#harpy mumbo

[stiffyck]

Some art from today :3

[bellamaomi]

A Leyendecker study + @mojo-chojo 's spicy chicken au!

[ghostboocos]

A bit of a delayed post on my end, as I’m not familiar with posting on Tumblr, but I wanted to share my friend and I’s Halloween costumes of @mojo-chojo ‘s Spicy Chicken AU :D

We absolutely love your art associated with the AU and wanted to design Vampire!Mumbo, Harpy!Grian, and Sorcerer!Scar cosplays around it.

I hope you like them if you end up seeing this :D

[cannedcrow]

Arbitrary Darkness (HC Monster Hunter AU) Part VII

A/N ~ Hiya all! Been working on this chapter for a little while. I do about a thousand edits of each draft. Anyway, here's some vaguely spicy content and Scott being an asshole for you :D

~ reblog if ya enjoy! <3 ~

Part VI - AO3

Grian and Mumbo sat in a booth in the Hermiton Arms waiting for Pearl, whom Mumbo had been so good as to introduce only by name. Grian had initially been surprised when they passed by The Foxhole, the little pub he and Mumbo usually frequented, but Mumbo insisted that it was in bad taste to bring a work friend to such a scrappy place. Grian was of the mind that the Hermiton Arms was far too posh - more of a cocktail lounge than their usual pub-quiz-live-music-house-beer haunt, but acquiesced to the change of scenery without too much whining.

“Shall we wait for Pearl or get a drink?” Mumbo asked, evidently rather lost in the etiquette of it all.

“Suit yourself, but as third wheel I’m going to get a drink,” Grian replied rather petulantly.

Mumbo rolled his eyes and sat back as Grian made his way to the bar. It was quite full, though the patrons here had a more delicate, quiet manner to them than those of The Foxhole. Shame, really. Grian always rather enjoyed watching a good bar tussle. Dark mahogany paneled the walls and furniture, dimly lit by oil lamps and candles. Cigarette smoke curled lazily in the air with dim chatter. Very posh indeed - though perhaps a little too reminiscent of the Eighth Circle.

He became aware that the bartender had asked what he wanted - “Er, Negroni please,”

The bartender nodded and moved into swift, practiced action.

“Negroni, eh? You didn’t strike me as the type.”

The voice was lightly teasing, and Grian turned to see a woman leaning on the bar next to him, touselled chestnut hair curling around her smiling face. She wore a simple open shirt and skirt and watched him with inviting grey-blue eyes, ink stained fingertips tapping distractedly on the counter. Undoubtedly very pretty.

“That’s your opener at the bar? Insulting people’s drink choice?” Grian replied amusedly.

“Well, I don’t really see the point of empty flattery. You can make a lotta assumptions about people based on their drink choice.”

She spoke in a soft Australian accent. The type of voice and temperament that invites friendship openly, and Grian appreciated it.

Grian raised an eyebrow. “Right. And what does a Negroni say about me?”

“Usually signifies a manly type with a touch of class. Less brusque than an old fashioned, less girly than a whisky sour, only a tiny bit pretentious.”

The bartender presented his drink just then.

“So, you think I’m manly huh?” Grian replied teasingly, “I’ll take it, but unfortunately for you it just means I like marmalade,” Grian retorted smoothly, sipping his drink. It was a good Negroni.

“Marmalade?” She laughed, “You’re off your rocker! Anyway, I did say you didn’t look like the type didn’t I?”

“I’ll have you know I’ve manned with the manliest of men,” Grian replied with mock grandiosity.

Pearl laughed again, “Not gonna touch that one.”

“So, can I buy you a manly drink with a touch of class?”

“Never. If you’re buying though …” she tipped her head thoughtfully, “French 75.”

“Girly drink,” Grian muttered slyly as the bartender went off again.

Before Pearl had a chance to reply, Mumbo appeared.

“Thought you’d gotten lost mate! See you’ve found Pearl though,”

Grian coughed on his drink rather indelicately. “I - what?”

Pearl blushed faintly, giving Mumbo a little wave, “We hadn’t got to names yet actually,” she laughed, “You’re Grian then eh? I shoulda known!”

Grian sighed with a slightly embarrassed smile, offering his hand. “Yep, monster hunter extraordinaire. Told you, manliest of men.”

The bartender appeared again with Pearl’s drink.

“5 diamonds for them two then,” he grinned.

Grian paid with a quick, “Cheers mate.”

“What, I don’t get a free drink?” Mumbo mocked.

“Shut it,” Grian growled.

They stayed at the bar while Mumbo ordered and returned as a trio to their table, settling down in the plush seats.

“It is nice here Mumbo, I’ll give you that,” Grian conceded.

“Right? Papa K took me here once, early on. Thought I was about to get fired, turns out it was a promotion!”

“Naw, he’s a softie,” Pearl said, “I reckon he’d let anyone stay on if he liked chatting to em. Hard to be intimidated by a guy who calls you ‘sweet-face’.”

“I’ll have you know I can be intimidated by anyone,” Mumbo replied sternly.

“That’s a point on your resume, is it?”

“Right between ‘am nice’ and ‘write good’.”

Grian snorted. “So, what’s the story you two are working on? With creds like that, I mean.”

“All business eh? That’s a change,” Pearl winked at him and he felt his cheeks warm slightly as he grinned sheepishly.

“Article on the dead guy they found in Hogshyde Park,"

"What happened to him?" Grian asked warily.

"Not sure really," Pearl replied, "We've been looking into it - funny thing is, cops don't think it was a monster - not that they have much idea - but usually the body would be a bit more ripped up, half-eaten, you know?"

"We saw the body," Mumbo added, "looks like a drug overdose if anything. Maybe he had a weird reaction or something, because it doesn't really look like the usual. His veins were almost black, and the mortician who autopsied him said his blood had basically turned to ash.”

Grian made a face. “Ew.”

“Right?” Pearl looked rather delighted by the whole thing. “We’re planning on doing a little poking around, see if anyone has any useful details. Could make for a proper interesting story.”

“Ought to ask some of the more unsavory group that hangs around there,” Mumbo pondered.

“You reckon they’ll talk to us?”

Grian zoned out of the conversation as it started involving a litany of names he didn’t know, entertaining himself by examining the other bar patrons vaguely. His gaze was drawn suddenly to a man with unmistakable aquamarine hair, a pale, sharp face he’d hoped not to see again.

It had to be him though. Scott sat at the end of the bar, in smiling conversation with a girl whose back was to Grian. He was dressed differently tonight - an elegant, tailed waistcoat of navy blue, draped over a pale shirt that lay open, lazily revealing a v of pale chest.

What the hell is he doing here? Who is that? Perhaps she was a monster of some sort too, but Grian had a nasty suspicion she wasn’t. As he watched, Scott slid a suggestive hand along her thigh. He didn’t like the look of it one bit. Temptation to intervene crept under his skin, but … it was too much of a risk to make a scene. He’d keep an eye on him, hopefully not be noticed. If -

“Grian?”

Mumbo’s voice took his gaze back - it seemed he’d missed a cue.

“Sorry, what?”

“Trying to find someone to go home with tonight?” Mumbo teased.

“Hardly,” Grian retorted. Not that I'd be opposed ... if he weren't a bloodthirsty murderer. That drink was definitely hitting.

Mumbo laughed, “Pearl asked if you knew any monster with venom that'd do that."

Grian thought carefully, shaking his head slowly. "No, doesn't ring a bell. Wonder if it’s a hybrid or infection we don’t know about.”

He wondered silently to himself if he ought to ask Joel. He’d know more than anyone about the shady underbelly of the city, but somehow he didn’t think Joel would want to help him with anything.

“I reckon I could ask about, see if I can glean any useful info,” Grian ventured.

“That’d be great. Shame about Tango, really. He’d have had some insight I bet.”

“Tango?” Pearl asked.

Mumbo met Grian’s stern gaze. “Ex-business partner of Grian’s.”

“I wouldn’t worry," Grian sighed heavily, "He wouldn’t have told me anything. We weren’t exactly confidants.”

Out of the corner of his eye, Grian saw Scott stand, offering an inviting hand to his companion. The two began to make their way towards the door, and Grian made a split decision, downing the rest of his drink.

“Going for another drink,” he muttered, pushing up from the table to follow.

The night air was cool and fresh, in stark contrast to the warm, smoky air of the Hermiton Arms. He lit a cigarette as he leant on the doorway, taking a long drag and letting his quarry get a fair distance in front of him before following quietly.

They walked along the canal, brightly lit by lanterns and dotted with cafes and bars, patrons enjoying the evening air and chatting. Their quiet conversation was too muted for Grian to hear, skulking along a good 20 feet behind. He couldn't help but feel like the monster in this situation, stalking after them in the shadows like a cat. They walked for about five minutes, reaching a slightly darker, quieter part of the road, and the pair sat on the canal's edge. The moonlight glinted silver on the water, soft chatter wended its way down the breeze, and a nightingale was singing softly somewhere.

Quite the romantic, aren’t you?

He watched, fairly close behind them but enveloped in the shadow of the buildings, as they talked and laughed like any other young couple. Before long though, Scott cast a surreptitious glance around, evidently missing Grian in the shadowed doorway. He returned his attention to the girl, tenderly brushing her hair aside, and she looked up and him with a smile as he bent his head to meet his lips with hers, traveling a hand down her back to brace securely on her waist.

Grian predicted the next 30 seconds quickly and made his decision, taking another deep drag before stepping out.

“Ma’am?”

He made as though he’d just reached them, and she looked up, blushing furiously.

“Sorry to interrupt,” He started casually, tapping ash from his cigarette, “only I work at the Hermiton Arms - a bartender said you left your wallet at the bar.”

Please don’t tell me he bought all your drinks. And please don’t check.

Thankfully, it appeared she was too flustered (and tipsy, probably) to give it much thought, and she stood quickly.

“Did I? I’m sorry! Thanks for letting me know.”

Scott watched the encounter intently, standing, and Grian turned his back on him.

Stay away from him. Trust me, he mouthed to her inconspicuously.

It appeared she’d succumbed to his illusion of authority, and her face went from quizzical to a look of horror that glanced her face only briefly, and she nodded imperceptibly.

Thank you, Grian thought.

“I’d better be off then, I’m sorry,” she said hurriedly to Scott.

“No worries,” he replied in that melodious, easy tone, “I expect I rather distracted you.”

She blushed again, turning to walk down the street in the direction of the Hermiton Arms, glancing back nervously.

Now I’m the one alone with the psycho monster. Just what I wanted.

“The benevolent hero steps in again,” Scott commented idly, strolling towards Grian, who stepped back towards the building walls behind them, “Surely even monsters have a right to a quiet date. If you wanted a three-way, you only had to ask.”

“I think we both know that’s not what you had in mind,” Grian replied sharply, “and I prefer my threeways not to end with two of us being ripped apart at the bottom of a canal.”

Scott shrugged, seemingly unperturbed by Grian spoiling his plans, “don’t knock it til you try it.”

“I don’t think I will, thanks,” Grian replied cuttingly, “Don’t insult my intelligence by trying this game with me.”

A smile played on Scott’s pale face, and he moved directly in front of Grian, leaning one forearm against the bricks and caging Grian slightly. In these quarters, Grian could smell the floral gin on his breath, the slight scent of freshwater.

"Don't you like me?" He murmured, brushing a thumb along Grian's cheek and travelling his fingertips salaciously down his neck and chest. Grian's breath hitched unwittingly, and he was annoyed at the way his heart quickened. That damned drink.

He squirmed out of the contact, scowling. "I don't think you need me to tell you what I think of you."

The moonlight glittered on Scott's cyan hair in an ethereal way as he gazed down at Grian piercingly from beneath spiked lashes, smiling slightly. God, he was beautiful. No human could look like that. He was consoled only by the hand resting on the handle of his knife, concealed behind him in his waistband. With the other, he calmly continued with his cigarette.

“You know,” Scott breathed conspiratorially in his ear, “You could always join in on the ripping apart bit of my nights out.”

Grian scowled and shoved him away, hard, burning him with the cigarette end. Scott stumbled slightly and didn’t approach again, only cocking his head and surveying Grian sardonically.

“Thanks for the invite,“ Grian spat, “But keep your bloodthirsty exploits to yourself. I'll be there as much as I can to spoil your night."

"You really haven't got it yet," Scott mused gently, "We're on the same side. If you keep forcing yourself to be this ... farce, you'll only become an obscenity to all sides."

Grian bristled, striding towards Scott menacingly. "How many times do I have to say," he snarled, "I'm not like you. I've never -- I'd die before becoming anything like you."

He hated how the words stuck in his throat. Even here, even now, his tongue betrayed him.

“Why don’t you kill me then?” Scott asked sweetly, not waiting for a reply, “Oh, right, I remember.”

With that last jab, he turned, strolling away as though they’d just said a heartfelt goodbye, and called over his shoulder, “there’ll always be more bloodthirsty exploits if you want to have some fun!”

Grian watched Scott's graceful silhouette recede, hand curled into a fist around his knife handle. He threw his cigarette end to the ground, spinning around to return to the bar.

"Get lost?" Mumbo asked cheerfully when he returned, frowning when he saw Grian's face, "What happened?"

"Doesn't matter," Grian sighed, "I'm gonna get that drink I promised myself. Want anything?"

"Round of Montenegro?" Mumbo suggested, looking to Pearl.

"Go on then," She acquiesced cheerfully.

Grian grinned and navigated his way through the crowd to the bar, leaning his back to the wood after ordering.

The scene and his position reminded me of his night at The Eighth Circle. The last time he'd been in a place like this, he'd been offered a concoction of blood and liquor.

Can't they just drink a Manhattan like the rest of us?

...Us. The word was steadily becoming more uncomfortable for him. He hated letting them affect his mentality in this way. Blessedly, the bartender arrived then.

"A vodka, neat, too. Thanks."

The bartender acquiesced as he paid and threw back the shot, giving his head a slight shake. Enough of all that, let's have a normal night.

When he brought the tray of drinks back, Mumbo and Pearl gave a little cheer.

"Man, no one's ever that excited to see me unless I have a tray of alcohol," Grian grinned.

"Well, you're a bit broody. Puts people off I reckon," Mumbo contributed helpfully, taking his glass of Montenegro delicately.

"Thanks, I can always count on you to ease my sorrows."

"You're welcome. Cheers then, to friendship and drinks and business. And all three at once."

"You're a natural wordsmith," Pearl laughed, raising her glass to clink it to the others as they drank.

[sparrowsonata]

boatem fantasy au concept designs ^-^

[harpygon]

I‘m properly writing a fic for the first time since like last april and this feels so good.

[ahllohehn]

I yearn for grumbo...so perhaps...if you don't mind...maybe the sillies...

Hello Zora from June 24th. Have a different version of HaTO!Grumbo in where;

Grian is an intelligent cleaning harpy of Camp Hermitcraft. Mumbo is a rebellious guy who goes out of his cabin during curfew to feed dinner to the harpy. Bonus points is that he learns how to bake cinnamon based stuff after he realizes it's good for harpies .

about au au tag discord

[kay-valencourt]

Messing around w a hero au, here's a concept drawing of Mumbo!! More info under the cut :)

I really like the concept of villain!Mumbo, he's just a silly little guy but I think he should get to brutally murder someone. As a treat.

The au itself would be from the perspective of scar and grian (hotguy and harpy) who've decided to become heroes to help fight against the villain group "the engineers" (wip name)

One of these villains is daedalus, who really likes pissing off grian and scar. They find him incredibly annoying and don't really get all the attention on them, but something abt the guy is weirdly familiar??

Cut to their friend mumbo who is a bumbling little guy but also really smart. He works nights at Undisclosed Location and OF COURSE grian and scar would tell him abt their superhero identities!!!

Mumbo is very weird abt it, talking like he's worried while not putting a lot of emotion behind it but also he's just Like That so grian and scar ignore it and ask him to help them and he says no. Okay!! Probably just worried. Nothing wrong here.

Cue grian and scar trying to balance being heroes and their everyday work lives blah blah blah rising tension as more characters get introduced, etc etc. I don't wanna get too much into the thicker lore in case I'm still playing w it, but I wanted to try and show off my take on the usual grian/scar hero situation except I'm incredibly hyperfixated on mumbo.

[fence-time]

What are your headcanons for hermit hybrids (as many as you have or want to list)

Ouheheheh so so fun thank you for letting me ramble even if I am months late </3

Bdubs: moth (changes every season to camo to his base)

Cub. Vex

Doc: creeper

Etho: kitsune

False: avian (harpy eagle to be specific)

Gem: no set idea?? Bouncing between deer and nature spirit :3

Grian: harpy (not to be coupnfused with harpy eagle avian false((kea to be specific))

Hypno: Kitty

Impulse: demon

Iskall: cybernetically advanced human so advanced he’s not even human anymore

Jevin: slime

Joe: Joe

Keralis: beastly creature

Mumbo: Vampire

Pearl: alien

ren: wolf

Scar: lion

Skizz: angle📐

Joel: donkey

Stress: butterfly (glass winged butterfly ((I think that’s what they’re called))

Tango: netherborne (*not a blazeborn , they are separate things ,to me)

Beef: cow

Wels: Dragon

Xb: feesh

X: voidwalker (so have so much hc’d lore for them but I cba to explain)

Zed: sheep (..possibly spirit if death too.. gem and zed can have parallels, as a treat)

Cleo: zombie

[hmshermitcraft]

mumscarian for the theme?

Scar, a demigod, and Grian, a harpy, have come into contact with more than enough gods in their lifetimes. But Mumbo... Mumbo takes the cake as by far the dorkiest, least intimidating one they have ever seen.

They love it.

[hermitcraftheadcanons]

Skizzekai Au- Character and Group Summary

Very long summary post! This contains information on every single hermit, established group, and major plot event. Summaries are below the cut.

KINGDOMS AND GROUPS

Skizz's Adventuring Party

Team ZITS! Skizz, our main hero, quickly found allies in the other three. Tango was his first ally, and Zedaph joined up because of his alchemy skills. The alliance was a bit strained after Zed brought Skizz back from death and gave him some difficult and annoying tasks to do, but now they're closer than ever. Impulse came to join them after hearing rumours of the new hero. Grian and Mumbo are not formal party members, but show up to help from time to time.

ConVex Travelling Merchants

Scar, Cub, and False roam throughout the kingdoms, selling wares and taking both money and names! They also may be a little bit possessed. Neutral forces, both helping and messing with Skizz, they're in this mainly for fun and profit.

Lore Kingdom

Ruled by Joel, this kingdom has a heavy concentration of magic affecting fate and stories. A group of seers called the Watchers were the ones who made the hero's prophecy, forseeing Skizz would be needed- and so Joel summoned him to this world. Naturally, they've been on his side the whole time.

Ice Kingdom

A harsh and frosty place ruled by Queen Stress- and one of the first places hit by the great evil, slowly draining the magic and life of the citizens. Thankfully Iskall, the queen's bodyguard, seems to have some sort of protective aura, keeping the palace and those nearby safe. The native iskallium crystals, capable of pulling energy from the environment and turning it into pure magic stored within, might be one reason this kingdom was targeted so quickly. They also cause the eternal winter of the kingdom, drawing in heat. Ice Kingdom artificers are known for the incredible magitech iskallium can be used in.

Undead Republic

Formerly a kingdom ruled by Ren, after the crown passed on to Cleo she declared the place a republic. The votes that followed landed her in charge anyways, with Ren as second in command. All sorts of undead live here, including the half-ghost Joe and the drowned Gem. The kingdom is currently dealing with an infestation of strange blue lichen underground. It's sensitive to sound and seems to be able to infect people into monstrous and deadly creatures.

Evil Empire

Lead by Evil X, this is the big bad of our story. The citizens here are mainly demons, using magic drawn from risk, danger and gambles, often used to form contracts. EX himself has found a way to drain magic from the world into himself, stealing it from the environment and the people. He uses this to gain power, create loyal constructs that take the shape of other people throughout the world, and also to power a really good hot tub. Unfortunately for him, dissent grows in his citizens, and at least one- Impulse- betrayed EX's side completely.

Jungle Guardians

Deep in a sprawling, deadly jungle, four hermits make their homes. Acting as guardians, they help adventurers safely pass through. Their forms are created from the environment around them, with Bdubs being all plant, and Etho having a metallic shell around his leafy center. Doc likes to change things up, constantly adding and replacing new parts. Beef is as of yet undetermined.

Pirates

There exists a kingdom that is not quite a kingdom, oceans ruled by whichever captain, warlord, or general scoundrel happens to be most listened to at the moment. False used to be one of them, leading a crew of harpies. She still visits from time to time. Wels used to be part of her crew as well. Xisuma also joined a crew of pirates once, thinking the flag meant they had bones to spare. He was wrong, but they let him tag along anyways.

HERMITS

(alphabetical order)

Bdubs

Species: Jungle Construct

Bdubs is made entirely of leaves, moss, and vines. He is NOT small, thank you very much, he is above average for his species. Along with the rest of the NHO, he protects the jungle he calls home. Has powerful plant magic. If provoked too far, may unleash a terrifyingly powerful aura.

Beef

Species: Undetermined

Protects the jungle with the rest of the NHO. Seems to be a perfectly normal, if slightly creepy, farmer.

Cleo

Species: Zombie, previously Fae

Prime Minister of the Undead Republic. Cleo leads her people well, and is currently fighting against the sculk infesting the tunnels. Has an army of constructs and puppets, but is willing to hire adventurers to help out. Friends with Joe and Ren.

Cub

Species: Fae (Sculk?)

After a deal with the Vex leaving him slightly possessed, Cub runs a traveling shop full of magical wares with Scar and False. Unknown to them, he had an interest in the other, nonmagical world. One thing lead to another, and he managed to build a functional portal, only to find that the sculk living in the cracks between dimensions followed him back. It's starting to take over him, slowly but surely.

Doc

Species: Undetermined/Varies, presumably Jungle Construct

Protects the jungle with the rest of the NHO. Constantly changing his form, adding new traits and replacing old ones. Also has the ability to grow to kaiju size. Made a portal to the human world with Etho, just to see if they could.

Etho

Species: Jungle Construct

Despite being of a normally short species, Etho is seven feet tall. This may be due to the fact he has formed a metallic shell around his plantlike inner body. Not quite in control of his aura, which is constantly projecting a slight threatening feel. Made a portal to the human world with Doc just to see if they could.

Evil X

Species: Nothingness

The ultimate villain of the story. EX has been draining the magic of the world, trying to maintain his form with stolen power, as well as just for fun and to make himself stronger. Maybe take over the world while he's at it. Rules his own kingdom, and created the Hels Hermits with stolen magic. He's created a fake prophecy to justify his rise to greatness. A tiny bit of magic is used to power his hot tub, which is filled with water from a magic spring and actually helps all the stolen magic cohere. Since the magic he's stealing is helping form his body, EX's appearance is constantly shifting based on where he most recently took from.

False

Species: Harpy

Used to lead a crew of pirates, but after a deal with the Vex she had to leave. Now travels with Cub and Scar, although she does meet up with her old crew sometimes. Recently, shes taken to hunting down Skizz, due to the bounty put on his head... if only her companions were more helpful.

Gem

Species: Drowned, previously Human

Skizz isn't the only hero of prophecy this world has seen. Gem was summoned for the same reason, not too long ago. She used to have angelic, feathered wings, and wield powerful light magic. Unfortunately... she failed.

She was struck down, and the ocean saved her, by changing her into a Drowned. Undead, adapted to life underwater, and with the wings she used to have only broken scraps on her back. Now, her light magic burns her. She can't use it. But she was still working on saving the world! It's moved on. It's replaced her. So she sets a bounty out on Skizz, to teach him what happens if he fails too.

Grian

Species: ????? Entity???

Grian is... strange. He appears different to everyone, seeming like one species or another, with the only constant being that he is known to be powerful. In truth, he's simply not able to be understood- a being sewn into the very fabric of the world, deeper than anyone else, perhaps made entirely of pure magic. He used to be a member of the Watchers, getting thrown out of the group because blowing things up is "distracting" and "makes it hard to see the future". He still knows a few tricks though, such as being able to recognize if you've been a subject of prophecy. He also likes fishing.

Hypno

Species: Human

Changelings are a rare thing in this world, a few sneaky fae slipping between dimensions to swap out their children. Hypno is one of those humans who got taken. His fae "family" had plans, ones that relied upon the human ability to adapt to magic so easily. They kept him away from any strong sources of magic... until it was time. That night, when the plan was pulled off and Hypno felt the magic moving inside him and trying to twist him and feeling so very wrong wrong wrong, was the night he ran away. He never wanted this. Was he just some kind of tool or exotic pet to them? He just wanted to stay human.

The deal EX offered him was almost too good to be true. A simple watch, capable of absorbing the magic that would otherwise be mutating him. He could feel at home in his own skin. And the payment? Just the magic the watch stole. Basically free! So what if it worked a little too well, slowly draining the magic around him if he stayed in one place too long? He can keep moving. It's fine. It's better than not working well enough. He needs to stay himself.

Impulse

Species: Demon

A former citizen of the Evil Empire. Having grown up under EX's rule, living and working there his entire life, he had doubts but didn't think he could make a difference. Maybe the prophecy could save them if he held on long enough.

He saw Gem try, and fail, and lost hope entirely. So he kept his head down, worked hard, got promotions, did what he needed to survive. If the chosen one couldn't win, what chance did he have?

Until he heard the rumors of a new hero, of them gathering an army and growing stronger. He left, joined up with Skizz, and has become a great ally and friend. Shame that his old coworkers think he's a spy for them now. Hopefully his new friends don't believe it.

Iskall

Species: Undetermined

A citizen of the Ice Kingdom, and Stress's bodyguard. His original name was lost in a bet a while back, but Stress only uses it for silly pranks, and he likes Iskall better anyways. Has a strange aura full of magic and life, working as an energy source, and protecting the area around him from the draining darkness.

Jevin

Species: Slime

He is a slime guy who does slime magic. Likes hanging out with Hypno, and doesn't understand why the guy doesn't want to be magic. It's fun. In fact, Jevin is made almost entirely of magic, which.... may be a bad thing if he's going to spend so much time around Hypno.

Joe Hills

Species: Half-Ghost, previously Human

He may be a citizen of the Undead Republic now, but Joe will always introduce himself as being from Nashville, Tennessee. He did use to live there! Ended up in Hermiton after Doc and Etho made a portal and found him. Thinking it was a scam, really he should have just left, but he was curious.

Joel

Species: Minor God

He wasn't always godly. Due to the kingdom he rules being so full of lore magic, the belief and opinions of his people had a strong effect on him. Originally an ogre, he's gone through quite. a few transformations, and finally settled on aacending to godhood. As a god, he can look however he wants, although a ogre-like form is still most comfortable. A really tall and handsome ogre, though.

Keralis

Species: Unicorn

He's a unicorn. And a menace. He's got an ego, only uses his magic when he wants to, and claims he can see the value of souls. Keeps calling XB the princess of the lake.

Mumbo

Species: Weakened God

Mumbo used to be the god of the night and all its creatures, until Grian accidentally stole half his power. That power was, again accidentally, used to create the species of vampires, which Mumbo now greatly resembles, right down to his ability to turn into a bat. Grian still feels bad about it. As for Mumbo himself, he turns up to help the heroes now and again, and may or may not follow them around in bat form.

Pearl

Species: Fae (Mothlike)

Pearl was once the queen of her own kingdom. It was a wonderful place, known for nature magic helping them grow anything. When a talking dog came asking to be her advisor, she made the decision to accept its offer. From its advice, her decisions got more and more cruel, her powers stronger, and the hound grew into a beast. The queen corrupted, and so did the magic.

But one day, it all got too much. Pearl realized what she had done, slew the beast, and exiled herself. Her powers faded, she keeps her head down. Now she just tries to live her life and have fun, doing her job delivering mail.

Ren

Species: Werewolf, previously Fae

Him and Cleo were friends since childhood. Even when she got zombified and he got bitten by a werewolf, they never gave up on each other, and even bonded over it. They formed their kingdom together, and these days Ren is second in command of the Undead Republic. They're still very close.

Scar

Species: Fae

A wizard who made a deal with the Vex, and now travels around selling enchanted wares with Cub and False. Jellie is his familiar. Took Skizz's name at one point, but gave it back after Skizz found Jellie, who had been missing. He also keeps letting Skizz go whenever False captures him, for various reasons each sillier than the last.

Skizz

Species: who knows at this point, previously Human

Main character. Was summoned from Earth to defeat a great evil and save the world. Joel didn't quite explain how, so he's just doing his best. Currently, he's going around to different kingdoms, trying to get them on his side.

When he was summoned, he was still wearing his suit he had put on for work. It didn't take long to annoy a wizard, who cursed him so that he can't wear sleeves. The sleeves of his suit then proceeded to explode. Thankfully, the rest of the suit picked up durability magic somewhere.

A more important magical item is his necklace. It was made as a sort of battery for mages, charging up and storing ambient magic. When full, it bleeds off excess energy by sending it into the wearer, which normally results in boosted magic. Unfortunately, it is currently on a human, who has no magic of his own.

The result of this has changed Skizz, attuning him to the world's magic, and causing dragonfly wings to sprout from his back. He can feel the faint electric-current buzz of magic in his chest and at his fingertips. He's become able to learn and use the magic known by his friends, channeling their power through him.

Skizz's life on Earth was not a good one. It was boring, monotonous, and stressful. Wake up, work, go home, sleep. Is there any wonder he prefers this fantastical world over it? When everything is over, he chooses to make his home in Hermiton, with his new friends.

Stress

Species: Fae

Queen of the Ice Kingdom. Has Iskall's name, but only uses it to be silly.

Tango

Species: Undetermined, presumably Fire Something

Tango has strong fire magic, but it's hard to control- it's tied to his emotions, flaring up with anger or fear. He has to keep calm to properly control it. A side effect of this magic is that he has a prehensile tail made of fire. It also reacts to emotions, but in a much more harmless way, perking up when he's curious and wagging when happy. He doesn't use his fire much, preferring to rely on a deck of magical cards, each with a different effect.

TFC

Species: Unknown

TFC likes to mine. He spends his time in tunnels underground, mining in many different caverns. Nobody is quite sure what species he is. Dwarf, goblin, fae, and construct have all been theories, but none turned out to be right. The one time Skizz encountered him, he simply gave him the gem he'd been looking for. After all, why not help out? He doesn't have the energy for nonsense anyways.

Wels

Species: Selkie

A former member of False's pirate crew. Wels is proficient in bard magic, weaving power into voice and song, and he's also good with a sword. Most of the time, he wears his sealskin as a cape, appearing human. He has a second set of armour that fits his seal form so he can kick ass underwater.

XB

Species: Water Spirit

Lives in a lake fed by a magical spring. This is, in fact, the place EX got his hot tub water from. XB is not happy about this. Leave his lake alone!

Xisuma

Species: Nothingness (+Bones)

A puddle of nothingness that learned to sustain himself and build a solid body from bones! He finds them delicious. At one point, he joined a pirate crew because he thought the skull and crossbones flag meant they had bones to eat. They didn't, but they were nice and let him stay. Over time, he found a way to grow his own bones, poking out of the nothingness that is him. It doesn't even hurt to pull them out.

Zedaph

Species: Undetermined

Originally, Zed was just a normal alchemist, with a little reality distortion magic. Somehow, he happened upon the secret to immortality. There was not supposed to be a secret to immortality. Death didn't make it possible. When Zed did it, Death Himself showed up, extremely confused. He took Zed on as an apprentice to try and figure out how that even happened, and hasn't succeeded yet.

As Death's apprentice, Zed has the ability to bring people back to life- not even undeath, just straight up life. He has a rather terrifying reputation, but he's friendly, if a lot weird, and prone to making those he revives do silly and almost impossible tasks for him. For fun, of course. Revived Tango at one point, and accepted a card full of luck magic as payment.

Hels Hermits

Species: Various, may or may not be the same as their original due to the different types of magic used in their creation

These are constructs, people formed and brought to life from the magic EX stole. They work as his underlings, endlessly loyal and just as evil as he is. Notable members include Helsknight, EX's personal guard, Badtimes, a diplomat, and True, a spymaster.

PLOT IDEAS

- Skizz, after being summoned, ventures around the land collecting allies and getting the help of various kingdoms

- At some point, ZITS raid EX's palace, presumably to try and defeat him

- During the final battle, Skizz manages to channel the light magic Gem still holds deep inside

- After his journey is complete, Skizz is sent back to earth... only to find he no longer feels like he belongs there. Using the last bit of magic stored in his necklace, he contacts the Hermits, and asks to be summoned back home.

- In exchange, Hypno is sent to live on earth, after a bit of preparation from the former humans. He no longer has to worry about magic changing him, and now he can make new friends, without having to keep distant to avoid draining them.

[writingdevil]

Woods-[Hermittober24 Day Four]

(Warning-Blood,body horror- Prompt list by @collierose1 )

"Pearl!Hurry up!It's starting soon!"

"Yeah,I'm coming,Grian!"

Pearl quickly gave Tilly a final rub,then herded her back into the thick of the woods.She knew Tilly would find her way back.

She stretched her two sets of arms out,spreading her dark and light blue moth wings out wide.In the distance,she could hear a splash,and she knew that Xb had already began making his way to the show, and she could hear Keralis and Hypno chatting as they made their way over as well.

She sighed,relaxing her muscles,then took off into the night sky,giggling as the stars shone down at her,almost winking at her,to enjoy what the woods would bring her,would bring them all.

The moon felt almost desperate on her back,as if it couldn't wait any longer for the magic in the air to mix with the darkness of the woods.It vaguely reminded her of her night,but with a shudder and another flap of her wings,the moon was forgotten.

Her smile grew as she flew through the woods,past the builds and carved memories of her family,the branches decorated with ornaments that showed off who each Hermit was.

Crystals for Scar.

Pink flowers for Stress.

Wool for Zedaph.

On her flight to her brother,she waved at Welsknight,who gave her a wave back,then gave a powerful flap of his hawk wings and was off,joining Xisuma,who was staring off into the distance intensely.

"Pearl!Over here!"

Her eyes followed the sound of Impulse's voice, finding him,Scar,and Grian all perched on a tree near the entrance to the woods,with Grian waving her over excitedly.

As she flew over,she passed False,who looked like a golden blur with her falcon wings,and she just smiled at Pearl,holding out her hand in the form of a fistbump,which Pearl happily accepted.

"You excited for the show,False?"

"Yeah,we'll finally have something new around here."False then gave her a nod,and flew to join Stress and Iskall on the other side of the line of dark trees.

Finally,she landed on a branch next to Impulse,who seemed to be shaking with glee,his imp tail wagging a clear sign of that."I'm so excited for tonight, Pearl.Every year,I can just never wait for what happens tonight."

"Yeah,same-and mine was only last year."

"Yeah,now you'll actually be watching it with us, that's fun,definitely better than being on the other end," Scar said,looking up from petting Jellie on his lap,lounging with his back against the base of the tree.Pearl could see his green eyes brimming with mischief and of ideas of what to do with this new addition,and Pearl longed to see the type of fun magic the wizard would come up with,whether it would make people scream or cry or break. You never know with Scar.

"I'm sorry,but we appear to be missing someone, and the show starts in ten minutes,"Grian pointed out in mild annoyance,hopping along branch to branch as he looked around,his clawed feet clinking as he hopped,and at one point,he even climbed up onto Impulse's shoulders,holding onto his demon horns for support.

Pearl giggled as her brother grew more and more frustrated,even as she saw a pair of glowing red eyes behind him amongst the foliage.

"Now where is that spoon-"

"Boo."

Grian screamed in fright,launching himself off of Impulse's shoulders,flapping his crimson wings wildly and hitting both Pearl and Scar in the face.

Her harpy brother ended up clinging to the base of the tree,just above Scar's head,who was struggling to overcome the shock Grian had just given him,a hand clutched over his heart,and pressing Jellie to his chest.

Grian,meanwhile,was glaring at Pearl's left,as a boisterous laughter filled her ears,and soon enough,Mumbo Jumbo slicked out of the shadows, red eyes brimming with mischief,his fangs flashing in the moonlight.

"Oh-Oh I'm so sorry Grian-"Mumbo attempted to say,but his laughter overtook him,making him lean forward as Grian just glared at him harder.

At this point,Pearl was giggling too."You can't even properly say sorry to him,Mumbo!He's gonna stay mad at you forever now."

"That's right,"Grian said,nodding aggressively "in fact,I propose that we replace Mumbo with the newcomer."

"What?!"the vampire shrieked,giving the harpy a shocked look "You can't do that!"

"I agree Mumbo,"Scar said,casually waving a hand in the air,and for a brief moment,glittering crystal shards appeared in its path,but when Jellie attempted to bat at them,they disappeared,"I don't think it's fair to kick someone out because they're scary.If it was,Grian would've been the first to go because of those beady eyes of his."

Both Pearl and Impulse burst out laughing,and Grian glared at them all with said beady eyes,but before he could retort-

"AAAHH!"

The show started.

Everyone scrambled into their ideal viewing seat, either climbing onto branches,or peering from the safety of hidden nooks and crannies.She even saw Joe holding Jevin in his lap,who was just a gelatinous blue sphere with dark eyes.

Pearl decided to simply sit on a branch,thankful that her brother had picked a tree with a good view of the wood's entrance,wrapping her wings around her in anticipation.

Speaking of her brother,she glanced over at him, and found him sitting on a nearby branch next to Mumbo,who kept giving him awkward and worried glances.Soon enough though,Grian rolled his eyes and used his feathered arm to wrap around the vampire,a soft smile on his face,and all seemed to be forgiven.

It felt like the very leaves around her were holding their breath,until another scream pierced the woods.

Pearl knew that Xisuma's magic was heavy in the air,but it felt like it was now suffocating her as a young woman stumbled into the woods.

The woman panted and sobbed as she ran, clutching her ginger hair in pain,before falling to her knees.

This was the one the woods wanted.

The woman continued to cry,some form of pleas tumbling out of her,as she gripped the grass underneath her,staining her overalls with dirt,and attempted to crawl further into the forest,but that would bring this newcomer no relief.

"What do you think she's gonna be?"Impulse asked in a hushed tone,using his tail to wrap around a branch,then leaned out as far as he could.

"Cub's banking on it being an allay,"Scar whispered back,lifting Jellie up to see the show for herself.

"I dunno,"Mumbo shrugged "she might end up just being an animal hybrid,like a fox or something."

"You're just saying that because of her hair colour!" Pearl pointed out playfully,tucking her knees under her chin and using her lower set of arms to wrap around her legs,"Besides,Etho's already an artic fox."

Their conversation was broken momentarily as the woman screamed again,but this time in horror,as the entrance that she had burst through began to close up,a huge wall of thorns and moss caging her in,no doubt the work of Bdubs and Stress.

The woman tried to stand up,but once she placed her foot on the solid ground,she roared in agony, crashing to her knees again.

Blood was beginning to pour from her head,and through her shoes,and Pearl knew that it wouldn't be long now.

Grian scoffed at her,"Oh yeah,because there's definitely only one of each creature here,isn't there?It's not like we have multiple avians or anything."

"Why are you on Mumbo's side?You were literally trying to get him kicked out a moment ago!"

Grian swung his feet out childishly and stuck his tongue out at her and said,"I just pick the side that's funnier."

"Shush!"

They all jumped at the sound of Xisuma,and Pearl looked down to find him on the ground,closer to the woman than anybody else,his helmet hiding a swirly void full of malevolence and chaos.

She remembered staring into that void when it had been her turn.She just remembered feeling cold.

Xisuma just pointed at the woman again,and Pearl's eyes widened.

Antlers were sprouting from the top of her head,her face-which was engulfed with anguished rage-was caked with blood,and Pearl could see the madness taking over in her eyes.

She had discarded her shoes,now deemed useless for the deer feet she now had,and her legs were shaking so badly that wondered if she was even going to remain conscious long enough for introductions.

The woman snarled at the sight of Xisuma,and Pearl grinned excitedly as the woman tried to attack Xisuma with her new horns,but only managed to fall onto her face.

Pearl liked this one.

The woman huffed,her face scrunched up in bitter rage as she glared up at Xisuma,who loomed over her like an ominous shadow.Suddenly,the air began to feel tighter somehow,like all the energy and magic was pressing down on this very moment,and the woman groaned as her antlers grew bigger and bigger,fists clutching the now crimson grass underneath her.

Pearl wondered what it felt like.Did it feel like her skull was slowly cracking open?Did it feel like when Pearl's back was being split open,and suddenly there were wings unfolding from her?

Pearl held her breath,as Xisuma offered a hand out to the woman,who Pearl could tell had finally lost her sanity.

"Hello there,Gem!It seems that the woods brought us a fighter-you'll fit right in with the Hermits!"

Welcome to the family,Gem.

[spyglahass]

How did grian find mumbo? (Hunted AU)

tw // blood

Well, the story of how Mumbo happened to be a vampire is definitely private in canon, only boatem know the basics of the story with Grian also knowing what he saw when he found him

It's a bit dark so I warn you.

Mumbo used to be a best friend of Iskall's and they would ask him from time to time to join the guild as well. Mumbo always refused because he didn't fancy all the expectations that came from it and also saw himself as more of a pacifist.

Then one day he happened to get a little more than tipsy during an afternoon in the village, he kind of followed some random elf to a more secluded area because he was being flirted with, discovered that the elf was actually a vampire, got bitten, the vampire must have fucked something up because instead of dying Mumbo ended up turning once the other guy left

He then blacked out and once he came to he was in a shed he didn't recognise, surounded by the dead bodies of 6 people he didn't recognise.

It was when Mumbo was terrified and freaking out that Grian found him, lured in by the intense smell of blood.

Normally the harpy would have either dealt with the vampire or just leave, but Mumbo looked so scared and confused that Grian decided to help him and drag him to the place he and the rest of boatem was staying at.

[stiffyck]

I forget the OP of the art but everytime I think about Harpy Scar it also accompanies the image of Mumbo Armadillo Ball. Mumball-dillo if you will

That was hermitcraft-daily but their blog got nuked or deactovated, i think (panidanya is their main blog)

I did send the ask for the request of that specific drawing tho!

Also awww yeah I think they'd be a funny duo honestly.....

[cannedcrow]

Arbitrary Darkness (HC Monster Hunter AU) Part VIII

A/N: Hi again! Back with another chapter of Arbitrary Darkness, in which Grian gets to do crimes.

~ Rb if you enjoy! <3 ~

Part VII - AO3 - Masterlist

Grian flipped habitually through the post, sorting subconsciously through the overimaginative zealots and genuinely concerned civilians that made up his correspondences.

He vaguely reminisced about the night previous ... he couldn't help but remember Pearl, the way they'd chatted flirtily ... the way that night could've gone had Mumbo not interrupted. Bloody cockbl- ok, fine. Maybe he should have been more careful not to hit on his friends coworker. No doubt he'd have another chance to meet her - after all, she was still working with Mumbo. If he was entirely honest though, he'd probably have had an easier time going home with Scott - although that fling would certainly end with him being torn apart at the bottom of the canal. He looked up as Mumbo walked in, tying his tie with his usual precision.

"Mind making a pot of tea?" He asked by way of a greeting.

"Morning to you too," Mumbo grumbled, heading to the kitchen.

Grian, skimming a letter, didn't respond. A close neighbor ... change in behaviour ... his skin is sallow now, his eyes look empty and haunted, and his clothes always seem to be stained with slimy green. He's been odd, reclusive ... wouldn't have interfered, but I caught a glimpse of him wandering home the other night ... soaking wet and had blood all down his front but didn't look hurt... Next day I saw the news in the paper about that man who fell in, and you'll have known the state they found his body in ... I hope it isn't true ... Grian folded the letter thoughtfully. He'd never seen a drowned in such an early stage - that had to be the answer. He leant an arm on the chair arm, cupping his chin.

There wasn't any cure. The Hermiton Canal was swarming with drowned - suicides, accidents, even murders - they didn't have the coordination to climb up the few ledges out, but they were numerous enough that there was an open bounty for civilians who disposed of them from the bank. It wasn’t definite that the man in the paper was directly related - gruesome deaths weren’t uncommon in New Hermiton - but the rest added up plenty. Chances were the poor bastard had fallen in for some reason.

He sighed, standing and accepting a cup of tea from Mumbo.

"Why the drama?" Mumbo inquired.

"Got to go kill a dead man today," Grian replied easily.

"Typical Monday then eh? Pearl and I are on a similar mission. Gonna go have a chat with some scumbags about our other dead man."

Grian eyed him severely, "Be careful mate, take a weapon. No offense, but you give off something of an easy-target aura."

Mumbo sputtered on his tea in indignation, dripping on his neat tie. "I give off nothing of the sort! Now look what you've done."

"You'll live," Grian snickered, leaving for his own room to get ready as Mumbo looked reproachfully down at his tie.

-

Grian leant against the back wall of apartment 183 on Capercaille Drive, subtly looking through a small rear window. A man lay slumped on a dishevelled bed, not having bothered to put the blankets over himself. The small room was lit only by the weak light that slipped between a tiny crack in the drawn curtains through which Grian had been spying.

As he watched, the man awoke, starting slightly. He rolled over and stood limply, moving as though his limbs were someone else's, leaden and unwieldy. He seemed to already be struggling with motor function, fumbling lamely with a matchbox as he attempted to light an oil lamp, but the task evidently lost his attention. He shuffled out of the room, and as the light passed over him, Grian noted his ragged clothing, stained with dark brown and green. Definitely blood, and definitely algae. He must be past changing clothes.

Grian easily made his assessment. He tested the window gently, trying not to make a noise. Unlocked. Makes sense. Opening it carefully, he slipped in, palming his netherite hunting blade. He wore long, thick leather gloves when dealing with this type - more developed zombies, or drowned that had actually drowned in the water, had a dangerous (bloody painful) bite and oftentimes, long, dirty fingernails that'd give you a nasty infection if they broke skin.

He trod lightly, trying not to elicit a creak from his heavy boots on the floorboards, following the creature's tracks to the doorway. He passed an open door to the bathroom, where a tub of stagnant, dirty water sat undrained. Down a short hall was the kitchen, where he found the man standing at a counter. The room was deteriorating steadily, trash and moulding food piled haphazardly, cupboards open and several things knocked over. He seemed like he was attempting to make tea, spooning loose leaves into a mug and pouring what looked like spoilt milk directly into a kettle on the stove. Grian couldn't help his curiosity - he'd never had a chance to examine a drowned in this stage. It was as though he still was following old human habits, a burnt instruction book in his head that he felt the need to complete, but without any purpose. A pang of sympathy hit him. It was tragic, really, but it would only get worse as his brain and body continued to deteriorate.

The man knocked his milk bottle over, and it smashed on the floor, splashing lumpy milk everywhere. The man stared at it, seemingly confused. He looked around the room, as though for someone to blame, and his gaze landed on Grian.

He didn't appear shocked to see a strange man standing in his house, and stared at Grian - the whites of his eyes had a bluish hue, while the irises and pupils had taken a greyish cast. His fair hair was uncombed, and his skin looked spongy and pale, like it'd been submerged in water for days.

"Hello," He mumbled at last.

"Hi," Grian replied, guardedly. The man shifted towards him slightly, pale eyes unblinking and fixed on Grian.

"What can I do for you today Sir?" The man spouted mechanically, catching Grian off guard. Old habits, perhaps? Wonder if he works in a shop of some sort.

"Well, I suppose it's more what I can do for you," Grian responded graciously. The man didn't seem to hear him though. He continued to stare, then shuffled closer. Grian tensed as the man closed the distance, curling his hand firmly around the blade.

The man ran his tongue along his teeth. That stare was really starting to unnerve Grian, and he shifted his stance. The man made a move suddenly, baring his teeth and making an uncoordinated lunge towards him.

Grian stepped easily out of the way, wrapping an arm around the unbalanced man's neck. He thrashed like a fish on the deck of a ship, then focused his gaze on Grian's glove and sank his teeth in. Grian hissed at the pressure and drove his knife into the man's stomach, angling up past his ribcage before letting him fall to the ground. The man let out a strangled cry - he must still have some concept of pain.

By the time Grian had stepped to the side, massaging his aching forearm, The man was still again, eyes vaguely pained as he batted drunkenly at the profusely bleeding wound in his belly, the knife still lodged up to the hilt. He seemed to have reverted to his previous state of lost confusion. Grian crouched near him, pulling his blade out with a jerk.

The man looked at him blankly as he bled, losing the little that drove him quickly. "Sorry ... couldn't ..... help ... today," He mumbled regretfully.

Grian stroked the man's hair gently, not sure where the gesture came from. "I'm sorry mate," He drove his blade through the man's skull and heard the thud as the tip hit the floor. The man stopped moving immediately.

There wasn't any real sense of doing good as Grian shut the apartment door behind him. He sheathed his blade as he began the walk home, pondering the tragic man. It felt more like killing a person than a monster, even though he knew what the man had done and would do. That's the job though, isn't it? Damage control. At least he hadn't had to check if the drowned was affiliated with the Eighth Circle.

He dropped a form by the police station as he passed, letting them know he'd disposed of his quarry. He couldn't help his growing discomfort each time he went in there. It seemed as though his experience at the Eighth Circle had brought back a trace of his old insecurities about being found out, an idea that everyone could see what he really was. What they thought he was.  You think you’re like them, then go - take off your cloak and gloves and wait for their gratitude ... see how different they think you are. Tango's words echoed in his head as they did often these days. It was stupid really, to let such a cretin affect his mentality in any way.

When he returned home, he felt more drained than usual. He wrote a quick letter back to the informant who'd inquired about the drowned before setting about supper - somehow he felt Mumbo would appreciate it.

Mumbo returned a few hours later, looking little better than Grian.

"How'd it go?” He motioned to the stove, “I made soup.”

Mumbo scowled, removing his tie with a jerk and serving himself, "How did trying to have a civil conversation with nutters go? I won't be having them round for supper anytime soon."

Grian laughed, "You'd love Joel."

Mumbo shook his head in annoyance, stirring his soup. “Couldn’t get anywhere with them. They won’t say a word of sense to anyone who looks authoritative. Guess they assumed we were cops.”

Grian raised an eyebrow, unsurprised. “Makes sense. You’re not all that used to dealing with that sort. You want some muscle?”

Mumbo surveyed him doubtfully, “You’re not exactly what I’d call muscle,”

“I’m more intimidating than you. Not to mention threatening and killing is my job, which I’ll remind you I’m excellent at.”

Mumbo cracked a smile, talking through a mouthful of soup. “You want in then? We’d be glad for the help.”

“Don’t talk with your mouth full," Grian chastised petulantly, "-and yes."

-

Grian set off with Mumbo and Pearl in the early evening a few days later. They passed easily through the more populous parts of New Hermiton easily before the streets started to shrink, becoming far less crowded and far more dingy. Broken glass, syringes and other litter were strewn about here, stained housefronts hemming the tiny streets - the government didn’t seem interested in cleaning up this part of the city. Hogshyde Park loomed before them at last - a sparsely wooded section that claimed to have once been a well-groomed park. The only evidence of the body was framed in forgone police tape, already tattered and abandoned.

“Where’d you two go yesterday?” Grian asked, looking around warily.

“The Pigeonhole,” Pearl supplied, “That knot of little alleys at the eastern end of the park.”

They headed there, looking as casual as possible. Grian had recommended the two forgo their professional attire, which thankfully, they’d heeded. They passed by several people who were asleep or otherwise unaccounted for before coming across two men sitting against the wall, nursing a lilac-hued bottle between them. Mumbo nudged Grian subtly, breathing ‘these two,’ in his ear.

The pair looked up as they approached, meeting Grian’s eyes with the predatory gaze he was used to.

“Not you lot again,” growled one, a dark-haired man with pale blue eyes and a rumpled dress shirt.

“Us two again,” Mumbo agreed cheerfully, “We were wondering if you happened to have remembered anything of note about that dead fella who turned up the other day.”

Grian kept his arms nonchalantly crossed over his chest, knowing his capelet would rise just enough to show the bottom of his holsters. His netherite hunting blade gave him the usual sense of security, nestled in his palm like a beloved pet.

The man retained his casual demeanor, even as his eyes flicked to Grian's weapons.

“Can’t say I do remember anything,” he said easily, “what about you, V?”

The other, a man with a sharply featured face and a wifebeater, shook his head wordlessly, commandeering the bottle from his friend.

“That chorus fruit liquor?” Grian chimed in curiously.

The two looked slightly surprised. “Yep,” V agreed.

Evidently there wasn’t much hope in playing the friend game.

“You mentioned someone last time we spoke, if you remember,” Pearl intoned, “Tacitly, sure.”

The dark-haired man eyed Pearl harshly, “Look sweet, if I were you I’d leave us all alone here. You’re aiming to get yourself stabbed,” he looked her up and down, “or worse, dressed the way you are.”

Pearl took a step back, looking rather taken aback, while Mumbo remained, crossing his arms in an unaffected manner.

Grian prickled in anger, but kept still. No force until necessary.

"We don't have anything for ya mate, leave us be," the man continued with a grin, evidently pleased with the effect he'd had on Pearl, "No one knows what happened to that guy."

The other man had slumped back, presumably interested only in finishing the chorus fruit liquor.

"You don't know anything that might've attacked him?" Pearl pressed, "Anything he may have taken?"

"'No clue. It's just another death; why would we know anything?"

"Surely it makes sense to assume there's some sort of community here, no?"

"You're annoying me love," V drawled, stretching and sitting up, "I think you're the type I prefer not to talk," He lunged suddenly, swinging the bottle towards Pearl with unexpected precision.

She leapt back and he struck her shoulder just as Grian intercepted, shoving him back against the wall and holding his knife to the man's stubbled throat. With his other hand, he pressed a flintlock to his companion's stomach. The dark-haired man flicked his eyes towards him angrily, but he was smart enough to keep his temper.

"They did ask politely," Grian said, pressing his knife harder, "Tell us whatever you have to say and you can get back to stealing enough money for a day's worth of liquor."

V scowled, but pressed his lips together tightly in defiance.

Grian glared towards the other man, hoping to get his message across, but he stayed silent too.

Grian huffed out a breath, standing. Mumbo shot him a look of confusion as Pearl rolled her shoulder.

The dark-haired man grinned as his friend chuckled. Then Grian smoothly aimed his gun and shot the recumbent man in the thigh. A thrill rushed through him as the man screeched, curling into himself and holding tight to his wound. The other moved to help, but pricked his neck on the knife Grian had placed there.

"You can help him if you want," Grian said coldly, "All we'd like is to know anything you can tell us."

He only scoffed, "I don't even know the guy, mate."

Grian shrugged, "It's all the same to me. If you're not happy with that, then you can tell us or I'll drive a knife through your throat and you can drown on your own blood," He pressed further, sinking the blade in until blood began to blossom.

Panic finally flashed in the man's eyes, and his words spilled out easily.

"I- Ok mate, I knew him. We were friends. He introduced me to this new substance. He got it from some guy here in the Pigeonhole - Bones, he called him, but that's just a nickname, obviously. He looks weird; has some black markings on his skin. Muscular; black hair and blue eyes, too. I don't know what it is, we just call it black blood. just looks like tar - ya slit your skin a little and smooth the stuff over, and it absorbs. That's as much as I know."

"That'll do," Mumbo said coolly, ending the tirade.

But Grian hadn't been listening closely. His eyes were entranced with the blood leaking from his knifepoint, the iron scent that had pervaded the area. Adrenaline seemed to be rushing through his bloodstream and he was vaguely aware he was salivating as his heart sped into a staccato. He hadn't let up on the slight pressure, and the man whimpered. He tightened his grip on the handle. Violent energy seemed to be building in him, he wanted to drive the knife clear through, to claw open the man's ribcage, to -

"Grian?" Mumbo voiced in concern.

"Get this crazy fucker off me!" The man yelped, trying to press himself further against the wall.

Grian lurched backwards, stumbling to a standing position. He rubbed a hand along his wrist, gripping tightly til his claws pierced through his gloves and into his skin.

"Sorry," He muttered, hoping his horror didn't seep into his tone, "Got distracted."

"You crazy bastard," The man muttered, rubbing his neck.

"We appreciate it," Mumbo told him simply, eyes on Grian.

They made their way back through the park, Mumbo and Pearl chatting in excited, low tones about what they'd learned, but Grian couldn't share in their mood. He trailed after them, sickened and frightened by how he'd felt in that moment - the way he did feel. He'd assumed he could handle it, handle roughing up some junkies - but the urge was still in him. It had hit him like a ravager and he'd almost lost control. He couldn't remember the last time he'd been that close to blood - human blood - that wasn't his job. Even when Tango had taunted him at the Eighth Circle... He snaked a hand up his sleeve and sank his claws into his forearm, drawing blood in his attempt to stabilise himself.

They reached home after what felt like double the time it'd taken to get there.

"Oi G, want to pop into the Foxhole?" Mumbo called cheerfully.

Grian summoned a quick grin, "I'll skip it tonight mate, I've gotta get to sleep tonight,"

Mumbo looked at him searchingly for a slight moment, then smiled warmly, "I'll be back in an hour or two then. We'll take a shot for you."

Grian bid the two goodbye as he headed indoors. Thank god for Mumbo. He wearily discarded his weapons, eyeing the bloodied knife for a long moment before cleaning it off. He ignored the scratches on his arm and went to bed, curling into himself hopelessly. He should've been more careful; shouldn't have let himself get so easily ensnared in that situation. It was too dangerous - He was too dangerous. He just had to be more careful, keep far away from these things.

He fell asleep swarmed with thoughts of blood, tragedy and self destruction.

[captainschaos]

dreaded grin, cold light

wrote this fic for @k-asternix for the @mcyt-halloween gift exchange!! it was a little out of my comfort zone since I really only watch mumbo/scar/grian through life series, but I decided to go for it anyway and had a blast :] a little platonic soulmate action with some spooks on the side, hope you enjoy!

(also worth noting, this will likely be part 1 of 2 for your gift!! unofficially since I don't think it will be done by tomorrow, but I do have a second piece in the works and can tag you when I post that too ^_^)

word count: 3851 This will likely be posted to ao3 too! I'm new over there tho so wanna make sure I get all the parts right before I put it up, will edit to link that here when I do ---/---/---

The atmosphere of the Deep Frost Citadel has always made Mumbo feel at least a little on edge. Sure, he often felt such glee here too, laughing with the other hermits outside the dungeon door, smiling and barely containing their excitement as they all wait for their turn to run the game, but there’s also… an unease. It is not hidden that the Citadel is a hostile place, with its spines and glaring eyes abounding in the crevices of its stonework walls, but it’s deeper. Maybe it’s just the chill that always makes it a bit uncomfortable to sit in one place for too long inside it. Maybe it’s the groans that come from deep in the place’s belly where the dungeon churns with hunger. But no matter how much he loves Decked Out, and how often he will always return to this place with joy, Mumbo just can’t seem to shake the underlying twist at the pinprick in the center of his belly that something is not quite right here. 

But still, it’s a place he loves, and he loves being with his friends here. So right now, he sits with Grian in their shared room, listening as Grian goes through his deck. 

“I mean, I’ve just about got all the commons covered, so I get to get into the fun stuff now, y’know?”

“Mhm,” Mumbo hums in response, smiling down at his own small deck he’s shuffling through while he listens to Grian. 

“I’m just not sure…” Grian sighs, though Mumbo can hear that it’s a playful kind of half-feigned irritation. “It’s nice to be able to choose, but now I have to make decisions, which-”

Grian’s words are cut off, and Mumbo glances up quickly as he hears the feathers of his wings rustle slightly. The harpy’s wings and shoulders are tensed for only a fraction of a moment as Mumbo looks at him, but he quickly shakes it out and picks up another of his cards. 

“Are, uh- you alright, Grian?”

“Oh, yeah.” He shoots Mumbo a reassuring grin. “Scar just tripped over a berry bush I think. He’s running the dungeon right now.” 

“Oh, uhm… Right.” 

Of course. Ever since Double Life, Scar and Grian have had a soullink which lets them feel the other’s pain. There had been signs they were soulmates for a while before that, but it was that iteration of the great death games that had cemented it in a way that was unignorable. Mumbo sometimes wishes he had been there, wonders who he might have been matched with, but it is what it is. He and Grian are soulmates too, even if they don’t share this. 

Less than a minute passes before Grian hisses with a shallow gasp of pain again, and this time Mumbo catches the momentary glow of the pale, spiked halo that signs the action of his soullink. It’s silvery, like the vex magics that line Scar’s smile, but with a bronze undertone that complements Grian’s dusty-brown hair and feathering. It almost looks thorned. Certainly painful. 

Even before Mumbo can say anything, Grian laughs about it. “Scar’s just fallen off something, the idiot. He’s not going to be able to take a hit from a ravager, I can tell you that much.” 

“Sounds like Scar,” Mumbo says with a half a chuckle in response. But it’s hard to cover up the unease he’s feeling. 

It’s always hard to watch though. Seeing Grian in pain, when there’s nothing to do about it… it makes Mumbo’s stomach twist. But there’s an element of love in it, and Grian always says it’s fine, not to worry, and always laughs and shakes his head affectionately after he winces. So as Scar continues his run through the depths of the dungeon, Mumbo watches and listens, biting his tongue, as Grian narrates each unfortunate twist of the vex’s journey. When Grian grabs his arm and announces Scar must have healed up, because that couldn’t have been anything but a ravager bite, Mumbo’s insides twist in knots. The Citadel feels colder than ever around him when Grian shakes out another berry prick, but there’s an affectionate smile that Mumbo just can’t quite understand. There’s an unsettling feeling of watching through a window that shouldn’t be there while Grian narrates with uncanny specificity as Scar trips and fights through the dungeon, a journey that should be known only to the stomach of Decked Out, but has wormed its way through the soullink to Grian and now squirms in Mumbo’s gut. He feels off. So when there’s a shudder, and Grian clutches his chest and his wings spread in automatic response, Mumbo can’t help but jump to his feet and go to his friend. 

“Grian!” 

“I’m fine!” As Mumbo reaches out for his soulmate, Grian’s hand comes up to block him through a flat-palmed gesture, and he shakes out his feathers. “You don’t need to worry, Mumbo, I’ve told you this! It’s all–”

“Well THAT was a nightmare!” Scar says with an enormous smile as saunters up to Grian and Mumbo’s cubby. “All the ravagers in all the wrong places, just awful. I do not recommend trying to get an artifact through there right now.”

“Seemed it, buddy!” Grian says jauntily. He looks at Mumbo with one last look, clearly trying to calm him, but it somehow just makes him feel more queasy when Grian goes back to talking to Scar like it’s all fine. “It was Willy who did you in at the end there, wasn’t it?”

Mumbo knows what just happened though. Scar barely had to feel the dying, the world snatching him up as soon as his soul cried out and shuffling him comfortably back to the bed to respawn. That’s part of how they all set up their respawns, it’s all designed to mitigate the pain. But Grian… 

What did he feel?

Mumbo can’t help but feel sick at the thought of it. 

But deeper down, in a more selfish part of him, he wonders if it’s the fact that he’s the only one who has no way to know that makes him feel sick to the stomach. 

Maybe it’s just the Citadel getting to him. 

Yeah. That must be it. 

---/---/---

Scar hums to himself as he shuffles through a shulker box, pulling out a bundle of pumpkins to set out between himself and Grian. 

“There we go! Where would you like them, buddy-ol-pal?”

“Pretty much everywhere!” the harpy announces giddily. He’s already got rolls of black and orange and green wool streamers wrapped around his arms as he looks up at the entrance of his base with both hands proudly on his hips. The Halloween colors are blooming all around Grian’s base, and with Scar and Mumbo’s help, they’re just coming to pop more and more. 

“You got it!” Scar hefts up a pumpkin under each arm, tutting as the enchantment on his leg braces fizzes under the weight. Not his fault he’s so strong! He taps his foot to realign the runes, and then whistles as he picks a nice spot by the door for these two lovely golden gourds. 

“Hm… do you think that should go a bit higher, Scar?” Grian asks. 

“What should?” Scar responds as he straightens up and brushes the pumpkin-dirt off his hands. He looks over to Grian, then follows the line of where he’s pointing. The harpy’s gesture leads up to where Mumbo stands up in the ring surrounding Grian’s nether portal. A bit precarious, but his elytra is folded snugly against his back, ready to catch him should he fall, and he keeps at least one lanky arm clasped to the stone ring around him at all times. More specifically, Grian is pointing to the enormous fake bat the mustached changeling is holding up, showing where he plans to hang it from the top of the portal. “Oh. Hm hm… probably just a bit! Don’t want it to hit your head if you come rocketing out of there with a piglin on your tail, you know.” 

“Good point. Alright–” 

And with that, Grian locks eyes with Mumbo across the distance, and there’s a glow. Soft and warm, almost violent in hue with the depth of the shade, a red light seems to pool in Grian’s mouth as he looks up at Mumbo, lips parted slightly. The changeling in turn looks back, and even from this far away Scar can see the glow that shows the message has been received, and sure enough he shifts a bit so that he can raise the decoration higher before securing it with string. Scar turns to see Grian blink a few times, and then he gets back to his own work throwing streamers over everything in reach, smiling softly to himself. 

Scar knows, there’s no need to be jealous. Grian and Mumbo have their soulmate bond, and Scar has his own with the harpy, but… he still wonders. He can’t help it, shoving words in different spots to create every configuration of what might pass between them that he can’t hear, through their sharing of thoughts. It is nice that at least there’s the glowing sign when it happens, so he’s not completely left out of the loop, but there’s still… there’s just still some unshakeable feeling about it. Something uneasy. Something that makes the ground feel unstable under Scar, like he doesn’t quite know where to step without falling. It’s silly, he knows. But knowing what he doesn’t know doesn’t seem to help much. 

But nevermind all that! He has pumpkins to throw around after all, and he delights in putting them in as many ledges and nooks as he can reach without Grian being able to. Realistically, the harpy has the wings to reach any of it, but that doesn’t stop Scar from laughing as he has to hop to readjust one of the jack-o-lanterns Scar’s placed a bit askew. But like punctuation throughout this, there are the moments where Grian looks over Scar’s shoulder, and there’s a momentary rush of adrenaline as he wonders if there’s a creeper behind him, and then he sees the glow in Grian’s mouth. 

It casts shadows that seem to accentuate every sharp edge to the harpy’s teeth. 

“Mumbo’s just about done,” Grian says after one of these moments. “You think we’ve done our work here?”

“Oh, for sure!” Scar announces, putting his hands on his hips as he looks over their handiwork. “Looking mighty spooky here, friend. A nice spread of tricks and treats.”

“Perfect. Let’s get out of here and maybe grab a bite to eat then, huh? All this work has certainly got my appetite up.” 

Scar keeps smiling, but as Grian talks, he can’t seem to look anywhere but at his teeth. There’s a pinch in his stomach. 

“Sounds good.”

---/---/---

Mumbo sits alone in his vault, at a desk he tends to keep reserved for redstone planning. There are sketches laid out in front of him, pages and pages of blueprints that are more like redprints with the lines of redstone scrawled across them, but none of them are right. His head is in his hands, his changeling claws just barely pressing into his scalp as more of a grounding pressure than anything, but there is something bothering him. 

And the maddening thing is, he doesn’t know what. 

It’s an aching, something that he keeps thinking is hunger, but he’s been eating. Golden carrots at first, he always keeps a bundle of them at his desk for this purpose, but they didn’t help. He snapped his teeth through piece after piece of the clicking-crunching things, the sound of them breaking rattling like brittle bones, but they seemed to glide right past the sensation rolling in his gut. After biting through a handful of them, he thought maybe he was just having a different craving, so he went to find some steak, but that did little besides give a new ripping instead of the crunching. He even tried golden apples as his desperation grew, but he almost felt he was being taunted. He was hungry, and yet eating did nothing to help him. 

And the churning in his stomach is only growing. 

---

Scar sits in one of his many workshops hidden throughout the back areas of Scarland, looking over the plans for the latest and greatest ride to come. Or at least, he’s trying to. At the moment he’s holding his head in his hands, palms pressing into his forehead, the heels of his hands smothering his eyes as he tries to rub away the weight that seems to have settled on his eyelashes. He can hardly even look at his plans, much less process them, as his vexish wings flicker behind him in a visual representation of his struggle to just keep himself upright, as something tugs at him. 

But he has no idea what. 

He’s trying to keep on his smile, despite the fact that there’s no one in the room, just to keep himself sane. It’s solidly into the evening hours on the server, sure, but he’s had plenty of rest. And yet there’s an aching when he peels his eyes open, and it feels like folds of weight have been hung over him to pull him, smother him, to the earth. Every bone in his body feels like a support beam about to snap, and he would swear his spine creaks as he tries to straighten up. It seems like fatigue, but he knows he should be fine. He makes sure he rests, he knows he should be fine, and besides, he even tried sleeping. He laid down in one of the spots he has set up in case of occasions like this, closed his eyes, and… nothing. The silence was maddening. There was nothing to disturb him, and yet, no sleep came. So now he sits here, listening to nothing, looking at nothing, and yet he remains. He feels chained to the ground itself, every movement is a dragging, and yet his mind remains, stagnant and stale in this state. 

And the weight around his neck is only growing. 

---

Mumbo is trying to focus. He is desperately trying to focus. But it feels like something is trying to rip him in two, the way this strange, poltergeist of a hunger is clawing at him. 

Still, nothing is working. Mumbo’s tried potions now, splashing them and drinking, hoping for something to put even just a dent in the hunger tearing at his insides. It did nothing for the aching in his gut, the tightness in the back of his throat, like a hand clenched around his neck. He leans now against the door of his vault, trying to use the coolness of the metal to drag his mind away from it, but there’s no thinking about anything but the hunger. It’s grating at his mind. Panic is starting to form a new core to the grinding in the pit of his stomach. A fear, a wondering- what if this never leaves? What if there’s no answer, what if this is it? He has no idea what’s caused it, so what if there’s no way to end it? There’s a hopelessness beginning to emerge, like an animal crawling out of a cave. He doesn’t want it to be there. But even worse, he’s scared there’s no defeating it. 

His gut drops if he thinks too much about it. 

---

Scar wants to focus. He really, truly wants to focus. But it’s just impossible, it’s impossible! He’s absolutely positive now that there’s nothing he can do about it. 

Nothing has worked. Scar’s flipped on every beacon in the area now, hoping their powers might do something to rejuvenate him, but it did nothing. It had no effect on the horrid grip around his temples, the feeling dragging him toward the floor. His limbs feel like lead, and he now sits in his wheelchair, just trying to ignore the feeling of weight and dulled senses pulling at him. A kind of claustrophobic desperation is welling up at the center of it all. The dread of not knowing how this will end, the panic of having no idea what’s happening to him, the cause of this weariness. He should know how to fix this. He should be able to fix this. But still…

His chest tightens if he thinks too much about it.

---

There has to be a solution. There has to be. 

The changeling just wants to fix this. He just wants to know what’s wrong with him. He just wants to know what this is, haunting the space just under his ribcage. 

It’s consuming him. He hardly even realizes when the hunt carries him out into the night. 

---

There has to be a solution. There has to be. 

The vex just wants to end this. He wants to know what’s happening to him. He just wants to know what this is, consuming the space just behind his eyes. 

It’s haunting him. He hardly even realizes when the need takes him out into the night. 

---

Two figures tumble into opposite sides of an alleyway. Teeth bared, stomachs snarling and snatching, skulls lolling toward the ground, they lock eyes with one another. And in their horrid torments, enveloped in the cold night, something snaps in place. 

---/---/---

Grian happily carries a shulker box full of building materials as he walks down the path toward the shopping district. He knows he could fly, it’d be much faster, but it’s such a nice day! He wanted to enjoy it. 

“G!” a voice calls, and he stops and spins to try and find it. There are no buildings around this part of the path, but he quickly spots two figures not too far off the road, waving to him. He jogs over, and finds Mumbo and Scar laying on a blanket in the grass, side by side in the laziest of friendly ways. 

“Hello, you two! Enjoying the beautiful day, are we?”

“Certainly better than last night was,” Mumbo says with a lighthearted but slightly concerning chuckle. Scar pipes up to help clarify, or at least attempt to, before Grian can say anything concerned though. 

“Oh, don’t worry about that, it’s all fixed up now! And it did us more good than bad, didn’t it?” 

Mumbo laughs again, this time with a bit more vigor. “Very, very true.” 

“Wait- what happened? Everything’s alright?” 

“Yeah, yeah! Here, we can show you,” Scar pipes up again. “Watch this.” 

With that he rolls over a bit to look at Mumbo, who just smiles and keeps still. After a moment of Scar’s concentration, there’s a glow, and Grian looks down to Scar’s hand where the light seems to be cupped in his palm. Matching, Mumbo’s own palms seem to mirror the glow, and Grian would recognize that silverish light anywhere, though this particular iteration seems to have a very slight green undertone, copperish and almost mimicking sunbeams underwater. 

“Soulmates?!” 

“Soulmates!” Mumbo and Scar affirm, in sync, causing a ripple of giggling. 

“Not sure exactly how recently it, y’know, popped up, but yep! And I can use it to tell you that… Mumbo needs to talk to you.”

Grian finally moves to sit, making a spot for himself between his two soulmate’s legs, but leaving the near-touch they have between their shoulders so they can all sit as together as possible. “So the link’s something need related?”

“Yeah, well,” Mumbo begins, somehow managing to twiddle his fingers even with his hands making a pillow under his head, “I think it might have been at least partially shaped by… what we were missing, from our soullinks with you. Not that you aren’t amazing!” Grian nods understandably, waiting for the explanation to finish. “It’s just- Scar and I were both seeing how you connected with the other, and it- it made something to be left out of, I guess? Or maybe just made it easier to notice what we were missing, I’m not sure it just-” 

“We were missing the link to each other,” Scar finishes for Mumbo. A glow fades from his palm again, not as strong as when he was focusing on it, but a sign Mumbo may have been in need of a bit of silver-tongued rescuing. “I had the pain, he had the thoughts, and so we bridged the gap.” 

“Thinking about each other’s pain,” Mumbo says with a grateful smile given to Scar. “That’s the way I’ve been thinking about it, at least.” 

“So… how did you figure this out, exactly?” Grian asks. 

“Oh, ah- well, Scar hadn’t eaten in far too long, and I thought I was getting ripped apart from the inside out!” Mumbo laughs, rolling so his elbow can jab into Scar’s shoulder. 

“Hey! At least I take all the cat-naps a man could need, one of us needed some shut-eye so bad it was driving me up the wall!” 

And at this, Grian laughs. He was asleep plenty early last night, and must have stayed asleep through any inkling of this event. But of course, these two managed to get supernaturally attuned in precisely the right way to bully each other about taking care of themselves. As much focus as Mumbo had on him, he knows Scar and Mumbo have their very own, very unique friendship. And he has no need to be jealous- he knows they love him in equally wonderful ways. 

“Oh, you wonderful idiots! How’d you get that mess sorted out then?” 

“I practically tackled Mumbo into bed of course!” Scar says with his hands thrown in the air. 

“But not before I shoved about a stack of steak into your mouth!” Mumbo shoots back through giggles. 

All three of them are laughing, and Grian pats a hand on each of his soulmates’ nearest knee. “Well, glad you seem in much better spirits now. Can I see the soullink work again?”

“Sure! Here, I’ll give it a go this time.” Mumbo turns to Scar and scrunches up his face comedically as their palms glow once more, and the two barely hold back giggles as their foreheads nearly press together. “Hmm, I think Scar’s hungry. For… Grian brainsss…!” he announces with a punctuating wiggle of his fingers for extra spooky effect. 

“What! No no no, that’s your thing, Mr. I-Am-What-I-Eat!” 

The group collapses into a fit of giggles, and Grian falls onto his chest between his soulmates, wrapping an arm around each in a wonderfully clumsy hug. Scar throws an arm up over Grian’s head to reach around to Mumbo, and the changeling in turn reaches across Grian to playfully swat at Scar’s other hand as he gestures wildly. They remain like that for a while, safe and comfortable in each other’s presence, smiling and talking all too loudly for reasonable interaction. But affection has no need to be reasonable, in the face of unreasonable obstacles, even if those obstacles have been thoroughly overcome. It’s the absurdity that will keep them running strong. It’s the laughter after the dark that will always bring them back to each other.