#it's like essek and soup

[sapphosboy]

I love how beloved Essek is to the fandom. Hearing a theater full of 12,500 people all gasp when Trent said shadowhand really speaks to me

[essektheylyss]

I have finally picked up Exquisite Exandria a year late, and truly delighted that of the three-ish soups or stews in the book, two of them are Rosohnan recipes. As is good and right. 😌

[towards-toramunda]

I posted this five or so hours before we met Seth Domade

It’s been a week and three days since then IF SHE ONLY KNEW WHAT WAS COMING HER WAY!!!!!

[jamieylnn]

do you think that essek, who we have seen previously attempt jokes about punishing the bakeries that made goods that jester didn't like and about not liking soup, was very proud of himself when seth's joke about his mother's ale stopping time landed with bells hells?

[sldlovescartoons]

I’m going to continue on my Essek and Food mind track a little more. Just because the inherent hilarity of the Nein getting a very normal view of Essek and his eating habits because he’s too shy and anxious early on to mention anything odd or gross or foreign. He’ll try anything once as long as it looks like it won’t actively poison him. And then they know him for a while and he starts to say things. For the longest time, it was just he likes soups and stews and is a bit finicky about eating food that is stale or past date. And then-

Essek brings up how he’s desperately craving Cave Fisher. He’d kill for rice noodles with herbs and steamed Cave Fisher Claw Meat.

Essek will quote, “get over the fact that they found Ice Worm for Verin’s ceremonial dinner, but for me they had to purchase domesticated Purple Worm because the hunters came up empty. The absolute indignity-“

He’s feeling nostalgic for Darkmantle Calamari, it was a festival food and it’s been years.

It’s been too long since he’s had some good snake steak.

And so on and so forth. And it comes so far out of left field for the Nein because Essek is a blue-blood, why has he eaten so many monsters and insects??? He craves them. He starts actively requesting fried crickets to put on his summer salad and what the fuck is even going on?

[augentrust]

i love meeting essek again during every rewatch. he's so prickly. he's trying to be mysterious. he's lying through his teeth. he'd like to see you try to kill him. he's panicking the entire time. this man's favorite food is soup. someday he's going to knit caleb a scarf

[shadowgast-recs-weekly]

Older Favorites 8: A Shadowgast Rec List

This week we have the eighth edition of older favourite fics, check under the cut for 19 fics that were uploaded or last updated more than two years ago! Don't forget to comment and kudos if you enjoy them

when will these two wizards kiss already by allmadeofstardust (13590, Explicit) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

A series of canon divergent episodes, exploring potential first kisses the wizards might've had in the final episodes of C2.

Reccer says: Back when C2 was finishing up, I always looked forward to this series updating XD it was a really fun way to feed the beast that spent every one of those last episodes waiting for a Shadowgast kiss to happen. And the ending of the series is really lovely too.

Like 80/20 on the Kinsey Scale by jakia (2772, Teen) Reccer's Content Notes: None

Caleb sleeps with Essek and panics about his sexuality. A story about friendship and identity.

Reccer says: I liked it!

By the Light by MoonwalkingCrab (31993, Mature) Reccer's Content Notes: Choose Not to Warn, Major Character Death, Temporary Character Death

After not hearing from the Nein for months and assuming he had been forgotten, Essek receives a plea from the Nein to help save Caleb. Canon-Compliant until e88!

Reccer says: I Love love LOVE this fic. I came into the fandom right at the end of C2 and have read many really good pre-97 fics - This one is probably my absolute favorite. AMAZING Essek characterization, really nailed the loneliness at his core, I love the take and the headcanons! Also also, while this is absolutely a Shadowgast fic, this is also very much an Essek & The Nein fic. Every interaction is amazing, love the level of detail, adore the pacing, just a really good and soft and well rounded fic!!

in the times in between by jakia (8098, Teen) Reccer's Content Notes: mention of miscarriage

While refining a spell, Caleb spends a few days accidentally visiting his parents over the course of a decade and a half. Essek helps the final time.

Reccer says: Kind and sweet, plus excellent mom behavior from Una at the end.

infinity in the palm of your hand by mousecookie (5752, Teen) Reccer's Content Notes: Major Character Death, Temporary Character Death, Canon-Typical Violence

Alternate ending to e116 - The Mighty Nein find a rusted iron door in Aeor, as well as the fallen body of one Essek Thelyss.

Reccer says: Really well/solidly written, with an *amazing* twist that I did NOT see coming - Very good emotions, very good characterizations, just an all-round lovely read written during the fandom's 'When will Essek return from the war?' phase X3 Also also I just ADORE the title!

only code it knows is rote survival by Chrome (12637, Mature) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

In a world where Trent makes it back to Eiselcross before the Nein do, Essek spends a night under the effects of the Feeblemind spell. Caleb undertakes a duty of care, and the Nein learn how Essek feels about them beneath everything.

Reccer says: Wonderful characters and lovely writing!

like coloured indigo inscribed with my name by KmacKatie (30648, Teen) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

An exploration of tradition, culture, what is worth sacrificing in finding yourself and family.

Reccer says: I think about this fic a lot. The highs, the lows, the sweetness, the angst. It's existed in the back of my mind for so long that it's kind of hard to describe the particulars of why I love it; I just do. I love the snapshots into Essek and the Nein's lives; the moment in Chapter 4 when the wizards kiss stands out to me as an example of that. The heartache of Chapters 6 and 7 is so well done; the strings of unanswered texts (and Essek's deleted replies) at the end of 6 and "I can’t eat soup without thinking of you." in particular (ESPCIALLY the latter) have stuck with me for years. Essek showing up at Caleb's birthday party after everything... there are tears in my eyes as I am typing this. I just love all of it so much, but the angst in particular really left a mark. And I love the ending so much too. All of it is just iconic and wonderful. To end on a lighter note, shout-out to the remark about Deirta and kumquats, which surfaced in my psyche recently after being dormant in there for so long XD

a certain future by wristpockets (26997, Mature) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

Essek keeps trying to outwit The Mighty Nein, and gets stuck in a time loop trying to do so. He's trying to befriend them now, trying to earn their trust, but that's only because it's his best option... right?

Reccer says: While the Shadowgast is a relatively minor aspect of the story, it's a great character study.

Echoes by MithrilWren (1759, Teen) Reccer's Content Notes: Choose Not to Warn

“Essek finds himself... unsettled by Caleb's new telepathic powers.“

Reccer says: Shadowgast, but with some Somnovem interference! This fic is short, but it packs a punch! I still get a shiver down my spine thinking about the ending.

Somewhere Just for Us by bluebirdsongs (12835, Teen) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

Caleb takes Essek on a date to the version of the dance hall that lives on the Tower's 8th floor.

Reccer says: This is one of my all-time favorite Shadowgast fics, hands down. It is incredibly tender and sweet, with so many layers of emotion. The concept is brilliant and so well executed. I love Caleb introducing Essek to Zemnian cuisine and this fic is 100% the reason for it. And the flirting and the banter and the DANCING. There's a moment when they're dancing that made me yell in delight when I first read it back in 2021 and I still adore it. And the ending!!! Augh, it's all just so heartfelt. It deserves all the love in the world. (Also, it never fails to make me crave a preztel)

russet inconveniences by marleybone (7328, Teen) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

Essek needs a roommate and finds one in Caleb Widogast.

Reccer says: You know a fic is good when you think you've submitting reccs and then you remember the title and immediately have to go pull it up to recc too XD this one is just so fun!!! Caleb is a menace of a roommate and I love that that never stops, even as Essek realizes he's got feelings. The tag "minor inconveniences to lovers" is fantastic XD

Unspoken Love by marsmystic (4187, Teen) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

“ Caleb and Essek return to Aeor together. A relationship develops. Or was it already there?”

Reccer says: This fic sparks joy! Wizards being besties!! Essek and Caleb’s relationship is so sweet in this. It really highlights how the romantic aspects of it stem from their friendship, which is one of my favorite flavors of shadowgast.

The Mind and The Malady by SaltCore (38945, Teen) Reccer's Content Notes: Graphic Depictions of Violence

There is a remedy for his illness, of course. There is always a way to unwind magic, but there is always a price. The cost of Essek’s life, now that he’s contracted Hanahaki’s disease, can be paid two ways—one is higher than Essek can bear and the other, well. The other can only be paid by someone else.

Reccer says: Beautifully written and wonderful worldbuilding! Always a fav to reread!

some things time can't fix by Chrome (25930, Mature) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

Essek is arrested for treason. The Dynasty severs the daemons of prisoners before executing them so they can’t be reborn.

Reccer says: Daemon au! This fic made me feel so many emotions

Like a Steel Trap by kaeda (12519, Explicit) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

Essek is very much into Caleb's keen mind.

Reccer says: Wizards loving wizards for wizardly reasons!

a mirror to the sky by renquise (7432, Mature) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

Essek shows up on Caleb's doorstep in the bitter cold of winter and shows him something private

Reccer says: Self bondage fic my beloved! The tension between the two is so good!

To Mourn a Mischief by toneofjoy (81716, Teen) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

It's an Ever After-inspired AU with magic, where Caleb is trapped with Ikithon but ends up wooing Essek. Follows the plot of Ever After but has some good twists and turns!

Reccer says: The writing gives that fairy-tale feel, and though it follows the plot of Ever After, it's different enough to be exciting. Also love the surprise guests near the end, and the Jester/Essek and Caleb/Beau friendships are so good!

The following two fics each received two recs:t

(your face in my hands is) everything good i need by mllekurtz (TheKnittingJedi) (25884, Mature) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

The last person Caleb Widogast, Professor of Modern History, expects to find as he walks in a random pub in a foreign city at the end of a long conference is Dr. Essek Thelyss, eminent Latinist and his sort-of intellectual crush.

Reccer 1 says: This is the first fic in my bookmarks and I've long since lost track of how many times I've reread it. So many moments have ingrained themselves in my memory; Caleb's hands on Essek's elbows when they first kiss. Their later spicy makeout getting interrupted by Essek getting a call. Caleb trying to pin Essek to his door the moment they get to his apartment for kisses and Essek having to get him to slowdown for a minute. Essek thinking Caleb looks like a god as they lay in bed together. "I want a clean break". Essek touching Caleb's new beard first thing when they reunite after Caleb's grown it. Their candelit video calls. I have to stop myself before I just list everything that happens because it's all SO GOOD. Essek Week 2021 produced some just magnificent fics and this is easily towards the top of that list. Reccer 2 says: The exquisite writing, the Demi Essek, the literal sleeping together, and the way their relationship evolves over time.

we never do go over (we always gotta go through) by Chrome (17169, Teen) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

In which Essek uses Convergent Future to save the Nein in Aeor and has to take the journey out of Aeor with five levels of exhaustion.

Reccer 1 says: SUCH a classic, I distinctly remember reading this one on my laptop at the back of the forum room my study hall was in, right when it was posted. The physical toll of powerful magic is something I ALWAYS love to see explored, so this was already a success on that part. Add in 5+1, hurt/comfort, and Shadowgast tenderness and getting together? This fic still lives rent free in my head for a reason. Reccer 2 says: Such tenter feelings!

This is one of our weekly communally-generated shadowgast rec lists. Every week we announce a new theme and allow anyone to submit a fic recommendation. 

And hey, anyone includes you!

Next week, we'll be featuring fics that include good/complicated mom Deirta. Any fics coming to mind? Well, then use this form to submit!

[ariadne-mouse]

-Fly is assumed for going upward where terrain is too steep for the his default graviturgy cantrip; for instance it is unclear if steep stairs would present a barrier

-I chose spells/abilities that did not include expensive consumed materials as Essek would be less likely to use those in daily life for petty reasons

[the-kaedageist]

congrats on hitting your follower milestone!! for a CR short fic prompt, how about shadowgast where essek is learning to coexist with caleb's cats? :)

I'm emerging from the abyss to answer this prompt 11 months later, but I hope you enjoy! I also believe someone else had Caleb having a cat named Gretchen before me and my brain borrowed it from someone; apologies, it just fit so well.

“Ah,” says Caleb when Essek arrives for their weekly meeting. “Since you were here last, I have acquired another housemate.”

This feels like a somewhat alarming statement. Thankfully, the suspense is not held for long - a moment later, a calico cat makes her way daintily into the room with them, stares up at Essek, and hisses.

“Gretchen,” Caleb scolds, along with a long string of Zemnian that Essek’s rudimentary skills can’t hope to follow. He’s just about mastered ‘please’, ‘thank you’, and some of the major foods; nowhere near native-speaker-speaking-to-his-cat level.

Essek tries not to be offended at being hissed at, even as he can feel his own ears flicking back behind his head in annoyance. “I have done nothing to you,” he says to the cat.

“She is scared,” says Caleb, reaching down to scritch the calico’s ears. She glares at Essek but submits happily to the pets. “She will get used to you.”

The cat eyes him like a particularly unpleasant thing that has been dropped on the floor. Well, Essek thinks, he has certainly had nemeses before. What is one more?

The situation does not improve from there. Every week, Essek Teleports to Caleb’s house, and every week, Gretchen acts as though Essek has offended her to the very depths of her being. (It probably doesn’t help that the third time this happened, Essek hissed back.)

By the end of the first month, Essek despairs that he will ever have a good relationship with Caleb’s animal companion.

At night, when he’s downstairs studying and Caleb is asleep, Essek sneaks back upstairs to find Gretchen curled up at Caleb’s side, purring happily. When Caleb is reading on the couch and Essek is attempting to cook in the kitchen, he peeks in to find Gretchen stubbornly attempting to seat herself in the middle of Caleb’s book, to Caleb’s laughter.

It seems that although they loathe one another, he and Gretchen share a love of the same man. Surely there is common ground they can find.

One night, Yasha and Beau come over for dinner. Gretchen is ambivalent about Beau (although no hissing is involved), but she waltzes right up to Yasha and starts headbutting her ankle.

“Oooh, hello, little beauty,” Yasha says, reaching down to scratch her cheek. Gretchen stares up at her adoringly. Essek also stares at her, aghast and betrayed.

“What is this?” he asks like a spurned lover.

“What is what?” Beau asked. She glanced over at Yasha. “Oh, the cat? She loves Yasha. For obvious reasons, of course.”

Essek rolls his eyes. “I thought she did not like strangers.”

Beau blinks. Her eyes narrow and her mouth stretches into a smirk. “Does the cat not like you, Essek?”

“No,” Essek denies quickly. “I don’t know what you are talking about.” He quickly makes an exit to the kitchen, making excuses about checking the soup, before he can be pestered further.

That is when he begins to wonder what he’s doing wrong.

First, he tries dressing more comfortably for his trips to Caleb’s. Perhaps, Gretchen is intimidated by the points on his mantle and the finery of his robes – is that a thing cats care about? The only cats Essek has ever encountered have been moorbounders, and usually they care more about the quality of their meal.

Unfortunately, even in loose pants and a soft shirt, Gretchen still glares and hides from him on his next visit. Caleb seems to appreciate the change though, pulling Essek into his arms and cuddling with him more than normal, and Essek makes a mental note that perhaps more comfortable clothing was in order regardless of the cat’s opinion.

Next, he attempts to determine if Yasha has bribed the cat for her love. He does research and discovers that cats are known to love meat and fish. The next week, when he Teleports into Caleb’s house, he pulls out a handkerchief with some pieces of fish stashed inside and lays it out on the floor. Gretchen does her usual routine of glaring at him while growling before she slowly approaches to sniff the food.

Caleb looks amused. “You brought a present?”

Essek shrugs, feeling heat on the back of his neck. “She is part of your family.”

Gretchen eats up every morsel of fish, to Essek’s relief. However, once her meal is complete, she goes back to hissing and glowering as though no offering had ever been made.

Essek is starting to feel a bit offended. This feels personal.

One night, he cuddles up with Caleb, dejected, as Caleb strokes his hands through Essek’s hair and coils a curl around his finger. “You are quieter than usual,” says Caleb. “Is something wrong?”

Essek glances up at him through his lashes. “Gretchen does not like me.”

Caleb says, “hmm” and continues to stroke Essek’s hair. “I have thought much about this, and I think she sees you as another cat.”

This is not something Essek has ever considered. “Another cat?” he echoes, surprised.

Caleb presses a kiss to his hairline. “You have cat-like mannerisms. You are prickly and picky and beautiful. Does it surprise you at all?”

Essek thinks for a moment; perhaps it does make some sort of strange sense. “So if I am another cat, how do I win her affection?” he asks at last.

“Well,” says Caleb, “ideally I would have put you both in adjoining rooms and let you sniff each other under the door.”

Essek gives him an unamused look. “Caleb Widogast, I am not actually a cat.”

Caleb tousles his hair with a small chuckle. “Ja, of course. Then I would say…be around her. In, ah, her orbit, so to speak. Give her space, but be present and let her get used to you.”

“I have been present,” says Essek petulantly. “She does not like me.”

Caleb shakes his head. “You either approach her head-on or you give her a wide berth – understandable, but I do not think it helps.” He lays his forehead against Essek’s curls. “You are stubborn. You will find a way.”

And slowly, Essek does.

He continues to bring Gretchen fish, but retreats beyond arm’s reach so that she can eat without feeling threatened. He is careful to seat himself within her watchful gaze when she is near, so that she will know his location. He stops trying to befriend and starts letting her be, and Caleb had been right – once he gives her the space to get to know him on her own terms, Gretchen finally, finally begins to thaw.

The first day she approaches him after her fish treat and lets him tentatively reach down to scratch her ears, Essek feels as though he’d been rewarded with a monumental gift. He meets Caleb’s gaze – and Caleb smiles sappily at him, as though all he’d ever wanted for his life was Essek and a cat, in this little house, with everyone getting along.

“You see?” Essek says to Gretchen. “I am not so bad.”

She turns around to show him her butthole and trots away with her tail held high. Essek laughs. “Perhaps we still have some ways to go.”

Caleb wraps an arm around his shoulders. “It takes time,” he says sagely, and Essek can do nothing more than laugh exasperatedly and press a kiss to his cheek.

[acepalindrome]

I just hope they keep all the big significant character moments, like Essek explaining what soup is.

[wizardnuke]

possible animated essek moments that are going to kill me (in no particular order)

- ahahaha. i'd like to see you try.

- jester's awkwardly long hug

- there is nothing i would like more than to not be around you all for the remainder of the day

- CALEB I'M SCARED

- "you floating fuck!" what was that? "sorry!"

- essek, known traitor and war criminal and heretic, standing with caleb against ikithon

- "odd grin"

- the dispel magic reveal with da'leth

- the undead ice giant(?) fight his first ever foray into combat and he puts his fists up awkwardly like he's gonna punch the things (one of the ladies went "aww buddy" at him)

- FOREHEAD KISS

- taking off his cloak and mantle at the xhorhouse

- (do we think there's going to be a closeup of his feet in that scene. cast your votes)

- the part where they're talking to a prisoner and sam got a whisper that essek wasn't acting like himself at all

- caleb falling and essek screaming as if he was the one who was hit,

- essek pushing caleb's head towards the aeorian artifact (ft caleb going with it and the others learning what wizard foreplay is)

- ough his little rant about the luxon beacons and their purpose i would like to see it

- CRUSHING THE VOLSTRUCKER

- this world was so much easier when it was in black and white

- (during the derogna discussion in eiselcross) "...and you've then come to me."

- my intentions were never good, they were important

- I'M PRETTY SURE, YOUNG MAN

- i'm a fan of simple soups

- i'm not much of a soup person

- ..my mother has never made kraft cheese.

[essektheylyss]

I have finally picked up Exquisite Exandria a year late, and truly delighted that of the three-ish soups or stews in the book, two of them are Rosohnan recipes. As is good and right. 😌

[towards-toramunda]

Essek Thelyss I am holding you so gently and rocking you like a little cat in my arms. I am making you soup with vegetables from your garden. I am forcing you to take a shower. I am braiding your hair out of your eyes. I am tucking you in with that blanket you knit a few months back.

I feel so normal about this fictional war criminal guys.

[hubristicassholefight]

Hubristic Assholes Tourney round 1 part 4a

Essek Thelyss (Critical Role) vs Flowey (Undertale)

Propaganda below cut (Beware spoilers)

Essek

He's a wizard, first of all. Floats everywhere just to show off that he's got a trick no one else has figured out. Stole 2 of the 5 Luxon beacons (pieces of his people's god which contain some of the souls of his people's dead) and gave them to the wizards of the Cerberus Assembly (an advisory body to the neighboring monarchy that thinks all of Essek's people are monsters) because they promised they'd do science on the beacons and share their results with Essek. Did not work out like he expected. Essek's people went to war to get the beacons back. No results received, Luxon beacons were returned courtesy of some cute mercenaries, and Essek was forced to disappear lest he be executed for treason. He did canonically get a mercenary wizard boyfriend out of the whole deal, so there's that; A lying liar who lies but also is really hot. Likes soup and hugs.

Flowey

kills every character in the game and then resets so he can kill them all again an untold number of times. does other miscellaneous unnamed horrible things. he only stops when you take over the save file by starting the game, but he still thinks he's better than you and will beat you (he will not.) if you start killing everyone hes so smug and satisfied and wants to help you. and then you kill him <3, i guess the player is also hubristic. but im not sure i can submit "everyone who has beat sans"

[rainbowcaleb]

FICLET FRIDAY : Shenanigans

Prompt: (discord emojis haha) soup Essek, boop paw, Beau, Veth. | Characters: guess who | CW: none | Words: 737

Beau is barely through the threshold of the doorway when a sharp yank on her arm sends her sideways. Someone else might have tripped and spilled onto the floor, but Beau’s core strength and reactions are not like other people. 

She did hiss out a swear. 

“Shhhh!” 

Beau glares at her attacker. “What the fuck?”

Veth glares back. “I’m doing an experiment here! Don’t stumble in with your hulking loud steps and mess it up.”

“I don’t have—“

Veth tugs her arm again and Beau shuts up. She flips off Veth but keeps her mouth closed as she looks around the room. She sees a mound of blanket on the couch, it’s shape gently rising and lowering.

“Is that Essek? Is he sleeping?!” Beau whispers.

“Yup.” Veth grins; it feels like a warning. “He must be super tuckered out from all the back and forth teleporting to Aeor with those new chucklefucks.” 

“Yeah, and I need to talk to him about that trip. Soul business.” Beau goes to walk over but she feels something sharp jab her thigh. She glances down and sees metal. “Did you just jab a grappling hook onto my pants?”

Veth smiles wider. “Look again. And don’t ruin this for me.”

Beau narrows her eyes into the distance, cataloging what she sees. Blanket, with Essek underneath, visible from the white hair and pointy ear peeking out. Cat one, the black and white she doesn’t remember its name. Cat two, the brown one that tried to steal her toast once. Cat three, no, that one is a plushie. When did Essek get plushies? A book, maybe he was doing some light reading before— a second book. A third book. There is a stack of books precariously perched and moving with each breath. An empty wine bottle on top of the books– she hoped it is empty. 

“Veth…” Beau meets her with an understanding and mischievous smile. “Are you playing a game?” 

“It’s not a game if I’m by myself.” Veth releases the grappling hook from the folds of Beau’s pants. “How much gold do you have on you right now?”

“A decent amount. I’m not going to wager it all though, I have errands after this and I promised Yasha soup ingredients.”

Veth scoffed. “Wow, Beauregard stepping away from a bet, you really have gone all soft in your old age.”

“Okay, hold on. First, fuck you, but secondly I never said I wouldn’t take the bet.” 

Veth’s eyes glint. “Fifty gold to whoever stacks the most.”

“No, too easy. One hundred gold to whoever stacks the most and doesn’t wake him up. He can’t move at all.” Beau taps her chin. Then rushes back in. “The cats can’t wake up either.” 

“Deal.” Veth sticks out her hand and Beau gladly takes it. 

Immediately, Beau starts looking around the room for things to add. Books can stack with each other but the sliding risk is too high. She needs something softer, but weighty enough to stay in place. She can see Veth circling the room as well, footsteps rogue-soft, and Beau redoubles her efforts. She cannot go home empty handed but for a few clearance veggies for Yasha. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Caleb walks in quietly; he doesn’t know if Essek is still napping or not, but when he left to pick up a few dinner ingredients, Essek had settled himself under the couch blanket and fell asleep almost immediately. He hears shuffling before he sees. It is only due to his years of witnessing and participating in shenanigans that he did not drop his grocery bag.

Essek is still napping. But tucked in with him are quite a few more creatures, objects, and other paraphernalia of unknown origin. He thinks he sees Essek’s favorite soup bowl as well as a single one of Caleb’s rain boots.  

“It’s too late to join if you want in.” Caleb turns quickly and is only half surprised to see Beau climbing halfway up the bookshelf and carrying a bookend down with her. 

“Yeah, we’re not splitting any money with you.” Veth appears from behind the couch, a look of concentration in her face and a wriggling russet cat in her hands. 

“What are you two—“ Caleb squints. “That is not my cat.” 

Veth looks at the creature in her hands. It looks back at her with fluffy eyebrows and a scowl. “Huh. Caleb, you should really leave your windows closed.”

[hemisphaericas]

Just doodling the M9 in some.. modernish? AU outfits that I thought might suit them and/or their aesthetic. Lol there are so many 90s and 00s trends coming back right now and while some aren't really my cup of tea (because I distinctly remember parts of my childhood wearing some of these things and now think of them as a bit tacky - even if they are trendy again) it was fun to draw!

Some inspirations and descriptions beneath the cut?

Beau - Just so much athleisure and so many plaid flannels. She has like 10 flannel shirts. Fjord - I think he struggles a bit with finding a style he likes? So sticks with a lot of 'basic' plain but classic outfits. Essek - Bespoke suits, owns a steam press, patent leather shoes! However, he likes wearing old (Marble Tomes) university sweatshirts alone in his apartment. (Yes, he's eating Buldak.) (Because soup.) Veth - Cute and trendy! Lots of embroidery, (and buttons), a little bit outdoorsy. Yasha - Emo/goth-y, mostly owns a lot of band tees and is definitely in a band. Caleb - Lol not much of a difference from his canonical look. Fleece-collared bomber jacket, scarves, probably lots of sweaters. Definitely hole-y jeans with cat hair on them. Jester - The whole magical girl/lolita/fairy kei/pastel everything. You just know she would. (Her ita bag has Tusk Love character pins and keychains.) Caduceus - A mix of cottagecore and hippie, of course. Molly - Looks a bit like he just walked out of Coachella. I just think that suits him.