#eep the nomad

[puffpastrycrimewatch]

BuBsSs O°oO°O°oO°O°oO°

[thatotherman001]

Some Doodles for @puffpastrycrimewatch

[kibutsulove]

Share your favourite headcannons on Azulon? :)

[Could be unhinged, sweet, anything at all!]

EEP !!! BACKFLIPS

So like…… headcanon one , azulon w/ a prosthetic leg.

Honestly I’ve always loved the concept of fictional characters with prosthetic limbs. So like. Why not put one on Azulon, for the vine. This also implies that azulon went through the pain of losing a leg so YIPPEE deserved

And while I’ve already posted my personal interpretation of Azulon’s mom, i also like the idea of Azulon being stolen from one of the temples when he was an infant. Obviously, since Azulon is a firebender, his parents weren’t both air nomads; his mother or father was probably a firebender themself.

So one of the soldiers was probably like, “yo… this baby kinda lookin like a firebender. might not want to barbecue him, right guys” and the other soldiers he was with went “yuh” and then they snatched him cuz it would be more convenient for the fire lord if he just. Stole a baby rather than conceive one at this age.

And it was funny yk. Azulon turned out to be able to firebend but he fucking sucked at doing it at first. Like. He did the traditional forms perfectly but literally only sparks came out. it’s an endless struggle. Azulon waking up in the morning, training, no flame, eat food, train, train, train, NO FLAME. Might as well just pick at the grass at this point.

His instructors also tried to encourage him. But in the WORST way possible, by like threatening his life. But he can’t know how. so. AND THEN SUDDENLY. some bright adult thought about the fact that he was half air nomad. So what if he learned firebending using air bending forms, cuz Fire is similar to Air. (Though Azulon was probably taught that Fire is more so destructive and more powerful)

SORRY IM YAPPING BUT I JUST RLLY LIKE THE IDEA

And another, i saw one about Sozin naming Azulon after his dragon. And i just think it was really nice. Makes me wonder what happened to it when Sozin started the tradition of killing the dragons for honor.

[georgi-girl]

Meet The Mallards

original meme belongs to blaze_on_fire A journey of historic proportions unfolds when a family of fowl comes across a lapin nomad. starring... Daffy Duck (Loony Toons) in the role of Eep Bugs Bunny (Loony Toony) in the role of Guy Drake Mallard (Darkwing Duck) in the role of Grug Gosling (Darkwing Duck) in the role of Sandy Bubba (DuckTales) in the role of Thunk (because how could I not include him in this recast?) Scooge McDuck (Mickey's Christmas Carol) in the role of Gran Morgana Macawber (Darkwing Duck) in the role of Ugga Charlie Dog (Loony Toons) in the role of Nippers Tootsie (DuckTales) in the role of Douglas (I couldn't find a screenshot with just her in it) also starring Abu (Aladdin) in the role of Belt Gossamer (Loony Toons) in the role of Chunky

[mykawinchester]

I Can See the Devil in Her Eyes

☽ ᴍᴜsɪᴄᴀʟ ɪɴsᴘɪʀᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ☾

"I can see the devil in her eyes I think I'ma stay for the night Hope she doesn't take over my mind Will I even make it out alive? I can see the devil in her eyes I think I'ma stay for the night Hope she doesn't take over my mind Will I even make it out alive? I can see the devil in her eyes." "Her Eyes" Fame on Fire

🌑︎ 🌒︎ 🌓︎ 🌔︎ 🌕︎ 🌖︎ 🌗︎ 🌘︎ 🌑︎

☽ ᴘʜᴏᴛᴏɢʀᴀᴘʜ sᴘᴏɴsᴏʀs ☾ Wraith - Domina Suit

🌑︎ 🌒︎ 🌓︎ 🌔︎ 🌕︎ 🌖︎ 🌗︎ 🌘︎ 🌑︎

☽ 🇧​​​​​🇴​​​​​🇩​​​​​🇾​​​​​ 🇬​​​​​🇴​​​​​🇦​​​​​🇱​​​​​🇸​​​​​ ☾

Hers Head: Lelutka - Avalon Body: Reborn Skin: Voguel - Millie Body: Velour x ItGirls - Picasso Babe - Slim Muse Eyes: Someone - Duality Ears: LEX - miHD

His Head: Lelutka - Logan Body: Legacy Skin: Fuoey - Leon Body: Not Found

🌑︎ 🌒︎ 🌓︎ 🌔︎ 🌕︎ 🌖︎ 🌗︎ 🌘︎ 🌑︎

☽ ʙᴇᴀᴜᴛʏ ᴇɴʜᴀɴᴄᴇʀs ☾

Hers Hair: Wings - EF0501 Makeup: Eyes: Someone - Awaken & Eyeliner Essentials 2.0 Details: Top1Salon - New Face Set - Full 75% Lips: Tear - Melanie Nails: Ladybird x Quirky - Spiker Tattoos: Lilithe - Selene Lilithe - Meliae Lilithe - Cerridwen Hexumbra - Face Bats Dappa - Clarice

His Hair: Stealthic - Beam Beard: Magnificent - Hipster Godlike Tattoo: Mister Razor - Bjorn

🌑︎ 🌒︎ 🌓︎ 🌔︎ 🌕︎ 🌖︎ 🌗︎ 🌘︎ 🌑︎

☽ ғɪᴛ ᴄʜᴇᴄᴋ ☾

Hers Wraith - Domina Suit

His LaPointe & Bastchild - Swear Havoc Leather Pants Animosity - Biker Boots

🌑︎ 🌒︎ 🌓︎ 🌔︎ 🌕︎ 🌖︎ 🌗︎ 🌘︎ 🌑︎

☽ ᴇᴍʙᴇʟʟɪsʜᴍᴇɴᴛs ☾

Hers Imbue - Locket Choker Ysoral - Malie wedding ring Ysoral - Clem Lip Piercings Little Fish - Angel Real Evil - Royalty - Queen Bracelet & Ring Real Evil - Fated Necklace Yummy - Enchantress Layered Necklace Yummy - Winter Memories Locket Kibitz - Heart Nose Ring x2 Rotten - Dainty Nose Junk Violetility - Moth Septum Violetility - Moth Rings Andore - Kally Earrings Oracle - Karma Chain Harness (Modified)

His Real Evil - Fated Necklace Real Evil - Royalty Ring Ysoral - Eliot Luxe Wedding Ring

🌑︎ 🌒︎ 🌓︎ 🌔︎ 🌕︎ 🌖︎ 🌗︎ 🌘︎ 🌑︎

☽ sᴇᴛᴛɪɴɢ ☾

VARONIS - Hideout Skybox NOMAD // Occult Bed // Moth Mysteria // In Her Eyes Couple Pose \\ June Release Preview

🌑︎ 🌒︎ 🌓︎ 🌔︎ 🌕︎ 🌖︎ 🌗︎ 🌘︎ 🌑︎

☽ ᴛᴇᴄʜ ᴄᴏʀɴᴇʀ ☾

Alchemy Viewer Custom EEP + Light Prims Lelutka Axis HUD

[kiss-dumbbunnies]

inktober prompt #3: boots

yes i missed the deadline. i'm Sorry

prompt writing pt 2 under cut >>

Leaves crunching beneath their each step nearly drowned out the chatter of whatever conversation they were trying to have.

"I hope we see some neat mushrooms," Avery began. "To, you know, collect and study and stuff. Key likes that sort of thing, right?" She shrugged and leaned towards Devon with her arms crossed. "Right, Devon?"

Devon put his hands over his face. "Yes, she likes that sort of thing. No, we will not be taking any home or even touching any. We are not going to risk death for a shroom trip, Avery," he spoke in stern tone, looking her dead in the eyes. "Yeah, whatever you say," she rolled her eyes in response before they lit up. "Ah, but charade you are, my friend; for our dear, beloved Kess certainly brought with her the mushroom field guide we splurged on one night at 3 am on a shopping website we definitely did not need to be browsing through at that hour," she boasted in exaggerated tone, hands clasped together. "Keh, where's that book, aye?" She called, turning her head to the other side, only to see Benjie walking beside them.

"Where is she, Ben? What did you do to her?" Avery glared, still smiling, in a way that wasn't clear if she were joking or genuinely suspicious of the boy.

"Aaye, take it easy," Benjie raised his palms. "She just stayed back a bit, told me she'd catch up in a sec. Wouldn't tell me what she was looking at, but knowing her she probably just found a cute leaf. She'll be... back in a second." His voice faltered and he looked back to the start of the trail.

"Have any of you seen her since we started walking?" His eye twitched lightly as he turned to try and get a better look. "No," Avery shrugged, "but that girl gets distracted by anything that moves. Wouldn't be surprised if she did start picking up leaves." Devon tried squinting through the fog, but the morning mist had only thickened since they'd set foot. Without the sun fully risen, there wasn't much light to work with. "I can't see her, but she's definitely fine, right? We've only been walking a few minutes," he mumbled. "Aye, come to think of it, I can't really see that great out here at all," Benjie nervously tapped a foot at his surroundings.

"Did any of you douchebags bring a flashlight?" Avery groaned. "Surely she did, but if you asshats forgot then it's your own fault if you get lost in the woods at night and eaten by spiders and worms." "Well, if you didn't bring one either then that makes you the asshat!" Devon retorted. "Ha! Ha, ha!"

"Okay," Benjie sighed. "But did any of the asshats bring a flashlight?"

The three looked at eachother, standing in a triangular formation, casting glances at the others every few seconds.

"Nyah!" The rabbit girl shouted out, seemingly out of nowhere, suddenly right in front of them. The group all shifted in surprise.

"Jesus, Key, what were you doing?" Devon relaxed his tense muscles, surprised from her unnanounced appearance. "Everything alright?"

"Umm," Kess shuffled her feet in the dirt below her, "was just trying to make sure I didn't step on anything... Saw some neat trees, too..."

"We're gonna be doing a lot of stepping on things, man," Avery raised an eyebrow at her. "You're doing that thing again? I thought we agreed you wouldn't do that thing." "Noo, I know, Kess sighed, "but I feel bad!" With a sound that was undisputibly the sound of a crunched leaf below the foot she just stomped, she jumped back. "Eep!" She cried out. "Well," Benjie tilted his head, flopping one ear over; "there goes your streak," he chuckled.

"So, where do we plan on going, anyway?" Avery yawned, stretching her arms out behind her head. "Like, do we just keep walking until we conk out? Or...?"

"Nah, I dunno," Kess put a finger to her lip. "We'll wander around like wannabe nomads until we find cool stuff, then take pictures!"

"And then what? Then walk until we conk out?" Avery smirked with her eyes half closed.

"We'll keep going until everybody's had fun or everybody calls it quits. And I'm hoping it won't be the latter!" Kess skipped along the path, looking down to try and avoid stepping on anything; only somewhat succeeding. "You'll all have fun together, right?" She slowed to turn around and look at the three with pleading, fluttering lashes.

"Of course, Key," Benjie smiled, his face relaxed and eyes squinting with contentment like that of a purring cat. "It's always a good time when you're around, aye?"

Devon walked alongside her to make eye contact, only for a brief moment before darting his gaze away: "We just hope you'll have fun, too."

Stopping in her tracks, the bunny girl stomped a foot down. "Wait," she crossed her arms, "you're not all going on this trip just to make me happy, right? You all sound like you're only going because I asked!"

Sounds of disagreement arose from the group as they all tried to reassure her that that wasn't the case; their voices and words all stumbled over each other in an attempt to be heard. "Noo, Keke!" Benjie spoke gently, "We thought it'd be fun!" "Yeah, we all liked your idea so much that we all just... agreed to it!" Devon nervously scratched behind his head. Of course they all did want to go with her, but once she'd gotten the idea in her head that whatever they were doing for her was just some form of pity party, it was hard to convince her otherwise. The girl was stubborn; if she believed no one else was having fun, then she wouldn't have fun, either, and that it was time to go.

"Nah, Keh," Avery put her arm over Kess' shoulders. "It's all good. We've all been wanting to screw around in the woods, you just gave us the perfect excuse to do it."

Kess stifled a sniffle and looked over at her friend. "You don't mean it," she pouted.

"Nuh-uh, I'm wearing some good boots, check 'em out," Avery shook her head then stuck out a leg, showing off her starry white platform boots. "Would I wear these if I thought we were gonna do something lame? Would I wear lame boring stuff if I thought we were going to take cool pictures? Would I, Key? Does my fashion sense mean nothing to you?" Avery tilted over her head towards Kess' face exaggeratedly, one eyebrow raised in a quizzical expression.

"All of that, and..." Devon mumbled, looking down at his shuffling feet, "We do really want to hang out with you."

Kess stood still, holding onto her backpack straps as she looked down at the ground.

"I hope you guys mean that," she sighed and walked ahead of the group.

"Good job, Dev," Avery whispered playfully after Kess had walked far enough ahead, "you killed the pep in her step."

"Wha— me?!" Devon tensed up and stared at her. "No, you did! I didn't, I'm doing my best! I just wanted to hang out with my fr—" "Aye, chill, dawg, I'm joking around," Avery interrupted his testimony before walking forward herself.

"Argh, those girls!" He grumbled, his bristled tail lashing side to side. "I have no clue what they're talking about at any given time!" He spoke through gritted teeth. "Well, I'm you're only alternative. Would you rather spend the day with me?" Benjie shrugged with a smug smirk across his face. Devon glared at him, looking like he was about to blurt out an insult before relaxing and letting out a sigh. The two walked to catch up with the girls ahead of them. "They'd probably get themselves killed without us here, anyway, Deb."

"I guess..."

"Sorry about back there, Keke," Benjie lowered his head, looking at her from the side. "We're not doing this out of pity... We really do think it's a fun idea."

Kess kept her eyes to the ground. "I get it," she mumbled. "It's just hard to believe when you're... not used to that being the case."

"Hey, we're your case now," Avery caught up from behind to bump her with an elbow. "You're gonna forget about those rotten assfaces who did you like that, okay? We're not gross and we like hanging out with you!" She assured her, looking directly at her from the side.

Kess tried to hold back a smile, so she looked away, but to her other side was Benjie who caught it and put a hand on her shoulder.

"We've got your back, Keke," he smiled at her. "It's hard to adapt to new things, I know. But we're here to stay, we aren't just trying to make you feel better. We're gonna screw around in the woods for a few days together and we're all gonna have fun."

"Ooi!" Devon called from behind, "check this one out! I found a neat spot!"

The three turned back to look at where the boy was shouting from; not too far away he stood in front of a high platform of rock and grass clearing in front of the trees.

Kess hopped over to see from his viewpoint. "Oh! Good catch, Devi!" Her eyes lit up, taking in the beauty of the scenery.

"I've got a good idea!" Avery smirked. "Ben, prop me up," she turned towards the civet boy.

"Heh? Alright," he extended his arms towards her, lifting her up and letting her climb onto his shoulders. With a "hup!" she boosted her top half onto the platform, crawling until her whole body was up, and then sitting upright and looking down at the two boys below her. "Yup, good spot up here," she nodded. "Where'd Kissy go?" She looked around, catching the sudden sound of footsteps behind her. "I went around!" Kess giggled. "You didn't need to make poor Benny use all of his muscle mass, he's going to die now."

"Nah, boys like doing that kind of stuff. It makes them feel like they're not totally useless. Right, Ben?" She looked down at him; the platform wasn't actually that high, so she was up pretty close to his face. "Yeah, that's right," he teasingly poked her on the nose; "boop". Kess couldn't help but giggle at the whole ordeal. "There's that smile," Devon mumbled under his breath softly.

"Okay," Benjie angled his phone camera towards the two girls sitting side by side on the platform. "Get into some cute poses and hold it, I'll get this thing to focus eventually," he unsteadily held the phone horizontally, squinting and trying his hardest to get the lens unblurry.

"That's cause your hands are unfocused," Devon put his hands on his hips and raised an eyebrow. "I'll show you how it's done," he pulled out his own phone, trying to unlock it and load the camera app. "You boys and your dumb shaky hands," Avery leaned forward towards them. "Give me your phones, I'll fix it," she reached out towards them. "Aye, I can do it myself!" Devon quickly swiped through his homescreen after a lot of trembly-hand password-typing.

"Ooh, you have a lot of apps. Can I check these out later?" Avery flashed a smug grin, towering over to look down at his screen. "No! No looking at my stuff!" His tail started lashing impatiently. "I'll get it working after... There we go!" Opening his camera app, he pointed it at the two girls, and...

"Yoink, got you," Benjie stuck out his tongue as he took a shot of Devon first. "Hah, double whammy," Avery chimed in as she also photographed the ferret from a different angle on her own phone. Devon's head turned quickly to look at them one after another in utter confusion. "What?"

"Be nice to him!" Kess laughed, covering her mouth with her sleeve. Holding back swear words, Devon held himself still for a moment to untense himself. "Okay, are you ready now?"

"Readyyy!" The girls smiled. "Oh!" Kess squeaked, "try to get a good shot of our shoes from your angle! I got new Converse shoes!!!!"

"Aww, she loves her Converse, Denny," Benjie cooed. "Get some good pics. My pics are gonna be the best!" Devon grunted, still trying to get a good, focused angle. "It's not a competition..." He mumbled. "Well, it is now!"

Taking pictures from different sides and angles, moving around the area and posing ridiculously, they'd all gotten some shots of each other. Kess and Avery had moved back to the lower ground to take photos of the boys in their spots as well, and overall tried to make as many combinations as possible. They even swapped their coats and shoes to let the others model them in the photos.

"This is so great!" Kess squealed. "I'm so happy, thank you guys for coming along with me, I'm so excited for the little adventure we're gonna have!"

"Just you wait, babe," Avery slipped her phone back into her pocket and hopped down off the rocks, "we're going all in."

"Pulling out all the stops!" Devon added, kicking his feet as he sat atop the platform. "What they said," Benjie shrugged, smiling at her. Kess could barely contain her joy and hid her nose in the neck of her jacket. "Thank you guys..."

"The quality on the pictures kind of sucks, though," Devon sighed, swiping through his photo gallery. The sun hadn't risen quite high yet; it was still in the blueish-dawn phase. "That's the price to pay for the low-light life," Avery stuck her tongue out at him.

"Well, we can come back any time in better daylight," Benjie put his hands into his pockets, "and there'll be plenty of cool spots to take pictures at on our way, I'm sure."

"Yeah, like he said, better daylight will show up eventually," Avery put her elbow on top of Devon's knee where he sat. "That's how the daylight cycle works, Dev. You do know basic science, Don't you? Basic science, Dev-Dev?"

"These are aspen trees!" Kess exclaimed softly, running a hand gently up and down the bark of one standing along the side of their path. "This is the perfect time of year to look at them, their golden leaves are so beautiful in the autumn sunlight. They aren't very common around here, either!"

"I hope we get to see more of them down the road, then," Benjie walked up to put his hand next to hers along the bark, feeling it himself. "And I hope you'll pull out more cute poses in front of 'em".

🍂🐇🐀🍂

[ask-bolin]

Imagine another of Korra's cousin. They're not like Desna or Eska. But a pacifist! (Katara but shy)

Basically they have an air nomad personality while being a water bending prodigy.

Just imagine Bolin being wary bc of his past experience with Eska but then reader is like a total sweetheart ajdbwjcj I can ramble about this forver bc I have an OC that's that lmao I love Bolin too much :cry:

Author: The pain, I love it!

______________________________

Imagine, as Korra's cousin, attending a Water Tribe festival, and meeting up with Korra. It was great to see her because you weren't able to go to the last one. Also, Korra said she was bringing someone she wanted you to meet.

You waited at the dock as the boat from Republic City began unloading the passengers. "Korra!" you called to her when you found her.

"Y/n!" Korra ran down to greet you. After catching up, Korra told you, "I can't wait for you to meet my friend, Bolin. He's a silly guy with a heart of gold. Actually, where is he?" Korra looked around.

Then you saw Bolin, trying to carry as many suitcases as he could. He finally caught up, "See, Korra? I told you I wouldn't fall!" Bolin set down the suitcases, saw you and introduced himself. "Hi, I'm Bolin."

You shook his hand and introduced yourself.

"Y/n is my cousin," Korra told Bolin.

"Eep!" Bolin froze, you noticed it semeed to be a response to the word, 'cousin'.

Korra wasn't sure what was up with Bolin, but after greeting you, she said she would help Bolin get settled in, then catch up with you after. You agreed that it was a good idea, the cold can be quite a shock to people, but he seemed nice enough that you hoped he would be able to join you soon so you could get to know him.

When Korra caught up to you, she had some more info as to why Bolin was acting this way. Once you heard about Bolin and cousin Eska, it impressed you that Bolin was alive at all. Cousin Eska wasn't that bad, but that was a little joke between you and Korra.

Korra told you more about Bolin, his adventures around the world, how nice he was to everyone, and how positive Bolin stayed in almost every situation. The more you heard about him, the more you were excited to meet him, and hopefully ease any concerns about meeting another cousin of Korra's. Korra had compared your personality to air nomads before, you weren't sure if she meant it in a teasing manner or as a compliment, but it felt like it would help Bolin to not be nervous.

Korra let you know that Bolin agreed to meet you both at the festival tonight, despite his worries.

That night, you and Korra walked to the festival, and saw Bolin sitting at a table withe his fire ferret that Korra told you about, Pabu. Korra spoke in a way to help ease any tension between you and Bolin. Bolin opened up more, and you were less nervous. Until, the inevitable happened, someone came with a message for Korra letting her know that her father needed her help with something. Korra knew how awkward it was going to be for you and Bolin, so she apologized to you, ouside of earshot of Bolin, and she said she would hurry back as soon as she could.

There was an awkward silence. Bolin was playing with Pabu, but he worked to make sure he wasn't ignoring you. You had only started to learn about Bolin, so you didn't know what was a good conversation to start.

Thankfully, Pabu was showing interest in you and was starting to like you.

"Well if he likes you, I like you," Bolin joked nervously.

Hearing that both relieved some tension and also made you a little extra nervous because you had no idea what to say back, so you just smiled back at Bolin. Pabu accepted your scratches, and crawled into your lap.

Bolin apologized but you let him know it was okay.

"Wow, you must be a pretty wonderful person if Pabu likes you that much that fast!" You knew Bolin was realizing his expectations about you were not accurate.

You wanted to help confirm that, and using your water bending felt like the best way to do that. You gathered some snow beside you and formed it into a ball and other shapes that excited Pabu and helped him show his playful side.

Bolin was impressed with your water bending and asked more about how you honed your skills. You shared how you wanted to help people, even if it was children or little animals suffering from boredom.

Throughout the night, Bolin hadn't noticed, but he sat closer and closer to you as he felt more comfortable with you.

Korra finally showed up and apologized for being gone for hours. Time flew by so fast that you and Bolin didn't even notice that Korra had been gone that long.

Korra pulled you aside, "Is everything okay? You guys haven't even moved from this spot."

"It's going great! Bolin and I are actually meeting up tomorrow."

Korra was so happy for you, and excused herself for the night since everything was going so well. It was finally late enough that Bolin offered to walk you home.

At your doorstep, Bolin let you know how great of a night he had and how happy he was to meet you, then paused for a couple minutes, "May, uh, may I kiss you good night?"

It made your heart jump, and you said yes. It was a simple peck, but your smiles showed how happy the kiss made you.

"I can't wait to see you tomorrow, good night," Bolin said.

You hurried to bed to get plenty of rest, tomorrow was going to be a great day.

[puffpastrycrimewatch]

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeep clothes!

Redesigning him again- specifically his body, because tbh I never had a clue and I really need to make myself a reference so I can draw him more-

★Fun fact Eep is the first character I drew on ibispaint

The two on the top are the same cloak as the bottom right just bunched up, top left is specifically based on a technique you use on long dresses to get them out of the way so you can kick and run

As you can see I tried to try a different type of cloak in the bottom left but I hate it so much so disregard it- ( •̀ - •́ )

[thatotherman001]

Hiding from Danger 🫥✨

Ft. Eep from @puffpastry-crimewatch

[genavere]

Hi there, Genavere speaking to you about Flame's Desire, a Fairy Tail fanfic set in an AU world with dark themes and a slower-than-lava-on-a-flat-surface slow burn.

What can help grab your attention to it? One, have you heard of @theguildawards? A blog that helps show case Fairy Tail content twice a year by holding nominations and voting for fanfictions and fanart. This story has won the Guild Awards 2022, Term One: Best Dark Fiction Award. Lucy knew she was going to die. - First sentence of the first paragraph of the first chapter. Why does she think that will happen? Guess you will need to read it to find out!

Here are some stats for you: Chapters: 28/Ongoing Upload rate: Currently scheduled to update twice a month! The latest chapter just dropped! Word Count: 150,229 - Nice, big, sexy number that will only get BIGGER! If you do the math, this fic is now over 600 pages in a novel! Rating: M for Mature - You have blood and violence, dark fantasy topics, epic battles, and a well developed story that builds on itself and the characters. Have I mentioned how slow of the slow burn it is? Those who love to read 200k+ fics where the love interests just touch hands will think this is too fast! As someone who adores established relationships in my stories, this is killing me Ships to Look for: Nalu, some Mira/Laxus, Jellal/Erza Troupes: Reincarnation, Sun/Moon, Nomadic Culture represented, Draconic people, Found Family, Protective Natsu, Protective Lucy

What others say about this story: Wow, this is really good. I can't wait for more. I love the world you've set up, it's rugged and beautiful. =D You write the characters very well, too. I'd love to see more from you! - GentleTouchGinger What a rip roaring start. I forgot how intense it was. Don't mind me while I reread this - alainehope EEP! I absolutely LOVE this story! I haven't come across a fairy tail story anything like it, and it's absolutely amazing! I cannot wait for the 5th chapter to come out! Everything about it is wonderful, minimal grammar/spelling mistakes, great story concept, and everyone's personalities match up with the fairy tail versions. anyway, keep up the good work and i will make sure to keep checking in on this story :) - Ellie Oh my gosh please continue this story, I love how you don’t portray Natsu as TOO dense and innocent as some other stories. - Kotorro I'm so glad they finally sorted things out! I'm foaming at the mouth waiting for the courting dances though - and wishing Lucy was wearing the garland Natsu made for her! Wonderful chapter! <3 - SleeplessSagittarius Oh my gosh I'm SCREAMING this is just so full of suspense and you're descriptions of everyone's magic are beautiful! - smol_warrior_1258 What an exhilarating chapter! Loved it! - ottermadness

In the end, only YOU can allow yourself to read an amazing story that is full of heart, characterization, great story points, and depth. Only YOU can allow yourself a simple click and check out one of the best stories in the fandom (in my opinion). This story is Written, Edited by @kiliinstinct, then Beta'ed by @phoenix-before-the-flame, gone over again by Kili, and then posted for our enjoyment... ...and all for free. Don't be a smuck and ask, "wHy sHouLd i?" Just allow yourself the awesomeness and free entertainment.

And don't forget to leave a Kudo and a comment!

do i really wanna read it tho? U beta'd it but whats so good about it? I wanna know

I have good taste in things. Ask any of my online comrades, i scarcely reccomend bad things.

Good characterization all around for both major and minor characters. I'm particularly fond of how Natsu is written in the fic.

Ever expanding lore. The world in the storys constantly bein built and expounded on.

Good pacing. Lives up to the slow burn tag (though im evil and think it could be slower, but alas, Rougie thinks thatd be too evil to do.)

Great action. Might be graphic to some but its an M rated fic for a reason.

Theres romance there but it isnt slapped on, its actually something that progresses and slowly grows instead of bein like, speedran.

I did another post here before on this a while back

You won't know if you'll like it if you don't give it a shot for yourself :]

[aslanscompass]

and on to episode 2-Adrift

well, let’s see what’s next. 

Pretty title sequence. Not sure what it’s supposed to represent, but pretty

Pretty ocean ripples too. Sorry, but I still wanna laugh at the idea of Swimming Back from Valinor. 

Meteor Man!

Okay, so teaser seen was interesting. I have no idea who this is supposed to be? None of the Istari are particularly associated with fire, 

I love Poppy and Nori’s conversation here. They’re totally having a discussion we are too. IE who/WHAT is this guy?

Back to Eregion

NAME DROPPING THE SILMARILS AND FEANOR?:::

Durin! Durin! Eep

No.

welp, funny,  rite of seeking ?dwarf  word? Sounds interesting. 

looking forward to seeing a Dwarf Realm in days of full glory. Mirrors for light. Mention of Aule? Hahhh

Very mead-hall esque. Dwarf women, too. 

Elrond’s gonna win, of course. This would be a rather pointless subplot otherwise.

Rhadagast, perhaps? The wildness would fit. But hobbits or pro-hobbits says Gandalf. 

Nori gonna feel guilty now. 

Oh, that’s why it’s being treated so seriously. I suppose a semi-nomadic people would have issues with that.

We gonna get evil fishes? Music says evil fishes. at least she has a knife.

rather rough raft. Very much men.

Okay, sea-dragons. Going. 

They are very not numenoreans. eVIL SHIP. mUSIC SAYS EVIL SHIP.

Galadriel gonna kill evil fishie. I was wrong about the orcs killing her party in ep one, but look, we know Galadriel lives , so no fear about her.

Very big fishie.

Look at Leviathan, which I made. 

mOment of calm before big fishie

looks like fish got the others. Or just broke up the raft. 

need a name for the human. Malran. 

And back to the rocks. Eventually they run out of rocks. bUT HE’S GONNA NEED A NEW axe.

(never mind the capitalization. It gets weird when live blogging.)

okay, so he did lose. wasn’t expecting that. 20 years for dwarf vs elf.

but dwarves have a pretty long lifespan .

dwarf kids! yes please

Dwarf women should be big and beautiful. It is suitable. 

(i need popcorn)

And the same accent. 

Okay, exile bonding

Southlands. Intriguing 

why’s the boy so angry? creepy eye?

water. Underwater  in a cave. Okay

Theo is boy. Okay. He’s alive. 

Still think she’s his sister. Ages are all wrong. why is she hiding in the closest. That just doesn’t seem like a good idea. Orc? spider-like orc

hmm. Skull-headed mole orc.

What’s the bit the boy is hiding in? Wood box?red powder, not blood.Good try, Theo. Good try. Kinda reminds me of hte demodog. 

Well, that’s one way to end the argument. 

what is Galadriel doing? i AM SO CONFUSED. why are they swimming down. this makes no sense. Okay, I get it now. 

and back to meteor man. Takes a lot of fireflies to make a lantern, but very cool all the same.

Arkenstone. Obviously. Show us what’s in the glowy chest

Put down the evil sword, theo. BAD BAD SWORD

MUSIC SAYS OMNIOUS THINGS 

Seems Galadriel and human washed up on shore. Or at least by a ship. AH! i BET it’s Elrond with a ship.

And that’s episode two. Hmm.

Think I’ll go to bed now. Hey, I got up at 7:10 am for work, and it’s now 10:05. That’s a long day for me.

[wolfcha1k]

Croods - Headcanons

Headcanon that though Eep and Guy are still living on the farm with the Bettermans and the rest of the Croods, the couple do disappear for a few days on occasion to go explore/adventure around the area. They never go far enough that they’re considered nomadic or away from the farm for long. Sometimes they’ll bring Dawn along with them on their little misadventures beyond the property.

Bonus: Eep and Dawn sometimes do this too without Guy for some good ol’ girl time alone.

[help-i-need-a-cool-username]

I somehow lost the ask but it was

Geep for the ao3 ask meme

Completed, Over protective father, teenage rebellion, love at first sight, sorta, its not a slow burn because this takes place over a few days but they wont start dating till like day 4 which will be several chapters in, apocalypse, end of the world, earthquakes, family road trip, kidnapping, smart boy strong girl, hunting, camping, storytelling, trying to get in good with your gf's dad, stargazing, near death experience, bonding with your gf's dad, bad acting, flying, nomadic lifestyle, I KNOW ITS BEEN SEVEN YEARS BUT I FINALLY UPDATED, established relationship, Chunky is now a character, fire making as a form of flirting, talks of eloping, proposal, engagement, jealousy, but not the type of jealousy you think, love triangle...?, hippies, miscommunication, mistakes, passive aggressive gift baskets, some manipulation by background characters of other background characters but it happens off screen, family dinners, break up, girl gang, banana costumes, at one point Guy becomes Slave Leia to a monkey, its okay tho Eep is Luke Skywalker, foreign language, re-engagement, moving in together,

[bluepenguinstories]

Remoras Full Chapter XXXII: June Bug

Naivety was such a hard thing to grasp, especially when it seemed like a great deal of the time, I was all aware of the world around me. People and their little quirks, their little things they preferred to keep hidden and the things on the surface which they played off like a mask, yet held more of a truth than they would have cared to admit.

Of course, one of the greatest examples of a person with such a quirk was the one who I loved and cherished – Vesuvius Bark (at her own request. Sometimes she could contradict herself, though not in a bad way. As much talk as she makes about wanting to be free spirited and breaking from traditions, she herself wanted most of all to settle down into a quiet life in the middle of nowhere and she also chose to take up the other’s last name, something which I never really understood and I even laughed when she said she wanted to do that, but hey, I appreciated the thought).

She fell into my lap, sobbing, after having an intense texting session with one Ms. Remora. We both sat on the floor and I knew I didn’t have to ask what was wrong, as it didn’t take a genius to recognize that things didn’t go over so well. While her head was stuffed between my legs and her muffled sobs became an ambient backdrop to our little house, I was compelled to stroke her hair. Maybe it was instinctual. Maybe I just really liked her hair. Maybe it was Maybelline (okay, bad reference aside, she did have some fuckin’ soft hair). Before she uttered her first words, she heaved out a pained sigh, then turned her head to the side and faced away from me.

“Why is it so hard for me to make friends? I don’t want to be an angry person, but then I go and say such cruel things,�� she wept, her voice already quieted down, though there was a good chance that she could once again build up in intensity.

“Making friends is just hard in general,” I replied, “not to mention, now we’re no longer in the city, so it’s even harder.”

“I hated it there...so many people, sure, but it was like everyone had their own things to do and you weren’t a part of it,” she grumbled.

I poked her nose.

“Sure, a lot of people are like that, and I’m not one to talk seeing as I never really made friends in the city, but there were opportunities. Clubs and groups you could join, stuff like that. Now, however, we’re probably the only people around for miles.”

She turned silent, as if such an obvious fact were a revelation. Maybe it was a reminder she would have rather left forgotten. If that were the case, maybe a different reminder would be more to her liking.

“For what it’s worth, you’ve got Velvet and Coriander. They’re your friends, right?”

“Yeah…” She sounded listless and disinterested, though she couldn’t deny such a thing, could she?

OK. I knew where she was coming from: those two were a little rowdy. Well, mostly Coriander. Apparently she met them back when she visited an alternate timeline and met an alternate version of me (which, for the record, probably wasn’t as sexy as this me was). She probably never expected to see them again, because why would she? Not to mention, she really liked things being just us.

...But how could I refuse letting two friends of my beloved stay at our humble abode? Sure, our house wasn’t much. I built it myself (pride!) and it could be quite rickety. All misshapen, not too sturdy. Our wood floors weren’t hardwood, nor did they have that varnish, and in fact, despite how free we liked to live, we ran the constant risk of receiving splinters whenever we walked around. One of these days I’d get some varnish, or whatever it is that helped smooth wood.

But aside from those things, which trust me, there were more I could have listed, it was our home. Our quiet, sometimes loud home where we could do whatever and run through tall grass and fields of flowers right outside our doorstep. In our living room were a couple of chairs, a small sofa made of fine woven straw, and bookshelves. Before Velvet and Coriander stayed with us, there was just one room, and it was our bedroom. So of course, I had to make room (ha!) for another room. It wasn’t too bad, and they were patient.

Now we had a guest room which probably wouldn’t get much use, since we weren’t the type to expect guests. Sometimes I let the chickens in and they liked to sleep on the bed in that room. Oh yeah! We had chickens, a whole coop of ‘em! About...five chickens. That was almost half a dozen!

There was a small fan atop a stand, and as gross as it was, we just dealt with the summer heat for the most part. At nights we’d open the window a crack and let the gentle breeze in. We’d also walk around the house near-naked and fan each other with our hands. As I waited for her to speak up again, I was mesmerized by the fan, wondering why we had it on when it didn’t do much for us.

“I was just thinking...what if I took that opportunity from you? To join groups and make friends, to be surrounded by others instead of isolated out here,” when she spoke at last, her voice sounded so far away, lost, even though she was right on my lap, beside me.

Really? That? Oh bother…

I covered her mouth with my hand.

“Enough of that,” I scolded, even if my playful voice made it sound like I was open to hearing more. “It’s not like I was doing any of those things when we did live in the city! Besides, I chose to live out here. I could have refused if I wanted to, but I liked the idea. New opportunities? Peace and serenity? Hell yeah, let’s go.”

She grabbed my wrist and moved my hand away, but not before kissing my fingertips.

“It was my dream to live like this, but it didn’t have to be yours.”

Through one of the open windows, the sun’s rays leaked through and spread its warmth across my cheeks. In turn, I lifted Ves by the back, lifted her hair back, and kissed her forehead.

“You’re right,” I smiled and shook my head slow, “it wasn’t my dream. But unlike you and my brother, I’ve never been the type to have dreams. Rather, when I want something, or want to do something, it comes in a flash, and I resolve to do it right away. It’s more of an impulsive desire than a dream. So when you told me about it, no, it wasn’t a dream of mine, but I loved the idea, and I wanted to help see it through.”

Indeed, I didn’t lie. One day, maybe, I would decide that the pastoral life wasn’t for me. If that time came, maybe I would decide that I wanted to return to the city. Or more realistically, I would elect for something different altogether. Like live a nomadic life. Never settle down. Ah, it didn’t quite sound like me, but sometimes I wondered how drifters managed to get by, and whether or not I would like to live such a life as well.

She leaned up to me and pressed her lips against mine, and while doing so, I wiped a tear from her eye. After she released, she squinted her eyes as we both stared into each other’s. With her near-blinking stare, it was like she still had more tears to release, but wanted to suppress them.

“Sorry,” she allowed the word to float out through the air and into my ear, sounding much more seductive than she probably intended. My ears twitched and I jolted into a sudden shiver. Still, I’d like to believe that I kept my cool. I laughed in return.

“Don’t be,” I poked her nose, “no need to thank me, either. I’ll remind you over and over again if you need to, and even if it might frustrate me to do so, and you might be stubborn and hot-headed at times, I’ll still remind you. Yes, I love you, and I am also my own person. I don’t have to want everything you want, or agree with everything you say, especially when you say some pretty dumb shit –”

“Hey!” She interrupted, having taken offense to that. Not like she could really dispute it, though.

“– but trust me when I tell you that I chose to move here with you, and I’m enjoying it here. Sure, it’s hard, and it’s a work in progress, but of course it’s work, and at least it’s work that I enjoy doing.”

“I didn’t think it would be…” she rolled her eyes and looked away.

“Of course not!” I grinned and closed my eyes, ready to break into a sing-song rant, “you probably thought you’d be living on a bed of flowers and be eating magic mushrooms all day and putting flower crowns in your hair, going off to bathe in a pond, all the while forgetting that you don’t like bugs and don’t like to get dirty. That you’ve got pollen allergies, and you’re so used to taking showers that you could never imagine doing such a thing –”

That time it was her turn to cover my mouth.

“Yeah, yeah. I get it. Indoor plumbing has spoiled me,” she scoffed. “But I also didn’t realize that I’d break a sweat farming, or that getting plumbing set up would be such a pain, or that we’d have to worry about foxes or coyotes trying to sneak in, or that chickens needed attention. So much goes into building a home or keeping cool in the summer and warm in the winter. More than I ever imagined.”

I laughed again.

“Not just that, but bugs still sneak in all the time, anyway,” I pointed out.

“Eep!” She jolted up, then scowled. “Why’d you have to tell me something like that?”

Yeah, I guess I didn’t have to tell her that. It was pretty obvious, huh? Still, it wasn’t like I was trying to freak her out or anything. She then turned to a laugh.

“Ah, well,” she sat up and smiled a wide smile, which almost gave off a smug aura. At least she sounded more relaxed at last. “Bugs are just something I have to live with. They’re part of nature, after all, and I love nature, even when it appears cruel. Even when it frightens me. I just get a little jumpy sometimes.”

I grinned as well.

“I’m glad you seem to be feeling better!”

Wide-eyed, as if struck by the realization of her ease in spirits, she turned her head to the side and rested it on her shoulder.

“Sorry about that...it’s what it all comes back to: I got into a conversation with Remora and then it seemed like she was pushing me away, so I tried to help her, and I lashed out, and –”

“Yeah, I know,” she already told me everything that was going on as the texting battle was happening. I didn’t really need the recap. “To be honest, she kind of had a point with one thing: I don’t think you meant anything bad by it, but your whole basis for wanting to be friends with her was because of who she resembled. You even told me yourself how you saw it as a second chance, since you didn’t get to help Rhea.”

“But you gave her your number too!” Ves protested, as I knew she would. Being defensive was just one of her charms.

“I thought it could be fun, yeah, if she was down to fun. But it seemed more important to you. I can’t really fault you for feeling the way you did, but I can also understand why she wouldn’t appreciate that treatment.”

“You’re right,” she sighed. “I guess her death just affected me more than it should have. Never would I think I’d have such prolonged grief. Especially when you consider how brief I knew her for, and the fact that we were adversaries.”

I nodded.

“Still, whether or not you’d like to admit it, it doesn’t take long for you to form connections. You two did more than just try to kill each other, right? There were times when it was just talking, like what we’re doing now.”

“You’re right,” she repeated. Something which fed my ego on days when my ego was hungry. Really, I couldn’t help but beam upon hearing that. “It must be hard dealing with me, huh? Going back and forth. Lashing out at people, getting defensive. I wish I could be kind, like you.”

You know, there were some things that just pressed my buttons. It wasn’t her lashing out or being defensive that really got to me, but that was something I could do without. After a deep breath, as if I was about to scream my head off, I spoke, calm and composed, even if the buzzing of my heart would have suggested otherwise.

“Not really. I’ve dealt with you for years now. You aren’t much trouble at all. It’s just as you say: all defense mechanisms. Even when you’re down on yourself, it’s just because you’re afraid to accept that there are good sides to you.”

“How does that make any sense?” She scowled. I ruffled her hair, and she tried to stop me, but it was too much fun.

“And another thing,” I added, still messing up her hair, “you already are a kind person. We’re more alike than you realize sometimes.”

“We are?” She whined, unable to keep me from messing with her hair.

“Yeah. Of course. We’re both sensitive people.”

“You too?”

“Of course. It’s not like I’ve just got a few predetermined traits and that’s it. I’m not some fictional character.”

“Ha. Neither am I.”

“If I was, I’d probably want to be a dragon or something!” I declared, “But alas, I am baby.”

She turned to the offensive now, using her own hands to mess with my hair. Luckily for me, I was into that.

“OK. Yeah. That’s true. I’ve seen you cry before,” she teased.

“Hey! I’ve seen you cry too!” I protested, then pounced on her, knocking her back to the floor.

As I stared down at her, a sly smile crept on her face. I stuck out my tongue and blew raspberries, then I plopped down to rest on her chest.

“You know, it’s hard not to lash out or get defensive sometimes. It doesn’t make you a bad person.”

“Thank you,” she stroked my back as she leaned close to my ear and whisked the two words away before turning to nibble on my earlobes.

Of course things would escalate from there. Then there was probably a good chance we’d sleep all day. One great thing about the both of us was that we could both be lazy people and unashamed to say so.

Despite all the lovey-dovey antics and the way she could always come back down from the boiling point she’d reach, things weren’t always ‘couple goals’ or whatever someone might have called it. Trent once claimed that I took a liking toward Vesuvius right away, but that wasn’t quite true. When Trent first took her home, I didn’t know what to expect. My first impression was that he shouldn’t have let someone, let alone a stranger, live at his place rent-free, but then again…

“Hey, this is kinda last minute, but I just got evicted!” I announced in a panic. Just a couple years before the homeless stranger moved in, and there I was, ready to move in.

“What?! How? That doesn’t seem like a ‘last minute’ thing!” He complained, which he had every right to, but...circumstances and all.

“Okay, so first work fired me a few months ago because my boss kept getting onto me about getting distracted looking at power tools, only to get distracted looking at screws and nuts and bolts and all that good stuff. Anyway, I guess he said this wasn’t the first time I was caught doing that, and he’s had many talks with me about it and they all just went waaaaay over my head. Long story short, I spent a couple months without a job, but not to worry! I was able to pay my rent...three months ago. Anyway, long story short, I just got evicted.”

Sure, some could say something like ‘what a stereotype! A cool woman who worked at a hardware store? How cliché!’ But for the record...shiny metal objects.

“Why didn’t you tell me sooner? I could’ve helped you!”

“I mean, I thought I’d figure out something, but oops, the time just went by.”

“That’s more than an ‘oopsie’!” He balked.

“Yeah, yeah. Anyway, I’m just glad I managed to hold this job while you were a med student. Hell, I didn’t think I’d still be working there after you became a doctor, and to think I never rose in the ranks one bit. Retail’s a joke, am I right?” I nudged his arm. He didn’t seem so amused.

“But yeah, if it’s not too much trouble, can I crash at your place? I get that it’s out of the blue and all, and if you say no, that’s fine, I don’t mind. Your poor little sis can just go live on the streets. But I’d rather not go back to living with mom, either way.”

“I wouldn’t want that for you either,” he agreed. “Come on, come on,” he motioned me in, although he did groan and roll his eyes.

“Good news is I got 24 hours to get my stuff, so I should be all moved in in no time!” I did my best to stay positive. I already knew this was a heavy burden on him.

“Do you...do you need any help?” He blinked and turned to the side while asking all awkward-like.

“Nah. You’re already helping plenty by letting me live with you! Just leave it to me!” I pounded my fist against my chest and grinned to further assure him that assistance would be unnecessary.

So just after coming in, I ran back out. It took a few trips, but luckily I didn’t have anything pesky like furniture or appliances.

“How did you sleep?” He’d ask me.

“Two words, bro: Air. Mattress.”

Indeed, those things were a life saver. Call me self-sacrificing, but I really didn’t have much money considering most of my paychecks went toward getting Trent through med school. What could I say? I could afford a few years of squalor, but could he afford an endless amount of student debt? I didn’t think so.

“Well, first chance I get, I should get you an actual bed,” he stated, and as hefty as a statement as that was, there were no hints that he was joking.

So for a little while, I just slept on the couch. While by the time Ves had moved in, I had a bed in my own room, I still slept on the couch out in the living room from time to time. It was nice; I’d watch cheesy horror movies like Gremlins, Critters, and The Brave Little Toaster. Really, I felt like royalty and all I needed was to make a little crown out of scrap metal.

Funny how that was even a thought, huh? Funnier still were the thoughts that were really memories that I hoped to have forgotten. Just a couple days after I had moved in, Trent brought up a topic that was far and away from my mind. He had just gotten home and set a bag of groceries at the table. For my part, I turned and leaned against the edge of the couch.

“Got any bananas for me? Oranges? Apples, even? Dare I say, cupcakes?”

“Yeah,” he answered, his back was turned, not even bothering to turn around, and threw a banana my way from over his shoulder. Maybe he thought that he could hit me with it, but my reflexes were too good. I caught it, firm in my grasp, one handed. Take that.

“Oh, while at work today I randomly remembered something,” he mentioned. Back still turned.

“Oh?” I didn’t know what to expect. It could have been anything, but based on how his mind worked, I figured it would just be something mundane.

“Yeah. I think it’s ‘cause you just moved in, but it got me thinking about how when I first moved in a couple years ago and you helped me move.”

“Heh. All because I got better muscles than you,” I sneered.

“...That aside, remember how there was that time travel device that looked like a Nintendo 64?” He asked.

I gulped. To be honest, it was a faint memory, and there was a tinge of jealousy somewhere mixed in, but all in all, it was a cloudy thing.

“You’re the one who thought it looked like an N64! It was probably just some old record player,” I dismissed.

“Okay, but regardless of what it we think it resembled, point is, it was legit,” he turned around now, one hand on his hip, the other hand holding an apple.

“I don’t know about that…I never even got to test it out. It was all you. For all I know, you could’ve just made a break for the convenience store while I was cooped up in this apartment.”

“Sorry about that,” he said all casual, like it was a quick run and done apology. “But you can’t deny all of it. I mean, we were both there when that teenager with a wool overcoat barged in and tried to take the device back, and then this apparent message from her father showed up and it was all weird and freaky. I really don’t remember what was said, but the imagery is still there.”

I nodded.

“That does sound weird. Are you sure we both didn’t just dream it all up? I mean, I barely remember any of that shit, and that’s probably for the best. It’s not like it really changed our lives in any way. Even if it was real, it was a random occurrence that I’ve moved on from.”

Maybe that was too harsh. Then again, was it even harsh at all? It was what it was, wasn’t it? There wasn’t really much to something that I didn’t even have a part in. He shrugged, and I knew he didn’t find it to be a big deal, just a topic he found interesting. Like a song he hadn’t heard for a long time, and out of nowhere, the lyrics played out in his head. Or maybe there was some other analogy he would’ve used, probably something D&D related.

“Yeah, it’s not important or anything, it’s just something I remembered. Like, at the end of that message, she was all crying and hugged you and I imagine that was awkward for you.”

It sure was. Damn it, why’d you have to bring that up now?

“Ha. As if a girl would ever hug me in real life. We all know I’m the one who does the hugging,” I closed my eyes and pointed my thumb against my chest, with a smug grin glued to that slab of skin we called a ‘face’.

“Anyway, I just thought it was neat. Not that there’s really any take away from it. Sorry if it made you all defensive,” he shrugged.

“What?” I gasped. “Me? Defensive? As if! I don’t even believe in time travel! Furthermore, it doesn’t matter how cute a girl is, I do not want to be hugged by no teenager! Only people my age, peas and thank you.”

Again, he shrugged, as he was prone to do.

“Well, like we said, it doesn’t really affect anything It’s not like we’re going to see that person again, and I doubt any other weird people are ever gonna enter this apartment.”

He sounded so sure of himself.

So when she finally showed up at the apartment, it was as if he had spoken a curse into existence. Even if I may not have remembered what he said at the time, there was an aura about the whole thing, like, “I just knew this would happen.”

Most of the time, Trent would be out, I’d be in my room, or in the workshop (it was originally a walk-in closet in the hallway, but after some tweaks here and there, it became a full-fledged tinkering room) and whichever place I’d happen to be in, a soft near-silence would follow. Buzzes from the refrigerator carried through the air, little drafts here and there. Clangs from the pounding of a hammer upon a steel table. Hums of a ceiling light. Those sounds.

If I didn’t know any better, I would have thought I was alone. But just the other night, Trent brought home a woman who was out on the streets and let her stay in the empty room (first room down the hall. How things went were kinda like...you walk in, walk down the hall, first room to the right, empty room. Then next door is to the left, and it’s workshop formerly known as closet. Last two rooms furthest down the hall were Trent and I’s. Mine on the right, his on the left). My brother had a big heart, no doubt about that, but something like that was a little unprecedented.

The day after he brought her home, I wasn’t even sure if she was still there. I spent the whole whole day cooped up in that apartment, flipping through channels, making myself PB&Js and generally having a good time. I’d put on some disco music and dance out of sheer boredom. Still, not once did I see that door open. Not once did I see that mysterious homeless lady, not even at a passing glance.

Same thing with the day after alongside the little ambiance. No hints nor signs of another soul besides mine.

It was still early in the day, a little before noon. Light shone through the gaps between the blinds in the windows. Restless, curious even, I approached the door to that empty room.

But it might not be empty. That stranger might be there.

My heart was as worked up as my mind was and as my hand reached for the door handle, I had to stop myself.

“It would be rude to barge in,” I muttered. I drew a hefty breath. We all knew I wouldn’t be able to stop myself, but all the same, I was hesitant. “I know if someone barged into my room, I wouldn’t like it much…”

So I raised my arm just a cut above the handle and balled my hand into a fist, ready to knock.

...Yet I didn’t. There was a worry in me that I’d knock too loud, so I released my grip and let out another belabored breath.

As long as I’m quiet, it shouldn’t be a problem, right? And if no one’s there, all the better. If someone’s there, all I gotta say is, “sorry I didn’t know there was someone in here.” Yeah. Foolproof.

“Here goes…” Confidence was not on my side, yet there I was, my palm on the handle, and I turned, gave a little pull, and let the door do the rest of the work as it coaxed itself open, propelled by the gentle momentum. I crept through the gap, then stood, stunned.

She lay there, spread across the floor. An orange striped blanket covered her, and underneath I spied a purple rain jacket. I crouched down next to her, still filled with wonder, still hoping to keep my movements quiet. As I leaned in, I felt a jolt rush through me, shocked at how close I was to her face.

You know, she’s actually quite beautiful now that I’ve got a good look at her: Her hair isn’t so much golden blonde as it is such a light shade, almost white. Mystical. Her skin looks soft, radiant even. However old she is, she’s definitely got that ‘babyface’ thing going on. She looks peaceful with her eyelids shut and little warm breezy breaths wafting out from her open mouth. She must be deep in sleep right now. I was right to be quiet. Sure, she smells kinda mildewy, but she was out in the rain after all.

My eyes traced down her back and I couldn’t help but notice how the blanket didn’t cover all of her. Her legs were folded, but even so, it was apparent just how tall she was.

“Now’s not the time to be horny, Juniper,” I scolded myself in a whisper. “I only came in to check if she was actually in here. Now that I know, I can leave.”

I began to get up, but was stopped when I noticed her begin to stir from her sleep. She stretched out and her arms ended up on my lap, and she must have mistaken it for a pillow, as she crawled up my lap until her torso was leaned up against mine, and I found myself frozen in nervousness.

Uh...what do I do now?

Despite her eyes not yet open, she continued her way up and placed a hand on my cheek. I could have stopped her, I could have moved her hand away, but for whatever reason, I had no desire to.

“My love…” She whispered in a faint, breathy voice, then she fell back down and went right back to sleep. Out of all of the things to happen next, that wasn’t something I expected.

I blinked.

“Excuse me? Do you just say that to the first person you see?” I could no longer control the volume of my voice, I was too dumbfounded for that. Yet despite my reaction, she didn’t wake back up.

I managed to pull her off of me without waking her (spoilers: she was indeed a heavy sleeper), then left the room. As far as first impressions went, that was...something. Not something I could really put words to, but I’d be sure to tell Trent about it.

Just a day later, Trent and I sat at the kitchen table and I couldn’t help but bring up our guest.

“I finally had an encounter with her,” I opened up the conversation.

“Who?” He wondered, an earnest clueless tone.

“The one you brought home a few nights ago, who else?” I scoffed.

“Oh, right. She’s still here?”

I stared at him.

“How are you this careless?”

“Hey, I’ve been busy with work, I’ve not had time to check in. It’s not like she has to stay here or anything, she’s free to leave at any time.”

“Maybe she should leave,” I let slip.

“Why’s that?” He seemed surprised.

“We don’t know anything about her, Trent. We don’t know what she’s like or whether it’s safe to keep her in the house,” I argued.

“She told me she was running from something,” he mentioned, and although concerning, that only solidified my point.

“Then what she needs is a women’s shelter, not some bumbling doctor and his lazy sister,” and upon realizing how I described him, I added, “no offense, by the way.”

“None taken. Look, I’m the one who pays for this apartment, and besides, I let you live here when you didn’t have a home.”

That...he had a point. But boy howdy, I was stubborn.

“Yeah, but I’m your sister. You know me. You know, yesterday when I checked in on her, you know what she did?”

“What?”

“She woke up and climbed up to me and called me her love. Like, what the fuck? Not to say I wasn’t into it, but I also wasn’t expecting it.”

“Well then, what’s the problem?” He inquired, then sipped his cup of coffee. I was just about to swipe that mug out of his hand.

“What’s the – oh, never mind. She can stay, obviously, and I’m not trying to make a big stink about her, but I just want you to be realistic and not overburden yourself. For that matter, has she been eating? Does she have food? Because if she’s not eating here, and just locking herself up, then she really is better off in a shelter than here.”

He shrugged. Classic.

“I’m guessing she feeds at night,” he suggested.

I’m sure the argument would have went on for at least another hour, but before I could get another word in, we both turned and saw the door to her room creak open. Although at first, we didn’t quite spot her, and her movements were languid and wraith-like, nary a sound made, we both caught her attention as she drew near the front door.

“Oh, uh, sorry if you heard us talk about you!” I called over, flustered. Out of all the things, I didn’t expect such a sudden appearance. She glanced at me, but then turned her attention toward Trent instead. So rude.

“Thank you for letting me stay, but I’ll be taking my leave now,” she told him.

“Oh? So soon?” He seemed surprised. I mean, it was what? Three days? That wasn’t super soon or anything. She looked down on the floor.

“It just dawned on me...who you two are...it’s not a good idea for me to be here any longer,” she muttered.

The hell does she mean by that? I wondered.

“Well, if that’s how you feel, I won’t stop you,” he brushed aside. He could be like that if he wanted, but something didn’t sit right with me.

“So that’s just it, huh? You took advantage of my brother’s kindness and now you’re going to bail?” I scowled and sharpened my voice. That time, I got her attention.

“Excuse me? He invited me here. If you have a problem, take it up with him,” she shot back, also wearing a scowl on her pretty face.

“I already did. He was willing to help you and instead you hid out and starved yourself.”

Her brow creased further and so did her lips. I thought I could spy little fangs protruding and clenched down against her lips.

“I can take care of myself,” she growled. “Who are you to tell me how I should and shouldn’t be?”

“I’m the one you called your lover. Or did you forget that little mishap?”

That time, her fists clenched as well.

“For your information,” she seethed. “I was dreaming and must have mistaken you for someone else in my sleep. I assure you, I would never want you as a lover.”

“Wanna bet?” I flared up as well. Really, out of all the things to argue about, at that point it seemed like I was arguing just to argue.

“This is ridiculous…” she turned her head away, and reached for the front door. “I don’t need any of your help. I’m better off alone, anyway.”

Once she set her hand on the door handle, however, she hunched down and clasped her head with her other hand. She started to heave and moan as if she were about to throw up. That time, both Trent and I were concerned. He was the first to get up and rush to her side. Something in me made me jealous, as if I were just a little quicker, I would have been the one at her side.

“Are you okay?” He held onto her.

“I’m fine,” she rasped, even if the aching of her voice proved otherwise. “I’m just a little dizzy and nauseous and have a bit of a headache. I’ll be fine.”

Defiant until the end, I noted.

“Do you need me to take you to the hospital?” He asked.

“No! I don’t need a hospital!” She lashed. “I’m – urp,” she was probably going to say that she was fine again, but had to stop herself. She both looked and sounded like she was struggling not to throw up, and at that point, she let go of the handle and held onto the base of the door itself.

For my part, I had gotten up, but I was at a loss for words. I stood there and watched, horrified and worried for this stranger’s sake.

“My...my brother’s a doctor…” I spoke up, much less confident than before. “If you don’t want to go to a hospital, he can treat you here.”

“I can?” He looked at me. Sure, it was a spur of the moment comment, and he didn’t have any medical equipment at home, but I bet he could manage.

“I’m…” she glared at me. “I’m fine. I’m just not good with the daylight and I haven’t eaten for several days.”

“Stop!” I yelled. “Stop saying you’re fine. You’re clearly not and you shouldn’t be starving yourself. We can help you here, but you need to accept our help.”

Her gaze was fixed on me, and she stared. But rather than a scowl, she looked dejected and faint. Ready to pass out at any moment.

“Fine…” She relented at last.

I ran into the kitchen and poured a glass of water from the tap. When I rushed over to her, I held the water up to her face.

“Drink. Please.”

She did so, but then spit out the water. It didn’t look to be on purpose, but I still would have preferred if it didn’t happen.

After a moment, she was able to swallow more, and I took the water back. She stood back up.

“I’ll stay a while longer. I guess.”

“Good. But while you’re here, you should eat with us,” I tried to lay out at least one ground rule.

She looked away, held her sleeve up to her mouth, and I thought I could spot a blush upon her face.

“I’ll do it for you,” she groaned.

It would be best if she did it for herself. For all her talk of handling things on her own, it concerned me that she hadn’t been taking care of herself. Maybe she wasn’t able to, but it seeemed that rather than being unable, she just wasn’t interested in doing so. Still, it was a start.

So yeah. It wasn’t the best start and I wasn’t really sure how things developed to the point that we were bonafide wives who looked out for each other. There must have been a journey that led up to it, but I still couldn’t pinpoint when it was that we became genuine lovers. It was probably about a couple years before we got together, so there was some kind of build up at least.

No matter the case, I was glad with how things turned out. We had each other and I had a workshop in my shed, she had her greenhouse with its poisonous plants. We were both in good health and even if her mental state wasn’t always the best, I loved her range of emotions and we were strong enough to recover from whatever it was she dealt with.

Life had a great deal of difficulties, even without the burden of money and city life. That said, both of us were in agreement how happy we were for things to just be the two of us in our place of solace. That said, we welcomed her friends Velvet and Coriander, and like Trent before me, I was sure I’d welcome anyone who wished to stay with us.

“Oh! By the way!” I was reminded of a potential visitor we may have. I was sitting in the armchair, Ves had just gotten back inside after tending to her greenhouse. She wore sunglasses, a face mask, gardening gloves, and a pair of pliers (that’s what they were, right?)

“Hm?” She looked my way and her voice was muffled under he mask.

“Demetria’s mom called the other day. Remember Demetria?”

She shook her head.

“At the wedding, she was the pipsqueak? Your cousin-in-law? Anyway, her mom’s worried about her. Apparently she’s been dealing with a lot. Demetria, not the mom. She sent her mom a text saying that she plans to come over here and stay for a while, so her mom was asking if Demetria was here.”

“Are you going to let her stay here if she comes?” She asked.

“I don’t see why not? She’s family, even if I don’t really know her all that well. Besides, you stayed with Trent and I for years before we moved out.”

“True. I was just really enjoying it just being the two of us out here.”

“Aw, me too, hun. But we let Velvet and Coriander stay.”

“I was reluctant about that too,” she pointed out.

Maybe it was bad to say so, but I kind of found her possessiveness to be cute. Besides, I knew she had a good heart and wouldn’t mind someone else being here, even if she wasn’t too keen on the idea.

“I know how you feel, I can read you pretty well. But you don’t have to worry, we don’t have to give up our free life or anything like that. We’ve got our own room, she’ll have hers, and I’m sure she won’t mind how we are, anyway.”

“You may be right. Sorry, I’m just quick to not like something. I’m sure I’ll be fine with her here, and maybe I could get to know her better, too. I’ll do my best to treat her with kindness,” she resolved, then nodded.

“I know you will,” I agreed.

Between the two of us, she may have seemed like the less kind one, but as I said, we were more similar than she realized.

Even if I couldn’t pinpoint where our love for each other blossomed, I could at least recall when I resolved to be there for her.

See, while we began to eat meals together, and she bathed and got new changes of clothes (courtesy of Trent), she still seemed kinda secretive. Like there were just some things she felt she had to keep hidden. However, on my end, I was fixated on those words when she was first about to leave.

“Did you happen to meet us before you moved in?” I’d bring up at times, or ask, “have you known about us from somewhere?”

But each time, I’d get dismissed.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, sorry,” or, “that’s a strange question to ask.”

But I could tell she was being coy about it. However, her attempts at hiding the truth wouldn’t keep me from wanting to know.

One evening, I entered her room. I gave two light taps beforehand, and in response, she called, “come in.”

As soon as I did so, I saw her try to hide something away from me.

“Hey, what’cha got there?” I asked.

“Just some random junk I found when I was homeless,” she rushed to say and scrambled to find a place to hide it.

“I like junk,” I let her know. “I like making things in my workshop. I’m sure I could put it to good use.”

“No!” She hissed.

I backed away, disappointed.

“Is it that bad?” I pouted.

“Yes. Sorry.”

“Why?”

“You wouldn’t understand,” she huffed.

“Try me,” I crossed my arms.

She sighed, then showed me. My eyes widened as I recognized its cubic shape and little buttons. Despite its primitive look, she had pulled parts of it apart and chips and wires hung out. It looked less like she broke it, however, and more like she was trying to make improvements to it.

“Is that…?” Flashbacks to when my brother first moved in started to play out and my head spun trying to piece together the implications.

“It’s mine. I’ve modified it, but I’m working on making it better. It’s hard work. I’m not good with technology, but I’ve studied its contents here and there and have already figured out some things.”

“But...how?”

“How what?”

“How do you have that? I know I’ve seen it before and –” She stopped me before I could finish.

“Like I said, it’s mine. We met before, years ago, when I was younger. I didn’t think I’d ever run into you two again, I didn’t even want to, and when your brother took me in, the incident was far from my mind.”

“Incident?”

“After I took my device back. No, my father’s device, I returned home, but things were strange. I couldn’t stay. Anywhere. There were dangerous people after me, people who wanted to use me, and ever since, I’ve been on the run. It’s only been by coincidence that I’ve come to this time period and met you two. I swear, I never wanted to put either of you in danger.”

“What are you talking about?” The more she spoke, the more outlandish things seemed to be.

“You already know.”

“That’s not possible. It wasn’t that long ago, and she was just a teenager. You’re the same age as me.”

“Exactly,” she stared, her face dead serious. “For you, it may have only been a few years or so, for me, I lost more years than that. I’ve had to travel through time, fend off people you never wanted to meet, and now I am the person you see today.”

“That’s ridiculous. Time travel isn’t real. Did Trent put you up to this?”

“I knew you wouldn’t believe me,” she shook her head, “even though your own brother traveled through time, you refuse.”

“I don’t even know if he did. I never even got to try that device before you, er, she took it away! So what proof do I have?”

“I’m sorry. I can’t prove it, but I’m not lying.”

“Prove it,” I was adamant. It really wasn’t fair on her, but I just felt like I was pulled in on some practical joke, even if I knew it had to be true. “Take me somewhere. Anywhere through time. If you can do that, I’ll believe you.”

“Don’t believe me if you don’t want to, but I’m not going to do that. It’s too dangerous.”

“I bet I can handle it. I’m tougher than I look,” I called her bluff.

Despite wanting to protest further, she gave in, a mournful expression having taken hold.

“Very well. We’ll go. Give me a few days. May I use your workshop?”

“Of course. You don’t even have to ask.”

“Good. When we go, make sure to stay close to me,” she instructed.

After a few days passed, she came up to me while I was on the couch watching Trent play one of his games on TV. I think it was something called ‘Deus Ex’ or whatever.

“It’s done,” she informed me.

I sprung up from the couch.

“Later Trent. I’ll be back, uh...sometime,” I told him, then hopped off to follow her into her room. From behind, I could hear him say something like, “not like it’s any of my business what you two do in that bedroom.”

Of course, I ignored it.

Once behind closed doors, she told me to pick a time period.

“I don’t know...hm...maybe the 1930s? I’ve always wanted to see the great depression. I’m sure it was neat!”

She raised a brow.

“Neat? Oh, never mind. Sure,” she disregarded, then entered in 1932 and today’s date into the device, then hit enter as we held on tight. Before, I knew it was supposed to only be one person per use, but through her modifications, we were both able to go.

It was instantaneous. A flash. One moment, in that bedroom, the next, in an empty deserted street, houses left abandoned.

I looked around, the sky was some darkened indigo color with a gray hue washed over it. Everything about where we were at looked gloomy. Next to the rows of buildings was an open field of long grass.

“Well...this certainly looks like some kinda depression,” I remarked.

She wasn’t so amused, however, scanning the area like a hawk.

“Something isn’t right,” she mentioned.

“What isn’t?” I tried to ask, but she ignored it.

“Let’s move on. We shouldn’t linger too long. If anything happens, hide.”

“What would we hide from?” I once again tried to ask.

She didn’t answer. We continued to walk forward and a newspaper flew by on the ground. I snatched it up and noticed its date. The year on it was 1931 and the headline was about a food shortage.

“I can’t believe it…” I muttered.

Still, believe it, I must. There was no longer any denying where I was, even if I wanted to. However, what lingered on my mind was why we hadn’t encountered any signs of life. Not even someone desperate or starving, but just us two. Maybe it had to do with the time period, but I would’ve figured there would be at least one person we passed by.

Further down the street, we spotted a few old looking roofless cars. Then, a static-y sound erupted.

“Crap,” Ves hissed, then turned to me. “Juniper. Hide.”

Without even knowing why, I did so, feeling an inexplicable pounding against my chest, a foreboding sense burned through. I ducked down, crawled underneath one of the cars. My breaths grew heavy and I was worried about being given away, even though I didn’t know why. I could just sense that I shouldn’t be found.

Up ahead were the clacks of footsteps and I looked ahead, despite my narrow vision, to see a group of a few people in black slacks and black dress shoes.

“Well, well, Etna. We didn’t expect you to show yourself,” one of them spoke, a venomous delight to their voice.

Etna?

“Worry not. I won’t be here long,” Ves’ voice turned into a cold monotone.

“Of course not. Because we’ll be taking you, and your guest away.”

Fear washed over me, a jolt which would soon give way to panic.

“Fuck,” Ves hissed. She swerved down between the car I was hiding in and another and gunfire erupted. I saw her sneak to the other side of the car as cover.

“Juniper,” she turned to me and slid the device over. “Hold on to it. I’ll take care of them.”

“But they know I’m here too!”

“They don’t know what you look like, they just know I didn’t come alone. If things take a turn for the worst, I want you to use the device and head back home.”

“No. I’m not leaving without you.”

“It’s me that they want,” she scowled. “I’m telling you this to keep you safe. They’d want the device if they could get it, but I’m their top priority.”

So that’s it? You’re just going to let them capture you? I don’t see how you can get out of this mess, thoughts flooded me.

Despite my fears, she wasn’t as defenseless as I believed. It was like she was prepared for such an encounter, as she leapt over the car she had been behind and shoved herself into one of the strangers. As one tried to grab her, she grabbed the gun of the one she knocked down instead and shot them. There were two more, one which got shot in the chest and the last one, she struck beside their forehead with the gun she had in hand. Even the gun looked strange, like some kind of liquid was sloshing around inside, like lava. That last figure was knocked out and fell to the ground. That first person to get knocked to the ground was still conscious and tried to grab her by the ankle, but she shot at their face.

Once that was over, she dropped the weapon and huffed heavy breaths.

“You can come out now,” she informed. “But we should hurry back. They’re likely to send more.”

“You killed them,” my mouth was dry. I was at a loss for words.

“Not all of them. One is knocked unconscious. I would have knocked them all unconscious had I better reflexes.”

“Still…”

“I get it. Do you hate me now? Are you afraid of me?” Her voice shook, as well as the rest of her. She looked ready to break into tears.

“No, that’s not it. I’m just surprised. I didn’t think that’s what you had to deal with,” I reassured her. Yes, I was afraid, shocked, even. But if things were really so bad that she had to resort to such things, I couldn’t blame her. I just wanted to comfort her and protect her, so she wouldn’t have to, instead.

When we returned to the apartment, she put the device away.

“I don’t to have to use this again until I know it will be safe to do so,” she struggled to form the words, still shaken, herself. Possibly by her own actions.

“I had no idea,” I was stunned and about ready to break down, myself.

“Now do you believe me?” She asked.

“Yes. I believe you.”

Although the danger of the organization that pursued her is long behind her, even to this day, it affected her. That much I was aware of. We lived in peace, but to her, she wanted to hold tight to it and anything she associated with peace. It was like at any moment it would crumble in her hands and she’d have to run and hide once again.

Despite such difficulties, her insecurities, her history, our love remained strong. I wanted, no, needed her to know that it wouldn’t go away and she wasn’t this awful person she at times saw herself to be. I just hoped I could continue to get through to her.

As we ran through the fields with our hoes and tilled the soil beneath us, I turned to her and smiled.

“Whew. Hard work, huh?” I wiped my sweat-drenched forehead. “At least we’ll get some good veggies from it.”

“Yeah. It may be hard, but when it’s ripe, it makes it all the more worth it,” she smiled. It was still warm, radiant, even with all the sadness which latched onto her.

“I know it’s hard to find happiness sometimes, maybe even harder now that you’ve found a victory you never thought you’d achieve,” I told her. “But I know it’s possible. I believe so.”

She shook her head.

“I don’t need to be happy all the time. All I need is to be home, and as long as I’m with you, I’m home.”

My heart swelled. It was sappy, I knew, but I felt like bursting into tears all the same.

“Say, if we wanted, we can leave this behind. We can return to the city. Or better, we could hitchhike and travel the world. Maybe find an abandoned castle to live in. We don’t have to stay anywhere,” she laughed. “Oh, what am I saying? I wouldn’t mind wherever we are, but I know I would be too afraid to leave.”

I laughed too.

“We don’t need to go anywhere, and we don’t need to stay in the same place. Whatever we do, we can have fun, and we’ll be sure to love each other.”

You’re safe, I wanted to tell her. She knew that already, though. She must have.

[lesbow]

my thoughts on the croods 2 so far

based on literally NOTHING but the trailer so even i’m taking all this with a grain of salt

the art:

GOOD: the colors are gorgeous. TC was always a vibrantly breathtaking movie and luckily the second seems to be the same

BAD: i’m disappointed with the clothes. at the end of the first movie, the croods excluding guy got huge wardrobe changes to highlight they were not the same people they were in the beginning. but sadly the sequel seems to have??? cut that out entirely as the family are in their caveman clothes again.

GOOD: i like how the faces are more...... refined? the eyes look more natural and have neater lines. and i also like that the face shapes have been tweaked a little too. those that needed sharper features (eep’s face in the first movie was literally a circle) got them, and those that needed smoother and more rounded features (guy used to have the Anime Triangle Jaw) got them too.

BAD: this also comes with a negative though. as someone already pointed out, although their faces look neater, they also look a little too neat. all of guy’s blemishes are gone. actually, everyones blemishes are gone.

BAD: also, their hair! in the first movie, everybody’s hair is messy. it’s the wilderness! they don’t have combs. but in the trailer, guy’s hair looks like it was literally put into a straightener. and this is before he went through the betterman transformation. a side by side of what they did to guy (they butchered my boy!!) is in the post i already linked. it’s nuts

GOOD: another thing about the character designs i DID like was ugga. most of the girls/women’s faces in the first movie were round, soft, and wide eyed. ugga’s face in the trailer now has more variation to it. she has high, sharp cheekbones, her eyes are narrower, chin more pointed. the women do not just have “soft” facial features anymore. i like that theres more variety between them.

GOOD: i love the farm and domesticated animals. the wildlife has always always been one of my favorite things about the world of the croods and they deliver on it once again (black and white furry elephants!!!)

BAD: there’s a downside to this part too tho and i will direct all of that towards douglas. WHAT HAVE THEY DONE TO HIM?!?!? he looks completely different in a bad way. he looks simple. i look at douglas in the trailer and see an easy-to-make toy. the colors are simple and no longer ombré, his teeth are more rounded and claws nonexistent. he doesn’t look anything like a tiny crocodile creature anymore, and more like a toy store plushie come to life. look at him in the trailer and then look at him in a pic from the first movie and then look me in my eyes and tell me they didn’t ruin my boy.

now about the actual plot:

BAD: why are the croods “searching for a perfect place to call home”? why is guy so eager to stay at the farm?? yes, guy is an inventor so new technology would interest him, but he was way more focused and concerned abt making it to Tomorrow. at the end of the first movie, they all agreed to become nomads and stay on the move, following the sun. a theme they explored was that home was not a place/“a cave”, and is actually just about being with the people you love. so why would they want to..... settle all of a sudden? eep ofc still wants to get out and grug doesn’t like strange things, but the others are like in love with the place?? i have to say with all these things so far it’s almost like they’re trying to scrap the end of the first movie entirely and just base the sequel off the beginning to middle sections. which is kinda disheartening since the end was so beautiful and made me tear up.

GOOD: i like that there’s another family, especially a mom, dad, and a daughter. i LOVE the fact that eep now has a friend her age and it looks like they develop a great relationship!! i desperately hope the same happens with ugga and the mom, and maybe grug and the other dad can bond too. all 3 of them, while having extremely different lifestyles, have very similar roles, and could confide in and relate to one another.

BAD: again, my biggest concern is the backtrack. in the trailer, grug is wary and upset with his family for growing attached to strangers. just like he was in the first movie with guy. “i don’t know if cave people belong in a modern world” they’re not cave people anymore. they’ve already developed past that in the first movie. “this place is changing everyone” grug is still afraid of change?!?? he got over this in the first movie too! so not only have they backtracked with the clothes, but also with the character arcs. this is a little worrying. how loosely connected is this sequel??

GOOD: nonetheless, i do think the croods encountering farmers is interesting. so far, they’ve only known that you can either be a caveman or a nomad. being neither is an entirely new concept to them, and it will be interesting to see how they deal with this third lifestyle.

BAD: WHAT HAPPENED TO RIDING THE SUN?!? i’m sorry, i’m just struggling to wrap my head around why the croods would be so ready to settle down. they had a plan. they were gonna follow the sun until they “caught it” and then ride it to Tomorrow. so what happened? especially with guy?!?!? that was literally his life’s most important goal. sooo.....????????

GOOD: while i was busting a lung, one of my friends suggested that the plot this time could be about “remembering one’s roots”. like how the theme for the first movie was that change and moving forward is good, so the sequel could now be about how, although progress is good, it’s also important to remember where you come from. i think this could be an interesting storyline if they do it right.

extra thoughts:

BAD: where are the other pets? the owl bear? the liyotes?? the land whale??? they didn’t go extinct bc the croods rode off into the sunrise with them. so Where Are They?????? did they get erased to?

GOOD: i definitely like the revamped betterman designs. apparently they looked completely different before and i very much prefer their looks now. i’m tired of the “blond, conventionally attractive character(s) think they’re better than others” trope. the bettermans look more like regular people and take pride in the technology they’ve created. i especially like how racially ambiguous they are, as i know this was one of the points the first movie got praised on too. (i do think goth!dawn wouldve been a cool contrast to eep’s bubbliness tho)

NEUTRAL: okay so this is based on both the trailer and fan theories. ive seen a few people wonder if the bettermans are actually guy’s long lost family since they look a lot like him, especially with their affinity for technology. while i don’t think this is a bad theory, i don’t know if i’d want it? idk it’s hard for me to explain but it feels like we’ve already covered guy and his family’s past. can you even imagine the convo lol. guy: “omg you guys are alive!!? i thought you’d been gruesomely drowned to death by tar!!!” / them: “oh no we just hopped right out of that. so anyways” like?!?!??? idk it would just feel...... idk. i think it’s unnecessary. (the theory that dawn is their adopted daughter and is actually guy’s last remaining relative/sister is interesting tho)

conclusion:

good total -> 8 points

bad total -> also 8 points

final thoughts -> so yeah. all in all i’m excited for this!! i love the croods and the themes and subtle little touches they had in the first movie, and am interested to see what they do in the second. unfortunately, it looks like a few things got retconned which is very concerning. i both like and dislike the new art/designs, and am very interested in the dynamic between the bettermans and the croods.

and reminder: i’m taking even my own first impression with a grain of salt (a very, very tiny one) since we’ve seen literally only one trailer so far. these are just my thoughts based on what we have. they might change as more things get released, or they might stay solid. who knows! anything goes until the movie actually comes out.

(also pink!belt will be the death of me)

[a-dinosaur-a-day]

Nymphicus hollandicus

By Jim Bendon, CC BY-SA 2.0

Etymology: Nymph Birds

First Described By: Wagler, 1832

Classification: Dinosauromorpha, Dinosauriformes, Dracohors, Dinosauria, Saurischia, Eusaurischia, Theropoda, Neotheropoda, Averostra, Tetanurae, Orionides, Avetheropoda, Coelurosauria, Tyrannoraptora, Maniraptoromorpha, Maniraptoriformes, Maniraptora, Pennaraptora, Paraves, Eumaniraptora, Averaptora, Avialae, Euavialae, Avebrevicauda, Pygostaylia, Ornithothoraces, Euornithes, Ornithuromorpha, Ornithurae, Neornithes, Neognathae, Neoaves, Inopinaves, Telluraves, Australaves, Eufalconimorphae, Psittacopasserae, Psittaciformes, Cacatuoidea, Nymphicinae

Status: Extant, Least Concern

Time and Place: Within the last 10,000 years, in the Holocene of the Quaternary 

Cockatiels are originally known from the bulk of Australia 

Physical Description: Cockatiels are medium sized birds, ranging between 29 and 33 centimeters in total body length. Wild Cockatiels are grey all over their bodies, with white patches on their wings. The males have bright yellow heads with orange cheek patches, and long yellow crests of feathers coming off of the tops of their heads. The females are usually more grey in the head region, with a duller orange cheek patch, and a grey crest. They have extremely long tail feathers and very large, broad wings. They usually weigh between 80 and 100 grams. Semi-domesticated individuals of this species can come in a wide variety of color morphs that are based on the wild-type colors, but not exactly the same: some will be yellow-ish all over, some will be entirely white; some will lack the orange cheek patches and have grey or white heads; some will be more spottled, and so on. There are an estimated 22 color mutations in cockatiels, with many being very distinctively different. In general, males are more brightly patterned than females, and have bigger crests; there are exceptions to this rule, of course, all over the color spectrum. 

By Ben Cordia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Diet: In the wild, Cockatiels feed mainly on seeds and grain, especially from crops and native fields and plains, where grass seeds are fed upon. In captivity, Cockatiels should be fed a varied diet of pellets, fresh vegetables, whole grains, some fruit, and the occasional seed for treats. 

By Jim Bendon, CC BY-SA 2.0

Behavior: Cockatiels in the wild will feed twice a day by foraging on the ground, scurrying about in a waddling fashion to look for the seeds and grains they prefair. Large flocks of tens to hundreds or even thousands of birds will gather depending on how much food is available in any given spot, and are occasionally joined by budgies at especially fertile lands. Their waddle walk is offset by the fact that they are extraordinarily powerful fliers, able to move very fast and powerfully with rapid flaps of their wings, using the tail to steer. They will migrate nomadically, following the presence of seeds and - thus - usually following rain patterns. Because they follow water, they oftentimes will reach the coast in their migrations. At night, they will sleep in available trees, perched in branches with no real preference as to what sort of tree they sleep in.  

BY Jim Bendon, CC BY-SA 2.0

Cockatiels are extraordinarily loud birds, making a variety of calls to one another to ensure that the flock stays together. To just chirp at each other, they’ll make sort of yipping calls as they go about their day. When a member of the flock is lost, they will scream extremely loudly to find them again, calling out “EEP” at the top of their lungs until the flock member is located. While flirting, they will unfurl their wings ever so slightly, forming a heart shape; sticking their neck out, they will perform a flirtatious call (which can vary somewhat) at the object of their affections. They often bob their heads and bodies while doing this. Sometimes they’ll practice their singing into the air, and will hold up one of their feet to do so, singing at it like they’re holding a microphone. They will extend their crest out all the way while curious, and cluck while exploring a specific environment. When alarmed, their body will go extremely taught, their neck stuck out all the way; if danger is present, they’ll fly away quickly and make very loud sounds to the rest of the flock to promote everyone escaping from the situation. 

By Jim Bendon, CC BY-SA 2.0

In the wild, cockatiels breed usually in the late autumn or winter, nesting within tree hollows. They are very protective of their nesting sites and will scream at any intruders. They can form lifelong pairs or be polygamous in terms of breeding behavior. Both sexes will protect the eggs and bring each other food; the clutches are usually one to seven eggs in size, and are incubated for twenty days. The chicks are usually very naked with some yellow down, and are largely altricial; they will stay protected for five weeks and are guarded by the parents. They then mature and become part of the nomadic flocks, sticking close to their family members for the first month or so. Cockatiels reach sexual maturity at around 1 year old, and full skeletal maturity at 2 years. They can live up to 25 years on average, though many individuals have reached past 30 years of age with proper care. 

By Meig Dickson

Ecosystem: In the wild, Cockatiels live in arid and semi-arid open habitats such as savanna, scrubland, open woodland, grassland, and more outback habitats. They will stay close to sources of water but do not need them as much as other parrots; and they are often found associated with extensive cropland and farms. They are usually not found in the most fertile and wet corners of Australia, or the deepest parts of the Australian desert, or the Cape York Peninsula. 

By Meig Dickson

Other: Cockatiels are some of the most common birds in Australia, with an estimated population of around one million individuals; this, plus them showing no real drops in population, makes them not vulnerable to extinction at this time. They are occasionally regarded as pests, especially by farmers. However, the main interaction humans have with Cockatiels is via aviculture. 

By Meig Dickson

Cockatiels are the second most popular pet parrot after budgies, and one of the most common pet caged birds out there. While individuals are occasionally imported from Australia from time to time, most Cockatiels sold or adopted at this point are descended from many generations of breeding programs. Breeding efforts have turned pet cockatiels into nearly domesticated animals, inhabiting that weird grey area between tame and domestication. As such, at-home species have different colors and behaviors. They tend to trust humans more, especially when they are hand-fed by their breeders. They are extremely intelligent animals and are able to learn tricks. They require extensive space, toys, and out-of-cage time to live happy lives, and need a varied diet to avoid biological problems such as fatty liver disease. Though not an easy companion animal to own by any stretch of the imagination, cockatiels (and budgies) are well on their way to being truly domesticated, rather than just an exotic animal that’s at home in human spaces. Extremely social animals, they do best with other members of their species in a large cage, rather than being alone in a smaller space. Cockatiels are kept entirely for companionship; they are not bred for any other purpose, though with their powerful and agile flight style they may be shown off in bird shows. 

~ By Meig Dickson

Sources under the Cut 

Adams, M; Baverstock, PR; Saunders, DA; Schodde, R; Smith, GT (1984). "Biochemical systematics of the Australian cockatoos (Psittaciformes: Cacatuinae)". Australian Journal of Zoology. 32 (3): 363–77.

Astuti, Dwi (2011). "Phylogenetic relationships within Cockatoos (Aves: Psittaciformes) Based on DNA Sequences of The Seventh intron of Nuclear β-fibrinogen gene" (PDF). Jurnal Biologi Indonesia. 7 (1): 1–11.

Rowley, I. & Kirwan, G.M. (2019). Cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.

Flegg, Jim (2002): Photographic Field Guide: Birds of Australia. Reed New Holland, Sydney & London.

Martin, Terry (2002). A Guide To Colour Mutations and Genetics in Parrots. ABK Publications.