#i like gavial and I am having gavial thoughts

[cerastes]

I've said this before but I adore the fact that Gavial is unambiguously canonically Your Bud, Your Chum, Your Pal, Your Trusted Homie, Your Close Friend.

One of Gavial's express goals is to convince Eunectes to build you two a mech so you can ride it together. The question is not "Would you like if I could get Zumama to build us a two-seater Metal Slug Stage 2 boss?", because she already knows you're down to clown, the question is not "Would you ride together with me if I got Zumama to build us a two-seater?" because she already knows you're absolutely not gonna skimp on that, the question is very expressly "do you want to drive it or ride shotgun?", it is already one hundred percent assumed that you're coming with, and she's even letting you drive the thing if you want, because you're Bros.

It's not likely to ever get elucidated upon, but I'd LOVE to see how it is Gavial and Doctor forged their friendship. By the time of the first Gavial event, they're already objectively close friends, I want to know how it happened, how did One Punch Man - Gator Woman Edition and Sickly Bag Of Bones In A Hoodie become bros, I want to know the story!!!!!

[fishing-lesbian-catgirl]

I have the sneaking suspicion you like Arknights

i am in it deep I'm afraid. I had once thought myself above those who write fanfiction and post all the time about women from gacha games. but after seeing too much Skadi/Specter and Tomimi/Gavial fanart from a specific artists I'm a big fan of I decided to try arknights and for better or for worse I am not normal about it

[drmajalis]

Gavial, the Invincible is legitimately the only six star I wish i could take back the pulls and materials spent on her. It's not just "white girl dreads" although that is pretty cringe, it's like genuinely there has never been a single time I've ever though of using Gavial over Blaze. LIke yeah I know Gavial is objectively a better meta unit but Blaze is still hella fine and few things are as satisfying as the sound of her s2 infinite duration wonderland It's just the theme of the AoE Guard! They are blocking tons of dudes and chunking them all why am I having to think carefully about when to use their skills? Blaze is infinite duration, least thought needed Estelle and Specter are obvious, use them if they're about to die/if you know they might die But with Gavial I'm like expected to foresee the best time in a map to utilize her skill durations? Nah, not what I'm here for. Good god I hate her fucking white girl dreads you know my friends have had to remind me she existed whenever I was comparing AoE Guards or talking about alters we didn't like because my mind kept blanking her out. Please go look at @phmonster's Gavial art

[johannstutt413]

(requested by mathmaticalknight)

“Hey, Dobermann, can I ask you something?” The Doctor, dressed in her own workout clothes, was walking with the drillmaster through the training room, checking in on the Operators at work. “How do you decide who gets to be a trainer? Because I’ve been looking through the list, and I’ve noticed some odd choices in my book.”

“You may be our leader and strategy master, Doctor, but I operate on the disciplinary level. The Operators I’ve chosen are the best for teaching the Rhodes Island System to our Operators.”

She could understand tha- Wait, hold on. “Dobermann, is that Plume watching Bagpipe go through her drills?”

“Yes; Plume works specifically with our Vanguards with extensive combat training before coming here.” There was a hint of a smile at the Doctor’s dumbfoundedness. “If you think I’m a hard-ass, you should have seen her working with Miss Siege.”

“Did you just call her Miss Siege?”

Dobermann nodded. “I did. Next question - I can see it on your face.”

“Is that training?” They watched as Gavial engaged Folinic in hand-to-hand combat. “They’re both Medics, aren’t they? And Folinic is Dr. Kal’tsit’s personal student, so why is she-”

“She’s learning the Rhodes Island system. Even our Medics need to know how to defend themselves.” The Feline punched the Archosaurian in the face, which managed to score a laugh with the better-known-for-violence of the two.

The Doctor shook her head. “I need a crash course on this system myse- Okay, THAT is not training.”

“Hmm? Oh, hell no!” The Perro cracked her whip, interrupting Swire and Hoshiguma in the middle of making out. “Train on our time, do that on your own.”

“They’re both on the trainer roster, too. How shameful...” Although considering Miss Swire’s gym outfit, she did at least understand the rationale.

They had one last room to check...and this time, the Doctor had no explanation. “Okay, I know Hellagur isn’t a trainer...neither is Skadi, or Ch’en, or Mr. SilverAsh, or-”

“Beehunter’s our expert in there. Her method is focused on ‘last man standing’ brawls, and they’ve been quite useful in getting our best combatants out of their comfort zones and make clear improvements in their performance review scores.” Dobermann cracked a genuine smile. “Still confused?”

“There are ten Operators in there, and all of them are fighting each other? Ten of our strongest, most experienced, and most dangerous personnel...keeping in mind none of them are Casters?”

The Perro nodded. “Yes.”

“Can I watch?”

“No.” Dobermann chuckled at her frown. “We have a session of our own to get to, after all.”

As they continued to the room at the end of the hall, she made another observation. “You know, I think you being my personal trainer is similar in a way.”

“You think so?” The drillmaster herself held the door for the Doctor as they stepped inside.

“Here I am, the master of my domain, treated like a queen and the last hope of Rhodes Island...” She turned on her heels, manifesting her Arts blade in her left dominant hand. “And of all the personnel, all the war heroes and Arts experts and asymmetrical operations specialists available to us, you’re the one in charge of keeping me fit for duty. Why is it that the person who works with our green Operators takes it on herself to work with me?”

Dobermann cracked her whip against the floor. “For the practical explanation: you’re not expected to keep the same physical standards as our combat-ready Operators, but the thought of one of our recruits kicking your ass without at least a little effort is utterly disgraceful.”

“Alright, that’s fair...” The Doctor took a couple practice swings at the air between them. “But the way you said that sounds like there’s another reason.”

“Oh, there is. No one else is allowed to see you sweat.”

She blinked. “I’m sorry?”

“You haven’t noticed? There’s a reason you have a reputation of being so competent in everything you do, and that’s because no one else knows the level of effort you put in to maintain that level of success.” The Perro’s weapon hand was loose around the hilt. “As your trainer, and as your personal assistant, I’m the only one who ever gets to see that side of you, and I like to keep it that way. Besides, if someone saw you after a workout, glowing the way you do, they might want you almost as much as I do, and the fallout from that would be an HR disaster.”

“Ah...Am I really-”

She nodded once. “I could not exaggerate my feelings if I wanted to.”

“Wow.” The Doctor grinned. “So you’ll take it easy on me so you don’t mess up my pretty face?”

“Are you kidding? I never said you couldn’t use a couple scars.” And with that, the session began.

[johannstutt413]

“The longer you’re with us, the more impressive I find your results.” The Doctor was presenting Folinic with a promotion medal. “Your unique approach to offensive medicine is a testament to your in-depth understanding of biochemistry and pharmaceutical science, and I for one look forward to your continued excellence.”

“Thank you, Doctor. If you excuse me, I have some reports I need to write.” With a curt nod, the Feline turned to leave his office-

He set a hand on her shoulder, which was enough to stop her. “I’m afraid I need you to stay a bit longer.”

“Doctor, please-” Turning around, however, she saw the look on his face. “You removed your mask?”

“You need to see my eyes as I say this. Folinic, it’s time you took your own advice.”

She frowned at him. “In what way?”

“I’ve seen your time sheets,” he explained, “and the hours you work aren’t healthy. If you think I should work less, then you certainly should as well.”

“I...I can’t do that, Doctor.” Folinic didn’t let the pain show, but her anger was already starting to bleed through.

The Doctor nodded. “I know you can’t, and neither can I, but if you want me to, you’ll have to do the same.”

“What kind of ultimatum is this?” Her gaze sharpened to a glare. “I work myself as hard as I do so I can-”

“Sleep at night. I’ve seen the reports, which means you should understand why it’s a common issue between us.”

That got her dander up. “‘Common issue?’ Correct me if I’m wrong, Doctor, but one of us is an amnesiac, and I don’t believe I’ve forgotten anything from my past that mattered.”

“A low blow, but I’d expect nothing less from Rhodes’ third-most lethal healer.” It was hard to compete with Kal’tsit when she called upon Monst3r, or Gavial just...being Gavial. “How many faces do you see in your nightmares, Folinic?”

“Enough-” The look in his eye was enough to stop a student of the Kal’tsit School of Angry Eyes.

 He was still looking at her. “A number, not an excuse.”

“...My entire family, and what few friends I had.” She stared back at him, daring him to respond. “Ten, if you absolutely must have a number.”

“Ten.” His voice cracked.

Folinic blinked. “Yes, ten. Doctor, what-”

“I see all of them.” If there had been anger in his voice, it was far too soft to convey it now. “People I could never name, could never tell you where I saw them or what they meant to me. Feline, Lupo, Sarkaz, Sankta, Aegir, Liberi; Rhodes Island, Reunion, Babel, Ursus, Leithanien, Kazimierz; agent, soldier, medic, mercenary...civilian. Hundreds of faces, strung together solely by the feeling of unknown tragedy. ‘What a waste of life,’ I sob, knowing it will do nothing for them, but unable to sleep until I’ve said as much. You at least know why you cry yourself to sleep at night after working yourself to the bone...I don’t my ghosts from Tallulah, and they haunt me all the same.”

“...I suppose you do understand, at some level.”

He nodded. “I know you do, too. That’s why I’m saying you have to follow your own advice.”

“But Doctor, I physically cannot go to sleep properly if I don’t work myself until I’m dead on my feet, and I refuse to take medication to induce that state.” The Feline sighed. “There’s simply no feasible solution.”

“...I’ve always admired you, Folinic.” The hand on her shoulder, without moving, suddenly felt much softer.

She saw a similar change in his eyes. “Doctor?”

“Sorry.” He removed his hand. “That was too fast.”

“Maybe, but I’m not sure I understand where you tried to take us just now. Unless- no, not me, certainly not me of all people.”

So the Feline had followed where he was going with this. The Doctor cleared his throat. “Yes, you, ‘of all people.’”

“I...My head hurts. I need to sit down.” Which she did; Folinic half-collapsed onto the couch a few feet away. “It’s impossible. The amount of time we’ve spent in each other’s company is far too small - I’ve never been your assistant, and frankly I’m sure the first time we ever spoke was during the Wolumonde affair. You aren’t attracted to my performance, because those numbers are just that - numbers, data, not something you can build a relationship on. When I have talked to you, I’ve been blunt, critical, even excessively cruel, including just a few moments ago-”

“You really are running the numbers on this.” By this point, he had sat down next to her, watching her exhaust herself with these spinning gears just as he’d expected she would.

Folinic just shook her head. “I just don’t understand...There’s not a single symptom of your being lovestruck you’ve come close to displaying until that moment, and here I am fighting a bout myself. Feelings aren’t supposed to be infectious like this.”

“Then it seems you already felt the same way I do. If you’re still having doubts, I can show you how you won me over.” He set a hand, palm facing the ceiling, on her thigh. “Just take my hand and a deep breath.”

“What are you doing?” More accurately, she was wondering what they were doing, as she took his hand without further question. She took a deep breath as instructed, inadvertently closed her eyes-

-and saw a void, empty and all-consuming. “What do you see?” The Doctor asked her, his voice seemingly echoing from everywhere.

“Nothing.” The Feline cracked a smile. “I see nothing. No faces, no emblems, no landmarks, just...nothing.”

“Despite us talking about what should have dredged up exactly those things, did you see any of them since coming to my office?”

She shook her head. “Not once.”

“Then we have two pieces of my evaluation - the two that tipped the scales irreversibly.” She could feel a pulse traveling from him to her. Not a heartbeat, but a steady pseudo-seismic wave. “When I’m with you, no matter how few those minutes together might have been, I’m not haunted by my past...but if I did, you would understand what I was experiencing and what I need to move past it. Does that make sense to you?”

“Of course. I feel the same.” Folinic’s fingers interlocked with his.

He smiled, though she couldn’t see it. “On a less relatable note, you remind me of someone I knew once: a medical professional who threw herself heart and soul into a mission, who gave up so much of herself that she’s now lost in the goal without another driving force to carry her. If we ever do achieve that, I wonder what she’ll do with herself...”

“Dr. Kal’tsit is rather driven,” the Feline noted, which elicited a chuckle. “What’s so funny?”

“I don’t think I ever thought I’d find ‘being like a young Dr. Kal’tsit’ an attractive quality, and yet here we are.”

She opened her eyes as she turned to face him. “Doctor-”

And he was there; and there were no more words.

[johannstutt413]

(requested by calligomiles)

“INCOMING!!!” Gavial dove into the ring from the ropes, crashing into her opponent’s back and locking them in place.

“3...2...1...And that’s a wrap!” The Doctor, as the referee, called the match. “That’s a wrap! Once again, the Green Goddess takes the match!”

Zima, sitting with Leto in the crowd, grumbled, “Why do you like this so much? They aren’t even fighting for real.”

“Are you kidding me? That’s what makes it so impressive! You have to be incredible to know how to do things like that safely! She threw one of them out of the ring, for crying out loud!”

“And?” The general shook her head. “If I’m gonna watch play-fighting, I’m watching FEater’s action movies.”

At that moment, the iron-muncher herself stood up and approached the ring. “Hey, champ! How about a real fight?”

“...Alright, that’s it. Lee, hold my jacket.”

“What?” She watched as Zima stood up. “Wait, are you gonna-”

She cracked her neck. “All this blue-balling is giving me a headache. I’m going in. OI, SUKI! KHOCHU DRATSYA SVAMI TOZHE!”

“Oh, shit,” the Doctor muttered into his mic as he and the crowd dispersed. No one wanted to risk being in the splash zone.

“O-ho-ho, this is gonna be fun.” The Archosaurian cracked her knuckles. “Not that I’m gonna enjoy fixing you up afterwards.”

FEater laughed. “You’re pretty confident for someone talking to the Heir of the Universal Fist!”

“Less talking, more punching!” Zima declared as she charged Gavial-

-Only to be kicked off-course by the actress, whose foot crashed into her stomach and sent her to the ground as it propelled her back to a standing position. It’d been a while since she’d fought without her axe...Must be getting rusty.

The Archosaurian took advantage of the assistance to tackle the general, going to lock her arms behind her back, but this time, the Ursus was ready for her, and she lashed out with her elbow, catching her square on the jaw. That didn’t deter her, of course, but it gave FEater the time she needed to throw herself onto the pile as well.

Some time later, as the three of them sat in different corners of the ring, waiting for the regenerative supplements Gavial had provided to kick in, Zima sighed. “Now that was a proper fight. None of this ‘holding back’ bullshit you guys do.”

“Holding back? You think I hold back just because I don’t beat the shit out of them?” The healer chortled. “Sure, if that’s what helps you sleep at night.”

“She kind of has a point, though, Gav. When I’m doing stunts for a movie, I do feel like I’m not using all of my strength.” The actress had her phone out and was scrolling through movie ticket prices.

The Archosaurian shrugged. “That’s different, too. I don’t hold back in the ring - I’m just careful with how I direct my strength. Not all that different from sports, or giving a deep-tissue massage, except I’ve also gotta make it look as good as it feels.”

“You do massage?” That got the general’s attention. “Really?”

“Surprised?”

The Ursus shook her head. “I’m just wondering how many different reasons you’ve come up with to touch other people.”

“...Was that really necessary?” Gavial sighed, smacking the back of her head against the ring post. “Seriously.”

“Is that a bad thing?” FEater asked, looking from one to the other.

Zima shrugged. “I never said it was.”

“You sounded like you were accusing me of being a perv.” The healer’s voice softened. “Weren’t you?”

“I mean, I get it. Some stuff’s just easier to say with your hands than your words. Honestly, I think we could all use a massage after the thrashing we gave each other.”

The actress agreed. “That would be nice.”

“You’re serious?” The Archosaurian’s eyes shifted between them. “You’d really trust me to do it after I beat the shit out of you two?”

“I mean, you knocked my arm back into place after FEater here dislocated it, so-”

The iron-muncher threw one of her shoes at Zima. “Like she didn’t have to do the same to my knee! Seriously, I don’t even know how you got around that block to do that.”

“You guys are so sweet.” Gavial wiped at the eyelashes that slipped into her eyes. “Might have to take a rain check until I’ve had my shoulder looked at, though.”

“Hmm...Hey, FEater, wanna help me with something real quick?” The general pulled herself to her feet with the help of the ropes, cracking her neck as she did.

She nodded. “Yeah, sure! Gav’s gonna want to stand for this, right?”

“I don’t think it’s out of socket,” she informed them, “but the muscle feels off.” Nevertheless, she stood up.

“You think that’s what we’re doing? I only know how to break people, not fix ‘em. Still, you’re gonna like this, I’m sure.”

The healer blinked. “Okay.”

“‘Scuse me!” FEater slipped behind the Archosaurian. “Ready!”

“Ready for-” As she said it, the actress and general wrapped her in an Ursus sandwich.

Zima smirked as she realized her arms weren’t quite long enough to get both Gavial and her fellow Ursus in her embrace. “How is it, Gav?”

“...I want a turn as the bread,” she replied, only able to return the embrace to the general but doing so with gusto, “but I can’t complain.”

“That sounds like a plan to me!” FEater agreed, pulling the healer even closer to her.

Which meant Gavial pulled the other Ursus even closer. “Hey, Zima, I’m not hurting you, am I? You’re shaking a bit.”

“Fee’s giving me a look.” The general, admittedly, was giving it right back to her. “Her face is...really close...”

“This is tempting fate a little bit, isn’t it?” The actress smiled back.

The Archosaurian could see where this was going. “You know I’m still right here, right?”

“Of course.” Zima pulled back just a tad to look the healer in the eye. “Is that consent?”

“...Call it a request. Still, probably shouldn’t do anything here.”

FEater shrugged. “Whatever sounds good to you two.”

“Yeah, no, you’ve got a point. Even if no one’s around now.” The general thought for a minute. “I’ve got roommates, so I don’t recommend my place. Fee?”

“Oh, I’d love to host! But my room’s getting inspected tomorrow, and I’m not sure how much damage we might do.”

Gavial chuckled. “Then my place it is.”

“Good.” The younger Ursus sighed in relief. “I don’t need the others getting jealous.”