#flying space lizard 2

[too-expensiv-to-lose]

current VC progress

I’m planning on finalizing her colors.

[on-the-clear-blue]

Dead Man's Diner pt 2

Danny had to admit, Lunch Lady was an excellent teacher.

Sure they were blitzing though a cook book thst was more tape and hope the paper, but Danny was for once actually understanding and enjoying being taught.

Cracking an egg into a bowl, Danny held it close while whisking quickly, not fully incorporating the flour in his pancake batter before dumping a good sized dollop on the flat top, smiling from the brief sizzle that he heard.

There was a sudden cacophony sounds from the front of house (which was the dining area? He never knew that before) putting the flat top on low, Danny looked over to where Lunch Lady was floating only to find nothing.

Blinking a bit, Danny wiped his hands off OK his apron as he poked his head out, frowning at the diner car, "What was that..." his words were cut off by one of the blinds slats bending as if pried open, and as he squinted, Danny saw two figures watching from a distance ontop another rail car.

Vigilantes

Danny felt his heart flutter with excitement, while not as cool as maybe Martian Manhunter or StarFire (since y'know...fucking aliens, Space) the Gotham caped community were interesting, if only since Batman and his Flock were Sam's low key obsession, she had even gone out as Robin for multiple Halloweens, and don't even get him started on the fan theories about them all.

Smirking he tapped the bar, allowing thr blinds to snap closed, "Sam is so going to flip that I saw the Birds before her." Letting out a little giggled, Danny quickly swore as he smelt a bit of burning and rushed to flip his pancakes.

---

Tim was, in Dicks opinion, the most concerning member of the family, sure most days he gives of "miserable wet cat" energy but even then Dick had seen his little brother easily take down guys that even Bruce had trouble with.

That wasnt even touching on his um...mental quirks

The less he speaks of the time period between Bruce's and Kons deaths till their eventual return, the better.

Putting down the binoculars, Dick stole a glance over at Red Robin, who was frowning deeply at his wrist computer, scooting a little closer Dick leaned over to see what was happening, "Whatcha do~oing?"

So entranced by what he was reading Tim jumped a little, an elbow flying out to where Dicks face had been a second ago as he turned and glared.

"Don't...! Do that Wing! Ugh..." shaking his head as he let out a huff Tim took his eyes off the small monitor and looked up at the diner car, pointing at it as he spoke scornfuly.

"That place does not exist."

"Like, legally? I am sure Batburger doesn't either-"

"No." Tim said, cutting the older vigilante off, "It doesn't exist physically."

"Timmy..." Dick said as he ran through the protocols for when RedRobin got a little too many insane things in his head.

"Get that look off your face Wing, it really doesn't exist, like..." letting out a sigh, the teen tried to put his words right "Don't look straight at it but a bit to the side so it's to the side of your eye." Pointing to a middle distance a bit away from the diner cart, Dick sent a small frown at his brother but did as he was asked.

"Holy leaping lizards..." Tim, somehow, was right, since when Dick just looked about a few feet away from the diner, it started to waver turning...transparent? And a little blue? But when he looked at it closer it was just a normal, abet run down looking diner.

"Exactly, no need to bench me till Agent A stuffs me full of anti-psychotics!"

"That was one time Tim, and you were having a mental break down."

"I am not lying when I say we killed Santa Claus Dick!"

"Sure Tim...sure"

---

Danny drummed his fingers on the breakfast bar, nursing a cup of coffee as he waited for something to happen.

He knew thst he was being watched, he had a vague idea who was doing the watching, but was starting to get a bit bored waiting for them to get closer.

Pausing mid sip, a grin spread across Danny's lips, "Hey cart? Can you do something that might draw those guys over here? Let's get some customers!"

Some how, Danny's grin only grew at the rumble of the cart, and he xould hav sworn he heard a sound that was a mix between a train horn and a chuckle.

---

Tim shot his brother a stinging glare, swatting at his arm as he blushed, he did every much indeed accidentally killed Santa Claus and took an impromptu trip to Apokolips to give DarkSeid coal.

His next rebuttal to Nightwing was cut off as the diner cart shuddered as if it was in an earthquake before it stilled, and the banner that was across it suddenly gained a new line.

[JUST NOW! VIGILANTES AND HEROS GET ONE FREE SIDE OF FRIES! COME ON IN BEFORE THE OFFER ENDS!]

Tim was silent for a moment, watching the cart to see if there was any more changes before turning to Dick, who had lost the joyful energy that he always seemed to have.

"RR, plans changed, we are going to investigate inside."

Tim gave a sharp nod, his bo staff elongating as he grappled down to the train tracks below, his boots crunching gravel underfoot as he slipped from shadow to shadow, getting closer to Big C's diner.

---

Danny was in the back, flipping through his cook book as he heard a bell ring, jolting up, Danny could see through the service window and see who came in.

He had never met a real hero before, not like the two that had just came in, feeling nervous, Danny fumbled with a small notebook as he came out from the kitchen, grinning at the two Birds.

"Heya! Thanks for coming to Big C's! Names Danny and I am kinda the only one in today, what can I get you both?"

His eyes flickered between the two vigilantes, noticing new things each time he looked at them, like how Red Robin's cape had buttons instead of being sown on, or how Nightwings suit wasn't slick but actually textured.

---

Dick looked at everything he could as he stood in the diners door, it looked like a typical 50s styled mom and pop kinda place, an old radio buzzed with songs of a bygone era while the seats were cracked pink leather vinyl.

He could hear someone moving in the back, resting a hand on his eskrima sticks, Dick stalked further in, it felt real enough...

He could feel Red Robin knock into his back as the person from the back came into view, it was a teen, and holy hell did he look like Bruce Wayne adoption bait, raven hair, blue eyes and a cheesy looking grin.

He couldn't be older than Damian, who had turned 16 a few months ago, the teen was just so...tiny.

Danny, that's the name given to them, and Dick can see it, he looked like a Danny.

Pausing to look to Tim, Dick smiled back at the teen, "Well...can we see a menu?"

[thecreaturecodex]

Skull Peeler

Image © Paizo Publishing, accessed at Archives of Nethys here

[The skull peeler from PF2e's Bestiary 3 is a monster I wanted to like, but enough stuff bugged me about it that the version published isn't my favorite. For one thing, it supposedly is a specialist on sauropod dinosaurs, but as a CR 6 versus a CR 10 (at least) seems a little steep. It's described as being explicitly a "naturally evolved creature", but a mammal with insect wings doesn't strike me as something that can be claimed to be naturalistic, even for fantasy world evolution. Lastly, the slow speed and the excellent camouflage make me think it was originally intended to be a sloth monster, and got changed to a monkey monster at some point in development. I have made a number of tweaks to the mechanics and flavor text alike in order to bring it to my admittedly persnickety standards.]

Skull Peeler CR 6 N Magical Beast This creature looks like a monkey except for its translucent butterfly wings. Its forelimbs have oversized claws, and it has a long tongue studded with razor blades.

Skull peelers look cute, but their behavior is anything but. Skull peelers are predators of the canopy, feeding on birds, monkeys, lizards and browsing megafauna. A skull peeler will attack a giraffe, elephant or even sauropod dinosaur from ambush, tearing into its face and neck with razor sharp claws and a bladed tongue. Even if the prey survives the initial assault, it often bleeds to death from the creature’s supernaturally anticoagulant saliva. The skull peeler then lives up to its name, tearing off its victim’s head to eat the fleshy cheeks and the fatty brain. Skull peelers can go a long time between meals, and rarely descend to the forest floor to feed on the rest of the corpse. Scavengers and kleptoparasites tend to feed well in areas inhabited by a skull peeler.

Skull peelers are native to the First World, but have escaped onto the Material Plane through portals and the intervention of mortals and fey alike. Fey creatures and gnomes can often coax a skull peeler to remain in a particular area, but otherwise they are undomesticable, being semi-sapient in their own right. The combination of adorable appearance and vicious temper makes them popular as trophies and guardians by crime lords or rulers of a crueler bent. Skull peelers are notorious escape artists, however, and are adept at escaping into the wild and taking up residence in unexpected habitats.

Skull Peeler CR 6 XP 2,400 N Small magical beast (extraplanar) Init +8; Senses low-light vision, Perception +8

Defense AC 19, touch 15, flat-footed 15 (+1 size, +4 Dex, +4 natural) hp 66 (7d10+32) Fort +9, Ref +10, Will +5

Offense Speed 20 ft., climb 15 ft., fly 15 ft. (average) Melee 2 claws +13 (1d4+5), tongue +13 (2d4+5 plus bleed) Space 5 ft.; Reach 5 ft. (10 ft. with tongue) Special Attacks anticoagulant, bleed (1d4), giantslayer, sneak attack +1d6

Statistics Str 20, Dex 19, Con 16, Int 5, Wis 16, Cha 13 Base Atk +7; CMB +11; CMD 25 (29 vs. trip) Feats Acrobatic, Improved Initiative, Stealthy, Toughness Skills Acrobatics +10 (+6 jumping), Climb +17, Escape Artist +7, Fly +12, Perception +8, Stealth +13 (+17 in vegetation); Racial Modifiers +4 Stealth in vegetation Languages Sylvan (cannot speak) SQ fragrant, freeze (vegetation)

Ecology Environment warm and temperate forests (First World) Organization solitary or pair Treasure incidental

Special Abilities Anticoagulant (Su) Bleed dealt by a skull peeler requires a DC 21 Heal check to stop with mundane methods. Anyone using a healing spell to stop the bleed must succeed a DC 16 caster level check or the bleed persists. Fragrant (Ex) A skull peeler smells like vegetation as well as looking like vegetation. Creatures with the scent special ability must succeed a Perception check against the skull peeler’s Stealth check -10 to recognize the presence of a creature within their scent radius. Giantslayer (Ex) A skull peeler deals an extra +1d6 points of damage with its sneak attack for every size category larger the creature is than the skull peeler. Tongue (Ex) The tongue of a skull peeler is treated as a primary natural weapon that deals slashing damage.

[thelastspeecher]

Weird Little Critter - Chapter 6: Transitions, Part 3

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 AO3

Here's the final part of what was meant to be one chapter but turned into three! I would normally space it out a bit more from the previous one, but I'll be going on vacation soon, and I wanted to get this posted before then. Here's this year's final chapter of "Weird Little Critter" from @elishevart and me. Enjoy.

—��————————————————————————————

                 Banjo reclined on the dock at Lake Gravity Falls, looking up at the clouds slowly lumbering across the bright blue sky.  His feet, freed of their shoes, dangled over the edge, dipping into the water, as did Stan’s.

                 “So, you bait a hook like this,” Stan said, drawing his attention.  Banjo looked over at him.  Stan was holding out a hook and a wriggling gray worm.

                 I know that kind of worm ain’t gray.  It’s pink.  Darn colorblindness.  Banjo tilted his head, a small smile playing around his lips as he watched Stan’s demonstration.  At least Stan’s charm ain’t affected by his color palette.  When Stan first came to stay with them, Angie had clashed with him constantly.  But there was something about him.  Stan just kept worming his way into Angie’s good graces with his cheesy sense of humor and random moments of kindness and warmth.  The budding emotions Angie had felt towards Stan weren’t changed now that she was Banjo.  If anything, they seemed to be stronger.  I ain’t sure what that could mean ‘bout me.  Banjo looked across the lake.  The dark blue water rippled lazily.  But I also ain’t sure if I want to open that door or leave it alone.

                 “Think you can do it yourself?” Stan asked.  Banjo rolled his eyes.  He sat up, grabbed the other fishing rod, and quickly baited the hook flawlessly, then cast it out into the lake.  Stan’s jaw dropped.

                 “I told ya I don’t like fishin’, not that I can’t do it,” Banjo drawled.  Stan grinned.  A faint blush spread across his cheeks.  Banjo felt his own face warm slightly in response.

                 “I thought you would be a bit squeamish about baiting the hook,” Stan said.  Banjo laughed.

                 “Stanley, I grew up on a farm.  I slaughtered my first chicken at five years old.”

                 “Oh.  Right.”  Stan laughed and rubbed the back of his neck.  “I forgot you grew up on a farm.  I just thought- you were a girl and-”  Stan cut himself off.

                 Smart move, feller.  You were headin’ fer dangerous territory there.

                 “I shoulda figured you wouldn’t mind the worms and stuff.”  Stan cast his own line.  “Why don’t you like fishing?”

                 “I don’t got the patience fer it,” Banjo sighed.  “I’ve always been what my folks called ‘spirited’.  Which is code fer never sittin’ still.”

                 “I know exactly what that’s like,” Stan said.  He coughed.  “So, uh, hate to break it to you, but I’ve got an ulterior motive for asking you to go fishing with me.”

                 “Oh?”

                 “Yeah.  Uh.”  Stan sighed.  “I need to ask you some stuff about when Ford is normally in his lizard form.”

                 “Salamander.”

                 “Same difference.  Anyways, what do you guys do?”

                 “Hmm?”

                 “During full moons.  When Ford’s not human.  What do you guys do?”

                 “Well, I ain’t been ‘round fer many moons yet,” Banjo said hesitantly.  “But we mostly do research on him, either in his study or the livin’ room.”  Stan swatted away a fly that was buzzing around his head.

                 “And by research you mean…?”

                 “I write down observations ‘bout him.  Things to help figure out more ‘bout his condition, y’know.”

                 “So no fun,” Stan said flatly.  Banjo frowned at him.

                 “It might not be yer idea of fun, but remember, we’re scientists.  We find this sort of thing quite fun.  And it’s to better understand his condition, so’s it’s two birds with one stone.”

                 “Okay, hear me out.”  Stan seemed to be choosing his words carefully.  “I get the two of you nerding out being nerds and actually liking doing research.  But…would it still be fun if you were the one being researched?”

                 “I…”  Banjo swallowed.  The question was simple, yet ominous.  “I don’t rightly know.”  Stan nodded.

                 “I’m gonna tell you what I know,” he said.  “After we got home last night, when Ford was all gray, I gave him some food.  I expected him to just go to his tank or something.  But he stayed with me, curled up on my lap while I watched TV.”

                 “I walked by later to grab some water.  I didn’t see him on yer lap.”

                 “Yeah, ‘cause he scurried away when you went through the room,” Stan said.  Banjo’s blood ran cold.  He could feel the color draining from his face.

                 “He- he was scared of me?”  Banjo set aside the fishing rod.  He put his head in his hands.  “I- I-”  The idea was foreign to him.

                 My whole life, I ain’t never scared a single soul.  ‘Cept that one time I sleepwalked into Fidds’ bedroom.  How could I have scared Stanford?  Tears began to prick the corners of Banjo’s eyes.  I didn’t mean to!  He’s my friend!  A warm hand rested on his shoulder.  Banjo looked up.

                 “I don’t think you scared him,” Stan said softly.  “I think…”  Stan sighed.  “When we were kids, our parents took Ford to a million doctors because of his hands.  He got better about it when we got older, since he stopped being poked and prodded as much, but I don’t think he ever really got over his fear of doctors.  I wouldn’t be surprised if he still tries to put off appointments for as long as he can.”

                 “You think that my studyin’ him is bringin’ up bad memories?” Banjo asked.  Stan nodded.  “But- but he was the one what wanted me to study him!  He wanted to learn more ‘bout his condition!”

                 “He probably didn’t think it through,” Stan said.  “Everyone does stuff without thinking sometimes.”

                 “Fair enough,” Banjo mumbled.  Stan squeezed his shoulder.

                 “All I’m saying is that it might be a good idea for you guys to take a break from the research stuff.  I know you couldn’t see him gray, but it was- it wasn’t great.  I don’t wanna see him like that again.”

                 “Agreed.”

                 “And who knows, maybe he’ll stop being so down on his salamander self once he gets to experience it without being a test subject,” Stan said cheerfully.  Banjo managed a small smile.

                 “That would be nice.”  Banjo elbowed Stan.  “Hey, you called him the right kind of critter!”

                 “I listen, I just don’t care,” Stan said with a shrug.  Banjo laughed.  The bobber of Banjo’s fishing rod wiggled briefly, then began to move.  “Looks like you’ve got a bite!”  Without warning, Banjo’s fishing rod, resting on the deck beside him, shot off.  Banjo attempted to grab the rod rocketing away from him.  His eyes widened as he felt himself begin to topple forward.

                 Shoot!  My center of gravity ain’t what it usually is!  It was too late.  Banjo hit the cold water of the lake.  A split second later, he heard a faint splash.  A large arm wrapped around his torso, pulling him to the surface.

                 “You okay?” Stan asked.  Banjo stared at him.  Stan’s long, dark hair was soaked, sticking to his face and neck.

                 “Why’d ya jump in after me?” Banjo asked numbly.  Stan blinked.

                 “You didn’t grow up near the ocean like me.  I didn’t know if you knew how to swim.”

                 “Wh-”  Banjo covered his mouth, trying to muffle the laughter bubbling up from his chest.  “S-Stanley, I grew up swimmin’ in lakes just like this one!”

                 “Oh.”  Stan winced.  “Right.  I guess I didn’t think.”

                 “It’s okay.  I didn’t either.  I should’ve known better ‘n to try to grab somethin’ what was already off the dock.”

                 “I’ve never seen a fishing rod move like that.  Maybe it’s best that you didn’t catch it.  Who knows what was on the end of the line?”

                 “In Gravity Falls?  Just ‘bout anything you can imagine,” Banjo said.  He reached out for the dock and gripped it.  A few wooden splinters dug into his hands as he pulled himself up.  Beside him, Stan was doing the same thing.  They sat on the dock for a few moments before bursting into laughter.  “I can’t believe ya went in after me instead of just waitin’ fer me to surface!” Banjo chuckled.

                 “Sue me for not wanting you to drown,” Stan said, punching Banjo’s shoulder playfully.

                 “I’m a grown adult!”

                 “I don’t know your life!  How was I supposed to know they teach you how to swim in whatever podunk town you come from?” Stan retorted.  He ran his fingers through his hair, brushing it to one side of his head.  Their laughter slowly died down.  “Guess we better go back to the house and dry off.”

                 “Yeah.”  Banjo slipped on his blessedly dry shoes.  “Bein’ in wet jeans is awful miserable.”

                 “Wanna come back to the lake to fish after we change?” Stan asked, putting on his own shoes and socks.  Banjo cocked his head.

                 “I don’t know ‘bout fishin’.  But we could come back and go fer a hike or somethin’.  Did ya know there’s a secret cave behind the waterfall?”

                 “Really?”  Stan’s eyes widened with interest.  He leaned in, ever so slightly.  Banjo’s breath caught in his throat.

                 No, no, don’t think ‘bout his wet T-shirt stickin’ to his chest, don’t think ‘bout his hair draped over one shoulder, don’t think ‘bout the sun shinin’ off the water droplets on his skin.  Banjo swallowed.  Welp.  Given I just explicitly thought out all of that, I ain’t doin’ a great job not thinkin’ ‘bout it.

                 “I’m not usually into hikes,” Stan said, not noticing Banjo’s reaction to his close proximity.  “But a secret cave?  That actually sounds interesting.”

                 “Oh, g-good,” Banjo stammered.  He could feel his face burning.  Stan stood up.  He held out a hand.  Banjo took it.  Stan pulled him to his feet.

                 “Let’s head to the car.  I’m already getting sick of being soaked.”  The two headed down the dock, water dripping from their drenched clothes.  “How much you wanna bet Ford’s still in his room when we get back?”

                 “Ugh.  I ain’t takin’ that bet.  From his tone earlier, I get the feelin’ he’s only goin’ to leave fer food.”  Banjo sighed.  “Which stinks, since I want to talk to him ‘bout what we talked ‘bout.”

                 “Maybe you should set up camp on the couch,” Stan suggested.  They got to the car.  Banjo frowned down at the ground while he waited for Stan to fish out his keys.

                 “I might just do that.  All I can do is hope he gets hungry enough to go to the kitchen ‘fore I fall asleep.”

—--

                 Ford’s vision was somehow better in the dark than in the light, he was discovering.  As he made his way to the kitchen on all fours, he was able to see furniture that he had struggled with the night before, when he was watching television with Stan while all the lights were on.

                 When he got to the living room, Ford slowed down to make his footsteps extra quiet, as, for some reason, Banjo was on the couch.  Luckily, he was facing away, sleeping deeply.  Ford got to the kitchen and quickly but silently rummaged through the fridge.  His stomach rumbled hungrily, the result of his skipped dinner.  But Ford hadn’t wanted to come across Stan or Banjo.

                 Thankfully, there were some leftover mealworm patties from a few days ago that could be eaten cold.  Ford grabbed the container in his mouth and closed the refrigerator door with his back legs.  He exited the kitchen.

                 As he walked past Banjo, the sleeping man stirred slightly.

                 “Mm…” Banjo said longingly.  Ford froze.  “Oh, yes,” Banjo moaned, still fast asleep.  “Yes, Stanley!  Yes…”  Ford’s face began to burn.

                 Shit.  Shit!  I really don’t need to hear my friend salivating over my twin brother!

                 Ford scurried to his study as fast as his stumpy legs would let him and half-closed the door behind him. Exhausted from the sprint, he dropped the tupperware on the floor to catch his breath. He held his head in his hands and tried to process what had happened. 

                 Okay, think, Stanford… 

                 He didn’t have to think much at all.  It was maddeningly clear, looking back.  His twin and Angie had been bickering from the start. Somewhere along the way, that bickering had turned into playful teasing, possibly even flirting.  And even now that Angie was temporarily Banjo, the sparks and chemistry between the two were still present.

                 Not to mention, it sounds like Stan has been preventing Banjo from having a mental breakdown over this whole situation, by keeping him distracted and happy.

                 The big axolotl sat on his hind legs to lean against the glass of his tank.  He  idly picked a patty to munch on. It wasn’t rocket science what was happening between his brother and friend, but it still made him wonder where he stood.  True, they were both adults, responsible for their own decisions.  And he would be glad to see them finding happiness with each other.  Though, frankly, it didn’t seem to be his business.

                 But something nagged at the back of his mind.  A worry about what would happen if it all went south.  If the worst came to fruition, and Banjo/Angie and Stan became antagonistic towards each other, would he have to choose one?  Could he?

                 A few bites later and Ford had finished all the patties in the box.  He yawned widely.  He squinted toward the clock on his wall, but couldn’t make out what time it was. Late enough that even he, a notorious night owl, could feel tired. He stretched his front legs and arched his back, making his tail curl over him. Likely, he resembled a cat at that moment. He shook his head thinking how Banjo would have probably found it adorable. Or would he?

                 Tiredness was creeping into his limbs and mind.  Ford abandoned those thoughts in favor of focusing on climbing the ramp they had put in his study for him to reach his tank. He dived lazily in the water and slowly drifted toward the bottom. 

                 Stanford immediately felt better in the water, almost wanting to swim a little, but his tank was sadly too small for him to move around much. Granted, the tank was a great update from the tub, but he couldn’t help but remember the brief giant tank he had been stuck in. It had been perfect.  It even had fish and small water currents…

                 Ford closed his eyes, thinking of that giant tank.  He soon drifted off to sleep.

——

                 Stanford had just pulled on his robe, his hair still damp with water from his tank and eyelids heavy from sleep when he heard someone clear their throat. He jumped and spun around to see a blurry figure in the doorway with caramel-colored hair. 

                  “Banjo?” he asked as he fumbled for his glasses. Once on his nose the figure came into focus to reveal his friend. “Wha-what are you doing here?”

                  “I needed to talk to ya. About everything,” the southerner said, still standing in the doorway. “I noticed how ya avoided me and figured I’d corner ya here ‘fore you could run.”

                 The knot in Ford’s stomach came back, along with the shame he had felt for the past few days. It was true. He had been so embarrassed that he had simply opted to ignore his friend, vainly hoping it would go away. He should have thought better since it hadn’t really worked with his twin. Would he have ignored Banjo, or, starting tomorrow, Angie for five years? He shook his head with a sigh and invited his friend to step into the room. Banjo did so, closing the door behind him.

                  “Yes, I have been distant for the past few days,” Ford started slowly. He hung his head low, bracing himself against his tank and avoiding eye contact. He couldn’t help but blink a couple of times as his vision became blurry again. He scowled, frustrated by the tears obscuring his vision despite his glasses. He kept staring at his hands to stay focused. “I- I apologize. I misread your feelings over your situation and thought you were just having the… time of your life. It was an illogical conclusion to come to, given my own emotions when I myself undergo a change each month.” His voice choked up, a shuddering breath caught in his throat.  “I should have thought before reacting. I truly, deeply apologize.”

                 He closed his eyes and waited. 

                 After a few minutes a long sigh came from the other side of the room. 

                  “It’s true that yer lil blow-up was uncalled fer,” Banjo said softly.  “Don’t worry, though, I accept yer apology.”  Ford’s shoulders slumped in relief.  Part of him had worried Banjo would hold a grudge.  “But…” Banjo paused.  “It’s come to my attention that there might be a dif’rent reason you lashed out.” 

                 Ford swallowed the lump of emotion stuck in his throat. 

                  “I have no idea what you could be talking about,” he whispered.

                  “I might have been startled and, quite frankly, scared by yer outburst, but I was listenin’.  When ya blew up at me, ya rattled off a long list of grievances,” Banjo said, his voice quiet and level.  “It’s quite clear that ya ain’t lost any of the frustration over yer sit’ation.” Ford’s head shot up.  He finally met Banjo’s eyes. 

                  “I was just-” he started. Banjo held up a hand. Ford fell silent.

                  “Stanford, yer brother explained to me that, due to yer polydactyly, you had an awful lot of exams ‘n tests ‘n whatnot done on you when you were just a lil one.  He told me those negative emotions ‘n memory ‘re prob’ly why ya don’t go to the doctor near as often as you should. Well, that ‘n yer good old-fashioned stubbornness ‘n procrastination.”  Ford felt himself blush at the incredibly accurate assessment.  He remained silent, staring at his hands, his twelve fingers intertwined with each other. “I think we went about your curse all wrong.”

                 “What do you mean?”

                 Banjo sighed. “Ever since I got here, we’ve been doin’ research on ya.  Every time ya turn, every night of the full moon, I’m examinin’ ya like yer my study subject.”  Ford glanced up long enough to see Banjo’s worried expression, then quickly downcast his eyes again.  “We turned yer time as an axolotl into a- a chore. Every time you turn, I’m right there takin’ notes, writin’ things down, pokin’ ‘n proddin’ ‘n photographin’ ya and…”  Banjo sighed again. “What I’m gettin’ at is that yer hate fer yer amphibious side might partly be rooted in that.”

                  “But I agreed to it!” Ford protested. “From the start, I have wanted, no, needed to know what is happening to me!  I want answers!”

                 “I know,” Banjo said gently.  His voice was almost maddeningly calm. “Don’t get me wrong, I want ‘em too.  But we went about this the wrong way.  We need to slow down.” Banjo took a pause. “Stan told me how the night we went to the Crawlspace you turned gray, acted all odd.” Ford’s cheeks burned with embarrassment. “But once we got home, you loosened up, actually seemin’ happy with Stan.”

                 As he idly played with his annoyingly blue streaked hair, a few memories came back to Ford from that night. They were all a bit blurry, but had a feeling of being warm and happy.  A feeling he struggled to recall experiencing often in his amphibious form.  He looked at Banjo.

                  “I admit that some aspects of this curse are infuriating to me. All right,” he said.  Banjo smiled hesitantly.  “What do you suggest?”  Banjo’s smile strengthened.

                  “We take a pause from observin’ and analyzin’ ya. Give ya a break. I’ve got plenty of data to keep me occupied anyway.  Of course, I might still write down some observations here and there, but I won’t be askin’ or pokin’ ya anymore,” Banjo elaborated.  Ford nodded. 

                  “That sounds reasonable.” He walked to his desk and opened a drawer.  After taking a steadying breath, he pulled out a few pieces of paper to hand to Banjo. “You might need these. You’ll have more use of them than I do, anyways.”  Banjo carefully took the papers from him.  He looked down at them in awe.

                  “Is that…?”

                 “Yes, the test results from the vet. I trust you’ll use them well.”

                 Cradling the documents in his hands, the southerner nodded. “I will! Promise!”

                 Ford nodded in return and smiled.  It was the first one he’d shared with his friend for far too long. An easy silence settled between the two until Stanford broke it.

                 “If we are taking a break from studying, what should we do?” he asked.  Banjo laughed.  It still sounded eerily like Fiddleford.

                  “Whatever ya want, silly.”

                  “In that case…”  Ford decided to broach the topic that had been bothering him the night before. “I don’t feel comfortable going back to the lake anytime soon, but I was wondering if we could do something about my tank.”

                 Tilting his head, Banjo looked at the tank behind Ford. “What’s wrong with yer tank?”

                 “Nothing.”

                  “But?” Banjo prompted.

                  “It’s adequate to sleep in but too small for me to actually swim.  I quite enjoyed the freedom of the tank in the Northwest mansion,” Ford confessed.  Banjo nodded slowly.  “You’re the expert when it comes to animal enclosures, with your history working for a zoo.  What do you think we could do?”  Banjo beamed.

                  “I reckon there’s quite a few things we could do to make ya more comfortable!  Once I’m back to m’ proper self, I’ll make some calls.  I’ve already got somethin’ in mind.”

                  “Excellent.”  Ford paused.  Something Banjo had said earlier was bothering him.  “You said that Stan told you I turned gray,” he said after a moment.  “You didn’t notice?”

                 “Yeah, uh, turns out Banjo is colorblind,” Banjo said with a shrug.  Ford’s jaw dropped.  Banjo smiled.  “So, what do ya want fer breakfast?”

—--

                 “Hello there stranger,” gushed yet another of the bachelorettes of Gravity Falls.

                 “Oh, uh, howdy, miss,” Banjo said awkwardly.  He politely tipped his cowboy hat, which Stan had convinced him to wear, as it was his last night as Banjo.  The woman giggled.

                 “Can I buy you a drink?” she asked eagerly.

                 “Um.  I think I’m set.”  Banjo held up his glass of whiskey.  The woman pouted.  “Thank you fer offerin’, though.”  The woman walked away, visibly disappointed.  Banjo began to head back to the booth Stan and Ford were sitting at, only to be intercepted by yet another woman.

                 “Dammit, can’t he drop the whole ‘proper southern gentleman’ thing long enough to sit down?” Stan grumbled.  Ford chuckled.  “This is our last night as three guys!  And he’s spending half of it getting flirted with.”  After a relaxing day at home, Stan had finally convinced Banjo and Ford to go out to a bar.  However, the women of Gravity Falls were enthralled by Banjo’s “exotic” way of speaking, good looks even in the bar’s dim lighting, and southern manners.  As such, their advances kept interrupting the boys’ night out.

                 “Can you blame them?” Ford asked.  Stan’s face softened as he watched Banjo frantically trying to politely turn down the woman talking to him.

                 “No.  I can’t.”

                 “You, uh…”  Ford stirred his non-alcoholic drink.  He had offered to be the designated driver, as he hadn’t tried any alcohol since becoming afflicted with his curse and wasn’t sure if he’d have a strange reaction to it.  “You seem to be rather…fond of him.”

                 “He’s nice,” Stan said with a shrug.  Ford nodded.  “And he appreciates my sense of humor.  Not a lot of people do.”  Stan frowned.  His eyes flicked over to Ford.  “Wait.  You were saying that like…”

                 “I recall well how you acted when you first developed a crush on Carla McCorkle,” Ford remarked.  “I’ve been seeing the same behaviors popping up from you as of late.”  Stan’s face reddened.  The crappy song being played by the horrible cover band in the corner ended.  A new one started.  Ford waited patiently for Stan to say something.

                 I’ve got plenty of time before Banjo gets back.  He’s too polite to turn down any of these women quickly.  Ford stirred his drink and watched Stan’s face turn redder and redder.  Sweet Moses, is he ever going to crack?  After what felt like ages, Stan finally sighed.

                 “Fine,” he muttered.  His gaze dropped to the table.  “I- I’ve got a thing for Angie.  But I’m not- I- it started when he was Angie, so I’m not- I’m not into men or- or-”

                 “Stanley, you know full well my own, ah, romantic inclinations,” Ford said quietly.  “Do you really think I would judge you for being interested in both Angie and Banjo?”  Stan traced out a few letters in the condensation on the table from their drink glasses.

                 “I- I guess not.”

                 “Are you going to make a move?” Ford asked.  Stan looked up at him, aghast.

                 “Are you a fucking idiot?” he hissed.  “I’ve done a lotta stupid shit, that might be the stupidest thing I could ever do!”

                 “Why?” Ford pressed.  “Since when have you worried about shooting your shot?”

                 “Wh- because- he- she-” Stan stammered.  He paused and took a breath.  “We live together.  If he turns me down, that’ll fuck up the mood in the house.”  Stan turned his head to watch Banjo, who was now desperately attempting to escape the clutches of three women.  “I’ve been homeless before, Ford.  I’m not gonna risk losing a roof over my head just to hit on someone outta my league.”

                 “You think he’s out of your league?”

                 “He told me he’s got a doctorate,” Stan scoffed.  “I didn’t even graduate high school!”

                 “There’s more to compatibility than how much education one has,” Ford said gently.  Stan grunted wordlessly.  Ford looked down at the ice cubes melting in his drink.  “Don’t tell Banjo, but I overheard him last night and- I think you should take a chance.  Your feelings are more mutual than you think.”

                 “Are you sure?” Stan asked.  Ford met Stan’s eyes and nodded.  “If this all goes to shit, it’s your fault, okay?”  Ford quirked a half-smile.

                 “Understood.”

                 “Whew!”  Banjo slid into the booth, sitting right next to Stan.  His caramel-colored hair was getting sweaty in the warm bar and sticking to his face.  “I fin’ly got away from those ladies.”  He shook his head.  “I ain’t got the foggiest idea why they’re tryin’ so hard to get romantic with me.”

                 “Really?” Stan and Ford asked together.  Banjo blinked.

                 “Yes?  Should- should I know?”

                 “You’re nice and cute, man,” Stan said dismissively.  Banjo’s cheeks turned pink.  “And people in town only know Angie.  They don’t know Banjo.  So you’re exciting and new.”

                 “Ah.”  Banjo coughed politely.  “I- I see.”

                 “You were gone for so long I finished my drink,” Stan complained.  Banjo looked down at his own glass.

                 “I finished mine, too,” he said sadly.

                 “What were you drinking?” Ford asked.

                 “Whiskey, neat,” Banjo replied.  Ford nodded and got up.

                 “I’ll get the two of you some new drinks.  Stan, perhaps you could talk to Banjo like we discussed.”

                 “Sixer!” Stan hissed at Ford.  Banjo looked back and forth between the twins.

                 “The two of ya discussed somethin’?”

                 “Yes.”  Ford stared intensely at Stan, who shifted uncomfortably under his gaze.  “And I fully expect him to take what I said to heart.”  Ford strode away from the table.  As he waited at the bar, he glanced back at Stan and Banjo.  Stan had leaned over to whisper something into Banjo’s ear.  It was difficult to tell in the bar’s horrible lighting and cigarette smoke-filled air, but Ford could have sworn he saw Banjo blush fiercely.

—--

                 The rays of the morning sun filtered through the window of Stan’s bedroom.  As the light fell upon his face, Stan opened his eyes.  His eyes widened.  He wasn’t alone in bed.  The events of the night before came rushing back to him.

                 Oh.  Oh, shit.  The person lying next to him rolled over.  Instead of handsome Banjo, it was Angie’s adorable face.  She’s back to normal.  Huh.  Stan reached out a hand to stroke her cheek.  Angie smiled at the gesture.  Are we still gonna-  Before Stan could finish  his thought, Angie opened her eyes.  Her smile broadened.

                 “Good mornin’,” she said softly.  Stan grinned at her.

                 “Morning.”

                 “I missed how ya looked with full color vision.”

                 “Yeah?”

                 “Yeah.”  Angie sat up, stretching.  The blanket covering her fell away, exposing her bare chest.  Stan inhaled sharply.

                 Damn, she’s gorgeous.  Stan sat up as well.  Angie looked at him, clearly expecting him to say something.  Stan cleared his throat.

                 “I’m the luckiest guy in the world,” he said.  Angie cocked her head.  Her caramel-colored locks bounced from the movement, falling into her face.  Stan tucked her hair behind her ear.  “I went to bed with a handsome guy and woke up with a beautiful girl.”  Angie beamed at him.

                 Yes!  It landed!

                 “Yer quite the charmer, Stanley Pines.”

                 “Not everyone thinks so.”

                 “Good thing I do,” Angie purred.  Stan’s smile broadened.  He leaned in, planting a kiss on her lips.  It was different from kissing Banjo, but somehow the same.  They pulled apart.

                 “So, uh, do you think we’re- uh, we’re gonna keep this thing going?” Stan asked.  Angie frowned thoughtfully.  “Ya know, doing…stuff together?”  Angie snickered.

                 “Not the most romantic way to ask me to try datin’ ya,” she said.  “That is, if that’s what yer sayin’.”  Stan nodded.  “Well, sure.  I was Banjo last night, but I was still me.  Just in a body built a bit dif’rent.  I don’t see why we can’t try out bein’ together.”

                 “Sounds good to me, sweet cheeks,” Stan said.  Angie giggled.  Stan leaned in to kiss her again.  The bedroom door slammed open.  Angie yelped, grabbing the blanket and covering herself with it.  Stan whipped his head around.  His twin stood in the doorway.

                 “Stanley, we have to-” Ford started.  He paused, taking in the scene before him.  “Ah.  I am glad to see you back to yourself, Angie.”

                 “It- uh, it’s good to be m’self again,” Angie squeaked.  Her face was beet red.  Stan was reminded of the embarrassment she’d displayed on the morning she woke up as Banjo.

                 “Come on, Sixer, learn how to knock,” Stan said, rolling his eyes.

                 “In my defense, I wasn’t expecting this.”  A small smile appeared on Ford’s face.  “Though perhaps I should have.”  Stan felt his own cheeks burn.

                 “What’s that supposed to mean?” he demanded.

                 “The two of you are not very subtle.”

                 “Well I think you-” Stan started.

                 “Uh, boys, if ya don’t mind, I’d like to go get dressed,” Angie interrupted.  Longing shone on her face.  “I’m awful excited to wear my old clothes again.”

                 “Here, you can make yourself decent with this.”  Ford tossed one of Stan’s shirts, which had been on the floor, to Angie.  Angie caught it.  Her nose wrinkled in disgust.

                 “It smells.”

                 “That’s just the musk of a man, hot stuff,” Stan said.  He wagged his eyebrows at her.

                 “Hmm.  I think I disagree.”  Angie sighed.  “But beggars can’t be choosers.”  She slipped the shirt on, climbed out of the bed, and scurried away.  Stan watched her leave, wishing that his shirt wasn’t so long on her it covered her cute little tuchus.

                 “Would I be correct in assuming that the two of you will continue to be…together?” Ford asked once Angie was gone.  Stan shrugged.

                 “Seems to be the plan.  At least for now.”

                 “I see.”  Ford’s eyes narrowed.  “Don’t blow it,” he said, his voice serious.  Stan grinned.

                 “I wasn’t planning on it.”

                 “Genuinely, I don’t want things to sour between the two of you.  It would make living together…difficult.”

                 “Stanford.”  Stan lowered his voice, hoping to convey that he was being just as serious.  “I’m not gonna screw this up.”  Ford nodded.

                 “Good.” He paused for a moment before adding, “I don’t want to choose between you and Angie.”

                  “Sixer, we aren’t married.  And you aren’t our kid.”

                  “Still, my friendships with you and Angie are precious to me.”

                  “Yeah, yeah, yeah.”  Stan rolled his eyes.  “Get outta here so I can get dressed.”

—--

                 “C’mon, babe, you can’t be distracting me like this,” Stan complained.  “Breakfast is serious business!”

                 “Mm-hmm,” Angie purred.  She wrapped her arms around Stan’s torso from behind and leaned her head against his back.  “And how many times did ya bother me when I was doin’ the serious business of makin’ breakfast?”

                 “That was different, I was just telling you the right way to cook.”

                 “Ya didn’t mind my cookin’ yesterday mornin’.”  Angie stood on her tiptoes to kiss Stan on the cheek.  Stan grinned.  He set down his spatula and turned, pulling Angie into a deep kiss.  Ford stifled a groan.

                 I don’t know whether the constant bickering was worse or better than this constant flirting.  Now that Angie and Stan got along swimmingly, Ford had assumed that breakfast would be smoother.  He had been wrong.  If anything, Stan and Angie’s relationship made the first meal of the day more chaotic, as the two were all over each other to the point of forgetting whatever was cooking on the stove.

                 “You’re going to burn the bacon again,” Ford said loudly.  He finished his last bite of bug sausage, a new recipe that Angie and Stan had worked together on.  Stan pulled away from Angie.

                 “Huh?  Oh, shit!”  Stan spun around, quickly adjusting the heat of the stove.  “Ang, I told you not to distract me!”

                 “It’s fine,” Angie said.  “Nothin’ wound up burnin’.”  She fluttered her eyes at Stan coquettishly.  Stan grinned, his cheeks pink.

                 “You’re crazy hot when you’re sabotaging breakfast.”

                 “And yer quite the attractive feller when yer makin’ breakfast.”  Angie ran her fingers through Stan’s hair.  “And when yer not makin’ breakfast.”  Ford put his head in his hands.

                 I’m going to get a migraine.  Or, given how cloyingly sweet they’re being, a cavity.  The phone rang.  Ford sighed in relief.

                 “I’ll get it,” he said quickly.  Stan and Angie ignored him as he got up from the table and went into the living room.  He picked up the phone.  “This is Stanford Pines.”

                 “Stanford Pines!” a very familiar voice drawled.  A smile began to spread across Ford’s face.  “I was expectin’ my sister to pick up.  She and I have been discussin’ plans fer a project what has to do with some sort of critter.”

                 “A…project?”

                 “It’s all very hush-hush, apparently.  I was gettin’ the impression she wanted it to be a surprise fer you.”

                 “A surprise?” Ford murmured.  His eyes widened.  He thought back to the conversation he’d had with Banjo the week before.

                  “I reckon there’s quite a few things we could do to make ya more comfortable!  Once I’m back to m’ proper self, I’ll make some calls.  I’ve already got somethin’ in mind.”

                  “Is Angie busy?” prompted the man on the other end of the phone.  Ford glanced in the direction of the kitchen.  He could hear Stan and Angie continuing with their incessant flirtation.

                  “Yes, she is.”

                  “Well, it is yer house.  I might as well discuss when I’ll be comin’ up to see y’all.”

                  “That sounds like a splendid idea.”  Ford leaned against the wall, playing idly with the phone cord.

                  “Splendid!” laughed the other man.  “Oh, how I’ve missed ya.”  Ford smiled again.

                  “I… I’ve missed you as well, Fiddleford.”

[zahri-melitor]

Okay, off the top of my head (or with a bit of judicious checking of exactly where the run is) I'm going to make a stab at that list of weird things that have happened in DC comics poll:

Batman briefly had a Starro as his unofficial Robin: Jarro obviously, Justice League 2018 #10-38.

Green Arrow (Ollie Queen) gifts Green Lantern (Hal Jordan) Das Kapital each year: comes up in the Christmas with the Super-Heroes #2 story The Flash and Green Lantern: An Old-Fashioned Christmas with Hal and Barry, though it's spelt Das Capital there; may appear elsewhere.

Barbara Gordon endorsed herself for congress as Batgirl (and won): Babs' run for congress is in Detective Comics #422-424 and she talks to reporters as Batgirl which gets taken as an endorsement in #423.

Batman became a sexy vampire: Bruce ends up a vampire in Earth-43. Whether or not he counts as sexy I guess comes down to your interpretation of art.

The Flash (Wally West) became the spokesman of a pyramid scheme cult: oh lord this is somewhere in the Flash run I think. Cannot tell you where but I remember people talking about it.

Wonder Woman rides on a kangaroo called Jumpa: Jumpa is a long-established Golden Age character, first appearing in Sensational Comics #6. She can fly.

Hal Jordan was (essentially) gender fluid in the 2000s and was called Auntie Hal: Welcome to Hal Jordan's Spectre run in 2001.

Martian Manhunter is addicted to the Oreo knock off Chocos: I think this was first established back in the Justice League Detroit years? But yeah, he's got a thing for Chocos.

Booster Gold accidentally undid the extinction of the dinosaurs: literally just happened in Batman: Brave and the Bold #13-14 and he spent some time with the Jurassic League (then he redid it). May have occurred elsewhere.

The Flash's (Wally West) 21st birthday was hosted by Fidel Castro: another famous fact about Wally, from The Flash 1987 #22. His Flash run WENT PLACES.

Black Canary became a swashbuckling space pirate who fought slavers: so this is the one I'm convinced is wrong. Dinah's fought slavers in Black Canary 1993 #9-11, among other places, but I cannot recall her being a space pirate to do so. You know who has been, though? Diana in the Messner-Loebs Wonder Woman 1987 run, from #66-71. (She even had a space dragon/fire lizard during the period)

The Riddler was briefly a shakespearean actor (and its how he met his ex bf): okay this one I can't place, and may also be wrong.

[ephysalis]

My friend and I just finished our rewatch of Star Trek: TOS. What a fun, fun trip it was.

Purely for my own enjoyment, here are the 10 Star Trek: TOS episodes I liked the most. Heavily steeped in my love of retro cheese and B-Movies.

10. Arena

The Kirk vs A Lizard episode. The rocks are very obviously foam, the fight choreography is peak Trek and the lizardman wears a go-go dress lovingly crocheted by meemaw. At the end a bedazzled space twink shows up. A classic for a reason.

9. The Corbomite Maneuver

Structured like so many other Trek eps (ship gets in predicament, Kirk must pull a solution out of his ass in the 11th hour) but with great twist ending that blew my mind. Showcases Kirk's brand of cleverness very well.

8. Turnabout Intruder

The last episode of the series has a fascinating plot: one of Kirk's ex-girlfriends forcibly switches bodies with him. There's a lot of unfortunate gender discourse but if you decide to view the whole thing as a typically 60s trans allegory, it becomes fascinating. Spock recognizes the captain through a mind meld and defends him in court. Good times.

7. The Cloud Minders

The best episode of season 3 imo. Beautiful painted backgrounds and amazing retrofuturist interiors. The story is a really solid metaphor for classist oppression right until you learn the workers actually ARE violent and stupid because of some gas in the mines. Still loved it.

6. Operation: Annihilate!

The crew visits a planet decimated by alien parasites that look like flying rubber pancakes. Spock gets got and it's very tense and dramatic. Good Spirk vibes, plus I love it when my blorbos suffer.

5. The Way to Eden

The Enterprise picks up space hippies trying to find a fabled paradise planet. The costumes and songs are super enjoyable. A shining example of an ep that was probably extremely cringe back when it aired but has aged like a fine, campy wine.

4. The City on the Edge of Forever

Ok this one isn't underrated, everyone knows it's good and they're correct. Kirk and Spock get stuck in the past together and it manages to be incredibly gay despite Kirk literally dating a woman. Excellent story. Spock wears a beanie.

3. The Trouble with Tribbles

Another one where I agree with the general sentiment: it's silly and fun and I will never tire of seeing Shatner buried in furry little potatoes. The Animated Series episode "More Tribbles, More Troubles" is a hilarious sequel.

2. Amok Time

The Spirk episode that started it all, featuring a fascinating look into the mix of uptight decorum and violent heritage that makes Vulcan culture so compelling. I did particularly enjoy the extremely awkward conversation between Kirk and Spock about "Vulcan biology" at the beginning. "It happens to the birds and the bees..."

1. The Devil in the Dark

Shatner's favorite ep and also mine. The acting is on point and seeing Spock yell "JIM!" with obvious concern on his face is just 👌🏻. I love the retro cheesiness of the paper mache caverns and the alien who looks like a lasagna; I love how testy Bones is about having to do first aid on said lasagna; I love the horror-like story structure and overarching message about understanding others. 100/10.

[thenomadclan]

I would like to start a challenge to my Godzilla/Kaiju loving fans!

I’d like to start something of a trend similar to Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. My challenge is for others to create Kaiju-Sona for the coming release of Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire Movie!

I’ll go first, introducing Nomad Gojira! (Drawn up by good friend @black-suns-rim )

Nomad Gojira’s Lore:

In the emptiness of space, there was nothing but the stars and planets the filled the black void. That was till an partials of pollen belonging to a certain planet Kaiju streaked through the black abyss, shedding the partials and cells belonging to many creatures in their battle. Pollen particle cloud split into two separate clouds, one being sent into a nearby black hole while the other was orbiting the sun within the Milky Way. Eventually the cells in the pollen began to form, clumping piece by piece into a hard like rock. This egg creature would eventually “devour” and take the energy, the radiation and power of the sun till the star exploded, the rock would shot through cold space from the shockwave of the exploding sun. The the rock creature crystallized and was sent into another dimension via worm hole.

The crystal mass was sent flying through endless space till it entered a very familiar solar system, scorching past planet after planet till it reached the orbit of Earth. It was a fireball that nobody predicted as it screamed through the sky and crashed into the ocean, but it was so hot it burned through the ocean floor and went straight to the Hollow Earth. The crystals that incased the meter from space began to melt until all that was left was the rock, it was in the form of an egg. Soon it was found by a member of the Gojira species, a Kaiju named “Black Momba” ( @black-suns-rim OC) possibly one of the last of Titanus Gojiras (besides Godzilla himself) to walk the Earth. Black Momba has been around for a really long time, but she had laid dormant for most of her time living to save energy. Momba would usually only be awake for 2 reasons; eating and/or having children. She has had bad luck with raising young due to the other Kaijus in the Hollow Earth, so after a while, she had stoped trying.

Upon finding the rock egg, she could smell the familiarities of her kind on it but also others. The Titanus Gojira growled and was about to destroy the egg till it moved, the egg was hatching and glowing red. The outline of the creature inside had her curious, for once the egg finally hatched a dark red Gojira like creature bursted through letting out its first screech. Black Momba was…interested as she investigated further by taking in the scent and licking the hatchling clean. The child Gojira took its first steps on its wobbly legs, opening its eyes and setting its blurry vision on its surroundings till it came into focus.

The Child Gojira looked up at the monstrously huge Black Momba, giving gator like chirps which was met with growls and barks from the older Gojira. It lowered herself to the Gojira Child’s face, to which the red baby lizard gave its best bark and snarl as it butted heads with Black Momba’s snout. To say it was amusing would have been a understatement, so Black Momba would adopt the tiny Gojira (not like it would have changed anything since it followed her everywhere), she mothered and took care of the Gojira Child the best ways she could. However she only gave it tuff love, not out of hate or issue but to prepare the Child Gojira for the world it inhabits, where the strong feed on the weak.

The humans that surveyed in the Hollow Earth (Monarch) discovered the two Gojira, part of them felt fearful that there are now 3 walking City destroyers. However if they were similar to Godzilla, being a protector, then there’s a chance for humanity to survive the constant raids from outside forces. Monarch were highly interested in the red child Gojira, going so far to name it “Nomad” on the account of it roaming all over the Hollow Earth without Black Momba anywhere in sight. Nomad handled himself well against the monsters in his environment, from insects to mammals, but it was the crystals that formed where the dorsal fins were meant to be which interest Monarch as they formed in and around Nomad and Black Momba’s territory, crystals of various sizes were found forming like a castle.

Monarchs Scientists have discovered that due to the crystals on Nomad and around his den, they cause an electrical field disturbance that immediately shut down drones or cameras. Even when in fights, Nomad has a protective shield burrier to protect him from elemental attacks, not to even mention his electrical beam he shoots from his mouth. Almost like a surgical laser it cuts through flesh like butter, while having telepathic like powers using them in combat or to show off his intelligence by stacking rocks for unknown reasons. When Nomad is hit with elements such as electricity (he got struck by lightning once) it almost was as if it was a power up, becoming his own conductor while having regenerative abilities to rival Godzilla when injured.

One feature the scientists saw in action was Nomads crystallized spear tail, using it to catch / stab / or even kill his prey. Though not entirely built for Melee combat, it doesn’t stop the growing tank from doing so. His main form of attack is range and setting up crystals to disorient enemies and power himself up further. Just not too long ago, Nomad faced his first life threatening creature in the form of a swarm of blood thirsty bugs. They would drain Nomads energy almost to depletion, that was if it wasn’t for his crystals and quick thinking, sending out a shockwave of extreme energy equivalent to the sun.

Nomad destroyed almost the Hollow Earths forest, but the bugs were all gone, exploded from the over absorption of energy. Nomad would slowly form a crown on its head with every victory he won. Though Nomad never met Godzilla, Monarch would like to keep it that way for now having the two avoid each other. Nomad could be classified as a alpha Titan if grown properly and carefully, as Nomad grew older we no longer see him with Black Momba as often, if not alittle to not at all. She has completely gone off the radar as Nomad explores the Hollow Earth but not going anywhere near human settlements but did further expand his territory.

After 20 Years of silence later and absolute no activity from Nomad Gojira or Black Momba Gojira, Nomad would appear from the uncharted parts of the Hollow Earth (the central point of all Monsters to rest or live), brandishing a whole new appearance. The most noticeable features being his size shot down any predictions the scientists placed bets on, Nomad would stand a healthy height of 400 ft tall and judging from the weight plate that was built and hidden, he weighs a whopping 99,721 tons. Nomad Gojira just shyly beats Gojira that was know from the incident in Washington, America with Ghidorah by weight and height.

Nomad Gojira also supports a brand new attitude, while still keeping to himself or avoiding Monarch but when threatened or challenged, Nomad Gojira would gladly accept the challenge from other Kaijus once challenged. Nomad Gojira scarily has the brutality of the Godzilla we know, but also has the calmness or self awareness of what he’s doing and what could go wrong if the battle rages for too long. His many feats go from him clearing a infested cave of Rat Kaijus creatures that overwhelmed and almost ate him alive, to wrestling and fighting a Muto Prime. He brandished many scars from hard fought victories, with a whole new arsenal then a regular Gojira Kaiju.

Half of Monarch Scientist that studied Nomad Gojira in the Hollow Earth would chase him down and try to leave trackers, but Nomad seems all too smart for normal Kaiju tricks. Nomads Gojira grew new ability that evolved his electrical field around him having human machines being affected as if it was hit with a EMP. While studying the Kaiju the moment that many tried to avoid finally happened, Godzilla finally ran into Nomad. Naturally with the amount of battle scars and the scent of blood of other Kaijus on Nomad, Godzilla treated Nomad like a Alpha Titan who never submitted under his rule. This Godzilla Challenged Nomad, and in turn like text book behavior Nomad Accepted.

Immediately, the Hollow Earth shook from the battle, Godzilla swiping while Nomad Bashed his Crystal shoulders into Godzilla. The battle caused the scientists to retreat and seek refuge within Kongs Cave, but afar Godzilla and Nomad were going feral. The battle raged with both going into their primal like instincts, Godzilla and Nomad seemed evenly matched (but that could be due to them being the same species).

However with everything Godzilla threw, Nomad had a counter or defense. Nomad dragged, slammed, stabbed and tore into Godzilla till the old Gojira noticed a flaw. The crystals Nomad summoned, Godzilla then used Nomads own body to tackle and cause the crystals around them to crumble, Nomad slowly began losing his power. With what little energy Nomad had left, he used his spear like tail to stab into Godzillas stomach and pump his venom.

While Nomad thought he had won and tried to pull away, Godzilla quickly grabbed on and pulled Nomad towards him, yanking his tail to the point it came off causing Nomad to roar in pain. Nomad looked up to receive a headbutt and bite on the face, despite slashing and stabbing his Crystal shoulder into Godzilla. Nomad saw as Godzillas Stomach was healing but not from his healing factor, but from the venom, it was radioactive and causing Godzilla to heat up.

Nomad could take the heat, the force however that came with it, the nuclear pulse shattered Nomads crystals in the ground that powered him and the ones on his body. Sending Nomad into a large mountain, as he struggled to get up and heal his tail, looking through his one good eye that wasn’t scared on his face. Godzilla powered up a red atomic breath, he slightly missed from Nomad desperately summoning one more crystal to stab Godzilla in the foot, having Godzilla miss Nomad and hit the mountain on the ceiling of the hollow Earth. Causing most of the mountain and ceiling to fall and crush Nomad Gojira in rubble, burying him.

Godzilla would walk away the victorious….

Or so he thought, from under the grave like rubble. Once Godzilla left of course, it began to rumble and shake. However instead of anything coming up, underneath, a creature took what was there. A creature of pale white skin and pink like stripes took Nomad into a tunnel system of her design. Having him rest in her nest as she took care of him similar to how Mothra shared a symbiotic relationship with Godzilla, so did this creature. Though small, it did its best to heal the hurt Gojira and lit up the room with Nomads crystals she collected over the years as a warming source. To which even now with them, it was better to have the source of the heat keep the reptilian Kaiju warm. Nomad only groaned in pain as his G-Cells began to reconstruct and heal his gaping wounds or at least what could be healed. Nomad nuzzles closed to the creature he couldn’t yet see, but it was a familiar feeling one that he felt he knew. Though he couldn’t place it, he’d have to figure it out once he awakens from this coma like slumber. (OC by my girl @wolfsnowphoenix )

Monarch’s scientists managed to use the tunnels of the creature and encase them both in a hibernation like state, like they did with King Ghidorah and Lava Rodan. Until they need Nomad for possible help, they’ll release him since he proved himself of holding his own against Godzilla. Till then, Nomad would remain hidden and locked away with only a select few…the project of locked up Kaijus would be known as “Monarch: Pandoras Box.”

To Be Continued…

[lordturkish-robomallcop]

Gimme 11, 7, 26, 27 and 28 (Drawing not required). For Ana and/or Marcel, but also for anyone whom you'd feel have interesting answers for these!

Taking that and and running with it straight under the fold!

11 for Marcel, Anatol and Roman because he's bundled in with the Ana package: Marcel was my first WoD pc, so he's largely a port of my main DnD guy (Dillup the Diviner) who also got blended with Midnight Gospel dissociative ennui and Mackgyver goofiness. Anatol... less fun and goofy, this one. Ana/Roman were originally built to be kinda a parable tackling my thoughts/feelings regarding to "trans widow/er" narratives and spiraled out from there. I haven't posted their full origin story outside of the snippets in Limits, but a lot dwelling in that uncomfortable zone of folks reaching for things they do not have language for, so they reach into the phantoms they construct of loved ones as mooring points and then freaking out when those points prove to be imagined/changed. Also just a general exploration of "toughing through" a relationship that perhaps has reached its sell-by date. Roman is married to an image of Ana that never was/will never be but has convinced himself that is a natural state that must be returned to. Ana is married to an image of Roman (the man who was disowned by his family to be with Ana, who despite being a bit of a patriarchal terror in his own right was one of the few folks who begrudgingly gave him space/grace outside of his own father) that Anatol has convinced himself is someone he needs to rebuild/is the touchstone he needs. This is also mirrored with Mihal/Kliment, except Mihal in a shocking twist is probably the only motherfucker in this generational pain cycle to recognize, in that one moment, that he was chasing a construction and just... letting go, letting that fixation die. Understanding it was making him and the person he claimed to do everything for worse. That he was unconsciously doing what his own sire did to him, and ooooh no if there's anything he hates more than being passe it's being reminded he's very similar to the Old Dragons. Also the fixation was immediately resurrected when Ana entered the picture, because pobody's nerfect but lil ruffly bugboi tried.

Wow I've already done a massive ramble anyhoot there's a healthy dose of Artemy Burrakh from Pathologic 2 in Ana as well bc I had Pathologic brainrot when I was first drafting him, lmao. He also got his last name Stamatin from that game.

7 for All Assortment of Lads: Marcel is a Divination Wizard, as was his Dillup Double! And like Dillup he'd def find a way to become a Hag. Ana would def be a Warlock of some stripe, likely a Great Old One patron. He'd be a human and be grumbly about it. Eliza is pretty straightforwardly a halfling Rogue. Roman starts as the lvl 1 Runescape farmer and ends up as a pretty bomb ass Ranger. Mihal would be the patron Ana's praying to, lol. 26 for All Assortment of Lads: Ana compulsively categorizes people he meets as different types of flora so this is the perfect question!! Ana- Venus fly trap Roman- Strawberry Blossum Mihal- Eidlewiess Kliment- Red Rose Eliza- Blue Hydrangea Marcel- Ivy/Kudzu 27 for Ana and Macel: Marcel is a Cuckoo Shrike bc he barrels in out of nowhere and completely wrecks other people's houses for his own ends. Like, look at this stupid son of a bitch, I hate him:

Ana is def some kind of weird lizard or stickbug. Part of me wants to say "do dragons count bc he's genuinely the type of kid who'd buy one of those Dragonology books growing up and also his grandfather was an Obertus Monk so Big Lizard Stanning is just a family tradition" but also another part of me feels like that's a cop out tzim answer lol.

28- Ana and Marcel: Marcel rolls with the skaters/burnouts smoking by the dumpsters after school before doing some light shoplifting at the Casey's down the street. Ana rolls with the theater kids to Perkins at 1am as the designated Butch Carabiner Haver of the department. Roman is the single jock at the end of the queer theater table struggling as the "Sure I Am An #Ally bc my S/O is queer but don't get it twisted I'm straight ha-ha" boyfriend. Maybe someday I will dig out the wacom tablet that I know to be existing in a desk drawer somewhere to do my own OC doodles but today is not that day lol.

[acetheidiotinacloset]

Reblog as your Oc(s) answering these questions

(answer as many or few as you want, doesn't matter what fandom your oc is from, if any at all, there are 21 total)

What is their go-to Mario Kart character?

2. How about Super Smash Bros?

3. Do they give tortoise or hare vibes?

4. On a scale of 1 to 10, how well can they cook?

5. Are they a dog person? Cat person? Lizard person maybe?

6. Would your oc successfully be able to put out a fire?

7. Are they more of a theater, band, chorus or orchestra kid?

8. Are they scared of death? (That got deep real fast)

9. Do they understand the concept of patience

10. Do they like shiny things?

11. Favorite Number?

12. Halloween costume they did once (if any)

13. Who's their favorite being?

14. How many lighters do they have in their living space?

15. Most used website (If any)

16. Do they use the left or right arm rest in a theater setting?

17. How many of them would it take to screw in a lightbulb?

18. How well do they speak on the phone?

19. Worst crime they ever committed?

20. If they saw a red button that said "DO NOT PRESS" would they press it?

21. Favorite musical?

22. Favorite Undertale ending?

Feel free to add more questions if you want!

Note: Sorry for tagging this to so many random fandoms (Ooh rhyming), I feel like it would be cool to have a lot of different kinds of people doing this if any :)

Tagging:

@monsieur-fisch

@styrbear

@nightsinwonderlandva

@ziogetsjiggywithit

@eldritchplutoartedition

@melopie-artz

@jellyviscious

@heartfullofleeches

@jasbell

@coffeecakecafe

@h0use-fly

@officialrinyx

[soylent-crocodile]

Converter Beast (Monster)

(Converter Beast by Uriah Voth)

CR9 LE Huge Aberration (Phyrexian) HD14

A converter beast is exactly what it sounds like- a creature engineered by Phyrexia to assimilate and convert enemies and captives on the fly, the collective’s ultimate goal of conversion of flesh and eradication of culture manifest in a single squamous form. Creatures swallowed by the converter beast are trapped in its cage of bone and drenched in choking phyrexian oil, their flesh and minds slowly corrupted into phyrexian soldiers of compleation.

Converter beasts are ill-equipped to work alone, however, with their blindsight limited and their minds dull and obedient. Most frequently they are accompanied by a huntmaster, a phyrexian ranger trained to thrive in whatever environment they and the converter beast are assigned to. Notably, huntmasters are frequently converts from the populace and region they return to besiege, one of the highest ranks such a phyrexian can reach without having been born a newt or sculpted from scratch. It is the role of these huntmasters to guide them to suitable prey and keep their instincts leashed when the time does not call for it. The beasts, for their part, are obedient servants who know better than to challenge their master’s commands.

Some converter beasts, however, are simply dropped into their environment with no such commander. This is done when subtlety and precision is unneeded, as an unleashed converter beast is just as likely to convert a target as it is to shred it with its tails and jaws.

This large, lizard-like creature has an array of spikes forming a thick cage on its back and a tail that splits into three lashing segments. Misc- CR9 LE Huge Aberration (Phyrexian) HD14 Init:-1 Senses: Perception:-1, Blindsight 60ft, Scent Stats- Str:26(+8) Dex:8(-1) Con:25(+7) Int:3(-4) Wis:8(-1) Cha:13(+1) BAB:+10/+5 Space:15ft Reach:10ft Defense- HP:161(14d8+98) AC:20(-1 Dex, -2 Size, +13 Natural) Fort:+11 Ref:+5 Will:+10 CMD:29 Immunity: Acid, Curse, Disease, Poison Weakness: Special Defenses: Mycosynth Flesh Offense- Bite +16 (1d10+8 plus Grab), 3 Tail +14(2d4+4, 18-20/x2, 20ft reach) CMB:+20 Speed:60ft Special Attacks: Lashing Rend, Swallow Whole (40hp, AC16, 1d4+1 Wis damage), Fast Swallow Feats- Multiattack, Lightning Reflexes, Iron Will Skills- Survival +10 Spell-like Abilities- (Caster Level 11, Concentration +12) Deathwatch, Psychic Link /Constant Acid Spray (DC16) 3/day Ecology- Environment- Any Languages- Necril (Can’t talk) Organization- Solitary, Attended Beast (1 Converter Beast, 1 Compleated Ranger 11) Treasure- Standard Special Abilities- Lashing Rend (Ex)- A creature hit by two or more of a converter beast’s tail attacks in one turn must make a DC18 Reflex save or be knocked prone and moved 10ft towards the converter beast as with the Drag maneuver. Psychic Link (Sp)- A bound converter beast has a mental link with its huntmaster, as with the spell Mental Link. Swallow Whole (Ex)- A converter beast can hold 4 medium creatures, 16 small creatures, or 1 large creature in its stomach. Additionally, if a creature breaks free of its stomach, that does not free any others and it can still use its swallow whole ability, as sharp trapping horns erupt to fill any gaps. If a creature is brought to 0 Wisdom by a converter beast’s swallow whole ability, it makes a DC12 Constitution check. If it succeeds, it removes all damage and gains the Phyrexian template. If it fails, it is rendered unconscious as usual.

[dimalink]

Alienologics - Game of space

Pixel art for today based on videogame StarFlight 2 for MS DOS. It is game sci fi, about space. MS Dos itself it is a space thing. Black background it has. And some videogames. With its own graphic interface. Its own graphics. And space theme. I think, maybe, it is some strategy game. You need to flight. Explore stars, planets. Search aliens. I think it is very interesting thing – at the evening to sit and play in MS DOS in something like that. And drink a tea.

And this is my drawing based on title screen for this game. Interesting Alienologic, alienology. Alien logy, logics. They – aliens – they are very clever. So  that’s why here it is world that looks like logic. To fly in space – it is a thing not for fools. And how different they can be, these aliens? Good and kind aliens can be very various. So, this is aliens that has a base form a lizard. And near – ancient fly. That’s why doing evolution and progress – they look like lizard and fly.  Someone will say – reptiloids, even. Well, let it be like this. They are gathered a space level of their civilizations. Fly and lizard. They are conquering space borders.

So green alien invites you to play in game of space. It is such a game. As a computer game. Like civilization. So, you need to do progress and evolution. And who is most developed – then he gains a first place. And so on. Game has a random conditions. Unpredictable. Some element of chaos. And element of control. You are with your mind do a vector of development for your side. At water planet – it can be fish. In a desert - lizards and cactus. In a swamp – frogs and mushrooms. All them can go to a first place in a game of space. Well, it is your time to play in this game!

Drink a tea in the evening. And have a dream about something space. For example a computer games like Star Control, Star Flight. MS Dos – it is also a space theme.

Dima Link is making retro videogames, apps, a little of music, write stories, and some retro more.

WEBSITE: http://www.dimalink.tv-games.ru/home_eng.html ITCHIO: https://dimalink.itch.io/ GAMEJOLT: https://gamejolt.com/@DimaLink/games

TUMBLR: https://dimalink.tumblr.com/ BLOGGER: https://dimalinkeng.blogspot.com/ MASTODON: https://mastodon.social/@DimaLink

[too-expensiv-to-lose]

VC’s colors

Mainly Chromatic scheme

@skyethebisexualwolfwizard

[mysticstarlightduck]

OC vs a Cockroach

Thanks for the Tag, @anyablackwood!

I'll answer it for Realms of Loss for this one, because I did this tag for Enchanted Illusions the last time!

Prince Archyvel of Sarythea: ????0/10 Are you kidding me?! This boy is the most spoiled person one could ever hope to meet, he's the baby brother of the King! Archyvel was raised with a silver spoon in a palace with an older brother who sheltered him every day of his life and their stepmom who was way too nice to him. If this kid sees a cockroach he's having the mental breakdown of the century - he'd scream, cry, nearly puke, and promptly run away, likely calling out to Mehri - his valet/assistant - to deal with the "revolting beast".

Mehri: 10/10 Would pick the roach up with his bare hands and gingerly lead it to the garden or somewhere far away from his prince. Is very adamant that "this little insect is just another sweet form of life that should be cherished, not hurt".

Nesrynna Alorai: 8/10 Has more important things to worry about so she doesn't bother, just walks away unless asked to do something about it. Will obliterate the roach if it gets too close to her personal space or starts to fly.

Gwain Vytris: 3/10 Hates insects, especially roaches because they feel unclean (he hates feeling/being dirty) and bring back bad memories of his childhood in the slums and forests of the Outer Cities. Usually, he won't have a breakdown or really show much of his disgust aloud, will step/jump on the thing until it's dead, or simply walk away. But if it flies and somehow gets in his hair lots of loud cursing, screaming and a lot of crying will be heard, though he'll carry on like nothing happened and stoically pretend he wasn't disturbed after the insect is dealt with.

Kassien Vann: 11/10 Somehow perfectly hits it with an arrow or drowns it with his magic, every time, he never once misses.

Adaria Vytris: 10/10 Goes full exterminator on the insect, with the wrath of a thousand suns. It won't even see her coming until it's too late. She also hates bugs, but instead of being scared/disgusted she just has a fiery hatred towards them. Will continue to stomp on the roach long after it's just goo on the floor.

Lucian Dhaeras: 8/10 Has one of his stray cats catch it and lets them play with it. If they aren't around, he is very weird about it: might set it on fire.

Drystan Earell: 10???/10 Will automatically consume its life force to fuel his magic, thus disintegrating it into ash.

Viktoras Aeravi: 7/10 Does nothing about it, just locks it in the room and makes it someone else's problem, like the little rascal he is.

Teivel: 9/10 Watches it silently from a distance and feels disgusted that a part of him - the one that was trapped in a dirty Avillorian cell for almost five years with little to no food and some days forgets he's free - even considers eating it. Feels depressed.

Delyan Sorkip: 2/10 Is the person who finds the roach Viktoras neglected to kill, usually after it crawled onto his bed at 2AM. Nearly has a heart attack, kills the roach like a normal person, and storms out of the room in tearful rage ready to start a fight with Viktoras and the Gods.

Sara Kallary: 4/10 Hates it with every fiber of her being, and even though she could probably destroy it to hell and back manages to miss it every time she tries to hit it and even if she does stomp on it the roach doesn't die. Angrily calls out to her murderous boyfriend Drystan to deal with the roach properly.

Gwynnifer: 10/10 Doesn't mind it at all and is unbothered about it. Will catch it in a jar, carefully study it and keep it alive like a pet for weeks until either: 1. it dies, 2. she sets it free, 3. she feeds it to her bonded Drakyna, who plays with it like the giant lizard-cat it is.

Tagging: @clairelsonao3, @steh-lar-uh-nuhs, @gummybugg, @meerawrites, @oh-no-another-idea, @tabswrites, @ashen-crest, @writernopal and @elshells

[doubleddenden]

I sprited the first of my new starters based on very rough concept art I made while babysitting. I'm not 100% happy with my sprite, but I adore the concept so I'm gonna forgive it.

Dex entry:

Meet your Water starter, Bubbat! The Fish Bat Pokemon.

Type: Water/Flying

Ability: Torrent/Infiltrator

evolves into Hydrobat at level 15, then Aguabatix at level 32

When you first encounter it:

"This is a newly discovered Pokemon collected from the wreckage of a fallen UFO by two of my (Professor Poincienna's) research assistants, as such, details are scarce about this species. It appears rather friendly and trusting to a fault, and has grown attached to their partner quite quickly- This could suggest an innate desire to bond and please others. It appears a tad clumsy but willing to do its best, and can use a variety of water and flying type attacks- thus, i classify its typing as so."

After about 2 gyms, the dex entry updates:

"What appears to be "goggles" around its neck are actually a specialized organ that can collect and store water from the air around it or a nearby water source to allow it to breathe on land. Its eyes are actually quite sensitive to light, and it will sometimes place these "Goggles" over them as a form of comfort. Despite appearing mammalian, it shares more commonality with fish Pokemon, yet also has common mammalian and amphibious properties- Perhaps it is a new class of Pokemon, seen only on other planets."

Okay, an explanation: usually starters as of late have a unifying theme related to their region. We sort of... cheated that system lol.

The starter theme for my Sorigul region is *Aliens to the region*- literally most senses of the word with the theming they're from outer space, are based on at least one or more animals non native to the US Gulf Coast states (in the wild anyway, to my knowledge), and are based on animals named for different animals- particularly animals that have different classes: In this case, the Bubbat line are both a fish and a bat- based on the name of creatures called the batfish

And no, they're not gonna have big red lips and a hecking schnoz, because unlike Game Freak, I actually want to make my starters with the idea I might want to use them myself. So instead, we take the literal name "batfish" and turn it into "fish bat" :) ideas from these guys might be used for Armor lines, but not the main evolution line.

You may think that's cheating by working around the semi Aquatic water dwelling pokemon rule for water types- however, there ARE a number of species of bats that do hunt for fish by flying and hunting near the water's surface, such as the Mexican Fishing Bat- aka Myotis Vivesi- which will actually fly out to open water to catch fish via its feet.

Listen if they can make a water starter out of a lizard, i can do one for a sea bat.

This line is going to be fun. I wanted to fit a bat into the starters somehow, but it actually became rather educational and justified in the end. I'm actually really excited to get to the final one, because it might be my favorite final stage concept.

Working on the fire starter next.

[spidercatenthusiast]

2, 25 and 27 for your Knight-Commanders!

thanks for asking!! really fun questions to think about

2. How do they feel about Areelu Vorlesh?

Ok so this is a Complicated Fucking Question for Mordren, because I made her with the express purpose of getting the secret ending, basically being Areelu's ideal ascension KC, but I just ended up liking the regular demon ending so much more that I changed course completely. For most of the game, she doesn't have much proper feeling for Areelu besides an interest into where she's heading, and tries to figure out some answers from her since it becomes clear during the demon act 3 mythic quest that areelu & nocticula are leading you somewhere. So she's following the trail of breadcrumbs for most of the game, figuring out each one as well as she can, right up until the big reveal at Threshold, where she gets pissed about just being a vessel for someone else, and ends up killing Areelu, throwing away all her progress towards everything she wants in the process.

Tamarie feels for her a lot, and buys into the soul merge concept the hardest, but also doesn't think she can really let her live after Threshold.

Cernan has a whole tangled web of feelings about her, they hate being led around, especially after fully detaching the shadow & their mythic power, but they also get where she's coming from, and would probably do the exact same things in her situation.

25. How did they welcome the physical change that came with their mythic powers? Did they embrace it/reject it?

For Mordren I'm thinking she's embracing it, the changes aren't super drastic for her up until getting the wings anyway, even though I personally miss the default tiefling tail too much.

Tamarie loves it, even if it means cutting like 20 holes in the back of everything she has, and its a tooth-achingly sweet headcanon that I have that Arueshalae teaches her how to actually fly, its a concept that I just adore.

im just kinda completely unprepared to answer this one for cernan because its never really clear to me how the Space Head actually works?? like it orbits right in front of their field of vision a lot, is that a thing they can see past, can they see it at all???? it never gets addressed and vexes me to no end

27. Favorite animal companion?

Mordren gets a bit of a soft spot for the war horses in Drezen, and get accustomed to hearing them.

Aivu's disqualified on account of I already talked about her a little, but Tamarie's attached to dogs, and misses the ones her family has, so she keeps a few stray ones inside the citadel and takes care of them.

I am forever a Hunter class Wenduag truther, which means she gets a monitor lizard, Cernan loves him even though he bit them a couple times, and I love him because free trips are really busted to have.

[moonchild-in-blue]

Daryaaaaa i'm so sorry this is kinda embarrasing but i can't remember if i already sent you questions for the ask thing or not so if yes, feel free to ignore this. If i indeed have not sent one yet than sorry for being late. 😁💖 So may i ask: 2, 26 and 31 with what is your favourite dinosaur? ☺️

Helloooo don't worry, you are never late for these, I take way too long to answer them anyways hehehe. Thank you for the questions!!

2 - Tell me about your first kiss.

I don't really have an exciting story tbh. My first ever kiss as a child was with my 2nd or 3rd grade boyfriend, behind the abandoned changing rooms for our school's football court. I remember very little.

My first as a grown up (ish) was in a high school party, in one of those stupid spin the bottle games. I hated the guy, and the whole ordeal made me swear off intimate contact with anyone I had no feelings for whatsoever. Best decision I ever made tbh!

26 - Do you believe in second chances?

Yes. We're all human and flawed, and deserving of some grace and compassion. I know I mess up daily, and would be pretty miserable if I was shown no second chances. I do believe that people can genuinely improve and change if willing. Sometimes all we need is someone to believe in us.

That being said, if I grant someone a second chance and they use it to willingly hurt me or abuse the kindness I show, I will drop them in a heartbeat. I have no space in my life for people like that.

31 - Free Pass! (Favourite dinosaur)

Pterodactyl!! Big fan of the creepy flying lizards (what a wonderful question!!).