#he's a city boy . he did not grow up having to hunt and he'd never even seen a goddamn deer before he became captain

[camelliagwerm]

🍄 (mushroom), 🥊 (boxing glove), 🥩 (steak) and🍷 (wine) for ocs of your choice?

thank you Crow; decided to do a mix of Arthur and Valerius for this set of questions :3c | RED EMOJI ASKS

🍄 (mushroom) - Does your character like being in nature or do they prefer the indoors? Do they have any outdoor hobbies like camping or fishing? If they prefer the indoors, why?

Valerius is a city boy, so nature by default? He absolutely hates it. Urban settings are far better for him and the sort of hunting he prefers to do, but he won't lie there's a certain allure to the dragon-hunting that he, Greybor, Camellia and his Graveguard did in act 3. Hunting and riding are really the only things — hunting either in the vampiric sense or in the more traditional sense with both Dason (his warhorse) and Simu (his borzoi.) He can say whatever he likes about the Worldwound but it does provide good hunting opportunties for trophies, status etc.

🥊 (boxing glove) - Has your character ever been in a fight? Did they win? Do they fight often? Are they professionally trained or self taught? Do they enjoy fighting or only do so when necessary?

Valerius is very much a fighter. Professionally trained by various tutors when growing up in Ustalav — even before he dedicated himself to Urgathoa's service as an antipaladin, he had experience (both from duels and from hunting). And he enjoys it, a lot. It taps into his basest instincts, the desire to hunt, the desire to feed, doubly so when his bloodline starts to mutate (thanks Bloodseeker levels). He became an antipaladin because ultimately he could satiate that hunger for blood without repercussion and it would be within the realms of his tenets. And naturally, being a military commander on the front lines does mean seeing a lot of combat. Plentiful opportunities.

Arthur, to contrast, is the opposite. He does not enjoy fighting and does it only when necessary. Even then, he'd rather not be on the front lines, but that is often where he can protect his people the most — barriers cast in the thick of the fight, quick dispels, the spirit blade manifesting from a strong will to protect his companions. He recognises that, unfortunately, sometimes the best defence is a good offense, and he hates it. If he never had to use his magic to harm someone again, he'd be fine with that.

🥩 (steak) - Does your oc have any coping mechanisms? Healthy or unhealthy?

Arthur's coping mechanism, particularly when he was under a lot of stress, is smoking elfroot. It's one of those things he swore he'd quit multiple times, but he never did as the responsibilities kept piling up from Senior Enchanter to First Enchanter to Herald of Andraste to Inquisitor to burnt out/retired former hero. "Medicinal purposes," he'd say, defensively, about it. I would say he's managed to kick that particular coping mechanism by Veilguard but it seems unlikely.

🍷 (wine) - Does your oc drink? What kind of alcohol do they enjoy? What are their drinking habits? What kind of drunk are they?

Valerius cannot get drunk 99% of the time due to being Mostly Undead, but it doesn't stop him from drinking at all. He tends to drink blood-infused wine the most to help satiate his sanguinary hunger, but he also enjoys a strong spirit, usually taken neat or with ice. The blood-infused wine he will take with almost every meal where possible and because the alcohol doesn't affect him, he doesn't have any of those drawbacks. The only alcohol that truly affects him in some way is Alkenstar ice wine, and even then it doesn't affect him fully.

Meanwhile, Arthur is a lightweight. Drinking enough to get drunk usually means potentially losing control of your faculties and he doesn't want to risk that. He also just...can't hold his alcohol that well. Anything more than 2-3 drinks and he's gone. He also gets some horrific hangovers as a result ("to whatever this is, and the hangover I'm going to have tomorrow!") He is, typically, a bit of a sloppy/horny drunk as well — because his inhibitions have been lowered, he's more likely to be bolder about physical affection (and wanting sex. It didn't happen so much with Bull because Bull would much prefer him sober, but it happened a lot with his ex.) He generally sticks to wine if he does drink, though some of those Orlesian cocktails are nice and brandy can be good to get the edge off if needed.

[redlerred7]

You know he had to do it to 'em

I know I drew Brandon p recently, but I'm already going down my list of OCs anyway. Might as well draw all of them.

Backstory/character summary under the cut

Brandon Lim was a sickly boy growing up, spending most of his time reading in bed. His favorite kinds of stories were of knights fighting dragons and saving princesses. He liked to imagine himself as one such knight, but eventually realized that he wasn't physically capable of becoming one.

Years after his sister was born, it became apparent that she was significantly more athletic than he was. Feeling inadequate, he pushed himself to do well in school, since he believed it was the only thing he could be good at. For the most part, he succeeded, receiving an academic scholarship to an expensive private highschool due to his excellent grades.

While at that private highschool, he worked hard to maintain the grades necessary to keep his scholarship. When the course material started becoming too difficult and the assignment workload started becoming too large, he started pushing himself even harder. He regularly ended up sacrificing sleep and meals simply to keep up.

Two years into highschool, his self-distructive study habits finally caught up to him. He collapsed in the middle of class and had to be hospitalized. During his hospitalization, he found out that his behavior had caused much damage to his body and it would take him a long time to recover—and even then, he would never be able to recover completely. Realizing that he could have prevented this, he resigned himself to his fate. With the weight of his failures on his shoulders, he gave up any hope of amounting to anything himself and decided to focus on supporting his sister's efforts. Apparently, she had a potential career in dance ahead of her.

After a year of rest, he'd recovered enough to at least go back to school. He'd lost his scholarship in that time, so he transferred to a nearby public school in the city. Unfortunately, going to that school did not play nicely with his condition. The polluted city air and the dusty old school building irritated his lungs and made it difficult to breath. It took only a few months before he collapsed again. He died in the hospital with his mother and sister at his bedside, once again feeling like he'd failed them.

He next awoke in the Dream, now with the power to induce a state of fatigue and exhaustion in his targets. This power also worked in reverse if he so wished, re-energizing and revitalizing people.

He is still unsure of what his calling is, but he's decided to use his power to support two of his fellow Dreamers whenever they hunt Nightmares.

(note that this backstory/summary is only so long because I'm in the middle of writing a novel about Brandon and two of my other OCs)

[niennawept]

MAEGLIN AND AREDHEL IN DORIATH PLEASE

Okay - this one is a little wild so forgive me. I don't spend a lot of time thinking about it, lest I snap and start writing it. [Not Written Yet Fics]

So this came to me when I was thinking about how Eol is a kinsman of Thingol and how Thingol does seem to have a soft spot for children in need.

I will warn you before going on that this does feature more nuanced headcanons about Eol than are widely popular in the fandom. If you would rather not read that - I don't blame you. My reading is based on the idea that the Silm narrative was written by Pengolodh and he's ... not unbiased given the Fall of Gondolin.

The only abuse here is restricting people's freedom to leave Nan Elmoth. Aredhel and Eol married each other without any form of coercion on his part (but they are in a freaky magic forest that likes to play matchmaker). It was way too hasty - they had a kid to try to save the marriage and we all know that doesn't end well. It was just a bad match. They wanted different things out of life and over time, Eol subtly got worse and worse about his terror of the outside world. His insistence that they do not leave because it is not safe. People are out to get them et cetera.

I feel like that needed saying before I go on - or the rest might not make sense.

So Aredhel and Maeglin go to Doriath because at some point in their marriage Aredhel told Eol enough about Gondolin that he figured out its location.

She worries that if they fled that way, he'd find them and bring them back.

Maeglin is still not fully grown. He doesn't have great fondness for sunlight either.

He's a little scrawny and pale and he's never played with other children - but after a rocky patch, he does find a niche with the rest of the Doriathrim.

He is a bit disappointed that he doesn't get to see the famed city of Gondolin (or at least, as famous as it is in his little mind) and "Uncle" Thingol does not seem as cool as the Uncle Turgon he was promised, but he does dote on the boy.

He still makes friends with the dwarves. His father taught him to respect them and although he doesn't completely understand everything his father did - that doesn't seem like a bad thing

Aredhel has a more difficult adjustment. She's a Noldo and she's on thin ice for her family's role in the kinslaying. It's fair to say she's tolerated rather than embraced.

Kinship rites among the Sindar dictate that she be treated like the King's "niece" - but it's very strained.

Meanwhile in Gondolin, Eol is captured trying to enter the valley and put to stern questioning. When they learn of the way he kept Aredhel from leaving, he's thrown into a prison cell.

(he receives a court order for mandatory counseling, since he doesn't seem to get what he did wrong)

A short while later, Galadriel returns and her presence eases some of that tension. Her close relationship with Melian sheds some light on the whole Nan Elmoth situation.

Aredhel learns of the ancient magic there that draws people together - often in ways that even Melian does not understand.

Maeglin grows up. Aredhel dons hunting leathers for the first time in many years and walks in the forest with Beleg and Mablung and Nellas. For a time, they are all content

Then disaster child Turin turns up and Maeglin feels a strange kind of kinship with the boy. He aids him how he can, even giving him a weapon he forged. (when has that ever gone wrong?)

Maeglin gets a front row seat to a "there but for the grace of the Valar go I" situation when everything with Turin goes south.

We check in on Eol - he's ... better. Taking him out of Nan Elmoth seems to have cleared his mind a bit. He still doesn't like the Noldor, doubly so since they're holding him in Gondolin, but he's earned his way out of prison. (He's still closely watched - out on parole)

Then the -uh-Nauglamír situation happens and Maeglin leaves without fighting anyone - dwarf or elf. That won't right the situation with the Silmaril and it won't bring Thingol back.

Aredhel is loathe to leave the marchwardens to deal with this - but Maeglin is still her kid, so she chooses to go with him - but it's a difficult decision.

That's about as far as I've gotten. I do think there's some kind of reunion (Maeglin and Aredhel with Eol) but I don't see them being a big happy family so much as people who have ties to each other and who are trying to sort through what went wrong years ago.

I think it ends on a hopeful note. Not everything is forgiven. Nothing is forgotten, but maybe they can coexist.

Like I said, it's messy (partially because it's a little autobiographical in places, there's a reason I feel so badly for Maeglin) - but I think about it from time to time.

[merrock]

CHARACTER INFORMATION

face claim: Raymond Ablack

full name: Jesper Hunte

nickname(s) / goes by: Jes

pronouns & gender: cis man & he/him

sexuality: demisexual

birth date: May 7, 1989

birth place: Merrock, Maine

arrival to merrock: local

housing: Historical downtown

occupation: Chef

work place: The Maine Course

family: older sister

relationship status: single

PERSONALITY

Jesper is introverted, easy going, and soft-spoken. He is a hard worker and dedicated to his job. He is oft accused of being a homebody and will proudly wear that title like a badge of honor. This quiet nature doesn't, however, exempt him from a snarky to downright sarcastic sense of humor. He's the type of guy that gets calls at night from drunk friends needing a ride. Firstly, because they know he'll always be there, and secondly because they know he won't be busy. He is a confidante to regulars at his food truck and has proven to hold his tongue in regard to gossip. 

WRITTEN BY: Kate (she/her) est.

BACKGROUND / BIO

triggering / sensitive content warning: childhood illness (heart issues; surgery), parental death, car accident

Jesper was born blue. There was a name for his heart condition and a bunch of complicated anatomy, but it all boiled down to a hole between two chambers. A tiny leak.

His parents were transplants from city life that moved to Merrock to start a family. They were, to the horror of their two children, both psychologists. Jesper's mother specialized in marriage counseling, his father in childhood development. Their eldest was a girl born some years earlier, and Jesper was brought in to round off the family. He did. He was made absolutely (and by the textbook) aware of that fact. But he was also what one might consider a sickly child. He tired quicker and grew slower. His first six years were a waiting game to see if his heart might mend itself. So, while other kids tumbled in the school yard, he spent them mostly indoors. He became his mother's helper, always there in the kitchen when she was cooking. He became his father's assistant, always there when he folded the laundry.

It was finally decided at seven that he would undergo surgery. Its success left him with a scar that would fade to silver as he grew. That same success granted him for the first time the chance to be more tactile with the world around him. But habits die hard, he would never be that type of boy. He was calm in the midst of this storm. His teacher's called him sweet, his sister a suck-up. In truth, Jesper realized early what people wanted from him. He could mold easily into that, slip by undetected in that sense.

As he grew it was obvious, he didn't have (as his parent's wished) any scholarly pursuits. He was a decent student with a small group of friends, but he certainly had no interest in further education. Instead, he gravitated toward cooking. He started making breakfasts for his family in middle school and graduated to dinners by high school. He was a homebody by nature though, content to settle. It was his sister that lit a fire under him and urged him to pursue culinary school.

For one brief window he was away, studying in Paris and living out of a studio apartment there but the life didn't suit him. After one year, he withdrew and returned to Merrock. He found a position at a local restaurant and moved into an apartment in downtown. He dated sporadically, adopted a stray cat off the street one lucky winter, and lived quietly. It was the kind of life his parent's tried to therapize a solution to, but then, he'd long since grown immune to their shrinking.

In time, he would grow to miss those conversations, because when he was twenty-eight, they both passed in a car accident. The grief struck hard, but their graves lie in Merrock and are well tended by him every weekend. With his inheritance, Jesper bought a food truck and opened his own idea of happiness. With a little tongue in cheek name of 'The Maine Course' it's open six days a week at the hideaway market. It serves both traditional samosas and non-traditional burritos along with rice wine and beers on the weekend. The space out front has picnic tables and firepits in the winter.

These days, he lives as he wants. Some (his sister) might call him hermit-adjacent but it's an easy existence. Good on the heart.

[neriyon]

30 WoL Think Thonkers (part 1)

From this prompt list! I'm planning on answering all of these, and to start with here are the first 6 questions (from the "Warm up" category). It got pretty long right from the first question, so hiding it under read more~

I. Where is your Warrior of Light from? What was their home like growing up and what set them out on their journey?

Hawu'li is from The Black Shroud - more specifically from around South Shroud. Somewhere relatively close to the Buscarron's place (he used to hang out around his tavern as a kid), but outside the playable map area. His home was just some small clearing in the woods, with a few simple small houses, some sheds and tons of kids running around.

Hawu'li's immediate family consisted of his mother, Hawu (the matriarch of the family), her two younger sisters (Khona & Masha), and all their collective kids/grandkids: Hawu'li's siblings (2 brothers, 7 sisters), his cousins (Khona's and Masha's kids) and a couple of toddlers from the oldest kids. They are a very traditional keeper family - matriarch strictly keeps her family in line, the only males around are children or visiting, and the family is mostly self sufficent. What they can't make themselves is usually brought as a gift (from suitors or children visiting their mothers) or traded from travelling merchants in exchange for meat they hunted. All of the kids were taught basics of carpentry, letherwork, cooking and botany, but good hunters were treated with the highest respect.

Hawu'li was always very small and scrawny kid, lot more interested in reading books than sparring with his sisters outside. He learned crafting somewhat easily, but for some reason when it came to wielding a spear or a bow he would keep blundering even the easiest of basics. As a kid most adults just found it funny, thinking he'd outgrow it soon enough.

Years went on, but Hawu'li did not grow big like most assumed, nor did he figure out hunting. His sisters found him pretty useful for babysitting while they were out hunting, but Hawu'li himself grew more and more ashamed with each passing year. His mother's strong disaproval didn't help. What keeper couldn't hunt their own food?

Then one year, one of his older cousins, while visiting her home after few years of studying, thought of teaching him some very basic spells. Surprising even himself, Hawu'li learned these spells very quickly. She encouraged him to go to Gridania to learn more, winning the first hesitant boy over with tales of conjurers helping the townspeople and travelers alike.

2. What city-state did your Wol start in? How did they feel about it then, and how do they feel about it now?

And then he left to Ul'dah inste-- no, just joking. He did set out to Gridania, managed to get into conjurers' guild and started studying.

His experience was pretty mixed: Gridania is not really know for being nice to outsiders, let alone someone from a family proud of their hunting traditions. But for every rude person, there seemed to be a nice one too. Mother Miounne helped him greatly during the first few months, and after settling in the Stillglade Fane he did quickly befriend most of his fellow students.

Now, after all his travels, he still feels that Gridania is his "home" as much as his family's home is. Both have some bad memories, but also lots of good ones, and he'd rather see both prosper.

3. How do they feel about being Hydaelyn's chosen?

Tough one… uhhhh Hawu'li is generally of the mind that the title of Warrior of Light is a positive thing. Maybe because he doesn't need to carry it alone - the overwhelming expectations and responsibilities are split over the three of them carrying mantle together. Being Hydaelyn's chosen has led to him seeing the world a lot more, meeting various people he'd never have met otherwise, and having the power to actually change things. On some nights the weight of lost friends feels very heavy, but overall he is glad for the things he's gained from being chosen.

4. What do they do in their down time? Do they have any hobbies outside of Primal-slaying and world-saving? Are these lifelong hobbies or recent interests?

Hawu'li's absolute favorite way to pass time is to just spend it with those dear to him, but he does really enjoy cooking and reading! Or just going for walks or shopping trips with his loved ones. Lately he's been learning more weaver stuff, mostly how to make little knitted shirts for plushies (and Carby).

5. How do they feel now that “it’s all over” (the story of Hydaelyn and Zodiark)? What do they plan to do next? Or is their story finished - and if you’re retiring them, what does retirement look like for them? Do you have someone else taking the stage going forward?

Story is very much not over for Hawu'li! He can't really think about retiring (like, ever) since it would mean leaving his biggest calling (helping others), but I did plan that he has some tiny vacation between 6.55 stuff and the next expansion. Nothing that big, just spending extra time with his partners and friends, having fun and enjoying not being in a hurry for once. Maybe finally visiting his family?

I've spoken about this before, but his co-WoLs (my friends' ocs) are indeed retiring, and when I can figure out how to work them into the MSQ nicely he'll actually get 1-2 new companions (aside from Scions) for his trip to Tural. So now instead of a cat and two elves we'll have 1-2 cats and a bunny, haha. (Einn and maaaybe N'jinh when I finish his rework)

6. Who was their Azem? What were they like, and were they different from your WoL? Who were their family, friends? Or, if you don’t care for the Azem angle or went in your own direction for their past self, how so? How does your WoL feel about their Ancient identity?

Hawu'li's Azem was named Eleos. The two are rather similar in personality, but with Eleos being a bit more… intense? I often like to describe Eleos as "Hawu'li but turned up to 11". Biggest differences are probably that Eleos is very much not afraid to hit things (thanks Venat), and is in general a lot braver than Hawu'li is, but also more prone to mood swings (Hawu'li is a lot more patient). He's also somewhat of a gremlin, getting in the nerves of his poor coworkers constantly lol.

Eleos was the only kid of a researcher and a farmer in some more secluded corner of Etheirys. Venat also counts as his family - as a kid Eleos hugely idolized Venat for saving his hometown from monsters, but later on during his apparenticeship their relationship turns more familial.

Uhhhh as for other relationships: adult Eleos was dating Hyth and Hades, was generally friendly with other Convocation members (Lahabrea might've felt otherwise lol), treated Elidibus as a younger brother he never had aaaaand had a bestie called Skeiron (Einn's ancient). Lots of other friends too since I specifically wanted every single one of my ocs' ancients to know each other in some way haha, so I'm not listing all of them here.

Hawu'li isn't really sure what to think about the whole Azem thing. It's not like he has any memories of the past, and while he finds it fascinating to learn more about what his soul did in the past he is very much aware that he's his own person.

As a fun little bonus I'll mention that they have actually met! In my version of MSQ events Eleos' consciousness still kinda hangs around in his shards, just kinda looking after his "kids" (spectating everything while sitting on a couch with Ardbert lol). In that Ultima Thule cutscene he actually makes himself properly know for the first time, and kinda just manifests alongside Hyth and Hades to properly say goodbye (and sorry) to them. He also offers some words for Hawu'li, and then kinda retreats back into some corner of Hawu'li's soul.

[quirkle2]

WAIT WAIT if wars is exiled from his own home ,,,, the amount of dread. he would feel when LU is over and the found family is unfounded my god . like yes, he still wouldn't regret it bc it happened over him standing up for ledge, but that opens up the problem of homelessness and not to mention the spiral he'd probably go down from losing the family he's grown so used to having by his side. from how you've said it, im guessing he really has nobody to lean back on in his own time. i can see him digging his own way out and still finding a way to live happily but the way you've set it up makes at least the first few months for wars post-LU hurt and i am here for it <33

WIGGLES WIGGLES RUNS AROUND IN CIRCLES i actually have . an lu ending established in my head. i wont ramble abt it here cuz i don't wanna stray from ur ask but could y'all possibly indulge me sometime and let me ramble abt the Literal Best Case Scenario that will indeed give wars a very happy ending . it's my beloved ranch au and i cherish it deeply looks at u all like a pathetic little wet dog that's begging for scraps

BUT IF UR HERE FOR HURT,,,, i think i have some. in my head this is sort of a What If scenario—horrible-no-good-terrible-worst-case scenario—cuz i'm a little bitch boy who can't handle unfounded family and ill sob for three days straight if it ever happens for real but i can destroy him in hypothetical scenarios . for the funsies

(warning for unfounding the found family . and also additional stuff in the tags)

he Would be homeless and honestly he'd be damn hard-pressed to find any inn or business who would allow him service. imagine: he's just said goodbye to the chain and he's an absolute wreck—emotionally exhausted and Yeah rly fuckin hopeless, and he trudges to the nearest town he can find and discovers that 1) everybody he sees looks at him w malice, and 2) all of the business owners in town Refuse service to him

he discovers that somehow, at some point, false word had gotten out that their hero "abandoned" them. the stories r all different, and wars has no idea how they originated—some of them claim he simply quit and left, some say he Attacked The Queen and went rogue, some call him a traitor and accuse him of working with and fleeing to other countries, and some think he's Dead

and that . is a fucking slap to the face. he's been training 24/7 since he was 9 years old, put up w the abuse and neglect from his shitty father all the while, risked his life every day when promoted to captain to defend this kingdom from enemies and traitors alike, and when his people abandon him, they accuse him of treason and say he left his home to rot.

he walks through the streets of this town and most families are ushering their children into houses bc they heard the one-man army hero has gone mad. some of the more hostile, up-front people take him head on, spout death threats at him, swipe at him w blades and torches. he can't escape into a building bc no owner will let him in. he Has to flee

and u can imagine how the rest of his days go. search for a town, get chased out, camp in the woods and survive on scraps and dirty river water until he can find another town that prolly Won't sell him anything. he's fucked. he's truly and royally Fucked.

occasionally, he's saved by a town or two that leans toward the other side of things and some people don't believe the stories. some people think he was wronged, some believe he was Murdered, some think he simply fuckin retired, it varies. they're usually nicer to him, sometimes indifferent. the kinder people take him in, give him clean clothes and a warm meal and let him stay at the inn at a discount and sometimes even for free, if he looks particularly ragged or starved (he . is indeed lookin a little thin). he makes sure to thank them plenty

one time, he's invited into a nice family's house and they cook a hearty meal for him, offer a guest bed to rest in. and then they try to kill him in his sleep.

he doesn't take any handouts after that.

it takes a while—and i mean a while—to find somebody who's willing to let him rent a property or stay at an inn for an extended period of time. most people r wary of him, and since they've all heard the stories of how unstoppable he is, to regular old people he now seems like a monster. eventually though, he does find a place and folk who don't think he's all bad that'll let him stay if he pays well. he has plenty of money—he just hasn't been Allowed to spend any of it

that whole other ask ? the whole Point of the scarf deal, and what it symbolizes ? it's . kinda shredded into pieces in this scenario. yes, he did get better from his time in the war and Yes, the scarf still represents him finally finding a family to love and happiness to be had, but . now that's gone. his family is Gone. literally all that he has left is his mother's scarf, and even what it represents feels,,,,,,,,, soiled

he can't even visit his mother's grave. the cemetery is in castle town. he's been robbed of Literally Everything

.,, yeah ok that's all im so sorry GVIEAGYV hate to cut it short but this is too sad for me and like I said I'm a goddamn little bitch boy and if he doesn't get happiness RIGHT NOW !!!!!!!!!! I'LL DIE!!!!

i like to think he'd get better. but honestly ? that's . so much on him. all that on Such a sensitive and sweet person is a lot. i feel like he'd be miserably unhappy and hopeless for . a long time

[a-collection-of-villainous-aus]

Pirate au part 5 pt2

(link to first part of pt5)

Alright, alright back from the flash back

"Yes but if I am honest, I thought it was a fabrication to deal with the life they forced upon you... however it does explain your need of aquatic plush toys in your quarters."

Hat replied leaning back in his chair, legs outstretched and chin on chest with arms folded.

"Tha' an I jus' like 'em, also sir..."

"Hmm?"

The old demon responded not looking up as a glass appeared aswell as a bottle of wine, pouring by itself before reaching out a hand for it, claws tapping lightly on the glass.

Didn't matter what time of day it was if he wanted a drink he was going to have one.

He was still bitter that Demencia and Acylius were probably talking up a storm and completely ignoring him.

How flipping wonderful for them.

(Awww someone's a grumpy old man XD)

"I were told yer handled yer... Ahem noodles other night."

505 continued, rubbing the back of his neck and looking off to the side, though it was hard not to smile as the Captain let out another indignant huff.

"Excuse you, they are most certainly not noodles, I can make them any size I want!"

He was clearly exasperated by his cooks response, rising to his feet and pacing only for it to hit Black Hat that if 505 knee that means.... ¬w¬ Acylius was awake, that made the pirate King smile, good so he'd heard him, perhaps the merman was intrigued and-

"Really wow...honest jus' be thinkin' with the size o' this 'ere ship was compensating for sumthin."

Fives returned casually and snorted as Black Hat gasped dramatically, hand on chest.

"I am affronted in Spanish you would think such a thing!"

"Pfffft sir yer got a merman who's affronted in a whole lot o' Spanish by ere thin yer done."

That made our Old bastard pause as he looked incredulously at his employee

"Oh like what?"

"Dining withou' even offerin' ter share fer one."

Hat immediately started fidgeting as well as his mind going blank, what was he supposed to do, confess the merman made him lose all reason and he'd been so busy on trying to be impressive to Acylius he'd actually forgotten the merman’s basic needs.

The king couldn't exactly disagree considering be happily ate anything the man put infront of him, scrubbing his hands down his face and groaning

"I have not even asked if Flug has a food he favors most, no wonder he shuns my presence."

"Sir, do calm yer self, trust me, merman ain't hatin' on ya, or he wud 'ave jumped out, merfolk sooner die than stay trapped against their will, part of him wants ter stay."

Now that made the old demon perk up, honestly if anyone other than Fives or Demencia and Acylius talked to him this way, when the blasted merman would finally converse with him that was, he'd have tossed anyone else overboard cut open to draw in sharks and watched as they were mauled.

Ahhh mauling, what a lovely thing.

Maybe he'd do that later anyway, he felt in the mood for a killing, it would be easy enough to find some reason to off one of his own men, no one dared to argue with Pirate King Black Hat lest they be next on his list.

"So what else do you know about deep sea merfolk? I know about Thaddeus's world and of his Edward practically having one as a pet, but they never gave me the detailsr and I did not care to ask at the time, I think they might have even escaped."

Returning to his seat, there was only the sound of the sea and Fives food sizzling or boiling subtly, calming in its own way, his cook had returned to the stove working on Black Hat's meal and the slops the rest of the crew had...excluding the cook himself and Dem...he would not have his best workers fed so poorly.

"King I'm surprised yer dun know more about his kind , I be bettin he has some pet yer ripped him away from..."

Looking over his shoulder he saw Black Hat starting to fidget as he realised that he'd probably caused Acylius more distress without meaning to.

"He dun seem ter 'ave a partner, food offerin' are like socializations...sum cases even get yer matin if they reaaaally like the food and the one offerin'"

Inside Black Hat's mind was a smaller version of himself frantically scrawling all this down while listening calmly, if Acylius did have a pet he was going to bloody well hunt for it and start courting the stubborn fish correctly.

----

In the Captain's quarters Acylius was floating in his tank there was not much he could really do in empty waters.

Tail swaying gently up and down, listening to Demencia's stories about Black Hat and the adventures they'd had.

His fins drooping slightly, so that was a yes, they were a sort of thing, where did that leave him, was he once again some beings pet?

That left him wondering if he was expected to worship within this prison and please his new master...at least if someone explained to him what his fate was to be, his could accept it all the quicker, it was the anticipation making it nearly unbearable.

Maybe if he behaved he could even bargain favors of his body for Black Hat to bring him his beloved Mew Mew loaf...but what if the Pirate king devoured her if he did not behave.

Thaddeus absolutely would have had he had Mew Mew as his companion then.

Looking up at Demencia, she noticed the vulnerability through the cut out holes in the tied bag on his head, she was staring back curiously wondering what was going through his mind.

Acylius had to agree she was really fascinating herself...if Black Hat and Demencia had room for him...it would still be better than his last arrangement.

He'd never met someone quite so excitable as her, she had such a lust for madness it was incredible.

"Hmm would you like to join me in my fish bowl?"

Flug offered, swimming up to the surface, holding a hand out for her, long fingers, fins fanning, delicate veils lined with fragile thin bone adorning his forearms, glistening in the sunlight.

Watching them sway, her urge to touch them rising, she'd never seen a mer being up close until Acylius so of course the lizard woman was fascinated, reaching out hesitantly and pausing, giving him a questioning look as she was unsure if that would upset him.

"Yes you can touch them, but in the tank please, so I can keep them wet, they tend to tear like tissue paper when dry."

Flug chuckled, reaching now with both hands he lifted her into his water home.

Most of course would have have asked why any mer person would want a land walker in their domain and with good reason, there were many cautionary tales of sailors being drowned by merfolk.

Demencia of course being Demencia XD was like Hell yeah and made a joyful surprised sound at how easily Flug lifted her, once in the waters she let out a sigh, they were so cool and refreshing, absolutely wonderful.

"Now that you are in, may I make one more request, may I kiss you?"

His deep and gentle voice with its own alluring inviting timber had her growing a little flustered, she'd lying if she did not agree that it made his request all tempting. .

"Whoa there fish man, at least buy me dinner first."

She teased playfully and gently nudged him.

Acylius was smiling under his mask and shook his head

"What would you like Miss, I have thin air and water...but all joking aside Demencia, it is so I can make you breathe underwater."

"Ohhhh right, makes sense, well then, pucker up fish boy!"

"Only if you close your eyes, I do not want to put you off."

"Please nothing would put me off, you could be a face of tentacles and I'd still smooch ya!"

Flug snorted, indeed she was entertaining. "

"Alright, do not say, that I did not warn you."

Lifting the lower half of his bag, smiling to the fullest extent his lips would allow, the corners of them disappearing under his mask, mouth full of sharp teeth, in awe she stared at their shimmering beauty, all of them like daggers made of pearl, mouth going dry and silently cursing, damn, fangs...her weakness.

The kiss was brief, an opening of mouths, exchange of fluids before being pulled down into the water.

Wow...in here she saw what he saw, the captains quarters looked distant, as if they were peering into a small rectangular window, on the other side of the was the vastness of the ocean, all types of plant life and fish, so on so forth, reaching out to try and touch his world her hand met only more glass.

"Ah ah no touching or it breaks my illusion, it is too tiring to make solid ones at all times but these ones help me from going mad in my solitude in this fish bowl."

Flug was quiet, thinking on how to respond to that

"If you come from Pearl City, you are considered perfect, their colours are more pastel and you are free but with a king...it is full of wonder and lights..."

Sighing he looked out into the vastness of his illusion, it changed to show the city, glowing and splendid

A silhouette of a show over it of he, Thaddeus and Edward.

" Upon my first viewing I thought it beautiful, but that light for me soon diminished as I was kept by its King, like a pet...I do not hate this Land King though who has me now...he seems surprisingly awkward...endearing really..."

"Ohhhh you like him!"

"Shush or I will not continue....my deep sea kind are dwindling in numbers and because of our rarity if captured we can be used as a power play a sign of well to do...deep sea merfolk are wild and free, come and go as we please unless we have a reason to stay that is... "

He raised a brow, sensing Demencia had more to say gently prodded her

" What is it? "

"You want to stay for the Captain huh, that will make him happy he's been a grumpy old sod because he thinks you hate him."

"I would have jumped out the bloody tank by now if I did...anyway my kind is more willing to help anyone and everyone, Pearl City folk only help their own."

Acylius shook his head, smiling to himself, his cheeks were thankfully hidden by his mask because he was blushing and he knew it.

" Screw those pearl mersnobs, you're already more amazing than them...hmm your fins are really nice I was expecting them to feel slimy like actual fish."

Flug stifled a laugh at her attitude toward Pearl Merfolks, that certainly lifted his mood at how unimpressed she was by them, his fins suddenly flared out, the spines on bis back raising defensively as he held her closer before putting her behind him and poised to strike at the nothingness in Black Hat's Cabin, a swirling portal of purple light tore through the air and his first words in response

"You will not have her creature!"

Acylius's claws extended however no one stepped out only a voice was heard

"Awwww cute you were socialising, guessing Black Hat hasn't been looking after you, Demmy Where's Blackie?"

Demencia had been caught completely off guard at Flug's willingness to protect her, taking a moment to come back down to Earth and answer the voice that she knew well

" He's in the Galley Ferral! "

" Thanks hun! "

With that the portal disappeared.

"Full of surprises aren't ya!"

Demmy was clearly excited by his display, like an eager child to see more, that had been pretty awesome for her to see that and see his usually white and deep blue tail instantly go black with bright blue rings on in warning against predators.

" You know them...that thing?"

"Ohhh yes, brief encounters here and there, in another dimension she's Black Hats daughter and your step daughter...though that Flug is really quite different from you, small world after all huh."

"Yes indeed."

He replied, though he still fixed on the space where the portal had been.

It was nice to know in another dimension he and Black Hat had a family... Maybe one day they... No that was thinking waaaaay too far ahead.

[charoite-burrower]

Lore: Something a little different

It’s not an Interview with Outcasts, but it IS the story of two dragons I picked up during BotE to explain how my clan of recluses learned about Luminax. I’ve had their story in my head this whole time. Now it is out of my head. Enjoy!

-----

Verdance vaulted into the air to avoid being side-checked by a very wobbly young Guardian who stumbled into him in the street. His frills flattened against his neck with a crack as he gazed down at the hatchling. This is what he got for straying out of the city's Fae marketplace.

“Careful!” he told the boy, who was big enough that he could have done some damage.

The Guardian looked up at where he was hovering, eyes wide, and was silent for several seconds before replying, “You be careful!”

“BENEDICT.” The hatchling's distraught mother, who had been perusing a shop window, entered the conversation by lowering her head to their level. “You're being very rude.”

“No, mom, he's my Charge! He needs to be careful!”

His mother sighed hard enough that Verdance had to beat his wings harder to maintain his position. “I'm sorry,” she told him. “They do this a lot when they're young.”

“It's okay. I understand.” Verdance didn't, really; he had no children. He did understand that it was an annoying habit, though, and as a result could empathize with the mother.

“Ben. Come on.”

The hatchling stamped a paw on the cobblestones. “I'm not supposed to leave my Charge alone! You an' Dad said so!”

His mother responded by simply picking the young boy up in a paw and settling him in between her wings. With another apology, she set off down the street, grimly ignoring her now shrieking son.

Verdance watched them go, feeling more certain than ever that he was never having kids.

*****

“Verdance?” His landlady, who owned both the private garden and the tree within it that he'd built his nest in, called up to him from her back door. “There's someone here looking for you.”

He set aside his book with a sigh and flew down to her. “It's not another traveling salesman, is it?”

She nervously fidgeted with her pearl. “He's, um, a child.”

“Why would a child be looking for me?”

He heard a voice call from the other room. “Mr. Fae? Is that you?”

Verdance's fins drooped. He recognized that voice. With a sigh, he padded past his landlady and into the front hall. “Benedict? How did you get here?”

The hatchling smiled. “I waited until mom was asleep an’ sneaked out.”

“How did you know where to find me?”

“A Guardian always knows where to find his Charge,” Benedict said imperiously. “You live real far across the city, though.”

His stomach sank. “Did you sneak out last night?”

“Uh-huh!”

It was evening  His mother was going to be in hysterics by now.

His landlady peered around the corner. “We need to get you home. Your mother must be so worried.”

The hatchling scowled. “I'm not supposed to leave my Charge.”

“He did this in the marketplace last week,” Verdance explained to her. To Benedict, he asked, “Do you know your way home?”

“Yeah! Dad says I'm a natural av-nagator.”

“You can't send him back out in the city alone,” hissed his landlady.

Verdance made an effort to keep his frills still. “Of course not. I need to talk to his mother, anyway.”

“I'm hungry,” Benedict announced.

“Then you better get us there fast,” Verdance replied, and walked for the front door.

His mother looked relieved, and also like she wanted to strangle her son, when they showed up at their house on the big dragon side of town. While Benedict whined at her knees that he was hungry, she tried explaining her son's behavior to Verdance. Something something only child? Whatever.

“Is this going to happen again?”

“No. We'll keep an eye on him. Hopefully he picks something else as his “Charge” soon. I'm so sorry for the trouble.”

When Verdance began to fly away, Benedict started wailing. Thankfully, he couldn't fly after, so Verdance soon left the irritating little hatchling behind.

Guardians.

*****

The city was on fire. It had been burning for hours, starting when the Emperor attacked the large side of town, but despite the fighting Ridgebacks and Guardians (who, rumor had it, had ordered all the Imperials to get as far away as possible), the fight was making its way toward Verdance's home. His landlady had already fled, but Verdance had hoped the big dragons of the city would overwhelm the rotting monstrosity that had attacked them. Soon, however, the grim reality had come clear.

He'd just gotten done packing a satchel with clothes and food and the few mementos that would fit when he heard a breathless call from the courtyard below.

“Mr. Fae?”

Verdance looked down to see Benedict, and felt the panic he'd been trying to stifle since the attack spike in his chest. He zoomed down towards the hatchling, who looked tired and was covered in soot.

“What are you doing here?”

Benedict frowned. “Keeping you safe.”

“Kid, you can't-- where are your parents?”

“I dunno. They went to stop the bad dragon. They told me to hide in the house, but it got burned up, so I found you.”

Verdance looked out over the ruined city, what he could see of it in the smoke, anyway, and shuddered as he heard the Emperor's roar on the wind. It was getting louder, which meant the dragons who were fighting it weren't doing well.

He looked down at Benedict and made a decision. “Look, kid. I was just about to leave.”

“But it's not safe!”

“You're right. I… need someone to come with me and keep me safe.”

Benedict puffed his chest out. “I can do it!”

“Okay, but if you come with me, you have to listen to me.”

“Okay!”

Verdance got them walking, but quickly realized that wasn't going to get them moving fast enough. The little guy couldn't fly, but he could definitely outstep Verdance even at his size. He swallowed his pride for the sake of increasing their chance of survival.

“Benedict? Is it okay if I ride on your back? I'm, uh. Tired.”

“Sure! I'm strong. I can carry you real far.”

Verdance fluttered up and settled in between his shoulders. “Okay. Go where I tell you.”

Benedict nodded, and they turned toward the trickle of refugees visible on the horizon, moving through the smoke.

*****

The first few days out of the city were tough. Benedict had no food of his own, and though he walked faster than Verdance, he got tired quickly. The insects that Verdance had packed for himself, he passed off to the hatchling. Their store dwindled quickly. They weren't able to keep up with the rest of the fleeing dragons. Benedict couldn't hunt, and Verdance didn't know which plants were edible. By the time they got to the next town, Benedict was tired and hungry, but Verdance was hungrier.

The town had been wiped nearly clean of supplies, but as soon as the dragons living there saw Benedict, they broke into their personal supplies to help them in their journey.

“Where are you going?” One of them asked.

Verdance was about to tell them he had no idea, when the hatchling piped up. “The Clan of the, uh… the Outcast! Mom said if we got separated, we'd meet up there.”

“Never heard of it,” their helper said.

“It's real far away in Nature.”

It was as good a plan as any. Verdance had wanted to get far away from the Emperor, and Nature qualified. They'd just have to go by boat, since Benedict didn't fly. With a rough plan now in mind, the two of them thanked the villagers and got back in the road.

*****

They weren't the only refugees trying to get out by water, but thankfully the worst if the crowds had come through ahead of them. So many of the dragons could just fly where they needed to go, after all. Again, Benedict's youth helped them, and soon they had passage on a small ship. They were sleeping on the deck with a displaced Snapper family, but they were moving.

Benedict had nearly doubled in size on the road, but he was thin from not having enough to eat. He took his first experimental flight off the front of the boat their third day on the water. Verdance kept an eye on him, periodically calling out tips, while one of the Snappers walked him through identifying edible plants that would be growing in Nature.

Benedict curled up next to him protectively after his flight nearly ended in a crash and napped. Verdance transcribed notes about plants into the margins of his only book so he wouldn't forget. Benedict's first flight should have been longer. The boy needed more muscle, and energy.

He was nearly done with his notes when a blue Snapper heavily laden with bags of herbs walked over and introduced herself as Enid.

“The others told me you're headed into Nature. Have you ever been there?”

Verdance shook his head. “I've never so much as been camping.”

“Lucky I'm here, then. I do a lot of trade with Nature clans.”

“We're looking for one called Clan of the Outcast.”

“Even luckier than I thought. I can take you there. It's where my wife lives.”

Verdance felt a surge of relief so strong that it left him exhausted. He thanked Enid profusely, then excused himself to rest. He leaned back against Benedict's ever-growing side and allowed himself to hope for the first time that everything was going to be okay.

*****

Benedict's parents weren't there when they arrived, but it was another few months before he was old enough to realize why. The clan took them both in and listened to their story with horror. They were isolated, and received news only when the Snappers came through to trade.

It was hard adjusting to life in a hole in the ground after living in such a large city. Verdance eventually built a new nest in the branches of the massive tree above the hill that housed the clan. This caused Benedict to sleep outside.

“They can give you a room, you know,” Verdance told him one day.

Benedict's voice had grown deeper recently. He was now two-thirds his full size, having filled out rapidly on the plentiful food in the jungle. “I need to keep you safe.”

Verdance began to wonder if he'd been wrong this whole time. When Benedict was full-sized and still insisting on sleeping under Verdance's nest, Verdance quietly went to the Matriarch and asked if they could build a room for Benedict. When it was done, Verdance spun a new nest on the ceiling inside it. Once that was done, Benedict gladly moved in out of the elements.

*****

A year passed. His parents never did arrive. Benedict never mentioned it, and Verdance was too afraid to bring it up himself. But one day, the Guardian surprised him.

“I never thanked you for keeping me safe during our trip here.” The words drifted up from the floor of the room. They'd put out the lamps to go to sleep, so Verdance couldn't see his roommate.

He decided to try deflecting with humor. “Hey, you kept me safe, remember?”

“I'm being serious. I’d be dead if it weren't for you. Crushed, or starved, or worse.”

Verdance felt his frills droop. “I wasn't just going to leave you there, Ben.”

“I'll make it up to you.” He said it with the same determination of every declaration he'd given Verdance since that day they met in the market.

“I hope you know where I'm coming from when I say I hope you never get the chance.”

Benedict laughed at that, a low rumbling which Verdance felt in his chest and stomach. “Good night, Verdance.”

Verdance lay awake, deep in thought. Benedict had turned out well, despite everything.

Maybe… maybe he did want hatchlings someday. It would be nice to see them get the chance to be kids for as long as they deserved.

[nayrusfountain]

Species: Zora

Subspecies: Makiiekdo

Breed: Blue Makiiekdo

Nationality: World of the Ocean King

Gender: Bull

Age: 46 years

Scar had no Zora family growing up. Being orphaned at a young age, he had lost his pack to an attack by the soul eating demon, Bellum. The beast took the form of a monstrous squid in the guise of a golden bell. His family were drawn to what they assume was an ordinary yet beautiful bell of pure gold that had been discarded by humans, and hopes to sell the gold for profit. However, it turned out to be a trap, for ten snake like arms and a fanged beak suddenly sprung forward and seize most of the Zoras. In the panic, Scar's mother was force to release her tiny weeping guppy to avoid having him killed. By the grace of Nayru, there had been a powerful turbulence in the water that evening, and the strong underwater currents whisked little Scar into the blue infinity, never to see his family again.

Era: Adult Timeline

Scar didn't protest her offer, finding her very kind. She escorted him across the kelp forest and brought him to her secret nursery where she birthed her pups. The nursery was a beautiful underwater glade with lush coral gardens, sunlit caves and soft sea grass to snuggle into.

From that day onwards, he had been huddled alone in the deep sea forests, his only company being the little colorful fishes who drop food supply to keep him alive and the nosy seals. Scar would snuggle them in his arms every night as he slept in crevices and flooded coves, squeaking in their native language. Each night they would nuzzle each other and wipe his bubbly tears away. During the day, Scar would travel with them to uncharted territory, where he learn to catch, identify, and consumes molluks. Unfortunately, the lifespan of these little fishes are brief. Knowing this, they scout out the company of a few horn sharks and dogfishes to look after him. After all, they felt it was more appropriate for a shark boy to be raise by sharks. Although they are not of the higher ranking lamnidae species (the apex predators of the fish world which what this little pup belong to), they can provide better insights to his species. It was not long after that the little reef fishes slowly passed away, one by one. Scar bury each one and mark their tiny graves with little translucent sea shells. The predators in the area, including the ray like angel shark and a local great white, promised him that no one shall ever disrupt their resting space.

The great white, a female who'd just given birth to five youngsters, approach Scar. Being quite motherly, she wishes to adopt him as one of her own, for she worries that he may inevitably fall prey to ill-minded predators or, even worse, rouge Zoras. The seas of these parts are home to some of the nastiest species of Zoras the world had ever known. They have no cities to call their home. No islands to harvest reefs on. No economy. And no rules. Because of the lawless, almost lifeless environment that dictates who lives and who dies, deep sea and oceanic Zoras are notorious for their cannibalistic nature to stay alive. A tiny, defenseless guppy like Scar would make for a quick snack for one of these desperate beasts.

She urged Scar to meet his new "siblings", all who are 4ft bundles of scary teeth and big friendly eyes. The pups were instantly all over him for his looks, fascinated by his sharkish appearance and strange anatomy. The fishes in the gardens welcomed him warmly, accepting him as a member of their community. His mother politely shooed them away to allow him to grow accustomed to his new environment. A small gathering was held later that evening by the reef's varying shark populous discussing how they will raise a Zora. They all came to an agreement that he is the responsibility of the entire community, and will all partake in his upbringing. The Great White decided to dub her new son Scar, for the X shaped mark on his flank, and to make him sound imposing to outsiders.

For a while, Scar live in perfect harmony with the creatures of the underwater Eden. He would play with his new Great White siblings and cuddle with the reef residents. Sometimes he would even spend the evening building tiny houses for them or listening to the elderly telling the younger generations talltales of humans and sea monsters. His mother isn't always home, something she explained is normal in shark parents. The act of leaving their young alone for certain periods of time is to encourage them to explore and discover the world through their own experiences as the proud parents watch on from afar. And being friends with the reef community, she trust them to look after her young whenever she hunts.

Being a Zora, Scar is naturally more intelligent then an average sea life, and is a very fast learner. He discovered how to attack and hunt small creatures by once observing one of his brother instinctively stalking a lone mackerel, and again while a walking shark was teaching him about mollusks. The mako boy is a quick learner, happily nibbling away on the catch he caught by himself each day. When his mother returned, she assigned him to social gatherings (schools) to be tutor on various life lessons, language, and the laws placed by Nayru. She personally taught him how to fight, how to communicate in white shark dialect, and how to use stealth to catch prey, but with public schooling, she wishes for him to be prepare to one day return to his kind in Zoran society.

Unfortunately after a few blissful years living among the family, the rouge Zoras from the open ocean moved into the kelp forests and started decimating the Great White population to eliminate competitors. Scar's adoptive mother took it upon herself to ambuse lone renegade to protect her terrified children, but they were eventually discovered by the pack.

It was the first time in many years that Scar had seen Zoras, but he was ignorant of the many species they come in. The beasts were sharks sure, but not the makos nor great whites he'd come associated with. They were a sleek silver in color, have smooth profiles, and have broad white tipped fins. The Zoras were skinny from the lack of food and rush in for the kill and picked off a few pups. The garden was under attack. Many fish flee as sharks try to battle against the famish Zoras. They were heavily armed though, and the community sharks, lead by Scar's mother, were fighting a losing battle as the remaining pups and fish squealed in terror. The Great White mother was badly injured and losing blood rapidly from the wounds on her gills, slowly suffocating her. With her last ounce of strength, she forcefully gather her surviving offspring and, with a heavy heart, left the injured ones to die. In the confusion, Scar broke away from his fleeing family and went back to try to ward the Zoras away from his dying brother and two sisters, nipping and scratching at their attackers' eyes.

They were stunned to find a Zora guppy, and upon realizing he is the son of terrible makos, they scattered off with the three withering pups, convinced that his pack would come out and kill them all. Fearing for his own life, Scar then locked himself in the cellar, whimpering at the horror he witness. It took him a moment to realize that he foolishly separated himself from his mother and surviving siblings in his petty attempt of rescue, and now he's alone. She couldn't return for him; she has to use what little energy she has left to save her remaining young before she dies of her injuries. Such is the law of nature.

All that remain of the glade was a battered and dead silence. The only remaining life were the small sharks who hid in the crevices.

For the next couple of years, Scar lived a lonely existence save for the remnants of the reef community checking up on him. He was careful not to alert any Zoras of his presence when he tries to find food, and would dart off once one of the creatures are within close proximity of him. He feared them greatly for what the oceanic whitetip specimens had done to his family, but he was instinctively drawn to them all the same. As a Zora, he needs companionship; Zoras are highly social creatures and very group orientated, with complex social structure and intricate interactions. The need of having a friend that looks like him is hardwire into his genes.

He would sit down and watch from afar a passing school of Zoras whistling and clicking happily to each other in unique languages. Each group he finds was made up of a different species all socializing, but he also saw that mountain sized behemoths like the Weor Zora (whale shark species) are mostly solitary travellers with grunts and sonorous growls making up their scarce interaction. He became enticed with memories of his days with his biological family, memories resurfacing after a few years of living among beasts, and he began craving for mako shark interactions.

Sometimes, he'd find a small school of Makiiekdo Zoras frolicking about overhead. The happiness they shared, the loyalty they demonstrated, the stories, cultures, and friendship they swore loyalty to, they were all a family, and he wanted so badly to be a part of their hidden society.

He would always try to join them, to the point of attempting to approach the pack a few times, but always grew hesitant and veer off the opposite way the minute they turn their heads to him. He try time and again to approach them, but each time they took wind of his presence, he loses his nerves and bolt out of there. And when he did approach them, he recite nothing but animalistic noises as his only means of speaking. This prompt the Zoras to become wild with fear, nervous of the potential danger a Zora like him posses. Scar is feral. He knows nothing that isn't the harsh living of the aquatic wilderness. And sometimes, Scar's wild side gets the best of him, for he reacts on instinct when one of the more curious Zora veers to close. For a little while, the pack began chasing him off as soon as he draws near for safety, and this discouraged him from trying to make friends. He thought they hated him, but in truth, they felt betrayed for turning away one of their own, and devise plans to hopefully help him one day.

Scar began spending his days wandering the forbidden vastness of the open seas, living a solitary existence for most of his teen life. His only source of companionship now were the obnoxious blue sharks following him around for scraps and the slezy oceanic whitetip who's always trying to persuade him to "come hang out in his turf". Scar found this particular individual annoying, aware of his true intentions of which are to eat him. His Great White mother had warned him to stay away from this treacherous breed of whitetip, for they bring nothing but chaos.

When wary of long days of travel and stalking random packs, Scar would retreat back to an abandon underwater house which overlooks a churned shipwreck ahead, the great vessel stationed across the grassy sea hills as its silhouette glowed ominously against the murky gloom. The house, a tiny property nestle between the shadows of the undersea canyons, was once home to a small family of Mers, of whom had abandon the residence when the life sucking demon itself, Bellum, attacked the occupants. Scar didn't mind his new tiny home; it was certainly better then sleeping out in caves and the desolate reef forests. And he made sure to bring the small survivors of the attack with him so they can live off the gardens his new property as neighbors.

As he is one day returning home from exploring the quiet reef, young Scar noticed sighs that trespassers were swimming rampant in his property. He nervously approach his home and bewilderment froze him in his tracks. Snooping around his vacant house was a small gang of Makiiekdo Zoras like him! Pure makos. Pure Zoras.

But they didn't look very friendly.

Scar was tempted to approach the group, but felt threaten by their presence. There was something horribly wrong in the vibe they emit. One of them spotted him, and spoke out crudely while gesturing him to come over. This was when Scar remembered that his years of being raised by the reef community hindered his ability to utilize his native language. He try to recite mako words, but it came off awkward and wrong.

The Zoras realize he didn't speak Mako, and suddenly became hostile. They saw this as an opportunity to bully him out of his territory, and lunge. Scar, not wanting to loose his beloved new home, stood his ground and all the Makos rolled and raked their sharp claws at each other. Scales scraped off, fountains of blood spew from cuts and gashes, tails and digits were broken. Against his odds, Scar used the lessons he received of great white combat and successfully kick off his attackers. His body was riddle with bloody cuts, his eye nearly scratched out. But he was alive at least. The menaces were riddle with gashes and bite marks inflicted by him, something that Scar was stunned by. They sneered before swimming off to open water, the forbidden blue of nothingness. That's when he understood that they are the dreaded cannibals of the lawless expanse of open ocean. This scared him enough to lock himself from the outside world, only coming out for necessities.

To Scar's surprise, spears and swords were discovered in the cellar where the Merman probably once trained, the weapons later proving to be useful to Scar when he fights off treacherous sea monsters during hunts. He develop a habit to train downstairs every night to hone his melee skills. Toys from Merchildren that once lay scatter in their pink and blue bedrooms served as his audience. To which Scar develop an attachment too. He fancied the figurines and dolls specifically model after Zoras, keeping them on his person at all times whenever he's around them. They help him coup with the loneliness he suffers from as if they were his little shoal. He knew they were lifeless figures, but he would gladly substitute the pestersome sharks for these tiny "friends".

When a few uneventful months flew by, Scar receive a knock to his door. Assuming it to be one of his reef friends, he was surprise to suddenly find himself face to face with armored Zoras. Based on their attires, they are authority figures prompted to take him into custody for his own safety. And they were Mako based like him too. Not understanding what they are saying (or their good intentions) Scar panicked and bit one of the Zoras in the face before shutting the door. He slink back to his house, hiding in the basement for the reminder of the evening as the officers try to barge in. He hugged his tiny dolls close as he babble to them in gibbering squeaks.

Finally the enforcers kicked down the door and approach him again. Scar grab his spear and order them in White Shark to leave him alone. The Zoras try to reason with him, but the wild eyed teen launch an attack. A small scuffle unfold, with the guards trying to remove his weapon. After giving his intruders a good jab and strikes, Scar's spear was yank out of his hands and his was force down by the guards. They try again to speak with him, this time in the aquatic dialect of reef fish, and Scar finally understood their true intentions:

The Zoras want to help him. They want him to be a part of their society, to finally swim among his kind and to share their happiness. The Zoran Government are task in removing feral Zoras from the wild and bringing them up in a safer and nourishing environment among their kind.

When he heard this, Scar felt bewilderment and shame for hurting these creatures. Now understanding that they want what's best for him, Scar made the choice of going with them so long as he can bring his friends and treasured belongings. The officers agree, and gave him a day to pack up before leaving to the city. His fish friends were thrill to hear the news, but not all are keen with living among packs of hungry Zoras in all directions, and some have livelihoods in the reefs. Scar was heartbroken by this, but promise to visit them occasionally.

By the next morning, the Makiiekdo Zoras were back to collect him, helping him with the luggage before disembarking. As Scar finally swam with his kind for the first time in years, feeling like his soul became a part of something greater, he look back at the tiny reef community as they wave their fins in goodbye.

Later that evening, upon arriving in the city, Scar was treated with a pleasant dinner within the town hall and was escorted to his new apartment. Here, he will be moniter and tutor by a mentor to help him understand city life, Zoran social structures, governments, laws and jobs he can participate in to earn his income. His first educational lessons are to begin first thing tomorrow morning, and by his request, he can bring his toy Zoras along with him. Scar settle into his small, but cozy new home, and gazed out at the city as the sealines (underwater skylines) illuminated against the twilight gloom of the evening. On his lap were his tiny Zora friends and he set them on the window sill to watch the Zoras whoosh by to hurry home. Scar finally felt that hole in his heart had been filled in at last, and he felt like he finally truly belonged with his kind. If only he knew this was actually the city he was born in, and where his original family had hailed from for generations.

As he soak in his new home watch the busy Zoras come and go, no one notice the faint silhouette of Bellum lurking out in the gloom...

A bio of a Zora I made based on a real world mako shark of the same name.