#hornet *is* the supernatural for some bugs

[dooblebugss]

Ages ago on my old blog, I got an ask along the lines of "what if hornet took off her mask and she's just jaw droppingly beautiful?"

For starters like what standards of beauty are you using here

And secondly I think that's just her face

And thirdly you coward. You buffoon. You absolute clown. Do you not think a bug would see Hornet leaping around the arena, dancing in the air on webs, soaked with the blood of her enemy and her own, and not immediately fall in love? Do you think no bug would fall for her strange, unearthly charms? That no one would hear her threats, thinly veiled under flowery words, and immediately think "wow how amazing?"

Coward. Clown.

[bluegekk0]

what kinda food does each family member need in terms of calories and nutrients? like does Vyrm need more fats in his diet to assist with the blubber?

I won't go into a lot of detail cause admittedly I'm no expert on nutrients. So I'll just talk more about what they eat, I suppose. Particularly in regards to Holly and Grimm since they're both a bit unique here.

I'm not sure about which nutrients it would be specifically for Vyrm to maintain the extra fat under his skin, but he would definitely need to eat quite a lot in comparison to an average bug. I don't think he overeats, and I don't think he's at much risk of health issues related to his weight either. Wyrms naturally are supposed to have noticeable blubber-like fat, and I think it makes sense that in a reduced form he would end up looking a lot chubbier while still being healthy. In regards to what he eats, I mentioned before that he's an omnivore, which is the case for everyone in the family with the exception of Zote. So he needs to include fruits and vegetables in his diet as well, to at least some extent.

Lewk, Asta and Milo are basically the same case as him, in their case they need all the nutrients, vitamins and minerals needed for a pup to grow up healthily. Milo in particular, since he was born quite weak, would need a more carefully planned diet in order to ensure he doesn't suffer from significant health issues.

Hornet wouldn't differ much from Vyrm aside from needing less calories than him. She generally doesn't eat very much, she's quite skinny but that's mostly because she moves around a lot. She may also have fast metabolism inherited from Herrah, which would be another way to explain it.

Zote, like I said, is a herbivore, so he can't digest meat and thus he gets all of his nutrients and calories from plant-based foods.

Holly and Grimm are two unique examples, I'll start with Holly. They don't have an actual stomach in the same way the others do, and because their body is made from void, their nutritional requirements are also difficult to pinpoint. The void in their body does need to consume things in order to stay active, and it does so by absorbing food rather than digesting it. It primarily consumes meat, which implies that protein might play a big part, but I think it's capable of making use of any nutrients. It's very adaptable so it makes sense that it would adjust to Holly consuming a variety of foods.

Grimm, on the other hand, does not technically need to consume food to survive. It's only really needed to allow his body to perform certain functions such as producing fluids, I would say. He's definitely a strange case, but that's because his body is not fully organic. That's not to say he doesn't eat food at all, quite the opposite, he did create a stomach for himself as well as all the taste buds that would let him enjoy the taste and sensation of food. But aside from absorbing whatever is needed for those certain body functions, the food simply gets incinerated or dissolved within his stomach. Blood is part of what he consumes, and it serves the most function in his body as it gets absorbed into it, allowing it to run for a longer time (I imagine it would also play a big role in the production of fluids that I mentioned). I try not to get into too much detail about just how exactly his whole body works since a lot of it runs through supernatural means that would get insanely convoluted if I tried to make sense of all of it. It just works, I guess. The only other thing I'll mention is that nutrients and calories play a big part when he's carrying eggs, since in that case they all go directly into the development of the offspring. As for Grimm himself, since blood provides him with an energy boost, he would have to drink a lot of it during his pregnancy in order to not become severely weakened during and especially afterwards.

I'm not sure if this is the answer you expected, like I said, I'm not an expert on nutrients and a lot of this is likely not too realistic, especially in regards to Grimm. But I hope it was still worth reading.

[kifflepiffles]

Hi I'm Toby! I'm 19, use all pronouns, and I'm a loser! /pos

I'm an Aquarius, an INFP, and chaotic good! I also run @rock-eating-emo-girl (not really anymore though, its inactive </3)

I also have a writing side blog @magicinkbubbles !

(its all Mouthwashing content right now. I also write for That's Not my Neighbor and Stardew Valley but the brains be worming, yknow?)

(Yap fest beyond the cutoff)

Unless you're into me yapping, then you can check out #Toby rambles, search my account for it! :]

I'm also interested in Creepypasta/Marble Hornets/Slenderverse, Supernatural, Stranger Things, Pokemon (my fav game is soulsilver, currently running through both soulsilver and ruby) My Little Pony, and I collect Littlest Pet Shop! I'm also a scemo girl and I call myself generationally emo (Because my mom is emo too! She went to an MCR Three Cheers tour concert when she was pregnant with me!) I'm also high functioning autistic/ an aspie and have ADHD, if you couldn't tell by the everything about it

I'm NOCTI certified in IT support and Computer Networking! And I truly enjoy it, I love it sm, even if most of my everyday tasks seem mundane to most. I got so ridiculously lucky to make my passion into a job, let alone a well paying one ^^ If any of you goobers are having issues with your WiFi, Phones, computers, or even game consoles, hit me up! I'll gladly help ^-^

Aaand, I really love animals :3 I have three pet cats and a pet frog!

Here's the cats

This is Georgie (Grey) Sunny (Orange) and Gizmo (Calico)

Sunny and Gizmo we've raised since they were kittens. (Gizmo was a bit more rough though. We originally asked for a different kitten from the litter, but they convinced us to take her because we're experienced cat owners and she was half dead. We couldn't bring ourselves to turn her down. She was a runt and neglected by her mom. But we nursed her back to health and made her the spoiled princess she deserves to be :3 Sunny doesn't have a sad story, he's just orange)

Georgie was a stray cat I swiped off the street about a year ago :3 He's been around for a couple years, but the neighbors who took care of him moved away and it was getting cold (I live in the Northeastern United States, we get freezing winters ^^; In January, our average high is 19°F/-7°C) Sooo, we took him in "Just for the night", which turned into " Until it warms up", but he's ours now :3 (I also may have been a little shithead who snuck him into my room on a frigid night and made my parents go "*sigh* fine" but they love him now :]) (and my mom gets mad when I say he's "my cat" because I pay for him and do all his chores but he loves to cuddle with her AKAJSH She doesn't want me to take him when I move out)

And here's my frog, Bobby! A neighbor kid gave him to me after I asked to see him. He just dropped Bobby in my hands and walked away. He was an emaciated, sticky froglet who was missing a hand. I took him in and planned to give him froggy hospice. Buuut, that was two years ago. His ass is NOT dying any time soon AKAJH He even grew two and a half fingers back :3

Update: he died on New Year's Day after 2 ½ years of living. That was some long ass hospice care /silly

Genuinely though, I hate to see him go, but he lived longer than he would've if I had just left him :( I gave him a good, warm life with many bugs and without predators and thats what matters

And as a little treat, here's me! As a picrew!

Btw, if anyone wants to me make any specific Kandi bracelets, lemme know! I love making Kandi but run out of Ideas quick ^^;

ALL BLINKIES SOURCED FROM BLINKIE.CAFE

[joannes-journal]

PREFACE

{Please read post}

There are things out there in the world that are after us. Ever since THEY showed up, I've been interested in the strange and unusual. I've been keeping a couple of journals. One's a personal journal about my life, and the other's a secondary journal about my findings.

When that spindly fuck attacked, I used the opportunity to bug out with Dakota and Trinity, leaving the only person I could trust behind to fight the damn thing.

I can't say our whereabouts. Even though this contract hides us, I can't risk it.

DISC0RD, I'm sorry.

I feel awful, but my kids come first.

{All Entries}

{Ground Rules}

No NSFW, Unless Gore: This blog is about a woman and her two kids. Don't be gross. I'll eat you (/srs).

Be a Decent Entity: I don't care if you're human or creature, don't be racist or anything.

Give Me Time to Answer: I have a life. I make videos and have a large family (9 People + 1 Rabbit), therefore I can get busy. At the same time, I don't have a job, so I still have some free time.

The Briefing Policy: If you usually send asks anonymously and I see you sent something in with anon off (or if you're missing a couple words), I'll DM you to confirm whether or not you meant to do that. Trust me, I get it. Been there, done that.

{About The Blog}

Mod's Main Blog: @possibly-in-wonderland

This blog will occasionally use typing quirks (possible strikethroughs, altered texts, Zalgo text, caps, etc). If asked I will provide plain text.

I don't usually use tone tags, but I will try to be better about using them when I deem them necessary.

I'll use trigger warnings for things I usually see with trigger warnings or content warnings (blood, gore, self-harm, etc).

Will reference Slenderverse series such as EverymanHybrid or Marble Hornets (not affiliated, wish I was (don't we all))

Will reference other Slenderverse RP blogs (especially since I got inspired to do this through @habitual-creatures and @h0ll0w-gr0v3)

Also may reference shows like Supernatural and Gravity Falls (iykyk)

{About The Group}

Joanne Janus - Mother

42

She/Her

Monsterlover Bisexual

Courageous/Intelligent/Distrustful

Dakota Janus - Son

14

He/Him

Determined/Adaptable/Impatient

Trinity Janus - Daughter

14

She/Her

Sociable/Kind/Unpredictable

Jacklynn Grove - Babysitter

23

She/They/Spec

Lesbian

Accepting/Sympathetic/Seemingly Unfriendly

{Sign Offs}

💙🎶 / Raven - 💙🎶Anon

[feralcoffeebug]

Heyo there, we’re known as the Mintaka System

Ao3 account // Current WIP: Delusions in Blood Testing (new fic/Genshin Impact fic), “If It’s You, Only for You”(Aesvic fic) , and Limerance

We’re an adult who heavily enjoys several fandoms, with the current main interest being MXTX’s works (such as SVSSS, TGCF, and MDZS)!

Read below for more information both about ourself and also about some older works/aus we have talked about in the past!

We are Transmasc (he/they) and queer. We have a wonderful partner. We also have multiple ailments you might see us talk about. We also consume media critically and are just here to have fun!

We’ve had a few urls in the past, with the last one being Ventiapologest

We also have multiple Hollow Knight aus, the most common you’ll see is the following:

Radiant King Au (#radiant king au):

The Radiance gets too far in her own head trying to come up with a plan to get her close friend Unn’s land back to her from the Pale Wyrm. At first thought to be a mess up in a ritual to take over the body of someone in the pale court she finds herself in the body of her enemy and not a trace of him that she can see…for now.

Time Heals Au (#time heals au):

This au is under reworking and redesigning. Ghost was called to this land for some reason, something calling for them to save it. When they arrive to the land it is a n terrible shape. They push forward and ignore the happenings in the abandoned kingdom that only idiots would find themself in. Meeting many bugs along the way they have a growing fondness for those misfits still left living in these ruins. Eventually they find the Godseeker, ascending to godhood and taking down the Radiance. With the infection gone, Ghost and their siblings Hornet and Luna (previously known as The Hollow Knight) rebuild Hallownest while minding the mistakes of their predecessors. Soon enough Hornet goes missing, even if it was just for a month it worried her siblings. She would come back changed and with regrets festering in her chest from leaving a specific bug behind. (This is the Au in which the series “The bells ring in the distance but all I can think about it you” takes place.)

Merbug Au (name still pending):

Pretty much because I love drawing mermaids this came about. It is currently being worked on enough to have a coherent plot.

Archaic Au (#Archaic au):

This one doesn’t have much to it yet in the public, I need to organize my thoughts more on the Au but expect to see some art at some point!

We also have some original projects we may post about!

Limerence (#Limerence, #Rubchou)

A series surrounding two boys, Mochou and Ruby, as they grow up and find out there’s more supernatural in the world than they ever thought and that everything they had been taught by others is wrong. They both are forced to come to terms with this and the fact they are much much more involved in this than they ever thought. All of this is happening as they learn to navigate with not only their growing relationship but also their mental health issues.

Onism Mendacious (#Onism)

A personal project using characters made by me and my friend! It’s a feel good project I’m working on where the reader is transported into a royal court where all the members don’t act human what-so-ever even down to their jokes. The reader will get close to the fae jester Jesi (They/Fae) and the unusual secretary named Byleth along with many others within the court.

[prose-for-hire]

So wrong it’s right

Part 2 // Part 3

Pairing: Angel x vamp!reader

Request: (Sorry if I make a mistake, English is my second language) Will you make a story with a somewhat villain reader (but shes not exactly evil) that keeps helping Angel out because she likes him and in the start he wont trust her but one day they kiss and Angel becomes confused about how he feels? I hope that makes sense. If I didn’t explain it well please don't feel you need to write it you can ignore this.

Requested by: Anon

Warning: Violence/fighting. Swearing.

A/N: This is the kind of fic I LOVE to write. I enjoyed myself with this one !! 💜

You weren’t well-liked in LA. The ‘good guys’ hated you, trying to stake you at any second and the ‘bad guys’ despised you. Both felt this for the way that you made decisions based on how you felt. No allegiance to good or evil. No atonement or evil plotting. You served neither the powers or dark forces. This was a fluid and extremely ambiguous way to live, which brought suspicion with you wherever you went. But you were nothing if not authentic to your beliefs. You just weren’t really sure what those beliefs were yet.

In any case, you didn’t much care for world domination nor did you hang out in particularly damp underground hovels that you wouldn’t even bury your dog in, let alone spend precious years of your un-life.

LA had a certain draw to you, it was a hub. A beating heart of life that helped you thrive in a way you had only dreamed of when you really were alive. But most importantly, it wasn’t a backwater little town. The type that always seemed to harbour Hellmouths. They seemed a little boring to you anyway.

Yeah, it holds all the supernatural power hotspots you could wish for, but at what cost? Everyone knew everyone’s business and there was such a large amount of demons concentrated in one area it was hard to navigate without bumping into several ex-lovers. Not to mention there was a higher chance of a Slayer on your back.

Now, just because you weren’t ‘evil’, that wasn’t to say you lived in the light. For one, you couldn’t. You would die… again. But also, you weren’t exactly chafing at the bit to do as the powers said. They couldn’t simultaneously damn you to hell when you got dusted whilst enticing you with some long-winded and ultimately unnecessary prophecy that gave you the one thing you were scared of. Hope.

You didn’t have a soul, and you didn’t care for gaining one. Not through a curse and even less through fighting for one yourself. This is why one vampire didn’t like you. He didn’t trust you and definitely never cut you a break.

The fact was, he barely looked your way. Unless you were stood in his path. And you had, a few times. He was convinced you had some ulterior motive but had little time for you until you turned into a bigger threat.

That was, up until the last few months. You had started to catch his attention more and more. You had been fighting, again. In the back room of some seedy bar. Trading blows, neither of you holding back. The real threat long since dusted. It was just gone three in the morning, a time you liked to be home. Just in case of a freak early sunrise (you had heard horrible things of whole towns of vampires wiped out suddenly).

You were fighting, hard. He never left it. He just couldn’t walk away. You were after the same stupid vampire. Yes, you had been after him because he owed you a large sum of money and around five Siamese cats, but the end was the same. You twisted from his firm grasp, throwing him over your head. He landed but didn’t stay down. He ran at you, pushing you back and slamming you against the door. Almost through it. He grabbed a stake and flipped it up in the air before expertly catching it, looking back in your eyes.

There was almost a flicker of danger. A flicker of all the stories you had heard of Angelus. There was something there, some kind of feeling and it got you excited. Up until this point, his face had been pretty unmoving every time you saw him. The stake dug into your chest, directly over your unbeating heart. You couldn’t help but enjoy the way his eyes scanned your face. Moving from your lips to your eyes and back again. He was so close you could just lean in and… no. Eye on the prize, you tell yourself. You would settle for a quip charged with at least a little sexual tension. On your end, at least.

“You gonna keep waving that thing around or are you going to actually do something with it?” You bite, breathing heavily a smile on your face. You didn’t need to breathe but it was still a habit.

“Why’re you here, huh? Why are you always around when something bad happens?”

“I could ask you the same thing. Now I’m never getting those fucking Siamese” You muttered as he scowled at you. You were going to threaten him one more time before staking him. He rolled his eyes, you were worse than spike. At least he had a soul. Wanted one. You were content with your lot and it bugged him to no end.

“You know, I think I might enjoy this” Angel said stoically.

“Watch out, you don’t want to get too happy” You teased with a smile, everyone knew about Angel – word travels fast even here, “Or maybe you do. You might be more fun, to be honest”

These was the last words he expected to hear from you, you were younger than him by a mile. He was used to vampires pretty easily going down. He moved his arm back, directing the wooden stake straight for your heart. In the same second, you changed into your vamp face and propelled your head forwards. Your hand twisted his wrist trying to knock the stake from his hand as you propelled your ridged forehead towards him. Headbutting him with all of your strength.

The stake pierced your skin, but luckily (or unluckily it still hurt like anything) it was stabbed into your left arm which made you yelp. You yelped almost as much as Angel in his surprise as his nose started to bleed. It was enough to stun him, letting you run off with the stake still sticking out of your arm as you took a short cut to your destination.

Angel walked back to the hotel slowly, pinching his nose and wiping the blood on his sleeve. He took the long route back, not wanting to have to tell the others that he had lost in a fight with a vampire who was probably half his age. When he returned Cordelia rushed over to him, helping him to sit down. The entire team was there, waiting up for him. Fantastic, now he would have to tell them.

“Oh, uh, Angel?” Fred asked softly, “This was left for you – on your desk”

He turned and there it was. The stake that had been embedded in your arm the last he saw you. You must have travelled fast to get there before he did. He took it as an act of aggression, especially when he read the note attached.

‘Until we meet again, sweet Angel’

“Is this your slayer friend?” Fred asked, looking down at the floor. She had taken somewhat of a shine to Angel and may have been a little jealous. She had just learned what a slayer was.

“She’s a little more dramatic, a little less with the subtle” Cordelia stated, knowing for sure that the person that brought it was not Buffy. Not at all.

“Yes, I recall the young woman is about as subtle as a brick” Wes chuckled softly, reminiscing over his brief stint as a watcher.

“No. it wasn’t her” Angel confirmed, turning and scowling, “Wes, I need everything you can find on a vamp. Name’s y/n”

“Y/n? Are you sure it is wise to, um, shake the hornets nest so to speak. They’ve done little to actively harm-” Wesley said quickly. A slightly sheepish look on his face. You had met him and helped him out several times. You often crossed paths late night at the occult book store. You weren’t afraid of losing your credibility over a little light reading.

Your intelligence was often what gave you the upper hand over many demons you came up against. Wesley was strangely fond of you, although he knew from word on the street you could be mean if something was in the way of what you wanted. He was pleasant enough although spending too long with him gave you an Englishman-induced headache. He does prattle on so. And, that phrase had been unfortunately transferred into your brain from listening to him for too long.

“Apart from, that they’re a vampire who brutally kills to eat and always seems to be in every bad situation we’ve been in recently” Angel snapped, “I want everything. By tomorrow night”

“What are you going to do?”

“Kill them”

It had been several more months and Angel had seen you several times in that period. He had yet to make good on his promise. The tension mounted, peaking every time you became close. Your back and forth riling you up, making you begin to pine for his attention.

He had noted that you had common goals, evil tended to get mowed down in your wake. Which, he couldn’t exactly complain about except that your personality was simultaneously infuriating and intriguing.

But he maintained that he didn’t like you. The way you danced through life, with no guilt. Very little self-reflection. You wouldn’t join him and that was enough, in his eyes for you to be against him.

This evening finds you on the hunt for a backstreet dealer, one that could find you an item that was particularly hard to find. Especially now Angel had a snitch on the inside, the deliveries were starting to slow. Dust couldn’t drive trucks.

You arrived at the meeting place, a dingy alleyway despite you specifically asking to meet somewhere that didn’t smell like something had died there. You had a very sensitive sense of smell.

“You got the stuff?” You asked, gesturing with your head for the demon to open the briefcase. But he snatched it from your grasp and the boss stepped from the shadows. This meant something more sinister.

“You helped him. We saw you” The scaly man with an impressively tailored suit accused.

“What?”

“Angel” He confirmed. Bad things happened to people who didn’t side with the boss. You knew this.

“I don’t pick allegiances, I told you. I’m just me” You assured them, eyes on the briefcase.

“You’re with us or you’re with him. Choose.”

“Fine.” You shrugged, the man nodded approvingly. It had been easier than he thought.

“Good, glad that you’re-” You spun into a kick, hitting his jaw which made him shut up. You hated people who gave you an ultimatum. You, for this very moment only, were on Angel’s side. Fists flying, feet connecting with hard bodies. You fought against them, hard.

More of them started to turn up. As if there had been a call. They started to surround you. You were strong, but not that strong. Your un-life flashed before your eyes. There was so much you had left to do. I mean, you had never even been to a virgin sacrifice. Never properly feasted on St Vigeous. You hadn’t even found your anti-soulmate.

You were almost ready to give up. And then he turned up. Your guardian angel.

Angel assessed the fight, realising you had been caught up. Not realising why it broke out. You fought beside each other, but traded insults with your ally. You found yourself waiting for these interactions with him. It made you smirk. This was the way you flirted.

You enjoyed this back and forth. He was starting to make you feel alive again. Begin to… hope.

The fight was finished and now all you both were was surrounded by dust. You took a breath. In name, not in action, recovering from the fight.

But he grabbed you by your shoulders, you had taken your guard down. He slammed you into the brick wall. The contact almost made you shiver as you smiled wide. You opened your mouth to speak, he was expecting it and spoke first.

“Don’t” He warned, frustrated at the way your eyes danced despite his threat.

“I’ve been waiting for this for months” You smirked, leaning closer to his face. There was barely an inch between you.

“Huh. Your death?”

“We’re already dead, baby, I’m looking more for the spice of life” You teased before leaning in and finally catching your lips with his. This had been all you had been thinking since you had first met him. The tension had reached its crescendo and you had to act.

It was an urgent kiss, you were willing him to reciprocate. His action beforehand made the adrenaline pump around your body harder. Want him more. There was danger harboured deep below the soul he cared for so deeply and it called to you like a moth to a flame.

You wanted him. You enjoyed every side you had seen so far. You didn’t understand why he was so reluctant to admit the tension in the air when you were around each other.

His lips didn’t move at first for those agonising moments. And then they did. All at once. His lips moving and fiery against yours, now fighting you for dominance. You tasted so good to him. A hand gripping your upper arm tightly with the other sliding up the curvature of your neck.

You slid your hands between the fabric of his shirt and his leather jacket, grasping at him. Your fingers snaked around him, exploring unchartered territory. He felt so good, you wanted him closer.

You found yourself almost preferring the feel of this more amiable touch to the harsh blows you had exchanged previously. He pressed you further into the wall, wanting more.

But all too quickly, his lips started to falter and you felt him start to pull away. He started to think too much into it. Comprehending the implications. You felt too good to him. You were a distraction, a sinful figure that strayed him from the power’s path. You almost whined as he pulled himself from where he had been pressed flush against you. He had to fight himself to remove his hands from you.

Your hands slid sadly from where they had been exploring his lean form. You felt yourself pouting slightly, which is a feat when you have fangs like you did.

His face had changed during your kiss, as had yours. Your vampire forms released as the tension did. Your more animalistic forms finding each other so appealing. The kiss a revelation, in some sense a curse. But again, he was used to that.

He pulled back, his face the picture of shock. It was the most emotion he had allowed you to see. So many contradictory emotions flashing behind his eyes. It had felt wrong, but oh so right to kiss you that way. He wanted more. He wanted to get as far away from you as possible.

You watched him in his turmoil, not able to hide the way you enjoyed seeing his face this way. You reached with your hand to trail along the distinctive bumps of his forehead. You couldn’t help it, you had suddenly begun to soften for him. Against your will. You wanted him to want you deeper than you had realised.

He realised that his vampire face was showing. He winced away from you, and you scanned over his face. He switched back immediately. Masking it.

He was ashamed. You frowned, your own vamp face still there. You embraced all that you were. You scanned his face, trying to show him that he could be himself with you. But he didn’t read that from your face.

He stepped back, all contact with him now gone. His eyes still trapped in yours for a moment. Your back was still pressed against the rough brick, your arm still outstretched for him.

But he just ran, jacket whipping around him as he kicked up his dust on way out of the alleyway. As if a magician through a puff of smoke, he was gone.

You eventually moved yourself from the wall, leaning to take the briefcase. You shrugged, dusting it off from the ash that had been left from the fight.

You walked slowly with your items, thoughts beginning to spin. Finding yourself lacking something deep inside that you had not realised you had been missing for so long.

[take-a-bug]

Bugs with a CT who is just straight up supernatural? Like, they're a vampire, or whatever, and have to deal with that, or some kind of technically living zombie or whatever (im still in halloween mode aaa)

(saaame)

They probably view it as a kinda higher being in disguise type thing. Considering many of the bugs could very much be considered the bug equivalent of supernatural (Hornet is technically a demigod, the vessels are... that, the many many gods) they don’t really question it too much. They don’t exactly go around flaunting and explaining what they are to everyone.

The ‘normal’ bugs (so everyone in dirtmouth, the nailmasters, lemm, etc.) are probably a bit more freaked out and want to know why you didn’t tell them. How much are you hiding from them??? Is there anything else that would be nice to know?

[ganymedesclock]

man. what are your thoughts re: who knows abt the vessels? the dreamers knowing makes sense, kind of. and grimm too. but then there's the mask maker. and vespa? is pk just a terrible secret keeper

extremely late addition to previous vessel-kmownig thoughts: the mantis lords also imply they know something w/ the dream nail dialogue 'honor from one of its kind.' though that might just mean they've met other vessels before, somehow, rather than what vessels themselves are vOv

There seem to be a bunch of people who know something but I doubt they know everything.

Vespa only suggests that she knows that Hallownest’s royalty are “responsible” for Ghost’s existence, and vaguely, that they were supposed to preserve the kingdom somehow, as implied by her comment that the hive does not want to perpetuate Hallownest, and “to rail against nature is folly, all things must accept an end”. And we don’t know how close to the royal family she is, besides that she’s a ruler herself, so it’s possible they had to contend with her diplomatically.

(Or if you like @rukafais‘ headcanon that she was Herrah’s sweetheart, given there’s a tram line connecting Deepnest and the Hive and that’s the one Herrah allowed to be built and completed through her domain, and the concept of Hornet including that she learned to fight from Vespa, then Vespa would know because of her closeness to Herrah)

Grimm is supernaturally perceptive and has a personal line to the matter given his implicit connection to Radiance. Not that she was gossiping with him, but, that, I think it’d be more unusual if he didn’t know. Brumm outright discusses when he meets you at Deepnest that Grimm is a difficult person to hide things from, and this is Brumm, who is Grimm’s right hand and thus has some insider intel on how Grimm’s powers work.

The Mask Maker’s an enigma. He could know because we have no idea how close he was to Herrah (he may have been a foremost sort within Deepnest’s society, considering his skills would be in demand with the sectioned masks worn by the weavers and Herrah’s worshipers, the latter of which are also their primary weapon) or he could know because if his mask is removed, he has void weeping from his eyes, though it doesn’t appear to cause him distress or death, and he chatters amiably about the truth of the world, and the ways by which it is buried. So he potentially has the connections to know through Herrah, and he potentially is on some next level shit.

(and if Herrah is both Vespa and Mask Maker’s source, it might make sense that she might not have had the same perceptions of required secrecy as PK had; Midwife also comments on Herrah’s “tragic exchange”, though not on Ghost themselves specifically)

As far as the Mantis Lords. I think they have just run into other vessels. We do find vessel corpses in Deepnest, in Nosk’s Lair, and Hunter notes that vessels stand out, that they “resemble the bugs of Hallownest, but not quite” and that he has seen them several times before.

So it’s less that PK is a terrible secret keeper and more even a well-kept secret only told to a handful of people will leak if said secret is a major controversial decision about how to handle a mind-destroying plague.

[goliath-de-senfina-sango]

Jazz was struggling to process the weird things going on in her life. While she was far more interested in psychology than parapsychology, she /did/ offer a ghost a bit of therapy now and then and he seemed to be doing better for it. That was all the ghostly interaction she really needed. the giant hornet in school apparently disagrees with her on that. It truly amazed Jazz what the mind could conjure up during stressful events. For instance, it occurred to her right this very second how odd it had been to cool even slightly down from the argument days before over ghosts with her parents only for the ghost of the infamous Sydney Poindexter to show up in the library seeking comfort and a safe person to vent to. The topic of Sydney’s guilt had been hard to stay objective about, but between his clear and honest regret, his admitted decades of hell in a replica of Casper in the Infinite Realms (and wow, she shouldn’t be surprised that ghosts had a name for the world they manifest in but there she was) and the fact that Danny had befriended him led her to feel Sydney was, while not at all justified in what he’d done, not as bad a person as he’d been making himself out to be. When she asked questions he responded much more clearly than when he spoke unprompted, she’d noted, and so she’d asked right away if there was even one person he could remember who didn’t hurt him. The green and sepia bleeding into his form nearly vanished as his older brother, his little sister, and the school nurse came to mind. His brother hardly cared about the things that he was being bullied over, doing his best to keep Sydney looking toward the future and making amazing things to lift his spirits. Apparently, he was a genius like Tucker and Danny, a compliment that made Jazz smile at the time. His little sister didn’t know enough to really understand it all but she was unerringly sweet and a source of sunshine that he never ever mentioned at school. The nurse, however, had been the brightest of those three lights in the dark for him, as the nurse wasn’t family and had no pre-established reason to be nice to and patch up the gross, nerdy queer kid that everyone else had shown nothing but contempt for. She did it anyway though, and he’d aspired to be a nurse like her one day. This aspiration led to more bullying, of course, but Jazz suggested he try learning how to heal people up the same way that nurse had him, and a look of realization and hope crossed his face before he hugged her, waved, and flew off. That had been a very good ghostly encounter. The giant hornet casting a sinister green glow over the hallways as a long, slimy black tongue curled around her entire skull and sharp mandibles the size of said skull extended to their most open was distinctly not. Jazz would never look at bugs the same way again. Before she could even manage to get a scream out of her though, the whining charge of one of her parents’ weapons filled her ears and the hornet jerked back with a sound that could’ve been pain, could’ve been fury, and mixed the kind of clicking hissing one expects from a bug with a very human voice. There was a burn mark on its center dripping ectoplasm that smelled awful , and it turned big black eyes to the same ghost boy she’d seen before. But now Jazz knew he was dangerous because that was a Fenton Plasma Rifle in his hands and his eyes were torches, hair flicking between cloudy wisps and crackling flames. “ Did someone call for an exterminator? “ “Oh, you think you’re funny!” The fucking hornet said, starling Jazz into motion - backing away slowly so as to not draw its attention. It flew like a blur at the boy, stinger cutting a gash in his suit and up his arm that leaked a thick green fluid and the rest of it’s lower half crashed into him with enough force to slam the boy into a few lockers with a bang. “Swat this , big boy.” “ Buzz off ,” the boy growled and the lights flared up brighter around them. He swung the rifle at the bug and the green ectoplasm shone a blinding white as it fired, burning a hole straight through the hornet and drilling it through the wall between the school and its yard. The boy flew after it and Jazz took a deep breath. There were ghosts fighting in her school, one with her parents’ weaponry. That one had saved her though and Jazz also had Fenton weaponry on her. She rushed outside to help, determined to keep her savior from being skewered by a hornet. Jazz poked her head out from the hole that the boy had made and froze. He was smacked out of the air by one of the long hairy legs of the hornet and into a tree and his head cracked loudly against bark. As he slid down his body was enveloped in light that retreated inward to his center and left behind Black hair, tan skin, a nyan cat hoodie- “Danny?” Her whisper went unnoticed in the face of a green ray piercing the hornet’s left wing. Bleeding ectoplasm in three places, it curled in on itself into a mass of green goop that dove into the ground and everything was still. Danny looked around with bright green eyes as he clutched his head, before growling and punching the tree. He stood up slowly, closed his eyes and grew difficult to look at, to even see as the light within a foot of him grew intense like a halo. He let out a breath and slumped against Tucker when the other boy made it to him, checking him over. Jazz stepped back away from the hole and took deep, shaky breaths. My brother is a ghost. That thought played over and over in her head even as a teacher gently guided her to her feet (when had she sat down among the debris?) and to the nurse’s office. It was only when Danny appeared in the nurse’s office, wrapping her up tight in a hug and rambling a mile a minute to ask if she was ok in every way he possibly could that her brain shifted focus even slightly. “Well, I didn’t get stung. Just licked by a dad sized hornet and saved by a ghostly teenager.” She hugged Danny back just as tightly, and tears began to flow as his argument to their parents before he blacked out in the hospital bed came back to mind. If the portal accident had killed me, would you have comforted your child or attacked the ghost in your lab? Danny’s arms went slack for a moment but Jazz clung tight to him. “I just. I just need a moment. Please?” Instead of pulling away and cracking jokes about gross sibling feelings her blessed baby brother hugged her back again and nodded into her neck. “Of course, Jazz.” “I swear to every star that listens,” Danny said behind his bedroom door where Jazz really shouldn’t be listening in. “Next I see of that smart-mouthed, rancid piece of protoplasmic filth I’m going to turn him into a smear and burn him.” That certainly sounded more like Dad than Danny. “At least save me a little bit to beat up,” Sam’s voice called through the speakers of his newly upgraded laptop. “I just commissioned your Mom for a ghost fighting melee weapon and Sydney’s healing me up pretty fast.” So Sydney knew about all of this. “There’ll be some of Spectra left to beat up with that once the Peeler has finished its work.” What?! “Probably. Maybe. It’s made to weaken the target not kill them.” The scoff she heard was definitely Tucker and definitely in the room. “Yeah, you’ll leave a scrap of shadow that none of us can distinguish from our own shadows, that’s something Sam can beat up.” Shadows? “I think the ectoplasm is enhancing your emotional response.” “You’re right Tuck, if someone threatened Jazz’s life normally I wouldn’t try to shoot them into a pile of goo. I’d only beat them up with the gun.” Jazz would normally admonish such a violent reaction, and aloud she might if she was in there and not eavesdropping. But truly, if someone hurt Danny they’d find out what a 1st degree blackbelt can do to them. “I think Sam will be good to go either tomorrow or the day after.” Sydney’s voice crackled over the speakers like static. “I think your healing powers mesh better with living beings than mine can since you’re halfa human.” Danny sighed and Jazz moved back into her room, sitting down to process. She pulled out her notebook and set it on her desk, mechanical pencil already in hand. “Organize all my thoughts and maybe it’ll make sense. What information do I have?” Danny was in an accident involving the ghost portal and it changed him. Danny was vehemently against their parents’ anti ghost genocide plan The ghost boy she’d seen at school the other day was clearly the one that had attacked the hornet thing when it attacked her Danny had all the access to the Fenton Armory as she did with their porta pockets, which was effectively full access. Danny was too smart to give any unknown entity their only model of plasma rifle Danny had directed Sydney Poindexter of all people to her Sydney knew Danny on a personal level that he wasn’t willing to fully disclose to her. Sydney had called Danny half-human and Danny hadn’t corrected him, nor had Tucker nor Sam. Jazz saw the mystery ghost boy transform in a flash of light into her brother, who proceeded to hug her and act much the same he had since the portal accident. Her conclusion? Danny had died in the portal when it turned on, and now he was a ghost, fighting off ghost robots and giant bugs with their parents’ weaponry. Sam and Tucker knew about it, and he had befriended at least one ghost. This was, of course, the most ridiculous thought to cross Jasmine Dana Fenton’s mind in her entire life. But then, her parents had opened a portal to the afterlife and she’d just been attacked by a giant glowing green hornet. “Ok, Danny is a ghost. He didn’t tell me that, but for obvious reasons,” she muttered to herself. “That must be what he was going to tell Mom and Dad before and now he doesn’t have the courage to try again. Oh god Danny died. ” Jazz picked up Bearbert Einstein and hugged him close, deciding right then that she was going to hug Danny a lot more from now on. Just to make sure he was still there. That was a silly thought, but she needed to be sure.

[whiteappalachianwitch]

Familiars

Witches sometimes have familiars, otherwise known as a spirit, that supports them by aiding them in magickal works. Usually a feline is mostly associated with the witch, and some superstitions believed a witch could transform into a cat. In this day and age, a familiar can be any pet that belongs to the witch. The connection between the witch and their pet is special. 

Most all witches have a love for animals, as they do for all living things. Witches understand the importance of the animal kingdom in general. Always stay in tune with the vibrations of your animals so you can know if they are sick or in need. 

Feathered Friends

Blackbird

Within Wicca, the blackbird is a cherished thing, and thought to be extremely psychic. If a blackbird sings for you, and looks you straight in the eye, know that love is on its way to you!

Blue Tit

This little bird brings happiness and new of birth/weddings. If these birds are around your garden, you’ll have an abundance of goods. If you see a blue tit scruffy and bedraggled, blow it a kiss and it will live another year. 

Crow

Spiritual people attract the crow the most. Wiccans hold the crow as a spiritual messenger. They are very intelligent creatures, and a lot of individuals are very superstitious about them. Sometimes on tarot cards you will see a crow perched on the shoulder of a witch. Throw out some corn and they will hang around your house. 

Cuckoo

When the spring finally gets here, and you hear the first cuckoo, make a wish and it will be granted. This bird is good luck and to see one means that you will have more money coming to your life. 

Finch

The truth seeker. Tell it your troubles and it will fly away with your problems, leaving them to disappear within the clouds. It will also ruffle it’s feathers if you’re not being true to yourself. 

Magpie 

Do not listen to the bad sayings about the magpie. Wiccans consider the magpie just as useful as any other aggressive bird. Chinese witches say they are half raven, half dove and very beautiful. The spiritually blessed individuals attract the magpie most. If you see one in your garden, you’ll know your home and property are protected. 

Owl 

The great fortune-teller. All the secrets of the universe are said to be within the owl. Speak aloud to the owl and ask your questions. If it hoots once, the answer will be no. If it hoots twice, the answer will be yes. If you so happen to have an owl enter your house, it is a VERY bad omen. If you see its image on a window where it might have accidentally collided with the glass, there is news of death. 

Pheasant

This is the bird of protection against dangers, especially for younger individuals. If there is a child in the home, and a pheasant is spotted on the property, it is believed that the child will always be protected from danger. Some witches will sew the feathers of a pheasant onto their attire or hats. 

Robin

In Christianity, the robin is believed to have gained their red breast from the blood of Jesus after it plucked the deepest thorn from Jesus’ brow while dying on the cross. If you speak to a robin while outside doing things, it may follow you around. If you have a regular visitor in your garden, you are very lucky. However, if it comes into the house it portends some sad news or even news of death. 

Sparrow

If a sparrow flies at you, know to look after your health better. 

Sparrow Hawk

If this bird makes eye contact with you, its trying to tell you news. If you tune into the sparrow hawk you will find it’s understanding and knowledge. 

Swallow

Your property will be protected against bad weather if a swallow nests in the eaves of your house. 

Woodpecker

This guardian of all trees is associated with magickal powers. Use the dust caught from a hole of a woodpecker in spells for happier times. 

Wren

This bird is a myth thought to be the king of birds. If this bird flies in your home, it will  leave magick and good luck. If a wren appears to you, something wonderful will happen.

Furry Friends 

Badger

This animal is a lunar animal and part of the weasel family. Lunar animals are magickal and associated with the lunar goddess. There are many lunar animals. The badger has supernatural powers and can sense when it’s in the presence of a witch. Badgers can sense magickal ley lines. These lines are thought to be paths of spiritual energy running through the earth along which ancient monuments were built and sacred sites aligned. 

Bat

The bat can usually be found wherever a witch resides. According to Chinese folklore, if a bat nests under your roof, it is a sign of better things to come. 

Dogs

Dogs are incredibly psychic! Because of this, they can easily detect humans emotions. They are also sensitive to weather changes. 

Frogs, Toads, and Newts

A lot of garden, or green, witches who are into magickal lore and medicinal properties of herbs, will keep an amphibian as a pet. Frogs and toads are lucky to have around. However, if one should be killed or found dead on your property, then sad news of the loss of a friend is to come. 

Hare

Another lunar creature like the badger. They represents fertility and new beginnings for many religions. Many witches have images of the hare on jewelry. Star-gazing hares are thought to attract the full moon and stars, and are purported to be the most magickal as they are moon worshipers. If you see one, very good luck. 

Horse

The horse is the only creature that may have an issue with witches. This beast is very sensitive and senses vibrations differently from ours. Sometimes Wiccan vibrations can spook a horse. The horse sometimes can be neigh too loud or rear up. This is because the horse simply doesn’t understand the vibrations its sensing and should be handled carefully. A horse can settle down and get used to a witch. Don’t take it personal. Be patient and take time with a horse. 

Rabbit

Like the hare, a rabbit is lunar. If found in your garden, it could mean news of a baby for you or someone close to you. 

Insightful Insects 

Bee

The much treasured bee is a very important insect to our ecosystem. Some witches will keep beehives because of their love for honey often used in healing potions. Bee witches, or witches or keep bees, make sure correct flowers and plants are always available in the garden. Never swear in front of a bee for this thought to weaken them through the presence of negativity. If one flies into the palm of your hand, legend has it that you’ll soon have money. If a bee doesn’t like your energy, it will sting you. NEVER EVER KILL A BEE!!  

Hornet or Wasp 

Interestingly enough, you can use telepathy with these insects. If you tune in right, they will do as you ask. If they aggravate you, speak firmly and say “please leave.” It will usually obey, and if you get stung instead, it’s a warning that there may be a person around you who you shouldn't trust. Jealousy is associated with hornets also, so be on guard. 

Grasshopper

If you are face-to-face with the grasshopper, you will have to make decisions about journeys that lie ahead of you. 

Ladybug 

This lovely little bug is also known as the ladybird beetle. It is a witch’s little familiar and if one lands on you, many blessings will come. Hold it in your cupped hand for a few moments and tell it your secrets. Then make a wish and let it go. 

Spider

Witches attract spiders the most. They run over clothes, land in your hair, and even creep into bed with you! It is said to be the only living creature on the planet that can understand human language. Some witches will talk to spiders a lot, or put them in their pocket for a moment to increase their wealth. If you kill a spider intentionally, you will have bad luck and a year of hardship. If a tiny spider finds you, circle it three times over your head, and let if drop into your hair. Leave it there to find its way out to increase your money energy three times over. 

The Notorious Cat

This animal is most closely associated with witches today. Many witches have friendly felines as familiars and many believe them to be psychic. In the day and age when witches were burned, their cats were often burned along with them or just killed outright. The Egyptians were often buried with their cats for help to the journey into the spiritual realm. Sometimes your cat will hunt for you and bring you presents. Thank you for their offering, then dispose of it (if its a dead animal) privately so you do not offend the feline.  

References

Robbins, Shawn, and Greenaway, Leanna. Wiccapedia. New York: Sterling Ethos, 2014. Print.

[hellsangelsheavensrejects]

Present Day: Showdown in the Parking Lot

Blythe

"Wow, so not only do YOU stick around Wynonna, you're now also cool with having JOHN CONSTANTINE around? You know what that man does? He gets people killed. The fuck is it with you and that asshole anyway?"

Harry

“Oh, hey! You know what? I’ve been waiting around all day for some rando too cowardly to show their face to drop by and give unsolicited opinions on me and the people I choose to spend my time with. Congratulations, you’ve won the Dipshit Award!”

Blythe

“Gee, that's some epic level avoidance there. You should get a medal for that. Also, I'd pester Constantine, but he's got my number ... or more precisely my name. And he's a lot better with wards than you are. So, what is all this? Are you trying to get that girl of yours killed?“

Harry

“Do you really like playing pinata with a hornet’s nest so much, or are you just that stupid?” Every hair on Harry’s body was stood on end as he pivoted on his heels in the darkened parking lot, staff at the ready, searching for the source of the sinister voice. He didn’t like this one bit; whoever or whatever it was, it clearly had some personal agenda– or vendetta– it was attempting to fulfill. And if it was strong enough to get past the wards on his apartment, like it was hinting at…

He gave an exaggerated roll of his eyes. “This creeptastic voice throwing thing is getting old. How about you come out where I can see you? Then we can duke it out like mature adults and call it a night.”

Blythe

"Now, now, wizard. I was just trying to give you a friendly warning, is all.", the shadows between two of the trees lining the parking lot seem to solidify into a tall figure with a pale face. They cluck their tongue. "But really, what IS it with you and Constantine? I mean, beyond you clearly wanting to get in his pants. Don't worry, I get it."

Harry

“You and I must have vastly different definitions of the word ‘friendly,’“ Harry remarked. He narrowed his eyes as he watched the figure fade into view, and readied himself, reaching down into that deep well of anger, pain, heartbreak, and love to find his power.

“See, to me, ‘friendly’ is hanging out, getting a few beers, shooting the bull. This whole menacing stalker vibe you’ve got going on over there? Not really all that friendly.”

Blythe

The figure that steps from the shadows is tall and thin, unnaturally so. A long feathered boa around their shoulders only highlights their skeletal body. Their face is as pale as the moon above and they gift the wizard with a grin full of sharp teeth. Right underneath an array of six red, glittering eyes. "You really are good at avoiding answering questions. Deal with the Fae lot quite a bit, do you?"

Harry

Harry kept his eyes locked on the creature, sizing them up. A demon of some sort, probably– especially considering what he knew of John. Whoever and whatever this creature was, they very clearly had a history with Constantine, and probably had in mind a little payback.

He wasn’t going to make it easy for them.

A grin peeled his lips back, baring his teeth. “I deal with a lot of interesting folks. Always walked away from it; can’t always say the same about them, though. How about you, Skellington? Gonna keep pressing your luck?”

Blythe

The stranger came sauntering over and when they finally stepped into the full light of one of the few still functioning lights illuminating the parking lot, it became clear that the dull clack-clack-clack of their step did not come from heels, but from hooves. "That would be boring, though, wouldn't it? Ending it right here? Not when it could be SO beautifully painful for you. Or for little Johnny ConJob."

Harry

In all his years of wizarding, Harry had learned that there is always a moment of crystal clarity, an epiphany that lights up the mind and makes all the little details fall into place. It clarifies the plans of the bad guys, provides a blueprint for a counterattack, and, most unsettlingly, sheds light on his own choices, feelings, and proclivities.

This demon had seen something between Harry and John that Harry had not yet had the courage to name.

“My Id is probably yukking it up right now,” he muttered, then arched an eyebrow at the creature, bringing his staff to bear and readying his will. “You want pain, huh? Well, hey, if you insist. Have a blast with it. Fuego!”

Blythe

The fire lit up the demon, and for a moment it seemed to distort them. The feather boa turned into terrible wings and those already long, thin limbs grew longer and thinner. Hands elongating into razorsharp claws. And then the demon was gone. The magical fire the wizard had unleashed missed it's mark and rushed off into the darkness. There was silence and then, right behind Dresden: "Not fast enough. Tell John hello from Blythe." and then, those claws embedded themselves into the wizard's back.

Harry

The demon… changed… before his eyes, and then vanished. Harry spun, leading with his staff, trying to pinpoint his enemy before it could reappear and get the jump on him.

Which was exactly what it did.

As the razor-sharp claws tore deep into his skin, his one thought, accentuated by a furious, agonized scream, was that he desperately wished he’d gone for the extra protection of his spell-reinforced coat before leaving this evening, but the balmy summer temperatures had dissuaded him of the notion.

Lips peeling back into a snarl, he took his staff in both hands and slammed it into the ground hard enough to break a hole in the pavement, then with a shouted word sent a burst of force lashing through the staff and into the ground, enough to– he hoped– knock them both off their feet and give him a chance to wrench free.

Blythe

The demon Blythe laughed, dodging the blow of the staff with supernatural ease. They seemed to have been caught off guard, however, when a wave of energy expanded from the impact of said staff and threw them backwards. Snarling, Blythe caught themselves on all four, three pairs of eyes blazing with hellish fire. "I will eat your soul in front of Constantine!", they threatened and threw themselves back at Dresden.

Harry

Cold fury erupted through him at the demon’s next mention of Constantine, and the pain of his wounds melted away into so much background noise. It had occurred to him before that he knew precious little about the man’s past. About the demons– both figurative and, apparently, literal– that haunted him. He hadn’t pressed for details, and had volunteered precious few of his own.

But this creature, whatever its history with John, clearly had one hell of a hard-on for hurting him. And that…

That was not okay.

Not even a little bit.

(He tried not to think about what that might mean)

(It meant Constantine was his, and he’d be damned if he’d let this demonic stick bug harm him in any way)

As the demon hurled itself at Harry, he swung his staff to bear again and snarled, “Here, have an appetizer on me. Infriga!” A roar of wind kicked up, punctuated by a flash of glittering light, and the air rippled and cracked with a broad swathe of mist-shrouded frost.

Blythe

Pain in the air, the taste of blood and Blythe could feel their gut twist with pleasure.

Oh, they knew that anger.

Their sources were correct, then. John Constantine had gotten himself entangled with this … Dresden character.

And what a character he was. Half of Fairy was having a hardon for the man and Hell? Oh, Hell was just jonesing for his soul.

Blythe, however? Blythe was just here to have a little fun on John’s expense. Maybe start a little collection down in Hell? Oh, wouldn’t that be fun? They’d string up Dresden right beside what was left of sweet Oliver. And then, then they’d get the one with The Gun, too.

And they’d make John watch.

His own personal Hell on earth.

But first … They saw the spell coming this time. The staff might direct his power, but it was also telegraphing Dresden’s intentions and Blythe pushed themselves out of the direct path of the incoming power. The edges of it still stung like a hundred knives to their skin.

They laughed.

“Too slow. Again.”, they admonished with a little click of their tongue. A tongue, that they wrapped around their blood stained finger. Only to draw back with a hiss, swallowing the astringent sweetness of fairymagic. “Oh, now that’s interesting!”

Once again, they cloaked themselves in shadow, pulling darkness around them, before reaching for the threads of magic around them. Long fingers knitted into a complicated pattern and when they stepped back into the half-light of the parking lot, barely a step away from Dresden, the power of their own spell released.

It took hold of the staff and yanked, hard, giving Blythe an opportunity to step into Dresden’s space, almost like a lover into a waiting embrace. The way Blythe wrapped their arms around the man furthered that illusion until their claws dug into the muscle beside his shoulderblades, holding him in place.

“Just a little lovebite.”, they quipped and dragged their tongue along Dresden’s face before sinking needle sharp teeth into the soft tissue of his throat.

Harry

Stars and stones, this demon moved fast, even when it wasn’t doing its little disappearing trick. Harry was faster and stronger, both magically and physically, than he’d ever been before, but he was having a devil of a time keeping up with the creature’s feints and attacks.

Case in point: the demon appeared in front of him, divested him of his staff in one smooth, distressingly powerful yank, and wound its arms around him in an almost sensual embrace. Harry tried to jerk back, about to quip something about the creature not being his type, but then he felt the sudden, burning agony of claws burying themselves into his back again as the demon locked itself to him.

Panic, fed by a growing, dreadful awareness of inevitability, lanced through him. He hissed through his teeth and tried to wrench free, grasping ineffectually at the demon’s bony arms. “Get off!” he snarled, bucking and thrashing against the arms holding him in place. He could feel the muscles near his shoulder blades tearing around the demon’s claws. “Get the fuck off!”

A lascivious slide of the demon’s tongue across his face made him reflexively jerk his head to the side, giving the monster a clear line to his throat. He realized his mistake a microsecond too late– though to be fair, there was probably little he could have done to avoid what happened next.

The demon’s fangs sank deep.

Stars exploded through his vision, and he convulsed, limbs flailing in a futile attempt to dislodge his attacker. Time seemed to bend around him, and his awareness warped. He felt something warm spurting down his neck, soaking through his shirt, and, inanely, a string of facts he had learned long ago began to drift through his mind.

The average human body holds about four-and-a-half to five-and-a-half liters of blood. He was taller than average, so he would have more than that, though he had never actually taken the time to do the math, so he couldn’t cite an actual number. Death by exsanguination could occur after the loss of half to two-thirds of your blood.

And he was bleeding fast. Weakening. He could already feel the dizziness beginning to set in, pulse fluttering, limbs going leaden, cold creeping through his body. He wasn’t even sure if he was still upright. Was the demon still with him? He wasn’t sure if that would even have made a difference.

He was going to die.

He was going to die, and… he’d had so much that he’d wanted to say. To Wynonna. How deep his feelings really went for her, the extremes he would go to for her. To John. How he was ready to face, to embrace the confused maelstrom of feelings that erupted in him whenever he was near.

He was going to die, and he wasn’t going to be able to tell them.

[slendermanlore]

Original Mythos + Literary References

Here’s a compilation of references to (allegedly) real books, movies, online stories and sites, etc. made by contributors to the Original Mythos.

Original Mythos Meta:

Slender Man would make a pretty nice horror novel in the lines of "House of Leaves".

Essentially, make the novel a collection of witness statements, newspaper clippings, pictures, drawings, articles discussing evidence for an against the slender man and, to tie it all neatly together, a few stories of people who want to track the slender man, unravel the mystery,

And the kicker would be the last 20 or so pages would be missing, with only scraps of paper left, arranged as logically as possible, just excerpts, words, rips, ink stains, etc.

Original Mythos Meta:

It's The Rake all over again!

Conspiracies:

When you posted the part about the chest injuries it reminded me of the Dyatlov Pass incident that was posted in the Unsolved Mysteries thread:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dyatlov_pass_accident

Wikipedia posted:

and both Dubunina and Zolotarev had major chest fractures. The force required to cause such damage would have been extremely high, with one expert comparing it to the force of a car crash.Notably, the bodies had no external wounds, as if they were crippled by a high level of pressure. One woman was found to be missing her tongue.[1]

Original Mythos Meta:

I'm suddenly imagining a Slender Man "documentary," done in a style similar to The Last Broadcast or that old Alien Abduction TV special. Interviews with witnesses of various encounters through the years, investigation into the different events brought up in this thread, and specialists analyzing photographs, intercut around home video footage taken by a missing family, showing them being picked off by the Slender Man. As we get further into the film, we also start to see behind the scenes footage of the making of the documentary, with crew members not showing for work and not answering calls, various production problems… then finally ending with a note that the director disappeared immediately after completion of the film.

Original Mythos Meta:

"Some say that the worst monsters reside in the imagination, drawn from the greatest fears of those who imagine them. I say there are horrors beyond mortal imagining, and they are far worse. And I have looked on both."

Original Mythos Meta:

The backstories have been working well so far because they talk about things without explaining them, it's sort of along the lines of House of Leaves in that way.

Marble Hornets Preamble:

He agreed, but only under the circumstance that I never bring them back to him, and never discuss what was on them with him. He also highly discouraged me from showing any of it to anyone else. I laughed at this, and said that he must have accidentally made The Ring or something with the way he was talking. He didn’t acknowledge this and brought me up to his attic, where he was storing the pile of tapes.

British Myths, Legends, and Unsolved Tales:

Adair, J. (1989) British Myths, Legends and Unsolved Tales, London: Pan Books.

Original Mythos Meta:

Has anyone thought about the possibility that we are creating a tulpa? It's a thought form that is realized through the efforts of a group of people. We might be creating the Slender Man, making him real.

The Toronto Society for Psychical Research did this with an entity called "Philip" in the mid-70's. There was a book written about it, called "Conjuring up Philip." "He" was a fictional person, knowingly created by the group. It was all fun and games until "Philip" started to take on a mind of his own. "Philip" became real, as far as any paranormal thing could be said to be real. So take all this with a big grain of salt.

Original Mythos Meta:

Now go watch Aphex Twin's 'Come To Daddy' video. Take careful note of the inhumanly tall, emaciated figure the children gather around.

Original Mythos Meta:

The Slender Man, to date, is the only thing to creep me out worse than the Black Eyed Kids… of course, not all the missing children were recovered… who knows what happens to them when the Slender Man is finished?

Original Mythos Meta:

After all, the greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist.

Original Mythos Meta:

No, the greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he DID exist.

Small Findings:

I have this coffee table book of photos from Life magazine. The pictures go back to the late 1800s.

Imagine my surprise when I took a closer look at this photo of Yosemite Valley from the 1870s.

Not only did I see our mysterious boogie man

But also the skull and rib cage of some unfortunate soul.

I can’t say for sure that the remains are one of its victims, but I’d be willing to bet on it.

Conspiracies:

XI 20: He who several times has Held the cage and then the woods, He will return to the first state His life safe shortly afterwards to depart, Still not knowing how to know, He will look for a subject in order to die.

Original Mythos Meta:

"There are those who believe they can be "one" with those who are not of our world. These people often think that somehow they have some kind of mental or "spiritual" link. Oftentimes these people will go out into areas that have been reported to be the hunting grounds of said creatures. These individuals are often more dangerous than the creatures that they worship/are in love with. When faced with the choice between the reality of the creature not existing or staying in a fake world they will choose, sometimes to the bitter end, the made up world.

In a somewhat ironic way, those who believe themselves to be the worthy follower/lover of these beings are in fact far removed from the "ideal" being the creature would choose!"

Edvard Tobin "Humanity and the Supernatural: A Dangerous Combo" Pub: 1994

Original Mythos Meta:

In reading this thread, I'm struck by one behaviour of Der Ritter in particular, that of its impaling its victims in a tree, while removing and reinserting their internal organs. It's remarkably akin to the feeding habits of shrikes, also known as butcherbirds.

See, what a shrike will do is capture a smaller animal - anything from a cricket to a smaller bird or mouse - and kill it. Shrikes are songbirds, and their musculature is pretty lacking compared to a straight-up raptor like a hawk or owl, so their kill is messy and inefficient, consisting of many pecks and bites to the head and neck. This continues until the prey animal is either dead or too tired to fight. But that's not the worst part. The worst part is that as weak as their jaws are, their claws are weaker, and they wholly lack talons. They're built to perch. So, what a shrike will do, is it will take its prey to a thorny tree, or bush, or even barbed wire, and it will ram its prey down on a spike so that it won't move when the shrike tears it apart.

It's a songbird that's learned to kill, and it does so far more cruelly than any raptor.

Anyone ever hear the Slender Man sing?

e: Wikipedia on Lanius excubitor, the Great Gray Shrike: "This species will lure birds closer by mimicking their calls."

Original Mythos Meta:

I'm still REALLY seeing Slender Man as being related to Shadow People and, now, the hat man. http://www.thehatmanproject.com/

I have this vision of Slender Man coming up to you and Shadow People just… gurgling out of his shadow. As if he creates them.

Original Mythos Meta:

Slender Man is like that stupid game where you lose as soon as you think about it.

If you think about him, he knows. If you fear him, he comes. The only way to escape the Slender Man is to not know about the Slender Man.

Conspiracies:

In 1977, as Led Zeppelin embarked on their tour of the United States, Jimmy Page’s interest in the occult and addiction to heroin were at their peak. His playing was spotty at times, his weight had dropped considerably, and his focus was clearly elsewhere. His delving into the supernatural spirits made him lose sight of the goal of the band, with Zeppelin’s lights manager later remarking that singer Robert Plant would often have to snap Page out of his between-song trances, with Page not remembering how their own tunes went. Page also grew increasingly paranoid in an infamous incident prior to an interview with Cameron Crowe where he ripped a phone out of the wall because he felt that someone was spying on him. It was as if a force he tapped into was corrupting him.

Original Mythos Meta:

I wonder perhaps if Slenderman's name is Zoso, but he would come for anybody who figured it out, which is perhaps why Jimmy Page has been so secretive about exactly where they got their symbols for their IV album.

Hang on guys, I think there's somebody standing in front of my house…

Ghost Stories of the American South:

So once the Slender Man began popping up in this thread, I could have sworn something about it seemed familiar. I’m an amateur folklorist, so I had a few source books lying around. It took me a while, but I finally found something in W.K. McNeil's Ghost Stories of the American South. Most of the tales collected are transcripts of recordings other folklorists made, but McNeil compiles them and offers notes. A really handy book. So anyway, this particular story appears in the book’s seventh section, “Other Supernatural Creatures.”

Original Mythos Meta:

Wasn't there an artist who painted a picture—supposed to be really famous, its in all the big fancy art books. Isn't called "The Scream" or "The Screamer" ? It showed an elongated person with its hands besides its head or doing like the microphone around its mouth.

[...]

Hasn't ANYONE seen the movie "Mimic" ? The Judas Bug. It EVOLVED to look like the prey that it hunted. Now, i understand that this doesn't fit every story (like the wood carvings, But it does rather fit the Woodcarving with the skeleton with the arm-spear, It looks human)

Nathaniel V:

From a grimoire of sorts I picked up at a used book store.

Called The Observations and written by someone calling himself Nathaniel V. I don’t know if that is a letter “v” or a roman numeral 5.

Original Mythos Meta:

I think I mentioned this before--but the original Slender Man pics associated him with fire, as in preceding or instigating fire. Dissection and other means of destruction came later--not that I'm complaining. As Call of Cthulhu d20 once said, a beastie can have a thousand legs today and no legs next time, so long as it makes each encounter more horrifying.