#friend: shaped like a friend (kirby)

[bluechanas]

kirb

[peppermint-3]

Kirby consumes Timmy

[perenlop]

i love kirby super star fanfic or comic adaptations where marx and kirby are actually best friends during the course of the entire game and marx blindsides kirby, to the point where i want to do something soooort of similar with my kirbyverse, but i also just kinda love how in canon marx was just like “im gonna very specifically ruin this guys week”

[void-kissed]

How about 3, 6 and 10 for the end of the year asks? (Dragonsmooch)

That sounds like a good idea to me, dear dragon! Thank you very much for sending these questions in!~

(question source: "✨ end of the year selfship ask game ✨" by interstellarboyfriend)

3. did a relationship with an F/O change in a major way (i.e. you started dating a platonic F/O or realised you prefer a formerly romantic F/O to be a friend, got married/engaged to an F/O, etc)? if so, did it happen more spontaneously, or was it something you had planned for a while? - This requires me to remember what happened in the year, haha. Um.. I don't think anything concrete actually took place that would apply for this? There were a couple of instances of crushes becoming romantic F/Os, the most prominent example of this being SOLARIA at the start of the year, but that's more starting a selfship than changing an existing one.

6. talk about any special/memorable moments you had with your F/O(s) this year! Which stood out to you the most? - When I read this, my first thought was playing through the finale of Pokémon Reborn for the first time, and hearing Luna's voice together with all the others when everyone comes together to help save the player. Luna is the only character who speaks in that scene who isn't currently present in the world at that time (as, canonically, she had stayed within the Void that appeared at the Glass Workstation), so it was a very unexpected - but welcome - surprise.

10. have you bought any merch of your F/O or other items that remind you of them this year? - Yes, actually! Specifically, I went to a convention-type event with one of my old friends from school (and one of her old friends from school) for the first time, and while I was there I picked up a number of items of my F/Os! Specifically, I bought a badge of Aqua,a smaller badge of Kirby (who is a platonic F/O), a sticker of Eula, and I also won an Umbreon print that reminded me a lot of Luna because it's of an Umbreon. I'm trying to remember when it was that I bought my small Wayfinder necklace and received my other necklace with the gold and silver wings on it; if those were in 2022, then they count as well, since the Wayfinder obviously is Aqua's and the winged necklace represents both Pavo with the silver wing and Ardea with the gold wing, to me anyway.

I hope that all of those answers were alright, friend!!

[nyancrimew]

What's your favorite plushie you own?

probably like bingle because it's the like cutest cat plushie i own or the japanese sleeping kirby plushie because it's so fucking soft and fluffy and big and kirby and it's shaped like a friend

[weirdmarioenemies]

Name: Mahall

Debut: Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards

Kirby 64 is a wonderful, beautiful game! Its art direction allows it to, in my opinion, look incredible even to this very day. That's thanks to the bright, flat colors and simple shapes! So, so very simple shapes. See this creature? This creature is ovals. And I love this collection of ovals!

When first encountered, Mahall will simply be one oval. Just a green circle on the ground. It's giving "Don't mind me!". This circle is a reference to one of the most widespread and beloved ground circles, the manhole cover! We all love manhole cover, that which protects us from falling down a big hole into Rat And Gunk World. That's a disc we can trust. But don't step on this one... this one EXPLODES when stepped upon! Why would it do that?!

This disc is in reality, the operculum of an ambush predator. Mahall, the little yellowish orange lump! It waits in its hole, emerging to attack when Kirby is near. If this thing can cause an explosion while it's lying in wait, one must shudder to imagine what it's capable of when it has a target in its sights...

It will blow a bubble! Watch out, if that pops in your eyes it might sting slightly! Someone call a pansexual and an asexual, because Mahall's attack methods are all or nothing. But I love the bubble. It's humble. It's realistic! And Mahall is so extremely simple and abstract that it brings a few creatures to mind...

A blob with a hard, protective covering is as classic as a mollusc can get! I'm not sure Mahall exactly has a SHELL, though. That green thing on its head is much more like an operculum, the flat "door" that many snails use to close off their shells, keeping moisture in and predators out! The eyes of this land snail in the genus Aperostoma are also exactly like Mahall's! That is not impressive, considering they both have the most basic black dot eyes possible, but it's still a fun similarity. Snails are also able to secrete slime bubbles to deal with small intruders! Defensive bubbles are accounted for!

Even more than a snail, Mahall brings to mind a spittlebug! The planthoppers that, as nymphs, secrete a foam of bubbles to hide in and to keep themselves moist, and wow creatures really love being concealed and moist huh? I can't judge, I close the door when I shower! Spittlebug nymphs are some of the cutest babies on the planet, their simple, round, big-eyed heads resembling Mahall's. And of course, they make bubbles! All the time, intentionally, rather than just in case of emergency, like most snails. Maybe Mahall is a baby spittlebug, wearing quite a hat!

I love when a fictional creature reminds me of real creatures so much, especially when the resemblance is clearly unintentional, and the design is so simple. Someone put a bunch of ovals together, and little did they know, someone in the future would be reminded of their dear friends Tropical Land Snail and Spittlebug. Delight can be found in the simplest of places, if you're willing to welcome it!

[does-it-introject]

QUEUE CHECKLIST

[pt: Queue Checklist /end pt]

... will get updated every once in a while! Also hidden below the cut due to the amount of requests!

In the queue waiting is:

17776 / 20020 (by Jon Bois)

Minecraft (Game)

Chicory: A Colorful Tale

Murder Drones

Subnautica (Franchise)

Danganronpa

Jujutsu Kaisen

Dungeon Meshi

Mass Effect (Series)

Danger Days: The True Life Of Fabulous Killjoys

Lord Of The Rings

Fallout 4

QSMP

Transformers

Amphibia

Sk8 The Infinity

Hermitcraft

Owl House

Creepypasta

Life Series

Once Human

Star Trek (Franchise)

Bluey

My Hero Academia

VTubers

Skibidi Toilet

Demon Slayer

Ride The Cyclone

Dandy's World

Robert De Niro

Neon Genesis Evangelion

Poppy Playtime

How To Train Your Dragon

Komi Can't Communicate

Madoka Magica

Deadlock

Full Metal Alchemist (2003)

Mandela Catalogue

Overwatch

Voltron Legendary Defenders

Good Omens

The Walten Files

Chainsaw Man

Outlast

Spookys Jumpscare Mansion

SCP Universe

Class Of 09

Remnant: From The Ashes

Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood

Arcane

Hiveswap

Warcraft Universe (WOW, Warcraft, ...)

Friendsim

Inscryption

Starcraft (Franchise)

Vocaloid

Still Wakes The Deep

Roblox

Riverdale

Hazbin Hotel

Red Dead Redeption 2 (RDR2)

Monster High

Doom 64

Into The Spiderverse

Spider Gang (Music Collective)

Silent Hill (Universe)

Helldivers 2

The Magnus Archives

Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)

DC Cinematic Universe

My Demon (Kdrama)

Needy Streamer Overload

Stardew Valley

Honkai Star Rail

Hellpoint

Alien vs. Predators

Cookie Run (Franchise)

OneShot

Critical Role

Castlevania

Markiplier Cinematic Universe

Gravity Falls

Palworld

Stray Kids (Kpop)

Soul Eater

Bendy And The Ink Machine (Universe)

Shakespeare

Ace Attorney

Kid Icarus

Slimecicle Cinematic Universe

Signalis

LGBTQ+

Kancolle

Loop SMP

Parkour Civilization

Warframe

Jacksepticeye Cinematic Universe

Sherlock BBC

Dimension 20

Friends (/factives, not the show)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2012)

Tiger X Bunny

Just Shapes And Beats

Puyo Puyo

Tale Of The Nine Tailed

Wuthering Waves

Alter Ego (Mobile Game)

Warhammer

What Remains Of Edith Finch

My Little Pony

Rabbit And Steel

GrayStillPlays

Magic The Gathering

Epic The Musical

Azur Lane

Magical Girl Raising Project

Nevermore (Webtoon)

Destiny 2

Numbers

Remnant II

Vermintide I and II

Mr. Robot

Severance

Sailor Moon

Eddsworld

Kingdom Hearts

Dead By Daylight

Arknights

Kamen Rider

Ni No Kuni

Arrow (TV Show)

Nimona

RWBY

I'm The Grim Reaper (Webtoon)

Welcome To Demon School Iruma-kun! (Mairimashita Iruma-kun)

Call Of Duty

Plants Vs Zombies (Original Game)

#Actually Plural (The Tag)

The Concept Of Math

The Evillious Chronicles

Cry Of Fear

Kingdom Hearts

Family Members

Resident Evil (Franchise)

Lego Ninjago

Five Nights At Freddys (Rerun)

Umbrella Academy

Professor Layton

Helluva Boss

I Have No Mouth And I Must Scream

Zenless Zone Zero

JoJos Bizarre Adventure

Steven Universe

Warrior Cats

Fight Club (Rerun)

Bojack Horseman

Battle For Dream Island

Spongebob Squarepants

House MD (Show)

Team Fortress 2

RanFren

Colors

Land Of The Lustrous

NomNomNami Games (Collectively)

Pressure (Roblox)

The Amazing Digital Circus (TADC)

The Coffin Of Andy And Leyley (TCOAAL)

Ic3speak (Band)

Baldurs Gate 3

Ensemble Stars / Enstars

Star Wars (Franchise)

Kirby (Franchise)

The Batfam

Tokyo Mew Mew

The Beatles

Osomatsu-san

Undertale AUs (generally)

Apps (like, on the phone)

Welcome Home

Dead Poets Society

Zero Day

Voices Of The World

ContentSMP (by DoctorR4t)

BigTop Burger (Show)

The Hunger Games

Doors (Roblox)

Percy Jackson

Shin Megami Tensei

Lucifer (Show)

[pink-onyx-au]

So Onyx came about in a dream, and frequently appears in other people's dreams(twice so far for me personally) Onyx is totally an Eldritch level being. I imagine they'd be good friends with Kirby, they'd enjoy devouring the same snacks!

I'm convinced of the same. They wanted to exist and could not be stopped! I'm just glad they are a good,pink, eldritch horror just like kirby~ friend shaped.

[imperiuswrecked]

But the hour is getting late. My son. My heir. My legacy. Let us go then, you and I. And I will show you how to save the world.

King Victor Von Doom & Prince Kristoff of Latveria

Thank you to the wonderful @ecairnsart for my Von Doom Royal Family Portrait! I'm once again in awe of your beautiful talent and art. ID and more below the cut~

[ID: Victor Von Doom sits front and center on an elaborately carved wood throne as the King of Latveria, the back of the throne shows a letter D engraving, and there is a detailed open mouthed lion’s head carved into the visible arm, the other side is covered by Doom’s cape which is draped over it. Doom wears a furred cape fastened by detailed decorative clasps, and a fine sash crosses his tunic. The medals on his chest represent his heritage, one is a symbol of the Roma flag, one is a letter W to represent his mother’s symbol, one is a pentagram to represent magic. Doom’s eyes are locked on the viewer from behind his mask. One arm rests on his knee while his other hand holds a unsheathed medieval inspired longsword by the hilt with its sharp end resting on the ground. 

Two black dogs sit at Victor’s feet, while his son, Kristoff, stands to his right and just behind his throne. Kristoff also wears sashes and medals on his suit that represent his heritage and place as Prince of Latveria. He wears a fine cape with the symbol of Doom visible to the viewer. Unlike Victor who is completely armored and wears a hooded tunic and cape, Kristoff’s hood is drawn down, while his face and hair are visible, he wears gloves rather than metal gauntlets. Kristoff’s armor is minimal and the only visible parts cover his neck, jaw, and the lower part of his head. Kristoff’s eyes are also on the viewer while he stands proudly beside his father. His left hand rests on the pommel of a sheathed renaissance era sword. 

The unmasked version shows Victor’s face, the right side of his face shows a jagged scar that runs from under his eye, down his cheek. /END ID]

Artist Notes:

Doom of course is seated front and center, with the dogs at his side and Kristoff at his right hand. The throne is elaborately carved wood and kept relatively dark so that it doesn't draw the eye away from the main figures of the painting.

The portrait composition is inspired by 18th/19th century aristocratic/royal portraits. 

Doom’s sword, inspired by Maleev’s various paintings of Doom featuring a sword, is a medieval inspired longsword. In contrast Kristoff’s sword is a renaissance era inspired weapon, reflecting Victor as the medieval king and Kristoff as his younger heir. 

Victor’s sword and position upon his throne works well as a kind of powerful element, like most royal portraits, it is intended to project a particular image of Latveria's rulers - specifically one of strength, in a bit of contrast to the early portrait representing Doom as a paternal figure and friend to the children of Latveria as represented by a young Kristoff.

You asked me to use some symbolism relevant to their backgrounds for the medals and such: I used a W - like shape from his mother’s chest of magical items in one of Victor’s medals and also on the top of his throne. A wheel-like design (as on the Roma flag) on a medal to represent his heritage, this design is also present in the medallions and on the chest/shoulders holding Kristoff’s cloak. A pentagram symbol on another medal and on the hilt of Victor’s sword to represent his use of magic.

Both of them are wearing somewhat "fancier" versions of typical outfits that we've seen them in from the comics - I've pulled various elements in, (the sashes and medals from Doom's wedding issue) and from Kristoff's appearance in New Avengers. 

Victor’s scar is designed after Jack Kirby’s unmasked Doom drawing. 

Quote Source: Marvel Voices Infinity Comic (2022) #10

This art commission is a companion follow up to a previous Von Doom family portrait art that Ecairnsart created for me, in the older piece Victor and Kristoff have a more whimsical vibe, with Victor reading a book of children’s tales to a young Kristoff while their pet tiger lounges by them.

After Ev presented this piece I knew that I needed an art that showed them in later years, that it needed to be something more somber and austere than the fanciful family portrait of Kristoff’s youth. I wanted to show that years have passed, how the hardships and their personal choices have created a sort of invisible gulf between them but they have a deep bond as adopted family that they can’t ever fully sever. Both are dressed in their best clothing and armor, their portrait shows the image they’ve created for themselves, this is how they present themselves to the world. In contrast to the older portrait there are no colors nor fantastical tiger, instead there are two dogs that give off an almost cerberus vibe, guard dogs instead of a powerful but tamed tiger. Kristoff is waiting just outside of the shadows as Victor’s heir to take his place on the throne of Latveria while Victor sits at the ready to swing his sword in defense of his beloved country and people.

The call back to Victor being the “Lion of Latveria” is in the engraved lion’s head which I thought was another brilliant idea from Ecairnsart. I love how much thought they put into every detail of their work, and how they brought in Victor and Kristoff’s Romani heritage. Ecairnsart also created an unmasked Doom version which I absolutely love as much as the masked version. I love how Victor’s unscarred side is the one he presents to the viewer while the scarred side is hidden a bit more, how he might be uncomfortable being seen unmasked and that perhaps this version of the portrait is one he keeps only in family living spaces in the castle while the other masked version is prominently displayed in the public spaces of the castle. I’ve been a big fan of Ecairnsart’s work for years now and every new piece they create only reminds me how wonderfully talented and dedicated they are to their craft.

I love Victor & Kristoff very much and I’m overjoyed to have another family art of them to cherish. 

[starflungwaddledee]

🐾📺👻

Just in case if I didn't put in the right ones, it's "if your character had a copy ability in KAFTL what would it look like" "If your OC was in the anime, how would they work" and "has your oc been possessed before?"

Thank you and keep up the amazing work!

hey there hyperz0ne!! these are really fun ones, thank you! i went a little overboard for the copy ability upgrade one, so i'll answer the anime one in another post; but it's coming up soon! from this ask meme!

11. 🐾: If there was a Forgotten Land copy ability upgrade themed after your OC, which ability would it be for? What would the hat for it look like and how would it upgrade the base ability?

this is SUCH a cool question!! i LOVE hypothetical game mechanics, especially forgotten land copy ability upgrades and designs. took my time to think through this one good and proper! i've previously hinted that if starstruck gave an ability it would probably be crash, so continuing off that i think she would give a third evolution to the crash ability, following on from Time Crash, called Supernovic Crash. it would be unlocked at the end of the game, when starstruck shows up in waddle dee town to hang out with her friends.

i've also previously described a moveset she might have as a dream friend, and i think this one would have some similar caveats. > in each new stage in order to power-up the ability kirby must find four collectables. prior to this he can inhale and use star-bullets as usual, but cannot discard the ability except by going back to town, or dying. > once he's collected the items, the Supernovic Crash ability gains its silly little hat. after that it has unlimited uses of its first attack, "star shower", which summons a rain of starspears across the entire screen which will 1hKO most enemies.

> after powering up the ability, kirby can get rid of it by activating its second attack, "north star guide". opening a portal, kirby pulls through a massive star-shaped meteor, which he can run behind. so long as he keeps up, it'll clear the path for him until the end of the area. once the star explodes, the ability vanishes like normal crash

> lastly, if kirby reaches 0hp while the upgrade is active, a third secret ability called "dark gravity" activates. the dark sphere on top of his crown explodes outward, filling the screen with black. when it clears, all on screen enemies are gone, and kirby is left alive with 1hp and no copy ability

22. 👻: Has your OC ever been possessed or mind controlled? If yes, how did it happen?

i know this was an extremely popular theory early on, but she has never been possessed. and i'm not even sure she ever could be.

[f1nalgirlz]

Kinktober day 3: Horror movies | Charlie Walker

my list

˗ˏˋwarnings´ˎ˗ NSFW, mentions of movie gore, fingering, exhibitionism

˗ˏˋcontent´ˎ˗ fem reader, fem anatomy, established relationship

You were at your boyfriend, Charlie’s house for a horror movie marathon in preparation for Halloween. It was a small get together with all your friends. He did this every year, switching up the movies and snacks to keep it interesting. You’d gotten to “Halloween” in the marathon, a movie you’d seen a billion times with Charlie already. You gazed around to see everyone else still fixated on the screen. You couldn’t help your mind wandering from the movie, leaning closer to your boyfriend, who put his hand on your thigh, never moving his eyes from the screen. You puffed your cheeks out, glancing at everyone again, a little annoyed at how they were able to stay so focused even after years of seeing these movies.

You pushed your hands under the soft blanket and began tracing shapes on his hand. As the movie played, you felt Charlie sliding his hand slowly up your thigh, until he reached your heat. This made your cheeks burn as your eyes darted around, a little fear rising in you at the thought of someone seeing the two of you. When he stopped his movement, it seemed like he was asking permission, never looking away from the Tv. You just nodded against his shoulder, causing him to plunge his hand eagerly into your pajama pants. The fear of being caught just aroused you more in a way. It wasn’t like him to interrupt movie nights, you thought maybe he could tell you were getting bored.

As his fingers worked their way to your folds, he found your clit quickly. It never failed to surprise you how easily he navigated your body, even now when he wasn’t even looking at you. Your teeth sank into your lip, biting it to keep your composure. You really couldn’t focus on the movie now, with your head foggy from his touch and your eyes constantly scanning the room. Your heart was beating quickly, but Charlie looked so calm. Eerily calm. The two of you had never done this before so why was he so comfortable right now? It almost looked like he was smirking.

You let out a small gasp when he plunged a finger into your cunt, earning a nudge from Charlie, and a weird glance from Kirby, who just turned back to the TV assuming it was in reaction to an onscreen death. You felt breath on your ear as Charlie leaned over to you. “Be quiet.” He whispered before turning back to the movie, a tiny smile creeping onto his lips. You nodded and leaned your head on his shoulder again, feeling him slip in another finger, pumping them into you slowly. You clenched your jaw, digging your nails into his arm as he continued. As he continued stretching you out, you let your eyes roll back and close. You tried so hard to keep your breath steady, but it was a little off. You tried to just focus on the feeling of his fingers thrusting inside you at an increasing pace. When he used the palm of his hand to massage your clit as he thrusted his fingers into you is what finally sent you over the edge.

As you came around his fingers you buried your face into his shoulder, suppressing any possible noises that would leave your throat. Your body shook, twitching almost as he continued, allowing you to ride out your high. When he finally dragged his fingers out the last time you pulled your face away from him, eyes moving to his face. His eyes were glued to the screen, a little smirk on his mouth. Had he really never looked at you?

R: I’m a few moments late posting this but that never hurt anybody did it? Sorry it’s kinda short I didn’t really know what else to write •>•

((Reminder that this isn’t proofread yet I’ll fix any errors later))

[annieqattheperipheral]

you have to read this in full!!

i gotchu from behind the $wall:

The day Luke Prokop shook the hockey world by coming out, he needed to get away.

And stop looking at his constantly buzzing phone.

It was July 21, 2021, and the right-shot defenseman had just become the first openly gay hockey player under an NHL contract. The Nashville Predators’ No. 73 pick in the 2020 draft was just 19 years old and hadn’t even turned pro yet. He didn’t know how it would impact his future. His nerves were fried.

But one text message was impossible to ignore. He didn’t recognize the number but certainly knew the name.

“Hey, it’s Auston Matthews. I wanted to congratulate you. I look forward to sharing the ice with you someday.”

Prokop was blown away. The Toronto Maple Leafs superstar wasn’t the most famous person to reach out — that honor goes to Elton John — but the fact that so many NHLers, including one of the league’s best and most powerful players, were offering support meant a lot.

Now 21, Prokop still hasn’t taken the NHL ice, but on Wednesday he took a step forward, being recalled by the Predators’ AHL affiliate in Milwaukee. He could become the first openly gay player to appear in an AHL game Friday night for the Admirals in Rockford.

As difficult as the decision to come out was, Prokop told The Athletic in an extended conversation recently that he’s been mentally and physically freed by it. He doesn’t have to hide. He can be himself, on and off the ice. Heck, he can even date.

“It’s been massive,” he said.

Teammates and fans have welcomed him in his journey toward the NHL so far, from Calgary, Edmonton and Seattle of the junior WHL to, most recently, Atlanta of the ECHL. They treated him like he was any other player.

Not that there’s not room to grow. Prokop figured more players would come out after he did. They haven’t, not that he would rush anyone’s decision on that. He’s also been disappointed by the developments over the past few years with the NHL’s inclusion efforts, including the Pride tape “debacle.”

He can only control his own actions, though, and doesn’t regret his decision.

“I’d like to think I’m a realistic person,” Prokop said. “I know hockey is not going to be forever. As much as (when I came out) I would have loved to keep playing, I was OK with not playing any more if it didn’t work out — just being able to live my life the way I wanted, to be myself.

“But now, I don’t want to stop playing. It was definitely nerve-wracking. You never know what the reaction is going to be inside hockey, outside hockey, because no one has done it before. We kind of went out on a limb and hoped for the best. It’s been way more positive than we thought it’d be. You’re going to have some keyboard warriors, which there were a few, but I was expecting more.

“I did not expect the amount of support I got from NHL players. That was really cool.”

- - - - - - -

The Matthews text and Elton John phone call the morning after were memorable, with the gay rock legend welcoming him to the community and offering his email address if Prokop ever needed anything.

Prokop found even more comfort in a moment that came a few days later — the first time he played hockey since his announcement. It was a four-on-four league in Edmonton at Meadows Rec Center, a place where pros and NHLers competed and kept in shape during the offseason.

Prokop was on a team with Colton and Kirby Dach. The other team had Philadelphia Flyers goalie Carter Hart and the Boston Bruins’ Jake DeBrusk. During warmups, Prokop found himself near mid-ice. The first guy to approach him was DeBrusk. The two had met previously through mutual friends. DeBrusk tapped Prokop’s shin pads with his stick.

“Congrats,” he told him. “I’m really happy for you. If you need anything, let me know.”

“I didn’t know what the reaction would be,” Prokop said. “So that meant a lot.”

Prokop was returning that year to the Calgary Hitmen (WHL), the junior team he had played for the previous four seasons. But there had been a lot of turnover on the roster and, of course, a lot had changed for Prokop. So he decided to address the team in its first meeting in training camp.

“Everyone knows what I did last summer,” he told his team. “I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable. There might be a lot of media asking you for an interview. If you don’t feel comfortable, you don’t have to do them. If you have any questions for me, come ask me. I’m an open book. I just don’t want you guys to feel uncomfortable.”

In that dressing room, Prokop had heard plenty of the uncomfortable language that’s not uncommon for any locker room. He even admitted using it. He didn’t want to out himself. He wanted to act straight, be “one of the guys.”

“I heard it, but it wasn’t all the time,” he said. “I also took it from the perspective that these guys don’t know any better. It’s hockey language. It’s how guys talk. They don’t mean it in a harmful way. They use the word ‘gay’ as a filler at the end of a sentence to make something stupid. ‘Well, that’s so gay.’ I wasn’t comfortable with it, but I used it myself. I didn’t want to seem like I was out of the mix.

“Some guys texted me (after I came out), ‘F—, sorry if I said anything to offend you when we played.’ I’d just say, ‘Guys, you had no idea.’ The lesson is you don’t know what everyone is going through. The words you say do matter. Make sure you think before you speak. It’s a silly rule you learn in kindergarten. It applies to life when you’re 22 or 35 and never goes away.

“The way hockey is going with the language, guys are naturally changing their language. I’ve heard a change in language on every team I’ve been on.”

Prokop said that season was the best of his career, both from a production standpoint and a personal one. He was traded to the Edmonton Oil Kings early in the season and had 10 goals and 33 points in 55 games for them, helping them win the WHL’s Ed Chynoweth Cup and advance to the Memorial Cup.

Luke Prokop won the WHL’s Ed Chynoweth Cup with the Oil Kings in 2022. (Courtesy of Oilers Entertainment Group)

Luke Pierce, then an assistant coach for Edmonton and now the head coach, said the staff and management had discussions with the leadership group before acquiring Prokop — making sure they were comfortable with it, feeling out whether their room could handle the attention. Pierce said he asked one of the captains, Blues prospect Jake Neighbours, for his perspective. Neighbours had known Prokop since they were 10 or 11, growing up playing in spring tournaments together. He told Pierce and the staff there would be “zero issue” and he’d be a great addition.

Neighbours said nothing really changed, that Prokop “fit right in” to the team. Pierce at first wondered if players would have any issue with rooming assignments on the road, but nobody blinked. Pierce noted that Prokop would joke about situations and even opened up about his boyfriend coming to visit.

“He put everybody at ease,” Pierce said. “I often tell people, if the outside world could see how the group of men interacted, it would be just a tremendous inspiration on how we should treat everybody.”

Pierce and Prokop pointed out how this generation is more comfortable and equipped to handle LGBTQ+ inclusion issues. Everyone seems to know someone, be friends with someone, or be related to someone in the community.

“I just don’t think guys really care anymore,” Prokop said. “They might be nervous as they have this stereotype version of what a gay guy might look like, sound like, act like. Like me, coming to a team, they think I’ll act a certain way, look a certain way, but they’ll realize three minutes into talking to me that I’m not that.

“Hockey is part of me. It’s who I am. Guys totally forget (about me being gay) when I’m at the rink. They’re not afraid to ask questions. But other than that, it never really comes up. That’s how I wanted it to be. I wanted them to know, but we can all go out and play. I never wanted to be a distraction.”

- - - - - - -

The NHL’s decisions around Pride jerseys and stick tape weren’t a distraction, Prokop said, but he has gotten frustrated about it.

He understood the issue over wearing sweaters during warmups — “jerseys weren’t really their choice” — but lamented that the fact the focus was on the handful of players who refused to wear them and not all the others who did. The NHL’s initial banning of Pride stick tape, then its reversal, was a whole other topic.

“To take away choices from players was really confusing,” Prokop said. “Some of them don’t really care. For some, it was near and dear to their heart. To take it away was mind-boggling. From the players’ side, the support was there. Zach Hyman talked about it, Travis Dermott. I like what they did. They didn’t make a big deal about it before — they just did it. Let fans see the rest, and it’ll take care of itself. There’s a massive amount of support from players in the NHL.”

What do the Pride tape and sweaters mean for someone in the LGBTQ+ community?

Prokop didn’t recall noticing them growing up going to Oilers games. He never got to see someone who was gay using Pride tape on the TV screen. He had to deal with it himself — “jump over those barriers without any help.” But Prokop continued pursuing his hockey career whereas “a lot of people don’t feel comfortable pursuing their career without that exposure, without feeling like they’re being seen.”

“I think with the Pride tape stuff, they were trying to show support for their older fans,” Prokop said of the NHL. “The fans that have been watching hockey for 40-50 years. That’s not how you grow the game. You want to get the younger generation, put these guys in the best situation to promote the game. Sometimes I don’t think the NHL does that the correct way. The Pride tape is one example.”

Prokop has been part of two Pride nights since he came out, one with the Edmonton Oil Kings and another with Seattle. The Oil Kings staff approached him after not having that event on their promotional calendar. They planned it in two weeks and it was a big hit, with around 8,000 fans in attendance.

“Some guys told me it was the most impactful game they’d been in during their career,” Prokop said. “They said they didn’t realize how many Queer fans they had. I don’t think they realize how much my community watches hockey, plays hockey and cares about hockey.

The Seattle Pride night was fan-driven, which made it unique. Thunderbirds fans noticed that other rival teams had a special night for Pride and made a push for their own, making bracelets and T-shirts. Prokop told teammates they didn’t have to wear the stick tape — he knows how superstitious hockey players are. They all wore some, for him.

“I always look at the perspective, the other side of Pride nights — why do you have them if no one on the team is gay?” Prokop said. “The point is that it’s for the fans. For me, it means a lot to play in them to show my community and be a representative on the ice.”

While education is important, Prokop said any real change in the NHL when it comes to inclusion will start with other players coming out. He’s not putting any timeline or pressure on that. He didn’t have one. But that’s when players in the league will see a different perspective, get more comfortable with it.

“Otherwise, it’s always going to be a story,” Prokop said. “I also can see why guys don’t want to come out. Especially in the NHL. They’ve been very successful, so why change? I kind of saw that from the perspective when the whole Pride jersey story came out. My phone was blowing up. I don’t think guys want to have to deal with that. There was a responsibility for me to talk about these topics. I don’t think guys want to do that. I can see it from that side, why they don’t want to come out.

“I don’t think anything is going to change unless someone else does. Someone else will step up. It’s only a matter of time. I thought there’d maybe be two, three of us by now. But it hasn’t happened. But I know there’s going to be someone else soon. It’s math. There’s what, 700 players in the league? There’s definitely a few more.”

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While there have been some derogatory comments coming from the stands on a few occasions, Prokop has been encouraged there have been none from opposing players.

“Zero,” he said.

Most of the feedback he’s received, even on social media, has been positive. And it’s not just the comments like Matthews’ that stick with him. Two high schoolers in Seattle, Kaitlin and Jo, reached out to him over Instagram. They are part of the LGBTQ+ community and were struggling.

“Like everyone, they just wanted someone to talk to,” Prokop said.

Part of Prokop’s pregame routine is usually to hang by the bench and listen to music. On many occasions, Kaitlin and Jo would come by and the three of them would just chat for 10, 12 minutes. They’re the fans that Prokop saw every game above the tunnel on his way to the dressing room. They’ve stayed in touch. Prokop even did a Zoom meeting with their high school class last month. “They have a special place in my heart,” he said.

When, and if, Prokop makes his NHL debut, he says he’ll have a special secret plan for them.

Whether Prokop lives his NHL dream remains to be seen. He’s praised the Predators for their support from the first time he did a group video call with the staff. Former NHLer Mark Borowiecki, now a development coach, has been someone Prokop has leaned on often, not only for on-ice advice but for help getting through things mentally.

Scott Nichol, the Predators’ assistant GM, likes Prokop’s potential.

“Big right-shot defensemen that can skate, move the puck. They don’t grow on trees,” he said. “He just needs to polish up his game in some areas in the defensive zone. He’s got the tools. He’s got the skating ability. It’s just patience and embrace the process.”

Prokop is grateful for his support group, from his parents, Al and Nicole, to his brother, Josh, and sister, Alanna. He’s kept in touch with Heather Lefebvre, who is a specialist in hockey engagement and alumni relations with the Oilers Entertainment Group. They talk almost every day. What sticks out to Lefebvre is how young Prokop was when he came out (19), and while he wears this “trailblazer” cap, he’s still standing alone.

“I think this generation is more ready for it than past generations, for sure,” Lefebvre said. “It says a lot to me that nobody else has come out in the year and a half since he has. He’s the only openly gay player under NHL contract, but he’s not the only gay player under NHL contract.

“That’s where I think we have work to do. Is it great that he’s been accepted and can do his thing? Yes. But he looks at the positives, which makes me really happy for him. But that doesn’t mean there’s no negative.”

Prokop takes the positives in his off-ice life, too. He lives with Alanna in the offseason back home in Edmonton. He’s found teammates to share in his hobbies, like golf (he plays 40 to 50 rounds a year). He loves to read, from biographies to sci-fi. He watches basketball more than hockey and has more than 25 jerseys. He cooks. He got into puzzles during the pandemic and is bullish about doing them on his own.

Prokop also feels comfortable getting out there on the dating scene and not having to hide it from teammates.

“Obviously, the lifestyle of a hockey player is tough for some people,” he said. “I’m trying to find the right person to connect with. I’m a softie, a romantic guy. I love love. I’m always on the lookout for that right person to spend the rest of my life with.”

Prokop doesn’t see the label of being the first openly gay player under NHL contract as a weight. It’s more of a responsibility. He has a platform and wants to use it. He’s realistic, “dreaming about winning the community service award more than the Norris Trophy.”

Making the AHL jump or someday the NHL jump won’t define him.

“One of my main goals when I came out is that if I could have an impact on one person outside of my family and friends in my lifetime, I’ve done my job,” he said. “I think I’ve done that and more. And I want to continue to do that.”

[starsandnoodles]

I think FAR TOO MUCH about the shapes and colors of Marx from Kirby and how telling they are of his character (at least in my opinion).

You cannot tell me that whoever designed that little shit didn’t look at him and think “this is going to be so funny”

LOOK AT HIM.

First off, shape wise he’s very rounded. In character design circles are generally used to make a character look a lot friendlier! It’s a large part of why Kirby is literally DESIGNED to be your friend! He’s a round little guy without sharp edges to be seen, he’s very nonthreatening and something very similar can be said about Marx.

With that said his feet specifically are a tad bit more squared. They’re still rounded but it’s noticeable if you look at them that they’re rounded rectangles instead of just being ovals. When comparing his bread feet to Kirby’s it’s noticeable that Kirby’s are more like ovals

At most they have a little point portrayed at the edges of his feet. But Marx is noticeably shown to have Squared feet. Squares are usually used to show a character who is in some way stable. In Marx’s case this could just be a reference to how he is able to roll around on his beach ball and somehow not fall off OR it could be another thing that lures people into a false sense of security.

Another thing about Marx is his hat and bow tie. Starting with the hat it’s noticeably that both are kind of triangular up until the get to where the cotton puff attaches at the end. Even when in more of a down curve (as shown in picture below) they still keep a more triangular shape.

Not to mention the fact that his hat purposefully has triangles and circles both of which mean completely opposite things in character design. Triangles are associated with the bad guy or villain. Along with that we have the color associated with the triangle half of the hat which is red. Usually Red as a color is seen as a sort of warning, we use it on stop signs and red lights. Which brings me to say that Marx’s colors are by far the most forshadowing thing about his entire design.

The shapes are meant to lure you in but the colors are very telling of Marx’s character with red being significantly more present in his design than blue. Red being present on his bow tie and his hat directly shows that he’s possibly not what he seems even if he’s claiming to be innocent.

Or I could just be a crazy nerd who is thinking too much about it lol

[veinsfullofstars]

🎃 Kirbtober 2024 Day 29: Trick or Treat 🎃

(ID: Kirby series fanart of the CFAU kids out trick-or-treating together, backlit by a large yellow moon peeking through the silhouettes of dead trees. Bow Dee - dressed as a shark - dashes ahead, holding a swirly halloween lollipop and roaring like a feral little beast. Dedede - dressed as a masked wrestler - is not far behind, carrying a big candy sack over his shoulder and excitedly pointing ahead. Meta - dressed as a certain legendary warrior - flies after them just as eagerly, holding a pumpkin-shaped candy bucket in one hand and brandishing a construction-paper lance in the other, his wings shedding feathers he’d taped over them. Para Dee - dressed as a space ranger - brings up the rear, dragging his own candy bag behind him and already looking so tired from a long night of walking. Additional fun facts and headcanons below the cut, as well as a bannerless version. END ID.)

Previous Day | Next Day | Prompt List (made by @/paintpanic)

Started on 10/15/24, finished on 10/16/24. | Childhood Friends AU Masterpost | Kirbtober 2023 Comp

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Some CFAU Halloween facts:

- Bow has worn that same shark costume every year since her first Halloween. It’s one of the few times in her childhood that she’s taken off her bow willingly for more than a few minutes.

- DDD saved up his allowance money for nearly a year to commission one of Bow’s moms (a former seamstress) to make that mask for him. She admits that she would’ve done it for free, but DDD’s papa insisted otherwise, hoping it might teach the boy about the value of money and paying folks fairly for their services (which it does... eventually).

- DDD’s mama tried to convince her son to wear a sweater due to the late-fall chill in the air, but he staunchly refused, claiming it wouldn’t be “authentic to the look.” They compromised by adding a blanket cape to his costume.

- Meta spent hours on his costume, consulting every book he could find at the Library Turtle for reference, agonizing over several "failed attempts" until he got it right. In the end, he managed to make himself into a fairly accurate replica of the Ancient hero... but had to make a few concessions, leaving the shield and pauldrons behind so he could carry his treat bucket (a difficult sacrifice, but a worthwhile one).

- Despite all his meticulous work, Meta leaves a trail of feathers behind them all night, his wings nearly bare by the time they return home to sort their candy. To his credit, he’d had some trouble applying them thanks to his limited reach, so - rather than leave his costume incomplete - he asked Para to help him out. (He’d considered asking DDD first… but the thought of the penguin touching his wings made his stomach feel funny. He’s not sure why.)

- Para’s outfit is a hand-me-down from one of his older siblings. It’s a bit snug and tends to chafe, not to mention entirely inaccurate to a real spacesuit… but it’s one of his favorite costumes of all time, the closest he’s ever been (in his youth, at least) to feeling like a real, honest-to-Nova astronaut.

- DDD gives all his chocolate candy to Meta without question. Bow steals everyone’s sour candy without asking. Para picks one grandma caramel from his pile and lets the others keep the rest. The four of them share a small bag of homemade checkerboard cookies provided by Para’s dad.