#hope you guys don't mind the tags

[the-soul-detectives]

KOTLC INFECTION AU I MADE EARLIER THIS YEAR (i think)

HISTORY/SUMMARY + NOTES:

The infection started with an experiment gone wrong in Kelsers lab. He is the first one to get infected. In hopes to not infect and hurt his family, he ran away into the Wandering Woods. He goes missing for several months. After a bit, someone visited the woods and happened to come by Kelser. But... He wasn't Kelser anymore. He was a hungry and contorted monster. And he's starving... That's how the infection spreads. As said in the canon, most minds break of they commit some form of violence. A lot of elves come and gone just from defending themselves, but some elves (such as The Neverseen, Fitz, and Tam) have a stronger will and are used to violence, hence their minds being harder to shatter. They can fight back easily with their strong minds. The other elves are stronger than the others, and their guilty mind set slower (though, these sorts of elves aren't stronger than the previously mentioned ones). The council, despite the many pleas, are completely silent. They aren't responding or acting out on the situation. This is leading some people to join the Neverseen, just so they can have protection. Though, the Neverseen only take a few people. The Black Swan has been silent as well. No one is answering their imparters. The abilities are useless against the infected, no matter how rare or powerful your ability may be. The infected aren't affected by any ability. Note, Mysterium is currently under quarantine, the only decision the council has made that the public now about. All of the people there are infected. You see, the explosion from the chemicals released into the whole of Mysterium. The virus is technically airborne, but since Mysterium has been under confinement, the virus can only be spread through biting. All of the people in Mysterium are in stage 4, the bubble trapping the gas inside Mysterium is keeping them from rotting. This just makes them more hostile and hungry. Alden and Elwin are assigned to observe and study them, though, they find it hard, considering they cannot come inside without becoming infected or eaten.

Stage one:

—Bloody nose

—Weaker immune system

—Nausea

—Exposed wound not easily fixed with any elixirs or potions

—Shock

—Panic

—Sudden pang of hunger

—Abilities getting weaker

Patient will experience the symptoms the moment they're bitten by an infected one. If they aren't eaten, of course. An infected one usually takes a single bite out of an elf, tearing of their flesh (stage 3-4), but, if you catch them in the early stages, it'll only be a bite mark. They will start getting hungry, despite if they already ate. Normal elvin food should keep them at bay. For now at least

(Duration 1 week)

Stage 2:

—Getting sicker more

—Vomits often

—Snaps a bit easily

—Hunger really starts seeping in.

—Though hungry, they WILL still try to control themselves

—Starts to get a bit more aggressive, but not much

—Paler skin

—Less vibrant eyes

—Panic attacks

—Less energetic

—Wound starts to itch and become more bruised and bloody

—Ability almost useless

In stage 2, noticeable differences can be made. The infected elf will get more and more sickly ad the days go by. You can still approach the elf at this stage, but they'll most likely already be a little violent at this stage. Normal food still tastes the same, but they can't get full.

(Duration: 1 week)

Stage 3:

—More hostile

—More distant towards friends and family

—Can and will bitr your face off

—Almost gray iris, Bloodshot sclera

—Body part where the infected took a bite will start to contort

—Hungry constantly. Starting to crave meat

—Vision starts to blur

—Cannot think straight most of the time

—Ability not workingp

At this stage, their hunger is starting to become stronger. Their starting to become desperate for food. Their sanity is lowering, but they still have enough to distance themsleves from their loved ones. It is recommended to isolate the elf if they are in this stage, as if they're an elf who gets mad easily, they WILL not hesitate to jump at you.

STAGE 4:

—Now very hostile

—Blindness

—Starving

—Will eat itself if not fed

—Wound opens up, revealing bare bone

—Acidic saliva (can infect)

—No sanity, Mind shattered

—Ability gone

—Cannibalism

—Increased stamina and agility

In stage 4, their ability/abilities are completely gone and they will attack literally anyone they see and come in contact in. Their wound starts to open, revealing their bone. These are no longer your loved ones. They're gone. This isn't them anymore. RUN.

A note to telepaths and empaths!!

During stage one, their mind and emotions are a bit haywires. If you probe their mind, it'll be panicked and they'll be craving something to eat a lot. If you sense their emotions, it'll be anxious and shock.

During stage two, their mind starts to get foggy and blurry. Their emotions start to become stronger. If you read their mind, you'll see their cravings start to show. If you sense their emotions, you'll feel the anxiousness and the aggressiveness.

During stage three... You are no longer able to probe their mind. Empaths will become weak within 10 feet of an infected one. They'll become overwhelmed with how much aggression can be sensed. Telepaths are no longer able to read and probe their minds. They're too aggresive. You will die if you approach. If you ARE able to push through the barriers, you'll be overwhelmed. There is nothing to be saved. Get out of their minds

During stage four... Don't. Just don't.

( @imobsessed123 @thishumanformislimiting @multi-fandom-lunatic @siennamakeschaos @innereverblaze @iguessthisismymainnow @kale-of-the-forbidden-cities @myfairkatiecat @ham-cheese-toastie )

[projectjasper]

Aou's reaction to the horrors of diet control at idol competitions SUDSAPDA - JASP•ER PRESS TOUR, 9JAN2025

[qifreyplushie]

hey pal. you just blow in from stupid town

[mellosdrawings]

*cough* just a little "twst event spoilers" tag or "spoiler" tag maybe? Pretty please

[bonicedemandarina]

Glorimas malleus be upon ye

Also, here's my yuusona! / Yuu oc? Yuu...idk but basically my version of Yuu. Hopefully I'll make a proper intro post for her soon

Anyways, I wanted to make something for glorimas since it came to the en server so here it is!

Click for better quality

[henwilsons]

911onabc: 3 week countdown 😘

[fanaticsnail]

Got any OP xreader fic author recommendations? Here or on ao3! Friends, mutuals, people you just think are cool and want to give a s/out, etc :3

There are too many to shout out. So much talent, beauty and love for the One Piece universe. I have a list here of fics that I love, but a couple of the accounts have unfortunately deactivated.

I have a few accounts that I love revisiting for their content:

@sordidmusings for her Buggy & Beckman. Love this lady.

@a-killer-obsession for her Kid Pirates (Heat, my beloved). Also OC content 👌👌👌

@nina-ya for her Law and beautiful HCs.

@loganwritesprobably for his Beckman and his follower event.

@quinloki for an amazing 18+ time with all of his beautiful creations.

@gingernut1314 for my favourite Buggy series: "Songbird"

@thenotsofantasticlifestory for everything. 'ho-boy, this lass can write.

@writingmysanity for her upcoming works and her Sanji series.

@since-im-already-here for her Klahadore

@feral-artistry for her artistry (Corazon 🫠) and her Shachi fic that is just 🤌

@vespidphoenix for her Sanji x OC 😘👌

@skullfacedlady FOR HER DOFLAMINGO AND CORAZON AND OC ART AAAAAAAAA

@discordantwritings for their Crocodaddy

@indydonuts for her everything ever. Corazon NSFW alphabet is on my mind always.

@i-am-vita for her artistry and her Ghost Rose series.

@jintaka-hane who is sharing her love for the Kid Pirates like me lately. And Cabaji!

@swampstew gets a shoutout for the Kid content, my word.

@standfucker for "Rotation". Once a month. 18+ read

These are just a few from the top of my head. I know there's more, and I feel bad for posting before think of more. I hope you have a wonderful time reading and looking! 🖤🖤 These people are amazing.

[ghostdice]

thank you sm for the tag, @goodpointsandbadpoints !!! :D

last song: circles // pierce the veil .... i almost typed piers the veil, HELP

fav color: blue/purple/green? maybe?

last book: I FINALLY FINISHED THE KINGDOM HEARTS 358/2 DAYS LIGHT NOVEL RECENTLY and it destroyed me. good lord i knew the ending, I'VE SEEN THE ENDING A MILLION TIMES, and yet! i've also started even though i knew the end by c. l. polk

last movie: wicked (2024) .no one llook at me i realize i don't musicalpost here like i did on my old acct

last tv show: dungeon meshi :3

sweet/savory/spicy: maayyybe savory? idk but i rly want hot cheeto puffs rn >.<

relationship status: single !

last thing i googled: morse code txt minisode 3 tomorrow :] the little track is just morse code for tomorrow, which they used in their debut song crown . and thematically sososo beautiful

current obsession: none of my special interests have been special interesting the way they usually do so i'm in this terrible state of limbo BUT i've still been trying to cling to txt & resevil & saw like my life depends on it :3

tagginggg @vaaaaaiolet @whiplash1-10 @boymagicalgirl @johnnyutah & anyone else who'd like to!! <3

[painom]

Hello! Can I just say that I really appreciate you doing this? I've always been a big fan of your analyses and your ability to get to the root of the characters. Thank you for continuing to let us read your wonderful thoughts and stories.

On your old blog, you discussed your headcannons for Lyney, one being his tendency to forget things like where he put his wallet because him and his mind are very busy. Unfortunately, I didn't save the post (my biggest regret ahhhhh!) and I would love to read your analysis once more. If it's okay with you, could you go over your headcannons for Lyney again? The old, the new, whatever's on your mind and whatever you're willing to share. Thank you so much!

Thank you for the kind ask, anon! Here you go!

New Lyney Headcanons

Self-focused - Though he never seems like it, those that know Lyney well know that he’s often running low on sleep. And really, he has no one to blame but himself. During the day he’s often distracted with magic shows, helping people, little tasks around the hotel, running missions for Father, and much more. And at night? He can often be found alone in his room planning new tricks, arranging missions for his siblings, studying to become the next “king” of the House, and things of the sort. If Lynette and Freminet didn’t keep an eye on him, no doubt he would stay up the whole night if given the chance! Those two welcome all the help they can get. 

Relationship-focused - When it comes to his relationship with you, Lyney never lies. You know he would never do that to you. And sometimes, the knowledge almost lulls you into a false sense of security. Yet you know better. You’re smarter than that. Where Lyney doesn’t lie, he omits. Half-truths so easily fall from his mouth as drops of rain from the sky. Your comments of concern are often brushed off and your questions redirected. As much as you try, you know the truth. He doesn’t want you to know. He doesn’t want you to shoulder his burdens with him. 

old lyney headcanons below!

Would Lyney be honest with you?

With his outgoing and fun personality, it oftentimes is easy to get caught within his flow. Lyney is the charming sort, after all, that one may very well forget that he is subject to the same struggles as the rest. Get to know him well enough, though, and you will quickly realize that this is not a fact he wishes others to know. More than a desire, he needs to be seen as someone in control, as someone without weakness. That’s his role as the big brother. And if that means lying, avoiding, and omitting the truth to accomplish it, then an accomplished performer like himself will do what he must. 

Does Lyney prefer to pursue or be pursued?

With a penchant for flair and dramatics, it’s clear to see Lyney prefers to pursue the people he’s interested in. Really, it’s one of the things he goes all out. With a trick up his sleeve, he won’t hesitate to dazzle you with flowers pulled from nowhere and fireworks from his tophat. He wants you to be enchanted. He wants you to be impressed! You are, aren’t you? You like it, don’t you? So focused on charming you that he often loses sight of much else. Fun fact, should you attempt to turn the tables, however, you can expect his mask of self-confidence to fall to reveal a rather flustered expression beneath. 

Headcanons

Self-focused - If there’s one thing that’s true about Lyney, it is that he is a very busy person. As a person with multiple masks and roles, his thoughts are often preoccupied with House missions, performances, new tricks, and things of the like. So, much to the dismay of others, it’s easy for things to become buried under the multitude of other tasks he needs to take care of. How often the simple things become forgotten—where he last left his wallet, tea time with his siblings, the sale on storybooks at the bookstore. During those times, he really can’t help but appreciate his siblings and their ability to keep him on track. Really, he doesn’t know what he’d do without them!

Relationship-focused - It doesn’t hit you at first, but it doesn’t take you very long to notice how hard Lyney tries for your relationship. Normally this would be a good thing, but it is different with Lyney. Every day he tries to charm you. Every day he attempts to enchant you. You tell him he doesn’t need to try so hard, but that only seems to light a fire beneath him to do even more. You see it in his eyes. He needs to know you are still in awe of him, that you like him as much as he does you. And then it sinks in, doesn’t it? He doesn’t trust you. He doesn’t trust your feelings for him. He��ll never show his true face to you.

old tags for this post: #okay let’s talk lyney for a bit i think the biggest thing to know about lyney is that at his core he is an insecure person insecure and anxious #imo he’s extremely attached to his title of ‘big brother’ that he needs to fulfill the duties if such he needs to protect his siblings and be a person others can rely on #this belief is so strong that he refuses to rely on arlecchino for help and snaps at freminet for trying to get him to open up #he really cares about the way he’s perceived #remember when the traveler found out he’s part of the fatui and he spends his time bending over backwards to try to get them to trust him ‘like me! like me! please. i’m trustworthy i’ll never lie to you please!!’ #honestly imo that’s just one if his faults like lyney is unstable #idk what possessed arlecchino to make him her successor like he’d crack under pressure #lynette is a way better option #but anyway bc of these things he would not trust his partner in a relationship #he wouldn’t rely on them he’d never feel secure which would prompt him to keep trying too hard to ensure he’s still the person he thinks you fell in love with #the most important thing to remember with lyney is that he is a performer and the face he shows to the world is essentially a mask

What’s Lyney’s breaking point in a relationship?

It’s hard to imagine, really. With how much Lyney may seem in love, the idea there’s a point a relationship would be too much for him is hard to believe. But when you really think about it, his breaking point is simple. As strong as his feelings may be for you, his devotion to his family and its cause outweighs everything else. Should your relationship with him ever reach a time where it encroaches upon that which is the most precious to him, then there’s nothing more he can do than let you go.

old tags for this post: #i think the key thing to take in here is that lyney cannot function without his family he is extremely reliant upon them to the extent that he will become unstable without them #just look at the archon quest when wriothesley captured his siblings any and all logic completely went out the window #lyney is an anxious insecure mess and the only thing that holds him together is playing the role he has to as big brother #if your relationship with him ever reaches the point that you transcend into being counted as his family.... he will have no breaking point #the breaking point will be his mind or body. whichever breaks first

[somegrumpynerd]

I cannot believe how quick people hit the goals on @wolfbeestudio's kickstarter so I had to do another doodle I actually did one before but two more cats got unlocked before I could finish it so I had to start again lol

[cosmica-galaxy]

It's canonical.

The human may have a smaaaaall crush on the Dronemen's unofficial skibidi lad, Observateur. -- Observateur belongs to @aothecat !!

[iceclew]

I'm cracking up so much right now like....I really did it, wtf XD

First I wanted to go like "this is not my fault, this is @mechazushi's idea", but to be honest.. I had so much fcking fun with this.. ( ‾́ ◡ ‾́ )

The idea is just *glorious* and so fcking stupid, it's perfect again.. https://www.tumblr.com/mechazushi/754110618707066880/so-this-isnt-so-much-an-incorrect-quotes

So this was her original post, the idea sprouting, so to say :D

Credit on your brain rot, it's hilarious @mechazushi :D

The less I get done in RL - the more creative I get, it's such a horrible curse..

Should I do a split up version of this as well, I wonder..? Like..all of them in seperate pics? (¯―¯ ٥)

[omies-odd-writing-spot]

Tea cup lights

welp, this is out of order, but still wanted to do it! From my GT story "Little Library Mouse: Fallout idea" have the two later on, on their adventure.

This part was inspired by @mari-gt 's art here. As well as @amii-bo 's art here. .o. go look at their amazing art and blogs and stuff its so neat and cool! @horseyneigh2002 @raventroll80 @noris-stoneward you might like??

okay, here's my silly. .

Tea Cup Lights: How his tiny companion had managed to move a bit of coal from his cooking fire to her area he was ont sure. Impressed for sure, but worried. Granted the hot coal was small enough to fit in a bottle cap. So maybe it was a piece that crackled off and away from the fire.

“You okay there sister?” John asked as he settled down in the inside-camp with a freshly killed mole rat being put in a glass dish pan. He only really liked the wild ones, from out of the city. They had fuzzy hides and did not taste as weird. It tasted more like a rabbit to him.

He should get a rabbit soon, as much to share with his tiny companion. As to save the hide and fur for Cassidy and her family back in the library.

John smiled a bit at the jump, before the tiny woman looked up where she was kneeling trying to coax her coal to a life again. She gave a deep breath and nodded, “yeah… yes. I- oh no it went out.”

John set the mole rat and dish aside, shifting to stretch out on his side near but not too close to Cassidy. The ghoul-man’s dark eyes taking in the little camp Cassidy had been starting to set up through the broken cabinet. “What were ya trying to do with the dishes in there, little sister?”

Cassidy sat back, taking a deep breath, sitting on her knees as she looked up at the giant. Grateful he had laid down partly so he was not as towering. She looked down at the once little fire attempt in her bottle cap. Her cheeks flushed, “I was trying to set up a bath… it's been a few days and I feel gross after we crossed that river… you saved me from the mud! But….it's just…”

Cassidy tossed her arms out, waving them to show her normally green and brown dyed clothes were very…. Grey. And she knew she smelled still. “Gross. I was going to try and clean my clothes and… me since you said we would camp so early.”

The giant man tilted his head, blinked those eerier but pretty black eyes before he looked down and took a slow, deep breath. He made a face and then a sheepish look. “I think I got nose blind, eh?”

There was a soft giggle that Cassidy was trying to hold in.

John smiled, his scarring pulling it lopsided to the left. He gave a playful snort. “Can I help?”

He at least found some preserved clothes to change into, in the old building their camp was in. John watched Cassidy look between the cabinets, John himself, and then to the small cooking fire, to him. A massive bonfire to her little self. He could see the moment Cassidy realized that she could ask for some help. 

“...can I have some warm water?” Cassidy finally asked, turning back. 

John nodded, having no problem with that as he started to sit up. Glancing at the fire and the pot of water on the other side. It was not boiling but just starting to simmer. “What were you wanting to use as a little sister?”

Cassidy looked relieved and sat up, “There's a few bowls and… I think it's a tea cup? One or both I can make use of, for sure.” 

John shifted, starting to reach around Cassidy and carefully checked the door of the cabinet. It took a second but the door popped free and squeaked open to show the neat stacks of dishes inside. John could see the miniature camp under one of the wire racks for plates. And bowls. He saw a stack of clothes to the far left. 

“Okay, scoot so I can reach things better, Cassidy.” John said as the ghoul started to move closer. Pausing to let his tiny companion pick up the cap and moved to be by the first door opened. Watching with wide eyes as John carefully pried open the other door to the cabinet. Cassidy always looked up at him with that odd wonder as he moved dishes from under the cabinet to the counter above. Like he was the strongest person in the world.

Maybe he was, to her.

It was… an oddly nice feeling.

“I’ll put the plates back before we go,” John explained, as he was testing the wire rack. “This is getting old, but it’ll be fine for the next few days.”

“Days?” Cassidy asked confused as she stood beside the open cabinet to see what John was doing. Backing up as he lowered a cup, more coffee mug, to her level. Cassidy grasped the edge, it was about even with her neck as she rested her hands on the side. “Oh… this would be lovely…”

She would just need a few steps to get in, and maybe something inside. To brace against that while inside of the smooth walls, there should be some nice pebbles for that! 

“We’re pretty much at the old mall location,” John said, leaving the mug and then reaching for those cloths to the far left. Finding the best looking of them, setting one beside Cassidy’s little camp area under the wire rack, then paused, “Where do you want the mug once the doors are closed?”

“Beside the support pole?” Cassidy asked, peering in. “That would help me get a hand hold if there’s not some clean pebbles.”

“Pebbles?” John asked, tilting his head. 

“I can climb in and out with it dry, and grippy shoes.” Cassidy leaned on the cool, but still large coffee mug, bouncing a bit beside it. Then as she still had her shoes on, the rubber-leather ones. Able to climb up and then sit on the side of the mug, kicking her legs inside the mug as she balanced. She hopped down into the mug, finding it was a little taller on the inside so she could fold her arms comfortably on the edge and look up at John. Having found that sometimes it was a lot easier to show the giant man something then trying to explain it. 

 “I need steps. And a pebble inside would help me keep my balance. It’s too slick to climb out of without shoes, and it, everything, being wet.” Cassidy paused, realizing she was being stared at, “Are you okay, John?”

“Why,” The man took a breath and sighed before his scarred hands moved to wrap around the mug, hesitating for a moment. With no protest though, he carefully lifted Cassidy up so they could look at eachother better. “Do you have to be so godsdamn cute, little sister?”

Cassidy flushed, not expecting that as she hid her face against the ceramic for a moment. “I can’t be that cute.”

“You really are,” John chuckled as he tapped the side of the cup’s rim. Pausing as a miniscule hand patted his finger tip. “Now, under the rack you wanted?”

Cassidy nodded, still fighting her blush as her mug was set down gently. Shifting as John gently tilted the mug on its side to let her out in the area. But paused as Cassidy moved to tug on his fingers to set the mug solidly on it’s side under the rack, “Yeah, I liked this spot. and this here. Can you set it up?”

“Yes Ma’am.” John drawled, amused but agreeable as he reached for those cloths again. Setting the top one aside and then inspecking the others before moving the coffee mug. A little dust but shaking them to the side he offered one of the smaller wash cloths. “...or, can you use these instead? There's a few.” 

Cassidy looked up and came over to his hand, smoothing her own over the clean coth. It really was just a bit of dust that was shaken off. “What is it made of? It's still so soft…” 

“It’s one of those pre-war materials. Some were made with… what did Daisy call it…? ‘Synthetic fibers’ that last a long time.” John said as he stretched his legs out, using the tip of his shoe out of sight from Cassidy to nudge the water pot a bit farther away from the fire. “You can find them in hidden spots like here. Just clean them up, shake off dust if any. Good as new.”

“How many are you going to need?” Cassidy wondered, just managing to pull up the washcloth up into her arms. It looked like a large quilt to her frame as she fought a yawn.

“I don’t need more than one of the bigger ones to wash up.” John slipped his hand away and then inspected the rest of the washcloths, at a concerned look up he grinned and added, “I think I saw some old clothes upstairs sister, I can change out of the mud stained stuff. But a full bath is a lot harder for my big ass to do, than for you. Just because I’m stuck cleaning up a little slower, doesn’t mean you can’t get a bath before bed.”

“Are you sure?” Cassidy fussed, putting the cloth into the mug. She looked back and squeaked as her big protector put the stack of washcloths down by her other things. Then flipped one of the bigger cloths over the wire rack to make a tent almost. She saw how John set several aside in the cabinet, keeping a good four for himself. “I feel guilty…”

“No need to, little sister. You can enjoy the advantages of being small on a trip. Now… how about this?” The giant, scarred man sat back a moment to consider all the dishes still in the cabinet. Reaching up to the second shelf that Cassidy has not explored yet. Bringing down something she had only seen in pictures of cooking books. “Would this work better? About the same amount of water but not as much…drowning risk.”

“Is that a… ramekin?” Cassidy marveled once it was set down, she had only seen pictures in books! It was a good two and a half inches deep! Shallower than the mug but it was almost twice as long as she was tall. 

“Not sure,” John admitted, looking it over, no cracks at all. It was in great condition like the other dishes, the inside even looked clean, so he was trying not to touch it. “Big enough for you to do all the cleaning stuff?”

“Yes,” Cassidy nodded, she lit up and asked as John was shifting away, “I didn't get up to that table yet, the big one you set your bags, but the box up there? Does it really say candles?”

John glanced over as he hunched by the fire. “It does, good eye sister. Here… this is for you- don't jump in it's still hot. I'll check it out.”

The giant, scarred man set the odd bowl-ramiken thing down on one of the larger cloths. Getting up to walk across the room and checking the box. It looked like a part of supplies someone- likely that skeleton in the bedroom, had tried to gather supplies. Or salvage some?

The cardboard broke just under the light pressure of his fingers, and the plastic under. Yet even he could smell wax, old but still good as far as he could tell. Four larger candles, two medium and the rest of the space of the once box had been filled with those tea-cup candles of different colors. He knew of several pre war ladies who liked them, and Daisy always seemed to buy them from scavengers. About as big as a small bundle of caps, in a tiny tin or aluminum cup. 

They were cute. 

John tapped the wax, still seemed good. He reached into a pocket to find his familiar lighter, lighting one. Almost dropped it as the wax was not attached to its tin. But after a few seconds he was sure the tea-cup candles would stay lit, John picked up a good handful in his now free left hand before coming back. 

“You were right, little sister,” John said, glancing at the still open cabinet, crouching down to place the lit candle down by the tiny camp. Grinning at the just delighted and amazed gasp before he set the others of different colors near. “Candles! But more of them are closer to your size. Daisy calls them tea-cup candles. I think. But that will give enough light for you in there?”

“It's giving so much heat too,” Cassidy marveled, coming over to feel the warmth. Lighting up herself as she took a deep breath, it smelled really good too! She looked at the other candles and then upwards, judging but the cloth above seemed to be safely well out of the range of any danger. With the wire rack- her cloths might dry really well in here!

Cassidy looked up at the large dark eyes of her guardian. “This is amazing John!”

“There's more than enough for you to use here, and we have enough to take back your home.” John grinned as he sat back on his heels, “Gonna close the doors, mostly. Get yourself a bath sister. I'll get dinner and breakfast ready.”

“John?” Cassidy bounced over to the edge of the cabinet as one door was closed and as she motioned as if for him to get closer. Or motioned to his right hand. She caught the larger hand, not at all bothered by the old radiation scars, but wrapped her arms around two of his fingers. Hugging them as tight as she could. “That you John, for taking me with you to get things for the colony. For protecting me from those monsters at the river.”

Oh.

Oh no.

His rad-withered heart was leaking out of his chest. 

It took a few seconds for the startled man to get his thoughts together. And flexed his other hand over his chest as if that would keep his heart there let alone his composure. His voice dropped into a low rumble as John dared to rub the pad of his thumb against the tiny young woman's side. 

“Oh, don't do that… you're melting what's left of my insides.” The ghoul-man tried to start then face up pretty quick as little eyes looked up at him. 

“Affection isn't going to make you combust.”

He hummed, shoulders dropping but kept his hand still while it was captured. “...you're welcome Cassidy. Now get, I still have to skin that molerat.”

“Save the hide? Please?” Cassidy ask as she finally released the large hand and moved back to the warm light of the tea candle while the other cabinet door closed almost all the way like before.

“That was the plan.” John rumbled, moving back to his fire in a big, swallow pan. Something from the once water heater of the next building over. With that on a rug it was as safe as he could do for now. “I think more of your leathery self is melting than just your mushy heart.”

But.

He liked this. Exploring about, and maybe it was also nice to be seen as a friend as well as a protector.

He liked being just John, even if only for a week or two. Not being a scary ghoul. Or The Scary Ghoul Mayor Hancock.

It was also the strangest, and funniest thing getting scolded by someone only three and a half inches too tall for running into a spider web.

[askkonbart]

what a couple of good friends hanging together and being nothing else in the slightest but that

you're so right! They are really good friends!!

[narsh-poptarts]

Do people like wips? idk, i like my wips. have some wips <3

they're all for class but it's an excuse to work on my oc stories <333

[ruvviks]

// oc deep dive.

tagged by; @aztarion and @devilbrakers, thank you so much!!

tagging; @mojaves, @deadrlngers, @ordinarymaine, @claudiawolf, @adelaidedrubman and YOU!

What common/uncommon fear do they have?

Nathan has a lot of fears stemming from his paranoia. Tangible ones such as getting captured or killed by MOBIUS, his friends walking away from him, or someone following him home; as well as more unrealistic ones, such as somehow ending up back in STEM, or getting stuck in a time loop, or a giant sinkhole all the way to the core of the earth opening up right at his feet.

It also happens often enough that certain actions don’t necessarily scare him, but make him uncomfortable or highly on edge (often with good reason); think of someone locking the door of the room he’s in– especially when it’s just them two– or getting too close without warning. He often fears people he gets too close to will end up treating him like the Administrator did, which is why it takes a while for him to let Sebastian get any closer physically, despite warming up to him relatively fast.

A more uncommon fear he has is waking up one morning and having lost one of his senses or his ability to speak. Aside from the mental erosion that had become a growing issue among Union citizens, MOBIUS observed a similar kind of process in its agents who regularly jumped in and out of STEM for general maintenance and the like– presumably caused by the constant changes in brain activity, which more than often led to exactly what Nathan’s fear mentioned above describes. While he was among the agents who worked both in and outside of STEM on the Union environment, he was lucky enough to never suffer the consequences.

Lastly, he is deadly afraid of Anima. Despite not having shown any other symptom of succumbing to the STEM domination process, Nathan would have started seeing her around sometime before Lily vanished– presumably got her attention after some of his escapades in the secret labs in the Marrow– and he has not been able to sleep soundly in STEM ever since. While his fear of her mostly acts up when he’s in a STEM environment, it definitely translates over to the real world as well; during bad mental health episodes he has auditory hallucinations of her, and she makes regular appearances in his nightmares too.

Do they have any pet peeves?

When people are too passive. Nathan can’t stand it when he’s expected to initiate everything, from conversations to taking action, both in a work context (scheduling meetings, deploying new code) as well as personal context (scheduling to hang out, doing household chores). He also doesn’t like having to constantly ask people to do what they’re supposed to do– though this irritation more than often extends a little too far, to things he is expecting of people but never told them about.

Loud and unexpected noises, especially when done on purpose. Fireworks would be a great example of this, and they piss Nathan off no end. He gets snippy when people raise their voice at him for no reason, or when they keep banging their fist on a surface to get others’ attention.

Getting cut off in traffic. Nathan’s road rage is easily awakened and he can get a little drastic with it. His reflexes are fast enough to brake on time to avoid ending up in someone’s trunk, but will in that same breath speed right back up to crash into them on purpose as revenge for pissing him off.

What are three items you can find in their bedroom?

A large ring binder full of old code snippets, notes from various projects he worked on back at MOBIUS, and all his research ranging from neuroscience all the way to electrical engineering. Nathan is a little old-school in that regard– he’d much rather have all his research physically with him than save it all to some online storage platform and risk losing it like that.

A jigsaw puzzle, made entirely out of different pieces that he’s collected over the years (stolen from others’ puzzles, found in various locations, stolen directly from the store, etc). The full piece would total up to nearly 2000 pieces, though it is still missing a large chunk in the center; the result is an abstract piece containing mostly darker colors, though with various bursts of color scattered around like flowers in a field. Nathan isn’t the artistic type, but the project keeps him busy and he considers it a type of self-expression.

The knife he killed his parents with when he was sixteen years old. He’s not entirely sure why he kept it all those years– perhaps to remind himself what got him to where he is now, or because it’s the only thing he still has from that time of his life. Either way, it’s kept safe in the top drawer of his nightstand, easy enough to reach in case someone breaks into his apartment.

What do they notice first in a person?

First: State of mind, overall mood. How approachable do they look; can he afford to lower his guard or does he need to tread with caution, can he get close without worrying about a knife to the stomach or should he keep his distance? Nathan rarely shows immediate interest in someone’s overall personality, he would rather want to know which of their emotions he’s gonna have to deal with during their interaction(s).

Second: Body language. Ties in with the first thing mentioned– cautiously watching for threats, waiting to see if they make a move to touch (or harm) him so he can step out of their range. But it also extends a little further; Nathan tends to mimic others’ body language in conversation to make himself appear more approachable. If someone gestures a lot, he will do the same.

Third: Their smile, if relevant. Smiling is an eye-catching action to him, since he’s not one to quickly do so himself. It’s attractive to him; if someone smiles at him, you’ll be able to catch him staring.

Fourth: Scars, and other (skin) details. Nathan isn’t one to ask about them, of course– but they’ll catch his attention anyway, for a brief moment, since some of them already tell a story on their own even without words.

Fifth: Nervous tics, if relevant. By this point he’s been in conversation long enough to pick up on the little details– a slight thrill or shakiness to their voice, a thumb running over the side of their index finger, a nose twitch. In some cases it eases his mind, knowing the other person isn’t confident in their conversation either; in other cases it sets off alarms in his mind, and makes him wonder if there’s more going on than what they’re showing or telling him.

On a scale of 1 to 10, how high is their pain tolerance?

Physically: 7. While he doesn’t quite look like it, Nathan can take a hit or two. Most of his injuries happen in STEM– though with the way the technology works, the pain is very much real, and in some cases the scars are lasting even in the real world despite the damage having been sustained in STEM. To an extent, Nathan even enjoys the pain; it’s grounding for him, and keeps him from dissociating. When it gets too much to handle he simply drinks it away.

Mentally: 10. Nathan’s life has been a constant downward spiral; sent to a youth detention center after being wrongfully accused of killing his younger sister, and he was bullied relentlessly there, which continued until long after his release both at school and at home. At MOBIUS, he was required to work shifts in their HQ as well as in the Marrow, in the Union STEM environment– he was required to be mentally strong, or he would have already started suffering from mental erosion by long-term STEM exposure after his first few trips in. It takes a lot to break him (or so he likes to believe).

Emotionally: 4. Once you get past all the barriers, Nathan is pretty sensitive. He doesn’t deal well with rejection or misunderstanding, and is prone to assuming things are all his fault the second something goes wrong. It’s easy to upset him, though he won’t easily show; but the damage often takes a while to repair.

Do they go into fight or flight mode when under pressure? (Or freeze or fawn?)

Fight, more than often; though it may appear as flight at first, since Nathan’s favored combat approach is stealth and he will always find cover before doing anything rash. In certain cases, however, he would be more likely to freeze; especially anything related to Anima or an enemy type like her, where fighting is out of the question, and he knows that a single wrong move can mean his demise.

It translates to non-combat situations too– often willing to talk to people but his initial response is to get defensive and close himself off, and if not given a moment to regain himself it can lead to either fighting or freezing; biting back with similar ferocity or shutting down altogether, unable to pick up his rational train of thought in the heat of the moment.

It really depends on the type of confrontation, though; taking his own state of mind and who else is involved into consideration. He’s known to fawn when a situation starts feeling a little too familiar– generally surrounding the abuse he suffered from partially his parents, but mostly the Administrator.

What animal represents them best?

Wolf; bordering on dog motif, but cautiously so, requiring infinite patience and understanding to win his trust. Nathan is loyal and guarding to those he cares about, but he values his freedom– his choices and decisions are his and his alone, and anyone who tries to take that away from him will suffer the necessary consequences.

How would a stranger likely describe them?

Curious, above anything else. Distant, reserved; surprisingly well-spoken, almost technical in his interactions with others as if the whole conversation is pre-programmed in his mind. Nathan isn’t necessarily cold towards others, but people would also not be quick to describe him as kind; though there is a certain warmth to the way he speaks and looks at people, despite the fact he very rarely smiles and isn’t one to quickly compliment someone else.

Appearance-wise, people tend to notice the white strands in his black hair first. They’re clustered at the front of his head, and match with the white hairs in his left eyebrow and the white eyelashes in the outer corner of his left eye. Nathan has very pale and rough skin, patchy but dark facial hair covering up most of his acne (/scarring); and part of the skin around his left eyebrow is lacking pigment, though it’s a little hard to see. He has very pale and bright blue eyes, which can be a little unnerving when staring at them for too long. Many people cannot maintain eye contact with him for very long.

Do they have any hobbies?

Nathan’s career is directly intertwined with his hobbies, and he enjoys working on code even long after cutting ties with MOBIUS. Software development, application optimization– his laptop runs on an operating system that he coded entirely himself, and whenever he has some time to spare he can be found tweaking and optimizing it and adding new features.

To no one’s surprise, he’s a gamer. Shooters, roguelikes, survival horror– he does not play all too often as his schedule often doesn’t allow for it, but he generally doesn’t have a hard time playing on higher difficulties and enjoys the challenge. Nathan has tried his hand at game design and development too, but stopped quickly when he found it too similar to developing the Union environment in STEM.

And last, surprisingly, would be writing. Journaling, some sort of attempt at poetry, or articles he would want to send in to some website or appropriate magazine but never does– a lot of Nathan’s writing is for his eyes alone, but it helps as an outlet, it keeps him grounded. For a while after leaving MOBIUS, he worked on writing tech manuals for various employers to earn some extra cash, which also ties directly into his interests.