#grian always goes to him in the end. do you understand me

[katalyist]

Life series!Grian a survivor not a traitor

Alternative title: I thought about Life series!Grian for too long again and because Tumblr doesn't have a character limit I'm putting my thoughts on the Internet.

I'm not normal in how while watching Cleo's secret life final episode there was a silent agreement that Grian was no loyal when they had that conversation with Scott when they were trying to convince Gem to be on their side.

"I mean, don't ask about Grian's loyalty"

And Scott response was "I have never seen a man drop a pair of sunglasses quicker in my life. As soon as Joel dropped, the bad boy glasses were off"

To which Grian responded "My boys died, what did you want from me?"

Like how is Grian seen has someone that betrays or isn't loyal to his teammates? HE IS LOYAL, HE IS JUST TOO COWARD. He has never betray a teammate first.

Look, for example to third life: He promised Scar his life, and altough he warns the rest of players at the beginning about the scams Scar was doing, he always do what Scar did, he helped him, he create traps and didn't thought on betraying him until Scar betray him first, until Scar did it, when he recovered he was so mad and just jump to them shouting out that Scar was a traitor. AND THEN when Scar apologies and offers Grian to have the win he refuses because he still considers Scar his ally, and then the cactus ring happens and he feels bad, he feels bad for killing Scar, I don't think a traitor would be that bad to the point of killing themselves

Then in last life, where he killed two of his four teammates and started his reputation as "allies killer". First of all, when he turned red he had the oppurtinity to just turn on them, sure, he went back to the nether and threat Mumbo, but it was mostly joking and I think the most messed up thing was how afraid he was of not having any teammates that he was willed his best friend but couldn't find the courage on himself. The next episode he has already a plan to go back with his team AND get Joel out of red, like- he planned a way to be back with his allies and get his new ally (that if I had to remember you, was the one that killed him, but Grian was perfectly with him because he understands it was for the red impulses) out of red. Once he gets his yellow life back and goes back to the southlanders for a happy teammate reunion and discovers Jimmy was exiled he doesn't hesitate in saying he doesn't want him back because he betrayed the southlands; they have the votation, he says 'no' inmediatly and is surprised that other people said yes but doesn't oppose to it.

When Mumbo and Jimmy turned red he didn't try to kill them until their few attempts of murder, he did not attack Mumbo when he tried to end cristal him, he didn't attack them, even when they had that terrible attempt of a trap for him and Martyn. He attacked them when Jimmy physically tries to punch him to the trap that he looses the little patient he had left and kills him and then Mumbo for trying to stop him. Then Martyn betrayed him because of the boogeyman curse and when Grian finds Impulse he sounds so wounded because of that but even then he doesn't try to go for him, he makes a plan with Impulse to put a Wither on the base of team B.E.A.S.T because they were one of the biggest threats. Once Impulse died he was back with Joel and he didn't betray or left him, even when he had the opportunity to join bigger alliances than him.

With that out of the way we arrive to the fatal Double Life, I feel that this is the catalyst of Grian's character misinterpretation, mostly because of the cheat situation but: 1, that him and Scar and soulmates doesn't mean they are allies (see the two pair of soulmates that were literally divorce) and 2, he really tried to protect Scar and be a good ally. He made a base, he warned Scar to not go to places he could die and he even trust him with the sugar cane, when he lost it he trust Scar the sand he isn't even that angry or dissapointed on him. It also applies to BigB, he was a great ally with him too! He gave him sugarcane, cookies, tnt, they didn't attack eachother and the only reason why he killed him was because he forgot BigB was soulmates with Ren in his red madness, he even had a funeral for him and apologise for killing him. That is not traitor behaviour if you ask me.

And then finally Limited Life (my excuse and the real season I wanted to talk because I haven't left that bread bridge), the season where Grian is in his most loyal teammate arc of all. He is a coward of course, he plays safe always, in every single season, and that is what ends up being one of the reasons why Joel ends up dead. The bad boys were too reckless and idiots (in an affectionate way, I love them) for him to not fear for their lives constantly, and yes they almost felt apart, but that was after Jimmy killed Grian. Grian left Jimmy get the kills, they were trying to save him, when Tango (the boogeyman) killed Jimmy he didn't took the two hours from him because that would had permakill him, at the end Jimmy didn't die because of him, he just slip from the platform. They had the funeral and all, he left diamonds at his grave as an offer.

With Joel it is a little different, Grian didn't betray him, he didn't kill him, but he wasn't there because he was afraid of dying, in the middle episode 7 Joel wants to murder the family because they wanted to kill Jimmy "It wasn't their fault he died" trying to persude him to not do that to which Joel answers "I'm gonna send Scar a message" and Grian almost begs "No Joel, you got to be careful or I'm gonna be alone. I'm gonna be a singular bad boy" but he doesn't follow him, he doesn't go to kill people with him because they don't have a plan and it's obvious they will die.

Grian is a survivor, when he notices things are getting ugly he looks for a way out. When Joel goes on his murderous rampage after they talk to BigB he reunite again with him and Pearl to offer himself as a ally, making a list of all the things he is useful for, selling himself because he knows he will be alone at the end of that episode and alone players are easy targets. At first he wants them to become bad boys, he doesn't want to leave the mark, but they refused, and a survivor has to do what they have to do. He isn't even hiding why he wants to be friends with them and they don't have a problem with that.

"I have already kind of accepted he's gonna die in a way" he says while making a trap for the nosy neighbours while watching how Joel died (again)

"I mean, you completely abandon him at this point" Pearl points out (and if I watched Pearl more I could talk about how Life Series Pearl seems to have really trust issues with people that is so confident in leaving allies behind because she keeps repeating how Grian is not with Joel, she is so 'I will die for you', and it was prove in the final of secret life, I love her so much).

And Grian doesn't deny it, he does try to excuse his behavior with a "Joel reaches a point where he just loses his mind completely and he was way past that a while ago. Jimmy's death has kind of got an adverse affect on him" just to be silent a second, finish placing the TNT cards and going "But I will have to go and see if he is okay in a minute"

He cares about his last truly ally even when he knows Joel will die, Grian can't just stand still and wait for it to happen "I'm gonna have to go and see if Joel is okay. He must be on less than an hour and if I don't say bye, I'm gonna regret it"

And once he is with Joel again he doesn't hide that he has allied with the nosy neighbours from him. It is the first thing he tells him actually "I've just been like making new friends because you have lost your mind". That is not betray behavior, that is not 'I'm gonna back stab you' or 'I'm leaving you now'. And Joel gets it, he gets that Grian is too coward to confront people directly, that he is not a pvper and accepts him like that. And then they have this conversation on Skynet while trying to get kills for Joel:

"Yeah, do you know what would be really funny? If I just knocked you off right now but I won't, I won't, I won't do that"

"I would do that for you. I would do that for you. Bad boys for life"

HOW IS THAT NOT LOYALTY? Grian, the one that is afraid of death, willing to die for his ally? Without hesitation answering that yes, he would do that for Joel. We have the hole "Kill me Joel. KILL ME" dialogue and scene after that even. Grian didn't wanted Joel to died, when he has five minutes Grian tries to tell him to kill him again before Joel denies. When they are going to see who Joel can kill is when he starts hesitating because he would lose two hole hours to get Joel back to just one hour, he is balancing saving his allies with keeping himself alive and at the end Joel's rampage ends up killing him and Grian is without his bad boy.

He enters in full survivor mode and downplays Joel's death in front of everybody but contradicting his discourse of 'It was getting expensive to keep him alive' once everyone is gone he tells Pearl and BigB they should have a funeral for Joel fully knowing they weren't his allies. He makes Joel a grave too, like they did with Jimmy and says some words for him. How could that not be loyalty? The last episode he uses the bad boy skin, all season he forgot to use it and had to be remember by the others to use it, and then he puts it even if he 'isn't a bad boy anymore' to honor his allies.

I think the most close he was to betray an ally was when at the end he enacted the sword and ally with Impulse and Etho whitouth talking it with Pearl and it ending with both Etho and Pearl killing eachother to be in peace. When they first met after Grian enactes the sword and Pearl goes to kill he tries to stop her, but he doesn't defend her (or Etho), he just tells them to stop. Grian character just... always leaves his allies do what they want? even if it is not the best for them, it is something he does with every one of his alliance really, he does his own and they do his own, Cleo actually points it out on their last episode while they are talking to the heart fundation and Grian gets bored and goes to do his plan to get Gem and Cleo is like 'yeah, he does his own things, don't pay attention to him'.

In Secret Life he was also truly loyal to the roomates, in part I think because he was afraid of loosing his only oportunitty to get some friends after three episodes of loneliness. Grian is always so desesperate to make allies every season, make people like him because it would mean someone would fight for him. The rommates is a very solid team and he reassures himself and they how he made the correct decision. They are not as attach as he was with his bad boys (that, talking about them, he had this weird no-alliance with Joel, changing hearts and not really attacking eachother until the very end) but it is stable.

Grian includes them in his plans, if they are not on board he respects it, but when he thinks it is something that can protect them he insists. He insists they should go to Joel's platform where he hide from the zombie apocalypse because it is the easiest to defend and they were chase by the people with more health on the server. When Etho died they took it seriously, when they are scaping he goes first through the portal that belongs to Gem, Impulse and Scott because "No point both of us dying" he could have left Cleo go first to be more safe but he didn't, he tries to make a trap to get Gem and the Scotts and he tells Cleo to back off because they would get hurt if they stay to close because he will manually activate it.

My conclusion? Grian is not a traitor, he has never betray his teammates until they cross the line first. He is a bad teammate? Oh, totally, not because he won't provide his allies with supplies or plans but because the moment it becomes dangerous, too risky for his constant safe plays he distants himself because he doesn't like risky plays, he is an expert in the 'long game' even if he won't win anything with it, he also has some kind of honor (if you want to put it that way) he won't attack the weakest unless he is corner to do it to keep himself alive, he always goes for the biggest alliance, the people with most hearts, the people with most potential of giving to bring them down with the rest.

As always thank you for reading how normally sane I'm about Life series Grian. Again, I write this mini kinda essays on the fly and don't check facts too much but Grian himself implying he is not loyal had me "are you sure about that?" and then this was write on my drafts. Thanks for coming to my Grian talk!

[arc852]

Not Just A Drunken Dream

Summary: Jimmy goes to class with Joel and Grian, but as the humans are running late, they are a bit less careful and Jimmy ends up on the floor of the busy hallway.

Fortunately, he is found and picked up before he can be crushed.

Unfortunately, it wasn't by Grian or Joel.

Warnings: fear, anxiety, stress, very minor injuries, and dangerous situations

Word Count: 6909

AO3 Link

If you click to read this on AO3 do not read the character tags or you will be spoiled on who the third main side character is. Just giving you guys some warning if you wanted to be surprised while reading it.

This thing was a monster to edit because I wrote it four months ago and it was really bad but it's all done and great now! I'm really proud of how this turned out and I'm excited for you all to finally know who the third main side character is! I hope you all enjoy!

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 Jimmy decided he wanted to go to class with Joel and Grian again. At this point in time he had gone with them to class plenty of times before. It wasn’t all the time by any means, he didn’t want them constantly worried about him, after all. And also it could get pretty overwhelming for him too sometimes. But, he thought today would be a nice day to go out.

 He had learned that, while biology was definitely not for him, some of Joel and Grian’s other classes were a lot more interesting and easier to understand. Like Joel’s history class. He loved learning about human history, it was always so interesting to learn all about what humans had done. It was a bit terrifying at times though. The things some humans did…and to each other no less…

 Jimmy shook his head. Despite all that, he really did enjoy it and he was looking forward to sitting in on another class.

 “Sure, let me just grab my hoodie.” Joel said after Jimmy asked if he could go with them. Joel rummaged through his dresser while Jimmy waited patiently on the nightstand and watched as Joel put on a cream-colored hoodie.

 Grian was already at the door, impatient. “Come on, we’re already running a little late.” Grian said as he glanced down at his phone clock. Joel rolled his eyes but went over to Jimmy and scooped him up, gently maneuvering him into the front pocket. Jimmy slid off Joel’s hand as soon as he was fully in the pocket and watched the hand leave as he settled comfortably, leaning against the wall that was Joel’s stomach.

 “All set?” Joel asked, though Jimmy could already hear, and feel, him putting on his bag.

 “Yep!” Jimmy yelled and when they were given his confirmation they finally left the dorm room. Jimmy hearing the click of the door as they left.

 Due to running a bit late, Grian and Joel ended up walking a bit faster than usual, which Jimmy could tell from being jostled around a bit more. It wasn’t uncomfortable or anything like that, the hoodie pocket had always been pretty stable even with harsher movements, but it was noticeable enough. Jimmy didn’t mind it though and knew him being a bit jostled around was needed for them to get to class on time.

 They entered the outside and quickly made their way down the path and toward a nearby building. Thankfully for both of them, Grian and Joel had their classes in the same building today, which meant if they continued at their current pace they should be able to make it on time still. That also meant they wouldn’t separate until they were already inside the building and if Jimmy remembered correctly, Joel’s classroom was first.

 Jimmy knew as soon as they had entered the building because, once again, same as always,  Jimmy got hit by how loud it was. Except this time it seemed a lot louder than usual. They hadn’t even entered the classroom yet and already Jimmy felt like he needed to cover his ears. Jimmy could only assume that because Grian and Joel were late that they hadn’t managed to beat the crowd of students coming and going and bustling around the halls.

 This meant that the halls were quite crowded and combined with the fact that Joel was still rushing toward his classroom, it shouldn’t have been surprising that Joel would run into someone. But with Jimmy unable to see and in a pretty vulnerable spot, especially since Joel didn’t have his hands in the pocket with Jimmy at all, Jimmy was more than just surprised by the powerful weight suddenly slamming into the side of Joel’s body. 

 Jimmy couldn’t help himself as he let out a scream, one that was drowned out by all the other loud noises in the hall. He was moved violently towards one of the openings in the pocket. He tried gripping the fabric around him but the suddenness of the hit had given him no time to prepare and he was never able to get a good grip on the fabric. Instead, his screaming continued as Jimmy found himself rocketed out of the pocket.. 

 “Hey! Watch it!” He thought he heard Joel shout but it was quickly drowned out by the pain of slamming into the floor.

 Jimmy groaned, the pain of landing on his back was bad and part of him just wanted to lie there until the pain subsided. But then he realized where exactly he was right now, in the middle of the hallways, with what had to be hundreds of humans walking through it. He forced himself up, ignoring the pain in his back, and nearly screamed again as a shoe slammed down next to him. He quickly scooted back from it but then had to jump out of the way of yet another shoe. 

 Jimmy breathing picked up, the pain in his back all but forgotten due to the panic. This was bad. Where were Grian and Joel? Surely they had noticed he was no longer with them, right? They had to be looking for him right now, right? It was hard to tell from this angle though. Right now, all humans were just legs and shoes, all with the capacity to crush him without even knowing.

 That thought alone nearly made Jimmy’s heart stop.

 Another shoe came at him and Jimmy dove out of the way but he wasn’t quite fast enough. He made it but not without the shoe grazing him just a bit and causing him to wheeze as he harshly hit the floor again. He took in some fast breaths as he scrambled up again, knowing any amount of sitting still would kill him. He needed to get away from here. He needed to find cover.

 Before he was able to do that, however, another shadow fell over him. Jimmy tried diving out of the way again, thinking it was another shoe but the shadow seemed to follow him. He looked up only to freeze as he realized the shadow belonged to a hand. Jimmy was helpless as the hand descended upon him from the crowd of shoes and legs and wrapped around him completely. Jimmy couldn’t help but feel panicked, because what if this wasn’t Grian or Joel? What if some random human had just picked him up?

 But then he was quickly lifted and placed in a hoodie pocket, a red one, and Jimmy found himself relaxing. The red was familiar and the grip around him gentle. There was no doubt that it was Grian who had found him. Jimmy felt himself go completely limp and he let out a relieved sigh. The panic that had been building was finally mellowing out and Jimmy did his best to get his breathing back under control.

 He brushed his hand over Grian’s thumb and there was a slight bit of hesitation before the thumb brushed along his side back. Jimmy hummed and settled against the warm hold. Though as he settled, he could still feel that Grian was moving faster than normal.

 The noise of humans quickly died down but Jimmy knew it wasn’t because they had entered the classroom. They were back outside. He could only assume they were headed back to the dorm after what had happened. It made Jimmy feel a bit bad that they were missing class because of him. But the scare from it all also made him glad they were going back in order to make sure he was okay.

 Jimmy could tell when they entered the dorm building, it was always a different kind of quiet than outside. Jimmy waited as he listened for the sound of keys in a lock and it didn’t take long for him to hear it. Before he knew it, a door was shutting behind them.

 The hand still loosely wrapped around his body solidified into more of a stable grip and pulled him out of the pocket. The hand then opened, allowing him to sit up and on the open palm, his back only protesting a little as he did so. “Thank goodness you guys were able to find me.” Jimmy said, his words filled with relief. “I don’t even want to think about what would have happened if I--if…” Jimmy’s words trailed off as he finally looked up.

 That was not Grian.

 And it wasn’t Joel either.

 And suddenly Jimmy couldn’t breathe.

 “You’re actually real.” The human said in awe. And then he grinned. “I knew it. I knew you weren’t just a dream.”

 Jimmy could barely breathe, barely think, but even he was confused by the statement. A dream? What was he-?

 And then it hit him. 

 “Y-You’re…You’re him. The drunk guy that saw me.” Jimmy managed to stutter out, tears pricking the corner of his eyes. He wanted out of here, he wanted off this hand.

 He wanted Grian and Joel.

 The human winced at his words and used his free hand, the one not holding Jimmy, to rub the back of his neck sheepishly. “Ah, right, right. That was uh…” He bit his lip. “You remember that, do ya?”

 Jimmy sputtered, mouth agape. “Do I-? How do you remember?! I-I made sure you didn’t! At least, I-I thought I made sure…” Jimmy looked down at his hands, his eyes wide with panic. All this time, he thought he had been fine. He thought the drunk human that had seen him some two years ago now had been too intoxicated to even remember. But apparently, he had. And now, Jimmy was in his hands.

 “I, well, it took a while to remember it if I’m being honest. And then I actually did think it was a dream for a while. But it just felt so real and…” He shrugged. “I don’t know, something in me just told me it couldn’t have just been a dream.”

 Jimmy clenched his hands into fists as he grit his teeth. So the human hadn’t remembered while Jimmy had been watching but…then gained his memory back later on? Jimmy hadn’t even thought of that as a possibility. 

 “Uh, what did you mean by you made sure?” The human asked, breaking him from his thoughts and causing Jimmy to look up at him again. He flinched a bit as their eyes met.

 “I…I stayed for a while after you saw me, watching, just to make sure you had forgotten.” He warily admitted. “I-I figured two days had been enough time, and drunk humans usually never remember anything anyway so I really thought-” His breath hitched. “Guess…Guess I didn’t watch for long enough.” He said through a choked up sob, tears starting to roll down his cheeks. This was it for him, it had to be, caught by the one human that had kept him up for countless nights in the past.

 “Whoa! Hey, it’s okay.” The human said, panic making its way onto his features and through his tone. His eyebrows pinched together in concern as he saw the little guy crying. “Please don’t cry little buddy, I’m not going to hurt you or-or anything else that might be running through that little head of yours.”

 The human looked around the room, head turning a bit too fast in all directions before his gaze fell on his nightstand. “Here, I’ll put you down. I’m sure being in my sweaty hands isn’t fun.” He nervously joked as he finally moved away from the door and over to his nightstand. He then placed his palm down on it, allowing Jimmy to get off on his own.

 Jimmy immediately took the opportunity and hopped off, glad to be on solid ground again. The hand lifted and went back to the human’s side and Jimmy was both relieved…and confused. He wiped at the tears still on his face, trying to stop himself from crying anymore as he warily looked up at the human as he backed up a few steps.

 “There we go. Is that better?” The human asked and when Jimmy didn’t say anything, the human looked panicked again. “Ah, oh, um…Oh! Maybe some introductions are in order? Yeah, yeah, um, I’m Tango! It’s nice to finally meet you.” Tango gave him a smile, though it was one full of nerves. “What’s your name?”

 “...Jimmy.” He said hesitantly, still worried about what was going to happen but slowly calming down a bit.

 “Well, like I said, it’s nice to meet you Jimmy.” Tango said, his smile gentler now. “I promise I don’t have any, uh, evil plans or anything like that.” Tango said with a little wave of his fingers at the word evil. “I just, I saw you and I didn’t want to see you hurt or-or worse.”

 Jimmy bit his lip. That’s right, he had been so caught up in everything that he had almost forgotten but Tango really had saved him. If not for him, he might have actually been crushed before anyone else even had a chance to pick him up.

 And, well…this was going a lot better than Jimmy would have ever expected. Tango had even put him down when he saw how distressed Jimmy was. He asked for his name, he promised no ill intent…

 Tango was really reminding him a lot of Grian and Joel.

 There was just one thing he had to be sure of.

 “So…you’re not planning on, uh, keeping me? Right?” Jimmy asked, eyes pleading that the answer was no.

 Tango’s eyes went wide. “Of course not! That’s included in the whole ‘no evil plans’ thing!” Tango answered. So not only was it a no, but a resounding no. Good to know. Jimmy then watched as Tango knelt down, so the human was more eye level with Jimmy now. “You’re a person, Jimmy. And I make it a habit to not kidnap, trap, and hurt my fellow persons.” Tango sent him another kind smile and this time, Jimmy returned it, even if his was a bit shakier than Tango’s.

 “Thank you, Tango. That actually really means a lot.” Jimmy said. He supposed there really were more good humans out there. Still, a borrower could never be too careful, but it’s nice to see that Tango was one of them.

 “Hey, no need to thank me for doing the basic human thing.” Tango said with a shrug.

 Jimmy shook his head. “No, really. Because not a lot of humans would…would be as nice as you.” The ‘basic human thing’ in regards to borrowers was not kindness. At least, if all the stories Jimmy had ever heard was anything to go by. And even if Jimmy currently had a 3 out of 3 track record for finding the good ones.

 “Oh.” Tango said. “Oh.” He said again as realization hit him. Right, he supposed Jimmy had a point. A three-inch tall person falling into the wrong hands…the things his mind came up with made him shudder. “Right, yeah, um…sorry you gotta, uh, sorry you gotta watch out for stuff like that.” Tango said, not really knowing what else to say. “I wish humans could be kinder.”

 Jimmy smiled softly and it was then that he knew, fully, that Tango was good.

 “You’re kind though. And that’s really all that matters right now.” Jimmy said, his small smile turning into a small grin.

 Tango’s cheeks flushed and he rubbed the back of his head, laughing nervously. “Just, uh, just doing what I know is right.”

 Jimmy giggled at the human’s flustered expression. Jimmy found himself feeling a lot more comfortable around Tango. The fact that Tango had proven to be kind mixed with the way Jimmy was somewhat used to humans now, it was surprisingly easy for Jimmy to relax. “Mind if I ask you a question.” Jimmy asked.

 Tango let his nervous laughter die off and as he met Jimmy’s eyes again. “Yeah, of course. Ask away.”

 “How did you…how did you see me in that crowd of people anyway?” Now that Jimmy’s mind was free of panic, it was actually something that baffled him. He could understand if it was someone who was actively looking for him, like Grian or Joel, but the fact Tango managed to see him in that mess had to have been a miracle.

 Tango’s nervous laughter returned. “Heh, um, well. Funny story that, I uh, I’ve…kind of made it a habit to look down a lot. You know, just in case…I saw you again. Or another little person. I didn’t want to accidentally hurt you or anything.” Tango released a breath. “I’m actually really glad I did that now, or else you might’ve…ya know…” Tango didn’t elaborate, but they both knew what he meant.

 “Huh, yeah, that’s…yeah. I’m really glad you made that a habit too, actually.” Jimmy agreed, pushing any thoughts of what could have happened far from his mind.

 “Can I ask you a question too?” Tango asked and Jimmy, though not expecting Tango to want to ask his own question, nodded. Tango’s eyebrows furrowed as he thought about his question and how to ask it. “Why were you on the ground, in the middle of the hallway, in the first place?”

 Jimmy blinked, realizing that was a fair question to have, actually. “Oh, I fell out of my friend’s…pocket…” Jimmy slowly trailed off, realization hitting him. His eyes widened, his body tensing up again. “Oh my word! They’re probably still out there looking for me! I gotta-I have to-!”

 Tango’s own eyes widened at Jimmy’s sudden panic. “Whoa! Whoa! Slow down, what’s going on?”

 “I was on the ground because I was with my friends and some guy knocked into one of them and it knocked me onto the floor! They’re probably worried sick!” Jimmy tried his best to explain. He had to assume his friends had noticed he was missing by now and were probably scrambling around trying to find him.

 Tango blinked. “You’re…friends?” He thought for a moment. “Wait, do you mean…your friends are human?”

 Jimmy nodded, his body still tense and raring to get back to them. “Yeah, Grian and Joel. They found me a few months ago and ever since then we’ve been best friends. But they still think I’m missing or…or worse.” Jimmy ran his hands down his face. He was probably causing them so much worry. The thought was stressing Jimmy out.

 “Wait, did you say Grian and Joel? As in the Grian who constantly wears red sweaters and causes mischief, the Joel who has a green streak in his hair and also plays along with said mischief? That Grian and Joel?" Tango asked and Jimmy looked up at him with wide eyes.

 “Uh, yeah? W-Why?” Jimmy asked, wondering how the heck Tango seemed to know so much about Grian and Joel.

 “Because Grian and Joel are good buddies of mine.” Tango revealed and Jimmy’s brain short-circuited for a moment.

 “...Wait, they have friends?” It was not meant to be a dig at them but Tango laughed and Jimmy realized how bad that had sounded. He tried to backtrack. “I didn’t mean that in a bad way! I just, genuinely thought they were each other’s only friends.” Jimmy shrugged helplessly. “They’ve never mentioned other friends before, anyway.”

 Tango nodded along, his laughter dying down as he placed a hand on his chin in thought. “Yeah, that makes sense actually. Grian and Joel have sort of stopped hanging out with me and the guys outside of class.” He looked down at Jimmy. “Though I can see why now.”

 Jimmy frowned. He didn’t want to be the reason Grian and Joel had stopped hanging out with their other friends. He was perfectly fine being left alone for a few hours if they wanted to hang out somewhere else. He didn’t have to always be around them.

 He would need to talk to them about that later.

 “I need to get back to them.” Jimmy said, getting them back on track. “I can’t begin to imagine how worried they are.” Well, that was a lie. He definitely could imagine it and he hated it. He really needed to let them know that he was okay.

 Tango nodded. “Yeah, of course. Uh, where do you think they would be, if they realized you were missing?” The question gave Jimmy pause and he had to think about it.

 “Well…” He started, thinking out loud. “They probably would have retraced their steps when Joel realized I wasn’t in his pocket. Meaning…if they didn’t find me in the hallways or outside…they’re probably back in their dorm room.” Jimmy worked out.

 “That’s as good as any place to start.” Tango said with a nod. “If they aren’t there, we’ll just head back to the building. We’re sure to run into them at some point at least.” Tango said and Jimmy nodded in agreement with him. Whether Jimmy was right or not, they would get him back to them. 

 Tango looked down at Jimmy and paused, realizing he would have to pick up Jimmy again for this. “Uh, how do you, ya know, want to do…this.” Tango stuttered out, waving at the both of them.

 Jimmy looked at him confused. “What do you mean? You’ve already picked me up before, you can just do it again.”

 “I know I have! But that was, you know there was a lot of panicy panic and not a lot of thinkificating involved.” When he saw Jimmy in danger, it was more of an act now and ask questions later sort of thing. “Besides, I feel weird just grabbing you.”

 Jimmy tilted his head, puzzled. A human feeling weird about grabbing him? That was certainly a new one to Jimmy. Grian and Joel never seemed to have any conflicted feelings about grabbing him or picking him up. “Joel and Grian do it all the time, so I’m pretty used to it.”

 Tango hummed at that, not knowing what to think. “Well…I would prefer you had some say in being picked up. So…” Tango placed a hand down next to Jimmy, palm up and flat. “...Hop on?”

 Jimmy looked down at the hand, hesitant. It’s not like he had never been offered a hand before, he remembers vividly when that was all Grian and Joel did for a while after they first met, but it was such a rare thing nowadays that Jimmy wasn’t used to it. The difference between just being grabbed and being offered a hand was that, when it was offered, Jimmy was the one putting himself in that position. He was really and purposefully giving his entire self and safety to the human offering him the hand.

 He supposed, when he was just being grabbed, it was easier to just let it happen. 

 And not only that, but this wasn’t Grian or Joel offering him a hand. It was Tango. Someone who he had just met and despite proving himself to be like Grian and Joel, it was still nerve-wracking to put himself in his hands. Especially when Tango was making him make that choice himself.

 But he needed to get back to Grian and Joel, and Tango was the quickest way there, so he took a deep breath and stepped onto the hand. He moved toward the center and, feeling weird standing, he quickly took a seat. Jimmy then looked up at Tango and gave him a hesitant thumbs up.

 “There we go, okay.” Tango said and Jimmy could just feel how nervous he was. It was kind of sweet, in all honesty. Even Grian and Joel had never been this nervous to handle him. “I’m going to put you in my pocket now, okay?” Tango said and when Jimmy nodded Tango lowered him to his hoodie pocket and let Jimmy inside. Jimmy slid off the hand and watched as Tango pulled his hand away but kept it at the very edge of the pocket, just in case.

 “Ready?” Tango asked, still nervous.

 “Ready!” Jimmy yelled back and then settled in as he heard the door open and Tango start to walk the dorm halls.

 It wasn’t very long at all before Tango had stopped, making Jimmy wonder just how close Tango really was to Grian and Joel’s dorm. A sharp knock on the door brought him out of his thoughts though and he tuned back in, hoping Grian and Joel were there.

 Tango heard a series of harsh whispers coming from inside the room but he couldn’t make out what they were saying. At least he knew they were in there. It took a long moment, long enough where Tango thought about knocking again, but the door opened before he could, revealing Joel.

 He looked awful, honestly. Tango couldn’t help but wince at just how distressed he looked. And when Grian came from behind to see who was at the door, Tango noticed he didn’t look much better. He knew they would be worried about Jimmy but actually seeing them like this almost broke Tango’s heart. At least he knew Jimmy was in good hands, if their amount of worry was anything to go by. “Um, hey guys.” Tango said with a little wave.

 Joel blinked. “Tango?” He had not been expecting him, though really he hadn’t been expecting anyone. “What are you-? Ah, nevermind, we don't really have time to chat or hang out right now, so maybe another-” As he spoke, he was already in the process of closing the door but Tango cut him off.

 “I found Jimmy.” Tango said, not beating around the bush.

 Both friends froze and slowly, Joel opened back up the door and both him and Grian looked at Tango with wide, incredulous eyes. “I…I’m sorry, what?” Joel asked, not sure if he had heard that right.

 Tango gently patted his hoodie pocket with the hand not still in there. “I found Jimmy.” He repeated and then pointed to the inside of the room. “I think it might be best if I come in?”

 They stared at him for a moment longer before nodding slowly and moving out of the way for Tango to come inside. Tango did and the door was shut behind him.

 “Alright Tango, you better explain yourself.” Joel said, his arms crossed as he tried to appear threatening. However, his disheveled appearance and his worry were still showing through too much for it to actually work. 

 Grian, on the other hand, did a very good job at burying his emotions in order to stare daggers at him.

 “Right, right, hold your horses.” Tango said, and then reached into his pocket since he figured showing them Jimmy was the best explanation he could give at the moment. He felt Jimmy crawl into his palm and he made sure to get a solid grip on him before pulling his hand back out, being very slow and careful just in case. He then lifted his hand to chest level and held it out towards Grian and Joel, revealing Jimmy sitting in the center.

 “Jimmy!” They both shouted almost at the same time, voices overlapping each other. Before Tango could even react, Joel took a step forward and snatched Jimmy off his hand, moving to cradle him between two cupped hands. “Are you alright? What on earth happened? Where did you go?” Joel asked question after question in worried relief.

 “And how did you end up with Tango?” Grian chimed in, close to Joel in order to look over Jimmy as well and make sure he was okay. But his gaze was locked onto Tango as he asked the question, Tango backing up a bit with his hands up at the intensity in Grian’s gaze. He had never seen Grian act like this before and, well, Tango could admit that Grian was scary when he wanted to be.

 Jimmy, despite the too many questions, was just happy to be back with Grian and Joel. “I’m okay.” He decided to start with, since that seemed to be the most important thing to clarify. “I’m not hurt or anything.” He explained, even as Joel was using a gentle thumb to feel around his body for any injuries.

 “That’s good.” Joel said with a sigh of relief, though he didn’t take his thumb back. Instead, using it to rub Jimmy’s back comfortingly. “But what happened? I got to class and put my hand in my pocket and you were just…you were just gone.” Joel’s voice cracked at the last word and Jimmy winced. He really had worried them.

 “When you ran into that person in the hallway, I…I fell out and onto the floor.” Jimmy revealed, knowing the reactions weren’t going to be good.

 He was right.

 “On…on the floor. Of the hallway.” Grian said through gritted teeth and with wide eyes. “In the middle of that crowd! Jimmy, how…” how are you not dead, went unsaid but Jimmy still picked up on it. He was good at that since Grian and Joel never really liked bringing up what could have happened to Jimmy in certain situations. At least, not in any detail.

 “It was…terrifying. But I was picked up only a minute or so later.” Jimmy looked over at Tango. “I thought it was you at first, Grian, since I was put in the pocket of a red hoodie but it turned out to be Tango.”

 Both Grian and Joel looked over at Tango. Joel seemed to only just remember that he was there while Grian continued to look at him with barely hidden wariness.

 “So you…saved him.” Grian said. Tango just shrugged and Jimmy frowned at that, answering before Tango could.

 “He did! He saw me down there and grabbed me to save me!” Jimmy exclaimed.

 Grian’s eyes finally softened, his wariness still there but much less prominent and he could already feel himself relaxing. “If that’s the case then thank you, Tango.”

 “Of course.” Tango said, feeling better with Grian not looking at him all scary like anymore.

 Joel though, still holding Jimmy close to his chest, still looked confused. “Okay, that is great and all and we do really appreciate it.” Joel started, but his tone became more wary as he continued. “But how are you not freaking out at Jimmy existing? You’re being pretty calm about all this.”

 And Joel’s words, Grian’s wariness came back tenfold and he looked at Tango with much the same gaze as before.

 Tango gulped at that but held out his hands. “Well, you see, I-” He cut himself off when he saw Jimmy run a hand along his neck, telling him to stop and not say anything. Tango really didn’t know why, but he followed along anyway. “I…uh, got all of my freak out when I talked with Jimmy at my dorm?”

 Joel raised an eyebrow. “Why was that said as a question, Tango? What are you hiding?” Joel still seemed a bit untrusting toward Tango, despite Tango bringing Jimmy back to them.

 “I’m not hiding anything! I, well…” Tango glanced down at Jimmy for help. Grian and Joel noticed and followed his gaze and now all three were looking down at Jimmy.

 “Jimmy? Do you have something you want to tell us?” Grian asked, his brow slightly raised. 

 Jimmy looked at the three of them before he couldn’t help but duck his head a little. He was used to being around Grian and Joel, of course. But Tango being added to the mix…that was three humans surrounding him from all sides, staring down at him with their full attention, and it was just a little intimidating if he was being honest. 

 Jimmy bit his lip, knowing that if he told them the truth of how Tango knew about him, they would freak out. Probably on both him and Tango. But he also knew that at this point, Grian and Joel weren’t going to let it go. He either told them now with little fuss or spend an hour arguing about it and then end up telling them anyway.

 He really didn’t feel like getting into a big thing right now. He was starting to feel exhausted from this whole day. So, he sighed and decided to reveal it. “Tango isn’t really freaking out because…he already kind of knew about me.”

 Grian and Joel’s eyes widened and Tango bit his lip as he watched closely at their reaction.

 “...Okay, but how?” Joel asked and Jimmy knew he wasn’t just going to let him leave it at that.

 “Um…remember when I told you about that time, when you two were celebrating the end of your first semester with some beer? About, how uh, I almost got caught by that drunk guy?” Jimmy asked with a nervous smile.

 It clicked right away for the two of them.

 “Tango was the drunk guy that saw you?!” Grian shouted as Joel’s jaw went slack. Jimmy winced a little at Grian’s volume and their reaction. Tango also found himself wincing, his body tense as he prepared to run if he had to.

 “I thought you said he didn’t remember seeing you?” Joel asked, getting over his shock enough to speak. Jimmy huffed a little and looked down.

 “I thought he didn't, but according to Tango…” He trailed off and looked at Tango, who took the hint to finish for him.

 “I started remembering a few days later. At first I thought it had been a dream but I just…I had this feeling it couldn’t have been.” Tango repeated what he had told Jimmy earlier.

 “Well that’s…hmm.” Grian started, only to stop talking and hum to himself, unsure.

 “I guess I am glad it was you and not some total stranger.” Joel admitted. “That could have been really bad.”

 “Yeah, imagine my surprise when Tango told me he knew the two of you. Why have you never mentioned him or any of your other friends before?” Jimmy asked, looking between Grian and Joel.

 Joel blinked and then shrugged. “It just…never got brought up? And besides, we never thought you were ever going to meet any of them.” He looked at Tango. “Turns out you two met long before us.”

 Jimmy supposed that was actually kind of true. It had been at least a couple of years before he met Grian and Joel that he had had that close encounter with Tango. That was honestly weird to think about.

 “Oh shoot, is that the time?” Tango suddenly said, catching a glance at Grian’s alarm clock. How words pulled Jimmy out of his thoughts “I gotta catch a class in about 10 minutes, so I should probably head out.”

 Grian nodded but as Tango made to leave, Grian stepped forward. “Wait.” Tango froze at the seriousness in Grian's voice and looked at him nervously. “You’re not going to tell anyone else about Jimmy, right?”

 Tango’s eyes widened. “No! Of course not! I would never ever.” He said and then paused, thinking something over. “But, I mean…you know, maybe it wouldn’t be so bad for you guys to tell the others.”

 Grian’s eyes narrowed. “Tango…”

 Tango put his hands up. “I’m not going to say anything! You don’t have to worry about that. But…you know the guys. You know Impulse and Etho and the others. Do you really think they can’t be trusted to know about Jimmy?”

 Joel rolled his eyes. “It’s not about trust! It’s about not having so many people knowing about Jimmy. The more who know, the more likely it could spread.”

 “But only if someone spills the secret.” Tango said with a raised eyebrow. “And I really don’t think anyone would. But, anyway, it’s not really up to the two of you, is it?”

 Grian and Joel blinked. “What do you mean?” Joel asked with a huff.

 “It’s up to Jimmy.” Tango said. Grian and Joel paused and looked down at the borrower and Tango couldn’t help but hum. “It’s his decision whether he wants more people to know about him or not.” It was important he reminded his fellow humans that Jimmy should be making the ultimate decision on anything that involved the borrower himself. And something like this definitely fell into that category.

 Tango then crouched down so he was eye level with Jimmy and smiled at him. “They can tell you more about our other friends later, but I wouldn’t be suggesting this if I didn’t think everything would be okay.” He explained a bit more. “Besides, I think you would get along great with the rest of our group.”

 Jimmy blinked wide-eyed at Tango, taken aback by that last statement. “You really think so?”

 Tango nodded. “I do. Think about it?” Tango asked with a slight head tilt.

 Jimmy hesitated for a moment before he nodded. “I will. Think about it, that is.”

 “Great.” Tango said and then slapped his knees as he straightened up before heading toward the door. He looked back behind him. “Hopefully we can see each other again soon! Bye Jimmy!” He waved and Jimmy waved back with a smile. “And bye to you guys too, I guess.” He joked as he also waved to Grian and Joel.

 And with that, Tango was gone. 

 And since he was gone, that meant all attention was now back on Jimmy. He was finally brought away from Joel’s chest and held between the two humans. “You are okay, right?” Grian asked softly, wanting to make sure.

 Jimmy took in a shakier breath than he had intended but nodded. Despite everything, he really was okay. Tango seemed like a really nice guy and even promised to keep his existence a secret. His mind, however, couldn’t help but replay the terrifying parts of the day. Jimmy did his best to not think about it though and shove it into the back of his head. “I’m okay. Just a bit shaken up, I guess.” Jimmy said, allowing himself to be a bit more vulnerable with Tango no longer around.

 “I bet.” Joel said and Jimmy realized his tone was no longer bordering on defensive. “You fell out of my pocket, onto the floor, and ended up meeting another human today. I’d be exhausted too.” He said and then sighed and looked away. “Stupid of me to not have my hand in there with you.” He mumbled to himself, so quiet Jimmy only caught a few words. But before he could ask about it, the conversation moved on.

 “You’re back with us now though.” Grian said, not only to them but to himself as well. “That’s all that matters.”

 “Yeah, and maybe no more trips to classes for a little bit.” Joel recommended and Jimmy nodded. He had no desire to leave the dorm room for a long time after what happened today.

 “I second that.” Grian said and then walked over to his bed to collapse in it. Joel, who Jimmy expected was going to be holding him for at least the rest of the night, sat down on his own bed and seemed to finally relax.

 “By the way.” Jimmy said after a few moments of silence. Joel looked down at him and Grian sat up a little to do the same. “What, uh…what are your other friends like?”

 He looked to Joel first, who was frowning. “You can’t seriously be thinking about meeting them, right? I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

 Grian sat all the way up and rubbed the back of his head, sighing. “Joel, I hate to admit it, but Tango is right. That’s not our decision to make for Jimmy.”

 Joel sputtered. “It’s-I mean-Jimmy, you were the one who didn’t want more humans knowing about you in the first place!”

 “I know, I know.” Jimmy looked down. Meeting Tango had been nerve-wracking for sure but maybe it was only because of the way he had met him? Sure, he would probably still be nervous meeting the others despite knowing what he was getting into with them. But…maybe Jimmy wanted to try. Maybe he wanted more friends. Not that Grian and Joel weren’t good enough but more friends, more people to talk to, seemed…nice.

 Besides, if the others knew about him, he would no longer be stopping Grian and Joel from hanging out with them. They could all hang out together!

 Still…Jimmy couldn’t take making this decision lightly. He needed to think about it and calculate if the risks were worth it. But, honestly, if the others were anything like Grian and Joel, or even Tango, he figured he would be just fine.

 “I’m not sure about it yet. But…I am thinking about it.” Jimmy admitted and looked between the two to gauge their reactions. They both looked worried, which Jimmy thought was fair. “I would like to know more about the others though, in order to…reach that decision.” Jimmy continued.

 Grian and Joel were silent for a moment before Joel sighed. “Well…I guess we can start with Impulse. He’s Tango’s roommate.” Joel started and Jimmy was a bit surprised they were willing to do this right now but thankful all the same.

 The rest of that night he spent in Joel’s hands, listening to Grian and Joel talking about their friends.

 And once they had all laid down to finally go to sleep, after learning so much about these people, these friends of his friends, Jimmy couldn’t help but think about how much he wanted to meet them.

[pixiemage]

So do you ever, like - accidentally get inspired to create a whole AU based on an old Tumblr text post, and you know you can't add it to your actual fic list because your existing WIP's are waiting for you, but you end up writing a snippet of it anyway? Yeah. Yeah, me too.

Jimmy knows he's not fully with it when he walks into the villains’ bar this time. He has a new name on his list from Make-a-Wish - Supreme this time - and he's only halfheartedly searching the by-now-familiar faces for the person he needs to talk to. He's not registering much of anything though, and it becomes apparent when two people step in his path and he doesn't notice until he's almost running into them. It's Joel, and it's Tango - Trickster and Phoenix - and the expressions on their faces are different flavors of the same thing. Anger, maybe, but not at Jimmy, simmering below the surface in Tango's case and being held back by a tense jaw in Joel's. And concern too, he thinks, concern and sympathy and- "Hey Songbird," Tango greets him, sounding just to the left of the normal fond tone he uses when he sees Jimmy. "How're you holding up?" "I...sorry?" Jimmy blinks, not quite understanding, and Joel casts a glance around the bar before settling back on Jimmy. "We heard about Mercy." Mercy - oh. Mercy Children's Hospital. Susie. Jimmy's chest goes tight and he swallows past a lump in his throat. A warm hand settles on his shoulder and he's steered over to a booth in the corner, Tango sandwiching him in on one side and Joel taking a seat across the table. Jimmy sucks down a shuddering breath. "...you heard?"

Joel scoffs. "We've been trying to find that bastard since the news broke this morning," he bites out. "The minute the Count gets back we'll know where he is." "You - what?" Jimmy stares, surprised. "You're trying to find him?" "Absolutely." Tango, this time, his arm around Jimmy's shoulders emanating a warmth that he hadn't realized was helping to calm him down. "We're going after that jerk the second we have the chance. The guy crossed a line, big time." Oh. Oh, gosh. Jimmy's vision just barely begins to blur with tears, and he feels Tango's arm tighten around him. There's quiet murmuring around him but he can't bring himself to listen. They're going after Vortex. Jimmy's biggest mistake in his life, and here Tango and Joel are ready to help fix it the second they have the chance. And Grian always said villains weren't to be trusted... "There's a bunch of others who signed up for the mission," Tango is saying, and Jimmy tunes back in. "Supreme and Iris and  Worm Man and some o' the others. They were pretty pissed when they found out-" "And we'll keep your name out of it, o' course," Joel goes on, and Jimmy blinks away tears to focus on him better. Joel rakes a hand back through his green-streaked hair and shrugs. "You're not involved. Keep your record clean, all that-" "No."#Jimmy is almost surprised to hear himself say it, and Joel looks surprised too, his eyebrows flying high. "What, you want us to leave him alone? Dunno if I can do that, Jim-" "No, I mean I want to be involved," Jimmy insists. "I want in." This time it's Tango who's surprised, ducked forward to catch Jimmy's eye. "You sure, sweetheart?" he murmurs, his hair licking with tiny flames. Concerned, probably. "It's not gonna be pretty." "I'm sure." And he is. He's seen fights before, and he's been in even more. He's fought criminals on the streets who were going to hurt people, and he's not about to balk at going after someone who already has. "I can handle it." "You're gonna need to hide your identity," Joel drawls, his voice low. "Wouldn't want our favorite civilian going to jail on our account." "I know," Jimmy nods. "I've got something I can wear." He's already picturing the yellow-and-black costume currently hanging at the back of his closet, of the feather-trimmed mask in his top dresser drawer. The suit and the mask that even Tango doesn’t know exists, not yet. Jimmy ponders for a moment before making a decision. His eyes catch Joel and Tango's in turn. "Actually...I think there's something I need to show you."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The arrest had gone far smoother than expected, in Grian’s opinion. It’s not often that a high-priority villain is found bruised and bloody and practically gift-wrapped right where an anonymous tipper said he would be. Sure, vigilantes were kind enough to help them take down bad guy when they were able, but this time was different. This time there was no masked wannabe hero trying to take credit for a takedown, no signature calling card or note beyond the unsigned “He’s all yours, boys” that had been scribbled on cardboard hanging around Vortex’s neck. It had felt odd, is all, though Grian had agreed with his partner when Scar had said he was just grateful to have the guy off the streets. As Grian slips into his apartment through the bedroom window and shoulders open the door to grab some food, he has to force himself to brush the buzzing thoughts aside. He can ponder oddities later. It was a long shift, and he’s about ready to crash the second he gets some fuel in him. It's only when Grian is tugging off his mask and setting it on the table by the bedroom door that he realizes he's not alone. Familiar yellow wings catch his eye, and when he turns, he spots Jimmy sitting on the couch in the middle of the room. He looks exhausted, his Canary costume on and his mask hanging around his neck, and his hair is a wreck - like when he's anxious and has been running his hands through it constantly. "...heya Tim," Grian greets him slowly, not sure what his brother's presence here means just yet. He drops his crossbow on the table and crosses the room, sinking onto the coffee table in from of Jimmy so he can see him better. His expression is one of a man worn and run down, something shadowed in his eyes that has a frown tugging at Grian's lips. He almost opens his mouth to ask what he's doing here - but then he spots the dark stains on Jimmy's fingerless gloves, and the patch of red that's barely splattered across the yellow parts of his suit's design.  It clicks, then. The timing of it all, the villain - Vortex - that Grian and Scar had been called in to take care of tonight. The man who Grian also knew had been spotted at the Mercy Children's Hospital a few days ago, where that little girl had- "You were there," Grian says, not a question, just a fact. "Tonight. You went after him." Jimmy sucks down a shaking breath and nods. Grian would almost say he looks guilty, but he doesn't think Jimmy would feel guilty about going after the person who hurt one of his kids. Perhaps he feels guilty that a kid got hurt at all. "They helped," he says shakily. "All of - you know, the ones who said yes to visits with the kids. They've been trying to do better, and when Vortex-" He trails off, and Grian shifts over to the couch, tucking his brother under one of his wings and letting Jimmy slump sideways against him. "He's locked away, Jimmy," Grian tells him. "I promise. You did good."

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[fitzs-space]

Watched Labyrinth last night with @galacticjay1, and my brain worms took over.

So woe, hermitcraft Labyrinth au be upon ye

Gem as Sarah, main character energy unfortunately but someone's gotta do it. she's the type to just end up in situations. that way the baby Toby can be her puppy Winnie. [alt option would have been Scott, cause Scott's got the vibe to just be in places, but he could not be bothered to actually go through the labyrinth]

Bdubs as Hoggle, just look at him. the tolken short guy whos forced to help and will complain every step of the way about it, and will completely kissass up to their boss. Also both having a prized possession always kept at their side [the Clock, and the bundle of jewelry]

Scar as Jareth the Goblin King, Yea. Who else.

Etho as Ludo, just vibes really. Quiet dude willing to help and can just do wild shit for no good reason. [alt option was Doc, cause he's got the tall brute force energy to him as well, by they said it didn't fit. Docs got more of a higher energy to him then what would fit]

Rens Sir Didymus, Dog Knight. eccentric mf who screams out soliloquys going on about saving the fair madden they have devoted their time and service to, is that Sir Didymus or Ren? yes. Ok those are the main ones, now onto the other characters met in the labyrinth in approximate order of appearance

Xisuma is the worm. look at that mf and tell me I am wrong, one of the lines is this dude asking Sarah to come in for a cup of tea. Id apologize to the Xisuma enjoyers, but this is tumbler and people know he's a bit of a wet paper bag kinda guy.

Impulse and Skizz are the door Guards, The guards have no idea what's going on and neither do those two. I know its Technically the "Four Guards" and It could be team Zits, but the vibe isn't there fully. the type of mfs to mislead someone by pure accident[Skizz], and also cause its a lil funny[Impulse]

Martin as the False Alarms, their entire roll is to dramatically shout false warnings at the people who pass. If I didn't make the man who abuses the voice effects on his GoXLR as the rocks who wait to shout at people, I'd be making a mistake. [listener ass bitch] Also there is straight up a line where one of them goes "oh please, we don't get to shout these very often, its only our job" in some posh voice, then go back to the deep dramatic shouting. and that's just Martin man.

Grian and Mumbo as the Door Knockers, vibes [its also funny to make everyone's favorite guys as characters only seen for five minuets at most] If any two guys are going to be subjected to living their life forever constantly shouting at each other barely being able to understand what the other is saying, it'd be those two. Grian would be the Left, would also scream if he couldn't hear someone [Watcher allegations also] Mumbo as right because the ring in his mouth could be drawn as his mustache

Tango's a Firey, look at him. Cartoon ass bitch, the entire scuffed greenscreen dance sequence is on par with his thumbnails. I know there are supposed to be five of the dudes, but shhhh Zedaph would also fit with these fuckers. the type of guy who could probably detach his head, but still knows that there are manners and its rude to throw someone else's head

Pearl as the Junk Lady, she's the cleaning lady and collects trash, was it ever a question? And Pearls gremlin voice is the exact same as the Junk lady's voice

Doc's the lil fairies at the beginning of the labyrinth, everyone say thank you to Doccy for butterfly truthing Doc.

Jellie as just all the goblins, Scar the Jellie king instead of the Goblin king. The threat of Winnie getting turned into a cat is kinda funny, also there's the Humongous? that's a Jellie panda

the only main characters Im missing is the Wise Man and the Hat, I just do not know who to put them as, maybe Xb and Keralis cause of vibe? or Xb and Hypno cause of the horsehead farms bit. I do not know.

All that will come from this is me maybe drawing Ren and Scar as the characters, feel free to do what you want with this, my brain just needed to scream about this really

[briefle]

attempts at communications

In the early morning haze, with the fog rising from the ground and the cold of the night still stinging nose and ears, the path to the two stocky towers must seem almost dreamlike. For someone trying to infiltrate the back of the fortifications, however, the steep mountain had only mudslides and dangerously unearthed roots to offer as welcome. And god, did Bdubs feel like he got the biggest welcome yet.

He made it. It's fine. Without a single scratch even! If you don't count all those scratches on his arms from helplessly grasping at anything to stand upright.

There's a tiny passage behind the painting in his room… Surely everyone knows it exists, but there it is still. He's decided not to think about that too hard.

His boots off, he doesn't make any noise at all.

"Hi Bdubs."

"GH— YES, HELLO."

Maybe some noise was made.

"What doing?"

"Hi Grian how are you I'm wonderful myself it's getting quite chilly outside it's probably because of that mountain you guys keep as a backdrop good for wind protection I think but man do temperatures drop over in this corner—"

"Right."

"So!"

He coughs, half politely and half a necessity after his rapid-fire panic, but the silence stretches on.

Grian unnerves him sometimes. There he is, pinned in place screaming at himself to think of something to say.

Lucky he speaks first, "Didn't see you walk up to the front door…"

"Oh, I just wound up back here. You know with how everything… last time… I just ended up resting here."

"Right."

"Right again! Yes."

Beady black eyes stare him down. How could Bdubs even forget he lives here, He moved in after most alliances were formed but fits in so seamlessly it's like he's always been there and a ghost at the same time. God the silence is getting on his nerves already.

"So, since we are both all right and everything is fine, I'll take my leave."

Half a step is all he manages to take.

"Which of them were you actually looking for?"

"I uh—"

"Even then! It's early. They're not here. Everyone knows it's just me here at this time."

He sighs, even pinches his nose. It reminds him a lot about Cleo's sigh. Makes him feel like he might actually be in the wrong here.

"Bdubs…"

"No, it's fine. I'll go."

"Listen. I don't think they care too much."

What.

"It's not something you're doing because you want to. It's a Task. You have to follow it. I don't think they're the type to hold a grudge for that. Even if they were, for you they'd find a way to make an exception."

"What."

Grian waits.

"I don't have to do anything. No one has to do Tasks. We could all decide to go on strike. Right now. Not do any task. At all. See how that goes."

"It's not— That won't work."

He laughs, "Sure it won't. You just say that because it's your show. Everything you say is because this is your Show. How many shots do you call here, huh?"

"Actually, Bdubs…"

"Let me see: out of everyone here just Scott, Cleo and you survive. Miraculously! No one even knew where you where and our little glade here isn't so impossibly big that 13 people can't find ANY of you."

"Well, there's the session time also—"

"Oh the one YOU announce?"

Grian narrows his eyes. He hasn't moved an inch this whole time and Bdubs feels like he could run a marathon with how much energy he's restraining trying not to pace back and forth.

"Who are we angry at here?"

"Y-You?! Clearly?!"

He doesn't answer. Again.

"Call them up right now, let me see them. I need to speak to Etho and Cleo both."

And then? There is no plan but he's sticking with what he has.

For now he's balled up his fists and crossed his arms. And scrunched his face for good measure.

"Is it an apology you're here for? Or over some sense of obligation?"

It's his turn to not answer. Take that. Seconds tick and blast it all, Grian doesn't seem too fussed about silence either way.

"Bdubs, what would you even tell them right now. That having denounced the Mounders as a red name you'd much rather join us full time? I don't understand."

"Of course you don't."

He sighs again. Maybe he is fussed. Maybe this is what Grian being driven up the wall looks like. Etho would have understood right away. He would have known his good intentions immediately. Surely.

"Just— Be careful, going back and forth from so many allies."

He almost wants to stand there some more. Yell some more. Then all but storms out of the place in silent frustration.

The air outside is not refreshing, it's just cold, and the fog isn't quite dreamlike anymore, it's just annoying.

He makes sure to be back before Pearl comes to.

[nerdyenby]

Lime time :D I’m watching Jimmy

Pregame

Joel and Jimmy’s messages 😭 “You’re gonna lose babe” “bro I’m going to knock you off in tgttos babe. But you always my bad boy xoxo” OH MY GOSH THEM

Jim seeing someone’s skin being Grian in a lot pink dress with cat ears “holy moly, you look good” this guy

I haven’t seen Callum’s costume but I gotta look it up now

OH MY GOODNESS CALLUM

I blame Sneeg /lh

Scott mentioning having two corsets on and Callums “oh that sounds kinda hot, let me see” GOODNESS

I need this team actually: Jimmy, Callum, Scott, and Lizzie it’d be incredible

Hi Kara!!!!!

I’m gonna blame Jimmy telling Scott “Good luck, don’t win” for cyan’s loss

“Should I take my performance enhancing drug?” “Uh… how much of this is a joke?” “… like 20%” “Oh yeah, take it”

“But also consider this: we’re gamers” “I do forget that sometimes”

Jimmy getting a flawless bowspam kill my beloved <33

“I like this team more every time we speak” so true Callum

Parkour Tag

Them talking for like three minutes about how fast Kara pees is ridiculous /pos

Callum’s in a silly goofy mood lol

I’m just vibing :)

Callum 17th lmao, I remember when that meme started

Rocket Spleef

ALL the graphics are cool!!

Bridge to Terebithia reference 😭

What’s with them and talking about sweaty hands??? Lol

Callum is just SPEWING references lmao

Sands of Time

“I’ll be daddy!!!” “You mean sand keeper?” The second hand embarrassment, my goodness

“Has anyone ever run back in?” Kara repping all the impulsive thoughts girlies, real and true

“I usually do it just because I don’t trust anyone to do it, but I trust you” this team is so sweet, Jimmy was so honored <33

Jimmy’s so good at this, everyone else I’ve watched was frazzled by it being early but he’s just in the zone

“Thanks for the update sand daddy” “no worries son” “… sand son?” “sand son.” I love them :))

Is there a reason Jimmy doesn’t fill it all the way? I understand keeping a sand or two in hand for emergency rescues but he consistently doesn’t fill it

This is one of the calmest sots I’ve ever watched, there is stress going on but they’re just so chill

Tied 3rd!!!!

Callum shouting out Ranboo first individual and everyone being so surprised and hyped for them :))

Sky Battle

Oh that was so sad :(

Literally what just happened lmao, the endings on this map are so chaotic (not a bad thing but it’s a lot and no one was ready)

Jimmy keeps dying in the most tragic ways, what the heck :(

Ace Race

I zone out for two minutes and Callum is talking about waffling??

I love when teams don’t mute but everyone goes silent so it’s just the occasional grumble /g

Ace race is so iconic, it’s such a chill stress

Jimmy keeps having tech issues :(

Battle Box

Callum’s all “not to IGL, but…” and proceeds to shyly be the best IGL I’ve ever seen, my man, don’t back down, you got this <33

That second round was so clean!!

“Callum my IGL” SO TRUE PETE!!

“First place shmirst place!!.. I don’t trash talk very well” “Yeah, you might need to work on that”

THEY DID IT :DD my lime <3333

Yo they’re so close to second!!!!! 70 coins, man

Grid Runners

Jimmy motivational speech :))

Pete blowing Callum a kiss through the dividers lol

“We’ve grid ran before” so true Callum cpk

The way they got light the lamps first when absolutely silent lmao

Kara carry?!!!!

You need shears Jimmy 😭😭😭

Kara is carrying, she’s been figuring out every room and calling the shots, good for her <33

TGTTOSAWAF

“Oh you little…. Jimmy I’m gonna need you to deafen real quick” Kara my beloved <33

Jimmy just laughing at Callum’s swear, so true

“Surely we all get one” yeah, there’s no such thing as a pg tgttos lol

Tgttosawaf should never be played in the last half, can I get an amen??

Jimmy’s having such a time :( his audio keeps breaking

3rd!!! Heck yeah!!!!!

Callum being excited about not being 17th lmao

Pete asking who he came second to and everyone excitedly saying Jojo and him being hyped for her “oh, what and honor” <333

Dodgebolt

This was such a fun team, great time :))

Kara rooting for Dave “he’s just like me fr”

Jimmy and Pete’s banter is everything, actually

Jimmy can’t catch a break!! What is up with the bad boys and having tech issues this MCC???

Them all having little to no preference is so real of them

[cosmosisfold]

my favourite things ab hermits speaking voices (just the ones i watch regularly):

doc: "duuuude" sometimes the random evil laughs he does. the rly surprised "whaaaat!" when something unexpected happens. this dudes genuine laughs are always so fun too, love them. good shit. very nice chill talking voice, soft but not gentle, yknow?

keralis: high pitched "mhmhm!!" giggle. sometimes starts a sentence and takes 3 different turns and then does a 360 before parallel parking his meaning. when other people talks he starts speaking before interrupting himself a few times. most recently stuck out to be in the kings finale at the end when all the diamonds were stolen and he was like "ren? ren? re- r. r- ren?" cause everyone was talking.

xb: heyyy guys welcom baek to hurmitcraf seasun nain! i may just be canadian but this guys accent is fascinating to me. "shoo [so]". and the GIGGLES MANNN. hes so calming to lsiten to but every word he says is so engaging? its like im on a call with him and im muted.

bdubs: every word this man says comes from a deep well inside his brain in which there is a sentient rat calculating every word he says. theres comedic mastery in everything he does. also "yes wonderful job."

scar: hellooooo my fello miners and crafters. when hes doing something whimsical and makes his words all airy and floaty. when he says his outro at 6x speed so you can't understand a word he says. "what in the world!" [a lot of people say that but Him specifically].

ren: he has so many voices. what does he need all this linguistics for. also his intro makes me want to get up and scream it from the rooftops. "now we're cooking with gas baby!". he has such a bouncy way of speaking paired with fun in-game body language, you can tell he loves what he does.

grian: hes so british

honorable mentions of ones i watch only sometimes:

xisuma: if his face was leaked i dont think i would be able to put his face to it. sorry hes just pixels. i expect this guy to tell me about his candle making business that he made after his wife and him slowly grew apart, and then he'd confess to having a secret gay lover and cry while eating plain crackers.

cub: he is so casual and chill in his words its amazing. literally unshakable. you could show him nuclear bomb codes and he'd go "woaa that's pretty intense haha." i do like when he goes "lets gooo"

[jadienjaystoriesandart]

Dream’s greatest issue is not developing a content-friendly way of venting frustration, like he is emotional and can’t control it when he gets frustrated which is the worst combination.

Him being highly emotional destroys any logical thinking during situations like this - his rant was him being an idiot and not acknowledging he had no context or what was possible for the game - i.e suggesting they should’ve ended the game asap or average coins which wasn’t built in. If he wasn’t so emotional he could’ve thought through it a bit more and shut up. Doesn’t help tthat he thinks he’s logical at these points so he sounds like the nerd emoji but everything he says is wrong 😭

The lack of control destroys any attempts to turn it into humour like a lot of other streamers do - Micheal McChill absolutely raging against Ace Race is funny because he has enough control to direct his frustration to make the content work still. Or even enough to walk away from the situation consistently, I know he has a few times in situations where he underperforms or a minor glitch happens, and will remove himself from sitautions a lot (re: muting to focus when not doing well, leaving stream quickly) - I know people will say he’s a bad sport if he leaves mid game to collect himself but anyone saying that doesn’t understand people work differently. Emotional + Not being good a controlling it is such a mess because it comes off as incredibly misdirected anger and there is no content it’s just cringe. It always feels like when he goes on a rant (even if I think this one was tempered because he did litter it with useless mcc praise) and acts like this that he will come down from it and immediately regret it. Tbh I’ve always hoped that Dream reconsiders therapy after his fr (and hopefully the improvement in mental health since hed be less paranoid and will be able to go outside and not have a panic attack 😭 will get him to be more included) < last bit is a bit too parasocial tbh but I just want him to improve because there’s always overblown twitter drama over something where people say he should “just not react like that” which isn’t helpful in the slightest when discussing an actual person.

Also while I’m here, I hate the way his fans defend him sometimes because they go about it the wrong way. Here they will say he has a right to express an opinion and I will agree, if that opinion is controlled and doesn’t have the two comments that were main issue in this case. One was the implying bias towards someone else - could’ve been a joke, Dream is bad at tone, but harmful still when some people think the entirety of noxcrew hate him (they could tbh but so long as it doesn’t effect their work it doesn’t matter if they do) && the other being the “criticism vs hate” comment because while true, there is a difference, they overlap a lot which Dream has experienced and already accepted before (“criticism comes with hate” - Dream, 2022). Plus his fans are only largely going to parrot his flawed critism that was made with no context to noxcrew on mass 😭 just tell twitter to shut up about mcc “crit” and half the drama surround you will be gone bro (it doesn’t work like that ofc but similar sentiment).

<Sorry for the random essay in the ask box, came from the buildmart post because I think buildmart defenders get overly hateful (I like buildmart) and the reaction to Dream is overblown but also I like critiquing my boy cause he’s a menace to mcc (mostly the twitter fans) & I want him to get better (less set ups by fans: he can ruin his own reputation sure but he lets his fans ruin it which pisses me off like don’t they like him? 😭) < been wanting an (actual) serious stream about twitter forever>

Don’t worry about it friend. I agree with you a lot on these points. I love watching Dream’s content myself he was the one who introduced me to many others I watch now. Eret, Foolish, Philza, Grian, Scar, etc…

I find it sad that when he get angry his fans see it as their gods given right to spread hate in his name. I don’t think Dream can control his fans, but rather he can be aware of what they do. He never seems to genuinely care when they are doing horrible things to other people saying it’s for him.

I remember Markiplier and Jacksepticeye sometimes telling their fans they do not encourage this behavior. And they truly meant it. And would block people who claimed to be a fan who harmed others online.

But I fail to see this with Dream, and it frustrates me. I get loving your fans but like with friends irl once they start to be toxic and do questionable things, you need to question is they are worth keeping.

I struggle myself with emotional ADHD outbursts. But I do my best to remind myself that I can’t let these emotions, this anger, cloud my judgement. I need to be careful with what I say and how I say it. I don’t censor myself but I take my words into consideration to how others will react to it.

I feel Dream hasn’t wound that yet in himself, and let his competitive side cloud his mind. He lets his anger take hold of his words and says them without think until it’s already too late.

Which sucks as I don’t want him banned from MCC. But the more he pulls this stuff I wonder how much longer until he does something that will really get him in deep water.

[bluiex]

Well I'm in a better headspace than before, if it's Angst ya'll want.

This idea has swirled in my head for a while since playing KH DDD.

Takes place at the end of Double Life. Grian and the others are always stuck between worlds here, and Grian has mostly been searching for his friends. But instead finds himself in a desert of sand with Scar.

-

The person was over looking the cliff as Grian neared, the desert sun casting long shadows as the heat of the day turned to a chill. It brought back unpleasant memories. Staring at the remains of a ring of cactus's as he walked up to the person, the edges slowly coming into focus.

Here in the void between games, it was hard to make out things due to how this world wasn't very stable. Grian felt some hope that this might be one of his friends, maybe even BigB, "hey, who are you?" he asked, best way to start out, maybe they would recognize him.

Turning around, Grian found himself staring at familiar green eyes and a scared face. "Scar...?" he said a bit in disbelief, ofcourse he would end up back here, in a place of sand away from others. Why did he always find himself here, when each game ended, he ended up back here. Scar would welcome him back as always, and it would just repeat, Grian might be a little sick of it that this was his go to place.

Scar however said nothing looking at him with a sad smile, which this was different than before. Grian frowned, "Well... aren't you gonna say something?" he asked Scar, "Come on Scar, don't leave me guessing here, no welcome back, or even a hug?"

Green eyes stared at him still, and Grian found his annoyance fade to confusion, "Scar...?" he asked again, to his normally chatty friend's silence, eyes holding quiet fondness but something much deeper.

"You know," Scar said looking over at the ring of cacti, "This could have been different between you and me." his voice was calm, no joyous tone to it, just plain and mono.

Grian looked confused by this, "What... do you mean? Scar what are you talking about?" he asked him even more confused now.

"We used to be so close, me and you," Scar gripped his hands together, "But as the series went on, you weren't interested as much as I was... maybe I did choose to over look it, to maybe hope, like in this place, in a world of fake gold, I could make it real with you." he tells Grian.

Green eyes looked up at Grian with sadness, "Our bond allowed us to share pain this go around... I saw it as a chance to understand why, and you saw it as a burden on yourself."

Silence rang at that as Grian looked away, not wanting to see those emotions anymore. Not wanting to hear this anymore, "Scar, we had it once, but... not again, I don't want to do it again. Why can't you understand how I felt?" he asked him almost coldly.

Scar looked at him, then the sadness melted into a paned smile, "But I did Grian, I felt everything you felt, and..." he took Grian's hands into his own, Scar's hands were warm, he could make out the callouses on them from the many scars. He looked up at Scar confused, asking what he was doing, but Scar continued before Grian could say anything. "I'm ready to let go." he tells him.

For a moment there was a green string between them again, the string turning red soon after. And...

Grian felt like he hit the ground again, as the waves of emotions hit him. Memories not his own flood through, and Grian found himself gasping for breath as they hit.

Loneliness Unwanted. Anger. Longing. The bitter taste of blood and unrequited love.

He was alone always on a mountain of some kind, no one wanted to give him the time of day. No one wanted him. No one cared about him. Watching as the world goes by and people find a happiness that he never could. AS even someone who was suppose to love him, would go off with another to be happy without him.

All he wanted was someone to say the words, to fill the hole, even if it was friendship... he wanted to be loved, was that so much to ask for?

Grian's throat was tight, he felt tears running down his face, blurring the edges of Scar between the memories. Scar's memories, his emotions.

Scar's Grief.

The weight was then gone, and Grian stood there, looking down as tears fell at his empty hands. Scar was gone, yet the weight of his hands in Grian's was still there. Phantom feelings that let his body crashing in a dark, cold ocean.

The sun had long set, and the desert was silent, no... he... he was back at the Red Velvet. The cacti circle the ruined edges of the Jellie panda sanctuary. The black coated remains of what was once their home.

His chest hurt, he couldn't stop crying, how could one person, who always smiled, laughed, and carried on... carry so much pain?

Grian often would find himself for days avoiding people that he hurt. he hated feelings of negativity. He hated being reminded of his failings. Chasing that positive emotions with hopeful eyes that this time will be different. He learned to let go...

But not everyone was like him. Not every could let go. Some coped by smiling and pretending it was alright.

"It never was alright... was it?' Grian said to the empty air, his hands turning to fists as he felt anger. "Why didn't you say anything? Why did you continue to pretend to be alright?" he asked no one, alone, a bond broken.

But isn't that what he wanted?

Grian left Scar in pain every day these games started, and now... Scar's left him with his pain.

-

Roxas's Grief always gets to me, some characters are used and abused. Never really seeing a happy ending. Scar's Life Series Character always gave me Roaxs's vibes. Always smiling even though it hurt, to pretend, delude himself, he was alright.

Listening to Roxas's theme while writing this hits even harder. Grian and Scar deal with pain differently. Grian gets back up and is in a rage, Scar just smiles through his like he doesn't care...

Because if he thinks about it, he wouldn't be able to stop.

WAAAH IT HURTS MORE WHEN THEY LET GO AN MOVE ON *sobs in my cage* and Gri knowing the burden and pain Scar had.. HNNGNHNGBFB

[sleepless-in-southlands]

This the Head. This the Tail.

Ao3

Summary: This is a story that begins after the beginning. This is a story that never ends. It's not inescapable. Maybe that's the best part. Maybe it's the worst. Content: 3L au, referenced death; inevitability, watchers, open/bittersweet ending Ship: Ambiguous Desert Duo

~

    There’s an argument to be had if the first time is the best or the worst. It’s an accursed cycle the first time begins, but it’s never a small thing that begins such a cycle.

    This prompts the matching question of the last time. Is the last time the worst or the best? Is the cycle worth its pain? Is the end worth its loss?

    These aren’t arguments Grian can have, questions he can’t answer. Neither beginnings nor ends are his specialty. He’s not the one of middles either.

    He’s not even Grian, not really. It’s a name for stiffer tongues to address him by, but that doesn’t make it his.

    Until it is.

    “I do not understand why you are doing this.”

    Grian’s feet sink into the desert sand the longer he stands in place. Blood drips off his knuckles, staining the cliff edge. He should be alone. That’s how this scene goes.

    When Grian doesn’t reply, doesn’t turn, sand crunches under foot as the other approaches him instead. Each step shifts the ground as it isn’t meant to be. If they weren’t already so close to the end, Grian would protest. As is, he supposes he can let it slide.

    Swirling purple barely contained to a player’s form comes to stand before him, eyes looking everywhere but mostly at Grian. “How long have you been here?”

    Anyone else would have lost count. “One thousand, six hundred and seventy-four times.”

    “This is excessive, even for you.”

    He’s sinking further into the sand. Too far. “Why are you here?”

    “We know how you get about your… loops. I am here to end this one.”

    “Leave, and it will end.”

    “Watchers stand out of time.” Grian’s companion tells him, as if he would somehow not know. “For us, your loops do not end until they end.”

    Grian doesn’t respond to that. Sand moves around his feet, resettling into the proper places. Grian’s walked this mountaintop enough times to know where everything lays, how to set it right.

    “Why do you not just save him?” The other asks, eyes shifting to the side of Grian, looking back towards the cactus circle. “Set things as you see fit. Let him live, win. Avoid ever meeting him. Free both of you from this cycle of chosen inevitability.”

    “I can’t save him.”

    “We will not judge. Some players always slip through our cracks. It is allowed.”

    Wind blows sand off the cliff edge. Grian resets them before they fall more than a block. “If I alter this loop, I alter all that resides within it. I can only save the player, not the one who belongs to this loop.”

    Every eye is on Grian now. He meets them all. “So I see. This player, in this loop, in this world. I thought you would know better.”

    Another breeze comes through, disturbing nothing even as it builds in strength.

    The poorly cut edges of his companion’s form constrict and stretch, eyes opening wider, purple skin becoming multi-hued. “You would doom him, yourself, us all, just to relieve the exact same moments over and over again? Refusing to change so much as a single grain of sand, so dedicated are you to him.”

    The malice in the words are sharp. The wind picks up in response. Nothing moves. Nothing changes.

    “The power of worlds, the fate of servers, in your hands, and you would disgrace it all for this? For him? Tell me, Ouroboros-”

    The wind howls. Grian’s eyes open where they hadn’t been and they are burning violet. If this is what is wanted, this is what he will provide.

    “I am Ouroboros.” He confirms, and in the other’s many eyes Grian sees the fear Watchers purport to never harbor. “I am the tail and the head. I am the destruction and the renewal. I am the beginning and the end. This is my loop, my cycle, my dimension. You don’t belong here. Go.”

    The storm dies away. Grian’s eyes close. Time moves back, the intruder removed, no longer obstructing Grian’s purpose. He steps up to the cliff edge, letting out a breath.

    “Begin again.” Grian speaks out to the world, tipping off the mountain as soon as the words leave his lips. By the time he hits the ground, it will once more be the grass of the starter zone, in a world filled with life unaware of what is to come.

    Cycle one thousand, six hundred and seventy-five.

[lockoutkey]

Hello key.

I am distraught.

Do you think the redlifes who became yellow ever experience urges to kill or destroy, to relapse into that feral mentality because they’re free from the influence of others while red. They control their own destruction, no one can tell them what to do.

Or do you think they regret the time they were red. Rotten to the core. Feeling so protective over their life so they don’t go back to it. They want to never feel such anger and bloodlust again. They’re afraid of their own demise.

Both.

What I’ve noticed about red lives is that they’re not driven by survival. It’s there, for sure. There’s a caution when making those tnt minecart traps that one wrong move could be their end. But what drives them is their wants. They don’t need anything anymore. They just take.

Cleo wants revenge. Bdubs and Grian want Etho and Mumbo on their side. Joel wants more red friends. There’s no rules about how they get these things. Sure, they can have some of those left over morals if they want. But when that overwhelming fog that cuts out any other thoughts besides destruction, it’s hard to keep them.

Etho bargened for Bdubs life and got BEST back together. They were working together on taking down the fence walls and huge divide when Bdubs messes up a swing and nearly takes out Tango’s hand. Tango laughs it off cause Bdubs is fine. Hes a yellow like them. But Bdubs has this tiny voice that’s telling him to do it again. Get a little closer. Do it to Skizz this time. Get Etho. His boots are low on durability and that soul sand is a big help. But Bdubs smiles and complains about the uneven terrain instead.

Joel finally goes back on yellow, and promises to stay with Scar on the mountain. He has a friend again. But the message in chat shows Scar has died. Joel is also me on the mountain once again. He’s all alone with a man who just lost everything in such a short amount of times. The mountain is so tall and fall damage is so easy on there. Red lives do stick together after all. He wants friends. He’s going to keep magical mountain as theirs. Hes been red for so long. Grian will understand why he’s back. Right? Joel has a house to fix and red glass to remove instead. He can think about friends another time.

Grian looks at his base now filled with traps. Hes proud of his friends for doing what they could to protect their home while he was gone. He knew it was protection from him. He understood. It was fine. But it would be so easy to rig a tnt minecart to blow near a wall Martyn kept sneaking out of to see Ren. Mumbo wouldn’t even notice a pressure plate by his door. Impulse already felt guilty, he wouldn’t mind seeing what a red life was like. Jimmy was a traitor, he should die anyways. He was too busy chopping trees. He called the others over, the forest had to be cut down more. They better not grow more trees.

Cleo didn’t mind being back. She wouldn’t mind going back to red either. It turned out she was always cursed, boogeyman or not. Scott and Pearl’s house was gone when she aligned with them. It wasn’t that bad. It would have burned anyways, just like that fort. She said it would on the first day. She kept her promise. She would burn it again. Not now though. She had better things to do than think about pink flowers and loyal dogs and traitors. She was green and had a place to stay.

[shiningstarlight101]

Part 2 of the hermitcreature au/which minecraft mob I add to which hermit 🌟

Part 1

Stress

With Stress there is one mob I thought of the most for her, Stress is a witch. She likes to help Scar out with trying to understand her magic more but it never really works out lol.

Iskall

Iskall is always associated with slimes, but Jevin is also a slime and idk how to feel about repeating creatures when there are so many mobs to choose from. The problem is that I don't have a better fit lmao. But hear me out, glow squid!Iskall-

Mumbo

With his new "peace love and plants" thing, I'm making him a passive or neutral mob. So there are 3 mobs I have in mind, a bat, bee or spider. And I'm really tempted to go for spider!Mumbo. Like, everytime he goes to work he has multiple arms to do as much as possible but he sucks at multitasking so it barely works. And his superhero thing he has going on could be spiderman Mumbo.

Etho

I see the au's who make Etho an ice elemental or other ice related thing and I raise to you: fox!Etho. Specifically artic fox!Etho. Foxes are said to be clever tricksters, which I think fits Etho pretty well. And it still keeps up with the ice theme.

Joe

No one actually knows what Joe is. He knows quite a lot, and you know he's always there if you need him, but he can't just be a human. So what is he..? Maybe they'll figure it out someday.

Keralis

So, you know how spiders have a lot of eyes and a big part of Keralis is his whole eye thing? Spider!Keralis. Now you may be thinking, "didn't you say you don't want repeats?" And yes, I don't. So I raise to you, cave spider!Keralis. He and Bdubs call themselves daylight buddies because they both stay calm and collected as long as they have enough light around them.

Ren

I saw an au that made Ren a wither and I really like that idea so I might also go with whiter!Ren 👉👈. My other option is endermite!Ren mainly because I remember watching streams of season 7 and how often he just used enderpearls whenever I watched. I think it would be cool if he was an endermite.

TFC

TFC is a wandering trader. He's always kinda there, vibin. And I can appreciate that. I see him as a retired wandering trader in the au, one that finally decided to settle after years of doing his job. Alternativly: elder guardian!TFC.

Beef

Cowboy. Literally. Mooshroom!Beef. I find it funny because of his butcher skin. I went with the mooshroom because they're better then cows, and the spawn island from season 7 was the mushroom island. Like, what if Xisuma hadn't seen Beef since season 5 and he suddenly met him again searching for a new world for the hermits, finding out part of him was mooshroom.

xB

xB was a difficult one but, bat!xB. I'm basing it off of his apocalypse base in season 7. His base was an apocalypse style, in the sky. Bats need to fly. (honestly with xB I really didn't know, please bear with me lmao-)

Hypno

Husk!Hypno. Yes I have a reason for this. No I will not tell you all just yet, it's for 🌠 angst lore.

Wels & Hels

These were genuinly difficult because I wanted them both to be the same mob. I was switching between Iron golems, snow golem & iron golem, and various nether mobs but I think I found the mob I want to give them. Blaze!Wels and blaze!Hels. Wels is a blaze that isn't provoked, and stays the way he is. But when upset, he can look rather close to Wels with smoke coming from him, and even fire if you've really pissed him off, which doesn't happen often (thankfully.) Hels is a blaze that is always in some angry state, causing him to always give off smoke and fire.

Xisuma & EX

So funny story, we have used up all the end related mobs (enderdragon!Grian, enderman!Pearl). And while endermite might still be available since I am probably going for wither!Ren, endermite!Xisuma feels wrong. So, shulker!Xisuma and shulker!EX. They both come from the end islands and the void itself. They are much more then just shulkers, but strictly 'mob' speaking, they are shulkers.

[lunarblazes]

i made a desertduo playlist and then decided to be a nerd and write explanations for all the songs! like a nerd!

playlist link: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5ZGylutQpyTbgX7MY7Lrzz?si=t8_kBwBHSYG5kxTvZoIrTQ&dl_branch=1

QUICK DISCLAIMER: i am aware that a lot of these songs may have or imply romantic connotation! i would really really like it if these were not read as though those romantic connotations carry over to scar and grian. even if we’re just talking about the third life characters, i would prefer not to ship them or imply romance between them on this post. thank you so much and keep reading if you’d like to see the playlist analysis!

and now that that’s out of the way, PLAYLIST TIME!

•

passerine- the oh hellos

“you were the song that i’d always sing/you were the light that the fire would bring/but i can’t shake this feeling that i/was only pushing the spear into your side again”

this song really just... firstly, it’s one of my favorite songs, and the line i chose there pushes home the sort of terrified devotion i think the desert has. plus there’s a fun line about the cold wind blowing in from the north in the ending bits that i think very much fits their conflict with the red army, and a lot of legally obligated flight imagery that i need to have in every possible song because i’m a fuckin nerd.

•

no children- the mountain goats

“i hope that our few remaining friends/give up on trying to save us/i hope we come up with a failsafe plot to piss off the dumb few that forgave us”

i will admit that no children isn’t a perfect fit, but the general vibe of sort of defiant pessimism and betrayal fits very well with them! it’s very triumphant in its death, and i think that is very desertcore, because what’s more triumphantly dead than being the last duo left alive?

•

skulls- bastille

“when all of our friends are dead and just a memory/it’s always been just you and me/for all to see”

okay like this entire song is SO MUCH DESERT VIBES? LIKE SO MUCH. if i were to ever make an animatic for them i’d do it with this song. “a match is our only light, it’s day of the dead i’m indiana jones, yeah,” “i hope you can make me laugh six feet under when we’re bored of each other,” “i don’t want to rest in peace, i’d rather be the ghost that annoys you,” IT JUST KEEPS GOING. i think this song would work well with any third life duo, honestly, but these two in PARTICULAR just because of how it ended with them literally ‘buried’ next to each other, and again, the chaotic death vibes.

•

freaking out- mystery skulls

“i just keep out of my tongue/til all you want is done/and you just wanna leave me, oh yeah”

this song is a very third life grian song to me in particular! it could be my bias because of my little headcanon of grian burning on his red life, but seriously, this song is very reminiscent of the back and forth of loyalty that grian has with scar. the above line is sort of representative of the betrayal on red, and of course grian’s life debt.

•

night running- shin sakiura

(this song is in japanese! these lyrics are the rough english translation i found on google.) “someday we will stand at this place once again/for sure we will stand up again and again/we will watch it will the end/i want you to live freely”

this song is actually the ending theme for the anime bna, which i adore, and i just added it on a whim before looking at the translated lyrics. but um. holy hell the lyrics hurt me because they’re about running in search of someone, running for no reason, looking for something, and it just really hit, because the desert never really had a goal! they didn’t expect to survive, they were trying to survive, but what was their longterm goals? nothing. so that sort of endless search felt fitting for this. plus the song is a parallel for the two estranged best friends of the show so! perfect.

•

summer nights- siames

“it’s summertime/singing al green in your car/heading to a party/and the night air feels alive”

okay again, i will admit this song is mainly on here because i absolutely love it, but i also do think it fits well. it’s also about healing/estranged friendships, with a very distinct feeling of nostalgia for a happier time. maybe for a time when this was all a game, when there was no blood or betrayals on their hands. little canon divergent, but it’s fun for me, so into the playlist it goes!

allies or enemies- the crane wives

“are we allies or enemies/this will be the death of me, this will be the death of me/all’s fair in love and war but i can’t fight with you anymore”

. i just. points to that lyric. it literally led to both of their deaths. are they allies or enemies? it also fits with scar still wanting grian to be his friend even after he’s no longer indebted with the line “what happens now? do we have another go, do we bow out?” another very good animatic song that i’ve considered heavily. i listen to this playlist a lot

•

burn him down- kitsch club

“you must destroy, oh you must destroy, beyond all recognition/you gotta burn him down, you gotta burn him down, beyond all recognition”

this song just has a lot of fire and arson and high energy vibes. my little war criminals look at them go

•

rose- the oh hellos

“what's true is like a sickle/it'll cut you to the middle/your rose is without a thorn/but no, my mouth don't taste of metal/from the pot here to the kettle/i think we got a lot we gotta learn”

this one is like the exact opposite vibe of burn him down. the oh hellos are so poetic and this song just... feels like the healing potions after a battle. many of the metaphors here fit, i think

•

lone digger- caravan palace

“hey, brother, what you thinking/that good ol' sound is ringing/they don't know what they're missing/(they call it lonely diggin')”

okay this song is straight up just a dance song. i added it because i like it and also for some reason it feels ominous to me? i’ve got no idea why, it’s seriously just a club song, but it’s a banger and it’s in this playlist because i said so

•

feed the machine- poor man’s poison (suggested by my friend argonaughtkeene!)

“somethin’s goin” on, just look around/fear is on the rise, and there’s blood all over the ground/let’s all just blindfold the poor, we all know what’s in store/ we got ‘em now, just break ‘em down a little bit more”

this song is a VIBE for both desertduo members. there’s parts for both of them. it’s ruthless, gritty, very maniacal, perfect. listen to it and you’ll immediately understand why i added it.

•

sweet tooth- scott helman

“i hold hands with cosmic entities/i’ll take this two-ride if i please/i got this sweet tooth baby, yeah i got this sweet tooth baby/i exploit my opportunities/some broken hearts, some cavities”

sweet tooth is super upbeat and bright with these strangely dark lyrics? like i’m pretty sure it’s about addiction. in any case, i thought the “i hold hands with cosmic entities” very funnily fitting for both of the desert boys. it’s a banger!

•

necromancin’ dancin’- bear ghost

“when i’m necromancin’, everyone’s dancin’/nobody can stop me, i dare you to try/the dead are infused with insatiable groove and they’re coming for you, there’s nowhere to hide”

necromancin’ dancin’ just. bastard vibes. there’s not much more to say it’s just huge villain song vibes. i adore it.

•

crazy = genius- panic! at the disco

“if crazy equals genius/then i’m a fucking arsonist/i’m a rocket scientist/if crazy equals genius/you can set yourself on fire/but you’re never gonna burn, burn, burn”

i. yeah. y. yeah. more bastard vibes. also shoutout to an artist i saw (i think it was strifesolution?) who made a desertduo piece to this song because i have not stopped thinking about it ever

•

sweet bod- lemon demon

“i’m diggin’ up your coffin/and pouring out the contents/your sexy, sweet solution/is ripe for distribution”

you know how i said freaking out was a grian song? this one is a scar song. it’s my favorite lemon demon song and also it has the total macabre capitalism vibe that third life scar NAILED. more bastard vibes good for him <3

•

drunk- the living tombstone

“feel so much better than usual/i feel indisputable, oh/but now i’m feeling so beautiful/don’t wake me up from this spell i’m under, if i’m still breathing/i know that i will be ugly when i feel like myself again, oh/but right now i’m feelin’ so beautiful”

the descent of this song, starting off with a polite gathering and ending with a gasping drunk in the parking lot gazing at the stars that he can barely see? yes. yeah. mhm. i used a line from this song for a fic, actually, it fit so well.

•

oh no!- marina

“one track mind, one track heart/if i fail, i’ll fall apart/maybe it is all a test/cos i feel like i’m the worst so i always act like i’m the best”

bubbly pop track about false confidence, the ruthlessness of the pop industry, and the influence of the media? you know why this is here. it vibes. it rocks.

•

do it all the time- i don’t know how but they found me

“we’re taking over the world/a little victimless crime/and when i’m taking your innocence/i’ll be corrupting your mind/no need to cry i’m only doing everything i want to do because i do it all the time”

EVEN MORE BASTARD VIBES! SOMEHOW THERE IS MORE! this playlist is half villain songs and half heart-wrenching ballads and that’s the real desert experience i think.

•

the phoenix- fall out boy

“i’m gonna change you/like a remix/then i’ll raise you/like the phoenix”

BATTLE SONG BATTLE SONG! i’ll be honest i partially chose this song because i am a huge sucker for phoenix grian imagery in particular, but it’s also just a very good war song for them. villain song no 18372948 except this one originally had a hero vibe and now it’s changed specifically for them?? wild. their power

•

the other side- the greatest showman

“right here, right now/i’ll put the offer out/i don’t wanna chase you down, i know you see it/you run with me/and i can cut you free/out of the treachery/and all you keep in”

scar and grian’s desert monopoly conversation went exactly like this canonically because i said so fuck you <3

•

icicles- the scary jokes (suggested by my friend demizorua!)

“icicles don’t soften when they die/so why should i, why should i?/oh, icicles don’t soften when they die/they sharpen into sabers and they stab you in the eye”

this song actually has specific parts for both grian and scar! my cool epic friend mx demizorua pointed both of them out to me and i adored it so much. it’s a very spiteful song, just like the desert boys. also it feels vaguely murderous. perfect

•

problems- mother mother (suggested by my friend demizorua!)

“i’m a loser, a disgrace/you’re a beauty, a luminary, in my face”

literally this entire song fits them. particularly their relationship with the flower husbands, to me, honestly— the whole “when we meet at the pearly gates/you’ll get the green light/and i’ll get the boot in the face” reminds me a lot of them hdksjdks

•

tongues and teeth- the crane wives

“i know that you mean so well/but i am not a vessel for your good intent/i will only break your pretty things/i will only wring you dry of everything”

h. yeah. this song is literally gaslight gatekeep girlboss and i attribute it to the desert for that reason alone. songs to commit murder to!

•

you’re nobody til somebody wants you dead- saint motel

“you’re nobody til somebody wants you dead/and the list, it grows, and grows, and grows/it grows, and grows, and grows/and grows, and grows, and grows/until it’s everyone you’ve ever known”

this one is very self-explanatory. enemies pogchamp

•

curses- the crane wives

“there’s a fire in my brain and i’m burning, love/oh my, oh my/keep running to the sink, but the well is dry/oh my, oh my/every word i say is kindling/but the smoke clears when you’re around”

okay again! this one has two very specific parts for both of them. grian’s the first verse, which is above, and scar’s the second verse!! i really do like my fire imagery for these two don’t i? well, i blame them for having a fuck ton of tnt on them at all times and literally burning their enemy’s banners as a final act of defiance.

[theres-an-impulstor-among-us]

3rd life, Tango and Impulse are the last two standing?

this was the first 3rd Life request i received and oh boy have i wanted to work on it for so long. apologies for the older ones i havent touched yet; i’m getting to them! i’m just in more of a 3rd Life mood atm :)

...

  Etho drowned

  Impulse stares at the death message on his communicator with wide eyes. “Oh my gosh,” he whispers hoarsely. “He did it… Tango got him…”

  He checks the tab list. Etho is gone. Only two red names stare back at him: his own and Tango’s. The endgame he’s been avoiding for weeks is finally here. 

  Impulse continues trading with his villagers, though there doesn’t seem to be much point anymore. Tango is undoubtedly on his way here right now, and he’ll probably want to end things right here and now. There’s only two people left, both on red. One more death will end the game, no matter who dies. 

  He finds himself hoping that Tango will fall into a ravine or get exploded by a creeper before he even makes it here. But he knows it won’t happen. There’s only two ways this could end, and neither of them are very appealing to him. 

  All too soon, he hears the familiar voice of his best friend call his name. Wincing briefly, he turns and finds Tango standing in the entrance to his villager trading hall. “Hi, Tango.”

  “You saw in chat, right?” Tango’s red eyes are glowing bright, as is the red heart on his neck. “I got him. My trap worked!” 

  Impulse nods. “I saw. Heck of a way to kill your close friend.”

  “Yeah, well, he would’ve killed me with no hesitation, so I did what I had to do to survive.”

  “You’ve done a lot of things like that,” Impulse remarks carefully. “Remind me again who you’ve killed?”

  “Grian, Bdubs, Scott, Jimmy, Ren, and now Etho,” says Tango gleefully. “Etho’s my first red lifer, though. Gotta say, there’s a hell of a rush in taking someone’s last life and knowing they won’t be able to come back and confront you.”

  Impulse slowly shakes his head. “That’s a really… cold thing to say. Remember, we don’t know exactly what happens when we lose our last life. It’s likely we just appear back on our normal servers, but Grian said he didn’t even know that for certain.”

  “Yeah, yeah.” Tango rolls his eyes. “Whatcha up to?”

  “Getting some books to enchant my stuff so you’ll have a harder time killing me,” Impulse wants to say. Instead, he opts for the safe answer and says, “Just some trading. You… want some emeralds?”

  “Nah, I don’t need to trade right now.”

  The two fall silent for a moment.

  “So I guess we should address the elephant in the room,” says Impulse slowly. “We’re the only ones left. The last two standing.”

  “Uh huh.” Tango’s eyes are still worryingly sparkling red. “We are. And don’t think I’m stupid, Impy. I know about the traps you put around your base. Plus the ones in Renchanting and the desert.”

  “I didn’t put those there.”

  “Whatever. Point is: I know where all the traps are. So don’t think you’re gonna get the drop on me. And when it comes to PvP, I’m stronger.”

  “Are you trying to tell me to just lay down and accept my death?” Impulse demands.

  “Hell no. Don’t do that! That’d be the worst way to end this whole thing.” Tango pauses a moment. “Who’ve you killed, again?”

  “I… I killed Joel and Cleo.”

  “And?” prompts Tango pointedly. 

  Impulse winces. “And… you. I took your second life.”

  “Yes, yes you did. And I’m not gonna let you take another.”

  “I don’t want to do that, Tango. I may be a red lifer but I don’t want to hurt you again.”

  “Too bad,” Tango says coldly. “This is the moment I’ve been waiting months and months for. Two people left. I’ve done too much and fought too hard to delay my victory any longer. Come to the village with your best armour and your best sword, and if you’re not there in five minutes, I’ll hunt you down and kill you without mercy. Got it?”

  Impulse can hardly hold back a shiver at the viciousness in his best friend’s voice. “G-Got it.”

  “Good.”

  Impulse watches Tango leave, before letting out a deep breath. He can’t deny he’s terrified; this is the final confrontation. Either he or Tango won’t make it out alive. And he has a suspicion as to which one will lose their last life first. As blunt as Tango had been, he’s right. Tango knows where all the traps are, he’s better at PvP than Impulse, and he has the fortune to have known Impulse long enough to be able to reliably anticipate any tricks he could come up with. 

  Impulse hardly stands a chance.

  After assembling his best armour under the circumstances, Impulse takes his enchanted diamond sword and heads out into the village. He can already see Tango sitting atop one of the houses, legs dangling over the side. Tango’s armour is iron but enchanted, whereas Impulse’s is diamond and unenchanted. He doesn’t know which will be better in this scenario but he’s leaning towards the enchanted armour. 

  Tango spots him approaching and jumps down from the house, swinging his own enchanted diamond sword. “Sorry it has to be this way, Impulse. I hope you know that however this finishes, you’ll always be my best friend.”

  Somehow, I don’t think you’ll be very happy with me if I’m the one who somehow wins after all this, Impulse thinks. 

  Aloud, he says, “I’m sorry too.”

  A brief pause follows his words.

  Then Tango charges forward and the fight begins.

  Impulse blocks Tango’s first two blows, but the third glances off his armour. This completely throws him off and Tango lands a few more hits on his armour. 

  Losing his nerve, Impulse scrambles backwards and takes off running, hoping to give himself time to think of something.

  “Hey!” Tango yells. “What are you doing?! Get back here!”

  Impulse sprints as fast as he can towards Bdubs and Cleo’s abandoned castle. Without slowing, he jumps on the ruined planks of the drawbridge and makes it across to the other side. When he dares to look back, he notices Tango skidding to a halt on the other side of the moat. 

  Impulse involuntarily nods to himself. Tango hates parkour, even simple ones. 

  After taking a moment to compose himself, Impulse turns and spots Tango halfway across the bridge, jumping steadily from one plank to another. Panicking, Impulse jumps on the pressure plate in the centre of the room, before bolting for the stairs.

  Tango has just reached the entrance when he hears the telltale hissing noise and he curses. He doesn’t have enough time to follow Impulse to the stairs and he knows it, so all he can do is dive back across the drawbridge. 

  The TNT goes off a second later, sending Tango flying onto the bank. It’s been placed in such a strategic way that it only destroys the lower floor; the second floor, which Impulse has managed to reach, is entirely untouched. 

  He grabs a spare bow and some arrows, and fires a few out the slit window at Tango, who is struck in the leg by one and has to retreat to avoid getting hit by the others.

  Impulse takes a deep breath. This is a good position; he has the high ground, as it were. He has the advantage right now. 

  Unfortunately, that advantage becomes a lot less palpable when he realises his meagre arrow stock has run out. 

  Through the split window, he spots Tango running back across over the drawbridge, clearly realising that Impulse is out of ammunition. His leg is bleeding from where he’s pulled the arrow out but he doesn’t seem to care right now. 

  Impulse rushes for the second set of stairs and bursts out onto the top of the castle. Over the ramparts, he can see the long abandoned village he used to call home and he’s briefly gripped with a deep sense of sadness and nostalgia. 

  A few seconds later, he hears footsteps behind him and whirls round to find Tango charging towards him. With only a split second warning, Impulse ducks under his outstretched arm and rushes for the stairs again, but Tango sweeps his legs out from under him. Impulse lets out a cry of pain as he lands heavily on his wrist.

  “NO!” Tango yells, standing over him with his sword, forcing him to roll over and look him in the eye. “You’re not running away again! I’ve waited TOO long for this; now fight me!”

  Impulse responds by kicking Tango hard in his already injured leg, before rolling to his feet and taking advantage of Tango’s distracted state to shove him away. 

  Tango stumbles back, his mind fuzzy from the pain. His diamond sword dangles in his grasp. His chest heaves as he gasps for breath.

  “Tango…” Impulse straightens up, a sympathetic look on his face. “Please. We don’t have to resolve it this way. Let’s just live together in this world until one of us dies naturally. There’s no reason for us to murder each other just to win this stupid game.”

  “No,” growls Tango softly. “You’ve no idea what I’ve sacrificed to get here. If somehow we do go back to Hermitcraft after we die in this goddamn world, do you think anyone’s still gonna wanna be friends with me?”

  “Then why burn all your bridges like that?” Impulse demands. “3rd Life is temporary but we’ll be on Hermitcraft for decades to come. Why throw it all away?”

  “Y-You don’t understand. I have to win this. Th-There’s no other way to end this.”

  Impulse carefully steps towards his best friend. “Tango. Plea-.” 

  “I SAID NO!”

  Tango charges at Impulse, who intercepts him and throws him away from him.

  What he hasn’t noticed is how close he is to the edge of the parapet. 

  Tango manages to catch Impulse’s wrist, pulling him to the ground, but the shock of the landing releases Tango’s grip on him. 

  Impulse gasps as he realises that his friend has disappeared over the side of the parapet. He hardly dares look, but his communicator going off only confirms what he already knows to be true. 

Tango fell from a high place.

  Tango is gone. 

  Impulse has won. 

  He struggles to a sitting position, wincing at the pain in his arm. It’s over. It’s really over.

  After all this time, all these deaths, he’s the last one standing. The “winner”, if you could even call him that. He’s done so much to survive: things he’s ashamed of, things that will stay with him for the rest of his life. The things he’s witnessed will also haunt him; the deaths of everyone around him, including his best friends, as he’s unable to do anything about it.

  After what feels like hours, he discards his armour and steps up onto the parapet, the breeze ruffling his t-shirt and shorts. At the bottom, he can almost picture Tango’s body, broken on the hard ground below him. He doesn’t know if his death will take him back to Hermitcraft, back to Tango, but anything is better than staying here alone in this world, void of happiness and life. 

  “I’m coming home, Tango,” he murmurs. 

  With that, he lets himself fall.

[trashynyland]

Alright, someone asked about this and I'm here to give.

There's not much to the HermitFamilyAU. I'll try and go in order in a way from oldest to recent characters that have been created so far.

Grian, mute avian hybrid. 23 but acts like an excited 10 year old. He communicates in bird, sign language, writing and charades. Only Mumbo, Iskall and Xisuma can understand Grian's bird talk (he'll chirp, squeak screech and squawk). He's a bundle of joy, really energetic, he loves to cuddle and he's usually always happy. He'll tend to stick by Mumbo's side a lot. He has the habit of sitting on people's shoulders, it helps him with his height dysphoria, makes him feel taller which makes him happy. He loves to build with his legos since he isn't allowed out of the house unless he's with Xisuma. He was abused by his parents who cut out his vocal cords with a knife at age 9. He's lived in the hermit household for 5 years. He has a feather shedding habit which Doc despises (that's what earned Grian the name "Feathers"). Grian and Doc have a love hate relationship but mostly, Grian loves being a little shit to Doc and annoy him. Grian can easily get sent into a panic attack if someone touches his neck without permission. He has trust issues and won't let anyone he doesn't know near him.

Mumbo, human but has the power to generate Redstone dust from his hair (like King Sparklez but he can generate the dust with his hands). He's 24 and a nervous wreck. Mumbo always needs an explanation to things he doesn't understand, if he doesn't get it then he'll try and figure it out himself. He's very shy around others he doesn't know and has a horrible stuttering habit when he has to talk to people he doesn't know. He loves hanging out with Grian (his comfort buddy boyfriend) and loves to help the little avian. His legs got shattered and ripped from a piston malfunction that he was trying to fix, they had to amputate his legs from the knee down. He's got Redstone prosthetics that are powered with Redstone (made by King Diamond). He has no recollection of his past, all he knows was that he showed up on the Redstone King's doorstep at age 7 and was adopted by the king. Mumbo's father is King Redstone (or CaptainSparklez) but Mumbo lives with Xisuma since Mumbo himself isn't found of the Royal lifestyle. But he works for his father and helps around the castle from time to time. Started living with Xisuma at age 19.

Iskall, slime hybrid. He's 27 and a comedian. He acts like a crazy uncle, loves to make inappropriate jokes but also acts like the 2nd father of the house. He loves to jokes around and pull pranks. He's very kind until you hurt his family in any way. Again, acts like the second dad of the house because things can get too crazy sometimes. When he was 16, he was shit in the eye by a blast spell which caused his eye to never grow back. Instead of getting an eye patch or a regular eye prosthetic he asked Mumbo and Doc to make him some kinda cool looking eye instead. He was abandoned by his mother at age 13, was taken in by Xisuma at age 15. He has abandonment issues.

Xisuma, Archangel hybrid (four wings, halo and 6 eyes. 4 of the eyes and the halo only appear when X uses his powers. Two of the wings get hidden beneath the top two wings.). He's over 1000 years old (but 38 in human age). He absolutely loves adopting and it's his horrible bad habit. He's been banned a few times from adoption centers because the guy can't control himself. Because of this, he's been named the "Caretaker" and "Dimensional Adopter". He's a Warrior (meaning he goes out to different dimensions to help out others in corrupted dimensions) but he's also a coder and hacker. He loves his family and would do anything to protect them. He was banished to the world Palace Concy at age 17(human age) and has lived there happily ever since. In his old world, he use to live in the heavens which had thin air. Since the air is much thicker on the ground and too much for him he wears a ventilator to help him breath better. He also can't die, he can respawn which he finds unsettling. When he dies he respawns in his bed. He's a bottom, he's gotta admit that and his husband is Doc (someone he first saved when he became a Warrior). Most of his scars on his body (including his "X" scar on his face) we're given to him by Doc himself on accident. He's a dad of the hermit household.

Doc, creeper human cyborg. He's 40 years old and a cranky guy. He tends to put up a touch guy act but in reality he's just a soft teddy bear. He'll only show his true softness when alone with Xisuma or playing with the kids. He's caring but will act like he doesn't give a shit. Parents call him Soccer Mom because of how prepared he is and how much he helps his kids but also because he tends to pick fights with the entitled parents who thinks their kid(s) are better than everyone, "News flash Christian! They aren't special!". His prosthetic arm, half head and neck, part of his chest and half is heart were all designed by King Diamond and Doctor Joe Atlantic(they also got some help from Prince Stampy). In Doc's old dimension he use to be a creeper that couldn't explode (which hunters found amusing so they'd pick on Doc and give him scars, basically abuse him). One day he fell in love with his world's Cub who later ended up turning him him an and forcing him to become his science experiment. Once he was deemed useless, Cub put him up for auction which Xisuma ended up buying him and taking him home. Doc has major trust issues with everyone and still doesn't trust Xisuma's 3rd new adoption, Cub Issatic who's always on edge and thinks someone is after his blood (character Cub is still a wip so this may change later on). Doc is surprisingly actually a cuddly type of hybrid. He loves to cuddle alone with X when they get the chance. Doc's husband is Xisuma. Doc is the mom of the hermit household.

Tango, very energetic guy, he's a Telikiantors (a mythical creature created by me the artist, there's a post I made about them but to be short, they're forest creatures that are like SirenHeads but don't eat humans unless provoked by them). Tango is a hybrid version of a Teli. He's 6 years old and still waiting for his future surgery to get on his mouth tail so he can start eating from it again (in his old home it was damaged). He loves to pull all sorts of pranks and is the house's little chaotic demon. Even with no arms, he can't be stopped. He use to be owned by an old woodworker who used Tango as his personal slave. Since Tango was young at the time and didn't know any better and was a child he'd always fool around and didn't listen. This angered his old owner who cut off Tango's arms off and cut his tail mouth so he couldn't eat. Xisuma stumbled upon him one night when the Archangel got lost on a hike in the woods. X saved him and adopted him at age 3. Even though Tango went through that torture he's still bubbly and doesn't have much trama. He's more unsure about things and will asked about them.

Impulse, he's a God actually who was the son of a lightning goddess and ocean god. He's currently 5 years old. When he was born his eyes were completely gold and blue but after his mother and father forced him to use his magic he went blind. Since he was only 3 at the time his eyes were still sensitive and not use to powerful magic or anything bright. His mother was frustrated with him that he couldn't summon up lighting or water so she summoned up some lightning and struck it right in front of Impulse which caused him to go blind and his eyes to lighten up a bit. When the parents left to argue after the situation, that's when Xisuma jumped into the dimension to save Impulse and take him away. Originally his eyesight was supposed to be fixed and he was supposed to be sent back to his home world but he refused the care and refused to leave X's side. He's very scared of powers and when people raise their voices. He's shy and fragile and can easily get overwhelmed by things. He has some sensitivity issues, where when he's so overwhelmed by something he can easily fall into a panic attack. Doc, as a Christmas gift, gave him two shovels that have turned into his comfort item. They help conceal his magic so it doesn't get too out of hand when he gets overwhelmed, upset or angry. He usually sticks by his brothers Tango and Zedaph's sides but when he's not with them then he'll be hanging around his dad, mom or one of his siblings while on a child leash (he doesn't mind the leash and actually loves it since it gives him comfort. He's still not use to being blind and all).

Zedaph, he's a witch, that what everyone knows so far. He's 5 years old and has a teddy bear attitude, his personality is very fluffy and caring. He loves the world and the world loves him. In his old dimension, he was a rich witch's slave and was forced to do dirty work. His owner once had enough of him one day when he accidentally dropped her food and his owner blasted his arm off. Because of the traumatic experience, Zed prefers to keep his eyes shut in fear of having to go through something terrible and scary again. His old owner sold him off to Xisuma who took him in and adopted him. Zedaph's powers are unknown because they haven't yet activated. He's been labelled as a witch for now because of the place he came from and his low power levels. His favorite person in the world his his Uncle Stizoom because of his fluffy hair and tail. He loves to curl up in anything soft and fluffy because of how comfortable and safe it makes him feel. It's the reason why he owns a large Wooloo plushy.

Cleo, a very rare zombie eel siren. She's 31 years old and doesn't like speaking. She likes to stay mute unless talking to Xisuma or False. Nothing seemed to be wrong with her old dimension same with her except that she was always bored. Pirates and fishermen always tried to catch her and at first Cleo loved to prank them but as she got more and more bored she started letting them capture her and sell her at black markets, auctions, sold to royals. She always knew how to escape and she found it fun at first but soon grew bored of it all again. It was always the same routine. Xisuma found her while he was wondering her dimension in a black market. He asked her if she wanted to join him but of course she said nothing. Xisuma ended up buying her and bring her home with him. Cleo has never tried to leave or escape since (except to False's bedroom to sleep with her).

Ren, dog hybrid who has DID (Dissociative Identity Disorder). Since he has many different identities all have different personalities (check out his character sheet for more details on all the identities). But mostly Ren is in charge and upfront to control the body, he is the main host after all. Ren is the definition of the one crazy uncle. He's comedic, crazy and loves to put a smile on others faces, he's also very playful. He can get flustered easily if someone dominates him (either in bed or at his own games like flirting). Ren and the body are about 21. In his old world he was abused a lot, mostly chained to a wall in a basement his entire life. He was abused a lot by his owner alpha and many other bad things. It's where a lot of his trama comes from. He one day ended up escaping but fell through a dimensional portal and ended up in Palace Concy. He was found in the woods passed out by Slime n Bone podcast who were taking a vacation with the Woodworks family in the Kosikians Sky (mt. DeathLoxes) mountains. He's was taken to Xisuma after the podcast group couldn't figure out how to help him since Ren wouldn't say anything and just shake in fear in the corner. He was taken in by X which Ren is very greatful for. Ren is scared of everyone since he's an omega and comes from an omegaverse, he thinks an alpha will come and hurt him again. Ren has a huge crush on Iskall and even though he knows the man likes him back he's too scared to ask him out. Ren loves to hang out with Grian, Doc and sometimes Iskall when he isn't blushing nervous. Very cool dude.

Bdubs, human but is immune to explosives but can still get stabbed. He's 19 actually and has a big habit of getting into trouble with Impulse and Tango. He works at an explosives store in town, helps out the construction crews when they need a certain area exploded and loves to volunteer at the firework stands that pop up during July 1st "Redstone Founders Day" (Bdubs favorite holiday). He's enthusiastic and doesn't mind teaching kids about explosives and safety in his spare time. He loves causing trouble when he can but he also loves helping out others with decorating. He's got a side job he's made "Bdubs Interior Design" and usually many people hire him for help. He use to live in a HermitCraft world when he decided to leave one year and stubbled upon an Earth dimension which he was then used as a bomber during the everlasting wars that were going on. He was one day capture and take to Palace Concy by Lunch Army and was then later adopted by X. During his time on the Earth War he gained black smudge on his face that X has found won't come off so it's become part of Bdubs skin basically. Some have called him blackface and think that he's being racist but he's not. He's just got some black smudge on his face that is unremovable. He's bubble and loves to make others smile when having a bad day. He doesn't really have any trama except for being weary of portals. He's got a crush on Keralis but won't admit it.

Keralis, human. He's 18 (looks 16) and a punk. He's mean and bitchy to everyone and doesn't let a single soul through his walls (he doesn't let others see his emotions and what he's really feeling). He love to break the law and pick fights. He works with "Brtakis Construction Company" which causes him to travel from home a lot. He's very strong and can pack a punch. He's a warrior so that's why he's got his own special weapon, he's not allowed on any dimensional missions but he's allowed to kill Alumas (soul takers) when they show up. In his old dimension he was a homeless immigrant who lived on the streets of New York (where he earned his punk attitude). He was saved by Xisuma one night when he was about to get killed by a gang group, almost got shot in the head. X had offered him a home but Keralis denied his offer. It took 5 years of constant saves and denied offers until one year he almost committed suicide he finally opened up to X and accepted his offer with a wailing sob. He still keeps his punk attitude because he grew up with it but also because he finds it cool. He also kept it because of Doc, Keralis wants to be just like the guy. All smug and strong. Doc is the person he looks up to, his idol in a way. His trama? He gets scared and panicked when left alone and he can't go near any big cities that are similar to New York.

Wels, avian hybrid mixed with an angel hybrid. He owns a halo that's cracked and shattered but only appears when he's angry. He's got beautiful golden wings that goes along with his ruby red hair. He's 15 but a secret Drag Queen at night. He loves to entertain people and put on a show, show off what he can do. He loves the stage and to him it's his home and life. (Idk how to explain it but he's just like the YouTube Wels but gay). He owns two Drag Personas, Cherry Rider who's his usual sona he dresses as who can be a wild ride. Cherry is an encouraging fool that will try and help anyone build up their confidence to do anything that their heart desires to do. His other persona is HelsKnight, Hels is a naughty bad fool who, for Wels is his way of getting his anger out in style and in a safe way. He'll preform and have a happy attitude when Cherry but have a dark and naughty~ attitude when being Hels. Because of X's worry, Wels has paired up with Doc on the weekends to do drag but pairs up with Skeppy during the weekdays for drag. Since he's young he still needs parental vision. Not much about his past except for being an orphan all his life and getting bullied at school and at his orphanage for being gay and loving to cross dress. When Xisuma adopted him, Wels hid his love for drag which ended up causing problems because when Cherry Rider first appeared on TV Xisuma fell in love for her and was horrified when he found out the drag person character was his son. After a bit of awkward talking and drag performances from Doc for X, Xisuma got over his silly love crush for Cherry and told Wels that he accepts who he is and will always love him as family. Xisuma told him that it would just be a bit awkward for awhile because X still had to get over the fact that his favorite drag queen he had a crush on was actually his adopted son. Doc helped both X and Wels after the reveal. Wels grew more confident and stopped hiding his drag cross dressing side (while his father Xisuma got over his crush and dropped it entirely but he ended up crushing on Wels' drag performance partner Skeppy). Wels still has a small fear of being himself in front of others but has overcome most of that fear because he knows his family has got his back (especially his over protective Dadsuma who would kill anyone who hurts his family and his Docmom who will murder any parents that talk his son down, "I'm lookin at you Rebecca! Your daughter is a lesbian and will never be straight you blind fu-"). Wels has a small crush on Biffa (an orphan friend of his that lives on the other side of the world (Biffa is still being developed) who Xisuma is thinking about adopting.

Jevin, rare blue slime hybrid. He's 1 year old and there's not much to him. He's a happy a baby who has a weird love obsession life with the Jello food. Iskall loves to take that and tease his baby brother with it (like stabbing his lil brother's jello in front of him and watching him cry about it, Iskall just finds Jevins whole Jello obsession hilarious). Xisuma actually found Jevin in a basket by his tracker right before he was about to work on his farm fields. Jevin will usually be hanging out with Iskall since he's also a slime and the hybrid connection helps them work better with each other. But also since Xisuma and Doc have no idea how to take care of a slime hybrid since they're hard to come by in Concy and there's not many books about them, so the two husbands let nature take it's course with Iskall since it looks like he knows what he's doing.

NPC Grian or Rustie, he's a demon but apparently can change into a robot? He's an interesting type. He's 25 and a cheerful man. He works in architecture, both with planning out the building and how it will look along with the construction. He also works at a bookstore named "BookRook". He's sweet and kind but will snap your neck in you make him angry, a smile with a dark atmosphere like aph Russia. He loves his kids but if he finds Grain making anY MORE ROBOTS THEN HE'S GOING TO-. He love to volunteer for events and he loves his husband Zoom. He was found by Zoom in his old dimension where Rustie was still locked and hibernating in his closet. He would have taken his robot brother with him but Robot Grian was in horrible condition and... dead so there was no use of him. Rustie owns a nice little rustic cabin in the woods beside a like with a great view. He and Zoom built the house and nother are proud of their work and family.

Evil Xisuma or Stizoom(Zoom), a Strider hybrid but fluffier. He's 27 and has a very gentle heart. He loves nature with a passion and Rustie tends to find him curdle up in his flower beds quite often. He likes to bird watch and plant flowers. He's a five star chief for "Blossburgi Restaurant" and a karate teacher for "Hightri's Karate". He hates the cold and loves to cuddle up with Rustie during the cold seasons and Rustie finds it adorable. Luckily, the two own a nearby hot springs so when things get to cold, Zoom will go hang out in the hot springs for awhile. He loves animals, all kinds. In his old dimension he was always forced to be near creatures and he always hated the small to so little space he always got. Xisuma found him and took him in for all awhile until Zoom found and fell in love with Rustie. His husband is Rustie and they both love each other very much. Very cute :3.

HermitPets, they're more used and made for a different AU of mine but in HermitFamily they're more background characters for sorts. Not much.

HermitFamily house, huge house I mean huge. It's a mansion that's up in the Stonety Mts. It sits in a large valley surrounded by mountains. The valley is actually a farm the the hermit house owns. They grow crops and sell it the small nearby town they live by named "Vellenture". Their house, in the back has a large poor (more of a lake and it's for Cleo) but it attaches to a nearby forest. The house itself, on the outside is a creamy white and on the inside, many colors. (I'll have to draw it out for a better explanation but basically the house looks like Grian's mansion but a creamy white and rustic grey.

[xxxgrianeatsendermitesxxx]

Easter chickens

Eggs, hidden all over the garden. It was night so no one would see the freakish children that played there, they ran around the garden looking for the eggs with the biggest smiles. Poult floated around using his wings to speed himself up as he searched, Grian tried that but fell on his face most of the time. It was ok, he'd get better at flying soon. In the meanwhile the duo ran around laughing and giggling, collecting as much eggs as they could while the maids watched to make sure no one saw them. Poult won the competition but Grian didn't mind, his brother always shared his chocolate. He was good like that.

So the two sat on the grass, eating their chocolate as the sun rose. Little did they know that a mere year later they'd be sitting on the roof of kings cross doing the same thing but with fabreshe eggs instead. But for now they had no worries in their minds as the maids ushered them inside as the day began.

---------

Grian had been bugging his brother all month, Poult had been getting to know the hermits a little more since Christmas, hanging out with stress a lot. Grian had had an idea, he wanted to have an easter egg hunt, just like when they were small. But Poult was busy right now, he was hanging out with Stress. Grian didn't know what they did together but Poult didn't normally like the cold so why did he enjoy hanging out with the servers ice queen so much? Grian was sat in the snow waiting for his brother to exit the fortress, the blood from the cut on his arm turned some of the snow pink. He should really put a bandage on that, he'd do that later.

When Poult left the building it was clear that Stress had done his face up with makeup, why else would he have shiny gold lips and orange eyelids? Grian jamp up and went to grab his brothers arm. "Hey Poult! You know what we should do?" Poult looked at him and shrugged, fixing Grian hair for him. "I don't know but I think we need to focus on the fact that you're bleeding." He picked his twin up, much to Grians protest. He flew off back to the base, holding Grian close to his chest.

When they got back, Poult began to dig through the first aid kit. "Now what was it you wanted to say then Gri-gri?" Grian chuckled as his brother bandaged his arm, he fiddled with the strings of his hoodie. "I think we should organise an easter egg hunt, like we did when we were small. The rest of the server could play too...oh! And we should totally have it at midnight just like the good old days!" He giggled but stopped when he looked down and saw that Poult wasn't even smiling. "Those days weren't good Grian, we were just too young to notice what was going on. You were always especially oblivious, even when we were on the street you kept being overbearingly oblivious to everything. We can't do an easter egg hunt, I refuse to give anyone more reasons to mock us." He fished with the bandage and patted Grians arm, standing up and turning to walk away. Grian reached out an arm to grab his brother shirt but Poult was gone before he could react. "Poult wait...I'm sorry..."

Grian sighed and looked down at the floor, Poult was right. Grian couldn't go five minutes without fucking something up because he just doesn't understand it. He stood up and flew over to work on Sahara to get rid of his negative feelings, unfortunately both Iskall and Mumbo were there. They saw Grian placing blocks without his normal enthusiasm, shaking as he did so. They quickly approached him and Iskall took the blocks away from him as Mumbo lead him to a chair, they realised that he'd been crying and shared a concerned look. Mumbo spoke softly to him, holding Grians shoulders so he'd stop shaking. "What's wrong Grian? Can you tell us what happened?"

Grian nodded slowly, wiping away his tears. "I'm... I just...I upset Poult..." Mumbo nodded slowly and asked why, handing Grian the cub of tea that Iskall had just made. Grian took the tea and stared into it, ashamed. "I reminded him...of back when we were kids...he got angry..." Mumbo and Iskall shared another concerned glance, this time curious about what sort of past the twins actually had and why they'd have different opinions on it. "Why did it make him uncomfortable but not you? You don't have to answer if you don't want to." Grian shook his head, sighed. "He said that I'm too oblivious and shouldn't even have any good memories of our childhood because the only reason I do is because in too oblivious to notice what was really going on..." He whimpered and Mumbo pulled him into a hug, letting Grian cry into his shoulder. Iskall rubbed the blondes back gently, giving Mumbo another concerned gaze. "Is there anything we could do to make you feel any better?" Grian looked up at them, slowly nodded. "Well...I wanted to do an easter egg hunt like me and Poult did when we were small." His face lit up a little when both his friend imediently nodded at him with smiled. "Sure!" "Well I don't see why not."

Grian leaped out of his chair with a chuckle, he grinned at the duo and grabbed some eggs. "This is gonna be so fun!" He brought the eggs over to a table he set up and then ran to grab paints and brushes. He called the other hermits over and set up more hermits for them, when they arrived he sat them down with some eggs and paint. He climbed on the nearest platform, the top of the A monument and coughed to get their attention. "Hello everyone and thank you for coming to the serverwide easter egg hunt sponsored by Sahara." He winked at Iskall and Mumbo as he said this, they chuckle and nod in response. He goes back to his speech with a huge grin. "For the first portion of the event you will be split into two group, one will paint normal chicken eggs while the others will paint the chocolate eggs with edible paint. You will be supplied complementary drinks and hot crossed buns at this time." He smiled and breathed a sigh of relief at the murmurs of approval he got from the other hermits. "Then for the second part we will pull straws to find a neutral party of four to hide all of the eggs, after that everyone will go out and hunt for the hidden eggs. At the end the eggs will be counted up and the person with the most eggs will receive a grand prize, then you will all be able to keep the chocolate you found. How does this sound?"

The roar of excited hermits giving their approval was like music to Grians ears, he punched the air and flapped his wings to move over closer to the tables while staying high up. "Alright then! Let the first annual hermitcraft easter egg hunt begin...NOW!!" He yelled down at them, laughing when they reacted seconds later and rushed to grabs their eggs and paint. He landed next to Mumbo and Iskall with a smile. "What's this 'grand prize' then Grian?" Iskall asked with a smirk, Grian simply rolled his eyes and brushed it off with. "You'll see. Now go paint! I'll fetch Poult." Mumbo grabbed Grian by the shoulder just as he was about to fly off, giving him a smile and gesturing towards the table where Iskall had joined Doc, Ren and Stress. "You go paint with them, it was your idea. Don't worry, I'll go get your brother." Grian smiled and hugged his tall friend, smiling up at him. "Thank you dude, good luck trying to get him here!" He laughed and ran off to sit with his friends, grabbing some paint as he did.

Mumbo smiled and pumped a rocket, launching himself into the sky and letting himself glide down into Grians base. He looked around and opened the hidden door to the poultry cave, dropping inside. He soon found Poult sitting in bed clutching a little toy chick, the bird boy appeared to be crying. Mumbo felt bad for the guy, he aproched Poult and put a hand of his shoulder. Poult turned around and slapped Mumbo out of instinct, luckily mumbo jumped out of the way. Poult glared at him and sprung out of bed and grabbed Mumbo by the tie and glared at him. "What do you want you fucking prick?"

Mumbo was taken aback, he chuckles nervously and holds his hands up. "Hey calm down, I just wanted to tell you that Gria-" "Grian what? What's he done now? I don't get why everyone comes running to me when he fucks up, I'm his twin not his babysitter." He seemed to scoff at himself and tossed Mumbo to the floor with ease, turning around and massaging his temples. "Go ahead though I guess, shoot." Mumbo looked so worried as he landed on the cold stone floor, he gazed up at Poult in concern. "What's wrong with you? Grian came to me crying earlier and now I find you in the same position, what did you say to him. What happened to you two that's making you so upset?" He stared up at the chicken boy, eyes widening as Poult turned around and kicked him across the room. "DON'T TALK TO ME LIKE THAT!! YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT WE'VE BEEN THROUGH!! YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW HARD IT WAS FOR US LIVING ON THE STREETS FOR SO LONG! YEARS OF BEING LOCKED AWAY FROM THE REST OF THE WORLD THEN TOSSED INTO THE BUSTLING STREETS AND HAVING TO LEARN HOW TO FEND OF OURSELVES!! YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH WORK IT TOOK FOR US TO SIMPLY STAY ALIVE!!" Tears were falling from Poults eyes as he screamed at Mumbo, he was shaking with a mixture of rage and dispair. Mumbo leaped up and hugged the smaller male, rubbing circles on his back but being careful not to touch the feathers of Poult's wings. "I know, I don't understand how it felt and I don't pretend to. But I just want you to know that you don't have to bottle up your emotions like this, you have friends who care about you. We want to see both you happy and healthy. I don't ask for my own interest, I ask for yours." Mumbo broke the hug and took a step back with a kind smile. "I do have to ask though...why do you and Grian have such different memories of the past?"

Poult sighed and sat on the bed, grabbing a mirror to fix his tear stained makeup. "Well...he was just so innocent back then...he didn't understand what was going on most of the time, still doesn't sometimes. So his memories are a little sugar coated and I suppose it upsets me a little..." Mumbo nodded in encouragment and place a hand on the bird boys shoulder, Poult smiles up at him. "I'm glad though...I really don't want him to remember it all...the promises I made to him...I made so many mistakes..." Mumbo patted him on the shoulder and smiled kindly at him. "You did what you could, no one's going to judge you." Poult chuckled and finished his make-up, standing up and smiling at Mumbo. "Cheers 'stache, I apriciate it. Now what did my idiot brother do?"

Mumbo chuckled and grinned. "He's organised a server wide easter egg hunt an I told him I'd come and get you so that he can get right to painting the eggs." Poult chuckled and stood up. "Bloody dumbass, I told him not to. Anyway, come on 'stache. We don't want to keep my bro waiting now do we?" He flew off through the exit with Mumbo in tow, they landed in the Sahara courtyard and Poult looked around. Rows of tables filled with hermits working hard on their eggs and having fun, he saw Grian beaming at him and waving him over. "Poult! Hey! What took you guys so long!" Mumbo and Poult approached the table as Mumbo shrugged. "Poult had a little mishap and had to redo his makeup, no biggie." He smiled over at his new friend, Poult chuckled and smiled back. Grian blinked at them, not quite understanding but smiling anyway. "Brilliant! Well now you're here Poult, Stress has saved a few eggs for you. Go on and paint them, there's a few minutes until we pull straws." Poult nodded and sat down next to Stress who instantly smiled bright at him. "Hey Poult, oh hun did you mess up your makeup? There's little mascara steaks under your eyes, I told you to take it all off if you messed it up. Honestly, I'll fix it for you when the eggs are being hidden." "How do you know you won't be picked to hide them?" Ren asked, leaning into the conversation with a smile. Stress simply shrugged. "I don't." Poult chuckled and began to paint his eggs, taking great care on the details. Iskall noticed this and joked. "Well we can all see which twin got all the artistic talent." He gestured to Grians sad attempt at a flower compared to the little rosegarden Poult had just started. This made Poults feathers stand on end, he glared at Iskall and spoke with venom in his tone. "What are you trying to say about my brother?" Iskalls eye widen and he puts his hands up, the others on the table look at him in shock and Doc puts his arm in front of Poult. Iskall chuckles nervously and glances at Grian, hoping for assistance. "Woah dude, I was just jokeing. Just a little playing about, I didn't mean it..." Grian sighed and turned to face Poult. "Poult please...it's just a bit of banter, don't be such a bird brain." He chuckled as Poult nodded then fake gasped and clutched his chest. "Oh how dare you! My own flesh and blood! You wound me brother!" This sent Grian into hysterics but only earned a few nervous chuckles from Iskall, Ren and Doc. Mumbo and Stress chuckled quietly as this, finding it rather amusing.

After a little while the straws where drawn and Scar, Joe, Mumbo and False went off to hide the eggs. Stress introduced Poult to a little thing called make-up wipes as Grian sat excitedly babbling about how excited he was. Iskall had to make sure that Grian didn't accidentally fly off as the blonde had a habit of flapping his wings when too happy. It wasn't long before they were out searching for the eggs. Grian had just found a little purple egg in the fantasy district, he added it to his basket which was slowly filling. He ran off to find the next egg when he was suddenly tripped up and his basket snatched from him, he looked up to see Cub holding his basket and chuckling. "I'll be taking this, what? You didn't say this was against the rules and besides, isn't stealing peoples hard earned items what you're all about at Sahara? You want capitalism? Here's a taste, it doesn't natter who you hurt as long as you come out on top. That's capitalism blondie, remember that." He chuckled and began to count how many more eggs he had after stealing from Grian until he froze. "Excuse me? Just what do you think you're doing?" An angry voice came from behind him, the voice shook with rage and Cub turned around to see the source of the sound. Poult was standing there, basket full of eggs and a killer glare on his face. He put his basket on the floor and stepped towards Cub, clicking his knuckles. "Give Grian back his eggs you wanker, or else." "Or else what?" Cub answered politely, wanting to know what this little dude could possibly to to scare him. Poult simply rolled his eyes and punched Cub as hard as he could in the stomach, sending him flying. "Or else that, dickhead. Don't mess with my brother." He walked over to where Cub lay and gave him a few more choice punches before taking all of Grians eggs back and even a few of Cubs and handing them to his twin. "Here, next time kick him in yourself you prat." He chuckled as he helped Grian up, Grian smiled at him and gave him a light punch in the shoulder before flying off. "Cheers you old fool." "We're the same age you feathered fuck!"

Before long, all the eggs had been found and it was time to count them. Poult came first with Grian coming a close second, third place went to Ren who had sniffed them out with ease. The time came for the grand prize to be presented to Poult but when that time came all that Grian gave him was a bandana with an egg pun embroidered on it, no one understood why Poult started tearing up and hugged Grian. Mumbo caught the few words said between the two though. "I'll add it to the collection..." Mumbo knew a little more about this strange duo but he felt that he needed to know more, maybe at the next holiday...