#moomins in every flavors

[thewritertiger]

strawberry shortcake au!

i can't believe i'm actually going to bother you with my recurring hyperfixation, but here we go,folks!

world building:

This Pinescone au is based on the 80s Strawberry Shortcake series. but with some modifications that I made to adapt to the au and the characters and at the same time taking elements from the other reboots

In this version, Strawberryland is a quiet, remote small town where the tiny habitants spend all seasons harvesting their fruits and vegetables. At the pace of the series, there will be no villains, but there will only be simple problems in the town that end well in the end. (like the children's series of those times. Take reference from My Little Pony (the first generations), the Moomins, the Smurfs)

All the habitants are smaller than fruits, each one has their own job or house in a shape of a sweet (like a cake house, etc.). and each inhabitant is characterized by its fruit flavor and aroma. what makes them unique and differentiable

Everyone in Strawberryland has a specific skill in cooking. (For example, Wirt specializes in the sweets served in cafes.)

There are other towns depending on the flavor and taste (a vegetable town, another of flour, another of ice cream) but Strawberryland focuses on fruits.

pinescone headcanons:

They both met like it happens in the 80s series, except that Dipper would get lost trying to find the town and Wirt would offer him a hand. (just look at the damn video and imagine wirt and dipper singing this adorably!. don't tell me this is not a big deal)

2. Wirt runs a coffee shop in the village and lives there. It is his home and his coffee shop at the same time.

3. (NOT DECIDED YET) Dipper being a strawberry his sister Mabel is a blueberry. Together they are the Berry twins (Help I don't know what fruit to give Mabel I'm between blueberry, cherry, raspberry or like the canonical sister in the 80s series "Apple Dumplings". I need help with this part). Mabel specializes in cooking with excessive sugar dishes and is also the town's fashion designer.

4. Mabel forces Dipper to wear the clothes she creates for Dipper. Dipper is embarrassed and frustrated to walk around the town like that. Wirt finds it adorable and cute, and is always curious to know what cute clothes Dipper will wear.

5.Wirt loves cooking for Dipper, it's one of his favorite things because he loves every tender expression of joy that the little strawberry puts on when trying his new and improved desserts.

6.Wirt has the personality of a spoiled and affectionate mother. She loves her friends very much (especially Dipper) and will show her affection through actions.

7.Dipper is considered Wirt's favorite customer at the cafeteria. He sometimes helps him taste his new or improved desserts.

8.They both give each other affectionate nicknames, Dipper is "little strawberry" and Wirt is "orange pie"

9. Dipper doesn't know how to cook, every single thing he cooks burns. It's considered weird not to know how to cook or specialize in a recipe in Strawberryland. But Dipper doesn't care, his true talent is writing. He writes diaries and books and works for the town newspaper (the poor thing has a lot of writer block)

10.Wirt tries to suppress the desire to kiss and pinch those chubby, pink cheeks that the strawberry has. He is so adorable that sometimes he can't control himself.

11. They both like each other, Wirt knows his feelings perfectly while Dipper still doesn't admit it. They both didn't declare themselves for fear of ruining their friendship.

12.Wirt writes music and poetry in his freetime, he shares it with Dipper after closing at night. All his poems and music are dedicated to Dipper but he doesn't realize it yet.

13.Dipper is very absent-minded and clumsy lol

that's all you can go now pipipipi

[st-highwind]

I read a little blurb of questions to answer in order to build up an OC's depth, so I'm doing that with Thrush!

How would they describe themself, how would their love interest/friend, and how would you describe them? They would describe themselves as resourceful, observant, and something of a coward, if they're being honest. Friends would describe them as resilient, devoted, and reliable, not to mention kindred and honest. A lover would describe them the same, but perhaps instead with a few words praising their appearance and demeanor.

What's the first thing people see when they look at them? In terms of facial features, it would probably be their nose. Thrush possesses a tall aquiline nose. Other than that, I'd say it would be their asymmetrical hairstyle.

Do they use any nicknames? Only a few and only allowed from certain individuals. Cid, Palom, and Edge call them Birdie. Wood Thrush is used almost mockingly as a stand-in for a full name. Songbird is reserved for Kain exclusively.

Are they right or left handed? Right handed.

What's their favorite animal? The black chocobo, of course! They befriended their black chocobo Dirge as a child when Dirge herself was still a chick. Their closeness is the only reason Dirge hasn't flown back to the Chocobo Village after their many travels.

What activity makes them bored? It's actually quite difficult to bore them, but if there is one thing they can't stand, however, it's weapon maintenance. It's a true chore for them.

Can they swim? Yes, and despite spending much of their childhood in the stream running through Troia, they have lost all fondness for it.

How do they smell? Their Troian upbringing left them with the knowledge of botany and soap-making, and personal cleanliness is important to them. Their go-to bath soap is scented with evergreen needles, tea leaves, and Troian berries.

How do they sound? The voice claim for Thrush is Snufkin from the 2019 Moomin series.

What's their favorite food? They aren't fond of big meals, but rather frequent flavorful snacks. A pouch of cheeses, berries, and cured meats tend to satisfy them well.

What's in their travel bag? A whetstone for their scythe, a second canteen of water, a sleeping sack, needle & thread for repairing torn clothes, a small pouch of salts, herbs, and oils for both cooking and bathing, dried meats & fruits, and a whistle for calling Dirge, their black chocobo.

How do they respond to touch? They're always a bit startled by touch given they went so long without it. They're mildly off-put by physical affection.

What are they most afraid of? Hurting those they love, waters they cannot see the bottom of, and tight spaces.

How many people do they care about? They care about everyone they come across and knows well enough that it has the potential to be their downfall. They care most deeply about those they fight alongside-- Cecil, Rosa, Rydia, Edge, and Kain --but strives to help and protect everyone they can.

How well do they remember their childhood? Worse than they claim they do. Most of Thrush's memories of their childhood are unpleasant, though every so often they'll remember something that makes them smile.

Where will/did/would they die? Well, that's unknown and variable of course. That said, Thrush either falls in battle-- a given --or passes of age related complications or illnesses after a life of adventures and new, fonder memories. (I don't know if I'm cruel enough to want anything else for them...)

I am very much enjoying this kind of development. It's helpful to answer questions you'd never think to answer! If any more arise or you feel there are good character development questions that would be helpful, please let me know!!

[wise-journey]

Welcome to Turku

Immerse yourself in a city bursting with rich culture, delectable gastronomy, and thrilling adventures. , a city promising an unforgettable experience to every wanderer who graces its cobblestone streets.

When to Embark on Your Turku Adventure

The best time to experience Turku in all its glory is during the pleasant months of summer (June to August). Revel in festivals, outdoor events, and incredibly long daylight hours.

Getting to Turku

Turku is accessible by both air and rail. Turku Airport caters to domestic and international flights, while a picturesque train ride from Helsinki offers beautiful views of the Finnish countryside.

Where To Stay in Turku

From charming boutique hotels to affordable chain accommodations, Turku houses a plethora of options for every traveler's budget and preference. For a more unique experience, consider one of the city's heart-centered guesthouses.

The Cultural Mosaic of Turku

Begin your cultural journey with a visit to Turku Castle, a 13th-century fortress. Participate in guided tours, admire the stunning architecture, and delve into its rich history. Don't miss the Turku Cathedral, an iconic symbol of the city.

Gastronomy in Turku

The city is a culinary haven, boasting restaurants that highlight authentic Finnish flavors and innovative cuisine. Try the local specialty, Turun Sinappi (Turku mustard), for a distinctive kick to your meal.

Activities and Adventure in Turku

Adventure seekers will relish the myriad of activities from kayaking down the Aura River to spending a day at the popular Moomin World theme park. Explore the vibrant archipelago surrounding Turku by hopping on a ferry or joining a guided boat tour.

Nightlife in Turku

As dusk falls, Turku's nightlife scene comes alive with live music performances, cozy pubs, and trendy clubs that cater to various tastes.

Transportation in Turku

With an efficient public transportation system covering buses and trams, exploring the city is a breeze. Or, rent a bicycle to navigate the bike-friendly streets of Turku at your own pace.

Shopping in Turku

From trendy boutiques to traditional markets, shopping in Turku offers a variety of choices. Visit the city center for a larger shopping experience or stroll the charming streets of the Old Town for unique Finnish designs.

Tips and Money in Turku

- Language: Finnish is the official language, but English is widely spoken. - Currency: Credit cards are accepted, but carry some cash for smaller establishments and markets. - Getting Around: Take advantage of free city maps from the tourist information desk.

Conclusion

Whether you're a history aficionado, a food lover, or an adventure seeker, Turku offers an immersive experience that will leave you wanting to return. So, pack your bags and embark on a journey to the hidden gem of Finland, Turku. Read the full article

[fizzingwizard]

There is a bug in my room which is probably a stink bug. It's up high on the ceiling so I can't reach it or get a good look, but work's been infested with stink bugs this year, so... We never got any before and now they're everywhere. Anyway I'm just idk waiting till it comes low enough that I can catch it :P At least it's not a wasp...

It's otsukimi and there's a beautiful, bright full moon. I wanted to say something poetic about the sheer, puffy clouds floating across it, but tbh the thing they most resemble is Cheetos.

I went to a restaurant I like and got some grilled salted mackerel. A little old woman sat next to me and watched me chow down and eventually she said, "Wow, I thought all foreigners couldn't eat fish, but you're eating like it's so delicious." I was like well I'm very hungry. Then she said "Were you raised in Japan?" lol so I told her I grew up eating salmon cod flounder etc. She was shocked. Honestly she was quite cute. I like that she was wary of foreigners enough to think I must have grown up on a diet of cheeseburgers and ice cream, but accepting enough to conclude that since I like fish I must have been raised in Japan x'D

Found Moomin-themed soup packets which are based on Finnish, Swedish, and Danish soups, it seems. Little My has three, shrimpy raksoppa, cheesy ostesuppe, and mushroomy svampsoppa. The Snufkin one is artsoppa, green pea flavored. (It says it's the soup for Thursdays??) Moominmamma's is lohikeitto, salmon soup. And Pappa and Moomintroll have pinaattikeitto which is spinach potage. I didn't buy any :P I just thought it was cute and funny.

I have a very complimentary class. Every year it's popular for kids to announce that "lunch is yummy" even if they refuse to eat any of it. But this year's kids don't stop there. Any activity: "THAT WAS SO MUCH FUN!" Any skit: "THAT WAS SO FUNNY!" Anything I give them to do at all: "WOW SO MUCH FUN SENSEI IS SO COOL" lit one of them called me cool x'D so funny. last year a kid told me I'm pretty. Terrible twos what? two is the only age that human beings are bearable bahahaha

[gement]

Ahaha, I had assumed both Traits and Arts had that requirement, and this assumption had not slowed me down in the slightest from envisioning every one of them in cartoonish glory -- except Undercooked, which I still don't have any grounding for the flavor text. Having drawn up characters now and randomly rolled that one I was like... cartoon ghosts? Moomins? For mine, I guess I'll go with Moomins. But I'm still not sure of the vibe you were originally going for, and my feedback is that it's a gap in the otherwise pitch-perfect tone -- not that it shouldn't be there, just that I need something to grab onto. (Or is it that I am doomed to fail because their power is affecting me, ooooOOOooooooOOO)

I did catch that part. Good ol' Wabbit Season. A much harder con than mere sincerity. And if you said truth or lies, people would just treat it like Ye Olde Standard Persuasion which isn't in the spirit of refuting God's lies at all, yuck.

With my schedule being The Way That It Is lately, I don't know when I'll be able to pull together a complete and playable version of Eat God, so I'm hoping this will sustain interest until that time comes. This document contains the complete character creation rules, more or less, incorporating reader feedback from the previous thread.

For those who've expressed interest in giving the character creation rules a spin, well, here you go!

For those just joining us (and anyone who's been following this blog all along but has somehow managed to miss every single previous post), Eat God is a tabletop roleplaying game where you play as a bunch of small muppety critters who are – as the title suggests – on a mission to kill and eat God. Its inspirations include... well, I'm going to let y'all work that out for yourselves.

As always, comments, criticisms, and bizarre rants welcome, though I can't promise I'll be able to respond in any timely fashion.

[snrkmydn]

69's snufmin is SO underated wheres the fanart for them 💔

[smokeys-house]

Fazer Moomin Xylitol Pastilles

These weren't bad. Very much like Läkerol but honestly Läkerol is probably better in every way, the fruit flavor in these is very faint and they're a bit too gummy-like for a pastille in my opinion. That being said they're still above average and pastilles of this kind aren't common in the states so it's still a nice treat.

My rating: 6/10

Anonymous rating: 3.5

[civilization-illstayrighthere]

To be fair I’ve also done this same thing, though usually I just block the tags, like when everybody started reblogging the damn moomins - @mepha-stop-it-please

true but I’ll say in this case it was literally this person that was the straw, not a specific tag, not their silver shroud obsession. I mean the silver shroud thing eventually got annoying it was the prolificacy combined with personal indifference turned to >:\ when it kept popping up again and again and again. And I didn’t want to block ALL silver shroud just Kent Connolly’s regurgitation of every meme down the pike in a silver shroud flavor.

[blacckestrose]

50 questions tag

I was tagged by the best @exoticarmyofcrowns @sweetpeajeon @vante-love @sugasugakookies @naturaljeon thank youuuu 💜💜💜

I actually had answered to ALL and Tumblr decided to delete my draft. So Thank You.

what color is your hairbrush?: black

name a food you never eat: bugs and liver

are you typically too warm or too cold?: i'm usually cold 24/7 but i don't do well with the heat, when it gets over 20 i'm dead

what were you doing 45 minutes ago?: making my oatmeal

what’s your favorite candy bar?: kismet

have you ever been to a professional sports game?: yes, my dad took me to see ice hockey for all my childhood and teenage years, but now that i moved away, i have started to follow more Finnish baseball (the real baseball 😏)

what’s the last thing you said out loud?: "she's gone" I'M FINALLY FREEEEEEE

what’s your favorite ice cream?: lemon, pear or vanilla

what was the last thing you had to drink?: my vitamin drink

do you like your wallet?: yess, it's a Koya wallet

what’s the last thing you ate?: my oatmeal

did you buy any new clothes last weekend?: nope

what’s the last sporting event you watched?: Finnish baseball 😂

what is your favorite flavor of popcorn?: no popcorn

who’s the last person you sent a text to?: @memeofthesoul

ever go camping?: when i was 8, but it was not my cup of Tae

do you take vitamins?: yes, right now

do you go to church every sunday?: nope

do you have a tan?: does sunburn count? My today's sunburn is lifelong sunburn

do you prefer chinese or pizza?: excuse me, you are asking me to put my food in order. RUDE

do you drink soda through a straw?: NOPE

what color socks do you usually wear?: Black, but I have bt21 socks and they are colorful and my faves

do you ever drive above the speed limit?: 🥺 no judging

what terrifies you?: water

look to your left, what do you see?: window

what chore do you hate the most?: dishes, those are the WORST

what do you think of when you hear an australian accent?: Masterchef Australia

what’s your favorite soda?: pepsi or moomin soda

do you go in fast food places or just hit the drive thru?: i don't really eat fast food but let's say delivery

what’s your favorite number?: 7

who’s the last person you talked to?: in person? my EX-roommate

favorite cut of beef?: i don't really eat beef, but lamb is the shit

last song you listened to?: What do you think? - my boi Agust D

last book you read?: 😂😂😂😂😂😂

can you say the alphabet backwards?: NO WAY

favorite day of the week?: Sunday

how do you like your coffee?: little bit of milk there

favorite pair of shoes?: my pink fila's

time you normally get up?: hah around 11-14

sunrise or sunsets?: sunsets

how many blankets on your bed?: two

describe your kitchen plates?: Iittala KoKo different colors

describe your kitchen at the moment?: very messy and dirty, my EX-roommate was here after all

do you have a favorite alcoholic drink?: your girl loves her white wine

do you play cards?: YES please someone come and play cards with me

what color is your car?: thank you for reminding me I don't have a car

can you change a tire?: my dad can

your favorite state/province/county/city etc.?: hello, you are asking someone whose hobby is traveling, this gonna takw a while. First of all, Italy HELLO I love you. Germany, the place to be, my place. Slovenia, hello nature hello people, I'm coming back. Croatia, hello mountains hello nature, I'm there asap. Switzerland, hello mountains, hello nature, hello food 🙏 Greece, your food makes me so jealous, gimme gimme gimme some Greek food. EUROPE.

favorite job you’ve had?: I love my job as a cashier, even though atm it's a pain in the ass (please don't blame us cashiers for the virus and precautions thank you)

how did you get your biggest scar?: gross story, but I got stung by a wasp on my knee and I didn't know I was allergic to wasps so the spot got infected. The infection nearly got to my joint, and they were thinking to amputation of my knee but instead they opened the spot and I got like 3cm deep hole on my knee where came out all kinds of crap. Now I have a nice scar there reminding me that it's okay to call in sick sometimes 😊

WOW I did it 💪 loved it 💜

@memeofthesoul @jinstantnoodle @kiahna-laurelin @jinniestan @flowerkth @kooala @seokjinniesmoon @lost-midnight-flower @facepalmmylifeu @sunshinehobi-07

[stfutoya]

50 Questions You’ve Never Been Asked

i was tagged by @yuiaka thank you sm!!

1. What is the color of your hairbrush?: white!

2. Name a food you never eat?: bacon, i’m not a picky eater but that’s one food i will pick out if my plate has any akshjakj

3. Are you typically too warm or too cold?: too warm, i get hot sooo easily

4. What were you doing 45 minutes ago?: hmm i think i was walking my dog??

5. What is your favorite candy bar?: one that has milk chocolate and white chocolate in it!

6. Have you ever been to a professional sports event?: i used to do competitive cheerleading for a while as a teen so yah i was at a competition once (it was like. between the cheer teams in finland or smth?)

7. What is the last thing you said out loud?: ‘’i’m gonna go in my room now’’ to my mom

8. What is your favorite ice cream?: raspberry!!

9. What was the last thing you had to drink?: coffe with oat milk

10. Do you like your wallet?: yes i got it from my best friend for my bday last year, it’s red and has little my in it :(

11. What was the last thing you ate?: a banana

12. Did you buy any new clothes last weekend?: i don’t remember if it was weekend necessarily but i bought two new jacket last week (i think it was last week lol)

13. The last sporting event you watched?: does haikyuu count lol

14. What is your favorite flavor of popcorn?: i don’t like popcorn asfghgs

15. Who is the last person you sent a text message to?: my best friend, i sent her a funny tiktok video lol

16. Ever go camping?: yeah! i love camping and outdoors

17. Do you take vitamins?: i should but i literally never remember to

18. Do you go to church every Sunday?: absolutely not lmao

19. Do you have a tan?: not at all, i’m either white as a sheet or red as a lobster, no in between

20. Do you prefer Chinese food or pizza?: oooo both are very good but maybe chinese food since i don’t eat it as often?

21. Do you drink your soda with a straw?: nahhh unless i have lipstick on

22. What color socks do you usually wear?: i wear knitted sock made by my mom and aunts, they are usually in warm colors

23. Do you ever drive above the speed limit?: i can’t drive but if i could i probably wouldn’t since i hate reckless drivers

24. What terrifies you?: i reaaally dislike the dark i’m a big baby lol i also don’t like seeing a lot of bugs? like one bug is alright it doesn’t matter but if there’s a whole army of them it makes my skin crawl

25. Look to your left, what do you see?: i’m on my bed, so my pillows

26. What chore do you hate?: laundry oh my gooood it sucks (also doing dishes)

27. What do you think of when you hear an Australian accent?: it sounds pretty funny ngl

28. What’s your favorite soda?: moomin soda!!

29. Do you go in a fast food place or just hit the drive-thrus?: usually i go to fast food place but i don’t mind drive-thrus 

30. Who’s the last person you talked to?: my mom

31. Favorite cut of beef?: honestly i have no idea what this means and at this point i’m too afraid to ask

32. Last song you listened to?: OOHH i wanna dance with somebody, i wanna feel the heat with somebody

33. Last book you read?: i’m currently reading aristotle and dante discover the secrets of the universe but i’m not so far yet 

34. Favorite day of the week?: saturday! it usually means no work and i can just relax lol

35. Can you say the alphabet backwards?: do i look like i have the braincells for that? (the answer is no)

36. How do you like your coffee?: i drink mine with one sugar and oat milk! used to drink it with more sugar but i cut it down 

37. Favorite pair of shoes?: my white nikes that have bright red bottoms and logo

38. The time you normally go to sleep?: around 10 since i have to wake up asscrack of dawn

39. The time you normally get up?: 4:45 l m a o but if i dont have work i will wake up around 8-10

40. What do you prefer, sunrise or sunsets?: sunsets! i think they are more romantic

41. How many blankets on your bed?: two but i only sleep with one

42. Describe your kitchen plates: my own are pastel pink ones from ikea but my mom has navy blue plates

43. Do you have a favorite alcoholic beverage?: vodka with moomin soda! it’s kinda like a berry soda?

44. Do you play cards?: only with family or friends, i’m pretty good with any card game tho

45. What color is your car?: i don’t have one but if i could choose i would want a black car

46. Can you change a tire?: no ajsh but if i ever get my license, i will try to learn

47. Your favorite province?: i have no idea

48. Favorite job you’ve ever had?: i have pretty much disliked every job i have had lol but the one i have now is pretty neat! i do groceries for our online customers

49. How did you get your biggest scar?: hmmm i have one on my pinky toe when it almost got cut off by a waterslide lmao but other than that i don’t have that many scars?

50. What did you do today that made someone else happy?: i helped out a granny at work and also helped my co-worker to open her lunch 

i’m tagging @todorokees @plusultratempo @shoutosm @choiashley @honeymeh @warmyukis @sugawara-shoushi @matchakosei @citrusveins @tsukkis @neeksknocks @launchstars

[twilightprince101]

A Tale of Scouts - The Dimensional Drifters

I decided to write a fic for my Dimensional Drifters AU! This can serve as a way to let newcomers know what exactly this AU is all about, but also was just really fun and self indulgent for me to write! It was fun as hell imagining how the different characters interact and banter with each other!

This fic was based off a previous post I made for this AU detailing what the different “roles” of everyone would be, this story centering around the scouts/supply runners. If you have no idea what The Dimensional Drifters, check out the “Dimensional Drifters” tag on my blog or click here to check out the carrd detailing my self ship AU’s!

With that out of the way, I hope y’all enjoy!

Far beyond the Earth that so many have come to know, there is a sea of alternate worlds. Some are akin to our own, sharing similarities in their people and places. Others are a far cry from the mundane, revealing what the world would come to if humanity had never existed. There are worlds that connect to other universes, having their culture carry on through literature, while others are doomed to isolation, forever remaining out of touch with the rest of its ocean. Few worlds contain unfathomable creations that no mortal mind can comprehend. Other worlds can just be a chair in a room.

In one of these worlds, sentient life had never been created. No culture, no humans, no form of sapience whatsoever. In their absence, competition for nutrients was nonexistent, allowing organic life to thrive like never before. Trees that began as young saplings now loomed high above the clouds that once hung over them. Plants intermingled with each other freely and developed hybrids that would be the paradise of gardeners and botanists everywhere. But in this endless forest lies a special type of fruit that grants whoever takes a bite hundreds of centuries worth of flavor (if they’ll forgive the migraines that comes from them).

These fruits -and the favors that come with them- are why four sunset toting scouts are braving the dense thickets of trees once more.

“Come on M.T., better hurry up or else I’ll beat you theeerreeee~”

A purple dragon teased behind him as he soars through the woods, weaving in and around the trees and letting wind graze past his scales. To give his opponent a fighting chance to catch up, the drake bucked up his horns and released a gust from his golden wings, looping around a branch overhead. Although in the past he had trouble with flying on his own, after getting so much training in these different adventures it came as natural as breathing. Checking if his fellow racer had managed to catch up the dragon peered over the sunset fabric tied around his tail, spotting the white blob of fur that was only a short hop behind.

“Oh yeah?! We’ll see about that Spyro!!”

Two iron wires shot out from handheld blasters, embedding themselves in a branch overhead. With a click from the triggers the rope began to zip back into its holster, pulling its wielder upwards along with them. As the Moomin soared over the branch he gave both hooks a yank to pull them from the wood, making sure his trajectory was right as he repositioned himself to fire the next shot. With another blast and pull, Moomintroll was next to and keeping pace with his racing rival, his multicolor neckerchief flapping in the wind. 

“Don’t get so cocky just because you have that gear on.” Spyro dipped down to avoid an incoming branch. “Back home I could outrace anything! Dinosaurs, UFO’s, even some of my own elders couldn’t keep up!” 

“Oh yeah?” The Moomin shot another hook above and yanked hard, his tail grazing the hardwood before momentum carried him back down. “Well I may not be able to fly like you, but there’s one thing I have you don’t!”

“Really? And just what might that be then?” 

With a toothy grin the grappler shot another target overhead, retracting the wire once more to zip over top. Only this time as he ascended, he clenched his toes and activated the triggers in his boots. In the blink of an eye an aqua aura expands from his boots and outlines his body like a glaze. With this new glow, instead of hopping over the next branch, Moomintroll hurdles over it and continues to soar upwards, the laws of physics no longer applying to him.

“VICTORY OVER GRAVITY!!!”

The dragon couldn’t help but laugh along with his fellow scout as he flew higher and higher. It was certainly true, he had him beat in that regard. The gear he requested from Lindar and Hat Kid work amazingly together, especially in Moomintroll’s hands. Spyro could remember overhearing him asking the inventors for the gear, wanting to find ways to keep up with everything else. It’s hard to believe now that the kid he used to constantly protect was able to keep pace with him now. All that practice he’s done has really paid off.

“Keep your eyes on the prize Moomintroll!”

From the branches to the two’s right, a small black and white blur bounced from branch to branch. With each step he took his large eyes peered ahead to calculate the next three, blue eyes scanning every possible route forward. As the blur approached a large gap between two branches, he reached into one of his several pouches and pulled out a smoke bomb, slamming it against the tree as he soared, the small explosion propelling him just the right distance to make it to the other side. Even though his two partners could soar through the air, his prior training as a Phantom Thief allowed him to match their speed just from natural ability alone. Although normally it would be hard to spot him, the twilight bandana around his neck helped make the job easier.

“It may seem fun but this forest is dense. Think of this like driving a car, if you don’t keep your eyes on the road you’ll slam into a tree!” The cat said, only sparing split second glances away from the hurdles ahead.

“Morgana, M.T.’s never driven a car. Forest world, remember?” The dragon couldn’t help himself from spitting out a bit of snark.

“W-well, then,” despite his continued proficiency bounding forward, the cat fumbled for a recovery, “riding a bike then! Or sledding!”

“C’mon, lighten up a bit! This is the first time he can let loose like this while on a mission, plus you’ve practically been working him to the bone with those lessons. Let him have some fun!” 

“We both know this isn’t a place where you can let loose Spyro.” one of the weaker branches snapped as the paws left its surface, sinking into the blanket of clouds without any audible sound. “One wrong step and he’ll become a pancake down on the forest floor!”

“It’s okay teach, I think I got the hang of this!” The phantom thief’s view of the purple drake was obscured by snow white fluff as Moomintroll bounded alongside him with the glow still surrounding his form and only taking occasional glances down to his mentor. “I’m doing everything you said. Arms to the sides, knees tucked in and all that stuff!”

“You forgot ‘Always on the lookout.’” Both teacher and student kicked off the side of a towering birch, both giving stylish and acceptable somersaults in the air before landing on the next branch. “This is like a test run before we have you come with us to more dangerous worlds, if we were somewhere like the deep sea woods doing this you’d fly right into the mouth of a giant antler-fish! You need to have situational awareness whenever supply running in places like these.”

“But we’re not, right? We know that there isn’t anything here, just plants! This gives me the perfect opportunity to get used to these in the field! Here, let me show you something I’ve been working on, you’ll love this! It’s really good to get more speed, but also a bit stylish, just like how you do it!” 

With those last few words both grappling hooks were upholstered and the blue glow around Moomintroll’s form faded. Before Morgana could even get a word out he kicked away from their shared path and winked to him, then turned his attention to the path ahead. For a few seconds the Moomin just fell, descending closer to the coating of fluff as his eyes scanned ahead. Despite knowing just how dangerous the scout was doing, Morgana and Spyro couldn’t help but just watch, paw lingering over a pouch and body positioned to take a dive at a moment’s notice.

Then in a blink of an eye Moomintroll spotted it, the perfect opening. A single branch that had not a single branch below it. It was time for some fun.

The snow-furred explorer shot another two blasts from his grappling hooks, disabling the boots and letting gravity swing him under the branches like a pendulum. Wind howled in his ears and his scarf flew like a flag in a hurricane. As he reached the swing’s trough and began to rise again, he pulled the triggers on both the hooks and boots, enveloping himself in blue light once more as he rose, the speed from his fall being nothing compared to now. With a leg kick and hard pull both hooks were released and the momentum from the swing sent him rocketing ahead of the entire pack, all three sets of eyes directed on him. One impressed, one nervous, one amused. 

“WAAAAAHOOOOOO!!!” 

But in his exhilaration, he failed to notice the oak tree branch that he was hurtling towards.

“Moomintroll, watch out!!” Morgana dug into his pouch and pulled out a grappling hook of his own, preparing to fire it at the living projectile before it struck its target. But with how far ahead he was and the speed he was travelling, it would be a one in a million shot-

“Don’t worry your little paws off, I got this!”

A flash of green and black energy shot past the phantom thief, barely missing one of his whiskers and throwing off his rhythm leading him to tumble a bit on the branch as he landed. The shot of raw chi flew faster than a bullet and sliced through the tree’s body like a buzz saw, cleaving it perfectly in two. Gravity did its work quickly and the oak toppled to the side, falling beneath the clouds and down to the depths of the forest below.

But even though the tree was gone, the suddenness and shock caused Moomintroll to lose his rhythm.

“WoahwoahwoAHWOAH!!” M.T. waved his arms and kicked his legs in an attempt to reposition himself. In his panic the triggers for the boots were released and the aura vanished. Reality grabbed the Moomin’s tail and yanked down hard. He still had a hold of the grappling hooks but with how much he was flailing his head spun along with the rest of him. Even if he reactivated the boots he would keep the momentum and crash course through the clouds and down to the ground to become a Moomin panini. 

Working fast, Spyro folded his wings inward and dove down beneath his fuzzy friend. With his superior flying skills and weight  he managed to dive faster than Moomin flailed, catching him on his back with a huff. He was normally used to lighter people riding his back like the kids, in all of the excitement he forgot that this is his friend’s natural weight. M.T. didn’t take up much space on his back at least, with the drake being about the size of a horse. 

“You okay back there bud?” Spyro kept his eyes forward to ensure they didn’t make the same mistake twice. It took a moment for the freefaller to realize he wasn’t doing so. When the dragon didn’t get a response, he made sure his flight path was clear and took a peek behind him.

Moomintroll was unharmed, no problem there. Instead of terror or injury, the mystified teen was staring down into the clouds that grazed his feet. His eyes were filled with galaxies as the nature of the situation dawned on him. He was riding above the clouds on a dragon. An actual real life dragon! This was something he had never even dreamed of doing back home before! Holstering his blasters, he reached down and let his hand comb through the fluff. Water droplets collected on his hands as the white fingers combed through the mist. The two could smell the water in the air. Without saying a word Moomintroll looked at his friend with a grin so innocent and full of childlike wonder it would rival Mustache Girl’s first flight.

The dragon just snorted in return, returning his gaze to their upcoming destination.

“Heads up now and buckle up, we’re going in for a landing!” White fuzzy hands gently wrapped around Spyro’s shoulders as he tilted to the side and let his wings carry the two down to their landing pad: a wide oak treetop decorated in mounds. Although it didn’t seem like much, this little base was their home away from home. 

After a slow but steady descent, the two touched down on the bark of their base. Unfortunately before Moomintroll could even get off of his friend he was sniped with a reprimand.

“What did I tell you about being careful?!” With one more smoke bomb propelled launch, Morgana touched down onto their home base right in front of the dragon and Moomin. His eyebrows seemingly spiked downwards from the force of the landing.

 “I know this may be fun and all, but you need to keep a grip in these situations! If Spyro hadn’t caught you, you would have been plummeting all the way down to the bottom of these trees, and we all know how big of a fall that is!!” Morgana’s tail is puffed and pointing straight up as he scolds his student. 

“S-sorry sir!” Moomintroll instinctively bowed down to his mentor, meeting him at eye level. “T-this has just been the most exciting thing I’ve done! I’ve never been able to keep up with you all, but with these,” he gestures to the boots and grappling guns, “I’m able to stay beside you all and not slow you down!!”

“But still, you could have been seriously hurt! Lindar and Hat Kid made those so you could keep up, not to play around! If you’re going to study under me for phantom thief training, you need to understand that-”

“Aw, c’mon teach, lighten up on the kid will ya?”

A teasing voice from the shadows interrupts Morgana, echoing between the oaks. From one of the higher treetops a slim, feline figure overlooks the three while leaning against the trunk without a care in the world. His hazelnut fur would’ve made him hard to spot if it weren’t for his black and red garb and glowing green eyes. The metal clanked against his body as he shifted, his sunset cloth (wrapped around his shoulder like a bangle) sticking out like a sore thumb.

“You heard him good, right? This is the first time he can run with the big shots instead of hanging back doing paperwork. He’s been looking forward to this forever and was doing well too, what’s wrong with a little slip up?

“Ugh, of course he butts into it.” The small thief groans, not even bothering to look in his direction and wishing he could go back to ten seconds ago when he forgot he existed. Both Moomintroll and Spyro spot him but sport polar opposite  reactions. Moomintroll waves up at the figure without a hint of wavering.

“Shu Chi, come on down! We’re gonna take a break before getting more of those fruit things!” The clink of yaoguai armor could be heard.

“Naaaah, I think I’m good up here. Might be good to keep lookout, ya know?”

“There’s nothing in this forest, we’ve already established that a while ago!” Spyro’s tail flicks down and knocks on the ground, creating audible thumps that mix with his yells.

“Well you never know unless you know what you know, ya know? There’s no way we know everything about this world, there might be, oh I dunno, giant woodpeckers to go along with these giant trees! Or maybe even giant beavers that’ll chow us up along with the wood!” 

“I think you mean termites-”

“My point still stands!” The yaoguai leans his back against the branch, holding two fingers up to his temple as if he’s making a great deduction. “Might be good for someone to keep an eye out, plus it’s plenty comfy up here! By far one of the best trees I’ve rested in.”

The thief and dragon groan, already fed up with his shenanigans. They’ve been through this routine plenty of times before, they know better than to try and pester him further. Moomintroll, though, does not. Pulling off a backpack he’s kept on him, he takes out a small tupperware filled with a few cubes of yellow, flakey, doughy delight.

“I brought some of Mama’s cornbread if you want some!!”

The spirit’s ears perk up upon hearing the word cornbread, peeking down at the small container. His green eyes stare down at the yellow cubes as he stands perfectly still. When a fanged grin shines from the darkness Shu Chi springs into action, leaping off the edge of the treetop and digging his claws into the bark, slowing his descent while spiraling around the trunk. When he reaches the same level as the rest of his fellow scouts, his entire body glows jade green and he springs from the tree like a baseball pitching machine shooting out a green christmas light. Making sure to do a few flips as he falls, the leopard cat slams down into the tree in a battle-ready crouch. 

“We get it, you like to show off.” Spyro rolls his eyes as the glowing light dispels from the yaoguai’s body.

Moomintroll opens up the tupperware for the cornbread and holds it up to the leopard cat who happily reaches in to pull out a slice and take a bite. Shu Chi’s eyebrows slope upward after chewing for a moment, unable to help himself from letting out a “Mmm!” from the taste.

“Yor mofor,” Shu Chi swallows a bite and points down at the Moomin, “makes the best cornbread.”

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Within a handful of minutes the four scouts had settled into their camp away from camp. It wasn’t much overall, only a few chairs surrounding a mound protruding from the tree that acted like a table. Moomintroll went around and passed out the snacks he had packed for everyone, making sure to include a slice of cornbread. He decided to save his own for later though, as a Moomin he didn’t need to eat as often as everyone else.

Shu Chi looked over the edge to do lookout as he said. Whatever it was he was looking out for he didn’t know. While hearing a bit of rustling he took a peek behind him to see what everyone else was up to. Morgana and Moomintroll were making their way over to the mound while pulling rolled up parchments from their bag. Spyro on the other hand gladly munched on a bit of steak while stretching his wings, arching his back like a cat about to pounce. Strategy wasn’t exactly his forte, even back in his own world, so he took the moment to relax.

When the dragon noticed the actual cat eyeing him down, he stood upright and returned his gaze with the same amount of wariness. Neither were exactly sure what they were waiting for, scanning for any move they could make until they couldn’t take anymore. Flicking his head up Spyro tossed the last bit of steak into his mouth and chomped down, not once breaking eye contact. Shu Chi turned back around and took a bite of his sandwich, returning his gaze downwards. The arm that bore his multicolor bandle felt a little tingly so he loosened the fabric a tad.

“Alright, so let’s map out our route.” Morgana spoke between bites of fatty tuna, standing up onto one of the chairs. Moomin nodded, pulling out a rolled up map from his backpack and spreading it out over the mound. The parchment held several crude drawings of trees surrounding a small multicolor circle-their entry point. The drawings seemed intricate at first, meticulous in detail, but the farther away they got from the portal the more messy they became. The outer layer is just a green circle scribbled with big green crayon and the words “IT’S ALL JUST TREES!!!”

“The last few times we’ve been here we’ve had to look for specific trees to get the miracle fruits.” The mapper pulled out a red crayon from his bag (it was the only thing Hat Kid gave him with the map) and pointed to a large pine tree that most likely was drawn in five seconds. “This one right here has been our main supply, but considering we’re getting enough for everyone, it won’t be enough.”

“But we know that there are other trees that have this fruit. The first time we came here and explored the ground level, there were some rotten fruits at the base of trees right by the portal.” Morgana circled around the portal with his paw. “But even though those fruits were there, we haven’t been able to get anything from that tree every time we looked.”

“It could just be because the tree has grown too old. Compared to the rest of them, the bark seemed pretty faded.”

“That doesn’t help us though. What we need is to find trees that are young enough to have ripe fruit.” Morgana pulled away from the map to munch thoughtfully on his snack, hoping that it could stimulate his brain. “Mmm… dogh yogh remumbuh wha thuh othah treesh wahr?”

“Hm? Oh yeah, hang on a second.” The cow/hippo hybrid put crayon to paper, taking a moment to think before marking off different trees with a tick mark. When finished the two stepped back, hoping to find some sort of pattern. There were only about eight tick marks on the entire map of the known forest, all dispersed seemingly randomly. Some trees didn’t have fruit anymore, some they have picked once or twice, but all of them combined wouldn’t give them enough for everyone, not even including the timeframe it would take to reach them all.

“Well we can rule out the trees all spreading out from one source.” Mona sighed in frustration and scratched a bit behind his ear. Moomintroll stared speculatively at the map trying to recall any other instances they had found a miracle fruit. Most they found on the ground was on the verge of decomposing if they weren’t already splattered from the fall. Meanwhile the ones they found on the trees were hidden within the leaves, barely visible to the naked eye. If they wanted to make dinner by tonight, they would need to know which trees to hit and only go for those ones.

“How’s it going over here fellas?”

Both Moomintroll and Morgana jump back a bit from the sudden voice right over their shoulders. Morgana once again groaned at the sight of Yan Shu Chi, leaning on one foot with his elbows stretching above his head. Spyro peeked out from behind him, lowered in a preparatory stance just in case he tried anything funny.

“We’re trying to figure out where we should look for miracle fruits next, Leopard.” Mona spits out the name as if it was a cherry pit. The cat seems unphased, stretching a bit more with his eyes closed. “Aren’t you supposed to be keeping watch like you said you would?”

“Meh, I think you guys might’ve been right, there probably isn’t anything here we need to worry about. Besides…” he winks open an eye down to the Phantom Thief. “From the sound of it you need a bit of help over here, kitten~”

“I am NOT a CAT!!!” Morgana hisses and nearly jumps a foot in the air at Shu Chi, barely even trying to hold back a chuckle at the reaction. “We have been over this SEVERAL TIMES!!! I may look like a cat, but I’m far from a hairball spitting animal like you!”

“Aw come on now boss, you really playing this game again?” Shu Chi itches the bottom of his nose with a finger, still looking down at the scout with only one eye. “Look, I’m just sayin’ there’s no harm in just admitting it.”

“I’ll NEVER admit it!!” Mona hisses once more, catching himself on the end. “B-because there’s nothing TO admit!!!”

“Really doing this now, huh? Here, I’ll spell it out for ya.” The yaoguai approaches the cat once more, lowering his arms and reaching down to the phantom thief.

“We both have pointy ears…” Shu Chi tugs a bit at Morgana’s ears, making him let out a little Mrah!!! While trying to bat his hand away.

“We both have claws…” He pinches Mona’s tiny hands, using a paw to tap on said claws that were peeking through his white fur.

“We both have fluffy tails…” Mona jumps a bit when he feels Shu Chi’s tail patting and lifting up his own.

“And of course, we both irresistibly cute~” Shu Chi holds his chin aloft with his fingers underneath, sticking out his tongue a bit and winking to further prove his point. 

“Oh actually, wait a minute… That only really applies to me…” False realization takes over his expression as he taps his chin, then snapping his fingers with a playful glance back down. “Maybe you’re not a cat after all! My bad!”

“HEY!!!” Morgana just jumps even higher in the air with his tail erect like a pole, hissing at the audacity of his fellow scout. The leopard cat doesn’t even try to hide his chortling laughter, successfully pissing off the little cat once more. Moomintroll and Spyro both give each other a glance, one of unease and one of annoyance. They were getting nowhere fast.

“Well are you going to help or not then, mister cat?” Spyro knocked the back of his tail onto the yaoguai’s back, knocking him out of his chortling spree. Waving off his mischief and Mona’s attitude as if it were nothing, Shu Chi mutters “fine, fine mr buzzkill…” and peers over the map. As Morgana’s fur smoothes back down the grin across Shu Chi’s face fades away along with it, his expression turning inquisitive and brows furrowing rigorously. Both paws spread out the drawing as he hunches over to get a closer look.

“Oh, did you figure something out Shu Chi?” Moomintroll unclenches the crayon from his teeth, wiping away a few bits of red wax from his mouth. The yaoguai points a claw at one of the tick marks closest to their current location where the drawings still have a hint of effort.

“This tree right here. Isn’t it that one right over there?” His brown and white tail points off into the distance. After going through the same routine Moomintroll nods. The three could see the wheels turning in the leopard cat’s head, claw tapping on the wood as he stared at the bark. It was only when the tapping could be mistaken for a tap dance troupe that it ceased and his head jerked up. He spun back to the map and snatched it up and paced along the perimeter of the base with his face buried in the parchment of crayon and marker.

“Well? Don’t keep us in suspense, tell us!” Morgana and Moomintroll followed close behind but their ally didn’t give a response, only muttering to himself and pointing in different directions. After walking a third of the treetop’s rim, Shu Chi stops again and looks off into the distance with a squint, blinking a few times to be sure.

“Hey purple pal, c’mere for a sec.” Shu Chi motions the dragon over with a wave of his fingers.

“My name is Spyro.”

“Yeah yeah whatever you say Silo. Can you do me a favor and check out that tree over there?” He lowered down to the dragon’s eye level and pointed off into the distance.

“Umm…. the big tree or the big tree?” 

“The big tree. As in,” Shu Chi pressed the dragon’s cheek to his, pointing with a claw directly to where he looked so there would be no mistake. “The tree waaaaaaayyyy back there with a broken branch a little lower towards the clouds.” 

Although it took a moment the dragon found the broken branch in question. It must have been over fifty meters away, even Spyro was surprised he was able to spot it.

“Uh huh…” The dragon nudged the cat with his horns to shove him away. “And why exactly should I do that?” 

Shu Chi, brimming with confidence, looks down to the dragon with eyebrows raised and a knowing glint in his eyes.

“Humor me.”

Both exchange cold stares with the other. The dragon is well aware of the mischief that the yaoguai brings, he’s seen plenty of it from how much he lies back at camp. A stolen hat from Moominpappa, a few swapped plates in the dining hall; nothing explicitly harmful, but enough to get himself on enough nerves he could make a harp out of them all. For all he knows this could be another elaborate prank, planting something in the tree to get a reaction out of him. But despite all the tail knocks and suspecting glares, Shu Chi’s expression never once changes, unwavering even in the face of a dragon.

After an overexaggerated eye roll and sigh, Spyro spread his wings, hunched down, then let the wind cary his wings as he flew into the distance to follow his ally’s request.

The phantom thief and Moomin rush to where he lifted off to watch as he flies up and away into one of the tree’s leaves. Although initially hesitant about Spyro following the advice of somebody who mocked him moments before, the anticipation began to well up within Morgana right alongside his student. Meanwhile the yaoguai waltzes up behind them, double checking the map to make sure he’s got it right. It was taking a few seconds longer than he expected. Maybe he pointed to the wrong tree? But after his ears catch a far off gasp a wide, toothy grin breaks out across his face.

“JACKPOT!!!”

An explosion of leaves bursts from the distant blur of green vanishing to show a blur of purple and gold. The dragon is brimming with enthusiasm and vitality compared to when he took Shu Chi’s request, his flight path becoming much more wild and varied than his previous straightforward line. He rolled, flipped and spun more than his first ever flight session. Moomintroll and Morgana followed him around the tree as he took a victory lap, all the while Shu Chi rolled up the crayon map and held it on his shoulder like a baseball star. 

The reason for such a sudden boost in enthusiasm was clear: in each claw, wrapped in his tail and even perched in his maw was a plump, bright orange, football sized fruit. 

After letting go of the edible ambrosia and piling them up, the dragon slammed down so hard that cracks shot out from his landing pad. All three of the starstruck scouts circled around the small treasure trove of spice fruit, marvelling at the horde their friend had brought in.

“There’s a whole bunch of them in there!!! I just grabbed as many as I could, but there must still be around ten of them!” Spyro circled the small pile like a dragon examining its treasure horde, marvelling at its beauty.

“Th-this is amazing!! We’ve only been able to find one or two every time we’ve searched, with this much alone we could get enough for TWO feasts!!!” The small not-a-cat couldn’t control how much his tail was wagging, already salivating at the thought of being able to eat so much.

“Well, minus one.” The leopard cat bent over and picked up one of the five orange footballs, examining four little holes on opposite sides. Spyro wiped away a bit of orange juice from his cheek.

Shu Chi tosses the fruit over his shoulder, not bothering to eat anything that already had teeth sinked into it.

“Thankfully, we should be able to get plenty more where that came from. If we just pick the rest from the tree over there, we’ll be set for the night! Maybe even have a few extra servings cooked up for us as well. I don’t know about you all, but I’d gladly eat an entire pan of that cornbread!” The cat stroked the fur on his chin, dreaming of the mountains of golden, flakey delights he’d get as a reward back home. Moomintroll made a mental note to tell Mama when he got back home as he approached.

“Shu Chi this is amazing!! How did you know so many were in that tree?!” The Moomin bounced on the balls of his feet in front of the yaoguai, eager to know his secrets. 

“Hm? Oh, well I didn’t know that this many would be in there, but... “ His head jerked a bit upwards when he spoke-most likely being knocked out of his flakey fantasies-but the spirit gladly smirked and unfurled the map, pointing to the center where actual effort can be seen.

“You see how all these trees here actually have detail? Now, do you see this one here with a few more branches at the bottom than the rest?” A claw points to the single center tree with a tick mark. “Even though the rest after this circle decreases in quality, those kids still went through the effort of drawing every little detail for this group. And as luck would have it,” he points to where Spyro found his treasure trove of miracle fruit, right around where it begins to dip into the layer of clouds, “that one over there has a fair bit of extra stumps on the side, wouldn’t you say?”

The dragon, Moomin and thief all followed Shu Chi’s claw to the jackpot tree once more. It took time for their eyes to adjust, but sure enough there were traces of branches near the base of the clouds. It was too much of a coincidence to be a prank he set up.

“So this whole time… we had it all wrong! There wasn’t any sort of pattern or discoloration, it was just just how many branches there were!!” A small paw paps onto Mona’s head, the realization hitting it harder than an electrified punch from Likulau.

“Yup! That’s right, I managed to figure out something that you didn’t knooowww~” A larger paw paps onto Mona’s head, rubbing the fur hard like an oversized noogie and ruffling it all up, only earning Shu Chi more hisses and growls. “I guess that means the student has become the master, yes? Gotta say, for someone so small I’m worried about you becoming a bit senile.”

“It was only a minor slip up!” Morgana batted away the giant paw, smoothing down the top of his head. “With what little resources we have, it’s only natural we couldn’t figure it out right away.”

“Aw come on now, there’s no shame in admitting you couldn’t do it. I mean if you really are getting too old for this job I can happily take over for you, no questions asked. Wouldn’t it be great to retire on a nice, warm beach somewhere after all your one years of work with us?”

“Oh be quiet you, you’ve been here less time than I have and a year is barely even that long!” 

Moomintroll looked back and forth between the two as their tones increased with intensity, thoping he didn’t have to step in. Shu Chi had caused more than his fair share of mischief in the past, but the Scouts had this chaos injected into their lives via daily doses, a full 50 CC’s of mischief and teasing every day. After nearly a year in the group, the Moomin has gained the title of peacemaker by necessity. 

Spyro could see the anxiety welling up in his friend. Already antsy, he stepped forward, raising his tail up like a teacher and their ruler.

“For the last time! I’m not OLD, I’m not SENILE, and I’m NOT A CAT!!”

“You sure you don’t wanna take me up on that offer? I have plenty of things I could teach the kid you know. Maybe…” A flash of a toothy smile. “Felinology?”

“Why you lITTLE-”

“Would you two stop bickering already?”

As a paw reached into one of Mona’s tool pouches and swirling energy manifested around Shu Chi’s arm, the golden tip of Spyro’s tail slapped the yaoguai’s hand away like a nunchuck attached to a whip. With a yelp of pain the yaoguai backed off while flicking his hand back and forth to soothe the pain. 

“S-spyro-”

“Don’t worry M.T., I’ll handle it.” Although it was meant to be reassuring, Spyro’s glance and nod back didn’t help suppress the feeling in his friend’s stomach.

“Aw c’mon Gyro, I was only ki-”

“Shut your trap already!”

Shu Chi shut his trap already.

“We just found the motherload of spice fruits and know where to look for even more! Both of you remember the first time we ate this stuff, how we almost spent an hour eating these in just tiny bites, can you imagine eating an entire all-you-can-eat buffet with these as the main dish?! If we get all of them from that tree we could be back in an hour! So quit the teasing and arguing and let’s just get going already!” 

Spyro stomped right up to the two and got right up in their faces. As he spoke his eyes took periodic glances back at the pile of football fruits. After getting a direct taste from one of those miracle spices himself, it was only natural that they were the main thing on his mind. He must have been holding himself back from gorging the rest of the miracle fruit he had eaten earlier. Although they taste like the heavens, eating an entire fruit so fast would be like chugging a swimming pool’s worth of vodka. 

Both Morgana and Spyro locked eyes with their object of annoyance. Shu Chi’s gaze flicked back and forth, not just to their eyes but everywhere else. Mona’s paws lowering to his toolbelt, Spyro’s brows narrowing, Moomintroll’s hand inching forward; he scanned the situation in front of him like a machine looking for errors. The way the cat’s stance shifted ever so slightly didn’t escape the Moomin’s eyes either, knees just barely bent and feet slid around an inch farther apart. It was subtle, precise, muscle memory. 

After the leopard was done sizing up the situation, he took a breath and relaxed his stance, showing both of them his back. His tone was lower, more monotone. 

“Alright, fine, I got the memo.” Shu Chi walked back to the mound, waving a hand over his shoulder. “You all get back to doing what you were doing, don’t let me keep you.”

“Ah, okay.” Mona scoffed. “Not even gonna help us then.”

“Would you even want me to?” 

No words were spoken between the four of them. Although his back was turned to them, the tension still wasn’t lifted. This wasn’t the worst it’s ever gotten between the three of them. At the very least it’s the fastest Shu Chi has ever backed down, Moomintroll was thankful for that at least.

Morgana smoothed down his ruffled fur and hopped off the stump, glancing to the dragon with crossed arms as he tipped his head to the cracks in the tree. He got the message. Moomintroll took a breath as they walked away, unable to tell himself if it was one of relief or exhaustion. Shu Chi looked down into the sea of clouds, paw tapping as both prepared for liftoff. As Spyro spread his wings and Mona kneeled down, the leopard’s ears managed to pick up a faint mumble.

“I told you before, you can’t let him get to you like that.”

Then the two were off once more, flying and bounding from branch to branch as they went off for another trip to the miracle fruit tree.

Moomintroll and Shu Chi were left alone on the tree top, both simply trying to process the events that had just occurred. One didn’t know what to say, the other didn’t want to say anything. The pacifier glanced back at his friends, then to Shu Chi. Even though his face couldn’t be seen, the paws shoved into his armor and mumbling told the story for him.

The yaoguai turned around and walked to the mound where they sat before, spreading out the rolled up map and grabbing a few of the fruits as paperweights. The usual flair and showmanship from before was gone as he carefully examined the parchment, taking note of the different tick marks and the detail of the inner circle. Little white feet stepped closer to him.

“Um, Shu Ch-”

“I’m gonna look around the forest a bit more,” he interrupted, “try and find a few more trees that could have these fruits. Now that we know what these look like, it wouldn’t hurt to know where some more are in the future. Never know when we might have to come back here again.” 

Moomintroll just stood in place for a few moments, just watching as he took the red crayon and circled the tree he deduced the pattern from. He unwrapped a few bandages from his arm and held them in his palm to write down any additional differences between the two he didn’t see before. Although the white-fluff mediator felt like Shu Chi was at fault for the teasing, he still felt partially to blame for the argument getting out of hand. Spyro tried to be nice and handle it for him and he appreciated the effort, but he also wished the dragon handled it a bit less harshly.

“I can already tell what you’re thinking,” Moomintroll shut his mouth before a word could even be said, “and let me stop you right there. I know fully well it's my fault we almost started fighting, so you don’t have to give me a speech from the heart about learning when I’m in the wrong or whatever.”

“Th-that wasn’t-”

“Look, I’m sorry, alright? I keep forgetting that not everyone here likes my antics. Back home gramps, Kulau and L-they all eventually… got used to me. I can’t help it at times.” The tone of the leopard cat’s voice didn’t change, but he was now leaning in a little closer to his hand to jot down details. Crayon on bandages doesn’t work too well though, especially on a soft surface. “You can tell the guys I said sorry if you want. Doubt they’d believe me, but it’s up to you.”

Moomintroll felt like he was playing tug of war with himself. He wanted to go up to him and say something, but kept holding himself back since he didn’t know if it would be appropriate to do so. Usually whenever Shu Chi got upset, he’d go off and do something for the Drifters as an apology, not wanting to talk about it afterwards. But even still, he could feel that the yaoguai would leave at any moment. 

Right as Shu Chi finished with his notes, the Moomin managed to force the words from his throat.

“I-I’m… sorry.”

The cat’s head raised up a bit, fingers hovering over the parchment with the crayon in between them.

“I… I understand how you feel. About not feeling like you fit in here.”

“Kid… you don’t need to-”

“Just listen a bit, please?” Fuzzy feet stepped silently closer on the treetop. “I know you don’t like talking about this stuff, so I’ll just say this and then you can go. Promise.”

A sigh and a clattering of a crayon. Yan Shu Chi returned to stand straight up, head aimed down at the notes he’s written. His ears are pointed backwards.

“Shoot.”

“U-um… back when me, Mamma and Pappa first joined everyone. The world we came from was a lot different from everyone else’s. Nothing much happened, especially compared to everyone else’s. It was so peaceful there, we didn’t have to worry-”

“I’m sorry, but could you get to the point please?” The yaoguai cut him off fast, feeling he was going to be roped into a long winded speech about his home. His manner of speaking had a sense of urgency, of wanting to leave the conversation fast. But there wasn’t malice within it. Moomintroll took another deep breath.

“Everyone treated me like a kid. Moreso than the actual kids there. They’ve been through so much more than us even though I’m much older. I didn’t catch on to some jokes people told, they didn’t understand me when I tried to find good parts to bad situations, I didn’t even know what sarcasm was at first. We never had stuff like that back home. It was just how things were.”

Shu Chi could remember that part well. Lin Hu, Likulau and himself joined a little after the Moomins had. Their nearly always optimistic logic baffled some of them, like the time Likulau and Bubba got into an argument that ended up with a few broken plates. It was after Moominmamma had spent a while making everyone a meal, using some of their own plates to serve people. With so many people from so many worlds, there would clearly be a bit of discord at first.

Although others began to scold both sides after the fight, Mamma just shrugged it off and sweeped up the shards, smiling and talking about how she could use the fragments for decorations. She didn’t blame the two for arguing, saying they both had some pent up feelings and needed to talk it out. Everyone else was dumbstruck, Shu Chi especially.

“But after being part of this group for so long, people are now treating me normally, like I’m part of the team. They got used to the way we act, accepting us as we are. It took some time, sure, but we’re still here. A-and… although I do think you should maybe… not, tease, as much…” Saying those last few words were a struggle on their own, but he swallowed the lump in his throat and forced the last bit out.

“I’m sure people will do the same with you. You deserve to be in this group just as much as everyone else.”

Only the sound of wind rustling the leaves filled the two’s ears for a moment. Moomintroll wasn’t sure if he overstepped his boundaries, he noticed he’s done that quite a bit since joining unfortunately. But no matter what the scout’s reaction was, Moomintroll had managed to tell him his thoughts. As he promised, he wouldn’t try to keep him or talk more than necessary. All he hoped was that Shu Chi understood he meant it.

A shift in Shu Chi’s posture knocked the peacemaker out of his head. The movement was slow and gradual, like a robot swivelling from its spot on the floor. With his unbandaged hand grazing the mound, Moomintroll could see a hint of the yaoguai’s face. He seemed conflicted about what to say, brows furrowed but his mouth not contorting into any sort of frown. It was as if he were still wary of him, wary of everything he said and was struggling just as much as him to force out any words.

With a gulp in his throat and adjusting the sunset bangle a tad, Yan Shu Chi sucked up his feelings and turned to face his fellow drifter, seemingly having made a decision. His eyes held a certain softness to them and the faintest hint of a smile could be seen on his face.

“Yeah…” He nodded a bit. “Yeah. Thanks bud.”

Moomintroll just nodded. That was all he needed to hear.

Shu Chi lifted his bandage notes back up, reminding himself of where exactly he needed to go. A quick glance back to the tree where Spyro found the fruits had Moomintroll spot a bit of movement in the leaves. They would be back soon, and Shu Chi would most likely leave before then. Seeing as he said what he wanted to say-

“Oh!”

Moomintroll’s head popped up, realizing something at the last second. As Shu Chi walked to the rim of the treetop, M.T. rushed over to his backpack that he left by the mound. Right as the leopard cat kneeled down and chi swarmed around his legs, Moomintroll found what he was looking for.

“Shu Chi, wait up a second!”

The cat’s ears perked up, the swirling energy dissipating before it could even be used. 

“C’mon kid, I thought you said I could go after that. Going back on your promises isn’t a cool thing to do you know.” The usual mischievousness had returned to his voice as he turned around, hand on his hip as his head bent forwards. 

But to his surprise, what he found was a small, flakey, golden cube held up right to his face. The last slice of cornbread.

“Here. As a way of saying thank you. None of us had figured out the pattern with the trees, if you hadn’t helped we probably wouldn’t have been able to figure it out. You deserve it.”

Out of all the things able to make a century old yaoguai speechless, nobody would have expected a simple snack to do the trick.

With a delicate pinch Shu Chi picked up the slice, a few crumbs remaining in the white palm of who offered it. He was half expecting him to ask for it back for a bite since he hadn’t eaten anything yet, but no confirmation for that was given, just a simple smile.

“Keh…” The yaoguai couldn’t hold back a snicker, taking his free paw and ruffling up the top bit of Moomin’s head. He was a bit protestant, but couldn’t resist laughing along with him while gently trying to pat his paw away. 

“You’re alright Moomintroll. You’re alright.”

Both sharing a smile together, the two drifters nodded to each other and waved, getting back to what they had came to this world to do. Moomintroll slipped into his boots and put on his grappling hook holsters as Shu Chi scarfed down the corn cube, relishing in its taste. Later that night, he would eat to his heart’s content, perhaps even share a bit with his other scouts. Time would tell by then.

Both approached the rim of the treetop, kneeling down close to each other as their respective auras surrounded their bodies. Right as they were about to leap away, an idea hit Shu Chi.

“Hey Moomintroll, how ‘bout we play a game? You and me.” The mapper’s head perked up, his hands only just reaching down to the holsters. “Whoever comes back to camp with more fruit wins the right to pie the other in the face at dinnertime, flavor of the winner’s choosing. Whadda ya say?”

A wide grin split across the Moomin’s face, his mind racing with possibilities of what to do if he won. With a snicker, Moomintroll holds up both blasters and makes eye contact with his new rival.

“You’re on.”

[shikitsune]

50 Questions You’ve Never Been Asked

I was tagged by @yuiaka Thank you so much! 💕

1. What is the color of your hairbrush?: Pink

2. Name a food you never eat?: This one’s difficult cause I’m really not picky. There are certain foods like paprika and raisins that I avoid eating but I usually don’t go out of my way to pick them out if they’re in my food

3. Are you typically too warm or too cold?: Recently, COLD

4. What were you doing 45 minutes ago?: I was probably.. Either on discord or studying for exams.

5. What is your favorite candy bar?: Hmmmmm.. I’d say Geisha or Kismet (both Finnish chocolate bars)

6. Have you ever been to a professional sports event?: Yeah, I’ve been in a few ice hockey matches.

7. What is the last thing you said out loud?: "Mee pusu syömää~” to my dog, trying to encourage her to eat.

8. What is your favorite ice cream?: Ben&Jerry’s no doubt. The ones with lots of caramel are the best!

9. What was the last thing you had to drink?: Uhhh probably water

10. Do you like your wallet?: Yeah, I do. It’s a bootleg Michael Kors wallet I got as a gift lol

11. What was the last thing you ate?: Rice and spicy sauce with chicken! Home made, I was kinda proud of it lol

12. Did you buy any new clothes last weekend?: Nope

13. The last sporting event you watched?: I don’t really watch them.. Maybe when ice hockey world championships were going on I watched some of Finland’s matches?

14. What is your favorite flavor of popcorn?: Butter

15. Who is the last person you sent a text message to?: I’m currently texting with my friend on Discord

16. Ever go camping?: I mean I have been at a summer camp? But I haven’t gone into the woods with like a tent and stuff. We once did that in my friend’s backyard tho grhdthetd

17. Do you take vitamins?: I try to remember take vitamin D every day but I... usually forget

18. Do you go to church every Sunday?: Nah

19. Do you have a tan?: Nope

20. Do you prefer Chinese food or pizza?: Both are good but right now I’m craving... Pizza!

21. Do you drink your soda with a straw?: Only if I have lipstick on

22. What color socks do you usually wear?: It varies so much lol

23. Do you ever drive above the speed limit?: I don’t have a driver’s license lol But I have been in the car when my stepdad is speeding countless times so that’s nice :)

24. What terrifies you?: uhhhhh it’s actually something very personal and deep rooted that I would rather not talk about as of now at least

25. Look to your left, what do you see?: My phone and a remote control

26. What chore do you hate?: dusting

27. What do you think of when you hear an Australian accent?: ahhhh I’m sorry if it offends anybody but when I hear an Australian accent I can only think of kangaroos 🙈

28. What’s your favorite soda?: Probably.. Coca Cola or Moomin soda!

29. Do you go in a fast food place or just hit the drive-thrus?: I prefer going in but I’m not against going to a drive through either

30. Who’s the last person you talked to?: On the internet, my friend. In real life, my dog lol

31. Favorite cut of beef?: The what now?

32. Last song you listened to?: It was some Hatsune Miku song that I came across on Tumblr today

33. Last book you read?: I think it was... The magicians by Lev Grossman

34. Favorite day of the week?: Saturdayyyyy

35. Can you say the alphabet backwards?: I think I could if I concentrated?

36. How do you like your coffee?: Oversweetened and preferably caramelized

37. Favorite pair of shoes?: Uhhhh I guess my high heeled boots

38. The time you normally go to sleep?: ........2am nowadays.... gosh

39. The time you normally get up?: 10am usually

40. What do you prefer, sunrise or sunsets?: Sunsets

41. How many blankets on your bed?: Two

42. Describe your kitchen plates: Most of them are pink and belong to the same series

43. Do you have a favorite alcoholic beverage?: I like cocktailssss and vodka shots

44. Do you play cards?: Sometimes with certain people

45. What color is your car?: I don’t have a car but my stepdad’s is white

46. Can you change a tire?: Nope

47. Your favorite province?: I honestly don’t know lol I live in Uusimaa but I haven’t had any experience living elsewhere so I can’t really compare

48. Favorite job you’ve ever had?: Hmmmmmm.. Maybe when I was at a subway car maintenance station? That was pretty chill

49. How did you get your biggest scar?: I don’t have many scars and the ones I do have are small. But I guess the biggest incident that left a scar was when I was little and this boy threw a branch at my face and it struck my eye really hard. At first I just thought I had a black eye but when I looked at my hands they were all bloody and I realized my eye was bleeding. The wound on my eyelid looked really nasty for a while and I had to wear an eyepatch but it healed completely and only left a small mark that you don’t see unless you inspect reaaaaaaally closely.

50. What did you do today that made someone else happy?: I told my friend how much he means to me and that made him really happy!

I tag: @yukinyaminyato @stealthgrass @mbejus @beananium @wicked-game-black-butler @rednite-dork

As always, no need to do this if you don’t feel like it! And if you’d like me to stop tagging you, tell me and I won’t tag you ^^ Peace 💖✌

[fizzingwizard]

mv season 3 thoughts, no spoilers of course cuz i havent seen it, also pretty empty because of that too honestly, i am totally talking out of my ass here. this is "ive no idea when i'll get to see it so im stressing out instead" lol

i really did my best to avoid spoilers, but after the uk release, ehhh, i stopped being so strict xP i still havent watched much but when i come across gifsets etc I'm no longer avoiding them.

and the thing that worried me since the end of season 2 was this: there is no more canon moomin story after November. of course, there's an endless amount of moomin stories that are ripe for adaptation into the new show - but there isn't a guide for character development. And right from season 1, MV almost immediately made itself all about character development.

so the question was, can the creators of MV come up with an aftermath for November that will still feel true to Moomins? And since they rewrote November to be more suitable for their storyline and target audience, I didn't think that was impossible.

but chances seemed high to me that one of two things would happen: either they wouldn't want to start fan drama and would hold themselves back, creating something bland and forgettable, or they'd throw everything in their own storyline and make something sensational, but not very moominous.

trying to find the line between "being true to the source material" and "being true to our personal vision" is tough any time, but I think it's especially tough with moomins. just because every time I read the novels, i'm struck by tove's way of storytelling. the way she says things but doesnt say them, or is able to take things only so far without any sense of disappointment. she's a master of show-don't-tell.

and speaking as an American, there's just not a lot of show-don't-tell going on in our kids' media anymore. everything has to be frankly stated, summarized, and often moralized by the end of the episode.

in addition, particularly with kids media, everything has to be educational! don't get me wrong, kids learning stuff from their favorite programs is great. but it's every single one. where is the story they can just appreciate? not to mention you can learn plenty from any story if it's a good one. and you get to learn those things yourself, using your own skills and background, when the message isn't shoved down your throat.

needless to say i think american children's media sucks. (eta: feel a need to add i am mostly talking about young kids' media, and i'm aware there are some real standouts.)

moomins isn't american (thank goodness) but... it is modern. and it's being made to appeal to a lot of different people. i loved the first season because i thought it was truly artistic. it had its very own flavor. when i compared it with the comics and the novels, it certainly had a modern twist, but all the characters and plotlines still felt true to me. season 2 didn't reel me in quite as much, but I still enjoyed it a lot, and personally I would say the last four episodes alone carry all the rest. they're just so good.

and i'm afraid that what little i've seen of season 3 doesn't seem to hold up by comparison. the things i've seen and read... don't sound moominous to me. i wonder if, in trying to realize the whole cast more fully, round them out in a way that makes sense post-November, they've thrown away the unique philosophies that are the whole reason I, at least, love them. like the episodes are now relying on common tropes and looking for "lessons" rather than stories. or that feel obligated to create character development by rejecting or changing essential parts of the characters.

but once again i'm very aware that i am talking out of my ass like a fool. i always write my shit out and ive wanted to write this out for weeks but kept telling myself "wait till you see it, it makes no sense when you're just spouting theories" but what can i say. this is what comes of only being able to find clips and screen caps hahaha.

that being said. i dont expect to dislike the season. there's definitely stuff i've seen that i know i'll go gaga for. lots of really cute stuff. it's just that cute isnt enough xP or it wasnt before, anyway. i certainly dont expect the show to be tailored for someone like me (an adult ugghh *muffled groaning*). it isnt and shouldnt be. i just want it to feel quirky and philosophical in that unique moomin way. hopefully i will find out my qualms have been for the most part misplaced :)

[phenyxsnest]

State of the Phenyx January 2020

So, it's been awhile since I did one of these.

Let's go.

December, I was facing burn out. I'd never done a story-of-the-day for so long, and I didn't have them all ready ahead of time, so I was writing a full story every day nearly all of October/November and I needed a break. Plus, I had a lot of presents to finish.

January started strong, but then I got sick. I'm pretty lucky in that normally I'm fairly healthy, but this swept the feet out from under me. I've only just been getting back into being able to do things. And even then, I'm only managing about a quarter of what I used to do.

So everything's taking longer than usual, and I'm usually not fast to begin with.

Now, to what I am managing/trying to work on currently:

Moomins: I have some Fluffvember prompts I had an extra idea for that I'm writing out. Two of them have grown out of proportion and are going to be their own full stories, we'll see how long they get. I'm a little stuck on a few, and one long one seems like it could be done but there's a lot there I could still do so I'm not ready to call it done, I just need the sick/brain fog to clear so I can think. Looking at somewhere between five and nine, it depends.

TAU: I'm reviewing "Demon and a Demon Hunter" to try and finally finish it. I have about 5 chapters already written, I just never had an idea for several key points so it was never finished. I wrote a little bit for it during Whumptober that I posted and I'll have to integrate it into the main plot.

Original: I'm reviewing/editing a manuscript I wrote back in 2011. It never got finished - I didn't have an outline or ending - so I'm re-reading it from the start.

ROTG: I'm re-reading "To Have and To Hold" when I have spare time so I can remind myself what went down and get that promised sequel going.

As a footnote, I have drunk so much tea this month. So much. I made Moomin tea on Adagio and I haven't finished taste testing it thanks to being sick (don’t want to taste test while everything’s off), it'll be up for others to try once I do, but ugh, so much tea. And the store was out of the creamer I like, so mum brought home other flavors to try. Chocolate. Chocolate creamer. Thanks, mum.

(I'mma drink it, I'm thankful she got me some really I am, it's just...XP Chocolate does not go well with 99% of my teas.)

I resolved to draw more this year, getting sick has nixed that this month. We'll see. I'm not really good at it yet but I won't get better if I don't practice. There's a lot I didn't get done this month.

[stray-but-okay]

every morning in the summer when the raspberries had started to come in i'd trek up the hill (it was actually the bottom of a mountain lol) and pick the raspberries. eat what you can't carry and then bring the others back into the house and soak them in really warm/hot water. the flavor was so much better that way it was amazing. it only works on natural raspberries, store bought always taste funny. and then you eat like a cup or two of them for breakfast -moomin anon

You just described like the best scenario ever, that sounds amazing!! The way you speak reminds me of when my mom tells me stories of her picking fruit on her farm and it's so cuteee. Home grown stuff ALWAYS tastes better than store bought and that's a fact oof. Sucks where I live that's usually how it is so you never really taste fruit as they were made. I remember my aunt went strawberry picking and brought me a whole bunch. Omg. Like I'm not fond of strawberries as much BUTTT these were like the best things I've ever had oof. Sorry got side tracked XD Fruit is amazing 💕

[alternias]

every number ending with 2 eheh

hmm. suffer. go to kinnie jail. Answers under cut

2) is your room messy or clean?

I try to keep it clean and organized! right now its terribly messy because I’m in the middle of moving/homelessness dfgadfgdfg

12) what size bed do you have? king! 

22)do you go to the gym?

no! i wanted to buy a gym membership a few times but never got to it. one day! 

i do own a few weights though and go on regular walks!

32) 3 favorite girl names

Moira, Olivia, Orisa

42) do you take any medications daily? 

I take my anxiety meds twice a day! my depression meds in the morning! and now also a daily allergy med!

52) what is your dream car? something i can drive the country with thats reliable and roomy!

62) do you still watch cartoons? 

i mean i still watch pokemon and moomin occasionally! 

72) Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts?

there isnt a dukin donuts in a 10 mile radius from me i think.

82) favorite ice cream flavor?

cookie dough!!!!!!

92) have you ever been drunk? 

*violent new years flash backs*

a few times, i drink occasionally with my mom or sister, not as much anymore life has been busy.