I gave away the rest to better homes.

Anyway, cars aren’t really fun for me to be in generally speaking because I’m too big for ‘em. I’m sure the local traffic patrol are probably happy about that.

I have tried operating a crane once as a prank. That was fun! And they never did find out I was the one who put that brand new statue of the mayor on the roof of the local high school! Ehehehe~

[moonlightguardianmoon]

Don't Tell scp-049

Day 2

Day 2 of scp-049 being absent from site 19. While scp 035 and scp 076 are wreck havoc in the main area scp 106 decided to go and explore some of the other scp containment chambers, hoping to possably torment any anomalous creatures in his pocket dimension. However he end up finding himself in scp 049's empty containment chamber instead.

106: *peaks out of the wall* HEEEERES LAWRENCE- ... empty. Damn it! ... *looks around the cell*

The cell was a plain white room, a single cot on the left side wall of the cell, and a desk close by it, had several different tables with different test tunes and chemical sets, placed on them in a somewhat chaotic order, in the center of the other side of the room was seemed to look like a surgical area, there he saw a large overhead light above an operating table next to it a rolling cart, resting on top were some cleaned up surgical tools and by the wall next to the surgery area was a lone sink.

It then came to 106 that he was in the plague doctor's cell.

106: huh... *picks up one of 049's scalpels and fiddles with it* eh... I'll never understand why the doctor does this stuff... *looks down at the scalpel he's holding for a moment* . . .

Half an hour later.

106: *wearing a paper made plague doctor's mask and speaks in a mediocre french accent* HMMM YES PeStIlEnCe AnD DiSeAsEs! *sniffing sounds* WHOOP! I sEmLl PeStIlEnCe iN yOu! *swings the scalpel around* DYO YOU PORCELAIN B@#$! I SAID DON'T TOUCH MY SH*T! *starts waving his arms around in the air still holding the scalpel* EvErYoNe LiStEn To mE aNd EvErY eArFuLl AnNoYiNg CoMmAnDs I hAvE tO SaY cAuSe yOu IdIotS cAn'T dO sH*T RiGhT! *swings the scalpel around some more* LoOk aT mE AnD mY bIg @$$ BeAk FaCe AnD LiStEn To mY OUTRAGEOUS FRENCH ACCENT!!! VERY OUTRAGEOUS!!!

Scp 035 over hears yelling from 049's chambers and takes a peek inside the room to see what was going on, only to find 106 stomping around the plague doctor's cell wearing a poorly made plague doctor's mask.

106: HaVe NO FeAr DeAr PaTiEnTs fOr I! *tries to do a scalpel trick spin but nearly drops it* Oh sh*t- *catches it last second and lifts it in the air* AM THE CURE!!! NOW I WILL CURE THE PESTIL-

035: *leaning on the cell door* Nice impersonation attempt.

106: *freezes in place* . . . Uh... h-how long were you standing there for?

035: ... *pulls out a well made mask connect piece of a plague doctor's lower mask and puts it over the mouth part of his face* *starts talking in 049's voice* long enough to show you how to impersonate the good doctor properly.

106: ...

035: *smug energy* ...

106: ... don't tell the Doctor-

035: Don't, tell, Doc.

30 minutes later.

035: *still in 049's voice* pass me the scalpel, my dear good doctor.

106: of course good doctor. *passes 035 the scalpel*

035: *cuts something with the scalpel* pass the glue, now.

106: glue! *hands 035 the glue*

035: *glues something* and done! Our patient has been cured of the pestilence!

Sitting there on the plague doctor's surgical table was a bar of carved soap in the shape of what apear to be the shape of a platypus, with beak and limbs made from gluw and cut popsicle sticks.

106: ... I hate to use such language, but our patient looks like sh*t.

035: In your eyes maybe good doctor! But I think this surgery was a complete success! *stretches his arms out*

There was a sudden crash of shattering glass next to them.

106: O_O . . .

035: *is now the tragedy mask* . . .

Both turn to the left and looked down to see one of the plague doctor's test-tubes full of strange black liquid substince had spilled on the only carpet in the entire room.

035: *in his normal voice* ... oh that's not good.

106: *his normal voice and takes if his mask* OH YOU THINK!?? Why the hell does he have a single white f@#$ing carpet in his entire cell!?

035: oh that's an easy answer! Cause his feet hurt when he stands in a single spot for a long period of time when he does surgery, so he had them put a carpet next to his surgery table to-

106: NEVER MIND THAT! We gotta clean this sh*t up before anyone sees!

035: OK! Ok! Relax! I know where doc keeps his rags at! *goes to find a rag in one of the cupboards* Where the f@#$ did doc move the stupid-

106: hurry up!

035: SHUT UP I GOT IT! *grabs a rag* found it! *runs it under warm water in a nearby sink and starts cleaning the stain on the rug* Oh no, not the CARPET!!!

106: Doc is going to kiiill you!!!

035: *scrubs harder* ooh Doc is gonna kill me!

The black liquid doesn't go away, as it stains the rag as well.

035: Ooh WHAT HAVE I DOOOONE! OOOH NO, OH NO, OH NOOOO!

The stain doesn't go away and starts to get bigger as 035 continues to scrub at it.

035: OH I'M MAKING IT WORSE!!!

106: *starts laughing* oh this turned over quickly completely!

035: OOOH YOU @$$HOLE!!! You made this happen!!!

106: I DIDN'T MAKE YOU FLING YOUR CLUMSY @$$ HOST HANDS AT THE GLASS TUBES!!!

035: UUUGH! ... *looks up at the cell security camera* Oh Doc please don't watch the security footage please! Uuugh! It was all Lawrence's Fault!

106: I wasn't the one who broke his sh*t! That was you!

035: YA BUT YOU WERE IN DOC'S ROOM WHEN HE TOLD US NOT TOO!!!

106: YOU BROKE HIS SH*T! NOT ME!!!

035: YOU F@#$ING WENT INTO HIS ROOM FIRST!!!

106: OK! you know what! Let's just say 682 did this or something. I mean the doctor isn't gonna be back here in a week maybe the foundation will clean up his room or something.

035: *sighs* fine! Your right! Your right! *stands up and puts the rag in the sink and looks down at the mess* ... you think he'll notice?

106: *looks down at the stain as well*

The stain has became bigger and is nearly a gaint black blob on the carpet.

106: . . . No, I don't think he will...

035: ... Ok, so we both agree to never speak of this again?

106: agreed.

035: Don't tell Doc.

106: Don't tell Doc. *sinks into his pocket dimension portal on the ground*

035: *quickly leaves the room while whistling*

🤫

Ssssssh!

...

Don't tell Doc.

[Day 1] [currently Day 2] [Day 3] [Day 4] [Day 5]

[sullustangin]

Day 28:  One More Birthday

Rating: G

a/n:  The Fluffy February free space and the last entry to my month celebrating Eva Corolastor’s second birthday on 2/2/22.  Thanks for reading!

~~

42 ATC

“I’m now older than my mother ever was,” Eva said suddenly.  She knew she’d caught Theron off-guard with that statement, but he didn’t say anything in response, initially.  He silently peered over at her, keeping an ear out for the children.

“You alright with that?” Theron asked.  

Eva’s shoulders rose and fell slightly as she leaned back in the chair on the porch.  “I remember when we used to joke about making it to 40.”

Theron was 55 now, the silver from his temples conquering most of his head.  The natural brown curls that he had fought for decades with styling products were nearly gone, the silver straightening them. 

And today was Eva’s 47th birthday, one more birthday than her mother had ever seen.

“Smugglers and spies aren’t known for their longevity.”  Theron repeated the oft-said wisdom.  “But we have changed.”

She nodded slightly.  “Yeah.  Not having to pick up the pieces of a broken galaxy... Not hiding as much in the shadows.”

Theron tapped the bottom of her boot with the stylus of his datapad.  “Speak for yourself.”

Eva gave him a look. “I still have Voidfleet.”

“Which which is still a cartel, but with a nicer image.”

"Thanks to my master of spies.”  She gave him that grin, and he couldn’t help but smile back at her.  

They’d come to the Riggs’ family farm on Dantooine.  Corso’s children were so much younger than theirs, but tag was a universal game. Eva and Theron understood the need for a break; they’d had the support of an entire base on Odessen, friends on Coruscant, plus Jace Malcom (who was an army of affection by himself), but they had still taken the task of being parents seriously, particularly when Virtue’s Thief was in flight.

Eva watched the Riggs’ youngest attempt to keep up with his older siblings, who were trying to keep up with Argo and Dyo Shan.  “When my mother was my age, I was already 16.  Almost grown. And ultimately, self-sufficient.” A deep frown crossed her face at the memories, and all of her wrinkles and creases appeared.  She felt very 47.  “Dyo is only ten, and – I just wonder –”

Theron replaced the stylus in his datapad and reached for her ankle now, nudging it off the railing of the porch so that he could move his chair closer to hers.  “Not the same.  They wouldn’t be alone like we were.”  He ran a hand back through his hair.  “And even I managed to make it from being alone at 13.  Not much older than Argo.”  A thought struck him, and it made him shudder slightly.  “Now that’s over 40 years ago, and that makes me feel old.”

Eva’s fingers joined his in the streaks of silver.  “You took to being a father so easily.  You’d worried –”

Theron stretched like a loth cat in response to her hands’ motions in his hair.  “It… I had to try to remember life before the end.  And it was an active ‘try’ – not just something to easily block out.”

“Yeah.”

“But…” Theron drew in a breath, then shifted contemplatively.  “You yourself said you had a happy childhood until the last hour of it.  My ‘last hour’ happened to be three years between Haashimut and SIS.”  He fixed his olive-gold gaze on the children a few yards away from them, playing in the twilight.  “I had an older father.  He took good care of me.  He … couldn’t do some things.  Some of the things I’ve had to give up lately.”

“Piggyback rides, finally,” Eva murmured into his shoulder as she leaned her head upon him.  

“Yeah… but I know I can still do a lot.  We do a lot.”  Then he grew solemn. “We did a lot to make sure the galaxy was a lot quieter for them than it was for us.”  

They watched the sun of Dantooine finish its descent.  “When we first started, I didn’t understand why you battled for the greater good of the galaxy for so long.  When you weren’t going to live to see it anyway.  When nobody would know about you as a spy.”  She took his hand in hers.   “You win the argument.”

Theron gave her hand a squeeze.  “…but you were right that unless the people – the individuals, the ones below others – unless they mattered, there would be no point.  Great powers would roll right over them and their dreams... and all of the nice things we thought we were fighting for.  Some of that would always get lost, unless someone stood up. You win.”

They heard their children’s laughter, mixing with that of Squad Riggs, on a peaceful little farm on Dantooine that they visited a few times a year.

“We won.”

~~

@fluffyfebruary