#my honor has been restored

[ratsnu]

IM BACK BABY!!!

this feels like when you get put in timeout for something you didnt do in like kindergarten and the teacher makes you sit in the corner during recess and watch everyone else have fun 😭

[ranger-kellyn]

idk if i'll ever actually make anything of it, but i have to admit i AM enjoying jotting ideas down for an original avatar story

[inbabylontheywept]

i did wrestling in middle school. on one hand, i was actually quite good at it, which was nice. being good at any sport was a new achievement for me. on the other hand, i was bi, and i was trying very hard not to notice that i was bi, and getting folded into knots by very kind, very muscular dorks made that task somewhat difficult.

adding fire to the problem was that my parents and my grandparents wanted to watch my matches, because they were very proud that their Gangly Nerd Son was actually Sporting, and they wanted to cheer me on. which would've been sweet and all, but if there are four people you do not want there during a key part of your Burgeoning Sexual Awakening, it is your mom and your dad and your grandma and your grandpa.

right? i mean, imagine some guy's got your head in his armpit, and you're going you know, old sweat smells bad, but fresh sweat has a sort of and then you make eye contact with your grandpa in the stands and you remember you're swearing spandex so if you pop a boner people aren't just going to be able to see the outline, they're going to be able to count the veins, and the only way you will be able to restore your family's honor after that would be by moving to siberia and renouncing joy, forever. that, or lift your entire body up by your kneck then twist 180 degrees without paralyzing yourself.

it’s a lot of pressure, is what i’m saying.

still it did motivate me to win my matches really fast. because i was so tall and skinny, i was stupidly good at the double leg takedown, and then once someone was knocked down, i'd just do the half nelson and kind of flip em over for the pin. then the ref would count to three and i’d win. EZPZ.

i had one match where that went great. won in the first ten seconds, sat back down, and prepared myself for a good hour or two of doing fuck all. didn't even feel bad the parents/grandparents were gonna be bored. the matches went up from me in 5 pound increments (i was in the 115 lbs division) and it was going great until we got to the 145 lbs division. the other school's wrestler stepped onto the mat, and she turned out to be a girl so our guy flipped, because for straight guys, wrestling a girl is not a pleasant experience.

i'm not entirely unsympathetic. my experience wrestling dudes was definitely a little traumatic. but also, i dealt. guy could've dealt too. instead, he refused to wrestle, and the coach went - fine. not even worth fighting over.

so he went to the 140 pounder, and that guy said, nosir, my mom said mormons can't wrestle girls. next guy down, 135 pounder, now he knew he could pull the same card and thus did. 130 pounder, 125, both tapped out. he got to the 120 guy, and that guy was catholic, but he said he was considering being mormon, and thus would have to pass. as a precaution.

coach blew up a little at that. he said "is there anyone - anyone - on this entire goddamn team that is willing to wrestle a girl?" and then he pointed at me and said "YOU. MAT. GO."

and i'll be real, if i'd been paying more attention, i'd have pulled the mormon card too, but i'd just been putting all that audio into a buffer file because i was reading, so i was halfway across the mat before i even processed what had been said and by then it was too late to turn back.

still i had a plan. and my plan - my beautiful, perfect plan - was to do what i'd always done. tackle, flip, pin, win. sit down. read. bore my family to death. move on.

i got the first part right. she was bigger than me, but she wasn't taller. just an incredibly stout woman. god built me like a snake with glasses, just as he built her like a combat cube. the problem was the half nelson. soon as she was down, i tried hooking my arm under hers from behind and for both genders, the defense for this move is just clamping your arms really fucking tight against your sides. if you're a guy, that's whatever, but if you're a girl - especially if you're god's chosen combat cube - that pins your opponents hand right against your boob.

so, i got the hook in, she clamped, my whole arm pressed against something soft, my coach was yelling THE HALF NELSON. BABYLON! JUST FINISH IT! FINISH THE HALF NELSON! and i was just trying to press hard enough to finish, when then my brain went

...oh.

and i flipped out. of course i flipped out. i like girls, and touching a boob is an elemental experience, and i was not ready. i was not prepared. i had not committed the sacred rites. i recoiled like i'd just brushed my arm against the surface of the sun, stood up, and backed away. nobody in the room knew why i'd given up. all they saw was me, right about to win, suddenly flailing around and scrambling. so everyone started screaming at me to just get the half nelson again, and i couldn't really yell back there's a fuckin' boob in the way and it was very distressing, and the only way i could think of to make them stop was just doing it over again the right way.

so i did.

i hunkered down and prepared myself for Wrasslin' Attempt #2: The Sequel.

i knocked her down again, EZPZ. i went for the half nelson again, but she knew what i was about to do so she super clamped, and i knew she was gonna super clamp, so i wound my arm back like a pop-eye cartoon punch before swinging my arm through the gap between her bicep and her side, but the amount of time i spent winding back super signalled what i was about to to do, which gave her time to clamp even harder, which somehow redirected the entire force of the popeye punch to the bottom of her bra.

it spat out a single boob the same way an action hero might spit out one single tooth after getting a solid crack across the jaw. as if to say:

*ptooie.* "that all you got?"

i did not actually see this. my experience was that first there was an arm, then there was a bit of boob, but i was braced, i was ready, forward at all costs, tatakae motherfuckers, and then the boob went away, and i didn't know where it went but my team, and the audience, and everyone who was in front of me, they all gasped like i just kicked them in the stomach. except for my coach. he was behind me, and thus one of the four people in the room who did not see the boob. now my mom, my dad, my grandma, and my grandpa, they all got flashed but nooooooo, coach thunderbutt was behind me, and he didn't see shit so he was still yelling NOOOOOO BABYLON WHAT ARE YOU DOING JUST FINISH THE NELSON! GO FOR THE KILL! BABYLON! BABYLON!

but i did not go for the kill. i stood up and she stuffed her boob back real fast, and we just kind of circled each other awkwardly until time ran out and i won on points. that's not technically allowed, but the ref had some mercy on me.

my coach did not.

i barely had time to sit down before he strode over to the bench to chew me out.

"babylon," he said, in that very calm way people get when they're too pissed to yell. "why didn't you pin?"

and i didn't know how to say well coach, i tried, but there was a boob, and it kept getting in the way, and my mom was watching, and so was my dad, and so was his dad, and his mom, and god (like bible god) and that's a can of worms because i'm pretty sure he was already mad at me, and i'm wearing spandex, and i think i might have to move to siberia, so instead i said

"i uh. i forgot how to do the half nelson."

which is actually impossible. forgetting how to do the half nelson is like forgetting how to swallow your spit.

and he looked at me, like i was the dumbest person in the entire world, and i looked through him like i'd just survived my 250th day in a trench at verdun, and he said: fine.

fine.

but we're all going to practice it for an hour tomorrow because you forgot.

and then he left.

and my buddies had the gall to be salty about it. i got so many comments saying "dude, why didn't you just tell him the truth?" and i said "you can if you care so damn much. you could've wrestled the girl too. maybe someone else should do the hard thing today."

but they didn't. so the next day, we did an hour of half nelson drills, and i spent a decent amount of time getting thrown around the mat, and it was pleasant in exactly the way that i hated and the year after that, to the surprise of everyone but myself, i quit wrestling and joined the trivia team.

and if you want more reasons to love my mom, my grandpa joked after the match that i might have to talk to my bishop about it, and my mom told him he would be allowed to make jokes after he stood in front of a crowd of 110 people in spandex underpants while wrestling a woman that was not his wife.

he paused for almost five seconds after that. then he said: aw. hell. sorry babylon.

and i'd have preferred my apology from god, but getting it from him was pretty good too.

[robsheridan]

Hard to believe Nine Inch Nails' classic The Downward Spiral is 30 years old today! Here is some detail photography I took of the original album cover painting by Russell Mills for the 10th anniversary deluxe edition release, which I had the unique honor of designing, and somehow that is now 20 year old.

Everyone has that one album that hit at just the right moment of adolescence to change their perspective on music and get them through their teenage angst. The Downward Spiral was that album for me, released as it was in 1994, when I was a freshman in high school (and an absolute banner year for music/films/games all around). I must have stared at the artwork for hours over those years, without even much detail to draw from on its tiny 5” CD slip case. So five years later, when I found myself inexplicably working for Nine Inch Nails, it was surreal to see the actual original painting in the flesh, hanging as it was at the time in Trent Reznor’s office at Nothing Studios, New Orleans.

I was struck by how much dimension and texture there was in the artwork that never translated on that tiny slipcase printing, how much detail was happening in the physical materials of the art: Flies, moths, wires, blood… I had been staring at this “painting” for so long, yet suddenly it was like I had never seen it before. I also noticed that it had aged - the wires had wilted over the years, drooping down from their original position as captured in the original album cover (interestingly, judging by the photo posted today by NIN, the piece has since been restored); a tooth was missing from the other main piece.

That experience stuck with me and it was the first thing I thought about when the task of re-imagining the album package fell upon me in 2004. I wanted to re-photograph the artwork, subtly updating the cover to show that ten years had changed it physically, much like our perceptions of art and music and memories change over time with perspective. I also wanted to dig into the previously unseen details of the work and explore it with my macro lens, so that fans like me, old and new, could have new layers of texture to pore over for hours while listening to a legendary album.

Happy birthday, old friend.

[literallyjusttoa]

I have fully reworked and redesigned my Apollo timeline!! These designs are meant to depict Apollo from 2591 B.C.E all the way to 392 C.E., so a good 2,983 years of life lol. A lot of things have changed from my first and second versions of this timeline (which you can see here and here if you're interested) so I'm just gonna rewrite the whole things here for y'all to read and enjoy! (Also disclaimer as always I am not a mythology expert, and I am taking some liberties with dates and time periods so sorry if anything seems off!)

Baby: 2591 B.C.E

Apollo is born. That's pretty much all that happens here.

Fighting Python/Exile: 2591-2582 B.C.E.

Right after being born, Apollo goes off to fight Python. After this, he is exiled from Olympus for nine years due to his crime of committing murder. During those nine years, he spends most of his time as either a shepherd or a traveling musician, and observes mortals and their ways of life a lot.

Pre-First Punishment: 2582-2300 B.C.E.

After his exile, Apollo is allowed to ascend to Olympus. He takes on a form that is extremely similar to the mortals he's been living amongst for the past nine years. As the youngest member of the Olympian Council, Apollo is slightly naive, but desperate to prove himself to the rest of his family. Myths that occur during this time: 1. Apollo finds and mentors Chiron 2. Artemis and Apollo successfully convince their father to release Prometheus from his punishment. 3. Periphas, a king of Attica and priest of Apollo, was so beloved by his people that they honored him above Zeus. This angered Zeus, and he sword he would strike Periphas down and burn his home to the ground. However, Apollo begged Zeus to spare Periphas' life, and Zeus acquiesced. Instead, Zeus turned Periphas into an eagle, the same eagle that now rests on the top of his sacred sceptre.

Post-First Punishment (Troy): 2300-1250 B.C.E.

Back from his time as a mortal, Apollo is now the patron god of the city of Troy. He is extremely attached to his people, and has taken on a lot of their fashions and customs. He is a bit more reserved on Olympus because of the punishment, but he is still young and sure of himself, and is often one of the most active gods on the council. Myths that occur during this time: 1. Hermes is born. 2. The music duel with Marsyas occurs, and he is flayn. 3. Lots of cities are founded on the west coast of Ionia (Modern day Türkiye), many with myths surrounding Apollo. The city of Miletus was founded and named after a son of Apollo. Klazomenai claimed Apollo as their principal god. The city of Colophon becomes the seat of the Oracle of Apollo Clarius, and one of his sons, named Mopsus, lives there. Erythraea is also connected to Apollo's oracle, as it is the birthplace of Herophile. Once you add Troy to the mix, it seems as if Apollo just did a tour of Ionia and set up a bunch of towns along the way, which I think is pretty cool. 4. The seven against Thebes make their march to restore Polynices, Oedipus' son, to the throne. One of the seven, Amphiaraus, was a seer and favored by Apollo (and sometimes his son!). Amphiaraus was fated to die in battle, but Apollo found multiple ways to stretch out his final moments. He redirected attacks so that Amphiaraus was not harmed, and when the man's charioteer was killed, Apollo took the reins himself. When Amphiaraus finally passed on, Apollo wept over his corpse and let him be consumed by the earth, creating an Oracle at that spot.

Asclepius: 1250-1210 B.C.E.

Asclepius is born and Apollo keeps the same look throughout his entire life! Apollo doesn't have much to do with it, but the Argonauts set sail during this time.

Stealing the bolt/Killing the Cyclops: 1210 B.C.E.

This design only lasts a couple of weeks. In his grief, Apollo loses himself.

Second Punishment 1210 B.C.E

Apollo is given to Admetus as a servant for several months. The punishment doesn't last long, but Apollo's time with Admetus is essential in his journey to heal from Asclepius' death.

Trojan War: 1194-1184 B.C.E.

The Trojan War breaks out less than 20 years after Asclepius' death, bringing ruins and carnage with it. Apollo fulfills his duty as the patron god of the city, and viciously protects Troy from the attacks of other Olympians.

Post-Trojan: 1184-940 B.C.E.

The war was lost, and Troy was sacked. In the time following this, Apollo distances himself from mortals, desperate to escape the pain and grief of the last 70 years. This period of his life ends with the myth of Daphne. Myths that occur during this time: 1. Dionysus is born 2. Apollo saves Hemithea and her sister Parthenos and makes them immortal. 3. Apollo's oldest known temple is built in Thebes.

Daphne and Hyacinthus 940-776 B.C.E.

After the death of Daphne, Apollo is devastated. While he had been avoiding the mortal realm before, now he became increasingly uncomfortable on Olympus. He stayed in the mortal realm often, building up his reputation and setting up his popularity in Ancient Greece proper, which was just breaking out of the Dark Ages. Near the end of this period, he loves and loses Hyacinthus. Myths that occur during this time: 1. The cult of Apollo from Crete brings his worship to Delphi officially, and his temple is built at the site. 2. Apollo's music duel with Pan occurs.

“Main” Apollo 776-500 B.C.E.

Starting with the first Olympic games, This period is defined by glory and worship. Apollo's popularity in Greece increases exponentially, and this is only added to once he takes the reins of the sun chariot. He meddles in mortal affairs often during this time, growing into the persona we see of him today. Myths that occur during this time: 1. Niobe's kids are killed 2. Apollo falls in love with Cyrene, and gives her a city. 3. Tarquin purchases the Sibylline books. Sometime before this, Apollo curses the Sibyl of Cumae. 4. The Pythagorean cult is established, a group that religiously followed the teachings of Pythagoras. Alongside this, they mainly worshiped Apollo at Delphi. They used math to break down music, and believed "the universe as a whole was composed of harmony and numbers". 5. Phorbas, who is either a savage king of Elis or a giant, preys on travelers on the pilgrimage to Delphi. To put a stop to this, Apollo challenges the man to a boxing match, and kills him during the fight. Another Phorbas, this one hailing from Rhodes, is often confounded with this one. Apollo dated the second Phorbas, so I bet this was very confusing for a lot of poor Greeks. 6. The city of Megara fought for independence from Corinth, and claimed Apollo as their patron god.

"Classical" Apollo 500-300 B.C.E.

As Ancient Greece moves into it's classical age, and the height of it's glory, Apollo's worship continues to grow. In the 400's, Pericles and the architects of the Acropolis in Athens used the money held by the Delian league (An allied group of islands in the Cyclades, lead by Delos) to create their temple to Athena, which held the Athena Parthenos. This, alongside many other ways in which Athens attempted to take control of the rest of Greece, caused tension in both the mortal world and Olympus. Apollo begins to see cracks in the foundations of Greece, but can not do much about it at the time. Myths that occur during this time: 1. The Peloponnesian war breaks out. It lasts 27 years, with Sparta claiming victory over Athens in the end. Olympus continues to degrade as Athena and Ares spar. 2. Shortly after this, the Theban War starts. Sparta had won the Peloponnesian war and taken Athens place as the head of Ancient Greece, but many city-states took issue with this. Both Corinth and Thebes waged war against Sparta, with Thebes being victorious in this struggle. Thebes was Dionysus' city, and Corinth, Poseidon's. The Olympian council continues to splinter. 3. Apollo's first temple in Rome is built. The Temple of Apollo Medicus was constructed outside of the religious boundary in Rome, as Apollo was still seen as a foreign deity at this time, and so his worship was not permitted in the city proper.

Late Greece (300-146 B.C.E)

Greece is falling apart at the seams, with civil wars breaking out all over the region. Rome is growing stronger to the west, and eventually takes over Greece completely at the end of this period. Apollo attempts to ignore the signs of failure, keeping up a relaxed, even as the war begins to devour Greece entirely. Myths that occur during this time: 1. Dionysus journeys to India 2. Trophonius and Agamethus are killed.

Fall of Greece: 146-32 B.C.E.

Olympus falls, and will not come back together for a while yet. With each deity lost and unfocused, they all have to find their own way back to their former glory. Apollo is one of the last to return to the council, spending centuries wandering the ruins of Greece, burying his people and mourning the culture that had been lost. It is not until Augustus brings his worship to Rome that Apollo returns to Mount Olympus.

Rome 32 B.C.E.- 140 C.E.

Apollo is now one of the chief gods in Rome. Even though he is at the same level of power and popularity that he had during the height of Greece, it doesn't feel the same. Apollo drifts, going through the motions with very little passion behind it. It takes some time for him to warm up to his new civilization, which leads to:

Late Rome 140 C.E.- 392 C.E.

As Rome continues to grow and prosper, Apollo begins to grow fond of it's people. He interacts with them far more, and begins to once again meddle in their affairs, especially when it comes to the various emperors that ruled the nation. This trend continues until the eventual end of pagan worship in Rome. Myths that occur during this time: 1. Apollo meets, falls in love with, and eventually kills Commodus. 2. The Bacchanalia, which was a private cult festival of the Dionysian cult of Liber that was full of drinking and mingling of all social classes, becomes popular. This festival is obviously associated with Bacchus first and foremost, but there was a common rumour amongst members of the cult that you could meet Apollo at these celebrations.

And that's the whole thing! Hope you all enjoyed, this took a lot of time and research lol.

[goldfades]

more luke hughes fics im literally on my knees

i haven't written for baby luke in forever and since i am deathly ill, here is a little fic about being sick.

Luke Hughes is dying.

At least, that's what he claims, his voice scratchy with dramatic flair as he groans from the depths of your bed—not his bed, of course, because apparently yours is "infinitely more comfortable." Never mind that his mattress is practically brand new, or that he has a fancy memory foam pillow that cost more than your monthly grocery bill. No, according to Luke, your slightly lumpy, average, definitely-not-fancy bed holds some magical, restorative quality that his can't compete with. He's staked his claim, a tangle of long limbs and disheveled blankets, looking like the tragic hero of his own melodramatic play.

You stand in the doorway, arms crossed, watching the heap of misery that is your boyfriend. His hoodie is bunched up around his waist, revealing a sliver of pale skin, and his nose is an impressive shade of pink. A tissue dangles precariously from his hand, and a mountain of its crumpled comrades litters the floor beside him like the aftermath of a very soft, very sneezy battle.

"I think I'm dying," Luke mumbles, voice thick with congestion, like he’s auditioning for the role of Most Pathetic Human Alive.

"You're not dying," you reply, deadpan. "You have a cold."

He sniffles dramatically, pulling the blanket up over his head with the kind of effort that suggests he's lifting a thousand-pound weight. "It's worse than a cold. It's, like, a super cold. A mega cold."

You roll your eyes, but there's an undeniable fondness tucked between the sarcasm and sighs. Crossing the room, you perch on the edge of the bed, nudging his burrito-shaped form with your elbow. "Did the super cold steal your ability to get up and drink water? Because there's a glass on the nightstand that's been sitting there since this morning."

A muffled, tragic noise emerges from under the blanket. "It tastes better when you bring it to me."

Of course it does.

You sigh, not because you're annoyed, but because this is Luke—your Luke. And if he wants to be a big, whiny baby about his "super cold," you can let him have this one. Grabbing the glass, you shift closer, lifting his blanket just enough to see his pouty, flushed face peeking out.

"Here, Your Highness," you say, gently pressing the cool glass to his hands. He takes it with exaggerated gratitude, like you've just fetched him water from the Fountain of Youth.

"You're the best," he croaks dramatically, taking a small sip as if it's his last.

You brush his messy hair off his damp forehead, the affection slipping through without resistance. "Anything else for the dying man? Grapes? A cool cloth? A lullaby?"

His eyes, glassy from the congestion, brighten a little. "A cuddle might help. For medicinal purposes."

You chuckle softly, sliding under the covers beside him. He immediately drapes himself over you, all heavy limbs and needy warmth, burying his face into your neck with a satisfied sigh.

"Definitely medicinal," he mumbles, already sounding less miserable.

And even though he’s sniffly and probably spreading his germs, you let him.

A few minutes pass, filled with his occasional sniffles and dramatic sighs. Then, with a pitiful groan, he mumbles, "I might never recover. This could be it for me."

You bite your lip to keep from laughing, the corners of your mouth twitching. "Oh no, what will the world do without Luke Hughes?"

"It'll be a darker place," he whispers, clutching your arm weakly, as if this is his final goodbye. "Tell my story. Be brave."

You snort, unable to hold it in any longer. "I'll make sure they build a statue in your honor. Right in the middle of the living room."

He peeks up at you with glassy, puppy-dog eyes, a faint smile tugging at his lips despite the act. "Make sure it’s life-sized. Actually, bigger. Like, heroic proportions."

"Naturally," you reply, stroking his hair with mock seriousness. "Anything for the hero of our time."

And even though he's being ridiculous, you don't mind. Because he's your ridiculous, dramatic, oversized baby—and you love him for it.

A week later, the universe proves it has a twisted sense of humor.

You’re bundled on the couch, tissues piled around you in a sad, crumpled fortress, your head pounding and nose stuffy—an exact, miserable mirror of Luke’s performance from last week. The only difference? You’re not nearly as dramatic. At least, that’s what you tell yourself.

Luke, on the other hand, is thriving. Not because you’re sick—though he does seem a little too smug about it—but because he’s now fully recovered and basking in the role reversal with alarming enthusiasm.

He saunters into the living room, wearing that infuriatingly healthy glow, hair tousled perfectly like he’s in a shampoo commercial. He’s holding a cup of tea with both hands, an exaggerated look of sympathy plastered on his face.

“Aww, look at my poor, sick baby,” he coos, crouching beside you and tucking the blanket around your shoulders like you’re fragile glass. “Is this what it felt like when I was dying?”

You glare at him, voice raspy as you croak, “You weren’t dying.”

“Oh, I was,” he insists dramatically, setting the tea down with the flair of someone performing a sacred ritual. “But unlike some people, I didn’t complain.”

You snort, which unfortunately turns into a cough. Luke pats your back with an over-the-top gentleness, like he’s comforting a Victorian child with consumption.

“Don’t worry,” he whispers, brushing your hair off your clammy forehead with mock tenderness. “I’ll tell your story. Be brave.”

You weakly smack his arm, but the grin on your face betrays you.

[click4rainy]

Love Knows No Shape//Kombat Kast reacting to worm!reader

��:Would you still love me if I was a worm??? 🪱 😜

✅:proof read

🖇️:The Whole Roster. I think. I tried.

📖: Valentine’s Day had arrived in the realms, but there was a peculiar issue—you were a worm. Somehow, through a bizarre turn of fate, you had been transformed into a tiny, wriggling creature. How would each kombatant react to this unexpected predicament…?

⚠️:None really. Besides being a damn WORM 😩/Fluffy biz going on here/it’s a valentines present from me to you

Liu Kang

★ “Love transcends form, but…I admit, this is unexpected.”

★ Liu Kang, ever the wise Fire God, cradles you gently in his hands, treating you with the same respect he would if you were human of course! He attempts to find a way to reverse your transformation but assures you that, should you remain a worm forever, he would still protect you. When he takes you on a scenic tour of the cosmos, you realize—maybe being a worm under Liu Kang’s care isn’s so bad.

🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱

Raiden

★ “You’re a worm? But how? Should I—should I build you a little house?”

★ Raiden, ever the sweetheart, is flustered but immediately sets out to ensure your comfort. He creates a tiny enclosure with soft soil and even tries to feed you gourmet vegetables. He talks to you about his training as Earthrealm’s champion, hoping you still enjoy conversation despite being unable to respond. He refuses to give up on turning you back, but for now, he keeps you safe in his pocket.

🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱

Kung Lao

★ “Okay, you’re still like…a cutie, though.”

★ Kung Lao is the least concerned of anyone. He teases you relentlessly but refuses to let anyone else hold you, claiming you’re his tiny, wriggly Valentine. He carries you on the brim of his hat (only when he’s not throwing it) and dramatically declares that he would find a way to bring you back. And if he can't? He dramatically declares that he'd still fight to defend your honor, even if you are just a noodle shaped cutie now.

🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱

Johnny Cage

★ “Oh my God, this is the worst rom com plot ever. Babe, blink twice if you still think I’m sexy—wait, crap, you don’t have eyes!”

★ Johnny panics at first, but once he processes the situation, he treats it like a bizarre Hollywood script. He documents your “worm adventures” on social media, even giving you tiny sunglasses. Despite the jokes, he’s actually pretty devastated and exhausts his celebrity connections (including some sketchy mystics) trying to fix you.

🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱

Kenshi Takahashi

★ “You may have changed in form, but I can still feel your presence.”

★ Kenshi isn’t as affected by your physical transformation. He still senses you and treats you as if nothing has changed. He meditates with you resting on his hand and even jokes about teaching you swordsmanship (Though your grip could use some work). And tries to communicate telepathically, just in case you still have some form of consciousness. He vows to find a way to restore you, but until then, you are his most treasured little companion.

🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱

Bi Han

★ “This is ridiculous. You expect the Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei to dote on a worm?”

★ Bi Han is outwardly disgusted but refuses to let anyone else touch you. He places you in a small jar filled with cool, soft soil (since worms prefer cold environments, he claims it’s only logical). He definitely doesn’t talk to you when no one is around. He absolutely doesn’t get irrationally angry when Sektor jokes about feeding you to a bird.

🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱

Kuai Liang

★ “I….do not know how to process this, but I will keep you safe.”

★ Kuai Liang is distraught but remains calm. He builds a special terrarium for you with heated sand, assuming you still like warmth. He carries you in his scarf and reads to you at night, convinced that, on some level, you can still hear him. He is determined to reverse the curse, but until then, he treats you like a delicate treasure.

🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱

Tomas Vrbada

★ “aww—you are still you. And I still care for you.”

★ Tomas is one of the most accepting. He immediately starts researching a way to restore you but, in the meantime, ensures you are always with him. He keeps you in a soft cloth pouch close to his chest, where it’s warm. He still whispers sweet nothings to you and even refuses to let anyone call you “gross.” He’s patient and unwavering in his love.

🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱

Mileena

★ “WHO DID THIS TO YOU? I WILL RIP OUT THEIR SPINE!”

★ Mileena absolutely loses her mind. She believes this is an assassination attempt and demands every sorcerer in Outworld undo the spell immediately. She refuses to let anyone near you—cradling you like the most fragile treasure. If anyone dares suggest that being a worm makes you less deserving of love, they get bitten.

🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱

Kitana

★ “No matter what form you take, my love for you will not waver.”

★ Kitana is heartbroken but remains composed. She orders the royal scholars to find a solution, but until then, she ensures you have the finest soil and nutrients. She even lets you sit in her lap while she reads in the garden, treating you like the regal being you still are.

🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱

Sindel

★ A worm? Hm. That is… inconvenient.”

★ Sindel is mildly exasperated but ensures you have the most luxurious worm habitat possible. You now live in a gilded terrarium with rare soils from Outworld. She refuses to let anyone treat you as anything less than royalty.

🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱

Baraka

★ “I do not care what you are. You are still my heart.”

★ Baraka is completely unbothered. He carries you with him, talking to you as he works, and even introduces you to his fellow Tarkatans. He reassures you that he knows what it’s like to be changed against your will, and he will stand by you no matter what.

🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱

Syzoth

★ “Oh, you are….oh! You are like me now! Well, not exactly, but—um, this is not bad! Don’t worry I will not eat you.”

★ Syzoth, is surprisingly calm. He immediately studies you, fascinated by your new form, as if it were something to do with shapeshifting. But he assures you that he will find a way to turn you back, keeping you in a small leather pouch on his hip.

🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱

Tanya

★ “This is some sort of cruel joke, right? No? Then….who did this to you?!”

★ Tanya is initially in disbelief, but once she realizes this is real, she goes into full protective mode. She searches Outworld’s greatest shamans for a way to reverse the spell, all while keeping you close in a soft cloth pouch. She refuses to let anyone else touch you, and if someone dares joke about your predicament—they might (will) end up missing a few teeth.

🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱

Shang Tsung

★ “Fascinating….and also hilarious.”

★ Shang Tsung is entertained by your predicament but promises he might change you back—eventually. He keeps you in a jar on his desk, occasionally tapping the glass and chuckling. He refers to you as his “little pet” but will get defensive if anyone tries to steal you.

🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱

Sektor

★ “This is….inefficient. You are vulnerable in this form. protection is required...don’t worry, I’ll find a way to turn you back. And I’ll kill whoever did this to you.”

★ Sektor is livid about you being turned into a worm. She swears she’ll murder the one responsible for your demise in worm form. She creates a small, high tech containment pod to ensure your safety, complete with temperature regulation and nutrient infused soil. While she insists this is only logical—she does get unnaturally aggressive if anyone seems a threat to you.

🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱

Cyrax

★ “Oh….this is awful. But don’t worry—i’ll keep you safe.”

★ Cyrax is more emotional about the situation than Sektor. She’s heartbroken at first but quickly adapts—creating a secure, comfortable space for you inside her cybernetic armor so you can always be near her. She continues speaking to you as if nothing has changed and even plays soft music when she’s working, just in case you can still enjoy it.

🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱

Shao Kahn

★ “Pathetic. My consort—reduced to this? Unacceptable.”

★ Shao Kahn is furious—not at you, but at whoever dared to curse you. He immediately demands every sorcerer in Outworld to undo this “insult.” In the meantime, he keeps you in a gold plated, jewel encrusted box filled with the finest soil (only his beloved deserves the best). He may act annoyed, but if anyone disrespects you, his wrath is instant and merciless.

🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱

Nitara

★ “You smell….different. But you’re still mine.”

★ Nitara is both confused and mildly distressed. She’s a vampire—her senses are heightened, and now, instead of your usual scent, you just smell like dirt. Still, she refuses to abandon you. She keeps you in a small silk pouch and sometimes even carries you in the folds of her wings (when she’s not flying of course). She might not be able to kiss you, but she still whispers, “I’ll fix this. I promise you.”

🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱

Ashrah

★ “This….this must be dark magic at work. But do not fear—I will cleanse it my love.”

★ Ashrah is convinced that your transformation is the result of some demonic corruption, and she is determined to purify you. She gently places you in a box filled with blessed soil and speaks to you as she prays for a cure. She refuses to give up, assuring you that no matter what, she will remain by your side.

🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱

Takeda

★ “So….uh….do you still have, like, thoughts? Are you still you?”

★ Takeda is a mix of bewildered and devastated. He cracks jokes to cover up his distress, but deep down, he’s freaking out. He keeps you in a small, padded case inside his ninja gear, constantly checking on you. He swears he’ll get you back to normal—after all, you’re his Valentine, even if you’re… tiny and wriggly now.

🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱

Reiko

★ “Tch. This is a disgrace. You are meant to stand at my side, not….squirm in the dirt.”

★ Reiko is absolutely raging. He sees your transformation as an insult to both you and him. But instead of discarding you, he becomes obsessed with undoing it. He forces Outworld’s greatest sorcerers to work day and night to fix you. Until then, he keeps you in a secure container and dares anyone to make a single joke about it.

🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱

Quan Chi

★ “Hah! Oh, this is deliciously ironic.”

★ Quan Chi finds your predicament hilarious. He places you in a large, enchanted jar and occasionally talks to you—mostly taunting, but with a hint of genuine amusement. However, if someone else tries to take you, he suddenly becomes very possessive. After all, you’re his cursed little worm.

🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱

Havik

★ “This….THIS IS PERFECTION! CHAOS HAS BLESSED YOU!”

★ Havik is absolutely delighted by your transformation. To him, this is a sign of true chaos, and he celebrates it like a holy event. He carries you in his hands at all times, whispering about how you are now a symbol of glorious disorder. He refuses any attempts to “fix” you, convinced that this is fate.

🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱

Zeffeero

★ “Oh, my poor dear! Who has done this to you?”

★ Zeffeero is deeply concerned and immediately starts searching for a way to restore you. In the meantime, he ensures you have the most luxurious worm accommodations, complete with silk bedding and fragrant flowers. He reads poetry to you and softly sings, treating you with the same affection as before.

🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱

Li Mei

★ “I—wha…? This—this is serious. I will find the one responsible.”

★ Li Mei is extremely focused on reversing your condition. She treats you with great care, carrying you in a safe pouch while seeking powerful mystics. Despite her stern exterior, she speaks to you softly, reassuring you that she will never leave you like this.

🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱

Geras

★ “Time flows strangely around you now. I will ensure you are protected.”

★ Geras is intrigued but unfazed. As the guardian of time, he carefully observes your transformation, ensuring you remain safe. He keeps you with him at all times, in his shoulder usually, speaking to you about the vastness of existence, promising that no matter how time bends, he will restore you.

👽:Happy Heart Day!!! MUAHHHH KISSES 💋

(I promise I’m working on your requests too!)

[brittle-doughie]

Mine Your Own Business

[Main Story]

You: “How’s it looking over there?”

Sugar Gnome: “Doopty da! We will have a working rail cart system before you know it, your Majesty!”

You: “I’m liking the sound of that! Quarters Team, how’s the buildings turning out?”

Sugar Gnome 2: “Mm-hm! These shelters are coming out extra crunchy! Topped with more layers of syrup to withstand the heat! Though, I am looking a little melty over here…”

You: “Go for it and take a break, I know you guys will get it done.“

As you were walking by inspecting the mine construction, Dumpling Cookie joins alongside you.

Dumpling Cookie: “Everything is going to under way as you planned. We should have the mines fully operational in a few days.”

You: “It was about time I dedicated the effort of trying to restore this place. Especially nowadays with..y’know, my situation.”

Dumpling Cookie goes to hold your hand tightly.

Dumpling Cookie: “Y/N, you don’t need to worry about that right now. As long as you’ve got the incense to keep them away, you’ll be okay…’kay?”

You: “It’s not just that. They told me “the worst has yet to come”.”

Dumpling Cookie: “What could be more worse then what you already have went through?”

You: “I don’t know, but we should be ready for anything. Whether it be another one of the Ancients coming here or even a Beast Cookie themself.”

Dumpling Cookie: “If only a certain Cookie had told us of this a lot sooner….”

You: “Oh come on, when you put like that….”

Dumpling Cookie: “I wouldn’t worry too much. Salsa has been training the troops while I’ve requested Strawberry Crepe to move forward with more Wafflebots.”

You: “If it’s for the sake of the kingdom, I just wish everyone else didn’t have to get stuck in the middle of this if something does happen…”

Dumpling Cookie: “At the very least, we’ll be ready…”

You: “Yeah, you’re right…heh, you always seem to be.”

Dumpling Cookie: “Well, I learned from the best by that same certain Cookie..”

You both share a laugh together, something that hadn’t happened in a while. After that, the two of you just..looked at each other for a moment…

Sugar Gnome 3: “Um, pardon me, your Majesty. We have made a breakthrough with this railway!”

The voice of the Sugar Gnome snapped the two of you out of it, Dumpling clearing her throat as her cheeks darkened with blush.

Dumpling Cookie: “You…look like you’re about to be busy, I’ll just…be over there now.”

You: “Hehe…take care of yourself, Dumpling.”

Dumpling Cookie: “Yeah…you too, Y/N…”

Dumpling Cookie lets go of your hand as she leaves to attend to other areas of the mine in construction.

Sugar Gnome 3: “Dooty da! See? We’ve managed to fix up this mine cart and we thought that you should have the honor of being the first to ride it!”

You: “Are you sure?”

Sugar Gnome 3: “Who better then my Majesty! It would be the greatest honor if you tried something we just fixed up!”

You: “Well…if you’re sure!”

You didn’t want to sound like you were doubting the Sugar Gnomes. Their construction abilities were pretty reliable for how long you’ve known them, even before you decided to rebuild the kingdom…

You hopped into the mine cart and tested the sturdiness by pulling on it.

You: “Yep, pretty firm and well crafted. Good job!”

Sugar Gnome 3: “Now watch this! We’ll have you ride through a planned path that will bring you back in no time! No worries at all, doopty doo!”

You: “Alright, let’s do this.”

The Sugar Gnome pulled on the lever as you started to drive forward into one of the caves.

You traveled quickly through the cave, looking around to see an abundance of crystals and ores, just waiting to be collected.

You: “Woah! With all this, maybe we can use it to enhance the mine or even the kingdom further then we already could! Will it be enough though..? How far does this path go? Shouldn’t it be making a loop around back to the main mining area?”

You kept going further in this one direction, the cave getting less lit as you started to worry. You wondered if you had accidentally missed a turn or something you needed to pay attention or so.

You tried for the break and pulled on it as hard as you could, but it wouldn’t budge!

You: “Uh oh, UH OH! This isn’t good at all!”

You held on tight as the cart descended and increased in speed, unable to see anything.

You: “OH NO! GAH, OLIVE COOKIE WAS RIGHTTTT-“

Your voice becomes distant as you rode into the darkness of the cave….

———————————————————————

Dumpling Cookie: “What’s wrong with him?!”

Sugar Gnome 2: “Come on! Wake up!”

Dumpling Cookie and fellow Sugar Gnomes gathered around their collapsed fellow Gnome.

Sugar Gnome 3: “I…er, what happened?”

Sugar Gnome 1: “You made Y/N Cookie take a ride into an unfinished railway!”

Sugar Gnome 3: “What? N-no! I didn’t mean to! Even if I didn’t do it!”

Dumpling Cookie: “What do you mean “you didn’t do it?””

Sugar Gnome 3: “All I remember was working on the mine cart when I blacked out and now waking up to this! There was a voice, speaking to me…”

Dumpling Cookie: “A voice? Tell me, what does this sound like?”

Sugar Gnome 3: “Dutti-do! It sounded..persuasive and riddled with…darkness!”

Dumpling Cookie: “Darkness? Oh no…we need to report this and gather a search party RIGHT NOW!”

———————————————————————

You groan as you clutched your head, opening your eyes to a brightly lit cavern, lava below your path illuminating the place, your crashed mine cart a little further ahead.

“Sweet yummies…”

“GAH! GET AWAY FROM ME!”

You open your eyes more and slowly get up to see a mole-like Dessertian in mining gear running towards you, this..thing slowly following him…

“Eat…devour…all…”

“HELP! YOU!”

You barely stand up before he quickly ran behind you and hid there as you turn your head to look at him.

“D-DON’T JUST STAND THERE! GET THAT THING AWAY FROM ME!”

You face forward to this thing in front of you.

“Mmm…?”

“Uh…would you kindly turn around and leave?”

“…..Tasty….”

“Excuse me?”

“Mmm…cute snack….I want…”

You suddenly leaped back when the thing decided to lunge at you.

“HEY! I’m not on the menu!”

“Grr….MINE!”

“SEE?! YOU HAVE TO PROTECT ME!”

You sighed irritably as you reached for your blade, ready to fight.

“Guess talking is out of the question…”

[rs-hawk]

Earth Day Request!

A forgotten ancient forest or land god who is awakened unbeknownst to reader. The things they do around their property (compost, plant native species, create bat houses, leave out materials for birds to build nests, ect.) help the god regain its power/strength. The god observes the reader as he waits to be fully restored, and becomes enamored with them and considers them a new worshipper. Once the god finally is restored, they seek out the reader to "reward" them.

This is so hot

Happy Earth Day: Post Ten

When you inherited the old plot of land from your great grandfather, it was clear that it hadn't been taken care of properly in decades. From what your grandfather told you, his father hadn't even really taken care of it when he was a young man. It was just a plot of land that the family owned. What you understand is that it's been over 50 years since anyone took care of it, and over 100 since anyone honored it the way that your grandfather said that it deserved. Your ancestors had moved to that plot of land from the Old Country, and had poured everything into it. That's why even though your great grandfather didn't live on the land, he refused to sell it.

Considering that this was the only way that you were ever going to own land with the state of the economy, you jumped at the chance. Your grandfather was glad that someone would care for the land again. He had fond memories of his own grandparents inviting him over and showing him how to tell what berries were safe to eat, and how to check the stream water to make sure that it was safe to drink. You promised him as soon as you had everything set up and ready, you would have him come stay for a little while. He happily agreed.

As you began to take care of the land, you noticed the more you did, it seemed like the more the land responded. You saw a few bees and went and bought flowers to plant. Then suddenly there was an entire hive. When you began composting and added worms in, suddenly there were so many worms that you were already able to scoop out fresh compost for the flowers you just planted. A few piles here and there of nesting material left out in the spring to help the overwhelmed bird mothers, and before you knew it, every morning there were dozens of bird songs to greet you.

Without you knowing it, you had become the first caregiver of the land that had followed ancient laws that you didn't even know of. The God that had lived on this land, brought to this land from the Old Country, saw you and for the first time in decades, felt like He had a chance to regain His old strength.

Every kindness you showed the land, every flower planted, every injured bird released, every bee brought a dish of sugar water, gave Him more strength. Helped Him reclaim His former glory. He misunderstands your actions, thinking that you are a new worshipper. So, when He finally regains his full power, He knows that He has to thank His faithfully dedicated worshipper.

One Summer morning, there was a knock at your door. When you opened it, the being on the other side should have left you afraid. Should have scared and terrified you. Instead, you found yourself left in awe.

He was easily 12 feet fall, with a face that was somewhere between a man and a deer. Instead of hair, locks of leaves and vines fell down HIs back and around His face. His body was like a bear's-covered in fur and large with claws at the end of His paws. You knew that you should be afraid. You knew that you should run, or do something. Anything. Instead, you took a side step, opening your door wider for Him. Something deep inside you knew what this was. What He was. Something far more ancient and older than you could comprehend.

"A dutiful worshipper. Helping to restore Me to my rightful glory," His voice came out in a snarled, low graveled tone as He reached out to hold your face in His paws.

When He picked you up, drawing your body against His, you melted into Him. His long, fat tongue slid down your throat as His claws slashed through your clothes with ease. You might be His worshipper, but right now, He had a century of lust to unleash and you were the vessel He had at His disposal.

He licked and nipped at every inch of exposed skin, his sharp teeth nearly slicing through your skin, but instead of pain, it only sent your ecstasy higher. Before you knew it, He was pushing you up against the wall, sliding His massive cock inside of you. You stretched around Him in the most pleasantly painful way. Every inch of Him sheathed inside of you just enough to fill you, distending your stomach to show how perfectly deep you take His Godly cock.

Who knows long you were slid and bounced up and down on His cock? By the time He was finally done with you, you had more orgasms than you could count, and you knew that you would spend the rest of your life worshipping Him in anyway that He wanted.

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[papasmoke]

My name is Ruwa Romman, and I’m honored to be the first Palestinian elected to public office in the great state of Georgia and the first Palestinian to ever speak at the Democratic National Convention. My story begins in a small village near Jerusalem, called Suba, where my dad’s family is from. My mom’s roots trace back to Al Khalil, or Hebron. My parents, born in Jordan, brought us to Georgia when I was eight, where I now live with my wonderful husband and our sweet pets.

Growing up, my grandfather and I shared a special bond. He was my partner in mischief—whether it was sneaking me sweets from the bodega or slipping a $20 into my pocket with that familiar wink and smile. He was my rock, but he passed away a few years ago, never seeing Suba or any part of Palestine again. Not a day goes by that I don’t miss him.

This past year has been especially hard. As we’ve been moral witnesses to the massacres in Gaza, I’ve thought of him, wondering if this was the pain he knew too well. When we watched Palestinians displaced from one end of the Gaza Strip to the other I wanted to ask him how he found the strength to walk all those miles decades ago and leave everything behind. 

But in this pain, I’ve also witnessed something profound—a beautiful, multifaith, multiracial, and multigenerational coalition rising from despair within our Democratic Party. For 320 days, we’ve stood together, demanding to enforce our laws on friend and foe alike to reach a ceasefire, end the killing of Palestinians, free all the Israeli and Palestinian hostages, and to begin the difficult work of building a path to collective peace and safety. That’s why we are here—members of this Democratic Party committed to equal rights and dignity for all. What we do here echoes around the world.

They’ll say this is how it’s always been, that nothing can change. But remember Fannie Lou Hamer—shunned for her courage, yet she paved the way for an integrated Democratic Party. Her legacy lives on, and it’s her example we follow.

But we can’t do it alone. This historic moment is full of promise, but only if we stand together. Our party’s greatest strength has always been our ability to unite. Some see that as a weakness, but it’s time we flex that strength. 

Let’s commit to each other, to electing Vice President Harris and defeating Donald Trump who uses my identity as a Palestinian as a slur. Let’s fight for the policies long overdue—from restoring access to abortions to ensuring a living wage, to demanding an end to reckless war and a ceasefire in Gaza. To those who doubt us, to the cynics and the naysayers, I say, yes we can—yes we can be a Democratic Party that prioritizes funding our schools and hospitals, not for endless wars. That fights for an America that belongs to all of us—Black, brown, and white, Jews and Palestinians, all of us, like my grandfather taught me, together.

I want to be clear,” Romman said. “We’ve been in negotiations for days. This did not just come up…We’ve been talking about this for at least a week. In addition, the campaign told us that not getting a ‘no’ [initially upon first hearing the request] was a really good sign. For them to give us a ‘no’ the same day that Geoff Duncan [a Republican from Georgia] was on the stage—especially when it was my name—was just absolutely a slap in the face.”

[hankacadew]

A copy/paste of a very early morning Reddit essay on Hans’ influence in Henry, aka why I’m a die hard supporter of Hans despite his flaws. Please forgive all typos and grammar issues, it’s literally 3am for me.

Alrighty. Here you have Henry, a survivor fresh from Skalitz. A probable young teenager (I’m in my thirties, all teens are young) who just saw his parents, his girlfriend and his home all taken away from him in one horrible day. He’s fixated on revenge and THE SWORD (a representation of his dead Pa’s honor - getting it back to Sir Dadzig). At this point, his identity is wrapped up in all dead things - his dead family, dead home and people to make dead. Dead dead dead.

Enter a young noble brat who to Henry’s knowledge has suffered no real tragedy but is clearly in need of a good trouncing. His first encounter has Hans cast question on his honor and who he is as a man (see the meeting where Hans butts in). Still sore from this meeting and focused on his quest for the dead, Henry encounters the brat once again while training.

(I’ll be honest, I reloaded a save in my first playthrough just to make sure I beat Hans at bow and sword because my Henry was not gonna let some brat beat him regardless of the lack of player skill)

Hans taunts stir up a bunch of negative emotion targeted at the living - Henry may feel strongly but he doesn’t want Hans dead. He just wants to punch the stupid smirk off his face and after besting him at bow and sword (or after getting his ass kicked by the noble who’s been in training for both most of this life) he finally gets a chance to that evening.

Henry outright ignores what he’s been taught his entire life about the superiority of nobles. Here’s a chance to do something, to vent out all the emotions that are surely beating around in his head, finally a target! My Henry kicked Hans’ ass fair and square until Hanush spectacularly arrives on scene to address the madness and restore a semblance of normal standards.

Henry has no choice but to do what Hanush orders him and clearly the brat isn’t happy either. Cue Henry trotting behind Hans like a somewhat grumpy dog (I think it’s fair to argue canonically, Henry is poorly trained and lacking a horse). Amazingly, the good noble brat gives Henry an unprovoked apology that addresses the proper behavior of a peasant with a noble but has Hans admit his fault. The brat turns out to be someone who has a sense of honor, someone who treats Henry as a little more like an equal than every ounce of training has taught Hans about their relative status.

This is the first time ingame that Henry has a chance ti open up somewhat about Skalitz to someone without the same open wounds and how he feels and Hans is pretty decent about it (if still kind of a dick, classic Hans). They get drunk together and Henry has some real human contact.

Cue the next morning of a much more friendly rivalry, culminating in Hans being dead wrong about boar hunting. He disappears and Henry once again has lost someone….BUT he finds him again. THIS TIME he’s able to do something despite it being terrifying as fuck and he still has very little training. Henry is still bitterly angry and disappointed that he ran away at Skalitz and Hans is the first person he saves.

For the very first time since his world was torn apart, Henry has achieved something very real by himself and Hans is damn grateful. At this point, Hans becomes a living symbol that Henry has a very real impact on the world. Hans would likely be dead without Henry at this point.

I think it’s also worth noting that when Henry finds Hans again, Hans is being brave and defiant and quick witted (I absolutely adore the horrible insults he’s giving to the Cumans). This is the person that Henry rescues. My personal interpretation is that this is the moment that Henry imprints on Hans and the point where Henry is elevated above the rank of peasant in Hans’ eyes.

Henry gets Hans home and is recognized as a HERO by Hanush and the rest of Rattay for saving their bratty lord. He’s gone from being the coward of Skalitz (in his eyes, see how often he talks about not running again). This is a shift back towards the living being a reason for being.

This rescue marks the point where Henry stops being a passive object to be done unto and starts being an active participant influencing the world around him. He receives a horse, he embarks on missions to help people. He’s empowering himself and Hans is the springboard upon which he started this path. He’s still obsessed with revenge but it’s no longer the only thing in his life.

When Hans recovers, he pretty much immediately seeks out Henry for the bath shenanigans. Cue a night of fun and the first time in what will probably be a long series of times humoring Capon’s bullshit (I love all the eye rolling you can hear in Henry’s voice in both games). Next To Godliness is a FUN quest. It’s not about murder or revenge - it’s just you and Hans playing together and getting in trouble together.

This time in the meeting with Hanush, you and Hans were working together, not fighting against each other. It’s a whole shift from the first yelling session. Once again, Hanush assigns you to work together but both of you approach this very differently to the first time, you’re a team this time. It’s also another goal you’re set with Hans that isn’t all about Skalitz and the sword.

This is the quest that unlocks the Hans DLC and you know that’s a whole bunch of fun quests working with Hans that ends up with Henry, tooooootally coincidentally of course, getting a love letter from Hans. I do consider these main quests since you’re required to do them to complete the game (funny how it’s the only required DLC *coughcough* Hansry *coughcough*).

I forgot to mention Capon’s Champion but you can technically skip this one. I do see it as an important part of the relationship too - Henry represents Hans and also gives Hans the opportunity to look good to Hanush.

The next time you see Hans in an official main quest is Night Raid. Once again, you have a goal that is about the living and Hans is right there besides Henry. Once again, Henry saves his noble arse - reinforcing how important Henry is to him. Sure the mission is a failure but Henry gets Hans out alive, again. Henry is a real player on this stage.

Throughout the first game, Hans is a consistent and positive (if occasionally irritating) presence in Henry’s life. He plays a significant role in Henry taking the wounds of Skalitz and rebuilding himself into a real man, a warrior - someone in control of their fate. Hans is his friend, his lord - a living symbol of being alive and living life - it’s commented on in the interviews how Hans brings out the lighter side of Henry.

End the first game.

[takami-takami]

The Uncommitted Movement and Uncommitted Delegates have been petitioning to have just one Palestinian-American speak at the DNC for months; among a sea of speakers, including a random border patrol agent, Trump voters, and the CEO of Uber.

They were told three words and no other explanation: "It's a no."

The delegates and Palestine protesters have been working tirelessly to get the DNC to rescind this decision on the last day of the convention and apply pressure. There is only one ethnic background that is not allowed to speak at the DNC, and that is Palestinians.

Georgia State Representative Ruwa Romman is at the top of the list of Palestinian democrats that were offered— of which the Uncommitted Movement and delegates generously offered the DNC to take their pick.

In case they don't let her speak, this is her speech.

"My name is Ruwa Romman, and I’m honored to be the first Palestinian elected to public office in the great state of Georgia and the first Palestinian to ever speak at the Democratic National Convention. My story begins in a small village near Jerusalem, called Suba, where my dad’s family is from. My mom’s roots trace back to Al Khalil, or Hebron. My parents, born in Jordan, brought us to Georgia when I was eight, where I now live with my wonderful husband and our sweet pets.

Growing up, my grandfather and I shared a special bond. He was my partner in mischief—whether it was sneaking me sweets from the bodega or slipping a $20 into my pocket with that familiar wink and smile. He was my rock, but he passed away a few years ago, never seeing Suba or any part of Palestine again. Not a day goes by that I don’t miss him.

This past year has been especially hard. As we’ve been moral witnesses to the massacres in Gaza, I’ve thought of him, wondering if this was the pain he knew too well. When we watched Palestinians displaced from one end of the Gaza Strip to the other I wanted to ask him how he found the strength to walk all those miles decades ago and leave everything behind. 

But in this pain, I’ve also witnessed something profound—a beautiful, multifaith, multiracial, and multigenerational coalition rising from despair within our Democratic Party. For 320 days, we’ve stood together, demanding to enforce our laws on friend and foe alike to reach a ceasefire, end the killing of Palestinians, free all the Israeli and Palestinian hostages, and to begin the difficult work of building a path to collective peace and safety. That’s why we are here—members of this Democratic Party committed to equal rights and dignity for all. What we do here echoes around the world.

They’ll say this is how it’s always been, that nothing can change. But remember Fannie Lou Hamer—shunned for her courage, yet she paved the way for an integrated Democratic Party. Her legacy lives on, and it’s her example we follow.

But we can’t do it alone. This historic moment is full of promise, but only if we stand together. Our party’s greatest strength has always been our ability to unite. Some see that as a weakness, but it’s time we flex that strength. 

Let’s commit to each other, to electing Vice President Harris and defeating Donald Trump who uses my identity as a Palestinian as a slur. Let’s fight for the policies long overdue—from restoring access to abortions to ensuring a living wage, to demanding an end to reckless war and a ceasefire in Gaza. To those who doubt us, to the cynics and the naysayers, I say, yes we can—yes we can be a Democratic Party that prioritizes funding our schools and hospitals, not for endless wars. That fights for an America that belongs to all of us—Black, brown, and white, Jews and Palestinians, all of us, like my grandfather taught me, together."

[syndrossi]

I have been thinking about the Knight of Stars AU a lot lately, so if you don't mind, pick a scenario below and tell me your thoughts about it:

- Arthur and Criston Cole's first interaction. Where do they meet? Do they argue? Fight? Get along? Side-eye each other?

- Arthur and Willam Royce's first time teaming up to guard the twins. Do *they* get along? Side-eye each other?

- Arthur and Jon's first chance to meet each other without nosy adults looking on. (Daemon, I'm looking at yooooou.) What are Arthur's thoughts on Rhaegar's new big brother?

- Arthur interacting with Qelebrys and Shadow! Does Qelebrys get jealous or possessive of Rhaegar, or do the dragons take to Arthur easily? How does Arthur feel about dragons being a real thing again in the first place? (And how they impact his job, tbh.)

- The results of someone accusing Arthur and/or Daemon and/or Rhaegar and Jon to their face(s) of Arthur being Daemon's bastard.

- Arthur's family's thoughts when they realize what their son has done (i.e., running off with the ancestral family sword to swear himself to the eight-year-old princeling of an enemy nation).

- Mixing AUs, but... Rhaella and Arthur's reactions upon realizing they both ended up traveling through time and space to find Rhaegar, lmao (and to add crack to that, Jon's thought process on why these people directly connected to Rhaegar keep showing up -- hell, even HE is directly connected to Rhaegar... not that Rhaegar knows that. 😂)

Arthur vs Cole

Cole is technically from the Dornish Marches rather than Dorne itself, which means the potential for so much shit-talking, since the Dornish Marches were essentially the Iron Throne's buffer between its borders and Dorne. So Cole isn't inclined to like him to begin with, and certainly not once his allegiances become clear. It's also the thing where you see someone younger/more handsome than you rise to threaten your position. I could see their first encounter being Arthur seeing Cole behaving rudely/unkindly toward either Jon or Rhaegar or Jace, and stepping in on the pretense of doing his duty of protecting the royal children. Cole is outraged, Arthur eloquently defends his actions to Ser Harrold and/or the king if pressed. He wins some points with Jon.

Afterward, I expect they get encouraged to engage in a "friendly" spar to resolve their differences and it gets ugly.

Arthur and Willam

I see them as mostly getting along! Arthur has some initial suspicions due to the story of Rhea's treason, but having been under a cloud of suspicion himself at first, he can sympathize. It helps that Ser Willam is at least a decade older and doesn't feel threatened by him the way that Cole does. The one area where I could see a little tension is Arthur feeling like Ser Willam has an agenda re: restoring House Royce's honor, pushing Jon to take the Royce name, etc.

Ser Willam thinks he's a bit young for the responsibility but otherwise seems sound in his skills, and he gets along well with the boys, which he approves of. He does note Arthur's bias toward Rhaegar, and keeps an eye on that to make sure he's equally guarding both.

Arthur and Jon

I have to think there's an early element of Arthur disapproving of Jon "stealing" Rhaegar's birthright by being the elder twin. Not only is his prince no longer heir to the Iron Throne, but he is not set to rule even a holdfast? It's probably more subconscious, since Jon's an eight-year-old boy and also had no control over birth order lol. There's some big-brother-energy colliding at first as they size one another up. Arthur wants to make sure Jon cares for Rhaegar and will see to his happiness/future. Jon probably is dealing more with mixed emotions of "so this is the legend" where the legend is younger than Jon was pre-Summerhall plus having perhaps some Robb+Theon flashbacks? Where Theon was "cooler" than Jon because he was older, just as Arthur is older than them.

So a little bit of "are you trying to steal my brother/bff" that gets cleared up over time as they get to know one another and geek out over swordfighting.

Arthur and hatchlings

Jon can't help but feel a little smug that Qelebrys doesn't seem to care much at all about Arthur. She's curious and does try to bite his sword once, but only Jon and Daemon are allowed to give her scritches. Shadow tends not to care too much about people in general, so he mostly ignores Arthur and/or picks up a little on Jon's tension and hisses at him a little.

Arthur meanwhile thinks the hatchlings are the most striking, magical, adorable creatures of legend he's met. A few encounters with dragonflame educates him on the dangerous side of close familiarity with dragons. He resigns himself to protecting both children and dragons, however impossible that task seems, because he's seen how much Rhaegar loves Qelebrys and losing her would shatter his heart.

(The real oh shit realization comes when he meets Caraxes, tbh. Because that's an actual enormous dragon who could gobble him up in 1-2 bites. And there are how many of those in the Dragonpit right now? And how many freely flying around Dragonstone??? He has a hard time understanding how such powerful creatures could ever have disappeared from the world.)

Arthur as Daemon's bastard

Hmm, trying to think whether it's one of Daemon's old gold cloak officer buddies being a little too drunkenly familiar and nudging him in the side going "eh? eh? a little consequence of your times in the Street of Silks?" while nodding very prominently at Arthur.

Or them visiting a slightly out-of-touch lord's holdfast, and he's heard that Daemon suddenly found himself with sons and assumes it's three of them, welcoming "Prince Arthur" as well. Jon and Rhaegar think this is hilarious. Daemon is outraged.

Or an enemy of Daemon's (some highborn lord's son?) trying to damage his relationship with the twins by cornering them to talk about his wanton ways and that he had known Daemon to sleep with a Dornish whore, and did he think he was being subtle by sneaking his bastard son into the Princesguard?

House Dayne

Chaaaaaos! Frantic ravens to Prince Qoren, disavowing their son's actions while accusing the Iron Throne of somehow plotting to kidnap their son and force him into the Princesguard. Prince Qoren is...somewhat less than convinced, but does send along a demand that Arthur and the sword be returned to Dorne.

Depending on whether Arthur confided any of his "prophetic dreams" to his family, they may be kicking themselves for not taking it more seriously. I could see one of his sisters secretly cheering him on, knowing that he had been unhappy for a time and glad that he had found his purpose. And perhaps hoping that she might be able to visit someday.

Fierce, fierce debate and finger-pointing about Arthur having been named Sword of the Morning and given Dawn as such a young age, when boys are prone to flights of fancy, albeit flights usually shorter and less treasonous than this.

I think they do eventually negotiate that Dawn will be returned to House Dayne upon Arthur's death.

A lot of sudden Dornish interest cropping up too about this Targaryen prince of seemingly so little consequence being the object of both Volantene ambitions and the Sword of Morning's loyalty. Ooh, perhaps this leads to Prince Qoren putting out feelers for a Dornish match for Rhaegar? (Daemon vehemently opposes on account of ONGOING WAR and likely Dornish treachery.)

Rhaegar as Summerhall magnet?

That's a good point, where from Jon's POV it suddenly seems like it's Rhaegar's world, they're all just living (drawn into) it. 😂 OTOH, those are all people with a connection to Jon as well. His father, his grandmother, and the man who guarded baby Jon in the Tower of Joy. But since he never met any of them, it's a lot harder to see it.

Rhaella would be so happy/relieved to meet Arthur. She had worried about his fate, and felt guilty about finding her own joy/escape even though Arthur had likely been tortured to death by Aerys for her disappearance. And Arthur, who knew just how desperately she wanted to find her son, and had heard enough in his short time as Kingsguard to know how she had suffered, would be overjoyed to see her with the family and freedom she deserves.

I feel like they'd be the two most likely to compare notes with one another (aside from Jon and Rhaegar with each other, obviously), since the twins are young and they assume they are mostly children. Though I'm sure eventually they tentatively broach the subject with them.

Daemon meanwhile: Am I supposed to think it normal that this Dornish whelp has a bond with everyone in my family? NO, HE'S NOT MY BASTARD.

[kaymarie-bell]

TWST JP Spoilers

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bullet points again, it is almost 6 am for me and the update dropped at 1 am. I'm eppy so sorry for any mistakes! 🌻

cut to Heartslabyul students

Trey tells Riddle that he's happy he's okay. Riddle says the same about the rest of us and that he's grateful to everyone who helped. Cater says that he managed to see a bit of the fight inside Idia's room (against Malleus, before Idia trapped him)

Deuce heard about someone fighting while reading a textbook, and he says that as expected people who are good at studying are amazing!

Cater says that it's already beyond the level of "being good at studying"

Riddle says that it's a bit frustrating, but he wouldn't have been able to fight so hard without Idia's support. He now realizes that the "Heretic Genius" moniker isn't just an empty title

Riddle says he'll study more about magic engineering once he wakes up. And he wonders why someone who's able to do such amazing things refuses to try his best every day

Anyways, he was able to fight Malleus on more equal terms thanks to Idia's plan.

He says that he caused trouble for his dorm mates, and as such he'll restore his honor in battle. Let's work hard, and pull yourselves together!

Trey/Cater/Deuce: yes, Dorm Leader!

Ace:...really, that's it?

Riddle: huh?

Ace: In your dream, even the seniors and Sebek were defeated. If I hadn't been able to stop you, everything would've been over. My hands were swearing, and my knees where shaking.

Ace: Do you realize how scared we were?

Deuce: Ace...

Ace talks about how difficult it was for all of them, and that Riddle can't just say "I've caused you trouble" and move on

Ace, in tears: Isn't there something else you want to tell us?!

Ace is full on sobbing at this point

Cater says that Ace finally snapped, and Trey says that ADeuce worked really hard and if it weren't for them there's no telling what could've happened so he's thankful to them

Ace, still crying: stop treating me like a child!

Riddle says that he isn't sure of what to say at times like this, and he begins by thanking Trey and Cater for their hard work

Ace complains that is still not right, but Cater assures him Trey and him are fine with it. Trey says that the Dorm Leader should praise the first years for their growth

Riddle:...Ace, Deuce. I'm very sorry for scaring you.

Riddle says that he was amazed by Deuce’s UM, and although Vil had told him how intense it was he never expected to experience it by himself. He was able to wake up thanks to it. However, his UM is like a double-edged sword so he shouldn't overestimate his strength and take too many risks.

Deuce: Dorm Leader Rosehearts...yessir!

And to Ace, Riddle is always surprised by him. His UM swaps his magic with his opponent's. And the magic Riddle was holding in his hand suddenly changed to something else. It was like a magic¹ trick! (¹he uses 手品 which means magic/illusion/sleight of hand instead of 魔法 which means magic/sorcery/witchcraft)

He didn't even realize what had happened for a second. Ace's magic is deceptive and sophisticated in nature, just like him. He congratulates him for discovering his UM

Ace: *still crying*

Riddle then says that their magic isn't mastered simply by learning it. They must learn to use their triump cards at the right moment. Ace and Deuce should polish it like a mirror

Riddle:...that's all.

Ace: 30 points! 😠

Riddle: huh?!

Ace: Trey-senpai and Cater-senpai spoke more kindly to Ortho when he was crying, also they praised him! You should learn things like that instead of magical engineering once you wake up!

Riddle: What do you mean by "things like that"? How should I do it?

Trey says that Riddle tried his best in his own way. Cater teases Ace by saying that Ace himself said that nobody follows a queen who's only kind while in Riddle's dream. Ace protests but Cater continues saying that he must be jealous because Trey has been treating Ortho so well~

Ace says he's definitely NOT jealous, but the Dorm Leader and the seniors are from Heartslabyul, and as their first years Ace and Deuce should be the ones getting praised and loved the most!

Deuce: do NOT drag me into this!

Cater says that their juniors are cute, so he'll praise them. He pats ADeuce on their heads and then does the same to Riddle. Riddle is embarrassed because he's the Dorm Leader

Cater says that if you think about it, Riddle is still their junior even if he's Dorm Leader. Trey says that's right, also Riddle and Ace are only one month apart in age (I always laugh whenever I remember this)

Trey also pats Riddle and tells him he worked hard.

Riddle says that he was just doing his job as Dorm Leader, there's no need for praise

Deuce praises him for being able to defend Idia from Malleus. Cater says that all of them, Ace, Deuce and Riddle did great. 100 points for all of them.

Trey wants to bake a cake when they wake up

Riddle is still embarrassed and Cater teases him, so Riddle tells him if they keep it up he's going to "behead" all of them. Ace calls him a tyrant and they bicker between themselves while Trey, Cater, and Deuce laugh

(I love Heartslabyul ❤️)

Cater: oh! I got a notif from the TWST app.

it's an update from Idia, the Heartslabyul Battle Map is ready

Riddle: [Dream Form Change]!

Riddle: [Overblot Form]!

The boys talk about their previous experience with this Riddle, Cater says that he looks impressive, Deuce says that his body tenses when remembering, and Ace says that this time Riddle is their ally and if you think about it he's cool

Riddle leads them to battle

[factual-fantasy]

26 asks! Thank you! :}}} 🪲

Oh absolutely I do. That's why I always ask before drawing anyone's OCs, or using/modifying their original meme templates, or anything of the sort. Friends and strangers alike.

And same goes for AU ideas. In the past I've seen a really cool idea for an AU and tracked down the OP and asked if I could incorporate their idea into my AU as well. I do my very best to do this for other artists because its what I wish people would do for me.👍👍

I have a master post for all my Octonauts artwork here. 👍

@ripchaos69

I'm really proud of/pleased with how this fairy piece came out! :DD

I also really like how this pixelated cat came out! :)

I was very pleased with how WALL-E cam out in this piece!

I also think this is one of the best drawings of Optimus I've ever done! :))

Even if I knew the answer, that's probably not something I should share online anyways is it?

@mothpendragon

I remember not liking him at all the first time I watched the show. But now watching it a second time years later, I think he's really not that bad. :0 In fact I don't know why I disliked him so much back then.

There are some parts about his character that annoy me. But most of that either is good character writing or isn't his fault. I don't like how immature he tends to be, but of course he's immature. He's still basically just a kid who hasn't experienced much of this war.

And when things get rough, he really straightens out and tries his best to be serious and obedient. Which is very nice to see.

Another thing that I don't like is how the phase shifter was kind'a overused. It became his signature weapon that he used to bail him out of everything. Smokescreen has demonstrated that he's actually pretty clever and slick, it would have been fun to see him trick or outsmart the cons more often instead of just using the phase shifter to save his aft every time. But again, this is not Smokescreens fault at all. Its the writers fault for making his use it so much.

And lastly, something that really made me like Smokescreen was the whole thing that happened with Optimus nearly dying. Smokescreen freaking out at the prospect of becoming a Prime felt really real. Instead of being honored and having and having an inflated ego like I thought he might for some reason- he was terrified.

And him panicking and using the forge to repair Optimus last second felt very real. I could really understand how Smokescreen must have felt, wanting to follow Optimus's orders and restore their home, but also being unable to bare the responsibility of being a Prime. Eventually dragging Optimus back to the land of the living and throwing away any hope of restoring the Omega lock.

If I was better at analyzing characters, I would have loved to draw a comic about what happens right after Optimus was repaired.

My first thought is Smokescreen feeling guilty and ashamed of having used the forge against Optimus's wishes. Would Smokescreen crumble? Fall to his knees, crying and apologizing? "I'm so sorry Optimus- I just couldn't do it-- I couldn't do it, I cant be a Prime- I couldn't-- w-we couldn't lose you.." Is that in character? Honestly I have no idea. 😔

I've thought about doing that for my lineless style, but I haven't gotten around to it.. 😓

If someone goes out of their way to comment on your post/in your ask box saying you're cringe for liking transformers, block the all the way to the sun and back.

What a jerk. I wouldn't be friends with anyone who goes around insulting/trying to upset people for no reason like that. Block them and don't accept/respond any phony apology they might throw your way. They knew they were being rude when they sent that message and deserve to be blocked.

Dude I would take that so fast. No one in my family would ever have to work or have debt ever again 😭

I figure if I ever feel like drawing/posting Octonauts art again, I would just put it behind a paywall on my Ko-fi. Which ngl I've thought about doing a lot recently with the new movie that came out.

But also- I would have no way of filtering out people for that private blog because how am I supposed to know who will and wont steal my artwork just by looking at their account? And when it did get stolen, I would have no way of knowing which follower did it-

I believe I've mentioned it before, but I didn't want to watch Rescue bots because its attached to Transformers: Prime <:/

Its supposed to be connected to Prime, but its rather baby-ified. The tone is much more light hearted, the plot of Rescue bots completely rewrites/contradicts the plot of Prime, Optimus comes back to life for no reason. Stuff like that.

Atm I'm only interested in Prime 😔

@kitkat1003

OUGUHHH SO REALLLLL 😭😭😭😭

REALLL I've only ever found ship fics😔😔😔 I'd love to see an aftermath fic with no romance involved.

@virtualworldfp5

That's a really cool idea! :D Great artwork too! :))

@badlyblurry

Man, if I had a nickel for every time Jeffery Combs played a character with some sort of scientist background and that had some form of contact with a green chemical compound that holds harmful properties to one body in a way, I'd have 3 nickels. Which isn't a lot but its weird that it happened 3 times. XD

@anonymous-red-shades

I'd definitely want to be something that can fly :00 But I don't think I'd wanna fly super fast because i wanna enjoy the scenery.. hmmm.. maybe a helicopter or a classic pontoon plane? :000

As for abilities... uhhhhhhh the only special abilities I know that transformers can have is the warping thing that Skywarp does. I don't know of any other powers <:0 Maybe an ability to change into more than one alt mode..? So I could be a submarine and go underwater? Or maybe the ability to breathe underwater or something? :00

(Referencing this post)

They're so unhinged I swear 😔

@chickenmilk120 (Referencing this post)

NOT YOU TOO-

@cherrycreamfairy

I couldn't find any websites that didn't make my anti virus tweak out <XD So the only villain I like from memory is Captain Gantu from Lilo and Stitch.

I still like it yeah :0 but I'm not really engaging in any Mandalorian media atm-

@minnesotamedic186

Okay the killing part aside a Plymouth Fury is an excellent choice of car ngl. Especially a fiery red 💅💅💅

@axolotlcookie0

The fact that it looks like Thomas's face has been bagged makes it even funnier XDDD

@wolfie-777

XD I actually think of that a lot yeah. I always tell myself "oooo I should draw that later" but I never do XD💀

@beryl-shade

Bibi would probably use it as intended. Sharpening and cleaning his claws💅💅

Meanwhile Cici would use it as a weapon to beat up Jangles and Gerald with XDD

What was his real name supposed to be in that continuity then? XD

@milk-powrit

References. Looooots and looooot of references.

Typically I use references of realistic skeletons. But if there's a part of the body that I just cant seem to draw right, then I look up drawings of skeletons to see how other artists drew that part. 👍

@beryl-shade

Oh no doubt they'll have an episode that takes place around the lake and the fair grounds(?) The theme park next to the main tent-

The fact that Caine mentioned their existence at all implies that an episode is going to take place there. At least for me-

[dontcallthedoctor]

Skittles Goes to the Amazing Digital Circus! Announcement (+ Auditions and Casting Call)

Hiya, fellas! I've got a very special and important announcement to drop out of the blue today. For the past couple months, I've been hard at work starting up pre-production on an Amazing Digital Circus fan film!!!

Skittles Goes to the Amazing Digital Circus! is a passion project I've been slowly developing with some close friends of mine, including @mikiib, @cluelesscleo, @jeggyweggy, @tomatertate, @endomentendo, @apatchydragon, @pizzycrisisline, @sillycringychaoskitty and MANY, MANY more! You all are some of the funniest, sweetest, most talented people I've ever known and I love you all so much. I am so honored and thankful to be able to call you all friends <3

Skittles Goes to the Amazing Digital Circus is, in it's current state, intended to be a feature length animatic. It acts as both a continuation of Digital Circus' story, and as unofficial backdoor pilot to the Skittles universe. I originally envisioned it as being fully animated, but of course if we took that route, we'd end up working on this twice as long as we need to. The compromise is that it'll be made as a (hopefully) colored animatic (just the key frames with limited animation), fully voiced and scored.

(Note: It'd be a good idea to look at my previous post where I discuss the character Skittles in-depth, otherwise some aspects of this story might not make sense!)

Premise:

The story (so far) follows Skittles, a pre-teen axolotl boy who, while browsing Gbay, finds a listing for a blank disc with the words "TADC (NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION) scrawled on it in red, blue, and yellow marker. After checking the description, he realizes that it's a recovered copy of the game The Amazing Digital Circus, described as "an experimental early/mid-ninties game of mysterious origin and design". Skittles likes the sound of it and buys it. After some initial trouble with the installation process, Skittles is sent an email from a mysterious sender who claims to be someone trapped inside the game. They plead with him NOT TO PLAY THE GAME, but to look into it and figure out a way to free them from the outside.

So Skittles does what any of us would do. He plays the game after this obviously-disheveled stranger pleads with him NOT to. Of course, this leads to him being sucked straight through his monitor into The Amazing Digital Circus! Once inside, he meets the circus gang and is given his orientation by Caine.

As the humans get to know Skittles, they begin to notice a few strange things about him. For starters, unlike them, he (apparently) looks the same here as he did before he dropped in. He also remembers his name and retains most of his memories from the outside world. It isn't until the next morning, when Caine awakes without his powers, that things get really odd.

Evidentially, sometime in the night, some fluke in the game's code causes Skittles to be bumped up in the digital hierarchy, giving him all of Caine's powers, effectively making him the ringmaster by default! Caine becomes disheartened, feeling this is some divine punishment for his shortcomings as ringmaster and his constant inability to please his guests. Feeling unwanted and useless, Caine leaves behind his hat and cane and exiles himself from the circus, travelling far off into the Void where he can't cause anybody and harm.

Meanwhile, the bewildered circus gang are left to deal with the newly appointed Ringmaster Skittles, who makes it clear that he has no idea what he's doing. Despite his newfound powers, he's still just a kid and proves to be utterly incompetent at running the circus. Not only is his young brain not mentally ready for the responsibility, but the "ringmaster protocol" gradually starts to take over his mind, making him just as bonkers as Caine was if not worse. With the fate of the circus hanging in the balance, it's up to the circus crew, realizing how much they truly need Caine, to bring him back and restore order... or the Digital Circus may never be the same...

Originally, this started off as more of a "what-if" scenario with no real story behind it, but the more I mulled over it with friends, the more we realized this could actually make for a really cool story. Once it was decided that Skittles should take over the circus and become the ringmaster, the rest of the premise fell into place. Granted, the story isn't completely plotted out yet, but the beats are all there. In the end, Skittles helps the circus gang to further appreciate one another, but most importantly, to appreciate the asset they have in Caine. For his part, Caine learns how to listen better, to relate, and also how he can make life in the circus better for everyone, hopefully without compromising his vision or ideas.

Currently we're looking for artists (concept/storyboardists, line artists, background artists mainly) voice actors (for Ragatha, Jax, Kinger, Caine and Bubble) a couple writers and composers. Production isn't super far along in terms of content, but I'll post a handful of sketches and concepts that everyone's drawn up!

If anyone is interested and would like to take part, feel free to DM me, either here on Tumblr or at my Discord (anunmadebed)! I'm really looking forward to working with ppl and hearing what y'all think Abt this! Words cannot describe how damn EXCITED I am I'm stimming so hard rnnn

(So sorry if that seemed like a mess, I get really nervous talking about things I'm passionate about in public ^^)