#hexagonal goggles!!!!

[felassan]

Matthew Mercer: "I’m part of a brand-new audio series: #/DragonAge: Vows & Vengeance, which features characters from the upcoming Dragon Age: The Veilguard – & I have the pleasure of bringing the adorable skeleton Manfred both the game & podcast. <3 The Dragon Age: Vows & Vengeance podcast launches tomorrow, 8/29: [link]" [source]

I guess we'll soon find out if Manfred talks or simply makes noises :D btw I think this is a new screenshot of Manfred? ^^ (Edit: it is :D)

[drop--pop--candy]

i think chika should get different glasses in her cards. because glasses are way underutilized as an accessory

[woggles1]

Buy Premium Sunglasses - Woggles

https://www.woggles.in/sunglasses/offers/woggles-picks

Explore an attractive and premium range of sunglasses for men & women online in India at Woggles. Shop trendy styles and shades for every occasion. 2 sunglasses at 1500 Rs. only. Free Shipping All Over India.

[where-does-the-heart-lie]

It’s them! The ASL BROTHERS!!!

Happy April fools!

I tried to do my best at drawing them opposite how I usually do

I even did the unthinkable.

I covered up ace’s tits.

Completely.

…

list of all adjustments:

Luffy:

no whimsy.

not squishy.

hair drawn correctly (i traced it)

normal anime nose

scar healed differently

no straw hat

No melanin

Sabo:

normal goggles

no fluffy wavy hair

tiny paperclip lookin scar (on wrong side)

w i d e open shirt and large neck

tie

no high coat collar

no shoulder pads

buckle belt

small eyes with large pupils/irises (colored black)

small smile

No Vampy Teeth.

no black upper lip

Ace

get wizard hat'd idiot.

hexagonal and square hat charms

hair drawn correctly (i traced it)

no half lidded eyes

F R O W N

no freckles

small neck

no muscles

covered them up, slut.

No melanin

[anachronisims]

Catch You on the Flippity Flop!

a TS2 traits expansion

by @anachronisims (sufficeittosay) and @cityof2morrow

Part 1: New Traits!

What you get: 16 new trait object files for your personality diversity pleasure. Most of them are opposites of existing 3t2 traits that didn't already have them. One is just because :)

Big Spender (opposite of Frugal)

Black Thumb (opposite of Green Thumb)

Can't Carry a Tune (opposite of Virtuoso)

Climate Denier (opposite of Eco-Friendly)

Difficulty Reading (opposite of Bookworm)

Dislikes Animals (opposite of Animal Lover)

Dislikes Cats (opposite of Cat Person)

Dislikes Dogs (opposite of Dog Person)

Dreamer* (the intersection of Ambitious and Absent-Minded)

Generous (opposite of Mooch)

Homebody (opposite of Adventurous)

Minimalist (opposite of Gatherer)

Nudist (opposite of Never Nude)

Slow Learner (opposite of Genius)

Sweet Tooth (just because)

Terrible Cook (Natural Cook)

(*) I know @lilbabydilljr released a Dreamer trait already as part of the hidden/scrapped TS3 traits collection, but I wanted to change the flavor text and concept of it. My spouseman is a real dreamer-content-to-dream and I felt the TS3 scrapped version was too close to Ambitious. So @cityof2morrow made a different icon for it, and changed the GUID as well because Dill's conflicts with HB's simlife goggles. However, the file name is the same as Dill's and will overwrite it.

ETA: These are traits objects that WILL appear in your catalog in Gen/Misc. They are NOT added to the traits collection file as I don't use it. Feel free to do so yourself, of course.

What's coming next: Updates to existing traits mods that are plausibly affected by these traits (plus some personal preference tuning). Check out the to-do list here. Suggestions welcome and encouraged! Anyone who would like early access as a beta tester, please let us know!

Credits: @hexagonal-bipyramid for the original 3t2 Traits Project, @moocha-muses whose Dylan's Black Thumb got me thinking about this becoming realer than flavor text, and the whole inspiring TS2 simblr community whose appetite for traits mods keeps me going!

Download at SFS

Updated Feb 18 2024 at 245 EST (US) to fix an issue with thumbnails/catalog appearance.

[echos-gal]

ok i'm rapidly losing hope that Tech is still alive, and this sucks because it was basically the top thing i desperately wanted from this season. i wanted to see him survive. so here's my exhaustive and embarrassingly long list of reasons why he SHOULD still be alive, and if he isn't, why it was a missed opportunity. obviously no hate to the writers or anything, i love them dearly for creating this show!!!

(if you're a "Tech should stay dead for the stakes/so someone in SW stays dead for once/i hate delusional Tech stans" person, kindly keep scrolling, this ain't for you)

SEASON 2:

right from the start, Romar connects with Tech and calls himself "a survivor." HELLO???

in this same arc, Tech breaks his leg in a fall which he survives. he continues to walk on it, fighting off troopers to save Echo & Omega, showcasing his persistence and grit.

one of Phee's first lines is "better late than dead," and we know she shares a connection with Tech. she flirts with him later in this scene. it would be a shame not to reuse this line, i'm just saying....

Cid still owes Tech for racing for her in Faster. we see Cid looking miserable as she betrays the batch in Plan 99, so her playing a part in his rescue/comeback would be a nice way to show her growth. (i'm afraid there isn't enough time for this, though- as much as i thought a Cid redemption was on the horizon!)

Phee and Tech's departure is awkward, and although we have some context from season 3 (they talked more than we realized), the scene would do best if reconciled in person imo. it felt like it was setting up for something, and feels weird to leave hanging.

"don't go running off with any pirates or smugglers" could not have just been a throw away line. it set up for him to do exactly that. how fitting would it be if pirates or smugglers actually did manage to pick him up before the empire made it to the railcar crash site?

Hemlock's retrieval of the goggles shows that he sent a team to look through the wreckage. he thought there was a chance Tech survived, and may have him.

i won't go into the logistics, but big falls ARE survivable. in star wars especially. we have no idea what was below the layer of clouds/mist Tech fell through.

SEASON 3:

this is mostly CX-2 centric. their armor is very similar: the jaw/mouth shape, the hexagons over the ears, the rectangles on the chest, and the pouches/pockets.

"domicile." that is all.

CX-2 uses technology more than the other operatives we've seen, and he gets past the encryption on Phee's ship with ease.

"who are you?" was enunciated in the exact same way Tech says it to Trace and Rafa, which i definitely think was intentional.

CX-2 stops to use his rifle scope in the exact same spot where Tech and Phee stood to let down the ladders in the sea surge on Pabu.

he survives a waterfall plunge on Teth, which appears to have fooled Rex's group into thinking he'd died. the writers could have killed him off there and sent a new operative, but they chose to stick with CX-2 pursuing them to Pabu.

it's worth noting that while this CX is designated as "2," Tech's CT number is CT-9902. he is associated with the number even on a visual level: he's a dual-wielder, he wears goggles, he salutes with two fingers.

FROM A STORY PERSPECTIVE:

firstly, i am sorry and i LOVE the writers, but if you want people to accept a character's death, you've got to show his family and friends' grief. we saw no reaction from Crosshair or Phee, no tears from Hunter or Echo. it feels like fans were sadder about Tech's death than the characters in the story.

Tech seems to have been mentioned more in the second half of season 3 than the first half, which works if they want to bring him back in the finale.

the finale is called "The Cavalry Has Arrived." i really don't think you can have the cavalry (aka the bad batch) arrive without every member present. i also don't think it would feel right to play their theme without Tech there. idk, that feels incomplete!

we saw no body, and Hunter received Tech's goggles not from a trusted ally or friend, but from Hemlock. this calls into question the legitimacy of his claim that the goggles were "all he could salvage."

Tech alive and being held on Tantiss would provide a nice parallel to Echo in the first mission where we meet the batch, in TCW. and [ep 14 SPOILERS] we see that Echo is currently looking more like his TCW self, with his earpiece removed.

feels kinda sour that a character who a lot of people related to as neurodivergent representation would die just a few episodes after having a deep conversation with his sister about it.

likewise (and as a white woman i can't speak for WOC), from what i have seen, Black women are rarely the main love interest of a series! Phee is the ONLY love interest in this whole show, and it would suck to just cut off that romance before it could really become something. a lot of people wanted to see TechPhee become canon.

CX-2 is the one who destroys the marauder. it works well storywise for its pilot to have been the one to do that- the person who worked so hard modifying it, flying it, and teaching his sister to fly it. i'll be lowkey pissed if it turns out some random dude blew it up.

it's also CX-2 who invades and sets fire to Pabu. this is emotionally gripping on its own, but if he is Tech, it's even more so.

we have no idea what the operatives go through. Crosshair isn't telling, but it clearly put him in a really bad place. if Tech underwent this conditioning in his post-fall injured state, there's a chance he could come back from it. Emerie is probably the key to this, if they take the CX-2 route.

this show is all about a family trying to stay together as the Empire desperately tries to rip them apart. seeing the whole family together again - even if not everyone survives - in the finale is the satisfaction that the show ideally would go for. the last time they were all together was the season 1 finale. that was about 2 years ago in the show's timeline.

leaving Crosshair and Tech's final interactions be where they parted on the Kamino platform also feels off. Tech was the one who really vocalized the need to rescue Crosshair in season 2's finale. Crosshair, in the meantime, has changed significantly as a person. Tech's comment about Crosshair being "severe and unyielding," and unable to change this facet of his nature, is incorrect. leaving Tech dead would mean that he never gets to see this change in Crosshair, which makes me feel like a deflated balloon.

FROM MY SELFISH PERSPECTIVE!!!

give me Tech with cool scars and slightly disheveled longer hair. this is such a good opportunity for the creators to give him a sweet new look!

we never got to see Tech without his goggles on, despite Phee constantly referring to his eyes. he definitely doesn't have them right now (they're in the Archium), so we could get Mister Big Brown Eyes if he's alive. it's another missed opportunity if not, imo!

the goggles being placed in the Archium was a beautiful scene that makes me tear up whenever i think about it. it's symbolic, it's bittersweet, and it's exactly where the goggles belong. but was it closure for me? not really.

Tech is a character who became a LOT of people's favorite in season 2, including my own. why kill off a fan-favorite with an entire season to go?

yes, i desperately want a Rex and Echo series. yes, i want the batch to cameo in it, and yes... that includes Tech. making up for lost season 3 Tech content 😎

the finale will feature the zillo beast, and Tech loves the zillo beast. FREE HER! REUNITE THEM! he would love to witness her rampage.

FROM A "SURPRISE!!!!!" PERSPECTIVE

it seems like most people think Tech is either CX-2 or dead. it would be a great finale twist if we DID get CX-2's identity, it's NOT Tech, the audience loses hope, and then he shows up. i think this is actually plausible given the other assassin schematics Hemlock was looking at in Point of No Return. Tech might be in Hemlock's grasp, but not an active operative. having an enhanced clone to toy with is something Hemlock would want to keep under wraps. we see him step out of the assassin chamber at the start of that episode - if Tech is anywhere on Tantiss, i think it's here.

i think the writers have expected us to have all lost hope by now, so his finale reappearance would ideally come as a shock. the finale is almost guaranteed to be a very long episode, so we really might have quite a bit of time to explore his return, if it happens.

secret 16th episode: i know, i'm putting my clown makeup on as i type this. but the previous 2 seasons each had 16 episodes, with a two-parter finale. season 3 is just 15, with a single episode finale. TBB formally ends may 1st, so what if we get a may 4th surprise episode detailing how Tech survived? (that or an epilogue leading into a new series, which i think is more likely actually!)

[tiktowafel]

1-a posting? on MY side character blog? it's more likely than you think

anyway here's my take on a Yaomomo redesign! featuring some notes explaining why it wouldn't in fact hinder her quirk more than her canon costume does, because people like complaining about that :)

yes i am aware that the most efficient solution for her is still the sports bra/sleeveless crop top + shorts combo, but it makes for this really sporty look and i wanted to give her something more classy/smart looking instead, which is why i decided to try a dress

another thing i had in mind while designing this was including a bunch of hexagon and pentagon-ish shapes because. y'know. carbon rings. chemistry. i also tried to make her visor resemble lab goggles a little

as my main inspirations for this i'm crediting lavendertowne on youtube (that's where i got the dress idea from) and doodlegraveyard here on tumblr (it's just the visor, but it's still something)

[thebesttelepath]

There's some giggles coming from down the hall.

Not at all threatening, not really. Just giddy. Like a kid. Before... a drone rounds the corner?

Following it with a dingy remote is a short thing, on the softer side with frazzled hair that's pushed back by old goggles.

Hexagonal shaped glasses rest on a very freckled face, and suddenly blue eyes are staring up at Emma as she stops herself from colliding into the woman with a surprised gasp.

She pulls down her tattered scarf so it's not covering her mouth.

"Sorry! I was watching the drone!"

- @h-a-s-e-l-acquinas

She looked down at the girl, giving her a small smile. Emma had seen around the manor but she had never personally talked to her.

“Quite alright, darling. However, I suggest you pay more attention to where you are going.”

[neptunedestiny]

Nemesis

Nemesis is a self-proclaimed evil scientist and a genuine genius megalomaniac who dreams of dominating the world with her Eggman Empire using her scientific expertise.

Gender : Female Species : Red Dwarf Star Age : N/A Birthday : January 14 Heights : 165 cm Weights : 64 kg Body : Scarlet Eyes : Blue Attire : Navy blue pince-nez glasses, Gray hexagonal-shaped goggles, Yellow cape with triangular collars, Black shirt with two silver buttons, Red and yellow skirt, Black boots Alignment : Evil Affiliations : Eggman Empire Favorite food : Fried Chicken Likes : Chaos Emeralds, Conquering the world, Dr. Eggman, Designing robots, Her plans succeeding, Machinery, Outsmarting and/or defeating Neptune and Earth and Sun and friends, Telling people what to do Dislikes : Neptune, Earth, Sun, Solar Mansion, Machines that do not work, Losing, When her plans fail, Anyone who betrays her Ability Type : Power

[azij-designs]

Weathered steampunk bumblebee button boots

Featuring hexagon buttons, floral and bee brouguing, contrast stitching

Based Loosely on the manhattan boots by American duchess

I created a whole character to be the honeybee girl in the song, including hat, goggles, character sketches, and the boots

[mandizo]

this is it. you are not immune to my chemist spokeishere propaganda!!!!!!

hes literally a chemist why hasnt anyone thought of this yet?? like,, the creature plays around with explosives like they're lego bricks. thats literally what we do. except that he does it better , bc he puts having fun with his deadly kaboom stuff first and safety last

i hereby present to you my meticulously constructed hc that is totally based on facts and logical reasoning. not because i want them to be exactly like me . open the fold to die instantly!

spoke is an awesome 😎 chemist, in the sense that he doesn't wear goggles, doesn't put on a lab coat, or have any sort of ppe in general, he runs his reactions in glass bottles other people use for brewing and he even stores his energetic end products in glassware. without labels ofc. sure enough if the stuff in it just decides to explode one day the bottle will be reduced to countless glass shards flying everywhere but that has never happened. in fact spoke never got hurt synthesising energetic compounds (i should really stop calling them that it just means explosives) no matter how insane the reaction setup looks. he'll stir the mixture wit h his own fingers and the reaction still runs smoothly

crossover with the most hc of all time, spoke cant read , he just cant, but that doesn't really affect doing chemistry does it? dont really have to know how to read. just look at the hexagons with goofy faces on them. he also has an experiment journal like any other chemist. but since he cant read he doesn't actually write anything down. there r only his doodles of withers blowing stuff up and the energetic crystals he makes in there. also some pages are just covered in azides and peroxides. the entire thing is just a gigantic safety hazard. the cover and a couple of pages are gone bc one time parrot was looking through his stuff and took the notebook out of a chest. the book detonated on the spot and the cover and some pages were blown off. parrot lost a heart but spoke is still pretty mad at him since one of the missing pages has a drawing of these reeeaaally pretty S4N4 crystals he made one time.

he draws stuff with d-p backbonding as double bonds (hes literally me!!!) and instead of drawing benzene like a hexagon with a depressed face in it he draws a ^_^ in. look at the example youll get what I mean

also he doesn't know how to do retrosynthesis. when he has to design a route he works from the start to the end. and hes pretty good at it

miscellaneous stuff below

⬆️ the brainrot hit when i was taking the math exam ive been talking abt im failing so hard lol

⬆️ S4N4 crystals from tom’s vid on it

uh thats it actually. im aware that there are some key details i need to work out but i think im just gonna enjoy what i already have for now. um. idk. listen to austenyo? lol

[fountainpenguin]

“You put your hand out, opened the door... You said, 'Come with me, boy, I want to show you something more'..."

---

My WordGirl fanfic Factor It In is here! It's the multi-chapter sequel to my one-shot "AlgoRhythm", which centered around WordGirl introducing Kid Math to the villains on villain karaoke night. If you liked that 'fic, you might like this one too. Check it out!

Chapter 1 - “Order of Operations”

Read on FFN || Read on AO3

---

Summary: Being a 3rd-grade superhero-in-training isn’t easy, especially while bouncing between foster families. While 8-year-old Rexagon Pemdas struggles against his controlling nature and inability to keep a secret, 11-year-old Becky Botsford fights major burnout and a rapidly increasing fear of being replaced. Maybe Fair City doesn't need two heroes after all...

(First 1,800 words under the cut)

---

Minor content warning for this snippet - Canon-typical implied backstory trauma (Potatoes, bruises, neglect).

---

FACTOR IT IN

Order of Operations

.:: January 3rd - Saturday ::.

"One must be taught his place if orderly structure is ever to be maintained."

(Ancient Hexagon proverb)

➕ ➖ ✖️ ➗

Psst! Look for the words independent and uneasy

---

It's a chilly winter afternoon in the home of Milo and Miah Pirakell, who have just received a familiar visitor on their doorstep…

HELP!

The word hovers like a sugar cube on the end of his tongue. H-E-L-P exclamation point exclamation point… Milo stands there, as frozen as the snowboy, snowgirl, and snowmonkey in the yard across the street, quietly goggling the woman waiting for him on the front step. She isn't very tall, though the high heels help a ton with that. She smiles back at him. It's a pretty smile, her lips a sparkly glossy pink. Is she as nervous as he is? She's rocking back and forth on her toes, and he can't help but follow every movement.

Sandy blonde-brown hair. She kept it tied back in a bun. Does he know her? She looks sort of familiar, but this silent revelation doesn't stop the panicked heartbeat bouncing up and down inside his chest.

Help…

Maybe he's seen her face smeared across the newspapers or thrown across the TV screens. Is he about to be robbed blind in his own home? Does this woman have some sort of knock-out gas in that briefcase? He tightens his fingers on the door frame, saying nothing, until his wife's careful, loving hands grip onto his shoulder and pull him aside. Like a slug, he oozes at her command.

"Clarissa!" Miah - his beautiful, smiling Miah - pushes the door a little more open. "Please come in. Milo, you remember Mrs. Argent, our case manager with the foster system."

Milo peers at the sandy-haired woman again. Clarissa Argent, our case manager with the foster system. Yes. Yes, he does know her, though he's grateful for the set-up. He's struggled with memory problems all his life and Miah always grants him context like this when introducing someone he might not recall. Name. Job title. Location. Easy peasy.

Yes. He remembers. Her name's been on the calendar since yesterday, and he's been counting his heartbeats all this time. Clarissa Argent has eyes as silver as her surname, and she smiles up at Milo and switches her briefcase to her left hand. She extends the right for a shake. Milo blinks back at her, then uses two fingers to carefully adjust his glasses on his nose.

Clarissa. Case manager. Foster care.

"Would you like to come in?" he asks. His voice trembles when he says it, but neither Clarissa nor Miah mind at all. He grasps Clarissa's hand and gives it a shake. Sweat drips down his palm and smears across the creases of her fingers. He winces, but Clarissa's smile never wavers.

"Thank you so much for letting me visit. I wanted to get right down to it."

"Have a cookie," Miah offers, waving her into the living room. Milo stands blankly by the door, watching them go, until Miah glances back at him and gently motions for him to shut it so the snowflakes stay firmly outdoors. Right. He pushes it shut and locks it out of habit. He always locks the door when he's inside. Fair City is teeming with wild villains who could snap a lock like this in seconds, but it eases the anxiety very, very faintly anyway. Milo keeps his forehead to the door for three seconds, clicking through his memories and trying to remember why they're meeting with Clarissa.

Something's wrong… Help, help…

The girls are already chatting in the living room. Miah just redecorated in October, freshening up the place with a much more modern look. Clarissa hasn't visited since last April, so she's astonished by the changes and has to comment on every one of them. They even replaced the bulging, waterstained wood with nicer carpet.

Help…

Why is she here? This breaks the routine. Milo curls his fingers against the white door, blinking over and over as the world sways beneath his feet. Usually when there's a kid who needs a place to crash for the weekend, they get phone calls. Half the time, they aren't even "real" foster kids- just kids who temporarily lost track of their parents in some sort of villainous mishap like a cheesy tidal wave, a thunderstorm of bread slices, or a giant robot crushing the subway lines.

He's been there. Milo remembers all too painfully the chaos of his own youth, stranded and shocked in the road in the middle of a rainstorm while his house crumbled beneath the weight of potatoes before his very eyes. He'd been home alone after school. He was only eight. He's held a lot of shivering kids in his lap, rocking them back and forth while they watch something happier on the TV than the news. Even if he's fidgety, desperate to stay up to date with this crazy world they live in, and he can't resist flipping through the channels once he's safe inside his own bedroom.

Help…

Clarissa's personal visit does not take his anxiety down. But she's here, with Miah, and there are chocolate chip cookies waiting in the other room. And somewhere out there, one file folder away, is a kid who needs more help than he does. Milo inhales through his nostrils, counts to six, and exhales between his teeth. Though still uneasy, he peels himself from the door and trudges down the hall to join the two women in the living room.

Okay.

You have to take a step down from the hardwood floor to venture into the new living room. Milo does so, keeping his hand braced on the short handrail as he moves. He blinks at the bright lights, blinks at the snowflakes twirling on the other side of the open blinds, and blinks at Miah as she scoots closer to the pillows to make room for him beside her on the gray couch. Pleasantries are exchanged. Small talk. Milo, fidgeting, zones out for part of it, until he hears Clarissa shift the topic to the kid in question.

"He does need a close eye on him. Someone experienced with home security, who won't let him jump down from second-story windows. That's why I wanted to ask you in person. He's a very sharp-minded boy, Mr. and Mrs. M. Pirakell. Very kindhearted."

Milo glances at Miah. She glances right back at him. "But…?" she prompts the case worker.

"Just… extremely independent." Clarissa drums her fingers against the top of her briefcase. "He's a loner. Very detached in conversation, struggling to pick up on social cues. He shows very little interest in anything beyond math, science, and music. Oh, and cross stitch. We're worried that the neighborhood kids he's currently around are bullying him in secret. He keeps slipping out through the windows and coming home an hour later covered in bruises. We were hoping to place him in a home where we can trust he'll be closely supervised, and the Pirakells are always the first to come to mind."

Of course they are. It's who they are. It's what they do. Milo stares at his toes, his heart plummeting towards the floor, even as the Narrator lets out a soft, breathy sigh above him. It's relief and amusement and gratitude all rolled into one, though nobody acknowledges it and the Narrator says nothing else. Miah glances uncertainly at Milo, then carefully speaks on behalf of them both.

"Clarissa… is this kid charmed? Is that why you're here to visit us in person?"

Charmed.

Silence.

"Well, yes."

Help…

"Didn't…" Milo fiddles for a moment with his wedding ring. "Um, didn't we put in our file that we might not be a good fit for charmed children right now?"

Clarissa rocks back and forth in subtle hesitation. Her long fingernails, painted turquoise, tighten in the ruffles of her black skirt. We did, Milo reflects, but says nothing as Clarissa drops her gaze to the file in her lap again.

"I saw you made that request, but… we're still facing a shortage of families, especially with the holidays. He's really struggling to get along at the group home. The staff suspects he and one of the other boys got in a fight just yesterday. If you reject the placement then I'll understand, but I at least wanted to meet with you in person so we could discuss any questions openly and face to face. His status is a little odd."

Help, help…

Miah slips her hand in Milo's then, tightening her fingers around his own. And he's grounded for a moment, firmly planted on the soft gray couch. No one's wailing for him. There are no invisible children on the floor.

There are lots of things he should probably ask. If the kid has siblings who have also been pulled into foster care. If any extended family members are known. If the kid will be transferring schools. If there are special food needs to keep in mind. If he has any appointments with doctors, dentists, sports teams, or music recitals just around the corner. If he likes to walk. Milo does a lot of walking, though Miah prefers long drives along the coast. What's the child's cultural background? Did he have a nice holiday? Are there parental visitations planned? If he and Miah say yes, will the child arrive tonight, and if so, has he had a chaotic morning? All these questions are things he can, and should, probably ask first.

But he doesn't.

Because his heart is pounding and his fingers look like dancing worms.

"Well…" Milo draws in a long, careful breath. He slowly releases it again, lowering his chin to his chest along with it. It does help him focus, but it doesn't calm the rapid kicking in his heart. "Okay, then. If he's charmed, what, uh, range of powers does he have? L-let's put that in the open first, before we talk about anything else."

There. He feels guilty just for saying it. He can feel the Narrator's wispy silence like the breath of a ghost above his head. It makes the hairs behind his neck stand on end. Milo bites his lip, squeezing Miah's hand, and she squeezes back in gentle reassurance. Maybe it's not an unfair question. Even though it nibbles at his skin.

But it's important. It might make a difference. He can't do invisibility again. He can't.

The lines around Clarissa's eyes crinkle with relief. She pulls her briefcase on her lap and clicks it open. Idly, Milo glances at the numbers on the combination when she tilts back the lid. Then he hates himself. Clarissa picks up a manila file folder and passes it over to Miah. "Yes, we've been looking into that… He's been staying in the group home over the holidays. So many families are out of town right now. I promise, I wouldn't come to you about this if I felt there was anything extreme in his file. He only has two powers that we know of. His skin will rapidly repair any open wound… and he can fly."

[ Cnt'd on FFN / AO3 - Links at top ]

[celestiall0tus]

Miraculous AU - Chapter 35 - Guys Night

Beginning || Previous || Next

            Luka walked down the street. He headed as far from his home before he looked around. The streets were mostly empty aside from a few random cars and bystanders.

            “This is a bad idea,” Sass hissed up at Luka.

            “I don’t want people to see me leaving home as a hero. Maybe if Juleka was home, I could, but she’s not,” Luka said in a hushed tone.

            “Fine. Make this quick. And don’t make a habit of this.”

            Luka nodded. He brought up the hood of his jacket before he cut into an alleyway. He ducked behind a dumpster and looked to see if anyone saw.

            “Alright, let’s do this. Sass, scales slither.”

            Sass vanished into the bracelet and transformed Luka.

            Luka’s jacket changed to a blue green hoodie with a cobra hood and tail. Diamond patterns lined his tail with one large diamond on his back. The front torso of the hoodie was sea green along with the inside of his pant legs. The outside of the pants was blue green. His shoes became a pair of blue green boots with a strip of dark green along the top. A snake head mask concealed his face except for his mouth. A snake belt wrapped around his hip with the snake propping up a dark green diamond that it held in its jaws.

            Luka stood as he heard footsteps. He turned and saw a group of men as they fled the scene. He moved to leave but stopped when a loud crash hit the dumpster beside him. He looked and gasped.

            A person rose to their feet. They wore a green sleeveless hoodie with a large turtle design that covered the front like armor. Their face obscured by a green mask and sports goggles. They wore a pair of fingerless dark green gloves with an arm sleeve on their left arm and an elbow brace. Their pants were dark green basketball shorts and green leggings with green high-top sneakers. The leggings and braces had the hexagon patterns that the turtle was made of on the hoodie. In their right hand was a turtle shell shield with a turtle bracelet around that wrist. What caught Luka’s attention most was the flurry of butterflies that surrounded the person.

            Luka moved closer as the person leapt into action. They chased after the group. Luka darted after and caught up to them. He grabbed them and pulled them back.

            “Let go!”

            Luka paused. He knew their voice. “Please, I need a moment.”

            “You can wait. Those men need to be taken care of first.”

            “Why?”

            “They’re criminals. They were going to mug you if I hadn’t shown up.”

            Luka sighed. “Fine, but don’t run off afterwards.”

            They nodded and ran off. Luka waited, then followed the sounds of combat. He turned a corner as the turtle knocked the last man out. They put in a call with the location, then turned to him.

            “Alright, what did you want?”

            “Think we could speak up there?” Luka pointed up to the rooftops.

            They shrugged and headed up. Luka took a deep breath and jumped up. He sucked in a breath with the height of his jump. He braced for landing and stumbled when he hit the rooftop.

            “First time transformed?”

            “Something like that.”

            “You get used to it after a bit.”

            “Right. Anyway, hold still.”

            “What are you?”

            Luka held up a hand. “Rejuvenate.”

            Bright golden light encompassed the person. They sucked in a gasp as the light shone, then vanished. They dropped their shield and fell to their knees.

            “Woah. That… that was… freaky. What’d you do, dude?”

            “I released you from the storm of butterflies that surrounded you.”

            “Woah. Wait, how? I was told I couldn’t be rid of them, that I’d have to fight their voices."

            "Not quite. You will still need to fight whatever they said so you aren’t targeted again, but I can clear away the swarm.”

            “Sick! Thanks, dude!”

            “Don’t mention it. Anything to help a friend.”

            The person picked up their shield and stood. “Right on, my dude. Anyway I can forward the gesture?”

            “Yes. I need to find Chat Noir. Would you know where I’d find him?”

            “Uh, no. But we can look together. I was supposed to find them a few days ago, but I got a little distracted.”

            “With stopping criminals?”

            “Totally. I’ve come out every night so far to find him or Ladybug, but then some crime occurs, and I step in to stop it.”

            “I’ve so many questions, but they can wait. We need to find Chat.”

            “Totally. Name’s Carapace, by the way.”

            “Viperion.”

            “Well met. So, where should we start looking?”

            Viperion hummed. “I don’t know, but I know someone who can help. Follow me.”

            Viperion lead Carapace through the city to Marinette’s place. They landed on the roof and Viperion knocked on the trapdoor. They waited until a girl with long red hair and turquoise eyes popped up.

            “Oh, hello, Mr. Snake. Can I help you?”

            “Is Juleka here? I need to speak with her.”

            “Sure.”

            The red-haired girl vanished and Juleka took her place.

            “Jule, I need your help.”

            Juleka’s eyes widened. “Really? What do you need?”

            “I need to find Chat. Do you know where I can find him?”

            “I don’t, but I can find out. Mullo, get squeaky.”

            Mullo disappeared into the pendant and transformed Juleka.

            “Perception,” Souris whispered.

            Viperion watched Souris’ eyes glow as they moved around. Her ears twitched every couple of seconds.

            “He’s at the Pont Alexandre III. Need me to send him a message?”

            “If you could tell him there are some people that want to speak with him and to wait there, I’d appreciate it.”

            Souris gave a thumbs up. Viperion nodded and headed off with Carapace. They arrived and found Chat atop one of the statues near the bridge. Viperion nudged Carapace.

            “You be the one to approach him. Just don’t scare him.”

            “No worries, dude. I got this in the bag.”

            Carapace jumped up onto the statue with Chat. “Yo, what’s up?”

            Chat squealed and jumped up. “Who are you?”

            “Name’s Carapace, my dude.”

            “Uh, ok. What are you doing here?”

            “I need to talk to you. Well, not just me. Viperion too.”

            “Who’s Viperion?”

            “A super chill bro. Come.”

            Carapace grabbed Chat and held Chat under their arm. They jumped down and landed behind Viperion.

            “Behold, Viperion!”

            “Oh, hello. Hey, can you put me down?”

            “Not yet, Carapace,” Viperion said.

            Chat stiffened. His pupils shrunk and his ears pinned back. He watched as Viperion turned and he gasped. He saw the blue green tipped hair that was Luka’s and scars on their right hand that was partially covered. He shook his head as he fought to free himself from Carapace’s hold.

            “Please, let me go. Please, I don’t want to be here,” Chat cried.

            “What? Why? Did something happen?”

            “Yes. I was transformed recently into a monster and.”

            “Hold up. You? You were turned into a monster? How? You’re the most chill dude out there. Even more chill than me. Well, the me before… anyway. How?”

            “The butterfly holder preyed on my obsessive need to protect Juleka, to keep her safe. Because of it, I was turned into a monster.”

            “That’s rough, bro.”

            “It is what it is. But that’s not important. Chat, I wanted to talk to you. I want to apologize for my actions.”

            “Why are you apologizing? I’m the one that hurt you. Shouldn’t I be apologizing?”

            “You were defending yourself. If you hadn’t, I would have… I would have.” Tears welled in Viperion’s eyes.

            Tears fell from Chat’s eyes. “That doesn’t excuse what I did. I didn’t show restraint when I should have. C’mon, you got lucky! If not for luck, you would have lost an arm,” he spat through gritted teeth.

            Viperion opened his mouth to respond but stopped when Carapace raised a hand.

            “I’m gonna interject here, my dudes. Chat, you did nothing wrong. You saved your own life and that’s important.”

            “But what I did was awful. Viperion could have been crippled for life if not for his kwami. How is that nothing wrong?”

            Carapace raised a brow. “You’ve lived a sheltered life, haven’t you?”

            Chat grimaced and nodded.

            Carapace sighed. “Look, let’s be real here for a moment. The world is exceptionally cruel and so are the people. Those people won’t stop at a simple maiming. They will beat, rob, assault, and more if they don’t just kill you immediately. Just look at the butterfly holder. A person that takes seemingly innocent people and turns them into monsters. Look what he did to Viperion and Ivan. People that aren’t cruel but were made into such people.”

            “Who’s Ivan?”

            “That doesn’t matter. Point is, what you did isn’t that bad when there are worse people out there. And if you are in a life-threatening position, you have every right to stop that person no matter what. I certainly haven’t pulled any punches with the people I’ve faced, and they’re just normal people.”

            “What?”

            “Look, I came to find you to let you know I’ll help you guys with the supernatural monsters the butterflies make, but I won’t stop there. I see the power I wield, and I will use that. I will keep Paris safe from the common monsters that lurk around every corner. That way… that way fewer people have to suffer like I have.”

            Chat tilted his head and his ears perked up. “What happened to you?”

            Carapace considered. “I lost my mother in a mugging. Would have likely been killed too if not for a convenient police drive-by.”

            Chat stared at Carapace in stunned silence.

            Viperion moved to the other side of Carapace and placed a hand on his shoulder.

            “I’m good, thank you. Anyway, my point stands. You may have hurt Viperion, but he would have killed you otherwise. I think what you did was more than reasonable.”

            “As do I,” Viperion added.

            “See? Viperion agrees.”

            Chat frowned. He fell silent as he looked at the ground.

            Viperion sighed. “Chat, I’m sorry I put you through that. I’m also sorry for the misplaced anger I had felt towards you. I’m not sure where that came from, but it’s gone. Could we start over? We are going to be working together and I’d like to start with a clean slate.”

            Chat sighed. “We can try, but I just don’t think I can forgive myself as easily as you all can excuse my actions.”

            “We’re not asking that of you. We just want you to know we don’t blame you. We understand the true nature of the situation,” Viperion said.

            “Yeah. Besides, the first time is always the worst. I’m sure I’d have been like you a few days ago if not for my own prior experiences.”

            Viperion raised a brow. “Carapace, have you been?”

            “To be honest, I don’t know. I know I’ve severely injured a lot, but I might have killed some by accident. But I don’t know that for sure."

            Chat’s jaw dropped as he looked up at Carapace. “How could you do that? We need to show restraint.”

            “Says who?”

            Chat opened his mouth, then shut it. Plagg had never told him that he needed to be careful. Not that Plagg told him much anyway. Mayura had shown restraint with him and Queen Bee, but never explicitly said he had to. He never spoke about these things with Ladybug, so no one really told him he had to be careful.

            “I guess I just assumed.”

            “Exactly. So I ask, why bother holding back when we can stop them? Why show restraint to those who wouldn’t return it? Think on that.”

            Chat blinked and stared back at the ground.

            “Please be careful with what ideologies you put into his head,” Viperion said.

            “Dude wants to be a hero, right? You gotta recognize these truths. Don’t you agree?”

            “To an extent, but there’s a limit.”

            “Well, yes, always. That doesn’t change the facts though.”

            “That depends on the facts and how they’re delivered.”

            Chat looked at Viperion. “Is he wrong then?”

            Viperion sighed. “Not exactly. Just be… careful pursuing such ideas. They can warp a person. However, they are worth keeping note of.”

            “I see. Hey, Carapace, can you put me down now?”

            “Nope. We gotta chase away all this doom and gloom now. Liven the mood now.”

            “Why?”

            “Because we’re gonna chill like super bros do.”

            “Uh, how? Where?”

            “We’re gonna get some ice cream.”

            “Why ice cream? And isn’t it a little cold for ice cream?”

            “It’s never anything for ice cream. And because Al-, I mean, Louve’s mother always says that ice cream makes everything better. And I know the perfect place to go to.”

            “You know Louve?” Chat asked.

            “Let’s go!” Carapace grabbed Viperion and flung him over his shoulder.

            “Hey! Put me down. I didn’t agree to this.”

            “You’re a super bro now, dude. You’re coming.”

            Chat remained silent while Viperion and Carapace argued. He sighed and went along with Carapace and Viperion. The night crawled until he finally got away and returned home. He collapsed onto his bed and sighed.

            “Plagg, claws in.”

            Plagg emerged from the ring and transformed Chat back.

            “Look at you, Adrien! You’re making the friends that you wanted, and you get to hang out with them. Happy?”

            “I don’t know, Plagg. Carapace seems… I don’t know. And Luka… Viperion.” Adrien stopped and looked away.

            “Adrien, what you did wasn’t that bad. It was a kill or be killed situation. You did the right thing.”

            “But it feels wrong. It doesn’t matter what you guys say, I feel awful for it. I could have ruined Luka’s arm if not for the snake and it would have been my fault. I should have been more careful, but I wasn’t. I just… I just.”

            “Geez, why can’t you just let this go? It’s not like you killed him.”

            “I know, but I could have shown restraint.”

            Plagg rolled his eyes. “Like Luka would have? He was going to kill you. He was ready to slit your throat and you’re the one upset over hurting his arm.”

            Adrien looked away.

            Plagg opened his mouth but shut it when a peacock appeared on Adrien’s bed. It transformed into Duusu.

            Plagg bristled. “Duusu! Get out of here. This doesn’t involve you.”

            “Oh, stupid cat, of course it does. You’re absolutely hopeless at these kind of things.”

            Plagg hissed. “I’m amazing at these things. Adrien, you don’t need to worry about what you did. It’s done, it’s past, no need to worry.”

            “What if it does? I don’t really want to hurt anyone.”

            Duusu snorted. “Oh, sweet Adrien, you’re going to have to. You chose to be a hero, now you have to face the reality of your situation. You can’t live in a dream forever.”

            Adrien fell silent. Duusu’s words reminded him of his first night with Ladybug. How she wanted to enjoy the dream they shared before they’d have to face the reality. Was this the reality? The monsters up to Luka hadn’t felt threatening, at least to him. Then again, he’d been protected for the most part. Ladybug handled Stoneheart just fine. Louve shielded him from Stormy’s lightning bolt. Nightshade went down easy thanks to Ladybug and Bee. Dragon was a team effort on everyone’s part except for him. Luka was different.

            Luka was the first to feel like a threat. The first time Adrien was put in actual, real danger. He had to fight against Luka whereas he hadn’t with anyone else. Ladybug did what she could to shield him, but Luka overwhelmed them. Luka took out Ladybug and nearly killed him. Luka would have if he didn’t maim Luka’s arm.

            Adrien looked up at Duusu and Plagg. The pair tumbled in the air as they brawled. He watched them spar, then looked at the cat ring. There’d be more enemies like Luka. There’d be real danger to them. Not just from Papillon, but from other holders soon enough. He didn’t like the idea of hurting anyone, but if he was going to live in this reality, he had to. Not if he didn’t want what happened with Luka to happen again. For himself and for Ladybug.

            Adrien looked up. “Duusu, thank you.”

            Duusu and Plagg stopped their brawl. Plagg’s jaw dropped while Duusu beamed.

            “Of course, dear Adrien. Anything for Precious’ son.”

            Adrien smiled as joy warmed him.

            “Hold on! How did feather brain help you after a single sentence when I couldn’t for the past three days?” Plagg yowled.

            “Maybe you should pay more attention, stupid cat.”

            “I do pay attention!”

            Duusu laughed. “You’re always good for a laugh, aren’t you? If you did pay attention as you claim, you’d already know how I knew what to do. Honestly, you really are a stupid cat.”

            Plagg bristled, his ears flattened, and his tail lashed.

            “Anyway, get to bed, Adrien. Morning comes fast and sleep is all too important for one’s beauty.”

            “I will. Thank you again.”

            Plagg hissed at Duusu. “This isn’t over, feather brain.”

            “When is it ever you mangy, smelly, destroy-everything-you-touch, stupid alley cat?” Duusu poked Plagg, then vanished.

            Plagg mumbled and disappeared into his nightstand. Adrien got ready for bed, then paused and looked at the nightstand.

            “Thank you, Plagg, for trying. Duusu just managed to remind me what Ladybug once said. About enjoying the dream before needing to face reality. To a degree, I understood what she meant, but it didn’t really sink in until now. Until Luka, it had all been a surreal experience, like a dream. Now I guess I need to face the truth. There will be enemies like what Luka was and I need to be ready. Not just for me, but for Ladybug and you as well. I will be better for all of you.”

            Silence.

            “Have a good night, Plagg. I’ll see you in the morning.”

            Adrien settled into bed. A few moments passed before Plagg emerged from the nightstand. He shifted into a cat and crawled over Adrien. He settled in beside Adrien, his tail curled around Adrien’s arm. He sighed and fell asleep with Adrien.

[woggles1]

[plasticmans-plasticfan]

i'm a bit iffy on luke's mask

i think it'd be better if it was groovy goggles in the shape of hexagons with red lenses instead

No no I agree, goggles are way cuter, but I guess here's both versions in my style °3°.

~(⁠ ⁠ꈍ⁠ᴗ⁠ꈍ⁠)

[moversfast1]

Comprehensive Guide to Disassembly and Assembly: Techniques, Tips, and Best Practices

Introduction

Disassembly and assembly do play a very important role in various life aspects: manufacturing, automotive, electronic, and even furniture building. Normally, understanding how to disassemble and assemble parts in the right way helps extend the life of equipment and ensures their optimal functioning. It describes basic tools, a step-by-step process, safety measures to be adhered to, and common applications in which one finds either disintegration or integration processes at work and helps one achieve comprehensive knowledge in these valued skills.

Understanding Disassembly and Assembly: An Overview

Disassembling refers to the act of dismounting a part or a structure, while putting together refers to assembling it. These processes are in great demand for various industries and purposes in electronic repairs, car maintenance, and up to complex structural assembling. The goal of disassembling and assembling is usually to troubleshoot a problem, apply maintenance, or even modify a structure. Mastery of both largely depends on the following techniques and the right tools, which guarantee delivery in terms of efficiency and accuracy for every project.

Tools Needed for Disassembly and Assembly

For disassembly and assembly, success largely depends on using the right tool for the specific job. Below are some of the common tools used and their intended uses:

Screwdrivers: Phillips, flathead, Torx - used in unscrewing and screwing bolts and screws.

Wrenches and socket sets: Nut and bolt loosening and tightening. Pliers and tweezers: for working with small pieces and wires

Allen keys: hex keys for hexagonal bolts, used often in furniture and machinery

Rubber mallets and hammers: used for tapping parts into place or loosening them

Pry bars and spudgers: very useful for prying open parts carefully

Protective equipment: gloves, goggles-safety for disassembly and assembly.

This ensures working efficiency, with the least damage to components.

Step-by-Step Process in Disassembly

While it may sound pretty simple, it is important to take on a structured process in disassembling so as to avoid damages. The following steps are how to go about the general disassembly:

Step 1: Preparation

Prepare a good area to work and gather all tools. Have a system ready for tracking small parts, such as containers or magnetic trays.

Step 2: Documenting the Process

Take pictures or notes at each stage of the disassembly for re-assembly.

If there are screws or bolts that must be removed, store them in a location where all are counted and kept separately. This might help because several of the screws and bolts will appear to be almost identical in size.

Step 3: Removal of Fasteners and Connectors

Begin to work on all accessible screws, bolts, and connectors. Use the correct tool supplied in order not to force the screws, which can result in stripped screws or broken parts.

Step 4: Separation of Each Component with Care

Force is never to be exerted on pry parts; instead, do it gently so you cannot damage sensitive parts of electronics. Spudgers or plastic pry tools are suitable to be used with fragile or intricate pieces, such as electronics.

Step 5: Sorting and Labeling Components

Arrange the components in separate containers or bags, particularly for those complex assemblies with tremendous numbers of small parts.

Label each container if the parts are not visibly distinct.

Step-by-Step Guide to Assembly

The opposite of this is assembly, which, on the other hand, requires patience to be exercised on the acts of precision. If one follows the appropriate sequences, then it provides efficiency and endurance.

Step 1: Refer Back to Your Documentation

Look at your pictures, notes, or diagrams for a roadmap to putting it back together.

Step 2: Reassemble Major Components

Start with the largest or most foundational parts so that stability will be ensured. Loosen components and afterward tighten them to allow minor adjustments.

Step 3: Reattach Fasteners and Connectors

Replace screws, bolts, and other fasteners in the reverse order that they were removed.

Ensure that every screw or bolt is tightened tight but not over-tightened, which could cause damage.

Step 4: Movement in Parts and Alignments

Those parts that need to be freely movable, move them. Those that are not, check for misalignment and perform the necessary adjustments, then do final tightening.

Step 5: Final Check

Perform a final quality check of the product once it is completely assembled to ensure that all the parts are aligned correctly and function properly.

Perform all tests necessary, especially in the case of a mechanical or electronic component.

Safety Precautions during Disassembly and Assembly

Safety is one of the leading concerns in disassembly and assembly activities. Following these safety precautions will prevent injuries and protect your equipment.

Wear protective gear: gloves, goggles, and other protective equipment are a must when dealing with any machinery.

Work in a well-lit environment: this helps you to locate even the smallest part or a piece of detail clearly.

Avoid distractions: Without interruptions, you keep away from mistakes.

Unplugging Electrical Devices: Always unplug and drain when working on any electronic device.

Using the Right Tools: The wrong tools can damage components and lead to accidents.

Industrial Applications

The disassembly and assembly process has wide application in several fields:

Car Repairs and Maintenance: This is because a mechanic could normally disassemble and assemble engines, gearboxes, and other car parts.

Electronics repairs: It ranges from technicians who are involved in the repair of laptops, phones, and appliances, which they have to open in order to find the faults or make repairs.

Manufacture of furniture and repair: Repair jobs and many do-it-yourself projects involve the assembling of prefabricated parts.

Manufacturing and machinery: Much work on an assembly line involves disassembling and assembling parts of machines for maintenance.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

The avoidance of common pitfalls with regard to disassembly and assembly helps save time and resources:

Not documenting the process: Documentation of the process of disassembly always helps to avoid confusion during the re-assembly process.

Screws and fasteners that are not matching: sort screws and fasteners so that parts that look similar are not mixed

Excessive use of force: forcing pieces to fit may lead to the destruction of parts and distortion of structures

Improper storage of parts: small parts should be well kept to avoid losing them and mixing them up with other parts

Overtightening of screws: this may damage threads, aside from creating cracks on fragile parts, hence they need to be carefully tightened

FAQs for Disassembly and Assembly

Q1: How can I keep a tab on the small parts during disassembly?

Use a container for storage, magnetic tray, or labeled bags if small parts need to be separated. It is even possible to take photos at every stage for memory purposes. You can have a look at such photos when it is time to put everything back.

Q2: What should I do if a screw or bolt is stuck?

Apply penetrating oil or use a heat gun to assist in loosening the bolt. Avoid excessive force that might cause damage to the fastener or component.

Q3: Can I use any screwdriver for disassembly?

Whenever possible, using the correct screwdriver type and size can help avoid stripping screws. The most common types of screwdrivers are Phillips, flathead, and Torx, though there are others depending on the type of fastener involved.

Q4: How can I be sure that I will put everything back correctly?

Take photos or make notes in step-by-step photos or notes, and then work in reverse order. Make sure screws are tightened in the right order. Test the assembled item to be certain it works before declaring the job complete.

Q5: Is there any special tool for electronics disassembling?

Yes, frequently, special tools are used to take apart electronics, like spudgers, small screwdrivers, Phillips, Torx, and anti-static wristbands while handling sensitive components without damage.

Conclusion

The process of disassembly and assembly is important, thus mastered by anyone undertaking maintenance, repairs, or self-help activities. To have the ability to disassemble and assemble electronic components, machinery, furniture, and vehicles will result in time and money savings, prolonging the life of operating equipment in use. You will be able to do such tasks confidently and successfully, using best practices, documentation of processes, and avoidance of common mistakes.